Kindle the Sabbath Lights

Blessed are You,

YHWH, our God,

King of the Universe,

Who commanded all humanity

to set aside the Sabbath

as a day of rest,

So that we might cease from our nonstop striving

for six days of our workweek.

As Gentiles, Sinaites, Sabbath-keepers

come together in fellowship,

We borrow the symbolic act in Jewish tradition

of lighting the Sabbath candles.

We welcome Your Queen of all days,

joyfully entering Your Sanctuary in Time,

Your Holy Sabbath

on erev, at sundown Friday.

————————

Image from www.kingjamesbibleonline.org

In the beginning,

the SOURCE of LIGHT,

whose blinding brilliance

dazzled a darkened world

when there was not a soul–animal or human—

to witness and wonder at the awesome spectacle—

the Creator YHWH spoke all matter into existence,

one after another

according to their function and purpose,

designed to fit into His Grand Design

as only He can orchestrate it all,

with harmony and balance,

with variety and diversity,

with beauty and utmost creativity,

with perfection.

Truly, how can we begin to describe

the testimony of the created order,

the witness of science,

of nature and of humankind—

to the existence of God?

And by witness of the Hebrew Scriptures,

a God Who merely speaks and suddenly there “is”?

3 God said: Let there be light! And there was light.
4 God saw the light: that it was good.

God separated the light from the darkness.
5 God called the light: Day! and the darkness he called: Night!

There was setting, there was dawning: one day.
6 God said:

And so it was.

Image from www2.kenyon.edu

These Sabbath lights do not dazzle nor blind,

but they dispel enough darkness in space

where once there was light from the brilliance of a created sun

which has withdrawn from our horizon on this erev Shabbat,

as it regularly does in obedience to the Divine command:

14 God said:

Let there be lights in the dome of the heavens,

to separate the day from the night,

that they may be for signs-for set-times, for days and years,

15 and let them be for lights in the dome of the heavens,

to provide light upon the earth! It was so.

16 God made the two great lights,

the greater light for ruling the day

and the smaller light for ruling the night, and the stars.

17 God placed them in the dome of the heavens
18 to provide light upon the earth,

to rule the day and the night,

to separate the light from the darkness.

God saw that it was good.

19 There was setting, there was dawning: fourth day.

O Lord YHWH, Creator-God,

we read these verses in the opening chapter of Your Torah

and believe with our mind and our heart

every word You have spoken, as recorded by Moshe

to whom is attributed the authorship

of Your Sinai Revelation.

We celebrate this Sabbath day

in loving tribute to You,

the first Celebrant of the first Sabbath,

and as a memorial to Your first Sabbath,

the seventh day

when You rested from Your creative work,

in the company of the first man and woman

who would be the first father and mother of all humanity.

Image from artbyjoani.squarespace.comWe conclude

We conclude that You did not cease from Your work

because You needed rest;

We surmise that by doing so,

You were impressing upon us who now read this account,

the importance of rest

from a six-day workweek.

We imagine

that You did not celebrate the Sabbath alone,

all by Yourself;

We imagine

what a blessing it must have been

for the representatives of Your ‘crown of creation’,

humankind,

to have been there

to be commanded the Sabbath law

that was to be the fourth

of Your Ten Declarations on Sinai.

The first human made from existing material, the earth,

was disunited by You into two beings

to complement one another in all ways,

that they might participate

in the supreme act of reproducing another being,

of their kind, but of different genders,

male and female.

And that is Your original design.

And we guess that the first couple

who were made on day six

were a day old adults

when they celebrated their first Sabbath with You.

From that first Sabbath of Creation week,

You have made certain

that Your Sabbath will be enshrined in Your Torah

as a commandment,

not a mere suggestion.

We join Your chosen nation, obedient Israel,

in taking joy and delight

in celebrating Your Queen of days.

Come, YHWH, O Lord of the Sabbath,

You are welcome in our hearts,

in this meeting place, our Sabbath sanctuary.

Our community of Sinaites, Gentile Torah-observers

embrace Your Lordship and Your Kingship,

and love Your Law, Your Torah,

Your Book of Instructions

initially given to Your Firstborn Israel,

though intended for all humanity,

Jew and Gentile.

Would that that day will come,

envisioned by the prophets of Israel,

when all nations and their inhabitants will know You

and honor Your Name YHWH,

by worshipping You as Creator, God,

Lord and Master, King of the universe,

and living according to Your Torah.

BLESSINGS

The Sabbath is a blessing, a joy and a delight.

Our Sinai community of believers in YHWH,

delight in the company of one another.

The families represented here,

have been blessed with life

through each generation— [Name them]

parents, sons and daughters, grandchildren,

extended families through spouses and kin,

friends, acquaintances, special people.

For them all, O Giver of Life and Lord of Love,

we bless You and thank You, Lord YHWH,

and share this bread of fellowship,

and drink this wine in joyful celebration

of Your loving-kindness and mercy,

grateful for Your daily provisions,

thankful for Your protection

of our homes

and specially our loved ones,

wherever they may be.

Amen.

SABBATH MEAL /TORAH STUDY

magicmoonbeams.blogspot.com

Image from anshesholomnewrochelle.org

HAVDALAH

[Read the following quotation from Isaiah 60:19-20

addressed to YHWH’s firstborn son Israel.

Sinaites pray that this will happen soon,

that the end of the age might come.]

19 The sun shall be no more thy light by day,

neither for brightness

shall the moon give light unto thee;

but the LORD shall be unto thee

an everlasting light,

and thy God thy glory.

20 Thy sun shall no more go down,

Neither shall thy moon withdraw itself;

for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light,

and the days of thy mourning shall be ended.

Image from www.pinterest.com

In behalf of the Sinai Core Community,

NSB@S6K

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

A Sinaite’s Musical Liturgy – 4th Sabbath in June

June 4, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Image from www.youtube.com

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

Blessed are You, YHWH, our God,

King of the Universe,

Who commanded all humanity

to set aside the Sabbath as a day of rest,

And as we Sinaites, Gentile Sabbath-keepers,

follow the symbolic act in Jewish tradition,

of lighting the Sabbath candles,

We welcome Your Queen of all days,

Your Holy Sabbath at sundown Friday.

[Source: 7th Day Adventist

“Remember the Sabbath”/Revised Lyrics for SINAI 6000]

1. Remember the Sabbath, the 4th commandment,

it’s the seventh day;

The day when we cease from our daily strivings,

in all and every way—

The Lord of the Sabbath,

Yahuwah is His Name,

He rested on His Sabbath,

we do the same.

2. Let’s enter the Sabbath, His Sanctuary . . .

in the realm of time;

Take joy and delight in each passing moment,

it’s His special time . . .

Let’s kindle the Sabbath lights,

break bread and drink the wine,

Take time to read His Torah,

His Tree of Life.

3. Remember to praise the Lord of Sabbath,

Yahuwah is His Name,

For six days He spoke “let there be” existence,

and all things came ‘to be’,

The crown of creation,

the first humanity,

Formed from existing matter,

a perfect ‘BE’.

4. Remember the Source of all Life and Being,

Yahuwah is His Name,

On Sinai the God of Creation descended

to speak His Words of Life;

Today we still hear Him,

and heed His Words for Life,

He is the Lord of Sabbath,

the Source of Life.

Praise Him, the Lord of Sabbath,

Our God for Life.

Image from ptl2010.com

Psalm 19 (ESV) / A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God,  
and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.
 2 Day to day pours out speech,  
and night to night reveals knowledge.
 3 There is no speech, nor are there words, 
whose voice is not heard.
 4 Their voice goes out through all the earth,  
and their words to the end of the world.
 In them he has set a tent for the sun,
 5which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
     and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.
 6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens, 
 and its circuit to the end of them,
     and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

⁷The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple;
⁸the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes;
⁹the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.
¹⁰More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
¹¹Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12 Who can discern his errors?  
Declare me innocent from hidden faults.
 13 Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins;  
let them not have dominion over me!
 Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.

¹⁴Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in your sight,
O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

[A Borrowed Prayer from the Jewish Prayer Book:

Gates of Repentance]

We cannot pray to You, O God,

to banish war,

For You have filled the world

with paths to peace,

if only we would take them.

We cannot pray to You

to end starvation,

For there is food enough for all,

if only we would share it.

