According to Jewish tradition, the pomegranate symbolizes righteousness, due to the fact that it supposedly has 613 seeds (some do, some don’t), and those seeds are attributed to the 613 mitzvot/commandments of the Torah. The pomegranate also symbolized fruitfulness. It is one of the Seven Species spoken about in the Torah (Exodus 28:33-34). The Seven Species are: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates.

The crown of the pomegranate is crown-shaped, and it has been told that Solomon designed his crown based on it. Torah scroll handles are often covered with two hollow, silver pomegranates, when they are not being used.

Many Jews eat pomegranates on Rosh Hashanah due to its symbolism. Some eat them fresh, and others will incorporate them into a recipe. Pomegranates are nutritious, filled with folic acid, vitamin C and antioxidants. On Rosh Hashanah I like to make pomegranate juice, or buy it, and then make syrup with it.

It’s easy to make the syrup.

I take about two cups of pomegranate juice (squeezed fresh or bought from a health food store).

I blend in one cup of sugar or sugar substitute.

I simmer mixture in a saucepan 15-20 minutes, or until it reduces down to one cup.

I remove and let cool for a few minutes.

See how easy that was!

I then drizzle the syrup over latkes. Oh, they are so delicious! The syrup is also good to dip challah in.

The beautiful pomegranate water color was painted by Leora, and I saw it in her blog post at Here in HP. The painting is her Copyright. If you visit Here in HP, you will be able to see a larger version of this lovely pomegranate painting.

Thank you, Leora; for allowing me use your beautiful water color in my blog post.
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The Jewish people symbolically cast their sins on Rosh Hashanah (usually in the afternoon) through a service called Taslich/Tashlich (throwing). Taslich/Tashlich is a symbolic gesture in which Jews participate in order to acknowledge their firm desire for repentance and renewal, in order to start off the New Year fresh. It is normally done by taking tiny bits of bread or crumbs and casting them into a body of water (preferably one with fish, so the sins are eaten), such as a a creek, stream, lake, river, or the ocean.

Water symbolize kindness and we ask G-d to be kind to us during the New Year, and also because the sea or a river, etc. are inspiring and illuminating forms of nature, causing us to reflect inward on our repentance and on G-d’s mercy.

Water forms on Rosh Hashanah also remind us of Abraham and his journey on Rosh Hashanah in order to sacrifice Isaac, his son. Abraham’s journey was meant to be impeded by Satan producing a river, but Abraham plodded right into the middle of the river, and was dried up after he prayed to G-d.

Jews recite prayers during Taslich/Tashlich, especially this prayer from Micah 7:18-19…“Who is a G-d like You… You shall cast into the depths of the sea all their sins.” This prayer is mainly universal, even though other prayers might be included in a Jewish congregation’s liturgy.

On Rosh Hashana, I was often in Santa Monica (which has a large Jewish community), and watched the Orthodox Rabbis dressed in black suits, with round or tall hats, Jewish men in yarmulkes, and watch Jewish women in their long skirts or flowing dresses and head coverings, reciting prayers at the ocean, as the tide flowed towards them. It was such a poignant and beautiful sight, and would often bring tears to my eyes. You could hear their voices, fervently, yet softly intoning prayers,and watch their bodies bowing from their knees and waists. Their physical motion was like a lovely ballet, set to the background of the beautiful sea with its resounding music and rhythm.

May we all be signed and sealed in The Book of Life for a sweet and a good New Year!
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All photographs were taken by me.
Jew Wishes…Peace to you all.
© Copyright 2007 – All Rights Reserved – No permission is given or allowed to reuse my photography, book reviews, writings, or my poetry in any form/format without my express written consent/permission.

Wednesday September 16, 2009 – 27 of Elul, 5769