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Thursday, September 20, 2018

September 20th, 2018: The 100th anniversary of Allenby’s victory at Megiddo.


September 20th,  2018: The 100th anniversary of Allenby’s victory at Megiddo.

Before dawn on the morning of September 20th, 1918, Indian and Australian cavalry found their way east from the plain of Sharon across the Musmus pass; they approached the ancient hill or Megiddo (Har Megiddo, or Armageddon) guarding the legendary Esdraelon plain.  Field Marshall Edmond Allenby was in command.  Two months earlier, Allenby had been able to be reinforced with troops from France because of the arrival of the Americans in Europe.  Opposing Allenby in the Levant were primarily Ottoman troops under the command of general Otto Liman von Sanders and several notable Turkish generals, including Mustafah Kemal Pasha (Ataturk).  von Sanders and Kemal had crushed the allied British forces attacking the Bosporus;  and they had now been sent to stop the British advance in the east and to put down the rebellion of Faisal and Lawrence (“of Arabia”).
While waiting for reinforcements, Allenby had been reading a newly published book, the first ever translation of Hieroglyphic inscriptions on a column in Luxor.   This translation brought to light a successful strategy used by Pharaoh Thutmose II to attack the Canaanites at Megiddo in 1479 BC.  The Pharaoh had sent his cavalry across the Musmus pass to attack from the rear.  The strategy had been hidden in plain site on an inscrutable pillar for three millennia; it had not been used in any of the nearly 30 subsequent battles that had been fought at Megiddo.

Allenby had been hiding most of his army and artillery on farms in the plain of Sharon.  He made it appear to von Sanders as though he would attack in the east, near the Jordan valley.  He achieved complete surprise when he attacked with artillery and infantry along the Mediterranean coast on the 19th of September.  The Ottoman retreat was so rapid that von Sanders himself was almost captured at Nazareth.  The infantry attack allowed the cavalry access at night to the Musmus pass.
By dawn on the 20th, the cavalry had navigated the pass and emerged at Megiddo on the Plain of Esdraelon.  They encountered a Turkish regiment.  The Indian cavalry charged with lances alone. The surprise was complete; the unsuspecting Turks shot one Indian, while forty Turks were killed by the charging Lancers. The Turks surrendered.  This was the last cavalry charge in history.
British forces poured onto the Palin of Esdraelon, where so many armies for four continents had fought before.  They blocked the counterattack from the east (which was also hampered by Faisal and Lawrence) and cut the rail lines, preventing Turkish retreat to the north. The entire Turkish seventh and eight armies were encircled and captured.

Thereafter, Allenby and the allies drove the Ottomans and Germans out of Syria and Lebanon, despite heroic stands by the outnumbered Turks.  Realizing that the Turkish mainland was indefensible, and that the English would have Kurdish support if they continued north into eastern Asia Minor, they negotiated an armistice.

This last cavalry charge in history was modeled after one of the first cavalry attacks in recorded history.  Without it, the nation of Israel could not have been re-established 30 years later.  Without it, the Ottoman Empire might have survived and continued to have controlled much of the Middle East, at least for a time. But it was also notable in that it followed in a remarkable and underappreciated tradition of major battles at Megiddo.  Because of its location at the one major, pivotal intersection of routes between Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Europe, armies from every major people group on the planet - except the Americas - have fought at Megiddo.  The prophesy is no accident!

2350 BC Pharaoh Pepi I: Egyptians vs Canaanites
1479 BC Pharaoh Thutmose II: Egyptians and Africans vs. Canaanites
1125 BC: Barack and Deborah vs Sisera: Israelites vs Canaanites
1090 BC: Gideon vs. Midianites (Arabs)
1016 BC: Saul and Jonathan vs Philistines
925 BC: Pharaoh Shoshenq 1 vs. Israel
841 BC: Jehu vs Joran (Israel vs. Judah)
8th century BC: A series of Assyrian incursions
609 BC: Pharaoh Necho II (Egyptians and Africans) vs Josiah (on the campaign that led to Carchemish)
(Babylonians, after Carchemish, and later the Persians, conquer without a battle at Megiddo)
(330 BC: Alexander conquers without a battle at Megiddo)
218 BC: Antiochus II vs Ptolemy IV (Greeks)
2nd century BC: Romans
67 AD: Vespasian vs Jews (Romans)
975 AD: Byzantines vs Fatimids
1100-1300: various Northern Europeans (including Richard the Lion Hearted) vs. Arabs and allies
1258 AD: Hulegu (grandson of Genghis Khan; Mongols and Chinese) vs Mamlukes
1799 AD: Napoleon vs Ottomans
1918 AD: Allenby (with Indian and Australian allies) vs Ottomans and Germans


credits: Pastor Joe Abraham via Benjamin Gaston MD

Saturday, September 15, 2018

BIG HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT FROM TIKVAT YISRAEL!!!!!

Deuteronomy 2:7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
For Adonai your God has blessed you in all the work of your hand—He has known your wanderings through this great wilderness. These 40 years Adonai your God has been with you—you have lacked nothing.”’
כִּי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ בֵּרַכְךָ, בְּכֹל מַעֲשֵׂה יָדֶךָ--יָדַע לֶכְתְּךָ, אֶת-הַמִּדְבָּר הַגָּדֹל 
הַזֶּה:  זֶה אַרְבָּעִים שָׁנָה, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ עִמָּךְ--לֹא חָסַרְתָּ, דָּבָר.

Ki Adonai Elohecha B'rakacha B'kol Ma'aseh Y'decha, Ya'dah Lekatecha, Et Hamidbar Hagadol Hazeh.  Zeh Arba'im Shanah, Adonai Elohecha Imech, Lo Chasartah, Davar!

A NEW HOME FOR TIKVAT YISRAEL!

Last April, Tikvat celebrated it's 40th Anniversary on the exact date of our incorporation in the State of Ohio, April 7th!  That day also just happened to fall on both a "Shabbat" (Saturday), and the last day of Passover!  We went "all out" in observing our 40th year with a community Passover Seder/Anniversary Banquet including a full concert with Paul Wilbur!  600 people from Tikvat and the community all joined us for an 8 hour long celebration all day, beginning with a Torah Service, a mini-Seder luncheon, and ending with Paul Wilbur in concert!  It was an incredible day recalling our entire 40 year history with our founding Rabbi Walter Liber, and his wife Linda, along with many others who spoke and were there at the very beginning in 1978, and even before!  

Passover came and went and we began a new chapter in our ministry here at Tikvat, however we had no idea then that day was indeed a breakthrough moment for our congregation besides just achieving a "milestone" anniversary!  Within 2 months, the property pictured above came to the attention of the Board of Elders at Tikvat.  It was just listed on the market within a 10 mile radius of our current location in Lyndhurst at First Assembly, and it is owned by a church who was using it as a "satellite" campus; but it was not their main property.  They had others who were interested, but they all wanted to turn it into something other than a place of worship.  The owners had put a lot of upgrades and TLC into the property and they hated the thought of seeing it turn into a business or something other than a sanctuary of worship unto the Lord.  

