Pesach

COMING UP....

The next holiday on the calender is Pesach and Chag HaMatzot!

Pesach is a celebration of our great deliverance from the brutal slavery we endured in the land of Egypt.

Pesach in it's common usage generally includes Chag HaMatzot but technically Pesach is more of a point in time rather than a day. Pesach is the time when the plague went through Egypt and "passed over" the blood on our doorposts. Chag HaMatzot overlaps Pesach as it begins at sunset on the 14th of Nisan. 

HaShem gave the instructions this way in Vayikra/Leviticus 23:5,6

"In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at dusk, is the LORD'S passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread."

We are also instructed in Shemot/Exodus that we are to remove "all Chametz(commonly translated: "leaven") out of your houses; for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel." Shemot/Exodus 12:15

A month before (or after Purim is a good marker) many people cease from buying chametz products so they can start to finish up the ones in the home. A thorough clean of the house ensues in the month leading up to the feast to purge all areas of the home of the chametz. Hmm....did you ever wonder where "Spring Cleaning" came from?


The basic Pesach activities are:
 - Purging the house of chametz prior to the Feast
 - The Sedar meal on the 14th of Nisan at evening in which we eat the matzah, bitter herbs ( to commemorate the bitter bondage in Egypt), drink four cups of wine or grape juice (cup of sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and praise) representing the four "I wills" of HaShem (I will bring you out, I will redeem you, I will deliver you, and I will take you to Myself for a people) in ShemotExodus 6:6,7, and reading through the Haggadah (lit. telling) of history of the exodus from Egypt.

 - Feasting and rejoicing in the miracles that HaShem has done on our behalf
- And last but certainly not least, remembering the great deeds of our Mashiach Yeshua and the great salvation He has wrought on our behalf

Chag HaMatzot

- The first and last days are to be holy convocations:

 "And in the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you." Shemot/Exodus 12:16

- Eating bread without chametz/unleavened bread

- Remembering what the L-rd did for us in Egypt

*It is very difficult to touch on everything! This is only meant to be a quick summary on the holiday.

Chaunkkah Banner

Chaunkkah Banner

 This week I hosted a few of the teen girls from my congregation for a Chanukkah decoration making party. At first none of us felt too "inspired" or creative but everyone managed to leave with some pretty nifty things in the end. 

Some of us attempted 3-d paper dreidels but soon discovered how time consuming they are and moved on to other things :). After I had finished 4 of them(displayed in 1st and last photos on the Chanukkah Up-cycle post) myself I started the banner pictured above. I didn't get it finished(due to the time invested in paper deideling) but got it finished up and hung during the next couple days. 

I scored some alphabet stencils at the dollar store a couple weeks ago which came in handy with this(I don't like doing letters free hand). We also still had my Aunt's "Cuttlebug" paper embosser on loan which was a total bonus! So after cutting out my card stock stars and dreidels I ran them through that to give them a little texture. 

Once the paper is textured like this a little silver and blue paint carefully rubbed on the edges via make-up sponge gives a great antiquey look.

I mounted each shape on silver glittery paper with hot glue and punched an eyelet through the top to make the hole. Added a small bit of ribbon to each letter and then threaded it on to a short length of silver tulle.

 

Chanukkah Up-cycle

This past week I tackled my stemware Chanukkiah and I have to say I am more than  pleased with the outcome. This is really inexpensive to make because all thrift stores have an overwhelming amount of mismatching stemware for cheap!

To do this you need:

9 pieces of steamware

enamel/glass paint

make-up sponges

electricians tape

Use the electric tape to tape off stripes or other designs on your glasses. 

I started out measuring from the rim down to make sure I had the stripe straight but eventually found it easier [and just as effective] to pull the tape taunt and just "eye ball it" as I turned the glass. 

My paint was on the relatively thick side as well so I found it worked well to prime my sponge first by getting it wet and squeeze it out before dipping in the paint. This opened the pores of the sponge and helped thin the paint. 

Sponge over the area you want to paint until you're happy with the results and carefully peel back the tape.

