Category: newsletter-post

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for August 2022

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for August 2022

By Eric Carlson in August-2, newsletter-post on August 1, 2022

Shalom Mishpocah,

 

August, the eighth month is here! Statistically, August is the warmest and most humid month of the year! As summer is half over families begin shopping for school cloths and supplies! August is also the month of our highly acclaimed Youth Service (August 12th), where our youth run the entire service! August marks the beginning of harvest, and the Fall Feast celebrations are just around the corner! For those who weren’t aware August is national Panini month, national Peach month, and national Sandwich month! Who knew? The first Friday of August, August 5th is International Beer Day. I started with a more upbeat, joyful tone because in August we also commemorate Tisha B’Av, the ninth day of the biblical month of Av, not a good day in Jewish history.

This year, the 9th of Av, Tisha B’Av 5782 begins at sunset, August 6th through sunset August 7th 2022. Av is the fifth month of the Hebrew calendar which falls in July/August on the Gregorian calendar. The 9th of Av has become a day of fasting and mourning by Orthodox Jews in Israel due to numerous, national catastrophic events that have occurred against Israel and our people on this day through the span of History. The focus of this day is the destruction of both Solomon’s Temple and Herod’s Temple accompanied the expulsion of our people from our Promised Land into Exile or Diaspora.

The First Temple was built by King Solomon and the united Kingdom of Israel and Judah in Jerusalem about the 10th century BCE. The description of its building is found in I Kings chapters 6-8. It stood for about 410 years until it was destroyed when Jerusalem was laid siege by the Babylonians and King Nebuchadnezzar in 587 BCE on the 9th of Av.

After the prophesied 70-year Babylonian exile, our Jewish people returned to Jerusalem. Under the leadership of Ezra and Nehemiah, the Second Temple and Jerusalem was rebuilt. This Temple stood about 420 years until it was destroyed by the Romans in August 70 CE on the 9th of Av.

Besides both Temples being destroyed on this same exact day, numerous other historical events happened to our Jewish people and Israel on the 9th of Av that continue to keep this a somber day for our people. I’ll list them in chronological order. On Tisha B’Av, five national calamities occurred:

• During the time of Moses, Jews in the desert accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies, and the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Israel. (1312 BCE)

• The First Temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, led by Nebuchadnezzar. 100,000 Jews were slaughtered and millions more exiled. (586 BCE)

• The Second Temple was destroyed by the Romans, led by Titus. Some two million Jews died, and another one million were exiled. (70 CE)

• The Bar Kochba revolt was crushed by Roman Emperor Hadrian. The city of Betar — the Jews’ last stand against the Romans — was captured and liquidated. Over 100,000 Jews were slaughtered. (135 CE)

• The Temple area and its surroundings were plowed under by the Roman general Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city — renamed Aelia Capitolina — and access was forbidden to Jews.

And the calamities continued in the diaspora.

• The First Crusade destroyed hundreds of French and Rhineland Jewish communities murdering some 1.2 million Jews. The First Crusade, which murdered 10,000 Jews in the first month, began on August 15, 1096, the 9th of Av.

• We were expelled from England, accompanied by pogroms and confiscation of books and property on July 18, 1290, the 9th of Av.

• We were expelled from France on July 22, 1306, the 9th of Av.

• On March 31, 1492, Queen Isabella along with her husband, Ferdinand, ordered the Jewish people banished from all areas of greater Spain. The edict was signed on March 31, 1492 and the Jews were given four months to leave the country. There was a massive loss of property, families became separated, and many died by drowning. The final day Jews could live in Spain, thus beginning the Spanish Inquisitions, was July 31, 1492, the 9th of Av.

• World War I began when Germany declared war on Russia. This war began a massive socio-economic upheaval in Europe that concluded with the Holocaust and World War II. World War I began on August 1-2, 1914, the 9th of Av.

• SS Commander Heinrich Himmler received approval for “The Final Solution” which resulted in the Holocaust and murder of six million of our Jewish people, nearly ⅓ of the world’s Jewish population. It was approved on August 2, 1941, the 9th of Av.

• The mass deportation of Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to the Treblinka extermination camp began on July 23, 1942, the 9th of Av.

• Iraq walks out of talks with Kuwait setting the stage for the Gulf War on the 9th of Av 1989.

• The deadly bombing the AMIA (the Jewish community center in Buenos Aires, Argentina) building which killed 86 people and wounded some 300 others was on the 9th of Av 1994

• Gush Katif was a group of Jewish settlements in Gaza with 8,600 residents. It was known for it’s unique greenhouses that exported more than $200,000,000 in bug-free fruits and vegetables to Europe and the Majority of our Esrog’s Lulav sets. For peace with Gaza, all Jewish settlements in Gush Katif were evacuated on August 13, 2005, the 9th of Av. This land for peace deal was brokered by the United States of America who 10 days later (10 is Yad, the hand of God) when we were struck by the most powerful hurricane every recorded up to that time, Katrina made landfall August 29th. Katrina was followed by an even stronger Hurricane Rita and Wilma, three of the largest hurricanes ever recorded strikes the United States in the same year.

There’s more but you get the point! Historically the 9th of Av is not a good day for us as a people or as a nation! Focusing on and praying over these events is meant to help us conquer the spiritual deficiencies, idolatry, and sin which brought about these tragic events.

The story is told of Napoleon walking through the streets of Paris one Tisha B’Av. As his passed a synagogue he heard the sounds of mourning and crying. “What’s this all about?” Napoleon asked. An aide explained that the Jews were in mourning over the loss of their Temple. “When did this happen?” Napoleon asked. The aide replied, “About 1700 years ago.” Napoleon said, “Certainly a people which has mourned the loss of their Temple for so long, will merit to see it rebuilt!”

As we remember Tisha B’Av this year let us not focus upon the calamities, rather let’s pray and fast for the revival of Israel, both the land and the people! Their salvation will result in all Israel declaring “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai”, “`Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI.'” Let this day be turned from sorrow and lamenting to one of joy and dancing as we witness Israel’s salvation! Then we’ll experience the New Jerusalem and the real Temple descending from heaven and be established here for Yeshua’s reign!

The Wedding Kiddushin & Nisuin

The Wedding Kiddushin & Nisuin

By Eric Carlson in September-1 on August 1, 2022

Last month I discussed the traditional biblical wedding outline and implements. This month I wish to share how the process of marriage occurs in two distinct stages: Kiddushin (commonly translated as betrothal) and Nisuin (full-fledged marriage). Kiddushin occurs when the woman accepts the contract offered by the prospective husband.  The word “Kiddushin” comes from the root Qof-Dalet-Shin, meaning sanctified.  It reflects the sanctity of the marital relation.  However, the root word also connotes something that is set aside for a specific (sacred) purpose, and the ritual of Kiddushin sets aside the woman to be the wife of a particular man and no other. In this case, God!  Kiddushin is far more binding than an engagement as the term is understood in modern customs of the West.  Once the Kiddushin is completed, the woman is legally the wife of the man.  However, the spouses do not live together at that time, and the mutual obligations created by the marital relationship do not take effect until Nisuin is complete.

The time span between Kiddushin and Nisuin would routinely be as much as a year or even greater. During this time the husband is busy preparing a home for his new bride.  There was always a danger or risk that during this long period of separation between the betrothal and the marriage that the woman might discover that she wanted to become betrothed to another man!

This is the way God sees us!  We are His betrothed!  We are to remain pure and sanctified until the Grooms return! We do not belong to, nor do we serve any other God! Here’s what the scriptures say in God’s words:

Hosea 2:19-20. (CJB) I will betroth you to me forever; yes, I will betroth you to me in righteousness, in justice, in grace and in compassion; 20 I will betroth you to me in faithfulness, and you will know ADONAI.

And in:

Isaiah 62:4. (CJB) You will no longer be spoken of as ‘Azuvah [Abandoned] or your land be spoken of as ‘Sh’mamah [Desolate]; rather, you will be called Heftzi-Vah [My-Delight-Is-In-Her] and your land Be’ulah [Married]. For ADONAI delights in you, and your land will be married-

In these scriptures God is talking about Israel, so what about everyone else? As I often share all who receive Yeshua are part of the community.

Ephesians 3:5-6. (CJB) In past generations it was not made known to mankind as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets, 6 that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.

