Subject: Re: Keeping the Sabbath
Date:    Wed, 24 Jun 1998 23:58:40 +0000
To:      "Hebraic Heritage Newsgroup"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com>

 

heb_roots_chr@geocities.com wrote:
> 
> From:          Cindy Maddox
> To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
> Subject:       Sabbath
> 
> Dear Eddie,
> 
> I have recently seen the importance of going back to our Hebraic roots and I
> have seen God's truth regarding the keeping of the Sabbath as well as keeping
> the other festivals. I am interested in learning how others celebrate the
> festivals.
> 
> But today I would like to know how others keep the Sabbath. What do you do as
> well as things you not do.
> 
> I am seeing the Bible in a whole new light as I am reading it and studying it
> going back to our Hebraic roots.
> 
> Thank you for being there to teach us and enlighten those of us who are non-
> Jews.  I truly believe we have looked at God's Word through "American eyes"
> and have lost God's truth. But I am thankful many of us are finding it.
> 
> Blessings to you,
> Cindy Maddox
> Houston,Tx
> 
> ***********************************************************************

From:        JoAnn Kimmett
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath

Dear Cindy,

I'm exactly where you are in my Christain walk...I'm excited about how
and what we should do on the Sabbath. God bless!         

JoAnn Kimmett

******************************************************************

From:          "HaY'Did" <shalom@haydid.org>
Reply-to:      shalom@haydid.org
Organization:  HaY'Did Learning Center
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath


Dear Cindy,

I have written a small book called SABBATH: THE LIGHT IS MESSIAH that
is available from our ministry for $3/$3.50 to non-members + s/h. This
small book has gone around the world to people in this newsgroup and
it gives you an overview of what the Sabbath represents, and then a
graphically explained "how to" section on what you would say and do
during the sabbath. I include the prayers both in English and in
transliterated Hebrew, as well as a quick and easy recipe for the
special bread (challah) that is baked. 

What people like about the little book is, that it lays before you a
picture of the Messiah Yeshua and why God directed us to keep the
sabbath. It also shows you the heart of Messiah. I've smiled as around
the world, people have received their copy of this little book, and
then written to me to say that the Lord used that little book to
change their marriage and home life! Over and over families have sat
down together to read the book, and they discovered what the LORD
intended---coming together as a family with HIM in their midst. 

I believe that there is a secret that we often miss in our family
life. That secret is that HE must be in the midst of our table
fellowship---our altar---each week. In the words of our Messiah Yeshua
we read that "where two or three are gathered together, there am I in
the midst of them" is a perfect example of what HE desires in our
lives. That small intimate time that HE wants set aside for communion
with HIM, is one of the first things that is deteriorated away in
families today. 

When I first started studying the Jewish roots of the Bible, my
husband, Tom, was not in agreement with me. But I discovered the
sabbath! So I would send him off to work on Fridays, and then clean
the house (a rare thing around here sometimes), bake the bread (never
did it before!), and have a nice romantic evening waiting for him. He
would walk through the door and discover the wonderful smell of
homemade bread, a wife smiling, and a homecooked meal waiting! I
didn't push the lighting of the candles or any formal service at the
beginning. I just treated my husband to a rare treat---his home as his
castle!

Eagerly he would come home on Friday to see if I had done it once
again, or not each week! With a big sigh as he walked through the door
each week, he would lovingly lean against the door as he shut it and
say, "Man! I really love coming home to this!" Who wouldn't?

As we sat lingeringly over the meal, I would bring out my bible and
would ask if we could study together. With joy in his eyes, he would
answer, "yes!" and we were off on our adventure with Messiah for the
evening! Wow! Who would go back to the old way? Not us!

