Resources: • Adventist Mission Website: http://wjafc.globalmissioncenters.org/
This website is the new resource provided by the Office of Adventist Mission of the General Conference of the Seventh-day
• Website: www.jewishadventist.org
We pray every week for the leaders of the Jewish Ministry,
Shabbat - Haazinu
Shabbat Shalom Newsletter
749
J…wnyIzSaAh
23 September 2017 3 Tishrei 5778
This issue
A must website. To subscribe to our newsletter. To download some resources (Hebrew Sabbath School, and other documents). To order the book “Comfort, Comfort my people…” and many other things. •
Professional Urban Development: The WJAFC provides:
Shalom Adventure Magazine online: www.ShalomAdventure.com
If you would like to read articles, watch videos, learn things about Judaism and Israel, this website is just for you.
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WJAFC: If you would like to share with people, this forum on facebook is a good place for that.
• Photos: https://get.google.com/albumarchive/1131446298409925652
- Professional Urban training for Jewish Ministry
91?source=pwa We have posted a lot of pictures on Internet during the last years. Don’t hesitate
- Teaching for theological students
• Russian Website: http://www.boruh.info/ This website is in Russian, many articles
- Help to plant new congregations. - Support for AdventistJewish dialogue with scholars and rabbis
to look at them.
and the parasha are posted on it every week.
WJAFC Paris
A weekly Journal of information and training published by the World Jewish Adventist Friendship Center Under the umbrella of the General Conference —Office of Adventist Mission
Journal of Information and Training — Issue 749 — 23 September 2017 / 3 Tishrei 5778
Carlos Muniz English Edition: Richard-Amram Elofer
Richard Amram Elofer
Russian Edition: Alexandra Obrevko French Edition: Sabine Baris Portuguese Edition: Carlos Muniz Dutch Edition: Hubert Paulleta
Hubert Paulleta 8
Emails: English: richard@elofer.com
Alexandra Obrevko
Russian: sashok_l@mail.ru French: sabinebaris@gmail.com Portuguese: cdmuniz@gmail.com Dutch: hpauletta@hotmail.com
Credit photos: Richard Elofer, Alexandra Obrevko, Jael Wells Cuellar Hubert Paulleta, Laurent Baris and Advent Digital Media
for more information: contact us at www.jewishadventist.org
News 1 Parasha’s comments 2-4 Haftarah 4-5 Apostolic Writings 5 Stories & Traditions 6 Inspirational Corner 6, 7
Weekly Jewish-Adventist Journal of Information
We pray every week for the Jewish Friendship Ministry. I suggest our partners to pray from September 24 to 30 for the Jewish people in Mexico. I was in Mexico last week for a great time of training. Our friends in Mexico have just opened a Cultural Center and need our prayers.
Hag Kippur Sameach Have a nice Feast of Kippur Yom Kippur, The Day of Atonement
Next Shabbat will be Yom Kippur, it happens very often that Yom Kippur occurs on a Shabbat. We know that for the Jewish people the Shabbat is a celebration and a day of delight, that is why it is forbidden to fast on Shabbat. But the Jewish tradition says, we don’t fast on Shabbat, except when Yom Kippur is on Shabbat. Thus Shabbat September 30 will be a day of prayer and fast for the Jewish people. Since this year Yom Kippur will be on Shabbat, the Seventh-day Adventists will be worshipping Hashem too. I suggest that each one of you, asks your pastor to speak in your congregation for a few minutes, and there you will say to the members of the congregation: Today is the day of Atonement, or Kippur for the Jewish people, let’s pray for the Jewish people to receive a special revelation from G-d in order to recognize that Yeshua is the Messiah.” and then you pray with your congregation.
