Podcast appearances and mentions of son yeshua

Greetings, Folks. And Happy 2026!Last time we ended our session on Hebrews chapter 1 with this comment about verses 4 and 5:These verses describe a Father bestowing upon His Son the divine inheritance of kingship. This change in status didn't make Him better in the sense of becoming a better God but rather to become better than the angels in a new sense. Because He did something that no angel could ever do. He absorbed on the cross the punishment for every sin ever committed by every member of the human race who accepted Him or would ever accept Him and by so doing became better than the angels and by so doing pleased His Father to an extent that we can't fully appreciate. ‌Now regarding angels and their status, we need to talk about that and we will next time.Now Folks, we will talk about angels today but first let's talk about something else. We know that Hebrews was written to encourage Jewish believers in Jesus who were feeling a pull back toward traditional Judaism. And I believe this letter to the Hebrews was also intended to be read by Jews who did not yet believe in Jesus.Now what about these different groups of Jewish people? The way I see it, things back then were not all that different than they are today, at least among Jewish people brought up in traditional Jewish homes, homes where God was honored. You would have some people who fervently believed that God was real, some people who believed that God was real and that He had a Son – Yeshua the Messiah – and you would have some people who did not believe in God at all whether they openly admitted that or not. Chances are that in those days in the land of Israel when the Temple was still standing there were not too many Jews who openly admitted literal disbelief in God. Some of this last group would have been of the Priestly families, the Sadducees. Would the encouragement of this letter to these different groups of Hebrews have varying effects in drawing them into the faith? It would all depend on the Holy Spirit. Because nobody can come to faith in Yeshua, nobody can be born again, on the basis of his own will or decision. And it's worth restating that no one comes to the Father – no one is saved, no one receives the gift of eternal life – except through faith in the finished work of Jesus on the cross. And that doesn't just go for Jewish people. That applies to Gentiles as well.The author of this letter used Biblical truth to show these groups of people the clear advantage of believing in Jesus. And in the rest of this first chapter the truth about the superiority of Yeshua to the Angels was used. Jewish people, particularly Pharisees and those exposed to the influence of Pharisees - surely a substantial number of people even if not a majority - believed in angels and in their superiority over humans. But what if Jesus was superior even to angels? The Scriptures clearly prove that and who better to show us that than the Holy Spirit inspired author of this letter.And the Old Testament Scriptures were also used to prove that Jesus is God.Folks, can you use Scripture to prove Scripture? Certainly. God does not contradict Himself. But here is something a little different: Can a divinely inspired writer such as the author of Hebrews use already established Scripture (Old Testament Scriptures) to prove what he is writing (New Testament Scriptures)? Can the Holy Spirit do this? Why not? Of course He can. Remember that although the Old Covenant and the New Covenant are indeed different, the Old Testament and New Testament Scriptures comprise one book. Both are the word of God and God does not contradict Himself, ever. The Apostle Paul, in Romans, used the Psalms to demonstrate that no one can come to God on his own:Romans 3:10 (NKJV) As it is written: “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE;is proved by :Psalms 53:3 (NKJV) Every one of them has turned aside; They have together become corrupt; There is none who does good, No, not one.And here are two examples from the Lord Himself: John 5:45-47 (NIV) “But do not think I will accuse you before the Father. Your accuser is Moses, on whom your hopes are set. [46] If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote about me. [47] But since you do not believe what he wrote, how are you going to believe what I say?” Jesus is here referring to the Law of Moses, the Torah. One example can be taken from Deuteronomy:Deuteronomy 18:18-19 (NKJV) I will raise up for them a Prophet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him. [19] And it shall be that whoever will not hear My words, which He speaks in My name, I will require it of him.And here is another example taken from the gospel of Luke describing the conversation that Jesus had with two disciples on the road to Emmaus:Luke 24:44 Then He said to them, “These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me.” 45 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures.So with this strong supporting background, let's look at some of the Scriptures used to do this in chapter one of Hebrews:Hebrews 1:6 (NKJV) But when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says: “LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP HIM.”This is a quote from Psalm 97:7 in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament. Angels worship those who are greater than they are. Jesus is greater than the angels.Hebrews 1:7 (NKJV) And of the angels He says: “WHO MAKES HIS ANGELS SPIRITS AND HIS MINISTERS A FLAME OF FIRE.”Angels are very powerful spirit beings whom God uses to serve His purposes and who may be manifested as flames of fire as was the case when horses and chariots of fire were revealed to a frightened young man though the ministry of the prophet Elisha (2 Kings 6:17). Angels are indeed very great.Hebrews 1:8 (NKJV) But to the Son He says: “YOUR THRONE, O GOD, IS FOREVER AND EVER; A SCEPTER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS IS THE SCEPTER OF YOUR KINGDOM.Here, God the Father is revealing that His Son is also God and that His Throne and Kingdom is righteous and is forever and ever as prophesied in Psalm 45:6. Jesus is not only greater than the angels, there is no comparison. Jesus is God. The Father says so.Hebrews 1:9 (NKJV) YOU HAVE LOVED RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HATED LAWLESSNESS; THEREFORE GOD, YOUR GOD, HAS ANOINTED YOU WITH THE OIL OF GLADNESS MORE THAN YOUR COMPANIONS.”God the Father is anointing this one and only Son because of the Son's love of righteousness and hatred of lawlessness. That is why He went to the cross. God never said this to an angel. Folks, I thinks Jesus' companions must be angels. From Psalm 45:7.Hebrews 1:10 (NKJV) And: “YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS.Hebrews 1:11 (NKJV) THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; AND THEY WILL ALL GROW OLD LIKE A GARMENT;Hebrews 1:12 (NKJV) LIKE A CLOAK YOU WILL FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY WILL BE CHANGED. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL.”These three verses are from Psa 102:25-27. Jesus is able to do what only God can do.Hebrews 1:13 (NKJV) But to which of the angels has He ever said: “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, TILL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES YOUR FOOTSTOOL”?And to which angel did God ever say this, from Psalm 110:1 as written and prophesied by King David. To no angel ever.So, folks the Son is greater than the angels. And the Son is God. The case for this is established through the Hebrew Scriptures and the Scriptures cannot be broken (John 10:35).And to finish chapter one:Hebrews 1:14 “Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?” Folks, the angels are mighty and glorious beings. But great as they are, they are created beings and they are in a sense assistants to God. They help believers in Yeshua, Jesus, who will inherit salvation.Folks, this has been a difficult passage today. I feel that I haven't said much but I hope that it has been enough. The Scriptures speak clearly. The angels are indeed great. But the Son of God is greater. He is God. Will you not see this, my dear Jewish friend? And the New Covenant is greater than the Old. As we will see in a later chapter, the Old Covenant is obsolete and it completely faded away in 70 AD when the Temple was destroyed. God's laws are not obsolete but the Old Covenant is. That system of religion no longer has any power. My friend, whether you are Jewish or Gentile, please don't ignore this. God sent His Son into the world that He might die as the sacrifice for your sins. Call upon His name, the Lord Jesus, and ask Him to give you eternal life. If you are sincere He will not turn you down.May you be blessed my friends. Until the next time. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit awolinsky.substack.com

