A 6 year old foster son of good friends of ours had this to say to his foster mom (our rabbi's wife):
"Lisa, I know Santa doesn't come to this house, but if he did, you would save a lot of money."
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
matters of quirkiness & faith
My father died in 1995. He was 48, a mere 9 years older than I am right now. (Don't worry this is not a downer post, though I do have a mild fascination with death. ;) So I woke up at midnight last night after a short time of sleep and though I so wanted to sleep, my mind took over. And I was thinking about some nonsensical interjection I said in someone's office the previous afternoon. I can't recall what I said, but whatever it was there was a tiny logistic connective tendril. Tiny. I call it controlled ADD. Is that offensive to anyone? Unintended if so. I define someone with that condition as: when in conversation, he or she makes loose to very loose connections to whatever is being discussed, sometimes in song. But most always, eventually gets back to the original topic, albeit circuitously but usually humorously, at least for the loose connection maker.
The particular instance I was thinking of didn't amuse anyone but me so I returned to the original topic. Selfishly, often times, I am not thinking that my odd rambling, lyric embedding, or word inserting will entertain anyone but me. (I used to do it when I taught college comp courses all the time. I definitely needed to self-entertain during class.) So all this to say that at midnight I remembered that my father used to come out with things that made no sense in the conversation. Or at times, no one was saying a word and he'd say something that had no connection to anything recently said. I used to think, "how odd you are!" And so for the first time, last night, I realized where my little oddity comes from, at least one oddity anyway. And it made me laugh because what annoyed me in him is in me and I actually enjoy it! I thought that was great.
An even bigger thing used to annoy me: his faith. One thing I did know was: he was different. Watching my father die of cancer over the course of a month with such a peace, such an unwavering faith in G-d, is what caused me to really see what the heck was so different about him. And then after he died I began exploring what he was talking about: I tried to read the Bible and I remembered things he'd try to tell me about his faith, always beaming as he shared whatever it was. And then later I remembered that when he'd get home from work each night, often after 14 hours, he'd kneel in a spare room and pray. He'd close the door but I could see him through the small opening. I wouldn't be really looking; I would just catch a glimpse of him as I passed by. Obviously I made an unconscious mental note because at the time, I didn't think much of it. Until he was gone...I know cliche...but sadly some cliches are just that, sad, and sad that we persist in living them out...
So to make a slightly longer story wind down, watching his faith in action at such a difficult time and then remembering all these details that I unknowingly stored away, led me to find the peace, joy, and love that only G-d can offer us. (If that sounds cliche, so be it, at least it led to a good result.) All that's pretty big.
And now I've discovered this little thing too. Discoveries are good. So look around to the people that you've known for years or even a week and thank G-d for how He has used them to shape you in matters of faith and quirkiness. Oh and be aware: sometimes the shaping process doesn't always feel good, but it's the end result that matters.
A cool side note: I've since realized that during a lot of that kneeling, he was praying for me. You never really know who is praying for you. And you may be very surprised if you found out.
The particular instance I was thinking of didn't amuse anyone but me so I returned to the original topic. Selfishly, often times, I am not thinking that my odd rambling, lyric embedding, or word inserting will entertain anyone but me. (I used to do it when I taught college comp courses all the time. I definitely needed to self-entertain during class.) So all this to say that at midnight I remembered that my father used to come out with things that made no sense in the conversation. Or at times, no one was saying a word and he'd say something that had no connection to anything recently said. I used to think, "how odd you are!" And so for the first time, last night, I realized where my little oddity comes from, at least one oddity anyway. And it made me laugh because what annoyed me in him is in me and I actually enjoy it! I thought that was great.
An even bigger thing used to annoy me: his faith. One thing I did know was: he was different. Watching my father die of cancer over the course of a month with such a peace, such an unwavering faith in G-d, is what caused me to really see what the heck was so different about him. And then after he died I began exploring what he was talking about: I tried to read the Bible and I remembered things he'd try to tell me about his faith, always beaming as he shared whatever it was. And then later I remembered that when he'd get home from work each night, often after 14 hours, he'd kneel in a spare room and pray. He'd close the door but I could see him through the small opening. I wouldn't be really looking; I would just catch a glimpse of him as I passed by. Obviously I made an unconscious mental note because at the time, I didn't think much of it. Until he was gone...I know cliche...but sadly some cliches are just that, sad, and sad that we persist in living them out...
So to make a slightly longer story wind down, watching his faith in action at such a difficult time and then remembering all these details that I unknowingly stored away, led me to find the peace, joy, and love that only G-d can offer us. (If that sounds cliche, so be it, at least it led to a good result.) All that's pretty big.
And now I've discovered this little thing too. Discoveries are good. So look around to the people that you've known for years or even a week and thank G-d for how He has used them to shape you in matters of faith and quirkiness. Oh and be aware: sometimes the shaping process doesn't always feel good, but it's the end result that matters.
A cool side note: I've since realized that during a lot of that kneeling, he was praying for me. You never really know who is praying for you. And you may be very surprised if you found out.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Jesus at the bar?
I drive up and down Warwick Avenue usually twice per day. Driving home Sunday night I saw a sign on Eddie's Bar that I absolutely loved...here it is>>In the window on the right is one of those Sam Adams light-ups and on the main Eddie's sign: "JESUS SAVES." I did a double-take and lots of knee slaps. I thought it was great. Usually the letters spell what band is playing or what the day's beer special is...
So on the way to work Monday morning I had to pull over and take some pictures. Here's what was on the other side:
HO HO HO WHERE DID THE SUMMER GOSome people might say HO HO HO makes more sense on a bar sign: Santa's battle-cry along with a lament that summer is gone. Enter winter: the season of depression. And a bar often caters to the depressed, at least stereotypically in tv land. Makes some odd sense.
But then you see the flip-side...JESUS SAVES. I have no idea why they put either slogan on this sign or both at the same time. But though the dichotomy is quite interesting, what I find more interesting is that JESUS SAVES on this bar sign reminds me that G-d is EVERYWHERE, waiting to be seen, heard, spoken to, smiled at, bought a drink...loved. If He can be in the church, the synagogue, the football field, He can also be in a bar.
So if you're in Eddie's, will you look around, I mean really look and when you see Jesus, will you buy Him a drink? I will. Thanks Eddie's!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Learnin' from Bruce Almighty
Two days ago, I watched Bruce Almighty again. It's one of my favorite movies.But what struck me most this last time I watched it was the ending. The homeless guy to the right is holding a sign that says something like "Amageddon outta here" and he slowly morphs into Morgan Freeman who is playing G-d. Such a simple scene, such a beautiful truth: we should see G-d in everyone we encounter. I know this but I have a hard time remembering...
So yesterday morning, I was talking to a guy at work that had been out with an injury for two weeks...and I wasn't thinking about Bruce Almighty but my mind did that morph thing and I knew that for that second, I was looking into the eyes of G-d and it rattled me. It's good to be rattled!
G-d speaks through the craziest things. Actually He really speaks through EVERYTHING, if we listen...
This is the funniest scene in the movie...
Monday, December 1, 2008
what's with thanksgiving?
I am thankful. I want to be thankful daily--moment by moment. How did you feel on Thanksgiving? Was it a peaceful day in whatever house you were in, with whomever you were with, were you relaxed and calm, did thankfulness come up? If so, Baruch Hashem! I was peaceful but not because I find the day lends to that, but because I have chosen to view it differently than I used to.
