How Yom Teruah Became Rosh Hashanah

On the 1st day of the Seventh Month (Tishrei) the Torah commands us to observe the holy day of Yom Teruah which means “Day of Shouting” (Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6). Yom Teruah is a day of rest on which work is forbidden.

One of the unique things about Yom Teruah is that the Torah does not say what the purpose of this holy day is. The Torah gives at least one reason for all the other holy days and two reasons for some. The Feast of Matzot (Unleavened Bread) commemorates the Exodus from Egypt, but it is also a celebration of the beginning of the barley harvest (Exodus 23:15; Leviticus 23:4–14). The Feast of Shavuot (Weeks) is a celebration of the wheat harvest (Exodus 23:16; 34:22). Yom Ha-Kippurim is a national day of atonement as described in great detail in Leviticus 16. Finally, the Feast of Sukkot (Booths) commemorates the wandering of the Israelites in the desert and is also a celebration of the ingathering of agricultural produce (Exodus 23:16). In contrast to all these Torah festivals, Yom Teruah has no clear purpose other than that we are commended to rest on this day.

Nevertheless, the name of Yom Teruah provides a clue as to its purpose. Teruah literally means to make a loud noise. This word can describe the noise made by a trumpet but it also describes the noise made by a large gathering of people shouting in unison (Numbers 10:5–6). For example,

And it shall come to pass when the ram’s horn makes a long blast, when you hear the sound of the shofar, the entire nation will shout a great shout, and the wall of the city shall fall in its place, and the people shall go up as one man against it.”

- Joshua 6:5

In this verse the word “shout” appears twice, once as the verb form of Teruah and a second time as the noun form of Teruah. Although this verse mentions the sound of the shofar (ram’s horn), the two instances of Teruah do not refer to the shofar. In fact, in this verse, Teruah refers to the shouting of the Israelites which was followed by the fall of the walls of Jericho.

While the Torah does not explicitly tell us the purpose of Yom Teruah, its name may indicate that it is intended as a day of public prayer. The verb form of Teruah often refers to the noise made by a gathering of the faithful calling out to the Almighty in unison. For example:

  • Clap hands, all nations, shout to God, with a singing voice!” (Psalms 47:2)

  • Shout to God, all the earth!” (Psalms 66:1)

  • Sing to God, our strength, shout to the God of Jacob!” (Psalms 81:2)

  • Shout to Yehovah, all the earth!” (Psalms 100:1)

In Leviticus 23:24, Yom Teruah is also referred to as Zichron Teruah. The word Zichron is sometimes translated as “memorial”, but this Hebrew word also means to “mention”, often in reference to speaking the name of Yehovah. For example, Exodus 3:15; Isaiah 12:4; Isaiah 26:13; Psalms 45:17[Heb. 18]. The day of Zichron Teruah, the “Mentioning Shout”, may refer to a day of gathering in public prayer in which the crowd of the faithful shouts the name of Yehovah in unison.

Today, few people remember the biblical name of Yom Teruah and instead it is widely known as "Rosh Hashanah" which literally means “head of the year” and hence also “New Years”. The transformation of Yom Teruah (Day of Shouting) into Rosh Hashanah (New Years) is the result of pagan Babylonian influence upon the Jewish nation. The first stage in the transformation was the adoption of the Babylonian month names. In the Torah, the months are numbered as First Month, Second Month, Third Month, etc (Leviticus 23; Numbers 28). During their sojourn in Babylonia our ancestors began to use the pagan Babylonian month names, a fact readily admitted in the Talmud:

The names of the months came up with them from Babylonia.” (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:2 56d)

The pagan nature of the Babylonian month names is epitomized by the fourth month known as Tammuz. In the Babylonian religion, Tammuz was the god of grain whose annual death and resurrection brought fertility to the world. In the book of Ezekiel, the prophet described a journey to Jerusalem in which he saw the Jewish women sitting in the Temple “weeping over Tammuz” (Ezekiel 8:14). The reason they were weeping over Tammuz is that, according to Babylonian mythology, Tammuz had been slain but had not yet been resurrected. In ancient Babylonia, the time for weeping over Tammuz was the early summer, when the rains cease throughout the Middle East and green vegetation is burnt by the unrelenting sun. To this day the Fourth Month in the rabbinical calendar is known as the month of Tammuz and it is still a time for weeping and mourning.

Some of the Babylonian month names found their way into the later books of the Tanakh, but they always appear alongside the Torah month names. For example, Esther 3:7 says:

In the First Month, which is the month of Nissan, in the twelfth year of King Achashverosh.”

This verse starts off by giving the Torah name for the month (“First Month”) and then translates this month into its pagan equivalent (“which is the month of Nissan”). By the time of Esther, all the Jews lived within the boundaries of the Persian Empire and the Persians had adopted the Babylonian calendar for the civil administration of their realm. At first, the Jews used these Babylonian month names alongside the Torah month names, but over time the Torah month names fell into disuse.

As the Jewish People became more comfortable with the Babylonian month names, they became more susceptible to other Babylonian influences. This is similar to the way that American Jews observe  Hanukkah as a Jewish version of Christmas. This influence began with the seemingly harmless custom of giving gifts on Hanukkah. Until the Jews arrived in America this custom was unknown and it is still a rarity in Israel where Hanukkah does not need to compete with Christmas for the hearts and minds of the Jewish youth. Once Hanukkah took on this relatively trivial aspect of Christmas, it became ripe for more significant influences. Today, many American Jews have established the custom of setting up a “Hanukkah bush” as a Jewish alternative to the Christmas tree. These Jews did not want to adopt Christmas outright so they “Judaized” the Christmas tree and incorporated into Hanukkah. This example shows how easy it is to be influenced by the practices of a foreign religion, especially when there is some similarity to begin with. The fact that Hanukkah often falls out around the same time as Christmas made it natural for American Jews to incorporate elements of Christmas into their observance of Hanukkah.

Just as the Jews of America have been influenced by Christmas, the ancient Rabbis were influenced by the pagan Babylonian religion. Although many Jews returned to Judea when the Exile officially ended in 516 BCE, the forebears of the Rabbis remained behind in Babylonia where rabbinical Judaism gradually took shape. Many of the earliest known Rabbis such as Hillel I were born and educated in Babylonia. Indeed, Babylonia remained the heartland of Rabbinical Judaism until the fall of the Gaonate in the 11th Century CE. The Babylonian Talmud abounds with the influences of Babylonian paganism. Indeed, pagan deities even appear in the Talmud recycled as "Jewish" angels and demons.1

One field of Babylonian religious influence was in the observance of Yom Teruah as a New Years celebration. From very early times the Babylonians had a lunar-solar calendar very similar to the biblical calendar. The result was that Yom Teruah often fell out on the same day as the Babylonian New Years festival of “Akitu”. The Babylonian Akitu fell out on the 1st day of Tishrei which coincided with Yom Teruah on the 1st day of the Seventh Month. When Jews started calling the "Seventh Month" by the Babylonian name "Tishrei", it paved the way for turning Yom Teruah into a Jewish Akitu. At the same time, the Rabbis did not want to adopt Akitu outright so they Judaized it by changing the name of Yom Teruah (Day of Shouting) to Rosh Hashanah (New Years). The fact that the Torah did not give a reason for Yom Teruah no doubt made it easier for the Rabbis to proclaim it the Jewish New Years.

It is outright bizarre to celebrate Yom Teruah as New Years. This biblical festival falls out on the first day of the Seventh Month. However, in the context of Babylonian culture this was perfectly natural. The Babylonians actually celebrated Akitu, New Years, twice every year, once on the first of Tishrei and again six months later on the first of Nissan. The first Babylonian Akitu celebration coincided with Yom Teruah and the second Akitu coincided with the actual New Years in the Torah on the first day of the First Month. While the Rabbis proclaimed Yom Teruah to be New Years, they still recognized that the 1st day of the “First Month” in the Torah was, as its name implied, also a New Years. They could hardly deny this based on Exodus 12:2 which says:

This month shall be for you the beginning of months; it is first of the months of the year.”

The context of this verse speaks about the celebration of the Feast of Unleavened Bread which falls out in the First Month. In light of this verse, the Rabbis could not deny that the first day of the First Month was a biblical New Years. But in the cultural context of Babylonia, where Akitu was celebrated as New Years twice a year, it made perfect sense that Yom Teruah could be a second New Years even though it was in the Seventh Month.

In contrast to Babylonian paganism, the Torah does not say or imply that Yom Teruah has anything to do with New Years. On the contrary, the Feast of Sukkot (Booths), which takes place exactly two weeks after Yom Teruah, is referred to in one verse as “the going out of the year” (Exodus 23:16). This would be like calling January 15 in the modern Western calendar “the going out of the year”. the Torah would not describe Sukkot in this manner if it intended Yom Teruah to be celebrated as a New Years.

Some modern Rabbis have argued that Yom Teruah is actually referred to as Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1, which describes a vision that the prophet had, “At the beginning of the year (Rosh Hashanah) on the tenth of the month”. In fact, Ezekiel 40:1 proves that the phrase "Rosh Hashanah" does not mean “New Years”. Instead, it retains its literal sense of “the head of the year” referring to the First Month in the Torah calendar. The 10th day of Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1 refers to the 10th day of the First Month.

Yom Teruah is mentioned in the following biblical passages:

  • "And Yehovah spoke unto Moses saying, Speak to the Children of Israel saying, In the Seventh month on the first of the month will be a day of rest (Shabbaton) for you, a Remembrance Shouting, a holy convocation. You shall do no work and you will bring a fire sacrifice to Yehovah." Leviticus 23:23-25

  • "And in the Seventh month on the first of the month will be a holy convocation for you; you shall do no work, it will be a Day of Shouting for you..." Numbers 29:1-6

Q: What about Leviticus 25:9?

A: Some people have argued that Yom Teruah should be considered New Years because it is the beginning of the Sabbatical year. However, the Torah does not say that Yom Teruah is the beginning of the Sabbatical year and all indications are that the Sabbatical year begins on the 1st day of the First Month. The Torah does say the following:

And you shall pass a shofar of blasting in the Seventh Month on the tenth of the month; on the Day of Atonement, you shall pass a shofar throughout all your land.” (Leviticus 25:9)

This verse is saying that a shofar should be used to announce the arrival of the Jubilee year, the 50th year in the Sabbatical system. It does not say that the Jubilee begins on the Day of Atonement, only that the impending arrival of the Jubilee year is announced on the Day of Atonement. The shofar is to be passed throughout the land on Yom Kippur of the 49th year, six months before the beginning of the coming Jubilee year. This interpretation is supported by the immediate context in Leviticus 25. Verse 8 says to count forty nine years, verse 9 says to pass the shofar throughout the land, and verse 10 says to proclaim the 50th year as the Jubilee. This shows that the shofar announcing the coming Jubilee in verse 9 is passed through the land before the Jubilee is actually proclaimed in verse 10.

Q: Isn’t the Seventh Month the beginning of the agricultural cycle?

A: In the Torah the middle of the Seventh Month is actually the end of the agriculture cycle, specifically of the grain cycle. In the Land of Israel, grains are planted in Autumn and harvested in Spring. The new agricultural cycle would not actually begin until the plowing of the fields. This would not take place until the first light rains which moisten the ground enough to be broken by iron and wooden plows. In the Land of Israel, this could be as early as the middle of the Seventh Month but is usually in the Eighth Month or later. By the above logic, the Eighth Month should be considered the beginning of the year, not the Seventh Month.

1 Zvi Cahn, The Rise of the Karaite Sect, New York 1937, pages 98–101. Cahn’s central thesis is that the refusal of rabbinical leaders to repudiate the deep-rooted Babylonian paganism that had infiltrated Babylonian Judaism led to the rise of the Karaite back-to-the-Bible movement in the early Middle Ages. In this context, Cahn gives a detailed list of various pagan influences in rabbinical Judaism.

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  • Kelly says:

    Thank you. I have been questioning this for years!

  • Nereida Velez says:

    I am so thrilled in reading all your info. I am Mesianic believer and we do celebrate Yom Kippur and unleavened bread tabernacle and jerk Sabbath etc. I will
    Continue to read all your info to learn more. Yahweh Bless you all I will continue to pray

  • amb says:

    Jericho was mentioned – I think you are on to something! *Is it possible that Yom Teruah was originally the day that the walls of Jericho fell? Since shouting and trumpets were involved when the ‘walls fell’ at Jericho as you mentioned in the above article. The Jews that returned after the exile into Babylon may have forgotten the relationship of this celebration. But Yom Teruah seems really related to the miracle of capturing Jericho. amb:-)

    • Martin says:

      Jos 5:10  And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho. 
      Passover is the time that they crossed into the promised land and destroyed Jericho

    • Erin McFarlin says:

      That is a great evaluation.
      I have to agree as all of what God has instituted has to align in the plans he had established. The (times and seasons Gen 1:14-16) festivals ordained will not cease or change and this is so every generation is able to come seeking truth of God, with God! Shalom

  • Dorsee says:

    Thank you for this informative explanation. God bless.

  • Neville Newman says:

    Shalom, Nehemia – This is a great article. I like to revisit it every few years and pass it along to friends.

    While reading this year, something (two somethings, actually) jumped out at me. As a debate coach in years past, I would suggest the following two changes in your paragraph which follows:

    “Some modern Rabbis have argued that Yom Teruah is actually referred to as Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1, which describes a vision that the prophet had, “At the beginning of the year (Rosh Hashanah) on the tenth of the month”. In fact, Ezekiel 40:1 proves that the phrase “Rosh Hashanah” does not mean “New Years”. Instead, it retains its literal sense of “the head of the year” referring to the First Month in the Torah calendar. The 10th day of Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1 refers to the 10th day of the First Month.”

    First, I think that only the first instance of Rosh Hashanah in that paragraph should be capitalized, as it refers to the proper name of the (pagan)-inspired) holiday. The other instances, however, are quotes from Ezekiel 10:1 and since your (very reasonable) argument is that Ezekiel is NOT referring to a New Year holiday, then “rosh hashanah” is the appropriate rendering. I would say it undermines your argument to capitalize it throughout.

    Second, I think it would be entirely proper to say that Ezekiel 40:1 does not provide any evidence to support the idea of a fall New Year called Rosh Hashanah. But I think it is a stretch to say that the Ezekiel passage *proves* that his “rosh hashanah” does not mean New Year. (and, again, with the capitalization! 🙂 ) . Overstating an argument actually weakens the argument.

    Thank you for all the shared insights and revelations of your research, Nehemia!

  • Hillary Ann says:

    Oh my goodness!! To unlearn and relearn all over again. Bless you Nehemiah.

  • Jay says:

    WOW!!! I have been looking for an explanation for so long and your article just nailed it. Thank you so much for sharing. May HaShem bless you.

  • Mary says:

    Wonderful, clears up so much! Thank you

    Have a great holiday! May we all be horse from shouting and praising.

  • Judy E. Gibbs says:

    I’ve struggled for years to understand this, but your article is so well written that now I “get it.” Thank you for helping us to grow in knowledge.

  • Martin says:

    Excellent summary and debunking of myths and legends purported to be scriptural. Greatly appreciated.

  • Ileana says:

    What a wonderful teaching n Yom Teruah Nehemiah! Thank you so much! I have been trying to find a Messianic Jewish Kehilat here in South Florida that celebrates JUST THE BIBLICAL FEASTS. I’m not sure Adonai is pleased with Rosh Hashana. Can you right a teaching on Simcha Torah when you have a chance? It is not biblical but it is such a joyful Day and the joy of honoring Torah and the G-D that gave it to us!
    Thank you Nehemia! Shalom!

  • TZP says:

    Thank you so much for this work. It is so instructive. Only those holding onto traditions of men won’t see the truth. It’s so clear in the Word, especially when one does *not* rely on “traditional” teachings as a lens through which to study. Thank you. 🙏🏼

  • Chrislovesyeshua@gmail.com says:

    I always enjoy your teachings. When I think about Yom Teruah, day of shout, I also think about the shouts given before the walls of Jericho fell.

  • Mrs. Doris Harris says:

    I found this study to be so informative, a few years ago I was teaching on the Feast Days and I came across an article about Yom Terauh. I searched for a few more and shared them with my class. Tonight I felt that there was more that I needed to fill this feeling that there’s got to be more, and I clicked on your site.
    I took many notes and wrote down the scriptures to look up later today.
    You have filled a void and I thank you.
    Respectfully Mrs. Doris J Harris

  • Oscar says:

    There is no direct reference to the Feast of Trumpets in the New Testament. In 1 Cor. 15, the famous passage of The Lord returning at the last trumpet is taken to infer the feast because it says THE, not A trumpet of God. In the context of Paul’s Judaism it’s the most likely reference.
    Further numerous Church Fathers such as Clement of Alexandria: Exhortation to the Heathen, II; Anasthasius of Alexandria: Festal Letters 1, 2-3; Ambrose of Milan: Decease of Satyrus, 106-114 all recognize the Jewish Feast of Trumpets as foreshadowing the return, resurrection and rapture. In all fairness, reading them they seem to allegorize the feast saying that it represents ‘the last trumpet of God’ rather than pointing to a specific day on the Hebrew calendar for His return. Nevertheless, the Orthodox Church has appointed Sept. 1 as a substitute which is called the Beginning of Indiction, a day that represents the return of Christ to earth.
    The Gospels and most writings (except for Revelation) were primarily concerned with a retrospective review of Jesus’ life and ministry as a fulfillment of Old Testament spring feasts, taken as prophesies. Little attention is given to future events as fulfillment of prophetic fall feasts, but the set pattern is obvious. Since He already fulfilled spring feasts to the day, what then can the prophetic meaning of the fall feasts be?

    • Marisa Kennedy says:

      Have you seen the doc “Messiah 2030 ~ The Prophetic Messianic Timeline (parts 1 & 2)”? It’s available on youtube for free. It presents one possibility for what these feasts represent. I find it very compelling.

