Rosh Hashana 5781/2020 Starts September 18
Rosh Hashana is coming fast and we will soon be welcoming 5781. When our world got turned upside down this past March and we celebrated Passover without our families around our tables, it would have been a shocking thought to consider that we might do the same for the High Holidays. But alas, it’s looking this way. Certainly, many of us have figured out how to see our loved ones using social distancing, masks and testing but we are not where we would want to be with full and happy faces dipping our round challah in honey, together around the table.
While we treasure holidays in “normal” times, holidays during our current pandemic are even more cherished and appreciated. In contrast to the uncertainty that prevails in our current days, we know without question that holidays are going to arrive and it’s up to us to decide how we are going to embrace them.
The High Holidays, including Rosh Hashana (September 18) and Yom Kippur (September 27), with their many traditions, rituals and symbolism are coming and we’ve already started to think about what changes we want to make in the coming year, both personally, community-wide and beyond.
Here at Challah Connection, holiday food traditions are our guiding force. Rosh Hashana has several that allow us to stay focused yet creative with our cooking. If you’re not sure of these traditions, here they are.
Honey, honey and more honey! We all wish for a “Sweet New Year” full of all of life’s greatest joys and there is no better “sweet” food then honey. Honey is a great ingredient for baked goods (honey cake), main courses (brisket or honey glazed salmon for example), appetizers and of course is ideal for dipping sliced apples or challah. Dipping apples and challah into honey is a tradition that typically is included during the Rosh Hashana meal.
Round challah, why? Braided challah is eaten every Shabbat but why do we eat round challah for both Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur? To symbolize the never ending cycle of life; there is no better time than the New Year to remember that seasons of life (and death) don’t ever end. There is something both beautiful and life affirming about this. If you are wondering, the recipe for round challah is exactly the same as braided, it’s just the shape that changes. Some bakers like to add additional sweetness to round challah with raisins or other creative ingredients.
Finally, there are the pomegranates. This shines the light on a really interesting fact: there are 618 seeds in a pomegranate which is the same number of mitzvot that are cited in the Torah. Again, what better time to remind us to follow a path of good deeds than the new year? Pomegranates and pomegranate molasses are both terrific food ingredients for sauces, side dishes, main course and cocktails!
We wish you all a very Happy New Year, L’Shana Tova!!
-the mavens @ Challah Connection