Happy New Year..

Last night at sundown begin the Jewish High Holidays - beginning with Rosh Hashana - New Year. Yom Kippur (the other High Holiday) is ten days from now. This time period is now called the Days of Awe.

I am no expert on the Jewish holidays or traditions. I have been blessed to marry into a Jewish family and Saved by a Jewish Carpenter Jesus. My in-laws gave me the book The Jewish Book of Why. This book along with the Old Testament have given me some great insight on why these days are celebrated and how they have been and are celebrated. These days, as our all Jewish holidays, are rich in history and tradition.

There are many reasons I love taking part but one main reason....Jesus did too. The Torah is the Bible Jesus read. As a Christian I cannot deny that my Savior is in fact a Jew. He too celebrated Passover, Rosh Hashana,Yom Kippur and Purim. That is fascinating to me!

Andy's family observes these days as all good Jews do and I have a deep respect for their beliefs. It is time for his family (our family) to be reminded of their culture, believes and history. And is always fun to get together for a meal with the Held family :)

I believe, Rosh Hashana is a day all believers should observe. It is a day of reflection and renewal. This is the seventh month of the year - Tishri and is celebrated for one long day*. Rosh Hashana is about returning to God who is in His mercy is willing to receive penitent, forgive sins and offers an opportunity to being the New Year fresh. Christians believe that Jesus died for our sins once and for all - I believe that. But, the Bible still calls us to repent of our sins. Paul says that before we take communion we should look within ourselves and see if there is anything separating us.(1 Cor 11:28 "But a man must examine himself.." Rosh Hashana is much like that - take a look in the mirror and come before God and ask for His Grace.

The book of Why says these two holidays " ...holy convocations..They emphasize spirituality morality and holiness, and unlike other holidays are not tied to national historic events. They celebrate God's role as King of the universe and Judge of all man's actions. ....holidays which are devoted to self-examination and are not considered joyous..."

During these Days of Awe the gates of repentance are open along with the Book of Life, Book of Death and The Book of Those in Between. The believe is that God makes His decision on life and death during these days. Some Jews will visit grave sites to ask their relatives to plead their case for them.

The gates are closed after Yom Kippur - the Holiest of Days (after the Sabbath - the Sabbath remains the holiest of all days). This is day of prayer and fast. There are five services during the 24 hour period. The shofar** is blown and the congregation is now ready to face a New Year.The fasting requirement comes from the book of Numbers 29:7 - "And on the tenth day of his seventh month ye shall have a holy convocation and ye shall afflict your souls..."

The common phrase used during Rosh Hashana is "le-shana tova tikatevu" meaning "may you be inscribed in the Book of Life for good"

Certain foods are also prepared: challot (which is often in the form of a bird "As hovering birds, so will the Lord protect Jerusalem" Isaiah 31:5), new fruit (apples, grapes and pomegranates and some Jews will not eat of these fruits until this day), lekach (honey cake) which means portion (served with hope and prayer that those who observe will be given a goodly portion "For I give you a doctrine (lekach), do not forsake my teaching" Prov 4:2), fish head (as to be the head/leader in the new year), beet roots and carrot tzimmes.

Andy and I will be in Long Island tonight taking part in this sacred holiday. I am thankful to be reminded that God is King and to look within myself to see if there is any sin that I too need to confess.

Good books....

I wonder how Jesus celebrated.....how will you?



*In the old testament/Torah it is only celebrated one day but through the years it was two days because of the uncertainty of when the New Moon was. Throughout the years with technology to pinpoint to the second when the New Moon will appear most Jews celebrate one long day. 
**The Shofar is always a Rams horn to symbolize the ram who was the replacement sacrifice for Isaac - the one stuck in the thorny fence when Abraham raised the knife to sacrifice his own son. A cow horn is never used as that represents the golden calf the children of Israel made when Moses received the 10 commandments the first time.