Celebrating Passover (Herald Text Page)

A "numbers game" began when Yahveh promised Abraham that He would give Abraham's descendants a land of their own. These descendants would be of the seed from his own loins passed through Isaac, Jacob, and Jacob's twelve sons whom Yahveh called Israel.

This promised land, at a minimum, would encompass the land from the river of Egypt to the great river Euphrates, from the Arabah to the Western sea. Today, the world identifies these lands as being made up of Israel (1948 borders), the State of Palestine (West Bank and Gaza Strip), Lebanon, Jordan, Southern Syria, and the Sinai Peninsula.

For this promise to Abraham to be fulfilled as outlined in multiple Scriptural promises and prophecies, at least some two hundred million sons of Israel must at some point in time be gathered from among the nations, returned to their own soil, and become one united kingdom in the land with one king ruling over them forever (Jeremiah 23: 1-8; Ezekiel 37:15-25).

The descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, for four thousand years have struggled without success to obtain the unity and numbers needed to fulfill this promise. Now, as we enter the seventh millennium, we find Israel engaged in yet another attempt to make Yahveh's promise a reality.

Where does Israel stand in this latest attempt to fulfill these promises? What, if anything, can we of Messianic Israel do about it?

The twentieth century opened with great strides as the Balfour declaration resulted in General Allenby freeing Jerusalem from 1278 years of Moslem control.¹ Thus paving the way for the fulfillment of Theodore Herzl's prophecy that the Jewish State, founded at the first Zionist Congress held in Basel, Switzerland in 1897, would be a reality in not more than fifty years. Herzl was seven months off: On May 15, 1948, the Jewish State, named Israel at the last moment by its founders, become a reality.

In the 1946 census conducted under British auspices the number of Jews in Israel finally exceed 600,000--and according to some, this was a prophetic milestone in the foundation of the Jewish State. The Chazal (Oral Torah) had predicted, "Just as the Exodus from Egypt and entry into the Land occurred with 600,000 Israelites so will the exact same thing happen again, and will this time herald the era of Messiah. Israel will inherit the Land and become independent when the number of Israelites in the Land number 600,000." ²

Interestingly, the Oral Torah also specified the year 5708 (1947/48) as the time when the Land will be redeemed; and that, when there were 600,000 "Israelite" adult males in Israel, Yahveh's presence would be felt through all the various special occurrences in the land. (Quoting this fact is not to be construed as a blanket endorsement of the Oral Torah!)³ In turn, the Israeli census of 5725 (1965) indicated that there were 631,330 adult "Jewish" males. And, in 5727 (1967), Yahveh intervened in a glorious fashion on behalf of His people. Through the Six Day War, He returned Jerusalem to Jewish control.

In 1973 the Yom Kippur war saw Israel take control of the West Bank, Gaza Strip, Sinai Peninsula, and the Golan Heights. And a decade later they occupied Southern Lebanon. But these stellar victories proved to be a dilemma for Israel--because--they did not have the numbers to hold the territories they had conquered!

There were not enough Jews to incorporate these lands into a greater Israel, and to have a state wherein the majority of the citizens would be Jewish. So, Israel gave the Sinai back to Egypt, withdrew from Southern Lebanon, and is now in the process of recognizing a Palestinian State made of up the ancient provinces of Judea and Samaria, with East Jerusalem as its capital.

What does Israel do now?

Unfortunately, the secular government of Israel is in the process of throwing the baby out with the bath water, in what will prove to be futile attempts to reach accords with the sons of Ishmael.

Admittedly, Israel faces what appears in the natural to be insolvable problems. Among them, and looming extremely large, is the problem of handling the demands of some four million Palestinian refugees living in Jordan, Syria, Lebanon and camps in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip who want to return to Israel.

From the Palestinian perspective the "right of return" of these refugees has been a cornerstone of Palestinian policy for decades. And, it cannot be denied that they the have a persuasive story to tell the world. These refugees result from some 750,000 Arabs who fled Israel during Israel's War of Independence in 1948. Some have heavy old iron keys to homes destroyed long ago. Some have crumbling yellow land deeds. Some have faded sepia photographs. All have memories--their own, or those handed down to them like a family keepsake. Unfortunately, with a birthrate of 50 per thousand, the problem will only continue to grow.

From the Israeli perspective these numbers would dramatically change the demographics of Israel. In fact, even the most peace-minded Israeli politicians agree that it would be national suicide! Why? Because when the number of Palestinians/Arabs outnumber the Jews, then you no longer have a Jewish State.

Instead of a state where 80 percent of the six million people are Jews, there would be a fifty/fifty Jewish/Arab state. And the Arabs with a birthrate five times that of the Jews would in a few years have a state where the Jews were in the minority.

Israel's first line of defense against this potential Arab invasion is to demand that any political settlement with the Palestinians take into account some 850,000 Jews who were exiled from Arab countries: Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco. These Jews who emigrated from these Arab countries between 1922 and 1952 left behind an estimated $30 billion in assets.

Further, Israel will make the case that the exiled Jews were forced to leave Arab lands, and that the Arabs left Israel of their own volition. For in the 1948 Arab invasion of Israel, the Arab forces, in order to easily identify the Israeli Jews and then murder them quickly, asked the Arabs of Israel to leave the country.

The basic challenge the Jewish State faces today is to keep the State "Jewish." To accomplish this they must either come up with more Jews, or shrink the State to maintain a Jewish majority. Roughly there are thirteen million Jews in the world, of which five million are currently living in Israel, five million in the United States, and three million in the rest of the world. Hardly numbers equal to the stars in the heavens, the sand by the seashore and the dust of the earth--which is what Yahveh promised Abraham. And yet, these limited numbers are the only Israelites currently recognized by the State of Israel.

Unfortunately, at this time we can probably count out most of the five million American Jews, who presently seem to have little desire to move to Israel. The few who do move there are more than offset by the Israelis who are currently emigrating to America. This leaves some three million Jews scattered throughout the rest of the world, and many of them are too poor or elderly to make the move, or, like their brothers and sisters in America they are happy with their current location.

In recent years the major source for Jewish emigration has been the former Soviet Union. However, some of the latest Russian emigrants may be more representative of the "biblical invasion from the North" rather than being a source that is strengthening the Jewish State.

Currently there is a Russian speaking state some 600,000 strong, within the Jewish State. A recent article in the Jerusalem Post estimated that over 300,000 of these Russians were not Jews, Christians or Moslems. All of this is to say that the eight million Jews still scattered throughout the world do not appear to be a prime source to provide the necessary and much needed numbers.

If the Jews cannot provide sufficient Israelite numbers in the Land to even attempt to successfully hold on to the small portion of the Land that they were allotted by the United Nations in 1948, then the hope of being able to take possession of the entire Land promised Abraham seems hopeless in our generation. And if it is hopeless in a generation when half of the people that have ever lived on this planet are alive, then when will it happen?

Are the people of Israel once again giving a bad report? Are they seeing themselves as grasshoppers in their own eyes? (Numbers 13:32).

In fear, let us remember the fate of the ten spies who gave a bad report in the first return, as well as the fate of the men of Israel who accepted that report. Yahveh said of them:

"When your fathers tested Me, they tried Me, though they had seen My work. For forty years I loathed that generation, and said they are a people who err in their heart, and they do not know My ways. Therefore, I swore in My anger, truly they shall not enter into My rest, nor shall they come into the land in which I swore to settle you" (Numbers 14:30; Psalm 95:9-11).

It may not be completely clear what "they shall not enter into My rest" means, but it surely does not sound good. And we do not want to numbered with them. Instead we want to cast our lot with Caleb and Joshua, men who gave a good report, men of whom Yahveh said:

"My servants Caleb and Joshua, because they have a different spirit and have followed Me fully, I will bring them into the land which they entered, and their descendants shall take possession of it" (Numbers 14:24, 30).

If we are truly to have the different spirit that Caleb and Joshua had, then we too need to be able to say in our day to the sons of Israel:

"The land is an exceedingly good land, and if Yahveh is pleased with us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us--a land which flows with milk and honey. Only do not rebel against Yahveh our God; and do not fear the people of the land, for they shall be our prey. Their protection has been removed from them, and Yahveh our God is with us; do not fear them" (Numbers 14:79).

Walking in the spirit of Joshua and Caleb may not initially win us popularity polls. Remember, they were outnumbered among the sons of Israel some 600,000 to 2. But if we are to please Yahveh and be counted among those whom He will bring into the Land, we have no other choice than to march against the majority.

So what can we possibly do? The problem of the State of Israel today, our problem, and Yahveh's problem, is a lack of Israelites. Yahveh does have one big advantage, since all events in the world were already envisioned by Him, and since everything is occurring right on schedule according to His plan. Our challenge is to apply faith to the understanding, guidance, and opportunities we receive from the Ruach HaKodesh.

Israel's problem is, not having enough Israelites. So our first questions is, other than the Jewish people, are there any other sources of potential Israelites in the world today?

An answer is now stirring in the hearts of many who follow Israel's Messiah, Yeshua. These are beginning to identify with the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Many see themselves as being "part" of the people of Israel. The are Messianic Israelites from both the house of Ephraim and the house of Judah. They are people who are not only aware of their identity, but also of their mission of restoring Israel's kingdom.

What is this emerging Israel to do?

Obviously, Yahveh's works of the past century have not been for the sole purpose of establishing a small Jewish enclave on the shores of the Mediterranean. Rather, He has brought up the tents of Judah as a first step in fulfilling His promise to Abraham. But if a returning Judah and his companions of Israel was the first step, what is the second step? Is it not the regathering of Joseph, whose staff of leadership is in the hands of his son Ephraim, and his companions of Israel? Is Joseph once again to be the one who provides the means for Israel to build up its numbers?

Thousands of years ago our forefather Jacob recognize that it was a matter of numbers. Jacob became upset with his sons Shimon and Levi, who, in the course of rescuing their sister Dinah, destroyed the entire male population of Shechem. Jacob was afraid the actions of these sons might predicate an attack by the neighboring Canaanites against his family, which was beginning to bud into a nation. According to Oral Torah, the Canaanite nations had a tradition that the Israelites only became invincible once they numbered 600,000 (again, we do not to endorse Oral Torah).⁴ So as long as Jacob's family was small, they were vulnerable. This holds true today. Without sufficient numbers, Israel is vulnerable.

