Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, May 10, 2023
Shalom,
Rabbi Trail: Before we count the Omer today, I want to make you aware of the significance of tomorrow. Tomorrow is Lag B’Omer, 33rd day of the counting of the Omer is. It is called “Lag B’Omer,” meaning literally, “33rd in the Omer.” Here is one explanation of its significance. https://www.oneforisrael.org/bible-based-teaching-from-israel/lag-bomer-idolatry-in-high-places/
Leaving out the Jewish mysticism, the Omer (7 weeks of counting our blessings, from the Exodus to Sinai) is a somber time of reflection and preparation. On the 50th day following the exodus from Egypt, (at the end of 7 weeks) the Torah was given on Mt. Sinai (a physical reality). About 2,000 years later, on the 50th day, in the year Yeshua was crucified, the Holy Spirit fell with power on the 3,000 in Jerusalem (a greater spiritual reality).
During those somber 50 days of counting, there is one day, the 33rd day, that is set aside for joyous celebrations. In our counting, that day is tomorrow. (Others count differently. Remember, there is always someone with a “better” calendar.) It seems (from what I’ve been reading) that Lag B’Omer is tied to the phrase, “the blossoming of our redemption.”
The rabbis have always known and believed that the Exodus from Egypt was only a “blossoming” of our redemption. That God always intended a greater, spiritual redemption, in the future. Yeshua was crucified at the age of 33. Perhaps without knowing it fully, the rabbis stumbled onto part of God’s intended perfection, the resurrection of our Lord. End RT.
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Day 32 of counting the Omer
בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה יְיָ אֱלֹהֵֽינוּ מֶֽלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם, אֲשֶׁר קִדְּשָֽׁנוּ בְּמִצְוֹתָיו, וְצִוָּֽנוּ עַל סְפִירַת הָעֹֽמֶר
Baruch Atah Adonai Elohenu Melech Ha-Olam, Asher Kid’shanu B’mitzvotav, Vitzivanu Al Sefirat Ha-Omer.
Blessed are You O Lord our God, King of the universe, who has sanctified us by his commandments and commanded us about the counting of the Omer. Today is four weeks and four days of the counting of the Omer.
Follow up that prayer by remembering a blessing from the Lord and give Him thanks.
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Victory Over Sin part 20 – Romans, part 81
Romans 7:16 But if I do what I do not want to do, then I agree with the Torah—that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I doing it, but sin dwelling in me.
Let’s follow Paul’s line of thinking here (without becoming schizophrenic ourselves). We love the Torah and all of God’s commands because they are good. True statement! We therefore hate breaking God’s commandments because breaking God’s commandments is sin.
So Paul says, “…If I do what I do not want.” Let’s just look at that much. We all want to obey God. “If I do what I do not want (break God’s commandments), then I hate it (which makes me “agree with the Torah – that it is good”). So far, so good!
Now Paul is going to make yet another distinction, between the man in the flesh and the man in the spirit. Yeshua addressed this difference in terms of being “born again” (born from above). John 3:3 Yeshua answered him, “Amen, amen I tell you, unless one is born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Peter also spoke of this spiritual rebirth. 1Peter 1:23 You have been born again—not from perishable seed but imperishable—through the living and enduring word of God.
Romans 7:17a … it is no longer I doing it…. Let’s ask Paul, “Then who is sinning?” His answer, “It is no longer I, the heavenly spiritual man, sin is dwelling in me, the earthly carnal man.” Is that an excuse for sin, it certainly sounds like it? Certainly not! Paul is coming to grips with sin and laying a foundation for repentance.
Sin is not good. We hate sin, but even the best of the best stubs his/her toe every once in a while (euphemistic for sin). When we do, it hurts, but it’s not the end of the world. Paul is establishing the need for grace by contrasting the spiritual man with the fleshly man. Later he will make the point that the flesh cannot fellowship with the spirit any more than light and darkness can coexist.
By the Torah (God’s commands) we know we even have a problem (because we see how we sin – break His commands). But you can’t fix a problem with the problem itself. Our “problem” is born of the flesh, so it can’t be fixed by trying harder (striving in the flesh). What is born of the flesh must be healed in the spirit. That is God’s provision in our lives. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Day 32 of the Omer
Wed 10 May-2023 19th of Iyar, 5783
Le 25:39-26:9 Jer 3 Job 23 Ro 4 (Mt 23)