  • Oscar says:

    Yom Teruah does not coincide with Rosh Hashanah for technical reasons! The rules of Rosh Hashanah dissociate it from the new moon of the seventh month reported by two reliable witnesses at dusk over the land of Israel. They can be off by a week or more. Furthermore if you read that into the last days as recorded in the book Revelation, astronomic disruptions with darkness and the “sky rolled up like a scroll” will make sighting of the new moon from Israel impossible. So even though His return is to be on Yom Teruah as a fulfillment of the fall feasts, that specific day and hour will be unknowable as He said.

    • Neville D Newman says:

      Hello Oscar,

      This:
      “So even though His return is to be on Yom Teruah as a fulfillment of the fall feasts”
      is currently an open discussion here. Clearly, some Christians (mostly HR) believe this to be the case, and read it back into scripture that way. As to whether it was understood that way in late second temple times, there don’t appear to be any early sources that interpreted it that way. Do you have a source or sources you can offer to help resolve this?

  • Kelly says:

    Out of curiosity, has anyone heard the theory that Yom Teruah was ever referred to as “no man knows the day or hour” as an ancient idiom? If so, is there solid evidence for this claim or is it likely untrue?

  • Darnell says:

    Thank you for this articles. It proves what I had been saying for a while about the Hebrew months names vs the Babylonian month names.

  • Gavin Stephens says:

    I think it’s quite obvious the day of shouting, is describing the trumpets in revelation being blown. It’s something to do with the the time between the 69th and 70th week of Daniel. I also think it means when there is half an hour of silence when the prayers of the choosen one’s are petitioned to Yehovah before the first woes are poored out on to the Earth in judgement (the beginning of the tribulation 7 years prior to the Messiah’s return). The specific day I believe is lost, but the season definitely will be September. Unfortunately, you can’t piece all this together without the new testament as well. All of God’s word is in harmony, and with slices missing from the puzzle, it will remain hidden to those who reject it.

  • Marsha Bolton says:

    Many Christians (including myself) believe that Messiah returns during some future Yom Teruah. I used to be annoyed that my Jewish friends call it “Rosh HaShana” until I realized that IF Messiah does return during Yom Teruah, it will begin the first day of the first year in the age of the Messianic kingdom — the new Rosh HaShana!

    • Ron says:

      “… it will begin the first day of the first year in the age of the Messianic kingdom — the new Rosh HaShana!”
      Not so

    • Nick says:

      Sorry to burst your bubble/religion, but “Jesus” is not coming again 🙂

    • Gavin Stephens says:

      I also believe it will mark the start of the 7 years of tribulation before his return (when the trumpets are blown). As this is marked with a half hour of silence when the faithful/martyrs petition their prayers to Yehovah before judgement is poored out.

  • Janice Lynn Lewis says:

    Very Informative, thank you for sharing Shalom

  • Donald Murphy says:

    My earnest desire would be that we all stay away from the religion of the Roman Empire as just confuses people.

    • DONALD HARMS says:

      The method available to achieve this insulation from the world is this: Gal 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Yeshua Messiah [aka Jesus Christ], by Whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 

  • April Watson says:

    I so appreciate you and your dedication to showing us His Word and His Feasts! I learn something every time I read a post or listen to Scripture Pearls. Thank you!

  • coloradoshel says:

    Well done, Nehemia! You very clearly defined the difference between the Jewish Feast and the Biblical Feast that are both recognized on this day.

    • JAKE says:

      You refer to “…this day.” as a “Feast”. According to the evidence in the word of our Creator, this day is not a “Feast”.

      • Dorrie says:

        Scripture CLEARLY refers to Feast of Trumpets, and it is DEFINITELY one of Yahweh’s Fall Feasts, which is referred to in Genesis 1:14. when He created His APPOINTED TIMES, which are FEASTS.

        • JAKE HAVA says:

          Please reveal the scripture(s) where it is “clearly” written as “feast of trumpets”. Also, please reveal the scripture(s) where it is written that there are several “fall” feasts. Please reveal the scripture(s) where it is written that His “appointed times” are “feasts”.

        • Neville Newman says:

          Dorrie, I believe you must be basing this understanding entirely on the several English translations of the Torah (Lev 23 and Deut 16) which tend to use “feasts”, “holy days”, “appointed”, etc. almost interchangeably.

          If you look at these chapters in Hebrew (try the interlinear view at Bible Hub, for example), you will see that moed, miqra, and chag (and same-rooted derivatives) are used quite differently. Only Unleavened Bread and Sukkot are described with “chag” (feast/festival) in Lev. 23, while those two plus Shavuot are described with “chag” in Deut. 16 (as the three pilgrimage feasts/festivals). Numbers 9:13 effectively designates Pesach as a required pilgrimage as well, though it is not referred to as a feast (“chag”).

          The pilgrimages are obviously in a different category. But the pervasive and careless English translations of Lev. 23 appear to be responsible for modern erroneous but commonplace references to “the seven feasts of The Lord” and “the three fall feasts.”

          • JAKE HAVA says:

            Neville, It’s good to see that someone else is paying attention to the original Word our Creator gave us rather than blindly accepting the way humans have added to it. Yara shalam.

  • Neville Newman says:

    This is good information and you present a very good argument. I do not understand, though, how you conclude that “The 10th day of Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1 refers to the 10th day of the First Month.”

    The text refers to lechodesh ( לַחֹ֗דֶשׁ ) . Is that not simply “of the month”? If the text was to make pointed reference to the First Month, as you write, would it not include harishon (הָרִאשׁ֖וֹן).

    Either way, I don’t believe it changes the overall conclusion. I just don’t understand your comment’s reference to “of the First Month.

  • Erin McFarlin says:

    I stand in awe of what I’ve been learning through deep study of YHVH’S WORD!
    I would request a hebrew word source that you use Nehemia, I am very strengthened by what I am hearing by study but I’m not satisfied by the common concordance we in America have been trained to use.
    May YHVH bless you and keep you as you walk in his path! I am also very glad and praise YHVH for the blessing of marriage you now live in!!!

    Shalom and I hope you will respond in your busy schedule.

    Still praying for this ministry and watching it flourish for years now!
    Erin

  • Scott says:

    Typical rabbinic tradition that Yeshua taught against. Mark 7:8-9

    Rabbinic Jews violate Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32 by adding to Torah and Roman Christians violate the same verses by taking Torah away altogether.

    • amb says:

      Roman Christians use the Torah as the “Old Testament” Many Christian churches read from BOTH the Old and New Testaments. Some Christian churches, however, *disregard some of the information – picking and choosing what to emphasize and interpreting in their own fashion. One Christian religion combined 2 of the commandments together as they seemed to coincide. BUT that was wrong! God’s way is right! Man’s way is faulty.

    • amb says:

      Just curious: Which Roman Christians took the Torah away altogether? Torah / teaching = 1st 5 books. Which religion took that out of their bible?

  • Neville Newman says:

    What, if any, documentable sources do we have for the common teaching that “the day and hour that no man knows” was an idiomatic expression describing the beginning of Yom Teruah? The statement gets made often but the only ancient usage ever quoted seems to be Matthew 24:36 . However, the connection of that passage to Yom Teruah needs to be established from somewhere else, as it is not made in Matthew’s text.

    • Scott says:

      I have never been able to find a documented source except for Christian prophecy teachers who want it to be so. This doesn’t mean Yom Teruah doesn’t have prophetic significance, of course it does.

      • Neville Newman says:

        Scott, I guess the real question to ask is what exactly is that significance? Plenty of people have asserted (apparently without basis) this particular connection, but what other(s) do you see?

    • The phrase “the day and hour that no man knows” is making a reference to the Jewish tradition of Yom Teruah. For two reasons the day became a two day observance. Because it is based on the new moon it is nearly impossible to confirm with 100% accuracy exactly when the new moon falls. The priest in the temple wanted to be exact so they used two days to ensure that the new moon was observed. Also, those of the diaspora would not see the exact moon as those in Jerusalem. Yahshua is making a reference to this and those that understood the tradition would understand the allusion.

      • Neville Newman says:

        Dr. Green, do you have references to post to Second Temple era documents showing that this idiom was in use then? If it was, then the Matt 24 / Mark 13 passages might reasonably be seen as an allusion to Yom Teruah.

        I have attempted to document this idiom by posing the question to scholars of Jewish history and literature from a half-dozen universities around the world, and none of them are aware of such original documents. There are discussions of such an idiom in the 1400’s and 1800’s, so it is obviously not a super-modern Christian invention. But it may be an earlier Christian invention.

        If you could post references to original documents here, it would be very much appreciated! Thank you in advance for your help.

  • Rob Harms says:

    Thanks so much for sending these responses to your original post. I just noticed the statement that Yeshua is Jewish. That is true from a tribal perspective, but from Abba’s perspective He is ‘The Son Of Mankind’ – transcending tribal affiliation. That is why in the Letter to the Galatians the apostle Paul states that in Him there is neither Jew nor Gentile. I believe that it is better to have God’s perspective than a tribal perspective.

    • Logan says:

      But in Revelation 5:5 Abba refers to Jesus as “The Lion of the tribe of Judah.”

      • Dorrie says:

        Indeed He is!! But His name is YESHUA, which means SALVATION, not the Pagan, Hellenic Greek translation. His mama didn’t call Him Jesus – there is no “J” in Hebrew.

        • Joseph says:

          His name still means salvation in English, with the J or without it. It’s just what his name is in English, not a conspiracy.

          It makes zero sense to even worry about such a thing. It works like that for every single name with a Y/J in the Bible.

          • Neville Newman says:

            I fully agree that it makes zero sense to worry about such a thing. I speak and write his name as Yeshua almost all the time but in certain situations I might use Jesus to make it easier for someone to understand what I’m talking about.

            Technically, though, Jesus does not mean salvation in English, although we do legitimately associate that meaning with it because we know the backstory. From a linguistic standpoint, it doesn’t mean anything, as it is a transliteration into English of a transliteration into Greek, with each step being the closest they could get while still staying in the target language.

  • Joanie Antholz says:

    Shalom! I am a Christian and have always loved Israel and studying the Torah. This article was very helpful to me for clarification of Yom Teruah. I in no way want to offend anyone, but I know why Yom Teruah is not specified as to exactly the celebration taking place. It lines up with the return of the King, Yeshua! What a celebration that will be. Yeshua is Jewish and that time will be a time of great joy and shouting of praises!

    • Dorrie says:

      You’re right, but you aren’t a “Christian.” You’ve been grafted into the olive tree and are a Messianic believer. Christians keep Pagan holidays of Christmas and Easter, and Yahweh abhors all things Pagan. The first believers in Yeshua (Jew AND Gentile) were called “The Way.” But not until Constantine, were they called “Christians” and it wasn’t a complement. Constantine created a religion that appeased the Roman Pagans. Easter is named after ISHTAR, the goddess of fertility. Pagans dipped eggs in baby’s blood to celebrate.

      Keep learning Yahweh’s Holy Feasts, which we are commanded to observe, but drop man’s traditions, which are worse than an insult to our wonderful Creator!

      Blessings to you!

    • Martin says:

      You are a Christian, and the first Christians were called that at Antioch
      Act 11:26  And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

  • Catherine Fassino Ozment says:

    One word. WOW. The trail back to the Biblical truth is certainly a winding trail. I’m pretty sure I look like a deer in headlights as I try to figure this all out. Thank you for the detailed discussion.

    I came out of the paganized Christian version of New Years right into the paganized Jewish version of New Years. ??‍♀️

    • Dorrie says:

      It’s only a “winding trail” because of miss-teaching for hundreds and hundreds of years thru the PULPIT!! If you get into a really good Hebrew Roots fellowship, I’ll learn faster than you could ever imagine!! It’s an exciting life!

  • Dale Jones says:

    Thank you for clearing things up for me.

  • Adam Kell says:

    thank you

  • Joshua Beckett says:

    “The head of the year” … that makes so much sense – the peak/height/middle of the year … so beyond then the year could be considered to be ‘receding’ or “going out” … which also makes sense if God sees a year as beginning when he told Moses that it should.

  • ben says:

    It is interesting and troubling that once an error is introduced and over time takes root ,that the burden of proof falls to the ones trying to expose the error. The burden of proof is on those with the truth rather than on those who are teaching the error,

  • Kay says:

    The fall feast of Trumpets is a memorial of the original Trumpets which took place in the spring after the Israelites reached Sinai. The original Trumpets can be found in Exodus 19.

    • Roy Wheeler says:

      Whereas I agree with you Kay, and I know there are several points to tie the two together, since all the other feasts and fullfillments are according to the timeline set out, ie passover in the first month, shavuot 49+1, etc. Since Yeshua fulfilled passover on the very day, and shavuot on the very day, then we have to explain how the two are connected. Which can be done, but it is kinda long to put here. But I believe in a similar way the shavout is connected to the Jubilee, Yom Teruah is connected to the day the father descended on the mountain, and the reason why he originally did it on the 3rd month, and then the 7th month is amazing.

    • JAKE says:

      You refer to this day as a “….feast…”. According to the evidence in the word of our Creator, this day is not a “feast”.

  • Julie van Eeden says:

    Thanks Nehemia for clarifying the Babylonian aspect of Rosh Hashanah. You say that the Torah does not say what the purpose of this holy day is but I believe it does as it doesn’t stand in isolation. In the context of the Autumn Feasts, Yom Teruah sets the ball rolling for the events that will be fulfilled at Messiah’s return – the 10 days of Awe that follow, the Day of Atonement and finally the Feast of Tabernacles – the Marriage Supper of the Lamb.
    To backtrack a bit, during the 6th month the trumpet is blown once a day, every day, calling His people to Teshuvah / Repent and return for the Day of YHVH is coming! But to backtrack even further; We read that on that awe inspiring day of Shavuot at Mt Sinai ” The sound of the trumpet (from heaven) was very loud so that all the people who were in the camp trembled…….. and when the blast of the trumpet sounded long and became louder and louder, Moses spoke and YHVH answered him by voice.” Ex19:16-19 and “Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet (from heaven) and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood far off.” Ex20:18
    So when Lev 23:24 reads “Speak to the children of Israel saying; In the 7th month, on the 1st day of the month you shall have a Sabbath Rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” – a Memorial to / a remembrance of What? Of the day the trumpet sounded long and hard from heaven and YHVH spoke the Words of the Covenant. On that day Israel was betrothed to YHVH – to be His special treasure / a people belonging to Him. Yom Teruah is thus a Memorial Day on which the trumpet sounds are a reminder of the Terms of the Covenant and our obligation to obey and walk in them by faith. Yom Teruah is known as a”hidden day” – requiring the sighting of the new moon and then announced by the blowing of trumpets. We are called to be ready for the Day of the LORD – how will we qualify / or be found worthy to be clothed in garments of righteousness for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb at Tabernacles? Having received His gift of salvation by faith, we are reminded of His Covenant Terms – so let us repent and return to Him and endeavour to walk in them by faith.
    Your comment will be appreciated.

    • Baruch Odem says:

      Yom Teruah has come to be popularly known as Rosh haShanah because the Hebrew word Rosh means ‘head’ or ‘beginning’, ha means ‘the’ and Shanah means ‘year’ – thus, “the beginning of the year”. However, scripture clearly gives the distinction of the beginning of the physical year to the same month that Pesach (Passover) is celebrated. Scripturally, the New Year begins on the 1st of Nisan (Leviticus 23:5) while Yom Teruah is celebrated on the 1st of Tishri, the seventh month (Leviticus 23:24). Consequently, Rosh haShanah has effectively replaced Yom Teruah to become the traditionally celebrated Hebrew “New Year” in an appeasement to other world cultures and thereby negating the Words of YHVH – just as Yeshua said the tradition of men would do in the passage at the opening of this article. On the 1st day of the Seventh month (Tishrei) the Torah commands us to observe the holy day of Yom Teruah (Leviticus 23:24, Numbers 29:1-6). One of the unique things about Yom Teruah is that the Torah does not say what the purpose of this holy day is – making it easier for the rabbis to write into it whatever they need to fit their tradition. But as we have seen, scripturally, Yom Teruah has nothing in common with the beginning of a physical “new year” (CLICK HERE to find out how, when and why the name and significance of Yom Teruah was changed to Rosh haShanah). haRold Smith “He that has an ear”.com

    • Jane says:

      Thanks so much for this! It brings it all together. Peace and love.

  • Herrera Yvonne says:

    Nehemia, is there a way to know the Jubilee Year? Is it years that end in 7 (…1917,1967, 2017)?

  • Janet says:

    Thank you for this clarification. It is very helpful.

  • D'vorah Rasmussen says:

    Thank you Nehemiah. This is incredibly essential information to enable us to identify the true calendar of Yehovah. I would appreciate a teaching on the correct time for Passover as there seems to be a lot of conflicting belief on this also. Thanks again. D’vorah.

  • Deena Meyer Sao says:

    Thank you for the informative article. As to the fulfillment of Yom Teruah, I’m becoming more and more convinced that it was fulfilled with all the Revelation 12 hoopla in 2017. It was a lot of noise that woke people up.

  • Janice says:

    What if – the memorial was to remember when the Israelites groaned (cries out) meaning they cried out for the Heavenly Court to bring judgement on Eqyp and deliver them out and to the promised land.?
    Also to remember would be to act upon the promise made to Abraham (rams horn) to bring them out of Eqypt.

  • Stephanie says:

    Why does it bother me so much when it is called a Holly Day (Holiday)? I guess because for me it changes the whole meaning from a Holy Day to something so much less, a holiday. Well, to each his own.

    • Jake says:

      Stephanie, This family shares your unease about calling this day a “holy day”. So, we did some research into the translation of that verse. According to the evidence, we found that the word translated as “holy day” is better translated as “Pure” without the word “day” added to it. The next word in the verse has been translated in most versions as “convocation”, but according to the evidence, is better translated as “Rehearsal”, We now use the phrase “Pure Rehearsal” instead of the weak generic term “holy day” to give us a better understanding about what this day is for.

      Yara shalam

      • Stephanie says:

        Better yet, the real meaning. Holiday, sounds so Christmas, like holly day. Thank you for your time, makes far more sense, as it is a rehearsal I believe.

