This is the first full day of the season of Teshuvah, which began yesterday at sunset. It is a 40-day season each year, with the first 30 days (the “days of repentance”) extending to Rosh haShanah = Feast of Trumpets and the final 10 days (the “days of awe”) ending on Yom Kippur = Day of Atonement.
The season of Teshuvah always begins on a new moon. This is an example of how God uses lights in the sky (particularly the sun and the moon) as “signs to mark seasons and days and years” (Genesis 1:14).
Most likely, it was during this 40-day period that Jesus was fasting in the desert, after which He was being tempted by the devil (Matthew 4:1-11). Yet, He resisted all of Satan’s temptations, which was an example to all who believe in Him and follow Him: Yeshua Messiah.
During this time, we mortal people are to examine our lives, repent of our sins and transgressions, turn back to God in revival and with refreshing and be restored back to an active relationship with God and with other people, with whom relationships may have been damaged. A common chapter in the Bible to read during this time is Psalm 51:1-19.
We all have times of personal rebellion against God. This is a time to ask Him to show us favor, according to His faithful love and vast compassion, to wipe out our manifold rebellions. In Hebrew (translated into English), the following is read each day (from right to left):
Early this morning and tomorrow morning will be the optimal times to watch the meteor shower known as the Perseids. This is a yearly event that I look forward to each summer.
This annual meteor shower spans the time period from July 14 to September 1, but the nights just prior to mid-August typically have the most meteor sightings. The Perseid meteors, which are debris from the Comet Swift-Tuttle, are best seen in the Northern Hemisphere.
The best chance of seeing meteors will be in locations with clear skies. Also, the best viewing probably will be during the pre-dawn hours. Furthermore, there is a new moon tonight, causing a dark sky and increasing the chance of seeing meteors that are very dim.
Today, and three days from now (Aug. 9), mark the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, by the United States, on August 6 and 9, 1945. The uranium bomb dropped on Hiroshima was called “Little Boy,” while the plutonium bomb dropped on Nagasaki was called “Fat Man.”
Japan had not responded to an ultimatum, the Potsdam Declaration, on July 26, calling for the unconditional surrender of their armed forces. On August 15, following the bombings, Japan surrendered to the Allies. World War II officially ended on September 2, 1945, when the Japanese government signed the Japanese Instrument of Surrender.
The pilot who dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, exactly 81 years ago today, was Paul Tibbets from Iowa. The plane he was flying was the Enola Gay, named after his mother.
Lyrics of the 53-word hymn: “Let all be silent: The shining stars not sound forth, all rushing rivers be stilled, as we sing our hymn to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as all powers cry out in answer, ‘Amen, Amen.’ Might, praise, and glory forever to our God, the only Giver of all good gifts. Amen. Amen.”
Today, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting took place. It is the second meeting with Kevin Warsh as its new chairman. The members voted 9 to 3 to leave the federal funds rate unchanged in the 3.50% to 3.75% range. The 3 dissenters, who were in favor of a 0.25% interest rate hike, were Beth Hammack, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland; Neel Kashkari, president of the Minneapolis Fed; and Lorie Logan, president of the Dallas Fed.
A month ago, 59% of Wall Street traders expected a rate increase to happen this coming September. Now, 76% of traders foresee a rate hike at September’s Fed meeting.
In the previous four meetings this year, on Jan. 28, Mar. 18, Apr. 29 and June 17, rates remained unchanged. Back in the Fall of 2025, there were three 0.25% rate cuts in a row. These cuts were on Dec. 10, Oct. 29 and Sep. 17. The next Fed meeting is scheduled to begin on Sep. 15.
Today is Tisha B’Av or the 9th of Av, which actually began at sunset last evening. It is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people in the past, including the Holy Temples in Jerusalem. It is considered to be the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
One custom on Tisha B’Av is to read the short book of Lamentations in the Bible. It describes Jerusalem’s utter desolation and destruction, as well as the distress of Jews among the nations.
This has taken place in the past. However, the ultimate fulfillment of the destruction of Jerusalem is yet to come, just a few years prior to Jesus’ return to earth to rule and reign.
Another Tisha B’Av custom is to fast from one evening to the next. Tisha B’Av is not a special Sabbath, though; so work is allowed today. That’s good because there are several things that I need to get done, although I will be fasting.
July 4 does not take place on a Saturday very often, but it does this year. The last time that happened was in 2020. It reminds me of a line from one of my favorite songs, by the group Chicago, from 1972: “Saturday in the Park, I think it was the 4th of July.” For those people unable to congregate in a big park this year, I’ll include a video of it here:
If it displays a “Video unavailable” message, click on this link instead to view the video on YouTube:
