Rosh Hashana

Rosh Hashana (Feast of Trumpets) Lev. 23:24-29
Tishri (September and October) This 5773 year it falls according to the Jewish calendar
At sunset September 17, 2012 – nightfall September 19, 2012.
The Hebrew word Rosh means ‘head or beginning.’ Hashanah means ‘the year.’ The more common biblical name is the ‘Feast of Trumpets.’ It is a time set apart for a new beginning with G-d.
The Seventh month, the Holy Month starts the New Year ‘The day of remembrance’
“Now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall also have a holy convocation, you shall do no laborious work. It will be to you a day for blowing shofars.”
Num. 29:1
(A day of sounding the shofars). ‘Speak to the sons of Israel, saying the seventh month on the first of the month; you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.’ (Lev. 23:24).
It is the beginning of ten days called the ‘High Holy Days’ or ‘Days of Awe’. Because of their meaning these days are also called ‘Days of Repentance, Days of Admitting, Days of Returning’. The observance concludes with Yom Kipper, the Day of Atonement.
The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Gentile Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as the day of remembrance or the day of the sounding of the shofar. The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25
The shofar is the Hebrew word for trumpet or horn, a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. This instruction in the Old Covenant to blow the ram’s horn became a significant day of remembrance (Gen. 22:13-14). At the sounding the following words were spoken, ‘you, who are asleep, wake up! You, who are in a trance, arise! Search your doings and repent; remember your Creator….’ Romans 13:11 says, ‘Awake, sleeper, and arise from the dead, and the Messiah will shine on you.’ (Eph. 5:14).
The bending in the shofar represents a human heart in true repentance bowing before
G-d and the blowing was a means of getting G-d’s attention, to be remembered and protected by Him. (Num. 10:9-10). The shofar's sound is a call to repentance. The shofar is not blown if the holiday falls on Shabbat (Saturday).
No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah. Much of the day is spent in Synagogue, where the regular daily liturgy is somewhat expanded.
This was the first G-d’s religious practice (the first one: lighting Chanukah candles).
The second popular observance during this holiday is eating apples dipped in honey, a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year. They also dip bread in honey (instead of the usual practice of sprinkling salt on it) at this time of year for the same reason.
Another popular practice of the holiday is "casting off". Walking to flowing water, such as a creek or river, on the afternoon of the first day and empty their pockets into the river, symbolically casting off their sins. Small pieces of bread are commonly put in the pocket to cast off. This practice is not discussed in the Bible, but is a long-standing custom.
On this holiday instead of the usual twisted loaves of bread, the challah, for this meal has a different shape. The loaf is rounding, symbolic of our desire for a full and round year.
Three strands are braided together to give significance to this celebration.
1. It is a day to honor the kingship of G-d and His authority over creation.
2. It is a day of remembrance, a time to consider one’s place in the universe and one’s personal part in the unfolding of G-d’s plan for the world. It is a time when the past is recalled, memories are aroused, the future is envisioned, and personal inventories are taken.
3. The third thread refers to the revelation of G-d and the sounding of the shofar is a symbolic signal to G-d’s people that it is time for a spiritual awakening.
Tashlikh is normally observed on the afternoon of the first day, before afternoon services. When the first day occurs on Shabbat, many Synagogues observe Tashlikh on Sunday afternoon, to avoid carrying (the bread) on Shabbat.
Religious services for the holiday focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty.Remember this is a time of reflection and preparation. The major emphasis in your family should be: to remember your Creator, go to Him for forgiveness, and He will have mercy.
Telling of the story of the High Holy days. (Rev. 6:4-9).
The entire story of the exodus – the story of Passover, our first festival – illustrates the salvation of the believers. First there was the blood of the Lamb - which delivered you from death
Then the trip through the Red Sea - baptism, Then the wandering of the wilderness – this life on earth, Finally Jericho – heaven, when the shofar sounds.
This is one of G-d's holidays that He told all His believers to celebrate.