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Torah parsha ‘Vayechi’ (Genesis/Bereshiet 47:28 – End) this week is the final reading in the Book of Genesis, and not only concludes the stories of the life of Yakov, and his son Joseph in particular, but sets the stage for the Exodus to come. The Erev Shabbat reading lays out the story, and also the final adoption – literally – of Ephraim and Manasseh, and the structure of the ‘twelve tribes’ that underlie the rest of Scripture, both historically and prophetically: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SSM-1-2-26-VaYechi-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 The Sabbath Day midrash this week addresses the ‘elephant in the room,’ that follows so many of the aspects of this story of Genesis as it concludes: – Yakov/Jacob “adopts” the two sons of Joseph, not only giving him their ‘double-portion’ in the inheritance, and replacing Reuben in that place, but setting up the second (after Judah) in what will be the line of kings, in this case of the Northern Kingdom, and so much of what seems to follow in later history. – After the death of Jacob, the brothers STILL don’t seem to “get it,” and understand that Joseph did not intend to punish them for their treachery so many years earlier. But that theme also resonates later – in that “there arose another king in Egypt,” who “did not know Joseph.” And Mark Call, of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship, outlines why THAT is still ever so true! VaYechi: They STILL Don’t ‘Know Him’ https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/WT-CooH-1-3-26-VaYechi-They-STILL-Dont-Know-Him-podcast-xxx.mp3 ADDENDUM: The normal Q&A that largely follows the midrash is a bit different this week, since the stunning attack on Venezuela and capture of the communist dictator Maduro happened overnight, and was largely complete by the time the Sabbath session took place. It doesn’t ‘flow’ with the majority of the Torah reading, but is important, and will be of interest, as it was to those in the room, and so is included here. There are also MAJOR aspects most Americans have NOT been informed about: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/SSM-1-3-26-VaYechi-QnA-Venezuela-attack-Maduro-Smartmatic-special-podcast-addendum-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
Heather Walker lives in Northern California with her husband who pastors Harei Yeshua and First Baptist Church (FBC) of Paradise. Heather is mother to 6, (grandma) to 5. Heather currently serves at FBC Paradise as Women's Ministry leader, and office administrator. She loves to talk about textual criticism and apologetics and of course knitting. The Walker family lost their home and all their possessions in the 2018 fires in Paradise California, but never lost their faith.
DID YA’ KNOW? #4 WATCH VIDEO HERE (MORE MESSAGES (BOTH AUDIO ONLY AND VIDEO) LIKE THIS (such as Did Ya’ Know# 2 and 3) at https://www.HisWordHeals.com/blog ) [Rev 14:11 NKJV] 11 “And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who WORSHIP the beast and his image, and whoever receives the MARK of his name.” The Mark of the Beast! There are tons of theories out there as to what this will look like… everything from just Sunday worship to a physical microchip stuck to your forehead. Today we will take a closer look at exactly what scripture says this could look like. Is it an actual physical mark in or on your flesh or spiritual mark such as YHWH via the angel with the ink horn puts on the foreheads of those who sigh and cry over the abominations being done in Jerusalem in Ezekiel 9? So lets start this deep dive into what scripture actually says about the ‘mark' by looking at the Greek word that is translated as ‘MARK' NINE TIMES total in the New Testament, EIGHT of those being in Revelation all referencing the MARK of the beast with the NINTH time, the ONLY time, this word appears in the New Testament OUTSIDE of the book of Revelation. I think the fact that this word is only found ONE TIME OUTSIDE the of the book of Revelation VERY IMPORTANT to the understanding of what this actual MARK might actually entail and/or consist of. We will look at the 8 times in Revelation first and then the very interesting 9th time in the book of… lol I'm not going to tell you where yet. You'll have to stay tuned! VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED… MESSAGE ENDS WITH CLIP FROM FINAL GENYSIS CONCERT TOUR STOP AT GIZA PYRAMIDS (BY ANYMA) OCTOBER 10, 2025 ALONG WITH THE TORAH PORTIONS FROM THAT WEEK AND THE WEEK PRIOR AS A WARNING WE BELIEVE FROM ABBA REGARDING THIS TECHNOLOGY AND THE MARK OF THE BEAST SYSTEM. THIS CLIP IS BEING USED FOR EDUCATION UNDER THE FAIR USE STANDARD/LAW. PLEASE GO TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL TO LIKE AND SUBSCRIBE AND HELP THIS MESSAGE/WARNING TO GET OUT TO AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE.
This week that begins the ‘new year’ might also, if normal still existed, be called a “slow news week.” Many markets are closed, reporters are on vacation, and even the high-paid criminals are still recovering from their binges. But Mark Call and David Justice still have plenty to talk about, especially as things hidden are being revealed.
News and commentary from host Mark Call, for the final week of the year 2025, and into the New Year. It’s that nominally “quiet period” at year-end, when most of the criminal and those who lie about them are taking an undeserved hiatus. Which means things that might otherwise get ignored may get reported, in the hopes they’ll be ignored. Likewise, markets tend to be ‘thinly-traded,’ which means that when the manipulation is so clearly breaking down even then, there’s a hint of things to come. Are AmeriKans really as clueless as the Far Left and their Fake News want you to believe? People seem to be finally catching on. But that still doesn’t mean “justice” will be done. Pay attention!
Hi Adik-adik, selamat merenungkan Firman Tuhan ya! Doa kami, Adik-adik semakin dekat dengan Yesus, Tuhan dan Juruselamat pribadi kita. Tetap terus terhubung dengan Tuhan Yesus ya melalui doa dan saat teduh setiap hari, seperti carang yang melekat pada Sang Pokok.Renungan Audio ini dibuat untuk anak-anak layan GKI Kebayoran Baru. Pada edisi Januari 2026, renungan masih didasari oleh Saat Teduh Anak Raja (STAR) terbitan Binawarga.............................................................Edisi 1 Januari 2026Pembaca Renungan : Melva HutapeaMusik : Andreas TakdareProduksi : Tim Shema - Podcast Anak GKIKBPenanggung jawab : Komisi Anak GKI Kebayoran Baru
News and commentary for Tuesday, 30 December, 2025.
News and commentary for Wednesday, 31 December, 2025.