Continuing through the Book of 1 Thessalonians. We continue the discussion on the tribulation - a time of God's judgement and wrath on the earth. This sermon was given during our Saturday Shabbat Service on April 15, 2023.

Continuing the sermon series on 1 Thessalonians. This sermon was given during our Saturday Shabbat Service by Messianic Rabbi Frank Davis on March 11, 2023.

Continuing with "Wait for His Son Yeshua" which is part of the sermon series on 1 Thessalonians. This sermon was delivered during our Saturday Shabbat Service on February 4, 2023 by Messianic Rabbi Frank Davis.

Continuing in the sermon "Wait for His Son Yeshua" which is part of the sermon series on 1 Thessalonians. This sermon was delivered during our Saturday Shabbat Service on January 14, 2023 by Messianic Rabbi Frank Davis. Due to technical difficulties the first several minutes of the sermon is missing so we start the podcast with the message already in progress

Continuing through the book of 1 Thessalonians. This sermon was given by Messianic Rabbi Frank Davis during our Saturday Shabbat Service on December 10, 2022.

1 Thessalonians 5:3  For when they say, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them, as labor pains upon a pregnant woman. And they shall not escape. Friends, we do not have much more time before the world is hurled into sudden destruction caused by war. Now is the acceptable time. Now is the day of salvation. Won't you seek eternal life in YHWH's Son Yeshua before it is too late?

As long as we live godly and faithfully serve Yahweh, we will suffer persecution. Bad things will happen to us, for the scripture says.... 1 Peter 4:12-16 (KJV) 12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.So, when you find that bad things are happening to you while faithfully serving Yahweh and his Son Yeshua, rejoice!! Your crown of life is sure..

