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Most believers appreciate having a clearer understanding of the Scriptures from a Jewish perspective. Explore more about our faith in Jesus from this angle and other topics, including evangelism, Israel, antisemitism, biblical festivals, the international Jewish community, Jewish roots of Christianity, personal testimonies, and prophecy.
Introduction The Festivals of Israel Commonly known to Christians as Pentecost, Shavuot is one of four spring festivals and one of three “Aliyah” festivals found in the Hebrew Scriptures, when Jewish men were commanded to go up to Jerusalem and worship at the Temple. The festivals of Israel were designed…
During the eight days of Hanukkah a nine-branched candelabra, called a hanukkiah, is lit from right to left (when facing the candelabra). The candles are lit using the middle candle—known by its special designation as the “servant” candle. This servant candle holds spiritual and theological significance for followers of Jesus the Messiah. Just as the lights…
Many people see Hanukkah and Christmas as two opposing holidays. Centuries of antisemitism in the church have created massive rifts between Jewish and Christian communities. The prominence of Christmas in American culture especially has caused some Jewish people to see celebrating Christmas as a threat to Jewish identity. Santa, reindeer,…
During the Feast of Dedication, or Hanukkah as it is commonly known, Jewish people around the world celebrate God’s provision and protection. Hanukkah is celebrated beginning on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev, which usually falls in December. During the eight days of Hanukkah everybody (including children)…
Imagine that you are walking into a religious service at a synagogue or a Messianic congregation. Maybe you are expecting to see people reading from prayer books in Hebrew. But on this particular day you walk into what looks like a dance party. A conga line of men weaves around…
Ellis’ Story of Faith Ellis Goldstein was born into a traditional Jewish family with roots in eastern Europe. Religious ritual without relationship marked his early years. Like many boys of his generation, he attended Hebrew school and prepared for his Bar Mitzvah, dutifully learning the language and customs of his…
Anxious? As Jewish people, we have had more than our fair share of suffering. Our calendar has plenty of reminders of our plight throughout history. Passover retells the story of when we were slaves in Egypt. Purim reminds us of our near destruction in Persia. Hanukkah calls to mind how…
The brutal attacks of October 7, 2023, have once again caused the Jewish people to ask questions raised previously by the horrors of the Holocaust. Put simply . . . “How could a good God permit this depth of unjust suffering and pain to fall upon His chosen people?” Post-Holocaust…
The prophet Zechariah spoke of the end of days when Israel and the nations would celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. In that day, Israel will be vindicated and her enemies destroyed. At the end of this great tribulation period, the Jewish people will cry out to God, and in His…
The future observance of Sukkot by the nations of the world is connected with Israel’s election and mission. The universal nature of God’s plan for the Jewish people stretches back to His covenant with Abraham. In that holy agreement, God promised, “And I will bless those who bless you, and…
God’s concern for the Gentiles is evident in the Talmudic writings regarding Sukkot. In Jewish sources, Israel’s role in world redemption was thought to be a major theme of the Feast of Tabernacles. The rabbis suggest that the seventy bullocks offered on the last day of the feast correspond to…
Less than a week after the Days of Awe, which conclude at Yom Kippur, we begin to celebrate Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles (Leviticus 23:34-36, 39-44), which is a far more jubilant holiday. It is one of the three pilgrimage holidays when the…