THE MESSIANIC JEWISH BIBLE INSTITUTE
Fall 2018
Special Banquet Edition
THE JOY OF TORAH
Featuring
STEPHEN HARPER I S R A E L' S B E S T F R I E N D
Why is God So Passionate About Jerusalem? PAGE 12
MEET OUR DIRECTORS JEWISH FEASTS & HOLIDAYS
CO N TE N TS
Contact Information P.O. Box 610105 Dallas, TX 75261 (817) 864-9300 USAoffice@mjbi.org • mjbi.org
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For Zion’s Sake
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Permission to Dance for the Joy of Torah!
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Meet Our Board: Rabbi Ari Waldman
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Life From the Land
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FEATURE ARTICLES By Nic Lesmeister
Online Schools School of Messianic Theology SMT@mjbi.org • smt.mjbi.org
The King’s University
Accredited Messianic Jewish Studies Program tali.snow@tku.edu • TKU.edu
Fall 2018
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By Nic Lesmeister
By Joseph H. Benami
By Tara Kieschnick
Featuring Tikkun Global By Ron Cantor
Israel's Best Friend: Stephen Harper Before Our Eyes: Jerusalem Redeemed
Jewish Feasts and Holidays By Tara Kieschnick
International Schools ARGENTINA Argentina@mjbi.org MinisterioBetEl.org
RUSSIA Russia@mjbi.org
ETHIOPIA Ethiopia@mjbi.org
UKRAINE Ukraine@mjbi.org OrHaMashiah.org
Dates to remember
HUNGARY Hungary@mjbi.org
ZIMBABWE Zimbabwe@mjbi.org
September 24-30 Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)
POLAND Poland@mjbi.org
October 1 Shmini Atzeret (8th Day of Sukkot) October 2 Simchat Torah (Celebration of Torah) October 13 Poland MJBI Program Launch
ECFA Accreditation MJBI is a long-time accredited member of the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability. The ECFA sets Seven Standards of Responsible Stewardship, ranging from board of director requirements to strict financial accountability. As a member of ECFA, MJBI annually conducts a full, independent financial audit each year. You can be sure that your financial gifts to MJBI are being handled with the highest level of transparency, accountability and efficiency.
November 11 Veteran's Day
November 15 MJBI Fall Banquet November 22 Thanksgiving December 3-10 Hanukkah December 25 Christmas Day January 1 New Year's Day
View this issue online
at mjb i .o rg /z ea lo u sma g a z i n e / f a l l - 2 0 1 8
FOR ZION’S SAKE NIC LESMEISTER ZEALOUS
M
ay 14, 2018, was a day that will forever be etched into the halls of history. It was the calendar anniversary of Israel’s 70th year as a modern nation state, as well as the opening of the new United States Embassy within the city of Jerusalem. These events have followers of Yeshua (Jesus) all over the world wondering, “What does all this mean?” Perhaps you have been wondering this, too. One of the most powerful qualities of the Bible is that it is a living, prophetic book. It tells us about the past but also instructs about the present and future. When we study it accurately, we can tune into ancient wisdom and revelation to see a picture of what God is doing in our day and beyond. Our latest issue of Zealous Magazine aims to explore some of this revelation in a way that will inspire and empower you. In fact, we’re living in such a special year that we decided to add even more content to Zealous for this fall’s edition.
I’ll also introduce you more intimately to our very special guest for this November’s MJBI Banquet – former Prime Minister Stephen Harper. You’ll have a chance to get to know one of our MJBI Board members, Rabbi Ari Waldman. Our friend Ron Cantor also tells us about the work of Tikkun Global—one of the ministries that founded MJBI—in our Life from the Land feature.
Magazine
Nic Lesmeister Editor-in-Chief
PROJECT MANAGEMENT Tara Kieschnick Managing Editor
Carol Adams Editor
Preston Benjamin Editor
Sam Arnaud Editor
My friend Joey Benami writes a very engaging piece on one of the most overlooked modern Jewish holidays, Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah). In addition, we provide you with our annual Jewish Holiday Calendar for 2019, compiled and explained by our very own communications superstar, Tara Kieschnick.
ART & DESIGN George Estrada
As they say in Israel, “Yalla!” (Let’s go!)
