Tzitzit, Tekhelet, and the Original Hebrew Matthew

As many of you know, I have started work on a codification of Nazarene Halacha comparable to the Shulchan Aruch or the Mishneh Torah in Rabbinic Judaism. I am also working on the Scripture Restoration Project to restore the original Hebrew behind the books of the so-called “New Testament”.

Today, while working on the halacha concerning Tzitzit, it became clear that these two projects interconnect more than I ever realized.

In the standard “King James Version” of Matthew 23:5 Yeshua criticizes those who “enlarge the borders of their garments” in order to “to be seen of men”. This is an important element of Tzitzit halacha for Nazarene Judaism, and I wanted to know what this phrase actually said the original Hebrew.

In the DuTillet Hebrew version of Matthew this reads:

וגדילו כנפות כסויותיהם

Literally “and enlarge the corners of their mantles” (In Num. 15:38 we are told to place the tzitzit on the “corners” of our garments.)

The Shem Tob Hebrew version of Matthew has:

ולובשים מלבושים יקרים וציציות

Literally “And they wear expensive clothes and Tzittzit”

As you can tell, there is zero relationship between these two readings.

But what is really interesting is how this passage reads in the Aramaic (both the Old Syriac and Peshitta:

ומורכין תכלתא דמרטוטיהון

Literally “And they lengthen the tekhelet of their mantles”

This is a very interesting reading, and especially interesting that it is attested to by both the Old Syriac and the Peshitta Aramaic versions of Matthew.

In Number 15:38 we are commanded to “put with the tzitzit of each corner a thread of tekhelet”. Although the word tekhlet is often translated “blue” it is actually the name of a specific dye.

If this Aramaic reading is correct, it would mean that the practice Yeshua was condemning was not the wearing of longer than normal Tzitzit, but the practice of making the tekhelet threads of the tzitzit substantially longer than the others. Of course either practice would be wrong if done to “be seen of men”, but Yeshua seems to be referring to an actual practice that was taking place in the first century, and that practice may not have been wearing excessively long Tzitzit, but of wearing tekhelet threads longer than the others. This would make sense, because in ancient times this dye was very expensive, and clothes dyed with it were expensive, and indicated nobility. This could also explain the origin of Shem Tob’s reading “And they wear expensive clothes and Tzittzit”. And an unexpected reading like tekhelet, might have caused a scribe to “repair” the passage with a word like “corners”, as we read in DuTillet.

– James Scott Trimm

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The Book of Enoch and Natural Law

The Book of Enoch and Natural Law
By
James Scott Trimm

We read in the Book of Enoch:

2:1 Consider you all his doings of the heavens, how they do not change their orbits, and the luminaries which are in the heaven, how in the stations of their lights, that all rise and set in order, each in its season, and transgress not against their appointed order.
2:2 Behold you the earth, and give heed to its works from first to last, how steadfast they are, how none of these things change, and everything appears to you.
2:3. Behold the signs of summer and clouds and dew and the winter, how the whole earth is filled with water, and clouds pour down rain.
3:1 Observe and see how [in the winter] all the trees wither and shed all their leaves, except four-teen trees, which do not lose their foliage but retain the old foliage until two to three years pass.
4:1 And again, observe you the days of summer how the sun burns and glows. And you seek shade and shelter before it on the burning earth; and so you cannot tread on the earth, or on a rock by reason of the heat.
5:1 Observe you all the trees cover themselves, on all of them their leaves grow green, and all their fruit is brought forth in glorious pride. Praise you, and give you heed and know with regard to all these works, and recognize how He that lives for ever has created all these.
5:2 Year to year all His works go on thus for ever, but they do all His word.
5:3 Observe how the seas and rivers together fulfill and do not change their doings by abandoning His word.
5:4 But you have changed your works and have not done the commandments of YHWH, but you sin against him with great and hard words with your impure mouths against His greatness, Oh, you hard-hearted, you shall find no shalom .
5:5 Therefore shall you curse your days, and the years of your life shall perish, and the years of your destruction shall be multiplied in an everlasting curse, and you shall find no mercy.
(1Enoch 2:1-5:5)

Enoch is expressing the concept of Natural Law. As Paul writes to the Romans:

13 For the hearers of the Torah are not righteous before Eloah, but the doers of the Torah are justified.
14 For if the Goyim (whom the Torah is not to), from their nature do [acts] of the Torah, (while the Torah is not to them), to their nefeshot [there] is a Torah.
15 And they show the work of the Torah, as it is written upon their heart, and their conscience bears witness concerning them, as their own reasoning [will] rebuke or defend one another,
16 In the day that Eloah judges the secret things of the sons of men, according to my Good News, by the hand of Yeshua the Messiah
(Rom. 2:13-16 HRV)

Now especially within Torah Observant circles we have wrestled with what Paul is really saying here. Recently while studying the writings of the first Century Jew Philo of Alexandria, I discovered the answer to what Paul is actually expressing here.

Philo of Alexandria taught the concept of Natural Law. Philo taught that the universe is an effect that must have a cause, i.e. a Creator, and that this Creator has a preference for order as opposed to chaos, as expressed by the order of the universe itself. Philo taught that implicit to the order of the universe.

And his [Moses’] exordium, as I have already said, is most admirable; embracing the creation of the world, under the idea that the law corresponds to the world and the world to the law, and that a man who is obedient to the law, being, by so doing, a citizen of the world, arranges his actions with reference to the intention of nature, in harmony with which the whole universal world is regulated.
(On Creation 3)

And:

…the man who adhered to these laws, and clung closely to a connection with and obedience to nature, would live in a manner corresponding to the arrangement of the universe with a perfect harmony and union, between his words and his actions and between his actions and his words.
(On the Life of Moses 2, 48)

To Philo, the Torah of Moses is identical with the Natural Law which is revealed in the very order of the universe which is the Creator’s work. Paul speaks of this very principle earlier in Romans when he writes:

17 For the righteousness of Eloah is revealed in it, from Trust to Trust; as it is written, The righteous will live by trust. (Hab. 2:4)
18 For the wrath of Eloah is revealed from heaven, upon all the iniquity and the wickedness of men–those who hold the truth in iniquity,
19 Because the knowledge of Eloah is revealed among them, for Eloah revealed it among them.
20 For the hidden things of Eloah, from the foundations of the world, by His creations; by [His] wisdom, were made evident and power, and Godhead, which is eternal: that they might be without excuse. (See Wisdom 13:1, 5, 8)
21 Because they knew Eloah, and they did not glorify Him as Eloah, and give thanks to Him: but were made vain in their reasoning, and their heart was darkened, without understanding.
22 And while they were thinking in their nefeshot that they were wise, they were fools.
23 And they changed the glory of the incorruptible Eloah, into the likeness of the image of a son of man: who is corruptible, and into the likeness of birds, and of four-footed [animals], and of creeping things of the earth. (See Wisdom 11:15; 12:24-27; 13:10; 14:8)
24 Because of this, Eloah released them, to the defiled lust of their heart: that they might dishonor their bodies by them.(see Wisdom 14:12, 24-27)
25 And they changed the Truth of Eloah into a lie! And they reverenced and served the created, more than their Creator, (See Wisdom 14:29) to whom be our praises, and our blessings forever and ever. Amen
26 Because of this, Eloah released them to the passions of shame: for their women changed the use of their sex, and did that which was not natural.
27 And also their men, thus forsook the use of women, and ran riotously in lust for one another. And man with man, they behaved in disgrace, and the reward that was just, to their error, in themselves, [they] received.
28 And since they had not determined in their nefeshot to know Eloah, Eloah released them to a mind of vanity, that they might do that which is not proper;
29 Being filled with all iniquity, and sexual immorality, and bitterness, and evil, and greed, and envy, and slaughter, and treachery, and deceit, and evil reasoning,
30 And murmuring, and slander. And [they are] haters of Eloah: insolent, prideful, boasters, inventors of evil, mindless, who are not obedient to their parents,
31 And who have no stability, and no love, nor tranquility, and no tenderness.
32 [They are] those who, although they know the judgment of Eloah (that those who act like these, He condemns to death), not only do these, but also fellowship with those who do them.
(Rom. 1:17-32 HRV)

Paul is therefore saying that the Creation itself reveals the Natural Law of the Creator, which is itself the Torah. Paul is saying that when the Goyim follow this Natural Law which is evident in the Creation, they are showing the Torah (at least to some degree) written in their hearts, and that such persons may perform acts of the Torah without having heard the Torah.

The Book of Enoch recounts the fall of a group of angels, who fell from heaven and took human form in order to copulate with human women (1Enoch 6; Gen. 6). Chapter 41 gives a prophecy Enoch received BEFORE this fall of angels (see 1En. 39:1). At that time Enoch says concerning the movements of the Sun and Moon:

5 And I saw the chambers of the sun and moon, whence they proceed and whither they come again, and their glorious return, and how one is superior to the other, and their stately orbit, and how they do not leave their orbit, and they add nothing to their orbit and they take nothing from it, and they keep faith with each other, in accordance with the oath by which they are bound together.
6 And first the sun goes forth and traverses his path according to the commandment of YHWH Tzva’ot, and mighty is His name for ever and ever.
7 And after that I saw the hidden and the visible path of the moon, and she accomplishes the course of her path in that place by day and by night-the one holding a position opposite to the other before YHWH Tzva’ot.
And they give thanks and praise and rest not;
For unto them is their thanksgiving rest.
8 For the sun changes oft for a blessing or a curse,
And the course of the path of the moon is light to the righteous
And darkness to the sinners in the name of YHWH,
Who made a separation between the light and the darkness,
And divided the spirits of men,
And strengthened the spirits of the righteous,
In the name of His righteousness.
9 For no angel hinders and no power is able to hinder; for He appoints a judge for them all and He judges them all before Him.
(1En. 41:5-9 Trimm Translation)

But later in the Astronomical/Calendar section we read:

“And in the days of the sinners the years shall be shortened,
and their seed shall be tardy on their lands and fields,
and all things on the earth shall alter,
and shall not appear in their time . . . .
and many chiefs of the stars
shall transgress the order (prescribed);
and these shall alter their orbits and tasks,
and not appear at the seasons prescribed to them”
(1 Enoch 80:2,6)

So we see in the Book of Enoch that when the fallen angels rebelled against the intended will of the Creator and corrupted mankind, there was a corresponding disturbance to the natural order of the universe.

The universe is rational not chaotic. The rational nature of the universe reveals “natural law” as the intent of the Creator.

Becoming a clear and unbiased thinker allows a man to harmonize his own thoughts with the divine reason (Logos) of the universe (the mind of the Creator expressed in the creation). There is only one truth, there are never two or more sets of contradictory facts. Therefore if our thinking is truly rational, it is in harmony with the Creator and His universe. A man should thus conform his desires and his will to the reality of the universe itself.

The fact that the universe is orderly and not chaotic implies providence because it suggests that reality is intended to unfold in a certain manner. Man has freewill to either conform to this providence or struggle against it, but happiness can only result from conforming to this providence, and that is the natural desire of the rational mind.

