From: United Israel [email protected]: United Israel Bulletin - October 6, 2017
Date: October 6, 2017 at 9:20 AMTo: [email protected]
October 6, 2017 / 16 Tishrei 5778 - Special Sukkot Edition
A global publication byWorld Union Press
Editor, Ross K. Nichols Social Sites
Publishing important Biblical research and messages of current interest since 1944.
What is the Hebrew Faith?People often ask who we are, what we are, or how we define ourselves interms of our religious faith? The answer is as simple as it is profound. Wehold to the Hebrew faith as reflected in the Hebrew Bible, or what is oftencalled the Old Testament.
So what is the Hebrew faith? And perhaps just as important, what is it not?
It is not Judaism although it affirms the vital and ongoing role of the chosenpeople of Israel in the unfolding plan of the Creator God, including theirprophetic return to the Land of Israel in the latter days. Israel’s centralmission is to provide a light and an example to the rest of the world, as awitness to the One God, His ethical Way of life, and to God’s prophetic Planfor the entire world.
But the Hebrew faith is broader than Judaism per se.
It is universal in its scope, reflecting the visionary perspectives of theHebrew Bible: “Turn to Me, all the ends of the earth;” “My House shall be ahouse of prayer for all peoples,” and “the earth shall be filled with theknowledge of the Almighty as the waters cover the seas.”
Abraham is the first one called a “Hebrew” in the Bible. The word means“one who had crossed over.” He had left his homeland of Babylon, his family,and his countrymen, following the leading of God to the promised Land. Hebecomes a “great nation” but he is specifically chosen because he will teach“his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Almightyby doing justice and righteousness.” Abraham pioneers a Way of faith,walking in a personal relationship with God that is applicable not only to hischildren, but to his larger household who were not his physical offspring. Heprovides a model for all humanity to follow.
provides a model for all humanity to follow.
The prophetic Plan revealed in the Hebrew Bible is that “all nations” willsomeday be drawn to the One Creator God of the Bible and experience anera of peace, prosperity, justice, and righteousness. This messianic hope, aslaid out by the Prophets, is the only hope of humankind.
The Way of the Creator is revealed by a careful historical reading of theTorah, the Prophets, and the Psalms, as inaugurated by the great prophetMoses, and proclaimed by the Hebrew Prophets to all nations. Any humanbeing who responds to that Biblical message of ethical Monotheism, andseeks to apply the teachings of the Bible to his or her life, can rightly becomepart of the greater Hebrew Faith. This individual act of faith andcommitment transcends any particular creed, council, denomination,tradition, or human organization. No intercessors or mediators are required.We invite all who are so moved to join us on these ancient paths, upholdingthe Hebrew faith as it is revealed in the Bible, and thereby beginning on thisexciting “road less traveled.”
The principle texts upon which these affirmations are based are: Jonah1:9; Isaiah 43:10-11; Isaiah 45:22; Isaiah 56:7; Isaiah 11:9; Genesis 14:13;Genesis 12:1-3; Micah 4:1-5:4; Isaiah 59:16-22: Jeremiah 6:16
*Painting by Jozsef Molnar - Abraham's Journey from Ur to Canaan - 1850
Our prayers are with the families of the victims of the recent mass shootingin Las Vegas. Our country needs healing.
"If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray andseek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and heal their land" (II Chronicles 7:14).
From the TorahTorah observers around the world are presently keeping the Festival ofSukkot. Several sections of Scripture have become associated with theFestival. These are quite instructive. On the first day of Sukkot, Leviticus22:26 through the end of chapter 23 are read. Additionally, Numbers 29:12-16,and Zechariah chapter 14 are read. On the second day I Kings 8:2-21 is read.On the intermediate Sabbath of Sukkot, Exodus 33:12-34:26 and Numbers29:17-31 are read from the Torah and Ezekiel 38:18-39:16 is the reading fromthe prophets. On the 8th day of Assembly, Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 andNumbers 29:35-39 are read from the Torah. Additionally on the 8th day, IKings 8:54-66 is read.
On Friday, October 13th, Tishrei 23rd, many will be taking part in SimchatTorah services. Simchat Torah means rejoicing in the Torah. It is a day tocomplete the reading of the Torah scroll and begin the annual cycle ofreadings again. Interestingly, congregations will be reading two portionsfrom the ancient triennial Torah cycle of readings, the last in the Torah(Deuteronomy 33-34) followed by the first (Genesis 1:1-2:3). Also read onSimchat Torah are Numbers 29:35-39 and the first chapter of Joshua.
The weekly teaching this week at the United Israel Center South will drawfrom these texts to provide an overview of some of the themes of this festivalof joy.
We hope that you can join us live for the service, either at the UI CenterSouth in Saint Francisville, or via Facebook Live from our United IsraelWorld Union Facebook Page. Class begins at 10:30 AM CST.
UIWU Featured Content
Sukkot - AnAncient Festival &
Joy to the WorldThis article presents anoverview of the ancient
festival of Sukkot. Itprovides many of the
key passagesassociated with the
festival. What does thebible say about theFestival of Sukkot?
Read this latest articleby the editor. Build
The Festival ofTabernacles
In this article by Dr.James Tabor, he sheds
more light on this lesserknown feast day of the
Hebrew calendar.Specifically, he showsthat it isn't just for the
Jewish people.Conservatively, multiplethousands of non-Jews
Not So FastIn case you missed it,here is the link to the
teaching from lastweek on the subject ofYom Kippur. The classcovers the traditionalelements associated
with Judaism's holiestday, but in the end
challenges those whoseek to keep the day to
examine the motivesbehind their practices.
by the editor. Buildyour booth and DON'T
forget to rejoice! It'scommanded.