What are sufficient numbers? Only Yahveh knows, but we have the freedom to make reasonable speculations. We do know that 600,000 of Judah were in the land in 1948 when the State was founded. And that there were 600,000 males over the age of twenty when the City of Jerusalem was retaken in 1967. Obviously additional numbers are required for the next stage of occupation of the Land.

What numbers? Where do they come from? What if a representation of Ephraim is required for this next stage in the occupation of the Land? What would be the necessary size of his representation? Would it be a number equal to that of Judah? Or, since Judah primarily represents two tribes and Ephraim represents ten, is Ephraim expected to furnish five times the number of Judah? For now a goal to equal Judah's initial objective of 600,000 is a formidable challenge.

Consider the following scenario in which Messianic Israel makes the following proposal to our brothers and sisters in the Land today: "We have six hundred thousand of Ephraim and Judah who know they are part of the people of Israel, and who want to join with their lives and fortunes in living in and holding the Land promised to our forefathers. While we are Believers in Israel's Messiah, we come not as missionaries to convert you, but as your physical brothers and sisters to work together to fulfill the purposes and hope that the Holy One of Israel has for His people in our day."

If we could actually make this offer, and if it was publicized among the Israeli public today, they would answer, "Come home!"

If you believe this would be their answer, if you believe such an offer would be a giant step forward in Yahveh's plans to fulfill His promise to Abraham, then together, we have a job to do. While it may seem that we have tackled an insurmountable task, still, we will not be grasshoppers in our own eyes. Our God, the Holy One of Israel, is well able, and therefore, we are well able!

We know what to do. We just need to quicken the pace. We need to take full advantage of every opportunity to identify Israelites and to make them aware of their mission. We need to prepare ourselves to take full advantage of all favorable circumstances that come our way, and to be ready when given the opportunity to be part of the returning remnant.

What if we are ready and there is no opportunity to return? What will we have lost? But what if we are not ready, and there is an opportunity to return? What will we have lost? Far better to be prepared and not be called upon, than to be called upon and not be prepared. So let us be found adding to unity in numbers and being a part of the solution rather than detracting from unity in numbers, and therefore being part of the problem.

Let us seek to unite and to awaken our fellow Israelites to their glorious call as Israel--a powerful prevailing prince, soldier of the God of Israel.

I say to you, I shall never again eat it until... (Luke 22:16).

Messiah Yeshua said He would never eat of the Passover again, "Until..."

As Messianic Israelites, we need to fully understand this conditional clause, because--final fulfillment of Passover hinges on it. Moreover, to help bring to pass Messiah's Passover provision requires something of those who now seek to do His will in the earth.

Most important, perceiving the point behind Yeshua's stipulated "until" will enable us to walk through a new door of end-time "Passover power"!

Many have gained an in-depth understanding of the "Last Supper" after seeing it presented in light of the traditional Jewish Passover Seder.¹ This is even more true when the traditional Jewish Passover is interpreted according to Messianic Jewish tradition (which is to interpret and modify basic Jewish tradition to reflect the truth of Messiah Yeshua).

However, if the Father will allow the eyes of our heart/understanding to be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18), we can add to, and even move beyond both of these beneficial illustrations.

But, to fully understand Passover, to enter into a more meaningful appreciation of the Feast, we first need to see that, in Scripture, there are four types of Passover.

Also, to put Passover into its proper latter-day perspective we must realize that, when hwhy (Yahveh) promised the Israelites, "I will pass over you," it was not an accomplished fact, but rather, it was a living promise.

The Father's "Passover protection declaration" was a promise that He would stand guard over, protect, and defend His children--He would even refuse the destroyer entry into their homes, and thus cause the destruction to "skip," or "pass," over them.

Likewise, as Messiah's followers, we need to see that Passover similarly represents His living promise to safe-guard those who trust in and follow Him (John 17:12-26).

The traditional Jewish and later Messianic Jewish Passover Seders both can speak volumes to those who know Yeshua. For example, according to Jewish tradition, before the Feast the mother cleans the home of all leaven. Then, the night before Passover eve, the family has a bedikat chametz, a search for leaven. They search because, after cleaning, the mother places small pieces of bread in key places in the house, and that night the father leads the children in a candlelight search for the leftover chametz. When the children find the leaven, the father, feather in hand, brushes the crumbs onto a wooden spoon or paper plate--all of which (feather, container and crumbs) is wrapped up to be burned next morning.

Among other things, this family practice can well serve to teach Messianic followers the basic truth that, leaven represents sin, and the "temples" in which we live also need cleansing from all sin by the power of the Holy Spirit (represented by the feather).²

Also, the traditional Seder includes three pieces of "striped and pierced" matzah, or unleavened bread. Unleavened bread is used because our ancestors did not have time to wait for the bread to rise in their sudden departure for the desert. Because it is thought to be all they had to eat, it is often called poor man's bread, or bread of affliction.

Concerning the Passover matzah, many in Messianic Judaism teach that the "three" required matzah speak of Father, Son and Holy Spirit--that the "unleavened" bread speaks of sinlessness--and that "striped and pierced" bread depicts the One who brought us healing by His stripes, Yeshua, He who was wounded for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5).

However, among our "traditional" Jewish people,³ there are different reasons given for having three matzah present at the Seder: Some teach that two loaves are normally present on the Sabbath eve table, or that the third loaf is added at Passover as a reminder of the joyous nature of this "Festival of Freedom." According to others, the three matzah represent the three groups of people found in traditional Jewish religious life: Priests, Levites, and Israelites. Still others say there are three because Abraham asked Sarah to make "three measures of fine meal" for their Heavenly guests (Genesis 18:6).

Though the idea of "striped and pierced" matzah is used by many to teach about the Messiah, the fact is, historical reason behind our having "striped and pierced" matzah has much to do with artistic women and the machine age.

Initially, all matzah was handmade, and, being rolled out dough, it was naturally circular or oval in form. To keep the dough from rising, perforations were made in it, allowing for the escape of air. Ultimately, the ladies who baked this bread began to make their perforations in very artistic form. They actually drew pictures in their bread. However, these artworks could take a long time to finish. So, the rabbis felt they had to step in: To insure that the matzah would not be allowed to rise, and thus not meet the "unleavened" requirement, they decreed that the entire matzah process, from kneading to baking, must be executed within eighteen minutes. This edict put a real crimp in matzah art.

Then, with progress being what it is, in England, in 1875, a speedy matzah baking machine was invented. So began our era of "striped and pierced" square matzot.⁴

(By the way, those who appreciated the art form of traditional matzah were not happy with this strange looking square, uniform, uninteresting matzah brought forth by this new-fangled machine.)

Regardless of the facts, perhaps the real reason for the matzah number and form is because the Father wants that representative number used, and He wants it "pierced."

Returning to our traditional Jewish Seders, we note that in them, the middle matzah is broken in half, and the second half, called the afikomen, a Greek word that is said to mean, He shall come again, is hidden away until the end of the meal.

(Some say afikomen means "that which comes last," likening it to "dessert," this being the last thing tasted at the Seder.)

For Messianic Believers, the afikomen typifies our Messiah, who promised, "I will come again" (John 14:3).

During the traditional Seder meal, four cups of wine are offered. Many Messianic Jews believe that, in the Upper Room during the Last Supper, Messiah was following this rabbinic tradition; and so they say, when He drank the third cup, which is called the Cup of Redemption, Yeshua said: "This is the new covenant in My blood" (Luke 22:15-20).

So goes the entire Seder celebration, overflowing with spiritual significance.

Father's Salvation Pattern

Beyond seeing the many truths in the Jewish Seder, to see the four Passovers as defined in Scripture is to see a picture of the Father's ideal pattern of salvation for His children. For, upon seeing this Heavenly portrait, our understanding of Passover is enhanced--we--the people of Messianic Israel--are greatly encouraged! Because, in this view we see ourselves in the middle of the Father's present-day Passover plan!

When we see the four types of Passover in their living context, we realize that we have yet to experience the most glorious of all the Passovers! Moreover, we realize that we, Messiah's New Covenant followers, have much to do with the Father's plan for final fulfillment of His Passover plan.

The Family Passover

To begin, we note that, concerning the Hebrew month of Abib (which corresponds to March/April on the Gregorian calendar) our Father commanded, "This month shall be the beginning of months for you; it is to be the first month of the year to you....for in the month of Abib you came out of Egypt." He also said, "Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to Yahveh your God, for in the month of Abib Yahveh your God brought you out of Egypt by night" (Exodus 12:2; 34:18; Deuteronomy 16:1).

We are to begin our calendar year with the season of Passover--even as we begin our spiritual lives with redemption. Abib/Passover marks our beginning.⁵

Next, we note that before the first Passover, our Father commanded:

"On the tenth of this month let each one take a lamb for themselves, according to their fathers' households, a lamb for each household. If the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor are to take one according to the number of persons in them; according to what each man should eat, you are to divide the lamb...you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month, then...kill it at twilight. Moreover, they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the flesh that same night, roasted with fire, and they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled at all with water, but rather roasted with fire...You shall not leave any of it over until morning, whatever is left of it you shall burn with fire. You shall eat it in this manner: with your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste--it is Yahveh's Passover. For I will...strike down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt...And the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to Yahveh; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance" (Exodus 12:3-15).

Additionally, the God of Israel told our forefathers that they were to "diligently teach their sons" about all that He had commanded them; and that, when their sons asked the question, "What does this rite mean to you?", they were to answer, with all diligence and patience, as men dedicated to the spiritual maturation of their children (Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19; Exodus 12:26,42; 13:8,14).

The Holy One designated Passover to be a time wherein:

Fathers were to diligently teach their children
The family was to sacrifice a lamb for their household
They were to put the blood on their doorposts
The families were to partake of lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs in their respective homes

From this we see that the emphasis of this particular Passover is on the Godly "household," for, He repeatedly emphasizes that it was to "be eaten in a single house" (Exodus 12:46).

Thus did Yahveh establish what we will call, the "Family Passover."

The Congregational Passover

Later, our Father revised the Passover instructions. He moved its commemoration from the homes of our forefathers, to the Tabernacle: from their house to His house.

