Jewish Life Cycle-- The "Black Wedding" in the Mt. of Olives Cemetery

Israel's History - a Picture a Day (Beta)

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Chapter: Jewish Life Cycle-- The "Black Wedding" in the Mt. of Olives Cemetery Posted: 18 May 2014  Mt. of Olives Cemetery 110 years ago. Not a funeral, but a picture of a wedding! (Library of Congress, 1903) The LoC caption reads: Jewish gathering at Tomb of Zacharieh, Kidron Valley In 2011, we matched up two photos in the vast Library of Congress archives of 22,000 vintage pictures from American Colony collection.  The pictures showed crowds of Jews walking between Jerusalem's Old City and the ancient Mt. of Olives cemetery, presumably for a funeral. (The Library of Congress captions now read: May be related to LC-M32-A-346 which has 4343 on negative. (Source: L. Ben-David, Israel's History - A Picture a Day website, August 19, 2011) Now it's time to match a third photo to the group.  Thanks to a new exhibit at the Tower of David Museum in Jerusalem, we can assume that all three pictures show the crowds attending a "Shvartze Hasuna," a "Black Wedding" in the cemetery.  Indeed, upon enlargement, the two other pictures show many women and kids, an apparent anomaly for an ultra-Orthodox funeral 110 years ago. Jewish funeral procession to Mt. of Olives. Absalom's Pillar is in the center Jewish procession from Jerusalem's Old City to Absalom's Pillar on Mt. of Olives.  See enlargements below The Tower of David Museum exhibit on medical history in Jerusalem shows the picture at the top of this post. A museum guide told Ha'aretz' Ilene Prusher, “The Ashkenazi belief at the time was that if you marry two orphans you can stop the epidemic [cholera] or prevent the next one.”  As a result of such a good community deed, it was believed, the souls of the deceased would intercede with God to stop the epidemic. Upon enlarging the Library of Congress picture, a black marriage canopy - a chuppa -- is apparent.  The dark chuppa in the Mt. of Olives cemetery held aloft with four poles The YIVO Institute for Jewish Research reports "Shvartze Chanesas" took place in the eastern European towns of Opatow (Apt) and Chelm.  Another account by Marjorie Gottlieb Wolfe tells of such weddings in the towns of Pinsk and Ropshitz. View a painting and recollections of a Black Wedding by Meyer Kirshenblatt here.   Enlargement showing crowd on the way to Mt. of Olives Jewish women on the path from Mt. of Olives Click on the pictures to enlarge.

Pursue Me - Now Think On This by Steve Martin

Pursue Me

- Now Think On This

by Steve Martin

“But you, as a man of God, flee from these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith, take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you testified so well to your faith before many witnesses. I charge you before God, who gives life to all things, and before the Messiah Yeshua, who in his witness to Pontius Pilate gave the same good testimony, to obey your commission spotlessly and irreproachably until our Lord Yeshua the Messiah appears.” 1 Timothy 6:11-14  (Complete Jewish Bible CJB)

I woke up hearing His words, “Pursue Me.”

Laurie and I had been in Denver, Colorado for three days, spending time with our new good friends Morris and Carol Ruddick. (See note below.) We were pursing the next step in our journey with the Lord, and for several months had looked forward to this connection the Lord had begun to establish with them.

Knowing that our hearts are hard after His, Laurie and I were seeking to know more fully His will - that of the One Who knows fully His will for us. Having walked as best we knew how, thus far in our lives together these past 37 years, we have been made ready for the next step on the journey. Our hearts and lives have been prepared, with a strong foundation having been built, to allow Him to position ourselves for His ongoing eternal plans and purposes. And thus the first trip to Denver.

In seeking the Lord along the upward climb on the mountain path, we have seen Him direct our steps along the way. Having made geographical moves from Iowa, to Illinois, to Michigan, to southern Florida, and now having spent these past 20 years in Charlotte, NC, we have seen His faithfulness throughout those years. He has brought us to the point where we are believing Him to take us on to the next assignment.

His heart for the nations has been more solidified in ours for His people in the nations. To bring His Good News, beginning with salvation through His only Son Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach, has become our desire. Blessing the families in the nations with His love, as He has blessed ours, is the calling we have received and accepted.

