To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz Sheva Editor <neteditor@arutzsheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Wednesday, November 3, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.arutzsheva.org>
Wednesday, November 3, 1999 / Cheshvan 24, 5760
TODAY'S HEADLINE:
ANOTHER SUMMIT PLANNED - MAYBE
The Oslo summit appears to have ended without substantial results. "We
have infused new life into the process," summed up U.S. President Clinton,
after meeting with Prime Minister Barak and Yasser Arafat for 40 minutes.
Advisors to the three leaders then joined them for the continuation of the
meeting. It was agreed that another summit would be held in approximately
three months, "if sufficient progress is made in the meantime," said
Clinton. Negotiations will be held in the coming weeks in Jerusalem and
Ramallah.
Israel is enraged at Arafat for calling for the "end of the conquest in
Judea and Samaria," despite an American request from Arafat not to do so.
Barak refused the Palestinian demand to cease construction in Yesha, saying
that if a permanent-status agreement is signed in another year or so, "the
number of homes that can be built by then is insignificant."
Likud MK Yuval Shteinitz told Arutz-7 today, "Barak's behavior as a
negotiator reminds me of other Labor party leaders. They all seem to get
confused between their opening positions and their final positions. Every
beginning bargainer knows that your opening offer has to be much tougher
than what you are actually prepared to offer. I recall that the Arabs
offered Rabin and Peres to call off their economic boycott on Israel, in
exchange for a freeze on settlement construction; Rabin and Peres said,
'No, thanks, we were planning to freeze settlements anyway for our own
internal new-priorities policy' - and demanded nothing in return. Instead
of talking about settlement blocs and the like, Barak definitely should
have said now that not one settlement will be moved - even if in the end he
may be willing to evacuate some."
The government has not yet issued a denial of an article in the British
Foreign Report, which claims that an emissary of Prime Minister Barak is
conducting secret talks with Yasser Arafat on the establishment of a
Palestinian state. Barak is reported to have said that he wishes to sign a
final-status agreement with a "state and not with a [Palestinian]
Authority." The report claims that Barak wishes to concentrate the
settlements around Jerusalem into three blocs, but that settlers who wish
to remain in their homes will enjoy special benefits within the Palestinian
entity.
********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz Sheva Editor <neteditor@arutzsheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News Brief: Friday, November 5,
1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.arutzsheva.org>
Friday, November 5, 1999 / Cheshvan 26, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. QUESTIONS LINGER ABOUT RABIN DEATH
2. SHOWDOWN PLANNED IN MAON
3. UJC WANTS TO KNOW: WHO LEAKED ARAFAT STORY?
1. QUESTIONS LINGER ABOUT RABIN DEATH
Politicians from both right and left are in favor of re-investigating
the questions left open following the assassination of Yitzchak Rabin.
Prime Minister Ehud Barak told reporters today that every question on
the matter should be looked into. Likud MK Moshe Katzav, and
government Ministers Shimon Peres and Matan Vilnai, also expressed
similar sentiments. "An appropriate way should be found to check the
remaining question marks," said Vilnai. Questions raised this week by
Rabin's children include the unknown man who yelled "Blanks!", and the
contradictory medical reports issued by the hospital - one claiming
that Rabin was shot in the chest, and a later one indicating that he
was shot in the back.
2. SHOWDOWN PLANNED IN MAON
The army is preparing to forcibly evacuate the Maon farm, south of
Hevron, next week. The ultimatum issued by the Prime Minister to the
Yesha Council - "either you evacuate them, or we will" - has been
extended until Sunday. Barak said today that the evacuations are a
difficult matter for the State of Israel, "and it will not be a
catastrophe if they are pushed off for 24 or 36 hours." Yesha Council
leaders announced that if outposts are evacuated next week, they will
erect "refugee tents" outside the Prime Minister's home in Kokhav
Ya'ir. The residents of Mitzpeh K'ramim near Kokhav HaShachar are
apparently willing to leave on their own, but those of Maon are
calling upon supporters to arrive at the farm to back their struggle.
3. UJC WANTS TO KNOW: WHO LEAKED ARAFAT STORY?
The New York Jewish weekly "Forward" claims today that the United
Jewish Communities (UJC) has engaged a private-detective agency to
find out who leaked the charity's plans to honor Yasser Arafat with
its Isaiah Award. The paper said that UJC President Stephen Solender
had confirmed that Kroll Associates - an international investigative
and security agency - has already begun to investigate "where our
system broke down." UJC officials have denied that they planned to
issue the award to Arafat, but The Jewish Advocate of Boston and the
Israel Resource News Agency reported that Arafat had been notified of
the plans to honor him, that the award had actually been purchased,
and that a speech had already been written.
