Day of Trumpets—Yom Teruah—Rosh Hashanah—Subject to God or to the Rabbis?–STAR-95
Day of Trumpets—Yom Teruah—Rosh Hashanah—Subject to God or to the Rabbis?
The Calender:
- Friday 9-22-2017—Yom Teruah—Day of Trumpets
- Sunday 10-1-2017—Day of Atonement—Yom Kippur
- Friday 10-6-2017 through Friday 10-13-2017—Feast of Tabernacles—Sukkot
Commentary: The World is Falling Apart and Coming to an End
Although the Day of Trumpets is supposed to be a joyous moed—a feast day—a divine appointment—it comes at a very challenging and sad time in our history:
- Hurricane Harvey’s devastation of Texas and other Gulf Coast states of this nation
- Hurricane Irma’s devastation of some Caribbean island nations and of course Florida and other eastern states of this nation
- Now Hurricane Maria that left behind death and destruction in her path on the island nations of Dominique and Puerto Rico and other nations
- Two earthquakes in Mexico—a 8.1 over a week ago and just this past week a 7.1—both of which has caused untold destruction and many many deaths
- Thoughts abound that man is responsible for all these natural disasters—politically; manmade driven, either through global warming/climate change, or even weather manipulation and earthquake creation
- Radical Islamic Terrorism continues to plague many European Countries, with England being the latest victim this past week in a subway explosion, resulting in the loss of 22 or so lives
- Korean leader—is threatening the existence of the United States with his nuclear military capabilities
- This nation—the United States—is still undergoing through some of the worse racially driven violence it has ever experienced. The puppet masters holding the purse strings funding and organizing these violent protests no doubt have an agenda that is not only self-serving, but also serving hasatan and his kingdom
Then add to all of this natural and manmade turmoil, we have opportunists who have taken it upon themselves to deem the 23rd of September, 2017, as either the end of the world day; the day that Jesus Christ returns to the earth; the day the world’s economies collapse; or the day that Planet X strikes this planet in one big extinction level catastrophe. One prominent Hebrew Roots teacher predicts that the Ark of the Covenant will be found at this time as either the end product of an existential war the world wages against Israel or leading up to such an existential war.
Allow me to give you my humble perspective on the current state of world events, based upon my understanding of our Master’s prophecies and the Apostle Paul’s teachings and predictions.
- The 23rd of this month WILL NOT be the end of the earth nor will it likely be the day that Jesus Christ returns to this earth.
- Father is in control of everything and anything that will happen will take place when, and only when, the Father wills it to happen.
I believe we must synchronize our understanding of the above mentioned current events with the teachings and predictions of our Master Yahoshua HaMashiyach:
As Yeshua sat on the Mount of Olives, four of His disciples [Kefa, Yaakov, Yochanan, and Andrew] came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be and what will be the sign of your coming, and the events at the end <sunelia> of the age?” And Yeshua answered and said to them, “TAKE HEED THAT NO MAN DECEIVE YOU! Many will come in my name, acknowledging that I am Messiah, yet they will deceive many. You will hear of wars and threats of wars—do not be terrorized. All these things must come to pass, but the very end <telios> is not yet. Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom shall rise against kingdom. There will be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in many places. All these are just the beginning of the birth pangs. Then they will deliver you up to be afflicted and they shall kill you. You will be hated of all nations because of me. At that time many will be caught in the snare [that has been set by false teachers] and then they will hate one another and betray one another. Many false teachers shall rise up [among the believers] and they will mislead many. Because those who are without Torah will multiply, the love of many will grow cold. But those who endure to the very end <telios> shall indeed be saved. This Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached throughout the entire world for a witness to all nations.The end <telios> will come when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place. (Whoever reads, let him understand!) Then let those who are in Yehudaea flee to the mountains. Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house. Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes. Woe to those who are with child and to those who give suck in those days. Pray that your flight is not in the winter, neither on the Sabbath. For then [when you see the abomination of desolation] there will be great tribulation such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. Unless those days are shortened, there would no flesh be saved—but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened. (Matthew 24:3-22; Rood’s Chronology)
I also believe Shaul was given an understanding and proper perspective of such times as we are living as made evident in this passage:
I don’t think the sufferings we are going through now are even worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed to us in the future. The creation waits eagerly for the sons of God to be revealed; for the creation was made subject to frustration—not willingly, but because of the one who subjected it. But it was given a reliable hope that it too would be set free from its bondage to decay and would enjoy the freedom accompanying the glory that God’s children will have. We know that until now, the whold creation has been groaning as with the pains of childbirth; and not only it, but we ourselves who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we continue waiting eagerly to be made sons—that is, to have our whole bodies redeemed and set free. (Romans 8:18-23; CJB)
So let us not get caught up in all the hubbub floating about, both within and without our Faith Community. If we believe the Bible to contain the God-breathed Words of Yahovah our Elohim, then we should have absolute confidence that the things we are seeing manifested before us are destined to happen and they are not indicative of the end of the world. There are just a few prophetic loose ends that must first be tied up for the return of Master and the end comes.
