GenerationtoGeneration—PassingonaLegacyofFaithtoOurChildrenCopyright©2020bytheInternationalFellowshipofChristians&Jews,Inc.Allrightsreserved.

Unlessotherwisenoted,allquotationsaretakenfromtheHolyBible,NewInternationalVersion®,NIV®.Copyright©1973,1978,1984,2011byBiblica,Inc.™Usedbypermission.Allrightsreservedworldwide.

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CoverandinteriordesignbyMarketOneConsultants,FortWorth,TexasCoverphotoimage:ShutterstockInsidecoverphotoofRabbiYechielEcksteinandYaelEcksteinbyOlivierFitoussiIFCJProjectStaff:CalebBurroughs,DavidKuner,YonitRothchild,andBetsySchmittPublishedbytheInternationalFellowshipofChristians&Jews,Inc.withofficesinCanada,Israel,SouthKorea,andtheUnitedStates.

ISBN978-0-9835327-7-4

FirstPrinting:2020

ALSOBYAUTHOR

HolyLandReflections:ACollectionofInspirationalInsightsfromIsrael

SpiritualCookingwithYael

WitheternalgratitudetoGodforblessingmewiththeperfectparentswhotaughtmethewayIshouldgo.

CONTENTS

FOREWORD

INTRODUCTION

OVERVIEW

TEACHINGOURCHILDREN

SHABBAT

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENPRIORITIES

PASSOVER

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENTOSEEKKNOWLEDGE

SHAVUOT

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENGRATITUDE

TISHAB’AV

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENHOPE

HIGHHOLYDAYS

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENFORGIVENESS

SUKKOT

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENFAITH

PURIM

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENCOURAGE

TZEDAKAH

TEACHINGOURCHILDRENGENEROSITY

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

FOREWORD

WhenayoungOrthodoxRabbibeganhisvisionaryworkin1983buildingbridgesofunderstandingbetweenChristiansandJews,itwasDr.PatRobertson,presidentofCBNandRegentUniversity,whowasoneofthefirstChristianleaderstostepforwardtoembraceRabbiYechielEckstein’swork.FollowingRabbiEckstein’suntimelydeathin2019,hisdaughterYaelEcksteinstoodatthehelmoftheorganizationtheRabbifounded,theInternationalFellowshipofChristiansandJews,asitsnewpresident.AnditwasDr.Robertson’sson,GordonRobertson,whosteppedforwardtoofferhissupport.Fatherandson.Fatheranddaughter.Eachrepresentsalinkinthechainoffaiththatstretchesfromgenerationtogeneration,andextendsthatlegacyoffaithbeyondtheboundariesoftimeandspaceforgenerationstocome.

Iwasprivilegedtoknowandtosupportanextraordinaryman,YechielEckstein.YechielwasanOrthodoxRabbiwhorealizedthatbuildingbridgesbetweenChristiansandJewswasaworthycenterforalifetimework.

AfterthehorrorsoftheHolocaustandtherefusalofsomeChristiangroupstointervene,therearoseintheJewishcommunityaprofoundaversiontoChristians.Yetinthemodern-dayevangelicalchurch,there

isaprofoundloveofIsraelandJewishcauses.YechielEcksteinsawbeyondtheprejudicesofhisdaytobuilda

fellowshipwhichhasbroughttensofmillionsofdollarsinrelieftobeleagueredHolocaustsurvivorsandneedyJewsinIsraelandaroundtheworldthatspringsforthfromthelovewhichevangelicalChristianshaveforIsrael.

TheworkoftheInternationalFellowshipofChristiansandJewsisindeedprofound,andIamdelightedthatYechiel’sdaughter,Yael,iscarryingontheworkofherfather.Iknowthatgoodthingsarestilltocomeinhismemoryandashislegacy.

PatRobertsonFounder/ChairmanTheChristianBroadcastingNetwork,Inc.

HaveyoueverwonderedwhyGodchoseAbraham?Genesis18:19givesustheanswer:“ForIhaveknownhim,inorderthathemaycommandhischildrenandhishouseholdafterhim,thattheykeepthewayoftheLORD,todorighteousnessandjustice,thattheLORDmaybringtoAbrahamwhatHehasspokentohim”(NKJV).The“keepingofthewayoftheLORD”isnotonlythesecrettoAbrahambeingchosen;itisalsothesecrettothesurvivalofJudaism.Evenwithoutdwellingintheirhomelandformorethan2,000years,theJewishpeoplehavesurvived.Noothernationonearthhasretainedtheircultureandtheirfaithfor4,000years.