PRINCE HANDLEY PODCAST REVELATION WITH DIRECTIONA MIRACLE PODCAST PRODUCTION ~ ~ ~ PRINCE HANDLEY PORTAL 1,000's of FREE Resources WWW.REALMIRACLES.ORG ~ ~ ~ INTERNATIONAL Geopolitics | Intelligence | Prophecy WWW.UOFE.ORG MIRACLE OUTDOOR GOSPEL SIGNS OPEN AIR BIBLE MEDIA You can listen to the above message NOW. Click on the pod circle at top left. (Click “BACK” to return.) OR … LISTEN NOW >>> LISTEN HERE 24/7 release of Prince Handley teachings, BLOGS and podcasts > STREAM Twitter: princehandley ______________________________________ DESCRIPTION In this podcast teaching I will discuss MIRACLES that happened as a result of God giving me an IDEA for outdoor signs in different languages, and HOW two of them reached 1,000's of people every day for over a year. ______________________________________ MIRACLE OUTDOOR SIGNS OPEN AIR BIBLE MEDIA In the last session I talked to you about the "Vis Tab" poster idea that God gave me where we produced signs: small size (3 by 4 inches), medium size (10 by 12 inches), and large size (30 inch by 40 inches). These were all weatherproof outdoor signs; and when we put them up -- they were permanent -- and I mean permanent. If you wanted to take one off the building, you had to tear the wall down on the building! They reached multiplied millions of people for Messiah Jesus. I told you in the last podcast about how I took in―I didn't say smuggled―I took in about 4,000 of the smaller signs to Israel, and I may have taken in the larger ones, too (I forget). But anyway, God got me through customs with a MIRACLE. I also told you about and how God had policemen put them up on the walls of the Police Station in Jerusalem. Soldiers in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) put them on their weapons (rifles). These signs were mightily used in Israel. Well, I want to tell you some other things that happened with these signs. I promised to tell you about the large signs (30 by 40 inch). We had a special glue we used so they would have permanent fixture. Not only were the signs waterproof but they also had protective coating over them to keep them from fading due to the sun and the elements. I planned for them to stay up for years! I learned some new things from God. I had a friend and associate that worked with me. We started silk screening and we had different ideas that we shared with each other. In downtown Los Angeles, around Flower and Fifth Street, they were doing giant high-rise building construction. They were doing lots of deep excavation and construction. They were building the Twin Towers―the ARCO Towers or ARCO Plaza―at that time. This was a giant 52 story project. They had promo signs there, which listed the architects, engineers, contractors, etc. And these were just strategically placed by the LORD: one on the South East and one on the South West side of this giant "hole in the ground … one square city block" project.   And these signs were just perfect for the large 30 x 40 inch “Vis-Tab” posters the LORD helped me to invent (gave me the idea). So one night, my associate and I prayed about going downtown at about 3 AM in the morning. We pulled up in a van and we took the ladders out of the van. We worked on both the East and the West portion of the project, and we had to work fast. So we unrolled the signs and applied the special "formula" glue that would prevent the signs from being taken down! I remember we got the East portion done ... beautiful sign. It said, "Appearing Here Soon: Jesus Christ" and had a graphic of a world globe on it. On the other face of this big structure―on the West side―we were getting ready to place the big sign with a Star of David that said "MESSIAH DIED FOR US ... WAS BURIED ... IS ALIVE" with Hebrew writing that said "Hear, O Israel." [Shema Israel.] When we were working on the West portion, all of a sudden a police paddy wagon pulls up. Now we had already prayed that God would "blind" the police if they saw us. The police paddy wagon was like 10 feet from us waiting for a light. The light seemed like it lasted for eternity. We were right there in the middle, and I remember I'm holding onto the sign up on the ladder and my associate was using the squeegee on the bottom part of the sign, to smooth it out with the glue between it and the structure. All this time I'm reminding God that we asked him to "blind" the police. In other words, not to hurt them, but that they wouldn't see us. The policeman could have heard me if I even sneezed. He was 10 feet