Our time then should be spent equipping ourselves for the times ahead; prayer; fasts; doing our part in the great commission; living Torah to the best of our abilities; studying; loving; being the best people we can possibly be on this planet—preparing the way for our Master’s Kingdom.
Day of Trumpets—Yom Teruah—Rosh Hashanah—Subject to God or to the Rabbis?
The Day of Trumpets is defined in Exodus 19, Leviticus 23 and Numbers 29
-
- We were officially introduced to our Creator and given Torah in the midst of the sounding of Trumpets (although not likely falling on the Day as Father originally moved it to (at the start of the 3-Fall Feasts), it was to me an obvious precursor of this sacred day.
- A day of complete rest—a Sabbath
- A day to convene a Holy Convocation (i.e., a solemn calling together)
- A day of memorializing the blowing of trumpets (teruah)
- A day when no servile/ordinary/laborious work is to be done
- A day to present an offering by fire to Yahovah
The Bible records key events that occurred on this Sacred-Holy-Feast Day
- The Dedication of the Temple under King Solomon—I Kings 8 and 2 Chronicles 5 and 7
- Worship was restored to the people of Judah—Ezra 3
- The so-called Bethlehem Star was likely first sighted by the Chaldean astronomers on this day—Matthew 2:1-8–and some 2-weeks later the Master was born conceivably sometime during the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot—Luke 2:7-20 and John 1:14
- Prophetically, the Last Trumpet may conceivably be blow on Yom Teruah, signaling the Resurrection of the Saints—Revelation 11:15-19
Judaism’s Treatment of Yom Teruah—provides a stark example of how the traditions of man have the potential of nullifying the power and effectiveness of the Word and the worship of Yahovah our Elohim.
Then came to Jesus scribes and Pharisees, which were of Jerusalem, saying,
2 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread.
3 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition?
4 For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.
5 But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me;
6 And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition.
7 Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (Mat 15:1-9 KJV)
At least one Hebrew Roots teacher has taught that we (the Hebrew Roots and Christian communities) must allow Judaism to interpret their scriptures (i.e., the Tanakh) while the Christians interpret their scriptures (i.e., the Brit Hadashah). A wise thing to do?
Renamed Rosh Hashanah, Yom Teruah for the Jews signals “the opening of the economic year” (The Jewish Encyclopedia). The Rabbis took from the Torah the instructions on The Regnal Year (i.e., the 7th year)—recently getting a lot of press in certain Christian and Hebrew Roots circles relating to the Shmita and Jubilee years—Leviticus 25:9. The Rabbis teach that the Levitical Year places the beginning of the Sabbatical-year in the autumn on the 10th-day of the 7th-month of Tishri (Tishri being a Babylonian name for the 7th month). Father only named one month—the Month of the Abib—the rest were numbered only.
Abba was very clear, as recorded in Exodus 12:2; 13:4, that the month of the Abib would be the beginning of months and the first months for us. “This system of dating the New Year is that which was adopted by the Semites generally while other peoples, as the Greeks and Persians, began the year in spring, both methods of reckoning being primarily agricultural and based on the seasons of seed-time and harvest” (The Jewish Encyclopedia). Rabbinic understanding of Yom Teruah, as we will see further, is based upon a twisting of Torah and the prophets, claiming that the beginning of the Biblical calendar year had always, from the beginning, been in the autumn of the Hebrew sacred calendar year. This is based upon the aforementioned treatment of the Regnal—Jubilee—years.
From there it is believed that the beginning of the flood occurred on the 17th-day of the 2nd-month, which would coincide better with the rainy season in the land (Genesis 7:11; Josephus, Ant. I. 3, 3). Additionally, the Rabbis provided for the synchronization of the 25th-year of Nabopolassar and the Battle of Carchemish and the 1st-year of Nebuchadrezzar and the Babylonian year reckoned from spring (Jeremiah 25:1; 46:7). This would permit the 2nd-half of the Hebrew year to correspond to the 1st-half of the Babylonian year. Oh, and we should not forget that the prophet Ezekiel’s vision occurred in the month of Tishri (Ezek. 40:1).
