Video, William McDowell, I give myself away http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-91kGdTumXg
Share. Welcome to the Memorial Parsha of Jesus Christs' V'Zot Haberachach, Saturday, September 18th, 2010, in Deuteronomy 33:1 through Deuteronomy 34:12. The Haftorah is Joshua 1. Share
1And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
2And he said, "The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them."
3Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
4Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
5And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together. (Genesis 36:15-19).
6Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.(Genesis 36:15-43).7And this is the blessing of Judah: and he said, "Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help to him from his enemies."
8And of Levi he said, "Let thy Thummim and thy Urim be with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, and with whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;
9Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant."
10They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
11Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands; smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again."
12And of Benjamin he said, "The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders." 13And of Joseph he said, "Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,
14And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
15And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
16And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.
17His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh." 18And of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
19They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand."
20And of Gad he said, "Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head. 21And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel."
22And of Dan he said, "Dan is a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan." (Numbers 21:33; 32:33; Deuteronomy 1:4; 3:1-14)23And of Naphtali he said, "O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south."
24And of Asher he said, "Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
25Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
26There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. (Genesis 36:40-43). 27The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
29Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places."
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 - Moses Dies on Mount Nebo
1And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, (Deuteronomy 33-34, King James Version)
Now after Moses had predicted the disobedience of the people, he each gave the people of a blessing of eternal law. No where in Moses Law does it command the chosen people of God, the firstborn to resurrect. Yet Moses is the prophet of Israel, whom we all know the face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD Thy God sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to deliver the people out of the house of bondage, before Pharaoh, before all of his servants and in all his land. There has never been another prophet ever performed the mighty power of God, and all the terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel - before Israel was sent to the promise land - on behalf of Israel.
In closing, this is the last chapter Moses personally will be featured in the Memorial Portion, throughout the worlds best seller, eight billion books, Moses will be preached by every prophet to reveal the fulfilment of the tribe of Judah, the Messiah. Jesus said that if you searched the scriptures you will know that the scriptures testify about him, the Christ. This is an interesting and thought provoking sermon because many times people will say that this is the gospel or this is the word of God, but does it really lead us back to Jesus? (John 5:39-44) If it doesn't then it is not the Bible - the unadulterated word of God. The Apostle Paul wrote that the Scripture of God are given to men by his power and will. The Bible reveals the will of God. (2nd Timothy 3:16).
| Dipping Apples into Honey on Rosh Hashanah for a sweet and prosperous good New Year. |
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| The Jewish Feasts Rosh Hashanah - The New Year The Feasts of Trumpets |
In closing, I can say that Moses pretty much hit the spots right on the dot, when he said in verse eight of chapter 33 in the book of Deuteronomy, that Levi would not know his parents. I do not know my fathers side of the family. I know not one bit about Judaism, this great family that supposedly crossed the Red Sea - a descendant of Aaron. As a matter of fact, I did not hatch out of an egg, there are probably hundreds or thousands of others out there from my the same progenitor as I. Yet, I am the only one that I know of that frequents a synagogue and I try to observe the laws of Moses, since I was an infant. Most importantly, I have always known that holding the Protestant Bible in the air was very important since the time that the church of Scotland was established at the unction of Anne Boleyn, a wife of Englands' monarchy King Henry. (See the Table of Nations derived from Noah). Zechariah 14:16 and Numbers 7.