Sha’ul describes the Gentiles relationship in the Kingdom:

II Corinthians 11:2. (CJB) For I am jealous for you with God’s kind of jealousy; since I promised to present you as a pure virgin in marriage to your one husband, the Messiah;

We are Gods betrothed forever, and He is a jealous Husband!  Let’s continue!

The Witnesses

Every legal procedure in Jewish life is confirmed by at least two “kosher” witnesses. It takes witnesses to attest that all the aspects of the marriage have taken place in accordance with biblical understanding.  Two witnesses are called upon to stand under the Chupah and witness these procedures.

Let’s go back to Exodus 19 for a second:

Exodus 19:16-18. (CJB) And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the sound of a shofar exceedingly loud; so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the lower part of the mount. 18. And Mount Sinai was altogether in smoke, because the Lord descended upon it in fire; and its smoke ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount trembled greatly.”

The entire Nation of Israel was called to be the witness of God’s holy betrothal on Mt. Sinai. The cloud was the Chupa of God and Israel the witness! Back again to the end of the wedding witness statement: “Two witnesses are called upon to stand under the Chupah and witness these procedures.”

Exodus 24:12-13. (CJB) Then the Lord said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and be there; and I will give you tablets of stone, and the law and commandments which I have written, that you may teach them.” 13 So Moses arose with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up to the mountain of God.

The Wedding Feast

Most Jewish celebrations (marriage, circumcision, bar mitzvah, etc.) are followed by a dinner to honor the occasion. At this meal all guests participate in the Mitzvah of “L’Sameach Chatan v’Kallah,” to celebrate in joy with the groom and bride. Biblical custom shares that the couple begin their new life together in their community. For seven consecutive evenings following the wedding, it was customary that friends or relatives host festive meals in their honor. The act of feasting recalls the “seven-day celebration” after the marriage of Ya’acov to Leah, while spending their days in prayer and learning Torah in order to give the new household a solid biblical foundation in God’s ways of holiness. The Groom as stated in Torah was to be dismissed from working for one year allowing time for the newlyweds to “get to know each other”, and become Echad, complete, one!

The Nisuin (full-fledged marriage as bride and groom, together in intimacy) is performed after the feast completing the process of marriage. The husband brings the wife into his home, and they begin their married life together. It’s the consummation, the actual intimacy between bride and groom, the covenant act. 

Let’s recall now the Jewish Wedding:  Betrothal- the bride is picked, Ketubah- the promises are made, preparation- The groom then goes to his father’s house to build an addition onto the father’s home for he and his wife.  The Father says when the room is complete and satisfactory, and then decides when to send his son back to get the bride! The son goes to get the bride, he enters the town of the bride with a loud blast of the shofar to take his bride and celebrate the wedding feast.  He then returns to his father’s house for Nisuin, the full-fledged marriage. Yeshua directly relates this to us and the Kingdom:

John 14:1-3 (CJB) ” “Don’t let yourselves be disturbed. Trust in God and trust in me. 2 In my Father’s house are many places to live. If there weren’t, I would have told you; because I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3 Since I am going and preparing a place for you, I will return to take you with me; so that where I am, you may be also.

This is the way God sees us!  We are His betrothed!  We are to remain pure and sanctified until the Groom’s, Yeshua’s return!  We do not belong to, nor do we serve any other god!  Yeshua gave a parable about this:

Matthew 22:2-14. (CJB)  “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding feast for his son, 3 but when he sent his slaves to summon the invited guests to the wedding, they refused to come. 4 So he sent some more slaves, instructing them to tell the guests, `Look, I’ve prepared my banquet, I’ve slaughtered my bulls and my fattened cattle, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding!’ 5 But they weren’t interested and went off, one to his farm, another to his business; 6 and the rest grabbed his slaves, mistreated them and killed them. 7 The king was furious and sent his soldiers, who killed those murderers and burned down their city. 8 “Then he said to his slaves, `Well, the wedding feast is ready; but the ones who were invited didn’t deserve it. 9 So go out to the street-corners and invite to the banquet as many as you find.’ 10 The slaves went out into the streets, gathered all the people they could find, the bad along with the good; and the wedding hall was filled with guests. 11 “Now when the king came in to look at the guests, he saw there a man who wasn’t dressed for a wedding; so he asked him, 12 `Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ The man was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, `Bind him hand and foot, and throw him outside in the dark!’ In that place people will wail and grind their teeth, 14 for many are invited, but few are chosen.”

Yeshua gave us the parable of the One New Man here! All are invited to the wedding feast, which is the Nisuin phase of the wedding process, but we must be ready!  We must be found worthy, dressed for the wedding in our white robes which represent righteousness and purity with Him! Like the narrow road of Matthew 7, verse 14 is a wakeup call: “for many are invited, but few are chosen”. We must be ready for the wedding feast, its fast approaching, closer than many realize or suspect!  We must not be found in idolatry or adultery when the groom returns! This is the actual ceremony where the groom wraps His Tallit around the bride invoking the covenant! The bride has grown to include Gentiles from every nation, tribe, and tongue, as part the bride! The wedding is quickly approaching. Let me close with this fact concerning biblical weddings. How did Yeshua start His work here on Earth, what was His first Miracle?

John 2:1-9. (CJB) On Tuesday there was a wedding at Kanah in the Galil; and the mother of Yeshua was there. 2 Yeshua too was invited to the wedding, along with his talmidim. 3 The wine ran out, and Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me? — or you? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone water-jars were standing there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each with a capacity of twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Yeshua told them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the man in charge of the banquet”; and they took it. 9 The man in charge tasted the water; it had now turned into wine! He did not know where it had come from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. So he called the bride groom

Yeshua started His ministry here on earth with a miracle at the wedding feast by turning water into wine (yeah), and no it wasn’t grape juice……. And He will return to establish His reign here on earth, to take the bride and again go to the wedding feast that represented by Sukkot, in Jerusalem!  Oh, what a celebration and party that will be. May your lamps be filled! May you be ready for the sounding of the shofar heralding the arrival of the groom, Yeshua, who returns for His bride which is us!

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for September 2022

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for September 2022

By Eric Carlson in September-2 on August 1, 2022

Shalom Mishpocah,

         Summer has passed by quickly! School is starting, hurricane season is in full swing, and though September is a transition month into fall time we still have 21 days of summer left until the Autumnal Equinox on September 22nd 9:04 P.M. EDT-the first day of fall. The following Sunday, Sept 25th at sunset the Fall High Holy Days begins with the start and celebration of Yom Teruah! September is the biblical month of Elul. Elul is 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting. The month of Elul begins Saturday, August 26th at sunset. The 1st of Elul marks exactly 40 days until Yom Kippur. Elul is an Akkadian word for “harvest”. The Jewish names of months came from our captivity in Babylon.  Scripture refers to the months by their numerical order except for the first month of the new year, Aviv. Elul is a time to search one’s heart and draw close to God in preparation for the coming Day of Judgement, The Ten Days of Awe between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur, and The Day of Atonement.  It is customary to recite Psalm 27 every day in this 40 day period seeking God’s mercy and forgiveness. The 27th Psalm is one of trust, the psalmist has no fear of enemies while in the Lord’s protection. This Psalm is extremely relevant in our day today:

Psalm 27. (CJB)  By David: ADONAI is my light and salvation; whom do I need to fear? ADONAI is the stronghold of my life; of whom should I be afraid? 2 When evildoers assailed me to devour my flesh, my adversaries and foes, they stumbled and fell. 3 If an army encamps against me, my heart will not fear; if war breaks out against me, even then I will keep trusting. 4 Just one thing have I asked of ADONAI; only this will I seek: to live in the house of ADONAI all the days of my life, to see the beauty of ADONAI and visit in his temple. 5 For he will conceal me in his shelter on the day of trouble, he will hide me in the folds of his tent, he will set me high on a rock. 6 Then my head will be lifted up above my surrounding foes, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing, sing praises to ADONAI. 7 Listen, ADONAI, to my voice when I cry; show favor to me; and answer me. 8 “My heart said of you, ‘Seek my face.’ “Your face, ADONAI, I will seek. 9 Do not hide your face from me, don’t turn your servant away in anger. You are my help; don’t abandon me; don’t leave me, God my savior. 10 Even though my father and mother have left me, ADONAI will care for me. 11 Teach me your way, ADONAI; lead me on a level path because of my enemies 12 don’t give me up to the whims of my foes; for false witnesses have risen against me, also those who are breathing violence. 13 If I hadn’t believed that I would see ADONAI’s goodness in the land of the living, …. 14 Put your hope in ADONAI, be strong, and let your heart take courage! Yes, put your hope in ADONAI!

