yesheva4me

The Goodnews according to Matthew from an old Hebrew Manuscript (The DuTillet Text) Third Edition With Hebrew and English translation of facing pages.

guapotg — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 04:48:16 +0000

The “lost” Hebrew Version of Matthew,

The DuTillet version of Matthew is taken from a Hebrew manuscript of Matthew which was confiscated from Jews in Rome, in 1553. On August 12th, 1553, at the petition of Pietro, Cardinal Caraffa, the Inquisitor General, Pope Julius III signed a decree banning the Talmud in Rome. The decree was executed on September 9th (Rosh HaShanna) and anything that looked like the Talmud, that is, anything written in Hebrew characters was confiscated as the Jewish homes and synagogues were ravished. Jean DuTillet, Bishop of Brieu, France was visiting Rome at the time. DuTillet was astounded to take notice of a Hebrew manuscript of Matthew among the other Hebrew manuscripts. DuTillet acquired the manuscript and returned to France, depositing it in the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris. It remains there to this day as Hebrew ms. No. 132.

While most scholars have ignored the DuTillet Hebrew version of Matthew, Hugh Schonfield stated his opinion that this Hebrew text underlies our current Greek text. Schonfield writes:

….certain linguistic proofs … seem to show that the Hebrew
text [DuTillet] underlies the Greek, and that certain
renderings in the Greek, may be due to a misread Hebrew
original.
(An Old Hebrew Text of St. Matthew’s Gospel; 1927, p. 17)

Otot HaMashiach (Signs of the Messiah)

guapotg — Sat, 05 Jan 2013 05:12:47 +0000

Otot HaMashiach (Signs of the Messiah)

Armilus, Son of the Stone / Armilus the Antichrist. Ten signs will come onto the world adjacent to the coming of MAshiach were revealed to Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai, zs’l, as follows:

The first sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, will cause three kings to arise who are apostates from their religion. They will behave deceptively, for they will make themselves appear to people (as if) they serve the Holy One, blessed be He, but they (in fact) do not serve (Him). They will lead astray and confuse the entire created order, and all the nations of the world will become apostates by following their laws. Moreover, (certain) wicked ones of Israel who have given up hope in (Israel’s) eventual redemption will commit apostasy against the Holy One, blessed be He, and abandon His veneration. Regarding this generation scripture states: ‘truth will be driven away’ (Isa 59:15). What does ‘driven away’ (ne‘deret) mean? It means that those in possession of the truth will become like herds of animals (‘ederim ‘ederim) and they will depart and flee and hide themselves among caves and underground burrows. All the mighty ones of that generation will perish, faithful ones will cease to exist, the ‘gates of wisdom’ will be hidden, and the world will become different. At that time there will be neither king nor prince in Israel, as scripture says: ‘Israel will dwell for many days without a king or a leader’ (Hos 3:4). Jacob will have no academy heads, no gaon, no faithful shepherds, no pious ones, and no wonder workers. The celestial doors will be locked, and the gates of support and sustenance will be closed.

At the time that the Messiah is revealed by His power, a generation will depart and collapse into its grave while still alive due to the harsh, fickle, and disturbing things which those three kings decree. And while they are decreeing that one should commit apostasy against the Temple, the Lord, and the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He, will decree that the evil empire will enjoy world sovereignty for no longer than nine months, as scripture states: ‘therefore He will give them until the time when she who is pregnant [has given birth]’ (Mic 5:2), and the word ‘therefore’ (laken) signifies here an oath, as where it is said: ‘therefore (laken) I have sworn an oath to the family of Eli’ (1 Sam 3:14). They shall issue harsh decrees, and they shall increase the tax on Israel tenfold. Whoever formerly paid ten now pays one hundred, and everyone who formerly paid eight now pays eighty, and they will cut off the head of all those who do not have it. During all these nine months they will issue one new decree after another, each one harsher than its predecessor.

Then some extremely ugly people from the end of the earth will appear, and everyone who sees them will die due to the terror evoked by them. They will not need to wage war, for they kill everyone by fear of them alone. Each one of them has two heads and seven eyes; they will glow like fire and be as swift in their movement as deer. At that time Israel will cry out and say, ‘Woe! Alas!’ Children from Israel will become frightened, and each of them will come and hide themselves beneath their father and mother, saying, ‘Woe, my father! Alas, my mother! What shall we do?!?’ Their parents will respond to them (saying): ‘Now we must rely on the (promised) redemption of Israel!’

The second sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, will introduce heat into the world from the heat of the sun, along with consumption and fever, many terrible diseases, plague, and pestilence. Every day there will die among the gentile nations one million people, and all the wicked ones among Israel will perish. (This will continue) until the nations of the world weep and cry out: ‘Woe to us! Where can we go and to where shall we flee?’ Everyone will dig their own grave while they still retain strength and then they will wish for death. They will conceal themselves in arid places and among towers and crevices in order to cool themselves, and they will go into caves and earthen caverns. And if you should ask how the righteous will be delivered from the heat of the sun, (the answer is that) the Holy One, blessed be He, will render that heat medicinal (for them), as scripture says: ‘O those who revere My name, a sun of righteousness will rise for you, and it will heal (you) with its wings’ (Mal 3:20). Balaam the wicked prophesied about these troubles (when he said): ‘Woe to whoever is alive when God brings it about!’ (Num 24:23).

The third sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, will cause a dew of blood to fall, but it will appear to be water to the gentile nations. They will drink of it and die. Moreover the wicked of Israel—those who have abandoned all hope of redemption—will drink of it and die. However, the righteous—those who have maintained faith in the Holy One, blessed be He—will suffer no harm at all, as scripture states: ‘the wise will shine like the brightness of the sky’ (Dan 12:3). The whole world will become blood for three entire days, as Hosea (sic) has said: ‘I will place portents in the heavens and on earth: blood, fire, and columns of smoke’ (Joel 3:3).

The fourth sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, will cause a dew of healing to fall in order to counteract the blood, and those who were wavering will drink of it and be healed of their illness, as scripture states: ‘I will be like dew for Israel: he will bloom like a lily and extend his roots like Lebanon’ (Hos 14:6).

