Parasha Shoftim

Hezbollah has tens of thousands of missiles pointed at Israel, yet they made a lame effort of retaliation for our major attack on Iran's stockpile of missiles held for them in Lebanon. An anti-tank missile was fired at an IDF vehicle, which our military claims was occupied by manikins dressed up as soldiers. The purpose, they said, was to draw Hezbollah's retaliatory fire away from any live targets and give the IDF the chance to respond without the loss of Israeli lives. If this was truly their intent, it worked. In any case it's only a matter of time before we have all-out war. 

Election fever is heating up as we come closer the day the votes are cast. Polls indicate that the Blue and White centrist party is neck in neck with the Likud right wing party. It will be interesting to see how it all turns out in the end and the type of government God has in mind for His country, at such a time as this. 

Only 13 more days before Ellen and I leave for Kenya to minister. We've been fasting and praying for a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. We're looking forward to lives being transformed, as we plunder hell to populate heaven. We know that we don't have to ask you to keep us in prayer and we thank you for your prayers. 

James 1:27 Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. 

Those who have supported the missionary work in Kenya have really demonstrated this passage of scripture. Through your financial blessings and the generous support of the congregation we attend in Israel, we were able to send the orphanage, in advance of our arrival, sufficient money to light-up the compound at night. They can now buy solar panels, flood lights and all the equipment necessary to set-up the lighting system, including the cost of installation. For years the children have lived without lights in the compound, now that will all change because of you. 

There's still so much more to do for the orphans to bring the home up to the standard required by The Ministry of Health, but with the Typhoid inoculations, bunk-beds, security gate, moving the location of the outhouse bathrooms, and now the compound lighting, along with other little tweaks, we are well on our way to getting the orphanage compliant. 

However, there's still a major project that needs our support and desperately needs to be attended to: A bore hole, pumping equipment and storage system are necessary to provide the camp with clean, disease free, parasite free drinking water. This is an ambitious undertaking that will require an investment of over $15,000.00 U.S. Please join with us in faith and in prayer believing that the God, who owns all the gold and silver on the earth, will provide the funds necessary to fund this project. 

Attached is this week's commentary, please pass it on so that others can be blessed. Remember to check out our blog for more teachings and audio sermons.

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Re'eh & Sermon: Measuring Your Trust in God

Last week I misread my calendar and sent out the wrong D'Var Torah. Since then I have tweaked Parasha Re'eh and I'm sending it out again this time as the correct commentary for this week's reading.

I don't think I have to update you on what's going on here in Israel, it's been all over the news. For years Lebanon has been denying that Iran has weapon facilities and storage warehouses in their country; well I guess they've been proven wrong. Funny how they have been lying all these years and when Israel exposes them by attacking and blowing them up, they blame us and not themselves for harboring terrorists!

Despite all the threats from Iran, Lebanon and Hezbollah, Israelis are not at all concerned. Life goes on here as if nothing has happened or is going to happen. 

Gaza continues to fire mortars and missiles at the southern part of the country causing little damage and no loss of life, praise God. We of course retaliated. A lot of our attention is on the 17 year old girl that was blown up by terrorists while hiking in the north with her her brother and father. They hid a bomb under rocks by a popular spring; she died, father and brother were both seriously injured and are recovering in hospital, please keep them in prayer. Two teens Nahum and Noam were run-over in a vehicular terror attack two weeks ago. Nahum is still in critical condition, Noam is home but still suffering the effects yet showing improvement; please remember them in your prayers

We leave for Kenya in a little less than three weeks. We're praying to be able to bring financial help to struggling members of the congregations there and money for much needed improvements at the orphanage. Please consider helping. By giving a little, combined with the others that will give, it will add up to be a real blessing. 

I've attached the link to the sermon I gave to Kenya over Skype Shabbat. I pray you will be blessed by it. 

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Ekev

Shalom and Blessings;

This week has not been as quiet, multiple rockets have been fired from Gaza into Southern Israel, presumably in retaliation for the killing of armed infiltrators from Gaza. The IDF did not fire at them until they breached the security fence and were spotted carrying hand held mortars, knives and automatic weapons into Israel. Our Air Force respond to the rocket fire by once again doing a, tit-for-tat, firing on military targets in Gaza (the game goes on!). The only difference is that we only fire on military targets, and even warn civilians to get out of the intended target areas, by text or the doping of pamphlets; they just fire their rockets indiscriminately, in fact hoping to kill civilians. 

