Panim Mool Panim - Ahavat Ammi's Virtual Biet Midrash

Parashat D'evarim

2010-07-16T17:52:00.004-05:00

Shabbat Shalom everybody:

Parashat Mattot

2010-07-09T11:11:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim, this is the final lesson for B'amidbar. Next Shabbat we will start the book of D'evarim.

Shabbat Shalom

Special video Teaching parts I and II: "The name" of G-D

2010-06-30T17:37:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

This week, I have included two videos that deals with the name of G-D from a Jewish and Hebraic thoughts. Some of you have seen and heard some of the various names of G-D. This week, I have taken the time to address the issue in this two parts video.

Weekly Torah video is now available in HD

2010-06-22T23:37:00.002-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

Our weekly Torah lessons are now available on HD, just select the HD button for better quality video. May G-D bless you and keep you safe.

Interview with the Founder of FFOZ not to be missed!

2010-06-17T14:55:00.003-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

I had the chance of sitting down with Boaz Michael from FFOZ to a Panim-Mool-Panim
interview. This personal interview is not to be missed!

New Series of Chasidot is now available

2010-06-05T20:18:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

A new life changing series that is dealing with "Chasidot" is now available. Just click on the audio player on the Right-Hand-Side to listen to the message.

what really happened on the Marmara ship

2010-06-01T13:23:00.002-05:00

I just received these videos from my sister in Israel. Notice how the Israeli solider is being tossed out to the sea, and notice how Israeli soliders are attacked with Metal poles and other things. Why would CNN/FOX not show these videos?!? These are in Hebrew but you can follow them as picture worth 1000's words

and also part II

Special Event this upcoming Shabbat

2010-05-23T13:22:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

This upcoming Shabbat (5/29) we will host our special guest speaker that you don't want to miss. Boaz Michael, the founder of FFOZ will be joining us (http://www.ffoz.org/). Our services start on Shabbat at 10:35 AM.

On Sunday 5/30, our friends from FFOZ will host a mini Yeshiva titled "A Jewish Sermon on the Mount". The event will be open to the public with light lunch. The event starts at Ahavat Ammi Synagogue at 10:00 AM sharp. More information can be found at:

http://www.ahavatammi.org/JewishSermonOnTheMount-Flyer_TX_FtWorth_Final.pdf

You don't want to miss these outstanding events this upcoming Shabbat

Happy Shavohot

2010-05-18T10:54:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

I want to wish you Chag Sameach from Israel as we start the season of Shavohot tonight. May HaShem will bring blessing upon you and your families. See the video below from our home town.

Eilat and the red sea

2010-05-12T15:03:00.001-05:00

I am attaching some additional teaching from Eilat. I am sorry in advance for the poor quality.

Shalom

Part II of Video from Kaysaryah

2010-05-10T13:12:00.000-05:00

Based on the demand from a few of you, I have included a few more minutes of teachings from Kaysaryah. I promise to try to put some more teaching as I get time. Your comments and feedback are much appreciated. Shalom from Israel.

Video from Israel--> Kaysaryah part I

2010-05-10T01:10:00.000-05:00

This is part one of our trip to Kaysaryah. I wish that I could take you all with us. Enjoy it.

The Divine Messiah Part I is now available on the Web

2010-04-24T19:36:00.002-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

Due to the many requests I received today, I have uploaded this message tonight to the website. The message "The Divine Messiah" is now available in the audio section of the blog.

Shavuah Tov

Parashat Kedoshim

2010-04-23T13:16:00.002-05:00

What is the Torah portion this Shabbat teaches us about K'edosha? What is K'edosha? Click to find out.

Messianic Jews caves found in Israel

2010-04-09T11:01:00.002-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

The hebrew video below (with subtitles) is just purely amazing. I am sending big Todah to our friend Yakkov D'amkani in Israel. This is touching and moving greatly. If the movie going slow turn HD off on the video.

Ancient Susia from xPoint on Vimeo.

Rabbi of the week Lesson is now online

2010-04-08T22:44:00.000-05:00

Rabbi Rick ‘Aharon’ Chaimberlin the editor of the messianic magazine Petah Tikvah has written a wonderful article titled "The clean and The Unclean". Simply click on the "Rabbi of the week section" to read the full article. More of Rick's writing can be found at http://www.petahtikvah.com/. As always your comments are and questions are welcome.

Special Audio Teaching available

2010-04-06T22:48:00.002-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

I have uploaded to our audio player a teaching that I did a year ago on Parashat S'hmini. I think that this is some of the better teaching that G-D has ever given to me. I strongly suggest to our regular members to listen to it carefully. It is titled "Moment in Time Part I".

The teaching can be found Here and then select teaching titled "moment in time"

Shabbat Shalom

Parashat S'mini

2010-04-06T22:06:00.000-05:00

Please follow this important lesson from Parashat S'hmini this Shabbat.

Special Pesach Audio Teaching is now Available online

2010-04-05T10:30:00.000-05:00

The message titled "Hitting the Mark" is now available on our the audio portion of our blog.

Chag Sameach!

Shabbat HaGaol Teaching available

2010-03-29T13:36:00.000-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

Shabbat HaGadol Audio teaching is now available on our the blog on the audio section of the blog. We wish you all Chag Sameach that is blessed with the followship of your M'ishpachot, friends, and king Messiah.

Rabbi Shapira

cleaning for Pesach

2010-03-24T17:14:00.000-05:00

Some of you wondering how to clean for Pesach, well pictures worth 1000 words. You have only few days to get out the CHAMETZ!

http://news.walla.co.il/?w=//1656679/726283/5/@@/media

The "Great Shabbat" or "Shabbat HaGadol"

2010-03-23T23:15:00.000-05:00

The video blog deals with the Haftarah portion for this Shabbat, this Shabbat is known as "Shabbat HaGadol". Chag Sameach everybody. Your comments are always welcome.

Let our Voices be heard: Parashat V'yikrah

2010-03-18T09:21:00.001-05:00

Weekly Torah blog, your comments are welcome:

Rabbi of the Week: Vayikra, God is Calling, He is waiting for our response

2010-03-16T21:12:00.001-05:00

Parashah Vayikra - Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Rabbi Isaac Levy

It opens with the laws of the Sacrifice of Olah offering, the first offering that is totally burned on the altar. The normal offering was a bull or male sheep; however, the less fortunate could bring a bird.
(Lev. 1:2) "When an Adam – ADAM, a man -- from among you brings an offering to the Lord"

From the beginning of time and long before there was division of people and the birth of nations while in the Garden there was a demonstration for temporary forgiveness for sin through blood sacrifice. (For life is in the Blood)

All men (Bnei Adam) from ADAM, Cain and Abel ALL understood that the only remission for sin and the show of their remorse was through sacrifice, while individuals practiced their remorse there arose a need for a mediator between men and God, so God created a system by which men could approach His mercy seat, He has assigned a tribe of priests (Levites) who are willing to do that ministry in order to mediate between Men and God.

