Showing posts with label Shma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Shma. Show all posts

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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