More about festivals

Some people have the custom of decorating their sukkah with a plaque with the words “Zeker LeAnanei HaKivod” -- “A Remembrance of the Clouds of Glory.” This teaching explores the relationship between the Sukkah, the clouds, and the coming of the Messiah.

The Holy Day of Shavuot

Why do we eat dairy on Shavuot and stay up all night studying Torah? What's the connection between Pentecost and Shavuot? Here's a quick overview of the festival in the form of excerpts from an unpublished manuscript of the forthcoming First Fruits of Zion book The Holy Days.

Abba! Father!

The Spirit of Messiah cries out from within the inner being of the believer, "Abba! Father!" Both Jewish and Gentile believers have received the adoption as sons, not just sons of Abraham, but as the sons of God. In this teaching from Galatians, Paul warns the God-fearers not to be enslaved again by the pagan elementary principles of the world thorugh observing days, months, season, and years.

Lag Ba’Omer and the Road to Emmaus

What’s the holiday of Lag Ba’Omer all about? This 2014 Shabbat teaching offers a collection of tales about the early second century sage Shimon Ben Yochai and an insightful discussion of Jewish mysticism in reference to the Gospel story of the road to Emmaus.

Light from the Kingdom

Why is it forbidden to make ordinary use of the light that shines from a Chanukah menorah lit for the festival of Chanukah? We are permitted only to look at the light and enjoy it, but not to use it for any mundane purpose, such as illumination for reading. Listen to a Chanukah teaching regarding the light of the chanukah menorah and its connection with the menorah of the Temple, presented to Beth Immanuel on December 8, 2012 in celebration of the congregation's tenth anniversary.

Hallel: Psalm 114 in English

Let No One Judge You

Colossians 2 is often cited to prove that the Torah’s commands—especially dietary laws and calendar observances—are not incumbent upon a follower of Yeshua, whether Jew or Gentile. But abolishing the Torah would have a devastating effect on the Jewish people. Learn the true context of this apostolic teaching and find out how the Sabbath, Rosh Chodesh, and holidays foreshadow the coming Messianic Kingdom.

Shadow and a Copy

Is the Temple on earth irrelevant since it is merely a shadow of the true heavenly reality?
This teaching on Hebrews 8:1-5 explains the Temple as a Shadow and a Copy of the supernal Temple above with references to Colossians 2:16-17 which describes the festivals and holy days as shadows of things that are to come--the substance of Messiah.