Parashat Rosh Hashanah
11th September 2026
Week of 4 – 11 September 2026
Torah portion : Gen. 21 -22 Haftarah : 1 Samuel 1 :1-2 :1
We are nearing the end of the Jewish year 5786 and beginning the year 5787 (תשפ״ז) on the first day of the month of Tishri, which is also called “the day of blowing the shofar (ram’s horn)”. The shofar signals this unique moment: the individual, the people, and God are attentive. It is a powerful way to lead the people to speak to God and to hear Him—to create an atmosphere of
communication.
As is well known, the Torah readings depart from the standard sequence; on the first and second days of Rosh
Hashanah, the Book of Genesis—specifically chapters 21 and 22—is read. These chapters describe the birth
of Isaac, the expulsion of Hagar the Egyptian and her son Ishmael, and the story of the Akedah (the Binding of
Isaac).
These two readings and their accompanying texts were established by the Sages of Israel in direct connection
with the creation of the world—the beginning of all created things and, consequently, the beginning of the
year—but above all, they relate to the approaching Day of Judgment.
The reading from the Book of Genesis teaches us that God is the Creator of all that exists and that nothing
exists without His permission; according to tradition, this act of Creation takes place on Rosh Hashanah.
Another highlighted aspect is the connection to the Akedah of Isaac. Why is this theme associated with Rosh
Hashanah? First, it is understood that the birth of the Jewish people is founded upon Isaac. Although Abraham
had another son (Ishmael) with Hagar, it was Isaac whom God chose to perpetuate Abraham’s name through
the people who would descend from him. Thus, Rosh Hashanah also celebrates the birth of the Jewish
people, stemming from the birth of Isaac. However, tradition finds another reason to enrich the Rosh
Hashanah liturgy. The reading begins with the words: “And the Lord remembered (visited) Sarah” ( וַה’ פָּקַד אֶת
שָׂרָה Va-Adonai pakad et Sarah). God visits Sarah at a very advanced age and grants her a son in her old age.
This teaches that God visits (remembers) and has compassion for people. This brings comfort to the people of
Israel during these days of preparation for the Day of Judgment (Yom Kippur).
The Mishnah teaches us that “Rabbi Crosspedai, Rabbi Yochanan, said: Three books are opened on Rosh
Hashanah: one for the completely wicked, one for the completely righteous, and one for the intermediate. The
completely righteous are written and sealed immediately for life. The completely wicked are written and sealed
immediately for death. The intermediate are hanging and standing from the Lord until the Day of Judgment.
Those who deserve to be written for life, those who do not deserve to be written for death” (Rosh Hashana 1,
2).
This is the moment when all of Israel is invited to reflect—since no one can be judged righteous before God,
and He alone is the Judge—we must live these days trusting in God’s mercy, while also practicing Teshuvah.
However, the Akedah of Isaac demonstrates the great test of Abraham’s faithfulness to God. Isaac—the son of
the promise, through whom God had pledged to grant Abraham his descendants—is the one required for the
sacrifice. Abraham proves his absolute obedience to God’s Word and agrees to sacrifice his son, the only one
born of the promise. Seeing that Abraham is willing to sacrifice his son out of love for Him, God credits
Abraham with the merit of his faithfulness. For this reason, in the liturgy of Rosh Hashanah, the people of
Israel appeal to God for mercy by recalling Abraham’s merit. The blowing of the Shofar calls to mind the ram
God provided to be sacrificed in Isaac’s place—as though Isaac himself had been sacrificed—thereby accruing
merit to Abraham, who never doubted God’s Word.
May this special time celebrated and experienced by the Jewish people as a whole—transitioning from Rosh
Hashanah to Yom Kippur and culminating in the great joy of the Torah—be a time of encounter among people
and with God. May the new year be a year of grace, peace, and prosperity for the entire Jewish people and,
consequently, for the world.
שנה טובה ומבורכת לכל עם ישראל!
This week’s Parasha Commentary was prepared by
Elio Passeto, NDS, Jerusalem-Israel, Director
[Copyright © 2026]
Comments are closed