How to Correctly Keep Yom Kippur
How to Correctly Keep Yom Kippur
How to Correctly Keep Yom Kippur
Believers Want to Know How to Keep Yom Kippur Correctly
We have brethren in our Faith Community who are seeking Truth and want to understand when and what Yom Kippur is and how to properly observe and celebrate the day.
As mature Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah, we are compelled to remind ourselves of the meaning and purpose of the day and prepare ourselves (emotionally, intellectually, spiritually and even physically).
Permit me to approach this briefly from a personal perspective and from the perspective of one who has folks who will listen to this program and need and desire to know how to make the day relevant to them as a 21st-century Messianic Believer.
The Overall Basis for the Day
Yom Kippur—Hebrew for Day of Atonement—is considered by most in our community (and I would tend to agree as well) as the holiest day of the Father’s sacred calendar year. For this is a day to commemorate and reflect upon our need for a savior. More specifically, reflect upon sin and the influence of sin on our relationship with the Creator of the Universe.
Another aspect of the day is that it is a day to reflect upon the sin of the nation and to seek forgiveness and atonement (at-one-ment) for violations of Torah.
- It is a complete “fast” day.
- The Day of Atonement is to be a statute (a chuqqah—an enactment or prescription given to us by Father) forever that we are to observe (Leviticus 23:31).
- When this statute was given to us at Sinai, Father set out the process whereby the Levitical High Priest would make animal sacrifices on behalf of himself and the whole nation: to atone (to cover and bring us back into the good graces of our Father) for national (I believe to a somewhat lesser sense individual) sins.
- The specific passages of Torah that directly address Yom Kippur are found in Leviticus 16 and Numbers 29. (Leviticus 16 and Numbers 29 go into specifics on the animals to be offered and on how those sacrifices were to be presented and administered by the High Priest on behalf of himself and the entire nation.
- The sacrifices would be offered and applied to the mercy seat of the ark of the covenant located in the Holy Place (the Holy of Holies) of the Tabernacle. (NOTE: The Levitical High Priest could enter the Holy Place of the Tabernacle only once a year: that being Yom Kippur). It is on that day, in the Holy Place, that the High Priest would apply the blood of the atonement sacrifice to the Ark of the Covenant).
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The entire chapter of Leviticus 16 addresses the Day of Atonement. There was a sequence of events and actions that were to be followed and all those events and actions are rich in meaning and prophecy.
The bottom line elements of The Day of Atonement are as follows:
- It is to be a day of convening a holy convocation (a sacred gather).
- It is to be a day where NO work is to be done.
- It is to be a day where an offering of fire is to be made.
- It is to be a day where we afflict (anah—oppress; humble; deny) our souls.
Judaistic Traditions Applied to Yom Kippur
Most Jews believe that Yom Kippur is the most solemn and sacred time of the calendar year.
It is a time of great introspection and reflection on one’s life. It is a time where the Jew deals with their guilt and shame and takes actions to address those guilts and shames by seeking forgiveness from those they’ve offended or wronged and from God. (This process of introspection and reflection actually takes place over the entire 10-days leading from Trumpets to the Day of Atonement—traditionally referred to as the 10-days of awe.
At least one popular Hebrew Roots teacher has applied significant prophetic meaning to these 10-days of Awe.
The following are Jewish general practices of Yom Kippur:
- Judaism requires members to attend synagogue on the Day of Atonement.
- The day before Atonement, many Jewish families will prepare and enjoy a festive meal.
- It is a day of charitable giving and visiting others’ homes seeking and giving forgiveness.
- Most Jews observe a 25-hour fast on the day—that extends from sundown the day before Atonement to just after nightfall on the day of Atonement.
How Should a Spirit-Filled Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah Observe Atonement?
What follows is based solely upon my opinion which is based upon my personal study of Scripture, prayer, meditation and years of personal experience related to the Feasts of Yahovah and Yom Kippur.
At the very least, we must observe the day as a special Sabbath—mainly, no work and a day dedicated to focusing upon Father and our relationship with Him.
Additionally, we must consider what it means to afflict our souls and how we will convocate. These two aspects or elements of the Scriptural undergirding of the day must be worked out between us as individuals and with our Father.
The Temple is no longer with us. We are now the Temple of Yahweh (I Corinthians 3:16,17).