GodistheGodofgenerations,theGodofAbraham,Isaac,andJacob,andthispatternofgenerationshasbeenrepeatedsinceAbrahamtothepresentday.ThefaithofourfathersisalegacythatrequireseachgenerationtokeepthewayoftheLord.WithintheJewishfamily,eachgenerationplaysaroleinobservanceinthehome,fromtheyoungestaskingquestionsattheseder,tothemotherlightingcandles,tothegrandfatherandfathergivingtheblessingoverthechildrenontheSabbath.Judaismisnotjustobservedinthesynagogue,itisprimarilyobservedinthehome,andeachmemberofthefamilyisaparticipant.

Intoday’sworld,weliveinaculturethatisincreasinglyintolerantofbelief,particularlybeliefinaJudeo-Christianworldview,andincommandmentstoobey.Foryears,Ihavelongedforabook,amanual,thatcouldbeusedbyChristianfamiliestotransmitalivingfaiththroughthegenerationsevenwhilelivinginahostileculture.YaelEcksteinhasgivenusthatbook.

Mayyoustudyit,mayyouadoptit,andmoreimportantly,mayyoudowhatiswrittenhere.Ifyoudo,youwillfindthataswekeepourfaith,ourfaithwillinturnkeepus.

GordonRobertsonPresidentandCEOTheChristianBroadcastingNetwork,Inc.

INTRODUCTION

Leteachgenerationtellitschildrenofyourmightyacts;letthemproclaimyourpower.—PSALM145:4,NLT

OnFebruary6,2019,mylifechangedforeverwithonephonecall.IhadjustreturnedfromafamilyvacationwhenIreceivedthenewsthatmyAbba,myfather,RabbiYechielEckstein,hadunexpectedlyandtragicallypassedawayatage67.Intheblinkofaneye,Ihadlostmyfather,mymentor,andmyrolemodel.

Inspiredbymyfather’sworkandvisioninfoundingtheInternationalFellowshipofChristiansandJews,Ihaddecidedtofollowinhisfootsteps,dedicatingmylife,ashehad,tobringingChristiansandJewstogetherandhelpingJewishpeopleinneedinIsraelandaroundtheworld.Justmonthsearlier,TheFellowship’sBoardofDirectorshadnamedmePresident-electtotakeupmyfather’smantleonceheretiredinthreeyears.Ihadbeenblessedtoworkalongsidemyfathersince2005,takinginhisvision,hisdirection,andmorerecently,takingonmoreoftheday-to-daydutiesofrunningtheorganization.However,theplanhadalwaysbeenforhimtobebymyside,guidingmethroughthetransition.Now,bereftanddevastated,Ifacedanunknownfutureonunfamiliarterrain.

Yet,inthosedifficultdaysfollowingmyfather’spassing,whatbecameincreasinglycleartomewasthathehadbeenpreparingmefor

thisverymomentmyentirelife.NotonlyhadhebeguntrainingmeforrunningthelargestnonprofithumanitarianorganizationinIsrael,moreimportantly,hehadbeeninstillinginmefrommychildhoodthefoundationalvaluesIwouldneedtonavigatethisworldandmakeitabetterplace.Myfatherhadleftmealegacyoffaith.

AsrenownedChristianpreacherBillyGrahamsaid,“Thegreatestlegacyonecanpassontoone’schildrenandgrandchildrenisnotmoneyorothermaterialthingsaccumulatedinone’slife,butratheralegacyofcharacterandfaith.”InJudaism,werefertothisasl’dorv’dor,whichliterallymeans“fromgenerationtogeneration.”Wepassdownourfaithtothenextgenerationnotjustthroughformalreligioustraining,butthroughtheholyobservances,therituals,andthetraditionsthathappenwithinthelifeofthefamily.IlearnedtheimportanceofsettingprioritiesandputtingGodfirstthroughtheweeklyobservanceofShabbat.IlearnedthevalueofaskingquestionsandseekingwisdomasmyfamilygatheredaroundthesedertableforPassover.Eachholidaythatweobservedthroughouttheyear,andeachtraditionthatwefollowed—fromthetzedakah(charity)boxwekeptinthekitchentotherecitingofblessingsbeforeandaftereverymeal—wereopportunitiesformymotherandfathertoreinforcethefundamentalvaluesofhope,gratitude,generosity,courage,faith,andforgiveness.ItisthesesamevaluesthatmyhusbandandIarenowteachingandpassingontoourfourchildren.IknowthisbroughtgreatpridetomyfatherashewatchedhisgrandchildrenbeingraisedwiththosesamevaluesandwithsomuchloveforGod.

