Have a Blast With This New Year - Rosh HaShanah by Terri Gillespie
The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘’On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet/shofar blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the Lord by fire.’” (Leviticus 23:23-25)
If ever there was a confusing biblical festival for me, it would be Rosh HaShanah—the first of the Fall High Holy Days.
Rosh HaShanah loosely translates as New Year, but actually the biblical new year falls sometime in Spring. Rosh HaShanah is the first day of the seventh biblical month, Tishri—which falls September 12th this year—and is considered the spiritual new year because it is believed the world was created at this time. In the original Hebrew text this festival is called Yom Teruah, the Day of Soundings/Festival of Trumpets. Confused yet?
The Fall Festival “trinity” consists of Rosh HaShanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Traditionally, the spiritual New Year is about taking stock of our faith and determining whether or not we have grown in our relationship with God. Where the typical New Year’s resolution might be about loosing weight or starting an exercise routine, Rosh HaShanah’s “resolutions” are about repentance and forgiveness. It is not uncommon for religious Jews to attempt reconciliations with estranged family or friends; or at least to forgive and/or repent for past hurts.
There is an ancient tradition called tashlich (Hebrew for “you shall cast into the sea”) where Jews throw bread or rocks into a body of water as a physical symbol of Micah 7:19, “You shall hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” Many families—including Messianic Jews—continue this beautiful tradition.
What I love most about Rosh HaShanah (other than the round raisin challah loaves and apples dipped in honey—yum) is the blowing of the shofar—the ram’s horn. The earthy, smelly horn is sounded daily in homes and synagogues at this season. Anyone who’s heard the distinctive sounds of the shofar knows how it can raise the prophetic gooseflesh.
There are four “calls” of the shofar:
- Tekia (a single blast)—the general call to gather
- Shevarim (three blasts that end on a higher note)—the call for a proclamation
- Teruah (usually nine quick blasts)—a call to battle, to sound a warning
- Tekia Gedolah (one very long blast)—to announce someone of importance, like a king
In our Messianic synagogue, Beth Yeshua all are invited to blow their shofars. However, there are several people appointed to as head shofar-blowers. The rabbi announces the type of call and the blowers sound the shofar. At the final blast, the Tekia Gedolah, everyone blows their horns; those without shout praise to the Lord. Think Joshua and the Israelites around the walls of Jericho—it’s wonderfully loud and powerful.
As believers in the Jewish Messiah, Jesus/Yeshua, we believe that the final spiritual re-gathering will occur when the King of Kings returns. When that final blast sounds all believers in Jesus will re-gather to meet our Messiah in the air. The dead will rise first, and those alive follow a close second. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).
This festival is layered with symbolisms too many to list. Below I’ve added references to two excellent publications to take you deeper into the richness and beauty of this holiday.
Our family takes a very simple approach to celebrating Rosh HaShanah. A few weeks before, my husband begins brushing up on the “calls” of the shofar. He reserves most of his practice indoors until Erev (the evening) of Rosh HaShanah, then he blasts the calls outdoors.
Like Shabbat we have a special meal served on our best china. Typically we wear white. Gasp! White after Labor Day? The tradition stems from Isaiah 1:18, that God would turn our scarlet sins as white as snow. This is a physical reminder that Jesus cleansed us from our sins; because of His atonement we stand before our heavenly Father in purity.
After lighting the holiday candles a modified version of the Sabbath blessing is spoken:
Baruch atah Adonai Elohenu Melech ha-olam, asher kidshanu b’mitzvohtav, v’tzi’vanu l’hadleak ner shel yom tov.
Blessed are you O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has set us apart by your commandments and has commanded us to kindle the holiday light.
As the warm light flickers, we then bless the special round raisin challah and the grape juice/wine (see The Forgotten Biblical Festival, August 2007 for the bread and wine blessings).
A special treat graces the holiday table—apples and honey. After the blessings, we take a slice of apple, dip it in the honey and say, “l’shana tovah u-metukah!” (May you have a sweet and good new year!)
Some families serve a whole cooked fish, the head included. This illustrates the scriptural promise from God that Israel will no longer be the tail, but the head (Deuteronomy 28:13).
After the delicious meal (be sure to try the Honeycake recipe below) we head for the synagogue for worship and a healthy measure of shofar blasts. Davidic worship, generally a common tradition especially in Messianic synagogues, creates a joyful celebration. Our rabbi uses the symbols of this biblical festival to give the message of God’s salvation through the Jewish Messiah.
The next day is a Shabbat day so the joyful praise continues in homes and synagogues. It is a time to reconnect with family and friends, and remember how sweet it is that the Lord calls us to Him—what a blast that truly is.
L’shana tovah u-metukah!
Read More About It: God’s Appointed Times, by Messianic Rabbi Barney Kasdan, Lederer Ministries, 1993, 2007. Celebrating Biblical Feasts—in Your Home or Church, by Martha Zimmerman, Bethany Books, 1981, 2004.
RECIPE:
Honeycake*
Ingredients:
½ cup oil
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup packed brown sugar
1 cup applesauce
1-1/2 cups flour
1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon (more if you really like cinnamon)
½ teaspoon nutmeg (optional—I omit)
¼ teaspoon ground cloves (optional—I love it)
Powered Sugar
Directions:
Mix oil, honey, sugar and applesauce. Add dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly (by hand). Pour into greased 8 or 9 inch square pan. Recipe can be doubled and placed in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 335-40 minutes. Cool slightly and sprinkle with powdered sugar.
*Adapted from God’s Appointed Times, Lederer Messianic Ministries, 1993.
NEXT TIME: Yom Kippur—Why Would a Believer in Jesus Celebrate This Festival?