Parasha Achrei Mot (After the Death)

From Rabbi Jack...

It amazes me how many people are so concerned and hung up on finding and using the name of God. When I tell people that we do not know the name of God, that it has never been revealed to us and that the pronunciation has been lost for millennia, they refuse to accept it.

However, when we read the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) in its original Hebrew we find that the tetragrammaton Yud-Hay-Vav-Hay (YHVH) is always used without any vowels. Christian scholars (Jews scholars would never do it), in their quest to know the name of God have added vowels to the tetragrammaton. This is where YHVH developed into Jehovah and Yahweh. These are totally fictitious and bogus names dreamed up by men in their quest to know God's name and do not at all represent the name of God. The fact is, God's name is His character.

YHVH is not a literal name, it is an acrostic and it is inappropriate to add vowels to it so as to arrive at Jehovah or Yahweh. Acrostics have been used in Judaism instead of the sages' real names centuries and perhaps for millennia!

In the Tanach acrostic YHVH was used to represent the Father. Now, in the Brit Chadasha (Renewed Covenant), the Name has been shifted, the Name of Yeshua has now become the important Name. Yeshua is now the Name above every Name. So it is not by accident that the Name of God, YHVH, is no longer spoken or its pronunciation even known! That is why it was never mentioned in the Renewed Covenant even by Yeshua. The Lord did it that way so that the Name of Yeshua would become the new Name, the Name above all Names, the Name that expressed what the Lord was about to do from Yeshua's time forward.

Therefore, YHVH is fully revealed in the Name of Yeshua. The fullness of the Fathers character, the fullness of His power, the fullness of His actions all become explained, revealed and understood through the life and the Name of Yeshua. This is the Name the Farther wants us to use and to come through to get to Him, and this is the Name that He wants us to know Him by today. Yes, we still refer to the Lord as God the Father and we still pray to God the Father, but it's through the Name of Yeshua because that is what gives us the right to come into the Father's presence now. That is why the pronunciation of the acrostic/tetragrammaton Yud-Hay-Vav-Hay is unknown and can no longer be spoken, because the name Yeshua has given us a new revelation of who the YHVH is and what He is doing NOW.

From Ellen...

Hi Ellen here…How was your week? I truly hope and pray your Passover Shabbat weekend was a blessing. It would be great if anyone had answered prayer to let us know that we may celebrate with you and give our God the glory due His name! You know we are all family in Messiah Yeshua. In fact, the bonds that we share are stronger and rightly so than those of our unsaved families because of the commonality of our faith and belief in our Savior.

Jack and I consistently pray for each and everyone of you…those participating in Etz Chaim Kenya and those who have remained with us in Spirit and truth. We ask the Holy Spirit to reveal those things He would have us pray for but also releasing only the prayers He knows back to Him in our heavenly language. If you need us you need to tell us. Yeshua brings His children together so we may support each other in Spirit. Many of us need more than just spiritual support and we of course invite you to bring it to us so we may release it to Him in prayer as well. A closed heart is a defiant heart because it depends on itself while an open heart is proof that the only way through this crooked and perverse generation is through Yeshua and the family He has given to each and every one of us. Please have the courage to open your hearts and invite us in…none of us can do it alone.

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

CLICK the link below to see the YOUTUBE SERMON OF THE WEEK:

"WHERE GOD WANTS YOU"

https://youtu.be/PqrnF8JF9hA

Please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. In Kenya, for the poor and orphans and in Israel for the elderly poor and sick.

To Donate click this link:

https://paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other options.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Commentary

Sermon of the week "Where God wants you"

Pesach 7th Day and 8th Day

From Rabbi Jack...

Shalom and Blessings. The diaspora has an eighth day of Passover which falls on Shabbat this year. The seventh day, Friday, is also a Shabbat, so both days have Torah readings. I have attached commentaries on both readings.

We are aware that Yeshua was crucified on the evening of the 14th of Nisan. The 15th of Nisan is a Shabbat, no work is to be done on this day, it is a Shabbat unto the Lord on which a holy convocation (worship service), is held. The 16th of Nisan is Yom HaBikkurim (Firstfruits). On this day a sheaf of barley was chosen, cut, bundled and given to the High Priest who waved it before the Lord. On the 17th day of Nisan, after being in the grave three days and three nights, Yeshua rose from the dead.

There has always been some controversy of who the day of Firstfruits represents. Most say it represents Yeshua, however, that would not make sense because Yeshua did not rise from the dead until the next day. The only reasonable explanation, backed up in two ways, is that Yom HaBikkurim represents Believers in Messiah Yeshua.

