ISRAEL OBSERVES YOM KIPPUR: May we all hunger more this year for God’s Word
Joel C. Rosenberg
My colleagues at The Joshua Fund and I are praying for our Israeli friends and Jewish friends around the world as we observe Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. We’re praying for the Lord to bless you and draw you close to His heart. We’re praying that more Israelis this year become hungry to read the Holy Scriptures and to know God, who inspired His Word to be written down and given to us. We’re praying, too, for the peace of Jerusalem, and for peace for all who live in the epicenter.
“Israel came to a virtual standstill at sundown Tuesday as Jews began observing the start of the holiest day of the Jewish calendar, the 25 hours of fasting and contemplation known as Yom Kippur,” reports Haaretz. “Israel’s security establishment and emergency services have been put on high alert Tuesday ahead of the Jewish holiday of Yom Kippur. The IDF and Israel Police beefed up patrols in cities, and around synagogues, and officers were also stationed at the entrances to towns….The fast will begin in Tel Aviv at 5:11 P.M., and end at 6:09 P.M. on Wednesday. In Jerusalem, the fast begins at 4:56 P.M., and will end at 6:07 P.M. on Wednesday. In Be’er Sheva, fasting begins at 5:14 P.M., and ends at 6:09 P.M. In Haifa, the fast begins at 5:02 P.M, and ends at 6:08 P.M. As the fast begins, synagogues throughout Israel will open their doors for ‘Kol Nidrei’ prayers.”
Psalm 121 — “I will lift up my eyes to the mountains; From where shall my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to slip; He who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, He who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand. The sun will not smite you by day, nor the moon by night. The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time forth and forever.”
