No women or children during Passover?

This is another important topic that we need to be aware of as we return to the ancient path! I have done a message titled “Uncovering the Ancient Torah,” which shows that the Temple Scroll and Jubilees are Torah, if you have not seen the message, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/lQoN-diWM_A?si=lgKrkb5KnuSABmu- . And the Temple Scroll message by itself, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/ZdXPVHtuA8M?si=bSNqcbJoqL_FARS7

Both books include important commands that we need to be aware of regarding Passover. And it starts with the understanding that the Zadok priests knew already.

Damascus Document Fragment 3 page 156 (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls)

“…Why does a man betray his brother…Let NO YOUNG MAN OR WOMAN EAT THE SACRIFICE OF PASSOVER…”

Damascus Document (Wise, Abegg, and Cook) Fragment 3, page 358 Proscriptions concerning the Passover:

“…Have we not all one father? Has not one ELOHIM created us? Why then are we faithless to one another? (Mal. 2:10) LET NOT A YOUNG BOY OR A WOMAN EAT THE PASSOVER SACRIFICE…”

The Zadok priests were adamant that only males can eat the Passover! They were the ones entrusted by YAHWEH for making the proper rulings as they properly understood and interpreted the Torah!

Ezekiel 44:24 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“They (Zadok priests) are to teach My people the difference between the set-apart and common and enable them to distinguish between clean and unclean. They are to be JUDGES IN CONTROVERSIES, and they are to RENDER DECISIONS IN KEEPING WITH MY RULINGS. At all My designated festival they are to keep My laws and regulations, and they are to keep My shabbats set-apart.”

 Where are they getting this from? We find this command written to the very two books that are a part of the Torah.

Temple Scroll (Wise, Abegg, and Cook) Column 17:6-9

“On the fourteenth day of the first month, at twilight, let them keep the Passover to YAHWEH. They shall sacrifice the Passover offering prior to the evening offering. EVERY MALE AGED TWENTY YEARS AND UP shall prepare it. Then they are to eat it at night, in the courtyards of the Temple. Afterwards they shall arise early in the morning and return home.”

Temple Scroll (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 195-196

“Let them prepare on the fourteenth day of the first month between dusk and dark the Passover of YAHWEH. They shall sacrifice it before the evening offering and shall sacrifice…MEN from TWENTY YEARS OF AGE AND OVER shall prepare it. They shall eat it at night in the set-apart courts. They shall arise early and each shall go to HIS tent…”

Temple Scroll (Charlesworth) Column 17:6-9 pages 293-295

“And they shall prepare on the fourteenth day of the first month, between the evenings, the Passover to YAHWEH and they shall sacrifice it before the evening meal-offering. They shall sacrifice it, EVERY MALE from the AGE OF TWENTY YEARS AND ABOVE. They shall prepare it and eat it at night in the courts of the set-apart place. And they shall rise early and each MAN shall go to HIS tent.”

Jubilees 49:16-17 (Hermeneia translation)

“It is not therefore to be eaten outside of YAHWEH’s sanctuary but before YAHWEH’s sanctuary. All the people of the Israelite congregation are to celebrate it at its time. EVERY MAN who has come on its day, WHO IS 20 YEARS OF AGE AND ABOVE, is to eat it in the sanctuary of your ELOHIM before YAHWEH…”

Therefore the “all souls” in Exodus 12 would have to meet these requirements!

Why do the males have to be 20 years old and upward? Because according to scripture, 20 is the age of maturity.

Exodus 30:14-15 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

 “Everyone over TWENTY YEARS OF AGE who is subject to the census is to give this offering to YAHWEH — 15 the rich is not to give more or the poor less than the half-shekel when giving YAHWEH’s offering to atone for your lives.:

Numbers 1:2-3 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Take a census of the entire assembly of the people of Isra’el, by clans and families. Record the names of all the men 3 TWENTY YEARS OLD AND OVER who are subject to military service in Isra’el. You and Aharon are to enumerate them company by company.”

Numbers 14:28-29 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Tell them this: ‘As surely as I live, YAHWEH swears, as surely as you have spoken in my ears, I will do this to you: 29 your carcasses will fall in this desert! Every single one of you who were included in the census OVER THE AGE OF TWENTY, you who have complained against me…

The Messianic Rule (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 160

“He shall not approach a woman to know her by lying with her before he is fully TWENTY YEARS OLD, when he SHALL KNOW GOOD AND EVIL.”

Temple Scroll (Wise, Abegg, Cook) Column 39:1-6

“Entering the courtyard shall be all the congregation of Yisra’el, together with any fourth-generation proselyte born among you, AGES TWENTY AND UP. NO WOMAN SHALL ENTER IT, NOR ANY YOUNG MAN BEFORE THE DAY on which he fulfills the law and pays his atonement money to YAHWEH:”

Damascus Document (Wise, Abegg, Cook) Column 15:5-6 page 68

“Whoever enters the covenant, for all Israel this is a perpetual observance; any children who REACH THE AGE to be included in the registrants, they shall impose the covenant oath upon them.”

Damascus Document (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) Column 15:6 page 138

“And all those who have entered the Covenant, granted to all Israel forever, shall make their children who HAVE REACHED THE AGE OF ENROLMENT, swear with the oath of the Covenant.”

The Damascus Document by Steven D. Fraade page 77

Concerning the age of enrollment he writes “This is TWENTY YEARS OLD, as in Exodus 30:14, with similar language, and 1Q28a (1Qsa) 1:8-11.”

This does not mean that the woman was not at home eating unleavened bread while he was gone as we know that the command to eat unleavened bread extends to the entire household, but we see that no woman or a child under 20 was not allowed to enter the courts with the males to participate in the ceremony. I believe the reason for the women being excluded from eating the Passover is attached to the first-born MALES being struck down during the 10th plague and therefore serves as a reminder to them. Though it would already been understood the Good News Translation makes it quite clear that it was the males who were struck down in Egypt.

Exodus 11:4-5 (Good News Translation)

“Moses then said to the king, “YAHWEH says, ‘At about midnight I will go through Egypt, and every FIRST-BORN SON, who is heir to the throne, to the SON of the slave woman who grinds grain. The first-born of all the cattle will die also.”

Exodus 12:12, 29 (Good News Translation)

“On that night I will go through the land of Egypt, killing every FIRST-BORN MALE, BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL, and punishing all the elohim of Egypt. I am YAHWEH.” Verse 29 “At midnight YAHWEH killed all the FIRST-BORN SONS in Egypt, from the king’s SON, who was heir to the throne, to the SON of the prisoner in the dungeon; all the first-born of the animals were also killed.”

We are given the reason as to why the males are to partake of the Passover because it is a reminder of what happened in Egypt. The precept is given in:

Exodus 13:11-15 (Good News Translation)

“YAHWEH will bring you into the land of the Canaanites, which He solemnly promised to you and your ancestors. When He gives it to you, you must offer every FIRST-BORN MALE to YAHWEH. Every FIRST-BORN MALE of your animals belongs to YAHWEH, but you must buy back from Him every FIRST-BORN MALE donkey by offering lamb in its place. If you do now want to buy back the donkey, break its neck. You must buy back every FIRST-BORN MALE child of yours. In the future, when your SON asks what this OBSERVANCE MEANS, you will answer him. ‘By using great power YAHWEH brought us out of Egypt, the place where we were slaves. When the king of Egypt was stubborn and refused to let us go, YAHWEH killed every FIRST-BORN MALE in the land of Egypt, BOTH HUMAN AND ANIMAL. THAT IS WHY WE SACRIFICE EVERY FIRST-BORN MALE ANIMAL TO YAHWEH, BUT BUY BACK OUR FIRST-BORN SONS. This observance will be A REMINDER, like something tied on our hands or on our foreheads; it will REMIND us THAT YAHWEH brought us out of Egypt by His great power.”

Therefore, when we read in Exodus 12:3 “Give these instructions to the whole community of Yisra’el: On the tenth day of this month each man must choose either a lamb or a young goat for his household.” That this would be according to the instructions given from the Temple Scroll and Jubilees.

We can now connect the dots to the Passover that YESHUA had with His disciples!

 Matthew 26:20 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And when it was evening He sat by the table to eat with His TWELVE TALMIDIM (disciples).”

Mark 14:17-18 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And when it was evening, YESHUA came with the TWELVE TALMIDIM—and while they were eating, YESHUA said to them, “Truth I say to you that one of you who EATS WITH ME will betray Me.”

Luke 22:14 (Lamsa Aramaic)

“And when it was time, YESHUA came and sat down, and the TWELVE APOSTLES with Him.”

We see that there were no women in attendance, even His own mother Mary was not there even though she was alive (Acts 1:14). There has been a conjecture about other people being present in the room, but there is no evidence for it. The scriptures say plainly that it was YESHUA and the twelve disciples who were all males! YESHUA’s Passover did not look like our modern versions where males and females gather and partake of it. This is further evidence that the Temple Scroll and Jubilees are both Torah and that YESHUA was following the guidelines contained within them, as we know He followed the Torah perfectly.

Numbers 9:6-14 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

6 But there were certain people who had become UNCLEAN because of someone’s corpse, so that they could not observe Pesach on that day. So they came before Moshe and Aharon that day 7 and said to him, “We are unclean because of someone’s corpse; but why must we be kept from bringing the offering for YAHWEH at the time designated for the people of Isra’el?” 8 Moshe answered them, “Wait, so that I can hear what YAHWEH will order concerning you.” 9 YAHWEH said to Moshe, 10 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘If any of you now or in future generations is unclean because of a corpse, or if he is on a trip abroad, nevertheless he is to observe Pesach. 11 But he will observe it in the second month on the fourteenth day at dusk. They are to eat it with matzah and maror, 12 they are to leave none of it until morning, and they are not to break any of its bones — they are to observe it according to all the regulations of Pesach. 13 But the person who is clean and not on a trip who fails to observe Pesach will be cut off from his people; because he did not bring the offering for YAHWEH at its designated time, that person will bear the consequences of his sin. 14 If a foreigner is staying with you and wants to observe Pesach for YAHWEH, he is to do it according to the regulations and rules of Pesach — you are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the citizen of the land.’”

The only unclean concern mentioned for Pesach was touching a dead body or away on a long journey. It is interesting that they did not asking about the menstruating women. This would have been a concern since this is a reoccurring bodily function of a woman. And what would happen if this occurred on Passover? However, there is complete silence on this issue as they did not even bring it up, so the issue of purity concerning Passover was already understood amongst the children of Yisra’el. Baumgarten confirms this as well in an article on this subject which I will quote in another section.

Qumran

by Aharon Shemesh Qumran | Jewish Women's Archive jwq.org/encyclopedia/qumran

“The comparison of women with little children is also the basis for the following halakhah in 4Q265: “No young boy and woman shall eat from the Paschal sacrifice.” This halakhah is also found in the Book of Jubilees, where it is written explicitly that TWENTY IS THE AGE OF MATURITY: “Any man who has come of age, that is twenty years and more, shall eat it in the Temple of your God, before God” (Jubilees 49:17). There appears to be NO DOUBT that “MAN” here DOES NOT INCLUDE WOMEN. The exclusion of women from ritual thus finds expression in two ways: they are not permitted to enter the Temple beyond a certain point, though men may do so; and they may not eat from the Paschal sacrifice.”

I would like to confirm what Aharon Shemesh said in the article regarding women not being able to enter the Temple beyond a certain point is true. This is found in The Temple Scroll gives us the specifics regarding the Temple Courts where only priests could enter the inner court, men 20 years old and upward could enter the middle court, and only women and children under 20 would enter the third court. page 611

The Temple Scroll (Wise, Abegg, Cook) Column 38:12-15, Column 39:1-11

“You shall build a second court surrounding the inner court at a distance of one hundred cubits. The length of its eastern wall shall be four hundred eighty cubits, the same dimension applying to all its walls: south, west, and north. Its wall is to be four cubits thick and twenty-eight cubits high. Chambers must be built into the outside surface of the wall, distant from each other three and one-half cubits…Entering the courtyard shall be all the congregation of Yisra’el, together with any fourth-generation proselyte born among you, AGES TWENTY AND UP. And when they enter to prostrate themselves before Me, all the congregation of the sons of Yisra’el, NO WOMAN SHALL ENTER IT, NOR ANY YOUNG MAN BEFORE THE DAY on which he fulfills the law and pays his atonement money to YAHWEH: one half-shekel. This is an eternal law, a memorial wherever they may dwell. The shekel shall equate to twenty gerah. When they collect a man’s half-shekel, I shall be satisfied; afterward he may enter-anyone TWENTY YEARS OLD AND UP.”

The next section is a article written by Joseph M. Baumgarten on the topic:

Scripture and Law in 4Q265

Joseph M. Baumgarten

Baltimore Hebrew College

“Let us now narrow our focus to one fragment of 4Q265, which juxtaposes a biblical citation with a very specific 'halakhic' ruling. The passage quotes Malachi 2:10, "Have we not all one father ? Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?". The following line, which is the last of the column, reads:

hGsph hG[bzb] h#)w +w+(z r(n lk)wy [l)]

Let [neither] a young lad nor a woman eat the paschal [sacrifi]ce

The word before xsp was restored by one of the original editors to read g[xb] but gx without xbz usually refers to a festival, and only rarely to its offering (Ex 23:18). The lectio facilior xG[bzb] may in this case be preferable and it seems compatible with the vestiges on the facsimile.