WhenhefoundedTheFellowshipin1983,myfatherbelievedthatitwasthiscommonground,thiscommitmenttofaithandinstillingthese

fundamentalvaluesinourchildren,thatbothChristiansandJewsshared.HededicatedhislifetobuildingbridgesofunderstandingbetweenChristiansandJews.AsmoreandmoreChristiansbeganexploringtheJewishrootsoftheirfaith,hesharedwiththemhowtheapostlePaulinRomans11taughtthatChristianshavebeengraftedontothericholivetreeofIsrael.ItiswithhisvisioninmindthatIwritethisbookandinviteyoutotakethisjourneyoffaithwithme.

Inthepagesofthisbook,wewillexploreholyobservancesoftheJewishyearandthekeyvalueitreinforces,throughtheteachingsIlearnedatmyfather’sfeet,andhowmyhusbandandInowincorporatethoseteachingsintoourownfamily.Inaddition,aftereachchapter,wehaveprovidedasectionjustforyouwithinformationonhowtheobservanceismentionedintheChristianBible,alongwithquestionsandBiblestoriestodiscusswithyourfamily,andaselectionofBibleversestomemorizethatemphasizeakeyvalue.Myprayeristhatyou,too,willbeinspiredandencouragedasyoupassonyourfaithandtrainyourchildrenforlivesofgodliness.

Finally,thisbookisatributetomyfather,indeepgratitudeforhisloveandforhislegacy.Shortlybeforehepassedaway,myfathergavemehisblessinginpreparationforthedayIwouldassumethedutiesaspresident.Hesaidtomethen,“ThisistheprayerI’verecitedoveryoueveryFridaynightonShabbatsinceyouwereborn:MaytheLordblessyoulikeourmothersSarah,Rebekah,Rachel,andLeah.MaytheLordblessyouandwatchoveryou.MayHeletHislightshineuponyouandbegraciousuntoyou.MayHeliftupHiscountenanceuntoyouandgrantyoushalom,peace.Thisismyblessingtoyou,thatyourlifewithyourfamily,withyourchildren,andyourcallingbefilledwithloveand

meaning.”ThesearethewordsthatIhavecarriedinmyheartsincethatdarkest

day,andwhichhaveenabledmetocarryonmyfather’slegacyandpassitontomyownchildren.Thankyou,Abba.Iloveyoualways.

YaelEcksteinFellowshipPresident&CEO

SUKKOTTEACHINGOURCHILDRENFAITH

TrustintheLORDwithallyourheartandleannotonyourownunderstanding;

inallyourwayssubmittohim,andhewillmakeyourpathsstraight.—PROVERBS3:5–6

“ButblessedistheonewhotrustsintheLORD,whoseconfidenceisinhim.”—JEREMIAH17:7

“Faithisnotaseriesoftheoremsbutawayoflife.”—SamuelHugoBergman,(1883–1975),19th-centuryIsraeliPhilosopher

FromGod’scommandmenttoAbrahamtoleavehishomelandforalandhedidnotknowfollowingaGodthathecouldnotsee,tothenationofIsraelstandingontheshoresoftheRedSeawiththemightyEgyptianarmyattheirheels,totheprophetDanielfacingcertaindeathinthelion’sden,theTorahisfilledwithstoriesandlessonsaboutfaithinGod.InfactoneofthegreatestJewishsages,the18th-centuryRabbiElijahofVilna,taughtthattheentirepurposeoftheBibleis,“SothatyourtrustmaybeintheLORD”(Proverbs22:19).Indeed,whatisthepurposeofanyfaithcommunityifnottoinspirefaithinourheavenlyFather?

However,uponcloserexamination,itisclearthattherearedifferentlevelsoffaith.ThereisafoundationalbeliefinGod,includingtheconvictionthatHeisall-knowing,all-powerful,andall-loving.InJewishtradition,weaffirm13principlesoffaitheachday,suchasourbeliefthatGodcreatedtheworldandthebeliefthatthemessiahwillcome.Everyday,wedeclarethatwebelieveinGod’sexistenceandacknowledgeHisinvolvementintheworld.

Yet,thereisanothertypeoffaith,onewhichrequiresustotakewhatwebelieveinourheadanduniteitwithourheartsothatwelive

outourfaith.ThistypeoffaithrequiresthatwenotonlybelieveinGod,butthatwealsotrustGod—dayinanddayout,momenttomoment.Thegreat19th-centuryTorahscholarRabbiIsraelSalantersaid,“Thelongestdistancebetweentwopointsisthedistancebetweentheheadandtheheart.”Thesetwolevelsoffaith—betweenwhatwebelievewithourmindandknowinourheart—are,indeed,oftenworldsapart.BridgingthetwoispartofourlifelongservicetoGod.IntheChristianBible,theapostlePauldescribeditthisway,“Forwelivebyfaith,notbysight”(2Corinthians5:7).