The UJC, an umbrella organization of federations that raise $790
million a year, was formed last April from the merger of the United
Jewish Appeal, Council of Jewish Federations, and United Israel
Appeal. Reactions within the organization to the hiring of the
detectives were mixed. UJC Chairman Charles Bronfman informed the
Forward that he "supports the decision to ask Kroll Associates to look
at UJC's security measures," although he said, "I believe that an
award [to Arafat] would have been inappropriate at this time, and I
would have said so." Richard Wexler, chairman of the UJC's
Campaign-Financial Resource Development pillar committee, said that
the Kroll decision was "preposterous" and that the issue "is not a
matter worthy of investigation, seeing as I believe everyone knows
that a terrible mistake was made."
***********************************************************************
To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz Sheva Editor <neteditor@arutzsheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Sunday, November 7, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.arutzsheva.org>
Sunday, November 7, 1999 / Cheshvan 28, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. WITHDRAWAL APPROVED BY CABINET
2. K'RAMIM IS DISMANTLED
1. WITHDRAWAL APPROVED BY CABINET
The Cabinet, at its weekly meeting today, approved the withdrawal from
yet another 5% of Judea and Samaria - area that includes 16 IDF army
bases and installations. The IDF Chief of Staff and the head of the
GSS addressed the issue of whether the Palestinian Authority is
fulfilling its obligations to collect the tens of thousands of illegal
weapons within the PA, arrest wanted terrorists, and reduce the size
of the Palestinian para-military police.
2. K'RAMIM IS DISMANTLED
The self-evacuation of Mitzpeh K'ramim, outside Kokhav HaShachar,
began last night, and concluded today. The families moved from a
point one kilometer south-west of Kokhav HaShachar to a point some 250
meters east of the mother community. Prime Minister Barak has agreed
to extend the deadline for the evacuation of the other outposts in
Yesha by another three days. At issue are Maon, Mitzpeh Hagit, N'vei
Erez, and Hill 777 outside Itamar.
Over 200 people have gathered in Maon over the past few days in order
to prevent an evacuation. Yesha Council spokesman Yehoshua Mor-Yosef
said, however, that he does not foresee a physical conflict there.
"At most, there will be some passive resistance," he predicted.
Mor-Yosef said that the problem with the Maon farm is that it is in
the range of IDF fire, and that "the Arabs living in the vicinity have
also been relocated."
**************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz Sheva Editor <neteditor@arutzsheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Monday, November 8, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.arutzsheva.org>
Monday, November 8, 1999 / Cheshvan 29, 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. FINAL-STATUS TALKS BEGIN
2. BARAK: RESOLUTION 242 DOESN'T APPLY TO PALESTINIANS
3. MAON PREPARES TO OPPOSE EVACUATION
4. MA'ALEH ADUMIM EXPANSION CREATES JEWISH CONTIGUITY
5. WATER LOWS
1. FINAL-STATUS TALKS BEGIN
The first session of the final-status talks began in Ramallah today.
The Palestinians' opening position: A withdrawal from all of Judea and
Samaria, the establishment of a Palestinian state, and the return of
the Arab refugees from 1948 to their homes plus the payment of
compensation.
Yesha Council leaders held a protest vigil at the Yosh Junction at the
northern entrance to Ramallah just south of Beit El this morning,
against Prime Minister Barak's apparent intentions to uproot tens of
thousands of Jewish residents of Judea and Samaria in the framework of
a final-status agreement. The borders of the upcoming withdrawal from
an additional 5% of Yesha will be determined by a ministerial
committee, and the maps will be presented tomorrow to Yesha leaders.
The Cabinet decided that it would continue its implementation of the
agreements with the Palestinians, despite yesterday's terrorist
bombing in Netanya. Nine of the wounded from the attack are still
hospitalized, and one woman is in moderate-to-severe condition.
2. BARAK: RESOLUTION 242 DOESN'T APPLY TO PALESTINIANS
Prime Minister Barak told the government ministers yesterday that UN
resolutions 242 and 338 do not apply to the Palestinians. Resolution
242 calls for the "withdrawal of Israeli armed forces from territories
occupied in the [Six-Day War]" and affirms the necessity "for
guaranteeing the territorial inviolability and political independence
of every State in the area." Resolution 338, adopted during the Yom
Kippur War, calls for the implementation of Resolution 242. MK Benny
Elon (National Union) praised Barak for his declaration, while
Palestinian spokesmen reacted sharply against it.
Aryeh Stav, director of the Ariel Center for Policy Research and
editor of Netiv magazine, provided some interesting background
information on Resolution 242 for Arutz-7 today: "Barak's
announcement [that 242 does not apply to the Palestinians] is an
important one, and is to his credit. No other Prime Minister ever
said this as clearly. What happened was that after weeks of wrangling
in the U.N. [following the Six-Day War], the wording of the resolution
purposely referred only to a withdrawal from 'territories' and not
from 'the territories.' Then-President Lyndon Johnson commissioned a
map showing the minimum amount of territory that Israel would need in
order to survive. The map, which is not secret, was attached to the
resolution. It includes [as part of Israel] all of Judea and Samaria
- although not the Jordan Valley - and it included the entire Golan,
5,000 square kilometers in the area of Eilat, and Sharm el-Sheikh."
