Digging with Darren » Current Events

Temple Update: Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone Blueprints Revealed

Darren — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 14:09:11 +0000

Aerial view of the Chamber of the Hewn Stone

Recently, the Temple Institute released the blueprints for the Chamber of the Hewn Stone (the Lishkat haGazit, in Hebrew), the area of the Temple complex in which the Sanhedrin would convene. This is very exciting to see, and makes the possibility of the Holy Temple’s rebuilding somewhat tangible. Even more so is the computer-generated, virtual “fly-through” that they have created as well. You can really visualize what it might be like.

If you’re not familiar with the Chamber of Hewn Stone, it probably because there’s not a great deal of information circulating about it. This chamber was used by the Sanhedrin for judgement. They would hear cases and deliberate upon them in this area.

When Israel became occupied by foreign powers, the Sanhedrin removed themselves from this location as an act of protest, since their power was essentially stripped from them (particularly in the area of capital cases). Although I had thought it took place much earlier, the Jewish Time Line Encyclopedia (p.93) says this took place in 29 C.E.

Some have claimed that this would have been where Jesus would have been taken and tried upon his arrest. However, there are several problems with this assumption, two of which are 1) The Sanhedrin could not try capital cases at night (Sanhedrin 35a-b), and 2) he was not tried by the Sanhedrin proper. He was sentenced before a kangaroo court, which did not legally have the authority to any sentence at all.

Also interesting is the fact that of all of the parts of the Holy Temple which they could have been the initial focus, the Chamber of the Hewn Stone was chosen. Why? According to the Temple Institute,

The Sanhedrin Chamber of Hewn Stone is but a single chamber in the northern wall of the Holy Temple. It was chosen as the initial focus of the blueprint project, not because of its architectural significance, per se, but because of its overwhelming spiritual significance to the world. The seventy elders of the Sanhedrin have been vested with the authority of the seventy elders whom G-d commanded Moshe to appoint in the desert…

These elders are not only judges, but also teachers who task is to ensure that “for out of Zion shall the Torah come forth, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 2:3).

But could this also be a dual fulfillment of prophecy? Psalm 118:22 says:

“This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.”

We know this is in fulfillment of Jesus, the Messiah. However, could it also be connected to the Chamber of Hewn Stone, the literal “stone” which was once rejected now becoming the “cornerstone” of the rebuilding of the House of God? Just a thought…Similar Posts:

Israelites found in Ancient Egypt

Darren — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 15:05:36 +0000

For a long time, archaeologists and biblical minimalists have renounced the idea of an Israelite captivity in Egypt corresponding to the biblical record of the Exodus. Today, evidence has been published to the contrary. Manfred Bietak, director of the Institute of Egyptology at the University of Vienna and of the Austrian Archaeological Institute in Cairo, has published an article in the Biblical Archaeology Review (BAR) citing several evidences of the existence of ancient Israelite slaves in Egypt.

Although he draws on a number of sources, Bietak’s impetus was the recent unearthing of Israelite-style four-room homes found among Medinet Habu, opposite Luxor in Egypt near the remains of the temple of Ay and Horemheb. He compares these homes to the many which have been found in excavations in the land of Israel, and notes the distinct similarities of pattern & function, making a clear point to say they are not Egyptian at all in design.

This is an important discovery by which archaeology begins corroborating the evidences of the biblical record yet again. And although the timeline doesn’t seem to entirely match, this is a great moment for those anyone who both appreciates the science of archaeology, but holds to the authority of the biblical record.

Read the very detailed article here.

Update:

In 2009 there was evidence found in Egypt of the biblical Joseph. The coins contained both Joseph’s Hebrew and Egyptian name, along with an image of a cow to represent Pharaoh’s dream. You can read about it here and here.Similar Posts:

Police find 2nd Temple-era coins, jugs during arms raid

Darren — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 00:10:18 +0000

Jerusalem Post reports the following:

Police officers stumbled on a large stash of jugs and coins dating back from the Second Temple era in the Galilee village of Mazara on Thursday, during an arms raid.