The exclusion of women and children from sharing in the paschal lamb at first sight seems odd, particularly in the light of the description in Exodus 12, where it is an offering shared by all the 'souls' of each household. However, the passover sacrifice of later generations, twrwd xsp, as the Rabbis called it, was fashioned in accordance with the deuteronomic centralization of all sacrifice in the Temple (Deut 16:5-6). The levitical purity of all who partook of the paschal lamb was consequently a cardinal requirement. It is noteworthy that in Numbers 9:6, r#) My#n) yhyw
xsph t#(l wlky )lw Md) #pnl My)m+ wyh , the problem of those who were impure at the time of Passover SEEMS TO PERTAIN ONLY TO My#n) MEN. The description of the paschal offerings in the days of Josiah as having been distributed M(h ynb lkl (2 Chron 35:13) is likewise susceptible of being understood as limited to males. The author of Jubilees makes this explicit when he restricts the consumption of the paschal sacrifice to men twenty years or older who are to eat it in the sanctuary of the Lord (49:17). A similar ruling is found in the Temple Scroll 17 8-9:

hlylb whwlk)w wtw) w#(y hl(mw hn# [M]yr#( Nbm
#dwq[h ] twrcxb

Those twenty years and older shall perform it and eat it at night in the sacred courts.

The implied exclusion of women and minors from partaking of the paschal offering was apparently a sectarian stringency, later perpetuated in Karaite exegesis.7 The practice prevalent in the late Second Temple period was evidently more lenient, as one gathers from the description of Josephus. He states that each offering was eaten by a fraternity of between ten to twenty people, from which were EXCLUDED "those afflicted with leprosy or gonorrhea, or MENSTROUS WOMEN (gunaixi\n e_pemmh&noij), or persons otherwise defiled" (J.W. 6.426). This is in accord with tannaitic (rabbinic) halakha, such as M. Pesahim 8,1, which allows a woman to partake of the paschal lamb offered by either her father or her husband. Even a menstruant (hbz) who had completed her seven days of purification, could be counted as a participant on the eighth day (8,5): ynym#b hyl( Ny+xw# hbzhw.

The Mishnah does have some limitation on women and minors, that is that they must not be joined with slaves as participants in the Passover offering: Myn+qw Mydb(w My#n trwbx Ny#w( Ny)w "One should not form a group consisting of women, slaves, and minors" (8,7). The reason given in Tosefta (Pes. 8,6) is to prevent indecency, hlpth t) twbrl )l#. In Yerushalmi (Pes. 8,7 36a) the reason stated is "in order to avoid disgracing sacred offerings," Nwyzb ydyl My#dqh t) w)yby )l#, which S. Lieberman took to refer to a hrwbx of all women.8 In 4Q265 the exclusion of women and young lads from the paschal feast is not explained. We note, however, that the same exclusion is applied in 1QM 7:3 to their presence in the war camp: h#(w +w+(z r(n lwkw
Mtwnxml w)wby )wl. Presumably, in both cases their presence was viewed as incompatible with the maintenance of STRICT PURITY.

We must now consider the question: What is the relationship between the quote of Malachi 2:10 in Frg. 4 and the exclusion of women and minors which follows it? That there is such a relationship we consider as assured, for the possibility that the sequence of rhetorical questions ("Has not one God created us? Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?") pertained to something in the preceding context which is missing appears remote. On the other hand, it seems plausible that the Qumran legist, AWARE OF LAX PRACTICES by which men who were participants in the paschal meal would share their portions with their wives and children, was impelled to denounce them as a BREACH OF TRUST AGAINST THEIR PARTNERS. For by involving those whose ritual purity was in doubt the errant partner was seen as subverting the purity of the common meal. It is noteworthy that tannaitic halakha was lenient also in this regard; for according to the Mishnah a paschal lamb which was slaughtered with the intention of feeding it to both the ritually pure and the impure is held to be kosher; those who are pure are not affected by the participation of the unqualified (M. Pes. 5,3).

From a literary perspective, the use of the Malachi quote as a prelude to the Passover rule seems to be an unusual rhetorical device in Qumran 'halakhic' writings. The Damascus Document, which we now recognise as primarily a legal composition, begins with an extended admonition and a historical discourse, but the function of the latter is to bolster the general call for repentance and the acceptance of the sect's interpretation of the laws. The laws themselves are set forth in the legal corpus without additional paraenetic material. Only the ban on polygamy, uncle-niece marriage, and the defilement resulting from failure to properly observe the separation from menstruants, are intertwined with a quote from Isaiah which serves to depict the three nets of Belial (CD 4, 9 -5, 11).

In MMT, the hortatory appeal to the addressee follows the 'halakhic' assertions, which repeatedly use the formula Myrmw) wnxn) "we say". However, the pronouncement concerning intermarriage (twnz) is accompanied by an extended analogy to the biblically forbidden mixing of species. Thus, the use of biblical allusions in 4Q265 in order to support Qumran legal rulings is not entirely without parallels. Moreover, rhetorical questions as literary devices are found elsewhere in Qumran writings (e.g. 1Q27 1 i 10-11)

As the article stated is that the rabbi’s became lenient on allowing women to eat it as long as she was not on her period and given to her by her father or husband. The explanation given by Baumgarten saying “AWARE OF LAX PRACTICES by which men who were participants in the paschal meal would share their portions with their wives and children, was impelled to denounce them as a breach of trust against their partners.” And in another section of the article he says “It is noteworthy that tannaitic halakha was LENIENT ALSO IN THIS REGARD; for according to the Mishnah a paschal lamb which was slaughtered with the intention of feeding it to both the ritually pure AND THE IMPURE IS HELD TO BE KOSHER; those who are pure are not affected by the participation of the unqualified (M. Pes. 5,3).”

The lax practices is a theme that the Zadok priests accused the Pharisees of doing which is being a “seeker of smooth things”

Damascus Document (Ken Johnson) page 25

“Then the curses of the covenant took hold on them, delivering them to the sword to avenge the breaches of the covenant. THESE “SEEKERS OF SMOOTH THINGS” CHOSE DECEIT AND LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW.”

Mary

A theologian by the name of John Gill comments on Luke 2:41 regarding Mary:

Now His parents went to Jerusalem every year…”Joseph was obliged to go three times a year, as were all the males in Israel, at the feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, and tabernacles, Deu 16:16. The first of these is expressed here, at the feast of the Passover; BUT THE WOMEN WERE NOT OBLIGED TO GO UP: FOR SO IT IS SAID BY THE JEWS, “the Passover of women is voluntary”, or in their own power; they might go up to the feast, or not, as they pleased. It is indeed said of HILLEL, who was now alive, that HE OBLIGED THE WOMEN TO THE FIRST, BUT NOT TO A SECOND PASSOVER: to which THE KARAITES OBJECT; the account they gives is as follows “truly the women WERE OBLIGED BY THE SCHOOL OF HILLEL, to the offering of the Passover; but if they were hindered from the first Passover; the second was in their power; that is, the thing depended upon their will and pleasure, whether they would offer or not, which may be justly wondered at; for why should they be obliged to the first, and not the second? For behold, as to the obligation of the Passover, there is no difference between the first Passover, and the second, the sum of the matter is, our wise men on whom be peace, have determined and say, that THERE IS NO OBLIGATION BUT TO MALES, WHO ARE ARRIVED TO MATURITY.”

The ruling of the Karaite Jews happens to agree with the Temple Scroll and Jubilees that only males who were 20 years old and upward could partake of the Passover. This matches what we read in the article above by Joseph Baumgarten in his article regarding the Karaites’ objection to Hillel’s ruling on the topic stating:

“The implied exclusion of women and minors from partaking of the paschal offering was apparently a sectarian stringency, later perpetuated in Karaite exegesis.7 “

We can determine that Mary traveled with Joseph but was not in the Temple courtyard eating the Passover nor did YESHUA as He was not yet 20 years old. And again, she was not present during the Passover of YESHUA when He was an adult. So, we see that even during the first century there were disagreements on this topic, but the Karaites got this right and it aligns with the Temple Scroll and Jubilees! There would be no room for conjecture or guessing had Israelites been following the ancient Torah to this day. I have exhorted the Body of Messiah to run away from the Hillel lunar calendar to the 364-Day Solar Zadok Priestly Calendar and now it’s time to walk away from Hillel’s and the rabbi’s doctrine concerning women eating Passover.

And more evidence that we should be reading these priestly books that have been suppressed by Judaism but revealed by YAHWEH in these last days.

As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

YESHUA IS EL!

John 1:45-49 (Hebrewgpspels.com)

“Then he found Netanel (Nathaniel), and said to him, “We, have found YESHUA the son of Yoseph (Joseph) of Nazareth – it is He of whom Moses wrote in the law and in the prophets!” But Nathaniel said to him, “Can there be any good thing in Nazareth!?” Philip said to him “Come and see Him!” YESHUA MASHIACH saw Nathaniel who came there, and said, “Whom do you think that truth is from --- man of Yisra’el who is without any deception? Nathaniel said to him, “HOW DO YOU RECOGNIZE ME?” YESHUA answered and said to him, “BEFORE Philip had called you, I saw you UNDER THE FIG TREE! Nathaniel answered Him and said, Rabbi, YOU ARE THE SON OF ELOAH --- YOU ARE THE KING OF YISRA’EL!”

Why did the words of YESHUA make an instant believer out of Nathaniel? The Hebrew gospels translation of John has the words “Under the fig tree” in bold text.  The introduction section of John has an explanation about the translation and they state, “Certain words were marked in BOLD according to EMPHASIS IN THE HEBREW MANUSCRIPT—based on special word order etc. – and are NOT OUR EMPHASIS OR INTERPRETATION.”

So, emphasis was placed here for a very good reason because it is drawing our attention to something special. Bishop K. C. Pillai in his book titled “Eastern Customs and Idioms of the Bible” writes on page 46 “If you would say to any man, ‘I KNEW YOU SINCE YOU WERE A CHILD,” you would say, “I SAW YOU UNDER THE FIG TREE.”

Remember Nathaniel said, “How do you recognize me?”  or as the Complete Jewish Scriptures says, “How do you know me?” YESHUA was telling Nathaniel that He is EL and already knew him from the womb, just as we see it written in:

Jeremiah 1:4-5 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Here is the word of YAHWEH that came to me: “BEFORE I formed you in the womb, I KNEW YOU; BEFORE YOU WERE BORN, I separated you for Myself. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.”

Psalms 139:13-16 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For you fashioned my inmost being, YOUR KNIT ME TOGETHER IN MY MOTHER’S WOMB. I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders I know this very well. MY BONES WERE NOT HIDDEN FROM YOU WHEN I WAS BEING MADE IN SECRET, intricately woven in the depts of the earth. YOUR EYES COULD SEE ME AS AN EMBRYO, BUT IN YOUR BOOK ALL MY DAYS WERE ALREADY WRITTEN; MY DAYS HAD BEEN SHAPED BEFORE ANY OF THEM EXISTED.”

Psalms 119:73 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“YOUR HANDS MADE AND FORMED ME; give me understanding, so I can learn your commandments.”

Thanksgiving Hymns, Hymn 7 (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 256

“You alone did create the just AND ESTABLISH HIM FROM THE WOMB.”

Thanksgiving Hymns, Hymn 17 (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 289

“For You have KNOWN ME from the time of my father, AND HAS CHOSEN ME FROM THE WOMB. From the belly of my mother You have dealt kindly with me…”

John 1:1-4 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“In the beginning was THE SON OF ELOAH. The SON OF EL was both with EL, and the SON OF EL WAS ELOAH. This One was IN THE BEGINNING WITH EL. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM; and without Him nothing was made, of that which was made. For He is life – this life is the LAMP OF MEN.”

Nathaniel recognized that YESHUA was divine and His creator. He instantly recognized that YESHUA was the promised Messiah and King of Yisra’el. Furthermore, YESHUA said that there was no deception/nothing false found in Nathaniel, which means that he was righteous. So, adding to this, YESHUA was telling Nathaniel that He has observed his uprightness since His youth, just as it was said to Ezra:

2 Esdras/4th Ezra 6:32

“Because your voice has surely been heard before the Most High; for the Mighty One has seen your UPRIGHTNESS and has observed the purity which you have maintained FROM YOUR YOUTH.”

We know that those who accept YESHUA and walk in righteousness will have eternal life. The fig tree symbolizes peace, prosperity, and abundance that the righteous will have in eternity.

Micah 4:1-4 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“But in the acharit-hayamim (end of days) it will come about that the mountain of YAHWEH’s house will be established as the most important mountain. It will be regarded more highly than the other hills, and peoples will stream there. Many gentiles will go and say, “Come, let’s go up to the mountain of YAHWEH, to the house of the ELOHIM of Jacob! He will teach us about His ways, and we will walk in His paths.” For out of Zion will go forth Torah, the word of YAHWEH from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and arbitrate for many nations far away. Then they will hammer their swords into plow-blades and their spears into pruning-knives; nations will not raise swords at each other, and they will no longer learn war. Instead, each person will sit under HIS VINE AND FIG TREE, with no one to upset him.”

May we all be like Nathaniel to know YESHUA is EL, Messiah, King, Priest, and Prophet, walk in righteousness and obtain eternal life.

Uncovering the ANCIENT TORAH!

Luke 10:25-26 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“An expert in Torah stood up to try and trap Him by asking, “Rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?” But YESHUA said to him, “What is written in the Torah? How do you read it?”

Noce that YESHUA points back to the Torah that He does not limit “Torah” to the five books of Moses alone? He never says what is in the Torah of Moses which is Genesis Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy! We arrived at that conclusion because that is what has been handed down to us. I have mentioned this in previous messages that TheTorah.com mentions that the Torah in the Second Temple period included more than five books.

