Rosh HaShana: The Day of Trumpets

By: Dr. Mojmir Kallus, ICEJ Vice President – International Affairs

The biblical holiday of Rosh HaShana, also known as the Jewish New Year, begins this coming Monday evening, 6 September, at sunset. It opens the fall High Holy Days, which also include Yom Kippur and the Feast of Tabernacles. So, what is the meaning of Rosh HaShana, where does it appear in the Bible, and what can we learn as Christians about its spiritual and prophetic significance.

First of all, Rosh HaShana is a special version of the monthly holiday called Rosh Chodesh, or beginning of the new lunar month. In Genesis 1:14, God said the sun and moon are for “signs and seasons”, and indeed the most important Jewish holiday seasons are determined by the moon. The moon also serves as a moed – a Hebrew word best translated as “appointed time”. This is the time God Himself set for an appointment with mankind. And what powerful appointments they are! Just think of it – the Exodus from Egypt, the giving of the Torah to Moses on Mount Sinai, and Jesus dying on the cross – all of these seminal events happened exactly on the days appointed by God.

Now the significance of every Rosh Chodesh is mainly to determine the beginning of the month, which falls on the day of the new moon, and this also sets the dates for other important festivals in that month.

Make sure to watch the ICEJ Webinar, “Rosh Hashanah!” from Thursday, 2 September 2021. Join ICEJ VPs David Parsons and Mojmir Kallus as they discuss the Jewish holiday of Rosh Hashanah.

This month Rosh Chodesh is also called Rosh Hashanah, as it marks the beginning of the Biblical year. During this ‘Feast of Trumpets’, the people of Israel sound the shofar calling the nation to attention, as they enter the ’10 Days of Awe.’ This is a time of self evaluation, bringing your thoughts and actions before the Lord, and repenting in preparation for the most Holy day in the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur.