Hebraic Roots - Holy Branches

Artzabox: Gifts from the Holy Land!

Written by Holy Branches on August 31, 2021. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 5 Comments on Artzabox: Gifts from the Holy Land!

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Do you love the Land of Israel? Know someone else who does? Artzabox brings the Holy Land to you through its unique and authentic items shipped to your door.

Although the contents of the boxes change quarterly, they each include an item for the soul, an item to inspire, one to learn, one to taste, one to share, one for the body, one to cook, and one to cherish.

Artza is Hebrew for “towards the land”. Their name is inspired by Genesis 12:3-5:

“I will bless those who bless you… and all the families of the earth shall be blessed through you…
and they went out towards the land“.

A different location in the Holy Land is featured each quarter. The current box is filled with items from Galilee, the region where Jesus started and spent much of his ministry. Next quarter will bring items from the Judean Desert. I can’t wait to see what interesting items will be in that one!

Galilee is a place rich with Biblical history. Mentioned 68-72 times in the Bible (depending on translation), Galilee was part of the Roman Empire in Jesus’s time. Nazareth, one of the main cities in Galilee, was the place of Jesus’s birth, as prophesied by Isaiah. Cana, where Jesus turned water into wine at a wedding, is in Galilee. Galilee was also where his disciples resided as well as where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount!

Ordering Your Artzabox

There are two options when ordering from Artzabox. All boxes include food crafts, and other unique Holy Land items. Premium boxes include the same unique items and extra hand-crafted gift items as well. In the Galilee box, this was the Natural Galilean Mosaic Stones described below.

Both annual and per-quarter subscriptions are available. Right now, the annual subscription comes with the added benefit of a free Jerusalem box!

Shipped in a compact and attractive box perfect for gifting, Artzabox artfully displays the name of the area the items came from on the outside – Galilee in this case. It also says in Hebrew “משלוח מארץ הקודש”, which means “Delivery from the Holy Land”.

All items are well packaged for safe arrival to their destination. You won’t have to worry about sending damaged or unattractive gifts.

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

Here are the items I received in the Galilee box:

Jigsaw Puzzle with Natural Galilean Stones Included for premium subscribers

From Holy Land Mosaics, this collection of cubes is made from 7 types of natural and native stone – the same as those used in the mosaics found in churches of Jesus’s time! These beautiful stones can be used to create mosaics pictured on the included puzzle cards or for your own creative designs.

My family enjoyed creating different creations with these stones and I’m sure yours will too. With over 50 stones, the possibilities are endless!

Extra Hopeful Olive Oil

Produced in the city of Cana, this smooth and flavorful oil goes well with your favorite crusty bread, on salads, or in any recipe that calls for olive oil. It was perfect to use with the hummus recipe and seasoning that came in this box (see below)! This oil is the winner of numerous awards and is quite versatile for use in the kitchen. It pours slowly and has an earthy flavor and aroma.

But what makes it “extra hopeful”, you ask? That brings us to the most exciting thing about this olive oil. It’s produced in Israel by both Arab and Jewish women. In a culture where Arabs and Jews are often at odds, this company – Sindyanna of Galilee – peacefully brings the two together to create something wonderful.

Although a lot of olive oil is produced in Israel, Sindyanna of Galilee is the only certified Fair-Trade producer there. This ensures those involved in the oil production receive a fair price and that the employees are treated fairly as well.

Tzuf Chocolate Spread

This delectable sesame and hazelnut spread is a sweet and creamy addition to breads, crackers, matzah, etc. Use your imagination! It does taste sweet but doesn’t contain sugar. It’s sweetened with nectar from the coconut flower which adds a wonderfully complex flavor.

It’s also natural, with no artificial colors or preservatives and is vegan and kosher. It is gluten-free and made in a gluten-free environment as well.

Hand-made Ceramic Bowl

This bowl makes a unique gift! The design inside is a basket with two fish, inspired by the story of the loaves and fishes in each of the four Gospels. The colors are reminiscent of the Sea of Galilee and the style similar to that of ancient mosaics in the area.

Measuring just under 4 inches in diameter and stands 1.5 inches high, it’s ideal for serving dips or to store trinkets or jewelry.

The artist, Itamar Even, is the son of one of a famous ceramicist in Israel and hand-crafted this custom design just for Artzabox!

Hand-dipped Safed Candles

These beautiful candles are made in the ancient and mountainous city of Safed (Tzfat in Hebrew). Safed is one of the most well-known candlemakers in Israel.

Perfect for festive occasions, these will make a wonderful addition to any table. The colors fade into one another – purple to blue to light green to turquoise. They burn for around five hours with a clear, bright flame. Measurements: 7.5″ x 7/8″.

Jesus’s Footsteps Card Game

My children really enjoy this simple game with an educational twist. This card game is made by Grandpa’s Footsteps and Family Nature Games in Galilee.

With gameplay similar to that of “Go Fish”, both kids and adults alike can participate. But unlike a regular deck of cards, these depict stories from the Bible as well as significant places in the Holy Land. The card “families” include Miracles, Nativity of Jesus’s Birth, Symbolic Flowers of the Holy Land, and more! Each card is different and features a picture an a description, including a Biblical reference.

Lemon-lime Body Scrub

This luxurious scrub comes in a convenient bar form and you’ll notice right away that it smells SO good! It’s a low-sudsing scrub with a gentle oat exfoliant. Honey and olea europa (olive) fruit oil give it emollient properties to make your skin noticeably soft.

Michal Soaps is a popular company in Galilee, making cosmetics by hand using all-natural ingredients.

Hummus Seasoning

My family loves hummus but I find it to be bland. I like more flavor in it. This seasoning brings just that! I followed the recipe that came in the box (using the Extra Hopeful Olive Oil) and it was delicious! This seasoning was the perfect addition.

