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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Shabbat Shalom fellow saints in training. Greetings and blessings to you on this day that Yahuah our Elohim has made—one that we were admonished by the psalmist to be glad and rejoice in it. This is especially so given that the Sabbath is a most sacred day to us Torah...
The Rule of Emotions Over the Lives of Certain Christians-STAR-89
Part-1--The Rule of Emotions Over the Lives of Certain Christians In following up with my last Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections post (episode 88—”When Tradition Overrides Truth and Reason”), I explored how some of the traditions of the church (namely the modern...
When Tradition Overrides Truth and Reason–Sabbath Thoughts & Reflection-88
KJV Mark 7:1 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault.1 3 For the Pharisees, and all the...
Making a Case to be Holy–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–87
A Case for Holiness As I was conducting my Torah studies week-before-last, I came to Exodus, chapter 19. This of course, is a well-known passage of Torah to our community, for it is the place that marks that point in our history that we officially received our...
Why Aren’t We Wearing Tzitzits or Fringes?
38 "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make for themselves atassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue. 39 "It shall be a tassel for you 1to look at...
Post Passover–Feast of Unleavened Bread Thoughts and Reflections–STAR-85
This is Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections—Episode 85—My Post-Passover-Feast of Unleavened Bread Thoughts and Reflections Greetings fellow Saints in Training. I am trusting that this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections finds you, your families and...
Interpreting the Bible Literally and Eating Unleavened Bread for 7-Days?
Feast of Unleavened Bread--Thus Saith the LORD! As is my typical custom during this time of the Biblical Calendar year, i read and re-read Torah's account and instructions regarding the Passover. What I especially enjoy doing, though, is reading entire passages of...
One of the Greatest Passover Mysteries of the Ages Revealed-STAR-84
The Greatest Passover Mystery of the Ages is Found in the Knowledge and Understanding of Who Yeshua HaMashiyach Is. For some strange reason, a rather sizable chunk of Rooters seem to be more focused upon the mechanical observance of Passover than upon the revealed...
Operating Effectively as a Disciple of Master Yeshua Today–Episode-83
Before moving in to the focal point of this thoughts and reflections episode, I want to first touch upon one housekeeping item if you don’t mind. Last week on 3/29/2017, we began a new calendar year. We celebrated--or should have celebrated, Biblical Rosh...
Is Cooking on the Sabbath Prohibited by God and Torah-Pastors in a Credibility Crisis-STAR-82
Calendar: Just 1-1/2-weeks out from Rosh haShanah presuming the barley is Aviv and the renewed moon is sighted over the land of Israel concurrently. Rosh haShanah is the Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah's New Year Day! and signals the start of the Spring...
Identity Crisis in Hebrew Roots–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode-81
Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation...But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY...
Hebrew Roots Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth
Hebrew Roots Worshiping God in Spirit and in Truth Let's reflect upon the topic of worshiping Abba in Spirit and in Truth as it relates to our Hebrew Roots Faith. This will be part 3 of my multi-episode series on operating and walking out this walk in the Spirit. If...
Spiritual Transfer of Power–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode-78
"Finally my brethren, be strong in Yahuah and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of Yah that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against...
Israel and the U.S.-Best of Friends, Right? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-Episode 76
Israel and the United States--Best of Friends, Right? This is Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections--Episode 76 By now, anyone who keeps up with world events will know of the most recent United Nations Security Council Resolution. But in case you've been distracted with...
Falling in Love with Christmas all Over Again-Part 2–STAR-75
KJV Jeremiah 10:1 Hear ye the word which the LORD speaketh unto you, O house of Israel: 2 Thus saith the LORD, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. 3 For the customs of the people are...
Falling in Love with Christmas all Over Again Part 1-STAR-74
Are we falling in love with Christmas all over again? This is part 1 of what i hope will be just a two part series on this issue. Christmas Posing A Crisis of Faith in the Hebrew Roots Community I believe our community is in, at a minimal, what I've chosen to call "a...
Compassion and Yeshua Messiah–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-73
Compassion and Yeshua Messiah Part 2 of my Divinity of Yeshua Messiah Series--Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 73 In this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, I wish to examine the the Godly attribute of Compassion and Yeshua Messiah. This topic stems...
The Divinity of Yeshua Messiah-Part 1
The Divinity of Yeshua Messiah-Part 1 Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-72 Visitor’s Comment on the Cepher Bible Episode A few weeks ago I received a comment from a visitor to themessianictorahobserver.org that I felt needed to be aired and discussed. The commenter was...
