The Literal Commandment

"Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.(Leviticus 23:24)

 

The literal commandment is that we should have a rest [shabbaton] on the first day of the seventh month (The Feast of Trumpets- Yom Teruah).

 

Messiah Says

Messiah implicitly affirmed this commandment when He spoke about the Law:

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5:17-19)

 

Pictures of Messiah

This commandment to "rest" provides a picture of resting and ceasing from our labors while G-d performs His work of salvation: His initial work of physical salvation for the Jews from Egypt (Exodus 14:13) and His final work of spiritual salvation for all who are His in the work of Messiah (Hebrews 4:10).

The specific "work" of G-d tied to the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah) is two-fold:

First: sounding the call to repentance.

Second: announcing the return of the King.

 

How Messiah Fulfilled

Messiah fulfilled this commandment by resting on the first day of the seventh month (the Feast of Trumpets).

 

Traditional Observance

The traditional observance of this commandment involves abstaining from the forms of work which are traditionally prohibited on the weekly Sabbath. There is no indication that naps or other forms of sleep or rest are required.

This "first day of the seventh month" is traditionally observed as Rosh Hashanah (the "head of the year"). Although the calendar of religious events in Scripture begins in the spring, it is traditionally believed that the world was created in the fall on the first of the seventh month.

On this day, a trumpet (a ram's horn) is blown repeatedly as a call to repentance and a reminder of G-d's return for judgment upon the earth.

 

Other Notes

We are able to fulfill this commandment and should not do prohibited labor on the Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah).

 

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