Rosh HaShanah - Feast of Trumpets
Overview
The Feast of Trumpets
(Rosh HaShanah) was celebrated at the beginning
of the month Tishri, the first month of the civil
year. It was one of the seven days of holy convocation.
Tishri is the seventh month of the Biblical calendar,
and as such parallels the Sabbath as a special
and holy time to seek YAHUVEH. The previous month
of Elul is the time of preparation just as Friday
is the Day of Preparation for Shabbat. This season
is a time of reflection, contemplation, and putting
things in order and getting right our relationship
with YAHUVEH.
YAHUVEH named the other Holy Days,
Sabbath, Passover, Day of Atonement. It’s simply referred
to as Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the
shofar), so it became known as the Feast of Trumpets,
a special day calling attention to the coming
Holy Day—the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).
A shofar (ram’s horn) is blown during the
Feast of Trumpets service.
Leviticus 23 calls the blowing
of trumpets a memorial but does not say what it
is a memorial of. Many believe it is a memorial
of YAHUVEH’s grace to Abraham when He substituted
a ram to be sacrificed instead of Isaac (Gen.
22). It is also regarded by both Jews and Christians
as a memorial of the creation of the world, at
which the sons of YAHUVEH shouted for joy (Job 38:7).
This holiday was the new year’s day, on which
the people rejoiced in a grateful remembrance
of YAHUVEH’s benefits and implored His blessing
for the future year.
The Feast of Trumpets and Day
of Atonement (Yom Kippur) are the holiest days
of the Jewish year. These ten days are called
the Days of Awe or High Holy Days. Unlike other
holy days, they do not celebrate a season or historical
event. This season is a time for looking inward
to spiritual growth. The themes surrounding this
holy day include:
- Jewish New Year (Rosh Hashanah
literally is “Head or beginning of the
year.”)
- YAHUVEH’s Royalty (Coronation
Day)
- Day of Judgment
- Remembrance (Yom Ha-Zikaron,
the day of remembrance)
- Birthday of the world
New Year
The Feast of Trumpets is called the Jewish
New Year. There is little resemblance between
the Feast of Trumpets, one of the holiest days
of the year, and a typical New Year’s Eve
midnight drinking party. It is a celebration of
the earth’s physical birthday on Tishri 1,
the seventh month of the religious calendar, the
first month of the civil calendar. It is the first
of the fall holidays and usually occurs in September.
Coronation Day
Another theme of this holy day
is YAHUVEH’s royalty. The shofar, in this light, announces
YAHUVEH’s Kingship: With trumpets and sound of
cornet [shofar] make a joyful noise before the
LORD, the King (Ps. 98:6). Through repentance
we become YAHUVEH’s subjects. It is said that
the day that YAHUVEH manifests His Royalty, the day
He created His world, is also naturally the day
He sits in judgment. Coronation Day is a joyous
day and world celebration.
Birthday of the World
Jewish tradition believes this
day is the birthday of the world because the first
part of Genesis, Bereishit, “in the beginning,”
when changed around, read Aleph b’ Tishri,
or “on the first of Tishri.” Therefore
the Feast Of Trumpets is known as the birthday
of the world (Adapted Chumney 1994).
The Shofar
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).
Specific uses for the
shofar:
- It was sounded to bring Moses
to the top of the mountain to receive the Commandments.
And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long,
and waxed louder and louder, Moses spake, and
YAHUVEH 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 (Ex. 19:19-20).
- It was a signal during time
of war. 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 (Judges 3:27).
- It was blown at the start of
the Jubilee year. 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 (Lev. 25:9).
- It was blown during coronation
services of a new King. And let Zadok the priest
and Nathan the prophet anoint him there king
over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and
say, YAHUVEH save king Solomon (1 Kings 1:34).
- It is a sign of the regathering
of dispersed Israel. 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 (Isa. 27:13).
- It was sounded as a warning
of danger. Shall a trumpet be blown in the city,
and the people not be afraid… (Amos 3:6).
- And the greatest anticipation
of all is the day of the arrival of the Messiah.
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 (Zech. 9:14).
The Feast of Trumpets in Bible
Times
The Feast of Trumpets
in biblical times was celebrated in a far more
festive fashion than it is today (Amos 8:5). Although
this is a two-day holy day, preparations for this
feast begin a full month in advance. On the Jewish
calendar is a forty-day season called Teshuvah
(return or repentance). It begins on Elul 1 and
ends on the Day of Atonement (Tishri 10). This
forty-day season is a time for one to annually
examine his life and restore relationships between
YAHUVEH and man. The first thirty days of this season
are the thirty days of the month of Elul. The
last ten days of this forty-day season are the
Feast of Trumpets and Day of Atonement or the
ten High Holy Days (Days of Awe).
This holiday is one of mixed emotions.
It is considered both a happy, joyous occasion
and a somber occasion: joyous because it is celebration
of the new year and somber because custom has
it as a “Day of Judgment” in that it
is a day of looking back and taking stock of one’s
life over the past year. No work is allowed on
the Feast of Trumpets.
This festival has three expressions:
- A day of “solemn rest”
to be observed on the first of the seventh month.
(Cooking is permissible.)
- A memorial proclaimed with
the blast of the horn (Zikhron Teru’ah).
- A day of blowing the horn (Yom
Teru’ah) which indicates its chief observance,
namely, the sounding of the shofar (ram’s
horn) (Num. 29:1).
One Day or Two?
The Feast of Trumpets occurs at
the time of the new moon. The entire Jewish calendar
revolves around the moon, so it was very important
to get the date of the new moon correct. In Bible
times, as it is today, this feast is celebrated
for two days instead of one.
A special blessing was said for the new moon:
“Blessed are You, YAHUVEH, King of
the universe, whose word created the heavens,
whose breath created all that they contain. Statutes
and seasons He set for them, that they should
not deviate from their assigned task. Happily,
gladly they do the will of their Creator, whose
work is dependable. To the moon He spoke: renew
yourself, crown of glory for those who were borne
in the womb, who also are destined to be renewed
and to extol their Creator for His glorious sovereignty.
Blessed are You, Lord who renews the months.”
Notice that Ezra observed this
feast for two days: And Ezra the priest brought
the law before the congregation both of men and
women, and all that could hear with understanding,
upon the first day of the seventh month. And he
read therein before the street that was before
the water gate from the morning until midday,
before the men and the women, and those that could
understand; and the ears of all the people were
attentive unto the book of the law. 13 And on the
second day were gathered together the chief of
the fathers of all the people, the priests, and
the Levites, unto Ezra the scribe, even to understand
the words of the law (Neh. 8:2-3,13).
A Psalm is Devoted
to this Feast Day
{To the chief Musician upon Gittith,
A Psalm of Asaph.} Sing aloud unto YAHUVEH our strength:
make a joyful noise unto the Elohim of Jacob. Take
a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant
harp with the psaltery. Blow up the trumpet in
the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn
feast day. For this was a statute for Israel,
and a law of the Elohim of Jacob. This he ordained
in Joseph for a testimony, when he went out through
the land of Egypt: where I heard a language that
I understood not. I removed his shoulder from
the burden: his hands were delivered from the
pots. Thou calledst in trouble, and I delivered
thee; I answered thee in the secret place of thunder:
I proved thee at the waters of Meribah. Selah.
Hear, O my people, and I will testify unto thee:
O Israel, if thou wilt hearken unto me; There
shall no strange god be in thee; neither shalt
thou worship any strange god. I am YAHUVEH,
which brought thee out of the land of Egypt:
open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it. But my
people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel
would none of me. So I gave them up unto their
own hearts’ lust: and they walked in their
own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened
unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should
soon have subdued their enemies, and turned my
hand against their adversaries. The haters of
YAHUVEH should have submitted themselves unto
him: but their time should have endured for ever.
He should have fed them also with the finest of
the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should
I have satisfied thee (Ps. 81).
The ceremony of the blowing of the shofar was
a magnificent sight. The priest chosen to blow
the shofar was trained from childhood. On the
first day of this feast, the priest blowing the
shofar stood outside the Temple with two trumpeters.
The shofar represents, among other things, a call
to awaken the conscience.
Messianic Significance of Rosh
Hashanah
The blowing of trumpets is a sign of the return
of YAHUSHUA and memorial of YAHUVEH’s grace to
Abraham when He substituted a ram to be sacrificed
instead of Isaac (Gen. 22). Isaac is a type of
foreshadowing of YAHUSHUA. Just as Abraham offered
his son on the altar, YAHUVEH offered His son on Calvary’s
altar. Hebrews 11:17-19 says “By faith Abraham,
when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that
had received the promises offered up his only
begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac
shall thy seed be called: Accounting that YAHUVEH
was able to raise him up, even from the dead;
from whence also he received him in a figure.”
Both Isaac’s and YAHUSHUA's births were
miracles. Both were obedient to the point of sacrifice.
Trumpets were used in giving signals of war.