The Rabbis surmised that Babylonian influences (i.e., their year commencing in the spring of the sacred calendar year), resulted in a split in understanding when the Hebrew year was to begin. Rabbis acknowledge, however, that there is sufficient Biblical proof for the reckoning of the year commencing at the vernal equinox (which occurs in the spring of the year), for which they cite 2 Sam. 11; 1 Kings 20:22,26; and 2 Chron. 36:10.These passages speak to the commencement of military campaigns which would sensibly begin in the spring of a year as opposed to the fall, leading in to winter.
Rabbis question whether the commandments related to Passover are pre-exilic. Many believe that Passover is a post-exilic “practice” (i.e., post-6th-century BC) and because of heavy Babylonian influences, Nisan (another Babylonian name, this one for the first month) ultimately superseded Tishri as the 1st of the year.
The Rabbis contend that the Festival of the New Year continued to be observed in the autumn of the year in Tishri. The Rabbis further contend that although Moshe (i.e., Moses) appointed Nisan (really Abib) as the first month of the sacred festivals, he preserved the original order of the months for buying and selling and other financial transactions. Thus the Rabbis conveniently cleaved into two the calendar year heads: the Ecclesiastical Year beginning in the Spring of the Year (Nisan) and the Civil Year beginning in the Fall of the Year (Tishri).
This whole thing of assigning the beginning of the year to the Fall Day of Trumpets was seemingly finalized in 312 BC when the Seleucidan calendar set the beginning of the year in autumn, while the Palestinian Jews continued to reckon the beginning of the calendar year in the Spring.
To make matters even worse, the Rabbis decided to cleave the calendar into 4-heads of the year that would be based upon varying standpoints:
- 1st Nisan (Abib) for so-called “regnal” dating, based upon the Exodus story (1 Kings 6:1)
- 1st Tishri (7th Month) as the “agricultural New Year” which commences the harvest (Exo. 23:16; 34:22) . At the year’s end these verses speak to the Feast of Ingather (i.e., Sukkot/Tabernacles).
- 1st of Elul (12th month-summer in the Jewish civil year) for reckoning tithes of cattle—based upon Tishri as beginning of the civil calendar year.
- 15th of Shebat (5th month—winter—of Jewish civil year)—the New Year for trees.
Talmudic Understanding of Trumpets
Servants were formally freed on Rosh Hashanah (based upon Lev. 25:9), although they are physically released on the Day of Atonement (10-days later). Additionally, there was a restoration of fields to their former/original owners (based upon Ezek. 40:1).
Jewish Tradition for Trumpets
Day of Trumpets is regarded as the most solemn day of the sacred calendar year next to Yom Kippur (reference Lev. 23:24; Neh. 8:9). It is regarded as a day of “mishpat,” judgment, of “the God of Jacob,” which indicates the character of Rosh Hashanah.
It is a day in which all the inhabitants of the world pass for judgment before the Creator. In that passing before the Creator to be judged, 3-books are opened: (A) the wicked (these are blotted out of the book of the living); (B) the righteous (these are sealed to live eternally); and (C) the intermediate class (these are not utterly wicked, but these have 10-days of respite to live and repent by Yom Kippur and become righteous or else).
Other traditions include:
- The zodiac sign is the balance in which scales of judgment represent the day; balancing the meritorious against the wicked acts of the judged.
- Taking of annual inventory of accounts.
- The beginning of Creation occurred on this day.
- The means of sustenance of every person are apportioned for the ensuing year as well as everyone’s destined losses.
- Weather determinations are made: if the day is warm, the next year will be warm; if the day is cold, the next year will be cold.
- For good luck, Jews are to eat pumpkins, leeks, beets and dates. Ezra taught that Jews are to eat fat and drink the sweet. Palatable meals are eaten. Some means in some Jewish communities include eating the actual heads of certain animals. Eating animals’ heads which include calf and deer heads signify that the consumer will be ahead (no pun intended) and not backward in their undertakings during the ensuing year.
- One may not, however, eat nuts because the numerical Hebrew numbering system suggests that nuts is the equivalent to the Hebrew term for sin.
- Tables are adorned with grapes, fruit and honey.
- Prayers are offered.
- Feasts are held.
Master was the walking, talking, the living Torah—The Word of Yahovah. So He was quite aware of what the Pharisees and Scribes and all the Jewish religious leaders had and were doing to corrupt His Father’s Torah. He railed against that and in effect, that is what got Him killed—although that move by the religious leaders was for our eternal benefit.
In Deuteronomy 4:1-9, Father admonished us NOT TO ADD TO OR SUBTRACT FROM HIS WORD! (verse 2). Father demanded that we listen and do the statutes and rules given us by Him (verse 1).
