The Day of Atonement: Yom Kippur
OVERVIEW OF YOM KIPPUR
Yom Kippur means Day of Atonement according to the Bible. It is one of the Yamim Noraim (Hebrew, "Days of Awe"). The Yamim Noraim consists of Rosh Hashanah, which is the first two days of the Ten Days of Repentance, and Yom Kippur, which is the last of the ten days. In the Hebrew calendar Yom Kippur begins at nightfall starting the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri (which falls in September/October), and continues until the next nightfall.
HISTORY OF YOM KIPPUR
Yom Kippur is the Jewish day of repentance, considered to be the holiest and most solemn day of the year. Its central theme is atonement and reconciliation. Eating, drinking, bathing, cosmetics, wearing leather (including shoes), and conjugal relations are prohibited. Fasting - total abstention from all food and drink - begins a bit before sundown (called 'tosephet' Yom Kippur, the 'addition' of fasting a bit of the previous day is required by Jewish law), and ends after nightfall the following day.
Yom Kippur completes the penitential period of ten days ("the season of repentance and prayer") that begins with Rosh Hashanah (New Year's Day); for though prayerful humiliation be acceptable at all times, it is thought to be peculiarly potent at that time.
Penitent confession was a requisite for expiation through capital or corporal punishment. "The Day of Atonement absolves from sins against God, but not from sins against a fellow man unless the pardon of the offended person be secured." Hence the custom of terminating on the eve of the fast day all feuds and disputes. Even the souls of the dead are included in the community of those pardoned on the Day of Atonement. It is customary for children to have public mention made in the synagogue of their departed parents, and to make charitable gifts on behalf of their souls.
Yom Kippur is mentioned biblically in Leviticus 23: 26-32.
There is a tradition to wear white on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, though today you will find many only adhering to the tradition on Yom Kippur. The tradition stems from several concepts.
1. White signifies the color of mercy, and on Yom Kippur we pray for mercy.
2. The angels "wear white" figuratively, and on Yom Kippur the congregation of Israel fasts and prays like the angels.
3. White is the color of purity, and the Day of Atonement itself brings spiritual purification.
It is also a custom at the end of Yom Kippur to begin construction of the Sukkah immediately for the holiday of Sukkot / Sukkos, the Festival of Booths, which is another story all together. As Christians we have a rich heritage and God put these festivals in place to show, not only the Jews but us as Christians something special. I believe God does nothing without a reason and it will always point us to His Son…Jesus. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem…come quickly Lord Jesus!
Friday, September 25, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Rice & Beans
Pastor Kent has challenged us to identify with the people whom we will be helping in the months and years to come. They do not have much to eat and mostly eat rice mixed with some beans. So, we have been challenged to see how that feels, thus helping us understand just a little bit about how they live each day. It also is a challege for us to get closer to God, to gaze upone His face and maybe somehow see through His eyes the world around us. It is bringing me closer to the cross at calvary. Just this morning during my devotion time I listened to a sermon on Hope, from the Passion series by Louie Giglio. He also pointed me to the cross, the place where we find hope, where we come to realize that God loves us. Going through these few days and for the next three weeks God will ultimately bring us all to the cross, even the people of Nicargua, because that is the place we all must come...
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Part 1 – The Jewish Tradition (Rosh Hashanah)
This starts the year 5770 on the Jewish calendar. At 5:02 PM, Jerusalem time this Friday, a candle is lit starting the weeklong festival. The Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) was celebrated at the beginning of the month Tishri, the first month of the civil year. It was one of the seven days of holy convocation. Tishri is the seventh month of the Biblical calendar, and as such parallels the Sabbath as a special and holy time to seek God. The previous month of Elul is the time of preparation just as Friday is the Day of Preparation for Shabbat. This season is a time of reflection, contemplation, and putting things in order and getting right our relationship with God.
So, this Friday evening begins the celebration of the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) as it is traditionally called by the Jewish people.
