Sunday, September 16, 2012

Shanah Tovah 5773

Rosh Hashanah begins with the blowing of the shofar.

Shanah Tovah means Happy New Year in observance of  Rosh Hashanah which means "beginning of the year". This celebration marks the beginning of the High Holy Days on the Jewish calendar, and is commanded to be observed in:

 Leviticus 23:24-25  

Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, shall be a solemn rest unto you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 

The Bible calls Rosh Hashanah  the Feast of Trumpets, and it begins the Ten Days of Awe that conclude with Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement. This is the time to seek the Lord, repent for wrongdoing, and consecrate ourselves to G-d, thanking Him for His presence in our lives.

We live in perilous times, with the world in turmoil.  As I write this, American embassies are being attacked.  Many countries are experiencing financial bankruptcy and political unrest.  Americans are preparing to elect a president for the next four years.  How fitting that Rosh Hashanah arrives during this period of unrest and turmoil.  What better time to come apart from the world and focus on Hashem.

During the next ten days, we will seek G-d's face about sin in our lives.  Has sin crept in? Are we loving G-d with all our heart, soul and strength?  We will reflect on the Sh'ma, G-d's Greatest Commandment in:

Deuteronomy 6:4-9:


 Hear, O Israel: The L-rd our G-d is one:
And you shall love the L-rd your G-d with all your heart, and
 with all your soul, and with all your might.
 And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart:
 And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up.
 And you shall bind them for a sign upon your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house, and on your gates.

We will search our hearts about our relationships.  Is their discord with anyone?  We will reflect on G-d's second greatest commandment in:

 Leviticus 19:18

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.


Yeshua Hamashiach observed this holiday.  How do I know this?  Because He was an observant Jew and obeyed the Torah.  As believers, we are to follow His example.  I pray, dear Gail-Friends, that you will join me in obeying G-d to observe His High Holy Days, and I say:

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10 comments:

  1. Dolly@SoulstopsSeptember 17, 2012 at 10:25 PM

    Hi Gail,
    Thanks for visiting and for inviting me to your blog. The Shofar sounds quite regal. It is always good to search our hearts regarding relationships.Shalom and Shanah Tovah. Good to meet you :)

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  2. UnknownSeptember 18, 2012 at 1:33 AM

    We do live in maddening days, and wisdom is hard to be found. Truth and fiction fight for acceptance. May peace abound in our hearts even if it is not found elsewhere.

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  3. Sylvia PhillipsSeptember 18, 2012 at 5:05 PM

    Oh how I can't wait to hear that trumpet sound! I am very (newly) interested in the "Jewishness" of Christianity. I think we Christians need to get back to our roots!

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  4. JudithSeptember 18, 2012 at 7:00 PM

    Thanks for visiting me over at WholeHearted Home. This was a very informative post on Rosh Hashanah and the Shofar. I enjoyed reading it and it brought me back to the days when I taught my children about the Biblical feasts and observances.

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  5. DeniseSeptember 19, 2012 at 12:13 PM

    Wow, what a blessed day that will be, when the trumpet sounds.

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  6. CarolSeptember 19, 2012 at 10:20 PM

    Last night I was so blessed listening to testimonies given at the Epicenter conference.
    My thoughts are drawn to the Lord and to the evidence of His work in Israel.

    Here is the URL: http://flashtrafficblog.wordpress.com/2012/09/17/four-stories-of-hope-in-israel-as-rosh-hashana-begins-some-rays-of-light-amidst-so-much-darkness/

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  7. CharlotteSeptember 20, 2012 at 12:29 PM

    Happy New Year. I love the sound of the Shofar. Obama thinks the sweetest sound he has heard is the Muslim call to worship. The Shofar is 100% better. Thank you for sharing this information.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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  8. Kel RohlfSeptember 20, 2012 at 9:45 PM

    I love the opportunity for fresh starts. I love how each calendar has its own new year. What a timely reminder of seeking for the forgiveness of sins. I am thankful for the everlasting gift of forgiveness.

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  9. UnknownSeptember 21, 2012 at 6:46 AM

    I love new beginnings! Each day provides that, but what a wonderful thing it is to look over the last year and begin anew! Thank you for stoppin by and linking up with SHH. Blessings!

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  10. Esther JoySeptember 21, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    The Feast of Trumpets! How interesting! I have this plant called and "Angel Trumpet" which has been blossoming like crazy the last week!

    ReplyDelete

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