Rosh Hashanah – 9 September 2010
Esslingen Mahzor, Germany, 1290. Image courtesy of the Jewish Theological Seminary
Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, is a Jewish holiday that is ordained in Leviticus 23:24 as “Zicaron Terua” (“a memorial with the blowing of horns”). As such, it is also referred to as the Feast of Trumpets.
Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holy Days, “Days of Awe”, or “Ten Days of Repentance”, which are ten days specifically set aside to focus on repentance, introspection, and making amends with others, culminating with the holiday of Yom Kippur.
Rosh Hashanah focuses on the majesty and sovereignty of God to begin this time of repentance, and the shofar blasts wake us up to the need for repentance.
The day of Rosh Hashanah is referred to as a memorial. Days that are memorials are often a time for renewing commitments. Tradition teaches that Rosh Hashanah is the anniversary of the first day of creation. Creation speaks of an initially pure relationship with God. As believers, this relationship is restored to us through our belief in Jesus as our Lord and Savior.
Rosh Hashanah can be used as a time of prayer, introspection and repentance which lead to a renewal of our commitment to a holy relationship with God.
View our Rosh Hashanah gift ideas on CelebrateYourFaith.com.
Tags: Judaism, Rosh Hashanah
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