Yesterday I received an email question about one of the new products First Fruits is distributing in our new webstore and catalog. First Fruits recently released a new product catalog for the Jewish calendar year 5769. To see our new catalog, click here.

But question I received asked why we, as a Messianic organization, were distributing the ESV Study Bible, which is largely Evangelical in its theology. They understood distributing the ESV Bible, but why the study Bible? It is a fair question, one that I thought others may have wondered. Thus, I wanted to re-post my answer, along with some other additional thoughts I had.

Q: I'm confused about FFOZ the offering the ESV Study Bible.

A: We understand your concerns. Why would FFOZ distribute a Christian study Bible when some of FFOZ's teachings challenge some of the theological presuppositions of Evangelical Christianity?

After sampling some of the notes and chapters online, we saw that this study Bible goes far beyond the "fluff" commentary notes of most study Bibles. This Bible goes to more serious level, utilizing historical context, linguistic analysis, and even occasional textual critical information. This type of information is important for the study of the Scriptures, regardless of one's theological conviction. If we as Messianic believers wish to mature in our understanding of the Bible, historical context is the first place we must start. This Bible provides a lot of that, with notes, introductions, and essays.

The ESV Study Bible also has the best maps, diagrams, and models of any study Bible anywhere, including full color diagrams of the Temple, and any Messianic believer should be interested in diagrams of the Temple! Click here to preview a diagram of the Temple.

You can sample a free preview of the study Bible on the entire book of Matthew. Click here to preview that sample. More previews, like the book of Jonah and the introductions to Psalms, Isaiah, Ezekiel, Luke, Ephesians, Colossians, and Revelation can be seen here.

Q: I would think it would be confusing for a Messianic believer to use it for study, unless they are well versed in the issues involving Messianic Jewish doctrine as opposed to Christian doctrine.

A: We feel that, like yourself, most of the constituency of FFOZ are critical thinkers. It's what defines us as Messianics. We keep what is good, and throw away what is bad. In my life, I have never read a book that I agree with 100% (other than the Bible, obviously). Whether a Christian Study Bible or a Jewish Chumash, we will always have to be discerning about whether we regard commentary as true or not. Thus, we feel that this resource is a good tool for information, yet we also acknowledge that the study notes are not inspired. Therefore, one should always feel free to disagree with the study notes.

With this resource, we think that there will be a lot of good to keep.

To order your copy of the ESV Study Bible, visit our webstore by clicking here.

It was last Friday afternoon and about an hour and a half before Shabbat began here in the Ozarks. I rushed out the door to do one last errand before Shabbat began.

As I ran out to the car and quickly pulled it out of the garage, I noticed that our dog Millie was outside. I knew that as soon as I started driving down the driveway that she would begin to chase the car. She always ran next to the car as fast as she could and then eventually would give up at the end of the driveway and stop in her tracks and watch me drive away wondering when I was going to return. I thought for a brief moment about putting her back in the house so that I wouldn't have to worry about her getting to close to the car but eventually I just started down the driveway.

She began to run as fast as ever and I could see her in the rearview mirror. I looked back once more hoping she would give up soon when I noticed I could no longer see her. Then I heard one of the most awful sounds of my life. "Thump" and the car bounced a little as if I had just run over something. I stopped the car immediately and got out. Millie was hobbling around on one back leg and soon collapsed on the ground. I ran over to her and tried to help but in desperation she bit me. She has never bit me and at that very moment I knew something was very wrong. I then ran to the house and told my wife Shannon to call our neighbor for help, but by the time I got back to her, her eyes were rolled back. She then took one last look at me and breathed her last.

The next hour was a blur. Between the tears, the emotions, and burying our beloved dog, my family was in a mess. We gathered round where we were burying her and said the traditional prayer "Blessed is He the true judge" and then offered up some final words to Millie. Although it may sound funny to some, for us a member of the family had died.

Millie came to us at a difficult time of transition to a new life here in Missouri. She was a bright spot and was always there to cheer us up. Although I was the last one to agree that we should get a dog, she was my baby form the first time I saw her. She was the first one to greet me each time I came home and would often try to take Shannon's side of the bed at night.

She loved our children too. She was always running outside with them or laying next to them on the floor while they played with toys. She was the perfect fit for our family.

It was earlier that day while I was doing some yard work outside in the rain, that I took a moment to appreciate her. She stuck by my side and kept me company on an especially cold and damp day. I thought to myself how blessed we were to have a dog like her.

As a family we have spent the past few days grieving the loss of our dog. We've shared all the stories we can think of. While we don't understand why she had to die before she was even a year old, we trust that everything is in HaShem's care. I have heard of famous sages who die young because their work was done. In a few short years they had managed to accomplish what most of us cannot in a lifetime. Maybe in a limited way the same is true with our Millie, her work being the happiness she brought to our family. One thing is for certain, she made a positive, lasting impact on our family. Her contagious little smile will live on in our hearts. We will miss Millie Grace, but we are so thankful to ur Father in Heaven for giving us to her for the time he did.

