3 Pilgrimage Feasts SF.513

THREE PILGRIMAGE FEASTS

Ref. 513

BIBLE READING - Lev. 23.

INTRODUCTION.

Unlike many of the heathen festivals, the festivals of Israel were never intended to be occasions of mere revelry, but were intended to draw people closer to God.  The WAY TO God was by Sacrifice.

The WALK WITH God was through the Feasts.

1. Passover

Preparation

     a. Kaydesh                     b. Oorchatz

     c. Karpas                       d. Yachatz

     e. Magid                        f. Rachatzah

i.     Psalm 113   

ii.   Ceremony of Plagues  

iii. Story

     g. Motzee                      h. Matzah

     i. Maror                         j. Koraych

     k. Shulchan Oraych       l. Tzaphoon

     m. Baraych                    n. Hallel

o. Nirtzah

2. Shavuot

a.  Called-Harvest, First Fruits, Giving of Law, Atzeret.

b.  Megillah - Ruth.

c.  Bikkurim - Wheat, Barley, Grapes, Figs, Pomegranates,  Date Honey, Olive Oil.

d.  Procession - Fruit, Doves (Burnt), Flute Players, Ox, Temple Officers, Artisans Greeting, Levitical Choir,   Doves offered, Fruits presented, Pilgrims prostrate.  Stalls and Teaching (eg. Gods Voice)

e.  Today - Omer, Ketuba, Greenery, Introduction to Cheder, Yahrzeit Candles. Modern Shavuot Sculpture -   Man with plough and Torah.

f.   Culinary Art - Blintzes, Three cornered Kreplach, Siete Cielos (Seven layer cake), Sinai loaf, Tripoli   Wafers. Milk Products, Fruit. Porridge Matzah with     Milk  and Honey. Long loaf.

3. Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). 15th. Tishri.

a.  Agricultural in origin - different to Canaanite Festival which was obscene.

b.  The Succah - Mitzvah to commence building on evening that `Yom Kippur’ ends. Temporary Residence -   teaches,

(i)            Transitoriness of life 

(ii)           Reliance on wealth a fantasy.  

(iii)          Reliance on God 

(iv)         Equality of man. 

(v)          Combines spiritual and physical.

c.  Four Species (Lulav) Palm, Myrtle, Willow and Etrog.

d.  In the Synagogue - Ark opened, Striking willow,  Simchat Torah.

e.  In Temple. Sacrifice 70 animals. Water libation, Light, Levitical Choir - Song of Ascents Ps.120 - 134.