STUDIES IN FEBRUARY 07!
Yom Shabbat February 24rth 2007 HOME SHABBAT, NO LOCATION 1:00-5:00PM! Parsha 19 Terumah “Heave offering” February 24, 2007 6 Adar 5767 Exodus 25:1–27:19 Shophtim/Judges 5, Mark 1 The Parsha was interesting as it explored the different articles of the Tabernacle that was supposed to be built using the various things that the Israelites brought for the Heave offering. Discussed the various articles and showed the artist renditions of them. The prayer of Deborah discussed etc. (comments courtesy of brother Gregory)
Parsha 19 25:2 I was struck right off the bat by the admonition that this offering was to be given "freely", if it were to be accepted by YHWH. (I dare say this holds true with the offerings we offer today as well.) If we give grudgingly, we may as well not give at all, for it is unacceptable. Our hearts must be in our giving, whether it be in terms of monies, service, or whatever. If we do our giving void of a cheerful heart, we have broken this mitzvoth. It is all about 'self-sacrifice'. 25: 8-9 The Tabernacle of the wilderness, which Moshe was to make, was to follow the pattern of The Tabernacle in the shamayim. Since Yahuah is the same yesterday, today, and forever; it seems safe to assume that The Tabernacle of Shamayim is still intact and being used. This is something that most 'Christians' neither know now understand. 25:11 We notice that the Ark is covered with "pure" gold both outside and inside. If we consider, as the kohanim did, that the Ark was the center, or most important part of the Tabernacle, and then consider that we are the Tabernacle of the Ruach HaKodesh, then the heart could be likened to the Ark, and should be pure within and without. It is common for man to plate the outside with gold, to look good in the eyes of others, but YHWH sees within, and thus does He see that purity within as well? Or are we just "a whited sepulcher?" 25:18 Some cultures and religions claim we should not have pictures, carvings, or other items patterned after anything that exists in this world, because of the admonition of Ex. 20:4. This verse proves that the likenesses or images themselves are not prohibited. What those who make such claims fail to do is read further into verse 5 of Ex. 20. where the admonition is qualified by the statement that one is not to bow down and worship such images. 25: 40 The chapter ends by reiterating just where Moshe received the revelation of the pattern for The Tabernacle. Judges 5:40 After reading the song of Devorah, I found the last verse very encouraging and uplifting. With a message for us even today. (notes courtesy of brother James)
Yom Shabbat February 17nth 2007 outside Nashville, 1:00-5:00PM! Parsha 18 Mishpatim “Judgments” February 17, 2007 29 Sh’vat 5767 Exodus 21:1–24:18 Shophtim 4, Mattiyahu 28.
Mishpatim: Certainly the multiple laws, rightly dealing with servant hood, theft, judges/judgment, pilgrimage feasts, instructions for the conquest, the 70 + eating on the Mt w/Yah. Some discussion regarding the "rest" of the land during Sh'mita: what was the understanding, various ways it is and isn't applied today in American agriculture. With rotational crop cycles, we've seen benefit and types of rest; but the frenzy to "turn a profit" keeps the vast majority of agri-systems from any rest for the soil. Judges 4: Deborah, Barak & Yael vs. Sisera & Jabin. Some discussion on the qualities of Yael's act: virtuous or treacherous. Possible 13th idea carried out in Samuel as judge (as Sha'ul after the 12 and as Yosef's 2 sons receiving a double portion) Matt 28 - the resurrection & final days to ascension. Discussion on the reliability of the phrase "Father, Son & Holy Spirit" in verse 19; led to citing times/discussions with people pulling passages out of context. Talked further about the many ways "the message of salvation" has been given, e.g., the Biblical holy days, the significant names of the antediluvians & the patriarchs, etc. Praise dance and further conversation followed the oneg. No location determined yet for next week. However, the following Sabbath would be a Purim celebration at the Olson's, along with the regular Shul. Costumes of Biblical nature encouraged but not mandatory. Bring your groggers, noise-makers, if you've got 'em. (notes courtesy of Brother David)
Yom Shabbat February 10nth 2007 CANCELLED LOCATION Parsha 17 Yitro “Jethro” February 10, 2007 22 Sh’vat 5767 Exodus 18:1–20:23(26), Shophtim 3, Mattiyahu 27
