I do not have any new updates on preparing for baby as I
am still in the process of redoing the kitchen. Maybe next week! Instead I want
to address a couple of things that I have a feeling may be causing some
curiosity, and that is the fall feasts.
The
month of Elul is upon us which is the month of repentance and preparation
leading into the fall feasts. Great, but what are they and why talk about them?
Well, hopefully this post will answer that question.
The fall
feasts are the feasts mentioned in the Torah (the first 5 books of the old
Testament) that take place in the fall. There are also spring feasts, the most
well-known of which is Passover. It is argued that when Christ came the first
time he fulfilled the spring feasts and he will fulfill the fall feasts with
his second coming. I am not going to open that whole bag of worms this week,
but rather just tell you a little bit about each of the upcoming feasts and
their significance.
The
first feast to take place is Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah; although,
sometimes it is also called Rosh Hashanah. It marks the beginning of the Jewish
New Year as well as the beginning of the 10 days leading up to Day of Atonement/Yom
Kippur which is the holiest day of the year. Silver trumpets and Shofars are
sounded on this day as a call to repentance between you and God and to get
right between you and your fellow man.
The next
feast is not actually a feast at all, but rather a day of fasting. It is
considered the holiest day of the year to the Jews. It is the Day of Atonement
or Yom Kippur. This is the day that the High Priest would enter the Holy of
Holies in the Tabernacle, and sprinkle the blood on the altar to ask for
forgiveness for all the sins of the people of Israel. It is also the only day
of the year where the name of Adonai was spoken aloud and only by the High
Priest. The scapegoat and the sacrificial goat where used on this day. The one
goat was sacrificed and the scapegoat carried the sins of Israel spoken over it
into the desert and died. The people fasted all day, repented and turned back
to Adonai. This statue is forever so Jews still fast all day on Yom Kippur
(unless pregnant or medically unable too).
********HERE IS WHERE I AM GOING TO INTERJECT
SOMETHING*********
I used
to fast on Yom Kippur. I did for years. However the last few years I have not
(nor will I this year) and let me explain why. Yom Kippur is the Day of
Atonement. Animals were sacrificed on our behalf for the atonement of our sins
so we could still be in communion with the heavenly Father. I understand that
and agree with it to a certain point. Christ/Jesus/Yeshua/Jehovah/etc. has come
down and given his life for us, becoming the atonement and therefore fulfilling
the most important of the feasts. The curtain separating the Holy of Holies
from the Holy Place was torn completely upon his death. This indicates to me, that
there is no longer a division or sacrifice necessary to gain forgiveness or to connect
with the Father. If this is the case, why is it necessary to fast and repent
and all of that on Yom Kippur. We should do that year round. That day no longer
holds the same significance if you are a believer than if you are a Jew. I can
repent and seek mercy at from the Father any day, without the need for
sacrifice or a High Priest because I have Christ who has done all of those
things. No longer does an animal have to carry my sins for me. The sacrifice of
Christ and what he has done should be proclaimed all year around, not just on
Yom Kippur.
I am
going to get off my soapbox now as I could go on for a long time, but I think I
made the point so there is no need to keep saying it.
***********BACK TO
THE POST***********
The last
feast is Feast of Tabernacles, Feast of Booths or Sukkot. This is an 8 day celebration in which
people live in "Sukkahs" or "Booths" (or tents/temporary dwellings). This is to
practice for the wedding when Christ returns. It is during this time that
Simchat Torah occurs which is where the final reading in Deuteronomy is read,
and the first reading in Genesis is read, to show the ongoing cycle of the
Torah. The Torah is read through ever year, beginning and ending during Feast
of Tabernacles.
Hanukkah
occurs in December (usually) but is not a commanded feast so I did not include
it here.
Although,
I do plan on decorating for and acknowledge these feasts, I want to caution (?)
those that observe these feasts intently. I have no problem if you do that and
firmly believe you are supposed to. But at the same time, remember those that
are watching and interact with you. I chose to not make a big deal about it
down here for several reasons. 1) Its unknown in the culture here. There are
very, VERY few Jews and they kind of keep to themselves so the Dominican
Culture is not familiar with Jewish laws and customs. So, even though I do not
hide my beliefs, I do not flaunt them either. 2) The most important thing is to
spread the Gospel. If you get all wrapped up in the Feasts and their customs,
you might miss a chance to witness and ultimately, these feasts are all about
Christ. Not how well we can fulfill the traditions, customs and laws associated
with them. I would rather stand before the Father and answer for not adhering
to the feasts than to stand before Him and explain why the Feasts prevented me
from sharing the Gospel or encouraging someone in need. To me, the Salvation of
souls surpasses even the most important Highest of Holy days. Don’t get me
wrong, I am not saying blow off the feasts or that they are not important. I am
just saying, don’t let them blind you. And that goes for everything, not just
the feasts. It could be everyday life or Christmas or something else. I don’t
know what distracts you, but whatever it is, don’t let it be something that
causes you to miss someone that God has put in your path to minister too; even
if it is nothing more than paying for a coffee for them.
Until
next week; May Adonai bless you and grant peace to your homes.
No comments:
Post a Comment