Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShana or Jewish New Year)

Song For Israel wishes a “Shana tovah u'metukah,” to all who read this message. This greeting is a common salutation during Rosh Hashanah meaning “a good and sweet year.” Rosh Hashana will be celebrated from sundown on Friday, September 18th through sundown, September 20th.

The Bible does not say as much about the Feast of Trumpets as it does about other feasts. It was a holy day celebrated with trumpet blasts on the first day of the seventh Hebrew month of Kislev. The blowing of the trumpet, or shofar, signaled the calling of the Sabbath or solemn assembly.

There are three fall festivals which are considered the holiest time of the year. The Feast of Trumpets was the first of the three, and over the centuries it became known as Rosh HaShana (Head of the year or New Year’s Day). This may be connected to the events in Nehemiah 8:1-12, called holy in verses 10 and 11.

The Feast of Trumpets is a very solemn time, which precedes the holiest day of the year—the Day of Atonement (known as Yom Kippur). There are ten days between Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur which are called the “Days of Awe.” It is during this time when one considers their sins before God and enters a time of repentance, asking for forgiveness from God and those they have harmed.

Rosh HaShanah also uses different foods to symbolize hope and well wishes for the year to come. Apples and honey are a centerpiece used to symbolize the desire for a sweet new year to come. Also included are raisin challah, honey cake and pomegranate. Apples and honey are connected to Judaism on a more profound level than just taste. In the Song of Songs 2:3, King Solomon compares the Jewish people to apples, “As an apple tree among the trees of the forest, so is my beloved among the young men. With great delight I sat in his shadow, and his fruit was sweet to my taste," and the Jewish homeland is known as the "Land of Milk and Honey" in the Torah and the Bible.

The Feast of Trumpets was established in Leviticus 23:24-25: “Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’” Traditionally the Jewish people gather in the synagogue for extended services.

Many New Testament believers use this time also to repent, seek forgiveness, and make restitution with others, and we are reminded that we wait for the last trumpet and the coming of the King of Kings!

Saturday evening marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah for the Jewish people, entering the very special High Holy Days. We want to recognize the Jewish people as they celebrate this holiday and we are reminded once again to keep Israel in our prayers. Please pray for the peace of Jerusalem!

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