Youtube.com/mjbiusa
For Zion’s Sake,
Instagram @mjbiusa
Graphic Designer
SOCIAL MEDIA Facebook.com/mjbi.usa Twitter.com/mjbi
NIC LESMEISTER, PRESIDENT & CEO My feature article on Jerusalem will seek to unpack the prophetic elements of Isaiah 52, which I believe are being fulfilled today right in front of our eyes.
MJBI.org/zealousmagazine MJBI.org
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PERMISSION TO DANCE FOR THE JOY OF TORAH! BY J O S E P H H . B E N A M I here is something godly about Jewish dance. It is pure and unadulterated joy! I once had a rabbi who loved Jewish dance so much that he made everyone in the congregation dance… even us men! I am thankful he did this though, because I discovered dancing for the Lord can be a powerful spiritual warfare tool. The ultimate Jewish dance, however, takes place on Simchat Torah, when everyone gets a chance to dance with the Torah. Oy! Pure and unadulterated joy!
T
Simchat Torah, or in English the "Joy of Torah," is a nonbiblical Jewish feast added by tradition to the end of the Fall Festivals season. It celebrates the end and the beginning of the yearly Torah reading cycle, when we roll the scroll back from the end of Devarim (Deuteronomy) to the 4 | FALL 2018
beginning of Bereshit (Genesis). Congregants take turns carrying the Torah scroll, parading it seven times around the congregation. Traditional songs are sung, and a supernatural joy is in the air. But when the dust settles, an ugly contradiction rears its head. How can the words “joy” and “Torah” even be spoken in the same sentence? The Torah is often thought of as legalistic, bondage-producing, and replaced. How then can it be joyful? Dancing ecstatically for love of Torah becomes a gross incongruence. It is a joy-killing tension that paralyzes even the most robust minds. Oy! We went from “I ‘heart’ Torah” and “LOL! Dancing with the Scrolls,” to “Sad Face” and “Confused Face.” Don’t despair, though, social media is coming to the rescue… sort of.
Truth be told, the negative view of Torah is the result of “fake news.” That’s right—a systematic campaign of misinformation. You see, just as partial hardening has happened to the Jewish people, making it difficult for them to see the loving nature of Yeshua the Messiah (Rom. 11:25), so, too, an ancient misinformation campaign regarding the Torah has prevented the Church from seeing its loving nature. I have found a wonderful “product” that helps with that called “clarity.” The active ingredient of clarity is “proper differentiation,” and it works by “preserving the distinctions between closely associated things.” Allow me to explain.
Anti-Semitism is no doubt the deadliest of all fake news. Its central lie is, “Jews killed Christ!” But did you know that anti-Semitism began as anti-Judaism in the ancient world? And did you know that anti-Judaism took root in the early Church because of anti-Torah rhetoric? The teaching that Israel has been replaced goes hand in hand with the teaching that the Torah has been replaced. As the Church discovers the falsehoods of replacement theology concerning Israel, discovering the falsehoods about the replacement of the Torah closely follows. That is a great reason for rejoicing— rejoicing in the Torah. This article has been something of a rollercoaster. We The Torah is associated with started dancing for joy, lovlegalism, bondage, and reing the Torah, and then all placement theology, but are of that came crashing down those associations fair or as we “remembered” what justified? Take, for instance, we’ve been told about the HOW CAN THE WORDS “JOY” AND legalism. From church pulpits, Torah. Confused, we were re“TORAH” EVEN BE SPOKEN IN THE the Torah is reported—parsilient and sought some clarity. SAME SENTENCE? THE TORAH IS OFTEN tially with disdain—as havWe looked at how the Torah ing 613 commands. Although THOUGHT OF AS LEGALISTIC, BONDAGE- has been associated with some numerically correct, this is dark things, but an up-close PRODUCING, AND REPLACED. HOW associated with the many “tralook revealed these associaTHEN CAN IT BE JOYFUL? ditions of men” Yeshua cortions to be fake. What a relief! nered the Pharisees as having. Now we feel like “permission” The fact that some Pharisees used the Torah in legalistic has again been granted for us to pick up the Torah, start the ways does not mean the Torah is legalistic. If you have ever music, and resume our dance! been to a Passover Seder, you have partaken of Pharisaic tradition, as many of the elements and the arrangement itReally, you owe it to yourself this Fall, as Jews celebrate the self is of ancient, Jewish tradition. But that surely did not Joy of Torah, to find a Messianic synagogue (or a traditionmake you a legalist. The reports that the Torah is legalistic al one if a Messianic one is not near where you live) and is “fake news” and not true. By nature, the Torah is “holy, support the Jewish people by fighting off fake news about righteous, and good” (Rom. 7:12). the Torah. Take your turn in holding the scroll and danc ing. Dance for Simchat Torah, the Joy of the Torah! The Torah is also associated with bondage. Paul fought the heresy of “false brethren” who “disturbed” Gentile believJOEY BENAMI discovered his family’s Spanish Jewish ers with “another gospel” (Gal. 1-2), by saying that Genroots 20 years ago and began the process of returning to the Jewish people through the Jewishness of Yeshua. He is tiles who believed also needed to keep Torah in order to married to Michelle, has six children, and leads Sukkat Shabe saved. The problem was never the Torah, but rather the lom, a growing Messianic congregation in the Dallas/Fort false brethren’s motivation to please men and not God (Gal. Worth area. Learn more at www.sukkatshalom.us. 1:10). But somehow, the fake news spread that the problem was the Torah (and you and I know how frustrating fighting fake news can be)!