make it Jewish friendly. Thanks to them to send it to us. If you are reading Portuguese you can download it from: http://adv7.in/J2 בית מדרש
Beth Midrash
LIÇÕES CONTEXTUALIZADAS PARA COMUNIDADES JUDAICO-ADVENTISTAS
Outubro, Novembro e Dezembro de 2017 | Tishrei, Cheshvan, Kislev, Tevet de 5778
Carta aos
Romanos אגרת שאול אל הרומים
Portuguese Bible Study Guide
Sabine Baris
Our friends from Brazil had a few years ago the very good idea to contextualize this Bible Study Guide we study every quarter to
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“For I will proclaim the name of the LORD; ascribe greatness to our God! The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:3–4)
Parasha for this Week
Nitzavim/Vayelech
wnyIzSaAh
Parasha Overview: Haazinu
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lmost all of Ha’azinu is a song or a poem, written in the Torah in two parallel columns. Moshe summons the heavens and the earth to stand as eternal witnesses to what will happen if the Jewish People sin and do not obey the Torah. Moses reminds the people to examine the history of the world, and note how the Jewish People are rescued from obliteration in each generation—that G-d “pulls the strings” of world events so that Bnei Yisrael can fulfill their destiny as His messengers in the world. G-d’s kindness is such that Israel should be eternally grateful, not just for sustaining them in the wilderness, but for bringing them to a land of amazing abundance, and for defeating their enemies. But, this physical bounty leads the people to become self-satisfied and over-indulged. Physical pleasures corrupt the morals of the people. They worship empty idols and powerless G-ds, and indulge in all kinds of depravity.
Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52 Credit: ynetnews.com
Ha’azinu
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his parasha is a beautiful song composed by Moses, in fact we have two songs, the first to celebrate the exodus from Egypt and the crossing of the Red Sea “Then Moses and the people of Israel sang this song to the L-rd, saying, “I will sing to the L-rd, for he has triumphed gloriously;” (Exodus 15:1), and second in Deuteronomy 32. This song has been called “The farewell song of Moses.” Moses will die soon, he knows it and as the spiritual leader of Israel wanted to let them this farewell song. Moses accepted G-d 40 years in the past, when he received his first vision and calling, and here 40 years after his faith is still as strong as ever, or as on the first day G-d called him from the burning bush “For I will proclaim the name of the L-rd; ascribe greatness to our G-d!” (Deuteronomy 32:3). Even though he hits the Rock twice to give water to Israel in the wilderness, he now recognizes his mistake, accepting that the Rock is G-d himself, saying in his joy: “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A G-d of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and
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upright is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4), after 40 years of close relationship with G-d, he does not see any injustice or unfair decision or behavior of G-d, and recognizes the perfection of G-d. What a contrast between G-d and human beings, even though they are His people. G-d is perfect, just, faithful, without iniquity, upright, in contrast His people is “corrupted,” “blemished,” “crooked and twited”, “foolish” and “senseless” (32:5-6), they are “perverse” and in them there is “no faithfulness” (32:20). They will be punished “And I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend my arrows on them; they shall be wasted with hunger,” (Deuteronomy 32:23–24). But as a loving and gracious G-d, he will not destroy his people completely, He will save them: “For the L-rd will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.” (Deuteronomy 32:36). It is a beautiful song to glorify G-d for his goodness and kindness, a song of deliverance, which will be sung by the Jewish people of all Generations.
Heavens and Earth
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lesson given by the Rabbi of Lubavitch about the first word of this parasha Ha’azinu. He said that the word haazinu, generally translated as “listen,” literally means “give ear.” In that vein, our Sages compare Moshe’s call: “Listen O heavens, and I will speak; earth, hear the words of my mouth,” with Isaiah’s prophecy: “Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth; for the L-rd has spoken:” (Isaiah 1:2). And they explain that Moshe was “close to the heavens, and far from the earth.” Therefore, he was able to address the heavens at close range. Isaiah, by contrast, despite the personal growth he had attained, was still “close to the earth, and far from the heavens.” And thus he used wording that reflected his level. Both of them addressed “Heavens” and “Earth,” Heavens are about spiritual matters, earth is about material matters, but both of them: material and spiritual reality are meant to be connected, that is the genius of the Bible and the Jewish people, is to tell us, everything is spiritual, everything in our life is connected to G-d, from the very morning when we weak up and the night when we are going to sleep.
Shabbat Shuva
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his Shabbat is in connection with Yom Kippur, which will be celebrated on next Shabbat, Septembre 30. That is why this Shabbat is called Shabbat Shuva, “The Shabbat of Return” (spiritual return, which means also Teshuvah “repentance”). According to the Jewish tradition, this Shabbat contains within it the power of the events of the following week (10 days of Awe and repentance). Thus it contains within it the power of the twenty-four fast of Yom Kippur. As we know that Shabbat is a day of delight and not a day of fast, that is why the Jewish scholars ask: “since Shabbat is a day of pleasure, of eating, how can it contain its opposite?” On Shabbat, we have the opportunity to take this physical world and, rather than use it for own aggrandizement, we can elevate it to the service of our Creator.