Sharing Hebrew Roots with Christians—The Lunar Sabbath Debacle—America Spotlighted in Deuteronomy 32
Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 70 Day of Atonement Just a day or so out from Day of Atonement (aka Yom Kippur)—a most solemn day of rest for our Faith where we fast and pray and reflect upon our lives and the past year. Prophets sight this Day of...
Are We Seekers of God or Torah Observers?
Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-Episode-69 A Probing Question For this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, I have been led to share a comment left by a visitor to our website. That comment--more a question than a comment I should say--seemed to call into...
Rejected by Family and the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-68
Rejected by Family and the Hebrew Gospel of Matthew Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-68 Master Yahoshua was rejected by the very people He grew up. All indications are that Master's hometown rejected His Messianic works and wisdom because they could not get past His...
A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit Gets God’s Attention–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-67
A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit Gets God's Attention A Question of Numbers--Affiliation--Religion--Or Something Else “With all the billions of people in the world—believers and non-believers alike—what makes me stand out from all the others? What makes...
Hollywood and Atheism
Hollywood and Atheism Atheism is Alive and Well in Hollywood I came across an article the other day that just solidifies for me how shallow some of the more elite of us are in our western society. When it comes down to the question of "do you believe in God?" I...
How Must We Deal with a World that is in Chaos–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 66
How Must We Deal with a World that is in Chaos? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections—Episode 66 Vanity of Vanities for all is Vanity! Well, unless you’ve been completely off the grid—that is, in complete seclusion without access to news of any sort—you are no doubt...
Will the True God of the Old Testament Please Stand-Up–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–65
Will the True God of the Old Testament Please Stand-Up? The so-called God of the Old Testament: This is somewhat of the focus of this episode/post. As I completed chapter 24 of Deuteronomy in my Torah studies this week, I came to realize that we serve a most loving...
The Costs of True Discipleship–A Hebrew Roots Perspective–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–64
The Costs of True Discipleship A Hebrew Roots Perspective Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections--Episode 64 Opening Passage: 28 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, doth not first sit down and count the cost, whether he have wherewith to complete it? 29 Lest...
What Must Our Focus Be in Hebrew Roots–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–63
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4475152/height/90/width/480/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="480"] What Must Our...
The Mixing of Seeds in our Faith–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode-62
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4455245/height/90/width/480/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="480"] The Mixing of...
The Value of Life According to Yahovah–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 59
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4423863/height/90/width/480/theme/custom/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/render-playlist/no/custom-color/88AA3C/" height="90" width="480"] The Value of Life...
Pope Francis and the Spirit of Anti-Messiah–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 58
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4405449/height/360/width/480/theme/standard/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/" height="360" width="480"] Pope Francis and the Spirit of...
Counting Omer and a Question of Circumcision–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 57
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/4384332/height/360/width/480/theme/standard/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/direction/forward/" height="360" width="480"] Counting Omer and a Question of Circumcision...
The World Loves Baal (aka Nimrod)–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections–Episode 56
The World Loves Baal (aka Nimrod) Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections--Episode 56 In this episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, I reflect upon the realization that the world loves Baal (aka Nimrod). This comes to mind in light of a couple YouTube videos that I...
10-Key Teachings of Yeshua Messiah Leading Up To Passover–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 55
10-Key Teachings of Yeshua Messiah Leading Up To Passover Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections--Episode 55 The week leading up to His sacrifice on the execution stake, Yeshua Messiah delivered a number of key teachings to us, contained in the Gospel Record. I selected 10...
Purim–The Providence of God–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 54
Purim--The Providence of God Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections--Episode 54 In Purim-The Providence of God: Then Mordekai commanded to answer Hadassah: “Think not with yourself that you shall escape in the king’s house more than all the Yahudiym. For if you altogether...
Purim–Mourning in Sackcloth and Ashes–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 52
Purim--Mourning in Sackcloth and Ashes Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 52 Well, we can say that we’re still in the Purim season as we work through the latter half of this Adar Bet—the 13th Month of the Biblical Calendar year—and I would refer you to STAR...
Is the Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith in a State of Crisis? STAR 50
Is the Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith in a State of Crisis? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 50 Well, I have to tell you, I was hard-pressed and set to continue with the Purim series for this posting when I got tangled up with thoughts on the...