I never had much expectation for holidays. I think that's because too many people around me did and were so depressed particularly from Thanksgiving to Christmas that I resisted expectations, expectations that are never met. Or to be fair I should say often not met. I am sure there are families where the expectations are more reasonable, are met, and depression is avoided. There are some of those right? But largely I think people want something from these holidays that is unreasonable and impossible to achieve. And those of us without expectations assume the "destined to fail and only cause stress" role of frenzied expectation fairy peacemaker, constantly thinking "Is this person ok?" "Is that one depressed?" "Did he have too much to drink?" "Did I have a piece of her pie because if I didn't she'll be depressed?"
This morning a co-worker said she was exhausted when she got home Thursday night and she didn't know why. She didn't have much to cook, she didn't travel but a few minutes, she got home early enough...and then she admitted it was that she feels she has to make sure "everyone is ok..." That is exhausting!
Another friend said her son and family got to her house at 4:30 after eating at the in-laws at 2 and her son hardly said a word. The next day he apologized and said he was just tired. She realized it was too much, expecting them to go to both houses. She said she was selfish to feel that he had to come to her house. She said she won't do that again. Baruch Hashem! That's quite a revelation she had with all the emphasis that this culture and our families have put on these special days.
In some families, one parental side owns a holiday and are damned and determined they will have people over to eat their food at their table in their house or else...they own the day after all! What? Is that what celebrating being thankful is about? Come to my house or I will hold a grudge and make every holiday stressful...
My friend with the son and I started talking about the odd comfort people find in these holidays that really is just deception. But it's something they hang onto like it will save them...hmmmm...sounds a little like worship. The emphasis we have placed on these days, the completely unrealistic expectations are a by-product of our lack of reverence for G-d and lack of following His holidays...the true holidays that are holy and set apart because He created them.
I love the line: "Christmas is about the kids after all..." Really? Last time I checked, it was supposed to be about G-d. But it's not. Never was. As hard as you try to cram Him in there, and I used to try to do just that, He's not there...at least not in the way we expect Him to be.
I never had much expectation for holidays. I think that's because too many people around me did and were so depressed particularly from Thanksgiving to Christmas that I resisted expectations, expectations that are never met. Or to be fair I should say often not met. I am sure there are families where the expectations are more reasonable, are met, and depression is avoided. There are some of those right? But largely I think people want something from these holidays that is unreasonable and impossible to achieve. And those of us without expectations assume the "destined to fail and only cause stress" role of frenzied expectation fairy peacemaker, constantly thinking "Is this person ok?" "Is that one depressed?" "Did he have too much to drink?" "Did I have a piece of her pie because if I didn't she'll be depressed?"
This morning a co-worker said she was exhausted when she got home Thursday night and she didn't know why. She didn't have much to cook, she didn't travel but a few minutes, she got home early enough...and then she admitted it was that she feels she has to make sure "everyone is ok..." That is exhausting!
Another friend said her son and family got to her house at 4:30 after eating at the in-laws at 2 and her son hardly said a word. The next day he apologized and said he was just tired. She realized it was too much, expecting them to go to both houses. She said she was selfish to feel that he had to come to her house. She said she won't do that again. Baruch Hashem! That's quite a revelation she had with all the emphasis that this culture and our families have put on these special days.
In some families, one parental side owns a holiday and are damned and determined they will have people over to eat their food at their table in their house or else...they own the day after all! What? Is that what celebrating being thankful is about? Come to my house or I will hold a grudge and make every holiday stressful...
My friend with the son and I started talking about the odd comfort people find in these holidays that really is just deception. But it's something they hang onto like it will save them...hmmmm...sounds a little like worship. The emphasis we have placed on these days, the completely unrealistic expectations are a by-product of our lack of reverence for G-d and lack of following His holidays...the true holidays that are holy and set apart because He created them.
I love the line: "Christmas is about the kids after all..." Really? Last time I checked, it was supposed to be about G-d. But it's not. Never was. As hard as you try to cram Him in there, and I used to try to do just that, He's not there...at least not in the way we expect Him to be.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
flame-carved commandments
Disclaimer: I apologize for the meandering nature of this post. But as G-d is so uncontainable, I found it difficult to condense and contain these ideas into a neat package but hope this wandering is thought-provoking...
I know the verse:
Deuteronomy 9:10 Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. (NKJV)
and so I assumed that literally the 10 Commandments were "written by the finger of G-d." But Ad-nai is a consuming Fire...
Deuteronomy 5:24-25 And you said: ‘Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die. (NKJV)
Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (NKJV)
and the Hebrews literally saw that fire many times:
Exodus 20:18-19 And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off, and say unto Moses, 'Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.'(JPS)
Did you ever notice that the people are "seeing voices"? Here's a more literal translation:
or a more closer translation...
Psalm 29:7 The voice of HaShem heweth out flames of fire. (JPS)
The word hew in Hebrew is chatsab חֹצֵב which means to cut, carve, hew...divide, which the KJV uses. Jewish tradition teaches that, one by one, the commandments were written by flame as the people said "yes we will obey." So could it be that Ad-nai wrote the Commandments with flames of fire, carving His Word into stone, preparing to lovingly sear His Word in our hearts (Jer 31:33),and He does so as we receive what He gives us? Makes G-d-sense to me!
Jeremiah 31:33 "'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,' declares the LORD. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"
I wonder if the word division in Hebrews 4:12, had it been written in Hebrew, would be chatsab?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)
This Hebrew translation of the Brit Chadashah uses chatsab in Hebrews 4:12.
By the way, the 10 Commandments are just a shortened version of the Torah and the Torah is the Word and the Word is Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah. So to really encapsulate the ideas in this post: Yeshua is a consuming fire that dwells in our hearts causing us to be like Him to show His Glory.
I know the verse:
Deuteronomy 9:10 Then the LORD delivered to me two tablets of stone written with the finger of God, and on them were all the words which the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain from the midst of the fire in the day of the assembly. (NKJV)
and so I assumed that literally the 10 Commandments were "written by the finger of G-d." But Ad-nai is a consuming Fire...
Deuteronomy 5:24-25 And you said: ‘Surely the LORD our God has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. We have seen this day that God speaks with man; yet he still lives. Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us; if we hear the voice of the LORD our God anymore, then we shall die. (NKJV)
Hebrews 12:28-29 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire. (NKJV)
and the Hebrews literally saw that fire many times:
Exodus 20:18-19 And all the people are seeing the voices, and the flames, and the sound of the trumpet, and the mount smoking; and the people see, and move, and stand afar off, and say unto Moses, 'Speak thou with us, and we hear, and let not God speak with us, lest we die.'(JPS)
Did you ever notice that the people are "seeing voices"? Here's a more literal translation:
Exodus 20:18-19 And all the people saw6 the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw4 [it], they removed,4 and stood4 afar off. (KJV with links to Hebrew words and meaning)
Thunderings = voices; lightning= flames. If we read this account as merely words talking about some historic event or even worse, if we question that this event actually happened, we are missing the awesomeness of G-d. If the Bible is Truth, the details of this event Truly happened, as impossible as they may seem. But back to fire...this verse amazed me:
or a more closer translation...
Psalm 29:7 The voice of HaShem heweth out flames of fire. (JPS)
The word hew in Hebrew is chatsab חֹצֵב which means to cut, carve, hew...divide, which the KJV uses. Jewish tradition teaches that, one by one, the commandments were written by flame as the people said "yes we will obey." So could it be that Ad-nai wrote the Commandments with flames of fire, carving His Word into stone, preparing to lovingly sear His Word in our hearts (Jer 31:33),and He does so as we receive what He gives us? Makes G-d-sense to me!
Jeremiah 31:33 "'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,' declares the LORD. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"
I wonder if the word division in Hebrews 4:12, had it been written in Hebrew, would be chatsab?
