During this summer the readings for the day are taken from the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible. The third book, Leviticus, deals with matters of Jewish practice. There is a description of the three great pilgrimage feasts, Passover, Pentecost (Weeks), and Sukkot (Booths), when the faithful were expected to come to Jerusalem to worship. The religion of Israel is based in history — God’s might deeds with the Chosen People. But having become a settled people after the Exodus the great feasts became agricultural celebrations of the wheat, barley, grape and olive harvest. The new culture of farming required they adapt their worship. Despite the temptation to worship nature gods this develop provoked it was necessary since authentic worship must reflect one’s culture.
