Roots of Faith

Archive for the ‘Festivals’ Category

This week, Ross teaches on the subject of Redemption. The class was delivered from the historic Temple Sinai Synagogue in Saint Francisville, Louisiana on a very special Sabbath known as Shabbat HaGadol (the Big Sabbath). This is the Sabbath that precedes Passover. The Torah commands that we tell the story of the Redemption of Israel from Egypt and so this is what Ross teaches on, but he does so from a unique perspective. The class challenges the listener with a question – How big is your God? You will not want to miss this teaching during the Season of Redemption.

Attribution: “Image courtesy of FreeBibleIllustrations.com“

 Shabbat HaGadol: Play in Popup | Download

Tonight marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. This evening at sundown we begin the 25th day of the 9th Biblical month. In the Talmud it is most often referred to as the “Feast of Illumination”. It is also known as the Feast of the Maccabees, the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22 in the Christian Scriptures). The origins of this festival are not found in the Bible, but in the book of 1 Maccabees. According to the writer of that work, a “sinful root” by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes rose to power in the year 175 B.C.E.. In 169 B.C.E. he turned his evil intentions against the towns, the people and the religion of Israel. With pomp and arrogance he entered the sanctuary speaking boastful words. He stripped the Temple of all valuable items and shed much blood. In 167 B.C.E., he put out a decree to his entire kingdom. In this decree he stated that all people should be one and that everyone should give up their particular customs. The non-Jews and even some from Israel gladly accepted this new “kingdom religion”. The religion of Israel was profaned in every regard and forsaking the Torah was the watchword of the new socially acceptable religion brought in by the sinful root, Antiochus. A “desolating sacrilege” was erected in the Temple, altars went up throughout the towns, and Torah scrolls were burned in the fire. Women who circumcised their children were put to death and the same fate befell those who were discovered following the Torah.

The book of Maccabees records that “many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Very great wrath came upon Israel.” In the midst of these trying times a priestly family rose to the occasion. From a garrison in Modein, a man named Mattathias and his five sons mourned over the situation. They were approached by the officers of Antiochus with an offer of riches for violating the covenant of their fathers. Not only did they refuse to profane the covenant of their fathers, but they led a rebellion that ultimately defeated the armies of insolence.

Three years to the day that the altar was defiled, the altar was re-dedicated. It was then determined that every year on this date that for eight days, beginning on the 25th of the 9th month a time of joy and gladness should be observed. Since that time, the re-dedication of the altar has been commemorated in the eight-day festival known as Hanukkah.

In our own day, during this season, we should make an extra effort to stand for the holy covenant and to stand against pagan practices and those influences that oppose the Torah. Around the world, Torah oriented people will be kindling the lights in keeping with the tradition of Hanukkah. I pray that you have a blessed season of renewal to the covenant – a re-dedication of your life to the Torah. It should also be pointed out that today marks the ONLY date on the Hebrew calendar that is specifically attached to a blessing. The promised blessing is found in the prophetic book known as Haggai (2:10-23). There we read the following words; “From this day on I will bless you.”

You are invited to join the congregation of Roots of Faith for a Hanukkah party at Temple Sinai. We would love to see you in person, but you are also welcome to attend via the internet (www.rootsoffaith.org/streaming-video).

I pray a special blessing on all who read these words, and as always – thanks for your continued interest in Roots of Faith. Shalom!

This is my teaching on Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement / Covering. This class is delivered on the Sabbath between Yom Teruah and Yom Kippur and is called the Sabbath of Repentance. The Torah Reading is HaAzinu and is from Deuteronomy 32:1-52. You will not want to miss this class.

 Yom Kippur and Shabbat Shuvah: Play in Popup | Download

Shalom from Temple Sinai in Saint Francisville, Louisiana!

The entire Torah community is now in the 7th month of the Biblical year – a time referred to by the First Century Jewish Historian Josephus as the “Sacred Month”. We begin this month with the sounding of the shofar (Ram’s Horn Trumpet), which is followed by Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement), and finally the seven day Festival of Booths (Succoth). For the last several years, Roots of Faith has held its Annual Bible Conference during the ancient Biblical Festival of Succoth (Booths).

I wanted to send this update to my entire mailing list today to update you all on the exciting upcoming Annual Conference and Campout to be held here in less than 2 weeks.

This year we are anticipating the largest turnout ever. So far, based upon registrations, it looks like we might have nearly 100 in attendance and many of these will be camping together for the entire week. It is not too late to sign up, but the sooner you do, the better it will be. We use this information to help us better plan. Click here to fill out our on-line registration.

We also have a site set up with information on the Festival and Camp site. I encourage you to check it out.

I am very pleased with the program for this year’s conference. I have uploaded the program as a pdf so that you can print a copy out on my Synagogue Without Walls site. Here is a list of the speakers and their topics.

James D. Tabor – The Five Fundamental Flaws of Christianity
Debbie Good – Healing and Restoration
Walter Oakley – Back to the Future & a Taste of Hebrew
Web Hulon – Moledet vs. Mishpakha – the Building Blocks of Yisrael
Joseph Good – The Ceremonies of Succoth & Pirket Avoth – the Beauty of Judaism in the Sayings of the Fathers
Ross Nichols – The Weightier Matters of the Torah – Torah Faith from the Inside Out
I will also lead a Simchat Torah (Rejoicing in the Torah) service

There will be plenty of time to share at the campsite each evening. There will be singing and dancing and much, much more! Some of the best times during these conferences are sitting around the fire and listening to the discussions that are carried on between newly made friends.

Whether you are able to join us or not, I would ask that you consider contributing to the costs of the conference. As always, we provide all teachings at no charge, but this year the costs are more than I can do alone. The campsite is beautiful, but does not have adequate facilities for the number of attendees. I had to rent portable showers and toilets to accommodate the crowd that we are expecting. This alone will cost nearly $2,000! I would greatly appreciate your help in making this a wonderful Festival for everyone in attendance. No amount is too small as I know that people all have different circumstances. I am only appealing to those who have the means to contribute without putting themselves in a tough place financially. If you would like to contribute and are able to do so, there are a couple of ways. One is to mail a check or money order to:

Roots of Faith
P.O. Box 695
Saint Francisville, La. 70775

or you can contribute on line here.

We will webcast the conference live from the Synagogue as we do all of our teachings. As we get closer I will send out a special update that includes all of the information on how to join in from afar via the Internet.

Please take the time to check our Synagogue Without Walls if you have not done so. This site is an attempt to create a social network – A place of meeting for anyone that believes in the one God of Israel and seeks to live according to the principles of the Hebrew Bible. It now has nearly 300 members from around the world. It is truly turning into an amazing place of learning and fellowship. There you can set up your own page where you can add photos and comments, you can publish on our forum, create your own blog entries, join one of our exciting and informative groups or set up one of your own (with my approval of course:). It is like the popular social networking sites My Space and Facebook, except it is geared towards and developed for people like you who are interested in better understanding and applying the Hebraic Faith in your own life.

I am very excited about meeting many of you face to face in the coming days!

As always, I appreciate your continued interest in Roots of Faith and the Synagogue Without Walls!