The first of Tishri calls us to begin anew-starting a new year by acknowledging G-d as King, Judge and Redeemer. The sun sets and the New Year enters we turn our thoughts to G-d, who in His mercy is willing to receive the repentant sinner-forgiving sins and offering an opportunity to begin the New Year with a clean slate (1 John 1:9). We dress in white on this day and on Yom Kippur to remind us of the need for humility and purity in our thoughts (Isaiah 1:18).

Rosh HaShanah is frequently called Yom HaZikaron (Day of Remembrance): We remember G-d’s faithfulness to His covenant and His promises. The name Yom HaDin (Day of Judgment) reminds us of G-d’s righteousness and judgment.

The shofar sounds! The Days of Awe are approaching and we must take stock of our lives. The orthodox rabbis acknowledge that the shofar symbolizes G-d’s kingship and the coming of the Messianic Age (Olam Haba). They teach that one day the shofar will sound and the Messiah will come. When He comes the dead shall rise. Rav Shaul (Rabbi Paul) also taught this in 1 Thessalonians 4:16-18. This is a holiday that is to be a joy and a delight as we await our returning Messiah!

Any discussion of a Jewish holiday would be incomplete without mention of food. Even in the festival menu there are pictures of G-d’s principles. The fall fruits of the harvest are included in this celebration. The pomegranate is a special choice-its many seeds are to symbolize the hope that the believer will perform many worthy deeds (Bear much fruit-See John 15:16). No sour foods grace the holiday table. Fresh apples and challah are dipped in honey to signify a desire for a sweet new year. The challah is shaped in a circle to signify the cyclical and eternal nature of life.

A honey cake, lekach, is baked for the festival. Lekach comes from the Hebrew word meaning portion. The cake is served with the hope and prayer that those who observe Jewish traditions will be blessed with a “goodly portion”.