When the natural law was violated by the fallen angels and the intended will of the Creator was resisted, the result was the corruption of mankind the great flood and the binding and imprisonment of the fallen angels.

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The Gospel According to the Hebrews- The Lost Jewish Gospel (Video)

GH Handouts

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Have the Jews Really Rejected Yeshua?

Have the Jews Really Rejected Yeshua?
By
James Scott Trimm

There is a false teaching that “the Jews rejected Yeshua,” let me make it clear that this is totally false!

In the Second Temple Era

We read in the Gospel according to the Hebrews, that at the crucifixion:

Then said Yeshua, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what theydo.”
At this word many thousands of the Jews who were standing around the
gallows became believers.

Haimo of Auxerre writes:

As it is said in the Gospel of the Nazarenes:
At this word of the Lord
many thousands (multa milla) of the Jews who were
standing round the cross became believers.
(Haimo of Auxerre; Com. on Is. 53:2)

A medieval commentator writes:

Note that in the Gospel of the Nazarenes we have to read that at this virtuous discourse of Messiah eight thousand were later converted to the faith; namely three thousand on the day of Pentecost as stated in the Acts of the Apostles 2 [2:41], and subsequently five thousand about whom we are informed in the Acts of the Apostles 10
[this likely refers to Acts 4:4 rather than 10].”
(Historia passionis Domini; MS: Theolog. Sammelhandschrift 14th-15th Century, foll. 55r)

In fact the Book of Acts tells us that the movement was growing by leaps and bounds and Jews were clamoring to accept Yeshua as the Messiah:

In Acts 2:41, 47 3,000 were added to the Nazarenes, then in Acts 4:4 5,000 were added.

So by this time, there were already 8,000 Nazarenes not including those that were already followers of Yeshua before these events.

How does this compare with the other sects of Judaism at the time? Philo speaks of “more than four thousand” Essenes living in “in many cities of Judaea and in many villages and grouped in great societies of many members”.
(Philo (c.?20–54). Quod Omnis Probus Liber. XII.75.)

So at this point there were already twice as many Nazarenes as there were Essenes.

But wait, there is more:

In Acts 5:14 “thousands” more became Nazarenes… we don’t know how many thousands.

Then in Acts 6:1 they “multiplied” and in Acts 6:7 they “multiplied” again”.

All of this was in just the first year!

Then in about five years we are told that they “multiplied” again (Acts 9:31).

Then about 10 years later (45 CE) (Acts 12:24) we are told that the Word of Elohim multiplied, which implies that the Nazarenes “multiplied”.

Later that same year in Acts 13:43-45 we are again told there were “thousands” more added!

If we take a conservative approach and say that unspecified “thousands” means at least 5,000 and “multiplied” only means multiplied by a factor of two then:

+3,000 (Acts 2) + 5,000 (Acts 4:4) + 5,000 (Acts 5:14) x 2 (Acts 6:1) x 2 (Acts 6:7) x 2 (Acts 9:31) X 2 (Acts 12:24) + 5,000 (Acts 13:45) = 213,000

So assuming Acts documents all of the growth (which is unlikely) and using our conservative numbers, there were at least 213,000 Nazarenes by 45 CE.

Now is we estimate that number doubled only one time from 45 CE to 63 CE then by 63 CE there were at least 426,000 Nazarenes.

Now how many Jews were there in the Jerusalem area at the time?

During the first Jewish-Roman war (66–73 CE) the population of Jerusalem was estimated at 600,000 persons by Roman historian Tacitus, while Josephus, estimated that there were as many as 1,100,000, who were killed in the war.[Wars 6:9:3] Josephus also noted that 97,000 were sold as slaves. After the Roman victory over the Jews, as many as 115,880 dead bodies were carried out through one gate between the months of Nisan and Tammuz.

And in fact in 63 CE a meeting was held by the other sects of Judaism, their fear was that the Nazarenes were growing so fast that soon all Jews would be Nazarenes:

As there were many therefore of the rulers that believed, there arose a tumult among
the Jews, Scribes and Pharisees, saying that there was danger, that the people would
now accept Yeshua as the Messiah. They came therefore together, and said to James: “We entreat you, restrain the people, who are led astray after Yeshua, as if he were the Messiah.
(Hegesippus (180 CE) quoted by Eusebius Eccl. Hist. 2:23)

So let me make it clear, during the Second Temple Era the Jews did not reject Yeshua, the fact is that within the first year there were more Nazarenes than there were Essenes, by 45 CE the Nazarenes were well on their way to becoming the largest sect of Judaism (if they were not already). And by 63 CE the other sects of Judaism were concerned that Nazarene Judaism would soon displace them all.

The Jews of the Second Temple Era did not reject Yeshua, they were clamoring in droves to accept him as the Messiah!

The “Jesus” Judaism has Rejected

The only “Jesus” that most Jewish people have ever been exposed to is the “Jesus” that supposedly came to “free them from the bondage of the Law”. Yes, they have rejected this Torahless Jesus, and rightly so. But most of them have never been exposed to the real Yeshua.

In coming years you will see many Jewish people embracing Yeshua as the Messiah. (In fact it has already begun). But the Yeshua that they accept will be the real Yeshua and not the Torahless “Jesus” that Christendom has adopted from pagan sources.

The Jewish people know that an anti-Torah Messiah is no Messiah at all, they know better than to accept the rank paganism attached to Gentile Christianity.

As I have been saying for years, I am personally aware of a great many Orthodox Jews (even Rabbis) who already know that Yeshua is the Messiah, but are not yet prepared to reveal this information to the world. One of these told me that he is waiting until “the right time”.

The Jewish people will also come to realize that the books known as the “New Testament” (More correctly called the Ketuvim Netzarim, the “Writings of the Nazarenes”) in their original Hebrew and Aramaic rather than their Greek translations, are as much a “Jewish Book” as the Tanak (“Old Testament”).

Nazarene Judaism Restored and Growing

Yeshua did not come to create a new religion, he came to be Jewish Messiah of Judaism, The original followers of Yeshua as Messiah were a sect of Judaism known as “Nazarene Judaism” and through the Worldwide Nazarene Assembly of Elohim the Nazarene Sect of Judaism has been restored and is growing worldwide!

I am humbled by the fact that this ministry is on the cutting edge of this great last days restoration.

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Shemini Atzeret

Shemini Atzeret
By
Rabbi Robert. O. Miller

Immediately following the last and 7^th day of Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah, is Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth Day of Assembly). Shemini Atzeret along with Simchat Torah is celebrated together on 22^nd Tishri. As it is written, “On the eighth day hold an assembly and do no regular work..” (Numbers 29:35)

The Sages interpreted this verse to mean that Yahweh asks all who made the pilgrimage of Sukkot to “tarry” based on the word “atzeret”, which comes from the Hebrew root word “atsar” meaning “to stay”. Shemini Atzeret speaks of Yahweh asking for us to spend one more day with Him.

The Targum Yonatan paraphrases Numbers 29:35as “On the eighth day move from your sukkot to your homes so there is rejoicing.” On Sukkot you have been encompassed by the presence of Yahweh for seven days. By Shemini Atzeret the presence is absorbed in your soul. This is the reason that moving from the sukkah back to the house, from a temporary dwelling to a permanent one, arouses joy. The move signifies that all the spiritual revelations you received on Sukkot has been permanently absorbed into your life.

To fully understand Shemini Atzeret, we must revisit the other pilgrimage festivals. Passover (Pesach) and the Seven Days of Unleavened Bread are followed by a 49-day period of Counting the Omer, which climaxes with the fiftieth day of Shavuot (Pentecost). Thus, the personal salvation and liberation of Passover is linked with the revelation and giving of the Torah at Mount Horeb at Shavuot and the ultimate descending of the Spirit. If we look at the festival cycle, Shemini Atzeret is similar to Shavuot, which is understood to be the conclusion or atzeret to Passover. Just like Shavuot, a one-day festival, is the conclusion to Pesach, a seven-day festival, so Shemini Atzeret, a one-day festival, is the conclusion to Sukkot, a seven-day festival.

Therefore, we see that Shemini Atzeret is the eighth day — that is the day after “seven.” Seven, being a perfect number in the Holy Scriptures, signifies a complete unit of time as each week ends with the seventh day called the Shabbat (Sabbath). Thus, the eighth day is the day after time. It is the end of both kinds of time. It is thus not just the promise of redemption, but the actual moment of it. Yahweh said, “Remain (atzeret) with Me an extra day,” in a time beyond time.

“You may compare it to a king who had a festival for seven days and invited all the nations of the world to the seven days of feasting. When the seven days were over and the guests had gone, he said to his lover (Israel), ‘Let us now have an intimate meal together, just you and I.’” (Bamidbar Rabbah 21, Sukkah 55b)
King Messiah YahShua and Shemini Atzeret

Rebbe YahShua was born in Bethlehem on the 1^st day of the Festival of Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles). On 22^nd Tishri, known as Shemini Atzeret or the “Eighth day,” Rebbe YahShua was circumcised as was commanded by Torah. “Yahweh said to Moses, ‘Say to the Israelites: “A woman who becomes pregnant and gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised.”’ (Leviticus 12:1-3).” On Shemini Atzeret King Messiah YahShua took the sign of Covenant upon His body. “You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you. (Genesis 17:11)”

“On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named YahShua, the name the angel had given him before he had been conceived. (Luke 2:21)”

From then on, Sukkot and Shemini Atzeret had special meaning to Rebbe YahShua.

In John 7:37 we read, “In the last day, that great day of the Feast [of Sukkot]….” the day known as Hoshana Rabbah, during the water libation ceremony, “Rebbe YahShua stood (in the Temple Courts) and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, asthe Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’ By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Rebbe YahShua had not yet been glorified. On hearing his words, some of the people said, ‘Surely this man is the Prophet.’ (John 7:37-40)”

Then the next day, the day called Shemini Atzeret which in ancient times was also called Simchat Torah, the rejoicing in the Torah.

Shemini Atzeret and a Prayer for Rain

During the liturgy of Shemini Atzeret we insert the “Mashiv HaRuach U’Morid HaGeshem” into the “Amida” blessing that extols Yahweh’s Might as the Healer, the One Who gives life and takes it, and Who does not forget those who have died, and Who ultimately will bring about the resurrection of the dead.

“You are eternally mighty, my Adonai, the Resurrector of the dead are You; abundantly able to save, Who makes the wind blow and makes the rain descend; Who sustains the living with kindness, resurrects the dead with abundant mercy, supports the fallen, heals the sick, releases the confined, and maintains His faith to those asleep in the dust. Who is like You, O Master of mighty deeds, and who is comparable to You, O King Who causes death and restores life and makes salvation sprout! And You are faithful to resurrects the dead. Blessed are You, Yahweh, Who resurrects the dead.”