Over the years our friends and family have joined us in this joyful
celebration. Currently we host our local group of 25-50 regular people
as a monthly covered-dish dinner that goes from house to house within
our group. We've asked Randy and Betsy Felton to come up from OKC, OK
to teach at these gatherings. Two weeks ago we were at a wonderful
Lutheran family's home (we have always encouraged our people to remain
in their churches and become a light among their people). We had about
25 people attend. We started at 6 pm with Randy and I sharing about
the sabbath, lighting the candles, and sharing each part of the
evening with Messiah being pointed out all along the way. Later, Randy
shared a teaching on the sabbath, and everyone was basking in the glow
of the evening by the time it was over. Some were new people who had
never attended a service before. It was midnight, and people didn't
want to go home! We knew what the first century people had experienced
--- house to house fellowship with a fine teacher sharing until
midnight! (see Acts) The beauty of HIS PLAN was quite evident in our
lives. People have simply wanted what Tom and I had in our lives. They
knew that they needed more of HIM than they had, and they came to get
it. "Come and dine!" are welcomed words to HIS people when HE is and
has always been there waiting for us to join HIM! 

Shalom in Messiah,

Cheryle Holeman
HaY'Did Learning Center
PO Box 804
Independence, KS 67301
1-316-331-7712 (credit card orders)
http://www.haydid.org 
shalom@haydid.org 

**********************************************************************

To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
From:          pottersclay@mail.icnet.net (Randy Felton)
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath


Dear Eddie,

I have pasted below the article I have done on Sabbath.  Feel free to
use it if it is of help.

Shalom, Randy

                                +++++++++++++++++++++++

Potter's Clay Ministries, Inc.
417 NW 42nd St. 
Oklahoma City, Ok  73118
Randy Felton

Sabbath 
June, 1998


The word Sabbath occurs 137 times in 116 verses in the Bible.  We
cannot look at all of them in this session, but we will consider some
of them and try to get a picture of what God is trying to tell us
through the Sabbath.

Exodus 16:23 is the first time Sabbath is mentioned.  It is a day of
rest, a holy Sabbath to the Lord.  In verse 29 the people are told
that they are not to go out of their place on the Sabbath.  Here the
word used for place has the concept of dwelling.  So in this
instruction the children of Israel were not to even leave their homes
on the Sabbath.  

Later on in Exodus 20:8-11 within the 10 commandments given, it is
made a little clearer.    You, your son, your daughter, your
manservant, your maidservant, your cattle nor the stranger that is
within your gates...are to do no work.  Again in Exodus 31:12-17 the
law of the Sabbath is given again along with the penalty for the
violation; death.   In Exodus 35:3 the admonition against kindling
fire is given.  Now we will skip to Numbers 15:30-36. We are told when
a "soul that doeth aught presumptuously.shall be cut off from his
people."   From the "Torah A Modern Commentary", edited by
 W. Gunther Plaut, Union of American Hebrew Congregations; this means,
defiantly with an upraised hand.  It is probably referring to a raised
fist in public protest.  I would say an act of rebellion. Then we go
on to the story of the man gathering sticks on the sabbath who is
condemned to death.

 This is in verses 30 to36.  It is interesting to me that the very
next verse, 37,  is the  instruction to make fringes as a reminder of the
Lord's commandments. Is this one more act of grace from God to help
the Israelites remember not to go into rebellion?  I am convinced
there is more to the story than we are told.  Complete willful
rebellion always carries a heavy penalty.

In Leviticus 16:31 Israel is told to "afflict your souls" on the
Sabbath. This word translated afflict has the sense of restraining
yourself. Literally, it means to fast,  and again the sense is to fast
from labor.

Now when we get to Leviticus 23:24 there is a Sabbath and it is
accompanied by the blowing of trumpets.  There is to be no servile
work but an offering accompanied by fire.  The word servile indicates
the work of a servant and there is one sense from the root that it
means a worshipper of God.

Let me say at this point that I am not going to address the special
Sabbaths or those associated with the Feasts.  The discussion
presented here is for Sabbath in general.

When we get to Numbers 28 we find instruction for offerings made by
fire. In verse 9, two lambs are to be offered along with a meal
offering and a drink offering.  Just who offers these sacrifices?  How
are they done and who does the "work" associated with them?

II Kings 11:4-12 indicates the army could defend the king on the
Sabbath. So, now we are seeing certain exemptions.  I Chronicles 9:32
tells us the Kohathites were to prepare the shewbread on the Sabbath
(refer to Leviticus 24:8).  Again in II Chronicles 23 we read about
the priests and the Levites that that minister in the Temple who are
holy.  They are to go about their ministry on the Sabbath, verse 6.

