Sarakali.com | Rosh Hashanah and Recipe for Honey Cake

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year
Jewish people all over the world will celebrate Rosh Hashanah,
the New Year, today.

When coming into synagogue, they say, "L’Shana Tova" to each other, which literally means, "To a Sweet Year. Though Rosh Hashanah literally means "head of the year," the holiday actually takes place on the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, which is the seventh month on the Hebrew calendar. This is because Rosh Hashanah, one of four new years in the Jewish year, is considered the new year of people, animals and legal contracts. In the Jewish oral tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the completion of the creation of the world.

What are some customs and practices for Rosh Hashanah ?

Many people who are not regular synagogue-goers find Rosh Hashanah an important time to attend services. The shofar is blown throughout services on Rosh Hashanah. On the first day, traditionally, Jews perform tashlikh, where they throw bread crumbs into a flowing body of water to cast away their sins.

What foods are traditionally eaten on Rosh Hashanah ?

Eating apples and honey signifies a sweet new year. It is also customary to try a new fruit, preferably one that hasn't been eaten in a while.

Rosh Hashanah is the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days, or Yamim Noraim (the "Days of Awe"), and is followed 10 days later by Yom Kippur, the "day of atonement." The Mishnah refers to Rosh Hashanah as the "day of judgment," and it is believed that God opens the Book of Life on this day and begins to decide who shall live and who shall die. The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are viewed as an opportunity for Jews to repent (teshuvah, in Hebrew) and ensure a good fate.

Jews traditionally gather in synagogues on Rosh Hashanah for extended services that follow the liturgy of a special prayerbook, called a mahzor, that is used during the Days of Awe. At specific times throughout the service, a shofar, or ram's horn, is blown. The mitzvah (commandment) to hear the shofar, a literal and spiritual wake-up call, is special to this time of year.

The new year is the only Jewish holiday that is observed for two days by all Jews (other holidays are observed for just one day within the Land of Israel) as it is also the only major holiday that falls on a new moon.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish new year, looks to different foods for hope and wishes for the year to come.
Apples and honey are a mainstay and speak to the desire for a sweet year to come.
Both apples and honey are connected to Judaism on a deeper level than taste. In the Song of Songs, King Solomon compares the Jewish people to apples, "rare and unique among the trees of the forest." And the Jewish homeland of Israel is known as the "Land of Milk and Honey" in the Bible.

Honey Cake For the New Year

Ingredients:
1 cup very strong coffee (decaf is fine)
1 3/4 cups honey
4 extra large eggs
1/2 Cup Fresh Orange Juice
4 Tablespoons canola oil
1 1/4 cups packed dark brown sugar
3 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1/4 teaspoon cloves
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 cup whole or half candied or plain almonds (slivered)
1 cup raisins

Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 2 9x5 inch loaf pans or one 9x13 pan. Set aside.

In a saucepan, combine the honey and coffee and bring to a boil. Cool and set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, blend the eggs, orange juice, brown sugar and oil.
Do not overbeat.

Sift the flour, baking powder and baking soda and spices together. Stir the flour and honey into the eggs alternating and ending with the liquid. Stir in the raisins. Blend well. Spoon the batter into the prepared pan(s) and sprinkle the top of the cake(s) evenly with the almonds. Place the cake pan(s) on a baking sheet and bake until the cake springs back when you touch it gently in the center.

Bake for 60 to 70 minutes; loaf cakes, 45 to 55 minutes. For sheet-style cakes, the baking time is 40 to 45 minutes. This is a liquidy batter and, depending on your oven, it may need extra time. Cake should spring back when gently pressed.

Let the cake stand for 15 minutes before removing it from the pan. Then invert it onto a wire rack to cool completely.

Our best wishes for a happy and healthy New Year.
Celebrate with your friends, family and loved ones the joy of Rosh Hashanah !
May the year ahead be a year of happiness, good health and peace.