Notes

The First Jew to Give His Life for America

July 4, 2011

It has been said that true love can be equated to one who would be willing to lay down his life for his friends. Such must be the case, and examples of such love certainly abound in the stories of those who have poured out their soul in exchange for the freedom and independence celebrated on this day by the people of America. I love history and have always enjoyed searching for details that others may not be aware of.

Have you ever heard of the family name Jessurum Rodriguez? Perhaps not, but in honor of those who mutually pledged to each other their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor, it is fitting that we become familiar with a forgotten Jew, who has a distinct honor – the first Jew to be killed in the American Revolution.

The patriot of which I write was named Francis. His family name Jessurum Rodriguez was changed to Salvador. The family was from London, where his uncle was the President of the Portuguese Jewish Congregation. Francis inherited great wealth from his family and as a result, he acquired a good education and enjoyed extensive travel. Teamed up with the DaCosta family, he assisted 42 Jews in moving to Georgia in 1733. They eventually bought considerable amounts of land.

The family wealth was mostly lost due to multiple catastrophes; namely the earthquake in Lisbon and the collapse of the Dutch East India Company. From what we know, Francis moved to South Carolina towards the end of 1773 and purchased 7,000 acres in South Carolina. He left his wife Sarah and four children, planning to send for them once settled.

Once settled in the new land, he immediately joined the cause for freedom. Francis was elected to the General Assembly of South Carolina the first year of his arrival at the young age of 27. Reports of his activities and work state that he was a member of the committee appointed to draw up the declaration of the purpose for the congress to the people and that he worked on the state constitution. He was also assigned to assess the security of the frontier. He was selected as a delegate to the revolutionary Provincial Congress which among other tasks, framed up a bill of rights and set forth complaints against the Crown. Francis became a Champion for Independence and urged his fellows to influence the Continental Congress to cast their votes for Independence.

Some report that the English Superintendent of Indian Affairs made treaties with the Cherokees to attack the colonists. As a leader in the commission to preserve peace for the interior of South Carolina, Francis stood up and took action. He is said to have ridden his horse some 28 miles to alarm Major Williamson of the coming attacks. Francis Salvador was shot in the battle on July 31st, 1776. He fell off of his horse among some bushes and was discovered by Indians and scalped. He did not die immediately. One report says, “When I came up to him after dislodging the enemy and speaking to him, he asked whether I had beaten the enemy. I told him yes. He said he was glad of it and shook me by the hand and bade me farewell, and said he would die in a few minutes.”

Francis Salvador did die shortly thereafter on August 1st, 1776 at the age of 29. We doubt that he ever learned of the adoption of the Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress since he was fighting on the frontier. He had died fighting for the dream of American Independence. He never saw his family again.

As a proud American, I think that it is important for all of us to remember that freedom was not free. The price paid for this Independence was great and the Jewish people were there with us, shedding their blood for the ideals written in the Declaration of Independence.

William Henry Drayton, who would later become the Chief Justice of South Carolina said that Francis Salvador “sacrificed his life in the service of his adopted country”. Indeed, true love is being willing to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Because this Jewish brother stood with us, should we not do the same for the Jewish people? The Jewish people face enemies within and without. They represent the single voice of freedom in their land. At the very least, should we not voice our support for Israel? May God bless them in their struggle; and May God Bless America!

Posted in Notes, Weekly Lessons

Iyyar 28th – Jerusalem Day

June 1, 2011

Today’s date on the Hebrew Calendar is the 28th day of the second month. The date most often falls during the month of June. So what is significant about today’s date you ask? Perhaps more than you may have imagined. For whatever reason, this date seems to be quite significant in regards to the mysterious workings of God. I have always believed that the “times and seasons” are very relevant. Over the years I have learned that the Hebrew calendar is very instructive for those who pay heed. The problem is that many have lost touch with the rhythms of the Biblical year. The good news is that when one begins to study and keep God’s ways, one is almost always drawn to this divine method of keeping time. Time, is the very first thing that God calls Holy and yet many take little notice of the signs of our times. Today’s date is a case in point. I learned this from my teacher James Tabor. He writes of the significance of this date in his book, Restoring Abrahamic Faith.

Could this date have been selected by Yehovah for a display of His power in our modern era? Tabor points out that this may very well be the case. He relates that in the year 1825 a Methodist minister saw something in a passage from Daniel that may even prove it. While studying a prophecy in the eighth chapter of the book of Daniel, Adam Clark interpreted the 2300 days and nights to end in the year 1966! Tabor argues that Clark missed a minor detail that set him off one year. Going from B.C.E to C.E. Clark failed to add a year (there is no year zero). We now know from history that Alexander the Great defeated the Persian King Darius III on Artemisius 28th on the Olympiad Calendar. This date is equivalent to June 7th, 334 B.C.E., a point from which Jerusalem was dominated by hostile Gentiles. This domination would continue for 2,300 years bringing one to the year 1967 when calculated correctly.

