ROSH HASHANAH | THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS
The New Year


“On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the Lord by fire” -Leviticus 23:23-25










Thus we read the Lord commanded the Israelites to observe the holiday that has come to be known as the Jewish New Year. It is on this date that the calendar changes from one year to the next, as it does on January 1st. Apples dipped in honey are eaten to signify the hope that the coming year will be a sweet one.










The ram’s horn, or shofar, is blown on Rosh HaShanah to call Israel to a time of reflection or soul-searching, a turning back to their Maker Who is Holy. The plaintive blasts of the shofar command the attention of its hearers. It initiates a ten day period, the Days of Awe, culminating on Yom Kippur. During this season, God opens three books: the Book of the Righteous, the Book of the Wicked, and a third non-determined book, the names therein being yet to be destined. It is the hope of every Jewish person to have their name written in the Book of Life at the end of Yom Kippur. Repentance and the Sovereignty of God are major themes of the Feats of Trumpets. Everyone will give an account of their lives before God Who will judge all mankind.










Rosh HaShanah is a one day observance that must be understood in the context of its relation to Yom Kippur. The two are known as the High Holy days by the Jewish community. Those who rarely enter a Jewish house of worship may observe these two holiest of days. The requirement that the blast of the shofar be heard at this time underscores its importance in fulfilling one’s religious duties. Today, that sound can be listened to via the Internet for those who simply cannot attend services!

The concepts of sin and restitution that this holiday evokes were not new to the Jewish community. Any reading of the Torah brings one to passages about sin, sin offerings, and blood atonement. The animals sacrificed to atone for Israel’s sin helped the Israelites to understand that sin was costly and significant. It was serious enough to God to move Him to give His people a system whereby their sins could be covered. Repentance was part of God’s expectations: “If you repent, I will restore you that you may serve me:” (Jeremiah 15:19). But repentance of itself was not enough; blood was required. “For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life” (Leviticus 17:11). Without blood there can be no atonement.

The blasts of the shofar speak of eternity. All will stand before their Maker to give account (Romans 14:12). Yeshua (Jesus) has become the Sacrifice for our sins. Those who put their faith in Him find their names are written into the Book of Life. His death satisfied God’s righteous requirements for the punishment of sin. He is our sin-bearer. “God made Him Who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God” (II Corinthians 5:21).