Swoon Worthy Yom Teruah Party

Today I'm excited to share with you a Yom Teruah celebration that I've been envisioning most of the summer. Pink and gold? Apples and lace? Yes, please!

For me, parties are about creating a lovely atmosphere while staying true to my beliefs about conscious consumerism. The last thing I wanted was to go buy a bunch of things that would end up in the trash or shoved in a closet. With those ideals in mind, I'm happy with what I put together for the first of the Fall Feasts. Other than the balloons, everything you see is something I already had or borrowed. So no need to invest big money or haul away garbage bags of disposables when you're done!

Since the menorah represents the presence of YHWH I wanted to include that front and center. And to make this tablescape clearly for Yom Teruah, what better than shofars?

This simple printable is from Tehillim 100. It is usually translated, "Make a joyful noise to the Lord of the earth." But is closer to, "Make a noise of simcha to YHWH, all the lands." If you wanted to use it as a place card you could go with something like, "Make a joyful noise, Rachel."

 The large tablecloth belonged to my grandmother. I added a smaller tablecloth and table runner from my mom for more texture and interest.

 While apples are a traditional food to celebrate Rosh Hashanah, that's not the reason I went with them. I originally wanted peaches (imagine the scent!), but since I have an apple tree about twenty feet right of this photo I decided to utilize those. You could use whatever is in season in your part of the world.

The bushel baskets are something I found in my grandparents garage a while back. My grandmother used to by huge amounts of fruit to freeze or preserve so they are from some nearby orchard. I actually use them quite a bit for fruit and squash picking.

Letter balloons. All the heart eyes! Originally I wanted the huge ones that can float, but then thinking about logistics (IS there a vehicle that can hold nine 40 inch balloons?!) and cost ($10+ each) I decided to go with the one foot size. They don't float but look great when hung on string or ribbon!

And the apples? They are simmering on the stove as they become applesauce.

I'm looking forward to celebrating Yom Teruah in just a few days! I hope you are too! Chag sameach!

Significance of the Shofar During Yom Teruah

Why is the shofar sounded during the Biblical holiday of the Feast of Trumpets? What do those sounds mean?

From Hebrew Yom Teruah translates as Day of the Sounding or Day of the Awakening Blasts. The sound in question coming from shofars (Leviticus 23:23). This is why Yom Teruah is also called the Feast of Trumpets.

What is a shofar? It's a musical instrument that is made out of ram's horn. They come in many sizes and, when played by someone who knows what they're doing, they make a lovely sound. While they aren't heard or seen much outside of Hebrew circles, occasionally they are used in movie soundtracks, including Lord of the Rings.

When we hear a sound that denotes something in particular we associate those things. Just hearing the music of an ice cream truck can make us hungry. Police sirens can cause our pulse to quicken as we remember the bill for our last speeding ticket. Hearing the tornado siren test brings to mind memories of bad storms a few years ago. We associate sounds.

Today, sadly, the significance of the sound of the shofar is lost on most of us. It's something we really don't have much to associate with. However, I don't believe YHWH desires for it to stay this way! Let's examine the Bible to see where the sounds of the shofars were heard.

Shofar Uses in Scripture:

1. The shofar is used when YHWH appears. -Zechariah 9:14

2. The Torah was given to Israel with the sound of the shofar. -Exodus 19:19

3. The shofar was blown to announce the beginning of the Biblical holidays. -Numbers 10:10

4. Shofars are used during new moon celebrations. -Psalm 81:4

5. The shofar was a blown at the start of the Jubilee year. -Leviticus 25:9

6. The blowing of the shofar was a signal for the call to repentance. -Isaiah 58:1

7. When the exiles are regathered into the Promised Land the shofar will be blown. -Isaiah 27:13

8. The blowing of the shofar ushers in the day of YHWH. -Joel 2:1

9. Shofars were used for the coronation of kings. -1 Kings 1:34

10. The sound Israel made after marching around Jericho was blasting shofars. -Joshua 6:20

11. Shofars were blown to signal to Israelites during war. -Judges 3:27

12. The watchmen who stood upon Jerusalem's walls blew the shofar. -Ezekiel 33:3-6

13. The shofar is a reminder of YHWH providing a ram for Abraham to use as a burnt offering. -Genesis 22:13

14. During the rebuilding of Jerusalem wall, shofars were used to call for help.  -Nehemiah 4:14

15. John was taken up to Heaven in the book of Revelation by the sound of the shofar. -Revelation 4:1

16. At the resurrection of the dead the shofar will sound. -1 Thessalonians 4:16

17. Seven shofars will be sounded when YHWH judges the earth during the tribulation. -Revelation 8

18. Shofars are used to praise YHWH. -Psalm 150:3

19. Shofars are used in joyful celebration before YHWH. -Psalm 98:6

20. The shofar is a reminder that YHWH is sovereign. -Psalm 47:5

21. An angel sounds a shofar to proclaim that the kingdom of the world know belongs to YHWH and the Messiah. -Revelation 11:15

There is a lot of significance with this instrument! This list isn't exhaustive (shofars are mentioned over 80 times in Scripture) but I think we should have an idea that this instrument has so much meaning to the Living God. 

What can we associate with the Feast of Trumpets from this list? The presence of YHWH, repentance, worshiping YHWH, the Torah, the Mssiah being crowned as king, the promise of YHWH to regather his scattered people, reminders that He will judge the earth, and that the world belong to Him!