What is the secret that the patriarch Yaakov knew about the 'Shema Yisrael' ('Hear O Israel) prayer - the Torah's famous declaration of God's unique Oneness? And why do we close our eyes when we recite it? In this week's Jerusalem Lights podcast, Jim Long and Rabbi Chaim Richman share ideas that elevate our understanding of the 'Shema' prayer from a recitation, to a kiss of the soul. Our hosts also share some amazing insights to clarify the Torah's narrative that speaks of the embalmment of Yaakov and Yosef in ancient Egypt....and much more. _________Rabbi Chaim Richman Jerusalem Lights | Torah for Everyone Please support the work of Jerusalem Lights, Inc., a USA recognized 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit organization to enable these productions to continue and grow:PayPal: infojerusalemlights@gmail.com or: https://paypal.me/JerusalemLights?loc...In the USA: Jerusalem Lights Inc. Post Office Box 16886Lubbock Texas 79490In Israel: Tel. 972 54 7000395 Mail: PO Box 23808, Jerusalem IsraelWebsite: www.rabbirichman.comSubscribe to our YouTube channel: / jerusalemlightsrabbichaimrichman Follow us on Facebook: / rabbichaimrichman / 282440396475839
Hi Adik-adik, selamat merenungkan Firman Tuhan ya! Doa kami, Adik-adik semakin dekat dengan Yesus, Tuhan dan Juruselamat pribadi kita. Tetap terus terhubung dengan Tuhan Yesus ya melalui doa dan saat teduh setiap hari, seperti carang yang melekat pada Sang Pokok.Renungan Audio ini dibuat untuk anak-anak layan GKI Kebayoran Baru. Pada edisi Desember 2025, renungan masih didasari oleh Saat Teduh Anak Raja (STAR) terbitan Binawarga.............................................................Edisi 31 Desember 2025Pembaca Renungan : Deasy SiahaanMusik : Andreas TakdareProduksi : Tim Shema - Podcast Anak GKIKBPenanggung jawab : Komisi Anak GKI Kebayoran Baru
The requirement to love God is featured prominently in our religion. The Shema – the pledge of allegiance of our faith – contains the mitzvah to love God right after the first sentence of accepting his dominion. This is one of the six constant mitzvos. What is love and for God? How do we love […]
Noisy Doors, Leaky Roofs, and the Mark of the Beast Last week's newsletter was written to be very simple. This week...not simple. We're tying together our lessons on the Salt Covenant, The Scarlet Harlot, and the basic menorah pattern of Workbook One. So no, it's not simple, but it's not too difficult, either! Try printing it off and studying it over two Shabbats, referencing the suggested videos or workbooks as you go. *** So what do noisy doors, leaky roofs, and the mark of the beast have in common? Excellent question! I'm glad you asked. In order to see the connection, we have to know a little something about each of them. If you want a refresher on the Beast, consider signing up for the Creation Gospel Workbook Four class coming up with Kisha Gallagher (scroll down for info) or watching the Scarlet Harlot series on YouTube. You can also refresh your memory on the meaning of the mezuzah with our "More Than" YouTube videos. We'll cover a few basics here to tie it together. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me…” Yeshua standing at the door knocking is a huge hint, especially on the heels of John's sobering prophecies of the mark of the beast in Revelation. If we can't see the link to the world commercial system as “Babylon” in Revelation, we're not trying very hard. Revelation begins with memos to the seven assemblies emphasizing their need to “overcome” the tribulations John is about to describe, • “Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Re 3:14-21) We can conclude that how to overcome is described in Revelation, but we can also conclude that an ignorance of the Torah will make our understanding only partial. Revelation is written as an incredibly intricate re-telling of the Torah portions. Without an understanding of those Torah portions, it will be difficult to be identified as one of those who overcome when they “keep the testimony of Yeshua and the commandments of God.” If Yeshua knocks on the door of one of these potential overcomers, he knocks on a door that is marked by a mezuzah, which contains summaries of the commandments. To pull in the themes of our Salt Covenant study over the last several weeks, a mezuzah is a sign that those inside the house know to be salty within, tenderly and joyfully salting their commandment-keeping. Because they are pliable to the work of the Ruach HaKodesh within the house, they are ready to meet the challenges of the Beast outside the house. The mezuzah is their reminder that they've committed their coming and going, especially their work and business dealings, to preserving their covenant with the Father with salt, for savory salt is our faith, the tenderness we have toward His Word. It is our desire to draw close to Him through our sacrifices, not begrudgingly or to be admired by others, but to give glory to the Father. Yeshua reminds us that he also wants to draw near to our salty selves, so he stands at the door and knocks. Just imagine that the mezuzah on your door was Yeshua standing there each day inquiring if he may accompany you in your coming and going. Because he is. The custom is to touch one's fingers to the mezuzah and kiss the fingers. It demonstrates affection and tenderness toward the Shma and other scriptures in the mezuzah, which remind us in our coming and going Who the only Source of wealth is. The name Shaddai is inscribed on mezuzot, which is the name describing His attribute of nourishment and supply. By touching the mezuzah, we also are reminded like the Israelites in Deuteronomy Eight: “Otherwise, you may say in your heart, ‘My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.' But you shall remember the LORD your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers...” The mezuzah on the door marks the boundary between what happens when we go into the world and how we are inside our homes. If we are at war inside our homes, then how will we war against the principalities and powers outside our homes? The shin on the tefillin reminds the person Who opens the Heavenly windows to drip down zuzim, or coins, transactions, in our lives. Zuz is found in the word mezuzah, but the letter shin is found on both the mezuzah and the prayer tefillin. Because they are worn in prayer, it helps one to adjust those trade prayers according to Yeshua's model…daily bread…forgiveness…holiness…His will and glory on earth…protection from temptation to sin. Ever notice how many famous actors, musicians, and sports stars end up unhappy, addicted, disconnected from the real world, and just plain weird? We are not spiritually wired to receive the glory of Heaven, only to reflect the glory of Heaven outward with salt. Of course they get weird and depressed! Our labor and business dealings outside the home must be salted and lit from within first. We must extend ourselves from within, or it will eventually be evident to the world that we did not exert ourselves according to our wealth of salvation and light.nIt is thought that the marks of tzaraat (leprosy) that appeared in a home were a result of greed and stinginess. When the priests removed everything inside to the outside to quarantine and scrape the stones, everyone would see the wealth concealed inside, especially if they'd pretended not to have enough to help the needy brother. The “best third” is where the mezuzah is placed on a door, the upper third, like an upper room. The mezuzah marks the right hand frame of the door about 2/3 of the way up: “Mezuzah guards the Covenant, and so observing the mitzvah of mezuzah leads a person to truth and faith, the faith which is absolutely necessary when conducting business.” “And I will bring the third part through the fire, Refine them as silver is refined, And test them as gold is tested. They will call on My name, And I will answer them; I will say, ‘They are My people,' And they will say, ‘The LORD is my God.'” (Zec 13:9) Yeshua invokes this prophecy in Zechariah when he warns the Laodiceans in Revelation Three that he is standing at the door knocking: “Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich…” This is where we see another connection to the mezuzah. Zechariah prophesies of the “third part.” This is thought to be the remnant that will come through the tribulation refined by fire instead of destroyed by it. They have not succumbed to the Beast's commercial activity, buying and selling excessively or on Shabbat (see CG Workbook Four or Workbook Two). Traditionally, the mezuzah is affixed at a pointing on the right side of the door 2/3 of the way up the door. To relate the thirds, the mezuzah is like the principle of the “upper room” we've studied over the last several weeks. Ancient Israelite houses typically had two levels, a ground level where beasts were stabled and practical household work such as cooking and weaving took place, but the family quarters were on the second floor. An extra upper room had to be built either on the second floor or atop the family quarters, making it an upper third. More simply, an upper room was where the family made space for visitors, a space that wasn't there, yet they created the space through hospitality. Those upper rooms in Scripture were places associated with hospitality toward the righteous visitor as well as resurrection from the dead, like the stories of Elijah, Elisha, Dorcas, and Eutychus. A mezuzah reminds us not to neglect making those spaces of hospitality for the righteous visitor, who represents hospitality toward Yeshua and the Living Word. Yeshua's noisy knocking on the door is a daily reminder that when we make an “upper room” of hospitality, then we are actually tapping into the Garden of Eden. The resurrections in the upper rooms of Scripture show us this. On the mezuzah is either the Name Shaddai, or it is in the shorthand of the first Hebrew letter shin. Not so coincidentally, the tefillin that are placed on an Israelite male's forehead and arm are also marked with a shin (see above). The mezuzah and tefillin remind each day: • Hear, O Israel! The LORD our God, the LORD is one! And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (Dt 6:4-9) Deuteronomy 8:11-19 reminds Israel not to be deceived when they become