|
Historical
origins
In
the earliest times the Hebrew year began in autumn with the opening
of the economic year. There followed in regular succession the seasons
of seed-sowing, growth and ripening of the corn (here meaning any
grain) under the influence of the former and the latter rains, harvest
and ingathering of the fruits. In harmony with this was the order
of the great agricultural festivals, according to the oldest legislation,
namely, the feast of unleavened bread at the beginning of the barley
harvest, in the month of Aviv; the feast of harvest, seven weeks
later; and the feast of ingathering at the going out or turn of
the year. "Aviv" literally means "Spring". (See
Exodus 23:14-17; Deuteronomy 16:1-16).
It
is likely that the new year was celebrated from ancient times in
some special way. The earliest reference to such a custom is, probably,
in the account of the vision of Ezekiel (Ezek 40:1). This took place
at the beginning of the year, on the tenth day of the month (Tishri).
On the same day the beginning of the year of jubilee was to be proclaimed
by the blowing of trumpets (Lev 25:9). According to the Septuagint
rendering of Ezek 44:20, special sacrifices were to be offered on
the first day of the seventh month as well as on the first day of
the first month. This first day of the seventh month was appointed
by the Law to be "a day of blowing of trumpets". There
was to be a holy convocation; no servile work was to be done; and
special sacrifices were to be offered (Lev 23:23-25; Num 29:1-6).
This day was not expressly called New-Year's Day, but it was evidently
so regarded by the Jews at a very early period.
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