Rosh HaShanah means "The Head of the Year". It is the New Year on the Jewish religious calendar. On this joyful day, we make and send greetings that say, L'shana Tova (meaning "have a good year").
Leviticus 23:23 says, "The L-RD said to Moses, 'Say to the Israelites: `On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the L-RD by fire.' "
Jews assemble for special services with the blast of the shofar, a trumpet-like instrument made from a ram's horn. Eating sweets on Rosh Hashanah reminds us to look for G-d's sweetness in the coming year. Eating apples dipped in honey reminds us to thank G-d for His loving provision in the past year, as we look for His sweetness in the year to come.
Many people call Rosh HaShanah "the Day of Judgment". It is traditionally believed that G-d opens the Book of Life on this day, and begins the judgments for the coming year. The ten day period of judgment, from Rosh HaShanah to Yom Kippur is called "The Days of Awe". It is a time to search our hearts, and get right with G-d.
Messianics depend on the blood atonement of Jesus to keep them safe on the Day of Judgment.
Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life...For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to judge because He is the Son of Man." (John 5:24 & 26, NIV)
If you live near a moving body of water, you can do the Tashlich ("toss away"). Put a few breadcrumbs in your pockets and go to the water. Reach deep into your pockets and get out all of the crumbs, and toss them into the water, letting them be washed away. This is a visual of how G-d removes our sins from deep within us, and hurls them into the depths of the sea!
"Who is a G-d like You, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; You will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:18-19, NIV
L'shana Tova!
("Have a Good Year")
