Parashah 9: Vayeshev (He continued living) Genesis 37:1 through 40:23

Shabbat shalom, mishpocah!  Time to get serious about this week’s Torah portion again!  This week, we are studying Parashah 9: Vayeshev (He continued living) - Genesis 37:1 through 40:23.  As always, a synopsis of the Torah portion can be found on our website.

In last week's Torah portion we saw Ya'akov (renamed Israel) going back to his homeland. By that time he had twelve sons who were to become the twelve tribes of Israel. His father Yitz'chak (Isaac), our second Patriarch, died at the age of 180, and Ya'akov (our third Patriarch) and his twin brother, Esav, buried him.

In this parashah beginning in Genesis 37 we find Israel's (formerly known as Ya'akov/Jacob, Genesis 32:28) son Yosef (Joseph) as an object of jealousy for his brothers who realized that their father loved Yosef more than any of them. After revealing a series of dreams that seemed to indicate Yosef would eventually be their leader in some way, his brothers plotted to kill him - but ultimately sold him to the Goyim (Gentiles) after his oldest brother Reuven insisted they simply throw him into a cistern. Reuven planned on rescuing him later, but the story took a turn when the brothers decided to sell Yosef to a passing caravan which took him on to Egypt.

Jealousy, as you know, can make one do strange things. Cain killed Abel over jealousy because God had accepted Abel's sacrifice and not his own (Genesis 4). Psalm 106 tells us the Israelites in the wilderness became jealous of Moshe and Aharon who were being used mightily by YHWH Himself. In the Gospels we see that the Pharisees were jealous of Y'shua - and their jealousy eventually nailed Him to the stake. In Galatians 5:19-21 we see that jealousy is considered a "work of the flesh."

And here, in this parashah, we see the jealousy of Yosef's brothers driving them to the point of wanting to kill him. However, because YHWH was with him, they ended up selling him into slavery in Egypt, instead….

For more, please click on the link above.

Was Yeshua born on Yom Teruah/Trumpets?

Every once in awhile, we encounter people who insist that Yeshua was born on Yom Teruah/Trumpets.  But we urge people to please think about this logically:

YHWH doesn't do anything "out of sequence." This means, Yeshua HAD to be born before he could die and rise and fulfill all the feasts in sequence that lead up to his return.

Let’s check it out:

According to what we can see in the "New Testament," he was born on Sukkot/Tabernacles (remember, he was only here on earth temporarily and the Sukkot booths/sheds are just temporary dwellings), and he died on Passover (thus also fulfilling Passover, Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits and Shavuot).

The NEXT feast to be fulfilled after Shavuot (the giving of the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit), is Yom Teruah/Trumpets, when YHWH calls His people together - who will then atone on the Day of Atonement/Yom Kippur. After that comes the millennium, where he "tabernacles" among us for a thousand years...

Now, take a look at this: As you know, there are TWO Jewish new years. One falls on Yom Teruah/Rosh haShana, and the other on Passover (when Yeshua died).
Here's what I'm getting at:

Exodus 12: 1 ADONAI spoke to Moshe and Aharon in the land of Egypt; he said, 2 "You are to begin your calendar with this month; it will be the first month of the year for you.

In Exodus 12:1-2, Yahweh tells Moshe that the year from then on will begin "this month", but it is not for the purpose of counting years; rather, it is in commemoration of the momentous transformation, from slavery to physical liberation from Egypt!

WHO delivered us from the slavery of sin and debt? Yeshua, who was born on Sukkot, died on Passover and will return at the next Feast to be fulfilled, which is Yom Teruah (where YHWH calls His people together with a loud trump – which results in the "catching up" of believers - 1 Corinthians 6:14; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17).

So … If Yeshua was born on Yom Teruah, then how could he have fulfilled Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement, because he hadn't died yet! EVERYTHING would have been out of sequence, and YHWH doesn't work like that….

It’s that time of year where we see plastic Santas, sleighs and reindeer popping up all over the place….

So, I ran a bunch of errands this afternoon, and guess what I saw starting to spring up all over the place .... big plastic Santas, sleighs and reindeer and huge candy canes, etc. (Not surprisingly, I haven't yet seen any manger scenes.) And everywhere I went, I was inundated with songs like "Jingle Bell Rock" and "Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer" and a plethora of other secular Christmas songs .....

So, yeah, nothing about the "Christ child." Of course. Because - let's be honest here - "Christmas" IS nothing more than just another commercial "holiday" designed to part you with your money! (Sure many Christians will attend Christmas eve services at some church, but that's just a couple of hours out of the whole "Christmas season"... Big deal.).

Anyway, you can't watch TV or go to any shopping establishment without being inundated with all the "Christmas shopping deals." Buy! Buy! Buy! After all, that's what Christmas is all about for most, right? You certainly don't ever see any advertisements about how it's supposedly the birthday of Jesus (which is it is NOT, by the way!) , or any manger scenes at the malls. All you see is "bargains" for your Christmas shopping experience.

QUESTION: What's with this "gift-giving," anyway? The "Three Wise Men" gave gifts to the Messiah, not each other! (And that actually didn't happen until a week or so later, sometime after he was circumcised.  See the explanation below by author and Aramaic and Hebrew scholar Andrew Gabriel Roth.)

No, really, why give presents to each other - with many going into debt to do so, which is actually another thing that goes against Scripture? (See Romans 13:8, Psalm 37:21, Proverbs 28:8; Matthew 25:27 and Leviticus 25:35-38.)

Oh, and let's not forget the millions or even billions of trees being chopped down and then discarded like trash all over the world at this time of year! What, exactly do trees have to do with "the birth of Jesus? (Check out Jeremiah 10 to see what YHWH thinks of our traditions!.) Did someone drag a pine or fir tree into the Sukkah where Y'shua was born (during the Feast of Sukkot, in the September/October time frame)?

If people wish to celebrate Christmas, that's fine. My wish is that if they choose to do so, they would at least concentrate on making it all about GOD, instead of themselves. Better yet, learn about His commanded Feasts/Appointed Times outlined in Torah, which ARE all about HIM and what HE did for man....

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Borrowed from "Nativity in the Stars" by Andrew Gabriel Roth, which addresses the timeframe of the arrival of the Three Wise men at the time of Messiah’s birth:

Notice both Matthew and in Luke the shift in language goes from calling Y’shua an INFANT to calling him a CHILD or a BOY. This is true in Greek and in Aramaic.

The most significant place that “child” or “boy” appears rather than “infant” is in Matthew 2:11 and 13:  “And they entered the house and they saw the boy with Maryam, his mother, and they fell (and) worshipped him, and they opened their treasures and offered to him gifts (of) gold and myrrh and incense…the messenger of Master”

YHWH appeared to Yosip in a dream and said to him, Matthew 2:13: "Arise, take the boy and his mother and flee to Misrayin and there remain until I tell you. For Herodus is going to seek the boy as to destroy him.“

So, by the time the Magi see Y’shua, he is called a BOY, or talia in Aramaic. The Hebrew equivalent to this is zakhar, but the question is:  What is the one time in Scripture when it is appropriate to call an “infant” by the name “boy” (talia/zakhar) instead?

“This is my covenant which you must keep between myself and you, and your descendants after you: every one of your males (zakhar/רָכָז) must be circumcised. You must circumcise the flesh of your foreskin, and that will be the sign of the covenant between myself and you. As soon as he is eight days old, every one of your males (zakhar/רָכָז ) generation after generation, must be circumcised, including slaves born within the household or bought from a foreigner not of your descent.” (Genesis 17:10-12 NJB)

So, this is the only time that an infant is a MALE or a BOY, at circumcision!

The Greek version of the NT also seems to support the Jewish understanding.

The same Greek word paidon (παιδίον) can refer either to an infant (Luke 1:59, John 16:21) or to a toddler.

In Greek, Luke 1:59 calls Y’shua this literally when he is an 8-day old infant, so the Magi’s arrival to see the “child” is actually pointing to an 8-day old infant in the Greek!