The fifth sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, will turn the sun to darkness for thirty days, as scripture says: ‘The sun will be changed into darkness, and the moon to blood’ (Joel 3:4). After thirty days the Holy One, blessed be He, will return it to its former state, as scripture says: ‘they will be gathered together like a group of prisoners in a pit and locked away in prison, and after many days they will be recalled’ (Isa 24:22). The gentile nations will feel fear and shame, for they will realize that it is on account of Israel that all these signs are occurring, and many of them will secretly become Jewish, as scripture has envisioned: ‘those who observe (a religion devoted to) worthless vanities will abandon their faith’ (Jon 2:9).

The sixth sign:

As we stated above, the Holy One, blessed be He, will grant the wicked Edom sovereignty over the entire world. A final king will arise in Rome, and he will rule the entire world for nine months and bring about the destruction of many regions. His wrath will increase against Israel and he will burden them with a heavy tax. At that time Israel will experience great distress due to the multitude of restrictive edicts and disturbances affecting them which will recur every day. Israel will undergo decline and be subject to annihilation at that time, and there will be no one to help Israel. Isaiah prophesied about this time when he said: ‘he saw that there was no person; he was astonished that there was no one to interpose’ (Isa 59:16).

When the nine months are completed, the Messiah of the lineage of Joseph—whose name is Nehemiah b. Hushiel—will appear accompanied by the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Benjamin, and some of the tribe of Gad. Israelites who dwell in every region will hear that the Lord’s Messiah has come, and a small number from every region and every city will assemble around him to fulfill what is said in Jeremiah: ‘Come back, O apostate children—utterance of the Lord! For I have been your Lord, and I will take one of you from the city and two of you from a family and bring you to Zion’ (Jer 3:14).

The Messiah of the lineage of Joseph will come and fight a battle with the ruler of Edom. He will win a victory against Edom, kill great heaps of them, and also kill the king of Edom. He will devastate the province of Rome. He will recover some of the Temple vessels which had been deposited in the palace of Julianos Caesar and come to Jerusalem. Israel will hear (about this) and gather themselves to him. The ruler of Egypt will make a peace treaty with him. He (Nehemiah) will slay all the people of the regions surrounding Jerusalem up to Damascus and Ashkelon, and all the people of the world will hear (about this), and a great fear will fall upon them.

The seventh sign:

The Holy One, blessed be He, who is the Master of Marvels, will effect a miracle in the world. They say that in Rome there is a marble statue (in) the likeness of a beautiful maiden: she was not fashioned by a human hand; rather, the Holy One, blessed be He, created her so by His power. Certain wicked ones belonging to the gentile nations will come—utterly worthless fellows—and excite ‘her’ and have sexual relations with her, and the Holy One, blessed be He, will preserve their seminal emissions within the statue. He will make a creature with it and form with it an offspring: she will (suddenly) split open and a human form will emerge from her. His name is Armilos the Satan; this is the one whom the gentile nations term ‘Antichristo(s).’ He is twelve cubits long and twelve cubits wide, and the distance between his two eyes is a span’s length, and they are deep-set (and) bloodshot. The hair on his head is like the color of gold, the soles of his feet are green, and he has two heads.

He will come to the wicked Edomites and say to them: ‘I am the Messiah! I am your god!’ They will immediately believe him and elevate him over themselves as ruler, and all the descendants of Esau will join forces with him and come to him. He will march forth and subdue all the regions. He will say to the descendants of Esau: ‘Bring before me my revelation which I gave to you!’ They will bring him their ‘frivolity,’ and he will respond to them: ‘This is indeed what I gave to you!’ He will address the nations of the world (saying) ‘Believe in me, for I am your Messiah!’ They will immediately put their trust in him.

At that time he will send for Nehemiah b. Hushiel and for all Israel, saying to them: ‘Bring to me your Torah and bear witness to me that I am God!’ Suddenly they will grow fearful and be perplexed. But at that time Nehemiah b. Hushiel will arise with thirty thousand warriors from among the forces of the tribe of Ephraim, and they will bring a Torah scroll and read aloud before him: ‘I am the Lord your God! You shall have no other gods before Me!’ (Exod 20:2-3). He (Armilos) will say to them: ‘There is nothing like this at all in your Torah! Come and bear witness to me that I am God just as all the gentile nations have done!’ Immediately Nehemiah will rise up to oppose him. He (Armilos) will command his attendants (saying) ‘Seize him and bind him!’ But Nehemiah b. Hushiel will arise, along with the thirty thousand who are with him, and do battle with him, and they will kill two hundred thousand of his (troops).

The anger of Armilos the wicked will increase in intensity, and he will assemble all the forces of the nations of the world in ‘the Valley of Decision’ (Joel 4:14). They will do battle with Israel, and they (Israel) will slay great heaps of them, whereas they will fatally strike only a small number of Israelites, but the Lord’s Messiah will be killed. The ministering angels will come, take him, and conceal him among the ancestors of the world. The courage of Israel will immediately fail and their strength will dissipate. Armilos the wicked will not know that the Messiah is dead, for if he knew (that were the case), he would not allow Israel to have a single survivor or fugitive. At that time all the nations of the world will expel Israel from their territories and will not permit them to dwell alongside them in their countries. They will say: ‘You see this despicable and lowly people who rebelled against us; can they possibly raise up a king?’ Israel will experience trouble the like of which has never happened to her before during the days of the world up to that time.

At that time Michael will arise to purge the wicked from Israel, as scripture states: ‘At that time Michael, the great prince who watches over the sons of Your people, will arise, and there will be a time of trouble such as not has taken place from the time (Israel) became a nation until that time, and at that time all of your people who are found inscribed in the book will escape’ (Dan 12:1). All of Israel will immediately flee into the deserts, whereas everyone who is entertaining doubts about their religion will turn to the nations of the world and state: ‘This is the redemption for which we have been waiting, for the Messiah is dead!’ All those who are no longer anticipating the redemption will be embarrassed by it (i.e., the Messiah’s demise) and they will turn to the gentile nations. At that time the Holy One, blessed be He, will test Israel and refine them like silver and gold, as it is said in Zechariah: ‘I will bring the third part through the fire, and I will purge them (of dross) as one purges silver’ (Zech 13:9), and as it is written in Ezekiel: ‘I will purge from among you those who rebelled and disobeyed Me’ (Ezek 20:38), and as it is written in Daniel: ‘They will be purged and made white: many will be refined and they will convict the wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but the wise will understand’ (Dan 12:10).

