Rosh Hashanah is one of the most important holidays of our year and
encapsulated in four major/interconnected themes:
.THE JEWISH NEW YEAR
Rosh Hashanah, literally translated as “head of the year,” is considered the
Jewish New Year. But the holiday does not fall on the first day of the first
month of the Jewish calendar. Rosh Hashanah begins with the first day of the
seventh month, Tishri (September 16, 2012) as a ‘symbolic’ New Year. It is
actually one of several New Year observations that occur throughout the
year, and this particular New Year marks the opportunity to put the sins of
the previous year in the past, and move forward having received God’s
forgiveness.
.THE DAY OF JUDGMENT
One of the most prominent themes of the holiday revolves around the symbolic
“Book of Life.” A Jew’s life depends on whether or not he or she makes the
decision to make amends during the High Holiday period through the means of
repentance (teshuvah), prayer (tfiloh), and charity (tzedakah). It is a key
moment, a time to reflect on past mistakes and resolve in front of God to
not repeat them in the coming year. It is also a celebration of man’s free
will — making the conscious decision to look inside oneself, to look truly
at one’s life and make amends. In exercising this choice, which was given to
him by God, man makes himself worthy of God’s mercy.
On Rosh Hashanah, Jews often say to one another, “May you be inscribed and
sealed in the Book of Life.” The High Holiday period is a choice between
life and death, righteousness and sin, and those who repent are on their way
to being inscribed in the “Book of Life,” which brings with it the promise
of a good year. The belief is that on Rosh Hashanah, the names are written
in the book, and on Yom Kippur (10 days later) the book is sealed. These 10
days are referred to as the Days of Awe.
.THE DAY OF REMEMBRANCE/REPENTANCE
According to the Talmud, God created mankind on the first day of the month
Tishri. As such, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of the human race.
It is a time for cleansing and renewal, a chance to receive forgiveness and
clear the slate. The importance of the holiday is reflected in its two-day
observance; most Jewish holidays are celebrated for only one day.
As the Day of Remembrance, Rosh Hashanah recalls the story of Isaac’s
near-sacrifice, which Jewish tradition states occurred on the first of
Tishri. In this biblical account, God commanded Isaac’s father, Abraham, to
sacrifice his only son as an offering. Abraham accepts God’s command, builds
an altar, and prepares to sacrifice his son to prove his obedience and faith
in God. At the very last minute, an angel conveying God’s wishes stopped
Abraham from killing Isaac, and pointed out a ram caught by its horns in a
nearby bush. The angel told Abraham to sacrifice the ram in place of Isaac
— Abraham had passed God’s test.
As a result, God blessed Abraham. This story is recalled on Rosh Hashanah to
remind Jews that submission before God is the way to attain God’s mercy, and
the truly righteous do not question God’s will. They do as God commands and
are rewarded for their faith.
.THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS (or Day of Shofar Blowing)
The Day of Shofar (a hollowed out ram’s horn) Blowing has three widely
recognized meanings. One is to recall the story of Isaac — of God sparing
his life as a reward for Abraham’s faith — and to remember the ram that was
sacrificed in Isaac’s place.
Aside from recalling the story of Isaac, the shofar also calls to mind a
coronation of sorts. Inasmuch as Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of the
creation of human beings, it is also a celebration of God’s kingship over
human beings. The blowing of the shofar announces and reaffirms God as ruler
of all mankind.
And lastly, the “trumpet-like” sound of the shofar also serves to stir the
soul of all Jews, to awaken the Jewish people to the omnipotence and
omnipresence of God and the chance to receive his mercy through prayer and
repentance.
[adapted from various sources for my children and grandchildren]
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Dr Bob Griffin
[email protected] www.grif.net
“Jesus Knows Me, This I Love!”