Ponderings of the Pentateuch #22 Feb. 26, 2011

RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Pentateuch

Parashah # 22: Vayakhel “He Assembled”

Shemot / Exodus 35:1-38:20              

By: Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

Exodus 35:1, 4, 20-21a And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them… And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying… And all the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD's offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation…

After the word and will of YHWH was delivered to the People, then was the need expressed and People gave as they felt led and moved within their power, ability and resources. No one gave a set amount (tithe) and no one gave the same thing. This following and confirming what we covered in our last Torah Portion. So I will not rehash but let this stand as a second witness to what was said in the last Parashah.

In our Haftarah portion (I Kings 7:13-26, 40-50) there was no set amount of bronze which was given and the weight and amount remained undetermined.

Acts 2:44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common…

Acts 4:32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

  

This giving freely without account or regard to amount, but only was long as a need existed, bleeds over into the first century believers way of life as well. Yeshua emphasized this attribute of generous giving as well.

Matt. 10:8 Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov! -- Rabbi Yehudah

PLEASE CONSIDER HELPING THE LOST TRIBE OF GAD

Shalom Family, Friends and Associates,

Did you ever think you would be living in a time where so much prophecy is being fulfilled before your very eyes? Have you ever wanted to have a direct hand in aiding the fulfillment of prophecy? Well, you can.

My name is Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr of RaYBaSH Ministries and AD International (www.adint-ministries.com). I have been asked by Abrahamic Faith Netzarim of Nigeria, a Messianic organization in Africa, who invited me to minister to them for two weeks in August 2010, to contact and work closely with Messianic and Natsari synagogues in order to help our Messianic believing brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

I was invited to minister to the Nigerian Tribe of the Ibu who are descendants of Eri (Gen. 46:16) the son of the Biblical Patriarch of the Tribe of Gad. On my website is a full report regarding the evidence and proofs that link the Ibu’s to the Lost Tribe of Gad. I look forward getting in contact with you, ministering and partnering together to raise up Messianic leaders in Nigeria and bring Torah and Messiah to the people of that Land.

The Ibu’s are discovering who they are and where they belong. Orthodox Judaism sees and believes this as well and are even now sending anti-missionaries among them in an attempt to destroy the Ibu peoples belief in Yeshua Ha Moshiach and make them blind Orthodox Jews like themselves.

Matt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

We are NOT asking for money. The Ibu people do not need money. What they DO need however is for you to kindly donate new and gently used:

Sacred Name Bibles (ISR Scriptures, HRV, Complete Jewish Bible, Aramaic-English New Testament), All four volumes by Michael Brown’s, “Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus,” Tzitzit, Kippot, Tallit Gadolim, Tallit Katans, Mezuzot, Messianic and or Natsari books, Messianic prayer siddurim, Artscroll Siddurim, Messianic music and worship CD’s, Messianic and or Netzari Teaching DVD’s etc.

Once we have sufficient amount of goods we will ship them to our contact who will distribute them among the various congregations.

Please let us know if you can think of other ways you or your congregation can help.

Please send all Donations to:

A.D. International

PO BOX 822

Fayetteville, NY. 13066

I sincerely hope and pray that you decide to be apart of this prophetic and monumental task of restoring the lost Tribe of Gad to Israel, Messiah and to the world.

Thank you, your generous and sacrificial donation will help make these Messianic Ibu believers remain strong in the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) and combat the anti-messianic propaganda of the Orthodox Jewish anti-missionaries and reclaim their rightful place as sons and daughters of Gad.

You can see photos of my trip to Nigeria, labeled “Nigeria 2010,” on my facebook profile:

www.facebook.com/raybashkatan

In the service of the God of Israel,

Shalom,

Founder and CEO of RaYBaSH Ministries and A.D. International,

-- Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

Wages, Evangelism, Food and Fellowship

Wages, Evangelism, Food and Fellowship

Rabi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

I Corinthians 9 have needlessly carried some controversial confusion in Messianic and Natsari circles due to the goyish (gentile) anti-Nomian and anti-Semitic bias most of us have been raised and taught in. The key to shattering confusion is to shed the western Greek mindset and look at such writings with a Hebraic, eastern mindset; think like Jew in other words because these letters were written by a Jewish Rabbi.

