The meaning, history, and importance of this date
– 1st day of the seventh month.
By Joseph Shulam Copyright 2024
This year, October 3, 2024, has a very special and meaningful difference from any other year. We are in a bitter war with our northern neighbor Hezbollah, in the south with Hamas, and the middle of the land. This war is not a new war or another war. It is THE WAR – that started between Ishmael and Isaac in the book of Genesis; a war between light and darkness, good and evil, truth and falsehood. The day of blowing the Shofar starts the ten days of repentance that brings our nation to Yom Hakippurim. Here is the essential meaning of the first day of the month of Tishri 2024:
In the Bible, the first day of Tishri is referred to in the context of a significant celebration, but it is not explicitly called "New Year." However, it is traditionally regarded as such in later Jewish tradition.
Reference Calling the First Day of Tishri
1. Leviticus 23:23-25:
- "And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the Lord.'"
Although this text does not call Tishri 1 "New Year," Jewish tradition designates this day as Rosh Hashanah (the Head of the Year).
What does the Bible say is the Date of the New Year?
2. Exodus 12:2:
- "This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you."
- This verse refers to the month of Nissan, indicating that it is considered the first month of the year in the context of the religious calendar and the Exodus.
- The first day of Tishri (Rosh Hashanah) is recognized as the new year in Jewish tradition, but the Bible does not explicitly label it.
- Nissan is identified in the Bible as the first month of the year, particularly in reference to the Passover and the Exodus narrative.
Exodus 12:1-6
"Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, "This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you. Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying: "On the tenth of this month every man shall take for himself a lamb, according to the house of his father, a lamb for a household. And if the household is too small for the lamb, let him and his neighbor next to his house take it according to the number of the persons; according to each man's need you shall make your count for the lamb. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats. Now, you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month. Then the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at twilight." (Exodus 12:1-6 NKJV)
Why is this date, the 1st day of Nissan, the Biblical Jewish New Year?
1. Mesopotamian Mythology
- Akitu Festival: This was a major Babylonian New Year festival that typically occurred in the spring but had elements connected to the autumn equinox. The festival involved rituals to promote fertility and celebrate the harvest, highlighting the cyclical nature of agricultural life, resembling aspects of the Jewish High Holy Days.
2. Ugaritic Texts
- The Ugaritic texts from Ras Shamra contain festivals and religious practices that imply a New Year celebration during the harvest season. While not explicitly naming Tishri, their rituals reflect similar themes of renewal and the divine cycle of seasons.
3. Hittite Texts
- The Hittites, known for their extensive legal and mythological documents, celebrated various New Year festivals, aligning them with agricultural practices. Their festivals often marked the beginning of the agricultural year with rituals that resembled those of the Israelites.
4. Ancient Egyptian Calendar
- While the Egyptian New Year (Wepet Renpet) celebrated the flooding of the Nile in July (around Tammuz/August), the Egyptian calendar acknowledges the transitions of seasons critical for agrarian societies, similar to the Jewish emphasis on harvest and renewal.
While direct references to Tishri as a New Year in neighboring mythological literature may not be explicitly stated, the broader context of seasonal celebrations, harvest festivals, and rituals surrounding the new agricultural year in surrounding cultures reveal significant similarities and shared cultural themes, suggesting a rich tapestry of interwoven traditions.
The blowing of the Shofar holds deep significance in Jewish tradition, especially during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Here's a breakdown of the different types of Shofar blasts, their meanings, and biblical examples:
Why was the Shofar blown, and what is the meaning of the types of Shofar Blasts?
1. Tekiah:
- Description: A long, straight blast.
- Meaning: Represents God's sovereignty and the day's holiness. It serves as a call to attention.
2. Shevarim:
- Description: Three medium-length blasts.
- Meaning: Symbolizes brokenness and the need for repentance. It can reflect the cries of the soul.
3. Teruah:
- Description: Nine short blasts (sometimes referred to as short, staccato bursts).
- Meaning: Represents urgency and a call to awaken, often associated with a cry for help or spiritual alertness.
4. Tekiah Gedolah:
- Description: An extended Tekiah, the most prolonged blast.
- Meaning: Signals the conclusion of the period of judgment and signifies hope for redemption.
The Shofar signifies themes of judgment, remembrance, awakening, and God's holiness. The different types of blasts carry unique meanings and are deeply rooted in biblical narratives, reflecting their spiritual and cultural importance in Jewish tradition.
