Feasts, Fast Days, and Jesus Saturdays
Rosh Hashanah Revealed: Trumpets, Tashlich, and True Renewal
This September, Jewish communities around the world will gather for Rosh Hashanah; the biblical Feast of Trumpets and the beginning of the Jewish new year. Even if you’ve never celebrated it, understanding Rosh Hashanah opens up a powerful window into the themes of renewal, repentance, and hope at the heart of God’s story.
What Is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah (“Head of the Year”) marks the start of the Jewish calendar and the Ten Days of Awe, leading up to Yom Kippur. In Scripture, it’s called the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah). God commands His people to gather, rest, and “sound the shofar” (Leviticus 23:23–25; Numbers 29:1). No resolutions or parties here—this new year begins with a blast and a call to wake up spiritually.
How Is Rosh Hashanah Observed?
The shofar (ram’s horn) is the central image, blown up to 100 times in synagogue to awaken hearts and souls. Apples dipped in honey are eaten for a sweet year. It’s a time for reflection, making amends, and returning to God. Prayers focus on God as King, Judge, and Redeemer. It’s solemn but full of hope.
The Practice of Tashlich:
One of the most moving traditions of Rosh Hashanah (and one of Diane’s favorites) is Tashlich (“casting off”). On the afternoon of the first day, many Jewish people gather by rivers, lakes, or streams to symbolically cast their sins into the water, often tossing in pieces of bread or small stones.
This act is inspired by Micah 7:19—“You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Tashlich is a way of saying, “I’m letting go of what’s weighed me down. God’s mercy is bigger than my past.” It’s a chance to start the year with a clean slate.
Where Is Jesus in Rosh Hashanah?
The Shofar’s Call:
Paul writes that the return of Jesus will be announced with the “last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:52; 1 Thessalonians 4:16). The shofar blast on Rosh Hashanah rehearses that final wake-up call when the dead will rise and the world will be made new.
The King Is Coming:
Rosh Hashanah celebrates the Kingship of God. Jesus is revealed in Revelation as the King who returns, the true Judge who brings mercy to all who trust Him.
A Call to Repentance:
The days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are about returning to God and seeking forgiveness. Jesus’ first message was the same: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 4:17). In Him, repentance brings true renewal.
Jesus and Tashlich:
Tashlich paints a picture: casting away sin. But in Jesus, it’s more than a symbol. He doesn’t just toss your sins aside, He removes them “as far as the east is from the west” (Psalm 103:12). The cross is the ultimate Tashlich, forever washing you clean.
Word Girl Reflection:
Where do you need a “spiritual reset”? Rosh Hashanah and Tashlich remind us that God always invites us to turn, let go, and receive a fresh start. The shofar’s sound and the water’s ripple are God’s wake-up call: remember who you are, and Whose you are.
Go Deeper:
Leviticus 23:23–25—God’s command for the Feast of Trumpets
Micah 7:18–19—Casting sins into the sea
Psalm 103:8–14—God’s mercy and forgiveness
1 Corinthians 15:50–58—The last trumpet and resurrection hope
Challenge:
You don’t need a shofar or a river. Set aside time to pray and reflect. Write down what you want to leave behind. Then, if you can, find water—drop in a stone or bread as a sign that God’s mercy is bigger than your mistakes.
My Final Thoughts:
Rosh Hashanah is more than a new year. It’s a divine reset button. In Jesus, every day can be a fresh beginning, and every casting off is met by mercy that never runs out.
If you would like to read previous posts, you can find them here.
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