A Period of Repentance
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saiah said “Seek out Hashem when He can be found...” (55:6). The ten
days between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (September 21 to 30) are referred to by our Sages as the Atserets Yamei Teshuva (ten days of repentance). This concept is alluded to in the verses. The Rambam (Maimonides) records that during this period Teshuva is more effective. The mitzva of Teshuva (to repent) can be performed throughout the entire year; what is the significance of this time period that makes it more auspicious for repentance? The Rambam, in his magnum opus, “Yad Hachazaka” records the principle of bechira chofshi (free choice) in the Laws of Repentance. Free choice is the very basis of our relationship with Hashem. Without the ability to choose right over wrong there could not be a system of “saved” and “lost”. The Jewish tradition says that during the ten days of repentance, Hashem, who is our Healer, is closer to us and waiting for us to call upon Him. Therefore, during this time it is easier to remove the underlying causes of our bad behavior. Hashem will remove these causes, as long as we take complete responsibility for our actions.
Meaning of Repentance
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abbi Avraham of Slonim once gave a sermon about the significance of the month of Ellul and the importance of Teshuvah-repentance. Someone said, “Rabbi, what good is repenting when from time to time I fall back into my bad habits. What purpose is there in my repenting?” Rabbi Avraham replied, “When a person realizes that they are sinking in deep mud and must get out, they take big steps trying to get to safe ground. Although, each time the person puts his foot back down, he again steps into the mud, yet, if he stops he will sink completely. But, if he continues, even though he is still in the mud, every move will bring him closer to getting out.” “The same is with Teshuvah. When you try to emerge from the spiritual mud, you may not see any improvement at first. But as long as you keep on making an effort to emerge, you will eventually succeed. The worst thing is to stop trying, for then you will surely sink in the mud!”
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G-d will then let nations with no moral worth subjugate Israel and scatter them across the world. However, their only purpose is as a rod to chastise the Jewish People. When these nations think that it is through their own power that they have dominated Israel, G-d will remind them that they are no more that a tool to do His will. The purpose of the Jewish People is fundamental — that man should know his Creator. Neither exile nor suffering can sever the bond between G-d and His people, and eventually in the final redemption this closeness will be restored. G-d will then turn His anger against the enemies of Israel, as though they were His enemies, showing no mercy to the tormentors of His people. G-d then gives His last commandment to Moshe: That he should ascend Mount Nebo and be gathered there to his people.
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n this special Shabbat before Sukkoth (Feast of the Tabernacles) Israel is going to read three texts for the Haftara, not only one. The text of Hosea is a call to come back to the L-rd, we are still in the context of Teshuva (repentance and confession). “Take words with you and return to the L-rd; say to him, “Take away all guilt; accept that which is good, and we will offer the fruit of our lips.” (Hos. 14:2). Israel has understood that sacrifices of animal are not always pleasing the L-rd. What Hashem wants from us is much more the fruits of our lips that means praises, hallels, and prayers. The prophet Joel is much more in the context of calling to repentance, with the shofar as it is blown on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur. “Blow the trumpet in Zion; sanctify a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Sanctify the congregation; ” (Joel 2:15-16). Israel has just gathered in a solemn assembly for Rosh Hashana and Kippur, however the prophet says to Israel that it is not enough. On Yom Kippur Israel repented and confessed their sins, however, this coming back to the L-rd cannot be only on one day a year, it should be done every day of the year. Then Rosh hashana and Kippur still have all their
credit: freebibleimages.org
Haftarah Overview Hosea 14:2 -10 Joel 2:15 - 27 Micah 7:18 - 20
“Remember the days of old; consider the years of many generations; ask your father, and he will show you, your elders, and they will tell you.” (Deuteronomy 32:7)
Teshuva and Forgiveness
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n the text of the Haftara the Prophet Joel affirms “Blow the Shofar in Zion! Sanctify a fast. Call a solemn assembly. Gather the people. Sanctify the assembly Assemble the elders. Gather the children, and those who suck the breasts. Let the bridegroom go forth from his room, And the bride out of her chamber. Let the priests, the ministers of Yahweh, weep between the porch and the altar,” (Joel 2:15-17). In the Jewish calendar the blowing of the shofar is done on Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the day of Atonement. The Torah teaches us that the Almighty forgives us when we do Teshuva (repent). How to repent? There are five steps, Yeshua gave these five steps in one of his parable called “The Prodigal Son:” 1) We must recognize that we have made a mistake. 2) We must deeply regret our mistake. 3) We must rectify the mistake where possible (i.e., returning the stolen item and asking for forgiveness). 4) We must undertake a plan to avoid the same transgression in the future.
