Parasha Vayikra

Shalom and Blessings;

Like it is not bad enough that Israel's virus infection rate climbs every day; that the country is in a lock-down and that we are heading for financial disaster with a 19% unemployment rate (up from 3.5% before the virus), but we are also in political chaos! The country has gone mad and our politicians are more interested in their own political gains than they are in the political welfare of the country and its people. I am not going to go into too much detail about what is going on, other than to say that it is like we are reliving the rebellion experienced during the Exodus from Egypt; interesting that it is all happening just before Passover.

Would you believe it? In addition to the stress everyone is experiencing from the Corona Virus pandemic, we have been hearing explosive booms coming from the direction of Gaza. Our curiosity was aroused because we had not heard of any IDF action in the area nor were there any Red Alerts. Then we read that Hamas was doing training exercises and the testing of weapons near the border. Plus the other day a group of Arabs, in a terror attack, hurled rocks at Israeli vehicles as they were driving along the highway in the West Bank. One terrorist was shot dead by the IDF when he refused to stop, another was wounded and the others managed to escape, hopefully they will be apprehended. 

Hi everyone…Ellen here to give a more personal view of what it is like in our current situation. First of all our prayer life has been transformed. Rabbi and I begin and end our days with worship and unbridled prayer times…what a blessing! Secondly ladies our home has never been cleaner. I've added white vinegar to our laundry and just a droplet of bleach into my floor cleaner and wow what a difference. As we are utilizing our pantry to its fullest I can say cooking has taken on new dimension. We are not purchasing many fresh veggies "online" because of their shelf life. I have been blessed with an enhanced ability to elevate frozen veg, (chuckling to myself). Our life and mealtime has taken on a minimalist but blessed characteristic as never before. Why not let us know how you are faring in these challenging times. We are praying for you all and thank the Lord Most High for blessing us with you!

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Attached is this week's commentary on Vayikra

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Vayachel/Pekudei & Sermon: Dignity or Royalty

March 19, 2020

Shalom and Blessings:

Well we finally got to the point where we had to cancel our trip to Kenya. Not only has the government of Kenya imposed travel restrictions on foreigners entering the country but they have also banned all gatherings. That means we would not be able to hold our Passover Seder. If that were not reason enough, the Israeli government is requiring all citizens returning from abroad to go into 14 day quarantine upon their return regardless of what country they arrive from. Thankfully God has shown us favor and Airbnb refunded us for our lodging and Ethiopian Air should be doing the same for the flights. This will allow us to reschedule once this is all over. 

There is no panic here; life is going on fairly normal despite the fact that heavy restriction have been put in place that just about closes down all public gatherings. Many businesses have been ordered to close, like restaurants and malls and many private shops. Employers are required, if possible to have their employees work from home. Public transportation has been limited but grocery stores, supermarkets and pharmacies remain open.

In my opinion Israel has a bigger problem than the Corona Virus and that is SIN. Greed, pride, arrogance, hatred and the lust for power has driven the Blue and White Party along with the Yisrael Beiteinu Party and the Left Wing Parties to all join together and are making an alliance with the Joint Arab List Party so that they can oust the Likud Party (Netanyahu), and form a minority government. The only thing these four parties have in common is their hatred for Netanyahu and their hatred is driving them to make a pact with the devil. Such a covenant can only spell disaster for Israel. Please pray against it and for sane members within the three Israeli parties will defect and join Likud so as to give then the majority. 

Ellen and I are holding up well under everything that is taking place. We know that our brothers and sisters in the United States and Kenya are also feeling the effects of government imposed restrictions and we are keeping you in prayer. Thank you for praying for us. 

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Attached is this week's commentary on Vayachel/Pekudei

I am also attaching the audio of the Message I gave on Purim for those who may not have received it previously.

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha Vayachel

Read Parasha Pekudei

Listen to Sermon: Dignity or Royalty

Parasha Ki Tisa

Shalom and Blessings

Well I guess there were no surprises with the outcome of the elections here. We are no further ahead than we were after the last election. Yes Netanyahu won big over Gantz when it comes to the popular vote, but because of the way the electoral system works here that did not translate into the majority of 61 seats needed to form a government. All that said here is where we are at as of this writing. Gantz's Blue and White Center Left Party, is attempting to form a minority government incorporating Lieberman's Yisrael Beiteinu Right Wing Party with the Arab Joint List Party as the wild card. I say wild card because although their 15 seats will be needed to form a stable minority government, they will not join with the other two in coalition but rather remain apart from the group. What this means is that they will not be a part of the governing cabinet, something that would be disastrous if they were. As cabinet members they would have access to the decision making process of the government including security. It would be like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop. In any case there have been threats of defection by Members of the Knesset from Gantz's and others if they go ahead with this plan. Please pray for Israel, making an unholy alliance will be spiritually ruinous for the country. 

