Pass the Succotash!

The Puritans, pilgrims who settled America, were a people deeply rooted in their Hebraic roots. When they sailed to this land, they likened their journey to the Exodus of the Jews out of bondage and into the Promised Land. Max Dimont, in his book Jews, God and History, writes, "The Puritans, most of whom had Hebrew names, regarded themselves as the spiritual heirs of the Old Testament. In fact, there was even a proposal that Hebrew be made the official language of the Colonies, and John Cotton wanted to adopt the Mosaic code as the basis for the laws of Massachusetts." What a far, far cry we have come from our founders. They must be grieving in heaven today if they know of the laws Massachusetts has passed!

Because of their rich foundation in the Hebrew scriptures, the Puritans were undoubtedly celebrating the feast of Succot (the Feast of Tabernacles) in the autumn, when they invited their new-found native American friends to join them. The Native American tribes were teaching the new settlers how to grow new crops, such as corn and beans. Why else would we have this culinary combination known as SUCCOTash?! Though we don't see these crops listed in Leviticus or Deuteronomy, I think we can be sure that the Puritans were celebrating the agricultural harvest in their new land, and keeping the feast of Succot as commanded by Yahweh to all generations, forever! Rabbi Yechiel Eckstein is quoted as saying, "The American pilgrim fathers were, in all likelihood, inspired by the biblical account of Succot to pattern the holiday of Thanksgiving after."

Americans today do not know about this rich heritage - but joyfully, many of us are discovering our Hebrew roots and have already kept the feast of Succot (which this year was in mid-October). The Hebrew word succot means "to dwell with." It is the celebration of Yahweh dwelling with His people, and was undoubtedly the time when Yahshua (Jesus) was born as the incarnate Son of God. And this feast will be ultimately fulfilled when Yahshua returns to dwell with men forever. There could be nothing more wondrous to look forward to and to celebrate - and nothing for which we could be more thankful!

So as you gather together this Thursday,with family and friends, offer to Yahweh your thanks for all His many blessings; pray for repentance in our nation that has strayed so far from Him; and share this bit of heritage that came to us originally through a people who kept the feasts of the LORD. Then pass the turkey and the succotash!

God bless you. I am thankful for each one of you!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, His Love endures forever! (Psalm 118:1)