Autumn on the Jewish calendar gives us a trifecta of holidays, and it's a busy time in the Jewish community. Marking the start of the religious year is Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. Ten days later, we come to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Five days after that, we find ourselves at Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. All these holy days are described in Leviticus 23 and are vastly different from one another. So, what's the connection?
Rosh Hashanah
Biblically, this was called the Feast of Trumpets. Scripture says, 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation' (Leviticus 23:24). But if it's the seventh month, why is it the Jewish New Year today? Some conjecture that a change happened during the Babylonian Captivity; others say there may have been two new years: one religious and one civil.
Today, the holiday has two sides. On the one hand, blowing the shofar (ram's horn) is meant to awaken us to repentance in preparation for Yom Kippur. On the other hand, it's a joyful holiday on which we dip apples in honey and wish one another a joyful year ahead (This is a great occasion to send Jewish friends a Happy Jewish New Year card).
Yom Kippur
Ten days later, the Day of Atonement is all solemnity. This is a day on which 'you shall afflict your souls' (Leviticus 23:32), understood today as fasting. In biblical times, it was a dramatic day of atonement ceremonies in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple (see Leviticus 16). Today, many spend the day in the synagogue praying to God for forgiveness and expressing the hope that God will write their names in the 'Book of Life' for an additional year.
Both holidays focus on atonement. Even though we wish a 'Happy New Year', we need forgiveness in order to actually enjoy the year ahead.
Sukkot
At first glance, the next holiday, the Feast of Tabernacles, seems unrelated to the others. The Scripture says, 'And you shall take for yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palm trees, the boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before the Lord your God for seven days .... You shall dwell in booths for seven days ... that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel dwell in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God' (Leviticus 23:40, 42, 43).
Jewish people build sukkahs (booths) and live (or at least take their meals) in them for the week long holiday, reminding us that God provides shelter in an often-hostile world. The lulav (an assemblage of palm branches, myrtle leaves and willow leaves) is waved around while holding the etrog (citron). Some say these four items remind us of different parts of the human body, showing us that we need to serve God with our whole being.
What's the Connection?
God is telling us a story through these holidays. Rosh Hashanah marks a new beginning, calling us to reflect and return to God. Yom Kippur reveals His mercy, offering forgiveness and restoration. Sukkot shows that when our sins have been atoned for, we find ourselves sheltered in Him and free to serve Him fully.
And so, a season that begins with introspection over our sins ends with looking outward to God and the world. What a beautiful picture of the gospel: God's grace transforming hearts, restoring lives and sending us into the world with joy and purpose.
High Holy Days 2025:
• Rosh Hashanah: Begins at sundown on 22 September and ends after sunset on 24 September.
• Yom Kippur: Begins at sundown on 1 October and ends after sunset on 2 October.
• Sukkot: Begins at sundown on 6 October and ends after sunset on 13 October.