This reason this Psalm is fundamental to this period of T’Shuvah (repentance) is that it contains references to all three fall feasts: “my light,” ori in Hebrew refers to Yom Teruah as the shofar announces the arrival of Adonai, the light! My Salvation, Yeshua refers to the atonement He gave us for Yom Kippur. Then David states Adonai would hide him in his sukkah in the times of trouble, referring to the holiday of Sukkot in verse 5.

Psalm 27:13 also contains a textual oddity: “If I hadn’t believed that I would see ADONAI’s goodness in the land of the living.” The phrase “If I hadn’t” in Hebrew is lule which when read backwards spells Elul. Salvation comes from devoted trust in Adonai’s mercy, goodness, and salvation. Repentance is useless unless we believe in Adonai’s love, salvation, and goodness “in the land of the living.”

Forty is represented by the Hebrew letter Mem.  Forty is the revelation of the concealed.  The number forty is used by God to represent a period of testing or judgment (the length of time necessary to accomplish Gods plan in his interaction with mankind).  Forty is the product of 5 and 8, and points to the action of grace (5), leading to and ending in Schminnee-revival and renewal (8).  But where forty relates to dominion or rule it does so by virtues of its factors 4 (Dalet-the physical dimensions of the world including the cardinal directions North, South, East, and West) and 10 (Yad, the Hand of God), and in harmony with their signification.  Mem expresses God’s sovereignty over us and His Kingdom. God uses the number 40 when starting a new chapter of the history of salvation.  Human gestation is 40 weeks!  Teshuvah is a sort of death and rebirth: a death of the past life, and the birth of a new life and a new creation:

II Corinthians 5:17. (CJB) Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah, he is a new creation – the old has passed; look, what has come is fresh and new!

These 40 days are an awakening from the apathy and slumber induced by sin. The Fall Feasts are Moedim, Divine Appointments that God established, specific times that He’s off the throne and among His people! Its critical to prepare for these appointed times.

Isaiah 55:6-7. (CJB)  Seek ADONAI while he is available, call on him while he is still nearby. 7 Let the wicked person abandon his way and the evil person his thoughts; let him return to ADONAI, and he will have mercy on him; let him return to our God, for he will freely forgive.

The services in these 40 days of Elul are referred to as Selichot Services from:

Psalm 130:4. (CJB) But with you there is forgiveness (selichah: forgiveness, pardon), so that you will be feared.

This word exclusively refers to God’s mercy to grant forgiveness, to pardon the sins of those who repent. Selichah is found only three times in the Tanach, once in Psalm 130:4, the other two are in profound prayers of repentance. The first in Nehemiah where he recalled our rebellion and Adonai’s compassion toward us:

Nehemiah 9:16-17. (CJB)  “‘But they and our ancestors were arrogant; they stiffened their necks and ignored your mitzvot; 17 they refused to listen and paid no attention to the wonders you had done among them. No, they stiffened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a leader to return them to their slavery. But because you are a God of forgiveness (selichah), merciful, full of compassion, slow to grow angry and full of grace, you did not abandon them.

And then in Daniels powerful prayer of repentance upon reading in Jeremiah that Israel’s 70 years of captivity and exile in Babylon/Persia was complete. Daniel immediately began repenting for Israel’s sins that had resulted in our exile:

Daniel 9:8-10. (CJB) Yes, ADONAI, shame falls on us, our kings, our leaders and our ancestors; because we sinned against you. 9 It is for Adonai our God to show compassion and forgiveness (selichah), because we rebelled against him. 10 We didn’t listen to the voice of ADONAI our God, so that we could live by his laws, which he presented to us through his servants the prophets.

Elul is the time for fasting, prayer, and repentance which is more critical now than ever before! My heart is heavy, I’m burdened for America, for the greater body of Messiah, our polarization, our disunity, our divisiveness, the vile hatred and violence that abounds! As a nation were rotting from the inside out! It’s not a time for panic, dread, or to be fearful!  It’s a time for radical intentionality in repentance, prayer, and fasting. To stand in the gap and shift history! We are at a very dark hour as a nation. This fall may be a dark time for America! If we don’t become radically involved, it may be irreversible! I highly encourage everyone to fast from now until Yom Kippur which begins at sunset, Tuesday, October 4th!

Prayer Points:

  • Pray for Jewish Revival (Land & the People) which results in the return of Messiah.
  • Pray for America’s awakening, for salvation and revival, that America will turn back to God!
  • Pray against the Spiritual Strongholds of Darkness over our City, State, and Nation
  • Pray for racial equality, justice, national unity, national Shalom, Peace and national healing!
  • Pray for leaders to arise in the greater body of Messiah to lead America into truth & righteousness!
  • Pray for an end to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
  • Pray against rebellion and anarchy in America!
  • Pray for the release of the One New Man to sweep across this nation!

Etrog Lulav

Etrog Lulav

By Eric Carlson in September-3 on August 1, 2022

As I shared in our September Newsletter greeting September is the month we begin the celebration of the High Holy Days the Fall Feasts! September is the month that we order our Etrog and Lulav sets for our Sukkot celebrations!  The command to celebrate Sukkot with the Etrog and Lulav is recorded in:

Leviticus 23:40-43. (CJB) On the first day you are to take choice fruit (Fruit of the Hadar Tree), palm fronds, thick branches and river-willows, and celebrate in the presence of ADONAI your God for seven days. 41 You are to observe it as a feast to ADONAI seven days in the year; it is a permanent regulation, generation after generation; keep it in the seventh month. 42 You are to live in sukkot for seven days; every citizen of Isra’el is to live in a sukkah, 43 so that generation after generation of you will know that I made the people of Isra’el live in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt; I am ADONAI your God.'”

Leviticus 23:40 mentions the “fruit of the beautiful Hadar tree” as the choice fruit required for use combined with the various branches collectively known as the Etrog and Lulav used during the Feast of Tabernacles. According to tradition, the “fruit of the tree Hadar” refers to the citron. The citron is the ancient, original citrus fruit from which many modern day citrus fruit came from. Citron is the root word for the modern day word citrus.

The Egyptologist and archaeologist Victor Loret identified citrons depicted on the walls of the botanical garden at the Karnak Temple, which dates back to the time of Thutmosis III, approximately 3,500 years ago. Citron was also cultivated in Sumer as early as the 3rd millennium BC. The Greek Philosopher Theophrastus wrote of the Citron around 300 B.C.: “The fruit is not eaten, but is very fragrant, as is also the leaf of the tree; and the fruit is put among clothes, it keeps them from being moth-eaten. It is also useful when one has drunk deadly poison, for when it is administered in wine; it upsets the stomach and brings up the poison. It is also useful to improve the breath, for if one boils the inner part of the fruit in a dish or squeezes it into the mouth in some other medium, it makes the breath more pleasant.”

Citron was also described by Pliny the Elder, who called it nata Assyria malus. The following is from his book Natural History:

“There is another tree also with the same name of “citrus,” and bears a fruit that is held by some persons in particular dislike for its smell and remarkable bitterness; while, on the other hand, there are some who esteem it very highly. This tree is used as an ornament to houses; it requires, however, no further description.

The citron tree, called the Assyrian, and by some the Median apple, is an antidote against poisons. The leaf is similar to that of the arbute, except that it has small prickles running across it. As to the fruit, it is never eaten, but it is remarkable for its extremely powerful smell, which is the case, also, with the leaves; indeed, the odour is so strong, that it will penetrate clothes, when they are once impregnated with it, and hence it is very useful in repelling the attacks of noxious insects.

The tree bears fruit at all seasons of the year; while some is falling off, other fruit is ripening, and other, again, just bursting into birth. Various nations have attempted to naturalize this tree among them, for the sake of its medical properties, by planting it in pots of clay, with holes drilled in them, for the purpose of introducing the air to the roots; and I would here remark, once for all, that it is as well to remember that the best plan is to pack all slips of trees that have to be carried to any distance, as close together as they can possibly be placed.