In this age It is difficult to understand the cruelty of Shedding innocent blood in the pretence of remorse, no one with feelings for living creatures could accept the cruelty of taking life, it is perplexing and many questions arise by Jews and non Jews on the idea that one can appease the Hebrew God with blood, only when one conceders the alternative, sacrificing your life or sacrificing an animal it becomes clearer for the option offered.

Since Sin began with ADAM, “Vayikra”, (and He called) takes us back to where it all began, (In the Garden) while the laws are given to a nation, the sins are individual, and concern ADAM who is part of the nation yet stands alone in the mater of His individual sin.

(Lev. 1:16-17) "He shall split it -- with its feathers -- he need not sever it; the Kohen shall cause it to go up in smoke on the Altar, on the wood that is on the fire -- it is an OLAH elevation-offering, a fire-offering, a satisfying aroma to Adonai ”

The wings remain; burning feathers emit terrible foul smell.
In fact of all the sacrifices nothing smells worse than burning bird-feathers. So why do we end the chapter with "satisfying aroma to Adonai"?

The offering is a volunteered offering with options, depending on one's financial status. The wealthier individual could bring cattle, the less wealthy person, sheep; an even poorer individual could bring a turtledove.

It is embarrassing enough to bring a small bird compare to the larger sacrifices to Adonai, it will be humiliating even more to have the feathers taken out and shrink the size of the offering, the mere fact that the person gave all he had, from his heart, was accepted as a sweat aroma to Adonai.

When a person invites a homeless person who has lost all his earthly possessions he may not have the ability to shower often or do his hygiene on daily basis, he will stink, he would not be concedered a welcome guest in many peoples homes, yet a righteous person who did make the homeless welcome and cleaned him up and set him at the table with all the other honored guests and allowed him to partake of the their food it became a sweet aroma in the nostril of Adonai and it was counted to him for righteousness.

For the most destitute individual who would like to offer something but has no money for even a turtledove, the Torah commands: (Levi 2:1) "When a Nefesh, a soul, offers a meal-offering to Adonai, his offering shall be of fine flour; he shall pour oil upon it and place frankincense upon it".

"Nowhere is the word nefesh used in connection with free-will offerings except in connection with the meal-offering. For who is it that usually brings a meal offering? The poor man! Adonai says, as it were, I will regard it for him as though he brought his very soul as an offering"

Since the price of fine flour is more expensive than that of a turtledove! Why is the fine flour offering the option for the poorest person, and why isn't the one who brings the turtledove considered as if he gave his soul?

The poorest man who cannot even afford a lowly bird – is protected by Torah’s provision of welfare. The option is called Leket, and Peah – (Deut. 24:19) "When you reap the harvest of your field and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not return to take it but let it be for the proselyte, the orphan and the widow.") Thus the poorest and most destitute are protected and entitled to the grain left behind in the field. And from that grain, which was free of charge, NO COST the man can make fine flour. When that individual decides to stoop down in the presence of his wealthier brothers and gather the grain, take it to his home and threshed it and beat it to a fine flower and take it to the priest and offer it to the Almighty, he is considered as giving his soul. True, a bird may cost less, but to the poorest man, even the bird costs more than the grain, and there is no effort on the part of the offered, he did not humble himself and exert himself (Avodah) However, when he takes the FINE flower and gives it from his Heart and put forth effort of his labor, he is offering his very soul!

The Torah discusses a variety of individuals who unfortunately sin. They must bring Chatat or Asham, a sin- or guilt offering.

In describing the unfortunate reality of sin, the Torah does not use the specific word to describe the sin that caused a need for penitence. Instead it talks about the circumstance in terms of hopeful uncertainty: (Lev. 4:27); "If a person from among the people of the land shall sin unintentionally"

(Lev. 4:3) "If the anointed Kohen will sin, bringing guilt upon the people"

(Lev. 4:13) "If the entire assembly of Israel shall err, and a matter became obscured from the eyes of the congregation"

When referring to the average sinner the Torah teaches In the Hebrew word "Im, If " (Lev.4:27) or "ki. When" (Lev. 5:21). "If a man shall sin" or "when a man shall sin." However when it comes to "a prince amongst the tribes" or a KING who sins, the Torah uses a different expression. It does not use the standard words for if and when, rather it uses a totally different expression ¬ "Asher."

(Lev. 4:22) If a prince sins, and commits one from among all the commandments of Adonai that may not be done -- unintentionally -- and becomes guilty"
The word Asher is quite similar in fact to the word "Ashrei," It means praiseworthy. "If a prince hath sinned: The word "Asher" is connected in meaning with "Ashrei" ¬ which means praiseworthy.

The verse implies the following connotation: Praiseworthy or fortunate is the generation whose prince (king) brings an atonement sacrifice even for his inadvertent misdeeds.
Sometimes the praise of our leaders is not the fact that they bring a sin offering, but rather in the entire sin and absolution process. It is important for us to understand, not only that they ask forgiveness, but what they did wrong and how they rectified their misdeed. We are praiseworthy when we have leaders that understand what is considered wrong, and openly teach us through their actions how to respond. When the process is comprehensive, then the combination of the mistake and the absolution can be considered praiseworthy, not that we praise the sin but the act of repentance that followed is to be praised, for these are acts we can all learn from.

If an individual stole property, or deceitfully held an item entrusted to him, there is a Command to return the goods and make restitution of 20%
(Lev. 5:23) "And he shall return the stolen object that he stole, the fraudulent gains that he defrauded, the pledge that was secured with him"

Why the repetition? Of course he stole the item surely the pledge was secured with you. And the fraudulent gains are those that you swindled. Why does the Torah repeat the action words, "that he stole, that he defrauded, that was secured with him”?

I find the repetitious wording to be compounded in the power of three, steeling of any kind reflects on all of the Ten Commandments, whether one lies, kills commits adultery, or false witness they all fall in the category of stilling, it is evident in the parashah when it repeats itself three times.

Though the Torah is vague about the various thefts and ultimately it is left in the hands of the Judges to make the ruling, one thing is certain the thief is urged to return the property ASAP and pay a penalty of 20%

The question that arises from this portion is if a person stole lumber and built a boat is he commanded to return the lumber or does he return the boat plus the 20% penalty?

On the same level of thinking if a person stole a bicycle because he had the urge to have one, seven years later he had desired to drive a car at which point the urge for the bicycle has diminished and he decides to return the bicycle after the seven years of use with making restitution of the 20% penalty, is the return the same as if he has returned the bicycle the next day or the next week, compare to the seven years?

There are two reasons to return a stolen item. First, you are in possession of an item that is not yours. Simple. But there is another reason. Every one of our actions helps mold us. By returning an item that we once desired enough to have stolen, we train ourselves to break the covetous constitution of our nature. We learn that even though we want something, we may not take it.