In the Second Temple Period the idea of “Torah” was not limited to the Five Books of Moses. Prof. Molly M. Zahn writes:

Expanding Torat Moshe

“Ezra-Nehemiah refers to certain laws as torah that are not found in versions of the Pentateuch that we are familiar with. For example, Nehemiah 10:35 mentions a wood offering:

נחמיה י:לה וְהַגּוֹרָלוֹת הִפַּלְנוּ עַל־קֻרְבַּן הָעֵצִים הַכֹּהֲנִים הַלְוִיִּם וְהָעָם לְהָבִיא לְבֵית אֱלֹהֵינוּ לְבֵית־אֲבֹתֵינוּ לְעִתִּים מְזֻמָּנִים שָׁנָה בְשָׁנָה לְבַעֵר עַל־מִזְבַּח יְ־הוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ כַּכָּתוּב בַּתּוֹרָה.

Neh 10:35 “We have cast lots [among] the priests, the Levites, and the people, to bring the wood offering to the House of our God by clans annually at set times in order to provide fuel for the altar of YHWH our God, as is written in the Torah.

It is possible that the authors of Ezra-Nehemiah knew a version of the Pentateuch that did contain these laws.[8] But it is also possible that the authors are attributing the laws to Torah as a way of indicating (or claiming for them) a CERTAIN LEVEL OF AUTHORITY.[9] In other words, they have a broader idea of “Torah of Moses” than what was contained in the written Pentateuch. The latter interpretation is likely in light of a number of Second Temple period texts that present themselves as SINATIC TORAH. Two premier examples are the book of JUBILEES AND THE TEMPLE SCROLL.”

What did YESHUA say?

Matthew 23:13 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“Woe to you, scribes and Perushim (Pharisees) and deceivers! Who hold back THE WAY of the heavenly kingdom from the peoples. So you do not go in, NOR ALLOW THEM TO GO IN.”

YESHUA said that the Pharisees hold back “The Way” of the heavenly kingdom! This is important because what is the scriptural definition of “The Way?”

Psalms 119:1 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“How happy are those whose WAY OF LIFE is blameless, who live by the TORAH OF YAHWEH!”

Psalms 103:7 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“He made His WAYS known to Moses, His mighty deeds to the people of Yisra’el.”

What was given to Moses on Mount Sinai? The 10 commandments! Therefore, the Torah is ELOHIM’s literal WAYS!

2 Esdras 14:30-31

“And received the LAW OF LIFE, which they did not keep, which you also have transgressed after them. Then land was given to you for a possession in the land of Zion; but you and your fathers committed iniquity and did not KEEP THE WAYS which the Most High commanded you.”

Isaiah 64:4 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“You favored those who were glad to do justice, those who remembered You in YOUR WAYS. When you were angry, we kept sinning; but if we KEEP YOUR ANCIENT WAYS, we will be SAVED.”

Malachi 2:9 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Therefore I have in turn made you contemptible and vile before all the people, because you did not keep My WAYS but were partial in applying THE TORAH.”

Revelation 15:3 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And they sang the song of Moses and the song of the Lamb, and said, “Great are the works of YAHWEH Elohei Tseva’ot (YAHWEH Elohim of the armies)! RIGHTEOUSNESS AND TRUTH are your WAYS o King of kings!

Righteousness is Torah (Deuteronomy 6:25) and so is truth (Psalms 119:142)!

YESHUA is saying that the Pharisees have HELD BACK THE TORAH from the people and by them doing so, it prevented not only the Pharisees from entering the kingdom, but also those who were deceived by them.

Matthew 15:12-14 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And His disciples drew near to Him and said, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended because of the word which they heard?” So He answered them and said, “Every plant that My Father did not plant will be uprooted. Let them alone, for they are BLIND LEADERS OF BLIND ONES. And the blind who leads another blind, THE TWO OF THEM WILL FALL INTO THE GRAVE.”

Hosea 4:6 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“My people are destroyed FOR WANT OF KNOWLEDGE. Because you rejected knowledge, I will also reject you as priests for Me. Because you FORGOT THE TORAH OF YOUR ELOHIM.”

As I stated in the message “Bible Definitions”, knowledge is the Torah.

Malachi 2:7 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“A priest’s lips should safeguard KNOWLEDGE, and people should SEEK TORAH from his mouth, because he is the messenger of YAHWEH-Tzva’ot.”

Thanksgiving Hymns (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 269

“And they, TEACHERS OF LIES AND SEERS OF FALSEHOOD, have schemed against me a devilish scheme, to exchange the Law engraved on my heart by You for the smooth things which they speak to Your people. And they WITHHOLD FROM THE THIRSTY THE DRINK OF KNOWLEDGE, and assuage their thirst with vinegar, that they may gaze on their straying, on their folly concerning their feast days, ON THEIR FALL INTO THEIR SNARES.”

The writer of the Thanksgiving Hymns agrees with YESHUA that the false teachers have held back the Torah and taught lies and was a snare to them. They held back the truth from those who were seeking it. The point is that if we do not have the full Torah then that means we will not be able to walk in the complete truth and will be breaking YAHWEH’s commandments. There is proof that the Rabbis have hidden the truth:

In a lecture by Rachel Elior titled “Who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls and why were they forgotten?” she states, “Rabbi’s said any book dealing with the PRIESTHOOD, ANGELS, OR 364 DAY CALENDAR are external books.”

Sefaria.org writes:

“In the Mishnah (Sanhedrin 10, 1) Rabbi Akiva issues a shocking statement: one who reads “SefarimHitzonim” (“external books”) has no share in the world to come!”

The books that they banned just happened to deal with the calendar and angels. The festivals in Temple Scroll are based on the 364-day solar calendar and it strictly defines the commandments of the Torah. Jubilees is also based on the 364-day solar calendar, has angel interaction, angels involved as priests in heaven (Jubilees 30:18) and shows how Noah and Abraham performed priestly duties before the Levitical law. So, it’s easy to see why the Pharisees would want to ban these books and label them as “external” because these books threatened the lunar calendar they adopted, and it threatened the power they had over the people who accepted their oral torah and interpretation of the scriptures as authoritative. So, the best thing for them to do was to threaten the salvation of anyone who dared to read those books and to this very day their threat worked.

If anyone were to read The Temple Scroll and Jubilees, then they would see that what is written in them contradicts the teachings of the Pharisees aka Rabbinical Judaism.

7 Books of the Torah

Understanding that the truth has been intentionally held from believers is critical as outlined above to show that YESHUA never limited His teaching to only 5 books! What did He teach?

Matthew 16:5-12 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And when they came to the shore of the sea to pass on further, they forgot to take their bread. Then He said to them, “Beware of the leaven of the Sadducees and Pharisees.” So they thought in their inward parts saying, “He says this because we do not have bread.’ But YESHUA, who knew what they thought, said to them, “What do you think in yourselves, men without believing? You think that I said this because you do not have bread? Why do you not understand or remember the five loaves and the five thousand men, how many lumps remained? And seven loaves and four thousand men, and how many lumps remained? And why do you not understand that I am not speaking about the bread? But I say to you that you must beware of the leaven of the Sadducees and the Pharisees.” And then they comprehended that He did not speak about the leaven of the house, but OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES.”

Firstly, how many lumps were picked up with the 5,000?

Matthew 14:17-21 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“They answered Him, “We have nothing here besides five loaves and two fishes.” So He said to them, “Bring them to Me.” And He commanded that the people should sit on the grass. Then He took the loaves and the two fishes, and looked into the heavens and blessed them—and broke them and gave them to the disciples. And the disciples gave them to the people. And all of them ate and were satisfied. And the leftovers remained TWELVE FULL LUMPS. And the number of those who ate were five thousand men, besides both women and children.”

How many lumps were picked up with the 4,000?

Matthew 15:34-38 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“But YESHUA said to them, “How many loaves do you have? And they said, “Seven, and a few fishes.” Then He commanded the people that they should sit on the ground. And afterwards He took the seven loaves and the fishes, and He did a prayer of thanksgiving to YAHWEH and broke them and gave them to His disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people. And all of them ate and were satisfied. And of that which remained, they took up SEVEN FULL LUMPS. And those who ate were four thousand men, besides women and children.”

The key numbers in these two accounts are 7 and 12, but what do they represent? 7 is the number of completion and perfection and represents the 7 books of the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, Temple Scroll and Jubilees. The number 12 represents the 12 festivals of YAHWEH!

Temple Scroll Column 11:9-13 (A New Translation by Michael Wise, Martin Abegg and Edward Cook)

“And you shall offer sacrifices upon the altar of burnt offering for all YAHWEH’S FESTIVALS: On the SHABBATS and at the BEGINNING OF MONTHS, and on the FIRST OF THE FIRST MONTH, and on the FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD, and on the day of the WAVING OF THE OMER, and on the FEAST OF THE SECOND PASSOVER, and on the FEAST OF WEEKS, that is, of the Feast of First fruits for Wheat, and on the FEAST OF WINE…and on the FEAST OF NEW OIL and on the SIX DAYS OF THE WOOD OFFERING, and on the DAY OF REMEMBRANCE (YOM TERUAH) and on the DAY OF ATONEMENT and on the FEAST OF BOOTHS…”

In this list we see that the 2nd Passover is mentioned which would make the total13; however, we know that only ONE Passover is to be celebrated by each person. The 2nd Passover is only for those who are unclean or on a long journey (Numbers 9:3-14), therefore, the total number of festivals to be observed by an individual is 12 total!

Also, there are 52 Shabbats in a year, ELOHIM lumps them together and counts them as 1 Festival and although there are 12 months in a year He counts the first day of each month as 1 festival. This would include the Days of Remembrance in Jubilees 6:23 which all fall on the 1st day of month and will be covered in more detail in another section. And the first day of the first month is separated from the other beginning of the months because it is a High-Shabbat just like Yom Teruah is on the 1st day of the 7th month.

Notice after YESHUA asks them how many lumps were picked up after breaking the loaves and fish which were 12 and 7 that YESHUA goes on to tell them to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees! YESHUA was telling His disciples that He taught them that there are 7 books in the Torah and 12 festivals! Teach this to the people and feed them spiritually and physically as I have shown you, but do not teach them the false doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees!

Proverbs 6:23 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For the COMMAND IS A LAMP, TORAH IS LIGHT, and reproofs that discipline are the way to life.”

The etymology for the word lamp in Proverbs 6:23 is “niyr” pronounced neer (H5216) and is the same word for lamp in Leviticus 24:2-4, which are the 7 lamps on the Menorah. So, the command is a lamp and the torah is a light, so just as the menorah is LIGHT with 7 LAMPS, so is the TORAH a LIGHT (Proverbs 6:23) and LAMP unto our feet (Psalms 119:105) with 7 BOOKS. And the 12 loaves of shewbread (Leviticus 24:5) represents the 12 festivals!

The number 12 is important because it also represents the 12 Tribes of Yisra’el, 12 disciples, 12 months in a year, and 12 gates in the New Jerusalem.

We see YESHUA rebuke Pharisees several times and warns His disciples not to follow them.

Matthew 16:12 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And then they comprehended that He did not speak about the leaven of the house, but OF THE DOCTRINE OF THE PHARISEES AND THE SADDUCEES.”

Matthew 15:8-9 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“This people which honors Me with words but their heart is far from Me, they honor Me in vain, imposing YOUR INSTRUCTIONS AND COMMANDMENTS OF THE MEN.”

The Dead Sea Scrolls a New Translation (Wise, Abegg, and Cook page 18)

“As Josephus wrote, “The Pharisees have imposed on the people MANY LAWS FROM THE TRADITION OF THE FATHERS NOT WRITTEN IN THE LAW OF MOSES” Ant. 13.297).

Testament of Levi 16:1-2

“And now I have learned in the book of Enoch that for seventy weeks you will go astray, and profane the priesthood, and pollute the slaughtering’s. And you will MAKE VOID THE TORAH, and set the words of the prophets at nothing by evil perverseness.”

Temple Scroll

I have done a message showing that the Temple Scroll is Torah so I will not focus on the witnesses in this message, but if you have not seen it, you can view it here: https://youtu.be/ZdXPVHtuA8M?si=3HjVrsX2cftUP6tQ

One more witness showing that the Temple Scroll is a part of the Torah involves John the Baptist.

In an article by Kyle Pope titled “It is Not Lawful for You to Have Her” he writes “As John prepared the way for Jesus, the Bible tells us he called all the people to repent and prepare for the Messiah (Luke 3:7-14). One of the boldest demonstrations of this came when he had the courage to rebuke the UNLAWFUL MARRIAGE of Herod and Herodias. He told Herod, “It is not lawful for you to have her” (Matt 14:4, NKJV). According to Josephus, Herodias was Herod’s NIECE by his brother Aristobulus (Antiquities 18.5.1), but she was ALSO “his brother Philip’s wife” (Matt. 14.3).”

This is important because Rabbinic Judaism says that it is lawful for a man to marry his niece because it is not specified in the laws of Leviticus 18. The only place where marrying a niece is forbidden is in the TEMPLE SCROLL! And if what Josephus says is correct this is more evidence that John the Baptist was familiar with this law from the Temple Scroll in order to express the two reasons why Herod’s marriage was unlawful.

Temple Scroll (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) Column 66 page 220

“A man shall not take his sister, the daughter of his father or the daughter of his mother, for this is abominable. A man shall not take his father’s sister or his mother’s sister, for this is immoral. A man shall NOT TAKE THE DAUGHTER OF HIS BROTHER OR THE DAUGHTER OF HIS SISTER for this is abominable.”

Again, the Zadok Priest in the Damascus Document understood this:

Covenant of Damascus 5:7 (Compete Dead Sea Scrolls page 133).

“And each man marries the DAUGHTER OF HIS BROTHER OR SISTER, whereas Moses said, You shall not approach your mother’s sister; she is your mother’s near kin (Leviticus 18:13). But although the laws against incest are written for men, they also apply to women. When, therefore, a brother’s daughter uncovers the nakedness of her father’s brother, she is also his near kin.”