It has been found, however, that this tree will grow nowhere except in Media or Persia. It is this fruit, the pips of which, as we have already mentioned, the Parthian grandees employ in seasoning their ragouts, as being peculiarly conducive to the sweetening of the breath. We find no other tree very highly commended that is produced in Media.

Citrons, either the pulp of them or the pips, are taken in wine as an antidote to poisons. A decoction of citrons, or the juice extracted from them, is used as a gargle to impart sweetness to the breath. The pips of this fruit are recommended for pregnant women to chew when affected with qualmishness. Citrons are good, also, for a weak stomach, but it is not easy to eat them except with vinegar.”

The four species together are called in Hebrew: ארבעת המינים arba’at ha-minim, the four plants collectively (Citron, Palm Frond, Willow, and Myrtle) mentioned in the Torah (Leviticus 23:40) as being relevant to worshipping Adonai during Sukkot.  The three branches are bound together called the Lulav! The bundle is bound together with strips from another palm frond or bound in a special holder which is also woven from palm fronds.

The “Etrog,” the Citron, and Lulav have some profound spiritual symbolism. The Citron resemble in its shape, the heart, the driving force behind all our actions. The “Lulav,” the Palm Branch, resembles the spine, which holds the body together and, without which, we would be unable to move. The Myrtle Branches, resemble, in their almond-shape, the eyes, with which we behold God’s Word and the Willow Branches, resemble the lips, with which we give expression to our thoughts and feelings while speaking the Word in power.  These four implements held together reveal that a person should devote all of his-or- her strength, abilities, and heart in devotion to Adonai and His Service.

Symbolically, the four species represent the four kinds of people that make up a Messianic congregation or community.

1) The Etrog or Citron, a tasty fruit which also has a pleasant aroma, represents the righteous believer who have both Torah (Bible) knowledge and good deeds (or works).

 2) The Lulav, or branch of a date palm, produces a sweet fruit, but has no aroma or fragrance. This represents the believer who has Torah knowledge but is lacking in good deeds (a hearer of the word, but not a doer). He is deficient in good works.

 3) Then the Hassidim, or sweet-smelling Myrtle, are the believers who have good deeds, don’t have much knowledge of the word — these people do good works, but are deficient in, or deny Torah. The majority of the people of Israel may fall into this category.

 4) Finally, there is the Willow, or Aaravot. This species grows near the water, and needs water, but is odorless and tasteless — representing those believers who are lacking in both Torah and good deeds. Yet they have potential, they are planted at the right place!

All four types of people can be found in a typical Messianic congregation. Thus, the Lulav symbolizes the totality of the “One New Humanity” of Ephesians Chapter 2. Brotherly love and fellowship with everyone loving and helping one another in unity, striving toward the same goals: Fulfillment of Torah to the best of their abilities, bearing witness of Yeshua, and proclaiming the “Good News” to all humankind!

All that we do is done to Glorify Adonai as Sha’ul wrote:

I Corinthians 10:31. (CJB) Well, whatever you do, whether it’s eating or drinking or anything else, do it all so as to bring glory to God.

Additionally Sha’ul wrote:

Colossians 3:17. That is, everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

This understanding is a full-time commission, a full-time job whether we are celebrating the Feast Days or living our everyday lives!

On Sukkot, we bind all the branches together – Willows, Palm Fronds, and Myrtles.  We hold this bundle in our right hand, and then lift them together with the choice fruit represented by the Esrog in our left hand. We then shake them all together, three times in each of the cardinal directions starting towards the East then upwards towards heaven then downward towards the earth.

Holding these four in a tight bond represents the unity that is God’s goal for His People. This bond represents the convergence of separate individuals into a unified people, a One New Humanity, with common vision, common goal, and common purpose for service and ministry unto our King. The four species also represent the Name of God. Aravah (Willow), Hadas (Myrtle), Lulav (Palm) and Etrog represent Yud-Heh-Vav-Heh, the four-letter tetragrammaton Name of Adonai.

Again, the key here regarding the Etrog, Lulav, and Sukkot is unity. As we say everyday in the Shema prayer: “God is One.” Being aware of this keeps our focus upon Him and helps us to deal with the trials and issues of everyday life. When we relate to Adonai’s unity, we come closer to achieving joy and victory in this world. As we daily wave the Etrog and Lulav in the six directions we recite this blessing:

“Baruch ata Adonoy, Elo-heinu Melech ha’olam, asher kid’shanu bi’mitzvo-sav, vi’tzivanu al ni-tilas lulav.”

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe, who sanctified us with His mitzvot, and instructed us to raise up the Lulav.

The command to waive the “Lulav,” is a time-honored biblical expression of worship for all of God’s children, Jew and Gentile alike! There are propound spiritual lessons we learn through our obedience in performing this mitzvah today as Ya’acov stated in:

James 1:22. Don’t deceive yourselves by only hearing what the Word says, but do it!

The main, foundational understanding of Sukkot and the Etrog & Lulav waving is simply the lesson of unity, that the children of God be echad. As we joyously perform this mitzvah together, as the body of the Messiah, we do so in spiritual unity, one in Messiah! A reminder that we are in this spiritual struggle and fight together — we need each other — and we must help one another. As King David wrote:

Psalm 133:1-3. (CJB) A song of ascents. By David: Oh, how good, how pleasant it is for brothers to live together in harmony. 2 It is like fragrant oil on the head that runs down over the beard, over the beard of Aharon, and flows down on the collar of his robes. 3 It is like the dew of Hermon that settles on the mountains of Tziyon. For it was there that ADONAI ordained the blessing of everlasting life.

As you prepare for the Fall Feasts to enter His presence, may you minister to Adonai with clean hands and a pure heart! I pray you have a radical God encounter with Him these high holy days. May you see His face and hear His voice as we rehearse the soon return of Yeshua, our groom for us His bride! Chag Sameach, Happy Holidays!

Prevent Truth Decay

Prevent Truth Decay

By Eric Carlson in July 2022, July-3 on July 1, 2022

From the book “Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus” Authors David Blivin’s and Roy Blizzard Jr. “The more Hebraic the saying or teaching of Yeshua the more difficult it is to understand….Most of Yeshua’s sayings are Hebrew idioms which do not translate into Greek”  The synoptic Gospels are derived from original Hebrew texts. Hebraic Idioms become meaningless when translated into Greek then English. In spite of the fact that some of the letters were initially written in Greek, the background and setting is thoroughly Hebrew. The writers are Hebrew, the culture is Hebrew, the religion is Hebrew, the traditions are Hebrew, and the concepts are Hebrew.  The Old Testament is 78% of the bible and the New Testament is 22%. Of course, the Tanach, the Old Testament is Hebrew and 43% of the New Testament was written originally in Hebrew, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and Acts 1-15 which is 43% of the New Testament, of the entire Bible, 88% is written in Hebrew! If you subtract the 176 quotations in the Brait Chadesha, the New Testament taken from the Tanach, the Old Testament, the Hebrew portion rises to 90%. Wonder why all this Greek stuff doesn’t make any sense, Its all Greek to me!

Eusebius stated emphatically that Matthew was written in Hebrew then translated to Greek. Jerome stated in 400 AD that all of Matthew was written in Hebrew and that in his time the original text still survived at the library in Caesarea. Jerome lived that last 31 years of his life in Jerusalem as he wanted to be closer to Adonai and read the original text in Hebrew. This original copy was destroyed when the library burned down in the great 4th century earthquake! This then reveals why the term Jehovah is never found in scripture and is actually a dangerous term to use.

Let’s break down the term Jehovah.  Je is Germanic/Latin for the Hebrew Yah.  There is no “J” in the Hebrew language, so the Germanic Latin equivalent of the vowel “Y” is “J”. Hova is a Hebrew word that means ruin/destroy (Strong’s Ref# 1943). Every time you say Jehovah Your saying God Destroys!  Jehovah Jira-God ruins/destroys my provision, Jehovah Perizim-God ruins/destroys my breakthrough! The term Jehovah was invented by a German scribe in the 16th century when unsure of how to correctly translate Yah from the Hebrew Text.

I Peter 3:10 – For “Whoever wants to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

We must use caution in what we use as resources in the Kingdom, deception abounds! This is critical as Father desires those who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth!

