It’s time to re-think what is going on in Shemot/Exodus 21:7-11. This is a passage that is often used to claim that the Almighty tacitly authorizes polygamy.
The truth is that in past studies, we have taken this passage to mean that Yah acknowledged or accepted the custom of polygamy at that time.
There are some good reasons for re-evaluating this position.
Our midrash slides for this Torah portion is at the link:
Shalom, this is the last midrash in calendar year 2022. In particular, we discuss the haftorah on Ezekiel 37:15 – 28, which discusses the two sticks (Joseph and Judah) becoming one, and returning to the Land.
https://fb.watch/hMAnh9130-/
Shalom, here is Zaqen J D Kimbrell’s midrash on Torah Portion Vayeira. Please see the link below
Shalom, Torah mishpokah (Torah family)!
We are quickly closing in on the 40 days of teshuvah (repentance) which begins after sunset on this coming Shabbat (8/28/2022) and carries us through to Rosh Hashannah/Yom Teruah. This week’s Torah portion is Re’eh (See, Behold), Devarim/Deuteronomy 11:26 – 16:17. According to tradition, it was on the last day of the 5th month on the Hebrew calendar (this year, corresponding to this coming Shabbat) that Moshe carved, by Elohim’s command, two stone tablets — each a cube measuring 6x6x3 tefachim (a tefach, “handbreadth,” is approximately 3.2 inches) — to replace the two divinely-made tablets, on which the Almighty had inscribed the Ten Words (aka Ten Commandments), which Moshe had smashed upon witnessing Israel’s worship of the Golden Calf..
Starting this coming Shabbat and continuing until Hoshannah Rabbah at the end of Sukkot/Tabernacles, it is traditional to recite Psalm 27 at the end of morning and afternoon prayers. Because of this, Psalm 27 is sometime called “The High Holiday Anthem.” The Psalm begins with “ADONAI is my light.” We should recall that “light” is the overarching theme of the fall holidays. Light illuminates us, but also helps to see our sins and our flaws. However, light also enables us to see the Way out of our sins and our flaws. I encourage each of you to start a new tradition in your own life by reading Psalm 27, aloud if possible, at the end of your morning and afternoon/evening prayer time.
I hope to see you all again soon!
Blessings and Shalom,
Wayne
Shalom! We are reading through and midrashing on the Ketuvim Netzarim (Nazarene Writings) as part of a one year reading plan. We are now into the heart of the book of Hebrews in the third of four sessions this coming Shabbat: Chapters 7 – 9.
While some Messianic teachers have called into question whether or not the book of Hebrews aligns with Torah, we strongly defend it. One of the errors that detractors of Hebrews make is using an English translation and not looking into the Greek, Aramaic, and yes, Hebrew text of the book of Hebrews. At Beit Tefillah, we are big fans of looking into and digging into ancient language texts, and comparing them. What we found with the book of Hebrews is that the Aramaic and Hebrew texts truly demonstrate that this controversial book really does align with the Torah of Messiah.
To catch up on the midrashes, check out our Youtube page at the link below:
Here is the video of our midrash on 1st Timothy, conducted on Shabbat 6/25/2022:
•Blessed are you Adonai who sent your Son as the first-fruits of the resurrection and enjoined on us to count the Omer. Today is the ____ day of the ___ week in the counting of 7 weeks, 7 Sabbaths and 50 days to Shavuot. We have now counted ___ days, __Week(s), and __ Sabbath(s). •Or: Today is the ___ day of the ___ Shavua in the day after the ceasing, even the ___ day. We have counted ___ Shavuot and __ Sabbaths, which are complete and perfect.
•The above counts are not a Scripture commanded “formula,” but they do account for the three things that are to be counted, according to the Torah: Sabbaths, Weeks, and Days.
Executive Summary
We count 7 Sabbaths, 7 weeks, and a 50th day, according to the Scriptures.
• 7 Shavuot/Weeks: (Devarim 16:9)
•7Shabbatot/Sabbaths (Vayyiqra 23:15)
•A 50thday: (Vayyiqra 23:16)
•The count starts on the 16th day of Aviv/ Nisan, which was 4/17/2022.
For the full study of “Why We Count the Omer like Paul” (and not the Sadducees) download the pdf here: Why We Count the Omer like Paul.
Chameitz or Leaven for the Practical Nazarene is often a hotly debated topic among Nazarenes/Netzarim, Messianics and Hebraic Roots believers. We put together this short study to help navigate the issues and different views on the subject, as well as come to some conclusions as to whether or not certain food items are permitted or forbidden during Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread.
Here is the link to the pdf study Leaven for the Practical Nazarene Let us know what you think about this topic.
We had a nice midrash on Acts 15:1 – 18:3 and 1st Thessalonians, including many insights from the Aramaic Peshitta text.
If you missed it, check out our YouTube video recorded live. Feel free to ask question or make comments!
Our weekly midrash is now posted to our YouTube page. Topics include fall witnesses against Yeshua, the denials of Kefa/Peter, and the Field of Blood.