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Post by alon on Sept 21, 2014 18:00:43 GMT -8
Erev Rosh Hashanah is Wed the 24th of Sept this year(2014/5775). So sundown the 24th to sundown the 25th is Rosh HaShanah. In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means "head of the year". Commonly called the Jewish New Year it is one of the holiest days of the year. It really is the Spiritual New Year in Judaism, and marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. These include Rosh HaShanah to Yom Kippur, and all the days in between known as the Ten Days of Awe in Judaism. It is a time of introspection, looking back at the mistakes of the past year and planning the changes to make in the new year.
The common greeting at this time is L'shanah tovah, which means "for a good year". The full greeting for men is "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem". For women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi". This means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year."
"Rosh Hashanah" is not used in the Bible in reference to this holiday. Either Yom Ha-Zikkaron (the day of remembrance) or Yom Teruah (the day of the sounding of the shofar) are the Biblical terms for this day. The holiday is given in Leviticus 23:24-25.
To hear the sounding of the shofar in the synagogue is one of the most important observances of this holiday. A total of 100 notes are sounded each day. There are four different types of shofar notes:
* tekiah, a 3 second sustained note
* shevarim, three 1-second notes rising in tone
* teruah, a series of short, staccato notes over a period of @ 3 seconds
* tekiah gedolah (big tekiah), the final blast in a set, which lasts @ 10 seconds.
No work is permitted on Rosh Hashanah, with exceptions:
* cooking is allowed
* you may buy what is needed to cook
Observant Jews spend most of the day in Synagogue reading from a special prayerbook called the machzor. Services generally focus on the concept of G-d's sovereignty.
A popular custom is eating apples and/or bread dipped in honey as a symbol of our wish for a sweet new year.
Another popular practice of the holiday is Tashlikh ("casting off"). Emptying your pockets, or throwing stones or bread into flowing water which represents the casting off of sins. Messianics should NOT do this, as the practice is not Biblical and in fact is pure paganism. This is one of the instances where we do not follow Judaic tradition because it directly contradicts scripture.
Judaism has four different "new years," similar to our having a fiscal year in addition to our New Year.
* Nissan 1 is the new year for counting the reign of kings and months on the calendar
* Elul 1 is the new year for the tithing of animals
* Shevat 15 is the new year for trees
* Tishri 1 (Rosh Hashanah) is the spiritual new year and new year for years, when the year number is increased
Rosh HaShannah and Yom Kippur are, however the most important days of the year by far. This is not to be confused with the shalosh regalim, those times when all Hebrews were commanded to assemble in Yerushalai'im. These are Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks), and Sukkot (Tents or Booths). The High Holy days are, as I understand it, more important even than these.
So, what are your plans to celebrate Rosh HaShanah?
Dan C
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Post by alon on Sept 21, 2014 18:10:05 GMT -8
So far I plan to NOT throw anything into the water  . I have apples and honey and bread ready, and will put some out on the 25th. I'll probably add some nuts and dates and whatever else I can find to the mix.
I'm going to Synagogue on the 24th in the evening, where I'll hear the shofar blown. The 25th I'll try to blow my own shofar. My Dad would have gotten a kick out of that, as he used to say it was scriptural: "He that tooteth not his own horn, the same it shall not be tooted." I'll probably go over to mom's and share that one with her.
I will of course be in scripture and I'll probably be here as well. Since I have limited access to community and many of you here have none, I sort of consider this a part of my community and so will not feel I am breaking any laws to be here.
Shavua tov.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Aug 30, 2015 17:17:46 GMT -8
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Post by garrett on Sept 11, 2015 5:34:23 GMT -8
Speaking of Rosh HaShanah...
I always get in a mix-up about this, especially since I do not follow rabbinical Judaism (but I take a lot of the good, practical, clear cut ideas and traditions from it).
DRIVING ON ROSH HASHANAH TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE. This is something that's making me wonder. Yom Tov is not Shabbat but it is still considered a sabbath, so orthodox jews do not drive on these two days. I can easily park far away and avoid offending someone. This would enable me to attend prayer services and hear the shofar. Yet I don't want to offend others who may see me or shock someone who asks, "where do you live? how did you get here today?".