This seasoning blend is another custom-made product unique to Artzabox. Made by The Spice Road Farm in Bethlehem of Galilee, where kosher spices and blends of many kinds are expertly prepared.

Postcards

Two postcards from the region fo Galilee are also included. The pictures on them are gorgeous and the back contains information about the place in the picture, as well as a relevant verse. The Mount of Beatitudes and the Ancient Galilee Boat are featured in this box.

Do you love Israel?
Need a gift for someone who does?
Experience the Holy Land without leaving home with Artzabox.
Click here to find yours!
Use coupon code Hebrew20 for a 20% discount on your order!

Explaining the Chosen: Season 1, Episode 1: I Have Called You By Name

Written by Holy Branches on April 13, 2021. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 24 Comments on Explaining the Chosen: Season 1, Episode 1: I Have Called You By Name

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If you haven’t yet watched The Chosen, make it a point to do so! I usually find Christian movies to be somewhat boring and difficult to get into. But not this one. It’s fun to watch, the characters are well-developed, and the people act like, well, people!

Another thing I really like is that The Chosen portrays the characters in a realistic cultural context. Jesus is a Jewish guy, doing Jewish things, as are the Jewish people around him. The creators of this series don’t seem to fear the Jewishness of the New Testament.

Dallas Jenkins, the show’s director and co-writer consults a Messianic Jewish rabbi, Rabbi Jason Sobel, among others, to achieve the most realistic and Biblically accurate story possible.

There are many interesting and enlightening things I find in this series that I would have missed before my journey on the Hebrew Roots path, however. I’d like to expand on some of these as they may be unnoticed or easily dismissed but add so much to the series when understood.

Who is Adonai?

When Mary Magdalene is a little girl, she and her father pray the “prayer of Adonai“. What they’re praying is from Isaiah 43:1. Most of your translations will say something similar to this:

But now, thus says the LORD, your Creator, O Jacob, And He who formed you, O Israel, “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name; you are Mine!
Isaiah 43:1

In the original Hebrew for this verse, the word translated “LORD” is יהוה, God’s name. This could be translated “Yahweh” or “Yehovah” but it’s out of respect that it’s traditionally read as “Adonai” when reading it in the Hebrew scriptures.

The word “adonai” means “god” or “lord”. Just like we use the word “god” to mean “our God” or just any “god”, the word “adonai” can mean THE God or can be a term of respect, like when a commoner addresses a member of royalty.

In this case, they refer to God as “Adonai” just as we call Him “God”.

City of Capernaum

This episode takes place in Capernaum, where Matthew, Peter, Andrew, James, and John were from. During Jesus’s time, the fishing village of Capernaum was under Roman rule, which explains the Roman soldiers roaming around and giving much grief to the Jewish people on the show.

Who is Quintus?

In this episode, we meet Quintus, a Roman soldier that served Pilate. But who is he? Is he in the Bible or is he a made-up character?

Although Quintus is not mentioned in the Bible, his name, meaning “fifth” was a common name for a Roman male fifth child. According to the writings of Josephus (The War of the Jews), the books of the Maccabees, as well as archeological sources, there are multiple accounts of a Roman soldier named Quintus. One of these worked under Quirinius, who is mentioned in the Bible near the time of Jesus’s birth.

I’m not sure exactly which Quintus is portrayed in The Chosen but it certainly is a realistic name for a character, historically. If you know more about Quintus’s character, share with the rest of us in the comments!

What are Nicodemus and His Students Wearing?

Aside from being a very cool theatrical addition, Nicodemus’s outfit has meaning and is the traditional dress for a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin of that time.

All of Nicodemus’s students, as well as other Jewish men in The Chosen, are wearing a prayer shawl called a tallit (tall-eet), with fringes on it called tzitzit (tzeet-tzeet). On the tallit, there’s often an embroidered blessing. This is usually the tallit blessing in reference to the command in Numbers 15:37-41:

Blessed are You, LORD, our God, Master of the Universe, who has sanctified us with Your commandments (mitzvoth) and commanded us to wrap ourselves in the fringed garment (tzitzit).

A tallit is worn in order to adhere to the command to wear tzitzit, which also is a reminder and a symbol of us being surrounded by God, protected by Him, and of His commandments.

What is a Torah Room?

At one point in this episode, Nicodemus says to Shmuel (Samuel), “A fine Torah room is the heartbeat of a fine synagogue, Shmuel.”

Today, a Torah room is a place to inspect Torah scrolls for quality. Those working in the Torah room ensure the scrolls are intact and legible. Torah rooms are where these valuable scrolls are stored and preserved.

Why Do the Women Cover Their Heads?

The Chosen Presents: A Blended Harmony of the Gospels

Women covered their heads in Bible times as a custom in their culture. While not a law they were required to follow, it was considered shameful to have their heads uncovered. Married women covered their heads out of modesty and many Jewish (and some Christian) people still do this today, some whenever they’re in public and others just in synagogues.

Hebrew Vandalism

The writing on the wall Nicodemus and the soldiers pass on the way to the Red District is in Hebrew. It says “the Messiah will overthrow the Romans” or, in Hebrew, המשח יהרוס את הרומאים (Hamaschiach yaharos et haromanim). At this time, the Romans were in power in Capernaum and surrounding areas and, as you can see in the story, were oppressive to the Jewish people.

Exorcism Scene

When Nicodemus is being taken to the Red District for Mary Magdalene’s attempted exorcism, he passes pigs on the way. This indicates that this is a pagan area, as pigs are considered unclean animals.

When Nicodemus figures out Mary’s possessed by a demon, he asks for Sulfur, Nettles, Hyssop, and Wormwood. He needs these items because he intends to drive the demons out, reportedly by way of fumigation. Smoke and sulfur are used to drive them out. The other items have different purposes in the exorcism procedure as well. The hyssop, for example, is for cleansing.