More on Yom Teruah:

The Beginner's Guide to the Feast of Trumpets
The Meaning of Yom Teruah

Fall Feast Gift Ideas

Though presents aren't typically associated with the Fall Festivals I thought it would be fun to share a few items that are appropriate for these set apart times. Giving something to a friend, making it at a party, using to decorate, or keeping it for yourself is your decision. :)

On a side note, I signed up for The Climbing Tree's Fall Feast Countdowns and it is so enjoyable! Talia sends out an email each day with a craft or activity to do and a brief devotional. She has tons of great ideas for teaching kids about the feasts too! The email list continues through Sukkot so you still have plenty of time to sign up.

Menorah Stickers by Petite Paperie - $1.50
-Why wouldn't you want these?

Shofar Cookie Cutter from Big Cat Crafts - $1.99
-So you can make your own shofar cookies during Yom Teruah.

Happy Challah Day Card on Modern Tribe - $4
-Works for any feast day.

High Holiday Nail Decals by Midrash Manicures - $11.99
-Just awesome.

Seven Species Magnets by TamarHammersArt - $12
-Fridge decor for Sukkot.

From Society 6.

Genesis 15:5 Art Print by Kevin Ohlin - $18
-The counting the stars verse we remember during Sukkot. Also available as a rug, card, tote, and more.

Pomegranate Tea Towel on Modern Tribe- $19
-A pretty and useful Yom Teruah present that doubles as kitchen decor.

From Society 6.

Sukkot Festival Poster by Melek Design - $20 
-Also available in other forms. I particularly want it as a blanket.

Feast of Trumpets Shirt by Yeshua Shirts - $26
-They sell shirts for each feast day.

DIY Projects

Constellation Printable by Mr. Printables
-The perfect guide for stargazing during Sukkot.

Pomegranate Sugar Scrub from The Casual Craftlete
-Who wouldn't love this gift for Yom Teruah? Bonus: simple to make.

Photo by Jared Smith.

Breakfast Macaroons from Sugar & Cloth
-Wouldn't it be fun to have these at a Yom Kippur 'break fast'?!

Yom Teruah Printable from Land of Honey
-I think you need this in your life.

Happy Little Camper Printable by Rae Ann Kelly
-Decorate your Sukkah!

Memory Jar from Alice and Lois
-A simple gift to emphasis remembrance during Yom Teruah.

Photo by Mary Costa.

Palm Frond balloons from Studio DIY
-Surprise a friend with these during Sukkot.

Dried Citrus Garland from Free People
-Use etrog or any handy citrus fruit to decorate your Sukkah.

Palm Print Pillows from Dream Green DIY
-Lovely in your sukkah or as an indoor reminder.

Galaxy Necklace from Oh The Lovely Things
-During Sukkot, bring on the galaxy projects.

What did I miss? Let me know what you want to receive for the feasts!

Yom Teruah Printable

I'm sharing a pretty printable today to get ready for Yom Teruah!

Yom Teruah is one of the most overlooked of the Hebrew holidays, in my opinion, so I thought it would be fun to make a sign to decorate with. How pretty are those watercolor ranunculous? (Courtesy of Angie Makes, love her stuff!) It is completely free for your personal use so download it and start getting ready for the Feasts!

Click here to download!

Free Printable for Sukkot

Hi everyone! I thought it would be fun to share a printable as we are getting ready for Sukkot.

Have you seen the Sukkos Style parody from The Maccabeats? The inspiration for the printable comes from their clever lyrics. I wish they would remake the whole song! 

As they are commonly known, the Four Species come from Vayikra 23:40: On the first day you are to take the fruit of the citron tree, palm frond branches, twigs of myrtle trees, and willows of the brook, and celebrate in the presence of YHWH your God for seven days.

The printable is free for your personal use. Decorate your home or Sukkah by clicking here.

The Fall Feasts

Just a reminder that the Fall Feasts are approaching quickly! It's hard to believe isn't it?

Yom Teruah is September 24 at sundown until the 25th at sundown. Rabinically through the 26th.

Yom Kippur is October 3 at sundown and the eight day celebration of Sukkot begins October 8th. 


Though Yom Teruah falls in the seventh month it is considered the new year spiritually, on the Hebrew calendar (it will be the year 5775), and is known as Rosh Hashanah--the head of the year.
Tell the people of Israel, "In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar. Do not do any kind of ordinary work, and bring an offering made by fire to YHWH." -Vayikra 23:23-25

Where these feasts fall on the calendar used to seem a bit off to me. Last year I was so frustrated with the timing of the festivals and their no-work prohibitions because the garden was ripe with produce and if I wasn't working I needed to be preserving the harvest. I felt I didn't have time for extra days off, in addition to Shabbat. Finally, it occurred to me that might be exactly why YHWH positioned the feasts when he did. Because he knew we wouldn't make time to rest in the midst of the harvest. Surely he anticipated what a hectic time of year this is for an agriculturally driven society. He is taking care of us, making sure when get rest even when we don't look out for ourselves. 

Slowing down for the feasts is a natural and lovely transition between seasons. It is a time to let go of the frantic pace of summer, refocus on YHWH and embrace this new, slower season.

Rest. Remembrance. Shofar. Offering.

Let's get ready for this new year! We are just two weeks away!