We cannot merely pray

for prejudice to cease,

For we might see

the good in all

that lies before our eyes,

if only we would use them.

We cannot merely pray,

‘Root out despair,’

For the spark of hope

already waits within the human heart,

for us to fan it into flame.

We must not ask of You, O God,

to take the task that You have given us.

We cannot shirk,

we cannot flee away,

avoiding obligation for ever.

Therefore we pray, O God,

for wisdom and will, for courage

to do and to become,

Not only to look on

with helpless yearning

as though we had no strength.

For your sake and ours,

speedily and soon, let it be:

That our land may be safe,

that our lives may be blessed.

May our words be pleasing in Your sight;

May our deeds be acceptable to You,

O God, our Rock and our Redeemer.

Image from plus.google.com

[Original Tune: In His Time/Revised Lyrics for SINAI 6000]

Bless this home, bless this time;

Bless each one who celebrates in YOUR TIME,

Sabbath-keepers, such are we,

heard Your call for us to be,

Live Your Life for all to see, in our time.

Bless the bread, bless the wine,

Bless our loved ones where they are,

pray they’re ‘fine’,

May they know You more each day,

Show their love for You their way,

Live their lives so that they may . . . just obey.

Bless our loved ones always Lord,

IN YOUR TIME.

SABBATH MEAL

Image from www.mysarshalom.com

TORAH DISCUSSION

Image from bishopprince.wordpress.com

[HERE I AM, LORD

Original Words and Music are by Daniel L. Schutte,

1. I, the Lord of earth and sky,

I have heard the people cry.
All who dwell in darkness they . . .

will see My Light,
I who made the stars of night,

I can make the darkness bright.
Who will bear My Light to them,

whom shall I send?

CHO: Here I am Lord, is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling all my life.
I will share all that You teach me,
They will hear from me,

Your Words of Life.

2. I, the God of Israel ,

I am LORD of all as well,
I have Law for humankind,

to live in peace—
I will write it in their minds,

and impress it in their hearts,
Who will spread my Word to them,

whom shall I send?

CHO: Here we are Lord,

we have sought You,

We have heard You calling all our life,
We have followed where You’ve led us,
We will be Your witness where we are.

Image from www.davidicke.com

Shabbat Shalom to all Sabbath Keepers —

Jewish, Christian, Messianic, Unaffiliated Gentiles,

and Sinaites all over YHWH’s world,

from the Sinai 6000 Core Community,

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

A Sinaite’s Liturgy – 3rd Sabbath in June

June 3, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

Image from leonidafremov.deviantart.com

O YHWH,

Creator God,

Revelator on Sinai,

God of Israel,

God of all nations,

Lord of the Sabbath!

How we cherish sundown on Friday,

truly the highlight of our week.

How we relish hour after hour from erev to havdalah,

taking refuge in Your Sanctuary in time,

leaving behind a world of cares,

withdrawing into the comforting peace and blessing

derived from simply obeying Your Fourth Commandment.

How can we not respond to Your call

to cease from our strivings and enter Your Sabbath Rest?

How can we resist a gracious invitation

from the King of kings and the Lord of lords?

How can we refuse a gift freely bestowed

and designed for our benefit and enjoyment?

How can we ignore Your fourth commandment

which is the easiest of all commandments to obey:

to simply set apart a day to cease all striving

and discover the big difference it would make in our life?

O YHWH, Lord of the Sabbath,

How we love You and desire to please You

by living according to Your Torah.

You are our God, our Lord, our Master, our King!

We choose to serve You and worship You,

for there is no other God but You.

We declare Your Name to as many as would listen and believe that—

‘YHWH is God, there is no other!’

Hear O Israel, hear O nations of the world:

YHWH is One, the One True God.

Hear and heed, come and worship,

YHWH is His Name!

Image from dwellingintheword.wordpress.com

Psalm 135

¹Praise YHWH.

Praise the name of YHWH; 
praise him, you servants of YHWH,
 2 you who minister in the house of YHWH,  
in the courts of the house of our God.

3 Praise YHWH, for He is good; 
 sing praise to His Name, for that is pleasant.
4 For YHWH has chosen Jacob to be His own,  
Israel to be His treasured possession.

5 I know that YHWH is great, 
that our Lord is greater than all gods.
6  YHWH does whatever pleases him,  
in the heavens and on the earth,
 in the seas and all their depths.
7 He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
     He sends lightning with the rain 
and brings out the wind from His storehouses.

8 He struck down the firstborn of Egypt, 
 the firstborn of people and animals.
9 He sent his signs and wonders into your midst, 
Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He struck down many nations and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,  Og king of Bashan,
     and all the kings of Canaan—
 12 and He gave their land as an inheritance, 
an inheritance to His people Israel.

13 Your name, YHWH, endures forever,  
your renown, YHWH, through all generations.
14 For YHWH will vindicate His people  
and have compassion on His servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, 
made by human hands.
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak, 
eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear,
nor is there breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them, 
and so will all who trust in them.

19 All you Israelites, praise the Lord; 
house of Aaron, praise the Lord;
20 house of Levi, praise the Lord;  
you who fear him [Gentiles], praise the Lord.
21 Praise be to the Lord from Zion,
to him who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the Lord YHWH!

BLESSINGS

O YHWH, from Whom all blessings flow,

we thank You for all the good

that have been part of our lives

that we continue to enjoy,

whether deserved or undeserved.

Image from www.myjewishlearning.com

We are mindful that the opposite of blessings

are curses resulting from disobedience to Your Torah.

For experiences in our lives

that come in the guise of negatives—

the difficult and painful,

accidents and regrettable incidents—

we thank You nonetheless, O YHWH,

for reminders that consequences do result,

whether in the form of illness from lifestyle abuse or excess,

or rifts in relationships resulting from sinful behavior,

or accidents that could have been avoided

had we been more cautious and focused.

We thank You even for these difficult lessons in life,

for that is what they are —

lessons to learn from,

that we might repent and change direction,

habitual sins we know we should desist from continuing,

so that we might examine ourselves in areas that matter most —

particularly when others are affected and are hurt

because of our indifference and apathy,

carelessness in word and in deed,

or sins of omission—

when we fail to do what we should,

promises we failed to keep,

duties and obligations we neglected.

‘Curses’ could be disguised ‘blessings’

but only if they lead to valuable personal lessons,

positive changes in ourselves and others

hard lessons that are not wasted —

even for these, we thank You,

Lord YHWH, Who disciplined Israel

for their own good and for Your greater glory.

We, Sinaites, as Gentiles,

expect no less from Your disciplining Hand,

for we know better and have learned from Your Torah

the difficult lessons that Israel learned only in hindsight,

though never too late for them,

in Your timeline of world history.

As we delight in our Sabbath fellowship,

being with one another not only every Sabbath,

but throughout our common quest for Truth,

in this lifetime journey of faith,

together seeking the One True God—

we fondly remember others on this pilgrimage to Sinai–

who were once with us but have left our company,

those have suffered limitations in mobility,

others who have travelled to distant lands,

and beloved who have entered their eternal Sabbath.

We lift up to you our loved ones —[name them]

parents, spouse, children,

extended kin, special friends.

And a special blessing for all fathers,

whose role in the family is being celebrated

on the 3rd Sunday of June,

designated as Fathers’ Day.

With all our loved ones in mind and heart,

we now sip this wine and break bread,

for this is truly the highlight in our week,

a special occasion we look forward to every seven days.

Indeed You, our loving Heavenly Father,

have taught us to delight in Your day of rest,

O YHWH, Lord of the Sabbath.

We join Jewry in making a toast—-

“to LIFE!” L’CHAIM, MABUHAY!

HAVDALAH

As we end our Sabbath fellowship,

we thank one another for the pleasure we derive

from each other’s company

and the wisdom each one has contributed

to our Torah discussion.

We thank the Giver of the Torah,

the God we have chosen to serve,

for giving instructions in every aspect of life —

personal, family relationships,

social life, living in community,

health, conflict resolution,

and so much more.

We resolve as we do each week,

to reflect on the lessons we learned,

to apply them to our daily living,

and share with as many as are interested

in learning from us.