This is not an exegesis of I Cor. 9-10, but a very brief overview of the chapters from a Natsari Jewish perspective.

By the time of this letter of Rav Sha’ul (Paul), the Pharisaical Synagogues and Houses of Study (Yeshiva’s) were seen as an extension of the Temple and the Priesthood and even at times a temporal replacement for it when it was discovered that the Sadducee run Temple system was in bed with Rome and therefore corrupted. This was but one reason for the desert Essene (Qumran) community in which some speculate Yochannon the Immerser (John the Baptist) may have been a part of. In this vein Rav Sha’ul opens I Corinthians chapter nine and establishes his status as a Sheliach (Apostle), a “sent out one” of Messiah Yeshua to the Gentile believers. He also equates his work and ministry as Sheliach as a type of holy priestly work, an extension of or at least a partnership with the Levitical Priesthood since synagogues were established with Ezra and Nehemiah.

He argues by right, just as the Levitical Priests get a portion of the sacrifices brought to them as their payment, the Rabbi’s and Sheliachim also have a right to be paid whether by monies or necessary provisions for the work they do in educating and ministering to the people. He points out that just as a Levitical Priest is a legitimate occupation with prescribed wages, so too is one of a Rabbi and Sheliach. He also points out according to the Torah, (Deut. 25:4, I Tim. 5:18) just as a farmer and his animals have right to eat of the soil in which they work, so to a Rabbi or Sheliach has the right to partake of the good of the people to whom they minister unto. That such is payment of the people for their labor among them but that he has not exploited this right so as not to put congregations and the communities in a disadvantageous financial predicament or to somehow draw attention to himself and take away from the Good News of the Torah and Messiah. After all, we see in his many letters that he only solicited funds or goods when he truly was in need, otherwise he was a tentmaker, a tallit maker and supported himself and his missionary endeavors whenever he could (v.1-18).

Rav Sha’ul says a greater reward than monetary provisions is seeing the spiritual fruit of his labor. He stresses that being a servant to all is greater than being a leader with powerful sway and influence over a mass of people.

Rav Sha’ul tells us that culturally, sociologically, intellectually and religiously in ministering to people he relates to them on their level and finds common ground in which to spring board his outreach from all the while not compromising his stance and observance of Torah in order to show Jew and Gentile alike are to, and can keep it. He finds cultural, sociological, intellectual and religious in roads in which to relate to whom he is ministering too in order to make Torah and Messiah accessible and applicable to everyone he comes in contact with. After all we can see due to his education, upbringing, training and background that he can relate to Gentiles whether rich, poor, or philosophers. He can also relate and minister to Jews and Hebrews no matter what their level of education of religious observance.  Just as Yeshua ministered to the Pharisees and Sadducees, prostitutes, publicans and sinners, all the while bucking if needed the doctrines of men, but never compromising adherence to Torah, so did Rav Sha’ul. He lives, works, fights and ministers with calculated precision and divine purpose for the honor and glory of HaShem (v.19-27).

Rav Sha’ul goes on in chapter 10 of I Corinthians that though Israel was in the middle of Egyptian paganism that they were divinely protected as they walked through the land to get to Canaan and that even in obedience to Adonai and in ministry they were tempted and lured by the paganism around them but always had a Torah alternative to endure or escape. Rav Sha’ul said to the Jewish and Gentile believers that assimilation is a real danger and threat but it is resistible and conquerable. Let Torah be your manna and sustenance and not pagan philosophies. The key is to be obedient to Torah and Messiah with out question or complaint and do not make ones desires and temptations into an idol (v.1-14).