The essential command to "observe Passover" remained intact, but the Holy One made it clear that He had moved the location of that observance as well as made changes as to how it was to be observed:

"Observe the month of Abib and celebrate the Passover to Yahveh your God, for in the month of Abib Yahveh your God brought you out of Egypt by night. You shall sacrifice the Passover to Yahveh your God from the flock and the herd, in the place where Yahveh chooses to establish His name....You are not allowed to sacrifice the Passover in any of your towns, but at the place where Yahveh your God chooses to establish His name, you shall sacrifice the Passover in the evening at sunset, at the time that you came out of Egypt. Cook and eat it in the place which Yahveh your God chooses. In the morning you are to return to your tents. On the seventh day there shall be a solemn assembly to Yahveh your God; you shall do no work on it...Be careful to observe these statutes" (Deuteronomy 16:2-12).

Our Father instructed His children to sacrifice their lambs at twilight, and then to roast them. However, this allotted day of sacrifice was immediately followed by a seven day period called the Feast of Unleavened Bread:

"Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, but on the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses; for whoever eats anything leavened from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel" (Exodus 12:15-20).

For seven days leaven was not allowed in the territories of our forefathers. And, since the slaying of the lamb was immediately followed by the prohibition against leaven, this dual period ultimately became collectively known as, "Passover."

Leaven speaks of sin, and the number seven is often said to speak of, the spiritual values that were the purpose of Creation, of rest, spirituality, and perfection.⁶ Thus, we see in the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" a call to walk in sinless spirituality. It is a call, as the Apostle Paul ultimately would say, to "celebrate the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth" (1 Corinthians 5:8).

Returning to our "congregational" celebration, we note that it was commanded that it take place, in the Father's house. There, His children were to partake of lamb and unleavened bread. He established this yearly celebration that it might serve them as a collective time of commemoration, reflection and remembrance.

Thus did our Father establish what we will call, the "Congregational Passover."

Choose This Day...

Before going further in our study, we need to make a choice.

All would agree that it is the above described Passover (Deuteronomy 16:2-12) that was in place when Messiah Yeshua walked the earth. And so we must choose: In the year wherein Yeshua offered what is often called "The Last Supper/Passover," did He eat of the Passover as commanded by the Father, or, was Messiah Yeshua Himself the Passover Lamb that year?

Some will say that, at that time there were two Jewish traditions that celebrated Passover on two different nights. And that Yeshua offered His Passover meal on the first night and then actually became the Passover on the next day.

The problem is, Yeshua spoke against the traditions of men. He said: "Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written: 'This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far away from me. 'But in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.' Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men" (Mark 7:6-8).

Yeshua would not have observed Passover according to the traditions of men. He would have honored His Father's specific instructions. And that means we must choose: Was it more important that Yeshua once more eat of a lamb, or that He actually be the Lamb?

The Word declares: "Messiah our Passover also has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7; 1 Peter 1:19). Thus, we approach the rest of our study under the assumption that, in that fateful year, our Messiah was our Passover Lamb, and that He was offered as such at the appropriate time--when the lamb of redemption was to be sacrificed.

The Personal Passover

We again note that our Father established the "Congregational Passover." And then, once again, Passover instructions were modified. This happened when Messiah Yeshua took the bread and wine into His hands and said to His Apostles, "I have earnestly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer" (Luke 22:15, NASB).

Yeshua said He "eagerly desired" (NIV)--He "earnestly and intensely desired" (Amplified)--to eat "this" particular Pesach meal with His disciples.

Why? Why was He so earnest in His desire to eat of this particular Passover? Surely by this time in His life He had participated in some form in at least thirty-two Passover celebrations. So why would "this" particular Passover be so special to Him?

Why? Because that particular Passover would prove to be a "Passover" meal unlike any other. The Passover that Yeshua "desired with desire" (KJV) to eat, would prove to be different.

Luke tells us, "When He had taken the cup and given thanks, Yeshua said, 'Take this and share it among yourselves.' ...And when He had taken some bread and given thanks, He broke it, and gave it to them, saying, 'This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me, [for] this is the new covenant in My blood'" (Luke 22:15-20).

Yeshua's celebration of that particular Passover marked the end of the Old Covenant Passovers--as well as the first and only New Covenant Passover. With Yeshua's "once for all" sacrifice, we have no "need" for another (Hebrews 7:27). With it, no longer is the central focus the blood of a substitute animal, which only "covered" sin; rather, the focus became the pure and undefiled Blood of the Son of God, which remits, even annihilates sin.⁷

Through His death on the tree (cross), Yeshua became our Passover Lamb. Thus it is written: "Messiah, our Passover, has been sacrificed" (1 Corinthians 5:7).

Regarding this Passover, Paul the apostle explained: "As often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim Yeshua's death until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:26).

We want to proclaim His death, because in doing so, we are declaring that we belong to New Covenant Israel; and not to the world.

When we partake of Messiah's Passover elements, we proclaim that He is our Passover; and so the angel of the second death will "pass over" us in the final judgment--because we are sanctified by the Blood of the New Covenant Passover Lamb. Through it, we have an eternal sacrifice for our sins. Thus, we are the eternal Israel of the eternal God of Israel.⁸

With Yeshua's Passover came a certain fulfillment of, and another modification in the essential Passover ordinance. This change came because, "When the priesthood is changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law also."

In and through Yeshua, Israel's priesthood was forever changed--from that of the Aaronic order, to that of Melchizedek. Forevermore, Messiah Yeshua is our eternal High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 5:6; 7:12).

When Yeshua offered Himself on the tree, the emphasis of Israel's Passover celebration was moved to that of the New Covenant Passover Lamb.

Also, as our eternal High Priest, Yeshua instructed us to partake of different elements: "bread and wine."

Unlike the old Passover sacrifice, His is not an annual sacrifice, but instead is an ever-present, ever-available sacrifice. Even so, it includes the elements from the proscribed daily offering: His Passover offering is comprised of the elements of Bread and Wine.⁹

Yeshua also moved the emphasis of our search for sin (leaven) to the areas of the heart. So it is that Paul the apostle instructs us to, "Clean out the old leaven of wickedness and malice from your hearts" (Matthew 15:18; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

We are thus instructed because Yeshua wants us to experience even more than the outward symbols of our faith, He also wants us to deal with our hearts.

"Behold," He says, "I stand at the door [of the heart] and knock." And, "If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

The Passover thus established by Messiah Yeshua is a personal Passover, for only those on whose hearts door Yeshua has knocked, can open up and invite Him in for that special "supper."

Thus did Messiah establish what we will call, the "Personal Passover."

The Kingdom Passover

When Yeshua initiated the New Covenant Passover, He also told His disciples, "I shall never again eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." Also, when He had taken the cup and given thanks, He said, "Take this and share it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine from now on until the kingdom of God comes " (Luke 22:15-18).

In saying this, Yeshua was foretelling a coming, glorious, eternal Passover, one that will be celebrated in "the kingdom of Yahweh." For, there is a Passover that is yet to come. It is a glorious Passover that will take place at what is commonly known as, "the Marriage Supper of the Lamb." And, "blessed are those who are invited to it" (Revelation 19:9). One day, the trumpet will sound, and we who are invited will put on our imperishable wedding garments.¹⁰ For we have been invited to a transcendent celebration.

At that time, the believing family of Israel will again be "passed over." As "overcomers," the second death will not be able to harm us. Then, in utter jubilation, we will ask: "Where O death is your victory? Where O death is your sting?" (Hosea 13:14; 1 Corinthians 15:55; Revelation 21:7).

As prophesied, Messiah will again take the cup into His hands--and just perhaps, in honor of the rabbinic custom of His Jewish brothers, He will call it, the fourth Passover Cup, which cup also is known as, the Cup of Praise.

Certainly that would be an appropriate title, for, when Messiah lifts high that cup, Hallelujah's that will ring for an eternity will begin! Yes, death finally and forevermore will be swallowed up in victory!!¹¹

When we celebrate that Passover, then, we will know the full and eternal glory of the Kingdom Passover.

Father, by your grace and mercy may we come to know the joy of that celebration!

Footnotes: The Four Passovers and An "Until..."

Sedar means "order of service."
See Exo 12:15, 19; 13:7; Luke 12:1; 13:21; 1 Cor 5:6; 1 Pet 2:5
Meaning, Jewish people who have not accepted Yeshua as the Messiah.
See The Jewish Book of Why, Alfred J Kolatch, Jonathan David Publishers, Middle Village, NY, 1981, Matzah, page 192.
See the Herald, Yahveh's Calendar Versus Compromise With Babylon And Rome
See, The Wisdom of the Hebrew Alphabet, by Scherman and Zolowitz, ArtScroll Mesorah Series, pp 207-210, 1983, Brooklyn
Acts 20:28 speaks of "the church of God which He purchased with His own blood." Therefore, it was "God['s]...blood." See 1 Pet. 1:19; Heb 9:14, the Herald, Who Is A Jew? A Look At The Bloodline Of Israel, and the book, Who Is Israel?, Chapter Ten, The Blood, The Redeemer and Physical Israel.
Eph 2:13-14; Col 1:20; Luke 22:16; Rom 5:9; Eph 1:7-14; Heb 9:12, 15, 26; 13:11-12, 20; Gal 6:16.
See Heb 7:27; 9:12; 10:10; 1 Pet. 3:18; Exo 29:40-42; Num 15:1-13; 28:5-7.
See 1 Cor. 15:51-57; Matt 22:1-14; Hos 13:14; Rev 19:7-9, and the book, Who Is Israel?, Chapter 17, From Orphans To Heirs.
Rev 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8; Ho 13:14; 1 Cor 15:55.

In the article, The Four Passovers and An "Until..." (this Issue), we reviewed those Passovers as represented in Scripture, and we called the first recorded Passover "The Family Passover." ¹

Then we noted that while the essence of the Passover commemoration remained intact, the Father moved the location of the celebration, and we called that, "The Congregational Passover" (Deuteronomy 16:2-12; Exodus 12:15-20).

Next, with the coming of Messiah, the emphasis of Passover was again recast. Ultimately, the place wherein Yahveh had chosen "to establish His name" was thrown to the ground. As Messiah prophesied to Jewish Israel, "Not one stone was left upon another." Yeshua warned that this destruction would come "because they did not recognize the time of their visitation" (Luke 19:44).

