May One Eat Peanuts and Almonds on Rosh Hashanah?

Dear Sir,

The custom is to avoid eating both peanuts and almonds on Rosh Hashanah.

Sources: There are two reasons for the custom not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah, and as stated by the Rema (Orach Chaim 583:2), some are strict not to eat nuts because the gematria of nut is sin, and also because they cause coughing and distraction, which can invalidate prayer. Therefore, according to the first reason, there is specifically an issue with eating nuts, but with other kinds of snacks like peanuts and almonds, there is no problem. However, according to the second reason, theoretically, peanuts and almonds are included in the custom. See the book Yosef Ometz (Section 842) which states that the reason for the second reason is significant, namely, that one should not eat nuts in order not to get coughs and distractions during the shofar blasts, and thereby disallow oneself and others from hearing the shofar. According to this, it seems one should avoid eating peanuts and almonds on Rosh Hashanah. This is also brought in the book Ashrei Ha-Ish, Part 3 (Chapter 14:7) in the name of Rabbi Yisrael Yaakov Elyashiv zt"l, that those who are meticulous not to eat nuts on Rosh Hashanah should also refrain from eating things that are not exactly nuts, like pistachios, almonds, and peanuts, as the custom is to not eat them due to causing cough and distraction during prayer.

And in Yosef Ometz it is written that since the reason is not to be disturbed by coughing and distraction during the shofar blasts, therefore on the second day of Rosh Hashanah after the shofar blasts, one need not be strict about it. However, the Rema wrote that the concern is that coughing and distraction invalidate prayer, and according to that, theoretically, even after the shofar blasts on the second day of Rosh Hashanah one should be careful in this matter.

With blessings,

Hillel Meirs