Cut out shapes from a strip of tape and paint over them for this effect.

A word about glass paint...

Some paint requires baking for a period of time in a 350 degree oven...mine says bake or let dry 21 days. For this project I am opting for the air dry because I have no idea of the quality of the glass in question and whether it would be able to take the heat or not.I am planning on finishing all the glasses with my Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic sealer to further protect the paint finish, since no one is going to be drinking out of any of them that won't be a problem.

**I know in the finished photo I have the tea lights in the bottom of the glass but when it comes time to actually light them I plan on using some kind of filler(Epson salts, pebbles etc.) so they are not so far down inside the glass. This will prevent the unsightly black flame rings and keep the glass from getting to hot.

Thanks to www.creativejewishmom.com for giving me this idea http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/03/fit-for-royalty-paint-stunning-wine-glasses-for-pesach.html

Today...

Today was my sister and brother's birthday. 

Today I cleaned for a woman who's husband suffered a stroke a month ago. 

Today I hung more posters with my dog's picture on them. 

Today I witnessed the strength of a family, who by G-d's grace, is able to count their blessings mere days after the loss of their 18 year old daughter and sister. 

Today I laughed...

Today I cried....

Today I received a tremendous blessing. 

Today I fought worry

Today I found solace in the smiles and giggles of my sweet nephew. 

Today I was inspired by the legacy and wisdom left behind by a young woman who I did not have the opportunity to meet...at least not yet

Today reminded me of my blessings

Today stretched me both directions...leaving marks for tomorrow

"...in my younger days I pictured my life going along like scenes of a play. When things didn't go the way I planned I felt like a failure. As I trusted in God, knowing HE has known my path all along, I am excited about my future. Whatever comes my way, As I follow the Lord, I know that HE will give me more than I could've ever known." - Julia Weverink

Tears for a Stranger

Today the sun shone...but it had no effect on my mood...how could it? If it had been my sister I had lost would I be rejoicing over the reappearance of sunshine and the fleeting of rain clouds? Would that be enough to dull the pain in my heart?...Hardly...on the contrary in fact, it would be difficult not to curse the outside world for it's trite display of cheerfulness when one's heart was breaking.

Within a matter of minutes her life was gone. A life that was given little hope to win the battle that lay claim to her future but somehow managed to remain vibrate and joyful in spite of her struggle.......a life, however, that we are unsure if we'll meet again....Perhaps this is why the loss hangs so heavy on us? The reality of a life without an eternal Savior, the thought of a spark of light extinguished forever. We don't know, we are not positive, yes we are afraid of speaking the unspeakable.

The tears run hot, tears shed for a life but perhaps also a soul....because we just don't know, cause "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"....I just pray her thirst was quenched before she was taken away.

The L-rd heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds

I come dwelling in sukkot...

 So for whatever reason I always miss doing my holiday spiel on Sukkot! I guess because it is always such a busy holiday :)

This year was the first in many years we have actually been able to start sukkah construction the day after Yom Kippur! And if that wasn't good enough we had our frame still standing from last year...although that didn't keep us from being creative this year and adding a few modifications. It all started with using greenhouse poly instead of tarps on the walls and ended with framing in doors on either end of the sukkah (hey yo! My idea!! mmhmm) :) It never ceases to surprise how one can hang on to any remnant of perfectionism whilst using *free* materials......but on the bright side, there is never a question as to which is the crown side of the lumber :P.

No matter how elaborate the sukkah though, it still pails in comparison to the shelter and comfort of a house, which reminded me of the passage in Philippians 2 where, speaking of our Saviour, it says:

" He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." -Philippians 2: 7,8

HaShem came and dwelt with us in the wilderness, covering us with his clouds of glory, He humbled himself to abide in an earthly sukkah(temporary dwelling) all for the sake of His people which he loves (John 3:16)...it's mind bending, it is incomprehensible, it's amazing and it always will be.

There is so much more packed into the feast but time does not allow me to dive into it so with that quick thought I will say Chag Sukkot sameach!
See you round the sukkah.

