Reality Bites

When studying the New Testament books from a Torah consistent perspective certain passages by Rav Paul are at first difficult to understand (consider II Peter 3:16 in this regard). This chapter is one of those sections. For context we will begin at the end of chapter 2. For the sake of clarity I'll be using the Modern King James version for our text.

II Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, hawking the Word of God; but as of sincerity, but as of God, we speak in Christ in the sight of God.

Rav Paul is discussing the letters that were then circulating throughout the young Jewish movement advocating teachings other than those accepted by the talmidim (II Thessalonians 2:2, Revelation 2:9, 3:9 etc). These included the Gnostic and Nicolaitan heresies. He is rejecting the divisive teachings that condemn the rabbis as well as those rejecting the converts (i.e. Hebrew and Greek factions within the movement). This is important to bear in mind as we continue.
There is an added point that the KJV makes clearer. Rather than the phrase hawking the Word of God the KJV has: For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity.... The Word of God is HaTorah. The various heresies all corrupt its teachings. These are they who say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie... (Revelation 3:9).

3:1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? Or do we need, like some, epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
3:2 You are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men,
3:3 it [i.e. this metaphorical epistle of their observance] having been made plain that you are the epistle of Christ [i.e. the confirmation that his reforms are in harmony with HaTorah], ministered by us, not having been written with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not on tablets of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.

Rav Paul then is not speaking here of Torah nor Judaism as such, but of the truth of Rebbe Y'shua's Torah based teachings. He is using his disciples in Corinth (to whom this letter was penned) as evidence of the orthodoxy of the Rebbe's Jewish teachings. The truth of his teachings, he says, does not have to be proven with external (i.e. Roman subservient councils) because all who see the emunah (faith) of these people realize that they are Torah observant righteous Jews, both born and convert.

3:4 And we have such emunah [trust] through Christ toward God,
3:5 not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think anything as of ourselves, but our sufficiency is of God;
3:6 who also has made us able ministers of the new covenant; not of the letter, but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit makes alive.

This is key.

The reforms of the B'rit Chadashah or New (renewed) Covenant were intended to breathe life back into Judaism. Rebbe Y'shua, Paul's rabbi, stated that he came to breathe abundant life into Torah observance (John 10:10). Rav Paul is acknowledging that he is only an instrument of peace in the hands of HaShem to that end. he adds that the same is true of all the talmidim (students/followers) of the Rebbe.

Since the Babylonian captivity the Jewish people had become accustomed to observing external rules without incorporating the deeper spiritual significances of Torah. This continues to be the case with many Jews, especially among the Orthodox. Torah however commands us to "Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked" (Deuteronomy 10:16). Rabbis like Hillel, Y'shua, Nachman (Breslov Chasidim), Zalman (Jewish Renewal/Neo-Chasidim), and others all stress the importance of Jewish renewal.

3:7 But if the ministry of death, having been engraved in letters in stone was with glory (so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly behold the face of Moses because of the glory of his face), which was being done away;
3:8 shall not the ministry of the Spirit be with more glory?

This "ministry of death" might better be translated as "ministration of decay." Rav Paul's point is that when the Torah was written it was given by One so glorious that the people could not look upon Him. Over the years it was as though the people ceased trying to "see" the Author and focussed exclusively on the stone upon which the words were written. In this way they forgot the intended spirit of the words and focussed only its letters. Torah is life but if we fail to focus on the One Whom it reveals (i.e. HaShem) what use are its inspired words? In such cases, the words of life lead only to spiritual decay because they are not written upon our hearts:

Jeremiah 31:33 but this shall be the covenant that I will cut with the house of Israel: After those days, says the LORD, I will put My Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people.

Rav Paul is stating that even in this lesser state of Torah observance (i.e. observance of the external mitzvot only) the glory of HaShem is revealed. How much more glory is revealed through the reforms of Rebbe Y'shua when worship and Torah observance flows from the heart, the consciousness?

3:9 For if the ministry of condemnation is glorious, much more does the ministry of righteousness exceed in glory.
3:10 For even that which was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels.
3:11 For if that which has been done away was glorious, much more that which remains is glorious.

In context that which has been done awayis that Torah observance that does not include the spirit, the life of Torah. Through the reforms of people like Rabbi Hillel, Rebbe Y'shua, the Ba'al Shem Tov, Rebbe Nachman, Rabbi Zalman Schachter-Shalomi and others Judaism is renewed in the B'rit Hadashah that HaMoshiach will one day establish externally.