comfortable and prosperous in the Land, for their wealth will deceive them into thinking they earned it with their own hand. Remember the gumballs? The tefillin on the hand and arm are a reminder that it is YHVH alone who gives the power to acquire wealth. Likewise, the mezuzah is marked with a shin for Shaddai, the One who provides sustenance, nourishment to Israel. Strangely, the shin is made of three Hebrew letters vav joined at the bottom. The gematria value of vav is six. 666. Whaaaaat? Yes, it's the mark of the beast. But that's not the whole story. The mezuzah and tefillin are NOT the mark of the beast. The mark of the beast is when you get very close to being a salt covenant household or person, yet you have something lacking. Salt. Your daily work is not to acquire the wealth of the Kingdom to the glory of the Father, which can only be done through the power of the Ruach HaKodesh moving through the Word in you. The mark of the beast is when our daily work is to acquire the object of desire for our own sake. We can hear the disingenuous, unsalty believer when he says, “If God will just let me win the lottery, I'll build orphanages and feed the poor all over the world.” And he probably will. But he will do it only in order to feed his own desires first. He's not really seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness. He's pursuing his own kingdom, offering God a deal that the Kingdom of Heaven will benefit from the scraps. Such a person will not give commensurately with his newfound wealth, for he is stingy at heart. Unsavory salt. Tepid. Lukewarm. Blechhhh! The secret of the 666 is that it is only the letter of the Torah without the Ruach. The shin is like a menorah when the backlight of the Ruach shines through it (again, see Workbooks 2 & 4). Remember last week's lesson on the gumball machine? It was what you couldn't see that had to occur before what you could see. The Ruach precedes the letter of the Torah. Together, with the spiritual backlight through the literal three vavs, it yields seven, the seven- branched menorah. One tefillin has three vavs, but its mate has four! 3 + 4 = 7. Compare to the above: To be unsalty is 666. To be salty is to shine the seven spirits of Adonai described in Isaiah and Revelation: • wisdom • understanding • counsel • Spirit of Adonai • power • knowledge • reverence Yeshua, the Living Word, is the doorkeeper of the overcoming household. We never want to reduce him to someone there to reward us with wealth. The word mezuzah comes from a Hebrew word meaning movement, going back and forth. The historical zuz was a coin, about a day's sustenance for one adult: • Weight: About 4.26 grams (0.137 troy ounces) of silver. • Value: Historically equivalent to a day's wage or a portion of food/clothing, (e.g., 200 zuz was a year's support). • Modern value would be about $20. "Give us today our daily bread." Not the lottery. Not so coincidentally, a mezuzah means more than movement. It is rooted as well in the movement of a beast: What starts out as a beautiful creation of spirit (upper room), soul and body (lower rooms), can degenerate into the mark of the beast. Instead of letting the Ruach drip into our lower rooms of work and family, the upper room is sealed off because of our stinginess and greed. Esau and Jacob had very different motives in asking for blessings. We can become unsavory, relentless hunters like Esau, the Red One, nicknamed Edom because he was red and hairy all over like a beast, a man of the field who loved hunting. We don't want to become marked by the Red One, never satisfied, even on Shabbat. “…and he provides that no one will be able to buy or to sell except the one who has the mark, either the name of the beast or the number of his name.” (Re 13:17) Nehemiah's struggles with those returning to rebuild Jerusalem and the Temple, especially in their continued buying and selling on Shabbat, are the reference point. He eventually had to order the gates of Jerusalem shut and locked to prevent the vendors from coming in with their goods. How glorious will it be when the gates no longer need to be shut, for no one will even entertain the idea of disobeying the King of King's command to rest and be with Him in Jerusalem on Shabbat. Knock, knock. In short, the mark of the beast is on one who buys and sells on Shabbat. Because there is no trust in Adonai to provide the many things we crave, we continue to work on His holy day. Someone who believes in God may have salt, but it is not savory. One who believes in God enough to do what He says is savory salt. Salt allows us to draw near the upper room of the Garden. I'm sure Yeshua is having wonderful conversations with the righteous souls of those who just didn't understand Shabbat, but they were faithful in what they knew. They are learning while they wait, not rebelling. Ezekiel describes what went wrong in the “upper room” of the Garden of Eden, a hospitable place for those who want to draw near to the voice of Elohim, but a place from which rebels are purged. The “trader” was cast out of the heavenly fiery stones and tossed into the lower realms of strange, profane fire, that is, fire used by those estranged from the upper room fires of the Ruach above: You were in Eden, the garden of God; Every precious stone was your covering: The sardius, topaz, and diamond, beryl, onyx, and jasper, Sapphire, turquoise, and emerald with gold. The workmanship of your timbrels and pipes Was prepared for you on the day you were created. You were the anointed cherub who covers; I established you; You were on the holy mountain of God; You walked back and forth in the midst of fiery stones. You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, Till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, and you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, from the midst of the fiery stones. (Eze 28:13-16; 18) Ezekiel 28 drops a hint to where we should be vigilant: “By the abundance of your trading [H7404 rekula] you became filled with violence within, and you sinned...” ????? rawkal' [H7402] to travel for trading Our trade is part of work for our living, yet, the abundance is the danger zone. If our inner fire craves more wealth than we are willing to give back to Heaven commensurately, our going back and forth, zuzing about, to trade our time and effort for goods, power, and esteem becomes idolatry. In Hebrew, moving back and forth is zuz [zuz is also a coin], the root of mezuzah. The mezuzah marks the door where we travel back and forth each day to obtain our portion of wealth. When our pursuit of wages and wealth pushes the testimony of Yeshua and the commandments of God beneath our feet instead of allowing them to drip daily from the upper room of the resurrection Ruach that raised Messiah from the dead, we sin. Our house's upper room should be designed to drip to lower floors of daily living, or we become unsavory salt. We trade our precious lives, our time, our effort, to accumulate an abundance of things, not necessarily money, but what money will purchase: entertainment, security, comfort, esteem, power, knowledge, appeasement, etc. These things deceive us into believing they will bring joy and peace, but we know it's a lie because they never do. They are simply offered to the strange, consuming fire of the soul, but are not refinement of the spirit, which is everlasting peace and joy. It brings savory salt, light, and contentment from within. The ancient investment advice is: • Invest 1/3 of your income in tangible property such as real estate, durable goods, secure long-term investments • Invest 1/3 in your daily labor, your paycheck, investments that provide a faster return, a little riskier, easily liquidated • Invest 1/3 above the mezuzah in the Kingdom of Heaven by lending to the poor, giving to needy, investing time in spiritual causes along with Torah study, prayer, service, discussing Scripture with others, etc. Even kindness is an investment! We should not become “stingy” with Heavenly principles in the world of work, which would reflect a home's lower rooms sealed off from the upper room. The upper room should drip the testimony of Yeshua and the noisy commandments of God through the power of the resurrection Ruach. It leaks into the lower rooms of family and work! The leaky roof is what we need to carry into the world of work and business as well as our relationships. An outwardly successful business producing wealth that can only be spent before the resurrection of the dead is not successful at all. Preparation in the home under the disciplines of the Ruach HaKodesh will be evident in the place of business, not as a pile of 666 cash, but as peace in drawing near the Father, salt. The physical work is simply a means of building the Kingdom instead of demanding that the Father bless our work to build our own kingdoms of security, esteem, attention, comfort, intellectual stimulation, etc. Whether we have little or many zuzim, all we need to remember is that we must give commensurately with the wealth the Father drips down upon us. If we can be responsible even with earthly money, which has no righteousness within itself, then we can be responsible with Heavenly riches. If we can't be trusted to give commensurately with our wealth when there is no Temple service, and much freedom is granted in when and how much we give, then how can the Father trust us with His riches when the Temple on “the mountain of God” descends? The Temple services and the Land of Israel are places of extreme exactness in managing work and wealth. Manage earthly zuzim faithfully, and we will inherit the Heavenly riches to manage. One of my favorite movies is about a Quaker family, from the book Friendly Persuasion. One of the funniest lines is, “Friend, thee's got a squeaky door upstairs.” Friend, thee's got a squeaky door downstairs, too. Yeshua is knocking, reminding, inquiring, requesting if we will open to his voice. It is the same voice of Elohim that walked and talked in the Garden, an upper room. When we open our doors to him, we release the water of the Word from our upper rooms and let it fill our homes, workplaces, and relationships. If we move about, may we zuz for the glory of the Father. Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get new teachings.