Stav concluded by noting the ironic development that when the
resolution was passed, it was considered very anti-Israel "- and
rightly so, but now we find ourselves relying on it..."
3. MAON PREPARES TO OPPOSE EVACUATION
Protests were held in many intersections across the country against
the evacuation of Yesha mini-settlements last night. The rallies were
organized by Matot Arim (local City Teams) and Dor Hemshekh (Next
Generation). Participants held signs reading, "Israel is My Outpost"
and "200,000 people, with 120,000 children, should not be evacuated."
Maon, south of Hevron, is expected to be forcibly uprooted by the army
tomorrow, although close to 250 people are gathered there - with
busloads more on the way - to oppose such a move.
Mitzpeh Chagit is now empty of its families, and only guards remain at
the site, overlooking Wadi Kelt. According to the agreement reached
last month between Prime Minister Barak and the Yesha Council, the
families will be allowed to return in several weeks. Construction of
a new neighborhood in Itamar began today. Thirty homes on Hilltop
851, some 2.5 kilometers away from the center of Itamar, will be built
- with the consent of the government. Kedumim Mayor Daniella Weiss
told Arutz-7 today that the developments in Itamar are very positive
and welcome, but do not justify the "bad compromise" that was
contracted with Barak regarding the uprooting of other outposts. She
spoke to Arutz-7 today from Maon, where she arrived to express her
opposition to its "destruction."
4. MA'ALEH ADUMIM EXPANSION CREATES JEWISH CONTIGUITY
The Supreme Court yesterday rejected an appeal against the expansion
of the city of Ma'aleh Adumim. The decision paves the way for the
construction of a new neighborhood on some 10,000 dunams (almost 2,500
acres), which will create Israeli territorial contiguity between Mt.
Scopus and Ma'aleh Adumim, and geographically detach Arab villages in
Judea from those in Binyamin and Shomron.
************************************************************************
To: arutz-7@arutzsheva.org
From: Arutz Sheva Editor <neteditor@arutzsheva.org>
Subject: Arutz-7 News: Tuesday, November 9, 1999
Arutz Sheva News Service
<http://www.arutzsheva.org>
Tuesday, November 9, 1999 / Rosh Chodesh Kislev 5760
------------------------------------------------
TODAY'S HEADLINES:
1. YESHA LEADERS: MAPS ARE INSIGNIFICANT
2. BARAK RUSHES BACK FROM PARIS TO "DEAL WITH MAON FARM"
3. BARAK "CLARIFIES" 242 STATEMENT
4. MOFAZ: TERRORISM WILL CONTINUE
1. YESHA LEADERS: MAPS ARE INSIGNIFICANT
Yesha Council leaders were shown maps of the upcoming Yesha withdrawal
by Deputy Defense Minister Ephraim Sneh this morning. The pullback
from 5% of Judea and Samaria is scheduled for next Monday. The Yesha
leaders said that the withdrawal does not square with Prime Minister
Barak's recent pledge to "crush terrorism," explaining that Israel has
lost control over the areas under its authority, and enforces the law
only against Jews. Following the meeting, a Yesha representative said
that the maps themselves have no significance, as "Arafat calls the
shots in Israeli-controlled territory as well."
2. BARAK RUSHES BACK FROM PARIS TO "DEAL WITH MAON FARM"
Prime Minister Barak plans to move up his return from France by a few
hours this evening, in order to "deal with the events in the Maon
farm." He said, "Private groups are must not be allowed to harm
government policy, no matter how well-meaning they may be." Hundreds
of people continue to congregate in Maon, expressing their opposition
to the planned uprooting of the farm, which may begin as early as this
evening. Literature being distributed by Dor Hemshekh (Next
Generation) leaders to the crowd calls upon it to attempt to "hold on
to the Land, but not to raise a hand against soldiers or journalists."
Arutz-7's Kobi Sela reports that the new arrivals have been divided up
into various groups - planters, builders, and even guards - in order
to help the farm continue to thrive. The fear among the organizers,
as expressed by one of them today, is that "provocateurs from the GSS
will attempt to instigate violence, against our will, and we are
making great efforts to prevent that."
Kiryat Arba Chief Rabbi Dov Lior, one of the most outspoken opponents
against the evacuation of the outposts, said that he objects to any
use of violence to thwart the evacuation. "We are enjoined to act
with respect towards any element that represents the government of
Israel. Just as in Yamit, 17 years ago, one of my jobs was to explain
that we can express our protest, but without passing red lines -
namely, no active resistance against the security forces. One may
cause himself to be dragged away, but not more than that." Rabbi Lior
said, however, that the people are entitled to express their fears -
"which are rooted in a deep love for and identification with the Land
of Israel" - that the agreement with the government may serve as a
precedent for the uprooting of Yesha communities "by consent."
