Elul 5777 Calendar

[alon]

This is gleaned from the Judaism 101 website. I thought it would be good to get us al on the Hebrew calendar and so we know what is coming up this month.

Next month (on the Hillel calendar) starts the New Year and the Fall Feasts. We should be making plans and preparing for these feasts all this (Hebrew) month so this important time doesn't catch us unawares. Go to the Moedim section here and review now so you can get started. And if you can't do everything at least you should do what you can. Don't let this time slip by. Fortunately this month is pretty sparse as far as observances go, so we should have time to prepare before the 1st of Tishri and Yom Kippur.


Elul 5777 (August / September 2017) 

August 22
1 Elul

August 23
Rosh Chodesh Elul 2 Elul

August 26
Parashat Shoftim
5 Elul

September 1
11 Elul

September 2
Parashat Ki Teitzei
12 Elul

September 9
Parashat Ki Tavo
19 Elul

September 16
Parashat Nitzavim / Vayeilekh
26 Elul

September 20
Erev Rosh Hashanah

[garrett]

Thanks Dan

[garrett]

...and I think I've finally come up with a better building plan for my Sukkah this year. Clean and basic!

I think it will be a good place to go and drink coffee, as well as other spiritual matters...

[Elizabeth]

I was watching a study on the month of Elul. Please address what may be different than what any of you have learned or that I may have understood wrong.

According to the study, it begins 40 days of fasting and is considered a time of intercession. There are 30 days till the Feast of Trumpets (which is Rosh Hashanah I believe?). Then 10 days until Yom Kippur.

Anyway, according to the study Moses went up the mountain to receive the first set of stones on the first of Elul. ()  A realization struck me as I was listening to the study, and I also wanted to put it out there for help with developing it further and feedback. So run with it if you can so I can think it through more completely, or perhaps you have already done so and have more to offer as I think there is really something here and my thoughts are not foundless.

I realized there is some context for Yeshua's having to come to earth twice in Moses having to ascend the mountain twice.

Consider the stone tablets as a means of dealing with sin and given as a result of sin, then the breaking of the stone tablets on which the was wrote and given as a consequence of sin itself. That in an of itself almost defines who Yeshua is for us a sinners.  The very thing that G-d Himself gave to deal with sin was of and from Himself.  Further, it was broken as a result and because of sin, the very thing for which He sent it. But further connections include

1) Yeshua the Living , like the on stone was broken,  initially rejected, and un-received the first time it was offered. 

2) -the necessity that the people repent for G-d to not kill them in His wrath but show them mercy 
    -Yeshua coming to earth to give us time to repent so that G-d can give us His mercy instead of His wrath

3) -the intercession from Moses that G-d not kill them, but allow them to live so that He can be glorified
    -the ongoing intercession of Yeshua and His Spirit that we be made new and given eternal life that G-d may be glorified

4) -Moses having to ascend the mountain a second time to receive the a second time for it to finally be accepted, honored, and realized  
    -Yeshua having to come to earth a second time to be received, honored, and  for His rule to be fully realized

When I read through Exodus 32 and 33 it was almost too much to think about as I saw all the connections we could draw. It's hard for me to pull my thoughts together generally, so wanted to put this out there to hear what you may have learned already on the idea, feedback and just to help me develop it further.

[alon]

It would help to know the source of this study. There are a lot of different traditions in Judaism. But there are some common themes which Messianics can apply. Many do not observe this time and that is ok. But if you do there is a lot of meaning in this tradition.

According to the study, it begins 40 days of fasting and is considered a time of intercession. There are 30 days till the Feast of Trumpets (which is Rosh Hashanah I believe?). Then 10 days until Yom Kippur.

Fasting for forty days seems a bit extreme. Possibly denying ourselves somewhat. But not a full fast. The main thing is this is a time of introspection and teshuva (repentance). The most serious time is of course the yomim nora’im, the Days of Awe between between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. So we should be preparing ourselves for the High Holy Days coming soon.

One suggestion is to try and think about all you did this last year for a week. Then think of different areas you need to work on for a week. Then ways in which you can work on these areas. And finally prayers for help. During the yamim noraim then we will hopefully be ready to earnestly ask forgiveness and repent. This can happen at any time of course. And if you feel led to that don’t try to wait. It’s just that this is a time designed to help bring us to this place.

