Greetings, Saints of the Most High!
Welcome to another installment of the Messianic Torah Observer. I’m Rod Thomas, coming to you on a crisp fall afternoon in DFW. Thank you for taking the time to fellowship with me. I hope this post finds you and your loved ones well and blessed.
Today’s Date and Significance
As I publish this, it’s the 29th day of the 8th biblical month, which translates to Monday, December 2nd, 2024. We are just a few hours away from the start of the 9th biblical month. The 9th renewed moon was sighted in Yisra’el, so we will begin the 9th month at sundown this evening.
Torah Reading for Rosh Chodesh
Our Torah reading for today is from Numbers 28:1-15, focusing on verses 11-15. Yah, through Moshe, instructs the Sons of Yisra’el to present offerings made by fire at the beginning of each month. These offerings are a fragrant appeasement to Yah and are to be done at their appointed times.
Key Concepts
- Ram (a-yil): Symbolizes a ruler or mighty one.
- Gift (min-ha(h)): Represents veneration, thanksgiving, and homage.
- Sacrifice (o-la(h)): Refers to offerings wholly burnt upon the altar.
- Chodesh: Refers to the renewed moon.
- Sin (hat-ta’t): For expiation and purification.
- Libation (ne-sek): A drink offering.
The Importance of Rosh Chodesh
Rosh Chodesh, or the “head of the month,” is a significant day on Yah’s calendar. It involves blowing shofars, offering sacrifices, and conducting worship services. Despite the absence of a functioning temple, the day remains relevant and sacred. We now offer sacrifices of praise, service, and gifts in accordance with the Holy Spirit’s leading.
Observing Rosh Chodesh Today
Many Messianic and Jewish congregations observe Rosh Chodesh with services and meals. Yah has declared that Rosh Chodesh will be a mandated set-apart day in the Kingdom Age (Isaiah 66:23).
Encouragement to Observe Rosh Chodesh
I encourage you to prayerfully consider observing Rosh Chodesh each month. Hilary and I welcome each Rosh Chodesh with the blowing of shofars, special meals, and worship services. Let us keep this day with joy, focusing on Yeshua as our redeemer and soon-coming King.
Rosh Chodesh Tov, beloved of Yeshua Messiah. Take care.
Mikveh or Baptism? Which Is It? Part 2 of the True Biblical Baptism Series
This week’s teaching will take us back a year and a half ago when I started a teaching on True Biblical Baptism. That teaching was a subset, if you will, of our multi-installment Paul and Hebrew Roots teaching series I began many years ago. Unfortunately, as it...
Seven Reasons Messianics Must Stand on the Side of Israel-Part 5 of Israel’s Inextricable Link to our Salvation Series
I’ve titled this discussion: Seven Reasons This Messianic Stands with Israel. Because this discussion complements the last series, we published (i.e. Israel’s Inextricable Link to our Salvation), which is not yet finished, I included it in said series. So, this post...
Learning to Forget God — Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 132
This week's discussion will be on the contents of the 132nd parashah of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. The contents of our discussion today is found in Deuteronomy/Devarim 8.1-20. It is part of the broader annual reading cycle's "Ekev" (aka Because) that most...
Yeshua’s Passover — The Means to Our Salvation, Redemption, and Covenant Relationship with God
As I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO, many observant Jews and Messianics will celebrate Pesach tomorrow evening, April 22. We who keep the observational calendar will observe Pesach on Tuesday, April 23, as well as observing the night of our Master’s...
Choosing Yeshua as our Pesach: Shadows of Pesach 2024
I’ve chosen to title our discussion here today “Choosing Yeshua as our Pesach: Shadows of Pesach 2024.” If I could have you turn to Exodus 12.1-6, we will read the portion of Torah is directly tied to this special day on Yah’s set-apart calendar: And...
Aviv’s Prophetic Shadows of our Redemption and Salvation Through Yeshua Messiah
The Torah ... a shadow of the good matters -- good things -- to come...(The Scriptures, 3rd edition. , Heb 10:1).As I am recording and posting this installment of TMTO, we are heading into this week's Sabbath on this beautiful Preparation Day in the DFW. And yes, we...
Welcome to Aviv 2024-A Brief Overview of the Month and a Discussion of What God Expects From Us This Month
And Yahweh said to Moses and to Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month will be the beginning of months; it will be for you the first of the months of the year... “Observe the month of Abib, and you shall keep the Passover to Yahweh your God, for in the...
Why do we Dislike the God of the Old Testament? Thoughts & Reflections on Torah Reading 127
Introduction to Reading 127 This week's Torah Reading is contained in Deuteronomy 2.1-3.22. For all intents and purposes, it is a continuation of last week’s reading. It is the 127th Parashah of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle. I’ve been led to title this...
Deuteronomy-A Rehashing and Retelling of Torah to a New Generation-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 126
This week's Torah Reading, contained in Deuteronomy 1.1-46, is the 126th portion of our 3-year Torah Portion reading cycle. I’ve entitled this teaching: “Deuteronomy – A Rehashing and Retelling of Torah to a New Generation.” Deuteronomy is where we will be...
Explaining the Current Calendar Confusion Among Observational Calendar Keepers
Explaining the Current Calendar Confusion Among Observational Calendar Keepers Greetings Saints of the Most High. Trusting that this special post finds you, your families, and fellowships are well and blessed at the start of this new week. As I am...