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5) If the sin is against one of our neighbor, we must ask him to forgive us, and if the sin is against G-d We must verbally ask the Almighty to forgive us. Rabbi Abraham Twerski teaches us that “Halachah requires that a person should forgive anyone who offers an apology for his behavior” (Orach Chaim 606:3). The medieval works of Musar literature which was composed by a range of rabbis, adds that we should forgive anyone who has offended us even if he does not offer an apology, and quotes the Talmud which states that if a person forgives others, he will merit forgiveness for his sins (Yoma 23a). The Halachah states that “Divine forgiveness is effective only for those who believe that G-d forgives.” There is a promise of forgiveness in the Bible, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9) Accepting G-d’s forgiveness is a matter of faith. It is time, in this period of Yom Kippur to blow the shofar in our assembly and to call our people to repentance, I am sure that G-d will pour on us his spiritual rain.
G-d’s Word
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he Torah states: “May my teaching fall like rain…” Deuteronomy 32:2 The words of the Bible are like rain. Just as rain, when it falls, seems to leave no impression on the plants, and only later when the sun emerges from the clouds and shines on the earth do we see the results of the rain, so too are the words of the Bible. Even though at the time of hearing them their influence cannot be detected, nevertheless, in due course their effect becomes apparent. Water is a vital component of life. Rain is a vehicle for bringing water across the planet to places that otherwise would not have access to water. When rain falls on trees and plants, growth is not noticeable immediately. It takes time for the rain to have a visible effect. Likewise, when we give admonition to others or we make efforts to change ourselves, improvement is often not immediately noticeable. We should not despair nor give up hope. Every effort has an impact just as every raindrop has an impact. If we keep trying, then, G-d willing, our efforts will bloom! Likely, this is why Moses chose rain as the metaphor for his teachings.
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Apostolic Writings — Acts 1:1-12
he parasha is about the last instructions and song Moshe gave to Israel (Deuteronomy 32). The text of the Apostolic Writings is about the last words of Yeshua on the earth. He addresses these words to his talmidim (disciples) who were scared about the leaving of Yeshua and being on their own. They gave up everything for Yeshua, their business, their family, their friends, everything. One of the ultimate concerns of Yeshua was about equipping his talmidim for the ministry “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days, you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5) The parasha and the Haftarah compare the Ruach Elohim (spirit of G-d) to the rain which refreshes the earth. As the first believers, Yeshua’s talmidim had to start the mission that Yeshua gave them, but this mission could not be fulfilled without a strong help from G-d and his Spirit. That is why Yeshua said to his talmidim “Do not leave Jerusalem”, don’t be in a hurry to start the mission. They could run all over the world to share the message of Yeshua, but it would not have been with success, because it would have been without the power of the Ruach Hakodesh. In his instructions Yeshua continues saying: “wait for the gift my
Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.” This gift is the gift of the Ruach Elohim. Later, on the same day, Yeshua said to them “But you will receive power when the Ruach Hakodesh comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Yerushalaim, and in all Yehudah and Shomron, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8). Yeshua wanted his message to be preached all over the world, not only in Yerushalaim, but in all the country of Yehudah, the country of Shomron, where the Samaritan were living, and bekol ha’olam everywhere, to the end of the world. It is really what the talmidim have done, all the book of Acts is about the fulfillment of this mission, to the point that it is written: “This [their preaching] continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia heard the word of the L-rd, both Jews and Greeks.” (Acts 19:10), they were not many disciples, Paul was traveling with a small group of people, but it was enough to make the gospel known by everyone in Asia Minor. It is interesting that Yeshua did not give the gift of the Ruach Elohim to his talmidim right after his resurrection, he asked them to wait for the right day. That right day was the day of Shavuot (called Pentecost by Christians), Shavuot is the celebration of a great gift, the Jewish people celebrate the giving of the Torah in Sinai on that day, thus the disciples received on this very day, the gift of
the Holy Spirit, Ruach Hakodesh. Why? Because the gift of the Holy Spirit goes together with the gift of the Torah, it is the Holy Spirit which inspired Moses and the other prophets, thus without the Ruach Elohim it is impossible to understand correctly the Holy Scriptures. Rabbi Shaul said that in his second letter to his disciple Timothy “All Scripture is breathed out by G-d and profitable” (3:16–17). Yeshua wanted to be sure that his disciples will interpret the Bible correctly, that is one of the reasons Yeshua wanted to make connection between Shavuot and the gift of the Holy Spirit. After giving his last instructions Moshe went up the Mount Nebo from where G-d took him to heaven for eternity. In our text of Acts we also see Yeshua going up to heaven: “After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going,” (Acts 1:9-10). However this text ends with a great hope, the hope of his return: when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:10-11) May He come back speedily in our days. Amen.