“He causes the wind to blow and the rain to descend.” This can be connected to the coming of Moshiach (Messiah). Remember what Messiah YahShua said, “The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. ( John 3:8)”

The phrase “he causes the wind (ruach) to blow” uses the same word as the verse “The spirit (ruach) of Elohim hovered on the surface of the waters,” and our Sages say “This is the spirit of King Moshiach.” “He is the image of the invisible Elohim, the firstborn over all creation. For through Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. (Colossians 1:15-17)”

When someone surrenders their life to the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Yahweh and makes King Messiah YahShua their sovereign so that they may have Him as Savior, he fulfills Passover (Pesach) in their lives. “…Messiah, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old yeast, the yeast of malice and wickedness, but with bread without yeast, the bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:7, 8)”

We apply the precious blood of the Lamb to the doorpost of our hearts. “For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Messiah, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (1 Peter 1:18-20)” This liberates us from the power of Death, “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? (Hosea 13:14)“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is revealed to us in the Torah. Baruch HaShem Yahweh! He gives us the victory through our King Messiah YahShua. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)”

We escape the land of oppression (Egypt – Mitzrayim) committed to a life of victorious holiness. “Yahweh, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah …and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Messiah YahShua,that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Messiah YahShua.For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of Yahweh,not of works, lest anyone should boast.For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah YahShua for good works, which Yahweh prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:4-10)”

We then can be immersed (mikveh) in the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) and have the power of Yahweh (the anointing) in our lives moving us from the individual into the corporate. “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Messiah. For by one Spirit we were all immersed into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink intoone Spirit. For in fact the body is not one member but many. (1 Corinthians 12:12-14)”

When we reach this point, we spiritually have experienced the spring harvest of Yahweh in our lives.

Yahweh will begin to take us on a spiritual journey of sanctification through the wilderness of preparation. Spiritually, we will begin to experience the dry summer heat of life’s bitter disappointments and struggles, if we keep our eyes upon Yahweh, He will refine our faith and reveal Himself to us in a greater way, then our spiritual journey will not end in the wilderness. Instead Yahweh will take us forward to spiritually experience the autumn festivals and our spiritual inheritance.

This time is signaled by the blasting of trumpets. “[Yahweh] chose our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved…Elohim has ascended amid shouts of joy, Yahweh amid the sounding of trumpets. Sing praises to Elohim, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. (Psalm 47:4-6)”

Messiah YahShua is now acting as our Advocate in the Court of Yahweh accomplishing corporate atonement for the whole Commonwealth of Israel. “Even now my witness is in Heaven; my Advocate is on high. (Job 16:19)”

“My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Messiah Yahshua the righteous. (1 John 2:1)”

Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah speaks of us entering into our spiritual cohabitation with the divine.

“Then you will know that I am in Israel, that I am Yahweh your Elohim, and that there is no other; never again will my people be shamed. (Sukkot – intimate dwelling)

And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. (Shemini Atzeret) Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:27-29)”

“He causes the rain, ‘geshem’ , to descend” means that the coming of Moshiach actually occurs, in the physical world (gashmiut – related to geshem). Not only “the spirit of Moshiach,” but He is physically returning literally. “See, the King is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all the ungodly of all the ungodly acts they have done in the ungodly way, and of all the harsh words ungodly sinners have spoken against him. (Jude 1:14, 15)”

He will literally set up His government. “Blessed and holy are those who have part in the first resurrection. The second death has no power over them, but they will be priests of Yahweh and of Messiah and will reign with him for a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)”

And after the thousand year probation is over we will be sealed to Yahweh for eternity. “I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from Yahweh, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of Yahweh is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and Yahweh himself will be with them and be their Elohim. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ (Revelation 21:2-4)”

What is the seal of Yahweh? “Now it is Yahweh who makes both us and you stand firm in Messiah. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. (2Cor. 1:21,22)”

“…you also were included in Messiah when you heard the word of truth, the Full Messianic Message of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Yahweh’s possession (Eph. 1:13,14).”

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of Yahweh, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Messiah Yahweh forgave you. Be imitators of Yahweh, therefore, as dearly loved children 2and live a life of love, just as Messiah loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to Yahweh. (Eph. 4:29-5:1)”

Yahweh’s seal of ownership, His sign of affirmation is the Holy Spirit. It is the sign or deposit “guaranteeing our inheritance” or salvation until “the day of redemption.”

Rabbi Sha’ul asks the Believers “. . . Have ye received the Holy Spirit since ye believed? . . . (Acts 19:2).”

“On the land of my people will come up thorns and briers, yes, on all the happy homes in the joyous city; because the palaces will be forsaken, the bustling city will be deserted. The forts and towers will become lairs forever, a joy of wild donkeys, a pasture of flocks until the Spirit is poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness becomes a fruitful field, and the fruitful field is counted as a forest. Then justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. My people will dwell in a peaceful habitation, in secure dwellings, and in quiet resting places, when hail comes down on the forest, and the city is brought low in humiliation. Blessed are you who sow beside all waters, who send out freely the feet of the ox and the donkey. (Isaiah 32:13-20)”

Once the Spirit is poured out on you, THEN justice will dwell in the wilderness, and righteousness remain in the fruitful field. THEN judgment will be in the “wilderness” (symbolic of the world). “Righteousness will remain the fruitful field” until it becomes a forest (symbolic of the Commonwealth of Israel). The effect of this righteousness will be the quiet assurance of forever. “The work of the Righteous will be peace.” Yahweh’s people will dwell in the “peaceful habitation.”

“He who dwells in the secret place of El Elyon (the Most High) shall abide under the shadow of El Shaddai (the Almighty). I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my Elohim, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowlerand from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. (Psalm 91:1-8)”

“Who shall separate us from the love of Messiah? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of Yahweh which is in Messiah YahShua our King. (Romans 8:35-39)”

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation. (Psalm 91:14-16)”

Tishri is the 7th Hebrew Month, the Sabbath Month, King Messiah YahShua is the “Lord Of The Sabbath” born during the Sabbath Month. He came the first time in the Sabbath Month, he’s coming again to bring the Sabbath Millennium or Messianic Age! “He which testifies to these things says, ‘Surely I come quickly. Amein. Even so, come, King YahShua.” Revelation 22:20

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on Oct. 14th 2008
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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Understanding Tithes & Offerings

Understanding Tithes & Offerings
By
Rabbi Robert. O. Miller

“All the tithe of the land . . . is Yahweh’s; it is holy unto Yahweh.” (Leviticus 27:30)

“‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says Yahweh Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’” (Malachi 3:10)

“In all your offerings show a cheerful countenance, and sanctify your tithes with gladness.” (Ecclesiasticus 35:9)

“You tithe mint and anise and cummin . . . these ought you to have done.” (Matthew 23:23)

The truth has no agenda. It is simply the truth. The Scriptures say, Yahweh’s “righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and [His] Torah is truth.” (Psalms 119:142) Messiah YahShua said, “If you hold to My Torah, you are really My disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31, 32) The truth will set you free but first it will hurt and offend as it changes your sensitivities and biases. One of the most intimate things one can talk about it another one’s money. It is hard earned, easily devaluated and precious. So, realizing this I will tread softly.

Sacrifices and offerings are aspects of Torah, which “Torah is perfect” (Psalm 19:7) and continues to transform the lives of those who follow our Good Shepherd (Psalms 23:1-2; 51:6-7). That which is perfect does not change – it is absolute – and produces ongoing spiritual growth. For example, though the Son of Yahweh never sinned, He “grew in wisdom, in stature, in favour before Yahweh and men” because He lived entirely by the Will of Yahweh (Luke 2:52; John 5:30). King Messiah YahShua, our Redeemer and Ruler, “learned obedience by the things that He suffered” and by the trials He experienced, yet He was always sinless (Hebrews 5:8; Isaiah 28:16).

He has told us all in Matthew 5:17-18: “Do not think that I have come to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill (i.e., to rightly interpret (Psalms 138:2; Is 42:21; and to reveal obedience according to Yah-like sincerity and Truth). For truly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away (Revelation 21:1), one ‘yod’ or one ‘taug’ will by no means pass away from the Torah till all is fulfilled (the Torah is holy, righteous, and good -Romans 7:12).

Sacrifice, as a principle, is eternal (1Peter 1:18-20; Romans 12:1). Circumcision of the heart, ears, eyes, mouth and whole life has always applied to everyone (Exodus 6:12; Deuteronomy 10:16; 30:6; Jeremiah 6:10; Acts 7:51; Colossians 2:11). Messiah YahShua is our at-one-ment as the Lamb of Yahweh from “before the creation of the world” (1Peter 1:18-20).

What Does The Word “Tithe” Mean?

What is the tithe?Webster says: “a tithe is “to give a tenth of one’s income as a tithe.” What does the Scripture teach a tithe is? It is the “gateway” for the Believer into the covenant of blessings. “…see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” The root word for tithe is עֶשֶׂר “äsär’” which is cardinal feminine gender word for the number “ten”. One tenth is formed by adding the letter מ “mem” or “m” prefix.Thus we have the word, מַעֲשֵׂר

“mah·as·ār’” meaning “a tithe, a payment of a tenth part.”

In Psalm 24:1 David declares, “The earth is Yahweh’s, and all it contains.” In 1 Corinthians 4:7 Rabbi Sha’ul asks, “And what do you have that you did not receive?” And in Deuteronomy 8:18, Yahweh told Israel that He was the one giving them the power to make wealth. “…remember Yahweh your Elohim, for it is He Who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.”

From these verses alone, it should be obvious that Yahweh owns everything, gives us the ability to make a living, and wants us to recognize that everything comes from Him. We simply are stewards, or managers, of the things He has entrusted to us, and part of being a good steward is giving back to Yahweh a portion of our earnings.

It’s not that Yahweh needs our money. Rather, we need to give it. Giving serves as an external, material testimony that Yahweh owns both the material and spiritual things of our lives.

Why Tithe?

