Adrian's Place

 

Adrian's Midrash (A-Drash




This Week's Torah Portion: Sukkot "Tabernacles"

Torah: Leviticus 22:26-23:44

Prophets: Zechariah 14:1-21

Sukkot, or Tabernacles is the last of the Fall biblical Feasts. Listed in Leviticus 23 we see eight festivals or mo'edim (appointed times). It's interesting that many just see seven; however, I assure you there are eight, with the weekly Sabbath being the first.

The term mo'edim (mo'adey) is the Hebrew word for appointed times. I love how the Dictionary of Biblical Languages with Semantic Domains: Hebrew (Old Testament)¹ defines this word:

appointed time, designated time, i.e., a particular pointed time related to other points of times, with a focus that this time has a purpose designated by an authority.

The two key points to this definition are: 1) it is an apointed time related to other pointed times, and 2) its focus and purpose is designated by an authority. Wow!

Anyhow, Jew or Gentile that has spent any amount of time studying or observing these eight appointed times can see the connection between each of them. These designated times starts with the weekly Shabbat where YHWH specifically states that He'll meet with us. In doing so, the wisdom of Yahweh is imparted to his kedoshim (Set Apart Peoples—Jews and Gentiles). Through the weekly Torah portions, which you are partakers of, YHWH reveals His nature, character, and wisdom, which is why we are not to forsake the assembling of the believers.

By weekly submitting ourselves to the Creator of the Universe, we are plugged into His righteousness and His mind. And then we are told to carefully observe all the appointed times in their appointed months from generation to generation.

Next we have the Spring Feasts (Appointed times). Starting with Passover (one night), and then the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Sadly this has become one festival today simply called, “Passover.” We are then to observe First Fruits, followed by Shavu'ot (Pentecost). If you were study the life and times of Yeshua you would see that His impeccable timing, observance, and fulfillment of them qualified Him and Him alone as the one to whom these appointed times were the goal (fulfillment), not the abolishment. A person who fulfills Torah doesn't complete them as in an exam, but, rather, upholds them.

Then, we have the Fall Appointed Times, which we are now in. These last three main Feasts start with Yom Teruah (Rosh HaShannah), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and then finally, Sukkot (Tabernacles)! These last three are divinely connected and appointed for a reason! Yeshua fulfilled (upheld) the Spring Feasts at His first coming, (Messiah, son of Joseph) while these Fall Feasts will be upheld—exactly—at his Second Coming (Messiah, son of David).

Yom Teruah is when YHWH will send His angels to the four-corners of the earth and gather His elect (kedoshim-Set Apart believers), followed by Yom Kippur where he will set the nations before him and judge the righteous and unrighteous according to His Word, and then finally followed by Tabernacles which will last for a thousand years, which Messiah (Mashiyach) will reign as the seed of David.

Now, since these Fall Feasts have obviously not been abolished, or “nailed to the cross,” wouldn't you think that they are important for today's believers and skeptics? Absolutely!

Yeshua says, “I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter (yod), or least stroke of pen (jot), will by any means, disappear from the Torah until everything is accomplished” (Torah mine, Matthew 5:18, NIV). Furthermore, YHWH specifically commands us to observe the mo'edim. It always amazes me when believers—Jews or Gentiles—are unwilling to worship YHWH according to His appointed times and seasons. It's like we make our own rules and then convince ourselves that because Yahweh is merciful He'll forgive us no matter what. However, this is what YHWH says regarding worshiping Him not according to his ways, “You shall not act as we are acting here today, all of us according to our own desires . . .” (Deuteronomy 13:8). And again, “Be careful to obey all these words that I command you today, so that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, because you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of YHWH your God” (Deuteronomy 12:28).

Any investigation into any of the Christian holidays, e.g., Christmas, Easter, Lent, etc., one will discover that their roots are deep into paganism. The Feasts of YHWH belong to Him and all who worship Him. Either we are for Him or against Him. Thus, build a sukkah and gather your family in it for the prescribed time Yahweh demands, and look forward to His blessings.

Let me close with this wonderful passage that reveals YHWH is no respecter of persons; however, He recognizes and blesses all those who call upon His name and the Anointed one:

Every native Israelite shall do these things in this way, in presenting an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to YHWH. An alien (ger-Hebrew, stranger) who lives with you, or who takes up permanent residence among you, and wishes to offer an offering by fire, a pleasing odor to YHWH, shall do as you do. As for the assembly, there shall be for both you and the resident alien a single statute, a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you and the alien shall be alike before YHWH. You and the alien who resides with you shall have the same law (Torah) and the same ordinance (Numbers 15:13-16).