3. BARAK "CLARIFIES" 242 STATEMENT
Prime Minister Barak's statement yesterday to the effect that U.N.
Resolution 242 has no bearing on the Palestinian problem is one of the
main issues facing him during his visit in Paris. Barak's office has
already issued a clarification, to the effect that Israel regards
Resolution 242 as binding, but that there are "different
interpretations" as to how to apply it to the Palestinian question.
Barak addressed the Socialist International in Paris, of which he was
elected Vice President, this afternoon. In his speech, Barak made an
impassioned plea to Syria President Assad to "contract peace with
Israel." He said that the time for painful decisions has come, and
that the window of opportunity may soon close.
Barak met this morning with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, and will
meet with PA Chairman Arafat and other leaders before his departure
for Israel this evening. Arafat accused the "Israeli mafia" of
responsibility for the terrorist attack in Netanya two days ago.
Minister for Regional Development Shimon Peres, who is accompanying
Barak, said that Arafat's words are ridiculous, and that "from time to
time, Arafat spouts nonsense."
Peres will be chosen as Honorary President of the Socialist
International.
4. MOFAZ: TERRORISM WILL CONTINUE
IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Sha'ul Mofaz foresees continued
Palestinian Arab terrorism in Israel. He told the Knesset Foreign
Affairs and Defense Committee today that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad
are actively planning terrorist attacks, and that the Palestinian
Authority is not taking concrete steps against them. In answer to a
question, Mofaz said that the army would evacuate the Maon farm "with
respect for the settlers and with a minimum of animosity." He said
that the army would not allow soldiers to opt out of carrying out the
evacuation for "reasons of conscience."
An apparent attempted kidnapping occurred this morning in Gush Etzion.
A car drove up to a bus stop, where a woman was waiting, but the
driver did not say where he was headed. Instead, he merely said, "Get
in, get in." She refused, and the car continued to wait there for
several minutes - apparently for another would-be passenger. Only
after another vehicle arrived did the first one leave. The police and
army are investigating.
From: Eddie Chumney
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Chapter 3: Restoring the Two Houses of Israel
CHAPTER
3
G-D'S POWER
TWINS: TORAH AND GRACE
from
the book by Eddie Chumney
"Restoring
the Two Houses of Israel"
Copies can be purchased for individual or
group study by
writing to me (Eddie Chumney) at: (chumney@hebroots.org)
Part
1 of 3
In order for full restoration to come to both the house of Judah
(Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity), both houses of
Israel need to understand that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of Torah
AND a G-d of grace/mercy. Corporately speaking, the house of Judah
(Judaism) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being the giver
of the Torah (matan Torah). The house of Israel (Christianity) mainly
identifies with the G-d of Israel as being a G-d of grace/mercy
through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus.
The house of Judah (Judaism) needs to Biblically understand that
the G-d of Israel has expressed His grace/mercy to His people through
the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. The house of Israel
(Christianity) needs to Biblically understand that the Torah is the
Word of G-d and the Word of G-d is the Torah and that the Torah goes
from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. Furthermore, the house of
Israel (Christianity) needs to understand that the Torah is ETERNAL
and that the G-d of Israel did not do away with His Torah through the
death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus.
If the G-d of Israel did away with His Torah/Word, He would have to
do away with Himself because the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach)
Yeshua/Jesus is the Torah/Word of G-d manifested in the flesh. Heaven
and earth will pass away but the Torah/Word of G-d will live and
abide FOREVER (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 40:8, I Peter [Kefa] 1:23-25).
Because the house of Israel (Christianity) does not understand
that Biblically the Torah and the Word of G-d are synonymous terms
and that G-d's Torah/Word goes from Genesis (Bereishit) to
Revelation, they have unbiblically embraced a dispensational theology
that teaches that befoee the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus
was the age of law and following the death and resurrection of the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the age of grace. In this
chapter, we will learn that the G-d of Israel has always been a G-d
of Torah AND a G-d of grace/mercy and that the G-d of Israel's
grace/mercy is mentioned MORE in the TeNaKh (Old Testament) than in
the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). Furthermore, we will examine what
the Biblical term Torah means and the purpose of the G-d of Israel's
Torah. In our conclusion, we will find that the G-d of Israel is a
G-d of Torah and a G-d of grace/mercy and that the Torah of the G-d
of Israel and the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel are His Power Twins.
HEBREW AND GREEK WORDS FOR GRACE/MERCY
The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament)
translated as grace in the King James Bible is charis. It is the
Strong's number 5485 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer's
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong's
Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word charis (5485)
corresponds to the Hebrew word chayn. The Hebrew word chayn is the
Strong's word 2580 in the Strong's dictionary. It is most often
translated as grace/favor in the King James Bible.