Rabbi Steve Berkson would like to introduce Mr. William Jackson to the MTOI family. Among his many abilities and talents, Mr. Jackson assists Rabbi Berkson with administrative tasks, sings in the Praise Team, and is an accomplished speaker and teacher. In the Gospel of John, chapter 15, Messiah Yeshua gave His disciples final instructions before His execution by the occupying Romans. He told them emphatically, “Stay in Me,” because they could do nothing on their own (John 15:4). What does it mean to “stay in” Messiah? How do we stay connected to Him? Why is it so hard to stay in Him? Why is it so important to stay in Him? To connect the concept of “Stay in Me,” Mr. Jackson takes us to Matthew chapter 25 and expounds on the two parables the Messiah taught there – the Ten Virgins and their lamps and oil, and the man who gave his servants his possessions to invest while he was on a trip. Mr. Jackson offers insights into these parables that few have heard before. You will be encouraged and strengthened by this powerful teaching. Visit our website, https://mtoi.org, to learn more about MTOI. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide You can reach MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for Torah Study Live Stream.
News and commentary for Monday, 29 December, 2025.
Hi Adik-adik, selamat merenungkan Firman Tuhan ya! Doa kami, Adik-adik semakin dekat dengan Yesus, Tuhan dan Juruselamat pribadi kita. Tetap terus terhubung dengan Tuhan Yesus ya melalui doa dan saat teduh setiap hari, seperti carang yang melekat pada Sang Pokok.Renungan Audio ini dibuat untuk anak-anak layan GKI Kebayoran Baru. Pada edisi Desember 2025, renungan masih didasari oleh Saat Teduh Anak Raja (STAR) terbitan Binawarga.............................................................Edisi 30 Desember 2025Pembaca Renungan : Like AssaMusik : Andreas TakdareProduksi : Tim Shema - Podcast Anak GKIKBPenanggung jawab : Komisi Anak GKI Kebayoran Baru
The Torah reading this week is the final installment in the ‘cliffhanger’ series, of the story of Yosef, or Joseph, where he reveals himself to his brothers, afterJudah ‘mans up.’ Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at parsha “VaYigash,” Genesis chapters 44:18 – 47:27: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SSM-12-26-25-VaYigash-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3 The Sabbath Day midrash begins with the climax of that historic test. But Judah seems to complete it in a way that astounded even Joseph. And Mark suggests that is what is so significant here. Neither of them, nor the other brothers, knew how it would turn out, or even what was expected. Only YHVH, Who brought it all together, in His time. But that is one way of understanding what a “double-blind test” is: If any of the direct participants really know what is going on, that might affect the behavior, and thus the outcome of the test. How’s that for a metaphor? And, if you think about it, that is the very OPPOSITE of the concept of Chess! But it’s “part and parcel” of the Spiritual War in progress, and clearly a vital understanding on the path ahead. VaYigash: Double-blind tests Outright War’ https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WT-CooH-12-26-25-VaYigash-THE-Double-Blind-Test-and-a-Murky-Divided-Pagan-World-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
Dustin Malone preaches a sermon entitled "The Shema" out of Deuteronomy 6:4-9. This was a stand alone sermon preached on December 28th, 2025.
Deuteronomy 6 is a pivotal chapter emphasizing Israel's exclusive devotion to one God, summarized by the Shema (vv. 4-5): "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one," commanding love for God with all your heart, soul, and might, and giving instructions for how to internalize and teach these words to future generations. As we dig deeper into verses 4-7, we find four foundational principles for parents to apply in their homes: Know the Lord, Love the Lord, Know God's Word, Teach God's Word.
Hi Adik-adik, selamat merenungkan Firman Tuhan ya! Doa kami, Adik-adik semakin dekat dengan Yesus, Tuhan dan Juruselamat pribadi kita. Tetap terus terhubung dengan Tuhan Yesus ya melalui doa dan saat teduh setiap hari, seperti carang yang melekat pada Sang Pokok.Renungan Audio ini dibuat untuk anak-anak layan GKI Kebayoran Baru. Pada edisi Desember 2025, renungan masih didasari oleh Saat Teduh Anak Raja (STAR) terbitan Binawarga.............................................................Edisi 29 Desember 2025Pembaca Renungan : Ria PakpahanMusik : Andreas TakdareProduksi : Tim Shema - Podcast Anak GKIKBPenanggung jawab : Komisi Anak GKI Kebayoran Baru
Beckah credits her mother, who was raised in a Jewish family, as being a key influence in her spiritual development. In her early 20's she was at an all time low and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada and joined a cover band. While there she began to feel an empitness creeping in, she was searching for a home. She searched online for a church then attended the worship service there. Beckah says, "During the worship service, I was crying out to the Lord, 'Make a way out for me. I'm so sorry."In 2010 she accumulated two consecutive Top 10 hits at CHR radio for "Here in This Moment" and "Life" and was featured as iTunes "Discovery Download" of the week. She also was nominated for a Dove Award in 2011 under the category of Urban Recorded Song of the Year for "Life." Together with her husband, producer, Jack Shocklee, they have produced over a dozen full length albums. They reside in Nashville with their three daughters Joy, Grace and Hope.
David Justice and Mark Call take a look at what might – normally, if we still had such a thing – be called a “slow news week.” One of those year-end times when most reporters are on vacation, and even the high-paid criminals seem to take a break. Which really means that the “noise level is down.” And stories that might not even be noticed manage to get reported when most folks aren’t paying attention.
Harav Yehuda Weiner discusses why Yaakov Avinu recited Krias Shema when meeting Yosef, and expounds upon a fascinating machlokes between a Baal Mussar and Reb Chaim Brisker, along with other approaches.
News and commentary for Tuesday, 23 December, 2025.
Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. Continuing our journey into the second of the Two Great Commands, ‘love your neighbor', Rabbi Steve Berkson turns to Luke 6:20, where he examines the event known as the Sermon on the Mount. Messiah teaches His disciples, contrasting life in this world (the below) with life in the heavens (the above). • Do you feel blessed when others mistreat you because of your faith in the Messiah? • Are you able to look ahead to the joy that is coming? Can you practice delayed gratification? • How can it be a bad thing when people speak well of you? What people? • How is it possible to love your enemy as the Messiah taught us to? Were you ever an “enemy of Elohim”? Didn't He love you when you were in that state? Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. Visit our website, https://mtoi.org, to learn more about MTOI. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide You can reach MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for Torah Study Live Stream.