Thereisawonderfulstorythatillustratesthis.Aroundthemid-1800s,amanknownastheGreatBlondinattemptedtocrossNiagaraFallsonatightrope.Fivethousandpeoplegatheredtowatch.Inthemiddleofthewalk,Blondinsuddenlystopped,back-flippedintotheair,landedontherope,andthencontinuedsafelytotheotherside.BlondinwouldcrosstheFallsmanymoretimes—onceblindfolded,oncecarryingastove,onceinchains,andonceonabicycle.

Onetime,however,heshowedupwithawheelbarrow.Blondinturnedtothecrowdandshouted,“WhobelievesthatIcancrosspushingthiswheelbarrow?”Everyhandinthecrowdwentup.Blondinpointedatoneman.“DoyoubelievethatIcandoit?”heasked.“Yes,Ibelieveyoucan,”saidtheman.“Areyousure?”saidBlondin.“Yes,”saidtheman.“Absolutelycertain?”“Yes,absolutelycertain.”“Thankyou,”saidBlondin.“Then,sir,getintothewheelbarrow.”

Anyonecanhaveabelief,buthowmanyofusarereadytostakeourlivesonwhatwebelieve?Therewillbetimesinourliveswhenourfaithwillbestrong,butourfearwillseemstronger.WewillallhavetodecideifwearewillingtostepintothewheelbarrowandtrustthatGod

willdeliverussafelyacrossthewire.InJudaism,therearetwowordsthatroughlyexpresstheideaof

faith.Oneisemunah,theotherisbitachon,andthereisaprofounddifferencebetweenthetwo.EmunahisbelievinginGodandthatHerunstheworld.Bitachonisactinginaccordancewiththatbelief.Forexample,abutcherwhobelievesthathisearningsallcomefromGodhasemunah.However,ifhepanicswhenacompetitoropensupshop,thenheislackingbitachon.BitachonmeansknowingthatonlyGoddetermineshowourliveswillunfoldandthateverythingthathappensisforthebest.

InJudaism,faithisreallyaverb;itissomethingwedo,notsomethingwehave.ItmeanslivingourlivesinawaythatiscongruentwithourbeliefinGodandourtrustinHim.EveryyeartheJewishpeoplepracticethisfaith-livingontheholidayofSukkot,theFeastofTabernacles.Forsevendays,weleavethecomfortofourhomesandgoliveoutsideinaricketyhutcalledasukkahasareminderofGod’sprovisionandprotectionforusyear-round.JustasGodhadprotectedtheIsraeliteswhiletheywanderedtheharshdesertfollowingtheExodus,Godprovidesandprotectsuswhileweliveinvulnerableconditions.

Thesedays,therearemanyoptionswhenitcomestobuildingasukkah.Therearepre-fabonesthatareaseasytoputtogether(andasfun)asLEGO®blocksandthereareeven“pop-up”versions.WhenIwasgrowingup,oursukkahwasmadeofwood,andIremembermysistersandIwatchinginaweasmyfathersingle-handedlyconstructed

it.Thiswasnoeasyfeat.First,myfatherwouldlugthewoodenpanels

fromourshedtoourpatio,alongwiththewoodenbeamsthatwouldholdthestructuretogether.Thenhewouldcarefullylineupthepiecesaccordingtothenumbershehadassignedthemtheveryfirsttimehebuiltoursukkah,sothateverythingwasinplaceandreadytobeassembled.Thefirsttwopieceswerealwaysthemostdifficult.Myfatherwouldfollowhisplancarefullyandjointwoboardsinordertoformacorner,whichonceboltedtogether,couldstandonitsownaslongastherewerenostrongwindsthatday!MyfatherworkedasquicklyashecouldtostabilizethestructurewhilemysistersandIweretheretohelpbyhandinghimthenextscreworgettinghimaglassofwater.

Itwasalwaysacelebratedaccomplishmentwhenthesukkahwasfinallycompleteandstableenoughtobedecorated.WewouldsitwithmyfatherlongafterthesunhadsetandmarvelatthestructurethatonceagainstoodinourChicagobackyard.Overthefollowingdays,asisthecustom,mysistersandIwouldhangdecorationsfromthethatchedroofandonthewallssothatbythetimetheholidaybegan,wetookgreatprideinourcombinedeffortstoproducesuchamagnificentstructure—averitablepalaceinouryoungeyes.

Oneyear,therewasapowerfulstormonthefirstnightofSukkot.Wehadfinishedourmealinthesukkahasthefirstdropsofrainbegantofall.Sleepinginthesukkahasweusuallydidwasoutofthequestion,andourfamilywenttobedinsideour“regular”homeforthenight.Inthemorning,weweredistraughttoseethatourbelovedsukkah,whichwehadworkedsohardtobuild,hadbeenblowndownbythestorm.Our

decorationswereruined,andthesukkahwasinpiecesontheground.Myfathersensedoursadnessandsaidtous,“Girls,wewillrebuildoursukkahandtherestoftheholidaywillbefine.ButIwantyoutoknowthatGodjusttaughtusaveryimportantlessonaboutlife.Wecanmakeplansandworkhard,butintheend,onlyGoddecideswhatwillhappen.Evenwhenwedon’tlikehowthingsturnout,wetrustGodthateverythingisforthebest.”

