Islam on Capitol Hill

Mr. M brought something to my attention this evening that is definitely worth mentioning. On his way to work this morning he heard something on the radio that really warrants our attention as a nation as well as Christians. Not many have heard about the plan, but on Friday September 25, 2009 Islams will be allowed to gather on Capitol Hill to celebrate Jummah Prayer. Now if we can't have prayer or the 10 Commandments anywhere near the Capitol, then why is this going to be allowed? What's funny is this hasn't not had any media announcement/coverage that we are aware of.

This whole thing in a nutshell grieves my spirit but this could have happened on any other Friday (that is when Islam celebrates Mosque) but this is smack in the middle of the Season of Atonement! The Jewish religion celebrates Rosh Hashanah beginning this year on Friday evening, September 18, and continues through nightfall of September 20.

The festival of Rosh Hashanah--the name means "Head of the Year"--is observed for two days beginning on Tishrei 1, the first day of the Jewish year. It is the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve, the first man and woman, and their first actions toward the realization of mankind's role in G‑d's world.

Rosh Hashanah thus emphasizes the special relationship between G‑d and humanity: our dependence upon G‑d as our creator and sustainer, and G‑d's dependence upon us as the ones who make His presence known and felt in His world. Each year on Rosh Hashanah, "all inhabitants of the world pass before G‑d like a flock of sheep," and it is decreed in the heavenly court, "who shall live, and who shall die... who shall be impoverished, and who shall be enriched; who shall fall and who shall rise." But this is also the day we proclaim G‑d King of the Universe. The Kabbalists teach that the continued existence of the universe is dependent upon the renewal of the divine desire for a world when we accept G‑d's kingship each year on Rosh Hashanah.

The central observance of Rosh Hashanah is the sounding of the shofar, the ram's horn, which represents the trumpet blast of a people's coronation of their king. The cry of the shofar is also a call to repentance; for Rosh Hashanah is also the anniversary of man's first sin and his repentance thereof, and serves as the first of the "Ten Days of Repentance" which culminate in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Altogether, we listen to 100 shofar blasts over the course of the Rosh Hashanah service.

Yom Kippur begins at sundown on Sunday September 27 and ends at nightfall on Monday September 28. It is considered the holiest day of the year--the day on which we are closest to G-d and to the quintessence of our own souls. It is the Day of Atonement -- "For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before G-d" (Leviticus 16:30).

So with that said, isn't it ironic that this event is happening on Friday the 25th? Christians really need to get on our knees and pray for this country. It is quickly fading from the beliefs that it was founded on.

Judiasm information source Chabad.org