Father promised that if we simply stuck with Him and stayed the course and walked out this thing the way He outlined it for us, we would live (verse 3).
Oh some will contend that we needed the Rabbis to interpret the Word of God for us—that Father’s Torah and way of life for man requires special individuals to make it understandable and to tell us how we are to understand the Word of God. Father did not mince words—He said:
10 If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul.
11 For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.
12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?
14 But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil;
16 In that I command thee this day to love the LORD thy God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and the LORD thy God shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;
18 I denounce unto you this day, that ye shall surely perish, and that ye shall not prolong your days upon the land, whither thou passest over Jordan to go to possess it.
19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them. (Deu 30:10-20 KJV)
That which we received at Synai we are to take and behave (i.e., obey) accordingly and we were to carry on those instructions when we entered the Land of Promise (verse 5). Because of our steadfast obedience and reverence of Torah, we would be a beacon to the world, and seen as a people of wisdom and understanding (verse 6).
Father required that we (1) be careful; (2) watch our lives; (3) not forget that which we experienced and witnessed and allow them to vanish from our hearts; (4) and teach those things that we experienced, witnessed and heard and were taught to our children and grandchildren.
Closing Thoughts and Reflections
Yom Teruah—Day of Trumpets–is a day that holds great historical and prophetic significance. It would be foolish for any would be Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah to sully and marginalize those significances and the command to observe/celebrate the day by giving credence and practice to the traditions of men (in this case the Rabbis and sages).
Hasatan has a plan to destroy Father’s Torah and to prevent us from realizing our eternal purpose in the world and to the Kingdom of Yahuah.
Let us stand fast on the promises and commandments of our Heavenly Father and be about seeking out the Kingdom of Yahovah and His righteousness.
Have a blessed Day of Trumpets—in that which Father commanded and in the Spirit of Yeshua our Master.
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In our Torah Reading for this Sabbath, we read of the death of the Matriarch of our Faith, Sarah. And in our discussion, we will explore the eternal truths associated with this sad, but important story. We will touch upon the themes of loving our wives; being a sojourner in this world; burial versus cremation when caring for a deceased loved one; as well as we’ll examine many of the historic and cultural elements that are attached to this beautiful Reading. Shalom and Welcome.
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This week’s Torah Reading is that of the Akeidah or the binding of Isaac. It is a story about obedience, trusting faith and the ultimate goal of the Abrahamic Covenant. We will also explore the ramifications associated with God’s testing of those whom He loves. This is one of the most important Torah Reading Discussions of the Torah Reading Cycle. Come fellowship with us and let’s discuss the Eternal Mysteries of Yah’s Eternal Words of Life.
The In’s and Out’s of Covenant-Justice and Mercy-STAR-18
Many of us view covenant as an exclusive club or culture that belongs to God’s elect and those who find themselves outside of covenant are doomed to be outside of God’s blessings and provision. But the truth of the matter is that God operates in ways that are often foreign to us and that defy how we believe God should operate. In today’s Torah Reading discussion, we discuss the in’s and out’s of covenant and how God’s justice and mercy define how He will interact with those who are in covenant versus those who are outside covenant.
Abraham and the God (Yah) Culture–Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections 15
This week’s Torah Reading touches on a number of relevant themes that include righteousness, justice, reverence, hospitality, boldness, laughter, theophanies and covenant. But the one theme that stands out most is culture. In this installment of TMTO’s Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, we explore each of these themes, in particular the theme of culture. What is the God Culture/the Hebrew Culture? What was Abraham’s role in that Culture? And what does that culture have to do with us today?
El Shaddai-The Mothering Side of our God-STAR 14
Seems we have been indoctrinated to view God exclusively from a “Fathering” perspective. But could one of God’s revealed names be indicative of a “Mothering” side to the Creator of the Universe? In this installment of TMTO we explore and discuss the power and meaning of El Shaddai.
Yehovah-The God Who Sees-STAR 13
In our reading today, we’re led to think and reflect on the themes of:
● Trusting Faith
● Respect
● Patience & Perseverance
● Responsibility
● Honor
● The Spirit Realm Intersecting with the Physical Realm
● Promise
● Sonship
We Must Operate at Abraham’s Trusting Faith Level-So How Do We Get There? STAR 12
Today’s Torah Reading discussion will touch upon a great many themes that include operating in a trusting faith; the righteousness of Elohim; obedience to Yah’s instructions; divine protections and rewards; and the wisdom of challenging or questioning Yehovah.
