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Author: Holy Branches

I’m a Gentile Believer, a devoted mother of five wonderful children, and the wife of an amazing husband. Nature, gardening, and dance bring joy and inspiration to my life. In my spare time, I play the piano, care for my garden, or study the Bible in Hebrew. And I’ll drop just about anything for a game of cards. My unwavering quest for a genuine relationship with the God of the Bible has driven me to delve deeply into His Word, which guides my journey and shapes my life's path. This exploration, combined with dedication to living out my faith, is at the heart of my writing. I seek to share my insights and discoveries with readers, encouraging them to embark on their own spiritual journeys.

Parashōt, The Original Bible Study!

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Bible Study. 4 Comments on Parashōt, The Original Bible Study!

This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.

As Believers, we’re familiar with numerous Bible studies on many subjects, but this one is unique because it’s over 2500 years old! It’s collectively called the parashōt and is believed to originate from the time of Ezra (see below). The word parsha (plural parashōt) means “portion,” and this year-long study focuses on specific “portions” of the Bible with meaningful themes. As Christians, we’re familiar with numerous Bible studies on many subjects, but this one is unique because it’s over 2500 years old! It’s collectively called the parashōt and is believed to originate from the time of Ezra (see below). The word parsha (plural parashōt) means “portion,” and this year-long study focuses on specific “portions” of the Bible with meaningful themes.

Click here to go straight to this year’s free printable Parsha and Holiday Reading Schedule!

It’s sometimes difficult to read through the Bible and extract the themes that connect the whole book and tell the story of the God of the Bible and His people. But this is precisely what the parashōt helps us to see. Many Christians participate in the weekly parsha readings that are read in Jewish synagogues and studied by Jewish people worldwide. One section of the Torah is studied weekly on a yearly cycle, paired with portions from the books of the prophets and, in Messianic Jewish communities, from the New Testament as well.

An Annual Torah Reading Cycle

Synagogues participate in this system of weekly readings from the Torah. For example, this year, on the Sabbath dated January 19 by our Gregorian calendar, the reading is called Shemōt and consists of Exodus 1:1-6:1.   

Aside from minor differences in reading schedules, orthodox Jews, Messianic Jews, and many Hebrew Roots Christians study the same section of scripture each week. The parashōt is read in synagogues on The Sabbath (Shabbat) and Holy Days and studied throughout the week prior.   

The Nitty Gritty

Although the word Torah sometimes includes rabbinical writings, when I discuss the Torah here, I’m referring to the Bible’s first five books, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Numbers. According to the Hebrew calendar, the parashōt are these five books divided into 54 sections or portions (about 2 to 6 chapters each) to be read weekly. There are also readings for Holy Days and other significant days on the same calendar.

The schedule of readings, repeated each year, is believed to have been for thousands of years! The day of the year the reading cycle begins and ends is called Simchat Torah, meaning “joy of the Torah” or “rejoice in the Torah.”  

The Scriptures Bible, Duotone Tan

On Simchat Torah, the Torah (also called “the Law” and “God’s Word”) being given by God to His people is also celebrated. Psalm 1:2 and 119:97 show us that the Torah is something we should love, delight in, and see as a blessing! The creator of the universe gave His Word to His people to lead us, guide us, and ultimately show us who He is and lead us to faith in Him! What a reason to celebrate!

Each Portion Tells a Story

Each reading is given a name, using the first significant word of the reading in Hebrew. The name can tell the reader a bit of what the reading will be about and serves to distinguish one parsha from another.

For example, this past week’s reading, Shemōt (Ex. 1:1-6:1), is named because Exodus 1:1 starts with a list of names, and Shemot means “names” in Hebrew.

Now these are the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt with Jacob; they came each one with his household    

EX. 1:1 (NASB), EMPHASIS MINE

While it starts with the names of those accompanying Jacob to Egypt, this Torah portion covers the entire story of Moses’s birth, youth, and the slavery, including the eventual increase in the labor of the Hebrew people. The overall theme is the setup of God’s plan for delivering Israel from slavery.

The Haftarah

The portions from the Torah are the primary parashōt readings, and with each parsha, there is an accompanying reading from books of prophecy in the Old Testament with similar themes. In reference to the selection above, Shemōt, the haftarah reading is Isaiah 27:6-28:13 and 29:22-29:23.

The haftarah goes along with the Torah portion for that week because its message (specifically Isaiah 27:12) is the deliverance of Israel, the same message found in the Torah portion, where we see God’s plan for delivering them from slavery materializing.

History

According to Jewish tradition, this schedule of Torah readings was developed by Ezra when he reintroduced Torah reading to Israel in the book of Nehemiah. It was then that the people turned back to reading the Torah and observing the Holy Days. The parashōt was a way to keep the Israelites from straying again when he reinstated the Temple practices.

Although we can’t be sure this was when this reading schedule started, we know it started long ago. The Aleppo Codex, a 294-page parchment biblical manuscript over 1,000 years old, contains Masoretic notes (commentary and pronunciation additions by rabbis) that specify the parashōt divisions. The Codex is now in a museum in Israel, but Maimonides, a well-respected Torah scholar, based his parashōt divisions on the ones in the Codex as far back as the Middle Ages.  

Parashōt for Christians

The weekly parsha is read in the synagogue on the Sabbath and Holy Days and studied throughout the week. The portion read on the upcoming Sabbath is usually studied throughout the week. Everyone’s on the same page when it’s read in the synagogue since they’ve been reading and studying it all week prior.

Messianic Jewish congregations often add a reading from the New Testament (Brit Chadashah in Hebrew) to the readings from the Torah and haftarah. I find this quite interesting as the reading from the New Testament covers the same theme as that in the Torah and haftarah portions. This Bible study method reveals one of the most extraordinary things about the book. Instead of two separate books, the Old and New Testaments have the same themes – they’re just two parts of the same fantastic story!

Interested in Studying the Bible Through the Parashōt?

