Flowing with Milk and Honey

"'We came to the land where you sent us, and it is indeed flowing with milk and honey...'"
(Numbers 13:27)
Sivan 15, 5768/June 18, 2008

Moses hand-picked twelve of the finest men amongst the children of Israel, each one a man of stature and integrity, representing each of the twelve tribes that together comprised the Israelite nation. He sent them into the land of Canaan, a vanguard to spy out the land and take note of its features, and then to return and rally the people, preparing them for their imminent entry into the promised land. No doubt he was pleased when they opened their address to the gathered crowd, and uttered the words quoted above: "'We came to the land where you sent us, and it is indeed flowing with milk and honey...'" (Numbers 13:27) Moses, however, was soon to discover that these words of praise were to be brandished as a double edged sword.

Holding up the bounty of the land for all to witness, they went on to describe the inhabitants of the land, and in their description was an unmistakable undertone of despair. Caleb, himself one of the twelve, immediately sensed the danger and rejoined: "'We must go forth and occupy the land,'" he said. 'We can do it!'" (Ibid 13:30), but the die was cast. Confusion and despondency overtook the Israelites. In an instant their spirit was broken, and already rumblings were being heard, calls to return to Egypt, to slavery.

What was it that so distressed them? Was it really the description of the inhabitants of Canaan as being giants and the cities fortified? Had not the Israelites just seen the entire army of Pharaoh, the greatest army on earth, drowned to a man in the Sea of Reeds? Had G-d not delivered them from a nation far more numerous, far more powerful, and one bitterly determined to wrest them from His embrace? What threat could these insignificant Canaanite nations possibly possess?

No, it wasn't the giants or their fortified cities that struck terror into the hearts of the spies. After all, how strong can a city be, if its inhabitants feel compelled to surround it with walled ramparts? It is they who should be frightened by the obvious strength and confidence evinced by the sprawling array of the nation of twelve battle-ready encampments, the sanctuary of the L-rd established within their midst.

What frightened (ten of) the twelve was the land itself, a land so powerful that even its bounty was of supernatural proportions, a land "indeed flowing with milk and honey." (Ibid) How could this nation, betrothed to the L-rd by the Covenant of Sinai, nurtured by the manna - heavenly sustenance from G-d's own table, as it were, how could they possible resist the overwhelming seduction of the hills and valleys, and fields and rivers that awaited them? Would it not be wiser to remain in the desert, far from temptations of a plentiful land? Wouldn't it be safer to continue to tread the blazing desert sands than to plow the fecund pastures? Couldn't they better serve G-d in the remote wilderness than in a land flowing not only with "milk and honey" but also with the blood and sweat and tears of earning one's daily bread?

No doubt G-d could forgive them their trepidation. But their rejection of the land, of the real world, in favor of a beautiful but not sustainable retreat in the desert, and their utter loss of nerve sealed their fate. From the very first Covenant Between the Pieces forged between G-d and Avraham, His promises to His people have been fraught with challenges and opportunities, not with certainties and complacencies. The Promised Land is no exception. The challenge of entering into the very physicality of the land while clinging all the while to the spiritual inheritance bequeathed to us at Sinai can indeed be daunting. It is this which is the very challenge - the promise - of the land.

Tune in to this week's Temple Talk as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven discuss the debacle of the spies and the far reaching ramifications of their misplaced loyalty to their desert existence.

A reminder: This week's Temple Talk, as well as the two upcoming Temple Talk broadcasts will each be one hour in length. Rabbi Richman is currently engaged in a speaking tour of the USA. For the duration of his visit Temple Talk will be served up in one-hour prerecorded segments.

Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem,

Yitzchak Reuven

THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE

PO Box 31876

Jerusalem, Israel 97500

www.templeinstitute.org

Masons are Deceived or Deceiving

What Church Members Should Know About Masonry

Save Jews from self-destruction

Re: Malcolm Hoenlein and Howard Rieger Fail the Jewish People Again [Post 296298420, reply to 296293090]

Yes, those Jews who remain in their self-imposed exile are proving how self-absorbed they are, swallowed up in the darkness of assimilation, due to die in their sins unless they selflessly make the move and follow Judaism to the Jewish Homeland of Israel where they belong. Perhaps somebody or something will put a fire under their butts to help get them going and save Jews from self-destruction. God knows.

www.davidbenariel.org

Of Baptists and Mormons

Of Baptists and Mormons

Recently, while sitting on our front porch to take a break from the computer, I noticed some young people going door to door. There were two fellows and two girls, all nicely dressed and appearing like a fish out of water on this East Side of Toledo.

The two young ladies approached me, and the guys continued to next door. The one started by asking if I attended any church and said they were with some Baptist church in town. I said I no longer attended church services in Toledo, but if I did it would be on the same day as Jesus Christ worshiped - the seventh day Sabbath.

I mentioned how Protestants are still bowing down to Rome, to the pagan popes and Constantine, and not following Jesus' example. She asked if she could at least leave me a Bible tract she had in hand. When I saw it talked about going to Heaven, I asked them why they were spreading such religious lies - that the Bible never offers Heaven as the reward of the saved, but that Jesus clearly stated "the meek shall inherit the Earth."

I said everybody has at least heard that Scripture, and they agreed. I said the Bible says no such thing about going to Heaven. The other girl piped up and said it did. I asked her if she would please show me then. She sort of stomped next to me and turned to a Scripture where it states we've all fallen short of the glory of God and are sinners, and I said, "Yes, that's true, but nowhere does it say anything about going to Heaven." She then turned to another Scripture that also mentions our sinful state and I again said, "Yes, but that says nothing about going to Heaven." She appeared flustered and spouted, "But they show us how to get to Heaven." And I disagreed.

I asked them to ask their minister why they're telling people they go to Heaven when Jesus taught "the meek shall inherit the Earth." I encouraged them to learn what the Bible really teaches. They practically ran off the porch, and the fellows next door - nobody answered there - who had been listening, said, "You have a nice day!" I said, "I'm not your enemy. Don't be afraid of the truth - let it set you free. Tell your minister Jesus Christ said "the meek shall inherit the Earth."

They reminded of those old dolls or toys where you pull the string and they have several recorded messages, like - "I love you!" When I broke their spell, they were at a loss and confused, the truth didn't compute with their traditional way of thinking. I hope they can learn the truth about being born again and Heaven and Hell. I've prayed for them, since I deeply appreciate how God started teaching me truths when I was a teenager.

