New Year, New Truth: The Rosh Hashanah Myths We All Grew Up On

An article examines common myths surrounding Rosh Hashanah customs: Is the shofar mainly associated with Yom Kippur? Does the apple and honey appear in the Torah? Is honey healthier than sugar? And does every pomegranate contain 613 seeds? The conclusion: traditions are simple and convenient, but reality is more complex.

An article by Asaf Golan in Israel Hayom, published on September 11, 2026, examines four common myths related to Rosh Hashanah customs. The first myth: the shofar is primarily associated with the end of Yom Kippur, but the main commandment of hearing the shofar belongs to Rosh Hashanah, and in many communities it is customary to complete 100 blasts. The second myth: apple and honey is a Torah-based custom, but it actually developed at a later stage among Ashkenazi communities in Europe. The third myth: honey is much healthier than white sugar, but most of it consists of simple sugars (glucose and fructose) and does not allow unlimited consumption. The fourth myth: every pomegranate has 613 seeds, corresponding to the number of commandments, but the quantity varies by variety, growing conditions, and climate. The article concludes with a note that the human brain loves simple stories and easily transmitted traditions, but reality is more complex.