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (NKJV)
This Hebrew translation of the Brit Chadashah uses chatsab in Hebrews 4:12.
By the way, the 10 Commandments are just a shortened version of the Torah and the Torah is the Word and the Word is Yeshua, Jesus, the Messiah. So to really encapsulate the ideas in this post: Yeshua is a consuming fire that dwells in our hearts causing us to be like Him to show His Glory.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Empty Me
This is the prayer of my heart and it's a beautiful song. I don't recall Chris Sligh on American Idol Season 6 but I thought that was pretty cool. He has a great voice. Baruch Hashem!
Guitar Tabs for Empty Me--only one worth trying that I could find.
Chodesh Tov!Thursday, November 27, 2008
G-d's appointed times: lost in translation
Because the meanings within the Hebrew language are multi-layered, familiarity with even a little Hebrew can deepen our understanding of G-d’s Word. Since we’ve just walked through a number of Ad-nai’s festivals, here’s a perfect example of G-d’s love, beauty and Truth inherent in the language that gets lost in English translation: “Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years’” (Genesis 1:14 NKJV).
The Hebrew word for seasons is Moadim מוֹעֲדִים which means appointed or set times, as in “let us celebrate the moadim,” “let us celebrate the appointed times.” What’s the big deal? “Seasons” are equated with 12 months broken into 4 parts (summer, winter, spring, and fall), not specifically “set times,” which Ad-nai details in Leviticus 23 and all throughout Scripture.
In the beginning, G-d said…everything we need to know, but unfortunately so much Truth has been forgotten, hidden, or twisted by the world. But Ad-nai is revealing what has been hidden for so long that we would be prepared for this: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24, NJKV).
Like the Torah, the Living Word, the Hebrew language is a living language, the only truly living language. And though Hebrew lay dormant for centuries when it was only spoken by a small number of religious Jews, it has re-emerged as a vibrant, breathing, powerful language that Ad-nai is drawing out from within His people to glorify Himself. Learning Hebrew is not just about words and letters. Like everything else Ad-nai has created, it’s really about His Amazing love and the little gifts He graces us with, some wrapped in jots & tittles (Matthew 5:18), gifts of Himself.
Here's a side by side Hebrew/Engish Bible site.
The Hebrew word for seasons is Moadim מוֹעֲדִים which means appointed or set times, as in “let us celebrate the moadim,” “let us celebrate the appointed times.” What’s the big deal? “Seasons” are equated with 12 months broken into 4 parts (summer, winter, spring, and fall), not specifically “set times,” which Ad-nai details in Leviticus 23 and all throughout Scripture.
In the beginning, G-d said…everything we need to know, but unfortunately so much Truth has been forgotten, hidden, or twisted by the world. But Ad-nai is revealing what has been hidden for so long that we would be prepared for this: “The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth” (John 4:23-24, NJKV).
Like the Torah, the Living Word, the Hebrew language is a living language, the only truly living language. And though Hebrew lay dormant for centuries when it was only spoken by a small number of religious Jews, it has re-emerged as a vibrant, breathing, powerful language that Ad-nai is drawing out from within His people to glorify Himself. Learning Hebrew is not just about words and letters. Like everything else Ad-nai has created, it’s really about His Amazing love and the little gifts He graces us with, some wrapped in jots & tittles (Matthew 5:18), gifts of Himself.
Here's a side by side Hebrew/Engish Bible site.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
the Hebrew alephbet
The Hebrew Alephbet consists of 22 letters, all consonants. Most of these letters sound like the letter name. For example, the letter Mem מ is pronounced like an M, as in Moadim, which means appointed times. Of these 22 consonants, there are 2 silent letters that can take on different sounds, mainly for vowels. Vowel markers, small symbols near a letter, are also added for clarity in some Hebrew writing. Hebrew is read from right to left, which takes a little time to get used to. But when thinking about learning Hebrew, realize just like Torah, we are not in a race to acquire head knowledge; we are in a process of spiritual growth, allowing Ad-nai to birth within us what He has for each of us, each part of the body.
The name AlephBet comes from the first two letters of Hebrew: Aleph and Beit, similar to the English AlphaBet based on the first two Latin letters, Alpha and Beta. But that is one of the very few similarities to English because Hebrew has so many more levels of meaning compared to the English language. To some degree we can describe Hebrew much like we describe Ad-nai: simple yet amazingly and beautifully complex. For example, our letter B has no meaning aside from the fact that it sounds like “bee.” In Hebrew every letter has its own meaning(s), which then combines with other letters to make up the meaning of a word or phrase. Confusing? Here’s an example: El is a simple name for G-d. In Hebrew it is spelled אל - the letters Aleph Lamed. Ancient Hebrew letters were written as pictures based on the meaning of the letter. Aleph looks like the head of a bull 
- representing strength, and is often said to represent G-d. Lamed looks like a staff 
. And so when you say the “little” word El, realize you are saying something very “big” - The L-rd is my Shepherd!
Hebrew4Christians is a great site to begin to learn Hebrew.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Hebrew: the language within
I began to learn Hebrew around October 2007 and have been shocked at how much I've gotten out of the time I've spent. If Hebrew, (hearing it, speaking it or just seeing it in print) somehow stirs your spirit, give it a try. I truly believe that as we expectantly enter into this holy language, it’s not so much that we are “putting in” something new, but that which our spirit already knows is “rising up,” reviving that heavenly language from dormancy. Just as the Torah is being written on our hearts, (has already been written on our hearts in G-d’s time), this ancient language has been written on our hearts as well. So as the Torah, the written Word, becomes Flesh...the Hebrew letters of that Word can become Flesh within us and begin to enter our spiritual understanding.
Here's one example of the benefit of beginning to understand Hebrew: adam (אדָם - read from right to left) means man or mankind. It is spelled א (Ah) represents G-d and דָם (dam) means blood. So adam means G-d's blood...there's so much more to this but that's just a little taste of the treasures you will find if you begin to study this Holy language.
Here's one example of the benefit of beginning to understand Hebrew: adam (אדָם - read from right to left) means man or mankind. It is spelled א (Ah) represents G-d and דָם (dam) means blood. So adam means G-d's blood...there's so much more to this but that's just a little taste of the treasures you will find if you begin to study this Holy language.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Sleeping unawares
I woke up at 5 am--which would be a fine time to get up if I hadn't been so tired lately--and instead of telling myself to fall back to sleep for an hour, I allowed my mind to wander...big mistake since I just laid there wandering through situations and plans...And that got me thinking that the only time we turn our thinking completely off is when we are asleep. In sleep, we are finally as G-d wants us to be: resting, at peace, trusting that He will awaken us and allow us to live another day. During sleep we are completely unaware of ourselves--just as He desires us to be.
So if we can rest and be unware of ourselves while sleeping, in our waking hours we should strive for that same unwareness of self: not caring what people think, but only caring about what He thinks; not worrying about what we need to do, but trusting in Him to provide; not planning every move we will make, but listening to Him to direct our every step.
The more unaware of the self that we become, the more aware we will be of the awesomeness of Ad-nai and maybe we will be in a position to hear and obey what He is saying.
So if we can rest and be unware of ourselves while sleeping, in our waking hours we should strive for that same unwareness of self: not caring what people think, but only caring about what He thinks; not worrying about what we need to do, but trusting in Him to provide; not planning every move we will make, but listening to Him to direct our every step.
The more unaware of the self that we become, the more aware we will be of the awesomeness of Ad-nai and maybe we will be in a position to hear and obey what He is saying.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
To be like G-d
When the serpent (which I doubt was a talking snake, which probably was an angelic being of some sort) said to Eve in Genesis 3:4-5: “You will not surely die. For G-d knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like G-d, knowing good and evil” (NKJV).