Image from kjmasters.com

May we be not simply readers and students of Torah,

May we live it and never forget

that as we claim to be worshippers of YHWH,

When we fail to live as we should according to His Torah,

Then we fail to be true reflectors of His Light and His Life.

Thank You, Lord YHWH,

for Your lovingkindness and mercy,

for Your daily provisions not only for us,

but also for our family.

We love You and will endeavor show it best

by obeying Your guidelines for living.

Amen.

Image from www.pinterest.com

God bless all fathers!

NSB@S6K

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

A Sinaite’s Musical Liturgy – 2nd Sabbath in June

June 2, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

[This Sinaite’s musical liturgy borrows from the beautiful music composed by Christian hymnodists; we change the lyrics to reflect Sinai 6000’s belief system. As we explain every now and then, we Sinaites were Christian for most of our lives so we have come to love the music we’ve sung every Sunday at church. And so, until we start composing our own music, we borrow from Christian hymnody, but only the music.—Admin1].

——————————-

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

Blessed are You, YHWH, our God,

King of the Universe,

Who commanded all humanity

to set aside the Sabbath as a day of rest,

And as we Gentiles, Sinaites, Sabbath-keepers,

borrow the symbolic act in Jewish tradition,

of lighting the Sabbath candles,

We welcome the Queen of all days,

Your Holy Sabbath at sundown Friday.

Image from hardcoremesorah.wordpress.com

[Blessed be the NAME Medley by Don Moen/Slightly Modified lyrics]

Blessed be the Name of the LORD,

He is worthy to be praised and adored;

So we lift up holy hands in one accord, singing—

Blessed be the Name, blessed be the Name,

Blessed be the Name of the LORD.

No other Name but the Name of YAHUWAH,

No other Name but the Name of the LORD,

No other Name but the Name of YAHUWAH,

Is worthy of glory, is worthy of honor,

Is worthy of worship and of praise!

Worthy, Thou art Worthy,

KING of kings, LORD of lords,

Thou art Worthy;

Faithful, Thou art Faithful,

KING of kings, LORD of lords,

We worship You!

Thou art Worthy, Thou art Worthy,
Thou art Worthy, O LORD,
To receive glory, glory and honor,
Glory and honor and pow’r.
For Thou hasT created, hast all things created,
Thou hast created all things,
And for Thy pleasure they are created:
For Thou art worthy, O LORD!

[Original Music: Alleluia, sing to Jesus/Revised Lyrics for S6K]

1. Alleluia, all praise YAHUWAH,

The Source of Life, of all that exist!

He’s Creator and by His Words

He spoke “Let there be” and all things subsist!

CHO: Earth and sky, and the universe,

and all creatures started from nothing at all,

Beauty and balance and harmony blending all in one,

Praise YAHUWAH Who made it all.

2. Alleluia, let’s praise YAHUWAH,

for IMAGE shared with humans like us.

Trusting, teaching, and testing us

with free will to wield what’s righteous and just.

CHO: In His Image and with His Wisdom,

His Torah leads as we go on our way,

Study and read, understand and apply from day to day,

Revelation is here to stay.

3. Alleluia, the Name, YAHUWAH,

We dare to say with rev’rence and awe!

Proud are we to proclaim our God

Whom we’ve come to know through His Word and His Law!

CHO: Lord YAHUWAH, our God and Master,

Our Shepherd, Leader, Provider, our KING!

Long have we sought the true pathway that leads direct to You,

Torah lights up the Way that’s True!

4. Alleluia, sing alleluia,

shout alleluia to YAHUWAH!

God of Israel, God of Gentiles,

O God of Nations, all humankind!

CHO: Praise is due to You,

Love we bring to You,

Hearts and minds dedicated to You!

Honor our hearth and our home when we rest for Sabbath Day,

You are welcome forevermore!

[Original Tune: Bless this House/Revised Lyrics for Sinai 6000]

1. Bless this time O Lord we pray,

We’ve looked forward to this day.

From our routines, time away,

From the Path, we dare not stray,

Sabbath keepers, if we may

live for Thee from day to day.

2. Celebrate the family,

Each life is a gift from Thee,

Joy and blessing have they been,

near or far and though unseen,

May they come to know Thee more,

love Thee much more than before.

[Name your loved ones one by one at this time,

and pray for specific concerns regarding each one.]

FELLOWSHIP MEAL

TORAH STUDY

Image from www.westchabad.org

HAVDALAH

[Original Tune: What a friend we have in Jesus/Revised Lyrics]

1. What great friends have we been given

by the God Who sees through all,

He’s the One Who puts together

those of us who hear His call.

Strangers once were we, unknowing,

He would link our chain of lives,

One connection to another,

all relationships survive.

2. Central is He to relations,

whether friend or family,

Work might be our sole connection,

yet how fortunate are we . . . .

When we link with one another,

Worshipping the One True God,

We shall never ever sever

Ties that bind us thru our God.

3. Should we ever have to part ways,

rest assured we’re one in heart,

Each connected to the other,

even when we are apart.

Are we chosen by YAHUWAH,

when we choose Him as our Lord,

God of Israel and Gentiles,

all committed to His Word.

SHABBAT SHALOM,

Sinaites, Jews, Messianics, and Gentiles,

Sabbath Keepers, all over the world!

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

A Sinaite’s Liturgy – 1st Sabbath in June

June 1, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Image from www.arabianbusiness.com

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

O YHWH, Creator God,

You light up our life in awesome ways;

with the first sighting of Your moon that orbits our planet,

that is our cue that another month begins another cycle in our measured earth-time.

For You spoke—

“Let there be lights in the vault of the sky

to separate the day from the night,

and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years.”

As we kindle the Sabbath lights, we enter into Your ‘sanctuary in time”:

Image from journeytopenuel.com

a time to rest from our labors,

a time for joy and delight,

a time to fellowship with one another

and connect with Sabbath-keepers all over the world, wherever they are,

but even if only one Sabbath-keeper joins the Lord of the Sabbath on Your sacred day, that adds up to a ‘majority’.

By our obedience to the 4th commandment,

we reflect in ourselves

the ‘Image of the first Sabbath-CELEBRANT’,

You, YHWH, our Creator,

the One and Only True LORD of the SABBATH,

O YHWH, Designer of all created order,

Whose Presence is evident

in the workings of our world and the universe beyond our visual sighting,

in the sustaining of harmony and balance in perfect synchronization:

the psalmist gazed into the night skies and saw the “work of Your fingers,

the moon and stars suspended in space,” then wondered in reverence:

“What is man that You are mindful of him?”

Indeed, who are we that You are mindful of us,

inviting us to enter Your Sabbath rest, to keep holy Your seventh day,

with promised blessing for all who not only hear but heed.

The blessing, we discover, is in the obedience; there need not be any further blessing;

and yet, O YHWH, the pleasure we derive from our Sabbath-observance

sustains us through the next six days until we enter the 7th day once again,

for You light up our life in more ways than we can express;

And so we join the inspired writer of Psalms 100 in thanksgiving:

1 Shout unto YHWH, all the earth.

2 Serve YHWH with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know ye that YHWH He is God;

It is He that hath made us, and we are His,

His people, and the flock of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise;

Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name.

5 For YHWH is good; His mercy endureth for ever;

And His faithfulness unto all generations.

(Psalms 100)

Borrowed Tune: “O Danny Boy” /Revised Lyrics “I Do Not Know”

1. I do not know why God Who is Creator

Who spoke the words that brought about this world,

All earth and all the heavens, all the space between,

The deep abyss, the heights of skies above.

Why God would make us men into His image,

Why He would grant free will, the right to choose,

to mortal men, with understanding limited,

why our Almighty God has taken such a risk.

2. I do not know why God Who filled the heavens,

with sun and moon and stars to give earth light,

Who parted land and sea and filled each domain,

with fish and fowl, with creatures big and small.

Why this great God would grant the highest favor

to giving man dominion and the power,

to make the choice to disobey His orders,

and choose his will above His Maker and His God.

3. I do not know why God would love us sinners,

why He allows the choice for us to turn . . .

to turn our back to blessings for obedience

to choose to go our way instead of His.

And yet the Source of Life, the Source of Love and Light,

surrounds us with His Light, His Love, His Life,

All that He asks is turn to Him, repent and change,

and be restored to where we choose to live His Way.

