Rosh Hashanah Traditions: Symbolic Foods and Candle Lighting Explained

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, marked by the start of Shabbat on September 11th, Jewish communities worldwide prepare for the holiday. Specific times for candle lighting and the end of Shabbat are provided for various cities, including Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, and international locations like Moscow, London, and New York. Rosh Hashanah, beginning the evening of September 11th, is traditionally observed with symbolic foods during the evening meal, intended to usher in a sweet and prosperous new year.

Key symbolic foods include apples dipped in honey, representing a good and sweet year; a fish head, signifying leadership; pomegranate seeds, symbolizing abundance of merits; and dates, representing prosperity. Carrots, sliced into coins, are eaten for financial success. These customs originate from the Talmud, the oral tradition of Judaism, and are not meant to be taken literally as a means to alter one's fate.

According to Kabbalistic interpretations, these symbolic foods act as "vessels" to channel divine light into the material world. The act of consuming these items, alongside prayers, helps create a connection for spiritual blessings to manifest. This practice is rooted in the concept that after the Torah's revelation, the material world can influence the spiritual, and vice versa.

Rabbi Yosef Chaim of Baghdad, known as Ben Ish Hai, explained that the apple's taste, appearance, and smell correspond to the three main wishes of Jews during Rosh Hashanah: health, livelihood, and happy children. However, Rabbi Yeshayahu Horowitz, known as Shla HaKadosh, emphasized that these symbolic foods are primarily for the individual, not for God. They serve to immerse a person in the holiday's atmosphere, fostering a sense of being before the divine judge.

This "performance," as described by Jewish sages, helps individuals connect with the solemnity and significance of Rosh Hashanah, enhancing their experience through sensory engagement rather than mere explanation. While the ultimate judgment rests on one's actions throughout the year, these traditions provide a tangible way to engage with the holiday's spiritual themes and express hopes for the year ahead. The article also details the commandment of lighting Shabbat candles, traditionally performed by women about 20 minutes before sunset, with specific blessings and customs observed.