Psalm 92 is a song for the Sabbath. Verse 1 tells us it is good to
give thanks unto the Lord and to sing praises to the Lord.  There is
not mention of corporate worship.

Isaiah 56 tells us that "Blessed is the man that.keepeth the Sabbath."
 So, now along with the commandments to keep the Sabbath, we are told
that it is a blessing to keep it and not pollute it.  Isaiah 58 13-14
tells us that keeping the Sabbath causes us to delight in the Lord.

According to Jeremiah 17, Jerusalem paid a heavy price for not keeping
the Sabbath.   Ezekiel 46:2 again speaks of the priests preparing a
burnt offering on the Sabbath.  Now we go to the New Testament and
read in Matthew 12 about Jesus walking through the corn with His
disciples.  In verse 5 He speaks directly to the priests profaning the
Sabbath without blame.  Verse 8, Jesus says; "For the Son of man is
Lord even of the Sabbath day." (see also; Mark 2:23-28, Luke 6:1-5)

Mark 1:21 is the first place I find where there were synagogue
meetings on the Sabbath.  Here Jesus entered in on the Sabbath in
Capernaum and taught.

 In Mark 3 we find that Jesus heals on the Sabbath ( see also
 Luke:6:6-12, Luke 13:11-17, Luke 14:1-6, John 1:5-9. John 9:14).  Mark 6 finds
Jesus teaching again on the Sabbath in the synagogue.  Also in Luke
4:16 Jesus teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath as was  His custom.

In John 9:16 we find Jesus accused of not keeping the Sabbath.  This
was one of the reasons given for the Pharisees seeking to put Him to
death.

Acts chapter 13 confirms the meetings in the synagogue on the Sabbath,
see verse 14 and 27.  Again in Acts 15:21 we are told that Moses is
read in the synagogue on every Sabbath.  Acts 16:13 tells of prayer
being offered on the Sabbath by a river and not in a formal meeting
place.

Finally we find the last mention of Sabbath in Colossians chapter
2:16. Paul is speaking to the saints and faithful bretheren.  He tells
us not to let any man judge us in meat, or drink, or respect to a holy
day, or new moon or of the Sabbath day. These are a shadow of things
to come.

Why would Paul feel this way and give this instruction?  I personally
believe it is because the Holy Spirit has been given.  He will lead us
into all truth.  We are to follow His leading and He will convict us
of sin. While it is perfectly permissible to meet on the Sabbath and
seems to be a very early custom among the Jews and later the Church,
there is no direct commandment to do so.  Jesus entered and taught 
"as was His custom" on the Sabbath.  He also did things that were not
a part of the custom of the Sabbath according to tradition.  Do we
serve God by tradition or from the Heart?  What is our purpose in what
we do?  What are our motives?    The whole 14th chapter of Romans
speaks to this very issue.  Sabbaths, meat, drink.  We have a call to
maturity.  We are not to judge or be judged by what we eat or drink or
the day we honor.  At the same time, we are not to be a stumbling
block.   We are to consider our audience and act accordingly.  We are
not to offend in what we allow.   Better to abstain when in the
company of those who hold beliefs that differ than to demand our
freedom  and offend  someone.

Is our walk to be bound in legalism?  NO, it is to be anchored in
Love. If I offend you by what I do or allow, please forgive me.  I
mean no offense.  I will attempt to not be offended by what you do or
what you allow in these areas.  We do have  certain absolutes, they
should not be compromised.  We have other areas that are not as clear.
 We should always approach these out of love.   There are other things
that Gentiles are not subject to and things that Jews are to be
restrained by.     We need to walk in love according to I Corinthians
13.

II Chronicles 23 talks about the priests being holy and performing
their tasks and duties in the temple on the Sabbath.  According to
Revelation 1:6, we are kings and priests.   Again in Revelation 5:10
we, out of many nations, are called kings and priests.  Therefore, I
conclude that there are exemptions that apply toward our service to
our God that supercede the Sabbath requirements.