Yahweh claims the tithe is His: “A tithe of everything …belongs to Yahweh; it is holy to Yahweh.” (Leviticus 27:30) The Books of Renewal and the Apostolic Writings say nothing to change Yahweh’s instruction on tithing. The tithe is set apart and still belongs to Yahweh.
I pay tithe to fulfill the covenant: “…remember Yahweh your Elohim, for it is He Who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms His covenant, which He swore to your ancestors, as it is today.” (Deuteronomy 8:18)“Now if the ministry that brought death, which was engraved in letters on stone, came with glory, so that the Israelites could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of its glory, temporary though it was, will not the ministry of the Spirit be even more glorious? If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if the Torah came with temporary glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts!” (2 Corinthians 3:7-11) “…the Spirit of Truth…will guide you into all the truth.” (John 16:13) “Torah is truth.” (Psalms 119:142) And according to the New Covenant, Yahweh says: “will put My Torah in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their Elohim, and they will be my people.” (Jeremiah 31:33)The New Covenant that came in eternal glory of King Messiah YahShua stands supreme. The characteristic word in the Book of Hebrews is better or more Heavenly, and everything is more Heavenly about the New Covenant. If the Torah commanded tithes, then how much more should we who are having the Torah written in our hearts under the “perfect law of liberty” give our tithes willingly? (James 1:25). If the Torah is written in the fleshly tables of our hearts and we follow Yahweh’s commands not from legalistically applying a bunch of rules but because of our new passion, then how quickly and how easily we should give the tenth that belongs to Yahweh (See 2 Corinthians 3:3-6). Some people say, “Oh, we do not pay tithes, because tithing was under the law.” If that is a sufficient reason for not paying tithes, then we could also mistreat our parents, for the Torah says, “Honor your father and your mother” (Exodus 20:12). In actuality, we honor our father and mother and we give our tithes because the principles of the Torah are written in our hearts by the Spirit of Yahweh. We give willingly and liberally because the Spirit motivates us to give what Yahweh has said is His. The Scripture declares in Joshua 7:11, when you touch the tithe and rob Yahweh, you also transgress against the Covenant. In other words, when you mishandle the tithe you forfeit His covenant promises. “Israel has sinned; they have violated My covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions.”
Tithing is the worship of Yahweh: “…a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in Truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” (John 4:23) Tithing is recognition and worship of the One Who created and actually owns all. Worshipping Yahweh in a prescribed manner has existed since the days of the Patriarchs. Cain and Abel knew the correct way to worship Yahweh, but one of them chose not to worship that way. The correct way involved giving up something they owned in recognition of Yahweh in a prescribed manner. If we do not worship Yahweh with our substance, we do not really worship Yahweh. Job, Abraham and his descendants, and others living before the giving of the Written Torah, knew that worshipping Yahweh involved sacrificing of their substance. Any Believer who loves Yahweh should desire to give everything to Him. Tithing is just a starting place — not a maximum limit. Tithing is only a reminder to you, and to our High Priest YahShua, of the intent of your heart, and the place of importance Yahweh has in your life. Some may say they could show their love better by giving whatever they felt like. Since the Garden of Eden man has been trying to do things his own way — instead of the way Yahweh prescribed — and man’s way has always caused trouble. “There is a way that appears to be right to man, but in the end it leads to death.” (Proverbs 14:12 & 16:25) Yahweh said the tithe was His (Leviticus 27:30). He showed us through the Torah (and never said otherwise), tithing is prescribed worship. Giving based on need is not Scriptural tithing but giving of alms. Tithing is not to meet Yahweh’s need but to worship Yahweh: to put Him in His rightful place: first!
Tithing is Yahweh’s method of supporting His ministry. 1 Corinthians 9:14 says those who preach the Full Messianic Message should live from the message “in the same way” as the priests of the Torah lived from their Temple service. Yahweh gave the tithe to them (Numbers 18:21). To be “in the same way” today requires tithing to continue. “Behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work which they perform, the work of the tabernacle of meeting.” (Numbers 18:21) “Don’t you know that those who serve in the Temple get their food from the Temple, and that those who serve at the altar share in what is offered on the altar? In the same way, Yahweh has commanded that those who preach the Full Messianic Message should receive their living from the Full Messianic Message.” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
Tithing is a blessing promised if you do. 2 Corinthians 1:20 says that all Yahweh’s promises are in the affirmative in Messiah. So the blessings promised to the tither in the Tanach, such as Malachi 3:10 are still available and valid for you today. “For all the promises of Yahweh in Him are Yes, and in Him Amien, to the glory of Yahweh through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) “‘Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and prove Me now in this,’ says Yahweh of hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10)
Tithing is a continual reminder Yahweh is your source. Tithing acknowledges in a tangible way Yahweh’s ownership of us and all we have. It is recognition He deserves. Anyone who receives Messiah YahShua must receive Him as He is: King Messiah. By definition a Netzarim Believer is one who has received Messiah YahShua as the Branch of Jesse, heir of the Davidic Throne – King of Israel. “That if you pledge allegiance with your mouth, ‘YahShua is King,’ and believe in your heart that Yahweh raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (Romans 10:9, 10) If there is a Kingdom then there must be a King. And if a King then a Ruler. And if a Ruler He must govern by a rule. That Rule is the Torah. And the Torah is absolute truth. Since YahShua is King Messiah, when we receive Him He becomes Ruler of our life. As Ruler of our life, King YahShua has complete say about what we do with all our substance, not just 10% of it.
Tithing helps combat selfishness, greed, and materialism. “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also…No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both Yahweh and money… For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:19-34) Giving the first 10%every time we receive any increase helps protect us from falling into these traps. Done faithfully, tithing brings us to trust Yahweh and depend on Him.
Tithing acknowledges Our Heritage. “If you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) Abraham was the first tithe payer of record (Genesis 14:20). Abraham’s grandson, Jacob, paid tithes (Genesis 28:22). Scripture says that Levi, Abraham’s descendant and the father of the tribe from which the priesthood came, paid tithes in Abraham (Hebrews 7:9). My heritage of paying a tithe precedes the Torah as it was revealed to Moses. As a child of Abraham and an heir of the promise of Abraham. I acknowledge my family relationship by paying tithes. Messiah YahShua said to the Jews, “If you were Abraham’s children then you woulddo what Abraham did.” (John 8:39) It would be strange to claim to be a child of Abraham and yet to neglect one of Abraham’s most fundamental and noteworthy acts. I pay my tithes as a spiritual descendant of Abraham, the father of the faithful.
Tithing shows my love and affection. “Many waters cannot quench love.” (Song of Solomon 8:7) Love is the strongest motivation in the world. David said, “I will not sacrifice to Yahweh my Elohim …offerings that cost me nothing.” (2 Samuel 24:24) For someone who genuinely loves Yahweh, the tithe is only the beginning of his giving. He gives not only his tithe, but also offerings (plural), not grudgingly and not of necessity, but cheerfully with love.
Tithing Fulfills an Obligation. “You pay tithe …and have neglected the weightier matters of the Torah: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” (Matthew 23:23). Messiah YahShua did not criticize the Pharisees for paying tithes. He commended them. He said it was something they “ought to have done.” The word “ought” expresses an obligation or duty. It is one of the strongest words in the English language. To pay tithes is something every Believer ought to do. The word “ought” has three meanings: (a) obligation or duty; as in, “He ought to pay his debts”, (b) desirability and (c) expectancy or probability. Each one of these meanings puts an obligation upon the Believer. It is desirable for him to pay his tithes, he is expected to pay his tithes, and he has a duty to pay his tithes.
Tithing causes the Believer to escape condemnation. “Will a man rob Yahweh? Yet you have robbed me… in tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8) How sad it is that people who are honest in business and who pay their debts to the bank, the store, and the government will not pay Yahweh what belongs to Him! Sometimes people quibble about whether they are “paying” or “giving” tithes, but both terms seem appropriate. The tithe is Yahweh’s and He expects us to pay it to Him; at the same time, He does not receive it until we give it to Him. He does not give us the authority to use His tithes for other purposes, but we have the power to spend it as long as it is in our hands. Nevertheless, a person is condemned if he spends Yahweh’s portion.
Tithing finances the Spread of the Full Messianic Kingdom Message. “So has Yahweh ordained that they which preach the Full Messianic Message should live of the Full Messianic Message.” (1 Corinthians 9:14) Yahweh has ordained for people to be saved by the preaching of the Full Messianic Message (1 Corinthians 1:21). “How shall they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14) Tithing is Yahweh’s way of supporting the ministry. In the Torah, the Levites and the Priest were Yahweh’s minister to the Commonwealth of Israel, and they were supported by tithes. In the Messianic Scriptures, Yahweh has called people to minister the Full Messianic Message. These ministers can be more effective if they do not have to provide for their livelihood by working on a secular job but can devote themselves full time to the work of Yahweh. They need time to give themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the Word. It is not wrong for a man to labor with his hands, nor should a minister feel too good to engage in honest labor. Yet Yahweh’s plan is for those who preach the Messianic Message to live of the Message. When Yahweh dictated to Moses His Message that the people should not put a muzzle on the ox that labored, Yahweh was not as concerned with the ox as He was with the principle that a laborer should receive his livelihood from his work. The application of this principle is that the minister of the Full Messianic Message should earn his living from his ministry. (1 Corinthians 9:9-14). Some ministers have endured financial hardships and deprivation in order to proclaim the Full Messianic Message in needy areas. If the tithing income insures that the minister can live in a good house, drive a good car, and buy sufficient clothes for his family, why should I begrudge providing these things to a man who would preach the message of the Kingdom even if he had to work on a secular job to do it? It is a disgrace to a congregation if the pastor has to take a secular job to supply his family’s needs if there is sufficient tithe and offering income available to allow him to do Yahweh’s work on a full-time basis. My tithing can help to spread the Full Messianic Message.
Tithing causes me to avoid a curse. “You are cursed with a curse: for you have robbed me.” (Malachi 3:9) Someone once said, “You can’t out-give Yahweh, and you can’t out-squeeze Him either.” Some people put their money into “a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:6) They do not give Yahweh His tithe, but they eventually spend the money for automobile repairs, medical bills, and a thousand other things that they might have avoided if they had been faithful to Yahweh in their giving. Yahweh said that the whole nation of Israel was cursed because they had not given Yahweh His portion. Yahweh asked Israel to dedicate the gold of Jericho to Him, but Achan took a wedge of gold and hid it in a tent. It became a curse to him and his whole family. (Joshua 7) I do not want Yahweh to curse my blessings. I want to give Him His tithe.
Tithing causes me to enjoy Yahweh’s blessing. “‘Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,’ says Yahweh Almighty, ‘and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.’” (Malachi 3:10) (See also Luke 6:38). Yahweh blesses the people who pay tithes. They do not always have the most money or the best clothes, but they are blessed. However, I am wary of those who promise, “If you give Yahweh a dollar, He will give you back tenfold.” The expectation of a return should not be our motivation for giving. And His richest blessings are not necessarily monetary. But I do want Yahweh to notice me and remember me. He noticed that the widow put money into the treasury at the Temple. He noticed what Cornelius was giving. He noticed what Israel was not giving. He knows what we give and He notices when we give. Yahweh has asked us to prove Him and see if He will not give us His blessings. I have trusted Him, tested Him, and tried Him, and I have concluded that it is better to give Yahweh what belongs to Him.
Tithing causes me to be consistent. “Be an example for the Believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12) For most of my ministry. I have lived on tithing income. How could I receive tithes and not pay tithes? I could not do so and be consistent. The only exemption from the tithe were the priests who were consecrated to holy service.They were sanctified already; therefore, the tithe of sanctification did not require an additional sanctification. In other words the “buck stopped here!” The priests were 100% Yahweh’s portion. Their portion of one percent of the gross was not an amount by which one could amass wealth in material things. The needs of the priests were simply provided. As your minister I am faithful to pay a tithe on all secular income and gifts I receive. Paying tithes will not save a person. But paying tithes will reap a blessing. Genuine Netzarim Believers not only pay tithes, but they willingly pay tithes.

