Here we are, at the peak of the Ten Days of Awe, Yom Kippur. It's the Day of Atonement, a time when many Jewish people fast, pray, and attend synagogue services. This solemn day carries enormous significance. It's not just a day to say sorry, but to truly reflect on one's actions and seek genuine atonement. While the weight of the day is profoundly felt in Jewish communities, it also offers an extraordinary moment for us as followers of Jesus to recognize Him as our ultimate atonement.

The human soul seems hardwired to long for atonement—a strong, sometimes desperate, desire for forgiveness and release. This is a sentiment that echoes across cultures and religious practices, revealing a shared yearning to be set right with God. As we delve into Day 9, we find in the story of the Akedah a vivid representation of how far God was willing to go to grant us that atonement. "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son," Abraham tells Isaac, echoing a promise fulfilled through Jesus (Genesis 22:8). Akedah literally means, “The Binding,” and recounts the story of Abraham taking his “one and only son” Isaac to the top of Moriah to sacrifice him.

There is the practice of Tashlich, a deeply symbolic ceremony that resonates with believers of all backgrounds. As the sun sets and the day comes to an end, many Jewish people flock to rivers and streams, emptying their pockets or throwing pieces of bread into the water. This simple yet powerful act serves as a physical embodiment of letting go, a casting away of sins and burdens. For Christians, it's hard not to think of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah, who makes it possible to truly cast our sins "as far as the east is from the west."

Central to the Days of Awe is what we call Shabbat Shuvah, or the "Sabbath of Return." Situated between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, this Shabbat holds a special significance. It serves as a momentary pause, a sacred interval for personal and communal reflection. In a season filled with introspection and repentance, Shabbat Shuvah invites us to come home - to return to the Lord with all our hearts. For Christians, this idea of "returning" finds its full expression in the grace and redemption offered through Jesus, our Messiah.

The human soul carries a deep yearning for atonement. In cultures around the world and across the broad expanse of religious thought, rituals and traditions abound, highlighting the lengths we go to find relief from the weight of our mistakes and misdeeds. The Jewish people are no different. As followers of Jesus, we know that our atonement not only covered our sins once for the next year, but also forgave our sins once and for all.

The concept of Tzedakah, often translated as “charity,” but more accurately understood as righteousness or justice. Giving isn't merely a charitable endeavor, but an ethical obligation. For Christians, this resonates deeply with the New Testament teachings on almsgiving and love for neighbor. Here, the idea of 'faith without works is dead' rings loud and clear.

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 month preceding the High Holy Days, known as Elul, is traditionally a time to begin this process of self-examination and repentance. It's like a warm-up for the spiritual marathon that lies ahead.

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. The trumpet's sound penetrates the soul, reminding us to awaken from our spiritual slumber. For Christians, the trumpets hold a dual meaning: they remind us of God's sovereignty and offer a glimpse into future prophetic events, like the return of Jesus.

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 Jewish tradition teaches that during these Ten days, three books are opened in the heavenly courts: the Book of Life, the Book of Death, and the Book of the In-Between. Each person's fate for the coming year will be inscribed in one of these books based on their deeds. While this may sound intimidating, it's also a beautiful reminder that our actions have consequences - both in this world and the next.

The human soul seems hardwired to long for atonement—a strong, sometimes desperate, desire for forgiveness and release. This is a sentiment that echoes across cultures and religious practices, revealing a shared yearning to be set right with God. As we delve into Day 9, we find in the story of the Akedah a vivid representation of how far God was willing to go to grant us that atonement. "God will provide for himself the lamb for a burnt offering, my son," Abraham tells Isaac, echoing a promise fulfilled through Jesus (Genesis 22:8). Akedah literally means, “The Binding,” and recounts the story of Abraham taking his “one and only son” Isaac to the top of Moriah to sacrifice him.

Ever been on a hunt for your glasses just to find them perched on your head? Or searched for your phone while you're actually holding it? Sometimes the things we're looking for are right in front of us, hidden in plain sight. We wrote this guide with our Christian friends in mind for that very reason. You might think that the upcoming Jewish High Holy Days aren't for you, that they're exclusively a 'Jewish thing.' We get it, but hear us out. We're not saying you're wrong for thinking that way, but we do believe you're missing out on something truly transformative. We invite you to take a closer look, to consider the deeper connections, and to broaden your understanding of faith by acknowledging its roots. So stay with us; you might just discover something you never knew you were missing.

This Thanksgiving week, there is much to be grateful for. As Jews, we are familiar with the concept of "Tikkun Olam" - translated from Hebrew as “Repair The World” - to remind us that though brokenness abides in our world, we've been invited to partner with God to help repair it.

Far beyond humanitarian acts or green initiatives, we are called to bring a greater repair, one that brings salvation through the Messiah. We do not do this on our own: ultimately, it is only through Jesus that perfect order shall be restored in the world one day soon! 

What an incredible gift to offer thanks for this Thanksgiving week!

The barriers preventing many Jewish people from believing in Jesus are numerous and deeply entrenched. Unfortunately, much of this is due to the history between the Jewish people and the church throughout history. From the early church fathers to the Crusades, and extending from Martin Luther to the Holocaust, in the mind of the Jewish people, there is a history of how Christians have caused pain and suffering for Jewish people.

This podcast episode recounts a short history of Anti-Semitism for those unaware of how deep the roots go. We also give some initial steps Christians can take to overcome these barriers and extend an olive branch to our Jewish brothers and sisters.

On this episode of the Jewish Road Podcast, we sit down with our friend, Rich Ferreira, from GTI Tours on his podcast. We talked about everything from an overview of the Jewish holidays that take place in the Fall as well as our upcoming trip to Israel.

It seems as though Jesus keeps showing up at the right time unless you're part of the crowd trying to keep the same old traditions unchanged. He shows up and brings a whole new meaning to an ancient feast.

The Feast of Booths, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is one of the most important holidays in the Jewish calendar. It is a pilgrimage feast when Jews worldwide celebrate the harvest and give thanks for the earth's bounty.

In this episode of the Jewish Road podcast, we take a look at the Jewish High Holy Day of Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement.

This holiday has roots in both the Old and New Testaments, and its implications are still relevant to how we live today.

Rosh Hashanah - Feast of Trumpets - Yom Teruah - Zikaron Teruah - the Jewish New Year. That's right, so many different names describing one holiday.

It is one of the biggest holidays on the Jewish calendar and is the start of the High Holy Days season. Synagogues are packed with Jewish people today, gathered to hear the blowing of the shofar and beginning 10 Days of Awe and repentance, hoping they will be inscribed in the Book of Life for one more year.

Yet, not one thing of all of that is found in Scripture. It is strictly tradition.

Maybe it's time we take a deeper look and rethink Rosh Hashanah.