The Days of Awe Part 2

As we learned yesterday, we are in the ten day period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. These ten days are collectively called the "Days of Awe." It is a time of self examination and honesty about how we have lived and treated others in the past year. The Jews believed that through repentance, prayer, and good deeds, any misfortune in the upcoming year could be avoided. We will spend a few days learning about the Days of Awe.

What is the mood during the Days of Awe?
The mood during the entire 10 days is one of repentance. It’s the time of year where Jews and non-Jews are judged on the scales of good and evil, but the theme is that we can avert the evil decree by various acts. It is very much in keeping with the Jewish notion that it’s not just a matter of Elohim's grace, but includes human energy as a factor in the outcome. Men and women hurt each other and do bad things, but men and women can repair the damage they’ve caused. It is our duty to do so when we can.

What makes the Rosh Hashanah service different?
The most notable thing about the service is the blowing of the shofar, the ram’s horn. The Book of Numbers says that we are to consecrate this first day of the seventh month with the blowing of the ram’s horn. The shofar is blown 100 times. Why? The number of times is a question discussed and debated by the Talmudic sages, but it’s become customary to blow 100 blasts.

What’s the significance of blowing the shofar?
The significance of the shofar, which is not a set apart object like a Torah scroll, is much discussed. It awakens the dormant soul to repentance. You may be thinking about a ball game or a work project and not be paying attention, and when the shofar sounds, it is a means to call you to the important worship at hand. If you look at Biblical stories, they most a;ways mention the ram’s horn. It’s a sign of Elohim's sovereignty, a signal that He is coming down with His law. The horn also recalls that when Abraham was about to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as Elohim had requested,* an angel guided Abraham’s hand to kill a goat instead. On Rosh Hashanah we are reminded of how faithful Elohim has been. Have you ever heard the shofar in a church service? If not, ask why not? Do we think because of Yeshua's sacrifice that we need no longer repent? The early followers of Yeshua did not hold to such a belief.

As we continue studying the Days of Awe, let us not faint and give up. The process of repentance will be quicker if we don't resist. Understand and act on the belief that Elohim has seen all your sins in the last year and somehow He still loves you. Embrace repentance; don't resist it.



* In Hebrew, Elohim does not command Abraham to offer Isaac. Instead, it is in the form of a request. This should change the way you see Elohim and Abraham in this passage.