The All Powerful El Shaddai

It’s in the name of the “All Powerful El Shaddai” that Nicodemus casts out the demon indwelling Mary. One of the most sacred names for God in Judaism, you’ll also find El Shaddai in your own Bible. In Genesis 17:1, God uses this name for Himself when establishing His covenant with Abram. It means “all sufficient God”.

Shabbat Dinner

Shabbat is the Hebrew word for Sabbath, as in the Sabbath day. This refers to Saturday, which is Yom Shabbat in Hebrew. On the Hebrew calendar, days begin the evening before, similar to how our days begin at 12:00 am, which is technically the night before, right? So, Shabbat, the Sabbath Day, begins on Friday.

Simon and Andrew discuss attending Eema’s Shabbat dinner and Simon’s wife mentions it later as well. Why is this so important? Doesn’t Shabbat dinner happen every week? What’s wrong with missing a week?

Shabbat dinner is a wonderfully sacred time in a Jewish household. Just after sundown, candles are lit, blessings are said, songs are sung, and families everywhere come together to “remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy”. These traditions, some thousands of years old, serve to set apart the Sabbath and to honor the command to keep it.

Yes, it’s done every week but Simon and Andrew didn’t want to miss it because, well no one does! It’s a celebration – a time to leave the hardship and the grind behind and settle down to focus on God and the people you love.

Who’s Eema?

We hear of Eema, not only when they discuss Shabbat Dinner, but also when Eden, Simon’s wife is “staying at her Eema’s tonight”. Eema is the Hebrew word for “mom”. In this case, they’re referring to Eden’s mom, Simon’s mother-in-law.

The Chosen is rich with a cultural context that’s rare to find elsewhere. It brings to life the characters in the Bible , helping our Western minds to grasp what it may have been like in Jesus’s time. It’s so well done! Stay tuned for Explaining The Chosen: Episode 2: Shabbat!

Do you love Israel?
Need a gift for someone who does?
Experience the Holy Land without leaving home with Artzabox.
Click here to find yours!
Use coupon code Hebrew20 for a 20% discount on your order!

Now Open Hebrew Roots Market!

Written by Holy Branches on December 31, 2020. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 2 Comments on *Now Open* Hebrew Roots Market!

We at Holy Branches have created an online store and aim to be a single marketplace that provides the highest quality items from around the world for those in the growing Hebrew Roots and Messianic Christian Movements. Whether you’re learning the Hebrew language, seeking high quality Christian jewelry, searching for gifts for friends and family, or pursuing the latest in Biblical resources, our products are useful and enlightening for Christians from all backgrounds.

Check back with our growing store as we’ll be adding new items regularly, many of which you won’t find anywhere else.

Here are just a few of the things we offer:

Bibles

Scriptures Bibles

The Scriptures version of the Bible used the original names of people and places, as well as both the English and Hebrew names for the books of the Bible. It also has retained as the name of the Most High, יהוה, throughout.

Another feature is that the references/quotes from the Old Testament found in the New Testament are in bold print, showing just how much these two sections of our Bible are related!

We have Scriptures Bibles available in Softcover, Duotone Tan, and Duotone Purple.

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bibles

Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Hardcover, Red Letter, NIV

The rich background of the culture and customs of Biblical times comes alive in this study Bible. With beautiful and detailed pictures and diagrams, this is a valuable resource for any student of the Word of God. We have the Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible in NIV and NKJV.

Hebrew Bibles

We carefully chose our Hebrew Bibles as those that would be the most useful to those in our faith.

A Hebrew Readers Bible

For those with a knowledge of basic Biblical Hebrew vocabulary. This Hebrew Bible contains the complete Tanakh (Old Testament) from the Leningrad Codex and is a valuable resource for those studying the Hebrew language. The footnotes include translation for the words that occur 100 times or less throughout the Hebrew Bible.

For those interested in Greek as well, we offer a Hebrew-Greek Readers Bible, which has a Hebrew Old Testament and Greek New Testament, along with all of the features that make the Hebrew Reader’s Bible unique.

Hebrew-English Bible

This leather-bound NASB version contains both the Old and New Testaments in Hebrew and English alongside one another.

The Old Testament is the Biblia Hebraica Stuttgartensia version in Hebrew and the NASB in English. The New Testament is Modern Hebrew, along with the English NASB. The maps included in the back are in Modern Hebrew.

Hebrew Learning Resources

Old Testament Hebrew Flash Cards, 1000 words

As many Hebraic Believers are interested in learning Biblical Hebrew, we offer a variety of resources in that area.

The Basics of Biblical Hebrew Bundle will help you learn Biblical Hebrew, from beginner to an advanced level. Hebrew Vocabulary Flash Cards are great for both teaching and strengthening Hebrew Vocabulary words. Find more Hebrew Language resources here.

For homeschoolers, we offer the books I’ve found extremely helpful in teaching Hebrew to my homeschoolers. For years of homeschooling, I couldn’t find a quality program for teaching Hebrew to my children and Biblical Hebrew: A Homeschool Primer is a refreshing difference!

Jewelry

We’ve found beautiful Messianic and Christian jewelry to meaningfully reflect our faith. Here are a few of the items we offer. Check the Hebrew Roots Market website for more!

Like many of our products, the Tear Drop Eilat Christian Necklace contains Eilat stone, which is mined exclusively in Israel and is also known as the King Solomon stone. It’s an attractive stone that embraces the significance of the nation of Israel in our faith.

We also have Eilat Stone earrings that match our Eilat stone necklaces if you’re looking for a set!

Our Mobius Bracelets have been a popular item and they make wonderful gifts for the women in your life! We have Shema, Aaronic Blessing, and “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li” (“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine”) Mobius Bangles in 925 Sterling Silver.

