This is my second year observing Hanukkah since I started attending Sar Shalom, Messianic Jewish Congregation. It is my first Hanukkah observance since my conversion this past summer. This Hanukkah season I received a wonderful gift from the woman in our congregation who runs Junior Congregation. She shared a book that she uses for her family candle lighting. She put this book together herself referencing her favorite authors on Jewish festivals and Hanukkah. She sent me the pages, and I compiled my own. Joy! History and Torah all in one. I read from it for seven nights. More Joy! (Not tonight though, Hanukkah party at Sar Shalom.)
I'm reflecting on what has changed from last Hanukkah...
Last year I read strictly from the Siddur. This year I didn't. Nothing wrong with that.
Last year there was a "little" angst from the kids over my not doing the Christmas tree. Not this year. Hanukkah decorations went up. Next year we'll do more.
Last year we sang Hanukkah songs in the house. This year Hanukkah songs were included in the songs the children sang to our neighbors. My daughter directed.
Last year for Hanukkah my family here in Texas totaled 5. This year more family moved to Texas making us 13. I didn't include my sister who is visiting. And how do the children feel about Hanukkah? They love Hanukkah!
Last year I didn't know much about the Maccabees or Hanukkah. This year I know more. Hopefully, next year I'll remember more.
The miracle of Hanukkah in brief. A band of untrained agrarians, led by righteous men of G-d - the Maccabees, defeat the Greek army and rededicate the desecrated temple in Jerusalem. A jug of undefiled oil is found to light the temple's menorah, enough to last only one day. It lasts for eight, thereby, giving the priests just the right amount of time to prepare consecrated oil.
Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maccabees
Now getting to the Life is Full of Challenges part. We face challenges every day, financial, emotional, psychological, physical, relational, medical. All of us. Some challenges last days, some weeks, some months, and some a lifetime. Some of us can speak very clearly on one type of challenge or another. It can be very personal, very painful.
As believers, the challenges we face can help mold us into better people if we accept them as tests designed to equip us with more strength of character, endurance, faith, trust and hope. Rabbi taught on this today. Ultimately, all our tests are allowed by HaShem. What is our response when they come?
Although, my heart was heavy tonight over the personal challenges I am facing, (minutia really in the scheme of things) I was able to rejoice in the miracle of Hanukkah. I was/am able to identify with the Maccabees in their refusal to compromise their beliefs. The Hellenistic Jews were okay with pagan practices. Not so the Maccabees. Note to self: be more like them.
Tehillim (Psalms) 9:5
Tehillim (Psalms) 9:5
ADONAI is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a tower of strength in times of trouble.
Those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you have not abandoned those who seek you, ADONAI.
ADONAI is a stronghold for the oppressed,
a tower of strength in times of trouble.
Those who know your name put their trust in you,
for you have not abandoned those who seek you, ADONAI.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Is There A Mezuzah In The House?
Oh it took me so long to get the mezuzahs up in my house. Everytime I would say the Shema I was reminded that I was not meeting this commandment. It was disturbing to me because it was something relatively easy to do--buy the mezuzahs and scrolls and hang them on the doorposts of the house.
I was blessed unexpectedly last week, Sar Shalom had mezuzahs and scrolls available for purchase. I purchased as many as I needed. As I left the building I quietly thanked HaShem for helping me meet this mitzvah.
The following day, I set myself up with the blessing to recite when affixing a mezuzah in one hand, my trusted hammer and nail in the other. To the front door I go. My daughter cheering me on. Was that trepidation in her voice? After several failed attempts at driving the nail into the wood, and in the process hitting the ceramic mezuzah case so hard that I break it, and get a piece of ceramic stuck in my finger. I come back into the house and retrieve the electric drill from under several items that were on the bottom of the pantry closet. Why the pantry closet? I store it there so I can get it in a hurry. Ok, I'm in denial. My daughter is looking at my bleeding finger and wishes I would let my son-in-law do this. It's nothing I say and move on.
Back at the front door, I once again realize that the drill is a wonderful invention. In minutes the new mezuzah (I purchased more then one) is on the doorpost of the front door and I am feeling quite accomplished. I proceed to place one in several other rooms of the house. The drill is my friend and I am feeling confident that I will be able to get to the back door before dinner time. Not.
Here it is now several days later and there are still 3 doorposts in need of mezuzahs. I am promising myself that tomorrow it will get done. Notwithstanding, I am blessed.
In the meantime, this is what I have learned about this mitzvah:
My beautiful grand daughter smiles from ear to ear as I hold her in my arms and help her reach up to touch the mezuzah by her bedroom doorpost. She is so young and yet she seems to understand that it is a delight to obey His commandments.
Chabad.org is an excellent reference for learning about the mezuzah. Just write mezuzah on their search engine.
I was blessed unexpectedly last week, Sar Shalom had mezuzahs and scrolls available for purchase. I purchased as many as I needed. As I left the building I quietly thanked HaShem for helping me meet this mitzvah.
The following day, I set myself up with the blessing to recite when affixing a mezuzah in one hand, my trusted hammer and nail in the other. To the front door I go. My daughter cheering me on. Was that trepidation in her voice? After several failed attempts at driving the nail into the wood, and in the process hitting the ceramic mezuzah case so hard that I break it, and get a piece of ceramic stuck in my finger. I come back into the house and retrieve the electric drill from under several items that were on the bottom of the pantry closet. Why the pantry closet? I store it there so I can get it in a hurry. Ok, I'm in denial. My daughter is looking at my bleeding finger and wishes I would let my son-in-law do this. It's nothing I say and move on.
Back at the front door, I once again realize that the drill is a wonderful invention. In minutes the new mezuzah (I purchased more then one) is on the doorpost of the front door and I am feeling quite accomplished. I proceed to place one in several other rooms of the house. The drill is my friend and I am feeling confident that I will be able to get to the back door before dinner time. Not.
Here it is now several days later and there are still 3 doorposts in need of mezuzahs. I am promising myself that tomorrow it will get done. Notwithstanding, I am blessed.
In the meantime, this is what I have learned about this mitzvah:
- Mezuzah literally means doorpost.
- Mezuzah also means the parchment paper where Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and Deuteronomy 11:13-21 are written.
- Mezuzah can also refer to the case holding the scroll.
- There are guidelines to how the scroll is written.
- There are guidelines to who can write the scroll.
- There are guidelines for inspecting the scrolls for damage twice in 7 years.
- There are many guidelines to affixing a mezuzah.
- There are guidelines for a mezuzah when you move.
My beautiful grand daughter smiles from ear to ear as I hold her in my arms and help her reach up to touch the mezuzah by her bedroom doorpost. She is so young and yet she seems to understand that it is a delight to obey His commandments.
Chabad.org is an excellent reference for learning about the mezuzah. Just write mezuzah on their search engine.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Life Happens
Life happens. When you least expect it there is life with a new challenge. Sometimes the pain of life is gut wrenching. It gets intense. So it goes here. My beautiful grand daughter has begun to heal after 2 weeks home from the hospital for a tethered cord release. The weeks leading up to her surgery were busy with meeting her daily needs. Endless hours with little sleep. She is blessed to have wonderful parents, who are completely devoted to her.
Me, well, I play a supportive role. I assist. Yes, I'm up at the wee hours with them. But I'm the grandma and I can't help myself. Love in action. I think that's what I like to call it.
My blog took a back seat as I took this test in our family's walk of faith. The Hebrew word for faith is emunah and it means both faith and faithfulness.
Once again our family, both natural and spiritual came to our side to support us with prayers, good food and warm hearts. Prayers went up from Texas, New York, Florida, Puerto Rico, and where ever else our spiritual family happens to be. I can't tell you how much that has meant to us. Words can't express it. We know the power of prayer.
We have seen HaShem turn things around in moments in response to prayer. Each time we have been about to head back to the hospital with the baby, He has intervened on her behalf. We have seen His hand at work as He calmed her retching stomach, soothed her back pain, helped her keep down fluids, abated a rising temperature, and more. It has been a rough go, but He is faithful.
Rabbi Mark makes this analogy, faith is believing the vitamin will help you. Faithfulness is taking the vitamin every day. We trust/believe that our Heavenly Father listens to us and answers prayer. We pray. Faithfulness. With each testing our faith is strengthened. Because He is sovereign, it is His will we seek.
We know, "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23.
The baby has begun to heal and slowly things are coming around to normal here. We continue to trust in HaShem for all good things. We trust in His Word. We accept His sovereingty in all areas. And we believe in His love for us.
In the midst of this testing, we celebrated Shavuot on May 27, 2012, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Like thousands of others, I stayed up all night that Sabbath as the Torah was read at Sar Shalom. Then on Sunday night we at Sar Shalom worshipped along with Ted Pearce as he led us into a highter place of praise.
In the midst of our struggles there is refreshing in Yeshua. There is Shalom in the Living Torah.
Me, well, I play a supportive role. I assist. Yes, I'm up at the wee hours with them. But I'm the grandma and I can't help myself. Love in action. I think that's what I like to call it.