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significance even though they are already passed. If Israel is faithful that way, the L-rd will bless her “In response to his people the L-rd said: I am sending you grain, wine, and oil, and you will be satisfied; and I will no more make you a mockery among the nations.” (Joel 2:19). The last text from Micah is a recognition from Israel that the L-rd has forgiven her sins. “Who is a G-d like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of your possession? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in showing clemency. He will again have compassion upon us; he will tread our iniquities under foot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea. You will show faithfulness to Jacob and unswerving loyalty to Abraham, as you have sworn to our ancestors from the days of old. ” (Mic. 7-18-20). What a wonderful G-d who repeats His promises to His people and helps them to start a new year full of confidence in Him! I love our G-d for his mercy upon His people. It is always a special experience to discover how much G-d Loves His people.
Stories and Traditions
Why to Give
Inspirational Corner v Centuries before the
Saviour’s advent Moses had pointed to the Rock of Israel’s salvation. The psalmist had sung of “the Rock of my strength.” Isaiah had written, “Thus saith the L-rd G-d, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation.” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Psalm 62:7; Isaiah 28:16). Peter himself, writing by inspiration, applies this prophecy to Jesus. He says, “If ye have tasted that the L-rd is gracious: unto whom coming, a living stone, rejected indeed of men, but with G-d elect, precious, ye also, as living stones, are built up a spiritual house.” (1 Peter 2:3-5). (DA 413)
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ne Rosh Hashana night, the Talmudic Sage, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, had a dream. In the dream, he saw that his nephews would have to pay 600 golden dinars to the tax collectors. Rabbi Shimon, wanting to save them this aggravation, sent charity collectors to ask his nephews to solicit more charity than usual throughout that year. “Why do you want us to give more charity this year than usual?” they questioned their uncle. “If one doesn’t give willingly to the right causes, he ends up having to give forcibly for the wrong things,” Rabbi Shimon answered. At the end of the year, a special military tax was imposed on the people of that city. Rabbi Shimon’s nephews, being wealthy people, were assessed 600 golden dinars. When they refused to pay this large amount, they were thrown in jail. When Rabbi Shimon heard what happened, he ordered that his nephews’ records of charitable donations be brought to him. Upon calculating how much charity they gave, he realized that they were 6 dinars short of the sum of 600. “Bring me six dinars,” said Rabbi Shimon, “and with G-d’s help, everything will be in order.” “But they want 600 dinars! What good will six dinars do?” Rabbi Shimon urged them to do as he said. With the six dinars in his hand he went to the tax collector and succeeded in persuading him to take the six dinars and free his nephews. Only then did Rabbi Shimon tell his relatives of his Rosh Hashana dream. “Had you given the full 600 dinars for charity, you wouldn’t have had to go through all this misery,” Rabbi Shimon told them. “If you knew this all along, why didn’t you tell us? We would have gladly given the 600 dinars for charity!” they complained. “Had I told you about my dream in the beginning of the year,
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all the charity you gave during the year would have been for selfish reasons. In that case, the mitzvah wouldn’t have been performed to its fullest,” answered Rabbi Shimon.