I'm used to being the odd man out when I'm there anyways (since my fathers name, my last name, is Scottish AND I live outside the eruv).
This may seem like a stupid question, but what would Yeshua think of this dilemma? I know that no one can speak for Him but it's a rhetorical question that I'd be happy to get practical advice on. How would Yeshua think of this in terms of halachic law (driving)? Plus, almost everyone in the world lives in the Diaspora, which has really complicated everything. Had we all believed in the Messiah = I wouldn't have to ask this question in the first place.
Being a new Jew (I didn't know all my life) might get me a pass for awhile but I wonder if others would feel I'm polluting the system (the synagogue) on such a significant holy day (as well as Yom Kippur).
I'll take input from ANYONE.
May G-d Bless you - garrett
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Post by Elizabeth on Sept 11, 2015 6:33:56 GMT -8
I think the only one you should be worried about offending is G-d.
If you feel like G-d wants you there and has no problem with you driving to accomplish that, I think you should go guarding your intentions with a pure heart. You don't have to be rude about it, but you don't have to be ashamed about it either if you are doing what you feel G-d tells you to do.
I also wonder if Yeshua doesn't like you being somewhere you feel you can't be or bring all of yourself. I sympathize with having no where to go or fit in, as we all do. I don't know, but if this is where G-d needs you to be, then I think you have to be prepared to be in a position that offends people. Just my thoughts.
What a tricky and unfulfilling place we are in. I can't wait till Yeshua shows the world what it was always meant to be. Blessings to you Garrett!
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Post by alon on Sept 11, 2015 7:42:24 GMT -8
Speaking of Rosh HaShanah... I always get in a mix-up about this, especially since I do not follow rabbinical Judaism (but I take a lot of the good, practical, clear cut ideas and traditions from it). DRIVING ON ROSH HASHANAH TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE. This is something that's making me wonder. Yom Tov is not Shabbat but it is still considered a sabbath, so orthodox jews do not drive on these two days. I can easily park far away and avoid offending someone. This would enable me to attend prayer services and hear the shofar. Yet I don't want to offend others who may see me or shock someone who asks, "where do you live? how did you get here today?". I'm used to being the odd man out when I'm there anyways (since my fathers name, my last name, is Scottish AND I live outside the eruv). This may seem like a stupid question, but what would Yeshua think of this dilemma? I know that no one can speak for Him but it's a rhetorical question that I'd be happy to get practical advice on. How would Yeshua think of this in terms of halachic law (driving)? Plus, almost everyone in the world lives in the Diaspora, which has really complicated everything. Had we all believed in the Messiah = I wouldn't have to ask this question in the first place. Being a new Jew (I didn't know all my life) might get me a pass for awhile but I wonder if others would feel I'm polluting the system (the synagogue) on such a significant holy day (as well as Yom Kippur). I'll take input from ANYONE. May G-d Bless you - garrett
My wife has told me it isn't unusual to see European Jews drive to within 2-3 blocks of the synagogue, then walk the rest of the way.
My advice would be to talk with the Rabbi and find out what is acceptable. Some may require you to aquire lodging close by so walking isn't a problem. Or they may not worry about you driving right up in front of the building. Ask them.
Alternatively, you may just find a god spot to park a few blocks away, park and walk in without saying anything. Or have a goyim drop you off and pick you up a suitable distance away. This would have the advantage that if you were invited to someone's house the goy could pick you up from there instead.
Dan C
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Post by garrett on Sept 11, 2015 8:04:58 GMT -8
I think the only one you should be worried about offending is G-d. If you feel like G-d wants you there and has no problem with you driving to accomplish that, I think you should go guarding your intentions with a pure heart. You don't have to be rude about it, but you don't have to be ashamed about it either if you are doing what you feel G-d tells you to do. I also wonder if Yeshua doesn't like you being somewhere you feel you can't be or bring all of yourself. I sympathize with having no where to go or fit in, as we all do. I don't know, but if this is where G-d needs you to be, then I think you have to be prepared to be in a position that offends people. Just my thoughts. What a tricky and unfulfilling place we are in. I can't wait till Yeshua shows the world what it was always meant to be. Blessings to you Garrett! Thanks Elizabeth - I think it's important for me to keep remembering the things you mentioned above. After all, who do I really answer to? I do feel compelled to go to synagogue when I do go. The occasional discomfort is well worth the trade-off in how beautiful the group worship is. I never regret it any single time either. It will be nice when Yeshua shows us what the world was meant to be  - garrett |
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Post by garrett on Sept 11, 2015 8:17:09 GMT -8
Speaking of Rosh HaShanah... I always get in a mix-up about this, especially since I do not follow rabbinical Judaism (but I take a lot of the good, practical, clear cut ideas and traditions from it). DRIVING ON ROSH HASHANAH TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE. This is something that's making me wonder. Yom Tov is not Shabbat but it is still considered a sabbath, so orthodox jews do not drive on these two days. I can easily park far away and avoid offending someone. This would enable me to attend prayer services and hear the shofar. Yet I don't want to offend others who may see me or shock someone who asks, "where do you live? how did you get here today?". I'm used to being the odd man out when I'm there anyways (since my fathers name, my last name, is Scottish AND I live outside the eruv). This may seem like a stupid question, but what would Yeshua think of this dilemma? I know that no one can speak for Him but it's a rhetorical question that I'd be happy to get practical advice on. How would Yeshua think of this in terms of halachic law (driving)? Plus, almost everyone in the world lives in the Diaspora, which has really complicated everything. Had we all believed in the Messiah = I wouldn't have to ask this question in the first place. Being a new Jew (I didn't know all my life) might get me a pass for awhile but I wonder if others would feel I'm polluting the system (the synagogue) on such a significant holy day (as well as Yom Kippur). I'll take input from ANYONE. May G-d Bless you - garrett
My wife has told me it isn't unusual to see European Jews drive to within 2-3 blocks of the synagogue, then walk the rest of the way.
My advice would be to talk with the Rabbi and find out what is acceptable. Some may require you to aquire lodging close by so walking isn't a problem. Or they may not worry about you driving right up in front of the building. Ask them.
Alternatively, you may just find a god spot to park a few blocks away, park and walk in without saying anything. Or have a goyim drop you off and pick you up a suitable distance away. This would have the advantage that if you were invited to someone's house the goy could pick you up from there instead.
Dan C
It's funny Alon - When I was reading Elizabeth's reply, that scripture popped into my head, "and He said unto them, the sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath." I actually have a really good place where I park so as not to offend anyone, especially the older men and women. I know this place would frown on me parking near the shul. As far as talking to the rabbi. He seems difficult to approach. Interestingly he is the spiritual leader but there are so many in leadership in the community that many people refer to different rabbis for input and advice. This rabbi is about my age (a little young), very intelligent and (I think) a little snobby Some of the older men who have had me over for lunch on Sabbath have told me I'm not the only person to find myself "a little unimportant" for him to speak to. I respect him for his position and enormous  knowledge though. I actually like him. The funniest thing is that I could have my wife take me and drop me off then pick me up again then take me home....wouldn't that be nice of me? Thanks for the scripture - garrett |
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Post by garrett on Sept 11, 2015 8:22:32 GMT -8
I'd even like to use my own tallis instead of using the musty ones on the racks outside the sanctuary but carrying it would be frowned upon too.
We've perfected the art of creating our own anxiety and calling tallis bag-carrying a sin.
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Post by jimmie on Sept 11, 2015 8:57:08 GMT -8
DRIVING ON ROSH HASHANAH TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE. May G-d Bless you - garrett 2 kings 4:22-23 seems to indicate that the man was used to his wife traveling on the Sabbath and new moons to see the man of God. |
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Post by Elizabeth on Sept 11, 2015 10:42:43 GMT -8
I just want to clarify something for my own understanding. I have been under the perception that keeping the positive commandments outranks (for lack of a better word) keeping the negative ones. That is how I considered the technical aspect of the issue, but I now wonder if I am being too cut and dry after reading the other posts. I understand there are other concerns at play. I just want to clarify this understanding for my own future reference.
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Post by alon on Sept 11, 2015 12:07:51 GMT -8
DRIVING ON ROSH HASHANAH TO AN ORTHODOX SYNAGOGUE. May G-d Bless you - garrett 2 kings 4:22-23 seems to indicate that the man was used to his wife traveling on the Sabbath and new moons to see the man of God.
2 Kings 4:18-25 (ESV) When the child had grown, he went out one day to his father among the reapers. And he said to his father, “Oh, my head, my head!” The father said to his servant, “Carry him to his mother.” And when he had lifted him and brought him to his mother, the child sat on her lap till noon, and then he died. And she went up and laid him on the bed of the man of God and shut the door behind him and went out. 22 Then she called to her husband and said, “Send me one of the servants and one of the donkeys, that I may quickly go to the man of God and come back again.” And he said, “Why will you go to him today? It is neither new moon nor Sabbath.” She said, “All is well.” Then she saddled the donkey, and she said to her servant, “Urge the animal on; do not slacken the pace for me unless I tell you.” So she set out and came to the man of God at Mount Carmel. When the man of God saw her coming, he said to Gehazi his servant, “Look, there is the Shunammite.
Preservation, or in this case restoration of life is the higher mitzvoth. So she went in search of Elisha to bring him to help her son.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Sept 11, 2015 12:34:20 GMT -8
I just want to clarify something for my own understanding. I have been under the perception that keeping the positive commandments outranks (for lack of a better word) keeping the negative ones. That is how I considered the technical aspect of the issue, but I now wonder if I am being too cut and dry after reading the other posts. I understand there are other concerns at play. I just want to clarify this understanding for my own future reference.
Also I think Judaism out of respect for the Rabbis have taken many things to extremes. Creating a spark, for example, was how one would build a fire when that commandment was written. The main purpose of the fire was to cook. This was hard, creative work, and was thus prohibited on Shabbat. Today some sects prohibit driving because the engine sparks internally. They also won't flip an electric switch because it creates a spark. Here where I live, in farming and ranching communities, if we didn't drive no one would make it in to Synagogue. So our Rabbis have made it halacha that we can drive, just not for doing any prohibited act. Even then, a rancher during calving season has to check the herd regularly. Calving problems could cost him his livelihood, and are certainly cruel to cow and calf if left until after Shabbat. His livelihood and the cruelty aspect are both higher mitzvoth.
Another extreme I think is having 4 complete sets of kitchen utensils, based on the proscription not to boil a kidd in its mothers milk. This was a very cruel pagan practice of taking a newborn goat and boiling it alive in the milk of the nanny right in front of her. But it has been taken to the extremes that you can't mix meat and dairy; and you are to have a dairy and meat kitchen for everyday use and another two complete kitchens for holidays. So as I would never boil a kidd in front of its' mother, this is one mitzvah I just don't worry about. I eat cheeseburgers, and have only one kitchen and a very good dishwasher.
Common sense and reading will both go a long way in figuring out your walk. You can ask here as well and we'll try and get you an answer. But ask ahead of time as both R Reuel ans Rav S are very busy and often hard to get ahold of.
Dan C
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Post by alon on Sept 11, 2015 12:46:47 GMT -8
I'd even like to use my own tallis instead of using the musty ones on the racks outside the sanctuary but carrying it would be frowned upon too. We've perfected the art of creating our own anxiety and calling tallis bag-carrying a sin.
If they want you to use one of their Tallis, then I would advise you do so. Not being Jewish yourself (you did tell them about this, right?), I am surprised they'd want you to wear a tallit. But do as they wish. I'd say bring a conservative (plain) kippah as well.
Unless they tell you to do something different, my advice is to park a respectful distance away, and in a place where you won't be seen, then walk in. If they ask how you got there don't lie. Just tell them that you had to drive, but out of respect you parked and walked in. If you can help it don't take a bus or tram where money or tokens are exchanged, as you are compounding the error.
Bottom line: when Romans are in synagogues, they should do as the Jews do.
Dan C
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Post by garrett on Sept 11, 2015 12:53:48 GMT -8
Yes, wearing one of the old tallit is no problem. I just really like mine. I guess I'm whining.
No, I am Jewish. I didn't discover this until later in life. It was right around the time I started learning the Alef-Bet, ironically.
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- there are 70 faces to 
- garrett
