Twelve stones for twelve sons: An explanation of stones used in the priestly breastplate. Today we are going to take a closer look at the stones used in the priestly breastplate representing the twelve tribes of Israel. But first let’s review the names of the sons and the meaning of each discussed in previous teaching…. Read more »
Teachings
Call no man rabbi… What does this really mean?
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Call No Man rabbi (Matt. 23:8) … What does this mean? Most people who resent the term rabbi quote from Matthew 23:8, but to have a better understanding you must include the following verses to verse 10. A literalistic approach to Matthew 23: 8-10 is inappropriate in the reading of this… Read more »
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Building Altars: To build or not to build? As with most subjects in the Bible, the subject of altars and how they fit into G-d’s instructions to the Israelites is complex. It is true that in the Old Testament, G-d forbade the building of altars in several places (Deut. 12:1-4, 14,15… Read more »
Examination of Matthew 18:18-19
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Examination of Matthew 18:18-19 An explanation of these verses was requested by one of our congregants bringing to my attention how both rabbinic Jews and Christians misinterpret the context and intent of the narrative; rabbinic Jews from the original Old Testament in Galatians 6:1 and Christians from Matthew. I have provided… Read more »
Working out your Salvation with Fear and Trembling
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Working out your salvation with fear and trembling Examining Philippians 2:12-23: “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is G-d who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill His purpose.” The question is “what does it mean to fear and tremble?… Read more »
Revelation Study: Introduction Part 2
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Revelation Study: Introduction Part 2 Today I will start with the definition of the L-rd’s Day. In Revelation 1:9 we are told that John saw and received this revelation on “the L-rd’s Day.” Leaving the first part of this sentence for a moment, let us look at the second part of… Read more »
The Concept of Freedom: Freedom From/Freedom For
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue The Concept of Freedom: Freedom From/Freedom For In light of current events, I want to talk to you about “Freedom.” We in the US like to boast about our freedoms, yet I say democracies are both a blessing or a curse: as Torah is a blessing or a curse. Largely everything… Read more »
PaRDeS: The Four Levels of Understanding the Scriptures
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue PaRDeS: the Four levels of Understanding the Scriptures The Hebrew/Aramaic word PARDES is spelled in Hebrew and Aramaic without vowels as PRDS. PaRDeS refers to a park or garden, esp. the Garden of Eden. The word appears three times in the Aramaic New Testament (Lk. 23:43; 2Cor. 12:4 & Rev. 2:7)…. Read more »
Moral Independence and Morality: No Need for G-d?
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue Moral Independence and Morality: No Need for G-d ? Being a Jew demands learning, developing and integrating into our lives the intellectual and moral courage to stand against the odds. If there is as absolute standard of morality as we who call ourselves true believers proclaim, then there must be a… Read more »
What You See is What You Get… Not!
Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue What you see is what you get… Not! The sign read “ come in and see the world’s largest man- eating alligator!” One woman passed by the sign and informed her husband that she had no interest in seeing this exhibit because she was afraid of “scaly creatures.” She thought she… Read more »