"In
the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto
you, a memorial proclaimed with blasts of horns [shofar], a holy convocation…
and you shall bring an offering made by fire unto the Lord.” Leviticus 23:24 , 25 NIV
The Hebrew month of Elul (August/September)
is the month of the “High Holy Days”.
The period between Rosh haShana (Jewish
New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is also called “the ten days of
awe”, because of the need for introspection and repentance.
Rosh haShana (literally meaning “head of
the year”) heralds the Hebrew month of Tishrei (September/October) (Tishrei is Aramaic
for “to begin”).
It
is celebrated for two days and is seen as a Day of Judgment. On the first day,
the tashlich (“you will cast”) ritual takes place in which “sins” are
symbolically cast into open water.
People also throw bread and pebbles. The
days of repentance begin with Rosh haShana and climax at Yom Kippur. Religious
Jews believe that even though judgment is pronounced on Rosh haShana, during
the following ten days they can mend their ways and alter judgment in their
favor.
Rosh haShana is a day of rest, like the
Shabbat. The sound of the Shofar (ram’s horn) is intended to awaken the people
from their “slumber” and alert them to the coming judgment.
In Israel
Apple and honey, symbolizing the sweet New
Year is always part of the holiday food. Other symbolic food is a fish head
(“head” of the new year) and a round Challah, to symbolize the year cycle).
In ancient times Rosh haShana was the
beginning of the economic year, with emphasis on the agricultural seasons and
the pilgrim’s festivals (Pesach, Shavuot and Succot). It was only celebrated
for one day, instead of the modern two-day holiday.
Rosh haShana is seen as the anniversary of
God’s Creation. On this day mankind passes before the Creator, like sheep
before the shepherd. Three books are opened – the Book of Life, which seals the
righteous, who will live. The wicked are “blotted out of the book of the
living” (Psalm 69:29) while those “in between” have till Yom Kippur to repent
and become righteous.
The Torah doesn’t call it Rosh haShana, but
it is known by different descriptions.
Leviticus 23:24 mentioned the “day of blowing horns (shofarim)”.
Ezekiel 40:1 calls it “the beginning of the
year”; while in rabbinic literature they call it “day of judgment” and “day of
remembrance”.
Judaism’s many “New Years”
- 1st
of Nissan (March/April) - “Biblical New Year” after the Exodus from
- 1st
of Elul (August/September) – Beginning of the year to tithe animals for
the
- 1st
of Shevat (January/February) – this later changed to the 15th
(Tu beShevat) and was called the New Year of trees. Calculations were made
for the tithes of the fruit harvest.
- 1st
of Tishrei (September/October) – civil Hebrew Calender, legal contracts.
- 1st
January – New Year on the Gregorian Calender.
Shofar - Ram’s horn
In Biblical times the Shofar was sounded heralding
the beginning of a new month, as a warning sign of danger and to proclaim the
inauguration of a new king.
The shofar has three distinct sounds:
- Shevarim - resembles sobbing
- Teruah
– nine staccato notes resembling wailing
- Tekiah
– unbroken long sound
The Shofar is symbolic of Abraham’s sacrifice
of Isaac, in which the ram became the substitute sacrifice. The curved horn is
symbolic for man’s bowing in submission before God.
Religious practices:
- Many
orthodox men were a Kittel (Yiddish) which is a white robe, also
traditionally worn by a bridegroom, symbolizing purity. Often it is also
used as a burial shroud. Isaiah
- People
visit the graves of loved-ones and pray to their souls for a good year.
- This
is an extra busy time for organizations to ask for donations, as charity
is even more important during this period.
Excerpt from the book: “Remember, Observe, Rejoice”
© Petra van der Zande , 2018