The Truth About Gumballs for the young and young at heart. Sit down, young folks, and I'll tell you a story of long ago. There was a time when I, too, was young, and we used money you could hold, put in your pocket, and drop into vending machines. Ladies carried coin purses especially for coins. Coins were collected carefully, sorted, and counted because we would save them up to buy something, maybe a comic book or a pint of ice cream. In emergencies, we'd use those coins for lunch money, a little embarrassed if we didn't have two quarters to hand the cashier. Everyone knew if you paid with dimes, nickels, and pennies, your parents had come up short. Coins could also be used as toys. You could play something like a cross between table hockey and marbles (look up how to play marbles) with coins, and I liked setting up basketball and football plays with them the way coaches use whiteboards now. Boys sometimes played quarters, but I couldn't afford to lose mine, so I didn't play that game. One of the great things about coins was that back then, people paid for things with money, and they received change in coins. Dad would empty his pockets of change coins into an old ashtray at the end of the day along with bits of red, blue, and white electrical wire, leftover screws, plastic wire nuts, and guitar picks. What I aimed for, though, was making sure those pockets were emptied before we made it back home. While Dad paid the cashier at a restaurant, I'd inspect the area around the cashier for gumball machines. There was usually at least one. I always checked the dispenser because sometimes a good Samaritan would leave a piece of gum, or if you turned the lever, a stuck piece might drop out. The timing was important, though. Just as the cashier would hand Dad his change, hopefully with lots of coins, I'd dash in and beam my most angelic smile. I could usually score at least enough coins for one gumball, and on a good day, two. If he was short on dollar bills, then my gumballs would be forfeited for the tip. Dad always tipped. Everyone should. Even if you can't buy a gumball. Here's why. There's a passage in Scripture that teaches about gumballs. Don't believe me? Listen closely: • "Be careful that you do not forget the LORD your God, failing to observe his commands, his laws and his decrees that I am giving you this day. Otherwise, when you eat and are satisfied, when you build fine houses and settle down, and when your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. He led you through the vast and dreadful wilderness, that thirsty and waterless land, with its venomous snakes and scorpions. He brought you water out of hard rock. He gave you manna to eat in the wilderness, something your ancestors had never known, to humble and test you so that in the end it might go well with you. You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today." (Dt 8:11-18) God is explaining to the Israelites that the gumball machine doesn't work like they think it does. At first, they were in the wilderness. The Father gave them manna every morning; all they had to do was pick it up. It was like the gumballs just started rolling out of the machine all by themselves. When they enter the Land of Israel, though, they will have to do something their parents' generation never had to do: sow, cultivate, reap, and thresh to make the produce they'd eat. The extent of the wilderness food effort was their gathering manna that miraculously appeared each morning except Shabbat. God let them be a only little hungry in the wilderness to test them. He didn't starve them, just let them get a little hungry. Being a little hungry is not a horrible thing, but it was their test to see if their hunger would make them angry with God for not making everything completely comfortable. When we don't get what we want when we want, often we become angry with other people, which is a sign we're angry with God. We think we deserve better. We think if God made us, He should treat us better. That's a test probably everyone but Yeshua has failed at one time or another. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land, they would be blessed to work and accumulate their own wealth. The danger was that they might be deceived into thinking their wealth was a result of their own efforts. They might think they put the coins in the machine, exerted the effort, and therefore, gumballs would fall freely because they turned the lever. They could become pretty proud of themselves for making so much money by planting and harvesting crops. But the Heavenly Father is not a gumball machine, and the Land of Israel doesn't just produce crops because Israelites plant, cultivate, and harvest. When I was really young, I never thought about how the gumballs got into the machine or who put the machine there. I only knew that if a coin went in, and I turned the lever, gum would roll out. The coin and I were all that really mattered. When I grew a little older, I realized that someone put the machine there to make money, usually for some charity listed on a sticker, and someone came and refilled the machine even though I never saw it happening. If what I didn't see didn't happen first, then what I saw and did couldn't happen later. The gumball machine owner supplied gum for me to buy, but it also provided the profit to the needy. If I'd known that earlier, I'd have pressed a lot harder for extra coins to buy more gumballs to “help the needy.” And there's the problem in our fallen human nature. We're greedy. Would as many people just drop coins in a charity box as they did the gumball machine? I think many would. And Israelites should. On Erev Shabbat, we have a chance to do that, to drop coins in a charity box without receiving anything, gumballs included, in return. It's called a tzedekah box. Before lighting the Shabbat candles, we drop some money in a tzedekah box, and when the container is full, the money is given to a worthy cause. Israelites should be willing to give because the Heavenly Father gave to them first, and they want to share with others. They know they didn't earn the money alone. The Heavenly Father released that money with His own hand in an unseen action. If that unseen action didn't take place, then we wouldn't have the ability to earn it. To understand it takes something called faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.” (He 11:1) Do we literally see the Father release our income? No, we can't. It happens in a spiritual realm, which is something very difficult for our eyes to see and our mind to believe. And yet, it's the truth! Not one seed would grow if the Word was not releasing it to do so. The Father watches His special creations, human beings, and must shake His head when they believe they earned their money without Him. Just because a gumball fell out of the machine after we worked to get the coin, put it in the machine, and turned the lever, that doesn't mean we alone made the gumball appear. An Israelite must be different from other people who don't know or believe that. The Heavenly Father opens a window in Heaven, which gives us the power to earn money and profit from our labors. It's a mistake to think that we alone are responsible for how much or how little we have. Something happens first that we don't see, and that allows us to do our work and earn. We, in turn, have the power to give some of that wealth to others. If we believe that something happened first: the Heavenly Father created everything, including us, and He supplies seeds, sun, and rain to make things grow, and then He opens an unseen door to release the increase when we work, then we understand the truth of the gumball machine. We have no reason to be stingy with others because the Father has not been stingy with us. He said we should remember this because it is part of our Covenant with Him. An agreement. In this case, our agreement is that no matter how much it seems only our efforts produced our coins, we'll believe the Father first made us able to do so. That truth of our faith will trigger us to in turn do what is in our ability to bless others. Instead of saying, “The work of my hand got me this, so it's mine to keep,” we'll share a generous portion with the needy because the Father's hand was in it. We're in a real partnership with Him, not just standing there waiting with our empty baskets in the wilderness every morning. This is how we lend that money to the Father until He decides to open up Heaven a little more for the needy person: • "One who is gracious to a poor man lends to the LORD, and He will repay him for his good deed." (Pr 19:17) But just like the faith that sees the unseen, releasing the power to work and make money, that same faith sees that the repayment, or at least most of it, the Father holds in our heavenly bank accounts for us to have in eternity. Imagine that...a loan that will be repaid to us forever. Gumballs rolling through infinity. “Faith was never meant to replace action. It was meant to guide it.” - Juda Honickman
The Torah reading this week continues the story of Yosef, or Joseph, where it picks up in prison, after he has interpreted two dreams, for Pharaoh’s chief butler, and baker. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at parsha “Miketz,” Genesis chapter 41 through 44:17, where, after two full years, the story begins with a pair of dreams that Pharaoh himself has. The Erev Shabbat reading: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SSM-12-19-25-Miketz-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3 The Sabbath Midrash explores the nature of ‘tests’. The parsha starts with “after two full years,” suggesting that Joseph was required to wait on YHVH, and the rest of the story is replete with tests. Which is where we are now. Miketz: Tests – of Faith, of Leadership, and Those Who Would Be His https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WT-CooH-12-20-25-Miketz-Tests-of-Faith-of-Leadership-and-of-gods-Real-and-fake-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
Paul Liberman became a believer in the Messiah in 1971. He was instrumental in founding two Messianic Congregations: Beth Messiah Messianic Congregation in Washington, D.C.and Tree of Life in San Diego, CA.He also served as a congregational leader at Beit Asaph in Netanya, Israel, when he resided in the Land for nine years. There, he was the Executive Director of The Joseph Project, Ltd.(humanitarian aid importer), and was elected Chairman of the Messianic Political Action Committee.For five years, he served as the Executive Director of the International Messianic Alliance, was the publisher of “The Messianic Times” newspaper for six years, a founding board member of MAOZ, Inc. (Israel), former Executive Director of the Alliance for Israel Advocacy, and past President of the Messianic Jewish Alliance of America (MJAA).In September of 2023, He received a Lifetime Achievement award from the MJAA, and was recently elected President of the International Messianic Jewish Alliance, at their annualmeeting in October. His greatest achievements are still unchanged, the husband to one, the father of two and the leader of many, at Ohav Shalom Messianic Congregation, in Cathedral City, California.
