5782 B”H

Yom Teruah (“Day of the Shout”) is the correct Biblical name for the Holy Day more commonly called Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year.” To make things more complicated, Rosh Hashanah is additionally called Yom HaZikkaron, meaning “Day of Remembrance.” This refers to Leviticus 23:24‘s exhortation to have a “memorial:”

“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24. ESV

“Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a Shabbat rest, a memorial of blowing (shofarot), a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24 TLV

Notice, the Day of the Shofar/Shout is considered a Sabbath day. Many Christians today do not realize that there are Sabbaths that fall on days besides Saturday. It is yet another opportunity to have an appointment with the LORD. Consider celebrating the prophetic feast of Yom Teruah and the High Holy Days this year, taking time to rest and rejoice in the God of Israel!

Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is very much associated with a time of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). These days are known as the Days of Awe. Traditional Judaism teaches that on Rosh Hashanah your name may be written in the book of Life and that on Yom Kippur, it may be sealed there. As disciples of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), we know that our name is written in the Book of Life at the moment of salvation, and it is by His Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) that we are sealed.

What does the Hebrew word “Teruah” mean?

The Hebrew word, “teruah” תְּרוּעָה means “shout!” It is a startling, battlecry type of shout. Think of Jericho and the walls falling down. This is no time for a half-hearted noise. This word expresses a collective shout that is unified, massive, earth-shaking, and awe-inspiring.

Walls will come down, if you will participate.

Walls will come down, if you will believe.

The Israelites had been instructed to circle the city of Jericho 7 times on the 7th day.

“Then on the seventh time, when the kohanim blew the shofarot, Joshua ordered the people, “Shout! For ADONAI has given you the city!” Joshua 6:16

Shofarot is the plural for shofar. Shofars were sounded and the people shouted, and they won the city.

What battle are you facing?

Are you willing to do things God’s way?

Will you turn away from sin and enter into a relationship with Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)?

Teruah brings us to victory.

Sometimes we need to shout our praise and our thankfulness!

Blessed are the people who know the joyful teruah

The Bible says:

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout!
They walk in the light of Your presence, ADONAI.” Psalm 89:15

And that

“God has ascended amidst shouts of joy, ADONAI amidst the sounding of the shofar.” Psalm 47:5

Notice a theme here? JOY!

Though a battle may be raging, if we truly trust our Mighty Conqueror and Victorious Savior, we will have peace in the face of an enemy. Internally, we will have joy unspeakable. And it might even overflow in such a way that it is apparent externally.

Have you ever worshipped in such a manner? Tambourine in hand, dancing before your King? Arms lifted high in freedom of praise? Perhaps you have used worship flags or banners? Allow your joy to overflow and you will find great liberty, healing, and strength in the LORD’s presence!

Here is a song that may inspire you to praise in such a manner:

You see, once you realize from just how deep a pit you have been rescued, your praise changes. You won’t be ashamed to dance before your Creator. You will overflow with Living Water.

The Coronation of our King

Another very central theme during Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is that the LORD (ADONAI) is King over all the earth. Traditional Judaism teaches that Rosh Hashanah is the appropriate time for the crowning of a king! Our Messiah Yeshua is King of all kings, the Victorious One and we look forward to His coronation again in Jerusalem!

“No misfortune is to be seen in Jacob,
    and no misery in Israel!
ADONAI their God is with them
    —the King’s shout is among them!” Numbers 23:21

This joyful verse from Numbers 23:21 uses the word “teruah” in connection to our King! Assuredly, even our King will shout and this prevents misfortune or misery from being among God’s people.

Are you among the people who know the joyful shout?

If your name is indeed written in the Book of Life, then this promise is yours today:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery:

We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed—

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar.
For the shofar will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we will be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

The shofar will again sound the Day of our Resurrection!

What greater joy could there be?

We will rise with Messiah, incorruptible. We will live in His Heavenly Kingdom for all eternity!

Now I do believe that is worth a mighty shout of praise today!

Rejoice! Our King lives and reigns forever! Please leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you!

Yom Teruah: the day of the shout! AND: Rosh Hashanah Brisket Recipe!

Parashat Emor (V’yikra/Leviticus 21-24) 5782, B”H

In the springtime, we looked at the Biblical Spring Feasts.

As we near autumn, today let’s revisit that passage of Scripture from Leviticus that describes the feasts, but this time we will focus on the Biblical Autumn Feasts! Most people call them the Biblical Fall Feasts and I do admit it is easier to say . . . but since . . . Adam and Eve and the Fall . . . yeah I just personally prefer the word autumn. It’s just me, I know. A little too obsessed with linguistics. Go ahead and call them the Fall Feasts, it is perfectly fine 🙂

This post will be a quick overview on the autumn feasts. In future posts I will help us look more deeply at each of these.

