The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are commonly known as the Days of Awe (Yamim Noraim) or the Days of Repentance. This is a time for serious introspection, a time to consider the sins of the previous year and repent before Yom Kippur is observed. Our actions, prayer, good deeds, repentance, giving of charity, during the Days of Awe can alter God's decree. Rosh Hashanah foretells of the coming Day of the Lord and Great Tribulation that marks God's judgment on an unbelieving world. This is The High Holidays or High Holy Days in Judaism, more properly known as the Yamin Noraim (Hebrew Days of Awe) Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It is customary to greet one another with the phrase, "May you be inscribed in the Book of Life."
This holiday is both solemn and joyous since it is both the Day of Repentance or Day of Judgment and the birthday of the world. It is celebrated for two days. On the first day, some Orthodox Jews practice a custom called "tashlich", which involves going to a body of water and emptying one's pockets or casting bread crumbs into the water. This is symbolic of Micah 7:19, "And you will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." A family meal is celebrated which includes honey cake, wine, and apples dipped in honey to symbolize hope for a sweet and happy year. On the second night, a fruit not yet eaten that season is served. Hallah bread, in a round loaf, symbolize a crown, which is another traditional food.
In the synagogue, the major focuses are introspection and repentance. It is a time for recognizing one's sins and turning from them. The blowing of the shofar (trumpet) is a central feature and calls the worshippers to turn to God. It also announces that a great event is about to take place. In Genesis 22, it tells of God's command to Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, it is read on the second day.
The Biblical holiday of the Feast of Trumpets is described most fully in Numbers 29:1-6. The central elements are the number 7 (7th month, 7 male lambs offered), the abstaining from regular work, the sounding of the ram's horn trumpets, various burnt offerings, and the sin offering of one male goat to make atonement for sin.
Notice that this holiday, which focuses on sin and repentance, is followed by the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur on the 10th of Tishri, and then Sukkot or the Feast of Booths on the 15th of the month, which focuses on God's providential care of his people. We must acknowledge our sin, repent and receive God's atonement for sin before we can experience God's providential care over our lives.
Comments
The New Covenant Fulfillment Rosh Hashanah: God has provided the ultimate Sabbath rest through Jesus the Messiah. We can rest from our own efforts to be accepted by God. Our own good works cannot save us, as even the traditional Jewish song from the liturgy, Avinu Malkeynu says, "We have no good works of our own; deal with us in mercy and kindness and save us." Jesus the Messiah is our sin offering. If we recognize our sin, turn away from it, and return to God in faith, we can be sure our names are inscribed in the Book of Life (Phil. 4:3 and Rev. 3:5).
The ultimate Day of Judgment of sin will come. Jesus' death demonstrated that sin must be judged. He received the judgment in our place. His resurrection shows that God has appointed Him the Judge (see John 5:21-27;12:31; and Acts 17:31).
The Ultimate Day of Judgment will come when the trumpet shall sound and Jesus the Messiah returns to judge the earth (I Thess. 4:16; I Cor. 15:52). He will preside over the heavenly court. We are called to repent and celebrate the New Creation that has begun in the Messiah (II Cor. 5:17; Romans 5:12-19) and (I Cor. 15:45) and will come in fullness when he returns (Romans 9:19-22).