Rosh HaShanah

Autumn has always held a special charm for me - the changing leaves, brisk breezes and warm drinks! It induces a rather festive feeling that excites the senses and makes one feel like a child again. Here in Israel it is slightly different being that there is no real feel to the change is season, but there is a difference in the air. And the fruits of the harvest are very much part of the celebration - though it will take some getting used to, substituting pomegranates for pumpkins!

Last year in my Hebrew class I learned songs for the holidays, and just yesterday as I was shopping for groceries I heard them being played throughout the store. I noticed that I was actually singing along to them and that my pace was much livelier and my shopping much happier. It was then that I realized that this year I really feet part of the holidays in a very keen way.

We are entering the High Holidays of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. It is a beautiful time of year when families come together for feasting and fasting. I appreciate how Rosh Hashanah is celebrated with apples and honey to bring in a sweet new year (as it is the beginning of the Jewish New Year) and how it is then followed by 10 days of repentance leading into the Day of Atonement of Yom Kippur when most of Israel spends a day of fasting and prayer. Then comes Sukkot which is a week where God commands celebration and joy. It is also a very international celebration as the prophet Zechariah speaks of a day when ALL nations will come up to Jerusalem and worship the God of Israel.

All through Jerusalem you can see people of different nations and tribes coming to the city in anticipation of that day. One year I was at the Garden Tomb with a group and we were singing a worship song in English. We were soon joined by people singing in many different languages the same song, the same tune, in multiple languages. It was a moment when I really felt the power of God's word to transcend and envelop every culture and creed. It was stunning and I really felt that it was a small glimpse of the Kingdom to come.

I love the Holy Days and am reminded yet again of the privilege of living here in Israel and in sharing such rich traditions that strengthen my own Christian faith.