After Yeshua's death and burial, Believers became the Firstfruits of Yeshua's death on the Cross for our sins. The 16th of Nisan, therefore, was the first day of our redemption. This is further backed up by the fact that the counting of the Omer begins on this day (16th of Nisan). The biblical significance of counting the Omer was and is that it leads up to the 50th day when the Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh, it was Shavuot (Pentecost). The 49 days between the resurrection of Yeshua and Shavuot are designated as the counting of the Omer; days of self-introspection and repentance. We are called during this time to sanctify ourselves through personal revelation by engaging these seven weeks for repentance because God is Holy and Shavuot is all about our encountering God. The counting of the Omer is the leadup to Shavuot which is the climax of God's plan for our final deliverance through Messiah Yeshua.

According to Scripture, on Shavuot two loaves of bread made with leaven are to be waved before the Lord, symbolizing both Jew and Gentile who through Messiah Yeshua's death, resurrection and the pouring out of the Holy Spirit became one new man!

From Ellen...

Hi Ellen here…What an exciting time this is! Yeshua tells us to watch and wait but also to be prepared. Yes, prepared for His coming but most of all to be prayed up! I know it is hard at times to find the time to pray but this is, in my opinion, a requirement to get through this most challenging life. So now you have found those precious moments to speak with our Creator, hallelujah, your mind starts to wander and focus on anything but Yeshua…anyone relating to this? Here are some "D," demons to give the boot, yes that's right to kick out of your most precious time with the Lord…here goes: demon of distraction, get out in the name of Yeshua; demon of division and discouragement, you have no place here, get out in the name of Yeshua; demon of defilement…in the name above all names get out; demon of depression – you are a loser, get out in the name of Yeshua; demon of disappointment, we have no connection to you in the name of the Most High and most of all…demon of deception, get out, you have no place in my life in Yeshua's name! Now get praying and be blessed!!! We love you!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. In Kenya, for the poor and orphans and in Israel for the elderly poor and sick.

To Donate click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other options.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read "PESACH – 7^th DAY"

Watch "PESACH – 7th DAY"

Read "PESACH – 8th DAY"

Watch "PESACH – 8th DAY"

Sermon of the week "Ever had a bad day?"

Harmony of the Resurrection

The accounts of the resurrection of Yeshua recorded in the four gospels can be a bit confusing. That is because no one apostle gives the complete account in its chronological order. Each apostle gives a different piece of the account and when read, it is fragmented. So here is a possible harmony of the narratives of the four gospel accounts of the resurrection of Messiah and His post-resurrection appearances, in chronological order. To save time and space the relevant Scriptures are included, harmonizing the reports and accounts, putting the event into the chronological order they took place. You will have to do the Scripture reading on your own as a personal Bible study.

***The Bible references will take you to the English Standard Version provided by YouVersion)***

1. Yeshua is buried, as several women watch (Matthew 27:57-61; Mark 15:42-47; Luke 23:50-56; John 19:38-42).

2. The tomb is sealed and a guard is set watch (Matthew 27:62-66).

3. At least 3 women, including Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome, prepare spices to go to the tomb to anoint Yeshua (Matthew 28:1; Mark 16:1).

4. An angel descends from heaven, rolls the stone away, and sits on it. There is a violent earthquake, and the guards faint from fear (Matthew 28:2-4).

5. The women arrive at the tomb and find it empty. Mary Magdalene leaves the other women at the tomb and runs to tell the disciples (John 20:1-2).

6. The women still at the tomb see two angels who tell them that Yeshua is risen and who instruct them to tell the disciples to go to Galilee (Matthew 28:5-7; Mark 16:2-8; Luke 24:1-8).

7. The women leave to bring the news to the disciples (Matthew 28:8).

8. The guards, having roused themselves, report the empty tomb to the authorities, who bribe the guards to say the body was stolen (Matthew 28:11-15).

9. Mary the mother of James and the other women, on their way to find the disciples, see Yeshua (Matthew 28:9-10).

10. The women relate what they have seen and heard to the disciples (Luke 24:9-11).

11. Peter and John run to the tomb, see that it is empty, and find the grave clothes (Luke 24:12; John 20:2-10).

12. Mary Magdalene returns to the tomb. She sees the angels, and then she sees Yeshua (John 20:11-18).

13. Later the same day, Yeshua appears to Peter (Luke 24:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5).

14. Still on the same day, Yeshua appears to Cleopas and disciples on their way to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-32).