3:12 Then since we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech.
3:13 And we are not like Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the sons of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end of the thing being done away.
3:14 (But their thoughts were blinded; for until the present the same veil remains on the reading of the old covenant, not taken away.) But this veil has been done away in Christ.

3:15 But until this day, when Moses is read, the veil is on their heart.
3:16 But whenever it turns to the Lord, the veil shall be taken away.
3:17 And the Lord is that Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Again, the reference here is that through rote observance without the consciousness of devotion to HaShem the first century Jewish people at large had lost sight of the purpose of Torah. This has been pointed out by many Jewish sages before Rebbe Y'shua came Hillel and others spoke the same truth.

3:18 But we all, with our face having been unveiled, having beheld the glory of the Lord as in a mirror, are being changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Lord Spirit.

Being "freed" through the reforms of the New Covenant we have the opportunity to serve as ministers of HaShem to both the Jews and the Gentiles. With the understanding we now possess our "eyes are open," the "veil has been lifted."

As we await the coming of HaMoshiach and the Messianic age we are obligated to practice Tikun, to help heal our broken world. This is the message of this chapter.

Shalom,

Yochanan (John of AllFaith)

The Judaism of Rebbe Y'shua

This is HUGE!!!

The "Nazi Pope" [recall that Pope Benedict was a member of the Hitler Youth and has always shown Fascistic leanings] was recently "vindicated" in this article by the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2013/feb/09/hitlers-pope-pius-xii-holocaust. Now he is resigning! This has not happened since the Middle Ages!

What's more, according to the Prophecies of Saint Malachy he will be the last pope! We will soon find out if these prophecies are accurate.

According to the Revelation granted to Talmid John by Rebbe Y'shua, the "False Prophet" will almost certainly be the final Pope of Rome (or arguably the one after the last one as he will rule not as "vicar of Christ" but as 'vicar of the Antichrist.'

NOTE THIS CAREFULLY: I AM NOT SAYING THE FALSE PROPHET WILL DEFINITELY ARISE IN April!

                                       I AM SAYING that the man chosen to replace Bishop Benedict should be watched VERY carefully!

                                       I AM SAYING that were I Catholic I would seriously consider leaving that organization now (Revelation 18:4).

                                       I AM saying that if I were a "Bible Believing Christian" I would take a VERY serious look at my beliefs and religion and contrast them with the Judaism of Rebbe Y'shua and his disciples.

                                       I AM saying that Jews would be wise to take a more serious look at who Messiah will be AND WILL NOT BE while the time remains.

Here's an article of the announcement followed by a table of Malachy's Popes.

 

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Benedict shocked the world on Monday by saying he no longer had the mental and physical strength to cope with his ministry, in an announcement that left his aides "incredulous" and will make him the first pontiff to step down since the Middle Ages.

The German-born Pope, 85, hailed as a hero by conservative Roman Catholics and viewed with suspicion by liberals, told cardinals in Latin that his strength had deteriorated recently. He will step down on February 28 and the Vatican expects a new Pope to be chosen by the end of March.

Vatican spokesman Father Federico Lombardi said the Pope had not decided to resign because of "difficulties in the papacy" and the move had been a surprise, indicating that even his inner circle was unaware that he was about to quit.

The Pope does not fear schism in the Church after his resignation, the spokesman said.

The Pope's leadership of 1.2 billion Catholics has been beset by child sexual abuse crises that tarnished the Church, one address in which he upset Muslims and a scandal over the leaking of his private papers by his personal butler.

The pope told the cardinals that in order to govern "...both strength of mind and body are necessary, strength which in the last few months, has deteriorated in me to the extent that I have had to recognize my incapacity to adequately fulfill the ministry entrusted to me.

"For this reason, and well aware of the seriousness of this act, with full freedom I declare that I renounce the ministry of Bishop of Rome, Successor of Saint Peter."

He also referred to "today's world, subject to so many rapid changes and shaken by questions of deep relevance for the life of faith."

The last Pope to resign willingly was Celestine V in 1294 after reigning for only five months, his resignation was known as "the great refusal" and was condemned by the poet Dante in the "Divine Comedy". Gregory XII reluctantly abdicated in 1415 to end a dispute with a rival claimant to the papacy.

