Head of the Year: 5783 | Tishrei

Welcome to the new Hebrew month of Tishrei! And welcome to the new Hebrew year of 5783! The month of Tishrei is full of God’s appointed times, so let’s dig in and uncover deeper understanding of these treasured events!

Tishrei is the first month of the civil calendar and the seventh month of God’s spiritual calendar. It is a time where things are completing and things are beginning. The name Tishrei actually means “beginning”. Tishrei, more than any other month of the year, is a month of God’s appointed times. It is the month of the Fall Feasts: Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets), Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles or Tents).

This month is associated with the Hebrew letter “Lamed”, which has the numerical value of 30. It is the tallest of all the letters, representing royalty and kingship. The pictograph for Lamed looks like a shepherd’s staff so it speaks of authority, guidance, wisdom, and deliverance. Doesn’t that sound just like our Savior, Jesus?!!

The tribe linked to Tishrei is Ephraim. Ephraim was the second son of Joseph and the grandson of Jacob. Even though he was the second son, he received the blessing of the firstborn. The name Ephraim means “double fruitfulness”. Joshua was from this tribe. He was one of the two spies who came back with a good report, believing that God would help the Israelites obtain the Promised land. Due to the example of Joshua’s trust in God, the tribe of Ephraim rose to be the second most influential of all the tribes because of the favor of God.

Libra, the scales, is the constellation connected to Tishrei. It symbolizes measurement, balance, justice, and a plumb line. The calibration of these heavenly scales are true and right. Christ, our justification, satisfied the perfect justice of God by being judged for the sins of the world. Messiah paid the terrible price required for our redemption!

Now let’s talk about the appointed times of God for this month. They are times that are set by God where He wants to meet with us to accomplish specific things in our lives. God’s appointed times are eternal. They were not given just as temporary holidays…but the feasts of God are for all time. Leviticus 23 says “these are lasting ordinances for all generations” and they belong to the Lord.  Born again believers are not required to keep the feasts, however, understanding them enhances our faith…. they are, after all, revelations of Jesus. Each feast