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Tisha B’Av, the Day Two Temples were Destroyed 

Tisha B’Av, the Day Two Temples were Destroyed  Tisha B’Av means the 9th day of the Jewish month of Av, and on this day some 2000 years ago, the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. Remarkably, it happened on exactly the same date in the Jewish calendar as Solomon’s temple was destroyed by the Babylonians some 650 years before. The ground was levelled, sown with salt, and rendered desolate. The Jewish people no longer had access to the sacrificial system of atonement and encountering God that once was theirs. They were utterly banished from holy place where God had chosen… Подробнее »Tisha B’Av, the Day Two Temples were Destroyed 

Is the idea that the Almighty needed a human sacrifice true?

Rabbi Alexander Blеnd. Question: How can our God accept human offerings? And how can the sacrifice include the suffering of the victim? Answer: … Such a question is either the result of the illiteracy of the questioner, or his dishonesty, when he counts on the illiteracy of the believer to whom this question is addressed. The fact is that Jewish tradition knows the principle of atonement through the death of a righteous person. We first hear this idea from Rabbi Ami, a student of Yohanan ben Zakkai himself. Rabbi Ami lived in the second century, but he transmits an older… Подробнее »Is the idea that the Almighty needed a human sacrifice true?

What is Messianic Judaism?

What is Messianic Judaism? Messianic Jews are ethnically born Jewish people who believe Yeshua (Jesus’ Hebrew name) is the Messiah spoken of in the Hebrew Bible, and that He died on the cross for the sins of all who believe. Messianic Jews include the Christian New Testament in their canon and believe that there are foreshadowing, prophetic connections between these texts. It’s not unusual for people to think of Christians and Jews as not only being very different but at odds with each other. The last eighteen or nineteen centuries have provided more than enough reason to think that way. Many people… Подробнее »What is Messianic Judaism?

«Immaculate conception»

Author: Rabbi Alexander Blend Shalom, dear friends. Today, we have on the agenda the subtle and delicate topic of the «immaculate conception.»We know from two Gospels, the Gospel of Matthew and the Gospel of Luke, that Yeshua was born of a virgin, without the participation of a father. And very often we have to deal with the fact that people (sincere believers, of completely different denominations) find it very difficult to accept this statement on faith. Some say that this is a myth to please the Romans and Greeks, some say that this is some kind of allegory. People also… Подробнее »«Immaculate conception»

Letter to Galatians

Author: Rabbi Alexander Blend CHAPTER 1 GREETINGS 1:1-5 Paul, a messenger not from men, nor [chosen] through men, but through Yeshua the Messiah and [from] God the Father, who raised Him from the dead, and all the brothers who [are] with me, to the community of Galatia: Mercy and peace to you from God our Father and our lord, Yeshua the Messiah, who gave himself for our sins, that, according to the will of our Father, he might deliver us from this evil age. Paul begins his letter by pointing out his special type of mission. It is not from people… Подробнее »Letter to Galatians

Is Living Together Before Marriage Really a Sin?

Is Living Together Before Marriage Really a Sin? Daniel Darling College life is finally over. You and your partner have started attending a new church. You love it there. The preacher opens the Bible every week. He walks through a passage of Scripture and applies it to your life. This new church reminds you a lot of the church back home where you grew up. So after attending for several months, you and your partner feel compelled to commit and become more involved. You sign up for the four-week membership class, eager to take this next step. In the first… Подробнее »Is Living Together Before Marriage Really a Sin?