Finally, and again, Yeshua says, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (emphasis mine, Matthew 5:17-20).

Sukkot is a foreshadow of the Malchut Elohim (Kingdom of God). Isn't time we all celebrate it accordingly and with honor and praise to Yahweh and His glorious manifestation Yeshua?

Shalom v'Hag Sameach. (Peace and Joyful holidays)

Note: If you'd like a more in-depth study of the Feasts and Festivals of YHWH, please go to http://www.yiyadrian.spaces.live.com and click on the folder, “The Jewish Feasts and Festivals.”

• Torah: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

• Prophets: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

• Gospel: Acts 24-26

The third verse in this week's Torah portion states, "Ki shem YHWH 'ekra' havu godel le'loheynu." Which translated means: I will proclaim the name YHWH; ascribe greatness unto our God. The four most used translations (KJV, NIV, NLT, and RSV) of Christendom reads LORD, and without exception every Jewish translation reads similar, or ADONAI is used, which means LORD. I had to go back to the 1890 Darby Bible to find anything close to YaHWeH, which used the English Jehovah, with the American Standard Bible and the Young's Literal Translation following suit. I guess it's not so literal after all. However, I was told that the the Jerusalem Bible uses Yahweh.

In his classic book, Everyman's Talmud, Abraham Cohen states:

To profane the Name was regarded as one of the most heinous of sins. How serious was the view taken of such an offense may be gathered from the statement, “He who is guilty of profaning the Name cannot rely on repentance, nor upon the power of the Day of Atonement to gain him expiation, nor upon suffering to wipe it out; death alone can wipe it out” (Yoma 86a). In other places we find an even stricter attitude taken up, and the profaner of the Name is classed among the five types of sinner for whom there is no forgiveness (italics mine, ARN 39).¹

Thus, to profane the name of YHWH was a serious offense; especially among the rabbis of the Talmudic period.

However, Cohen also states regarding first-century practice:

In the Biblical period there seems to have been no scruple against its use in daily speech. The addition of Jah or Jahu [sic] to personal names, which persisted among the Jews even after the Babylonian exile, is an indication that there was no prohibition against the employment of the four-lettered Name. . . . On the other hand, there was a time when the free and open use of the Name even by the layman was advocated. The Mishnah teaches: “It was ordained that a man should greet his friends by mentioning the Name” (italics mine, Ber. 9.5). It has been suggested that the recommendation was based on the desire to distinguish the Israelite from the Samaritan, who referred to God as “the Name” (HaShem) and not as JHVH [sic], or the Rabbinite Jew from the Jewish-Christian.²

Isn't it interesting that today Jews, not Samaritans, use “HaShem” to refer to God? With this, isn't easy to see why the infamous takanot (gaurds, fences) of the Talmudic rabbis were established to keep the people from “breaking” the Law? However, what they intended wasn't what the Scriptures taught. These mandates became the Oral Traditions (Law), which were and are as binding as the Written Law to the rabbis, which actually kept the people from their true blessing and inheritance—the Name of God: Yahweh.

To profane YHWH's name is surely an offense (Third Commandment); however, to use His name according to Scriptural standards is not! To miss out on the blessing of Yahweh's name bestowed upon us is one of the gravest mistakes that the Jewish and Christian leaders have done—all for the sake of Tradition! Although some traditions can be good, this tradition is not. Please understand, I am not getting down on the rabbis and pastors; however, when men's traditions become greater than the words of YHWH, then I take the higher road. YHWH is brought up about 7000 times in the Tanach. Several times He tells us that this is His Name; not HaShem, Adonai, G-d, L-rd, etc., and although it may seem respectable to use these titles to show your reverence to YHWH, it is not complete. Yahweh is the only name by which all peoples awaits salvation (Psalm 18) and Y'shua is His Anointed One, which means, “Yah is Salvation.” Hence, Y'shua manifested His salvation to mankind.; for Y'shua is Salvation.

Yeshua and the apostles were actually accused of blasphemy for the use of His name. (Look it up.) Furthermore, Yeshua says, “I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world” (John 17:6a, NRSV). The Tanach says, “YHWH said to Moshe, 'tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing: May Yahweh bless you and protect you; May Yahweh smile on you and be gracious to you; May Yahweh show you His favor, and give to you shalom (peace)' Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them” (emphases, italics, and YHWH mine, Numbers 6:22-27, NLT).