Eddie Chumney event, February 8th at the Clarion Hotel, Romulus Michigan, 7-11PM The speaking event was enlightening as usual, and instructive of the basics of the Torah-centric view of the scriptures. Several themes were addressed starting with the question of why the Messiah had come to die on the cross. The answers as Eddie demonstrated were such that the Messiah could gather the outcasts of Israel. Several scriptures were looked at as proof of the mission statement of gathering the exiles of Israel. Once this was shown, Eddie began to discourse on the identity of the exiles of Israel and their prophesied part in the Master-Plan. Eddie showed that the redeemed house of Jacob would have the identity of the exiles of the lost house of Israel, would be for the land of Israel, and would cling to the Torah under the headship of the Messiah. Judaism and Christianity have only various aspects of this combination and thus must undergo tribulation such that a purifying will occur uniting them as one stick according to the prophecy. Eddies last section of teaching was the last days eschatology where he shows the scriptures that say that the controversy of Zion will be so great that the nations will create an international city in Jerusalem and divide up the land creating a PLO state like the "roadmap" plans stipulate. When this happens, Eddie believes that America will be nuked and will have great disasters befall it, and this will be the sign when all the exile will start to think and remember Jerusalem, and will return home in very large numbers. In all the teaching was provocative and in many ways disheartening as we see the terrible events to come upon the earth due to the nations rebelling against YHWH and His Torah.
Yom Shabbat February 3rd 2007 outside Hillsdale Location, 1:00-5:00PM! Parsha 16 Beshalach “When he sent” February 3, 2007 15 Sh’vat 5767 Exodus 13:17–17:16 Shophtim 2, Mattiyahu 26. Good discussion and fellowship as the portion was read. Discussions before the Parsha was read revolved around the early history of the Americas and the foundational concepts that our country was founded on. Once the Parsha was read, the narrative followed the deliverance of the children of Yisrael out of bondage in Egypt, and how YHWH led the people "not in the way of the Philistines," in order that they might not be discouraged. Some interpretations of why the Almighty made this decision including the idea that perhaps the Philistines were to great and advanced in their weaponry and strong for the people to overcome. Also the idea that perhaps the children of Yisrael were not resolved enough to live as free people as they had depended on the Egyptians for everything, the slave mentality is a weakened and beggarly mentality. The crossing discussed and the idea that it may have very well been in the middle of the night between the hours of 2-6AM although many depictions show the crossing in the broad daylight. The trouble of the Egyptian army that crossed in the open sea included hail, thundering, earthquake, rain, and lightning that was reputedly the cause of the wheels coming off the chariots and how the army was thrown into disarray. There was an interesting statement in the portion that suggested a different side to YHWH than the cherished notion that he is all about "love," shown within the statement that EXODUS 15:3 YHWH [is] a man of war: YHWH [is] his name. Thus presenting the other side making our appraisal of YHWH more in balance with the truth of the scriptures. The people once in the wilderness complained and murmured because of a perceived lack of water, which was remedied, albeit the murmur that the people would be better off back in Egypt was discussed and related to the familiar Brit Chadasha passages that speak of sinners who , once they are cleaned, like to return right back into their sin like a sow wallowing back into the mud. There is nothing new under the sun in this regard it seems. Some comments on the character of Moses as he seems to exhibit a lack of faith and some weak leadership qualities always crying out to YHWH about the complaints of the people instead of just praying the solution. This was inferred in the question that YHWH gave to Moses "why do you cry to me?" Comparisons of Abraham and Moses finishes the Torah discussions. Other readings were discussed lightly and were the familiar theme of Israel falling into apostasy, then bondage, then renewed spirituality, then deliverance. A cycle we ourselves seem to imitate whether personally in our lives or nationally.