Welcome to my Hebrew reading & language series.
Leviticus 23:24-28
This week, I am posting a day early. I usually post before Shabbat starts on Fridays but this week, we have another Shabbat due to a Moed (Appointed Time) set forth in the scriptures. I decided to write this post covering the first two of the fall feasts. This scripture covers both in short order below.
Exactly ten days ago, I was waiting for the new moon to be seen. What we call a new moon cannot be seen except under rare circumstances. The day that nobody knows the day or the hour, known as the Feast of Trumpets starts the moment that the sliver of the new moon is seen. It was seen on the eve of the 23rd of September and the trumpets blew for a 24 hour period all around the world.
From that moment, we count that day as the first of the month and we count until the eve of the the ninth day, waiting to begin our Shabbat when the sun sets. Sunset starts the "Tenth Day" as seen in our reading for today. On the tenth day, no work is allowed like on Shabbat. So we have two Shabbat days in a row this year.
The reading also tells us to v'eeneeTem et naf'sho-tay-Chem (afflict your souls) which is taken to mean that we fast on that day. I have fasted many times and my soul is begging me to put something in my mouth. It is feeling pretty afflicted, I guarantee that.
The holiday is being celebrated today in Israel because their (modern) Rosh HaShanah (head of the year) is on the calendar using astrological calculations for the new moon, while those who do things according to the commands from The Almighty observe the holiday according the the records of moon sightings which are still kept over there.
As far as making an offering by fire, they say that we cannot do those without a temple.
Sorry for going off script this week. It is rare to have a Shabbat beginning on Thursday evening, placing two Shabbat days in a row. We will continue where we left off in Exodus next week, in a new chapter.
Today's reading
English
The Feast of Trumpets
Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to YHVH."
The Day of Atonement
26 And YHVH spoke to Moses, saying, 27 "Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves' and present a food offering to YHVH. 28 And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before YHVH your God.
Hebrew
Next week, we return to Exodus...
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Thanks for reading.
Shabbat Shalom
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