Are you familiar with the autumn Biblical feasts?

The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement, and the Feast of Tabernacles are the special days outlined in the Bible that are celebrated in autumn.

Each of the Biblical Autumn Feasts can also be called by its Hebrew term:

The Feast of Shofars = Yom Teruah*

The Day of Atonement = Yom Kippur

The Feast of Tabernacles = Sukkot

*Note: Yom Teruah is more widely known as Rosh HaShanah. Yom Teruah is the literal translation for the “Feast of Trumpets” and is more Biblical. Rosh HaShanah signifies “Head of the Year” meaning this is a celebration of the Jewish New Year.

Just like the Biblical Spring Feasts, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) fulfilled the prophetic meaning of each of these Biblical autumn feasts (moedim). The Hebrew word “moedim” more literally means “appointed times.” These are appointments that God made for us – the appointed feast times to meet with our Creator! What a privilege! Throughout the year, we gather to experience these feasts. The Autumn Feasts are no exception, in fact, they are extremely eschatologically significant because they point us to the end of days.

The Feast of Shofars (Yom Teruah)

The Feast of Shofars is more commonly called “The Feast of Trumpets” in English. But most people who think of a trumpet think of a beautiful brass instrument in the marching band. This autumn feast has nothing to do with those! A more correct translation is the “Feast of Shofars.” The ram’s horn was used as an instrument – an alarm to warn and even alert the enemy.

Have you ever heard several shofars played at the same time? The sound is awe-inspiring.

If you want to have a profound experience, find a place where the shofars will sound this Yom Teruah (Rosh Hashanah)! You will undoubtedly be touched by the sheer magnitude of the sound and inspired by all it represents for God’s people.

It is like a rehearsal. We will know what to listen for the day the trumpet (shofar) sounds:

“He will send out His angels with a great shofar, and they will gather together His chosen from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.” Matthew 24:31

I love to hear my boys practicing their shofar skills a few days before Yom Teruah! It is a wonderful way to bring in the Hebrew New Year!

The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)

Another one of the Biblical autumn feasts is Yom Kippur. This is the most solemn occasion on the Jewish Biblical calendar. This is a day of fasting as people ask for forgiveness for the sins committed during the past year. When the Temple was still standing, this was the day when the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement on behalf of the people.

Today, we know that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) has provided our atonement (Hallelujah!!!) so most followers of the King of all kings participate by fasting and praying for Israel.

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot)

Immediately after Yom Kippur, Jewish and Messianic believers begin setting up their sukkahs (outdoor tabernacles) for the upcoming Biblical autumn feast known as the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot).

The Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) is great fun! Many English speakers know this feast as the Feast of Booths. But booths? That’s a little hard for us to understand, unless you have seen an actual sukkah.

A sukkah is a tabernacle – a temporary structure intended for nonpermanent residency!

This feast is a lot like camping (but better) and lasts for a whole week! It is definitely family-friendly!

If you’d like some ideas on how to celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, check out this post I wrote about ways our family celebrates Sukkot. And make sure you get your FREE printable Selfie Scavenger Hunt for Sukkot!

It is said that the best time to visit Israel is during the autumn feast of Sukkot. The entire nation sets up their temporary structures. The sukkahs are decorated and there is plenty of food. Did you know it is commanded to be joyful during these holy days of Sukkot? It is truly a celebration that the LORD chose to dwell with us.

Zechariah prophecies of a future time when all the nations will celebrate Sukkot, so it is certainly something we ought to learn about and participate in to understand the full meaning of our Scriptures! It really is like a dress rehearsal for the last days!

“Then all the survivors from all the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot, and to celebrate Sukkot. Furthermore, if any of the nations on earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot, they will have no rain.” Zechariah 14:16-17

I encourage you to learn more about the Feast of Tabernacles as autumn draws near. A fun project (especially if you have boys) is to build a backyard sukkah! Invite your friends and neighbors, and you will have a wonderful time of fellowship as you live out the Word of the LORD!

For a more thorough, theological look at the Sukkot and the spiritual meaning of it, I encourage you to check out my post: “Living Water at the Feast of Tabernacles: Exploring John 7.” You will discover the reason “why” our Messiah proclaimed that He is the Living Water!

If you have questions about the Biblical autumn Feasts we would truly love to help you! And most importantly, if you have questions about the Messiah, please let us know and we would love to share the Good News with you. We hope that following the LORD at His Word is important to you and hope that this post will help you in your faith journey! Please subscribe so you don’t miss any new posts! Shalom!

L’shanah tovah! May you have a very happy New Year!