The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament)
translated as mercy in the King James Bible is eleos. It is the
Strong's number 1656 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer's
Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong's
Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word eleos (1656) is
related/associated/corresponds to the Hebrew word chesed. The Hebrew
word chesed is the Strong's word 2617 in the Strong's dictionary. It
is most often translated as mercy/lovingkindness in the King James
Bible.
Therefore, the two primary Greek words for grace/mercy found in
the Bible are charis (5485) and eleos (1656). The two primary Hebrew
words for grace/mercy found in the Bible are chayn (2580) and chesed
(2617).
THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS A G-D OF
GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy. It is an
attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel Himself. In Jeremiah
(Yermiyahu) 9:23-24 it is written:
"Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in
his wisdom,
neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the
rich
man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in
this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the
Lord
which exercise lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy]."
In Psalm (Tehillim) 117 it is written:
"O praise the Lord, all ye nations: praise him, all ye
people.
For his merciful kindness [2617 / chesed/mercy] is great
toward
us: and the truth of the Lord endureth forever. Praise ye
the
Lord."
THE
G-D OF ISRAEL'S GRACE/MERCY
IS
ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING
The grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is ETERNAL and EVERLASTING.
In Psalm (Tehillim) 103:17-18 it is written:
"But the mercy [2617/chesed] of the Lord is from
everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness
unto
children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to
those
that remember his commandments to do them."
In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 54:8 it is written:
".with everlasting kindness [2617/chesed] will I have
mercy on
thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer."
THE
G-D OF ISRAEL CREATED
THE HEAVENS AND EARTH BY HIS GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth by His
grace/mercy. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:1, 6-9 it is written:
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his
mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever . to him that stretched out
the
earth above the waters: for his mercy [2617/chesed]
endureth
forever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever: The sun to rule by day: for
his
mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: The moon and stars to
rule
by night: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth
forever."
NOAH FOUND
GRACE IN THE EYES OF G-D
Noah found grace in the eyes of the G-d of Israel. In
Genesis
(Bereishit) 6:8 it is written:
"But Noah found grace [2580/chayn] in the eyes of the
Lord."
G-D
SHOWED GRACE/MERCY TO JOSEPH
The G-d of Israel found grace/mercy with Joseph (Yosef). In
Genesis (Bereishit) 39:21 it is written:
"But the Lord was with Joseph, and showed him mercy
[2617/chesed] and give him favor [2580/chayn/grace] in the
sight
of the keeper of the prison."
G-D
SAVES THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL
OUT
OF EGYPT BY HIS GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel saved/delivered His people out of Egypt
(Mitzrayim) by His grace/mercy. In Exodus (Shemot) 3:15-16,
20-21 it is written:
"And God said moreover unto Moses . Go, and gather the
elders of
Israel together, and say unto them . And I will stretch out
my
hand, and smite Egypt with all my wonders which I will do
in the
midst thereof . and I will give this people favor
[2580/chayn/grace] in the sight of the Egyptians."
In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:10-15 it is written:
"To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his
mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever: And brought out Israel from
among them: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever:
With a
strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever. To him which divided the
Red sea
into parts: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever:
And
made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever: But overthrew Pharaoh and
his
host in the Red sea: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth
forever."
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL ARE LED
THROUGH
THE WILDERNESS BY THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D
The G-d of Israel led the children of Israel through the
wilderness by His grace/mercy. In Psalm
(Tehillim) 136:16 it is written:
"To him which led his people through the wilderness:
for his
mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever."
The "rock" which led the children of Israel
through the
wilderness was the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In I Corinthians 10:1-4 it is written:
"Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how
that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea; And were all baptized [mikvah/immersed]
unto
Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same
spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for
they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and
that
Rock was Christ."
In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 31:2-3, it is written:
"Thus saith the Lord, The people which were left of
the sword
found grace [2580/chayn] in the wilderness; even Israel,
when I
went to cause him to rest. The Lord hath appeared of old
unto
me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting
love:
therefore with lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy] have I
drawn
thee."
MOSES FINDS GRACE/MERCY
IN G-D'S SIGHT
Moses (Moshe) found grace/mercy in the sight of the G-d of
Israel. In Exodus (Shemot) 33:11-13, 17
it is written:
"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man
speaketh
unto his friend . And Moses said unto the Lord . yet thou
hast
said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace
[2580/chayn] in my sight. Now therefore, I pray thee, if I
have
found grace [2580/chayn] in thy sight, show me now thy way,
that
I may know thee, that I may find grace [2580/chayn] in thy
sight: and consider that this nation is thy people .And the
Lord
said unto Moses . for thou hast found grace [2580/chayn] in
my
sight, and I know thee by name."
