Zion Ministries in Jerusalem, but with an American following, which likewise advocates Saturday Sabbath-observance as well as observance of the laws of kosher food preparation.

Here in Western Washington State, Christians gather each year at Ocean Shores, a resort city on the Pacific Coast, to observe the festival of Sukkot, complete with dwelling in temporary booths or “sukkot” and waving palm branches and citrus fruits as per Jewish tradition. Jews who hear of such goings-on may at first suspect an attempt to lure religiously uneducated Jews to embrace a version of Christianity concealed behind Jewish decorations – a shamefully dishonest tactic pioneered by “Jews for Jesus.” But the folks at Ocean Shores don’t mean to convert any Jews; there are no Jews in Ocean Shores. (As Toward Tradition’s Rabbi Daniel Lapin has quipped, “I’m less concerned about Christians who perform mitzvot [commandments] like wearing a prayer shawl and praying to God than I am about Jews who don’t.”)

We are aware of no comprehensive study of this phenomenon, but the anecdotal evidence is striking. 

This change is not limited to one branch or denomination of Christianity. There are some Pentecostal groups that are beginning to use tallits and shofars in their service. Other groups have become more interested in the Biblical Holy Days, but no matter how it manifests it self, the phenomenon seems to be found throughout every form of Christianity. While visiting a Catholic convent in Israel in 2001, I was describing the phenomenon to the head nun, believing she was unfamiliar with the “Hebrew Roots” movement. I was watching her nod her head as I was saying, “There is a growing number of Christians becoming interested in the Sabbath and

 

2

next page