While we have uncertainty on the time frame for returning the stolen goods, we do have some guidelines, we are encouraged to return the property ASAP and pay the 20% restitution and make a sacrifice as a means of repentance.

Parashat V'yikhal Video Blog

2010-03-12T16:48:00.000-06:00

Below is a summary of the weekly Parasha. As always your comments and questions are welcome!

Rabbi of the Week: Rabbi Eric Tokajer

2010-03-11T23:21:00.000-06:00

Click on the the "Rabbi of The Week Section" on our blog to read Rabbi Eric Tokajer From Brit Ahm Messianic Synagogue in Pensacola, Florida

The Synagogue website is: www.britahm.org

Parashat Ki T'isa

2010-03-02T22:20:00.000-06:00

Below attached the D'var Torah lesson for this Shabbat with much improved quality. Your comments and questions are always welcome. Shabbat Shalom

Audio Features

2010-02-28T22:52:00.000-06:00

Shalom Chaverim,

We have added another great feature to the blog that might be of great use for you. On top of the weekly video blogs, the weekly Midrash is now available on the right hand side within the player. This Shabbat, with the message titled "The B'esorah" we kick off the capability to listen to the Shabbat messages online. The messages will be available almost in real time. In the near future we will load a selected set of messages to the Blog.

Shavuah Tov

Parashat T'tzaveh

2010-02-25T15:03:00.000-06:00

This is our first Torah Video Midrash to be available on the blog. May you have Chag Sameach. Your comments and questions are always welcome

The G-D Experience Parashat Mishpatim

2010-02-11T20:52:00.001-06:00

This Shabbat we see a challanging verse in the Torah portion as the 73 Men were eating with Adonai and see him face to face. Somebody asked me earlier, how is it possible?

Actually this is making perfect sense that it would occur in this time. We get a real Remez in the words in verse 11:

יא וְאֶל-אֲצִילֵי בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, לֹא שָׁלַח יָדוֹ; וַיֶּחֱזוּ, אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים, וַיֹּאכְלוּ, וַיִּשְׁתּוּ. {ס} 11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel He laid not His hand; and they beheld God, and did eat and drink. {S}

The key words here in the verse is “Atzilay B’enai Israel” and the term “Salach Yado”. The term S’halach Yad is talking clearly about “Killing them” as it is one of the strongest terms in the Hebrew language to take somebody life.

The real question here is why didn’t HaShem did it? what was the purpose?

The term “A’tzil” used to determine the “Carriers” of the Torah. HaShem wanted to make sure that we will get a single Torah, and by preserving their lives he MADE SURE that the message of the Torah is unified and consistent. We know that The “Atzilim” are the one who were the one who carried HasHem Rauch Hakodesh as it is written in B’amidbar 11:17:

יז וְיָרַדְתִּי, וְדִבַּרְתִּי עִמְּךָ שָׁם, וְאָצַלְתִּי מִן-הָרוּחַ אֲשֶׁר עָלֶיךָ, וְשַׂמְתִּי עֲלֵיהֶם; וְנָשְׂאוּ אִתְּךָ בְּמַשָּׂא הָעָם, וְלֹא-תִשָּׂא אַתָּה לְבַדֶּךָ. 17 And I will come down and speak with thee there; and I will take of the spirit which is upon thee, and will put it upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear it not thyself alone.

Look at the word V’atzalti that comes from the word Atzil! G-D clearly states here what is the purpose of the 74 (including Moshe) elders! These men are ordained to be N’evihim over Israel, and G-D put his word within them as accounts to avoid of spreading foreign Torah, see as Parallel Jeremiah 1:9 as we see the same concept.

In summary: G-D writes his words on their hearts to insure that the Message of Matan Torah is sanctified, holy, and complete without a potential of people trying to write their own Torah as he is holy blessed be his name.

It said that they not only seen G-D, but also experienced G-D as the word of חזה means to experience HaShem, you see Jeremiah 31 coming to life even in the Torah as G-D writes his name on their hearts. I am a bit Jealous and pray that he will write his name on all of our hearts in the same manner. Through Yeshua it is possible!

Shabbat Shalom

The Secret "Mem"

2010-02-04T10:40:00.000-06:00

As you hopefully following, this Shabbat we will be reading a special Hafrarah from Isaiah (Isaiah 9:5-6). We have the honor and the privilege at AA Synagogue to receive as a long a very rare Isaiah scroll from Morocco to be used in our synagogue this upcoming Shabbat!

I rolled the scroll to Isaiah 9 last night and my eyes rested on this verse and the beginning of verse 6:

ה כִּי-יֶלֶד יֻלַּד-לָנוּ, בֵּן נִתַּן-לָנוּ, וַתְּהִי הַמִּשְׂרָה, עַל-שִׁכְמוֹ; וַיִּקְרָא שְׁמוֹ פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ, אֵל גִּבּוֹר, אֲבִי-עַד, שַׂר-שָׁלוֹם. 5 For a child is born unto us, a son is given unto us; and the government is upon his shoulder; and his name is called Pele-joez-el-gibbor-Abi-ad-sar-shalom;
ו לם רבה (לְמַרְבֵּה) הַמִּשְׂרָה וּלְשָׁלוֹם אֵין-קֵץ, עַל-כִּסֵּא דָוִד וְעַל-מַמְלַכְתּוֹ, לְהָכִין אֹתָהּ וּלְסַעֲדָהּ, בְּמִשְׁפָּט וּבִצְדָקָה; מֵעַתָּה, וְעַד-עוֹלָם, קִנְאַת יְהוָה צְבָאוֹת, תַּעֲשֶׂה-זֹּאת. {פ} 6 That the government may be increased, and of peace there be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it through justice and through righteousness from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts doth perform this. {P}

The interesting thing is that in verse 6 the words
לם רבה
Are broken into two words, but under the original text and in the scroll the words are
לםרבה

What a odd thing it is to have a “Mem Sofit” in the middle of the word. Some “Christian” scholars claim that the mem-sofit point to the womb of the virgin that will be opened up supernaturally and that there is a “remez” to the virgin birth since the Hebrew word for Womb is the word
רחם
With a Mem Sofit.