YAHUSHUA is the commander of the army of YAHUVEH. The
Jewish people were looking for a deliverer who
would defeat the Roman army. YAHUSHUA came, the first
time, to defeat the work of satan and the sin
in men’s hearts. And having spoiled principalities
and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing
over them in it (Col. 2:15).
In the same way this feast speaks to the Christian
about spiritual warfare. Put on the whole armour
of YAHUVEH, that ye may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of
this world, against spiritual wickedness in high
places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour
of YAHUVEH, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand. YAHUSHUA
is our armor because He defeated satan. When we
put on YAHUSHUA we will triumph over evil forces
(Eph. 6:11-13).
The Feast of Trumpets can be a very special time
for believers in YAHUSHUA. Our sins are not forgiven
just when we “believe.” James 2:19 says
“Thou believest that there is one YAHUVEH; thou
doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.”
To be forgiven, we must have a repentant heart.
We must come in submission to our Heavenly Father,
asking for forgiveness, knowing that He will forgive
us, as a father forgives his child. That forgiveness
which we seek has been guaranteed–bought
and paid for by YAHUSHUA’s atoning sacrifice
on the tree.
Baptism?
Evidence shows that YAHUSHUA was born in the fall
(see The Feast of Tabernacles chapter). It is
believed that His baptism was also in the fall.
After YAHUSHUA’ baptism, He spent forty days
in the wilderness. Then was YAHUSHUA led up of the
Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the
devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty
nights, he was afterward an hungered (Matt 4:1-2.)
It is possible these forty days parallel the forty-day
season called Teshuvah (return or repentance).
Some believe that this is the time that YAHUSHUA
began His ministry, at the end of the forty days
when he began to declare His message. From that
time YAHUSHUA began to preach, and to say, Repent:
for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matt. 4:17).
Prophetic Significance
The Feast of Trumpets is a major festival. The
three major festivals are Passover, Pentecost
and Feast of Trumpets. We know Passover represents
the sacrifice of YAHUSHUA, and Pentecost represents
the coming of the RUACH ha KODESH (Holy Spirit), so it stands to
reason that the Feast of Trumpets represents a
very special time.
The trumpet was the signal for the field workers
to come into the Temple. The high priest actually
stood on the southwestern parapet of the Temple
and blew the trumpet so it could be heard in the
surrounding fields. At that instant the faithful
would stop harvesting, even if there were more
crops to bring in, and leave immediately for worship
service (Levitt 1979, 12). The Feast of Trumpets
will be the Rapture of the Bride of YAHUSHUA.
The Wedding
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with
a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with
the trump of YAHUVEH: and the dead in YAHUSHUA shall rise
first: Then we which are alive and remain shall
be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be
with the Lord (1 Thess. 4:16-17).
YAHUSHUA will fulfill the fall
holy days by coming on the Feast of Trumpets to catch
away His Bride to celebrate the Marriage
Supper of the Lamb in Heaven, then return to earth
seven years later on the Day of Atonement to establish
His Kingdom beginning on the Feast of Tabernacles.
YAHUSHUA Fulfills the Seven Feasts of Israel:
Rabbis have taught that after being resurrected
on the Feast of Trumpets, the righteous (the Bride, but
not the church as is erroneously being taught now) would
enter the chupah, or wedding canopy to spend
seven years while the “day of trouble”
[tribulation], the seven years of judgment occurs
on earth. By examining an ancient Jewish wedding,
we can more clearly see the picture of the union
of the Church (the bride) with the Messiah.
When a man in ancient Israel married, he went
to the bride’s house with a “bride
price” and made a contract (covenant) with
the girl’s father. If the father accepted
the man and his bride price, the man would pour
a glass of wine. If the girl drank it, it would
indicate that she accepted the man’s proposal
and they were betrothed. The man would go away
and prepare a wedding chamber for his bride.
When the man’s father deemed that the wedding
chamber was ready, usually one to two years
later, the man would return to the bride’s
house and “steal” her away “like
a thief in the night” at an hour when no
one would suspect. He would take her to the
wedding chamber for seven days. During this
time, the groom’s father would hold a party
to announce the marriage. At the end of the
seventh day, the married couple would emerge
from the chamber and partake of the marriage
supper.
The ancient Jewish wedding is a picture of
YAHUSHUA the Bridegroom and His Bride.
The contract (covenant) was sealed at the Last
Supper when YAHUSHUA shared the covenant cup with
His Disciples. And he said unto them, This is
my blood of the new testament, which is shed
for many (Mark 14:24).
YAHUSHUA, in speaking to
the Disciples after the last supper said the
same words that any Jewish man would tell his
betrothed. In my father’s house are many
mansions; if it were not so, I would have told
you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if
I go to prepare a place for you, I will come
again, and receive you unto myself; that where
I am, there ye may be also (John 14:2-3).
