Thank you so much for joining in Jewish Voice’s Operation 1226 this week. As you pray for Jewish people, Israel and the work of Jewish Voice, know that the Lord hears, and your prayers truly matter. And we are grateful.

Please watch a short video message from Eric Pires, Director of Global Outreach at Jewish Voice, as he shares what the Lord has placed on his heart and prays.

Your prayers make a difference, and we are grateful. Thank you so much for participating in Jewish Voice’s Operation 1226 this week as together we pray for Jewish people, Israel and the work of Jewish Voice.

Please watch a short video message from Paula Walberer, Prayer Program Supervisor at Jewish Voice, as she shares what the Lord has placed on her heart.

How often do we meet with God in prayer and let Him set the agenda for our time with Him? 

We quickly come to the Lord when we have a need or experience trouble. We pour out our hearts to Him, bringing our burdens and praying for others. These are all right and valid reasons to draw near to God, and Scripture directs us to do so. (See Hebrews 4:16, James 5:13, Psalm 31:9, Psalm 62:8, Matthew 11:28, 1 Peter 5:7, James 5:16.) But what about when God wants to direct the conversation?

It’s exciting that God wants to meet with us. The Scriptures listed above are just a sampling of His invitations to be with Him. When it comes to letting God take the lead in our time with Him, the biblical Feasts that He commanded for Israel offer us annual opportunities. They allow us to meet with the Lord in “appointments” where He has selected the topics.

The Hebrew word for Feast is moad, meaning “appointed time.” God called the Jewish people to connect with Him on these occasions for remembrances, celebrations and special observances. He calls us to be with Him, remember what He has done for us and give attention to His holiness.

There are three Fall Feasts: Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot. Here, we share a bit about each Feast, provide Scripture readings and offer some thoughts to help you spend meaningful time with God during each one.

Yom Teruah / Rosh Hashanah

Yom Teruah means “day of blowing” in Hebrew. The Bible says little about this Feast of Trumpets, as it’s called in English. God’s commands in Leviticus 23:23–25 simply instruct us as the Jewish people to blow the shofar as a memorial, do no work, hold a sacred assembly and present an offering. The shofar, made from animal horns, was blown to announce gatherings, begin worship and engage in battle. Simply stated, it was a call to attention.

Over time, the sages of Israel came to believe that God created the world on the date of Yom Teruah, and thus Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, became associated with the Feast. Rosh Hashanah means “head of the year.” At Rosh Hashanah, and leading up to it, Jewish people the world over focus on self-examination, repentance and returning to God as we seek His favor for the New Year. Tradition teaches that on Rosh Hashanah, God pronounces a judgment on each of us regarding the coming year. Ten days later, on Yom Kippur, He is said to seal that judgment, and during the days between, He may change an unfavorable ruling and seal us for a good year. Therefore, they are days of increased attention to making amends and returning to right standing with God.

Messianic Jews also celebrate Rosh Hashanah in connection with our people around the world. We have a confidence in the efficacy of our repentance as we call on our Messiah Jesus.

Personal Reflection for Rosh Hashanah
Reading:  Leviticus 23:23–25, 1 Samuel 12:20, Romans 8:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Ephesians 4:23–24
Meet with God About:  Returning and Listening to Him

Reflect On:     

• Returning your attention to His ways and desires for your life
• Repenting of wrongdoings and returning to Him from the places where you have strayed
• Recommitting yourself to follow and remain near to Him in the next year

Reflection Questions:

• What does God want to call your attention to at this time? 
• What returning is He inviting you to do? 
• What does He want you to focus your attention on in the coming year?

Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year. It is the Day of Atonement, and in biblical times, it was the one day each year when the High Priest put on special garments and brought the blood of sacrifices into the Holy of Holies. There he sprinkled the blood on the Ark of the Covenant to atone for his and Israel’s sin. 

