At the Rosh Hashanah table, many families recite short prayers while eating specific symbolic foods known as simanim (literally “signs”). These foods serve as hopeful omens for the year ahead: apples dipped in honey for sweetness, pomegranates for abundance, and round challahs for continuity. But some of the lesser-known simanim, like leeks, gourds, or beets, may leave people wondering: where do these customs come from?
The earliest recorded mention of simanim appears in the Talmud (Horayot 12a), where Abaye suggests beginning the year with foods whose names allude to blessing, increase, or protection. These wordplays often worked in Aramaic or Hebrew, for instance, the Hebrew word gezer (carrot) sounds like g’zar, meaning “decree,” so the carrot is eaten with a prayer that negative decrees be annulled.
This tradition was carried by Jewish communities into medieval Europe, North Africa, and beyond, each adding their own local foods and interpretations.
Interestingly, apples and honey are not in the original Talmudic list. The custom seems to have developed in medieval Ashkenazi communities, where apples were abundant in late summer and honey symbolised prosperity and sweetness. Today, the combination is perhaps the most iconic symbol of Rosh Hashanah across the Jewish world.
Regional Variation
Different Jewish communities highlight different simanim:
Sephardi & Mizrahi Families: Often include leeks, gourds, black-eyed peas, and dates, each with a wordplay-based blessing.
Ashkenazi Families: Emphasise apples, honey, carrots, and pomegranates.
Yemenite Tradition: Uses fenugreek (tiltan), since its name resembles the Hebrew word for growth (taltel).
These variations show how Jewish communities blended local produce with shared spiritual hopes.
The simanim aren’t just symbolic; they’re practical seasonal foods. Carrots, beets, and gourds store well into autumn, while pomegranates and apples are harvested just before the holidays. It’s a beautiful example of how Jewish tradition often intertwines spiritual meaning with the rhythms of nature and food.
Whether you follow every custom or just focus on apples and honey, incorporating simanim into your Rosh Hashanah seder connects you with centuries of Jewish history. Try:
Serving a platter of simanim with small cards explaining each meaning.
Introducing a lesser-known siman like leeks or dates to spark conversation.
Encouraging children to say their own personal wishes for the year with each food.
Keywords: shofar Rosh Hashanah meaning, simanim plate, why simanim plate, simanim history UK, Jewish New Year traditions
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