L'Shanah Tova

Fall Holiday blessing from Rabbi Jack in Toronto



Did you know there is a special day once a year where HaShem (G-d) requires that a trumpet or shofar (a ram’s horn) be blown? This special day is called "Yom Teruah" (Hebrew for Day of Sounding the Shofar) or it is also known as "Feast of Trumpets". In the Bible in VaYikra / Leviticus 23:23 we read, "HaShem said to Moshe (Moses), "Tell the people of Israel in the 7th month, the 1st of the month (Hebrew month "Tishrei") is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. Do not do any kind of ordinary work and bring an offering (BaMidbar / Numbers 29:2-6) made by fire to HaShem."

G-d has special appointed times in the year when He wants to meet with us. G-d gave this commandment (mitzvah) to Moses approximately 4, 000 years ago! How neat that, even to this day, the shofar is still being blown on G-d’s appointed time throughout synagogues and messianic congregations throughout the world! Remember -- we are to rest on this day! It is a Shabbat (a day of rest), so you can clean your room another day!

Apples are dipped in honey and eaten at this time of year to wish for a "sweet new year". Do you know what is sweeter than honey? G-d’s Word! "The rulings of HaShem are true. They are righteous altogether... also sweeter than honey". Psalm 19:9-10. If you really want a sweet new year, try to "eat" G-d’s Word every day!

The common greeting on Rosh HaShana is "L’shana tova" (for a good year). Jewish tradition says, but more importantly the Bible tells us that there is a Book in heaven with the names of those who get to spend eternity with G-d. In Hitgalut it is called "The Lamb’s Book of Life" (Hitgalut / Revelation 20:12). So how do you get your name in this very important Book? Well there is only one way, and it’s all about what’s been done FOR you. G-d gave a beautiful gift to the world and all you have to do is receive this gift. "For G-d so loved the world (that’s you!) that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (Yochanan / John 3:16). His name is Yeshua (Jesus) and He is the Lamb of G-d who takes away the sins of the world.

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Baruch HaShem
Rabbi Ya'acov Farber

Hallelujah for our Lord, our Teacher,our Rabbi, "YESHUA" King Messiah for ever and ever!!!