The archeological finds were kept in a yard belonging to family suspected by police of keeping arms.

After finding the artifacts, a representative of the Israel Antiquities Authority was called out to the scene, and he dated the findings to the Second Temple period.

Read the full report here.

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Justified By Love?

Darren — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:28:28 +0000

I recently read an interview with Christian artist, singer, songwriter Jennifer Knapp in which she not only announced her comeback to her music career after a seven year hiatus, but that she’s “come out of the closet” as a lesbian who has been in a same-sex relationship for the last eight years. This may come as a shock to Christian music fans, but this news is actually a few months old and is all over the internet.

I am not writing this post to condemn Knapp or spread lashon hara or to gay bash. The reason for this post is to show how traditional Christian interpretation of the Bible can be used to justify any sin, behavior or lifestyle. The traditional Christian perspective on the Bible and its focus on grace being opposed to the Law has provided the ammunition for tens of thousands of people around the globe to justify sinful lifestyles (not in the least bit limited to homosexuality).

Over the last decade I’ve heard of many Christian musicians “coming out of the closet,” (many of which hit you out of nowhere), many scandalous lifestyles, many countless adulterous relationships, divorce, drug addictions, etc. Why should one more be newsworthy? The reason Knapp’s confession makes the top of my news is because she was honest. What do I mean by that? Let’s listen to her own words.

Have you ever felt like you had to choose between your faith or your gay feelings?

Knapp: Yes. Absolutely.

Because you felt they were incompatible?

Knapp: Well, everyone around me made it absolutely clear that this is not an option for me, to invest in this other person—and for me to choose to do so would be a denial of my faith.

What about what Scripture says on the topic?

Knapp: The Bible has literally saved my life. I find myself between a rock and a hard place—between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the “clobber verses” to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics, and various other Scriptures we could argue about. I’m not capable of getting into the theological argument as to whether or not we should or shouldn’t allow homosexuals within our church. There’s a spirit that overrides that for me, and what I’ve been gravitating to in Christ and why I became a Christian in the first place.[1.This interview with Jennifer knapp can be found on the Christianity Today website: http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/music/interviews/2010/jenniferknapp-apr10.html]

Notice her reference to Torah (the Law given to Moses):

“I find myself between a rock and a hard place—between the conservative evangelical who uses what most people refer to as the “clobber verses” to refer to this loving relationship as an abomination, while they’re eating shellfish and wearing clothes of five different fabrics.”

This is where she’s completely honest. If I were to put it in more plain terms, she’s saying, “If you can pick and choose what you want to obey in the Bible, so can I.” There it is. Hypocrisy in full swing. Unfortunately, the Evangelical Church has so much demonized the Hebrew Scriptures and their application to the Believer, that we no longer have a moral compass by which we are directed. We have reverted back to the days of the Judges in which “every man did right in his own eyes.”

What Jennifer Knapp is saying here is the truth of the matter. If we can justify living lives contrary to the directives of Hebrew Scriptures, saying that they are no longer authoritative, why should the New Testament Scriptures be any different? The Hebrew Scriptures were valid for the world for around two thousand years until Christianity decided they were no longer valid. Now the Christian Scriptures have had their fair shake for the last two thousand. Why should they be relevant any longer either? If God can abrogate his Word once, why can’t He do it again?

What makes a Christian any different from a “moral pagan” these days other than a creed? This is why Torah is invaluable, and the missing component in our walk of faith. If we want to stop justifying our sins, and truly become the people of God by which the Scriptures speak, we need to wake up and smell the coffee and allow the whole of Scripture to inform our life of faith.