4. How can we serve, how can we love a God like this,

A God so merciful and yet so just,

Who tempers justice with so great a mercy,

Whose love for man, we cannot comprehend.

And yet we have within ourselves this power,

to love Him back, and serve with all our might,

What He has given, we must give back to our Great God,

love and obedience to His very Life within.

BLESSINGS

Image from www.feldheim.com

We bless You, O YHWH,

for Your goodness and kindness and mercy toward us,

for all the years You have granted us life on this earth.

You have given us endless opportunities

to find the path that leads to You

so we are deeply grateful we are relearning

as much and as often as we seek

Your teachings in Your Tree of Life, Your Torah.

We seek Your blessing upon our family:

[name them]

wives and husbands,

widows and widowers,

all our children

and our extended family,

specially those in our households who serve us faithfully day by day,

and special people whose company we have enjoyed, and whose friendship has graced our lives.

The blessing we seek for each and all of them

is that You kindle in them— just as you have kindled in us—

the desire to seek You with all their heart and all their might and all their soul,

so that they might have the privilege of knowing You

as much as You have revealed Yourself in the Hebrew Scriptures;

so that they might choose to live Your Way and live under Your Lordship.

Indeed, may they arrive at the same pathway as we have,

that leads to You and Your Truth soon, and within their lifetime.

Finally, Lord YHWH,

for the joy of savoring wine and bread

which symbolize Your divine providence upon all

who have been given Your breath of life, whether or not they believe You exist,

we drink this wine to life, Your Way of Life, Your Torah life,

and thank You for each day we have survived and enjoyed our life on Your earth.

To Life! Mabuhay! L’chaim!

Image from galleryhip.com

Image from 3.bp.blogspot.com

HAVDALAH

As we come to the close of our Sabbath celebration,

we are reminded that while we live on this earth,

in this body we have been born in, lived in, and aged in

for all the years we have been granted by the Life-GIVER,

we are ever conscious of the gift of health, the maintenance of which is in our control

if we live according to the health-sustaining principles in His Torah.

We are ever conscious of the continuous passage of time,

and the importance of using time wisely, whether in work or in play,

and the blessing that rest brings to our physical, mental and spiritual welfare,

a most welcome respite from our daily and weekly routines.

We value every breath we take, and renew our commitment—

to use the time and resources we have at our disposal

not wastefully but wisely and well,

to the benefit not only of ourselves but also of others,

for that is what gives meaning to our very existence,

realizing that a self-centered and useless life is a wasted life.

May we appreciate the resources at our disposal, whether hard-earned or freely granted,

to use them for our pleasure as well as for sharing,

since we are mere instruments and channels of grace from a benevolent God

Who has given us opportunities, resources, talents and enablements,

so that we might live to be His blessing to others less fortunate.

May we conduct the remaining days and months and years of our lives

in continuing obedience to the TORAH of our Lord YHWH,

specially in all levels of our relationships,

so that the very message of our life is what ultimately catches attention,

enough to bring honor to the Source of our joy,

our Benefactor, YHWH, to Whom we owe a lifetime of blessings.

Indeed, may we so live!

Image from www.reposty.com

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

A Sinaite’s Liturgy – 1st Sabbath in June

June 1, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Image from www.arabianbusiness.com

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

O YHWH, Creator God,

You light up our life in awesome ways;

with the first sighting of Your moon that orbits our planet,

that is our cue that another month begins another cycle in our measured earth-time.

For You spoke—

“Let there be lights in the vault of the sky

to separate the day from the night,

and let them serve as signs to mark sacred times, and days and years.”

As we kindle the Sabbath lights, we enter into Your ‘sanctuary in time”:

Image from journeytopenuel.com

a time to rest from our labors,

a time for joy and delight,

a time to fellowship with one another

and connect with Sabbath-keepers all over the world, wherever they are,

but even if only one Sabbath-keeper joins the Lord of the Sabbath on Your sacred day, that adds up to a ‘majority’.

By our obedience to the 4th commandment,

we reflect in ourselves

the ‘Image of the first Sabbath-CELEBRANT’,

You, YHWH, our Creator,

the One and Only True LORD of the SABBATH,

O YHWH, Designer of all created order,

Whose Presence is evident

in the workings of our world and the universe beyond our visual sighting,

in the sustaining of harmony and balance in perfect synchronization:

the psalmist gazed into the night skies and saw the “work of Your fingers,

the moon and stars suspended in space,” then wondered in reverence:

“What is man that You are mindful of him?”

Indeed, who are we that You are mindful of us,

inviting us to enter Your Sabbath rest, to keep holy Your seventh day,

with promised blessing for all who not only hear but heed.

The blessing, we discover, is in the obedience; there need not be any further blessing;

and yet, O YHWH, the pleasure we derive from our Sabbath-observance

sustains us through the next six days until we enter the 7th day once again,

for You light up our life in more ways than we can express;

And so we join the inspired writer of Psalms 100 in thanksgiving:

1 Shout unto YHWH, all the earth.

2 Serve YHWH with gladness;

Come before His presence with singing.

3 Know ye that YHWH He is God;

It is He that hath made us, and we are His,

His people, and the flock of His pasture.

4 Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,

And into His courts with praise;

Give thanks unto Him, and bless His name.

5 For YHWH is good; His mercy endureth for ever;

And His faithfulness unto all generations.

(Psalms 100)

Borrowed Tune: “O Danny Boy” /Revised Lyrics “I Do Not Know”

1. I do not know why God Who is Creator

Who spoke the words that brought about this world,

All earth and all the heavens, all the space between,

The deep abyss, the heights of skies above.

Why God would make us men into His image,

Why He would grant free will, the right to choose,

to mortal men, with understanding limited,

why our Almighty God has taken such a risk.

2. I do not know why God Who filled the heavens,

with sun and moon and stars to give earth light,

Who parted land and sea and filled each domain,

with fish and fowl, with creatures big and small.

Why this great God would grant the highest favor

to giving man dominion and the power,

to make the choice to disobey His orders,

and choose his will above His Maker and His God.

3. I do not know why God would love us sinners,

why He allows the choice for us to turn . . .

to turn our back to blessings for obedience

to choose to go our way instead of His.

And yet the Source of Life, the Source of Love and Light,

surrounds us with His Light, His Love, His Life,

All that He asks is turn to Him, repent and change,

and be restored to where we choose to live His Way.

4. How can we serve, how can we love a God like this,

A God so merciful and yet so just,

Who tempers justice with so great a mercy,

Whose love for man, we cannot comprehend.

And yet we have within ourselves this power,

to love Him back, and serve with all our might,

What He has given, we must give back to our Great God,

love and obedience to His very Life within.

BLESSINGS

Image from www.feldheim.com

We bless You, O YHWH,

for Your goodness and kindness and mercy toward us,

for all the years You have granted us life on this earth.

You have given us endless opportunities

to find the path that leads to You

so we are deeply grateful we are relearning

as much and as often as we seek

Your teachings in Your Tree of Life, Your Torah.

We seek Your blessing upon our family:

[name them]

wives and husbands,

widows and widowers,

all our children

and our extended family,

specially those in our households who serve us faithfully day by day,

and special people whose company we have enjoyed, and whose friendship has graced our lives.

The blessing we seek for each and all of them

is that You kindle in them— just as you have kindled in us—

the desire to seek You with all their heart and all their might and all their soul,

so that they might have the privilege of knowing You

as much as You have revealed Yourself in the Hebrew Scriptures;

so that they might choose to live Your Way and live under Your Lordship.

Indeed, may they arrive at the same pathway as we have,

that leads to You and Your Truth soon, and within their lifetime.

Finally, Lord YHWH,

for the joy of savoring wine and bread

which symbolize Your divine providence upon all

who have been given Your breath of life, whether or not they believe You exist,

we drink this wine to life, Your Way of Life, Your Torah life,

and thank You for each day we have survived and enjoyed our life on Your earth.

To Life! Mabuhay! L’chaim!

Image from galleryhip.com

Image from 3.bp.blogspot.com

HAVDALAH

As we come to the close of our Sabbath celebration,

we are reminded that while we live on this earth,

in this body we have been born in, lived in, and aged in

for all the years we have been granted by the Life-GIVER,

we are ever conscious of the gift of health, the maintenance of which is in our control

if we live according to the health-sustaining principles in His Torah.