The text is also very clear that the Magi left very soon after seeing the Set-Apart family, and the family also left for Egypt immediately thereafter.  This means the Magi must have seen Y’shua just AFTER his circumcision on the 8th day of his life; which is, in turn, sometime during Jupiter’s “pause” over Bethlehem (September 19-26).

Eight days before September 19-26 would put Y’shua’s birth sometime between September 11th and 18th , 5 BCE.

Why did Paul circumcise Timothy but not Titus?

In Acts 16:1-5, we find that Timothy was the son of a Jewish mother, and a Greek father, therefore, he had not been circumcised. But Timothy was well regarded in the community and Paul wanted him to go with him as he spread word of the decision in Jerusalem on what aspects of Torah, the gentile would need to observe immediately (Acts 15:19-30) as they came to their new faith in YHWH, and left their paganism.

Sidebar: Circumcision was a central and divisive issue at the time, with the believing Jewish rabbis arguing that circumcision was required for salvation. The apostles and elders came together to consider the matter at the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15:1-6). This meeting was largely held to clarify the reasons why circumcision was not necessary for salvation. In fact, Peter gave a marvelous speech that all should read and understand. It's found in Acts 16:7-11.

Returning to Timothy and Acts 16:3: Paul knew that the believing Jews in the communities they were traveling to would not be receptive of their message, as he, Paul, was circumcised and Timothy was not. Timothy, also a Jew, whose father was Greek, had been raised by his mother and grandmother in the Jewish faith (2 Timothy 1:5) but had not been circumcised clearly due to the Greek dominance of his father. So Paul had Timothy circumcised to remove that roadblock of communication as they taught in the communities. It mattered to the Jews, but not to the Gentiles. It's as simple as that.

Now Titus was a Greek, and in a similar situation, when Paul was going into Jerusalem with Titus to teach the believing Jews (Galatians 2:2), Titus was not circumcised because it would have given the wrong impression to both Jews and Gentiles - exactly what they were trying to avoid – that Gentiles need to be circumcised in order to obtain salvation (Galatians 2:3).

Even then, there were unbelieving Jews present who, once again, tried to ensnare Paul and Titus and negate their message, but Paul and Titus held firm in their message. (Galatians 2:4-5).

Hanukkah is around the corner!

REMINDER: Hannukah, the Festival of Lights, this year starts at sunset on Sunday, December 2, and ends at sunset on Tuesday, December 10. While it is not one of YAHWEH's Appointed Times, it is - like His commanded Mo'edim - extremely significant AND all about HIM!

Hannukah serves as a remembrance of the victory of a small band of Jews over the occupying army of Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus, who came to power in 175 B.C.E. forbade the Jews to practice their religion, and desecrated their Temple...But YAHWEH showed them all who was boss!

By the way, Yeshua our Messiah - the "Light of the World" - was conceived during this "Festival of Lights"; and, as we can see in John 10:22-38, he participated in the feast of Dedication! (You can count exactly nine months from Hanukkah to Sukkot!)

For more, please see our article!

A wonderful explanation about the concept of God!

I don't know who the author of this little article is, but it is truly a wonderful explanation about the concept of GOD! Take a look:

In a mother’s womb were two babies. One asked the other: “Do you believe in life after delivery?”The other replied, “Why, of course. There has to be something after delivery. Maybe we are here to prepare ourselves for what we will be later.”

“Nonsense,” said the first. “There is no life after delivery. What kind of life would that be?”

The second said, “I don’t know, but there will be more light than here. Maybe we will walk with our legs and eat from our mouths. Maybe we will have other senses that we can’t understand now.”

The first replied, “That is absurd. Walking is impossible. And eating with our mouths? Ridiculous! The umbilical cord supplies nutrition and everything we need. But the umbilical cord is so short. Life after delivery is to be logically excluded.”

The second insisted, “Well I think there is something and maybe it’s different than it is here. Maybe we won’t need this physical cord anymore.”

The first replied, “Nonsense. And moreover, if there is life, then why has no one ever come back from there? Delivery is the end of life, and in the after-delivery, there is nothing but darkness and silence and oblivion. It takes us nowhere.”

“Well, I don’t know,” said the second, “but certainly we will meet Mother and she will take care of us.”

The first replied “Mother? You actually believe in Mother? That’s laughable. If Mother exists then where is She now?”

The second said, “She is all around us. We are surrounded by her. We are of Her. It is in Her that we live. Without Her, this world would not and could not exist.”

Said the first: “Well I don’t see Her, so it is only logical that She doesn’t exist.”

To which the second replied, “Sometimes, when you’re in silence and you focus and listen, you can perceive Her presence, and you can hear Her loving voice, calling down from above.”

The "million dollar question": Should Christians become Torah observant?

The plain and simple answer: YES! Once they accept the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, they are no longer considered “Gentiles”; they are “Hebrews” – which, in Hebrew, means “to cross over.”  They can still call themselves “Christians” if they choose, but the fact remains, once you accept YHWH, you MUST obey His “forever” commands.

Many are under the erroneous impression  that Torah is “just for the Jews,” but that can’t be true, because Torah consists of God’s Divine Instructions in Righteousness, without which we would have NO blueprint for moral, holy living.

Simply “believing in Jesus” doesn’t cut it because “belief” requires “action.”  What does our worship of YHWH (most likely pronounced Yah-way) consist of if we don’t bother with His Divine Rules for holy/set apart living?

Still, many (if not most) attempt to wriggle out of obedience to YHWH’s “forever” commands (i.e., the Seventh Day Sabbath and the Feasts/Mo’edim) because the concept of Torah is simply too foreign. It’s all “Old Testament” to them, which they’ve been told doesn’t pertain to Christians.  (Never mind that believers in Jesus are “one in Messiah” (Galatians 3:28-29, John 17:21) and are therefore, bound to the same rules.)

They therefore attempt to twist passages such as Acts 15 into meaning that Christians only need to adhere to certain Torah rules. This is simply not true because, for instance, Numbers 15:13-16 tells us four times in a row that ALL who accept Him are to do exactly as His people do.

And HIS people have always been Torah observant!

Speaking of Acts 15, it is imperative to remember that Acts 15 is referring to man-made laws and not the Torah itself!  Yet, the "million dollar question" that has successfully split the Messianic Faith today is: Are Gentiles required to obey Torah?

The answer, of course, is a resounding, "YES!"

Why? Well, let’s allow Scripture to explain itself:

Acts 15:19. Because of this (I) say that you should not be those oppressors who from the Gentiles are turning to Elohim. 20. But we will send (word) to them that they should abstain from uncleanness of sacrifices (idols) and from adultery and from things that are strangled and from blood[1]. 21. For from ancient generations in all cities Moshe had preachers in the synagogues that on every Shabbat they read him.[2]” (AENT)

Note verse 19 which, in plainer language, says: "It is my opinion is that we should not put obstacles in the way of the Goyim who are turning to God!”  In other words, Acts 15 plainly states that the expectation of the non-Jewish converts was that they would learn Moshe (Torah) as they grew in their relationship with Mashiyach and his people. 

Read in context, Acts 15:20-21 shows there is one Torah for Israel and the Gentile who dwells with her - yet, many try to use it as "proof" that Christians don't have to keep Torah. That is because they don't realize that Acts 15 is referring to man-made laws and not the Torah itself....

Footnotes from the AENT concerning this issue:

[1]  That which is "sacrificed" unto other gods according to YHWH's Word in D'varim/Deuteronomy 32:17 is sacrificed unto devils. Vayikra/Leviticus 17:12-16 commands that Jew and Ger (foreigner) NOT eat blood, or any animals that die of themselves. The prohibition against fornication is wide spectrum, against all manner of physical perversion and spiritual whoredom. These Torah directives are eternally binding on all who follow Y'shua Mashiyach and who seek the Malchut (Kingdom) of Elohim.

