TESHUVAH Return & Repent

Transcription

1 TESHUVAH Return & Repent Forty Days of Repentance August 11 September 18, 2010 Jewish Calendar Elul 1 - Tishri 10, Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus, whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago. Acts 3:19-21 TESHUVAH Prayer Guide Marilyn Lake Griffin, Director, Ministries of New Life Submitting: Church / Pastors / Ministry / Ministry Leaders Linda Schibi International / USA / Local / Missionaries The Rev. Dr. Gary Myers Daily Entries of Anti-Semitism Jeanne Rotert Cover / Graphic Designs David Berkley Editors Sandie Colbert Linda Schibi All Scripture references are from the English Standard Version unless otherwise indicated 2

2 TESHUVAH (Return & Repent) Forty Days of Repentance August 11 September 18, 2010 Jewish Calendar Elul 1 - Tishri 10, TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgments 2 Preparing Our Hearts For Teshuvah 4 Why The LORD'S Feasts and Calendars 5 Are Challenging For Christians A Call To Repentance To Prepare 6 For Messiah's Coming Annual Spring Festivals 8 Annual Fall Festivals 15 Daily Prayer Schedule and Locations 27 The Daily Repentance Focus 28 Evening Preparatory Service 30 Forty-Day Prayer Journey 32 Chart - The Seven Feasts of the LORD 121 Chart - The LORD'S Calendars 122 Seven Churches of Revelation Preparing Our Hearts For Teshuvah Our Father's Call to Repentance The LORD spoke through His prophet Malachi, Return to Me and I will return to you. Mal 3:7 Teshuvah / Repentance is based on our Father's love and mercy. The message of the sixty-six books of the Bible underscores whom the LORD loves, He corrects. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent. Rev 3:19 Of the seven Churches of Revelation our Savior spoke His corrections to five with an urgent call to Repent. As we abide in the Messiah Christ living in us He reveals the Father's heart with a call to Repentance when we have grieved Him or His Spirit. Heeding His call to Repent we are drawn to a deeper place of abiding in Him where we experience His presence in greater measure and hear His voice with greater clarity. Repentance brings times of refreshing: Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow Isa 1:18 Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3:19-20a Our Father's Call to Forgiveness As we enter Teshuvah we remind our hearts that our forgiveness is predicated on our forgiving others who have wounded / offended or sinned against us. For if you forgive others their trespasses Your heavenly Father will also forgive you. Matt 6:14 Focus of the Prayers in the Teshuvah Prayer Guide The Daily Prayer Guide features a focus of Repentance for each day with Prayers of Praise, Thanksgiving, Repentance and Intercession. The Prayers of Praise relate to the Seven Feasts, the Prayers of Thanksgiving to the Seven Churches and the Prayers of Repentance to the Lord's corrections to the Seven Churches reflected in the Daily Themes. After reading the prayer focus allow the Spirit to lead you in your prayer offerings. Preparing our Hearts for Teshuvah As we enter Teshuvah 2010 let us humble ourselves before our Father, our blessed Savior, the Messiah of Israel, Jesus Christ, submitting to the wooing and promptings of the Holy Spirit that we might be a people made ready for His Appearing. May the Spirit guide each of us as we make this forty-day journey with Him and our Jewish family around the world. 4

3 ~ Why The LORD'S Feasts and Calendars ~ Are Challenging For Christians The Jewish or Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures can be challenging for Christians since we lack exposure to the Hebrew language, Hebraic customs and Rabbinic writings / teachings. As Christians we primarily process the Word through a Greek filter while the Jewish people process through a Hebraic mind set. Since Christianity is the offspring of Judaism, how did we get so far removed from our parentage? In the early history of the Church the Gentiles received the gospel in large numbers soon outnumbering the Jewish Believers. Gentile Believers were coming in out of paganistic influences. After the destruction of the Temple in 70 C.E. and with the death of the Apostles in the first and second centuries, the leadership of the Church moved to the hands of the Gentiles without Jewish oversight. These leaders are known as the Church Fathers. They began to reason that the destruction of the Temple and Roman Emperor Hadrian expelling the Jews from Jerusalem in 135 C.E., forbidding them to return at the cost of their lives, were clear signs the LORD was finished with the Jews. They began embracing and teaching that the Jewish people were no longer the LORD'S chosen people and the prophetic promises given to Israel were no longer theirs but now belonged to the Church, the New Israel. This judgmental attitude made an open door for the spirit of anti-semitism. As a result, the Church Fathers began stripping the Scriptures of all Hebraic names. They turned from a Hebraic focus to a Greek persuasion. New centers of worship were instituted replacing Jerusalem with Rome, Alexandria and Antioch. The Church Fathers began applying an allegorical interpretation to the Scriptures. In this approach the Jews were greatly maligned. The curses of the Bible were assigned to them while the blessings were assigned to the Church, the offspring of Judaism. Their homilies and teachings began to spread beyond the walls of the Church to the common people in the community. The centuries that followed mark the darkest days of Church history, opening a broad channel of worldwide anti-semitism, culminating in the Holocaust. As many Christians have limited knowledge of our history, we do well to process the words of Dennis Prager & Rabbi Joseph Telushkin, Christianity did not create the Holocaust; indeed Nazism was anti-christian, but it made it possible. Without Christian anti- Semitism, the Holocaust would have been inconceivable. When the Church Fathers began teaching that the Church replaced Israel as the New Israel, this became known as Supersessionism also called Replacement Theology, the idea that Christianity supercedes Judaism. The influence of 