This Shabbat was started with some very nice dancing and singing with some songs by Paul Wilbur and other artists. We then ate a very nice meal with a huge spread of food supplied by the many people who attended. There was plenty left over after the meal which is a testimony to the bounty YHWH has given us, the commonwealth of Israel. 

Fellowship and dancing

The study was one that Ray Gardner put together. The blessing for opening the Torah was recited by Ray Gardner. Leviticus is the book that the Torah Portion is coming out of this Shabbat. Discussion of the parsha system, the yearly system, 54 portions in the year. Explanation of Vayikra, meaning "and he called."  Start of the reading commenced. Several questions and comments off the bat, directed at Ray Gardner regarding the second return of the Messiah, revolving around the text in Zechariah. Particular animals that are considered proper for sacrifice, beasts of the field versus beasts of the forest. Bears and lions and tigers are considered beasts of the forest, and are improper for sacrifices because they eat other animals and this makes them improper. A question as to why a dear is not acceptable for a sacrifice. Characteristics of the sacrificial animals have characteristics that humans share. Discussion of how the birds are arranged on the altar, is that their heads are cut off. They cannot roll of the altar, or fly away. Discussion of the Edenic sacrifices, such that the first one was the sacrifices that were made to supply Adam and Eve with clothing. Parallels with the Messiah and how he was Himself a sacrifice. Questions regarding sacrifices that we see will be done in the Millennial kingdom, and how to reconcile that with what we know that Hebrews talks about how Messiah is the ultimate sacrifice and that this was supposed to be once and for all. Gardner takes them back to the exodus story where the angel led them through the wilderness. Talks about how the covenant that is broken cannot be renewed without someone paying the price. The house of Israel could not be remarried without the sacrifice that Messiah made, in A discussion on marriage and different situations that were expressed. Someone asked about situations when divorce is permissible, and the three rights of the wife came up, upon which a man asked if the husband was denied such, can he then also resort to divorce. The answer that was given was not correct according to Torah, but was correct according to South Carolina law. The Torah does not give the man the right to divorce that wife, but it allows the man to take another wife. However, thei is against the law of the land, so really,  such a man is in a rather unenviable position, a difficult position indeed with no easy remedy in sight. Reading commenced about the offerings, in the book of Leviticus. Comments regarding the significance of salt on the sacrifices, which has a preserving type quality. Comments on the renewed covenant, in Jeremiah 31. "YHWH doesn't make contracts, he makes covenants." Another quote - "unless we are connected with Abraham, we are not connected with YHWH." Brought up the time when Abraham and YHWH made a covenant together with the animals were slaughtered and laid in a line and YHWH went between them, but Abraham did not go between them, so the covenant was cut with Abraham but it was a one sided thing, YHWH will not break it, but we have failed to keep it at various times through history, and individually, we may fail it in our lives, of which we need to repent and seek forgiveness. Some prophetic discussion of the millennium and the 8th day, which is eternity.  Belief that YHWH will re-gather the two house but only into the 7th millennium. Continued readings from the 4th chapter of Leviticus. Commentary on the different people that may need to offer sacrifices. Comments on the personal cost of the sacrifices. Question on why one of the sacrifices was to be a female. The answer he gave is that the people are to bring a female because that represents the peoples position in that they are subservient to the rulers, but the rulers have to bring a male animal because it represents their ruler ship, being male. More commentary on marriage and divorce, this must be what the spirit is trying to get resolved. It seems that every time Ray tried to get the subject back onto the passage in Leviticus, someone in the audience asks another question about marriage. This says that there is a huge amount of confusion in the realm of marriage and divorce. Continued reading. Comments on the peace offering, an offering that would allow one to come closer to YHWH. The offering is not in anyway inked to sin, and is not a proprietary type offering. Comments on the whereabouts of the Ark of the Covenant. Excellent final comments on the character of goats and how it matches up with immature believers, who are operating in the flesh.

5-7 PM How to hold a pesach seder and why we are keeping Pesach today, as told by Steve Gardner.

This was a presentation that was centered more on living holy being interpreted as a lifestyle that is at odds with the commandments. Discussion of adding and taking away from the commandments, as being contrary to what is right. Discussion of when the day begins in Hebrew thought. Aviv 14 is the first day of Passover, which is the day that Hosanna was declared when Yahshua rode in on a foal. Discussion of the days that Yahshua was in the grave, with some ideas about how this is taught differently than what is commonly accepted in the churches. Discussion of the need for the spiritual aspects of Passover, the need for the blood to be applied to our lives, since we have all sinned and fallen short of the gory of YHWH.  Discussion on the application of the blood to the heart, whereby we are inviting YHWH to come into our heart. In the Exodus, the firstz Passover, they slaughtered the animal in their own homes. Trough is catching the blood, in the bowl. Discussion on just how literal should we practice the Passover. Question as to whether or not we should actually slaughter an animal and put the blood on our doorpost. Steve gave a general answer noting that different people did it different ways, as long as the slaughtering was not looked upon or declared a 'sacrifice." Discussion on how to conduct the Passover, eating in haste, having bitter herbs, and the Passover lamb. Discussion of the four cups in the seder, sanctification, judgment, redemption, cup of the kingdom, or the cup of joy. Discussion on the bitterness of sin, being bondage, which is slavery  The chanukiah is the 9 branched menorah that lines up with the numbers of the feasts, with Purim being before Passover and Chanukah being after Sukkoth.