As most of you probably are aware, we released a new book on God's name entitled Hallowed be Your Name. After seeing so much controversy, confusion, and division in the Messianic movement over the pronunciation of God's name, we decided to tackle this head on. The book is an in-depth study of God's name and covers topics such the Hebraic background of "Name," should we be pronouncing the name, and is the name of Jesus pagan.

Yesterday I did a radio interview over the phone about the book with Messianic leader Scott Sekulow. Scott is a good friend of First Fruits of Zion and I had a lot of fun being on his program. You can hear the interview here. (Note: Once you are on the webpage, click on the program that was loaded on 11/12/2008. My interview starts about 40 minutes into the program.)

To find out more about the book and accompanying Beit Midrash CD's click here.

In a recent archaeological dig in Jerusalem, a water tunnel was discovered that is believed to be the "water shaft" mentioned in 2 Samuel 5:8 which says: And David said on that day, "Whoever would strike the Jebusites, let him get up the water shaft to attack 'the lame and the blind,' who are hated by David's soul." Therefore it is said, "The blind and the lame shall not come into the house."

The newly discovered tunnel, which dates to the 10th century BCE, is part of ongoing excavations that began earlier this year. The walls of the tunnel are composed of both unworked stones and the natural bedrock. According to the Israel Ministry of Tourism, "The tunnel was discovered under a large stone structure which was previously identified by archeologist Dr. Eilat Mazar as King David's palace (2 Samuel 5:11). The already existing tunnel was integrated into its construction and was probably used to channel water to a pool located on the palace's southeast side." They continued to note that by the end of the First Temple period, the tunnel was converted to an escape passage.

After being converted to an escape passage, "additional walls were constructed in order to prevent the possibility of anyone entering the tunnel from the slope of the hill and to prevent penetration of debris inside the tunnel." Oil lamps from the First Temple era were discovered in the tunnel attesting to its last use.

A picture of the tunnel and the oil lamps can be found here from which the info in this blog is taken.

Facebook is a social networking web site that helps people keep in touch with friends and family.

Now I wouldn't necessarily recommend that a person join Facebook. There are positives and negatives about getting involved in the whole social networking thing, but some Messianic people have found it useful and fun.

If you already have a Facebook account, then let me recommend our new Torah Portions Facebook application. It's a little utility that you can add to your profile that displays the current weekly Torah reading.

This will not only help keep you up-to-date with the current reading cycle, but it is also a non-confrontational way to pique the interest of your friends and family and introduce them to Torah. The Torah Portions Facebook app was developed to work alongside our new Torah outreach site, torahportions.org.

The new app is currently the only Messianic Facebook application in the directory, and in all likelihood, it is the first Messianic Facebook app ever created!

You can install the application by visiting this page.

Genesis is a book of beginnings. The beginning of the world. The beginning of man and woman. The unfortunate beginning of sin and exile. The beginning of the nations of the world, their languages, and their spreading out over the earth. These grand events transpired in the last two weekly Torah portions: B'reisheet and Noach.

As important as these matters are in the book of Genesis, they actually serve as just a prologue to the accounts of the Patriarchs. In this week's portion, Lech Lecha, we pick up on the key narrative of Genesis, and indeed even of the whole of Scripture. It is the beginning of the Promise.

Prior to this, the state of humanity was far from what God created in the Paradise of Eden. Exiled from the Garden and close communion with God, humanity was doomed to a life of curse due to sin:

1. To the serpent - "cursed are you above all livestock," Genesis 3:14
2. To Adam - "cursed is the ground because of you," Genesis 3:17
3. To Cain - "you are cursed from the ground," Genesis 4:11
4. To Noah - "the ground that the LORD has cursed," Genesis 5:29
5. To Ham - "Cursed be Canaan," Genesis 9:25

It is in Genesis 12 that God calls Abraham (then called Abram). It is a huge turning point in Genesis and in the history of man. Perhaps as a counterbalance to the five curses of Genesis 1-11, God balances them by using "bless/blessing" five times in Gen 12:2-3:

1. "I will bless you and make your name great," Genesis 12:2
2. "so that you will be a blessing," Genesis 12:2
3. "I will bless those who bless you," Genesis 12:3
4. "I will bless those who bless you," Genesis 12:3
5. "In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed," Genesis 12:3

In this, we see the very beginnings of God's promise to man being worked out through the family of Abraham.

But how are all the families of the earth "blessed in Abraham," when they aren't "in Abraham"? The answer, the Apostle Paul tells us, is that believers from all the nations are grafted into Abraham's family through faith in the Messiah, the Son of Abraham (Galatians 3:22). Without Messiah, we from the nations would have no access or right to the blessings of Abraham. But in Messiah, we become children of the promise and along with Israel can rightfully call Abraham our father.

"And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to promise" (Galatians 3:29).

Paul goes on to tell us that as sons and daughters of Abraham, we must live lives worthy of such a name.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit" (Galatians 5:24-25).

If we desire to lay hold of the Promise, we must allow the Promise to lay hold of us.

May the five-fold blessings of Abraham bear forth much fruit in your life, as we live as disciples of the Son of Abraham, Yeshua the Messiah.

Want to learn more about the promises to Abraham and their fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah? How does the promise to Abraham foresee in the ingrafting of the nations? Torah Club Volumes 1 & 5 answer these questions and more in their extensive commentary on the Abraham narratives. Become a Torah Club member today. For more information, click here.