Shalom, Randy Felton  
June,98

**********************************************************************

From:          STEVEN BERKOWITZ 
To:            heb_roots_chr@mail.geocities.com
Subject:       Re: [Keeping the Sabbath]


My wife Tina and I decided a year ago to become Torah-observant.
You notice the main body of the word "observant" is "servant

For Shabbat(Shabbos), we light the candles, bless/drink the wine,
bless/eat the bread, bless the children, bless the wife, bless the
meal.

I put on my kippa and tallit, since the Sabbath begins even before the
meal(can't light candles after Sabbath falls).

We have found this "ritual" of obedience, not bondage, to have created
an excitement in our household-an anticipation for and of miraculous
things from God. My children participate in the blessings 

Shabbat IS the Queen of the spiritual walk. She is the Holy Ghost, the
LORD's Shekinah!

My wife comes from a Catholic childhood, I from a (non-practicing)
Jewish and Baptist.

Steven Berkowitz
Hineni International Ministries

**********************************************************************

To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath
From:         Lynmarie Johns

Hello family,

I would like to share some things about how we celebrate the sabbath.
Friday night starts our family night.  It is always grape juice and
bread. They take turns reading from the book of blessings.   The
children get to pick out the meal.  Sometimes pizza and popcorn.
Sometimes we set up a picnic in the living room on the coffee table.
This is a big treat, complete with good china and place mats.  It is
our time to celebrate and remember the good things the holy things of
G-d . We also light candles and bless the bread.  I also bless my
children.  We go over our week and remember the answers to pray for
that week.  We discuss what G-d is doing in our life throughout that
week.  It is a joyous time and a wonderful time to hear about my
childrens life and for them to hear about mine. We also know that G-d
is real and living in our lives.   I am very thankful for our family
time.  It is precous and I am continually astounded at how G-d is
working in my childrens life.  They remind me through out the week Mom
have you got the grape juice?  The bread?  We are going to need it!
Even the neighbor boys ask when they can come over and light the
candles You see G-d's blessing is forever and ever AMEN.

***********************************************************************

From:          Carol Melville
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath

Dear Cindy:  

At our house, we follow an outline for celebrating the Sabbath that I
found on the internet at:  

http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/rtg/rtg-rts/rtgrts03.txt   
This is an article from the Return to God Magazine, Vol.1, Number 1,
page 27. It's very good, and I suggest you check it out.

Shalom,

Carol Melville

********************************************************************

From:          Lori Elgin
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Keeping the Sabbath -Reply

Dear Cindy,

    About a year and a half ago the L-rd opened my eyes to Torah and
Shabbat.  I found a great book Celebrating Shabbat the Messianic
Jewish Way by Berkowitz.  Since then we've adapted and included many
prayers from the artscroll siddur.  We light candles and have a
wonderful meal and always invite friends (all of whom think we are
quite mad) Shabbat is a wonderful intimate day with Abba.  We do no
work.  We do not answer the phone.  We rest and pray and spend time
with each other and the L-rd.  We celebrate havdalah @ the end of
shabbat. Because of the intensity of my every day life in the
intensive care unit it has truly changed my life.  I realize what
entering into Messiah's rest means. hope this helps.... my only regret
is I didn't find it earlier!! come on in, the water is fine!!!!!! 

Lori Elgin 
Park City, Utah

**********************************************************************

From:         William
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath

What we do:

  We begin Shabbat on time Erev Shabbat with the lighting of the candles 
by the woman (queen) in our home. We then spend time reading from the 
scriptures, particularly the 92nd Psalm, and generally follow a seder of 
prayer, worship, song and food with Holy Communion using WHITE juice for 
wine (sanctified blood - third and fourth cups of Pesach seder).

  On the morn of the Shabbat, we attend a Messianic congregation, then on 
to another Messianic 'Christian' service. The morning begins at about ten 
A.M. and ends about sundown in the evening when the second service is 
over. Total time in Shabbat services is about 7 hours. (All at ground 
level, so we shouldn't have to worry about Paul's problem.) Sleepers are 
then awakened and we go to a fellowship dinner at a local restaurant. 
It's usually about ten P.M. when we return home.