Other things you can do at this time is to sound a shofar early each morning. The sound of a shofar focuses us on HaShem and calls us to repent. There are prayers and readings from the Psalms for each day, but you’d have to buy a separate Siddur for them. These are said early each morning. It is a time of increased charity, and more ahavat Yisrael which can mean love for fellow Jews (Meshiachim) or for ha’eretz Yisroel.

Mostly though it is about our searching for self-improvement and coming closer to G‑d.

According to the study Moses went up the mountain to receive the first set of stones on the first of Elul. ()  A realization struck me as I was listening to the study, and I also wanted to put it out there for help with developing it further and feedback. …

I realized there is some context for Yeshua's having to come to earth twice in Moses having to ascend the mountain twice.

Consider the stone tablets as a means of dealing with sin and given as a result of sin, then the breaking of the stone tablets on which the was wrote and given as a consequence of sin itself. That in an of itself almost defines who Yeshua is for us a sinners.  The very thing that G-d Himself gave to deal with sin was of and from Himself.  Further, it was broken as a result and because of sin, the very thing for which He sent it. But further connections include

1) Yeshua the Living , like the on stone was broken,  initially rejected, and un-received the first time it was offered. 

2) -the necessity that the people repent for G-d to not kill them in His wrath but show them mercy 
    -Yeshua coming to earth to give us time to repent so that G-d can give us His mercy instead of His wrath

3) -the intercession from Moses that G-d not kill them, but allow them to live so that He can be glorified
    -the ongoing intercession of Yeshua and His Spirit that we be made new and given eternal life that G-d may be glorified

4) -Moses having to ascend the mountain a second time to receive the a second time for it to finally be accepted, honored, and realized  
    -Yeshua having to come to earth a second time to be received, honored, and  for His rule to be fully realized

When I read through Exodus 32 and 33 it was almost too much to think about as I saw all the connections we could draw. It's hard for me to pull my thoughts together generally, so wanted to put this out there to hear what you may have learned already on the idea, feedback and just to help me develop it further.

Actually I think you pulled it together quite nicely there. The Bible is like a woven tapestry, with all the threads crossing and touching each other many times. But the picture anywhere on that tapestry points us to Yeshua. The time of Moshe’s first ascension on the mountain is tradition. Yet even these ancient traditions point us towards Yeshua.

The proper greeting for this time is “Ketivah vachatimah tovah,”
“May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year.”

For anyone wishing to take this further I am sure an internet search will turn up several more structured traditional observances of this time. Judaism is rich in tradition, all of which is designed to keep us in and closer to HaShem. But this is how I will be observing the month of Elul.

Thanks for bringing this up Elizabeth. As always, very insightful questions as well as facts.

Dan C

[garrett]

Elizabeth, I agree with Dan - your analogies/comparisons between Yeshua and Moses are very good. I'm reminded of His re-teaching of the things of Moses to those around Him in the Brit Chadashah, so many times. And it's true that the woven tapestries always point to Yeshua in the end.

garrett

[alon]

We are in a time of introspection on the Jewish calendar. Most Meshiachim don’t do a full introspection regimen in the month of Elul. Halacha in my own synagogue is that this would take away from the High Holy Days and yomim norahim. However for me it is a heightened time of awareness of those things I might do which could be sin. My regimen is light, and meant to add to, not detract from the coming moedim. As part of this I am looking at the topic of introspection and how it should be done. The following is mostly based on a teaching by Rav S of Synagogue Beit Aveinu.

“Let your conscience be your guide.” Is this sound advice? One’s conscience is subjective. What’s wrong to one may not be wrong to another, depending on their experiences, instruction, ethnicity and a plethora of other factors. And no one’s conscience is that of Elohim. So instead of following our own conscience, we should look to the word of God to determine what is right and wrong. Things we think that are right may be deplorable to HaShem.

I was made aware of a Honey Bear being a graven image at one point. HaShem didn’t hold it against me for having it before this became known to me. But until that point my conscience had not been pricked; the point being tat my conscience is not the Ruach HaKodesh. Now when the Ruach pricks our conscience, we should listen. But the first thing we should then do is consult the Word and make sure what we perceive as the Ruach lines up with scripture.

Believers often confuse the two; and pretty soon you can see individuals start speaking for G-d when they’re actually speaking from their own conscience. When people say “G- d told me this in ‘that still small voice,’” it’s probably from their conscience, not HaShem. They did not test it in the Word because it is easier to rely on their own conscience.