Over the last several months, the Elders of Tikvat Yisrael met with the Owner's Board of Elders after inquiring about the property.  Both congregations began talks and investigating if this is all "from Adonai" for both congregations.  The dialog continued, and eventually our committee of Meshartim (deacons), were called in to view the property as well and help the Board of Elders of Tikvat weigh in on their thoughts and prayers.  Even later other ministry leaders at Tikvat were included in the prayer and fasting process to determine if this is the place God had intended for Tikvat, and if this really was indeed the end of our 40 year journey wandering and renting all over the city of Cleveland?

Immediately, the leadership put out the proverbial "fleece", as Gideon did in Judges 6.  At first, it did NOT appear to be for us as there was a concern over zoning for the property as it is currently listed in a "residential area".  Tikvat did not want to get into a situation where our "land use purpose" would someday be questioned and have to justify our continued use of the property.  The Board even went to meet with the local zoning enforcement officer who assured us that there would never be any bias or discrimination against us regarding the "zoning" of the property.  Being "Wise as Serpents", we still did not believe the zoning officer, because as Jews, and as believers who live in a "dark world", we weren't born yesterday and we know the enemies we face out there!  We did not like the fact that we had no assurance that someday, someone who ever got elected to that zoning board and for whatever reason didn't like us...(some 'Pharaoh' who did not know Joseph); might desire to have that property have residential homes and tax revenue coming in and force us out!  Even though the property has been operating on and off as a church/place of worship for about 40 years! (the same amount of time Tikvat has existed); we still had no assurance even with such precedent.  We were starting to think that perhaps this really is just not for us.  However, we gave God more time, and began to inquire about the legalities of such a situation in order to evaluate our risk with more information.  

While continuing to pray, fast, and include the Tikvat Intercessors within this process, we contacted some reputable Believing (Born Again) attorneys who informed us of a law we had never heard of, called RLUIPA (RELIGIOUS LAND USE AND INSTITUTIONALIZED PERSONS ACT, 2000).  The attorneys who are believers, advised us that The land use provisions of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000cc, et seq., protect individuals, houses of worship, and other religious institutions from discrimination in zoning and landmarking laws!  And it would be foolishness of any zoning board to commit such a violation as they could be liable...(let's just say for a lot of $).  

The Lord apparently had removed that obstacle completely, and He did the same thing on other smaller issues that seemed to crop up.  This showed the leadership that God was keeping the doors open.  What's better is that the Seller's have found favor with us and our ministry.  They wanted to bless us!  They lowered the sales price to their very "break even" point, so as to be able to "give us" this property if we would simply pay off their mortgage!!! They even told us what that amount would be!  What kind of real estate seller does that?!?!  We have found major Favor with them and with God!  Not only that, but the amount of funds we have in our Building Fund already is enough to pay off the church's mortgage, and the property will transfer into our name on the date of closing!  We will own that property clear and free!!!  Baruch Hashem!!! BH"S!!!  

In addition to the favor we found with the church on agreeing to the sales price on the property to be equivalent to the cash we have on hand; the church knew we were going to immediately need most of the contents of the furniture and other items in the building, and they knew that just purchasing this building would wipe out our building fund savings.  The church called us and said, "listen, we know how hard it is to be an owner of property, and we DO NOT want you guys to have to go out and get in debt in order to purchase all of the furniture and contents that you all need..."  Instead, they offered to sell us what they have, all the contents, chairs, kitchen appliances, tables, office furniture, nursery and children's ministry equipment and furniture, etc... for a reasonable price, to be paid to them in easy installments...AT 0% INTEREST!  In other words, we will own the property outright, and they will sell us all of their furniture and contents, (most of which is in top mint conditions), for a price that is just about "break even" for them again, and with NO INTEREST!!! For easy to manage monthly payments!!!  This was an even further amazing favor that we saw from them and from the Lord!!! Where could we get all of this for the price and terms they were offering us?!?!  

Suffice it to say, when you see doors open like this, and obstacles removed, and favor with other believers with whom you are doing business - it is obviously the HAND OF GOD!  The Board made the decision along with the rest of the leaders to NOT WALK AWAY FROM THIS!  

This is what brings me to the purpose of this posted article.  To explain to you, the friends and members of Tikvat Yisrael Messianic Synagogue.  You all have toiled with us all these years, you have prayed, you have saved, you have fasted and you have sought the Lord on behalf of Tikvat; and I am writing to inform you today....ADONAI HAS HEARD AND HE HAS REMEMBERED US AND HE HAS DELIVERED A NEW HOME FOR US, EVEN THIS YEAR, OUR 40TH ANNIVERSARY!

Now, we want to invite you, all of you, members, friends, family, and even those who don't attend regularly but you care for Tikvat and support this ministry - WE WANT TO INVITE YOU TO COME AND SEE IT FOR YOURSELVES AT A SPECIAL SERVICE AT THE NEW PROPERTY.

We want you to come out and see the miracle that our God has done for us, we want you to see it for yourselves, then we will all join together in a meeting, answer questions, and PRAY AND BLESS THE LORD TOGETHER FOR WHAT HE HAS DONE.

There are many more details to share with you, but for now, please accept this invitation to join us on:


Saturday, September 29, 2018
10:30 a.m. Shacarit Torah Service
9319 Mayfield Rd.
Chesterland, OH. 44026

The property is currently owned by "Prince of Peace" Church

From our current address at First Assembly drive straight down Mayfield Rd. for about 10 miles east.

WHERE IS THIS PROPERTY IN RELATION TO THE JEWISH COMMUNITY?


Stars of David pictured below indicates the location of this property!



 This new property is "sandwiched" between "East Side Suburbs" (5,300 Jewish families), and the "Northern Heights" (10,400 Jewish families) respectively. 



Friday, September 14, 2018

Your Daily Pesuk Sept 14, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך

  • Fri, 14 September 2018 = 5th of Tishrei, 5779
  • ה׳ בְּתִשְׁרֵי תשע״ט
Deuteronomy 31:20-24 (5 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:20-24 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
20 “For when I bring them to the land flowing with milk and honey that I swore to their fathers, and they eat and are satisfied and grow fat—then they will turn to other gods and serve them, and they will spurn Me and break My covenant. 21 Now when many evils and troubles have come on them, this song will confront them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants. For I know the intention they are devising this day, even before I bring them into the land that I swore.” 22 That day Moses wrote this song and taught it to Bnei-Yisrael.

23 Then he commissioned Joshua son of Nun and said, “Chazak! Be courageous! For you will bring Bnei-Yisrael into the land I swore to them—and I will be with you.”