What we don't do:

  Any work in our normal occupations for gain or sustenance.
  Answer the telephone.
  Turn on the computer and respond to e-mail. (might look up something 
using the Logos Bible Research Program.)
  Concern ourselves with politics or financial affairs or any other 
interests pertaining to the world (cosmos).
  Turn on the TV.
  Much of anything that relates to the cosmos.

*******************************************************************


From:         Gregory Richardson
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath


One of the biggest hinderances to "correct" Sabbath observance is to
have a list of specific do's and don't's.  Where the Bible does not
give specific instruction we must find our own way within the
guidelines that are given.  What I believe may or may not be done on
Sabbath would undoubtedly be disputed by others.  All of that being
said, I would like to tell you what I personally believe makes for a
good Sabbath.

Mark the beginning and the end of the Sabbath.

1) Welcome the Sabbath with "Erev Shabbat" (the opening ceremony for
Sabbath). An excellent Erev Shabbat ceremony with explanations can be
found in Richard Booker's booklet "Shabbat Shalom".  Booker is right
there in Houston.  I believe that Erev Shabbat is vitally important
for all Christians because it is a weekly reminder of Yeshua's(Jesus')
love for us.  I think that it is important to have at least one guest
for Erev Shabbat to share the blessings (physical and spiritual) that
God has given you. 

2) End the Sabbath with "Havdalah" (the closing
ceremony for Sabbath). Havdalah ends the Sabbath and begins the first
day of the week.  Sabbath and the first day of the week actually
overlap during Havdalah.  On the one hand, Sabbath is not ended until
the Havdalah candle has been extinguished.  On the other hand the
Havdalah candle cannot be lit until Sabbath has ended.  A Havdalah
service is mentioned in Acts 20:7 [Note: Breaking of bread was done
for Erev Shabbat and for Havdalah -- at other times bread was cut or
sliced].

Do not work on the Sabbath.
A notable exception to this would be emergency service to save life or
property. Any such service performed on Sabbath must be done without
compensation or monetary consideration of any sort.  I have worked for
companies that were on "mandatory overtime" schedules.  When I said, I
do not work on Sabbath, they quickly made an exception for me.  God
gives us the day off.

Celebrate on Sabbath.
Find ways to make the Sabbath a festive day.  It is a day of joy.  God
calls it a "delight".

Gregory R
Christian Renewal Ministries International
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Valley/2080/ 

**********************************************************************

From:          Luana Fabry
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath

I begin my Sabbath by making sure I'm 'prepared' before Shabbat
starts. To me, this is probably the most important aspect of Shabbat 
-  being PREPARED (like the 5 wise virgins) to meet the Bridegroom.

So, I do my shopping and make sure I have everything I need to get me
through Shabbat.

At sunset Friday evening, I light my candles and then say the
blessing. I do the same with the two loaves of bread (representing the
double portion of manna YHVH gave on the evening of Shabbat) and the
wine.

At 7.30pm we have our Messianic service, which involves worship,
discussion of the Parasha and general sharing over tea, coffee and 
TOO MANY cakes afterwards.

Once a month, we all bring a meal and have dinner together as well.

On the Saturday (till sunset) I read, visit, SLEEP or have a couple of
friends over.  I DON'T shop (buy & sell) or do any usual work
(including 'excessive' cooking, cleaning). These are the basic
Biblical requirements.

FOR ME, I don't watch TV or use my computer.

That's about it.

Luana Fabry

*******************************************************************

From:          Sherry Ward 
Subject:       Re: Keeping the Sabbath
To:            heb_roots_chr@geocities.com

Hi Cindy (and everyone :))

My name is Sherry, I am Dr. Doug's wife, from Oxford Ohio.  We really
enjoy keeping the sabbath and find it a great blessing!  I have kept
it from my child hood, and Doug since his college days- about 32 years
for me and 20 for him :).

