(已加附注Note added)(申11)从岁首到年终 (Deuteronomy 11) From the Beginning to the End of the Year

(申11)从岁首到年终 (Deuteronomy 11) From the Beginning to the End of the Year

(ChatGPT translation from Chinese, edited by Mijiale, 中文在后面)

Leviticus chapter 23 defines the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the seventh month of the sacred calendar, which in 2024 will begin at sunset on Wednesday, October 2, on the Gregorian calendar. According to Psalm 81:3-4, the Feast of Trumpets on the first day of the seventh month has been interpreted by Jews as a day of judgment by the Creator https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Psalms.81.5.1?lang=bi, determining the luck and fate for the entire next year (as suggested by Deuteronomy 11:12 https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Deuteronomy.11.12.3?lang=bi). This day is also considered the beginning of the civil year, commonly known as the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_Hashanah.

We generally believe that the final judgment of the Creator will occur in the afterlife. However, according to the above Jewish interpretation, there is an annual judgment in this life on the first day of the seventh month of the sacred calendar, determining the luck and fate for the next year—who will live or die, who will pass through water, fire, or the sword, or face pestilence, and who will experience peace, etc https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/259128?lang=bi.  Additionally, within the ten days from the first to the tenth day of the seventh month, those who have made mistakes in the previous year still have the opportunity to repent, correct themselves, and change the judgment for the upcoming year.

The first question we must ask is whether this view has any basis.

The first possibility is that there is no such annual judgment and opportunity for repentance. In other words, the Creator’s judgment and opportunities for repentance are available every day, and the first and tenth days of the seventh month of the sacred calendar are not particularly special.

The second possibility is that for most people, the first and tenth days of the seventh month are not particularly special. However, for the Israelites, there is indeed an additional opportunity for judgment and repentance during these ten days because the sacred festivals are ordained for Israel by the Lord, as noted in Leviticus 23:2 and Psalm 81:4, which mention that these festivals are for Israel, and did not mention all of humanity.

The third possibility is that the annual judgment and opportunity for repentance between the first and tenth days of the sacred seventh month are effective for all who observe them, regardless of nationality.

I do not give a definitive answer here about which possibility is true.

Next, we should consider whether this viewpoint—that judgment and repentance at the beginning of each year affect the fate of the coming year—is beneficial. Isn’t it more thorough to wait for the final judgment in the afterlife, which will determine our eternal destiny?

We can make an analogy: Imagine a high school geometry class. In one class, there is only a comprehensive final exam at the end of the term, and no homework is assigned throughout the course. In another class, weekly homework is given, with feedback on high or low scores. Those who neglect their homework are reminded each week and given a 10-hour window to make up their assignments. Which class do you think will achieve better learning results?

Note: The relationship between Christians and Old Testament festivals is a very complex topic. What I say here may not necessarily be correct, and it is certainly not comprehensive. I ask the Lord to guide the readers. For example, nonJewish Christians have no obligations to observe Old Testament festivals. Even if a nonJewish Christian sins after being baptized, he can repent and seek the Lord’s forgiveness at any time; as long as it is sincere repentance with a contrite heart, it does not require following the Old Testament form of observing the Day of Atonement once a year. I thank the Lord for a brother who reminded me of these things.

*How to celebrate the Feast of Trumpet/Rosh Hashanah/Jewish New Year? See the link below. (My shofar was ordered by mail, and when I didn’t have the shofar with me, I blowed a flute or a whistle to represent.)如何过吹角节/岁首/犹太新年?参见以下链接。(我的号角是邮购的,身边没有号角的时候,我曾经用吹短笛或吹哨子代表。)https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Blessings/Holiday_Blessings/Rosh_Hashanah_Blessing/rosh_hashanah_blessing.html

(申11)从岁首到年终

利未记23章定义的圣经历七月初一的吹角节,2024年从下周三阳历10/2日的日落开始。根据诗篇81:3-4,圣经历七月初一的吹角节被犹太人解释成造物主的审判日https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Psalms.81.5.1?lang=bi, 决定下一年整年的运气好坏(根据申命记11:12)https://www.sefaria.org/Rashi_on_Deuteronomy.11.12.3?lang=bi,这一天也被认为是民事历的岁首(俗称犹太新年)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosh_Hashanah

我们一般认为造物主的大审判是在来世的时候。但犹太人以上的解经认为,在今世,每年圣经历七月初一也有一次审判,决定下一年的运气好坏, 谁会死,谁会生,谁会经水,经火,经历刀剑,或瘟疫,谁会平安,等等https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/259128?lang=bi。并且,到圣经历七月初十的赎罪日的十天內,去年犯了错误的人还有机会悔改补救,改变下一年的判决。

那么首先我们要问,这种观点有没有道理?

第一种可能,根本不存在这种每年一次的审判和悔改机会。或者说,每天都有主的审判和悔改的机会,圣经历的七月初一和初十没有什么特别的地方。

第二种可能,对一般人来说,圣经历的七月初一和初十没有什么特别的地方。但对以色列人来说,每年在这十天的确有额外的审判和悔改的机会,因为圣经的节日是主给以色利订的,利未记23:2,诗篇81:4都提到这些节日的相关人是以色利,而不是全人类。

第三种可能,圣经历的七月初一到初十的每年的审判和悔改机会对所有遵行的人都有效,不论是什么民族。

到底是怎么样,我在这里不给出一个确定的答案。

其次,我们思考一下,每年岁首的审判和悔改影响下一年的命运,这种观点和生活方式是否有益?等到来世的大审判,再决定来世的命运,不是更彻底吗?

我们可以做个比喻,让中学生上一门几何课,一班只有一次全面的期末考试,平时不留作业。 二班却每周留作业,得到高分或低分的反馈,并且偷懒没做作业的人每周会被提醒一次有十小时补交的机会。我们想想那个班的学习会更好呢?

附注:基督徒与旧约节日的关系是很复杂的一个课题,我这里说的不一定对,而且肯定不全面,求主带领读者,比如说,外邦基督徒应该不需要守旧约节日,即使是在受洗以后犯的罪,也可以随时悔改恳求主赦免,只要是刻苦己心的真心悔改,应该不需要按旧约的形式每年一次守赎罪日,感谢主有弟兄提醒我这些。