Lookingbacknow,it’scleartomethatGodallowingoursukkahtofallwasoneofthebestlifelessonsIeverreceivedbecauseitwasonthatdaythatIlearnedtotrulytrustGod—toputmyfaith(emunah)intopractice(bitachon).Ilearnedthatwhenthingsdonotgoaccordingtoplan,itdoesnotmeanthatGodisnotincontrolorthatHedoesnotloveme.IlearnedthatIdonothavetounderstandGod’swaystoknowthatHeisalwaysgood.Ilearnedthetruemeaningoftheverse,“‘Formythoughtsarenotyourthoughts,neitherareyourwaysmyways,’declarestheLORD”(Isaiah55:8).

Everyyearafterthatwhenwebuiltoursukkah,itwasnomoresturdythantheyearitblewdown,andmanytimestheChicagoweatherwasjustasbadorworse.Yet,itneverblewdownagain.Duringthoseyears,IlearnedthatwhileGodmighthaveallowedoursukkahtofallapartonce,Hecouldalsoholduptheflimsystructureagainstalloddsyearafteryear.Evenasoursukkahagedandthewoodbegantowarp,itwasnotGod’swillforittofall,andsoitstoodfordecades.

TheholidayofSukkotisacelebrationofbitachon,thatveryfaith-living

andtrustinGod.AlsoknownastheFeastofTabernaclesortheFestivalofBooths,thefestivalrecallsthe40-yearjourneythattheIsraelitestookacrossthedesertaftertheirExodusfromEgypt.Duringthattime,GodprovidedforHispeopleinanenvironmentwhereitisnearlyimpossibletosurvive.TheBibletellsusthatGodprovidedapillarofcloudduringthedayandapillaroffireatnighttoguideHispeople(Exodus13:21).Inaddition,Godprovidedmannafromtheskyforthemtoeat,atravelingwellofwaterforthemtodrink,andshelterstoliveinwhiletheycamped.OnSukkot,werememberallGod’sprovisionsforHischildren–asthepsalmistremindsus,“Forinthedayoftroublehewillkeepmesafeinhisdwelling;hewillhidemeintheshelterofhissacredtentandsetmehighuponarock”(Psalm27:5).

InLeviticus23:42–43,wearecommandedto“Liveintemporarysheltersforsevendays:Allnative-bornIsraelitesaretoliveinsuchshelterssoyourdescendantswillknowthatIhadtheIsraelitesliveintemporaryshelterswhenIbroughtthemoutofEgypt.IamtheLORDyourGod.”OnSukkot,weliveinatemporaryhut,asukkah,foranentireweektorememberhowGodcaredforandprotectedourancestorsinthedesertduringthose40years.WhenGodtooktheIsraelitesoutofEgypt,Hedidn’tjustleavethemtofendforthemselves.HeprovidedthemwithalltheirneedsonadailybasisontheirjourneytothePromisedLand.OnSukkot,weareremindedthatGodwillalsoprovideforusandthatwecantrustHiminallcircumstances—betheytimesofdeprivationandharshness,orofabundanceandjoy.

Sukkotiscelebratedinthefall,justafewdaysaftertheHighHolyDaysofRoshHashanahandYomKippur.TheJewishcustomistobegin

buildingasukkahimmediatelyafterYomKippurends.Thewallsareusuallyconstructedoutofsimplepiecesofwoodorfromcanvas,buttheroof,calledschach,mustbecreatedoutofnaturalmaterialslikebambooortreebranchesandmustbesparseenoughsothatthestarscanbeseenfrominsidethestructure.Allyearlong,whenwelookupinourhomes,weseethesturdyceilingandroofasthesourceofourprotection.ButonSukkot,withinoursukkah,welookupandseetheheavens,andknowthatourSaviorandProtectorisGod.

Duringthisholiday,weeat,sleep,andspendasmuchtimeaswecaninsidetheholysukkah.Wetrytomakeitresembleahomeasmuchaspossible,andweareencouragedtodecorateitbeautifully.SinceSukkottakesplaceduringtheharvestseason—itoriginallymarkedtheingatheringofthefallharvestasathanksgivingfestival—manypeopledecoratethesukkahwithhangingfruits(realorfaux)ofthesevenspeciesofthelandofIsrael,suchaspomegranates,grapes,andfigs.

