The great Sephardic Torah authority and Kabbalist,
Rabbi Chaim Palachi (1788-1869) of Izmir, Turkey, records a custom that each
member of the family should say the blessing over a specifically-designated
fruit:
Father: should say "mezonot" over a grain
product, related to his wish for success in earning a livelihood, which is
represented by wheat, as in the verse, "He shall satisfy you with the fat
of wheat." (Ps. 147:14)
Mother/wife: should say the blessing of
"ha'etz" over grapes, as the verse in Ps. (128:3) compares the wife
of a G-d fearing man to a "fruitful vine."
Sons: should eat olives in accordance to
the above verse which too likens the sons of G-d fearing man to young olive
trees.
Daughters: should eat pomegranates and
walnuts which are covered by an out shell or covering, symbolic of
tzeniut –modesty- that is required of all Jewish girls.
Young children: should eat apples, in honor
of the courageous Israelite women during the Egyptian bondage who secretly
delivered their babies in the apple orchards.
(And perhaps adult singles looking to get
married should eat dates on this night! -- Ascent-of-Safed
staff
[From the author’s e-book, "TREE OF LIFE" (Sefer
"Eitz Chayim Hee") — available from our shop site:
www.kabbalaonline-shop.com/(direct link
to book.)
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