from me with an open door on the side of the paddy wagon where he was sitting. Anyway ... he never turned his head one second. Never even batted an eye; he just sat there looking straight ahead waitiing for the traffic light to change. I'm holding that sign up there, right by him―right beside him―and then he drove off when the traffic light changed. So the LORD was with us. Those signs stayed up there well over a year, until they had to take those structures down for landscaping and other reasons. Multiplied, multiplied THOUSANDS of people were reached EVERY DAY through those "Vis-Tab" signs―millions of people throughout one year's time―not only pedestrian traffic, but cars and public transit vehicles, as well. We probably had $100,000's of FREE advertising there. The construction project in downtown L.A.―the architecture, the planning, the permits, the structures―were ALL designed by God for us to place these signs at the right time: the perfect time. The construction project, including the infrastructure, was perfect for these signs. When you have an idea from God, the Holy Spirit will work ahead of you and prepare things for you ... so that what you do will be coordinated with other things and the logistics will flow together AT THE RIGHT TIME to release the Good News of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) to go to the public ... to the world ... to the people. Now in a subsequent session, I'm going to tell you how I put a big billboard up―I want to give all the credit to the Holy Spirit―in downtown Los Angeles, right on the route of some of the wealthiest Jews in the world where they traveled by every day. It was a tremendous MIRACLE and I'll share that with you some other time. Anyway, I hope this encourages you to listen to God, to receive his ideas, and to implement the ideas―or at least share them with others―because IF the idea is not for you ... God wants you to be a good steward and share it with somebody else . The anointing of the Holy Spirit can be resident in―or upon―an IDEA to break the yoke of the enemy in the lives of people all over world. Remember, the Good News is for the world: every nation, every tribe, every tongue, every dialect, every family, people, ethnic and religious group of the world ... so that they might know the love of God and the Good News that God sent his Son―Yeshua, the Messiah of Israel―to be the one-time, supreme sacrifice for the sins of the world. And if YOU do NOT know Him, just PRAY and tell God that you want to receive Yeshua (Jesus) as YOUR Messiah right NOW. God will give you Eternal Life, forgive your sins, and start you on your way to heaven. I trust this has helped you, my friend. God has many IDEAS to give you―and many MIRACLES to happen as a result of those those ideas―as you implement them or share them with others. Baruch haba b'Shem Adonai. Your friend, Prince Handley President / Regent University of Excellence Podcast time: 7 minutes, 17 seconds. Copyright © Prince Handley 2019 _________________________ Rabbinical & Biblical Studies The Believers’ Intelligentsia Prince Handley Portal (1,000’s of FREE resources) Prince Handley Books NOTICE If you would like to partner with Prince Handley and help him do the Spirit exploits the LORD has assigned him, Click the secure DONATE you see below. God will reward you abundantly on earth … and in Heaven! DONATE A TAX DEDUCTIBLE RECEIPT WILL BE SENT TO YOU ___________________________

The book of Hebrews emphasizes to us that Yeshua is the Great High Melchizedek priest. Another point that is brought out in Hebrews is that Yeshua is more exalted than Moses. Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; Who was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in all his house. For this man was counted worthy of more glory than Moses, inasmuch as he who has built the house hath more honor than the house. Hebrews 3:1-3 Moses was faithful as a servant over his house. Messiah Yeshua was faithful as a son and a servant over his own house. Yeshua is a faithful son to His Father as it is written in Hebrews 1:5: For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? Yeshua is anointed in his task, his calling, and his ministry: Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. Hebrews 1:9 For more of Eddie Chumney teachings and to listen to beautiful Messianic worship music, visit us at our internet streaming radio station, http://www.hebrootsradio.com/. Please visit our home page at: http://hebroots.org/