Spiritually speaking one cannot eat of Torah and pagan philosophies, the two do not mix. One is clean and the other unclean. Here Rav Sha’ul making his point applicable Spiritually and Physically he cautions that one must know where their food comes from and whose table they eat at. Just as one would not eat a lamb sacrificed to Ba’al, lets say, though a lamb is kosher, one would not spiritually partake of Greek Philosophy and try to make it jive with Torah. Though Gentile teachings may have applicable righteous parallels  and agree with the Torah to immerse oneself in such would not be beneficial to do so because it would be so easy to get sucked in, influenced and assimilated by such pagan thought (v. 15- 23)

As Rav Sha’ul transitions from the spiritual to the physical he alludes to a Jewish custom of not eating with Gentiles and hints that if they are Torah Observant believers eat with them and trust their obedience and do not question where the food they provide comes from and thus insulting their hospitality and questioning the integrity of their Torah Observance (v.23-33).

What Does Hard Earned Money Represent?

RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Pentateuch

Parashah # 21: Ki Tissa: “When you take”

Shemot / Exodus 30:11-34:35

By: Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

We know that the Brit Chadasha says that the LOVE of money is the root of all evil (I Tim. 6:10) and money and finances can be a touchy taboo subject with some as much as religion and politics are to the majority of the western public. You deal with the pocketbook and you are dealing with a private and intimate subject in peoples lives; almost as personal as someone’s sex life! Why!? Isn’t it just a configuration of atoms, molecules and elements that mankind has attached some sort of monetary value to, whether it be “precious metals” or simply paper and ink!? Why do we have this love-hate relationship with money? Why is it when someone gives us money, most of us like blow it and if it’s money we worked for and earned we are very reluctant to part with it so quickly?

Exodus 30:11-16 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the LORD, when thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou numberest them. This they shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary: (a shekel is twenty gerahs:) an half shekel shall be the offering of the LORD. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years old and above, shall give an offering unto the LORD. The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel, when they give an offering unto the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before the LORD, to make an atonement for your souls.

Money represents our blood sweat and tears. It is symbolic of the culmination of labor and efforts. When we work with all our might, we throw our heart and soul into it and the reward of such labor, the fruit of such labor, often manifests itself as monetary wages; MONEY. Money isn’t evil, the LOVE of it is and so actually, in a way, money represents a piece of ourselves, our soul.

This is why it is become tradition in modern day Judaism to give tzedakah (charity) prior to prayer, a Sabbath or a High Holy Day because it is seen as a temporal replacement for the sacrifices while we currently are in exile and have no standing nor working Temple and Priesthood on Mount Zion in Jerusalem.

When we give regularly to a ministry on a monetary level, we are actually investing apart of ourselves into the fabric and make up of that ministry. The blood sweat and tears we shed in order to obtain that money we give to a ministry is a form and type of sacrifice. The energy we expend in making money and earning a living is like the fire on the altar and the blood that is diminished though the expense of such energy by our labor is like the blood shed by animal sacrifice; this is what our wages is representory of.

We see in our Torah portion that the redemptive money given by everyone during the census of Israel was used for the building up of and maintenance of the Tabernacle; which meant they, through their money, which is symbolic of their soul, became part of that Tabernacle. The Tabernacle was not G-d’s, Moses’ or the Levites; it was the peoples. Just as one who gives to a ministry, they became apart of that ministry, it becomes in essence their ministry.

No matter how much one gives to a ministry, everyone has an equal share. Just as there was a set ransom at the census, the rich could not give more and the poor were not permitted to give less, likewise, everyone who gives to a ministry no matter the amount is equally apart of it as anyone else who gave.

Why are some people reluctant to give to a ministry? Because subconsciously in their spirit they know they are giving apart of themselves to that ministry and they want to make sure they believe in what they are giving their blood, sweat, tears and labor for.

Our Haftarah portion shows service and dedication to a ministry is not just about finances but also about giving of ourselves through our gifts, talents and even powers that may come from a position we hold. We see Obadiah risked his life and used the resources of the evil King Ahab who he was employed by to supply food to the very prophets Ahab was out to kill.

So in service to HaShem, we are to give of ourselves materially and immaterially in equal measure in order to be truly balanced.

Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov! -- Rabbi Yehudah

The Weekly Torah Portion:

The New Annual, Haftarah, Brit Chadasha, Kids Torah Portion Commentary, Torah Tidbits, a compact Torah commentary for those with limited time to study Torah, Torah Treasures, a devotional style commentary on the weekly Torah portion and Ponderings of the Pentateuch, a hybrid in depth commentary and devotional, all by Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr for the coming week has been posted on or have them sent right to your inbox by subscribing to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Raybash_Torah

You can also watch Torah Tidbits, Haftarah Hashings and the Brit Chadasha Connections on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/RaYBaSHKatan

Now you can buy the Torah commentaries to read and study for yourself at your leisure by going to: http://stores.lulu.com/raybash

For more information on Natsari Judaism, check out:

www.adint-ministries.com

Tell your friends! Shalom!

Literally, YOU have the chance to change prophetic history !

From the desk of Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

Shalom Family, Friends and Associates,

Seeing as a new secular year is upon us and underway what are your plans, your goals to make a difference in this world and in the Kingdom of Elohim?

Did you ever think you would be living in a time where so much prophecy is being fulfilled before your very eyes? Have you ever wanted to have a direct hand in aiding the fulfillment of prophecy? Well, you can. 

My name is Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr of AD International (www.adint-ministries.com). I have been asked by Abrahamic Faith Netzarim of Nigeria, a Messianic organization in Africa, who invited me to minister to them for two weeks in August 2010, to contact and work closely with Messianic and Natsari synagogues in order to help our Messianic believing brothers and sisters in Nigeria.

I was invited to minister to the Nigerian Tribe of the Ibu who are descendants of Eri (Gen. 46:16) the son of the Biblical Patriarch of the Tribe of Gad. On my website is a full report regarding the evidence and proofs that link the Ibu’s to the Lost Tribe of Gad. I look forward getting in contact with you, ministering and partnering together to raise up Messianic leaders in Nigeria and bring Torah and Messiah to the people of that Land.

The Ibu’s are discovering who they are and where they belong. Orthodox Judaism sees and believes this as well and is even now sending anti-missionaries among them in an attempt to destroy the Ibu peoples belief in Yeshua Ha Moshiach and make them blind Orthodox Jews like themselves.

Matt. 23:15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

We are NOT asking for money. The Ibu people do not need money. What they DO need however is for you to kindly donate new and or gently used:

Sacred Name Bibles (ISR Scriptures, HRV, Complete Jewish Bible, Aramaic-English New Testament), All four volumes by Michael Brown’s, “Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus,” Tzitzit, Kippot, Tallit Gadolim, Tallit Katans, Mezuzot, Messianic and or Natsari books, Messianic prayer siddurim, Artscroll Siddurim, Messianic music and worship CD’s, Messianic and or Netzari Teaching DVD’s etc. 

Once we have sufficient amount of goods we will ship them to our contact who will distribute them among the various congregations.

Please let us know if you can think of other ways you or your congregation can help.

Please send all Donations to:

A.D. International

PO BOX 822

Fayetteville, NY. 13066

I sincerely hope and pray that you decide to be apart of this prophetic and monumental task of restoring the lost Tribe of Gad to Israel, Messiah and to the world.

Thank you, your generous and sacrificial donation will help make these Messianic Ibu believers remain strong in the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 1:3) and combat the anti-messianic propaganda of the Orthodox Jewish anti-missionaries and reclaim their rightful place as sons and daughters of Gad.

You can learn more facts, history and genealogy of the Ibu people of Nigeria and how they are apart of the tribe of Gad by going to:

www.adint-ministries.com/tribeofgad.html

You can see photos of my trip to Nigeria, labeled “Nigeria 2010,” on my facebook profile:

www.facebook.com/raybashkatan

Thank you for your kind attention. I sincerely hope you and your congregation decides to become involved and help in this prophetically monumental cause.

101 Ways to Save and Raise Money for A.D. International and the mission to the Nigerian Ibu People, the Tribe of Gad

In these hard economic times it’s hard to make ends meet for ones self, let alone give to a ministry you desire to support. Some of these suggestions are serious, and some are comical so as to achieve the number 101, nonetheless, please consider ways you can bless this ministry. Thank You!