24 Now when Moses had finished writing the words of this Torah on a scroll, right to the end . . .

20 כִּֽי־אֲבִיאֶ֜נּוּ אֶֽל־הָאֲדָמָ֣ה׀ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי לַאֲבֹתָ֗יו זָבַ֤ת חָלָב֙ וּדְבַ֔שׁ וְאָכַ֥ל וְשָׂבַ֖ע וְדָשֵׁ֑ן וּפָנָ֞ה אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֤ים אֲחֵרִים֙ וַעֲבָד֔וּם וְנִ֣אֲצ֔וּנִי וְהֵפֵ֖ר אֶת־בְּרִיתִֽי׃

21 וְ֠הָיָה כִּֽי־תִמְצֶ֨אןָ אֹת֜וֹ רָע֣וֹת רַבּוֹת֮ וְצָרוֹת֒ וְ֠עָנְתָה הַשִּׁירָ֨ה הַזֹּ֤את לְפָנָיו֙ לְעֵ֔ד כִּ֛י לֹ֥א תִשָּׁכַ֖ח מִפִּ֣י זַרְע֑וֹ כִּ֧י יָדַ֣עְתִּי אֶת־יִצְר֗וֹ אֲשֶׁ֨ר ה֤וּא עֹשֶׂה֙ הַיּ֔וֹם בְּטֶ֣רֶם אֲבִיאֶ֔נּוּ אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבָּֽעְתִּי׃

22 וַיִּכְתֹּ֥ב מֹשֶׁ֛ה אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֥ה הַזֹּ֖את בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֑וּא וַֽיְלַמְּדָ֖הּ אֶת־בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

23 וַיְצַ֞ו אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֣עַ בִּן־נ֗וּן וַיֹּאמֶר֮ חֲזַ֣ק וֶֽאֱמָץ֒ כִּ֣י אַתָּ֗ה תָּבִיא֙ אֶת־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶל־הָאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֣עְתִּי לָהֶ֑ם וְאָנֹכִ֖י אֶֽהְיֶ֥ה עִמָּֽךְ׃

24 וַיְהִ֣י׀ כְּכַלּ֣וֹת מֹשֶׁ֗ה לִכְתֹּ֛ב אֶת־דִּבְרֵ֥י הַתּוֹרָֽה־הַזֹּ֖את עַל־סֵ֑פֶר עַ֖ד תֻּמָּֽם׃

Franz Delitzsch gives a great summary of Devarim 31, which include our pesukim today:

"Moses' Farewell and Death - Deuteronomy 31-34
With the renewal of the covenant, by the choice set before the people between blessing and curse, life and death, Moses had finished the interpretation and enforcement of the law (Deuteronomy 1:5), and brought the work of legislation to a close. But in order that the work to which the Lord had called him might be thoroughly completed, it still remained for him, before his approaching death, to hand over the task of leading the people into Canaan to Joshua, who had been appointed as his successor, to finish writing out the laws, and to hand over the book of the law to the priests. The Lord also directed him to write an ode (Song), as a witness against the people, on account of their obstinacy, and teach it to the Israelites. To these last arrangements and acts of Moses, which are narrated in ch. 31 and 32, there are added in ch. 33 the blessing with which this man of god bade farewell to the tribes of Israel, and in ch. 34 the account of his death, with which the Torah closes."

John Gill's comments about this Song that remains a testimony "against" Israel are also noteworthy:

"...and whereas the death of Moses was very near, and the Lord foreseeing the people would quickly fall into idolatry, which would bring great calamities upon them, he directed Moses to write a song, which should be a witness for him, and against them, in ages to come; which Moses accordingly did, Deuteronomy 31:14; and Moses having given a charge to Joshua, and finished the writing of the law in a book, gave it to the Levites to put it in the side of the ark, Deuteronomy 31:23; and then ordered the chief of the tribes to be gathered together, that he might deliver the song, which by the direction and under the inspiration of God he had written, Deuteronomy 31:28; which song is recorded in Deuteronomy 32:1."

The important thing to remember about this song is that it indeed is a testimony "against" us.  It is incredibly interesting to read that Moshe and this generation of B'nei Yisrael knew and received the prophetic foreknowledge that in future generations and specifically in the end of days, Israel would fail to keep this Torah and the words of this Song would "confront" us and never be forgotten by our children.  As in pesuk 21:

21 Now when many evils and troubles have come on them, this song will confront them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouth of their descendants.

There are actually three "songs" Moshe wrote:  "Song at the Sea" (Exodus 15; "Psalm 90" & "Song of Moses" (Deut. 32).

Az Yashir Moshe (Ex. 15), recited daily in the Shacarit morning prayer service, and furthermore we see that in the very end of days, we will continue to sing all the Songs of Moshe...

Revelation 15:3 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
3 And they are singing the song of Moses the servant of God and the song of the Lamb, saying,

“Great and wonderful are Your deeds,
    Adonai Elohei-Tzva’ot!
Just and true are Your ways,
    O King of the nations!

One of the best modern examples of our generations singing this song even in these last days, is this clip from Youtube that you can enjoy:  (this is the cutest!!!) how precious!


If you're not familiar with the Hebrew, the English translation is below it, Exodus 15:

 אָ֣ז יָשִֽׁיר־מֹשֶׁה֩ וּבְנֵ֨י יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֤ה הַזֹּאת֙ לַֽיהוָ֔ה וַיֹּאמְר֖וּ לֵאמֹ֑ר אָשִׁ֤ירָה לַֽיהוָה֙ כִּֽי־גָאֹ֣ה גָּאָ֔ה ס֥וּס וְרֹכְב֖וֹ רָמָ֥ה בַיָּֽם׃

2 עָזִּ֤י וְזִמְרָת֙ יָ֔הּ וַֽיְהִי־לִ֖י לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ וְאַנְוֵ֔הוּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י אָבִ֖י וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃

3 יְהוָ֖ה אִ֣ישׁ מִלְחָמָ֑ה יְהוָ֖ה שְׁמֽוֹ׃

4 מַרְכְּבֹ֥ת פַּרְעֹ֛ה וְחֵיל֖וֹ יָרָ֣ה בַיָּ֑ם וּמִבְחַ֥ר שָֽׁלִשָׁ֖יו טֻבְּע֥וּ בְיַם־סֽוּף׃

5 תְּהֹמֹ֖ת יְכַסְיֻ֑מוּ יָרְד֥וּ בִמְצוֹלֹ֖ת כְּמוֹ־אָֽבֶן׃

6 יְמִֽינְךָ֣ יְהוָ֔ה נֶאְדָּרִ֖י בַּכֹּ֑חַ יְמִֽינְךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה תִּרְעַ֥ץ אוֹיֵֽב׃

7 וּבְרֹ֥ב גְּאוֹנְךָ֖ תַּהֲרֹ֣ס קָמֶ֑יךָ תְּשַׁלַּח֙ חֲרֹ֣נְךָ֔ יֹאכְלֵ֖מוֹ כַּקַּֽשׁ׃

8 וּבְר֤וּחַ אַפֶּ֙יךָ֙ נֶ֣עֶרְמוּ מַ֔יִם נִצְּב֥וּ כְמוֹ־נֵ֖ד נֹזְלִ֑ים קָֽפְא֥וּ תְהֹמֹ֖ת בְּלֶב־יָֽם׃

9 אָמַ֥ר אוֹיֵ֛ב אֶרְדֹּ֥ף אַשִּׂ֖יג אֲחַלֵּ֣ק שָׁלָ֑ל תִּמְלָאֵ֣מוֹ נַפְשִׁ֔י אָרִ֣יק חַרְבִּ֔י תּוֹרִישֵׁ֖מוֹ יָדִֽי׃

10 נָשַׁ֥פְתָּ בְרוּחֲךָ֖ כִּסָּ֣מוֹ יָ֑ם צָֽלֲלוּ֙ כַּֽעוֹפֶ֔רֶת בְּמַ֖יִם אַדִּירִֽים׃

11 מִֽי־כָמֹ֤כָה בָּֽאֵלִם֙ יְהוָ֔ה מִ֥י כָּמֹ֖כָה נֶאְדָּ֣ר בַּקֹּ֑דֶשׁ נוֹרָ֥א תְהִלֹּ֖ת עֹ֥שֵׂה פֶֽלֶא׃