What our sages have to say about this beautiful verse? Will I thought that I will pull up the exact quote from the Talmud for my studies:

Talmud B’avli Daf Tzaddik Daled Page Alef reads:

לםרבה המשרה ולשלום אין קץ [על כסא דוד ועל ממלכתו להכין אתה ולסעדה במשפט ובצדקה מעתה ועד עולם, קנאת ה' צבאות תעשה זאת]; אמר רבי תנחום: דרש בר קפרא בציפורי: מפני מה כל מ"ם שבאמצע תיבה פתוח וזה סתום [7]? - ביקש הקב"ה לעשות חזקיהו – משיח, וסנחריב - גוג ומגוג [8]; אמרה מדת הדין לפני הקב"ה: ריבונו של עולם! ומה דוד מלך ישראל, שאמר כמה שירות ותשבחות לפניך - לא עשיתו משיח, חזקיה שעשית לו כל הנסים הללו [9] ולא אמר שירה לפניך - תעשהו משיח? לכך נסתתם. מיד פתחה הארץ ואמרה לפניו: ריבונו של עולם! אני אומרת לפניך שירה תחת צדיק זה, ועשהו משיח! פתחה ואמרה שירה לפניו, שנאמר (ישעיהו כד טז) מכנף הארץ זמירות שמענו צבי לצדיק וגו' [ואמר רזי לי רזי לי אוי לי בגדים בגדו ובגד בוגדים בגדו]: [10] אמר שר העולם [11] לפניו: ריבונו של עולם! צביונו עשה לצדיק זה! יצאה בת קול ואמרה: 'רזי לי רזי לי' [12]! אמר נביא 'אוי לי אוי לי עד מתי [13]'? יצאה בת קול ואמרה 'בוגדים בגדו ובגד בוגדים בגדו';
ואמר רבא ואיתימא רבי יצחק: עד דאתו בזוזי ובזוזי דבזוזי [
Notice that they ask the question, why there is a “Mem Stoomah” (closed Mem), Notice the bold, it is clearly stating that the Tzaddik will be the Messiah! Then the verse states, It will become “Mem Stoomah” because it is the Messiah! Wow what an awesome statement!
Notice that later on R”ashi stated in his commentary on the verse that Pele,Yooetz,El Gibor, AviHad will be the names of the “Sar Shalom” as he tried to refute the Christian claims and the claims of the Talmud! However the Talmud Sages in this case have reached the correct conclusion that these are the names of Melech Mashiach and therefore we have the “Mem Stoomah”
רש"י אומר שאין לילד בפרק ט' כל קשר עם האלוקות, וכדי להוכיח את טענתו, מפרש הוא את פסוק ה', כאילו שהקב"ה, המכונה "פֶּלֶא יוֹעֵץ, אֵל גִּבּוֹר, אֲבִי-עַד", הוא שיקרא שמו של הילד "שר שלום". אולם פירוש זה אינו מתקבל על הדעת לפי כללי הדקדוק העברי, והתלמוד במסכת סנהדרין דף צ"ח עמוד א' דוחה את פירושו של רש"י.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Tzahi Shapira

The Laws of Physics VS the Laws of Messiah

2009-12-28T19:20:00.002-06:00

Shalom Chaverim,

It has been a long since my last post, as things have been busy during the current series that i am teaching titled מלכות שמיים "The kingdom of Heaven-->Bringing Hashem kingdom down to earth".

Few weeks ago i started to touch on the idea that we are to take the D'mot דמות of Hashem. The word D'mot is dealing with the word to "Resemble", and in modern Hebrew is comes from the word "D'emayon" דמיון which means to imagine.

When people think about G-D and his attributes, do they think about you? Yeshua claimed that we are the "Elohim", and therefore we should have the D'mayon to Hashem. We should resemble him not only in our thoughts, but in our actions towards each other.

In the D'rasha Al Ha-ar "The sermon on the mount", Yeshua is dealing with the framework of the V'ahavtha. I found it interesting that the Asheri prayer and its 8 principles truly deals with showing G-D to others. Our happiness is not about ourselves according to Yeshua but is a direct function of showing others G-D.

Yeshua stated in Summary: "...Let your Light shine before Men, that they may see the good deeds and praise your father in Heaven".

In this one verse Yeshua recap the goal of the V'ahavtha, and a principle for a life of "Ashrei" or happiness.

It is interesting that the first principle that Yeshua is highlighting is "Poorness in spirit" as he stating: "Bless it are those who are poor in spirit, for their is the kingdom of heaven".

The English language does not have a single word that translate to "Poorness in spirit", but in the Hebrew language the word is "Anavha". Yeshua is quoting from the words of the sages as they wrote "who will inherit the kingdom of heaven? only the Anav".

So who is an Anav? The closest word in the English language is the word "Humble". Upon looking, and searching my own heart i realized that most of the relational challenges that i had in my life had to do with a lack of "Anavah" in me, or in the other person.

Yeshua was the ultimate Anav as Zechariah 9:9 called the "King" Anav. Yeshua stating that we cannot become T'zaddikim before becoming Anavim first, and if we are not Anavim we will not show our light before men.

The law of physics stating that the more you give of something the less you have of the same thing. The law of Messiah states that the more we give of our own self the more he will be dwelling in us as we are transform to become like "The Elohim". the laws of the worlds are not like the laws of G-D baruch Hashem.

We must start with humility today. What about you, how humble have you been lately?

Kol Toov,

Rabbi Tzahi Shapira

Sukkat Shalom

2009-10-13T20:29:00.003-05:00

In this past Shabbat i was teaching from the book on Nehemiah the 8th chapter where we read:

טו וַאֲשֶׁר יַשְׁמִיעוּ, וְיַעֲבִירוּ קוֹל בְּכָל-עָרֵיהֶם וּבִירוּשָׁלִַם לֵאמֹר--צְאוּ הָהָר וְהָבִיאוּ עֲלֵי-זַיִת וַעֲלֵי-עֵץ שֶׁמֶן, וַעֲלֵי הֲדַס וַעֲלֵי תְמָרִים וַעֲלֵי עֵץ עָבֹת: לַעֲשֹׂת סֻכֹּת, כַּכָּתוּב. {פ}
15 and that they should publish and proclaim in all their cities, and in Jerusalem, saying: 'Go forth unto the mount, and fetch olive branches, and branches of wild olive, and myrtle branches, and palm branches, and branches of thick trees, to make booths, as it is written.' {P}
טז וַיֵּצְאוּ הָעָם, וַיָּבִיאוּ, וַיַּעֲשׂוּ לָהֶם סֻכּוֹת אִישׁ עַל-גַּגּוֹ וּבְחַצְרֹתֵיהֶם, וּבְחַצְרוֹת בֵּית הָאֱלֹהִים--וּבִרְחוֹב שַׁעַר הַמַּיִם, וּבִרְחוֹב שַׁעַר אֶפְרָיִם.
16 So the people went forth, and brought them, and made themselves booths, every one upon the roof of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the broad place of the water gate, and in the broad place of the gate of Ephraim.
יז וַיַּעֲשׂוּ כָל-הַקָּהָל הַשָּׁבִים מִן-הַשְּׁבִי סֻכּוֹת, וַיֵּשְׁבוּ בַסֻּכּוֹת--כִּי לֹא-עָשׂוּ מִימֵי יֵשׁוּעַ בִּן-נוּן כֵּן בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, עַד הַיּוֹם הַהוּא; וַתְּהִי שִׂמְחָה, גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד.