        • Jake says:

          Stephanie, We, this family, wrote a reply to you that expanded on the process that our Creator, according to the evidence in the word, is taking us through. Unfortunately, it did not post. Evidently, the information was not to the liking of the site moderator. We are so sorry that we have not been allowed to share this information with you, since your words indicate a true desire to walk in the way of our Creator and not walk in the way of the world.

          Yara shalam

        • Michael Walker says:

          Holiday is directly from Old English and means Holy Day Modern English fuzzes it up to mean something less

          • Jake says:

            “Pure”, comes directly from Hebrew and refers to being “clean”. Holy day (holiday) is a generic term contrived by the “Old English” translators as a replacement and has caused the original Hebrew meaning to be lost and “fuzzes it up to mean something less”, the Hebrew word that means “pure” does not include the Hebrew word that means “day” in any part of its definition. In the Hebrew writings, the Hebrew word meaning “Pure” is found without the Hebrew word meaning “Day”, and is also found with it. The Hebrew word meaning “Pure” is also found with the Hebrew word meaning “Rehersal” which has been mistranslated as “holy convocation” (Lev 23:2), which again “fuzzes it up to mean something less”.

            Yara shalam

        • Jake says:

          Stephanie, Yes, according to what this family has come to understand about his “Pure Days”, they represent a process our Creator is taking all of us through.  He has indeed given us “Instructions (Torah)” to “rehearse”, in the way of “physical shadows”, the events in that process, some of which have already been brought into “Spiritual Reality”, with some still to come.

          • Stephanie says:

            Thank You Jake, I really appreciate your time. I do truly want to know His Word and “meaning”.

          • Jake says:

            Stephanie, When you write that you want to know His Word and “meaning”, is that like saying “get understanding” (Psa 119:104, 125, 130, 144, 169, Pro 3:13, Pro 4:5, Pro 7:4, Pro 16:16)?

      • Excellent!
        An excellent Rehearsal of the anti-type-to-come which is the victorious eternal returning king of kings with the most holy saints to rescue the Earth from total tohu and bohu and annihilation.
        Speed THAT DAY which shall come at the appointed time at the end of the agricultural year in the Land of Promise to the sons of Yacob.

  • Sylvia says:

    Thank you, Nehemiah! I was feeling alone & uncomfortable with all the Rosh Hashanah & “Happy New Year” stuff, but after reading this, I don’t feel so alienated anymore. Blessings!!!

  • If I may, I would like to add to Nehemya’s dissertation that (at least for me) it is also evident that despite there is no indication in HaTorah about what is the purpose of “Shouting” and blowing the shofar at the start of the seventh month, it should have been pretty obvious in ancient times. All of the Abba’s things related to the creation were within the frame of the number seven. For example: YeHoVaH in seven days made the Creation, and the seventh day He rested. Thus, we have the Shabbat, the seventh day each week. He ordered a rest of the land at the end of the seventh period of seven years, thus the shmitah year. We celebrate The Feast of Weeks, after seven cycles of seven weeks. So, for me, it is pretty obvious that we must rejoice and shout at the start of the SEVENTH month, since we have lived so far in the current year.

  • Neville Newman says:

    I was writing some notes, using this post as a jumping-off point to document that teruah meant a vocalized shout rather than a trumpet blast. Then … I read Numbers 10:1-10 all together. (several translations including YLT and a Westminster-based interlinear).

    As they say, context is everything. I don’t think anyone would disagree that this passage is all about how to use the two silver trumpets to send signals to the entire camp. They were to be used to assemble the people, to sound alarms/marching orders, etc., just as drum and bugle corps did in more modern armies. In fact, taken as part of this greater context, it appears to me that Numbers 10:5&6 are about blasts with the trumpets ( 1 vs 2 of them ) rather than the people giving vocal shouts.

    I think what we have here is an overloaded word (teruah) which is used generally to mean making a loud sound but can mean a mechanized sound (trumpet blast) just as it can mean a vocalized sound (the people hollering/exclaiming/proclaiming). Joshua 6:5 is using it to describe a vocal “shout”, whereas Numbers 10 is using it to describe a trumpet “shout”.

    An analogous example would be the word noise if we wrote: “The soldiers delivered their 21-gun salute. It was later noised abroad that the noise caused all present to fall silent.”

    Thoughts?

  • Miri~ says:

    What I want to know is why did the year change from 5778 to 5779 at “rosh ha shana”? Shouldn’t it change at the first month?

    • coloradoshel says:

      Yep, it should. Why did it change at Rosh HaShanah? Because the Rabbis are in charge, not the Karaites.

      • Dorrie says:

        Not true. GOD created the Appointed Times! Rosh HaShanah and Yom Taruah BOTH at the same time.

        Rosh Hashanah is known as the Jewish New Year. Rosh HaShanah means Head of the Year. Jewish people greet each other, saying, L’Shanah Tovah – Happy New Year. There’s only one problem – Rosh HaShanah also known as The Feast of Trumpets, taks place in the 7th motn of the Jewish year. That’s a strange place to put a New Year’s celebration. In Exodus 12, God mixed it up. He made the old 7th month, the new New Year and the old New Year, the new 7th month. Why? God wants His people to learn the secret of celebrating at the wrong time. When you’re persecuted, you need to celebrate it all joy. When you’re weak, you need to rejoice in the joy of the Lord. When you’re in bondage, trouble, or you’re rejected, celebrate His freedom, peace and the perfect love that comes through Messiah. Learn the secret of Rosh Hashanah, the mixed-up New Year. Don’t wait for the right time – celebrate, and it will become the right time. Celebrate, because it’s exactly the wrong time, and that’s exactly the right time to celebrate. Happy New Year! – Jonathan Cahn

  • Ana says:

    Excellent!!!! Thank you for the info. Just one question, so 5779 really began at the month of Nissan, instead of now?

  • Michaela Crider says:

    All I can say is I am Sooo GREATFUL AND THA,KFUL TO YAHOVAH,IN YESUAH’ S NAME I FOUND NEHEMIAH AND KIETH JOHNSON,AND MICHAEL ROOD AMONG THE OTHERS ASSOCIATED WITH THESE TRUE TEACHERS OF THE WORD OF YAHOVAH AND YESUAH!

  • Elizabeth Anderson says:

    So how so I celebrate this? I’m the only Jew around . I live in North west Nebraska in my van so that I can afford to keep kosher . I don’t mind but I do miss being around other Jews during the holidays . any suggestions for Yom Kippur also . thanks

    • Ingela says:

      As a non Jew, wanting to celebrate the biblical feasts, I have the same question. How do I celebrate this? I can’t go for public prayer in the area I live, I have no trumpet to blow :), I obviously can’t bring an offering made by fire, and maybe more concerning…I don’t exactly know what I’m celebrating/remembering. The last few years I’ve been learning about and trying to follow the traditions of Rosh Hashanah and found that quite meaningful. But you’re right, there is nothing in the Biblical text that underscores those traditions. What are we missing in the text? A child is supposed to understand it…

      There are so many great questions to your podcasts and articles on your website, Nehemiah. I would be wonderful if you or others could answer more of them. We really want to learn more. Thank you for sharing your life with us and teaching us Torah.

  • Elisia Lopez says:

    Thank You, for all these wonderful topics. I look forward to reading your new studies every week. Your teachings are a great blessing to my life.

  • Ori says:

    Thank so much Nehemia for this great and clearly explained understanding of Yom Teruah!

  • Jake says:

    Yes, the ”Yisrael of Eloah” (which is why not all who are from Israel are Israel – Romans 9:6). Fully agree…

    • Jake says:

      Jake, Exactly! Isn’t it wonderful when we begin to understand what he has been telling us all along? Speaking of spiritual reality, wouldn’t it be wonderful if Nehemyah in this article had spoken of the occasions our Creator instructed us to observe according to how they are pointing to the spiritual reality rather than to how they are pointing to the physical shadow?

      Yara shalam

  • Jake says:

    Just to add that the “grafting in” occurs via rebirth of water & Spirit, i.e., through water and fire baptism (John 3:3-6; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16). As all the Netzarim were, and as foreshadowed by Yitzhak (Galatians 4:29), – you have to born of the Spirit.

  • Laurie Giesler says:

    Thank you for this historically and Tanakh based reasoning!!! When I joined a Christian Bible study (there are no Judaic study groups), we were told that Rosh Hashanah was to commemorate the ‘old’ calendar that Noah would have followed. This bothered me! Proof please? Of course, they could give none.

  • Jake says:

    “He [Yeshua] will send his angels with a shofar and with a great shout to gather his chosen from the four winds of heaven” (Matthew 24:31, Shem Tov Version). Though this may well refer to the Jews’ regathering, I think it refers foremost to the coming of the Messiah. I appreciate your article, Nehemia, and I am learning from it immensely (as from basically all of your contributions). However, here I can’t help to agree with Michael Rood in that Yeshua will fulfill the fall feasts after 70 “weeks” (shavuot) have passed. As the State of Israel was “reborn” on Shavuot in 1948, these 70 Shavuot have passed now. We also know that the first layer of Daniel’s 70 Week prophecy ended in 34 C.E. when the Brit Chadasha came to the Gentiles. It is only logical if the Brit Chadasha would be embraced by the Jews too after 70 weeks. I am not setting dates but IF Persia (Iran), Togarmah (Syria/Turkey), and Magog (Russia) should attack Israel soon, then we shouldn’t be surprised – talking about Armageddon.

    Anyway, thanks for your post – I didn’t know that Hanukkah has been adjusted to Xmas that much in the USA.

    Shalom,

    Jake

    • Lucy Hunt says:

      Russia is not Magog.

      • Jake says:

        Well, it may be one of those myths. But which area is Magog then?

        • coloradoshel says:

          There are two main theories: Russia and Turkey. Some teachers teach emphatically that Russia is Gog/Magog; other teachers teach emphatically that Turkey is Gog/Magog. And both theories are based on reasonably good logic and “proof” that they are right. (I haven’t heard any other “viable” theories, except that Gog may be a false god, not a place, like Magog.)

          How I wish that our teachers would teach their theories and conclusions as just that, theories and conclusions, and not as “fact”. So much of what we think we know, we really don’t – they are our best guess, our best understanding – and it takes true humility to admit that that’s what it is and to remain teachable.

          We talk about our seminaries being “cemeteries”. I lament that they are “cementaries” – theories and conclusions that should be questioned and held loosely turn to cement, instead.

          I’m taller when I stand on a soap box. I’ll step down now.

  • Marta says:

    Greetings Nehemia, Thanks for the timely teaching. Oh, that we would keep this feast as intended. What a wonderful sound to Yehovah it would be. We will start this year. Shalom to you!

  • Crystal Sharpe says:

    It is thought that creation was completed in Genesis at the fall of the year. Everything was made completely finished so that Adam and his wife would be able to eat off the trees in Gan Eden. Fruit trees do not bear fruit until the fall.

  • Karen Jones says:

    Shalom Nehemiah
    How does the Year of Jubilee being declared on Yom Kippur factor into this? I’m assuming it has something to do with land & agriculture. One would think a declaration on the year of Jubilee would be in the first month. Any thoughts?

  • Tricotine says:

    “And Yehovah spoke unto Moses saying, Speak to the Children of Israel saying, In the Seventh month on the first of the month will be a day of rest (Shabbaton) for you, a Remembrance Shouting, a holy convocation. You shall do no work and you will bring a fire sacrifice to Yehovah.” Leviticus 23:23-25

    If the 1st day of the 7th month is a day of rest (therefore not kindling a fire, like on Shabbat) how is it commanded to bring a FIRE SACRIFICE to G-d? Has it to be done before the day starts (before sunset) the same way Rabbis tell to light Shabbat or Holidays candles? I find those pesukim a little confusing and I would like to know your thoughts. Thank you.

    Yom Teruah tov!

    • David Keith says:

      On the Shabbat – every. single. Shabbat. the levitical priests were instructed to bring and offering by fire.

      On every. single. day. (including every. single. Shabbat.) the levitical priests were instructed to bring the sha’acrit (morning offering) and the ma’ariv (evening offering).

      Be careful when trying to understand the mitsvot(commands), chukim(statutes/ordinances) and mishpatim(judgements) of Yehovah. Each is given for a specific application, i.e. some for the levitical priests, some for men, some for women etc.

      The chok(statute) to not kindle a fire is an instruction for men/heads of households etc. It does not apply to the levitical priesthood.

    • but isn’t this the old law done away with and that Jesus Christ has fulfilled it so we don’t do works but honor Jesus Christ everyday following him because I’m a Christian please help me to understand why you guys are different from a Christian?,, hmmm

      • 2iceblest says:

        You have to understand Jesus (Yeshua) in the Hebraic context of his time. Read his words. If you love me keep my commands (John 14:15, 21; 15:10) He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill (do) it; to show us how. He came against the religious rulers because they made their own laws thereby violating what Yehovah said in Deut. 4:2 and 13:1. Christian ‘doctrines’ have done the same. He also said, Not one jot or tittle would pass from the Law until heaven and earth pass away. (Matt. 5:18; Luke 16:17) He said much more that supported his commands which, if he is ‘God in flesh’ then they’re HIS commands. What was nailed to the cross were the consequences for breaking the law which were against us. (Col. 2:14) But, when we break the Law, we have a great high priest in the Holy of holies (Hebrews). The seminarians also teach that keeping the Law is death, but that’s not what Paul said: he said to keep it for one’s own righteousness is death. They do these things and much more! See 1 John 3:4 (all of 1 John is important) for explanation of sin which they ignore! Further, understand the two kingdoms to be rejoined in Ezekiel 37. According to the law of the divorced wife (which Paul references), the northern kingdom could not be remarried unless the husband DIED. (Smile, because the ‘church’ might just represent the northern kingdom). Jesus said he had sheep ‘not of this flock’ in Judah and that he came only for the ‘lost sheep’ of the house of Israel. This was a direct reference to the northern kingdom which the Pharisees would have understood. But, they thought the northern kingdom could never return (Edersheim). Then read Rev. 12:17 and 14:12. These are prerequisites for the elect. Yes, we have inherited lies! (Jeremiah 16:19) Lies, half-truths and much paganism! Come out of Babel! We follow what we can of Torah in obedience but not for our own righteousness which was provided for us by our Redeemer. There’s so much more I could show you. But this is long enough. 🙂
        Shalom!

        • Robert Harms says:

          Well said (or written)! But Yeshua did more on the cross that paying for our sins. He provided the grace for us to terminate our selfishness, pride and waywardness so that He could fulfill the Law in each and every person who wants to be free from self and live for God!

          • 2iceblest says:

            True. And I also pointed out that he died so the northern kingdom could return.

          • Laurie Giesler says:

            True, but we are not see free from the commands as revealed in Rev. 12:17 and 14:12. Read 1 John, especially paying attention to 3:4. The plumbline to say what sin is which Yeshua did not cross. We are set free from the ‘law’ of sin and death (this law is akin to the law of gravity) because we have a great high priest who stands in the heavenly holy of holies. But, we still get ‘dirty’ and need cleansing – confessing our sins which we have because we are still flesh and blood.
            Shalom!

        • Donna says:

          I love your post.You put things very well an according to scripture.Christians i believe is that spirit of strong dusions in the scripture.They think we keep Torah an its of works an an burden..The gospels ut says If you love me you will keep my commandments Yehova /Yahuah never,did away with shabbath or his laes statues&commandments except no more sacrifices.I Love keeping Torah,I look forward to shabbat an i coukd never put unclean in my mouth.I reseach a swine an ……It is thithy .Yah show know he created it an told us not to eat .I also am learning an keeping the feast daysSo much more fun an no stress like the pagan holidays Yah warned us agaisnt.I am not a Israelite nor a christian but a gentile who cleaves to the 12 tribes spoke avout in Duet 28 who are under the curses for their ancestors disobediance.The Black aka Isrselites .Shalom

          • Laurie Giesler says:

            If you believe and follow what Yehovah says to do, you ARE grafted into His people regardless of your birth, just as the mixed multitude that left Egypt became Isra’el.

          • Jake says:

            Laurie Giesler, Yes, and what you say is confirmed in Gal 6:16. The last part of that verse reveals who the true people of our Creator truly are.

        • Linda says:

          Thank you so much for your explanation above. I have been reading for a few years on how to understand and your clarity is wonderful!

        • Jake says:

          Though a large part of the Ten-Tribed-Israelites did not return, there was always a remnant present – before Yeshua’s crucifixion and afterwards (“lost sheep” only means that they were not saved, and those “not of this flock” are simply the Gentiles). The Ten Tribes were not literally divorced but both Israel & Judah were chastised with a Seven Times Punishment (LEV 26:18) starting in 536 B.C.E. and ending in 1948 when the two Houses were regathered and reunited.

          Just wanted to clarify this.

          Shalom,

          Jake

          • Sharon says:

            Because faithless Israel had committed adultery, I gave her a certificate of divorce and sent her away. Yet I saw that her unfaithful sister Judah had no fear and prostituted herself as well. Jeremiah 3:8

          • Jake says:

            “Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yehovah” (Jeremiah 31:32).

            Yehovah didn’t have two wives, Israel & Judah, and decided to divorce one of them. Neither did He have just one wife and decided to divorce some 80% her (the Ten Tribes) and kept the remaining 20% of His wife (Judah) which grew worse than the 80%. Neither did He send an envelope with a divorce certificate to the Ten Tribes, stamped & signed “Yehovah”. The “bill of divorce” is a figure of speech meaning that “He cast her out of His sight”. I am happy to provide loads of verses & evidence which show that the generalization of the “divorced and lost Ten Tribes” is a myth (if we want to go into this).