Here’s my free printable Parsha and Holiday Reading Schedule for this year. It includes New Testament readings with themes relevant to each Torah and haftarah reading. John Parsons, the author of the Hebrew for Christians website, has a study using the parsha readings to aid Christians interested in the Jewish roots of their faith called A Year Through the Torah: A Week-By-Week Journey for Christians. This book is an excellent way to study the Bible!

Challah Bread Recipe

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Recipes, Sabbath. 6 Comments on Challah Bread Recipe

This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.

Challah bread is a beautiful and delicious Jewish bread eaten on Shabbat (the Sabbath), holidays, and other special days (except during Passover). It is made from a heavy dough that is separated and braided. A topping is usually added before baking—poppy seeds and sesame seeds are common.

Most Americans pronounce it “hallah” bread, but the “ch” at the beginning of challah is the Hebrew letter “chet” pronounced like the “ch” at the end of Bach.  It’s a guttural sound, typical in Hebrew, a harsh sound made in the throat—practice for a minute.  Now, practice with your kids.  They’ll love it.  

After braiding, I double this recipe and put the loaves I am not using for that evening in the freezer to save work on the following Shabbat.  They will take a few hours to defrost and rise, so allow that if you freeze yours.

I adapted this recipe from Susan Marcus’s book Enter His Gates. This book is written for Christians who desire to return to their Jewish roots. It contains recipes, traditions, holidays, and more, all explaining how they’re relevant to the Christian faith. I highly recommend it!

I use a 6-strand braid, but a 3-strand braid also looks beautiful.  I will include a video for the 6-strand braid soon, so stay tuned!

Gold and Silver Detailed Messianic Seal Necklace

Challah

(makes three loaves)

Ingredients:

  • 3 eggs + 1 egg to brush on top
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 1 tablespoons salt
  • 1 ½ cups warm water
  • 2 packages (or 4 ½ teaspoons) Fleischmann’s yeast
  • 6-8 cups flour 
  • Optional: poppy seeds, sesame seeds, coarse salt, etc. for topping

Directions:

Mix all ingredients except the flour.  

Add flour until a soft, pliable dough is formed.  

Cover and let rise in a warm place away from drafts until doubled in size (about one or two hours).

Punch down and let rise again (about one hour) until doubled.

Divide the dough into 3 sections.

Divide each section into 6 sections and roll each section into a log.  

Braid.

Place in a loaf pan or on a pizza stone.

Repeat with the other 2 sections.

Cover and let rise for about 30-40 minutes.

Just before baking, brush loaves with beaten egg.

Optional: top with poppy seeds, coarse salt, sesame seeds, etc.

Bake in 350° oven for about 23 minutes or until golden brown.

Immediately place on a cooling rack.

Enjoy!

Is the Sabbath Really THAT Important to God?

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Sabbath, Traditions. 8 Comments on Is the Sabbath Really THAT Important to God?

This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.

Does God really care that much whether we keep the Sabbath? What difference does taking a day off work make? Couldn’t we take a vacation for rest or worship Him at any convenient time?

A basic rule of Bible study is to pay special attention to the things God repeats in His Word. The concept of the Sabbath is repeated numerous times, beginning at the very beginning when God rested after the creation of our universe. Sabbath keeping is worded as a command 27 times, and there are many other places where it is discussed further. It’s not only one of the Ten Commandments; God also calls it a sign of the covenant between Him and His people forever!

I want to point out that I know the subject of the Sabbath creates some division among Christians. There are Godly Christ-followers on both sides of the Sabbath conversation, and many have strong feelings about it. I’ll present here the conclusion my family has reached in our pursuit of God’s will in our lives, and I hope these words will fall on open ears and hearts, no matter your beliefs on the issue. Like every other aspect of the life of a believer, we must take our questions to God and His Word and use our discernment through the Holy Spirit to decide what we do and do not do.

The Command

 “Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.” 

Ex. 20:8 (NASB)

That one’s pretty simple.  Remember it and keep it holy.  Got it.  Then it gets more serious.

Therefore you are to observe the sabbath, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work on it, that person shall be cut off from among his people.

Ex. 31:14-15 (NASB)

“For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day you shall have a holy day, a sabbath of complete rest to the Lord; whoever does any work on it shall be put to death.

Ex. 35:2 (NASB)

While we don’t put those who ignore the Sabbath to death, these verses make it obvious how God feels about it. Besides being commanded by God, violating the Sabbath carried a stiff punishment in Old Testament times.

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter, NIV

Looking at what God says about the Sabbath through His prophet Ezekiel (Ez. 20-23) is even more sobering. He considered wiping out the entire nation of Israel for profaning the Sabbath and rejecting God’s other ordinances. Yikes!

But why does He care so much? Why does my taking a day off of work – or not – make any difference to God? 

The Sign of the Covenant

The Sabbath isn’t just a day of rest.  It’s a sign that we belong to God.  

I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am the Lord who sanctifies them.

Ez 20:12 (NASB)

Sanctify My sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am the Lord your God.’

Ez. 20:20 (NASB)

God created all people, and many claim to belong to Him, but He clarifies in His Word that keeping the Sabbath is the sign that we acknowledge that He’s our God and we’re His people.

I’ve heard baptism metaphorically explained like a wedding ring. Accepting Jesus as your Savior seals your place in the Kingdom of Heaven. Baptism is your outward expression of that decision to the world, just as the wedding is what makes you married, but the ring is how you show that decision to the public.

The Sabbath is much the same. When we accept Jesus, we belong to God. He is our God, and we are His people. Keeping the Sabbath is the external signal to God, the world, and ourselves that we’ve made that decision. Ignoring the Sabbath is like keeping our relationship with God a secret. We may indeed be His people, but we’re unwilling to expose that to the public in the action of observing the Sabbath.