Joy to the World
thousands of non-Jewswill be keeping the Feast.
Learn more about ithere.
Tabor onTabernacles
behind their practices.Is fasting enough?Before you say yes,
Ross says, Not So Fast.
Not So Fast
New on the TaborBlogAs we approach the 5th anniversary of the release of Tabor's, Paul and Jesus,How the Apostle Transformed Christianity, the subject is showing upagain on his popular biblioblog. Readers of the Bulletin may also beinterested in my review of Tabor's Paul book. In Conflicting Theology, AReview of Paul and Jesus, Parts 1 & 2, Tabor includes links to the two partreview of his book by Howard Pepper. He also posted a link to a video, Taboron Paul, from 12 years ago. Also posted this week was the Biblical Roots ofMillennialism and the Book of Revelation.
Steve Jobs, The Torah &Technology
What do the words of the ancient pagan prophet Balaam have to do withSteve Jobs? On the 6th anniversary of Steve Jobs' passing, the editor sharessome thoughts on technological advances and their interesting connectionwith the Torah of Moses. Read Steve Jobs, the Torah, and Technology todiscover the connection.
Donate / Support for UIWUFor those who wish to donate to United Israel, please visit ourDonate Page.United Israel World Union, INC, is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit. All contributionsare tax deductible. On our Donate page, you can select the button that says"Support UIWU Donate Now," which takes you to PayPal, where you canenter an amount of your choosing for a one time contribution. If you prefer,you can simply click here to do the same, or remember this URL -https://www.paypal.me/unitedisrael.
Some have requested that we provide options for monthly recurringdonations to United Israel. Our Donate page now has several options withspecific amounts for those of you who prefer this method of contributions.
Scroll down and find the buttons that say, "Support UIWU with monthlydonations." These both allow for monthly, recurring donations. One was setup in increments of $18, since some of our supporters specifically requestedthis. (Some choose to do this because the number 18 in Hebrew (חי) spells"life.")
You can also support United Israel every time you purchase from Amazon.Since United Israel is a 501(c)3 organization in good standing, we enrolled inthe Amazon Smile program. What this means is that if you plan topurchase items from Amazon, you can go to smile.amazon.com and selectUnited Israel as the organization of choice. Once you do this, Amazon willpay United Israel a small percentage of your purchase price at no additionalcharge to you. You can also bookmark this link to take you straight to theUnited Israel Amazon Smile Page - http://smile.amazon.com/ch/13-6161337.
We appreciate your interest in, and support of UIWU.
The Tabor-Nichols Tour is FillingIf you can only go to Israel once in 2018, you should join the Tabor-NicholsTour. We are calling this tour, New Discoveries in the Holy Land. At everysite we visit, we will be sharing the biblical significance of the site, but alsorevealing the latest discoveries that shed light on these locations. Here are afew highlights of what participants will see. In Jerusalem, you will becomefamiliar with the Old City. From the day tours, to night time walks you willsee things that you have only read about, and some that you haven't. We willsee, not only what is above ground, but plan to take you beneath the modernstreet level to see Herodian era Jerusalem. We will of course go to theWestern Wall, but also bring you on a subterranean tour of the wall. We willbring you up on the Temple Mount. We plan to visit the City of David, wheresome will choose to wade through the waters of Hezekiah's Tunnel. We willsee the ancient Pool of Siloam. We will view the Temple Mount from theMount of Olives, walk down the mount, stroll through the Garden ofGethsemane among the old Olive orchards. We will pass through the KidronValley and walk up to Zion where we will visit the Mount Zion Dig site,sponsored by Dr. Tabor's UNCC. We will see the traditional sites of the upperroom and King David's Tomb, Pilate's judgment seat and many other sites ofinterest.
We will visit Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean coast, Megiddo ofArmageddon fame, Sepphoris, Tiberias, Magdala, Capernaum, and take inthe whole of the Sea of Galilee from the top of the Arbel Cliffs. For theadventurous in our group, we will hike down the cliffs, others will meet us atthe bottom. We will watch the sunset from a replica fishing boat on the Seaof Galilee. We will go to the Horns of Hattin, and the traditional Mount ofBeatitudes. We will also travel north to Caesarea Phillipi, Tel Dan, and theGolan Heights. You will get to eat lunch in a Druze village.
On the southern leg of our trip, you will see Jericho, Qumran, and Masada,where those who wish, can hike the treacherous snake path, while othersride the cable car to the top. We will visit the Dead Sea, where you will havetime to float on waters. We will stay at Biblical Tamar Park to give you awilderness experience not offered on standard holy land tours. We will alsosee Beersheva and the Valley of Elah where David killed Goliath. On the finalday we will visit the Talpiot Tombs where Dr. Tabor will share the latestinformation on the controversial family tomb which dare not speak itsnames.
names.
If you plan to go with us, we want to encourage you to sign up soon. Weanticipate that this tour will fill quickly, and you do not want to miss thisopportunity. It was designed to include our favorite sites from all ourprevious tours.
For more information and to secure your place on this exciting tour, visit ourtour page and pay your deposit. We look forward to seeing you in Israel!
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