5 Replacement Theology is universal throughout the Church in our day. Scholar and historian James Carroll states, Nowhere does Christianity betray its indebtedness to Judaism more than in its supersessionism. For this reason great portions of Scripture are no longer studied and understood by Christian colleges and seminary professors. Whole sections of Scripture are seen as obsolete, fulfilled, completed and / or irrelevant since Jesus came. Therefore many pastors and believers lack a working knowledge of the LORD'S calendar and appointed Feasts. Often there is a shallow or limited understanding of the Eternal Covenants and Prophecies supporting the Covenants. However, the landscape is changing as the Spirit is opening the eyes of Christian leaders and believers to see the great importance of these forgotten / hidden treasures. As believers take responsibility for our personal and corporate sins and the sins of the early Church and enter into repentance, the Spirit will open His storehouse of treasures concerning His ways, times and seasons. INTRODUCTION TESHUVAH A CALL TO REPENTANCE TO PREPARE FOR MESSIAH'S COMING FEASTS OF THE LORD The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, These are the appointed feasts of the LORD that you shall proclaim as holy convocations; they are my appointed feasts. Lev 23:1-2 Each of the LORD'S seven Feasts is an annual prophetic rehearsal. As the Spring Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Pentecost foreshadowed Messiah's first coming, so the three Fall Feasts: Feasts of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Tabernacles (Sukkot) prophetically foreshadow Messiah's second coming announcing the Day of the LORD, the Kingdom Age. John the Baptist, the Elijah voice of his day, called the people to repentance preparing the way for the Messiah's first coming. Teshuvah is an expression of the Elijah voice, the call to Return / Repent in preparation for the Fall Feasts which will introduce the Messiah's second coming. To better understand Teshuvah, the forty-day Call to Repentance, we need a working knowledge of our Father's seven appointed festivals and how they relate to His calendar. These feasts provide tremendous insights into His redemptive plan and prophetic program for the earth and all mankind. Even a general overview will show the Seven Festivals point prophetically to the first and second comings of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Once we grasp how the Spring Festivals foreshadow the Messiah's (Christ's) first coming, we will better understand how Teshuvah is preparatory to the three Fall Festivals that will 6

4 introduce His second coming. As the Spring Feasts were walked out experiencially by the Messiah, in the near future He will also personalize the three Fall Feasts. He (John) will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Luke 1:17 Teshuvah is a Call to Repentance, an Elijah Call. As John the Baptist was the Elijah voice at Messiah's first coming, so we can expect the Spirit to raise up the call to repentance in our time to prepare the way for the Messiah's second coming. The Scriptures exhort us to rightly divide the Word in order to obtain a proper interpretation. The context of a given passage is of utmost importance and secured by asking: To whom is the passage written, To whom was it given, When was it given, What is the historical setting? In approaching the subject of the LORD'S feasts and calendar the passages outlining the festivals in Leviticus 23, Numbers were given to Moses. All seven feasts and their prescribed calendar dates are called the LORD S feasts. He gave them to Moses at Mt. Sinai to give to the children of Israel, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Therefore, though these are the LORD'S feasts, these Seven Festivals are also called the Feasts of Israel. They should be examined and understood in this context. THE LORD'S FEASTS AND CALENDAR These are the appointed feasts of the LORD, the holy convocations, which you shall proclaim at the time appointed for them. Lev 23:4 At Mt. Sinai the LORD outlined eight "appointed times" Israel was to appear before Him. And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. Leviticus 23:1-2 The text clearly states these Feasts are the LORD'S which He gave to the children of Israel to observe. These eight appointed times are outlined in Leviticus 23: The Weekly Sabbath The Feast of Passover / Pesach The Feast of Unleavened Bread / Hag Hamatzah The Feast of Firstfruits / Hag HaBikkurim Pentecost / The Feast of Weeks / Shavuot The Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah The Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur The Feast of Tabernacles / Sukkot / Booths 7 Each festival is a holy convocation, a time when all Israelites are to assemble before the LORD. Each Feast is a rehearsal, a prophetic shadow of future events concerning the first and second coming of the Messiah of Israel, our Savior. The Biblical Feasts are closely associated with Israel's rain and harvest seasons. The Weekly Sabbath You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, "Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. It is a sign forever between Me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed." Ex 31:13, The first six days of the week of creation prophetically represent six millennia from the creation of Adam. In our Father's economy, a day is as a thousand years and a thousand years is as a day. Psalm 90:4; II Peter 3:8 With this in view, the weekly Sabbath (Sabbath day) prophetically represents the "Sabbath rest," the millennial reign of the Messiah when Israel will be restored to their place of honor among the nations. ANNUAL SPRING FESTIVALS PASSOVER - PESACH In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight, is the LORD'S Passover. Lev 23:5 Scripture: Leviticus 23:4-5; Numbers 28:16 Theme: Salvation; Deliverance from the Destroyer; Separated unto the LORD The Hebrew word Pesach means "a passing over or hovering over." A double thought is revealed in these words: "passing over" in judgment of the death angel but also the thought of "hovering over" in Divine protection. Date: Nisan 14 (March / April) In Exodus 12 when the LORD was preparing to deliver the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage He instituted Israel's Sacred Calendar, This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. Exodus 12:2 When the LORD instituted Israel's Sacred Calendar they were in the seventh month of their Civil Calendar which begins in Tishri (September / October). The Feast of Passover Had Three Particular Parts Associated With It: The Feast of Passover - Pesach The Feast of Unleavened Bread - Hag Hamatzah The Feast Day of the Sheaf of Firstfruits - Hag HaBikkurim (Barley Harvest) Passover / Pesach - commemorates the "death of the firstborn," the tenth and 8