I want to make this part very clear. Keeping the Sabbath doesn’t save us! Belief in Jesus as the only sacrifice for our sin does (Rom. 10:9-10). However, when we fail to keep the Sabbath, we give up the opportunity to show God and those around us who we belong to. That’s why it’s so serious.

 Didn’t Jesus Work on the Sabbath?

Jesus and his disciples gathered grain on the Sabbath as they traveled. While this was permitted by law, the Pharisees tried to trap Jesus since he did it on the Sabbath. But gathering grain wasn’t against any biblical command concerning the Sabbath. Not gathering grain was a Rabbinical addition to God’s command. When asked about this, Jesus didn’t say, “I’m here now, so the Sabbath is no longer relevant.” Although this would have been the perfect time to point out that we no longer needed to keep the Sabbath, he instead tried to teach them what God says about mercy (Matt. 12:1-8).

Did Jesus’s Crucifixion and Resurrection Nullify the Sabbath?

Nowhere in his recorded words does Jesus say to stop keeping the Sabbath – before or after his resurrection. In fact, Jesus says that he came not to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (Matt 5:17). He clarified that the Law isn’t gone because of his arrival on Earth or his work on the cross. He’s the Messiah, the one who kept every one of the commands in the Torah – The Holy Days, the 10 Commandments, eating a Kosher diet, Keeping the Sabbath, all of it. We could say he just did those things because he was born of Jewish heritage, but remember that it was his perfect keeping of these “Jewish” laws that made him the only one on Earth throughout history that qualified as a sacrifice for the sin of all. Let that sink in.  

The Sabbath is Forever

If the Sabbath was meant to be temporary, why didn’t God say that? Sabbath-keeping was such a big deal in both the Old Testament and among the Messianic Jews who made up the early church; why didn’t God clarify that it was no longer necessary?

Exodus 31:16, Leviticus 16:31, and 24:8 all say that the Sabbath is permanent. It doesn’t say that it will be abolished when the Messiah comes or that it’s only necessary during the wandering in the desert or while the Temple is standing. It’s forever—throughout all generations of God’s people.

The Sabbath Isn’t Just for Jewish People

Azurite Messianic Christian Necklace

The Ten Commandments, including the fourth—the one about the Sabbath—were given to the Hebrew people, later called the people of Israel. In other places, such as Isaiah 56, it was stated that foreigners would receive blessings from keeping the commands of God—the Sabbath and others. Exodus 20:10 says that even a sojourner staying with a Hebrew should observe the Sabbath with the rest of the household.

Unless you’re Jewish by heritage, you’re a Gentile and cannot change that by obeying the commands God gave to Israel. However, the apostle Paul lays out how we’re grafted in to the promises God gave Israel through our faith in Jesus. It’s important to realize that, because of this, the promises, commands, and blessings God gave to Israel are now extended to us as well.

For All God’s Creation

The Sabbath is not only for people everywhere but also for other parts of God’s creation. He commands that the land and livestock should also have a Sabbath. Many places say this, and here are a couple.

but the seventh day is a sabbath of the Lord your God; in it you shall not do any work, you or your son or your daughter, your male or your female servant or your cattle or your sojourner who stays with you.

Ex. 20:10 (NASB)

but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard.

Lev. 25:4 (NASB)

We all know why it’s essential for humans and even animals to rest, but God also sees benefit in the land itself taking a break from its job of producing.

But it’s not just creation that takes a Sabbath. We can look back at Genesis to remind us that even the Creator Himself took a Sabbath after His miraculous creation work. Chapter 2 tells us that that’s when He blessed the day, making it holy, as only God can do.

What Should We Do?

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus

You may be feeling awkward right now if you learned something new about the Sabbath or have recently been convicted of not keeping it God’s way like I was. Don’t throw in the towel, though. Just because those around you don’t keep the Sabbath or think it’s optional or unimportant to God doesn’t mean you have to follow their path. Even if you’ve never kept the Sabbath, here are a few things to set you on your way to a peaceful and God-pleasing one.

Consult God.

While we know this should be where we start in any step we take in our faith walk, we sometimes forget it. Ask God what He wants for you and your family regarding the Sabbath. Be ready to hear His answer, even if it may not be what you were expecting. Dig into His Word to see what He has to say about the Sabbath, and ask Him to show you what that should look like in your life.

Get started.  

When our family got serious about Sabbath-keeping, it wasn’t easy at first! We had to restructure our whole week to incorporate the Sabbath, and it took a few years to get it right. We’re not perfect at it now, but we regularly have holy, peaceful Sabbaths and continue to learn and grow more toward that each week.

Here’s what my family does on the Sabbath to give you ideas of where to start. Don’t strive toward your expectation of what a Sabbath should look like. Instead, make it a day to grow closer to God, your family, and others. Continually learn and grow in the direction God takes you.  

Embrace tradition.

Our family finds it most beneficial to observe a traditional Jewish-type Sabbath. While this may not work for all families, it has given us the focus, discipline, and other tools we needed to make Sabbath-keeping a tradition in our home. Learning about and employing one Sabbath tradition at a time may help everyone adjust.

Prepare.

Keeping the Sabbath doesn’t work well without this one—trust me—I’ve tried! Make a list of things that need to be done ahead of time to ensure the Sabbath is as work-free as possible. Organize that list according to when each item can be done and spread the work over the days of the week. Planning this way will prevent you from trying to squish a week’s worth of chores and cooking into your Friday afternoon, causing you to arrive at the Sabbath worn out and stressed.

Enter His Gates: To Your Jewish Roots

The Bible clearly shows that the Sabbath is essential to God and should be to us. Just that should cause us to take our Sabbaths seriously and remember them as God told us to. But Jesus also pointed out that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:27). While we do it to show that we belong to God, we also keep the Sabbath because we know we’re all in desperate need of some quality rest – both the kind you get from taking a day off of work and the perfect and eternal peace we can only find in our Savior.

