Rosh Hashanah is a time that commemorates the beginning

of the New Year by the blowing of “Shofars” (Trumpets) and

celebrates the day of Sabbath rest. It is literally translated as

“Head of the Year” but is often referred to as “The Feast of

Trumpets”. In scripture it is referred to as “Zikhron Teruah –

Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets (Lev. 23:24) and Yom

Teruah – Day of Blowing of Trumpets (Num. 29:1).

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first day of Tishri, which is

recorded as the first month on the civil calendar and the

seventh month of the religious calendar. This translates to

mid-September / early October. The beginning of each

Hebrew month was originally marked by the appearance of

the new moon. Thus Rosh Hashanah begins at the sighting

of the new moon marking the beginning of the month of

Tishri. It was originally a one-day celebration but has

become a two-day celebration.

In scripture, Israel was commanded to observe the feast day

of Rosh Hashanah by blowing trumpets and keeping the

Sabbath day of rest. The sacrifices associated with this

feast were that of a young bull, a ram, and seven lambs. This

was in addition to the daily and monthly sacrifices that were

required.

Rosh Hashanah is not only a time of celebration but also a

time of reflection, repentance, and sanctification. It is a time

when GOD’s Kingship is in focus as well as the covenants

that HE made with HIS people. It begins a 10-day time period

known as the “Days of Awe” in which forgiveness and

cleansing from sin is sought from GOD the King in

preparation for the next feast of Yom Kippur – The Day of

Atonement.

Rosh Hashanah has two distinct types of food associated

with the festival. The first is apples dipped in honey

symbolizing the “desire for sweetness in the new year”. The

second is oval loaves of the Jewish bread called challah.

The oval shape of the bread symbolizes the crown of GOD

signifying HIS kingdom rule.

Yom Kippur is viewed as one of the most reverent, solemn,

and holiest of days. It is a time that GOD ordained for the

sanctification of HIS people. Yom Kippur is literally

translated “The Day of  Atonement”. The word “Atonement”

can be understood with the term “covering” which coincides

with the sacrificial offerings associated with this day. The

sacrifices were an “atonement” to GOD for sin. The spiritual

aspect of this holy day is found in the manifestation of

YESHUA the Messiah as the final and perfect sacrifice for

sin thus uniting us with GOD once again.

Yom Kippur occurs on the tenth day of Tishri, which is

recorded as the first month on the civil calendar and the

seventh month of the religious calendar. This translates to

mid-September / early October. Yom Kippur occurs in-

between two of the other notable holy days namely Rosh

Hashanah (The Feast of Trumpets – Tishri 1) and Sukkot

(The Feast of Tabernacles – Tishri 15).

This was the only day in the year that the High Priest was to

enter into the “Holy of Holies” within the Temple, where GOD

HIMSELF was present. It was a solemn day of fasting and

repentance of one’s sins. In scripture, Israel was given very

specific instructions in the observance of Yom Kippur (Lev.

16; Lev. 23:26-32; Num. 29:7-11). In order to keep a state of

mind focusing on repentance, no work was to be done on

this day. The entire day was to be devoted to implementing

(High Priest & priesthood) and observing (the people) the

necessary sacrificial observances commanded by the LORD

for this day.

Yom Kippur is a time to examine ourselves, seek repentance,

and make restitution. Here we see a beautiful picture of the

role of YESHUA, the Messiah, and HIS ultimate sacrifice for

us. HE became the perfect sacrifice. HE became the goat

that was sacrificed once and for all in order to bring us back

into right standing with the Most High, and we, HIS people

were set free. Spiritually we must continue to seek GOD’s

face, growing in obedience to HIS will and fulfilling all that

HE created us to be.

Sukkot is known two ways in scripture, the “Feast of

Tabernacles or  Sukkot and Feast of the Ingathering.” The

word “Tabernacle” here refers to a temporary dwelling place.

This feast is an annual reminder of GOD’s miraculous

provision during the time Israel wandered in the wilderness

for 40 years. This season is the most joyous and festive of

the all feasts, because it celebrates GOD’s “goodness and

provision” and wonderfully portrays the coming of the

Messiah.

Sukkot occurs on the fifteenth day of Tishri, which is the 1st

month on the civil calendar and the 7th month of the

religious calendar. This translates to late September / mid-

October (5 days after Yom Kippur – Day of Atonement).

Sukkot Is a 7-day celebration with the 1st day and the 8th

day observed as Sabbaths in themselves, thus no work is to

be done on these 2 days.

In Scripture, Israel is called to make a celebratory pilgrimage

to Jerusalem each year for Sukkot. They would construct

Sukkah’s (leafy temporary dwellings or booths) located

within a Sabbath’s journey of the Temple. At sundown, the

Shofar’s blast from the temple would announce the arrival of

the season. It was during Sukkot that Solomon dedicated

the Temple and the Skekinah glory of GOD descended to

light the fire on the altar and filled the Holy of Holies with HIS

divine presense. (2 Chron. 5:3, 7:1-10; I Kings 8)

Sukkot is a time of celebrating GOD’s goodness and

provision. It is also a time to invite the True Light of the

Worldinto our lives to expose any darkness and receive HIS

salvation, HIS light, as Isaiah prophesied, “I will also make

you  a light to the nations, so my salvation can spread to the

ends of the earth.” (Is.49:6).