Then a week or so later, several Mormon fellows stopped just as I was getting ready to go on a bike ride. They were also dressed nicely, with their white shirts and ties and dress pants. One "elder" was from the state of Washington and the other "elder" (both were much younger than me) was from Arizona. I asked if folks in their states didn't need to hear what they had to say. They basically said they had plenty of Mormons out there.

I mentioned how I agreed we're the so-called "Lost Ten Tribes of Israel," but that since they supposedly know that, it's all the more reason they shouldn't be keeping pagan holidays pretending to be Christian and Sunday instead of the seventh day Sabbath and biblical festivals that Jesus Christ and the Church of God kept and keep (which portray God's plan of salvation for all mankind). I reminded them the Church of God was founded on the holy day of Shavuot - Pentecost - in Jerusalem, and that Jesus commanded His followers to commemorate His death every Passover and Paul instructed the Gentiles how to properly keep it and to celebrate the Days of Unleavened Bread in spirit and in truth. The one said he wanted to do more study on the tribes, and wanted to look into why they don't keep Passover.

They were actually enjoyable to talk with, and I heard some things they had to say and then questioned them about it. I didn't do all the talking - just most of it. They wrote down my website's address - www.DavidBenAriel.org - to look up my book, Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall and for more information on Passover and the Twelve Tribes of Israel and about the dietary laws and many other topics we touched upon.

I ran into them in the parking lot of Wal-Mart in Oregon (just East of Toledo) en route to my car, just when I was telling my friend about my experience with them! I hollered over to them, getting in their car, waving, to make sure they looked up my website. Then I saw them again driving through a nearby neighborhood and waved. A Sabbath-keeping Church of God brother who lives in Sweden thought I should read the Book of Mormon to see what I think for myself. So I went to the Oregon library and checked it out and decided to donate a copy of Beyond Babylon to it...

The Mormon Book of the Dead

The Mormon Book of the Dead

Briefly, here's my review of the Book of Mormon:

"We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true."

-From Introduction to the Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon (Mormon, an alleged ancient historian-prophet) - written on metal plates - was given to Mormon's son, Moroni, who added to them and buried them and later revealed their whereabouts to Joseph Smith in the early 1800s, considered a prophet by the Mormons.

I began to recognize error immediately, starting with the introduction that makes reference to Mormon's son Moroni (who appeared to Joseph Smith) as now a "glorified, resurrected being..." What? Has that mortal man, if he even existed, already received his reward when the Bible clearly reveals the righteous, including Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the Prophets, are asleep and await the resurrection and inheritance God offers His people?

Hebrews 11
13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises..39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

Jesus clearly stated, "No man has ascended to Heaven" (John 3:13) and Peter testified that King David is still "dead and buried... David did not ascend into the heavens" (Acts 2:29, 34). Paul and John also reveal that we receive our crown and reward at the return of Jesus Christ and our resurrection:

2 Timothy
Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

Revelation 22
12 “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.

The same Introduction to the Book of Mormon claims that the "Lamanites" (supposedly Israelites who allegedly came from Jerusalem) are the "principal ancestors of the American Indians." That's an illegitimate claim if there ever was one! Not a single American Indian tribe, First Tribes, First Americans, Native Americans - whatever you choose to call them ( I call them Beringian immigrants) - bear any of the biblical birthmarks of fulfilled prophecy.

The birthmarks of fulfilled biblical prophecies include, as the Jerusalem-based Brit Am Israel organization teaches:

According to the Bible ten out of the twelve tribes of Israel split away (1 Kings 12:19), formed their own kingdom of "Israel" (1 Kings 12:20) and were exiled by the Assyrians (2 Kings 17:18). They forget their identity (Hosea 1:9, 7:8; Isaiah 49:21) and became the Lost Ten Tribes. In the future they will re-unite with the Jews (Ezekiel 37; Isaiah 11:13; Jeremiah 3:18) of "Judah", but until then they have a role of their own to fulfill. They were destined to be situated at the continental extremities of the earth such as North America, the British Isles, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa (Deuteronomy 33:13; Isaiah 24:16, 26:15, 41:8-9, 49:6), to be the richest (Genesis 27:28, 49:25; Deuteronomy 33:13-16; Hosea 2:8), and most powerful (Numbers 24:8-7; Micah 5:7-9) nations on earth and to control major international strategic bases (Genesis 22:16-17, 24:60). All of these points together with numerous others show that descendants of the Lost Ten Tribes can only be found amongst Western Nations, especially the English-speaking ones.

Is the Book of Mormon greater than the 10 Commandments? God had Moses write them on stone tablets, not gold plates. And the hidden metal plates collection supposedly included the biblical lots, the Urim and the Thummim, that are strictly to be used only by a priest from the Tribe of Levi (Ezra 2:63) - not by any other tribe:

Exodus 28
30 And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the LORD. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the LORD continually.

Deuteronomy 33:8
And of Levi he said: “Let Your Thummim and Your Urim be with Your holy one, Whom You tested at Massah, And with whom You contended at the waters of Meribah...

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's Kingdom once again established on the earth preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah." - Introduction

The Bible nowhere refers to the "Church of Jesus Christ," but it does make reference twelve times to the Church of God. Furthermore, it appears they consider Joseph Smith the Elijah who was to come.

Speaking of Jesus Christ, "we shall dwell with him eternally in the heavens" - The Testimony of Three Witnesses

As Jesus Christ plainly taught, "the meek shall inherit the Earth." Other Scriptures prove the New Jerusalem will be established on Earth.

"And the honor be to God the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, which is one God." - The Testimony of Three Witnesses

Sounds like they're promoting the pagan trinity doctrine of demons, doesn't it?

"..all mankind were in a lost and in a fallen state" - 1 Nephi 10:6.

Alma 3:26 teaches eternal happiness or misery; Alma 40:15 teaches a state of happiness and a state of misery (before the resurrection, when the Bible says the dead know nothing and the dead are asleep) and they promote the immortal soul lie of the serpent: "The soul could never die" (Alma 42:9), when Ezekiel says twice that "the soul that sins shall die" (Ezekiel 18:4, 20) and Jesus warned of both body and soul getting destroyed (Matt.10:28).