My blog took a back seat as I took this test in our family's walk of faith. The Hebrew word for faith is emunah and it means both faith and faithfulness.
Once again our family, both natural and spiritual came to our side to support us with prayers, good food and warm hearts. Prayers went up from Texas, New York, Florida, Puerto Rico, and where ever else our spiritual family happens to be. I can't tell you how much that has meant to us. Words can't express it. We know the power of prayer.
We have seen HaShem turn things around in moments in response to prayer. Each time we have been about to head back to the hospital with the baby, He has intervened on her behalf. We have seen His hand at work as He calmed her retching stomach, soothed her back pain, helped her keep down fluids, abated a rising temperature, and more. It has been a rough go, but He is faithful.
Rabbi Mark makes this analogy, faith is believing the vitamin will help you. Faithfulness is taking the vitamin every day. We trust/believe that our Heavenly Father listens to us and answers prayer. We pray. Faithfulness. With each testing our faith is strengthened. Because He is sovereign, it is His will we seek.
We know, "It is because of the Lord's mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness. Lamentations 3: 22-23.
The baby has begun to heal and slowly things are coming around to normal here. We continue to trust in HaShem for all good things. We trust in His Word. We accept His sovereingty in all areas. And we believe in His love for us.
In the midst of this testing, we celebrated Shavuot on May 27, 2012, which commemorates the giving of the Torah at Sinai. Like thousands of others, I stayed up all night that Sabbath as the Torah was read at Sar Shalom. Then on Sunday night we at Sar Shalom worshipped along with Ted Pearce as he led us into a highter place of praise.
In the midst of our struggles there is refreshing in Yeshua. There is Shalom in the Living Torah.
Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Some Kosher Products
Here is a list of Kosher Goya products straight from the Goya website. I grew up with Goya products. My mother kept them in her pantry. So do I. Using these products reminds me of my mother's home cooking. That said, I am loyal to the brand. I look for Goya products on supermarket shelves. Quite often I am disappointed when I fail to find them. I was delighted when I found a listing of their kosher products. I can only hope their list of Kosher items grows.
Scroll down this long list to see if you are familiar with any of their products.
Goya Kosher Products
GOYA Extra Virgin Olive Oil
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331011037 | 1103 | 36/3 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011051 | 1105 | 25/8.5 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011075 | 1107 | 12/17 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011099 | 1109 | 6/34 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011143 | 1114 | 24/17 oz. tin bottle | |
041331011204 | 1120 | 12/34 oz. tin bottle | |
041331011280 | 1128 | 3/3 liter (101 oz) tin bottle |
GOYA "Puro" Olive Oil
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331011419 | 1141 | 25/8.5 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011426 | 1142 | 12/17 oz. glass bottle |
GOYA Light Olive Oil
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331011549 | 1154 | 25/8.5 oz. glass bottle | |
041331011587 | 1158 | 12/17 oz. glass bottle |
GOYA Pure Corn Oil
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331012270 | 1227 | 24/16 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012294 | 1229 | 12/24 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012317 | 1231 | 9/48 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012324 | 1232 | 9 1/2 gal. plastic bottle | |
041331012331 | 1233 | 6/ 1gal. plastic bottle | |
041331012348 | 1234 | 6/ 96 oz. tin bottle |
GOYA Vegetable Oil
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331012355 | 1235 | 24/16 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012379 | 1237 | 12/24 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012379 | 1239 | 9/48 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012409 | 1240 | 6/ 96 oz. plastic bottle | |
041331012416 | 1241 | 6/ 1 gal. plastic bottle |
GOYA Olives Alcaparrado
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331014236 | 1423 | 24/2 oz. glass bottle |
GOYA Olives Cocktail Pitted
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331013178 | 1317 | 24/2 1/4 oz. glass bottle | |
041331013192 | 1319 | 24/5 1/2 oz. glass bottle |
GOYA Olives
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331013079 | 1307 | 24/3 3/4 oz. man.pl. | |
041331013277 | 1327 | 24/3 3/4 oz. man.std | |
041331014250 | 1425 | 24/3 1/4 oz. aldo | |
041331013338 | 1333 | 24/3 3/8 oz.qn std. | |
041331013512 | 1351 | 24/3 3/8 oz. jumbo | |
041331014274 | 1427 | 24/4 1/4 oz. aldo | |
041331014175 | 1417 | 24/7 oz.pitted alcaparrado | |
041331014656 | 1465 | 24/8 oz. alcaparrado | |
041331014670 | 1467 | 24/6 3/4 oz. manzanilla plain | |
041331014694 | 1469 | 24/6 3/4 oz. manzanilla stuffed | |
041331014731 | 1473 | 24/6 1/2 oz. jumbo | |
041331014755 | 1475 | 24/6 1/2 oz. queen stuffed | |
041331014779 | 1477 | 24/7 salad olives | |
041331013093 | 1309 | 24/9 1/2 oz. manzanilla plain | |
041331013314 | 1331 | 24/9 1/2 oz. manzanilla stuffed | |
041331013352 | 1335 | 24/9 oz. queen stuffed | |
041331013536 | 1353 | 24/9 1/2 oz. jumbo | |
041331014199 | 1419 | 24/9 1/2 oz. pitted alcaparrado | |
041331014298 | 1429 | 24/10 oz. alcaparrado with pimientos | |
041331014793 | 1479 | 24/10 oz. salad olives | |
041331013321 | 1332 | 12/20 oz. manzanilla stuffed | |
041331014212 | 1421 | 12/ 19.25 oz. pitted alcaparrado | |
041331014311 | 1431 | 12/20 oz. alcaparrado | |
041331014786 | 1478 | 12/20 oz. salad olives |
GOYA Olives - Pouch
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331014816 | 1481 | 24/ 3.5 oz. manzanilla | |
041331014823 | 1482 | 24/ 2.5 oz. pitted | |
041331014830 | 1483 | 24/ 3.5 oz. stuffed manzanilla |
GOYA Spanish Capers Nonpareils
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331013703 | 1370 | 24/2 oz. |
GOYA Spanish Capers - Alcaparras
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331013734 | 1373 | 24/2 oz. | |
041331013758 | 1375 | 24/3 1/4 oz. | |
041331013772 | 1377 | 24/4 1/2 oz. |
GOYA Beans & Peas in 1 lb. Poly Bag
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331024709 | 2470 | 24/ small whites | |
041331024716 | 2471 | 24/ red kidney | |
041331024723 | 2472 | 24/ pinto | |
041331024730 | 2473 | 24/ baby lima | |
041331024747 | 2474 | 24/ black-eyed peas | |
041331024754 | 2475 | 24/ whole green peas | |
041331024761 | 2476 | 24/ lentils | |
041331024778 | 2477 | 24/ pink beans | |
041331024785 | 2478 | 24/ chick peas | |
041331024792 | 2479 | 24/ black beans | |
041331024808 | 2480 | 24/ Dominican red beans | |
041331024815 | 2481 | 24/ large lima | |
041331024822 | 2482 | 24/ pigeon peas | |
041331024839 | 2483 | 24/ roman beans | |
041331024846 | 2484 | 24/ large fava beans | |
041331024853 | 2485 | 24/ great northern | |
041331024860 | 2486 | 24/ small red | |
041331024877 | 2487 | 24/ split green peas | |
041331024884 | 2488 | 24/ white kidney | |
041331024891 | 2489 | 24/ cow peas | |
041331024907 | 2490 | 24/ navy beans | |
041331024914 | 2491 | 24/ yellow split peas | |
041331024921 | 2492 | 24/ yellow popcorn | |
041331024938 | 2493 | 24/ whole yellow peas | |
041331024945 | 2494 | 24/ barley | |
041331024952 | 2495 | 24/ canary beans-mayocoba | |
041331024969 | 2496 | 24/ red lentils | |
041331024976 | 2497 | 24/ maiz trillado white hominy | |
041331024983 | 2498 | 24/maiz trillado amarillo | |
041331024990 | 2499 | 24/ giant white corn | |
041331025010 | 2501 | 24/ pardina lentils | |
041331025027 | 2502 | 24/ 16 bean soup | |
041331025034 | 2503 | 24/ frijol de seda | |
041331025041 | 2504 | 24/ peeled fava beans | |
041331025058 | 2505 | 24/ frijol bayos | |
041331025065 | 2506 | 24/ red cargamanto | |
041331025096 | 2509 | 24/ white cargamanto | |
041331052102 | 2510 | 24/ bola roja |
GOYA Beans & Peas in 1 lb. Poly Bag
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331025157 | 2515 | 6/4 lb. pink beans | |
041331025164 | 2516 | 6/4 lb. lentils | |
041331025171 | 2517 | 6/4 lb. frijol de seda | |
041331025188 | 2518 | 6/4 lb. canary beans | |
041331025195 | 2519 | 6/4 lb. red kidney | |
041331025218 | 2521 | 6/4 lb. small red beans | |
041331025225 | 2522 | 6/4 lb. giant white corn | |
041331025232 | 2523 | 6/4 lb. black beans | |
041331025249 | 2524 | 6/4 lb. roman beans | |
041331025263 | 2526 | 6/4 lb. pinto beans |
GOYA Beans - 10 lb. Poly Bag
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331025270 | 2527 | 3/10 lb. black beans | |
041331025287 | 2528 | 3/10 lb. pinto beans | |
041331025294 | 2529 | 3/10 lb. roman beans |
GOYA Canned Beans & Peas 15.5 oz.
