"You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you." Exodos 12:2

Rosh Hashanah (or Feast of Trumpets)

The end of summer feasts

The date is 1st Tishrei – the start of the Civil year (see Calendar) but it is not the start of the religious year which is the first of Nisan (14 days before Passover) – See Pessach

Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year, literally the head of the year.   

It is not one of the Biblical Moedim ( appointed Times of ) but it is on the same day as Trumpets which is.   Leviticus 23 v23 onwards says,

"The LORD said to Moses,  "Say to the Israelites: `On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.  Do no regular work, but present an offering made to the LORD by fire.' "

The Feast of Trumpets discussed along with Yom Kippur..

Rosh Hashanah is celebrated by Jews today as a time for prayers and good wishes for  the coming year.   Customs include eating apple dipped in honey as a taste reminder of wishing for a sweet new year and eating the head of a fish, with the wish that they be the head - not the tail.   From the blessings in Deuteronomy.

Because Rosh Hashanna coincides with Trumpets (see Yom Kippur ) the Jews start each new year with self examination and repentance.  (An excellent idea!) These days are the Ten Days of Awe, leading up to the Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur.

Date (Tishrei)	Civil	Religious	Moedim	Doing
1	Rosh Hashanah			Celebrate new year
1		Trumpets	#5	Call to teshuvah
1-10		Days of Awe		Prepare for Yom Kippur
10		Yom Kippur	#6	Fast & repent
15		Sukkot	#7	CELEBRATE
22		Shimini Atzeret (Eighth day)		CELEBRATE some more
23		Simchat Torah		Rejoice in Torah

 

Yom Kippur now

Yom Kippur is the only day GOD commanded a fast.   "You shall afflict your souls and make an offering."    There was to be no work or conjugal relations.   Devout Jews wear a funeral shroud ( white for purity, repentance and forgiveness )

See Yom Kippur