Friday, September 7, 2018

CHUCK KOLB 09/07/2018

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Nitzavim - Choosing Life in Adversity !!!

Previously posted ... 
Awakened by the Left Media Bias !!!  
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2018/09/chuck-kolb-09032018.html 

Welcome to Nitzavim (You Are Standing), this week's Torah portion. 
This is the portion that we will be reading during Shabbat (Saturday) services.
Please follow along as we study this week's Parasha.  We know you will be blessed! 



Last week, Parasha Ki Tavo (When You Enter) concluded with Moses telling the people that 40 years after they had attained nationhood, they still had not acquired “a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear” all that Adonai had done for them throughout their wilderness journey.  (Deuteronomy 29:2–4) In this week's portion, the Lord confronts the people to choose now His way of life and blessings or the pagan way of death and curses. Just as a good father might instruct his son or daughter as to the best decision to make, God implores His children to choose life. 

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ... 
Parasha Nitzavim: Choosing Life in Adversity 

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/parasha-nitzavim-choosing-life-in-adversity/
http://free.messianicbible.com/category/torah 

This is the last parasha of 5778. With Teshuvah ending with Yom Kippur, 
The High Holy Days / the Ten Days of Awe begins this Sunday evening 
and the shofar sounding 100 times Rosh Hashanah 5779 ... 
May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year  
L'shanah tovah tikateiv v'techateim 

The High Holy Days and the Ten Days of Awe

http://www.jewishrootsofchristianity.ca/the-high-holy-days-and-the-ten-days-of-awe/ 
https://restoringtheway.org/teshuvah-the-10-days-of-awe/ 
http://restoringtheway.org/messianic-homeschooling/ 

Jewish holiday calendars & Hebrew date converter 
http://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm - https://www.hebcal.com 
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day 

Parasha Reading Schedule 5778 
http://free.messianicbible.com/torah-reading-schedule 

Why Are Christians Adopting Jewish Practice of Studying the Weekly Torah Portion?
https://theisraelbible.com/christians-adopting-jewish-practice-studying-weekly-torah-portion/

Holy, Holy, Holy Is the Lord of Hosts – YHVH Sabaoth 
The name YHVH Sabaoth is used 235 times in the Bible. 
http://free.messianicbible.com/feature/holy-holy-holy-lord-hosts-yhvh-sabaoth/ 

The Prophetic Significance of the Passover Lamb 
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/the-prophetic-significance-of-the-passover-lamb/ 

Simchat Torah: Celebrating Yeshua – the Word That Dwells Among Us
http://free.messianicbible.com/holiday/dancing-joy-simchat-torah/ 

Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday - The Feast of Tabernacles !!! 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2017/10/chuck-kolb-10082017.html 

The Daniel Timeline 
http://www.davidjayjordan.com/Danieltimeline.html 

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Parshat Nitzavim

https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/3078/jewish/Nitzavim-in-a-Nutshell.htm 
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=9/8/2018 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ... 

Weekly Torah Portion: Nitzavim and Rosh HaShana Blessing 

We are all standing before HaShem today, as we reaffirm our covenant with Him and our commitment to life: " ...love HaShem, your G-d, walk in His ways, and observe His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, so that you will live and increase, and HaShem, your G-d, will bless you in the land... " (Deut. 30:16) Shana Tova! Blessings for a good year to all! 

Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:9 - 30:20) Parashat Nitzavim is read on Shabbat: Elul 28, 5778 / September 8, 2018

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyaYpKuBO5s (15:20
https://www.youtube.com/user/henryporter2/videos 
Published on Sep 5, 2018 - The Temple Institute  
https://www.templeinstitute.org/events.htm 
http://www.templeinstitute.org/ 
Weekly Newsletter - http://is.gd/4BUvi 

Special ... Broadcasting from Jerusalem with Rabbi Chaim Richman, Yitzchak Reuven 
Temple Talk Radio: Rosh HaShana: Universal Call to Celebrate the Renewal of Life 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CeWcWTSKH7c (46:11)  
Published on Sep 4, 2018 - The Temple Institute 
Reflections on the Birth of a Red Heifer 
Parashat Nitzavim and G-d’s Advice for Rosh HaShana: ‘Choose Life!’ 

