Jewish New Year this year?

Question

The New Year starts this year by the Gregorian calendar on September 30, I believe. In Exodus G-d told Moshe that Pesach was to be comemorated on the 14th of the first month, which is also the month that Yisrael was delivered from Egypt and also the month that Yisrael entered into the Promised Land. The first month is also the month when the barley is recognized as being in the state of abib (they ate "parched corn" after they crossed the Jordan River).

My question is why is the New Year celebrated in conjunction with Yom Kippur and the feast of Tabernacles (booths) rather than Pesach? I don't quite get this. Please help me out. Thanks.

Shalom and Happy New Year!

Answer 1

This year Rosh Hashana begins on the eve of September 29 and is when God created the world

Answer 2

Michelle R is correct in essence. I would just like to add that the world was created in Tishrei, RH time. The significance of Nissan came when the Jews were taken out of Egypt. The example is given of king whose child is kidnapped. After the child is returned, the king celebrated the child's birthday and the day he was returned. That is when Nissan became the first month.

If I remember correctly, there is actually an argument in the Talmud if the world was created in Tishrei or Nissan. We hold like the opinion that it was created in Tishrei.

Answer 3

Great question!

According to Judaism there are actually three new years every year -

- Rosh Hashana, which is also Yorm Teruah and Yom Ha-Zicaron (the "Day of Trumpets" and "Day of Remembrance" in Christian bibles, I believe),  

- The first day of Nissan, which is mentioned in the Torah as the first month (that's the one that takes place in March or April, around Passover time),

- Tu B'Shevat, the 15th day of the month of Shevat, which is the New Year for trees.  

A good comparison is in our own calendar - January 1st is the official New Year, but Labor Day weekend generally starts the academic year, and for many April 16th starts the new fiscal year (especially accountants ;)  

So similarly, Nissan 1 was the calendar new year, and was used to determine the dates within the reign of the kings of Israel.  Tu B'Shevat, the new year for trees, is the date from which "first fruits" are calculated.  There was also another Torah new year, Elul 1 (generally in August), which corresponded to the tithing of animals - which is no longer in practice since the Temple was destroyed.  

Meanwhile, Rosh Hashana is the new year for our souls -  the day when the Book of Life is opened and our year's merit is weighed, ending at Yom Kippur with judgment.    

Considering how important that judgment is for Jews - after all, we do not believe life is lived in response to any heaven/h**l afterlife punishment system, but is weighed year to year on this earth - it is no wonder that we value Rosh Hashanah above the other new year dates when it comes to religious observance.

Answer 4

id like to talk to a Jew about Christianity...