The Persian "Seder" on Rosh Hashanah

Since as far back as Babylonian times, Persian Jews have held a “Seder” during Rosh Hashana dinner.

Unlike our Ashkenazi counterparts who have a simple meal with apples, honey and challah, Persian Jews eat 9 symbolic foods on Rosh Hashana that primarily focus on the theme of being free from enemies who wish to harm us, and living happy peaceful lives.

For years, I would participate in the Rosh Hashana Seder without putting much thought behind the prayers I recited. Our existential “enemies” were something distant, in the past, a threat that could never harm Jewish people again.

But our existential enemies are not trapped in the past anymore. With the virulent rise of antisemitism, glorification of genocidal jihadists, and normalization of Jew Hatred, those who would gleefully slaughter the Jewish people are all too present today.

This year, I thought of my grandmother, and her grandmother, and all my ancestors who for generations sat at a Rosh Hashana Seder like mine while living as helpless Dhimmi Jews.

I thought of how these same prayers over a mouthful of beets and dates were their only defense against pogroms, rape, kidnapping, forced conversion and slaughter.

And as I have every day since October 7, I added a prayer of thanks of my own. For Israel, and the IDF, and the fact that I will NEVER be a helpless Dhimmi Jew again.

Shana Tovah
Am Yisrael Chai
🇮🇱🍎🍯🇮🇱

✡️ Beets: A prayer for removing enemies from our midst.

✡️ Dates: A prayer for the demise of our enemies.

✡️Chives: Held lengthwise and bit through the middle then thrown over our shoulders, a prayer to cut down our enemies.

✡️ Apples and Honey: A prayer for a sweet new year.

✡️ Pomegranate Seeds: A prayer for a year full of good deeds (mitzvot).

✡️ Squash: A prayer for happiness.

✡️ Cow’s tongue: Symbolic of the “head” of the year.

✡️ Beans: A prayer for prosperity.

✡️ Round Challah: Representing a new year.

Link to tweet