Born Again and Heaven and Hell

I did not read much of the Book of Mormon, but what I did read was enough to recognize that it contradicts the Word of God; what I did read was sufficient to see that it is not Scripture, that it is a lie, a book of the dead:

Isaiah 8:20
20 To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.

Galatians 1
8...if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

The Book of Mormon, a false gospel and spurious scripture, amounts to a mishmash of stories, like a confused child or schizophrenic person would tell, mixing truth with error; The Book of Mormon is a spoof from Satan - a demonic comedy - an abomination.

My hope and prayer is that Mormons will burn their book, return to the basics, get back to the Faith once delivered to Jerusalem, and go by the Book - the Holy Bible.

Isaiah 55:7-9

7 Let the wicked forsake his way,
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
Let him return to the LORD,
And He will have mercy on him;
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
8 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways," says the LORD.
9 "For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways,
And My thoughts than your thoughts.

When you light the lamps

"G-d spoke to Moses, telling him to speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the menorah.'"
(Numbers 8:1-2)
Sivan 9, 5768/June 12, 2008

The Tabernacle has just been inaugurated and now Aaron the High Priest is kindling the golden menorah which stands in the Tabernacle Sanctuary. Previously in the Book of Numbers the tribal encampments have been determined and the Levites have been assigned their tasks in assembling, disassembling and transporting the Tabernacle through the desert. Life for the nation of Israel, after the turmoil of the exodus from Egypt, the receiving of Torah at Mount Sinai and the complete communal effort to construct the Tabernacle and the holy service vessels seems at long last to be settling down into some kind of normalcy.

The particular phrasing of the Hebrew "When you light the lamps" quite literally means, "when you raise up the flames." This can even be understood as a blessing: "May you have mastery over your passions and desires and always raise them up heavenward." The following verse seems to confirm this Divine intention: "Aaron did that, lighting the lamps to illuminate the menorah, as G-d commanded Moses." (Numbers 8:3)

At this point in the chronicles of the children of Israel we fully expect a quiet and peaceful sojourn in the desert and the nation's quick entrance into Canaan, the land promised by G-d Whose presence dwells within their midst. But then things go awry. A series of debacles plague the young nation threatening their physical existence and more so, threatening their unique relationship with G-d. A smooth ride suddenly becomes bumpy, and a few months in the wilderness becomes forty years.

Trouble begins when "The people began to complain, and it was evil in G-d's ears." (Numbers 11:1) Immediately after, the people grow weary of the manna that G-d has provided for them and begin crying for meat, recalling the delicacies that they enjoyed in Egypt, further provoking G-d's anger. The spirit of malcontent soon made its way even to Miriam and Aaron, the sister and brother of Moses, who have harsh words of criticism for Moses, whom G-d calls "My servant." (Numbers 12:8) This, in turn, is followed by the disastrous report of the spies who returned from Canaan with words which questioned G-d's very ability to fulfill His promise, thereby filling the people with despair. And if this isn't enough, as if to add insult to injury, comes the egoistic rebellion of Korach.

Before we add our own harsh words, and condemn this troublesome generation, let's try to gain some perspective. Imagine assembling your own little ones in the family car and starting out for that quiet place in the country that you have so carefully planned for these many months. Imagine that it involves a four hour, (not quite forty year) drive. Now imagine that, say, fifteen minutes into your journey one child decides that he doesn't like the sandwich you have provided, and insists that you stop along the way for a burger. Meanwhile, another child has nasty words for a sibling that requires your intervention. Further on down the road you discover your children fighting over who gets to sit by the window and even catch wind of a plot brewing by which two of the children plan to commandeer from their brothers the best rooms in the cottage when you finally arrive. And just when you are minutes away from your vacation destination and you think that your travel troubles are behind you, all of a sudden your children, united in purpose now for the first time, declare that they don't like the looks of this place and demand that you turn around right now, and take them home.

No doubt we have all experienced such an adventure, and no doubt that once we arrived at our intended destination and settled in, everything was forgotten and everyone was forgiven. Humor aside, the purpose of this comparison is at once to shed light both on the wearisome children and on the long suffering parents. Children are precious gifts who represent the very best of us. We pray for them and promise them all that we can. They shine for us like the stars in heaven, and yet - they are human. We the parents are dismayed by our children when their behavior is less than exemplary, we grow angry, frustrated, impatient and on occasion even raise our voices, but we always, always view them through the benign and adoring eyes of loving parents.

This brings us back to Numbers 8:1-2: "G-d spoke to Moses, telling him to speak to Aaron and say to him, 'When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall illuminate the menorah.' Aaron did that, lighting the lamps to illuminate the menorah, as G-d commanded Moses." The seven candled menorah can be likened to G-d's loving eyes. Before this turbulent journey in the desert G-d says to His children, "raise up the lights - raise yourselves up before me, so that I can see you in this holy light, for in this holy light of the menorah that will shine upon you throughout all the generations, I will always see you, and always see the best in you."

We have been taught that the generation of the desert were like the angels, they were so holy. But they were even better than that: just like our precious angels, they were human. The pure and loving light of the menorah, kindled by one of G-d's own children, is a testimony to His eternal love for each and every one of us.

Tune in to this week's Temple Talk, as Rabbi Chaim Richman and Yitzchak Reuven discuss the kindling of the golden menorah, and begin the journey with the children of Israel into the wilderness.

Please note: This week's Temple Talk, as well as the three upcoming Temple Talk broadcasts will each be one hour in length. Rabbi Richman will be engaged in a speaking tour of the USA for the following three weeks. For the duration of his visit Temple Talk will be served up in three one-hour prerecorded segments.

Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem,

Yitzchak Reuven

THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE

PO Box 31876

Jerusalem, Israel 97500

www.templeinstitute.org

Malcolm Hoenlein and Howard Rieger Fail Again

Malcolm Hoenlein and Howard Rieger Fail the Jewish People Again

In these perilous times, it is essential for Israel , for the American Jewish community and for America that a full public debate and discussion of Israel’s situation take place. Yet, Diaspora Jewry’s most powerful and established “leaders” have ignored the calls for such an event.

by Buddy Macy

Where Did the TWELVE APOSTLES Go?

Where Did the TWELVE APOSTLES Go?

