Rosh Hashanah: Celebrating New Beginnings

More commonly known as the Jewish New Year, this Holy Day is not just a New Year’s Day but much more. It’s based on one of the seven commanded Feasts in Leviticus 23 and is also a time of repentance and proclamation of God as the king of the universe.

The Command

After the Israelites were rescued from slavery in Egypt, crossed the Red Sea, and received the commandments on stone tablets at the foot of Mount Sinai, they were instructed to build the Tabernacle. After its construction, God detailed how the Israelites were to perform sacrifices and offerings there, as well as other Tabernacle functions. After this instruction, God commands seven specific religious feasts and festivals. The Day of Trumpets is the fifth mentioned in the list of feast days and is a two-day festival that marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in Autumn. 

Again the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “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.  You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.’” Lev. 23:23-25 (NASB)

Although commonly thought to be the same as Rosh Hashanah today, this day went by other names in the bible. “Rosh” means “head” in Hebrew, and “Hashanah” means “the year,” so the modern name Rosh Hashanah is more literally “the head of the year.”   

Biblically, it’s called Yom Teruah (Num. 29:1), which can mean “Day of Trumpets” or “Day of Shouting .” This trumpet blowing or shouting wasn’t just random noise. The same type of shouting and trumpet-blowing brought down the wall of Jericho. It is more like a war cry or a victorious, joyful display.

The “trumpets” blown were ram’s horns, otherwise known as shofars. They are still used in this and other traditions today. Their sound is unique and fascinating, as is their appearance. Many Christians own one for use during Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah and other events.

A New Year

Rosh Hashanah is the New Year for the purpose of counting years. For example, on Rosh Hashanah 2019, the year, as far as the Hebrew calendar goes, will change from 5779 to 5780. This concept is not biblical but has been agreed upon for counting purposes.

It’s similar to the New Year celebration in America in that it’s considered a day to turn from our old ways and begin anew. Jews also view it as a type of Judgement Day, where God examines His people starting on Rosh Hashanah and over the next ten days. The final verdict of this judgment would then be delivered on the Day of Atonement, ten days later.

The Book of Life

Another thing celebrated on Rosh Hashanah is that our names have been written in the Book of Life. Traditionally, orthodox Jews believe that between Rosh Hashanah and the Day of Atonement, God weighs their actions and decides whether to blot their name from the Book of Life or leave it there throughout the following year.

While Christians view God’s judgment differently, we know that scripture states that the names of the righteous are in the Book of Life and have been there since before creation (Rev. 13:8 and 17:8). It also warns of what will happen to those whose names are not found there and those whose names are blotted out of it (Rev. 3:5, 17:8, 20:15, and Ps. 69:28).

Rosh Hashanah for Christians

If our beliefs about judgment differ and we don’t follow the Jewish calendar, how is Rosh Hashanah relevant to the Christian faith?

The names of the righteous are those written in the Book of Life. Is that us? Are you righteous? Me neither! But we have Jesus! And if you, like me, have accepted him as the one able to bear and pay the price for the sin that made you unrighteous, then you appear before God as righteous as Jesus, who was perfect! So, yes, our names are in the Book, and that’s worthy of celebration!

As a celebration of God being the creator of the universe, we can be excited to participate. Even as Gentiles, Christians desire to give praise and glory to God as the creator and our judge. Our response to His judgment is our repentance and recognition of Jesus as our savior. We can celebrate God’s judgment because we know Jesus’s perfect sacrifice saves us.

The Awesomeness of Trumpet Sounds

As Christians, the sound of the trumpet should remind us of the prophetic promises we’ve been given – of Jesus’s return and the rising of the dead in the last days.

“…in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet; for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.” 1 Cor. 15:52 (NASB)

“For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.” 1 Thess. 4:16-17 (NASB)

Throughout the bible, there are some awesome things associated with trumpet sounds! Whether bad or good, the meanings and stories behind trumpet sounds all point to God’s supernatural glory! God should have the full attention of His people when the topic of trumpet sounds comes up. Big things are about to happen!