I have found two items very interesting and strange about these verses:

1. Verse 17 states that B'nai Israel did not celebrate Sukkot since the time of Joshua! The reasons for that as i explained to my synagogue are related to the fact that one of the Minhagim that recorded in the Jewish writings states that the from the time of Joshua to the time of the building of the 2nd Temple the people who went up to Jerusalem did not actually build a Sukkah! They sat in a giant community Sukkah's that were build by the religious leaders in Jerusalem. They did not build it!

A great lesson is thought to us by Nehemiah, G-D does not want us only to observe his holidays and observe his words, but he want us to experience it! When we simply observe the Shabbat, and not experience it by receiving from him, it is like we did not observe it at all. If this is what Hashem expects of us, the question for the season of the new cycle of the Torah, what is it that he want us to experience?

G-D wants us to experience the Joy of being in his word, and experience his word. The non-Jewish world is most focused on teaching and learning, but the Jewish world should be focused on teaching, learning, and experiencing G-D!

2. At the end of my message one of my members came and brought an important point to my attention. B'nai Israel went and "Fetch" olive branches, the olive branches were used to build the Sukkah, Hashem will come in the end and rebuild Sukkat David (Amos 9). This is a picture of us as Jews, inviting non Jews to be grafted into the Sukkah of Hashem!

It is the job, responsibility and the duty of the Jew (see psalms 96), to declare the words of Adonai to the people that never heard it. We are to bring those wild olive branches back into the Sukkah of Adonai. This Sukkah is not the church, but Israel itself!

What a beautiful prophetic picture by Nehemiah the Navi.

May we all remember as Messianic followers in this season of the new Torah cycle that we are not only to build the Sukkah of Hashem, but we are to bring the wild olive branches to the Sukkah of Hashem.

Kol Toov

S'inhat Cheenam

2009-07-15T21:05:00.006-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

It has been awhile since my last post into my blog as the "summer blues" had me very busy within our kehila. It is hard ignore the current events in Israel as we are starting to "smell" the new year in the air. The air is filled with and Violence as the Haredi Jews have been part of multiple Riots.

The Haredi Jews are part of an Ultra Orthodox sect that are truly live within their own internal society with their own internal laws.

It is interesting to see all of this violence especially occurs during the time of 9th of Av which is important to every Jew around the world and remembered as the day of the destruction of the Temple.

You might wonder the source of the violence that cause these riots and the blood shed:

"Several dozen haredim on Wednesday blocked traffic on Rehov Bar-Ilan, Rehov Yehezkel and Kikar Hashabat with burning garbage bins, protesting the arrest of a Jerusalem woman apparently suffering from a psychiatric disorder, who allegedly near-starved her three-year-old son to death.....In response, scores of haredi protesters took to the streets Tuesday night, setting garbage bins on fire on Rehov Bar-Ilan and in the Mea She'arim neighborhood, snarling traffic in the area, Jerusalem police spokesman Shmuel Ben-Ruby said. "

The situation have gotten over the last 3 days out of control to the point that a Jew will dare to raise a hand against another Jew. Chazal Stated in Yoma 9 in the Talmud:

חז"ל אמרו (יומא ט', ע"ב) "מקדש שני, שהיו עוסקים בתורה ומצות וגמילות חסדים, מפני מה חרב, מפני שהיתה בו שנאת חינם".

Which approx. translated to "The 2nd temple has been destroyed despite the fact that Torah was thought in it, it was destroyed because Unwarranted Hate (Sinhat Chinam)".

It is not by mistake that here again, 2000 years later we see S'inhat Chinam among the Jewish people. 2000 years, the S'inhat Chinam was that brought to the destruction of the Temple related to the "Unwarranted Hate- S'inhat Chinam" Towards Yeshua the Jewish Messiah.

Once the Jewish people have S'inhat Chinam happens among them (since Yeshua was a Jew), tragedies come over us. Let us pray during these days of awe that are just around the corner that Hashem will speak to the heart of the Jewish people to stop the S'inhat Chinam that started towards the Jewish Messiah 2000 years ago, and against any Jewish soul.

Shalom

New or Renewed Brit?

2009-05-18T06:36:00.002-05:00

In this past Shabbat a very interesting debate emerged in my synagogue as related to true meaning of the term "New Covenant" or in Hebrew "Brit Chadasha". The context of the discussion was related to the following scripture from the Book of Luke 22:19-20

וַיִּקַּח אֶת־הַלֶּחֶם וַיְבָרֶךְ וַיִּבְצַע וַיִּתֵּן לָהֶם וַיֹּאמַר זֶה גוּפִי הַנִּתָּן בַּעַדְכֶם זֹאת עֲשׂוֹּ לְזִכְרִי׃ 20 וְכֵן גַּם־אֶת־הַכּוֹס אַחַר הַסְּעוּדָה לֵאמֹר זוֹ הַכּוֹס הִיא הַבְּרִית הַחֲדָשָׁה בְּדָמִי הַנִּשְׁפָּךְ בַּעַדְכֶם׃

20In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you

The debate among the various people in the kehila was related to nature of the "Brit", is it truly "new" or is it truly "renewed"? The answer to the question is actually both! Let us try to explore on that a bit further:

We need to explore the question of what is the goal of the Brit (or Any brit) that G-D is making with his people. The ultimate goal of G-D Britot (plural for Brit) is to have us in perfect fellowship with us. He does not want a barrier between us and him. In the final portion in V'yikrah 26 it states:

ט וּפָנִיתִי אֲלֵיכֶם--וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם, וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶתְכֶם; וַהֲקִימֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אִתְּכֶם. 9 And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you; and will establish my covenant with you. י וַאֲכַלְתֶּם יָשָׁן, נוֹשָׁן; וְיָשָׁן, מִפְּנֵי חָדָשׁ תּוֹצִיאוּ. 10 And ye shall eat old store long kept, and ye shall bring forth the old from before the new. יא וְנָתַתִּי מִשְׁכָּנִי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם; וְלֹא-תִגְעַל נַפְשִׁי, אֶתְכֶם. 11 And I will set my tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you. יב וְהִתְהַלַּכְתִּי, בְּתוֹכְכֶם, וְהָיִיתִי לָכֶם, לֵאלֹהִים; וְאַתֶּם, תִּהְיוּ-לִי לְעָם. 12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people.

Hashem wants our Brit with him to bring us to a place that he is walking among us, and also dwelling within us as the Hebrew suggests. The Mosaic covenant and the new covenant share the same goal, and are identical from this perspective!

The word in the Hebrew is חדשה Chadasha which means new, the question that we should ask ourselves has G-D goal and plan for his people, and for the salvation of the world has ever changed??? The answer is Heavens no (Chas V'chalilah!). G-D's covenant through his son Yeshua's is truly renewed because the Goal and the plan never changed! He wants us to be in perfect Harmony and fellowship with him at all time!