The entire remnant of Israel—the sanctified and purified ones—will remain in the desert of Judah for forty-five days. They will forage and feed on salt-plant and pluck leaves of shrubbery (cf. Job 30:4), and by them will be fulfilled what is said in Hosea: ‘Therefore, behold, I will entice her and lead her out to the desert, and I will console her’ (Hos 2:16). What is the scriptural basis of the forty-five days? Scripture states: ‘from the time of the removal of the daily offering and of the installation of the desolating abomination will be 1,290 days’ (Dan 12:11), and it is (also) written: ‘happy is the one who waits and attains 1,335 days’ (Dan 12:12). Consequently one learns that the difference between these two figures is forty-five days. At that time all the wicked of Israel will perish, for they are unworthy of experiencing redemption. Armilos will come and do battle with Egypt and capture it, as scripture states: ‘and the land of Egypt will no longer escape’ (Dan 11:42). Then he will turn his face toward Jerusalem in order to destroy it a second time, as scripture says: ‘he will pitch the tents of his pavilion between the seas and the beautiful holy mountain. Yet he approaches his end, and no one will help him’ (Dan 11:45).

The eighth sign:

Michael will arise and blow three blasts on the shofar, as scripture attests: ‘and it shall come to pass on that day that a great shofar will be blown, and those who are lost in Assyria will come [along with those cast out in Egypt, and they will worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem]’ (Isa 27:13), and as it is written: ‘and the Lord God will blow the shofar and travel with the storm winds of the south’ (Zech 9:14). At the first blast, the Messiah of the lineage of David and Elijah the prophet will be revealed to those proven righteous ones of Israel, the ones who had fled into the desert of Judah, at the end of the forty-five days. They will restore their hearts, invigorate their weakened hands, and strengthen their tottering knees. All Israel—those who remain throughout the whole world—will hear the sound of the shofar and realize that God has remembered them and that complete redemption has arrived. They will gather together and come (to Jerusalem), as scripture says: ‘those who are lost in Assyria will come [along with those cast out in Egypt, and they will worship the Lord on the holy mountain in Jerusalem]’ (Isa 27:13). Fear and trembling will fall upon the nations of the world on account of that sound, and terrible diseases will afflict them. Israel will gird themselves for departure, and the Messiah of the lineage of David will come, together with Elijah the prophet and those righteous ones who returned from the desert of Judah and with all those who have assembled from Israel. He will enter Jerusalem, climb the steps of the Temple ruins, and take his seat there.

Armilos will hear that a king has arisen for Israel, and he will say: ‘How long will this despicable and contemptible nation behave this way?’ He will immediately muster all the forces of the nations of the world and come to do battle with the Lord’s Messiah. Then the Holy One, blessed be He, will deem it unnecessary for him (i.e., the Messiah) to engage in battle. Instead, He will say to him: ‘Remain by My right hand!’ (Ps 110:1), and He will inform Israel: ‘Stand still and behold the Lord’s deliverance which He effects for you today!’ (Exod 14:13). Then the Holy One, blessed be He, will wage war with them, as scripture says: ‘and the Lord will go forth and wage war against those nations as at the time He fought on the day of battle’ (Zech 14:3). The Holy One, blessed be He, will rain down fire and brimstone from heaven, as scripture states: ‘I will contend with him using plague and blood; and I will rain down flooding rains, hailstones, fire, and brimstone upon him, his troops, and the many peoples allied with him’ (Ezek 38:22). Armilos the wicked will immediately die, both he and all his army, and so too (will perish) the wicked Edom who destroyed the Temple of our God and exiled us from our land. At that time Israel will exact much vengeance against them, as scripture foretells: ‘the house of Jacob will become fire, and the house of Joseph will be a flame, and the house of Esau will serve as dry chaff: [they will burn them up and consume them, and no survivor will remain for the house of Esau, for the Lord has spoken]’ (Obad 1:18).

The ninth sign:

Michael will blow a loud blast (on the shofar), and the graves of the dead will split open in Jerusalem, and the Holy One, blessed be He, will resurrect them. The Messiah of the lineage of David and Elijah the prophet will then come and resurrect the Messiah of the lineage of Joseph, the one who expired by the gates of Jerusalem. They will send out the Messiah of the lineage of David for the sake of the remnant of Israel that remains scattered among all the lands. Immediately all the rulers of the nations of the world will lift them up on their shoulders and bring them to the Lord (cf. Isa 49:22).

The tenth sign:

Michael will blow a loud blast (on the shofar), and the Holy One, blessed be He, will lead forth all the tribes located beyond the river of Gozan and from Halah and from Habor and from the cities of Media (cf. 2 Kgs 17:6). They will come together with the ‘people of Moses’ (beney Mosheh), (a large group) impossible to number or to measure. ‘The land before them will be like the garden of Eden, and behind them a flame will burn’ (cf. Joel 2:3; note Ezek 36:35), and nothing will remain alive among the nations of the world. At the time that the tribes depart, clouds of glory will encompass them, and the Holy One, blessed be He, will march before them, as scripture states: ‘the breaker will go up before them’ (Mic 2:13). The Holy One, blessed be He, will open for them springs connected with the Tree of Life in order to supply them with water on the way, as it says in Isaiah: ‘I will open rivers on the high places and fountains in the midst of the plains; I will turn the wilderness into a pool of water and the dry land into springs of water’ (Isa 41:18), and it is written: ‘they will not be hungry or thirsty; heat and sun will not afflict them, [for the One showing them mercy will lead them and He will guide them by springs of water]’ (Isa 49:10).