Jubilees

Mark 2:27-28 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“Then He said, “The SHABBAT (Sabbath) was made for the sake of MAN, not the man on account of the Shabbat. And because of this the Son of ELOAH is Adon (Master) of EVERYTHING, whatever is in the world – and OF THE SHABBAT.”

Jubilees 2:24-25 (James VanderKam’s  Hermeneia translation with Hebrew fragment)

“It was granted to these that for all times they should be set-apart and blessed ones. This the TESTIMONY AND THE FIRST LAW as it was SANCTIFIED AND BLESSED ON THE SEVENTH DAY. He created the heavens, the earth, and everything that was created in six days. YAHWEH gave a set-apart festal day to ALL HIS CREATION. For this reason He gave orders regarding it that anyone who would do any work on it was to die; also the one who would defile it was to die.”

YESHUA said that the Shabbat was made for the sake of mankind! Why? Because the Shabbat was the FIRST LAW given to humanity as a gift of rest. YESHUA says that He is the Master of the Shabbat because as the Creator He instituted the Shabbat as the first law for mankind during creation.

John 1:1-3 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“In the beginning was the SON OF ELOAH. The SON of EL was both with EL, and the SON of EL was ELOAH. This was in the beginning with EL. ALL THINGS WERE MADE BY HIM; and without Him nothing was made, of that which was made.”

YESHUA speaking pre-incarnate says:

Isaiah 48:16 (The Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Come close to Me, and listen to this: SINCE THE BEGINNING I have not spoken in secret, since the time things began to be, I HAVE BEEN THERE; and now YAHWEH ELOHIM has sent Me and His Spirit.”

YESHUA and Jubilees on Shabbat

Matthew 12:5 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And have you yourselves never READ IN THE LAW that the priests at times break the Shabbats in the Sanctuary with NO INIQUITY?”

YESHUA appeals to the Pharisees about reading about this in the law, but we don’t find a statement like this in Numbers 28 concerning the sacrifices. Benson’s commentary states: Benson Commentary

Matthew 12:5-6. Have ye not read in the law, &c. — He does not mean that the words following were to be found in the law, but only that they might read in the law, how the priests were obliged, on the sabbath days, to perform such servile work in the temple as, considered separately from the end of it, would have been a profanation of the sabbath, but really was not so, because it was necessary to the public worship of God, on account of which the sabbath was instituted.”

We will arrive at the same conclusion as Benson with only the five books of Moses, but if we turn to Jubilees, we will find a statement in the law that excuses the work of the priests as the only work that can be done on the Shabbat.

Jubilees 50:10-11 (James VanderKam Hermeneia translation)

“For great is the honor that YAHWEH has given Yisrael to eat, drink, and be filled on this festal day; and to rest on it from any work that belongs to the work of humanity EXCEPT TO BURN INCENSE AND TO BRING BEFORE YAHWEH OFFERINGS AND SACRIFICES FOR THE DAYS AND SHABBATS. ONLY THIS KIND OF WORK IS TO BE DONE ON THE SHABBAT DAY IN THE SANCTUARY of YAHWEH your ELOHIM in order that they may atone continuously for Yisra’el with offerings from day to day as a memorial that is acceptable before YAHWEH. And in order that He may receive them forever; day by day, as you were ordered.”

75 in Jubilees, Acts, Seputagint, and Dead Sea Scrolls

In the New Testament we find the RUACH HA’KODESH pointing back to Jubilees and other ancient translations when He was speaking through Stephen.

Acts 7:14 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Joseph then sent for his father Jacob and all his relatives, SEVENTY-FIVE PEOPLE.”

Many people have concluded that Stephen was quoting from another tradition or that he made a mistake, but it would be impossible for Stephen to make a mistake as he was speaking by the RUACH HA’KODESH and the truth is found below.

Jubilees 44:33-34 (James VanderKam Hermeneia translation)

“All the persons of Jacob who entered Egypt were SEVENTY PERSONS. So all of these sons and grandsons of his were SEVENTY, AND FIVE WHO DIED IN EGYPT BEFORE THEY MARRIED. THEY HAD NO CHILDREN. Judah’s two sons Er and Onan had died in the land of Canaan. They had no children. The sons of Yisra’el buried those who died, and they were place among the seventy nations.”

Jubilees tells us that 75 total people came from Jacob and entered Egypt, but FIVE of them died in Egypt before they were married and had no children; therefore, since that occurred the number 75 is technically 70. And 75 souls that came out of the loins of Jacob are confirmed in other ancient manuscripts.

Exodus 1:5 (Septuagint)

“But Joseph was in Egypt. And all the souls born of Jacob were SEVENTY-FIVE.”

Exodus 1:5 (Dead Sea Scrolls Bible, 4Q1)

“And all the souls that came out of the loins of Jacob were SEVENTY-FIVE SOULS.”

Seasons or Appointed Times

Genesis 1:14 (Septuagint)

“And ELOHIM said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven for shinning, to divide between day and night and let them be for signs and for SEASONS and for days and for years.”

Genesis 1:14 (Dead Sea Scrolls Bible)

“And ELOHIM said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of heaven to separate the day from the night; and they were for signs, and for SEASONS, and for days and for years…”

Genesis 1:14 (Samaritan)

“And ELOHIM said, let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to light the earth and separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs, and for SEASONS, and for days, and years.”

Genesis 1:14 (TS2009)

“And ELOHIM said, “Let lights come to be in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and APPOINTED TIMES, and for days and years…”

The common doctrine concerning Genesis 1:14 is that the moon is used for the appointed times aka the feast days but notice that all the ancient translation says “seasons”. So, the ancient translations say seasons and other translations place “appointed times” where “seasons” is. The etymology for the word season is “Mo’ed” H4150 and defined by Brown-Driver-Briggs as “1)Appointed place, appointed time, meeting 1a) appointed time 1a1) APPOINTED TIME (general) 1a2) SACRED SEASON, SET FEAST, APPOINTED SEASON 1b) APPOINTED MEETING 1c) appointed place 1d) appointed sign or signal 1e) tent of meeting.

Strongs defines it as “properly an appointment, that is, a FIXED TIME OR SEASON; SPECIFICALLY A FESTIVAL; conventionally a year; by implication, an assembly (as convened for a definite purpose); technically the congregation; by extension, the place of meeting; also a signal (as appointed beforehand): appointed (SIGN, TIME), (SET, SOLEMN FEAST.)

In the etymology for season, we see the words: season, festival, and appointed times mentioned. So, when we combine seasons with appointed times, we get the truth of the command found in Jubilees that during the four divisions of the year (the beginning of each SEASON) is an APPOINTED TIME AND WE ARE TO HAVE A FEAST. The first day of the first month is SPRING, the first day of the fourth month is SUMMER, the first day of the seventh month is FALL, and the first day of the tenth month is WINTER.

Jubilees 6:23-29 (James VanderKam Hermeneia translation)

The Four MEMORIAL DAYS and DAYS OF SEASONS

“On the first of the first month, the first of the fourth month, the first of the seventh month, and the first of the tenth month are memorial days and DAYS OF THE SEASONS. They are written down and ordained at the FOUR DIVISIONS OF THE YEAR AS AN ETERNAL TESTIMONY. Noah ordained them as FESTIVALS for himself throughout the history of eternity with the result that through them he had a reminder. On the first of the first month he was told to make the ark, and on it the earth became dry, he opened it and saw the earth. On the first of the fourth month the openings of the depths of the abyss below were closed. On the first of the seventh month all the openings of the earth’s depths were opened, and the water began to go down into them. On the first of the tenth month the summits of the mountains became visible, and Noah was very happy. For this reason he ordained them for himself forever as memorial FESTIVALS. So they are ordained, and they ENTER THEM ON THE HEAVENLY TABLETS.”

In conclusion, we can see that books have been removed and or hidden by the Pharisees and by doing so they held back the way of the heavenly kingdom for those who want to enter. Do not be one of the blind ones who are following the blind leaders and their man-made doctrines. Let us come back to the ancient Torah that has been uncovered for us in these last days so that we can completely obey YAHWEH! As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name.

Was Abraham involved in paganism?

In the last message I defended the Book of Jubilees in regard to fasting on the Shabbat. Another reason Torah believers are rejecting the Book of Jubilees is because they believe that the book contains Greek customs being that Abraham wore a wreath, and we will examine that. I have stated in other videos that Jubilees and the Temple Scroll are both Torah and that both books are a direct revelation from ELOHIM to Moses and accept their claim.

Jubilees 16:30 (James VanderKam, Hermeneia translation)

“For this reason it has been ordained on the heavenly tablets regarding Israel that they should celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles joyfully for seven days during the seventh month which is acceptable in YAHWEH’s presence—a law that is eternal throughout  their history in each and every year. This has no temporal limit because it is ordained forever regarding Israel that they should celebrate it, live in tents, PLACE WREATHS ON THEIR HEADS, and take leafy branches and willow branches from the stream.”

Temple Scroll Composite Text, Column 17:1 (Charlesworth translation page 293)

“…the PRIESTS, and they shall put WREATHED-CROWNS UPON THEIR HEADS.”

If YAHWEH ordains it, then we know it is not pagan at all. This section of the Temple Scroll concerns the ordination of the priests, and we see that they put wreathed-crowns upon their heads, and Jubilees shows us that Abraham performed priestly duties during his lifetime before the Levitical law. I prove this in a message I did three years ago, If you have not seen that video, you can view it here: 

https://youtu.be/P7jj8Eqp4Ow?si=QXHAzE8_BvOmwjcR 

Other witnesses in the sixty-six books:

Proverbs 1:9 (Septuagint)

“For you shall receive for your HEAD A CROWN of favor and a chain of gold around your neck.”

Proverbs 1:8-9 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“My son, heed the discipline of your father, and do not abandon the teaching of your mother; they will be a GARLAND to grace your head, a medal of honor for your neck.”

Proverbs 4:9 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will bring you honor; and she will give your head a GARLAND of grace, bestow on you a crown of esteem.”

The word garland is also translated as “ornament” or “crown” in both of these scriptures from Proverbs and the etymology for the word is “Livyah” H3880 and defined by Brown-Drivers-Briggs as “WREATH” and Strongs defines it as “something attached, that is, A WREATH: - ornament.”

Ancient Hebrew defines it as: LYW-YH (Lamed, yod, waw, yod, hey) WREATH: As JOINED TOGETHER

Though used metaphorically we can conclude that the wreath in the scriptures above are connected to favor, grace, and honor not paganism. This is confirmed by what YAHWEH says in Ezekiel.

Ezekiel 16:11-12 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“I GAVE YOU jewelry to wear, bracelets for your hands, a necklace for your neck, a ring for your nose, earrings for your ears and a beautiful CROWN FOR YOUR HEAD.”

The etymology for the word crown is “Atarah” H5850 and defined by Brown-Driver-Briggs as: “CROWN, WREATH”.

Ancient Hebrew defines atarah as: AhTh-RH (Hey, Resh, Tet, Ayin) “WREATH: As ENCIRCLING THE HEAD. Used as a sign of authority LIKE A CROWN.”

1 Kings 7:17 (Complete Jewish Scriptures) Concerning the building of the temple.

“He also made checker-work nets and CHAINED WREATHS, even for the top of each capital.”

The etymology for the word is “gedil” H1434 and defined by Strongs as: “(in the sense of TWISTING); thread, that is, a tassel or festoon: -fringe, WREATH.”

Although in this scripture the wreath is not being worn on the head of a human, the word was still used in the building of the temple which involved TWISTING material together as we know a wreath involves the TWISTING of vines, branches, leaves, etc.

James 1:12 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And “blessed is the man whom ELOAH chastens so do not refuse the discipline of SHADDAI,” for after the chastisements you will receive the CROWN OF LIFE, which YAHWEH promised to those who love Him.”

2 Timothy 4:8 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“All that awaits me now is the CROWN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS which YAHWEH, “The Righteous Judge,” will award to me on that Day--- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for Him to appear.”

I do not have a Hebrew lexicon to define these words and can only look them up with the concordance that is currently available. The etymology for the word crown is “stephanos” G4735 and defined by Thayer as “1b) metaphorically the eternal blessedness which will be given as a prize to the genuine servants of ELOHIM and Messiah: the CROWN (WREATH) which is the reward of the righteousness.” From an apparently primary stepho (TO TWINE OR WREATHE).”

Twine defined by Oxford languages is “cause to wind or spiral round something.” And a synonym for twine is WREATHE.”

In conclusion we see that a wreath is a crown that encircles/winds or spirals around the head and there are different forms of it. They are commonly called “wreaths,” but they are worn on top of the head LIKE A CROWN. Abraham did not participate in anything pagan related, rather he was wearing a wreath/crown around his head that the priest wore in the Temple Scroll. Or being that he was celebrating Sukkot which is the festival of in-gathering that he was wearing wreathed-crown of vines, olives, or branches around his head. Either way we can safely conclude that the command was scriptural and again proves the authenticity of Jubilees.

And just as James and Paul said that those who endure until the end will receive the crown of life, which is connected to the wreath, we know that Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob will also receive the crown of life.

Matthew 8:11 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And I say to you that many will come from sun-rising and from sunset, and will REST with ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVENS…”

Testament of Judah 25:1

“And after these things ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB WILL ARISE TO LIFE, and I and my brothers will be rulers of the tribes of Yisrael…”

Testament of Levi 18:10-14

“And He will open the gates of paradise, and will remove the threatening sword against Adam. And He will give to the set-apart ones to eat from the tree of life, and the spirit of set-apartness will be on them. And Belial will be bound by Him, and He will give power to His children to tread upon the evil spirits. And YAHWEH will rejoice in His children, and be well-pleased in His beloved ones forever. Then will ABRAHAM AND ISAAC AND JACOB rejoice, and I will be glad, and all the set-apart ones will clothe themselves with joy.”

