Halachot and Customs
The Head of Meat on Rosh Hashanah
Question
Hello, I wanted to know the halachic issue regarding a head of meat on Rosh Hashanah. I understood that, ideally, one should use a sheep’s head, and if not, a goat’s head. But on the other hand, I heard that a cattle head is also acceptable. The question is this: what does halacha permit? I know that if there is no sheep and no goat, one may also use a chicken head, and if that is not available, then one should use a fish head, since the main thing is to be a head and not a tail. The question is, again, how does cattle fit in with Rosh Hashanah? From what I understood from Rabbi Arik Naveh, sheep is related to subjugation, and goat is related to boldness, and therefore the gevurot are sweetened on Rosh Hashanah. And that is apparently also why one does not eat sour, spicy, salty, and similar foods. But cattle? :) I apologize for asking in this way; it is simply that my mother is helping me a great deal in the process of repentance, and she bought cattle, and I did not know the halachic issue when she bought the cattle, or I forgot to say something, or I did not know - I no longer remember what happened when we bought the cattle. In any case, I would be glad for an answer, because my mother and I are simply in a dispute for the sake of Heaven. May His name be blessed :)
Thank you, and may everyone have a wonderful day.
Amiel Gal.
Answer
Hello and blessings.
Any head is good, and there is a preference for a sheep’s head in order to remind us of the Binding of Isaac.
Certainly one should not stir up a dispute over the matter of the sheep.
With blessings - Benjamin Shmueli