Interestingly,althoughSukkotisprobablyoneofthelesserknownoftheJewishholidays,itisdescribedintheBibleasaholidayforallnationsinthemessianicera.ThebookofZechariahtellsusthat“thesurvivorsfromallthenations…willgoupyearafteryeartoworshiptheKing,theLORDAlmighty,andtocelebratetheFestivalofTabernacles”(14:16).Sukkothasuniversalandeternalsignificanceforpeopleofallfaith;aswereadinthebookofZechariahinsynagogue,“TheLORDwillbekingoverthewholeearth.OnthatdaytherewillbeoneLORD,andhisnametheonlyname”(14:9).

WhenweunderstandthatSukkotcommemoratesGod’sprovidenceinthedesertfollowingtheExodusfromEgypt(recalledonPassover,whichoccursinthespring),animportantquestionarises:Whyisn’tSukkotcelebratedinthespringtime,thesameseasonwhenitseventsoriginallytookplace?

AccordingtoJewishtradition,SukkotiscelebratedinautumnsothatwecanexperienceGod’sprovidencewhileexposedtotheelements,justastheancientIsraelitesexperiencedHisshelterandprotectionwhileexposedtothedangersofthedesert.Autumnushersinthetimewhenmostpeoplemovefromoutdoorstoinside.Theweathergetscooler,andinIsrael,therainyseasonbegins.However,insteadoftakingshelterinsideourhomes,underoursturdyroofs,itispreciselyinthisvulnerableenvironmentthatwemoveoutsideintoourrickety,unstablesukkah.SukkottestsourwillingnesstosacrificeourcomfortandconvenienceforthesakeofobedienceandtrustinGodandHisword.

Theroofofasukkahhastoprovidemoreshadethansun,butasmentionedpreviously,itmustalsobesparseenoughtoseetheskyandletinrain.Wewanttobeexposed.WewanttohavetheexperienceofcompletelyrelyingonGodwhenwecouldperhapsmoreeasilyrelyuponourmanmadehomesandourselves.OnSukkot,wechoosevulnerability.WerelishtheopportunitytolivebythegraceofGod.Andforthisactoffaith,theprophetJeremiahdeclared,theJewishpeoplemeriteddivineloving-kindness:“Irememberthedevotionofyouryouth,you…followedmethroughthewilderness,throughalandnotsown”(2:2).

Intruth,wealwayslivebythegraceofGod.Thedifferenceisthatallyearlongwecreatetheillusionthatweareincontrolofourdestiny.

Weliveinourbigstronghomesprotectedbylocksandalarms.Manyofusenjoyclimate-controlledhousesthatprovideuswithcomfortintheheatandthecold,andimmunityfromtheweather.However,oncewestepintothesukkah,werealizethatwearenolongerincontrol.Oursukkahisintendedtobeametaphorforlife,remindingusthatinspiteofallthescientificandtechnologicalsuccessthatGodhasallowedus,weneverhavebeen—noreverwillbe—inchargeofourdestiny.OnlyGodholdsthereinsoftheworld—weliveordiebyHiswillalone.

IntheJewishOralTradition,thesukkahisreferredtoasa“shelteroffaith.”Housesrestuponstrongphysicalfoundationsandrelyuponhumanability.Asukkah,incontrast,restsonfaithaloneandreliessolelyonGodtoprotectthestructureandthepeoplewithinit.Whenweareinthesukkah,wearesittinginthe“shadowoffaith,”andthewallsofthestructureareconsideredadivineembrace.

Sukkotisalsoknownasthe“timeofourjoy,”basedontheBibleversethatinstructsus,“CelebratetheFestivalofTabernacles…Bejoyfulatyourfestival”(Deuteronomy16:13–14).ThereisnogreaterjoyinlifethanhavingcompletetrustinGod,knowingthateverythingwas,is,andalwayswillbeexactlyasitshouldbe—divinelyordained,perfect,andforourverybest.

Sukkotisdefinitelyoneofthemostjoyfulweeksoftheyearforourfamily.TheexcitementbeginsthemomentthesunsetsonYomKippur.Afterbreakingourfastatafamilymeal,weheadintoouryardandbeginconstructingoursukkah.Thesoundofnailsbeinghammeredintowood

fillstheneighborhood,mixedwiththesoundofchildren’slaughter.Onceoursukkahisstanding,ourchildrenbegintodecorateit,just

asmysistersandIusedtodo.Theybringhomeschoolprojectstohangonthewallsofthesukkahandmakepaperchainsoutofcolorfulstripsofpapertodrapefromtheceiling.Astheholidaygetscloser,theschachgoesup,whichinIsraelisusuallycomprisedoflargepalmfrondsthatareconvenientlydeliveredtoourhome.