As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Jubilees and FASTING ON SHABBAT?

I have noticed that there is a growing number of people who are rejecting the Book of Jubilees and the biggest argument I have heard is “The Book of Jubilees says that anyone who fasts on the Shabbat shall be put to death, and we know that YESHUA and Moses both fasted for 40 days!” I understand your concerns and would like to address the issue in this message. This book along with the Temple Scroll is needed in these last days as we return back to the ancient path.

Jubilees 50:12-13 (James VanderKam translation)

“Any person who DOES WORK: who goes on a trip; who works farmland whether at his home or in any other place; who lights a fire; who rides any animal; who travels the sea by ship; any person who beats or kills anything; who slits the throat of an animal or bird; who catches either a wild animal, a bird, or a fish; WHO FASTS and makes war on the Shabbat day---a person who does any of these things on the Shabbat day is to die…”

On the surface it does appear that we have an apparent contradiction with the rest of the scriptures but lets dig deeper. In VanderKam’s translation there is a colon before we get a list of what is forbidden on the Shabbat.

Jubilees 50:12

“Any person who DOES WORK:

What is the function of a colon?  yourdictionary.com says “A colon is a punctuation mark that introduces or POINTS TO OTHER DIRECTLY RELATED TEXTS.”  Merriam-Webster dictionary says “a punctuation mark: used chiefly to DIRECT ATTENTION TO MATTER (such as a list, explanation, quotation, or amplification) that follows.” And dictionary.com says “used to mark a major division in sentence, to indicate that what follows is an elaboration, summation, implication, etc…”

So, the context of the list is all pertaining to work and we see the work activities of butchers, fisherman, hunters, and farmers listed here. We know that we cannot work on the Shabbat. Being that we cannot speak about our own interests, work, business, or wealth on Shabbat, is the same way we cannot FAST IN RELATION TO ANY OF THESE THINGS ON SHABBAT. Let’s view the scriptures about not talking about work, business, or wealth on Shabbat.

Isaiah 58:13 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing YOUR OWN INTERESTS on My set-apart day; if you call Shabbat a delight, YAHWEH’s set-apart day, WORTH HONORING; then HONOR IT by not doing YOUR USUAL THINGS OR PURSUING YOUR INTERESTS OR SPEAKING ABOUT THEM.”

Damascus Document (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 141-142

Under the section titled “Concerning the Shabbat to observe it according to its law” states “No man shall speak any vain or idle word on the Shabbat Day. He shall make NO LOAN to his companion. He shall make NO DECISION IN MATTERS OF MONEY AND GAIN. HE SHALL SAY NOTHING ABOUT WORK OR LABOR TO BE DONE ON THE MORROW. NO MAN SHALL WALK IN THE FIELD TO DO BUSINESS ON THE SHABBAT.”  Verse 15 “No man shall PROFANE THE SHABBAT FOR THE SAKE OF RICHES OR GAIN ON THE SHABBAT DAY.”

4Q Halakhah B (4Q264a) The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls

“No man shall revise the scroll of a book reading its script on the day of Shabbat…But they may read and study it. No man shall make plans with his mouth….on the day of Shabbat. HE SHALL NOT TALK ABOUT ANY MATTER RELATING TO WORK OR WEALTH or…on the day of Shabbat.”

Amos 8:5 (Good News translation)

“You say to yourselves, “We can hardly wait for the set-apart days to be over so that we CAN SELL OUR GRAIN. WHEN WILL THE SHABBAT END, SO THAT WE CAN START SELLING AGAIN? Then we can overcharge, use false measures, and fix the scales to cheat our customers.”

As we see the scriptures are very strict about how we are to observe the Shabbat and the strong stance against even talking about work or gain. Furthermore, we saw in Isaiah 58:13 we are to call the Shabbat a delight and honor that day, yet in Amos we see that the people’s hearts were not right! They weren’t honoring the Shabbat, they didn’t delight in it, they were waiting for Shabbat to end so they could go right back to work! Likewise, the person who is fasting about work related issues or gain on the Shabbat does not have their heart set on honoring YAHWEH’s set-apart day.

Jubilees 2:26

“Now you command the Israelites to observe this day so that they may sanctify it, not do any work on it, and not defile it for it is MORE SET-APART THAN ALL OTHER DAYS.”

James 4:1-3 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And why is there war among you? Is it not because of your DESIRES/LUSTS which fight in your members? So you desire, but do not receive; and he who takes revenge and stays angry does not profit by it. And why all this? Because you do not pray, and when you do a prayer, it is not answered BECAUSE YOU PRAY WRONGLY.”

They were praying “amiss” for their worldly lusts, likewise one can “fast amiss” for worldly lusts on a day we shouldn’t even be talking or thinking about work, business, or gain.

The Shepherd of Hermas has a scripture relating to fasting, and though it is not specifically about the Shabbat, we can glean from it regarding “fasting amiss” for worldly things.

Shepherd of Hermas (5th Similitude, Chapter 3)

“This fasting,” he (Angel of repentance) continued, “is very good, provided the commandments of YAHWEH be observed. Thus, then, shall you observe the fasting which you intend to keep. First of all, be on your guard against every evil word, AND EVERY EVIL DESIRE, AND PURIFY YOUR HEART FROM ALL THE VANITIES OF THIS WORLD. If you guard against these things, YOUR FASTING WILL BE PERFECT.”

We can safely conclude that YESHUA, Moses, Elijah, Ezra, and Baruch did not fast for any evil desires or vanities of this world; rather, when they fasted it was for revelation, protection, and to further the Kingdom of YAHWEH which would be acceptable on Shabbat! Furthermore, we do not see either of them making a daily habit out of this practice, but when they did it was FOR GOOD!

YESHUA fasted for 40 days as He was getting ready to start His ministry and to bear witness of the truth to the world and to die to free us from all violation of the Torah (Titus 2:14).

John 18:37 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“Then Pilate said to Him, “If so, are you King? YESHUA answered, “You say that I am King. I, for this matter I was born – and because of this I came to the world – to do truthful witness. Every man who is truthful obeys My words.”

Moses received the Torah which is for the entire world and which YAHWEH says will give life:

Leviticus 18:5 (The Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“You are to observe My laws and rulings; if a person does them, He will have LIFE THROUGH THEM; I am YAHWEH.”

Ezekiel 20:11 (The Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“I gave them MY LAWS and showed them My rulings; if a person obeys them, HE WILL HAVE LIFE THROUGH THEM.”

Acts 7:38 (The Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“This the man (Moses) who was in the assembly in the wilderness, accompanied by the angel that had spoken to Him at Mount Sinai and by our fathers, the man who was GIVEN LIVING WORDS TO PASS ON TO US.”

Although Moses did not eat physical food on Mount Sinai he was eating spiritual food as YAHWEH says He is the Fountain of Living Water:

Jeremiah 2:13 (The Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For My people have committed two evils: they have abandoned Me, the FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER, and dug themselves cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water!”

The RUACH HA’KODESH is Living Water:

John 7:37-39 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And in the great day of the Feast, YESHUA stood, calling out and saying, “If any one does come unto me, he will drink; as whosoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, ‘a stream of LIVING WATER will run from his belly.: And He said this concerning RUACH HAKODESH—which those who believe in Him would receive; for He had not yet given the RUACH because YESHUA had not yet come into the light/esteem of the Most High.”

And YESHUA is Bread:

John 6:35 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“Then YESHUA said to them, “I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE; whosoever comes unto me will not be hungry, and whosoever believes in Me will not have thirst in eternity.”

Moses had spiritual Bread and Water and this food is better than any food on earth! Likewise, I believe that when one is led to fast for the good reasons, I mentioned above that they are receiving the same food as Moses did.

As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Sunrise a Babylonian custom? Acts 20:7 breakdown!

With the rise of the morning-to-morning doctrine there are some brothers and sisters coming into Torah who are confused with the conflicting information they are hearing. In response, I have made five videos to show from the scriptures and even from the bees that the Shabbat day is from evening to evening. The goal is simply to let the truth prevail.

The irony of it all is that those who observe the “morning to morning” doctrine will accuse those who observe “evening to evening” as learning it from Babylon; although it is not conclusive on either side here is what five sources have to say in regard to morning to morning being observed by the Babylonians:

A secular site says:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-chronicle-of-timekeeping-2006-02/

“Uniform Hours

“ALTHOUGH THE MECHANICAL CLOCK could be adjusted to maintain temporal hours, it was naturally suited to keeping equal ones. With uniform hours, however, arose the question of when to begin counting them, and so, in the early 14th century, a number of systems evolved. The schemes that divided the day into 24 equal parts varied according to the start of the count: Italian hours began at sunset, BABYLONIAN HOURS AT SUNRISE, astronomical hours at midday and great clock hours (used for some large public clocks in Germany) at midnight. Eventually these and competing systems were superseded by small clock, or French, hours, which split the day, as we currently do, into two 12-hour periods commencing at midnight.”

www.yrm.org (YAHWEH’s Restoration Ministries) write:

“I have heard some teach that the Scriptural day begins at sunrise, rather than the Jewish sunset. Is this true? The sunset ending and beginning of a day is not a “Jewish” determination but a BIBLICAL ONE. The Romans and Egyptians began their day at midnight, as the world does today. THE BABYLONIANS BEGAN THEIR DAY AT SUNRISE BECAUSE THEY WERE WORSHIPERS OF THE SUN.”

www.lastmessageofmercy.com writes:

“The BABYLONIANS CONSIDERED A DAY BEGINNING AT SUNRISE, while the Egyptians and Romans were the first to begin the day at midnight. Only the Hebrews observed the day as BEGINNING AT SUNSET AND ENDING THE NEXT SUNSET: as God had declared is a day.” (Bonita M. Quesinberry, Truth Gathering, p. 227)

Wikipedia states in the section “Counting hours” under the subtitle “Counting from DAWN” states ”BABYLONIAN HOURS” divide the day and night into 24 equal hours, reckoned FROM THE TIME OF SUNRISE.”

https://wol.jw.org/en/wol/d/r1/lp-e/2008725

“The Jews were not the only people to reckon days in this way. The Athenians, the Numidians, and the Phoenicians did likewise. The BABYLONIANS, on the other hand, CONSIDERED SUNRISE TO BE THE BEGINNING OF EACH NEW DAY, while the Egyptians and the Romans reckoned their days from midnight to midnight, as is the modern custom. Present-day Jews, however, still begin and end their Sabbath observance at sundown.”

I wanted to share those articles to give you something to think about. Could you be the ones walking in Babylonian customs? But, as I stated earlier, neither is conclusive as to whether they observed evening to evening or morning to morning; therefore, we cannot let these contradicting articles be the source of our truth, so as always, we will go to the scriptures. Let’s look at the New Testament and we will see that Paul and those that were with him also observed the Shabbat from evening to evening!

Acts 20:7 (Aramaic and most translations)

“And on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, while the disciples were assembled to break bread, Paul preached to them, and because he was ready to leave the next day, he prolonged his speech UNTIL MIDNIGHT.”

Acts 20:7 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“On MOTZA’EI-SHABBAT, when we were gathered to break bread, Sha’ul addressed them. Since he was going to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight.”

1 Corinthians 16:2 (Aramaic and most translations)

“On the FIRST DAY OF EVERY WEEK, let each of you put aside and keep in his house whatever he can afford, so that there may be no collections when I come.”

1 Corinthians 16:2 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Every week, on MOTZA’EI-SHABBAT, each of you should set some money aside, according to his sources, and save it up; so that when I come I won’t have to do fundraising.”

Most translations will translate this as the “first day of the week”, which is technically correct because when the sunsets on Saturday it is the start of Sunday the first day of the week. The Aramaic is reflecting the Hebraic thought that they would all have been familiar with.

Glossary of Shabbat Buzz-words by aish.com writes:

“Motzei Shabbat-SATURDAY NIGHT, AFTER SHABBAT IS OVER.”

Acts 20:7 (Good News Translation)

“On SATURDAY EVENING we gathered together for the fellowship meal. Paul spoke to the people and kept on speaking until midnight, since he was going to leave the next day.”

Acts 20:7 (The Aramaic English New Testament)

“And on the FIRST DAY OF THE WEEK, when we assembled to break bread, Paul spoke with them, because he was to depart the next day; and he continued his discussion till midnight.”

There is a footnote #168 for this verse which says “AFTER THE SEVENTH DAY SHABBAT there is a traditional Jewish ceremony known as havdilah, which makes a separation between Shabbat and the first day of the week. ALTHOUGH SHABBAT IS OFFICIALLY OVER AT SUNSET, the sweet FELLOWSHIP enjoyed during Shabbat often extends far into the night, and sometimes until morning of the next day. Paul’s fellowship until midnight has absolutely nothing to do with why Christians go to church on Sunday morning.”

Again, Shabbat ended at SUNSET, and they all recognized that the day shifted to the first day of the week, but they continued to fellowship together until midnight. It makes more sense to realize that on Saturday night AFTER THE SUNSET aka Motza’ei Shabbat that Paul would fellowship with brethren and speak until midnight which would be about 6 hours. When it says that he would leave “the next day” is referring to the DAYLIGHT portion of Sunday the first day of the week. Paul was speaking to them during the NIGHTTIME HOURS of Sunday the first day of the week.

www.lastmessageofmercy.com writes:

When Luke writes that Paul’s sermon went until midnight, he is speaking of what we would call, “SATURDAY NIGHT.” Notice these alternate translations:

Good News Translation: "On SATURDAY EVENING we gathered together for the fellowship meal ..."

