Philo’s Explanation of Rosh Hashanah

Philo

On the Special Laws 2.188–192

First Half of 1st Century

Next comes the opening of the sacred month, when it is customary to sound the trumpet in the temple at the same time that the sacrifices are brought there, and its name of “trumpet feast” is derived from this. It has a twofold significance, partly to the nation in particular, partly to all mankind in general. In the former sense it is a reminder of…

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Philo offers a figurative philosophical and ethical explanation of the practice of blowing a shofar (ram’s horn) on the biblical Day of Blasts (Numbers 29:1), which would later be referred to as Rosh Hashanah, the New Year. He suggests that the practice has two meanings: first, it commemorates the blast of the horn during the revelation at Mount Sinai, and second, it recalls the blowing of horns in wartime and symbolizes God’s war against factionalism and role as peacemaker and peacekeeper. The passage ends with an allusion to the agricultural significance of the time of year when the festival is celebrated (autumn, the end of the harvest season).

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Creator Bio

Philo

ca. 25 BCE–ca. 40

Philo of Alexandria was one of the most important figures in Hellenistic Judaism and a significant influence on early Christianity. Raised in a wealthy Jewish family and educated in Greek rhetoric and logic, Philo served as a delegate to Rome on behalf of the Jewish community of Alexandria. Most innovative among his writings are his commentaries on the Pentateuch, which approach the text allegorically and employ various Platonic perspectives in their interpretations. Philo appears to have had only minimal exposure to the Hebrew and likely relied on the Septuagint and synagogue orations on the biblical texts.

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