      • Debra A Browm says:

        That’s the great lie put out by Constantine and the Catholic church, and it has infected Christian churches world wide. All pagan holidays were brought to America by Europeans and Americans have welcomed them with open arms under the guise of none other but satan. You see Constantine thought to change the times and the seasons of The Creator and he nearly did. Because he mixed some truths in with the lies. It’s what he does. But The Messiah said ” i did not come to do away with the law and the prophets but I come to fulfill . Matthew 5-17

        • Laurie Giesler says:

          Bingo! Archaeologists have proof some of the northern kingdom emigrated to Europe and when Catholicism spread, they joined. After all, their polytheistic bent was quite similar to what had infiltrated that religion from its start around 100 C.E. The Puritans who came to America were more Protestant than Luther! Read his 95 theses and you will see there were not 95 different issues. Christmas was banned until 1870 and they were very much against the obvious paganism in the church. Now, we must find out what changed and who worked for this change. Of course, we know the Adversary was truly behind it.
          There are only two religions which follow the Bible and I believe Christians are the northern kingdom, and Jews are the southern kingdom.
          We must wake up our brethren!

      • Karen Powell says:

        Hello Christine,You can understand it as a Christain! But, you may not understand it from what has been promilageted through the mainstream. Jesus/Yeshua’s words have been there all along for 2000 years. There have always been scriptual/sabbath obsevant christains.However,we are different from mainstream.During my life time mainstream christains use to only be given a small new testament.The old testament was not provided, and they were basically told don’t read it! The pastor will tell you what he wants you to know!That is how many got hoodwinked by popes and minsters.Many that I knew were told don’t read scripture at all! But,the words have been there for 2000 years! Other wise, Jesus and the apostals could not talk about santification,being holy,striving to run the good race. There would not be Paul talking about Sabbaths,feast days,the commandments.There would be no such thing as murder,incest,forication etc.If the law/instruction was completely done away with. How could Revelation 22:14,15 even exsist? If the law/instruction was completely done away with?The law/instruction of needing an animal sacrifice as remedy was done away with! We are suppose to have love,mercy,make corrections in our behaviors,strive to improve,help each other.

        Very nice Nehemiah!

        • Laurie Giesler says:

          So true! The preachers are taught by whom? Seminaries created by the Roman-Catholic Church. I was awakened by Rev. 12:17 and 14:12. The one proof the seminarians cannot dispute so they don’t teach the book! And, then there’s 1 John 3:4. If there is no law/commands, there is no sin!

    • Laurie Giesler says:

      Not sure this applied to the High Sabbath. Nehemiah??

    • Neville says:

      Hello Tricotine,

      Not to take away at all from David Keith’s points, but I wanted to mention that shabbaton and shabbat are not the same thing. The “high days” (vs. sabbaths) are not days of complete non-work. Work needed for cooking is allowed. In the case of Shavuot it can even be argued that it is required as baked loaves are required to be offered.

    • Joseph Cartwright says:

      No servile work ( work for pay, occupation or harvesting and planting or plowing ).

  • Shmuel ben Naftali says:

    Very good study Nehemiah. I was wondering how you view Nehemiah 8:1-12 in relation to Yom Tru`ah? Because of this passage in Nehemiah, in our community we view Yom Tru`ah as a day for reminding ourselves of YHVH’s Torah, and secondly for rejoicing in Torah (because the Levites told the people not to mourn or weep – Neh 8:9). We observe the day exactly as described in Neh 8:1-12.

  • carol says:

    I was taught that the ancient Jews would stop what they were doing (two shall be working in the field, two at the mill) and when they heard the trumpet blast would head for home, mkvah and don their white jalabiya and wait (in case this was the year of resurrection) Since this occurs 10 days before Yom Kippur it makes sense to me because if it wasn’t to happen that year they had the 10 days to “get right with the LORD. and that these were holy rehearsals.

  • carol says:

    I was taught that the ancient Jews practiced the Day of Trumpets in this way…if they were still at work and heard the trumpet blast, the left work for home where they mikvahed and put on their white jalabiya (gown) and waited for the resurrection (while no man knows the day of the hour we can know the season) and since this the 10 days before Yom Kippur it makes sense to me.

  • Laura Olson says:

    It seems that Yehovah giving a day (Passover) to be the beginning of years is monumental in the various countings in prophecy to the end of the age.
    That is why I will not celebrate the Seder except when Yeshua did – only once a year.

  • Gary L Hicks says:

    Hello to all- I appreciate the comments especially about the confusion between using trumpets for the alleged ‘feast of trumpets’ rather than its true rendering being a ‘feast of shouting…’ This has caused so much speculation about Jesus returning on this feast day because they associate the ‘last trump’ in scripture with the ‘tekia gedolah’ or the long shofar blast at the end of the 100 or so blasts that takes place at some traditional Jewish observances of this feast day. I am looking for some additional documentation as to WHEN this change took place. The closest I have gotten so far is that it was done by Rabbi Abbahu of Caesarea about 300 AD and was written in the Mishnah Rosh Hashanah 34a. I am fairly sure this was the date when the practice of how to perform the different sounds on the shofar was instituted, such as the tekiah, teruah, shevarim, but then it ends with what is called the ‘tekiah gedolah,’ which is a long blast of the shofar. The problem with this is that I can not find any Jewish writings where this ‘tekiah gedolah’ was added…so in summary the first part of the practice seems to have been instituted about 300 AD but I have found no documentation for the last part…does anyone out there have any information about this?

  • Thank you for a great study, Nehemiah. The details you provided made the influence of Babylonian practices on the development of Rosh Hashana quite obvious.

    From all of the evidence, it is very clear that Yom Teruah occurs in the seventh month. That, in turn, means that new agricultural cycles start near the beginning of the eighth month of the year (in the fall) as you mentioned.

    However, that raises a question – if a new agricultural cycle begins in the eighth month, then how does that work with regard to Shemitah years? In other words, exactly when do people refrain from sowing and reaping – if sowing happens in the fall of one calendar year, and reaping happens in the spring of the NEXT calendar year?

    The easiest way to explain this issue is with two examples. For the first example, suppose we are in the eighth month of “year 6”, in a Sabbath year cycle. Year 6 is not a Shemitah year, of course – so presumably plants CAN be sowed in the fall of that year. However, if plants are sown at that time, then they will be growing into the spring of the next year – and the next year IS a Shemitah year. So, if plants are sown in the fall of “year 6”, then they will be growing into the spring of the Shemitah year – and the whole point of the Shemitah year is that there should NOT be sown plants growing in the Shemitah year!

    For the second example, suppose we are in the eighth month of a Shemitah year. Certainly, Scripture is clear that no plants can be sown (or reaped) in a Shemitah year. However, if no plants are sown in eighth month of a Shemitah year, then there will be no plants to harvest in the spring of the next year – and the next year is NOT a Shemitah year. In other words, not sowing plants in the fall of a Shemitah year means that there will not be any harvest in the next, non-Shemitah year – and there SHOULD be harvests in non-Shemitah years!

    Of course, Rabbinical Judaism does not have to deal with the above issue – because they believe that Yom Teruah is the beginning of the FIRST month. With that belief, a new agricultural cycle begins near the second month – and that, in turn, means that sowing of plants AND subsequent reaping of them occur within the SAME calendar year. With that belief, there is no problem with observing Shemitah years.

    So, what is your understanding of the above issue? In particular, do you have any information about how Karaite farmers who live in Israel observe the Shemitah year? Thanks for any information you can provide!

    • Hi,

      I did some additional research on the issue I mentioned in my last post – the issue of when, exactly, the Shemitah year begins. In particular, I found another Karaite site, which addresses that very issue!

      The Karaite Jews of America have produced a work called the Mikdash Me’at, which is an English-language summary of the classic Karaite work called the Adderet Eliyahu. Here is the link to the entire Mikdash Me’at page: http://www.karaites.org/reading-room.html

      Section 7 of the Mikdash Me’at addresses a number of issues around Yom Teruah – including when the Shemitah year begins. Here is the relevant information:

      — Begin section —

      It is clear that the First Month (the month in which Chag HaMatzot falls) is one of the two starts to the
      year because it is explicitly referred to as the First Month in the Torah and because it is written
      regarding the First Month: “This month shall be for you the beginning of months, it shall be for you the
      first month of the months of the year” (Exodus 12:2). Throughout the Torah all important dates and
      holidays are counted with respect to the First Month; thus, the First Month is the general start of the
      year and the start of the year for the counting of holidays.

      The Seventh Month too marks another start to the year. In particular, Chag HaSukkot which occurs in
      the Seventh Month is referred to as both “the turning of the year” (Exodus 34:22) and the “feast of
      gathering at the leaving of the year” (Exodus 23:16). Although this particular phrasing literally refers to
      Chag HaSukkot as the “leaving of the year”, since the year is cyclical the end of the year is also its
      beginning.

      Further proof that the Seventh Month marks another start to the year can be drawn from the laws of
      shemita (the Sabbatical year, occurring every seven years) and yovel (The Jubilee Year, occurring at the
      end of seven shemita years). Every shemita year begins on Chag Ha’Sukkot as it is written “at the end of
      every seven years at the set time of the shemita year, in the holiday of Sukkot” (Deuteronomy 31:10).
      Furthermore, regarding every yovel we are commanded: “Then you will make proclamation with the
      blast of the horn on the tenth day of the Seventh Month…and you will hallow every fiftieth year and
      proclaim freedom throughout the land” (Leviticus 25:9-10).

      As a practical matter, it is also a necessity that the shemita begin in the Seventh Month and not the First
      Month – otherwise we would be required to give the land rest for two years out of every seven which is
      not scripture’s intent. By way of illustration, if the shemita year were to start in the First Month then it
      would be forbidden to harvest crop (see Leviticus 25:5) that spring since the spring would be during the
      shemita year. In the fall of that same year, when the crop harvested in the spring of the upcoming year
      is usually sown, it would be forbidden to sow (see Leviticus 25:4) because it would still be the shemita
      year. Thus, in the spring of the year immediately after the shemita year there would still be no harvest
      and the land would have rested two consecutive years.

      Because the shemita and yovel pertain to matters of business (debts, indentured servitude, the
      gathering of crops), the sages called the Seventh Month the start of the business year.

      — End section —

      Evidently, even some Karaite sages have referred to “two separate beginnings” of a year – one in the first month, and one in the seventh month.

      Personally, I would say that there is just ONE “beginning of the year” – which is on the first day of the first month. In addition to that, though, it appears that the Shemitah year is NOT “synchronized” with the calendar year. Based on the Scriptural passages above, it appears that the Shemitah year – of letting the land rest – begins at Sukkot (in the seventh month) – even though the actual calendar year begins in the first month.

      So, it looks like the Shemitah lasts from one Sukkot to the next Sukkot, which matches the agricultural cycle – but it does not match the calendar year.

      Does anyone else have any thoughts on this? I would certainly welcome any feedback!

    • Dori says:

      Just a thought as someone that grows barley. If I would plant in the fall of the 6th year I would get a field of Aviv barley come at the beginning of the 1st moon. (Aprilish). If I do not harvest it , it will reseed itself. I’m not sure about the wheat cycle. But back to the barley, here in California we can have two harvests. If again we do not harvest in the Jubilee year, the following year there will be so much barley. In Israel the barley grows wild so it natures way of continuance.

      • Hi Dori,

        Thank you for the information, it is quite useful. However, as often happens, that new information has caused another question to arise…

        From your information, if barley is planted in the fall of the 6th year – and it is NOT harvested in the spring of the 7th year – then the barley will reseed itself, and cause another FULL amount of barley to grow, automatically.

        The above situation seems to cause problems for the Shemitah (7th) year – because in that case, the land is not really “resting” at all. In other words, in that situation, the full amount of barley is growing on the land, during the entire Shemitah year – and that seems to defeats the whole purpose of allowing the land to rest!

        So. it appears that in order to allow the land to rest, barley must not be planted at all, in the fall of the 6th year. That will mean that there will be no harvest in the spring of the 7th year – thus allowing the land to rest.

        Of course, that leaves the question of: Can barley be planted in the fall of the 7th (Shemitah) year? If barley is not planted at that time, then there will be no harvest in the fall of the 8th year, either – which causes the whole issue of two years in a row without a harvest.

        This whole issue can be avoided, if the observance of the Shemitah year begins in the fall – i.e., at the beginning of the agricultural cycle. That would allow no no barley to be planted in the fall of the Shemitah year – and no harvest in the spring of that same year. However, that would leave the question of why the Shemitah year begins in the fall, when the Biblical year begins in the spring…

  • Enid Mejias ? says:

    “And the Lord said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.”
    ‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭9:4‬ ‭KJV‬‬

    “Cry aloud, spare not, lift up your voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins. Yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God: they ask of me the ordinances of justice; they take delight in approaching to God. Wherefore have we fasted, say they, and you see not? wherefore have we afflicted our soul, and you take no notice? Behold, in the day of your fast you find pleasure, and exact all your labors. Behold, you fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: you shall not fast as you do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? will you call this a fast, and an acceptable day to Yehovah? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke? Is it not to deal your bread to the hungry, and that you bring the poor that are cast out to your house? when you see the naked, that you cover him; and that you hide not thyself from thine own flesh? Then shall your light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and your righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of Yehovah shall be your reward. Then shall you call, and Yehovah shall answer; you shall cry, and he shall say, Here I am. If you take away from the midst of thee the yoke, the putting forth of the finger, and speaking vanity; And if you draw out your soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; then shall your light rise in obscurity, and your darkness be as the noon day: And Yehovah shall guide thee continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and make fat your bones: and you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not. And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.” (Isaiah 58:1-12)

  • Enid Mejias ? says:

    The Days of Awe – Ten Days to Cleanse the Conscience?

    Each fall as we cross the plain of Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) and close in on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) each believer must ask themselves, what is the purpose meant by its Creator? Things can become quite complicated when we interpret its meaning through the eyes of both the traditional Judaism and Christianity. Right from the beginning we have two misleading definitions.

    • (Traditional Judaism) Yom Teruah = Rosh Hashanah
    Or
    • (Traditional Christianity) Yom Teruah = Feast of Trumpets

    But Yom Teruah cannot be interpreted as Rosh Hashanah nor Feast of Trumpets. The actual interpretation from Hebrew to English is “Day of Shouting”. Rosh HaShanah is the Babylonian new year and an eleven day festival was held in honor of the god Akitu. The Babylonians saw the crescent moon of the 7th Lunar Month as the mark of the close of one year and the beginning of the next. Jews who were transported to Mesopotamia by King Nebuchadnezzar gradually adopted this day into their culture.

    Using the term “Rosh HaShanah” rather than its true biblical name undermines the Mosaic economy. According to Moses, biblical year does not conclude until the end of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) which occurs about three weeks after the sighting of the new moon of the 7th biblical month.

    One must question traditional Judaism and ask “how can Rosh HaShanah signal the new year when Moses says the year does not end until the feast of Tabernacles? “Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years… during the Feast of Tabernacles…you shall read this law before them in their hearing” (Deuteronomy 31:10-11). While many believers are appalled at the thought of Passover being confused with the Easter season by the Christian church; they readily celebrate Rosh HaShanah according to Jewish tradition rather than in its biblical context as the Day of Shouting. Many are virtually doing the same thing as their Christian counterparts.

    Those who have come from a Christian perspective have an extra layer of confusion to wade through since interpreters have labeled the “Day of Shouting as “Feast of Trumpets”. This term conjures up priestly figures blowing celebratory instruments at the temple. Here is the verse that has thrown many of us off the trail of truth. “On the first day of the seventh month hold a sacred assembly and do no regular work. It is a day for you to sound the trumpets” (Numbers 29:1). But the word trumpet in this verse is not related to a musical instrument; on the contrary the word means to shout!

    Here is a verse in scripture that helps us differentiate between shouting and blowing a trumpet. The following verse is about David and all Israel when the Ark of the Covenant was transported to Jerusalem. “He (David) and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of YHWH with shouts (Teruah) and the sound of trumpets” (2 Samuel 6:15). Note here that the people were shouting and the Priests were sounding their trumpets. This indicates two different classes of people and two different actions. So we can conclude that a shout is not synonymous with a trumpet blast.

    The Meaning of Yom Teruah

    The biblical festivals are closely connected to prophecy. The reason why it is needful to undo the damage done by false traditions and incorrect interpretations is to clarify the meaning originally intended by our Creator. In the book of Revelation, we find an interesting passage that points its reader to the anti-typical “Day of Shouting”. It is found in Revelation chapter 18 and says “I saw another angel coming down from heaven… with a “mighty voice he shouted”: “Fallen! Fallen is Babylon the Great! She has become a home for demons and a haunt for every evil spirit, a haunt for every unclean and detestable bird” (Revelation 18:1-2).

    The entire chapter lays out all the destruction coming upon all nations for following the lawless practices of Mother Babylon. ”For her sins are piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her crimes. Give back to her as she has given; pay her back double for what she has done. Mix her a double portion from her own cup” (Revelation 18:5-6). Along with this great shout comes another message of mercy saying “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not share in her sins, so that you will not receive any of her plagues” (Revelation 18:4).

    It is highly likely that this great voice will come from the man sent with the spirit of Elijah as prophesied in the book of Malachi. There it states that a great message of repentance is to be proclaimed for His people “before the great and dreadful day of YHWH comes” (see Malachi chapter 4) I believe that the ten days between Yom Teruah and the Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) relate to the effects of Elijah’s message and cause the great multitude come out of Babylon before the seven plagues commence.

    But neither Elijah, the great tribulation and the seven last plagues have come yet. Today we are commanded to rehearse and contemplate how these events will effect us should the come to pass in our lifetime. According to the writer of Hebrews, The blood of goats and bulls offered on the Day of Atonement were not sufficient to cleanse the conscience (see Hebrews 9:9). These offerings were shadows and types of events that were set to occur far in the future.

    So all the way to the close of the first century the conscience of man has gone uncleansed. You would think that the Israelites who had their Creator so near to them. And experienced firsthand the great deliverance from Egypt, who were spared from the judgments of their fathers who died in the desert would have become a generation with a clear conscience, but that was not the case.

    Moses said “With your own eyes you saw those great trials, those miraculous signs and great wonders. But to this day YHWH has not given you a mind that understands or eyes that see or ears that hear” (Deuteronomy 29:1-4). I believe that the day when His people receive the eyes to see and the mind to understand is not far off. It will occur within a period unlike any other that has ever existed. “There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then” (Daniel 12:1).