5 final plague the Egyptians experienced before Moses and the Israelites left the land of their bondage. Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers' houses, a lamb for a household Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. Ex 12:3-7 The Feast of Passover / Pesach Prophetically Foreshadowed - The coming of the Last Adam, the Messiah of Israel, the Lamb of God who took away the sins of the world. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. 1 Cor 5:7; Gen 3:15; Gen 12:3; Jn 1:29; I Cor 15: 45 Each year on Nisan 10, thousands of lambs entered Jerusalem for inspection before being offered at Passover. It was customary to wave palm branches in a joyous celebration as the lambs made their entry. On this day the Messiah Jesus also traveled the same parade route riding on a donkey greeted by Jewish worshippers waving palm branches. The Lamb Without Blemish: The Messiah was inspected, tested by the authorities at the Temple; Pilate also stated he could find no fault in Him. Matt 21:23-27; Jn 19:6 The Messiah, Jesus Christ, Our Passover Lamb: The next day (John) saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29 Kevin Conner writes, It was not the spotless life of the lamb that brought deliverance, but its death. The perfect, sinless, spotless... life of the Lamb of God, Jesus, only condemns the sinner. It is His substitutionary death (and resurrection) that brings salvation. It is first His saving death, then His saving life. Romans 5:8-10 The Apostle Paul writes, For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. I Cor 5:7 He Took the Curse Placed Upon the Firstborn of His Enemies Upon Himself: Thus says the LORD: About midnight I will go out in the midst of Egypt, and every firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the cattle. Exodus 11:3-5 The Messiah, Jesus, died as the firstborn Son allowing Himself to receive the curse that had been poured out on His enemies, the firstborn of Egypt. To this day, it is customary for Jewish firstborn sons to fast on Nisan 14 to commemorate the firstborn sons of Egypt that died. Katherine Eibel Believers do well to remember that at one time we too were the enemies of the Messiah (Jesus Christ) and under a curse when He died for us. Rom 5:10 9 Passover Begins at Noon on Nisan 14: Of the Seven Festivals, Passover is the only feast that begins at noon. All leaven is removed from the Jewish dwelling the evening before or burned no later than 10:00-11:00 A.M. on the 14th of Nisan in preparation for the Passover Festival beginning at noon. The Messiah's Passover Seder (Meal) With His Disciples: Addressed under Feast of Unleavened Bread - Hag Hamatzah. UNLEAVENED BREAD - HAG HAMATZAH On the fifteenth day of the same month is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. But you shall present a food offering to the LORD for seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any ordinary work. Lev 23:6-8 Scripture: Leviticus 23:6-8; Numbers 28:17-25 Theme: Personal Holiness, Consecration, Freedom from Bondage Dates: Nisan 15th - 21st The Seven Days of Unleavened Bread Commemorate - the time the Israelites were taken out of Egyptian bondage and slavery under Pharaoh and given freedom to live a life of holiness, separated unto the LORD. It was during their time in Egypt, after Joseph's two sons Manasseh and Ephraim were born, that Israel became a Nation. The Passover Seder on the Eve of the 14th Began the Day of the 15th - The Feast of Unleavened Bread: The Passover meal included the Passover Lamb slain between noon - 3:00 P.M. The Passover meal and all meals for the next seven days were served with unleavened bread. The Apostle Paul writes, Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Let us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I Cor 5:7-8 The Messiah Removed Leaven from the Temple, His Home: Just prior to the Passover Feast, Jesus the Messiah cleansed the Temple by removing the moneychangers thus exposing greed and corruption. Matthew 21:12-13 The Feast of Unleavened Bread Prophetically Foreshadowed: Christ, the Messiah, the Passover Lamb of God without sin (leaven) offered Himself for the sins of the world. Cleanse out the old leaven that you may be a new lump, as you really are unleavened. For Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed. Let 10

6 us therefore celebrate the festival, not with the old leaven, the leaven of malice and evil, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 1 Cor.5:7-8 Jesus, the Messiah, the Lamb without leaven / sin is the Unleavened Bread. At the Passover Seder He broke the unleavened bread saying it was His body broken for them. Then He took the cup identifying it as representing the New Covenant in His Blood. He gave it to His disciples to drink, thus instituting the prophetic promise Jeremiah spoke of 600 years earlier. As we abide in Him we daily partake of Jesus the Messiah, our Unleavened Bread. Jer 31:31-38; Jn 6:32-33, 51, 54; Heb 4:15 Elijah - Messiah's Herald: At the Jewish Passover Seder, a place of honor is reserved for Elijah, the herald of the Messiah. On this most solemn night a place at the table is set and the Elijah's cup is filled in anticipation of him arriving to announce the joyful news of Messiah's coming, FIRSTFRUITS - HABIKKURIM The Barley Harvest And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. Lev 23:9-11 Scripture: Leviticus 23:9-14; Numbers 28:17-25 Theme: Resurrection; New Life; Victory Over Death Date: The Day after Sabbath, after Passover Firstfruits / HaBikkurim Commemorates - the day the waters of the Red Sea parted allowing the Israelites to cross safely to the other side. The waters of the Red Sea are a picture of Israel passing through the watery grave of baptism and coming into new life. That day Israel's enemies, Pharaoh and his army were swallowed up. I want you to know, brothers, that our fathers were all under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, and all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, and all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank from the spiritual Rock that followed them, and the Rock was Christ. 