No, this site isn’t dead, I just have not been posting much lately.

One of the greatest benefits of the internet is the search engine.  One can access information in a way that was undreamed of before it’s creation.  Of course, we all know the results a search engine provides can be a bit, um, sketchy sometimes.  Enter Koogle, developed with the Orthodox Jewish community in mind.

I’m not sure how useful it will be unless you know Hebrew though.

–from Reuters

Ok, so I am a day late, but I thought I’d post anyway.  Many Christians exploring their Hebrew roots often have difficulty in accepting the major biblical feasts (e.g., Pesach, Sukkot, etc.) as relevant in the life of a disciple of Yeshua (Jesus).  When presented with “minor” feasts like Chanukkah and Purim (for example) most simply stomp their foot and yell “No way!  It’s not commanded in the Bible so I’m not doing it!”

Those believers are of course correct, they are not commanded in the Bible.  But does that mean they have no place in the life of a believer?  I would like to pose that they do.

Since the time of Chanukkah has passed, I will speak of Purim alone.  Purim falls in the Hebrew month of Adar.  The sages tell us we are to increase our joy in the month of Adar.  This is quite easy (especially for us folks here in Michigan); winter is relaxing its grip, giving way to glimpses of sunshine and the stray robin or two.  Purim is a celebration of God’s deliverance and is a day of joy and celebration.  Do Christians have no need to celebrate deliverance?

I listened to a great message by adon D. Thomas Lancaster yesterday titled “The Day Like Purim.”  (It can be found here)  He draws a parallel between Purim and the day like Purim–Yom Kippur.  Give it a listen  I actually recommend anything that comes out of his mouth! 

Shalom u’vrachot (peace and blessings)

hamentashen

We celebrated our ten year anniversary yesterday!  May God continue to bless our community.

The decision to stop eating foods prohibited in the Torah is difficult and life-changing.  For those not quite yet ready to make the switch I offer this site.

Although crucial to Orhodox, glatt kosher Jews/believers, apparently there are very few kosher “slaughterhouses.”  An interesting article I read on BBC’s website describes what happens when the nation’s largest kosher slaughterhouse closes.

Is it me, or is there something not quite right about the reason for its closure?

Shalom fellow talmidim (students),

It is my sincere prayer that God will bless us all as we embark on a new Torah reading cycle.

First Fruits of Zion has created a new website called Torah Portions.  On the site they list the reading and a brief overview of the parasha.  It seems redundant, therefore, for me to list the portion each week on this site.

I know this site does not get a lot of use and I often question why I still keep it around, but I do not intend to shut it down at this time.  I will post updates and information about the Mars Hill Torah Club when appropriate.  I will also post other tidbits of information I find interesting (and hopefully to you too) when I can.

If anyone out there would like to post anything relevant on this site, please drop me an email.  If you have announcements for your particular study group you want posted, I’d be more than happy to do so.

Shalom,

Ed

Shalom,

In a few weeks we start another cycle of Torah study, Baruch HaShem (praise God).

The sages teach that one should always make time for Torah study, because if one waits until one has time, then the time may never come!

Are you interested in joining the Mars Hill Torah Club study?  If so, there is an informational meeting next week, October 20, 2008 at 7:00 PM.  The meeting will be held at Mars Hill.

If you are interested, please pre-register by emailing Mary Huizen at ghuizen@aol.com

For those already in Torah Club and continuing next year, may HaShem richly bless you and your groups while you study!

Ha’azinu - האזינו : “Give ear”
Torah : Deuteronomy 32:1-52
Haftarah : 2 Samuel 22:1-22:51
Gospel : Acts 24-26

Shabbat Read : October 18

Va’yelech - וילך : “And he went”
Torah : Deuteronomy 31:1-30
Haftarah : Isaiah 55:6-56:8
Gospel : Acts 21-23

Shabbat Read : October 4

Nitzavim - נצבים : “You are standing”
Torah : Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20
Haftarah : Isaiah 61:10-63:9
Gospel : Acts 19-20

Shabbat Read : September 27