[2]  It's a very clear fulfillment of Isaiah 56:1-9. Gentile converts are observing Shabbat and learning Torah as one body along with Jews. Shortly thereafter, Marcion, whom Polycarp referred to as "the firstborn of the devil" built the first all-Gentile church to promote Christo-Paganism. Marcion held his services on Sunday which blended with Zeus (the sun god) culture and projected a hybrid Je-Zeus identity in opposition to the Jewish Mashiyach.

The modern theologies of "Jesus Christ" are based more on Hellenism than on original fundamental Hebraic values. Marcion coined the words "Old - New Testament" and did his very best to warn Gentiles away from Torah and "the God of the Old Testament." Marcion invented theologies known as replacement, dispensational, supercessionism, etc., which are very popular among Christianity today.

Yes -  Read in context Acts 15 plainly states that the expectation of the non-Jewish converts was that they would learn Torah as they grew in their relationship with Mashiyach and his people.  What a beautiful thing for those who know they are “one in Messiah!”

Parashah 8: Vayislach (He sent) Genesis 32:4 through 36:43

Shabbat shalom, mishpocah/family/friends!  As always, a synopsis of this week’s Torah study can be found on our website.

In the previous Torah portion we saw Ya'akov (Jacob) fleeing from his father-in-law Lavan as he heads back to his homeland and his own father. Unfortunately, he still needed to face his twin brother, Esav (Esau), who squandered his his birthright in exchange for a bowl of lentil soup (Genesis 25), and later, getting his father Yitz'chak (Isaac, the second Patriarch) into giving him (Ya'akov) the blessing of the firstborn (Genesis 27). Please read Genesis 32:4 - 22 to get a feel for Ya'akov's anxiety and frustration about meeting Esav for the first time in more than 20 years.

This week's parashah is exciting on several levels because we get to see YHWH's "grand plan" in birthing Israel as a people and a nation! Here's how it unfolded:

Genesis 32: 22 He got up that night, took his two wives, his two slave-girls, and his eleven children, and forded the Yabok. 23 He took them and sent them across the stream, then sent his possessions across; 24 and Ya'akov was left alone. Then some man wrestled with him until daybreak. 25 When he saw that he did not defeat Ya'akov, he struck Ya'akov's hip socket, so that his hip was dislocated while wrestling with him.

26 The man said, "Let me go, because it's daybreak." But Ya'akov replied, "I won't let you go unless you bless me." 27 The man asked, "What is your name?" and he answered, "Ya'akov." 28 Then the man said, "From now on, you will no longer be called Ya'akov, but Isra'el; because you have shown your strength to both God and men and have prevailed." (CJB)

Please note verse 24 where "some man wrestled with him until daybreak." As we continue reading, you should have noticed that this couldn't be just any man; it was Yeshua, the arm of YHWH (Isaiah 53:1) sent in the form of a man to wrestle with Ya'akov! How do we know this? Please refer back to Genesis 32:3-5 and also Genesis 35:1 where YHWH says: "Get up, go up to Beit-El and live there, and make there an altar to God, who appeared to you when you fled 'Esav your brother. (Genesis 32:3-5)"; plus nobody but YHWH has the power to rename someone - especially the man who would end up giving birth to what became known as the Twelve Tribes of Israel!

For more, please click on the link above!

Responding to a counter-missionary Rabbi

Our response to counter-missionary Rabbi Federov's comment is this:

Paul can only be understood from a Hebrew viewpoint. Surprisingly, most counter-missionaries insist on using a "Greek" mindset in their interpretations of Paul's writings.

Here's the pertinent passage explained using the HEBREW mindset:

Galatians 3:11. But that no man is made righteous by Torah before Elohim is evident, for it is written, “the righteous will live by faith”.[1] 12. Thus Torah is not made by faith, but whosoever will do the things that are written in it, will live in it [2]

13. But Mashiyach has redeemed us from the “curse of Torah,”[3] by becoming accursed[4] for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”.[5] 14. That the blessing of Awraham might come to the Gentiles through Y’shua the Mashiyach; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Habakkuk 2:4

[2] Leviticus 18:5

[3] There are 12 specific curses mentioned in Deut. 27:15-26; however, one can also apply this to the entire Torah simply because if anyone knowingly or unknowingly sins but does not seek forgiveness and restitution, they are under a curse, certainly not a blessing. There is a “Y” in the road of every choice we make; one road leads to blessing, the other to a curse.

[4] Y’shua was “accursed” by his accusers, but Christians teach that YHWH and Torah accused Y’shua. However, Y’shua was the Perfect Lamb. He never broke Torah; therefore, he could never come under any curse of Torah. We come under the curse when we sin and refuse to turn to YHWH!

{5] See Deuteronomy 21:22-23. Y’shua committed no capital crime. Pharisees were warning Jews off Y’shua by saying that he had become a curse because he hung on the torture stake.

The Pharisees tried to vilify Y’shua before the Jewish people. Paul is repeating this accusation of the Pharisees for the benefit of “Messianic Pharisees” (see Tosefta Sanhedrin IX.7). “Messianic Pharisees” (Galatians 2:4) were likely weary of being shunned by their people (see Matthew 10:39) and wanted back into the synagogues, so they were posturing themselves as Ebionites (see footnote Titus 3:9).

Today “Messianic Pharisees” or Ebionites, attend Orthodox synagogues and are enamored with traditional Rabbinical Judaism; they believe Y’shua is Mashiyach, but not the Arm of YHWH or YHWH Tsidkenu revealed. Paul is using the strongest words possible to affirm the Truth by reminding certain Galatians that they are trying to dilute the Netzarim Faith with traditional Pharisaism.

In 2,000 years little has changed; many Orthodox Rabbis still call Y’shua a bastard and a curse of the Jewish people because he “hung on the stake.” Some Rabbis will even provide a mock funeral for Jews who follow Y’shua, and teach that the family member is as though they never existed; so if one can understand the duress that certain “Messianic Pharisees” were under, then one can understand why Paul chose such severity of words!

So, what are you all thankful for?

Let us count the ways. I’ll start:

I'm thankful that YHWH opened my spiritual eyes and allowed me to see after stumbling around in the darkness for so long! Thankful for each storm that served as a learning experience on life’s long and winding, pot-hole-filled road. Thankful that He considered me worthy of being His humble servant; someone who once was lost, but finally found, and who knows - beyond that proverbial “shadow of a doubt”- where she is going. (Psalm 82:5, Philippians 2:5-11; Matthew 3:17; John 10:30, 11:10, 12:35; 1 John 1:6.)

Originally from Germany, I'm thankful that YHWH caused me to be brought to America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, where I was given the opportunity to serve my adopted country via 22 years in the US Army where I was educated and groomed to “be all I could be ”… an organization that actually helped to prepare me to become a soldier in HIS Army!

I'm thankful for the sweet husband YHWH gave to me, just when I had decided to give up on men, altogether. Thankful for all His provisions, and for allowing Bill and me to be used as His willing vessels to help others find their way to YHWH/Yeshua/Torah in this lost and fallen world.

Most of all, I'm thankful that He sent to earth His Son, His “arm” - His Messiah with a divine nature who willingly martyred himself on our behalf; shedding his holy blood that took away our sins: Isaiah 53; John 1:1, 14 and 19:7; Luke 1:35 and 3:22; Mark 9:7; Hebrews 1:3, etc.

I’m thankful to recognize the fact that I once was blind, but now I see! Halleluyah!

Okay, YOUR turn!

Examples of a world that is lost and fallen

This synagogue in San Fransisco "Congregation Sha'ar Zahav", says "Pride Shabbat is this LGBTQ synagogue’s highest holiday"!

And this synagogue in Israel adopts the "liberal Jewish tradition of North America of celebrating a Pride Shabbat"!