We are ever conscious of the continuous passage of time,

and the importance of using time wisely, whether in work or in play,

and the blessing that rest brings to our physical, mental and spiritual welfare,

a most welcome respite from our daily and weekly routines.

We value every breath we take, and renew our commitment—

to use the time and resources we have at our disposal

not wastefully but wisely and well,

to the benefit not only of ourselves but also of others,

for that is what gives meaning to our very existence,

realizing that a self-centered and useless life is a wasted life.

May we appreciate the resources at our disposal, whether hard-earned or freely granted,

to use them for our pleasure as well as for sharing,

since we are mere instruments and channels of grace from a benevolent God

Who has given us opportunities, resources, talents and enablements,

so that we might live to be His blessing to others less fortunate.

May we conduct the remaining days and months and years of our lives

in continuing obedience to the TORAH of our Lord YHWH,

specially in all levels of our relationships,

so that the very message of our life is what ultimately catches attention,

enough to bring honor to the Source of our joy,

our Benefactor, YHWH, to Whom we owe a lifetime of blessings.

Indeed, may we so live!

Image from www.reposty.com

A Sinaite's Sabbath Liturgy

The Sinaite’s Musical Liturgy – 4th Sabbath in May

May 25, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Witness of Sabbath from Pinterest

KINDLE THE SABBATH LIGHTS

O Source of Light, YHWH our God–

Before You created the heavenly lights,

the sun, moon and stars,

Your LIGHT shone in the dark emptiness of space.

Then You spoke LIGHT into existence

in words that reverberate from Day One of Creation

through the ages, on to our time:

“Let there be light,

and there was light.”

As we kindle these Sabbath lights,

we thank You for visual light

that brightens the darkness in our world,

and spiritual light that illuminates mind, heart, and spirit!

We welcome Your Queen of days, Your Holy Sabbath,

a day of rest at the culmination of our week.

Blessed are You, YHWH our God, Lord of the Sabbath,

King over our lives. Amen.

Original Hymn: Immortal Invisible God Only Wise

Original Lyrics by Walter Chalmers Smith
Music: Welsh melody from John Roberts’s Canaidau y Cyssegr

[Original Lyrics]1. Immortal, invisible, God only wise, In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. 2. Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

Nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;
Thy justice like mountains high soaring above
Thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love.

3. To all, life thou givest, to both great and small;
In all life thou livest, the true life of all;
We blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,
And wither and perish, but naught changeth thee.

4. Thou reignest in glory; thou dwellest in light;
Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight;
All laud we would render: O help us to see
‘Tis only the splendor of light hideth thee.

Watercolor art by Dan R., now based in Houston, TX

[ESV] Psalm 42As a deer pants for flowing streams,so pants my soul for you, O God.My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.When shall I come and appear before God?My tears have been my food day and night,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:how I would go with the throngand lead them in procession to the house of Godwith glad shouts and songs of praise, a multitude keeping festival.Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember youfrom the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls;all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.By day the LORD commands his steadfast love,and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life,I say to God, my rock: “Why have you forgotten me?Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me,while they say to me all the day long, “Where is your God?”Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me?Hope in God: for I shall again praise him my salvation and my God.

The Sinaite’s Hymn based on Psalm 42Revised LyricsMusic: Composer: Marty Nystrom

“As the deer panteth for the water”

So my soul longs for You, my King;You alone fill my heart’s desire,Faith in You, love for You, I sing!CHO: You alone fill my heart, my mind;In You alone, daily peace I find;You alone give my life its meaning,All my past do I leave behind!

I love You more than any other,No one else matters more to me—You’re the First, and You are the Lastthe One who opens my eyes to see!CHO: May my deeds please You more each day,O may my words reach You when I pray,YAHUWAH, You’re the One and Only OneThere ‘s so much more I can say.

You’re my Rock, You’re my Lord and Master,You provide everything I need;Manna, food for the soul and body,On Your Torah I daily feed.CHO: Worship You, how I love to do,Obeying You all my lifetime, too,YAHUWAH, how I long to see Youat the end of my life . . . just You!

BLESSINGS

Image from starneslifefamilylove.blogspot.com

Original Music: Blest be the Tie that Binds /Revised Lyrics

“Blest be the tie that binds,”

In Family, lives intertwined,Dear father and motherDear sister and brother,United in heart, and in mind.

The roots in each family tree,

affect and infect all the rest;

So parents be mindful,

of values you pass on to branches

be none but the best.

As children grow up and mature,The Torah they learn will ensure–that goodness and righteousness,love for the ‘other’, bring harmony, joy in hearts pure.

As time moves along in our lives,We age and mature through the years,The stages and phases that show in our faces,are memories that we hold dear!

FAMILY PRAYER

LORD of our Family,the honored Guest in our Sabbath fellowship,LORD of the Sabbath, God on Sinai,YHWH,We bless Your Name,and we ask blessings upon all present at this gathering;We remember with fondness those who are not with us:[Name them: parents, spouse, siblings,children, relatives, dearly departed] As we continue our fellowship,partaking of this Sabbath meal,we raise our glasses to make a toast to You,O YHWH, the Source of all Life,Who has granted us breath of life,on our borrowed time while on earth, from our birth, to that momentwhen our breath returns to You!To LIFE, L’Chaim!

Image from www.chabad.org

HAVDALAH

Original Hymn: Breathe on Me, Breath of God/Revised Lyrics

Image from www.askideas.com

1. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love all that You love

and do what You tell me to.

2. Breathe on me, breath of God,

until my heart is pure,

May Your desires be my desires,

till my path to You is sure.

3. Breathe on me, breath of God,

May I fit Your design,

May each and every part of me

be filled with Your LIFE divine.

4. Breathe on me, breath of God,

Be with me till the end,

Till it’s the time for one last breath,

Forever with You, I’ll spend.

SHABBAT SHALOM

from Sinai 6000 Core Community,

NSB@S6K

ISRAEL

Ever wonder about the Star of David symbol?

May 22, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Image from www.vectorstock.com

[First posted in 2012. Reposted on Israel’s celebration of its independence day this year, April 19, 2018.

We are reposting at this time because of the recent uproar

caused by the moving of the US Embassy from Tel-Aviv, where most foreign consulates and embassies are based, to Jerusalem. It was a decision previously approved by the US Congress in 1995, but only finally executed by the current US President, Donald Trump who, as usual, got flack for simply doing his job. Why the fuss?

Non-biblical reasons include decades-old, perhaps centuries old, maybe even millennia-old, very complicated international politics that have always placed the Jewish people and the divided land of Israel at the center of global and regional controversy. But since we are among those who think of Israel from the perspective of the Hebrew Scriptures, we simply recall the prophecy expressed by the Gentile visionary Balaam :

Numbers/Bamidbar 22-23-24:

“I behold him: here, a people, alone-in-security it dwells,

among the nations it does not need to come-to-reckoning.”

So indeed, a timely repost and here is the original introduction in 2012:

Ever wonder about the six-angled star symbol used for the reborn nation of Israel? I overheard a discussion about it among some clueless gentiles: one said “isn’t it known as ‘Mogen David'” and the other responded, “Nah, that’s a wine brand!”; another made a connection: “it’s like the upside down or right side up of the Satanic star symbol”. Let’s get it right, time to clarify!

We’re featuring an informative article on the Star of David symbol written by Rabbi Shraga Simmons, an Orthodox Jewish rabbi, journalist and filmmaker involved in Orthodox Jewish outreach. He is the senior editor of Aish.com which is listed on our links, and the director of JewishPathways.com, both Jewish learning websites. Highlights and reformatting ours.

The Sinaites’ prayer for Israel:

Israel,

beloved of YHWH,

‘firstborn’, ‘son ‘and ‘servant’,

chosen for a specific divine destiny—

we Sinaites salute you,

and stand with you,

praying blessings of peace upon your people

and upon the Land of Promise to which your remnant have returned.

May the nations come to recognize and acknowledge

the God of Israel,

as Creator, Lord and King of the universe,

as the God of all peoples, all nations!

May all of humanity come to know Him

and call upon His Name with reverence and awe,

and live the lifestyle He prescribed for all humanity,

through your light and the light of His Torah,

and be blessed,

just as we, Sinaites, have been blessed

since we have come to know Him, and His Name, YHWH,

indeed, all in His time.