Tuesday while working at home 10 jets whizzed by in loud succession. I immediately knew something was up and that a military operation was in process. Ellen was doing our shopping and I called her to come home as quickly as possible. We prayed and happily nothing more happened, at least not here. Only the next day did we learn that our Air Force hit and destroyed a missile warehouse just outside of Baghdad. That means we are another step closer to war.

Both Ellen and I have been busy preparing for our return trip to Kenya, there's so much to get ready. I'm almost finished with the Power Points for the High Holy Days. I know that many of you either have no place to go for the High Holy Days or where you attend are not having High Holy Day services. In appreciation of your praying for us and your continued financial support, I would like to make the Power Points available to you. Contact us and I will send you the links. You will have to download and save them as soon as received. Because of the limited FREE space offered on Dropbox I will have to delete the links to make room available for other material, so don't delay in asking and then downloading so that you won't miss out. 

We are so looking forward to ministering in Kenya again. We continue to pray that the Lord opens up new avenues of ministry for us while there. It's always an adventure allowing the Lord to lead us each day. Thank you for your prayers, they're working even before we arrive. We've been contacted by those who are anticipating our visit.

Attached is this week's D'Var Torah and don't forget to check out our Blog for more teachings.

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Va'etchanan

Shalom and Blessings:

Another week of relative quiet here in Israel. Of course there are the same old accusations from our enemies, yet despite our actions in Syria, and of late in Iraq, there has been no retaliation. My take is that they're planning and preparing for the big one, which may come at any time. God is ready for them!! 

An off-duty soldier was stabbed to death last week; his body left by the side of the road his body lay by the side of the road for six hours before someone discovered him. It took the IDF only 3 days to identify and arrest the killers, two Arab cousins. Even they were surprised the the army found them so quickly; to God be the glory. You don't hear anyone here screaming for better knife controls. That's because Israelis are aware that it's hate that kills, not guns, knives or rocks (which are hurled at car in certain areas). We're petitioning though for the return of capital punishment in cases of terrorism, where a death occurs, God willing it will happen. 

Only 5 more weeks until we return to Kenya. I have been spending weeks updating the High Holy Day PowerPoint's. Please pray for large turnouts (services are during the work week), and for God to pour out His anointing upon the services. 

Thank you to all those who have supported us in prayer and in finances. None of what we're doing would be possible without you. You're in our prayers. 

Check-out our BLOG for more teachings and audio sermons:  

https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Devarim / Semon: A Hosea Marriage

Shalom and blessings;

There's not much to report on this week. The regular riots have been happening at the Gaza border. However, now they have added waving flags with Nazi swastikas painted on them; another indication of their hatred for us. So what else is new! I don't understand their point, when seeing they deny the holocaust happened any. 

From the polls it looks like we're going to get another fragile coalition government after the smoke clears September 17th. In fact it may end up being the same one we had before the second round of elections were called. Oh yes, we now have a new polygamy party added to the mix of 120+ parties we already have.

We mourn the terrible tragedies that happened in El Paso and Dayton, the cries for gun control are getting louder and louder. Israel has strict gun laws, but guns are still available to private citizens and many people carry one. A point I want to make is that almost every 18 year old (male and female alike) are walking around in Israel with an automatic assault rifle over their shoulder, yet we've never had one of them commit mass murder. Maybe the solution is to bring back universal conscription in the U.S. At least it would be a way to weed out the crazies. 

We continue to prepare for our return trip to Kenya. The Messianic congregation we minister to there need financial support. Work is very hard to come by and families are faced with a lack of food and money for transportation. They also need to buy equipment like microphones and overhead projectors. Money is also needed to buy Bible teaching programs for the children. 

Two new offshoot Messianic meeting have come from the Karatina congregation, one in Nyeri and one in Chaka; God willing we'll be ministering to them when we're there. They have none of the basics to help them minister and need our help. Please consider sending in a donation so that we can bring them much needed funds to buy what they need. Be a blessing and be blessed.

In addition to this weeks Parasha, I've attached an audio copy of a sermon I shared with Kenya over Skype. The sound quality is bad but it's understandable.

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parashot Matat-Masei

Shalom and Greeting; 

You don't know how blessed we are knowing that we can share these teachings with you. There is so much deception being disseminated from pulpits today. Truly we are in end of the end times, because I am seeing even the "elect" being deceived. Gird-up your loins, look up, the time of our redemption is near when God will separate the wheat from the tares. 