Tochacha Chapter 28 contains what is known in Judaism as the ‘Tochacha’. We have encountered this before in Leviticus 26:14-46. Allow me to recall my notes from there for you: According to one online Hebrew-English dictionary, the origin word ‘tocheycha’ conveys a “reprimand.” Browns, Driver, Briggs defines this word as “rebuke, correction, reproof, punishment, chastisement.” By its context, since the source is the Holy One Himself, it conveys the purpose of “divine retribution.” Interesting by comparison, the Hebrew of this current perek (chapter) is written in the plural, addressing collective Isra'el. Its counterpart in D’varim 28, however, is written in the singular. The Gaon of Vilna explains that the difference conveyed by the listing in D’varim is that the Holy One, Blessed Be He, is addressing collective Isra'el, that is, each and every Jew that was present then and each and every Jew that will be born in the future. Indeed a quote from the JPS version of Parashat Nitzavim (D’varim 29:13, 14 [14, 15 in English Bibles]) gives the Gaon this impression: 29:13 But it is not with you alone that I am making this covenant and this dread oath. (V’lo itchem l’vadechem anochi koret et-hab’rit hazot ve'et-ha'alah hazot.) 29:14 I am making it both with those who are standing here with us today before God our Lord, and with those who are not [yet] here with us today. (Ki et-asher yesh’no poh imanu omed hayom lifney Adonai Eloheynu ve'et asher eynenu poh imanu hayom.) Rashi explains that the phrase "v’lo itchem l’vadchem" includes even "dorot ho’asidim l’hiyot" - generations that are destined to yet come into existence. Indeed, the Gemara (the commentary on the Mishnah) explains that the principal of communal responsibility - kol Yisroel areivim zeh bozeh - is rooted in Parashat Nitzavim. Thus, the collective nature of the Tochacha in particular, and K’nesset Yisra’el (Assembly of Isra'el) in general, includes any future member of B’nei Yisra’el (Sons of Isra'el) as well. Accordingly, the Gemara derives the concept of arvus (say “ar-voos”), “joint responsibility [of one Jew for another's performance of mitzvot]”, from the tochacha, which emphasizes the collective unit of B’nei Yisra’el. In this sense, Rav Yeruchum Perlow explains the view of the Bahag who counts the Tochacha and its blessings and curses among the 613 mitzvot. He suggests that the Bahag was not referring to the ceremony and ritual of the Tochacha, but rather to the mitzvah of arvus, which is rooted in the Tochacha itself. In the Hebraic mind, to accept the yoke of heaven (also spoken of as the yoke of the Kingdom) means to place one’s trust in HaShem. Additionally, to accept the yoke of the Torah means to be submissive to God’s Written Word. We know from spiritual hindsight that trust in HaShem and submissiveness to his Torah should result in trust in his Son Yeshua. Such trust is meant to be a safeguard against idolatry. Sadly, far too few believers actually avail themselves of the full measure of protection that the Ruach HaKodesh offers. If the historic Church would have kept the Written Word guarded (Heb: shamar) we might not have the penchant lust for Sun worship that is rife in Christianity. Conversely, if the historic Synagogue had not aligned herself against the newly formed Church, we might not have the lack of faith in Yeshua (Jesus) that we find in Rabbinic Judaism today. So what should a proper balance of trust and obedience look like?

