Why Visit Israel

Israel, Read the Sign
by Rabbi Aron Moss

Question
What does the word Zion mean and what are its origins? (I was asked this by my Rastafarian friend.)
Answer
The name Zion holds the secret to the power of Israel. If you understand this name, you understand the magic of the Holy Land.
The word Zion appears 154 times in the Hebrew Bible and has several connotations. Zion can refer to the Land of Israel, the city of Jerusalem or the Temple. But the actual meaning of the word is puzzling. Translated literally, tzion means a "sign" or an "icon".
A sign is always indication of something else. When you see a sign that says "dentist", you know that the sign itself is not the dentist, it merely points out that a dentist is here; same with an icon. When you see an icon on a website, it is not the icon itself that has any use. It is there to click on and it directs you to another page. A sign is never there for itself. It is there to alert our attention, to make us aware of, or to lead us to, some other reality.
So too with the Land of Israel. It is a sign pointing upwards. It is the icon that you click on to be directed to G-d. The very existence of the Land of Israel points to a Higher Force. The beauty of the land, the magic of Jerusalem, the holiness of the Temple Mount are all indicators of a Higher Presence.
The awe felt when entering the Old City of Jerusalem is not due to its impressive buildings, for it has none. It is not due to its sense of history, though that too is fascinating. It is due to the sense of something bigger than life itself that fills the air. You walk the land and you sense G-d's presence. The Holy Land is a sign pointing upwards to G-d.
You can't avoid G-d in Israel. You can seek Him out or run away from Him, but you can't stay neutral. G-d is too real to ignore in Israel. Whether one is a believer or not, whether one admits it or not, the magic of Israel is divine. That's why it's called Zion, a "sign" of the One Above.

Dec 20, 2009 - Jan 4, 2010

12/20
Scripture: Zech. 9:16, The LORD their God will save them in t hat day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land.

Pray for - West Bank villages of Kalkilya, Ramallah, Jericho, Jenin, and Bethlehem. Pray for the end of the drought. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/21
Scripture: Zechariah 8:2-3 “Thus says the Lord of hosts. ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.’ Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.”

Pray for Kibbutz Ginnosar, Kibbutz En Gev and Kibbbutz Dan. Pray for rain. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/22
Scripture: Psalm 115:9-10 O Israel trust in the LORD, He is their help and their shield. O House of Aaron, trust in the LORD, He is their help and their shield.

Pray for settlements of Gilo and Mitzpe Ami, and for the Zion Oil and Gas Company. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/23
Scripture: Ps.125:2 As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever. Pray for the Golan Heights
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12/24
Scripture: Zech. 8:15b, 23b...I am determined to do good to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. Do not fear......and grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

Pray for Haifa, Jezreel Valley, Naharia, and Golan Heights
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12/25
Scripture: Luke 2:32 (Simeon speaking about baby Jesus)....a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people, Israel.

Pray for Betheleham and Nazareth. Pray for the peace of Israel
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12/26
Scripture: Ps. 81:13 Oh that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways.

Pray for the Negev desert area and for Mea She'arim. Pray for rain. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/27
Scripture: Zech. 9:16, The LORD their God will save them in t hat day, as the flock of His people. For they shall be like the jewels of a crown, lifted like a banner over His land.

Pray for - West Bank villages of Kalkilya, Ramallah, Jericho, Jenin, and Bethlehem. Pray for the end of the drought. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/28
Scripture: Zechariah 8:2-3 “Thus says the Lord of hosts. ‘I am zealous for Zion with great zeal; with great fervor I am zealous for her.’ Thus says the Lord: I will return to Zion, and dwell in the midst of Jerusalem. Jerusalem shall be called the City of Truth, the Mountain of the Lord of hosts, the Holy Mountain.”

Pray for Kibbutz Ginnosar, Kibbutz En Gev and Kibbbutz Dan. Pray for rain. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/29
Scripture: Psalm 115:9-10 O Israel trust in the LORD, He is their help and their shield. O House of Aaron, trust in the LORD, He is their help and their shield.

Pray for settlements of Gilo and Mitzpe Ami, and for the Zion Oil and Gas Company. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/30
Scripture: Is. 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, who created you O Jacob, and He who formed you O Israel' "fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine."

Pray for: Israeli and USA government officials who are speaking about forming two nations Palestine, and Israel, to solve the problem in the area. Never in Scripture is there any indication about giving the land away. Pray for the water level in the Sea of Galilee. Pray for rain. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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12/31
Scripture: Is. 43:20-21 The beast of the field will honor Me., the jackals and the ostriches, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink yo My people (Israel), My chosen (Israel. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.

Pray for Jerusalem. Pray for the peace of Israel.


1/1/2010
Scripture: Joshua 21: 45 “Not one of the good promises which the LORD had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.”
Pray for the area of the settlements of the West Bank area. Pray for rain. Pray for the Hula Valley area, Kibbutz Dan, Kiryat Shmona and Metulla. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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1/2
Scripture: Matt. 2:6b...who will shepherd My people, Israel (Mic. 5:2)

Pray for Tiberias, Migdol, Nazarath. Pray for the peace of Israel.
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1/3
Scripture: Is. 43:1 But now thus says the LORD, who created you O Jacob, and He who formed you O Israel' "fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name, you are Mine."

Pray for: Israeli and USA government officials who are speaking about forming two nations Palestine, and Israel, to solve the problem in the area. Never in Scripture is there any indication about giving the land away. Pray for the water level in the Sea of Galilee. Pray for rain. Pray for the peace of Israel.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
1/4
Scripture: Is. 43:20-21 The beast of the field will honor Me., the jackals and the ostriches, because I give water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink yo My people (Israel), My chosen (Israel. This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise.

Pray for Haifa and Tel Aviv. Pray for the peace of Israel.