Rosh Hashanah

Prepare for Life

I want to focus on the first of the fall feasts, Rosh Hashanah which literally means head of the year. It is also called the Feast of Trumpets and is always celebrated in the fall in September/October. This is the only feast celebrated on a new moon, which obviously we cannot see, so this feast is shrouded in mystery.
In ancient times two witnesses who independently saw the outline of the new moon reported this separately to the Sanhedrin. Once the new moon was confirmed the Sanhedrin officially announced the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. Runners were sent out to light bonfires on hilltops. With this signal the word went out to the world that Rosh Hashanah had begun. The feast was celebrated over two days so that those who lagged behind learning of that Rosh Hashanah had begun would not miss the feast. It came to be called the Hidden Day, the Day of Concealment or One Long Day.