Shana Tova! It’s Rosh Hashanah, also known as The Feast of Trumpets and Yom Teruah!!! It is the Head of the Jewish New Year, the beginning of the Hebrew month Tishri, and the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentance.

Rosh Hashanah 5785 begins in the evening at sundown 1 TISHRI (TISHREI), 5785 (Hebrew calendar) which falls on Wednesday, October 2, 2024. It will end during the nightfall on 2 TISHRI (TISHREI), which will be Friday, October 4, 2024. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated for the first 2 days during this time of repentance also known as the Ten Days of Awe.

During this time, it is a recognition, celebration, and coronation of God being King, the Sovereign Ruler (The Great Judge) over the universe. It is also a celebration of God being the creator and ultimate parent for humankind! In short, it is the celebration of God, the Creator, as the Sovereign God of humanity, and Father of humanity, the anniversary of creation, and the birthday of humankind.

Although God is the One Who Judges creation as the SOVEREIGN GOD (King of the Universe); He is also the One who is Merciful and Loving during His judgment of creation as our PARENT AND FATHER. The common prayer at this time is “Avinu Malkeinu” which is Hebrew for…”Our Father, Our King.”

The shofar, also known as the Ram’s horn, is used as a symbol as a call to repentance and return during this time. The shofar is also blown 100 times in the synagogue morning services in recognition of the following:

*MALKIYUT: God being Sovereign
*ZIKHRONOT: Remembrance of God’s covenant and promises to Israel
*SHOFAROT: Shofar blowing (remembering the ram’s horn in Joshua 6 and Genesis 22, God being revealed at Mt. Sinai in Exodus 19, the voice of the prophets, and the return of Jesus Christ the Messiah).

The Feast of Trumpets can be found in Leviticus 23:23-25. This feast is not only a reference of an event of the past, but also the celebration of the prophetic message that awakens and motivates us to be prepared for what is to come.

During Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish custom is to eat slices of apples dipped in honey symbolizing God’s provision and the sweetness to come for the New Year.

The common short greeting during this Holy Feast is “Shana Tovah,” meaning “Good year,” which can be used formally and informally. The longer version is “L’shana Tovah u’metukah” which means “for a good and sweet year.” Other greetings also include “L’shanah Tovah Tikatevu,” meaning, “may you be inscribed for a good year!”

May the Lord bless you greatly during this time as we celebrate with Israel, during the Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah)!!! May your year be sweet and prosperous!