OnceSukkotbegins,ourfamilymovesintothesukkah.Thereweeat,entertainfamilyandfriends,playmusic,sing,andenjoyeachother’scompany.Atnight,wedragoutmattressesandlayoutsleepingbagssothatwecanallsleepunderthestars.Weknowitmightrain,andsometimesitdoes.Weknowacatmaysneakin,andsometimesonedoes.Weknowwemaygetmosquitobitesandthatthereisnoalarmsystemattachedtothesukkahdoor.Nevertheless,weknowthatGodiswatchingoverus,andwegotosleepfeelinghappy,loved,andsecure.

LivinginIsraelisinmanywayslikelivinginasukkahallyearround.Weknowthatwearesurroundedbyenemiesonallsides.Weknowthatthenextterrorattackcanhappenatanytime,anywhere.Mychildrenhavelivedthroughwars,heardthepiercingairraidsirens,andexperiencedrunningtoabombshelter.WehavehadmanytalksaboutfaithinGodduringthesetimes.

Atthesametime,weareallveryawarethatweliveinthelandwhere,“theeyesoftheLORDyourGodarecontinuallyonitfromthebeginningoftheyeartoitsend”(Deuteronomy11:12).WeknowthatHewhoguardsIsraelneitherslumbersnorsleeps(Psalm121:4).WehaveexperiencedGod’sprovidenceandseenHismiracles—wespeak

aboutthemtoourchildren,reflectuponthem,andmakesurethatnothinggoesunnoticed.

Fromtheveryoutset,thelandofIsraelhasbeenalandthatrequiresfaithinordertolive.Eveninbiblicaltimes,itwasevidentthatrainintheHolyLandwasnotagiven,andconsequently,sustenancewasmostobviouslydependentuponGod.Itwassomethingthathadtobeprayedfor.Today,wejokethatGodgavethenationofIsraeltheonlysliveroflandintheentireMiddleEastwithoutoil!Andyet,GodknewexactlywhatHewasdoingwhenHegiftedusthislandthatislowinnaturalresourcesbutoverflowinginHisspirit.IntheJewishtradition,Israelisknownasthelandoffaith,becauseitisonlythroughfaithandtrustinGodthatonecanliveintheland,buildhouses,andplanforthefuture.

PerhapsthereisnogreatertraininggroundinfaiththanthelandofIsrael,andIamsogratefulthatmychildrenexperiencethateverydayoftheirlives.TheyhavelearnedtotrustGodforprotection.TheyliveeverydayknowingthattheyaretheculminationofGod’spromisesandbiblicalprophecy.Theywitnessprophecycometofruitioninthestreetswheretheywalk,thepeopletheymeet,thefreedomtheyenjoy,andtheproduceofthelandtheyfeastupon.

Likethesukkah,sometimestheraingetsin—sometimeslifedoesn’tgothewaywewouldlike.ThereareplentyoftimeswhenlifeinIsraelischallengingandscary.Yet,justasthesukkahalsoletsinthesunandprovidesamagnificentviewoftheresplendentstarrynights,itishereintheHolyLandthatwecanseeGod’smajesty,experienceHisglory,andfeelHisunendingloveandprotection.

KingDavid,themasteroftrustingGod,wrote,“WhenIsaid,‘My

footisslipping,’yourunfailinglove,LORD,supportedme.Whenanxietywasgreatwithinme,yourconsolationbroughtmejoy”(Psalm94:18–19).AsJesustaughthisdisciplesinhisgreatSermonontheMount,“ThereforeItellyou,donotworryaboutyourlife,whatyouwilleatordrink;oraboutyourbody,whatyouwillwear.Isnotlifemorethanfood,andthebodymorethanclothes?Lookatthebirdsoftheair;theydonotsoworreaporstoreawayinbarns,andyetyourheavenlyFatherfeedsthem.Areyounotmuchmorevaluablethanthey?”(Matthew6:25–26).MaywealllearntoliveoutourfaithinGodeachandeveryday,trustingHimwithourverylives,knowingthatHealoneis“myrock,myfortress,andmydeliverer”(Psalm18:2).

SUKKOTINTHENEWTESTAMENT

AsoneofthethreegreatpilgrimagefestivalstheJewishpeoplewerecommandedtoobserve,Sukkot,ortheFestivalofTabernacles,certainlywouldhavebeenobservedbyJesus.InJohn7,wereadaboutJesusgoingtotheFestivalofTabernaclesinsecretbecausethereligiousleaderswerealreadywatchingforhim(v.11).Duringtheweeklongfestival,JesusspentmuchtimeintheTemple,teachingthecrowdsandcausingdissentamongthosewhobelievedhewasaprophet(v.40),thosewhobelievedhewasthemessiah(v.41),andthosewhobelievedhewasafraud(vv.44–52).ItwasonthefinaldayofSukkotthatJesustaught,“Letanyonewhoisthirstycometomeanddrink.Whoeverbelievesinme,asScripturehassaid,riversoflivingwaterwillflowfromwithinthem”(John7:37–38).Thereferenceto“livingwater”echoestheverytermusedinZechariah14:8thatdescribestheculminationoftheyearlypilgrimageofGentilestoJerusalemonSukkotduringmessianictimes.

