Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, a holy day of rest and trumpet blasts commanded in the Bible. It begins a ten-day period of reflection leading to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. This biblical feast also invites repentance and anticipates Christ’s return.
What is Rosh Hashanah?
Rosh Hashanah, which means “head of the year” in Hebrew, is the celebration of the Jewish civil New Year, a sacred time of spiritual significance. In the Bible, it’s called Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets, a day marked by the blowing of the shofar (a ram’s horn). It falls on the first day of the Hebrew month Tishrei (September or October on our calendars). For Jewish people, it’s a time of solemn reflection, prayer, and rejoicing, as they remember God’s creation and kingship.
This feast holds deep significance for Christians, too. Rosh Hashanah is one of God’s appointed times in Scripture, pointing to themes of repentance, God’s kingship, and the coming of the Messiah. The apostle Paul connects the feast to the “last trumpet” at Christ’s return. Understanding Rosh Hashanah can deepen your appreciation for the God of Israel and the fulfillment we have in Yeshua (Jesus).
“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
— Leviticus 23:24
The timing and calendar of Rosh Hashanah
Because it follows the Hebrew lunar calendar, the dates change each year. Typically, it falls in September or early October on the Gregorian calendar. Because the day begins at sunset, the feast lasts from evening to evening. This timing aligns with the biblical pattern: “there was evening and there was morning, the first day.”
If you want to know the exact dates for the current year, check a reliable Jewish calendar or online resource. More important than the date is the spiritual rhythm it invites you into: a season of introspection, repentance, and anticipation.
The beautiful meaning of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year,” but its biblical name, Yom Teruah, means “day of shouting” or “day of trumpets.” The shofar blasts are central. They call the community to attention, to wake up from spiritual slumber. The rabbis later connected this day to the creation of the world on the sixth day, when Adam and Eve were formed. So Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of God as King and Creator, a day to renew our allegiance to Him.
For Christians, the meaning deepens. The shofar speaks of God’s voice, of judgment, and of hope. It reminds us that one day the trumpet will sound and Christ will return. Rosh Hashanah is a call to examine our lives, turn from sin, and fix our eyes on the coming King.
Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
— Psalms 81:3
The biblical roots of Rosh Hashanah
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Rosh Hashanah appears in the Torah as one of the seven appointed feasts of the Lord. The Bible gives specific instructions for this day:
Leviticus 23:23-25: the Feast of Trumpets
This key passage commands a holy convocation, a day of rest, and trumpet blasts. No ordinary work is to be done, and offerings are to be presented to the Lord.
Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahweh.’”
— Leviticus 23:23-25
Numbers 29:1-6: the offerings
This passage details the specific burnt offerings and grain offerings for the day. It emphasizes that this is a holy occasion set apart for God.
“‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets to you. You shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Yahweh: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect;
— Numbers 29:1-2
Psalm 47:5: God goes up with a shout
This psalm is traditionally read on Rosh Hashanah. It celebrates God’s kingship with shouts and trumpet blasts.
God has gone up with a shout, Yahweh with the sound of a trumpet.
— Psalms 47:5
Psalm 81:3: a statute for Israel
This verse ties the trumpet blast to the new moon festival and God’s deliverance from Egypt.
Blow the trumpet at the New Moon, at the full moon, on our feast day.
— Psalms 81:3
Nehemiah 8:1-12: the people rejoice
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After the exile, the people gathered to hear the Law read on the first day of the seventh month. Ezra opened the scroll, the people worshiped, and they celebrated with great joy.
All the people gathered themselves together as one man into the wide place that was in front of the water gate; and they spoke to Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which Yahweh had commanded to Israel.
— Nehemiah 8:1
Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur: the Ten Days of Awe
Rosh Hashanah begins a ten-day period called the “Days of Awe” (Yamim Noraim) that culminate in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. These are days of introspection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. Jewish tradition teaches that on Rosh Hashanah, God opens the Book of Life, and on Yom Kippur, He seals it. The shofar calls people to examine their lives and return to God.
For Christians, this period echoes our own need for daily repentance. While we believe that Christ’s atonement is once for all (Hebrews 10:10), the call to examine ourselves and turn from sin is always relevant. The shofar’s blast calls us to be ready for the Lord’s return.
Therefore let’s also, seeing we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with perseverance the race that is set before us,
— Hebrews 12:1
How is Rosh Hashanah celebrated today?
Modern Rosh Hashanah celebrations blend biblical commands with traditions developed over centuries. Here’s what you might see:
Synagogue services and the shofar
Jews attend services where the shofar is blown in a series of blasts: tekiah (one long note), shevarim (three broken notes), teruah (nine staccato notes), and tekiah gedolah (a very long note). These blasts represent alarm, weeping, and triumph. The shofar is not blown on Shabbat if the holiday falls on Saturday.