On June 7th, 1967 a greatly outnumbered Jewish people regained control of their ancient capital – 2,300 years to the day from the day on which the hostile domination began with Alexander the Great! Daniel saw that after “2,300 days”, the holy place “will be vindicated” (Daniel 8:14).

It is doubtful that anyone could have forced this. The world stood in amazement and so did the Jews! They had returned and taken back that which was stolen. All glory to Yehovah for His steadfastness! For God gave this place to His people and declared it as a place where His name would dwell. History obliged.

June 7th, 1967 was the 28th day of the Hebrew month Iyyar. It was on a Wednesday. Today is the anniversary of that remarkable day on the Hebrew Calendar. It is Wednesday, Iyyar 28th – 44 years to the day. It was on this day that Yehovah, who hath chosen Jerusalem, rebuked Satan (Zechariah 3:1-2). Even in our day Satan has set his sights on Jerusalem. Enemies seek to lay claim to the place chosen by God as his capital. I say with Zechariah – Yehovah rebuke you!

My we all pay closer attention to the times and seasons. It is essential that we recognize the rhythm of the Hebrew year, for when we get in sync with His time our eyes will be opened to the wonderful workings of heaven in our daily lives.

Blessed be Yehovah! For His steadfast love endures forever! Wake up world! It is Jerusalem Day – the day that God gave Jerusalem back to the Jewish people.

Posted in Notes, Weekly Lessons, Weekly Services

A Temporary Place for Roots of Faith

May 4, 2011

Since December of 2005, Roots of Faith has held services every Sabbath in the historic Temple Sinai Synagogue in Saint Francisville. The Town actually owns the building but has graciously allowed us to occupy the building, using it unrestricted all this time at no charge. For quite some time, plans have been in the works to restore the Synagogue. The Historical Society has been raising money and we have been put on notice that at some point we will need to vacate the building so that the restoration can take place.

Last week I was informed by a member of the town that plans were being reviewed and I was told to step up the pace in finding a location for Roots of Faith. While I was not given a specific date by which I had to be out of the synagogue I began to pray about our situation. Bridget reminded me of a building in town that might be suitable. Today I drove by the building and it is indeed available for rent. The building is small. I do not know the exact square footage but it will work for our needs. It has a bathroom, a closet, and a single room where we could set up some chairs, our dialogue table and the pulpit from the synagogue. Since the local congregation is small I am certain that we can make this work. The sign says that the rent is $250 per month.

I will post some pictures later, but wanted to send this out to let people know what we are thinking. I never ask for money and am only keeping people in the loop so that you all know about this increase in our costs so that those who may want to help can be aware of the need. We have always had our needs met and I am confident that this will remain the case. I remain committed to providing all of our teaching at no charge. With this added cost of $250 we could use some help.

My goal is to be moved into this place within the next couple of weeks. I want to paint the building, move our artwork and get the internet connection in good working order as soon as possible so that we can transition without any interruption in our online services.

Go to our Support Page to contribute.

Thanks for your continued support of and interest in Roots of Faith.

Shalom, Ross

Posted in Notes, Synagogue, Weekly Lessons, Weekly Services

Now He Belongs to the Ages

April 14, 2011

On this date in history (April 14,1865), at 10:13 PM, President Abraham was shot in the back of the head at point blank range by John Wilkes Booth. It is believed by some that the assassin had originally intended to kidnap the President and use him in an exchange for some Confederate prisoners, but that all changed when Booth attended a speech and heard the President speak about voting rights for black Americans. The speech was delivered on April 11, 1865, three days before the murder.

President Lincoln was watching the play, “Our American Cousin” when Booth slipped in behind him, aimed at the back of his head and fired what would be a fatal shot at point blank range. President Lincoln would die the next morning at 7:22 AM. A Presbyterian minister was asked to offer a prayer.

Lincoln reportedly never joined a church, but according to biographer James G. Randall, Lincoln was “a man of more intense religiosity than any other President of the United States.” He once told his friend Joshua Speed, “Take all of this book [the Bible] upon reason that you can, and the balance on faith, and you will live and die a happier and better man.”

The author Bruce Feiler in his work, America’s Prophet – Moses and the American Story, reports that according to his wife Mary, Abraham Lincoln’s last words were, “there is no city on earth he so much desired to see as Jerusalem.” Moments later he was shot. (page 170)

He was shot on Good Friday that year, and America’s ministers took the opportunity to speak of his role in America.

I have incorporated his words in my classes and pointed out some interesting things about his life and so it is fitting that I should mark this day. Shortly after he died, Secretary of War Stanton said, “Now he belongs to the Ages.” So on this day, we should take note of a great American and a good man who stood up for the rights of all people. I for one look forward to meeting him one day in Jerusalem, the place he longed to see. I have some things I want to talk with him about.