May the Holy One, blessed be He, grant us the merit to witness the redemption soon! May He grant us the merit to see the (rebuilt) Temple! May He fulfill for us the verse in which it is written: ‘Behold I will bring back the captives of the tents of Jacob and show mercy to his places of dwelling; the city (i.e., Jerusalem) will be rebuilt on its mound and the palace will reoccupy its proper place’ (Jer 30:18), and may He confirm for us all of His redemptive deeds and assurances which have been spoken through His prophets! For it is written: ‘at that time I will bring you, and at that time I will assemble you so that I might make you a name and (an object of) praise’ (Zeph 3:20).

The Signs of the Messiah are concluded.

Notes: Translated from the text published by Adolph Jellinek, ed., Bet ha-Midrasch: Sammlung kleiner Midraschim und vermischter Abhandlungen aus der jüdischen Literatur (6 vols.; Leipzig, 1853-77; repr., Jerusalem: Bamberger & Wahrmann, 1938), 2:58-63, who took it in turn from R. Makhir, Sefer ’avqat rokhel (Amsterdam: Nehemiah b. Abraham, 1716), 2b-5b. This edition reprints the Rimini imprint of 1526 (see 2b-4a), which is apparently the first printed edition. See M[oritz] Steinschneider, Catalogus librorum hebraeorum in bibliotheca Bodleiana (Berlin: Ad. Friedlaender, 1852-60), 1638-40. A variant version of this apocalypse appears in Oxford Ms. Heb. d. 11 (2797), the Sefer ha-Zikronot or the so-called Chronicles of YeraÐme’el; see Eli Yassif, ed., Sefer ha-Zikronot hu’ Divrey ha-Yamim le-YeraÐme’el (Tel Aviv: Tel Aviv University, 2001), 436-42. Another edition is supplied by Even-Shmuel, Midreshey Ge’ullah, 318-23; cf. his textual notes on pp. 425-26.

Why Ephraim and Menashe?

guapotg — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 20:45:16 +0000

Ephraim and Menashe were the sons of Joseph. Just before Joseph’s father, Jacob, dies he calls his two grandsons to him and blesses them, expressing his hope that they become role models for the Jewish people in years to come.

On that day Jacob blessed them, he said, “In time to come, the people of Israel will use you as a blessing. They will say, ‘May God make you like Ephraim and Menashe’.” (Genesis 48:20)

YA’AKOV’s ONENESS PRECEDES THE KINGDOM

guapotg — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:49:11 +0000

Yechezkel 37:15

Hashem instructs the Prophet Yechezkel to take two pieces of wood and inscribe them with names of the Jewish kingdoms, Yehuda and Yosef. Hashem then said, “Bring them near one another to appear as one and they shall unite in your hands.” Radak interprets this to mean that Yechezkel should hold the pieces alongside each other and they will miraculously unite into one solid piece of wood. He explains that this refers to the future miraculous unification of the Jewish kingdom. The individual pieces of wood represent the individual kingdoms of Israel. Although Hashem unconditionally granted Dovid Hamelech’s dynasty the kingdom of Israel this did not preclude fragmentation. In fact, soon after Shlomo Hamelech’s passing the kingdom suffered a severe split. Yeravam ben Nvat, a descendent of the tribe of Yosef led a powerful rebellion against th e Judean dynasty and gained control over most of the Jewish nation. The split was so intense that the seceding camp of Yosef totally severed ties with its brothers never to return to them. Yechezkel prophesied that these kingdoms will eventually reunite and form one inseparable unit. The unification will be so perfect that it will leave no trace of any previous dissension. The entire nation’s sense of kinship will be so pronounced that it will be likened to one solid piece of wood, void of all factions and fragmentation.

Yechezkel continues and states in Hashem’s name, “And I will purify them and they shall be a nation to Me and I will be G-d to them…My Divine Presence will rest upon them … forever.” (37:23,28) These verses predict the final phase of unity- Hashem’s unification with His people. In the Messianic era all aspects of unity will be achieved. The entire Jewish nation will become one inseparable entity and Hashem will reunite with His people. This unification will resemble that of the Jewish people, an everlasting and inseparable one.

It is important to note the order of this unity. The first phase will be our nation’s unification and after this is achieved Hashem will return to His people.

The Jewish people’s unity is a prerequisite to Hashem’s return to His people. Sefer Charedim explains with this the introductory words of the Shabbos afternoon Amida service. We state therein, “You are one, Your identity is one and who can is likened to Your people Israel one nation in the land.” He interprets these words to refer to the glorious Messianic era. During that period Hashem’s oneness will be recognized through His harmonious interactive system reflected in the oneness of His people. Their perfect unity will provide the perfect setting for Hashem’s revelation to the world. During that time Hashem’s master plan will be expressed through the perfect interaction of His people. Every detail of Hashem’s kindness will serve its intended purpose and reveal His absolute oneness and control over every aspect of this world. Undoubtedly, this will require the Jewish people’s total cooperation and perfect harmonious interaction with one another. Indeed, it can be said that when Hashem’s people unite as an inseparable entity His identity and perfect quality of oneness will be recognized throughout the world. (adapted from Sefer Charedim chap. 7)

In truth, the foundation for this unity was laid in this week’s sedra. Yosef developed an ingenious scheme to silence all his brothers’ suspicions and convince them of their grave misjudgement of his actions. He successfully removed their deep seeded jealousy and hatred and brought about a sincere unification to the household of Yaakov. Yosef and Yehuda, the two powers to be, embraced one another and displayed a true sense of kinship. Unfortunately, irrevocable damage already occurred that would ultimately yield a severe split in the Jewish kingdom. Yosef’s descendant, Yeravam would eventually severe relations with Yehuda’s descendant Rechavam and establish his own leadership. (see Gur Aryeh to Breishis 48:7) However, groundwork was already established to reunite these kingdoms and return the Jewish nation to its original perfect unity.
After Yaakov Avinu discovered Yosef’s existence and salvation the Torah states, “And their father, Yaakov’s spirit was restored to life.” (Breishis 45:27) Rashi quotes the Sages who explain these words to refer to the return of Hashem’s Divine Spirit to Yaakov. (ad loc) Yosef’s absence from Yaakov’s household indirectly prevented Hashem’s Divine Spirit from resting upon Yaakov. Now, after twenty-two dark years Yaakov Avinu’s household was reunited and Hashem returned His Divine Presence to Yaakov.

