Sukkot - The Feast of Tabernacles

         The options for attending the Feast of Tabernacles are greatly increasing. The following is only a partial list of Festival sites available. A more complete list can be found in the latest issue of Servant’s News, P0 Box 220, Charlotte, MI 48813-0220, phone: 517-543-5544.
         The sites listed below are those which are designated Non-Aligned. They are Festivals that are a result of cooperative efforts between multiple groups. Many other Festival sites are being sponsored by single organizations. Space does not permit a full listing.

Sis-Q-Meadows, Ore.
         John Beattie
         P0 Box 1472
         Rogue River, OR 97537
         541-855-7220

Sun River, Ore.
         Al Murrey
         210 NW 14th
         Pendleton, OR 97801
         541-276-1400

Victoria, British Columbia
         Fred McGovarin
         RR 2
         Hastings, Ontario KOL 1YO
         705-696-3111

Lake Tahoe, Calif.
         Norman Brumm
         510 Gillespie St.
         Locust Grove, OK 74352
         918-479-8111

Grand Lake of the Cherokees, Okla.
         Norman Edwards
         501-872-1003

Snowshoe, W. Virginia
         Jim Rector
         3802 Olive Street
         Texarkana, TX 75503
         903-792-1352

Panama City, Florida
         David Owen
         4213 Owen Rd
         Dalton, GA 39729
         706-277-3433

Panama City Beach, Florida
         Charles Kimbrough
         P0 Box 547
         Crystal River, FL 34423
         352-382-0877

~ The Red Moon ~

         There will be a full eclipse of the moon which will occur at the beginning of the Feast of Tabernacles. It will take place during the night portion of 14 Tishri (according to the traditional Jewish calendar) and will be visible throughout all of North America except for extreme western Alaska and Hawaii.
         According to the 1996 Old Farmer's Almanac; "As the Moon darkens, Saturn brightens dramatically nearby."
         Last spring, at the beginning of the Days of Unleavened Bread there was another full eclipse, which resulted in a red moon, (see Hebrew Roots; Issue 96-2) that was visible in Jerusalem. It seems significant that this year, two total eclipses of the Moon were visible at the very beginning of the two major pilgrimage Festivals. This is indeed an unusual occurrence.

~ Psalm 81:3 ~

         A subscriber to Hebrew Roots called the other day and in the course of our conversation he questioned our use of the verse, Psalm 81:3, as quoted from the King James Version (KJV). This refers to the blowing of the shofar on the new moon. He told us that all other versions translate that verse as "full moon." Since we used it in the context of Rosh HaShanah, it is important that the scripture be clarified.
         After a thorough examination of this scripture, it must be determined that we are both somewhat right and both somewhat wrong.
         There are two Hebrew words that apply to the moon. Strong's #2320 is chodesh (ho-dehsh') and #3677 is keseh (keh-seh'). Hodesh is the Hebrew word commonly used for 'month.' However, it is often translated as new moon' when the context indicates the beginning of the month. The sho far was sounded on Rosh Hodesh, (Rosh heady the new moon of each of the first seven months of the Religious Year. This would, of course, include Rosh HaShanah.
         Keseh means 'fullness' and therefore applies to the full moon. Both words are used in this verse. The New King James Version (NKJV) has a more appropriate translation.

         "Blow the trumpet at the time of the New Moon. At the full moon, on our solemn feast day."
(Psalm 81:3) NKJV

         The subject of this Psalm is singing aloud to God and making a joyful noise to Him. Thus, the blowing of the shofar is seen in that connection. Shofar blowing is tied to a number of the Festivals, including Rosh Hodesh, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. This verse can also be connected with Passover. The Soncino Books of the Bible, The Psalms, pub. by The Soncino Press, New York, 1945 comments as follows: "Jewish tradition connects the Psalm with the Harvest Festival, Tabernacles, in the seventh month of the year, ... Others prefer to associate it with the Passover because of the mention of the exodus in verse 6 (5), but this is less likely." Again, we have a scripture that is open to a variety of interpretations. It probably applies to both seasons, as God does not limit Himself the way man does.
         Many thanks to our friend for helping us to 'rightly divide the word of truth.'

“The LORD bless thee, and keep thee,
The LORD make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:
The LORD lift up His Countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.
(Num. 6:24-26)

~ Shalom ~

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