If you’d like further information on how to observe the Sabbath in your Christian home, this book is just what you need. Susan Marcus explains Jewish Roots simply yet practically in Enter His Gates. I’ve used it a lot, especially as a Sabbath newbie, and I think you’ll also find it beneficial!

Why Count the Omer?

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Hebraic Roots, Shavuot, Traditions. 5 Comments on Why Count the Omer?

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This post contains affiliate links. I only advertise items I personally recommend and may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases. For more information, visit our Affiliate Information Page.

Sometime between Passover and Shavuot, many people “count the omer.” While that may sound complicated, it merely means counting each of the 50 days until Shavuot.

But why count? Can’t we just look at our calendars to see when Shavuot is? What should we be doing while we’re counting the days? Most importantly, what’s the significance of this command? Exactly what is God teaching us through the process of counting? To answer these questions, let’s first look at the omer count and where it came from.

What’s an Omer?

Literally speaking, an omer is a sheaf or bundle of grain. In this case, the grains referred to are barley and wheat. It’s also a unit of measure: 1/10 of an ephah is equivalent to about 2-1/2 quarts. In Exodus, an omer is the amount of manna God provided each Israelite each day in the desert. 

The Command

In Leviticus 23, God lays out the way of life He desires for His newly freed people. After He covers the instructions for the Tabernacle and the priests, God tells the people what to celebrate, when, and how. 

He gives instructions on observing the Sabbath and the seven Feasts—Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Shavuot, Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur, and Sukkot. Between the instructions for First Fruits and Shavuot, we find the command to count. 

You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD.

Lev. 23:16

The command to count the omer follows the command for the Festival of First Fruits. After Passover and during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the countdown to Shavuot begins on the day of First Fruits. It may seem random that God would connect these Feasts, but it’s not because they’re directly connected. Here’s a small summary of these spring Festivals in the order they occur on the calendar and are listed in Leviticus 23.

Passover

In the celebration of Passover, the Hebrew people were to remember God rescuing them from their captivity in Egypt, as well as the provision of the Passover lamb whose blood covered them, protecting them from the plague of the firstborn brought upon Egypt.

At Passover, celebrated on the 14th day of the month of Nissan, we remember what God has done for us, both in supernaturally rescuing the Hebrew people from slavery in Egypt and from our sin through Jesus. The blood of the Passover lamb caused God to overlook those covered by it in the plague of the firstborn. In somewhat the same way, the blood of Jesus, our Passover lamb, covers our sin and allows our unholy selves to have access to God.

Detailed Silver Messianic Seal Necklace

The Feast of Unleavened Bread

Not literally a “feast,” this is a time of living without the leaven (yeast) that we normally do—both in our homes and our diets. God told His people to go without leaven for seven days, starting the day just after Passover. 

Leaven is often used to symbolize sin in the Bible, and the Feast of Unleavened Bread effectively portrays sin in our lives. It’s not only everywhere in our diets and homes; it’s difficult to get completely cleaned out and uncomfortable to live without, just like sin. There are little “crumbs” of sin all over our lives—some we don’t want to get rid of for various reasons, and some we aren’t even aware of! 

But this points us right to Jesus! He covers the sins we can’t and gives grace for even the whole “loaves” of sin we must throw in the trash. We have him to thank for allowing us to sleep at night even though there are sins we may not even be aware of in our lives.

The Festival of First Fruits

To summarize the command for First Fruits, God tells the Hebrew people not to eat any new barley that ripens first until they have given their offering. They’re to take a sheaf (omer) of it to the priest at the Tabernacle, along with a defect-free male lamb and wine as offerings. Having no Tabernacle or Temple today, we cannot obey this command. 

However, it’s traditionally thought that the day of First Fruits is the day that Jesus rose from the dead, and that’s really something to celebrate! It’s also a day that we can remember the First Fruits offering and focus on always giving our first and best to God. 

The Festival of Shavuot

God told the Hebrew people to bring bread baked with the flour of the wheat harvest, including twice as much as the First Fruits offering, two omers. If First Fruits is to bring the very first part of the harvest as an offering out of faith that more will be provided, Shavuot is to bring another offering, this time out of the abundance of the later harvest, 50 days later.

For thousands of years, God’s people have celebrated Shavuot, when God gave His Law to the Hebrew people on Mt. Sinai. As newly freed people, they were privileged to be given a way of life that pleased their God and set them apart from the surrounding people as His chosen. In Acts, Shavuot was what the apostles were celebrating when the Holy Spirit was given to them. 

During Shavuot, we remember God’s provision, not looking forward to it in faith as we did on First Fruits, but showing our gratefulness for what’s been given.

The Connection

The Spring Feast Days tell the story of our redemption. Passover reminds us of the Lamb’s blood that covers and saves us. Unleavened Bread symbolizes why we need our Savior, and First Fruits is when we look forward to God’s provision! Shavuot then celebrates God providing His rescued people with the way to live through His Laws on our hearts and through His Spirit. 

Since counting the omer is from First Fruits to Shavuot, it’s helpful to see the connection between them. At First Fruits, we look forward in faith, and at Shavuot, we celebrate God’s faithfulness and provision.

Zoe Discovers the Feast of Weeks at Pentecost: Shavuot for Kids Book: Understanding Pentecost for Kids (Understanding Jewish Holidays for Christian Children)

50 Days

During the 50-day counting period, we focus on maturing in righteousness – not to obtain salvation, but to live as people belonging to people and worthy of being indwelt by His Spirit. It should be a time of cleansing our hearts to ready them for the Holy Spirit to live in us and guide us as people of God.

The number 50 in the Bible represents liberation. Each 50th year was to be the year of Jubilee, where slaves were set free, and the land was returned to its original owner. The word “Pentecost” means 50 and is the name of the Christian holiday celebrating God’s giving of the Holy Spirit. 

A Time for Growth

If we focus on the Holy Days, the Hebrew people went from being slaves to Mount Sinai, where God made His covenant with them. In the same way, Jesus was crucified during Passover, raised on First Fruits, and then 50 days passed until the Holy Spirit was given to the apostles. On that Shavuot, a New Covenant was made, as God has now written His Laws on the hearts of His people. 

