Showing posts with label second Temple. Show all posts
Showing posts with label second Temple. Show all posts

Sunday, August 14, 2016

"For These Things I Weep" ✡ Stunning Archaeological Evidence of the Second Temple - ISRAEL365

For these things I weep; mine eye, mine eye runneth down with water; because the comforter is far from me, even he that should refresh my soul; my children are desolate, because the enemy has prevailed.

עַל-אֵלֶּה אֲנִי בוֹכִיָּה עֵינִי עֵינִי יֹרְדָה מַּיִם--כִּי-רָחַק מִמֶּנִּי מְנַחֵם מֵשִׁיב נַפְשִׁי הָיוּ בָנַי שׁוֹמֵמִים כִּי גָבַר אוֹיֵב

איכה א:טז

al ay-le a-nee vo-khi-ya ay-nee ay-nee yor-da ma-yim kee ra-khak
mi-me-nee m'-na-khaym may-sheev naf-shee ha-yu va-nai sho-may-meem
kee ga-var o-yayv

Today's Israel Inspiration

On the Jewish calendar, today marks the bitter fast day known as Tisha B'Av, the 9th of Av, the day when the Temples in Jerusalem were destroyed. One may ask, "How does the Temple - or its absence - really affect me?" One way to emotionally connect with the impact of the loss of the Temple is to keep in mind that the Temple was God's house where we were able to relate to His presence up close. With its loss, that incredible feeling of being connected to God is not readily available to us. Our Sages teach that one way to bring God closer is by performing acts of charity and good deeds to those in need. Follow in the footsteps of Colel Chabad and support the poor of Jerusalem.
 

Traditional Tune for Lamentations

Cantor Jeffrey Siegel chants the traditional melancholy tune for Chapter 1 of Lamentations ("Eicha"), which is recited on Tisha B'Av (the 9th of Av).
 

Cutting-Edge Multiple Sclerosis Center in Israel a Light Unto the Nations

Israel's Grabski Center is the only place in the world which combines the cognitive and physical capabilities of people with MS to slow down the bodily atrophy of those plagued by the disease.
 

Cherish Ancient Jerusalem

 
Tisha B'av is the Jewish day of mourning for the countless calamities that have befallen the Jews throughout history, the most tragic of which was the destruction of the Holy Temple. This fine art image of the Western Wall, the last remaining remnant of the outer wall of the Holy Temple will help you to internalize the meaning of Tisha B'av.
 
Remember the Temple »
 

Today's Israel Photo

In this revealing photo of the remains of the Southern Wall of the Second Temple in the Old City of Jerusalem, one can see the huge stones pushed down by the Romans during the destruction

Thank You

Please help us continue to spread the beauty and significance of the Land of Israel!
 

“Revelation Shared in Such an Easy to Understand to Way”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!
 
Hi, I'm Josie. I am Irish living in UK for almost 50 years, I love receiving your daily 365 emails and I regularly pray, together with 4 friends, for the Nation of Israel, her people for God's purposes for Israel to be fulfilled. Our Heavenly Father has given us a love for His chosen people and land. God richly bless you all- Josie Freer

Thank you for such great revelation shared in such an easy to understand way, God bless you! Livis Freeman, Clinton, North Carolina
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Hidden Vessels of King Solomon: Have They Been Discovered? ✡ "Ark of the Covenant" - ISRAEL365

And the priests brought in the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord unto its place, into the Sanctuary of the House, to the holy of holies, even under the wings of the cherubim.

I KINGS (8:6)

וַיָּבִאוּ הַכֹּהֲנִים אֶת אֲרוֹן בְּרִית יְ-הוָה אֶל מְקוֹמוֹ אֶל דְּבִיר הַבַּיִת--אֶל
קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים אֶל תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַכְּרוּבִים

מלכים א ח:ו


va-ya-vee-u ha-ko-ha-neem et a-ron b'-reet a-do-nai el m'-ko-mo el d'-veer ha-ba-yit el ko-desh ha-ko-da-sheem el ta-khat kan-fay ha-k'-ru-veem

Today's Israel Inspiration

Today's verse describes the Ark of the Covenant being brought to the most holy section of the Temple, called the קֹדֶשׁ הַקֳּדָשִׁים Holy of Holies. While the entire Temple Mount is filled with holiness to this day, the most sacred place was the Holy of Holies, the innermost room of the Temple. The Ark of the Covenant is placed there upon the “foundation stone,” which is, according to the Sages of the Talmud, where the world's Creation began. It is the same location where Abraham was willing to sacrifice Isaac (Genesis 22), and the site where one day the Third Temple will again stand. Today, Rabbi Yehuda Glick, founder of the Temple Mount Heritage Foundation, fulfills a vital mission of educating the world of the significance of the Temple Mount, the spiritual center of the world, from where ultimate peace for all mankind will emanate.

