Category Archives: Holidays and Feasts

Turn

Turn
As we approach Yom Kippur, or Day of Atonement, our minds are focused towards repentance. Typically, when we think of repentance we think of being sorry or apologizing for something. That’s part of it, but there is more. The Hebrew word for repentance is Teshuva. It means “to turn.” It’s an action, not just a…
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Sealed

Sealed
Gemar chatima tova literally means "a good final sealing." It is used on Rosh Hashanah to say, “May your name be inscribed in the Book of Life.” The Days of Awe, the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, are the high holy days on the Jewish calendar. It is a time of repentance…
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His Sweet Word

His Sweet Word
Today is the Jewish holiday of Tisha B’Av. It is a sad day that marks many tragic events of Jewish history, most notably the destruction of the temple. The mourning includes fasting from anything they would consider joyous – marriage celebrations, feasting, bathing, sex and … reading the Torah. Torah study is so identified as…
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Pentecost People

Pentecost People
Christians celebrate Pentecost this week. But it’s actually a Jewish holiday – and its Jewishness brings us heightened meaning. Pentecost, or Shavuot, actually begins tonight at sundown. When God gave Moses the Law, written on the tablets on Mt. Sinai, He created for Himself a visible reminder of His presence among His people. Those tablets…
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