The Feast of Trumpets better known as Rosh HaShanah occurs on the 1st of Tishrei (the 7th Biblical month corresponding with September/October of our calendar year.) It is considered a “Sabbath unto the Lord: “Do no regular work.” Lev. 23:25.

Scriptural references: Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 10:9-10, 29:1; and Nehemiah 8:1-12.

The Bible states that the Feast of Trumpets is to be a holy day celebrated with trumpet blasts on the first day of the seventh month. The blowing of the trumpet was associated with the calling of a solemn assembly; a warning of danger and action to be taken; or the arrival of a king.

Over the centuries this feast, because it was the first in the series of three fall festivals considered to be the holiest time of the year, came traditionally to be called “Rosh HaShanah” or literally the “Head of the Year”, or New Years Day. This may be connected to the events described in Nehemiah 8:1-12, called “holy” in verses 10 & 11.

While this feast is not specifically mentioned in the New Testament, at least two extremely important prophetic events are described there as beginning with a trumpet blast. They are the “catching up” of the body of believers (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18), and the return of the Lord (Matthew 24:31.)

The Feast of Trumpets is celebrated today with several different blasts of the “Shofar” (a trumpet made from a ram’s horn). It is a very solemn time, just preceding the holiest day of all days in the Biblical calendar, the Day of Atonement (better known as “Yom Kippur”). On Yom Kippur God’s atonement (forgiveness) is sought and His judgment is feared. The ten days from Rosh HaShanah through Yom Kippur are called the “Days of Awe”, when one considers his/her sins before God, and enters into a period of repentance; of asking for forgiveness from God and from those one has harmed; and of restitution.

Rosh HaShanah also remembers the creation of the universe by Adonai (God). It is traditional to eat apples dipped in honey to welcome in a sweet new year. Fruit, sweet vegetables, and honey appear in the main dishes.