Join Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Chaim Richman for this special edition of Temple Talk, the last program of 5778. This week's program is a tour de force in preparation for Rosh Hashana, the birthday of Adam. Our hosts discuss the universal aspect of this time of renewal and judgement for all humanity. The show is full of vital and compelling information and inspiration, ranging from the reasons for the blowing of the shofar, to Rosh HaShana's mysterious musical connection to the Holy Temple. Plus: The Messianic implications of the birth of a red heifer here in Israel. Best wishes for a Sweet and Beautiful New Year, from Temple Talk!  

Red Heifer Candidate Born in Israel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOMH2qY6RCY (0:58) The Temple Institute 9/4/18 
On the 17th day of Elul, 5778, (August 28, 2018), a red heifer (para aduma) was born in the land of Israel. The red heifer candidate is being raised and specially cared for under the auspices of the Temple Institute's 'Raise a Red Heifer' program. 

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The Coming Temple - Full Documentary

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKTO8YYs29c (48:17) NuBeat Music 12/21/16 
Filmed in the Old City of Jerusalem, this ground-breaking documentary investigates the research of renowned Biblical archaeologists, Bob Cornuke, David Sielaff and Earnest L. Martin who claim that Solomon and Herod's Temples never stood on the Haram al Sharif, also known as the Temple Mount. If they are right, then there is nothing to stop the Jewish people building their long awaited for Third Jewish Temple in the actual site where the Temples once stood. 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...  

https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/  https://israel365.com/ 

The Portion of Nitzavim 
https://theisraelbible.com/reading-plan/book-deuteronomy/portion-nitzavim/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/weekly-torah-portion/  

The Israel Bible side-by-side English and Hebrew text along with audio being read in Hebrew.
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/genesis/chapter-1#verse-1 
https://theisraelbible.com/hebrew-alphabet-chart/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/proper-noun-directory/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/glossary/ 
https://theisraelbible.com/maps 

Thanks Christine Hummingbird reporting ... 
Temple Institute Announces Birth of Red Heifer 

https://hummingbird027.com/2018/09/06/temple-institute-announces-birth-of-red-heifer/
“This is the ritual law that Hashem has commanded: Instruct B’nei Yisrael to bring you a red cow without blemish, in which there is no defect and on which no yoke has been laid. Numbers 19:2 
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/113476/temple-institute-certifies-red-heifer/ 

New Beginnings for Biblical UN? 
https://hummingbird027.com/2018/09/04/new-beginnings-for-biblical-un/
“We are seeing the end of the UN, as the US and Israel separate themselves from it, “Rabbi Weiss said. “The United Nations should have collapsed long ago but it has drawn power from its decision to establish the State of Israel in 1948.”
https://www.breakingisraelnews.com/113430/prophecy-nations-recognize-sanhedrin/

2 FREE bumper stickers - I Stand with Israel 
http://www.shilohisraelchildren.org/free-bumper-stickers/ 
Hebrew “Trump 2016” Bumper Sticker 
https://israel365.com/store/i-love-israel/hebrew-trump-2016-bumper-sticker 