What do you Mean the Barley is not Aviv? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 49
GUARD the month of Aviyv, and keep the Pecach unto Yahovah your Elohim: for in the month of Aviyv, Yahovah your Elohim brought you forth out of Mitsrayim (that is Egypt) by night. (Deuteronomy 16:1) as I am publishing this episode, which I believe to be a very...
Purim-Haman, the Anti-Christ (aka Anti-Messiah) Cometh–STAR-48
Purim-Haman, the Anti-Christ (aka Anti-Messiah) Cometh Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections-48 Chapter 3 Verse 1 (cf. 5:11) Haman is advanced by Achashverosh to the rank, according to JFB, of vizier or prime confidential minister Achashverosh establishes Haman’s authority...
Thoughts and Reflections on Purim–Yahovah’s Providence Over the Will of Man and Satan–Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections 47
Thoughts and Reflections on Purim--Yahovah's Providence Over the Will of Man and Satan Sabbath Thoughts & Reflections 47 As I reflect and put together this episode, we find ourselves on the 11th Day of the 12th Biblical Month known to some as Adar. The next...
The Cepher Bible–A Violation of Torah? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 46
The Cepher Bible--A Violation of Torah? Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 46 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the...
Praying to the Man Upstairs? Really? Torah Living Daily Challenge–Episode 35
Praying to the Man Upstairs? Really? Torah Living Daily Challenge—Episode 35 As I was driving into the office this morning, I was listening to one of Southern California’s 24-7 news radio stations as I often do to get a sense of what’s happened in the world over...
Spiritual Darkness in the Desert–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 45
Spiritual Darkness in the Desert--Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 45 Territorial Spirits in Las Vegas? Biblical Calendar The writer of Psalms got this principle and I believe it is only by the Ruach--the Spirit--of the Most High that he was led to write this...
A Postmortem Examination on David Jesse’s Defense of Christmas and the Top 7-Issues Most Affecting Hebrew Rooters in 2016–STAR 42
A Postmortem Examination on David Jesse's Defense of Christmas and the Top 7-Issues Most Affecting Hebrew Rooters in 2016 Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections Episode 42 Shalom and Welcome Calendar 27th day of the 10th Biblical Month which is the 9th of January, 2016...
Grace-God’s Sovereignty or Man’s Free Will–Part 11 of the Grace and the Law Series–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 41
Grace--God's Sovereignty or Man's Free Will Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 41--Part 11 in the Grace and the Law Series Opening Scripture-- 12 ¶ And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; ...
Falling into Idolatry and Paganism–Torah Living Daily Challenge 34
Falling into Idolatry and Paganism Torah Living Daily Challenge 34 Deut. 13:13-19 speaks to the destruction of those people and places that are considered heretical and that follow after pagan gods and practice paganism. We live in a secular society, far different...
The Real Hanukkah Story–Torah Living Daily Challenge 33
The Real Hanukkah Story Torah Living Daily Challenge 33 The true story and meaning of Hanukkah is encapsulated and recorded for posterity sake—praise Yahovah for that!—in the Maccabean Revolt or movement that occurred between the rise to power of Antiochus IV—surnamed...
Hanukkah–The Ultimate Torah Challenge–Torah Living Daily Challenge-Episode 32
Hanukkah-The Ultimate Torah Challenge Torah Living Daily Challenge Episode 32 No better time of the Torah Observant Believer in Y’shua Messiah’s calendar year better exemplifies challenge—that is the daily life of living Torah Y’shua-style that Hebrew Rooters face,...
What About Grace Then? Part 10 of Grace and the Law Series–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 39
What About Grace Then? Part 10 of the Grace and the Law Series Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 39 Calendar 22nd day of the 9th Biblical Month—Kislev Just 2-days before the start of Hanukkah—sundown December 7th, ending on Sunday the 14th According to the Calculated...
Torah and Politics–Torah Living Daily Challenge 31
When you have come unto the land which Yahovah your God gives you, and shall possess it, and shall dwell therein; and shall say: I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are round about me; you shall in any wise set him king over you, whom Yahovah your God...
Grace or the Law, Which is it? Part 9 of the Grace and the Law Series–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 38
Grace and the Law, Which is it? Part 9 of the Grace and the Law Series--Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 38 As I am putting the finishing touches on this Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections, Thanksgiving is at the door. Despite what is typically a joyous time of year,...
