Apples and Honey for Rosh Hashanah: The Tradition and How to Serve It
Apples and honey for Rosh Hashanah is one of the sweetest traditions of the Jewish year. On the first night of the new year, slices of apple are dipped in honey and a short prayer asks for a good and sweet year ahead. This guide explains where the custom comes from, what is said, how to choose apples and honey, and simple ways to make the table special.
Why apples and honey?
Rosh Hashanah is a time of hopeful beginnings, and many of its foods express wishes for the coming year. Honey stands for sweetness. The apple has its own meaning: Jewish mystical tradition connects the apple orchard with a holy, fragrant field, and the apple's sweetness and fragrance made it a fitting fruit to dip.
The custom of eating symbolic foods on the new year goes back to the Talmud, which lists foods whose names or qualities hint at blessings. Over centuries, apples dipped in honey became the best-known of these symbols, especially in Ashkenazi communities.
The blessing
On the first night, after the blessings over wine and bread, a piece of apple is dipped in honey. First comes the blessing over fruit that grows on trees: Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei pri ha-etz, meaning Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree. After taking a bite, many add: Yehi ratzon milfanecha, shetechadesh aleinu shanah tovah u'metukah, May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.
From Rosh Hashanah through the end of the fall holidays, many families also dip their challah in honey instead of salt.
Choosing apples
Any apple works, but crisp, sweet-tart varieties hold up best to dipping. Rosh Hashanah falls in early fall, at the height of the apple harvest in New York and much of the Northeast, so it is a good time to buy fresh local apples.
| Apple | Flavor | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Honeycrisp | Sweet, very juicy, crisp | A crowd favorite; stays crunchy |
| Gala | Mild and sweet | Good for children |
| Fuji | Very sweet, firm | Holds up on a platter |
| Granny Smith | Tart, crisp | Tartness contrasts with honey |
| Empire or McIntosh | Classic New York apples | Local and seasonal in the Northeast |
Choosing honey
Pure honey is kosher by nature, though many observant families prefer certified honey; see is honey kosher. For the holiday table, a honey with a lovely flavor makes the moment feel special. Clover is the mild classic that children love. Wildflower is a little more layered. Some families set out two or three honeys, such as a light orange blossom and a dark buckwheat, so guests can taste the difference, a small way to make the tradition memorable. The Pure Raw Honey Sampler works well for that.
Serving ideas
Simple presentation makes the tradition feel festive.
- A honey dish with a small spoon or honey dipper in the center of the table
- Apple slices tossed in a little lemon juice to keep them from browning
- A board of apples, pears, pomegranate and dates with two or three honeys
- Honey cake for dessert (see honey cake)
- Round challah, dipped in honey through the holiday season
- Apple slices with honey and cinnamon for children
Honey gifts for Rosh Hashanah
Honey is a traditional gift for the new year. A jar of good honey with a card wishing Shanah Tovah, or a set of small jars to taste, is a thoughtful gift for hosts, teachers and family. For more ideas, see honey gift ideas.
Sources
- Why Do We Dip the Apple Into Honey on Rosh Hashanah? · Chabad.org
Frequently asked questions
- Why do Jews eat apples and honey on Rosh Hashanah?
- To express the wish for a sweet new year. Honey symbolizes sweetness, and the apple has special meaning in Jewish tradition.
- What blessing is said over apples and honey?
- The blessing over tree fruit, borei pri ha-etz, followed by a prayer asking for a good and sweet year.
- When do you eat apples and honey?
- On the first night of Rosh Hashanah, and many families repeat it on the second night. Challah is often dipped in honey through the fall holidays.
- What is the best honey for Rosh Hashanah?
- Any pure honey works. Many families choose a special honey or set out two or three varieties for tasting.
Al Safa Honey is a food producer, not a medical provider. Nothing here is medical advice. Never give honey of any kind to a baby under 12 months old.
