the holy land

Today I went to the holy land...in Orlando, Florida. Tacky? Surprisingly not. The attractions, shows, and replications are really well-done, interesting, and informative. They do a fairly good job at weaving Judaism with Christianity.

Photos from today's visit

The Holy Land Experience

The Forgotten People, The Chosen People

This video is shocking, important, chilling, sobering, eerie. The most frightening part is: it could happen again...about halfway through the video a German pastor (translated into English) is speaking about the holocaust in April 2007 at the March of Life.

Song: "The Forgotten People," Ted Pearce


More about "For Zion's Sake, I Will Not be Silent"
More about Ted Pearce

Song: "I Will not be Silent," Ted Pearce - March of Life

Drowning out God

We live in an active world where we have to struggle to block out man-made distraction in order to see and hear God's creation.

Think about it: lights, especially in cities, dim the stars. On a clear night where I live I am amazed at the number of stars. But I know that in the middle of nowhere the number of stars that can be seen is shocking. They literally dot the sky.

Buildings block the natural landscape, the rising and setting of the sun; hilly terrain is flattened to allow for "expansion;" billboards trim roads and highways, even buildings; rivers are moved and lakes are dug and filled with water to "beautify" the earth...

How about sounds? The cacophony of engines and other man-made noises distorts or at times silences natural melodies: the birds' chirping, water splashing, insects buzzing, feet crunching on gravel and sticks, leaves flapping against each other in the wind. Sure we hear all those sounds to some degree but other times, the sounds that were intended to fill the world are deadened. God created a world full of music; we've made it a world of noise.

Not only do we miss a lot of the creation that God gave us to marvel at and enjoy, but in nature we can actually see God and and it is one way that we can know that He is:

Romans 1:20 - "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse" (NIV).

And because of all these distractions, it can be hard to see or hear God. God doesn't usually shout at us--if I He does, watch out! But God speaks in a whisper:

1 Kings19:11-12 ~ "Then He said, 'Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.' And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice" (NKJV).

One way to really hear creation is to simply remember that God created it. And if you are inclined, worship Him in it. Psalm 8 is a great reminder of the Creator's creation:

Psalm 8: God's Creation (NIV)
1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise ^[b] because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings ^[c] and crowned him with glory and honor.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

God of Wonders, Third Day

More about the song

Parashat Vayechi ("and he lived") / Why Read Torah?

This week's Torah portion:

Parashat Vayechi - ויחי : “And he lived”
Torah : Genesis 47:28–50:26
Haftarah : 1 Kings 2:1–12
Brit HaDasha / Apostolic Scriptures: 1Peter 1:3-9

Is there Resurrection in the Torah or is that just a New Testament thing?

Why read the Torah? Simple answer: the foundation of both the Jewish and Christian faith is found there. We cannot understand the Apostolic Writing (which begin in approximately the year 1 CE) without having an understanding of the 3000 or so years that preceded the birth of Yeshua. But as Christians we tend to read the Hebrew Scriptures in a detached, piece-mealish manner and in doing so, we miss the basis of our Christian faith, truly we miss a huge part of our faith.

I think about it like this: if you are 60, maybe you'd like to erase the first 40 years of your life. But what would that accomplish? At 60 you would live as if you began life at 40 with no knowledge having been acquired over your youth or adulthood- 40 years as if they never existed. If the idea is to grow wiser as we age, having 60 years of mistakes and successes, loves and hurts shapes us, hopefully informs us, as we make decisions for our remaining years. So in a way, those years are a foundation for our next 1, 10 0r 20+ years of decisions.

And so if it doesn't make sense to erase 40 years of your life (and don't be fooled that we wouldn't make the same mistakes), then it doesn't make sense to ignore the 3,000 or so years that preceded Christ. It's never to late to build the foundation upon which our relationship with God is built and I have found that reading the Torah portions is a great way to start or continue to strengthen the foundation that you have.