    It is within this time frame that the consciences of His people will be cleansed and pure. This prophecy relates to the following passage spoken by Moses. “When all these blessings and curses I have set before you come upon you and you take them to heart wherever YHWH Elohim disperses you among the nations…you will again obey YHWH and follow all his commandments I am giving you today” (See Deuteronomy 30:1-8).

    Unfortunately it will take the curses of the Law written in the covenant to achieve the cleansing of heart mind and soul. Only this is sufficient His people back to full obedience to all the commandments given to His people. The terrors and warnings given to us in the book of Revelation are meant to bring about deep reflection and repentance. Every believer at this time should open their heart to consider whether or not they are in the faith and prepare themselves for the enlightenment of YHWH’s will. “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. (Revelation 3:19)

  • Chris Clark says:

    Fantastic article, Nehemia! Thank you for sharing!

    I want to share 2 more witnesses that support your article …

    The Torah defines the beginning of a sabbath year (shemitah) as the month of the abib, not the month of Tishri.

    When did YeHoVaH dry up the flood waters, and start over with Noah and his sons? In the 1st month, not the 7th month.

    “And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.” – Genesis 8:13

    When did YeHoVaH bring the Israelites into the Promised Land? In the 1st month, not the 7th month.

    Leviticus 25:2 says, “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a sabbath to the Lord.”

    Joshua 3:16 says, “the people crossed over opposite Jericho” and Joshua 4:13 says, “About forty thousand prepared for war crossed over before the Lord for battle, to the plains of Jericho” and Joshua 4:19 says, “Now the people came up from the Jordan on the tenth day of the first month, and they camped in Gilgal on the east border of Jericho.” and Joshua 5:10 says, “Now the children of Israel camped in Gilgal, and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight on the plains of Jericho.”

    Therefore, according to Leviticus 25:2 and Joshua 5:10, this was the first month (abib) of the first year in the land and it was a sabbath year (shemitah). So all future sabbath years (shemitah) in the land of Israel were counted from this day in the month of the abib.

  • Tom says:

    Well explained the fact that Sukkot brings in the Jubilee year strengthens the argument that the sacred Hebrew calendar is seven months

  • Michael Harrell says:

    I wonder about the relationship that is suggested by some that somehow the Seventh month is the first month having something to do with creation. I have not found what I consider satisfactory biblical documentation for that so I’m wondering how did they come up with that?

    • Laurie Giesler says:

      I am a Hebrew by birth and my grandparents could not explain it to me. Then in a Christian Bible study we were told that it had to do with Noah. There is no Biblical documentation, but Nehemiah’s historical explanation makes more sense.

  • Gary Elkins says:

    Where then did the idea or concept come from that the first day of the seventh month was the day of Adam’s creation. Isn’t kingship and coronation one of the prominent themes of Yom teruah and wasn’t Adam a type of king and given dominion over the earth? And what about the Messiah and his return (for those who believe He has already come once) to reign over all the earth, and who is also called the second Adam. It seems pretty clear to me that it’s a celebration of the Almighty’s kingship and the one He has chosen to rule over His people, namely the Messiah.

  • Danny Fernandez says:

    CÓMO YOM TERUAH LLEGÓ A SER ROSH HASHANAH
    Por Nehemia Gordon, (Traduccion Danny Fernandez)

    La Torah nos instruye observar Yom Teruah, que significa “día de clamar o alzar la voz”, el primer día del mes séptimo (Tishrei). (Levítico 23:23-25; Números 29:1-6). Yom Teruah es un día de reposo en el cual trabajar está prohibido.
    Una de las peculiaridades de Yom Teruah es que la Torah no dice cuál es el propósito de este día santo. La Torah da al menos una razón para guardar los otros días sagrados, y hasta dos motivos para otros. La fiesta de Matzot (Panes sin levadura) conmemora la salida de Egipto, pero a la vez es la celebración del comienzo de la cosecha de la cebada (Éxodos 23:15; Levítico 23:4-14); La Fiesta de Shavuot (Semanas) es una celebración de la cosecha del trigo (Éxodo 23:16; 34:22); Yom HaKipurim es un día de perdón nacional como está detallado en Levítico 16; y finalmente está la Fiesta de Sukot (Cabañas) que conmemora el recorrido de los israelitas por el desierto y que también es una celebración de la cosecha (Éxodo 23:16). En contraste con todas estas fiestas, Yom Teruah no tiene un propósito definido fuera de que se nos instruye reposarlo.
    No obstante, el nombre Yom Teruah nos da una pista sobre su propósito. Teruah literalmente significa hacer un sonido fuerte. Esta palabra puede describir el sonido producido por una trompeta, pero también describe el sonido producido por una gran multitud de personas gritando a unísono (Números 10:5-6).
    “Y cuando tocaren prolongadamente el cuerno de carnero, así que oyereis el sonido de la bocina (shofar), todo el pueblo gritará á gran voz, y el muro de la ciudad caerá debajo de sí: entonces el pueblo subirá cada uno en derecho de sí.” (Josué 6:5)
    En este versículo la palabra “grita” aparece dos veces: una como el verbo teruah (gritará) y la otra como el sustantivo teruah (gran voz). Aunque este versículo menciona el sonido del shofar (cuerno de carnero), las dos instancias de teruah no se refieren al shofar. De hecho, en este versículo teruah se refiere al grito de los israelitas que antecedió a la caída de los muros de Jericó.
    Mientras la Torah no nos dice el propósito específico de Yom Teruah, su nombre puede indicar que este día está destinado como un día de oración pública. El verbo teruah a menudo indica ruido hecho por la congregación de los fieles clamando en unísono al Altísimo. Por ejemplo:
    • PUEBLOS todos, batid las manos; Aclamad á Dios con voz de júbilo. (Salmos 47:1)
    • ACLAMAD á Dios con alegría, toda la tierra: (Salmos 66:1)
    • Cantad con gozo a Dios, fortaleza nuestra; Al Dios de Jacob aclamad con júbilo. (Salmos 81:1)
    • Aclamen alegres a JEHOVÁ, habitantes de toda la tierra; (Salmos 100:1)
    En Levítico 23:24, Yom Teruah es también denominado como Zichron Teruah. La palabra zichron es a veces traducida como “memorial”; pero esta palabra hebrea también significa “mencionar”, muchas veces refiriéndose al nombre de Jehová. Por ejemplo: Éxodo 3:15; Isaías 12:4; 26:13; Salmos 45:18. El dia de Zichron Teruah, “Mención a grito”, puede referirse a un día de reunión pública en donde el grupo de fieles grita a unísono el nombre de Jehová.
    (Nota del traductor: La versión TLA traduce así Salmos 100:1 “Habitantes de toda la tierra,
    griten con todas sus fuerzas: ¡Viva Dios!”)
    Hoy en día pocos son los que recuerdan el nombre bíblico de Yom Teruah llamándolo a cambio “Rosh Hashanah” que literalmente significa “cabeza del año” y por consiguiente “Año Nuevo”. El cambio de Yom Teruah (Día de Grita) a Rosh Hashanah (Año Nuevo), es el resultado de la influencia babilónica sobre la nación judía. La primea etapa del cambio fue la adopción de los nombres babilónicos de los meses. En la Torah los meses son numerados: Mes Primero, Mes Segundo, Mes Tercero, etc. (Levítico 23; Números 28). Durante su estadía en Babilonia, nuestros antepasados comenzaron a usar los nombres paganos babilónicos de los meses, hecho asentado en el Talmud:
    “Los nombres de los meses fueron traídos de Babilonia.” (Talmud de Jerusalem, Rosh Hashanah 1:2 56d)
    La naturaleza pagana de los nombre dados a los meses por los babilonios es personificada por el mes cuarto llamado Tamuz. En la religión de Babilonia, Tamuz era el dios del grano cuya muerte anual y resurrección traía fertilidad al mundo. En el libro de Ezequiel, el profeta describe un viaje a Jerusalén en el cual vio mujeres judías sentadas en el templo llorando por Tamuz (Ezequiel 8:14). La razón por la cual lloraban a Tamuz es que, según la mitología babilónica, Tamuz había muerto pero no había aun resucitado. En la antigua Babilonia, el tiempo de llorar a Tamuz era a principios de verano cuando terminan las lluvias en el medio oriente y la vegetación es quemada por el implacable sol. Hasta el día de hoy, el mes cuarto del calendario rabínico es conocido como el mes de Tamuz, y aún sigue siendo un mes de duelo y llanto.
    Algunos de los nombres babilónicos para los meses se infiltraron en libros más recientes de la Tanak (Antiguo Testamento). Por ejemplo Ester 3:7 dice:
    “En el mes primero, que es el mes de Nisán, en el año duodécimo del rey Assuero, fué echada Pur, esto es, la suerte, delante de Amán, de día en día y de mes en mes; y salió el mes duodécimo, que es el mes de Adar.”
    Este versículo comienza dándole el nombre bíblico al mes (“Mes Primero”), y entonces traduce el nombre a su equivalente pagano (“que es el mes de Nisán”). En los tiempos de Ester, todos los judíos vivían dentro de las fronteras del imperio Persa y los persas habían adoptado el calendario babilónico para los asuntos civiles administrativos del reino. Al principio, los judíos usaban estos nombres babilónicos juntos con los nombres bíblicos; pero con el tiempo los nombres dados en la Torah fueron cayendo en desuso.
    A medida que el pueblo judío fue acostumbrándose al uso de los nombres babilónicos de los meses, fueron siendo más susceptibles a otras influencias babilónicas. Esto es similar a la manera de los judíos americanos observar Hanukah como una versión de Navidad. Esta influencia comenzó con la costumbre, en apariencia inocente, de intercambiar regalos en Hanukah. Esta costumbre era desconocida hasta la llegada de los judíos a América, y aun es una rareza en Israel en donde Hanukah no tiene la necesidad de competir con Navidad en los corazones y las mentes de los jóvenes judíos. Una vez que Hanukah adoptó este aspecto relativamente trivial de la Navidad, estuvo lista para influencias más significativas. Hoy en día muchos judíos americanos tienen como costumbre establecida poner un “arbolito de Hanukah” como alternativa al árbol de Navidad. Estos judíos no querían adoptar la Navidad, entonces “judaizaron” el árbol navideño y lo incorporaron a Hanukah. Este ejemplo muestra cuán fácil es ser influenciado por las prácticas de otras religiones, especialmente cuando ya existen ciertas similitudes. El hecho de que Hanukah coincide con la Navidad, hizo fácil para los judíos incorporar aspectos navideños a la observancia de Hanukah.
    Así como los judíos de América han sido influenciados por la Navidad, los antiguos rabinos fueron influenciados por la religión pagana de Babilonia. A pesar de que muchos judíos retornaron a Judea al oficialmente terminar el exilio en el año 516 a.C., los antepasados de los rabinos permanecieron en Babilonia donde el judaísmo rabínico tomó forma. Muchos de los primeros rabinos como Hillel I nacieron y se educaron en Babilonia. De hecho, Babilonia fue el corazón del judaísmo rabínico hasta la caída del Gaonato en el siglo 11 d.C. El Talmud de Babilonia abunda en influencia pagana babilónica. De hecho, hasta deidades paganas aparecen en el Talmud transformadas en ángeles y demonios “judíos”.
    Un área influenciada por la religión babilónica es la observancia de Yom Teruah como la celebración del Año Nuevo. Desde tiempos remotos los babilonios se guiaban por un calendario lunar¬¬-solar muy similar al calendario bíblico, dando como resultado que Yom Teruah coincidiera en varias ocasiones con la festividad babilónica de Año Nuevo llamada “Akitu”. El Akitu babilónico caía en el primer día del mes Tishrie el cual coincidía con Yom Teruah en el día primero del mes séptimo. Cuando los judíos comenzaron a llamar al “Mes Séptimo” con el nombre babilónico “Tishrie”, se preparó el camino para convertir Yom Teruah en un Akitu judío. Al mismo tiempo los rabinos no querían simplemente adoptar el Akitu, así que lo judaizaron cambiándole el nombre a Yom Teruah (Día de Proclama) a Rosh Hashanah (Año Nuevo). El hecho de que la Torah no da un motivo para la celebración de Yom Teruah, facilitó a los rabinos proclamarlo el Año Nuevo Judío.
    Es una cosa muy extraña celebrar Yom Teruah como Año Nuevo. Esta fiesta bíblica cae en el primer día del mes séptimo. Aun así, en el contexto de la cultura babilónica era algo perfectamente natural. Los babilonios, de hecho, celebraban Akitu (Año Nuevo) dos veces al año: Una, el primero de Tishrie y la segunda vez seis meses más tarde, el primer día de Nisán. La primera celebración babilónica de Akitu coincidía con Yom Teruah, y la segunda con el mismo Año Nuevo en la Torah, el primer día del Mes Primero. Aunque los rabinos proclamaron Yom Teruah como Año Nuevo, aun reconocían que el primer día del Mes Primero en la Torah, tal como su nombre lo indica, era también Año Nuevo. Difícilmente podrían negarlo en base a Éxodo 12:2 que dice:
    “Este mes os será principio de los meses; será este para vosotros el primero en los meses del año.”
    El contexto de este versículo habla sobre la celebración de la Fiesta de los Panes sin Levadura que cae en el Mes Primero. A la luz de este versículo los rabinos no podían negar que el Mes Primero era el Año Nuevo bíblico. Pero en el contexto cultural de Babilonia en donde Akitu era celebrado dos veces cada año, tenía sentido que Yom Teruah pudiera ser un segundo Año Nuevo aunque fuera en el Mes Séptimo.
    En contraste al paganismo babilónico, la Torah no dice y ni siquiera apunta a que Yom Teruah tenga algo que ver con Año Nuevo. Por el contrario, la fiesta de Sucot (Cabañas) que toma lugar exactamente dos semanas después de Yom Teruah, es aludida en un versículo como “la salida del año” (Éxodo 23:16). Esto sería como llamar a enero 15 en nuestro calendario moderno “fin de año”. La Torah no describiría de esta forma la fiesta de Sucot si tuviera la intensión de que Yom Teruah fuera celebrado como Año Nuevo.
    Algunos rabinos modernos han argumentado que Yom Teruah es aludido como Rosh Hashanah en Ezequiel 40:1 donde se describe una visión del profeta “al comienzo del año (Rosh Hashanah) en el día décimo.” De hecho, Ezequiel 40:1 es prueba de que la frase “Rosh Hashanah” /aquí usada/ no significa “Año Nuevo”; sino que es usada en su sentido literal “cabeza del año” refiriéndose al Mes Primero del calendario de la Torah. El día décimo de Rosh Hashanah en Ezequiel 40:1 es el día décimo del Mes Primero.
    Yom Teruah es mencionado en los siguientes pasajes:
    • Y habló Jehová á Moisés, diciendo: Habla á los hijos de Israel, y diles: En el mes séptimo, al primero del mes tendréis sábado, una conmemoración al son de trompetas, y una santa convocación. 25 Ninguna obra servil haréis; y ofreceréis ofrenda encendida á Jehová. (Levítico 23:23-25)
    • Y EL séptimo mes, al primero del mes tendréis santa convocación: ninguna obra servil haréis; os será día de sonar las trompetas.2 Y ofreceréis holocausto por olor de suavidad á Jehová, un becerro de la vacada, un carnero, siete corderos de un año sin defecto;3 Y el presente de ellos, de flor de harina amasada con aceite, tres décimas con cada becerro, dos décimas con cada carnero,4 Y con cada uno de los siete corderos, una décima;5 Y un macho cabrío por expiación, para reconciliaros:6 Además del holocausto del mes, y su presente, y el holocausto continuo y su presente, y sus libaciones, conforme á su ley, por ofrenda encendida á Jehová en olor de suavidad. (Números 29:1-6)
    Pregunta: ¿Cómo se explica Levítico 25:9?
    Respuesta: Algunos discuten que Yom Teruah debe ser considerado Año Nuevo porque es el comienzo del año sabático; pero la Torah no dice que Yom Teruah es el comienzo del año sabático. Todo indica que el año sabático comienza el primer día del Mes Primero. La Torah dice lo siguiente:
    “Entonces harás pasar la trompeta de jubilación en el mes séptimo á los diez del mes; el día de la expiación haréis pasar la trompeta por toda vuestra tierra. (Levítico 25:9)
    Este versículo está diciendo que se debe usar un shofar para anunciar la llegada del Año de Jubileo, el año 50 en el sistema sabático. No dice que el jubileo comienza en el Día del Perdón. Solamente dice que la inminente llegada del Año del Jubileo debe ser anunciada el Día del Perdón. El shofar debe ser escuchado por toda la tierra en el Yom Kipur del año 49, seis meses antes del comienzo del Año del Jubileo. Esta interpretación es apoyada por el contexto inmediato en Levítico 25. El versículo 8 instruye contar 49 años; el versículo 9 instruye tocar el shofar por toda la tierra; y el versículo 10 instruye proclamar el año 50 de jubileo. Esto nos muestra que el shofar anunciando la proximidad del jubileo en el versículo 9 es tocado por toda la tierra antes que el jubileo sea proclamado en el versículo 10.
    Pregunta: ¿Es el Mes Séptimo el comienzo del ciclo de agrícola?
    Respuesta: En la Torah, el ciclo agrícola, y específicamente el siclo del grano, termina a mediados del Mes Séptimo. En la tierra de Israel el grano es sembrado en otoño y cosechado en primavera. El próximo o nuevo ciclo de agricultura no comienza hasta que los campos son arados. Esto no toma lugar hasta la llegada de las primeras lluvias que suavizan la tierra lo suficiente como para romperla con arados de hierro y madera. En la tierra de Israel esto sucede tan temprano como a mediados del Mes Séptimo; pero regularmente sucede en el Mes Octavo o más tarde. Siguiendo la lógica anterior, el Mes Octavo debe ser considerado el comienzo del ciclo y no el Mes Séptimo.

  • stephan starr says:

    I must admit that I like the audios more than the written material because I am dyslexic but I found this material helpful in understanding where the confusion originated. Unfortunately for me reading is a significant challenge and I have to reread some parts of anything written until it makes sense. Plus at 68 my cataracts increase the difficulty of reading.

