The Symbolic Foods on Your Rosh Hashanah Table (2024)

The simanim, or symbolic foods, are among the most iconic symbols of Rosh Hashanah. We eat these foods to incorporate and remember the seriousness of the day even during the celebratory meal times. Although it is a custom and not a mitzvah to eat these simanim, they have become common in many Jewish homes. Two of the most popular foods are apples dipped in honey, and pomegranates. Each food symbolizes a different good fortune that we pray for in the coming year.

These foods are generally eaten at the beginning of the two evening Rosh Hashanah meals. Each food is given separate attention and a brief blessing. Throughout the years, these symbolic foods have grown and evolved, so the exact foods and blessings will vary depending on each family’s tradition. Some will also incorporate the simanim into the other courses, which is why honey or apple cake have become popular holiday traditions as well.

Many of these simanim can and should be interpreted according to a person’s own experience. Rosh Hashanah is an introspective holiday, after all. Below we’ve chosen seven of the most popular ones and the symbolic meanings behind them.

These three foods are separate simanim with individual blessings but one common theme. Selek, the Hebrew word for beets, is similar to the word siluk, “remove.” With this siman, we pray our enemies will be removed. Dates in Hebrew are called tamarim, similar to the word tam “to end.” This symbolizes an end to our enemies and evil-wishers. The Hebrew word for leek, karti is alike to the word karet, which means “cut off.” This is the hope our enemies will be “cut off” before they are able to harm us.

It may feel strange to have three separate simanim for this topic, but on a deeper level, “enemies” can refer to our own inner demons, prejudices, and bad intentions, which we hope will be removed, ended, and cut off in the New Year.

Many of the simanim use wordplay, and some humorous and light-hearted traditions have started in recent years. One Rabbi in Baltimore started the tradition of eating lettuce, half a raisin, and celery to indicate “Let-us-have-a-raise-in-salary.”

Remember, we’re not using these symbolic foods as an omen, but to remind us to improve and pray for some important blessings. Feel free to get creative and come up with some of your own simanim this Rosh Hashanah!