We are almost a year into the new administration, where what may have been the biggest landslide in US history roundly rejected a senile imposter that most Americans now at least belatedly realize was NOT actually elected to the Presidency. Yet there have been no convictions, or even trials, for treason. A bill was passed in Congress to attempt to prevent perverts and groomers from engaging in chemical and surgical mutilation of minors. Yet mass murders are still perpetrated in Gun-Free Killing Zones against disarmed victims who have yet to figure out how they have been set up. These ARE ‘the Crazy Years.” And we have been warned, repeatedly. If you’re not angry about it by now, you may be the next victim. And the “AI God” is still being constructed. It isn’t about helping you.
News and commentary for Friday, 19 December, 2025.
News and commentary for Thursday, 18 December, 2025.
You can watch this podcast episode on YouTube by clicking hereIn this episode, we will explore some foundational but deeply misunderstood questions: What is the Hebrew definition of “obey?”What does it actually mean to “keep” or “break” the commandments? How did the original Hebrew audience understand obedience, law, covenant, and faith—long before Western theology reshaped those ideas?This episode will challenge modern Christian assumptions by calling us to deconstruct inherited paradigms and return to a Hebraic understanding of Scripture, language, and covenant. The goal is not to burden Believers with rules, but to restore clarity about the heart of the Father and the true nature of the gospel that we are called to “carry to the ends of the earth.”The ultimate goal of this episode is to reframe the biblical definition of obedience in a way that reveals the HEART of the Father. You might be surprised when you learn that the biblical definition of obedience isn't “do” – it's “listen.” This episode will restore the depth of crucial Hebrew concepts:Shema (often translated “obey”) means to hear, listen, internalize, and respond appropriately.Shamar (often translated as “keep”) means to guard, protect, and watch over.Parar (often translated as “break”) means to trample, disregard, or nullify“Keeping” the commandments is not about flawless performance, but about guarding the Father's word with a faithful, responsive heart. Likewise, “breaking” the commandments is not about imperfection, but about contempt—casting them behind one's back and disregarding them.The gospel isn't about “getting saved.” It's about learning how to hear the Father, walk in covenant and guard what He loves. Salvation is the door that begins the lifelong journey of learning how to be a covenant people—a “treasured possession” who listens to the Father's voice with a desire to bring Him the glory and honor He is due. This restores peace, removes fear-driven theology of making things a “salvation issue,” and reframes the Believer's walk as a journey of learning and intimacy, not simply a list of “do's and don'ts.” I pray that if you listen to this episode, your heart is filled with joy and excitement as an invitation gets poured into your heart--an invitation that you may have never heard before.The invitation is simple: “SHEMA.” That's it. To simply “listen.”I pray that this episode helps someone who may be wrestling with obedience, faith, or the purpose of the Father's commandments. I pray that it encourages and equips you to understand that obedience isn't just about “doing,” it's about listening first. So take this as an invitation to slow down. Read the Bible without commentary. Stop listening to men to teach you the Father's heart and go straight to the Source.Contact me: stephanie@promise-perspective.comVisit my website: www.promise-perspective.com Support the show
News and commentary for Monday, 15 December, 2025.
News and commentary for Tuesday, 16 December, 2025.
Sadly Self-Employed I've been thinking a lot lately about greed. That's because in our short break from Song of Songs, we've studied salt covenant in our weekly Zoom classes. Although it's only about eight weeks of material, it's been packed with very practical ideas to improve our spiritual life today. In particular, what's been weighing in my thoughts is the premise that unsavory salt, the kind that has lost its savor, is at its root, greed. In short, our study has dug into Yeshua's question about salt losing its flavor. How do you make it salty again? The salt had savor at some point, but then lost it. If you review the last newsletters, Scripture specified that salt is something that comes from within a person. It is a softness and tenderness toward the Word and one's neighbor. It's the best part of our sacrifices for the Kingdom and Covenant that fulfills it, and without the salt, commandment-keeping is lacking: • Every grain offering of yours, moreover, you shall season with salt, so that the salt of the covenant of your God shall not be lacking from your grain offering; with all your offerings you shall offer salt. (Le 2:13) We can't put unsalty salt on a sacrifice or work of the Word: • “Salt is good; but if the salt becomes unsalty, with what will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.” (Mk 9:50) “Have salt in yourselves ? be at peace with one another.” So if we lose saltiness, we aren't tender any longer. We can actually keep the letter of the commandments, but when it doesn't come from a tenderness within us, it doesn't create peace. That's salt without savor, and those commandments are not acceptable sacrifices for the Covenant, which must not be lacking salt. Defective salt is like a defective animal. No go. Unaccepted. • Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering. (Mt 5:23-24) Leave the gift at the altar, go get salty again, make things right with your neighbor, then return, and the gift will be accepted because it came from tenderness toward the Father, which in turn made you tender toward His creation, your brother: • “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” (Ge 4:7) Kain was told to put his happy face on with Abel, and then his gift would be accepted. Kain had short-changed the sacrifice by not bringing his best. He didn't bring first fruits; instead, he brought "of the fruit of the ground." Produce, just not his best. Begrudging, for sure. Instead of repenting of his greed, putting on his happy face, and bringing his best, he simply took out his anger and frustration with Elohim by killing his brother. Put another way, we can be about the Father's business diligently, keeping His commandments, and because of worry and distraction about our income, we find ourselves self-employed, like Martha, who resented Mary's relationship to Yeshua in receiving the Word. Daily we have to remind ourselves to make an "upper room" in our twenty-four hours to simply sit before the Father's Word and soak up His Presence in study and prayer. Doing things is important; it is the sacrifice we make for our families and the Body of Messiah. Without the salt from within, however, those works of the Covenant are lacking. The very meaning of sacrifice is "draw near," korban. Does doing a commandment draw us closer to the Father? If not, it may have become our business instead of His. That's unsavory salt and greed. When we salt the mitzvot of the Covenant, we exert ourselves, just as savory salt comes from “within yourselves” to make peace with others. We must exert ourselves commensurate with our “wealth.” While money is the example, the object of our desires is obtained with currency, which can be money, yet we