These Days of Awe invite us into the heart of prayer, or Tefillah, in Hebrew. Prayer is a universal act, a meeting place between the human and the divine, and during these days, it takes on an even more profound significance. Tefilah is less about asking God for what we need, and more about aligning ourselves with God’s will. For Christians, the idea of interceding with Jesus as our mediator adds a layer of grace to this sacred time.

Let’s look into the essence of Teshuvah, which in Hebrew means "returning" or "repentance." While the word "repentance" might conjure up images of regret and shame, Teshuvah is about turning toward something as much as it's about turning away from something else. It's about re-aligning ourselves with God.

The sound of the shofar (ram’s horn) calls us to something extraordinary - Yom Teruah, commonly known as the Day of Trumpets. This isn't just any call; it's an announcement, a heralding of something majestic.

As the Days of Awe kick off, we find ourselves on the cusp of a deeply spiritual journey. It's a time to pause and reflect, to account for the year that's been and prepare for the one that's coming.

The Hebrew language is more than just a means of communication. It's the lens through which ancient wisdom has been handed down to us, a rich tapestry interwoven with faith, tradition, and meaning. For believers, understanding Hebrew opens a doorway to deeper insight into the Bible, the language spoken by Jesus and the disciples, and even a glimpse into what we think will be the universal language of heaven.

The Jewish holiday of Tisha B'av falls on Wednesday, July 26 until sunset on Thursday, July 27, 2023. Some call it "the saddest day" because it commemorates two major tragedies that happened thousands of years ago: The destruction of Solomon's Temple in 586 BC by Babylonians led by King Nebuchadnezzar II during his siege against Jerusalem; and then later when Roman legions under Titus sacked Jerusalem again after breaching its walls with battering rams and siege towers in 70 AD.

Are you familiar with the Jewish holiday of Shavuot? It is a day that holds deep significance for both Christianity and Judaism. For Christians, it marks the day of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles and about 3,000 people were saved. For Jews, it recalls Moses receiving the Law on Mount Sinai. Learn more about the fascinating relationship between Shavuot and Pentecost, as well as their importance in the history of Christianity and Judaism, by reading this blog post!

This blog post explores the traditional Jewish understanding of how temple sacrifices atone for the sins of the world. Learn why God called Israel to be a priestly nation and how their offerings of intercession and atonement enabled Gentiles to receive forgiveness from Him. Discover what the Talmudic rabbis said about it, as well as insights from Rashi on Numbers 29:12-34. Finally, find out how we can come into right standing with God through prayer, repentance, faith and holy day observances.

This blog post provides an overview of the traditions and elements that make a Bar/Bat Mitzvah such a special occasion. We explore how it marks the transition from childhood to adulthood, as well as signifies one’s profession of faith in their community. Learn more about how this celebration honors those participating, what to expect when attending, and meaningful aspects like L'Dor V' Dor and watching them read in Hebrew. Celebrate your faith with family and friends!

As believers, how are we to understand the place that the Sabbath plays - if any - in the life of the people of God? Should we be observing the Sabbath on Saturday, or replacing it with Sunday. That is our problem.

It’s also undeniable that the origins of the Christmas tree (or bringing evergreen branches into the home) are pagan through and through. This practice goes as far back as Egyptian worship of the sun god, Ra, as well as its connections to the pagan festival/ritual of Winter Solstice. The celebration with evergreen was in place because these were the “gods” of fertility and agriculture. Ritual with evergreens was part of imploring and appeasing them to bring about “fertility” and harvest in the spring.

Yom Kippur, or the Day of Atonement, is among the most sacred. You can find the command on how God told the Israelites to observe this day in Leviticus 16. This was the only day the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies.

Can you imagine how heavy the sense of sin and unworthiness must have been for him? To know that he was entering the presence of a holy God on behalf of an entire nation who had sinned? And yet, every year, without fail, he went in.