What are the simanim (symbolic foods) eaten on Rosh Hashanah night?

Here's what you need to know

On Rosh Hashanah night, many people eat symbolic foods, known as simanim, which represent blessings and positive outcomes for the new year.

The specific rule is

It is customary to eat certain symbolic foods on the first night of Rosh Hashanah. These include apples dipped in honey, pomegranates, dates, and other foods that symbolize sweetness, abundance, and prosperity.

Step by step

• Prepare symbolic foods such as apples, honey, pomegranates, dates, and others.
• Recite the appropriate blessings and wishes for each food as you eat them.

Background

The practice of eating simanim is based on the Talmud, which mentions eating foods that symbolize positive things for the new year. Common simanim include apples dipped in honey for a sweet year, pomegranates to symbolize abundance, and dates to symbolize the end of enemies. Each food is accompanied by a specific wish or prayer that aligns with its symbolic meaning. While the specific foods and customs can vary by community, the overall idea is to start the year with hopeful and positive intentions.

Each source is checked against Sefaria — unverified references are dropped, never shown.