We are blessed to say that, by the grace of God, we've found a suitable, affordable place to stay in Nairobi. Thank you to all who supported us in prayer and finances. Everything we accomplish in Kenya, every sole that is saved, you will have a share in. 

We don't know what the Lord has planned for us this trip, and but we do know that everything we do will be for His glory, so continue to pray for His will to be done through us. We're counting on many salvations, healings, deliverances, and miracles. 

Israel, like the U.S., is in election mode. Lots of rhetoric, false promises, lies and accusations flying around. If we didn't know that God is in-charge we would be worried about the outcome. But He is in-charge and in total control of what will take place, as He prepares the world for its final judgement and the return of Yeshua, 

You are in our thought and in our prayers. May the God of all comfort give you His perfect Shalom.

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Pinchas

Shalom;

The countdown is on for our next mission trip to Kenya.Sadly however, we have as yet not been able to book a place to stay. Please join us in praying for God's provision in that area.

Our congregations in Nairobi and Karatina are doing well, and are in anticipation of our arrival. As you know, God Willing, I'll be leading High Holy Day services with them and therefore I'm busying myself with preparing the PowerPoint transparencies. Please pray for God's anointing and presence to be felt in the services.

We are in daily contact with the directors of the children's home in Migori. The children are doing well and are so appreciative of the love we are showing them by helping. I would like to bring you up to date, in pictures, on recent blessing they were sent (clothing from within the country, money to buy 4 bunk beds for the boys dorm, and money for a gate). Please pray for Light Way Children's Home and the directors Evans and Boaz. 

Ellen and I send you our love and appreciation; you are in our prayers. If you have any specific prayer request, please write and tell us, we want to stand with you in prayer. 

Attached are pictures and this week's commentary on Parasha Pinchas; enjoy! 

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

Rabbi & Ellen

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Parasha Balak / Sermon: Yeshua Our Refuge

Shalom and blessings from Israel;

Well, we were able to raise enough money to book our return flights to Kenya. This time we'll be staying 2 months (September 18 – November 19), which will allow us plenty of time to minister, to preach and to teach the congregations there. We will also be there to hold High Holy Day services (Fall Feasts: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Hoshana Rabbah, Shemini Atzeret and Simcha Torah). It's also our intention to minister in Karatina (North Kenya) and at the children's home in Miguri (West Kenya), God Willing of course.

We still have a financial shortfall, however, and are trusting in The Lord to provide for a place to stay and sufficient benevolence funds to help the many needy families and the orphans we'll encounter.

James (Ya'acov) 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.

Health wise, Ellen and I are doing well. We have stepped out in faith trusting that The Lord will protect our health, keep us healthy, and give us the strength we need to accomplish His will.

I've attached this week's Parasha as well as a link to a sermon you may not have heard, enjoy! Remember to check out our BLOG: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi Jack

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Parasha Chukat / Sermon: Cast your burdens

There has been some rioting by the Ethiopian community here, a white off-duty police office shot and killed a young Ethiopian boy who he alleges attacked him. Investigations so far have found the officer's actions justified, but that has not stopped the protests. People have been injured, cars burned and property destroyed. Please pray for calm and for justice to prevail. We are still a democracy and someone is innocent until proven guilty. In a country which indited and sent it's Prime Minister to jail and which is now investigating it's present Prime Minister, I think we can be assured that the truth will be found out. 

We are returning to Kenya in September to continue our missionary work. There's still much work to be done there. For one we want to hold High Holy Day services in a way they've never experienced. Also we're their source of hands on Messianic teaching which is necessary for spiritual growth and maturity. 

On our last trip we managed to arrange a larger place for the congregation to worship, one where they can do Davidic dance, however, it is not available every Shabbat and involves extra expense . We were in discussions with a church to allow us to use their facility on Shabbat and for one night a week for Bible study, but that has temporarily stalled at least until we get back.

In March we applied for the congregation's membership in the International Association Of Messianic Congregations and Synagogues (IAMCS). I am pleased to say that we have been accepted (Thank You Lord). This puts us in the company of hundreds of other Messianic congregations around the world and has moved us to a new position within the worldwide Messianic community. We're also now under their umbrella of accountability; everyone needs to be accountable. In addition it opens the door for the elders of the congregation to participate in their online Yeshiva and grow in their faith even further. It also makes future ordination possible. Your donations will go into helping this effort.