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FAMILYTIME—TEACHINGOURCHILDRENFAITH

Discusswithyourfamilywhatitmeanstohavefaithinsomeoneorsomething.Howisthatkindoffaithdifferent(orsimilar)tohavingfaithinGod?

ReadthestoryofthefourmenwhobroughttheirparalyzedfriendtoJesusforhealinginMark2:1–12.Howdidthefourmendemonstratetheirfaith?HowdidJesusrespond?Whatdoesthisstorytellusabouttheimportanceoffaith?

TheauthorofHebrewswrote,“Nowfaithisconfidenceinwhatwehopeforandassuranceaboutwhatwedonotsee”(Hebrews11:1).ReadsomeoftheexamplesofgreatfaithdescribedinChapter11;discusshoweachdemonstratedthisdefinitionoffaith.

ForParentsYaelwrote,“IntheJewishOralTradition,thesukkahisreferredtoasa‘shelteroffaith.’Housesrestuponstrongphysicalfoundationsandrelyuponhumanability.Asukkah,incontrast,restsonfaithaloneandreliessolelyonGodtoprotectthestructureandthepeoplewithinit.”Whatcanyoudotohelpyourfamilybuildtheirown“shelteroffaith”andtrustsolelyinGodforguidanceandprotection?

MEMORYVERSES

Selectoneoftheversesbelowforyouandyourfamilytomemorizeonlivingwithfaith.

Thosewhoknowyournametrustinyou,foryou,LORD,haveneverforsakenthosewhoseekyou.—PSALM9:10

TrustintheLORDwithallyourheartandleannotonyourownunderstanding;

inallyourwayssubmittohim,andhewillmakeyourpathsstraight.—PROVERBS3:5–6

“ButblessedistheonewhotrustsintheLORD,whoseconfidenceisinhim.”—JEREMIAH17:7

Forwelivebyfaith,notbysight.—2CORINTHIANS5:7

AndwithoutfaithitisimpossibletopleaseGod,becauseanyonewhocomestohimmustbelievethatheexistsandthatherewardsthosewhoearnestlyseekhim.—HEBREWS11:6

ABOUTTHEAUTHOR

YaelEcksteinisPresidentandCEOoftheInternationalFellowshipofChristiansandJews,thelargestcharitableorganizationinIsraelandthelargestChristian-supportedhumanitarianorganizationhelpingIsraelandtheJewishpeople.TheFellowshipraisesmorethan$127millionannually,helping1.5millionJewsinneedinIsraelandaroundtheworld.

Yaelleadsallministryprogramsandservesastheinternationalenvoyandon-airadvocate,givinghertheraredistinctionofbeinga

womanleadingoneoftheworld’slargestreligiouscharities.SherecentlywasnamedbyaleadingJewishpublicationasoneofthe“top100individualswhohavepositivelyinfluencedJewishlife”forherworkas“theworld’sleadingJewishinterfaithactivist.”

Priortoherpresentduties,YaelservedasGlobalExecutiveVicePresident,SeniorVicePresident,andDirectorofProgramDevelopmentandMinistryOutreach.Yaelwastrainedforleadershipforover16yearsbyherfather,RabbiYechielEckstein,whofoundedTheFellowshipin1983byreachingouttoChristiansandbuildingbridgesoftrustandmutualeffortbasedontheirsharedloveoftheBibleandsupportforIsraelandtheJewishpeople.

Yael’swritingshaveappearedinavarietyofrespectedpublications,includingTheJerusalemPost,FoxNews,TheChristianPost,andTheTimesofIsrael.Sheistheauthoroftwobooks:HolyLandReflections:ACollectionofInspirationalInsightsfromIsrael,andSpiritualCookingwithYael.Inaddition,herinsightsintolifeinIsrael,theJewishfaith,andJewish-ChristianrelationscanbeheardonTheFellowship’sradioprogramHolyLandMoments,whichairsfivetimesaweekonnearly1,000stationsintheU.S.,Canada,andbeyond.

BorninChicagoandnowaproudcitizenofIsrael,Yaelandherhusband,Amichai,aretheproudparentsofMeyora,Liam,Sapir,andShimmy,towhomtheyareimpartingthelegacyoffaith.