Weekly Parashah |
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Torah:
Exo. 35:1-38-20 |
Haftara: 1 Kgs. 7:40-50 | Brit Chadashah: Mk. 6:14–29 2 Cor. 9:6-11 1 Cor. 3:11-18 |
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Vayekhel (And he assembled) וַיַּקְהֵל |
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Scripture: |
Exodus 35:1-38-20
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Torah |
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Offerings for the Tabernacle35 Then Moses assembled all the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael and said to them, “These are the words which Adonai has commanded you to do. 2 Work is to be done for six days, but the seventh day is a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest to Adonai. Whoever does any work then will die. 3 Do not kindle a fire in any of your dwellings on Yom Shabbat.” 4 Moses also said to all the congregation of Bnei-Yisrael, “This is the word which Adonai commanded saying: 5 Take from among you an offering for Adonai. Whoever has a willing heart, let him bring Adonai’s offering: gold, silver and bronze; 6 blue, purple and scarlet cloth; fine linen and goat hair; 7 ram skins dyed red, sealskins and acacia wood; 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; 9 onyx stones, and setting stones for the ephod and for the breastplate. 10 “Let every wise-hearted man among you come and make everything that Adonai has commanded, including https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exo.+35%3A1-38%3A20&version=TLV |
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Scripture: |
1 kings 7 : 40 – 50 |
Haftarah |
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40 Then Hiram made the basins, the shovels, and the sprinkling bowls. So Hiram finished doing all the work that he performed for King Solomon on Adonai’s House: 41 the two pillars, the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, the two nettings to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars, 42 the 400 pomegranates for the two nettings, two rows of pomegranates for each to cover the two bowls of the capitals on top of the pillars, 43 the ten bases and the ten basins on the bases, 44 the one sea and the 12 oxen under the sea, 45 the pots, the shovels and the basins. All these vessels Hiram made for King Solomon in the House of Adonai were made of polished bronze. 46 The king had them cast in the plain of the Jordan, with clay of the ground between Sukkot and Zarethan. 47 Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because they were too many—the weight of the bronze could not be determined. 48 So Solomon made all the equipment that was to be in the House of Adonai: the golden altar, the table on which was the bread of the presence, of gold; 49 the menorahs—five on the right side and five on the left in front of the inner Sanctuary—of pure gold; the flowers, the lamps and the tongs, of gold; 50 the cups, the snuffers, the bowls, the wick trimmers and the fire pans, of pure gold; the hinges for the doors of the inner House, the Holy of Holies, and for the doors of the House, that is, of the Temple, of gold. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+kings+7%3A40-50&version=TLV |
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Scripture: |
Mark 6:14–29
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Brit Chadashah |
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14 King Herod heard, for Yeshua’s name had become known. Some were saying, “John the Immerser has risen from the dead! Because of this, these powers are at work in Him!” 15 But others were saying, “It’s Elijah!” Still others were saying, “It’s a prophet, like one of the prophets of old.”[a] 16 But when Herod heard, he said, “John, the one I beheaded, has been raised!” 17 For Herod himself sent and arrested John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, the wife of his brother Philip, because Herod had married her. 18 For John had been telling Herod, “It is not permitted for you to have your brother’s wife.” [b] 19 Now Herodias had a grudge against John and wanted to kill him, but she wasn’t able. 20 For Herod was in awe of John and kept him safe, knowing him to be a righteous and holy man. When he listened to John he was confused, but he still listened gladly. 21 An opportunity came—when Herod, on his birthday, gave a banquet for his high officials, military brass, and the leaders of the Galilee. 22 When the daughter of Herodias[c] came in and danced, she pleased Herod and those reclining with him. And the king said to the girl, “Ask me for whatever you want, and I’ll give it to you!” 23 He vowed to her, “Whatever you ask of me I’ll give you, up to half of my kingdom!” 24 She left the room and said to her mother, “What should I ask for?” Her mother said, “The head of John the Immerser!” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mk+6%3A14-29&version=TLV 2 Corinthians 9 : 6 – 11Sowing and Reaping Generosity6 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully shall also reap bountifully. [a] 7 Let each one give as he has decided in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion—for God loves a cheerful giver. [b] 8 And God is able to make all grace overflow to you, so that by always having enough of everything, you may overflow in every good work. 9 As it is written, “He scattered widely, He gave to the poor; 10 Now the One who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. [d] 11 You will be enriched in everything for all generosity, which through us brings about thanksgiving to God. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Cor+9%3A6-11&version=TLV 1 Corinthians 3 : 11 – 1811 For no one can lay any other foundation than what is already laid[a]—which is Yeshua the Messiah. 12 Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear. For the Day will show it, because it is to be revealed by fire; and the fire itself will test each one’s work—what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss—he himself will be saved, but as through fire. 16 Don’t you know that you are God’s temple and that the Ruach Elohim dwells among you? 17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple. 18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone thinks he is wise in this age, let him become a fool so he may become wise. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+cor+3%3A11-18&version=TLV |
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Parashah in 60 seconds |
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Music Styles Messianic
Styles
On this radio station you will find the following music styles;
Messianic Music
Music styles have changed over the years, but one thing does not change, and this is the association that we have with our memories.
Certain kinds of music will always resonate deeper with us than others. I enjoy the sound of Bob Marley, but I suspect that Get up, stand up, stand up for your rights" carries more meaning for Jamaicans from Marley's generation. I love Indian food, but it's not as familiar as my grandma's rugelach. Remember the scene in the film Ratatouille where the food critic is instantly transported back to the sounds and smells of his mother's home by eating one bite of ratatouille? Music is similar.
Some Background on Messianic Music
It was this resonance that made Messianic music in the 70s and 80s fresh, unique and instantly recognizable.
Joel Chernoff, Paul Wilbur and Stuart Dauermann were among those who produced an array of Messianic music that listeners both Jewish and non-Jewish could enjoy.
Often, they fused Eastern European Jewish minor chord progressions, danceable freilachs and Israel-focused lyrics.
It was a familiar, lively sound that is still pulsing through many Messianic congregations today.
When Jews for Jesus began in the early 70s, there were many young, talented Jewish believers who were seeking ways to express their Jewishness and their "Jesus-ness." Fortunately for the budding Messianic Jewish movement, they were encouraged to use their gifts. Some of this encouragement came from the churches who were interested in hearing fresh Jewish cultural expressions of faith.
At that time the landscape of the Jewish community was different than today.
Many Jewish believers had been raised within a first or second-generation Jewish immigrant community and were familiar with Eastern European Jewish culture.
Some had grown up with Yiddish-speaking parents or grandparents and many had firsthand experience of anti-Semitism.
Most were also first-generation in their faith and paid a price for following Y'shua, sometimes being cut off from family and friends.
Consequently, the Liberated Wailing Wall reflected American Jewish culture and the personal faith journeys of its members.
Much of the music reflected an Eastern European Jewish sound; the performances had a Fiddler on the Roof look and feel.
Though the team accomplished a lot, times have changed.
Today, fewer and fewer Jewish people relate to that kind of music.
The Jewish community has become increasingly diverse.
Sephardic Jewish culture, for example, has gotten belated recognition from Ashkenazic Jews.
Jewish people tend to be less connected than in previous generations to Eastern European shtetl culture.
Tuvya Zaretsky did his doctoral work on ministry to Jewish intermarried couples.
He noted that at the time he wrote, about 2004, the intermarriage rate among American Jews stood at around 50%, while in the case of cohabiting Jewish people, 81% lived with Gentiles.
The children of Jewish-Gentile couples also intermarried 75% of the time. Many of these Gentile partners had some kind of Christian background.
This means that for many Jewish people today, Jesus and the church are not as far removed from Jewish upbringing as they once were.
And intermarriage has broadened the ethnic diversity of the Jewish people.
