6/08 - 6/14/2008 Bible Readings

Parsha: B'ha'alotcha ~ Numbers 8–12
Haftarah: Zechariah 2:10–4:7

Holiday Readings for Shavuot:
Exodus 19, 20; Numbers 28:26-31;
Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17; Ezekiel 1, 3:12;
Habakkuk 3:1-19; Ruth

Supplemental Readings:
M Psa. 52–56; Col. 1
T Psa. 57–61; Col. 2
W Psa. 62–66; Col. 3
Th Psa. 67–69; Col. 4
F Psa. 70–72
Sa Psa. 73–75

Comments

[John Schutz]

Shalom Sue!
Just to clarify, I am not the Rabbi here, that would be David Levine. Those are his sermons you're listening to...

I'm glad you are making good use of them, and I'm sure he would be as well!

[Sue (Dallibar)]

Hello John,

Grace and Peace to you too!

I'm afraid I haven't been able to visit Beth Israel in person. I only know you all a little bit through the blog here and listening to the podcasts regularly. I'm way over here in the UK!

Where am I in my journey? Well, besides a growing appreciation for your podcasts, I'm signed up to Dwight Pryor's study lessons, which I discovered through Rob Bell's 'Velvet Elvis' and my church has blessed me richly (as well as challenged me) by using Ray Vander Laan's DVD Small Group study DVDs.

I've copied some of your podcasts to CD for my church library since I'm keen for others to learn more too. (I hope that's OK?) It's really nice how so often, your sermons complement my own pastor's and others I listen to!! (mainly Rob Bell & Erwin McManus if you're curious!)

I think the Lord is at work!

I am happy/growing/challenged at my local congregation - but I wish Beth Israel was just around the corner! I'd like to meet you and say hello in person.

Thank you for the book recommendations. I'll look into getting those next pay-day.

Every blessing,

Sue

[John Schutz]

Shalom Sue Dallibar,

Where are you from? Have you been to Beth Israel?

I don't know how much exposure you've had so far so I would recommend Dan Juster's book "Growing to Maturity" as a starting point, and perhaps "God's Appointed Times" by Barney Kasdan for a series of brief lessons on the festivals. You can use this link to a Messianic Jewish webstore to order if you'd like:
http://www.messianicjewish.net/webstore.html

Grace and Peace mishpocah (you are family) -

[Sue Dallibar]

I can't speak for Christianity, nor even for the denomination I am part of (Baptist). But speaking just for myself - I think that all the previous commentators make some very valid points.

I have 'believed' almost as soon as I could read or write that Yeshua (Jesus, as I was taught), was G-d's one and only son - given up for my sin - so that even I might 'be right with G-d'.

When I was 18, I made that 'head stuff' a personal thing. I was baptised and life went on.

Now that I am over 40, I feel as though I am only just starting to understand. And I feel like I don't know anything at all!!

Yeshua prayed that his talmidim would be one, just as he and the Father were one. And since he sent the twelve all over the world to make talmidim, I'm thinking that he must have meant that he wanted to see all believers as one.

I think it was one of the biggest tragedies of history that the gentile believers split from the Messianic Jewish believers. Maybe I am just suffering a case of 'grass is greener on the other side', but I have a growing hunch inside me that we Christians miss out on so much and could learn much from the Messianic Jewish community.

I know that many of us are disinclined to study the Tanakh because it is hard! Yet, I'm realising that the New Testament doesn't really make sense without it!

Even though it is sometimes hard, I've made a commitment to follow the weekly readings. (Your podcasts are a very big help! Thank you!) I started with Exodus and am still with you!

I'm hoping that in time I'll work out how to remember the Sabbath and keep it holy. (My husband is not a believer.) And how and when and why to fast.

I feel a little bit lost after all these years - but I think I've found the right path.

Anyhow, I want to say thank you for this blog and especially for your synagogue without which I'd not have discovered the podcasts!

Shalom!

