Where the restoration of modern-day Israel began

Just 35 kilometers south of Haifa, still on Mount Carmel, is a town of great importance: Zichron Ya'akov, "Jacob's Memorial".

It was founded in 1882 with 100 Jewish pioneers from Romania came to Israel in what later became known as the 1st Aliyah. Unfortunately, the difficulty of trying to grow grapes, wheat, and olives in the rocky soil and the presence of malaria led many to give up and leave within a year. Every family lost a child that year. To this day, the founders are still buried in the cemetery.

A year later, Baron Edmond James de Rothschild became the patron of the settlement, helped establish it as a winemaking town, and gave it the name it still holds today.

By 1903, it was the most prosperous place in all of Israel. 

Zichron Ya'akov didn't appear to be much in 1882, and there are definitely bigger, more populated, and also important cities in all of Israel. But it alone has this distinction: it is where the restoration of modern-day Israel began.

Today, you can go to Zichron Ya'achov and tour the town. The original main street is there with its original buildings, as well as the cemetery and the synagogue. It's a cool tourist destination with some museums to learn about the moshave and then enjoy the local culture. 

(a photo of what the main street looked like)

the main street today

a pottery studio!

another museum, this time telling the heroic story of the Nili spy ring during WWII.

The cemetery

the synagogue. 

This beautiful town is an important place in Israel's history. I definitely recommend spending time here if you get the chance!

My first Passover... in Israel!

Chag Pesach Sameach from Israel!

What an incredible time to be here in the Land!

For the first time in 33 years, Passover (and Easter) fall during the month of Ramadan (the holy month of Islam). As someone who loves culture and history, it's fascinating to be here right now. As a Christian, I can think of no time more special than being here during this week! And, I learned today that just as with that Passover (Good Friday) of 2000+ years ago, the way Passover falls in the calendar means there are 2 Shabbats back-to-back (Friday and Saturday). So cool!

On Wednesday, I went to my first Seder. Did you know that the word "seder" means "order" in Hebrew? In fact, a common response to the question, "How are you?" is "beseder"... which literally translates to "in order". We'd use it like saying, "good" or "fine". I love learning that kind of stuff!

I wish I could detail everything I experienced that night, but there was too much! So here are just a few things:

First of all, the table decorations were so cool! The designer made it look like the Israelites walking in dry land in the middle of the Red Sea. Can you see it? 

I loved the figurines walking along... especially the ones with the dogs, haha.

Most importantly, the actual seder plate and other elements:

There's so much symbolism here that it would take MANY blog posts to explain. I think that in a future year, I'll go more in depth into it all. But I didn't want to research anything until I experienced it firsthand myself. There's so much symbolism on that plate: 

• the bitter herbs, horseradish, and romaine lettuce signifying the bitterness of slavery
• the lamb shank bone signifying the Lord's outstretched arm from Exodus and Isaiah
• the charoset, a mixture made of apples, pears, nuts, and wine, to signifying paste, like the mortar between bricks
• the karpas, or vegetable, signifying the backbreaking work of slavery
• the boiled egg, the first thing served to mourners at a funeral, and also signifies the circle of life.

Not to mention the matzah, the unleavened bread that is literally pierced and burned. What's so amazing is that there are 3 together, and the middle one gets broken, taken away, and hidden. It's called the Afikomen, or the ultimate redemption of suffering. At the end of the meal, the children go to find the afikomen, and the one who does receives a prize—it's ransomed back. 

What I found so incredible was how the symbolism tied in with what Christians call the Last Supper. In fact, that's what Jesus and the disciples were eating when Jesus broke the bread and said, "This is my body" and passed around a cup of wine saying, "This is my blood". It's what Christians call, "Communion".

That Passover over 2000 years ago, something else un-traditional happened. One other element is that there are 4 cups of wine (or grape juice) to drink... they stand for each of the 4 promises in Exodus 6:6: the Cup of Sanctification, the Cup of Deliverance, the Cup of Redemption, and the Cup of Praise. When Jesus said "This is my blood," He was talking about the Cup of Redemption!

At one point, we filled the cup, then dipped our pinkies in it, marking our plate while reciting each of the 10 plagues. 

Another interesting thing about the 4 Cups. Some believe that there's a 5th Cup—the Cup of God's Wrath. Through Jeremiah 25:15, Matthew 26:39, Isaiah 51:17, Matthew 20:22 (and more), we see that when Jesus is praying and sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, asking God to "take this cup from me", He is referring to the Cup of God's Wrath, which He took on Himself.

Like, I said, there's so much more to a seder than what I just described. But I hope this post gives you a taste of what it's like, and maybe next year you can attend one as well! I found so much beauty and meaning in this celebration... and then after, so much fun and laughter in a delicious feast! 