Muslim Aids Jews

If you haven't heard about this story, it's worth reading:
Muslim Aids Jews attacked on NY Subway

nutshell: some young people (10 were arrested) feeling oh so Christian-like were shouting "Merry Christmas!" and 4 young Jewish folks responded with "Happy Chanukah!" In response one of the Christians bared his arm to show a tattoo of Jesus, (more than likely the blond-haired, blue-eyed version), and then voiced the ridiculously ignorant accusation about Jews killing Jesus, and even more ignorantly, he added, "they did it during Chanukah." Not quite, on either count. (If you read a post from a few weeks ago, I killed Jesus.) Anyway, while a Jewish man was being pummeled, a young Muslim guy stepped in to help the Jewish man. And so the Jew and the Muslim went to dinner (albeit with cuts, bruises, and black eyes) and the Christians went to jail. They pleaded not guilty but may be charged with hate crimes. We can only hope.

Messianic Praise Guitar Chords

Shabbat Shalom!

There are a lot of guitar tab sites out there for Christian music (ChristianGuitar.org for one; here's another: worship music guitar chords), but I have spent a good amount of time looking for guitar notation specifically for Messianic music and can't find much. Here are a few Paul Wilbur songs. If you have links to add, please post a comment. The great thing about the site these songs are on is you can click a different key to transcribe to also, if you hover over a chord, a box will pop to show you the fingering.

Shema

http://www.e-chords.com/guitartab.asp?idmusica=93039

El Elyon

http://www.e-chords.com/guitartab.asp?idmusica=93020

Kadosh

http://www.e-chords.com/guitartab.asp?idmusica=64902

Adonai

http://www.e-chords.com/tab.asp?idMusica=93019&tipo=T

For Your Name is Holy (in Em)

Parashat Vayigash

Torah portion for 6 Tivet, 5786 / December 15, 2007
Parashat Vayigash - "and he drew near"

Gen 44:18-47:27
Ezekiel 37:15-37:28
Eph 2:1-10

Hanukkah Day 8: The Real Story of Hanukkah

Hanukkah Day 8
Torah Reading: Numbers 7:54 - 8:4

The traditions of Hanukkah are great; the menorah, the dreidel, the food--but they are just that: traditions. The story about the oil burning for 8 days instead of 1 is found in the Talmud; it is legend. Believed by some, questioned by others.

This doesn't mean those traditions should be abandoned. They are wonderful traditions that are used to celebrate the awesome power of God.

And that just makes the real reason for Hanukkah even more evident. Hanukkah is about the commitment of the Jewish people to worship the One True God as He desires to be worshiped. Hanukkah is about the light that shines so brightly from His chosen people. Hanukkah was about re-dedicating the temple to the Lord. It is now about those who love Him re-dedicating their temple, their body to Him. We should desire to worship the Lord with the zealousness of the Maccabees and all Jewish people during Antiochus' persecution (or during any of the many persecutions aimed at Jews throughout history) who were willing to give everything (and many gave much, even their lives) for one reason: to worship the King of the Universe.

Jews pray the Shema twice per day and it seems fitting to close with that (the short version) as Hanukkah has now come to a close:
Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Blessed be His Name, His glorious kingdom is forever and ever.

Hanukkah Day 7: Abomination of Desolation

Hanukkah Day 7
Readings: Numbers 28:1 -15 and Numbers 7:42-47

In the Book of Matthew, Yeshua speaks of the abomination of desolation spoken of by Daniel, referring to Antiochus defiling the temple by sacrificing a pig and forcing Jews to eat the meat or have their tongue cut from their mouth. It is due to Antiochus' persecution of the Jews and ultimate defeat of Antiochus by the Jewish people, led by the Maccabees, that we celebrate Hanukkah. Daniel is believed to have lived in the 6th century BCE (in the 500s BCE) and received this prophecy around 551 BCE . Antiochus reigned 175-164 BCE and so Daniel wrote about this event over 300 hundred years prior to it happening. In the book of Daniel there are 3 references to the abomination of desolation: Daniel 9:27; 11:31; 12:11.