The offerings and the application of the blood to the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies in the Temple have been replaced by Master Yeshua who ceremonially accomplished this once and for all upon His ascension to heaven just after His crucifixion and resurrection. Hebrews 10:1-12. Thus presenting an offering made by fire is not truly possible. Such offerings for us today take on a meaning that must be reconciled between us as individuals and Yahovah our Elohim.
Some give financial offerings and tithes to their assigned congregations and favorite Messianic ministries. Some take a more spiritual bend (to which I tend to personally agree), whereby sacrifices of praise are offered—that is, the fruit of our lips giving praise to His Name (Hebrews 13:15).
In terms of afflicting our souls, I believe it should be a “complete fast” as suggested in Isaiah 58:3-6 and Acts 27:9. I believe it could go even further than a fast, whereby we deny ourselves anything that we desire or feel we need for that day. (What that may be is again, between us as individuals and our heavenly Father.)
Prophetic Utterances of The Day of Atonement
The Feasts of Yahweh (the Moedim of our Elohim) are divinely appointed times of the sacred calendar year (Abba’s calendar) where He from the beginning determined to meet and commune with us (Genesis 1:14 and Leviticus 23:4). They also serve as a yearly reminder of the things of our God (throughout the whole of Torah it talks about memorial).
Additionally, the Feasts of Yahweh seem to brilliantly paint for the Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah, Father’s Plan of Salvation. Hebrews 9:28-10:1 (READ) strongly suggests this.
- Passover-Yeshua our Passover Lamb slain for the sins of the world.
- Unleavened Bread—the purging of sin from our lives.
- Shavuot—the filling and indwelling of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach Kodesh) in our lives.
- Yom Teruah/Day of Trumpets—the resurrection and translation of the saints.
- Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement—the banishment of hasatan from the earth.
- Sukkot/Tabernacles—The advent of the Millennial Kingdom and Yahovah finally, once and for all, tabernacling amongst us—His people.
At least one prominent Messianic/Hebrew Roots teacher ties the Day of Atonement to the Great Tribulation and the destruction of Israel and Jerusalem.
Many tie The Day of Atonement with the prophetic event of Revelation 20:2,3 (READ) when hasatan will be eliminated and the world is freed from his deceiving influences. Then the Word of Yahovah will be proclaimed upon the earth and men will once and for all realize Truth without being deceived by the enemy. This is certainly a brilliant comparison to the ceremony involving the scapegoat being taken from the midst of the people and dragged out to the desert forever (Leviticus 16:7-10).
Closing Thoughts and Reflections
I do not presume to tell you how you should celebrate, observe or honor Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). It must be a thing between you and Yahovah. What I will say, however, is that we must honor the day, at the very least.
Presuming that we elect to honor the day, I believe that our efforts must transcend any and all taught or suggested rote/mechanically prescribed ideals and traditions and beliefs.
As well intending people of our Elohim, we tend to fall into this belief that we need to be told how to do—how to observe—what not to do—how best to do it—when it comes to the things of Yahuah; especially when it comes to the Feasts of Yahuah.
Why do we do this? Why do we acquiesce to the directions and prodding of those whom we hold up as paragons of our Faith Community as if they are Yeshua or Moses? I believe we do it because we genuinely want to do it right and we don’t want to make mistakes. We genuinely want to please our Elohim. Thus we seek direction on how to do it right and how to please our Elohim.
The truth of the matter is, however, that we have it within each of us to please Father without having to resort to the prescriptions of other people as relates to pleasing Father and observing His holy days. Such prescriptions are purview of religion. Religion’s role in the earth is to control the people and dictate to them how they are supposed to live.
I decided in my walk with Messiah to reject religion with all her trappings and traditions. Religion by her very nature is anti-Torah; anti-Elohim and anti-Messiah. Religion offers no place for the true worship of Yahovah and the working of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach Kodesh) in every aspect of the believer’s life. Why? Because the controllers of religion make the rules and dictate to the members how, when, where, why and everything in between. Religion then becomes man-centric as opposed to Elohim-centric.
The one thing I would not like us to do on this solemn, most sacred day of the Creator’s calendar year, is to acquiesce to the constructs of religion to direct our observance and honoring of the day. Instead, let us acquiesce to the leading of the Spirit to direct our observance and honoring of the day; with Torah as the foundation upon which we construct and put into practice our actions for the day.