Nevertheless, Moses commands that we should help Judah against his adversaries. This speaks volumes seeing that Christ died on the cross for your sins. (Deuteronomy 33:7). He is the King of Peace. Thank God for Hannaha's prayers and the dedication of her son to help out in the temple. Hannah is a wise woman and she saw that the Messiah would come and usher in the redemption of his people; and he is a light to the Gentiles all over the world. Jesus sent forth seventy disciples, much like Moses collected the offerings for the sanctuary weighing seventy shekels to contain the seventy bulls for a sacrifice to represent the seventy nations that the Noahidic people would come from. Likewise Jesus seventy disciples that were lost sheep from all of the world of the nation of Israel to minister the gospel: healing, cleansing, preaching to the poor, resurrecting the dead and making everybit as whole. Jesus said, the blind see and the lame walk; the lepes are cleansed and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he who is not offended because of me." Can I have an A-men (Matthew 11:5-6)? Jesus want God glorified, and if the people did not glorify God, Jesus said then the rocks would cry out. After Jesus gave up the spirit on the cross, there was a great earth quake and the rocks split. (Matthew 27:51-52). When you don't observe the festivals as commanded by Moses from the word of God, in a lot of ways you put Jesus on the cross and most importantly you are still at emnity with God and so you don't pray, you don't repent, and you don't confess your sins because Jesus is faithful as your eternal high Priest to forgive you, from the Lion Tribe of Judah. (Deuteronomy 33:7). Against the commandments of Moses you leave Jesus on the cross alone. To this day, Moses speaks to Sier (Edom) and Paran (Ishamel) and you refuse to accept the word of God, as commanded by Moses from the Mouth of the God of Israel. (Deuteronomy 33:1-7). A word to the Christians, no way will you get out of not observing the Holy Feasts, even though there is one ordinance for the church. Yet there are so many people that can tell you that they belong to the tribe of Judah. You should really stop saying that you belong to the tribe of Judah because you do not observe the Holy Feasts, as commanded at the hand of Moses by the word of God.
Video, Britt Nicole, NicoWalk on the water, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=125Ppy25QIw&ob=av2n
Disciples References:
Luke 16:14-18 - The Law, the Prophets and the Kingdom
14And the Pharisees also, who were covetous, heard all these things: and they derided him.
15And he said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves before men; but God knoweth your hearts: for that which is highly esteemed among men is abomination in the sight of God.
16The law and the prophets were until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.
17And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass, than one tittle of the law to fail.
18Whosoever putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and whosoever marrieth her that is put away from her husband committeth adultery. (Luke 16:14-18, King James Version)
John 6:16-24 - Jesus walks on water
16And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,
17And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.
18And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.
19So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid.
20But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid.
21Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.
22The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone;
23(Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:)
24When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. (John 6:16-24, King James Version)
Isaiah 58:4 - True Fasting
4Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. (Isaiah 58:4, King James Version)
Revelations 18:23 - The Church will defeat Babylon The Great, and she will fall
23And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. (Revelation 18:23, King James Version)
Revelations 17:5,17-18 - Babylon will be defeated by the Church: The woman and the beast.
5And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH. (Revelation 17:5, King James Version)
17For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God shall be fulfilled.
18And the woman which thou sawest is that great city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth. (Revelation 17:17-18, King James Version)
Matthew 5:14-16 - The eternal light
14Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.
15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.
16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16, King James Version)
Isaiah 57:1-6 - The distinct light of the righteous
1The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.
2He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.
3But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore.
4Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood.
5Enflaming yourselves with idols under every green tree, slaying the children in the valleys under the clifts of the rocks?
6Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these? (Isaiah 57:1-6, King James Version)
2nd Corinthians 3:14 - Veils and dull hearing and reading (Apostle Paul)
14But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:14, King James Version)
Recommended References:
Apparently Some in Israel Don’t Think the Relationship is so “Special”
September 23, 2010. by stacyx
President Obama spoke at the U.N. today and the reaction from the far right in Israel (ie. the Israeli government) was swift and fierce:
Rightist Knesset members slammed American President Barack Obama Thursday over his remarks during a speech at the United Nations General Assembly.You know, I absolutely support Israel but this is just nonsense. Let me get this straight-if the U.S. government dares even to suggest that Israel stop building illegal settlements during negotiations over a two state solution as the administration did last year and is sort of doing now, that is considered totally inappropriate by Israel and the AIPAC crowd here in the U.S. because it’s seen as interference, and worse, a criticism of Israel. However, it is absolutely acceptable for Israeli politicians to criticize and lash out at the U.S. President in the most hyperbolic, obnoxious way and there is not one peep from the AIPAC crowd or Israeli officials in support of the U.S. administration? Nice double-standard. So we can’t criticize Israel or even make a request that they temporarily adhere to international law, but they can use the U.S. President as their political doormat? We have to constantly prove we support Israel, but not the other way around? Got it.
