Standing in support of Israel, Jews, and believers in all the nations, in the name of Jesus (Yeshua). Sharing biblical truth, encouragement, news, and messages by Steve Martin.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
Friday, March 2, 2012
Shabbat - Shabbath ceremony
Article below by Dr. Bill Duerfeldt
Shamar Shabbat – Keeping the Sabbath
In Deuteronomy 5:12 we read -- “Keep (or observe) the Sabbath day
to keep it holy…” In Hebrew this sentence reads --
Shamar et yomha-Shabbat
l'kad'sho.I want to direct your attention to the first word of Deuteronomy’s
passage above. The word is
is often translated “keep” as in the example above. However,
“
picture of a watchman in a watchtower guarding a field, or guarding a
fortress or city. Why is this distinction important?
Let me share just two brief points, as to why
to the Sabbath.
First, it is the one day which God devoted to
Life! It is to be a day of renewal and refreshing. Remember that the
weekly day of rest had no parallel in any other ancient civilization.
In ancient times, leisure was for the wealthy and the ruling classes only,
never for the serving or laboring classes. The very idea of rest each
week was unimaginable. The Greeks and the Romans thought Jews
were lazy because they insisted on having a "holiday" every seventh
day
seven and He created the Sabbath.
Jesus said it this way – “
The second point is one I’ve mentioned before – the Hebraic concept
of the “sanctity of time”. The Sabbath may have been the last thing
created, but it was the first thing that God sanctified and called “holy”.
In the Ten Commandments, there is only one thing that God calls
שמר . Pronounced “sha’mar”, the wordshamar” could more appropriately be translated as “guard”. It is the“guarding” is so aproposלחים (“L’Chaim” ) – to. But God knew man must rest from his toil at least one day inShabbat was made for man; not man for Shabbat.” (Mark 2:27).קדוש
I have heard it said by theologians that “mankind was God’s purpose of creation”. Mankind may have been the “purpose”, but Shabbat was the climax! To theShabbat is a Palace of Holiness in Time. God’s “Mo’edim” (His
) are very important to Him. (One cannot read
: A red table wine (such as Manishewetz or Mogan David)
Any type of shawl, to be placed over the head
Two tapered candles in matching candlesticks isShabbat.Shabbat” in Hebrew is on the cover – but this is also optional.
Shamar Shabbat) – to guard the Sabbath and keep it holy.
Appointed Times
Leviticus 23 without that truth coming through loud and clear.)
Shabbat
important even than Yom Kippur – the Day of Atonement. To those
who observe
joy eagerly awaited throughout the week, a time when one can set
aside all of one’s weekday concerns and devote one’s self to higher
pursuits.
In Jewish literature, poetry and music,
bride or queen. In fact, there is a popular Hebrew
that says
beloved to meet the [Sabbath] bride.” And what husband does not
want to protect and “guard” his bride? What monarch does not want
to “guard” his palace? Likewise, God admonishes us to
is the most important ritual observance in Judaism; moreShabbat, it is a precious gift from God, a day of greatShabbat is also described as aShabbat hymnLecha Dodi Likrat Kallah which translates, “Come myשמר שבת(
The Bread
“challah”, you can easily make your own using Pillsbury refrigerated
bread dough. Challah is braided bread and typically looks like this:
Here in Israel you can get “challah” made with a wide variety of
ingredients – white flour, whole wheat, oats, rye, etc and similarly with
a variety of coatings – egg wash, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, and
so forth. This link will tell you more...
. If your community does not have a bakery which makeshttp://www.jewishrecipes.org/jewish-foods/challah.html
The challah is traditionally covered, when sitting on the table before
the blessing, with a special “challah cover” – often with the word
“
The Wine
or other kosher wine is preferred, but at home we often will use a
berry wine such as Blackberry Merlot. Grape juice, of course, can be
used as well.
The Candles:
traditional, although any two candles will do. In Israel many folks buy
the small flat throw-away “votive-type” candles in their own individual
aluminum holders and use those for
The woman's shawl:
during the candle-lighting ceremony, is fine.
The Ceremony
When all are gathered at the table, the mother or oldest woman
covers her head with the shawl and proceeds to light the candles.
She then stretches her arms around the candles and brings her
hands back toward her face, as if she is gathering the light toward
herself. She does this three times.
Finally, she brings both hands up to her face, covers her eyes
and says the following blessing:
“Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the Universe,
who has sanctified us with Your commandments,
and instructed us to kindle the candles of Shabbat.
In Hebrew the blessing is...
“Baruk atah ADONAI Elohaynu, Melek HaOlam,
asher kidi'shay'nu be'mitz'vetov vitzi'vaynu
le'hawd-lick nair shel shabbat.”
Everyone at the table responds with “
“Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King
In Hebrew the prayer is:
“Baruk atah ADONAI Elohaynu, Melek HaOlam,
ha motzi le'chem min ha'eretz.”
Everyone at the table responds with “
“Blessed are You, O LORD our God, King of the
Amen”.
In Hebrew the prayer is:
“Baruk atah ADONAI Elohaynu, Melek HaOlam,
bo ray pre ha'gafin.”
Everyone at the table responds with “
The husband then takes a large piece of the challah, breaks it
into smaller pieces and passes the pieces to each person at the
table. Each challah piece is dipped in salt and each person eats his
or her portion together with the others. (Salt is used to commemorate
the grain offerings in the Temple, which were always required to be
used with salt. – Leviticus 2:13)
Finally, the husband lifts his glass of wine and recites the
following blessing:
Universe, Who creates the fruit of the vine.”
Amen”.Next, the husband or oldest man lifts the challah bread and
says the following prayer:
of the Universe, Who brings forth bread from the earth.”
Amen”.One needs only a few things to perform the Sabbath service as we do
it...(1) a loaf of bread (preferably “challah”); (2) red wine (or grape
juice); (3) two candles; and (4) a shawl or similar head covering for
the woman. (A prayer shawl (tallit) or other head covering for the
man can also be used. I have one, but as I understand it, for a non-
Jewish man, such a head covering is optional.)
Jew,
“qadosh” – holy – and that is Shabbat. 
Israel Women's History Month - March
March is Israel Women's History Month
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 1, 2012
Contact: Zachary ScheinermanTel: 301-565-3918Email: aicepublicity@gmail.comWeb: http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/
CHEVY CHASE, MARYLAND - This month is Israel Women's History Month according to the new Israel Calendar (http://www.israelcalendar.org/). March is a time for Jewish communities and campus organizations to discuss the progressive steps Israel has taken to uphold the rights of women and the many women who have played an important role in the nation's history.
Israel was one of the first countries to have a female Prime Minister. For three years, Israel had a female Foreign Minister, Speaker of the Knesset and Supreme Court justice. Today, 24 women serve in the Knesset. Three out of twelve Supreme Court Justices are women, including the chief justice. The leaders of two of the three major secular parties, Kadima and Labor, are both women. Three women are in the cabinet.
"Women have played a key role throughout Israel's history," noted AICE Executive Director Mitchell Bard. "Hannah Senesh sacrificed her life to save Jews in World War II while Golda Meir worked diplomatically to establish the Jewish state and later led the country as prime minister. Today, women are leaders in every sphere of life, from politics to business to social activism."
Women also play an important role in defending the state. Service in the Israel Defense Forces is compulsory for both men and women: women serve for twenty-four months and many make the military their career. Today, women take active roles in all units of the IDF, including in combat units. In addition to preparing for war, women also are active in the pursuit of peace. In addition to women's activism in peace organizations, legislation was adopted in 2005 mandating adequate representation of women in the government's peace negotiating teams.
The Israel Calendar highlights a different aspect of Israeli history, politics, or culture each month. The calendar is designed to provide the pro-Israel community with a clear area of focus to structure Israel activism on college campuses and in Jewish communities. "One goal is to create opportunities for cooperation and collaboration across campuses, communities and countries," Dr. Bard said. "We want to encourage everyone to talk about the role of women in Israel this month to help people better understand not only the remarkable accomplishments of Israeli women but the common interests we have in women's issues."
The Israel Calendar is a project of the AMERICAN-ISRAELI COOPERATIVE ENTERPRISE (AICE), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization established in 1993.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
House Set to Vote on Iranian Pastor Resolution
House Set to Vote on Iranian Pastor Resolution
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Lawmakers in Washington are set to vote soon on a resolution to condemn Iran for violating the religious rights of Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani. The 34-year-old Iranian Christian leader has been imprisoned since 2009 on charges of apostasy, and now faces death by hanging because he refuses to recant his faith.
The U.S. House of Representatives will discuss a bipartisan resolution, Wednesday, to draw attention to Nadarkhani's case and pressure Iran to release him. A full vote is expected by Thursday. The measure was introduced by GOP Rep. Joe Pitts, an evangelical Christian, and Democratic Rep. Keith Ellison, a Muslim. So far, 61 members of Congress have signed the resolution.
