On the Jewish New Year Rosh Hashanah, later than the holiday prayer service, we say Kiddush above wine & eat a festive meal. Special Rosh Hashanah food customs have developed over the centuries. We dip a round challah into honey, & say the blessing over the bread. Next we dip a piece of apple into honey & ask for a good and sweet year. On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we eat a new fruit we have not yet eaten that season so we can say the shehechiyanu blessing. Although Rosh Hashanah is a day of soul-searching and repentance, it is a happy day. We believe God is merciful &will forgive our bad deeds from the previous year. And we are excited to initiate a new year in which we will do more good deeds. The delight of this New Year's Day is reflected in the holiday's food customs.
