Simanim: Signs And Blessings Of The New Year
A beautiful custom to honor the New Year is to celebrate the simanim (signs) seder. Originally a Sephardi tradition, in Israel many Ashkenazi families have adopted the Rosh HaShanah seder of making blessings and sweet wishes on special foods connected to the New Year.
The popularity of this ritual is growing rapidly as it is a physical expression of welcoming the New Year with hope of peace for all of Israel and to help people relate to the celebration on a more personal level.
Even better, it gives us a chance to appreciate the bounty of the Land of Israel, helping us to feel connected from our own corner of the world, while uniting us with our fellow Children of Israel around the world who share this hope for our future.
We are pleased to share these blessings for Israel with you and invite you to make them a part of your holiday celebration. Each prayer can serve as a reminder of our collective mission to protect Israel forever - her people, her history, her land and her culture.
Enjoy a taste of Israel for each blessing as we welcome this new year! Check out our Collection of Recipes and download our Cooking Israel Chagim Cookbook
May you be blessed with a good and sweet year and may every day be dipped in the honey of Israel Forever!
Spiced Israeli Honey Date Cake
End - תם (tam) ------- Dates - תמר (tamar)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ
Blessed are You, Lord our G d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּתַּמּוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנו
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that there come an end to our enemies, haters and those who wish evil upon us the People of Israel.
Israeli Marak Shuit Bean Soup
abundance - רוביא (rubiya) ---- Small Beans - לוביא (luviya)
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה' אֱלֹהינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָאֲדָמה
Blessed are You, Lord our G d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the earth.
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּרְבּוּ זָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ וּתְלַבְּבֵנוּ
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that our merits as the People of Israel shall increase and that You hearten us as a united community.
Israeli Leek Quiche
to cut - כרת (kar-at)------- Leek - כְּרֵשָׁה (krasha)
(chives or scallions can be used, too!)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּכָּרְתוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that our enemies, haters, and those who wish evil upon the People, the Land and the State of Israel shall be cut down [in their attempts to destroy us].
Morrocan Beet Citrus Salad Surprise
to depart - סלק -------------- Beets - סלקא (selek)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁיִּסְתַּלְּקוּ אוֹיְבֵינוּ וְשׂוֹנְאֵינוּ וְכָל מְבַקְשֵׁי רָעָתֵנוּ
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that our enemies, haters and those who wish evil upon Israel shall depart, be exiled, removed and invalidated.
Israeli Pumpkin Couscous
to rip apart - קרע,to announce - קרא ------- Gourd - קרא (karah)
pumpkin is most people's substitute
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתִּקְרַע רוֹעַ גְּזַר דִּינֵנוּ, וְיִקָּרְאוּ לְפָנֶיךָ זָכִיּוֹתֵינוּ
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that the evil of our verdicts be ripped away, and our merits [of Am Yisrael collectively and individually] be announced before you.
Pomegranate Roasted Chicken
Pomegranate - רימון (rimon)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that we be filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate [is filled with seeds].
Honey and Nut Baked Apples
Apple and Honey - תפוח ודבש (tapuach u'dvash)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה כַּדְּבָשׁ
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that You renew for us a year good and sweet like honey from the Land of Israel!
Mizrahi Fish Head Soup
Fish Head - ראש דג (rosh dag)
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה לְרֹאשׁ וְלֹא לְזָנָב
May it be Your will, Lord our G d and the G d of our fathers, that we be a head and not a tail [in our efforts for peace, community, security, prosperity, and unity for Israel from every corner of the world.
Download and Print the Simanim Blessings to Recite with Your Guests for Rosh HaShanah!
Bring Tastes of Israel into Your New Year Celebrations!
Let the aromas and flavors remind you of Israel, far away, but forever in your heart and in your life.
Recommended for you:
Your Israel Connection For Rosh HaShanah