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
41331123303 | 2330 | 24/ 15.5 oz. red kidney low salt | |
41331123310 | 2331 | 24/ 15.5 oz. pink beans low salt | |
41331123327 | 2332 | 24/ 15.5 oz. black bean low salt | |
41331123334 | 2333 | 24/ 15.5 oz. chick peas low salt | |
41331123344 | 2334 | 24/ 15.5 oz. pinto beans low salt | |
041331124027 | 2402 | 24/ 15.5 oz. red kidney | |
041331124065 | 2406 | 24/ 15.5 oz. pink beans | |
041331124126 | 2412 | 24/ 15.5 oz. white beans | |
041331124164 | 2416 | 24/ 15.5 oz. roman beans | |
041331124201 | 2420 | 24/ 15.5 oz. small red | |
041331124225 | 2422 | 24/ 15.5 oz. chick peas | |
041331124263 | 2426 | 24/ 15.5 oz. blackeye | |
041331124300 | 2430 | 24/ 15.5 oz. great northern | |
041331124324 | 2432 | 24/ 15.5 oz. speckled | |
041331124355 | 2435 | 24/ 15.5 oz. dark kidney | |
041331124379 | 2437 | 24/ 15.5 oz. pinto beans | |
041331124430 | 2443 | 24/ 15.5 oz. butter beans | |
041331124461 | 2446 | 24/ 15.5 oz. cannelini | |
041331124560 | 2456 | 24/ 15.5 oz. lentils | |
041331124584 | 2458 | 24/ 15.5 oz. navy beans | |
041331124614 | 2461 | 24/ 15.5 oz. green beans | |
041331124669 | 2466 | 24/ 15.5 oz. black peas |
GOYA Canned Beans & Peas 29 oz.
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331024006 | 2400 | 12/ 29 oz. red kidney | |
041331024112 | 2411 | 12/ 29 oz. pink beans | |
041331024150 | 2415 | 12/ 29 oz. roman beans | |
041331024174 | 2417 | 12/ 29 oz. small red | |
041331024198 | 2419 | 12/ 29 oz. chick peas | |
041331024297 | 2429 | 12/ 29 oz. blackeye peas | |
041331024426 | 2442 | 12/ 29 oz. pinto beans | |
041331024440 | 2444 | 12/ 29 oz. butter beans | |
041331024495 | 2449 | 12/ 29 oz. cannelini | |
041331024525 | 2452 | 12/ 29 oz. small white | |
041331024655 | 2465 | 12/ 29 oz. black beans |
GOYA Canned Beans & Peas 110 oz.
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331024532 | 2453 | 6/ 100 oz. dark kidneys | |
041331024549 | 2454 | 6/ 100 oz. pinto beans | |
041331024556 | 2455 | 6/ 100 oz. pink beans | |
041331024570 | 2457 | 6/ 100 oz. red kidneys | |
041331024594 | 2459 | 6/ 100 oz. black beans | |
041331024600 | 2460 | 6/ 100 oz. chick peas |
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331026017 | 2601 | 24/ 1 lb. poly bag | |
041331026024 | 2602 | 20/ 3 lb. poly bag | |
041331026031 | 2603 | 12/ 5 lb. poly bag | |
041331026055 | 2605 | 6/ 10 lb. poly bag | |
041331026062 | 2606 | 3/ 20 lb. poly bag | |
041331026079 | 2607 | 1/ 20 lb. poly bag | |
041331026086 | 2608 | 1/ 50 lb. poly bag | |
041331026093 | 2609 | 1/100 lb. poly bags |
"Golden CANILLA" Parboiled
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331026260 | 2626 | 24/ 1 lb. poly bag | |
041331026277 | 2627 | 1/100 lb. poly bag | |
041331026284 | 2628 | 20/ 3 lb. poly bag | |
041331026291 | 2629 | 12/ 5 lb. poly bag | |
041331026307 | 2630 | 6/ 10 lb. poly bag | |
041331026314 | 2631 | 3/ 20 lb. poly bag |
CANILLA Extra Fancy Long Grain
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331026321 | 2632 | 24/ 1 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026338 | 2633 | 20/ 3 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026352 | 2635 | 12/ 5 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026376 | 2637 | 6/ 10 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026383 | 2638 | 3/ 20 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026390 | 2639 | 1/ 20 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026406 | 2640 | 1/ 50 lb. poly bag | ||
041331026406 | 2641 | 1/100 lb. poly bag |
GOYA Salsitas
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331028820 | 2882 | 12/8 oz. chipotle | ||
041331028851 | 2885 | 12/8 oz. jalapeno | ||
041331028868 | 2886 | 12/8 oz. arbol | ||
041331028875 | 2887 | 12/8 oz. ancho | ||
041331028882 | 2888 | 12/8 oz. habanero |
GOYA Salsa
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331028899 | 2889 | 12/17.6 oz. verde | ||
041331028905 | 2890 | 12/17.6 oz. taquera | ||
041331028912 | 2891 | 12/17.6 oz. pico de gallo |
GOYA Pasta
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
029243005009 | 2917 | 20/7 oz. Coil Fideo | ||
029243000233 | 2918 | 20/7 oz. Gears | ||
029243000240 | 2919 | 20/7 oz. Macaroni | ||
029243000011 | 2920 | 20/7 oz. Vermicelli | ||
029243000028 | 2921 | 20/7 oz. Fideo | ||
029243000059 | 2922 | 20/7 oz. Spaghetti | ||
029243000066 | 2923 | 20/7 oz. Melon Seed | ||
029243000073 | 2924 | 20/7 oz. Stars | ||
029243000080 | 2925 | 20/7 oz. Alphabets | ||
029243000097 | 2926 | 20/7 oz. Small elbows | ||
029243000103 | 2927 | 20/7 oz. Medium elbows | ||
029243000110 | 2928 | 20/7 oz. Large elbows | ||
029243000196 | 2931 | 20/16 oz. Spaghetti | ||
029243000202 | 2932 | 20/16 oz. Medium elbows | ||
029243000219 | 2933 | 20/16 oz. Shells | ||
029243000226 | 2934 | 20/16 oz. Vermicelli |
GOYA Lemon Juice
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331030571 | 3057 | 12/32 oz. |
GOYA Honey
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331032001 | 3200 | 24/16 oz. plain | ||
041331032025 | 3202 | 24/8 oz. plain | ||
041331032049 | 3204 | 24/5 oz. plain | ||
041331032063 | 3206 | 24/8 oz. comb | ||
041331032100 | 3210 | 12/16 oz. comb |
GOYA Sodas
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331039864 | 3986 | 24/12 oz. Guava | ||
041331039925 | 3992 | 24/12 oz. Mandarin | ||
041331039949 | 3994 | 24/12 oz. Lemon Lime | ||
041331040044 | 4004 | 24/12 oz. Strawberry | ||
041331040198 | 4019 | 24/12 oz. Apple | ||
041331040211 | 4021 | 24/12 oz. Grape |
GOYA Malta
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331039840 | 3984 | 24/12 oz. 4/6 pack | ||
041331039857 | 3985 | 24/12 oz. loose | ||
041331040068 | 4006 | 24 6/7 oz. pack | ||
041331040082 | 4008 | 40/7 oz 4/10 pack | ||
041331040259 | 4025 | 24/12 oz. 2 /12 pack | ||
041331040273 | 4027 | 40/7 oz. loose | ||
041331040129 | 4012 | 24/12 oz. loose LIGHT |
GOYA Minced Garlic
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331039123 | 3912 | 12 4 1/2 oz. | ||
041331039130 | 3913 | 12/ 8 oz. |
GOYA Cracker Meal
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
04133103944 | 3944 | 36/ 6 oz. |
GOYA Tropical Crackers
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331039451 | 3945 | 12/ 12 oz. | ||
041331039475 | 3947 | 48/ 3 1/4 oz. |
GOYA Tropical Butter Cracker
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331049528 | 4952 | 48/ 3 oz. bag | ||
041331049542 | 4954 | 12/ 12 oz. bag |
GOYA Snack Crackers
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331049559 | 4955 | 12/ 12 oz. | ||
041331049573 | 4957 | 12/ 12 oz. whole wheat | ||
041331049580 | 4958 | 12/ 12 oz. sesame |
GOYA Tortilla Chips
| ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | ||
041331049221 | 4922 | 9/16 oz. Tortilla chips- deli style |
GOYA Masarepa (Pre-cooked Corn Flour)
| |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |||
041331050753 | 5075 | 6/ 5 lb. blanca | |||
041331050753 | 5075 | 6/ 5 lb. blanca | |||
041331050760 | 5076 | 6/ 5 lb. amarilla | |||
041331050777 | 5077 | 12/ 24 oz. blanca | |||
041331050784 | 5078 | 12/ 24 oz. amarilla |
GOYA Harinas - Flour & Meal
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331050869 | 5086 | 4/ 5 lb. fine corn | |
041331050876 | 5087 | 4/ 5 lb. coarse corn | |
041331050913 | 5091 | 12/ 24 oz. farina de mandioca | |
041331050937 | 5093 | 12/ 24 oz. Yuca Harina | |
041331050944 | 5094 | 24/ 12 oz. Almindon agrio | |
041331050999 | 5099 | 12/ 24 oz. maiz gruesa | |
041331051002 | 5100 | 12/ 24 oz. maiz (fine corn meal) | |
041331051019 | 5101 | 24/ 12 oz. maiz (fine corn meal) | |
041331051026 | 5102 | 24/ 12 oz. maiz (coarse corn meal) | |
041331051033 | 5103 | 24/ 12 oz. trigo (wheat) | |
041331051040 | 5104 | 12/ 24 oz. wheat flour | |
041331051057 | 5105 | 24/ 12 oz. arroz (rice) | |
041331051064 | 5106 | 12/ 24 oz. rice flour | |
041331051064 | 5106 | 12/ 24 oz. rice flour | |
041331051095 | 5109 | 12/ 24 oz. extra-fine corn flour |
GOYA Coffee
| |||
---|---|---|---|
UPC | Item No. | Description | |
041331152235 | 5223 | 18/ 8.8 oz decaffeinated | |
041331052290 | 5229 | 12/ 10 oz. decaffeinated | |
041331052368 | 5236 | 18/ 8.8 oz. brick-pak | |
041331152372 | 5237 | 70/ 8.8 oz. brick-pak display | |
041331052382 | 5238 | 12/ 10 oz. can | |
041331052399 | 5239 | 8/ 23 oz. can |
RICE
(one of my favorite comfort foods)
Riviana a subsidiary of Ebro Foods, S.A., has under its umbrella the following Kosher rice, by brands: Mahatma Rice, Carolina Rice, Fiesta Gourmet House, Minute, Riceland, River Rice, Riviana, Success, and Watermaid.