  • Amen, Nehemiah, and keep up the great work you are doing. The first month of Aviv is the Biblical month. There is strong scriptural proof. Numbers 20:22-29 and 33:37-39 show that Aaron died on the first day of the fifth month in the fortieth year. Numbers 33:27-56 are the chronicled events of the Israel’s journeys to their last stop at Jordan Jericho before crossing the Jordan. Deuteronomy 1:1-3 shows that Moses talked to Israel before they crossed over on the first day of the eleventh month of the FORTIETH YEAR, SIX MONTHS AFTER AARON’S DEATH. If Rosh Hashanah was Rosh Hashanah, it would have switched over to the forty-first year, two months after Aaron’s death, but this was not the case. The scriptures show that Rosh Hashanah is “not” the Biblical new year.

  • Simone says:

    Nehemiah, I woke this morning with a blazing question on my mind; Why is the seventh month called the beginning of the year? How amazing to find that, as I had been sleeping (in New Zealand), my Wonderful Creator had orchestrated your sending me an email with a link to the answer…and a very thorough one at that.

    May Yehova continue to be highly esteemed through your dedication brother!

  • Rafael says:

    Thank you for your well researched study.
    “Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.” Zechariah 8: 23

  • William Barrocas says:

    I can only say I have no words to thank you for that what seems to me the right and acceptable explanation for Yom Teruah becoming Rosh Hashanah.I have been sharing as much as I could about coming 5777 with my people here.Now I have something new and more to share and I will share that too even while extending to you with gratitude to God for the six days of Creation leading to the NEW YEAR 5777 which I pray will be to all Israelites wherever they be the most blessed year yet in their history. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.

  • Diane Dornberger says:

    Finally! A clear understanding of this confusion. Todah Nehemiah!

  • Aaron says:

    This is a good commentary. It is my understanding that the Resurrection shall take place on Yom Teruah (the feast day in which no one knows the day or the hour). There is a lot of hints at this (Mat 24:31, 1 Cor 15:52, 1 Th 4:16-17). It is also my understanding that Yom Teruah commemorates the day when the cloud came upon Mt. Sinai (with trumpets) and the elders went up into the cloud and ate with the angels. This seems to parallel what is said in 1 Th 4:16-17, ascending into the cloud and the air of Mt. Sinai. I believe that it is likely that the saints will be gathered into Mt. Sinai (the one in Saudi Arabia).

    Although I do not particularly like to set times, Yom Teruah 2017 fits into my calculations perfectly as things seem to align with the days and times given in the prophets. This would mean that Israel would be destroyed by the Russian confederacy (Gog et al.) and the Messiah would split the Mount of Olives in 2027. A friend of mine says that the Messiah will stand upon the Mount of Olives on August 2, 2027 to reveal himself to the world (he has a website dedicated to this). The Messiah would spend the next forty years bringing the world into subjection, building the temple (as seen in Ezekiel), and teaching the truth. The Kingdom would then begin in 2067, which would be the next jubilee (if 2017 and 2067 were jubilees). This may be the 70th jubilee (3500 years), which would make the counting of the years start in 1434 BCE. This is the approximate time of Joshua, but it is hard to say exactly when to start counting.

    Anyways, the Messiah is coming soon so stay vigilant. While we are not “under the law” (under the old covenant of works), we know that those who will be saved “keep the commandments of God.”

    • Rachel Porter says:

      Regarding the messiah splitting the Mount of Olives, the book of Zechariah doesn’t actually say the messiah will do that. Read chapter 14. The “he” and “his” are YHVH. This prophecy is about YHVH coming and fighting.

      • William Gaddam says:

        Rachel, you got that right. The true Messiah King of Israel will be resurrected King David. Eze 37:4-5; Eze 34:23-24; Jer 30:8-9; Hos 3:4-5 and Isa 11:1-5

  • Thank you for this information! You make it so simple to understand because it has been clear revealed to you by Yehovah!

  • travis reed says:

    how late is the idea that the days before yom teruah is celebration of creation and that yom teruah rosh hashanna is day man was created?

  • paulus seraun says:

    thank you so much for this information; is vital,helpful, and healthy also for us Christians to understand these things-and avoid a lot of terrible mistakes often made regarding the Feasts of YHWH keep up good work and GOD BLESS You!!!

  • David Underwood says:

    Yah states the first of the year is at Passover in the spring…

    • Chrystie says:

      Did you even read the article? He quotes the verses on this topic and is very clear that Yom Teruah is NOT the start of the new year.

      • Jo says:

        Hello Chrystie, Looks like you have misunderstood what David is saying. He did not say that Yom Teruah is the start of the new year, he is saying it is at Passover in the spring. Passover falls in the 1st month of Yahovah’s ordained calendar.

  • Good study Nehemiah, todah

  • Linda says:

    Thank you, Nehemia for this wonderful explanation of Yom Teruah.

  • dale says:

    How come when YHVH commands the year to start in spring, the Jewish calendar starts in fall?
    In 12 Shemot you are commanded to not only mark the month of the Passover as the first month of the year but also as the first month. If Torah doesn’t waste words, how could these not be separate commands? So why is the year not 3461, counting from the commanded first month, instead of 5777? In Islam the year is 1437 and the Christian world marks the year as 2016 years from Mohamed’s vision and Jesus’ birth respectively. They all count Adam, Noah and Abraham as their ancestors spiritually if not physically, just not in their calendar. Is this something that’s just over my head for now?

  • Ann Wilkie says:

    As always you display Yah’s facts and now it is up to us to accept or deny. Thank you for being you. I personally enjoyed this teaching. Yah’s blessings

  • Greg McAulay says:

    Fascinating, by this we can say that the jubilee is to announced this yom ha-Kippur and that the jubilee year will begin on the first day of the first month in 2017. Fifty years prior, 1967, Israel saw the restoration of Jerusalem as the capital, fifty years prior to that, Dec of 1917, the world saw the liberation of Jerusalem. What does Yehovah have in store for Israel in 2017-2018? (2018 is 70 years of Israel as the nation who lives again.)

    • Tom Chute says:

      I could not agree with you any more I have been telling people the same thing for past three years. I keep looking for the temple to be rebuilt or some another war or peace plan etc: ?

    • I believe that in America, you turn 1 after a year, but in the ancient reckoning, you were 1 in your first year, 2 in your second, etc. Therefore, 2017 would be Israel’s 70th year.

  • Very good information. I’ve often wondered what the two New Years were about and this clears it up nicely. G-d is not about confusion. Thanks.

  • Gisselle says:

    I truly enjoyed reading your explanation and information of Yom Teruah.

  • Wadechillly says:

    Yes, thank you for this study sir, and it is correct according to the Word of the Lord.
    I just have one question about yom teruah ……- i cant seem to find anywhere in the torah about the first of each month (or the first of aNy month) to be determined by spotting the first moon sliver.
    Im not saying it isnt true ..im saying ive only been seeing that in COMMENTARIES ..not the torah …. [ive been searching concordances all day]

    Ok thank you sir.

    • Shuflo Shalom says:

      24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.

    • If you go to Nehemia’s teachings he explains that the word Rosh Chodesh actually means the first (Rosh) fingerlike sliver (chodesh). The word chodesh has become a word for month in general but originally it meant the first sliver. That is a very basic synopsis of his teaching… Here it is from Karaite Korner:
      “Hodesh” Means New Moon (Day)

      The primary meaning of Hodesh (month) is actually “New Moon” or “New Moon Day” and it is only by extension that it came to mean “month”, that is, the period between one New Moon and the next. This primary meaning is preserved in a number of passages such as 1Sam 20:5 in which Jonathan says to David “Tomorrow is the New Moon (Hodesh)”. Clearly, in this verse Hodesh is used to refer to the specific day on which the month begins and not the entire month. Another passage which uses Hodesh in its primary sense is Ez 46:1 which talks about “The Day (Yom) of the New Moon (Ha-Hodesh)”. Clearly in this verse Hodesh (New Moon) is a specific event and the beginning of the month is the day on which this event (New Moon) occurs.
      http://www.karaite-korner.org/new_moon.shtml
      Grace and Shalom!

  • Diane says:

    So then what is the calendar that they were going by as mentioned in the scriptures below seeing that the Ex 12:2 calendar hadn’t been established yet?

    Ist account of time/Day 1 – Gen 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.

    By what means we will track time: – Gen_1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:

    A tracking of time in correlation with Adams age – Gen_5:5 And all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years: and he died.

    A tracking of time in regards to Noah – Gen_7:11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the SECOND MONTH, THE SEVENTEENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, the same day were all the fountains of the great deep broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.

    The date when the ark rested – Gen 8:4 And the ark rested IN THE SEVENTH MONTH, ON THE SEVENTEENTH DAY of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat.

    Date when the waters decreased – Gen_8:5 And the waters decreased continually until THE TENTH MONTH: IN THE TENTH MONTH, ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, were the tops of the mountains seen.

    Date when the waters dried up – Gen_8:13 And it came to pass in the six hundredth and first year, IN THE FIRST MONTH, THE FIRST DAY OF THE MONTH, the waters were dried up from off the earth: and Noah removed the covering of the ark, and looked, and, behold, the face of the ground was dry.

    Gen 8:14 And IN THE SECOND MONTH, ON THE SEVEN AND TWENTIETH DAY OF THE MONTH, was the earth dried.

    Reference to Isaac receiving 100 fold – Gen_26:12 Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received IN THE SAME YEAR an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.

    Closing of year and beginning of the next year. – Gen_47:18 When that YEAR WAS ENDED, they came unto him THE SECOND YEAR, and said unto him, We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent; my lord also hath our herds of cattle; there is not ought left in the sight of my lord, but our bodies, and our lands

    Clearly there was some sort of calendar established that above months and days were cited. So what calendar is it?

    • Kaleb says:

      Its the calendar of the Feast days with is “made or controlled by the heavenly bodies that talks to us every day. (Psm 19)

  • Nice Toast says:

    It’s amazing when you think about it, how blithely people assume they could never be tricked into participating in idolatry and paganistic or occult-ish rituals. I’m a Christian and I refuse to “celebrate” Christmas. What’s to celebrate? Everyone knows that’s not when Christ was born, it’s the old Roman Saturnalia, with a freshly cut fertility symbol right in the living room (topped with a pentacle star to boot). Rabbinic Judaism has those silly evangelicals using “gematria” to “decipher” prophetic codes in the Bible. How is that NOT numerology? And Islam, supposedly a “monotheistic” religion, pays reverence to the 99 names or 100 names, I forget how many. Sorry, but that sounds like polytheism to me. And yet, is any of this the fault of the average believer? Nobody normal wants to break the First Commandment, or to commit blasphemy or idolatry. We’ve been tricked in a million different ways, beguiled into sin and rebellion. And we’re so arrogant and set in our ways, we’d rather blame our problems on material differences than sound like kooky conspiracy theorists and blame an adversarial force. It’s the same divide and conquer game we’ve fallen for since the beginning. Like King Solomon, we’ve been seduced, and now we’re surrounded by alien gods.

    Honestly, I feel like we’re on the cusp of something new coming down the pike. Not a new branch of faith or some unbiblical wishy washy universalism, but a naturally desired return to “primitive” Scripture based faith. I mean, how insane does the world need to get before we finally realize why God commanded us to keep ourselves separate from it?

    • Wow, I loved your comment! Intelligent! I used to claim to be a Christian …not anymore. The church has been deceived and believe the lie, Christmas, Easter, pagan traditions handed down by man. I recommend a book series, “The Original Revelation Series of books” by Paul Sides (Rav Shaul) if you want your eyes to be opened read his books you will never read your bible in the same way again. You can buy them on Amazon or you can check out excerpts of his books at http://www.sabbathcovenant.com

      • Jane Grey says:

        I don’t claim to be a Christian any more either. The phrase Christian is only used three times in the NT and two of those times it sounds like it was a word unbelievers were using to describe gentiles who believed in Jesus. The “church” is as close to following God’s word as Rabbinic Judaism is.

        • Laurie Giesler says:

          Kudos! The first believers were called Nazarenes and they said of themselves that they were followers of The Way. Religion is control. Faith is what Yehovah desires.

    • great comment

    • Zal Slowix says:

      i’m curious, how is praying to a dead hebrew as ‘god’s ,,incarnation,, -biblical?

      • David Keith says:

        It’s not! That’s the whole point! Many Jewish sects make regular pilgrimages to the Ukraine, where they go to the graveside of their sects’ founding rabbi, and PRAY TO THEIR DEAD RABBI! Wow!

        Contrast that with the highly attested to death, burial AND resurrection of Yehoshua Messiah. If anyone tells you otherwise they are promulgating a personal agenda and not standing upon the solid foundation of history, Scripture etc.

    • Laurie Freeman says:

      Right on!Thank you.

    • Actually I do believe it’s about when Jesus was born. There are Pagan holidays all over the year but the Ancient Pagan never affiliated the Winter Solstice with Birth. I think Jesus was born on the first day of Hanukkah and Circumcised on the 8th.

      • Brenda says:

        Y’Shuah was born during Sukkot- not Hanukkah.
        Although He a blazing torch, He is our Tabernacle, and when the nations come up to pay tribute to Him as the KING it is during the festival of Sukkot, His birth week(Zechariah 14:16-21)
        Please go back and read in your Torah, the Kethubim Bet-
        The timing of His birth is given in Matt/Luke/Yohanan(1:14), and the timing of the census, hence Miryam and Yospeh’s trek to Beit Lechem, was during Sukkot- He was born in a Sukkah.
        These are only a few references-
        Shalom

        • He could not possibly be born on a Feast, Rome wouldn’t have enforced that Census in Judea at a time it would interfere with a Pilgrimage festival.

          Also Herod died less then 40 days after he was born, and he died between Purim and Passover.

    • Laurie Giesler says:

      Praise Yah for your insight! I pray each day that others will wake up!

  • yaacob says:

    Todah rabah for the above information and clarification which is what I was searching for. HalleluYah! for you and your dedication in searching out truths.
    Shalom!
    yaacob.

  • Leesa Neeley says:

    Thank you for this teaching, Nehemiah. This only confirms what I believe YHVH has showed me through His Torah. Others wanted me to believe the Talmudic way but it just didn’t line up with the Torah, especially the part about the Jubilee.
    Blessings to you and your family,
    Leesa

  • I am a believer in Yahshua but adhere to the Torah as He did. I have learned soooo much TRUTH from you since finding you on Youtube a week ago! I have been studying the videos as well as your writings non stop! THANK YOU for helping clarify the Holy scriptures like never before! May Yehovah bless you!

    • George Forsythe says:

      Please let me correct one word in your comment. The seventh word should be “and” rather than “but.” Yeshua kept the Torah and instructed his followers to do the same.

      • Well – lately I thought a lot about what Yeshua meant by that there is LOVE in every command in the Books of Moses. So I ‘disclosed’ my thoughts half publicly in a huge Café to an elderly woman having had cancer therapy this year and – at the same time – to the guy I’m living at. I said: In my eyes, Yeshua wanted us to believe in reincarnation as well, because, the killing commands in Leviticus / Vayikra (= He called), they tell us for to kill or let kill or let us kill for sins [like adultery, defiling animals, cohabitation with some closer relatives, blaspheming (=act against the first three of the Ten Commandments), harlotry of any kind or equal sex with men] exist therefore. Of course, there are ways of purification like fastening or burnt offerings B.C. (but also meat offerings) – The Love behind that is that you keep people from harm of any kind. During the cycle of reincarnations earlier in time, any kind of action resembling adultery (with G-d, that is – breaking the association with The Most High) should be nipped in the bud (or by”cut(ting) off from his people” = Hebrew as exemplary people for all nations). Well, I told them both the like and they would not believe me. After Yeshua, who really wanted to abolish any kind of burnt offerings (for those who believe in him…) in order to make life liveable for any soul community upon earth, we may think about how we punish ourselves for our crimes against humankind esp. even to our selves. Now that the circle is completed and I must say that I’ve known all the effects of NOT LISTENING to the commandments by myself (=”I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of the heart: …” ) with hindsight. Yet, where is the temple to fulfil the commandments in the Vayikra/Leviticus ? Where are the Priests among the Levites? What did Yeshua say where they were? Ask Jacob – he said. That is, the eldest brother. Do nothing to others what you do not think is right. I think everyone has the inner eye of judgement towards others. For example – I often thought badly versus gays and I found it exciting on the other hand, when men had a close relationship replacing fatherhood with kisses or embraces. Furthermore, I suppose, that not to “cast ye your pearls before swine” is not indicated here, because everyone reaches out here to hear the word of G-d, esp. in these end times … After some troubling events like ‘World Financial Crisis 2’ and civil war and natural catastrophies the Three Days (or 3,5 days) of magnetic pole shift where everyone should stay at home in the base – earthquake-proof of course as possible. Good luck and love&peace to everyhone

      • BTW: People who forgive do not kill – the first stone to be thrown is the stone against the own crimes…yet, Yeshua said, animals are our brothers but we’re worth more than animals because of the Spirit.

  • deborah says:

    Thank you so much for sharing precious information, i love to learn things from Bible and about Israel, all very important and special.

  • Is anyone interested in getting the Leviticus priesthood restored to Judaism ? They have built bimah’s that weren’t on that hill in Jerusalem.
    This could be the moral compass that is needed for complete restoration.