This development is indicative of the Jewish people’s future experience. The ten lost tribes representing the kingdom of Yoseif will be divided from the Judean kingdom for over two thousand years. This will result in Hashem’s removing His Divine Presence from amidst His people and throughout their long dark exile they will have no direct contact with Him. However, the time will eventually arrive for the Jewish people to reunite and become one inseparable entity. This miraculous unity will immediately lead to a second unity, that of Hashem and His people. In response to their total unification Hashem will return His Divine Presence and rest amongst His people us and “The spirit of Israel will be restored to life”.

We pray to Hashem that we merit total unification thereby yielding Hashem’s return to us resting His Divine Presence amongst us.

OG

guapotg — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:30:04 +0000

OG.

Table of Contents

—Biblical Data:Amorite king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth and was conquered by Moses and Israel in the battle of Edrei (Num. xxi. 33), sixty fortified cities, with high walls, gates, and bars, comprising the region of Argob, being taken and given to the children of Machir, son of Manasseh (Deut. iii. 13; Josh. xiii. 31). Og was one of the giants of the remnant of the Rephaim. His iron bedstead in Rabbath, the capital of Ammon, is described as having been nine cubits in length and four cubits in breadth (Deut. iii. 11).

—In Rabbinical Literature:Og was not destroyed at the time of the Flood (Niddah 61a), for, according to one legend, the waters reached only to his ankles (Midr. Peṭirat Mosheh, i. 128, in Jellinek, “B. H.” ii.). Another tradition states that he fled to Palestine, where there was no flood (Rashi to Niddah, ad loc.); while, according to a third legend, he sat on a rung of the ladder outside the ark, and, after he had sworn to be a slave to Noah and his children, received his food each day through a hole made in the side of the ark (Pirḳe R. El. ch. xxiii.). Og was known also as “Ha-Paliṭ” (see Gen. xiv. 13).

It was Og who brought the news to Abraham of the captivity of Lot. This he did, however, with an evil motive, for he thought that Abraham would seek to release Lot and would be killed in battle with the great kings, and that he, Og, would be able to marry the beautiful Sarah (Gen. R. xlii. 12). A long lease of life was granted him as a reward for informing Abraham, but because of his sinister motive he was destined to be killed by the descendants of Abraham. Og was present at the banquet which Abraham gave on the day Isaac was weaned (comp. Gen. xxi. 8). As Og had always declared that Abraham would beget no children, the guests teasingly asked him what he had to say now that Abraham had begotten Isaac, whereupon Og answered that Isaac was no true descendant since he could kill Isaac with one finger. It was in punishment for this remark, one legend declares, that he was condemned to live to see a hundred thousand descendants of Abraham and to be killed in battle against them. (Gen. R. liii. 14). When Jacob went to Pharaoh and blessed him (Gen. xlvii. 7), Og was present, and the king said to him: “The grandson of Abraham, who, according to thy words, was to have no descendants, is now here with seventy of them.” As Og cast an evil eye upon the children of Israel, God foretold that he would fall into their hands (Deut. R. i. 22).

Death of Og.During the battle of Edrei (Num. xxi. 33) Og sat on the city wall, his legs, which were eighteen ells long, reaching down to the ground; Moses did not know what monster he had before him until God told him that it was Og. Og hurled an entire mountain against the Israelites, but Moses intercepted it (Deut. R. l.c.). According to another legend, Og uprooted a mountain three miles long, intending to destroy all Israel at once by hurling it upon their camp, which was also three miles in length; but while he was carrying it upon his head a swarm of locusts burrowed through it, so that it fell round his neck. When he attempted to throw off this unwieldy necklace long teeth grew from both sides of his mouth and kept the mountain in place. Thereupon Moses, who was himself ten ells tall, took an ax of equal length, jumped upward ten ells, so that he could reach Og’s ankles, and thus killed him (Ber. 54b).

Shabbat (151b) and ‘Erubin (48a) also indicate that Og was regarded as an unusually large giant. A legend says that a grave-digger pursued a stag three miles inside of one of Og’s bones without reaching the other end (Niddah 24b).

OG THE GIANT KING

guapotg — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 02:16:29 +0000

Og, the giant king of Bashan:

And they turned and ascended by way of Bashan; and Og, king of Bashan, came out to meet them–he and all his people–to wage war at Edrei.

Then G-d said to Moses, “Do not fear him, for I will deliver him–and all his people and his land–into your hand; and you shall do to him as you did to Sichon, king of the Amorites who lives in Cheshbon.(Numbers 21:33-35.)

Then the battle began. Og uprooted a rock measuring three parsangs (aparsang is approximately a mile), the dimensions of the entire Jewish encampment.1 He wanted to throw this rock on top of the Israelites, but before he had a chance to do so, Moses killed him. As the Torah expresses it, “Then they smote him and his sons and all his people.”

We notice something strange and unusual in this narrative, namely, that G-d had to reassure Moses, “Do not fear him.” Why did the great leader of Israel, who had so resolutely confronted Pharaoh and all their other enemies, suddenly need to be reassured more than the other Jews? Why is Moses’ personal fear of Og stressed? If Moses feared Og, surely the people must have been terrified of him!

The answer is that Moses’ fear of the giant was not shared by Israel, for the people viewed Og physically, while Moses perceived him in a spiritual light. All the people saw in Og was a huge, hulking heathen — whom they did not fear at all, being confident in the power of Moses’ prayers. (This mood is evident from the actions of those Israelites who were sent, at about that time, to spy out Ya’zair. Although their mission was merely to spy it out, they were so confident in the effectiveness of Moses’ prayers that, on their own initiative, they conquered the place!2)

But Moses, with his deeper, more spiritual insight, saw in Og “the merit ofAbraham.” Many, many years earlier, when Abraham’s nephew, Lot, had been captured in war, the giant Og, then also a captive, had escaped and told Abraham of the disaster. Abraham, who considered Lot almost as a brother, armed his servants, pursued his nephew’s captors, defeated them, and saved Lot.3 Og had to his credit this meritorious deed of saving Abraham’s family, and Moses feared that the merit might stand Og in good stead. G-d then assured Moses, “do not fear him, for into your hand have I given him.” Moses’ own greatness, his own merit, would be sufficient to overcome Og.