The Tithe Is Your Seed

Yahweh is blessed by your tithe as an expression of your love and obedience to Him, yet tithing is primarily for your own benefit so that Yahweh can bless you. There is a Kingdom Principle that Yahweh has placed in both the natural and spiritual realms. This is the law of sowing and reaping. “…Yahweh is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7) The tithe is “seed” that you plant in Yahweh that will bring the harvest of prosperity.

All farmers understand Yahweh’s law of sowing and reaping. After a harvest, before the farmer would use any of the grain as food for his family or livestock, he would first go through the harvest grain and pick out a percentage that exhibited the best qualities of size, weight, color, and set this aside as seed for the next season’s crop planting. This early form of genetic selection helped assure that the next generation of crops would produce higher yields and greater quality.

This illustrates our tithe, why it cannot be the 10% that is left over after we pay everything else. The part that Yahweh claims and uses as seed is the first and best 10% of your increase, called the firstfruits. “Honor Yahweh with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine” (Prov. 3:9-10).

Don’t “eat your seed.” Do not use Yahweh’s tithe for anything else, because if you don’t sow, you cannot reap.

What if My Spouse Disagrees?

One of the major causes of arguments among couples is money, and one spouse may oppose giving a tenth to Yahweh’s work. However, if both spouses are Believers, they should have a desire to please Yahweh. It’s important for both spouses to be trained in Yahweh’s principles of finance. That way, they will understand that tithing is ordained by Yahweh, not just a personal desire that the wife is trying to impose on the husband, or vice versa.

In cases involving a non-believing wife, the husband must obey Yahweh’s direction. He must realize, however, that Yahweh is more concerned about his wife’s soul than his money. If tithing becomes a stumbling block to his wife, he should consider not tithing temporarily in order to win his wife to Yahweh.

If the non-believing spouse is the husband, then the believing wife should submit to his wishes, trusting that her submissive attitude may win him to Yahweh (1 Peter 3:1-6). She may still ask him to let her give an amount smaller than the tithe for at least a year. If, at the end of a year, they are worse off financially as a result of her giving, she will cease to give. But if they are better off, she will be allowed to give more. In Malachi 3:10, Yahweh says to test Him in tithing. Often, this is just the opportunity for Yahweh to prove Himself to an unbelieving spouse.

Our Tithe as an Israelite
Our tithe is broken down on three levels: (1) Terumah; (2) Ma’aser Sheni; and (3) Tzedekah.

The First Tithe (Terumah) A tithe for the work of Yahweh
The first tithe, which is holy to Yahweh, is used to finance the mission of the Ministers of spreading the Messianic Message and caring for those Yahweh calls to be a part of the Netzarim Congregation. As was noted, this tithe is to be given by Yahweh’s people so the commission of the Netzarim Movement can be carried out. To withhold it is tantamount to robbery from Yahweh (Malachi 3:8).

The first tithe is “set apart unto Yahweh” (Leviticus 27:30). Under His covenant with Israel, Yahweh commanded His people to give His tithe to His representatives at the time, the Levites (Numbers 18:21). Yahweh gave the tithe to the Levites to support them in carrying out their commanded role of properly leading the people in worship. The people were not to use this tithe for any personal purposes–it was to be given in its entirety to the Levites.
Messiah YahShua affirmed that those who serve Yahweh should continue to give this tithe, a 10% of their increase, since it belongs to Yahweh and not to them (Matthew 23:23). He confirmed that tithing continues.

Yahweh commanded: “Then to the place Yahweh your Elohim will choose as a dwelling for His Name—there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice possessions you have vowed to Yahweh.” (Deuteronomy 12:11)

The Second Tithe (Maaser Sheni) A tithe for observing Yahweh’s festivals

After setting aside the first tithe one sets aside a tenth of the remainder; this is called the second tithe (but in the third and sixth years of the sabbatical cycle it is given to the poor). When the Temple exists it should be eaten in Jerusalem, as it says “And you shall eat before Yahweh your Elohim in the place that he shall choose… the tithe of your grain, wine and oil” (Deuteronomy 14:23); or it can be redeemed (outside Jerusalem) for 5/4 of its value and the proceeds used to buy food to be eaten in Jerusalem as it says “But if the journey is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry the tithe, or if the place where Yahweh your Elohim chooses to put His name is too far from you, when Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you, ²⁵ then you shall exchange it for money, take the money in your hand, and go to the place which Yahweh your Elohim chooses. And you shall spend that money for whatever your heart desires: for oxen or sheep, for wine or similar drink, for whatever your heart desires; you shall eat there before Yahweh your Elohim, and you shall rejoice, you and your household.” (Deuteronomy 14:24-26) When the Temple does not exist it can still be redeemed outside Jerusalem, not necessarily for its full value, and the thing that it is redeemed for must be consumed at the “the place Yahweh your Elohim will choose as a dwelling for His Name.”

The Third Tithe a Tithe to Care for the Poor

In the third and sixth years of the sabbatical cycle the second tithe was to be given to the ministers and the poor of the community–the stranger, fatherless and widow. Yahweh does not forget them.

Messiah YahShua acknowledged that conditions would always be prevalent that would lead to some people being truly poor and in need (John 12:8). But He also said it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). His apostles taught the same, that Believers have an obligation to help others who are truly in need (Galatians 2:10; 1 Timothy 5:3).

The teaching of Messiah YahShua and His disciples is a continuation of the commandments found in Yahweh’s Word regarding the obligation of those more blessed to help those truly in need. Twice in the Scriptures, in Deuteronomy 14:28 and 26:12-13, Yahweh gives instruction regarding a tithe that is to be saved and distributed every third year.

The “first” tithe and festival (“second”) tithe were to be saved every year. The first was taken to a central place of worship for distribution and the second for consumption (Deuteronomy 12:6, 17-18; 14:22-27). This special tithe of the third year, however, was handled quite differently. It was to be set aside locally and stored within each city or town (Deuteronomy 14:28; 26:12) for the use of the ministers and the poor of the community–the stranger, fatherless and widow.

Offering above the Tithe

There is another category above the tithe, the offerings:

“Now Yahweh called to Moses, and spoke to him from the Tabernacle of Meeting, saying, ‘Speak to the Children of Israel, and say to them: “When any one of you brings an offering to Yahweh, you shall bring your offering of the livestock—of the herd and of the flock. If his offering is a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish; he shall offer it of his own free will at the door of the Tabernacle of Meeting before Yahweh.”’” (Leviticus 1:1-3)

The offerings to Yahweh must be made of one’s own free will. He must not be coerced or pressured into making the offering. It must spring up of its own voluntary dedication. A need may be made known to him, but he must respond of his own will.

The wicked pagan priest of idolatry used every cunning device from sexual participation with their temple prostitutes to pronouncing curses upon their subjects who did not bring them their offerings. All pagan rites play high on the material world. Every trick in the book to employ mind control over the laity, guilt trips usually related to sexual desires or needs, made men and women subject to their spiritual gurus. Fear and every phobia that could enter into man’s imagination was employed to extract mind control over their subjects. Here and only here can these religious con-artists offer absolutely nothing in exchange for absolutely everything that their subjects possess or hope to have. These prophets of idolatry can mourn like doves and at the same time slither like snakes. Pomp and glitter is their style.

The Scripture highly extols giving in a right motive for a worthy purpose. The giver must do so out of a heart of volition. He is also responsible to give to causes which are worthy of his support.

Giving, Your Reasonable Service
It is interesting and very instructive to note how the Messianic Scripture views sacrifices. In reading these passages one will be struck with the consistency between these verses.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Yahweh, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Yahweh, which is your reasonable (Greek: λογικός logikos: rational, genuine, true – logical) service.” (Romans 12:1)

“For we are to Yahweh the fragrance of Messiah (alluding to the anointing oil poured out in temple service; Exodus 30:22-30; Song of Songs 4:11; Psalms 45:8) among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” (2 Corinthians 2:15)
“Walk in love, as Messiah also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to Yahweh for a sweet-smelling aroma (Leviticus 1:5-9; 2:1-2; 3:1,5).” (Ephesians 5:2)
“Yes, and if I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all (Numbers 28:6-8).” (Philippians 2:17)

“Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to Yahweh.” (Philippians 4:18)
“For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.” (2 Timothy 4:6)

“But to do good and to share forget not: for with such sacrifices Yahweh is well pleased.” (Hebrews 13:16)
“You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices (which the Levitical priesthood did typologically in the Tabernacle and Temple worship requirements; cp. Exodus 19:4-6; 1Peter 2:9), acceptable to Yahweh by Messiah YahShua.” (1Peter 2:5)

It is clear that the Messianic Scriptures gives profound spiritual significance to sacrifices. This is to be expected, since the sacrificial concept pre-dates the creation (1Peter 1:18-20). The Law of sacrifices is not abolished (Matthew 5:17, 18), but is spiritually understood, as reflected in the above verses. How are tithes to be understood and applied since they are a part of the same system?

Some belief systems teach people to give what they have or what they can do. These are religions of good works, which cannot save. The Faith of Yahweh teaches that you give what you are. This includes your time, energy, talent, and money.

All of this is summed upin the word love. You love; therefore, you give. It was because Yahweh loved the world that He gave His Son to save it (John 3:16). “For Yahweh loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Giving Only Where His Name Resides

“But you are to seek the place Yahweh your Elohim will choose from among all your tribes to put his Name there for his dwelling. To that place you must go; there bring your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, what you have vowed to give and your freewill offerings, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks. There, in the presence of Yahweh your Elohim, you and your families shall eat and shall rejoice in everything you have put your hand to, because Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you. You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit.” (Deuteronomy 12:5-8)

In Conclusion…..

I challenge you to become a tither and a giver to Yahweh, and “prove” His promise to bless you, just as He invites you to do in Malachi 3:10. Give to Yahweh in faith, expecting Him to bless your return (Mark 11:24), and give cheerfully, expressing joy and confidence in giving to Yahweh (2 Corinthians 9:7). The same proportion that you open your faith to give to Him, He will use that same proportion as His measurement to bring blessing back to you!

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (Luke 6:38)

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on Jan. 15th 2011
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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The Truth about the Enoch/Qumran Calendar

The Enoch/Qumran Calendar
Wandering Stars: They Did not Come Forth
at their Appointed Times.
(Jude 1:13 & 1Enoch 18:15)
By
James Scott Trimm

PREFACE:

In a recent blog asked those now advocating the so-called “Zadokite Calendar” why we should adopt the Qumran Calendar while rejecting much of the rest of the halacha in the Qumran scrolls (such as letting a man die rather than using a tool to rescue him on sabbath, not rescuing an animal that falls into a pit on the Sabbath, and embracing the very teaching known as “Works of the Law” (click here for that blog). Not one person attempted to answer that question.

In a recent video in my thru the Book of Enoch series (Part 13 and Part 14), I covered some of the issues surrounding the Enoch Calendar.

