The Passover Seder begins with “Kaddesh,” the first of four cups which all will drink at designated points throughout the seder. Why were four cups of wine deemed necessary for the Passover celebration? Other major festivals involve only the standard cup of wine at the initiation of the day as a
The purpose of this paper is to make an inquiry into the tiqqun sopherim at Genesis 18:22 which is registered in the later lists of the tiqqune sopherim. Included in this investigation will be: a brief discussion of the two prominent terms used in the rabbinic lists when speaking of textual
Gentiles Believers and Pesach in the Pre Destruction Era
The question that underlies the purpose of this short study is quite simple: how did Gentile believers in Yeshua (non-proselytes) celebrate Pesach in the era leading up to the destruction of the Temple? This same question could be asked of the so-called “Godfearers” or “Sympathizers,” Gentiles in
Great is Your Faithfulness – Thoughts on Tisha B’Av
How is it that so many mournful events have happened to our people on this same day throughout history? Is it just an uncanny coincidence? Of course not! In fact, that Tisha b’Av is marked throughout our history as a day upon which destruction has come upon us is proof beyond doubt that the God Who
Greater and Lesser YHVH Heresy: A Response
A Response to the Greater and Lesser YHVH Nonesense
In our times, one is never surprised. We have ceased to be surprised at the most ludicrous teachings that emanate from untrained and unstudied minds, because we live in a world of misinformation, and worse, deceitful attempts to lead people astray. Even more, we are not surprised because we live in
I’ll be honest: there is an area of my life where I deal with an obvious duplicity. I like technology but at the same time I cling to the past. Actually, I’m talking about books. Okay, I admit it, I’m a bibliophiliac (I don’t like the destructive sound of “bookworm”). Still, I’m very taken with the
Hanukkah Means Dedication: Holding onto Truth in an Age of Change
The Hardening of Pharaoh’s heart has always been a difficult matter for those who study the Exodus story. There are a number of reasons for this. First, and perhaps primarily, it appears out of character for God to harden a person’s heart in advance of giving the message. This seems patently unfair
In the principle texts on Rosh Hashanah (Lev. 23:23-25; Num 29:1), the festival itself is primarily marked by the blowing of the shofar. Interestingly, neither text explains why a yearly festival is centered around the blowing of the shofar. We should presume, therefore, that the meanings attached
Hebrew Word Yada
As a Covenant Term in the Bible and the Ancient Near East
The Hebrew word “know” (yada’), which is a common root in the semitic languages, has a wide range of meanings depending upon the context in which the word is found. Like our word “know” in English, the Hebrew word can indicate mental knowledge, that is, that a person “understands” or “has knowledge”
The words of Yeshua (and the parallel in Mark 9:43–48) speak of “eternal fire” and of a “fiery hell” (“hell of fire,” ESV; “fire of hell,” NIV). This language clearly signifies that Yeshua taught that there exists a place of punishment for the wicked who die in their wickedness, a place that is
Twice in the book of Samuel the hem of the garment figures significantly into the narrative (1Samuel 15:27ff; 24:5ff). Recognizing the hem as functioning in a covenantal sense allows not only a better understanding of the two texts themselves, but also allows the interpreter to see how the hem motif
Hermeneutics: A Growing Crisis in the Messianic Movement
Are the Scriptures Alone our Sure Foundation or Do We Need Something More?
Perhaps, after reading the title of this essay, you’re asking yourself, “Is there really a crisis within the Messianic movement over the sufficiency of the Scriptures?” Yes, there is, and I hope to alert you to it in this essay. Remember that in the March Newsletter, I wrote about this issue because
“World view” is the manner in which Historic Christianity understands the broad plan of redemption. I’ve come to realize, however, that the “world view” of Historic Christianity is not my world view. And because of this, I’ve also come to realize that I am not comfortable in defining myself within
The salvation that has been procured for us through the death, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of our Messiah Yeshua is the greatest gift of God’s grace which we possess. Since we who have believed are “in Messiah,” we are accepted before the Holy One of Israel as righteous in His eyes and
