In the old ages, there was a place, which the safest to the murderer- the horns of the altar. There were four horns to the altar, where the priest used to splash the blood over during the sacrifice.
Due to his holiness, the altar was the place that helped to protect the people. However, if the man was a murderer intentionally, he could be taken away from this sacred place as written in Exodus 21:14-
“וְכִי-יָזִד אִישׁ עַל-רֵעֵהוּ, לְהָרְגוֹ בְעָרְמָה–מֵעִם מִזְבְּחִי, תִּקָּחֶנּוּ לָמוּת”
“And if a man comes presumptuously upon his neighbor, to slay him with guile; thou shall take him from Mine altar that he may die”

One of the most famous stories with the horns of the altar is with Adonijah, the son of David that thought he would be the king after his father. When he saw that Solomon was anointed to king, he became afraid and held in the horns of the altar as written in one kings 1:50-
“וַאֲדֹנִיָּהוּ, יָרֵא מִפְּנֵי שְׁלֹמֹה; וַיָּקָם וַיֵּלֶךְ, וַיַּחֲזֵק בְּקַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ”
“And Adonijah feared because of Solomon; and he arose, and went, and caught hold on the horns of the altar.”

Now my dearest friends, a small question to you- who held in the horns of the altar, and they didn’t help him?
Shanna tova!
Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation
|
Hebrew |
Transcription |
Translation |
|
בְּמֵזִיד |
bemēzîd |
Intentionally |
|
הִתִּיז |
hittîz |
Splashed |
|
אָחַז בְּקַרְנוֹת הַמִּזְבֵּחַ |
‘āhaz beqarnôt hamizbēah |
Seized the horns of the altar |
|
דָּם |
dām |
Blood |




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Rosh Hashanah – meaning and customs-part 2
In the beginning of every New Year in Judaism there is birth of the new events and the memory of the old ones. This is actually essence of Rosh Hashanah. There are some customs that are unique to this day:
1. The blowing in the Shofar which reminds us the crowning of The Lord on the earth, the binding of Isaac and the covenant between God and the people of Israel.
2. The Tashlich, this is the day when we are going out to place with water, a well, the sea, a river or a place that we can see a water source. When we reach that place we are praying to The Lord, and we are throwing from our pockets all the sins that we had during the last year. You need to pay attention that all your pockets are empty from your sins!
3. Asking for forgiveness from people whom we hurt them and from The Lord.
4. Eating the apple with honey in order to have a sweet year and many more!
I wish you all happy New Year and don’t forget to send a card to all of your friends; you can all use this link, Eli.
http://roshhashanah.hebrewonline.com/show_card.aspx?cardId=1252838208554
Main phrases of the post + transcription + translation
Hebrew
Transcription
Translation
מְקוֹר מַיִם
Meqôr mayim
Water source
תַּשְׁלִיךְ
tašlîk
Tashlich
עָקַד
‘āqad
Bind
הַמְלָכָה
hamlākāh
Crowning
תְּקִיעַת שׁוֹפָר
Teqî’at šôpār
Blowing of the shofar
Eli@eteachergroup.com