In a recent archaeological dig performed at the behest of the Western Wall Heritage Foundation, an amazing discovery was made. Near the northwestern side of the Western Wall plaza a rare Hebrew seal dating from the latter part of the First Temple era was found; the seal dates to the 7th century BCE from the reigns of King Menasseh and King Josiah.

According to the excavation director and archaeologist Shlomit Wexler-Bdolah of the Israel Antiquities Authority stated that the seal appears to have belonged to a private individual. It is made of black stone and contains a decoration of an archer shooting a bow and arrow. The inscription on the stone is written in ancient Hebrew script stating "for Hagab."

The style of the archer is designed in modeled after Assyrian wall reliefs from the same era. This is the first seal of its kind: a seal belonging to a private individual decorated in Assyrian-style art with a Hebrew inscription. According to experts at Tel Aviv University, this style of decoration attests to the strong Assyrian influence that existed in Jerusalem at that time. It is suggested that the owner of the seal was likely a senior memeber of the Judaen military and chose to depict himself in the style of an Assyrian archer as is commonly seen on the aforementioned reliefs.

Pictures of the excavation site and the seal can be found here from which the information in this blog was taken.

I always knew that there was something Divine about my love for baseball...

Armenian scholar Dr. Abraham Terian has uncovered a reference in an ancient Syraic account of Yeshua's childhood that our Rabbi played some sort of sport with a bat and ball. He suggests that it was an ancient form of cricket but I think us baseball fans know better.

The passage cited has the Master playing hooky from his apprenticeship role and out playing ball with the boys instead. Terian suggests at the very least it is ancient evidence of a type of cricket game that was played in the Middle East.

Anyway you can check out the full story here.

The information in this post is for entertainment purposes only. To put it simply, I am employing a method of biblical analysis somewhat akin to the so-called Bible Code. Although the method I am using is more attested in Jewish tradition, it is hardly the type of interpretation one should turn to in order to determine or substantiate core beliefs. Nonetheless, it is fascinating and fun. Please don't mistake this for an attempt at scholarship.

The sages speak of four levels of biblical interpretation: simple (peshat), allusion (remez), homily (derash), and secret (sod). As a divinely inspired document, the Bible contains numerous secrets and mysteries, but it is not fruitful to search them out unless you accept and understand the peshat—the simple explanation of the text as dictated by context and reason.

Nonetheless, mystical interpretations appear frequently throughout the Apostolic Writings, from the genealogy in the book of Matthew to the closing words of the book of Revelation, so we cannot write off mystical ideas altogether.

Acronyms

Let me begin by introducing the concept known in Hebrew as rashei tevot (or in an Ashkenazi pronunciation, roshei teivos). Literally, the phrase means "heads of boxes," coming from the words rosh ("head") and tevah ("box," the Hebrew word used to describe Noah's ark). This is the phrase used in Hebrew to denote an acronym or abbreviation. "USA" could be described as the rashei tevot of "United States of America."

But in the realm of Scripture study, it works kind of in reverse. The task is to look at the first letter of consecutive words in a particular passage to find words or names. When these names are found, many rabbis believe that the verse or phrase in which it is found has relevance to that name.

Ideally, these letters are found in their proper order, but they may also have meaning if the name is found out of order.

Here, let me give you an example in English so you can get the idea. Here is a verse from the King James Bible:

So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: (2 Thessalonians 1:4)

Notice the name "Patty" encoded in the text as an acronym: Persecutions And Tribulations That Ye. If your name is Patty, I'm sorry.

Now you might say that such occurrences are purely coincidental. In the English King James text, I would have to agree. But in the Hebrew—well, don't spoil it for us. We're having fun.

In complement to rashei tevot, another concept exists that is known as sofei tevot, literally "ends of boxes." There is not really a good name in English for this, so I have just now made up the term final alphabetism. This is like an acronym, except we use the letter at the end of each word rather than the beginning. Were we to use this method to name NASA, for example, it would be called LSEN (nationaL aeronauticS and spacE associatioN).

Knowledge Shall Increase

In the age of the classic Torah commentators, one would likely have to be a savant to find these codes embedded in the text. Nonetheless, Ramban is credited with finding the name of a heretic encoded as the third letter of each word in Deuteronomy 32:26, which reads,

I would have said, "I will cut them to pieces; I will wipe them from human memory."

But in today's information age, any idiot with a $350 Bible program can find them in an instant. I seemed like the perfect candidate, so I tried it this past Hoshana Rabbah.

We know what to look for, of course. We want to find the name "Yeshua" (the Hebrew/Aramaic name of Jesus). In Hebrew, this is spelled yod-shin-vav-ayin (ישוע). I was a little afraid to do this, at first. I would have hated to get something about a wicked man being blotted out. But it actually turned out OK. Better than OK—truly amazing.

The Altar at Bethel

There are six verses in the entire Tanach which contain rashei tevot of the name Yeshua. Remarkably, they collectively describe the mission and life of Yeshua very well.

The first occurrence appears in 1 Kings 13:2:

And the man cried against the altar by the word of the LORD and said, "O altar, altar, thus says the LORD: 'Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you.'"

