YouTube Series Explores Honey and Shofar Production for Jewish New Year

The second episode of the YouTube series "Shani en immersion" follows host Shani Guidalia as she explores the production of two key symbols of the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah: honey and the shofar. The episode begins early in the morning at an apiary in Kfar Sirkin, central Israel, where Shani joins Yaniv, a beekeeper from a family-run operation. She learns about the importance of protective gear and careful movements when working with the approximately 50,000 to 70,000 bees in a colony, emphasizing that bees only sting when threatened. Yaniv explains that bees produce honey for themselves and that beekeepers harvest the surplus. He also highlights the crucial role of bees in pollination for various crops like avocados, apples, and cereals. The episode notes that a single bee can travel several kilometers to find nectar and communicates its location to other bees through a "bee dance." The honey extraction process, which occurs twice a year, had concluded before filming. A single hive can yield up to 30 kilograms of honey annually. The family business also produces other bee products, including flavored preparations, cosmetics, and liqueurs.

The series then shifts to Kfar Chabad to showcase the creation of the shofar, a ritual instrument used during Rosh Hashanah prayers. In the workshop, raw animal horns are processed through cutting, drilling, shaping, sanding, and polishing. The precise creation of the opening is essential for the shofar's sound. The artisans use horns sourced from various places, including Morocco. Crafting a shofar can take between 15 to 20 minutes, depending on the desired level of detail and the care taken with the mouthpiece. The episode concludes by emphasizing how it illuminates the crafts, professions, and traditions involved in preparing for the Jewish New Year.