I wanted to write a bit about the Shabbot (Sabbath)
last night. When Sabbath started here on
Friday evening, everything shuts down. No cars or busses during these 24 hours, no shops open (except in the
Arab Quarter). In our hotel, a room was
given over to a synagogue, which was filled with loud singing! Joyful singing of prayers.
When we went to the Wall later in the
evening (following the tradition to go to the wall as soon as you can when
coming to Jerusalem), there were many Jewish families coming back up the
alleys. They looked happy and at ease
with life and wonderful. They were
dressed for Shabbot, with white shirts and black pants and skirts and men in
black hats and ties and some with black coats. The children and women looked beautiful. The men and the women had a dignity.
Then we got to the Wall, and went down
through the guarded gate (like an airport) into the large stone courtyard. People were leaving by this time, but many
remained. We were allowed to go to the
Wall and pray, after a bit of instruction (reverence, wear a paper skullcap, be
free to pray as you wish, ok to insert a paper prayer in the Wall, when done
back up to leave, don't turn your back on the Wall) I went forward for a few
minutes of prayer. One man questioned me
as I cam forward, very friendly, asked where I was from and we chatted about
Pittsburgh and the Pirates! - 'Are you Jewish?' 'No, a Christian pastor, and a friend of Israel' 'You are welcome here.'
It was very moving. On the way back up to
Christ Church, we went by a couple of Sabbath dinners, large celebrations,
lengthy meals, all food prepared beforehand. This morning there were more
synagogue services, filled with men at prayer, and special meals. The presence of many, many men is very noticeable. Everywhere they lead their families.
I found myself jealous, jealous for the loss
of culture that supports our faith and the gospel, jealous for a sane and godly
and joyous way to raise children, jealous for the rhythms of life that speak
Life, give Life, celebrate the Life that is real Life. Instead we slough through (and too often
contribute to) a culture that degrades life and withers the trees and vineyards
of the Lord. Recovering a godly culture
- wasn't that one of Wilberforce's two great life callings - the abolition of
slavery and ‘The Reformation of Manners'? It needs to be done again.
It is now Saturday AM and the synagogue here
in the hotel is again at song. We work
behind a closed door so as not to offend those celebrating Sabbath.
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