On the day of the Feast of Trumpets (except when it coincides with a Sabbath) the blowing of the Shofar (ram's horn) is the high point of the service. Before the shofar is sounded, the Ba'al Tokea (the shofar blower) prepares himself for his task of blowing the shofar for the congregation and says: "I am prepared to fulfill God's commandment to blow the shofar, as it is prescribed in the Torah, a day of blowing unto you."
The sound of the shofar is broken, a series of staccato blasts. The broken sound is said to remind the people that they need to break their evil inclinations. The shape of the shofar is not straight like a trumpet. The end is curved and bent as a reminder to bend in respect to God.
The sound is meant to be a rousing call to repentance on the part of each individual. It is meant to awaken everyone to remember the Creator and forsake evil ways and return to God. The sound is also meant to inspire. It is a reminder that man should strive to break the impulses of his heart which are evil with the sinful cravings of the world.
The sounds have been established in detail by centuries of tradition. There are four different sounds associated with the service. These sounds are explained as follows:
Tekiah - A pure unbroken sound that calls man to search his heart, abandon his evil ways and seek forgiveness through repentance.
Shevarim - A broken, staccato, trembling sound. It typifies the sorrow that comes to a man when he realizes his wrong and desires to change his ways.
Teruah - A wave-like sound of alarm calling upon man to stand by the banner of God.
Tekia Gedolah - The prolonged, unbroken sound typifying a final invitation to sincere repentance and atonement.
TEN REASONS FOR THE RAM'S HORN
Saadiah Gaon, a leading rabbi and scholar of the ninth century says there are ten reasons the Creator, blessed is He, commanded us to blow the ram's horn on Rosh Hashannah.
1. The first is because Rosh Hashannah marks the beginning of creation, on which the Holy One, blessed is He, created the world and reigned over it. Kings do the same, who have trumpets and horns blown to let it be known and heard everywhere when the anniversary of the beginning of their reigns fall. So we, on Rosh Hashannah, accept the kingship of the Creator, blessed is He, Thus says David: "With trumpets and sound of cornet (shofar) make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King" (Ps. 98:6).
2. The second reason is that, since Rosh Hashannah is the first of the ten days of Teshuvah (repentance), the ram's horn is blown to announce their beginning, as though to warn: Let all who desire to turn in Teshuvah, turn now; and if you do not, you will have no reason to cry injustice. Kings do the same: first they warn the populace in their decree, and whoever violates the decrees after the warning complains unheeded.
3. The third reason is to remind of of our stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, as it is said: "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long and waxed louder and louder..." (Ex. 19:19), in order that we may take upon ourselves that which our forefathers took upon themselves when they said, "we will do and be obedient" (Ex. 24:7).
4. The fourth reason is to remind us of the words of the prophets, which were compared to a ram's horn, as it is said: "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head...But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul" (Ez. 33:45).
5. The fifth reason is to remind us of the destruction of the Temple and the battle alarms of the foe, as it is said: "...because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" (Jer. 4:19). When we hear the sound of the ram's horn, we beseech God to rebuild the Temple.
6. The sixth reason is to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who offered himself to heaven. So we ought to be ready at all times to offer our lives for the sanctification of His Name. And may our remembrance rise before Him for our benefit.
7. The seventh reason is that when we hear the blowing of the ram's horn, we fear and tremble and bend our wills to the will of the Creator for such is the effect of the ram's horn which causes shaking and trembling, as it is written: "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid" (Amos 3:6).
8. The eight reason is to remind us of the great Day of Judgment, that we may all fear it, as it is said: "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly...a day of the trumpet and alarm..." (Zeph. 1:14-16).
9. The ninth reason is to remind us of the gathering of the dispersed of Israel, that we may passionately long for it, as it is said: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria" (Isaiah 27:13).
10. The tenth reason is to remind us of the revival of the dead, that we may believe in it, as it is said: "All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye" (Isa. 18:3).
WISHING ONE ANOTHER A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Before leaving the synagogue on the night of Rosh Hashannah, it is customary to bless one another with the benediction, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." Then it is customary to go home joyfully and to keep away from all grief and sighing, so as not to give the Accuser an opening, for the Accuser's only place is where there is grief and sighing. One ought to trust in God, as it is written: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).
