Apples and Honey on Rosh Hashanah – a Segula for Infertility
1. The Maharal explains that the apple is associated with «חקל תפוחים קדישין» (the field of holy apples).
When Jacob came to receive the blessings from Isaac, his clothing gave off the fragrance of an apple orchard. Moreover, according to Kabbalah, Isaac gave Jacob the blessing on Rosh Hashanah. (GR"A 583:8)
2. Ben Ish Chai teaches that an apple offers three benefits: taste, appearance, and fragrance.
This symbolizes sustenance in three aspects: children, health, and livelihood throughout the year. (Ben Ish Chai, Parashat Nitzavim)
3. The Zohar teaches that after drinking wine, one should eat an apple so that the wine does not cause harm. Wine represents Gevurah (severity), and thus the apple soothes this severity. Therefore, on Rosh Hashanah we eat apples to sweeten harsh judgment. (Zohar, Parashat Shemini 4a)
4. The Zohar states that the source of all fruits is Malchut (the feminine Divine aspect), while the apple is also the source of the aspect of Tiferet (the masculine aspect).
The Arizal teaches that the summer months represent Malchut, while the winter months (from Tishrei through Nisan) represent Tiferet. Therefore, at the beginning of the “masculine” months, we eat an apple, which derives from the “masculine” source.
5. According to Rabbeinu Yonah (Rosh, Berachot, Chapter 6, Siman 35), honey has the property of changing everything placed into it—even something impure—transforming it all into honey. For this reason, honey may be eaten even if a bee’s legs have fallen into it. The holiness of Rosh Hashanah has the power to transform everything bad into good. (Shem MiShmuel, Mo'adim, Rosh Hashanah 5674)
Some add that the sin of Adam HaRishon involved an apple; therefore, we dip the apple in honey to rectify the sin of the Fall.
6. The gematria of תפוח – “tapuach” (apple) is 494, the same as the phrase פרו רבו – “pru rvu” (be fruitful and multiply), while the gematria of the word דבש – “dvash” (honey) is 306, the same as the gematria of the word אשה – “ishah” (woman), thereby symbolizing that Rosh Hashanah is an auspicious time for women struggling with infertility. (Imrei Noam, Likutim Besof HaSefer)
7. The gematria of the word Tapuach (apple) is 494, the same as the gematria of שה עקידה – (the lamb for the Akeidah offering) – 494.
(Material compiled by the website from Jewish holy sources)
