Parsha Ha'Azinu "Give ear" - Yom Kippur "Day of Atonement" ~ September 25 - October 1, 2009

Parsha Ha'Azinu "Give ear" · Deuteronomy 32

Haftarah:    2 Samuel 22

Yom Kippur"Day of Atonement"

Leviticus 16, 18; Numbers 29:7-11;

Isaiah 57:14–58:14; Jonah 1–4; Micah 7:18–20

Supplemental Readings:

S	2 Chronicles 10–13; Revelation 13
M	2 Chronicles 14–17; Revelation 14
T	2 Chronicles 18, 19; Revelation 15
W	2 Chronicles 20, 21; Revelation 16
Th	2 Chronicles 22–24; Revelation 17

Comments

[John Schutz]

Shalom,
If you read Leviticus 23, and Numbers 28 you'll see that all of the appointed times of HaShem listed. You'll notice that Yom Teruah (aka the feast of trumpets, or literally the "day of blowing") is indeed one of His holy days, and there are others you did not mention as well. For instance Sukkot, Shavu'ot and Bikkurim.

It is correct that ADONAI said that the Aviv is the first month of the year for Israel. It makes perfect sense, as that is the month Israel was established as a nation. They had been given their freedom that month. It is much like July for the United States (as the time when we declares our independance. That could have been an appropriate time for us to mark our new year, and in a way we do. I remember celebrating our nations bicentennial commemoration in 1976 on (that's right) July 4th.

Rosh Hashanah ("the head of the year") happens to coincide with Yom Teruah; it has two sources: (1) when the Israelites went into exile they were forced to adopt the Babylonian civil calendar. It is a concept that exists even in the U.S. The government has a fiscal new year that begins on October 1st. Corporations also have their own fiscal years beginning on various dates. When they were given permission to return to the land they were still in the empire, and thus still lived by that calendar for tax purposes, etc. (2) There is also a rabbinic theory that Tom Teruah (not Yom Kippur) is the anniversary of the completion of creation. This provides us with an appropriate time to thank HaShem for the all of the beauty that surrounds us, to stop and show our appreciation for it, and for His great care.

So you see, much like we have 3 new years (in a way) here in the U.S. (Oct 1, July 4th, and Jan 1) so to does Israel have more multiple dates to mark the passing of the years.

There are two other traditional "new years" by the way; and again neither of them are opposed to Aviv as the New Year for Israel either.

Also keep in mind that in the times of the Kings (David and Solomon, etc) years were also marked from the time a monarchy began, (which can sometimes cause a bit of difficulty when researching biblical chronologies.

This does not mean that they (or we) do not recognize the biblical new year for Israel, only that there are other events that have also been used to track the passing of time for various reasons and thus been dubbed as "new years."

I would agree that the first of Aviv is not celebrated much as a new year's day. It may have something to do with the difficulty identifying a new moon. Of course there is no command to celebrate it, or any other new year's day if you think about it..

I hope this helps you, Shalom...

[Corey]

woops my bad. Blast of Horn (Feast of Trumpets) is what Rabbinicals call Rosh Hashana. Day of Atonement Rabbinicals calls Yom Kippur. However The 7th month is NOT the new year. Avev and Sabbath are the only particular month and day YHWH named. Avev is the new year, and that's spring, it makes sense. Shalom! It's hard to decipher truth unless you read Torah of truth. Calender is set via moon, not convergence.

[Corey]

Yom Kippur is called "The Feast of Trumpets" The Day of Atonement. It is not significant to a true New year. This is the 7th Month. Avev is the 1st month YHWH named. Spring is new year. Yom Kippur is Rabbinical. Read Matthew 23 too. May YHWH bless you and shine His face on you. Pray for discernment.