Shalom, Israel!

In behalf of Sinai 6000 core community.—Admin1.]

—————————-

From the Holocaust to the Israeli flag, what is the deeper meaning of this six-pointed Jewish symbol?

In modern times, the Star of David has become a premier Jewish symbol. This six-pointed star (hexagram), made of two interlocking triangles, can be found on mezuzahs, menorahs, tallis bags and kipot. Ambulances in Israel bear the sign of the “Red Star of David,” and the flag of Israel has a blue Star of David planted squarely in the center.

What is the origin of this six-pointed symbol?

The six points symbolize God’s rule over the universe in all six directions.

Through the Jewish people’s long and often difficult history, we have come to the realization that our only hope is to place our trust in God. The six points of the Star of David symbolize God’s rule over the universe in all six directions: north, south, east, west, up and down.

Originally, the Hebrew name Magen David ― literally “Shield of David” ― poetically referred to God.

Image from www.thinkstockphotos.ca

It acknowledges that our military hero, King David, did not win by his own might, but by the support of the Almighty. This is also alluded to in the third blessing after the Haftorah reading on Shabbat: “Blessed are you God, Shield of David.”

Suggested Symbolism

So when did the Star of David become adopted as a Jewish symbol? It is not referred to in the Bible or the Talmud, and was apparently adopted later in Jewish history. Still by exploring some various explanations on the meaning behind the Star of David, we can appreciate deep Jewish concepts.

One idea is that a six-pointed star receives form and substance from its solid center. This inner core represents the spiritual dimension, surrounded by the six universal directions. (A similar idea applies to Shabbat ― the seventh day which gives balance and perspective to the six weekdays.)

In Kabbalah, the two triangles represent the dichotomies inherent in man.

In Kabbalah, the two triangles represent the dichotomies inherent in man: good vs. evil, spiritual vs. physical, etc. The two triangles may also represent the reciprocal relationship between the Jewish people and God. The triangle pointing “up” symbolizes our good deeds which go up to heaven, and then activate a flow of goodness back down to the world, symbolized by the triangle pointing down.

Some note that the Star of David is a complicated interlocking figure which has not six (hexogram) but rather 12 (dodecogram) sides. One can consider it as composed of two overlapping triangles or as composed of six smaller triangles emerging from a central hexogram. Like the Jewish people, the star has 12 sides, representing the 12 tribes of Israel.

A more practical theory is that during the Bar Kochba rebellion (first century), a new technology was developed for shields using the inherent stability of the triangle. Behind the shield were two interlocking triangles, forming a hexagonal pattern of support points. (Buckminster Fuller showed how strong triangle-based designs are with his geodesics.)

One cynical suggestion is that the Star of David is an appropriate symbol for the internal strife that often afflicts Jewish nation: two triangles pointing in opposite directions!

The Star of David was also a sad symbol of the Holocaust.

The Star of David was a sad symbol of the Holocaust, when the Nazis forced Jews to wear an identifying yellow star. Actually, Jews were forced to wear special badges during the Middle Ages, both by Muslim and Christian authorities, and even in Israel under the Ottoman Empire.

So whether it is a blue star waving proudly on a flag, or a gold star adorning a synagogue’s entrance, the Star of David stands as a reminder that for the Jewish people…

in God we trust.

Image from pillarofenoch.blogspot.com

DAILY POSTS

Oy Searchers, whatsup? – May 2018

May 22, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

Image from Pinterest

05/22/18 – “david star”

Revisit: Ever wonder about the Star of David symbol?

05/15/18 – “Creation-Day-4” –Another image checked out by a searcher; click it and be surprised!

05/15/18 – “d2323d058926bbdd942bf7c8df169c4a” – This is a web-borrowed “Shabbat shalom” greeting we used in a Sabbath Liturgy; click it and see what shows up!

05/14/18 – “edom esau”

The UNchosen – Esau/Edom – A Second Look

05/14/18 – As Israel celebrates its 7 decades of existence as a nation, we pray for the peace of Jerusalem and the whole “promised land” which has been a land of promise for the Jewish people . . . except that its enemies refuse to allow it to exist or live in peace. Here are past articles to check out:

05/14/18 — “must read zion book”

Revisit: MUST READ/MUST OWN: SINAI & ZION – An Entry Into The Jewish Bible

05/14/18 — Links that were clicked on this date, in case you wish to check them out for yourself:

Image from Pinterest

05/13/18 — In the introduction to our post on the celebration of Mother’s Day, we wondered if the decision makers who assign specific days and months for specific celebrations had intended Mother’s Day to follow Labor Day? If that was an unconscious decision, it’s still a good connection! Mother not only labors to carry her unborn child to full term (9 months, Pop, try to beat that!), but after birthing-day, every child no matter how old in years remains in mother’s heart and mind and concern till her dying day. Truly, mother deserves recognition from every living being, since the Creator designed the female species to be in His Image, specifically His ‘nurturing nature’ and ‘mothering instinct’, yes?

Image from Pinterest

Here are our posts in tribute to her, with sample excerpts from each:

A Sinaite’s Liturgy in Celebration of Motherhood – 2nd Sabbath in May

Excerpt: Bless all Mothers, O GIVER and SOURCE of LIFE,

for their special place in the lives of children,

for providing never-ending unconditional love to them.

May children young and old, see in Mothers

that very IMAGE of You, a loving GOD Who cares

that each child fulfills the purpose for which he was created:

to know You first and foremost,

yet freely choose his destiny,

with You or without You in it.

It is our prayer that our children will choose ‘Life’,

YOUR LIFE, for in doing so,

their destiny is rightly directed and ultimately blessed,

and that brings great comfort to a mother’s heart.

Revisit: The hand that rocks the cradle . . .

Excerpt from the Introduction: We are resurrecting this post which analyzes how women in scripture fared in their roles as individuals with free choice, as wives, as mothers, and other roles they were limited to in their culture. Not surprisingly even in patriarchal narratives, women actually had a ‘voice’ and in fact ‘led’ men (husbands, sons) in decision making. It didn’t always go well, but the record of their counterparts—male biblical figures—were just the same, all humans are prone to committing mistakes and making unwise decisions when they follow their will over and above the revealed Divine Will in any circumstance. So here’s a short list of notable women, named or unnamed . . . .

Revisit: We know the answer, what is the question?

Excerpt: Hamlet’s is hardly a dilemma; we simply exist or we don’t without our making any personal choice. We were conceived without our permission, we simply found ourselves participating in the development of a life—our life—as a result of our parents’ choice or sometimes, a mere consequence of a sexual union. We’re nurtured in the womb by one of our parents, the temporary life-sustainer—our mother—and, depending on how she decides to nurture us or how she takes care of herself during her pregnancy, we’re merely blessed recipients of her natural motherliness or in some cases, suffer from lack of motherly concern (uniquely a woman’s choice).

Back in the womb . . . at the very moment of our conception there is that ‘hold-your-breath’ phase when we are held hostaged by the conscious decision of the carrier, the impregnated female, our would-be mother in whose hands our fate hangs. While the Creator of Life had put that whole process of propagating human life on ‘automatic’ mode, yet decisions are left in the hands of responsible and unfortunately, irresponsible self-centered unthinking females. For a short while we might be relegated to the category of unexpected or unwanted pregnancy.

Whether or not we make it beyond the medical confirmation that biologically, there was indeed a successful fertilization of an egg by a sperm—-becomes the sole prerogative of ‘woman’. And if she so decides she will have this baby, then we are on our way to being born (thanks, mother)!

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INTRODUCTORY COMMENT TO THIS POST

[Nobody noticed and neither did we, that we neglected to post this monthly aid for searchers, originally intended to direct them to articles that address their entry in ‘search terms’. And so it’s mid-May, when we noticed . . . wondering if we should even continue this blog. Well, why not! This gives us the opportunity to have a running commentary on current events, any concern, any question that might crop up from visitors to this site. The trend from month to month and year to year though is — there are hardly any entries/queries from our web visitors and perhaps that is a good sign that they find it easy to navigate their way through our website and don’t need to be directed; just click Site Map, the right-most box above the scroll which is like a ‘table of contents’ listing of over 1000 posts under 22 categories. The other possibility is — heavens forbid, there are no or hardly any visitors! But this is disproven by Google Cluster Map which shows frequent daily clicks on our site and specific posts by searchers from all over the world. That is heartening, our work is not in vain. So, as late as this is being posted, we decided to continue this blog, if nothing else except to comment on current ‘anything’ that might connect to a Torah perspective. And even if nobody asks, we’ll still give the answer!–Admin 1.]