By Herman L. Hoeh

When Paul preached the gospel at Rome, where was Peter? Why is the book of Acts strangely silent about the twelve apostles after their departure from Palestine? Here, revealed at last, is one of history's best-kept secrets!

www.DavidBenAriel.org

Don't aid and abet Nazi-Muslims

Re: Vatican Deserves Destruction [ Post 296286971, reply to 296283152 ]

Quote:

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I hate liars, false prophets, perverts and hate mongers

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IF that were true, you wouldn't kiss Mohammad's butt and aid and abet Nazi-Muslims.

The Arab/Muslim Nazi Connection

Peace Now: Arabs and Jews Must Go Their Separate Ways

THEY MUST GO

May you learn to love the God of Jacob and His People - the Twelve Tribes of Israel - who will soon instruct the world from the Third Temple - not mosque, not cathedral - in Jerusalem (not Rome or Mecca).

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?

Zechariah 8:23
"Thus says the LORD of hosts: 'In those days ten men [representatives of the Lost Ten Tribes of Israel?] from every language of the nations shall grasp the sleeve of a Jewish man, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.""

God is with the Jews!

---

www.davidbenariel.org

Church of God founded in Jerusalem on Shavuot/Pentecost

Acts 2

Coming of the Holy Spirit

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come [it wasn't "done away" like religious liars teach - 1 John 2:4], they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

The Crowd’s Response

5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?”
13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.”

Peter’s Sermon

14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘ And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.
18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.
20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the LORD.
21 And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the LORD
Shall be saved.’

22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him in your midst, as you yourselves also know— 23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death; 24 whom God raised up, having loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that He should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning Him:


‘ I foresaw the LORD always before my face,
For He is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart rejoiced, and my tongue was glad;
Moreover my flesh also will rest in hope.
27 For You will not leave my soul in Hades,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
28 You have made known to me the ways of life;
You will make me full of joy in Your presence.’

29 “Men and brethren, let me speak freely to you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, He would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he, foreseeing this, spoke concerning the resurrection of the Christ, that His soul was not left in Hades, nor did His flesh see corruption. 32 This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. 33 Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear.
34 “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:


‘ The LORD said to my Lord,

“ Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.”’

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

A Vital Church Grows

40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need.
46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

Schizophrenic Christians

God hates it when folks mix some biblical truth with pagan error. It's SPIRITUAL ADULTERY. They adulterate, they pollute, the truth by mixing it with condemned paganism. Spiritually, they're whoring around with false gods and flirting with foreign religions.

Why not keep it simple and love and obey God and do as He says, rather than pagan Rome's thing? Forsake Babylon or suffer the consequences.

Deuteronomy 12

30 take heed to yourself that you are not ensnared to follow them, after they are destroyed from before you [for their wrong religious practices and behavior], and that you do not inquire after their gods, saying, 'How did these nations serve their gods? I also will do likewise.' 31 You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way; for every abomination to the LORD which He hates they have done to their gods...
32 Whatever I command you, be careful to observe it; you shall not add to it nor take away from it.

Jeremiah 10

2 Thus says the LORD: Do not learn the way of the Gentiles...

Jude 1:3
I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints [in Jerusalem, not Rome].

Jeremiah 6:16
"Thus saith Yahweh, stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk there in, and ye shall find rest to your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein."

1 Corinthians 10:19-21
19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.

2 Corinthians 6:14-18
14 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? 15 And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? 16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said:

“ I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”

17 Therefore
"Come out from among them
And be separate, say the Lord.
Do not touch what is unclean,
And I will receive you."
18 "I will be a Father to you,
And you shall be My sons and daughters,
Says the LORD Almighty."

Nothing is ever the fault of a Jew?

Re: Thoughts on Meir Kahane...
The idea that Jew-hatred was the problem of the Jew-hater and that it was the job of the Jew to "educate" the Jew-hater not to manifest that hatred - expressed in the following Talmudic dictum "he who raises his hand to bless you, bless him first; he who raises his hand to kill you, kill him first" - was truly liberating for me, who had always been taught that "good Jewish boys don't fight".

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auld Nick Funny how NOTHING is EVER the fault of a Jew.

You're free to believe that, but, as my articles reveal - it isn't true. However, usually the things they're accused of by those with a murderous hatred against all Jews, isn't true or grossly exaggerated. Unlike such demonically driven Jew-haters, I offer constructive criticism of Jews and Israelis.

Israel's Betrayal of the Jews

Ariel Sharon: From Zionist to Traitor

Abortion: Blood of Innocents (Jeremiah 7:31)

Quote:

I assume, that not being a Jewish boy yourself (as you have previously made clear) you were taught by Jews?

You know what they say about assuming, eh? I am a Christian Zionist, as I've stated many times, who understands the Israelite origins of the West, our Hebrew roots (nothing to do with the religion of Judaism), and the article is written by Ruvy in Jerusalem - not by me - as it clearly states.

Israel and Judah Must Get House in Order Before King Messiah Arrives

__________________
www.DavidBenAriel.org

Vatican Deserves Destruction

Satan and his unclean Babylonian Mystery cult, the unholy faith of the Roman Catholic Church, idolatrous apostates, deserve to be destroyed for slandering the holy name of Jesus Christ, misrepresenting Christianity, engaging in identity theft and religious fraud! At least, in God's good time, when the Jews finally recognize Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, Priest and King, it will be the real Jesus - not the Gentilized Jesus the Roman wolves have pimped.

Jews - the Beast and False Prophet - and Rome's Destruction

Plea to Diehard Catholics & Protestants to Repent

C.H. Spurgeon on Christmas and Roman Catholicism

__________________
www.DavidBenAriel.org

The Watchmen

The Watchmen
"I have set Watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem"
by David Ben-Ariel

With the scattered condition of the Worldwide Church of God after the death of Herbert W. Armstrong (Deut. 32:36; Zech. 13:7), the consequent warning from Gerald Flurry's book Malachi's Message to continue to hold on to those biblical teachings Christ restored to His Church (2 Thes. 2:15); with the betrayal of Rhodesia and the sell-out of South Africa, the surrender of Hong Kong and the Panama Canal without a shot being fired (Lev. 26:19) and Israel's retreat from holy land in foolish exchange for worthless "peace" treaties - even expelling Jews from Sinai and Gaza and other biblical territories, ethnic cleansing of Jews by Jews, instead of sworn Arab enemies who must go or Israel will - truly we're fast descending into the horrible "Time of Jacob's Trouble," the suffocating darkness of the "Great Tribulation." What's left now but the terrible fall of Jerusalem and our British-Israelite nations?