Our Spiritual growth is the same. In the “Passover” season of our lives, we accept Jesus as our Passover Lamb. The Unleavened Bread portion of our faith is where we genuinely repent and continually try to align our lives with God’s desires. Out of our growing faith, we then celebrate that Jesus has risen and his victory over death. As our faith matures, we Christians move toward a place where the Holy Spirit can live inside us, enabling us to follow His Laws and do His work on Earth.

At the beginning of the Counting of the Omer, we’ve just experienced the celebration of Passover. We remembered what God did for the Hebrew people and us. We also observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread, where we took inventory of our lives, repented, and worked diligently to ensure there wasn’t a mess of sin left that God wouldn’t want there.

Then we arrive at the Feast of First Fruits, where we remember that we give God the best of what we have out of faith. We step forward by putting our faith in God to provide for us in the future. On Shavuot, He will provide His Law and write it on our hearts through His Spirit.

Ready for the Spirit

Eilat Messianic Seal Necklace – Rectangle

During the time between First Fruits and Shavuot, we grow in our faith so that we’re ready to have God’s Spirit inhabit us. As Christians, His Spirit already lives in our hearts, so this time of counting allows us to refocus on our faith and ensure that we’re growing in maturity as we should throughout our walk. Starting at Passover, we focus on moving from slaves to free people dedicated to God and in His service.

The Counting of the Omer reminds us daily that God not only deserves our best and is worthy of our faith in Him but that He provides for us at the count’s completion and always! While we count, we examine our hearts and our faith to see if they’re worthy of the Holy Spirit we’ve been given. Spoiler alert: They’re not. But as Jesus covers the sin remaining in our hearts, we do our best to make sure there’s less and less as we grow and continually align our hearts to what God wants in our lives.

Since God has a purpose for all He does, when He told the Hebrew people to simply count, He knew they needed to do that for some reason. It’s the same thing with us. Counting focuses us on the symbolism and lessons of the surrounding Feast Days. It reminds us that God is faithful. He’s provided all we need in the past and will in the future. Counting the Omer is a time of strengthening our faith.

What to Do During the Count

But humans are doers, so being given an activity like counting over a 50-day period seems ambiguous. I know that it’s a time to examine my faith and growth in righteousness, but I can’t help but wonder what we DO during this time. In Orthodox Judaism, a blessing is said each evening of the count, as well as the number of the day and the week. Some also focus on different attributes of God throughout the count.

Here are a few things that will get your heart and mind in the right place for this time of counting and prepare you for the celebration of Shavuot.

  1. Count, Of Course!

One way to take this command literally is to cross off each day on a calendar or omer counter made just for this purpose. I’ve used this one from torahcalendar.com, but there are many available! Here are some, and there’s even a LEGO Omer Counter that they’ll love! 

A Year Through the Torah – A Week-By-Week Journey For Christians and Messianic Believers 320 pg. Book & 80 min. CD

2. Communicate with God

Wait. That doesn’t sound out of the ordinary at all! It shouldn’t be, but you and I both know that most of us allow things to creep into our daily schedules that threaten our time with God, which should be a priority. Prayer and studying God’s Word often go by the wayside when other things are put first.

During this time of counting, make it a high priority to be in constant conversation with God. Be humble and honest so you can hear what He says – even those things you’d rather not! During times of self-examination, I find it helpful to pray the following verse.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts; and see if there be any hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way. 

Psalm 139:23-24

  1. Share the Count

During the Counting of the Omer, The Jewish people say a blessing each evening of the count, along with stating the day and week number. This blessing clarifies that each day has been counted and that God’s getting the glory.

However you observe the omer count, don’t keep it to yourself! Include your family and your children and encourage them to grow in their faith during this time. And, as with everything you do, make sure God gets all the glory!

  1. Prepare for Shavuot
Messiah in the Feasts of Israel

Part of the reason for the count is to look forward to the giving of God’s Law on Sinai and the Holy Spirit to the apostles. This makes preparing for Shavuot a very appropriate activity during the count. Make a plan of how you and your family will celebrate Shavuot and what supplies you’ll need. Read the stories of the giving of the Law and the Holy Spirit in Exodus 19 and Acts 1, respectively.

Thank God for His perfect Laws and for the Spirit that allows those Laws to be written on our hearts. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you specifically which of His Laws you need to work on. Soften your heart so you can hear His answer. 

The Counting of the Omer is an important time for Believers to grow in their faith and cleanse themselves spiritually. It’s a time for us to respond to the faithfulness and provision God has lavished upon all of us.

Artza Box: Gifts from the Holy Land: Land of Promise

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Uncategorized. No Comments on Artza Box: Gifts from the Holy Land: Land of Promise

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Here’s another Artza box filled with unique items from the Holy Land! Each box has a different theme and contains items surrounding that theme made by artisans in the featured area. This quarter’s “Land of Promise” box is filled with items from and representative of the Land of Israel.

Would you like to know what was in previous Artza boxes? Click here to read my other Artza box reviews.

Read more about the items included in the Land of Promise box below.

Cacao Bean & Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate

This chocolate is my family’s favorite item in this quarter’s box! I have a house full of coffee lovers, so coffee and chocolate are the perfect combination! This chocolate is flavorful but not too sweet, with crunchy coffee beans and hazelnuts on top.

The artisan who created this delightful concoction is Yaara, an Israeli chocolatier who uses only the finest chocolate in her creations. She incorporates the flavors of nature and Israeli farmers into her chocolate and experiments with new chocolate flavors.

HolyBrew Coffee

Another favorite of my coffee-loving family is the ground coffee. This coffee tastes fresh and smells just heavenly! It’s a medium-dark blend and tastes wonderful! There was also a coupon in the box for some free coffee from HolyBrew!

