Rabbi’s Reflections – Monday, September 30, 2019 

L’Shanah Tovah U’M’tukah *|FNAME|*,

Chances are that by the time you see this it will be Rosh Hashana; if not yet where you are, then certainly in Israel.  What Scripture was my first thought regarding Yom Teruah?  

Revelation 1:7 “Look, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye shall see Him, even those who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth shall mourn because of Him. Yes, amen!”

Strange this verse doesn’t mention trumpets; but it does mention Yeshua’s second coming.  The main reason we have the Feast of Trumpets is to announce His coronation.  

But, how it is that every eye will see Him?  This was a perplexing question 100 years ago.  Scholars knew the globe was round, so how could every eye see Him at the same time?  Especially when we consider this verse…

Zechariah 14:4 In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives which lies to the east of Jerusalem…  There is limited line of sight.  At most a few million will see Him.  Certainly not the billions of people on the earth.  Maybe we have to spiritualize away the literal meaning of the verse.  Maybe every eye will see Him in the spirit.  

Personally, I’m counting on the literal fulfillment of the Scriptural prophesy.  I believe the news media will cover the breaking story of His return.  After all, will there be anything else going on at that time deemed more important?  Dream with me…

We interrupt your regularly scheduled programming on this Rosh Hashanah with a live news alert.  Moments ago Yeshua HaMashiach (use His English Christian name if you like, I’ve taught my computer to use “Yeshua HaMashiach”) appeared in the sky above Jerusalem.  We now have confirmed reports He landed on the Mount of Olives.  We will now pick up this story with His triumphant entry into Jerusalem through the Golden Gate which has been bricked up shut for over 1,000 years…

Let’s celebrate Yom Teruah with the reality of the prophetic nature of the holiday in mind.  Tekiah G’dolah.

Week 40
Memory Verse: Jacob 17:24 The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hands. 25 Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, since He Himself gives to everyone life and breath and all things.

196   9/30  Monday:         Acts 15-16

197   10/1  Tuesday:        Galatians 1-3

198   10/2  Wednesday:  Galatians 4-6

199   10/3  Thursday:      Acts 17-18:17

200   10/4  Friday:          1 Thessalonians 1-2

Question of the day:  Sooner or later I knew we would get to Acts 15.  What’s the big deal?

Answer:  Acts 15:1 Now some men coming down from Judea were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.”  2 When Paul and Barnabas had a big argument and debate with them,

Let’s remember this.  The issue is over requiring circumcision for salvation.   Peter speaks.  Paul and Barnabus speak.  Then Jacob has the last word.  Acts 15:19 Therefore, I judge not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God—

Jacob then quoted Peter in his answer, and they wrote it in a letter which they sent back to Antioch.  Here is the essence of their letter… Acts 15:28 “It seemed good to the Ruach ha-Kodesh and to us not to place on you any greater burden than these essentials: 29 that you abstain from things offered to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality. By keeping away from these things, you will do well. Shalom!”  

These 4 things are not the end, but the beginning.  Basically, these things were connected to idol worship (pagan ritual).  The letter says to start following Yeshua (through a kosher salvation experience) you have to stop your idol worship.

Acts 15:21 “For Moses from ancient generations has had in every city those who proclaim him, since he is read in all the synagogues every Shabbat.”

That is the last sentence in the letter.  The clear implication is that the Holy Spirit will lead the new gentile followers of THE WAY into all truth.  (The word of God is truth.).  So, let’s close with the answer to the question, “How much should non-Jews observe the Law of Moses?”  

Rabbi Trail:  I like Jonathan Settel’s terminology.  Rather than the “Law of Moses,” we should say “God’s righteous principles.”  End RT.

Let’s answer that question with another question.  “How much blessing would you like?”  Obey God and get a blessing.  In the words of Mark Levin, “It’s that simple.  Got it?”  Obey God and get blessed.  But I have good news.  Circumcision is off the table.