God Took Over
God Took Over
During the week following Pentecost, I led a study tour for pastors to Israel, as I have been privileged to do for a number of years. On Tuesday, at the […]
Rev Kees de Vreugd
Shavuot—Festival of Weeks
Shavuot—Festival of Weeks
Seven weeks are counted starting from Pesach (Passover), according to the Biblical commandment (Leviticus 23:15). On the fiftieth day, it …
The Passover Lamb
The Passover Lamb
It plays an important role in the story of the exodus and is one of the first commandments given to …
Freed to Serve – Passover: Festival of a Twofold Liberation
Freed to Serve – Passover: Festival of a Twofold Liberation
When Passover is introduced in the Bible, God tells the Israelites: “On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and …
Feasts of Autumn: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot
Feasts of Autumn: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot
Israel has three special celebration times in the autumn: New Year, the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) and the Feast …
Bread – Signs of the Faith
Bread – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects, procedures and concepts that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Bread—isn’t that …
Sabbath Candles – Signs of the Faith
Sabbath Candles – Signs of the Faith
It is Friday evening. Night falls, and the working week is completed. Eighteen minutes before Shabbat begins, Jewish girls and …
Washing Hands – Signs of the Faith
Washing Hands – Signs of the Faith
Washing your hands before eating or when you have been to the toilet—it is simply a matter of hygiene and …
Simchat Torah – The Joy of the Torah
Simchat Torah – The Joy of the Torah
‘Seven days is the feast of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles. On the eighth day, the Bible tells us, there …
Lulav – Signs of the Faith
Lulav – Signs of the Faith
We find a remarkable precept for the Feast of Tabernacles in Leviticus 23:40: “Now on the first day you shall …
From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
From Rosh Hashanah to Yom Kippur
The festival of Rosh Hashanah—the name means ‘Head of the Year’—is observed for two days beginning on 1 Tishrei, the …
9th of Av: Mourning the Destruction of the Temple
9th of Av: Mourning the Destruction of the Temple
In the second half of the first century, the Jews in the land of Israel rebelled against Roman rule. But …
Seder Plate – Signs of the Faith
Seder Plate – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects, procedures and concepts that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Many of …
Megillat Esther – Signs of the Faith
Megillat Esther – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects, procedures and concepts that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Megillat Esther …
Tzitzit – Signs of the Faith
Tzitzit – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects, procedures and concepts that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Every pious …
The Sukkah – Signs of the Faith
The Sukkah – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Four walls and a thin …
Shofar – Signs of the Faith
Shofar – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. Everyone knows the shofar, the …
Kiddush Cup – Signs of the Faith
Kiddush Cup – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. On Friday evening at the …
Matzah – Signs of the Faith
Matzah – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. The matzah will be familiar …
Mikveh – Signs of the Faith
Mikveh – Signs of the Faith
In this series, ‘Signs of Faith’, objects that express Jewish faith are explained and discussed. What does a Jewish community …