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase יאשיהו שמו וזבח עליך (Yoshiyahu SHemo Vezavach Aleicha), translated above as "Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you."

WOW, already! Here we are talking about a righteous royal son of David, a clear messiah figure. And we have a man prophesying the destruction of a corrupt altar and priesthood—that is, the temple at Bethel instituted by Jeroboam. Likewise, our master Yeshua was of Davidic descent, and prophesied about the destruction of the Temple and the corruption of the Sadducean priesthood.

The Resurrection of a Young Boy

The second occurrence can be found in 1 Kings 17:19:

And he said to her, "Give me your son." And he took him from her arms and carried him up into the upper chamber where he lodged, and laid him on his own bed.

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase ישב שם וישכבהו על (Yoshev SHam Vayashkivehu Al), translated above as "lodged, and laid him on."

WOW, again! Here we have the charismatic prophet Elijah, whose life and deeds strongly resemble those of our master. Here he can be seen resurrecting a boy from the dead by the power of the Spirit of God. Surely this brings to mind the stories of our master raising the daughter of the synagogue official (Mark 5), the centurion's servant (Matthew 8, Luke 7), and particularly the widow's only son (Luke 7), not to mention his own resurrection.

The Suffering of Job

The third occurrence appears in Job 7:3:

So I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me.

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase ירחי שוא ולילות עמל (Yarchei SHav Veleilot Amel), translated above as "months of emptiness, and nights of misery."

Here we have Job describing his enduring suffering. The Midrash Rabbah describes Job as a tzaddik (righteous man) on account of whose suffering the Israelites were permitted to cross the Red Sea. The "months of emptiness and nights of misery" seem to parallel the previous verse describing a burdened worker longing for shade (or evening) and not being rewarded for his work. Likewise for our master Yeshua, beyond the suffering of his torturous death, he still endures the suffering of centuries of slander and misrepresentation, and he is yet to receive his full reward. But Isaiah 62:11 prophesies that he will ultimately receive it.

A Second Jeremiah

The fourth occurrence appears in Jeremiah 33:1:

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the guard:

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase ירמיהו שנית והוא עודנו (Yirmeyahu SHenit Vehu Odenu), translated here as "Jeremiah a second time, while he was still." Interestingly, a literal translation of that phrase out of the context of the verse would mean, "Jeremiah a second time, and he still is."

This is one of the most fascinating of them all for me. The parallels between our master Yeshua and Jeremiah are intense. His declarations of the impending destruction of Jerusalem must have reminded the people of the prophet, since some people actually believed that he actually was Jeremiah (Matthew 16:14). For more information on this aspect of our master's mission see my posts Prophet of the Second Exile Part 1 and Part 2.

Clothed in Desolation

The fifth occurrence is Ezekiel 7:27:

The king mourns, the prince is wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people of the land are paralyzed by terror. According to their way I will do to them, and according to their judgments I will judge them, and they shall know that I am the LORD.

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase ילבש שממה וידי עם (Yilbash SHemamah Videi Am), translated here as "wrapped in despair, and the hands of the people." Rather than "wrapped in despair," I think that the King James does well with a more literal translation of "clothed with desolation." The word shemamah is often employed to describe desolated Jerusalem.

Again, we have a message of impending disaster, characteristic of Yeshua's ministry. See, for example Luke 13:5, 35; 17:26-27; 21:6, 20-24; 23:27-31.

But our master did not revel in this destruction. He mourned intensely.

The Day of Destruction

The sixth and final occurrence is in Zephaniah 1:16:

...a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements.

The name Yeshua appears in the phrase יום שופר ותרועה על (Yom SHofar Uteru'ah Al), translated as "a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against." As for its significance, I think you get the picture. This is a prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem. Read from the beginning of the chapter, and you will easily see its context and application.

That's all of them. Well, all of them that appear in their proper order. There is no where else where acronyms (or even final alphabetisms) appear for Yeshua in the entire Tanach.

But I do have one more thing to show you, and it is potentially the most amazing thing of them all.

My Search for Messiah

OK, I had to look for one more thing. What does it say about the messiah? The Hebrew word for messiah is mashiach, spelled mem-shin-yod-cheit (משיח). So I put it in.

Remarkably, I got nothing. There was not a single verse in the entire Tanach with that sequence of initial letters. But I had another idea. I recently heard a rabbi explain that the initial letters describe the beginning of a person's life, but the final letters describe the end. Mashiach is supposed to come at the end, right?

There was only one verse in all of the Hebrew Scriptures that contained the sofei tevot code for mashiach. It contained it as final letters in Psalm 72:5:

May they fear you while the sun endures, and as long as the moon, throughout all generations!

The word mashiach appears as the final letters of the phrase עם שמש ולפני ירח (iM shemeSH velifneI yareaCH), translated here as "while the sun endures, and as long as the moon." However, the Hebrew here is terse, and a literal translation of the phrase would be "with the sun and before the moon."

If you take look at the entire Psalm (and please do), you will see that it is intensely messianic. It is a highly appropriate Psalm to contain the one and only code for mashiach. Since it opens with "to/of Solomon," the last verse seems to indicate that King David wrote it for his son. The Talmud (b.Sanhedrin 98b) directly associates verse 17 of this Psalm with the messiah.

