Q. I heard that one is not to eat black grapes during Rosh Hashana. but light green are OK. Is that true? Why?
A. HaGra in Ma'ase Rav (quoted in Piskei Teshuvos 583: 8) rules that one should abstain from eating grapes during Rosh Hashana. The reason given (Imrei Shmuel ibid.) is that the Zohar (Bereshis 36a) teaches that the prohibited fruit from the Eitz Hadaas (Tree of Knowledge) eaten by Adam and Chava on the day of their creation that was Rosh Hashana was indeed grapes.
However, Mate Efraim (600: 10), Likutei Mahariach quoting Yitav Leib, Orchos Rabbenu 2: p. 175 quoting Chazon Ish and others permit and mention that Shecheyanu was also recited on them.
Kaf Hachaim (583: 21) maintains that it only applies to black grapes (based on Talmud Brachos 56b) and not to light colored.
Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit’a opinion is that one should follow the Minhagim and traditions of his family.
Rabbi A. Bartfeld as advised by Horav Shlomo Miller and Horav Aharon Miller Shlit’a
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