Rosh Hashanah

The biblical name of this festival is Yom Teruah (“Day of Trumpets”). It marks the beginning of the High Holy Days described in Leviticus 23:23–25. The celebration takes place in early autumn, on the first day of the seventh biblical month. In Jewish tradition, Rosh Hashanah commemorates the creation of Adam and Eve and is regarded as the birthday of the world.

The Festival of Trumpets

Leviticus 23:23–25

The Lord said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites: ‘On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of sabbath rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts. Do no regular work, but present a food offering to the Lord.’”

Families celebrate Rosh Hashanah with meaningful traditions that express hope for God’s blessing in the coming year. They often serve round challah bread with raisins and apples dipped in honey to symbolize a sweet year ahead. The festival begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 and continues through Tishrei 2, the first two days of the Jewish New Year. During the celebration, families light candles, share festive meals, attend prayer services, and listen to the sounding of the shofar (ram’s horn) on both mornings. They also refrain from regular work in keeping with the biblical command.

Sacrifices for Yom Teruah

Numbers 29:1–6 outlines the offerings that Israel presented on Yom Teruah. On this sacred day, the people gathered for worship, rested from their regular work, and sounded the trumpets. They brought a burnt offering consisting of one young bull, one ram, and seven one-year-old male lambs without defect. Each animal had a specific grain offering mixed with olive oil. The people also presented one male goat as a sin offering to make atonement. These sacrifices came in addition to the regular daily and monthly offerings. Together, they formed food offerings that honored the Lord as a pleasing aroma.