The Hidden Vessels of King Solomon's Temple: Where Are They Now?

Just before the Temple's destruction, the Jewish priests (kohanim) hid away the Temple's vessels to avoid capture. After years of searching, their hiding place may finally have been discovered.

Behind the Scenes: Finding the Lost Ark & Temple Vessels

Go behind the scenes with an exclusive interview with Harry H. Moskoff, whose new short film shows where the clues to the secret location of the Temple vessels and treasures may actually lie today.

Jerusalem Nano Bible Necklace

In the incredible Nano Bible, the spirit and technology of Israel have come together to produce the world’s smallest bible, printed onto a single 5mm x 5mm surface, and set into a beautiful piece of silver jewelry so that you can take the Bible with you wherever you go.

Today's Israel Photo

Sharon Gabay's phenomenal photo of the Jerusalem neighborhood of Yemin Moshe, the first Jewish neighborhood built outside the Old City walls in the late 1800's. The Temple Mount stands in the distance.

Yesterday's Photo Trivia

Yesterday's photo by Noam Chen was taken on a terrace overlooking the beautiful Port of Caesarea.

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Patricia Weidemier of Australia. Todah rabah!

“Inspiring to Read and I Truly Love the Verses and News”

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Hi, I'm from Coronado, CA and appreciate hearing from you as my husband and I love Israel and pray often for her and her leaders and the IDF. Blessings to you. Jean


This is inspiring to read and I truly love the verses and news. Israel has always captivated me since childhood, and through advancement in technology and communication it has made me closer to Israel. I wish you and Israel the best this 2016. Shalom!-Phillip Medina
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
Copyright © 2016 Israel365, All rights reserved.
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Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Historical Issues Hold Answers for Jewish Unbelief in Yeshua - SAM NADLER CHARISMA NEWS

Pharisees
With this system in place, the Jewish people can never truly understand God's holiness or His love. (YouTube )

Historical Issues Hold Answers for Jewish Unbelief in Yeshua


Throughout Israel's history, her religious leaders developed a system of commentaries on the Scriptures that has come to be known as the Oral Law, or Talmud. Originally intended to keep the Jewish people from breaking God's commandments, ironically and tragically, the Oral Law has prevented us from seeing God's love and Messiah as found in the Scriptures. 
While ministering in the Ukraine, a familiar question was asked of me, only this time in Russian, "If Jesus is the Jewish Messiah, and the prophecies in the Jewish Scriptures are as clear as you say they are, then why don't our rabbis who study the Scriptures see this?" That is a good question.
Actually, the prophecies predicted a partial blindness upon Israel in regard to recognizing our own Messiah (Is. 53:1-7). But for a more complete answer, an overview of Jewish history will help. As we consider these key points in Jewish history and their repercussions for the Jewish people today, may it lead us to extend compassion and mercy to those who still do not see (Rom. 11:31).
There are three periods of Jewish history we need to consider: 
1. The Development of Oral Law (516 B.C.-A.D. 70) 
2. The Destruction of the Second Temple (A.D. 70-135) 
3. The Persecution of the Jewish people (A.D. 135 to the present).  
The Development of Oral Law: 516 B.C.-A.D. 70 
When our people returned from Babylonian captivity, our leadership was devoted to prevent such a catastrophe from ever taking place again. The rabbis reasoned that "it was the holiness of the Law and our disobedience to it that resulted in the exile." Thus the rabbis developed a system of buffers or "fences": "The Oral Law," providing additional rules for the people to keep which would "preserve the original commandments from trespass" (Talmud Aboth 1:1). 
A Fence Around the Law: The Traditions of the Elders 
In the Schulchan Aruch, "the code" of rabbinical Judaism for all ritual and legal questions, some of the fences regarding the issue of work on the Sabbath are seen:
  • "He who spills any liquid in a place where the soil is apt to produce something is guilty of violating 'the law against sowing'" (80:28).
  • "Mud on one's garment may be scraped off with nail or with a knife if it be still moist, but if it be completely dry it may not be scraped off, for it is equivalent to the act of grinding" (80:38). 
And there are many, many more like these, covering each area of personal, public, religious and vocational life. 
As mentioned, the intent of these "fences" was to keep people from breaking God's laws and coming under His wrath again. However, the result of the Oral Law was, and is today, that the people became in effect 'insulated' from the Scriptures.
Hence, they never really fear God's law, but deal primarily with the "traditions of the elders." With this system in place, the Jewish people can never truly understand God's holiness or His love, because the same Law of God that expresses His holy standards and judgment also expresses His love and promises (Deut. 7:7-8;18:1-22). And when Messiah came, He was judged not by scriptural standards, but by the Oral Law and the traditions of men. 
Sabbath Breakers 
In Matthew 12:1-2, the teachers of the Law confronted Yeshua over His disciples picking grain and eating it on the Sabbath. Though the Law of Moses clearly stated that it was legal to eat from a field or vineyard as you passed by (Deut. 23:24-25), the Oral Law made this unlawful. When Yeshua's disciples picked the heads of grain, the religious leaders thought they saw several transgressions committed: 
1. Harvesting—As the disciples picked the grain
2. Sifting—Rubbing grain in their hands to separate the chaff 
3. Winnowing—Blowing the chaff away 
4. Grinding—Crushing the wheat to eat it 
Was this the interpretation God intended for the Sabbath laws? No, this was not any different than it would be to open a "lunch bag" to eat the food inside of it, which also would be considered work by the rabbis.
This is one example of how the rabbinical community, fearing the judgment of God upon Israel for "disobedience," could be consumed with technicalities while displaying a lack of compassion toward a hungry neighbor. Messiah responded to these men,"But He said to them, "Have you not read what David and those who were with him did when he was hungry, how he entered the house of God and ate the ritual bread, which was not lawful for him to eat, neither for those who were with him, but only for the priests? ... If you had known what this meant, 'I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent(Matt. 12:3-4, 7; referencing Hos. 6:6).
Even if the rabbis would not permit Messiah's disciples to eat as David and his men had been allowed to do simply because they were hungry, they certainly should have permitted the disciples to eat out of compassion. 
Lord of the Sabbath 
"For the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath" (Matt. 12:8). As Lord of the Sabbath, Messiah had unquestionable authority that should have been respected, but sadly was not because He was evaluated according to tradition rather than according to Scripture. He was judged by the traditions of men which for 2,000 years have kept my people from seeing Yeshua for who He really is. 
The teachers of the Law had become "blind guides of the blind" (Matt. 15:14), blinded by their traditions to the truth of Scripture, judging the very Lord of the Word by their own rules! And so it is still today. The fences remain, and without the Word of God, my people remain unable to see Him who is the very Truth for their lives.  
In my next article, I will continue our study with the second of three events in Jewish history that still hinder the Good News. Until then, Shalom.

