11:41 pm in Roots of our Faith by Strong In Christ
Sept.17-18, 2010
Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the year (according to the Jewish faith)–the day on which we are closest to G‑d and to the quintessence of our own souls. It is the Day of Atonement — “For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G‑d” (Leviticus 16:30).
Peace & Blessings.
9:41 pm in Roots of our Faith by Strong In Christ
The festival of Rosh Hashanah–the name means “Head of the Year”–is observed for two days beginning on Tishrei 1 (Sept. 8-10, 2010), the first day of the Jewish year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind’s role in G-d’s world.
Rosh Hashanah thus emphasizes the special relationship between G-d and humanity…read entire article.
Peace & Blessings,
James
9:28 am in Roots of our Faith by Strong In Christ
Shavuot (lit. “Weeks”) is a Jewish holiday that occurs on the sixth day of the Hebrew month of Sivan (late May or early June). Shavuot commemorates the anniversary of the day God gave the Torah to the entire Israelite nation assembled at Mount Sinai, although the association between the giving of the Torah and Shavuot is not explicit in the Biblical text. The holiday is one of the Shalosh Regalim, the three Biblical pilgrimage festivals. It marks the conclusion of the Counting of the Omer.
The date of Shavuot is directly linked to that of Passover. The Torah mandates the seven-week Counting of the Omer, beginning on the second day of Passover and immediately followed by Shavuot. This counting of days and weeks is understood to express anticipation and desire for the Giving of the Torah. On Passover, the Jewish people were freed from their enslavement to Pharaoh; on Shavuot they were given the Torah and became a nation committed to serving God.
In the Bible, Shavuot is called the Festival of Weeks (Exodus 34:22, Deuteronomy 16:10); Festival of Reaping (Exodus 23:16), and Day of the First Fruits (Numbers 28:26). The Mishnah and Talmud refer to Shavuot as Atzeret (a solemn assembly), as it provides closure for the festival activities during and following the holiday of Passover. Since Shavuot occurs 50 days after Passover, Hellenistic Greeks gave it the name Pentecost (fiftieth day).
Meditation: Shavuot is considered a betrothal between God and Israel. Imagine that! The God and creator of the universe had just delivered Israel from bondage and then condescends to commune with man. Let us celebrate Shavuot by communing with Him and deepening our understanding of our spiritual betrothal.
Peace & Blessings,
-James
9:13 am in Roots of our Faith by Strong In Christ
Today is Pesach Sheini, the Second Passover.
Underlying theme: It is never too late, it is always possible to put things right with God!
“…he shall keep the passover unto the LORD. The fourteenth day of the second month at even they shall keep it, and eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs.” Num. 9:10-11
The theme of Pesach Sheini (literally, “the second Passover”, which takes place on the fifteenth of Iyar, exactly one month after Passover) is that it is never too late. It is always possible to put things right. Even if one was spiritually impure or spiritually distant from his proper destination, G-d still gives him an opportunity to change the past and correct the wrongs.
Sources: Chabad.org Copyright 2001 Chabad of California
Sources: Jewish Holidays © 2001-2010 Chabad-Lubavitch Media Center
Peace & Blessings,
-James