No, I’m not saying that we go rogue and leave our observance of the day to chance and do whatever it is that we think is best to do. No. I’m saying, let us turn the day over to Father: His Word and His Ruach HaKodesh. Then and only then will be please our Father in heaven and observe the day properly.
In confronting the Judaizers, who were aggressively attempting to gain total control of the Messianic Assembly of Believers in Colossae, the Apostle Paul (i.e., Shaul) profoundly instructed:
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:1 17 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,1 19 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,1 21 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh.1 (Col 2:16-3:1 KJV)
Now, churchianity would use this passage to support her claim that the Law was done away with. However, we who are in Messiah know the truth of this matter. Shaul was setting the plumb-line here and communicating to the Colossian Assembly that they are no longer men and women practicing the religion of Judaism. Instead, the assembly of believers were now dead to their dead religion with all her trappings and man-made traditions. Like the Colossian assembly members, we now belong to Messiah. Our worship of Yahuah is based upon our trusting faith in Messiah and is executed through the leading and agency of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach Kodesh).
Master informed the Samaritan Woman at the well:
21 Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. 22 Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. 23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:21-24 KJV)
I say, on this Day of Atonement, that we worship our Creator in Spirit and in Truth. Do that which is pleasing to Father. Let our hearts and minds be turned fully toward Him and His ways.
It is my sincerest hope, trust and prayer, that you have a spirit-filled—blessed and meaningful day and that we all come out on the other side of this moed, better than when we began it.
Shabbat Shalom. Have a blessed Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. Shavuatov. Until next time.
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TMTO Ministry Update
Greetings I'm back! Well, not quite. But almost. History of Ministry QFC (2012) Blog (2012) Podcast (2014-11/2022) YouTube (2018-11/2022) QFC Affiliates with Feastkeepers (New York) and First Century COG (Baltimore) (2019-2021) Why we ended the podcast...
Shabbat Chazon–Our Hope for Salvation and Redemption–Thoughts and Reflections on Isaiah 1:1-27
Shabbat Shalom Saints of the Most High on this balmy, but sublime Sabbath in the DFW. I'm Rod Thomas. Hoping, trusting, and praying that this teaching finds you well and blessed. As this teaching is being recorded and posted, 7/22/23, the 4th day of our 5th biblical...
God’s Requirements for Holiness in Worship–Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 92
Greetings, Saints of the Most High, on this sizzling but beautiful Sabbath in the DFW. These are my thoughts and reflections on this week's Torah Reading, which happens to be the 92nd reading of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. Given its contents, I've entitled...
Becoming and Existing as Priests of God-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 91
Greetings beloved of Yehovah on this steamy, but beautiful Sabbath here in the DFW. This week's Torah Reading is the 91st Reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in the 21st Chapter of the Book of Leviticus and entails the exclusive and exceeding...
Remaining Set-Apart in the Midst of this Evil and Adulterous Generation-Rebooting my Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 90
Shabbat Shalom Greetings beloved, on this glorious set-apart day from the DFW. My sincerest hope, trust, and prayer is that this reboot of Torah Reading 90 will be a tremendous blessing to you in these troublesome times were living. This Week's Reading as a Reboot...
Conforming to God’s Ways in the Midst of Present Day Wokeness: Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 89
Greetings from the DFW on this warm but glorious Shabbat. We commenced the 4th month of Yah's sacred calendar year earlier this week, and we're trusting in His keeping mercies as we progress throughout the month. These are my thoughts and reflections on the 89th...
Oh the Blood of Yeshua-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 88
Greetings, Beloved of the Most High, on this warm but glorious Sabbath in the DFW. I pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed. This is the 88th parashah or reading of the 3-year reading cycle. It is contained in Leviticus/Vayiqra...
Only One Way to God-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 87
This week's reading comes under the General Torah Reading Title of "Acharey Mos," which covers chapters 16 through 28 in the Cepher of Leviticus/Vayiqra. Shabbat Shalom on this warm but otherwise beautiful Sabbath in the DFW. Our reading here today is contained within...