Now, let’s check to see what GOD says:

The first thing to keep in mind is that YHWH is not a God of confusion. When He created man, He made them male and female - two genders that are called to not only reflect the image and likeness of God, but to also represent Him in the stewardship of His good and wonderful creation (Genesis 1:28-29).

Male and female also reflect YHWH in the unity in marriage when they become "one flesh" (see Genesis 2:23-24; Matthew 19: 3-6; Mark 10: 6-9; Ephesians 5:28-32) and thus bring forth new life that will also reflect His Holy Image (character).

When we are "fruitful and multiply and fill the earth," we spread God's image around the world (Genesis 1:28). To actively deny or reject this privilege by attempting to tamper with the gender HE assigned you, is not only a grievous sin, but it is also basically a slap in the Face of our Creator!

Genesis 1:27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them: God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it..." (CJB)

Deuteronomy 22:5 "A woman is not to wear men's clothing, and a man is not to put on women's clothing, for whoever does these things is detestable to ADONAI your God. (CJB)

Leviticus 18:22 You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination.

Leviticus 20:13 If a man lies with a male as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination; they shall surely be put to death; their blood is upon them.

Romans 1: 22 Claiming to be wise, they have become fools! 23 In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles! 24 This is why God has given them up to the vileness of their hearts' lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other's bodies.

25 They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshiping and serving created things, rather than the Creator - praised be he for ever. Amen. 26 This is why God has given them up to degrading passions; so that their women exchange natural sexual relations for unnatural; 27 and likewise the men, giving up natural relations with the opposite sex, burn with passion for one another, men committing shameful acts with other men and receiving in their own persons the penalty appropriate to their perversion.

28 In other words, since they have not considered God worth knowing, God has given them up to worthless ways of thinking; so that they do improper things. 29 They are filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and vice; stuffed with jealousy, murder, quarreling, dishonesty and ill-will; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God; they are insolent, arrogant and boastful; they plan evil schemes; they disobey their parents; 31 they are brainless, faithless, heartless and ruthless. 32 They know well enough God's righteous decree that people who do such things deserve to die; yet not only do they keep doing them, but they applaud others who do the same.

2 Peter 2: 19. And they promise them liberty while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for, by whatever thing a man is vanquished, to that is he enslaved. 20. For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Y'shua the Mashiyach, they become again involved in the same and are vanquished, their latter state is worse than the former. 21. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known (it), to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them. 22. But the true proverb has happened to them: the dog returns to his vomit and the pig that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

Revelation 22:14 How blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they have the right to eat from the Tree of Life and go through the gates into the city! 15 Outside are the homosexuals, those who misuse drugs in connection with the occult, the sexually immoral, murderers, idol-worshippers, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

1 Corinthians 6:9. Or don't you know, that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim? Make no mistake! Neither sexual sinners, nor idol-worshippers, nor adulterers, nor the corrupt, nor men who lay down with other men, 10. Nor the oppressors, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. (Aramaic English New Testament)

1 Thessalonians 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality....

Hebrews 10:26 For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, or raging fire that will consume the enemies.

Hebrews 10:29 Think how much worse will be the punishment deserved by someone who has trampled underfoot the Son of God; who has treated as something common the blood of the covenant which made him holy; and who has insulted the Spirit, giver of God's grace! 30 For the One we know is the One who said, "Vengeance is my responsibility; I will repay," and then said, "ADONAI will judge his people." 31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

Jewish counter-missionary argument: Why would Messiah come through Jeconiah's lineage - a man that YHWH cursed?

As you all know, Jewish "counter-missionary" Rabbis and their followers keep knocking themselves out to prove that Yeshua and the New Testament are myths. Among their arguments is, "Why would Messiah come through Jeconiah's lineage - a man that YHWH cursed? Our response can be found in this article.

A word about our “lost and fallen world”…

With Thanksgiving on the horizon, "food" was the focus of CBS's "Sunday Morning" show today, and ,y husband and I cringed, because every segment contained the lauding of something YHWH considers to be "unclean" - with bacon naturally being the main focus of most dishes.

Of course, most can't even be bothered to keep YHWH's commanded Seventh Day rest holy (Exodus 20:8-11 and 31:16-17; Isaiah 56:2-7; Ezekiel 20:11-12; etc.), let alone, be bothered to think about the food they put in their mouth...

It was depressing to be reminded of exactly how lost our world is. Hardly anybody cares about our Creator or His desire for humanity. We're so into ourselves and what "we want," that the idea of "God" is pushed way into the background. He's simply someone we can take down off the shelf whenever we need or want something. It's not a "two-way street" at all.

Scripture amply warns us that humanity would NOT be taking that "narrow gate that leads to life" (Matthew 7:13-14) in the end times. Here are some real, in-your-face examples of that:

Romans 1: 22 Claiming to be wise, they have become fools! 23 In fact, they have exchanged the glory of the immortal God for mere images, like a mortal human being, or like birds, animals or reptiles! 24 This is why God has given them up to the vileness of their hearts' lusts, to the shameful misuse of each other's bodies.

25 They have exchanged the truth of God for falsehood, by worshiping and serving created things, rather than the Creator - praised be he for ever. Amen. 26 This is why God has given them up to degrading passions; so that their women exchange natural sexual relations for unnatural; 27 and likewise the men, giving up natural relations with the opposite sex, burn with passion for one another, men committing shameful acts with other men and receiving in their own persons the penalty appropriate to their perversion. 28 In other words, since they have not considered God worth knowing, God has given them up to worthless ways of thinking; so that they do improper things.

29 They are filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and vice; stuffed with jealousy, murder, quarreling, dishonesty and ill-will; they are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God; they are insolent, arrogant and boastful; they plan evil schemes; they disobey their parents; 31 they are brainless, faithless, heartless and ruthless. 32 They know well enough God's righteous decree that people who do such things deserve to die; yet not only do they keep doing them, but they applaud others who do the same. (CJB)

2 Peter 2: 19. And they promise them liberty while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for, by whatever thing a man is vanquished, to that is he enslaved. 20. For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Yeshua the Mashiyach, they become again involved in the same and are vanquished, their latter state is worse than the former.

21. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known (it), to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them. 22. But the true proverb has happened to them: the dog returns to his vomit and the pig that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire.

Matthew 24: 3. And while Y'shua was sitting on the Mount of Olives, his disciples drew near and were saying among themselves and to him, "Tell us when these things will be and what is the sign of your coming and the end of the world." 4. Y'shua answered and said to them, Beware, let no man deceive you.

5. For many will come in my name and will say that "I am the Mashiyach." And many they will deceive. 6. For you are bound to hear of revolutions and rumor of wars. Watch out and do not be disturbed, for it is necessary that all these things happen, but it is not yet the end. 7. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines and plagues and earthquakes in different places. 8. But all these things are only the beginning of sorrows. 9. Then they will deliver to afflictions and they will kill you and you will be hated by all nations because of my name.

10. Then many will stumble and will hate one another and will betray one another. 11. And many false prophets will arise and deceive many. 12. And because of the growth of iniquity, the love of many will grow cold. 13. But whoever has patience until the end, he will have life. 14. And this Good News of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.... (AENT)

Parashah 7: Vayetze (He went out) Genesis 28:10 through 32:3

Shabbat shalom, mishpocah!  As always, a synopsis of this week’s Torah portion can be found on our website. This week's Torah portion, is a true "soap opera" of human behavior as we not only hear about “tithing” for the first time; but we also learn the history of Ya'akov (Jacob), the son of Yitz'chak (Isaac), who - in order to escape the wrath of Esav - was sent to live with his grandfather B'tu'el (his maternal grandfather) and told to choose a wife from the daughters of his Uncle Lavan, Rivkah's brother (who, although he was "family" did not worship the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob).

For more, please click on the link above!

With all the bad news we're hearing lately, is there any GOOD news?

Fires, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, tsnamies, volcanic eruptions, sickness and disease, mass murders, wars, rumors or wars and evil all over the world ... With all the bad news we're hearing lately, is there any GOOD news?