Some of this information was taken from an article from a close Jewish friend living in Israel now with his family…keep him and them lifted in prayer…Dennis Karp family. Also from the info listed below.
So, I say to you "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”
"A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays" by Robin Scarleat and Linda Pierce was also used for this letter.
So, this Friday evening begins the celebration of the Feast of Trumpets or Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) as it is traditionally called by the Jewish people.
On the day of the Feast of Trumpets (except when it coincides with a Sabbath) the blowing of the Shofar (ram's horn) is the high point of the service. Before the shofar is sounded, the Ba'al Tokea (the shofar blower) prepares himself for his task of blowing the shofar for the congregation and says: "I am prepared to fulfill God's commandment to blow the shofar, as it is prescribed in the Torah, a day of blowing unto you."
The sound of the shofar is broken, a series of staccato blasts. The broken sound is said to remind the people that they need to break their evil inclinations. The shape of the shofar is not straight like a trumpet. The end is curved and bent as a reminder to bend in respect to God.
The sound is meant to be a rousing call to repentance on the part of each individual. It is meant to awaken everyone to remember the Creator and forsake evil ways and return to God. The sound is also meant to inspire. It is a reminder that man should strive to break the impulses of his heart which are evil with the sinful cravings of the world.
The sounds have been established in detail by centuries of tradition. There are four different sounds associated with the service. These sounds are explained as follows:
Tekiah - A pure unbroken sound that calls man to search his heart, abandon his evil ways and seek forgiveness through repentance.
Shevarim - A broken, staccato, trembling sound. It typifies the sorrow that comes to a man when he realizes his wrong and desires to change his ways.
Teruah - A wave-like sound of alarm calling upon man to stand by the banner of God.
Tekia Gedolah - The prolonged, unbroken sound typifying a final invitation to sincere repentance and atonement.
TEN REASONS FOR THE RAM'S HORN
Saadiah Gaon, a leading rabbi and scholar of the ninth century says there are ten reasons the Creator, blessed is He, commanded us to blow the ram's horn on Rosh Hashannah.
1. The first is because Rosh Hashannah marks the beginning of creation, on which the Holy One, blessed is He, created the world and reigned over it. Kings do the same, who have trumpets and horns blown to let it be known and heard everywhere when the anniversary of the beginning of their reigns fall. So we, on Rosh Hashannah, accept the kingship of the Creator, blessed is He, Thus says David: "With trumpets and sound of cornet (shofar) make a joyful noise before the Lord, the King" (Ps. 98:6).
2. The second reason is that, since Rosh Hashannah is the first of the ten days of Teshuvah (repentance), the ram's horn is blown to announce their beginning, as though to warn: Let all who desire to turn in Teshuvah, turn now; and if you do not, you will have no reason to cry injustice. Kings do the same: first they warn the populace in their decree, and whoever violates the decrees after the warning complains unheeded.
3. The third reason is to remind of of our stand at the foot of Mount Sinai, as it is said: "And when the voice of the trumpet sounded long and waxed louder and louder..." (Ex. 19:19), in order that we may take upon ourselves that which our forefathers took upon themselves when they said, "we will do and be obedient" (Ex. 24:7).
4. The fourth reason is to remind us of the words of the prophets, which were compared to a ram's horn, as it is said: "Then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning; if the sword come, and take him away, his blood shall be upon his own head...But he that taketh warning shall deliver his soul" (Ez. 33:45).
5. The fifth reason is to remind us of the destruction of the Temple and the battle alarms of the foe, as it is said: "...because thou hast heard, O my soul, the sound of the trumpet, the alarm of war" (Jer. 4:19). When we hear the sound of the ram's horn, we beseech God to rebuild the Temple.
6. The sixth reason is to remind us of the binding of Isaac, who offered himself to heaven. So we ought to be ready at all times to offer our lives for the sanctification of His Name. And may our remembrance rise before Him for our benefit.