1 Cor 10:1-4 Israel in the Land: The LORD instructed Moses, When you come into the land that I give you and reap its harvest, you shall bring the sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest, and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, so that you may be accepted. On the day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. The 11 feast could not be kept in the wilderness as it was a place of wilderness and wandering, not a place of harvest or feeding on the fruit of the land. The sheaf referred to in the text is the first ripe blade of the Barley Harvest. Offering the Firstfruits Barley Sheaf: On the Passover Feast, after the Passover lambs had been offered, the High Priest left the Temple Mount crossing the Kidron valley to the Mount of Olives to mark the first ripe barley blade, called the Sheaf of Firstfruits. He then tied seven bundles with seven sheaves of barley in each bundle making a total of forty-nine sheaves plus the first sheaf made fifty sheaves. In the early morning hours of the Feast of Firstfruits, the Day After Sabbath after Passover, the High Priest would return to the Mt. of Olives to harvest the barley sheaves to be offered as the Firstfruits Feast began. The first sheaf to be offered and waved before the LORD was the single first sheaf he had marked on Passover. Each day thereafter one sheaf would be offered for the next forty-nine days making a total of fifty days to Pentecost / Shavuot. Sheaf Typifies Person or Persons: In Joseph s dream, in Genesis 37:5-8, the first sheaf is clearly Joseph and the sheaves represent his brothers. In Psalm 126, it is understood the sheaf / sheaves represent an individual(s). The one who sows in tears returns rejoicing bringing his sheaves with him, a harvest of redeemed souls. In the Feast of Firstfruits (Hag HaBikkurim) the Priest was to wave the first barley blade before the LORD in the Temple. The Feast of Firstfruits / HaBikkurim Prophetically Foreshadowed the Messiah, Christ's Resurrection - On the very day, the Feast of Firstfruits was celebrated in Jerusalem, the Messiah, Christ our Passover Lamb was raised as the Firstfruit Sheaf on the morrow after Sabbath after Passover. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 1 Cor 15:20-23 The Messiah as High Priest Presenting / Waving the Firstfruits Offering Before The LORD: As the High Priest in the Temple offered the Firstfruits Sheaf of the Barley Harvest on the morrow after the Sabbath after Passover, the Messiah, the Firstfruits Sheaf from the dead offered Himself before the Father in the Heavenly Temple on the morrow (the Sunday) after Passover. PENTECOST - SHAVUOT - FEAST OF WEEKS Feast Of Firstfruits Of The Wheat Harvest You shall count seven full weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering. You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh Sabbath. Then you shall present a grain offering of new grain to the LORD. Lev 23:

7 Scripture: Leviticus 23:15-21; Numbers 28:26-31 Theme: Receiving the Torah (Pentateuch), Descent of the Holy Spirit Date: The Fiftieth Day Following the Feast of Firstfruits; The Day after the Seventh Sabbath after the Feast of Firstfruits. First Pentecost / Shavuot: Fifty days after Israel crossed the Red Sea they arrived at Mt. Sinai in the month of Sivan (May / June). The LORD spoke to Moses to tell the Israelites to prepare for His visitation. The first Pentecost occurred there at Mt. Sinai where the Almighty encountered the Israelites: the mountain was wrapped in smoke, the LORD descended in fire, lightning, thunder, the wind shook, the mountain trembled amidst the loud blast of the Shofar. The number fifty represents liberty and freedom. After the Israelites obeyed the LORD, offered the Passover Lamb, ate of unleavened bread and crossed the Red Sea, they were set free from Pharaoh, their taskmaster of slavery and bondage, to encounter the LORD. The Israelites were chosen to be a kingdom of priests to worship and serve Him. They were given the high honor of receiving His Torah (Word / Teachings) to give to all mankind. Ex 19:5-6 The Torah, Israel's Ketubah (Marriage Covenant): For the Jewish people the Torah given at Mt. Sinai is an eternal ketubah (marriage covenant) between the LORD and Israel. The ketubah details the promises of the groom to his bride. Israel in the Land: During the fifty days between Firstfruits and Pentecost / Shavuot, the Israelites were to "count the omer," that is offering one sheaf a day of the fifty sheaves of the Barley Harvest unto the LORD. The fiftieth sheaf marked the Feast of Pentecost, the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), when the firstfruit of the Wheat Harvest was to be offered unto the LORD. Ten Days Prior to Pentecost the Messiah, Christ Appeared Once Again to His Disciples - To them he presented himself alive after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. Acts 1:3 The Feast of Pentecost / Shavuot Prophetically Foreshadowed Messiah, Christ's Fiftieth Day after His Resurrection with the Descent of the Holy Spirit - When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2: days post-resurrection ministry of the Messiah - Acts 1:3 10 days the disciples tarried in prayer - Acts 1:4-5, days - Pentecost / Shavuot - Acts 2: Barley Harvest Versus The Wheat Harvest: While the Barley Harvest represents the Jewish people, as the Word is first to the Jew, the Wheat Harvest represents the gospel going forth to all nations in fulfillment of the Prophet Isaiah and Simeon in the