Attribution: “Image courtesy of FreeBibleIllustrations.com“

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!

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!

I wanted to post a special note on my blog as we draw near to the beginning of the 7th month on the Biblical Calendar. This 7th month, is referred to by Josephus as the “Sacred Month”.

This is my favorite time of the year. The Bible refers to this season as the “turn of the year – Exodus 34:22″ and I always feel that this time leads us into a holy time – a time to reflect on our deeds and a time to “turn to our God” in repentance.

One thing that I constantly stress in my teachings is that people would do well to incorporate the “times and seasons” of the Bible into their personal faith. There is something incredible about being in sync with God’s appointed times (moedim). A careful study of Leviticus 23 is a good place to start. In the very first verse we learn that these are the “festivals of Yehovah”.

Jews have kept these festivals since they were given and have developed their own rich traditions around each of these. Christians are beginning to see the great value in studying them and incorporating them into their walk, often as a way to be more like Jesus (Yeshua). These moedim clearly have meaning for anyone that seeks to adopt the ways of the Creator.

Beginning at sundown tonight, according to the Jewish calendar, we enter this 7th month. This first day of the 7th month is known biblically as Yom Teruah, (a day of blasting, shouting), more commonly known as the Feast of Trumpets and traditionally as Rosh HaShana (or New Year’s day).

Anciently, the new month was determined based upon the sighting of the new moon (a thin crescent), while the modern Jewish calendar is determined by calculation. The subject of the Hebrew Calendar is a very interesting and hotly debated subject – but one that is quite rewarding. So whether you follow the Jewish calendar or prefer to spot the thin crescent moon in the sky with your own eyes, the day is fast approaching!

By the way, if you are interested in learning more about observing the New Moon – see for example the following site:

http://www.karaite-korner.org/

So, to my Jewish friends – happy New Year! I will be teaching on Yom Teruah this Sabbath from the historic Temple Sinai. Check it out live at 10:30 am central www.livestream.com/rootsoffaith

I am certain that within our diverse group there will be multiple “versions” of the Passover. I wanted to send this out tonight for those that have never “kept” this festival before. Here are some basic things that you need to know.

First, if the sky is clear where you are, I want you to go outside and look up. See the moon? This is the way it looked when the Children of Israel left Egypt! The full moon gave them light on this night that began with a nation of slaves and ended with a people free to “serve” their God. So you too can experience this freedom.

Passover is about experiencing the past and future as well. It is about redemption and freedom. The Prophet Jeremiah says that another Exodus is coming for the people of God…an even greater exodus than the one we read about tonight! (see Jeremiah 16:14-15)

I am writing for you a series of verses that you can use as your very own Passover Haggadah. Haggadah comes from a Hebrew word that means to tell. Exodus 10:12, Exodus 12:24-27 and Deuteronomy 6:20-25 are the basis for “telling the story”. I encourage all of you to participate in this as it is perhaps the oldest religious practice that has been kept from the beginning of the history of Israel. So tell the story to your family! If you are alone, read it to yourself. It is an incredible story and one that God tells us to tell!

Read the following:

The reason we tell the story
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
Exodus 10:12
Exodus 12:24-27

The Prediction and fulfillment of the Slavery and cruelness of Egypt
Genesis 15:13-14
Exodus 1:8-22

The birth of Moses to his flight to Midian
Exodus 2:1-22

A cry to God and the call of Moses
Exodus 2:23-3:22

The son of God / God’s charge to Moses
Exodus 4:21-23

Meeting with Pharaoh
Exodus 5:1-23
Exodus 6:1-13

The beginning of the redemption
Exodus 6:28-7:13

The Plagues and Israel’s Departure from Egypt
Exodus 7:14-12:36

Salvation In the Wilderness
Exodus 12:37-14:31

Other passages related to Passover
Deuteronomy 16:1-8
Leviticus 23:3-8

One should eat unleavened bread from sundown tomorrow for 7 days. This bread is also known as bread of affliction (Deuteronomy 16:3).

Eat some bitter herbs as well (Exodus 12:8).