That by itself, is jaw-dropping for me. But then I noticed another detail.

Looking at that exact same phrase, I examined its initial letters.

• עם (Im) - Ayin.


• שמש (SHemesh) - Shin.


• ולפני (Velifnei) - Vav.


• ירח (Yareach) - Yod.

The initials of this phrase are the same letters in the name Yeshua, albeit in a different order. In this case, the letters of his name are rearranged so that "the last is first, and the first is last!"

What do you think?

I'm interested to hear your take on all of this. Do you think we should take this kind of thing seriously? Does this kind of thing strengthen your faith in Yeshua or the Bible? Do you think I should search for more, or leave it alone?

Once more, however, let me underscore that this is not the way to form your basic understanding of God and Torah. Water from the rock is sweet, but it is not necessary until you've already exhausted the river beside you.

Are you ready to learn Hebrew yet?

FFOZ is releasing my brand new beginner's Hebrew course entitled Getting Started in Hebrew. The course consists of 12 video lessons on DVD and workbook, accompanied by a beautiful wall poster and flash cards. Not only will you learn to read Hebrew and gain some basic vocabulary, but you will also be presented with fascinating spiritual insights based on the Hebrew language, although they are more down to earth than this one. Geared for beginners and Messiah-focused, this is a great place for disciples of our master Yeshua to begin Hebrew study.

Hundreds of people have visited the new Torah PORTIONS website. We have had many people write kind compliments and words of encouragement. A comment came in this morning that was simple—yet to the very heart of this new endeavored. They said,

I read part of the Torah this morning and just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy it. Blessings to you!

Torah PORTIONS goals are to make the Torah more accessible and approachable. It is a simple, clean and clear presentation of the Torah readings. People can get quick access to the weekly readings, print the text or listen to the portion read aloud. One listener described the audio options as,

I am easily distracted by different accents, even irritated by certain voices, but I actually also thought the Torah Portion reader's voice is dreamy in a gentle, peaceful, easy to listen to, warm, way - maybe even a little "ethereal." His voice attracts my attention and in no way distracts from the content of the material.

Other notes of encouragement state,

I really think that this will be helpful to those of us who don't have hardly any likeminded people around us. It will be a whole lot easier to introduce and maybe easier to "swallow" for those who have no idea about the Torah....like so many of us at one point. I just emailed this website to my dad. I told him it was a great way to keep up with what we are reading and when we are reading it. What Boaz said about G-d's word meeting us where we are, is so true! We just have to find ways to get people to spend time in G-d's word! Great site! I've put a link on my Facebook site My husband and I loved it. Listening to Isaiah being read I felt as if HaShem was reading it (speaking) directly to me.

Please let us know ways that we can improve this site to meet your needs, or to be more effective in presenting the word of God. In the next couple of weeks you will see some additional features.

Please spread the news of Torah PORTIONS to others, send out an e-mail, create links on your blogs, websites or post a note on other messianic and Christian forums. Anything that you can do to help us get the word out we appreciate it.

First Fruits has begun creating a series of small books called Mayim Chayim "Living Water" which discuss the practical applications of various laws of the Torah. It is our idea to create books that are geared toward those who desire to observe a particular commandment of Torah and would like a resource which discusses it from a Messiah centered perspective. So far we have created three: Breaking Bread, Hallowed Be Your Name, and Mezuzah.

About a year ago I posted a blog post discussing our intent to create one of these books on tefillin. Right now the manuscript is at the proofer's and we have begun working with a volunteer artist to create diagrams and illustrations.

Recently we made a decision to release this book at the same time as an additional one on tzitzit. This idea was based on the Master's words in Matthew 23 where he references these two mitzvot simultaneously:

They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. (Mathew 23:5)

In this passage he is not coming against either of these mitzvot but rather giving correction to those who wish to use these practices as a badge of righteousness. Since the Master grouped these two commandments together we decided to do so as well.

Tzitzit are a simple commandment but one that we get asked about often. My idea is to create a book that would be useful for both the beginner and advanced student alike. So as I am now in the initial stages of research, I am wanting to hear from you as to what topics and subjects you would like to see discussed in this book. Let me know by leaving a comment on this thread. This was so beneficial in regards to the tefillin book that I decided to do it again for this one as well.

So let's have it, what would you like to see discussed and covered in this book?