Ultimately, the special merit of Moses was not needed to overcome the giant, for Og himself, by his own actions, erased any trace of merit he might have had. By attempting to throw a rock on top of the entire Jewish encampment, he made clear his intentions of wiping out, G-d forbid, every last single descendant of Abraham, and he instantly destroyed his own merits for saving Abraham’s family. Og was now stripped of merit; he was no longer surrounded by any “special defenses,” and Moses single-handedly slew him.4

Numbers 32:33
And Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to half the tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan, the land, with the cities thereof in the coasts, even the cities of the country round about.

(giant , literally long-necked), an Amoritish king of Bashan, whose rule extended over sixty cities. (Joshua 13:12) He was one of the last representatives of the giant race of Rephaim, and was, with his children and his people, defeated and exterminated by the Israelites at Edrei immediately after the conquest of Sihon. (Numbers 32:33; 3:1-13) Also (1:4; 4:47; 31:4; Joshua 2:10; 9:10; 13:12,30) The belief in Og’s enormous stature is corroborated by an allusion to his iron bedstead preserved in “Rabbath of the children of Ammon.” (3:11) (B.C. 1461.)

FOOTNOTES
1.	Viz. Rashi on Numbers 33:49.
2.	Numbers ibid. v. 32 and Rashi.
3.	Genesis 14:13-16.
4.	The Talmud Brochot 54a; See also Rashi on Exodus 22:1, from Sanhedrin 72a, et al. Based on Likuttei Sichos Vol. 8 pp. 134-140.

NAAMAH NOAH’s WIFE

guapotg — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 01:20:17 +0000

The Watchers, who’s job was to keep an eye on Adam’s family soon noticed a beautiful woman named NAAMAH; daughter of ZILLAH (LAMECH’s wife). NAAMAH’s brother was TUBAL-CAIN. The Watchers left their first abode and came down to earth through MT. HERMON during the days of JARED, in lure of NAAMAH’s beauty.

NAAMAH (whose name means beautiful or pleasant) was NOAH’s wife. She first caught the Watcher’s attention.

Tubalcain’s sister Naamah is mentioned in the genealogical list of the Cainites in Genesis 4.
Why is Naamah mentioned? She has no genealogical relevance; the only other women mentioned in these lists are those with genealogical relation to important descendants, whereas Naamah is mentioned (as though she was a mother of something) but with no children listed.

Now, we will recall that the Nephilim are not inheritors of the world to come, and have their names listed only to the extent they interact with Joshua, David, etc.
What if Tubalcain gave/dedicated his sister to fallen angels, in return for the knowledge of such arts as metallurgy?
And what if Naamah, as a type of “Jezebel”, or as a type of “the great harlot” found throughout scripture, begat Nephilim descendants as a result, becoming known as a “mother of witchcrafts and abominations” in the ancient world?

Prophecy Comes Alive in Egypt!

guapotg — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:55:10 +0000

Now that Hosni Mubarak is gone, what will happen to Egypt? Commentators are all over the map on Egypt’s future, with predictions ranging from a Western-style democracy to an Islamic state. There is little certainty on how these volatile events will play out and what they will mean for the region and the world.

But there is a way we can know. It is because we have “a more sure word of prophecy” (2 Peter 1:19) that we can know Egypt’s future. It is also because of that “sure word” that the Trumpet was not surprised at recent events in that country. In fact, our editor in chief has forecast such developments for over 18 years.

The Basic Prophecy

End-time prophecies regarding Egypt revolve around one pivotal prophecy. It describes a massive clash between a northern Catholic power and a southern Islamic power that will trigger World War III. The southern power—termed the “king of the south”—will provoke a massive retaliation by the northern power—the “king of the north.” The prophecy is detailed in Daniel 11:40-42.

When the southern Islamic power is overthrown, “the land of Egypt shall not escape,” verse 42 says. It is this scripture that Gerald Flurry has consistently drawn attention to for insight into the future of Egyptian politics.

In the December 1994 Trumpet, Mr. Flurry explained the significance of verse 42 thus: “Egypt is conquered by the king of the north probably because of an alliance with the king of the south.” The king of the south, Mr. Flurry believed, would be radical Islam, headed by Iran. This Iranian-led Islamic movement, he wrote, was already “very strong in Egypt and Algeria.” He went on to state: “This religion will probably take control of both countries very soon.”

A year and a half before that, based on the same prophecy, Mr. Flurry wrote, “Islamic extremism is gaining power at a frightening pace in Egypt. I believe this prophecy in Daniel 11:42 indicates you are about to see a radical change in Egyptian politics!” (Trumpet, July 1993).

Throughout the 18 years since, the Trumpet has reiterated this basic prophecy that Egypt would be taken over by Islam. Now, with the popular uprising, the fall of Mubarak and the rise of the opposition movement largely controlled by the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt is in more danger than ever of falling to the Islamist camp.

In the August 1998 Trumpet, Mr. Flurry pointed to this scripture again, including verse 43: “But he [the king of the north] shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps.”

“Twice it mentions that Egypt will not escape,” Mr. Flurry wrote. He went on to point out that Egypt had been the most moderate nation in the Middle East for 20 years but that Iran was already pushing Egypt toward its camp. “That is because Egypt fears terrorism and their own radical Muslims,” he wrote. Indeed, Egypt continued to draw closer to Iran as President Hosni Mubarak tried to placate the increasingly radical Egyptian population.

A “Radical Change” in Egyptian Politics

In the 2001 edition of his booklet The King of the South, Mr. Flurry elaborated further on the Daniel 11 prophecy: “Egypt is mentioned apart from the king of the south. This proves that Egypt is not the king of the south, although anciently it was in type. Today, Egypt is the most stable country in the Arab world. It is viewed as the leader of the more moderate, stable Arabs. But recently, Egypt has become much more friendly to Iran and more distant from Israel and the West.”