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MEET OUR BOARD Tell us a little bit about your family. How did being the grandson of Jewish Holocaust survivors influence your upbringing? My paternal grandparents were survivors from Poland. I grew up with an understanding of the atrocities they suffered, such as knowing early on what the tattoos on my great-aunt and uncle’s forearms represented. As a teenager, I struggled with my family’s deep hurt at the hands of the Nazis but learned to process some of it through my artwork. How the Holocaust affected our family experience became a deep passion for me and has given me a heart of gratitude for my personal blessings. I firmly believe it is paramount that these stories continue to live on, even after the death of the survivors. How does it feel to follow in your dad's, Marty’s, footsteps, as a second-generation MJBI board member as well as BHS senior rabbi? It wasn’t an easy decision since I watched my dad experience a lot of the negatives associated with ministry. My passion was aviation, and I worked in that industry for 10 years. The L-rd, however, did call me to full-time ministry. I took a step of faith and left my career, went back to school, and eventually joined the BHS staff. I am so thankful for the counsel of my parents both during my transition to senior rabbi and now. Following in my dad’s footsteps through BHS and MJBI is very rewarding and honors my parents and their legacy.
F E ATU R E D D I R E C TO R : RABBI A R I WA LD M A N S E NIOR R A BBI
B A RUCH H A S HE M ME S S I A NIC S Y N A G OGUE By Tara Kieschnick
Having grown up in the Messianic Jewish community from birth, what are some of the changes you have seen? Watching our community grow in number and our influence increase within the larger body of Messiah has been exciting. I am especially impressed with the move over the last 20 years to bring reconciliation into our community. What are some of the greatest challenges for Messianic believers and ministries you see today? What role will MJBI play in helping meet those needs now and in the future? The Messianic Jewish Community needs to be of one heart in our service to the L-rd. Too often we depend upon ourselves and forget the power that comes in unity. We need to learn to focus on the things that will bring us together and strengthen our relationships. MJBI can help guide the next generation of influencers for the greater good of the Body of Messiah by training leaders to operate from a place of knowledge, understanding, servanthood, and unity. ARI WALDMAN graduated with a B.S. in aeronautical science from EmbryRiddle Aeronautical University and a MDiv in Messianic Jewish Studies from The King's University. He is married to Brittany, and they live in Dallas with their two, beautiful daughters. (bhsdallas.org).