And,
of course, YAHUSHUA paid the “Bride price”
with His life. The marriage of the Bride to
YAHUSHUA is described in several Bible texts. Let
us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him:
for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. And to her was
granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen,
clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness
of saints (Rev. 19:7-8). The Jewish wedding
ceremony is another beautiful shadow of YAHUSHUA’s
return.
Teshuvah and Days of Awe
The forty-day season called Teshuvah (return
or repentance) starts thirty days before the Feast
of Trumpets, and is a shadow of YAHUVEH’s prophetic
plan. The entire ten days from the first day of
the Feast of Trumpets through the Day of Atonement
are known as the Days of Repentance or Days of
Awe. The days between may be a picture of the
tribulation. The days between the Feast of the
Trumpets and Day of Atonement reflect the seven-year
period of Jacob’s Trouble. Alas! for that
day is great, so that none is like it: it is even
the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall
be saved out of it (Jer. 30:7). The days are divided as follows:
- The thirty days of the month of Elul —the
Bride
- The Day of the Feast of Trumpets—the
Rapture of the Bride.
- The days between the Feast of Trumpets and
Day of Atonement—Tribulation
- The Day of Atonement—the Second Coming
For thirty days the shofar is blown every morning
in the Synagogue to remind the people that the
holy days are approaching, in order that they
may prepare themselves. Their preparation consists
of confessing their sins and seeking forgiveness
along with a change in life, if needed. The Jews’
earnest prayer is that their names may be written
in the Book of Life (Wagner 1995). This might
represent the period before the rapture—calling
people to repentance. One’s name is written
in the Book of Life only when he or she has a
repentant heart and comes in submission to our
Heavenly Father, asking for forgiveness through
YAHUSHUA's death and resurrection.
Coronation of YAHUSHUA, Our King
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia
write; These things saith he that is holy, he
that is true, he that hath the key of David, he
that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth,
and no man openeth; I know thy works: behold,
I have set before thee an open door, and no man
can shut it: for thou hast a little strength,
and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my
name. Behold, I will make them of the synagogue
of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not,
but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and
worship before thy feet, and to know that I have
loved thee. Because thou hast kept the word of
my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour
of temptation, which shall come upon all the world,
to try them that dwell upon the earth. Behold,
I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast,
that no man take thy crown (Rev. 3:7-11).
Daniel 7:9-14 also speaks of the Messiah returning
to reign as king: I beheld till the thrones were
cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit…
thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten
thousand times ten thousand stood before him:
the judgment was set, and the books were opened
[The Day of Judgment]. I beheld then because of
the voice of the great words which the horn spake:
I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his
body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had
their dominion taken away: yet their lives were
prolonged for a season and time. I saw in the
night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of
man [YAHUSHUA] came with the clouds of heaven, and
came to the Ancient of days, and they brought
him near before him. And there was given him dominion,
and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations,
and languages, should serve him: his dominion
is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass
away, and his kingdom that which shall not be
destroyed.
In Revelation, chapters 8 through 10, the seven
trumpets and the “Mystery of YAHUVEH” are
revealed at the final blast: And the angel which
I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted
up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth
for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the
things that therein are, and the earth, and the
things that therein are, and the sea, and the
things which are therein, that there should be
time no longer: But in the days of the voice of
the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound,
the mystery of YAHUVEH should be finished, as he hath
declared to his servants the prophets (Rev.10:5-7).
Remember, you should
have joyful expectations (Titus 2:13) and be patiently
waiting in obedience (1 Cor. 1:7, 1 Tim. 6:14).
Celebrate Rosh HaShanah by teaching your children
about repentance, renewing your heart toward YAHUVEH,
and looking forward to the Rapture of YAHUSHUA's Bride.
Traditional Jewish foods accompany Rosh HaShanah. Typically, a blessing will be said over two loaves of bread, known as challah. The round shape symbolizes a crown, a reminder of the kingship of YAH. Challah also stands for the circle of life, and the hope that our lives endure without end.
Challah is sometimes baked with a ladder on top in recognition that only YAH decides who climbs up or down the ladder of life. Forming challah in the shape of a bird is also done. The Torah says that YAH will protect Jerusalem in the same way a bird hovers.
Apples dipped in honey are another Rosh HaShanah tradition. It symbolizes the hope for a "sweet year" ahead. Honey is spread on challah. Tzimmes, a mixture made from carrots, cinnamon, yams, prunes, and honey, is also traditional.
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