God's Heart And Love For Israel Will Never Change.
The Feasts (Holidays) And Focuses.
FALL FEASTS:
Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah)
- Repentance, restoration and returning/regathering to God.
Atonement (Yom Kippur)
- Reparation and redemption/forgiveness from sin (fullness of redemption)
Tabernacles (Sukkot)
- Rejoicing and thanksgiving for God's presence, protection, and provision, as well as the establishment of God's Kingdom.
SPRING FEASTS:
Passover (Pesach)
- Redemption
Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot)
- Personal role in pursuing righteousness.
Firstfruits (HaBikkurim)
- Resurrection
Pentecost (Shavuot)
- Revelation and gift of the Word and the Spirit.
Rosh Hashanah, The Feast Of Trumpets
The Jewish New Year
The Jewish New Year
The Jewish New Year
This feast, Rosh Hashanah, is the first of the Fall feasts, the Jewish New Year which occurs in the middle of September on our calendar. It is quite different than the American New Year celebration, which is marked by parties and alcohol. This Jewish feast/holiday is remembered as a holy day, sanctified with prayers. It's a time of sobriety and introspection and "making it right" with God. It commemorates a fresh start, a new beginning, and a clean slate into the new year.
These ten days from Rosh Hashanah to the next holiday, Yom Kippur, are called Ten Days of Awe, days of repentance and returning to God.
The primary spiritual action on this day is the blowing of the shofar, the ram's horn. The sound of the shofar ushers in greater intimacy with God.
God wants to encounter us.
- The sound of the shofar is a call to return to repentance, to turn our wills and our ways to align with God's Word and will.
- The sound of the shofar is a time of new beginnings and blessings.
- The sound of the shofar is the sound of freedom.
- The sound of the shofar is the sound of change, transformation and hope.
- The sound of the shofar is the sound of the Lord's promise of provision.
- The sound of the shofar is a call to return.
"Come, let us return to the Lord...that we may live in His presence." Hosea 6: 1-2
A Sweet New Year
The Jewish New Year
The Jewish New Year
Honey-dipped apples and challah bread are part of this Jewish New Year celebration, which represents a sweet new year.
The stickiness of the honey prophetically symbolizes sticking to God and God sticking to us.
The Hebrew word for bonding is deveikut, which is the same word used in Genesis when a man is cleaving to his wife. The word challah, in Hebrew, represents a fresh cycle of the new year ahead.
Yes, we are all in need of a fresh cycle, new beginning and fresh start. Take note that a cycle in the dictionary consists of something regularly repeated, a complete set. Also, it could be defined as a revolution, a pattern, and a rhythm that is consistent and ongoing.
Shouldn't our walk of faith in Yeshua (Jesus) be consistent and regular?
In our American New Year's celebrations, we speak of making New Year's resolutions. Our Jewish brothers and sisters got it right. Sticking to God and Him sticking to us is the only way to start. However, not just once a year, but each day.
We need to resolve some things so our commitment to the Lord is strong and continual.
"L'Shannah Tovah!" which in Hebrew means "For a good year!"
Repentance & Returning
A Ritual With Significant Meaning
Rosh Hashanah is a time when we should examine ourselves, our lives and turn from any sin or from any actions for which the Holy Spriit will bring conviction. The Ten Days Of Awe and wonder should cause us to revere the Lord and return to Him with all of our hearts, minds and strength.
It is a Jewish tradition and practice that during Rosh Hashanah there is a "casting off" that the prophet Micah spoke of saying, "He will again have compassion on us. He will subdue our iniquities, and You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7: 19
So, literally on the afternoon of the first day of the high holidays, an entire Jewish congregation will walk to a body of water and stand on the banks emptying their pockets as a prophetic picture of "casting off" their sins. Many folks will bring small pieces of stale, old, leavened bread to represent their sins.
We don't want to carry old leaven into the New Year.
The Year 2023/2024 Is A Year Of Open Doors
The Jewish Calendar Is The Year 5784--Year Of Open Door
"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open." Revelation 3: 7
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Armand's First Sedar Meal.
Honoring The Passover With A Sedar Meal.
Armand's First Sedar Meal.
