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Magazine Articles

Browse, read and study through our extensive library of original articles, from previously published First Fruits of Zion magazines. Updated regularly!

Category: Appointed Times

The Season of our Joy

Tags:  Atzeret, etrog, fragrance, hadas, lulav, rejoicing, Sh'mini, simchat torah, species, sukkah, Sukkot, taste, Torah

Sukkot is a season of special celebration. Each mo'ed is a time when we are invited by the Creator of all to draw aside in close communion with Him. They are days when we are summoned to reflect on...
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Category: Appointed Times

Living Waters

Tags:  celebration, salvation, Sukkot, Tabernacles, water libation, waters

While Yeshua "tabernacled" with mankind on the earth, salvation was a regular theme in His teachings. His purpose on this earth, established before the foundations of the earth, was to "save" mankind from his evil nature, and to provide a means of justification for all peoples. As we read the Brit Chadasha (New Testament), we are reminded constantly of the Lord's salvation in nearly every word uttered by Yeshua. His very name alone carries this definition.
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Category: Appointed Times

In the Shadow of the Almighty

Tags:  feast of clouds, Feast of Tabernacles, sukkah, sukkot, Ushpizin liturgy

In the Gospels, the Master tells His disciples that "some will not taste death" before seeing Him come in His glory. This is a problem. Assuredly, all twelve of the disciples tasted death, and the Master has not yet come in His glory.
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Category: Appointed Times

Build a Kosher Sukkah

Tags:  Feast of Tablernacles, sukkah, Sukkot

Building a sukkah is a fun and creative activity that involves the whole family. It is a beautiful way to worship God, and to love Him with all that we have. It reminds us both of our redemption and God's constant provision. Invite your neighbors to join you in your sukkah--it is a great way to encourage them to learn about life in Torah and Messiah.
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Category: Appointed Times

Days of Fasting

Tags:  fasting, Tisha b'Av, Yom Kippur

It is easy to get excited about the biblical calendar when holidays like Sukkot, Shavuot and Pesach commemorate joyful events in the history of God's people and foreshadow our Messiah. But Scripture, and history, tell us that not every event...
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Category: Appointed Times

The King in Disguise

Tags:  High Holy Days, King, liturgy, parables, Rosh Hashanah, Shepherd, Yom Kippur

Yeshua's Lost High Holiday Parables A blast will be sounded...and all the dwellers of the earth will cross before You like the members of a flock. Like a shepherd shepherding his flock...thus You will pass and count and number and...
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Category: Appointed Times

The Prayer Liturgy of the High Holy Days

Tags:  blessings, Days of Awe, liturgy, prayer, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are holidays for which intense and lengthy liturgical prayers have been written. These days (and the days in between) are known as the High Holy Days. In Hebrew, they are called Yamim Nora'im, which means "Fearsome Days" or "Days of Awe."
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Category: Appointed Times

Yom Kippur, Fasting with Intention

Tags:  fasting, Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur (or "The Day of Atonement") is synonymous with fasting. For many people in both Jewish and Messianic communities, Yom Kippur is quite possibly the only day of the year on which they fast. Even secular Jews who have strayed from their faith will sometimes fast on Yom Kippur.
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