In the New Testament, some references relate to the concept of the Shofar, although the term "Shofar" itself is not directly mentioned. Instead, references to trumpets are often understood to parallel the traditions of the Shofar. Here are some notable passages:
1. Matthew 24:31:
- "And he will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
- This verse emphasizes a loud sound signaling significant events, much like the Shofar calls for attention and action.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:52:
- "In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
- The "last trumpet" here indicates a momentous transformation, echoing the Shofar's role in signaling meaningful times.
3. 1 Thessalonians 4:16:
-"For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."
- Similar to the previous passage, this references the sound of a trumpet that marks a significant moment in eschatology.
4. Revelation 8:6:
- "Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them."
- This reference describes a series of prophetic events, with the blowing of the trumpets playing a critical role in the unfolding of prophecy.
5. Revelation 11:15:
- "Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.'"
- The trumpet here signifies the announcement of significant divine events and rulership, similar to the Shofar's role in announcing holy days.
While the New Testament does not directly mention the Shofar, the concept of trumpets is closely associated with the Shofar's usage in Jewish tradition, particularly in heralding important spiritual events and transformations. The verses cited reflect themes of awakening, gathering, and divine intervention, paralleling the Shofar's significance in the Hebrew Bible.
Biblical Examples of Shofar Blowing
1. Exodus 19:16-19:
- The Shofar was blown during the revelation at Mount Sinai, signifying God's presence and the giving of the Torah.
"Then it came to pass on the third day, in the morning, that there were thunderings and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain; and the sound of the trumpet was very loud so that all the people who were in the camp trembled." (Exodus 19:16 NKJV)
2. Leviticus 23:24:
- Refers to the festival and the sounding of the Shofar:
- "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets..."
3. Joshua 6:4-5:
- The Israelites blew the Shofar as they marched around the walls of Jericho, leading to the walls collapsing.
- "And seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of rams' horns before the ark. On the seventh day, you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets."
4. 1 Samuel 13:3:
- Saul blew the Shofar to rally the Israelites against their enemies.
- *" And he took a yoke of oxen and cut them in pieces, and sent them throughout all the territory of Israel by the hands of messengers, saying, 'Whoever does not come out after Saul and Samuel, so shall it be done to his oxen.' And the fear of the Lord fell on the people, and they came out as one man."
5. Psalm 98:6:
- Invokes the Shofar in a celebratory context, affirming its role in worship.
- "With trumpets and the sound of the horn, make a joyful noise before the King, the Lord!"
The first day of Tishri, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, is significant because only, according to Jewish TRADITION, it marks Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. The real and most significant part of this date is the Feast of Trumpets(Yom Teruah), a biblical festival with theological connections to the New Testament and the life and teachings of Jesus. Here are some key ways it is related:
1. Symbolism of Trumpets and Jesus' Return
The Feast of Trumpets celebrated on the first day of Tishri, involves blowing the Shofar (ram's horn). In the New Testament, the sound of trumpets is closely associated with the second coming of Christ. For example:
•1 Thessalonians 4:16:
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God: and the dead in Christ will rise first."
•1 Corinthians 15:52:
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed."
The shofar blast on Rosh Hashanah, signifying the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, is a call to repentance and the gathering of God's people. It parallels the trumpet sound that Paul describes, signaling the return of Jesus and the resurrection of the dead.
2. Judgment and the Books of Life
According to Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah is a day of judgment when God opens the Book of Life and the Book of Death, deciding who will live or die in the coming year. This concept has echoes in the New Testament's depiction of the final judgment:
Revelation 20:12:
"And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books."
The connection between Rosh Hashanah and the judgment in the New Testament emphasizes that believers in Jesus will be judged according to their deeds, and those whose names are in the Book of Life will be saved.
3. Jesus' Role as Judge and King
Rosh Hashanah also marks the coronation of God as King. The festival includes prayers that acknowledge God's sovereignty and kingship over creation. In the New Testament, Jesus is depicted as the ultimate King and Judge who will return to establish God's kingdom on earth:
•John 5:22:
"For the Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son."
•Revelation 19:16:
"On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords."
Jesus' role as the King who will return to judge and reign fits into the themes of God's kingship celebrated on the first day of Tishri.
4. Repentance and the Call to Return to God
Rosh Hashanah initiates the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that culminates on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). This season of repentance aligns with Jesus' call for repentance and the New Testament's emphasis on returning to God for forgiveness:
•Mark 1:15:
"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel."
The period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, focusing on repentance and seeking atonement, mirrors the gospel message of turning from sin and accepting Jesus' atoning work.
Conclusion
The first day of Tishri, or Rosh Hashanah, has deep connections to the New Testament and the teachings about Jesus. Its themes of trumpet blasts, divine judgment, kingship, and repentance all point to key aspects of Jesus' return, His role as judge, and His call for repentance and salvation.
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