Temple. I am the LORD; I have called you in righteousness; I will take you by the hand and keep you; I will give you as a covenant for the people, a light for the nations Isaiah 42:6 When Joseph and Mary presented Jesus at the Temple for His circumcision in observance of the Abrahamic Covenant, Simeon declared, Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, according to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel. Luke 2:29-32 On Pentecost / Shavuot, Peter Addressed His Fellow Jews Who had Come to Jerusalem for the Annual Festival - We read how the power of the Holy Spirit spoke through Peter, They that gladly received his word and were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of bread and in prayers. Acts 2:41-42 The birthing of the Church on Pentecost was made up of 3,000 Jews and Gentile proselytes. The Mystery of the Two Leavened Loaves: In the Feast of Passover, leaven was absolutely forbidden on pain of excommunication. Exodus 12:15, 19-20, During the regular daily Meal Offering no leaven was permitted. Nothing leavened could be offered with blood sacrifices on the altar of the LORD. Leviticus 2 Why? Leaven is symbolic of evil, or that which is false, corrupting in its influence. The Unleavened Bread of Passover pointed to the Messiah (Jesus Christ) who was perfect, sinless; therefore no leaven could be used in the Passover Seder (meal). In the Feast of Pentecost (Shavuot) the LORD commanded the very opposite saying that Israel should make a New Meal Offering of fine flour and bake Two Loaves with Leaven. At the Festival of Pentecost in Acts 2, the Church Age was birthed with 3,000 Jews as the Firstfruits. These Jews soon issued the Spirit's invitation to the Gentile world. At Pentecost in Acts 2, Jews and Gentiles have a Holy Spirit encounter yet we are not without sin. Leaven operates in the Church, reminding us to look for perfection in Him, not in the Church; we are to look to the perfect Lamb of the Father, in whom there is no leaven, no sin. Heb 4:15 Two Leavened Loaves Waved: The Firstfruits of the Wheat Harvest of Pentecost was first presented to the LORD and waved by the Priest before the general harvest was reaped. A Firstfruits harvest indicates there is more to come. 14

8 Pentecost (Shavuot) at Mt. Sinai Pentecost (Shavuot) Acts 2 - Fiftieth Day - Fiftieth Day - Writing of the Ten Commandments - Writing the law of the Spirit on two Stone Tablets on our hearts and minds - By the Finger of the LORD - By the Spirit of the LORD - The People Sprinkled with the -The Sins of Believers Covered by Blood of an Animal Sacrifice the Blood of the Lamb of God Pentecost / Shavuot Acts 2 - The Holy Spirit descended fulfilling the promise to Abraham that through his seedline all nations would be blessed. Through the finished work of the Messiah and the ministry of the Holy Spirit the Word of the LORD is going to all nations bringing forth a Gentile Bride for the Messiah of Israel. The fruit of Pentecost will continue until the Last Shofar sounds announcing The Fullness of the Gentiles and The Day of the LORD. (See the Fall Festivals) Acts 2; Rom 11:25; I Cor 15:51-53; I Thess 4:14-17; Jer 31:14-26; Ezek 36:22-38 ANNUAL FALL FESTIVALS As the Spring Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Pentecost foreshadowed Messiah's first coming so Fall Feasts: Feasts of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and Tabernacles (Sukkot) will introduce His second coming. Teshuvah is a call to Return / Repent in preparation for the Fall Feasts. Each Feast is an annual rehearsal; the focus of the last three Festivals is the preparation for the Messiah's return announcing the Day of the LORD, the Kingdom Age. The LORD'S Two Calendars: While the Israelites were in Egypt they recognized only one calendar, the Civil Calendar which began Tishri 1 (September / October). It marked the beginning of their New Year, Rosh Hashanah which is in recognition of the creation of Adam and the day the Jewish people crown the LORD as King of the earth and with other complimentary themes. When the LORD was ready to deliver Israel out of Egyptian bondage He gave the Israelites another calendar, their Sacred Calendar. It began in the month of Nisan when they left Egypt. Their Sacred Calendar beginning in Nisan is the seventh month of their Civil Calendar. The dates in Scripture from Genesis 1 - Exodus 11 are calculated by Israel's Civil Calendar while Biblical dates beginning at Exodus 12 are usually determined by Israel's Sacred Calendar. The LORD in His Wisdom Established the Fall Festival, Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) to be celebrated on Tishri 1, the Same Day as Rosh Hashanah, 15 the Jewish New Year. The Fall Festival, Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah and Rosh Hashanah are related in focus and prophetically foreshadow the Messiah's second coming. Fall Festivals occur in Tishri the seventh month in Israel's Sacred Calendar: Tishri 1 - Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) Tishri 10 - Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement Tishri Sukkot / Tabernacles Rosh Hashanah, occurs on Tishri 1 the first month in Israel's Civil Calendar. Tishri 1 - Rosh Hashanah, The Jewish New Year Date: Tishri 1, the First Day of the First Month on Israel's Civil Calendar Tishri 1, the First Day of the Seventh Month on Israel's Sacred Calendar Israel's Civil Calendar Israel's Sacred Calendar Rosh Hashanah - New Year Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah Tishri 1 First Month Tishri 1 Seventh Month Civil Calendar Sacred Calendar 1. Tishri 1- Rosh Hashanah 1. Nisan 2. Heshvan 2. Iyar 3. Kislev 3. Sivan 4. Tevet 4. Tammuz 5. Shevat 5. Av 6. Adar 6. Elul 7. Nisan 7. Tishri 1 - Yom Teruah 8. Iyar 8. Heshvan 9. Sivan 9. Kislev 10. Tammuz 10. Tevet 11. Av 11. Shevat 12. Elul 12. Adar TESHUVAH PREPARATORY FOR THE ANNUAL FALL FESTIVALS AND THE JEWISH NEW YEAR - ROSH HASHANAH The Fall Festivals in Tishri, the Seventh Month of Israel's Sacred Calendar: Christians see the Church as the Bride of Jesus. Judaism relates the Sabbath day 16