YES - Yeshua's Second Coming! Halleluyah!

YHWH's Messiah will put an end to wickedness and evil on this earth. He will rule and reign for a thousand years upon the Earth after he defeats the Antichrist at Armageddon. After that, on Judgment Day, every soul that has ever lived will stand before YHWH to give an account of their life. (Psalm 2:2; Daniel 2:44; Ezekiel 39:7; Revelation 16:14-16, 19:11-16 and 20:1-15.).

In Matthew 24 we begin to see that Believers will be translated (cease to exist here on Earth to suddenly find themselves in the Presence of Yeshua). This does not necessarily mean that our physical bodies, upon Yeshua's return, will float up into the air, as depicted by Christian artists! We don't know for sure what will happen; but we do know that, according to 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, it will be "in the twinkling of an eye." Matthew 24:40 reveals that this "translation" from physical to spiritual bodies will be sudden. (See also John 5:28-29.)

Note that these scriptures also tell us that the "resurrection of life" is the first resurrection, which happens just prior to Yeshua's Second Coming; and that the "resurrection of judgment" does not occur until a thousand years later at the end of Messiah's millennial reign, when everyone who has ever lived will stand before YHWH on Judgment Day. These things are outlined in Daniel 12: 1-3; Acts 24: 15; Luke 14: 14, and Revelation 20.

(NOTE: This "catching up" will be when Yeshua returns to Earth; not before! According to Daniel 9:26-27, t will occur at the end of that seven year period which will begin when the "Antichrist" makes a seven year peace treaty with Israel. The day we hear of someone making a seven year peace treaty with Israel, we'll be able to count exactly seven years until Yeshua's return!)

Revelation 20:11. And I saw a great white throne and Him who sits upon it; from whose presence the earth and heaven fled away, and this their place was not found. 12. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is (the book) of life. And the dead were judged from the things written in the books, according to their deeds.

13. And the sea gave up the dead in it; and death and Sheol gave up the dead in them. And they were judged, each one according to his deeds. 14. And death and Sheol were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death (namely,) this lake of fire. 15. And if any one was not found enrolled in the book of life, he was cast into this lake of fire. (AENT)

So, YES, that IS good news … for BELIEVERS!

Atheists and "religion hoppers" and the "lukewarm" and anyone who didn't accept THE Creator, YHWH - the ELOHIM of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob - as their God, are facing eternal separation from Him! It will be as if they never existed. (See 2 Thessalonians 1:9; Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:11-15.)

Unfortunately, most people today don't seem to be concerned with the "hereafter"; let alone YHWH or His Word. Even many Believers don't know the meaning of the word, "wholehearted" - and, as a result, they will NOT be taking that narrow gate that leads to life (Matthew 7:13-14).

John 3:36, 11:25 and 17:3, etc. reveal that "eternal life" does not consist of simply "believing in Jesus," but living for YHWH according to His Torah rules. (Remember: Yeshua came to proclaim the Kingdom of YHWH, do everything His Father commanded, and teach Torah, and then martyr himself on our behalf.)

Luke 4:43 "But he (Yeshua/Jesus) said, "I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

Luke 8:1. And it happened after these things that Y'shua was going around in the cities and in the villages and was preaching and declaring the Kingdom of Elohim.

Acts 28:23 "From morning till evening the Apostle Paul explained and declared the Kingdom of God and tried to convince people about Yeshua from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets."

Acts 24:14. But this indeed I (Paul) acknowledge, that in that same doctrine of which they speak, I do serve the Elohim of my fathers, believing all the things written in Torah and in the prophets.

Most, according to what we read in Scripture, will end up separated from YHWH forever BECAUSE of their refusal to become "wholehearted"; but the believing and obeying remnant will get to spend eternity with Him in "the new heavens and the new earth."

As you know, Yeshua was the "arm" of YHWH (Isaiah 53:1) and the Word (John 1:1-4, 14), and to "believe" in Him is to gain eternal life. Nobody is guaranteed the next day, but we at least have the assurance of salvation, when our life here on earth ends!

So, YES - there are some evil days ahead; but be encouraged ... The indwelling Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) will guide us, with Torah as our Light (Psalm 119:105) – so, go out and BE that light while there is still time!

Isaiah 51:4 "Pay attention to me, my people! My nation, listen to me! For Torah will go out from me; (Yeshua’s spirit embodies Torah; it is the Word!) I will calm them with my justice as a light for the peoples. 5 My righteousness is at hand, my salvation (Yeshua) goes out, my arms will judge the peoples. The coastlands are putting their hope in me, trusting in my arm (Yeshua - Isaiah 53:1).

6 "Raise your eyes toward the skies, look at the earth below. The skies will vanish like smoke, the earth will wear out like clothing. Those living on it will die like flies; but my salvation (Yeshua) will be forever, and my justice will never end.

7 "Listen to me, you who know justice, you people who have my Torah in your heart: don't be afraid of people's taunts, don't be upset by their insults. 8 For the moth will eat them up like clothing, the worm will eat them like wool; but my justice will be forever, and my salvation for all generations." (CJB)

John 17:1. Y'shua spoke these things and he lifted up his eyes to Heaven and said My Father the hour has come. Glorify your Son so that your Son might glorify you. 2. Just as you have given him authority over all flesh that whomever You have given him, he will give to him life that is eternal. 3. Now this is life that is eternal, that they might know You, that You are the Elohim of Truth, and he alone whom You have sent, the Mashiyach Y'shua.

4. I have glorified You on earth. The work that You have given to me to do I have finished it. 5. And now glorify me my Father with You in that glory that I had with You from before the world was. 6. I have made Your Name known to the sons of those men whom You had given to me from the world. They were Yours and You have given them to me, and they have kept Your Word.

7. Now they have known that everything that you have given to me I have given to them and they received them. 8. And they know that I have truly proceeded from your presence, and they believe that You have sent me. (AENT)

Parashah 6: Tol'dot (History) Genesis 25:19 through 28:9

Shabbat shalom, everyone!  As always, a synopsis of this week’s Torah portion can be found on our website.  (Be sure to read not just our synopsis, but the entire Torah portion!)

In this week's parashah we learn the history of Yitz'chak (Isaac), Avraham's son - and we will discover that YHWH doesn't choose those who believe themselves to be qualified; but rather, He qualifies the chosen....

Reader question concerning which commandments to keep

READER QUESTION TO OUR WEBSITE:

I have a question. Are there specific commandments that should be kept only by Hebrews and commandments that we all should keep? Or everything is for everybody?  And if there are specific commandments only for Hebrew people give me some examples, please!

OUR RESPONSE:

Thank you for writing to The Refiner's Fire! The answer to your excellent question is simple:

First of all, once you accept YHWH, the ELOHIM of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as your God (and recognize His Son Yeshua as His Divine Messiah), you automatically become a "Hebrew" (a word which in Hebrew means, "to cross over" - which is what Abraham did in Genesis 12).

When you do that, you are obligated to obey His Divine Instructions in Righteousness (Torah), because YHWH doesn't hand down separate rules for different people (Numbers 15:13-16). Galatians 3:28 tells us that we are one in Messiah; there is neither Jew nor Gentile, male nor female, slave nor free. (See also Ephesians 2.).

The thing to remember is this: Most of those original "613 commandments" were directed at the Levite cohens (priests) of the day; some were only for men; some only for women, and some were only for a certain time frame. (See our article on the commandments.)

But some were meant to last FOREVER, and for ALL to obey - and those are the ones that believers must pay attention to.

This is the type of hateful rhetoric espoused by those who have rejected Yeshua!

"Stick boy" is obviously a childish and demeaning reference to Yeshua. If you're thinking of rejecting Messiah Yeshua, do you really wish to be associated with people like this? The Ruach is nowhere in sight here.....

And yet another counter-missionary comment challenged!

