The Miracle

“It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
to restore the tribes of Jacob
and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.” -Isaiah 49:6

This is what the L-RD Almighty says: “In those days ten people from all languages and nations will take firm hold of one Jew by the tzitzit of his robe and say, ‘Let us go with you, because we have heard that G-d is with you.’” -Zechariah 8:23

In the last days the mountain of the L-RD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and peoples will stream to it.

Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the L-RD, to the temple of the G-d of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The Torah will go out from Zion,
the word of the L-RD from Jerusalem. -Micah 4:1-2

This Erev Shabbat, I must say that I am so thankful to HaShem for the wonderful community of believers I've been introduced to over the last few years - and for all the things I've learned from them. I'm tremendously thankful that He would allow me all this.

Shabbat Shalom.

Pesach 5771

All scripture, being inspired by G-d, is beneficial for doctrine, correction and instruction in walking righteously before our G-d, that the man (or woman) of G-d would be perfect and completely equipped for all good works. 2 Tim. 3:16,17

When Shaul the Pharisee wrote this letter to Timothy, the Tanakh (Old Testament) was the only scripture the followers of Messiah Yeshua had. It would be decades before most would even hear about the writings contained in the Brit Chadasha (New Testament) and centuries before they would hold actual copies in their exceedingly thankful hands. In light of this, it is of utmost importance for us today, somewhat desensitized by centuries of readily available printed scriptures (at least, in the West) to remember that verses speaking of the Word being G-d breathed, etc. are actually referring to the writings contained in the Tanakh (not that these truths wouldn't apply to the entire Word eventually, just that they didn't at this time). Selah.

Living Blood

Once Kayin had killed Hevel, the voice of his brother's blood called to G-d from the ground.
G-d (mercifully) questioned Kayin concerning the disappearance of his brother. Kayin's response said it all. First, he lied, stating that he didn't know where Hevel was. Then he answered G-d with complete disrespect, asking sarcastically if Hevel's whereabouts were his responsibilty. The irony here is incredible - and directly to G-d's face! On top of that, he showed absolutely no remorse.

However, all of that is secondary to my questions.
How did Kayin know it was wrong to murder?
How was G-d just in punishing Kayin if he had not previously instructed him not to kill?
Why did G-d choose to put a mark on Kayin, warning of vengeance if any should take his life, rather than just allowing whatever might befall him?
Was Kayin preserved as an example?
If so, what was he an example of?
Could he possibly have had an agreement with G-d of which we're unaware?

Living Word

How did Kayin (Cain) and Hevel (Abel) know to offer sacrifices to G-d?
Hevel offered the firstborn of his flock. Why?
Were these sacrifices offered for sin?

In Genesis 4:6, G-d tells Kayin that he will be "accepted if he does well", but that "sin crouches at the door" if he doesn't "do well". This is a strange warning from G-d considering He hadn't yet given His instruction, isn't it? How would Kayin even know what sin was at that point in time?

Living Tree

G-d placed cherubim, fiery angels, to the East of Gan Eden to protect the Tree of Life from man - or, more than likely, to protect man from obtaining eternal life in his sinful condition - separated from G-d. This security system didn't consist only of angels, but also a "flaming sword" - lahet kherev. This flaming sword somehow extended (or turned) in all directions, which sounds like some type of force field. The Hebrew word, "lahet" can also mean flickering, hidden, or even, invisible. Incidentally, it's the same word used to describe the power used by Pharaoh's sorcerers in Exodus 7:11.

What do you think the nature of this security system or force field might have been?
What do you think would have happened to Adam had he touched it?

Living Sound

How did the voice of G-d walk (halak) in the Garden?
And what did it sound like?