Forest for the trees

When all your attempts and effort at patiently explaining the mystery of Yeshua (in light of the Oneness of HaShem) are met with the distractions of Christmas, Easter and other pagan/Christian silliness, it's easy to feel as though you're wasting your time. While I, of course, take tremendous issue with the vestigial, Roman distortions of G-d's plan of redemption - and, obviously, there are plenty of them alive and well in today's Christianity - it's really too bad that so many others are unable to look past all of that garbage to see the truth. Though, to be honest, the more falsehood I see myself, the more difficult it becomes to debate the detractors. I'm, honestly, not trying to "convert" anyone, though. That's the major misunderstanding. The last thing I'd ever want to do is "convert" anyone to anything, much less the many-headed "Jesus" monster running rampant today. My earnest desire is to direct others toward HaShem - to introduce them to His method for bringing us salvation and deliverance. It stands to reason that approaching a mysterious G-d requires pondering some mysterious things - Yeshua is one of those inescapable and mysterious issues.

Obviously, if we were to worship fire, it would be blasphemous - but that's how HaShem chose to appear. If we bowed down to a fiery bush, or a watery rock, it would be idolatry, but G-d works in mysterious ways, no? If we looked to a serpent on a pole for healing, we'd be labeled insane, charismatic - or both! But Israel trusted G-d, and all that looked upon it were healed. Not because of the serpent, itself, but because of their faith in G-d - directed toward something that certainly would have seemed pagan and absurd at the time. Should G-d do anything He like, who are we to question it? As we know, "It is the glory of G-d to conceal a matter, but the honor of kings to search out a truth" ~ Proverbs 25:2. It's enough for me to have humble faith in G-d. That wasn't the case immediately, though, and it took years for me to realize that my reasoning was nothing at all in the presence of His glory. I'm reminded of the quote by Ian Young that says, "The greatest obstacle to understanding the Bible is thinking that you already do."

Talk to the Hand

Listen to Me, O Ya'akov, Yisrael, whom I have called: I Am He; I AM the First and I AM the Last. My own Hand laid the foundations of the earth, and My Right Hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they all stand up together...Draw near to Me, hear this: from the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there." And now the L-rd G-D has sent me, and his Spirit. This says the L-RD, your Redeemer, The Holy One of Yisrael: "I AM the L-RD your G-D, who teaches you to profit, Who leads you in the way you should go." ~ Yeshayahu 48:12-13,16-17

Terumah

Adonai is so good to His People! As a few of you already know, I've been a part of the design team at Beth Israel for nearly a year now, as we've been building our new synagogue. From the layout of rooms and traffic flows, to the most detailed interior touches and all manner of aesthetic decisions, to our breathtaking new sanctuary - I've been honored to work with some of the most talented and hard-working people I've ever known - and right alongside my beloved, and visionary, Rebbitzin. It has been, understandably, a very challenging process, but the end result, as with most challenges, is well worth the effort. Exceedingly so! I can't even articulate the joy I'm feeling right now.

I just wanted to share an update (and a small explanation for my absence) with you, as well as give thanks to HaShem for blessing us in so many unimaginable ways. We're finally (completely) finished, and just recently moved in (this week). In fact, our very first services in the new building will be tomorrow and Shabbat. How fitting that the portion for this week is Terumah! Our G-d is astounding in every way - and He will move heaven and earth to dwell among His People!

"And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them." ~ Exodus 25:8

From Heaven?

This article, by Giulio Meotti, is absolutely essential reading. I can’t believe we’re actually seeing things this clearly already. Though, this is only the beginning.

It’s as though Christianity and Islam are two circles in a Venn Diagram of ignorance. Where they overlap, Israel is portrayed as a ravenous monster that must be usurped, dethroned and destroyed by any means necessary. And, somehow, with each passing day, latest headline, and conference aim, it appears that these circles are steadily drawing closer to each other - signaling a near, if not complete, alignment at some point.

For years, I didn’t see it coming to this, and now I can see no other way. The hour is fast approaching, and in many ways is already upon us, when those within Messianic Judaism, and all other like-minded communities, will be required to draw very clear and solid distinctions between themselves and these others that, through their sheer blindness, only facilitate the aspirations of our adversary. The true disciples of Yeshua will treasure the opportunity to stand firmly with their Jewish brothers and sisters – against all of our common foes. Though our enemies are certainly numerous, G-d stands with us.

“And it will happen in that day that I will make Yerushalayim a very heavy stone for all people; all who would heave it away will surely be cut in pieces, though all nations of the earth are gathered against it.” ~ Zechariah 12:3

Keep

The L-RD appeared to Yitzhak and said, "Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you and will bless you, for to you and to your offspring I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath that I swore to Avraham, your father. I will multiply your offspring as the stars of heaven and will give to your offspring all these lands. And in your offspring all the nations of the earth will be blessed, because Avraham obeyed My voice and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." ~ Genesis 26:5

Which of G-d's commandments, statutes and laws did Avraham keep?

Remain

“For I know their works and their thoughts, and the time is coming to gather all nations and tongues. And they will come and shall see My glory, and I will set a sign among them. And from them I will send survivors to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands far away, that have not heard My fame or seen My glory. And they shall declare My glory among the nations. And they shall bring all your brothers from all the nations as an offering to the L-RD, on horses and in chariots and in litters and on mules and on dromedaries, to My Holy Mountain, Yerushalayim, says the L-RD, just as Israel brings its grain offerings in clean vessels to the house of the L-RD. And some of them also I will take for priests and for Levites, says the L-RD."

“For as the new heavens and the new earth that I make shall remain before Me, says the L-RD, so shall your offspring and your name remain. " 

~ Yeshayahu 66:18-22