For many, Yom Kippur is considered the holiest day of the year. It is a day of repentance and is often referred to as the Day of Atonement…
Chapter 16 of Leviticus addresses this High Holy Day in great detail. Beginning in verse 29, the Lord instructs the people of God to keep this as a statute forever.
“‘This shall be a statute forever for you: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and do no work at all, whether a native of your own country or a stranger who dwells among you. For on that day the priest shall make atonement for you, to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the Lord. It is a sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. And the priest, who is anointed and consecrated to minister as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and put on the linen clothes, the holy garments; then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary, and he shall make atonement for the tabernacle of meeting and for the altar, and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly. This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel, for all their sins, once a year.’ And he did as the Lord commanded Moses.”—Leviticus 16: 29-34
This is a special time of corporate repentance, making amends in the areas where we have sinned throughout the previous year.
Traditionally, before this time of fasting and prayer begins, families will receive a honey cake, as a symbol of hope for
the coming year. A festive meal is served and then each member of the family is immersed in a mikvah. This is also a time to give extra to charity. Later that evening, a pre-fast meal is eaten, and blessing over the children is spoken. At sundown, the first of five prayers is spoken, with the rest given throughout the following day. The book of Jonah is also read during this time of repentance.
Although it is a time of sorrow, there is much underlying joy, as Believers understand that we serve an ever forgiving God who desires to show us mercy and forgiveness when we return to Him.
At the closing the Yom Kippur day of fasting, the Shema is recited:
“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”—Deuteronomy 6:4
And a wonderful feast is served in celebration for the atonement of sin.
As we at My Olive Tree prepare for this key time of the year, we invite you to consider adding one of our special projects to your list of charitable gifts.
Not only will your gift monetarily bless the nation of Israel, but also will stand as an ever-present reminder that they are not alone!
To learn more about our unique partnership with Israel join us [HERE].
We’ve provided a list of our current sponsorships below:
Commemorate an event in your life by sponsoring an olive tree in the holy land –the ultimate gift that can last for generations!
Honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Each commemorative tree is planted in the Holy Land. The land of Israel has a very tight bond to our American lives, and many people worship the relationship and have fought for its survival.
It takes roughly four months to prepare the vine cuttings so that they are ready to be planted and are strong enough to withstand the desert climate—thriving in the soil of the Negev. We start with a cutting of a vine growing in the Negev. We then plant it, wait for it to grow, transfer it into a bigger pot and repeat this process until it can be moved out of its planter and into the earth where it is able to take root in ancient Edom and survive in this blessed land!
Join My Olive Tree in Rebuilding the Garden of the Kings. The Kidron Valley also called the “Valley of the Kings” and the “Garden of the Kings,” is an ancient area located on the eastern side of Jerusalem. This valley where the kings of old, as well as Yeshua, once walked, is teeming with history, excitement, and anticipation of His return.
KING’S VALLEY SEVEN SPECIES PROJECT:
Restoring the Seven Species of Israel according to Deuteronomy 8:7-8—bringing back these five trees and 
two grains in the Kidron Valley between the Temple Mount and the Mount of Olives, and preparing the King’s Valley for the return of the King is a most exciting opportunity. This is not just about fulfilling Bible prophecy, but it is about an opportunity to demonstrate God’s love and promise by saying to Jerusalem, “I will not forget you!”
Plant a living memorial that provides sustainable agriculture for centuries. A living memorial that you attribute to those who touched your life. A living memorial that will provide jobs for Israelis and a greater quality of life for those who consume the tree’s olive oil. All from your memorial!
Sowing a seed of hope into the children of Israel is a mandate for all Believers, but so often, as Christians, we are not sure where to sow our gifts. There are multiple organizations throughout the United States that promote the nation of Israel and who seek to raise funds in order to bless the nation of our God. We believe that although providing monetary aid is an incredible blessing, that ultimately creating viable employment through sustainable agricultural practices both blesses the land while empowering its people.
What is a Peace Grove? A Peace Grove is a grove of olive trees planted over a terror tunnel. Th
ese tunnels of terror have been in the news for many years, and are used to move terrorists and weapons from Gaza to Israel. This My Olive Tree Peace Grove has been sponsored as a demonstration of peace and solidarity with the nation of Israel.
During this corporate time of prayer and fasting, we hope that you will join us in prayer for the nation of Israel. We pray that the nations of the world will begin to see the important role that the Jewish nation plays in the world. Join us as we repent on behalf of all of those who choose violence and hatred in replacement for peace. Join us as we mourn the many who have been lost, even this year, due to anti-Semitism around the world.
