Rosh Hashanah!!

Happy New Year!!

This evening Rosh Hashanah will begin and go through until the evening of Friday the 22nd of September,

I had someone ask me why I feel Christians should observe the Jewish holiday and the answer I gave came from my heart. I told that person that it's important to God, so it's important to me.

That's the only way I can describe it for myself. I know that I have a simplistic way of viewing things in life but it's the only way I know how. I know my heart is full of love for God and so if it means something to Him, then I want to learn about it as well.

So I'll try my best to tell you why we, as Christians, should observe this beginning of the new year. Grab your apples and honey and sit back as I try to explain with a quick summary. I don't want to go into the many details of it because it can very long and I don't have the depth of knowledge to try and get into all that. But I'll tell you what I have come to understand it to mean.

The term Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year" and marks the start of the Jewish new year or the Feast of Trumpets as it's also called. It's commemorated with the blowing of trumpets or shofars (a hollowed out ram's horn which is used to announce holidays). And it's leading up to the Day of Atonement on September 30th (which I'll talk a little about in the next few days).

Since it's a new year, it signifies new beginnings and it serves as a reminder that God is a God of new beginnings and if we've slipped away from Him or sinned, we can come to Him in repentance and He is faithful to forgive and give us a new beginning as well. I know that we are not bound by the law that was in place in the Old Testament, but the principle is still there. So during this time, I really believe that God wants us to examine ourselves and if there is anything in our hearts, such as anger, unforgiveness, bitterness, etc, now is the time to repent of it and allow God to cleanse us.

I've heard that some Jewish people wear white during this time to symbolize the cleansing of sins.

It's also my understanding that the Binding of Isaac, (Abraham's son) is a major theme during this time too, and how God provided a lamb for a sacrifice for himself that day. And so we should remember the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus when He gave His life for us.

So, all in all, it's a good thing to observe even if you aren't Jewish because it's important to God and that's enough for me. I find this stuff fascinating to read about and learn. One of my dreams is to visit Israel one day and see all of the places that I've heard of all my life. Maybe that will be my vacation plans for next year.

I know this was a short blog about the holiday but I'll include some verses in the Bible where you can find out more about the Feast of Trumpets. Like I said, it's fascinating once you get into reading about it. I hope I've sparked an interest for you in the holiday. I know I'll be spending the next little while trying to learn more about all of the Jewish holidays.

Much love,

Christy

Helpful verses: Leviticus 23; Numbers 29; Nehemiah 8