It's that time of the (Jewish) year again!

This past week marked the beginning of the Jewish religious year with the celebration of Rosh Hashanah (lit., "head of the year").

The term Rosh Hashanah was adopted during the Babylonian Captivity, but the biblical name for this observance is Yom Teruah ("Day of Blowing [the Shofar]"; Lev. 23:24-25).

Now we're on the 10-day countdown to Yom Kippur (the "Day of Atonement"), the most holy and somber observance in Judaism.

Here's a commemorative stamp from Israel marking the observance of Yom Kippur:

For a traditional and informative look at Yom Kippur, click here 

That Jewish FAQ site (link above) includes an audio file so you can hear the liturgical singing of the Kol Nidrei ("All Vows").

Messianic believers recognize that Yeshua (Jesus) died on Calvary as our sin-bearer and Yom Kippur sacrifice.

However, He was actually more than that. The Yom Kippur sacrifice was an annual observance—it was performed every year. In fact, the word "atonement" (as in Day of Atonement) is actually plural in the Hebrew (Yom haKippurim). It was many sacrifices rather than just one.

But when Yeshua died, He died once and for all (Heb. 7:27). It never has to be repeated—ever. Hallelujah!

During the future Millennial Age, the Temple in Jerusalem will be a busy place! There will be burnt offerings, guilt offerings, and sin offerings (Ezek. 40:38-39)—and of course, there will be the numerous offerings associated with Sukkot when the nations come up to worship the LORD every year (Num. 29:12-38; Zech. 14:16).

But there is no mention in the prophecies of future Yom Kippur sacrifices. If you can find it, please let me know!

As we approach the most holy day of the Jewish year on Yom Kippur, may you be blessed in the assurance that Yeshua the Messiah has not merely covered your sins for another year, but He has taken them away permanently through His own sacrifice on Calvary.

"Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood [Yeshua] entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption" (Heb. 9:12). 

Now if that's not cause for celebration, I don't know what is!

In Messiah's love,

Gary Hedrick

P.S. For more info about these traditional Jewish observances throughout the year, get one of our Messianic Jewish Home Calendars. The new one is hot off the presses!