After literally decades of study on the issue, I have come to two conclusions:

That the astronomical data in the Book of Heavenly Luminaries in the Book of Enoch (I say Astronomical Data, because nothing in the Book of Enoch indicates this data was ever intended for use as a calendar) was intended as a record how how the heavenly bodies were intended to move, and how they did move prior to the angelic fall (Gen. 6:1-4; 1Enoch 6:1-8). This position is laid out in detail in the main article below.
The Qumran Solar Calendar texts are the result of the Scroll authors (click here for proof that they were Essenes) in well meaning but misguided attempts to implement the above referenced Enoch astronomical data into a working calendar. If it was ever implemented, the experiment could not have lasted long, as the calendar’s 364 day year falls behind by 1.25 days every year, 12.5 days in just a decade, and after just 72 years the calendar’s beginnings Spring and Fall have slipped all the way back to that actual beginnings of Winter and Summer. This would have become an agricultural disaster in less that 20 years.

Wandering Stars

There has long been a controversy over the “Astronomical” section or “Calendrical” section (Chapters 72-82). What is this calendar? Why does it insist that it works when it loses more than a day a year? Why is it filled with contradictions? Why does it disagree widely with the traditional Hebrew calendar? Why does it seem to insist that its solar months coincide neatly with lunar cycles when it does not? How could the New Moon be significant to this calendar.

The answers to all of these questions can be found elsewhere in the Book of Enoch itself. The Book of Enoch recounts the fall of a group of angels, who fell from heaven and took human form in order to copulate with human women (1Enoch 6; Gen. 6). Now Chapter 41 gives a prophecy Enoch received BEFORE this fall of angels (see 1En. 39:1). At that time Enoch says concerning the movements of the Sun and Moon:

5 And I saw the chambers of the sun and moon, whence they proceed and whither they come again, and their glorious return, and how one is superior to the other, and their stately orbit, and how they do not leave their orbit, and they add nothing to their orbit and they take nothing from it, and they keep faith with each other, in accordance with the oath by which they are bound together.
6 And first the sun goes forth and traverses his path according to the commandment of YHWH Tzva’ot, and mighty is His name for ever and ever.
7 And after that I saw the hidden and the visible path of the moon, and she accomplishes the course of her path in that place by day and by night-the one holding a position opposite to the other before YHWH Tzva’ot.
And they give thanks and praise and rest not;
For unto them is their thanksgiving rest.
8 For the sun changes oft for a blessing or a curse,
And the course of the path of the moon is light to the righteous
And darkness to the sinners in the name of YHWH,
Who made a separation between the light and the darkness,
And divided the spirits of men,
And strengthened the spirits of the righteous,
In the name of His righteousness.
9 For no angel hinders and no power is able to hinder; for He appoints a judge for them all and He judges them all before Him.
(1En. 41:5-9 Trimm Translation)

And later in the Astronomical/Calendar section we read:

“And in the days of the sinners the years shall be shortened,
and their seed shall be tardy on their lands and fields,
and all things on the earth shall alter,
and shall not appear in their time . . . .
and many chiefs of the stars
shall transgress the order (prescribed);
and these shall alter their orbits and tasks,
and not appear at the seasons prescribed to them”
(1 Enoch 80:2,6)

However AFTER the fall of these fallen angels Enoch receives another revelation concerning the “stars” (The ancients counted the Sun, the Moon, and the five visible planets as “stars”):

14 The angel said: ‘This place is the end of heaven and earth: this has become a prison for the stars and the host of heaven.
15 And the stars which roll over the fire are they which have transgressed the commandment of YHWH in the beginning of their rising, because they did not come forth at their appointed times.
16 And He was wroth with them, and bound them till the time when their guilt should be consummated (even) for ten thousand years.’
(1En. 18:14-16 Trimm Translation)

Jude refers to these “stars” when he refer to “wandering stars for whom is reserved blackness of darkness forever” (Jude 1:13b). It is no coincidence that the Greeks called the “planets” “wandering stars” or that the ancients identified them with false gods.

What Enoch is telling us is that after the fall of the angels recounted in 1Enoch 6 and Genesis 6 the heavenly luminaries changed their motions, having rebelled against YHWH’s commandments. Whereas before the fall the Sun, Moon and stars “[did] not leave their orbit, and they add[ed] nothing to their orbit and they [took] nothing from it, and they [kept] faith with each other, in accordance with the oath by which they [were] bound together.” (41:5) yet after the fall they no longer “did come forth at their appointed times”.

The Calendar section in 1st Enoch was originally a recounting of the pre-fall calendar. I suspect that this pre-fall calendar had a 360 day solar year with exactly twelve lunar months to the day. (This is not an astronomical absurdity, as it is very common for astronomical bodies to have the same orbital momentum and/or to be tidally locked.) After the fall the luminaries departed from “their appointed times”. It may also be possible that the solar year was exactly 364 days with exactly 12 lunar months. In any case the Calendar section may have been corrupted over the centuries by well intended attempts to “correct” the faulty calendar and make it work in one way or another. Some Essenes at Qumran may have engaged in one of these efforts.

Further evidence for this theory may be found in the Ancient Egyptian Solar Calendar. This calendar had 360 days divided into twelve months of thirty days each plus five additional days (thus a 365 day year). This is obviously similar to the Enoch Calendar which adds four days evenly distributed into one month of each of the four seasons.

But why would the Ancient Egyptian Calendar reflect a revision of Enoch’s calendar? Josephus writes in his Antiquities of the Jews:

Now Adam, who was the first man, and made out of the earth, (for our discourse must now be about him,) after Abel was slain, and Cain fled away, on account of his murder was solicitous for posterity a vehement desire of children, he being two hundred and thirty years old; after which time he lived other seven hundred, and then died. He had indeed many other children but Seth in particular. As for the rest, it would be tedious to name them; I will therefore only endeavor to give an account of those that proceeded from Seth. Now this Seth, when he was brought up, and came to those years in which he could discern what was good, became a virtuous man; and as he was himself of an excellent character, so did he leave children behind him who imitated his virtues. All these proved to be of good dispositions. They also inhabited the same country without dissensions, and in a happy condition, without any misfortunes falling upon them, till they died. They also were the inventors of that peculiar sort of wisdom which is concerned with the heavenly bodies, and their order. And that their inventions might not be lost before they were sufficiently known, upon Adam’s prediction that the world was to be destroyed at one time by the force of fire, and at another time by the violence and quantity of water, they made two pillars, the one of brick, the other of stone: they inscribed their discoveries on them both, that in case the pillar of brick should be destroyed by the flood, the pillar of stone might remain, and exhibit those discoveries to mankind; and also inform them that there was another pillar of brick erected by them. Now this remains in the land of Siriad to this day.”
(Ant. 1:2:3)

“Siriad” is believed to refer to Egypt. It refers to the Land of the Sirius followers. The Egyptian Calendar used the movements of the Star Sirius to establish the beginning of the year for their solar calendar, since its movements coincided closely with the annual flooding of the Nile. The Pillar of the Sethites (which some today call the Pillar of Enoch) had astronomical information from before the flood inscribed on it!

Some identify the Great Pyramid with this Pillar, however this is itself unlikely. Josephus mentions the Pyramids elsewhere (Ant. 2:9:1) as having been built by Hebrew slaves, and here he clearly calls them “Pyramids” not “Pillars”? Also the Great Pyramid has no inscriptions, but the Pillar of the Sethites had Astronomical information “inscribed on it”. However it may well be that the Pillar of the Sethites contained information that was used to build the Great Pyramid.

This is further supported by the fact that the Ancient Egyptian god Thoth was a perversion of Enoch and the ancient Egyptian religion a perversion of YHWH worship into Pantheistic Polytheism.

Thoth/Hermes was known to the ancients as the “Scribe of the gods” or “messenger of the gods” and was associated with the planet we know today as Mercury (the Romans god “Mercury” was a slight revision of the Greek god Hermes). While Enoch was known as “Enoch the Scribe” and “The Scribe of Righteousness” (1Enoch 12:4; 15:1; Jub. 4:17, 20) and the Talmud refers to the planet we call Mercury as “The Scribe of the Sun” (b.Shabbat 156a).

The Book of Enoch says:

“After this I saw the secrets of the heavens,
and how the kingdom is divided,
and how the actions of men are weighed in the balance.”
(1Enoch 41:1)

While the following depiction from the Egyptian Book of the Dead shows the Egyptian god Anubis weighing souls in a balance, and Thoth, the scribe of the gods, making a record:

The false god Thoth/Hermes was in fact the result of pagans turning to the worship of Enoch. These false gods are pagan twisting of Enoch.

Enoch worship resulted from a misunderstanding of who Metatron is. There are two very different traditions about who Metatron is. One tradition has it that Metatron is “the lesser YHWH”; the “Word” or “Adam Kadmon”. The other tradition has it that Metatron is just a name for Enoch.

How did the two become confused? The answer lies in the Book of Enoch. The earliest extra-biblical Ma’aseh Merkavah account is found in the Book of Enoch Chapter 14. Here Enoch comes before the figure on the throne and comes near to the “Holy Word”. The set-ting is that Enoch has been attempting to intercede for the fallen angels. Enoch passes through the worlds and comes before the throne and before the Word. Enoch is then given a message of judgment to take back to the fallen angels (1 Enoch 13-15).

Now the “Word” (Memra) is Metatron and it was this Word (Metatron) who gave Enoch a message to take back to the fallen angels. In a much later Rabbinic document the Midrash of Shemichazah and Aza’el we read:

Forthwith Metatron sent a messenger to Shemichaza and said to him: “The Holy One is about to destroy His world and bring upon it a flood.
(Midrash of Shemichazah and Aza’el)

This parallels 1 Enoch 13-15 exactly, only Enoch has simply become “a messenger” for Metatron, his name (Enoch) has been dropped. (Shemichazah and Aza’el were the leaders of the Fallen angels [1 Enoch 6; 10]). From this we can see how eventually Metatron (Adam Kadmon; the Lesser YHWH; the Word) became confused with His messenger Enoch. Just as Metatron was the Memra, the incarnate “Word”, Hermes had the epithet of Logios (Word).

Hermetic Kabbalah is an amalgamation between Jewish Kabbalah and Hermeticism. This amalgamation occurred when Hermeticists noticed parallels between Hermeticism and Jewish Kabbalah, and thus merged elements of the two systems together.

Why did Hermeticism resemble Jewish Kabbalah? Hermeticism a set of philosophical and religious beliefs based primarily upon writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, the representation of the congruence of the Egyptian god Thoth and the Greek god Hermes. In fact the Greek god Hermes was a re-imaging of the Egyptian god Thoth. The Thoth worshippers of Ancient Egypt had built their false religion around information inscribed on the Sethite Pillar.

This may also shed light on the religion of Amenhotep IV when he came to power. He had the old Egyptian religion abolished and replaced with the worship of a single universal god called Aton. Aton had been recognized by the Egyptian Polytheistic religion as an aspect of Ra. Aton was the disc of the Sun and it bears mentioning that Malachi 4:2 refers to Messiah as “the Sun of righteousness.” (And remember, the Talmud calls the planet “Mercury” with the title “the Scribe of the Sun” (b.Shabbat 156a). After Amenhotep IV’s death, the Polytheistic religion returned. But did Amenhotep IV invent this monotheistic religion, or did he embrace a competing Ancient Egyptian minority religion? Was this monotheism a monotheistic strain of this same perversion of YHWHism drawn from the Sethite Pillar?