Sue

[John Schutz]

Shalom Anders Branderud,
I agree with much of what you plugged into your advertisement here (not sure if it was a morally and ethically proper thing to do) but when you say "Christianity" you cover a myriad of ideas, theologies, sects and peoples. While I by no means am here to uphold or defend traditional "Christianity" I must say that many of those who've taken that banner have show much Godly wisdom and although they may not fully understand and follow Torah as you proudly suggest you do, I would have to say that they do demonstrate His love in a wonderful way. I would think much harder on the methods you employ to further your influence and agenda in the future to ensure compliance with Y'shua second greatest commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself.

Please do not be so quick to dismiss so many of our brothers and sisters.

We need to understand and appreciate that His followers know each other by their love.

Baruch Hashem; and may you be blessed as well.

[John Schutz]

Shalom Zahava Pasternak!

You seem to enjoy the scriptures; perhaps you should read these and see what God believes:

1. Messiah was to come:
Psalm 40:7-8 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me, I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

2. Messiah was to die for our sins: Isaiah 53:10 ...thou (God) shalt make his soul an offering for sin,...

3. The payment for sin is death (Genesis 2).

4. We all owe this debt (Psalm 51:5).

5. Only an innocent (sinless) man (God who was with us - Isaiah 7:14) could pay this debt. A man under sentence of death cannot offer to give his life for another, as his life is already forfeit.

This is why Messiah was conceived by a virgin and not by a man (Isaiah 7:14 as properly translated in the septuigent).

6. When you accept this and become one of the Messiah's talmidim you will have entered into the new covenant where His Torah is written on your heart (Jeremiah 31:31-34).

6. Of course we all know that a covenant cannot be made without a b'rit (cut/sacrifice).

The sacrifice Messiah made brought the new covenant into effect.

May you be blessed as you find peace with Him.

[Anders Branderud]

Yesayahu 53 is about a vicarious offering.

I am a follower of Ribi Yehoshua – Mashiakh – who practiced Torah including Halakhah with all his heart.
He was born in Betlehem 7 B.C.E . His faher name was Yoseiph and mother’s name was Mir′ yâm. He had twelve followers. He tought in the Jewish batei-haknesset (synagogues). Thousands of Jews were interested in His Torah-teachings. Some Jews who didn’t practice Judaism were threatened. They decided to crucify him. So they did - together with the Romans. His followers were called Netzarim (meaning offshoots [of a olive tree]) and they continued to pray with the other Jews in the synagogues.

Christianity does not teach the teachings of Ribi Yehoshua. Ribi Yehoshuas teachings were pro-Torah.

If you want to learn more click at our website www.netzarim.co.il -- than click at the link "Christians".

Hasheim – the Creator of the universe – loves you. If you want to have a relation with Him you need to follow His Torah.

Be blessed when you practice Hasheims Torah and His mitzwot!

Anders Branderud
Follower of Ribi Yehoshua - Mashiakh (some translate it Mashiakh) in Orthodox Judaism

[Zahava Pasternak]

"Messianics" believe that Jesus is G-d and that G-d became flesh - that G-d became 100% human. TORAH TEACHES OTHERWISE.

Numbers 23:19

Malachi 3:6

Second Error: Atoning Death This "messianic" believes that 1) the annointed one - the messiah's role is to "die for the sins of man" and 2) that the only way to atone for death is by blood.

The annointed one - the moshiach's "role" is NOT to come and "die" for the sins of others as TORAH teaches:

Ezekiel 18:20
Ezekiel 18:21
Ezekiel 33:14

THIS above refutes this "messianic's" belief that "salvation" is not by works, deeds, or efforts.

Ezekiel, the prophet was teaching his people a fundamental biblical principle: A righteous person cannot die vicariously for the sins of the wicked. This notion was identified as thoroughly pagan and was to be avoided by the Jewish people at all costs, and is taught emphatically throughout the 18th chapter of Ezekiel. In verses 20-23 the prophet declares that repentance alone provides full forgiveness of sin. Never are blood-sacrifices or the veneration of a crucified messiah mentioned throughout Ezekiel's thorough and inspiring discourse on sin and atonement.