Our Example of Abraham Being a Friend of God-STAR-11
The circumcised heart of an individual—contrite and broken and humble in spirit—is the one thing that captures Yah’s attention and places him or her in contention for being chosen as His friend and ultimately His child. If our heart ain’t right, we ain’t going to be chosen to enter into an obedient covenant relationship with Yehovah, much less a friend or child of His.
The Righteousness of God Rests Upon the Faithfulness of Yeshua Messiah
Indeed, the Righteousness of God is the place where faith and obedience come together through the Person and Ministry of Yahoshua Messiah. His faithful obedience to Yehovah becomes our faithful obedience, even unto death.
The Abrahamic Covenant Holds the Key to God’s Plan of Salvation-STAR 10
The Abrahamic Covenant is the essential element of this week’s Torah Reading. We find in our discussion that the Abrahamic Covenant holds the key to God’s Plan of Salvation. Shabbat Shalom.
Hanukkah-Truth and Spirituality Versus Traditions of the Rabbis
Many within our Faith Community will be celebrating Hanukkah this week. But is their celebration aligned with the Truth and Spiritual Reality of the Holiday or rather on the Traditions that revolve around it.
The Towers and Nimrods of our Life that Separate us From God
This week’s Torah Reading is based upon the Tower of Babel story. This story may cause us to reflect and think about those towers in our lives that cause us to be separated from God.
As the Days of Noah Were…Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 8
What are the implications for us of Yeshua’s prophecy that the world He would return to would be as the days of Noah were? We discuss, think and reflect. Shabbat Shalom.
The Difference Between Faith and Belief-The Righteousness of God is the Place Where Obedience and Faith Intersect-Part 3
In our continuing exploration of Shaul’s teaching on the Righteousness of God, we answer the critical question: Is there a difference between biblical “faith” and “belief? Both terms are mentioned as important elements to our receiving of God’s Righteousness.
We Serve a Covenant-Keeping Life-Giving God-STAR-7
In this week’s Torah Reading, we discuss the Truth about the Noahide Laws; the true significance of the rainbow; and the character of God that promotes life and covenant among humanity. Come study and fellowship with us. Shabbat Shalom.
And God Remembered Noah-Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections 6
This week’s Torah Reading is the story of the saving of Noah and his family brought about through God keeping covenant and manifesting His righteousness. Come study with us. Shabbat Shalom.
The Righteousness of God is the Place Where Obedience and Faith Intersect-Part 2-The Righteous Shall Live By Faith
Paul declared to the Romans that the just shall live by faith. What exactly did he mean by that statement, especially as it relates to our walk in Messiah? We discuss
How to Please God in Perilous Times-Lessons from the Life of Noah-STAR-5
Noah pleased God in one of the most wicked periods of human history. What was it about Noah that pleased God? His story is the key to our pleasing God in these perilous times and we discuss in this installment of TMTO STAR.
Forbidden Messianic Titles and Roles for the Body of Messiah
This is "Forbidden Messianic Titles and Roles for the Body of Messiah." And this discussion is within the purview of the central theme for this ministry: "Yeshua-focused Torah Living." We are all about promoting the Netzari Faith that was once delivered to the...
What it Means to Walk with God? STAR-4
Today’s discussion is entitled: “What it Means to Walk with God;” it is a Messianic Discussion of the 4th Parashah in the 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. Our discussion text for this Shabbat will be Genesis 5:1-6:8. I will be reading and commenting from the...
The Righteousness of God is the Place Where Obedience and Faith Intersect-Part 1-What is the Righteousness of God?
This is “The Righteousness of God is the Place Where Obedience and Faith Intersect—Part 1—What is the Righteousness of God?” Pose the Central Questions Inevitably, the central question facing Messianics is how does one balance a life of Torah-honoring with that of...
The Heart of True Worship-STAR-3-A Messianic Discussion of Genesis 4:1-26
Today’s discussion is entitled: “The Very Heart of True Worship;” it is a Messianic Discussion of the 3rd Parashah in the 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. Our discussion text for this Shabbat will be Genesis 4:1-26. I will be reading and commenting from the...
Who is to Blame for the Sin of the World? Adam or Eve?” STAR-2-A Discussion of Genesis 2:4-3:24
INTRODUCTION This is Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 2—A Discussion of Genesis 2:4-3:24—Parashah 2 in our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. Since the rabbis did not have a hand in naming the individual Torah Readings in the 3-year Reading Cycles, for the sake of reference,...
The Call to True Biblical Repentance is to Teshuva
A Question of Kingdom Preparedness This was a teaching I delivered to a Sabbath-keeping group online this past Sukkot. I've entitled it "The Call to True Biblical Repentance is to Teshuva." This teaching is actually the firstfruits, if you will, of an overall...
