Things I became aware of while preparing for Passover 2010.

1. Behind the command to love the LORD GOD with all of my heart, all of my soul and all of my being, is the to keep and perform Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
   
2. The first example of becoming a Israelite(conversion) is in Exodus in the Commandments(Laws) regarding keeping the Passover Feast.
   
   
   
   1. The Law:
      
      
      
      1. (Genesis 17:10) This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. (17:11) And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.(King James Version) ;; (Genesis 17:10) Such shall be the covenant between ME and you and your offspring to follow which you shall keep: every male among you shall be circumcised.(17:11) You shall circumcise the flesh of the foreskin, and that shall be of the covenant between ME and YOU.(Jewish Publication Society 1999)
         
      2. (Exodus 12:43) And the LORD said unto Moses and Aaron, This is the ordinance of the passover: There shall no stranger eat thereof: (12:44) But every man's servant that is bought for money, when thou hast circumcised him, then shall he eat thereof.(KJV);;(Exodus 12:43)The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: This is the LAW of the Passover offering: No Foreigner shall eat of it.(44) But any slave a man has bought may eat of it once he has been circumcised.(Jewish Publication Society 1999).
         
      3. (Exodus 12:48) If a stranger who dwells with you would offer the Passover to the LORD, all his males must be circumcised, then he shall be admitted to offer it; he shall be a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it. (KJV);;(Exodus 12:48) If a stranger who dwells with you would offer the Passover to the LORD, all his males must be circumcised; then he shall be admitted to offer it; he shall be as a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it.(JPS 1999)
         
      4. (Exodus 12:49) There shall be one law for the citizen and for the stranger who dwells among you.(KJV);;(Exodus 12:49) There shall be one law for the citizen and for the stranger who dwells among you.(JPS 1999)
         
   2. I read this as a conversion process going back to Abraham and the making of the Covenant.
      
3. In the Commandments given prior to the Exodus, regarding Passover, is the Bind upon the Hand, and a symbol between the eyes.
   
   
   
   1. This understanding takes more explanation, and a couple of questions.
      
      
      
      1. The Law:
         
         
         
         1. (Exodus 13:9) And this shall server you as assign upon your hand and reminder on your forehead(between your eyes), in order that the Teaching of the LORD may be in your mouth --: that with a mighty hand the LORD freed you from Egypt. (KJV);;(Exodus 13:9) And this shall serve you as a sign on your hand and as a reminder on your forehead –in order that the TEACHING of the LORD may be in your mouth –that with a mighty had the LORD freed you from Egypt. (JPS 1999)
            
         2. (Exodus 13:16) And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.(KJV);;(Exodus 13:16) And it shall be as a sign upon your hand and as a symbol on your forehead that with a mighty hand the LORD freed us from Egypt.(JPS 1999)
            
         3. (Deuteronomy 6:8) And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes.(KJV);;(Deuteronomy 6:8)Bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a symbol on you forehead(between your eyes-JPS note d)(JPS 1999)
            
      2. What I have come to know about this is: Between your eyes is to KNOW or REMEMBER, Up on your hand is that this must control what you do, perform, act upon. (Isaiah 56) 2:Happy is the man who does this, the man who holds fast to it:Who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it. And stays his hand from doing evil.(JPS 1999) I will use the KJV now because I have it in digital form and I must Observe Passover very soon. (Isaiah 56:6) Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; (7)Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.(8)(Isaiah 56:8) The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. (KJV)
         

Shalom Shalom,
Yom Paesach
Yaakov

Law, Proof Text or Prophecy, middle of discussion.

It is a good to praise GOD, I think it is questionable to use them(Psalms) as Law, Proof Text or Prophecy. I do find that Prophets speaking in the NAME of the LORD are to be referenced, as long as what was said comes true or does not conflict with the Written TORAH(GOD'S LAW). A lot is made of this in the Tanach.

re: What do you mean " A lot is made of this in the Tanach."(referring to prophecy)

Prophets speak in the Name of GOD, like Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah,... God calls the prophets, prophetesses.

Speaking of Abraham as a prophet(Genesis 20:7) Now therefore restore the man his wife; for he is a prophet, and he shall pray for thee, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou that thou shalt surely die, thou, and all that are thine.
Aaron a prophet(Exodus 7:1) And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Miriam (Exodus 15:20) And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
According to Moses, (Numbers 11:29) And Moses said unto him, Enviest thou for my sake? would God that all the LORD'S people were prophets, and that the LORD would put his spirit upon them!

