This cake shaped like a Hamsa Hand celebrates Rosh Hashanah-The Jewish New Year and Yom Kippur- the day of atonement. The two days of Rosh Hashanah begin the Ten Days of Repentance (Aseret Yemei Teshuvah), also known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim), which culminate in the major fast day of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
The Hamsa Hand is an ancient middle Eastern amulet symbolizing the Hand of God. In all faiths it is a protective sign and brings its owner health, happiness, luck and good fortune. The hamsa hand has many spellings including hamesh, hamsa, chamsa, khamsa. You can wear the hand facing up or down and it is believed to give the owner success and protection from the Ayin Ha’ra also known as The Evil Eye. I wanted to do a cake that beautifully represented not only the Hamsa Hand but a symbolic food recognized as a new beginning.
Coat your berries in flour so they don't sink in the batter.
There is a tradition at Rosh Hashanah to eat symbolic foods (simanim) meant to help ensure a good new year. I wanted to represent Rosh Hashanah by featuring the Pomegranate. The celebration of new and unusual experiences. This 2020 year needs new direction into positive attitudes, experiences and self reflection. A time to learn and grow during such difficult times.
The buttercream piping style is pointillism. I drew a grid on parchment paper then laid the grid on top of the cake to get a visual reference. I took a skewer stick and drew the outlines. The idea is to pipe the outlines of each figure and then fill everything in. Piping in the pointillism style is very time consuming and intricate. It take much patience. Use one buttercream color in all areas of that color then move onto the next color. Like paining, take each color and fill in until you are done. The white buttercream was done last. Everything in-between the main pattern is done last.
