Menachem Bluming Muses: Apples Dipped in Honey on Rosh Hashanah

One of the central practices of Rosh Hashanah is to dip an apple in honey to represent that we ask G-d for a sweet and blessed new year. 

Aren’t there sweeter fruit to dip in honey than an apple? How about a mango? Peach?
 
So here’s a thought...

Our Apple really needs to be dipped in honey to start off the new year, especially this year. Disagreements about how to respond to the pandemic and the political vicissitudes not to mention everyone’s nerves being a little more tense due to the fears of the pandemic that has already taken 4.5 million lives, our Apples have seen a lot of vitriol. Disparaging and hurtful comments seem to be sent much more easily on social media.


For the new year let us dip our Apples in honey. Keep our communications kind, giving the other the benefit of the doubt and not pressing send as often...

So here’s my blessing to you that the words that you receive and that you send be dipped in honey. May the new year bring us all sweetness and good health!

Rabbi Mendel (Menachem) Bluming

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