ROME'S FINAL CRUSADE IS ABOUT TO BE LAUNCHED! The unholy "father" will start it by promoting his candidate - his "son" of perdition - to mislead Europe and the world: a supposedly divine emperor, a counterfeit Christ (Rev. 13:14). (The Jews don't expect a divine Messiah, but traditional Christianity does! However, the real Jesus won't return as a human-being (Matt. 24:23), but as the glorified and transfigured Son of God direct from Heaven with a brilliant army of holy angels and resurrected Saints!). Beware the "miracles" from hell the false prophet will perform to deceive the masses EUROPE'S BIG LIE (2 Thes. 2:9).

But God won't leave Himself without a defense team, in fact He's preparing Two Witnesses to take the stand before a "World Court." They'll testify from Jerusalem about Germany's domination of Europe, about the Vatican's growing influence and sway over the European monarchs and masses, the cause and effect of the American, British and Jewish peoples' decline and defeat before "the New Europe," and what the final verdict of "Jacob's Trial" will be. The testimony of the Two Witnesses will be solidly based upon Israel's Bible and history.

God warns the English-speaking nations of White Israelites about the growing European threat by His Watchman (an individual who hails from the Royal House of David) and his assistant (who joins him from the Tribe of Levi). The Davidic messenger is the chief spokesman between the anointed two, ordained by God to get the Word out: THE GERMANS ARE COMING! (Ezek. 33:7; Zech. 12:8; Rev. 11:3-4).

But does that mean that God won't use others to complement their commission? Are the Two Witnesses the only ones warning that Jerusalem's about to fall for "peace" and suffer brutal occupation? (Zech. 14:2). That Israel's about to be betrayed by their European allies? In fact, God says that He's appointed a watchman to warn Israel, but that He's also authorized others to direct attention to their message of warning and hope: "Also I sent watchmen (plural) over you, saying, Listen to the sound of the Trumpet" (Jer. 6:17).

God's MAIN MESSAGE is delivered by the Two Witnesses; they are the Trumpet (Joel 2:1). But those who humbly point others in the right direction, to where God's Menorah is burning brightly, show their spirit of solidarity and rally around God's Work to get the job done! (Matt. 7:21; Luke 9:50; John 3:11; Acts 18:24-28). Unlike some with dangerously impure motives ( Jer. 26:20-24; Acts 19:13; Philip. 1:15), playing politics and wasting precious time and money, they encourage the Church and Nation to listen to HIS FINAL WARNING AND SEEK SHELTER BEFORE THE STORM BREAKS! (I wrote Beyond Babylon: Europe's Rise and Fall with that rich biblical hope in mind!).

God has called us to do a Work! Anyone can and should do good works in private, but God has called us collectively to COME OUT OF THE CLOSET and deliver His Message! We're to help save individuals and nations from the coming Holocaust! Germany and the Jesuits are ready to unleash their SCORCHED-EARTH POLICY! They're about to trigger nuclear WWIII to enforce their Catholic ideas for "world peace!" Anybody who gets in the way of their "Holy Roman Empire" will get burnt! (Rev. 13).

It's our solemn duty, honor and privilege to help warn the world to abandon their Roman Catholic traditions (that Protestants still fall for) and return to the biblical God or suffer the consequences (Rev. 18:4). Those who are truly God's People, once enlightened, will favorably respond and secure their relationship with Israel's God. Too many are still in the dark about traditional Christianity's "white lies" - the hollow days and ways that the serpent has whitewashed - and are sincerely immersed in baptized paganism! (Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 11:14). We must reach out to them in Christian love and compassion, with faith and patience, knowing that the Lord is merciful and doesn't want anybody to perish in the flames of war or Gehenna! (2 Tim. 2:25; 2 Pet. 3:15).

But God is just and His judgment won't linger forever, so we must make every day count in sharing God's love to the world (by faithfully delivering His Message to them) and by developing His holy righteous character in the process!

For out of Zion shall go forth Torah

"For out of Zion shall go forth Torah, and the word of HaShem from Jerusalem."(Isaiah 2:3)
Sivan 3 5768/June 5, 2008
46th day of the Omer

This past Monday, (June 2nd), marked a double anniversary: the reunification of Jerusalem forty one years ago in the Six Day War, and the death of the prophet Samuel nearly three thousand years ago. This historical "coincidence" is in fact highly appropriate, as the life and deeds of Samuel are profoundly bound together with the life and renaissance of Jerusalem, then and now. Samuel, of course, was the last judge to lead the tribes of Israel, concluding the historical period described in the Book of Judges. As such, Samuel, (reluctantly), anointed Israel's first two kings: Saul and David. When David conquered the small walled stronghold of Jerusalem from the Jebusites, he expressed his desire to build a Holy Temple to G-d on Mount Moriah, a plot of land just north of Jerusalem which David had purchased from a Jebusite by the name of Ornan.

It was at this point that Samuel stepped in. Midrash teaches us that Samuel met with David and for the duration of one fateful night the two together poured over an ancient text, known as the scroll of the Holy Temple. The scroll had been handed by G-d to Moses at Mount Sinai, and it contained the blueprints for the future Temple. With the advent of the monarchy and triumphant conquest of Jerusalem, Samuel realized that the historic moment had arrived. Not only did he share the Temple Scroll with David, but he also presented innovations and oversaw the laying of the foundations of the Holy Temple that King Solomon would eventually complete.

But Samuel's impact on the history of Jerusalem and the Holy Temple goes far beyond his personal involvement in the Temple's early construction. Samuel was consecrated by his mother Hannah, even before he was born, to be raised and educated in the Tabernacle which then stood at Shiloh. His upbringing in the service of G-d and within such close proximity of His holy presence had a profound impact on Samuel. As an adult, and in his capacity as shofet - judge - and prophet over the children of Israel, Samuel brought the sanctity of the Tabernacle to the people in the form of the justice that he meted out. Tirelessly traveling from town to town he nurtured the villagers' love of Torah, love of justice and love for G-d at a critical time in the nation's history, as the loosely held together confederation of Israelite tribes was being beset by an ever increasing existential threat at the hands of the growing might of the Philistines.

