Question:
I have just been told we don’t have nuts on Rosh hashana
I want to serve dates with a walnut inside for one of the Simanim
Would this be acceptable
Thank you
Answer:
Hello,
the reason we have the custom not to eat walnuts on Rosh Hashana is because the Hebrew word for nuts is “egoz”, which has the same numerical value as the word “chet” (sin), additionally nuts can cause a person to salivate more, and this can interfere with the person’s concentration while davening. Therefore serve the dates without the walnut, or try putting something else inside them. It may not be as pretty as you are planning, but Hashem should still give you a very sweet year, like the dates!
Havea kesiva v’chasima tova