Matthew 24:15-25 - "So when you see standing in the holy place 'the abomination that causes desolation,'^[b] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak. How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. At that time if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is the Christ!' or, 'There he is!' do not believe it. For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible. See, I have told you ahead of time." (NIV)

And so what are we to make of Yeshua's reference to the abomination of desolation of 165 BCE since it had already happened? First of all, nearly 40 years after Yeshua's death and resurrection, the temple was destroyed in 70 CE. (We know Yeshua celebrated Hanukkah.) Antiochus Epiphanes means God made manifest. So Antiochus was a type of anti-christ and many believe that in Matthew (above), Yeshua is referring not only to the destruction of 70 CE but also to the future anti-christ who is yet to come, spoken of as the Beast in the Book of Revelation--who will once again defile the temple and attempt to destroy God's perfect plan.

Revelation 13:14 - "Because of the signs he was given power to do on behalf of the first beast, he deceived the inhabitants of the earth. He ordered them to set up an image in honor of the beast who was wounded by the sword and yet lived" (NIV).

Satan has failed to thwart the plan of God over and over for over 3,000 years. As he fought to prevent the birth of Messiah, He fights to destroy the people of God (both Jews and Gentiles) still today. And he will fight in the final days, only to fail again when our Messiah, Yeshua, returns in all His glory.

Revelation 19: 11-16 - "'I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. "He will rule them with an iron scepter."^[a] He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS'" (NIV).

So there's a lot in this non-Biblical holiday they call Hanukkah, eh? But then again it is Biblical since there is one reference to Hanukkah in the Bible found in John 10:22. But that's the New Testament! Exactly.

A Messianic Perspective of Hanukkah

Hanukkah Day 6 & Rosh Chodesh & Historical readings

Hanukkah Day 6
Torah Readings: Numbers 28:1-15 and Numbers 7:42-47
Audio of Hebrew/English blessings and Hanukkah songs

The Hanukkah story can be found in the 1 Maccabees Chapter 3 and Chapter 4. The books of Maccabees are are considered deuterocanonical books: books that are believed to be historically accurate and valuable but not divinely inspired. In addition, Josephus, a first century historian is a great resource. Josephus' recounting of Hanukkah can be found in Jewish Antiquities, Book 12 Chapter 5 through Book 13 Chapter 7. Below are these documents in their entirety.

1 Maccabees

2 Maccabees

Josephus

Today we also celebrate Rosh Chodesh (New Moon) which ushers in the month : Tevet (טבת)

What is the New Moon?

Chodesh Tov!
Good Month!

Hanukkah Day 5: Re-dedicate your temple

Hanukkah Day 5
Lighting the menorah and blessings
Torah reading: Numbers 7:36 - 7:47

The word "Hanukkah" means dedication. And at this time we can think of the re-dedication of the temple in 165 BC and Yeshua's dedication of Himself as the true Temple of God. Then the Word of God says that each person's body is a temple:

1 Cor. 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body" (NIV).

Each person is a temple of the Living God. The God of all creation no longer dwells in a man-made tabernacle, He dwells inside His God-made people. So Hanukkah is not only a time to celebrate the history of the Maccabees, it's a time to celebrate God in your life and re-dedicate His temple: you. Me. I will take some time before Hanukkah ends and re-dedicate myself to the Lord. Will you?

Hanukkah Day 4: Jesus & the Shamash

Hanukkah day 4: Lighting the menorah and blessings

Torah Portion: Numbers 7:30 - 7:41

Since I never thought much about Hanukkah (previous post), I never wondered if Jesus celebrated this festival. Come to find out, not only did He celebrate it, but He revealed Himself as Messiah during Hanukkah, which is referred to below as the Feast of Dedication.