Again, Mr. Flurry emphasized, “The king of the north will destroy the king of the south—and Egypt. Why Egypt? Is it because Egypt was allied with the king of the south?Does that mean radical Islam will soon control or direct Egyptian politics?” (emphasis ours throughout).

Four years later, the Muslim Brotherhood won 88 seats in parliamentary elections—about one fifth of the parliamentary seats, a six-fold increase over the previous election. And this despite the Mubarak regime’s authoritarian measures to quash and disqualify opponents.

Mr. Flurry speculated that President Hosni Mubarak could be assassinated by Islamists just as Anwar Sadat was. “This could radically change Egyptian politics even more quickly,” similar to what happened in Iran’s 1979 revolution, he wrote. “In the past, Egyptian politics have been changed radically by Middle East assassinations and other violent acts directed by Iran. Such acts can rapidly change the minds of people.Revolutions often result. However it happens, Egypt will also become the enemy of the king of the north.”

In the June 2003 Trumpet, Mr. Flurry wrote that in Egypt, “Islamic extremism—which spawns terrorism—is gaining power at a frightening pace.” Again, in reference to Daniel 11:42, he asked, “Does that mean radical Islam will soon control or direct Egyptian politics? Bible prophecy answers YES.”

In the November 2003 edition, Mr. Flurry declared that a radical change in Egyptian politics is “happening before our eyes in this end time, and it is mainly because [of] Iran’s ‘push’ toward radicalism.”

Loss of an Ally

On Jan. 3, 2006, Mr. Flurry wrote a letter to Philadelphia Church of God members and co-workers giving further insight on the direction Egypt was headed and what this would mean for America. “We have said for years that Egypt has been a friend to the West,” he wrote. “But, because of this prophecy [Daniel 11:42], we also said that could change.”

He continued: “Now we can clearly see Egypt moving in that direction. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB), though officially banned, is now Egypt’s largest and most influential opposition party. It is clear that this outlawed radical Islamic group has made significant inroads in Egyptian politics. …

“The political success of this long-established Islamic group can be perceived as a sign of A FUNDAMENTAL SHIFT IN EGYPTIAN POLITICS. The Brotherhood’s rising popularity indicates many things—among them, a love for Islamic leadership and law in Egypt, and a hatred for the government of President Mubarak.” Opinion polls—and events—since then have verified these statements.

“The time is coming when the MB could gain heavy influence or even control over Egypt,” Mr. Flurry continued. “This is apparently what a growing number of Egyptians want. President Mubarak is growing older (he’s in his 70s), and his health is ailing.

“AS THE MB GROWS MORE POPULAR, IT WILL STRENGTHEN ITS TIES WITH ISLAMIC POWERS THROUGHOUT THE REGION—ESPECIALLY IRAN. … As Mubarak’s health weakens and the MB grows stronger, watch for Cairo to distance itself from America. Should the MB ever take control, there is no doubt that a strong alliance between Iran and Egypt will be built.

“Certainly, as discontent with the political system in Egypt increases, we can expect to see the Islamists grow in popularity. A change of leadership WILL occur—and probably sooner rather than later.”

This “discontent with the political system” has now erupted. Watch now for the Islamists, the most organized opposition movement, to angle for control.

Egypt-Iran Alliance

In a March 2008 Trumpet article titled “Iran-Egypt Alliance Prophesied,” Mr. Flurry again focused on this end-time prophecy. He outlined how the assassination of Sadat “bitterly divided Egypt and Iran,” but despite that, “Egypt and Iran would become very close allies in this end time.” According to Daniel, “Egypt happens to be one of the allies of the king of the south, and that forebodes a lot of bad news for the Egyptians,” Mr. Flurry wrote.

Again pointing to a radical change in Egyptian politics, he said: “The moderate government in Egypt is being threatened by a popular and growing Iranian-aligned, anti-American, radical Islamist movement. In fact, we expect the most radical elements within Egypt to assume control and directly ally themselves with Iran. This worst-case scenario for the U.S. is just what the Bible prophesied will occur soon.

“Already Iranian President Ahmadinejad has said, ‘We are determined to pursue normalization of relations with Egypt, and if the Egyptian government declares its readiness, before the working hour is over today, we are willing to open Iran’s embassy in Cairo.’ The head of Iran’s National Security Council said Iran was willing to help Egypt produce nuclear energy. Events are moving at a greatly accelerated pace! …

“We know the radical Islamic movement in Egypt will certainly have a lot of influence in Egyptian politics; and it’s going to swing that nation toward Iran. Ultimately, that means bad news for Egypt because of the final outcome.”

Proof of the Bible

After President Barack Obama spoke at Cairo University in June of 2009, Mr. Flurry again warned, “Egypt is about to experience a RADICAL CHANGE!” Responding to the fact that President Obama had invited members of the Muslim Brotherhood to his speech, Mr. Flurry said, “No doubt the Muslim Brotherhood is going to gain control of Egypt.” The Brotherhood’s “invitation to hear that speech from the leader of the free world absolutely strengthens its cause! … How much did America’s president help the terrorist cause? Probably far more than we imagine. Regardless, God’s prophecy will be fulfilled!” (Trumpet, August 2009).

Now, Mubarak is out and the Muslim Brotherhood is on the cusp of becoming part of a new government in Egypt—one that will undoubtedly draw closer to Iran. Beyond what this means for Egypt, the Middle East and the rest of the world, these stunning developments are evidence of one of the biggest proofs of the Bible. As Mr. Flurry wrote in his March 2008 article, “Daniel was written over 2,500 years ago. God knew Egypt would retain the same name it had almost from the beginning and that it would ally itself with Iran! That’s something to get excited about, because ONE OF THE FOUNDATIONAL PROOFS of the Bible being God’s Word is fulfilled prophecy!”

But further, what does God purpose we do with this “more sure word of prophecy”? “[Y]e do well that YE TAKE HEED,” the Apostle Peter admonished, “as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn …” (2 Peter 1:19). Fulfilled prophecy is a light leading to a new day—marked by the return of Jesus Christ! ▪

April 2011 Trumpet

The Bible is clear on the future of ‘Palestine’

guapotg — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:06:26 +0000

Many world leaders have plans for the formation of a Palestinian state in the Holy Land. Unbeknownst to most, the future state of Palestine and its terror-controlled neighborhoods has already been declared in Scripture.