A virgin birth is not a "sign"? Gee, how many virgins are there who ended up becoming supernaturally pregnant, with their hymens broken from the inside-out when the baby was born? To top it off, this "expert" can actually sit there and suggest "there never was a 'virgin' birth prophecy?

DRUM ROLL, please!

Isaiah 7:14 Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.

Immanuel means “God with us.”

Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 

Challenging more counter-missionary comments

Oh, this is just too easy! "The word Torah is feminine, not masculine?" SO WHAT?

According to a footnote on John 1:1 in the Aramaic English New Testament....

"The phrase B'resheet aytohi hwa miltha, breaks a most basic rule of Aramaic grammar by combining a feminine noun (miltha) with two masculine verbs for "to be" (aytohi, hwa).

“This is unheard of in Aramaic literature other than right here in this passage and in 1 John. This shows YHWH (Yahweh) has male and female "images/spirits" even though YHWH remains a He. It may also be a midrash on Isaiah 11:1-2, which describes the Spirit of YHWH descending on Mashiyach using both masculine and feminine suffixes. This is not something easily translated, let alone when it occurs within the first four words.”

If William Hall would read the Bible in context, he would discover that, while Yahweh might have male and female "images/spirits" He is always referred to in the masculine gender - as is His Son!

In Hebrew, the Shekinah, the manifestation of God's presence that fills the universe (Holy Spirit), is conceived of in feminine terms, and the word Shekinah is a feminine word. But that does not make our Creator or His Son female! The foreshadowed Messiah of Israel both in the Bible and in the Talmud (Jewish "oral Torah") is referred to in the masculine gender. Even all the angels referred to in the Bible are male!

And, oh by the way, a sin offering didn't necessarily have to be FEMALE - that is a LIE! Click here to see what SCRIPTURE says!

Challenging the comments of some Yeshua-rejecters

One has to wonder what Bible these Yeshua-rejecting women are reading, because it certainly isn't the one God "breathed!"

First, who are these women to suggest that YHWH has to do things according THEIR timeline?  How arrogant can you get?

Secondly, if Y'shua had had a wife and kids, He would never have chosen to die on that stake, to leave behind a widow and orphans! YHWH would not have expected Him to do that. Y'shua's mind - as we see in Luke 2:49 - was always on YHWH. He knew who He was, and He didn't have time for a wife and family.

That would have been a huge distraction. So, this attempt by the anti-missionaries is like ALL their attempts to discredit Y'shua - it's weak, and it's a slap in the face of YHWH whom they are calling a liar. (See Isaiah 53 and all of the Feasts/Appointed Times which foreshadow Y'shua.)

God is preparing a BRIDE for Messiah from His body. Please feel free to search on the word "bride" in the Bible, and you'll see what that means.... It would seem that "in the end" the beginning will be fulfilled.

Plus, on some level, YHWH fulfilled the "be fruitful" by begetting a Son who has opened the Kingdom to everyone who believes in the reality of this Son. There's a LOT of fruitful and multiplying going on through Messiah, but just not "in the flesh" - and remember, when Adam and Eve were told this, they were still "unfallen."

Christians asks, "Why did demons flee in the name of JESUS?"

A Christian recently asked: "Why did demons flee in the name of JESUS?"

OUR RESPONSE:

The early Netzarim (Nazarene) Believers didn’t use the name of “Jesus.” “Jesus” is a later, Greek translation of his given Hebrew name of Yeshua (which means “Yahweh is salvation.” (Please see our short article on this issue.)

The original language (Aramaic) translated directly into English, says the following, concerning demons fleeing at the mention of his name:

Acts 19: 13. Moreover certain Jews, who went about exorcising demons, were disposed to exorcise in the name of our Master Y’shua over those who had unclean spirits, by saying: “We command you, in the name of that Y’shua whom Paul preaches.” 14. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, who did this. 15. And the evil demon answered and said to them: “Y’shua I well know, and Paul I know, but as for you, who are you?”[1]

16. And the man in whom was the evil demon leaped upon them, and overpowered them, and threw them down: and they fled out of the house beaten and bruised. 17 And this became known to all the Jews and Gentiles, who resided at Ephesus. And fear fell on them all, and the name of our Master Y’shua Mashiyach was exalted. 18. And many of them that believed, came and narrated their faults, and confessed what they had done. (Aramaic English New Testament)

Footnote:

Spiritual worlds operate within the boundary of ownership set by YHWH (Yahweh). When we properly surrender to Y’shua, we are surrendering to YHWH’s ownership; the correct answer is: “I belong to Y’shua, that is who I am. For Y’shua to claim me (this is where religion and truth are divided), I must serve Him, be obedient to Him, live a life pleasing to Him, surrender to Him and love Him.” If we refuse these elements of His boundaries he will say, “I have not known you. Depart from me, you workers of iniquity!” (Matthew 7:23)

Y’shua is casting out unclean spirits on a daily basis for those with Faith and discerning of spirits (1 Cor 12:10). If you’ve tried to cast out unclean spirits and weren’t successful, next time try repentance and obedience to YHWH.

We have no authority in Him unless we are a kedoshim (Set Apart people), and our vessels are being made clean and free of sin. If demons aren’t being cast out in your local community that doesn’t mean it isn’t happening in others. Consider visiting a Faith-based Torah observant community that believes in YHWH and being obedient to His Word.

“God is love, and that’s all the matters”….

Many people keep insisting "God is love, full of grace and forgiveness," and that's all we need to know. Truth is, that’s just partially true! Here’s a little example that will hopefully get the point across:

A father teaches his toddler, among many other things, to look both ways before crossing a road. The father does that because he is full of LOVE and all that it entails for that child. He knows that rearing, guiding and teaching a child is not an easy task, and children DO tend to forget things – and that is why constant vigilance, guidance, patience, and reminders are needed.

One day, when the father’s mind is preoccupied, the little boy manages to slip outside and, without thinking, he happily heads toward the busy highway near his house. He finally gets to be independent, with nobody telling him what to do – yay! He’s not afraid, though, because he can feel his father’s love deep inside his soul, and it makes him feel very safe. Nothing can hurt him, because Daddy is with him in spirit.

High on the feeling that he is safe, no matter what, he forgets to check for traffic as he steps out into the street … where he is promptly hit by a semi-truck.

So, did his father's LOVE save that child? Of course not! But that is exactly how some view the love of God. They are under the erroneous assumption that God’s all-encompassing love means they can stray from his Divine Instructions whenever they choose because, hey, He knows they’re “only human” and He "knows their heart."

After all, the sins they occasionally commit aren’t THAT big a deal, are they? Sure, the “Old Testament God” used to have people stoned to death for committing those same sins, but hey, the “New Testament God” is pure love. And besides, all those old commands were just for the Jews….

The Truth is, those who have read the Torah (first five Books of the Bible that contain all of God’s “do’s” and “don’ts” for ALL who have accepted Him as their God – See Numbers 15:13-16) know that the excuses used by some (i.e., “God is grace, love and forgiveness) are just smoke screens designed to give them permission to sin.

God NEVER gave anyone permission to stray from His commands! As a matter of fact, He is very adamant that those who obey His commands are blessed, and those disobey them are cursed. (See Deuteronomy 11:26-28; 27:26; 28:1-30; etc.)

Loving God includes obeying His rules, because they are our ONLY blueprint for moral, holy living. Stray away from those rules and you will get smashed by that proverbial semi-truck!

Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify the Law through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish the Law.

Biden wants to “reset moral compasses”

I’m falling off my chair, laughing! Joe Biden - urging the Democrats to get to the polls and vote - said earlier today: “We have to reset moral compasses."

Er...let’s see, the Democrats are FOR homosexuality and abortion. WHAT moral compass is Biden referring to?

In God’s eyes homosexuality and murder are sins!

Responding to the drivel of a typical “counter-missionary”

This pawn of the Jewish rabbis truly seems to think highly of himself. Take a look at the screen shot above and ponder the hateful things he wrote - things that reveal how very little he actually knows when it comes to the New Testament!