John 10: 22-30 "Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon's Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

So Jesus reveals Himself as Messiah during the feast where He, as a Jew, is celebrating the re-dedication of the temple of God. And in this passage, Christ, speaking to Jews and, more than likely, some Gentiles, is the true Temple of God. Interesting to note: John 10:22 is the only reference to Hanukkah in the entire Bible. So it's a holiday celebrated by the Jews only and only mentioned in the New Testament? Anyway . . .

John 2:18-19 "Then the Jews demanded of him, 'What miraculous sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?' Jesus answered them, Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days'" (NIV).

He dedicates Himself to the world so that through His death for sin, all would be saved. Yeshua is the fulfillment of Hanukkah--as He is the true Temple of God.

John 10:36 "do you say of Him, whom the Father sanctified and sent into the world, 'You are blaspheming,' because I said, 'I am the Son of God'?" (NASB)

The word "sanctified" above means dedicated, which in Hebrew would be translated Hanukkah.

And taking this comparison a step further: John 8:12 - "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (NIV).

Yeshua can be likened to the light of the menorah; in fact, He is the shamash, the servant candle. Matthew 20:28 "'just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many'" (NIV). The King of the universe left His throne behind and came to this earth to serve US.

So who should celebrate Hanukkah? Are you celebrating Hanukkah?

Hanukkah day 3 lighting, Torah reading, Parashat Miketz

Hanukkah Day 3 Torah Portion: Numbers 7:24 - 7:35

Lighting the menorah and blessings

And the weekly torah portion for this Shabbat is Parashat Miketz (“at the end of”)

Dec 8, 2007 Kislev 28, 5768 Chanukah

Miketz
Gen 41:1-44:17
1Kings 3:15-4:1
Rom 10:1-13

This is my first year celebrating Hanukkah and so far I have learned so much. I never knew the origin of Hanukkah; truthfully, I never thought it mattered to me. Honestly, I might have rolled my eyes at Hanukkah being paralleled with Christmas. I didn't see any personal connection to the Jewish people as a non-Jew and I saw no collective connection as a believer in Christ. And some ignorant part of me thought the Jews should wisen up and just celebrate Christmas! But now as I am beginning to understand and embrace our Hebraic roots, I confess my ignorance. Now, I do feel that connection, moreso a need and a purpose for a connection.

The Jewish people are a light to the world, a light God called to glorify Him, that all nations would come to Him. The Jewish people have preserved our (1) Scriptures, (2) the way God directed them to live in the Torah and (3) the festivals God-ordained (and Hanukkah which was not commanded by God, but set apart for Him).

Though Christianity's ways, so to speak, differ, these "ways" would be without any resemblance to the One, True God without the commitment, loving devotion, and determination of the Jewish people. Over the centuries, millions of Jews have given their lives to preserve the Holiness of God and all that that entails and to bring forth Yeshua the Messiah, a descendant of Abraham, the first Hebrew. So to them, His chosen people, I am forever grateful.

Hanukkah: the second candle & reading

On the second night of Hanukkah two candles are placed on the far right-side of the menorah and the after the shamash is lit, the other candles are lit from left to right. The blessings are recited.

And then also after one candle has been kindled, the Haneirot Hallalu may be recited, tonight and for the remaining nights, while lighting the other candle(s):

We kindle these lights (to commemorate) the miracles and wonders and the saving acts that You have performed for our forefathers, in those days at this time, by Your holy priests. And all throughout the eight days of Chanukah, these lights are holy, and we are not permitted to make use of them, but only to behold them, in order to offer thanks and praise to Your great Name for Your miracles, for Your wonders and for Your salvation.

Hebrew transliteration: Haneirot hallalu anachnu madlikin al hanissim ve'al hanifla'ot, ve'al hateshu’ot, ve’al hamilchamot, she'asita la'avoteinu bayamim hahem, bazeman hazeh al yedei kohanekha hakedoshim. Vekhol sh'monat yemei Chanukah Haneirot hallalu kodesh hem. Ve'ein lanu reshut lihishtamesh bahem ela lir'otam bilvad kedei lehodot ulhallel lishimkha hagadol al nisekha ve'al nifle'otecha ve'al yeshuatekha.