Texmati brand white, brown and light brown rice also have a Kosher designation.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
We All Have A Long Way to Go or Pass Me Some More of Them Pork Chops
So, I was reading the Torah portion for this week--Acharei Mot/Kedoshim taken from Vayikra (Leviticus) 16:1-20:27 and I went to restorationoftorah.org, to look at Tony Robinson's teaching on it. His teachings are insightful and thorough. What impacted me was the connection that parts of this Torah portion had with Acts 15:29. As I read Tony Robinson teaching I was convicted of how ignorant I had been, and still am. But, I have come a long way in less than a year.
In Acts 15:29, Gentile proselytes are instructed "to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication." These are the same instructions that the Master of the Universe delivered to the Israelites by way of Moses. As Tony Robinson pointed out, all believers in Yehoshua, whether Jew or Gentile are to obey the commandments.
What has disturbed me, lately, are the differences in people's responses to the Truth of Scripture when Truth is presented to them. I know individuals that will see the Truth in the Torah, connect with it, and immediately turn away from their former way of doing things. Others, read or hear the Truth, but refuse to turn away. Why do they decide to follow their own inclination. Why do they choose not to follow the Master's commandment(s). I'm speaking of people with understanding of spiritual things. People that are walking in the light. People who are seasoned in the ways of the Heavenly Father. Why? Is that willful disobedience? I'm just wondering. So, I looked it up.
The free online dictionary defines willful this way:
will·ful also wil·ful (wlfl)
Yehoshua told us that His yoke was easy and His burden was light, Mattityahu (Matthew) 11:30. I have found this to be true. Each time I am confronted with the error of my ways, it is the Master who by His love and mercy, forgives me and restores me. He sets me on the right path each time. The path is Torah.
My friend, all of the commandments, I emphasize all, are given to us so we may live. We have to choose.
In Acts 15:29, Gentile proselytes are instructed "to abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication." These are the same instructions that the Master of the Universe delivered to the Israelites by way of Moses. As Tony Robinson pointed out, all believers in Yehoshua, whether Jew or Gentile are to obey the commandments.
What has disturbed me, lately, are the differences in people's responses to the Truth of Scripture when Truth is presented to them. I know individuals that will see the Truth in the Torah, connect with it, and immediately turn away from their former way of doing things. Others, read or hear the Truth, but refuse to turn away. Why do they decide to follow their own inclination. Why do they choose not to follow the Master's commandment(s). I'm speaking of people with understanding of spiritual things. People that are walking in the light. People who are seasoned in the ways of the Heavenly Father. Why? Is that willful disobedience? I'm just wondering. So, I looked it up.
The free online dictionary defines willful this way:
will·ful also wil·ful (wlfl)
adj.
1. Said or done on purpose; deliberate. See Synonyms
at voluntary.
2. Obstinately bent on having one's own
way.
Adj. | 1. | willful - done by design; "the insult was
intentional"; "willful disobedience"
voluntary - of your own free will or
design; done by choice; not forced or compelled; "man is a voluntary agent";
"participation was voluntary"; "voluntary manslaughter"; "voluntary generosity
in times of disaster"; "voluntary social workers"; "a voluntary
confession"
|
2. | willful - habitually disposed to disobedience and opposition
disobedient - not obeying or complying
with commands of those in authority; "disobedient children"
|
Yehoshua told us that His yoke was easy and His burden was light, Mattityahu (Matthew) 11:30. I have found this to be true. Each time I am confronted with the error of my ways, it is the Master who by His love and mercy, forgives me and restores me. He sets me on the right path each time. The path is Torah.
My friend, all of the commandments, I emphasize all, are given to us so we may live. We have to choose.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
Shabbat A Time Of Joy
One thing that strikes me about Jewish life is the observance of Shabbat, the commanded day of rest, the 7th day of the week. Now, I know that all Jewish people are not religious. Not all Jews hold to the Tanakh. But for those who do, I respect the degree of earnest devoted to preparation for the Sabbath, as well as, the level of commitment to keep it as a day of physical, emotional, and psychological rest.
For those that observe Shabbat, it is a day when all striving cease and one is at peace with the Creator and His creation. It is a day in which one guards him/herself from those things that seek to destroy the joy experienced in fellowship with the Maker of all things.
This past week, The Day of Remembrance preceded Shabbat by 2 days. On Shabbat, just 2 short days later, there was no mention of it. Why? Because Shabbat is a day to rejoice. It is a weekly holy day (holiday), where you enjoy all the good things that HaShem has provided. It is a day to give honor and glory to the Creator. That is what matters. HaShem has given us 24 hours, once a week, where he commands us to rest in Him. On Shabbat, we also rest from our grief. If we allow ourselves to soak in His presence the grief we carry is replaced by joy.
Judaism holds to the sacredness of life. Life is never sacrificed for the sake of mitvot. Life comes first. Therefore, caring for a seriously ill friend or family member becomes an act of kindness. It is putting into practice Leviticus 19:18, "And you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Monday, April 16, 2012
Yom Hasho'ah / 27 Nisan / April 19th
Lest They Forget / Murray Stein / Dallas Holocaust Museum |
This week the United States commemorates The Holocaust. This week in many public and private arenas-- civic, governmental, military, schools, universities, churches and synagogues, we will be reminded of the systematic mass genocide of six million Jews (one million children, 2 million women, 3 million men) by the Nazi government in Germany during World War II as their "Final Solution" in making the world ready for the "perfect Aryan race." If you include the mass murder of other people groups, including people with disabilities, the number increases to 11 million, some say 17 million.
Yom Hasho'ah in Israel occurs on the 27th day of the month of Nisan. It is an official day of mourning. All television broadcasting is dedicated to the remembrance of the millions that were murdered. Banks and schools are closed, as are movie theaters. Throughout the country people light 6 candles to represent the 6 million Jews that were slaughtered. A long siren is sounded at a specified time (11 AM) throughout the country and every one stops what they are doing, stands, and observes 2 minutes of silence. A special ceremony, that includes Holocaust survivors, is conducted by Israel's President in the holocaust museum in Jerusalem, Yad Vashem.
Yesterday, some of us at Sar Shalom accompanied Rabbi Mark to the Holocaust Museum in Dallas. Reminders of the Holocaust for me have always been heart breaking. This time it was no different. Hatred, as exemplified by the Holocaust boggles the mind. It is incomprehensible.
The pictures we saw at the museum did not tell the whole story and for good reason. The exhibit is open to the general public and this includes children. Photographs of the atrocities are difficult for adults to handle, much less children.
