Rosh Hashana - Fish/Lamb Head

[Chef Shaya - At Your Palate]

Hi All,

I was wondering if anyone has any good sources for Jewish food
culture, specifically surrounding the tradition of eating a head on
Rosh Hashana. Those who follow the Ashkenazi customs generally use
Fish head, whereas those that follow the Sephardic customs usually use
a lamb or goat head.

I was hoping someone would have some kind of source for the symbology
and traditions (and how it evolved perhaps) of this particular piece
of culinary tradition.

Thanks,
Shaya

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[Brian Mailman]

Chef Shaya - At Your Palate wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering if anyone has any good sources for Jewish food
> culture, specifically surrounding the tradition of eating a head on
> Rosh Hashana. Those who follow the Ashkenazi customs generally use
> Fish head, whereas those that follow the Sephardic customs usually use
> a lamb or goat head.
>
> I was hoping someone would have some kind of source for the symbology
> and traditions (and how it evolved perhaps) of this particular piece
> of culinary tradition.

The "rosh" means "head." Some say the custom involves looking forward.

B/, moderator hat off

[bac...@vms.huji.ac.il]

In article <1186508258.9...@b79g2000hse.googlegroups.com>, Chef Shaya - At Your Palate <atyour...@gmail.com> writes:
> Hi All,
>
> I was wondering if anyone has any good sources for Jewish food
> culture, specifically surrounding the tradition of eating a head on
> Rosh Hashana. Those who follow the Ashkenazi customs generally use
> Fish head, whereas those that follow the Sephardic customs usually use
> a lamb or goat head.
>
> I was hoping someone would have some kind of source for the symbology
> and traditions (and how it evolved perhaps) of this particular piece
> of culinary tradition.

For an interesting tidbit of Jewish culinary history there is the
14th century medieval Ashkenazi custom of dipping a sheep's head in honey
[this is mentioned by the early 17th century commentary BACH (Bait Chadash)
in the TUR Orach Chayim on the laws of Rosh Hashana].

It makes my late grandmother's a"h recipe for "galeriteh" a.k.a. "pitcha"
[jellied calves foot] tasty by comparison :-)

Josh

[Chef Shaya - At Your Palate]

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the symbols and traditions - but I was hoping someone
could refer me to an actual source - like a book or website or
something - that discusses all of these things....

Thanks,
Shaya

On Aug 9, 10:21 pm, bac...@vms.huji.ac.il wrote:

[W. Baker]

Chef Shaya - At Your Palate <atyour...@gmail.com> wrote:
: Hi All,

: I was wondering if anyone has any good sources for Jewish food
: culture, specifically surrounding the tradition of eating a head on
: Rosh Hashana. Those who follow the Ashkenazi customs generally use
: Fish head, whereas those that follow the Sephardic customs usually use
: a lamb or goat head.

: I was hoping someone would have some kind of source for the symbology
: and traditions (and how it evolved perhaps) of this particular piece
: of culinary tradition.

: Thanks,
: Shaya

I don't know the whole derivation but it has to do with rosh Hashna beign
the "head of the year."

Wendy Baker

[chsw]

W. Baker wrote:

>
> I don't know the whole derivation but it has to do with rosh Hashna beign
> the "head of the year."
>
> Wendy Baker

Welcome back.

chsw