Judaism ForumA little about me...Shalom Ryan
It is so beautiful to hear some of those words again. "Ruach Ha Kodesh" which means to recieve the Shekinah, For the presence of Gd to dwell in you ("Shekinah" means pretty much Gd Dwelling or words to that effect). As the presence of Gd dwells in the temple and in the world. Like filling a house with light. Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha-olam asher keed'shanu b'meetzvotav v'tzeevanu l’had’lik neir shel Chanukkah Amein (Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has sanctified us with His commandments and commanded us to light the candles of Chanukkah Amen) And then it is sort of like the idea of Gd dwelling and inj doing so protecting and sustaining the house Barukh atah Adonai, Elohaynu, melekh ha olam she hecheeyanu v'keey'manu v'heegeeyanu la z'man ha zeh Amein (Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe who has kept us alive, sustained us, and enabled us to reach this time (season) Amen For when Gd dwells Gd protects. in Jshua forfilling the law, that allows for us to be a dwelling for Gd. Shammatu What is wonderful about all this is the way Hanukkah is preceeded by a celebration of the law. the the orthodox call it Simkhat Torah But I use the name I know better, Shemini Atzret (Actually it is on the day after tomorrow). To us it is the reading of the law, sort of a prelude to Gd Dwelling. In a way the events in the Old Testament specifically the Torah (First five books or "Pentateuch" according to mainstream christians). All are like Shemini Atzret. Hanukkah is like the appearence of Jshua. In fact we coincide the birth of Jshua with Hanukkah. It may be the reason why the Mainstream Christians have Christmas soon after. (I am no historian though). Well this is where a covenant starts or is renewed. Gd says to those who have assembled for Sukkot: "Let me keep you near me" (atzarti etcbem etzli) and this is like the law being the point of Gd's dwelling. What you have found is the continuity between the old testament and the new. That is not unusual, it was this that kept me sort of distant from the Chrisitan Church I was seeing at the time after I lost some of my family. They had this idea that Messianic Jewish tradition was sort of apocryphal, as if the old and new Testament were a clear and distinct demarcation. but Jshua came to forfill not destroy the law. I didnt feel any hostility, I just felt they were seeing things a little differently, whatever they say, wether right or wrong, it is between them and Jshua. the other problem I found was thier understanding of Hellenic period history. Which is relevant. They went soleley by what was written in the Gospels, which is not a bad thing in terms of faith, because the relevant details are there, as Gd commanded. But they could not grasp why certain things were as they were. To give an example, the "Standards Incident" where Pontious Pilate had roman soldiers march in places where they shuld not bearing all these standards and flags. Now there is as a result a rule about this. In the UK there are some churches that have these flags and standards all over the place. Could not go into such a church. The rule said not to. I would attend the youth and womens groups, but never the main services. Because they were under lots of banners that were not relevant to the church as a place of worship. I felt put on the spot when asked by some to explain why I did not attend services. because I knew my reasons would probably offend thier traditions. (And I didnt want to do that) So on this I left. Another church I went to went on about barrabas "the theif and criminal" well he was actucally one of the Sichari, the Romans had it in for him because he was not being very nice to the romans lets say. I could not accept that teaching, so again I left. The point is that hellenic period history, which coincides with the Essenes and the arrival of Jshua. is relevant, as it was relevant to those Jews who followed Jshua. (Including some of the Sichari and the Essenes). Dont get me wrong I have no issues with brothers and sisters of other messianic or chrisitan faiths, they are all saved by Jshua I felt that some teachings differed and these differences would cause tensions. Where there is the Shekinah I go to that place, where the Shekinah is not I do not go. I do not judge though. I just stand by the law. Legalistic things often have an underlying meaning. You can take it to the extreme. Like I could have been utterly disrespectful, and said "Remove the banners and flags and I will walk into your church" that would be so arrogant and legalistic of me. As it happened I did explain to the Vicar, (They are called Vicars in the UK) about the history and the standards incident and he was fine about me not attending. He put it down to the sabbat being on different days. But he understood. and let me attend the small meetings. I could have argued about the history behind Barrabas with the other church, but what would it achieve? It was not written into thier law. How could I argue that when the real point was about bringing people to Jshua? There was another one, Giving money while in a church. That is a big no no. You give money to the temple outside the temple. Jshua was really upset about money changers and the like. I could not stomach seeing the money bowl inside the place where there is the shekinah. (But this one IS in the gospels) The old testament is also telling, Purim I have sort of mentioned in passing but wont go into now. And then the Golden Calf in Exodus. Gd was really upset about that because originally calfs were sacred to him. So what did they do, they made a gold calf and made out that Gd was a calf Gd. Like calling Gd a lump of bovine shaped metal. Does not matter how precious the metal is, it is not Gd! I have not sure I have seen orthodox Jews mention that one, it would be interesting to know. Often it is just an issue of Idolatry as they see it, but it was a real affront because Aaron was calling Gd "A bovine shaped bit of metal" and not "the Gd with a name meaning "I am who I am" (Surely the meaning "I am who I am" was a big enough hint if ever there was one) . "I am who I am... not a lump of metal". So to understand the law is important, as is to understand it in context. You were perfectly right to stand by your conviction and say what the spirit of Adonai told you to say. Because you were following the law. The fact that in doing so you were rejoicing, means that you were with the Shekinah What you are doing is seeing the true meaning rather than fragmented dogmas. I think that is a beautiful thing to see. I wish I could. And so you should be, If you believed you were worthy on your own strength, you would not be worthy. Because you are where Gd dwells, you are worthy, and Jshua went through hell and back literally so Gd could dwell within you. I too thank Jshua I have much to learn from you Chag Shemini Atzret Sameach |
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