Pressed by the people, Samuel anointed Saul as king. King Saul's eventual downfall came as a result, not of a military defeat, (for he had subdued the Amelekites), but as a result of his failure to mete justice. The dispensation of justice would become for King David the true test of his dedication to the G-d of Israel, and his submission to G-d's justice would lead to his acquisition of Mount Moriah. No figure in Scriptures is more closely identified with justice then David's son Solomon, the builder of the first Holy Temple.

We are often asked at the Temple Institute, "How long will it take to build the Holy Temple?" Clearly when the decision is taken to begin the monumental project of rebuilding the Holy Temple, destroyed by the Romans some two thousand years ago, there will be no shortage of architects and artisans and engineers and masons to complete the task swiftly. But the true answer to the question "How long?" can only be expressed in the following manner: As long as it takes for justice, true justice as revealed to the nations of the world by Torah, the word of the living G-d, to spring forth from Zion, to be sounded in Jerusalem. That's how long it will take to build G-d's Holy Temple. For where there is justice, G-d will reign. From where justice spreads forth, His presence will dwell.

Blessings from the holy city of Jerusalem,
Yitzchak Reuven
THE TEMPLE INSTITUTE
PO Box 31876
Jerusalem, Israel 97500
www.templeinstitute.org

Shurat HaDin: Mazuz Afraid of the Wakf

Shurat HaDin: Mazuz Afraid of the Wakf

reprinted from The Jerusalem Post
29 Iyar 5768, 03 June 08 03:04

(IsraelNN.com) The Shurat HaDin legal group plans to file a plea to the Supreme Court on Monday asking that Attorney General Menachem Mazuz be forced to stop blocking a complaint against the Muslim Wakf. The Wakf is in control of the Temple Mount. Over 150 Israelis have filed suit against the Wakf for allegedly destroying artifacts on the Temple Mount and conducting illegal construction work in the area.

Members of Shurat HaDin argued Monday that Mazuz was preventing the suit due to his own fear of the Wakf. "We plan to send the racist Muslim leadership to jail for the crime of destroying Jewish artifacts on the Temple Mount," they said, "And if the Attorney General does not have the courage to do this himself Ñ he should at least not get in our way."

Temple Institute Articles

The Vessels The Altar The Incense The Laver The Menorah The Table of Showbread The Priestly Garments The Urim V'Tummim Where is the Ark of the Covenant?
	The Festivals The Festival of Sukkot (Tabernacles) The Festival of Passover: "Time of Our Freedom" The Festival of Shavuot: Bringing the Firstfruits to the Temple The Sacrificial Service: Getting Near to G-d
	The Temple The Tabernacle Solomon's Temple Why Not Rebuild the Tabernacle First? Which Comes First, the Messiah or the Temple? How do We Understand the Vision of the Future Temple as Described in the Book of Ezekiel?
	Addenda The Oral Tradition About the Oral Tradition Why do we leave out the "o" in G-d?

Barroso to inaugurate European synagogue
PHILIPPA RUNNER

European Commission president Jose Manuel Barroso will in a ceremony on Wednesday (4 June) help dedicate a Brussels temple as the "Great Synagogue of Europe," amid prayers for EU leaders to act justly.

The synagogue - an 1878 Romanesque-style building in Brussels' central Rue de la Regence - is to become a symbolic focal point for Judaism in Europe, a little like St Peter's Basilica in Rome is for Roman Catholics...

The event will involve the reading of a specially-drafted "Prayer for Europe" as well as singing by the European Choir - a Brussels-based team of 100 singers from 20 EU states set up in 1958 to act as "musical ambassadors for Europe."

The prayer will ask for happiness for European citizens and for the continent's leaders to act with justice and equanimity to create a "spiritual union," Polish daily Rzeczpospolita reports.

"The EU appears to be convinced that the European construction must not only be based on economic interests but also on religious and spiritual well-being," chief rabbi Albert Guigui of the Rue de la Regence church told the European Jewish Press...

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Pope John Paul II promoted the spiritual union of Europe under the Vatican banner, appealing to Europe's bitter roots. If Jews only knew - or would dare to believe - that the German-Jesuit EU is forging Germany's Fourth Reich, intent to revive the unholy Roman Empire (with all its serious implications), they wouldn't be wasting their time and money building a Great Synagogue in Europe but would quickly follow Judaism to the Jewish homeland and work toward the Third Temple.

But that would mean Jews are wise and learn from history and don't just mindlessly repeat the mantra "Never Again!"

www.DavidBenAriel.org

Israel, US Urging Europe to Take Iranian Threat Seriously
Jerusalem (CNSNews.com) – Iran poses the “most serious and imminent threat to global security and stability,” Israeli prime minister said on Tuesday. Ehud Olmert also said economic and political sanctions must be “dramatically increased” to stop Iran from getting nukes.
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Europe to Take Out Iran For Jerusalem
As the United States called upon Israel to become their virtual protectorate during Operation Desert Storm, the European Union will offer Israel guarantees of peace and security. Europe, not the overextended and highly inflated United States, will take out Iran.

www.DavidBenAriel.org

No Bible Zone-U.K.

I have been told that Muslims were coming into the West for the freedoms here. If this were true then why are they slowly turning the West into the Middle East part 2, as they form their own communities in non Islamic countries and start enforcing their own rules? The answer is simple, they do not respect non-Muslims and have no intentions of assimilating.

You can't preach the Bible here, this is a Muslim area.
(What a community policeman told two Christians)

By Steve Doughty and Andy Dolan
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David Ben-Ariel said...

It's not only in our British-Israelite countries, but such madness occurs daily in the Jewish homeland too, and it's been going on for years!

Jewish guards prevent Christians and Jews from exercising their religious right to pray on the Temple Mount? That's right! Only Muslims have unlimited access to Judaism's most holy site. Only the Koran is permitted within. The Tanach (Jewish Scripture, known to much of the world as the "Old Testament") and Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) are forbidden. Yet Israel claims to respect the religious rights of all people.

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?

During a 1995 Root and Branch lecture in Jerusalem, Professor Nahum Rakover, author and then Deputy Attorney General of Israel, publicly agreed with me that it isn't illegal for Christians or Jews to pray upon the Temple Mount, even though it is forcibly prevented by the police.

Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount

www.DavidBenAriel.org

Saints

Daniel 7

27 Then the kingdom and dominion,
And the greatness of the kingdoms under the whole heaven,
Shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High.
His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,
And all dominions shall serve and obey Him.’