Responding to the president’s call for an extension of the West Bank settlement freeze, Likud MK Danny Danon said “Obama is invited to turn on CNN Sunday and watch the bulldozers resuming construction in Eretz Yisrael.“
“A person who presents the freeze as a condition for peace is completely detached (from reality,) and will apparently not get to be a partner for peace in the Middle East,” he said.
And there is more goodwill from our special friends:
Meanwhile, leaders of the Lobby of the Eretz Israel Front in the Knesset, MKs Zeev Elkin and Arieh Eldad, also slammed Obama’s call to extend the settlement construction freeze, calling it “inappropriate intervention.”“Inappropriate intervention?” I have an idea, how about we have the U.S. taxpayer stop intervening inappropriately in Israel’s internal affairs by giving them billions of dollars a year? I mean, if Israel finds the terms of the relationship so unwelcome and unfair that it actually undermines their democracy, then perhaps they don’t need our financial aid or our CONSTANT diplomatic intervention on their behalf? I mean, we don’t want to interfere! Also, it’s nice to know that citizens of a country can vote away international law. I bet that wouldn’t go over so well if another country like say, Iran, claimed the ability to do that.
According to lobby members, the American president’s statement was an attempt to “forcefully overturn the democratic decision of the citizens of Israel, who voted in favor of strengthening the settlements in Judea and Samaria and against concessions and withdrawal.”
CHABAD.ORG. http://www.chabad.org/. Last reviewed on Tues. Sept. 28, 2010. Sukkot, September 22nd, 2010. Simchot Torah, Wed. Sept. 29 - October 1st, 2010 to begin the New Torah Reading Cycle. Christians will begin with 1st Peter 4:12-19.
SUKKOT: September 22nd, 2010 through September 29th, 2010
• Eat in Sukkah (7 days):
The festival of Sukkot, commemorating G-d's enveloping protection of the Children of Israel during their 40-year journey through the desert (1313-1273 BCE), is celebrated for seven days, beginning from the eve of Tishrei 15. During this time, we are commanded to "dwell" in a sukkah -- a hut of temporary construction, with a roof covering of raw, unfinished vegetable matter (branches, reeds, bamboo, etc.) -- signifying the temporality and fragily of human habitation and man-made shelter and our utter dependence upon G-d's protection and providence. "How [does one fulfill] the mitzvah of dwelling in the sukkah? One should eat, drink, and live in the sukkah, both day and night, as one lives in one's house on the other days of the year: for seven days a person should make his home his temporary dwelling, and his sukkah his permanent dwelling" (Code of Jewish Law, Orach Chaim 639:1).
At least one k'zayit (approx. 1 oz.) of bread should be eaten in the sukkah on the first evening of the festival, between nightfall and midnight. A special blessing, Leishiv BaSukkah, is recited. For the rest of the festival, all meals must be eaten in the sukkah (see the Code of Jewish Law or consult a Halachic authority as to what constitutes a "meal"). Chabad custom is to refrain from eating or drinking anything outside of the sukkah, even a glass of water. Also see: the Ushpizin. Links: The Big Sukkah; The Temporary Dwelling; The Easy Mitzvah
At least one k'zayit (approx. 1 oz.) of bread should be eaten in the sukkah on the first evening of the festival, between nightfall and midnight. A special blessing, Leishiv BaSukkah, is recited. For the rest of the festival, all meals must be eaten in the sukkah (see the Code of Jewish Law or consult a Halachic authority as to what constitutes a "meal"). Chabad custom is to refrain from eating or drinking anything outside of the sukkah, even a glass of water. Also see: the Ushpizin. Links: The Big Sukkah; The Temporary Dwelling; The Easy Mitzvah
• The "Four Kinds" (6 days):
"And you shall take for yourself on the first day," instructs the Torah in Leviticus "the splendid fruit of a tree, fronds of dates, the branch of the thick-leafed tree and aravot of the river." Torah SheBaal Peh (the oral tradition given to Moses at Sinai and handed threough the generations, and later documented in the Mishnah and Talmud) identifies the four kinds as the etrog (citron), lulav (unopened palm branch), hadass (myrtle twig, of which three are taken) and aravah (willow, two twigs). The palm branch, three myrtle twigs and two willow twigs are bound together (with rings made from palm leaves).