Cheshvan is the eighth month according to the biblical calendar. The name "Cheshvan" is the Babylonian name of the month. The older biblical (or Canaanite) name of the month is "Bul" as it says in 1 Kings 6:38, "And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished..." As the previous verse stated, it was during the month of Cheshvan that King Solomon completed his seven-year construction of the First Temple. Because of this, the sages say that Cheshvan should have had a festival. Yet, the Temple stood empty for 11 months and was not dedicated until the following Tishrei (see 1 Kings 8). According to the sages, since the month of Cheshvan did not receive a feast and lost it to Tishrei, one day it will receive a festival, just as Kislev gained a feast (Hanukkah) during the days of the Maccabees. More transpired during Cheshvan in the time of the kings. In the generation following Solomon, King Jeroboam set up two golden calves in Bethel and Dan. He instituted a feast on the fifteenth day of Cheshvan. (Needless to say, this is not the feast that the sages said Cheshvan was to receive.) Also in the days of Noah, 17 Cheshvan may have been the day that the Great Flood began. Genesis 7:11 says, "In the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened." The sages debated whether this referred to Iyyar (the second month counting from Nisan) or Cheshvan (the second month counting from Tishrei). It was determined that this second month was Cheshvan, due to the fact that Nisan was not considered the beginning of the months until the time of the Exodus (see Exodus 12:2). Similarly, Cheshvan is the beginning of rainy season in the land of Israel. This change is reflected in the second benediction of the Amidah prayer. During Cheshvan, the phrase "who causes the wind blow and sends down the rain" is added to this benediction. With it, we extol HaShem as the Powerful One who resurrects the dead, heals the sick, sets captives free, and brings forth salvation. So whether remembering the Temple, the Great Flood, or the everyday blessings of rain, Cheshvan teaches us about the might of God. He is awesome and powerful. We depend on him for our every need. "For us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist" (1 Corinthians 8:6). Though there may not be any festivals in Cheshvan, we can rejoice and be thankful for the constant provision that God provides for us through our Master Yeshua. May you have a blessed Cheshvan.

Last week in my inbox I received this story. (I have condensed part of it for space.)

In 1907, when Rabbi Sholom DovBer of Lubavitch was staying at a health spa in Wirtzberg, Germany, a group of Chassidim came to spend a Shabbos with the Rebbe. Reb Yosef Yuzik (one of the guests) asked, "Rebbe, What is a chassid?" Replied the Rebbe: "A chassid is a lamplighter. The lamplighter walks streets carrying a flame at the end of a stick. He knows that the flame is not his. And he goes from lamp to lamp to set them alight."

Asked Reb Yosef Yuzik, "What if the lamp is in the desert?" "Then one must go and light it," said the Rebbe. "And when one lights a lamp in a desert, the desolation of the desert becomes visible. The barren wilderness will then be ashamed before the burning lamp."

Continued the chassid, "What if the lamp is at sea?" "Then one must undress, dive into the sea, and go light the lamp." Replied the Rebbe. "And this is a chassid?" asked Reb Yosef Yuzik.

For a long while the Rebbe thought. Then he said, "Yes, this is a chassid." "But, Rebbe, I do not see the lamps!" said Reb Yuzik. The Rebbe answered, "Because you are not a lamplighter." Reb Yuzik asked, "How does one become a lamplighter?"

"First you must reject the evil within yourself. Start with yourself, cleanse yourself, refine yourself, and you will see the lamp within your fellow. When a person is himself coarse, God forbid, he sees coarseness, when a person is himself refined, he sees the refinement in others."

Reb. Yosef Yuzik then asked, "Is one to grab another by the throat?" The Rebbe replied, "By the throat, no; by the lapels, yes."

I really enjoyed this story and it made me think right away about our Master's teaching to let our lights shine. Our light is a gift from the Father to share with those around us. We are to be lamplighters using our light to emblaze the lights of others so that together we can dispel the darkness. (Matthew 5:16)

But, sometimes we might find it very hard not to grab people around the throats!! We say things like: "How come my family does not get this whole Torah thing?" "It is so easy!" "How come my friends think I just joined a cult?" And it does not take long before we get discouraged.

First Fruits of Zion has just launched a web site that may be able to help. The TorahPORTIONS web site is designed to help you bring the message of Torah to your family and friends who do not really know much of Torah at all. With Torah commentary from Torah Club One this basic information will help you light the lamp of those in your life.

However, it is not limited to Torah beginners. It can also be used by the more learned student. It is a great place to be reminded to read the weekly Torah portion or when you are too busy you can listen to it while you do other things. Either way it helps to fan the flame so when the time comes you can light the lamp of others.

TorahPORTIONS is a great way to let the Ruach do the work of bringing the Torah to the heart of those who have yet to hear. And remember, keep your light strong! You never know when you might be called into the desert, or into the sea to light someone's lamp.

To see the TorahPORTIONS web site click here.

Yesterday my family walked to a friend's home a couple of miles from our house. While walking down the road, I read aloud the book of James. We entered into discussion on various points throughout the reading. Something different stood out to each person. Each person was convicted in a different area as the Word was read.

There is something powerful in simply hearing and reading the Word. The Lord has the opportunity to speak to each of us, where we are at, and with what He desires teach us.

I am pleased to announce a new resource that we have developed to help spread the message found in God's Word using the weekly Torah reading schedule. The website is called, TorahPortions. At this time, the site has one simple goal--to get people to simply read and listen to the Word of God.

Its design is friendly and approachable for our Christian friends and brothers. The core biblical text is the highly acclaimed English Standard Version (ESV) which is one of the key translations used in our publications at First Fruits of Zion. This translation is conservative, literal, yet very readable. It is a solid translation that is widely accepted.
Let's let God do the work. Let's simply read and hear the Torah, the Prophets, and the Gospels. God will do the Work of convicting, prompting, and revealing his Torah to those of us that will simply listen.

