 Detail from Hamsa Hand artwork, May-Bell Bareket, A4, Ink on paper THE POMEGRANATE The red fruit is a classic symbol which is highlighted even more so as the Jewish new year (Rosh HaShana) approaches. The pomegranate which in Hebrew is called Rimon is considered to be one of seven agricultural species or special products of Israel known as שבעת המינים, Shiv'at HaMinim, the others being wheat, barley, grapes, figs, olives, and dates. There are many references to these foods in the Bible and they are listed in the Torah in Parashat Eikev (Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25) "For the LORD your God is bringing you into a good land, a land with streams and springs and fountains issuing from plain and hill; a land of wheat and barley, of vines, figs, and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey; a land where you may eat food without stint, where you will lack nothing; a land whose rocks are iron and from whose hills you can mine copper." In the ancient days, pomegranates were often eaten fresh or turned into juice. The symbol of the pomegranate was used on decorations on the hem of the robe of the high priest as depicted in the photo, and on the Temple pillars, and embossed on coinage.
A SIGN OF BLESSING What is it that makes the Pomegranate such a strong symbol and why is it considered a Biblical sign of blessing? Some suggest that it is because the pomegranate is different from fruits that are made up of pulp and seeds as the pomegranate is made up mostly of its seeds and it doesn't have much pulp. Usually, the pulp of the fruit is used by the fruit to "feed" and maintain itself, and it is the seeds of the fruit that are used to grow and bring more fruit into the world. The seeds themselves naturally therefore symbolize the granting of more fruit and being blessed with more fruit. The pomegranate - being mostly seeds- has therefore come to symbolize blessing. THE TORAH SCROLLS With its symbolism as well as its royal crown on the top of the fruit, many Torah scrolls have pomegranates as decorations, and the fruit has also come to symbolize or become associated with the 613 Mitzvot (commandments) of the Bible. The pomegranate, which is originally associated with the Torah, is today an integral part of the Torah scroll throughout Jewish congregations. Originating from the Middle Ages, the two wooden rollers that holds the Torah scroll were decorated with ornaments in various shapes of fruits but very often in the shape of pomegranates. The caps of the Torah rollers are called Rimmonim (the plural form of Rimon which in Hebrew means Pomegranate). The Rimmonim are usually made out of silver and they often reflect the creativity and artistic traditions as well as the size of the pocketbooks of their different communities (Abram, 2009). In a recent find of a 200 year old Torah scroll from Iraq, a microscopic sample of the scroll's ink revealed that it was made out of pomegranate juice concentrate! The examination also revealed that the scroll was likely written in the Kurdish region in northern Iraq.
A SYMBOL OF LOVE AND FERTILITY In Judaism the pomegranates are also considered to be symbol of love as well as fertility (much like the fish). Therefore the pomegranates are often mentioned in many biblical texts such as for example the beautiful Song of Songs (Song of Solomon). In The Song of Solomon the lovers create an association or a link to the pomegranate and its juice with romantic encounters (Abram, 2009). “Let us get up early to the vineyards; let us see if the vine flourish, whether the tender grape appear, and the pomegranates bud forth: there will I give thee my loves” (Song 7:12) “Thy lips are like a thread of scarlet, and thy speech is comely: thy temples are like a piece of pomegranate within thy locks” (Song 4:3). The pomegranate’s many seeds, and with its sensuous red color reminding us of the blood of life, and its connection with the land’s productiveness—all suggest this fruit is a symbol of human fertility. I use the fish symbol which symbolizes fertility and success in my Hamsa Hand artwork, as well as other symbolic elements such as the dove , the eye, the eagle , the double-headed eagle and more!
If you want to read about the Hamsa Hand symbol itself you can check out my article about it in my blog as well. For Hamsa Hand art prints you can find them in my online shop! POMEGRANATES FOR ROSH HASHANA The Jewish new year is celebrated with a New years dinner also called a seder. Different symbolic foods are part of blessings , such as apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet new year. Before eating each symbolic food, it is held and the blessing is recited. Before eating the pomegranate the blessing is therefore said: יְהִי רָצוֹן מִלְּפָנֶיךָ ה' אֱלֹהינוּ וֵאלֵֹהי אֲבוֹתֵינוּ, שֶׁנִּהְיֶה מְלֵאִים מִצְוֹת כָּרִמּוֹן May it be Your will, Lord our God and the God of our fathers, that we be filled with mitzvot like a pomegranate [is filled with seeds]. If you enjoyed this article, check out my other articles in my blog! Below are photos from last years table-setting that i did (2017). The symbolic fish , pomegranates , apples and honey are all represented.  Table setting that I did for Rosh Hashana with Pomegranates and Pomegranate bread rools :)  Rosh Hashana table setting by me (2017) Shana Tova! Reference: Abram, M. (2009). The Pomegranate: Sacred, Secular, and Sensuous Symbol of Ancient Israel
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