However, on the other side, the Covenant with Yeshua is also new at the same side:
The Goal of the covenant have not changed, but the process of getting to the face-to-face relationship with G-D has changed completely!!! We are not bound to blood of goats and bulls, but to the blood of Messiah!

We are now bound to a new covenant to a new process of getting our salvation. Notice that the process of living our lives, moral grounds, and so on stayed the same, and even been extended under the Law of Messiah. The Law of Messiah deals with Moral ground, but more importantly with the ideas that forgiveness is achieved through the blood of the Lamb. The Torah Implies in this week Parasha:

ט וּפָנִיתִי אֲלֵיכֶם--וְהִפְרֵיתִי אֶתְכֶם, וְהִרְבֵּיתִי אֶתְכֶם; וַהֲקִימֹתִי אֶת-בְּרִיתִי, אִתְּכֶם. 9 And I will have respect unto you, and make you fruitful, and multiply you; and will establish My covenant with you.

The word “Establish” means in the Hebrew to “Resurrect”, if something is resurrected, it means that it was dead at once, and now it is alive! The scripture is speaking about the resurrection that we are to have as soon as we walk into his Covenant.

It is time for us as a Messianic Believers to start to understand that we are truly under a new covenant, with an old goal. Being with our father and maker in a place of intimacy every day where he lives in us!

From Negah to Oneg

2009-04-24T21:13:00.003-05:00

So many of you know about the Joy of "Oneg Shabbat". It is a time were we delight after our Shabbat services, and eat a nice festive meal.

The word ענג literally translated to mean "delight", as we are to have a great delight in all that Hashem provided for us. It is very strange that the opposite of the word oneg if you reverse the letters is the word נגע (Negah) which means a plague.

The Torah portion this Shabbat deals with a spiritual skin-disease that turns to נגע Negah, in that instance the high priest takes the man out of the camp before the disease can spread out among the people.

Today, i would like to encourage us all to remember that just as נגע can be spread out (which brought about by the evil tongue or Lashon Hara) so is oneg or delight!!!

We tend to focus on spreading out נגע in the body of Messiah as most of our experiences evolve around that, but it is time to spend some time focusing on ענג as we can spread it out for the glory of Hashem.

Yeshua's words are:

"The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

May we choose to spread out Oneg (delight) over (Negah) plagues with our mouths.

Shabbat Shalom

The Big Picture

2009-04-04T21:02:00.003-05:00

Shalom Chaverim, and Chag Sameach (Happy Upcoming Holiday):

As we busy in preparation for Pesach at kehilat Ahavat Ammi (and there is so much to prepare) in the last few days, as we are getting ready to pesach, i asked myself the question of, how are we to observe Pesach, Shabbat, the holidays and feasts in the way that give Hashem honor.

It seems to be a repeating theme in the messianic movement that people are getting "caught up" in one detail, or another , yet they are missing the "big picture" of these appointed times.

The question is, what gives? Can we be in the 21st century in our current society in a place that we can live such a life of Tzadka that allow us not to make any compromises on our standards?

Before answering this complex question, let me state that that the concept of "Tzadka", is not a "black or white" question. Tzadka is a relative term. I would like to speak about Tzadka in three (3) relative concepts:

1. Earthly Tzadka Is relative and can be reached

ט אֵלֶּה, תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ--נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה, בְּדֹרֹתָיו: אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים, הִתְהַלֶּךְ-נֹחַ.
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and whole-hearted; Noah walked with God.

The idea of Tzadka, is realtive as Noach was a "Tzadik in this generation", the sages understood that since the generation was so wicked, it is as he was a full tzadik in the eye of Hashem

2. A complete Tzadka can never be gained

Rabbi Shaul Quoted from Kohelet 7 as it states:
כ כִּי אָדָם, אֵין צַדִּיק בָּאָרֶץ--אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה-טּוֹב, וְלֹא יֶחֱטָא.
20 For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Why would the Torah (and the brit Hachadash) would quote this verse? Aren't we all Tzadikim because of Yeshua? We cannot be a 'full Tzadikim' even if we try really hard. The only complete Tzadik is Yeshua.

3. The Torah stated "צדק צדק תרדפו" which means "Righoutsness Righoutness you shall persue". The Goal in the life of he believer is try his best level of "full tzadka", but he/she will never reach it.

These three important concepts are so important as we sometimes feel like we can live a full tzadka lives which is virtually impossible. Sadly, we start to define tzadka by a certain set of G-d laws that fit our lifestyles, and fit our idea of Tzadka, and this now become our new standards.

Is it really a Tzadka to "rest on the shabbat" (a mitzvah) but at the same time to break the "assembly of fellowship of believers" (Hebrews) which is also a Mitzvah.

Is it really a Tzadka not be join the body for Pesach (a mitzvah) in order to keep an unclear mitzvah of having somebody else work in Pesach?

I simply suggesting that in our society, some boundaries, and framework have to be put in place in order to pursue Tzadka that is not ours, and really belong to him. May we continue to pursue Yeshua's full tzadka, but may we do it with compassion, love, and the humility of our messiah.

Chag Sameach,

Messianic Rabbi
Tzahi Shapira

Keeping your Image

2009-03-20T15:22:00.003-05:00

Shalom Chaverim,

Recently, in one of my past flights home from the East Coast, I was sitting next to a christian man who asked to explain to him the meaning behind this verse in B'ereshit:

"26 And God said: 'Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth."

" וַיֹּאמֶר אֱלֹהִים, נַעֲשֶׂה אָדָם בְּצַלְמֵנוּ כִּדְמוּתֵנוּ; וְיִרְדּוּ בִדְגַת הַיָּם וּבְעוֹף הַשָּׁמַיִם, וּבַבְּהֵמָה וּבְכָל-הָאָרֶץ, וּבְכָל-הָרֶמֶשׂ, הָרֹמֵשׂ עַל-הָאָרֶץ. "

I would like to take this Shabbat a short break from the Torah portion for one week to discuss this verse. For us Messianic believers, the word "us" makes it clear that Yeshua was there with Hashem in the beginning. However, if the answer is so obvious, why do Jewish people do not see it this way? how do they interpert this verse?

We can all agree that Hashem is talking in Plurality, but who does he speaking to? the Plurality within this verse occurs three (3) times. As I was reading over all the Rabbinical literature that try to explain the verse the overall sense is that the Jewish scholars are at total loss on how to understand this verse.

Added by Moshe?

I was amazed to read that many of the modern 20th century rabbis thought that the words "our image" were added by Moshe to G-d Mitzvot. Eben Ezra has (Jewish Scholar) called this interpretation "Heartless".

Consult with who?