With Messiah's "visitation" came another change in Israel's commemoration of Passover. In His death, Yeshua became our Passover Lamb. With the shedding of His undefiled Blood an eternal Sacrifice was made available to all of Israel who would believe.

And so Messiah Yeshua established what we called, The Personal Passover. For, to all who will hear His voice, in a very personal way, He says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Luke 22:15-20; Hebrews 5:6; 7:12,27; 1 Corinthians 5:7; 11:26; Revelation 3:20).

However, when Messiah established the New Covenant Passover, He also revealed that there is a Passover that is yet to come. It is a Passover that those of Ephraim Israel have much to do with establishing. We call that Passover, The Kingdom Passover. For, when Yeshua lifted high the cup of His Personal Passover, He said, "I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father's kingdom." ²

To see these four Passovers in Scripture is to see a picture of the Father's ideal pattern of salvation for His children. And, upon seeing this Heavenly portrait, our understanding of Passover is enhanced, we are greatly encouraged, because, we see ourselves in the middle of the Father's present-day Passover plan! Also, when we, as the people of Messianic Israel, see the four types of Passover in their on-going, living context, we realize that we have yet to experience the most glorious of all the Passovers. And that we have much to do with the Father's plan for final fulfillment of Passover.

Let us examine a few aspects of Passover.

Passover Protection

Commemorating Passover provides the children of Israel with a certain "protection." For, our Father instructed His Israelite children to "put some of the blood on the doorposts of the houses in which they eat it." Thus, we can trust that even in difficult times, there will be houses in which we can partake of our Father's provision.

Also, "None of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning," He said. Thus, we know that no matter how dark the night, for those in "blood covered houses," there will be a "morning," and "joy" will come with it. Because, "we have the prophetic word made more sure," we have the "lamp that shines in a dark place," and we know that when "the day dawns" the "morning star" will arise.

The Holy One of Israel, He who is the "Daystar," will stand guard over, protect, and defend us. He will refuse the destroyer entry into our homes. And soon He will be here with His Eternal Morning. For He who sits on High also swore: "Yahveh will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood...He will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to smite you."³

In our day, the world around us is quickly becoming a more difficult place in which to live, and surely, once again, Yahveh will smite those whose hearts will not turn to Him--those who will not enter into His plan of Passover. But, we can put the blood on our doorposts and go in and shut the door behind us, knowing that all will be well, for, we have only to celebrate Passover, and to wait until morning.

As we celebrate the four types of Passover, we see that the Father wants to save our families. For, He told us to, "take enough lamb for the whole household." Today, Messiah is our "Lamb,"⁴ and there is enough Lamb for our whole family, all who have a heart for Him will be satisfied.

As Yeshua's people, we need to bring our families to the Lamb. For, a healthy, happy, family that is being obedient to the Father because of their great love for Him, is one of the most powerful witnesses that can be given to our fellow man. And, it leads them to also want to belong to the God of Israel.

Additionally, we need to see that the Father wants to save us as a congregation--as a people. For there are things that He can accomplish in our lives only when we are gathered in an assembly of those of like faith. There, we can experience the thrill of congregational worship; there, the Body can minister to one another; there we can be built up in our most holy faith, and so pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.⁵

However, our call to congregational salvation must be balanced with our call to personal maturity. For the Father also wants to save us in a very personal way. He wants us to learn to hear His voice for ourselves,⁶ and to develop a faith relationship with Him, even as did our forefather, Abraham. As Abraham's seed, we are the heirs of his promise, and, Yahveh promised Abraham He would provide "Himself" as a Sacrifice; and that He would be a "personal God to Abraham's children" (Galatians 2:29; Genesis 22:8; 17:7).⁷

Finally, the Father also wants to save us as "a kingdom of priests, for His ultimate goal is to bring the Kingdom of Israel here, to this earth.⁸

For a season, Yahveh put emphasis on the Family Passover, because He wanted to establish within His people an understanding about Godly family lives. Then, for a season, He put emphasis on the Congregational Passover;⁹ again to establish certain principles, among them, the need for, as well as the joy of, fellowship with our Father's other children. Emphasis was next moved to that of the Personal Passover, thus highlighting our need to hear His voice for ourselves (John 10:27).

However, we are entering a new day. Once more He is moving His emphasis: For, the God of Israel is beginning a new thing. He is making the two sticks one in His hand. And soon, He will bring forth an invincible, sinless army. He will bring forth sons who are able to take His Land. For, when the two houses unite as brothers, they become an army. Together, they serve Yahveh Tze'va'ot, "Yahveh of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel" (Ezekiel 37:15-28; 1 Samuel 17:45)

But, it is only when the two brothers are fully reunited that we will celebrate the Kingdom Passover.

We who see this Passover plan need to diligently work toward the Father's goal. We need to proclaim the full, liberating, enlightening truth about Passover. We need to work to reunite the two houses of Israel, that we might celebrate the most glorious of all Passovers.

The Passover Plan: It was, it is, and it is to come. It is a precious promise, alive with new meaning.

The question is, how do we then celebrate?

Celebration Suggestions

Perhaps for this upcoming Passover, you might gather together four families, groups, or individuals, and then assign to each a Passover: Family, Congregational, Personal, or Kingdom. Also, assign to each a side of the room in which you will meet for Passover: north, south, east and west. When you gather, have the youngest son present ask the famous Passover question: "Why is this night different from all other nights?" (Exodus 13:14; Deuteronomy 6:20).

Then, let each family take turns in portraying, explaining, acting out, preaching about, or just rejoicing over, their particular Passover expression (if you do not have enough people available, make and paint cardboard cutouts of the needed figures and celebrate with your children).

Make your gathering as elaborate or simple as makes you comfortable, i.e., set a table that depicts the aspects and/or elements of each of the Four Passovers and read about them from the Celebration Sheet found in the center of this magazine (cut it out and make photo copies for everyone present at the celebration).

Depict the four Passovers in your congregation: Have people dress in costume, and have a leader read about each of the Passovers while highlighting/spotlighting the particular venue the leader is reading about. Then, after reading and praying about each type of Passover, partake of the different elements described. In this way, you will see, hear, and taste of the Passover.

For home celebrations, you might put the Family Passover station in front of a doorway and tape cut-out paper "blood" to the posts and lintel. There, have a family offer the three proscribed elements: a small piece of roast lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. And, encourage all to eat it "quickly."

For the Congregational Passover, have someone dress as the High Priest, make an altar, and put a sacrifice lamb on it (a stuffed toy, or one made from stuffed white stockings). At this station have everyone partake of the proscribed elements of roast lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs.

For the Personal Passover, feature Messiah and the Apostles reclining at table and offer the Bread and Wine in commemoration of the Body and Blood of our Messiah. Talk about having a clean heart, one that is ready to receive Messiah's sacrifice (Psalm 51:10; 1 Corinthians 11:27-31).

At the Kingdom Passover station, display fruits, flowers and food--to represent the endless, bountiful table from which we will partake at the marriage supper of the Lamb. Decorate this table with every beautiful thing imaginable, for that is how it surely will be in eternity.

However, you choose to depict the four Passovers, let everyone seek a moment to look around and see the Father's glorious plan of redemption for His children: First, that we should be raised in Godly homes, by Godly fathers who teach their children the way of righteousness. Secondly, that Godly congregations declare Israel's need for a covering for sin, and aid them in finding that way to righteousness. For this is the ideal way for each of us to find the way to the One who initiated the Personal Passover. Thus, our children can more readily find their way to Him--because they will have seen a pattern of righteousness: in their fathers, their families, and in their congregations.

When these standards of righteousness are met in the hearts of our people (Isaiah 27:9; Zephaniah 3:18), when Ephraim and Judah become one stick in the Father's hand (Ezekiel 37:15-28), then we will be ready to join Messiah for the Eternal Passover--the one that will take place in Laolum Haba, the eternal Kingdom to come.

Passover is an appropriate time to dedicate (or to re-dedicate) your home to Yahveh.

You may choose to do so by gathering your family for a time of prayer, and then to affix a mezuzzah to your doorpost (see Mezuzzah article, this issue). You might follow this home dedication with a meal of roast lamb, unleavened bread, and bitter herbs. Then, with family gathered round, let everyone take time to remember how Yahveh has personally delivered them from the "bondage of Egypt," from slavery to the things of the world. And, let all rejoice over that deliverance. Finally, after everyone has examined their hearts,¹⁰ let all partake of the New covenant Passover "communion," the Body and Blood of the Lamb.

Also, remind everyone that Abib, the Passover month, marks the head of the year (Exodus 12:2), so now is the time to make "New Years Resolutions." Now is the time to dedicate ourselves to righteous acts; for they will be our only garments at the coming Wedding Feast of the Lamb.

However you choose to celebrate this most important feast, let it be done with joy in your heart. For the Father looks on the thoughts and intents of the heart. So let Him know that it is your intent to more fully enter into His glorious Passover plan!

Footnotes: Celebrating Passover As Never Before!

Yahveh declared that, in Israel, the fathers must conduct and celebrate His Passover, "In a single house" (Exodus 12:4, 2-15, 26, 42; 13:8, 14; 34:18; Deuteronomy 6:7; 11:19; 16:1).
Matt 26:29; Luke 22:15-18; Rev 19:9; Hosea 13:14; 1 Cor 11:26; 15:55; Rev. 21:7.
Exo 12:7, 22-23; Psa 30:5; 1 Pet. 1:19.
John 1:29; Pet. 1:19; Rev. 5:6.
Rom 14:19; Heb 10:25; 2 Cor. 10:8; 13:10; Eph 4:12, 16; 1 Pet. 2:5; Jude 1:20
See the Herald's, The Wilderness Experience and The Way Of The Gentiles, and Eph 4:15; Heb 6:1-3; 1 Tim. 2:15.
See the Herald, Apprehending Abraham's Blessing.
See Mat 6:10; Act 1:6; 1 Pet. 2:9; Rev. 1:6; 5:10; 20:6; 21:2, and the Herald, Restoring The Kingdom: Visions and Goals.
See Isa 11:13-14; Obad 1:18; Zech 9:13; Amos 9:10; Zeph 3:11-13, and the Herald, How To Stop The Nations From Molesting Israel.
1 Cor 11:28: "A man out to examine himself before he eats of the break and drinks of the cup" (NIV). 2 Cor 13:5: "Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith: examine yourselves!" (Also see Gal 6:4; 1 Th 5:21; Psa 26:2; Jer 12:3.)