Israel Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow–Torah Living Daily Challenge 29
Israel Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow Torah Living Daily Challenge 29 As I came to the end of Parashah 47, I went over to the Haftorah reading that is found in Isaiah 54:11-55:5. What a heart-lifting passage of Scripture. And let me just say before I move forward with...
We are no longer under the Law? Grace and the Law Part 8–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 37
We are no longer under the Law? Grace and the Law Part 8 Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 37 Calendar 2nd-day of the 9th-Biblical Month--also known as Kislev. The renewed moon was sighted over the land of Israel by members of the New Moon Society—headed by Torah...
Where is God’s Dwelling Place-Part 2-Torah Living Daily Challenge 28
Where is God's Dwelling Place Part 2 Torah Living Daily Challenge 28 In my last Torah Living Daily Challenge, we discussed the last Torah Portion section of Parashah 47 that addressed the Feasts of the Lord and our celebrating before Yahovah at the place of Father’s...
The Feasts of the Lord and our Priorities–Where is God’s Dwelling Place Part 1–Torah Living Daily Challenge 27
[podcast src="https://html5-player.libsyn.com/embed/episode/id/3942165/height/360/width/480/theme/standard/direction/no/autoplay/no/autonext/no/thumbnail/yes/preload/no/no_addthis/no/" height="360" width="480"]The Feasts of the Lord and our Priorities Where is God's...
Opinions Matter Only So Much–Torah Living Daily Challenge 26
Opinions Matter Only So Much Torah Living Daily Challenge 26 The other day, I found myself in an awkward situation, which I surmise is not uncommon to many of us in the Hebraic Roots. And I would venture to say that, with the advent and popularity of social media,...
Living Under the Curse of Torah–Grace and the Law Part 7–STAR 36
Living Under the Curse of Torah Grace and the Law Part 7--STAR 36 Calendar 25th/26th day of the 8th Biblical Month--also known as Marheshwan Approaching the beginning of the 9th Biblical Month—if all goes as expected, this coming Friday at sundown, the 13th of...
Exorcism and the Torah Observant Believer in Y’shua Messiah–Torah Living Daily Challenge 25
Exorcism and the Torah Observant Believer in Y'shua Messiah Torah Living Daily Challenge 25 This morning I stumbled upon an article that got my attention. It was entitled, “The Great Exorcism Boom,” by Andrew Chestnut; dated 11/5/2015. This article was written...
Leaving Church–Torah Living Daily Challenge 24
Leaving Church Torah Living Daily Challenge 24 Article entitled: "Americans become less religious, especially young adults: poll" by Mary Wisnieswski of Reuters (11/3/2015) Americans becoming less religious--mostly among adults according to recent poll conducted by...
Righteousness and Torah–Grace and the Law Part 6–Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 35
Righteousness and Torah Grace and Law (Part 6)--Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections 35 Calendar 17th/18th day of the 8th Biblical Month--also known as Marheshwan Next festival is Hanukkah--slated for December 8th or at the end of the 9th biblical month Hanukkah is the...
Torah Teaches Love for Humanity–Torah Living Daily Challenge–Episode 22
Torah Teaches Love for Humanity Torah Living Daily Challenge 22 Continuing on in my Torah studies this morning, I am still in Parashah 47, but in section 6. This portion of Torah addresses the very timely topic of the Shmittah. (And Shmittah has a number of...
Tithing and Torah–Torah Living Daily Challenge–Episode 21
Tithing and Torah Torah Living Daily Challenge My Torah studies brought me to Parashah 47 section 6; a portion of Torah that addresses tithing. Now I must admit that I thought I knew all there was to know about tithing until I came upon this Torah portion. As it turns...
Don’t Eat the Bacon–The Duty of Holiness (Part 2)–Torah Living Daily Challenge 19
Don't Eat the Bacon The Duty of Holiness (Part 2) You are the sons of Yahovah your God…For you are a holy people [set apart]to Yahovah your God; and Yahovah has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations on the earth. (Deuteronomy 14:1, 2)...
The Duty of Holiness (Part 1)–Torah Living Daily Challenge 18
The Duty of Holiness (Part 1) Torah Living Daily Challenge 18 You are the sons of Yahovah your God…For you are a holy people [set apart]to Yahovah your God; and Yahovah has chosen you to be a peculiar people to Himself, above all the nations on the earth. (Deuteronomy...