Jared and Ivanka Special w Joseph, Arabella and Theodore ... 
Shana Tova u'Metuka! - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BZR6YcDFLXt/ 
Joseph and the Sycamore tree - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BaSQ1Z7lNVa/ 
Mazel Tov - Jared and Ivanka 8th Anniversary - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BasPPXSFBYP/ 
Family Trip - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bb4eb1yFrtS/ 
Theodore Peek-a-boo - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVt1CAl311/ 
Happy Chanukah! - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bcnw9Yll2hO/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bc3WutUlcmf/ 
Joseph's Fish at Mar-a-Lago - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdK8PpxFprP/ 
Jared's 37th Birthday - 5778 w <3 Ivanka 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdyjoD4lk6X/
Ivanka in Pittsburgh - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BeG80HZlihT/ 
Joseph Flies Air Force One - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BewO8OVlSQH/ 
Black n White and Arabella - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bf45VDGlBfT/ 
Scientist Ivanka at Waukee APEX, IA - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BghW-Y8Fgdx/ 
Theodore Turns Two - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgwikqalE0L/ 
Airport Diner Fun in Manchester - 5776,78
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhrz5-JlSm1/ 
Theodore Spring Planting - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bhu1hIqFCsU/
Instavid French Cuisine - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bh-q23qlKm3/  
Arabella #JCC Activities - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiKVJUHlIL2/ 
Welcome Home Instavid - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bimagj0FNLa/ 
Embassy Dedication - Lyar 29, 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/Biw8rt7Fv79/
Theodore at WH Lunchtime - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjLI7HMFjdg/ 
Ivanka w Herschel Walker - WH Sports and Fitness Day - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjcTOJIFmGh/ 
Theodore My <3 - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BjSXlG1lTuj/ 
Little Ivanka Happy Birthday Dad - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkAQVCWl81i/ 
Fam Photos #FathersDay - We <3 U - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkHuuVul6u9/ 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkIzWo7Fpr_/ 
Instavid Summit of the Americas in Peru - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkbKw79FF4a/ 
Instavid #WorkforceDevelopment - 5778 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BldZTnsAV_S/ 
Instagif - Girls of Steel - 5778
https://www.instagram.com/p/BmefABxFF1A/ 
Instavid - #EmpoweringWomeninAfghanistan! 
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnZONaRFqtH/ 

https://www.instagram.com/ivankatrump/ 
https://twitter.com/ivankatrump  
http://ivankatrump.com/ 

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 16+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION 


T. Belman writes, In discussing the Arab-Israeli conflict, Kedar left out the possibility of replacing King Abdullah who is an obstructionist, with Mudar. Once he is replaced by Mudar, the Confederation everyone is talking about is between Arab Jordan and Jewish Israel. Confedereation is too strong a word. Probably partnership is much better. It will be an economic and security partnership.
There’s a war going on out there
Three wars, at the very least, are raging in the Middle East, and Israel will get fallout from all of them.
by Dr. Mordechai Kedar - INN

Wars are raging in various parts of the Middle East, although there is a tendency not to call the conflicts by that name because of the fear conjured up by the word. One conflagration is the war Iran is waging against those – headed by Israel – who stand in the way of its plans to take over the entire Middle East. Another is the Assad regime’s war to take back control of the entire country, and a third is the PLO’s battle for survival. Much has been written about the first of these wars, and reports have claimed that from early 2017 on, Israel has launched over 200 attacks in Syria, mainly at targets connected to Iran. 
https://www.israpundit.org/theres-a-war-going-on-out-there/ 
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/22709 

INTO THE FRAY: My New Year Appeal to Caroline Glick. Rethink  “The Israeli Solution“.
by Martin Sherman - IISS

Glick’s prescription  for a “A One-State Plan for Peace in the Middle East” will jeopardize the Zionist enterprise no less than the two-state paradigm, which she rightly repudiates with great force and eloquence. As far as we are concerned, Ahmad is a hero and a martyr – Ali Mahameed at the funeral of his relative, Ahmed Muhammad Mahameed, the Israeli-Arab killed in a recent attempted terror attack, Ynetnews, Aug. 21, 2018. Events of the past weeks have highlighted the incipient disloyalty—or at least the evident passive lack of loyalty—of significant sectors of the Israeli-Arab population to Israel as the nation-state of the Jewish people, and a clear rejection of the fundamental precepts on which the State of Israel was founded.
https://www.israpundit.org/into-the-fray-my-new-year-appeal-to-caroline-glick-rethink-the-israeli-solution/ 
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/Articles/Article.aspx/20148 

