Weekly Parasha: 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!

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https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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Rabbi Jack & Ellen