15. That evening, the two disciples report the event to the Eleven in Jerusalem (Luke 24:32-35).

16. Yeshua appears to ten disciples—Thomas is missing (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-25).

17. Yeshua appears to all eleven disciples—Thomas included (John 20:26-31).

18. Yeshua appears to seven disciples by the Sea of Galilee (John 21:1-25).

19. Yeshua appears to about 500 disciples in Galilee (1 Corinthians 15:6).

20. Yeshua appears to His half-brother James (1 Corinthians 15:7).

21. Yeshua commissions His disciples (Matthew 28:16-20).

22. Yeshua teaches His disciples the Scriptures and promises to send the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:44-49; Acts 1:4-5).

23. Yeshua ascends into heaven (Luke 24:50-53; Acts 1:6-12).

Yeshua was crucified and died on the 14th of Nisan and was resurrected three days and three nights later on the 17th of Nisan. These dates correspond this year with April 15th – April 18th 2022. Resurrection Day this year, therefore, is April 18th. Hallelujah, He is risen!

Parasha Pesach (Passover)

From Rabbi Jack...

When we were ministering in Toronto, churches would invite us to do Passover demonstrations and explanations for their congregation. In fact, this is a very common practice done among Messianic ministries throughout the world at this time of year. Many church leaders want their membership to see and understand what the Passover observance is all about. However, I have found that doing these demonstrations had little effect in encouraging most non-Jewish Believers to celebrate and adhere to the requirements of Passover as outlined in the Bible. Most felt that Passover is a Jewish holiday which is not part of their tradition. In addition, they felt that it is no longer necessary because they were freed from the slavery of sin through the death, resurrection and final sacrifice of Jesus. Plus, the requirement of giving up bread and eating matzah (unleavened bread), for seven days, was definitely not something appealing to them. However, Passover is not a Jewish holiday, it is a Feast of the Lord, a reminder that He has given both Jewish and non-Jewish Believers in the Messiah of His death, resurrection and its purpose in His eternal plan.

Watching a simple demonstration of Passover is good if all you want is to be a spectator. Actually living the Passover and observing it over the allotted seven days through doing it and eating unleavened bread makes a person appreciate what Yeshua has done and what He meant when He said; "purge out the old leaven" (sin) in our lives. We can actually experience Yeshua through observing the Passover if we allow ourselves to do so.

Ephesians 2:11 Wherefore remember, that you being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time you were without Mashiach, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 13 But now in Mashiach Yeshua you who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Mashiach. 14 For He is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of partition between us;

We celebrate Passover so that we can be connected to the roots of our faith, so that we can leave a legacy to our children so that they may grow up knowing that we are all connected to the land, the history and the people of Israel. We celebrate Passover because we are called as Believers, both Jewish and non-Jewish to do so by God.

Ephesians 3:5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellow heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Messiah by the gospel:

From Ellen...

Hi Ellen here…Passover, a feast of deliverance, a feast of realization, a feast of breaking chains and strongholds in our lives. Many believers have one foot in a sinful place of worldly satisfactions which are temporary, and the other foot in dedication and commitment to God which is eternal,…this is a difficult position for anyone to be in. Passover is a time of literally passing over and pulling that sinful stance, that sinful foot right next to the other; the other foot of deliverance, realization and removal of chains and strongholds! It can be as easy as saying yes to the Lord the first time you answered that call from our Abba of eternal life. Passover is simple so don't try to complicate things. As we walk through our believing life the world throws temptations, turmoil and difficulties at us but because Abba Father said, "My grace is sufficient for thee," He helps us to get that foot right next to other, where it belongs…in His path of redemption, release and eternal life.

Most mornings when Jack and I pray together I say; "Please Lord, protect, provide and position us for Your glory and our benefit." Oh, and by the way I mentioned eternal many times in this little chat because Abba wants you to know that when you did say yes to him the promise of eternal life began then…more on that another time. Get ready my family and friends for the great passing over in your life at sundown Friday night, hallelujah!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. In Kenya, for the poor and orphans and in Israel for the elderly poor and sick.

To Donate click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other options.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Chag Sameach!

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Commentary

Sermon of the week "Judgmental - Jury Duty"

Parasha Metzora (Leper)

From Rabbi Jack...

The other morning, I had a hard time getting out of bed and just did not have it in me to take our normal time to praise the Lord and pray. However, the song "We bring the sacrifice of praise," kept running through my mind and I found myself singing it aloud over and over again. Then it dawned on me, praising God is sometimes a sacrifice!

Hebrews 13:15 Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name.

In the Hebrew Scriptures (Torah), we continually read about the Israelites having to bring sacrifices to the Lord. We know that these were not for the purpose of appeasing an angry God, but rather offerings to Him for various purposes, sin being one of them. However, when we think about it, having to bring these offerings was a sacrifice for the people bringing them. God required only the best and the unblemished to be brought to Him for offerings. Knowing human nature, herein lies the sacrifice. Normally we give our old discarded things to the poor, things that we no longer like or that are out of style or worn-out; we bought a new appliance so we donate or give away the old one. We always save the best and newest for ourselves.