Ted Belman, editor and publisher of Israpundit 
https://youtu.be/2_2jJpjU3zA (5:10) ILTV ISRAEL DAILY 10/9/17 http://www.iltv.tv/ 

Ted Belman - 12/3/17 
https://youtu.be/EO5kIMNtZwA (1:08:08) Alexander Gendler 12/3/17 
The “Jordan-is-Palestine” idea, as the preferred resolution for the Israel-Palestine conflict. The conference was organized together with Mudar Zahran, Secretary-General of the Jordan Opposition Coalition, who lives in England under the protection of that country's police.

3 ways to help Ted Belman ... 
Please send checks payable to Ted Belman, 
Hagdud Haivri #1, Jerusalem, 92344, ISRAEL 
Or go to Israel Institute for Strategic Studies 
and use your credit card and mention "Israpundit" 
Donators will get a US tax deductible receipt. 
http://www.strategic-israel.org/  
http://www.israpundit.org/donate/ 

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Courtesy of Bible Gateway via Jewish Voice ... 
Free Map! Where are the Lost Tribes of Israel today?

https://www.salemoffers.com/campaign/lost-tribes-map-fall-2017-b/ 
http://jvmi.convio.net/assets/pdfs/lost-tribes-map.pdf (1 page pdf) 
✡ ✡ ✡
Yavoh ~ He is coming ! 
Yahweh - Yeshua -  Ruach Ha-Kodesh 
Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh אֶהְיֶה אֲשֶׁר אֶהְיֶה   
BREAKING NEWS FROM ISRAEL 
Minute by minute updates here ... 
Watching for Yeshua Ha-Mashiach   
http://www.kolbonews.com/ 
https://aim4truth.org/ 
https://iomovies.to/ 
http://itccs.org/ 
http://conpats.blogspot.com/ 
http://free.messianicbible.com/ 
Pray at the Kotel - the Western Wailing Wall 
http://free.messianicbible.com/enter-prayer-wall/ 
Entire Media News on this Planet 
click continue to use PressDisplay.com 

http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx 


From my family to yours, wishing you a very Happy New Year,
Shana Tova U'Metukah. 


9/7/18 Today Show - Make Jamie Geller’s tasty brisket with apples and honey cake 
As Sunday marks the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, chef Jamie Geller joins
Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb to celebrate with delicious dishes for the holiday table.
She shares a slow-cooked brisket recipe, along with an apples and honey cake.

https://www.today.com/video/make-jamie-geller-s-tasty-brisket-with-apples-and-honey-cake-1315037763843 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/easy-twists-on-holiday-favorites-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/as-seen-on-the-today-show-easy-oven-seared-soy-silan-brisket/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/ 

All my best tips, tricks and time savers for Rosh Hashanah.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/rosh-hashanah/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/kubaneh/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/what-are-rosh-hashanah-simanim/ 

28 Rosh Hashanah Sides To Fill Your Table
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/rosh-hashanah-sides/ 

The most popular kugel for Rosh Hashanah is...
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/broccoli-kugel-2/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/yerushalmi-kugel/ 

How to make Israel's most beautiful holiday salad.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/israeli-fruit-salad/ 

13 babkas to get your baking season started.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/sheet-pan-apple-pie/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/holidays/13-babka-recipes/

This challah shortcut will change everything.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/jamie-gellers-no-knead-challah-bread/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/apple-pie-challah/ 

The kid-friendly recipe I'm serving this year.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/crispy-carrot-chips-with-pomegranate-ketchup/
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/ashkenazic-carrot-pudding-mehren-kugel/ 

It's time to tell you my biggest secret.
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/kreplach-shortcuts/ 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/guides/how-to-make-caramelized-onions/ 