Made in the Image of God-Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections on Genesis 1:1-2:3
"In the beginning Yehovah created..." appears to be a subordinate or supportive statement as opposed to an independent clause. Assuming subordinate/supportive is accurate, the clause is better rendered: "When Yehovah began to create the heavens and the earth..."...
[If] The Law Does Not Save—[Then] What Good Is It–A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:9-20
Goal Today’s installment of The Messianic Torah Observer is entitled: “[If] The Law Does Not Save—[Then] What Good Is It--A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:9-20.” Our goal for today’s discussion is to draw from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the first-century Roman...
What Right Does God Have to Punish Anyone? A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:5-8
Goal: This is a continuation and an expansion of the diatribe the apostle began back in the second half of the second chapter of Romans which I’ve entitled: “What Right Does God Have to Punish Anyone—A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:5-8.” And our goal for this...
Let God Be True and Every Man a Liar–A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:3-4
Goal: This is “Let God Be True and Every Man a Liar—A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:3-4.” It will be a resumption of our examination and discussion of Romans chapter three (3), picking up where we left off from the last installment of our overarching Paul and...
The Oracles of God-The Jewish Advantage-A Messianic Discussion of Romans 3:1-2
The Oracles of God-The Jewish Advantage-A Discussion of Romans 3:1-2 Today’s discussion is entitled: “The Oracles of God—The Jewish Advantage--A Discussion of Romans 3:1-2. This will be a continuation of our long-running Paul and Hebrew Roots Series. Looking...
Paul on Physical Circumcision-A Question of One’s Jewishness Part 4
In today's post we answer the questions: Is physical circumcision still a valid commandment for men of faith to keep and obey? What advantage is there to physical circumcision? Synopsis of the Preceding Installments to the Series Over the course of the last three...
Marriage and Divorce According to Torah Part 2–A Discussion of Parashah 144
Marriage and Divorce According to Torah Part 2—A Discussion of Parashah 144 This is the second post or second half of the overall discussion I have for you regarding this week’s Torah Reading of Deuteronomy 24:1-4. In this post we will cover the teachings of Y’shua...
Marriage and Divorce According to Torah Part 1–A Discussion of Parashah 144
Marriage and Divorce According to Torah Part 1—A Discussion of Parashah 144 Although our Torah Reading for today, Parashah 144, covers Deuteronomy 24:1–25:19, I was led by the content to focus only on the first four-verses of the entire reading. The focus of these...
What Loving One Another Looks Like–The Morality and Love of Torah-Parashah 143
What Loving One Another Looks Like--The Morality and Love of Torah-Parashah 143—Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Our Torah Reading This Week—Parashah 143—Is Found in Deuteronomy 22:8-23:25 The physical should always be followed when applicable, but also the...
What is the True State of our Worship?–Parashah 139 Discussion and Study
What is the True State of our Worship?--Parashah 139 Discussion and Study In today’s installment we will be discussing Parashah 139—which is contained in Deuteronomy 17:1-20. So grab your bible and maybe a cup of coffee or tea, and let’s get into our study of Yah’s...
A Sit-Down Conversation with Dr. Miles R. Jones on the Survival of the Hebrew Gospels
Greek Primacy vs. Hebrew We have been indoctrinated and taught that the original Gospel texts of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Acts and Revelation were all written in ancient Greek. But is this in fact true? For one must rationalize that the writers of these texts were...
Round and Round the Asherah Pole We Go–Parashah 138
This Week’s Torah Reading This week’s Torah Reading, Parashah 138, is contained in Deuteronomy 16:13-22. My ruach eye (that is, my spirit eye) seemed focused primarily on Deuteronomy 16:21-22. These two verses has to do with, yet again, another admonishment to avoid...
Paul on Physical Circumcision for God’s People–A Question of One’s Jewishness Part 3
Opening Remarks on Paul on the Question of Physical Circumcision for God’s People In this installment of the Messianic Torah Observer, we return to our Paul and Hebrew Roots Series and to our series within a series entitled: “A Question of One’s Jewishness.” Today,...
God’s Food Laws-Tithing-Walking in Obedient Covenant Relationship with God-Parashah 136
This Week’s Torah Reading is found in Deuteronomy 12:20-15:6. I’ve entitled this discussion: Gods Food Laws-Tithing-Walking in Obedient Covenant Relationship with God-Parashah 136 Personal Perspective—Opening Remarks Our obedient covenant relationship with the...
Racism and Faith–What Walking in Torah With a Circumcised Heart Looks Like—Parashah 134
How Yah views race and skin color This past week’s interaction with Faith and Race. Not a direct interaction, but an interaction that directly affected friends of this ministry. And these friends ended up having a very troubling experience with a member a black...
