Why Do We Dip Apples in Honey on Rosh Hashanah?

In Exodus 3:8 in the Hebrew Bible, God promises Moses that the Israelites would be rewarded with a “good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey.” Of course, God was referencing the Land of Israel. The Midrash says that God called Eretz Yisrael this because milk provides nourishment and honey is known for its sweetness, so within the Promised Land, the Israelites would find both. It also alludes to the fertility of the land, and the better life of sustenance and sustainability awaiting the Israelites.

The phrase “the Land of Milk and Honey” has stuck throughout history as another name for the Land of Israel and in modern times, as a nickname for the State of Israel.

However, in his commentaries on the Torah, Rashi explained that this excerpt was actually talking about date honey (known in Hebrew as silan), which has historically been made by Jews in the region since Biblical times.

Honey in the Torah, Tanakh, and other texts

There are plenty of places elsewhere in Jewish texts that bee honey is mentioned, such as in the stories of Shimshon and Isaiah, as well as in Psalms 19. 

Honey is also mentioned again in Exodus, when the Israelites receive manna from God to eat as they journeyed out of slavery and toward the Promised Land. The Israelites describe the bread as tasting like a honey wafer. 

Many Jewish thinkers throughout history have come to the same simple conclusion: eating honey on Rosh Hashanah symbolizes our hope for a sweet new year, and honey has been readily available in Jewish communities for thousands of years.

It is important to remember that during the time of the Israelites, sugar canes did not exist in the desert or in the Land of Israel. Honey, whether from bees or dates, would’ve been our ancestors' go-to sweetener. 

Is it required by Jewish law to eat honey during Rosh Hashanah?

Nope! Eating honey during Rosh Hashanah is a minhag, or a custom. 

Dipping apples in honey is also a minhag, and specifically an Ashkenazi custom. This minhag was first recorded in history in 15th century Germany, although many believe the custom began long before that. 

Apples were a common fruit that began to ripen around the same time as Rosh Hashanah in Europe, so it is commonly thought that this is how the tradition began. However, ancient Jewish texts also have plenty to say about what makes apples special. 

In Song of Songs, God’s love for the Jewish people is compared to apples: “As the apple is rare and unique among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved [Israel] amongst the maidens [nations] of the world.” And the Zohar, a Kabbalistic text from the 13th century, says that the beauty of God’s creations “diffuses itself in the world as an apple.” 

If eating apples and honey is an Ashkenazi tradition, what do Sephardi and Mizrachi Jews eat during Rosh Hashanah?

Sephardic and Mizrachi (Middle Eastern/North African) customs vary widely from community to community, depending on which foods were abundantly available in certain places during the early fall.

For example, in Morocco, it was common to mix sesame seeds and sugar. Many Sephardic communities also enjoy a traditional food called mansanada, which is a thick spiced sauce full of honey and long-simmered apples. It is also a Sephardic tradition in some communities to dip a sheep or cow’s head into honey to symbolize the home and a wish for a sweet new year. 

What is the bracha (blessing) said over eating honey and apples on Rosh Hashanah?

First, you say:
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, בּוֹרֵא פְּרִי הָעֵץ.
Baruch atah Adonai, Eloheinu melech ha-olam, borei p’ri ha-eitz.
We praise You, Eternal God, Sovereign of the Universe, Creator of the fruit of the tree.

Followed by:
יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶךָ, יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ וֵאלֹהֵי אֲבוֹתֵֽינוּ וְאִמּוֹתֵֽינוּ,
שֶׁתְּחַדֵּשׁ עָלֵינוּ שָׁנָה טוֹבָה וּמְתוּקָה.
Y’hi ratzon milfanecha, Adonai Eloheinu v’Elohei
avoteinu v’imoteinu, shetchadesh aleinu shanah tovah um’tukah.
May it be Your will, Eternal our God, that this be a good and sweet year for us.

Absolutely! Israel is known internationally for its honey. Produced from the Galilee to the Negev Desert, honey is one of Israel’s modern agricultural triumphs. We explain everything you need to know about Israeli-made honey in this guide, and you can check out our full collection of kosher Israeli honey here, including honey made from the wildflowers of the Jerusalem mountains and silan date honey for our vegan friends.

Where can I buy a honey dish or other honey gifts for Rosh Hashanah?

We carry dozens of honey dishes, all of which are made by Israeli designers and artisans and are available featuring a variety of motifs and designs. To help you choose, we also rounded up our 10 favorite honey dishes, which make perfect gifts, either for loved ones or to treat yourself!

You can find other honey gifts here, including Israeli-made honey and honey-themed gift boxes.