Yom Kippur and an Everlasting Hope
Last Thursday we gathered together in my room with a different atmosphere than the previous weeks. Wanting to be mindful of the busy schedules and commitments of the women of Ten West (or the Shire as we affectionately call our selves) we sat down, the electric kettle humming in the background as I call down the hall way "TEN WEST! LIFE GROUP!" the resounding, "I'm coming" and "let me grab a mug!" are followed by a sweet "this week K. is bringing her own tea to share!"
This is the goal, a haven of intentional respite for my sisters.
This night we sat down with our bibles open to Psalms, Ketuvi'im in Hebrew, the praises that have been pressed into the hearts of the Jewish people for 5778 years. We read chapters 99-100:
This is the goal, a haven of intentional respite for my sisters.
This night we sat down with our bibles open to Psalms, Ketuvi'im in Hebrew, the praises that have been pressed into the hearts of the Jewish people for 5778 years. We read chapters 99-100:
Psalm 99-100 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
99 Adonai is king; let the peoples tremble.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
He sits enthroned on the k’ruvim; let the earth shake!
2 Adonai is great in Tziyon;
he is high above all the peoples.
3 Let them praise your great and fearsome name (he is holy):
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
4 “Mighty king who loves justice, you established
fairness, justice and righteousness in Ya‘akov.”
5 Exalt Adonai our God!
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
Prostrate yourselves at his footstool (he is holy).
6 Moshe and Aharon among his cohanim
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
and Sh’mu’el among those who call on his name
called on Adonai, and he answered them.
7 He spoke to them in the column of cloud;
they kept his instructions and the law that he gave them.
8 Adonai our God, you answered them.
To them you were a forgiving God,
although you took vengeance on their wrongdoings.
9 Exalt Adonai our God,
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
bow down toward his holy mountain,
for Adonai our God is holy!
100 A psalm of thanksgiving:
(1) Shout for joy to Adonai, all the earth!
2 Serve Adonai with gladness.
Enter his presence with joyful songs.
2 Serve Adonai with gladness.
Enter his presence with joyful songs.
3 Be aware that Adonai is God;
it is he who made us; and we are his,
his people, the flock in his pasture.
it is he who made us; and we are his,
his people, the flock in his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving,
enter his courtyards with praise;
give thanks to him, and bless his name.
5 For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever,
and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
enter his courtyards with praise;
give thanks to him, and bless his name.
5 For Adonai is good, his grace continues forever,
and his faithfulness lasts through all generations.
These two chapters are incredible to consider along side what Yom Kippur is, the Day of Atonement. On Yom Kippur the high priest was permitted to go into the Holy of Holies and bring the sacrifice of atonement for the sins of Israel before G-d. This is the only day of the year he was allowed to stand in the presence of G-d. To go up and burn incense in the Temple of the L-rd, can you imagine?
Yet, there is no Temple and no other place is permitted in Torah to make sacrifices. So Yom Kippur for the Jewish people world wide is celebrated as a day of mourning, we fast and pray. My family has a tradition of praying and fasting all through the night, so on Friday I stayed from 11:00pm to 6:30am in the Prayer Closet. It was such a sweet time with the L-rd. Why? Even though for many this day is a day of mourning, for me it is a day fro sober rejoicing. During this time a familiar greeting is "May your name be inscribed in the book of life," for all those who believe that Yeshua is the Messiah, the Son of David, then yes, it is inscribed and I don't need to try through prayer and good deeds to absolve my sins. "His grace continues forever."
SO there we sat, after I explained the Holy Day to the nine ladies gathered around their bibles in my room and we prayed. First concerning G-d's holiness and majesty as King, and then in thanksgiving for His atoning sacrifice, and finally in song. It was sweet and beautiful. Afterward we all rushed to support our brothers in the Ultimate Frisbee game with a renewed joy and vigor.
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