Shavuot: We Need a Helper - B'rit Hadasha Messianic Jewish Synagogue, Memphis, TN

UNDERSTANDING ROSH HASHANAH
by Asher

Putting this Holiday in its context will help in enriching our celebration of this first of the High Holidays. The month of Elul precedes Tishri and is a month of soul-searching. The Selichot Prayers begin at the first of Elul for the Sepharadi community and the week before Rosh HaShanah for the Askenazi community. These are lamentations and prayers of supplication which return to the theme of the Thirteen Attributes of G-d found in Exodus 34: 6-7. They are general confessions of sin drawn from the Psalms and the Prophets primarily. The mood is one of an approaching, ominous meeting with our King who will review our year and inscribe us in one of three books, one good, one bad, and one to be decided. Even though this is a recurring event, it is taken seriously in the manner of a yearly review with the King who cannot be fooled by superficiality, insincerity, or ‘hidden’ grudges. True repentance, earnest prayer, and good deeds are in order.

If we have been deliberate and thorough in our efforts we can celebrate our King’s Coronation. On this day, Rosh HaShanah, we will acknowledge and surrender to our Creator and His Kingship, His Malchut. “...Who is the King of Glory? The L-rd, He is the King of Glory!” (Psalms 24). A second theme on this day is Zichronot, Rememberances. We want Him to remember who He told us He is..... Merciful, Slow to Anger. We want Him to remember the Covenants, to remember not our sins, and to remember us for a good year, a Shana Tova; a sweet year, thus the apples and honey and things sweet are eaten; for an inscription in the Book of Life, thus we greet Hatima Tova. The third theme of the day is Shofarot, the cry of the child calling out to Abba but also the wake up call from the blowing of the Shofar. The Shofar was blown in Yerushalayim even on Shabbat during the time of the Beit HaMikdash. This sound seeks a response, Hineni, Here I am.

The Birth of Isaac from Genesis 21 is read on the first day of this two-day celebration along with the birth of Samuel. On the second day the Akkedah, the Binding of Isaac from Genesis 22, is read with Jeremiah 31:1-19 as the Haftorah. In the afternoon of the first day (the second day for the Askenazim if Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbat) we go to a stream (where Biblical Coronations took place) and act out that event again renewing our allegiance to Him and His Sovereignty in our lives. We ask Him to “...cast our sins into the depths of the sea...” (Micah 7:19). We meditate on the fish and how easily they can be caught and reflect how easily we can be ensnared in sin. This is the Tashlich Service and it sets the tone for the next Ten Days of Awe. These are the days where, if you haven’t been serious before now, you must, for the 10th of Tishri is Yom Kippur and the inscription is sealed until the next year. These are the beginning ten days of the new year when time stops so that you can clear all ‘accounts’ with G-d and man and have a clean slate and a chance to do better than the previous year exhibiting more of the Mind of Messiah and the Fullness of Messiah.

Just to keep you humble in this process and to sober you to the depths of man’s evil inclination we come on the 3rd of Tishri to the Fast of Gedaliah. It is a sunrise to sunset fast, the fast of the seventh month that Zechariah referred to in chapter 8:19. Jeremiah records these events in Jeremiah 40-45 and in II Kings 25:25-26. The astounding timing of these events gives us pause and again reminds us it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living G-d. The death of the righteous is likened by the sages to the burning of the House of G-d. (Rosh HaShanah 18b). It shows how our sin can cause great harm to the House of Israel. On the afternoon of this fast day, and four (sometimes five) other public fast days this stunning passage is read in the afternoon service of the synagogues. It is from Isaiah 55:6-56:8. When reading this you can understand why the Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing and you can see how strongly Yeshua thought of this passage. It holds the wonderful promise to all peoples of the world and the clear criteria that must be met in order to be able to enter into the worship of the King of Glory and hear Him say, “Well done!” So within these very awesome days of self inspection and repentance, take a couple of days and enjoy your Master. He wants and expects you to get better but in the process, He wants your fellowship!