Clearly the Ancient Egyptian calendar was based on a perversion of the pre-flood, pre-fall calendar which the Ancient Egyptian priests learned form the Sethite Pillar. They simply had to add five days to the end of the year to make an almost accurate calendar. Likewise certain Jews, attempting to “correct” the Enoch calendar, and make it work, added four days, one to each of the four seasons, to make a Solar calendar that was also almost accurate.

The traditional Hebrew calendar continues to use the Lunar Months as required by the Torah:

10 Also in the day of your gladness, and in your appointed seasons, and in your new
moons, you shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt-offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace-offerings. And they shall be to you for a memorial before your Elohim: I am YHWH your Elohim.
(Num. 10:10)

And in your new moons, you shall present a burnt-offering unto YHWH: two young
bullocks, and one ram, seven he lambs of the first year without blemish.
(Num. 28:11)

The word for “Month” in Hebrew is CHODESH and the word for “New Moon” is ROSH CHODESH (literally, the head/beginning of the moon/month)

And lest anyone should argue that ROSH CHODESH refers to a new month, but not necissarily to a New Moon:

6 And even the shining moon wanes according to its time.
Though it is for ruling the seasons and an everlasting sign.
7 By it are the seasons and the times of the statute:
And shining, it vanishes in its circuit.
8 The new moon (Rosh Chodesh), according to its name renews itself;
How wonderful is it when it changes!
The beacon of the host wanes on high,
Leaving the firmament aglow from its shining.
(Sira 43:6-8)

The traditional Hebrew calendar simply adds a leap month as needed to keep the Lunar year from falling more than a month behind the Solar year. But before the fall of the angels in Gen. 6/1Enoch 6, it was not necessary to add a leap month, because the Lunar Year and Solar Year were both exactly 360 days with twelve months of thirty days each,

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Sukkot ImmanuEl “The Word Became Flesh and Tabernacled Among Us”

Sukkot ImmanuEl
“The Word Became Flesh and Tabernacled Among Us”
By
Rabbi Robert. O. Miller

“Now a great sign appeared in Heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars.Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. (Revelation 12:1-2)”

“Therefore the Sovereign Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)”which is translated, “El with us.” (Matthew 1:23)”

From two Hebrew words,amamעָמַם meaning “to gather” and אֵל El, “the Mighty One” – Yahweh meaning the child would be the gathering together of all that is Yahweh, in other words “the image of the invisible Elohim,” the Son of Yahweh called in the Hebrew the “Adam Kadmon.”

“He is the expressed image (Adam Kadmon) of the invisible Elohim (Ayn Sof), the firstborn over all creation (Son of Yahweh). For through Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.And He is the head of the body, the Assembly, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Messiah). (Colossians 1:15-18)”

YahShua is the image of Yahweh living in the midst of his people.

“…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth…of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace.For the Torah was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Messiah YahShua.No one has seen Yahweh at any time. The only begotten Son,Who is in the bosom of the Father, He has revealed Him. (John 1:14,16-18)”

The feast of our Joy!

“Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days after you have gathered the produce of your threshing floor and your winepress. Be joyful at your Feast–you, your sons and daughters, your menservants and maidservants, and the Levites, the aliens, the fatherless and the widows who live in your towns. For seven days celebrate the Feast to Yahweh your Elohim at the place Yahweh will choose. For Yahweh your Elohim will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete. Three times a year all your men must appear before Yahweh your Elohim at the place he will choose: at the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. No man should appear before Yahweh empty-handed: Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you. (Deuteronomy 16:13-17)”

How has Yahweh blessed us? “For Yahweh so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.For Yahweh did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16,17)”

“For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty El, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end, upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of Yahweh of hosts will perform this. (Isaiah 9:5,7)”

The Torah commands us “Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way Yahweh your Elohim has blessed you,” so we must bring with us a rededication to give our lives back to Yahweh – life for a life. “YahShua said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his crossbeam (or exposure to death), and follow Me.For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (Matthew 16:24-26)”

The Birth of Messiah YahShua at Sukkot

Since Sukkot is our Feast of Joy, Yahweh sent “Joy” in the form of a love package: “Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night.And behold,an angel of Yahweh stood before them, and the glory of Yahweh shone around them, and they were greatly afraid.Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Messiah the King.And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a Sukkah.” And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising Yahweh and saying: “Glory to El Elyon, and on earth peace, toward men of goodwill!” (Luke 2:8-14)”

We can document that King Messiah YahShua was born on the first day of Sukkot. It is done by paying attention to five things.

The remez of John 1
The date that Gabriel the angel tells Zechariah, the soon to be father of Yochannan, about his son’s birth. (The birth date of Yochannan (John) is established by going forward nine months, the term of pregnancy).
The approximate date of Miriam’s (Mary’s) conception.
The date of Herod’s death.
The Sign in the heavens.

The Remez – Hint

“…the Word became flesh and “Tabernacled” among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father…” This is a “remez” “hint.” The Gaon of Vilna taught that all commands of the Torah are hinted at in the first word of the Torah. For instance, Pidyon Haben – redemption of the first-born – is alluded to by an acronym of the letters of Bereshit, which spell “ben rishon acharei shloshim yom tifdeh” – the first son you shall redeem after thirty days.

Yahweh is hinting to us that the Living Torah, His only begotten Son, will be made flesh on the Feat of Tabernacles – Sukkot!

The Annunciation of Rav Yochannan haTivilah

In Rabbi Silas’ Messianic account (Luke 1.5) he states that Zechariah is a priest of the course of Abijah. If you will remember King David, according to I Chronicles 24:1-19, had divided the priestly families into twenty-four groups. Each group was a course, and named after the Elder of that particular family. Each course served for one week in the first half of the year, and for another week the second half of the year. This was in addition to the weeks of Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot, when all the courses were required to be present (Deuteronomy 16.16). Therefore, “the first …to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah,the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim,the fifth to Malchijah, the sixth to Mijamin,the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah. (1 Chronicles 24:7-10)” The family of Abijah would serve the tenth week of the first half of the year, having allowed two weeks for Pesach and Shavuot. It is at this time that Zechariah receives the prophecy of Yochanan’s birth.

“So it was, that while he was serving as priest before Elohim in the order of his division,according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the Temple of Yahweh.And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense.Then an angel of Yahweh appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name Yochannan. (Luke 1:8-13)”

Allowing for the “time of separation,” “Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying,”Speak to the children of Israel, saying: “If a woman has conceived, and borne a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her customary impurity she shall be unclean.And on the eighth day the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised.She shall then continue in the blood of her purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any hallowed thing, nor come into the Sanctuary until the days of her purification are fulfilled. (Leviticus 12:1-4)” an additional 11 days have to be counted. Allowing for this and going forward a normal pregnancy, the time of Yochanan’s birth (if this is the first half of the year) would be approximately Pesach, when it is expected that Elijah will appear.

Six months following Elizabeth’s conception, the angel Gabriel is sent to Miriam (Mary), the cousin of Elizabeth.

“Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by Yahweh to a city of Galilee named Nazareth,to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the House of David. The virgin’s name was Miriam.And having come in, the angel said to her, “Rejoice, highly favored one, Yahweh is with you; blessed are you among women!” But when she saw him,she was troubled at his saying, and considered what manner of greeting this was.Then the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with Yahweh. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bring forth a Son, and shall call His name YahShuah.He will be great, and will be called BenElyon (Son of the Highest); and the Sovereign Yahweh will give Him the throne of His father David.And He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.” (Luke 1:26-33)”

Starting at Chanukah, which begins on Kislev 25 and continues for eight days, and counting through the nine months of Miriam’s pregnancy brings one to the approximate time of Sukkot.

Herod’s Death

How can it be known that Rav Zechariah was given the prophecy about Yochannan in the first half of the year rather than the last? The key is found in the life and death of King Herod.

Herod, an Edomite, not Jewish, was a man hated by the Jewish people and this figures prominently into the birth of King Messiah YahShua. In Rabbi Mattatiyahu’s account, he tells us young YahShua is visited by “wise men from the East.”

“Now after YahShua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem,saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1-2)”

From this passage, we can see that the “wise men” are Jewish. While the verse does not tell how many wise men there are, it does give reference to where they were from. In the Scripture, the “land of the East” is always the land of Babylon (see Genesis 29.1; Judges 6.3). During the first century C.E., the largest Jewish population was in Babylon. These people were the descendants of the captivity of Nebuchadnezzar. Even though Ezra, Nehemiah, and others had returned, most of the people had remained behind. Many refused to return without the Messiah being born. The fact that the wise men are looking for the Messiah, who was only expected by the Jewish people, should be noted. A prophecy relating to the Messiah, that only Israel was aware of, is found in the book of Numbers.

“I see Him, but not now; I behold Him, but not near; a Star shall come out of Jacob; a Scepter shall rise out of Israel, and batter the brow of Moab, and destroy all the sons of tumult. (Numbers 24:17)”

Because of the prophecy, a “sign in the Heavens,” a star, was related to the coming of the Messiah. This will be explored a little later.

These rabbis or the sages were known as the “chakamim,” which means “the wise men.” The sage Daniel was referred to by this same title. A related word, “mag” is also used for “wise men.” The Greek “magi” is taken from the Babylonian word “mag,” which has a number of meanings. The word is used for astronomer, scientist, counselor, or scholar. The Jewish sages or wise men from Babylon, knowing the prophecy of Numbers 24.17, relating it correctly to the Messiah, and having seen a sign in the heavens, traveled to Jerusalem to see if this was King Messiah.

The illegitimate Edomite Herod was possibly one of the wickedest and most bloodthirsty and perverted men who ever lived. He killed his sons, his favorite wife who was the last of the HaShemites, and thousands of innocent people. His fear of losing his throne drove him to insanity. Augustus Caesar, noting that Herod was a convert to Judaism and therefore would not eat pork, once made the statement that it was better to be a pig in the house of Herod than to be one of his sons. It is no surprise that Herod sought to kill young YahShua, nor that all of Jerusalem would be troubled as Herod received the news that Messiah was born.

“When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. (Matthew 2:3)”

It is reasoned that the “wise men” appeared about a year to eighteen months after the birth of YahShua. This is based upon Herod’s killing of the male children under two years, according to the date that the wise men had given him for the appearance of the star.

“Then Herod, when he had secretly called the wise men, determined from them what time the star appeared.And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the young Child, and when you have found Him, bring back word to me, that I may come and worship Him also… Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. (Matthew 2:7-8,16)”

However, Orientals count the years of one’s age from the date of conception; therefore, Herod actually killed the children one year old and under according to the way that age is calculated today. In fact, the wise men arrive in Jerusalem either just prior to or at the time of YahShua’s birth.