Yom Kippur

COMING UP....

Rosh Hashanah is now behind us...and what a lovely time it was! A time of remembering and reflecting... recognizing G-d as our Creator, King and Savior! Now as we are entering the 10 days of awe(10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), we are looking ahead to Yom Kippur(The Day of Atonement)

"Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the L-RD.
And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the L-RD your God.  

For whoever is not afflicted on that very day shall be cut off from his people. 

And whoever does any work on that very day, that person I will destroy from among his people.  

You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. 

It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath."  Vayikra/Leviticus 2:27-32

I struggle to put Yom Kippur into words, partly because it is such a deep and holy day, and partly I think because it is so misunderstood.

Misunderstood I think because we have lost a sincere fear of HaShem and so just thinking of standing before Him in total brokenness, calling upon His Name (character and promise = merciful, long-suffering, slow to anger etc.) and pleading with Him to remember no more our transgressions and to forgive our iniquities, seems like a terrible thing to our white washed, feel good, "G-d is my buddy" mindset.

Well G-d isn't our "buddy", He is a holy and awesome Elohim. He has absolutely no reason to extend mercy or forgiveness to us. However He, in His abundant mercy, promises that if we humble ourselves and "shuv", turn, to Him and confess our iniquities He will be faithful and just to forgive us.

Yom Kippur is often called the "holiest day of the year" and how true as the restoration of our relationship with HaShem is the most holy thing we could ever desire!

May we all seek to have this Yom Kippur be a day to be cleansed anew, purged and restored to be vessels set apart for holy use...not only individually but corporately....Knowing that while we may come before the King broken and remorseful for our errors and rebellion He is no less Just in His mercy...aka something has to give for us to have life...the One who demands payment became the payment Himself....fully Just, fully Merciful. It's truly only by His grace that we even have the opportunity to come before him in repentance.

May the Holy One speedily bring us all to true repentance and hasten the return of Mashiach, speedily and in our days!

May you have an easy fast!

The Fast of all Fasts - what it looks like

Yom Kippur is what is called a "hard" fast. Unlike the "easy" fasts, of the 10th of Tevet and others, it is a full 24hrs(sundown to sundown) instead of only 12(sun up to sun down). Neither food or water is consumed, bathing for pleasure is avoided, and wearing leather products*. The book of Jonah is traditionally read, and much of the day is spent in prayer.

It is customary to wear white on Yom Kippur to remind us that though our sins be as scarlet we shall be made white as snow:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the L-rd: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

The fast is broken at sundown and traditionally the shofar is blown to signify the end of the fast, after the shofar is blown the entire mood of the day switches from solemnity to joy! In complete faith that G-d has heard our cry, seen our tears, and will be faithful and just to His promise to hear the cry of those that call upon Him:

The L-RD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The L-RD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145: 17-19

Fast Exceptions

Life always trumps everything so those who's health would be threatened by going without food or water(and by health I don't mean "comfort" I mean it would be unsafe to do so) are always exempt from the obligation to fast. Others who wouldn't be obligated(in fact not permitted!) to the full fast are: pregnant women who are very near their delivery date(or just given birth) and children under nine years.

Older children and women from the third to seventh day after childbirth and nursing mothers are permitted to fast but may break it at any time if they feel they need to. If one has a question whether doing a hard fast could be detrimental to their health(if you have an chronic illness, nursing etc) it is recommended they consult with their physician prior to the fast. 

For those unable to due a full fast for any of the above reasons, many choose to do a veggie fast or cracker fast...basically do what you can do...just because you can't go without food and water for 24hrs doesn't mean you have to have a extravagant three meals plus snacks on the day. Your doctor should be able to give you some advice on this too.

*Leather is considered to be a material of comfort or affluence, on a day where we are called to humble/afflict our souls it hardly seems like the appropriate material. In like manner one doesn't bath for pleasure for the same reason, we are humbling ourselves and so engaging in a self satisfying hot bath might make you loose your focus.