Casting Sin Off

One meaningful Jewish Rosh Hashanah custom that I love symbolizes atonement for sin. Called Tashlikh, from the Hebrew word “to cast,” it includes throwing bread into a flowing body of water. The bread represents our sin, and its destruction and removal by the water are reminiscent of the following verse.

“Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity
And passes over the rebellious act of the remnant of His possession?
He does not retain His anger forever,
Because He delights in unchanging love.
He will again have compassion on us;
He will tread our iniquities under foot.
Yes, You will cast all their sins
Into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:18-19 (NASB)

As Christians, we could benefit from a tangible reminder of how our sins have been cast off, forgiven, and taken away, leaving room for growth and renewal. This tradition would help concretize this concept in the minds of Christian believers and even more for our children.

The Binding of Isaac

Another tradition is reading and discussing the “binding of Isaac” at Rosh Hashanah. Remember that story? In his old age, God told Abraham to sacrifice his long-awaited only son on an altar; the son prophesied to give Abraham numerous descendants. Out of obedience to God, Abraham obeys and starts the process of the sacrifice. Before Abe kills Isaac, God intervenes and provides a ram as a substitute (Genesis 22).

So, they celebrate God’s provision of a substitute for the required sacrifice of Isaac. Sound familiar? It should remind Christians of the substitute provided for us in Jesus when our sin required death as punishment. Wow!

Celebrating Rosh Hashanah in a Christian Home

Christians have so many things to celebrate on Rosh Hashanah. How do we put that into action? There are many ways, but here are just a few to get you started.

• Eat apples dipped in honey and pomegranates.
  • This tradition encourages us to look forward to a sweet and blessed new year. Pomegranates symbolize righteousness, blessings, or the inner self, visible only to God. 
    
• Find a flowing water body and throw bread into it.
  • Discuss how our sin has been paid for and removed by our Savior and Messiah as we confess it to him and put our faith in his ability to atone for it. 
    
• Blow a shofar.
  • Since most Christian homes don’t already own one and they can be expensive, here is a possible option. It even comes with a guide for help on how to use it. I also found a shofar sound app for my phone in a pinch once, but it’s no substitute for the real thing! 
    
• Rest.
  • The Leviticus command for Rosh Hashanah says it is to be a Sabbath. Prepare food ahead of time, make certain household chores are out of the way, and fill the days with family and time with God. 
    
• Attend a service at your local Messianic Fellowship.
  • There are a growing number of both Messianic Jewish and Hebrew Roots Christian congregations around the U.S.  Find one in your area and be prepared to worship and learn in a way you may have never experienced before! 
    
• Read scriptures relevant to the subjects covered in the celebration of Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah. Here are some that I suggest, but there are so many others!
  • Genesis 1:1-2:3 and 22
  • Leviticus 23
  • Psalm 32 and 139:23-24
  • Micah 7:7-20
  • Isaiah 53
  • Jeremiah 31:27-40
  • Matt. 26:26-29
  • Luke 24
  • Acts 2 and 3:19-21
  • 1 Cor. 11:26
  • 1 Thess. 4:13-18 and 5
  • Hebrews 9
  • James 5:7-11
  • 1 John 1:5-10
  • Rev. 22 
    
• Spend time in prayer.
  • Confess sin and thank God for His forgiveness and promises – both fulfilled and yet to be. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 and be open to the things that come to mind that God wants you to change in your life. 
    
• Serve a round loaf of challah bread.
  • Straight loaves are eaten for the rest of the year, but a round loaf can signify the cyclic nature of the concept of a new year and crown. The crown is to celebrate God’s kingship over the universe. Need a recipe? Here’s the one I use and here’s how to braid round challah.

Here’s the link to my printable calendar so you’ll know when to celebrate!

So much more than just a New Year’s celebration, Rosh Hashanah gives Christians many things to celebrate that remind us of the love and faithfulness of our God! With a bit of preparation, these traditions can provide ways to pass our faith on to our children and deepen that faith in ourselves. Renewal, forgiveness, promises, faithfulness, blessings – what an incredible list of things to proclaim to bring glory to our God!