Dwelling in the Presence of God Through Physical and Spiritual Cleanness-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 86
Shabbat Shalom from the DFW on this, what promises to be a warm but beautiful Sabbath. What follows are my thoughts and reflections on this week's Torah Reading, which is the 86th reading of the 3-year Torah Reading cycle. Our portion is found in...
The Leprosy-Sin Connection-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 84
Shabbat Shalom. I pray that this post finds you and your families and fellowships well and blessed on this holy weekend. This is the Leprosy-Sin Connection. It is my thoughts and reflections on the 84th Torah Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle....
Torah Reading 81–The Ordination of Aaron and Sons–First Steps to Humanity’s Reconciliation
Shalom! I pray that you had a meaningful and blessed Sabbath. What follows are my thoughts and reflections on Torah Reading 81 of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle on this mild, but peaceful Sabbath in North Texas. Parashah 81 Leviticus 8:1-36--The Ordination of Aharon...
Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 80
Shalom! We pray that you had a restful and meaningful Sabbath this past week. This past Sabbath’s Torah Portion was the 81st parshah of the 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. (If you are so led to participate in reading and studying the weekly Torah Readings, we have put the...
Biblical Rosh Hashanah 2023 and a TMTO Ministry Update
Greetings Saints! May this post find you, your families, and your fellowships well and blessed during these challenging times. I wanted to update you as to what's going on with The Messianic Torah Observer of late, as well as I wanted to encourage you as we enter the...
Shabbat HaChodesh-The Realities of The Sabbath Before the Biblical New Year in 2023
Welcome to Shabbat HaChodesh—The Sabbath Before the Biblical New Year of 2023 Jewish custom holds that the Shabbat that falls on or before the 1st of Aviv is Shabbat HaChodesh--or the Sabbath of the New Moon. Like its two preceding Sabbaths of Shabbat Zachor and...
Shabbat Parah-A Foreshadow of our Perpetual Cleanness Through Yeshua Messiah
Shabbat Shalom, and welcome to Shabbat Parah. Like Shabbat Zachor last week, Shabbat Parah is neither a feast day nor a Jewish holiday. But instead, it may be viewed as somewhat of a themed Sabbath, if you will. And the theme of this Sabbath is brought forth through...
The Silver and Gold of our Service to God-Post Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 73
Shalom and Greetings, Beloved of Yehovah. I trust that you had a mighty and restful Sabbath. The Gist of Torah Reading 73 Yesterday’s Sabbath Reading discussion focused on Shabbat Zachor. If you’ve not had the opportunity to read that post, I would humbly invite and...
Shabbat Zachor 2023-Our Sabbath of Remembrance
Shabbat Shalom Beloved. Our Torah and Haftorah Reading in Light of Where we are on the Calendar This is a special Shabbat, for it is the Shabbat that immediately precedes the Jewish holiday of Purim. According to our observational calendar, Purim will occur at sundown...
The Ordination of the Levitical Priest-A Foreshadow of Good things to Come-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 66
Introduction Shabbat Shalom, beloved of Elohiym. I pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed on this blessed day of rest in Yeshua Messiah. This is “The Ordination of the Levitical Priests: A Foreshadow of Good Things to Come.” It will...
The Renewed Covenant Spiritual Application of the Levitical Priestly Garments-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 65
Introducing Torah Reading 65 This week’s Torah Reading is the 65th reading in our 3-year cycle. It is contained in Exodus 27:20-28:43. I’ve chosen to entitle this synopsis of the reading: The Renewed Covenant Spiritual Application of the Levitical Priestly Garments....
The Connection Between Giving and God Dwelling with His People-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 63
Shabbat Shalom! Warm greetings to you, dear Saint. We hope, trust, and pray that this post finds you, your families, and your fellowships well and blessed on this bitterly cold Sabbath amid Hanukkah 2022. Our Torah Reading Have you ever considered the reality of a...
The Book of the Covenant-What it Means to Modern Day Believers-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 62
Our Torah Reading this Shabbat features the covenant Yah established between Him and Yisra’el at Sinai. It is the 62nd Torah Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. Our reading is contained in Exodus/Shemot 24:1-18. This is the next iteration of Yehovah’s...
God Prohibits His People from Badmouthing Government Leaders—Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 61
Shabbat Shalom beloved. In this Thoughts and Reflections of Torah Reading 61, we will examine a number of themes and concepts that fall within the realm of loving Yah and loving one’s neighbor as one would love themselves. I’ve taken the liberty of breaking this...