So how does being a prophet work?
(Numbers 12:6)(GOD Speaking) And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
(Numbers 12:7) My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
(Numbers 12:8) With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses? ***This is the sedition of Miriam and Aaron in Numbers 12.***

How are we to know who is a prophet?
(Deuteronomy 13:1) If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,(Deuteronomy 13:2) And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them;
(Deuteronomy 13:3) Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.
(Deuteronomy 13:4) Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him.
(Deuteronomy 13:5) And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
***This chapter is our responsibility to know GOD'S Law and to be lead astray, to go against GOD'S Law for anyone else, It Is Our Life(Soul) that is at stake.***

(Deuteronomy 18:18) I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him.(Deuteronomy 18:19) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.(Deuteronomy 18:20) But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.(Deuteronomy 18:21) And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the LORD hath not spoken? (Deuteronomy 18:22) When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

(Deuteronomy 34:10) And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

***This is just in the Writings of Moses(Torah), and prophecy is a very serious thing. The First Rule is Someone speaks against or contrary to GOD'S WORD, do not listen(Deuteronomy 13:3) you are being tested. I personally am afraid of leading by word or deed any person from GOD'S Path, and so it is the MAIN reason for seeking the TRUTH in Writings of Moses(Torah) and the Prophets which GOD Appoints. Others can speak prophecy or what seam to be prophecy, but maybe they are only the words quoted from Moses. King David tells King Solomon to hold to the writings of Moses; King Solomon at the dedication of The TEMPLE ask GOD to PLACE HIS NAME THERE, and that the Lord should always hear prayers towards this place, no matter where they are in the world, if they will face this place.
(1 Kings 8:29) That thine eyes may be open toward this house night and day, even toward the place of which thou hast said, My name shall be there: that thou mayest hearken unto the prayer which thy servant shall make toward this place.
(1 Kings 8:30) And hearken thou to the supplication of thy servant, and of thy people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place: and hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place: and when thou hearest, forgive.
....(1 Kings 8:33) When thy people Israel be smitten down before the enemy, because they have sinned against thee, and shall turn again to thee, and confess thy name, and pray, and make supplication unto thee in this house:
....(1 Kings 8:48) And so return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house... ***It is a very long prayer, and refers to many prophecies found in the Writings of Moses(Torah). King Solomon did listen some to what King David instructed him. King Solomon did know that to ask GOD to listen to this place, for even the Curses or Prophecies about being scattered amongst the nations and that GOD would not listen when they cry out in prayer because of their deeds, he knew to get this concession, that GOD would always listen to the prayers offered toward this place.****(1 Kings 9:3) And the LORD said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. ...
(1 Kings 9:6) But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:
(1 Kings 9:7) Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people: ***Concession given, but GOD says that we will not hold to HIS LAW and so the need for the place GOD Placed HIS NAME is of GREAT Importance to those who would speak to GOD in these days.
Who is a prophet? Anyone that GOD chooses, and they will speak in HIS NAME and at HIS COMMAND.

Am I understandable? Am I answering the question in a way you can hear? What else should I explain?

Shalom, Shalom,
Yaakov

Why is this night different from all other nights?

This night is to honor the Living G-D of Israel, for what He did for me in the land of Egypt when He freed me. We are told these three times to tell what the LORD has done for us.

Exodus 10:1) Then the LORD said to Moses, "Go to Pharaoh, For I have hardened his heart and the hearts of his courtiers, in order that I may display these My signs among them, and that you may recount in the hearing of your sons and that of your sons’ sons how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I displayed My signs among them –in order that you may know that I am the LORD."

Exodus 12:26) "And when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this rite?’ 27) You shall say ‘It is the Passover Sacrifice to the LORD, because He passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but saved our houses’."

Exodus 13:8: And you shall explain to your son on that day, "it is because of what the LORD did for me when I went free from Egypt".

Thus the story begins: When Abram was very old in years, he told the LORD that because he had no Heir yet, his man server would then be my heir. The LORD knowing that Abram needed reassurances that he would have a heir, told Abram to create the common ritual for sealing a covenant(split animals). This Abram did and then he waited, at about evening time a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great dread descended upon him. Genesis 15:13) And He said to Abram, " Know well that your children shall live in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years; but I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth." Abram went to sleep and the LORD completed the ritual HIMSELF.

Abram’s, now Abraham, grandson Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt when Joseph was 17 years of age. A few years later G-D uses Joseph to save All this people and his father’s family.
As reported by Joseph to his brothers that sold him into slavery. Genesis 50:18) Now it is a 413 years later. That which the LORD told Abram has happened, and it now time for the family to be redeemed. And so, a man named Moses sees a burning bush while tending sheep for his father-in-law, Jethro High Priest of Midian. From this bush G-D tells Moses that he is to go and be the mouth piece of the LORD to Pharaoh. Each step of the events that transpire are explained by G-D to Moses, and the responses of Pharaoh.

Moses to Pharaoh upon returning to and Egypt is struck by 9 plagues, there are Blood, Frogs, Lice, Flies, Death of Livestock, Boils, Hail that burns as Fire, Locust, Darkness. Still Pharaoh had a hard heart and would not let the people go.

One last plague is sent to Egypt. This one requires preparation by the people before the event. ADONAI sets this as the First month of months, a command, on the First Day of the Month and continues to give the process for handling the night of PassOver(Pesach). The Hebrews were required to eat a whole lamb in one night for each house hold and to mark the Door Post and Mantels with Blood from the Lamb, in this way the Angel that was coming would not touch my house, or PASS OVER it. When G-D gave the instructions to Moses and therefore to the Hebrews, He said that we are to keep this feast and tell this story throughout our generations.

After the tenth plague, the Death of the First Born, Pharaoh order the Hebrews to leave NOW! There were very, very many Hebrews to get underway. Because of this plague G-D has declared that the first born on the Hebrews, children and animals belong to G-D. It is stated in Exodus 12:40) "The length of time that the Israelites lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years, at the end of the Four Hundred Thirtieth year, to the very day, all the ranks of the Lord departed from the land of Egypt.

