Jewish ritual and ceremonial spices

Jewish tradition uses spice in the home and the synagogue, most visibly in the fragrant spices of the Havdalah ceremony, and in the food of communities from Yemen to Eastern Europe.

Havdalah and besamim

At the end of the Sabbath, many Jews recite Havdalah, a blessing over wine, a braided candle and a box of fragrant spices, called besamim. Cloves, cinnamon, myrtle and other sweet-scented plants are used, and are smelled as the Sabbath departs. The custom is described as a comfort at the close of the day of rest.

Festival and everyday foods

Passover seders feature charoset, a mixture of fruit, nuts, wine and spices such as cinnamon and ginger, and maror, the bitter herb. At Rosh Hashanah, foods are eaten for a sweet year. Hanukkah is marked with fried foods, and Purim with filled pastries.

Communities and kitchens

Yemenite Jews cook with hawaij and zhug, Moroccan Jews with ras el hanout and preserved lemon, Iraqi Jews with baharat and amba, and Ashkenazi Jews with paprika, black pepper, dill and caraway. All follow the dietary laws of kashrut, which each household keeps in its own way.

Jewish on EveryMasala

The spices written up so far, best known first.

🇬🇷 Greece and 4 moreParsley A bright green herb from the celery family, used fresh across Europe and the Middle East.Leaf · Bitter · Herbal and green

🇱🇾 Libya and 1 morePilpelchumaפלפלצ'ומה A spicy garlic paste made from steamed peppers and olive oil, rooted in Libyan Jewish tradition.Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent

🇱🇧 Lebanon and 5 moreZa'atarزَعْتَر A Levantine blend of dried herbs, sumac, sesame seeds, and salt used in breads and dips.Blend · Earthy and deep · Citrus and bright

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreMustard seed Tiny seeds from Brassica plants that become a sharp condiment or cooking oil.Seed · Sharp and pungent · Hot and fiery

🇺🇸 United StatesKosher salt Coarse edible salt used for dry brining and general cooking, typically free of iodine.Sharp and pungent

🇸🇾 Syria and 5 moreSumac A tart, crimson spice made from ground berries of the Rhus coriaria shrub.Seed · Sour and tart · Citrus and bright

🇹🇷 Turkey and 5 moreBay Laurelδάφνη The dried leaf of a Mediterranean evergreen, used to infuse slow-cooked dishes with herbal depth.Sharp and pungent · Bitter

🇭🇺 Hungary and 5 moreHorseradish A pungent root vegetable from Southeastern Europe used as a spicy condiment.Root · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreFenugreekحلبة (hilba) The cuboid seed of an annual legume, prized for its bitter warmth and maple aroma.Seed · Bitter · Warm and sweet-spiced

🇸🇩 Sudan and 5 moreTamarind The sweet and sour pulp of a tropical tree pod used in sauces and drinks.Fruit · Sweet and mellow · Sour and tart

🇵🇸 Palestine and 4 moreSyrian oreganoزَعْتَر The aromatic herb native to the Levant, essential for making za'atar.Warm and sweet-spiced · Herbal and green

🇮🇳 India and 5 moreMustard seed Tiny seeds from three Brassica plants that create pungent condiments and cooking oil.Seed · Hot and fiery · Sharp and pungent

Jewish: spices in ritual