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DEFEAT THEIR ENEMIES AND
CONQUER
THE PROMISED LAND
BY
THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D
The children of Israel defeated their enemies and conquered the
Promised Land by the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel. In Psalm
(Tehillim) 136:1, 17-22, 24 it is written:
"O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his
mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever . to him which smote great
kings:
for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: And slew
famous
kings: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever: Sihon
king
of the Amorites: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth
forever:
And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy [2617/chesed]
endureth
forever: And gave their land for a heritage: for his mercy
[2617/chesed] endureth forever: Even a heritage unto Israel
his
servant: for his mercy [2617/chesed] endureth forever . And
hath
redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy [2617/chesed]
endureth forever."
G-D PROMISES DAVID'S
SEED GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel promised David that He would have grace/mercy
upon His seed forever. In II Samuel (Shmu'el) 7:4,8, 12-16 it is
written:
"And it came to pass that night, that the word of the
Lord came
unto Nathan, saying . Now therefore so shalt thou say unto
my
servant David, Thus saith the Lord of hosts, I took thee
from
the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over
my
people, over Israel . And when thy days be fulfilled, and
thou
shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after
thee,
which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish
his
kingdom. He shall build a house for my name, and I will
establish the throne of his kingdom forever. I will be his
father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I
will
chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of
the
children of men: But my mercy [2617/chesed] shall not
depart
away from him . and thine house and thy kingdom shall be
established forever before thee: thy throne shall be
established
forever."
In Psalm (Tehillim) 89:1-4, 24, 28-36 it is written:
"I will sing of the mercies [2617/chesed] of the Lord
forever:
with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all
generations. For I have said, Mercy [2617/chesed] shall be
built
up forever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the
very
heavens. I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have
sworn
unto David my servant, Thy seed will I establish forever,
and
build up thy throne to all generations. Selah. . my
faithfulness
and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his
horn be
exalted . My mercy [2617/chesed] will I keep for him
forevermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him. His
seed
also will I make to endure forever, and his throne as the
days
of heaven. If his children forsake my law [Torah], and walk
not
in my judgments; If they break my statutes, and keep not my
commandments; Then will I visit their transgression with
the
rod, and their iniquity with stripes. Nevertheless my
lovingkindness [2617/chesed/mercy] will I not utterly take
from
him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My covenant will I
not
break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.
Once
have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.
His
seed shall endure forever, and his throne as the sun before
me."
DAVID'S
SINS ARE FORGIVEN
BY
THE GRACE/MERCY OF G-D
David's sins were forgiven by the G-d of Israel by His
grace/mercy upon David when he repented of
his sins. In Psalm (Tehillim) 25:6-7, 51:1-2 it is written:
"Remember, O Lord, thy tender mercies and thy
lovingkindnesses
[2617/chesed/mercy]; for they have been ever of old.
Remember
not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions: according
to
thy mercy [2617/chesed] remember thou me for thy goodness'
sake,
O Lord . Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy
lovingkindness [2617/chesed]: according unto the multitude
of
thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me
thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my
sin."
In Psalm (Tehillim) 86:5 it is written:
"For you, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and
plenteous in
mercy [2617/chesed] unto all them that call upon
thee."
THE
HOUSE OF JUDAH WAS PRESERVED
IN
BABYLONIAN CAPTIVITY AND BUILT
THE TEMPLE BY THE
GRACE/MERCY OF G-D
The house of Judah (Judaism/Southern Kingdom) was preserved in
Babylonian captivity and a remnant from the house of Judah
(Judaism/Southern Kingdom) returned to the land of Israel to rebuild
the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah because
of the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel upon His people. In Ezra
9:7-9 it is written:
"Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great
trespass
unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings,
and
our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of
the
lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to
confusion of face, as it is this day. And now for a little
space
grace has been showed from the Lord our God, to leave us a
remnant to escape, and to give us a nail in his holy place,
that
our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving
in
our bondage. For we were bondmen; yet our God hath not
forsaken
us in our bondage, but hath extended mercy [2617/chesed]
unto us
in the sight of the kings of Persia, to give us a reviving,
to
set up the house of our God, and to repair the desolations
thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and in
Jerusalem."
THE
G-D OF ISRAEL IS MARRIED
TO
HIS PEOPLE IN GRACE/MERCY
When the G-d of Israel entered into a marriage covenant with His
people, He became betrothed unto
them in grace/mercy. In Hosea (Hoshea) 2:19-20 it is written:
"And I will betroth [marry] thee unto me forever; yea,
I will
betroth [marry] thee unto me in righteousness, and in
judgment,
and in lovingkindness [2617/chesed], and in mercies. I will
even
betroth [marry] thee unto me in faithfulness: and thou
shalt
know the Lord."