I would like to share a commentary we received from Yochana a long time recipient of my teachings. 

_________________

"Shalom Everyone,

Just as I was putting this email together I received an email that was being sent around about do not Panic. True if you TRUST in the L-rd we should not panic but we should PRAY!! Repent for our sins our Nations sins and the World! All things come from G-d. The good and the bad just read the book of Job and Romans 11 (v) 36: "For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen! (CJB)

G-d has chosen us to be the end time generation and with that we have a wonderful & great responsibility and an opportunity to share the love, grace, mercy and long suffering (Toda for His Long Suffering what Mercy) of our Jewish Messiah Yeshua! It is hard to understand how bad things come from the L-rd but he is in control of all things and has a purpose and plan in all things and works them for good. True in the flesh it is easy to get caught up in the natural fears that the world gets caught up in and the scares you hear all over the news etc. But it is because they are of the world and some sadly are just doing it for evil purposes which sadly are a great danger to America and the world, (pray those that do evil will be exposed and continue to be exposed). But we must remember we are to be in the world not of it! Romans 12 (v) 2.

I know at times it is easy to react in the flesh of this world before we put our trust in G-d and if we are honest with ourselves even with our trust in G-d I know at times we automatically go right to the way the world reacts & perceives things; PANIC. After all we were in the way of the world for a long time and sometimes it is automatic to go there. But at that moment we must remember who we belong to and that the only fear we should have is of G-d. "The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of holy is understanding." Proverbs 9 (v) 10 CJB and there are many more scriptures about fearing the L-rd.

It is good to prepare as Joseph did before the famine in Egypt but not to live in fear. (Genesis 41 (v) 56 Ch. 42 (v) 2. This is a time to share G-d and His Word with those who do not know or who maybe did not want to know but now may be open to listening. We should be a comfort to those around us and to strangers. If we act afraid then who will share the hope we have in our Messiah. We should use wisdom and pray for G-d's direction only. I keep thinking of the scripture of Rabbi Sha'ul in Acts 28 (v) 5 "But he shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no harm. " Now that is Trust in Messiah! Hebrews 11 - 6 "And without trusting, it is impossible to be well pleasing to God."

Know that I am writing this for myself too. G-d knows we are but dust and we do fall short at times. But now more than ever we must put all our trust in Him and be a light in this very dark and growing darker world".

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Attached is this week's commentary on Ki Tisa,

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Tetzaveh

March 5, 2020

Shalom and Blessings;

The Coronavirus, which the government of Israel reacted to almost immediately after it was discovered, has found its way here anyway. Deaths have been reported, with tens of thousands now under quarantine. Former Hamas captive Gilad Shalit, Euro-Vision winner Netta, as well as many other well-known people and athletes are among those quarantined. I guess we can say that the situation here has spiraled out of hand! There is, however, no panic in Israel, life is proceeding as usual. I guess it is because we are so used to living under the threat of terrorist attacks and rockets that everyone is taking this new threat in stride. 

Wanting to be prepared I contacted the Kenyan Embassy in Tel Aviv and ask what their policy is for allowing Israelis into Kenya. I was told that at present there is an issue with Israelis entering the country. However, I was told to call back in 7 to 10 days to see if anything changed. Needless to say, if Ellen and I cannot travel to Kenya the planned Passover Seder will suffer. Please keep us and this situation in prayer.

Many in North America and Kenya are under the impression that Netanyahu won the last election and I can understand why. Bibi declared that this was the greatest victory in his political career. Yes he may have won big over the Blue and White Party (Gantz), but he still does not have enough seats in the Knesset to form a government. Seats in the Knesset are rewarded according the percentage of popular votes a party gets. The higher the percentage the more seats they get, the lower the percentage the fewer seat they get. Sixty one seats are needed to form a government and even that number would be shaky considering the diversity of opinions within a party. As at this writing Likud has 58 seats total in coalition with its willing partners. Blue and White has 54 seats if they include the Joint List Arab Party into their coalition. Lieberman, the leader of the Yisrael Biteinu Party holds the balance of power with 7 seats. Lieberman has pledged not to join in coalition with Likud. In fact he is drafting a Bill to be presented in the Knesset disqualifying anyone who is indicted from holding the Prime Minister's office. It is also unlikely he will join the Blue and White Party because they need the Arabs to form a government something he was not in favor of in the past. Netanyahu has been trying to sway right leaning members of other Parties to join with him so that he can get his 61 seats, but as of this writing no one has defected to him. Not all votes have been counted and there still remains the chance that the percentages will change and Likud will gain or lose a seat or two; time will tell. Please continue to pray for Israel.

Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Attached is this week's commentary on Tetzaveh,

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

P.S. Thank you Lord! After further investigation I discovered that no one has died from the coronavirus in Israel as I previously reported. Thank the Lord for preserving life.

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Parasha Terumah

Shalom & Blessing 

We had an incident where the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), retrieved the body of a young Arab man who was shot as he was planting a bomb along the border fence. His intent and the intent of the other men with him were to kill Israeli soldiers. Israel's new Minister of Defense (Naftali Bennett), has stiffened the military polices concerning allowing the Arabs to retrieve terrorists shot in action. They now capture their bodies with the intention of holding them so that they can be exchanged for the release of the bodies of dead Israeli soldiers held by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad. Minister Bennett's reasoning is that Israel should not be releasing terrorists we are holding in prisons, who once released go right back into terror activities, in exchange for our dead soldiers they are holding. However reasonable this may be, it has ignited distain from Israel's enemies including the U.N. and E.U. and ignited the launching in excess of sixty missiles into Southern Israel (where we live), this week. One landed in a children's park, but by the grace of God, other than destroying the playground equipment no one was injured. The Prime Minister had harsh words of warning for those responsible, the air force retaliated, and if the PM lives up to his threats there will be other consequences that we may never hear about. In the meantime all the accusations by the Arabs and others have not changed the Minister of Defense's policy towards terrorists. 

Ellen and I have been in heavy prayer for the salvation of Israelis and the Arabs. Only Yeshua can bring true peace to the Middle East, please join with us in this prayer. 

The momentum is building as we prepare to return to Kenya for Passover. We are preparing to bring items for the Seder which may not be available there, one item being new Haggadahs. We already have approximately 61 people who are planning to attending and are sure there will be more as we get closer to the date. As always we are expecting that some of the people attending will be unsaved, so please pray for God's blessing and anointing to be poured out at the event.

Kenya is heavily dependent on China and many Chinese live, work and travel back and forth to China where the Coronavirus began. Please pray for Kenya's protection and especially for the protection of Believers in the land. It goes without saying that Ellen and I also covet your prayers of protection. 

Please visit our blog site for more teaching and reading previous Torah commentaries: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Attached is this week's commentary on Terumah,

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Parasha Mishpatim & Video

Parasha Mishpatim

Video

Parsha Yetro

Shalom and Blessings

We give God all the glory!! The results of my CT Scant came out well, although my lungs are not 100% (99.5%) clear, there is NO cancer. I now can resume my normal life and visit public places, which will include attending the congregation we fellowship at; we have missed so much. We will still take precautions, because I need to be 100% for our Pesach trip to Kenya. 

Things are quiet in Ashkelon; however, border towns are experiencing incendiary balloons and mortar fire and the city of Sederot as well as the southern areas around it are experiencing missiles. Hamas seems to be targeting open areas not wanting a conflict escalation with the IDF. I was notified of a rocket being fired even as I am writing this update. The IDF is still retaliating, but they too are targeting uninhabited areas and weapon depots (nothing new). The rioting, however, is stilling going on in the West Bank and of courses threats towards us are flying all around. An Arab drove his car into a group of soldiers waiting at a bus stop, which seriously injured one and hurt eleven others; the driver got away but was later apprehended. He is claiming that it was an accident and that he lost control of the car (right!).

The host of the Airbnb we booked in Nairobi cancelled the booking on us; she claimed she sold the apartment and offered us some other place in an inferior area. I immediately called Airbnb, suspecting a bait and switch, they investigated and it turned out to be legitimate, we got a full refund. The problem is that anything comparable and in the same safe neighborhood is now going to cost us $200.00-300.00 more. Please pray for the Lord to give us wisdom in finding another place to stay. 

I have attached this week's D'Var Torah, Yitro. I have also attached an audio file of the Sermon I shared with the congregations on Shabbat.