Thoughts?Similar Posts:

Identity Theft Arrest Related to Dead Sea Scrolls Dispute

Darren — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 02:54:39 +0000

If you’re not familiar with the saga surrounding the discovery, acquisition, translation and subsequent publications of the Dead Sea Scrolls, you don’t have enough excitement in your life. For the latest criminal investigations involving a major case of lashon hara, read up on the latest article from the New York Times in which a debate regarding the identity of the Qumran community ends up in an arrest for identity theft.Similar Posts:

Jewish Resurrected Messiah Text Causing Buzz

Darren — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 11:23:42 +0000

The New York Times published an article today that already has sparks flying on the internet. It is entitled, “Tablet Ignites Debate on Messiah and Resurrection.” It is a follow-up on an earlier article posted a year ago last April by Haaretz, called “In three days, you shall live.”

The basic premise is that of a Jewish tradition, predating Christianity which has the Messiah dying and resurrecting after three days, as a necessity of his messiahship. Israel Knohl, a professor from the Hebrew University, has been the main voice in this, because it appears to validate what he had already discovered in his studies of the Dead Sea Scroll manuscripts. In 2002, he published a book of his findings called, “The Messiah before Jesus: The Suffering Servant of the Dead Sea Scrolls” which explains his findings (and if anyone wants to get me a copy, I won’t complain).

Knohl takes the references of a Suffering (or Slain) Messiah (Mashiach ben Yosef) found in the Talmud (starting in Sukkah 52a), along with the DSS manuscripts to build a case for a first century expectation for a resurrected messiah. However, with the find of the Gabriel Tablet (the main focus of the two previous articles), Knohl has a very substantial text from the period just prior to the time of Yeshua to back his theory.

Be sure to read both articles, and pick up the book if you have a chance. This is some very interesting information that could prove very valuable in the near future.Similar Posts:

Judgment Has Begun

Darren — Thu, 01 Sep 2005 14:14:00 +0000

I’m not a prophet, nor do I claim to have prophetic insight. I don’t study eschatology. I don’t focus on apocalyptic literature. It’s been years since I have read the Revelation of John. However, over the last few months, especially the last few weeks, there have been more world events to trigger biblical references than all the events combined that I can remember in my lifetime. Judgement is being meted out and the earth is groaning for her Maker’s return.

In the latest of catastrophic global events is Baghdad’s massive trampling of nearly a thousand Iraqis during a pilgrimage to an Islamic shrine. As the one million Shiites were walking across a bridge, someone in the crowd started screaming that there was a suicide bomber among them. Immediately, panic gripped the masses and a stampede broke out which ultimately ending in the trampling of the slower and weaker Iraqis. Many people even dove from the bridges to their death. It is thought that this was the strategy of a Sunni terrorist, a rival Muslim sect of which Saddam Hussein belongs.

Judgment has begun to come upon those who would seek to destroy the children of Hashem.Similar Posts:

The Real War

Darren — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 13:44:00 +0000

I just wanted to make mention of the “real” war that is fought day in and day out–the battles that are lost and the ground that is taken each and every day without so much of a mention. It is a war in which we all contribute to each and every day. Only, we support the enemy by giving it ammunition and killing our own through friendly fire.

What ware am I talking about? It’s the war of propaganda. Propaganda for what? You name it. From sympathy towards the terrorist organization of Islam to the pharmaceutical mofia. We are all being lured into their hypnotism and churned into drones for the mass distribution of lethal propaganda that sucks the very life from us. The media is geared to present Islam as a viable religion superior to Judaism or Christianity but with a very small fraction who are prone to terrorism. The pharmaceutical companies are using the media to poison the minds of the masses into paranoia and conditioning us to have a “need” for their mind-altering drugs. What is more is that they have the doctors in their back pockets by giving them commission bonuses for the number of drug perscriptions they write per month. Do you think this helps doctors to be objective in their perscriptions when writing just a few more perscriptions will ensure literally tens of thousands of dollars PER MONTH continue to flow into their personal bank accounts? Our minds are being poisoned from side of the spectrum to the other and we do nothing. We accept it, drink it, swallow it.