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Life from
the Land
F E ATU R I N G TI K K U N G LO BAL A G LO B A L M E S S I A N I C FA M I LY D E D I C AT E D TO T H E R E S TO R AT I O N O F T H E C H U R C H A N D I S R A E L
T
HREE LEADERS GATHERED together in the early 1980s. Eitan
Shiskoff and Asher Intrater, while waiting for Dan Juster, began to think out loud, wondering if they could have more of an impact (bigger ministries!) if the three went their separate ways. They quickly realized that the conversation was based on disappointments, and their thinking was in fact carnal. Indeed, it is easier to be a oneman show than to work as a team with mutual respect and submission. But the fruit is greater as a team. Out of that, Tikkun Global was born, and the commitment to team ministry, while tested over and over again, has remained till this day. The fruit that has come out of that friendship between Dan, Asher, and Eitan, plus Paul Wilbur, and then Michael Brown, David C. Rudolph, and Don Finto, has extended to every continent of the world. Spiritual sons and daughters are based all over the world. At our heart, we are a family of congregations, ministries, and leaders dedicated to the dual restoration of Israel and the Church. Our leadership, which has now expanded to include several younger leaders in Israel, seeks to support, strengthen, and serve the Tikkun Global family. We seek to walk in covenantal relationships and mutual accountability, networking with many ministries to see Yeshua's Great Commission fulfi lled and to preach the Gospel of the Kingdom both in Israel and the nations—
eagerly looking toward His Second Coming and the full establishing of the Kingdom. We believe that God wants to raise up more apostolic networks in the Messianic world, even as He has in the larger Gentile world. Ministry is best when all the fivefold ministry gifts are represented. In addition, we seek to connect with like-minded ministries and networks. In 2018, we hosted our first Alignment Roundtable in Jerusalem, with leaders from over a dozen nations. We have made a real commitment to strengthen the body via media. We have written over 30 books, developed a brandnew multimedia website www.tikkun.tv, and our affi liated ministries continue to send out teams to minister all over the world. The Tikkun America network has nearly thirty congregations and ministries, and Tikkun Israel is made up of eight congregations and several other ministries. RON CANTOR is the Communications Director for Tikkun Global. Ron also serves as an evangelist at Tiferet Yeshua congregation in Tel Aviv, where he lives with his wife, Elana.
To learn more information about Tikkun Global, visit Tikkun.tv
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FE ATURE ARTICLE
Israel's Best Friend
STEPHEN HARPER By Nic Lesmeister | MJBI President and CEO 8 | FALL 2018
"Prime Minister Stephen Harperʼs government has unquestionably become the Jewish stateʼs most steadfast and outspoken ally." JERUSALEM POST
"One of Israelʼs staunchest supporters." TIMES OF ISRAEL
N
ot since the MJBI hosted President George W. Bush as our special banquet guest in 2013 have I been as excited and humbled about an MJBI speaker. The opportunities that each of us have to meet and spend an evening with a truly influential world leader are very rare. To be the head of a major Western country is an amazing achievement. For this reason, I would like to take a moment to introduce you to our honored VIP for this November’s event. The Right Honourable Stephen Harper is the 22nd Prime Minister of Canada, serving from 20062015. Prime Minister Harper held office the 6th longest of all Canadian heads of state, and he was the first Evangelical Christian prime minister when he took office since 1964. As a member of the Christian and Missionary Alliance church, Mr. Harper led a deeply conservative government during his time as the head of the Great White North. But these wonderful things are not what made him famous on the international stage—his unflinching support of Israel did.
LOVING THE JEWISH PEOPLE FROM AN EARLY AGE
Mr. Harper was born in Toronto to Joe and Margaret Johnson. Joe had lived through World War II and, as a committed Presbyterian Christian, was horrified at the atrocities of the Holocaust. His son, Stephen, would later credit his father with being his greatest influence in life. In speeches about his childhood, Mr. Harper has recalled his father’s love and respect of the Jewish people, that he taught his sons of their biblical status as a Chosen People, and that, in the wake of the Holocaust, they deserved kindness. From this childhood foundation, Mr. Harper rose through Canadian politics to become the leader of the Conservative Party, which gained the largest number of seats in the 2006 federal elections, making Stephen Harper the Prime Minister of Canada. Two short years later, President George W. Bush finished his two terms as President, and the United States elected Barack Obama as our 44th President. Not nearly as friendly to the United States’ long-time ally, Israel, President Obama set the stage for a new Western leader to emerge as a stalwart ally of the Jewish State. That man was Stephen Harper.
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ISRAEL’S BEST FRIEND
Canadian prime minister to give a speech in the IsraeIn April 2009, the United Nations held their secli parliament, the Knesset. His speech was so firmly ond World Conference Against Racism, which was pro-Israel that some Jewish organizations in Canada thereafter called Durban II as the first conference called it “too pro-Israel.” The speech was so direct was held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001. Though and honest that one Arab Member of the Knesset cloaked in an otherwise righteous name, the conferstood up in the middle of it, heckled Mr. Harper, and ence was known widely as an anti-Israel gathering walked out after Mr. Harper declared Israel is not an under the guise of broader racism. Holocaust denier apartheid state. At a dinner later that evening, Israeli and anti-Semite Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, then the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the audience President of Iran, was scheduled to deliver a speech that Mr. Harper is a true friend of Israel. on the first day. A full year and a half before the conference, Canada made major international headlines DEMONSTRATING TRUE MORAL CLARITY when Mr. Harper announced the country would be In the summer of 2014, after three Israeli teens were boycotting the conference due to its blatant anti-Israel kidnapped and killed by the Palestinian terrorist group, bias. Mr. Harper was widely criticized by the interHamas, a war broke out between Israel and the Hamasnational community at first but run Gaza Strip. With thousands was joined in the boycott by the of missiles being fired into Israel "Israelʼs best friend: United States the next year. over a period of two and a half
Stephen Harper."
months, Israel responded by attacking Hamas bases in Gaza.