Dead Sea Mud Cream

Mud from the Dead Sea in Israel has long been known for its healing and beautifying properties. This luxurious cream combines the beneficial Dead Sea mud with floral and herbal extracts for a cream that leaves your skin feeling silky, smooth, and not at all greasy.

It has an earthy floral fragrance and is a thick cream that absorbs quickly. It’s a refreshing way to moisturize after a shower or anytime! Even the impressive container this cream comes in makes it a wonderful gift.

Use coupon code HEBREW20 to receive a 20% discount 
on your Artzabox subscription!

Golden Israel Candle Holder

Sized perfectly for a votive or tea candle, this candle holder is a beautiful reminder of Israel for those far away. Use it to create a peaceful mood in your home, and maybe add a scented candle to create the atmosphere you want.

Created by artist Hagar Tirosch, this attractive brass candle holder with a cutout of the shape of the land of Israel will be a welcome addition to any home.

“You Shall Be Blessed” Israeli Dove Art

Each Artza box subscription has a premium option. Premium subscribers receive a unique item not included in the regular subscription box. This box’s premium item is this gorgeous art piece created by Asaf Kornfein.

The quote “You shall be blessed” accompanies the shape of the country of Israel, along with two doves, representing peace. What a beautiful reminder of God’s promise to His people!

Dead Sea Salt Set

These gourmet flavored salts are a great way to upgrade any recipe. Dead sea salt is delicious, but these salts are uniquely flavored. The flavors included in this set are Smoked, Black Course, Hot Chili Pepper, Mint, and Sun-dried Tomato. We love them all, but my family’s favorite is the Smoked flavor. My boys really like the Hot Chili Pepper salt because they’re all about the spicy stuff.

Each Artza box includes a recipe using an item from the box. This box’s recipe is for Spinach & Cheese Bourekas, which use the salt from this flavored salt set. I haven’t tried this one yet. If you do, comment below and let me know how they turned out!

Jerusalem Wall Tapestry

This beautiful decoration features the verse from Psalms 122:6, “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; may those who love you enjoy tranquility.” Its creator is the famous Israeli artist Yair Emanuel. His delightful and brightly colored work has been featured in previous Artza boxes.

Jerusalem Five Stones Game

Made by Eran at Gems of Jerusalem, this ancient game consists of five Jerusalem stone cubes. The cubes are new, but the game is old! Thousands of years ago, children played this game in the streets of Jerusalem, and now, you can play that game in your home! What a unique opportunity to get a glimpse into ancient life!

Artza boxes make excellent gifts! Each box directly supports artisans in the Holy Land and brings meaningful items from the Land to your door. Order for yourself or a loved one and get a 20% discount on your first order with my coupon code: HEBREW20

15 Meals that Bring Shalom to Your Shabbat

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Recipes, Sabbath. 6 Comments on 15 Meals that Bring Shalom to Your Shabbat

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When making Shabbat (the Sabbath) a tradition in your home, nothing is more challenging to overcome than meals. While we may take a day off, our appetites don’t, and meals are a lot of work, not to mention the cleanup afterward!  

Although it takes some planning and preparation, Shabbat meals can be delicious and low-maintenance. Here are 10 of my family’s favorite meals that either can be prepared the day before or require very little preparation and cleanup.

A note when cooking casseroles prepared the day before and chilled overnight – give them some time to come up to room temperature or expect to cook them for a longer time in the oven than the recipe says to ensure they’re fully cooked.

Breakfast

Protein Pancakes/Waffles or Protein Muffins

We make a couple of boxes of these at a time and freeze them so they can be warmed for a quick and easy breakfast. Since they’re high in protein, they’re more substantial than regular pancakes or muffins; they’ll keep everyone satisfied until lunchtime!

Breakfast Tater Tot Casserole

This recipe is just your basic Tater Tot Casserole recipe made more breakfasty using turkey sausage (not the breakfast sausage that this recipe calls for) instead of ground beef and adding eggs and cheese. I make it the night before and cook it in the morning.

Silver Circular Aaronic Blessing Necklace

Hash Brown Casserole

While this can’t be put into the health food category, it’s a hearty comfort food that will satisfy everyone. This recipe is another dish I make the night before and cook in the morning. It’s also great to bring to a breakfast potluck. If you do, chances are good that all you’ll bring home is an empty dish!

Parfaits

No recipe is needed here. Parfaits include your favorite yogurt, topped with fruits, nuts, and granola. My children would eat this every day of their lives if they could!

Egg and Veggie Scramble

No recipe is needed here, either. We scramble a bunch of eggs, then add a cooked or steamed vegetable like broccoli, spinach, or potatoes. We’ve also added turkey sausage or smoked beef sausage to this flexible dish. Each member of my family spices their scramble differently. They like Srichacha Sauce, tarragon, Tajin seasoning, or just salt and pepper.

Lunch/Dinner

Israeli Couscous Salad

This dish is a favorite in my house. We vary it by adding gold tomatoes or different cheeses or veggies. And we always have to double the recipe to see that everyone gets their fill.

Chicken Pasta Salad

A regular meal in my family, this one can be made ahead by cooking the chicken and cutting the veggies the day before, so all you have to do before the meal is mix all the ingredients. Don’t mix it ahead of time, though. If combined, sitting overnight or even for a few hours in your fridge will make the croutons mushy and the cheese – well – it’s unappetizing. Mixing and dressing it just before serving for a tasty and healthy meal is quick and easy.

BBQ Brisket Sliders

I’ve made these in both the slow cooker and the Instant Pot. You can make it ahead of time or prepare the ingredients so that it’s quick and easy to make on Saturday morning (slow cooker) or afternoon (Instant Pot) to be ready for a hearty lunch or dinner.  

White Chicken Chili

One of my children requests this meal whenever he’s given a choice. It’s an easy meal because you can add all ingredients to the slow cooker and cook on low, although this recipe says to cook on the stove. It goes well with cornbread, tortilla chips, or tortillas.

