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New Year’s Jewish soup for2026 / 5786: 6 bowls, 6 blessings


New Year’s Jewish soup for 2026 / 5786: 6 bowls, 6 blessings


“Soup is cuisine’s kindest course. It breathes reassurance; it steams consolation…” — Louis P. De Gouy


“Good soup is one of the prime ingredients of good living.” — Louis P. De Gouy


“It is impossible to think of any good meal… without soup or bread in it.” — M. F. K. Fisher (as quoted in a 1988 context)


January 1, 2026 (a Thursday) lands inside Jewish year 5786, which means we’re not starting from zero—we’re doing a mid-year, mid-winter reset: warmth, nourishment, steadiness. Soup is exactly the ritual for that.


Here are six Jewish soups—including Mizrachi/Sephardic favorites—and the meaning each one can carry into the days ahead.


1) Matzo Ball Soup —

Refuah (healing) + comfort


The classic “Jewish penicillin” as a New Year prayer: for health, tenderness, and being carried when you’re tired.



2) Mushroom Barley Soup —

Resilience + grounded strength


Barley is ancient and steady; mushrooms are earthy and deep. Together: endurance, stamina, and calm rootedness.



3) Vegetarian Borscht (Beet Soup) —

Vitality + joy

That vivid beet-red color is its own blessing: energy, warmth, and a bright-hearted year.



4) Adas bi Hamoud (Lebanese Lentil + Lemon Soup) —

Sustenance + clarity

  

(Mizrachi/Levantine)


Humble lentils + bright lemon + greens: a wish for enoughness, good digestion of life, and clear perspective.


5) Moroccan Harira —

Abundance + protection

  

(Sephardic/North African)


A richly spiced, celebratory soup—often chickpeas + lentils—perfect for a New Year blessing of plenty, warmth, and community.



6) Marak Kubbeh Adom (Red Kubbeh Soup) —

Courage + full-heartedness

  

(Mizrachi—Kurdish/Iraqi Jewish)


Beet-red broth with dumplings is the peak “new year, new strength”: bravery, deep feeling, and a steady heart.



As we gather to welcome the New Year of 5786, let us embrace the blessings that come from our traditions and the warmth of shared moments. May this year be filled with health, happiness, and abundance for all.


**Refuah:** May we find healing in body and spirit, nurturing our relationships and ourselves as we move through challenges with resilience and grace.


**Strength:** Like the barley in our Mushroom Barley Soup, may we be grounded and strong, drawing upon the deep roots of our heritage. Let this strength carry us through difficult times, reminding us of our ability to endure and thrive.


**Vitality:** May our lives be infused with the vibrant energy of our Vegetarian Borscht. Let us celebrate the joys of life and find warmth in connection, brightening the days ahead with laughter and love.


**Clarity:** As we savor the fresh flavors of Adas bi Hamoud, may we gain clarity in our decisions and perspectives, digesting life's lessons with ease and grace. Wishing for understanding and insight as we navigate the year to come.


**Abundance:** Let the spices of our Moroccan Harira inspire a year filled with plenty—not just in terms of material wealth but also in love, joy, and community. May we share our blessings with those around us and foster connections that lift us all.


**Courage:** Like the bold flavors of Marak Kubbeh Adom, may we face the coming year with courage and a full heart. Embrace new beginnings and be willing to step outside comfort zones, trusting in our inner strength to guide us forward.


As we enjoy these cherished soups, let each bowl serve as a reminder of our hopes, prayers, and aspirations for the year ahead. May we find warmth not just in our meals but in our friendships and family bonds. Wishing you and your loved ones a year filled with peace, joy, and love!


 
 
 

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