Meals & memories – Ask the Rabbi
Q. On a spiritual day like Rosh HaShanah why do people focus on food?
A. Some foods are symbolic such as apple and honey, which represent the hope of a sweet year. Many people have a whole array of simanim, symbolic foods.
Apart from this, Nehemiah said, “Go your way, eat the fat, drink the sweet and send portions to those who have nothing, for this day is holy to the Lord” (Neh. 8:10).
Holiness is not only how we think and pray but how we hallow every act of daily living – how we walk, how we dress, how we speak… and how we eat and drink.
Shared meals make family and friends into a fellowship in which you are holy through how you interact, give each other support and spread happiness.
