Last nite we ate a lot! It was the start of Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year. We typically celebrate this holiday with close friends and family and a big meal to usher in the new year. On Rosh Hashanah it is customary not to eat foods which are sour or tart. Instead, we focus on sweet foods, symbolizing our desire to have a sweet year, blessings and abundance. It is customary to dip apples in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. The evening feast includes delicious foods such as apple dipped in honey for and pomegranate to represent fruitfulness and a round challah to signify the cycle of the year.
We ate traditional brisket, chicken schnitel, oven roasted salmon, baked sweet potatoes, fresh steamed asparagus and a tossed salad. We couldn’t avoid dessert of fresh fruit and an apple pie.
This is one of my favorite holidays as it allows me time to celebrate all of the milestones that have come along this past year. It has been a wonderful year full of laughter, tears, and frustration. I vividly recall this past spring when my 17 yr old son got his driver’s license. He was elated and I was a wreck! As a brand new fully licensed driver I sat beside him as he handled the wheel with an intense calm (me with white knuckles and my foot on my own make believe brake) and he was focused, competent and mature. When did this happen? Wasn’t it yesterday that he was riding in our apartment in the toy car that he got for his 3 year bday? Wow, time does fly. It’s so cliche and there is nothing you can do to make time stand still. And really, there are moments when I am pulling my hair out in mad frustration or exhaustion and can’t wait for the moment to be over! While I was standing over the stove and making mashed potatoes to go with roast turkey and veggies for dinner, a friend and I were just talking about how it’s not until something happens ( an accident, an illness or a brush with a life threatening disease) that makes us appreciate the day to day, sometimes even “boring” things we do on a regular basis. I looked at the pot of potatoes and thought there are so many things I would rather be out doing but I am here preparing dinner because it’s just something I do for my family. And how lucky am I. It’s all of these moments that I believe to be “blessings” that give life meaning and make me smile.
Even if you are not celebrating this holiday in a religious capacity, I believe we can all embrace a sweet new year. Wishing you a happy and healthy new year!