"NO OUTSIDE PRESSURE," JUST ADVANCING AGE

Before he was elected Pope, the former Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger was known by such critical epithets as "God's rottweiler" because of his stern stand on theological issues.

But after several years into his new job Benedict showed that he not only did not bite but barely even barked.

In recent months, the pope has looked increasingly frail in public, sometimes being helped to walk by those around him.

Lombardi ruled out depression or uncertainty as being behind the resignation, saying the move was not due to any specific illness, just advancing age.

The Pope had shown "great courage, determination" aware of the "great problems the church faces today", he said, adding the timing may have reflected the Pope's desire to avoid the exhausting rush of Easter engagements.

There was no outside pressure and Benedict took his "personal decision" in the last few months, he added.

Israel's Chief Rabbi praised Benedict's inter-faith outreach and wished him good health. The Archbishop of Canterbury, head of the Anglican Church, said he had learned of the Pope's decision with a heavy heart but complete understanding.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the Pope's decision must be respected if he feels he is too weak to carry out his duties. British Prime Minister David Cameron said: "He will be missed as a spiritual leader to millions."

The pontiff would step down from 2 p.m. ET on February 28, leaving the office vacant until a successor was chosen to Benedict who succeeded John Paul, one of history's most popular pontiffs, the spokesman said.

Elected to the papacy on April 19, 2005 when he was 78 - 20 years older than John Paul was when he was elected - Benedict ruled over a slower-paced, more cerebral and less impulsive Vatican.

MEEK DEMEANOUR, STEELY INTELLECT

But while conservatives cheered him for trying to reaffirm traditional Catholic identity, his critics accused him of turning back the clock on reforms by nearly half a century and hurting dialogue with Muslims, Jews and other Christians.

Under the German's meek demeanor lay a steely intellect ready to dissect theological works for their dogmatic purity and debate fiercely against dissenters.

After appearing uncomfortable in the limelight at the start, he began feeling at home with his new job and showed that he intended to be Pope in his way.

Despite great reverence for his charismatic, globe-trotting predecessor -- whom he put on the fast track to sainthood and whom he beatified in 2011 -- aides said he was determined not to change his quiet manner to imitate John Paul's style.

A quiet, professorial type who relaxed by playing the piano, he managed to show the world the gentle side of the man who was the Vatican's chief doctrinal enforcer for nearly a quarter of a century.

The first German pope for some 1,000 years and the second non-Italian in a row, he traveled regularly, making about four foreign trips a year, but never managed to draw the oceanic crowds of his predecessor.

The child abuse scandals hounded most of his papacy. He ordered an official inquiry into abuse in Ireland, which led to the resignation of several bishops.

STRING OF SCANDALS

Scandal from a source much closer to home hit in 2012 when the pontiff's butler, responsible for dressing him and bringing him meals, was found to be the source of leaked documents alleging corruption in the Vatican's business dealings, causing an international furor.

He confronted his own country's past when he visited the Nazi death camp at Auschwitz.

Calling himself "a son of Germany", he prayed and asked why God was silent when 1.5 million victims, most of them Jews, died there during World War Two.

Ratzinger served in the Hitler Youth during World War Two when membership was compulsory. He was never a member of the Nazi party and his family opposed Adolf Hitler's regime.

But his trip to Germany also prompted the first major crisis of his pontificate. In a university lecture he quoted a 14th century Byzantine emperor as saying Islam had only brought evil to the world and that it was spread by the sword.

After protests that included attacks on churches in the Middle East and the killing of a nun in Somalia, the Pope later said he regretted any misunderstanding the speech caused.

[JoA: Which of course disproved the allegation!]

In a move that was widely seen as conciliatory, in late 2006 he made a historic trip to predominantly Muslim Turkey and prayed in Istanbul's Blue Mosque with a Turkish Mufti.

But months later, former Iranian President Mohammad Khatami met the Pope and said wounds between Christians and Muslims were still "very deep" as a result of the Regensburg speech.

(Writing by Peter Millership; editing by Janet McBride and Ralph Boulton)

================

 

The Prophecies of Malachy

Note: This study is under construction. The following table is from Here and will be updated with more information and synopsis soon. My presentation will be posted HERE.