Three years later, in NovemMACLEAN'S ber 2012, the United Nations (again) was set for another antiWestern leaders around the Israel ruse. The Palestinian Auworld defended Israel’s right to thority had been working numerous angles to attain defend itself at first, but began to quickly turn against international recognition as a State since being formed the Jewish State when the international media slanted at the Oslo Accords in 1993. After applying for UN the escalation of violence as an attack on innocent Palmembership in 2011, they were able to advance a estinians who were tragically dying while Hamas used vote on November 29, 2012, in an attempt to change them as human shields. One of the only Western leadtheir status from “observer” to “non-member observers who stood unequivocally beside Israel was Prime er state” and be officially recognized as the State of Minister Harper. Palestine on the pre-1967 Israeli borders. Prime Minister Harper rejected the statehood bid in the UN, reiterating that the only solution to this conflict was one negotiated by both sides, not by the United Nations. Canada was only one of nine countries who voted “NO” on the General Assembly resolution (joined also by the United States). However, the resolution passed 138-9, giving the Palestinian Authority the new name, “State of Palestine,” and a new status equal to that of the Vatican. In January 2014, Prime Minister Harper took his first ever trip to Israel. Breaking tradition with nearly every world leader, his first stop in Jerusalem was on the Mount of Olives where he took in the breathtaking view of the ancient city. After this, he became the first 10 | FALL 2018
Consistently reiterating Israel’s right to self-defense, Mr. Harper also recognized the evil manipulations Hamas was using to win the sympathy of the international media. He was one of the only world leaders to consistently condemn Hamas’ use of schools, hospitals, and homes as weapons storage, as well as their use of innocent Palestinians as human shields against Israel's bombings on their rocket launch sites. In fact, during Mr. Harper’s time as the Canadian head of state, Canada sided with Israel in every major military event from 2006 to 2015. Outside of Israel, Prime Minister Harper similarly stood on lonely ground when he directly rebuked Russia for invading Ukraine in February 2014. He called for Russia to be removed from the Group of Eight (G8)
immediately, and he even told Vladimir Putin in person, “You need to get out of Ukraine.” Later in 2014, Prime Minister Harper also approved Canadian forces to join the strikes against ISIS in Syria, sending Canadian aircraft and special forces to coordinate with the coalition in their attempts to stop the Islamic jihadists.
While he was in Israel in 2014, Mr. Harper made one of the most powerful affirmations of friendship any world leader has made to the State of Israel. He vowed that “through fire and water” Canada would stand with Israel because, fundamentally, “it is right to do so.” What an honor for us to host former Prime Minister Harper at "Before Our Eyes: Jerusalem Redeemed," our annual banquet that will take place on November 15, 2018. I am completely certain you will be changed by the testimony and special insight of this great man.
AN EVENING THAT WILL INSPIRE YOU
After resigning from office in November 2015, Mr. Harper took a break from politics and the international limelight. With his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics and an honorary PhD from Tel Aviv University, he went into the business world. As the 70th anniversary of Israel approached, as well as the moving of the United States Embassy to Jerusalem, former Prime Minister Harper began to become more active again. He signed his name to a group of world leaders who agreed with President Trump on pulling out of the Iran Nuclear Deal and on the move of the U.S. Embassy to Jerusalem. He has spoken at six Israel-related events already in 2018 and is releasing a new book this fall.
It is rare for any of us to have the opportunity to meet and listen to a man called “Israel’s staunchest supporter.” I am really looking forward to our evening with Mr. Harper. Come prepared to become an even greater friend and supporter of Israel and the Jewish people, and bring as many of your close friends and associates as you can. This will be one of the most special banquets in our 23year history!
