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Pesach (Passover) commemorates the Jewish exodus from Egypt. It tells the story of how God chose Moses to lead the people out of slavery. As is written in the Book of Exodus, the Jews did not have time to wait for their bread dough to rise before fleeing Egypt, and hurriedly took unleavened bread with them for the journey. In commemoration of this sacrifice, leavened bread, flour and cereals containing leaven are not permitted during Pesach holiday. Pesach lasts for 8 days (7 days in Israel) and begins with a seder dinner. During the meal everyone gathered at the table reads from the Haggadah, a short book containing the story of Exodus and ceremonial acts that bring the narrative to life. Symbolic dishes served on a seder plate are consumed in the course of the narrative.

Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish new year, commemorating the creation of humanity and reminds of God’s judgement. Traditional foods eaten to mark the occasion include apples dipped in honey which symbolise the hope for a sweet and happy year, circular-shaped Challah signifying the annual cycle, fullness and prosperity, and fish with a head—a sign of a new beginning. In addition, a number of foods are consumed (their selection depends on the region), the so-called simanim [Hebr., "symbols’] which stand for wishes for the new year. A special blessing is recited over them.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, closes the High Holy Days including Rosh Hashanah and the Ten Days of Repentance, during which God judges people. From sunset until sundown on the following day, a strict fast is observed to help a person in the process of repentance. The meal consumed before the fast begins plays a major role—it should be hearty, meaty, but not salty or spicy, to make the time of abstaining from food easier.

Sukkot is a joyous holiday commemorating Jews living in huts in the desert during their flight from Egypt. During the seven days of the holiday, meals are eaten in a specially erected tent or hut—a sukkah—whose roof must be made of branches, leaving sufficient gaps to allow those inside to see the sky and stars at night. Festive meals are sweet, succulent, stuffed foods such as dumplings, stuffed cabbage leaves (holishkes), fruit and sweet pastries.

Hanukkah is celebrated to commemorate the victorious uprising of the Maccabees in the 2nd century BC and the rededication of the Temple which had been recaptured from non-Jewish rulers. According to tradition, the Temple’s candelabrum, the menorah, remained lit for eight days despite the fact that they had oil for only one day. To commemorate this miraculous multiplication of oil, Jews eat deep-fried dishes such as latkes (Yid., "potato pancakes") or doughnuts. Since the Middle Ages, meals from cheese —cheesecakes, or cheese blintzes— are eaten during Hanukkah to commemorate the act of Judith who fed Holofernes with salty cheese to make him thirsty, then got him drunk and cut his head off.

Tu b’Shevat is a holiday falling on the 15th of the month of Shevat, which marks the end of winter. This holiday is also known as the “New Year of the Trees”. In ancient times, the marking of the age of trees was important because Jewish farmers were required to make fruit offerings, and the amount of offerings depended on the age of the trees. Thus, many tree fruits are eaten on this day. In present-day Israel, children and teenagers plant trees to commemorate Tu b’Shevat.

Purim commemorates the story described in the Scroll of Esther which in all likelihood took place in the 6th century BC during the Babylonian captivity. It was the miraculous deliverance of the Jews from the hands of Haman who planned to exterminate them across Persia. The holiday has a joyous and carnival-like character. Its vital element is performing plays referring to the biblical story of Esther, culminating in the hanging of Haman. The traditional food eaten on that day is a poppy-seed-filled triangular cake, the so-called hamantash, or Haman's pockets.

Shavuot, also known as the Harvest Festival, was agricultural in nature back in Biblical times, as it coincided with the harvest season. During the rabbinical period, it began to commemorate God handing over the Torah to Moses at Mount Sinai. Festive dishes include dairy products, flour and fruit. According to tradition, on Shavuot, with the acceptance of the Torah, Jews were obliged to keep kosher. Since they needed time to producekosher meat, dairy meals prevailed.

Tisha b'Av is a holiday that falls on the 9th day of the month of Av, commemorating the anniversary of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem. It is a holiday of mourning, preceded by three weeks of repentance, during which one must abstain from eating meat and drinking wine. The Shabbat that falls during this period bears the stigma of sorrow. On the holiday itself, there is a 24-hour fast that lasts from dusk until the evening of the following day. As on Yom Kippur, it is forbidden to eat or drink.