Speaking of bracelets, we have beautiful cuff bracelets as well. You can get these with either the Shema or “Ani L’dodi V’dodi Li”.

The Messianic Seal signifies the oneness of Jews and Gentiles in Messiah and we have some beautiful options with this seal on them.

I hope you enjoy your online shopping experience at Hebrew Roots Market! Continue to check in, as we’ll be adding unique and useful items for your Hebrew Root journey as we find them.

What a Christian Needs for a Hebraic Lifestyle

Written by Holy Branches on October 18, 2020. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 1 Comment on What a Christian Needs for a Hebraic Lifestyle

What do you need to be a Christian? Well, nothing physical, really. You need a repentant, humble, and open heart, willing to hear what God has to say to you. For some of those who followed God in the Bible, that was all they had! But just about every Christian owns a Bible. Many also have Bible study books, jewelry with Christian themes, nativities, and Biblically-themed art in their homes.

So, what do you “need” to be a Christian on the Hebraic path? There are no specific items, but there are some things that will help you live out your faith. Here are a few things my family and I have found helpful in practicing our faith in this way.

The Complete Jewish Study Bible (Hardcover): Illuminating the Jewishness of God’s Word

A Hebraic-Friendly Bible Translation

Since the Bible’s original languages are such deep and meaningful languages, the same words can be translated differently, and translators don’t interpret scripture in the same way. While it’s nearly impossible to translate the Bible without highlighting the land of Israel and the Hebrew people, there are some translations that clarify those concepts and those related. Here are some Bibles used by my family as well as other Hebraic Believers.

Hebrew Language Resources

Old Testament Hebrew Vocabulary Cards: Second Edition

Many Christians choose to learn Biblical Hebrew to better understand the Bible, specifically the Old Testament. Here are 7 Ways Learning Hebrew Benefits Your Christian Faith. Numerous resources exist to help learn the Hebrew Language, and below are a few I’ve found helpful. Make sure to check out my free printable flash cards for the Hebrew Alphabet and Hebrew Vowels as well.

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

Bible Study Resources

Although there’s no shortage of Bible studies, it can be difficult to find a study that highlights the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. Here are some that I’ve used and enjoyed.

Studies for Children

The Bible is clear that we’re to pass our faith on to the next generation. Here are the programs I’ve used for my children. Bible Pathway Adventures has many activity books on Feast Days, weekly Parsha readings, Bible stories, and characters.

Shemot / Exodus Activity Book: Torah Portions for Kids

Gifts/Jewelry

Looking for a gift? Maybe shopping for yourself? Here are a few ideas!

Books

There’s a growing number of books on this subject that provide great information for Christians on this path. Here are a few to start with.

Celebrating Jesus in the Biblical Feasts Expanded Edition: Discovering Their Significance to You as a Christian

Items for Passover

Passover is a rich celebration for Christians, as we celebrate deliverance and salvation through our Passover Lamb, Jesus! Many items can be used during a Passover Seder, a few of which are listed below.

Items for Hanukkah

Many Christians celebrate Hanukkah as a festival of re-dedication to God. Check out these Hanukkah traditions for ways to celebrate Hanukkah in your Christian home.

Items for Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah

Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah are times for Christians to both examine their lives and look forward to the return of our King, Jesus!

Shofar Set
Apples and Honey
Rosh Hashanah and The Messianic Kingdom to Come

Items for Sukkot

A time to remember what God has provided for us, Sukkot is also when we celebrate God coming to earth to dwell with His people. We’re instructed to “dwell” in a temporary dwelling for Sukkot’s 8 days, which is what this holiday is centered around.

Benefits of the Hebrew Roots Perspective

Written by Holy Branches on May 31, 2020. Posted in Hebraic Roots. 3 Comments on Benefits of the Hebrew Roots Perspective

Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church

As my family and I have grown in our Christian faith and embraced the Hebrew Roots of that faith, I’ve found so many benefits along our journey! It’s put to rest some of the inconsistencies that have bothered me about the Christian faith as well as given me a better understanding of the Scriptures, our Savior, and of God! Here are the main benefits I’ve noticed of this perspective on my faith.

1. It clarifies the continuity between the Old and New Testaments.

Many regard the Old and New Testaments to be separate books, with separate stories, maybe even with different Gods. Although most Christians will say they believe Bible to be the inspired word of God in its entirety, some even go so far as to consider the Old Testament irrelevant to our faith. I used to embrace this belief and it led to colossal misunderstandings of God, Jesus, salvation, the Bible, and many other concepts.

The truth is that the whole Bible is one story of one God and His people. There is no “God of the Old Testament” as I have heard Him described. God is the same as He was then and we can expect Him to be the same in the future.

When the Bible tells of God’s people in the Old Testament, it also refers to us as Believers because we’re grafted in to the promises of God through our faith in Jesus.

The Scriptures Large Print Duotone Charcoal Edition (ISR)

Both Testaments are not only relevant to our faith, they each contain concepts that we must apply to our lives as Believers in Christ. While most of us can see the relevance of the New Testament clearly, some see the Old Testament as difficult to understand, outdated, and harsh.

But without a solid understanding of the Old Testament, we cannot fully understand the New. It was in the Old Testament that the roots were laid – for the Messiah, Israel (both the people and the land), for the church, and for the future.

The complete story can’t be found in the New Testament alone and interpreting the Old Testament in light of the New is backward and will lead to much confusion and misinterpretation. I have very recently found a simple way to understand the strong connection between the two Testaments in the version of the Bible called The Scriptures. It puts in bold the parts of the New Testament that are directly from the Old Testament and there’s a LOT of bold!

2. Jesus’s words are easier to understand.

While it may be difficult for some Christians to get their heads around (it was for me at first!), Jesus is very, very Jewish. The thought that once blew my mind is that he’ll STILL be Jewish when he returns!

Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church By Ron Moseley

With that in mind, how can we interpret what Jesus says from the mindset of American culture? For example, when Jesus is asked what the most important commandment is, his response includes the words of the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is recited at least twice daily by Orthodox Jews, both today and in Jesus’s time. His audience would have easily recognized his response as the familiar words of the Shema.

Jesus said that all of the rest of the Law and prophets (the Old Testament) hung on these words. With an understanding of the Shema and its prominent place in Jewish life, no one in his audience would have interpreted him as saying that these were now the only two laws that applied, as some believe today. They would have seen, as many do, that this verse shows us that loving God is following His commands – all of them!

3. Paul’s writings no longer seem to contradict one another.

I’ve always found Paul’s letters, particularly when he writes about the Law, to be confusing. I’m not the only one. Even Peter notes in 2 Peter 3:3 that Paul’s writing is confusing to some. Here are two excerpts from Paul’s writings as an example:

Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident…
Galatians 3:11

And

…for it is not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified.
Romans 2:13

And Paul appears to not only have contradicted himself but to have contradicted Jesus as well! Jesus says that he didn’t come to abolish the Law (Matt. 5:17-19) and then Paul says that Jesus abolished the Law (Eph. 2:14-15).

The Pauline Paradox: What Did Paul Teach About the Law of God?

The common Christian interpretation takes the position that the Law has been abolished and interprets these and other verses with that understanding. They hold Jesus’s words up to Paul’s and take the position that Jesus must have meant something else when he contradicted Paul. But when you take the words of Jesus and the rest of the Bible as the authority for interpretation of Paul’s words, a very different result is reached.

Even though his writings confuse many due to the different types of laws he refers to and his differing audiences, Paul believes (as do many Hebrew Roots Christians and Messianic Jews) that, while our adherence to the Law doesn’t save us, it is the code we should adhere to after salvation out of sanctification and growth in righteousness. I’ll say it again because this is the point where the Hebrew Roots Movement tends to lose a lot of Christians – following the Law does NOT save us. But it is the way we should live as God’s redeemed people.

4. God’s Laws can be seen as blessings instead of constraints.

Biblically, God’s Laws are good but many see them instead as negative and as constraints put on the lives of those before us just to show us what sin is and that we can’t live up to what God desires of us. But that’s not what God says about them. Here are some verses that show us how God views His Laws for us (emphasis mine):

The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the soul…
Psalm 19:7

Aaronic Blessing Wall Art Numbers 6 24-26 The Priest’s Blessing

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in His law he meditates day and night.
Psalm 1:1-2

Oh that they had such a heart in them, that they would fear Me and keep all My commandments always, that it may be well with them and with their sons forever!
Deuteronomy 5:29

The entire chapter of Psalm 119 has wonderful things to say about God’s Law and so do many, many other places in the Bible! Although they don’t have the power to save us, God’s Laws are the best way to live as His people and they are a blessing to us!

5. God gets the glory.

Reverence for God, His name, His Word, and His Law are all major themes when Christianity is practiced from a Hebrew Roots perspective.

Many have returned to using the tetragrammaton (יהוה or Yahweh, as it’s most commonly pronounced) to refer to God or even to not saying or writing a name for Him at all. This is done out of reverence as well as out of obedience to the third commandment. While some may see this as impersonal, it comes as a result of faith in and awe and reverent fear of the God of the universe.

As I stated in #1 above, the Hebrew Roots perspective gives equal weight to the Old and New Testaments. The Torah (the Bible’s first five books) and the words of the prophets are extensively referred to in the New Testament. In synagogues, these precious books of the Old Testament are studied and celebrated weekly! It glorifies God to take all of His words as applicable to our lives and our faith.

When His Word says that His Laws are “perfect” and that we should “delight” in them and many other positive things, we don’t glorify Him if we make them out to be negative constraints that God set up to trap us. We can rest in the trust that God gave His Laws because He knows what’s best for us as people belonging to Him.

6. Otherwise confusing cultural customs become clearly relevant.

Take, for example, when the Holy Spirit was given to the Apostles. What they were celebrating when that happened was Shavuot. This is the time they celebrated God giving His Law to His people. With this background, they would’ve clearly understood the giving of the Holy Spirit as fulfillment of prophecy (Jere. 31:33). They would have seen that those same Laws they celebrated were the very ones being written on their hearts that day.

Celebrating Shavuot as a Christian puts the connection between the Law and the Holy Spirit in perspective. Rather than the Holy Spirit replacing the Law, it instead helps us be able to obey, since those Laws are now within us and have become a part of us.

7. Study of the Bible in its original languages brings clarity that no translation can.

Most Christians who have a Hebrew Roots perspective to their faith are at some level of learning the Hebrew and Greek languages to aid in their Bible studies. The Old Testament, written largely in Hebrew, cannot be fully understood from merely studying it in its translated form. Hebrew doesn’t translate seamlessly to English as there are some Hebrew words that cannot be fully expressed in our language.

I often use the well-known Hebrew word for peace as an example of this. In Hebrew, shalom is the word for peace. Shalom doesn’t just mean peace though. Its full Hebrew meaning encompasses completeness, welfare, prosperity, perfection, soundness, safety, health, and more. Yet when translated into English almost everywhere it appears in the bible, in nearly every English bible translation, it is merely translated as “peace”, leaving the reader to interpret the meaning as simply that.

Learning Hebrew has great benefit to our Christian faith in that it aids our understanding of the Bible. Although there are great English translations of the Bible, none of them compare in accuracy to the original texts.

8. Jesus is celebrated year-round.

Celebrating the Biblical Holy Days, which all point to Jesus in some way, is a great benefit to our faith! Seven times a year (and on the Sabbath), we can look to these Days to remind us of Jesus – who he is, what he’s done for us, and what he will do in the future!