The Shofar

The Shofar

By Eric Carlson in July 2022, July-1 on July 1, 2022

Genesis chapter 22 is the source of the ancient rabbinical explanation of the Shofar’s beginning. When Abraham took Isaac to be sacrificed, an Angel appeared and stopped Abraham just before he sacrificed Isaac.  God provided the sacrifice, a ram caught in a thicket.  Here’s the tradition as retold by Jewish sages:  After sacrificing the ram, Abraham took one horn of the ram to remember this day and God took the other. Abraham was known to make altars, to keep reminders of whenever and wherever he met God.  He would go back and visit those places. Though this is an interesting story about Avraham it is not scriptural but the Shofar is!  The first mention of the Shofar in Torah is found in:

Exodus 19:12-17.  You are to set limits for the people all around; and say, ‘Be careful not to go up on the mountain or even touch its base; whoever touches the mountain will surely be put to death. 13 No hand is to touch him; for he must be stoned or shot by arrows; neither animal nor human will be allowed to live.’ When the shofar sounds, they may go up on the mountain.” 14 Moshe went down from the mountain to the people and separated the people for God, and they washed their clothing. 15 He said to the people, “Prepare for the third day; don’t approach a woman.” 16 On the morning of the third day, there was thunder, lightning and a thick cloud on the mountain. Then a shofar blast sounded so loudly that all the people in the camp trembled. 17 Moshe brought the people out of the camp to meet God; they stood near the base of the mountain.

The Shofar is a spiritual instrument that announces the arrival of God and calls in God’s Glory! The Shofar is a warfare instrument.  The Shofar is symbolic of obedience to God!  Shofars are made from the horns of the ram, mountain goat, kudu, antelope, and oryx.  Because of the Golden Calf incident, a bull’s horn is never kosher for a Shofar. The Shofar grew louder announcing the presence of Adonai.

Exodus 19:19. As the sound of the shofar grew louder and louder, Moshe spoke; and God answered him with a voice.

We are commanded to sound the Shofar on Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets):

Leviticus 23:24. “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘In the seventh month, the first of the month is to be for you a day of complete rest for remembering, a holy convocation announced with blasts on the shofar.

The sound of the Shofar staggers and confuses HaSatan who at the first sounding thinks that we are merely complying with the command to blow the Shofar – the second blowing he (HaSatan) thinks it might be the return of Messiah as we know from:

Matthew 24:30-31. “Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, all the tribes of the Land will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with tremendous power and glory. 31 He will send out His angels with a great Shofar; and they will gather together His chosen people from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.”

A translation error from Hebrew to Greek has trumpet being used in most bible translations vice Shofar. There were two silver trumpets that were in the Temple but there were rarely used. The reemergence of the Shofar in the Greater Body of Messiah is a sign of restoration and revival!

Judges 7:15-22 tells the story of Gideon’s obedience and the destruction of the Midianite army by the Israeli army upon the great blast of 300 Shofars! Joshua chapter 6 relates the story of Israel walking around Jericho six times (six being the number of man, man can’t do anything on his own but, seven, the number of the Holy Spirit shows us how God is the only way anything can get done) with incessant Shofar blowing and absolutely no talking then on the seventh 7th time they blow the Shofars and all the people shout at the top of their lungs, the walls of Jericho come crashing down! We see that the Shofar is used in spiritual warfare!

Ephesians 6:12-13.  For we are not struggling against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities and cosmic powers governing this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm. 13 So take up every piece of war equipment God provides; so that when the evil day comes, you will be able to resist; and when the battle is won, you will still be standing.

Job 2:2 reveals that HaSatan (devil) is walking this earth! I Peter 5:8 says the Devil is roaming about waiting to devour (us!) like a Lion! These passages show us that HaSatan, the enemy does in fact roam the earth!  So based on the knowledge given us in the second paragraph of this article, when we blow the Shofar the first time the enemy thinks that we are being obedient and blowing the Shofar as God commands in Leviticus but on the second blast the enemy thinks the Messiah is coming, so he flees before us. This is why we start every service by sounding the Shofar, we sound the shofar in home dedications, and on all the feast days except Yom Kippur! At the final shofar the dead will be raised!

I Corinthians 15:52. It will take but a moment, the blink of an eye, at the final shofar. For the shofar will sound, and the dead will be raised to live forever, and we too will be changed.

The establishment of the Messianic Reign and Yeshua’s return to earth is heralded by the sounding of the Shofar!

I Thessalonians 4:16. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a rousing cry, with a call from one of the ruling angels, and with God’s shofar; those who died united with the Messiah will be the first to rise;

Blowing the Shofar while praying over a brother or sister opens the heavens and clears a path for those prayers. Blowing of the Shofar when beginning any type of service will clear the space of any presence of the enemy. God’s glory descends on the sounding of the Shofar! The Shofar is also a powerful intercessory prayer instrument used by watchman and prayer warriors alike! Each Watchman had a shofar, there were hundreds of calls! They would announce sunrise and sunset with the shofar! They would sound the shofar if an enemy approached, they sounded the Shofar in war, they would sound the shofar to begin and end Shabbat! The Shofar is a heavenly communication tool.

TEN REASONS WE BLOW THE SHOFAR.

  1. When we hear the shofar we are to remember God’s Kingship. In ancient Israel the new king’s reign was announced with the shofar (1 Kings 1:34). When we blow the shofar we remember that Yeshua is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and we are to be obedient subjects.

  1. When we hear the shofar we are to remember to be God’s worshippers. God seeks those who will worship Him in spirit and in truth. The Shofar is used in worship and in fact heads the list of instruments in Psalm 150, which are used to worship God. “Praise Him with the Shofar.”

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember our need to repent. The Shofar signaled the approach of danger. We are in danger without repentance. “Blow a Shofar in Zion and sound an alarm on my holy mountain… consecrate a fast, proclaim a solemn assembly. Return to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, weeping and mourning, and rend your heart and not your garments” (Joel 2:1, 12- 13).

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember the faithfulness of the Patriarch. The Shofar is made from a ram’s horn. It reminds us of the Akedah, the binding and Abraham’s intended sacrifice of Isaac. Because of this act of faith, God promised to bless the Jewish people and give us victory over our enemies. The Shofar is a reminder of our covenant with God because of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember the binding of Messiah Yeshua, our ultimate Akedah. Abraham prophesied that God would provide for Himself the Lamb for the burnt offering (Genesis 22:8). Messiah Yeshua was offered up as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world on that same spot two thousand years later.

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember the Shofar that accompanied the revelation of the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai, and that all Scripture is divinely inspired by God.

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember the battle alarm for war. “Near is the great day of the L-rd, near and coming very quickly… a day of Shofar and battle cry” (Zephaniah 1:14-16). Messiah will return and fight during the greatest battle of all time, the battle of Armageddon. We are in the middle of a battle that has been raging for the soul of humanity. HaSatan and his fallen angels are fighting for people to share their destiny. Messiah Yeshua is fighting for people to share His eternal destiny.

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to remember our resurrection that will take place at Messiah’s return when the Shofar blows (1 Corinthians 15:52, 1 Thessalonians 4:16).

  1. When we hear the Shofar we are to be reminded of Aliya, our people’s restoration to the Land of Israel. Messiah Yeshua will gather all of Israel’s exiles.

Isaiah 27:13.  On that day a great shofar will sound. Those lost in the land of Ashur will come, also those scattered through the land of Egypt; and they will worship ADONAI on the holy mountain in Yerushalayim.

  1. When we sound the Shofar we are asking God to remember us. The sounding of the Shofar is like a prayer that ascends to God’s throne saying, “O Lord, may the sound of our Shofar ascend before Your throne. Remember Your covenants, forgive us, save us, and deliver us.” As an instrument of proclamation, announcing the presence or coming of the Lord.