Only those that are circumcised may eat the meal. Be circumcised of heart (Deuteronomy 10:12-16, 30:1-6, Jeremiah 4:1-4)

I pray that every shackle will be broken from your life so that you are free to serve the Living God.

Shalom and Chag Sameach!

My Last Night in Goshen
by Ross Nichols
Pesach 2009 / 5769

The moon is huge and bright outside. All around me I see the silhouettes of people scurrying about and preparing for our much anticipated departure. People can be seen packing all of their possessions in the flickering light of the oil lamps burning within the homes of all of my neighbors. I am standing outside of my home, my belt is fastened, sandals are tied tightly on my feet and my staff is in my hand. I am burning what was left from my family meal, as I was instructed, upon a pile of coals.

Four days ago I selected a lamb for my house and then today at the specified time “between the evenings” I killed it and roasted it over a fire. My family ate the flesh with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. I took some of the blood and applied it to the top and sides of the doorway to my home. I am told that this will serve as a sign to keep my family safe. It is whispered that tonight at midnight a destroyer will pass through the land and enter any and every home that does not have the sign to kill the firstborn.

We have prayed for deliverance from the hard labor of this place. My people have been here for 430 years! It is said that our God has finally heard our cries. Two sons of the tribe of Levi revealed this to our elders who then informed us of all that would lead to our freedom. Their names are Moses and Aaron, both sons of Amram and Jochebed of the family of Kohath. I am told that these two sons of Levi performed many miracles in the sight of our elders which confirmed to them that our God has indeed visited us and witnessed our afflictions. When I first heard this news I bowed my head and worshipped!

Time and again they went before Pharaoh and requested that our people be allowed to leave but the king of Egypt refused every time. Because of the strength of Pharaoh’s heart and his arrogance towards God’s messengers our God has caused great calamities to fall upon the people who have enslaved us. During all of this time my people have been protected in our place of Goshen. The water of the Nile was turned to blood. The fish died and the smell from the water was horrid! Even after this sign, Pharaoh would not let us go. The land was invaded by frogs. We hear that the frogs were inside of the homes of the Egyptians…on their beds and even in their kneading bowls! I had hoped that this would cause Pharaoh to let us leave but as soon as the plague was removed and the frogs burned in the fires, Pharaoh returned to his stubbornness! Gnats came next. The gnats covered all living creatures – both man and beast, but Pharaoh was still not willing to let us leave. Flies came next to such a degree that the land of Egypt was ruined by the swarms. I thought that this plague would have been enough, but Pharaoh still stood strong against us. Then I witnessed the livestock of the Egyptians dead in the fields and yet even with this, Pharaoh refused to let us go. Even when the Egyptians were stricken with painful sores on their flesh they did not give in to release us. We heard from our elders that Moses instructed all of us to take our livestock to safety to keep them protected during the next plague. We were told that God would send a storm of hail. Some of the Egyptians took heed to this warning but most did not. We were safe in Goshen, but the storm was fierce! Hail and fire came down from heaven such as had never been seen or heard! All the plants were destroyed as well. Once again the sons of Levi, as they had done after each of the preceding plagues went before Pharaoh. As soon as the storm was stayed by the hand of Moses, Pharaoh grew arrogant once again and reneged on his word. Locusts were sent to eat what was left from the hail, but as soon as they were blown away by God, Pharaoh went back on his word. Then a darkness came upon the land – a darkness so thick that one could feel it! This seemed only to anger Pharaoh more and he threatened Moses and Aaron with death if they appeared before him again.

We then followed the directions of Moses and Aaron and asked our Egyptian neighbors for silver and gold which they gave to us. We were told to prepare as I mentioned previously for our departure. So as the glow from the coals slowly fades into the dark of night I close the door of my home. The children are sleeping quietly on the floor. Our dog and other animals all curled up in a ball with them. My wife and I are too anxious to sleep.

What was that? I hear high pitched screams as the wind blows hard outside of our home. I watch as clouds pass in front of the moon and I know that tonight is the night that God has chosen to save His people. I am told that we will eat this meal every year at this time when we reach our destination. When my sons ask me why we eat this meal I will tell them, “It is YHWH’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.”

Tell the story in your own way during this season. Shalom and chag sameach!

Ross Nichols