Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Plucking the Eagle's Wings

Roots , it is said that, when he spotted land, he spoke to another Jew in Hebrew saying, "I,I" (island, island). The other Jewish sailor replied, "V'annah?" (and where?). Triana replied, "Hineh" (there). On Hoshanah Rabbah This day began the 71 st day of the voyage. In the Bible, seventy represents restoration. Israel was in Babylon 70 years and returned to the Holy Land in the beginning of the 71 st year. It was also 21 Tishri on the Hebrew calendar, the day of Hoshanah Rabbah. Hoshanah, a Hebrew phrase means please save now and Rabbah means many . The Hebrew liturgy for this day was composed of prayers that plead with God to be saved. In the ancient Temple, as well as in synagogues today, worshipers took the four species and marched around the court of the Temple seven times reciting Psalms 118. On this day, the Divine judgment of man, which began on Rosh Hashana and climaxed on Yom Kippur, concluded. Thus, Hoshanah Rabba is a minor Yom Kippur (a Day of Atonement). Wearing a scarlet doublet, Columbus went ashore with several others. As Columbus stepped onto the shore, he knelt on the sand and prayed: "Oh Lord Almighty and everlasting God, by Thy Holy Word thou hast created the heaven and the earth and the sea blessed and glorified be Thy name and praised by Thy majesty which hath designed to use us, thy humble servants that Thy Holy Name may be proclaimed in this second part of the earth." His prayer concluded by christening the island San Salvador. San The day after the discovery of the New World would have been Shemini Atzeret, or the eighth day of Convocation (22 Tishri). Traditionally, this day is accepted as the day that Solomon dismissed the people from the Temple dedication celebration. This is recorded in 1 Kings 8:66. Coincidence or not, the discovery of the New World corresponds to a significant event in Jewish history. Perhaps a new Temple was being symbolically dedicated! In Israel, this day is also called Simchat Torah, or rejoicing in the Salvador means Holy Savior . The Thread of Shemini Atzeret

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