Humility-Pride-Remembering-God’s Grace and God’s Faithfulness—Parashah 133
Our Torah Reading: Deuteronomy 9:1-29—Humility-Pride-Remembering-God’s Grace and Faithfulness—Parashah 133 Father’s Faithfulness Stands Despite Our Debased Nature How are we to understand Father’s faithfulness towards us despite our incessant propensity to...
Who and What is Yeshua Messiah-My Personal Perspective on the Person of Yeshua Messiah
Recently, a dear sister discovered this ministry through our website, www.themessianictorahobserver.org. She reached out to me via a couple email messages. And she posed the question: Who or what I believe Yeshua Messiah to be? And she prefaced her question by...
Yeshua-The Bread of Life-Torah Reading-132
Introduction to Parashah 132—Yeshua, the Bread of Life Our Parshah this week, under the 3-year Torah Reading cycle, is found in Deuteronomy 8:1-20. The most prominent verse in the reading is verse 3: “Thou shalt not live by bread alone, but by every Word that...
Blaspheming the Name of God-Part-2 of the Series A Question of One’s Jewishness
Picking-Up Where We Left Off What I want to do this week is to pick-up from where we left off from the last installment of this series within a series which was entitled: "You Are Called a Jew" and move on through verses 19 through 24 in this installment. And...
The Shema-God’s Word Dwelling Within Us-Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections-Parashah 131
Today's Torah Reading Shabbat Shalom beloved of the Most High and sister and brother of the true Faith once delivered. Today's Torah Reading or Parshah is found in Deuteronomy 6:4-7:26; Zechariah 14:1-9; and Mark 12:28-34. But given the content rich nature of this...
Hear O Israel The Statutes and Ordinances Which I Speak-Thoughts and Reflections on Parashah 130-Deuteronomy 5:1-6:3
What Yehovah Expects of His Children This week's Torah Reading (aka parshah), found in Deuteronomy 5:1-6:3, is a reiteration of the 10-Commandments by Moshe to the generation slated to enter the Land of Promise. And along with that iteration comes clarification as to...
Heeding Zophar’s Wisdom About Yehovah
Job: A Story With Many Complexities You know, the story of Job is not by any stretch of the imagination an easy one to work through. Theres just so many complex literary and spiritual textures and concepts woven into the baseline story. The Cepher of Job is in part a...
Can I Get a Witness Up In Here?
A Story of Witness and Commitment to YHVH Picking up from my last blog-post taken from the Cepher of Y’hoshua (aka Joshua), I wish to now turn our attention to chapter 22, verses 10-34. And what we find here in this passage of Holy Writ is an amazing but awesome...
The Great Commitment to Kingdom Living by God’s Elect
My daily Torah studies this morning brought me to the Cepher of Y'hoshua (aka Joshua), chapter 22. By the end of my studies this morning, I was compelled to ask myself, what is the level of commitment I had to walking and living Kingdom. You'll soon see what I mean....
You Are Called a Jew-Part 1 of the Series: A Question of One’s Jewishness
Goal Today we continue our exposition into some of the Apostle Paul's most challenging and hard to understand writings and teachings, having just concluded in our previous post a discussion on the apostle's naming the "gospel" as "my gospel." (I would humbly...
The Gospel According to the Apostle Paul
Our New Challenging Pauline Passage--Romans 2:16--A Seemingly Bold and Curt Statement From the Apostle. Our focus passage, or more precisely, our focus verse today is Romans 2:16. And we find when we read this verse a rather bold and seemingly curt statement...
Are You Under the Law? Part 4 of the Paul on Being Under the Law Series
A Culmination of the Previous 3-Installments Today's discussion is a culmination of the previous 3-installments of this series within a series where we'll finally answer the question: What did Paul mean by one who is under the Law as mentioned in Romans 6:14-15. And...
Paul on Being Under the Law Part 3–Keeping Passover 2021 and Sin Consciousness
1 Corinthians 5:7-Get rid of the old hametz, so that you can be a new batch of dough, because in reality you are unleavened. For our Pesach lamb, the Messiah, has been sacrificed (CJB). Yeshua is our Pesach How appropriate for this time of year wouldn't you say. And...
Paul on Being Under the Law-Part 2-Torah Meets Grace
Goal What I would like to do in today's installment of TMTO is to lay the ground-work or set-the table if you will in our gaining as complete an understanding of what the Apostle Shaul (aka the Apostle Paul) meant when he wrote to his Roman Messianic readers that "sin...
