Rosh Hashana- The New Year 5767

http://www.torah.org/learning/yomtov/roshhashanah/



Happy Jewish New Year!

How does the New Year occur, in the middle of the
Jewish calendar? Modern Hebrew calendars, use the
Passover month of Adar, as the first month. The
festivals, and feasts, are brought over, from the
old calendar, where Tishri, is the New Year, originally.
It isn't the first month, of the modern calendar, but, it
still stands for it's seminal purpose, to remind us all, of
Hashem's great mercy, and compassion, for keeping us
in the land of the living, for another year, and for
giving us a new page, in the Book of Life.

The Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar, both old and new
calendars reflect that.

There are a myriad of layers to this topic, but, today,
it is nice to contemplate God's mercy and forgiveness.
He gives the living, another year, another chance,
and forgives our sins, and transgressions, while helping
us to strive to be perfect, and each new year, a new chance
to reflect God's righteousness.

Rosh Hashana precedes a period of fasting, reflection, and
repentance, when we contemplate ourselves, in God's
reflective mirror, and see our imperfections.

It's the time of resolutions, when we ask God, to help us
to do better this new year.

It is followed by celebratory, harvest feasts.
The customary break the fast, is usually delicious
smoked fishes, fruits, and bread, all the delicious
good things that God generously provides.



Autumn, is the backdrop, for the joyous celebrations
of the new year. Rosh Hashana is the chance for a new start,
and then, the Feast of Booths, or Tabernacles follows, also
called "Sukkot" commences. This custom, refers, both to when
the children of Israel, followed Moses, in the wilderness,
where they lived in tents, and also, as a prophecy for future
days, when there is another return to Israel, this time, led
by the staff of The Messiah, himself.

The Prophet Zechariah, writes:

Zechariah 14:16
And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left
of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even
go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts,
and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/Zec/Zec014.html#top
http://www.season-of-our-joy.com/

It refers to the great harvest, the harvest of souls,
when the Book of Life is opened, and the redeemed are
rewarded, by being indelibly inscribed, not just for
another year, but, forever more.

I have wondered, if Jesus was born, at this time of year?
Many believe it was in the Spring, but, Mary and Joseph went
to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus, because,
Bethlehem was where their mutual relative, King David,
was born. Both Joseph and Mary were royal kin to David, so,
they would return there, during this harvest season.
That was the custom, to go down to their tribal lands, to
commemorate the New Year, and to celebrate the Festival
of Booths.

The manger scenes, even looks like the booths
that traditional Judaism uses for the Feast
of Tabernacles, which follows the New Year,
Rosh Hashana.


Lord God,
I pray continually for the fountain of grace,
which will one day, flow freely, in Jerusalem.
My prayer for this New Year, is the same.
I want to be a better person, and I want to
be at peace with Hashem, and love Him, forever.
I pray that God blesses my family, friends, and
all human beings, and all animals.

Help us, Adonai, to make it to 5767.
B'Hashem Y'haShua HaMeschiach.
Amen.