12 נָטִ֙יתָ֙ יְמִ֣ינְךָ֔ תִּבְלָעֵ֖מוֹ אָֽרֶץ׃

13 נָחִ֥יתָ בְחַסְדְּךָ֖ עַם־ז֣וּ גָּאָ֑לְתָּ נֵהַ֥לְתָּ בְעָזְּךָ֖ אֶל־נְוֵ֥ה קָדְשֶֽׁךָ׃

14 שָֽׁמְע֥וּ עַמִּ֖ים יִרְגָּז֑וּן חִ֣יל אָחַ֔ז יֹשְׁבֵ֖י פְּלָֽשֶׁת׃

15 אָ֤ז נִבְהֲלוּ֙ אַלּוּפֵ֣י אֱד֔וֹם אֵילֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב יֹֽאחֲזֵ֖מוֹ רָ֑עַד נָמֹ֕גוּ כֹּ֖ל יֹשְׁבֵ֥י כְנָֽעַן׃

16 תִּפֹּ֨ל עֲלֵיהֶ֤ם אֵימָ֙תָה֙ וָפַ֔חַד בִּגְדֹ֥ל זְרוֹעֲךָ֖ יִדְּמ֣וּ כָּאָ֑בֶן עַד־יַעֲבֹ֤ר עַמְּךָ֙ יְהוָ֔ה עַֽד־יַעֲבֹ֖ר עַם־ז֥וּ קָנִֽיתָ׃

17 תְּבִאֵ֗מוֹ וְתִטָּעֵ֙מוֹ֙ בְּהַ֣ר נַחֲלָֽתְךָ֔ מָכ֧וֹן לְשִׁבְתְּךָ֛ פָּעַ֖לְתָּ יְהוָ֑ה מִקְּדָ֕שׁ אֲדֹנָ֖י כּוֹנְנ֥וּ יָדֶֽיךָ׃

18 יְהוָ֥ה׀ יִמְלֹ֖ךְ לְעֹלָ֥ם וָעֶֽד׃

19 כִּ֣י בָא֩ ס֨וּס פַּרְעֹ֜ה בְּרִכְבּ֤וֹ וּבְפָרָשָׁיו֙ בַּיָּ֔ם וַיָּ֧שֶׁב יְהוָ֛ה עֲלֵהֶ֖ם אֶת־מֵ֣י הַיָּ֑ם וּבְנֵ֧י יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל הָלְכ֥וּ בַיַּבָּשָׁ֖ה בְּת֥וֹךְ הַיָּֽם׃ פ


Then Moses and Bnei-Yisrael sang this song to Adonai:

I will sing to Adonai, for He is highly exalted!
The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea.
2 Adonai is my strength and song,
and He has become my salvation.
This is my God, and I will glorify Him,
    my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
3 Adonai is a warrior—Adonai is His Name!
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his army
    He has hurled into the sea,
    and his chosen captains have sunk
        into the Sea of Reeds.
5 The deeps cover them.
    They sank to the depths like a stone.
6 Your right hand, Adonai, is glorious in power.
    Your right hand, Adonai, dashes the enemy to pieces.
7 In the greatness of Your excellency
    You overthrow those who resist You.
    You send forth Your wrath—
    it consumes them as stubble.
8 With the blast of Your nostrils the waters piled up.
    The floods stood upright as a heap.
    The deeps became firm ground in the heart of the sea.
9 The enemy said, “I will pursue,
    I will overtake, I will divide the spoil.
    My lust shall gorge on them!
    I will draw my sword—my hand will destroy them.”
10 You blew with Your wind, the sea covered them.
They sank like lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like You, Adonai, among the gods?
Who is like You,
    glorious in holiness,
    awesome in praises,
    doing wonders?
12 You stretched out Your right hand,
the earth swallowed them.
13 You in Your lovingkindness
led the people You have redeemed.
You guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.
14 When the peoples hear, they will tremble—
    anguish will seize
    the inhabitants of Philistia.
15 Then the chiefs of Edom are terrified.
Trembling grips Moab’s mighty men.
All of Canaan’s inhabitants will melt away.
16 Terror and dread will fall on them.
By the greatness of Your arm they become still as a stone,
till Your people cross over, Adonai,
till the people whom You purchased cross over.
17 You bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,
    the place, Adonai, that You have made
        for Yourself to dwell in—
    the Sanctuary, Adonai,
        which Your hands have prepared.
18 Adonai will reign forever and ever!

19 For Pharaoh’s horses with his chariots and his horsemen went into the sea, but Adonai brought the waters of the sea back over them. Yet Bnei-Yisrael walked in the midst of the sea on dry ground.


Thursday, September 13, 2018

Your Daily Pesuk Sept. 13, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך


  • Thu, 13 September 2018 = 4th of Tishrei, 5779
  • ד׳ בְּתִשְׁרֵי תשע״ט
Deuteronomy 31:14-19 (6 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:14-19 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
14 Then Adonai said to Moses, “Behold, your time to die is near. Call Joshua, and present yourselves at the Tent of Meeting, and I will commission him.” Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tent of Meeting.

15 Adonai appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the opening of the Tent. 16 Adonai said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers. Then this people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will abandon Me and break My covenant that I cut with them. 17 Then My anger will flare against them on that day, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them. So they will be devoured, and many evils and troubles will come on them. They will say on that day, ‘Isn’t it because our God is not among us that these evils have come on us?’ 18 I will surely hide My face on that day because of all the evil they have done, for they have turned to other gods.

19 “Now, write this song for yourselves, and teach it to Bnei-Yisrael—put it in their mouth, so that this song may be a witness for Me against Bnei-Yisrael.

14 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה הֵ֣ן קָרְב֣וּ יָמֶיךָ֮ לָמוּת֒ קְרָ֣א אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וְהִֽתְיַצְּב֛וּ בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵ֖ד וַאֲצַוֶּ֑נּוּ וַיֵּ֤לֶךְ מֹשֶׁה֙ וִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֔עַ וַיִּֽתְיַצְּב֖וּ בְּאֹ֥הֶל מוֹעֵֽד׃

15 וַיֵּרָ֧א יְהוָ֛ה בָּאֹ֖הֶל בְּעַמּ֣וּד עָנָ֑ן וַיַּעֲמֹ֛ד עַמּ֥וּד הֶעָנָ֖ן עַל־פֶּ֥תַח הָאֹֽהֶל׃ ס

16 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר יְהוָה֙ אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֔ה הִנְּךָ֥ שֹׁכֵ֖ב עִם־אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ וְקָם֩ הָעָ֨ם הַזֶּ֜ה וְזָנָ֣ה׀ אַחֲרֵ֣י׀ אֱלֹהֵ֣י נֵֽכַר־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר ה֤וּא בָא־שָׁ֙מָּה֙ בְּקִרְבּ֔וֹ וַעֲזָבַ֕נִי וְהֵפֵר֙ אֶת־בְּרִיתִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר כָּרַ֖תִּי אִתּֽוֹ׃

