Understanding the Significance of Rosh Hashanah

Oct 7, 2024

Lecture Notes on High Holidays

Introduction to High Holidays

  • High Holidays include Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot.
  • Common assumptions: Rosh Hashanah is the New Year and Judgment Day.
  • The Torah does not explicitly mention Rosh Hashanah as a New Year or a Judgment Day.

Rosh Hashanah in the Torah

  • Not referred to explicitly as "Rosh Hashanah" in the Torah.
  • Called "Yom Teruah" (Day of Blowing the Shofar) and "Zikron Teruah" (Day of Remembrance).
  • Oral traditions and other texts are needed to understand its significance.

The Jewish Calendar and New Years

  • Jewish calendar has four New Years:
    • 1st of Nisan: New Year for kings and holidays.
    • 1st of Elul: New Year for tithes of cattle.
    • 1st of Tishrei: New Year for years, Sabbatical and Jubilee cycles.
    • 15th of Shvat (Tu B'Shvat): New Year for trees.

Significance of Rosh Hashanah

  • Contradiction of New Year in the 7th month (Tishrei) when Nisan is the first month.
  • Explanation from Masechet Rosh Hashanah: distinct purposes for each New Year.
  • Rosh Hashanah (1st of Tishrei) is the New Year for creation and worldly matters.

Creation of the World Debate

  • Rabbi Eliezer: World was created in Tishrei (evidence of fruit harvest and rain cycle).
  • Rabbi Yeshua: World was created in Nisan (spring and procreation).
  • We follow Rabbi Eliezer, associating Tishrei with creation due to its harvest and rain.

Association with Judgment

  • Rosh Hashanah is a Judgment Day for all of humanity, not just Israel.
  • Zohar and Psalms indicate it as a day of Mishpat (judgment).
  • The role of Satan as the accuser in heavenly judgment.

Symbolism and Practices

  • Blowing the Shofar: A wake-up call, symbolizing rebirth and judgment.
  • Shofar's shape and sound likened to a birth canal and childbirth cries.
  • Common practice includes eating apples dipped in honey, symbolizing sweetness and remembrance.
  • Astrological Sign: Libra, representing scales of judgment.

Conclusion

  • Rosh Hashanah's role encompasses remembrance of creation, judgment of humanity, and a time for reflection and renewal.
  • The Shofar serves as a reminder of judgment and the need for repentance and self-improvement.

May we all have a good inscription in the Book of Life.