The Celebration of Rosh Hashanah: The Feast of Trumpets

This Sunday 17th September, we celebrated Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) also known as Yom Terua (Feast of Blowing Trumpets). We learnt about the history, traditions and prophetic significance of the Feast of Trumpets, around a feast table. It seems trumpets are only the icing on top of a day that runs deep and rich and sweet, with meanings layered like the apple slices on the table in the centre.

Traditions and Prophetic Significance

God said “set aside a day to remember that time I told you you were my own special treasure.” From the story of Abraham and Isaac, to Jesus as the sacrificail lamb we remembered, enacted, gave thanks, blew trumpets and feasted on apples and sweet honey! This is a day to rest, reflect, and sing of the beauty of creation, the Creator. Becky tells a story with firewood and knife of a sacrifice, atonement—a story foreshadowing a world-changing tale.

The Rituals of Remembrance

Five boys run to the front, volunteering to light four candles; the fourth is blown out to allow the smallest one a turn. Shana Tov! Happy (Jewish) New Year! As we look back and look forward, we remove shoes and walk silent through the waters, conscience cleansing. We don white paper robes in varying sizes, cut out by Jean. This is not a people who do things by halves; love is our judge, we are covered.

The following table summarizes the key elements of the Brighton Style celebration:

Symbolic Action	Significance and Details
Lighting Candles	Five boys volunteering; lighting four candles to reflect and remember.
Cleansing	Removing shoes and walking silent through the waters for conscience cleansing.
Sacred Attire	Donning white paper robes; a reminder that love is our judge.
Musical Call	Handmade trumpets, trombones, and djembes to "wake up and remember."

Gathering Around the Feast Table

Then, at last, a call to gather around the table from which homemade treats have filled our nostrils and tempted our tongues all morning. We enjoyed honey drizzled over warm cinnamon roll, pomegranate sprinkled over golden cakes, and trumpet shaped biscuits—a “labour of love by Leanne and Carmella last night.” Taste and see that HE is good.

Music and Fellowship

The kids’ handmade “trumpets” screech wild while Finn parades his trombone and Robbie pounds his familiar rhythm on the djembe. We shout-sing hymns out of tune, with tears of laughter rolling down cheeks at the madness and mayhem of our family. We murmur prayers for the dear-ones we carry in aching chests, waiting for final reconciliation call. Look back and look forward to that day when the waiting will end.