Power of Confession
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my’s mother waved to her and said: “See you in a few days,” , as she hurriedly got ready to leave for her business trip. “I’m sure you’ll help your father while he’s watching you, just like you helped me to get ready,” she grinned, wheeling her suitcase out the door. Amy weakly waved back and tried to muster a smile. It wasn’t easy - not only because she was gong to miss her mom - which she was - but because of her secret... It happened the night before. Her mom, as she always was before these trips, was super stressed and busy. “Amy, I need your help,” she’d said, holding out a big basket. “I need this laundry for my trip. Can you do me a favor and wash, dry and pack it for me?” Amy had been very busy at the time playing her favorite video game and really didn’t feel like stopping to do laundry. She was especially miffed when her mom had added that she had to do it in two loads whites and colors separately. “Okaaay,” she’d sighed and unhappily left her virtual-video paradise for the much less exotic environment of their laundry room. That’s when she got her great idea. Why couldn’t she at least cut the time of this boring project in half by washing all the clothes together? There was certainly enough room in their big washing machine. Just to make sure it all got clean, Amy turned the temperature up to its highest setting. True, her mom had told her to use only the lukewarm setting, but it probably didn’t make a difference. Well ... it sure did make a difference! When she dragged herself away from the screen half
an hour later, Amy discovered her mom’s white shirts had become a muddy pink and much of her colored stuff looked kind of funny too. She’d dried it - also on the highest setting - despite her mom’s instructions, hoping the heat would make the stains go away. But they didn’t and the only way the clothes looked different was that they seemed a little shrunk. Panicking, Amy rushed to fold and pack all the stuff before her mom could come around and notice, making sure to tuck it under the other stuff that her mother had already packed. Fortunately, the ploy had worked and now her mom had just driven off none the wiser! Amy sat down at her video screen and put on one of her best games, but she just couldn’t get into it. She told herself she should be relieved - her mother hadn’t noticed her mistake so far and maybe she wouldn’t notice at all. And even if she did, she wouldn’t be back for several days, by which time even if she got angry, she probably would have cooled off. But Amy didn’t feel relieved at all and had a feeling that she wasn’t going to feel relieved until she... Pushing the last button of her mom’s cell-phone number, Amy cringed, half hoping her mother had left it switched off. No such luck. “Amy? I just left. Is everything okay?” her mom answered. “Yeah, everything’s fine... Um, actually there’s just something I think you ought to know...” She went on to confess the whole, sad story. She waited to hear her mother go ballistic through the phone - but instead she heard her laugh. “Thank you so, so much for telling me what happened!” she said. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy for you to call, but if you hadn’t, I would have gotten there and the trip would have been a disaster! Now, I’ll just swing home and get some other stuff out of the closet.”
Kids Parasha Ha’azinu
wnyIzSaAh
Inspirational Corner v Glorious to the eyes
Deuteronomy 32:1-52
“He found him in a desert land, and in the howling waste of the wilderness; he encircled him, he cared for him, he kept him as the apple of his eye. Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, that flutters over its young, spreading out its wings, catching them, bearing them on its pinions, the L-rd alone guided him, no foreign G-d was with him. He made him ride on the high places of the land, and he ate the produce of the field, and he suckled him with honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock. Curds from the herd, and milk from the flock, with fat of lambs, rams of Bashan and goats, with the very finest of the wheat— and you drank foaming wine made from the blood of the grape.” (Deuteronomy 32:10–14). http://www.bnai-tikkun.org.nz 7
of heavenly beings was the promise of the future. A restored creation, a redeemed race, that having conquered sin could never fall,—this, the result to flow from Messiah’s completed work, G-d and angels saw. With this scene the day upon which Jesus rested is forever linked. For “His work is perfect;” and “whatsoever G-d does, it shall be forever.” (Deuteronomy 32:4; Ecclesiastes 3:14). When there shall be a “restitution of all things, which G-d has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began” (Acts 3:21), the creation Sabbath, the day on which Yeshua lay at rest in Joseph’s tomb, will still be a day of rest and rejoicing. Heaven and earth will unite in praise, as “from one Sabbath to another” (Isaiah 66:23) the nations of the saved shall bow in joyful worship to G-d and the Lamb. (DA 769)