Prior to these High Holidays , there are quite a few minor holidays in the Jewish calendar . One is the 17th of Tammuz . This date is a minor fast which commemorates the breaching of the walls of the first Temple before its destruction . It also kicks off a period of three weeks of “ decreased joy ” known as the Three Weeks where certain customs are observed that indicate mourning , such as not shaving , buying new clothes or listening to music .
Finally , this period culminates in Tisha B ’ Av ( the 9th of Av ) which denotes a full 24 hour fast . This day remembers numerous ills of Jewish history including the destruction of both Temples . A sense of sorrow sets the service with Lamentations read along with prayers of repentance . This seemingly minor period is truly the beginning of a long season of repentance and mourning that lasts through Yom Kippur . All of it is based on a core foundation of remembrance .
We remember the first Passover by reciting the Haggadah and cleaning out our houses of leaven . We remember our Messiah ’ s death by partaking in His Body and Blood . We also remember our new life and victory in Messiah Yeshua when we turn away from entangling sin . Paul writes of this in Ephesians chapter 5 ,
For once you were darkness , but now in union with the Lord you are light . Walk as children of light ( for the fruit of light is in all goodness and righteousness and truth ), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord . Take no part in the fruitless deeds of darkness , but rather expose them — for it is disgraceful even to mention the things that are done by them in secret .
To remember what God has done for us is not merely a passing exercise that brings happy nostalgic thoughts , but a memory that burns deep and drives us to act . We are called to do many things when we are asked to remember . We remember the covenant of Abraham and the binding of Issac by circumcision . We remember when we dwelt in booths by building a Sukkah .
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