On the First day of the Year, Moses instructs the Hebrews, in the preparation for the Feast of Passover. Also, the people are instructed to borrow from their Egyptian neighbors, silver, gold and other valuables. The LORD sets the Egyptian hearts to give their valuables to the Hebrews. Thus when Pharaoh ejects the Hebrews from Egypt, the LORD has fulfilled the statement to Abram. ((Genesis 15:13) And he said unto Abram, Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; (Genesis 15:14) And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.)

This is how we were freed from Egypt, but the story continues.

Shalom for now,
Yaakov

What must we do for PassOver?

Thank you for the question regarding celebration of Passover, how to celebrate.

Before I start, let me explain that this post is longer than normal, even for me. This is due to the subject and its importance, had GOD(source) and the Hand of Moses(writing) not commanded multiple times, there would not be so many verses involved here. Notice that this particular event is placed near the top of GOD's List of things we need to learn and do. In no other place have I seen so many commands, along with giving reasons for observing; definintions who can observe, and exactly what is to be done. --On with the article -Yaakov

1) Passover starts at evening(end of day) on the 14th day of Abib(this is the HEBREW name for the first month, the current Jewish calendar uses the Babylonian name of NISSAN).

Exodus 12:27 ". . . .It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S passover, for that He passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses.' And the people bowed the head and worshipped."

2) We are to retell the story of our redemption from Egypt by the LORD our GOD.
3) We are not to work on the First day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which begins with the Passover Feast.
4) We are to answer "What do you mean by this rite?" when asked by children, "It is the Passover to the LORD, because HE passed over the houses of Israelites in the land of Egypt when HE smote the Egyptians. but saved our houses."(JPS 1999, Exodus 12:26)
5) The Deuteronomy 16 passage presents that a sacrifice is required, but only at the place GOD Places HIS NAME. This was the House that King Solomon built for the LORD, there GOD placed HIS NAME. Performed in 1Kings 9:3 this is where the account of the event starts. A great read for many reasons. It should also be noted that Anyone may create an alter of stone, by hand with no tools, as a place to sacrifice unto GOD, as was accomplished by all prior to the Temple. If you are going to do that, you must make sure that you find the laws of GOD regarding the handling of all components of a sacrifice, if you wish GOD to give it respect (Cain vs Able story.) This personal alter is not a LAW or requirement in the Torah, but a personal thing between you and GOD when there is no HOUSE OF GOD. Be aware that the Passover Sacrifice unto GOD, is not to be had by an uncircumcised, none is to remain until morning, no bone is to be broken, take only what you can consume before morning. I believe that you will find commands regarding these in the texts below.

We turn to Torah to discover:
I have copied from a digital copy of the King James, while reading from a JPS 1999 copy of Tanach, there are minor differences between these translations. I have modified this copy of Exodus to be JPS 1999 version(Jewish Publication Society)as I have worked through this question. More question have emerged during my study, and I will address them later. I did comment on some things I noticed during this study. –Yaakov

(Exodus 12:14) This day shall be unto you for a remembrance you shall celebrate it as a feast to the LORD throughout the ages; you shall celebrate it as institution for all time.
(Exodus 12:15) Seven days shall you eat unleavened bread; on the very first day you shall remove leaven from your houses: for whosoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul(person) shall be cut off from Israel.
(Exodus 12:16) You shall celebrate a scared occasion on the first day and a sacred occasion on the seventh day, no work as all shall be done on them; only what every person is to eat, that only may be prepared for you.
(Exodus 12:17) And you shall observe the (Feast of) Unleavened Bread; for on this very day, I brought your ranks out of the land of Egypt; you shall observe this day throughout the ages as an institution (ordinance) for all time.
(Exodus 12:18) In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the one and twentieth day of the month at evening.
(Exodus 12:19) Seven days shall there be No leaven shall be found in your houses for seven days. For whoever eats that which is leavened, that person(soul) shall be cut off from the community(congregation) of Israel, whether he is a stranger, or a citizen of the country.

(Exodus 12:24) You shall observe this as an institution for all time, for you and to your descendants.
(Exodus 12:25) And when you enter the land that the LORD will give you, as HE has promised, you shall observe this rite.
(Exodus 12:26) And when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this rite?’
(Exodus 12:27) you shall say, ‘It is the Passover Sacrifice to the LORD, because HE passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt when HE smote the Egyptians, but saved our houses.

(Exodus 12:43) The LORD said unto Moses and Aaron: This is the law of the Passover offering: No foreigner eat thereof:
(Exodus 12:44) But any slave a man has bought may eat of it once, he has been circumcised.
(Exodus 12:45) No bound or hired laborer shall not eat of it.
(Exodus 12:46) It shall be eaten in one house: you shall not take any of the flesh outside the house; nor shall you break a bone of it.
(Exodus 12:47) The whole community(congregation) of Israel shall offer it.
(Exodus 12:48) If a stranger who dwells with you would offer the Passover to the LORD, all his males must be circumcised, then he shall be admitted to offer it; he shall be a citizen of the country. But no uncircumcised person may eat of it.
(Exodus 12:49) There shall be one law for the citizen and for the stranger who dwells among you.

