In the Bible, God commands us to come together and celebrate on certain days during the year. These biblical feast days are broken down into two seasons--the four spring feast days and the three fall feast days. (See Leviticus 23 for a complete overview of the feasts.) Yom Teruah marks the beginning of the fall feasts. The name Yom Teruah means day of shouting or making a noise. This day has later become known as Rosh Hashanah, which means head of the year. It is the beginning of the civil year on the Jewish calendar. According to Jewish tradition, Yom Teruah is the anniversary commemorating the creation of Adam and Chavah (Eve). It is a day to reflect on our special relationship with the God of the universe and recommit to walking in our created purpose--that is, sanctifying the name of God in this world and bringing Him glory.
Yom Teruah, along with the rest of God's feasts, is called an appointed time (moed). It is a special time that God told us to remember and celebrate every year. With that said, the following is a list of ways in which you can make this amazing holy day part of your life.
1. Observe the Season of Teshuvah
On the Hebrew calendar, the month before the fall feast days is called Elul. In Judaism, this month is traditionally associated with the theme of repentance, or in Hebrew teshuvah. It is a time of introspection, reconciliation and preparation. The season of teshuvah begins at the beginning of Elul and goes all the way to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). The word teshuvah means to "return". The goal of the entire season is simply to "return" to God. In other words, we are to restore unhindered fellowship with Him.
2. Blow the Shofar
In Leviticus 23:24, we are told that Yom Teruah is a memorial proclaimed with a blast of trumpets. The Hebrew word for trumpet is shofar, which is an ancient musical instrument made of a ram's horn. Yom Teruah celebrations should consist of making lots and lots of noise on the shofar! As believers in Messiah, the shofar blast is done in anticipation for the second coming of Messiah who will return at the sound of the trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
3. Don't do any ordinary work
Yom Teruah is called a day of rest. It is a high Sabbath. Therefore, you must not do any work on this day. This is an easy mitzvah (good deed) to do on Yom Teruah. Simply enjoy God's gift of rest and remember the ultimate rest we have in our Savior. "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28-29).
4. Have a holy convocation
Yom Teruah is all about community. Therefore, if at all possible, make every effort to be part of a congregation on this day. If there is no congregation in your local area, then get together with a small group of family, friends or perhaps a Bible study group. Together, enjoy the many fun traditions attached to this feast and make this a day of praise and worship to our King.
5. Have a tashlich ceremony
Tashlich is a beautiful tradition. On the afternoon of Yom Teruah, God's people gather together to throw breadcrumbs or small rocks into a river (or any flowing body of water). This tradition symbolizes God's forgiveness through Jesus and how He casts our sins into the depths of the sea as mentioned in the book of Micah.
"Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever because He delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us; He will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." (Micah 7:18-19)
Since Rosh Hashanah is regarded as the head of the year, this is also a great time to make "New Year's Resolutions". The month of Elul leading up to the fall feasts is supposed to be a time of introspection. In fact, in Aramaic, the word Elul means "to search". During this season of teshuvah, we are to ask God to search us and expose anything in our lives that offends Him. Therefore, your breadcrumbs or small rocks can represent particular sins, addictions or even certain character deficiencies (such as being easily frustrated or have a tendency to be prideful). This tradition symbolizes the act of throwing things away and allowing God to work in your life to change you.
6. Read the story of binding of Isaac
It is customary on Yom Teruah to read and reflect on the binding of Isaac (see Genesis 22). God commanded Abraham, "Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains which I shall tell you" (Genesis 22:2). This is the first mention of the word "love" in the Bible, and it is connected to the picture of a father offering his only son.
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whomever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
The blowing of the shofar on Yom Teruah reminds us of how God provided a ram in Isaac's place as an offering to God (Genesis 22:13). As believers in Jesus, it also reminds us of how the Messiah died in our place to free us from the death we deserve due to our sins. There are many Messianic pictures found throughout this incredible story. Here are some of the interesting parallels which exist between Jesus and Isaac.
1). Both had a miraculous birth (Genesis 21:1-7, Matthew 1:18-25).
2). Both were the only son of their fathers (Genesis 22:2, John 3:16).
3). Both carried the wood for their own sacrifices (Genesis 22:6, John 19:17).
4). Both were delivered from death on the third day (Genesis 22:4, 1 Corinthians 15:4).
Last, but not least, no feast day is complete without having a feast! On Yom Teruah, it is customary to eat apple slices dipped in honey, symbolizing our hopes for a "sweet" new year. The eating of a honey-dipped apple is done in anticipation for when Jesus returns at the sound of a trumpet and brings His people into a "land flowing with milk and honey".
Shanah Tovah (Have a good year), friends! May your Yom Teruah celebration be blessed!
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