Saturday 22 April 2017

Explaining The Feast Of Trumpets To Those Outside The Jewish Community

By George Peterson


Most people are familiar with the major Christian holidays. Schools, businesses, and government agencies close down for Christmas, regardless of religious beliefs. There are companies that are closed for Good Friday. There are no official observances, of this kind, for any other religion however. The majority of Christians know very little about other faiths or know why their holy days are as important to them as they are. The Feast of Trumpets is one of those days. Modern day Jews generally refer to it as Rosh Hashanah.

This important day falls on the first day, seventh month of God's calendar. It is the first of the autumnal holy days. Many believe Jesus was born close to this time, and that the Messiah will return to earth on this day. For believers that day marks a turning point in the history of the world. From that time forward, the age of man will be over, and the age of God will begin. Trumpet sounds will blast throughout the heavens, which explains the name.

All work and school activities are put off on this day. If you intend to observe Rosh Hashanah, you probably need to inform your employer if your are working or your teacher if you are a student. You don't need to provide all the details. It is usually sufficient to say you are a practicing Jew, and this is a holy day for you.

Co-workers unfamiliar with the importance of the day may question why it takes the whole day to observe this ritual. The answer believers give is that this is God's will and commandment to them. This is a time for contemplating the eternal. Believers are instructed to put aside earthly concerns and give their full attention to lasting truths.

God has commanded that everyone celebrate this day, no matter where they are or what their status in life. This is not a day just for large congregations or those in urban areas who live in communities of Jewish believers. Men, women, and children, those who live in small towns, those who live alone are all part of God's flock and are included in the feasting.

The time of the year God chose is significant because it is the time in Biblical history when farmers had completed harvesting their crops and had traded them in nearby villages and communities. The work was put aside. They had time to celebrate, feast, and study for the whole day. Jews continue to observe the day by refraining from any type of work.

This is a day believers can observe wherever they are. God does not command them to gather in Israel, although in Biblical times it was observed in the Temple in Jerusalem. It was first celebrated in the wilderness, but today many go to local synagogues or other houses of worship to have fellowship with believers.

All religions should respect the observances and rituals of others. Tolerance and acceptance are signs of true believers.




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