Rosh Ha Shanah - The Head of the Year
(29 Elul 5784 - 01 Tishrei 5785 - 2,3 October 2024)
Rosh HaShanah Day 2 - outside of Israel is Tishrei 2, or Friday. 4 October 2024
Also known as Yom Teru’ah - "The Day of the Awakening Blast"
The Feast of Trumpets
Some other names:
The Season of Teshuvah (Repentance); Yom HaKaseh The Hidden Day;
Yom HaDin The Day of Judgement; The Day of Opening the Books; Opening the Gates; Ha Kedushin The Wedding; Yom HaMelech The Day of crowning the King (Messiah).
Leviticus 23:23-25 (CJB):
Adonai said to Moshe, “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. Do not do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai.’” Leviticus 23:23-25 (NKJ): Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the Lord.’” |
The origin of Rosh HaShana, the Jewish New Year, is Biblical (Leviticus 23:23-25): "a sacred occasion commemorated with loud blasts (of the Shofar, the ram's horn)." The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the Shofar) and Yom HaZikaron Teruah (the day of remembering the sounding of the Shofar). The blast of the shofar is meant to blast us from our sleep. We are to remember who we really are by remembering that the LORD is our King.
According to Ariela Pelaia on the Judaism.about.com website, the High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah, which is also referred to as the Jewish New Year. It is observed for two days. In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of the world as described in the Torah (Pentateuch) Torah means 'instruction.' It is also the day on which God inscribes the fate of each person in the "Book of Life" or the "Book of Death," determining both if they will have a good or bad year and whether we will live or die.
Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of a ten-day period on the Jewish calendar that focuses on repentance or teshuvah. Jews mark the holiday with festive meals and prayer services, and will wish each other "l’shanah tovah," meaning a "good new year."
The Ten "Days of Awe"
The ten-day period known as the "Days of Awe" (Yamim Nora’im) or the "Ten Days of Repentance" (Aseret Yamei T’shuvah) begins with Rosh Hashanah and ends with Yom Kippur. The time between these two main holidays is special in the Jewish calendar. Jews are required to focus on repentance and atonement during this period. While God passes judgment on Rosh Hashanah, the books of life and death remain open during the Days of Awe so that Jews have the opportunity to change which book they are in before it is sealed on Yom Kippur. Jews spend these days working to amend their behavior and seeking forgiveness for wrongs done during the past year.
The High Holidays, (High Holy Days) outlined in Leviticus 23 have a privileged position in Jewish traditions and life, especially the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The ten days between the two great festivals, the Days of Awe, are coming from the notion that God opens the books of life and death in heaven on Rosh HaShanah and closes them at the last moment of the Day of Atonement. Jewish people use these ten days to make all things right with their neighbours and apologise to those they may have offended during the previous year.
The result would then be a sweet and fruitful year symbolised by sharing plates of apples and honey with one another, and eating Pomegranates as part of the holiday celebration in the hope that our good deeds in the coming year would be as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate. This tradition encourages humility and vulnerability and promotes the healing of broken relationships.
Jesus (Yeshua) speaking as recorded in Matthew 5:23-24 says: Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
According to Jewish tradition, on Rosh HaShanah the destiny of the righteous, (Tzaddikim) are written in the Book of Life, and the destiny of the wicked, the resha’im, are written in the Book of Death. However most people will not be inscribed in either book, but have ten days to repent before sealing their fate. The Ten Days of Repentance or the Days of Awe takes place between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur (14 September 2013), everyone’s names will be sealed in one of these two books.
In the synagogues the prayers are invocations for one to be made worthy to be written in the Book of Life. Sermons about the need for repentance and themes of God’s judgement are delivered. The Kingship of God is stressed throughout the services as well.
According to Ariela Pelaia on the Judaism.about.com website, the High Holidays begin with Rosh Hashanah, which is also referred to as the Jewish New Year. It is observed for two days. In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah marks the anniversary of the creation of the world as described in the Torah (Pentateuch) Torah means 'instruction.' It is also the day on which God inscribes the fate of each person in the "Book of Life" or the "Book of Death," determining both if they will have a good or bad year and whether we will live or die.
Rosh Hashanah also marks the beginning of a ten-day period on the Jewish calendar that focuses on repentance or teshuvah. Jews mark the holiday with festive meals and prayer services, and will wish each other "l’shanah tovah," meaning a "good new year."
The Ten "Days of Awe"
The ten-day period known as the "Days of Awe" (Yamim Nora’im) or the "Ten Days of Repentance" (Aseret Yamei T’shuvah) begins with Rosh Hashanah and ends with Yom Kippur. The time between these two main holidays is special in the Jewish calendar. Jews are required to focus on repentance and atonement during this period. While God passes judgment on Rosh Hashanah, the books of life and death remain open during the Days of Awe so that Jews have the opportunity to change which book they are in before it is sealed on Yom Kippur. Jews spend these days working to amend their behavior and seeking forgiveness for wrongs done during the past year.
