Friday night I lit two candles to thank God for the week that I had had. The next night I lit the same candles to invite God into my upcoming week. It’s my version of remembering and observing the Sabbath each Friday and Saturday.
It all started back when my kids were elementary age. We were invited to a Passover and Seder dinner. And from that point on, we have hosted this ritual, ourselves, for the last 30+ years. Each year inviting people who have never experienced it before because we love to see the look on their faces as they hear the story, are reminded of God's faithfulness and, of course, as they take a bite of very hot horseradish.
Not too soon after my Passover experience, I watched a group of people celebrate Hanukkah. It was so beautiful and became more so as I heard the meaning behind it. Yes, it is about the Maccabees and the miracle of the oil that lasted for 8 days. But, it’s more than that. It’s about good over evil, light over darkness and God’s faithfulness in the face of destruction and harm. And what’s more is the words on the dreidel that say “A miracle happened there.” Who wouldn’t want to play that game?
I bought my first menorah about 15 years ago and I have collected an assortment of them ever since, both the Hanukkah and temple menorahs. During Hanukkah, for each of the 8 nights, I set up the candles and sing the Hebrew song as I light them. It’s just so very meaningful to me.
This week, in answer to a friend’s question, I’ve been thinking about why I am so drawn to this - the remembering and observing of these Jewish rituals. Well, when I experienced that first Passover/Seder, something took place in my heart. I was drawn to it, felt this connection to God in a new way. And I latched on. Similar to how we’ve seen children in need respond to a hug or a coin or words of affection. After their first encounter with such a gift, they, literally, chase after that person, wanting more of what they have. That was me. Is me.
Some friends of ours, years back, adopted a child. And once that little guy was older, they began to show him pictures of their grandparents and cousins, uncles and aunts. Where they used to live, vacations they took and people they knew. They showed him all this because their history was now his history. And they wanted him to know his past as much as possible.
Scripture says that we have been adopted into God’s family. And that family history includes Jewish history. For two years I read the daily Torah readings along with New Testament verses. These days, I’m reading a commentary by a Jewish scholar, Dennis Prager, called the Rational Bible. And each day, as I finish my study, I’m struck, once again, with the wonder of God. And I find I want to do something, respond to Him in some way. It's similar to how I feel when I receive a gift or a kind word or a thoughtful gesture. I want to respond immediately. Through a hug or a text or a phone call. I’m compelled to relay my deepest thanks.
And that’s what traditions and rituals do for me. They allow me to respond. And these Jewish observances, along with communion, Advent, Christmas and Easter, equally all bring a sense of closeness to God that I long for. Maybe it’s how I’m wired, maybe it’s some deep seated need. All I know is that when I discovered these additional rituals held by my Jewish relatives, all commanded by God, I latched on and made them a part of my life. And they have since made my life richer and more meaningful as they each draw me closer to God, Jesus and his Holy Spirit.
Opmerkingen