Since he asked "What are your thoughts?" I'll just take a moment to provide mine:

This "Bible scholar" wrote: "...and Jesus said, "my God, why have you forsaken me?"

Actually, Mr. Hall, Yeshua never said, "Why have you forsaken me?" He said, "Why have you spared me?" These words are straight from the Aramaic English New Testament (AENT) which is a translation of a copy of the oldest NT ever discovered, the Khabouris Codex which was written in all Aramaic - no Greek in sight! Here's the scripture along with its footnote from the AENT:

Matthew 27: 46. And about the ninth hour, Y’shua cried out with a loud voice and said, My El! My El! [Lemana shabakthani] Why have you spared me?

FOOTNOTE:

"Y’shua was not necessarily quoting Psalm 22, although the imagery of the Psalm is certainly intended by Matthew. Greek is transliterated Eli, Eli lama sabacthani, but Peshitta and Psalm 22 read: Eli, Eli lama azbatani.

"Many Bibles read "forsaken" from which came a false teaching that the Father left Y’shua destitute (Marcionite thinking). Isaiah 53:4 indicates that "we" reckoned him smitten of Elohim, but it is not YHWH who tortured His own son, but men motivated by religious tradition. Psalm 22 references those who scorned Y’shua for his Faith in YHWH and called him a worm (detested), but Father YHWH does not forsake the righteous, nor does He at any time "forsake" His own Son – see Psalm 9:9, 10; 37:25; 71:11; Isaiah 49:14-16.

"Y'shua says "Eli" (my El). He is in great physical pain after being brutally tortured; those around him were confused about whether he was saying "Eli-yah" or "Eliyahu". If Hebrew eyewitnesses were not sure of what he was saying, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Greek transliteration was also wrong, putting "lama sabacthani" rather than "lemana shabakthani".

"Perhaps the reason Y’shua says "why are you sparing me" is because he has proven his commitment by laying down his life and has already endured about six hours of the execution! So, it’s not a matter of being "forsaken" but that he literally means, "Father, I'm ready, why can’t we finish this?" In a matter of moments from saying this, he dies, which fully supports this interpretation".

Moving on to Hall's next comment that Messiah Yeshua "came to the realization that he failed." Is that so, William? Try pushing aside your own hateful agenda while checking out the many prophecies he fulfilled - and try to view them from GOD's perspective for a change: https://therefinersfire.org/accurate_messiah_prophecies.htm

Next comment: "The Messiah was supposed to have a long life AND have children...." Here's a SCRIPTURAL response for ya! https://blog.therefinersfire.org/2018/10/challenging-one-of-jewish-counter.html

And as for William Hall's final comment, "btw, Messiah does not mean "savior" - well, that's what he gets for viewing YHWH's Messiah - the ANOINTED one - through "Greek" eyes. Too bad for him, because by rejecting YESHUA, he has lost his salvation!

Yochanan 14:6. Y’shua said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me. 7. If only you would have known me, you would have also have known my Father. And from now on you know Him and you have seen Him.[*] 8. Peleepos said to him, “Our Master, show us the Father and it will satisfy us.”

9. Y’shua said to him, I am with you all this time and you do not know me Peleepa? Whoever sees me sees the Father, and how do you say, “Show us the Father?” 10. Don’t you believe that I am in my Father and my Father is in me? These words that I speak, I do not speak of myself but He who dwells in me, my Father does these works.

11. Believe that I am in my Father and my Father is in me; otherwise believe even because of the works. 12. Amen, amen I say to you that whoever believes in me, these works that I do, he will do also, and more than these he will do because I go to the Father. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: Y’shua is the Way; the Hebrew Derek (way) is first mentioned in Genesis 3:24, as the “way to the Tree of Life.” Throughout Torah and the Prophets “Ha Derek YHWH,” the Way of YHWH, is presented as keeping the Commandments of YHWH, living a righteous Set Apart life, walking in humility and service to YHWH and His Creation.

FOOTNOTE:

Y’shua exemplifies “Ha Derek YHWH” by demonstrating solidarity and obedience to Torah, through his extravagant love and obedience to his Father, and by serving YHWH’s people according to the ministry of the Ruach haKodesh.

Y’shua is the Truth; the Hebrew Emet (Truth) is first mentioned in Scripture when Abraham’s servant Eliezer worships YHWH because of His Mercy and Truth. Through walking in “the way” (of YHWH) he was divinely led to his master’s brethren where he found Rebecca, Genesis 24:27. Truth leads us to the Master of the Universe and to live among and be part of His called out people.

Truth reveals the cause and effect of our choices each day; as we walk in Truth we see the beauty and importance of the Way of Life. Y’shua said, “He who desires to do His will (walk in Truth) can comprehend my teaching, if it is from Elohim,” Yochanan 7:17. Y’shua is the Life. The Hebrew Chai (life) is first mentioned in Genesis 1:20, when Elohim first created living creatures.

Hebrew reveals many elements of “life,” however Y’shua’s teaching is more focused on spiritual life according to the Spirit of YHWH, the Ruach HaKodesh. This Spiritual life is described as the Spirit of YHWH, the Spirit of Wisdom, the Spirit of Understanding, the Spirit of Counsel, the Spirit of Might, the Spirit of Knowledge, and the Spirit of the Fear of YHWH (Isaiah 11:2).

This Spiritual Life-Force demonstrates fruits of the Spirit of YHWH as love, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).

Parashah 5: Chayyei-Sarah (Sarah's life) Genesis 23:1 through 25:18

Shabbat shalom!  As always, a synopsis of this week’s Torah portion can be found on our website.

In this week's lesson we discover that Sarah has died and that Avraham - our first Patriarch, whom YHWH has blessed greatly for his obedience in becoming a "Hebrew" (which means, "to cross over") - is actually the first person we know of in the Torah to bury anyone.

We are told that he purchased a grave site from "the sons of Het" to bury Sarah's remains - and a huge deal was made out of his insistence that he buy the land, instead of accepting it as a gift. (Please note, although YHWH promised Avraham that all the land he walked over during his lifetime would be given to him and to his descendants forever (Genesis 15:18), by the end of his life Avraham owned only one small field at Hebron - a transaction that was recorded in Genesis 23:1-18.

Avraham lived to the ripe old age of 175 and he then took another wife, K'turah, who bore him more children (Genesis 25:-4). Before he died and was buried with his wife Sarah in the plot he had purchased from the sons of Het the Hitti, he bequeathed everything to his son Yitz'chak (Isaac), the son promised by YHWH in Genesis 18:10-15.

Why was it so important for Avraham to OWN the plot land where Sarah was to be buried? Because YHWH had told him in Genesis 15 that one day the land would belong to Avraham's descendants! So, Avraham bought the large burial site at Hebron (Genesis 23:1-20); and eventually, David bought the Temple Mount (1 Chronicles 21:25). (By the way, the land Avraham purchased was a plot within the greater land area of Israel, but it is thought to be at/near Hevron, about 22 miles South Southwest of Jerusalem.)

Very important question:  Who was the Land ever sold to?  NOBODY!  This means the Muslims have no right to insist the Temple Mount belongs to them! The Land belongs to Avraham and his descendants. Period….

For more, please click on the link above.

We can’t have dogs or cats as pets, because they’re “unclean”?

Many, when they discover the beauty of Torah, tend to go ballistic in their thinking, and begin to make ridiculously radical changes in their life - all because they have misunderstood and "read into" the basics of Torah. To them, suddenly everything has become taboo and "pagan". They tend to "wrap themselves around the axle" so much, they completely miss the plain meaning (pshat) of the Torah commands.

For instance, we once had someone send us an irate email to admonish us for using our much loved and pampered Miniature Schnauzer, Dallas, as a "doggie model" for some of our memes. "God said dogs and cats are unclean, and that you shouldn't even touch them, much less allow them to live in your house!" the man's irate email said.