Hearing His voice along the way has been vital. Seeing the signs He gives us is always encouraging. Knowing His hand is upon us has kept us in pursuit of Him.

None of us knows the days that lie ahead. But knowing the God of Israel, the Almighty Creator personally as Father, is all we need. We have been known by Him, and through His grace we have come to know Him and His ways.

My encouragement for you today is to pursue Him. Call upon the Name of the Lord and you will be heard. His response to you, from His heart of compassion and courage, will lead you in the way you are to go; take you through the mine field of the enemy of our souls, and bring you to the mountain top view from His eternal window. From that vantage point you will see the bigger world picture as He sees it.

“Pursue Me” is what we are hearing. Today we will do so. I hope you do too.

Now think on this,

Steve Martin

Love For His People. Inc.

My latest book, MOUNTAIN TOP VIEW" 

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Now Think On This #151 “Pursue Me” by Steve Martin 

Date: In the year of our Lord 2014 (05.18.14) Sunday at 6:40am in Denver, CO.

All previous editions of Now Think On This can be found on this Blog, and on our newest website: Now Think On This

Note: Morris Ruddick is the author of six books, at last count. His ongoing theme is to teach others in the nations on how to build godly businesses, while understanding the Joseph-Daniel leadership concept, and based on the Jewish community model. They are all available on Amazon.com.

Morris & Carol Ruddick

Denver, CO May 17, 2014

The Joseph-Daniel Calling by Morris E. Ruddick (Jul 8, 2003)



The Heart of a King by Morris E. Ruddick (Jan 27, 2010)



LEADERSHIP BY ANOINTING: The Jewish Strategy and Biblical Model for Leadership by Morris E. Ruddick (Apr 30, 2014)




Righteous Power in a Corrupt World by Morris E. Ruddick (Oct 23, 2012)



God's Economy, Israel and the Nations by Morris Ruddick (Oct 28, 2004)



SOMETHING MORE by Morris E. Ruddick (Sep 22, 2010)

GOD YOU ARE AWESOME!!! - Photos of His Glorious Creation

Rocky Mountains in Colorado - May 2014

Camel in Negev Desert near Eilat, Israel - Oct. 2009

Red Sea near Eilat, Israel - Oct. 2009

 Negev Desert in Israel south of Beer'sheva - Oct. 2009

Bearded Iris - Charlotte, NC April 2014

Pansies in Charlotte - April 2014

Bradford Pear Tree - Charlotte, April 2014

Charlotte, NC - Oct. 2013

From Jerusalem looking west - Oct. 2008

Tel Aviv, Israel beach - Nov. 2010

Martin Home in Charlotte - June 2011

Mallards - Charlotte, NC - March 2014

Turtle - Charlotte, NC May 2014

Rocky Mountains - near Denver, CO May 16, 2014

OUR GOD

IS AN

AWESOME GOD!

YOU HAVE SEEN

JUST A FEW OF

WHAT HE HAS

CREATED

TO BLESS US!!!

THANK YOU LORD!

Photos by Steve Martin, Founder, Love For His People

Creatures - cute and wonderful in Colorado

It was fun capturing these creatures on my camera while in Colorado May 15-18, 2014. I hope to get some more to share with you.

Steve Martin

Love For His People

 

 

This is a Western Tanager. His orange head is barely visible though.

Discover the principles that lead to favor, wisdom, and being a part of God’s plan!

Prayer   The 700 Club   Give   Contact  View as a Webpage Forward Discover the principles that lead to favor, wisdom, and being a part of God’s plan! In CBN's new DVD, Living Under God’s Blessing, Pat and Gordon Robertson share how we can live in the favor and provision of God. In this new DVD, you will: Discover the principles that lead to living under the covenant of God's great favor inPat Robertson’s landmark teaching from Jerusalem Learn how to overcome problems and challenges as you watch Gordon Robertson’s Emmy-nominated series, Made in Israel, and discover how the blessings of Israel can be yours Learn how you can enjoy God’s blessing and protection in your life Get Pat and Gordon Robertson's newest DVD, Living Under God's Blessing—it’s our gift to you when you join the 700 Club.

All Creation Praise the Lord!