What convinced Eve to eat? The thought that she would be "like G-d." Somehow the serpent made the prospect to be "like G-d" more appealing to her than choosing to obey G-d's only command to not eat of that tree. Basically He said: I am giving you EVERYTHING: all the animals are under your control; the Garden is peaceful; I will walk with you and talk with you. But obey this ONE thing: do not eat the fruit of this one tree. He never told them not to touch it, as Eve tells the serpent; He simply says don't eat it...
Gen 1: 26-28 - Then G-d said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So G-d created man in His own image; in the image of G-d He created him; male and female He created them. Then G-d blessed them, and G-d said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (NKJV). Read Genesis 1-3
But in Eve's pursuit, and then Adam's, to be like G-d ~ they ate. The irony is they were already like G-d; He created them in His image...but He created them to be close to Him, to choose Him instead of the only thing He forbade.
That idea is hummmmmmmmmmmming in my head: that we choose to want to be "like G-d" by trying to be in control, run our own lives, run other people's lives, fix people, fix situations, insanely trying to make things fit when they don't...all to our own liking, thinking we know better than G-d because we are "like Him" after all--not that we consciously think "I am like G-d so there"--but it's built-in to our thinking. But instead His desire is that we realize He is in control, He knows exactly what needs to be done and we don't always know best because our minds are clouded with what we "think" is best...and all He ever wants is for us to choose to be close to Him...
What convinced Eve to eat? The thought that she would be "like G-d." Somehow the serpent made the prospect to be "like G-d" more appealing to her than choosing to obey G-d's only command to not eat of that tree. Basically He said: I am giving you EVERYTHING: all the animals are under your control; the Garden is peaceful; I will walk with you and talk with you. But obey this ONE thing: do not eat the fruit of this one tree. He never told them not to touch it, as Eve tells the serpent; He simply says don't eat it...
Gen 1: 26-28 - Then G-d said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So G-d created man in His own image; in the image of G-d He created him; male and female He created them. Then G-d blessed them, and G-d said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth” (NKJV). Read Genesis 1-3
But in Eve's pursuit, and then Adam's, to be like G-d ~ they ate. The irony is they were already like G-d; He created them in His image...but He created them to be close to Him, to choose Him instead of the only thing He forbade.
That idea is hummmmmmmmmmmming in my head: that we choose to want to be "like G-d" by trying to be in control, run our own lives, run other people's lives, fix people, fix situations, insanely trying to make things fit when they don't...all to our own liking, thinking we know better than G-d because we are "like Him" after all--not that we consciously think "I am like G-d so there"--but it's built-in to our thinking. But instead His desire is that we realize He is in control, He knows exactly what needs to be done and we don't always know best because our minds are clouded with what we "think" is best...and all He ever wants is for us to choose to be close to Him...
Thursday, November 6, 2008
All Hail King Obama
Iran: Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad on Thursday congratulated Barack Obama on his election win — the first time an Iranian leader has offered such wishes to a U.S. president-elect since the 1979 Islamic Revolution...(full AP article)
Belgium: "An Obama win would mean the rebirth of the American dream," Belgian senate president Armand De Decker.
France: Le Monde proclaims "Obama’s victory ushers in a new American Dream..."
Kenya: President Kibaki has announced a public holiday tomorrow for Kenyans to celebrate the victory of Barack Obama as the new President elect of the United States of America.
Germany: "Good morning, Mr President! Make the world better," requests Germany’s Bild-Zeitung tabloid.
Syria: Ath Thawra, the official daily, opines: "If Obama wins, it would be a historic event and the signal for an extraordinary development for United States politics and society."
The photo to the right is from an excellent slide show: World reaction to Obama win
Barack Obama, come to save the world, Telegraph, UK
Kenya to take day off to celebrate Obama victory, The Standard
Europeans Cheer Obama Victory, Wall Street Journal
World reaction to Obama victory: Elation, Los Angeles Times
World press reaction to Barack Obama's victory, TimesOnline, UK
Many around the world cheer Obama victory, Seattle Times
The ending of this article is very interesting...
"Saudi journalist Samir Saadi said that Obama's election means "'the U.S. has won the war on terror.'"
"'Given Obama's name, his background, the doubts about his religion, Americans still voted for him and this proved that America is a democracy,'" he said. "'People here are starting to believe in the U.S. again.'"
I have no idea why Obama's win = the US has won the war on terror...but what struck me more was the assertion that over the years people have lost faith in the US and now they are "starting to believe in the US again"...do you see anything strange about that? A renewed Faith in the US...Now here's a comment about Obama's victory from Israel about their reality with a potential nuclear Iran: "Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni attacked U.S. president-elect Barack Obama on Thursday for declaring a willingness to talk with Iran about its nuclear program..." (full article)
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I voted
I voted yesterday. For president I wrote in "Yeshua, the only King." A wasted vote? No. I live in RI and this state always chooses a democrat, so the winner here was certain in my mind. But even if that weren't the case, I would have voted the same way. The short answer: G-d is in control.
The longer answer: G-d wants to be our only King--the King of our hearts. When we give such power to anything but Him, the world will be shaken...as it is right now. G-d allowed Israel to have a king because they said "we need a king; we must have a king!" They always had one, the Only One, but they wanted a man, so G-d gave them one...Here's part of that story:
2 Samuel 8: "Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”
So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day.” Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. So the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.” (NKJV)
The world is falling apart, which is evident most obviously by the failing economy. The failure we are reaping is because we relied on systems of the world instead of G-d for so many centuries. Whether you see it or not, all things are now stacking up seemingly against G-d and against Israel...and that's just where He is allowing the world system to get to: at the end of its frazzled rope but still thinking it can control its future. The United States has been such a huge player on the world stage with way too much control for way too long and the end is near...sound crazy? Remember: Truth is stranger than fiction.
There was no doubt in my mind that Obama would win this election. The person who will run this country is the exact person that G-d needs to fulfill His perfect plan, a plan that is very different from what the majority in this country or in the world expects and wants to happen next. And now many are de-ifying this president-elect, like he is THE savior on a white horse who is going to make everything better.
Fortunately there is ONE Savior who will return on a white horse and He truly will save the world and all will worship Him as their King: Revelation 13:8 "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (NKJV)
Zechariah 14:16 "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." (NKJV)
The longer answer: G-d wants to be our only King--the King of our hearts. When we give such power to anything but Him, the world will be shaken...as it is right now. G-d allowed Israel to have a king because they said "we need a king; we must have a king!" They always had one, the Only One, but they wanted a man, so G-d gave them one...Here's part of that story:
2 Samuel 8: "Now it came to pass when Samuel was old that he made his sons judges over Israel. The name of his firstborn was Joel, and the name of his second, Abijah; they were judges in Beersheba. But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside after dishonest gain, took bribes, and perverted justice. Then all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah, and said to him, “Look, you are old, and your sons do not walk in your ways. Now make us a king to judge us like all the nations.” But the thing displeased Samuel when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed the voice of the people in all that they say to you; for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected Me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt, even to this day—with which they have forsaken Me and served other gods—so they are doing to you also. Now therefore, heed their voice. However, you shall solemnly forewarn them, and show them the behavior of the king who will reign over them.”