Yom Kippur is a solemn day observing God’s commandments to do no work and to “afflict ourselves.” For 25 hours, we fast from food, water and various pleasures or luxuries. We give our time and attention to God’s holiness and purity, denying ourselves for the sake of seeing Him more clearly and worshiping Him more fully.

As Believers in Jesus, we give thanks for the complete atonement we have through Jesus’ sacrifice and the eternal sealing that is given to us in the Holy Spirit.

Reading:  Leviticus 23:26–32, Hebrews 4–10
Meet with God About:  Worshiping and Praising Him

Reflect On:  

• God’s holiness and purity
• The cost of your sin (innocent blood)
• Jesus, your high priest, who cleanses you from sin through the sacrifice of His own blood

Reflection Questions:

• In what ways do you not honor God’s holiness as you should?
• How can you cultivate a deeper awe of God?
• What does the connection between Yom Kippur and Jesus’ work of atonement tell you about the Lord? 

Sukkot

Sukkot is the only Feast in which the Lord commands us to rejoice. It is a seven-day festival celebrating God’s provision for our ancestors in the wilderness. It includes the Lord’s command to build and live in temporary shelters for seven days. These “booths” (which is the meaning of the word sukkot) are to remind us of how our ancestors lived in tents for 40 years. He sustained us in a desolate desert with miraculous food, water and clothing and footwear that did not wear out.

We take our meals and entertain guests in our sukkot. Through roofs made of loosely arranged natural vegetation, we look up to the night sky and remember God’s faithfulness in keeping His promise to Abraham to make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens.

Sukkot is also called the Feast of Booths or Feast of Tabernacles and is a harvest Feast. It celebrates and makes an offering from the first produce of autumn’s final harvest. Sukkot decorations center on a bountiful harvest and turn our attention to how God has provided for us today.

Reading:  Leviticus 23:33–43, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 121:7–8, Psalm 16:11
Meet with God About:  Rejoicing and Thanking the Lord
Reflect On:     

• God’s provision in your life 
• His protection of you
• The gift of His presence 

Reflection Questions:

• How did God provide for or protect you today?
• How does His presence strengthen and bless you?
• What will you rejoice over today?

Blessed holidays to you!

Thank you again for joining with us in prayer during Jewish Voice’s Operation 1226 this week as we pray for the Jewish people, Israel and the work of Jewish Voice. We can’t go without prayer, and we treasure yours.

Please watch a short video message from Troy Wallace, Vice President of Congregation & Leadership Development at Jewish Voice, as he prays and shares what the Lord has placed on his heart.

We are grateful for your prayers. Thank you so much for participating in Jewish Voice’s Operation 1226 this week. Your prayers for the Jewish people, Israel and the work of Jewish Voice truly make a difference.

Please watch a short video message from Ezra Benjamin, Vice President of Global Ministry Affairs at Jewish Voice, as he prays and shares what the Lord has placed on his heart this week.

“The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”
Proverbs 15:29 (NIV)

Shalom, my friend. 

As I write to you this week, my heart is heavy with the loss of life and the escalation of hostilities with Hamas in Gaza, and the violence and uncertainty in Afghanistan. But the one thing that remains clear for every single Believer in Jesus: We must pray. 

So please join me and all of us here at Jewish Voice in watching the situation unfold in the days and weeks ahead and in praying fervently for God’s grace, intervention and protection. 

ISRAELI BORDER POLICE OFFICER SHOT BY HAMAS TERRORIST

Since the outbreak of rocket fire from Hamas in early May, indirect negotiations have been ongoing. But despite the “talks,” the violence has continued — and it appears a ceasefire is no longer on the table. 

According to The Jerusalem Post, on Saturday, during a violent riot along the Gaza perimeter fence, Border Police officer Bar-el Shmueli was shot in the head by a Hamas terrorist who approached his position and shot Shmueli with a handgun.

At the time of this writing, officer Shmueli had undergone several operations at Soroka University Medical Center in Beersheba and was in critical condition, intubated and sedated.

The IDF said in a released statement, “The Hamas terrorist organization continues to lead the Gaza Strip towards terror while exploiting the civilian population.”

ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES TARGET HAMAS WEAPONS SITES

Following a day of violence when the Israeli Border Police officer was shot in the head, The Times of Israel reported that Israeli airstrikes hit four Hamas weapons storage sites in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF said it hit four sites used by the terror group to produce and store weapons. During the strikes, Palestinians directed heavy machine-gun fire at Israeli aircraft over the coastal enclave. A number of homes and vehicles in Sderot were hit by the gunfire and suffered damage.

Despite the heightened tensions and machine-gun fire on Sderot, no change in safety instructions were issued to Israeli residents of the area.
The Times of Israel also reported that IDF sent reinforcements to bolster their presence along the Gaza border in anticipation of continued violence.

FOURTH WAVE MARKS RECORD FOR COVID-19 INFECTIONS

The Jerusalem Post reported on Tuesday that the COVID-19 booster shot is now available to Israelis aged 30+.

As of Monday, almost 10,000 new cases were reported. Officials hope the booster shot will help slow the wave of new infections. 

At last count, Israel had more than 72,000 active cases — marking an increase since the beginning of June. 

At the peak of the third wave last winter, there were more than 88,000 active cases. Since the pandemic began early last year, more than one million Israelis have been infected.

Of those tested on Monday, 6.63% tested positive, marking a record in the fourth wave.

Let us pray together

Please pray with me for:

• God’s protection in the hostilities currently erupting along the Gaza Strip while Hamas continues to target the Jewish people with their hatred and violence
• Peace in the hearts and minds of the people of Israel and their enemies
• Jewish people to recognize Yeshua (Jesus) as their Messiah
   

Thank you so much for participating in Jewish Voice’s Operation 1226 this week. As you join with us in praying for Jewish people, Israel and the work of Jewish Voice, know that your prayers truly matter, and we are grateful.

Please watch a short video message from Jonathan Bernis, President and CEO of Jewish Voice, as he shares what the Lord has placed on his heart.

Rosh Hashanah, the first of the Jewish Fall Feasts, begins September 6 at sunset. This feast is widely celebrated among the Jewish people as the Jewish New Year. It is also called the Feast of Trumpets, where the blowing of the shofar signifies a wake-up call for repentance and restoring our relationship with God.

After Rosh Hashanah, there are other important Jewish Feasts on the calendar:

Yom Kippur: The holiest day on the Jewish calendar — a day of somber reflection in which we seek atonement for our sins before the Lord. This has been a dark year for so many — this will be a wonderful opportunity to seek assurance of His loving kindness towards us.

Sukkot: A time to remember the Lord's constant presence and provision for the Israelites in the desert following their exodus from Egypt. Sukkot also celebrates looking ahead to when Yeshua (Jesus) returns to regather His elect from the four corners (Matthew 24:31).

And then we celebrate another important event as winter approaches:

Chanukah: An eight-day holiday to commemorate the rededication of the Temple and the miracle of the oil for the lampstand lasting eight days. These Festivals have a special place in the lives of Jewish people throughout history. They’ve been a light of restoration and hope through the ages. And they can be for you today. My second reason for writing is to ask you to send a gift during the Jewish holidays — a gift that will help share the light and hope of Jesus the Messiah with Jewish people.

There’s no better way to demonstrate your heart and compassion for Israel and the Jewish people than to bless them with the Good News of eternal life. You'll help us earn the right to share that life-transforming message through providing physical care. When you give, you’ll also help meet our goal of raising $419,400 between now and the end of Chanukah!

No matter when or how much you give, your support will provide:

• Much-needed medical, dental and eye care for Jewish people in Ethiopia and Zimbabwe
• Resources and critical support to Holocaust survivors, immigrants and other Jewish people in need in Israel
• Outreach through our partnerships with Messianic congregations and ministries helping Jewish people around the world
• Opportunities to share the hope of Jesus the Messiah with Jewish communities in remote and desolate areas around the world

What a difference you can make through your support!