Tetzaveh: Raising a Constant Flame

Not just any oil was suitable for use in the Temple Menorah. The Torah stipulates that the oil be particularly refined, made from hand-crushed olives, so that it will “raise up a constant flame” (Ex. 27:20). Why does the Torah use this unusual phrase, “to raise up the flame”? Why not say simply “to kindle the flame”? Proper Oil and Wicks The Sages explained that this phrase indicates that the lights of the Menorah must burn easily and naturally, necessitating that only the finest oil and wicks be used. The oil must be pure, produced from types of oil that are… Подробнее »Tetzaveh: Raising a Constant Flame

Tu BiShvat

Tu BiShvat in a Nutshell What is Tu BiShvat? Tu BiShvat (which means the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shvat) marks the new year for the trees. The Mishnah (Rosh Hashanah 1:1) tells us there are four ‘New Years’ or ‘Rosh HaShanahs’: Tu BiShvat became the date for calculating the beginning of the agricultural cycle for the purpose of biblical tithes, and also marks the beginning of the season in which the earliest-blooming trees in Israel (namely the almond trees) begin to bloom, signifying a new fruit-bearing cycle. In the Middle Ages the custom developed to celebrate Tu BiShvat… Подробнее »Tu BiShvat

Why did Jesus have to be born?

Why did Jesus have to be born? The doctrine of the Trinity teaches that the three persons of the Godhead are co-equal and co-eternal, and that Jesus was God the Son and existed in eternity past in a state and standing equal to that of God the Father and God the Holy Spirit. If that is true, then why would Jesus have to be born of a virgin? Jesus’ mission was to fulfill the law, be the ultimate and final sacrifice for sin and become the savior of all mankind.  So why not just come down in his co-equal state, announce… Подробнее »Why did Jesus have to be born?

Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts

Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts Esther Smith 5 Questions to Help Change Unwanted Thoughts Too often, we want to have the “right” thoughts before we go to God—thoughts that are true, reasonable, and figured out. But often this isn’t possible. We can’t always change what we’re thinking in an instant just because we want to. What’s more, I don’t believe this is what God asks of us. God invites us into his presence where he can transform even our uncensored thoughts. Pour Out Your Heart Psalm 62:8 extends an invitation: “Pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”… Подробнее »Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts

Jesus, A Man Placed Under Authority

Jesus, A Man Placed Under Authority When we read the historical accounts in Scripture, it is important to remember that these are not just fairy tales or made up stories with an ending moral.  They are actual accounts of real people doing real things in real time.  Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:1-10 are parallel records of an incident in the life of Jesus as he was teaching and ministering in the Galilee region. His fame had gone out throughout the region as stated in Matthew 4:23-25.  One might say Jesus was in all of the headlines and the topic of all the watercooler conversations. That being… Подробнее »Jesus, A Man Placed Under Authority

Jesus: The Son of Man?

Jesus: The Son of Man? After Israel left Egypt and was wandering through the wilderness, the King of Moab became afraid and hired the false Prophet Balaam. Numbers 23 records Balaam’s second message to Balak, King of the Moabites, in response to Balak’s request for Balaam to curse Israel for him. Within that message lies a verse very familiar to most Christians. God is not a man, that he should lie,  nor the son of man, that he should repent.  Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good? Numbers… Подробнее »Jesus: The Son of Man?

In the Book of Revelation, God is not the Lamb, and the Lamb is not God

In the Book of Revelation, God is not the Lamb, and the Lamb is not God [This article was originally published by Bill Schlegel on his website, Land and Bible.] The Book of Revelation is “the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him” (1:1). From the very first verse we are told that Jesus is not God. God is differentiated from Jesus. The God of Jesus Christ gave Jesus Christ this revelation. In Revelation 1:5-6 Jesus Christ is “the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth.” Jesus “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a… Подробнее »In the Book of Revelation, God is not the Lamb, and the Lamb is not God

Jesus: The Son of Man?

Jesus: The Son of Man? After Israel left Egypt and was wandering through the wilderness, the King of Moab became afraid and hired the false Prophet Balaam. Numbers 23 records Balaam’s second message to Balak, King of the Moabites, in response to Balak’s request for Balaam to curse Israel for him. Within that message lies a verse very familiar to most Christians. God is not a man, that he should lie,  nor the son of man, that he should repent.  Has he said, and will he not do it?  Or has he spoken, and will he not make it good? Numbers… Подробнее »Jesus: The Son of Man?

