Sukkot celebrated as part of Jewish High Holy Days
The holiday begins this Friday with the full moon
Hi ReligionUnplugged readers,
Sukkot, a seven-day period that takes place from Sept. 29 to Oct. 6 this year, is a Torah-commanded holiday that celebrates the harvest and God’s protection of Jewish people as they left Egypt.
In today’s top story, Jerusalem-based contributor Gil Zohar reflects on his personal celebration of the holiday and how it’s changed through the years. He delves in via an etrog market in Jerusalem, where vendors sell this unique citrus alongside lulav, willow and mrytle for use in religious ceremony.
You don’t want to miss this colorful tale of celebration and community. Shana tova!
Inside Jerusalem’s Etrog Market In Preparation For Sukkot
Growing up in an assimilated Jewish home, I was ignorant of the most fundamental observances of Judaism’s holy days, I didn’t even know what an etrog was. It takes considerable learning to appreciate the holy fruit is a fair value at $55. I’ve been engaging in that self-education, one mitzvah at a time, for a few decades. by Gil Zohar
Tragic Dispatches From Nagorno-Karabakh: Armenian Christians Flee Another Genocide
(ANALYSIS) The small Armenian Christian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh — locally known as Artsakh — has long been part of historical Armenia. Since December 2022, Artsakh has been under siege by neighboring Azerbaijan, and the world has largely ignored a prolonged assault on that peaceful community of 120,000 souls. by Lela Gilbert
Jail Ministry Coordinator Emily Cortina Talks Spiritual Needs And ‘God’s Merciful Love’
Chicago, like many American urban centers, has a troubled jail. Inmates and advocates have drawn attention to violence, overcrowding, a lack of access to hygiene products, a lack of medical services and other issues beleaguering Chicago's Cook County Jail. These circumstances make it difficult for inmates to maintain their physical and mental health, let alone nourish their spiritual needs. by Iain Carlos
Buddhist Relics On View At The Met This Fall
NEW YORK — “Tree & Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, 200 BCE–400 CE,” a new exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, explores the influences and growth of early Buddhism through artifacts found largely in southern India. Highlights of the exhibit include relics taken from the Buddha’s remains. by Jillian Cheney
Free Speech vs. Blasphemy Laws: Artists Charge Poland Stifles Their Freedom
In Poland, a country in which 84% percent of the population identifies as Catholic, according to the country’s National Statistical Office, “offending religious feelings” by “publicly outraging an object of religious worship or a place dedicated to the public celebration of religious rites” is a criminal offense under Article 196 of the Polish Penal Code. by Katarzyna Maria Skiba
UAW President Shawn Fain Uses Christianity To Rally Auto Workers
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain may have the power to cripple assembly lines — but he’s also not afraid to invoke a higher authority throughout the negotiating process. In fact, Fain has increasingly mixed his Christian beliefs with his labor rhetoric over the past few weeks. by Clemente Lisi
Why Faith-Based Films Like ‘Surprised By Oxford’ Struggle With Romance
(REVIEW) The movie is a fictionalized adaptation of the memoir of Carolyn Webber by the same name. It follows brilliant, but emotionally guarded, Caro Drake as she arrives in Oxford with the singular goal of attaining her PhD. Through a turbulent friendship with a charming young man, she begins to open herself up to love and God. by Joseph Holmes
‘The Righteous Gemstones’ Wilder Than Ever — And Losing Its Authenticity In The Process
(REVIEW) In the third season of “The Righteous Gemstones,” the fictional Gemstone family members — wealthy leaders of a prominent megachurch — are as outlandish and chaotic as ever. But this season, the challenges they face begin to feel trite and their redemption feels less genuine. by Jillian Cheney
‘Not A Tame Lion’ Highlights The Life And Legacy Of Christian Historian John Boswell
Since his death in 1994, the gay Yale historian’s significance has continued to rise, both in academic and wider cultural circles. So it is not surprising that a documentary entitled “Not A Tame Lion” has been produced about his life and impact by filmmakers Craig Bettendorf and Kai Morgan. by Brian Bromberger
Decades-Long Azerbaijan-Armenia War Continues To Put Christians At Risk
(EXPLAINER) A day after Azerbaijan launched a military assault against ethnic Armenians in the breakaway region of Nagorno-Karabakh, they halted their offensive on Wednesday following a ceasefire. Despite the temporary end to the hostilities, Christians in the region remain at risk following three decades of war. by Clemente Lisi
⛪️ Sin, Resolve And Blackface: The Latest News From The Southern Baptist Convention 🔌
In this week’s Weekend Plug-in, Bobby Ross Jr. highlights the latest news from the Southern Baptist Convention. Plus, as always, catch up on all the best reads and top headlines in the world of faith.
Don’t forget! You can subscribe to receive Bobby’s column directly in your inbox on Friday mornings!
Thanks again for reading!
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