Revised English Bible: "On the SATURDAY NIGHT, when we gathered for the breaking of bread ..."

New English Bible: "On the SATURDAY NIGHT, in our assembly for the breaking of bread ..."

According to Hebraic timing (which Luke, the author of Acts, is clearly using) “midnight” would BE ROUGHLY SIX HOURS INTO THE NEXT DAY which, in this context, is the NIGHT PORTION of the Festival of Firstfruits when they would begin counting the Omer (the seven weekly Sabbaths) until Shavuot/Pentecost. Paul then departed at “the break of day” (Sunday morning) and did not stay for any so-called Sunday worship service.

But why did Paul stay so long Saturday night with these believers? Quite possibly because of a Jewish custom called, Motza’ei-Shabbat (also called, Havdalah). In his Jewish New Testament Commentary, David H. Stern writes:

“Motza’ei-Shabbat in Hebrew means ‘departure of the Sabbath’ and refers to Saturday night … the Greek sabbaton transliterates Hebrew Shabbat and may be translated ‘Sabbath’ or ‘week,’ depending on the context … A Saturday night meeting would fit more naturally with Jewish Shabbat observance, wherein the restful spirit of Shabbat is often preserved into Saturday evening, after the official end of Shabbat itself, WHICH OCCURS AFTER SUNSET when it gets dark enough to see three stars. It would be natural for Jewish believers who had rested on Shabbat with the rest of the Jewish community to assemble afterwards to celebrate their common faith in Yeshua [Jesus] the Messiah.”

So David Sterns commentary of the Complete Jewish Scriptures matches what was written in the Aramaic English New Testament. These scriptures match one that I have used in a previous video concerning a day being from evening to evening:

Ezekiel 46:1-2

“This is what YAHWEH Elohim says: ‘The east gate of the inner courtyard is to be SHUT ON SIX WORKING DAYS, but on SHABBAT IT IS TO BE OPENED, and on Rosh-Hodesh (New Month)  it is to be OPENED. 2 The prince is to enter by way of the outer vestibule of the gate and stand by the support of the gate. The priests are to prepare his burnt offering and peace offerings. Then he is to prostrate himself in worship at the threshold of the gate, after which he is to leave; but THE GATE IS NOT TO BE SHUT UNTIL EVENING.”

This scripture is very clear! The gate is to be shut on six working days but is to be opened on the Shabbat which is a non-working day! Then after the Shabbat is over in the EVENING the gate is shut! Why? The evening is the start of Sunday, which is one of the six WORKING DAYS. I pray that this has been helpful and will open up the eyes of those who were still confused.

As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

BEES testify that Shabbat starts in the EVENING!

I recently did a video showing how Beaver’s rest on the Shabbat Day and testify to humanity and more so, Christianity who has rejected the Shabbat for Sunday the first day of the week. In this message is proof from an article that Brazilian bees in the Amazon rainforest start the Shabbat at sunset on Friday. This is another witness from creation to verify the videos I have done showing that a scriptural day starts at sunset and not the morning. If you have not seen those videos, you can watch them here:

1.     https://youtu.be/R0b07K0FP88?si=uWzepeLaNFMOZAqk  (

2.     https://youtu.be/nuPwxpNS1Ho?si=RgrVHBNRCKT7ushw 

3.     https://youtu.be/mGc8FLpF3Oc?si=8OVFuMTZeCj-AxmM 

4.     https://youtu.be/fgHEIPOSRWk?si=SJgzLDWGboKJKa0N     

This article is from www.salvation1.com and written by Slawek Gromadzki, if you want to read the entire article click here: Sabbath Keeping Bees & Sabbath Instinct | Salvation1

I have taken two excerpts from the article that pertain to the subject below:

“When Dr Lee arrived there it was still Sabbath so he wanted to see with his own eyes that the bees were really resting. And sure enough, although there were many hives in that apiary, there were no bees seen around in the field. He was very excited about it and wanted to learn as much as possible, so he told the pastor to ask the beekeeper to open one of the beehives so that he could see if the bees were there. The beehives were made of empty tree stumps and on the top, they were sealed with a lump of clay. Encouraged by the beekeeper Dr Lee put his ear to one of the holes made in the clay, and when he did that he could hear a clear buzzing noise made by bees inside the hive. It was amazing that none of them was trying to get outside although it was a very sunny and bright day with plenty of colorful flowers around.

Then Dr Lee asked that man when the bees STOP WORKING AND START THEIR SABBATH REST. The answer he received made him even more thrilled as the beekeeper answered that the bees always STOP WORKING EXACTLY AT THE SUNSET EVERY FRIDAY.”

“Dr Lee was also told that if someone wanted to move these hives, it could be done only after SUNSET ON FRIDAY, as otherwise, it would cause a big problem.”

YAHWEH is awesome and has given us plenty of witnesses with the scriptures and even with the bees to show us how and when to observe the Shabbat properly. Repent and turn from the morning-to-morning doctrine to the scriptural evening to evening days in obedience to YAHWEH’s commandment!

 More scriptural witnesses:

Genesis 7:11-12

“ On the SEVENTEENTH DAY of the second month of the 600th year of Noach’s life all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of the sky were opened. 12 It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights.”

Jubilees 5:23

“He (Noah) entered it during its sixth year, in the second month---on the first of the second month UNTIL THE SIXTEENTH. He and all that were brought to him entered the ark. YAHWEH closed it from outside ON THE SEVENTEENTH IN THE EVENING.”

Scripture makes it clear that 16 full days had passed and then on the evening of the 16th, which is the start of the 17th day when the sunsets, the rain began to fall at the start of the judgement for the flood. Jubilees uses this same language in Chapter 49 to show us the shift of a day starting at sunset.

Jubilees 49:1

“Remember the commandments that YAHWEH gave you regarding the Passover so that you may celebrate it at its time on the FOURTEENTH OF THE FIRST MONTH, that you may sacrifice it before evening, and so that they may eat it AT NIGHT ON THE EVENING OF THE FIFTEENTH FROM THE TIME OF SUNSET.”

Jubilees 32:27-30 (Concerning Sukkot and the 8th Day)

“He celebrated ONE MORE DAY THERE (8TH DAY). On it he sacrificed exactly as he had been sacrificing on the previous days, and called its name ‘Addition,’ for this day was added and the previous days he called ‘The Feast.’ And thus it was manifested that it should be, and it is written on the heavenly tablets: why it was revealed to him that he should celebrate it, AND ADD IT TO THE SEVEN DAYS OF THE FEAST (SUKKOT). And its named was called ‘Addition,’ because it was recorded among the days of the Feast Days, according to the number of the days of the year. AND IN THE NIGHT, ON THE TWENTY-THIRD OF THIS MONTH, Deborah, Rebecca’s nursed died…”

The Zadok Priestly calendar shows us that Sukkot starts on Wednesday which is the 15th day of the 7th month and runs for 7 days ending on Tuesday the 21st day of the 7th month. The 8th Day Closing Assembly is on Wednesday which is the 22nd day of the 7th month. So, after the celebration of the 8th day AT NIGHT when the sunset the day transitioned from the 22nd to the 23rd day of the 7th month which is a Thursday the day that Deborah died.

And the same Zadok Priest that declared Jubilees to be a part of the Torah specified it in their own writings in the Damascus Document, that I have already quoted in a previous video, but as a refresher it says:

Damascus Document (The Weekly Shabbat)

“Guard the Shabbat according to its law. No man is to do work on the sixth day FROM SUNSET when the diameter of the sun can still just be seen above the horizon. For that is what He said, guard the Shabbat Day to keep it set-apart (Exodus 20:8; Deuteronomy 5:12).

As always may YAHWEH bless you all in YESHUA’s Name!

Beaver’s rest on SHABBAT/SATURDAY do YOU?

Beavers that rest on Saturday: https://youtu.be/49T5unQEIbY?si=_USh0JQZOdTIVHhz

This video was shared with me by a sister in YESHUA! I was so amazed by this video that I wanted to share it with anyone who has not seen it. How is it that beavers know how to rest and obey YAHWEH on the Shabbat, but human beings do not? I pray that this video and the scriptures I want to add with this video will convict you to keep the Shabbat (Saturday) as YAHWEH commanded.

Exodus 20:8-11

 8 “Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for ELOHIM. 9 You have six days to labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Shabbat for yahweh your ELOHIM. On it, you are not to do any kind of work — not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, NOT YOUR LIVESTOCK, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. 11 For in six days, YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why YAHWEH blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.”

Jubilees 50:12

“Any person who does work: who goes on a trip; who works farmland whether at his home or in any other place; who lights a fire; WHO RIDES ANY ANIMAL…”

YAHWEH commands that the animals also need to rest, as human beings need to! Animals and creation naturally obey YAHWEH, but will you?

Jeremiah 8:8-9 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Storks in the sky KNOW THEIR SEASONS; Doves, swallows and cranes THEIR MIGRATION TIMES; but MY PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW THE RULINGS OF YAHWEH! How can you say, “We are wise; YAHWEH’s Torah is with us,” when in fact the lying pen of the scribes has turned it into falsehood? The wise are put to shame, alarmed, entrapped. They have rejected the word of YAHWEH, so WHAT WISDOM DO THEY HAVE?”

Isaiah 1:2-3 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Hear, heaven! Listen, earth! For YAHWEH is speaking. “I raised and brought up children, but they REBELLED AGAINST ME. An OX KNOWS ITS OWNER AND A DONKEY ITS MASTER’S STALL, BUT YISRA’EL DOES NOT KNOW, MY PEOPLE DO NOT REFLECT.”

To Yisra’el’s shame an ox and donkey know how to return home to their masters, yet mankind is rebellious and they don’t understand how to repent and return back home to their Master YAHWEH!  

Enoch 2:1-3

“Observe everything that takes place in the heavens, how they DO NOT CHANGE THEIR ORBITS, and the luminaries which are in the heavens, how they all rise and set in order each in its season, AND DO NOT TRANGRESS AGAINST THEIR APPOINTED ORDER. Behold the earth, and observe the things which take place on it, from first to last, how steadfast they are, how NONE OF THE THINGS ON EARTH CHANGE, but all the works of ELOHIM appear to you. Behold the summer and the winter, how the earth is filled with water, and the clouds cause the dew and rain to rest upon it.”

Enoch 3:1

“Observe and see how in the winter all the trees seem as though they had withered and shed all their leaves, except fourteen trees, which do not lose their foliage but renew their foliage after two to three years.”

Enoch 4:1

“And again, observe the days of summer how the sun is above her and ahead of her. And you seek shade and shelter because of the heat of the sun, and the earth also burns with blazing heat, and so you cannot walk on the earth, or on a rock because of its heat.”

Enoch 5:1-5

“Observe how the green trees are covered with leaves and bear fruit. Now pay attention and know with regard to all His works, and recognize how He that lives forever has made them so. And all His works go on from year to year forever, AND ALL PROSPERS AND OBEYS HIM, AND DOESN’T CHANGE, BUT EVERYTHING WORKS ACCORDING TO THE WAY ELOHIM HAS ORDAINED. And behold how the sea and the rivers in like manner accomplish and DO NOT CHANGE THEIR TASKS FROM HIS COMMANDS. But YOU: YOU HAVE NOT BEEN STEADFAST, NOR DONE THE COMMANDS OF YAHWEH, but you have turned away and spoken proud and hard words with your impure mouths against His greatness. Oh you hardhearted, you shall find no peace. Therefore you shall curse your days, and the years of our life shall perish, and the years of your destruction shall be multiplied in eternal cursing, and you shall find no kindness.”

Baruch 3:33-35

“The One who sends forth the light, and it goes; He called it, and it OBEYED HIM, TREMBLING; the stars shone in their watches, and were glad; He called them, and they said, “Here we are!” They shone with gladness for Him who made them.” This is our ELOHIM; no other can be compared to Him.”

Testament of Levi 3:9

“Therefore when YAHWEH looks at us, ALL OF US ARE SHAKEN; yes, the heavens, and the earth, and they abysses TREMBLE AT HIS MAJESTY. But the SONS OF MEN, NOT PERCEIVING THESE THINGS, SIN AND PROVOKE THE ANGER OF THE MOST HIGH.”

Deuteronomy 10:16 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Therefore, circumcise the foreskin of your heart; and don’t be STIFFNECKED ANY LONGER!”

Repent! Don’t be one who doesn’t obey the commands of YAHWEH and walk in the error of false doctrine. All creation knows to obey YAHWEH and does not transgress against Him, except for humans! Turn back to your Master YAHWEH and follow the example of the beavers and rest on the Shabbat.

As always, may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!

Don’t be a "seeker of SMOOTH THINGS!:

Jubilees 1:12 (James VanderKam translation with Hebrew fragment)

“I will send witnesses to them so that I may testify to them, but they will not listen and will kill the witnesses. THEY WILL PERSECUTE THOSE TOO WHO STUDY THE LAW. They will neglect everything and will begin to do evil in My presence.”

Make no mistake these aren’t just Christians who will persecute those who study the Torah, but also the seekers of smooth things will persecute them too. They will accuse those who want to obey all the Torah without turning to the right nor the left by saying “You are doing too much!” or “You are going too far!”  They will also call them Pharisees! Calling someone who wants to walk in the written Torah is an improper label when we know what the real meaning of a Pharisee is. A pharisee added to the Torah and put the oral torah above the written! So how is a person who is obeying the written Torah a Pharisee? That would be saying that ELOHIM who is the giver of the Torah is a Pharisee! Let it not be!

Who are the seekers of smooth things?