One Law for One Corporate People At this point in my commentary, it becomes painfully clear that I need to define whom the recipients of the blessing and the curses are, based on responsibility to the Torah. For it is indeed true that historic Gentile responsibility differs slightly from Jewish responsibility. The operative word is “historic”. Volumes could be said, but I will be brief. Historically, those identified as Corporate Isra'el were first given the task of showcasing God’s holiness and righteous standard in the earth (“…to the Jew first…”). To this end HaShem supplied them with his Written Word of holiness. The very same God expected them to accept and uphold this Torah in faith. So the Jews have been given Torah, and their responsibility and response to it should be a heart that is circumcised towards God. The corporate Gentiles are in a position to receive the very same Torah and grace demonstrated by believing Isra'el, by becoming partakers and fellow covenant-keepers, through their demonstration of the exact same biblical faith! Yeshua the Messiah came to inaugurate the covenant originally made with the offspring of Avraham (read Jeremiah 31:31-34). This covenant now includes Gentiles en masse, provided they continue in the very same trust that Isra'el was expected to demonstrate. Don’t get me wrong. God has always ‘included” the ger (a technical term referring to a non-Jew”). But Yeshua demonstrated the Father’s plan by reaching out to the disenfranchised Y’hudi (Jew) first, while sending his sh’li’chim (apostles) to the Gentiles afterwards. Are you following me? Failure to continue in genuine trusting faithfulness for either Jew or Gentile participants invited God to place them in a position that Sha’ul called “broken off”. In other words, natural branches (Jews) could be broken off because of lack of trust, and grafted-in branches (Gentiles) could also be broken off due to lack of trust (read Romans chapter 11)! Far from purporting that some “ethnic-driven” halakhah secured one’s place in the ‘olam haba (Age to Come), the native born Jew, the convert Jew, and the good old fashioned Gentiles all faced the same penalty for remorseless lack of faith: spiritual death. So we see that the Torah is the universal document for both peoples and it outlines God’s plan for all mankind, both Jews and Gentiles. To walk in disobedience and lack of trust is to invite God’s punishment and withholding of blessing. To belong to the family is to mentally, spiritually, and physically accept the family rules. To this end, both Jews and Gentiles are expected to practice Torah submissiveness within their hearts and within their communities. To submit to God is to desire and allow his Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to continually mold a person’s life into the example of the Son of God, who vividly displayed a Torah-obedient and submissive life! This is the responsibility of a believer. To sum up my commentary this week: Blessings and curses are dependent upon the orientation of the individual’s heart, and his responsibility to the Torah of HaShem. To the Jew, the Torah spells out the consequences of failing to heed the instructions of HaShem, while attempting to be included in the covenant family. An uncircumcised heart is simply not acceptable in terms of Torah-based righteousness. For the Gentile, to be grafted into the family of HaShem one needs to place his unreserved trust in the Son of HaShem—just like any Jew—and then let God work in him the good work which was designed for him since creation (Ephesians 2:8-10). Everyone else who falls into the category of simply not being found in covenant relationship with HaShem, through his Son Yeshua, fails to receive covenant blessings, and is ultimately a candidate for destruction. God only deals within covenants. His Son freely offers a covenant with salvific benefits and all men are freely enjoined to participate!