7. The seventh reason is that when we hear the blowing of the ram's horn, we fear and tremble and bend our wills to the will of the Creator for such is the effect of the ram's horn which causes shaking and trembling, as it is written: "Shall a trumpet be blown in the city and the people not be afraid" (Amos 3:6).
8. The eight reason is to remind us of the great Day of Judgment, that we may all fear it, as it is said: "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near and hasteth greatly...a day of the trumpet and alarm..." (Zeph. 1:14-16).
9. The ninth reason is to remind us of the gathering of the dispersed of Israel, that we may passionately long for it, as it is said: "And it shall come to pass in that day, that the great trumpet shall be blown; and they shall come which were ready to perish in the land of Assyria" (Isaiah 27:13).
10. The tenth reason is to remind us of the revival of the dead, that we may believe in it, as it is said: "All ye inhabitants of the world, and ye dwellers on the earth, see ye, when he lifteth up an ensign on the mountains; and when he bloweth a trumpet, hear ye" (Isa. 18:3).
WISHING ONE ANOTHER A HAPPY NEW YEAR
Before leaving the synagogue on the night of Rosh Hashannah, it is customary to bless one another with the benediction, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." Then it is customary to go home joyfully and to keep away from all grief and sighing, so as not to give the Accuser an opening, for the Accuser's only place is where there is grief and sighing. One ought to trust in God, as it is written: "For the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Neh. 8:10).
Some of this information was taken from an article from a close Jewish friend living in Israel now with his family…keep him and them lifted in prayer…Dennis Karp family. Also from the info listed below.
So, I say to you "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year!”
"A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays" by Robin Scarleat and Linda Pierce was also used for this letter.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Great Ready for a Great Movement
Missions are coming to the forefront of many lives. As God moves toward the day of His Son’s second coming many people have the urgency to share the gospel with co-workers, friends and especially family members. The Gospels give account of Jesus calling His disciples and telling them to follow Him. They dropped whatever they were doing and answered the call. Pastor Kent shared a series of messages on fishing…teaching that God really loved us and has prepared a wonderful place…we call Heaven…for all of us who know His Son and have a personal relationship with Him. I encourage you to visit our web site, www.cfellowshipc.org and download his messages…they have caused quite a stir in our own church body. This series will encourage you to be bold in your witness. In the coming weeks you will hear, see and experience a call which God has placed on us as the leadership of the church. We all are excited about what God is going to do in our own lives and the family here at CFC. Be sure and attend and be prepared to be challenged beyond your wildest dreams or imagination. God is moving and stirring up His church…are you ready?
Monday, September 7, 2009
A Month Later...
Ok as I look back it has been exactly one month…It is not that I am short on words to say it’s just feeling comfortable enough to write them down…lazy. My grandbabies were over this weekend and one said she was just lazy…talking about keeping their rooms clean. Is laziness a sin??? I hope not because most of us suffer a little bit from it, from time to time. Since I last posted I have been to Chile to see our missionaries and explain our new direction and vision concerning missions. Our church leadership team is excited about the direction and look forward to seeing it come to pass. At one of the meeting this past month we devoted some time to discuss how we could lay out the challenge to our members. We committed to pray for several weeks and when we returned it was settled that we would challenge in five areas. Pastor Kent will be sharing during the next several weeks. I don’t want to “steal” his message but eating beans and rice sounds good…until you do it every day for _____ and you fill in the blanks. Feeling the way most of the world “has to eat” will be a real challenge to us as Americans. But God will show us all something very cool about His heart for the hurting. Check out the series he will be preaching at www.cfellowshipc.org I also attended a conference on The Truth Project and am very excited about the material. We will be offering it during our winter session of our Transformation University (TU). You can check it out at www.thetruthproject.org , view the long trailer and I believe it will excite you as well. I couldn’t wait for the winter session to begin so my daughter and son-in-law (the parents of my two beautiful grandbabies) are hosting a small group in their home. We are hopeful that God will use this material to really challenge our young people, thus helping them become more “grounded” in their faith. Pray for the project as a whole and for this small group in particular…more later…
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