Rosh Hashannah
It Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish New Year).
The apples are rosy, The honey is clear. Apples and honey, a holiday treat: We taste them together To make the year sweet.
by Joan B. Stuchner
“And the L-rd said to Moses, “Say to the people of Israel, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blasts of trumpets a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work; and you present an offering by fire to the L-rd.” Lev.23.23-25
When we celebrate Rosh Hashanah we incorporate special symbols and prayers. This section will explain the significance of these things:
The Shofar:
The shofar is a curved ram’s horn. Torah states only a horn so why do rabbis insist on the shofar? Because the shofar is curved, it reminds us that during this time of repentance we should bend our lives to the will of our Father. It is a horn of a ram because it represents the sacrifice Abraham was given by HaShem rather than sacrificing His only son, Isaac. And lastly, it is not a cow’s horn because that would remind us of the golden calf in the desert of sin.
Why is it blown?
During Temple times, it was blown at the beginning of each month in short blasts, but on Rosh Hashanah it is blown with a long alarm blast, like they blew to warn the people of approaching danger or to rally the nation for war:
“The Word of the L-rd came to me: ‘Son of Man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman; and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the shofar and warns the people; then if any one who hears the sound of the shofar does not take the warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head.” Ez.33.1-4
During the month of Elul, we blow the shofar briefly each morning to remind ourselves and our children that the Days of Awe are approaching. On Rosh Hashanah this changes:
“Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a shofar; declare to my people their transgression, to the house of Jacob their sins.” Is.58.1
If you go to Synagogue you’ll here the shofar sounded several times after the Torah reading. Before they blow the shofar they usually say three sentences. Each sentence describes, in Hebrew, how the Shofar is to be sounded. Two of these blasts are mentioned in the Torah in Num.10.5-8. The tikia is a long drawn out blast which is a sounding of triumph. The terua are short staccato blasts which is to sound like weeping. The shevarims were added in the Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 33b) and placed between the tekia and the turua and the shofar would sound three undulated notes (a gentle rising then falling sound). These also sound like weeping.
tekia, shevarim-tura, tekia
tekia, shevarim, tekia
tekia, turua, tekia
Some congregations add more blasts to equal one hundred blasts in all. These represent the 100 blessings rabbi Meir said Jews should recite each day, Since hearing the shofar is a blessing, many wish to hear it 100 times. Another view states that a mother lost her son, Sis’era, at a cruel battle against Deborah (Judges 4, 5.28-30) and she cried 101 times in anguish. The blasts of the shofar nullifies all but one of her cries over the death of her unrighteous son.
“And in that day a great shofar shall be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out of the land of Egypt will come and worship on the Holy Mountain at Jerusalem” Is.27.13
“Blow the SHOFAR in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let all inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the L-rd is coming, it is near,” Joel 2.1.
In the Christian faith the trumpet (shofar) is blown when Yeshua returns in judgment over his people and comes with an army to save Israel. Notice the similarities between the two Faiths. Many Christians reject the idea of judgment on those that are “saved” and think judgment is for only Jews and Gentiles, but the Word speaks differently:
“When the Son of Man comes in glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate them one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”
Nowhere does it distinguish who are the sheep and who are the goats, except in the actions of each. As they do to others they do to Him. Notice Yeshua didn’t talk about how strong their faith was. Why? Paul says this is the most important part- action without faith gets you nothing. Why then does Yeshua judge our actions? Anyone unclear here should read the book of James.
“But some one will say, ‘You have faith and I have works.’ Show me your faith apart from your works, and I by my works will show you my faith. You believe that G-d is one; you do well. Even the demons believe- and shudder. Do you want to be shown, you shallow man, that faith apart from works is barren?”
Peter isn’t saying that Paul is wrong. Paul is absolutely correct that we need faith to be saved. But works are the measuring stick on which faith can be proven. It’s like the thermometer, warmth, or flushed face that tells us the child is sick; or in cooking when the consistency of the sugars that says it’s ready to pour. If you don’t see any outward signs of illness then is there any reason to suspect one? The same is true of faith. Without works there is no visible signs of G-d’s presence indwelling. Yeshua said, “If you love me you will do my commandments”. If your life is indistinguishable from your neighbor’s who has no faith, then what good is your testimony of faith. It’s hypocrisy and Yeshua makes it very clear what will happen to the hypocrites on judgment day. Therefore, blow the shofar and remind all that one day the Book of Life will close forever.
White robes and clothes:
People often wear white to the Rosh Hashanah service or wear a white robe called a kittle. This reflects back to the Temple service where the high priest’s garment was white. It also reflects back to the words of Isaiah (Is.1.18) and is seen on the righteous in Rev.7.9. This is also why white flowers and table clothes are often seen during the High Holy Days as well.
Leshana tova tikatevu:
People also greet each other with the words, “May you be inscribed for a good year” in reference to the Book of Life. These words also appear on greeting cards as well.
Challot:
We also form the challah differently during Rosh Hashanah. We make a round loaf to symbolize the cyclical and eternal nature of life. It’s also a sign of hope that the coming year be unbroken by tragedy. People also shape them into birds (Is.31.5), where the birds represent a man’s prayers flying to heaven.
A ladder design is also popular to represent that we may go up the ladder to success or descend to failure. We also have heard it represents Jacob’s ladder and that we are seeking to ascend to the L-rd. Some also combine all three symbols into one loaf.
Makhzor:
Most people are familiar with the seder that we have for Passover. Well, the Makhzor is a special set of prayers for other important holidays. Just like you can purchase your own seder plate and settings, you can also purchase a home Makhzor. We haven’t found a Messianic Makhzor yet, but if we do, we’ll let you know. Most synagogues also provide them for the evening and morning services.