So Samuel told all the words of the LORD to the people who asked him for a king. And he said, “This will be the behavior of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them for his own chariots and to be his horsemen, and some will run before his chariots. He will appoint captains over his thousands and captains over his fifties, will set some to plow his ground and reap his harvest, and some to make his weapons of war and equipment for his chariots. He will take your daughters to be perfumers, cooks, and bakers. And he will take the best of your fields, your vineyards, and your olive groves, and give them to his servants. He will take a tenth of your grain and your vintage, and give it to his officers and servants. And he will take your male servants, your female servants, your finest young men, and your donkeys, and put them to his work. He will take a tenth of your sheep. And you will be his servants. And you will cry out in that day because of your king whom you have chosen for yourselves, and the LORD will not hear you in that day.” Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, “No, but we will have a king over us, that we also may be like all the nations, and that our king may judge us and go out before us and fight our battles.” And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he repeated them in the hearing of the LORD. So the LORD said to Samuel, “Heed their voice, and make them a king.” And Samuel said to the men of Israel, “Every man go to his city.” (NKJV)
The world is falling apart, which is evident most obviously by the failing economy. The failure we are reaping is because we relied on systems of the world instead of G-d for so many centuries. Whether you see it or not, all things are now stacking up seemingly against G-d and against Israel...and that's just where He is allowing the world system to get to: at the end of its frazzled rope but still thinking it can control its future. The United States has been such a huge player on the world stage with way too much control for way too long and the end is near...sound crazy? Remember: Truth is stranger than fiction.
There was no doubt in my mind that Obama would win this election. The person who will run this country is the exact person that G-d needs to fulfill His perfect plan, a plan that is very different from what the majority in this country or in the world expects and wants to happen next. And now many are de-ifying this president-elect, like he is THE savior on a white horse who is going to make everything better.
Fortunately there is ONE Savior who will return on a white horse and He truly will save the world and all will worship Him as their King: Revelation 13:8 "All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world." (NKJV)
Zechariah 14:16 "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles." (NKJV)
Baruch Hashem!
Thursday, February 28, 2008
The NAME
In Ki Tisa, God says His Name, as His Shekhinah passes by Moses, which many translations write as LORD or ADONAI (note all caps). That name is Yahweh or as it would be written with just consonants in Hebrew YHVH (pronounced Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey) also translated as "I am who I am." The LORD having shown Moses His Glory and having said His personal name (second time for Moses-the first time Exodus 6:2-3) was more amazing than most of us can realize.
Exodus 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed: 'The LORD, the LORD, God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth'" (JPS).
God also refers to His Name as His memorial:
Exodus 3:15 "And God said moreover unto Moses: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations'" (JPS).
The special and sacred way in which God revealed His Name is one reason why God is sometimes spelled G-D, primarily in Jewish writing, because the name of the LORD is to be treated with utmost care because it is holy. This thinking goes along specifically with the third commandment, Exodus 20:7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." All things of God and things used in relation to God are sacred, holy, set apart--His Name being one of those sacred things.
Some Christians might be offended or at the least annoyed at the G-D spelling. "We are to go to the throne of God with boldness." "God was Abraham's friend, the Bible says. He's my friend too." It's almost like a young child who treats his parents as his friends, and so shows little to no respect for his mother and father. A parent should become something of a friend to a child (particularly in adulthood), but not at the expense of losing the respectful, love-in-discipline relationship. Likewise and even moreso with God, the creator of the universe and author of our lives. Understanding what is sacred and why and how to handle sacred things will dramatically transform our relationship to God. I have a lot to learn.
Baruch Hashem / Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Exodus 34:5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed: 'The LORD, the LORD, God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth'" (JPS).
God also refers to His Name as His memorial:
Exodus 3:15 "And God said moreover unto Moses: 'Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel: The LORD, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you; this is My name for ever, and this is My memorial unto all generations'" (JPS).
The special and sacred way in which God revealed His Name is one reason why God is sometimes spelled G-D, primarily in Jewish writing, because the name of the LORD is to be treated with utmost care because it is holy. This thinking goes along specifically with the third commandment, Exodus 20:7 "You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name." All things of God and things used in relation to God are sacred, holy, set apart--His Name being one of those sacred things.
Some Christians might be offended or at the least annoyed at the G-D spelling. "We are to go to the throne of God with boldness." "God was Abraham's friend, the Bible says. He's my friend too." It's almost like a young child who treats his parents as his friends, and so shows little to no respect for his mother and father. A parent should become something of a friend to a child (particularly in adulthood), but not at the expense of losing the respectful, love-in-discipline relationship. Likewise and even moreso with God, the creator of the universe and author of our lives. Understanding what is sacred and why and how to handle sacred things will dramatically transform our relationship to God. I have a lot to learn.
Baruch Hashem / Blessed be the Name of the LORD
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Parashat Vayakhel (and he assembled)
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Vayakhel 
which means "and he assembled."
Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
Torah portion: Exodus 35:1 - 38:20
God tells Moses to gather the people and ask them to bring materials to build the Tabernacle and all its components as offerings to the Lord. So they brought gold, silver, copper, acacia wood, oil, spices, linen, animal skins, gemstones.
Exodus 35:29 "Thus the Israelites, all the men and women whose hearts moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord, through Moses, had commanded to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord."
God appoints one Israelite, Bezalel, to lead the project who He endows with all artistic and practical skills needed to complete this huge project. He appoints Oholiab to work with him and also divinely imparts skills to him. They are to work with all those who are skilled in any of the areas where labor is needed. Then the artistry begins...
Summary from Hebrews4Christians
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings
I Kings 7:40-50
Brit Chadashah
2 Cor 9:6-11;
1 Cor 3:11-18
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst. Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Why bother?
which means "and he assembled."Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
Torah portion: Exodus 35:1 - 38:20
God tells Moses to gather the people and ask them to bring materials to build the Tabernacle and all its components as offerings to the Lord. So they brought gold, silver, copper, acacia wood, oil, spices, linen, animal skins, gemstones.
Exodus 35:29 "Thus the Israelites, all the men and women whose hearts moved them to bring anything for the work that the Lord, through Moses, had commanded to be done, brought it as a freewill offering to the Lord."
God appoints one Israelite, Bezalel, to lead the project who He endows with all artistic and practical skills needed to complete this huge project. He appoints Oholiab to work with him and also divinely imparts skills to him. They are to work with all those who are skilled in any of the areas where labor is needed. Then the artistry begins...
Summary from Hebrews4Christians
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings
I Kings 7:40-50
Brit Chadashah
2 Cor 9:6-11;
1 Cor 3:11-18
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst. Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Why bother?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Shekhinah
In last week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa, Moses asks the LORD if he may see His Glory.
Exodus 33:18 "And he said: 'Show me, I pray Thee, Thy glory.' 19 And He said: 'I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.' 20 And He said: 'Thou canst not see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.' 21 And the LORD said: 'Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock. 22 And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand until I have passed by. 23 And I will take away My hand, and thou shalt see My back; but My face shall not be seen.'" (JPS)
God does what He says:
Exodus 34:1 "And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first; and I will write upon the tables the words that were on the first tables, which thou didst break. 2 And be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to Me on the top of the mount. 3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.' 4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tables of stone. 5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed: 'The LORD, the LORD, God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; 7 keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and unto the fourth generation.' 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
Shekhinah is Hebrew for the Glory of the LORD or the LORD's presence among us and literally means to dwell or rest on. God showed His Shekhinah to the Israelites in a cloud over the tent of meeting and it was this cloud that directed them on their journey:
Exodus 13:21 "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people." (JPS)
This "cloud" occurs a number of times throughout Scripture.
