Founder’s Blog
Erev Yom Kippur
Tonight the holiest day of the year begins. Tonight is Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, the beginning of the day that the book of Acts simply calls, “The Fast.” The Day of Atonement is a day of prayer, confession and repentance.
Here in Missouri, a few First Fruits of Zion families will be gathering to pray through the traditional liturgies. Other FFOZ staff and volunteers will be attending their respective congregations in Israel and throughout North America.
But what about you? Where will our greater First Fruits of Zion family will be spending Yom Kippur?
Some of you, I am certain, will be attending services in Messianic synagogues and Sabbath keeping congregations. Others might gather, like we are, in small informal fellowships for the day, maybe in small home groups, or with just a couple of friends getting together. Still others will celebrate the festival alone, just with their own family, because there are no other Torah keepers around. Finally, I know that many of you will be keeping Yom Kippur alone and in isolation because you are the lone Torah keeper where you live.
Regardless of your situation, I hope you will think of yourself as connected with all the rest of us. Whether we are worshipping alone or in a congregation, we are all in this together. We are fasting together, we are praying together, we are confessing together and we are repenting together. You are part of the First Fruits of Zion family. Our souls are connected in the body of Yeshua and the great fellowship of His grace.
May you have an easy fast, may the Son of God wash you, may the Holy Spirit scour your conscience clean and may you find mercy, grace, compassion and love in the arms of your Abba in Heaven.
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Visitor Feedback:
My dear brother Boaz (and fellow FFOZ brothers and sisters),
I am so encouraged by the words you posted about Yom Kippur. I am a member of the extended FFOZ family. My parents are the Rabbi and Rabbitzin of a congregation, Beit Yosef, in Lexington SC. For many years now we have observed the festivals as a family and as a congregation with the members of our small kehilat. But this year I am one of those who are celebrating this most holy of days alone for I am as you put it “a lone Torah keeper” where I live. I am a lone believer in a Muslim world strategically and divinely placed here to be a light in the dark. Though I was a bit afraid and had some trepidation, upon first moving here, I continue to say “Hinaini” and strive to live a torah and festival observant life here. With each new day I see His hand at work in my life in the protection, the blessings and the joy He puts in my heart. This morning HaShem’s gifts to me were finding your inspiring and strengthening words on the website as well as these two scriptures:
D’Varim 30:9, 10 Then Adonai will give you more than enough in everything you set out to do-the fruit of your body, the fruit of your livestock, and the fruit of your land will all do well; for Adonai will once again rejoice to see you do well, just as he rejoiced in your ancestors. However all this will happen only if you pay attention to what Adonai your G-d says, so that you obey His mitzvot and regulations which are written in this book of the Torah.
D’varim 31:6 Be strong, be bold, and don’t be afraid or frightened of them, for Adonai is going with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.
Again I thank you and I pray that as we all confess, repent, worship, and fast together, the Ruach HaChodesh will restore us, and prepare our hearts to say “henaini” for all the things that He has in store for us in the upcoming year. I also pray that He will continue to bless you and your family and your leadership as you continue to seek Him in spirit and in truth in this wonderful ministry that is such a fountain of Truth, guidance and encouragement for all of us! Baruch HaShem!
Sincerely, BJA
BJA | September 22, 2007 1:14 AM
Greetings from a small home fellowship in Minneapolis, MN. The fast has begun. I woke up this morning thinking not of food, but of my life over the past year... of my experiences studying Torah with family, friends and Torah Club 5 material. I am 55 years old and feel like I am starting my spiritual journey all over again. We are going to attend Beth Immanuel synagague services this morning with our son and family in Hudson, WI. How different this all looks compared to where we have spent most of our Christian lives. We have met many along the way who are thinking about the importance of the torah and keeping the appointed times. We are not alone.
Thank you, FFOZ, for being such a valuable balanced resource for us in our journey following our rabbi, Yeshua. May your fast be easy! Shalom.
Denny Johnson | September 22, 2007 7:39 AM
Best Yom Kippur in years! Had a nice quiet day here at home with the family. Plenty of quiet time to read through some scriptures and reflect. I don't yet have a machzor (sp?), but thumbed through the siddur and found plenty to think about.
Been a rough couple of years here on every front, and my attitude and spirit were in desperate need of refreshing and correction.
Hope you were all blessed.
mjbelko | September 23, 2007 8:00 PM