Photos taken by American and Allied Forces when the concentration camps were liberated, while not displayed at the museum, paint a horrifying picture. They are too gruesome to post. All of these horrors were going on in peoples "back yard" so to speak. Here is a picture of Eisenhower inspecting one part of the Ohdruf concentration camp.
General Dwight D. Eisenhower / Ohrdruf concentration camp on April 12, 1945. |
"During the camp inspections with his top commanders Eisenhower said that the atrocities were “beyond the American mind to comprehend.” He ordered that every citizen of the town of Gotha personally tour the camp and, after having done so, the mayor and his wife went home and hanged themselves. Later on Ike wrote to Mamie, “I never dreamed that such cruelty, bestiality, and savagery could really exist in this world.” He cabled General Marshall to suggest that he come to Germany and see these camps for himself. He encouraged Marshall to bring Congressmen and journalists with him. It would be many months before the world would know the full scope of the Holocaust — many months before they knew that the Nazi murder apparatus that was being discovered at Buchenwald and dozens of other death camps had slaughtered millions of innocent people.
General Eisenhower understood that many people would be unable to comprehend the full scope of this horror. He also understood that any human deeds that were so utterly evil might eventually be challenged or even denied as being literally unbelievable. For these reasons he ordered that all the civilian news media and military combat camera units be required to visit the camps and record their observations in print, pictures and film. As he explained to General Marshall, “I made the visit deliberately, in order to be in a position to give first-hand evidence of these things if ever, in the future, there develops a tendency to charge these allegations merely to ‘propaganda.’”
His prediction proved correct. When some groups, even today, attempt to deny that the Holocaust ever happened they must confront the massive official record, including both written evidence and thousands of pictures, that Eisenhower ordered to be assembled when he saw what the Nazis had done." http://www.eisenhowermemorial.org/stories/death-camps.html
Yad Vashem / Jerusalem / Wikepedia |
Hall of Names / Yad Vashem / Jerusalem / Wikepedia |
Sadly, today we have the same hatred generated against Jews. Few of us speak up, if at all, against this hatred. And I am reminded of the statement by Martin Niemoller, a Protestant minister that had originally supported Hitler's rise to power. The statement has many variants as poetry. This is one of them:
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Pesach (Passover) Celebration 14 Nisan 5772 (April 6, 2012)
I have to say that my first Passover Seder Celebration(s) were meaningful, and joyful. More so by the fact that my family was able to offer a sacrifice of praise to HaShem. We celebrated the gift of eternal life through Yeshua the Messiah in spite of life's testing.
I know I haven't shared this with you on this blog, but my beautiful, eighteen month old, grand daughter has special needs. She was born with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects in the world. It affects all races and all people groups. While the medical community in the US boasts that the incidence of Spina Bifida has decreased dramatically since the push for pregnant women to take folic acid began in 1992, I am of the opinion that the incidence has decreased because of the high abortion rate.
I need to add that after the diagnosis of Spina Bifida was made in utero, my daughter was encouraged, until 24 weeks gestational age, to abort my grand daughter. She was "forced" to hear every possible negative scenario that could possibly play itself out in my grand daughter's life at every prenatal appointment. The suffering my daughter and my son-in-law were experiencing was compounded by the insensitivity of some in the medical community.
This suffering was overshadowed by the joy of receiving her into the world. She is beautiful in every way. We know that she is fearfully and wonderfully made. We know she is very intelligent and she is capable in a special way.
The joy of having her in our lives these past 18 months has not been without testing. The first year of her life included a fractured femur, diagnosed at 2 days of birth. No one could explain how that happened. Then there was a two week intensive care stay close to her first birthday that sent the entire family into a tail spin. We saw HaShem work in miraculous ways on her behalf during those two weeks.
Now you may be asking what does any of this have to do with Pesach 2012. Well, my daughter on that day received disturbing news from the baby's urologist that the baby's kidneys were in danger. She was told that the baby now has kidney reflux. In order to reverse and prevent any further kidney damage my daughter would have to start a rigid regimen of non stop care, and new medications were added to her existing medication regimen.
With such bad news weighing on our hearts we weren't sure if we were going to attend the festive Passover Seder at Sar Shalom or the Seder at Bethel Fellowship the next day. Such was the heaviness we were feeling.
My daughter prayed and faith rose up within her. In her heart she knew, "this had come to pass, and not to stay." Quickly we prepared to attend the Seder. In less than an hour we were all ready.
Sar Shalom had a full to capacity banquet prepared for the night. At the banquet hall, each table setting had a Seder Plate with the traditional items on it:
Maror and Chazeret — Bitter herbs, horseradish is symbolic of the bitterness and harshness of slavery.
Charoset— A sweet, brown mixture of chopped nuts, chopped apples, red wine or honey, representing the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt for building storehouses.
Karpas— A vegetable like parsley that gets dipped in salt water. The salt water represents the tears that are shed by those in slavery.
Z'roa—A roasted lamb or goat shank bone, chicken wing, or chicken neck; symbolizing the sacrificial lamb.
Beitzah — A hard-boiled egg, symbolic of the festival sacrifice that was offered in the Temple, then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. It now represents the loss of the Temple in Jerusalem.
The seventh symbolic item on the Seder table is a plate of three whole matzot.
Rabbi Mark lead in the telling of the Passover (Pesach Haggadah). As he told the Passover story and as we ate of the elements on the Seder plate we remembered the bitterness of the life in slavery to sin. We remembered the many tears we had shed and the heavy burden of sins we had carried. BUT then, we rejoiced over the gift of redemption and the new life we received through Messiah Yeshua. We ate and we celebrated. With my cell phone I tried to capture a bit of the celebration.
I know I haven't shared this with you on this blog, but my beautiful, eighteen month old, grand daughter has special needs. She was born with Spina Bifida. Spina Bifida is one of the most common birth defects in the world. It affects all races and all people groups. While the medical community in the US boasts that the incidence of Spina Bifida has decreased dramatically since the push for pregnant women to take folic acid began in 1992, I am of the opinion that the incidence has decreased because of the high abortion rate.
Maror and Chazeret — Bitter herbs, horseradish is symbolic of the bitterness and harshness of slavery.
Charoset— A sweet, brown mixture of chopped nuts, chopped apples, red wine or honey, representing the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves in Egypt for building storehouses.
Karpas— A vegetable like parsley that gets dipped in salt water. The salt water represents the tears that are shed by those in slavery.
Z'roa—A roasted lamb or goat shank bone, chicken wing, or chicken neck; symbolizing the sacrificial lamb.
Beitzah — A hard-boiled egg, symbolic of the festival sacrifice that was offered in the Temple, then roasted and eaten as part of the meal on Seder night. It now represents the loss of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Rabbi Mark lead in the telling of the Passover (Pesach Haggadah). As he told the Passover story and as we ate of the elements on the Seder plate we remembered the bitterness of the life in slavery to sin. We remembered the many tears we had shed and the heavy burden of sins we had carried. BUT then, we rejoiced over the gift of redemption and the new life we received through Messiah Yeshua. We ate and we celebrated. With my cell phone I tried to capture a bit of the celebration.
The next day, as we partook of the beautiful Passover Seder at Bethel Fellowship, we were blessed yet again. Great worship, delicious food, and a family setting, made this Passover Seder a wonderful experience. My family received yet again a double portion of HaShem's love. We sang, danced, and rejoiced at His Salvation.
Does this mean that we are without trouble. Of course not. We will never be without trouble or testing. But we know that we have reason to rejoice. Despite our circumstances, we have hope. My first Passover Seder(s) will be remembered by our rejoicing in the miracle of His Salvation in spite of difficulties. When we are weak, yet He is strong. That, my friend, is definitely one thing I want to share with my precious grand daughter when she gets old enough to understand.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Tornadoes in North Texas
In the midst of heavy duty kitchen cleaning to prepare for Passover, my brother sends me a text message that there are tornadoes touching down in Dallas/Fort Worth . Tornadoes are new to me. Being from the North East I get a bit anxious when I hear the word Tornado. Now my daughter, son-in-law, and grand daughter were in Dallas for a medical appointment. I became a little worried when I did not get an answer from them when I sent a text.
I stopped what I was doing, and began to pray. After that, I gathered up a couple of flashlights, a radio, a couple of candles (scented of course), and prepared the bathroom in case I needed to take shelter there. You've seen the raw footage-- pretty scary. What did they say, take a twin size mattress in the tub with you? All I have is a queen and I can't pick that one up.
So I waited. During the wait, I vacumed draws, and cabinets, swept and mopped, rearranged pots and pans, cleaned out the toaster oven. I did this at a furious pace. You know that I was so thankful when the sirens stopped and the National Weather Service cancelled the tornado warning for my area.
The tornadoes left behind severe destruction, and injuries, but I believe all the prayers that went up on April 4 were answered. No deaths have been reported so far.
Please keep all those whose lives have been affected by the tornadoes in your prayers. There is much healing and restoration that needs to take place.