HOW STEPHEN HARPER HAS BEEN A FRIEND TO ISRAEL: 2006: Supported Israel's right to defend itself in the Israel-Lebanon war 2011: Staunchly opposed the Palestinian Authority's attempt of statehood at the United Nations 2012: Led Canada to be one of only nine countries to vote "NO" on the United Nations vote that approved the Palestinian Authority as a non-member observer at the UN 2014: Became the first Canadian prime minister to give a speech in the Israeli Knesset (parliament) 2014: Firmly stood with Israel over Gaza border violence, affirming Israel's right to self-defense 2015: Received the King David Award from the Montreal Jewish Community 2017: Encouraged world leaders to "Never fear supporting Israel" at the United Israel Appeal gathering in Sydney, Australia MAY 2018: Affirmed President Trump's withdrawal of the Iran nuclear deal Penned op-ed in Jerusalem Post reiterating his support of Israel on 70th anniversary, applauded President Trump's move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, and called for Canada to move their embassy to Jerusalem JUNE 2018: Received an honorary degree from Jerusalem College of Technology NOVEMBER 15, 2018: Will be spending the evening with you and your special guests at the 17th annual MJBI banquet!
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FE ATURE ARTICLE
BY NIC LESMEISTER | MJBI PRESIDENT AND CEO
O
n December 7, 2017, President Donald Trump courageously shook the foundations of modern history by announcing the United States was (finally!) moving our embassy to the capital of Israel, Jerusalem. Up until that day, Israel was the only nation in the world whose capital city did not have an embassy from a major international country. If you had searched the United States Postal Service for Jerusalem, there would be no mention of Israel in the addresses. For U.S. citizens born in Jerusalem, it was the only place in the world where your passport would not list the country as a place of birth, but instead only “Jerusalem.” 12 | FALL 2018
It would be easy to pass these oddities off as silly or bizarre decisions, but nothing could be further from the truth. Since the founding of Israel 70 years ago, the international community has been in some stage of ferocious uproar regarding every little aspect of the Jewish State. Just two weeks after President Trump's announcement to move the embassy, the United Nations convened a General Assembly vote simply to denounce and demand a rescinding of America’s decision. The resolution passed 128-9! Why does this ancient city incite such an uninhibited rage from governments all over the world? I will tell you why— in 2 Chronicles 6:6, the Lord says, “I have chosen Jerusa-
WHY IS THE LORD SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS CITY? AND WHY, IN THIS MIRACULOUS 70TH YEAR OF ISRAEL'S MODERN EXISTENCE, SHOULD YOU ALSO BE PASSIONATE ABOUT JERUSALEM? lem, for my Name to be there.” There is no other city in the world that God has chosen to place His name upon. The Lord Himself warns the nations of the earth not to attempt interfering with Jerusalem in Zechariah 12:3: “I will make Jerusalem an immovable rock. All the nations will gather against it to try to move it, but they will only hurt themselves.” Why is the Lord so passionate about this city? And why, in this miraculous 70th year of Israel’s modern existence, should you also be passionate about Jerusalem? Isaiah 2 tells the future story of the magnified city of Jerusalem, which is higher than any other city. In verse 3 the Lord says people from all the nations will go up to the House of God, and the Word of the Lord will go forth from Jerusalem. See, Jerusalem is not just another city, and these prophetic promises of God have not been replaced, fulfi lled, or become irrelevant. Jerusalem is an eternal city. It is a place where God first made a permanent dwelling for His glory, and where—through the return of Yeshua (Jesus) to a physical Jerusalem (Zech. 14:4)—He will dwell on earth for eternity. When President Trump became the first major international leader to rec-
ognize that Jerusalem is the capital of the Jewish State, he was simultaneously aligning with the truth of God’s Word, which places utmost importance on Jerusalem being the focal city of God’s forthcoming kingdom. This is why the words of Isaiah 52:8-10, which is the theme verse of our 2018 banquet, are so important: “The watchmen shout and sing with joy, for before their very eyes they see the Lord returning to Jerusalem . . . The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.” Can you believe that we are living in a day where these ancient Scriptures are being fulfilled? Through a unique man named Donald Trump, God has demonstrated His holy power before the eyes of all the nations. And, just as Scripture promises, the nations are raging as His ancient promises are coming true (Psalm 2). There is so much more I could write about this, but I am saving my energy to share it with you in person on November 15, 2018. We are living in one of the most supernatural times in human history, friends. You are going to find out much more when you join me and the notable world leader, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper, for a life-changing evening this fall!
WHY ATTEND THE MJBI 2018 BANQUET?
• Hear from world leader and vocal defender of Israel, former Prime Minister Stephen Harper.