Each day of Sukkot -- except Shabbat -- we take the lulav in hand, recite a blessing over it, take hold of the etrog, hold the "Four Kinds" together, and move them back and forth in all directions (right, left, forward, up, down and back). An additional blessing, shehecheyanu, is recited the first time that the Four Kinds are taken during the festival. We also hold the Four Kinds during the Hallel prayer (moving them as above in specified places in the text) and the Hoshaanot prayers (during which we march around the reading table in the synagogue) which are included in the daily service each day of Sukkot.
Link: The Four Mysteries of King Solomon
Each day of Sukkot -- except Shabbat -- we take the lulav in hand, recite a blessing over it, take hold of the etrog, hold the "Four Kinds" together, and move them back and forth in all directions (right, left, forward, up, down and back). An additional blessing, shehecheyanu, is recited the first time that the Four Kinds are taken during the festival. We also hold the Four Kinds during the Hallel prayer (moving them as above in specified places in the text) and the Hoshaanot prayers (during which we march around the reading table in the synagogue) which are included in the daily service each day of Sukkot.
Link: The Four Mysteries of King Solomon
• "Water Drawing" Celebrations (7 nights):
When the Holy Temple stood in Jerusalem, one of the special Sukkot observances was to pour water on the Altar. The drawing of water for this purpose was preceded by all-night celebrations in the Temple courtyard; on the 15 steps leading to the azarah (inner courtyard) stood Levites while playing a variety of musical instruments, sages danced and juggled burning torches, and huge oil-burning lamps illuminated the entire city. The singing and dancing went on until daybreak, when a procession would make its way to the Shiloach Spring which flowed in a valley below the Temple to "draw water with joy." "One who did not see the joy of the water-drawing celebrations," declared the sages of the Talmud, "has not seen joy in his life." While water was poured each day of the fetival, the special celebrations were held only on Chol Hamoed since many of the elements of the celebration (e.g., the playing of musical instruments) are forbidden on Yom Tov.
Today, we commemorate these joyous celebrations by holding Simchat Beit HaShoeivah ("joy of the water drawing") events in the streets, with music and dancing. The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of holding such celebrations on Shabbat and Yom Tov as well -- without musical instruments of course. The fact that we cannot celebrate as we did in the Temple, said the Rebbe, means that we are free to celebrate the joy of Sukkot with singing and dancing every day of the festival. Link: The Taste of Water
Today, we commemorate these joyous celebrations by holding Simchat Beit HaShoeivah ("joy of the water drawing") events in the streets, with music and dancing. The Lubavitcher Rebbe initiated the custom of holding such celebrations on Shabbat and Yom Tov as well -- without musical instruments of course. The fact that we cannot celebrate as we did in the Temple, said the Rebbe, means that we are free to celebrate the joy of Sukkot with singing and dancing every day of the festival. Link: The Taste of Water
• Chol Hamoed:
The seven days of the festival of Sukkot consist of two days of "Yom Tov", followed by five days of "Chol Hamoed" ("weekdays of the festival"; also called "the intermediate days"). In the Land of Israel, there is only one day of Yom Tov, followed by six days of Chol Hamoed.
On Yom Tov all creative work is forbidden as on Shabbat, except for the tasks involved in food preparation (e.g., lighting a fire from a pre-existing flame, cooking, carrying "from domain to domain"); on Chol Hamoed, work whose avoidance would result in "significant loss" is permitted. Otherwise, all the mitzvot and customs of Sukkot apply: eating in the sukkah, taking the "four kinds", etc. The "Yaale V'yavo" prayer is included in all prayers and Grace After Meals. Hallel, Hoshaanot and Musaf are recited following the Shacharit (morning) prayers. It is the Chabad custom not to put on tefillin during Chol Hamoed, as on Shabbat and the festivals. Click here for a more detailed treatment of the laws of Chol Hamoed.
