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1. Introduction. Ira calls Yair, "David"!
We received the following query:
From: "IraQuirke" (Australia)
To: "Yair Davidiy" <yair@britam.org>
Subject: Re: This Month, next Month, and a new beginning
Hi David,
Every year the Jewish people celebrate new year at this time. But this is not the HEBREW new year!
That is in the month that used to be called Abib.....Nisan. With Passover happeneing on the 14th. I know that every one will jumop up and down and protest that I am wrong, but the word of G-d clearly describes this as being when the first budding and harvest of local wheat happens, about March/April in the Gregorian (Corrupted 12 month ) Calender. The Torah describes how the days and weeks and years should be counted...very clearly.
What say you? Cheers Ira
Why Ira calls me David and not Yair or Mr. Davidiy is probably because he has not bothered to read the details of my name.
This also reflects on the nature of his question. If one does not really care what is being said then of course much will not be understood.
This subject is not really connected directly to Lost Ten Tribes matters. Nevertheless a search of our web-site concerning Rosh HaShana gave 30 entries and showed some interest in the matter.
This was confirmed by a glance at past correspondence.
We have therefore prepared the present article.
2. The Commandments of First Month and Seventh Month. Remembrance and Judgement.
The Israelites were told to keep the Spring month in which we celebrate the Feast of Passover (on the 14th day) as the first month (Exodus 12:1, 13:4,6).
This is the month of Nissan.
Nissan is attributed to Yehudah.
We were ALSO commanded to celebrate the First Day of the seventh month:
Leviticus 23:
24 Speak to the children of Israel, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial [Hebrew: Shabaton-Zicaron] of blowing of trumpets [Hebrew: Truah], a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.
We therefore have two separate days.
One day is the official day on which the counting of months begins i.e. the first of Nissan in the Spring (Aviv).
The other day (in the seventh month) is a day of assembly, of blowing the shofar, and of remembrance.
This is Rosh HaShana or the New Year Day for the purpose of judgment.
Concerning the Land of Israel we are told that it is,
Deuteronomy 11:
12 a land for which the LORD your God cares; the eyes of the LORD your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.
We thus have a beginning of the year and an end of the year.
This is connected with the overseeing of the Land by the Almighty. By implication this involves the whole of creation except that the Land of Israel, as if to say, is to receive special attention.
It does not say that the beginning has to be on the first month.
It would be more logical to say that it would be on the day when our past actions are recalled and by implication our future fate may be in the balance.
This is Rosh HaShana, the first day of the seventh month when a holy assembly, a day of remembrance, and of shofar blowing was commanded.
For additional explanation of this point please read the rest of this article.
See Also:
Brit-Am Now no. 1571
#1. Answer to the Criticism of AngeloBennetti and Remarks Concerning Rosh HaShana.
http://britam.org/now2/1571Now.html#Answer
3. Some Sources:
(a) The First Month.
Exodus 12:
1 Now the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you.
Exodus 13:
4 On this day you are going out, in the month Abib [i.e. of Spring].
6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD.
(b) Notes About Rosh HaShana
Rosh Hashanah
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_Hashanah#cite_note-0
Rosh Hashanah marks the start of a new year in the Hebrew calendar (one of four "new year" observances that define various legal "years" for different purposes as explained in the Mishnah and Talmud). It is the new year for people, animals, and legal contracts. The Mishnah also sets this day aside as the new year for calculating calendar years and sabbatical (shmita) and jubilee (yovel) years. Jews believe Rosh Hashanah represents either figuratively or literally the creation of the World, or Universe.
Rosh Hashanah
http://judaism.about.com/od/holidays/a/roshhashanah.htm
Rosh HaShanah ( ) is the Jewish New Year. It falls once a year during the month of Tishrei and occurs ten days before Yom Kippur. Together, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur are known as the Yamim Nora'im, which means the Days of Awe in Hebrew. In English they are often referred to as the High Holy Days.
Rosh Hashanah
http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday2.htm
...In the seventh month, on the first of the month, there shall be a sabbath for you, a remembrance with shofar blasts, a holy convocation. -Leviticus 16:24
The name "Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible to discuss this holiday. The Bible refers to the holiday as Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar). The holiday is instituted in Leviticus 23:24-25.