When Believers begin to discover the errors found in "Church" theology concerning "Easter," very often, they turn to Judaism. They turn away from anything that has to do with Easter and begin instead to celebrate the "Jewish" Passover.

However, the "Jewish" Passover is traditionally a commemoration of our "deliverance" through the "slaying" of a "lamb." And, we who follow Messiah have something more to celebrate! For, our "Passover Lamb" rose from the grave! He came forth as a type of "First of First-fruits," He being "the beginning, the firstborn from the dead" (Colossians 1:18).

If we will look through the lens of mercy, we can see that the "Christian" celebration of "Resurrection," apart from all its faults, is a type of "First-fruits" celebration. And, while we absolutely do not encourage anything that has to do with the ancient pagan cult of "Ishtar," nor a parading of bunnies with eggs, we do think Messiah's "Resurrection" is an event that is more than worthy of celebration. Truly His Resurrection marked a pivotal point in History. And, as we seek to communicate the truth about our return to our roots, we would do well to encourage Believers to remember this special day. However, we should encourage them to celebrate it based on its "shadow"¹ beginning described in Torah. For it is an important event that has its place in Scripture.

Further, as we seek to instruct the uninformed, let us remember that we all make mistakes, and that, most of us do not need someone to remind us of how "stupid" we have been. Instead, what we need is to be encouraged in what we are doing that is right. It is like the principle that, "We love, because He [God] first loved us" (1 John 4:19).

We need to first show love to people: "Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another: Encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called 'Today,' lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" (1 Thessalonians 5:11; Hebrews 3:13).

To inspire others to return to the ancient paths, we might encourage them to read about the "The Feast of Firstfruits" in Leviticus 23:9-12:

"Yahveh spoke to Moses, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, "When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest." He shall wave the sheaf before Yahveh for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it."

Let us show them how Yeshua is the fulfillment of this little understood "feast day."

"But now Messiah has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep" (1 Corinthians 15:20). "And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body" (Romans 8:23). "But each in his own order: Messiah the first fruits, after that those who are Christ's at His coming" (1 Corinthians 15:23). For, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures" (James 1:18).

Messiah Yeshua is the first of a first fruit company: "He is also head of the body, the ekklesia/church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything" (Colossians 1:18). Moreover, by His Spirit, we are called "to the general assembly and ekklesia/church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect" (Hebrews 12:23).

Our Messiah is "The first and the last," He died (meaning His earthly flesh ceased to be inhabited by His Spirit) and He "has come to life" (Revelation 2:8). He is our "resurrection hope" and it is a glorious, encouraging hope that must not be forgotten!

We who belong to Him will forever live in His presence! That is our eternal hope! That the "Lamb of God" loved us enough to die in our place is a glorious thing (John 1:29)! It is a joy that we have the hope of resurrection, so let us rejoice in the Firstfruit Son Who has made eternal life possible for us!

So, gather your family friends on this blessed day and joyously wave your individual barley sheaves before the Father. Be as priests before Him and, like Aaron, bear the burden of all the tribes on your breast.

Pray! Rejoice!! Worship and Celebrate the glorious Resurrection Day that we know as the First of First Fruits!!!

Footnotes: The First Of First Fruits

The feasts of Israel are said to be a "shadow" of the good things to come in Messiah (Col 2:17; Heb 10:1). They provide an "outline" of Him. And though they are but shadows, still, shadows are not separated from their substance. Also, feasts of Israel are "rehearsals" of coming events. And, while Messiah's resurrection is complete, the glorious promise of our full resurrection is not. So let us rehearse, prepare for, and remember this time.

As the two houses of Israel are coming back together a return to Torah also is taking place. With most Ephraimite Believers, one of the first things we tend to return to is the festivals, to the appointed times of Yahveh. Among these feasts are the spring feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread, Pentecost in the summer, and in the fall, the Day of the Blowing, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles. But there is one more feast which is often neglected, yet it is perhaps one of the most important. It is Rosh Chodesh, the Head of the Month, the first commandment given to the Children of Israel, in Egypt (Shemot [Exodus] 12:1-2). Let us take a look at the history and significance of this feast.

We begin in the book of Bereshit (Genesis), Chapter 1, verses 14-16:

"God said, 'Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate day from night; they shall serve as signs for the set times - the days and the years; and they shall serve as lights in the expanse of the sky to shine upon the earth.' And it was so. God made the two great lights, the greater light to dominate the day and the lesser light to dominate the night, and the stars."

These two great lights are the sun, shemesh, and the moon, yare'ah, respectively. It is also important to note that the word for set times here is moedim (appointed times) which is the very word that Yahveh chooses to use to describe His festivals. One more passage that speaks of these two lights is found in Tehelim (Psalms) chapter 104, verse 19:

"He made the moon to mark the seasons; the sun knows when to set."

This passage clearly sets the moon apart as the main marker of the seasons, while the sun is to mark the day. But how does the moon do this?

Turning to the book of Bamidbar (Numbers) 28:13, we read of an offering to take place on a day referred to as the New Moon. Here the Hebrew reads ra'shei chodsheikhem meaning, "the head of the crescent/month." It is from this that we get the term Rosh Chodesh. Therefore the biblical new moon marks the first day of a new month. The moon's full cycle of illumination lasts a little over 29 days. Thus we have our biblical months of either 29 or 30 days.

Looking at our own Gregorian Calendar, we see it is not based on the cycles of the moon at all. Before turning to the rabbinical calendar we will first need to view the ancient history and practice of citing the new moon.

According to Bamidbar (Numbers) 10:10, the New Moon day was to be a "joyous occasion." In fact, in punishment for Israel's disobedience, Yahveh, threatens to take the New Moon celebration away (Hosea 2:13). In Israel, witnesses would wait and watch for the new moon, based upon when the last crescent was seen. They would then report the sighting to the Sanhedrin (council of elders) and shofars were blown in accordance with the Scripture to announce to the people the beginning of the month. The people truly did not know when the month would begin ahead of time.

In fact during the period of Syrian-Greek persecution (the time of the Maccabees and Chanukah), the celebration of the New Moon was forbidden by Syrian law along with Shabbat and circumcision. The Syrians knew that if the Hebrews did not observe and celebrate Rosh Chodesh, they would not know when the other feasts would be.

The idea of having no calendar and not knowing ahead of time when the month will begin or on which day the festivals will be, brings to mind the words of Y'shua in Mattityahu (Matthew) 24:36:

"But when that day and hour will come, no one knows--not the angels in heaven, not the Son, only the Father."

Also, Ya'akov (James), the brother of Y'shua, says in his book, in chapter 4, verses 13-15:

"Now listen, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such-and-such a city, stay there a year trading and make a profit'! You don't even know if you will be alive tomorrow! For all you are is a mist that appears for a little while and then disappears. Instead, you ought to say, 'If Yahveh wants it to happen, we will live' to do this or that."

Today the rabbinical calendar is based on calculations set up by Rabbi Hillel the Elder in the mid forth century. Around this time, the Sanhedrin (the high court of ancient Israel) ceased to exist. Hillel felt so strongly that the New Moon could not be declared visually without a Sanhedrin to affirm its sighting that he decided that Rabbinical authorities must calculate it. Unfortunately, as Astronomy has improved, the Rabbis now admit that Hillel's calculations were/are off. Sometimes it is off as much as two days, which in turn means the festivals, moedim (appointed times) are not celebrated on the correct day.

However, the Rabbis refuse to change their calendar until a Sanhedrin is once again established. Still, there have been groups, such as the Karaites, who, throughout the ages have rejected these traditions and still site the New Moon monthly. (But, they have no printed calendar.)

Before we conclude, let's look at an important concept that is interwoven into the celebration of Rosh Chodesh. Rabbi Sh'aul (Paul) writes in his book to the Colossians 2:16-17:

"So don't let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Hebrew festival or Rosh-Chodesh or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body is of the Messiah."

Here Sh'aul exhorts us not to let others judge us for celebrating Rosh Chodesh. He also adds that these things are a "shadow of things that are coming." How is Rosh Chodesh a shadow of things coming?

To explain, we first need to see that, in Hebrew, chodesh means a little more than new, it really means, "renewed." In fact it is from this same root that we see a word appear in Yirmeyahu (Jeremiah) 31:31:

"See a time is coming- declares Yahveh- when I will make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah."

"New" here comes from the word chodesh, so this really means that the covenant that we have through Y'shua is a B'rit Chadasha, a "Renewed Covenant"!

Now let us add one more point.

Y'shua is designated as the sun in Malachi 4:2:

"But for you who revere My Name a sun of righteousness shall rise to bring healing."

So, if Y'shua is represented by the sun, and the sun "renews" the moon, then the moon might be said to be a picture of us--the Believers. Just as the phases of the moon are renewed, we are constantly renewed through Y'shua and His atoning death.

Colossians 3:9-10 states:

"...because you have stripped away the old self, with its way, and have put on the new self, which is continually being renewed in fuller and fuller knowledge, closer and closer to the image of its Creator."

Each new month, each Rosh Chodesh, presents a picture of our redemption in Messiah! It serves to remind us of our ever-present opportunity to start over through Messiah's grace! In fact Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch in his commentary on the commandments, Horeb, describes the new moon as having a "rebirth", hence the messianic concept of being "born again" (See Yochannan [John] 3:3).

What a beautiful concept to celebrate each month.

In closing, we may ask, "How do we celebrate Rosh Chodesh?"

Scripturally speaking it is said to be a day to blow the shofar, and of course, in Temple times, sacrifices were offered. Certainly, this is at best a sketchy outline. Perhaps the reason the Torah does not always go into much detail is to allow for creativity in the Spirit. So we suggest you study the Scriptures for yourself and be led by the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit).

As those of Messianic Israel, we might gather together in a very relaxed atmosphere with fellow Believers, sight the new moon, blow the shofar, and offer sacrifices of praise. Especially, let us remember the messianic picture of the renewed moon--of "renewed" Believers.

