Rosh Hashanah:
The New Year

The Feast of the Blowing of Trumpets

A Jewish worshiper blows the shofar at the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

Name:

Rosh Hashanah, meaning "Head of the Year". The Bible calls it, "Yom Teruah", the Day of Trumpet-blasts.

Date:

The first day of the month of Tishri, which falls in September or October. In 2003 this holiday will begin at sunset September 26.

Purpose:

To warn, assemble, and present the people of Israel before the God of Israel.

References in the Tanakh (Old Testament):

Leviticus 24:24-25; Numbers 29:1-6

References in the New Testament:

I Corinthains 15:52; Revelation 11:15

Observance:

The scriptural commandment is simply to have a sacred memorial assembly, blow trumpets, cease from labor, and present an offering. No explanation is given in scripture as a reason for the holiday.

Tradition holds that Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the world. Though Tishri is the seventh month of the biblical calendar, it is considered the first month of the Jewish civil year.

This holiday is observed as a time of repentance and prayer for forgiveness. It is characterized by introspection and reaffirmation of faith. The shofar, a ram's horn, is blown, as a reminder for people to turn back to God.

According to tradition, during the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, a repentant, righteous person is inscribed in the Book of Life for that year. The wicked are inscribed in the book of death. Others are kept in suspension until Yom Kippur.

Tradition also suggests that this is the day that Abraham bound his son Isaac upon the altar, an image which is also connected to the sounding of the shofar.

It is customary to wish others a good and sweet new year, and to eat apples dipped in honey as a symbol of that sweetness.

Fulfillment:

The Day of Trumpets will be fulfilled at a future time when the Great Shofar is blown, and all Israel is gathered together before him.

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