• Get inspired to be
an informed advocate of Israel and the Jewish people.
• Meet and form
a strong connection with like-minded supporters of Israel.
• Learn what’s been
accomplished in 2018 and hear about what’s ahead for MJBI.
ZEALOUS MAGAZINE | 13
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CHAG SAMEACH —HAPPY HOLIDAYS—FROM THE STAFF OF MJBI!
The Jewish feasts are ripe with prophetic meaning and fulfi llment by Yeshua. Further study and/or observance of these “forever statutes” can bring great dimension and abundant life to a “grafted-in” believer. For more information on the scriptural basis, traditions, and recipes pertaining to the Jewish Feasts, please go to our website: mjbi.org/learn/jewishholidays.
There are seven “appointed times” mentioned in the Torah. The first are in the autumn, referred to as the High Holidays, and include the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh HaShana), Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), and the Feast of Booths (Sukkot). The spring begins with Passover (Pesach), the Feast of Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMatzot) and First Fruits (Yom HaBikkurim), and ends with the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot or Pentecost). The Lord also set aside the seventh day, or Sabbath, of each week as a holy, designated day of rest. Over the years, other minor holidays were added to commemorate important events in the Jewish calendar. These include Purim in early spring, Tisha B’Av in the summer, Simchat Torah in the fall, and Hanukkah in the winter.
hen the children of Israel were delivered out of Egyptian slavery, God instituted special feasts, or “appointed times,” throughout the agricultural year to celebrate, remember, repent, and give thanks. The Jewish calendar is based on these feasts which are set on a lunar cycle. It was well established by the time of the Babylonian captivity and predates by centuries the universally-accepted, solar-based Gregorian (or civil) calendar finalized in the 1500s. Because the Jewish calendar is shorter in days than the Gregorian, the feast dates change from year to year on commonly used western calendars.
W
“These are the feasts of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times…and these feasts will be a statute to you forever…” Leviticus 23:4, 41
by Tara Kieschnick, MJBI Media and Communications Manager
Jewish Feasts & Holidays September 10, 2018 TISHRI 1, 5779
Rosh HaShana
smt.mjbi.org
mjbi.org/parashot
TORAH READINGS AS READ IN THE DIASPORA
“The Ninth of Av” fast day—commemorates the destruction of the two Temples in Jerusalem.
August 10, 2019 AV 9, 5779
Tish’a B’Av
SCHOOL OF MESSIANIC THEOLOGY
"Feast of Weeks" or “Pentecost”—commemorates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai as well as the giving of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2.
Seven weeks of counting to Shavuot, beginning the second night of Pesach to the night before Shavuot (total of 49 days).
Celebration of exodus from Egypt and Yeshua's sacrifice and resurrection.
"Passover" week, which includes the "Feast of Unleavened Bread" and "First Fruits."
“Lots”—celebration and remembrance of God’s deliverance of His people through Queen Esther and Mordechai over the evil Haman during the Babylonian captivity.
June 9, 2019 SIVAN 6, 5779
April 21-June 8, 2019 NISAN 23–SIVAN 5
April 20–27, 2018 NISAN 15-22, 5779
March 21, 2019 ADAR 14, 5779
“Festival of Lights” or “Dedication”—celebrates the miracle of the oil during the Maccabees’ victory over Greek defilement of the Temple.
“Rejoicing in the Law”—celebrates the completion and beginning of the yearly Torah reading cycle.
Shavuot
Days of the Omer
Yom HaBikkurim
Chag HaMatzot
Pesach
Purim
KISLEV 25-TEVET 2, 5779
October 3, 2018 TISHRI 23, 5779
Simchat Torah December 3-10, 2018
October 1, 2018 TISHRI 22, 5779
Shmini Atzeret
Hanukkah
“Feast of Tabernacles” (or “Booths”)—harvest festival commemorating the period of wandering in the wilderness.
Sept. 24–30, 2018 TISHRI 15-21, 5779
Sukkot
“The 8th Day of Assembly”— closing festival set aside for blessing, prayers for rain, and spiritual reflection as Sukkot ends.
“Day of Atonement”—holiest day in Jewish calendar— fasting day of self-searching, repentance, and restitution.
“Head of the Year” or “Feast of Trumpets” —Jewish New Year.
DESCRIPTION
September 19, 2018 TISHRI 10, 5778
Yom Kippur
DATES
HOLIDAY
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