In this journey to understand my Hebraic Roots, I have decided I want to see what the Word says about each feast and separate that from the rabbinical explanation and the traditional expression of worship for it. Not all tradition is bad. Having practical ways of bringing to remembrance the goodness and mercy of God can be educational and Spirit led.
When you look at the traditions of Passover and see the rich symbolism of our Messiah, Yeshua, I wonder if we could trace back where these traditions started. Most of them are not found in the Word of God but all of them are clearly inspired by the Lord revealing His Son.
As I have gathered information for this article, reading about some of the Jewish Tradition quickly brought scripture to mind. So let’s journey together through what I have gathered. I am going to share what God is speaking to me. I hope you will take the time to write us about revelation God brings to you, or if perhaps you have answers to some of the questions I have presented, you can direct your comments here.
Leviticus 23:23 Again the lord spoke to Moses
24 “Speak to the sons of Israel saying ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets a holy convocation. 25 You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the Lord.”
The Feast of Trumpets is celebrated at the beginning of the month Tishri. Tishri is the seventh month of the Biblical calendar, and as such parallels the Sabbath as a special and holy time to seek God.
Tradition states the month of Elul, (which precedes Tishrei) the time of preparation just as Friday is the day of preparation for Shabbat. This season is a time of reflection and contemplation; a time to put things in order and get right our relationship with God and others.
Could this tradition be in part an answer to the call to remember not only the goodness of God but also His gift of rest that comes as we fellowship with him and others with clean hands and a pure heart?
Psalm 24:3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
And who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to falsehood
And has not sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive a blessing from the LORD
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
Tradition states the shofar is blown every morning in the synagogue during the month of Elul.
The shofar has always had a special place for the Hebrew people. Trumpets were of a great variety of forms and were made of diverse materials. Some were made of silver (Num. 10:2) and were used only by the priests in announcing the approach of festivals and in giving signals of war. Some were also made of rams’ horns (Josh. 6:8). They were blown at special festivals and to herald the arrival of special seasons (Lev. 23:24; 25:9, 1 Chron. 15:24, 2 Chron. 29:27, Ps. 81:3 98:6). Trumpets are among the symbols used in the Book of Revelation (Rev. 1:10; 8:2, Bushnell 1995).
I was listening to a teaching by Dr Howard Morgan in preparation for writing this article. He brought out an excellent point about the importance of hearing the shofarsGod releases in our daily life. He blows a shofar in the spirit to get our attention just as at this season when we are commanded to hear the shofar. We need to be attentive daily to what God is saying. Let’s look at the reasons the shofar was blown in Israel.
Specific uses for the shofar:
* It was sounded to bring Moses to the top of the mountain to receive the Commandments.
Ex. 19:19-20 And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long, and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and God answered him by a voice. And the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mount: and the LORD called Moses up to the top of the mount; and Moses went up
Do we hear the shofar in our life when God is calling us to come away with Him for instruction?
* It was a signal during time of war.
Judges 3:27 And it came to pass, when he was come, that he blew a trumpet in the mountain of Ephraim, and the children of Israel went down with him from the mount, and he before them.
Do we take note of His call to war for those issues and people He puts in our path? Do we stop and get the strategy of war at the sound of His Trumpet?
* It was blown at the start of the Jubilee year.
Lev. 25:9 Then shalt thou cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make the trumpet sound throughout all your land.
Do we hear the call to rejoicing and celebrating with a grateful heart? Do we hear the call to repent as on the Day of Atonement? Are we discerning the trumpet of the Lord?
* It was blown during coronation services of a new King. 1 Kings 1:34 And let Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon.
Do we honor the King of Kings at the sound of the Trumpet? Has the understanding of His majesty become a reality in our lives?
* It is a sign of the re-gathering of dispersed Israel.
Isa. 27:13 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown, and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria, and the outcasts in the land of Egypt, and shall worship the LORD in the holy mount at Jerusalem.