Sometimes we just do not feel like praying, and we just do not have it in us to praise the Lord, but these are the exact times God wants us to pray and praise Him. It is easy to pray and praise God when we are mentally up and on an emotional high and everything is going great in our lives, but then, that would not be a sacrifice. A true sacrifice is praying and praising God even though we do not feel up to it or worthy to do it.

Take a few minutes to listen to; "We bring the sacrifice of praise," Maranatha Music.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=dTJE-JnAl6M,

From Ellen...

Hi Ellen here…There is one thing that the Lord impresses on me daily and that is to shema, to listen! We do not have to be still to listen, we do not have to close our eyes to listen, we just need to train our minds and ears to listen. When we are praying there is one other avenue we need to train to listen and that is our hearts. All that said, one morning as Jack and I were praying before starting our day, I began to hear the inner voice of the Holy Spirit, so I began to listen. Now when the Holy Spirit speaks with us, at times it is difficult to share what we hear but that morning I was able to share with Jack. Here goes…we were praying in warfare mode and I heard laughing! The Holy Spirit was saying that even though Satan tries to disguise himself as a lamb there will be no harm. Why? Because he is so prideful that he needs to expose himself as Satan so he can take the credit for deceiving as a lamb. As I shared all that I was hearing and because of the incredible joy the Holy Spirit was bringing to us, Jack and I began laughing. So, when you pray be sure to shema because God has a lot to say!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Please consider supporting the ministry to Kenya and Israel. In Kenya, for the poor and orphans and in Israel for the elderly poor and sick.

Feeding minds as well as stomachs

To Donate click this link: https://paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other options.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Metzora Commentary

Sermon of the week "Did God really say that ...

Parasha Tazria (She Bears Seed)

From Rabbi Jack...

Super heroes were all the rage when I was a kid; Superman, Ironman, Captain America were among them and to the best of my knowledge they are all still around. Wonder woman is especially popular here in Israel, she has been around for as long as I can remember. Since Gal Gadot, Miss Israel 2004 got to play her on the big screen, she is a real heroine here in Israel, even though in the natural world she has no superpowers. However, in the world of make-believe everyone I mentioned, and then some, have superhuman strength and abilities. Yet as powerful as all these make-believe heroes are, if you are a Believer in Messiah Yeshua, you are a real superhero because there is a real bonafide super powerful, Superhero living inside of you!

Ephesians {3:14} "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Messiah Yeshua, {3:15} from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, {3:16} that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, {3:17} that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, {3:18} may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height-- {3:19} to know the love of Messiah which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. {3:20} Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, {3:21} to Him be glory in the church by Messiah Yeshua to all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

Every Believer in Messiah Yeshua has the Power of God living inside of them--the Holy Spirit. In fact, as the third part of the Godhead He was the Father's agent of creation. Also, it was His power that raised Yeshua from the dead and yes, He lives in us! Through Him we have superhuman power and strength with which we can leap over tall mountains of trouble in our lives, burst through spiritual walls and barriers of opposition the devil places in our way and defeat the evil forces of darkness, the villain that seeks to destroy us. With the Holy Spirit in us we have the power to walk in victory because all the superhuman strength we will ever need is available to us through Him.

From Ellen...

Hi Ellen here…It's getting down to the wire concerning Passover preparations. A few days ago, I went to the supermarket and the aisle for the nuts and seeds was transformed into boxes of matzoh of all kinds. There were also jars of jams and marmalades, honey and date syrup all marked kosher for Passover. It all seemed to me that they were the same products I saw all year but these had special stamps of approval and much higher prices. I understand the whole religious thing…mans' rules and all that and do not agree with it but I put up with it. You learn in life, by experience, which battles you need to fight. Although I bought some of the items, I did not mention the fact that it was a misuse of purchasers' budgets, not to mention this purchaser still could not find the nuts and seed aisle. What am I getting at? Scripture says in Matthew {23.24} "You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel" …meaning it does not matter if jam is kosher for Passover but keeping our eyes and heart on the Lord does. There are so many lessons in all of this but I do not want to tire you out because you need to go to the supermarket, thoroughly clean your home, make sure there are no leavening items remaining that are not Passover friendly and BTW if you find the nuts and seed aisle drop me a note…Blessings in Yeshua!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

To Donate click this link: paypal.me/kenyamission

If you do not have PayPal and would prefer using another donation method, please contact me and I will send you other options.

Your donations bought the orphans a much needed laptop. You have not only helped to feed hungry stomachs but also hungry minds. See the attached photo.

Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King.

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Commentary

Sermon of the week "With Noble Character"