**Call your representative in Congress. You can also call the House's switchboard at (202) 224-3121.
The American Center for Law and Justice has also started an urging lawmakers to act on Nadarkhani's behalf. More than 170,000 people have signed.
"In just one week, your voice moved Congress to action," ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow said.
The ACLJ has also started a Twitter campaign to spread the word about Nadarkani's case. @CBNNews has joined the effort.
The increased media coverage of Nadarkhani's plight is starting to put Iran on edge. Now, the Islamic regime is releasing conflicting reports on why the pastor is still being held. One report by Iran's Press TV even claims an execution order was never issued against Nadarkhani.
"Iran's Supreme Court has not yet handed down its final verdict ... in order to allow authorities to further investigate the file and reach the best decision," the Feb. 24 report read. Jordan Sekulow, ACLJ's executive director, said this is Iran's usual way of "backtracking."
The ACLJ warned Feb. 21 that the execution order had in fact been signed and Nadarkhani could be killed any day. As of Tuesday, the group could confirm that Nadarkhani is still alive.
Nadarkhani was arrested in 2009 while protesting Islamic lessons being taught at his sons' school. At the time, he was leading one of Iran's most popular house churches. Since being imprisoned, authorities have pressured Nadarkhani to say he's a Muslim or face death. Each time, the pastor has refused to deny his Christian faith.
Stormy weather in Israel to continue through weekend - Haaretz.com
Stormy weather in Israel to continue through weekend
Strong winds and heavy rains uproot trees in Tel Aviv, sleet falls in Jerusalem; coldest day of the year expected on Friday.
The cold and stormy weather sweeping through Israel since Tuesday is expected to peak today and continue throughout the weekend, with Friday expected to be the coldest day of the year.
Snow will continue to fall on Mount Hermon and the northern Golan Heights, with a chance of snow in the center of the country as well. Possible flooding is expected in the south of the country, while in Jerusalem temperatures are expected to reach zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
Snow fell on Mount Hermon and at high elevations in the Golan Heights and the Galilee on Wednesday, as well as in the central mountains. In some locations, the winds exceeded 100 kilometers per hour.
A 70-year-old man in Netanya was lightly injured on Wednesday when he was struck in the head by a glass door that was blown off its hinges. Elsewhere in the city, on Yehuda Halevi Street, a tree fell on a car, but no injuries were caused.
On Tel Aviv's King George Street, traffic was disrupted when a large tree was uprooted by strong winds, tearing down power lines, ripping a bench out of the ground and blocking the street. Traffic lights and signs were blown down around the city. In south Tel Aviv's Levinsky Park, the city erected a new tent to provide shelter for the homeless.
Aviation traffic was also disrupted yesterday. A Dutch KLM jet scheduled to land at Ben-Gurion International Airport was forced to land in Cyprus instead. The Israel Airports Authority went on a state of alert for other possible disruptions in airplane traffic.
Both Safed and Jerusalem received some 40 millimeters of rain, according to the Meteo-Tech meteorology firm, while Netanya had 30 millimeters of rain. The Mediterranean was particularly rough, with waves reaching up to nine meters.
The level of Lake Kinneret rose three centimeters over the past two days. Air pollution levels in the south were higher than average.
Snow will continue to fall on Mount Hermon and the northern Golan Heights, with a chance of snow in the center of the country as well. Possible flooding is expected in the south of the country, while in Jerusalem temperatures are expected to reach zero degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit).
 | Kibbutz Merom Golan in the snow, March 1, 2012. |
Photo by: Liki Azaria |
A 70-year-old man in Netanya was lightly injured on Wednesday when he was struck in the head by a glass door that was blown off its hinges. Elsewhere in the city, on Yehuda Halevi Street, a tree fell on a car, but no injuries were caused.
On Tel Aviv's King George Street, traffic was disrupted when a large tree was uprooted by strong winds, tearing down power lines, ripping a bench out of the ground and blocking the street. Traffic lights and signs were blown down around the city. In south Tel Aviv's Levinsky Park, the city erected a new tent to provide shelter for the homeless.
Aviation traffic was also disrupted yesterday. A Dutch KLM jet scheduled to land at Ben-Gurion International Airport was forced to land in Cyprus instead. The Israel Airports Authority went on a state of alert for other possible disruptions in airplane traffic.
Both Safed and Jerusalem received some 40 millimeters of rain, according to the Meteo-Tech meteorology firm, while Netanya had 30 millimeters of rain. The Mediterranean was particularly rough, with waves reaching up to nine meters.
The level of Lake Kinneret rose three centimeters over the past two days. Air pollution levels in the south were higher than average.
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