Greetings Lighthouse Inc., Church Friends & Family,

Tonight at sundown starts the commencement of Rosh Hashanah. Rosh Hashanah, celebrates renewal. Rosh Hashanah is a celebration of the Head of the Year. It is one of two new year celebrations in the Jewish faith, the other being Passover in the spring.

On Rosh Hashanah the shofar is blown. The shofar being blown is tied to the ram sacrificed in place of Abraham’s son. This holiday is celebrated by attending synagogue to hear the shofar, as well as eating apple slices with honey. Apples represent the hopes for fruitfulness and the honey symbolizing the desire for a sweet year.

Another tradition tied to Rosh Hashanah involves a ritual of throwing bread onto running water, called a tashlich, which symbolizes the removal of sins from people.

Rosh Hashanah is believed to mark the date of the creation of the world, and it begins the “Days of Awe.” a 10-day period culminating in Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah also begins a yearlong observance known as the “Shmita.”

The “Shmita” is celebrated once every seven years, the term comes from a Hebrew phrase that appears in the Bible in a number of passages. Some of these passages command that the farmer “drops” or “releases” his crops. Another verse associates the act with the forgiveness of debts. In another passage in the Bible, the “Shmita” is connected with the reading of God’s revelation in the law. Rosh Hashanah is a reminder to care for those who have been struggling.

Enjoy this special season.

In Christ,

The Lighthouse Inc., Church