Saints can refer to anybody set apart, sanctified, to serve our Great Creator God, the God of the Bible, the God of Israel: physically it refers to those literal descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (the Fathers, for whose sakes' we are beloved), the Twelve Tribes of Israel; spiritually it refers to those who have the Holy Spirit of God.

Just What Do You Mean...Kingdom of God?

Kingdom of God-Beings to Rule Earth from Jerusalem!

www.DavidBenAriel.org

Pope John Paul II Was No Saint

How some are so easily fooled! National Perspective, written by David Shribman, a Jew, heaps praise upon Pope John Paul II in "A Pope for All People". A pope for all people? As if he were God's greatest gift to mankind, especially to Jews (truly anti-Christ, vicar, in place or stead of the real Jesus).

Popes are for members of the Roman Catholic cult of Mystery Babylon, as many Protestants once acknowledged (even if they condemned themselves in doing so, as they are daughters of that religious system).

How ominous, considering biblical prophecies warn of an impending interfaith intoxication that will cause many to stumble and fall for another religious world leader in the same bloody Vatican office pretending to be a pope for all peoples.

The plain truth is that the pagan pope (Catholics aren't Christian) was a Roman wolf in sheep's clothing, a politician who spoke out of both sides of his mouth. Remember the popes are both a religious leader and head of state.

By Pope John Paul II's support for an accursed "Palestine" - a perversion of dismembered parts of the Holy Land occupied by Arabs, an artificial division of the Promised Land of ISRAEL (Joel 2:3) - he aided and abetted the Nazi-Muslim goal of the phased destruction of the Jewish Homeland of Israel (Ps. 83:4); the pagan pope met with the hardened criminal guilty of shedding the most Jewish blood since Hitler, Herr Arafat, upon Judaism's holiest site, the Temple Mount - polluting it with their unholy presence. (Foreshadowing Europe's imminent wannabe divine emperor and sorcerer-pope defiling the Third Temple?).

The representative of the bloody Vatican, infamous for its RATLINES that helped innumerable Nazis escape justice, failed to release the silver and the gold, the Temple treasures that are held hostage in the chambers of the Vatican, to Jerusalem where they belong, as Gershon Salomon, chairman of the Temple Mount Faithful, and other Jewish leaders and rabbis, including Israeli Parliament members, requested.

I confess Pope John Paul II spoke pretty platitudes, and appeared to be different, however we're warned even Satan appears as an angel of light and looks can be deceiving, but the bottom line is he's the same old thing: an unrepentant leader of the Roman Catholic Church that covets the Temple Mount; the representative of a monstrous church that continues to dream of a Crusader-Kingdom with Jerusalem as its capital even if it becomes the world's worst nightmare; a false father figure who abused his innocent appeal to call upon Europe to remember their roots, to revive the unholy Roman Empire that will wreak havoc upon all in the name of their Pax Romana, their counterfeit kingdom of God, that won't hesitate to come to power over the dead bodies of anybody who gets in their way.

www.DavidBenAriel.org

Catholics, Protestants and Ron Weinland

Re: Herbert W. Armstrong [ Post 296269130, reply to 296266525 ]

Even as Catholics and Protestants misrepresent Christianity, apostates to various degrees, Ron Weinland mixes truth with error and misrepresents the Sabbath-keeping Church of God.

The Plain Truth About Ron Weinland
Ron Weinland is drunk on his delusions...
Ron Weinland is a FALSE PROPHET and illegitimately claims to be one of the Two Witnesses.

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www.davidbenariel.org

Remove the foreign objects from Temple Mount

FROM WND'S JERUSALEM BUREAU
Temple Mount '100% Islamic'
by Aaron Klein
**************

The sooner the Israelis throw down the militant Muslims from the Temple Mount, remove the foreign objects from Judaism's holiest site, and build the Third Temple, the better!

Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount
During a 1995 Root and Branch lecture in Jerusalem, Professor Nahum Rakover, author and then Deputy Attorney General of Israel, publicly agreed with me that it isn't illegal for Christians or Jews to pray upon the Temple Mount, even though it is forcibly prevented by the police.

Restore Israeli Sovereignty Over Temple Mount
The Wakf, the militant Muslim authority that oversees Jerusalem's Temple Mount, Judaism's holiest site and Islam's alleged third holiest site (following Mecca and Medina) continue to show blatant disregard for Jewish, Christian and biblical history and non-Muslim sensitivities.

A House of Prayer For All Peoples?
Jewish guards prevent Christians and Jews from exercising their religious right to pray on the Temple Mount? That's right! Only Muslims have unlimited access to Judaism's most holy site. Only the Koran is permitted within. The Tanach (Jewish Scripture, known to much of the world as the "Old Testament") and Christian Scriptures (the New Testament) are forbidden. Yet Israel claims to respect the religious rights of all people.

Jerusalem - City of Peace

Jerusalem - City of Peace

by Rabbi Shalom Schwartz

Being in Jerusalem is the fulfillment of the hopes and prayers of millions of Jews over the generations.

Jerusalem is referred to as the Holy City. The Torah says that there's a special relationship that the Almighty has with this particular point in space. For most people who live in Jerusalem, and even most visitors, that translates to some sense of a special feeling or a special consciousness. What is this uniqueness all about?

Sometimes it expresses itself in the most unexpected ways. One day I was taking a taxi, and as soon as the ride began, the driver turned to me and said, "Teach me some Torah."

"Is this the cost of the fare?" I asked.

"No, it's the tip."

I shared a few words of Torah with him. "Now it's your turn," I said. "We have a long trip left."

And he proceeded to weave together a web of beautiful Torah, drawing from Kabbalah and other esoteric sources. He was really getting into it, and I started to worry about whether his attention was on the road. When he finally finished, I was in awe.

"Where do you get this stuff from?" I asked him.

"What do you think I do all day? I collect Torah."

Welcome to Jerusalem! Where even the taxi drivers learn Torah all day!

Jerusalem: The Center Point

In so many places we find references to Jerusalem as the center of Jewish focus. We see it in our holidays when we say, "Next year in Jerusalem" at the end of our Passover Seder. We say it while dancing at the conclusion of Yom Kippur. It's that constant hope and prayer for Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is also the centerpiece of our prayers. Whether we're standing in silent meditation, or thanking the Almighty for our food, we express a prayer for the well-being of this place. This city -- and the mountain in the Old City which was the site of the two temples -- is the point to which all of our prayers are also physically directed. Jews around the world face Jerusalem when they pray.

