THE BLAST, THE SHOUT, REPENTANCE AND A SWEET YEAR!

Imagine you are an Israelite living in the Judean hills circa 900BC. The air is crisp in the evenings, and everyone is anticipating the sound of the yearly penetrating blast of the shofar that will announce the start of the seventh month and the mysterious festival called “Zich’ron Teruah”, translated The Memorial of Blasting.

The priests had been meticulously watching the skies each night to be certain not to miss the appearance of the first sliver of the new moon. The moment it was spotted the blasts began. In unison and echoing off the mountains and hills, the sound was riveting causing the body to vibrate and the soul to come to full attention.

Heaps of wood, previously arranged, were waiting to be lit at the blast. From hill to hill the light from the fires pierced the darkness as the shofar sounded. The next twenty-four hours would be a special day dedicated to the LORD according to His instructions in Leviticus 23:23-25 and Numbers 29:1-6.

Fast forward to the present day. In Israel and in Jewish homes, synagogues and communities across the globe at sundown on September 22, 2025; people will eat apples dipped in honey, share a meal, and perhaps attend synagogue and hear many blasts of the shofar. They will greet each other by saying “La Shanna Tova”, which means “For a good and sweet year”.

The seventh month has long been the civil new year for Israel. Most notably it was the official coronation of a new king. It was also believed to be the day when heavenly books are opened, and hearts are weighed for their merit before the LORD. Hence, it is the start of ten days of intense introspection, repentance and reconciliation of broken or damaged relationships. This period is called “The Days of Awe” and are the ten days leading up to Yom Kippur when the belief is that the soul is either written in the Book of Life for the coming year or not.

Below the surface level, the sharing of apples and honey and the greeting for a sweet year, which also includes a prayer for the person’s name to be inscribed in the Book of Life, hold great significance.

Although Zich’ron Yeruah is not mentioned specifically in the New Testament, there are several references that point to the festival. We can cite a few here, such as the fact that the Lord Himself will come with the sound of the shofar, warnings to be watchful and alert and admonitions to listen carefully for the voice and instructions of the LORD. The apostle Paul also teaches that the feasts foreshadow the reality of Jesus. Much can be learned about Him through studying the feasts. May we all diligently seek Him, present our hearts for inspection, repent when needed and be restored in relationships when possible.

• Let us earnestly pray for the Jewish people in the Land and here in the United States to experience the sweetness of the LORD even in these dark days.
• May He help them to turn to Him and call on Him.
• May they experience the sound of His voice as their forefathers did at Mount Sinai where it is said the shofar and His voice penetrated their bodies and everyone heard it as if He was speaking personally to each one.
• “Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.” Romans 10:1 NKJV.

This Psalm is recited in synagogue services on Rosh HaShanna. Some hold to a tradition of blowing the shofar at least 100 times during the service!

La Shana Tova,

Quay Messner, OEUSA National Prayer Coordinator