Pope No.	Name (Reign)	Motto No.	Motto (and explanation)
167	Celestine II (1143-1144)	1	Ex castro Tyberis (from a castle on the Tiber) Hist.: Celestin II was born in Citta di Castello, Toscany, on the shores of the Tiber
168	Lucius II (1144-1145)	2	Inimicus expulsus
169	Eugene III (1145-1153)	3	Ex magnitudine montis (Of the greatness of the mount) Hist.: Born in the castle of Grammont (latin: mons magnus), his family name was Montemagno
170	Anastasius IV (1153-1154)	4	Abbas Suburranus
171	Adrian IV (1154-1159)	5	De rure albo (field of Albe) Hist.: Born in the town of Saint-Alban
Antipope	Victor IV (1159-1164)	6	Ex tetro carcere
Antipope	Paschal III (1164-1168)	7	Via trans-Tyberina
Antipope	Calistus III (1168-1178)	8	De Pannonia Tusciæ
172	Alexander III (1159-1181)	9	Ex ansere custode
173	Lucius III (1181-1185)	10	Lux in ostio
174	Urban III (1185-1187)	11	Sus in cribo
175	Gregory VIII (1187)	12	Ensis Laurentii
176	Clement III (1187-1191)	13	De schola exiet
177	Celestine III (1191-1198)	14	De rure bovensi
178	Innocent III (1198-1216)	15	Comes signatus (signed Count) Hist.: descendant of the noble Signy, later called Segni family
179	Honorius III (1216-1227)	16	Canonicus de latere
180	Gregory IX (1227-1241)	17	Avis Ostiensis (Bird of Ostia) Hist.: before his election he was Cardinal of Ostia
181	Celestine IV (1241)	18	Leo Sabinus
182	Innocent IV (1243-1254)	19	Comes Laurentius
183	Alexander IV (1254-1261)	20	Signum Ostiense
184	Urban IV (1261-1264)	21	Hierusalem Campaniæ (Jerusalem of Champagne) Hist.: native of Troyes, Champagne, later patriarch of Jerusalem
185	Clement IV (1265-1268)	22	Draca depressus
186	Gregory X (1271-1276)	23	Anguinus vir
187	Innocent V (1276)	24	Concionatur Gallus
188	Adrian V (1276)	25	Bonus Comes
189	John XXI (1276-1277)	26	Piscator Tuscus
190	Nicholas III (1277-1280)	27	Rosa composita
191	Martin IV (1281-1285)	28	Ex teloneo liliacei Martini
192	Honorius IV (1285-1287)	29	Ex rosa leonina
193	Nicholas IV (1288-1292)	30	Picus inter escas
194	Nicholas IV (1288-1292)	31	Ex eremo celsus (elevated from a hermit) Hist.: prior to his election he was a hermit in the monastery of Pouilles
195	Boniface VIII (1294-1303)	32	Ex undarum benedictione
196	Benedict XI (1303-1304)	33	Concionator patereus
197	Clement V (1305-1314)	34	De fessis Aquitanicis (ribbon of Aquitaine) Hist.: was archbishop of Bordeaux in Aquitaine
198	John XXII (1316-1334)	35	De sutore osseo (of the cobbler of Osseo) Hist.: Family name Ossa, son of a shoe-maker
Antipope	Nicholas V (1328-1330)	36	Corvus schismaticus (the schismatic crow) Note the reference to the schism, the only antipope at this period
199	Benedict XII (1334-1342)	37	Frigidus Abbas (cold friar) Hist.: he was a priest in the monastery of Frontfroid (coldfront)
200	Clement VI (1342-1352)	38	De rosa Attrebatensi
201	Innocent VI (1352-1362)	39	De montibus Pammachii
202	Urban V (1362-1370)	40	Gallus Vice-comes
203	Gregory XI (1370-1378)	41	Novus de Virgine forti (novel of the virgin fort) Hist.: count of Beaufort, later Cardinal of Ste-Marie La Neuve
Antipope	Clement VII (1378-1394)	42	De cruce Apostilica
Antipope	Benedict XIII (1394-1423)	43	Luna Cosmedina
Antipope	Clement VIII (1423-1429)	44	Schisma Barcinonicum
204	Urban VI (1378-1389)	45	De Inferno pregnani(From the hell of Pregnani) Hist.: He was a town called Inferno in the region of Pregnani.
205	Boniface IX (1389-1404)	46	Cubus de mixtione
206	Innocent VII (1404-1406)	47	De meliore sydere
207	Gregory XII (1406-1415)	48	Nauta de ponte nigro
Antipope	Alexander V (1409-1410)	49	Flagellum Solis
Antipope	John XXIII (1410-1415)	50	Cervus Sirenæ
208	Martin V (1417-1431)	51	Corona veli aurei
209	Eugene IV (1431-1447)	52	Lupa cælestina
Antipope	Felix V (1439-1449)	53	Amator crucis
210	Nicholas V (1447-1455)	54	De modicitate lunæ
211	Callistus III (1455-1458)	55	Bos pascens (grazing ox) Hist.: Alphonse Borgia's arms sported a golden grazing ox
212	Pius II (1458-1464)	56	De capra et Albergo
213	Paul II (1464-1471)	57	De cervo et Leone
214	Sixtus IV (1471-1484)	58	Piscator Minorita
215	Innocent VIII (1484-1492)	59	Præcursor Siciliæ
216	Alexander VI (1492-1503)	60	Bos Albanus in portu
217	Pius III (1503)	61	De parvo homine
218	Julius II (1503-1513)	62	Fructus jovis juvabit
219	Leo X (1513-1521)	63	De craticula Politiana
220	Adrian VI (1522-1523)	64	Leo Florentius
221	Clement VII (1523-1534)	65	Flos pilæi ægri
222	Paul III (1534-1549)	66	Hiacynthus medicorum
223	Julius III (1550-1555)	67	De corona Montana
224	Marcellus II (1555)	68	Frumentum floccidum
225	Paul IV (1555-1559)	69	De fide Petri
226	Pius IV (1559-1565)	70	Æsculapii pharmacum
227	St. Pius V (1566-1572)	71	Angelus nemorosus
228	Gregory XIII (1572-1585)	72	Medium corpus pilarum
229	Sixtus V (1585-1590)	73	Axis in medietate signi
230	Urban VII (1590)	74	De rore cæli
231	Gregory XIV (1590-1591)	75	De antiquitate Urbis
232	Innocent IX (1591)	76	Pia civitas in bello
233	Clement VIII (1592-1605)	77	Crux Romulea
234	Leo XI (1605)	78	Undosus Vir
235	Paul V (1605-1621)	79	Gens perversa
