Rosh Hashanah literally means 'head of the year' and is observed on the first day of the first month (Tishri) on the Jewish Calendar.
In other words, today at sundown is the end of Trishri 1, the first day of the Jewish New Year. It began at sundown on Weds.
So what happens on the Jewish New Year? Do they have fireworks or what?
No fireworks -- but during Yom Teruah there are many many blowings of the Shofar. I have heard the number 100 but don’t hold me to that.
The last of the many blowings is a lonnnnnnnng blast, the Teki'ah Gedolah, which some Biblical Scholars believe refers to “The last trumpet” mentioned by Paul in 1 Corinthians 15:52
“51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” KJV
So what is a Shofar and what does it sound like? You ask.
The picture today is of a Rabbi blowing a Shofar which is usually made from a Ram's horn.
To hear what it sounds like, we will link you to a video of a shofar played by Rabbi Jonathan Ginsburg.
As you watch the 2 minute 29 second video, notice that each of the specific sound/blasts has a specific name.
After you hear the name to be played, Rabbi Ginsburg will play the named call on the Shofar.
The name of the last long blast that is sounded on the video will be the Teki'ah Gedolah, which is the last blast sounded on the day of the Feast of Trumpets.
We linked to the sound of the Shofar yesterday, but, if you would like to hear the shofar and its various sounds again, HERE’S THE LINK to the Teki'ah, the Last Trumpet.
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