And, naturally, this man (who wasn't a doctor or scientist) espoused all kinds of “proof” - obviously stemming from personal opinions gleaned from the Internet - that people with house pets WILL end up with cancer and other diseases.

His Scripture references as "proof that God hates cats and dogs" (I kid you not; that is exactly what he wrote!) included Leviticus 11:24-31 which says "cats and dogs are unclean and you shouldn’t even touch them."

In all actuality, Torah commands us to not EAT "unclean" animals. It doesn't say we cannot "touch" them. The aforementioned Leviticus passages, READ IN CONTEXT, reveal that we are not to touch DEAD CARCASSES ... rather, if you've touched a carcass - which is sometimes necessary, (That's because in ancient times, people didn't have readily available hot and cold running water and soap with which to clean themselves.)

The animals listed in Torah that we are not allowed to EAT are "tamei" - impure. While eating them is forbidden, TOUCHING their carcasses makes YOU "tamei", impure, unclean.

There are generally 4 "categories" of "tamei":

1. The internal flesh of "tamei" creatures. See Leviticus 11:25

2. Dead bodies and animal carcasses. See Leviticus 5:2, 11:27-28, 31, 39; Numbers 19:11.

3. Human beings who have touched either of these things, or whose bodies have an issue of blood or other bodily fluids; Leviticus 7:21, 11:25, Leviticus 11:27-28, 31, 39; 12:2; 15:2-4, 7-8, 16-33; Numbers 19:11

4. Inanimate objects [esp. furnishings and vessels] touched by 1, 2, or 3. This is from Leviticus 11:32-38; 15:20, 26

The bottom line is, there is nothing wrong in having "unclean" animals as pets! Scripture tells us not to EAT them or touch their dead carcasses. Just use some common sense! You won't go to hell for removing a dead animal from the road, or taking your dead pet to the vet for proper disposal. Simply wash your hands afterward. Today, we have the means to cleanse ourselves.

But nothing is even implied that you cannot have an "unclean" animal as a pet. That is "reading into" Scripture! Eve did the same thing while talking to the serpent. Remember, she told the serpent God had said they were not to TOUCH the tree in the middle of the garden: Genesis 3 says she proclaimed, "We may eat from the fruit of the trees of the garden, but about the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden God said, 'You are neither to eat from it nor touch it, or you will die.'"

What did God REALLY say?

Genesis 2: 16 ADONAI, God, gave the person this order: "You may freely eat from every tree in the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die."

Nothing about "touching" the tree....

We must pay close attention to what YHWH says, and not add to, or take away from that, while we do our best to live in this lost world.

Is there dog poop in your brownies?

A father of three teenage boys had a family rule that the kids could not attend "R" rated movies. It just so happened that the boys desperately wanted to see one that was playing at local theaters.

So, they interviewed friends and even some members of their church to find out what was good, bad and/or offensive in the movie, in hopes of enabling them to make a list of the pros and cons to help convince their Dad to let them see it.

Grinning, the teens presented their Dad with the list, proudly proclaiming that they had discovered the movie contained just FEW swear words, and only a FEW violent parts … and well, okay, there were some sex scenes, but they weren’t too explicit. No big deal, really. Nothing they hadn’t been seeing on TV. Probably….

The pros, they told their father, were that it was a popular movie – a big name blockbuster with a good plot and fantastic special effects that “absolutely everyone” was raving about. Everybody who saw this movie was saying it would probably be nominated for several awards. “And Dad, many of our congregation members have seen it already, and they said they LOVED it!”

The boys figured, since there were more pros than cons, their father REALLY needed to reconsider his position about “R” rated movies .. at least for just this one, because they really, truly wanted to see it. After all, it wasn’t THAT bad!

The father quietly considered their list of pros and cons and asked them to return later in the day for his decision.

When they returned, he had a plate of freshly-baked brownies laid out on the coffee table for them. “Don’t start eating them just yet,” the father admonished. “I personally made these for you guys, but you need to know there are some pros and cons.”

The boys broke into raucous laughter. “What do you mean, Dad?” one of them asked jovially. “They’re brownies! There are no ‘cons’ when it comes to brownies!”

“There are in these brownies,” Dad replied. “You see, I made them, myself, from an award-winning recipe. I used the finest chocolate and walnuts, healthy goat milk, and other yummy ingredients. They are moist and fresh with a delightful chocolate frosting on top. Those are the pros.”

The boys looked at each other and shrugged, wondering what “dear ol’ Dad” was getting at.

“These delicious brownies,” Dad said after a pregnant pause, “contain only ONE con. I mixed in some dog poop.”

The boys gasped, staring at their father, eyes wide with shock. After several seconds someone snorted; and there was a loud giggle followed by a guffaw.

“No, really,” the father continued soberly, “I mixed in some dog poop. You guys won’t mind that, right? I mean, it’s just a tiny bit of poop; not enough to hurt anything. I mixed the dough well and, chances are, you won’t be able to taste anything weird. I baked these things at 350 degrees, so any bacteria or germs are surely destroyed.”

The boys continued to stare at their father in disbelief. “Why would you do that, Dad,” the oldest ventured when he realized his Dad wasn’t kidding.

“Well, son,” the father replied. “I guess, to teach you guys a lesson in hypocrisy. I mean, what’s the difference between eating a brownie containing dog poop, and being willing to allow your eyes to watch a cuss-word-riddled movie that contains ‘some’ sex and violence? Either way your body and soul are afflicted by things God never meant for human beings to expose themselves to. Am I right or wrong?”

Each boy’s gaze dropped to the floor when their father’s little lesson in hypocrisy began to sink in. Without another word, they looked at their father and then at each other; then quietly turned to leave the room.

(Author unknown; updated and edited by Carmen Welker)

Don’t lash out at those who hurt you; turn them over to YHWH

As hard as it is sometimes to NOT lash out at those who hurt us, Scripture insists we refrain from doing so, and allow YHWH to avenge us.

Deuteronomy 32:35 Vengeance and payback are mine for the time when their foot slips; for the day of their calamity is coming soon, their doom is rushing upon them.' (CJB)

James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. (ESV)

Romans 12:19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (ESV)

Romans 12:. 9. Let not your love be full of deceit: but be haters of evil things and adherers to good things. 10. Be affectionate to your brothers: and love one another. Be foremost in honoring one another. 11. Be active and not slothful. Be fervent in spirit. Be laborers for our Master (Y’shua). 12. Be joyful in your hope. Be patient under your afflictions. Be persevering in prayer. 13. Be communicators to the wants of the Set Apart believers. Be kind to strangers. 14. Bless your persecutors: bless, and do not curse.

15. Rejoice with them who rejoice: and weep with them who weep. 16. What estimation you make of yourselves do likewise to your brothers. And do not indulge in arrogant thoughts, but unite yourselves with the humble minded. And be not wise in your own estimation. 17. And repay to no man evil for evil: but let it be your study to do good before all men. 18. And if possible, so far as it depends on you, live in peace with every man.

19. And be you not avengers of yourselves, my beloved: but give place to wrath. For it is written: If you do not execute judgment for yourself, I will execute judgment for you, says Elohim. 20. And if your adversary be hungry, feed him: and if he be thirsty, give him drink. For if you do these things, you will heap coals of fire on his head. 21. Do not be overcome by evil; but overcome evil with good. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE:

D’varim 32:35; Psalm 94:1; Prov. 20:22 There are no directives from B’resheet/Genesis to Revelation which counsels anyone to take vengeance upon their adversaries. YHWH says, “vengeance belongs to Me”; He will judge and resolve all matters according to His Righteous Judgment. The idea of taking vengeance upon others, as in jihad or holy war against the infidels, is rooted in fear and heathenism by those who put their faith in self rather than in Elohim.

Hebrews 4:13 And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (ESV)

Romans 1:18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (ESV)

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. (ESV)