TESTIFY Tuesdays #Rastafari Rosh HaShanah| 2019-10-01 | #BlackJews @LOJSociety

Rosh Hashanah is also known as Yom Teru'ah (???? ?????????), the "Feast of Trumpets" (the name was changed during Talmudic times, see below). Tradition stated that the universe was created by the LORD on Rosh Hashanah (or on Elul 25, so that Rosh Hashanah marks the sixth day of creation, when the LORD created Adam and Eve).

Note that Rosh Hashanah is also called "Yom ha-Zikaron," the "Day of Remembrance" (Lev. 23:24) in reference to the commandment to remember to blow the shofar (teruah) to coronate God as King of the Universe. The blast of the shofar is meant to jolt us from our sleep. We are to remember who we really are by remembering that the LORD is our King.

The Liturgy and the Theme of Rosh Hashanah

According to Jewish tradition, on Rosh Hashanah the destiny of the righteous, the tzaddikim, are written in the Book of Life (????? ?????????), and the destiny of the wicked, the resha'im, are written in the Book of Death (????? ????????). However, most people will not be inscribed in either book, but have ten days -- until Yom Kippur -- to repent before sealing their fate. Hence the term Aseret Yemei Teshuvah (???????? ????? ??????????) - the Ten Days of Repentance. On Yom Kippur, then, everyone's name will be sealed in one of the books.

Consequently, many synagogue prayers are invocations to be made worthy to be written in the Book of Life. Sermons about the need for repentance and the themes of God's judgment are often delivered during this time. The Kingship of God is stressed throughout the services as well.

Rosh Hashanah

Day 2

Torah:  Genesis 22:1-22;24; Numbers 29:1-6

Prophets: Jeremiah 31:1-19

New Testament: 1 Thess 4:13-18; 1 Cor 15:51-54