YHWH pronounced Yahweh is in the original Hebrew language of the Tanach. How long have you gone without his blessed name pronounced upon you because of man's tradition, which nullifies the Word of Yah? It may be argued that the first name a new born baby speaks is not mama or papa but “Yah.” Since the Scriptures teach that Yahweh is spirit (Ruach—Wind, Breath, or Spirit), then when a baby takes it's first breath he or she is literally saying Yah (Try it yourself. Breath in while saying “Yah.”) Additionally, when we die the last breath we speak is, “Weh.” Thus, we are born speaking the name of Yah, and we die speaking the name “Weh” while breathing out. All glory belongs to Yahweh!

Isn't it time to reclaim His Name in your worship and praise to the one that parted the Red Sea? HalleluYAH! (Praise Yah!)

Shalom.

Adrian's Midrash (A-Drash

This Week's Torah Portion:

Nitzavim Vayelech “Standing/He Went”

Deuteronomy 29:9(10)-31:30

Prophets:

Isaiah 55:6-56:8

Gospel:

Acts 19-23

It has been quite a long time since you've last received an A-Drash from me. However, I hope you find this one timely since we are back to full-swing with school and all. I thought I would start off this week's A-drash with an answer I gave to a sister in the Messiah via email. It's longer than usual, but not too long. Next week I will continue on with my normal midrash, but I hope you'll enjoy this week's. Also, don't forget to study the Torah portion above. Let me give a warning to this A-drash: It will offend some of you; however, my hopes are that you won't be offended but rather challenged to go to the Bible for your answers.

Hey (Omitted),

It's always nice to hear from you. I feel like you’re my long lost sister, now found. :-) Anyhow, you'll be happy to hear about my progress. I have been working hard on my studies, but more importantly, my book! So, please pray for clarity and wisdom.

Now, regarding your question (question at bottom): The Scriptures teach, "The gifts YHWH gave were that some would be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers (rabbis), to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Mashiyach" (bold mine, Ephesians 4:11-12). Therefore, obedience to Torah is good and righteous and it shows our love to YHWH through the Messiah; however, it is very important to understand that there are true leaders and false leaders (Yochanan 10). Many of the rabbis that established some of the fences that most observant Jews follow today are hindering seekers and believers from walking out Torah with Yeshua's yoke, which is easy. Sadly, many Messianic Jewish teachers are no better.

History is one of our best teachers if we allow her to be. Today's modern Judaism, regardless of the tradition (Orthodox, Reform or Conservative), follow mandates that the rabbis established from A. D. 90 onward. The Mishnah (circa., A. D. 200) and the Talmud (circa., A. D. 500) didn't have its hold during the first-century--even though the rabbis would love us to believe so. They like to teach that it has been passed down from Moshe to them after Mt. Sinai (Oral Law). The rabbis established themselves as descendants of the Pharisees and gave themselves sole authority over the Scriptures. They call it preservation; however, I call it rebellion. Prior to this time, you and I know that the Netzari faith was going full-steam ahead. By the turn of the first-century there were over a million Yehudim (Jews) and hundreds of thousands of gentiles following the Way, meeting on the Shabbat, and caring for the widows and orphans, and feeding the poor. During the first war, when Rome destroyed the Temple (A. D. 70), the Netzarim fled to the mountains because of Yeshua's words in Mattiyahu chapter 24. Those that were still influential among first-century Judaism (Which is different from today's Judaism.)at that time cried wolf and made the Netzarim out to be apostates. Well, when the revolt of A. D. 135 took place many of the Netzarim remained and fought but the damage had already been done. However, by that time the Netzarim consisted of every sect of Judaism on the planet, including some from the leadership of the Pharisees (Acts 15).

Anyhow, I say all of this because being obedient to Torah has to be consistent with the Netzari faith, not today's Judaism mandates. Apparently, the first to third-century believers didn't have issues with holding to Torah and worshiping YHWH through the Messiah, Yeshua. They didn't see the "conflicts" that we see today. Through the influence of the "church" and Constantine's mandates including anti-Semitism, Christianity has become just as much a a snare with all its mandates as modern Judaism. Therefore, both Christianity and modern Judaism are Yokes of Men, that for the most part, sway people from true--righteousness (religion). Furthermore, many Messianic leaders would have you forsake the Writings of the Apostles (NT) and bicker over every detail of the "Law," which in many respects is no different than Judaism with a little sprinkle of Yeshua on top to make one feel better about their "obedience."