Matthew 17:1 "Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'"(NASB)
Compared to the Israelites, Moses had a much more intimate and personal encounter with the Shekhinah. When he came down from the mountain, Moses had to veil his face because it glowed so brightly. Thereafter whenever he returned from being with the Lord he veiled his face for the Israelites were afraid:
Exodus 34:30 "And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams; and they were afraid to come nigh him."
Have you ever noticed a person who has an unexplainable glow? Maybe he's in love? If it's a woman, maybe she's pregnant? Did you ever consider he or she may have just been in the presence of the Lord? If it happened a few thousand years ago, it happens today.
Exodus 33:18 "And he said: 'Show me, I pray Thee, Thy glory.' 19 And He said: 'I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.' 20 And He said: 'Thou canst not see My face, for man shall not see Me and live.' 21 And the LORD said: 'Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon the rock. 22 And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a cleft of the rock, and will cover thee with My hand until I have passed by. 23 And I will take away My hand, and thou shalt see My back; but My face shall not be seen.'" (JPS)
God does what He says:
Exodus 34:1 "And the LORD said unto Moses: 'Hew thee two tables of stone like unto the first; and I will write upon the tables the words that were on the first tables, which thou didst break. 2 And be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning unto mount Sinai, and present thyself there to Me on the top of the mount. 3 And no man shall come up with thee, neither let any man be seen throughout all the mount; neither let the flocks nor herds feed before that mount.' 4 And he hewed two tables of stone like unto the first; and Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up unto mount Sinai, as the LORD had commanded him, and took in his hand two tables of stone. 5 And the LORD descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed the name of the LORD. 6 And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed: 'The LORD, the LORD, God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth; 7 keeping mercy unto the thousandth generation, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and unto the fourth generation.' 8 And Moses made haste, and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshipped.
Shekhinah is Hebrew for the Glory of the LORD or the LORD's presence among us and literally means to dwell or rest on. God showed His Shekhinah to the Israelites in a cloud over the tent of meeting and it was this cloud that directed them on their journey:
Exodus 13:21 "And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from before the people." (JPS)
This "cloud" occurs a number of times throughout Scripture.
Matthew 17:1 "Six days later Jesus took with Him Peter and James and John his brother, and led them up on a high mountain by themselves. 2And He was transfigured before them; and His face shone like the sun, and His garments became as white as light. 3And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4Peter said to Jesus, 'Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, I will make three tabernacles here, one for You, and one for Moses, and one for Elijah.' 5While he was still speaking, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and behold, a voice out of the cloud said, 'This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!'"(NASB)
Compared to the Israelites, Moses had a much more intimate and personal encounter with the Shekhinah. When he came down from the mountain, Moses had to veil his face because it glowed so brightly. Thereafter whenever he returned from being with the Lord he veiled his face for the Israelites were afraid:
Exodus 34:30 "And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face sent forth beams; and they were afraid to come nigh him."
Have you ever noticed a person who has an unexplainable glow? Maybe he's in love? If it's a woman, maybe she's pregnant? Did you ever consider he or she may have just been in the presence of the Lord? If it happened a few thousand years ago, it happens today.
Monday, February 25, 2008
written on hearts of stone
In Exodus 20 the Israelites hear God speak the 10 commandments. And then after the 10th commandment is spoken:Exodus 20:18 "When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance 19 and said to Moses, "'Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die.'"
20 Moses said to the people, "'Do not be afraid. God has come to test you, so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.'"
And so Moses goes off to talk with God alone. Imagine what that would be like! And the first thing God says:Exodus 20: 22 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "'Tell the Israelites this: 'You have seen for yourselves that I have spoken to you from heaven: 23 Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.'"
Moses returns to the people after talking with God:
Exodus 24:3 "When Moses went and told the people all the LORD's words and laws, they responded with one voice, "'Everything the LORD has said we will do.'" 4 Moses then wrote down everything the LORD had said."
And then the LORD said to Moses: Exodus 24:12 "'Come up to me on the mountain and stay here, and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and commands I have written for their instruction.'"
Moses receives more details about the commandments, which simply put is a Godly way of life, as well as specifics as to how to build the tabernacle. And then...
Exodus 31:18 "When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God."
But...
Exodus 32:1 "When the people saw that Moses was so long in coming down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said, "'Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for this fellow Moses who brought us up out of Egypt, we don't know what has happened to him.'"
2 Aaron answered them, "Take off the gold earrings that your wives, your sons and your daughters are wearing, and bring them to me." 3 So all the people took off their earrings and brought them to Aaron. 4 He took what they handed him and made it into an idol cast in the shape of a calf, fashioning it with a tool. Then they said, "These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt."
How quickly they forgot their agreement in Exodus 24:3 and Exodus 24:7. (How quickly do I forget my holy proclamations? "Yes of course I will do that or won't do that, God.")
Exodus 32:7 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "'Go down, because your people, whom you brought up out of Egypt, have become corrupt. 8 They have been quick to turn away from what I commanded them and have made themselves an idol cast in the shape of a calf. They have bowed down to it and sacrificed to it and have said, ''These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.''
9 "'I have seen these people,'" the LORD said to Moses, "'and they are a stiff-necked people. 10 Now leave me alone so that my anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.'"
And thenExodus32:19 "When Moses approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, his anger burned and he threw the tablets out of his hands, breaking them to pieces at the foot of the mountain. 20 And he took the calf they had made and burned it in the fire; then he ground it to powder, scattered it on the water and made the Israelites drink it."
And after Moses' continued repenting for the people and offering his own life for the Israelites' salvation, God told Moses to return to the mountain to receive the commandments again.
Exodus 34:4 "So Moses chiseled out two stone tablets like the first ones and went up Mount Sinai early in the morning, as the LORD had commanded him; and he carried the two stone tablets in his hands."
And there Moses received the second set of commandments, written on stone, front and back. Interesting that while Moses is with God receiving the first tablets, the people, having hearts of stone, or as God refers to them: a stiff-necked people, beg Aaron to make for them a god that they might worship. And still God gave His people a second chance. and more than that, He promises to write His Word on our hearts, our very own hearts of stone that are only truly softened and made whole by His love and mercy and grace.
Jeremiah 31:33 "'This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time,' declares the LORD. 'I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.'"
Hebrews 10:16 "'This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds.'17Then he adds: 'Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.'"
Much of these details are found in last week's torah portion: Ki Tisa
Exodus 30:11-34:35. Read the story of Moses receiving the Commandments: Exodus chapters 20-35
Friday, February 22, 2008
Parashat Ki Tisa: Shabbat Shalom
In this week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa, the Lord reaffirms the gift of the Sabbath: and clarifies that it is a covenant that God's people will keep...forever.
Exodus 31:12 "And the LORD said to Moses, 13'You are to speak to the people of Israel and say, "Above all you shall keep my Sabbaths, for this is a sign between me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I, the LORD, sanctify you. 14You shall keep the Sabbath, because it is holy for you. Everyone who profanes it shall be put to death. Whoever does any work on it, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to the LORD. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall be put to death. 16Therefore the people of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, observing the Sabbath throughout their generations, as a covenant forever. 17 It is a sign forever between me and the people of Israel that in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed."'" (ESV)Put to death? Confusing to some degree. But when you think about it spiritually, keeping the Sabbath is the only ritual that God included in the 10 Commandments. Not keeping the Sabbath to the Lord could be considered a type of idolatry--putting other things above the One, True God--another commandment. And so not guarding and keeping the Sabbath would be breaking two commandments: the one that says "you shall have no other gods but Me." But above all, the Lord is merciful and just and works with each individual in His way and timing. And when He calls, celebrating the Sabbath is an amazing blessing.
from aish.com
"When you observe Shabbat," continues the Chofetz Chaim, "you testify that the Almighty created the world in six days and rested on the seventh. By keeping Shabbat you proclaim that you have this awareness. A person who fails to keep Shabbat removes this sign. This is the reason for the importance of Shabbat."
