A Messianic View of the High Holy Days

Over the last five decades, Messianic Judaism has evolved and developed, especially in the observances of Jewish holidays and practices, with most of these traditions originating from traditional Judaism, with the High Holy Days being no exception. The High Holy Days include the Jewish New Year and traditionally it is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, and a day of judgment and coronation of G‑d as King. It is also called the holiday of trumpets because of the blowing of the shofar or ram’s horn several times during the service. Rosh Hashanah is celebrated as the head of the Jewish year. It begins at sundown on the eve of Tishrei 1 (Sept. 15, 2023) and ends after nightfall on Tishrei 2 (Sept. 17, 2023). Together with Yom Kippur, which follows 10 days later, it is part of the Yamim Nora’im (Days of Awe). It is also a time of eating sweet foods (to commemorate a sweet new year) specifically round challah that symbolizes our wish for a year in which life and blessings continue without end and apples dipped in honey symbolizing a sweet year.