Today, I went to my first Purim Parade in Atlanta, Georgia.
My friends Natasha, Leila and I are among several believers in Yeshua and desire to learn more about Judaism. So we went to Toco Hills watched and celebrated Purim ( the festival remembering the day that the Lord saved the Jewish people from annihilation through the obedience and favor of Queen Esther). Children in costume (symbolizing how Esther hid her identity until the appointed time), candy, whole families and lots of fun!
So Parade ended outside of synagogue. I watched from across the street because I didn't want to do anything that offended them or anything. THen we discussed it and decided to cross.
We watched children in merry-go-rounds and bungy-jumping. I wanted a tour but I felt that my head needed to be covered and I needed a dress. So I asked a lady who was highlighted to me and...she gave us a tour. I looked inside of their sanctuary....it was soooooooooo beautiful. I had never seen something so beautiful. Another women walked up and we began to talk to her and I asked if I could take pictures, she said sure, you can stand outside of the door and take them through the window. I felt that I wasn't allowed in and she implied that as well. BUT to take pictures was enough for me. :-)
Then an older man, Rick, walked up and said would you like to go in.....
I said yes in great awe, but I do not have the proper clothes, he said it is ok ( I think he had leadership in this place).
As soon as I walked in, I began to cry and so did Natasha standing behind me. I sensed a Holy Presence I had never felt before. You can feel a weight of God like I had never known. Now mind you I have felt the presence of God in heavy, profound truly memorable ways and this was just something else amazing that I had never known about God.
Rick began to explain to us the decorations in the room. How there are symbols for each of the 12 tribes of Israel and they each were up in the glass sky light/dome over the main part of room. There was an eternal flame, symbols showing different festivals and he pointed out where the Torah was located. ( I was able to share that I knew they were hand written and on lamb skin and such and he was impressed....thanks Israel and the Kingdom class teachers)!!!
Leila knew so much about various stories in the Torah that Rick went and grabbed a book off of the shelf and they got so in to the Word, I don't know about you but I am sure for African Americans to be this knowledgable about Judiasm is surprising to him and an honor for us.
There was so much symbolism and history, this was such a life changing encounter for us all.
My knowledge is limited at this point in my life but from that I can say this was a presence of Holiness that I have ever known, there is more for me ahead.
As an African American, learning more and more about our Jewish roots as a Believer in Christ, I hope that I grow in the revelation of Christ and help to make History in the hearts of Black Americans. I repeat, there is more ahead.
No comments:
Post a Comment