Rosh Hashanah And The Jewish New Year - Lesson 2
Rosh Hashanah And The Jewish New Year - Lesson 2
(Saturday ~ September 19 ~ 5770/2009)
This lesson was written by Rinah Shalom
Why are we commanded to observe the agricultural year?
Unlike the land of Egypt, which enjoys a constant supply of water from the Nile River, the Land of Israel is dependent on rain for its water supply. Hence, the farmers must depend on the rainfall for their prosperity and acknowledge that the rain is a direct function of Yahveh's providence.
"It is a Land which your Elohim looks after, Yahveh's eyes constantly look after it - from the beginning of the year, Rosh Hashanah, until the end of the year." Deuteronomy 11:12
Yahveh assured Israel that He will look after the agricultural needs of the Land by making sure that it will receive the necessary rainfall.
"Should you keep the commandments... then I will give the rain to your land at the proper time... but be careful: Should you transgress... then I will hold back the heavens, and there will be no rain." Deuteronomy 11:13-16
The rain during the eighth and ninth months are the most critical, for the newly sown fields require large amounts of water. If it doesn't rain in the fall, there will be no harvest in the spring and summer. A shortage of rain can lead not only to drought, but also to famine and disease during the summer months. Additionally, food shortage is likely to lead to an outbreak of war between nations fighting over the meager available resources.
Even though it appears that the amount of rain determines Israel's future, we must always acknowledge that it is Yahveh, and not "Mother Nature", who determine our fate. In anticipation of the rainy season and its effect on the entire year, the Torah commands Israel to set aside a special gathering in the seventh month, to declare Yahveh's dominion over all creation. In doing so, we remind ourselves that our future is in His Hands. (Deuteronomy 11:10-19)
"Acknowledge Him in all your ways." Proverbs 3:6
There are four different holidays on the seventh month:
"Yom Teru'ah" - on the first day.
"Yom Ha'Kippurim" - on the 10th day.
"Succot" - on the 15th day - for seven days.
"Atzeret" (Holy Assembly) - on the 22nd day.
Why are there so many holidays in the seventh month?
The Torah gives us the reason for Succot: It marks the end of the summer fruit harvest. However, no reason is given for the celebration of the other holidays.
Based on the Biblical definition of Succot ~ the end of the year (Exodus 23:16) it would seem more logical to consider the last day of Succot as the first day of the New Year, on which we offer a special prayer for rain. So why does the Torah command us to gather specifically on the first day of the seventh month, before the previous year is over, and make a "Memorial of Blowing Trumpets"? (Leviticus 23:24)
What is the connection between 'sounding the trumpet' and the beginning of the rainy season, and what does 'memorial' imply?
(Saturday ~ September 19 ~ 5770/2009)
This lesson was written by Rinah Shalom
Why are we commanded to observe the agricultural year?
Unlike the land of Egypt, which enjoys a constant supply of water from the Nile River, the Land of Israel is dependent on rain for its water supply. Hence, the farmers must depend on the rainfall for their prosperity and acknowledge that the rain is a direct function of Yahveh's providence.
"It is a Land which your Elohim looks after, Yahveh's eyes constantly look after it - from the beginning of the year, Rosh Hashanah, until the end of the year." Deuteronomy 11:12
Yahveh assured Israel that He will look after the agricultural needs of the Land by making sure that it will receive the necessary rainfall.
"Should you keep the commandments... then I will give the rain to your land at the proper time... but be careful: Should you transgress... then I will hold back the heavens, and there will be no rain." Deuteronomy 11:13-16
The rain during the eighth and ninth months are the most critical, for the newly sown fields require large amounts of water. If it doesn't rain in the fall, there will be no harvest in the spring and summer. A shortage of rain can lead not only to drought, but also to famine and disease during the summer months. Additionally, food shortage is likely to lead to an outbreak of war between nations fighting over the meager available resources.
Even though it appears that the amount of rain determines Israel's future, we must always acknowledge that it is Yahveh, and not "Mother Nature", who determine our fate. In anticipation of the rainy season and its effect on the entire year, the Torah commands Israel to set aside a special gathering in the seventh month, to declare Yahveh's dominion over all creation. In doing so, we remind ourselves that our future is in His Hands. (Deuteronomy 11:10-19)
"Acknowledge Him in all your ways." Proverbs 3:6
There are four different holidays on the seventh month:
"Yom Teru'ah" - on the first day.
"Yom Ha'Kippurim" - on the 10th day.
"Succot" - on the 15th day - for seven days.
"Atzeret" (Holy Assembly) - on the 22nd day.
Why are there so many holidays in the seventh month?
The Torah gives us the reason for Succot: It marks the end of the summer fruit harvest. However, no reason is given for the celebration of the other holidays.
Based on the Biblical definition of Succot ~ the end of the year (Exodus 23:16) it would seem more logical to consider the last day of Succot as the first day of the New Year, on which we offer a special prayer for rain. So why does the Torah command us to gather specifically on the first day of the seventh month, before the previous year is over, and make a "Memorial of Blowing Trumpets"? (Leviticus 23:24)
What is the connection between 'sounding the trumpet' and the beginning of the rainy season, and what does 'memorial' imply?
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