The shofar is a ram's horn which is blown somewhat like a trumpet. One of the most important observances of this holiday is hearing the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes...
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/holiday2.html
Judaism has several different "new years," a concept which may seem strange at first, but think of it this way: the American "new year" starts in January, but the new "school year" starts in September, and many businesses have "fiscal years" that start at various times of the year. In Judaism, Nissan 1 is the new year for the purpose of counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar, Elul 1 (in August) is the new year for the tithing of animals, Shevat 15 (in February) is the new year for trees (determining when first fruits can be eaten, etc.), and Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the new year for years (when we increase the year number. Sabbatical and Jubilee years begin at this time).
4. Selection of Extracts from Brit-Am Notes on Rosh HaShana.
(1) Another Chance.
Psalms 81
http://britam.org/psalms/psalms81.html
TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, UPON GITHITH, A PSALM OF ASAPH.
S.R. Hirsch translates the Hebrew heading as meaning,
TO HIM WHO GRANTS VICTORY OVER THE WINE PRESSING: BY ASAPH
The Mairi says that it was traditional to say this Psalm on the Hebrew New Year (Rosh HaShana) which is approaching us soon... Even though the Israelites were delivered from Egypt in the month of Nisan at the time of Passover which is about seven months later, on Rosh HaShanah their actual physical servitude in Egypt itself came to an end. In principle, we can make a new beginning any moment we decide to do so but some seasons are more propitious than others. This is another chance we all have now to start over again. Let us do our best. Let us pray to the Almighty to enable us to do our best and better ourselves for our own sake and for the sake of all they who are in contact with us and whom we have some inlfuence over.
(2) a duty to hasten re-unification!
Brit-Am Now no. 1233
#7. Brit-Am Rosh HaShana (Jewish New Year) Message
Extracts:
Rosh HaShana Part One - Instincts (ca. 8 minutes)
http://britam.org/Broadcasts/newBAMBI/RoshHaShanaInstincts.mp3
Instinctive Recognition of the Truth.
We believe due to logic and ancestral memory of the past.
Rosh HaShana Part Two- Duties (ca. 6 minutes)
http://britam.org/Broadcasts/newBAMBI/RoshHaShanaDuties.mp3
Israel split into the Jews (Judah) and the Ten Tribes (Joseph).
In the End Times we will re-unite.
We have a duty to hasten re-unification by making the truth of Brit-Am Identity known to both Judah and Joseph.
We all should do what we can.on the personal level to improve ourselves.
(3) The Karaites have not got a Calendar.
Brit-Am Now no. 1401
#5. Thomas Malloy: Black Hebrews
http://britam.org/now/1401Now.html#Thomas
The Karaites have not got a Calendar.
It may be that someone else has invented a calendar of their own and called it Karaite.
(4) D. Syke: the eventual welcoming back of Ephraim into the Land by Judah...where have you been all these years?
"Brit-Am Now"-88
http://britam.org/now/now88.html
#3. Questions:
From: Drsyke@a...
Yair
Kesiva Vachatima tova [May you be written down and sealed for better days on Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur] ..1) in today's haftora [Prophet Reading in Synagogue], of the second day of rosh hashana, there is a
sentence which the prophet describes as the eventual welcoming back of Ephraim into the Land by Judah, basically saying where have you been all these years and where were you when we were getting our butts kicked throughout the centuries(pardon the vernacular)--...
(5) CAROLINE B. GLICK: national unity and uphold our sacred birthright
Brit-Am Now no. 1570
#1. Excerpts from:
A prayer for 5771 By CAROLINE B. GLICK, The Jerusalem Post, followed by Brit-Am Note
September 8, 2010
http://britam.org/now2/1570Now.html#Excerpts
THIS EVENING we begin our observance of Rosh Hashana. The Bible describes Rosh Hashana as the day of trumpeting. When we assemble in prayer and blow the shofar, we engage in a loud and boisterous celebration of national unity and uphold our sacred birthright to our religious heritage and the land of Israel.
(6) some times are better than others.
Brit-Am Now no. 1389
#3. Sundries
http://britam.org/now/1389Now.html#Sundries
(d) An Annual New Opportunity is Now Upon Us ALL!
Rosha HaShanah (the Hebrew New Year) for us means a new beginning
and new opportunity for ourselves and for all the world.