So, let us begin to celebrate Rosh Chodesh with rejoicing for what Y'shua has done, and is now doing in our lives. Let us celebrate with joy and anticipation for the good things that we know are yet to come as He reunites all Israel.

Our Father instructed the sons of Israel to "write the Commandments on their doorposts and gates." And from ancient times, Jewish people have been following this custom by affixing a mezuzzah to their doorposts. The mezuzzah cover contains a scroll with Deuteronomy 6:9 and 11:13-21 printed on it:

"Hear O Israel! Yahveh is our God, Yahveh is one! And you shall love Yahveh your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart, and you shall teach them repetitively to your children. You must talk about them, when you are sitting at home, when you are on the road, when you are busy, and when you are at rest. And you shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and let them serve as a symbol on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your houses, and on your gates...And it shall come about, if you listen obediently to My commandments which I am commanding you today, to love Yahveh your God and to serve Him with all your soul, I will give your land rain in season, autumn rain and spring, that you may gather in your grain and your new wine and your oil. And I will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you shall eat and be satisfied. Beware, lest your hearts be deceived and you turn away and serve other gods and worship them. For Yahveh's anger will flare up against you, and He will shut up the Heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which Yahveh is giving you. You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as a symbol on your forehead. And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them at home and abroad, when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall post them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. So that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land which Yahveh swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the Heavens remain above the earth."

Even before Yeshua walked the streets of Jerusalem, before entering the home, it was the custom to touch the mezuzzah, then to touch the fingers to the lips--as a reminder that the Word of God was always to be on the lips of His people.

Moreover, the mezuzzah served to identify the homes of Yahveh's chosen people, even as the blood on the doorposts served to identify them when the Angel of Death passed over their homes in Egypt.

The word, mezuzzah, means, doorpost. Traditionally, a parchment scroll, having Deuteronomy 6:4-9 and 11:13-21 written in Hebrew, is rolled up and placed in the mezuzzah cover. Kosher mezuzzah scrolls are hand written in Hebrew by a Scribe. Compared to the relatively inexpensive, mass produced parchments used by the majority, the hand written scrolls are very expensive.

Mezuzzot (plural) covers come in many different styles and finishes. However, almost all have the name Shaddai, or the initial letter for Shaddai, the Hebrew letter, Sheen (v), written on the front.

The name, Shaddai, is one of the names of the God of Israel and means, "the Power," or "the God that cannot be obstructed," hence the common translation, the Almighty.

In Hebrew, Shaddai is written with the letters, shin, dalet, yod (ydv). According to tradition, these letters also serve as an acronym for, "Shomer Dalot Yisrael," meaning, "Protector of the doors of Israel."

The mezuzzah scrolls also have the name Shaddai printed on the back, and are rolled up, Scripture verses inside, then placed inside the mezuzzah cover. In this way, the name, Shaddai, is visible on the rolled scroll.

Traditionally, the mezuzzah is affixed to the upper third right hand portion of the doorpost, the mezuzzah cover, and the Shaddai (name or initial), pointing inside the home (at a 30 degree angle).¹

A Mezuzzah And Confession

Our Father instructed us to post His commandments on our doorposts, as a witness to the world of our love for, and dedication to, Him.

Moreover, His Son, Yeshua, said: "Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in Heaven" (Matthew 10:32). Yeshua also said, "I and the Father are One" (John 10:30).

We who love the Son also love the Father. So we heed His instructions to post the Law on our doorpost, not because we are under the curse of the Law, for we are not (Galatians 3:10-13), but rather, because we are blessed when we confess our Elohim before the world. This is the method the Father said we should use to declare to the world that our homes belong to Him.

So... delight in, celebrate, enjoy, this ancient custom so long upheld by our Jewish brothers. Have a "Home Dedication Service," and personalize it to fit your family.

For example, you may want to gather your family, and after prayer, to make collective declarations like the one the Israelites made to Joshua, and which Joshua made to Israel: The Israelites said, "We will serve Yahveh our God and listen to His voice." And Joshua responded, "Choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living. But, as for me and my house, we will serve Yahveh" (Joshua 24:15,24).

You may choose to "write" the Law on a scroll yourself, allowing your children to participate, then you can reduce your paper to a workable size on a copy machine.

Also, you may want to create your own mezuzzah cover. The rolled up bark of a tree will work well if your doorway is covered from the elements (or you can order a mezuzzah cover (see various advertisements this Magazine).

Also, you may want to anoint (which means to dedicate) your home for service, even as Moses anointed the Tabernacle (Leviticus 8:10). (Note: olive oil, scented with frankincense and myrrh, is available through High Places. See ad this Issue.)

Finally, pray a prayer of dedication for your home: "Father, may our home be a meeting place for the wise" (see Daniel 12:3,9).² Ask the Father to make your home a haven from the wrong influences of the world. Then, let it be a place wherein the song of Yahveh is always found.

This day, dedicate (or rededicate) your home to the Father.

It is our prayer that He will mightily bless your home with His Presence.

The Mezuzzah:

A mezuzzah attached the doorpost of your home can serve as a personal confession that:

You love Yahveh with all your heart (Deuteronomy 6:5).
His Word (Yeshua) lives in your heart (Deuteronomy 6:6).
You are teaching His Word to your children (Deuteronomy 6:7).
You look to Him for all your needs (Deuteronomy 11:14-15).

Footnotes: You Shall Write Them On Your Doorposts

The Jewish Book of Why, by Alfred J. Kolatch, 1981, Jonathan David, Middle Village, NY, pp 113-16, 151. (See drawing next page.)
The Angel told Daniel that his word was "sealed" until the end-time; and that in the end time, "Those who have insight will shine brightly like the brightness of the expanse of heaven" (Daniel 12:3, 9). This insight speaks of circumspect intelligence, or watchful, detailed, discerning understanding (see wise, Strong's word #H7919). In this end-time era, let us ask our Father to "unseal" this type of "insight" for us, and to bless our homes, and to use them for the gathering of such insightful people.

The Apostle Paul once asked a revealing question about the Jewish people--one which he also answered:

"Did they [Jewish Israel] stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their [Judah's] transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles [Ephraim Israel] to make [Jewish] Israel envious" (Romans 11:11)

The Father has a plan. To see that plan is also to see why the people of Judah were hardened to the truth of Messiah--why those of the Nations have been allowed to see the Glory of Messiah--and why "both the houses of Israel" have, lo these past 1900 years, "stumbled" over the One who would be a "Sanctuary" to them (Isaiah 8:14; John 2:19-22). Moreover, it is to see how Father plans to restore the Kingdom to Israel.¹

Long ago, hwhy (Yahveh) planned that those of Ephraim Israel, after they had become a "Gentile Israel," would "respond" (Jezreel) to Him. Thus He would begin to use those who once were "Lo-Ammi," or "Not-a-people"--specifically, to "provoke" those of Jewish Israel to "jealousy" (Genesis 48:19; Hosea 1-2; 8:8; Amos 9:9; Romans 11; 1 Peter 1:1-2; 2:9-10).

In his letter to the Romans, in chapter Eleven, the apostle Paul explains that the Father wants those of the nations whom He is calling to Himself to, parazeloo, to make jealous, to arouse to envy, those of Jewish Israel.

Yahveh gave non-Jewish Israel a Divine Mandate: Provoke those of Judah--make Judah want to emulate you, O Ephraim!

But, in contradistinction to this command, we live in a day wherein most non-Jewish "Believers":

Are totally unconcerned with the Jew
Behave hatefully toward Jewish people
Are desperately jealous of all things "Jewish."

These attitudes do not inspire Jewish people to want to imitate those who embrace them. Even "jealousy," when run amuck, is a turn off; it makes the "jealous" one look pathetic and not like someone to emulate.

To best understand Ephraim's Divine call to stimulate Judah, we note that the Greek word, parazeloo means to, stimulate alongside, excite to rivalry, provoke to emulation. Taken from para and zeloo, para can mean above, beyond, in the sight of; and, zeloo as, to have warmth of feeling.²

Ephraim is called to stimulate a warmth of feeling in Judah. Ephraim also is called to "return" to the ancient paths (Jeremiah 31:31; Isaiah 51:2). But, to do so, he will have to move beyond what is now presented in many Jewish traditions. Because... there is something more that awaits us! There is yet greater glory which all of Israel--both Judah and Ephraim--can attain!

Paul also used parazeloo when he said he would even be "accursed," if only he himself might, "provoke to emulation" (KJV), or "arouse...to envy" (NIV), his Jewish brethren after the flesh (Romans 11:14). He wanted to accomplish this "holy provocation" so badly that he even wished that he might be "accursed, separated from Messiah for the sake of my brethren," if only it would bring them to Yeshua (Romans 9:2-5).

Paul would have done any Scriptural thing, if only--as a follower of Messiah--he could fulfill the Father's desire to have the people of Judah moved to a place of "jealousy." For, he understood that Jewish people also needed to receive the "spirit of adoption," that they too might become "sons of the Living God."³ He knew that Judah had to first "bless" Messiah, then, they would see Him (Matthew 23:39).⁴

In this last day in which we live, it is imperative that Ephraimites lay hold of the same "sorrow and unceasing grief" that plagued the heart of Paul. We need to care about the well being of our Jewish brothers. We must give ourselves to this cause. For, having the non-Jew provoke Judah to a place of jealousy is the Father's declared plan of salvation for "all" of Israel that is destined to be "saved" (Romans 11:25-26). His plan is that Ephraim make Judah want what Ephraim has! And He has no back-up plan!

Paul emphasized that plan when he repeated the words the Father spoke through Moses: "I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding" (Romans 10:19).

Those who had no understanding of the God of Israel were called "aliens," because they were "foreign" to Him. And Peter writes, "To those who reside as aliens...who are chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, by the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to obey Messiah Yeshua and be sprinkled with His blood."

Of and to these aliens, Peter proclaims, "You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." And, "Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy" (1 Peter 1:1-3; 2:9-10).

Ephraim Israel was "once was not a people," or "Lo-Ammi." The Father said to and of him: "I will sow her for Myself in the land. I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, 'You are My people!' And they will say, 'You are my God!'" (Hosea 2:23; Romans 9:25-26; 11:30-32; Ezekiel 37:15-28).