Shofar Scriptures

Catalyst of the fear of the Lord                                       Ex.19:16, 20:18

God hears and answers prayers                                      Ex. 19:19

Reminder of taking rest-                                               Lev. 23:24

Command to the Priests                                                Num. 10:8

Essential in going to war                                               Num. 10:9, 31:6

Blown in offering sacrifice (Now praise and Worship)          Num. 10:10

To be blown constantly in battle                                     Josh. 6:8-9

Precedes the shout                                                       Josh. 6:16, 6-20

Blown while on a journey                                              Judg. 3:27

Evidence of the Spirit of the Lord

Coming upon you                                                         Judg. 6:34

Corporate blowing is powerful                                        Judg. 7:8,20,22

Blown by leadership to get attention

Of God’s people                                                           I Sam. 13:3

To cease from warfare                                                  II Sam. 2:28

Blown during installation and anointing

of leadership                                                               I Kings 1:34

To accompany the dethroning of

wicked leaders                                                            II Kings 11:14

Instrument used during great celebrations                               I Chr. 13:8

God ascends in it’s blowing                                            Ps. 47:5

Priestly instrument of praise and worship                         II Chr. 29:26,28

                                                                                Ps. 10:3, Ps. 98:6

                                                                                II Sam. 6:15,

                                                                                Isaiah 27:13.

A powerful catalyst to bring God’s Glory                           II Chr. 5:13

To sound when being attacked                                       II Chr. 13:14

Blown when building                                                     Ezra. 3:10

The alarm of war                                                         Jer. 4:19

Rallies the people for battle                                           Neh. 4:20

It arouses God for Battle                                               Job 39:24-25

Prophetic warning for God’s people                                 Ezek. 33:3-4

Blown as a standard is being raised                                Isaiah 18:3

Blown in fleeing for safety                                             Jer. 6:1

A sound for the watchman                                            Jer. 6:17

The rebellious refuse it’s warning                                    Jer. 42:13-14

Consecrating a fast                                                      Joel 2:15

God Himself blows it!!!!!!!!                                             Zech. 9:14

Gives commands to angelic hosts                                   Matt. 24:31

Blown by angelic hosts                                                  Rev. 8:6

When blown the dead will be raised                                I Cor. 15:52

The Lord descends in it’s sound                                      I Thes. 4:16

Sounds like the voice of God                                          Rev. 1:10, 4:1

Finally, the sounding of the Shofar Heralds the Day of the Lord:

Joel 2:1. “Blow the shofar in Tziyon! Sound an alarm on my holy mountain!” Let all living in the land tremble, for the Day of ADONAI is coming! It’s upon us!

Until the Shofar Sounds again, be blessed!

Rabbi Eric S Carlson

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for July 2022

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for July 2022

By Eric Carlson in July 2022, July-2 on July 1, 2022

Shalom Mishpocha!

It’s July, summer has arrived! We are halfway through this year, where is the time going? The Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (M.J.A.A) annual “Messiah Conference” begins this Sunday July 3rd at Messiah College in Grantham PA. Monday, July 4th, 2022. Congregation Zion’s Sake offices will be closed in observance of Independence Day! The United States Declaration of Independence is the pronouncement adopted by the Second Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 4, 1776. Enacted during the American Revolution, the Declaration explains why the Thirteen Colonies were at war with the Kingdom of Great Britain and that they regarded themselves as thirteen independent sovereign states, no longer under British rule. With the Declaration of Independence, these new states took a collective first step in forming the United States of America. The declaration was made to guarantee equal rights for every person!

As you celebrate Independence Day this year, please pray for no traffic fatalities across the entire Commonwealth of Virginia over this three-day weekend! Say a prayer of thanks for those who have served and are currently serving in our military preserving our freedoms and way of life! As believers, we can thank Adonai for both physical and spiritual freedom in Yeshua. As you enjoy the Fourth of July festivities, celebrating our nation’s freedom, thank Adonai for the deliverance and freedom from sin He has given us through His Son, Yeshua, and for the new, abundant life we have in Him.

We are also entering into prime hurricane season! It’s time to prepare and get ready, not only for hurricane season but for the chaotic times we live in! I’ve been sharing articles on our social media of current events. I do so not to invoke fear but to make you aware so that you may prepare! Here is a profound biblical example of why:

I Kings 17:12-16. She answered, “As ADONAI your God lives, I have nothing baked, only a handful of meal in a pot and a little oil in the jug. Here I am, gathering a couple sticks of wood, so that I can go and cook it for myself and my son. After we have eaten that, we will die.”13 Eliyahu said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go; and do what you said; but first, use a little of it to make me a small loaf of bread; and bring it out to me. After that, make food for yourself and your son. 14 For this is what ADONAI the God of Isra’el, says: ‘The pot of meal will not get used up, nor will there fail to be oil in the jug, until the day ADONAI sends rain down on the land.'”15 She went and acted according to what Eliyahu had said; and she, he and her household had food to eat for a long time. 16 The pot of meal did not get used up, nor did there fail to be oil in the jug, in fulfillment of the word of ADONAI spoken through Eliyahu.

There is a powerful mystery revealed here! Israel was in the midst of a severe famine due to their sin, idolatry, and apostasy from Adonai! People were dying of starvation! Yet when the widow was obedient to the word of Adonai, she and her son had enough provision to make it through the famine!! What supplies she had didn’t run out! The key is that she had something! This is why I have a great passion for people to get ready and be prepared! Adonai uses multiplication in the Kingdom! One million times zero equals zero! One million times one is one million! We must have something, a base or foundation so that He can multiply what we do have!!! This is a profound revelation for us today living in similar circumstances! Here is a very basic list of items to have on hand in case of any emergency.

  1. Several Flashlights.
  2. An ample supply of Lithium batteries (lithium lasts longer).
  3. A good first aid kit.
  4. Water, One gallon per person per day.
  5. Candles with matches/lighters.
  6. Emergency canned food that is high in protein such as Beans, Peanut Butter, Beef stew. Items that have a long shelf life, are ready to eat, and need no preparation. At least a three-day supply per person (I recommend a 30-day supply).
  7. An emergency self-powered radio that can be charged with a hand crank or solar charged.
  8. Make sure you have any prescription medicines you need on hand!
  9. A whistle (to signal for help)
  10. Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
  11. Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
  12. Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
  13. Manual can opener (for food)
  14. Local maps
  15. Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

Additional items to consider:

  1. Infant formula and diapers.
  2. Pet food, water, and supplies for your pet.
  3. Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a portable waterproof container.
  4. Cash and change – ATM machines will not be functioning without electricity.
  5. Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  6. Complete change of clothing including a long-sleeved shirt, long pants and sturdy shoes. Consider additional clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.
  7. Fire Extinguisher.
  8. Feminine supplies, personal hygiene items and hand sanitizer.
  9. Mess kits, Paper cups, plates and disposable utensils, paper towels.
  10. Paper and pencil.
  11. Books, games, puzzles, or other activities for children.
  12. Generator with gasoline. The week before a hurricane enters our area you will not find a generator in any store, anywhere in our area! The time to buy a generator is now if you are considering purchasing one!
  13. VHF/UHF handheld radios for communication with friends and family. Cell phones and cell towers often do not work in times of emergency.

This is a very basic list, adapt it for your own personal preferences and needs! I also recommend that you have a resource to defend and protect yourself and your family. In times of catastrophes such as New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 there we’re no emergency services (police or EMS) for almost 30 days. Gather extra supplies to share! Being prepared is a supernatural opportunity during any emergency to be a blessing to others. Whether that is providing information, know-how skills, or actual supplies or food, being prepared can spread the love and salvation of Yeshua during stressful times. In the extremely unlikely event that all communication is down Congregation Zion’s Sake has an FM transmitter and a 15ft Antenna that has approx. a 12-mile broadcast radius from our offices. We will broadcast on 99.5 FM pertinent and emergency information to your emergency radio.

James 2:15-17. Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, 16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? 17 Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.

As Believers, we should always be prepared (Remember the ten bridesmaids in Matthew 25? Five were prepared and five weren’t), aware of our surroundings, and paying attention to what is happening in the world around us. Remember, acts of kindness open eyes of blindness!

As we enjoy the summer sun, gather for picnics and barbeques, enjoy the beach and warm ocean, and take our well-deserved vacations-be safe, spend daily time in prayer and worship, and above all else seek Adonai in all that we do! As recorded in Proverbs:

Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in ADONAI with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths

May Adonai bless you and keep you!

Blessings and Shalom,

Rabbi and Rebbitzen Carlson

What is Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

What is Bar/Bat Mitzvah?

By Eric Carlson in June 2022, newsletter-post on June 1, 2022

Bar mitzvah means son of the commandments in Hebrew and bat mitzvah means daughter of the commandments. A bar/bat mitzvah signifies the transition from childhood to adulthood in their walk and relationship with Adonai! There are three scriptures that are associated with this ceremony about teaching the children:

Proverbs 22:6. Teach your children to choose the right path, and when they are older, they will remain upon it.

