Notes

Constantine and Christianity’s Confusion over the Sabbath Day

March 7, 2011

My studies show that on this day in history (March 7, 321), Constantine made the following proclamation solidifying the Christian rejection of the true seventh day Sabbath in favor of the first day of the week. “On the venerable Day of the Sun let the magistrates and people residing in cities rest, and let all workshops be closed.” (Constantine, March 7, 321. Codex Justinianus lib. 3, tit. 12, 3; trans. in Philip Schaff, History of the Christian Church, Vol. 3, p. 380, note 1).

Now, in our day, many are awakening to the lies that have been handed down throughout the generations. Ancient Rome, the mighty nation that was so arrogant and evil has been resigned to the history books while the nation of Israel is being raised from the dead as it were. Ancient Rome still has its influence amongst millions of seekers, but its idols and falsehoods are losing their grip.

So on this self same day of the evil decree to “change times” we should rejoice that Yehovah is opening the eyes of truth seeking people the world over. In the Torah we are told to remember the Sabbath day. Tragically, it is this command that has been most forgotten.

May those who spread falsehood “cease”, and those who are seeking truth – Remember the Sabbath day!

References for your study:

Exodus 20:8-11; Deuteronomy 5:12-15 – The Ten Words (also known as the Ten Commandments). In the Exodus version we are told to Remember it and in the Deuteronomy version we are told to Observe it. In both versions we are told to “keep it holy”. It is tied to the events of Creation as well as the Exodus from Egypt. It is an essential part of keeping Yehovah’s way and in Isaiah 56 it is declared to be for all of humanity! Throughout history it has been the “test” commandment and is called the sign of the covenant (Exodus 16:4, 26-30).

I encourage all who love God, Torah and Israel to reject this failing decree of Constantine and begin to remember and observe the Sabbath. Let all of us who pursue righteousness rid ourselves of Constantine’s decree and proclaim the seventh day as the Biblical Sabbath.

Posted in Notes, Weekly Lessons, Weekly Services

Reuven Prager Live at Temple Sinai

January 18, 2011

Roots of Faith is pleased to announce that Reuven Prager will be speaking this coming Thursday evening at 6:00 PM CST at Temple Sinai Synagogue in Saint Francisville, Louisiana. Reuven lives in Jerusalem, Israel but is on a Winter tour of the US, presenting his interesting material across the country. Reuven is the Founder of a Levitical Ministry called Beged Ivri (Hebrew Clothing), which was established in 1983 for the purpose of researching and restoring ancient Israelite customs in preparation for the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem.

Reuven is an authority on Biblical garments, wedding customs and all facets of ongoing activity related to the restoration of the Temple services.

Reuven is introducing a new project to encourage sponsorship for Israeli soldiers called FBI – friends of Beged Ivri. He will tell us all about this as well.

Participants will be allowed to dress and photograph themselves in Biblical garments, smell the spices used in the incense of the Temple and handle ancient artifacts and coins from the First and Second Temple eras.

At the end of the lecture, attendees can purchase Biblical items.

Roots of Faith is covering the cost of the speaking engagement and offering the lecture free to the public. Let’s see if we can get the word out and invite those who are interested in the Bible and Israel to come for a night with Reuven Prager at Temple Sinai.

For those who are unable to join us in person, the lecture will be aired live via the internet at www.shma.tv, beginning at 6:00 P.M. CST.

Temple Sinai is located at:
4740 Prosperity Street
Saint Francisville, LA., 70775

Posted in Notes, Special Teachings

Martin Luther King Jr. and the Torah of Moses?

January 15, 2011

Today, January 15th is the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. He was born in 1929. While I claim to be no authority on the man, I have always been inspired by his speeches and have a great admiration for his work – namely in his efforts to achieve justice and equality as well as freedom from oppression. I am a student of Scripture and so from this perspective I wanted to share something relevant in regards to the man and his work that I discovered this week. As a student of the Torah, I follow the weekly portions of the Law of Moses and in my classes I tend to look for ways to connect our present world with the ancient through these readings which have been in place in Judaism for nearly 2,000 years as far as we can determine. Time and again I have discovered interesting points – where current events seem to coincide with something found within the Torah reading. This week as I prepared my class on the portion of Scripture that deals with the Exodus from Egypt, I immediately thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. who found much similarity between the struggles of his own people and the ancient children of Israel. As it turns out, the regular Torah reading for the week that Martin Luther King was born was the Hebrew Torah Reading that contains the story of the departure of the Children of Israel from the oppressive Egyptians. The texts contained in this reading are Exodus 10:1 – 13:16. Like Moses, Martin Luther King Jr. would devote his adult life to a struggle for freedom for his people. I find it worth mentioning that the week he was born, all over the world Jewish people were reading Moses’ words to Pharaoh – “Let my people go!” Did these words carry in the wind into the ears of a small baby who would grow up to speak them again to the oppressors of his own generation? One can only wonder if somehow, these Torah portions contain a glimpse of what our own purposes are to be. At least in the case of Martin Luther King Jr., it would seem to be the case. What Torah reading was being read when you were born?

Posted in Notes, Torah Readings

Israel Trip Photos

November 5, 2010

I have uploaded most of the photos from my Israel trip (October 25 – November 5, 2010). The photos all have brief captions so that you know what you are looking at. The trip was wonderful. As a teacher of the Bible I had longed to visit the land where faith was born. To walk these hills and to visit these places has given me a new perspective on many things that I have read over the years. I am certain that my teaching will be better now that I have experienced the land. It will now be my goal to incorporate what I have learned in my attempts to inspire a more Biblically authentic lifestyle. Take some time to check out these photos. Click here to view them all.

Posted in Israel Trip 2010, Notes

Experience the Jordan River

November 3, 2010

Today, we went to the extreme north of the Land of Israel. It was so incredible to see and hear the Jordan River at it’s source. I wanted to share this with all of you. Click on the link below as you look at this photo. Enjoy!

Sounds of the Jordan Headwaters Play in Popup | Download

Posted in Israel Trip 2010, Notes