The Word is clear about what we are set free from (ceremonial laws), while teaching us to follow YHWH in true righteousness. As a Gentile, you have been grafted into Israel; therefore, you ARE Israel. You were circumcised in the heart and received the new-birth of the Torah upon your life. The four mandates of Acts 15 are the starting point for all believers not only Gentiles (In today's culture regardless of race, we are all messed up). Furthermore, the growth of a disciple takes him way beyond the four mandates. Those mandates were not given as an all-in-all-to-end-all; they were starting points.

Now, here are all believers' mandates:

"I therefore, the prisoner in the Messiah, beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Ruach in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Ruach, just as you were called to the one hope of your calling, one Messiah, one faith, one baptism, one YHWH and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all" (bold and italics mine, Ephesians 4:11).

"The fruit of the Ruach HaKodesh are: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Yeshua HaMashiyach have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Ruach, let us also be guided by the Ruach. Let us not become conceited, competing against one another, envying one another" (bold mine, Galatians 5:22-26).

"Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends" (1 Co 13:4-8a).

"If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion (obedience) is worthless. Pure and genuine religion (obedience) in the sight of YHWH the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you" (bold mine, James 1:26-27). (This by the way, is done through observing true Torah mandate.)

This last one is a key to all things in Torah. How many times have we seen believers stress the "Torah" in such a way that tassels and beards become the focus instead of true obedience. The Ten Commandments of YHWH are easy (morally they are written in our hearts), but they are worthless if we are not walking in love and caring for the outcast, which may include nonbelievers. Shhhh . . . don't tell the rabbis and pastors that life is found in Yeshua and obedience to him through righteous Torah, not just Torah or New testament alone. . . .

Now as far as the major details: Yes, the Shabbat should (must) be observed, and we should not covet, or murder, or commit adultery, etc.; furthermore, we observe the feasts of YHWH found in Leviticus 23. I have seen more believers try to control Shabbat and make others observe, all the while talking against those that don't fulfill Shabbat like they want them to. Gossip, slander, and hatred are their order of observing Shabbat and not love. So, who is considered more righteous in the eyes of YHWH? The one that walks in Yokes of Men, or the one that may stumble in trying to walk in obedience and is not doing it to the very details that the man wants?

For example, I remember one day you asking me about making fires on the Shabbat. If at all you can prepare the wood and everything prior to the Shabbat, then by all means do so; however, if you had to build a fire to host some people at your home that were outside freezing to death, which becomes more Yeshua, YHWH, Torah-like? Since there is no law against love to build a fire for the sake of a person's safety, life, or comfort, then by all means build a fire. Furthermore, does God honor a person that is freezing to death, yet wanting to praise him and study his Word if all he or she can do is think about building a fire and not thinking about YHWH? Who then is being worshiped? The flesh or YHWH? Yes, our flesh wants to be fed and comforted; however, it is also the Temple of the Ruach HaKodesh, thus the house of Yeshua--take care of it. :-)

I once remember a professor telling me in college, "If you are fasting for the Lord, but all you can do is think about pizza, then repent! Go eat your pizza, and then come worship the Lord." That's pretty wise if you ask me.

So, (Ommitted), finally, what does this have to do with the rabbis, tradition, and obedience? Well, we must confirm all things with the Torah. So, regardless of what the rabbis say, including this one (teacher), you are to balance it all with Torah by not forsaking the greater things . . . love! Remember, we are to be obedient to Yahweh's Torah through Yeshua the Rebbe, not any particular rabbi (pastor). Tradition is good; however, observing tradition that goes against Yahweh's tradition and not walking in love is, the worse thing we can do. The Writings of the Apostles are there for a reason, and they were not given to us to hinder or omit the Torah. They were given to modify and amplify Torah. I think many forget that there were always God-fearing Gentiles, they just needed a push in the right direction (Acts 10-ff).

Let me leave you with this: "In Caesarea there lived a Roman army officer named Cornelius, who was a captain of the Italian Regiment. He was a devout, God-fearing man, as was everyone in his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed regularly to God (true Tzadakah (righteousness))" (Acts 10:1-2). Simply put, the house of Israel, the Jewish people, were given the responsibility to be a light unto the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6), and the Gentiles were called to be grafted into the people of YHWH (Romans 11). This was the work of the Messiah, Yeshua: That all nations would worship YHWH and walk according to His ways. You, dear (Ommitted), and all other Yah-Fearing Gentiles, are . . . Ruth. (A grafted-in Gentile no longer belonging to the gentiles but belonging to Yahweh through His Messiah.)

