During the High Holiday season I (Shosh) and a co-worker, Rebekah went Avenue J in Brooklyn. As you can see this is a Hassidic/Orthodox Community. I (Shosh) am praying God will give ministry opportunity to these women.
This was on was the day before the celebration of Sukkot. The Feast of Booths. Here is one of many tables that lined the streets of Avenue J. The Religious raise money by selling the "4 Species" which includes the Palm, Etrog (Special Citrus) the Willow and the Myrtle branches. Which are used in the religious ceremony of Sukkot. You can learn more about this tradition at: http://www.jewfaq.org/holiday5.htm The prices were very reasonable. $25 for the set. Much cheaper than we paid in Charleston where the average was about $100.00
In the first photo an Orthodox man explained to Shosh how to tell if a Lulav (palm) was good or not. He indicated it should be "perfect" no splits in the palm. It was no easy task finding one that suited this gentleman. In the next Photo we see another Orthodox man examining the Myrtle for perfection.
This preparation for Sukkot is a stark reminder of the words of the Jewish prophet Isaiah who wrote in Chapter 1:14
"Your New Moon festivals and your appointed feasts my soul hates. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them."
Please continue to pray for the Salvation of the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel. And that we will be effective communicators of the Gospel Message.
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