Festive meals with symbolic foods
Families gather for a holiday meal that includes apples dipped in honey, symbolizing hope for a sweet new year. Other foods include round challah bread (representing the cycle of life), pomegranates (with 613 seeds symbolizing the commandments), and fish heads or ram’s head (symbolizing leadership, from the binding of Isaac).
Tashlich: casting away sins
On the afternoon of Rosh Hashanah, many Jews go to a body of water and symbolically cast their sins into it, often by throwing bread crumbs. This practice is based on Micah 7:19: “He will again have compassion on us; he will tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.”
He will again have compassion on us. He will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.
— Micah 7:19
Greetings and blessings
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People greet each other with “L’Shanah Tovah” (for a good year) or “Shanah Tovah U’metukah” (for a good and sweet year). This reflects the hope for God’s blessing in the coming year.
Rosh Hashanah and faith: what believers in Jesus should know
How does this Jewish feast relate to your faith? The New Testament doesn’t command believers to observe Rosh Hashanah, but it offers rich connections:
The trumpet of God and Christ’s return
The shofar points forward to the last trumpet when Jesus will return. Paul writes that believers will be transformed and caught up to meet the Lord at the sound of the trumpet.
For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first,
— 1 Thessalonians 4:16
A call to repentance and readiness
The themes of Rosh Hashanah — waking up, turning back to God, and preparing for judgment — echo the gospel message. Jesus himself said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” The shofar’s call is a picture of the urgency we should feel.
From that time, Jesus began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”
— Matthew 4:17
Jesus as our high priest and atonement
While Yom Kippur focuses on atonement through animal sacrifices, Christians believe that Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice. He entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, securing eternal redemption. Rosh Hashanah leads us to appreciate His finished work.
But Christ having come as a high priest of the coming good things, through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation, nor yet through the blood of goats and calves, but through his own blood, entered in once for all into the Holy Place, having obtained eternal redemption.
— Hebrews 9:11-12
Rosh Hashanah traditions you can observe as a Christian
While not required, many Christians find value in marking Rosh Hashanah as a way to connect with the Jewish roots of their faith. Here are some simple ways to observe the day:
- Read the Scriptures: Spend time in Leviticus 23, Numbers 29, and the Psalms of Rosh Hashanah (like Psalm 47, 81, 100).
- Blow a Shofar: If you have access to one, or listen to a recording, let its sound remind you of God’s kingship and Christ’s return.
- Pray for the Jewish People: Intercede for their salvation and understanding of Messiah.
- Repent and Reflect: Use the day to examine your life, confess sin, and renew your commitment to follow Jesus.
- Eat Symbolic Foods: Enjoy apples and honey with your family, and talk about God’s goodness and the sweetness of His promises.
As you reflect on Rosh Hashanah, consider this: The shofar calls you to the person of Jesus, the King who blew the trumpet of victory over sin and death. This year, let the sound of His love draw you closer. Will you pause today to listen, repent, and rejoice in the hope He gives?
Questions people ask
What is Rosh Hashanah and why is it important?
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, also called the Feast of Trumpets in the Bible. It is a day of rest, holy convocation, and the blowing of the shofar. For Christians, it carries deep meaning as it points to themes of repentance, God's kingship, and the anticipation of Christ's return. Observing this feast can enrich one's understanding of the biblical calendar and God's redemptive plan. It is a time to reflect on God's sovereignty and our need for a Savior.
How is the date of Rosh Hashanah determined?
The date of Rosh Hashanah is based on the Hebrew lunar calendar, so it changes each year on the Gregorian calendar. It falls on the first day of the month Tishrei, which typically corresponds to September or early October. The feast begins at sunset and lasts until the following sunset, following the biblical pattern of days. To find the exact dates for a given year, one can consult a Jewish calendar or online resource.
What is the biblical significance of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah?
The shofar, or ram’s horn, is central to the Feast of Trumpets. It is blown to signal the beginning of the new year, call the community to repentance, and remind them of God’s sovereignty. In the Bible, the shofar also symbolizes the trumpet that will announce the coming of the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead. For Christians, the shofar points to Jesus, who will return with the sound of a trumpet. It is a powerful call to examine one's life and be ready for His return.
How can Christians meaningfully observe Rosh Hashanah?
Christians are not required to observe Rosh Hashanah, but many choose to as a way to connect with the Jewish roots of their faith. Observances can include reading the relevant Scriptures, listening to or blowing a shofar, and praying for the Jewish people. It is also a time for personal repentance and reflection, focusing on one's relationship with God. Sharing a festive meal with apples and honey can be a sweet reminder of God's goodness and the hope found in Christ. These practices can deepen one's appreciation for the biblical feasts and their fulfillment in Jesus.
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