9 as a "Bride" waiting for her promised beloved Bridegroom, the Messiah, to come and reign over His Father's Kingdom on the seventh day. According to Rabbinic teaching Elul is spelled Aleph, Lamed, Vav, Lamed (ALVL), an acronym for Ani L 'dodi V'dodi Li, meaning I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine. Since Judaism teaches the Messiah will come on Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets Tishri 1, the preceding month Elul is a call to preparation. It is time to return / repent in anticipation of the coming of their long-awaited Messiah, the Bridegroom of the Sabbath. From a Jewish perspective forty days of repentance, Teshuvah, preceding Trumpets / Yom Teruah and Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur is as fitting as humbling oneself before approaching the King of the Universe. CALL TO REPENTANCE - THE ELIJAH CALL John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mk 1:4 Jesus said, If you are willing to accept it, he (John) is Elijah.Matt 11:14 On the Hebrew calendar the forty-day period of Teshuvah begins Elul 1 thirty days prior to the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah and the Jewish New Year / Rosh Hashanah which merge on Tishri 1. Teshuvah culminates ten days later with the solemn Feast, Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur on Tishri 10. The forty days of Teshuvah are considered to be the same forty-day period when Moses ascended Mt. Sinai the second time. The Rabbis teach us Moses went up Mt. Sinai on Elul 1 and on the fortieth day Yom Kippur Tishri 10, he descended the mountain with the second set of tablets. For the Jewish people the forty days of Teshuvah, Elul 1- Tishri 10, is the season / cycle of repentance. It is a time to search one's heart for any hidden sins; a time to seek and extend forgiveness, to make our wrongs right with our family, friends and the LORD. This is more fully appreciated through the multifaceted focuses of the Fall Festivals. The Jewish Calendar is a Lunar Calendar by which the dates and cycles of the Feasts are determined. As the Spring Feasts are cyclical so also are the Fall Feasts. For the Jewish people there is one particular season when the focus is repentance / Teshuvah. That season is linked prophetically with the Fall Festivals: Feasts of Trumpets / Yom Teruah and The Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur. With this information we can discern the season the Messiah began His earthly ministry. John the Baptist His forerunner, whom the Messiah called Elijah, was preaching repentance. The Apostle Paul emphasizes, Before his coming, John had proclaimed a baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel. Acts 13:24 17 The Messiah's second coming will be preceded by His promised herald Elijah as prophesied by Malachi. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. Mal 4:5 In His first coming the Elijah voice was John. According to the Hebraic cycles we can expect His second coming to parallel His first. The Rabbis teach us this is a pattern in the ways of the Almighty One, a second follows a first. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done,... Eccl 1:9 Participation in Teshuvah is an expression of the Elijah Voice preceding Messiah's second appearance, heralding The Fullness of the Gentiles (Church Age) to initiate the Day of the LORD. Mal 4:5 FALL FESTIVALS - PROPHETIC Prophetic Significance of the Fall Festivals: The four Spring Feasts, Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Pentecost, prophetically foreshadow the Messiah s (Jesus s) first coming. The three Fall Feasts prophetically point to the events surrounding His second coming. Feast of Trumpets - Yom Teruah as King of Israel Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur as Judge of the Earth Tabernacles - Sukkot - Priestly Ruler, the Bridegroom; Our Father's Rest; Rest for the Earth and all Creation The Fall Festivals, Time of Ingathering of the Fall Fruit Harvests: The Spring Festivals are connected to the "Firstfruits" Harvests, Barley and Wheat, while the Fall Festivals coincide with the Great Ingathering of the Fall Fruit Harvests after the long, dry Summer. THE FEAST OF TRUMPETS / YOM TERUAH THE JEWISH NEW YEAR - ROSH HASHANAH Scripture Reference: Leviticus 23:23-25; Numbers 29:1-6 Theme: A Call to Repentance; the First Day of the Ten Days of Awe. The first of the three Fall Festivals, the Feast of Trumpets is more correctly called Yom Teruah meaning The Day of the Awakening Blast. This amazing Feast coincides with Rosh Hashanah on Tishri 1 making this Day most captivating and challenging with multifaceted themes. Yom Teruah and Rosh Hashanah merge to present an array of themes, some of which are annual while others are prophetic, to be fulfilled at the coming of the Messiah, Jesus. 18

10 The Awesome Day Tishri 1: Rosh Hashanah is the first day of the first month on Israel's Civil Calendar announcing the Jewish New Year. Rosh Hashanah translates the Head of the Year. Rosh in Hebrew is Head, Hashanah the year. Two major themes of Rosh Hashanah commemorate the creation of Adam and crowning the LORD as King of the earth. On this same day Tishri 1, the LORD instructed the Israelites to celebrate the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah. Though it is on the same day as Rosh Hashanah it occurs on the first day of the seventh month in Israel's Sacred Calendar. Israel's Civil Calendar Israel's Sacred Calendar Rosh Hashanah - New Year Yom Teruah - Feast of Trumpets Tishri 1 First Month Tishri 1 Seventh Month The Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah coinciding with Rosh Hashanah is the only Festival to occur at the time of the New Moon. The sky is always dark on the evening of a new moon. The ancient Rabbis understood this day to represent the dark day of the LORD. Is not the day of the LORD darkness, and not light, and gloom with no brightness in it? Amos 5:20 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming; it is near, a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Joel 2:1-2 The Biblical New Month always begins with the sighting of the New Moon. Having such special significance in ancient Israel, it required two witnesses. Since only one festival falls on the New Moon, Yom Teruah / Feast of Trumpets became known as the day that no man knows the day or the hour, as one is never certain of the exact day or hour the New Moon will appear. "As the moon rotates through its various stages during its 29.5-day cycle, it begins as a New Moon, observed as a small 'D'-shaped crescent in the western sky. A New Moon only appears for an hour or so immediately following sunset before disappearing from sight until the following evening. As the waning moon approaches the end of its cycle, it appears as a small 'C'-shaped crescent. At this point, the watchmen are on heightened alert as they anticipate the imminent coming of the New Moon. While they are aware that the New Moon is at hand, they will never know the precise moment the New Month begins until the New Moon is actually sighted. It is not uncommon to anticipate the arrival of a New Moon one evening, only to have it arrive the following evening. Thus one can know the approximate timing of the Feast of Yom Teruah / Trumpets but never can one know the exact day or hour of its arrival." The Prophetic Significance of the Biblical Feast, Katherine Eibel Yom Teruah is Known as The Day of the "Last Trump" (Last Shofar), The Day of the Awakening Blast, the Shofar that Awakens the Righteous Dead. 19 In Judaism, a cardinal sign for identifying the Messiah is that He will raise all the righteous dead. The Festival Yom Teruah connects directly to the Apostle Paul's writing in I Corinthians 15: 51-52; I Thessalonians 4: Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. 1 Cor 15:51-52 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 1 Thess 4:13-17 Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah Prophetically Foreshadows Messiah, Christ's Appearing at the Sound of the Last Shofar - Yom Teruah is Hebrew for The Day of the Awakening Blast calling forth the resurrection of the righteous dead, announcing The Fullness of the Gentiles and the beginning of the Day of the LORD. The Apostle Paul refers to it as the Last Trumpet (Last Shofar) in I Cor. 15:51-52; I Thess. 4:16; Rom 11:25; Acts 17:30-31 The Feast of Trumpets is an annual rehearsal for that Day when the Last Shofar, Yom Teruah, will blast. In Judaism Yom Teruah is understood as a Day of Judgment. Acts 17:30-31 FEAST OF TRUMPETS / YOM TERUAH AND THE JEWISH NEW YEAR / ROSH HASHANAH ANNUAL THEMES - REHEARSALS - THE APPOINTED DAY BACKGROUND The more fully the annual themes and prophetic significance of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah and the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah are understood, the more we appreciate our Father's great Wisdom. He orchestrated this awesome convocation, Yom Teruah to convene on Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, on Tishri 1. Not only are these two celebrations complementary they are reciprocal and interdependent. They each have their individual prophetic themes carried out each year by the Jewish people as rehearsals 20

11 witnessing to The Appointed Day known only to the Father. The Appointed Day is The Day of the LORD, the Day of the appearing of the Messiah of Israel, the Bridegroom of the Church. This is a specific day for which the annual Fall Feasts serve as rehearsals to make ready for the Lord a people prepared. Luke 1:17 Teshuvah is the call to return / repent to make ourselves ready. He commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. Acts 17:30-31 THE THREE SHOFARS In Judaism three specific Shofars are identified, each having a unique name and purpose. The Torah, the Gospels and the Apostle Paul all make reference to one or more of three Shofars. The first two Shofars are connected to the Ram which became Isaac s substitute when Abraham offered him upon the altar at Mt. Moriah. 1. The Left Horn of the Ram was the Shofar used in the giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Exodus 19:19 2. The Right Horn of the Ram, the Larger Horn, is called the Last Shofar. This is the Shofar which announces the resurrection of the righteous dead and the beginning of The Day of the LORD. It is referred to by the Apostles Paul and John in I Corinthians 15:51-52; I Thessalonians 4:13-17; Revelation 4:1. 3. The Great Shofar - The Shofar HaGadol will be blown on Yom Kippur in the seventh year of the Tribulation when Messiah's feet rest on the Mt. of Olives announcing the Kingdom reign of Christ on earth. Isa 27:12-13; Matt 24:31; Zech 14:4-5 ANNUAL THEMES - REHEARSALS Rabbinic Teaching Concerning The Major Themes of Yom Teruah / Feasts of Trumpets / The Jewish New Year - Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year Begins Israel's Civil Calendar Celebrating the Creation of Adam on Rosh Hashanah - Tishri 1 Enthroning the LORD as King of the Universe Three Pillars of Worship: Malkhiyot - Esteeming the LORD'S Kingship Zikhronot - Honoring the LORD Who Remembers - Malachi 3:16 Shofarot - Rams' Horns (Shofars) Call to Repentance / Forgiveness Beginning on Elul 1, the Shofar is blown daily in the Synagogue during Teshuvah A Call to Repentance Daily Reading of Psalm 27 (27:5) A Call to Awaken to Righteousness - Ephesians 5:14 21 The Gates of Heaven Open - Isaiah 26:2; Revelation 4:1 The Day the Books are Opened - Daniel 7:10 The Annual Day of Judgment - Each Person Passes before the LORD The Day Decrees are Written for the Coming Year PROPHETIC EVENTS - TO OCCUR ON THE APPOINTED DAY Yom HaTeruah, The Day of the Awakening Blast - The Last Shofar The Day Announcing The Messiah's Appearing The Resurrection of the Righteous Dead / Translation of the Righteous Living - I Cor 15:52-55; I Thes 4:13-17; Rev 4:1 The Day Announcing The Day of the LORD Messiah appears to consummate The Fullness of the Gentiles introducing The Day of the LORD. Yom Hadin - The Day of Judgment - Joel 2:11 (annually) Yom Hadin - Major, Rosh Hashanah, Seventh year - Daniel 7:9-10 Yom Hadin - Minor, Yom Kippur - Seventh year - Daniel 7:26 Prophetic Significance of the Fall Feasts and Messiah Jesus' Return: Feast of Trumpets - Yom Teruah - The Messiah as the King of Israel - (In ancient Israel the Kings were crowned according to the Civil Calendar on Tishri 1, Rosh Hashanah). *The Bridegroom will come for His