Shabbat Shalom! / Sabbath Peace!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Ki Tisa: Shekels
In this week's Torah portion, Ki Tisa, God commands the Israelites to give 1/2 shekel for the service of the tabernacle. Incidentally, this is the first mention of a 1/2 shekel in the Bible.Exodus 30 - 13 This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary--the shekel is twenty gerahs--half a shekel for an offering to the LORD. 14 Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering of the LORD. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of the LORD, to make atonement for your souls. 16 And thou shalt take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tent of meeting, that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before the LORD, to make atonement for your souls'" (JPS).
Today(2/21/2008) 1 Israeli shekel = 0.27777 U.S. dollars : Exchange rate for the Israeli shekel
The shekel was the predominant silver coin, weighing about 1/5 of an ounce of silver. But there were also gold, brass, and iron shekels. A shekel was the standard form of currency, like the American dollar or the Japanese yen.
The first mention of shekels in the Bible is in Genesis 20 where Sarah earned Abraham quite a take:
Genesis 20:16
To Sarah he said, "I am giving your brother a thousand shekels of silver. This is to cover the offense against you before all who are with you; you are completely vindicated."
Genesis 20:15-17 (in Context) Genesis 20 (Whole Chapter)
But in this Torah portion, God asked for 1/2 shekel--no more, no less. So today, Americans would give 50 cents. Or I guess 13.9 cents if we base it on the current shekel value.
Timeline of the shekel
| Half-Shekel introduced by Moses | 1289 B.C.E. | |
| Reintroduced by King Yoash | 800 B.C.E. | |
| Halted by Nebuchanezer | 586 B.C.E. | |
| Reintroduced by Nehemiah | 445 B.C.E. | |
| Halted by Titus | 70 C.E. | |
| Banned by Hadrian | 135 C.E. | |
| Reintroduced after 1,863 years | 1998 C.E. |
Israeli Shekel to Become Globally Convertible, February 14, 2008
shekel background--above taken from Begedivri.com
shekels in wikipedia
Parashat Ki Tisa - "when you take"
This week's Torah portion is Parashat Ki Tisa. Summary of this portion.Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
Torah portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35 - which begins:
11"The LORD said to Moses, 12 'When you take the census of the people of Israel, then each shall give a ransom for his life to the LORD when you number them, that there be no plague among them when you number them. 13 Each one who is numbered in the census shall give this: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as an offering to the LORD.'" (ESV)
Messianic reading of Ki Tisa.
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings
Haftarah: 1Kings 18:1-39
Brit Chadashah: 2Cor 3:1-18
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who
gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Why bother?
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Parashat Tetzaveh (“you shall command”)
Parashat Tetzaveh 
Tetzaveh means to command (mitzvah), and this reading begins with God telling Moses to command the children of Israel to use pure olive oil to keep the seven lamps of the menorah constantly burning. The priestly garments, worn by the Kohanim (priests) while serving in the Holy Place and the altar of incense are also described in this Torah portion.
Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
Torrah portion:Ex. 27:20-30:10
Haftarah and Haftarah blessings
Haftarah: Ezek. 43:10-27
Brit Chadashah: Heb. 13:10-7
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who
gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Why bother?
Monday, February 11, 2008
Rock, Paper, Scissors
I never played the Rock, Paper, Scissors game as a kid, but I have played it a few times oddly enough as an adult because I felt that it was an unfortunate omission from my childhood, as was Sesame Street , Chutes & Ladders, and Candy Land. But I am not bitter. Did I mention 3-2-1 Contact? The Electric Company?Anyway, this game popped into my head yesterday morning and it seemed an apt way to describe Adonai.
Paper: God gave us His Word;
Scissors: We violate that Word (over and over again) and should be permanently cut-off from Him;
Rock: But God, in His never-ending mercy gives us Himself, Yeshua which literally means "God Saves," as the Rock of our salvation, our covering.
Back to my childhood: amongst other TV memories, I do remember watching Romper Room and Davey & Goliath quite a bit. In the first, I learned to walk on those cups with the plastic, stretchy ropes that you hold onto--cup stilts, I guess. Imagine that, they are called cup-stilts! In the second program, I remember a small character who learned a lot of good lessons and who had a very wise dog, oddly named Goliath...but the metaphor still works. This same Davey, who as an adult I learned, was David who killed Goliath, a giant of a man, with a slingshot and a rock by trusting in the Rock of His Salvation.
Psalm 18:2 "The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my rock, in Him I take refuge; my shield, and my horn of salvation, my high tower" (JPS)
Shavua Tov! - - Good Week!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
The Book Thief
The Book Thief is a 2005 best-selling novel by Markus Zusak. The setting is World War II Germany and the narrator is Death. The actual "book thief" is 9 year old Liesel Meminger, sent to live with a foster family, the Hubermanns in Germany, where they end up harboring a Jew named Max who spends some of his time in the basement creating something of a graphic novel for Liesel. The line drawings are a nice addition to the book, rather poigant. Some themes: the power of words, the hope and power of reading, the power of love and truth. Interesting exploration into a different lens of the Holocaust. Worth the read!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Shabbat Shalom - Sabbath Peace
The command to celebrate the Sabbath has its foundation in Genesis 2:2-3:
2 "And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made." (JPS)
We have to do a lot of things every day: show up for work on time, stop at red lights and stop signs, obey the speed limit, get dressed, treat your spouse nicely, discipline our children, eat (our stomach commands that!), and on and on...but has anyone commanded you to celebrate and so that you can truly enjoy the day?
There is freedom when we realize that God tells us to rest on the Sabbath. And there is freedom in knowing that we can enter Sabbath rest every day by trusting in the Lord, praising His name, reveling in all His creation. But if not every day begin with one and follow His beautiful invitation found in Exodus 20: 8-11 ~
8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day; wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (JPS)
God lovingly instructed that all should rest: Jews & Gentiles, male & female, adults & children, servants & the free, cattle & donkeys, strangers & friends.
The sabbath was not some ordinance that God created and then said to us, "Now keep it." No the sabbath was created for us and for our benefit.
Mark 2:27 ~ "Then he [Yeshua] said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'" (NIV)
So this Saturday rest and take a few moments to sing, dance, praise the Holy name of the Lord and enjoy the day. It was created FOR YOU!
Shabbat Shalom!
2 "And on the seventh day God finished His work which He had made; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had made. 3 And God blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it; because that in it He rested from all His work which God in creating had made." (JPS)
We have to do a lot of things every day: show up for work on time, stop at red lights and stop signs, obey the speed limit, get dressed, treat your spouse nicely, discipline our children, eat (our stomach commands that!), and on and on...but has anyone commanded you to celebrate and so that you can truly enjoy the day?
There is freedom when we realize that God tells us to rest on the Sabbath. And there is freedom in knowing that we can enter Sabbath rest every day by trusting in the Lord, praising His name, reveling in all His creation. But if not every day begin with one and follow His beautiful invitation found in Exodus 20: 8-11 ~
8 "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. 9 Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work; 10 but the seventh day is a sabbath unto the LORD thy God, in it thou shalt not do any manner of work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy man-servant, nor thy maid-servant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates; 11 for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested on the seventh day; wherefore the LORD blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it." (JPS)
God lovingly instructed that all should rest: Jews & Gentiles, male & female, adults & children, servants & the free, cattle & donkeys, strangers & friends.