G-D WILL SAVE/REDEEM THE HOUSE OF DAVID THROUGH
THE
MESSIAH BY HIS GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel will save/redeem the house of David through the
Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus by His grace/mercy. In
Zechariah (Zecharyah) 12:9-10 it is written:
"And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will
seek to
destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I
will
pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of
Jerusalem, the spirit of grace [2580/chayn] and of
supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have
pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for
his
only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that
is in
bitterness for his firstborn."
THE G-D OF ISRAEL HAS ALWAYS
BEEN A G-D
OF
GRACE/MERCY
The G-d of Israel has ALWAYS been a G-d of grace/mercy. The death
and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus
did not usher in the age of grace. The grace/mercy of the G-d of
Israel has always been from everlasting to everlasting.
Grace/mercy is an attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel
Himself. The G-d of Israel showed grace/mercy to Noah, Joseph
(Yosef), Moses (Moshe) and David. The G-d of Israel forgave the sins
of the children of Israel because of His grace/mercy toward them. The
G-d of Israel forgave the sins of David because of His grace/mercy
toward David. The G-d of Israel made an eternal covenant with David
that His grace/mercy would be upon David's seed forever.
The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth because His
grace/mercy endures forever. He redeemed the children of Israel from
Egypt (Mitzrayim) because of His grace/mercy toward His people in
remembrance of His covenant with Abraham (Avraham). The G-d of Israel
led the children of Israel in the wilderness and gave them victory
over their enemies in the wilderness and in the Promised Land because
of His grace/mercy toward His people.
THE G-D OF ISRAEL
REDEEMED HIS PEOPLE
FROM
EGYPT BY HIS GRACE/MERCY
After studying in this chapter the grace/mercy of the G-d of
Israel and realizing that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy
throughout the entire TeNaKh (Old Testament), it should be easy for
us to understand the Biblical truth that the G-d of Israel
saved/redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt (Mitzrayim) by His
grace/mercy and brought them to mount Sinai to show them how He
wanted them to live their daily lives in obedience to the G-d of
Israel AFTER they were saved/redeemed by His grace/mercy. The
children of Israel were NEVER saved/redeemed/delivered from their
enemies because they kept the Torah and deserved to be
saved/redeemed/delivered. However, they were ALWAYS
redeemed/delivered/saved because of the grace/mercy of the G-d
of Israel toward His people.
THE TORAH IS ETERNAL
AND EVERLASTING
Just as we have seen that the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is
eternal and everlasting, in the last part of this chapter, we will
see that the Torah of the G-d of Israel is also eternal and
everlasting. We will discover that in traditional Hebraic/Jewish
thought, "Torah" and the "Word of G-d" are synonymous terms.
Therefore, the G-d of Israel's Torah is from Genesis (Bereishit) to
Revelation. The age of law did not end with the death and
resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus because
the Torah/Word of G-d lives and abides forever.
Next, let us examine the meaning and purpose of the Torah of the
G-d of Israel and why the Torah of the G-d of Israel should be
important to every believer in Yeshua/Jesus as the Jewish Messiah
(Mashiach). By embracing the Biblical truth that the Torah of the G-d
of Israel is eternal and everlasting, the G-d of Israel can bring
restoration and reconciliation to both houses of Israel.
WHAT
IS THE MEANING OF TORAH?
Probably one of the most misunderstood words in the entire Bible
to the house of Israel (Christianity) is the word LAW. In reality,
the word LAW is a very poorly translated and misrepresented word to
describe the Hebrew word, TORAH. When most believers in the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus from the house of Israel
(Christianity) hear the word, TORAH, they take two steps backward and
put up a religious wall against any member from the house of Israel
(Christianity) who would mention the word TORAH or who would suggest
that we need to live our lives according to the Torah of the G-d of
Israel. In fact, most members from the house of Israel (Christianity)
view the Torah with the attitude, "We are not under the Law, we are
New Testament believers in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus
and under grace."
WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE
THROUGH FAITH
It is a Biblical truth that we are NOT saved/redeemed/delivered
from our sins by keeping the Torah of the G-d of Israel. We are
saved/redeemed/delivered by grace (2580/chayn)/mercy (2617/chesed)
through faith (emunah) and salvation/redemption is a FREE gift from
the G-d of Israel. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it is written:
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of
yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any
man
should boast."
However, the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) tells us in Romans
3:28,
31 that AFTER we are saved/redeemed/delivered, we are to uphold/keep
the Torah of the G-d of Israel as it is written:
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by
faith without
the deeds of the law ... Do we then make void the law
through
faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law [Torah]."
TORAH
MEANS INSTRUCTION
While it is true that we are not saved/redeemed/delivered on our
own merit by our own ability through keeping the Torah of the G-d of
Israel, the house of Israel (Christianity) must know and understand
WHAT the word, TORAH, means. The word Law is the Hebrew word, TORAH.