Here’s a summary of the Holy Days and their relevance to Jesus:

The Sabbath/Shabbat: Jesus is our Sabbath rest. Out of mercy, he covered our sin so we can escape the eternal punishment we deserve.

The God of the Way: A Journey into the Stories, People, and Faith That Changed the World Forever By Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel

Pesach/Passover: Jesus is our Passover Lamb. His blood is what protects us from God’s just wrath.

Chag HaMatzot/Unleavened Bread: Being without sin, Jesus is the only “unleavened” one fit to take the place of sacrifice for our sin.

HaBikkurim/First Fruits: Jesus is our first fruits offering. Through him, we look forward to the future harvest, his resurrection, and to his eventual rule over the earth!

Shavuot/Pentecost: Jesus was the Word with us here on earth and left so that we could have the Spirit and the “Word” was then written on our hearts.

Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah: We look forward to the trumpet blasts that will occur when Jesus returns.

Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement: Because of Jesus, we can appear before God and commune with Him.

Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles: Jesus came to earth and “tabernacled” with us.

9. Believing Jews and Christians can be one in Jesus.

Jesus didn’t come to earth to start a new religion. He came to be the sacrifice necessary to bridge the gap we created between us and God through sin. He came as the Messiah for Israel and we, as Gentile Christians, are grafted in to the promises God gave to His people Israel.

Christians and Jews weren’t meant to be separate but one body in Jesus. In communities of Hebrew Roots Christians and Messianic Jews, this complete body of Christ can be seen and experienced and it’s amazing to see them come together as one!

Hebrew Roots Foundations

Written by hebrewrootsdad on December 1, 2019. Posted in Bible Study, Hebraic Roots. No Comments on Hebrew Roots Foundations

There are a few foundational ideas that make up the basics of the Hebrew Roots perspective – Jesus didn’t abolish the Law (Matt 5:17), Christians are grafted into the faith (Romans 11), and the Law is a blessing and given for our benefit (Romans 7:12 and others). Once you see and understand these concepts, you won’t be able to un-see them! These are fundamental concepts throughout the Old and New Testament and understanding them will be a blessing to your faith-walk and provide much in the way of biblical context.

As we Hebrew Roots Christians understand the Torah (or Law) as being a righteous and good thing, we also understand that it does not save us. Our salvation comes from grace alone through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah. We’re to rejoice in the Law because God gave it for our benefit. Following it allows us to live the way God intended and it sets us apart from the world. Imagine how humankind would be living if we didn’t have any instruction from God!

The Law Remains

One of the key foundations of the Hebrew Roots perspective comes from the teaching of Jesus himself during the Sermon on the Mount. This is the only recorded sermon that Jesus gave, and it’s very powerful.

In Matthew chapter 5, Jesus clarifies:

¹⁷ Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. ¹⁸ For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. ¹⁹ Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:17-19 (NASB)

View from the Mount of Beatitudes where it is believed that Jesus gave his Sermon on the Mount.

The Law that Jesus is speaking of is the Torah given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai. Jesus is reminding everyone that the Torah is not being abolished, at least not until heaven and earth is gone. The Greek for the word fulfill in verse 17 is pleroo. If you look up the definition of pleroo in the Strong’s Concordance, you’ll see that it means something a little different than how it’s commonly translated.

When someone fulfills their duty, it generally means they’re done. For example, when Azeem fulfills his vow at the end of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, it means he’s done, and can now relax and return home. But the definition of pleroo is different. Its meanings include “to make full”, “to fill up”, “to consummate”, or “to complete”.

These definitions are all quite different then what we typically understand as “fulfill”. None of the definitions of pleroo means to “end” and this is important to understand. Using the word fulfill in verse 17 does a disservice to Christians and provides a source of error among believers because many people interpret fulfill to mean the same as end or abolish. This causes many to interpret this verse as “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to abolish” which is certainly not correct.

It is much better to use the word complete in this context as in “Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to complete.” You can see that this is much more consistent with the rest of Jesus’s teaching.

In context, Jesus then continues in his Sermon on the Mount where he doesn’t abolish the Law, but affirms it. Not only does the Law say not to murder, but this includes not being angry with your brother as well (Matt 5:21-22). The Law says you are not to commit adultery, and Jesus explains that this includes lusting wrongly after a woman. (Matt 5:27-28). By affirming the Law of Moses, Jesus is not abolishing the Law, but completing it, just as he said in Matt 5:17.

These teachings by Jesus are some of the primary reasons why many who embrace the Hebrew Roots perspective question the doctrine of abolition of the Law. Looking back on Verse 19 above and we will notice the warning Jesus provides against teaching disobedience to the law:

¹⁹ Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt 5:19 (NASB)

In fact, a few chapters later, Jesus offers a second warning against practicing disobedience to the law. In (Matthew 7:21-23) it is written:

²¹ Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. ²² Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Matt 7:21-23 (NASB)

Jesus was certainly not a fan of disobeying the Torah, which makes sense as he was a Jewish Rabbi, along with being the Son of the God who established the Law for us.

As a Christian, this should make you pause for a moment and think about what this means to the Christian faith. If we take Jesus at his word, and he didn’t abolish the law, then our walk needs to look a lot different.

Christians are Grafted in

The second concept that’s profound to the Hebrew Roots Movement, and Christians in general, comes from the teachings of the Apostle Paul. We Christians are Gentiles, so many denominations assume that means we have different rules than Jewish believers, like Jesus and Paul. Paul clears this up in Romans 11 where he explains that Gentiles are grafted into the faith like a wild olive tree grafted into a cultivated olive tree. We are not a separate tree, we’re grafted into the tree that exists, therefore inheriting the promises that God has made to biblical Israel.

