Rosh HaShannah > Yom Kippur > Feast of Tabernacles

"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." Lev. 23:24

 

Rosh HaShanna was originally called Yom Teruah (The Day of Sounding/Festival of Trumpets) and comes during the seventh month of the Hebrew Calendar. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the Day of Remembrance). The rabbis determined that it was to be the first day of the fiscal new year because of it's holy significance, and changed the name to Rosh HaShanna, the "Head of the Year".

Rosh HaShanna carries with it all the excitement and freshness of a New Year as well as the anxiety of an unsettled fate before the King of the Universe. The blowing of the shofar at Rosh HaShanna marks the beginning of the last ten days, "the Days of Awe", before Yom Kippur, the most holy day in the Jewish year.

The "blowing" is to call the people to repentance before the Holy One. The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day as prescribed by the rabbis. The Bible gives no specific reason for this practice. One that has been suggested is the shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat.

According to Jewish tradition, Rosh HaShanna is the time of judgment when every deed, every thought of the heart, is weighed and judged. Every person's name is written into one of three books: the book of death for the wicked, the book of life for the righteous; or the "in-between book", the one for the average person. Most of mankind is thought to be written in the latter book. The books are then sealed on Yom Kippur.

Thus, the ten Days of Awe between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur is the time to make amends with people who were wronged during the year in hopes that a person's name will be written into the Book of Life. Actually, the entire month preceding Rosh HaShanna, Elul, is a time of repentance and preparation.

The Scriptures teach that no one is righteous. Every person must obtain mercy and the forgiveness of sin by the grace of Adonai through Messiah Yeshua. Only then is a person's name written in the Lamb's Book of Life. (Ps 14:1-3, Joel 3:5, Rev 21:27)

Two popular observances during this holiday are eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of the wish for a sweet new year and Tashlikh ("casting off"). The congregation walks to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty their pockets into the river, symbolically casting off their sins. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom.

No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty. The common greeting at this time is "L'shanah tovah" (for a good year), a shortened version of the Hebrew which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."

Day of Atonement

"On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the Lord. Neither shall you do any work on this same day..." Lev 23:27-32

During the Temple period through to today, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the year and has kept it's special relationship to the Jewish people as it demonstrates Adonai's compassion and grace. The sacrificial system declares HaShem's grace and willingness to forgive the sins of His people.

The biblical name for the Day of Atonement is Yom Hakippurim, meaning "the day of covering or concealing". The sacrificial system was designed to cover the sin until it was finally put away through the death of the Messiah Yeshua.

Atonement hides rather than removes sin from God's sight The covering is total and allows Adonai to look upon the Israelites as if their sin did not exist. He created a shelter of sacrificial blood to protect worshipers from His wrath.

In Temple times, the observance of the Day was more clearly defined. It centered on the sacrifices. After the Temple was destroyed in 70 C.E., the rabbis and theologians replaced the Biblical system with substitutions that are still a part of the modern observances.

Yom Kippur is seen as the logical extension of Rosh HaShanna and the ten "Days of Awe". Traditionally, the Jews spend the ten days between Rosh HaShanna and Yom Kippur looking inward, seeing how their inner life might be more pleasing to G-d. Personal relationships are evaluated with forgiveness, restoration and reconciliation offered where needed.

The seriousness of this day is further emphasized by the Biblically mandated fast that begins after sundown on the eve of Yom Kippur. The holy day is observed as a most holy Shabbat, and with synagogue services. The day closes with an important evening service and the final blast of the shofar. The fast is then broken by partaking of sweet wine and challah or honeycake.

The theme of Yom Kippur (repentance) can be clearly understood in its name: Day of Atonement. The atonement was typologically foretold in the sacrifices and services of the holy day. Yom Kippur in the Apostolic Writings takes on special significance as we see Yeshua presented as the Messiah and paying the price for sin through His death. Therefore, for the Believer, Yom Kippur is a day of great celebration. We need not worry that our bad deeds must outweigh the good ones in God's balance scales of judgment. Our salvation rests eternally upon Adonai Himself.

The Fall Festivals, Continued

(The Feast of Tabernacles; Simchat Torah)

 

 

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