Check and share our Blog: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Listen to: Keeping Up Appearances

Parasha Beshalach

Shalom and Blessings;

There are only four more days until my CT scan, a day I have been waiting on in anticipation for six weeks. We believe God has healed my lungs completely and we praise Him for it. In the past my oncologist received the results of my scans within two hours of the test, This scan is scheduled for late afternoon so I don't know if she will be available in the hospital to receive the results. We may have to wait until the next day to hear back from her. Thank you for keeping Ellen and I in your prayers. 

The Arabs have not stopped rioting in the West Bank since the release of President Trump's peace plan. In addition Gaza has been firing missiles or sending incendiary balloons across the border every day. Yesterday (the 4th) they threatened to launch balloons carrying tear gas canisters which would explode on contact with the ground. These balloons from Gaza, in the past, have traveled with the wind as far a Jerusalem, so if they go through with their threat who knows what affect it will have and what the IDF's response would be. 

We have another threat, although it is nothing new, which specifically targets Messianic Jews. Yad L'Achim is the Israeli anti-missionary group and lately they have been aggressively persecuting Messianic Believers, in news print, radio programs and social media. They claim we are deceptive, twisting Scripture and stealing Jewish souls. These false claims and tactics are nothing new; they have been doing it for years and even worse. As of late they have stepped up their campaign of hate against us because many Jews are coming to salvation here. Please pray for the salvation of the leaders and staff at Yad L'Achim, Israel. 

Plans are going very well as we prepare, God Willing, to go to Kenya for the Passover. This is the first time Ellen and I will be holding a Passover Seder in Kenya and we ask that you pray that the event will be a success and a blessing to all who attend. I have attached a copy of the flier we sent out. If you know of anyone in Kenya who would be interested in attending, please forward the flier to them.

Check and share our Blog: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi & Ellen

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Parasha Bo

Shalom and blessings:

The mystery is over, the Trump peace plan has been revealed and the anticipation is over. Ellen and I were expecting Hamas to react by firing missiles towards Israel during the night. In expectation we prepared the safe room in our apartment in the event we had to run into it. Happily all was quiet, at least as far as missiles are concerned. Distain for Trump, Israel and the peace plan spewed forth from every corner on local Arab news broadcast and from local Arab leaders. 

There are two things I picked up from the plan that I feel are worth mentioning and clarifying. President Trump said that Jerusalem would be the UNDIVIDED capital of Israel, which would mean both East and West Jerusalem. Then he went on to say that East Jerusalem would be the capital of the new Palestinian State. Sounds like double-talk and a contradiction, but it is not. I believe he meant that the Palestinian capital will be in East Jerusalem, only it will be in the Arab-occupied portion of East Jerusalem, probably in a city east of the Mt. of Olives. Then when President Trump said that this peace proposal was the Palestinians last chance, I wondered how could he say something like that. What did he mean? Surely if this plan failed future plans could be proposed, by perhaps a new incoming president in November 2020 (God forbid), or other proposals could be presented by other nations, for consideration. I take what the President said as a veiled threat to the Palestinians and a tactical Trump negotiating move. President Trump is offering the Palestinians a Two State Solution and he is telling the Palestinians, if they reject this offer he would move to another option – a One State Solution. Such a solution would eliminate the West Bank and all Palestinian held land east of the Mt. of Olives and bringing the entire area under the sovereignty of Israel.

We have to reconsider accepting gifts for our ministering in Africa, due to possible person tax exposure of up to 37%. We thank everyone who so generously gave and as soon as we find a suitable solution to this problem we will start accepting gifts again. This means that we will no longer be receiving gifts to either one of our PayPal accounts (U.S. $ or CDN $). Of course we will continue to minister in Kenya and support needs there, to the best of our ability, until a solution can be found.

We have attached this week's commentary as well as the audio link to the sermon shared with Kenya on Shabbat.

Check and share our Blog: 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'era & Sermon: Hard Times Faith

Shalom & Blessings;

I am doing so much better, thank you all for your prayers, Ellen and I believe that the Lord has healed me B"H. For confirmation, mostly for my oncologist, I will be having a CT scan February 9th.

I am sure most, if not all of you have heard that Israel is hosting an international Holocaust remembrance event which will be attended by a host off leaders from around the world, Putin being one. Needless to say the IDF (Israel Defense Forces), are concerned that Hamas or Iranian backed Hezbollah will launch missiles to disrupt the event. Our enemies have been warned that we will hit back hard if any such thing occurs. I think Hamas takes advantage of the fact that we can shoot down their missiles before they do any harm and therefore launch them just to cause trauma and panic, which sadly they do. The odd one, however, does get through and property is destroyed and people are hurt.

