Rabbi & Rebbetzin's Corner July 2023

Shalom Mishpocha!

It’s July, the lazy days of summer have arrived! It’s common in our culture to call these summer days the "lazy days of summer," and now, there's evidence to back up that it's a real thing. Psychologists say it's a biological phenomenon! Studies show that when it's nice outside, our thoughts tend to focus more on what we'd rather be doing instead of the task at hand. We tend to get a little lazy regarding work and daydream of vacations, the beach, or just about anything outside! We are also halfway through this year, where is the time going?

The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (M.J.A.A) annual “Messiah Conference” begins this Sunday July 2nd at Messiah College in Grantham PA. Tuesday, July 4th, 2023,  Congregation Zion’s Sake offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day! On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress secretly voted for the Colonies to declare their independence from Great Britain. Two days later, on July 4, the Declaration of Independence was finalized and published. Knowing this would be considered an act of treason against Great Britain, the signatories included the words at the end of the document: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.”

The Declaration was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson, who would later become the third President of the United States. In a historical irony, both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the second President of the United States, died on July 4, 1826, exactly 50 years after the Declaration was published. Achieving that independence took seven more years. The declaration was made to guarantee equal rights for every person!

As you celebrate Independence Day this year, please pray for no traffic fatalities across the entire Commonwealth of Virginia over this four-day weekend! Say a prayer of thanks for those who have served and are currently serving in our military preserving our freedoms and way of life! As believers, we can thank Adonai for both physical and spiritual freedom in Yeshua. As you enjoy the Fourth of July festivities, picnics, fireworks, and celebrate our nation’s freedom, thank Adonai for the deliverance and freedom from sin He has given us through His Son, Yeshua, and for make us a new creation in Him!

Galatians 5:13. For, brothers, you were called to be free. Only do not let that freedom become an excuse for allowing your old nature to have its way. Instead, serve one another in love.

May you have a blessed and safe summer!

Rabbi and Rebbitzen