I would greatly appreciate your feedback on this new site; I would greatly appreciate you spreading the word about this new resource. Let's get reading and listening. The first portion is this week! Click to Read / Listen to B'reisheet.

Blog posts have been sparse on the FFOZ website since the festival season began this fall. We have all been busy keeping festivals and trying to get things done in between Sabbaths and holy days. It's been an eventful holiday season so far at Beth Immanuel in Hudson, Wisconsin, the congregation where I attend. We heard the shofar at Rosh Hashanah, fasted on Yom Kippur and had two babies born in the community, both of them born to the wives of cantors, and both of them born on Yom Kippur. Cantor Chris Moberg's wife Anne had a baby girl, and Cantor Aaron Eby's wife Rachel had a baby boy. Baruch HaShem for the gift of life.

Tonight, the weather forecast is for fifty degrees Fahrenheit and rain--a typical first night for the festival of Sukkot in these parts. As the saying goes, "Into every sukkah, a little rain must fall."

This year, our First Fruits of Zion staff is spread out. Boaz Michael and family will be spending Sukkot this year at a feast site in Tennessee. Toby Janicki and family are spending Sukkot at a feast site in Iowa. I will be shivering in my Sukkah with my family in Saint Paul.

Wherever the feast of Sukkot finds you tonight and over the ensuing week, may the Lord bless you--our First Fruits of Zion family--abundantly with great joy, the joy of the festival, the joy of the kingdom, the joy of the birth of our blessed Messiah. May the memory of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Aaron and David be gathered around your table, and may the holy King of Israel, the risen Messiah, welcome you to his table.

Chag Sameach
D. Thomas Lancaster
Tishri 14, 5769

The offices of First Fruits of Zion will be closed early today and all day tomorrow for the fast day and appointed time of Yom Kippur (The Day of Atonement).

Although there is no Temple today, the annual observance of Yom Kippur is still an important spiritual discipline and a commandment. The apostles teach that believers constitute a collective Temple of the Holy Spirit. The concentrated day of fasting, confession, repentance and petition for forgiveness is like the annual purification of the Temple that happened on Yom Kippur when the high priest went into the holy of holies. This does not mean that we do not regularly confess our sins and repent. Nor does it mean that our sins are not forgiven by the blood of Messiah. It simply means that, once a year, it is a good idea to take inventory, straighten things up and scrub down the soul. That's what the Day of Atonement is all about.

May you find atonement through Yeshua. May you be received again into the loving arms of our Father in Heaven.

Yom Kippur begins Wednesday night. In the days of the Apostles, Yom Kippur was the day that the high priest entered the holy of holies. For a week before Yom Kippur, he remained sequestered in the Temple preparing for the day. On the night before Yom Kippur, he kept vigil through the night, studying the scriptures and preparing for the following day's ceremonies.

Coinciding with the week before Yom Kippur, Israeli archaeologists excavating at an undisclosed location in Benjamin have discovered a piece of a sarcophagus which belonged to a high priestly family. A very legible Hebrew inscription from what was perhaps the stone lid of the sarcophagus reads, "Son of the High Priest" (בן הכהן הגדול).

You can read the story here.

D. Thomas Lancaster
7 Tishri 5769

May you have a sweet New Year, and rejoice that your names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Rosh Hashanah greetings from all of us at First Fruits of Zion and from myself and my family. As we close out the biblical year 5768 and look ahead to the coming year, it is with a deep sense of gratitude to God, gratitude for all of you, our readers, supporters and partners. With the help of the Father, you have made great things possible.

The coming year, 5769, though fraught with uncertainty, promises to be a banner year for the ministry of First Fruits of Zion. With several new books, discipleship resources and outreach incentives, we hope to see the message of Torah blossom in lives, homes, churches and communities. Join us through these high holy days in praying for the advancement of the kingdom and the return of all of God's people to His Torah through the grace of Yeshua the Messiah.

May the sound of the Shofar during Rosh Hashanah echo in your soul, send a shiver down your back, light a fire in your heart and give you the joy of your Master. Maran Etha. Our Master is coming!