The designated plan for Israel's salvation is that Ephraim should stimulate Judah! But the question that has plagued the many for ages is, How? How can Ephraim Israel stimulate Jewish Israel?

Shadow and Substance

The feasts of Israel tell of the Father's plan of salvation for His people. And, yearly repetition, or rehearsal, of these feasts, serves to keep Israel on a Scriptural course. They are "shadows," and Yeshua is the "substance." But, even as substance and shadow cannot be separated, so the feasts should not be separated from the One whom they so eloquently portray. Also, the feasts are said to be "perpetual," they are always to be rehearsed. And now we are to "feast" on Messiah (Leviticus 23; 1 Corinthians 5:7).

Ephraim: Returning Prodigal

However, while the "prodigal son" that is Ephraim was in their dispersion among the nations,⁵ they did not celebrate the feasts of Israel. They wallowed in a mire of forgetfulness of Father's Torah/Instructions. So, the Father said of them, "...Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children" (Hosea 4:6).

Moreover, while in this state, "Ephraim" tried, often by violence, to "convert" those of Judah to "their" way. Conversely, in this day, albeit non-violently, there are those who would convert Ephraim to Judaism.

We suggest that there is a way that both houses will recognize as being "true," and yet, that way does not exactly represent either house.

As Ephraimites seek to provoke Judah and to return to their Israelite roots, they run the risk of a certain danger. There is a potential pitfall that will ensnare them if they give the idea place in their lives. That pitfall is found in thinking that, "If it is 'Jewish' it is better than if it is 'Christian.'"

"Heathen" Want To Rule

In this day, many openly teach, or at the least subtly imply, that all things Jewish are better.

Some even teach that "Judah is to rule over, and/or teach the non-Jew, including Ephraim." But the truth is, even as a "ten-tribed" Ephraim will grab hold of the tzit tzit of Judah (Zechariah 8:23), so the Father has declared that Judah will come to "walk with" and be "rejoined to," Ephraim Israel:

"In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers as an inheritance" (Jeremiah 3:18). And, "...Judah, from you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, from the days of eternity [Yeshua]. Therefore He will give them up until the time when she who is in labor has borne a child. Then the remainder of His brethren will return to the sons of Israel" (Micah 5:2-4).

Judah will be rejoined to Ephraim, and Ephraim to Judah. They will learn to walk as their Messiah: they will serve one another. They will even heed His command not to be like the self-aggrandizing Gentiles:

"Yeshua said to them, 'You know that those who are recognized as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them; and their great men exercise authority over them. But it is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant; and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Mark 10:42-45; Matthew 20:25-28; Luke 22:25-27).

We are called to serve one another, not to rule over one another.

Ephraim's Call To Serve

We must realize that the Father called those of Ephraim to come alongside, to stimulate, to excite to rivalry, to provoke to emulation, those of Judah. And, Father would not have placed that call upon "wild" Ephraim (Jeremiah 11:10:16; 2:18,21: Romans 11) had He not felt He had properly equipped him to accomplish the task.

In having the "Truth" that is Messiah Yeshua (John 14:6), those of Ephraim can draw nigh unto those of Judah, knowing they have a Truth that, while in many ways is opposed to, even contrary to, some teachings of Judaism, still, in the sight of the Father, Ephraim has a Truth that is above and beyond any other truth.⁶

While Ephraim needs to feel warmly toward those of Judah, Ephraim will not have a positive affect on Judah, nor have him earnestly covet, or desire, or be jealous over, Messiah Yeshua, until Ephraim himself is zealous for the truths the Father has deposited with Him concerning Messiah (John 17:14,20).

Like Paul, we desire to be reunited with our Jewish brothers after the flesh. But we must refuse to compromise the divine role to which the Father called us--"Loving Provocation."

So how do we provoke Judah?

We see an example of "jealous" provocation in the return of the "prodigal." For, the older brother became jealous when the prodigal began to "celebrate" with his father (see Luke 15:11-32).⁷

So it should be with Ephraim. He must provoke Judah through his "celebration with His Father."

Remember, legalism will not bring to pass the reunion, only celebration will.

If we will take yet another look at "Father's Passover Plan," if we will learn how to celebrate anew, we will see how Ephraim can begin to walk down that promising path...

Footnotes: The Problem, The Prodigal, And The Passover Plan

See Restoring Israel's Kingdom by Angus Wootten.
Strong's word # G3863, from G3844, G2206
Concerning the erroneous teaching that only the non-Jew is "adopted," see (Rom 8:15, 16, 23; 9:4; Gal 4:5; Eph 1:5, and the House of David Herald, Muddled Doctrines.
See the House of David Herald, Rapture Or Transformation? Escape Or Victory
See Who Is Israel?, Chapter 17, From Orphans To Heirs.
See the Herald's, Is The "Greek" New Covenant Inspired? Is Yeshua Divine?; The I Am, His Son, And, The "Trinity"; One Witness?; and, Forsaking Our First Love
See Who Is Israel?, Chapter 17, From Orphans To Heirs.

Watching the restoration of the House of Israel has been a wonderful experience. People from literally the entire world continue to receive the revelation that they are personally a part of the reunion process. The "fullness of the nations" appears to be upon us and with that the remnant of Israel, who have been called to be a "light unto the nations", continue to perform their task to point mankind to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. People from the two witnesses of Ephraim and Judah continue to move closer together in this incredible merger of biblical truth, culture and tradition.

To date, YHVH has been pleased to use the Messianic Israel Alliance as one of many vehicles to accommodate this prophesied event. The challenge before us now in our infancy as an affiliation of revitalized Israelites is that we continue to exemplify a balanced approach to the walk that the Father has given us. The benefits of our association will allow us to grow stronger in our resolve to share the truth as our Heavenly Father has given it to us.

As a young organization with limited resources we have to be very sensitive to what our capabilities are and how they should be invested for maximum return. In preparing for the coming year, time was spent to pray and meditate on past and present circumstances and to seek the Father's will for the objectives of 2001. The practical realities of resources were taken into account with the wisdom of following two principle guidelines. Our thought process was filtered through a two tiered grid: 1) What doors are open for us? And, 2) Let Biblical balance answer the provoked yet simple question now being asked in our day, "What does this mean?" (Ezekiel 37:18).

What? How? When? Those whose hearts are being touched by this revelation are asking the prophesied questions, and the Alliance hopes to help provide balanced, Scriptural answers.

Now that the two houses or two sticks are being made one in the Father's hand, how should our Alliance help facilitate this phenomenal event? How do we answer the many questions? To answer, we asked ourselves, what assignments have we been given? What have the affiliated parties charged us to do? These and many more questions resulted in a plan for the coming year that is achievable with the Father's blessing and the support and prayers of our affiliates.

We have been given a variety of ways to best promote the truths that are becoming so meaningful to many around the globe. The following list of priorities have been developed with the goal of helping each of our affiliated parties benefit from our collective efforts.

Messianic Israel Ministries website
AMI 2001 Annual MIA Conference
Messianic Israel Herald bi-monthly magazine
MIA Way Stations for material distribution
Key of David Publishing for MIA related books, tapes and other materials
Israel Tour and Shavuot conference.

Each of these projects will call for a lot of work on our part, but we are convinced that the rewards to the growing community of Messianic Israelites will add greatly to the understanding so many desire.

One of the most efficient and economical means of disseminating information is via the ubiquitous Internet which is daily becoming more and more a part of our life. Our updated www.mim.net website has been designed to be user friendly, and to be a resource center for excellent teaching on subjects being researched by Messianic Israelites. By maintaining this site, not only are people able to connect with others through the ever-growing MIA Directory, but in coming weeks, an MIA Forum will provide a venue for discussing many of the issues that need clarification. Also, MIA news and MIA Bulletins and Flashes will be more plentiful in the coming year as we have found many desire to keep up with what is happening within our ranks as well as around the world. (If you haven't signed up yet, be sure to visit the site and do so; you don't want to miss out on these informative communiques.)

Of course one of the most successful events we have been given to produce is the annual AMI conference in Orlando during the Labor Day weekend. AMI 99 and AMI 2000 were very well received by the attendees and our plans for AMI 2001 are now underway. This annual get together allows some great interaction with the wide variety of affiliates associated with the MIA. Excellent teaching, wonderful praise and worship, Hebraic dancing and fellowship abound at this gathering. (We contemplated expanding into MIA regional conferences, but the plans became unmanageable and the Father redirected our efforts into the national conference.) Be sure to make this life-changing conference a priority for this coming year.

Another excellent source for contact is the blessing of publishing the Messianic Israel Herald. This bimonthly Magazine has received excellent reviews and is growing daily in readership. We continue to solicit articles and comments from our readers and subscribers. Advertising to this select group of Believers is also picking up. Many congregations and fellowships are using this publication as a tool to give to guests and friends of their respective ministries. Hopefully reading this magazine will continue to generate more and more interest from the multitude coming into the camp. It also helps lend credibility to this newest move of the Ruach HaKodesh.

A recent initiative that has been favorably received by many of our affiliated parties is the possibility of having a Messianic Israel Alliance, "Way Station", at their congregation, fellowship or in many cases, their home. Having books, tapes, magazines and other materials available for interested parties has been a great way to answer questions and to even provoke more questions. We began this program because one of the challenges Messianic Israel faces is that the distribution network among the standard evangelical circles only distributes books that tend to promote the "dispensational" replacement theology doctrines. Having an alternative channel for our materials is necessary until appropriate inroads can be made with the Christian Booksellers Association and other distribution organizations. Lord willing, we plan to continue to expand upon our efforts and make the Way Stations known through the website and the magazine.

To keep the distribution pipeline flowing, we continue to promote Key of David publishing--which entity has the assignment of publishing books and magazines for our growing family. We have a number of books now in the edit process that are scheduled for publication this year. We also are soliciting manuscripts from those within the ranks of the Messianic Israel Alliance who hope to publish their materials. Things like children's curriculum and books are high on the agenda. If you write or know someone who desires to be published, have them call us to discuss their needs.