Damascus Document page (Ken Johnson) page 25

“This brought down the ancient hills by departing from righteousness and moving the landmarks of the ancients in their inheritance. Then the curses of the covenant took hold on them, delivering them to the sword to avenge the breaches of the covenant. These “SEEKERS OF SMOOTH THINGS” chose DECEIT AND LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW.”

Is this you? Do you read the Torah and see a command that you don’t want to do and then search for loopholes and gray areas to get out of obeying? My brothers and sisters, you cannot tell a Christian to obey the Torah when you don’t want to obey it yourselves. The Zadok priests knew this to be true as they saw the laxed approach of the Pharisees interpretation of the Torah. The Sadducees had a stricter interpretation of the Torah, yet the rejected any books outside of it, while also rejecting the resurrection, existence of angels and spirits. Simply put, we can’t look Eastern on the outside but have Western hearts on the inside. We will go into more detail about “seekers of smooth things” in another section.

Romans 12:1-2 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of ELOHIM’s mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for ELOHIM. This will please Him; it is the logical “Temple Worship” for you. In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of this present world. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what ELOHIM wants and will agree that what He wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed.”

Instead of being transformed by the renewing of their minds and carrying the light yoke of YESHUA, people will make excuses as to they don’t have to wear tsit-tsit, don’t have to practice circumcision, don’t have to obey the purity laws, saying we can wear mixed fabrics, and that divorce and remarriage is permissible and more.

This same spirit lives on today whether believers are aware of it or not. The Zadok priests only confirmed what YAHWEH already knew as He has declared the end from the beginning!

Words of Moses 1Q22 (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 574

“ELOHIM spoke to Moses in the fortieth year after the children of Yisra’el had come out of the land of Egypt, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, saying: ‘Gather together all the congregation and go up to Mount Nebo and stand there, you and Eleazar son of Aaron. Interpret to the heads of family of the Levites and to all the Priests, and proclaim to the children of Yisra’el THE WORDS OF THE LAW which I proclaimed to you on Mount Sinai. Proclaim carefully into their ears ALL THAT I REQUIRE OF THEM. And call heaven and earth to witness against them; FOR THEY WILL NOT LOVE WHAT I COMMANDED THEM TO DO, NEITHER THEY NOR THEIR CHILDREN, DURING ALL THE DAYS THEY SHALL LIVE UPON THE EARTH. For I say that they will ABANDON ME, and will choose the abominations of the nations, their horrors and their idols. They will serve false mighty ones which shall be for them a snare and a pitfall. They will transgress against the set-apart days, and against the Shabbat AND THE COVENANT, AND AGAINST THE COMMANDMENTS WHICH I COMMAND YOU TO KEEP THIS DAY.”

We simply must be doers of the word and not hearers only!

Hearers and not doers

Hosea 10:11 (Aramaic)

“Ephraim is like a heifer that is trained, and loves to tread out the wheat; but I bent her neck under the yoke; I will make Ephraim to be ridden upon, I will cause Judah to tread wheat, and Jacob shall be plundered.”

In ancient Yisra’el, the grain would be placed on the threshing floor and then the cows would step on the grain and crush it with their weight. This was an easy job for the cows to do! A yoke is a wooden beam or frame that joins oxen together so that they can pull the weight of the plow, which is harder to do. In other words, Ephraim, just like Torah followers today, want it easy, they want to hear the word only, which is easy to do, but don’t want to pull the plow, meaning to pull the yoke of the Torah by putting it into action and being doers of the word. Scripture has already warned us about this:

Romans 2:13 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For it is NOT MERELY THE HEARERS OF TORAH whom ELOHIM considers righteous; RATHER; IT IS THE DOERS OF WHAT TORAH SAYS who will be made righteous in ELOHIM’s sight.”

James 1:22 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“But you must be of those WHO DO THE WORD AND NOT OF THOSE WHO HEAR ONLY – by which they deceive you.”

Luke 11:28 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“As YESHUA was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice to call out, “How blessed is the mother that gave birth to You and nursed you from her breast!” But He said, “Far more BLESSED are those who HEAR THE WORD OF ELOHIM AND OBEY IT!”

Exodus 20:16 (Samaritan)

“You go near and hear all that YAHWEH our ELOHIM may say. And tell us all that YAHWEH our ELOHIM says to you, and we will HEAR AND DO IT.”

Deuteronomy 5:24 (Samaritan)

“You go near and hear all that YAHWEH our ELOHIM says, and you speak to us all that YAHWEH our ELOHIM speaks to you, and we will HEAR AND DO IT.”

Exodus 24:7 (Samaritan)

“And he took the book of the covenant and read in the hearing of the people. And they said, all that YAHWEH has spoken WE WILL HEAR AND WE WILL DO.”

Exodus 24:7 (Septuagint)

“And he took the book of the covenant and read it in the ears of the people and they said, ALL THINGS that YAHWEH has spoken we WILL DO AND LISTEN TO OBEY.”

Will you put His Torah into action by doing it? Or will you only listen and obey the parts you like?

ELOHIM expects us to follow Him completely!

Deuteronomy 5:29 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Therefore you are to be careful to do as YAHWEH your ELOHIM has ordered you; you are not to deviate either to the right or the left. You are to follow the ENTIRE WAY WHICH YAHWEH your ELOHIM HAS ORDERED YOU; so that you will live, things will go well with you, and you will live long in the land you are about to possess.”

Deuteronomy 10:12 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“So now, Yisra’el, all that YAHWEH your ELOHIM asks from you is to fear YAHWEH your ELOHIM, follow ALL HIS WAYS , love Him and serve YAHWEH your ELOHIM with all your heart and all your being; to obey, for your own good, the commandments and regulations of YAHWEH which I am giving you today.”

Temple Scroll page 215

“Afterwards they will return to Me with all their heart and all their soul, in conformity with ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW, and I will save them from the hand of their enemies and redeem them from the hand of those who hate them, and I will bring them to the land of their fathers. I will redeem them, and increase them and exult over them. I will be their ELOHIM and they shall be My people.”

Thanksgiving Hymns (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) page 255

“I have loved Thee freely and with all my heart and soul I have purified…that I might not turn aside from ANY OF THY COMMANDS. I have clung to the Congregation…that I might not be separated from ANY OF THY LAWS.”

The Torah is clear on these topics!

People will say that the Torah isn’t clear on what should be done and how to apply them today, which leaves room for one’s own interpretation and eventually rebellion.

Damascus Document (Ken Johnson’s translation) page 31

“The Wall Builders blasphemy grieved the RUACH HA’KODESH when they spoke against the statutes of ELOHIM’s covenant, saying that they WERE NOT SPECIFIC ENOUGH. THEY CONSTANTLY SPEAK ABOMINATIONS AGAINST THE STATUTES.”

Damascus Document (Vermes translation) page 133, Chapter 5

“Furthermore, they DEFILE THEIR RUACH HA’KODESH and open their mouth with a blaspheming tongue AGAINST THE LAWS of the Covenant of ELOHIM saying, ‘THEY ARE NOT SURE.’

YAHWEH has already told us what to do, it’s just a matter of whether you want to obey them or not.

The Damascus Document Column 16, page 139 (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls)

“For ELOHIM made a Covenant with you and all Yisra’el; therefore a man shall bind himself by oath to return to the LAW OF MOSES, for in it ALL THINGS ARE STRICTLY DEFINED.”

The Dead Sea Scrolls magazine (Special edition) page 12 says:

“This scroll (Temple Scroll), nearly thirty feet long, had been copied several times at Qumran, indicating that it was considered a KODESH (SET-APART) BOOK. It contains elaborate plans for the building of the Jewish Temple, and it’s overriding characteristic is STRICT ADHERENCE TO THE LAW, WHICH IS SPELLED OUT EXPLICITLY. The laws, pertaining to the city of the Temple, include instruction on furniture, utensils, sacrifices, personal hygiene, and separation of people according to gender, health, and standing with the community. The Temple Scroll also refers to some festivals and set-apart days not mentioned in scripture, such as the New Wine Festival, the New Oil Festival, and the Wood Offering Festival. The frequent use of the FIRST PERSON WHEN ELOHIM SPEAKS IS ANOTHER INDICATION that this scroll is related to the Pentateuch (The first five books of the Bible, called the Torah of Moses.)

 YESHUA told us plainly that His yoke is light, yet the “seekers of smooth things” look for a way out of doing parts of the Torah they don’t like.

Matthew 11:29-30 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“And carry MY YOKE upon you and learn from Me, that I am humble and restful of heart, and you will find rest in your nepahshot (souls), for MY YOKE IS RESTFUL AND MY BURDEN IS EASY.”

YAHWEH tells us that His people would not like what He commanded them to do, yet we know that scripture tells us that His Torah can be obeyed and that it isn’t difficult nor burdensome!

The Torah is not burdensome!

1 John 5:3 (Aramaic)

“For this is the love of ELOHIM, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are NOT DIFFICULT.”

1 John 5:3 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For loving ELOHIM means obeying His commands. Moreover, His commands are NOT BURDENSOME.”

Oxford languages define “burdensome” as- difficult to carry out or fulfill; taxing. Undesirably RESTRICTIVE and a synonym is OPPRESSIVE.

This is a terrible way to feel about the Creator’s commandments! People feel that YAHWEH’s Torah is restrictive and oppressive and in return they will seek the path of least resistance which leads to being a seeker of smooth things and looking for loopholes.

Deuteronomy 30:14 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“However, all this will happen only if you pay attention to what yahweh your ELOHIM says, so that you obey his commandments and regulations which are written in this book of the Torah, if you turn to YAHWEH your ELOHIM with all your heart and all your being. (LY: vi) 11 For this mitzvah (commandment) which I am giving you today is NOT, TOO HARD FOR YOU it is not beyond your reach. 12 It isn’t in the sky, so that you need to ask, ‘Who will go up into the sky for us, bring it to us and make us hear it, so that we can obey it?’ 13 Likewise, it isn’t beyond the sea, so that you need to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea for us, bring it to us and make us hear it, so that we can obey it?’ 14 On the contrary, the word is very close to you — in your mouth, even in your heart; therefore, YOU CAN DO IT!”

YAHWEH’s commands are not difficult, they just simply need to be obeyed by applying it to our lives and Moses says, “It is NOT TOO HARD FOR you, and you can DO IT!” Pull the plow by doing the works of the Torah!

Shepherd of Hermas Command #12

“I say to him, “Sir, these commandments are great, and good, and glorious, and fitted to gladden the heart of the man who can perform them. But I do not know if these commandments can be kept by man, because they are exceedingly hard.” He answered and said to me, “If you lay it down as certain that they can be kept, then you will EASILY KEEP THEM, AND THEY WILL NOT BE HARD. But if you come to imagine that they cannot be kept by man, then you will not keep them. Now I say to you, if you do not keep them, but neglect them, YOU WILL NOT BE SAVED, nor your children, nor your house, since you have already determined for yourself that these commandments cannot be kept by man.”

So, if the commandments in the Torah are strictly defined and we can do them, especially with the discovery of the Temple Scroll, then why is this topic being ignored or rejected?

2 Timothy 4:3 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“For the time is coming when people will NOT HAVE PATIENCE FOR SOUND TEACHING, but will cater to their passions and gather around themselves TEACHERS WHO SAY WHATEVER THEIR EARS ITCH TO HEAR.” YES, THEY WILL STOP LISTENING TO THE TRUTH, but will turn aside to follow myths.”

That time is here brothers and sisters and in the next section shows that these are the signs of the last days.

Seekers of smooth things and the end times!

Malachi 2:9 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Therefore I have in turn made you contemptible and vile before all the people, because you did not keep My ways but were PARTIAL IN APPLYING THE TORAH.”

Damascus Document (Ken Johnson) page 25

“This brought down the ancient hills by departing from righteousness and moving the landmarks of the ancients in their inheritance. Then the curses of the covenant took hold on them, delivering them to the sword to avenge the breaches of the covenant. These “SEEKERS OF SMOOTH THINGS” chose DECEIT AND LOOPHOLES IN THE LAW.”

Definition of “loophole” by Merriam-Webster says “a means of ESCAPE especially: an ambiguity or omission in the text through which THE INTENT OF A STATUTE, CONTRACT, OR OBLIGATION MAY BE EVADED.”

Statute is a law and YAHWEH’s covenant is a binding contract, so when people seek loopholes in the Torah to satisfy their flesh their intention is to EVADE YAHWEH’s commandments no matter how smooth they present their case.

Damascus Document (The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) pg. 130

“For they SOUGHT SMOOTH THINGS and PREFERED ILLUSIONS (Isaiah 30:10) and WATCHED FOR BREAKS (Isaiah 30:13).”

Oxford languages defines “Illusions” a FALSE IDEA OR BELIEF.

Romans 16:17-18 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put snares alongside the teaching in which you have been trained — keep away from them. 18 For men like these are not serving our Master the Messiah but their own belly; by SMOOTH TALK and flattery they DECEIVE the innocent.”

Thanksgiving Hymns (Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) pg. 262

“But to the elect of righteousness Thou hast made me a banner, and a discerning interpreter of wonderful mysteries, to try those who practice truth and to test those who love correction. TO THE INTERPRETERS OF ERROR I HAVE BEEN AN OPPONENT, but a man of peace to all those who see TRUE THINGS. TO ALL THOSE WHO SEEK SMOOTH THINGS I have been a spirit of zeal; like the sound of the roaring of many waters to have all the deceivers thundered against me; all their thoughts were devilish scheming’s”.

Thanksgiving Hymns (Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) pg.264 Hymn 8

“I thank Thee, O YAHWEH, for Thou has fastened Thine eye upon me. Thou hast saved me from the zeal of LYING INTERPRETERS, and from the congregation of those WHO SEEK SMOOTH THINGS. Thou hast redeemed the soul of the poor one whom they planned to destroy by spilling his blood because He served THEE. Because they knew not that my steps were directed by Thee, they made me an object of shame and derision IN THE MOUTH OF ALL THE SEEKERS OF FALSEHOOD.”

