Rosh Hashanah Illuminated: Navigating Minhagim and Spiritual Depths for a Sweeter New Year

Show Notes
Transcript

Can the foods you eat shape your fate? Explore the deep-rooted traditions of Rosh Hashanah as we uncover the fascinating world of omens and signs in Judaism. From the symbolic consumption of pomegranates, apples, and honey to the intriguing reasons behind avoiding nuts, our discussion offers a blend of mystical insight and practical wisdom. Drawing from the Gemara and the teachings of Rav Moshe Isserlis, we reveal how these customs aim to pave the way for a prosperous and sweet new year.

But that's not all. We delve into the profound lessons of the Kotzker Rebbe, who urged us to look beyond the surface of these practices and understand their spiritual essence. By examining how the numerical value of "egozim" (nuts) equates to "cheit" (sin), we emphasize the importance of genuine self-improvement and mindfulness as we usher in the new year. This episode is not just about traditions; it's about how they guide us toward a more righteous and mindful life. Join us for a thought-provoking journey that intertwines ancient customs with timeless ethical teachings.

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Transcript

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Omens are a thing, signs are taken seriously in Judaism.

00:00:07.669 --> 00:00:09.285
That's what the Gemara says.

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Therefore, on Rosh Hashanah Eve, many will sit down to have pomegranates and apples and honey, enjoy different edibles that all represent different good omens and good signs to help us to have a more productive and sweet new year.

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The Ramah writes in chapter 583, sif 2 in Shulchan Aruch, that with all the different things that you may ingest on Rosh Hashanah, many are careful not to eat egosim, which literally is nuts.

00:00:44.250 --> 00:00:45.573
Maybe walnuts.

00:00:46.759 --> 00:00:53.545
Don't have nuts on Rosh Hashanah, why, says the great Rav Moshe Isserlis?

00:00:53.545 --> 00:01:06.950
Because, well, they add philem to your mouth and will therefore likely make your davening more uncomfortable and disrupt your exact pronunciation of the words.

00:01:06.950 --> 00:01:07.510
That's why.

00:01:07.510 --> 00:01:16.108
But number two, because the numerical value of egos nuts is also chet, which means sin.

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We don't want to have any simonim, any omen that has to do with sin.

00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:37.451
And the great Rev Mendel Menachem, mendel Morgenstern of Kotzk you probably just know of him, as the Kotzker Rebbe said in a classic way that only he could and can yes, we shouldn't have Egozem nuts because it has the same gematria as Chet.

00:01:37.451 --> 00:01:40.006
But do you know what also has the gematria?

00:01:40.006 --> 00:01:48.969
The same numerical value of the word Chet, chet sin and he would explain that, yes, the omens are important.

00:01:48.969 --> 00:01:58.305
Yes, all of the simana, yes, they are milsahi, they are important, but most importantly is that you take to heart all the omens and you do not sin.

00:01:58.305 --> 00:02:09.927
So, while on Rosh Hashanah, you are sitting down to enjoy your pomegranates, you should increase like the pomegranates, you should increase the pomegranate seed and you'll leak and you're going to be like a head and not the tail.

00:02:09.927 --> 00:02:21.259
Definitely, take to heart the concept of not eating nuts, which is to actually not sin, because chet also has the gematria of chet of hate.

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