Oh, my family was safe. They had tried to call me, but the calls were being dropped. I was overjoyed to see them walk through the door. And my kitchen, not much leaven there.
Here is a photo taken by clockworklemon of a tornado in Forney, Texas on April 4th and posted on wonderground.com |
I stopped what I was doing, and began to pray. After that, I gathered up a couple of flashlights, a radio, a couple of candles (scented of course), and prepared the bathroom in case I needed to take shelter there. You've seen the raw footage-- pretty scary. What did they say, take a twin size mattress in the tub with you? All I have is a queen and I can't pick that one up.
So I waited. During the wait, I vacumed draws, and cabinets, swept and mopped, rearranged pots and pans, cleaned out the toaster oven. I did this at a furious pace. You know that I was so thankful when the sirens stopped and the National Weather Service cancelled the tornado warning for my area.
The tornadoes left behind severe destruction, and injuries, but I believe all the prayers that went up on April 4 were answered. No deaths have been reported so far.
Please keep all those whose lives have been affected by the tornadoes in your prayers. There is much healing and restoration that needs to take place.
Oh, my family was safe. They had tried to call me, but the calls were being dropped. I was overjoyed to see them walk through the door. And my kitchen, not much leaven there.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Anti-Semitism
My sister gifted me with a book when she came to visit from New York City a month ago, and I've been reading Michael Brown's, Our Hands Are Stained With Blood, in between my reading of Our Father Abraham, Torah portions and study.
The books copyright date is 1990. That was 21 years ago. And I ask myself, where have I been that so much of the information in this book is new to me. The books subtitle is, The Tragic Story of the "Church" and the Jewish People. What a tragic story this is.
I was reading last night on page 90, about the town of Slobodka,in Lithuania, 1941:
"On the evening of June 25, 1941, the Lithuanian fascists began
going from house to house, from apartment to apartment
murdering people by the most horrible deaths--men,
women, and children--old and young. They hacked off
heads, sawed people through like lumber, prolonging the
agony of their victims as long as possible.
Finding the Rabbi of Slobodka studying Talmud in his
home, they 'bound him to a chair, put his head on his open
[Talmud volume] and sawed his head off '--before
slaughtering the rest of the family."
Michael Brown gives so many examples of the violence perpetrated against the Jewish people. History is rich with them. It grieved me so much to read that many times it was those who called themselves "Christians" that committed the murderous acts. And there are so many horrific acts. The Inquisition, Pograms, Holocaust, and more.
As I shared a portion of the book with my daughter today, I broke into tears, In one town, during the Holocaust, babies were tossed out of windows. While below, young boys were waiting to catch them with bayonet rifles. I thought of my own precious granddaughter, barely 18 months old, and cringed.
I think about the young people today, and how desensitized they are to violence. It breaks my heart.
What this book is bringing home is my own indifference to the suffering around me. It is there, but what am I doing to stop it. We get so caught up in living our own lives that we forget about our neighbor. I know that isn't you. Just me.
There are elements in our culture today that seek to destroy the Jewish people. We should not be ignorant of these. When anti-semitism rears its ugly head I need to be counted among those injured. What about you?
The books copyright date is 1990. That was 21 years ago. And I ask myself, where have I been that so much of the information in this book is new to me. The books subtitle is, The Tragic Story of the "Church" and the Jewish People. What a tragic story this is.
I was reading last night on page 90, about the town of Slobodka,in Lithuania, 1941:
"On the evening of June 25, 1941, the Lithuanian fascists began
going from house to house, from apartment to apartment
murdering people by the most horrible deaths--men,
women, and children--old and young. They hacked off
heads, sawed people through like lumber, prolonging the
agony of their victims as long as possible.
Finding the Rabbi of Slobodka studying Talmud in his
home, they 'bound him to a chair, put his head on his open
[Talmud volume] and sawed his head off '--before
slaughtering the rest of the family."
Michael Brown gives so many examples of the violence perpetrated against the Jewish people. History is rich with them. It grieved me so much to read that many times it was those who called themselves "Christians" that committed the murderous acts. And there are so many horrific acts. The Inquisition, Pograms, Holocaust, and more.
As I shared a portion of the book with my daughter today, I broke into tears, In one town, during the Holocaust, babies were tossed out of windows. While below, young boys were waiting to catch them with bayonet rifles. I thought of my own precious granddaughter, barely 18 months old, and cringed.
I think about the young people today, and how desensitized they are to violence. It breaks my heart.
What this book is bringing home is my own indifference to the suffering around me. It is there, but what am I doing to stop it. We get so caught up in living our own lives that we forget about our neighbor. I know that isn't you. Just me.
There are elements in our culture today that seek to destroy the Jewish people. We should not be ignorant of these. When anti-semitism rears its ugly head I need to be counted among those injured. What about you?
Friday, March 23, 2012
My First Messianic Passover and Hametz/Leaven/Yeast
This year Passover starts on April 6th and I am focused on leaven (yeast). I feel there is more then 1 battle to be fought over the leaven removal in my house. After all my family loves bread and this year, for the first time, we will be without leaven bread for 7 days. I see the sad faces and hear the heavy sighs as I write. This will be a big test for all of us in my house.
Leaven or yeast is symbolic of the sin in our lives. In the book of Semot (Exodus) 12:15-20, it is written:
"For seven days you are to eat matzah - on the first day remove the leaven from your houses. For whoever eats hametz [leavened bread] from the first to the seventh day is to be cut off from Isra'el. 16 On the first and seventh days, you are to have an assembly set aside for God. On these days no work is to be done, except what each must do to prepare his food; you may do only that. 17 You are to observe the festival of matzah, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day from generation to generation by a perpetual regulation. 18 From the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day, you are to eat matzah. 19 During those seven days, no leaven is to be found in your houses. Whoever eats food with hametz in it is to be cut off from the community of Isra'el - it doesn't matter whether he is a foreigner or a citizen of the land. 20 Eat nothing with hametz in it. Wherever you live, eat matzah." Complete Jewish Bible.
HaShem has commanded us to remove the hametz from our homes. Now this commandment, I once took to be a totally spiritual act, and I believed the actual removal of the hametz did not apply for today. I took mental notice or better yet, did a written account of my transgressions, prayed and repented of them, and that was that.
Had I taken the time to read the command-ment carefully, I would have noted that in verse 19 it states, "During those seven days, no leaven is to be found in your houses." So HaShem has commanded us to physically remove the leaven/yeast from our houses. Yes, that jar of fast rise yeast you purchased 2 weeks ago or those envelopes of active dry yeast you've been saving to make donuts have to go. Yes, that loaf of bread you froze 3 weeks ago has to go.
I can see how going through the whole house searching for bread crumbs can seem burdensome to more than a few. (Hello, that was me last year.) But when I consider my own sinful nature, I understand how necessary the act of obedience is. For as we search and find the bread crumbs that seem so out of place in the home office or clothes closet or under the cushion in the living room, we have an opportunity to repent of those sins that are hidden in our heart that we had almost forgotten about. Was it pride? Was it selfishness? Was it anger? Was it shame? Was it lust? Was it hopelessness? Sometimes, the shelves in our kitchens are not the only places that show vestiges of leaven. In what other rooms of my (spiritual) house, are the vestiges of sin.
So, I have to ask myself, why if it wasn't for my own good, why would the Master of the Universe give me this perpetual commandment? And this commandment is not only to the Jew, but to the foreigner (gentile) living in the land, as well. Could it be that HaShem is saying (just suppose), yes that "crumb" was the one you forgot to repent of last fall, and I wanted to hear you acknowledge that "crumb" as sin. And somehow, you just know that if you had not looked in that coat pocket, you would not have remembered that sin, and would have never repented. Physical acts have spiritual components. Am I not right MH.
I have not forgotten what the Word of G-d teaches in 1 John 1:9, "If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing." Complete Jewish Bible. Thank G-d for mercy, that He doesn't cut us off for disobedience, but is long-suffering.
Leaven or yeast is symbolic of the sin in our lives. In the book of Semot (Exodus) 12:15-20, it is written:
"For seven days you are to eat matzah - on the first day remove the leaven from your houses. For whoever eats hametz [leavened bread] from the first to the seventh day is to be cut off from Isra'el. 16 On the first and seventh days, you are to have an assembly set aside for God. On these days no work is to be done, except what each must do to prepare his food; you may do only that. 17 You are to observe the festival of matzah, for on this very day I brought your divisions out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you are to observe this day from generation to generation by a perpetual regulation. 18 From the evening of the fourteenth day of the first month until the evening of the twenty-first day, you are to eat matzah. 19 During those seven days, no leaven is to be found in your houses. Whoever eats food with hametz in it is to be cut off from the community of Isra'el - it doesn't matter whether he is a foreigner or a citizen of the land. 20 Eat nothing with hametz in it. Wherever you live, eat matzah." Complete Jewish Bible.