Final chance to win ... 
This 12th week’s prize is (drumroll please): Chefman Air Fryer 

Welcome To The Summer of Giveaways and every week for 12 weeks 
enter to win below and come back every day for more chances. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/summer-of-giveaways/ 

Win a Trip to Israel
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/win-a-trip-to-israel-with-colavita/
FREE DOWNLOAD: My Make Ahead Mezze Recipe eBook (32 page pdf) 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/browse/dips-spreads-and-salad-free-recipe-ebook/

It's your last chance to download my Modern Israeli Summer ebook
Download my FREE Modern Israeli Summer ebook with over 20 fresh & easy recipes. 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/israel/modern-israeli-summer-free-recipe-ebook/

Finally! A Healthy Meal Plan for the Whole Family: Fresh Families by Jamie 
https://freshfamilies.us/ 
https://freshfamilies.us/register/ 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6lQsuWGrrA (1:01

The Perfect Week for Matzo... As Seen on The Today Show
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/03/the-perfect-week-for-matzo-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
w vid Use matzo in 4 different ways for Passover!
https://www.today.com/video/use-matzo-in-4-different-ways-for-passover-1198725699778
https://www.today.com/food/easiest-most-delicious-matzo-ball-recipe-passover-t125845
Matzo Balls by Jamie Geller 
https://www.today.com/recipes/matzo-balls-recipe-t125837 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/best-ever-matzo-ball-soup/ 

Watch Jamie cooking Brisket with Megyn Kelly on The Today Show
by Shifra Klein 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/2018/01/jamie-gellers-brisket-101-as-seen-on-the-today-show/
https://www.today.com/video/make-3-hearty-winter-meals-with-this-delicious-classic-beef-brisket-recipe-1164913219668 
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Gellers-Brisket-101-LEFTOVER/dp/1976983851/ 

Camp Zeke is cook'in with kids http://www.campzeke.org 
Free 2017 - 63 page cookbook - recipes by Alexandra Zohn, MA, HHC 
http://www.campzeke.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/2017-Camp-Zeke-Cookbook.pdf 

The Most Popular Recipe - Year 2017
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/potato-kugel-cups/ 
https://youtu.be/ApKzja2XnWE (6:39
The Most Popular Recipes 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/recipes/search?query=Most%20Popular%20Recipes 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - EVOO Colavita recipes
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/white-bean-and-avocado-toast/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/deviled-green-eggs/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/sun-dried-tomato-hummus/ 
https://colavitarecipes.com/recipe/quinoa-oat-clusters-fruit-nuts/ 

Home of JOY of KOSHER with Jamie Geller 
http://www.joyofkosher.com   
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Our mailing addresses are: 
Kosher Media Holdings LLC: 
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Joy of Aliyah  
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/

The answer is, it's made with love from Israel !   
http://joyofkosher.com/joyofisrael 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cua0Iw7HGjw (0:41)   
https://www.youtube.com/user/joyofkosher/videos   
http://usastore.joyofkosher.com/ magazine subscription 
https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/subscribe/ email subscription
Book Jamie - https://www.joyofkosher.com/page/press/ 

FACEBOOK - https://www.facebook.com/jamiegellerdotcom/ 
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PINTEREST -  https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher   
https://www.pinterest.com/joyofkosher/joy-of-kosher-community 

You are standing [nitzavim] today in the presence of the Lord your God ….  
You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God. 
Deuteronomy 29:10–12



Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Nitzavim - Choosing Life in Adversity !!!



Torah and yad pointer
  
Shabbat Shalom 
 
Welcome to Nitzavim (You Are Standing), this week's Torah portion.
 
This is the portion that we will be reading during Shabbat (Saturday) services. Please follow along as we study this week's Parasha.  We know you will be blessed!
  
