I remember when I first started studying Torah I was so overwhelmed with the information and wisdom that HaShem was giving me that I gave little thought to the High Holy days of the Jews.  That’s right, the Jews.  That’s what I thought they were and that when I was involved in the Messianic movement I thought that I had infringed on their territory.  Many Jewish had actually told me I was infringing on their Judaism.  So naturally I took that to mean don’t do the High Holy Days. 

As I grew in my knowledge of Torah, including the High Holy days I began to realize that we may have as much right to celebrate them as the Jewish people do.  Of course, I would never stand up in a Synagogue and blurt out my right to do so, for obvious reasons.  However, these Holy Days are very important for all Mankind and not just B’nai Israel.  Let me share some of the revelations I have had on this path to grow in HaShem’s ways.

Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of Tishri.  In Hebrew, Rosh Hashanah means, literally, "head of the year" or "first of the year."  Rosh Hashanah is commonly known as the Jewish New Year.  For much of the world the holiday of New Years represents drinking bashes and football games.  This is not the reason HaShem had for it.

Rosh Hashanah is part of the Days of Awe which is also the name of a book by Rabbi Avraham Sutton and as the good Rabbi would say to us “these are awesome days.”  We know that the Jewish people are commanded to keep this day Holy and the Gentiles are not commanded to do this.  The fact that we are not commanded to keep Rosh Hashanah does not me we can’t or shouldn’t.  But why?  I’m glad you asked.

There are many reasons why we, as Noahides, can celebrate Rosh Hashanah.  Here are just a few to think about.  On the first Rosh Hashanah in history God created Adam and Eve.  Yes, creation had begun 5 days earlier but it was only when man had been brought into existence that God’s creative labor was complete.  Prior to the creation of man God had to create everything from the heavenly bodies, angels, day and night, oceans and continents, vegetation and animals which all set the stage for man who is the principle player in God’s creation.  Man was created on Rosh Hashanah other wise known as the first day of the New Year.

As an example let’s take the tallest building in the world; it is not the inhabitants that are significant it is the structure.  However, if the building is designed for inhabitation then the important anniversaries will be celebrated on the day when man first began to use it.  God created the universe for the purpose of man’s inner struggle to choose between good and evil.

We are celebrating the first day of creation or its birthday.  It is our birthday as well given that we are all descended from Adam and Eve.  So, happy birthday everyone.  

How about the Patriarchs Avraham and Jacob who were born on Rosh Hashanah.  Abraham was a new beginning for a true and deeper understanding of our Creator.  Jacob was the new beginning for the Jewish people.  We can be gladdened by this because they were Noahides just like you and I.  

On Rosh Hashanah God remembered two baron women – Sarah and Rachel.  Not only was Rosh Hashanah monumental time in the lives of these two great women but they also gave birth to a couple of great leaders Isaac and Jacob.  By the way they were all Noahides.

After 12 years in prison, on Rosh Hashanah, Joseph was freed and went on to become the viceroy of Egypt.  He made it possible for the world to survive the famine.  Probably a significant accomplishment.

As you can see many momentous events occurred on Rosh Hashanah to Noahides.  So we have much to be thankful for and to celebrate.

Rosh Hashanah is a time of Judgment.  Genesis 1.1 tells us that in the beginning Elokim created the heavens and the earth.  Elokim, the Judge.  In essence, all of creation, including man, was created to stand trial and be judged.  Rosh Hashanah was the day that man began to put this Divine plan into action.

There are many commandments that man must keep.  For Gentiles we have the Seven Noahide Laws and B’nai Israel has the 10 commandments to carry out.  There are many things we are judged on.  Has one maintained their faith during times of difficulty or temptation?  Have we eased the pain of our fellow man or ignored or intensified it?  Has one acted as God’s treasurer by wisely and generously using the resources that He has provided?  Has one prayed for the heart?  Have we performed our commandments eagerly, diligently and carefully?  Have we elevated ourselves and sanctified the world with Torah study?  These and an infinite number of opportunities are we judged during this Holy Day of Rosh Hashanah but is there something more to remember on Rosh Hashanah?

God’s Kingship!  God’s sovereignty!  What is meant by kingship?  Certainly God does not need any ceremony or pageantry.  If we can imagine that the world is a stage and God is the creator, organizer and director of everything on the stage.  A great king would create, organize and direct his kingdom for the benefit of those who live in the kingdom.  His creation, organization of His creation and His continuous direction of it are for the sole benefit of mankind.  All God wants is to be recognized for it.  To be acknowledged by all mankind for whom He truly is.  May this happen in our time.

So during the days leading up to Yom Kippur not only do we seriously reflect on the past year and repent for things we need to improve upon but we should also be thinking about our Creator.  We must consider what He has done for us as the Director in our life this past year to help us improve ourselves.  We need to thank Him while we are praying for His merciful judgment.

We need to ask what did we do to help God be acknowledged to our fellow man?   Have I helped to spread His Torah?  Have I volunteered and/or donated charity to any organizations that represent God well and spread His Torah?  How have I emulated Him?  How have I sanctified the name of my Creator?  What more could I have done this past year that I can do during the upcoming year?  These are the types of questions we need to be asking ourselves.  In our service of God, we should grow day to day in our knowledge of His Torah and in our awareness of His greatness.

If we can continually do the things necessary to be elevating ourselves we not only gain benefit for ourselves but we will also be benefiting mankind.  We would be showing our acknowledgment of our Creator.  We will be a reflection of our Creator for the entire world to see.

 

Shana Tova

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