(Exodus 13:3) And Moses said unto the people, “Remember this day, in which you went free from Egypt, the house of bondage, how the LORD freed you from it with a mighty hand: no leavened bread be eaten.
(Exodus 13:4) You go free on this day, in the month Aviv(Abib-there is no difference in the Written Torah between the b and v, Nisan).
(Exodus 13:5) So, when the LORD has brought you into the land of the Canaanites, and the Hittites, and the Amorites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, you shalt observe in this month the following practice:
(Exodus 13:6) Seven days you shalt eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day shall be a festival to the LORD.
(Exodus 13:7) Throughout the seven days unleavened bread shall be eaten; no leavened bread be found with you, and no leaven shall be found in all your territory.
(Exodus 13:8) And you shall explain to your son on that day, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I went free from Egypt.’
(Exodus 13:9) And this shall server you as assign upon your hand and reminder on your forehead(between your eyes), in order that the Teaching of the LORD may be in your mouth --: that with a mighty hand the LORD freed you from Egypt.
(Exodus 13:10) You shall keep this institution as its set time from year to year.


Regarding the Sacrifice of the first born male of every womb.
(Exodus 13:16) And it shall be for a token upon thine hand, and for frontlets between thine eyes: for by strength of hand the LORD brought us forth out of Egypt.(Why do we not hear about this pair of Laws? Has this too been over looked?)

(Exodus 23:14) Three times you shall hold a festival for ME.
(Exodus 23:15) You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread –eating unleavened bread for seven days, as I commanded you –at the set time in the month of Aviv(Abib, Nisan), for in it you went forth from the land of Egypt; and none shall appear before me empty handed;(Bring something to the feast.)

(Exodus 23:17) Three times a year all your males shall appear before the Sovereign, the LORD.

Note –Following on the heels of Sacrifice Laws, commanded by GOD, Exodus 23:19 and Exodus 34:26 -- “you shall not boil the kid in it’s mothers milk” ...this seems a ritual performed in the worship of other g’s and not a prescription of eating habits as no other eating is near this law.

(Exodus 34:18) You shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread –eating unleavened bread for seven days, as I commanded you –at the set time in the month of Aviv(Abib, Nisan), for in the month of Aviv, for in it you went forth from Egypt.

(I will leave these in the KJV)
(Leviticus 23:4) These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons.
(Leviticus 23:5) In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD'S passover. (Leviticus 23:6) And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.
(Leviticus 23:7) In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.
(Leviticus 23:8) But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

(Deuteronomy 16:1) Observe the month of Aviv, and offer a Passover Sacrifice to the LORD you GOD: for in the month of Aviv, at night, that the LORD your God freed from Egypt. (Deuteronomy 16:2) You shall slaughter the Passover Sacrifice for the LORD thy God, from the flock and the herd, in the place which the LORD shall choose to establish(place) HIS name. (Deuteronomy 16:3) You shalt not eat anything leavened with it; for seven days thereafter you eat unleavened bread, bread even the bread of affliction; for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste: that you mayest remember the day when you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of thy life.
(Deuteronomy 16:4) And there shall be no leavened bread seen with you in all thy coast seven days; neither shall there any thing of the flesh, which you sacrificed the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning.
(Deuteronomy 16:5) You mayest not sacrifice the Passover within any of thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth you:
(Deuteronomy 16:6) But at the place which the LORD thy God shall choose to place his name in, there you shalt sacrifice the Passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came forth out of Egypt.
(Deuteronomy 16:7) And you shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and you shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.
(Deuteronomy 16:8) Six days you shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to the LORD thy God: you shalt do no work therein.

Discussions are also on: http://www.ask-james.com/TruthintorahBB/


Shalom for now. I will continue to work on this and post it on http://truthintorah.blogspot.com when completed.

Israelite, Hebrew, Jew, whats the difference?

The question of what is the difference between:

Israelite or Israeli --"Children of Jacob or Israel" the Twelve Tribes, all the King David's and King Solomon's Nation.

Hebrew --A Hebrew were Abraham, Issac and Jacob, as well as those that left Egypt in the Exodus by Moses in Exodus 5:3 "the God of the Hebrews ...", then taken to Mount Horeb. Later they are referred to as the Children of Israel, or Israelites. The Old Meaning in Genesis refers to those that came from the other side, of simple the Others. Being separate, and worshiping only One GOD. I have considered my self a Hebrew for more than 20 years (and a Jew in May 2009), as I accept that GOD IS GOD and the Covenants give at Mt. Horeb and Mt. Sinai, as written. Example:
"(Deuteronomy 29:10) You stand this day all of you before the LORD your God; your captains of your tribes, your elders, and your officers, with all the men of Israel,
(Deuteronomy 29:11)Your little ones, your wives, and the stranger that is in your camp, from the hewer of your wood unto the drawer of your water:
(Deuteronomy 29:12) That you should enter into covenant with the LORD your God, and into his oath, which the LORD your God makes with you this day:
(Deuteronomy 29:13) That he may establish you to day for a people unto himself, and that he may be unto you a God, as he hath said unto you and as he hath sworn unto your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
(Deuteronomy 29:14) Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath; But with him that stands here with us this day before the LORD our God, and also with him that is not here with us this day:" --Now The Nation of Israel crossing the Jordan with Joshua.