Are we listening for the call in the spirit to pray for the re-gathering of Israel?
* It was sounded as a warning of danger.
Amos 3:6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid…
Are we hearing the call of the watchmen? Are we answering the call to pray?
* And the greatest anticipation of all is the day of the arrival of the Messiah.
Zech. 9:14 And the LORD shall be seen over them, and his arrow shall go forth as the lightning: and the Lord GOD shall blow the trumpet, and shall go with whirlwinds of the south.
Are we ready for the awakening blast to announce Messiah? Is that our expectation?
A shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during the Feast of Trumpets service. Many believe it is a memorial of God’s grace to Abraham when He substituted a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (Gen. 22).
God named the other holidays – Sabbath, Passover, Day of Atonement, etc. – however, this holiday has no name. It’s simply referred to as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar), which is on the first day of Trishrei. It became known as the Feast of Trumpets, a special day calling attention to the coming holy day, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Tishri is also the first month of the civil year. I find this really interesting. That’s why the Jewish community calls it “New Year” or Rosh Hashanah, the Head of the Year.
God called Nissan the first month of His Biblical year. That was the time He instituted Passover. That was really the beginning of the Nation of Israel. Passover is one of the clearest pictures of our salvation in the Old Testament. The nation came through the blood on the door posts of their home, escaped death and entered into new life with God. We escape eternal death when the blood of Yeshua is placed on the door posts or our heart. To me that is truly the beginning of our new life in Him.
I wonder why the rabbi’s decided to make this time their civil New Year. Our school systems also make this time of year the beginning of a new school year. Have you ever wondered why?
What would happen if we actually only did things on God’s schedule or at least if we came in agreement with His times and His seasons? Hmmmmmm?
Psalm 27 is recited morning and evening during Elul. Again I wonder how this tradition started. It would not be a bad idea to memorize this same Psalm in this hour of our history as well. It ends with, “Yes, wait for the LORD”.
I started this article by saying I’d like to find out what the Word says about the feasts. Let’s read the instructions and I will share what comes to me about how I might enter in with the Lord for this Yom Teruah. I like to know the Hebrew meanings of certain words. It brings a greater revelation to me, so you will see the translations under this passage.
Numbers 29:1 “now in the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall do no laborious work.
First – I take the day off. Remember the day starts at sundown, so this year YomTeruah starts Friday the 18th to Saturday the 19th.
It will be to you a day for blowing (h8643) trumpets.
8643., ter-oo-aw’; from 7321; clamor, that is, acclamation of joy or a battle cry; especially clangor of trumpets, as an alarum. :–alarm, blow (-ing) (of, the) (trumpets), joy, jubilee, loud noise, rejoicing, shout (-ing), (high, joyful) sound (-ing)
Since I don’t blow the Shofar I am making sure that friends that do will be in my company. As I hear the blast this year I am going to seek God for what He is saying to me. What is the sound of the Lord? How do I respond to the sound of joy, the sound of battle, the sound of repentance? May I understand throughout the year the sound as You send it.
2 You shall offer a burnt offering (5930) as a soothing aroma to the Lord: one bull, one ram, (h352) and seven male lambs one year old without defect; (8549)
5930., o-law’, o-law’; Feminine active participle of 5927; a step or (collectively stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke).–ascent, burnt offering (sacrifice), go up to.
The words in this definition: stairs as ascending, going up in smoke sacrifice. To go up means He is calling me to an understanding of a deeper place of repentance. For me to go up means for me to reach up to become that soothing aroma to the Lord.
352.?, ah’-yil; from the same as 193; properly strength; hence anything strong; specifically a chief (politically); also a ram (from his strength); a pilaster (as a strong support); an oak or other strong tree. :–mighty (man), lintel, oak, post, ram, tree. When I read this I was amazed! I felt like the Lord was asking me to lay down on His altar my own strength and anything else I depend upon for strength. He alone will be that source this year even in the political arena. Interesting!