People living in Jerusalem position themselves and their synagogues in relation to the Temple Mount. We all face this spot, wherever we are in the world. When we stand in silent prayer, we imagine ourselves as though we are standing in that place. This point in space is the center of Jewish hopes, of Jewish dreams; it is a place of reference. It is the site of the two temples which were a living reminder of God's presence in the world. It was a place where anyone could go to get in touch with the transcendental. It was a place where they were reminded that there was something intrinsically meaningful in their lives worth striving to get close to.

A Wedding Reminder

There is a custom of putting ashes on a groom's forehead at the moment just before walking to the wedding canopy. This -- and the broken glass under the canopy -- are there to remind us of the destruction of the Temple and of Jerusalem. It's a reminder that, as the Psalmist wrote, I put Jerusalem above my highest joys. [1]

For some this may seem like putting a damper on what is one of the greatest moments in a person's life. The Rabbi gets up and says, "Let's all remember the destruction of Jerusalem." It seems so odd. But when you think of it in terms of the statement, "I put Jerusalem above my highest joy," it simply means that there is further to go. At a moment when you have the great excitement of a wedding, and there is a profound sense of completion, you are enjoined to remember that the joy of life is not yet full. There are people who still suffer in the world. There's a recognition that we haven't yet gotten there.

How do we remember what there is? We remember Jerusalem. By breaking a glass, we remember that Jerusalem has not completed itself. All the Jewish people are not back in Israel; the Temple is not rebuilt. The spiritual center of Jerusalem hasn't achieved its goal. Breaking this glass, and putting those ashes on the groom's forehead at every wedding, serve as constant reminders. It's as the psalmist wrote "If I forget Jerusalem, may my right hand lose its cunning." [2] That's an astonishing statement. Somehow I'm missing my very strength for living and my ability to achieve in this world, if I forget what Jerusalem means.

Finding Focus

I used to work with Russian Olim (new immigrants to Israel). When they first arrived, they would be sent to centers all over the country to help them make the difficult transition into this new life. Understandably, many of them found the adjustment very challenging. Frequently, I heard that if they had been brought here to Jerusalem initially, it would have given them a focus.

One time, a Russian man was sitting in my office. As he gazed out at the Western Wall, he said, "I've been here for six months. I wish that when we first arrived, that we'd come here. Then I would have had a different perspective on all these six months of tribulations." That same focus is what enabled the Jewish people to cope with the suffering of two millennia. It gave them a goal that allowed them to transcend the moment of suffering.

What is this focus? What is this goal and meaning?

I remember my grandmother describing to me her first visit to Israel. She told me how they got off the boat (this was in the '50s), and she got down on the ground, and she cried. She kissed the ground. She felt the privilege of being in Israel after her entire family had been lost in the Holocaust. She knew that all of her eight brothers and sisters would have given anything to be in her shoes at that moment.

That sense of privilege is what pervades our discussion of Jerusalem. When we talk about a special focus and a special goal, we're speaking about a reminder of the privilege of being back in this city, as the fulfillment of the hopes and prayers of millions of Jews over the generations. We're talking about the awareness of the unique goal of the Jewish people in history, and the meaning of this place in our lives as an expression of that goal.

City of Peace

According to many, Yerushalayim (the Hebrew name of the city) comes from two words: Ir and Shalem. Ir means city. The second part is Shalem. It comes from Shalom, peace. City of Peace.

The word Shalem comes from the word to complete, or to perfect. Shlaimut in Hebrew, is to fulfill oneself, to achieve a level of completion in one's life. Jerusalem is the City of Completion.

A city, "ir," as Rabbi Shimshon Raphael Hirsch points out, is different from rural life. Rural life is more personal, more family-based. You are distant from your neighbors. You have your own farm to take care of. Urban life brings people into closer proximity with each other. There is an interaction of human beings with - hopefully -- a specific purpose. In the Bible, cities began to appear when human beings wanted to produce that which they couldn't produce separately. So, the combination of human ability, initiative, and experience creates the opportunity for the individual to create much more than he can make by himself. Thus, a city is the focal point of human interaction.

The Hebrew word for city comes from the root which means "to wake up." A city then is a place in which we can awaken our creativity and potential by interacting with other human beings in a way that we could not have if we were by ourselves. So, Jerusalem -- Ir/Shalem -- is a place to wake up to peace, an inner peace.

It's very odd that the city of peace has been filled with strife for so many thousands of years. Perhaps it is a symbol of the struggle of humanity and of the individual, neither of whom have yet found that peace. As long as Jerusalem is in strife, we as humanity have not found a way to bring completeness and peace into the world.

This means that Jerusalem is also a point of reference; a measuring rod. It is a place to wake up to what that peace could be, both globally and individually. Individually, what parts of me are not yet at peace? Jerusalem is a place to consider what conflicts I still have, and that I need to resolve, with my past, with my future, with my family, and within myself. It is a place which provides the space and ability to regret the mistakes of the past and to move on. In it, the parts of the whole are somehow able to come together.

If shalem is inner harmony, and Jerusalem is a place to awaken to this, then waking up to Jerusalem means a recognition of what could be, and somehow a sense of what I'm missing in relation to that; where I have to go, and how to bring that about.

For generations, our ancestors have looked to Jerusalem as the fulfillment of our hopes and dreams as a people. We keep a reminder of it wherever we go -- including in our prayers, and at our times of greatest joy -- to help keep us focused on our goal in this world. When we speak of the special quality of this place, we are talking about its power to truly awaken us to the incredible potential of individuals and humanity to realize a true peace and completion that will come from realizing their potential. May we always keep the fire of Jerusalem alive and burning in our hearts.

Abridged from an Aishcafe.com class.

[1] Psalms: 137:6
[2] Psalms: 137:5

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Jews didn't pray for 2,000 years to return to Zion to pray at a Wall (by Turkish decree). It appears the wall has blocked Jewish vision of the Temple Mount where Jews belong. Are Jews ready to make aliyah?

Jews Must Demand Rights to Temple Mount

Restore Israeli Sovereignty Over Temple Mount

Where's the Temple On the Temple Mount?

G-d Doesn't Listen to Jewish Prayers at the Western Wall

Third Temple Coming Soon to Jerusalem!

The Issue of the Temple Mount

www.DavidBenAriel.org