The Bible outlines what Jewish people call “God’s appointed times,” or moedim, throughout the year. In the fall, we observe three moedim:

• Feast of Trumpets, or Yom Teruah, also known as the New Year, Rosh Hashanah
• Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur
• Feast of Tabernacles, or Sukkot

Details of these observances are found in Leviticus 23:23–44, and Numbers 29:1–38.

Trumpets / Yom Teruah
Is celebrated on the first and second of Tishrei. Loud blasts of the ram’s horn, or shofar, mark the beginning of the Ten Days of Awe, the period between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. It’s a period of joy, celebration, food, and gift-giving. We eat round challah (a type of bread) to remind us of the new year cycle, and apples and honey for a sweet year.

These are also days of introspection, repentance, and making amends in relationships in preparation for the next event. As followers of Yeshua/Jesus the Messiah, we rejoice at the sound of the shofar, anticipating His second coming and our future eternity with Him!

Yom Kippur
Is the holiest day in Jewish life. It takes place on the tenth of Tishrei, during the Ten Days of Awe. Like all Jewish holidays, it begins at sundown the night before and ends at sundown the following day. It is a day of rest, fasting, self-sacrifice, and abstention from many everyday activities. Special services take place in synagogues on the evening before Yom Kippur, on the morning of Yom Kippur, and at the close of the day, followed by breaking of the fast. It is a time of confession, repentance, and actions that reflect these.

Jewish worshippers hope that, through these actions, the Lord will forgive their sins and re-establish a right relationship with Him. As believers in Yeshua/Jesus, we come to Him asking for forgiveness of our sins through His shed blood on the cross. We also rejoice in the assurance that we will spend eternity with Him if we have accepted Yeshua/Jesus as our personal Saviour, Messiah, and Lord. He paid for our past, present, and future sins once and for all at Calvary!

Sukkot
Is a reminder of the forty years that Israel spent in the wilderness living in tents. Jewish households construct temporary tents or booths in their yards or on their balconies. During the eight days of celebrations, we eat some of our meals in the sukkah and even sleep under it if the weather permits. There are big gatherings and meals on both the first and eighth nights of Sukkot, and children receive gifts every night.

As followers of Yeshua/Jesus, we are reminded of His birth, since He came to dwell or tabernacle among us.

“And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us; and we saw His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

We rejoice in the presence of the Holy Spirit in and with us always. And we look to the future when the Lord Himself will dwell eternally among us!

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among the people, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them.” Revelation 21:3

Whether you are Jewish or not, I pray that as you meditate on God’s appointed times, and even celebrate them, your life and relationship with the Lord will be strengthened and revitalised in the truth of His Word!

Until all Israel is saved,

Jorge Sedaca
Executive Director, Chosen People Ministries Canada