8549.?, taw-meem’; from 8552; entire (literally, figuratively or morally); also integrity,truth.:–without blemish, complete, full, perfect, sincerely, sound, without spot, undefiled, uprightly, whole. For me this means He is looking for transparent worship full of integrity and truth. Have I been looking at this through the lens of Yeshua the perfect sacrifice? Because of His blood I can go where my flesh can be crucified with Christ. Living in Him, I pull on His grace to present me perfect before the Father as I walk not after the flesh but after the spirit.
3 also their grain offering (4503), fine flour mixed with oil: three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two –tenths for the ram,4503. min-khaw’; from an unused root meaning to apportion, that is, bestow; a donation; euphemistically tribute; specifically a sacrificial offering (usually bloodless and voluntary). :–gift, oblation, (meat) offering, present, sacrifice. I often wondered about this kind of an offering, but in this definition I see this is the part that comes from the earth – the work of my hands – as a voluntary act of giving of what I can produce. My gifts and my talents are all my reasonable service. Just as I give that which I depend upon for strength, I now give that which I have in my hand.
4 and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs. 5Offer one male goat for a sin offering to make atonement for you,
Right away I got a picture of the goat on the Day of Atonement that carries our sin. This is but preparation for that soon coming appointment with God on Yom Kippur.
6 besides the burnt offering of the new moon and its grain offering, and the continual burnt offering and its grain offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, for a soothing aroma, an offering by fire to the Lord.
So those are the sacrifices I intend to bring. The following are the sections I plan to read along with any additional scripture Holy Spirit encourages me to read.
Torah readings for this holy day:
Gen 21:1-4, 5-12, 13-21, 22-27, 28:34, Numbers 26:1-6, I Sam 1:1-2:10, Psalms 81 93-100
Here is an interesting Tradition. The morning before Rosh Hashana we perform “Hatarat Nedarim” – annulling all vows. In Torah terms, saying something as simple as “I refuse to eat any more candy” can be considered a legal vow. Therefore, before Rosh Hashana we annul all vows, whether they were made intentionally or not. Looks to me like the Jewish community had some keys to deliverance and inner healing long before the books we read today were printed!
Of course I am going to have a festive meal with my friends at the end of the day. Here are some traditions that the Jewish community enjoy.
THE FESTIVE MEAL
During the high holidays a round challah is used, symbolizing fullness and completion. After making the “Hamotzi” blessing, it is customary to dip the bread into honey which symbolizes our prayer for a sweet new year.
Then, after most of your slice of bread has been eaten, we take an apple and dip it in honey. We make a blessing on the apple, (since “Hamotzi” did not cover the apple), and eat a little bit of it. Then we say, “May it be Your will, God, to renew us for a good and sweet new year.” (OC 583) Why do we ask for both a “good” AND “sweet” year? Doesn’t the word “good” automatically include “sweet”?
Judaism teaches that everything happens for the good. It is all part of the divine will. Even things that may look “bad” in our eyes are actually “good”. So when we ask God that the year should be “sweet”, (in addition to being good), it is because we know that everything will be for the good, but we also ask that it be a “revealed” good – i.e. one that tastes “sweet” to us.
Does this sound familiar?
Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him,whohave been called according to his purpose.
Family, it is time for us to think like a Hebrew. His purpose may not seem good to us but He does all things well. Look at the lives of those who are sold out to Him, those in the Word of God that suffered and those that we know today. Some of the most incredible people alive today that have suffered great loss will be the first to tell you how much they appreciate the goodness of God.
Yes, may the God of all peace be our portion and may we embrace His ways this year with great joy and expectation that He who has begun a good work in us will complete it.
La Shanna Tova is the traditional greeting for this Holy day. It says, “May your name be written in the Book of Life”.
May your name and the name of those you love be written in the Book of Life. What a great greeting to prophesy over all your Jewish and Gentile friends.
La Shanna Tova!!!!!!