Wit vs. Witness
“When I was young, I admired clever people. Now that I am old, I admire kind people.”
— Abraham Joshua Heschel
Currently Browsing: Miscellaneous
Jan 18, 2011
Jan 14, 2011
Rabbi Joseph Telushkin: The Rebbe’s Example
A wonderful video of Rabbi Telushkin, author of many books including A Code of Jewish Ethics, Volumes I & II. In this video, Telushkin brings out an important characteristic in the Lubavitcher Rebbe, the most important characteristic of a great leader: humility. He then relates this back to Moses, and the reasons why he was such a great leader. This is an excellent resource I will watch many times.
Jan 6, 2011
Celebrate Tu Bishvat!
What do wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, honey and/or dates and this month have in common? Two weeks from today is a minor holiday called Tu Bishvat. Tu Bishvat means the 15th (ו + ט) of the Hebrew month of Shevat. A few years ago our family started celebrating Tu Bishvat, and it has been a unique and fun time for the family to remember the provision of Hashem in our lives, as well as to do something for Him in a practical way.
So, you don’t understand Tu Bishvat and are not sure why you should celebrate it? First Fruits of Zion has just released two new resources to help believers both understand and celebrate this yearly event in a meaningful way, fully centered on Messiah Yeshua.
Since the second Temple, Tu Bishvat is a day that has been designated to demarcate time in regard to how the tithe from the produce of trees was given (I won’t go into the details now, but it is an interesting study). Since the destruction of the Holy Temple, this date has lost much of its significance. However, during the Middle Ages there was a resurgence which made the celebration of Tu Bishvat once again significant and meaningful. Once again, this date is being restored, but to believers.
PLANT, FFOZ’s first booklet, is designed to help you learn:
- that the fifteenth of Shevat (Tu Bishvat) was recognized in Temple times as an important day in Temple worship
- that Yeshua was aware of this day, and perhaps even taught about it
- the evolving history of its observance post-Temple
- activities and ideas about how to celebrate Tu Bishvat
- stories and encouraging testimonies from believers in the land of Israel about modern observances
BLOOM is a Tu Bishvat Haggadah, similar to a Passover Haggadah, which will walk you through enjoying a Tu Bishvat seder in your home with family and friends. It is the most recent addition to the Vine of David “branch” of FFOZ.
BLOOM is inspired by the story of the early pioneers of the modern State of Israel. This seder reflects upon the dreams of a Jewish national homeland in the Promised Land throughout the centuries and its culmination with Zionism in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Bloom is simple and not deeply mystical. It focuses the modern return of the Jewish people to their land as a part of the broader plan of world redemption.
Contemplate our Master Yeshua’s heart of thankfulness for the land and his lament as he perceived its destruction. Share in the vision of the Messianic Jewish luminaries who longed to see that hope restored in the State of Israel, the “beginning of the sprouting of our redemption.”
Since all of the observances related to Temple worship are not currently in effect, modern Tu Bishvat has observances similar to Arbor Day in which trees are planted in Israel, often in memory of a loved one. This year, we have a special goal. We want to send the funds to Israel to plant a sapling in the name of our unborn child we recently lost. Maybe you have a similar situation and would like to remember a loved one. The Jewish National Fund is a great place to accomplish this.
Tu Bishvat for 2011 is Thursday, January 20th
If you’ve never experienced Tu Bishvat, this year can be your first. Don’t delay. Order these resources today so that you will have them in time for your seder. Experience something unique and special with your family while making a difference in the world.
Oct 4, 2010
Taking the Jewish Jesus to Church
Last night I had a wonderful opportunity to speak to a church in Little Rock. It’s a new home-style church, filled with a young, diverse, and forward-thinking individuals and families bent on making a difference in central Arkansas. The pastor is a friend and former employee of mine who has been around me long enough to know that understanding the Jewish Jesus is not just a hobby of mine, but a passion.
About a month ago, they started a three-month study on Jesus. They began the first week looking at the incarnation. The second week they discussed the social and political climate around the first century, setting the stage for the coming of Jesus. The third week they looked at God’s interaction with man throughout the Hebrew Scriptures (the Garden, Abraham, Sinai, etc.). They asked me to speak on week #4 regarding the Jewishness of Jesus, and how that should affect the life of every Believer. I think it took me 0.02 seconds to agree. :-)
So… last night was the big night and I thoroughly enjoyed it. They gave me total freedom and I held no punches. There was good interaction and there seemed to be positive response. In a nutshell this is what I shared:
Introduction
When asked who Jesus was, people mostly speak in terms of his divinity. However, this misses the mark completely to be able to look at his earthly mission, and blinds us as to our relationship of discipleship with our rabbi.
His Heritage
I spoke of his Jewish genealogy and his parents’ Torah observance as evidenced through the Gospels. I also brought up his speaking Hebrew (and Aramaic & possibly Greek) to illustrate why we often miss his Hebraic message when it is disguised in Greek.
His Name
I related how his original Hebrew name (& Aramaic counterpart) actually had meaning (unlike the transliterated “Jesus”) and pointed to his mission.
His Education
I spoke about how the Gospels really don’t give us much information as to his education, but yet it does give us a clue. When Jesus was in discussion with the sages at the ripe old age of 12, we can know within a reasonable amount of certainty that his educational path was somewhat similar to that laid down in the Mishnah (Avot 5:25) for Jewish boys. I emphasized that his Bible was the Tanach, and that his worldview was through the lens of Torah.
His Worship
I emphasized that his life was a life of prayer and study, and it included spending Sabbaths in the synagogues and the Holy Days in the Temple. His worship included obedience to the Torah, and it was evident in every area of his life, including the way he dressed.
His Message
I focused on his Kingdom message (and breaking it down) and why it was so important for us to understand this as believers. I also spoke on how he was constantly upholding the Torah, pointing people back to the Torah, properly interpreting Torah and returning the foundation of the commandments to love.
Summary
My summary statement was as follows:
Jesus was not a token Jew, or a Jew by default. He was THE Jew who loved the Torah of his Father and lived it out perfectly through the power of the Holy Spirit (rather than his divinity), modeling a life of righteous for his people.
Thanks, Eikon, for the opportunity.
Sep 22, 2010
Back to School!
This Fall means more than just the children getting back to school. So am I!
After being out of school for 16 years, I just enrolled last week into an accredited, Hebrew-roots college (which I will tell more about later). Even after going to college for over 4 years back in the day, I never never graduated. My recent enrollment will help me finish up my Bachelor’s, and then move immediately into their Master’s program. Then, b’ezrat Hashem (LORD-willing), I will go straight into their Doctorate program.
So… with a more regimented schedule, and a full plate studies, I hope to post more regularly on the things that are swirling around in my little head. In the meantime, I wish everyone a Chag Sameach (“joyous festival”) for Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)! Many blessings to you all!