Dealing with Difficult Relationships-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 60
Shabbat Shalom saints of the Most High. May you, your families, and your fellowships be well and blessed in the perilous times we’re living. Central Themes and Life Lessons of Torah Reading 60 I’ve entitled this reading study: Dealing with Difficult...
The Fox in the Hen House–The LGBTQ Infiltration of Judeo-Christianity
Shalom beloved. I pray that this installment of The Messianic Torah Observer Journal finds you, your families, and your fellowships well and blessed. They Say that Curiosity Kills the Cat True to form, Hilary and I canvassed portions of YouTube to augment our worship...
We’re Getting Married in the Morning–Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 59
Shabbat Shalom Saints of the Most High. Welcome to the second post of our The Messianic Torah Observer Journal. Today is a special day of sorts. It’s not only the Sabbath, but it is also the start of the 9th Biblical Month. Rosh Chodesh. There are no mandated Feasts...
Learning to Lean on Yeshua Messiah–Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 58
Shabbat shalom beloved. We pray that you, your families, and your fellowships are well and blessed during these perilous times. Despite these being perilous times, beloved, we who are the redeemed of Yah through Yeshua Messiah, can find refuge and shalom in our...
We were Baptized into Moses in the Red Sea
Our Baptism in the Red Sea Was Illustrative of our Transformation into the People of God So, in our departure from Mitsrayim/Egypt, which was representative of a would-be child of Yah coming into a covenant relationship with Yah through the Person and Ministry of...
Walking in God’s Divine Guidance and Protection
Introduction This week’s Torah Portion/Parshah/Reading is the 56th Reading in our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. And it is contained in the Cepher of Exodus/Shemot 13:21-15:18. It is a continuation of last week’s reading which I entitled “The Key to Knowing...
The Key to Knowing God: Remembering and Obeying
In the past two readings, which we did not cover because we were on hiatus for the Fall Feasts, Yisrael experienced or witnessed the inauguration of Pesach in the midst of the final tenth plague that resulted in the death of every Egyptian/Mitsri firstborn and the...
The Thirst-Quenching Waters of Sukkot-The Feast of Tabernacles 2022
Sukkot-The Feast of Tabernacles is the Season of our Joy True joy is an offshoot of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit or the Ruach HaQodesh in each of us. Our joy, especially as expressed through Yah's Feasts, is incomplete without the Ruach HaQodesh's influence....
Getting to the Heart of Yom Kippur–Day of Atonement 2022
Yom Kippur Just a Day of Fasting? What did Yah truly mean by His people afflicting their souls on Yom Kippur? Was He commanded us to engage in just a fast? Turns out that Abba requires more from us on Yom HaKippurim than just a full day of not eating and drinking....
The Realities of Yom Teruah 2022
Introduction to our Discussion Welcome to the Day of the Blowing of Trumpets, or better, the Blowing of Shofars 2022. And with that, we pray that you are earnestly preparing and eagerly awaiting the arrival of Yom Teruah 2022. The title of our...
An Overview of the Fall Feasts of the LORD 2022-Part 1 of the Fall Feasts of the LORD 2022 Series
Resurrection Truth versus Rapture Error-Part 3 of the Death, the Grave, and the Resurrection Series
Introduction This is “Resurrection Truth versus Rapture Error.” This will be the 3rd installment to our Death, the Grave, and Resurrection series which spun off from our Torah Reading 45 which was entitled “And he (Ya’achov) was Gathered Unto His People. ...
Even the Small Things Matter to God-A Messianic Study of Exodus 4:22-26-STAR-48
Introduction This is “Even the Small Things Matter to God.” This is the 48th Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. It is contained in Exodus/Shemot 4:14-6:1. But we will be focusing just on verses 22 to 26. Looking Back to STAR-47, entitled “God’s Holy...
Rosh Chodesh 6th Month 2022-The Start of the 6th Biblical Month
Chag Sameach Rosh Chodesh beloved. Happy and blessed 6th Month to you all. As I am posting this brief discussion here on The Messianic Torah Observer, the renewed moon will have been sighted by at least two-trained observers in Yisra’el. Thus, wherever we live ...
