Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish festival celebrating the New Year. The dates of this holiday vary from year to year, but this year it falls from the 22nd-24th September. It is the first of the days of Yamim Nora’im (High Holy Days or Days of Awe), which also include Yom Kippur, following ten days after Rosh Hashanah. During this festival, many who are Jewish by faith around the world will celebrate the day God created Adam and Eve.
In Scripture
The origins of Rosh Hashanah are recorded in the book of Leviticus in the Bible, where it is called ‘The Feast/Festival of Trumpets’:
The Festival of Trumpets
The LORD said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the LORD.’ ”
(Leviticus 23:23-25)
It is one of the seven festivals appointed by God to the people of Israel in the Old Testament.
How it is Observed Today
The main observance of Rosh Hashanah is the blowing of the shofar – a ram’s horn. This is done as a call to remembrance that the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) is near, that repentance, or turning back to the Lord, might follow.
Sweet foods are traditionally eaten with the feasts, particularly challah bread with raisins and apples dipped in honey, to symbolise the participants’ desire for a sweet year ahead. In the same manner, some avoid eating sour and bitter foods during the feasts, as they are seen to be an omen for a sour/bitter year ahead.
Another tradition which may be observed by some communities is called ‘Tashlich’, which means ‘cast off’. During this ritual, certain verses are recited next to a body of water, and it is concluded by shaking out the corners of one’s clothes. This tradition symbolises the desire to shake off sin and be reconciled to God.
How We Can Respond as Christians
It is impossible to ignore the prominent themes of repentance and reconciliation of Rosh Hashanah. As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we know that these things can only be truly found through Him, not by striving nor by works.
As this festival approaches, we may feel led to pray for the millions who will be seeking closeness to God at this time; that their eyes might be opened to the freedom found in Jesus, the Saviour of the World. It may also be a time we can witness to and serve our Jewish friends and neighbours, with a willingness to learn more about the feasts and festivals they celebrate with Biblical origins, as we show them the love we have found in Jesus Christ.