It is interesting that up to this time, no one in Jerusalem, including the Temple priest, had heard that Messiah had been born. Knowing the manic psyche of Herod, and his practice of having secret police throughout the country, it is impossible that he would not have heard something. Rabbi Silas’ account of the birth relates the experience of the shepherds of Bethlehem, who after seeing the newborn YahShua, broadcast what they have seen and heard to the entire Jerusalem- Bethlehem region.

“Now when they had seen Him, they made widelyknown the saying which was told them concerning this Child. (Luke 2:17)”

Jerusalem is only five miles from Bethlehem so it is very probable that Herod or the Temple priest would have heard of Messiah’s birth. Further proof is seen in that forty days after the birth of YahShua, Miriam carries YahShua to the Temple for her purification and His “redemption”. It is here that two well known individuals within the Temple compound make known prophesy concerning the child.

“A woman who … gives birth to a son will be ceremonially unclean for seven days, just as she is unclean during her monthly period. On the eighth day the boy is to be circumcised. Then the woman must wait thirty-three days to be purified from her bleeding. She must not touch anything sacred or go to the Sanctuary until the days of her purification are over.” (Leviticus 12:1-4)

“Now when the days of her purification according to the Torah of Moses were completed, they brought Him to Jerusalem to present Him to Yahweh(as it is written in the Torah of Yahweh, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to Yahweh.” – Exodus 13:2, 12, 15),and to offer a sacrifice according to what is said in the Torah of Yahweh, ‘A pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.’ (Leviticus 12:8)

And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Shimon, and this man was a Tzaddik and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) (Holy Spirit) was upon him.And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen Yahweh’s Messiah.So he came by the Spirit into the Temple. And when the parents brought in the Child YahShua, to do for Him according to the custom of the Torah,he took Him up in his arms and blessed Yahweh and said: ‘Yahweh, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your ‘yeshua’ (salvation) which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’

And Joseph and His mothermarveled at those things which were spoken of Him.Then Shimon blessed them, and said to Miriam His mother, ‘Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against(yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.’

Now there was one, Channa, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, and had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity;and this woman was a widow of about eighty-four years,who did not depart from the Temple, but served Yahweh with fastings and prayers night and day.And coming in that instant she gave thanks to Yahweh and spoke of Him to all those who looked for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:22-38)”

Thinking that all of Judea would be rejoicing, the wise men went to the King. Having spoken to Herod about the time of Messiah’s birth, they traveled on to Bethlehem having understood another Messianic prophecy.

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting. (Micah 5:2)”

Having been born in a Sukkah, the new mother and child were moved from the Sukkah following the birth into the house. The fact that He was born in a Sukkah is a clue to the time of His birth, (Genesis 33.17). Sukkot,” the Feast of Tabernacles, is the plural form of this word. It is even significant that they had to seek cover in the “sukkah” due to “no room in the inn” (Luke 2.7). It was only during the three pilgrim festivals (Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot) that Bethlehem would overflow with people. The thousands of pilgrims coming to Jerusalem for the festivals would spill over to the surrounding towns. Caesar capitalized on this by declaring a census.

Herod died within this same forty days that Joseph and Miriam brought young YahShua into Jerusalem. The chronology of these forty days is imperative in correctly finding His birth date. Joseph and Miriam come to Jerusalem for the festival of Sukkot, planning to stay in their family hometown, Bethlehem in order to register for the census. Unable to find a room at the inn, they are given shelter in a Sukkah. During the night the wise men arrive in Jerusalem and speak to Herod. Meanwhile, Miriam gives birth. The heavenly host appears to the shepherds, proclaiming that the Messiah has been born. They go to pay Him homage in the Sukkah, while the wise men are making their way to Bethlehem. The shepherds leave to “noise it abroad,” and Miriam is moved to a house. The wise men arrive and during the night are warned by Yahweh that Herod will try to murder him. Joseph and Miriam take the child and flee to Egypt and remain there until Yahweh tells them that Herod is dead. On returning to Judea, they “redeem” YahShua according to the Torah, receiving the prophecies of Channa and Rav Shimon haTzaddik. After this, they will return to Galilee, to Nazareth where they will live.

A Sign In the Heavens

“And Elohim said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years. (Genesis 1:14)”

“Now after YahShua was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.” (Matthew 2:1,2)”

The wise men were skilled astronomers studying the heavens from atop of ziggurats awaiting the sign that Messiah was born so all of Israel could be gathered. To them the מַזָּרוֹת “Mazzarot” which is the constellations was just another Book of Scripture to be read.

The best modern books on this are “The Gospel in the Stars” by Joseph A Seiss, “A Voice Crying in the Heavens” by B. Wadsworth, and “The Witness of the Stars” by E.W. Bullinger.

In the early evening of June 17, 2 BCEspectacular astronomical events were being witnessed in the western sky. The wise men of the Diaspora had been monitoring for several weeks the planet Venus moving eastward among the stars on what appeared to be a collision course with the planet Jupiter. The celestial events told the wise men that the time of King Messiah was at hand:

August 12, 3 BCE – They saw צַדִּיק Tzadeq, the Righteous One (Jupiter) and ט בֶּ לְ קֹ Kokebet (Venus), the mother called מְלֶכֶת הַשָּׁמַיִם “Meleket ha-Shamayim,” “the queen of heaven,” in Jeremiah 7:18, rise in conjunction. (A conjunction is when celestial bodies line up so closely that they appear to us as a single super bright light.) Tzadeq (Jupiter) The Righteous One – Yahweh is over shadowing Kokebet (Venus), the mother – Israel occurring in the constellation of אֲרִי Arieh (Leo), which is the symbol of the Hebrew royal tribe Judah. Since the wise men were studying in the Holy Scriptures, they knew from Genesis 49:10 that the Messiah would come from the royal tribe of Judah. The message this would have sent the “wise men from the East” was that Yahweh is causing some important royal event is to happen in Israel.
31 August 3 BCE. כ וֹ כָּ בּ Kokab (Mercury), the heavenly messenger now arrives at Kokebet (Venus), the mother. The Sun is now in the constellation בְּתוּלָה Betulah (Virgo), the virgin. Kokab (Mercury) and Kokebet (Venus) are in the constellation of Arieh (Leo) and Tzadeq (Jupiter) is just entering the same, meaning Yahweh’s messenger, Gabriel is sent to the royal mother Israel personalized by Miriam.
September 3 BCE – They saw Tzadeq (Jupiter) rise in conjunction withמֶלֶךְ Melek (Regulus – King). Regulus is the brightest star in the constellation of Arieh (Leo)- a symbol of rulership signifying that Yahweh is handing the scepter to Judah.
February 2 BC – a Second time they saw Tzadeq (Jupiter) rise in conjunction withMelek (Regulus – King). If the woman in Revelation is taken to be the constellation Betulah (Virgo), the virgin, then the Sun clothes her body for one month a year. The moon will pass through that region in the course of its monthly cycle so that it is (just) under her feet on one particular period – Sukkot.
May 2 BCE – a Third time they saw Tzadeq (Jupiter) rise in conjunction with Melek (Regulus – King).
June 2 BCE – a Second time they saw Tzadeq (Jupiter) andKokebet (Venus) rise in conjunction.
September 2 BCE – a Third time they saw Tzadeq (Jupiter) and Kokebet (Venus) rise in conjunction. This occurred again in the constellation of Arieh, which again is the symbol of the Hebrew tribe Judah.
26 August 2 BCE A close conjunction of Tzadeq (Jupiter) and אָ דִים מָ Ma’adim (Mars) the warrior, in the constellation Arieh (Leo), with Kokebet (Venus), the mother and Kokab (Mercury), the heavenly messenger, and the Sun in the constellation Betulah (Virgo) which suggests these events will lead to war.
3 and 2 BCE – On these two occasions, Tzadeq (Jupiter) was located directly in the womb area of the constellation of Betulah (Virgo) the virgin. Jupiter’s Hebrew name is “ Tzadeq,” was throughout the period of YahShua and the apostles a term used for the Messiah.
14 Sept 3 BCE, 17 Feb 2 BCE, and 8 May 2 BCE. Three conjunctions of Tzadeq (Jupiter) with Melek (Regulus – King)., the brightest star in the constellation Arieh (Leo), the lion, and located between the lion’s feet. The message is Tzadeq (Jupiter) the Righteous One, circles above Melek (Regulus – King), the king, placing a crown on the king’s head.
17 June, 2 BCE. A very rare close conjunction of Tzadeq (Jupiter), the Righteous One and Kokebet (Venus), the mother is what sends the wise men on their way to Jerusalem.
Then on September 25, 3 BCE (Tishri 15) with the sun mid-body along the ecliptic in Betulah

(Virgo) and the moon at her feet, the twelve stars of the constellation known as “Coma Bernice’s hair” is at her head. A triple conjunction of Tzadeq (Jupiter) Kokebet (Venus) and Melek (Regulus – King) occurred between the constellation and Betulah’s (Virgo) feet. Higher and above her legs, we find תַּנִין Tanēn’ (Draco, the Dragon – that ancient serpent called the devil, or haSatan, who leads the whole world astray), poised to devour the child. Then between 6:15 to 7:49 pm a comet coming out of the heavens went right through her entering her head and just as it came from between her legs and aligned with Tzadeq (Jupiter) Kokebet (Venus) and Melek (Regulus) a flash of light burst forth and Messiah was born.

“A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. (Revelation 12:1-3).”

Messiah YahShua Celebrated Sukkot

Our Messiah celebrated Sukkot by taking his disciples up the mount to show them something spectacular. “After six days Rebbe YahShua took Rabbis Kepha, Yakkov and Yochannan with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Rebbe YahShua.

Rabbi Kepha said to Rebbe YahShua, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three Sukkas–one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.)

Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!”

Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Rebbe YahShua.

As they were coming down the mountain, Rebbe YahShua gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant.

And they asked him, “Why do the Rabbis of the Torah say that Elijah must come first?”

Rebbe YahShua replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him.” (Mark 9:2-13)”

The Transfiguration reminds us that we will someday trade these earthly tents for beautiful glorified bodies to dwell forever in the Heavenly Jerusalem with Him. “And so we will be with the King forever. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)” Just to BE with Him will be real SIMCHAT, JOY!

“Now Yahweh is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of Yahweh is, there is liberty.But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of Yahweh, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of Yahweh. (2 Corinthians 3:17-19)”

Each Holy Day has its own special glory and as we celebrate each of Yahweh’s appointed times we are being transformed. From glory to glory He’s changing us, transforming us, to His likeness.

“Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from Yahweh, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 5:1)”

Originally written by Rabbi Robert O. Miller on Sept. 23rd 2010
(Robert Owen Miller 1957-2021)

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The feast of our Joy!

The Birth of Messiah YahShua at Sukkot

The Remez – Hint

The Annunciation of Rav Yochannan haTivilah

Herod’s Death

A Sign In the Heavens

Messiah YahShua Celebrated Sukkot

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