Festivals of the Righteous Non-Jews
Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah, the Day of Judgment, Birthday of the World – it is a time of tremendous celebration and tremendous solemnity. It is a day of ultimate connection with the Creator.
Judgment & Celebration
As we mentioned earlier, Rosh HaShanah is both a day of solemnity and rejoicing. We celebrate the completion of creation and the birthday of all mankind. However, it is also a day of judgment and solemnity for it is the day upon which Adam and Eve failed in their mission.
The observances of Rosh HaShanah strive to acknowledge the day’s dual nature.
Shofar on Rosh HaShanah?
The general rule with all Noahide practice is to avoid imitating those commandments ordered only to the Jewish people. Besides the fact that such imitation-of-practice limits the universal aspect of Noahism, it also creates serious problems in Torah law. Therefore, Noahides should not blow the shofar on Rosh HaShanah.
Mitzvos vs. Minhagim
Mitzvos are those matters that God commanded to mankind, whether Noahide or Jew. However, mihangim (usually translated as “customs”) are practices developed by man to enhance the spiritual experience of the holidays. While the law is that Noahides may not take on Jewish mitzvos (unless they provide some practical, real-world benefit; i.e. tzedaka or honoring one’s parents), Noahides may certainly take on established Jewish minhagim. These minhagim are often rich with meaning and speak deeply to the human experience of the Torah. We will mention many such minhagim in the course of these lessons.
Eve of Rosh HaShanah
Rosh HaShanah, as all of the Torah’s festivals, beings at sunset on the previous evening. For example, Rosh HaShana 2025 is on Monday, September 22. However, it actually begins at sunset on Sunday, September 21.
By Rosh HaShanah eve, the house should be cleaned in honor of the holiday. One should also endeavor to get a haircut, cut his nails, and dress in clean, nice clothing to welcome the Great Day.
One should not rush into Rosh HaShanah. Instead, all of the preparations should be completed well before sunset so that one may enter the day in a spirit of peace, tranquility, and focus.
Evening Prayers
As with all of the liturgies brought in this course, they are based on the traditional Jewish prayers, yet adapted as needed for Noahide use. These prayer services are by no means the final or definitive forms of these prayers. Instead, these services are intended as a starting point for growth and development.
All Rosh HaShanah prayers are available from Noahide Nations Resource Center titled 'The Order': 'A Communal and Individual Noahide Siddur'. This Noahide Siddur was compiled by the students of the first graduating class of 'The Noahide Laws & Lifecycle' course, under the watchful supervision of Rabbi Avraham Chaim Bloominsteil. For more info go HERE.
