The table is stunning, laden with flowers, honey dishes, and new fruits. The place of honor goes to the fish head, of course – or a gummy fish head! (You can admit it; it’s not just for the kids.) Or you might see a sheep’s head. (And you were scared the fish head was “looking” at you!)
Each unique item is
more special than the last, but the pomegranate is the undisputed crown on the
Rosh Hashanah table. It practically glows, bursting with sweetness and meaning.
The word “pomegranate”
comes from the Latin words “pumum” (apple) and “granatum”
(seeded). Interestingly, both the words grenade, in English, and rimon,
in Hebrew, the weapon that soldiers hurl at their enemies, were inspired by the
pomegranate. Although real pomegranates, too, occasionally “explode” while
still on the tree, there is a natural explanation for that phenomenon. It is
linked to the consistency of their water supply: If the pomegranates get too
little water while their skin develops and then a lot of water when the seeds
are growing inside, the latter will simply outgrow the skin, and the fruit will
burst open. This really shows how every part of a process is valuable and that
consistency matters.
We give
pomegranates the center stage in autumn as one of the simanim, but since
they maintain their freshness for months, they are often featured as winter
fruits long after other options would have spoiled.
Pomegranates are
not just delicious; they are full of antioxidants that help keep inflammation down
and ease arthritis. They also protect skin cells from being damaged and reduce
the signs of aging. Just one serving has 40% of the daily recommended vitamin C;
they have potassium, as well, which is good for the heart, improving blood flow
by decreasing cholesterol and plaque. Pomegranates might even improve memory in
older adults. So, in addition to being beautiful, the crown of all fruits is
extremely beneficial.
It’s important to
note that, while the seeds are generally safe to eat, they could react poorly
with certain heart medications, so people should consult with their doctor if
they are not sure.
On Rosh Hashanah,
it is most fitting that pomegranate seeds represent the mitzvos that we
do. Perfectly designed by Hashem, the pomegranate is the perfect symbol for our
merits because its multitude of seeds are edible and sweet. Each individual
seed is self-contained in its own sac of sweet juice (as opposed to other
fruits such as a watermelon, which has its seeds interspersed through the
juicy, red flesh). This is similar to our mitzvos, which are judged
individually. Every minute of learning, every chesed, every tefillah
is self-contained and adds to our connection with Hashem.
Thought Is the
Seed of Action
The Gemara
mentions the meaning of seeing pomegranates in your dreams. If you are in
business, you will prosper financially, and if you are learning, you will gain
more Torah knowledge. So, regardless of how you spend your time, pomegranates
represent success. Perhaps this brings light to another reason they are
featured on Rosh Hashanah: they remind us that in whatever direction we choose
to travel, Hashem will help us forward, so we should take a few extra moments
at the beginning of the year to evaluate our path.
Because they carry
the blessings of bounty, 72 miniature golden pomegranates, alternating with 72
bells, were chosen to adorn the hem of the Kohen Gadol’s clothes. Hearing the
bells turned our focus toward the Kohen Gadol, but that alone was not enough to
inspire; the sight of pomegranates was also necessary to help us deepen our
love of Hashem. They remind us to fill our moments with mitzvos, just like it
is saturated with seeds. Pomegranates were also found in the Beis Hamikdash as bikkurim,
the first fruits, together with figs and dates. The bikkurim were the
farmers’ pride, and represented their hakaros hatov to Hashem for
providing them with produce. Not only do they symbolize our progress and our
connection, but also our gratitude.
Date Night
Dates are another
of the simanim for Rosh Hashanah, articulating our tefillah of a
quick end to our enemies. Date palm trees are the signature flora of peace and
tranquility, and the places they grow, with their gentle, sunshine-filled skies,
are often popular vacation getaways. They flourish in hot, arid climates, such
as deserts (and Florida) using their long roots to tap into deep underground
water sources. They can live for over 100 years and produce around 250 pounds
of dates each harvest season. Their seeds also survive for millennia. In a
remarkable botanical event, a 2,000-year-old seed of the extinct Judean date
palm discovered in the ruins of Masada was revived. The resulting tree has been
named Methuselah, and with it, scientists hope to recreate this ancient species.
Long before
protein bars, dates fueled desert caravans. They’re packed with slow-release
sugars, making them a natural, steady energy source, and are easy to dehydrate.
Dates are harvested by hand, 50 feet in the air!
It says in
Tehillim that the tzaddikim will flourish like a date palm, and Chazal
explain that this is the perfect analogy because every part of the date
palm is used: the dates are eaten, the inner leaves become lulavim, the
larger leaves become schach, and the fibers can be twisted into ropes.
Just like the date palm, when you develop your whole self to be connected with
Hashem, not just your brain or mouth or hands, but every aspect of who you are,
you are stepping closer to being classified as a tzadik, for which you
will earn being written in the Book of Life.
Seed Money
Seeds need to
disperse so they don’t crowd each other for resources. Hashem brilliantly
designed them to “travel” to find the ideal spot to set down their roots and
grow strong. Some seeds have barbed edges to attach to the fur of passing
animals or hikers. (Burrs inspired the invention of Velcro.) Once the burr is
removed, it has achieved its goal of finding a new location to grow. Other
seeds have feather-like tufts so light that the slightest breeze can lift them to
gently glide on the air currents until they land in a distant place. Some seeds
are buried by squirrels and other forest creatures. The ones the squirrels
forget are left underground to germinate. (Squirrels are actually responsible
for planting around half of the trees you see outside.) And some seeds are
surrounded by fruit, ingested by hungry animals, and then returned to the soil.
Once seeds set
down their roots, they help stabilize the soil, preventing erosion and holding
essential nutrients to benefit everything growing around them, as well as the
animals that rely on those plants for food. Seeds hold the ecosystem together
and make the world beautiful and complete.
I personally heard
Rabbi Akiva Tatz say that to combat the need for immediate gratification that
is so characteristic of today’s generation, we must plant a seed with children.
Having a small plant on your windowsill that you and your family patiently
watch for its first sign of life and then see grow a little more each day
teaches us how to wait for progress and how to value small moments of growth.
You Reap What You
Sow
We can admire each
seed for its ability to continue its legacy and leave a rich inheritance for
the future because each seed can produce countless more and holds generations
of secrets.
Take the apple,
another star of the Rosh Hashanah table. Each apple tree produces around 200
apples in the autumn, with each apple containing five to 10 seeds. After those
are planted, it takes 10 years for the tree to grow and produce fruit. But then
you will have 1,000 to 2,000 apples! And if you planted all the seeds these
apples contain, in just 10 more years, you would have 1,000,000 to 4,000,000
seeds to plant! The next time you finish eating an apple and are about to
casually toss the core in the garbage, think about the astounding fact that you
are holding in your hand the power to create millions of apple trees in only 20
years!
Seeds are
miracles. Primed for life, they contain nutrients to sustain themselves until
they can independently access resources from the environment. Seeds are also
programmed to begin developing only when conditions are favorable. Mitzvos work
the same way. The compound interest of one mitzvah is beyond measure!
When we invest ourselves in establishing the right environment for growth, we
thrive, and when we consider a seed, we are reminded of our own unlimited
potential.
Debbie Glazer lives in Pikesville with her family and teaches language arts
in Bnos Yisroel High School. She can often be found either writing or reading
and loves to share her passion for the written word with others.