Dr. Sam Nadler is a Jewish believer in Jesus and has been in Messianic Jewish ministry for over 40 years. Sam is the president of Word of Messiah Ministries, which is bringing the Good News to the Jew first but not to the Jew only, and planting Messianic Congregations in Jewish communities worldwide. To encourage and equip the body of Messiah in our shared calling, Sam is invited to speak in churches across the country, and has written multiple books on Jewish evangelism, discipleship and the Feasts of Israel.
For more information and resources, or to invite Sam to speak at your church, visit: wordofmessiah.org
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Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Why is Chanukah So Unique? (it’s not what you think…)




Why is Chanukah So Unique? (it’s not what you think…)


By Rabbi Ari Enkin, rabbinic director, United with Israel

Is Chanukah unique because we eat latkes (potato pancakes) and sufganiot(jelly donuts) and play with dreidels (spinning tops)? The real uniqueness is our victory celebration over an enemy that didn’t actually want to kill us!

The story of Chanukah takes place during the Second Temple period (approx. 200 BCE), when the Syrian-Greeks occupied the Land of Israel. In contrast to most enemies of the Jewish people, the Syrian-Greeks essentially had no interest in murdering Jews. Rather, they wanted the Jewish people to adopt the Greek religion and way of life.

I guess you could say that the Syrian-Greeks desired death by assimilation for the Jewish people. Jewish practice was officially against the law. Torah study, circumcision and even resting on the Sabbath were all punishable by death.

As the saying goes with regards to all Jewish holidays, “They tried to kill us. We won. Let’s eat!” Chanukah is no different. The primary victory was apparently the military victory of the small Jewish army, known as the Maccabees, over the huge and well-armed army of the Syrian-Greeks. When the battle was over, the Maccabees made their way to the Temple Mount (as did the “Maccabees” of theSix Day War). What they found, however, was a desecrated and defiled sanctuary.


In order to formally rededicate the Temple, the Maccabees had to light the Menorah. But to do so, they had to overcome another obstacle: They had to find pure olive oil that had been certified by a High Priest. And in what was yet another miracle, they did! They managed to find a single flask of certified oil!