B'rit Hadasha Messianic Jewish Synagogue 6320 Quail Hollow Rd. Memphis, TN 38120 (901) 685-9267 ph (901) 763-0028 fx Weekly Torah Study Saturdays, 9am Shabbat Worship Services Saturdays, 10:30am Nursery & Children's classes available Office hours: Mon. 1-5pm Tues.- Fri. 9am-5pm Check out our GIFTSHOP open during regular office hours Y Sign up today ! (click on the BRITmail logo)		UNDERSTANDING ROSH HASHANAH by Asher Putting this Holiday in its context will help in enriching our celebration of this first of the High Holidays. The month of Elul precedes Tishri and is a month of soul-searching. The Selichot Prayers begin at the first of Elul for the Sepharadi community and the week before Rosh HaShanah for the Askenazi community. These are lamentations and prayers of supplication which return to the theme of the Thirteen Attributes of G-d found in Exodus 34: 6-7. They are general confessions of sin drawn from the Psalms and the Prophets primarily. The mood is one of an approaching, ominous meeting with our King who will review our year and inscribe us in one of three books, one good, one bad, and one to be decided. Even though this is a recurring event, it is taken seriously in the manner of a yearly review with the King who cannot be fooled by superficiality, insincerity, or ‘hidden’ grudges. True repentance, earnest prayer, and good deeds are in order. If we have been deliberate and thorough in our efforts we can celebrate our King’s Coronation. On this day, Rosh HaShanah, we will acknowledge and surrender to our Creator and His Kingship, His Malchut. “...Who is the King of Glory? The L-rd, He is the King of Glory!” (Psalms 24). A second theme on this day is Zichronot, Rememberances. We want Him to remember who He told us He is..... Merciful, Slow to Anger. We want Him to remember the Covenants, to remember not our sins, and to remember us for a good year, a Shana Tova; a sweet year, thus the apples and honey and things sweet are eaten; for an inscription in the Book of Life, thus we greet Hatima Tova. The third theme of the day is Shofarot, the cry of the child calling out to Abba but also the wake up call from the blowing of the Shofar. The Shofar was blown in Yerushalayim even on Shabbat during the time of the Beit HaMikdash. This sound seeks a response, Hineni, Here I am. The Birth of Isaac from Genesis 21 is read on the first day of this two-day celebration along with the birth of Samuel. On the second day the Akkedah, the Binding of Isaac from Genesis 22, is read with Jeremiah 31:1-19 as the Haftorah. In the afternoon of the first day (the second day for the Askenazim if Rosh HaShanah falls on Shabbat) we go to a stream (where Biblical Coronations took place) and act out that event again renewing our allegiance to Him and His Sovereignty in our lives. We ask Him to “...cast our sins into the depths of the sea...” (Micah 7:19). We meditate on the fish and how easily they can be caught and reflect how easily we can be ensnared in sin. This is the Tashlich Service and it sets the tone for the next Ten Days of Awe. These are the days where, if you haven’t been serious before now, you must, for the 10th of Tishri is Yom Kippur and the inscription is sealed until the next year. These are the beginning ten days of the new year when time stops so that you can clear all ‘accounts’ with G-d and man and have a clean slate and a chance to do better than the previous year exhibiting more of the Mind of Messiah and the Fullness of Messiah. Just to keep you humble in this process and to sober you to the depths of man’s evil inclination we come on the 3rd of Tishri to the Fast of Gedaliah. It is a sunrise to sunset fast, the fast of the seventh month that Zechariah referred to in chapter 8:19. Jeremiah records these events in Jeremiah 40-45 and in II Kings 25:25-26. The astounding timing of these events gives us pause and again reminds us it is a fearful thing to fall into the Hands of the Living G-d. The death of the righteous is likened by the sages to the burning of the House of G-d. (Rosh HaShanah 18b). It shows how our sin can cause great harm to the House of Israel. On the afternoon of this fast day, and four (sometimes five) other public fast days this stunning passage is read in the afternoon service of the synagogues. It is from Isaiah 55:6-56:8. When reading this you can understand why the Ethiopian eunuch went on his way rejoicing and you can see how strongly Yeshua thought of this passage. It holds the wonderful promise to all peoples of the world and the clear criteria that must be met in order to be able to enter into the worship of the King of Glory and hear Him say, “Well done!” So within these very awesome days of self inspection and repentance, take a couple of days and enjoy your Master. He wants and expects you to get better but in the process, He wants your fellowship!