In a major step towards statehood, Palestinian leaders, with help from the United Nations, have designs to divvy up Israel’s sovereign land. Their plan is to introduce a resolution at the UN on November 29 recognizing the Palestinian-controlled areas of Israel as an “observer state”, with the ultimate goal of seizing Israel’s sovereign land as their own state and making Jerusalem the capital of a newly-formed Palestine.

However, the supreme guide of the Muslim Brotherhood, from whom Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi takes his orders, declared that a Palestinian state will not happen by U.N. efforts. Claiming that Jihad (war) on Jerusalem is the only way to seize control, Sheikh Mohammed Badie declared, “Jerusalem is Islamic … and nobody is entitled to make concessions” on the Holy City.

President Obama does not make it clear whether he intends to back U.N. efforts to give Israel’s sovereign land to the Palestinians, or to privately support the Muslims as they wage Jihad on Israel’s soil. A quick check of President Obama’s foreign policies at WhiteHouse.gov reveals that he does intend to help create a “State of Palestine”: “two states for two peoples – Israel as a Jewish state and the homeland for the Jewish people and the State of Palestine as the homeland for the Palestinian people.”

Currently obscured by man’s plans to create a “State of Palestine” on the land of Israel, stands the word of the Lord regarding His plans for Palestine.

The Bible declares, “As for all my wicked neighbors who seize the inheritance I gave my people Israel, I will uproot them from their lands …if they learn well the ways of my people and swear by my name, saying, ‘As surely as the LORD lives’…then they will be established among my people. But if any nation does not listen, I will completely uproot and destroy it, declares the LORD.” (Jeremiah 12:14-17)

So, we see that the Lord has plans to uproot and destroy any nation that seizes the land He gave to the Jews as an inheritance. The question now remains, when?

The words of Yeshua ha’Mashiach (Jesus) provide a major clue to the end of Palestine. Yeshua told Judah (the Jews) that He had other sheep not of their fold. He told the Jews He came for the lost sheep of the House of Israel, also called Ephraim or Joseph. (John 10:16)

Yeshua further identify the lost sheep of the House of Israel in John 10:27, where He stated, “my sheep hear my voice.” In essence, Yeshua claims that His followers are the House of Israel, otherwise known as Ephraim or Joseph.

Isaiah 11:13-14: “Ephraim (House of Israel/fullness of gentile nations who follow Jesus) will not be jealous of Judah (the Jews), nor Judah hostile toward Ephraim. They will swoop down on the slopes of Philistia (modern day Gaza) to the west; together they will plunder the people to the east. They will subdue Edom and Moab, and the Ammonites (modern day Jordan) will be subject to them.”

Therefore, when followers of Yeshua and the Jews unite as one nation, then you will see the end of the Palestinian threat in Israel, and Jordan will be in submission.

Of course, the Lord of the Bible not only has plans to deal with Gaza and the Palestinian attackers of Israel, according to Zechariah 12:9, He will deal harshly and severely with all nations who attack Jerusalem, “On that day I will set out to destroy all the nations that attack Jerusalem.”

Jonathan Israel

SAGE

guapotg — Sat, 10 Nov 2012 17:23:34 +0000

Who Needs Fathers?

A few years ago I was invited to appear on a TV talk show to discuss whether children need fathers. The panel consisted of single mothers who chose, through artificial insemination from anonymous sperm donors, to bring a child into the world who would never know his or her biological father. At the time I had just had my first child and was new to parenting, so although I was arguing that children definitely need fathers, my perspective was somewhat limited. Since then I have had an additional four years of parenting experience, two more children, and lost my own father. I now feel much more qualified to talk on this subject.

Indeed, the miracle of life is breathtaking. Last night, while my wife took a much-deserved early night sleep, I had the privilege of looking after our nearly two-week-old son, Shmuley. He lay in my arms with his gray eyes wide open, staring at me. As I looked into his eyes, it occurred to me how vulnerable he is. Suddenly I was overcome by a tremendous sense of responsibility. I was in partnership with G‑d to shape the future happiness, success and achievement of this little bundle of joy. The responsibility of being a father hit me in the most profound manner.

Shmuley is named after my father, of blessed memory. As I looked at him, I was taken back in time to when I was a small child. I tried to recall the first memories I have of my own father. The first memory that came to mind was of sitting on Dad’s knee while he jiggled me up and down and played “airplanes” with me.

The second memory was of my third birthday, which in chassidic circles is called an upshernish or first haircutting ceremony. I was given a bag of chocolate wafers as a present, and my older brothers and their friends were chasing me because they wanted some. While running away from them I fell and hit my head, which began to bleed. Here my father stepped in and took care of my wound. To this day, I vividly recall lying on the kitchen floor while Dad calmed me down and put a Band-Aid on my forehead.

As a child I felt safe in the knowledge that if I fell down and got hurt, Dad would always be there to make things better with a kiss and a cuddle—and a Band-Aid with antiseptic cream, if necessary. Dad would also readily play with us in a way that only dads can. As I grew up, the relationship changed and he started to teach me things that would help me to grow into a responsible and successful adult. Indeed, the contribution Dad made to my life is irreplaceable.

And there I sat, with my third son in my arms, realizing the awesome privilege that Sheindy and I share in helping to shape the life of a fellow human being. I recognized the great responsibility we have towards the child we brought into this world. I acknowledged the honor of devoting the time and energy needed to ensure that our children develop into adults who will become credits to society and forces for positive activity in this world. Above all, I acknowledged the tremendous responsibility I have as a father, and the unique contribution only I am able to make to the life, future stability and success of my children.

Obviously, there are cases in which a child’s biological father would be a harmful, even dangerous presence. And many children are, unfortunately, denied a loving father’s involvement in their lives by circumstances beyond their mother’s control. But other than in these extreme cases, only a heartless person could willingly deny a child a relationship with his or her biological father.

BY LEVI BRACKMAN