might traffic for influence, power, manipulation, etc. to obtain our desires. Money is simply the currency most commonly used for the transaction to satisfy our greed. Greed is undisciplined and un-discipled desire. Sin. Idolatry of self-serving. It is easy to construe greed as a desire for money, or mammon, yet the less tangibles are nonetheless greedy: knowledge, esteem, security, attention, pleasure, etc. I have seen believers so drunk on the power of Scriptural knowledge that they habitually beat up their fellow servants with the Word. It is no longer the Father's business; instead, they have become self-employed. They use His Word not to draw people near the Father, but to enrich themselves. Maybe with donations, maybe with product sales, maybe with just a shot of self-esteem in soliciting invitations to speak or posting controversial statements designed to create a public dust-up for attention. How can we know when someone is unsavory and self-employed, but they've hung out the shingle of "Kingdom Business"? It's more important to know when WE'VE done it. Remember, unsaltiness is an inside problem. You won't always see it on the outside. The sacrifice may look just perfect on the altar. And Yeshua took donations...a group of women followed him throughout his ministry all the way to the upper room, "ministering to him." They loved him all the way to death (Mt 27:55; Mk 15:41; Lk 23:49,55) Yeshua said controversial things, was a highly-sought-after speaker, and he was definitely in the middle of public dust-ups. The difference is that Yeshua always did what he did and said what he said on actual Kingdom business. He was drawing people closer to the Father or exposing their self-employment in the commandments. His Spirit will help us to search our own hearts so that we don't become "moneychangers," encroaching on the holy places for our personal enrichment and deceiving people who think we're there to serve and help them draw close to the Presence. Instead, we're self-employed, working on our self-esteem needs or securing donations to fuel the fire of our pleasures. This is something ministries need to soul-search daily, and it's something a royal priesthood should soul-search daily. That's all of us. As in my example of the "Nuts" in last week's newsletter, sometimes we have to decide whether we're occupied in interests and ministry we've chosen according to our desire, yet the actual fruit ready to harvest is in a different area. It will be a true sacrifice to do business there, but it's where the Father needs us, not where we want to work. At first. The phenomenon is that if we will adjust our desire to His, sell out completely to draw near to the Father, our desire will actually change. Really! It will! This is what Yeshua tried to tell the rich young ruler when he told him he still lacked one thing even though the young man had kept all the commandments since he was a boy. He lacked the savor of salt with his commandment-keeping. The young man did not have enough faith in The Word, Yeshua, that the desire in his heart for his wealth would be changed by selling it: • "But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions." (Mk 10:22) Salt is faith in the Word. It is what prevents us from becoming self-employed in unsavory commandment-keeping. The rich young man would never know the wonder and joy of finding a coin inside a fish's mouth or sharing a simple breakfast on the beach with the resurrected Messiah. A righteous king. A truly rich man is one who is satisfied with what the Father puts in his hand from above, whether little or much; a truly poor man is one who is never satisfied with what he possesses below, whether little or much. A truly rich man rejoices in exerting himself and his resources in his Father's business; a truly poor man goes away sad. Yeshua asks what we are anxious, worried, sad, and distracted about, even in doing the commandments, for they are how we withhold ourselves from him. These things dilute our salt. They may be our desire, but they are not the "best part" that brings peace, the part that we spend at his feet learning, talking to him, lingering in his Presence. This requires us to exert ourselves to bring the lacking salt. Maybe it means selling off some wrong ideas about things that mean a lot to us. Mary sat at Yeshua's feet. She had to look up to him before she went to work. Martha did it backward. She worked, but because she was self-employed that day, she took out her frustration by blaming Mary and looking down on Yeshua's willingness to "discipline" her sister. She couldn't see he was discipling them both that day. She needed to look up first with joy in his presence. Start with salt, the best part within. What we do each day is His business. When we go into the world to give charity, be kind to others, speak peaceably, reconcile the world to their Creator, and shine the light of obeying the commandments, it will not be a labor of convenience. If we have prepared with salt, though, the exertion will be rewarding and change our taste. Do I mean how we taste to others? Or how we savor our labor for the King? Yes.
Love and Torah – what's love got to do with it? This study series is based on the “Two Great Commands” – love Yahweh and love your neighbor. In this teaching, we are switching gears to begin covering the second of the two great commands, loving your neighbor as yourself. Rabbi Steve Berkson begins in Luke 10:25 to explore what Messiah Yeshua says. Rabbi Berkson once again dissects the words in these passages so that you will have a deeper understanding of what Yah expects of you, so that you can do it and receive the blessings. Subscribe to enjoy new content each week. Visit our website, https://mtoi.org, to learn more about MTOI. https://www.facebook.com/mtoiworldwide https://www.instagram.com/mtoi_worldwide You can reach MTOI by emailing us at admin@mtoi.org or calling 423-250-3020. Join us for Shabbat Services and Torah Study LIVE, streamed on our website, mtoi.org, YouTube, and Rumble every Saturday at 1:15 p.m., and every Friday at 7:30 p.m. Eastern time for Torah Study Live Stream.
In a season of Stillness, but I'm still here. ❤️
The Torah reading this week begins the story of Yosef, or Joseph, favored son of Yaakov. Join Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship for a two-part look at parsha “Vayeshev,” Genesis chapters 37 through 40, where the story begins, and builds on dreams. The Erev Shabbat reading: https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/SSM-12-12-25-Vayeshev-teaching-podcast-xx.mp3 While this parsha contains a number of ‘nuggets’, or memorable elements, images, and component lessons, the midrash suggests that even the structure of the story is all about a ‘long-term’ plan of YHVH. This reading itself is only just the beginning of a series of what might be called “cliff-hangers,” where we see, as do Yosef and his brothers, that structure being put in place for what is to come. In any number of ways… Vayeshev: ‘Two Dreams, Two Witnesses – Who can BUT Prophesy’ https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/WT-CooH-12-13-25-Vayeshev-Two-Dreams-Two-witnesses-Who-can-BUT-prophesy-podcast-xxx.mp3 The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:
1) I put on a pair of Tefilin early in the day, to recite Shema.I later put on a different pair of Tefilin, for Shacharis. ShouldI recite a brocho when donning the second pair?[1]2) Does a polyester-fabric shower-curtain present a problem for use on Shabbos (with cold water)?[2]3) Is it okay to pour boiling water from a parev kettle into a meaty cholent?[3]4) Is a gluten-free dough eligible for the mitzvah of Challoh?[4]5) May one peel lip-stain on Shabbos?6) Why is the word Echod - in the opening verse of Shema – preceded by a vertical line?[5]7) Breishis 35:22 has a break (פתוחה) in middle of a posuk. When reviewing the Parsha שנים מקרא ואחד תרגום, should one stop at the break to recite the Targum of the first part of the posuk?[6]8) I accidentally knocked over a bottle of wine in a shop. Am I liable to pay for it?[7] 9) Several men missed leining at Mincha on Shabbos. May they lein after Mincha?[8]10) Feedback on Sidur interview, re. mention of Ketores in prayer at end of Korbanos:[9]To sponsor a Shiur – to honour a special occasion -contact: dayan@lubavitchuk.com[1] במילואים לסדור רבנו הזקן(ח"ג ע' א'תעח) כתבתי לברך שנית – כשהי' שינוי-מקום בינתים. אבל בפסקי תשובות(סי' כה הע' 168) סבור שלא לברך שנית, על סמך דעת החיי אדם (כלל י"ב) ששינוימקום אינו מפסיק לברכת המצוות, כפי שהביא שם סי' ח אות כ"ו. אגב: מזה חשש שלאלברך על ט"ק בבוקר כשדעתו ללבוש ט"ג אח"כ, כי אולי ברכת הט"קפוטרת הט"ג.[2] ראהפסקי תשובות סי' שב אות כג שראוי להחמיר בבד-אריג בסיבים סינטטיים כעין בד הנעשהמצמר וכותנה וכו'.[3] בשו"ת מנחת שלמה(ח"ב סי' צז) כאשר הזיעה המגיעה עד הקומקום אינה חמה כשיעור יד סולדת בו.וראה פסקים ותשובות יו"ד סי' צב אות כ והע' 246.[4] בס' שבת כהלכה פ"גסוף אות ח מזהיר בזה. וכן בפסקי תשובות סי' שיח סוף אות לב.[5] סדור ר' שבתי סופר במקומו.[6] רז"ה (שערי תפלה סי'שכח) מבטל לגמרי קריאת עשרת הדברות בטעם העליון. יעב"ץ (לוח ארש סי' תסב)חולק עליו. הוא מחדש שמשה רבינו הנחיל שני סוגי הטעמים. בשוע"ר (סי' תצדס"ח ואילך) מכריע לקרוא ברבים בטעם העליון, היינו החלוקה לפי הפרשיות – כעיןמתן תורה. אבל ביחיד יש לקרוא לפי חלוקת הפסוקים. א"כ ה"ה בנדו"ד.[7] בשו"עחו"מ סי' תיב ס"א פוטר השובר את הכד דרך הילוכו ברה"ר, כי אין דרךבנ"א להתבונן בדרכים. ובשו"ת קנה בשם ח"א סי' קכד פוטר למי שבאלהקיץ את חבירו ודרס על המשקפיים שלו שהיו מונחים על הרצפה. משמע דרה"ר לאודוקא.[8] ראה פסקי תשובות סי' רצב אות ג. וקצת ראי' לזהמזה שיש עושים מנין לקריאה ומפטיר יונה בשעת ההפסקה ביוה"כ, כנזכר בהגהותרעק"א לאו"ח סי' תקנט ס"ד.[9] נוסח תפלה זו מובא בטור סי' מח. אדה"ז הוסיףבה ענין הקטורת. אבל בכמה סדורי אשכנז אינה מופיעה כלל. ולא מצאתי למה.
How can the ancient Hebrew language unlock a deeper way of listening to Christ with our whole heart, soul, and might?In this week's episode of Latter-Day Lights, Scott Brandley and guest co-host Emily Hemmert sit down with Dr. Trina Boice—university professor, longtime author, avid scripture educator, and Hebrew enthusiast—to explore the “Via Dolorosa,” more commonly known as the sorrowful path Christ walked from condemnation to crucifixion. Dr. Trina shares what it's like to trace the traditional stations through Jerusalem, why this journey can reframe the Atonement as more than a single moment, and how sacred spaces (even outside our own faith tradition) can invite powerful spiritual reflection. Together, these experiences point to a discipleship that is not only believed, but lived through both body and spirit.And, as we look ahead to the 2026 "Come, Follow Me" study of the Old Testament, Trina introduces a foundational Hebrew word, “Shema,” and how its layers of meaning (to hear, to hearken, to obey) can transform the way we approach scripture study and prayer. Along the way, she shares moving experiences from the Western Wall, insights into Jewish worship and devotion, and a renewed invitation to find Jesus Christ woven throughout the Old Testament.Ultimately, this conversation invites us to move beyond simply reading the scriptures to truly living them. Through language, history, and lived experience, Dr. Trina reminds us that discipleship is not passive, but a wholehearted response to the Savior's voice in every season of our lives.*** Please SHARE Dr. Trina's story and help us spread hope and light to others. ***To WATCH this episode on YouTube, visit: https://youtu.be/ZsmC_RzdGeg-----To LEARN MORE about Dr. Trina, visit: https://www.TrinaBoice.comTo LEARN MORE about Dr. Trina's author coaching services, visit: https://www.frombook2business.com/To READ Dr. Trina's book, "The Language of Heaven," visit: https://a.co/d/4j5b4kXTo READ Dr. Trina's book, "Via Dolorosa," visit: https://www.cedarfort.com/products/via-dolorosa-christs-path-to-the-cross?srsltid=AfmBOoriQlGGDu7ngEuLrfu0GN38cg1FUe-z7ovPv7bYXO6i-NCc9pD6To LISTEN to Dr. Trina's podcast, "Daily Inspirational Quote," visit: https://open.spotify.com/show/17RPUlzByZQVu4zmqktoZ0?si=86c6033495a048f1To WATCH Dr. Trina's movie reviews, visit: https://www.youtube.com/c/MovieReviewMom To READ Scott's new book “Faith to Stay” for free, visit: https://www.faithtostay.com/-----Keep updated with us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latter.day.lights/Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/latterdaylightsAlso, if you have a faith-promoting or inspiring story, or know someone who does, please let us know by going to https://www.latterdaylights.com and reaching out to us.
Yeshua was after Debbie for a very long time, but she just didn't know it. Her brother's changed behavior and suggestions put her on a path of researching about Yeshua and trying to understand her brother's decision to become a believer. It took her a year and 1/2 to read and research the truth in the word. It was so loud and clear to her and she knew that she was on the right path based totally on the word of Adonai.
This week Mark welcomes Canadian (Alberta) attorney Abraham Kilian, who brings an interesting perspective on international law — some of it based on English common law, but certainly not all, and not so much any more — to the “Come out of her,” discussion. He is also an author and Bible scholar, who understands the foundations of law, and the Torah of YHVH, and has seen some of the usurpations first-hand over his own life. His website is at www.MaximaPotentia.com NOTE: This is the pre-recorded show which was supposed to have run Thursday evening, but did not, due to a technical problem.
This week’s discussion between co-hosts David Justice and Mark Call merits a title, given the depths of deception being revealed: Tina Peters, Seditious Conspiracies against Rights, War on Americans, and other Criminal Acts continually being revealed
News and commentary from host Mark Call, for the week ending December 13th, 2025. The war by the Deep State, with direction from Venezuela and other communists, with the Constitutional Republic continues. But the battle has been joined, and more of the treachery is being revealed daily. What will AmeriKans put up with? And are they paying attention to the tell-tale signs of dollar meltdown as well?
HARLOT OF REVELATION THAT SITS ON 7 MOUNTAINS & WILL BE BURNED WITH FIRE BY THE SOON COMING 10 KINGS? 7 Mountain Mandate, NAR, Dominionist Theology, Mystery Occult Religions & MORE! Y’shua said, “Many will come in MY NAME saying I (Y’shua/Jesus) AM the Messiah and will decieve many.” Are we watching the fulfillment of this prophecy in real time? Not only in main stream Christianity but also possibly within the Torah Observant/Sabbath Keeping/Hebrew Roots movements? (We’ll focus mostly on Christianity this week and then more on the latter next week.) This message is full of facts and scripture for you to prayerfully consider. MORE MESSAGES LIKE THIS ONE www.HisWordHeals.com
News and commentary for Wednesday, 10 December, 2025.
News and commentary for Monday, 8 December, 2025.
This is part 2 from last week's teaching recorded at River of Life Tabernacle ... Please SUBSCRIBE to our newsletter to get new teachings.