It is the Strong's word 8451 in the Hebrew Concordance. The best
meaning of the word, TORAH, is "teaching or instruction." The word
TORAH does not mean salvation/redemption/deliverance but rather
"teaching or instruction." There is a word in the Bible that means
"salvation." The English word, Jesus, is the Hebrew word, Yeshua. The
Hebrew word Yeshua means "salvation." This was the role of the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus when He came to the earth at His
first coming as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben
Joseph (Yosef). In Matthew (Mattityahu) 1:21 it is written:
"And she [Mary] shall bring forth a son, and thou
shalt shall
call his name JESUS [Yeshua in Hebrew]: for he shall SAVE
his
people from their sins."
WHAT IS THE
PURPOSE OF G-D'S TORAH?
From this, we can understand that YESHUA/JESUS means
SALVATION
and TORAH means INSTRUCTION. Therefore, the Torah was NEVER meant by
the G-d of Israel to be a means of salvation for His people. The G-d
of Israel's only salvation for His people is by His grace/mercy
(chesed) through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus!
TORAH
DOES NOT MEAN LAW
Because there is no proper corresponding word in Greek or
English for the Hebrew word, TORAH, it is commonly translated as
"law." Law implies a set of do's and don'ts intended to imprison
people when they are broken. However, the G-d of Israel gave the
Hebrew language to communicate His spiritual truths. In fact, the G-d
of Israel calls Hebrew a pure language (Zephaniah 3:9). This truth is
beautifully understood when we do a Biblical word study of the Hebrew
word, TORAH.
THE TORAH IS G-D'S
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
TO
LIVE OUR LIVES
The word Torah, which is the Strong's word 8451 in the Hebrew
dictionary, comes from thr Hebrew word, "Yarah." The Hebrew word,
"Yarah" is the Strong's word 3384. The meaning of the word, "Yarah"
is "to teach, to point out as aiming the finger, to lay a
foundation." By examining the Hebrew meaning of the word, TORAH, we
can understand that the word Torah means, "to instruct, to teach, to
point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation."
So, the Torah should be correctly seen as the G-d of Israel's
INSTRUCTION tool to TEACH His people HOW to live their lives AFTER
they are saved/redeemed/delivered. The TORAH should be seen as a
foundation for our lives and a foundation for understanding the
entire Bible. Therefore, the most basic understanding of the meaning
of Torah is "instruction for the purpose of teaching done by pointing
out or aiming the finger." The G-d of Israel's purpose in giving the Torah
to His people is to "lay a foundation" and to communicate His
spiritual truths to His people regarding the principles of the
Kingdom of Heaven (Malkut Shamayim) and His redemptive plan for all
of mankind.
While members from the house of Judah (Judaism) and from the
house of Israel (Christianity) who are saved by the grace/mercy
(chesed) of the G-d of Israel through faith (emunah) in the Jewish
Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus without the deeds of the law will go
to heaven (olam haba), salvation/redemption/deliverance by the G-d of
Israel by his grace/mercy (chesed) does not give His people the
freedom to neglect the TORAH of the G-d of Israel because the TORAH
is the G-d of Israel's INSTRUCTION MANUAL for members of His body to
conduct and live their lives in obedience (shema) to the G-d of
Israel AFTER they are saved/redeemed/delivered.
G-D'S TORAH IS FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION
EVERYTHING in the Bible was divinely ordained by the G-d of
Israel to teach or instruct His people about the spiritual truths of
His Kingdom. In Romans 15:4 it is written:
"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for
our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope."
ALL Scripture is divinely inspired by the G-d of Israel. In II
Timothy 3:16 it is written:
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is
profitable
for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction
in
righteousness."
It should be understood that when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul)
wrote this letter and made the statement that "ALL Scripture is given
by inspiration of God," he was talking about the TeNaKh (Old
Testament) INCLUDING the TORAH. The Brit Hadashah (New Testament) was
not yet canonized when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha'ul) wrote this letter.
(End
of Part 1 of 3)
************************************************************************
5. WATER LOWS
Water Commissioner Meir Ben Meir has announced that farmers will face
a 40% cut in water usage this winter. Last year's drought seriously
impacted on farmers. Kibbutz Sha'alvim, for instance, received only
about 200 millimeters of rain last year, some 40% of its average
annual rainfall. Sha'alvim agricultural coordinator Yisachar Oren told
Arutz-7 today that in addition to the Commission's cutbacks, their
fields will suffer for other reasons. "Those that are dependent on
purified sewage water are in trouble," Oren said, "because city
officials are refusing to subsidize the transfer of large amounts of
the treated waters to rural areas. The net result is the dumping of
much of this water into wadis." The water level of the Sea of
Galilee, as measured by the Mekorot Water Company today, is 15
centimeters under the "red line" - three centimeters lower than last
week.
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