Boaz Michael

Tishrei is the seventh month of the biblical calendar year when counting the months from Nisan. The name "Tishrei" is the Babylonian name of the month. In the Bible, it is simply referred to as "the seventh month," as in Leviticus 23:24, "Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month..." Yet, in Judaism Tishrei is also considered the beginning of a new year. How can the seventh month of the calendar be a new year? Well, in actuality, the biblical calendar has multiple "new years" in regards to different events. The numbering of the months proceeds from Nisan, in commemoration of the Exodus (Exodus 12:2). Elsewhere in the Torah, Hashem commands that the Sabbatical and Jubilee years be counted from the seventh month (Leviticus 25:8-10). Thus, from ancient times, the months have been counted from Nisan, but the years have been calculated from Tishrei. Thus, it is often explained that Nisan is the beginning of the liturgical calendar and Tishrei is the beginning of civil calendar. Tishrei is full of festivals and fasts, mitzvot and meaning, solemnity and celebration. After the long, hot days of summer, the atmosphere in the Land of Israel cools. The summer's harvest is nearly complete, and the sense of anticipation builds as the days come ever closer to the month of Tishrei. Then, when it comes, it's like an explosion—literally! We experience the resounding blast of the shofar on Rosh Hashanah, Tishrei 1. The shofar functions as a type of divine summons, calling God's people to stand before him in awe and reverence. It for this reason these days are frequently referred to as the High Holy Days. We approach God as Avinu Malkeinu, our Father our King, seated on a throne of judgment. As lowly servants, we tremble as we draw near to his presence, yet we are compelled to draw near nonetheless. We know that our own righteousness is not sufficient to stand before him. Yet, "if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous" (1 John 2:1). Though we have no worthy deeds to justify ourselves, we find that his throne is a throne of grace and lovingkindness. "Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Hebrews 4:16). For ten awe-inspiring days, we continue to stand before the throne until we finally come to the most solemn day of the biblical calendar, Yom Kippur, Tishrei 10. On this day we earnestly strive to connect with the heavenly realm. With fasting, garments of white, and many praises and supplications, we seek to emulate the angels who surround God's throne. As we peer into the heavenly abode, we once again catch a glimpse of our High Priest, Yeshua the Messiah, who "entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves but by means of his own blood, thus securing eternal redemption" (Hebrews 9:12). It is not long after we break our fast that our attention immediately turns to the approaching feast—the Feast if you will, the Feast of Tabernacles, Tishrei 15. Emerging from the purification of Yom Kippur, we eagerly build our temporary dwellings, where for eight days we will dine with guests, sing joyful songs, study Torah, and perhaps even catch a nap. Through this, we taste the spiritual bliss of the World to Come. Taking the lulav and etrog,1 we wave them in every direction: east, south, west, north, up, and down proclaiming, "Hoshana! Please, save us now!" (Psalm 118:25) to the Master of heaven and earth. Though the taste of the Feast is sweet, we desire more than a taste. We ultimately desire to eat of the Banquet itself. If we anticipate the Feast of Tabernacles with joy and longing, how much more so do we anticipate when "the LORD will be king over all the earth." That day when, "the LORD will be one and his name one" (Zechariah 14:9). Thus during Tishrei, we begin the year reminded of the end. And yet, it is not the end, but a wonderful and glorious renewal. We embark on a new year refreshed, renewed, and reminded of our purpose as disciples of Yeshua the Messiah. L'Shanah Tovah, Tzom Kal, v'Chag Sameach - To a good year, an easy fast, and a joyous feast from all of us at First Fruits of Zion! Endnotes

1. The four species mentioned in Leviticus 23:40-41

Rosh Hashanah is less than a week away (this year, it starts on the evening of Monday, Sept. 29 and continues through nightfall on Wednesday, Oct. 1). Reasons for doubling days can be found in a previous FFOZ blog found here. In order for people who are less familiar with the various customs and the like, I will offer a brief description of the order of the two days to better equip people.

On the day prior to Rosh Hashanah, many have the custom of reciting Psalms in order to better prepare themselves for this most auspicious time on the calendar. This leads up to erev Rosh Hashanah, just shortly before sundown on Sept. 29.

During the first night of Rosh Hashanah it is customary to great each other with the blessing, Leshanah tovah tikkatev vetechatem, "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." The evening begins with the traditional candle lighting by the women of the house (if no women are present, a man should light the candle); candles are lit on both nights of Rosh Hashanah. The two blessings that are said each night may be found in standard machzorim (High Holiday prayerbook). One of these two blessings is the shehecheyanu, "who has granted us life, sustained us, and brought us to reach this occasion" (although this blessing is recited by the woman during the candle lighting, it will be said again over the kiddush).

After the ma'ariv (evening) prayers, it is traditional to have an evening meal. The meal is preceded by the recitation of kiddush for Rosh Hashanah which may be found in a machzor. After the kiddush, the blessing for bread is typically done over two challot (braided loaves); after the brachah (blessing), a piece is dipped in honey for all present at the table. Another custom is to eat various kinds of fruits at the evening meal. This is usually preceded by taking a slice of an apple, dipping it in honey, and reciting the brachah "who creates the fruit of the tree." The fruits that are eaten are sweet fruits; other sweet tasting foods are eaten at the meal as well. On the evening meal of the second night of Rosh Hashanah, one eats a seasonal fruit that he has not eaten during since the beginning of that season (the same brachah over fruit mentioned above is said over this piece as well). For the meat dish, kosher fish with the head on is typically served.

The next morning of both nights of Rosh Hashanah begin with the shacharis (morning) prayers at which the shofar is blown throughout the service at various points as indicated in the machzor. These blasts consist of a Tekiah which is a long uninterrupted blast. The second is a series of three average length blasts known as Shevarim; these sounds mimic the sound of one sobbing. The third in the set is the Terurah which consists of at least nine short staccato blasts.

Aside from the general order of prayers and the festive meals, other customs are observed during Rosh Hashanah and various other holidays mentioned in the Torah. These include the obligation of a man to buy a new garment or piece of jewelry for his wife. One is also obligated to feed the poor and needy and not to turn away from them.

Various Torah and Haftarah portions are read throughout the two days of Rosh Hashanah; these may be found in standard chumashim (a printed Torah).