• Hoshana Rabbah:
The seventh day of Sukkot is called "Hoshana Rabbah" and is considered the final day of the divine "judgment" in which the fate of the new year is determined. The Psalm L'David Hashem Ori, which has been added to our daily prayer since the 1st of Elul, is recited for the last time today. Other Hoshanah Rabbah observances include:
• Night Learning:
It is customary to remain awake on the night preceding Hoshanah Rabbah and study Torah. We recite the entire Book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Psalms. In some congregations it is a custom for the Gabbai (synagogue manager) to distribute apples (signifying a "sweet year") to the congregants.
• Willow and Hoshaanot:
In addition to the Four Kinds taken every day of Sukkot, it is a "Rabbinical Mitzvah", dating back to the times of the Prophets, to take an additional aravah, or willow, on the 7th day of Sukkot. In the Holy Temple, large, 18-foot willow branches were set around the altar. Today, we take the Four Kinds and carry them together with the Four Kinds around the reading table in the synagogue during the "Hashaanot" prayers, of which we recite a more lengthy version today, making seven circuits around the table (instead of the daily one). At the conclusion of the Hoshaanot we strike the ground five times with a bundle of five willows, symbolizing the "tempering of the five measures of harshness." Link: The Willow (on the deeper significance of the mitzvah of aravah).
• Festive Meal:
A festive meal is eaten in the Sukkah. We dip the bread in honey (as we did in each festive meal since Rosh Hashanah) for the last time. Today is also the last occasion on which we recite the special blessing for eating in the sukkah, since the biblical commandment to dwell in the sukkah is only for seven days (though it is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- that, outside of the Land of Israel, we eat in the sukkah also on the 8th day, Shemini Atzeret).
• Eruv Tavshilin
When Shabbat occurs immediately following a festival -- as it does this year -- an "eruv tavshilin" (i.e., food for at least one "meal" that is set aside in advance for Shabbat) must be prepared prior to the festival, so that it should be permitted to prepare food for Shabbat during the festival.
The holiday of Sukkot is followed by an independent holiday called "Shemini Azteret." In Israel, this is a one-day holiday; in the Diaspora it is a two-day holiday, and the second day is known as "Simchat Torah." This holiday is characterized by utterly unbridled joy, which surpasses even the joy of Sukkot. The joy reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion – and restart – of the annual Torah-reading cycle. The special joy of this holiday celebrates the conclusion – and restart – of the annual Torah-reading cycle etc.
President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address from The White House on Vimeo.
The beginning of the six year reading cycle for Christians:
Devotions:
September 27th, 2010 - 1st Peter 4:12-19 (What a name!)
September 28th, 2010 - Isaiah 45:9-13 (What a God!)
September 29th, 2010 - 1st Chronicles 29:10-16 (What a praise!)
September 30th, 2010 - Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (What a beginning!)
October 1st, 2010 - Psalm 145:9 (What a blessing!)
October 2nd, 2010 - Genesis 1:26-31 (What a responsibility!)
October 3rd, 2010 - Psalm 8:3-4 (One of a kind)
Tourists take European terror threat in stride. Canada.com News. October 4, 2010. By Peter O'Neil, Europe Correspondent, Postmedia News.
Desiring God. Make your Mouth a Means of Grace. Reviewed on Thur. October 6, 2010.
On Yom Tov all creative work is forbidden as on Shabbat, except for the tasks involved in food preparation (e.g., lighting a fire from a pre-existing flame, cooking, carrying "from domain to domain"); on Chol Hamoed, work whose avoidance would result in "significant loss" is permitted. Otherwise, all the mitzvot and customs of Sukkot apply: eating in the sukkah, taking the "four kinds", etc. The "Yaale V'yavo" prayer is included in all prayers and Grace After Meals. Hallel, Hoshaanot and Musaf are recited following the Shacharit (morning) prayers. It is the Chabad custom not to put on tefillin during Chol Hamoed, as on Shabbat and the festivals. Click here for a more detailed treatment of the laws of Chol Hamoed.
