Apple Dipped in Honey: What’s the Real Appeal?

y family is full of picky eaters. We rarely change our yom tov menus; even Rebbetzin Marjorie Glatt, JD Mtrying a “new fruit” on Rosh Hashana Special Projects Coordinator, YUConnects can be challenging. For that reason, we are grateful to be with the sweet and simple 4 (custom) of dipping the apple into the can be applied to each person seeking prosperous and good year. The early honey on Rosh Hashana night. greater insight. Geonic responsa singled out honey as one of those sweet drinks, though Should we have been born into the A Little Background there was no dipping of fruit. Sephardic culture or adopted some And what about the apple’s of the “simanim,” (auspicious foods) When and where did this minhag mentioned in the Gemarah, one can connection to Gan Eden, on this first appear? Is it mentioned in holiday that celebrates the New only imagine the reaction at our dinner the Gemarah or by the Geonim? table. “Ma, really? You expect me to eat Year and the beginning of creation? Interestingly, while the earliest sources It is worthwhile to dispel the fenugreek? Leeks? Or black-eye peas? for simanim on Rosh Hashana precede You have got to be kidding…” misconception in the secular literature the Second Temple and some are attributing the apple to the fruit of the Let’s face it, the custom isn’t mentioned in the Gemarah, the apple Garden of Eden’s Tree of Knowledge. complicated. Every preschooler knows siman does not “make the cut.” In fact, there are at least four opinions the simple song with easy instructions. Indeed, there are two separate in the Gemarah and midrashim “Dip the apple in the honey, make passages in the Gemarah that discuss (grape, fig, esrog or wheat tree) a bracha loud and clear. Shana Tova the simanim for Rosh Hashana.1 Those regarding which fruit was plucked U’metuka, have a happy, sweet new simanim are listed by Abbaye2 as kara from that Tree of Knowledge. Apples year!” The actual “Yehi Ratzon” prayer (gourd) karsi (leek), silka (beet), are not one of them! While there that accompanies it is similarly both tamri (date) and rubia (fenugreek or is a fascinating notion that the tree standard and meaningful: black-eyed peas). These particular was actually an orchard — and thus foods are singled out for their specific all four opinions can be considered יהי רצון מלפניך ה’ אלקינו ואלקי אבותינו positive attributes: their sweet taste, correct — no Tannaitic source שתחדש עלינו שנה טובה ומתוקה. May it be Your will, HaShem, our G-d their rapid growth or that their name suggests it was an apple.5 and the G-d of our ancestors, that You simply alludes to, or reminds us, of a renew for us a good and a sweet year. good omen.3 Apples, however, did not The Root of the Custom even get a shout-out. Grateful that I am to be dipping the Yet dipping the apple in the honey is apple into the honey, and not have We do know that it was on Rosh a very old custom, mentioned in our irritable family members at our yom Hashana when Ezra and Nechemia, halachic literature in the 13th century tov table, I delved a bit further into the leading sages during the building by the Tur, 6 who stated it is an ancient the tasty “apple dipping” custom. of the Second Temple, told Bnei Ashkenazic (Germanic) minhag to dip Not only did I find some fascinating Yisrael to “go and eat fat [foods] and the apple in the honey at the “start” of tidbits, but there are some lessons that drink sweet [drinks]” as a sign for a

8 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Rosh Hashana and 5777 the Rosh Hashana meal, to symbolize healing benefits as alluded to in was the “scent of an orchard” having a “sweet new year.” The Maharil the Tosefta and Zohar.10 These surrounding Yaakov as he adds that the custom is to pick up a qualities correspond to the totality approached Yitzchak to kiss him.13 sweet apple,7 dip it in honey and say of brachos that we would want Since the Gemarah attributes the aloud the Yehi Ratzon.8 Hashem to grant us all — nachas aroma to an apple orchard,14 the from children, good health and Maharil15 gives this as the source The“borei pri ha’etz” blessing is said 11 first, a small bite is taken, and then sustenance. for the use of the apple on Rosh Hashana, the actual day many the Yehi Ratzon request is made after • On a more abstract, believe the blessing to Yaakov was the first bite is consumed so as not to philosophical level, eating given.16 make a hefsek, interruption, between the apple with unusual botanic the bracha and the bite.9 Theminhag properties reminds us of a unique is done on the first night of Rosh quality exemplified by Bnei Questions Remain Hashana, after making and Yisrael. The Midrash tells us that eating . in an apple tree, the blossoms Two questions, however, still appear before the leaves, the little remain and will provide “food for So why is the apple the preferred thought” in these days of awe. First, fruit of Ashkenazic Jews? Is it simply nub peeks out even before the leaves that will protect it. So too, we know the sources for the apple- because it was abundant in Europe, not dipping custom, but are we merely too expensive, and tasty? Some of the the Jews, at the time of receiving , asking G-d for a sweet year? Can well-accepted reasons brought down the Torah, first said: naaseh we will do, and then said v’nishma, this Ashkenazic ritual demonstrate by our Gedolim (sages) explain the a deeper relevance to our everyday selection of the apple for the custom. we will understand. On this judgment day of Rosh Hashana, lives? A lesson perhaps? Second, can • On the external level, an apple as we submit ourselves to the will there be another perspective of the is a fruit that has a pleasant of Hashem, we are reinforcing our relationship between the apple and fragrance, appearance and taste. commitment to the mitzvos, even the honey? If we are truly eating the Not many fruits have all of those before our rational understanding apple for its sweetness, why do we qualities. Would one say a “dragon 12 put the fruit into an additional sweet and learning of the Torah. 17 fruit” has a pleasant appearance? sticky substance? Why is the apple Or that carobs, known in yiddish • Likewise, on a kabbalistic plane, uniquely singled out in this ritual with as “bukser,” have a pleasant apples were chosen because they an added delectable layer? aroma? The apple is the one that are the ideal fruit for this omen. When Yitzchak blessed Ya’akov The answer to both of these questions “has it all” — with wholesome can lend insight into our request qualities and many ancillary with wealth and power, there