  • Anneri Marais says:

    Thanks for the very insightful article, Nechemia. Agree that we should be so careful not to mix pagan and false traditions with the holy things of Yehovah – therefore I’m grateful for all the insights you share – TODAH RABAH!
    A Lexion shows that the word ‘shana’ (year) means “to change/cycle, the course of the sun”. An equinox occurs twice a year.. one in Spring and the other in Fall. Yehovah created the sun and the moon for calculating years, and the equinoxes and solstices are His demarcation points in the solar cycle. In calculating a Hebrew Year, the Spring equinox governs the start of a Hebrew Year according to Ex 12:1-2. The 1st day of Unleavened Bread on day 15 of Month 1 is the critical day for calculating a Hebrew year/cycle.
    Is it possible that the Fall equinox refers to another year / cycle / circuit of the sun? (Not a ‘new New Year’… just the beginning of another ‘new’ cycle within Rosh Ha’shana)
    The Hebrew Scriptures use the word “tekufot” to describe the two ends of heaven in the sun’s circuit as viewed from earth – the Spring and Fall equinoxes. The Spring “tekufot” is used as the orientation point to determine the entire Hebrew Year. The word “tekufot’ appears in various forms 4 times in Scripture:
    Exodus 34:22 And you shall observe the Feast of Weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the Feast of Ingathering at the “tekufot” TURN of the year.
    1 Samuel 1:20 So ‘tekufot’ in the course of time Hannah conceived and gave birth to a son.
    2 Chronicles 24:23 Now it happened at the ‘tekufot’ turn of the year that the army of the Arameans came up against him (Joash)
    Psalms 19:4-6 In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is as a Bridegroom coming out of His chamber, as a champian rejoices to run a race. It rises at one end of heaven “tekufot” and makes its circuit to the other end…
    I’ve read a lot of articles but most of the info in this post I got from “http://www.torahcalendar.com/”
    Is my understanding correct? Any help to shed more light on this topic would be so welcome.
    Kol tov

  • Dawn says:

    Thank you Nehemia for this great post. I always wondered where Rosh Hashanah came from. I knew it was tradition but didn’t know it went back all the way to Babylon.

    I have no problem with the Shemitah beginning on Aviv 1. I guess if that is the case, then the barley that is planted the previous year is for everyone to take as they need and the following year would only have volunteer barley.

    Or do you know ahead of time not to plant the barley? Then the following year you plant even though it is before Aviv 1? Is there any historical information about how the Sabbath year was kept in the time of David?

    Either way, from your article, is seems like having two New Years is a lot like what they did in Babylon.

  • Debbie says:

    Kol HaKavod! Very very well done.

  • Thanks for this article, it was very helpful.

  • Kees Bloed says:

    Akitu was celebrated in March April, but not in the fall of the year. I can’t find it anywhere. Where do you have it from?

  • Rob Harms says:

    I came to your webpage after searching for “Yom Teruah 2015”. I appreciate the information you provide and the comments and questions which follow. I once experienced people of God lifting one voice in one accord to our Heavenly Father about 30 years ago, and suspect that such a phenomenon will occur this coming Yom Teruah!!! He is SO WORTHY of all glory and honor, praise and adoration, fear and trembling, love and obedience in Messiah!!!

  • Penney says:

    Thank you Nehemia for that clarification – I’m trying to find answers at the moment.

    Question: Could you tell me where you are quoting from for the following, where exactly in the Torah does YHWH say this? “in the Torah the “MIDDLE OF THE SEVENTH MONTH is actually the end of the agriculture cycle, especially the grain cycle”.

  • Dateshake says:

    Uncovering Ancient Hebrew Sources of Faith – How Yom Teruah Became Rosh Hashanah (German Translation)
    ————————————-
    Nehemia’s Wall
    Die Enthüllung alter hebräischer Quellen des Glaubens – Wie Yom Teruah zu Rosh Hashanah wurde (Deutsche Übersetzung)

    Am 1.Tag des Siebten Monats (Tishrei) befehligt uns die Torah den heiligen Tag Yom Teruah zu halten, welcher bedeutet “Tag des Lärmens” (3.Mose 23:23-25; 4.Mose 29:1-6). Yom Teruah ist ein Tag der Ruhe an dem Arbeit verboten ist. Eines der einzigartigen Dinge bei Yom Teruah ist, daß die Torah keine Aussage darüber macht, was der Zweck dieses heiligen Tages ist. Die Torah gibt wenigstens einen Grund für alle andere heiligen Tage an und zwei Gründe für einige. Das Fest Matzot (Ungesäuerte Brote) bringt den Auszug aus Ägypten in Erinnerung, aber es ist auch eine Feier des Beginns der Gerstenernte (2.Mose 23:15; 3.Mose 23:4-14). Das Fest Shavuot (Wochen) ist eine Feier der Weizenernte (2.Mose 23:16; 34:22). Yom Ha-Kippurim ist ein nationaler Tag der Sühne wie in 3.Mose 16 detailliert beschrieben. Zum Schluss das Fest Sukkot (Laubhütten) erinnert an die Wanderung der Israeliten durch die Wüste und ist auch eine Feier des Einsammelns landwirtschaftlicher Früchte (2.Mose 23:16). Im Gegensatz zu all diesen Festen der Torah, hat Yom Teruah keinen klaren anderen Zweck, außer daß wir an diesem Tag zum Ruhen aufgerufen worden sind.
    Dennoch, der Name von Yom Teruah beinhaltet einen Hinweis zu seiner Bestimmung. Teruah bedeutet buchstäblich einen lauten Lärm zu machen. Dieses Wort kann den Lärm, verursacht durch eine Trompete, beschreiben, aber es beschreibt auch den Lärm, erzeugt von einer großen Menschenversammlung in Jubelgeschrei und Einklang. (4.Mose 10:5-6)
    Zum Beispiel,
    “Und es soll geschehen, wenn man das Lärmhorn anhaltend bläst, wenn ihr den Schall der Posaune höret, so soll das ganze Volk ein großes Geschrei erheben; und die Mauer der Stadt wird an ihrer Stelle einstürzen, und das Volk soll hinaufsteigen, wie ein Mann gegen sie”. Josua 6:5

    In diesem Vers kommt das Wort “schreien” zweimal vor, einmal in der Verbform von Teruah und ein zweites mal in der Form als Hauptwort Teruah. Obwohl dieser Vers den Schall des Schofars (Horn des Widders) erwähnt, beziehen sich die zwei Belege von Teruah nicht auf das Schofar. Tatsächlich bezieht sich, in diesem Vers, Teruah auf das Schreien der Israeliten, was den Fall der Mauern von Jericho zur Folge hatte.
    Während die Torah nicht ausdrücklich die Bestimmung (Zweck) von Yom Teruah erläutert, dürfte der Name darauf hinweisen, daß dies als ein Tag des öffentlichen Gebetes geplant ist. Oft bezieht sich die Verbform auf das Schreien bei einer Versammlung von Gläubigen, die im Einklang zum Allmächtigen ausrufen:
    “Klatscht in die Hände, ihr Völker alle! Jauchzet Elohym mit fröhlichem Schall!” (Psalm 47:2)

    “Jauchzet Elohym, alle Länder” (Psalm 66:1)

    “Singet zu Elohym, der unsere Stärke ist, jauchzet dem Elohym Jakobs” (Psalm 81:2)

    “Jauchzet zu Yehovah, alle Länder!” (Psalm 100:1)

    In 3.Mose 23:24 wird Yom Teruah auch als Zichron Teruah bezeichnet. Das Wort Zichron wird manchmal als “gedenken” übersetzt, aber dieses Hebräische Wort bedeutet auch “erwähnen”, oft im Bezug den Namen Yehovah auszusprechen. Zum Beispiel, 2.Mose 3:15; Yeshayahu 12:4; Yeshayahu 26:13; Psalm 45:18. Der Tag Zichron Teruah, der “Erwähnungs-Ruf”, dürfte auf einen Tag der Versammlung zum öffentlichem Gebet, Bezug nehmen, in der die Menge der Gläubigen den Namen Yehovah im Einklang ausruft.
    Heutzutage, nur wenige Menschen besinnen sich des biblischen Namens von Yom Teruah, stattdessen ist dieser Tag weit bekannt als “Rosh HaShana” was buchstäblich “Kopf des Jahres” bedeutet und deshalb auch “Neues Jahr”. Die Umwandlung von Yom Teruah (Tag des Rufens) in Rosh HaShana (Neues Jahr) ist das Resultat heidnisch Babylonischen Einflusses auf die Jüdische Nation. Der Einstieg in die Umwandlung war die Aneignung der Babylonischen Monatsnamen. In der Torah, sind die Monate nummeriert als Erster Monat, Zweiter Monat, Dritter Monat, etc. (3.Mose 23; 4.Mose 28). Während ihres Aufenthalts in Babylon fingen unsere Vorfahren damit an die Babylonischen Monatsnamen zu gebrauchen, eine Tatsache die im Talmud bereitwillig zugegeben wird:

    “Die Namen der Monate kamen mit ihnen aus Babylonien.” (Jerusalem Talmud, Rosh Hashanah 1:2 56d)

    Die heidnische Natur der Babylonischen Monatsnamen ist versinnbildlicht durch den vierten Monat bekannt als Tammuz. In der Babylonischen Religion, ist Tammuz der Gott des Getreides, dessen jährlichen Tod und Auferstehung, Fruchtbarkeit in die Welt brachte. Im Buch Ezekiel, beschreibt der Prophet eine Reise nach Jerusalem, in der er die Jüdischen Frauen im Tempel sitzen sah “weinen über Tammuz” (Ezekiel 8:14) Der Grund ihres Weinens über Tammuz war dieser, daß nach der Babylonischen Mythology, Tammuz getötet wurde, aber noch nicht auferstanden war. Im alten Babylonien war die Zeit des Weinens über Tammuz der frühe Sommer, wenn der Regen im ganzen Nahen Osten zu Ende geht und das Grün der Vegetation durch die sengende Sonne verbrennt. Bis zum heutigen Tage ist im Rabbinischen Kalender der Vierte Monat, als der Monat des Tammuz bekannt und es ist immer noch eine Zeit des Weinens und der Trauer.

    Einige der Babylonischen Monatsnamen fanden ihren Weg in die späteren Bücher des Tanakh, aber sie erscheinen immer nebenher mit den Torah Monatsnamen. Zum Beispiel, Esther 3:7 sagt:
    “Im ersten Monat, das ist der Monat Nissan, im zwölften Jahre des Königs Achashverosh..”

    Dieser Vers beginnt mit dem Torahnamen für den Monat (“ersten Monat”) und dann wird dieser Monat in sein heidnisches Pendant (“das ist der Monat Nissan”) übersetzt. Zur Zeit Esthers, lebten alle Juden in den Grenzen des Persischen Weltreichs und die Perser wendeten den Babylonischen Kalender für ihre zivile Verwaltung ihres Gebietes an. Anfangs benutzten die Juden nebenbei die Torahnamen für die Monate, doch mit der Zeit wurde der Gebrauch von Torahnamen für die Monate, fallen gelassen.
    Als das Jüdische Volk sich mehr an die Babylonischen Monatsnamen gewöhnte, wurden sie gegenüber anderen Babylonischen Einflüssen mehr empfänglich. Das ist ungefähr so, wie wenn Amerikanische Juden Hanukkah als eine Jüdische Version von Weihnachten halten. Die Beeinflussung fing an mit der scheinbar harmlosen Tradition an Hanukkah Geschenke zu überreichen. Bis zum Zeitpunkt daß die Juden in Amerika ankamen, war diese Tradition unbekannt und es ist immer noch eine Seltenheit in Israel, wo Hanukkah nicht mit Weihnachten um Herz und Verstand der Jüdischen Jugend wetteifern muß. Nachdem nun Hanukkah diesen relativ gehaltlosen Aspekt von Weihnachten annahm, wurde es noch reifer für gravierendere Einflüsse. Heute haben viele Amerikanische Juden den Brauch eingeführt, einen “Hanukkah Busch” aufzustellen, als eine Jüdische Alternative zum Weihnachtsbaum. Diese Juden wollten nicht gerade direkt Weihnachten adoptieren, also “Judahisierten” sie ganz einfach den Weihnachtsbaum und integrierten es in Hanukkah hinein. Dieses Beispiel zeigt, wie einfach man durch Praktiken fremder Religionen beeinflusst werden kann, besonders wenn es im Ansatz Gemeinsamkeiten gibt. Die Tatsache, daß Hanukkah oft in die gleiche Zeit wie Weihnachten fällt, macht es für Amerikanische Juden normal, Elemente von Weihnachten in das Beachten von Hanukkah zu integrieren.
    So wie die Juden in Amerika durch Weihnachten beeinflusst wurden, so wurden die alten Rabbis durch die heidnisch Babylonische Religion beeinflusst. Obwohl viel Juden nach Judea zurückkehrten, nachdem das Exil 516 BCE (vor unserer Zeitrechnung) offiziell endete, blieben die Vorfahren der Rabbis zurück in Babylonien, dort wo rabbinisches Judentum langsam Gestalt annahm. Viele der frühbekannten Rabbis, wie Hillel I waren in Babylon geboren und unterrichtet. Sicher ist, Babylon blieb das Zentrum Babylonischen Heidentums bis zum Fall des Gaonat im 11. Jahrhundert CE. Sicher ist, heidnische Gottheiten tauchen im Talmud auf, aufbereitet als “Jüdische” Engel und Dämonen. (*Zwi Cahn)
    Ein Bereich von Babylonisch religiösen Einfluss bestand in der Beachtung von Yom Teruah als eine Neu Jahr Feier. Seit sehr frühen Zeiten hatten die Babylonier einen lunar-solaren Kalender sehr ähnlich zum biblischen Kalender. Das Ergebnis war, daß Yom Teruah sehr oft auf das Babylonische Neujahr-Festival “Akitu” fiel.
    Das Babylonische Festival Akitu fiel auf den 1.Tag von Tishrei, der mit Yom Teruah am 1. Tag des Siebten Monats zusammenfiel. Als Juden anfingen den “Siebten Monat” mit dem Namen “Tishrei” zu bezeichnen, bereitete dies den Weg Yom Teruah in ein Jüdisches Akitu zu verwandeln. Gleichzeitig wollten die Rabbis Akitu nicht direkt übernehmen, also Judahisierten sie dies, indem sie den Namen Yom Teruah (Tag des Rufens) in Rosh Hashanah (Neu Jahr) veränderten. Die Tatsache, daß die Torah keinen Grund für Yom Teruah gab, machte es für die Rabbis zweifellos leichter dies als das Jüdische Neu Jahr zu verkündigen.
    Es ist geradezu bizarr Yom Teruah als Neu Jahr zu feiern. Dieses biblische Fest fällt auf den ersten tag des Siebten Monats. Allerdings, im Kontext der Babylonischen Kultur, war dies vollkommen natürlich. Die Babylonier zelebrierten sogar Akitu, Neujahr, zweimal jährlich, einmal am ersten Tishrei und nochmal sechs Monate später am ersten des Nissan. Das erste Babylonische Akitu Fest fiel auf Yom Teruah und das zweite Akitu fiel auf das eigentliche Neujahr, in der Torah als Erster Tag des Ersten Monats, zusammen. Während die Rabbis Yom Teruah als Neujahr proklamierten, anerkannten sie immer noch, daß in der Torah der 1. Tag des “Ersten Monats” so wie der Name es andeutet, ebenfalls ein Neujahr war. Sie konnten dies schwer anhand von 2.Mose 12:2 ableugnen, wo es heisst:

    “Dieser Monat soll euch der Anfang der Monate sein, er soll euch der erste sein von den Monaten des Jahres.”

    Der Kontext dieses Verses handelt von der Feier des Festes der Ungesäuerten Brote, was auf den Ersten Monat fällt. Im Lichte dieses Verses, konnten die Rabbis nicht verleugnen, daß der erste Tag des Ersten Monats ein biblisches Neujahr war. Aber im kulturellen Zusammenhang Babyloniens, wo Akitu zweimal als Neujahr gefeiert wurde, macht es durchaus Sinn, daß Yom Teruah ein zweites Neujahr sein konnte, obwohl es im Siebten Monat war.

    Im Kontrast zum Babylonischen Heidentum, sagt oder setzt die Torah nicht voraus, daß Yom Teruah irgendwas mit Neujahr zu tun hat. Im Gegensatz, das Fest Sukkot (Laubhütten), welches genau zwei Wochen nach Yom Teruah stattfindet, wird in einem Vers als “den Ausgang des Jahres” erwähnt (2.Mose 23:16). Das wäre so, als wenn man im modernen westlichen Kalender den 15. Januar “den Ausgang des Jahres” bezeichnen würde. Die Torah würde Sukkot nicht in dieser Art und Weise beschreiben, wenn sie die Absicht hätte, Yom Teruah als Neujahr zu zelebrieren.

    Einige moderne Rabbis argumentierten, daß Yom Teruah in Ezekiel 40:1 auf Rosh Hashanah hinweist, was eine Vision des Propheten beschreibt, “im Anfang des Jahres (Rosh Hashanah) am Zehnten des Monats”. Tatsächlich aber beweist Ezekiel 40:1, daß der Ausdruck “Rosh Hashanah” nicht “Neujahr” bedeutet. Stattdessen, beinhaltet der Ausdruck die wörtliche Bedeutung, dem “Kopf des Jahres”, und bezieht sich auf den Ersten Monat im Torah Kalender. Der 10. Tag von Rosh Hashanah in Ezekiel 40:1 bezieht sich auf den 10. Tag des Ersten Monats.

    Yom Teruah wird in der folgenden Bibelpassage erwähnt:

    “Und Yehovah redete zu Mose und sprach: Rede zu den Kindern Israel und sprich: Im Siebten Monat, am Ersten des Monats, soll euch Ruhe (Shabbaton) sein, ein Gedächtnis des Posaunenhalls, eine heilige Versammlung. Keinerlei Dienstarbeit sollt ihr tun, und ihr sollt Yehovah ein Feueropfer darbringen”. 3.Mose 23:23-25

    “Und im siebten Monat, am Ersten des Monats, soll euch eine heilige Versammlung sein; keinerlei Dienstarbeit sollt ihr tun; ein Tag des Posaunenhalls soll es euch sein…..” 4. Mose 29:1-6

    Frage: Was ist mit 3.Mose 25:9?