Jew -- A Jew is from the tribe of Judah and a member of the Southern Kingdom, which was created as a result of King Solomon's actions against or by turning away from Our GOD. See 1Kings references below.


(1 Kings 11:11) Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, because this is done by you and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from you, and will give it to thy servant. (1 Kings 11:12) Notwithstanding in your days I will not do it for David your father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of your son. (1 Kings 11:13) Although I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.


Later:

(1 Kings 11:31) And he said to Jeroboam, Your take ten pieces: for this says the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to you:


(1 Kings 12:22) But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, (1 Kings 12:23) Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and to the remnant of the people, saying,..." So it was done.

Shalom Shalom,
Yaakov

Why not just make everybody act perfectly?

If there is a GOD, why not just make everybody act perfectly? 


My Answer: That is a really great question. but it does seem that HE(GOD) wants us to chose and then be responsible for what we chose. (There is something GOD has planned. Something  where HE wants a particular type of Spirit, Soul, Person, to continue past this Earth as we know it. A life not of this body. If this were not the case, why put up with people at all? Why is it important for us to have free choice concerning right and wrong?)


Really I can only postulate on this, based on what I seen in the Written Torah and Tanach. For example: GOD made man above all creation, put HIS breath(Spirit) within him and then HE tests man all of man's life, apparently to allow us to go on to a much bigger, of which only GOD knows for certain. When I take into consideration that: The GOD that created ALL, can stop ALL without any possible consequences. GOD also knew what the END was going to be before HE started the process.(I tell the end at the beginning so that you will KNOW when it happens that I DID IT.) 


This information has been used to say that If GOD knows then there is no choice. This is a faulty statement, in that each of us still must make our choices and live or die(spiritually/soul) by those choices. If on the other hand, we have no choice, then GOD makes all of the mistakes and HE will simple stop the game when HE gets bored. Who are we to think that we control GOD? A world of insignificant size or importance in our galaxy of no value in the billions of galaxies, with a few billion people made of dirt that talks and think they have all the power to control the one who turned on the lights for the universe; we are nothing of value except the value GOD places on US. 


HE just KNOWS every choice we will make due to each event and circumstance with which we face, otherwise there is now way I can identify(as a programmer) which will create a specific END sequence(as has been written in the Written Torah and more fully disclosed in the Prophets of the Tanach or (GOD)I tell what IS 4,500 years before we experience that event). 


What are you talking about? 


If you are a computer programmer in assembler, you know that you are required to make the computer do everything which is not hard coded in the CPU itself. You must plan and code(program) everything to get the desired results after any program is run. This is very difficult to do except for the very simplest of tasks. Given that information, how much wisdom would GOD need to just plan the world for say for today? We say that GOD has not been active in our world with Prophets for 2,200 years. We have in GOD's words everything we must have to get it right(it is written by Moses and the Prophets) -- The Program is Running. We can find the results clearly stated in the Tanach of what is coming to the world and what we must do to stop it from happening or, to end it once it has started.(This scares me: Deut. 30:1 When all of these, the blessing and the curse have come upon you ... Either we have no free will to do what is right so that we are stuck with the curses or WE JUST REFUSE TO DO WHAT IS RIGHT --Accept GOD as GOD and LOVE HIM.)  I have seen no evidence of any man or group of men or nation, religion,... that is or are smart enough to be more RIGHTEOUS than MY GOD or more wise.


The secret is: The Lord our GOD is GOD, there is only one, and we are to Love the LORD our GOD with all of our HEART, all of our SOUL and all of our BEING(Deuteronomy 6: 4 & 5). The Children of Israel must turn back to the LORD our GOD with all of our heart and confess that we have walked contrary to GOD and so HE has walked contrary to us. (Leviticus 26) This is written many times in the Tanach(Old Testament), and is the precursor to the salvation of Israel and the Earth(Last Days.)


If you still doubt that the Tanach is True, compare the news of the world with the Prophets of the Tanach. If You are still able to think, clearly.


Shalom,


Yaakov 

Update: Band for the Truth

Here is the latest news:


It seems that at least one member of the forum debated with the controller about why I was band, and the individual that band me was angry and accused me of Preaching, by not allowing debate. In reviewing the exchanges, I believe that it was not I that was Preaching. As a result, said individual declared that I would be given another chance on the forum, actually HE DELETED ME FROM THE FORM INSTEAD, removing the recorders. I had already taken a copy of the exchanges, at least my side of them.


I am still writing here, and I tell others where to find me, maybe you will also.


How many times do we blame others for our actions? Probably because there is something we just do not want to face. In this case I believe that issue is that the Writings of Moses(Torah) and the Tanach are true. So when faced with a logical conundrum it seems easier to turn away than to acknowledge the Truth of an issue and learn from it.


I still hold that the Torah written by Moses at GOD's command is True and unbreakable. If you think you have a part that is false, I would love to have you present it to me. Maybe you and I can find out together where the truth is.


I am willing to hear you.


My prayer is that H'shem will open our ears to perceive and our eyes to understanding and our heart to GOD's Law today.