Rice with Lentils

I have to admit I made this one up. But it’s an easy meal we have so often – both on Shabbat and other days – that it must be mentioned here. You can serve it vegetarian or add chicken or beef to make it more of a main dish.

Squash Casserole

This vegetarian option can also be made the day before and cooked before the meal. It’s hearty for a vegetarian meal and can feed many people!  

Snacks/Light Meals

Charcuterie Platter

This snacky appetizer is our absolute favorite Shabbat meal. It’s basically a meat and cheese platter, and there’s even a board made to serve all of this deliciousness. We add all sorts of things to our plate: beef and turkey sausages, various cheeses and crackers, fruits, berries, nuts we love, olives, and dolmas. You can go all out on this one or choose a few of your family’s favorites.  

Hummus with Veggies and Pita

You can either purchase ready-made hummus or make your own. Serve it with vegetables your family likes and pita bread, chips, or crackers.  

Hand carved Bethlehem Olive Wood Pair of Candlesticks Candle Holders (7.5 Inches)

Fruit and Dip

We often use vanilla yogurt as a fruit dip, but if we’re feeling like making something special, this Apple Dip recipe is one we’ve used many times. Some great dippers are Granny Smith or Honeycrisp apples.

Chips and Salsa

This snack is a no-brainer but can be made special for Shabbat with some homemade Tomatillo Salsa or Guacamole as a more hearty dip.

Does your family have a favorite Shabbat meal? Leave it in the comments!

Why I Embrace My Hebraic Roots

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Hebraic Roots. 5 Comments on Why I Embrace My Hebraic Roots

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While a Hebraic view of the Christian faith may seem new to some, many of us arrived here quite honestly while maturing and applying our faith. An honest analysis of what my daily life should look like and how to pass my values on to my kids brought me into the Movement. Years before, I had accepted Jesus as my savior and declared my faith outwardly in baptism. In studying the Old Testament, I couldn’t reconcile the parts of my faith that didn’t seem to align with God’s plan for His people. I wanted to be all in – serious about my relationship with God by following His word and His son without just following those before me.

Praying God’s Heart

In a leadership exercise for my Bible Study group, I decided to pray for God to put on my heart what was on His. While this was something I had never done before, I did it anyway. I’m embarrassed to admit that I didn’t expect anything to change. But He did answer! Once I began to pray for this, I always had Israel on my mind. Before this, I couldn’t have even located Israel on a world map (another embarrassing confession). I started to notice information about Israel everywhere. It was in the news, mentioned in social media, and, most importantly, during my study of the Old Testament. I realized just how important Israel and the Jewish people are to God and His story for us. 

The 4th Commandment

The Scriptures Bible, Softcover

Years later, we studied Exodus 20 and the Ten Commandments in another Bible Study. One of the study questions asked how I obey the 4th commandment – to keep the Sabbath (Ex. 20:7). This created a significant struggle for myself and another person in my group. The rest had already resolved the issue, though. Their answers varied widely, from “I use paper plates on Sundays” to “I take a yearly vacation.” While none of these responses are bad in themselves, none of them seemed right. I couldn’t get it out of my head. How was one to obey this command? Could it really be just whatever I thought was best, or did God have something specific in mind? So, I did some research. In Exodus, it says to remember the Sabbath. In Deuteronomy, it says to observe it and keep it holy. Those verses seemed vague, so I looked throughout the Bible (The Sabbath is mentioned a LOT!) and found some obvious truths about the Sabbath.  

  1.  God takes it very seriously. (Ex. 16:27, 20:11, 35:2 and 31:16, Numbers 15:32, and many others)
  2. It’s on the seventh day of the week. (Ex. 20:10 and many others)
  3. God’s people aren’t to do any work. (Ex. 20:10 and others)
  4. It was established for us! (Exodus 23:12 and Mark 2:27)
  5. The Sabbath is a forever covenant between God and His people. (Exodus 31:16, Leviticus 16:31, Isaiah 56:6)

So now I had even more motivation to figure out what was required by this commandment. Christian sources on the Sabbath revealed a wide variety of ideas.  

Most Christian sources suggested:

  • The Sabbath has changed to Sunday, or it can be on whatever day you choose.
  • We are no longer responsible for obedience to this commandment.
  • Going to church on Sunday fulfills the commandment.
  • We should do something relaxing on Sunday, like shopping or watching sports.
  • We should spend extra time with God (reading His word and praying).
  • Read Christian books.
  • Try not to work on Sundays.

I also found many other ideas over an extensive range. The common understanding is that God doesn’t care how or on what day we do the Sabbath, only that we remember it and keep it holy. I struggled with the answers I got from Christian sources because they were either very weakly backed up by scripture or centered around self and not God.  

This confusion led me to research Jewish sources. Since they firmly believe that the Sabbath must be kept, I wanted to find out how they say one must keep this commandment.

The Jewish sources suggested:

  • The Sabbath is on the seventh day of the week (Saturday).
  • It should include a celebratory meal
  • No work should be done.
  • It should include the father blessing his children and wife.
  • It requires preparation (Friday is Preparation Day).
  • There are specific bible readings for each Sabbath.
  • It includes the whole family.

There’s more to it, but these were my initial findings. I realized Jews have clear and specific ways to keep the Sabbath commandment. They do not have a broad range of days that can be called the Sabbath. They do not offer self-gratification as obedience to this command. They have been doing the same thing for thousands of years, teaching generations how to remember and observe the Sabbath. It will look the same to future Jews as well.  

But what will a Christian Sabbath look like in the next generation? And the one after that? Because Christian Sabbath traditions seem to be held so loosely, I fear that the next generations of Christians may not recognize the Sabbath at all. Since I don’t want that for my family, we adopted a Messianic Jewish Sabbath as a tradition in our home.

