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.

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.

Today, Israel marks Yom HaZikaron, its Memorial Day, with solemnity and grief as the entire country takes a pause for two minutes to remember the sacrifice of its fallen soldiers and victims of terror attacks. And tomorrow, the country transitions into a day of national celebration for Yom Ha'Atzmaut, Israel's Independence Day. These two holidays, back-to-back and emotionally charged, hold significant meaning for the Jewish people worldwide.