1.     Take your lunch to work.

2.     Bring your snacks to work.

3.     Bring a thermos of coffee to work.

4.     Pick up pennies when you see them.

5.     Collect and redeem aluminum cans.

6.     Collect and redeem plastic bottles.

7.     Collect and redeem glass bottles.

8.     Collect and redeem copper.

9.     Collect and redeem steel.

10. Collect and redeem papers.

11. Pawn stuff you do not need any longer.

12. Have a garage or yard sale.

13. Have a bake sale.

14. Buy generic instead of name brands.

15. Fast one snack a day.

16. Fast one meal a week.

17. Rummage through the pockets of your wardrobe, purses, backpacks, etc…

18. Check your car for loose change.

19. Check your couch for loose change.

20. Sacrifice going out to eat or ordering in.

21. Volunteer for a little overtime when able.

22. Baby-sit.

23. Have a consignment sale.

24. Have a silent auction.

25. Sell candy bars.

26. Sell your plasma.

27. Decide now to set aside some of your income tax refund for the ministry.

28. Forgo renting movies and have a board game night instead.

29. Think of any debts people owe you and collect.

30. Give to others in need and G-d will increase you to give even more.

31. Allow your children to contribute from their allowance so as to teach them about giving.

32. Turn your thermostat down a few degrees in the winter.

33. Do without the AC on days that aren’t that hot.

34. Turn off and unplug any lights, electronics or appliances you are not using.

35. Turn the furnace on a little later this year.

36. Turn the furnace off a little early this year.

37. Turn your AC on a little later this year.

38. Turn your AC off a little earlier this year.

39. Put a two-liter bottle of water in your toilet tanks to conserve water.

40. Consciously limit your electrical use such as you TV and or computer time.

41. Clip coupons.

42. Go back to life before cable or satellite (Temporarily), consider it an electronic or entertainment fast.

43. Shop online for great deals on gifts.

44. Shop at discount stores for toiletries, necessities and groceries.

45. Consider switching long distance carriers.

46. Seal the windows in your home.

47. Take the pennies out of your loafers.

48. Cash in on that comic book or sports card or toy collection.

49. Make some of your gifts this year.

50. Buy generic pet food (Temporarily).

51. The family vehicle can survive on regular unleaded.

52. Walk, ride the bike or take public transportation when possible.

53. Do it yourself instead of hiring a handy man or repair man.

54. Have a car wash.

55. Clean houses.

56. Get a temporary or seasonal part time job.

57. Work Sundays.

58. Try PBJ one night a week instead of steak.

59. Shop at thrift stores.

60. Cut your families hair instead of going to the barber.

61. See how you can save on car insurance.

62. See how you can save on life insurance.

63. Tell family and friends about the ministry and its needs and how and where they can donate.

64. Cancel your newspaper subscription temporarily.

65. Check on a more economic solution for phone, TV and internet service.

66. Walk the neighborhood dogs.

67. Mow lawns.

68. Rake leaves.

69. Shovel snow.

70. Rent out that extra room.

71. Limit your gas consumption by carpooling and combining errands.

72. Take shorter showers.

73. Eat by candle light one night a week.

74. Set aside the change you get when you break a dollar.

75. Shop bi-weekly instead of weekly.

76. Have a benefit concert or talent show.

77. Close vents and doors to unused rooms in your home or office.

78. Look into consolidating your bills and debt.

79. If someone asks what for a birthday or Hanukah, tell them to donate to this ministry in your name.

80. Consider a stay-cation this year.

81. Instead of TV time, read.

82. One word: CLEARANCE!

83. Three words: SCRATCH AND DENT!

84. By cloth bags for grocery shopping.

85. Use old plastic bags for trash bags in small cans.

86. Buy a water bottle instead of buying bottled water.

87. Have a walk-a-thon.

88. Have a rock-a-thon.

89. Ask G-d to show you how you can save and collect money for this ministry.

90. Pray to find loose change and bills on the ground.

91. Check coin slots in public machines.

92. Cut and sell firewood.

93. Break out that old metal detector and take a walk in the park or on the beach.

94. Will people pay to see you do a crazy stunt, like get a pie in the face or get soaked in a dunking booth?

95. Don’t throw away that publishers clearinghouse sweepstakes, sent it in, hey you never know!

96. After high school games check under the bleachers.

97. Rent your kids out for neighborhood chores.

98. Research your family tree you may find a rich relative!

99. Hey, there’s always the lottery!

100.                    You live in a small town with big events; sell parking spaces on your lawn.

101.                    Follow suggestions 1-100.

www.adint-ministries.com/tribeofgad.html

Founder and CEO of A.D. International,

In the service of the G-d of Israel,
Shalom,
R. Yehudah ben Shomeyr
Mr. Kris Shoemaker