For now, there's just one more thing to say:

Celebrating Purim in Israel

This week was Purim in Israel. It was my first time celebrating this holiday, and I didn't know what to expect.

historical info from chabad.org

I mean, I know the story of Esther. It's a favorite. But I wasn't sure how the day would be celebrated. 

So when I started hearing about balls and parties, and seeing costumes in local shops, I was surprised. Then I learned that dressing up in costumes is a big part of the celebration. The reason why is because this real-life event—how God saved the Jews from annihilation at the hands of Haman in Persia—doesn't have any overtly obvious miracles. God worked miraculously—in disguise. His appearance in Esther (Megillah in Hebrew) is also hidden: through how He works and references to prayer... the name of God isn't even mentioned!

photo from chabad.org

A second tradition is that if you go to a synagogue on Purim, you'll hear the reading of the entire book of Esther (Megillah). As it's only 10 chapters, it isn't too long.

A typical food for Purim are hamantaschen, 3-cornered pastries that are basically pockets with filling, which is often poppy seeds. There are many reasons for this, from the shape of the pastry to the poppy seeds. The most intriguing to me was a story from the Talmud that Daniel was Esther's faithful messenger in the palace, and since both ate kosher, they ate a lot of poppy seeds.

photo from myjewishlearning.com

Another theory for the shape of the pastry is that Mordechai sent messages to all the Jews talking about the destruction that would come, but they didn't believe him. So he sent more, but was worried they would be intercepted. So instead he hit them in side pocket pastries.

Another story is that Haman wore a 3-cornered hat. And the word "tash" in the middle of Hamantaschen means "to weaken". Literally, Haman weakens. 

Other traditions include giving gifts to the poor or charity, as well as gifts to a friend.

While I didn't go to any parties or feasts (I didn't know about one until it was too late, as I'd already made plans), I saw so many people in costumes—adults and kids alike. People at were dressed up or had a fun decoration on their clothes. Stores were decorated as well. I went to a sporting goods store on Wednesday and each of the mannequins had something fun added to the outfits they were advertising. Schools were out for both Wed and Thurs, and there was a festive feeling in the air. 

One more cool thing I learned about the significance of Purim: God has used this date multiple times to show His rescue of the Jewish people. For instance: 

• Joseph Stalin died on Purim in 1953
• The Persian Gulf war, which started with Saddam Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990, ended on Purim.

So fun! As for me, I spent Purim hiking around Mount Tabor in the Jezreel Valley—but that's another post for another day!

!חג פורים שמח

The Rock, The Road, and the Rabbi: Jesus Writes in the Dirt

In Hebrew culture, pictures and references are very important, like what was depicted in the last blog post by the significance of the number 153. 

The same is true for actions and even quotations. For example, in the Bible when Jesus said something and the people became so angry they wanted to attack Him, to the modern Western reader, it might not be obvious as to why. His words might even seem innocuous. But that's because the practice of this oral culture was for a rabbi to reference a passage from the Torah and let the audience finish it. So when Jesus made a reference, he often only said the beginning part and the part left unsaid was for the audience to know and understand—and that's what made them angry.

Here is another example of this, which I thought was so cool. On pages 79-81, Rabbi Jason Sobel talks of the story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery in John 8, which I've talked about here and here. What caught my eye was Sobel's unpacking of Jesus writing in the dirt, of which none of us knows what He wrote (I hope to one day!). 

Sobel points out that:

• Jesus wrote in the dirt twice
• He wrote with His finger twice
• Jesus wrote specifically in the dirt, and 
• Jesus knelt to write (page 79).

Then, he ties that to:

• God wrote the 10 Commandments twice on tablets of stone with His finger.
• The second set of tablets was a sign that God had forgiven Israel, and Moses descended Mount Sinai with those tablets on the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year.
• When the Pharisees brought this woman before Jesus, they had literally just finished observing the Day of Atonement. "Jesus' action of writing in the dirt reminded these leaders that they, too, were guilty of breaking the 10 Commandments and needed atonement, for which they had just fasted and prayed for a week earlier" (page 80).
• Jesus writing in the dirt reminded them that they were formed from dust.
• Jesus kneeling to write puts Him on the same level as the woman—He meets us where we are.

WOW! These are things I never would have known without studying Jewish history and culture. What do you think about these connections?

The 9th of Av (Tisha B'Av)

Every year, Israel observes a 3-week mourning period that ends on the 9th of Av. Because they observe the lunar calendar, which is only 360 days, it falls on a different date every year (in regards to the Gregorian calendar, like the US and much of the world use).

This year, the 9th of Av fell on Sunday, July 18.

This is a highly significant date in Jewish history, because of the BIG things that happened in the past. Are you ready for this?

This date became significant in the first place because it is the date that 10 of the 12 spies returned from Canaan with a bad report. This was the Promised Land that God had already given over to them! It was because of this, that the Israelites wandered in the desert for 40 years while everyone in that generation but the 2 spies who said, "Yes! Our God is able!" died.