betrothed Bride, the Church. Day of Atonement - Yom Kippur - The Messiah as Judge - In the Kingdom Age the Messiah, the Lamb of God will sit as the Lion of Judah judging in righteousness and truth over the earth. Matt 25:31-46 Tabernacles - Sukkot - The Messiah as Priestly Ruler - He will tabernacle with His people Israel bringing peace on the earth. Tabernacles represents the Sabbath Rest of the Father and the Earth's Kingdom Rest. *The Messiah, Jesus as the Bridegroom: In ancient times in Israel, it was the groom's father who decided when the wedding preparations were complete. He alone determined the exact date. When he deemed that everything was in order he would give his permission for his son to retrieve his bride. As the preparations for the wedding day neared completion, anticipation grew as both the bride and groom knew the date was approaching. During these final days of preparation the bridal attendants would wait with oil lamps to illumine the path of the wedding procession as they arrived. When the groom and his attendants approached the bride's village, a groomsman would blow the Shofar announcing to all that the bridegroom had arrived. Matt 25:

12 DAY OF ATONEMENT / YOM KIPPUR Scripture Reference: Leviticus 23:26-32; Numbers 29:7-11 Themes: Atonement for Sins, Transgressions, Iniquities and Uncleanness; The Day of Final Reckoning; The Day of Accountability; The Day of the LORD'S Vengeance; Restitution; Forgiveness; Reconciliation; Jubilee; The Day the Great Shofar is Sounded; The Second Coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ Date: Tishri 10 Historically, Yom Kippur is: ~The day Moses descended Mt. Sinai the second time carrying the second set of Tablets, the Torah, after the sin of the golden calf. The Jewish people understand the LORD'S response to Moses in giving the second set of tablets as being His expression of forgiveness and reconciliation with His chosen people. ~The Holiest Day on Israel's calendar. ~A day the Jewish people observe a total fast from food and often water. ~The one day of the year when the High Priest after days and hours of preparation would enter the Holy of Holies to make atonement for the sins of Israel. A most solemn period of anticipation as the High Priest and all Israel waited to see if the sacrifice was accepted. ~The day the two goats were offered. During the second Temple period, two goats were sacrificed on Yom Kippur: one unto the LORD, the other unto Azazel. The sins of the priests were imputed to the goat chosen for the LORD and the blood of that goat was then sprinkled in the Temple. The goat chosen for Azazel had the sins of the people imputed to it. A scarlet wool cord was tied to the goat's horn and it was led out into the wilderness. A piece of the cord was also tied to a rock as the goat was sent into the wilderness where it was led to the cliff that dropped off into the abyss. If the wool cord tied to the rock miraculously turned white, the people would know the LORD had forgiven their sins. Isa 1:18 At Sunset on Yom Kippur, the most solemn Holy Day of the Jewish year, a day of fasting, confession of sins, repentance, worship and intercession: Decrees are sealed Books are closed The Heavens close The Great Shofar is blown Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur Prophetically Foreshadows the Day Messiah's Feet will Stand on the Mt. of Olives at the End of the Seven Year Tribulation: On Yom Teruah, the Day of the Awakening Blast, (the Last Trump / Shofar) the Messiah will appear to initiate The Day of the LORD. Seven years later on the Day of Atonement / Yom Kippur, the LORD'S Jubilee will begin with the sound of the Great Shofar (Shofar HaGadol). Through the finished 23 work of the Messiah and at the Father's appointed time, the inhabitants of the earth and all nature will be set free to worship the LORD. Satan will be bound for Messiah's thousand year reign. The Messiah, the Judge, will sit in judgment over the nations according to their treatment of the Jewish people during the tribulation which will qualify or disqualify them to enter the Kingdom Age. Isa 27:12-13; Matt 24:29-31; 25:31-45; Rev 20:1-3 The Rabbis define: On that day; In that day, At that time, or Behold the days are coming; In those days and at that time, each phrase depicts the seven-year period known as the Birth Pains of Messiah and to Christians, the Tribulation. Matt 24:8 On that day his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the Mount shall move northward, and the other half southward. Zech 14:4-5 TABERNACLES / SUKKOT / BOOTHS Scripture Reference: Leviticus 23:33-44; Numbers 29:12-39 Other Titles: Feast of Booths; Feast of the Ingathering; The Water Libation Themes: The End of the Harvest; Great Rejoicing before the LORD Dates: Tishri Tabernacles / Sukkot is the Seventh Festival, the Most Joyful of All the Biblical Feasts: Seven is the number signifying spiritual perfection / completion. The Israelites having walked through the High Holy Days / The Days of Awe (Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur), experienced atonement for their sins, were then able to enter this final feast with great liberty and joy for the LORD S multitudinous provisions. In ancient Israel this last great harvest was the fruit harvest which comes in the Feast of Tabernacles. It was called the Feast of Ingathering when all the fruits of the land were gathered. The Firstfruits Harvests of the Spring Festivals, barley and wheat, pointed to the final harvest at the end of the year in Tabernacles. This final Feast was a time of great celebration for the ingathering of the great harvest. In celebrating Sukkot, the LORD commanded the Israelites to build and live in sukkahs (booths) for the duration of the festival. It was to remind them of the days of their wilderness wanderings. They were also required to gather branches from three different trees, the date palm, willow and the myrtle binding them together. These three along with fruit from the citron are collectively called the four species or the lulav and etrog. During the days of Sukkot the lulav and etrog would be waved in all directions, north, south, east, west, up and down. 24