It is true that every day, every moment, if one wishes one can start again, repair what was impaired and do better.
Nevertheless some times are better than others.
Rosha HaShana is one of the better times.
Let us all pray, resolve to improve ourselves, and ask the Almighty to guide us.
(7) Please look after yourselves.
"Brit-Am Now"-87: New Year
http://britam.org/now/now87.html
If we have offended anybody please forgive us.
We hope next year to merit to serve the Brit-Am cause better than we have done heretofore.
We hope to receive your continued participation and support and that this grow.
Everything has a purpose.
Relatively speaking, there are not that many people who know of Brit-Am.
Those who do are usually people who have something exceptionally positive about them.
Please look after yourselves.
May the God of Israel bless all of you in every way.
(8) Lots of Cattle.
Brit-Am Now no. 1234
http://britam.org/now/1234Now.html
#3. Joan Griffith: "The cattle on a thousand hills are mine"
As King David wrote, The cattle on a thousand hills are mine (God's) -- so He can inspire others to give. As written, this may look like an excuse, but it is really to say I remember you, and isn't this a day of remembrance?
Joan Griffith
(9) Bill Rasmussen: Ephraim, descended from Rachel
"Brit-Am Now"-301
#2. Bill Rasmussen: More Rabbinic Sources
http://britam.org/now/now301.html
... upon reading the Torah portion for this week-Rosh ha Shanah... In Jeremiah 31:14, there is mention of Rachel weeping for her children...The Stone Edition Chumash makes this interesting note: "In the simple interpretation of that verse, "Rachel" means the ten tribes, because their leading tribe, Ephraim, descended from Rachel. Before the redemption occurs, these tribes will weep bitterly over their prolonged and painful exile..
There are many Rabbinic sources, especially the most well known and respected such as Rashi, who confirm and corroborate what you have been saying lately.
(10) The Jewish Calendar Sanctioned by the Almighty in Scripture!
"Collective Responsibility
and Rabbinical Authority" by Yair Davidiy
The Calendar
http://britam.org/rabbis.html#Calendar
Since in Ancient Israel every male had to go up to Jerusalem three times a year and keeping the Feast Days was publicly enforced there must have been only one calendar.
The Sages had authority to decide when the Feast Days would take place.
They were given this authority by the Bible.
http://www.science.co.il/Hebrew-Calendar.asp
##According to the Talmud, one complete cycle of the moon around the earth takes 29.53059 days (MasechetRosh Hashana). This value is very close to the average value measured by NASA: 29.530588.##
The difference between NASA and the Hebrew Calendar is only 00.000001!
Maybe NASA is wrong?
The Almighty predicted that the Jews would fast on certain days according to HIS calendar!!
[The Calendar they would determine according to the authority HE gave them!]
The Jews keep the four fasts of mourning (according to the Hebrew Calendar) over the Destruction of the Second Temple as prophesied by Zechariah 8:19.
5. Why is Rosh HaShana Celebrated for Two Days?
http://britam.org/now2/1571Now.html#Answer
As for there being two consecutive days of Rosha HaShana (that we still celebrate) this was the practice when the exact date could not be known in advance and is mentioned in the Bible concerning the beginning of the month which was also, in a minor way, considered a Holy Day (see 1-Samuel 20:27 "the second day of the month").
See Also:
"Brit-Am Now"-90
#5. William Rasmussen: Rosh HaShana
http://www.britam.org/now/now90.html
6. Rosh HaShana and Yom Kippur. The Return of the Ten Tribes
Rosha HaShana is important not only due to its own innate importance but also since it leads up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) ten days later.
"Brit-Am Now"-602
http://britam.org/now/602Now.html
#4. The Shofar and the Return of the Ten Tribes
During the Hebrew Feast Day of Rosh HaShana (New Year's Day)...the shofar is sounded a hundred times.
At the end of the upcoming holy day of Yom Kippur the shofar will also be sounded.
This is the month of Tishrei on the Hebrew calendar and according to one tradition during this month the ten tribes will
return.
"AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE GREAT TRUMPET [Hebrew: Shofar]
SHALL BE BLOWN, AND THEY SHALL COME WHICH WERE READY TO PERISH
(Hebrew: "Ovdim" also translatable as they who were lost") IN THE LAND OF ASSYRIA
(i.e. Lost Ten Tribes), AND THE OUTCASTS (i.e. Jewish Captives) IN THE LAND OF EGYPT,
AND SHALL WORSHIP THE LORD IN THE HOLY MOUNT AT JERUSALEM" [Isaiah 27:13].