¹⁶ If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. ¹⁷ But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the rich root of the olive tree, ¹⁸ do not be arrogant toward the branches; but if you are arrogant, remember that it is not you who supports the root, but the root supports you.
Romans 11:16-18

Paul understood that Christians were not of a separate religion, but that both Jews and Gentiles were one in Messiah. I think it is translated best in the Complete Jewish Bible:

²⁷because as many of you as were immersed into the Messiah have clothed yourselves with the Messiah, in whom ²⁸there is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor freeman, neither male nor female; for in union with the Messiah Yeshua, you are all one. ²⁹Also, if you belong to the Messiah, you are seed of Avraham and heirs according to the promise.
Galatians 3:27-29 (CJB)

Read our article on being grafted in to find out more details about Paul’s teaching.

The Torah (AKA the Law)

Have you ever asked yourself why God gave us the Law? Was the Law just a collection of rules that made life unnecessarily hard for everyone, showing us we can never live up to God’s expectations, or was it instructions from God Himself as to how people can live a righteous life? The Hebrew Roots perspective affirms the latter and we try to understand and embrace the Law as a holy and righteous gift from God. If you read through the bible with an understanding that the Law is a gift from God and those who have it are blessed, then it can really change the meaning of the verses. Some supporting verses are below.

In Romans 7:7-12 Paul explains that the function of the Torah is to inform us what sin is. Because the Torah says “Thou shalt not covet,” Paul then understands what greed is. However, Paul found that sin held more power after knowing the commandments. He explained that the law that was intended to bring him life was instead bringing him death because of the powerful pull of sin. If it’s difficult to understand the powerful pull of sin, count yourself blessed then go pick up a newspaper. You’ll quickly see both the draw and effect sin has on all of us.

Paul then concludes with the following:

¹²So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
Romans 7:12 (NASB)

Sin is bad, but the Torah is good.

Some further supporting verses are below:

²⁴So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival, as it is today. ²⁵It will be righteousness for us if we are careful to observe all this commandment before the Lord our God, just as He commanded us.
Deut 6:24-25

²⁸ Be careful to listen to all these words which I command you, so that it may be well with you and your sons after you forever, for you will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord your God.
Deut 12:28

²⁶ See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: ²⁷ the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; ²⁸ and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known.
Deut 11:26-28

⁷ You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
Lev 20:7

³For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not burdensome.
1 John 5:3

Defining Sin

One of the differences that Hebrew Roots Christians have is how we define sin. I find it interesting that in all the years I’ve been a Christian I’ve never seen sin defined. Torah means direction, instruction, or law. Sin on the other hand means to miss the mark or do something incorrectly. If there’s a way of living that’s wrong, we should strive to know what’s a right, or righteous, way to live. It’ll be extremely valuable for us to make a quick list of what is sin and what is not. We need to know specifically what’s prohibited for us, otherwise we Christians end up doing whatever we feel.

For example, is gossip an actual sin, and if so, why? How about sexual immorality? Different Christian denominations will answer this question differently. In fact, there is a fast growing group that believes all commandments have been done away with, and every act that a Christian may want to do is acceptable.

The book of 1 John explains succinctly what sin is:

⁴Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
1 John 3:4

And lawlessness is when we don’t follow the commandments written in the Law. Why don’t we? Well, we often don’t even know what’s written in the Law. At some point scholars of the Old testament counted the commandments that God handed down and found 613 of them. Some are for women, some for men, many are for priests and courts, and some are only valid when there’s a functioning Temple in Jerusalem. 613 commandments is a lot more than I ever thought there was, but many of them you’ll find familiar.

Here are a few Laws you likely agree with, but may not have known them to be actual commands:

Do not Gossip

¹⁶ ‘You shall not go about as a slanderer among your people…
Lev 19:16a

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

¹⁸ …but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.
Lev 19:18b

Do not be superstitious or engage in Astrology

²⁶ ‘You shall not eat anything with the blood, nor practice divination or soothsaying.
Lev 19:26

Or how about these?

Do not stand by if someone’s life is in danger.

¹⁶ …and you are not to act against the life of your neighbor; I am the LORD.
Lev 19:16b

Do not kill a murderer before he stands trial

¹² … the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial.
Num 35:12b

Immoral Sexual relations are Forbidden

5 You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI. 6 “‘None of you is to approach anyone who is a close relative in order to have sexual relations; I am ADONAI…

(continues through the rest of Leviticus 18)
Lev 18:5-30 (CJB)

One thing’s for sure, if you follow these commandments of God, you’ll certainly look different from the world – set apart – and what Christian doesn’t want that?

Grafted In: Israel, Gentiles, & the Mystery of the Gospel By D. Thomas Lancaster

Again, as Christians, we understand that we’re not saved through obedience to the Law, but through the sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah and our faith in him. Even so, it is right for us to follow God’s commandments.

Understanding that the Law is still in effect, that Christians are grafted into the faith, and that the Law is a blessing given for our benefit will greatly strengthen your faith. The Law is so often mentioned in the bible, yet we easily forget how central it is to our faith. It’s what sets us apart and makes us different from the world.

If these perspectives are new to you (as it was for me for many years) or if you’re convicted to dig deeper into these concepts, here are a few resources you may find helpful.

Messianic Judaism 101 – This is a 6 part series put on by Rabbi Hershberg from Beth Yeshua International. If you like forwardness and conviction, you will enjoy these sermons.

Old Testament Bible Studies – From Tom Bradford’s Torah Class. This will provide more insightful information about the Old Testament then you will find anywhere.

New Testament Bible Studies – Also from Tom Bradford’s Torah Class. This is an amazing study, and you will learn so much.