    Antwort: Einige Leute argumentieren, daß Yom Teruah als Neujahr gelten soll, weil es der Anfang des Schabatjahres sei. Indessen sagt die Torah nicht, daß Yom Teruah der Anfang des Schabatjahres ist und allen Anzeichen nach, fängt das Schabatjahr am 1.Tag des Ersten Monats an. Die Torah sagt folgendes:

    “Und du sollst im Siebten Monat, am Zehnten des Monats, den Schall des Schofars ergehen lassen; an dem Versöhnungstage sollt ihr das Schofar ergehen lassen durch euer ganzes Land.” (3.Mose 25:9)

    Dieser Vers sagt aus, daß ein Schofar benutzt werden soll um die Ankunft des Jubeljahres anzukündigen, das 50ste Jahr im Sabbatischen System. Dies sagt nicht, daß das Jubeljahr am Tag der Versöhnung beginnt, es sagt nur, daß die bevorstehende Ankunft des Jubeljahrs am Tag der Versöhnung verkündet wird. Das Schofar wird im ganzen Land an Yom Kippur des 49sten Jahres geblasen, sechs Monate vor dem Beginn des kommenden Jubeljahres. Diese Interpretation wird durch den unmittelbar folgenden Kontext in 3.Mose 25 unterstützt. Vers 8 sagt aus, 49 Jahre zu zählen, in Vers 9 steht, das Schofar im ganzen Land erschallen zu lassen, und Vers 10 sagt das 50ste Jahr als das Jubeljahr zu verkündigen. Dies zeigt, daß die Ankündigung des neuen Jubeljahrs mit dem Schofar in Vers 9 durch das Land geht, bevor das Jubeljahr tatsächlich verkündet wird, in Vers 10.

    Frage: Ist der Siebte Monat nicht der Beginn des landwirtschaftlichen Zyklus?

    Antwort: In der Torah ist eigentlich die Mitte des Siebten Monats das Ende des landwirtschaftlichen Zyklus’. Im Land Israel wird das Getreide im Herbst angesät und im Frühjahr geerntet. Der neue landwirtschaftliche Zyklus würde bis zum Pflügen der Felder nicht wirklich beginnen. Das würde nicht stattfinden, bis die ersten leichten Niederschläge, den Boden befeuchten, um durch eiserne und hölzerne Pflüge gebrochen zu werden. Im Lande Israel könnte dies frühestens Mitte des Siebten Monats aber für gewöhnlich ist es der Achte Monat oder später. Nach der oberen Logik, müsste der Achte Monat als Beginn des Jahres betrachtet werden, nicht der Siebte Monat.

    *Zvi Cahn, The Rise of the Karaite Sect, New York 1937, pages 98–101. Cahn’s zentrale Thesis besagt, daß die Verweigerung der rabbinischen Leiter das tief-verwurzelte Babylonische Heidentum zurückzuweisen, welches den Babylonischen Judaismus infiltrierte, führte im frühen Mittelalter zur Entstehung der Karaiten, einer Zurück-zur-Bibel Bewegung. In diesem Zusammenhang liefert Cahn eine detaillierte Liste verschiedener heidnischer Einflüsse im rabbinischen Judaismus.

  • Dateshake says:

    Nehemia, I thought this article very helpful to get rid of some misunderstandings. I decided to translate it into German language. Would it be ok to send it to you? or post it in here?

  • Stella C. says:

    Thank you for the information as to the truth ; and to open our eyes to the truth.
    I had my share of doubts to the many teachings of Rabbi`s . However i do not follow the Oral Law. I have heard it as the name Peh Ba`al . Ba`al is husband in Hebrew. As husband or head meaning authority I can see why the Oral Law has become to the Rabbi`s having more authority then the Tanach .

  • I’m studying the feast days. Your post answers many of my questions. Thank you so much!

  • Helwing says:

    Brawo dla Nehemiasza !

    http://www.jehowa-biblioteka.com/

    Pozdrawiam, Helwing

  • Many thanks for the explanations, Nehemia

    Blessings
    Ralf

  • msbbfortune says:

    Thank you for sharing this. When I started leaving traditional Christianity behind 20 years ago and sought out the Hebrew Roots of my faith. I read about the True new year according to Exodus 12:2 was 14 days before passover in the month of Abib and questioned why the New Year was celebrated in the fall I was always told that it was the “Civil” new Year and they left it at that but I read nothing in the word to back this claim in the word of Yah. I am glad for this clarification of how this came about. Babylon as ususal!

  • rik says:

    i was investigating Johnathan Cahn’s Shmita claim that the stock market crashes 2001/2008 coincide with the Sabbath years, to force a resetting of the financial system. Jonathan says its always on Elul 29 the last day of the Shmita year. I had thought there were two systems, religious (Spring new year, Abib/Nissan) and civil (fall new year, Tishri). Now I am confused, If Johanthan’s reckoning (last year of the shmita stock market collapse) follows an end of the year calender at all.

    • alan says:

      I was thinking the same thing…

      Thanks to Nehemia, a lot has been cleared up.

      If the year was established in Exodus 12, and there is no other evidence to support 1 Tishri as a new year (of any kind), then the Shemitah year must begin on 1 Nisan.

      That means the Shemitah year begins in March 2015, not Sept. 2014 (as Cahn claims).

      If we go back 7 years each cycle, the tribulations line up in the middle of these Shemitah years instead of the ends.

      It also makes sense, if the Feast of Trumpets are a time of judgement/proclaimation, in the time before radio, TV, internet, etc, the time would have been weeks and even months, before the event actually happened.

      • Penney says:

        Thank you Alan for the information you have given. The Shemitah has to begin in the month of the Aviv as you say, and not in Tishri.

        I have come across Rabbi Cahn’s videos just over the last few days and have not been able to reconcile my confusion – the same as Rik’s comments above.

        I’ve believed that Shemitah starts in the month of the Aviv, and when I heard him speak on how everything coincided with the end of the shemitah (that is…obviously to him…Tishri), I had to sit back & try to find out if we who believe in the Aviv for the ‘beginning of the year’ have got it all wrong.

        But what you say “if we go back seven years each cycle, the tribulations line up in the “middle of these Shemitah years instead of the ends”, then I am relieved…I understand that and it makes sense.

        Could you please explain your last paragraph ‘in the time before radio, TV, internet, etc, the time would have been weeks and even months, before the event actually happened.’

        • Janice says:

          Also, 9-11-2001, was not on Elul 29 (smittah as Cahn reports) 9-11-2001 rather at evening it was Elul 24, the 7 year pattern can fit more closely the punishment for House of Israel, two things no Shabbat and idolatry. The Stong’s Chumas shows there were 5 sets of 7 punishments, and you can see the 1st set on events that happened beginning 9-11-2001, then 2008 and upon us perhaps 2015, not saying Elul 29 but rather Elul 24; which on Gregorian calendar is Sept 8, there is a reference to Elul 24 in Haggai, and also Nehemia, Sept 8, Sept 9th is when the Sanhedrian called Obama to come to stand before them in court case.There is rumored that IsIs plans to attack churches and schools on that day; so be in prayer and heads up. In the Levitcus 26 punishments is an illusion in the Hebrew to a female (Isis) attack.

        • Alan says:

          Penney:

          “And you shall pass a shofar of blasting in the Seventh Month on the tenth of the month; on the Day of Atonement, you shall pass a shofar throughout all your land.” (Leviticus 25:9)

          If the Shofar (trumpet) is “passed around” throughout Israel, then it would have been a long process, and, if the true Jubilee year begins 5 months (sometimes 6 on the Hebrew leap year calender).

          Another clue that supports this, is the Rabbi Cahn (whom I do support) said that there is a “tail end” effect, that happened after 1 Tishri, that lasted months. I personally recall 1973 (shemitah year), and there was a lot of bad events taking place well into the fall and winter-we were still in the Shemitah year.

          I refer now to the events around Elul 29 as the “Shemitah Cycle”

  • lovemore says:

    perfectly true

  • Charles E;iyah Pelosof says:

    Shalom Brother Nehemia
    This is Charles from China.
    We got a boy and a girl , YHWH has granted our wishes.

    I get the same feeling as you do when jewish brothers and sisters wish me Shanah Tovah on Yom Teruah.
    I do not answer back with Shanah Tovah but instead happy Yom Teruah but they do not understand what I am talking about.
    I tell them the Shanah Tovah that YHWH has given us was seven months ago and that day should be one of the most important day in the jewish calendar, the creation of the world and the official opening of the tabernacle in the desert.

    My Elohim be with you Nehemiah and sorry to have missed you in China.

  • genecorpusg says:

    for as long as I can remember….I have always believed that nothing should be added or taken away from scripture….so I have always been adamant about following any kind of tradition other than scriptural purity….rejecting all pagan tradition….from both sides of the fence….whether gentile or jewish….to me if it is not found in the torah….then it is not kosher…..including the talmud….and hanukkah…..I often find myself a lone wolf in my views….as the world seems to embrace all kinds of man made traditions and pagan practices…..after finding this site….yes it is like a breath of fresh air to find that there are those who think as myself…..however…there is one unfortunate exception..that is not found here…which I am greatly disappointed……I consider myself a messianic believer (messianic judaism)….in the messiah Yeshua….if there is such a thing as a karaite messianic believer……then that would describe me perfectly…I wish there was a karaite messianic congregation…to me that would be scriptural perfection…..

    .but I must also confess that I reject the book of esther….there are no verses referenced any where in the tanakh…neither was the book of esther found in the dead sea scrolls….all other books were found except esther……….which by the way sounds too close to the term easter….linked to the terms ishtar…..ashtarte……strangely this odd book never mentions god…or his laws..but only speaks of a queen ….again too close to the well known queen of heaven….I am highly suspicious of that book as far as I am concerned it does not belong as part of holy writings….even by the way it is written…….the way it is written sounds very pretentious ….it sounds like someone wrote it trying to make t sound holy….but it very clearly isnt…..it almost sounds comical….and I am surprised that nobody sees this….

    anyway I’m still glad that I found this site…I do appreciate it’s all out attempt for true scriptural accuracy….which I value very highly…..

    • Natasha Dickson says:

      The book of Esther seems to be a book of Jewish history. It may not be scripture or part of the tanakh but it records a part of the life of a God-fearing woman and how God used her to save lives in a time of persecution. It may not be scripture but it has value as a history book because it shows God saving people who refused to worship an earthly king.

    • Alisha says:

      I hate to burst your bubble genecorpusg ,
      but there could not be a Karaite Messianic. Karaite is Jewish and does not believe in Yeshua/Jesus. But I have been a Messianic before and it is REALLY a mix of Jewish and Xtian belief. The very fact that you still hold on to a pagan idol (Jesus) is the very definition of xtian belief.

      • Alice says:

        I was going by this name for a while, but I did not write anything about Karaite Messianic. I was Messianic before I came out of all that xtian stuff that they still believe.

      • Katya Cohen says:

        Well if Karaite is just scripture without oral/Rabbinic traditions, how can you say you can’t have someone from that mindset and view that is Messianic?

        There are many of us that are Messianic that do NOT do Christian pagan originating traditions and holidays, that maintain a Jewish life following Torah (and not Rabbinics) while maintaining our belief in Yeshua as Messiah.

        Yeshua, in the scripture, is very different than the pagan-infused “Torah-abolishing” concept of mainstream Christianity. VERY different- he lived and taught Torah, and specifically says He did NOT come to abolish, but fulfill (live it out), and is the perfect example of doing that. Now, mainstream Christianity, yeah, sadly, it’s very pagan infused. 🙁 Just the sad truth.

    • kris says:

      Dear genecorpusg,

      Personally, I don’t have any issues with traditions that don’t clash with the Word – though I’m aware that it can be difficult and unclear to decipher the true origins of some long-standing traditions.

      As far as your wanting an assembly of believers in Yeshua as the Messiah without paganism…hang in there! One day, one day. After all, every tongue will acknowledge one day, and truth will be with us.

      In the meantime, be comforted in knowing that you are not alone.

      So reflect the light, and shalom!

  • halima khan says:

    is this mentioned in gospel?

    • Nicholas Mansfield says:

      Hi HK, according to Michael Rood the Day Of Trumpets during the ministry of Yeshua is covered by Matt.15:1-20 and Mark 7:1-23 where he is confronted by the Pharisees at Kfar Nahum but there is no direct ref. to the Feast.

      Nehemia has provided an excellent commentary here and makes me consider another alternative possibility which arises from Horowitz et al. Consider the purified crystal waters of Revelation 22:1/2 Enoch 67:8. Then consider the 144,000 (Rev. 14:1-3) with their music and sound. Horowitz considers this to be the ‘shout’ that will transform Earth back to Eden. This New Earth is also mentioned in the Qur’an in surah 14:48.

      Alternative references can be found in Mormon doctrine; Doctrine & Covenants 29:13, For a trump shall sound both long and loud, even as upon Mount Sinai, and all the earth shall quake, and they shall come forth-yea, even the dead which died in me, to receive a crown of righteousness, and to be clothed upon, even as I am, to be with me, that we may be one, also 29:26 and 43:18. Chapter 29 appears to be a genuine Messianic revelation. It is met with a great deal of disinterest from contemporary LDS church members.

      The Qur’an holds multiple references to the fulfilment of Torah and the Day Of Trumpets. Surahs 20:102, 27:87,36:51,53, 39:68, 50:20,42, 69:13, 78:18, 80:33. Again, no one I have met in Islam wants to know the Torah which is reverenced in the Qur’an. Humanity is cursed with ignorance and a focus on the delusion of this life. God will judge between us on the Day Of Resurrection concerning that over which we used to differ (2:113).

  • Pam Rogers says:

    Nehemiah, you are a breath of fresh air…. I have been watching and reading your information for several years and I would so love to spend some time with questions that my husband and I have had for several years now from our own studies……. we nearly converted to Orthodox Judaism until we began to study for the conversion and compared what they wanted us to study to what the Torah had to say…… We were, before our intent to convert, what they call Ben Noah, our studies kept us moving forward, or so we thought…. till we learned better…… it is BIBLICAL Israel not rabbinical Israel that peaople need to seek. this is the first time I have heard a Jew explain what we found in our studies! Thank you!

    • Dolf says:

      Hi Pam, we are exactly on the same route, is it possible to share resources? I can be emailed and if not shared with you let me know? We also turned from rabbincal to Scriptural. Thank you Dolf

  • Ginger Shaffer says:

    I thank Jehovah for you Nehemiah and your commitment to right information because it opens up the truth to us and is helping us to return to Him and to His ways.

  • eileen says:

    Some years ago on The Day of Shouting Jewish men gathered at The Wall and did just this and they shouted out The Name of Jehovah. My prayer is that other Children of The Name will be so bold!! The other intresting point (one cry) was the passing around the shofar, since there where no telephones. I invision this shofar going from hand to hand (a year prior to the 50th year it would take that long for information to go though out the land) making the one (echad) the Children of God in their hearts. The shouting of The Fathers Name needs to return may the men of Israel do so again this coming Day of Shouting. In some way this might tie in with the statement “where ever your foot has stepped it will be your land” Our hearts and hands connecting to The Father in The Spirit …how beautiful…how humble should be our hearts What LOVE..The Father has for us(echad). May He show us even greater mercy and in Truth. Nehemia could you ask someone to start passing a shofar around Israel for this coming year leading up to the 50th yea. My belief is that Yeshua/Jesus is The Messiah let each man decide for themselves this point of the heart.

  • DMarie says:

    This is great information. Thanks so much for clarifying this issue.

  • sambatyonerchosid says:

    כתבה מאד מענינת ומכנכת. תודה רבה. אפשר להגיב “אקיטו שמח” למי שמאחל “שנה טובה.”? אך לבסוף יש לשאול מה המטרה בהבגביה קולות. לשם מה זה משרת? הלא אדוני יודע את שמו ואינו זקוק לתריעותינו? ועוד רושם של הקולות אינו נמשך הרבה זמן ואילו אם כותבים את שמותיו ומדברים עליהם יותר מהרגיל ביום מיוחד בשנה אולי זה מרשים יותר מסתם הימל געשרייען. יום תרועה שמח.

  • john says:

    can we cook on Yom Teruah if it falls on the weekly Shabbat?

    • Brian Hoeck says:

      Festival allowances (such as Exodus 12:16) do not override commanded Shabbat restrictions. While we usually are allowed to cook on the Festival days, when they fall on the Shabbat, we cannot cook because Shabbat commandments forbid cooking

      • Dear Lori (what a beautiful sound as a name..)& dear all the others,

        Maybe I am missing many things here but the main point is that Moses brought the law and Jesus grew the love : understanding of goodness – after all. You cannot carry a heavy bag on sabbath/festival days, yet for an elderly woman who cannot do that alone anymore whether she be of christian or muslim/babylonian or buddist, etc. origin, like I did this morning by bike. She was from Slovakia and she replied to me that indeed today was a day of feast for Mary, mother of Jesus. Nowhere either I can find anyone instead preaching the prayers to our mother earth as proposed in several scrolls/manuscripts excavated from tombs or libraries. You cannot preach to anyone -that’s what I like here on this site. You can inform/share important (polarised) opinions l, but for me it’s almost too hard to obey the Torah ALONE, after all AGAINST the bad will of people in my surroundings… I couldn’t talk about my religious feelings until I changed my nutrition as Yeshua warm-heartedly explained and prescribed in the Gospel of the Essenes (“the angels of the mother”). I CALL IT: THE Fresh ENERGETIC raw food. My life was saved by that. Furthermore, I am spending only150,- a month for my whole consumption and I wouod propose that to the floods of immigrants coming nearby this year as well. The more people you convince to eat with you – the fresher and less expensive the fruits of the local earth gets. I would even have shouted that against or versus the rich people in the world so they will understand. No cooking or meat burning is necessary – whom for…?
        Love & peace to ye all.

        • Laura Olson says:

          Jesus didn’t just manifest love, He arranged to wash away the rot that actual sin (see 10 commandments, exodus 20) brings about. Some of the sins your church teaches about might only need love to rectify. I don’t know what is done about their contrived laws against consuming socially unacceptable substances. But the breaking of God’s actual Law brings about death, the only thing to be done about the death is to repent, and Yeshua then makes whole. That is the Bible in one sentence, sorry for being simplistic, trying to be understood. Love is a way to understand the Law, it doesn’t replace the specifics.