    Rocky Mountains, near Breckenridge, CO. May 16, 2014 Photo by Steve Martin

The Whole Creation Invoked to Praise the Lord

Psalm148 NASB


 

Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens;

Praise Him in the heights!

2 

Praise Him, all His angels;

PraiseHim, all His hosts!

3 

Praise Him, sun and moon;

Praise Him, all stars of light!

4 

Praise Him, highest heavens,

And the waters that are above the heavens!

5 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For He commanded and they were created.
6 He has also established them forever and ever;
He has made a decree which will not pass away.

7 Praise the Lord from the earth,
Sea monsters and all deeps;
8 Fire and hail, snow and clouds;
Stormy wind, fulfilling His word;
9 Mountains and all hills;
Fruit trees and all cedars;
10 Beasts and all cattle;
Creeping things and winged fowl;

11 

Kings of the earth and all peoples;
Princes and all judges of the earth;
12 Both young men and virgins;
Old men and children.

13 Let them praise the name of the Lord,
For His name alone is exalted;
His glory is above earth and heaven.
14 And He has lifted up a horn for His people,
Praise for all His godly ones;
Even for the sons of Israel, a people near to Him.
Praise the Lord!

 Photos by Steve Martin - Rocky Mountains, near Breckenridge, CO. May 16, 2014

Western Tanager bird - Denver, CO

Western Tanager - Denver, CO May 16, 2014

Photos by Steve Martin

SunTrust Cuts Ties with Benhams after HGTV Flap

SunTrust Cuts Ties with Benhams 

after HGTV Flap

CBN News May 16, 2014

More than a week after HGTV dropped David and Jason Benham's reality show over their views on same-sex marriage, the brothers and business owners announced SunTrust Banks is cutting ties with them.

According the Daily Caller, the Benhams said SunTrust's decision came "without warning or explanation" and "took place over a 15-minute period" Thursday.

"We were caught off-guard with this one," David Benham said. "Keeping us off television wasn't enough, now this agenda to silence wants us out of the marketplace."

Faith Driven Consumer founder Chris Stone agreed, suggesting the move by SunTrust was punitive and part of a growing movement to silence people of faith.

"SunTrust's actions have effectively put into place a belief-oriented litmus test for its business partners seeking to compete in the marketplace of goods, services, and ideas," Stone told Charisma News. "This is discriminatory, intolerant, and in direct opposition [to] everything that America is about."

"Faith Driven Consumers, and all fair-minded Americans, are getting tired of this," Stone continued. "They know it's wrong, and they are not going to tolerate this kind of bullying."

SunTrust issued a statement Friday saying the move had to do with changes in management and was not motivated by politics.

"SunTrust supports the rights of all Americans to fully exercise their freedoms granted under the Constitution, including those with respect to free speech and freedom of religion," they said.

"Mid-2013, we consolidated the management of certain residential assets with a third party vendor, which has the relationship with Benham Real Estate," they continued. "While we do not publicly comment on specific vendor relationships, we don’t make choices on suppliers nor base business decisions on political factors, nor do we direct our third party vendors to do so. We clarified our policies with our vendor and the issue has been resolved."

The Behnam controversy is the latest evidence of shifting attitudes toward marriage.

Ten years after same-sex marriage first became legal in the state of Massachusetts, acceptance of gay marriage has grown across the country.

Seventeen states and the District of Columbia now allow same-sex couples to wed.

Although 30 states have voter-approved constitutional amendments banning gay marriage, judges in seven of them have struck down those laws.

Meanwhile, recent polls show 53 percent of Americans now support gay marriage. A decade earlier, that number stood at 30 percent.

***Is it inevitable that gay marriage will become a norm in America? Chris Plante, with the National Organization for Marriage, addressed that question and more on CBN Newswatch, May 16.

If you want to voice your discontent with Sun Trust Bank and HGTV. Write, call, email, or comment on Twitter:

SUNTRUST

Write to the office of the president:

7818 Parham Road Richmond, Virginia 23294

Call Headquarters: 303 Peachtreet St, N.E. Atlanta, Georgia 30308

Phone number: (404) 588-7711

HGTV

Write:

HGTV Corporate Office Headquarters

500 W Summit Hill Drive Knoxville, TN 37902

Email your complaint.

Tweet @HGTV