NITZAVIM (You Are Standing)
Deuteronomy 29:9 (10)–30:20; Isaiah 61:10–63:9; Romans 10:1–21
 
“You are standing [nitzavim] today in the presence of the Lord your God ….  You are standing here in order to enter into a covenant with the Lord your God.”  (Deuteronomy 29:10–12)
 
Last week, Parasha Ki Tavo (When You Enter) concluded with Moses telling the people that 40 years after they had attained nationhood, they still had not acquired “a heart to know, eyes to see and ears to hear” all that Adonai had done for them throughout their wilderness journey.  (Deuteronomy 29:24)
 
In this week's portion, the Lord confronts the people to choose now His way of life and blessings or the pagan way of death and curses.
 

A 13-year-old Jewish boy reads the Torah for the first time publicly from
the bimah in a synagogue.  (Photo by dutchboy)
 
Free to Choose Good 
In Parasha Nitzavim, God sets before the Jewish People two diametrically opposed choices:  life and good, or death and evil (et ha'chayim v'et ha'tov; v'et hamavet v'et hara).
 
Just as a good father might instruct his son or daughter as to the best decision to make, God implores His children to choose life.
 
“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.  Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
 
This verse provides an incredible insight into
the purpose of the Torah. 
 
God gave the Scriptures to us as a guide so we know what is good and what is evil; nevertheless, it is up to each of us to either live according to God’s Word by accepting the good and rejecting the evil or to live according to the dictates of our own heart and the current cultural perspective or worldview.
 
This is the concept of free will that God has given to mankind.
 
One ancient Jewish Bible commentator, Rashi, cites a story, or midrash, in the oral tradition (in the treatise Niddah) about the angel responsible for conception who asks God whether the child will grow up to be strong or weak, wise or foolish, rich or poor.
 
The angel, however, never asks God if the child will become wicked or righteous, since God may determine the circumstances of one’s life but the decision to choose the good path or the evil one has been left up to man’s own free will.
 

The handwritten Hebrew of a precious Torah scroll.

Free to Choose Life in Adversity
While it is not possible to control all the circumstances that affect our lives, we can determine how we will react to them.
 
It might be easier to be happy or be nice when everything is going well, but there is no guarantee that we will be happy or nice even in the midst of good times.
 
Likewise, tragic circumstances do not have to shake us from our firm foundation so that we lose faith in God and become miserable and bitter.
 
One Messianic Prophecy Bible team member tells the story of an older woman whose son had passed away from cancer, leaving behind a lovely young wife with three small children.  
 
“They were an observant, Orthodox Jewish family, and I wondered how they would react to such a terrible tragedy,” she said.  “It was then that I overheard the woman speaking to a friend on the phone.  Her words were full only of honor toward God, frequently uttering, 
Baruch Hashem
 (Blessed be His Name)
 
"It reminded me of how Job was able to say, 'He gives and He takes away.  Baruch Hashem,' after losing his health, his children and his livelihood."  (Job 1:21)
 

An Orthodox Jewish woman stands near a fresh grave on the Mount of
Olives in Jerusalem.
 
A famous psychologist and Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, wrote in his book Man’s Search for Meaning about humankind's ability to exercise free will during the horrific circumstances of the Nazi concentration and death camps.
 
Although we might expect that a person would be incapable of acting in kind, moral, humane ways under such terrible conditions, Frankl reports in his book that this was not the case; he observed many examples of heroic individuals.
 
Frankl wrote, “[These men] offer sufficient proof that everything can be taken away from a man but one thing: the last of human freedoms — to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way . . .”  (pp. 86–88)
 
Even under extreme physical and emotional stress, we can choose our behavior — whether to love and forgive — or remain in hatred and bitterness.
 

Jewish women and children walk toward the gas chambers at
Auschwitz-Birkenau.
 
Most of us will never have to endure such brutal conditions, but each one of us will be presented with choices throughout our lives.
 
We must choose whether or not to be courageous, unselfish and faithful; or bow to fear, fight for our own way, and lose our human dignity, especially during serious adversity.
 
