Month: March 2021
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The Second Circumcision, COVID-19, and the Messiah
Today is the first day of Passover. As part of the Torah reading we learn what God told Joshua after the mourning period for Moses had passed and the Jewish people were preparing to conquer Israel. Joshua 5:2: “…the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Make flint knives and proceed with a second circumcision of the Israelites.’”…
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The Messiah Is Right On Schedule
“Nothing Can Stop What Is Coming” may be a statement made famous (or infamous) by “Q” but it is a theological axiom for Jews. We believe that the Mashiach (Messiah) is coming to redeem the world, one way or another, whether people turn toward God or God-forbid away from Him. Some people are unclear about…
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The Deeper Meaning Of “Dark To Light”
The Torah portion (Leviticus 1:1-5:26) this week is called “Vayikra,” meaning “and He [God] called [Moses]” to give instruction regarding the bringing of animal sacrifices. There are multiple kinds of sacrifices, all of them focused on making way for God in the physical world. “The act of offering is the process by which the soul…
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God as “Chief Branding Officer”—and Bezalel
This week’s Bible portion, Vayakhel-Pekudai (Exodus 35:1-40:38 and Ezekiel 45:16 – 46:18) teaches us how God specifically named the people He wanted to build His place of worship in the desert. Bezalel (בְּצַלְאֵ֛ל) – “in God’s shadow,” was the primary craftsman. Oholiab (אָֽהֳלִיאָ֥ב) – “father’s tent,” was his assistant. The applicability of these names to…
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5780/5781 and Messianic Predictions: Follow-Up
Question: “Are Messianic predictions about 5780 and 5781 based on something written in the Book of Daniel, and/or something else?” Answer: There is nothing in Daniel which specifically says “5781.” Sometimes, very great rabbis say things and we do not know why they say them. Also, predicting a time and date is not desirable for obvious reasons.…
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On The Question Of Timing And The Moshiach (Messiah)
Reader question: “In reading your 9-21-2020 article about the Messiah coming in 5781, why do you say the 9-month rule referred to by Netanel ben Yeshaya per the Gemara is referring to the “rule by Edom” and not the rule of the “the evil Roman kingdom” as referred to in Sanhedrin 98b of the Gemara that…
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