Thanksgiving Hymns (Complete Dead Sea Scrolls) pg. 269

“I thank Thee, O YAHWEH, for Thou has illumined my face by Thy Covenant and sure as the dawn Thou appearest as perfect Light to me. TEACHERS OF LIES HAVE SMOOTHED THY PEOPLE WITH WORDS, and false prophets have led them astray; they PERISH WITHOUT UNDERSTANDING FOR THEIR WORKS ARE IN FOLLY. For I am despised by them and they have no esteem for me that Thou mayest manifest Thy might through me. They have banished me from my land like a bird from its nest; all my friends and brethren are driven far from me and hold me for a broken vessel. And they, TEACHERS OF LIES AND SEERS OF FALSEHOOD, have schemed against me a DEVILISH SCHEME, to exchange the Law engraved on my heart by Thee FOR THE SMOOTH THINGS WHICH THEY SPEAK TO THY PEOPLE. And they withhold from the thirsty the drink of Knowledge, and assuage their thirst with vinegar, that they may gaze on their straying, on their folly concerning their feast-days, on their fall into their snares.”

The writer of the Thanksgiving Hymns who I believe to be the Teacher of Righteousness was persecuted by the Wicked Priest and his followers, which again matches the scripture I quoted in the beginning.

Jubilees 1:12 (James VanderKam translation with Hebrew fragment)

“I will send witnesses to them so that I may testify to them, but they will not listen and will kill the witnesses. THEY WILL PERSECUTE THOSE TOO WHO STUDY THE LAW. They will neglect everything and will begin to do evil in My presence.”

The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls pg. 499 Commentary on Isaiah 30:15, 4Q163

“This saying, referring to THE LAST DAYS, concerns the CONGREGATION OF THOSE WHO SEEK SMOOTH THINGS IN JERUSALEM…WHO DESPISE THE LAW AND DO NOT TRUST IN ELOHIM…As robbers lie in wait for a man…they have DESPISED THE WORDS OF THE LAW…”

We are in the last days as we see that not only Christians despise the Torah of YAHWEH, but also those within the Torah community despise the law and change it to satisfy their flesh. Sadly, the congregation of those who seek smooth things are concerned more with standing together in false unity versus completely standing for the truth. When a law is too difficult or a burden to them, they simply ignore it or reject it.

In conclusion let us remember this, that simply saying you are Torah observant isn’t enough, but are you doing the work of the Torah by pulling the yoke or are you content with treading the grain only? It’s time to be doers of the word and not hearers only, because YESHUA has already warned us!

Matthew 7:13-15 (Hebrew)

“YESHUA MASHIACH said unto His talmidim (disciples), “Enter through the narrow gate, for wide is the way that leads man to destruction, and many are entering by it. But the gate AND THE WAY that leads to life, is EXCEEDINGLY NARROW; and FEW ARE THEY WHO FIND IT.” Guard yourselves from the PROPHETS OF DECEPTION, who come in clothes of ewes but in their inside they are rending wolves.”

Proverbs 11:31 (Septuagint)

“If the RIGHTEOUS ARE NARROWLY SAVED, where shall the impious and the sinner appear?”

1 Peter 4:18 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“If the RIGHTEOUS IS BARELY DELIVERED, where shall the unrighteous and sinful end up?”

Let us return to YAHWEH completely:

Temple Scroll page 215

“Afterwards they will return to Me with all their heart and all their soul, IN CONFORMITY WITH ALL THE WORDS OF THIS LAW, and I will save them from the hand of their enemies and redeem them from the hand of those who hate them, and I will bring them to the land of their fathers. I will redeem them, and increase them and exult over them. I will be their ELOHIM and they shall be My people.”

What is the definition of “conformity” according to Oxford Languages? COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS, RULES, OR LAWS! YAHWEH says that once we do this, then He will regather His people. So let us strive to obey and encourage our brethren to do the same.

Deuteronomy 5:26 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“Oh, how I wish their hearts would stay like this always, that they would fear Me and OBEY ALL MY MITZVOT (COMMANDMENTS); so that it would go well with them and their children forever.”

As always, may YAHWEH bless you all in YESHUA’s Name!

Yom Kippur: A Fast or Feast Day?

Yom Kippur this year is on September 27th which is equivalent to the 10th day of the 7th month. It is a Shabbat which means that no work can be done on this day. Due to a movement within the Torah community that says Yom Kippur aka The Day of Atonement is a feast day where food can be eaten; I wanted to make a message with more witnesses to refute this doctrine so that you will not transgress against YAHWEH on this important day.

Leviticus 6:23 (Samaritan)

“And EVERY SIN OFFERING that WILL COME FROM ITS BLOOD INTO THE TENT OF MEETING TO MAKE ATONEMENT in SET-APARTNESS SHALL NOT BE EATEN. IT SHALL BE BURNED WITH FIRE.”

Leviticus 6:23 (Complete Jewish Scriptures)

“But NO SIN OFFERING WHICH HAS HAD ANY OF ITS BLOOD BROUGHT INTO THE TENT OF MEETING IN THE SET-APART PLACE IS TO BE EATEN; IT IS TO BE BURNED UP COMPLETELY.”

This is exactly what we see happening on Yom Kippur! There is a bull for an iniquity offering made for Aaron and a goat for the people!

Leviticus 16:11-20, verse 27 (Samaritan)

“And Aaron shall offer the bull of the SIN OFFERING which is for HIMSELF AND MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF AND FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD. And he shall slaughter the bull of the SIN OFFERING which is for himself. And he shall take a firepan full of coals of fire from upon the altar before YAHWEH, and two handfuls of finely ground sweet incense, and bring it inside the veil. And he shall put the incense on the fire before YAHWEH, that the cloud of incense may cover the cover that is on the testimony, and if not, he will die. And he shall take SOME OF THE BLOOD OF THE BULL and sprinkle it with his finger before the cover on the east. Also in front of the cover he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times. And he shall slaughter the GOAT OF THE SIN OFFERING WHICH IS FOR THE PEOPLE, AND BRING ITS BLOOD INSIDE THE VEIL, AND DO WITH ITS BLOOD AS HE DID WITH THE BLOOD OF THE BULL, and sprinkle it on the cover, and in front of the mercy seat. AND HE SHALL MAKE ATONEMENT FOR THE SET-APART PLACE, BECAUSE OF THE IMPURITES OF THE SONS OF YISRA’EL AND BECAUSE OF THEIR TRANGRESSIONS IN REGARD TO ALL THEIR SINS. And he shall do for the tent of meeting which dwells with them in the midst of their impurities.  And when he goes in to MAKE ATONEMENT IN THE SET-APART PLACE, no one shall be IN THE TENT OF MEETING until he comes out, that he may MAKE ATONEMENT FOR HIMSELF, AND FOR HIS HOUSEHOLD, AND FOR ALL THE ASSEMBLY OF YISRA’EL. And he shall go out to the altar that is before YAHWEH and make atonement for it. And he shall take some of the blood of the bull, and of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar on all sides. And with his finger he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it seven times and cleanse it, and consecrate it from the impurities of the Sons of Yisra’el. “

Verse 27 “And the BULL OF THE SIN OFFERING AND THE GOAT OF THE SIN OFFERING, WHOSE BLOOD WAS BROUGHT IN TO MAKE ATONEMENT IN THE SET-APART PLACE, shall be taken outside the camp. AND THEY SHALL BURN THEIR HIDES, THEIR FLESH, AND THEIR REFUSE IN THE FIRE.”

As we see from the scriptures above that none of the bull or goat was to be eaten, and again, verse 27 is a direct match to Leviticus 6:23 quoted earlier.

Leviticus 6:23 (Samaritan)

“And EVERY SIN OFFERING that WILL COME FROM ITS BLOOD INTO THE TENT OF MEETING TO MAKE ATONEMENT in SET-APARTNESS SHALL NOT BE EATEN. IT SHALL BE BURNED WITH FIRE.”

Other witnesses:

Temple Scroll Column 25:11, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls, page 199

“The tenth of this month is the DAY OF ATONEMENT. You shall MORTIFY yourselves. For any person who DOES NOT MORTIFY HIMSELF on this self-same day shall be cut off from his people.”

Oxford languages defines “Mortify” as to subdue the body of its NEEDS and desires by SELF-DENIAL or discipline.

Collinsdictionary.com defines “Mortify” as to punish (one’s body) or control (one’s physical desires and passions) by SELF-DENIAL, FASTING, etc., as means of religious or ascetic discipline.

SELF-DENIAL is followed by “fasting” in the Collins dictionary and this is brought out in the Complete Jewish Scriptures translation, which says:

Leviticus 23:26

“YAHWEH said to Moses, “The tenth day of this seventh month is YOM-KIPPUR; you are to have a set-apart convocation, you ARE TO DENY YOURSELVES, and you are to bring an offering made by fire to YAHWEH.”

By not giving your body its needs such as food and water by fasting is a perfect example of self-denial and mortifying yourself.

Leviticus 23:26-32 (Samaritan)

“And YAHWEH spoke to Moses, saying, On exactly the TENTH DAY OF THIS SEVENTH MONTH IS DAY OF ATONEMENT. It shall be a set-apart reading for you. And you shall HUMBLE YOUR SOULS, and present an offering by fire to YAHWEH. And you shall not DO ANY WORK ON THIS SAME DAY, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before YAHWEH your ELOHIM. For any soul who will NOT HUMBLE HIMSELF on this same day, HE SHALL BE CUT OFF FROM HIS PEOPLE. For any soul WHO DOES ANY WORK ON THIS SAME DAY, THAT SOUL I WILL DESTROY FROM AMONG HER PEOPLES. And you shall NOT DO ANY WORK. It is to be a statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings. It is to be a SHABBAT OF COMPLETE REST TO YOU (SHABBAT SHABBATON). And you shall TORTURE YOUR SOULS, on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall REST ON YOUR SHABBAT.”

The Samaritan translation includes HUMBLING our souls during Yom Kippur. A synonym for torture is to afflict. So, how can we humble our souls?

Psalms 35:13 (Septuagint)

" But I, when they troubled me, put on sackcloth and HUMBLED my soul with FASTING”.

Leviticus 16:29-31 (Samaritan)

“In the SEVENTH MONTH, ON THE TENTH DAY OF THE MONTH, you shall TORTURE YOUR SOULS, AND NOT DO ANY WORK, WHETHER A CITIZEN, OR THE PROSEYLTE sojourning among you. For it is on this day that atonement shall be made for you to CLEANSE YOU. You will be clean for all your offenses before YAHWEH. It is to be a SHABBAT OF REST FOR YOU, THAT YOU SHALL TORTURE YOUR SOULS. IT IS A PERMANENT STATUTE.”

Oxford Languages lists AFFLICT as a synonym for TORTURE that the Samaritan translation also uses for Yom Kippur.

Isaiah 58:3 (Aramaic)

"Why have we FASTED, and You have not seen? Why have we AFFLICTED ourselves, and You took no notice?"

Matthew 9:14-15 (Hebrewgospels.com)

“The disciples of John came unto YESHUA MASHIACH, saying, “Why do your disciples not AFFLICT THEMSLEVES like us and the Pharisees? So YESHUA MASHIACH said to them, “Because of the bridegroom—while he is alive, all of them who are with him are not able to be quenched. But when the time comes that man will hide the bridegroom, THEN THEY WILL FAST.”

Damascus Document 6:19, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls page 134

“They shall keep the Shabbat day according to its exact interpretation, and the FEASTS AND THE DAY OF FASTING according to the finding of the members of the New Covenant in the land of Damascus.”

Damascus Document Manuscripts from Cave 4, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls 157

“They shall not bath or wash their garments on the GREAT DAY AND FAST, ON THE DAY OF ATONEMENT.”

2 Chronicles 8:13 (Aramaic)

“Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the Shabbats and the SOLEMN FEASTS, three times a year, in the Feast of Unleavened Bread, AND IN THE FEAST OF THE  FASTING, and in the Feast of Tabernacles.”

The translation of the Aramaic matches what see in the Dead Sea Scrolls!

The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls (Prayers for Festivals, 1Q34) page 382

“Prayer for the DAY OF ATONEMENT. Remember O YAHWEH, the feast of mercies and the time of return…Thou has established it for us as a FEAST OF FASTING, AND AN EVERLASTING PRECEPT…Thou knowest the hidden things and the things revealed…

Commentary of Habakkuk, The Complete Dead Sea Scrolls page 515

“Woe to him who causes his neighbors to drink; who pours out his venom to make them drunk that he may gaze on their feasts (ii, 15).

Interpreted, this concerns the Wicked Priest who pursued the Teacher of Righteousness to the house of his exile that he might confuse him with his venomous fury. And at the time appointed for rest, for THE DAY OF ATONEMENT, he appeared before them to confuse them, and to cause them to stumble ON THE DAY OF FASTING, their Shabbat repose.

Acts 27:9 (Aramaic Lamsa)

“There we remained for a long time, even till the DAY OF THE JEWISH FAST was over and, since it had now become dangerous for anyone to sail, Paul gave them advice.”

Acts 27:9 (Aramaic English New Testament)

“And we were there a long time, and till after the DAY OF THE JEWISH FAST.”

There is a footnote marked #205 in the Aramaic English New Testament which says, “THIS IS YOM KIPPUR.”

Prayerfully this message will clear up any confusion or misinterpretation of the scriptures and allow for complete obedience to YAHWEH! As always may YAHWEH bless you in YESHUA’s Name!