New Fruit:
It is also traditional to place a new fruit on the table. This is because Rosh Hashanah also represents the feast of the fall fruits. Most choose a fruit they have not tasted throughout the entire year. The most popular fruits are grapes, pomegranates and apples. A special prayer is said (called Shehecheyanu) which thanks G-d that we were able to reach this day in good health and happiness. This fruit is actually served the second night and the reasons are explained below:
The Number of Days:
Rosh Hashanah is a two day festival. We celebrate on the 7th and 8th of September this year, see the Yom Tov Calendar for further details on the holiday's dates. Like all Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown. But why two days and not one? It took the testimony of two witnesses to confirm the day, then messengers would be sent out into the regions to notify those in disporum. Sometimes it would take a day to get there so they would find out a day late it was Rosh Hashanah. Because of this, Rosh Hashanah was made into a two day holiday.
But some confusion developed over time as to whether Rosh Hashanah was a two day holiday or was it a one day holiday that lasts two days? the Talmud says that Rosh Hashanah is one long day (yoma arichta), therefore we say the blessings (the Kiddush) the first night but reserve the Shehecheyanu for the second night.
Omens: Omens remind us of things, such as the rainbow which reminds us of HaShem’s covenant with Noah. At Rosh HaShannah we eat omens to remind us of what we should do or know in the coming New year. Here are the main Omens used in the evening service during the two days:
Honey and apples: The custom of using honey in the Rosh Hashanah service is over 1,500 years old. Other times of the year we sprinkle salt on our bread, but during Rosh Hashanah we dip the bread in honey. We also dip apples in honey. Why? Because honey expresses the hope for a sweet year, and it also represents the sweetness of G-d’s commandments.This is an Eastern Jewish tradition. The word for honey cake is lekach which means portion. The honey is served with the hope for a goodly and G-dly portion in the coming year.
Another reason is explained by Rabbi Oincha Winston in “A Slice of Time with Honey on the Side” (Project Genesis, http://www.torah.orh/, (c) 1997):
“In the Zohar, the Jewish people are compared to “apples” that hang upon the tree” [HaShem is the tree]
“”Honey” itself alludes to Torah as the verse says:
“Sweetness drops from your lips, O’ bride: honey and milk are under your tongue . . .” (Shir HaShirim 4:11)
“Sweetness drops from your lips, O bride . . “ in discoursing upon Torah (Rashi) “ . . . honey and milk are under your tongue . . .” This refers to the secrets of Torah(Divrei Yeduh.
According to the Pri Tzaddik(Rosh HaShannah), dipping the apples in the honey alludes to our desire to renew our understanding of Torah, but on an even deeper level. The apple, which is sweet to begin with, is immersed in the honey, which is sweeter yet, to symbolize how a Jew who immerses himself in Torah can make an already “sweet” life even sweeter. And, as the Divrei Yehuda points out, the deeper the “immersion”, the deeper the understanding, and the deeper the serenity of life.”
Still one more view goes back to Gen.27. In this passage Jacob disguises himself as Esau. When Jacob came near Yitchok(Isaac, Isaac smelled a sweet smell, Gen.27.27. The sages say Jacob smelled an apple orchard and that this smell was the same smell as that of the Garden of Eden, there he blessed Jacob with wealth and power. So the apples are a reminder of this blessing which we hope for in the time to come.
Gourds or k’ra: The word k’ra sounds like lik’ro’a(tears) and lik’ro(read or proclaim. We eat them to remind us to seek HaShem’s blessing on our efforts so that on judgment our merits will be read/proclaimed before Him and our sentences for our failing be ripped up.
Fenugreek/carrots or rubia/meiren: The word(s) sound like “yirbu” the word for “increase” therefore we remember to ask HaShem that our merits increase.
Leeks/cabbage or karsi:This word sounds like the word kares, to “cut off” or “destroy”. They represent the hope that our enemies be destroyed.
Beets or silka: This word sounds like siluk which means “to remove”. Here we hope our adversaries are removed.
Dates or tamri: This word sounds like the ending on sheyitamu which means “consumed”. So not only do we want our enemies, destroyed and removed, we also pray that they are consumed.
Fish heads(or sheep):
This is based on the primitive belief that what is eaten at the beginning of the year will effect the remaining year. On Rosh Hashanah, the head is served because of our hope to greatness and leadership. Although this is traditional, we personally don’t cook up a fish head because we don’t like food looking back at us.
Pomegranate:
This is pretty much obvious from the blessing as well as the seeds. Just as there are many seeds in the pomegranate so to may our merits emulate them.
And just as Omens can remind us of good things, the omission of one can signify something bad. One we usually omit this day is nuts because the Hebrew word for nut, egoz has the same numerical value (17) as the word sin, chet, if it’s spelled without an aleph.
These are all the omens we are aware of but there maybe some more or even more layers of meanings for the ones we name. You don’t need to use all of them or even any of them. We tend to feel that they are best used when we not only say the blessing but also explain why they are chosen for the blessing. The above section can help you do this if you want to.
Tzimmies:
Tzimmies are a combination of honey, and carrots. One reason for the carrots is because the Yiddish word for carrot is meiren which means to multiply, that is for G-d to multiply your blessings in the new year. Some may recognize these from Chanukah but during Rosh Hashannah other Omens are often used in conjunction with the carrots such as beets and dates. We cut the carrots(and beets) into circles and these are said to resemble the coins of prosperity. All three blessings are usually said over this dish if all three omens are used.
Copyright (c)1998, 1999, 2002
For Tzimmies recipe as well as other holiday recipesfor Rosh HaShanah, please see Holiday Recipes. Other sites for Rosh HaShanah:
