Rosh Hashanah Study for 5785 (2024)

Rosh Hashanah Study for 5785

The Significance of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, is a time of introspection, renewal, and the coronation of God as King. It is a moment when the shofar (ram’s horn) is blown, calling us to repentance and awakening our souls to return to the Creator. The Torah readings for Rosh Hashanah are filled with themes of new beginnings, covenant promises, divine testing, and God's mercy. Through the lens of these scriptures, we find connections to our faith in Yeshua HaMashiach and the New Covenant.

First Day Readings (Tishrei 1, 5785)

Genesis 21:1-34 – The Birth of Isaac
The first Torah reading tells the story of the miraculous birth of Isaac, a fulfillment of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah. Isaac’s birth signifies the beginning of the covenantal promise that would lead to the creation of Israel as God's chosen people. This narrative of impossible hope being fulfilled resonates deeply on Rosh Hashanah, a time when we remember that nothing is too difficult for Adonai.

• Hebrew Word Study: Yitzchak (יִצְחָק) – "Laughter"
  Isaac’s name, Yitzchak, means laughter. Sarah laughs in disbelief when she hears that she will have a son in her old age (Genesis 18:12), and yet, in Genesis 21:6, she proclaims that God has brought her laughter, turning her doubt into joy. In our own lives, the joy of the Lord transforms our circumstances, reminding us that God’s promises bring joy and renewal. Yeshua Himself offers the fullness of joy (John 15:11).
• Practical Application: Rosh Hashanah is a time to renew our faith in the impossible. Just as God brought laughter and joy to Sarah through His faithfulness, we too can trust that God’s promises will be fulfilled in our lives, even in the most unexpected ways. It is a time to laugh with joy at the goodness of our Father.

Numbers 29:1-6 – The Offerings for Rosh Hashanah
This passage outlines the offerings that were brought before the Lord on Rosh Hashanah. These sacrifices were meant to cleanse the people and prepare them for the Days of Awe, leading up to Yom Kippur. In the Messianic understanding, Yeshua has fulfilled the sacrificial system, becoming the perfect offering for our sins (Hebrews 10:10).

• Hebrew Word Study: Teruah (תְּרוּעָה) – "Shout" or "Blast"
  The word teruah refers to the blast of the shofar. It is a call to awaken, a loud shout that stirs the heart to repentance. As believers in Yeshua, the blowing of the shofar reminds us of the return of our Messiah, who will come with the sound of the trumpet (1 Thessalonians 4:16).
• Practical Application: Just as the shofar calls Israel to repentance, let us hear the voice of Yeshua calling us to awaken spiritually. Rosh Hashanah is a time to reflect on our lives, seek forgiveness, and turn our hearts back to God in preparation for the coming year.

Haftarah: 1 Samuel 1:1 – 2:10 – The Birth of Samuel
The story of Hannah and the birth of Samuel parallels the birth of Isaac. Hannah, like Sarah, was barren, and her heartfelt prayer is answered by the birth of a son. Samuel’s birth marks the beginning of prophetic leadership in Israel, reminding us of the importance of calling upon God in our distress.

• Hebrew Word Study: Chanan (חָנַן) – "Grace"
  Hannah’s name comes from the root chanan, meaning grace or favor. Her story is one of Divine grace, as God hears her prayer and grants her a son. The grace of God is a key theme in the New Testament, as we are saved by grace through faith in Yeshua (Ephesians 2:8).
• Practical Application: Hannah’s prayer teaches us the power of persistent faith. In our times of barrenness—whether spiritual, emotional, or physical—we are called to cry out to God, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.

Second Day Readings (Tishrei 2, 5785)

Genesis 22:1-24 – The Binding of Isaac (Akedah)
On the second day of Rosh Hashanah, we read about the Akedah, the binding of Isaac. This story is one of the most profound examples of faith and obedience in the Torah, as Abraham is willing to sacrifice his promised son. In Messianic understanding, this foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Yeshua, God’s Son, who gave His life as a ransom for many (John 3:16).

• Hebrew Word Study: Akedah (עֲקֵדָה) – "Binding"
  The word akedah means binding, referring to Isaac being bound on the altar. This act of obedience by Abraham signifies complete trust in God’s provision. In Yeshua, we see the ultimate fulfillment of this binding, as He willingly went to the cross for our sake, bound by love and obedience to the Father’s will.
• Practical Application: The story of the Akedah challenges us to trust God fully, even when we do not understand His ways. Like Abraham, we are called to have faith that God will provide. Yeshua is the Lamb who was provided in our place, and in Him, we have the assurance of God’s perfect provision.

Numbers 29:1-6 – Offerings Continued
This reading continues the list of offerings for Rosh Hashanah. These sacrifices, symbolic of atonement, remind us that Yeshua's sacrifice was the ultimate offering for our sins.

• Practical Application: As we reflect on these offerings, let us remember that Yeshua has offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice. His death and resurrection bring us reconciliation with God, and as we enter the new year, we can walk in the freedom of that forgiveness.

Haftarah: Jeremiah 31:1-19 – The Promise of Restoration
Jeremiah 31 is a prophetic promise of restoration and the New Covenant. God promises to gather His people from exile and restore them to their land. This passage is particularly relevant during Rosh Hashanah, as it speaks of a new beginning and the restoration of relationship with God.

• Hebrew Word Study: Shuv (שׁוּב) – "Return"
  The word shuv means to return, and it appears repeatedly in this passage. Rosh Hashanah is a time of teshuvah (repentance), calling us to return to God with all our hearts. In the New Covenant, we see this return fulfilled through Yeshua, who brings us back into right relationship with the Father.
• Practical Application: As we read Jeremiah’s words of hope and restoration, let us embrace the promise that God will gather us to Himself. No matter how far we have wandered, His love calls us back. Yeshua is the one who restores us, bringing us into a renewed and eternal covenant with God.

The Call of Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is a time of deep reflection, repentance, and renewal. The Torah and Haftarah readings for these two days remind us of God’s faithfulness, His provision, and His call to return to Him. Whether we are contemplating the miraculous birth of Isaac, the sacrificial obedience of Abraham, or the promise of restoration in Jeremiah, we are called to trust in the God who is always faithful.

As we blow the shofar and enter into the new year, let us remember the words of Yeshua: "The kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel" (Mark 1:15). May this Rosh Hashanah be a time of returning to the Lord, renewing our commitment to walk in His ways, and experiencing the joy of His grace.