Politically, the wrangling is over, the deadline has passed and the different fringe parties have aligned themselves with other parties of like mindedness hoping to gain the minimum percentage of votes required to have a presence in the Knesset. Now we just have to endure the false promises, kissing of babies and political rhetoric until the election March 2nd when God's choice will be revealed.

Attached is this week's Parasha, Va'era and the audio of the sermon I shared with the congregations in Kenya Shabbat,

Check and sharing our Blog: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

Visit and share our YouTube Channel: Kenya-teaching, preaching, helping

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


Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Listen to Sermon: Hard Times Faith

Please consider donating to the

Kenya Mission & Rabbi Jack

Parasha Shemot

Shalom and Blessings;

Praise the Lord and glory to His Holy Name. There has been significant improvement in my well-being. I am feeling so much better, "Thank You Lord!" I still need to have another CT scan, which is scheduled for February 9th and possible another chest X-ray which will confirm what the Lord has done. Thank you for your prayers, they moved God!!

Politics are a wicked, dirty business, we see its slime in the United States and we see it as well here in Israel. The Far-Left and the Left-wing parties are busy making deals with each other hoping that in the upcoming election they will gain enough seats to be an influence in the Knesset. Meanwhile the Right-wing parties are still trying to get their acts together, arguing over Netanyahu and his legitimacy to be a leader, totally confusing people like me who vote Right. I cannot wait for this election to be over and for God to give us His choice of a government, a government that will be perfect for "Just such a time as this!"

The Democrats in the U.S. are doing everything they can to destroy President Trump. They know if he is reelected for another term he will have the opportunity to install another one or two Supreme Court Justices. This is something that will change the landscape of the country for decades to come and move it back to the Right. The Left is fearful of that as well in Canada and here in Israel, the Left hates the Right. However, we as Believers in Yeshua HaMashiach do not need to wait for a Right-wing government to change the makeup of our Supreme Courts. Just as God saved us out of liberal, secular humanism, He can save existing Supreme Court Justices. Commit to praying for the salvation of our Justices and be prepared to say; "Look what the Lord has done!" 

Ellen and I have started a YouTube Channel, the name of the channel is; "Kenya, teaching, preaching, helping", check it out and see what the Lord is doing.

Attached is this week's D'Var Torah on Shemot and don't neglect checking out and sharing our Blog: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

P.S. BREAKING NEWS: As if Israel does not have enough political parties (34), the wife of the man that assassinated Yitzhak Rabin just registers her own party!

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

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Please consider donating to the
Kenya Mission & Rabbi Jack

Parasha Vayechi & Kenya Trip Video

Shalom and Blessings.

Tuesday we had a full day at the hospital in Ramat Gan (Tel Hashomer Medical Center), as is usual when we go there. I met with the pulmonary technicians and underwent breathing exercises and tests. B"H, all was found to be normal...yay! Then I met with the pulmonary specialist who examined me, read my chart and discussed my history with regard to the possibility of me being exposed to toxic pollutants, work related airborne contaminants, and exposure to TB, when I was younger. In the final analysis he concluded that I had a serious lung infection probably brought on by pneumonia and because of my compromised immune system I am having a slow recovery. I was advised to get another chest x-ray in two weeks. If it shows clearing of the infection then no need for anything else, full recovery will come in time, if not clear, an additional CT of the lungs will be necessary and then we will go from there. The doctor felt confident that I will have total restoration and recovery in time, as do we, because God is in control. Thank you for your prayers, God is listening. We pray for everyone and love you all very much...

A member of our congregation in Nairobi was in a serious mini-bus crash involving multiple deaths and injuries. If any are acquainted with the bus system in Nairobi then you will understand that these mini-buses are poorly maintained and wildly driven. It is a miracle that there are not more crashes and deaths. Ellen and I have taken "Metatus," as they are called, many times and by the grace of God and through prayer while riding in one, God has kept us safe. Please pray for Rosemary's total and quick recovery. Tuesday she spent hours in the operating theater. I spoke with her Wednesday and we prayed together. Hospitals in Kenya are not like those in the U.S., Canada and Israel so she needs additional prayer for favor with the doctors and nurses so as to get the care and attention she deserves and needs.

