Roots of Faith

In this first seder of the ancient triennial Torah cycle, the focus is on creation. Ross begins with a Greek word found in the text of Matthew’s gospel.  The word is palingheneseeah and it means  - a new Genesis.  From here Ross shows that the New Testament writers had the same outlook in regards to the cosmos.  There will one day be a new heavens and a new earth (see Revelation 21:1-4 and 2 Peter 3:3-13).  The heavens will roll up like a scroll (Isaiah 34:4) before being made new.

This week’s ancient prophet reading is from Isaiah 65:17-25 and Isaiah 66:22-23.  Both of these texts deal with the new heavens and the new earth.

Preparing the student for what is read in Genesis for this lesson, Ross covers several prophetic texts related to the creation and the Creator.

The Book of Jubilees mentions twenty-two acts of creation, the crowning achievement of which is the creation of man.  The Creation of man and the hallowing of the Sabbath are combined in Ross’ class when he speaks of the point made by Yeshua that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath.

You will not want to miss this class. The dialog is quite interesting as well.

 Shalom

 

 Seder One Introduction [54:27m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Seder One Dialog [56:44m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Tomorrow, the Roots of Faith Congregation begins again its study of the Torah with the first reading of the ancient “Palestinian Triennial Cycle” (Genesis 1:1 - 2:3).  We are moving from the Annual Cycle of Readings to the Triennial (3+-year) for several reasons, none of which are meant to be disrespectful to Jews or Judaism. 

In regards to this cycle of readings, my intentions have been: to survey, reconstruct and publish the ancient lectionary system of Torah readings believed to be extant in the time of Jesus of Nazareth, the first disciples, and Paul of Tarsus. 

The goal of this project has been and continues to be; to uncover the earliest strata of the ancient practice of public Scripture reading from ancient sources and to publish the results in a series of articles and charts that will enable believers to use it in their public worship. It is also hoped that an increased knowledge of the way the Bible was preached in the ancient synagogue will provide a clearer understanding of the life, ministry and teaching of Jesus of Nazareth. 

I have made use of the research of others in my own quest and will note the sources I have used so that students can go to the original sources and previous scholars’ works at every turn.

For starters, please read my article on the Public Reading of Scriptures.

You will also want to download my chart of the Triennial Torah Readings.

You will not want to miss this new and exciting study into the Bible that Jesus Read.

If you are able, we would love to have you come to Temple Sinai in person and experience a unique learning environment. We are a unique congregation organized for the purpose of studying and examining the Scriptures.  I promise that you will leave feeling most inspired and welcome.

If you cannot be in the synagogue in Saint Francisville, I encourage you to listen live. The live link will only work during the published webcast time (10:30 AM Saturdays - until its over). 

Click here to listen live.

If you miss the service live you can go to our podcasts and blog site and catch it later.  Check us out at:

www.SHMA.tv

Shalom and blessings to you and yours! 

Ross

The command to live in booths for seven days is declared to be so that future generations know that God made the ancient Israelites live in booths when He brought them out of the land of Egypt (Leviticus 23:39-44).

This past week, Roots of Faith hosted its first annual Succoth Conference. We had people from Texas, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia as well as the locals of course. Many of us camped out for a full week under the stars. The weekend was packed with exciting and informative lectures and tours.

I am so pleased and thankful for the wonderful time with all who were able to attend the week’s events.  This is to be an annual event here in the Felicianas.  The speakers were fantastic, the food was very good and the music was stirring! In the coming days I hope to post some reports on my blog about the conference.  If you have something that you would like to share about the conference, please send it to me in an email and I will post it. Just a short note that captures in a few words what the time meant to you will be fine. 

This is my favorite time of year now.  Yesterday, from inside my home I watched the rain pouring down. Give God the glory for this miracle! It literally rained up until the day before we went into the campsite, the heavens held back the rain for seven days and then the rain fell once again the day after we had cleared the campsite! Rain is a significant part of this ancient festival. In fact, in the future, those who do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the LORD during the Feast of Succoth (Tabernacles) will not get rain in their land! (Zechariah 14:16-19)

Start thinking now about joining us next year for the Annual Succoth Conference here in the Felicianas.  We experienced such an incredible level of harmony this weekend - Jew, Christians and Gentile God Fearers together, united around the one thing that we all share - a love for the Bible! We learned a great deal from the conference this year.  Next year we will be even better and you can play a part in that as well.  You can send me comments - constructive feedback on what we can do to make this Conference better. I look forward to your input and promise to consider your points when planning our next gathering.

My good friend Tammy Michael was the camp photographer. She informs me that she took over 500 pictures. Some of these are up on my website:

http://rootsoffaith.org/ROF_Succoth_2007.htm.

The group at the camp site also took turns reading from the Torah (Genesis - Deuteronomy) and completed the entire Torah! This event was based upon a literal interpretation of Deuteronomy 31:10.  I want to do this again and next time I want to be more organized with it so that everyone will be able to participate. It was quite a blessing.

Several members of Roots of Faith put together a CD with original music that was a smash hit! I have been getting compliments and requests about this CD.  You can contact John Carlson for more information about how you can obtain a copy of this excellent CD (carlson_john@bellsouth.net). We also hope to put an entry on the blog about the music and the artists featured on this CD, titled - Hac! V’Shema / Shut Up! and Listen.  There is a story behind the title as well:)

Thanks for all the help in making this Feast of Tabernacles a time of refreshing and revival. Don’t forget to check out the photos on my site:

http://rootsoffaith.org/ROF_Succoth_2007.htm.

Shalom, and may your names be inscribed in the Book of Life - Ross Nichols

Joseph Good, who was a pioneer of the ‘return to Hebrew Roots movement’ in the late 1980’s and early 1990’s, explains his current thoughts on the path of return for those who seek to turn to the Torah. Joseph talks from the heart concerning his current thoughts, beliefs and personal life for those who think they are of the lost tribes (or anyone), outlining the mindset and way of the Torah, and whole Bible as it relates to today. What he has found, describes and teaches is not what you usually hear. You will not want to miss his thought provoking talk, straight from the scriptures and current news.
Even if you don’t think you are a “lost tribe member”, but want to turn/return to The Way, this message will explain some things that must be considered on a basic level.

As a side note, as we are able to recover from the technical difficulties we experienced recording the conference, more will be made available, including commentary from Ross Nichols, the faithful leader of RootsOfFaith.org. [staff]

 

 Standard Podcast [100:09m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download