Avoiding Nuts on Rosh Hashanah:[1]

1. The Minhag:^[2]

The Rishonim[3] and Poskim[4] record that some are particular to avoid eating Egozim and Luzim [and all forms of nuts and peanuts, as will be explained below in D] on Rosh Hashanah. [However, there are Poskim[5] who record that they did not avoid eating nuts on Rosh Hashanah. Practically, the widespread custom amongst both Ashkenazim and Sephardim is to be particular in this matter and to avoid eating nuts during Rosh Hashanah. Nonetheless, there is no formal prohibition as the Shulchan Aruch notes nut avoidance as a custom, not a law and some Poskim do not avoid nuts at all.]

1. The reasons for avoidance: 

Saliva increase:[6] Some avoid nuts because they increase saliva and phlegm, potentially nullifying prayers.

Gematria of sin:[7] Egozim (nuts) corresponds to the gematria of sin[8], leading to their avoidance. [Interestingly, while this reason is recorded in the Rama, it is omitted by Admur. Vetzaruch Iyun.]

1. Duration of avoidance:^[9]

From the letter of the law, the avoidance of the above foods only applies to the night of Rosh Hashanah.^[10] Nonetheless, many have the custom is to avoid eating nuts until after Simchas Torah.^[11] Furthermore, many^[12] are accustomed to avoiding eating any of the above foods until after Simchas Torah. However, according to Chabad custom, it is not customary to avoid any of the above foods past Rosh Hashanah.^[13] Practically, each family should follow their Minhag.

1. Which nuts are to be avoided:

The official documented custom in the Poskim[14] is to avoid specifically eating Egozim and Luzim[15] on Rosh Hashanah [and not other nuts such as almonds, or peanuts etc]. The difference between Egozim and Luzim is that Egozim are large nuts while Luzim are small nuts.[16] [However, some say that Egozim are almonds.[17]] Practically, while the official custom limits the avoidance to these forms of nuts that are defined by the above names and are botanically rooted in the nut family, nevertheless, the widespread custom today is to avoid all forms of nuts^[18], including almonds and even peanuts.^[19]

May one eat coconut and coconut oil, sesame, pumpkin & chia seeds on Rosh Hashona? Avoid. There is no known custom to avoid these foods on Rosh Hashanah [in contrast to Erev Yom Kippur, in which sesame is avoided]

1. Nuts in mixtures such as cakes, cookies, chocolate, and other goods:^[20]

It is permitted to eat cakes, cookies and the like that contain ground nuts within their ingredients even if their taste is slightly felt within the food.^[21] This applies even if it contains the Egoz nut.^[22] Nevertheless many are accustomed to be stringent to avoid eating any food that contains the Egoz nut in the ingredients as the Egoz is the Gematria of Chet [sin]. Practically one who is stringent is blessed.^[23]

List of Common foods that often contain nuts, either as a main ingredient or hidden inside sauces, toppings, or flours.

🍰 Baked Goods & Desserts

• Cakes (especially carrot, pumpkin, or fruit-and-nut varieties)
• Brownies and cookies (often with walnuts, pecans, or almonds)
• Baklava (layered pastry with chopped nuts)
• Marzipan (made from almond paste)
• Nougat and pralines
• Ice cream toppings (chopped nuts or nut oils)

🥗 Savory Dishes & Sauces

• Pesto (typically contains pine nuts)
• Mole sauce (Mexican sauce often made with peanuts or almonds)
• Chicken tikka masala (sometimes thickened with cashew paste)
• Vegetarian dishes and veggie burgers (may include walnuts, cashews, or macadamias)
• Gluten-free breads (often made with almond or coconut flour)

🥣 Breakfast & Snacks

• Granola and muesli
• Nut bars and health bars
• Trail mix
• Nut butters and spreads (peanut, almond, cashew)

🍫 Chocolates & Confectionery

• Hazelnut pralines
• Chocolate bars with nuts
• Candies with nut fillings or coatings

[1] See Admur 583:6

[2] 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

[3] Maharil ibid

[4] Admur and Rama ibid

[5] Darkei Moshe 583:1 in name of Kol Bo; Kaf Hachaim 583:26

[6] Admur ibid; Second reason in Rama ibid; The Darkei Moshe 589:3 writes that the Mahril avoided eating nuts on R”H in order so he does not have to spit during the Tekios.

[7] First reason in Rama ibid [omitted here by Admur, Vetzrauch Iyun why Admur omitted this reason.

[8] Gematria of Egoz: The Gematria of Egoz is in truth 17 while Chet is 18. However, the Alef of Chet is not included being it is not verbalized and hence they have the same Gematria. Now although Egoz is also the Gematria of Tov [good] nevertheless it is to be avoided as it also has a negative Gematria. [Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 36 in name of Daas Torah] 

[9] Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:5 and 7

[10] Setimas Kol Haposkim

[11] Beis Hayotzer 43; Ketzei Hamateh 583:16 [there he brings that also in Elul nuts are avoided]; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:7; See Leket Yosher p. 124 that the Terumas Hadeshen would not eat any Davar Charif during the ten days of repentance

Other customs: Reb Nosson Adler as well as the Chasam Sofer were not particular against eating nuts after Rosh Hashanah. [See Beir Moshe 3:97; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid footnote 38]

[12] See Leket Yosher p. 124 that the Terumas Hadeshen would not eat any Davar Charif during the ten days of repentance; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:5; Luach Dvar Yom Beyomo

[13] There is no record in Chabad literature of the custom of avoiding sour foods past Rosh Hashanah. Likewise, Rav Eli Landa Shlita, Rosh Hayeshiva of Kefar Chabad, and late son of Rav Yaakov Landa OBM, related to us that in Chabad we only avoid eating sharp foods on Rosh Hashanah. Likewise, see Otzer Minhagei Chabad p. 148 that the Rebbe Rashab ate a very sour new fruit on the second night

[14] Admur ibid; M”A 583:4; P”M 583 A”A 4; M”E 583:3; Kaf Hachaim 583:27;

[15] Although the Rama ibid does not mention Luzim [as it is not the Gematria of sin], nevertheless, based on the second reason of the Rama [increases saliva] also Luzim are not to be eaten. [M”A ibid]

[16] Admur ibid; M”A ibid; See Machatzis Hashekel 583:4 and Koveitz Or Yisrael 1:106 for a discussion regarding the exact definition of an Egoz

[17] Makor Chaim 583 brought in Piskeiy Teshuvos 583 footnote 37

[18] 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.

[19] Nitei Gavriel 28:14; Piskeiy Teshuvos ibid

[20] Beir Moshe 3:97; Yad Yitzchak 1:208; Piskeiy Teshuvos 583:7

[21] The reason: As there is not an enough of an amount of nuts in the food to cause one to increase in saliva and phlegm. [Beir Moshe ibid]

[22] The reason: Even if the cake contains the Egoz nut which is the Gematria of Chet it is permitted as even to eat actual Egoz is a mere Chumra and not a law. [ibid]

[23] Beir Moshe ibid; However, see Admur ibid which completely omits this reason of the Rama.