A Quick Overview of the Passover Story

Written by Holy Branches on May 27, 2019. Posted in Hebraic Roots, Passover, Traditions. 5 Comments on A Quick Overview of the Passover Story

Passover is the account of God using Moses to lead his people out of slavery in Egypt. While this amazing story is traditionally read during the Passover Seder, read it ahead of time if you’re unfamiliar with it. Even if you are, reading it again will get your heart in the right place in preparation form Passover and may reveal something new God wanted to show you!

Our children always watch The Prince of Egypt at least a few times during the Passover season. They pretty much know it by heart, but it never fails to bring up some great conversations about different aspects of the story.

The Passover itself can be found in Exodus 12, but start in Exodus 3 and read through chapter 15 for the whole story. While this summary can be read during a Seder or used for a brief re-cap, there’s no substitute for the bible version, so make sure to read it and take time to marinate in the awe of it sometime. Its message is life-changing!

Here’s a basic chapter breakdown (very paraphrased):

Exodus 3: God talked to Moses from the burning bush. He told Moses he had heard the cries of His enslaved people and of His plan to rescue them from Pharaoh in Egypt. He told Moses that Pharaoh wouldn’t listen at first, but he would later after he saw the wonders God would perform.

Exodus 4: Moses came up with some excuses as to why he shouldn’t be the one to carry out God’s plan. God got a bit miffed that Moses tried to get out of the job, then assured him he was well-equipped and the right man to lead the exodus of His people. Moses left for Egypt, and his brother, Aaron, met him along the way. Aaron told the Hebrew people of the plan when they arrived in Egypt.

Exodus 5: Moses and Aaron appeared before Pharaoh and told him they were sent by God to take His people out of Egypt. Pharaoh then had his taskmasters increase the work of the Hebrew slaves. The Hebrew people turned on Moses because he’d caused them even more grief by angering Pharaoh. Moses questioned God because of the harsh circumstances brought on the Hebrew people.

Exodus 6: God told Moses He knew what He was doing and that He would do exactly as He said. Moses attempted to tell all of this to the enslaved people, but their spirits had been broken and they refused to listen. God once again told Moses to ask Pharaoh to let the people go but Moses was hesitant. God said, “I’m God. I say do it anyway”.

Cup of Redemption: A Messianic Haggadah for Passover

Exodus 7: God said, “Go and tell Pharaoh to let the people go. His heart will be hardened, and he won’t, but I will multiply my signs and wonders in Egypt. Also, do that miracle I told you to”. Before Pharaoh again, Moses threw down his staff, which turned into a serpent. Pharaoh again didn’t listen. God then told Moses to tell Pharaoh that the Nile River would be turned to blood. Moses dipped his staff in the Nile, and it turned to blood, and everything died, but Pharaoh again didn’t listen. God said to tell Pharaoh that a massive frog infestation was next.

Exodus 8: God told Moses to tell Aaron to stretch his staff out over the waters of Egypt and frogs covered the land when Aaron obeyed. Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and told them to ask God to take the frogs away. Moses cried out to God about the frogs. The frogs died and were piled up and made all of Egypt stink. Pharaoh hardened his heart again. God told Moses to have Aaron strike the dust and, when he did, it turned into gnats, which filled the land of Egypt. The next plague was of flies. They ruined all the land of Egypt, except Goshen, where the Hebrew people lived. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go but changed his mind once God removed the flies.

Exodus 9: A plague was brought on the Egyptian livestock and they died. Still Pharaoh didn’t let the people go. A plague of boils and sores followed. It again only affected the Egyptians and Pharaoh again refused to let the people go. God said He could’ve wiped the Egyptians out by now but hadn’t so He could show His power. The next plague was hail, which destroyed everything and everyone that wasn’t protected. It only fell on Egypt, not Goshen. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go, then again changed his mind.

Exodus 10: Two plagues were sent in this chapter – locusts to destroy the rest of Egypt’s land and a terrible darkness. Again, Goshen was spared. Pharaoh still refused to free the slaves.

Exodus 11: Moses warned Pharaoh that the next plague would be the death of the firstborn of all Egypt. Both livestock and humans would be affected but the Hebrew people would be kept safe. Pharaoh still did not let the people go.

Exodus 12: The Passover begins. God told Moses and Aaron the instructions to give the Hebrew people for protection from the plague of the firstborn. They were to slaughter a lamb and paint its blood on the doorpost or their house. Instructions were given for the cooking and eating of the meat and this was called God’s Passover. When God brought this plague onto Egypt, the blood on the doorposts caused Him to pass over the homes of the Hebrew people. God repeated the command to observe this Passover Feast forever many times in this chapter. Pharaoh finally caved and let the Hebrew people go. They fled Egypt.

Exodus 13: God commands the people to set apart every firstborn for Him and gives further instructions for the observation of Passover. God led the people to the Red Sea in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night.

Christ in the Passover: Celebrate a Christian Seder

Exodus 14: Pharaoh realized what he had done and went after the Hebrew people to bring them back. The people were then trapped between the Egyptians and the Red Sea. God miraculously divided the sea so His people could cross, then closed the divide on the Egyptians as they followed, drowning them.

Exodus 15: Moses and his sister, Miriam, sang songs of praise to God for saving them and bringing them out of Egypt. They then headed into the wilderness as God’s free people.

It’s such an awesome story, isn’t it? I can’t help wondering what took Pharaoh so long. I’d like to think I’d cave long before the 10th plague, but it does say God hardened his heart, so there’s that. Please read about the Passover and the Exodus with a heart softened to hear what God has to teach you through it. Don’t let it become so familiar that you miss God’s supernatural glory in all of it!

Shalom!

Written by Holy Branches on May 3, 2019. Posted in Hebraic Roots. No Comments on Shalom!

My family and I are on a journey to grow spiritually and strengthen the roots of our faith for the next generation. It’s my desire for other Christians and their families to grow along with us. I’ll share our beliefs, traditions, recipes, parenting advice and more to help you on your Hebrew Roots journey also. Welcome!