17 וְחָרָ֣ה אַפִּ֣י ב֣וֹ בַיּוֹם־הַ֠הוּא וַעֲזַבְתִּ֞ים וְהִסְתַּרְתִּ֨י פָנַ֤י מֵהֶם֙ וְהָיָ֣ה לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל וּמְצָאֻ֛הוּ רָע֥וֹת רַבּ֖וֹת וְצָר֑וֹת וְאָמַר֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא הֲלֹ֗א עַ֣ל כִּֽי־אֵ֤ין אֱלֹהַי֙ בְּקִרְבִּ֔י מְצָא֖וּנִי הָרָע֥וֹת הָאֵֽלֶּה׃

18 וְאָנֹכִ֗י הַסְתֵּ֨ר אַסְתִּ֤יר פָּנַי֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא עַ֥ל כָּל־הָרָעָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֑ה כִּ֣י פָנָ֔ה אֶל־אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֲחֵרִֽים׃

19 וְעַתָּ֗ה כִּתְב֤וּ לָכֶם֙ אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֣ה הַזֹּ֔את וְלַמְּדָ֥הּ אֶת־בְּנֵי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל שִׂימָ֣הּ בְּפִיהֶ֑ם לְמַ֨עַן תִּהְיֶה־לִּ֜י הַשִּׁירָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את לְעֵ֖ד בִּבְנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

Today's pesukim seem a bit "contradictory" in nature.  Just a couple days ago in Devarim 31, earlier in the chapter, Adonai said He would never leave us or forsake us! (pesuk 8).  Now here God says, in pesuk 17 that He will "abandon" us and "hide His face from us"; what!!!!

Before we "freak out".  We must remember that the Bible NEVER CONTRADICTS ITSELF.  So if it seems to be contradictory, it is likely because of something we are reading into it, or not considering.  For example, in pesuk 16 He clearly points out that it is "WE WHO ABANDONED HIM FIRST..."

"They will abandon Me and break My covenant"

Furthermore, in context He doesn't "fully leave us".  Instead He has Moshe begin writing a "Song" (Pesuk 19).  We are reminded that when it feels that God has abandoned us, it is not really Him who leaves, it is always that we have rejected Him first.

Many unbelievers today question...where is God?  Look at all the suffering in this world.  How can there be a God, and how can He be a God of Love...look at all that is wrong in the world!  Why did He allow the Holocaust to happen.

My friend, you are not looking at it correctly.  Yes those things all have happened and we have indeed suffered, not because He left us - but rather we left Him first; HOWEVER, HE HAS NOT FORGOTTEN US!!!  He has resurrected Israel from the ashes of the Holocaust, He has kept a remnant of His people alive and now, today Israel is a thriving nation, Hebrew language has been revived, Israel is a top techno-superpower!  Her intelligence and alliance with the U.S. is by far the best in the whole middle-east, in fact it's the only real Democracy in the Middle-East!  Look at all God has done, despite the fact that we turned our backs on Him.  Yet, He still loves us! Indeed He's never left us!

Who are we to deserve all of this kindness.  Let us read the pesukim today and tomorrow and examine the words of this "Song" to see the real reason's behind our suffering, and begin to understand and put our Hope and Trust in Adonai, the God of Israel, His Son Yeshua, our Messiah.

Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk Sept. 12, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך


  • Wed, 12 September 2018 = 3rd of Tishrei, 5779
  • ג׳ בְּתִשְׁרֵי תשע״ט
Deuteronomy 31:10-13 (4 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:10-13 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
10 Then Moses commanded them saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of cancelling debts, during the feast of Sukkot, 11 when all Israel comes to appear before Adonai your God in the place He chooses, you are to read this Torah before them in their hearing. 12 Gather the people—the men and women and little ones, and the outsider within your town gates—so they may hear and so they may learn, and they will fear Adonai your God and take care to do all the words of this Torah. 13 So their children, who have not known, will hear and learn to fear Adonai your God—all the days you live on the land you are about to cross over the Jordan to possess.”

10 וַיְצַ֥ו מֹשֶׁ֖ה אוֹתָ֣ם לֵאמֹ֑ר מִקֵּ֣ץ׀ שֶׁ֣בַע שָׁנִ֗ים בְּמֹעֵ֛ד שְׁנַ֥ת הַשְּׁמִטָּ֖ה בְּחַ֥ג הַסֻּכּֽוֹת׃

11 בְּב֣וֹא כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל לֵרָאוֹת֙ אֶת־פְּנֵי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בַּמָּק֖וֹם אֲשֶׁ֣ר יִבְחָ֑ר תִּקְרָ֞א אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּ֛את נֶ֥גֶד כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל בְּאָזְנֵיהֶֽם׃

12 הַקְהֵ֣ל אֶת־הָעָ֗ם הָֽאֲנָשִׁ֤ים וְהַנָּשִׁים֙ וְהַטַּ֔ף וְגֵרְךָ֖ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֨עַן יִשְׁמְע֜וּ וּלְמַ֣עַן יִלְמְד֗וּ וְיָֽרְאוּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹֽהֵיכֶ֔ם וְשָׁמְר֣וּ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת אֶת־כָּל־דִּבְרֵ֖י הַתּוֹרָ֥ה הַזֹּֽאת׃

13 וּבְנֵיהֶ֞ם אֲשֶׁ֣ר לֹֽא־יָדְע֗וּ יִשְׁמְעוּ֙ וְלָ֣מְד֔וּ לְיִרְאָ֖ה אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֑ם כָּל־הַיָּמִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתֶּ֤ם חַיִּים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתֶּ֜ם עֹבְרִ֧ים אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֛ן שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃ פ

As mentioned yesterday, the public reading of the Torah is introduced to us, but today we also have the pesukim that mentions Chag Hasukkot! (the Feast of Sukkot).  Remember, that Sukkot is one of the three Pilgrimage Festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, & Sukkot).  Three times a year all males were required to travel to Jerusalem (when the Temple stood) and offer sacrifices there at the Temple in Jerusalem.  This is why you read very often Yeshua "going up to Jerusalem" to a "feast".  Sukkot was a time for the nation to be reminded of the Torah, to hear it and be taught...

So it will be in the age to come, in the age of Messiah, during the 1,000 Millennial Reign of the Messiah, that all nations will someday be "required" to go to Jerusalem at this time and learn Torah...

Zechariah 14:16 Then all the survivors from all the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot, and to celebrate Sukkot. 17 Furthermore, if any of the nations on earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Adonai-Tzva’ot, they will have no rain. 18 If the Egyptians do not go up and celebrate, they will have no rain. Instead, there will be the plague that Adonai will inflict on the nations that do not go up to celebrate Sukkot. 19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate Sukkot. 20 In that day “Holy to Adonai” will be inscribed on the bells of the horses and the pots in House of Adonai will be like the sacred bowls in front of the altar. 21 In fact every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah will be Holy to Adonai-Tzva’ot, so that everyone who comes to sacrifice will take them, and cook in them. In that day there will no longer be a Canaanite in the House of Adonai-Tzva’ot.

Yes we see that in that day, in a future age, all nations will be REQUIRED to go up to Jerusalem during Sukkot.  But how do they learn Torah?  Zechariah doesn't seem to say anything about that...

Remember, one of the purposes of going during Sukkot was to learn Torah...