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TORAH STUDY

TORAH and Shavuot – 2

May 20, 2018 s1n4i600o-adm1n-d3v Leave a Comment

[This was first posted in 2012. Reposting on the celebration of Shavuot which falls on May 20,2018.—Admin1].

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On Shabbat May 26, [2012]. we devoted our Torah Study time to SHAVUOS ROADMAP, issued by Torah Mates: Exploring Judaism Together.

If Jews today identify with the Israelites of that generation who left Egypt and gathered on Sinai, we Sinaites likewise identify with the non-Israelites in the mixed multitude who witnessed the giving of the Torah by the God who identified Himself as Creator, and who gave His Name as YHWH.

That generation of Israelites and non-Israelites gave their assent in one voice:

“Everything that HASHEM has spoken we shall do!”

We made this pledge on September 2010 when we realized Torah applied to Gentiles like us. We agreed among ourselves that we should celebrate Shavuot along with Israel, albeit in a different manner — by reading and discussing the Torah portions relating to the Sinai event and ascertain its continuing significance in the life of a believer in the self-revealing God on Sinai–YHWH. [We have VAN@S6K to thank for sharing this roadmap which had been in his study file since 2010.]

Some excerpts which add more information to what was published in the earlier article titled: TORAH and Pentecost.

Since this was written by a Jew for Jews, whenever you read the word “Jew” — include us Gentiles as well, for YHWH is the God of the whole universe full of people, both Jew and gentile.

Israel does not have an exclusive claim on YHWH, but we thank Israel for preserving the Torah in their Hebrew Scriptures so that we gentiles could discover the One True God Who chose them to be His “light to the gentiles.”

Shavuos is the day to accept the Torah, just like the mixed multitude on Mount Sinai.

I. The Facts

The period between Passover and Shavuos is called the Omer. It marks the seven weeks between the receiving of the Torah on Mount Sinai (which is the event that Shavuos celebrates). The 49 days of the Omer are verbally counted, and the 50th day of the Omer is Shavuos. The word Shavuos means “weeks,” which refers to the counting of the seven weeks.
Shavuos is also called: Shavuos is mentioned in the Torah (the Five Books of Moses) as one of the three pilgrimage festivals, when the Jews gathered at the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. These include Sukkos and Pesach as well. The Torah (Numbers 28:26-31) instructs the Jewish people,

“Also in the day of the first fruits, when you bring a new meal-offering to the G-d in your Feast of Weeks, you shall have a holy assembly. You shall not do any type of productive work.”

“Atzeres,” which means the cessation or conclusion. This is the name by which Shavuos is called in the Talmud. Some commentators explain that Shavuos is actually the end of a festive period that begins with Pesach. Another explanation is that all productive work (besides certain food preparation) is prohibited. Thus “Atzeres” refers to the cessation of work.
Yom HaBikurim: The Day of the First Fruits Shavuos was the time when the first fruits of the Seven Species were brought to the Holy Temple to be given to the Kohen (priest).
Chag HaKatzir: The harvest festival
In addition, the prayers on Shavuos refer to the holiday as Z’man Mattan Toraseinu: the time of the giving of our Torah.

Unlike the other festivals, Shavuos is not designated by date in the Torah. Instead, the Torah instructs us to count 49 days from “the day after Shabbos.” The Talmud explains this to mean the second day of Passover, which follows the first day of Passover, referred to as Shabbos. These 49 days are designated as the Counting of the Omer, which, we discuss in our Pesach booklet. The Torah commands us to verbally count these days one by one, according to a special formulation that keeps track of the days and weeks.
This seven-week period is a time that is specially primed for spiritual growth and striving, since it is during this period that the Jews lifted themselves out of their slave mentality and prepared to become G-d’s “nation of priests.” This is a reason why Shavuos, the Festival of the Giving of the Torah, was designated to follow the period of the Omer, rather than be fixed by calendar date.

II. The Story of the Giving of the Torah

The Torah relates in minute detail the astounding events of G-d’s revelation of the Torah. This momentous occasion, singular in all of the history of the world, was witnessed by at least 3 million men, women and children. It seared a permanent imprint into their souls, which became the Jewish people’s “spiritual DNA” for all generations. Parent to child, teacher to student, this knowledge has come down through the ages in a traceable chain. Only approximately 100 intergenerational transmissions need be counted to get from Mount Sinai to your own family.

But the Jew’s magnetic attraction to the truth found in the Torah is not just a product of teaching: in reality, every Jew was present at its giving. Our Sages teach us that every Jewish soul that ever existed or will exist in the future was present at Mount Sinai. The Torah we learn in our lifetimes resounds so strongly within us because we are not really learning new, foreign concepts. Rather, we are merely reawakening something already embedded in our essence. To a Jew, Torah has the sweet taste of home. Below are some of the details of this world-altering event that brought moral structure to the entire world.

The Jews had been traveling from Egypt for almost two months. They encamped in the wilderness of Sinai, opposite the mountain.
G-d proposed a covenant to Moses:

“You have seen what I did to Egypt, and that I have borne you on the wings of eagles and brought you to Me. And now, if you listen well to Me and observe My covenant, you shall be to Me the most beloved treasure of all people. You shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.”

Moses relayed G-d’s message to the elders, and without asking for any further clarification of what the covenant would demand of them, they agreed to accept it.
G-d explained that he would appear in a thick cloud and speak so that all could hear His voice, thus reaffirming the people’s faith in Moses and his power of prophecy. He described a three-day purification process that the people would have to undergo in order to be prepared to stand in such close proximity to G-d’s presence. He also established the boundaries where they would be permitted to stand.

“On the third day when it was morning, there was thunder and lightning and a heavy cloud on the mountain, and the sound of the shofar was very powerful and the entire people that was in the camp shuddered. Moses brought the people forth from the camp toward G-d, and they stood at the bottom of the mountain. All of Mount Sinai was smoking because G-d had descended upon it in the fire; its smoke ascended like the smoke of the furnace and the entire mountain shuddered exceedingly. The sound of the shofar grew continually much stronger; Moses would speak and G-d would respond to him with a voice” (Exodus 19:16-19)

“Moses went up to the mountain, but G-d told him to descend again and warn the priests and the people not to trespass over the boundaries that had been set, “lest Hashem burst forth against them.” (Exodus 19:22)
God issued the Ten Commandments in the hearing of all those assembled. The experience was so intense that the people begged Moses to act as an intermediary for them.

“You speak to us and we shall hear; let G-d not speak to us lest we die.” (Exodus 20:16)

G-d then taught the Torah to Moses, a process which took 40 days. This included the laws transmitted orally and expounded upon in the Talmud.

The Famiy Legacy

The Torah is called “Morasha Kehillas Yaakov – the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob,” which in simple English means the inheritance of the Jewish people. Given in public to the entire nation, it has never been the exclusive property of the learned or the elite of our people. It belongs to every Jew, and the Torah itself ensures that it will remain so with this commandment transmitted from Moses to the people of Israel:

“Only beware for yourself and greatly beware for your soul, lest you forget the things that your eyes have beheld. Do not remove this memory from your heart all the days of your life. Teach your children and your children’s children about the day that you stood before the Lord your G-d at Chorev (Sinai) . . .” (Deuteronomy 4:9-13)

The Torah can be learned at any level. The smallest children and the most phenomenal geniuses have all found themselves at home in Torah study.

III. The First Fruits

The First Bite

Little is as tantalizing as the first bite of a tasty delicacy. For a farmer, the ripest and choicest of his fruits are enticing indeed. He has labored hard for an entire year, plowing, planting, pruning, tending and harvesting, and his natural tendency would be literally enjoy the fruits of his labors.

The Torah teaches, however, that in the midst of one’s experiencing the sense of satisfaction over a job well done, a person must shake himself awake. He must instill in his heart the immense gratitude due to G-d for giving him his success. For a farmer, especially, it should be clear that all the plowing, planting and pruning in the world cannot guarantee a crop. Weather, insects and dozens of other variables can easily render his efforts useless.

