Reflection text
A look back at the recent Jewish autumn festivals
You may be aware that our Jewish brothers and sisters celebrated in September–October what are known as the Autumn Festivals. The common thread running through all these festivals is a journey from judgement to forgiveness, and then from uncertainty to joy.
If we examine it from a theological perspective, the autumn sequence is, above all, a theology of time: time is sanctified, structured by a rhythm, and open to fulfilment.
1. Rosh Hashanah: Time as Judgement. Each year, the shofar and God’s kingship mark the passing of time before the eyes of the Judge. Time is not merely a neutral duration; it is weighted with responsibility. It has an eschatological theme, as the annual judgement foreshadows the Last Judgement.
2. Yom Kippur: Time Broken and Reopened. The Day of Atonement suspends the ordinary course of events (fasting, white garments, ceremonial comparison with the angels). Teshuva affirms that the past is not inevitable: forgiveness introduces a break in the chain of consequences. This is the opposite of linear, irreversible time. One can also see in this the tension between justice and mercy, the thirteen attributes, and the fact that divine forgiveness does not exempt one from reconciliation with others.
3. Sukkot: Time of Precariousness and Hope. The temporary dwelling (sukkah) evokes the wilderness, but also the fragility of every human settlement. The reading from Ecclesiastes (the vanity and fleeting nature of time) is juxtaposed with joy, while prophetic tradition presents Sukkot as the festival during which the nations ascend to Jerusalem: a universalist and messianic vision of the future.
4. Simchat Torah: Time as Both Circular and Open-Ended
We conclude the reading of Deuteronomy and immediately begin reading Genesis again: neither a definitive ending nor mere repetition, but rather a spiral in which the text remains inexhaustible.
The next festival will be Hanukkah, from December 5 to 12, the great Festival of Light.
Suggested readings
The Shema Israel: Deuteronomy 6:4–9
The Call of Abram: Genesis 12:1–4
I Am Who I Am: Exodus 3:13–15
The Blessing: Numbers 6:22–27
The First Commandment: Mark 12:28–34
The Faith of Abraham: Hebrews 11:8–12 The Inheritance of the People of Israel: Romans 9:1–5
For instance : Nombres 6,22-27 :
The Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron and his sons, ‘This is how you are to bless the Israelites. Say to them:
“‘“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”’
“So they will put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.”
Intercessions
R. Amen, amen, blessed be the God of Israel!
Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who wept over the violence between Cain and Abel,
we pray to you for peace in the Middle East,
we pray for all the peoples who inhabit this land,
where you chose to join us in our humanity.
2. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You who made reconciliation possible between Joseph and his brothers,
forgive us for every act of contempt towards your people Israel.
(As a sign of repentance, we remain silent for a few moments.) We pray to you, Father, that you may strengthen the bonds of fellowship between the Jewish people and the nations.
3. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You who brought Israel out of Egypt and set your people free,
grant your joy to the Jewish people, and keep them faithful to your covenant.
4.Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
you who united the twelve tribes of Israel around the Torah,
grant peace to the Jews who believe in Jesus.
5. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You who sent your Son Jesus to save us,
pour out your blessing upon Christians of Jewish descent.
6. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
Father of Jesus Christ,
bring all Christian churches together in unity.
7. Most loving Father, God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob,
You have given the Jewish people the promise of the coming of the Messiah.
You have given the Church the hope and expectation of your Son’s return.
In the Holy Spirit, we join the whole Church in praising you and saying: “Maranatha, come, Lord!” ! »
Concluding prayer
Eternal and ever living God,
hear the prayer of your Church
You who chose Abraham and his descendants
to make them the children of your promise,
lead the first people of the Covenant to the fullness of redemption.
May the nations of the earth be welcomed by grace into the family of Abraham,
and may all creation joyfully enter your kingdom of peace. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.