From the Ravs Desk – Shaalos Veteshuvos on Rosh Hashana foods that are avoided

Yes. Although the almond is not a true botanical nut, nonetheless, the widespread custom is to avoid eating it.

Sources: Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 37 that so is the custom in many communities to avoid all nuts [pistachio, peanuts, almonds] and not just the Egoz and Luz; See in general regardinga void nuts on Rosh Hashanah: Admur 583:6; Rama 583:2 [“Some do not to eat Egozim as it is the Gematria of sin and causes saliva”]; Darkei Moshe 589:3 in name of Mahril

Yes. Although the peanut is not a true botanical nut, nonetheless, the widespread custom is to avoid eating it.

Sources: Nitei Gavriel 28:14; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 37 that so is the custom in many communities to avoid all nuts [pistachio, peanuts, almonds] and not just the Egoz and Luz; See in general regardinga void nuts on Rosh Hashanah: Admur 583:6; Rama 583:2 [“Some do not to eat Egozim as it is the Gematria of sin and causes saliva”]; Darkei Moshe 589:3 in name of Mahril

Yes. There is no known custom to avoid these foods on Rosh Hashanah [in contrast to Erev Yom Kippur, in which sesame is avoided]

Must one avoid eating spicy, sharp and hot foods?

There is no need to refrain from eating sharp foods, such as chili peppers, Sechug, Charif and the like.^[1] This applies even according to Chabad custom.[2] Nonetheless, some people avoid eating it, and people who have such a custom should abide by it.[3]

[1] Setimas Rov Haposkim; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:5 based on the fact the sharp foods are not mentioned in any Poskim. See also Aruch Hashulchan 583:3.

[2] There is no record in Chabad literature of the custom of avoiding sharp foods on Rosh Hashanah. Likewise, Rav Eli Landa Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Kefar Chabad, and late son of Rav Yaakov Landa OBM, related to us that he is not aware that in Chabad we avoid eating sharp foods on Rosh Hashanah [i.e. Chabad is not accustomed to avoid eating sharp foods on RH].

[3] See Leket Yosher p. 124 that the Terumas Hadeshen would not eat any Davar Charif during the ten days of repentance, including cooked onions, although he would eat “Pilpilin”; See Aruch Hashulchan ibid; Toras Hamoadim 583:4 in name of Rav Chaim Kanievsky

Garlic: Some are accustomed not to eat garlic on Rosh Hashanah.^[1] Others^[2] however are not particular in this matter. Each person and community is to follow their custom.

[1] Implication of Tashbatz 118 and Kol Bo 64 [29a] and Darkei Moshe 583:1 that some were accustomed to avoiding garlic just as they avoid nuts; Ketzei Hamateh 583:17; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:8

The reason: As garlic increase one’s seed and since relations are abstained on Rosh Hashanah therefore these foods are to be avoided. [Implication of Elya Raba 583; See Admur 608:8 regarding Erev Yom Kippur]

[2] Tashbatz 118 and Kol Bo 64 [29a] in name of Maharam, brought in Darkei Moshe 583:1; Kaf Hachaim 583:26