The same is true for every person trying to make a livelihood in this world. The best business deal can go sour, the most talented professional can lose a job. Effort comes from people, but success comes from Above.

This is the lesson of the First Fruits, an awe-inspiring and festive ritual that coincides with Shavuos. It was a colorful, magnificent outpouring of thankfulness to G-d which took place at the Holy Temple. Below is a description of how the First Fruits, known as Bikurim, were brought to Jerusalem each year.

Our “Thanksgiving Parade”

The process began when the farmer entered his fields and saw that his produce was beginning to ripen. Bikurim were taken from the seven species that are designated specifically as blessings of the Land of Israel: wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives and dates. When the farmer noticed the first fruit from these species ripening, he tied a string or ribbon around it and declared, “This is for Bikurim.” Once thy were reeds, but the wealthy landowners brought theirs in baskets of silver or gold.

When the time to travel to Jerusalem arrived, those leaving from each location would gather together and set out in the morning in a festive procession accompanied by music. The group was preceded by a bull whose horns were decorated with gold and whose head was adorned with a wreath.

When they approached Jerusalem, they sent messengers into the city to announce their arrival. The city’s dignitaries would come to greet them, and even hired workers were permitted to interrupt their tasks to welcome them. Everyone paid homage to those involved in this joyous mitzvah.

As they proceeded to the Temple Mount, they were accompanied by the music of a flute. On arrival at he Temple Mount, each person would hoist his own basket onto his shoulder. Even those wealthy men whose offerings had been carried by servants up to that point would now bear their own basket to the Temple court. Each person would bring his basket to the Kohen (priest) in the Temple, and recite a declaration of gratitude to G-d for redeeming the Jewish people from slavery and giving us the Land of Israel. The statement concludes: “He brought us to this place. He gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. And now, behold I have brought the first fruits of the land that Thou O L-rd hast given me.”

The person would then leave his basket and bow before G-d.

THE TEN COMMANDMENTS

Imagine you were there — standing beneath the towering peak of Mount Sinai, the sky thick with clouds and pierced by bolts of lightning. A shofar blast grows louder and louder, and the very ground beneath your feet trembles with awe. A voice resounds, striking so deeply within you that you feel your soul depart.

“I am the L-rd, your G-d,”

it pronounces, and you know in your very bones that this is the ultimate truth.

It may be a far cry from standing in your neighborhood synagogue listening to your cantor chant the holy words that were spoken to the Jewish people on the first Shavuos. However, with a little mental focus, a little vision and an open heart, you, too, can feel the receiving of the Torah on Shavuos. After all, your soul was present at Mount Sinai.

Here is a brief summary of the concepts included in the Ten Commandments:

I am the L-rd your G-d . . . ” (recognizing G-d)
Prohibition against idol worship
Prohibition against using G-d’s name in vain – especially in an oath
Remembering Shabbos and keeping it holy
Honoring parents
Prohibition against murder
Prohibition against adultery
Prohibition against stealing or kidnapping
Prohibition against testifying falsely
Prohibition against coveting other people’s family or property

It is worthwhile to note that while most congregations stand while the Ten Commandments are being chanted, the great sage, Maimonides objected to this custom. That is because the Torah actually contains 613 commandments, and the Jewish people are required to keep them all with equal vigilance. He feared that by standing for the reading of these ten particular commandments, people would conclude that they are the most important ones and all others are secondary. In truth, however, there are no “minor” commandments.

First, Derech Eretz

There were seven weeks between the Jews’ departure from Egypt and their arrival at Mount Sinai. Our Sages teach us that giving the Jews the Torah was the real object of taking them out of slavery. G-d did not want to simply set us free to become a nation like all others; He wanted us to be His agents on earth, helping to nudge the world toward its ultimate state of G-dly perfection. You might wonder then, if receiving the Torah was the goal, why the delay? Why did G-d not give it to us as soon as we reached safety?

One answer comes from the words “Derech eretz before Torah,” from Pirkey Avos (3:17)., a compilation of our Sages’ ethical teachings. Derech eretz is a term that literally means “the way of the land.” It is usually understood to mean good character –consideration, responsibility, honesty and so forth. The Sages tell us that a person has to develop these traits in order to properly learn, absorb, and live by the Torah. Torah is not merely a philosophy a person can study on an intellectual plane; it is meant to be a way of life.

Do First, Ask Questions Later

When G-d created the physical world we see all around us, He also created a spiritual world filled with mysterious forces and powers that execute G-d’s will. The English word “angels” is used to identify some of these forces, but these are not the type of “angels” popular culture depicts as cherubs with wings and harps. In Hebrew, angels are called malachim, which means “messengers.” They are messengers of G-d’s will, and therefore, they have no will of their own.

This sharply distinguishes them from man, who was given his own will and spends most of his lifetime trying to rein it in and direct it properly. Though his level of devotion to G-d’s will is usually much lower than that of an angel, his distinction is that he himself achieves this level. There was, however, one time in Jewish history when our people rose to the level of the malachim, and that was at the giving of the Torah.

When G-d offered the Torah to the Jewish people, Moses transmitted His offer to the elders of Israel and they responded with the words, “na’aseh v’nishma,” which means “we will do and we will hear.” In other words, they made the commitment to accept the Torah, to learn and abide by G-d’s will, before they even heard what the Torah actually contained. They had become, at least for this time, like the angels, desiring only to be an instrument of G-d’s plan.

This flash of spiritual loftiness has remained the paradigm for Jews ever since. Although we are obligated to inquire into, learn, study and understand our religious laws and ethics, we are also always aware that a complete understanding of G-d’s ways is beyond human intelligence. Our first commitment is to do and then to seek understanding of what we do. The Sages teach us that each word — “na’seh” and “nishma” — is a crown upon the head of every Jew–two crowns of honor, which the Jewish people wear with pride as they bear the Torah’s message throughout the ages.

Tailor Made

King Solomon taught in Proverbs, “Teach each child according to his way . . .” A good teacher knows that different children learn differently. This is, in fact, G-d’s own teaching technique which has been passed down through the ages. The Sages teach that when the Jewish people heard the Ten Commandments, each heard G-d’s word according to his own level of understanding. The message that imprinted itself upon each person was the same message, but it was transmitted in a way that exactly suited each person’s learning style and level of understanding. To this day, G-d’s method sets the paradigm for how Torah should be taught. If the student hasn’t learned, then the teacher hasn’t taught.

One Man, One Heart

The Torah relates that when the Jews arrived in the Sinai wilderness, they set up camp. The word used for encamping, however, is in the singular form, rather than the plural form that would normally be used for a group of people. Rashi explains that the singular form conveys a message — that the Jewish people were in a state of complete unity. They were “as one man with one heart,” united in their desire to receive G-d’s Torah.

The unity of the Jewish people is a force of immense power. The times in our history when we were united have always brought us Divine favor and protection. Times of fragmentation and strife have always brought disaster. Most notably, the destruction of the Second Temple and the exile in which we remain are traced to the lack of unity that prevailed in that period and which, unfortunately, continues today.

Obviously, however, people are all very different from each other and the tendency to see “different’ as “wrong” is a very strong human inclination. But as the Jews at Sinai proved, when everyone’s eyes are lifted toward Heaven, their hearts are in the right place as well.

Dairy Delights

The dietary laws themselves are a perfect example of the Jewish people’s willingness to act in accordance with the words na’aseh v’nishma” (see Do First, Ask Questions Later). Attempts to explain the laws as health measures (i.e., Jews have been spared certain diseases carried by pork and shellfish) may illustrate some benefits of keeping kosher, but they are far from conclusive reasons.

On a deeper level, kosher laws cause a person to think before he eats. Kosher slaughtering provides the most painless death possible to the animal. Keeping dairy separate from meat forces us to recognize the distinction between life and death, even of a lower creature. By avoiding eating predatory animals, we distance ourselves from cruelty. Culturally, the dietary laws ensure that the Jewish people cannot completely meld into the society around them, thereby losing their identity and abandoning their G-d-given role in the world.

Yet none of these benefits fully explains the dietary laws. They are simply G-d’s prescription for the health and well-being of the Jewish soul