#simanim

Fish Head: Rosh Hashanah means head of the year. Rosh = head, ha = the, shanah = year. We eat the heads of various animals to symbolize the head of the new year. Vegans/vegetarians may also eat a head of cabbage or lettuce.

Figs: Figs are one of the sacred foods.

Leeks: One of the Simanim, represents asking for protection and cutting our enemies off.

Pomegranates: One of the sacred foods, pomegranates are believed to contain 613 kernels, representing the mitzvot as well as fertility and bounty.

Apples: Eaten to bring sweetness to the new year, typically dipped in honey or baked into a cake.

Honey: While it was historically date honey, honey is believed to be a sacred food. It is eaten at the new year to bring in sweetness. Often baked into a cake.

Dates: One of our sacred foods, eaten to bring sweetness to the new year.

I have never seen the best ones written down, so my sister and I worked it out and these are the official English Puns, we've determined.

Selek = May our adviseries be "beet-en".

Gezer = May we merit many "carrots" of gold and riches in the coming new year.

Rubia = May we be granted a "peas-ful" new year.

Kareyt = May our worries and cares "leek" away.

Kra = May all our obstacles be "squashed".

Tamar = May we go on many pleasant "dates".

(Rimon, Dag and Rosh aren't puns so the literal translation is fine)

Carrots are always on my menu for Rosh Hashanah dinner.

This recipe, the one I'm serving this year, is so easy. And you can set it up ahead -- peel and cut the carrots 2-3 days before you have to cook them, and store them in a plastic bag in the fridge.

This dish will go with practically any main course you might serve for dinner.

ROASTED CARROTS WITH BALSAMIC VINEGAR AND CHIVES

1 pound carrots

2 tablespoons olive oil

kosher salt to taste

pinch cayenne pepper

2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Peel the carrots and cut them lengthwise in half or quarters, depending on thickness. Place the carrots on the baking sheet. Pour the olive oil over the carrots and toss to coat them completely. Sprinkle with kosher salt and a pinch of cayenne. Roast the carrots, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Pour the Balsamic vinegar over the carrots, toss and bake for another 8-10 minutes or until they are tender. Sprinkle with chives and serve.

I know that theoretically if anyone was following me, a lot of people would disagree with me on this one. But I think the simanim are stupid. I realize it just stands for the fact that we want to have a good year. And that it goes really well with the Jewish tradition for having holidays that are centered on food and giving it special meaning. But this is just too much. The whole idea is stupid. We find a fruit or vegetable and make some sort of pun about it. This encourages silly and stupid things like "Lettuce Half-a-Raisin Celery" and things like that. What is this, Purim? We have a holiday for silly things and it's not Rosh Hashana. Eating sweet things because it's a holiday is OK. But not stupid puns. This is the time of year when we're supposed to be serious and repent. Not make silly puns about fruits.

(I can't believe Rosh Hashana is tomorrow night. I have so much to say about it and so little time, so I guess I'll try and prioritize. :) But beware, there will be a small amount of dash-flooding.)

Rosh Hashana is an amazing, amazing holiday. What we do during those two days determine our entire year! The OU has a great article on simanim - special things people do or eat especially on Rosh Hashana - because even something that seems as insignificant as eating some pomegranate seeds or avoiding nuts can actually have a big impact. Rosh Hashana is kind of like a microcosm for the upcoming year. Whatever we do during it is reflected in the following months. I'd like to quote from the OU article mentioned above: 

One should be especially careful to avoid anger on Rosh HaShanah. Always remember that G-d judges us in the same manner that we judge other people. If we get angry easily, so too will He.