First of all, I'm always blown away that history like that is traceable down to the exact date. Incredible! Coming from a country that is only officially 250 years old, my culture does not understand the impact of a historical record like that. At the most, we can date back 400 years to the beginning of the US colonies. That's practically last week compared to the ancient land of the Middle East.

What shocked me, though, was the history of what has happened on that date since (a date marking the disobedience and lack of faith of an entire people). Here we go... seriously, are you ready?

1. BOTH the 1st and the 2nd Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed on this date, FIVE CENTURIES APART.
2. Almost 70 years later, the Jews fell to the Romans in 133 AD in the Bar Kochba Revolt. It was then that Roman emperor Hadrian renamed the country, "Syria Palaestina", stripping the name of Israel from the land officially (for more on this topic, click here). Palaestina (Palestine in English) is the Latin form of the word, "Philistine", who were a sea-faring people who did not originate in the Land. It was the custom of the Romans to re-name a defeated land after the enemies of the inhabitants as further denigration.
3. A year later, Rome completely plowed over the Temple Mount, razing the remains to the ground.
4. In 1290, the Jews were expelled from England.
5. In 1492, the Jews were expelled from Spain.
6. World War I began on Tisha B'Av in 1914. Because most historians believe World War II was the conclusion of WWI, that means WWII started that date too. However, more specifically, operations at the Treblinka death camp began on that date in 1942, and deportations from the Warsaw ghetto started on that date.

WOW.

To say this is a significant date to the Jewish people is a gross understatement. I'm still blown away by all I've learned about this. 

I could leave this post here, but I'm going to continue it for a bit. Because recently, I've become more aware of the Jewish foundations of United States of America in regards to our forefathers and the crafting of both the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Pastor Jack Hibbs, from Calvary Chapel Chino Hills in California speaks often of the founding of the US and the Judeo-Christian influence on the founding fathers. If you love history, this is fascinating, and I highly recommend it. 

One thing he's said several times (so I don't have an exact link to share other than his channel), is that in addition to people of Jewish ancestry who were part of the nation's foundations, our country's law is founded on the Mosiac Law. Our nation has benefited, first from following God's Word (and those of us who are Jesus followers), and also in the secondhand blessing coming from God blessing the works of the hands of the Jewish people who ended up in the States (Gen. 12:1-3). 

So much so, that did you catch one of the dates up above?

In 1492, when the Jews were expelled from Spain, one now-famous Jew sailed due West and made an incredible discovery.

Almost 300 years later, on July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, originally crafted on July 2, was signed by all and made official—also on Tisha b'Av.

Obviously, while there are connections between the US and Israel because of what was discussed above, it is just a link, that's all. The US is not a replacement or the 'new' Israel or anything like that. Neither has the Church replaced Israel. It's just that our nation has benefitted because of: 1) our foundations, 2) history of Christianity, 3) the presence of Jews in our country, and 4) support of Israel (pre-2021). 

I do find it significant, though, that the entire history of 9th of Av began with the results of an exploration (the 12 spies into the Promised Land), and the story of the US begins with an exploration into a new land. That being said:

• since the whole history of that date began with the original disobedience and lack of faith of the Jewish people, 
• and it continues to be a significant date of pain and consequences of these things, 
• and since there is a connection between the US and Israel, as established above, 
• and because of the recent disturbing and difficult events in the US because our culture has shifted on its values and focus, 

I did some research on the 9th of Av in US events. 

I haven't found much yet, because it is obviously from Jewish culture and the Jewish calendar. So I want to do more. BUT, I did remember something in recent history that happened in the summer, so I looked it up. And, what guess what?

On June 26, 2015, the US Supreme Court upheld in Obergefell v Hodges that all states in the US must grant new (and recognize existing) same-sex marriages within the US. 

This was the 9th of Av of that year.

Please let me know in the comments below: Did you know the history of the 9th of Av? I'd love to know what you think!

**Research links: Chabad.org, The Jerusalem Post, Behold Israel, Wikipedia, Ray Bentley's Step in to the Story: The Dire Straits, Jack Hibbs, 

Happy Passover Week!

This is such an important week for Jews and Christians around the world. Starting with Palm Sunday yesterday to Resurrection Day on Sunday, it's a time of remembrance and celebration in the Christian faith.

For Jews, it is Passover, also a time of celebration and giving thanks for deliverance—the deliverance of their ancestors out of Egypt.

Passover 2020 officially starts on Wednesday, at 7:03pm Jerusalem time, and this year will be especially poignant:

For the first time in over 3500 years, Israelis will not even be able to leave their houses over Passover. While this is due to COVID-19, it's interesting because in Exodus 12:22, when Moses gave the people instructions about what to do, he said, "None of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning."

Wow! What a fascinating time we are living in!