Tonight I am sitting in the synagogue flooded with thoughts and inspiration. When I left work today I began an extended vacation. My family and I are heading out of town this coming Tuesday for a week long camping trip. Everyone is excited. We plan to spend an entire week in tents next to a beautiful lake. Today as I was looking forward to this quiet time in a tent, far away from our normal hectic lives, I couldn’t help but think of the festival of booths - known in Hebrew as Succoth, also known as the festival of Tabernacles.

I love this festival, and despite the hot summer weather that we are experiencing here in southern Louisiana, I can almost smell a hint of fall in the air. For those that live here, I must say again that it is only a hint:)

This week according to the Annual Torah cycle reading (Mattote), the Prophet reading comes from the book of Jeremiah (1:1-2:3). Towards the end of the reading we find a tender word from God to Israel. He says, “I remember the devotion of your youth, your love as a bride, how you followed me in the wilderness, in a land not sown. Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of his harvest.”

This time in the wilderness, where God first took His bride to Himself is foretold to come again. God will once again allure His bride into the wilderness.

Every year, in the fall, on the 15th day of the 7th month of the Hebrew calendar, ancient Israel was charged to keep the Festival of Succoth for 7 days. The Prophet Zechariah speaks of this festival in a remarkable passage yet unfulfilled.

“Then all who survive of the nations that have come against Jerusalem shall go up year after year to worship the King, YHWH of Hosts, and to keep the Festival of Booths (Succoth).”

This year, the Festival of Succoth is October 14-22. Roots of Faith will host its annual Festival / Conference in Saint Francisville. Last year we had a wonderful time of fellowship. I still have the page on my web site for those that are interested in reading about last year’s conference and festival. There are pictures, the program of speakers, etc on the following link - http://www.rootsoffaith.org/ROF_Succoth_2007.htm.
This year’s conference is still shaping up but I wanted to get this out so that you can begin to make plans. We have less than 3 months so you need to start planning if you have not already done so.

Many that came last year have already told me that they are coming back. If you have never experienced this time under the stars in fulfillment of this ancient festival, you do not know what you are missing! I want to encourage everyone to keep this festival - if not with us, then wherever you are on these dates.

Last year as we were preparing for Succoth, my friend and teacher, James Tabor wrote the following:

“I want to urge EVERYONE to consider this opportunity. In ancient times ALL Israel was summoned to the “place that YHVH would choose” for the three annual pilgrim festivals. In our modern day, with our many holidays and cultural patterns, not to mention our jobs and other obligations, we have completely lost a sense of the rhythm of the “times and seasons” of YHVH, these Biblically ordained “appointments” with YHVH and his people.

I think there is a process of restoration and it has been taking place for decades now in various church of God, messianic, and B’nai Noach groups around the world. David Horowitz and UIWU was probably the EARLIEST pioneer in these efforts, dating back to around the 1940s when Herbert Armstrong and others were discovering the “Jewish festivals,” and telling Christians and others drawn to Torah faith that they needed to turn from pagan religious holidays to remember the Sacred Seasons of YHVH.

Attending the Sukkoth gathering in St Francisville is a small beginning for our little group in this path of return. In ancient days the people of Israel saved tithes to be able to attend these feasts and the entire country/society took off and went to celebrate together. We are not there yet but there are steps we can take in that regard and living a few nights under the stars in a “tent” or Sukkah is surely one way to get things rolling again.”

This gathering in Saint Francisville is unique. There are plenty of other sites for people to go to during this festival. There are Succoth festivals and conferences for “messianics”, some for “orthodox Jews”, but this gathering is for anyone and everyone who seeks to find the good way among the ancient paths. I anticipate that there will be “Christians, Jews, B’nai Noach”, but I also think that there are many who no longer label themselves by any particular name, but simply adhere to a version of Hebraic faith, based primarily on the Hebrew Bible.

I am working on the program for the conference. Already, Joe Good of Hatikva Ministries has confirmed that he will be teaching.

One thing that I am planning this year is a very special musical program for our gathering. Many of you know that Roots of Faith has been blessed with some wonderfully talented people; Glenn and Rhonda Chatterton, John Carlson, and Sherry Cole. There are others out there that have written music and may want to join in this. Bring your instuments!

I truly hope that you will consider joining us this year. Here are some very preliminary details for those that may want to join us.

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Hotel Information

We will be meeting with the manager of our local hotel in town in the coming days to try and secure a special rate and will send an update on this as soon as possible for those that wish to sleep in a hotel rather than in a tent. Unlike last year, our plan is to hold all classes in the synagogue or at the camp site.

The website for the hotel is:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g40411-d77835-Reviews-Quality_Inn_St_Francis_on_the_Lake-Saint_Francisville_Louisiana.html

Give us a little time before you reserve a room so that we can work with them for discounts.
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Camping information

For those that plan to camp out, we have made arrangements with The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana, Mary Ann Brown Preserve. This wonderful location is ideal for sleeping under the stars. Aside from the beautiful location, it is less than 7 miles from the Hotel and the synagogue. Perfect for those who wish to stay up late and study the Bible under the stars and then head back to the Hotel to sleep.

The plan is to rent additional rooms at the hotel for showers. There is no cost for camping. You will need to bring any camping supplies as this is a primitive site. If you do not own camping gear, but want to camp out with us, let me know and we will work something out. Here is the link to the camp site:

http://www.where2guide.com/TouristTrail/outdoors/MBrownPreserve.html

In the next couple of weeks I will have an on-line registration form on my web site for you to fill out. We did this last year and it was very helpful. We are modifying it to include choices for dietary needs and some other points that we failed to include last year. We have tried to incorporate learnings from Succoth 2007 in order to make this year’s conference even better.

For now, I would love to hear from you if you even think that you might come. Send me a quick note just saying that you hope to be here. This will give me an idea of how many rooms to reserve, etc. Send a note to me at rndavar@aol.com. I look forward to hearing from you.

Start planning now. We are only 11 Weeks from the beginning of the Festival of Tabernacles.

Shalom to you from Roots of Faith and the synagogue without walls - a “place of meeting” for anyone who believe in the One God of Israel and seeks to live according to the principles of the Hebrew Bible.