236	Gregory XV (1621-1623)	80	In tribulatione pacis
237	Urban VIII (1623-1644)	81	Lilium et rosa
238	Innocent X (1644-1655)	82	Jucunditas crucis
239	Alexander VII (1655-1667)	83	Montium custos
240	Clement IX (1667-1669)	84	Sydus Olorum (constellation of swans) Hist.: upon his election, he was apparently the occupant of the Chamber of Swans in the Vatican.
241	Clement X (1670-1676)	85	De flumine magno
242	Innocent XI (1676-1689)	86	Bellua insatiabilis
243	Alexander VIII (1689-1691)	87	Pœnitentia gloriosa
244	Innocent XII (1691-1700)	88	Rastrum in porta
245	Clement XI (1700-1721)	89	Flores circumdati
246	Innocent XIII (1721-1724)	90	De bona Religione
247	Benedict XIII (1724-1730)	91	Miles in bello
248	Clement XII (1730-1740)	92	Columna excelsa
249	Benedict XIV (1740-1758)	93	Animal rurale
250	Clement XIII (1758-1769)	94	Rosa Umbriæ
251	Clement XIV (1769-1774)	95	Ursus velox
252	Pius VI (1775-1799)	96	Peregrinus Apostolicus
253	Pius VII (1800-1823)	97	Aquila rapax
254	Leo XII (1823-1829)	98	Canis et coluber
255	Pius VIII (1829-1830)	99	Vir religiosus
256	Gregory XVI (1831-1846)	100	De balneis hetruriæ (bath of Etruria) Hist.: prior to his election he was member of an order founded by Saint Romuald, at Balneo, in Etruria, present day Toscany.
257	Pius IX (1846-1878)	101	Crux de cruce (Cross of Crosses) Hist.:Pius XI was the last Pope to reign over the Papal States (the middle third of what is today Italy). He ended up being a prisoner of the Vatican, never venturing outside Vatican City. A much heavier burden than his predecessors.
258	Leo XIII (1878-1903)	102	Lumen in cælo<BR.>(Light in the Heavens) Hist.: Leo XIII wrote encyclicals on Catholic social teaching that were still being digested 100 years later. He added considerably to theology.
259	St. Pius X (1903-1914)	103	Ignis ardens (ardent fire) Hist.: The Pope had great personal piety and achieved a number of important reforms in the devotional and liturgical life of priests and laypeople.
260	Benedict XV (1914-1922)	104	Religio depopulata (Religion laid waste) Hist.: This Pope reigned during the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia which store the establishment of Communism.
261	Pius XI (1922-1939)	105	Fides intrepida (Intrepid faith) Hist.: This Pope stood up to Fascist and Communist forces lining up against him in the lead up to World War II.
262	Pius XII (1939-1958)	106	Pastor angelicus (Angelic Shepherd) Hist.: This Pope was very mystical, and is believed to have received visions. People would kneel when they received telephone calls from him. His encyclicals add enormously to the understanding of Catholic beliefs (even if they are now overlooked because of focus on the Second Vatican Council, which occurred so soon after his reign).
263	John XXIII (1958-1963)	107	Pastor et Nauta (pastor and marine) Hist.: prior to his election he was patriarch of Venice, a marine city, home of the gondolas
264	Paul VI (1963-1978)	108	Flos florum (flower of flowers) Hist.: his arms displayed three lilies.
265	John Paul I (1978)	109	De medietate Lunæ (of the half of the moon) Hist.: Albino Luciani, born in Canale d'Agardo, diocese of Belluno, (beautiful moon) Elected pope on August 26, his reign lasted about a month, from half a moon to the next half...
266	John Paul II (1978-2005)	110	De labore Solis (of the eclipse of the sun, or from the labour of the sun) Hist.: Karol Wojtyla was born on May 18, 1920 during a solar eclipse. He also comes from behind the former Iron Curtain (the East, where the Sun rises). He might also be seen to be the fruit of the intercession of the Woman Clothed with the Sun labouring in Revelation 12 (because of his devotion to the Virgin Mary). His Funeral occurred on 8 April, 2005 when there was a solar eclipse visible in the Americas.
267	Benedict XVI (2005-)	111	Gloria olivæ The Benedictine order traditionally said this Pope would come from their order, since a branch of the Benedictine order is called the Olivetans. St Benedict is said to have prophesied that before the end of the world, a member of his order would be Pope and would triumphantly lead the Church in its fight against evil. While the Holy Father chose the name "Benedict", this does not seem enough to fulfil the prophecy. Nor is it clear how Benedict XVI (a Bavarian) is "Glory of the Olives". Since he is said to have remarked in the Conclave after saying he would take the name Benedict that it was partly to honour Benedict XV, a pope of peace and reconciliation, perhaps Benedict XVI will be a peacemaker in the Church or in the World, and thus carry the olive branch.
			In persecutione extrema S.R.E. sedebit Petrus Romanus, qui pascet oves in multis tribulationibus: quibus transactis civitas septicollis diruetur, & Judex tremêdus judicabit populum suum. Finis. (In extreme persecution, the seat of the Holy Roman Church will be occupied by Peter the Roman, who will feed the sheep through many tribulations, at the term of which the city of seven hills will be destroyed, and the formidable Judge will judge his people. The End.)