The High Holidays, (High Holy Days) outlined in Leviticus 23 have a privileged position in Jewish traditions and life, especially the New Year (Rosh Hashanah) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). The ten days between the two great festivals, the Days of Awe, are coming from the notion that God opens the books of life and death in heaven on Rosh HaShanah and closes them at the last moment of the Day of Atonement. Jewish people use these ten days to make all things right with their neighbours and apologise to those they may have offended during the previous year.
The result would then be a sweet and fruitful year symbolised by sharing plates of apples and honey with one another, and eating Pomegranates as part of the holiday celebration in the hope that our good deeds in the coming year would be as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate. This tradition encourages humility and vulnerability and promotes the healing of broken relationships.
Jesus (Yeshua) speaking as recorded in Matthew 5:23-24 says: Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.
According to Jewish tradition, on Rosh HaShanah the destiny of the righteous, (Tzaddikim) are written in the Book of Life, and the destiny of the wicked, the resha’im, are written in the Book of Death. However most people will not be inscribed in either book, but have ten days to repent before sealing their fate. The Ten Days of Repentance or the Days of Awe takes place between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur (14 September 2013), everyone’s names will be sealed in one of these two books.
In the synagogues the prayers are invocations for one to be made worthy to be written in the Book of Life. Sermons about the need for repentance and themes of God’s judgement are delivered. The Kingship of God is stressed throughout the services as well.
The special customs of Rosh HaShanah include:
Candle lighting and Kiddush (sanctification or blessing) Dipping apples or challah (bread) in honey (d'vash) and offering up the prayer for a ‘sweet year’ ahead before eating a festive meal which usually includes a whole fish –the head representing the ‘Rosh’ or Head of the year. Eating Pomegranates (Rimon) to symbolise good deeds as numerous as the seeds of a pomegranate! Two round Challah loaves shaped like crowns suggesting the Kingship of God and also a reminder of the crown of righteousness which comes to those who obey the LORD. Often these loaves are sweetened with honey and raisins. Tashlikh – on Tishri 1, during the afternoon, many Jews perform the ritual of ‘tashlikh, or “casting off” a ceremony in which they symbolically cast their sins into a body of water. Often Micah 7:18-20, Psalm 118:5-9, and Psalms 33 and 130 are recited during this ceremony. “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast (tashlikh) all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19. |
Ten Days of Repentance
Most people are neither entirely righteous (tzaddikim) nor entirely wicked (resha’im) on the day of Rosh HaShanah. The Aseret Yemei Teshuvah, or Ten Days of Repentance, provide a time to repent and turn whole-heartedly to the LORD in order to be sealed into the Book of Life. As Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) we believe that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, (Revelation 13:8). We are made acceptable in God’s sight by the sacrificial offering of Yeshua for our sins (2 Corinthians 5:21). However that doesn’t excuse us from showing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Scriptures clearly warn that there is a day of judgement to come and anyone’s name not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15). Yom Adonai – The Day of the LORD The Spring festivals Pesach (Passover), Firstfruits and Shavuot (Pentecost) have all been perfectly fulfilled in the first coming of Yeshua as Mashiach ben Yosef, (The Messiah, son of Joseph). The Autumn Festivals, Teruah (Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Atonement) and Sukkot (Tabernacles) have also been fulfilled by Yeshua's first coming, however they are also prophetic of His second coming as Mashiach ben David (The Messiah, son of David). Rosh HaShanah is a sacred time with prophetic significance for us since it commemorates both the creation of the Universe as well as the ‘calling up’ of the new creation when at the command of Jesus (Yeshua), the sound of the heavenly shofar announces the anticipated End of Days (1 Corinthians 15:51-54; 1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). It also prefigures the coming Day of the LORD and Great Tribulation period that marks God’s judgement on an unbelieving world. |
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Psalm 47:5 "God has ascended with a shout, The Lord, with the sound of a trumpet.
(Hebrew : shofar)."
There are 4 basic sounds of a shofar:
Tekiah:
The "blast.” One long blast with a clear tone. Signifies Rejoicing and Hope.
Shevarim:
A "broken" sound of 3 short calls. Like the sighing. It is a reminder that we need to be broken before a coming King who will judge the earth.
T’ruah:
An "alarm.” A rapid series of 9 or more staccato notes. Like crying. It is a reminder to plead for mercy before the King who has come to judge the living and the dead.
Tekiah Gedolah:
A single unbroken blast held as long as possible. A reminder that at the sound of the last great trumpet sound, the King will be back with power and glory to rule forever.