Reading: Torah Portion: Numbers 7:18 - 7:29

Hanukkah: the first menorah candle & reading

Hanukkah begins 25 Kislev or this year December 4 and so today is the eve of Hanukkah which means the first menorah candle is lit. So in the picture to the right, the shamash (the one in the middle) is lit first, then that one is used to light the other.

Here are the blessings to say each night while lighting the candles. Below each is the Hebrew transliteration:

1)Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who sanctifies us with Thy commandments and commanded us to kindle the light of Chanukah.

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu bemitzvotav, vetzivanu lehadlik ner shel chanukah.

2)Blessed art thou, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who performed miracles for our fathers in those days at this time.

Barukh attah Adonai Eloheinu Melekh ha-olam, she’asah nissim la’avoteinu bayamim hahem, ba-zeman hazzeh.

On the first night add this blessing is also traditional
Blessed art thou, Lord our God, Master of the universe, who has kept us alive and sustained us and has brought us to this special time.

Barukh attah Adonai eloheinu melekh ha-olam, she-hecheyanu v’ki-yemanu v’higianu lazeman hazeh.

Messianic blessing
I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Anokhi ‘or ha-olam, ha-holeikh acharai, lo yeileikh ba-choshekh, ki-lo ‘or ha-chayim.

Reading

Torah Portion: Numbers 7:1 - 7:17

1: Numbers 7:1-11
2: Numbers 7:12-14
3: Numbers 7:15-17

More about Blessings & Readings
http://www.hoshanarabbah.org/pdfs/chan_candle_bless.pdf
Berachot Chanukah - Blessings said during Chanukah
Eight Devotions for Hanukkah

Happy Hanukkah!

Hanukkah: what's cooking?

Traditionally, fried food and dairy foods are eaten during Hanukkah.

Fried food signifies the miracle of the oil that burned for eight days when the Maccabees rededicated the Temple in Jerusalem.

Dairy is often eaten during Hanukkah to remind us of the story of the Jewish heroine, Yehudit (Judith) who saved her village when they were being persecuted by the Syrians who were trying to starve the Jews so they would surrender. She brought cheese and wine to the Syrian leader. After he was drunk, he passed out and she beheaded him. The next morning the Jews attacked the Syrians, who had no idea their leader was dead until they ran to find. Judith had saved her people.

Soofganiot (doughnuts) and latkes or livivot (potato pancakes) are popular Hanukkah treats. Below are links to recipes that celebrate Hanukkah. Challah is kind of like a Portuguese sweet bread, usually braided but can be found in different forms and with different ingredients. This bread is enjoyed on Sabbaths and holidays and is often used in the breaking of the bread that begins these traditional meals.

Food Network Hanukkah recipes

Allrecipes.com Hanukkah recipes

BusyCooks aboutus.com Hanukkah recipes

in 2007 Hanukkah begins . . .

Hanukkah begins each year on the 25th of Kislev which first of all, is the day that the components were completed for the portable sanctuary or "Tabernacle" ordered by God and built under Moses' direction to house the Lord during the Israelites' journeys through the desert. That was the year 2449 from creation (1312 BCE). The Mishkan (Tabernacle) was assembled 3 months later, when, beginning on Adar 25 of that year, it was erected and taken down daily for a 7-day "training" period prior to its dedication on the 1st of Nissan.

Even more interesting than that, 12 centuries later on Kislev 25 (164 BCE), the Maccabees re-dedicated the Holy Temple after defeating Antiochus. It was on this day that the priest lit the Menorah in the Temple, the oil that miraculously continued to burn for 8 days. The Jewish people had not been able to perform Temple service for over 3 years. So to once again worship God in the Temple was an awesome thing.

And so this year (2007), 25 Kislev (Hebrew calendar) is December 5 (Julian calendar). But since God instructed that the day begins at sundown, the first Hannukah candle is lit the evening of December 4. The day itself is determined according to the moon.