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Hi friends,

This morning's session in Second Life went great! For the foreseeable future our Wednesday gatherings will be focusing on the Essential Rebbe Nachman pieces. We take turns reading a section and then discuss it. When we are ready we move on. These pieces contain great wisdom and offers us wonderful opportunities. We cover the same material in the morning and evening sessions. This way those who can only attend one of them will get all the printed material and those who can attend both will receive the benefits of repetition as well as the insights offered by the participants. I hope YOU will join us.

If you already have a Second Life persona you can come to our Shalom Center using this link: http://maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Summer%20Paradise/209/77/21

If you are new to Second Life I encourage you to read over our introductory material here: http://yeshivabethhashem.org/SecondLife and follow the instruction for creating your free account. You can create an account and just log in for our meetings or you can explore this awesome virtual world. Contact me if you have questions or concerns.

Today's Topic for both the 10 AM AND 5 PM sessions:     

THE ESSENTIAL RABBI NACHMAN

Translated by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

FAITH

The world regards faith as something minor, but I consider faith as being of the greatest importance.

The way to faith is through simplicity, without sophistry or philosophy.

Sichot Haran #33

* * *

Believe in something

It is better to be a fool who believes in everything than to be so clever that you do not believe in anything.

If you believe in everything, some of your beliefs may be foolish but you will also believe in the truth. However, when a person is too clever and does not want to believe in anything, he may begin by ridiculing falsehood and folly but can easily end up so skeptical of everything that he even denies the truth.