Sadly, in today's world a Jew would not feel welcomed in a church, and a Gentile would not feel welcomed in a synagogue. Both have their traditions according to their rabbis (pastors) that keep the fences up. However, those that follow proper understanding of Torah through the Messiah in love become the people of YHWH and a light unto all sinners (Jew and Gentile alike).

Shalom shalom,

Your brother, Adrian.

PS. To answer your question bluntly about getting your Lulav and Etrog specifically from Israel? NO! you don't have to.

Adrian's Midrash (A-Drash)

This Week's Torah Portion: Emor “Say”

Leviticus 21:1-24:23

Prophets:

Jeremiah Ezekiel 44:15-31

Gospel:

Luke 18-20

As I was studying this weeks portion, I was trying to contemplate whether to minister out of the Torah itself, or out of the Apostolic Writings (Luke). Hmm! What shall I do? There were a lot of passages that spoke to me, but since I have been giving you some teachings on Yeshua in the Passover, I thought it would be nice to compare the meaning of Passover and the words of Yeshua himself.

This lasting ordinance (Passover), from generation to generation, has an everlasting impression. Not only remembrance, or mighty works of which YHWH destroyed the gods of Egypt (Numbers 33:4), or the deliverance from bondage to freedom. All of these are the darts, which lead to the bull's-eye. And that bull's-eye is the lamb. There were specific instructions given to Moses to communicate to the people. Here is a quick list: (1) The Lamb had to be spotless. (2) It had to be male. (3) It had to be one-year-old. (4) It had to be brought into the household for four days to be inspected. (5) It could not have any broken bones. (6) On the eve of the fourteenth, the lamb was to be declared “spotless” and then it was to be roasted by fire. And, (7) It had to be eaten throughout the night, none of the meat was to remain until the next morning.

Yeshua enters Jerusalem on the 10^th of Abib (Aviv-Nisan) which is exactly when the people shouted, “Baruch haba baShem YHWH (Adonai),” which is, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of Yahweh (Master/Lord)” (Luke 19:38a). At this some Pharisees argued saying, “Teacher (Rabbi), rebuke your followers for saying things like that!” (parenthesis mine, v. 39). Yeshua responds back by saying, “If they kept quiet, the stones along the road would burst into cheers!” I have no doubt that if not one person blessed the King (Messiah) as he entered into Jerusalem, the rocks would have indeed cried out!

For four days the Sadducees and Pharisees tested him, and scrutinized him, but could not find fault in him. The Paschal lamb would be inspected by the high priest, which was to be the final sacrifice for Passover. He then would declare the lamb spotless and say, “I find no fault in him.” And then, just after the priest put the animal to death according to Kashrut (Kosher) laws of the first-century as the final sacrifice was complete, the high priest declared for everyone to hear, “It is finished (completed)!” Yeshua, our high priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:7-10), voiced he last words, “It is finished!” (John 19:29) just before he died.

The most amazing aspect of the Passover lamb, was how the sacrifice was offered. Here is the how the Mishnah describes it:

7:1 A. How do they roast the Passover offering?

B. They bring a spit of pomegranate wood,

C. and stick it through [the carcass] from the mouth to the buttocks.

D. “And one puts its legs and entrails inside it,” the words of R. Yose the Galilean.

E. R. Aqiba says, “That would be a kind of cooking.

F. “But: one hangs them outside [the carcass].” (bold mine.)¹

Now, in order for Yeshua to fulfill even the tiniest of the messianic prophecies, the timing of his coming had to be precise. The Romans used crucifixion for a relatively short time, about four to five hundred years; yet, there were many ways a person could be punished via stoning, crucifixion, beheading, and, at times, flogging to the point of death. However, the Passover lamb had to be roasted upright. Yeshua was not stoned to death for blasphemy, nor was he beheaded, nor was flogged to the point of death (however, he was flogged to the point of no recognition), and amazingly, he did not get even one broken bone in the process.

No, Yeshua died like the Passover lamb, upright on a cross, a crown of thorns on his head with his side pierced (entrails), and when he was all done, offering up his own life so that we might receive the forgiveness of sins, he shouted, “It is finished” to complete the process. And, in so doing, he fulfilled all the prophecies of the Passover Lamb. I encourage you to put this to the test so that you may be convinced; not by my words alone, but by your own study.

Shalom!