God’s Holy Character–A Messianic Study of Exodus 3:1-4:13
Introduction This is God’s Holy Character-A Messianic Study of Exodus 3:1-4:13. It is the 47th Torah Portion of our 3-year Torah-reading cycle. Now, despite there being a great many historical and spiritual nuggets that the practical, truth-seeking...
Israel-The Birth of a Nation Through Tribulation-STAR-46
This is Israel: The Birth of a Nation Through Tribulation. It is a study of the 46th Parshah of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. This week's reading is found in Exodus/Shemot 1:1-2:25. Introduction to the Reading The historical record transitions from that of a focus...
Death-the Grave-the Resurrection-Part 2
Introduction This is part 2 of our discussion on death, the grave, and the resurrection. And we will be picking up where we left off in part 1, which if you haven’t had the opportunity to either read or listen to that post on any of the platforms in which...
He Was Gathered unto His People-Death-The Grave-The Resurrection–Part-1–STAR-45
Introduction This is “He Was Gathered unto His People—Death-The Grave-The Resurrection—Part 1” This will be a discussion on the 45th Torah Reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle. Our focus text is Genesis/Beresheit 49:27-50:26. This passage concludes...
The 9th of Av–You Are Called by Name–STAR-44
Tisha B'Av--The 9th of Av--"The Saddest Day of the Jewish Calendar Year." According to Hillel’s Calendar, which I frequently refer to as the Jewish Calculated Calendar, as I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO Sabbath Thoughts and...
“Let No Man Judge You” in Your Keeping of Torah–A Messianic Examination of Colossians 2:16-17
This is "Let No Man Judge You" in Your Keeping of Torah--A Messianic Examination of Colossians 2:16-17. This is sort of a continuation, if you will, to our very last installment which was entitled “Did the Apostle Paul Permit the Eating of all Meats? A...
Did the Apostle Paul Permit the Eating of All Meats? A Messianic Examination of 1 Timothy 4:1-5
Setting the Table for our Discussion Here Today This is “Did the Apostle Paul Sanction/Permit the Eating of all Meats? A Messianic Examination of 1 Timothy 4:1-5.” Our discussion here today will serve as another installment to our massive Paul and Hebrew...
Does Torah Cause Someone to Sin More? A Messianic Examination of Romans 5:20
Goal: This is “Does Torah Cause Someone to Sin More? A Messianic Examination of Romans 5:20.” And so, our survey of the hard-to-understand—those challenging Pauline passages—takes us in today’s installment of TMTO, to Romans 5:20. And the KJV...
Experiencing the Wisdom of God Persists Even in the Midst of Despair–STAR-37
This week's portion is the 37th-Reading of the 3-year Torah Reading Cycle (STAR-37). And it is a familiar passage. For it is the story of Yosef interpreting the dreams of the cupbearer and baker in the Egyptian prison. If we recall STAR-36, Yosef was cast into prison...
Amazing Things Happen When God is with Us–Torah Reading 36–The Story of Joseph and Potiphar’s Wife
Our Torah Reading for this Shabbat of 6/11/2022 is found in Genesis 39:1-23. It is The Story of Yosef and Potiphar's Wife. We find in this reading, themes of righteousness; trust; loyalty; prosperity; sexual immorality; favor-favor with man and favor with God; and...
Finding Peace with God-Eternal Life and a Blessed Assurance
This is “Finding Peace with God—Eternal Life and a Blessed Assurance.” This is a continuation of our Paul and Hebrew Roots mega-series where we’ve been discussing some of the more challenging—hard to understand Pauline writings. And we’ve been spending most of our...
The Story of Judah and Tamar: A Reminder that Yah’s Will Shall Already Triumph Over Humanity’s Carnality
This Week's Torah Reading #35--The Judah-Tamar Story This week's Torah Reading, number 35 in our three-year Torah Reading cycle, is found in Genesis/Beresheit 38:1-30. It is the story of Yehudah (aka Judah) and Tamar. It conveys tremendous spiritual lessons that...
Shavuot-Pentecost 2022 in Focus–Netzari-Messianic Perspectives on the Feast of Shavuot
1. An Introductory Primer on Shavuot What is Shavuot? For the Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah, Shavuot—The Feast of Weeks—Pentecost is about the giving and receiving of YHVH’s Torah and the establishing of the marriage covenant between YHVH and the Children...
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