Rosh Hashana (New Year)
The Jewish New Year with the blowing of the shofar and a call to repentance.
Bibelsk grunnlag
Leviticus 23:23-25: 'In the seventh month, on the first day, you shall have a Sabbath rest with trumpet blasts.' Numbers 29:1-6 regarding the sacrifices on the Day of Trumpets. The shofar horn is blown one hundred times in the synagogue. Genesis 22 (The Binding of Isaac/Akedat Yitzhak) is read—the ram sacrificed instead of Isaac connects to the shofar's ram's horn.
Betydning
Rosh Hashana marks the beginning of 'the Ten Days of Awe' (Yamim Noraim), which culminate in Yom Kippur. The sound of the shofar is a wake-up call—a summons for self-examination and repentance. Traditionally regarded as the day of creation and God's Day of Judgment, where He opens three books: one for the righteous, one for the wicked, and one for those in between.
GT-forbindelser
The shofar in the Bible: at Sinai (Exodus 19:16), at the fall of Jericho (Joshua 6), in Psalm 81:4 and 98:6. Isaiah 27:13 speaks of the great shofar that will be blown on that day. The Binding of Isaac (Genesis 22) as the main reading. Hannah's prayer (1 Samuel 1–2)—she who received Samuel, 'the desired one.'
Liturgisk kontekst
Celebrated on 1st–2nd Tishri. Special prayers (Unetanneh Tokef: 'Who shall live and who shall die'). Tashlich—the symbolic casting of sins into flowing water. Apples dipped in honey—a wish for a good and sweet new year.
Historie
The Bible calls the day 'the Day of Trumpets' (Yom Teruah), not 'New Year.' The term Rosh Hashana ('head of the year') dates from Mishnaic times. Rabbinic tradition developed the four New Years: Tishri for the creation of the world and judgment, Nisan for kings and festivals.