Our morality and ethics will be tested at various times throughout our lives.  We cannot plead, as did some of the Nazis charged with war crimes, who defended themselves saying, “I had no choice…. I was just following orders.”
 
The truth is that we always have the ability to walk in accordance with the values of the Torah or to walk along that broad path that leads to destruction.
 
We would do well to consider carefully our ways as we prepare to enter into the Days of Awe this weekend.
 

Two Orthodox Jewish girls walk in the Old City of Jerusalem.
 
Free to Return to God
Sunday begins a ten-day period called Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im) that ushers in Rosh HaShanah (the Jewish calendar New Year 5779) and ends with Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).
 
These ten days are meant to be a period of somber introspection during which time we pray for forgiveness of our sins — and ask for forgiveness from those we have sinned against throughout the year.
 
The repentance required at the time of these upcoming Fall Feasts of the Lord is meant to bring each person back to God.
 
In Yeshua's day, people came to Yochanan (John the Baptist) at the Jordan River during this season of preparation for the Fall Feasts, to be immersed in the mikvah (baptized).  There, he warned them that they must produce fruit demonstrating their repentance.
 
“John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, ‘You brood of vipers!  Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.’”  (Luke 3:78)
 

A Jewish man blows the shofar on Erev Rosh
HaShanah (Jewish New Year's Eve).

The Hebrew word for repentance, t’shuvah,
comes from the root shuv, meaning return.
 
In other words, when we choose the path of sin, evil and death, it leads us out of the presence of God.  And when we repent, we return to the presence of God.
 
We learn in this Parasha, that the result of unrepented sin for the Israelites would be even more than personal separation — it would also be national exile.
 
But Baruch HaShem, exile is not the end of the story.
 
In this Parasha, God tells the Israelites that those who will be scattered into exile due to sin, would be gathered back to the Promised Land when they returned to Him.  And after He gathers and returns them to their own land, He would bless and prosper His people Israel.
 
“When you and your children return to the LORD your God and obey Him with all your heart and with all your soul according to everything I command you today, then the LORD your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and gather you again from all the nations where He scattered you.”  (Deuteronomy 30:2–3)
 

New olim (immigrants) arrive in Israel.
 
Still, today many believe that it is just too hard to obey God or keep the Torah.
 
In this Parasha, God tell us that it is not too difficult for us to walk in obedience:
 
“Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach....  The word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”  (Deuteronomy 30:11–14)
 
Moreover, there are many rewards for being obedient.
 
These rewards are not relegated to olam habah (the world to come) but are also for our lives here and now.
 
They are not only spiritual rewards for when we get to Heaven; they are also physical, material, and emotional rewards such as long life, prosperity, and success for today.
 

Israeli synagogue (Photo by Elihu Silberman)
 
Yet, evil persists, and we know that even the obedient ones fall prey at times to the oppression and attacks of the enemy and to a world that is fallen.  Yeshua (Jesus) even said that “in this world you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)
 
Those who have troubles do not have to succumb to fear.
 
While Frankl reminds us that we can find meaning even in the midst of suffering, Scripture tells us that the enemy cannot take away from us many good things: our freedom to choose good; our faith in the God of Israel; and our faith in Yeshua as our Messiah, who sacrificed His own life to release us from spiritual bondage so we can be truly experience freedom in this life.
 
No matter how bleak things look at any given moment, God will show us evidence of His goodness and mercy while we are yet on this earth.
 
As King David said, “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” 
(Psalm 27:13) 
 
Choosing life entails loving God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, listening to the voice of His Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and keeping His commandments.  Doing so is the very best choice we could ever make — for this is our very life!
 
“Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.  For the Lord is your life, and He will give you many years in the land He swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”  (Deuteronomy 30:20)
 
 
Now is the time, to help the Jewish People choose life through Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) by supporting the work of Bibles For Israel. 
 
Shabbat Shalom from the Entire Bibles For Israel Family!

Willing to Help
 

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