This week we transitioned from the most solemn sentiments of the Yom Kippur Day of Atonement, observed with fasting and repentance just days ago, to jubilation of one of the most joyous of the Jewish holidays – Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles.
Sukkot, meaning ‘booths’ in Hebrew, commemorates the 40-year wandering of the children of Israel in the desert where they lived in temporary shelters. Per God’s command in the Book of Leviticus and in reminiscence of His faithfulness, Jews around the world build makeshift booths in their yards, porches or balconies in which they dwell for these seven days.
While observance of this year’s holiday jeopardized due to COVID-19, the second general lockdown declared by the Israeli government a few weeks ago thankfully included several allowances. Thus, otherwise rather empty streets of Jerusalem saw some action this week as citizens searched for the most perfect set of the four species – a palm branch, etrog (citron), myrtle and willows, which the Bible instructs should be lifted during Sukkot prayers.
Besides the abovementioned sights, one of the main Christian attractions of the feast has annually been the week-long event organized by the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ).
Seeing God’s faithfulness to keep His ancient covenant with the Jewish people in the restoration of the State of Israel, ICEJ was founded in 1980 in recognition of the biblical significance of Jerusalem and its unique connection with the Jewish people. Today, the organization considers connecting the global church to Israel as their raison d’être.
As 2020 marks the 40th anniversary of its establishment, the ICEJ had been looking forward to this year’s event with great anticipation. But as Israel’s borders remained closed for foreign visitors month after another due to the pandemic, the leaders of the Christian Embassy sought the Lord; and decided to broadcast the Feast from Jerusalem online so it would be available for viewing in every living room, church and nation worldwide.
Sukkot is one of the three pilgrimage feasts when Jews are required to appear before God in Jerusalem, and the Book of Zechariah extends this appointment with the Most High also to Gentiles. Thus, tens of thousands of believers from all nations of the world have flocked to the Holy City each year to join the Jewish People for the joyous festivities.
For many, however, this dream of celebrating in Jerusalem has remained unachievable for differing and often economic reasons. Thus, it seems that the novel virus that roams around the world these days has served as a great equalizer. Now all – Jews and gentiles, rich and poor, young and old – can join in the Sukkot festival online from wherever they are located.
This year, TV7 Jerusalem will play an important role at the ICEJ’s mega event, due to the invitation to our beloved producer Yair Pinto to serve as one of the hosts for the virtual gathering. Since we believe in Christian unity and share similar values and goals with ICEJ in general, and in praying for the peace of Jerusalem in particular, we were happy to help out a fellow ministry by lending a hand, or in this case, actually an entire person – Yair. So please join us this week in lifting him up in prayer for him to be able to do his best and glorify our Father in heaven. You can pray for a tabernacle of God’s peace and presence to cover him and all the participants of this truly global feast of Tabernacles this year.
You can find more info and register for the online event at the ICEJ website: https://int.icej.org/
In case you have been wishing to connect more with TV7’s work and life in Jerusalem and to hear about our faith-based mission, developments, plans, challenges and ways of partnering, please check out one of our newer programs, called Editor’s Note. In the latest episode, Jonathan Hessen and Yair discuss the daily life in Israel under the COVID-19-related lockdown, the coming launch of yet another new program called “Jerusalem Prays,”meaning of the Feast of Tabernacles to the Jews and Christians, and how to listen and seek God’s voice. You can watch Editor’s Note on our website at: www.tv7israelnews.com or YouTube Channel at: https://www.youtube.com/user/tv7israelnews
anytime after 9 PM Israeli time on Saturday, 3 October.
And as always, please continue to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the salvation of Israel, as well as for the rest of the world in accordance with Psalm 122. After all the Bible says that He hears the prayers that are uttered in harmony with His will.
Chag Sukkot Sameach! Happy Feast of Tabernacles!
–By Monika Jaaguri