[Isaiah 58:1] CRY ALOUD, SPARE NOT, LIFT UP THY VOICE LIKE A TRUMPET,
AND SHEW MY PEOPLE THEIR TRANSGRESSION, AND THE HOUSE OF JACOB THEIR SINS.
This is directed both to Israel and Judah.
cf.
Brit-Am Now no. 1240
#1. The Brit-Am Message for Yom Kippur (5769). An Outline
http://britam.org/now/1240Now.html#The
If we have sinned and deserve to be punished we may mitigate the punishment or even avoid it altogether and receive a blessing instead. This is what happens when we repent and our sins are atoned for. This is the essence of Yom Kippur.
7. This Month, next Month, and a new beginning
(Monday, September 19, 2011 2:43 PM; Elul 19, 5771).
Shalom,
We are now approaching the Jewish New Year and we were asked to say something concerning the season.
What exactly Elul means is not certain.
It has been tentatively linked to an Aramaic word root connoting "search, seek out".
This is the month leading up to the beginning of a New Year.
We should seek out our faults and try to rectify them.
Elul according to the most accepted reckonings (HaGra and Arizal) is associated with the Tribe of Gad.
Next week is Rosh HaShana or the Hebrew New Year.
From the second day of Rosh HaShana begins the month of Tishrei.
Tishrei is associated with the Tribe of Ephraim.
Tishrei is probably derived from a word root meaning "gift".
"Teshurah" in fancy Hebrew means "present, bestowal".
In Modern Hebrew "tesher" officially means "tip" but most Israelis are not aware of it.
They use the English word "tip" instead.
Anyway it may be that Tishrei is named as it is because after Rosh HaShanah the life you receive and everything about it is a gift from the Almighty.
Rosh HaShana will begin on Wednesday evening (28 September) with the sunset. It will last for two days running through Thursday and Friday and into the Sabbath.
Rosh HaShana means the head or Beginning (Rosh) of the Year (HaShana).
The Jewish Prayer service on this day is quite long. The Ten Tribes and Ephraim are spoken of several times.
The shofar (horn of a ram) will be blown. The shofar has three (or four, depending on how the count is made) different sounds. During the prayer Service the shofar will be blown in the three different ways
several times over so that the participants will usually hear it blown about 100 times.
The word "shofar" is linked to the Hebrew "ShaPeR" meaning to improve. This (via the Latin) is where the English word "super" (i.e. elevated, best) comes from.
On Rosh HaShana we shoud improve our actions.
The word for Year is "shana". it connotes both repetition (ShayNeH) and change (ShoNeh).
On the one hand things will continue as they are.
The present is the child of the past. The future will be the offspring of what there is now.
On the other hand we may change everything for the better and should endeavor to do so.
The Almighty is always close to those who call unto HIM (Psalm 145:18)
Even so some times are more propitious than others.
This is a season in which the Almighty makes HIMSELF more amenable to us if we wish to approach HIM and change ourselves.
8. Malbim: Shofar, Gog and Magog, and Return of the Ten Tribes.
Malbim on [Zechariah 9:14]: .. IN the time of the Maccabees the Almighty made HIS presence felt amongst them to save them... HIS ARROW SHALL GO FORTH AS THE LIGHTNING...in the Last War against Gog and Magog, He SHALL BLOW THE TRUMPET [Hebrew: "shofar"] to gather in the outcasts from the four corners of the earth, as it says,
http://www.britam.org/isaiah/Isaiah26to30.html
AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS IN THAT DAY, THAT THE GREAT TRUMPET [Shofar] SHALL BE BLOWN, AND THEY SHALL COME who were lost IN THE LAND OF ASSYRIA [Isaiah 27:13].
9. More Entries on the Significance of Shofar!
Place "shofar" in the Brit-Am Web-Site Search Engine for our site.
http://britam.org/SearchEngines.html
You should receive about 50 results most of which are worth perusing.
10. Interim Conclusion.
We see from the above that Rosh HaShana is an important time.
Even if one does not celebrate it in any other way its message still needs to be heard by us.