Shalom,


Yaakov

Band for the Truth

The original quote from Mark Twain is “Truth is more a stranger than fiction.” became “Truth is stranger that fiction.”

Recently I experienced this tale which I shall relate, which is also the Truth, believe it or not.




I have commented to some that know me personally that I do not mind discussing the Written Torah and the Tanach with anyone, including Rabbi's. I write a blog, this one. I attend Torah study and sometimes Talmud class(to see if I can find anything to trust or where are these guys heads as they lead the thoughts over thousands of years), I meet religious and non-religious people on the street and I answer questions using the Jewish Scriptures. For a while I wrote to a Rabbi in Israel, which is on the radio, but he stopped responding. I have been a call-in questioner and discusser on a Religious radio station in Israel, attended chat room discussions regarding religious radio shows, discussing the Writings of Moses and the Prophets of the Tanach, where I have listeners write to me from Europe, Canada, Mexico and the USA, some with questions, some to say how much I have helped them without speaking to them directly or having any other connection to them. These were a Blessing from GOD, and I thank HIM for allowing me to help. I even had someone that wrote me and thought that he wanted me to discuss with Rabbi Tovia Singer in Israel and another Rabbi I have not previously heard of, but it needed to be several hours as my questions were too deep and penetrating(in his view). All very nice things to hear, maybe this is how I can help others....



For the last couple months I have been writing on that radio station's Wall, answering questions and attempting to clear up misunderstandings where various people have espoused and opinion which, while not true according to my readings of GOD's word, actually hurt and chase people away from GOD. The manager of the Wall, recently declare that the Wall was the Radio Stations and religious discussions which were not directly addressed to the host of a show, were not welcome there. I was in shock and hoar as I realized that a Israel Radio station which hosted many Religious and Spiritual programs did not want listeners to discuss Religion or Spirituality without a show host. I went looking for some place where I could discuss “Religion or Spirituality” as it relates to being a Light Unto To The Nations(according to God and HIS Law). I found forums which discussions were “Religion or Spirituality”, I think I have found a place to discuss GOD and His Law, HAAAAA!. I answered about a half dozen standing questions, and received several very nice personal notes reporting how much my words helped them. However, I also had hecklers, those name callers which espouse the good of men's words and decline to think about the Writings of Moses or GOD's Prophets in the Tanach. I am used to the idea that others have differing opinions, this has been going on for a few thousand years. But then they got ugly about it, and then it got worse. I will not let them beat me down, but also have to keep a tight rein on my emotions, which is not easy for me considering the topics. My Faith, My Jewishness, My Knowledge of Scripture and Translations, …..really, these became ad hominem (is the logical fallacy of attempting to undermine a speaker's argument by attacking the speaker instead of addressing the argument) attacks, and were performed by the monitors of the forum, then I was barred from any input or discussion. 'I have been barred from a forum for speaking and writing what the word of GOD says in, not verse form but in block of text for contextual reference to demonstrate the TRUTH of what is written.”



A very painful event for me, but GOD does participate in the world. I talked it over with GOD, while I was walking the dog last night, I told HIM all of my concerns and how I really needed to know that I was going in the Right Direction. I need to know which way to go..... I go back to the computer to see if this is just a mix up, hoping that I was wrong in my understanding of what has happened. I received a private message from someone that that had reported to me that I had helped –I am sorry you are band, but I will seek answers from you on your blog. This was very nice to receive, and something I needed to hear. Seconds later, I got a personal message from a family in Ohio, telling me that I was their hero because they had given up finding anyone that spoke about GOD and HIS Laws, I had given this family of eight reason to continue to seek to convert to Judaism. Another great blessing from GOD and a confirmation that I am on the Right Path. This has happened to me before in November 2009, but personal, face-to-face strangers telling me that have been inspired by me, as they have been watching me for some time. That time the messages were twenty minutes apart, and a few blocks away on the street. GOD does answer pray and HE is in this world.




What is the point of this: Do what is right according to the Writings of Moses(Torah) and the GOD's Prophets in the Tanach. Moses is the rule and explanation of what is required. The other Prophets declare how we have failed, GOD's evidence against us and the punishments decreed by GOD, but also exactly what we need to do to stop the pain and get blessed by GOD. It really is simple to say, a little harder to perform, but most refuse to listen. There is a rabbinical saying that, We are not going to be able to fix the world, but neither are we allow to stop trying. There are things to learn from others, but not if it puts MY SOUL at risk of GOD's Anger by overriding GOD's LAWS and Precepts. I will hold to the God of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, the GOD of Jacob, and HIS promises. What do you hold on to?



Most of us, (I believe trust the religious leaders that we have chosen to follow, but where do you think they are taking you? ) follow a religious leader because they make us feel good, or we like their way of addressing an issue, or they have charisma, what ever the reason prior to this we should find those that lead us to GOD, always using the Word of GOD as the measure of TRUTH, not the word of man. (Isaiah 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:(KJV) I happen to like the JPS 1999 version better, however they really are saying the same thing when you look at the meanings and not get hung up on individual words. You can after all re-interpret every word to lose all meaning, and it seems that is happening, You will need to study any passage in the Tanach which you find anyway questionable. A really great way to learn –for me. 