Establishment of the Sabbath in our home

I concluded that Sabbath observation needed to be done differently in our home, and I was determined to get started. Pregnant with my 4th child, with three children aged six and under, I attempted not to work on the Sabbath. What a joke! How on earth does a mother of small children take a day off? It seemed impossible. Again, I found myself perusing Jewish sources to figure out what women did to observe the Sabbath. What I found is that the Sabbath dictates a lot, if not all, of what a Jewish woman does throughout most of her week. Friday is known as Preparation Day because all that needs to be done over the next 48 hours (Friday morning through Sunday morning) must be completed before Friday evening when the Sabbath begins. Also, some tasks must be done before Friday to leave it free for Sabbath Prep. It wasn’t easy at first to work this into my family’s schedule, but after we figured it out, I realized that it is not only possible for a busy mother to not work on the Sabbath, but it is freeing, relaxing, and mentally cleansing for her.

Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus by Lois Tverberg

Once the Sabbath became a regular practice in my home, something changed. Peace entered our family. We suddenly had time for the high priorities that were getting pushed out of our schedules due to immediate needs. We had time to study our bibles, spend free time with each other and our children, and meet with other believers to worship without having a stressful, packed day. When asked what their favorite day is, all my children say “Shabbat” (Sabbath in Hebrew). All week, I look forward to having the peace that comes on Saturday. It is not a day of stifling restrictions but peace, togetherness, and, most importantly, time with God.

Celebrating Passover

The same Bible study that yielded my restlessness with the Sabbath command brought to my attention the Passover feast command.  

  • Exodus 12:14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.
  • Exodus 12:17 And you shall observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread, for on this very day I brought your hosts out of the land of Egypt. Therefore, you shall observe this day, throughout your generations, as a statute forever.
  • Exodus 12:24   You shall observe this rite as a statute for you and for your sons forever. 
  • Exodus 12:26-27 And when your children say to you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of the Lord’s Passover, for he passed over the houses of the people of Israel in Egypt when he struck the Egyptians but spared our houses.'”…
  • Exodus 13:3 Then Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the Lord brought you out from this place.
  • Exodus 13:10   You shall, therefore keep this statute at its appointed time from year to year.
By Divine Appointment: Celebrating the Feasts of the Lord and the Feasts of Israel by Dr. Noreen Jacks

God’s people were told to keep this feast as a day of remembrance – a memorial throughout generations, eternally, forever! How is it that I have grown up in the church and never even understood the feast of the Passover? How is it that, until I was an adult and sought it out on my own, I had not seen or heard of a Christian participating in a Passover Feast? What happened to eternally, forever, and throughout your generations?


Something you cannot miss when you immerse yourself in the study of the Bible is that God repeats things when they’re essential. Apparently, He knows that we tend to get distracted and skip over the things we don’t like or don’t understand in His word (we all do it), so He decided to make certain things extra clear. In addition to the six repeats of God’s command to keep the Passover Feast in Exodus, its importance is indicated throughout the rest of the Bible. All the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) recount Jesus’s participation in the Passover Feast as a child and an adult.

What followed was my fierce determination to learn more about this Passover Feast and how to incorporate it into our family traditions. What I found was surprising! Many Christians put information out for other Christians on Passover. They usually include how the elements used in a Passover Seder are relevant to Christians and point so perfectly to our Messiah!

Enter His Gates: To Your Jewish Roots by Susan Marcus

Learning to hold a Passover Seder (Seder means “order” in Hebrew, and it is what the Passover Feast is called today) was, and continues to be, a learning process for our family. You can get an idea of how we celebrate Passover here. It changes each year as we learn more and incorporate that into our celebration. 

The rest is history (or His story!)

While realizing the importance of Israel as a nation and keeping the Sabbath and Passover started my family and I down the Hebraic path, it has in no way ended there. We also observe Sukkot, Shavuot, Chanukah, and Yom Kippur. Each family member is at varying levels of the study of the Hebrew language. We have incorporated many delicious traditional Jewish recipes into our meals and more! Our family has grown spiritually by leaps and bounds since our first steps on this path, and I look forward to where God takes us from here and the glory that it brings Him!  

Learn Hebrew Online with Holy Branches!

Written by Holy Branches on . Posted in Bible Study, Hebrew Language. 2 Comments on Learn Hebrew Online with Holy Branches!

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Have you ever wondered about the depth of knowledge that Biblical Hebrew or Greek could add to your Bible studies? The Israel Institute on Biblical Studies provides quality online courses in Biblical languages and studies, catering to both degree and non-degree programs.

Click here to check out the courses at The Israel Institute

I started studying Biblical Hebrew ten years ago but reached a point where I had a pretty good understanding of most things I needed – the liturgy at our synagogue and Bible study on a fundamental level. I slowed down on my Hebrew studies and had difficulty finding a class on my level. Studying alone didn’t hold me accountable enough to stay challenged, so I knew I needed something else to move forward in my studies.

I enrolled in a course with the Israel Institute, and I’m so pleased with my class! Since I had previous Hebrew experience, I didn’t have to start at the beginning but tested into a course appropriate for my level. My class is small, so my teacher is accessible, and there’s room for discussion during classes.

One of the best aspects of these courses is their flexibility. The classes meet weekly online, and you can choose the day and time that best fits your schedule. Each class lasts about an hour, with manageable homework assignments in between. You can expect to spend about 1-2 hours weekly on homework. Course materials are available in both printable and book formats, ensuring you have everything you need at your fingertips.

The Israel Institute offers a variety of intriguing course options. Beyond Biblical Hebrew, they also provide courses in Greek and Biblical Studies. They collaborate with the Hebrew University of Jerusalem to offer both degree and non-degree programs. Having experienced the high quality of their courses, I’m excited about exploring more of their offerings in the future!

If you’re interested in Biblical Language courses or even taking your Bible studies to the next level, check out the Israel Institute of Biblical Studies. I’m a student and an affiliate of theirs, so please use the provided affiliate link from this page for enrollment. Thank you in advance!