Micah 4 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
4 But at the end of days the mountain of Adonai’s House will be established as chief of the mountains, and will be raised above the hills.
Peoples will flow up to it.
2 Then many nations will go and say:
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of Adonai,
    to the House of the God of Jacob!
Then He will direct us in His ways,
    and we will walk in His paths.”
For Torah will go forth from Zion,
and the word of Adonai from Jerusalem.
3 He will judge between many peoples
and decide for mighty nations far off.
They will beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning shears.
Nation will not lift up sword against nation,
    nor will they learn war again.
4 But each man will sit under his vine
    and under his fig tree,
    with no one causing terror,
for the mouth of Adonai-Tzva’ot has spoken.
5 Though all the peoples will walk
each in the name of his god,
so we ourselves will walk in the Name of Adonai Eloheinu,
    forever and ever.

6 “In that day”
—it is a declaration of Adonai—
“I will gather her who is limping,
and her who was banished will I collect,
even those whom I have afflicted.
7 I will make her who was limping into a remnant,
    and her who was banished a mighty nation.
Adonai will reign over them on Mount Zion
    from that time and forever.”

It is important to remember, that this is speaking of a "future age", the age of Messiah who has returned in Jerusalem.  Today, we are still living in the age of the Gentiles.  And until "that day", we live by the ruling of the Apostles (Acts 15 & 21), that we do not put obstacles or burdens on the Gentiles.  They are NOT required to live Jewish lifestyles in order to be saved.  Not all of Torah is obligatory on them, nor should we get ahead of ourselves today and start telling Christians and Churches that they got the Sabbath wrong and that they need to change their ways...

No, it is clear, that it is the Messiah's job to change that.  Our job today is to get this good news of Salvation in Messiah Yeshua out to our Jewish people first, and then "whosoever".  Leave the arguments about Torah with Gentiles to the Messiah.  He'll take care of that Himself, and besides, He does a better job at that then we could ever hope to do ourselves.

Have a good fast, (Tzom Gedaliah today),

R' Eric

Your Daily Pesuk Sept 11, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך


  • Tue, 11 September 2018 = 2nd of Tishrei, 5779
  • ב׳ בְּתִשְׁרֵי תשע״ט
Deuteronomy 31:7-9 (3 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:7-9 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong! Be courageous! For you are to go with this people into the land Adonai has sworn to their fathers to give them, and you are to enable them to inherit it. 8 Adonai—He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you or abandon you. Do not fear or be discouraged.”

9 Moses wrote down this Torah and gave it to the kohanim, the sons of Levi who carry the Ark of the Covenant of Adonai, and to all the elders of Israel.

7 וַיִּקְרָ֨א מֹשֶׁ֜ה לִֽיהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ וַיֹּ֨אמֶר אֵלָ֜יו לְעֵינֵ֣י כָל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ חֲזַ֣ק וֶאֱמָץ֒ כִּ֣י אַתָּ֗ה תָּבוֹא֙ אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֔ה אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֨ר נִשְׁבַּ֧ע יְהוָ֛ה לַאֲבֹתָ֖ם לָתֵ֣ת לָהֶ֑ם וְאַתָּ֖ה תַּנְחִילֶ֥נָּה אוֹתָֽם׃

8 וַֽיהוָ֞ה ה֣וּא׀ הַהֹלֵ֣ךְ לְפָנֶ֗יךָ ה֚וּא יִהְיֶ֣ה עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א יַֽעַזְבֶ֑ךָּ לֹ֥א תִירָ֖א וְלֹ֥א תֵחָֽת׃

9 וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב מֹשֶׁה֮ אֶת־הַתּוֹרָ֣ה הַזֹּאת֒ וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ אֶל־הַכֹּהֲנִים֙ בְּנֵ֣י לֵוִ֔י הַנֹּ֣שְׂאִ֔ים אֶת־אֲר֖וֹן בְּרִ֣ית יְהוָ֑ה וְאֶל־כָּל־זִקְנֵ֖י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

As in yesterday's pesukim, the theme of being strong "Chazak", and not fearing along with the understanding that Adonai will NOT leave us, is continued today.  Additionally, we have pesuk 9 which begins to explain to us the importance of the Public Reading of the Torah.

Today is also the Second Day of Rosh Hashanah here in the Diaspora (only one day in Israel), ironically, this was also the season when we see a Biblical account of a public reading of the Torah on Rosh Hashanah...

Nehemiah 8:8 Then all the people were brought as a single body into the plaza that was before the Water Gate. They said to Ezra the scribe, “Bring out the Torah scroll of Moses that Adonai had commanded Israel.”

2 Ezra the kohen brought the Torah before the assembly, which included men and women and all who could understand what they heard. This happened on the first day of the seventh month. 3 So he read from it before the plaza in front of the Water Gate from first light until midday, in the presence of the men and women, and others who could understand. And all the people listened attentively to the scroll of the Torah. 4 Ezra the scribe stood on a high wooden platform constructed for this purpose.... (skip to pesuk 5...)...

5 Ezra opened the scroll in the sight of all the people for he was above all the people. When he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Ezra blessed Adonai, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, amen!” as they lifted up of their hands. Then they bowed down and worshiped Adonai with their faces to the ground.

7 The Levites—Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbetai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan and Pelaiah—instructed the people in the Torah while the people were standing in their place. 8 They read from the Torah scroll of God, distinctly explaining it and giving insight. Thus they understood what was read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the kohen-scribe, and the Levites who were teaching the people said to all the people, “Today is kadosh to Adonai your God. Do not mourn or weep!” For all the people had been weeping when they heard the words of the Torah.

10 So he said to them, “Go! Eat choice food, drink sweet drinks, and send portions to those who have nothing ready. For today is kadosh to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of Adonai is your strength.”

11 Then the Levites quieted all the people, saying, “Hush! For today is kadosh. Do not grieve.” 12 So all the people departed to eat and drink, to send portions and to celebrate with great joy, because they came to understand the words that were explained to them.

What a beautiful account of a Rosh Hashanah where the Torah was restored after the Babylonian captivity and the people were now being instructed on the Torah and how to celebrate this Mo'ad (appointed Time).  A wooden Bima was built just like we have in our synagogues, before the reading we have the blessing, just like Ezra the Scribe did... and they ate and drank sweet drinks, just as we eat apples & honey and wish each other a L'shanah Tovah today!

And just as our ancestors continued in the public reading and teaching of the Torah, so too are we reminded today as Messianic believers...

1 Timothy 4:13 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to encouragement, and to teaching.

May Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur NOT be the only time you darken the door of the synagogue.  Let's not neglect the assembly and come together in a mikra kodesh (holy convocation) for the spiritual nourishing of our souls!

Get More Public Reading of Torah!

Shanah Tovah!

Your Daily Pesuk Sept 10, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך


  • Mon, 10 September 2018 = 1st of Tishrei, 5779
  • א׳ בְּתִשְׁרֵי תשע״ט
Deuteronomy 31:4-6 (3 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:4-6 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
4 “Adonai will do to them just as He did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 Adonai will give them over to you, and you are to do to them according to all the mitzvot that I commanded you. 6 Chazak! Be courageous! Do not be afraid or tremble before them. For Adonai your God—He is the One who goes with you. He will not fail you or abandon you.”