HaShem has commanded us to remove the hametz from our homes. Now this commandment, I once took to be a totally spiritual act, and I believed the actual removal of the hametz did not apply for today. I took mental notice or better yet, did a written account of my transgressions, prayed and repented of them, and that was that.
Had I taken the time to read the command-ment carefully, I would have noted that in verse 19 it states, "During those seven days, no leaven is to be found in your houses." So HaShem has commanded us to physically remove the leaven/yeast from our houses. Yes, that jar of fast rise yeast you purchased 2 weeks ago or those envelopes of active dry yeast you've been saving to make donuts have to go. Yes, that loaf of bread you froze 3 weeks ago has to go.
I can see how going through the whole house searching for bread crumbs can seem burdensome to more than a few. (Hello, that was me last year.) But when I consider my own sinful nature, I understand how necessary the act of obedience is. For as we search and find the bread crumbs that seem so out of place in the home office or clothes closet or under the cushion in the living room, we have an opportunity to repent of those sins that are hidden in our heart that we had almost forgotten about. Was it pride? Was it selfishness? Was it anger? Was it shame? Was it lust? Was it hopelessness? Sometimes, the shelves in our kitchens are not the only places that show vestiges of leaven. In what other rooms of my (spiritual) house, are the vestiges of sin.
So, I have to ask myself, why if it wasn't for my own good, why would the Master of the Universe give me this perpetual commandment? And this commandment is not only to the Jew, but to the foreigner (gentile) living in the land, as well. Could it be that HaShem is saying (just suppose), yes that "crumb" was the one you forgot to repent of last fall, and I wanted to hear you acknowledge that "crumb" as sin. And somehow, you just know that if you had not looked in that coat pocket, you would not have remembered that sin, and would have never repented. Physical acts have spiritual components. Am I not right MH.
I have not forgotten what the Word of G-d teaches in 1 John 1:9, "If we acknowledge our sins, then, since he is trustworthy and just, he will forgive them and purify us from all wrongdoing." Complete Jewish Bible. Thank G-d for mercy, that He doesn't cut us off for disobedience, but is long-suffering.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Questions / Answers / Questions
My sisters, since returning to New York City, have started on a quest to find a Messianic Congregation. They have several on their list that they intend to visit in the greater New York area. It is amazing to see how the list of Messianic Jewish Congregations has grown over the past several years. It proves to me how the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) is moving to bring His people to a deeper understanding of who He is.
My sisters visited a Sephardic Messianic Congregation on Shabbat. They were overwhelmed with the teaching. The Rabbi is originally from Venezuela. Among many of the things he taught them was the error we make in using the name "Jesus" to refer to our Messiah. Can you feel the shake-up they experienced. One of them wrote, "I'm in limbo" about her beliefs after learning from him that the scriptures have been changed. Mary is really Miriam. James is really Jacob...Even the use of the word "Lord" is in question.
As "good" researchers will do, we started searching at once. What we found keeps us bewildered. Oh my, can all this be true? Is some of it true? If so, what do we do?
One web site had all the etymology for how the word Jesus in Latin means "earth pig," Another site gave even more information on the Sacred Name or True Name, and at the end of the post, there is a call to those who want to receive "Jesus as Lord." That was a little confusing to me. Another site has the word Adonai having its roots in the Phoenician/Caananite cult of Adonis. Who knew?
The questions persist. Can all this be true? Is some of it true? What do we do? When you are trying to live a life honoring the King of the Universe, the Savior, how we address Him matters.
For now, I have decided to play it safe. I will continue to refer to my Messiah, as Yeshua (salvation). I have asked HaShem to forgive me if the use of the other words for him are wrong. I have asked that He guide me to the truth and change my ways to His ways. And of course, I will speak with my Rabbi and get his perspective on this.
Here are links to some of the sites I visited.
http://www.sabbathcovenant.com/doctrine/sus_is_latin_for_pig.htm
http://seekgod.ca/htwhatsinaname.htm
http://www.sacrednamemovement.com/InvitationEssayC.html
http://jesusisajew.org/YESHUA.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Judaism
http://www.myredeemerlives.com/namesofgod/adonai-elohim.html
http://phoenicia.org/adonis.html
UPDATE
After speaking with Rabbi I was reassured that the use of the name Jesus is not wrong. In English, Jesus does not mean "earth pig." A member of our congregation, who is Jewish, made a good point by using the word "gift." In Germany, gift means poison. In English, gift means present.
In other words, languages are complex.
The following is part of an article by Dr. Daniel Botkin on the name Yeshua versus Yahshua. In it he discusses the English form of Jesus:
The English form Jesus is derived from the New Testament Greek name Ihsouß, pronounced "Yesous." According to Strong’s, Yesous (Strong’s #2424) is "of Hebrew origin" and can be traced back to Joshua’s Hebrew name, Yehoshua (#3091, [wvwhy). But how do we get the Greek Yesous from the Hebrew Yehoshua? Someone armed with nothing more than a Strong’s Concordance may have difficulty answering that question. Someone who reads the Bible in Hebrew, though, knows that the name Joshua sometimes appears in its shortened form, Yeshua ([wvy) in Neh. 8:17 it is apparent even in English: "Jeshua the son of Nun." (The letter J was pronounced like a Y in Old English.) Strong does not tell the reader that the Greek Yesous is actually transliterated from this shortened Hebrew form, Yeshua, and not directly from the longer form Yehoshua. The process from "Yehoshua" to "Jesus" looks like this:
Hebrew Yehoshua à Hebrew Yeshua
Hebrew Yeshua à Greek Yesous
Greek Yesous à English Jesus
There is no "sh" sound in Greek, which accounts for the middle "s" sound in Yesous. The "s" at the end of the Greek name is a grammatical necessity, to make the word declinable.
In Neh. 8:17, Joshua’s name is 100% identical to the name which today’s Messianic Jews use for the Messiah, Yeshua ([wvy). Strong’s confirms this pronunciation, and tells us that there were ten Israelites in the Bible who bore this name (#3442). Therefore the shortening of Yehoshua to Yeshua predates the Christian era by at least 500 years, and cannot be the result of a Jewish conspiracy to hide the Savior’s true name.[4] To claim that the shortened form Yeshua is the result of a Jewish conspiracy is to ignore the facts of history and the facts of the Hebrew Scriptures. The form Yeshua existed for several hundred years before the Messiah was even born. Even in the pre-Christian Septuagint, we see the Greek form IHSOUS (Yesous) in the title of the Book of Joshua. (This is also proof that Yesous has no connection to the pagan god Zeus.)
http://www.yashanet.com/library/Yeshua_or_Yahshua.htm
Bottom line, better we should use our Messiah's given name, Yeshua. Technically, calling him Jesus is not an insult.
My sisters visited a Sephardic Messianic Congregation on Shabbat. They were overwhelmed with the teaching. The Rabbi is originally from Venezuela. Among many of the things he taught them was the error we make in using the name "Jesus" to refer to our Messiah. Can you feel the shake-up they experienced. One of them wrote, "I'm in limbo" about her beliefs after learning from him that the scriptures have been changed. Mary is really Miriam. James is really Jacob...Even the use of the word "Lord" is in question.
As "good" researchers will do, we started searching at once. What we found keeps us bewildered. Oh my, can all this be true? Is some of it true? If so, what do we do?
One web site had all the etymology for how the word Jesus in Latin means "earth pig," Another site gave even more information on the Sacred Name or True Name, and at the end of the post, there is a call to those who want to receive "Jesus as Lord." That was a little confusing to me. Another site has the word Adonai having its roots in the Phoenician/Caananite cult of Adonis. Who knew?
The questions persist. Can all this be true? Is some of it true? What do we do? When you are trying to live a life honoring the King of the Universe, the Savior, how we address Him matters.
For now, I have decided to play it safe. I will continue to refer to my Messiah, as Yeshua (salvation). I have asked HaShem to forgive me if the use of the other words for him are wrong. I have asked that He guide me to the truth and change my ways to His ways. And of course, I will speak with my Rabbi and get his perspective on this.
Here are links to some of the sites I visited.
http://www.sabbathcovenant.com/doctrine/sus_is_latin_for_pig.htm
http://seekgod.ca/htwhatsinaname.htm
http://www.sacrednamemovement.com/InvitationEssayC.html
http://jesusisajew.org/YESHUA.php
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Names_of_God_in_Judaism
http://www.myredeemerlives.com/namesofgod/adonai-elohim.html
http://phoenicia.org/adonis.html
UPDATE
After speaking with Rabbi I was reassured that the use of the name Jesus is not wrong. In English, Jesus does not mean "earth pig." A member of our congregation, who is Jewish, made a good point by using the word "gift." In Germany, gift means poison. In English, gift means present.
In other words, languages are complex.