Rashi, and "Yalkot Chadash" in his Nitzachon addition also came up with a very strange explanation stating that Hashem "Consult" with the Malachim or angels.

Rabbi Abarbanel continues to try to find clever way around the verse by stating that Hashem has asked the "Adamah" or Land in English to help him in the creation of Man, therefore hashem stating "We will do man...." which man=ground/dirt.

Sign of Respect

Another explanation by Jewish scholars to Genesis 1:26 is the fact that the language of plurality was popular to show "Honor" and "Respect" just like old English. Unfortunately, Hebrew is much older language that does not follow the same line of thinking. The Plurality in Hebrew does not yield to a special sign of respect or honor.

Other Jewish Resources

The implications of the approach some of the approached above is that G-D did not had enough "power" to create man, and he needed help of another entity! This obviously an heartless understanding.

In the Book "Sefer Haytzirah" (book of creation), the Sages stated "Three, each one standing on his own" as related to G-d nature that are making one entity. This is the reason that everytime we see "plural" form, it is followed by a singular form for the verb. He is "echad", but also he has multiple parts to him.

Some examples that Hashem is appears in plurality includes:

Isaiah 54:5
Psalms 58:12
Joshua 24:19

The only answer to address the mystery of B'ereshit 1:26 is somebody that was part of Hashem, and have his authority, and was there prior to creation! The answer is of course Yeshua! May the LORD open the eyes of our people!

Shabbat Shalom

It is time to go to work!

2009-03-11T22:11:00.002-05:00

I often find myself puzzled by Messianic believers who believe that most important principal of the Shabbat is the idea that we are to "Rest" as "Hashem" has rested on the 7th day. However the narrow understanding of the Shabbat is missing the mark. We read this Shabbat:

טז וְשָׁמְרוּ בְנֵי-יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֶת-הַשַּׁבָּת, לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת-הַשַּׁבָּת לְדֹרֹתָם, בְּרִית עוֹלָם.
16 Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

The goal of the Shabbat is to be a "sign" that we recognize Hashem's sovereignty, majesty, and authority over our lives and the entire world as it is to remind us the time of creation when Hashem created Heavens and Earth. In many ways the Shabbat is a weekly reminder of the story of creation more than anything else!

Can a person recognize G-d's majesty, Lordship and power and still do "work" in Shabbat? The answer is absolutely yes!! It just depends what type of work they are doing.

There are two type of works in the Hebrew Language:

Avodah- Comes from the word "eved" or Slave in english
Melacha- Comes from the word "Melech" or King in english

Notice that these two words are the exact opposites yes they both called "work". Why is it that does not allow us to do "Melacha" on a Shabbat? yet there is not a single verse that say that we can't do Avodah on a Shabbat?

Avodah can potentially involved "getting tired" which means going through and overcoming some sort of challenge, while Melacha is "supernatural work" that belong to G-d almighty.

It appears like Melacha should be allowed, but since G-d is resting on the Shabbat, we are commanded to keep our eyes on the Melech, instead of doing the Melacha itself!

The Torah portion this week brings up the point that Hashem has filled B'tzalel (which means in the image of G-d) with his Holy spirit to do his Melacha, which means supernatural work that G-d is doing (from the word Mal-ach which means an angel)

ג וָאֲמַלֵּא אֹתוֹ, רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים, בְּחָכְמָה וּבִתְבוּנָה וּבְדַעַת, וּבְכָל-מְלָאכָה.
3 and I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship,

May we all be filled with the same spirit so that Hashem can not only use us to do Avodah (which means appointed task), but also his Melacha, just not on the Shabbat.

The Final Countdown might be starting in Purim!

2009-03-09T22:11:00.003-05:00

Shalom Chaverim, and Chag Purim Sameach

As some of you know, today we observe the holiday of Purim all over Israel as children dressed as Haman, Kings, Princesses, and much more. However, I will remember this Purim due to the fact that history tends to "repeat itself" as now it appears that Israel is heading into a conflict with Iran within the next 12 months.

It is funny how we read about Haman, and the evil Persian empire in the book of Esther, and literally a day before that the Iranian republic announce that they were able to lunch successful missile that can carry nuclear weapons for a long distance.

Amos Yedlen the Head of "AMAN" which is the Israeli special weapons division stated:

".....Iran crossed the technological barrier in making a nuclear bomb....it is a matter of time before Iran will have the bomb as they are gaining few hundred pounds of Uranium as they stall during the discussions with the western world......"

ידלין הוסיף כי "אירן חצתה את הסף הטכנולוגי, כך שהגעה ליכולת גרעינית צבאית היא עניין של התאמת האסטרטגיה ליעד של ייצור פצצה גרעינית. אירן מוסיפה לצבור מאות קילוגרמים של אורניום מועשר ברמה נמוכה ומקווה לנצל את ההידברות של המערב כדי להרוויח זמן הדרוש לה להתקדם ליכולת".

Things look bad right now as a conflict is just a matter of time, but the book of Ester gives me a great comfort and great hope to the future as we read:

טו וּמָרְדֳּכַי יָצָא מִלִּפְנֵי הַמֶּלֶךְ, בִּלְבוּשׁ מַלְכוּת תְּכֵלֶת וָחוּר, וַעֲטֶרֶת זָהָב גְּדוֹלָה, וְתַכְרִיךְ בּוּץ וְאַרְגָּמָן; וְהָעִיר שׁוּשָׁן, צָהֲלָה וְשָׂמֵחָה.

15 And Mordecai went forth from the presence of the king in royal apparel of blue and white, and with a great crown of gold, and with a rob of fine linen and purple; and the city of Shushan shouted and was glad.
טז לַיְּהוּדִים, הָיְתָה אוֹרָה וְשִׂמְחָה, וְשָׂשֹׂן, וִיקָר.

16 The Jews had light and gladness, and joy and honour.
יז וּבְכָל-מְדִינָה וּמְדִינָה וּבְכָל-עִיר וָעִיר, מְקוֹם אֲשֶׁר דְּבַר-הַמֶּלֶךְ וְדָתוֹ מַגִּיעַ, שִׂמְחָה וְשָׂשׂוֹן לַיְּהוּדִים, מִשְׁתֶּה וְיוֹם טוֹב; וְרַבִּים מֵעַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ, מִתְיַהֲדִים--כִּי-נָפַל פַּחַד-הַיְּהוּדִים, עֲלֵיהֶם.

17 And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had gladness and joy, a feast and a good day. And many from among the peoples of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews was fallen upon them.

At the end of the story, the people were saved by the action of Ester going before the king as Yeshua has gone before the father for us (the king of the world). It is took the Tzadka (of Mordechai), prayer, and fasting of the people to change the course of events. Yes our action, prayers, and thoughts are making a difference!!

