Whether you are Jewish or Christian, Rosh Hashanah is a part of your spiritual heritage. Also known as The Jewish New Year, it is celebrated on the first and second days of the Tishri (seventh month of the Jewish year), which falls on September 18th through the 20th this year. Like the New Year celebrations we are familiar with, it is a time for introspection on the year past, as well as making new resolutions to improve upon the year ahead.
In the Bible the holiday is referred to as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar) and can be found in Leviticus 23:24-25. One of the most important observances of this holiday is the sounding of the shofar (traditionally a ram's horn) as a call to repentance, and all religious services are a call to reflect on God's sovereignty. It is customary for people to not work through the holiday, treating it as a Sabbath.
To Christians, it is known as the Feast of Trumpets, and can be observed as a time to reflect on the resurrection and return of Christ, as well as a time for self reflection, similar to how we observe the Lord's Supper.
Another popular tradition of Rosh Hashanah, which I'm sure we can all share in, is eating apples dipped in honey to symbolize hope of a sweet new year. I'll eat to that!
You can read more on Rosh Hashanah by visiting these websites:
Rosh Hashanah on Judaism 101
Rosh Hashanah on Wikipedia
Rosh Hashanah on CBN
3 comments:
Amazing that I have never really paid attention to this and other Jewish holidays that as you said are part of our Christian heritage as well so I am very interested in knowing more about them. I never knew about the apple in honey etc - this is great stuff to teach our children and adopt some new old holidays too. What is that horn from? Wow.
Thanks for alerting me to this celebration! I added a note that the shofar is usually a ram's horn.
I feel like I need to observe these holidays more regularly. I've performed at celebrations with all Jewish music through the church, and learned a lot from those experiences. They are a good time to reflect on our heritage, for sure!
We've talked about them homeschooling, but more Hannukah and Passover. Interesting traditon with apples -- can we substituted honey with caramel? :D
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