The following is part of an article by Dr. Daniel Botkin on the name Yeshua versus Yahshua. In it he discusses the English form of Jesus:
The English form Jesus is derived from the New Testament Greek name Ihsouß, pronounced "Yesous." According to Strong’s, Yesous (Strong’s #2424) is "of Hebrew origin" and can be traced back to Joshua’s Hebrew name, Yehoshua (#3091, [wvwhy). But how do we get the Greek Yesous from the Hebrew Yehoshua? Someone armed with nothing more than a Strong’s Concordance may have difficulty answering that question. Someone who reads the Bible in Hebrew, though, knows that the name Joshua sometimes appears in its shortened form, Yeshua ([wvy) in Neh. 8:17 it is apparent even in English: "Jeshua the son of Nun." (The letter J was pronounced like a Y in Old English.) Strong does not tell the reader that the Greek Yesous is actually transliterated from this shortened Hebrew form, Yeshua, and not directly from the longer form Yehoshua. The process from "Yehoshua" to "Jesus" looks like this:
Hebrew Yehoshua à Hebrew Yeshua
Hebrew Yeshua à Greek Yesous
Greek Yesous à English Jesus
There is no "sh" sound in Greek, which accounts for the middle "s" sound in Yesous. The "s" at the end of the Greek name is a grammatical necessity, to make the word declinable.
In Neh. 8:17, Joshua’s name is 100% identical to the name which today’s Messianic Jews use for the Messiah, Yeshua ([wvy). Strong’s confirms this pronunciation, and tells us that there were ten Israelites in the Bible who bore this name (#3442). Therefore the shortening of Yehoshua to Yeshua predates the Christian era by at least 500 years, and cannot be the result of a Jewish conspiracy to hide the Savior’s true name.[4] To claim that the shortened form Yeshua is the result of a Jewish conspiracy is to ignore the facts of history and the facts of the Hebrew Scriptures. The form Yeshua existed for several hundred years before the Messiah was even born. Even in the pre-Christian Septuagint, we see the Greek form IHSOUS (Yesous) in the title of the Book of Joshua. (This is also proof that Yesous has no connection to the pagan god Zeus.)
http://www.yashanet.com/library/Yeshua_or_Yahshua.htm
Bottom line, better we should use our Messiah's given name, Yeshua. Technically, calling him Jesus is not an insult.
Friday, March 9, 2012
My First Purim
I wanted to get this brief post up before the start of Shabbat. Last night we celebrated Purim at Sar Shalom. Jimmy Black was invited and my spirit was soaring as he sang. (I plan to go to his web site and purchase his new CD when it becomes available.) Rabbi Mark spoke about Haman and how HaSatan (cursed be he) did not succeed in his evil scheme. He brought to our minds the many plots and schemes designed to hurt us that the L-rd has thwarted. HaShem has turned evil to good.
I had visual flashbacks of the automobile accidents I have had, the many fractures, the poor choice of friends during adolescence, the bad choices in so many areas of my life, and how HaShem saw fit to allow me to survive it all. Thank you L-rd. Your mercies are new every morning. You protect your people.
The Purim celebration included games for the kids, food, beverages and of course lots of fun. My first Purim was certainly and truly a celebration.
I had visual flashbacks of the automobile accidents I have had, the many fractures, the poor choice of friends during adolescence, the bad choices in so many areas of my life, and how HaShem saw fit to allow me to survive it all. Thank you L-rd. Your mercies are new every morning. You protect your people.
The Purim celebration included games for the kids, food, beverages and of course lots of fun. My first Purim was certainly and truly a celebration.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Baking Challah / A Spiritual Act
I have been baking bread for many years. I love the smell (ah, the aroma) that fills the house when the bread is baking. I like the knowing that I can say all the ingredients in the bread (flour, water, eggs, yeast, oil, sugar, salt). And yes, I like the "no artificial anything," that comes with making bread, or any food from scratch.
The best part for me, maybe you, is biting into a piece of warm, still steaming, just out of the oven, bread. And, as you may already know, I like it with a big slab of butter that melts and drips off the sides. Yummy.
I like kitchen gadgets. And I like kitchen gadgets that make my job in the kitchen easier. So, I've made (and still make) bread using a bread maker from start to finish. (I've also made it completely by hand.) I've used a food processor, a stand mixer, and even a hand mixer to knead dough. Hand mixer, not so good.
To make Challah, I have found, I like using my stand mixer first and then finishing the kneading by hand. The stand mixer works twice as fast as my hands, and the final minutes of kneading by hand take the dough from sticky to tacky, and then to just right.
Challah is a moist, sweet dough, bread that is served on Shabbat. Jewish women have been baking Challah for centuries. At least two loaves are baked. Two loaves symbolize the double portion of Manna that the Jewish people gathered in the wilderness on Friday, before the start of the Sabbath.
Making Challah is a wonderful, spiritual act. As I handle the dough, I pray for my family and friends. Those on my prayer list can need healing, restoration, more faith, direction, and so on. In my mind as I knead and handle the dough, I imagine HaShem touching those areas in the lives of my family and friends that need healing, restoration, peace, faith and strength. It is not a "chore" to bake Challah. It is a blessing.
Centuries ago, in Israel during Temple times, Jewish women reserved a portion of the Challah dough for the priest. Today, because there is no Temple in Israel (yet), Jewish women separate a small piece of Challah dough and burn it in the bottom of their ovens. Jewish women say a prayer blessing G-d before separating the dough.
For Messianic Jews the Challah symbolizes G-d's provision, as well as, the living bread -- Yeshua, the bread of life.
The best part for me, maybe you, is biting into a piece of warm, still steaming, just out of the oven, bread. And, as you may already know, I like it with a big slab of butter that melts and drips off the sides. Yummy.
I like kitchen gadgets. And I like kitchen gadgets that make my job in the kitchen easier. So, I've made (and still make) bread using a bread maker from start to finish. (I've also made it completely by hand.) I've used a food processor, a stand mixer, and even a hand mixer to knead dough. Hand mixer, not so good.
To make Challah, I have found, I like using my stand mixer first and then finishing the kneading by hand. The stand mixer works twice as fast as my hands, and the final minutes of kneading by hand take the dough from sticky to tacky, and then to just right.
Challah is a moist, sweet dough, bread that is served on Shabbat. Jewish women have been baking Challah for centuries. At least two loaves are baked. Two loaves symbolize the double portion of Manna that the Jewish people gathered in the wilderness on Friday, before the start of the Sabbath.
Making Challah is a wonderful, spiritual act. As I handle the dough, I pray for my family and friends. Those on my prayer list can need healing, restoration, more faith, direction, and so on. In my mind as I knead and handle the dough, I imagine HaShem touching those areas in the lives of my family and friends that need healing, restoration, peace, faith and strength. It is not a "chore" to bake Challah. It is a blessing.
Centuries ago, in Israel during Temple times, Jewish women reserved a portion of the Challah dough for the priest. Today, because there is no Temple in Israel (yet), Jewish women separate a small piece of Challah dough and burn it in the bottom of their ovens. Jewish women say a prayer blessing G-d before separating the dough.
For Messianic Jews the Challah symbolizes G-d's provision, as well as, the living bread -- Yeshua, the bread of life.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
A "Bat Mitzvah" To Be Planned
Yep, here I am at sixty something and about to start planning for my very own "Bat Mitzvah." Can you believe it? Wasn't I writing about conversion or "Messianic Jewish Simka," a few posts ago.
After Hebrew class last Thursday, Rabbi asked me when my next birthday was. Trying to be funny, I said I stopped celebrating birthdays. But I corrected myself. My family will not let me forget my birthday. Cards, cake, you know -- celebration. So, I told him when my birthday was, and he said we would have my Jewish Simka then. I can't quote him exactly but that's what he meant. I was overjoyed, over the moon, jumping up and down happy.
If you know about Bar/Bat Mitzvah, then you know I am too old to be coming of age in the traditional Jewish sense. What it will be is time of celebration marking my love of Yeshua and my becoming one with His people. My full understanding of the responsibility of following His commandments and my desire to do so.
There are many things to consider for this day. (Hmm, hold that thought. That merits its own page.)
The most important thing for me is knowing that I have come full circle in my walk with Yeshua. I will be walking in the steps of my Master, following Torah. The Simka (celebration) will make it official.
After Hebrew class last Thursday, Rabbi asked me when my next birthday was. Trying to be funny, I said I stopped celebrating birthdays. But I corrected myself. My family will not let me forget my birthday. Cards, cake, you know -- celebration. So, I told him when my birthday was, and he said we would have my Jewish Simka then. I can't quote him exactly but that's what he meant. I was overjoyed, over the moon, jumping up and down happy.
If you know about Bar/Bat Mitzvah, then you know I am too old to be coming of age in the traditional Jewish sense. What it will be is time of celebration marking my love of Yeshua and my becoming one with His people. My full understanding of the responsibility of following His commandments and my desire to do so.
There are many things to consider for this day. (Hmm, hold that thought. That merits its own page.)
The most important thing for me is knowing that I have come full circle in my walk with Yeshua. I will be walking in the steps of my Master, following Torah. The Simka (celebration) will make it official.
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