Sichot Haran #103

* * *

There must be questions

There are many searching questions about God. But it is only fitting and proper that this should be so. Indeed, such questions enhance the greatness of God and show His exaltedness. God is so great and exalted that He is beyond our ability to understand Him. It is obvious ly impossible for us , with our limited human intelligence, to understand His ways . Inevitably there are things that baffle us, and this is only fitting. If God's ways were in accordance with the limits of our meager understanding, there would be no difference between His understanding and ours, and this is inconceivable.

Likutey Moharan II, 52

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Believing is seeing

If you ask a believer to explain why he has faith, he will certainly not be able to give you a reason, because faith is applicable only where one does not understand the reason. Yet , because of his complete faith, whatever the believer himself believes in is perfectly clear and self-evident as if he sees it with his own eyes .

Likutey Moharan, I, 62

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Rely on God

It is very good to rely on God completely. As each day begins, entrust your every movement and those of all who depend on you into God's hands, asking that everything should go according to His will.

You will then not need to worry about whether or not things are going as they should, because you are relying on God. If He wants things to go differently from the way you may wish, you will be willing to accept everything the way He wants it.

We hope to see you in Second Life!

Shalom

Tomorrow (Wednesday 2.6.13) at 10 AM and/or 5 PM (SLT: Pacific time) in Second Life we will be discussing THE ESSENTIAL RABBI NACHMAN Translated by Rabbi Avraham Greenbaum

These are a series of short excerpts by the great tzadik on various topics. This should be an interesting series of gatherings.

We'll begin with a reading and discussion on Rebbe Nachman's teachings about emunah (faith)

If you'd like to read ahead you can read the text here:

http://azamra.org/Essential/faith.htm

If you already have a Second Life Presence GO HERE

If not GO HERE  for more information. If possible please set up your free account at least an hour before the gathering you plan to attend so you will have time learn basic movement etc.

We also meet on Shabbat (Saturdays) at 1 PM Pacific for general conversation, q & a etc.

These are weekly gatherings and YOU are welcome to join us.

Is Satan Real?

שמע ישראל ה 'הוא האלוהים שלנו הוא אחד Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohaynu Adonai Echad Hear, Israel, Adonai is our God, Adonai is One.The Jewish Teachings of Rebbe Y'shua:   Is Satan Real? By John of AllFaith © 02.03.13 Also posted on my Website. We are convinced that the God of love, mercy and justice does not torture people as some maintain. But what about Satan? Is he real? There are innumerable creatures (beings created by God) both terrestrial and celestial. In the Tanakh (Isaiah chapter 14) we find a being mentioned who is generally considered to be Satan by the Christians. This being is called Lucifer in the text (in Hebrew: Heylel). Here is the question: Is this speaking of an individual being (as with the fallen angel Lucifer/Lucius) or something else. The rabbis typically view this section more contextually specific than Christians. The great Jewish teacher Rashi explains in his commentary that the day star, referenced here, is the planet Venus and that the one who dared to lift himself up is King Nebuchadnezzar, who practiced astrology and lashed out against the Elect. This passage certainly fits him as well as Lucius. While I would not wish to disagree with Rashi and our other rabbinim, I think there is more to it than this (not that this is incorrect, I agree with them as well). In the Book of Job we see a being named (or called) Satan coming before the throne of HaShem to challenge Job's emunah (faith). In Hebrew the word satan means opponent or adversary and so the rabbis often teach that this challenger was in a sense "a satan" opposing the righteous Job, but not necessarily HaSatan (THE Satan) as in a specific being. Some (not all by any means) say Job was challenged by his own inner struggle between good and bad and not by any literal adversary (I disagree). Others take this a bit more literally (as do I). Likewise some maintain that Rebbe Y'shua was challenged not by a being but by his own inner struggle. Again I disagree. Our understanding of Genesis is that God gave humanity an eternal choice to do good (yetzer tov) or evil (yetzer ra). Whatever temptation urges us towards evil is "a satan" and whatever urge draws us towards the good is "an angel" (malak). However we also know from Scripture that there are individual beings who are angels (Michael, Gabriel etc). This being the case, we believe there are also beings that are evil, demons. If so, it stands to reason (and agrees with Scripture) that they have hierarchies as do the angels. In my opinion then, Lucifer/Lucius is doubtless among these creatures and quite real. There remains a critical difference in our teachings however: While we acknowledge that Lucifer exists, he is in no way the equal of nor opposite to God. ALL beings serve the Will of the One God. God allows rebellion because it provides the opportunity for people to choose yetzer tov and thus draw ever closer to Him. Without challenges our service to HaShem would be meaningless. We need not fear Lucifer therefore. We have only to cling to Torah and we are safe. Shalom, ~ Yochanan (John of AllFaith) The Jewish Way of Rebbe Y'shua	Way of Rebbe Y'shua
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Another great Drybones:

Cartoon Sickness

Short notice notice I know, but our Oneg Shabbat gathering is starting now in Second Life. Come join us!

