The Love Feast

The “love feast” or agape meal is mentioned several times in the New Testament. Following the example of Jesus’ Last Supper, believers in the early church would bring food to the church and eat together, regardless of wealth or social status. This was known as a “love feast.” After sharing the meal, the believers would […]

An Introduction to the Old Testament (Part I)

The Bible is a collection of books God has given to us. The word “Bible” is plural, coming from the Latin biblia, which means “many scrolls.” The entire Old Testament covers a period of about two thousand years and contains books of various genres—such as historical books (like Chronicles), law books (like Deuteronomy), prophetic books […]

Jewish Wedding Customs III: The Procession and Consummation

In Jewish tradition, the groom would travel to the bride’s home late at night. The bride would be anxiously awaiting her groom to come for her. In ancient Middle Eastern customs, before the wedding, the groom would have young friends serve as “companions” who would celebrate and drink with him for several days before setting […]

Jewish Wedding Customs II: Preparation Before the Wedding

Following the engagement ceremony, the bride and groom would separate. This period was a time of sanctification. The bride-to-be would perform a ritual cleansing in a mikvah (a ritual bath) to purify herself before the wedding. Similarly, Christians undergo a parallel process, entering a new covenant through repentance and baptism. “He might sanctify her, having […]

Jewish Wedding Customs I: Proposal and Betrothal

Jews have a deep respect for marriage that is rare in modern times, and this is inseparable from their faith. In traditional Jewish society, when a young man and woman reached marrying age, most marriages were arranged by the father, rather than being the result of a love match. The Bible is full of such […]