The shofar’s call amid Israel's first Rosh Hashanah at war

As Rosh Hashanah approaches, many wonder what this holiday truly represents. In Israeli tradition and under rabbinic influence, Rosh Hashanah, literally meaning “Head of the Year,” marks the Jewish New Year. It serves as a cornerstone of the Jewish faith and traditions, signifying the start of the High Holy Days in the fall, marking the fifth annual Feast of the Lord.

Rosh Hashanah is regarded as a time of deep introspection, repentance and prayer. Although it is one of four distinct new years recognized in Jewish tradition, it is generally considered the most significant as it ushers in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

According to rabbinic tradition, Rosh Hashanah is seen as the “Day of Judgment,” a time when God evaluates one's actions and character over the past year and determines his fate for the coming one. This judgment, however, is not yet final, as the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur offers time for repentance and atonement.

Interestingly, the only mention of the words “Rosh Hashanah” (רוש השנה) in the Bible is found in Ezekiel 40:1, written in the 6th century BCE: 

"In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year (בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה), on the tenth day of the month, in the fourteenth year after the city was struck down, on that very day, the hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me to the city." 

However, this verse in context does not actually refer to Rosh Hashanah as we know it today, but to Passover (Pesach), the New Year established by God in Exodus 12. This New Year reminds us of His salvation from slavery in Egypt and the prophesied redemption of the Lamb of God, Yeshua (Jesus). It is fascinating to see how man’s traditions have since set the Israeli New Year in the fall, during the harvest season – a time similar to the American holiday of Thanksgiving – when one can reflect on the past year’s “fruit” and God’s provision for the cold winter ahead. In contrast, God’s New Year, established in the spring, points us not only to material provision but to the greater salvation He promises.

The origins of Rosh Hashanah, as we know it today, are believed to have developed during the Babylonian exile in 586 BCE and could be linked to the Babylonian New Year festival called “Akitu.” Before Rosh Hashanah took its current name, it was referred to as “Yom Teruah,” or the "Day of Blowing," with origins that can be traced back to Leviticus 23:24-25 and Numbers 29:1-6.

This day is somewhat enigmatic because the Bible does not give a detailed reason for it, only describing it as a day of rest marked by the blowing of the shofar. The sound of the shofar, heard throughout Israel on Rosh Hashanah, is laden with symbolism, acting as a call to awaken spiritually and to acknowledge God’s power and sovereignty.

Historically, the shofar was used in military contexts, to sound the alarm for war, as seen in the battle of Jericho (Joshua 6:4-5), or to signal moments of divine judgment or deliverance, such as Gideon’s army (Judges 7:18-22). For believers in Yeshua, Yom Teruah (the Feast of Trumpets) foreshadows the “final trumpet call,” mentioned in 1 Corinthians 15:52, which will announce the resurrection of the dead at Christ’s return. The shofar’s annual blowing acts as a reminder to “pay attention” and renew our faith, emphasizing God’s sovereignty and mercy. Just as Yom Teruah in Jewish practice is a time of reflection and preparation for Yom Kippur, for believers, it is a season to evaluate our walk with the Lord and grow in anticipation of Yeshua’s return.

The month leading up to Rosh Hashanah, known as Elul, is traditionally dedicated to introspection, during which individuals reflect on their actions and seek to make amends with others. The themes of repentance, renewal, and God’s judgment are interwoven into the fabric of Rosh Hashanah observance.

In Jewish tradition, individuals petition God to be inscribed in the “Book of Life” for another year. This symbolic book represents divine judgment and mercy, with one’s name recorded based on their deeds. The concept of the Book of Life is mirrored in the New Testament, particularly in Revelation 20:15 and 21:27, where names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life signify eternal life for those redeemed by Christ.

As October 2nd, 2024, draws near – the first night of Rosh Hashanah – Israel faces a sobering reality: This will be the first time in the nation’s history that it is at war on multiple fronts during this sacred holiday. Some view this as a troubling fulfillment of the “birth pangs” mentioned by Yeshua in Matthew 24:6-8, where “wars and rumors of wars” are a sign of the times.

Yet, in the midst of uncertainty and conflict, our hope remains anchored in God’s promises. Though these are challenging times, the Bible assures us that God will continue to watch over Israel and His people, guiding them through every trial and turning even the darkest seasons into part of His redemptive plan.

As believers, this season serves as a poignant reminder of the urgency of the Gospel message and the need to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. We can rest assured that just as God has been faithful to His people throughout history, He will continue to be faithful in the present and future.