(Hebrew : shofar)."
There are 4 basic sounds of a shofar:
Tekiah:
The "blast.” One long blast with a clear tone. Signifies Rejoicing and Hope.
Shevarim:
A "broken" sound of 3 short calls. Like the sighing. It is a reminder that we need to be broken before a coming King who will judge the earth.
T’ruah:
An "alarm.” A rapid series of 9 or more staccato notes. Like crying. It is a reminder to plead for mercy before the King who has come to judge the living and the dead.
Tekiah Gedolah:
A single unbroken blast held as long as possible. A reminder that at the sound of the last great trumpet sound, the King will be back with power and glory to rule forever.
The Christian and Rosh HaShanah
There are many things we can learn from the Jewish observance of Rosh HaShanah and are helpful in our walk as disciples of the Messiah:
The LORD God is indeed the King of all the earth, our Creator and Redeemer. He is Melech Gadol al-kol-ha’aretz, the “great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). Christians should acknowledge His righteous rule and Kingship at all times. Yeshua (Jesus) is called the Mashiach, a term that denotes His Kingly dignity and royalty. He is also the Creator and Sustainer of all creation (Colossians 1:16). He is coming to rule and reign from Jerusalem (Zion) in the near future. Christians will be judged according to their deeds of service (2 Corinthians 5:10) and the world system (and satan) will be judged during the Great Tribulation period that precedes the Second Coming. Just as the heavenly shofar was sounded from Sinai, so it will be one day sounded from Zion (Isaiah 27:13). As the only true King and Judge, God does have a Sefer HaChayim (Book of Life) as well as a Sefer Ha-Metim (Book of Death). The Scriptures clearly warn that on the Day of Judgement to come, anyone’s name not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
The month of Elul and the preparation for Rosh HaShanah reminds us to be ready for the soon appearance of the King Yeshua (Jesus) – our LORD. Although we don’t know the exact day or hour of His return, we are commanded to watch and be ready for His soon appearance. Yeshua’s first message to us was “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15) and Paul linked teshuvah (repentance) with confession and trust in the saving work of the Messiah on our behalf (Romans 10:8-13). Teshuvah implies a response to Yeshua that is demonstrated through our confession that He is none other than YHVH, the LORD of Compassion and Grace. The sound of the shofar is meant to awaken our hearts to prepare for the coming judgement.
Rosh HaShanah or Yom Teru’ah has prophetic significance in the life of the Christian. The blowing of the shofar is prophetic of the rapture of the church, where those who are part of the Bride of Messiah, will experience everlasting transformation:
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (shofar): for the trumpet (shofar) shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
(1 Corinthians 15:52). The shofar is blown 100 times in modern services.
The Tashlikh ceremony reminds us that our LORD is a God of new beginnings, and even if we have sinned and fallen away, He is faithful to restore us and cast our sins away from us when we confess our sins and repent. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives. After all, God sent His only son Yeshua to be our Sin-Bearer, so we can take comfort in His forgiveness when we earnestly seek to repent and begin anew with God.
We should be grateful that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Sefer HaChayim), and that we don’t have to make our own way- it isn’t by our works of righteousness (Titus 3:5-6).
The Akedat Yitzchak (Binding of Isaac) is a major theme on Rosh HaShanah. According to tradition, God told Abraham that the ram’s horn (shofar) should be blown on Rosh HaShanah to remind the people of the substitutionary sacrifice provided by the Lord Himself – when he provided a ram in place of Isaac. How much more then should we as believers in a greater sacrifice of Yeshua as our Lamb of God (seh HaElohim) celebrate this day?
How do we prepare for Rosh HaShanah?
By turning to God (tefillah)
Turning to others we’ve harmed or offended (teshuvah) - James 5:16
Turning to those in need (tzedakah) – charity.
The traditional Rosh HaShanah Greeting:
L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu! (May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year!) The typical response is: gam lekha (same to you or simply gamzu also to you).
Psalm 27 is recited in the Synagogue services throughout the High Holy Day period:
The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Saviour. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (NIV)
Summary
Rosh Hashanah is the "Day of the Sounding of the Shofar" it looks forward to the moment when we hear the great sound of the shofar during the last days. At this time, God will transform the bodies of believers who have died, giving them new, immortal bodies. The sounding of the shofar thus encourages us to remember that our present bodies are only temporary, but we look forward to our eternal bodies, in which we will see the Lord face to face and be with Him forever.
There are many things we can learn from the Jewish observance of Rosh HaShanah and are helpful in our walk as disciples of the Messiah:
The LORD God is indeed the King of all the earth, our Creator and Redeemer. He is Melech Gadol al-kol-ha’aretz, the “great King over all the earth” (Psalm 47:2). Christians should acknowledge His righteous rule and Kingship at all times. Yeshua (Jesus) is called the Mashiach, a term that denotes His Kingly dignity and royalty. He is also the Creator and Sustainer of all creation (Colossians 1:16). He is coming to rule and reign from Jerusalem (Zion) in the near future. Christians will be judged according to their deeds of service (2 Corinthians 5:10) and the world system (and satan) will be judged during the Great Tribulation period that precedes the Second Coming. Just as the heavenly shofar was sounded from Sinai, so it will be one day sounded from Zion (Isaiah 27:13). As the only true King and Judge, God does have a Sefer HaChayim (Book of Life) as well as a Sefer Ha-Metim (Book of Death). The Scriptures clearly warn that on the Day of Judgement to come, anyone’s name not found written in the Book of Life will be thrown into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:15).
The month of Elul and the preparation for Rosh HaShanah reminds us to be ready for the soon appearance of the King Yeshua (Jesus) – our LORD. Although we don’t know the exact day or hour of His return, we are commanded to watch and be ready for His soon appearance. Yeshua’s first message to us was “Repent and believe the gospel” (Mark 1:15) and Paul linked teshuvah (repentance) with confession and trust in the saving work of the Messiah on our behalf (Romans 10:8-13). Teshuvah implies a response to Yeshua that is demonstrated through our confession that He is none other than YHVH, the LORD of Compassion and Grace. The sound of the shofar is meant to awaken our hearts to prepare for the coming judgement.
Rosh HaShanah or Yom Teru’ah has prophetic significance in the life of the Christian. The blowing of the shofar is prophetic of the rapture of the church, where those who are part of the Bride of Messiah, will experience everlasting transformation:
"Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet (shofar): for the trumpet (shofar) shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
(1 Corinthians 15:52). The shofar is blown 100 times in modern services.
The Tashlikh ceremony reminds us that our LORD is a God of new beginnings, and even if we have sinned and fallen away, He is faithful to restore us and cast our sins away from us when we confess our sins and repent. In 1 John 1:8-10 we read: If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives. After all, God sent His only son Yeshua to be our Sin-Bearer, so we can take comfort in His forgiveness when we earnestly seek to repent and begin anew with God.
We should be grateful that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Sefer HaChayim), and that we don’t have to make our own way- it isn’t by our works of righteousness (Titus 3:5-6).
The Akedat Yitzchak (Binding of Isaac) is a major theme on Rosh HaShanah. According to tradition, God told Abraham that the ram’s horn (shofar) should be blown on Rosh HaShanah to remind the people of the substitutionary sacrifice provided by the Lord Himself – when he provided a ram in place of Isaac. How much more then should we as believers in a greater sacrifice of Yeshua as our Lamb of God (seh HaElohim) celebrate this day?
How do we prepare for Rosh HaShanah?
By turning to God (tefillah)
Turning to others we’ve harmed or offended (teshuvah) - James 5:16
Turning to those in need (tzedakah) – charity.
The traditional Rosh HaShanah Greeting:
L’Shanah Tovah Tikatevu! (May you be inscribed (in the Book of Life) for a good year!) The typical response is: gam lekha (same to you or simply gamzu also to you).
Psalm 27 is recited in the Synagogue services throughout the High Holy Day period:
The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid? When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.
One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek Him in His temple. For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at His tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, "Seek His face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Saviour. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not hand me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.
I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD. (NIV)
Summary
Rosh Hashanah is the "Day of the Sounding of the Shofar" it looks forward to the moment when we hear the great sound of the shofar during the last days. At this time, God will transform the bodies of believers who have died, giving them new, immortal bodies. The sounding of the shofar thus encourages us to remember that our present bodies are only temporary, but we look forward to our eternal bodies, in which we will see the Lord face to face and be with Him forever.
Two YouTube videos follow:
Echoes of a Shofar tells the story of how in 1930 in 'Palestine' under British Mandatory Rule the blowing of the shofar, praying loudly and presenting Torah scrolls at the Kotel (Western or Wailing Wall) was forbidden! Anyone caught was subject to imprisonment.
The second YouTube video is interviews with people in the street regarding what Rosh Hashanah means to them.
Also see the Youtube video by Amir Tsarfati of Behold Israel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=55lofyD8Zd4
Further information:
Please check out the following link for more information and some recipes for the holiday.
www.chosenpeople.com
www.chosenpeople.com
berachotroshhashanah_seder.pdf | |
File Size: | 576 kb |
File Type: |
The PDF file above is by John Parsons of 'Hebrew for Christians' and is a Rosh HaShanah Seder Guide for celebrating Rosh HaShanah traditionally.
Recipe for Apple Challah for Rosh Hashanah
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