What will you do? How will you respond? What propaganda have you swallowed? How will you now respond?Similar Posts:

ISLAM = TERRORISM

Darren — Mon, 22 Aug 2005 22:37:00 +0000

It’s a fact that can’t be denied. However, if you say it on the job you can be fired. Just ask Michael Graham of WMAL radio in Washington D.C. who was let go just hours after making the comment on air. ABC / Disney was backed into a corner moments after his comments (which were even Pro-islam in their original context) which led to his release. Read the story here. And if you want to see how the muslims responded, sending out a massive message to its massive hord, you can read it here.

The fact remains:

ISLAM = TERRORISM & PAGAN RELIGIONSimilar Posts:

A VERY SAD DAY

Darren — Wed, 17 Aug 2005 13:56:00 +0000

It’s a very sad day in the world. Families are being removed one by one from the Gaza and West Bank areas of the Holy Land. They are being torn away from the Land which Hashem has promised them, and by their own people. Although there has been little actual violence, there has still been some. One woman even set herself on fire in order to resist. Please pray for the People of Destiny. Today a very sad day indeed.

The rabbis are asking all who would pray with and for Israel to pray Psalm 20 and Psalm 91 during these difficult times, especially today. I have them printed here for your convenience.

Psalm 20
For the Leader. A Psalm of David.
The LORD answer thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob set thee up on high;
Send forth thy help from the sanctuary, and support thee out of Zion;
Receive the memorial of all thy meal-offerings, and accept the fat of thy burnt-sacrifice; Selah
Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel.
We will shout for joy in thy victory, and in the name of our God we will set up our standards; the LORD fulfil all thy petitions.
Now know I that the LORD saveth His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the mighty acts of His saving right hand.
Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; but we will make mention of the name of the LORD our God.
They are bowed down and fallen; but we are risen, and stand upright.
Save, LORD; let the King answer us in the day that we call.

Psalm 91
O thou that dwellest in the covert of the Most High, and abidest in the shadow of the Almighty;
I will say of the LORD, who is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust,
That He will deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence.
He will cover thee with His pinions, and under His wings shalt thou take refuge; His truth is a shield and a buckler.
Thou shalt not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flieth by day;
Of the pestilence that walketh in darkness, nor of the destruction that wasteth at noonday.
A thousand may fall at Thy side, and ten thousand at Thy right hand; it shall not come nigh thee.
Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold, and see the recompense of the wicked.
For thou hast made the LORD who is my refuge, even the Most High, thy habitation.
There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy tent.
For He will give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.
They shall bear thee upon their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.
Thou shalt tread upon the lion and asp; the young lion and the serpent shalt thou trample under feet.
‘Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him; I will set him on high, because he hath known My name.
He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him, and bring him to honour.
With long life will I satisfy him, and make Him to behold My salvation.’Similar Posts:

Disengagement In Full Swing

Darren — Mon, 15 Aug 2005 13:29:00 +0000

As of late last night (according to North American time) the Israeli Disengagement began to be in full swing. Already, there have been numerous events transpire from violence, to looting by IDF soldiers, to soldiers melting to tears beneath the psychological burden. Although yesterday was Tisha b’Av, today will be remembered for a very long time as a scar in Israeli history. Already, the Muslims are planning victory marches, and are determined to place an approximated 60,000 flags of victory and demarkation within the evacuated cities. They are also planning on opening fire on fleeing Israelis in order to make it look like their acts of violence are supreme.

Read a very moving article submitted by the AP to Israel Insider HERE.

