High Holy Day
Overview:
Rosh Hashanah:
The Jewish New Year!
This High Holy Day marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in the Jewish Faith.
This Holy Day is the culmination of shofar blowing that begins on the first day of the previous month, the month of Elul. Everyday in Elul, the Jewish people are to hear the sound of a shofar (usually performed as part of our morning prayers).
The last day of this Holy Day ushers in the "Days of Awe," which are the 10 days leading up to Yom Kippur. These 10 days are days of repentance, performed in preparation for the Holiest day of the Jewish year, Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).
Interestingly enough, this Holy Day has 3 different names and the meaning and reasons for this Holy Day have changed over time from the initial Biblical Holy Day.
When is Rosh Hashanah?
Friday 11 September 2026
-
Sunday 13 September 2026
01.
"Yom Teruah"
In the Tanakh, this Holy Day is officially given the name "Yom Teruah." The specifics for this commanded holy day are found in Leviticus 23:24 and Numbers 9:1. Not much information is given by Hashem with regards for the reason behind this Holy Day. This lack of information stands in stark contrast to the rest of the Jewish Holy Days.
Normally, Jewish Holy Days celebrate or commemorate a miracle performed by Hashem or a national event, which we are to remember for all generations. So, perhaps the mystery points to some yet revealed miracle that Hashem will perform for His Jewish people!
02.
"Feast of Trumpets"
The name "Feast of Trumpets" is an English translation of Yom Teruah. However, the proper translation is "Day of Trumpets." This name makes clear the command to sound a loud shofar blast on this Holy Day. Traditionally, the shofar is to sound at the first sight of the New Moon in Tishrei. Thus, the date and time of this Holy Day was often not precisely known in biblical times.
In the days of the wilderness wandering, there was a loud Trumpet when Hashem gave His Torah at Mount Sinai as well as when the Tabernacle was built for the first time. However, the Torah was given three days after the Third New moon after leaving Egypt, and the Temple was built on the First New moon of the second year. This "first new moon" is typically understood as the new moon of Nisan, just before Pesach. So, neither of these fit the celebration "in the seventh month."
Is it possible that the Tabernacle was erected on this Holy Day, and the First of the Month is speaking of Rosh Hashanah, no the first of the Holy Day months? Possibly something to ponder!
03.
"Rosh Hashanah"
In modern times, Rosh Hashanah has become the New Year of Jewish Calendar, which is disticnt from the Jewish Holy Day Calendar (which begins in Nisan, the month when Pesach is celebrated).
This New Year is harkened to in the descriptions of the Jubilee Year, when a trumpet is sounded both on Rosh Hashanah AND Yom Kippur when a 50th year jubilee celebration begins for all of Israel AND the Land of Zion. In this Jubilee year, captives must go free, the land must rest, and all property and posessions must be returned to their owners. This Jubilee sounds much like the events of eternity when moshiach will come and Hashem will restore the people, the land, and the property of Jacob.
Holy Day Torah Portions:
Tanakh
Rosh Hashana I (on Shabbat) / רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה א׳ (בְּשַׁבָּת)
Saturday, 12 September 2026 / 1 Tishrei 5787
Torah Portion: Genesis 21:1-34; Numbers 29:1-6
1: Genesis 21:1-4 · 4 p’sukim
2: Genesis 21:5-8 · 4 p’sukim
3: Genesis 21:9-12 · 4 p’sukim
4: Genesis 21:13-17 · 5 p’sukim
5: Genesis 21:18-21 · 4 p’sukim
6: Genesis 21:22-27 · 6 p’sukim
7: Genesis 21:28-34 · 7 p’sukim
maf: Numbers 29:1-6 · 6 p’sukim
Haftarah: I Samuel 1:1-2:10 · 38 p’sukim
Rosh Hashana II / רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה ב׳
Sunday, 13 September 2026 / 2 Tishrei 5787
Torah Portion: Genesis 22:1-24; Numbers 29:1-6
1: Genesis 22:1-3 · 3 p’sukim
2: Genesis 22:4-8 · 5 p’sukim
3: Genesis 22:9-14 · 6 p’sukim
4: Genesis 22:15-19 · 5 p’sukim
5: Genesis 22:20-24 · 5 p’sukim
maf: Numbers 29:1-6 · 6 p’sukim
Haftarah: Jeremiah 31:2-20 · 19 p’sukim
References
“Rosh Hashanah” in Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia
Wikimedia Foundation Inc.