• Hoshana Rabbah:
The seventh day of Sukkot is called "Hoshana Rabbah" and is considered the final day of the divine "judgment" in which the fate of the new year is determined. The Psalm L'David Hashem Ori, which has been added to our daily prayer since the 1st of Elul, is recited for the last time today. Other Hoshanah Rabbah observances include:
• Night Learning:
It is customary to remain awake on the night preceding Hoshanah Rabbah and study Torah. We recite the entire Book of Deuteronomy and the Book of Psalms. In some congregations it is a custom for the Gabbai (synagogue manager) to distribute apples (signifying a "sweet year") to the congregants.
• Willow and Hoshaanot:
In addition to the Four Kinds taken every day of Sukkot, it is a "Rabbinical Mitzvah", dating back to the times of the Prophets, to take an additional aravah, or willow, on the 7th day of Sukkot. In the Holy Temple, large, 18-foot willow branches were set around the altar. Today, we take the Four Kinds and carry them together with the Four Kinds around the reading table in the synagogue during the "Hashaanot" prayers, of which we recite a more lengthy version today, making seven circuits around the table (instead of the daily one). At the conclusion of the Hoshaanot we strike the ground five times with a bundle of five willows, symbolizing the "tempering of the five measures of harshness." Link: The Willow (on the deeper significance of the mitzvah of aravah).
• Festive Meal:
A festive meal is eaten in the Sukkah. We dip the bread in honey (as we did in each festive meal since Rosh Hashanah) for the last time. Today is also the last occasion on which we recite the special blessing for eating in the sukkah, since the biblical commandment to dwell in the sukkah is only for seven days (though it is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- that, outside of the Land of Israel, we eat in the sukkah also on the 8th day, Shemini Atzeret).
• Eruv Tavshilin
When Shabbat occurs immediately following a festival -- as it does this year -- an "eruv tavshilin" (i.e., food for at least one "meal" that is set aside in advance for Shabbat) must be prepared prior to the festival, so that it should be permitted to prepare food for Shabbat during the festival.
• Hakafot. It is the practice of many communities -- and such is the Chabad custom -- to conduct "hakafot" and dance with the Torah scrolls also on the eve of Shemini Atzeret, which is on September 30th, 2010.
Video, Byron Cage, "It is to you." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anEHmMPqpus
SIMCHAT TORAH:
The holiday of Sukkot is followed by an independent holiday called "Shemini Azteret." In Israel, this is a one-day holiday; in the Diaspora it is a two-day holiday, and the second day is known as "Simchat Torah." This holiday is characterized by utterly unbridled joy, which surpasses even the joy of Sukkot. The joy reaches its climax on Simchat Torah, when we celebrate the conclusion – and restart – of the annual Torah-reading cycle. The special joy of this holiday celebrates the conclusion – and restart – of the annual Torah-reading cycle etc.
Simchat Torah Questionnaire: The Torah is not just the best book ever written for man.It contains not only the most comprehensive moral and legal code, the greatest insights into human nature and psychology, and a selection of multifaceted stories that provide profound messages for living a noble and meaningful life. The Torah is first and foremost the wisdom of the Divine, not just divine wisdom. The Torah is first and foremost the wisdom of the Divine, not just divine wisdom. It documents precisely that which is on G‑d's mind.
President Barack Obama's Inaugural Address from The White House on Vimeo.
The beginning of the six year reading cycle for Christians:
Devotions:
September 27th, 2010 - 1st Peter 4:12-19 (What a name!)
September 28th, 2010 - Isaiah 45:9-13 (What a God!)
September 29th, 2010 - 1st Chronicles 29:10-16 (What a praise!)
September 30th, 2010 - Ecclesiastes 12:1-8 (What a beginning!)
October 1st, 2010 - Psalm 145:9 (What a blessing!)
October 2nd, 2010 - Genesis 1:26-31 (What a responsibility!)
October 3rd, 2010 - Psalm 8:3-4 (One of a kind)
Tourists take European terror threat in stride. Canada.com News. October 4, 2010. By Peter O'Neil, Europe Correspondent, Postmedia News.
Desiring God. Make your Mouth a Means of Grace. Reviewed on Thur. October 6, 2010.
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