Please weep and pray with Israel in the days ahead.Similar Posts:

Iran Breaks First Seal

Darren — Wed, 10 Aug 2005 19:57:00 +0000

Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say, as with a voice of thunder, “Come!” And I saw, and behold, a white horse, and its rider had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer. —REVELATION 6:1-2

Iran has recently broken the seals applied by the UN in order to “test” atomic equipment. Has Iran broken the first of the seven seals depicted in the Revelation of John? Does this mark Babylon’s signal for “conquering and to conquer”?Similar Posts:

Sanhedrin Elects Nasi

Darren — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 13:08:00 +0000

Over the past few weeks there have been new developments with the re-established Sanhedrin. The newest event was the election of Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz as the Nasi, or President. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Steinsaltz, he is a Kabbalist rabbi who is also a prolific author, publishing approximately fifty-eight works to date. These include such works as:

The Thirteen Petalled Rose

The Essential Talmud

We Jews : Who Are We and What Should We Do

The Steinsaltz Talmud (his most noted, ongoing achievement)

Rabbi Steinsaltz also founded the Israel Institute for Talmudic Publications. Newsweek Magazine is quoted as saying:

“Jewish lore is filled with tales of formidable rabbis. Probably none living today can compare in genius and influence to Adin Steinsaltz, whose extraordinary gifts as scholar, teacher, scientist, writer, mystic and social critic have attracted disciples from all factions of Israeli society.”

Subsequent postings will detail events as they progress.Similar Posts:

Truths and Lies

Darren — Fri, 03 Jun 2005 20:14:00 +0000

I recently received a Torah Resource newsletter from Tim Hegg (FFOZ) which addresses two issues of particular interest in a section entitled “Urban Myths.”

Tim Hegg vs. Nehemia Gordon

Nehemiah Gordan

The Hebrew Yeshua vs. The Greek Jesus

Hegg’s website

“Indiana” Jones Hoax

Vendyl “Indiana” Jones

Hamas Hate Retoric

Darren — Wed, 25 May 2005 15:28:00 +0000

In response to an article from the Israel National News, sent to me by the Lekarev Report, I sent this email to President George W. Bush, and urge all others to do the same. The reason a letter is necessary is because President Bush is to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas either today or tomorrow. Here is the request from the Lekarev Report, along with my email. Feel free to copy the email directly and send it for yourself to the Whitehouse.

From the Lekarev Report:

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is scheduled to meet President Bush tomorrow. I am urging every American subscriber to email the White House TODAY about this inflamatory preaching that is being continued live on Palestinian Authority television and demand that President Bush confront Abbas about this issue in their meeting tomorrow. His threats are against the United States as well as Israel and Britain and should not be taken lightly.

Email the White House at president@whitehouse.gov

Letter to the President

Dear Mr. President,

I know you are about to meet with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. Before your meeting I would like to remind you that although Mr. Abbas represents a large number of voices in the Arab world, his integrity is suspect and your trust in him should be held at arms length. Here is a quote taken from a recent LIVE television broadcast on PALESTINIAN TELEVISION from Hamas cleric, Sheikh Ibrahim Mudeiras:

“The day will come when we will rule the United States, the day will come when we will rule Britain, we will rule the whole world [and all will live in peace and comfort under our rule] except the Jews. The Jews will not live in peace and comfort under our rule. Treachery will keep being their nature throughout history. The day will come when the whole world will rid itself of the Jews.”

Is this the type of peace that Mr. Abbas is bringing to the table? If the “Peace” in his mind is equivalent to what he is allowing Mr. Mudeiras to propagate, this equates to the hostile overthrow of both the United States and Britain, as well as the genocide of the Jews — a second Holocaust. Is this the “Peace” that Mr. Abbas desires?

I request that in your meeting with Mr. Abbas, that you demand that Mr. Mudeiras be banned from Palestinian Television, and a verbal castigation from Mr. Abbas be broadcast on both Palestinian Television and Radio in order to not only make a public example of Mr. Mudeiras, but to show Mr. Abbas’ allegiance to TRUE Peace in the Middle East.

Thank you for taking the time to hear my concerns. My the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob bless you and strengthen your right hand as you work towards a solution for true peace.

Blessings,
-Darren Huckey

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