The most notable feature of this week's portion is the Shema. The word "shema" means "hear", "listen intently". It is a Hebrew imperative that carries the notion of an action-oriented command. In other words, "Now that you have heard, go and do something about it!" My commentary on the Shema will introduce the difficult concept of the "tri-unity" of our unexplainable God. The ancients called HaShem "Eyn-Sof", a term which quite literally means "without borders". Our God is infinitely unknowable. Yet because of our finite minds, he has chosen to express himself in ways that we can perceive. However we shall have to wait to gain a fuller perception of him, once we put off this corruptible flesh and our eyes are able to see through this mirror clearly instead of darkly. I want to share with you what I believe the “Shema” (basically a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4) can be hinting at, using the typical Jewish answer first, and then going on to explain how a non-Jewish believer can better “defend” himself against such an answer. This is simply an exercise designed to explain to some why many Jewish People are unwilling to give up their monotheism. This commentary set is not to be used as a standard witnessing technique among my people, but if the material proves helpful in explaining the difficult topic to unbelievers and anti-missionaries, then the commentary will have served its purposes. “God is ONE. There is no other god (or God) worthy of worship aside from YHVH.” This is a typical, monotheistic answer, based on a traditional Jewish view of Deut. 6:4, a.k.a., the Shema. This subject will continue to baffle many Jews and Christians alike: how can God be "One" and yet somehow "three". The matter is really made clear when Christians explain that correct Christianity does not believe in three gods! We believe in ONE God who expresses himself in a "unity of three". God is indeed one! The Shema affirms this. The characters of the Scriptures, both “Old and New Testaments” confirm this. The Shema is the "watchword of Jewish monotheism". The Shema is foundation! The "trinity" is a doctrine that has long been characterized by misunderstanding, both among my people, as well as a few Christians. I believe that most of the confusion actually stems from the language that we choose to use when describing the unified nature of our somewhat incomprehensible God. However, the Torah does not expect us to label God and stuff him in box. Nor are we so smart that our systematic theological viewpoints of him will ever fully describe his wonderful glory. Yet the revelation that has been graciously granted to us is a complete one, in that, all that we need to know to maintain a right-standing relationship with HaShem is found within the pages of his Word, and most specifically, in the person of his only and unique Son Yeshua our Messiah. Let us first read the actual pasuk (verse) itself: "Sh’ma Yisra’el, ADONAI Eloheinu, ADONAI echad [Hear, Isra’el! ADONAI our God, ADONAI is one]." Anyone with some knowledge of the Hebrew text will realize that the word translated ADONAI is the four-letter name for HaShem, YHVH, also known as the "Tetragrammaton." The Jewish people use this name only in a very sacred and personal way. To be sure, today Torah-observant Jews, in reverential fear of misuse never speak it. Because of the understanding that the Shema "defines" the oneness of YHVH (which is what the Hebrew word echad implies), many Jews are fiercely monotheistic. After all, is this not what the plain sense (p’shat) of the verse in Deuteronomy is teaching? The word "echad" teaches us that God is the ONLY God that we are to serve. To be sure, some translations render this verse as, "Hear Isra'el, the LORD is our God, the LORD alone." This is the primary meaning conveyed by the use of this word "echad". That God is our only God is paramount to correctly understanding any revelation of him in his Word.

HaShem masterfully designed his Torah to permeate every single facet of human existence, from birth, to the grave. His people were to saturate themselves with his rich mercy, grace, loving-kindness, forgiveness, and judgment, as they carefully followed each and every mitzvah (command) of the Torah. Being raised in such a "Torah-Community" had its definite advantages. This type of community produced a positive atmosphere, whereby the children grew up immersed in the truths of God's ways, as they observed the rest of the community. They participated in the feasts and holy convocations year after year as a family. This instilled in them godly principles, which formed the seedbed for the life of faith and witness that HaShem called them to perform. This lifestyle did not save them. This lifestyle served to prepare them to meet the true "Teacher", the Messiah, as they reached the age of accountability. In this way, the New Covenant teaches that the Torah acted as a custodian, or a "schoolmaster" (read Galatians 3:24-25). Once we reached the age where a conscious decision could be made, the Torah should have presented us with the proper framework to make the right decision: trusting faithfulness in HaShem, as demonstrated through our dependency in his means of provision—namely his Son Yeshua! This faithful lifestyle is magnificently portrayed in the covenants that the people had experienced thus far.

In the fourth century, when the organized Church decided to divorce herself from her spiritual mother, Judaism, she unwittingly planted the seeds of anti-Judaism. Anti-Judaism is not to be confused with Anti-Semitism. The former is the dislike or disinterest of Jewishness and Judaism specifically; the latter is the dislike or disinterest in the Semitic race altogether. By the way, both fall into the category of violating the verse in examination and both are disrespectful to Father Avram and displeasing to HaShem! Over the centuries, this seedbed has blossomed into a full-grown weed called Replacement Theology. This heretical belief fosters the mistaken idea that “God gave up on the Jews when they corporately rejected his Son Yeshua, and instead, adopted the newborn Gentile Church as his chosen people. The unfortunate Jews were left to face the curses of the Torah, and the Wrath of an angry Father, while the Church inherited (spiritually of course) most of the blessings and promises to the Jews, as pronounced in the Torah.” Fortunately, this theological framework is neither blatantly taught to Christians, openly favored by the same, nor endorsed by HaShem!