Rosh Hashanah 2016: What Do Jews Eat To Celebrate The New Year?

The biggest holiday in the Jewish religion, Rosh Hashanah, starts on Sunday this year. The two-day holiday is a celebration of the Jewish New Year, during which Jews recognize the day that God created the world. Although many people will spend most of the holiday worshiping in synagogues and reading passages from the Torah, many families will celebrate Rosh Hashanah before services start with a family feast filled with tons of traditional holiday goodies. Celebrate 2016 Rosh Hashanah and check out a list of a few foods Jews devour during the holiday.

Challah Bread: Fluffy rounds of challah may be the most recognizable dish at a Rosh Hashanah dinner. The braided egg bread is typically served on Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest. During Rosh Hashanah, many Jews will shape the loaves into spirals, representing continuity. Check out challah bread recipes here.

Fish Head: Since Rosh Hashanah literally means “head of the year” in Hebrew, many Jews will feast on the head of a fish. In Jewish culture, fish represents fertility and abundance.

Apples Dipped In Honey: The sweet treat symbolizes more than just the sweet new year Jews hope to be blessed with. The apple represents Gan Eden, or the Garden of Eden, which is described as the scent of an apple orchard in the Midrash and called “the holy apple orchard” in Kabbalah Judaism.

Honey Cake: Made with an array of spices like clove, cinnamon and allspice, honey cake is presented at Rosh Hashanah as a way to express Sweet New Year wishes amongst loved ones.

New Fruit: On the second night of Rosh Hashanah, Jews dine on new fruit – which is usually pomegranate – to represent the new season. While eating new fruit Jews will say the shehechiyanu blessing, which is thanks to God for keeping followers alive and ushering them into a new season.