An apple is a fruit that “has it all,” a pleasant fragrance, appearance and taste. These qualities correspond to the totality of brachos that we would want Hashem to grant us all.

9 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur 5777 for a “good, sweet new year” by paradigm of the way Jews should piece of Apple technology, initially demonstrating the ideal mode of act during this time of intense perceived as perfect, was somehow, behavior during these most holy days. introspection. Just as the apple is a incredibly, improved. Aren’t we Apples are, quite simply, wholly perfect fruit that can be made sweeter, fortunate as Jewish people to make good. “Appealing” in its colorful we too can, and must, demonstrate our own free upgrades, to have these attractiveness, its aromatic fragrance, our own eagerness to improve and days of opportunity to enhance our and its crunchy, scrumptious taste, enhance ourselves. ways and make a newer version of our the apple is an all-around treasure. When we think we are good, we can former selves? Additionally, the very same fruit always do better. If, for example, we So, the apple accessory on our yom produces little buds before its leaves have worked long and hard to virtually tov table gets dipped into the honey. first develop; it is a fruit that is “eager” stop speaking lashon hara, we can now The flawless fruit just became better, to appear on the tree, paralleling the turn to making berachos with more tastier, and upgraded. As we take a pinnacle moment of naaseh v’nishma. kavana (meaning). If we currently treat crunchy bite this year, let us hope Our “tapuach” is even mystically our spouse with respect and kindness, for a sweet year with continuous connected to the holy avot and let’s focus on honoring our parents. improvement on Version 7.0 of the entirety of our nationhood. This There is no end to self-improvement, ourselves and our actions. perfection couldn’t possibly get any and that is what a new year, new better, could it? commitment, and an added layer of Endnotes Actually, it could, and perhaps that sweetness to the apple is about. 1 Horayos 12a, K’risos 6a. is the take-away message for the Perhaps this is why we seem to favor chag. Our tradition is not to simply this minhag over all the rest of the 2 In Maseches Horayos 12a Abbaye is quoted consume an apple slice and be content simanim. The apple doesn’t stand as saying that the beneficial properties are gained by “gazing” at these items, while in with the taste. No; instead we pick up alone as a siman. It is the combination Maseches K’risos 6a the text states that these this piece of natural perfection and of sweet with sweeter, good with same items must be “eaten.” dip it into something even sweeter, better, which is the exemplification of 3 It is interesting to note that many poskim honey. We demonstrate that every self-improvement and development. allow other foods to be introduced, based item — and truly every person — can On a contemporary note, each year, on the linguistic connotation of their name. be made sweeter and better, can be Rabbi Moshe Shuchman, in Kosher Kurrents around the Yamim Noraim, Apple improved upon. (Star K), Fall 2010, quoting Geonic and Inc. unveils its newest iPhone. They Rishonim sources, points out that these The dipping of the apple into honey offer an upgrade to their current original simanim also have dual meanings to can be viewed not just as another device equipped with advancements their names. Rubia indicates that our merits Rosh Hashana siman, but as a previously unimagined. An amazing or assets should increase in the coming

Our tradition is not to simply consume an apple slice and be content with the taste. Instead we pick up this piece of natural perfection and dip it into something even sweeter, honey. We demonstrate that every item — and truly every person — can be made sweeter and better, can be improved upon.