The first few verses of the Book of John are often cited in defence of the Nicene dogma that HaShem has taken human birth as "Jesus." This understanding is false. John 1 supports the teachings of HaTorah in every way. Let's take a look at these verses.

John 1:1 In the beginning [arche: general commencement or first rank] was the Word [logos: book, something said or revealed: i.e. not the author of the book or said word: i.e. Torah (the Five Books five Moses)], and the Word [logos] was with [en pros:in agreement with/charged/inspired of and attached to] God [theos], and the Word [logos] was [en: in agreement, charged/inspired of] God [theos].

1:2 The same [i.e. the Word, haTorah] was in the beginning with [en pros:in agreement with/charged/inspired of and attached to] God.

1:3 All things were made by him [autos: a very general word that comes from au and refers to a wind: correctly translated as him, her or it and used in the singular or third person depending on context]; and without him [autos: i.e. in this case contextually haTorah] was not any thing made that was made.

1:4 In him [in context haTorah] was life; and the life was the light of men [which Scripture and Jewish tradition frequently asserts, most Christians also agree that the Bible is vital as it is the sure revelation of God's truth. This verse affirms that].

1:5 And the light [phos] shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not [self explanatory: the world rejects the light of Torah].

1:6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John [i.e. the Essene, not the author of this book: Y'shua is not the topic yet. First Torah, later John and after him he will introduce Y'shua. Remember this was written ton introduce people to Y'shua who did not yet know about him].

1:7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light [phos: in context the light of Torah], that all men through him [again autos: it: through Torah (the Word)] might believe.

1:8 He [ekeinos: 'that gender neutral thing': i.e. Torah] was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. [This use of ekeinos here affirms my point. The referenced autos above are to this ekeinos or gender neutral "thing", i.e. the logos or Word: haTorah.]

1:9 That was [en: that ekeinos or haTorah] the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world.

1:10 He was [en: that ekeinos or haTorah] in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not [this agrees with Genesis 1:3, 6 etc; with Proverbs 8:22 etc where HaShem created the world through His Wisdom, through His Word: God said... and so on].

1:11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not [i.e. by rejecting the messiah Israel temporarily rejected the Wisdom and Word of God: HaTorah].

Then at verse 14 John introduces Rebbe Y'shua and says this wisdom, this logos, was revealed to us through one who was completely Torah observant, Rebbe Y'shua.

1:14 And the Word [logos] was made flesh [sarx: meaning to strip something down to its bare flesh: Rebbe Y'shua's reforms bypassed the then developing Oral Traditions of the Talmud and sought to restore the "bare flesh" of pre-Babylonian captivity Torah observance: he taught us how anyone can be Torah observant], and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory [doxa: not the glory that is God; this word means something that is made apparent so as to be seen by anyone who looks], the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, [a direct statement that Y'shua is not God. He made apparent the Will of our Father [i.e. how to serve the Father through proper Torah observance]) full of grace [charis: through humble submission to God's influence] and truth [aletheia: in context this can only mean the truth of Torah which his life showed us how to observance as our example].

To reject the centrality of Torah as the Christian religion has done and then seek to deify this humble Torah observant rabbi [Matthew 5:18] in direct opposition to Torah [Deuteronomy 6:4] is a most grievance offense (Revelation 2:9, 3:9) both to Rebbe Y'shua and to HaShem. We know of one being who sought to make himself equal with HaShem and it did not go well for him (Isaiah 14:13)!

Fortunately for us all the One True God is merciful. I do not judge others for their beliefs, but as for me and my household, we will serve HaShem (Joshua 24:15), the ONE Eternal revealed from Genesis to the Revelation and beyond.

Shalom,

~ John of AllFaith (Yochanan)

The Noahide Nazarene Way	Noahide Studies
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