Things are moving along here in Israel as we endure the rhetoric, lies and false promises that come with elections. If we did not know that God was in total control of the process, we could be taken in by the politicians. Cannot help but feel sorry for those who are unsaved and put their trust in these people. Something interesting, but typical for a fallen world is that; we do not have a government, we do not have a budget and as a result hospitals and health care providers are running short of money, but that did not stop the members of the Knesset voting themselves a pay raise this week. They will now earn 3.7 times the average national full time wage earner in Israel. Come quickly Lord Yeshua!!

I have attached this week's commentary on Parasha Vayechi as well as a link to a video clip I made of our last trip to Kenya. You do not need to download DropBox to open this link, simply click on "continue to website" when the link opens.

Remember to checkout our Blog and pass on the teachings: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/

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

Rabbi & Ellen

Read Parasha

Watch video of Kenya trip September to November 2019

Parasha Vayigash & Sermons

Shalom and Blessings;

I continue to battle with whatever is going on in my lungs. This week I will be visiting my oncologist and next week I have an appointment with the pulmonary doctor. I am following all protocols both medical and un-conventional but the outcome is of the Lord and we continue to walk in faith and in His strength. Thank you for keeping Ellen and I in prayer.

Akiva and Hannah arrived tired but safely in Orlando. They have a few days to recuperate from the arduous trip from Kenya before the IAMCS Rabbi's conference starts and hopefully they will get to see some of the sites in and around Orlando. Please pray for them to have wisdom, understanding and that they will find favor with everyone they meet. We anticipate their coming home filled with the power and glory of the Lord, as well as with a great report. 

Last week the chief of staff of the IDF, Lt. Gen. Aviv, gave his first public news conference. What he had to say was encouraging but also sobering. He is anticipating a major war which may be launched against us from several fronts. He warned that this war will not be like any of other wars we have fought. He cautioned the public to prepare themselves mentally for major attacks against the home front causing much damage and loss of life. He assured us that even though the IDF has always taken the position of protecting civilian casualties when retaliating against our enemies, this time, he said, the enemy will not be safe no matter who they hide behind. 

Some Messianic teacher and leaders have taken to teaching the authority of the oral law. Nowhere in scriptures both in the Torah, Tanach, and Brit Chadasha is there mention of an oral law. Plus there is no evidence that the oral law being studied today, which was put to writing in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th centuries A.D, has any relationship to what may have been transmitted orally by Moses centuries before. The Mishnah derived from the early 3rd, 4th or 5th centuries A.D. have to be read as testimonies to the prevailing viewpoints of those centuries and not as evidence of earlier teachings. In fact Scripture, both the Torah and the Brit Chadasha give evidence against equating the oral law (traditions of the elders) with the divinely inspired written Word of God. 

Deuteronomy 31:9-11 "Then Moses wrote down this Torah and gave it to the priests, the descendants of Levi who carried the ark with the covenant of the Lord, and to all the leaders of Israel. Moshe gave them these orders: "At the end of every seven years, during the festival of Sukkot in the year of release, when all Israel have come to appear in the presence of the Lord at the place he will choose, you are to read this Torah before all Israel, so that they can hear it."

Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." 

Furthermore, we see in the teaching of Yeshua (Matthew 15:1-9; Mark 7:1-9) that He held the written Torah as having final authority by which the oral law was to be judged. 

Why would anyone need the teachings of unsaved men (chazal), who wrote the oral law, who were not divinely inspired; men who hated Messianic Judaism and rejected the Messiah, to interpret the Bible for them? Theirs is the wisdom of man and not God. God gave us the Holy Spirit for the purpose of understanding and interpreting His Word, (John15:1-15). Listening to the sages (chazal) is like the fox teaching the chicken how to lock the coop. If you need chazal to interpret the Bible for you then what you need is less knowledge of man and more wisdom from the Holy Spirit. Start praying for the wisdom of God and stop listening to the wisdom of unsaved men. I do not agree with the use of chazal's teachings to educate Believers in the Word of God. It can only result in leading believing Jews into half-truths conceived by Satan and cause non-Jewish Believers to become enamored with Judaism, which is something the apostle Paul, taught against.

I have attached this week's commentary as well as part 3 & 4 audios of the Joseph Sermons.

Do not forget to checkout our Blog and pass on the teachings: https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/  

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

Happy New Year

Rabbi Jack & Ellen

Read Parasha

Listen to Sermon: Joseph Part 3

Listen to Sermon: Joseph Part 4