The sabbath was not some ordinance that God created and then said to us, "Now keep it." No the sabbath was created for us and for our benefit.
Mark 2:27 ~ "Then he [Yeshua] said to them, 'The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath.'" (NIV)
So this Saturday rest and take a few moments to sing, dance, praise the Holy name of the Lord and enjoy the day. It was created FOR YOU!
Shabbat Shalom!
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Parashat Terumah - Contribution
This week's Torah Reading is Parashat Terumah which means "Contribution." Typically the names of the weekly readings come from the first or second line of the passage, sometimes the first word.Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
This week's Torah portion begins in Exodus 25: 1 - "And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: 'Speak unto the children of Israel, that they take for Me an offering; of every man whose heart maketh him willing ye shall take My offering.'" (JPS) So "terumah" means offering or contribution. It's important to realize that Adonai only wants offerings from those who are willing, who are giving with freedom and joy.
Be prepared, this section of Scripture is one you might call boring and so you'd be apt to skim or skip it completely because it contains an abundance of measurements and materials for building the tabernacle, also called mishkahn, that would be God's dwelling place with the people.
But if the scales of "the Torah isn't for me" mentality have fallen from our eyes, this portion of Scripture will be fascinating because we now realize that every detail that God has included in His Word has significance on many levels. And believe it or not every detail has significance in our lives today.
Caution: I would recommend reading 1 chapter per sitting and rereading it. (Actually in any book of the Bible, to really know His Word we should read 1 verse at a time and let that sink in before moving on.)
However you read it, let your heart absorb the details of the tabernacle because now...that tabernacle is you!
Torah portion: Exodus 25-27 (JPS-Jewish Publication Society version-you have to move from chapter to chapter)
Summary of Parashat Terumah
The next part of the weekly reading is the Haftarah which is a passage from Nevi'im which is the section of the Tanakh referred to as the Prophets, e.g. Isaiah, Kings 1. More about Haftarah and Haftarah blessings.
Haftarah portion: 1Kings 5:12-6:13
Brit Chadashah: 2Cor 9:1-15; Matt 5:33-37
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who
gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
Why bother?
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph
Today is the New Moon for Adar 1 or Rosh Chodesh Adar Aleph (aleph is the first letter of the alphabet and represents number 1 in Hebrew). This year there are 2 Adars because it is a Jewish leap year (the Jewish leap year does not always coincide with the Gregorian leap year, though this year it does). [the image was created from Jewish Heritage Online Magazine where you will find great information on adar and all the wonderful things that are part of this month.] >>>>
Here's a short, interesting article: What is the New Moon?
And a little excerpt from the above:
"For believers, the celebration of the new moons carries great significance. Not only are they calendar events, but also the cycle of the moons speaks to the new birth and recreation which is ours in Messiah. Just as the moon is born again, we are renewed in Messiah. It is the festival of the born again."
Scripture references:"The moon marks off the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down." (Psalm 104:19)
"'it shall be from new moon to new moon and from Sabbath to Sabbath, all mankind will come to bow down before Me,' says the LORD." (Isaiah 66:23)
The New Moon in the Hebrew Bible
Rosh Chodesh Blessing
May it be Thy will, LORD, our God and God of our fathers, that You begin for us this month for good and for blessing. May You give to us long life, a life of peace, a life of goodness, a life of blessing, a life of sustenance, a life of physical health, a life in which there is fear of heaven and fear of sin, a life in which there is no shame or humiliation; a life of wealth and honor, a life in which we love Torah and fear God; a life in which the LORD fulfills the requests of our hearts for good. Amen. Selah.
Rosh Chodesh Blessing
Chodesh Tov!
Wake Up!!
In trying to encourage someone else's walk with God, I realized that I have been sleeping lately--so big yawn..........waking up. Here is what I said to that person but now realize it was for me:Your heart is alive with the Spirit of God--sometimes our heart takes a nap--but God says:
"Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."(NIV) (Ephesians 5:14 - New Testament)
and He first said this in Isaiah 60:1 (Tanakh) :
"Arise, shine; for your light has come, And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you." (NIV)
So the first point is WAKE UP! - the Spirit of the Lord lives in us.
The second point is the verse in Ephesians is simply a repeat of the original verse in the book of Isaiah which was written about 2700 years ago but is clearly about the same Messiah of the "New" Testament," Yeshua Hamashiach (Jesus the Messiah).
This song speaks of Yeshua being brought into the temple to be dedicated 40 days after his birth as instructed by the Torah.
Now That I've Held Him In My Arms by Michael Card
Now That I've Held Him In My Arms
by Michael Card
That old man in the temple
Waiting in the court
Waiting for the answer to a promise
And all at once he sees them
In the morning sunshine
A couple come and carry in a baby
Chorus
Now that I've held Him in my arms
My life can now come to an end
Let Your servant now depart in peace
Cause I've seen Your salvation
He's the Light of the Gentiles
And the glory of His people Israel
Marry and the baby come
And in her hand five shekels
The price to redeem her baby boy
The baby softly cooing
Nestled in her arms
Simeon takes the boy and starts to sing
Chorus
Now's the time to take Him in your arms
Your life will never come to an end
He's the only way that you'll find peace
He'll give you salvation cause
He's the Light of the Gentiles
And the glory of His people Israel
That old man in the temple
Waiting in the court
Waiting for the answer to a promise
And all at once he sees them
In the morning sunshine
A couple come and carry in a baby
Chorus
Now that I've held Him in my arms
My life can now come to an end
Let Your servant now depart in peace
Cause I've seen Your salvation
He's the Light of the Gentiles
And the glory of His people Israel
Marry and the baby come
And in her hand five shekels
The price to redeem her baby boy
The baby softly cooing
Nestled in her arms
Simeon takes the boy and starts to sing
Chorus
Now's the time to take Him in your arms
Your life will never come to an end
He's the only way that you'll find peace
He'll give you salvation cause
He's the Light of the Gentiles
And the glory of His people Israel
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Worship songs, guitar chords
I was searching for the lyrics for "Moving with the Lamb" and found a site I'd never seen before. It has many great worships songs with lyrics and/or chords. Enjoy!
PW Archive
Search for a song or artist or browse the complete list.
Moving with the Lamb lyrics and chords
Amazing Grace (my chains are gone) lyrics & chords, Chris Tomlin
from the movie, Amazing Grace
PW Archive
Search for a song or artist or browse the complete list.
Moving with the Lamb lyrics and chords
Amazing Grace (my chains are gone) lyrics & chords, Chris Tomlin
from the movie, Amazing Grace
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
Parashat Bo - "Enter"
This week's Torah Reading is Parashat Bo which means "Enter." Typically the names of the weekly readings come from the first line of the passage, sometimes the first word.
Blessing before Torah study: Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe, Who has made us holy through His commandments, and commanded us to actively study Torah.
This week's Torah portion begins in Exodus 10:1 "Then the LORD said to Moses, "'Go to Pharaoh...'" Since "Go" is the main idea or action being expressed, the name of the portion, "Enter," reflects that.
Torah portion: Exodus 10:1-13:16
discussion of above passage
The next part of the weekly reading is the Haftarah which is a passage from Nevi'im which is the section of the Tanakh referred to as the Prophets, e.g. Isaiah, Kings 1. More about Haftarah and Haftarah blessings.
Haftarah portion: Jeremiah 46:13-28
Brit Chadashah: Luke 22:7-30; 1 Corinthians 11:20-34
Blessing after Torah study: Blessed art thou, Lord our G-d, King of the universe, who
gave us the Torah of truth and set everlasting life in our midst.
Blessed art thou, O Lord, Giver of the Torah.
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