In Judaism, Rosh Hashanah signifies the beginning of the Jewish New Year. During the two-day celebration which typically takes place in September or October, Jews reflect on the creation of the world, their role as the God of Israel's chosen people, and their own personal relationship with Him. Among the various symbolic actions that observant Jews complete during Rosh Hashanah is eating apples dipped in honey.
This is a tasty treat anytime, but why is it significant on this autumn holiday? Overall, enjoying honey-dipped apples is done to bring in wishes for a sweet and prosperous new year. Some may believe that the use of apples is in homage to the forbidden fruit Adam and Eve ate that is mentioned in the book of Genesis. However, the story does not specifically say that the fruit was an apple, even though this is the way the tale is often depicted in books and art.
The apples signify the fact that Adonai (the name for God in Judaism) created fruit-bearing trees and, thus, food to eat during the creation of the universe as depicted in the first chapter of Genesis. Honey is mentioned several times in the Biblical Torah and Old Testament as something sweet and good and is, therefore, totally appropriate for ringing in a sweet year. So, why not strawberries and sugar? As with many specific foods associated with Jewish holidays, the apples and honey eaten during Rosh Hashanah are symbolically much deeper than being merely sweet.
In his book, "1,001 Questions and Answers on Rosh .