Ecclesiastes 3:1. A season is set for everything, a time for every experience under heaven.

Deuteronomy 6:4-7. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! 5 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. 6 “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. 7 You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

The heart of our relationship with Adonai is expressed in the above passage of Torah. To teach our children the affirmation of God’s uniqueness, the duty to teach obedience loyalty to Adonai through performance of Mitzvot’s (commands) coupled with the acceptance and salvation of Messiah Yeshua! The purpose of the commandments is to keep our lives focused on what’s truly important: family, community, and an intimate relationship with God.

The formal ceremony celebrating a child’s transition into young adult hood has evolved over time. In Luke 2 we read of a 12 year old Yeshua in the Temple Courtyard;

Luke 2:46-47. Temple court among the rabbis, not only listening to them but questioning what they said; 47 and everyone who heard him was astonished at his insight and his responses.

Today at 13, the child is considered fully responsible for their actions and behavior, accountable to God for their sins. Bar and Bat Mitzvah represents a passage into the teen years and early adult hood. Although generally a 13-year-old is not considered a full adult, the spiritual emphasis of the ceremony connected with Bar/Bat Mitzvah is the teenager’s willingness to pursue Torah, seek the will of God for their life, and accept and follow Yeshua, becoming a member of the believing community. Though typically perform at the age of 13, there is no age limit to do a Bar/Bat Mitzvah.

Bar/Bat Mitzvah celebrates the following values in the child’s life:

  1. Educational achievement:  The Bar/Bat Mitzvah has mastered a significant understanding of the word of God and can share the fruits of their study publicly
  2. Inter-generational links to family members: The parents celebrate this day as well as a sign of the child’s willingness to follow in their paths of seeking God and God’s will in their life.  Relatives participate in the ceremony as a connection to the past and a guide in the future.
  3. Acceptance of Commitment: The Bar/Bat Mitzvah pledges to take a personal stand to live by responsible and moral standards as prescribed and outlined in the Word of God. To live in accordance with Biblical traditions, culture, and faith. To set a Godly example to others and share the saving news of Messiah Yeshua.
  4. To perform Tzedakah (charity). The Bar/Bat Mitzvah candidate is required to do a Mitzvah-Mitzvah! They must research and find a charity to raise funds for and support a good, godly cause! This is how they learn Tzedakah!

The bar mitzvah boy or bat mitzvah girl is called up to the Torah (called an Aliyah in Hebrew, ascension, rise up) wearing their brand-new Tallit to recite the blessings and read from the Torah in Hebrew! These skills have taken a year of learning, studying, and practice to obtain. Keep in mind that services vary widely from congregation to congregation, depending on a synagogue’s leadership and its unique customs or traditions. After reading from the Torah, they share a drosh, a teaching, or word about what they just read and how it will applies to their life. Once the ceremony and drosh are complete, the boy or girl is now considered an adult in the eyes of Congregation! The ceremony ends with their proclamation of: “Today I become a man” or “Today I become a woman”! They are now a member of the Congregation.

After the service friends and family will be invited to attend a reception, a party that will have food, dancing, speeches, and entertainment to celebrate their milestone achievement. Common bar/bat mitzvah gifts include religious and educational books, jewelry, gift certificates, or money. Gifts involving money are traditionally given in multiples of eighteen because in Hebrew the word “Chai”, life corresponds to the number eighteen. Any money received is intended to be saved and used for college or to further the adult’s education.

In Messianic Judaism the Bar/Bat Mitzvah does not represent the culmination of one’s biblical education, but rather a stepping-stone to a more mature, deeper relationship with Adonai in Yeshua! It means taking responsibility for their actions and behaviors, using Torah as their guide, to have a biblical world view because that is the mandate of a child of God. Success in achieving these goals is what we wish for the Bar/Bat Mitzvah, and the beginning of that journey is what we honor in this joyous celebration.

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for June 2022

Rabbi & Rebbetzin’s Greetings for June 2022

By Eric Carlson in June 2022, newsletter-post on June 1, 2022

Shalom Mishpocha,

 

June has arrived, the weather is warming up, schools are letting out for the summer, vacations are being planned, and summer arrives on June 21st with the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year! June is a transition month, leaving spring and entering the summer season! Adonai designed transitions for a kingdom purpose. Transitions aren’t just change but are a series of events designed to move you, us, your business, ministry, Kehillat, the greater Body of Messiah, even the nation in a divine new direction. Our lives in the Kingdom of Adonai are one of transition, the Kingdom is always moving. Adonai uses periods of transition to birth restoration, revivals, awakenings, to shift history, to establish His will and dominion on earth, to guide, direct, and launch us into our prophetic future and destiny!

We’ll be celebrating Shavuot in just a few days! The Feast’s serve as divine guideposts while we’re passing through here! They let you know you are on the right course, the true path towards our creator, not going in circles or getting lost in the journey. Leviticus, along with the rest of Torah keeps you from falling prey to deception, falsehood, apostasy, and separation from God’s presence! The Moedim, the Feasts mark heavenly transitions, supernatural paradigm shifts, phase shifts that herald a change of time and seasons! Keeping the feasts ensures a proper, heavenly, Kingdom alignment. Shavuot is the commemoration of the divine revelation of God’s oracles given at Mt. Sinai, the fulfillment of the Passover Experience. Passover’s true freedom isn’t experienced until Mt Sinai with the revelation of God and His divine word! Until Mt Sinai God only spoke to Moshe! Now all Israel would Shema, hear God’s voice! It was at Mt. Sinai that Israel (the mixed crowd) entered a free will covenant with God. Torah teaches us how to live as a free people. 1,700 years after the first Mt Sinai experience the Ruach HaKodesh is given in the upper room on the same Moedim. This First Shavuot at Mt Sinai betrothed Israel unto Adonai! The second Shavuot experience 2,000 years ago through Yeshua betrothed the Gentiles unto Adonai! We were given the Ruach HaKodesh so we could live, walk, and move in unity, in one accord, Echad as Jew and Gentile, “One New Humanity”! Let us prepare to celebrate Shavuot with anticipation and great expectation, may we experience a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit! May we experience revival this Shavuot!

June 19 is Juneteenth (also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day). On this day in 1865, Union General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation aloud in Galveston, Texas, effectively liberating enslaved people in the state, which had thus far been beyond control of the Union Army. Juneteenth became nationally recognized as a Federal Holiday June 16th 2021! It’s a small step on a long journey of racial healing and reconciliation!

II Corinthians 5:18-19. And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation, 19 which is that God in the Messiah was reconciling mankind to himself, not counting their sins against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.

We will conquer and defeat racism, prejudice, and Anti-Semitism through focused intentionality, active dialogue, relationship, fellowship, and the Blood of Yeshua coupled with the Holy Spirit! We have a biblical mandate to do so, “entrusting to us the message of reconciliation”! Racism and prejudice are taught, not inherited! It won’t just go away! But that which was taught can be untaught, we are all made in the image of Adonai!

We pray that your summer be a joyous one with friends and family! We thank Adonai for the sun in the sky, the cool sea water, and the sand on the beach. We pray you find rest in the cooling shade of Adonai’s glorious presence this summer! Be safe and don’t forget the sunscreen!

Blessings and Shalom,

Rabbi and Rebbitzen Carlson

Omer and Yeshua’s Ascension

Omer and Yeshua’s Ascension

By Eric Carlson in May 2022, newsletter-post on April 28, 2022

Why do we count the Omer-Because It’s Mitzvah-it’s commanded by Adonai:

Leviticus 23:15-17.  “‘From the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, count off seven full weeks. 16 Count off fifty days up to the day after the seventh Sabbath, and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord. 17 From wherever you live, bring two loaves made of two-tenths of an ephah (Omer) of fine flour, baked with yeast, as a wave offering of firstfruits to the Lord.

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The “omer” is a designated measure, which is one-tenth of an ephah.  An ephah is about one bushel so an omer is about two quarts. (not precise but fairly accurate). Bringing of the ‘omer is one of the most important observances. It’s considered a repayment to God for the manna given in the wilderness, of which every Israelite collected the measure of an “Omer” daily!