Lastly, The Megilah state that:

14 For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then will relief and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place

The name of Hashem never mentioned in the Megilah once, but the help from "Another Place" suggests that Hashem always watches over his people, and this is the comfort and shalom that we should have in these unstable times!

Chag Samech!

It is all about the heart!

2009-03-07T19:55:00.002-06:00

This past Shabbat we read the words in Sh'mot 27:20:

כ וְאַתָּה תְּצַוֶּה אֶת-בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְיִקְחוּ אֵלֶיךָ שֶׁמֶן זַיִת זָךְ כָּתִית--לַמָּאוֹר: לְהַעֲלֹת נֵר, תָּמִיד.
20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring unto thee pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually.

The words תצוה (Tezaveh) usually translated as commandments, but what does it really mean? Well, actually it comes from the word צו (Tzav) which translated as a "official order" which usually related to an army activities such as drafts. G-d is drafting people to his army in this Torah portion, but listen to how Hashem's tone changes few verses later:

ג וְאַתָּה, תְּדַבֵּר אֶל-כָּל-חַכְמֵי-לֵב, אֲשֶׁר מִלֵּאתִיו, רוּחַ חָכְמָה; וְעָשׂוּ אֶת-בִּגְדֵי אַהֲרֹן, לְקַדְּשׁוֹ--לְכַהֲנוֹ-לִי.
3 And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise-hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they make Aaron's garments to sanctify him, that he may minister unto Me in the priest's office.

G-d is now telling Moshe not to command but rather to speak דבר (Daber) is the Hebrew wordin text. Do you realize that the 10 Commandments are actually called in Hebrew the 10 "words" and not the 10 commandments?

You might wonder, what is the significance, isn't words from Hashem and Commandments from Hashem are the same? Lets look more carefully at the text above:

The Hebrew term חכמי לב represent those who are wise to receive G-d's Lordship as a choice over their lives! They had a soft heart to receive Adonai's blessings, as a result of that, Hashem has filled them with רוח חכמה which is really the Holy spirit!!!

There are two last points to be made:

1. We learn something significant from this Torah portion, we all want to be filled with the Rauch Hakodesh, and have the Rauch Hakodesh in our being, but it is impossible to have the Rauch Hakodesh without making a choice to be חכם לב "wise in our hearts" to put G-d first in everything!

2. The Torah clearly states that:

ב וְעָשִׂיתָ בִגְדֵי-קֹדֶשׁ, לְאַהֲרֹן אָחִיךָ, לְכָבוֹד, וּלְתִפְאָרֶת.
2 And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother, for splendour and for beauty.

Who really benefited from the clothing of Aaron clothing? Was it Aaron? Was it G-d?

Not hardly, it was the skilled craftsman who sanctified Aaron through the Rauch Hakodesh from their work! It teaches us an important concept, we are to share the Rauch Hakodesh, and its gifting with others around us, it is not to be kept for ourselves.

Ask yourself the question today, do you share the gifts of the Rauch with others? or do you keep them for yourself. May we share the gifting with those who have the Rauch, and those who don't.

Shavuah Tov V'chag Sameach

Kosher Time

2009-03-01T15:24:00.003-06:00

We read in the Torah portion this Shabbat that Hashem has asked the people to bring specific items in order to build his Mishkan:

ד וּתְכֵלֶת וְאַרְגָּמָן וְתוֹלַעַת שָׁנִי, וְשֵׁשׁ וְעִזִּים.
4 and blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine linen, and goats' hair;

There is something quite puzzling about the verse above as G-d ask the people to bring תכלת to build the holy Mishkan! You might wonder, what so special about it?

The color תכלת (Techlet) represents a color that does not exist today since blue is incorrect translation. According to most modern scholars the color Techelet תכלת comes from an ancient sea creatures called a חילזון (Chilazon) or in english Murex Trunculus.

According to http://www.tekhelet.com/ and most ultra-orthodox groups, the same Techlet that we are commanded to put in our T'zizit can be extracted from this sea snail. The amazing thing about this verse is due to the fact that a chilazon is non-kosher animal, yet G-d is asking them to bring it to the buildout of the Mishkan!!

As a matter of fact, along side the Yam Hatichon (Midetteranian sea) they have found many Chilazons up to this day, and in the desert they have found many fossils of these amazing Chilazons who produce (their extract) is techelet.

We really need to look above the "Pashat" (the text) to understand Hashem Kavanha (Intention). Hashem is stating to his people that he decides what is kosher and holy and what is not (Compare to Matthew 15), and he can take an "unkosher" animal and use it for a "Kosher" usage. It is great reminder for me that all things are made for Adonai and by Adonai.

Shavuah Tov and may we all be Kosher for him!

Rabbi Shapira

Broochim Habahim ברוכים הבאים Beshem Adonai

2009-02-15T23:38:00.003-06:00

Shalom Chaverim and Broochim Habahim ברוכים הבאים to Ahavat Ammi's virtual Biet Midrash (Torah Notes Blog):

A weekly Torah portion commentary will be posted on this website along with a forum that will allow me to address questions, and discussions as related to the Messianic Movement.

So to get things moving forward, go ahead and sign up to my blog, and don't be a lurker (a person who follow blogs and never participates). In the near future, there will be great audio and video contents that will be added to this website.

Signing up, and getting auto feeds is a great way to get the lessons straight into your inbox.

I want to stop for a moment and explain the meaning to the word ברוך (Baruch) in Hebrew as my first blog entry. In many cases we feel that the meaning of the word ברוך comes from the word ברכה which means "blessings" as we are blessing his name. However, the root letters are "Bet-Reysh-Chaf" which come from the hebrew word ברך actually means "knee".

In principle, the idea of "blessings" Hashem comes directly from the idea of kneeling in front of him and submitting our lives to him. When we say "Baruch Haba" we should mean, "our homes are first of all your home". Firstly we submitting our household to him which is the idea of Bikorim (first fruits). When Yeshua stated:

"...For I tell you, you will not see me again until you say, 'Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord...."

38 הִנֵּה בֵיתְכֶם יֵעָזֵב לָכֶם שָׁמֵם׃ 39 כִּי אֲנִי אֹמֵר לָכֶם מֵעַתָּה לֹא תִרְאוּנִי עַד אֲשֶׁר תֹּאמְרוּ בָּרוּך הַבָּא בְּשֵׁם־יְהוָֹה׃

Yeshua stating that Israel will not see him as they will stop sharing their "house" with other "Adonim" or lords, until they say "Baruch" which mean submitting to him as part of Hashem without compromising Adonai.

What about you? Are you submitting your household to Hashem by saying "Baruch Haba"? May we all learn the true meaning of "Baruch Haba" as one day "every Berech (knee) shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Yeshua he is Adon"

May we learn to say today, in our lives, relationships, and kehilot welcome in the name of Adonai!

ברוך הבא בשם ה

Shavoah Tov