10 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur 5777 year. Karsi suggests that our enemies should 6 Orach Chaim 583. 14 Taanis 29b. be “cut down”; silka and tamri refer to the 7 It is preferable to use a sweet apple and 15 Taz in Orach Chaim 583:2, quoting the removal and “obliteration” of our enemies. not a tangy or sour one. See Rav Yaakov Maharil, Hilchos 7. Additionally, he notes that the Magen Kamenetzky, Emes L’Yaakov to Orach Chaim Avraham has allowed foods that sound like 16 The Vilna Gaon,Biur HaGra, Orach Chaim 583, Footnote 538. the word “abundance” in any language to be 583, states “it is well known” to have occurred used. Carrots are popular since “mehren,” 8 Darchei Moshe quoting the Maharil 583:3. on Rosh Hashana. However, not all agree with carrot, in Yiddish is similar to “more.” Rav this chronology, as Rashi and Targum Yonasan 9 Magen Avraham 583:2. Moshe Heinemann of Baltimore is credited ben Uziel to Beraishis 27:9 believe the bracha for introducing lettuce, half a raisin and celery 10 Baba Metzia 7:2; Zohar, Acharei Mos; Ziv of Yitzchak was given to Ya’akov on Pesach. as a positive siman for “let-us-have-a-raise- HaZohar, VaEtchanan. 17 Rabbi Wein, ibid, notes the connection in-salary.” And naturally, at the YUConnects 11 Ben Ish Chai, Year 1, Nitzavim Section 4. of honey to the common Biblical phrase office we recommend some “dates for dates.” describing Eretz Yisrael as the “land 12 See Rabbi Berel Wein’s excellent article, 4 Rashi in Nechemia 8:10. flowing with milk and honey,” although the “Apples and Honey” from www.aish.com. aforementioned “honey” was made from 5 Rabbi Aaron Glatt, National Council of http://www.aish.com/h/hh/rh/guide/ overripe dates, not bee pollen. Rosh Hashana Young in Toras Aish, Volume XIII, Apples_and_Honey.html, quoting the is an apropos time to use honey as the word Number 4, Beraishis 5766, quoting from Gemara, Shabbos 88a. d’vash, honey, has the same gematria (numerical numerous sources including Berachos 40a; 13 Beraishis 27:27. value) as Av Harachamim or “merciful Father.” Sanhedrin 70a and Bereishis Rabbah 15:7.

Special thank you to my husband, Rabbi Aaron Glatt, and to my son, Chezkie Glatt, for their analysis and editing guidance; additional appreciation to Reuben Zimilover for the Apple Inc. insight.

How do the Simanim work? We find two very different approaches as to how eating (or looking at) the simanim of Rosh HaShanah can help bring about a good year. יתבאר ענין סימנא מילתא שאנו עושין בליל ר”ה על פי מה שכתב הרבה דברים התרו לפעמים שהם דומים לנחש ולא מדרך נחש הרמב”ן )לך לך( שכל גזירת עירין כאשר תצא מכח גזירה אל פועל חלילה אלא דרך סמן לעורר בו לבבו להנהגה טובה והוא שאמרו דמיון תהיה הגזירה מתקימת על כל פנים עיין שם ועל כן הגזירות לתן על שלחנו בליל ראש השנה קרכס”ת קרא רוביא כרתי סלקא שנגזרו לטובה מפי השם יתברך בכבודו ובעצמו בליל ראש השנה תמרי שהם ענינם מהם שגדלים מהר ומהם שגדלתם עולה הרבה למען תהיינה מתקימות על כל פנים. וכדי שלא ליכשל בהם לעשות דרך נחש תקנו לומר עליהם דברים הרב שמואל בורנשטיין שם משמואל ראש השנה תרע”ז המעוררים לתשובה. ... וידוע שכל זה אינו אלא הערה שאין הדבר תלוי באמירה לבד רק בתשובה ומעשים טובים. The concept that symbolism is significant and what we do הרב מנחם מאירי בית הבחירה הוריות יב. on the evening of Rosh HaShanah can be explained based There are many things that are permissible that are similar on the comments of Nachmanides, that all heavenly decrees to [the prohibition against] divination (using omens to have a permanent effect when they are converted from a predict the future) but are not actual divination, rather a statement to an action. Therefore, in order to concretize sign to inspire one to perform good deeds. This is why they the good decrees that God bestowed upon us, [we eat these said to place on one’s table on the night of Rosh Hashanah foods] so that they have a permanent effect. [Note: This pumpkin, fenugreek, etc., for some of them grow quickly approach represents a more mystical view of the simanim. and some grow to large sizes. In order that one does not The judgment of Rosh HaShanah is determined at the violate the prohibition against divination, they instituted beginning of the holiday at night, but is not finalized until a recitation that inspires one to reflect on one’s actions. … the morning. By eating these foods, one can solidify a good It is known that this is only a point of reference, a catalyst, decree through action and that might prevent its reversal because it is not contingent on the recitation alone, rather on over the course of Rosh HaShanah.] action, repentance, and good deeds. R. Shmuel Bornstein, Shem MiShmuel, Rosh R. Menachem Meiri, Beit HaBechira, Horayot 12a HaShanah 5677 Torah To Go Editors

11 Rabbi Isaac Elchanan Theological Seminary • The Benjamin and Rose Berger CJF Torah To-Go Series • Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur 5777