Seemingly, there is a great deal of confusion regarding the name of the holy day occurring on the 1st of Tishrei. Fortunately, within the Jewish community, this issue was settled long ago, long before Yeshua came to us on this earth. As with many biblical interpretations common in Judaism, we do not know the date of origin of this particular interpretation. However, we do know from Judaic writings, that this interpretation existed prior to the time of the Zugot, which is prior to the Maccabean revolt.

There are 4 New Years in the Jewish calendar. The 1st of Nissan is the new year of months. So, when months and seasons are counted, the counting begins with the month of Nissan. The 1st of Elul is a new year for animal tithes, so, the 1st of Elul counts the age of sacrificial animals and their appropriateness for the Temple. The 15th of Shevat is the new year for trees, so, when determining the age of trees, and their fruit, the 15th of Shevat is used is used. And the 1st of Tishrei is the new year for counting years. The Babylonian Talmud explains, according to the Mishnah:

Babylonian Talmud, Rosh Hashanah. 1A Mishna

“On the 1st of Tishrei is the new year for counting years, as will be explained in the Gemara; for calculating sabbatical years and Jubilee years, from the 1st of Tishrei, there is a biblical prohibition to work the land.“

Leviticus 25:9 explains to us that the beginning of years to count years is in the 7th month. Since it would be a conflict to count a beginning from the middle of the month, the Sages explain that this passage refers to the 1st of the 7th month, of Tishrei. We know, historically, that this interpretation, was in place well before the time of Yeshua.

This new year, the 1st of Tishrei, is the new year for the counting of years. That is, it is the new year for counting the 7 year cycle (Shemitta) and the Yovel (Jubilee.) In Leviticus 25 we see that this new year is proclaimed by the blowing of the shofar on Yom Kippur. The connection of the blowing of the shofar with the counting of the years is further indication that the 1st of Tishrei is the new year for years, because, the 1st of Tishrei is the day of the sounding of the shofar.

Leviticus 23:24 tells us that the 1st of Tishrei is a Moed, a holy day of Hashem. There is no name given to this day, even though it is to be a day of blowing a shofar and of remembering. And so, because it is the new year of the counting of years, during which we remember, and blow the shofar, since ancient times this Moed has been referred to as Rosh Hashanah.

 In closing, I wish you all a Shana Tova, a good year, Umetukah, a sweet year, and may each and every one of you be inscribed in the book of life, Tikateivu. In the name of our Messiah Yeshua.

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