Hanukkah: “The Festival of Lights”
Hanukkah, in Hebrew, means “dedication” or “inauguration.” The expression “hanukkat-bayt” is used, for example, to refer to a housewarming celebration. What Does Hanukkah mean to the Jewish people For over 2,000 years, Jews have...
Interview with Issa Anis Kassissieh: Santa in the Holy Land
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you became known as Santa Claus the ambassador in the Ho Ho Holy Land? Issa Anis Kassissieh: My father used to be our Santa Claus at home every Christmas season to make us happy. I grew up in the Old City of...
The First Prophets
The word “prophet” comes from the Greek profetes, derived from the verb pro-femi, meaning “to speak forth” or “to speak on behalf of another,” especially on behalf of the divine. This is a faithful translation of the Hebrew term...
Sukkot: The Festival of Booths
With the week of Sukkot—the Festival of Booths, Cabanas, or Tabernacles—the cycle of holidays for the month of Tishrei (September/October) in the Jewish lunar calendar comes to an end. In Jesus’ time, as well as today, this was one of the major festivals,...