December Shul 2004
Friday December 3rd - 6:00PM-11:30PM, Jackson Location - This Shul was one of fellowship, discussing various topics, and another Monte Judah teaching. After the Shema, and candle lighting, we discussed the two house teaching and how the Torah has relevance for all of us, given the prophetic time scheme and what the Messianic Scripture truly teach in this regard. A wonderful meal of Halupki/Galumpkis/Stuffed Cabbage and lasagna (courtesy of sister Colleen's excellent culinary skills). After dinner, the Torah portion was from Bereshith 32, as taught by Monte Judah of Lion and Lamb miniseries. The teaching dealt with the patterns which developed in the lives of the Patriarchal Fathers and latter were to show forth in the prophetic destines of the descendents, even to the last generation. Monte discoursed on all of these parallels which occurred in the life of Jacob and latter will occur in the lives of the last Generation before the great EXODUS shortly after the time of Jacob's trouble. The events of Jacob's struggle with the Angel , and his subsequent thigh dislocation at the hands of this same Angel, have some teaching to show us how to deal with trouble amidst the plans of Elohim for our lives. The first Monte outlined was that we need to be still and let Elohim manage our problems. The second was that we need to face the problem head on when it comes , and refrain from chasing the problem. In all, these teachings are full of truths we can use to live victoriously as Messianic Israel.
Friday December 10nth - 6:00PM-10:30PM, Waldron Location -The Torah portion for this Shul was taken from Bereshith 37 and was based upon the patterns found in both the lives of the early patriarchs, namely Jacob, and the descendants of Israel, even to this present generation. The teaching focused on the number 2 as well, and how much of an importance it played out in Jacob's life and the torah in general. The story line moved back and forth between the events in Josephs life and the events in Judah's life, which are a parallel of the two houses, eventually to be split through the future centuries. Judah who devises to sell Joseph to slavers, brings back Josephs bloodied coat of many colors to Jacob and asks the question "is this your son's coat?" The same question is put to Judah, who is willing to burn Tamar for alleged harlotry, when in fact Judah was the father of the unborn, "whose staff and whose signet ring are these?" Jacob is deceived in the same manner he deceived Isaac. All of these patterns have two house messianic overtones as well. Perez and Zarah, the two sons born of Tamar and Judah, prophecy of the soon coming breach between the house of Judah and the house of Israel. The future prophetic overtone is a breach which is to continue just before the "dawning of the day" i.e. Zarah and the return of King Yahshua. Another piece of interesting information was that the thread that the high priest put on the scapegoats horn before letting it loose always miraculously turned white, up until about 40 years before the destruction of the temple, putting that date around 30 AD, when Yahshua enters his ministry as a propitiation for all mankind's sins. One of the last signs before we see the return of Yahshua, is we must see the idolatrous house of Israel (the hidden Israel within Churchianity) comply with three requirements in order to join with Judah. the first is they must stop transgressing Yahweh's commands. the second is they must cease from their idolatry. Thirdly, they must cease engaging in the "detestable" acts. Again, another great teaching from the Monte Judah camp.
Friday December 17nth 6:00PM-11:00PM, Jackson Location - This Shul we spent listening to 2 different broadcasts over a DSL internet connection. The first broadcast was from an orthodox rabbi who believed that Gog and Magog were Bush and the United States. We felt this broadcast had several errors in it but thought that it was interesting to hear an orthodox perspective of geopolitical affairs in the world. Dinner was served (special thanks to sister Colleen for excellent BBQ beef and potato and cheese dish) and we opened up Paltalk and went into the Christian section, where Bnai Shalom Live room was, and we listened in on the Erev Shabbat service with Monte Judah as the teacher. Monte was teaching a Torah portion taken from Bereshith 44. The teaching again demonstrated the many parallels between the patriarchs lives and the future generations of Israelites, whether those of 5the house of Judah, or the lost house of Israel. One stunning foretelling was the Joseph's revealing to his brothers, out of nowhere, from what Jacob perceived to be the dead, and the revealing at the end of the age of the lost house of Israel, dry bones living again (Ezek:37:4), and joining to the house of Judah to become one stick in the Master's hand. Another interesting note is that Joseph looked like an Egyptian to his brothers, and this is why they could not immediately recognize him. Also, the house of Judah will not, and does not immediately recognize the lost house of Israel, because they will look just like the nations. Hence the entire concept of "the revealing" is a pattern we see in the scriptures and will see again in the end of days.
Friday December 24rth 6:00-9:20PM, Waldron Location - Shul was begun with the candle lighting ceremony, and serving of Erev Shabbat Dinner. (special thanks to brother James for meal and preps - vegetarian lasagna, bean dish, and salad) The torah Portion was taken from Bereshith 41 and dealt with the dream which Pharaoh of Egypt had and Joseph's interpretation of it. Some "Sod" level interpretations from this portion had to do with parallels between the Messiah, and Joseph, inclusive of the unmerited favor Joseph showed towards his brothers, in forgiving them of their trespass against him, which alluded to the unmerited favor that Messiah demonstrates towards us, who come to Him in Faith. Another parallel was in how Joseph was able, through Elohim's direction and wisdom, to increase the food supply such that it fed the Egyptians and other nations coming to buy food for the seven lean years where there was not much food at all. In this way, Joseph paralleled the multiplying of bread the Messiah did for the crowds. In every miracle, the real focus was on the "bread of life," that being the Messiah himself of which most people look BEYOND and consider only the miracle, the multiplication of bread. This was a shorter torah portion, but one that had some good lessons for both us as individuals, and that of greater Israel.
Friday December 31st 6:00-11:30PM, Jackson Location - Another brother attended this study and discoursed several topics of interest including the two house teachings, the parallels between the Torah and Messiah and other few points related to why we believe the way we do and how we justify looking so "Jewish" in the eyes of those not familiar with our faith-direction. Many of us have faced the disapproving words and glances from family who do not hold the same truths we hold so dearly, that of the restoration of all Israel, the coming messianic kingdom, and our walk with Messiah rooted and grounded in the Torah. Shabbat candles lit, the blessing recited. Dinner was served (special thanks to sister Colleen for the wonderful lasagna, garlic bread, and salad, as well as the ice cream turtle pie for dessert). The torah portion came from the last segment of Bereshith 47 which detailed the torah version of the ECHAD unity of the Father, the Son, and the Ruach Ha' Kodesh. As Monte says, any doctrine found must have its roots in Torah and be found there. In Bereshith 47:31, it was shown how Jacob bowed to Joseph after having received Josephs word that Jacob/Israel would be buried away from Egypt, and to the land where Abraham and Isaac was buried, the land of his fathers. The act of bowing was parralleled to the Father bowing to the establishment of the Son in Heaven as King of kings, and hence the unity is found detailing that the Son is Elohim even as the Father. Monte discussed the Shema, and said that in literal Hebrew, the shema should be read "Hear oh Israel, YHWH is our Elohims, YHWH our gods are one" in the plural sense. Another interesting note was in deriving one of the seven names of Yeshua from two roots words, Av, and Ben. The Father and Son together form the Hebrew word that means "stone."