Music, Worship and Truth
Throughout history, music has played an important role in worship, the expression of truth and the affirmation of peoplehood.
Jewish people have an especially rich history of musical expression. The Scriptures were memorized and meditated upon through chanting and singing.
Theological truths were often conveyed through the poetry.
The Psalms carried theological significance that was set to a meter and melody familiar to the people of Israel.
The work of the psalmists helped foster corporate Jewish identity and provided a context for approaching God's truth.
The Psalms served as the songbook of the worshiping people of God throughout the ages.
Songs memorialized God's faithfulness and the history of Israel. Psalm 98:1-9 called Israel to "sing a new song." Moses did just that upon crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 15:1–18). Deborah sang a victory song after the king of Canaan was killed (Judges 5:1–31). David sang a song of lament over the death of Saul and Jonathan in 2 Samuel 1:17–21.
We also find songs in the Good News. Mary bursts into praise in Luke 1:46-55 after being chosen to be the mother of the Messiah; Philippians 2:1-30 is considered one of the earliest New Testament hymns.
And many throughout history have continued to contribute to this tradition, from Syriac sacral music to Martin Luther, a music lover whose hymns such as "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" are still sung in churches around the world today.
The American Moravian movement, for instance, used music to express their faith, writing a huge corpus of sonnets and arias, many of which are highly esteemed by classical music listeners today.
Music and Social Change
Music has united people for social change. We see this in both the secular and Jewish arenas.
Sometimes the change is for the better, sometimes for the worse, but it is undeniable.
In the Jewish world, the Jewish national movement was spurred on by composers both in Israel and abroad.
The St. Petersburg Society for Jewish Folkmusic, founded in 1908, was comprised of graduates of the St. Petersburg and Moscow Conservatories who rediscovered their Jewish national roots and created a new genre of Jewish art music.
Numerous Israeli composers have been important in affirming Israeli identity, such as Paul Ben Haim, who was known for nationalistic themes.
Today, Matisyahu has raised the Jewish profile through his Hasidic image and as of late a return to a western image with a shaved, beardless face.
Music, a Catalyst for Personal Change
Music not only can bring about social change, but personal change as well. Sometimes it does this by bypassing the usual channels of information and truth.
Aaron Abramson wrote ;
When I was serving with Jews for Jesus in New York, I went to Yale University one summer for a time of outreach. There I met a Jewish student who was an English major.
He had been studying Milton's Paradise Lost and had become rather spiritually interested.
But ultimately it was the evocative Christian lyrics of an artist named David Bazan of the band Pedro the Lion that had raised the issue of Jesus in a way that caused him to pursue more answers. We were able to discuss the New Testament in more depth as a result.
Similarly, Moishe Rosen's wife Ceil became receptive to the gospel after listening to Christmas carols.
There was something about the music that made the truths of the gospel approachable for her.
A stylistic mix with a message
As we this history from Jews for Jesus on Messianic music we understand that the messianic music truly spans styles from Classical to Rock but with a deep root in the middle eastern sounds, in a language mixed with Hebrews and Jiddish.
Galilee of the Nations write;
While Jews and Christians everywhere commemorated the miracle of the restoration of the Jewish people to their Land, another restoration of sorts was also occurring there: the restoration of an ancient sound, one reminiscent of those that once echoed through the halls of King David's palace, and along the corridors of Solomon's temple—a harmony of harps and lyres, of trumpets and tambourines, of Levites singing Hodu L' Adonai Ki Tov (Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good) with the company of Israel replying, Ki L'Olam Chasdo (His mercy endures forever)" (Psalm 107, 118 and 136).
That restored sound would flourish by way of a newly-formed record label, Galilee of the Nations (GOTN) and its inaugural Messianic praise and worship album, Adonai.
This was the first project of its kind, a first-rate production featuring Messianic recording artists from the Land of Israel, including Karen Davis, Barry and Batya Segal, Esther "Eti" Horesh and others. The compilation received immediate international acclaim, securing distribution in 160 countries and selling over 250,000 CDs—and still counting.