Ask the Rabbi

Why we celebrate Simhat Torah? What significance of closing eyes when praying “Shema”? Joseph Dear Joseph, Simchat Torah means, “Joy of G-d’s Torah” or “Rejoicing in Torah” We have just gone through an austere time of reflection and introspection during the High Holy Days, examining our lives, repenting and correcting our deficiencies. Confessing and seeking… Read more »

Hello Rabbi Davis, I am going to a messianic congregation in Tampa, Fl called biet Tahila. I have found your article concerning God’s 7000 yrs redemption plan. Your article is very interesting to me as I am doing a study of this subject. I found it interesting that because of Israel unbelief to take the… Read more »

Rabbi, I am glad that you are willing to take the time to visit with me. I have a few starter questions that will get me into some objections I have heard Jewish people make about Yeshua. 1. Have you heard the objection that Yeshua couldn’t be the Messiah because the Seventy weeks prophecy doesn’t… Read more »

Dear Rabbi, Blessings. I have been struggling with health issues; both spiritually and physically. The L-RD keeps bringing me back to Isaiah Chapter 58 and then to Psalm 46:10. After looking at this particular scripture, I was drawn to research the word “still”. It is the Hebrew word Rapha. I saw more to this word… Read more »

I have read about a first Seder and a second Seder. One source said this was because of the number of lambs that had to be sacrificed. Was 15 Nisan (1st day of Unleavened Bread) a High Sabbath? Monte S. The reference to the first and second Seder is to be found in the Bible… Read more »

Please explain “first fruits” and the relationship to tithing. Alan The simple answer followers below. However, the Torah accounts for (3) tithes that not only go to the Levites, but to orphans, widows and those in need. A careful study of annual tithing from the Scripture amounts to about 28% of an individual’s income. There… Read more »

Who was Jesus’ stepfather Joseph’s father? Matthew 1:16 says it was a man named Jacob; Luke 4:23 says it was Heli. I would be interested in your answer. Keith You have a penchant for finding Bible difficulties. This apparent disharmony has been the source of debate for scholars for hundreds of years and no completely… Read more »

Why we celebrate Simhat Torah? What significance of closing eyes when praying “Shema”? Joseph Dear Joseph, Simchat Torah means, “Joy of G-d’s Torah” or “Rejoicing in Torah” We have just gone through an austere time of reflection and introspection during the High Holy Days, examining our lives, repenting and correcting our deficiencies. Confessing and seeking… Read more »

Dear Rabbi, I am very confused as to which holidays to celebrate and how to celebrate them. Many of the holidays seem to be of the old covenent and yet the Torah says that the Holydays (the seven feasts) MUST be celebrated though all generations. Did Messiah end these? Mikaela Dear Mikaela, May this e-mail… Read more »

I am going to a messianic congregation in Tampa, Fl called biet Tahila. I have found your article concerning God’s 7000 yrs redemption plan. Your article is very interesting to me as I am doing a study of this subject. I found it interesting that because of Israel unbelief to take the Temple Mount in… Read more »