There is a Jewish tradition that when one reads the Ten Commandments, the congregation is supposed to stand, as those who were at Mt. Sinai were standing in attention as God revealed them to His people the first time (Torah reading יתרו Yitro, “Jethro,” Exodus 18:1–20:23). Are we standing at attention to hear the Word made flesh (John 1:14) explain the Spirit of the Law (Matthew 5–7)?
The Windsor Times wrote an article recently about our little Messianic community making its new home on the outskirts of Windsor, California. Let’s pray it bears some good fruit for God’s Kingdom. Here’s a link to the story. Hallel Fellowship Expands Windsor’s Community of Faith
Hallel Fellowship meets in Windsor, just north of Santa Rosa. Here’s how to find us and when we’re meeting.
As we start the new cycle of Torah readings, the congregation will be focusing on other areas of the Scriptures. Here’s where we’re going next.
Here is a primer on the fall appointments of God — Yom Teruah (Trumpets), Yom haKippurim (Atonement), Sukkot (Tabernacles) and Shmeni Atzeret (Eighth Day) — with links to Bible studies on the lessons from these festivals.
When life or our trust in the LORD seems to get too tough for too long, it’s tempting to give up. Yet we should look back on how far we have come in our new life in the Kingdom of Heaven through the mercy given us on the name of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Our journey from our old life is much like Israel’s journey from bondage in Mitsraim (Egypt) to freedom at Sinai and rest in the Promised Land, a trek recounted for the second generation in the Torah passage (parashah) Massei (“journeys of”).
Yisrael’s promise to remain faithful to the One Who delivered the people out of bondage in Mitsraim (Egypt) eroded under the temptation of a flesh-friendly religion. So a former ally of 40 years ago became an existential enemy and had to be defeated. The wisdom of being very careful in making promises and seeking the strength to keep them is the subtext of the Torah reading Matot (“tribes”), covering Numbers 30–32.