Seek Truth, Do Justice and Love GOD to be Righteous.



Shalom ,

Yaakov

Band from discussing GOD LAW

The original quote from Mark Twain is “Truth is more a stranger than fiction.” became “Truth is stranger that fiction.”
Recently I experienced this tale which I shall relate, which is also the Truth, believe it or not.


I have commented to some that know me personally that I do not mind discussing the Written Torah and the Tanach with anyone, including Rabbi's. I write a blog, this one. I attend Torah study and sometimes Talmud class(to see if I can find anything to trust or where are these guys heads as they lead the thoughts over thousands of years), I meet religious and non-religious people on the street and I answer questions using the Jewish Scriptures. For a while I wrote to a Rabbi in Israel, which is on the radio, but he stopped responding. I have been a call-in questioner and discusser on a Religious radio station in Israel, attended chat room discussions regarding religious radio shows, discussing the Writings of Moses and the Prophets of the Tanach, where I have listeners write to me from Europe, Canada, Mexico and the USA, some with questions, some to say how much I have helped them without speaking to them directly or having any other connection to them. These were a Blessing from GOD, and I thank HIM for allowing me to help. I even had someone that wrote me and thought that he wanted me to discuss with Rabbi Tovia Singer in Israel and another Rabbi I have not previously heard of, but it needed to be several hours as my questions were too deep and penetrating(in his view). All very nice things to hear, maybe this is how I can help others....

For the last couple months I have been writing on that radio station's Wall, answering questions and attempting to clear up misunderstandings where various people have espoused and opinion which, while not true according to my readings of GOD's word, actually hurt and chase people away from GOD. The manager of the Wall, recently declare that the Wall was the Radio Stations and religious discussions which were not directly addressed to the host of a show, were not welcome there. I was in shock and hoar as I realized that a Israel Radio station which hosted many Religious and Spiritual programs did not want listeners to discuss Religion or Spirituality without a show host. I went looking for some place where I could discuss “Religion or Spirituality” as it relates to being a Light Unto To The Nations(according to God and HIS Law). I found forums which discussions were “Religion or Spirituality”, I think I have found a place to discuss GOD and His Law, HAAAAA!. I answered about a half dozen standing questions, and received several very nice personal notes reporting how much my words helped them. However, I also had hecklers, those name callers which espouse the good of men's words and decline to think about the Writings of Moses or GOD's Prophets in the Tanach. I am used to the idea that others have differing opinions, this has been going on for a few thousand years. But then they got ugly about it, and then it got worse. I will not let them beat me down, but also have to keep a tight rein on my emotions, which is not easy for me considering the topics. My Faith, My Jewishness, My Knowledge of Scripture and Translations, …..really, these became ad hominem (is the logical fallacy of attempting to undermine a speaker's argument by attacking the speaker instead of addressing the argument) attacks, and were performed by the monitors of the forum, then I was barred from any input or discussion. 'I have been barred from a forum for speaking and writing what the word of GOD says in, not verse form but in block of text for contextual reference to demonstrate the TRUTH of what is written.”

A very painful event for me, but GOD does participate in the world. I talked it over with GOD, while I was walking the god last night. I told him all of my concerns and how I really needed to know that I was going in the Right Direction. I need to know which way to go..... I go back to the computer to see if this is just a mix up, hoping that I was wrong in my understanding of what has happened. I received a private message from someone that that had reported to me that I had helped –I am sorry you are band, but I will seek answers from you on your blog. This was very nice to receive, and something I needed to hear. Seconds later, I got a personal message from a family in Ohio, telling me that I was their hero because they had given up finding anyone that spoke about GOD and HIS Laws, I had given this family of eight reason to continue to seek to convert to Judaism. Another great blessing from GOD and a confirmation that I am on the Right Path. This has happened to me before in November 2009, but personal, face-to-face strangers telling me that have been inspired by me, as they have been watching me for some time. That time the messages were twenty minutes apart, and a few blocks away on the street. GOD does answer pray and HE is in this world.

What is the point of this: Do what is right according to the Writings of Moses(Torah) and the GOD's Prophets in the Tanach. Moses is the rule and explanation of what is required. The other Prophets declare how we have failed, GOD's evidence against us and the punishments decreed by GOD, but also exactly what we need to do to stop the pain and get blessed by GOD. It really is simple to say, a little harder to perform, but most refuse to listen. There is a rabbinical saying that, We are not going to be able to fix the world, but neither are we allow to stop trying. There are things to learn from others, but not we it puts MY SOUL at risk of GOD's Anger by over riding GOD's LAWS and Precepts. I will hold to the God of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac, the GOD of Jacob, and HIS promises. What do you hold on to?


Most of us, (I believe trust the religious leaders that we have chosen to follow, but where do you think they are taking you? ) follow a religious leader because they make us feel good, or we like their way of addressing an issue, or they have charisma, what ever the reason prior to this we should find those that lead us to GOD, always using the Word of GOD as the measure of TRUTH, not the word of man. (Isaiah 29:13) Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:(KJV) I happen to like the JPS 1999 version better, however they really are saying the same thing when you look at the meanings and not get hung up on individual words. You can after all re-interpret every word to loss all meaning, and it seems that is happening, You will need to study any passage in the Tanach which you find anyway questionable. A really great way to learn –for me.
Seek Truth, Do Justice and Love GOD to be Righteous.