 
The sum of the matter, when all is said and done; Revere G-d and observe His commandments! For this applies to all mankind. -- Ecc. 12:13 JPS

Ponderings of the Pentatecuh #20 Feb. 12, 2011

RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Pentateuch

Parashah # 20: Tetzaveh (You are to Order)

Exodus 27:20-30:10

By: Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

The 5 senses can be an amazing time machine. Sometimes I am in a crowd of people and get a whiff of a particular perfume I haven’t smelled in years and depending on what brand the perfume is, it may remind me of an ex-girlfriend or my grandmother. With just a scent my heart, mind and emotions are transported back to a pleasant place and time in my past and in my minds eye I can see surroundings, faces and sounds connected to that sent, as clear as if I was there.

Likewise, different types of light can affect my mood and emotions. Halogen light for me is such a violent assault on my eyes and tends to make me annoyed and angry. Certain florescent light gives me a head ache or makes me feel nauseous.  So what is the big deal about the light of the menorah and the burning incense? It shows us that worship and service is just as much physical as it is spiritual. How even though our faith is not dependant upon feelings and emotion, nevertheless they can be an important tool and ally in the worship of Elohim.

Just as certain fragrances imprint a memory forever upon our beings, so too Adonai desires to connect a particular scent to Him and thus is but one reason why we are not permitted to burn any other concoction of incense in worship to YHWH.

Exodus 30:9 Ye shall offer no strange incense thereon, nor burnt sacrifice, nor meat offering; neither shall ye pour drink offering thereon.

Likewise light can be an important part of setting a favorable ambiance for worship. Candle or lamp light is warm, inviting, easy on the eyes and seems to, by nature, draw one into its warmth, cheer and natural romanticism.  HaShem desires our whole being and complete intimacy; body, soul and spirit. Is it any wonder that it is practically a universally accepted definition of a romantic evening is candle light and flowers?

Don’t you get it? The Tabernacle and its various ceremonies is not about religious ritual or rote, but is a romantic dinner date at HaShem’s House.

YHWH is all about detail, setting the right atmosphere and mood when it comes to intimacy with Him.

Ezk. 43:11 And if they be ashamed of all that they have done, shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight, that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.

Incense is closely related to prayer and prayer is symbolic of intimacy with Adonai.

Luke 1:9-11 According to the custom of the priest's office, his lot was to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. And the whole multitude of the people were praying without at the time of incense. And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Rev. 8:1-6 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And I saw the seven angels which stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. And the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and lightnings, and an earthquake. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.

With intimacy comes Revelation which produces even greater intimacy. It is clear YHWH has done everything possible to make it so easy to be intimate with Him. He wants to be close to you, he wants to share intimate and revelatory things with you. Will you give yourself fully over to His love and courtship of you?

Shabbat Shalom and Shavuah Tov!

-- Rabbi Yehudah 

The Weekly Torah Portion:

The New Annual, Haftarah, Brit Chadasha, Kids Torah Portion Commentary, Torah Tidbits, a compact Torah commentary for those with limited time to study Torah, Torah Treasures, a devotional style commentary on the weekly Torah portion and Ponderings of the Pentateuch, a hybrid in depth commentary and devotional, all by Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr for the coming week has been posted on or have them sent right to your inbox by subscribing to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Raybash_Torah

You can also watch Torah Tidbits, Haftarah Hashings and the Brit Chadasha Connections on YouTube. http://www.youtube.com/RaYBaSHKatan

Now you can buy the Torah commentaries to read and study for yourself at your leisure by going to: http://stores.lulu.com/raybash

For more information on Natsari Judaism, check out:

www.adint-ministries.com

Tell your friends! Shalom!