The Muslims are practicing Ramadan this month-fasting from sun up to sun down. The Jews began their fast this morning at sun up and will continue till sun down on the 22nd.
I guess my heart was touched when I thought of all the ways they are trying to get to God. So many traditional acts that they must do correctly in order to achieve acceptance by God.
Yesterday some of the Jews were practicing a tradition called, Kapparot. It is found no where in the Torah. They believe that if they wave a chicken over their head and ask God to let that chicken take their sins and then kill the chicken,
they will be forgiven their sins for the past year. It is a purifying act that then allows them to
celebrate Yom Kippur--the day of atonement.
Here is some information from some Jewish sites.
Yom Kippur, which in 2007 begins at sundown Sept. 21, and lasts until sundown Sept. 22, is one of the most serious Jewish holidays. Jews who do not regularly observe other holidays often make an exception for Yom Kippur, which occurs on the tenth day of the Hebrew month of Tishri.
This is judgment day. Many Jews practice repentance, say prayers, and give charity to obtain God's forgiveness for any sins made in the past year.
What is kapparot?
Kapparot is a custom in which the sins of a person are symbolically transferred to a fowl. It is practiced by some Jews shortly before Yom Kippur. First, selections from Isaiah 11:9, Psalms 107:10, 14, and 17-21, and Job 33:23-24 are recited; then a rooster (for a male) or a hen (for a female) is held above the person's head and swung in a circle three times, while the following is spoken: "This is my exchange, my substitute, my atonement; this rooster (or hen) shall go to its death, but I shall go to a good, long life, and to peace." The hope is that the fowl, which is then donated to the poor for food, will take on any misfortune that might otherwise occur to the one who has taken part in the ritual, in punishment for his or her sins.
I am not sure why this is hitting me so hard this morning. We are told to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. You have heard the old saying-
Know Jesus, know peace/No Jesus, No peace.
Their deepest need is Jesus.
Isn't it odd that both of these people groups have rejected the only one who can help them find the peace they so desperately need?
I thank God for my salvation and for removing the veil from my eyes
so that I can see the truth.
I pray today that prayers lifted for the Jews and the Muslims alike-will bring Millions to