We have four children ranging in age from 15 to 1 1/2, and with this
busy time the sabbath is a wonderful time to reconnect with family. We
begin with a family dinner Friday evening, followed by bible study and
family discussion-usually pretty lively and lasting until bedtime.
 Sabbath morning we attend services at a WCG congregation not too far
from us.  In the afternoon we have a late lunch/early dinner-
sometimes from the crock pot- sometimes it's pizza :) rarely we go out
for this meal- with four kids the cost can be prohibitive!  Sometimes
we have company- others who enjoy the sabbath- most of the time we
rest and relax and chase after the baby :)- who needs no extra rest
just yet :).  Doug usually reads theology books and does his most
serious bible study on sabbath afternoon. 

What we don't do is divide up the family and go our seperate ways on
that day.  If an activity is planned it needs to be something that
blesses the family and does not distract from God.

Well that's about it for us, it's nice to meet you all here!

Sincerely, 

Sherry Ward

************************************************************************

From:          Glen Davis
To:            "'heb_roots_chr@geocities.com'"<heb_roots_chr@geocities.com> 
Subject:       RE: Keeping the Sabbath

Dear Cindy,

   Although I came to believe over two years ago
that the 'new person' in Yeshua desires to please Him by keeping His
commandments, I find it hard to keep the sabbath holy and/or wholly
using my own power.  Thank God it is faith in Jesus/Yeshua that saves
us.

If you have internet access there is a great article at the Return To
God homepage ( www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/rtg/rtg-home.html 
< http://www.iclnet.org/pub/resources/text/rtg/rtg-home.html > ) called
Celebrate the Sabbath.  

Among other things, it describes the sabbath
as a time of relationship building.  It also describes a Messianic
ritual welcoming the sabbath.  My kids love it.  During the summer
months when it gets dark around nine o'clock, after welcoming the
sabath, we go to bed.  During the shorter days of winter, we read
Bible stories to our children (ages 9, 7 and 19 months).  Saturday day
I get up early to read scripture, then fix a special breakfast for the
wife and family.  We try to do things together on this day.  We don't
celebrate sabbath the way orthodox Jews would (we often travel, cook,
fix a few things around the house, etc.), but we try to follow
Yeshua's example by meeting human needs (something He was really down
on the Pharisees about because they were more into keeping score than
they were into meeting human needs).

Last year, during the Feast of Tabernacles, we went camping.  It was a
great opportunity to tell stories around the campfire about how the
Israelites wandered in the wilderness for forty years, living in
'tents' while God took care of their needs. Also, according to the
time line in Luke 1,  this is the time when Yeshua was born, giving
rise to John's saying, "He came to tabernacle among us."

Also last year, I bought a Menorah and introduced my wife and kids to
Channuka with the lighting of the candles.  When my in-laws questioned
whether I was changing religions it was an exceptional opportunity to
witness to them first about how Yeshua is the Light of the world (from
the first "Let there be light" to the creation of the sun were 72
hours of illumination; that's how many candles you burn during the
eight days of Channuka), secondly about how Christians forget the
Hebraic roots of our faith (as you say,..."looking at God's Word
through American eyes"), and third, how professing believers in Jesus
Christ should desire from the heart to keep God's commandments in
order to please Him, to show the world that we belong to Him, and to
evoke jealousy from our Jewish non-believer brethren.   

That's all I've been able to initiate so far.  My wife is not really
"on-board" with me that 'Christians' ought to obey from the heart
those things that God set out for His people to live by, but right now
she tolerates the things God is asking me to live by.  We are looking
into the 613 commandments and I think she is seeing much of what she
believes to be true about how we should conduct our lives.  She hasn't
gotten past the LAW to see the Divine Instruction that the Torah is,
she hasn't reconciled Jesus to being the Word.  Please pray that God
will change her heart and that if I am wrong, and it really doesn't
matter, that He will change mine.

May Messiah Yeshua richly bless you. 

Glen Davis

**********************************************************************

To educate, train and equip for study both the Jew and 
Non-Jew in the Rich Hebraic Heritage of our Faith.

Please visit the Hebraic Roots Global Network 
Web Site located at:

http://www.hebroots.org/ 

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int'l
1