Rosh HaShana and the Sheva Minim

The Seven Attributes

The Kabbalists explain that there is a much deeper significance to these fruits. Each corresponds to one of the seven sefirot (Divine emotive attributes):⁵

Wheat: Chesed—Kindness

Barley: Gevurah—Severity

Grapes: Tiferet—Harmony

Figs: Netzach—Perseverance

Pomegranates: Hod—Humility

Olives: Yesod—Foundation

Dates: Malchut—Royalty

Every soul possesses all seven of these sefirot. But for each person, one of these traits is most dominant, shaping the individual soul’s unique path to G‑d. Thus, these seven fruits correspond to our serving G‑d with our personal attributes, as well as with all seven general modes of Divine service.

For more on how each fruit corresponds to a specific attribute, see The Seven Species and Seven Attributes.