On to the next miracle: The small flask of oil that contained enough oil to burn for only one day burned for eight days! The eight-day holiday of Chanukah was born!
The Only Miracle that Must be Publicized

In order to commemorate these miracles, Jews light the menorah, often called a chanukiya, on each night of Chanukah and recite the accompanying blessings. These menorahs are generally lit at the entrances of the home or at a window that faces the public thoroughfare in order to better publicize the miracles of Chanukah. Indeed, with minor exception, the miracle of Chanukah is the only miracle that we are obligated to publicize! It is commendable to remain alongside the candles for at least 30 minutes after lighting, studying Torah, singing songs and talking about the Chanukah story. Gifts are often given to children at this time.

A Deeper Understanding

Let’s take a deeper look into the miracle of Chanukah. What was it about the events of Chanukah that inspired our sages to institute a holiday in its honor? The answer is that Chanukah is different from all other holidays. It is the only holiday that truly commemorates a spiritual victory, not a physical one. If the Syrian Greeks would have simply demanded that the Jewish people paint their homes pink with blue polka-dots, that would have have been one thing. But to demand that the Jewish people dispose with their Torah and religion was truly another!

A flame flickers and rises, representing the soul of Man.

The oil that was miraculously found and then burned for eight days was nothing less than a Divine wink that a battle for religious freedom is a battle that’s worth it. Many things in life, most things in fact, are not worth fighting for. In most of life’s battles we should usually compromise for the sake of keeping the peace. But when it comes to tradition, especially Torah tradition, compromise and concessions are not an option.

Chanukah is indeed different. They did not try to kill us, they tried to assimilate us. And the Maccabees would have none of it.

The fact that a flame was the center of attention makes Chanukah the spiritual holiday that it is. This is because a flame flickers and rises, which represents the soul of all mankind that ‘flickers’ in its desire to rise higher and get closer to God.

Presents, sufganiyot (jelly doughnuts) and latkes (potato pancakes) are nice traditions, but don’t let the eight days of Chanukah slip by without recognizing them for the spiritual focus and victory that they are! Yes, and publicize it!

Chanukah begins this year on Tuesday night, December 16. Chag Sameach!

VIEW OUR AMAZING COLLECTION OF INSPIRING ARTICLES ABOUT CHANUKAH!

Hanukkah begins sundown on Dec. 16, 2014 and ends sundown Dec. 24, 2014.


Thursday, June 26, 2014

Red Heifer Found in America - ISRAEL TODAY

Red Heifer Found in America

Thursday, June 26, 2014 |  Tsvi Sadan  ISRAEL TODAY
Finding a red heifer is like finding a needle in a hay stack. But early this week some overly industrious Jew managed to do just that in the United States of America.
This finding is all the more intriguing considering that on the coming Sabbath (Shabbat) Jews will read in the synagogues the Torah portion that begins with one of the mysterious commandment of the Red Heifer: “Tell the Israelites to procure for you a red heifer that is free from every blemish and defect and on which no yoke has ever been laid…” (Num. 19:2ff).
The Red Heifer is an extremely rare creature. According to Jewish tradition, during the two thousand years from the time this commandment was given until the destruction of the Second Temple in the first century AD, only nine red cows that met the biblical criteria were ever found.
For a cow to be a Red Heifer it has to be without blemish, one that was never put to work and completely reddish. Jewish law requires keeping the young cow under strict care until it reaches three years old. During this time, leaning on the cow, riding it even once or even putting a piece of cloth on its back disqualifies it from becoming a Red Heifer.
Strict rules also apply to its color. Two single hairs of a color other than red automatically disqualify it from becoming a Red Heifer. A Red Heifer candidate that that was discovered in 2000 was disqualified after two black hairs were found on it.
Likewise, a cow that meets all other criteria, but is older than four is disqualified. The present calf has a long way until, if at all, it will become a real Red Heifer.
In biblical times, the Red Heifer was to be completely burnt by a priest outside the Temple. Interestingly enough, the Red Heifer was burnt on the Mount of Olives, where the Dominus Flevit [The Lord Cried] Church is located today.
After being burnt, the Red Heifer’s ashes were mixed with water called the “water of remission,” which was used to purify people, especially those defiled by touching dead animals. This most serious form of defilement required Jews to undergo a ceremonial cleansing with the ash of a Red Heifer before they could again enter the Temple courtyards. In other words, without the Red Heifer, Jewish worship on the Temple Mount is not possible.
The discovery of a red calf that could potentially become a Red Heifer excites many Jews who believe that Moses prepared the first Red Heifer and Messiah will prepare the last one.
The possibility of finding a real Red Heifer prompted the Temple Institute to make the logistic preparations needed for bringing the American calf to Israel and to train priests that will perform this sacred and rare sacrificial ceremony.
At least in theory, this calf could help Jews sufficiently purify themselves to engage in real Temple activities. For now, however, believers will have to chew their nails for at least two and a half years before it will be known whether or not this import is the Red Heifer.
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