Happy Rosh Hashanah 5771 from SPWB!

According to the Hebrew calendar, today is Rosh Hashanah 5771, the beginning of the 5771^th year since Creation. Like most Jewish holidays, Rosh Hashanah has much symbolic meaning for Christians also. David Brown wrote an excellent article about Rosh Hashanah and its meaning for both Jews and Christians.

Mr. Brown writes:

Rosh Hashanah, or Jewish New Year, is at once solemn and joyful. It is solemn because of the Awe of judgment. It is joyful because it represents the hope of the future redemption of Israel. Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the High Holy Days. It falls on the first day of the seventh month, according to the Hebrew calendar (see Leviticus 23:23). It could occur anywhere from the first to the last week of September on the Western calendar. (Sept. 11, in 1999) It ushers in the ten days of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.

The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) will be broadcasting a Live celebration of Rosh Hashanah tonight at 7:30 PM EST. This should be an interesting and inspiring Webcast as Pat Robertson leads the celebration of Rosh Hashanah. Links to additional information about the holiday can be found beneath the promo video.

Governor Palin posted a Rosh Hashanah greeting on Facebook earlier this morning:

As Jewish families gather to celebrate the New Year and a new beginning marking the Day of Creation, I want to join them in praying for a good and sweet year ahead. This day marks the beginning of a period of reflection and repentance. It is a time to remember our responsibilities to our families, our communities, our country, and our world.

This is also a time to remember who we are as Americans and our responsibilities to help our friends and allies as they seek peace and security. The people of Israel have overcome so many challenges, taken so many risks, and made so many sacrifices in the pursuit of peace and a better life for their children. This New Year begins with a new hope for peace, but the threats to Israel – and to us – have not gone away.

These are challenging times as Iran continues to work on building a nuclear weapon, Hamas attacks innocents on the eve of peace talks, enemies refuse to recognize Israel’s right to exist, and even in Europe and the United States we hear voices from those trying to delegitimize Israel.

To our Jewish friends and neighbors on this Rosh Hashanah, may you be inscribed in the Book of Life. And for our friends in Israel, know that the American people will continue to stand with you in this New Year as you strive for peace and security.

Shanah tovah u'metukah.

- Sarah Palin

On behalf of the authors at SWB, I also want to wish all of our Jewish friends and readers a happy Rosh Hashanah 5771 and a sweet, successful year ahead!