Jewish Holidays

Avinu Malkeinu | Why is Rosh Hashanah Before Yom Kippur?

You’re probably familiar with the Tishrei drill: At the beginning of the month, we celebrate two days of Rosh Hashanah; the next day is a minor fast called tzom Gedaliya;  and a week after that comes the solemn Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur. This is followed by the Sukkot festivities. But did you ever stop to consider the order?

On reflection, it seems a little strange that we celebrate our New Year before the seriousness of Yom Kippur. After all, this most somber day sees the Jewish nation gather in synagogues across the world to plead with God for forgiveness and to beg to be written and sealed in the Book of Life. White-clad Jews world-over spend the day admitting their wrongdoings, and leave shul at the end of the day feeling purified and relieved of sin and guilt.

But wouldn’t it make more sense to reverse these processes? Why not engage in spiritual cleansing and purification first, and only then – with a clean slate and fresh soul – begin our New Year as we mean to go on? Why is Rosh Hashanah before Yom Kippur?

The key lies in the wording of an infamous song and prayer: avinu malkeinu – our father, our king. We’re not supposed to approach the High Holy Days as mere mortals supplicating a God; rather, we should behave as subjects towards a tangible king, or errant children towards their father.

But how do we approach the Almighty as if He were human?

Let’s look back into the roots of Rosh Hashanah and try to understand what’s going on:

The Jewish nation were simply commanded to take the first day of the seventh month as a holiday zichron teruah – a memorial with blowing (the shofar) (Leviticus 23:24). This sentiment is repeated in Numbers 29:1, which calls Rosh Hashanah Yom Teruah – the Day of Blowing.

The Torah calls Rosh Hashanah a “day of blowing” twice, which explains why blowing the shofar is such an important part of how we celebrate the day. But how did a day for sounding the shofar become our New Year and a vital precursor to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement)?

The Talmud offers some insight:

“The Holy One said, ‘On Rosh Hashanah recite verses of Sovereignty, Remembrance and shofar blasts before Me: Sovereignty so you will make Me your King; Remembrance so your remembrance will rise up in front of Me. And through what? Through the shofar.’” (Rosh Hashanah 16a, 34b)

In other words, Rosh Hashanah is about remembering the year just gone, and accepting God as our king as well a deity ready for Yom Kippur, when He will judge our actions and seal us in either the Book of Life or Death. According to the Talmud, this is achieved by blowing the shofar. (Fair enough – in the Bible, the shofar is part of the anointing ceremony and a new king’s coronation.)

The mussaf service (the bulk of our Rosh Hashanah prayers) is split into three sets of verses: Malchiut (Sovereignty), Zichronot (Remembrances), and Shofarot (Blasts). Each of the three is accompanied by a set of shofar blasts, literally using the shofar’s sound to reach our goal of remembering the past and coronating God as our King.

Only by harnessing the shofar’s cries can we adequately prepare for Yom Kippur: we recall our past errors and try to make amends, and accept God as our King. Then not only will we be ready for Yom Kippur, but we’ll be ready to approach it the right way, by looking to avinu malkeinu. Only with a king’s fairness and a father’s love will we know that our prayers are truly being heard.

JWS POST YOU MAY LIKE

Israeli navy. Warship at sea. Israel flag over ocean. Israeli defense forces navy. Warship under blue sky. Navy to participate in war. Israeli warship blurred. Ship TSAHAL in ocean.
The Untold Story of the Israeli Navy
The Israeli Navy was established in 1948 as part of the Israel Defense Forces, and has evolved into a formidable
top view of kippah, matza and wine, jewish Passover holiday concept
Your 2024 Guide to Passover Prep & Shopping
Passover 2024 begins at sundown on Monday, April 22 and lasts for seven days in Israel and eight in the diaspora,
Passover Seder plate with traditional food on table
Passover 2024 Is Coming!
Passover Is Sooner Than You Think! Passover 2024, one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar, begins at
Colorful painting portrait art of the biblical Queen Esther of Persia. Christian illustration. Generative AI.
The Special Fast of Esther
March 21, 2024, is the Fast of Esther on the Jewish calendar in preparation for the holiday of Purim. Read
Preparing pastries with poppy seed (Hamantaschen) for Purim
Our Top Hamantaschen Recipes for Purim
Get ready for Purim 2024 with these scrumptious and easy-to-follow hamantaschen recipes – whether you’re into classic, traditional flavors or
AdobeStock_234001105-1-2048x1184
Our Top Mishloach Manot Tips & Ideas for Purim 2024
  Purim is arguably the happiest of Jewish holidays: a day spent masquerading in costume and fun outfits, drinking and