The Orphanage is in crisis! The health department has slapped them with a summons requiring them to make expensive upgrades to the facility. Just this week we sent them money for 4 additional bunk beds for the boys dormitory, but they need a new well, a security gate, solar lighting, kitchen upgrades, and relocation of their outhouse toilets. With all that we've already done for them our finances are exhausted. 

Finally, I had my follow-up MRI and CT scan and awaiting now for the results. We'll get them from my oncologist July 30th. Thank you for your prayers, God is good (all the time!), 

If you're being blessed by these weekly teachings, your continued financial support would be appreciated.

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

Rabbi Jack

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Parasha Korach / Sermon: Are you teachable?

Shalom and Blessings;

PM Natanyahu is beginning to have second thoughts in having called an election September. The poles are turning against him and it's beginning to look more and more like the centrist Blue and White party led by Benny Gantz is heading for victory.

I went for my regular follow-up ENT examination. As anticipated, they found nothing B'H. Next week I'll be having an MRI and Doppler CT. I'm sure the results will be the same. God is Good!! Please keep me and Ellen in prayer. Also please keep the children's home in Migori, Kenya in prayer, the government is requiring them to make some major upgrades.

I have attached this week's Parasha as well as an audio of another sermon I shared with our Kenyan congregations, enjoy. 

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

Rabbi Jack

Sermon Link:

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Parasha Shelach

Shalom and and blessings

Things have been relatively quite in Israel, except for a massive urban warfare exercise that took place in the north of the country. It's obvious that our armed forces know where the next attack is coming from. Then again it's been obvious to us (Believers), for centuries. If they would have read their Bibles, and believed what they read, they would have known about it also (Ezekiel 38.1-23). This war will have as its effect the reveling of the anti-Christ. Are you ready?

I have two things I would like to share with you, no four. 

First are pictures of the children from the home being vaccinated against typhoid. I can't express how distraught we were when a child contracted the disease while we were at the home and then another while we were back in Nairobi. But now thanks to your generosity they have all been immunized. I've attached pictures of the children both waiting their turn at the clinic and being vaccinated. 

Second, I put together a video of the mission trip for you. It doesn't show everything we did while in Kenya, but it does give you a good overview of the mission. Just click on the YouTube link below. 

Third, needless to say we are planning our next trip to Africa, hopefully in September, God willing, please remember us in prayer. Another prayer request. Starting June 27th I begin a series of follow-up tests. Having reached my second anniversary of being cancer free it's time to show the doctors what the Lord has done (they'll find nothing!). Praise the Lord.

Fourth, I've attached this week's Torah commentary.

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

Please consider supporting our next mission trip; share in the blessing.

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Parasha Beha'alothecha

Glory to God! We arrived safely back in Israel. God has truly blessed us; I'm referring in relation to our good friends and siblings in the Lord, Eddie and Jackie Santoro. I previously shared that Eddie had brain cancer and many have been praying for him, thank you. When we learned, while in Kenya, that Eddie had taken a turn for the worse, Ellen's and my prayer turned to asking the Lord to preserve him until our return. Well He did! Eddie was united with his Savior last Shabbat, allowing us to attend his funeral, say our temporary goodbyes and comfort Jackie on her tragic loss. We are so grateful to the Lord for this. Please continue to pray for Jackie as she transitions into a life without her beloved partner and embarks on a new journey of service in the Lord. 

Concerning our mission trip to Kenya, it was amazing! We're busy organizing all the video clips we took into one movie presentation to share with you. This is something I’ve never done, but with the grace and wisdom of God I hope to get something together that will represent some of what we did and experienced.

The many salvations and re-dedications were of course the highlight of our trip but nothing touched us more than when the 31 orphans and single parent children that form part of Light Way Children’s Home recited the prayer of salvation. Ellen, I and the other leaders there led the children in their prayer; I could just about hear the angles in heaven rejoicing. Sadly no one recorded the event, but it will be forever in our hearts.

I mentioned previously that through your generosity we were able to bless the orphanage. We gave them money for food, bought them a computer, purchased bunk beds for the girl’s dormitory and paid for typhoid injections for 29 of the children; two were previously inoculated when they came down with typhoid.

There is so much more work to be done in Africa, all of Africa. Ellen and I have already started to pray for our next assignment there. Thank you for joining us in our prayer, we want to move in accordance with the will of God, and will be preparing in anticipation.

Attached are before and after videos of the girls’ dorm at the children’s home, an audio link to the sermon I gave the Nairobi congregation on Shavout, and this week’s Torah commentary.

We love you!

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

Rabbi Jack

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Sermon - Staying Balanced

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