Shalom ,
Yaakov

Why did G-D allow the Holocaust?

Yes, without reservation I say the Tanach/Hebrew Bible say that HE did it,
and NO, WE DID IT!

What evidence is there for these conclusions? And why?

Let us start with the basics first. G-D created the Good and the Bad
(Isaiah 45:7) I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.(KJV) [I am the One]Who forms the light and creates darkness; Who makes peace and creates evil; I am H'Shem(G-D), Maker of all these. (Art Scroll Tanach- The Stone Edition) I form light and create darkness, I make weal and create woe--- I the Lord do all of these things. (JPS Tanach 1999 Edition)



The Why Question:
This one is very easy for me to locate in the Torah(written) and the Tanach. What is not easy, is that most can not Hear to perceive neither can See to Understand, This was Moses's(G-D's) complaint in Deuteronomy 29, where at the end of Moses's life it seems that he demonstrates that the people can not understand the last 40+ years which they have seen. I have reasons to believe that this too is G-D's plan, but that is another topic. REMEMBER THIS Please, On the witness of two or more shall you judge the TRUTH of a Matter. This is a paraphrase, but you can find not only does G-D present everything important twice, HE also calls on TWO Witnesses. For example: I call Heaven and Earth to bear witness against you--(Deuteronomy 30:19)
Back to the current subject: The blessings and curses are recorded twice Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 27—30:1. Leviticus is more concise for this topic so we will go there. (Leviticus 26:14) But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;(Leviticus 26:15) And if ye shall despise my statutes, or if your soul abhor my judgments, so that ye will not do all my commandments, but that ye break my covenant: PUNISHMENT, have we changed? (Leviticus 26:21) And if ye walk contrary unto me, and will not hearken unto me; I will bring seven times more plagues upon you according to your sins....PUNISHMENT, have we changed? (Leviticus 26:23) And if ye will not be reformed by me by these things, but will walk contrary unto me; PUNISHMENT, have we changed? (Leviticus 26:27) And if ye will not for all this hearken unto me, but walk contrary unto me;(Leviticus 26:28) Then I will walk contrary unto you also in fury; and I, even I, will chastise you seven times for your sins. So how do we end this? (Leviticus 26:40) If they shall confess their iniquity, and the iniquity of their fathers, with their trespass which they trespassed against me, and that also they have walked contrary unto me;(Leviticus 26:41) And that I also have walked contrary unto them, and have brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised hearts be humbled, and they then accept of the punishment of their iniquity: (Leviticus 26:42) Then will I remember my covenant with Jacob, and also my covenant with Isaac, and also my covenant with Abraham will I remember; and I will remember the land.
While G-D uses the Children of Israel to teach the families of the Earth, THAT G-D IS, AND WHAT ALL ARE TO DO, we have the job of receiving the BLESSING or the CURSE and are not allowed to disappear so that ALL THE EARTH SHALL KNOW G-D. (the families of the earth will bless themselves by YOU. (G-D tells Abram in Genesis 12) If only we Children of Israel, would wake up and repent to the G-D of our Fathers, The G-D of Abraham, The G-D of Isaac, The G-D of Jacob, and truly seek to do HIS LAW ( (Malachi 4:4) Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.) The Covenant is (Exodus 24:7) And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. Is a written contract with G-D. Or if you do not like these try: (Ezekiel 18:21) But if the wicked will turn from all his sins that he hath committed, and keep all my statutes, and do that which is lawful and right, he shall surely live, he shall not die.


G-D tells us what he wants, many times, then what we do.

(Ezekiel 20:19) I am the LORD your God; walk in my statutes, and keep my judgments, and do them; (20) And hallow my Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between me and you, that ye may know that I am the LORD your God. (21) Notwithstanding the children rebelled against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my Sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.

There is Hope, a promise to KNOW: (Ezekiel 20:33) As I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, will I rule over you: (34) And I will bring you out from the people, and will gather you out of the countries wherein ye are scattered, with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out. (35) And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there will I plead with you face to face. (36) Like as I pleaded with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so will I plead with you, saith the Lord GOD. (37) And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant: (38) And I will purge out from among you the rebels, and them that transgress against me: I will bring them forth out of the country where they sojourn, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel: and ye shall know that I am the LORD. --(Ezekiel 20:44) And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have wrought with you for my name's sake, not according to your wicked ways, nor according to your corrupt doings, O ye house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD.
Remember we have always had the warnings and THE CHOICE, To choose G-D or not, then we get the Blessings(WE ARE THEN A NATION OF PRIEST) or the punishment until it is painful enough that we willing return to G-D. But one way or the other we will return, as a nation. We can live individually, by returning to G-D(H'Shem) or not, that is our personal choice and the result will also be from our choice. This is the way it has always been for us, we have chosen our way and taught that to our children, which is not what Moses said that G-D Wanted.


THE REALITY IS THAT WE CAUSE THE HOLOCAUST, BY OUR CHOICES, we just refuse to admit it.
(Deuteronomy 32:28) For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.(29) O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!

May the G-D of our Fathers, give us ears to hear and eyes to see, right now. B''H'Shem

Shalom