Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24
Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, is the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, following Rosh Hashanah – the Biblical Feast of Trumpets. This year it begins on the evening of the 4th October.
Prayers for forgiveness commence in the month of Elul and increase in intensity, particularly during the Days of Awe, between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. This period is marked by soul searching and seeking forgiveness from the people one has offended in any way, before asking forgiveness from God. Note Mark 11: 25,26 “and when you stand praying, forgive, if you have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
On the solemn day of Yom Kippur, the nation comes collectively before God. During the 5 prayer services the readings cover: Leviticus 16:1-34; Numbers 29:7-11, about Yom Kippur. Leviticus 18:1-30, laws of purity. Isaiah 57:14-58:14; Micah 7:18-20. Also, the Book of Jonah which demonstrates God’s mercy. The prayers emphasise the holiness of God, the helplessness of the sinner, and the need of God’s mercy following confessions and repentance. Worshippers are dressed mainly in white and undertake a 25 hour fast of both food and water. The day ends with the blast of the shofar.
Let Revelation 20:12 remind us of a solemn event to come. “Books opened….And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.” And may you be among those of whom Jesus commended when he said,“… rejoice because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20
The Ingathering:
Thank you for your support that has enabled ICEJ to be part of the regathering of the Jewish people. The following report is cause for rejoicing as we see prophecy continuing to be fulfilled: Israel absorbed 60,000 new immigrants over the past Jewish year 5782 and expects to reach 64,000 by the end of the secular year 2022, the Ministry of Aliyah and Integration reported on Monday ahead of Rosh Hashanah. That’s more immigrants in one year than any year in the last two decades and close to a 130% increase compared to 2021, when 28,500 Jews immigrated to the country. “It is amazing to see the rising aliyah figures for 2022 and over recent years,” David Parsons, vice president and senior spokesman for the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) – which has heavily supported aliyah for the past several decades – told ALL ISRAEL NEWS.
Shabbat Shalom!
Sarah Way
ICEJ Australia National Director