The Omer is the counting of the 49 days until Shavuot (which means weeks).  The Omer served as a countdown to the wheat harvest celebration, Shavuot. The Omer was also the period of Courtship between God and Israel after the Exodus, establishing relationship! While in Slavery Adonai did not talk to or reveal Himself to them until Mount Sinai!  This 50-day period is one of building relationship! The Omer is counted for 49 days, 7 weeks of seven plus one which comes to 50 (Letter Nun) which is Yovel, complete freedom. 

The Symmetry of the Omer count (7X7) reveals a higher degree of Holiness that is required to come into God’s presence at Mount Sinai and experience the great forthcoming revelation, First the Torah and second, the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem!  The Omer is the connection, the link between the liberation from Slavery in Egypt and true freedom that would be experienced and received at Mount Sinai with the giving of the Torah then the Ruach HaKodesh some 1,700 years later!  The Omer is the countdown to the harvest! There is a verse tucked in here regarding this season:

Leviticus 23:22. “‘When you harvest the ripe crops produced in your land, don’t harvest all the way to the corners of your field, and don’t gather the ears of grain left by the harvesters; leave them for the poor and the foreigner; I am ADONAI your God.'”

God provisioned in His oracles given at Mount Sinai a covenant promise for the poor and the Gentiles in the original covenant promise to the Jewish people, the reconciliation between Jew and Gentile, the One New Man has been His plan all along. The story of Ruth, a gentile Moabite woman is a harvest Story.  Why?  Leviticus 23:22. The edges of the fields are not harvested.  The blessings are left for the poor and foreigner, the Gehr, a non-Jew who is following the God of Israel.  When Ruth’s Jewish husband died Naomi told her and Orpah to go home to their own Moabite people, three times, but Ruth knew better:

Ruth 1:16-17. But Rut said, “Don’t press me to leave you and stop following you; for wherever you go, I will go; and wherever you stay, I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God will be my God. 17 Where you die, I will die; and there I will be buried. May ADONAI bring terrible curses on me, and worse ones as well, if anything but death separates you and me.”

Ruth powerfully and graphically reveals several things here.  First her profound words to Naomi defines and establishes the Gentile (Church’s) call and relationship with Israel!  Second, Ruth’s story isn’t just about supporting, standing with, and loving Israel! It’s about committed relationship! The result of Ruth’s covenant relationship with Naomi (who refers to Ruth as her daughter) is a wedding to Boaz, a kinsman redeemer which results in a birth!  Oved, who begot Yishai, the father of King David who was a man after Adonai’s own heart-the result of covenant relationship between a Jew (Boaz) and a Moabite Gentile, (Ruth)!!  Adonai established King David’s reign and rule forever as the Davidic Kingdom, preparing for the coming Messiah who would be of the lineage of David and the tribe of Judah-establishing David’s throne forever:

II Samuel 7:16. Thus your house and your kingdom will be made secure forever before you; your throne will be set up forever.'”

We as the greater body will not experience the return of the supernatural, the profound presence of Adonai until we restore the Jew and Gentile relationship (As we are here in CZS)! The harvest story of Ruth personifies the prophetic promise made in:

Isaiah 56:5-6.  In my house, within my walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off.  6 “I will also bless the Gentiles who commit themselves to the LORD and serve him and love his name, who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest, and who have accepted his covenant.

Power and a name greater than sons and daughters!  Ruth, a Moabite woman is remembered forever, enshrined through a permanent book in the Bible named after her! Placing her in the direct lineage of King David and Yeshua Himself. The Key in this is Commitment.  Once you commit, once you’re fully committed it allows God to move in all manners of unforeseen divine appointments, persons, and provision manifest into your life. A lack of commitment inhibits the flow of blessings. There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in doing something, you do it only when it’s convenient! When you’re committed to something, you accept no excuses, only results! By in-grafting (Romans 11), Gentiles become grafted into the promise, joint heirs and partakers of the greater house of Israel.

Ephesians 2:14-15.  For he himself is our shalom – he has made us both one and has broken down the m’chitzah which divided us 15 by destroying in his own body the enmity occasioned by the Torah, with its commands set forth in the form of ordinances. He did this in order to create in union with himself from the two groups a single new humanity and thus make shalom (eirene {i-ray’-nay}:  state of national tranquility, exemption from the rage and havoc of war, peace between individuals, harmony, security, safety, prosperity, felicity)

Our only path to national tranquility in our nation is the release and establishment of the “One New Humanity” in our places of worship and upon the nation! The key to achieve this is recorded in Ruth! It’s the commitment to relationship! I John gives a very interesting and impactful statement of truth regarding Kingdom relationship which speaks to our national divisiveness were experiencing today in our nation:

I John 2:8-11.  Yet I am writing you a new command, and its reality is seen both in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining. 9 Anyone who claims to be in this light while his brother is still in the dark. 10 The person who keeps loving his brother remains in the light, and there is nothing in him that could make him trip. 11 But the person who hates his brother is in the dark – yes, he is walking in the dark, and he doesn’t know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.

This goes all the way back to the story of creation itself. Adonai said in Genesis 2:18 that its not good for a person to be alone! He created a companion for Adam!  The entire biblical narrative is one of relationship, of our reconciliation back to Adonai after Adam and Eve’s fall in the garden. Then, 2,000 years ago Adonai sent His Son, Yeshua to restore relationship!

Hebrews 10:24-25.  And let us keep paying attention to one another, in order to spur each other on to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting our own congregational meetings, as some have made a practice of doing, but, rather, encouraging each other. And let us do this all the more as you see the Day approaching.

This is critical as we see “The Day” approaching we must pay attention, observe, regard, understand, behold, and perceive one another! To spur, coax, spur each other to love, good deeds, and action!! And to not forgo or neglect Congregational meetings! This is so critical because coming together weekly is about relationship! Those who can’t do so have relationship issues!

Our trust requires action! Walking out, living our relationship with Adonai isn’t just words! It’s not just saying Yeshua, You are my sacrifice I receive You! It’s our deeds, our actions, it’s how we walk this out, our relationship between each other affects our relationship with Adonai! The Greater bodies refusal to live out proper, biblical defined relationship has resulted in division, disunity, and discord!  The exact opposite of what we’re told to do in:

Ephesians 4:2-3.  Always be humble, gentle and patient, bearing with one another in love, 3 and making every effort to preserve the unity the Spirit gives through the binding power of shalom.

Love is the hallmark, the benchmark of our relationship with each other and our intimate relationship with Adonai!  We are commanded by Adonai in Deuteronomy 6 “to Love the Lord our God with all of our heart, with all of our soul, and all of our strength!” And Yeshua said another like it is to love our neighbor as ourselves! We must relationally love each other!

I Peter 4:8. More than anything, keep loving each other actively; because love covers many sins.

Without love there’s no compassion! Healthy relationships make life enjoyable perhaps more than anything else. I’ve shared many times before. I’ve spent much time with terminal/hospice people!  In the end it’s not the things of this world, material wealth, it’s the relationships that people ponder and dwell upon!  It’s the broken relationships, the lost relationships that in the end people regret If your relationships are broken or shallow, your life will be empty. A poor man with a loving family and good friends is far richer than a rich man who is poor relationally.

On the Congregational level many people bounce from congregation to congregation, leaving a trail of damaged relationships behind (you’ll know them by their fruit). Sadly, loving families, genuine friendships, and healthy relationships are what humans desire most in life, yet they often elude us.  Sha’ul spoke extensively on what’s required for healthy, biblical relationships. If one routinely practices these behaviors, they’ll enjoy healthy relationships. But its not an easy pill to swallow. Developing healthy relationships requires the slaying of the flesh:

Colossians 3:5. Therefore, put to death the earthly parts of your nature – sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed (which is a form of idolatry);

We begin to see a process, a pattern revealed. One cannot change or control another person! All you can control is how you react to others. How you react is defined by these actions, these behavioral changes:

Colossians 3:7-9. True enough, you used to practice these things in the life you once lived; 8 but now, put them all away – anger, exasperation, meanness, slander and obscene talk. 9 Never lie to one another; because you have stripped away the old self, with its ways,

Remember I said previously without compassion there’s no love!

Colossians 3:12-15. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. 14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart’s decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful –

We are called to be part of a single, unified body!  These actions and behaviors are how we will remove all separation and heal the divide!! To be a single body! To walk in humility, in love which covers many sins! Rebbitzen and I love you and there is nothing you can do about it!