{"id":87247,"date":"2022-09-13T17:21:31","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T15:21:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iemj.org\/roch-hachana\/"},"modified":"2022-12-14T19:15:25","modified_gmt":"2022-12-14T18:15:25","slug":"le-seder-de-roch-hachana-chez-les-juifs-d-afrique-du-nord","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iemj.org\/en\/le-seder-de-roch-hachana-chez-les-juifs-d-afrique-du-nord\/","title":{"rendered":"Rosh Hashanah Seder among North African Jews"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rosh Hashanah (\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9 \u05d4\u05e9\u05e0\u05d4) is a holiday marking the beginning of the Jewish New Year. It is celebrated, in Israel as well as in the Diaspora, on the first two days of the month of tichri which occurs, depending on the year, in September or October.<\/p>\n

Called in the Bible Zikhron Teru\u02bfa<\/em> (Remembrance of the Ringing) (Lev 23:24) or Yom Teru\u02bfa<\/em> (Day of the Ringing), (Num 29:1), Rosh Hashanah is marked by the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn), which symbolizes the sacrifice of Isaac and G-d’s Covenant with Abraham’s children. In the oral tradition, the two days of Rosh Hashanah become the days of judgment, introducing a ten-day period of penitence (Asheret’ Yemei Tshuva<\/em>) in anticipation of the great forgiveness (Yom Kippur).<\/p>\n

Symbolism of Rosh Hashanah Seder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"The Rosh Hashanah Night Seder consists of the consumption of symbolic foods – known as simanim<\/em> (signs) – and the recitation of prayers. This tradition dates back at least 2,000 years and was first celebrated in the communities of the Mediterranean Area.<\/p>\n

The Seder table thus includes foods that evoke, sometimes with puns, the year that we hope will be sweet and happy. Sour or pungent foods are thus avoided in favor of sweet foods, such as apples dipped in honey. This custom, mentioned in the Talmud, has undergone various versions and was strongly developed by the Kabbalists of Safed.<\/p>\n

Rosh Hashanah Seder ritual<\/strong><\/h3>\n

\"\"During the Rosh Hashanah Seder, vegetables (beets, leeks, pumpkins, white beans, gourds), fruits (pomegranate, dates, apples cooked in sugar or dipped in honey) and even a ram’s head or fish are eaten.<\/p>\n

These foods were chosen because their Aramaic names resonated with Hebrew wishes for the New Year. A prayer accompanies the consumption of each of these foods. It is sung to a tune that varies according to the community, while holding the food in the right hand, immediately before eating it.<\/p>\n

Blessings and songs<\/strong><\/h3>\n

After chanting kiddush<\/span><\/i>, washing, and breaking bread, the following foods are eaten:<\/p>\n