4 וְעָשָׂ֤ה יְהוָה֙ לָהֶ֔ם כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשָׂ֗ה לְסִיח֥וֹן וּלְע֛וֹג מַלְכֵ֥י הָאֱמֹרִ֖י וּלְאַרְצָ֑ם אֲשֶׁ֥ר הִשְׁמִ֖יד אֹתָֽם׃

5 וּנְתָנָ֥ם יְהוָ֖ה לִפְנֵיכֶ֑ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֣ם לָהֶ֔ם כְּכָל־הַמִּצְוָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי אֶתְכֶֽם׃

6 חִזְק֣וּ וְאִמְצ֔וּ אַל־תִּֽירְא֥וּ וְאַל־תַּעַרְצ֖וּ מִפְּנֵיהֶ֑ם כִּ֣י׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ ה֚וּא הַהֹלֵ֣ךְ עִמָּ֔ךְ לֹ֥א יַרְפְּךָ֖ וְלֹ֥א יַעַזְבֶֽךָּ׃ פ

In Pesuk 6 we see the infamous word for "strength" or to "be strong" - Chazak!  The tradition each time we finish reading an entire Sefer (book) of the Torah we speak this word out loud; "Chazak, Chazak V'nishchasiek"!  (Be Strong, Be Strong, and may we be Strengthened).

It is encouraging and strengthening to know that Adonai will never leave us or forsake us as we see here in pesuk 6, and it will be repeated tomorrow as well in pesuk 8.

As Messianic believers, we also know that even though our Messiah has temporarily left, He did not leave us permanently...

Yochanan 14:15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper so He may be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him. You know Him, because He abides with you and will be in you. 18 I will not abandon you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 In a little while, the world will no longer behold Me, but you will behold Me. Because I live, you also will live!

20 “In that day, you will know that I am in My Father, you are in Me, and I am in you. 21 He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and reveal Myself to him.”

22 Judah (not the one from Kriot) said to Him, “Master, what has happened, that You are about to reveal Yourself to us and not the world?”

23 Yeshua answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our dwelling with him. 24 He who does not love Me does not keep My words. And the word you hear is not Mine, but the Father’s who sent Me. 25 These things I have spoken to you while dwelling with you. 26 But the Helper, the Ruach ha-Kodesh whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you everything and remind you of everything that I said to you.

27 “Shalom I leave you, My shalom I give to you; but not as the world gives! Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid. 28 You’ve heard Me say, ‘I am going away and I am coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. 29 I have told you now before it happens, so that when it happens you may believe!

Friends, we could not make it in this world without the Ruach inside of us.  The sin, the temptations, the evil all around us would overcome us.  We could not recollect the Scriptures, we would have little incentive to continue on the path of righteousness, without the regeneration of our hearts (circumcision of the heart), we would continue in sin and practicing sin, and our faith would just be empty religion.  

Without Yeshua leaving us His Ruach, there would be little to no hope for any of us!  B"HS - Yeshua has given us His Spirit that has changed us on the inside and caused us to be Born Again.  He has never left us and never will.  Baruch Hashem!  For our Salvation.  No one can snatch us from His Hands!

Amen

Your Daily Pesuk Sept. 9, 2018


 Vayeilech /  וילך


  • Sun, 9 September 2018 = 29th of Elul, 5778
  • כ״ט בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

EREV ROSH HASHANAH
Deuteronomy 31:1-3 (3 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 31:1-3 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Parashat Vayelech
Chazak! Be Courageous!
31 Then Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 He said to them, “I am 120 years old today. I am no longer able to go out and come in. Adonai has said to me, ‘You are not to cross over this Jordan.’ 3 Adonai your God—He will cross over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you will dispossess them. Joshua will cross over before you, just as Adonai has promised.

31 וַיֵּ֖לֶךְ מֹשֶׁ֑ה וַיְדַבֵּ֛ר אֶת־הַדְּבָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

2 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם בֶּן־מֵאָה֩ וְעֶשְׂרִ֨ים שָׁנָ֤ה אָנֹכִי֙ הַיּ֔וֹם לֹא־אוּכַ֥ל ע֖וֹד לָצֵ֣את וְלָב֑וֹא וַֽיהוָה֙ אָמַ֣ר אֵלַ֔י לֹ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֥ן הַזֶּֽה׃

3 יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ ה֣וּא׀ עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֗יךָ הֽוּא־יַשְׁמִ֞יד אֶת־הַגּוֹיִ֥ם הָאֵ֛לֶּה מִלְּפָנֶ֖יךָ וִֽירִשְׁתָּ֑ם יְהוֹשֻׁ֗עַ ה֚וּא עֹבֵ֣ר לְפָנֶ֔יךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָֽה׃

According to Rashi's commentary:
"Today I am [one-hundred and twenty years old]: [That is to say,] today [is the exact day that] my days and my years have become complete; on this very day [the seventh of Adar] I was born, and on this day I will die. — [Sotah 13b] Another interpretation of “[I can no longer] go or come” is: [I can no longer figuratively go and come, i.e., I can no longer negotiate] in matters of Torah. This teaches us that the channels of transmission and the well-springs of wisdom were closed up from him [i.e., from Moses on that day]. — [Sotah 13b] [That is the order of the early editions and should be preserved. Rashi means that according to the first interpretation, that God did not permit him to go and come before the people, we do not explain the beginning of the verse to mean that Moses’ days were completed, but that God had taken away the authority from Moses. According to the Talmud, which states that Moses’ days were completed, we explain that he could not go and come in matters of Torah, and according to that interpretation, we do not explain that “the Lord said to me” as the meaning for “I can no longer go or come,” but another reason for Moses’ inability to cross the Jordan.]"

We begin a new week, a new Parasha, and a New Year 5779!  Happy Rosh Hashanah - L'shanah Tova!  Today's pesukim speak of the "continuity of leadership" within the community of Israel.  Additionally, it establishes a precedent in how authority is transferred from one leader/generation to the next.

When giving pastoral advice to his disciple, Rav Shaul taught him the following:

1 Timothy 4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but become an example of the faithful—in speech, in conduct, in love, in faithfulness, and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to encouragement, and to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands of the elders. 15 Practice these things—be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be clear to all. 16 Give attention to yourself and your teaching. Persevere in these things, for in doing so you will save yourself and those who hear you.

The Hebrew word for this phrase of "laying on of hands" is simply called "S'micha".  This is how authority was to be transferred from one leader to the next and ideally the leader will have chosen one of his own disciples who has been proven a worthy successor; "Spirit-Filled, and loyal student of his rabbi.

We first see this mitzvah given about S'micha in...

Numbers 27:18 Adonai said to Moses, “Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is the Ruach, and lay your hand on him. 19 You will have him stand before Eleazar the kohen and the entire assembly and commission him before their eyes. 20 Give to him some of your authority so that the whole community of Bnei-Yisrael will obey him. 21 He will stand before Eleazar the kohen, who will pray and obtain judgments for him by Urim and before Adonai. At his mouth, they will go out and at his mouth they will come in, he and all the community of Bnei-Yisrael with him.”

The practice of ordination (i.e. S'micha), laying on of hands has been continued even by the Jewish Shaliachim (Apostles), and it is something we do not take lightly within our Messianic Jewish Movement.  