Torah Readings and Studies-Deuteronomy 13–Beware of False Prophets
Prophets That Enticed Departure From Covenant A most timely Torah Reading this past Sabbath I must say: Deuteronomy 13:1-5, which addressed the issue of false prophets amongst Yah's set-apart people. This mitzvah (or commandment) was not so much against those who...
The False Hope of Imitation Christianity
If you've been called and chosen, this message is for you. But it's not for everybody. Questions: What does John 8:32?--You shall know the Truth and the Truth shall set you free. We are to get our information from Scripture. Do you know what you worship? What's the...
Overcoming Obstacles to Faith-Part 3-Learning From Ancient Israel’s Mistakes of Not Finding Contentment
Picking-up From Part 2 of the Series My goal in this message is to pick-up where I left off from my previous two messages on overcoming obstacles to belief. Quick Review of Parts 1 and 2 In Part 1 of this series, we looked at overcoming...
Overcoming Obstacles to Belief Part 2-Learning From Ancient Israel’s Mistakes of Murmuring/Complaining
Goal: Last week I presented to you an overview of the important differences that exists between believing IN YHVH verses believing YHVH and how life can and does create obstacles to our believing Yah. Also recall that I discussed two behaviors that proved to...
Overcoming Obstacles to Belief–Part 1: Learning From Ancient Israel’s Mistakes
Goal: What I intend to address in my message today is something that I believe is crucial for our (1) making it into the Kingdom of Yah; (2) successfully walking out our Faith in Spirit and in Truth; and (3) living the life abundant that Yeshua our Master...
Should Messianic Torah Observers Keep Thanksgiving? The Re-Broadcast
Should Messianic Torah Observers Keep Thanksgiving? In this installment, we reflect upon Torah-Keeping Believers in Yeshua celebrating Thanksgiving: Is it a terrible reminder of genocide that New World Settlers brought upon Native American Indigenous Peoples, or a day...
Lashon Hara-The Sin You Never Knew You Were Committing-Torah Reading Numbers 12:1-15
Verse-by-Verse Discussion Miriam and Aharon Engage in Subversive Conversation Verse 1—Two of Moshe's family members, Miriam and Aharon, engaged in some subversive conversation against Moshe. Moshe apparently married an Ethiopian woman which seemed to outrage the...
Finding Contentment in our Faith–Torah Reading-Numbers 11:1-35
Finding Contentment in our Faith--Torah Reading--Numbers 11:1-35 Verse 1--The peoples' complaining or murmuring (complaining about their hardships openly in Taberah or The Place of Burning) displeased Yah which led to His wrath coming down upon the people...
What Did Paul Mean by Being Under the Law–Part 1
Goal of this Post “For Yah shows no partiality (that is, Yah shows no favoritism). For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law, and all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are...
Paul and the LGBTQ Community–A Messianic Perspective
The Indictment Against Homosexuality In our ongoing quest to untangle and clarify some of the more difficult and challenging Pauline writings, (of late making our way through the Book of Romans), I want to next tackle Romans 1:26-27. Now, most of us should be...
Feast of Tabernacles and the Kingdom of God in You
The Feast of Tabernacles and the Kingdom of God (of Yah) in You My goal in delivering this discussion to you here today is to communicate to you another way of looking at and understanding the Kingdom of Yah. Another perspective. Another angle. Another Truth....
Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)–A Messianic Torah Observer Perspective
Introducing Yom HaKippurim (aka, Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement) Instead of trying to figure out what the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur/Yom HaKippurim is about through hearsay, public discourse or opinion, what do you say we delve into the riches of Torah to get...
Yom Teruah’s Greatest Truths and Mysteries (Revealed)
Yom Teruah's Greatest Truths and Mysteries (Revealed) Today I want to expand our understanding of Yom Teruah (aka The Day of the Blowing of Trumpets or simply the Day of Trumpets) from the day being just another one of the 7-annual Feasts of YHVH; just that...
Polygamy and the Bible–A Messianic Perspective
My Interest Piqued In my studies of this past week’s Torah Reading, I was drawn to Deuteronomy 21:15-17. Many modern English bibles generally entitle this passage something akin to “The Right of the Firstborn.” That being said, this short passage really is about the...
Picking Up and Moving Forward With TMTO
Update on TMTO (Special post without any fanfare and promotion)--Where we are today and where we'll be going. Discontinuing Live-Stream and Why. The failure of the Livestream. Non-committal group of individuals. Newsletter failures. Loss of focus on the original...
Torah Reading 48–Shofetim–Judges–Reading Outline
This week's Torah Reading is contained within Deuteronomy 16:1--21:9 and is entitled Shofetim. In English, Shofetim means Judges. If one were summarize the content of this reading I guess it could be described as a discussion of Yah's established civil...