If Jesus Pre-existed, He Wasn’t a Human

If Jesus Pre-existed, He Wasn’t a Human [This article was originally published by Bill Schlegel on Land and Bible] Many trinitarians believe that Jesus’ prayer in the Gospel of John 17:5 shows that Jesus pre-existed: “and now, Father, glorify thou me in thy own presence with the glory which I had with thee before the world was made”(RSV) As with any difficult biblical passage, we must consider the context of Jesus statement in this prayer to God (the Father). Just two sentences before, as recorded in John 17:3, Jesus prayed to God: “Father (17:1) …this is eternal life, that they know you the only true… Подробнее »If Jesus Pre-existed, He Wasn’t a Human

Why Israel Matters to the World

Why Israel Matters to the World It’s undeniable that Israel matters to the world. But why? We need to consider there is something Sovereign at work. And an important “something” in the Bible makes it very clear. “Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” – Isaiah 60:3 From the western viewpoint, Isaiah 60 is often referred to from the perspective of “the Church.” Which would suggest that the world will come to the light that we, Christians, have within us. While that may be partially true, this is a classic replacement theology view. Isaiah 60 was… Подробнее »Why Israel Matters to the World

At 10, I fled the Nazis to live starving and alone in the woods. For two years, detection meant death

At 10, I fled the Nazis to live starving and alone in the woods. For two years, detection meant death Maxwell Smart lost his family in the Holocaust, but was saved by his mother’s instruction to run. It was seven decades before he told anyone what had happened By Chris Godfrey The Guardian’s journalism is independent. We will earn a commission if you buy something through an affiliate link. Learn more. Maxwell Smart still feels at his safest when it rains. The 93-year-old first learned this as a boy of 10, alone in a forest, lying on a bed of leaves in… Подробнее »At 10, I fled the Nazis to live starving and alone in the woods. For two years, detection meant death

The Place of Rabbinic Tradition in Messianic Judaism

The Place of Rabbinic Tradition in Messianic Judaism by Michael L. Brown, Ph.D. Every one of us involved in Messianic ministry has thought long and hard on the question of the place of rabbinic tradition in Messianic Judaism. My own thinking has developed gradually over the last few years, but I would like to share with you why I have come to the conclusion that rabbinic traditions have little or no place in our private lives or public services. Let me say first, however, that even though I have given myself to much prayer, study, and discussion over this very… Подробнее »The Place of Rabbinic Tradition in Messianic Judaism

The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible

The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible Posted by Rabbi Eric Tokajer If you had to choose one verse to call the most misunderstood verse in the Bible, I believe a strong case could be made that Ephesians 5:22 is that verse. Speaking of submission, it says, “wives to your own husbands as to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22, TLV). If you don’t believe me, just do a Google search, and you will find a plethora of Bible teachers using this verse as a baton to beat down women who refuse to become servants and slaves to domineering husbands who use it… Подробнее »The Most Misunderstood Verse in the Bible

8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable

8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable BRETT MCCRACKEN In many parts of the world today, it can be easy to live a comfortable life as a Christian. Certainly where I live—in Orange County, California—this is the case. But is that a good thing? I’d like to suggest that the Christian faith is inherently uncomfortable. To be a disciple of Jesus is to deny oneself (Matt. 16:24), to take up a cross (Luke 14:27), to be subject to persecution (John 15:20; 2 Tim. 3:12), to give up the creature comforts of home (Luke 9:58), to forsake the priority of family (Luke 9:59–62; 14:26), to… Подробнее »8 Signs Your Christianity Is Too Comfortable

Don’t Settle for Only Half of the Passover Story

Don’t Settle for Only Half of the Passover Story Rabbi Eric Tokajer Every year in homes all over the world, Jewish people will gather with their family and friends around their tables for their annual Passover Seders where they will read from the Bible and tell the story of Israel’s exodus from Egypt. They will remind their families of the powerful way that G-D used the 10 plagues and the parting of the sea to redeem His people from their bondage in slavery. Believers in Yeshua, both Jewish and non-Jewish, will also be gathering to celebrate Passover and they will… Подробнее »Don’t Settle for Only Half of the Passover Story