Your Daily Pesuk Sept 8, 2018


 Nitzavim /  נצבים

  • Sat, 8 September 2018 = 28th of Elul, 5778
  • כ״ח בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 (6 p'sukim)
maf: 30:15-20 (6 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 30:15-20 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil. 16 What I am commanding you today is to love Adonai your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His mitzvot, statutes and ordinances. Then you will live and multiply, and Adonai your God will bless you in the land you are going in to possess. 17 But if your heart turns away and you do not listen, but are drawn away and bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I tell you today that you will certainly perish! You will not prolong your days on the land, where you are about to cross over the Jordan to go in to possess.

19 “I call the heavens and the earth to witness about you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life so that you and your descendants may live, 20 by loving Adonai your God, listening to His voice, and clinging to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, that you may dwell on the land that Adonai swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob—to give them.
15 רְאֵ֨ה נָתַ֤תִּי לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ הַיּ֔וֹם אֶת־הַֽחַיִּ֖ים וְאֶת־הַטּ֑וֹב וְאֶת־הַמָּ֖וֶת וְאֶת־הָרָֽע׃

16 אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוְּךָ֮ הַיּוֹם֒ לְאַהֲבָ֞ה אֶת־יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ לָלֶ֣כֶת בִּדְרָכָ֔יו וְלִשְׁמֹ֛ר מִצְוֺתָ֥יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֖יו וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֑יו וְחָיִ֣יתָ וְרָבִ֔יתָ וּבֵֽרַכְךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ בָּאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

17 וְאִם־יִפְנֶ֥ה לְבָבְךָ֖ וְלֹ֣א תִשְׁמָ֑ע וְנִדַּחְתָּ֗ וְהִֽשְׁתַּחֲוִ֛יתָ לֵאלֹהִ֥ים אֲחֵרִ֖ים וַעֲבַדְתָּֽם׃

18 הִגַּ֤דְתִּי לָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵד֑וּן לֹא־תַאֲרִיכֻ֤ן יָמִים֙ עַל־הָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה עֹבֵר֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹ֥א שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

19 הַעִידֹ֨תִי בָכֶ֣ם הַיּוֹם֮ אֶת־הַשָּׁמַ֣יִם וְאֶת־הָאָרֶץ֒ הַחַיִּ֤ים וְהַמָּ֙וֶת֙ נָתַ֣תִּי לְפָנֶ֔יךָ הַבְּרָכָ֖ה וְהַקְּלָלָ֑ה וּבָֽחַרְתָּ֙ בַּֽחַיִּ֔ים לְמַ֥עַן תִּחְיֶ֖ה אַתָּ֥ה וְזַרְעֶֽךָ׃

20 לְאַֽהֲבָה֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לִשְׁמֹ֥עַ בְּקֹל֖וֹ וּלְדָבְקָה־ב֑וֹ כִּ֣י ה֤וּא חַיֶּ֙יךָ֙ וְאֹ֣רֶךְ יָמֶ֔יךָ לָשֶׁ֣בֶת עַל־הָאֲדָמָ֗ה אֲשֶׁר֩ נִשְׁבַּ֨ע יְהוָ֧ה לַאֲבֹתֶ֛יךָ לְאַבְרָהָ֛ם לְיִצְחָ֥ק וּֽלְיַעֲקֹ֖ב לָתֵ֥ת לָהֶֽם׃ 

Rashi gives us a beautiful illustration of these pesukim and how it can apply to us today as B'nei Elohim, and how God has given us a Good Land and a Good Word and a Good Life, if we would just "Choose Life" - (i.e. His way of living!!!).

"you shall choose life: [God says: “Even though you have free choice, nevertheless,] I instruct you to choose the portion of life.” It is like a man who says to his son, “Choose for yourself a fine portion of my estate,” and then directs him to the best portion, saying to him, “This [is the portion which] you should choose for yourself!” And regarding this, the verse says,“The Lord is my allotted portion and my cup; You guide my destiny” (Ps. 16:5). [The last clause, אַתָּה תּוֹמִי‏ךְ גּוֹרָלִי, literally means “You laid upon my lot.” That is to say:] “You laid my hand upon the good lot, saying, ‘Take this for yourself!’” (Rashi)

These pesukim are the richest example of "FREE WILL".  God gives all of us the choice to follow Him or forsake Him.  While these promises have a direct impact on Israel and their relationship to the Land of Israel, "in this World" - they also have an indirect influence on our decision to follow and obey God in order to inherit the World to Come.

We all have a choice to make today as well.  Will we choose Yeshua, to follow and obey for our Salvation?  

John 8:30 Many people who heard him say these things trusted in him. 31 So Yeshua said to the Judeans who had trusted him, “If you obey what I say, then you are really my talmidim, 32 you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered, “We are the seed of Avraham and have never been slaves to anyone; so what do you mean by saying, ‘You will be set free’?” 34 Yeshua answered them, “Yes, indeed! I tell you that everyone who practices sin is a slave of sin. 35 Now a slave does not remain with a family forever, but a son does remain with it forever. 36 So if the Son frees you, you will really be free! 37 I know you are the seed of Avraham. Yet you are out to kill me, because what I am saying makes no headway in you. 38 I say what my Father has shown me; you do what your father has told you!”

39 They answered him, “Our father is Avraham.” Yeshua replied, “If you are children of Avraham, then do the things Avraham did! 40 As it is, you are out to kill me, a man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Avraham did nothing like that! 41 You are doing the things your father does.” “We’re not illegitimate children!” they said to him. “We have only one Father — God!” 42 Yeshua replied to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me; because I came out from God; and now I have arrived here. I did not come on my own; he sent me. 43 Why don’t you understand what I’m saying? Because you can’t bear to listen to my message. 44 You belong to your father, Satan, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. From the start he was a murderer, and he has never stood by the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he is speaking in character; because he is a liar — indeed, the inventor of the lie! 45 But as for me, because I tell the truth you don’t believe me. 46 Which one of you can show me where I’m wrong? If I’m telling the truth, why don’t you believe me? 47 Whoever belongs to God listens to what God says; the reason you don’t listen is that you don’t belong to God.”

48 The Judeans answered him, “Aren’t we right in saying you are from Shomron and have a demon?” 49 Yeshua replied, “Me? I have no demon. I am honoring my Father. But you dishonor me. 50 I am not seeking praise for myself. There is One who is seeking it, and he is the judge. 51 Yes, indeed! I tell you that whoever obeys my teaching will never see death.”

52 The Judeans said to him, “Now we know for sure that you have a demon! Avraham died, and so did the prophets; yet you say, ‘Whoever obeys my teaching will never taste death.’ 53 Avraham avinu died; you aren’t greater than he, are you? And the prophets also died. Who do you think you are?” 54 Yeshua answered, “If I praise myself, my praise counts for nothing. The One who is praising me is my Father, the very one about whom you keep saying, ‘He is our God.’ 55 Now you have not known him, but I do know him; indeed, if I were to say that I don’t know him, I would be a liar like you! But I do know him, and I obey his word. 56 Avraham, your father, was glad that he would see my day; then he saw it and was overjoyed.”

57 “Why, you’re not yet fifty years old,” the Judeans replied, “and you have seen Avraham?” 58 Yeshua said to them, “Yes, indeed! Before Avraham came into being, I AM!”

Shabbat Shalom