Finally we are planning a trip to Israel this year that will feature MIA Stateside speakers as well as speakers from the land of Israel. However, as of this writing, the turmoil in the Middle East continues to offer tour groups challenges. (We will keep all informed via our MIA bulletins and flashes.) If you can join us for this tour/conference in Israel, please let us know so that we can send you the appropriate notices.

As you can see we have a full year ahead. Accomplishing all that has been given to us to complete is going to take the concerted prayers and support of the affiliates of the Messianic Israel Alliance. We are truly blessed by those who support our efforts faithfully. Our prayer is that all inactive observers will recognize the benefits of this association and become active participants.

We finish with this thought:

Our strength comes from the diversity we have as an alliance. We are a unique people loosely gathered around a "Hope." To continue to grow in Messiah, we need to look upon one another with eyes of mercy, and to be more interested in arriving at the Father's truth than we are interested in being "right." This demands that we be a people who walk a walk of balance, as our Messiah did.

May the Holy One of Israel bless you in this year of great expectations. Shalom.

The Messianic Israel Herald welcomes comments from our affiliates, subscribers and friends. If you have a specific comment or questions concerning our efforts, please address them to "Letters to the Editor" or email your responses to . Your input and constructive criticism is greatly appreciated.

Dear Messianic Israelites;

I was at the get together in Orlando this summer, had a great time...enjoyed the speakers.... My problem is...I have been on a few 'e-groups' that are supporting this revelation about Ephraim/Judah, and it seems to me that there is a problem.... Is there a jealousy and even hatred from our brothers and sisters toward Ephraim? I sense so much bitterness, yes there is controversy, but come on. If someone doesn't say the correct Hebrew, falls back on what they learned in the church...all their lives, (...[uses] words like Jesus) they are immediately slammed. Is this how people are going to teach Ephraim who he really is? The story of Joseph keeps coming to me. Also the story of the prodigal. Both brothers were jealous. Joseph had good reason to hate, but chose to forgive.... The prodigal...well he seemed to be just thankful to be home, no doubt he "learned" some strange things out there...but the Father just embraced him, loved him....Is Judah making a mistake with Ephraim by being so hostile? ....Is Judah jealous because Ephraim is a "stupid baby" (rugrats) and so treating him badly, hoping he will go away and leave the inheritance to him?... If Ephraim is to make Judah jealous, to desire what we "have" isn't that already happening, or am I missing something here? It seems everyone is so intent on being "right" that they are missing the whole meaning of why Yeshua came in the first place.

Barbara,

(Very insightful comments and questions. You are discovering some of the critical issues we must all deal with as the restoration of All Israel unfolds.)

Shalom MIA:

Thank you so much for putting our name on your directory so quickly. We are both so very blessed! We are in exciting times...and are so thankful to be apart of Yahveh's awesome plan of restoring the brothers. ...thank you for ministries such as your that provide such a great resource. We hope and pray that if Batya and Angus do come in the spring that the Father has used our ministry in a mighty way and that perhaps wherever a conference is held it will be filled to overflowing. My husband and I have been very diligent about getting the word out here. For over a year now we have known about this most awesome truth and we will NO LONGER just sit on what the Father has so richly blessed us with. We are going forth in the truth and spreading the news here in Maine as far as we possibly can.

Blessings... Scott and Joy

(Hopefully we can get to Maine later this year!)

Dear Angus, Batya, Mark and Staff:

Just a quick note of "thanks" as we close out this millennial year. The ministries of HOD/MIM/MIA have been a wonderful feeding ground for us during a year of much change and transition in our lives. Though we only first became familiar with Messianic Israel and the Two Houses in July of this year, you have fed us immensely and helped us through some very difficult times over these past six months. Your humility, approachableness, and the truth of your message have been a real solace to us as we've tried to get our spiritual bearings. We are truly indebted to you and your efforts to communicate these timely truths to the body of Yahshua. Though we've specified the distribution of the enclosed donation on our check, please feel free to disperse these funds as the need dictates. Many blessings for the coming year!! HaShem Yahshua, Jeff and Emily

(Our thanks to you! We really appreciate the kind words and the support!)

Shalom:

Fifteen years ago we were called out of the world...to follow [Yahweh].... At the time the only option was Messianic Judaism, so we...eagerly aligned ourselves with the only...Congregation in our area.&but...we always felt like outsiders&[or] inferior...step-children, not true offspring. After posing questions the "Leadership" did not want to answer and being falsely accused, we withdrew. ...[W]e had no place to worship. We couldn't go back to the Greek culture of the church...so we did what we knew to do at home. [Then]...Yahweh...opened the door...to another Congregation. We were overjoyed!!....But we found the same unspoken message there. We always felt like we were on the outside looking in. ....We started feeling like there was something wrong with us!! Still searching...we attended another Congregation [but]...we still didn't feel "Jewish". The liturgy and music was Jewish, the Torah was revered....but that old feeling of not fitting in was still there. We were still on the outside looking in. Who were we??? We knew we were not "Christians" anymore since our hearts were definitely Hebraic, but we still weren't Jews!! We were in a true "Identity Crisis" and were having a hard time sharing with family members [about]...what we believed. [We were accused of being]...undisciplined... "church hoppers"..."full of fluff instead of substance." Our desire to be Biblical was stronger than our desire to be Jewish, and being labeled a Christian wasn't even in the picture anymore. But still we hung in there...tearfully pleading...with Father for understanding. Then a year ago I found Messianic Israel Ministries and started reading, admittedly a little skeptical. But the more I read, the clearer it all became... I shared it with my husband, he was in agreement too. Finally...we understood why we didn't "feel Jewish"!! But more importantly, we started to feel like we had an identity that lined up with Scripture.... Our wilderness wandering was coming to an end!! We were blessed to attend the AMI 2000 Conference...Now we can truly say who we are....Messianic Israelites called out from the world to follow the God of Israel.... We no longer feel like step-children, but fully-loved, fully-accepted, offspring of the Most High!! It has been such a revelation I have to share it with everyone Father brings across my path.... I have recently been moved to pray for forgiveness for our ancestors who turned their backs on the very Truth we struggled so hard to find. Truly, the "restoration of all things" is well underway and we are blessed to live in this time and be a part of it!! In the lonely years...Yahweh blessed us with a computer and...He brought Truth into our lives...through Messianic Israel Ministries. Thank you for your diligence and perseverance in your own trials, in sharing what Father has shared with you. For all of us who were alienated, and now are coming into an understanding of our rightful place in Yahweh's family, we bless you!!

B'Shem Yahshua, Ephraimites,

Kitty & Larry

(We have heard these same comments from so many over the years. Your testimony of faithfulness will bless many.)

Dear Batya,

Your book "The Olive Tree of Israel," is such a treasure to me. It confirmed so many questions that I had.... The Lord would reveal some of the things to me, like about the two witnesses being the Christian Church and the Messianic believers, and about the disappearance of the 10 tribes, but you went so much further, proving it all in scripture. I am blessed beyond measure with this information. And also realize the responsibility of sending this message out to truly unify the Body of Christ as He has so intended. This has become such a burden on my heart. So I would like to order 10 of these books to start....May our Lord...give you clear and continuous revelation of His mighty Words and Deeds. Your sister, in Him, Olga D.

(Sorry. The Olive Tree of Israel is now out of print.)

Dear Batya:

Just a note to tell you that after sending this [email] message, I had a couple 'Messianic leaders' give me a strong caution not to mention your book ever again, not to believe what you say, and not to get involved in this heresy. So&..you must be on the right track. Be encouraged. Love, Hannah

(Thanks! We love nothing more than to have our Jewish friends stand with us!)

I´m a messianic believer from Cordoba (in Argentina) and a member of a messianic synagogue which is MIA member. I write to you, Batya, to thank you. All this time I´ve been reading and studying your teachings and they really enlightened me. Thanks dear sister for under the inspiration of the Ruach HaKodesh writing articles such as "Torah and The Two Witnesses" and many others. I´ve been blessed for your ministry, spiritual knowledge and Torah oriented life. May the Elohim of all Israel, YHVH, pour out and abundant and powerful blessing upon you! Yours in Yeshua, German

Dear "Family"

&.Thank You is hardly enough to express what we have come home with. We are sincerely grateful for all you have done to share with all the family who we really are. Although we had read your material and read much scripture, coming together with others who share our beliefs and feelings was wonderful. My husband has come home with a sureness of the two houses that I had not been able to explain very well but the speakers and workshops brought it all together for him. Now he is doing a better job of sharing it with others in our home group than I could have done.

Again, thanks to ALL of you for your effort to bring this conference all together.

Chele & Andre

Shalom: I have read Batya's book "Who is Israel" and it changed my life. I have Angus' book on order and am looking forward to reading it. I pray humility stays in your hearts because Yahveh, I believe, has chosen to start His final chapter through your teachings. You both should know that even if no other books were ever written and no more newsletters were sent out and your web sight crashed, the fire has been ignited.

In all things, stay broken.

(Ha! We have so many religious groups coming after us that it is very easy for us to stay humble!)

Hear O Israel...

The Battle For Israel: A Numbers Game

by

A Prayer:

The Four Passovers and An "Until..."

by

Father's Salvation Pattern

The Family Passover

The Congregational Passover

Choose This Day...

The Personal Passover

The Kingdom Passover

Roast Lamb Shank With Herbs

Celebrating Passover As Never Before!

by

Passover Protection

Celebration Suggestions

My Whole Theology

by

YMIA Young Messianic Israel Alliance Raising Up The Two-House Generation!

The Holidays

by Jane McKee

The First Of First Fruits

Resurrection Festival Of Joy!

The Forgotten Feast

by

Is The Name "Jesus" Pagan?

by

You Shall Write Them On Your Doorposts

The Mezuzzah

A Mezuzzah And Confession

The Mezuzzah:

The Problem, The Prodigal, And The Passover Plan

Shadow and Substance

Ephraim: Returning Prodigal

"Heathen" Want To Rule

Ephraim's Call To Serve

2001 Balancing Our Walk With Messiah

by

Letters To The Editor

Messianic Israel Way Stations

The Battle For Israel:
A Numbers Game

Roast Lamb Shank
With Herbs

YMIA
Young Messianic Israel Alliance
Raising Up The Two-House Generation!

The Problem, The Prodigal,
And The Passover Plan

2001
Balancing Our Walk With Messiah