Matthew 23:1-3a (ESV) Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,  “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat,  so do and observe whatever they tell you,

Exodus 12:49 (ESV) There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.”

There’s not two set of rules and there’s not two trees to be grafted into. And just because the Pharisees said it does not nullify it as instructions.

Numbers 15:15-16 (ESV) For the assembly, there shall be one statute for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you, a statute forever throughout your generations. You and the sojourner shall be alike before the Lord.  One law and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.”

When HaShem repeats Himself, w might should tend to think it's important to Him.

Are all traditions bad? Rav Sh’ul said concerning Head Coverings:

1 Corinthians 11:2 (ESV) Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

And concerning idleness:

2 Thessalonians 3:6 (ESV) Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.

2 Thessalonians 2:15 (ESV) So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

So most of our excuses for not doing as instructed by HaShem are dealt with in scripture. How do we get to heaven?

Matthew 19:16-17 (CJB) A man approached Yeshua and said, “Rabbi, what good thing should I do in order to have eternal life?” He said to him,  “Why are you asking me about good? There is One who is good! But if you want to obtain eternal life, observe the mitzvot.”

We understand G-d’s Laws as something good. G-d gave us these Laws to help us, not to bind us. G-d doesn’t give His people bad things or things that are impossible to do. His “Instructions” help us in our daily lives. What is sin? Transgression of the Law!

1 John 3:4 (CJB) Everyone who keeps sinning is violating — indeed, sin is violation of .

1 John 3:4 (KJV) Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

We’re not free from G-d’s Laws and don’t wish to be. They’re good for us. In fact, if we don’t keep the Law we are cursed:

Deuteronomy 27:26 (CJB) “‘A curse on anyone who does not confirm the words of this by putting them into practice.’ All the people are to say, ‘Amen!’

No one in the “New Testament” wanted to be free from the law!

2 Timothy 2:15 (ESV) Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved [after being tested], a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

If we don’t study the Word when these issues come up then we have no excuse. Is G-d’s love unconditional? Yeshua Himself said:

John 15:10 (ESV) If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love.

We know that keeping G-d’s Laws is a must. If you turn from that, He will leave you whether you think so or not. G-d left Samson, and he didn’t even know it:

Judges 16:20 (ESV) And she said, “The Philistines are upon you, Samson!” And he awoke from his sleep and said, “I will go out as at other times and shake myself free.” But he did not know that the Lord had left him.

So we need to take this conscience thing seriously. Yes, listen to it. But take it to the Word. Don’t just think it is the end-all and be-all of living a Godly life. Let your conscience drive you to the Word, and let that be your guide.

Dan C

[alon]

Just some ideas for broad categories we might want to consider:Anyone else have any scriptural references to areas we should consider in the coming days?

Galatians 5:19-21 (ESV) Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[Some manuscripts add murder] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Revelation 22:15 (ESV) Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and the sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood.

Anyone else have any scriptural references to areas we should consider in the coming days?

Dan C

[garrett]

Yes, I think these verses are a good follow up to those from Galatians and Revelation:

PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9
"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy - meditate on these things.

The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the G-d of peace will be with you."

garrett

[Elizabeth]

I do feel called to be more aware of sin in myself, this year more so than in previous years. I have been focusing on fasting a bit more, and may fast about once a week or so depending on what I feel lead to do in the spirit. I am just trying to learn and grow past my difficulties, as well as take advantage of this time of year to grow closer to G-d.

On the note of being more aware of sin, I read through a list of sins in the Erev Yom Kippur section of a siddur I have. It also gave me a bit more awareness about the state of G-d's people on that day.

At the end of the list it says,
"My G-d, before I was formed I was unworthy, and now that I have been formed, it is as if I had not been formed. I am dust in my life and will surely be so in my death. Behold- before You I am like a vessel filled with and humiliation. May it be Your will, Hashemm, my G-d and the G-d of my forefathers, that I not sin again. And what I have sinned before You, may You cleanse with Your abundant mercy, but not through suffering or serious illness."

It hit me how different my prayers and focus will be that day because of Messiah Yeshua. After that moment, my focus has changed to include intercession for Israel, which I honestly haven't been doing enough. I am so focused on how I am supposed to do things and what I need to do in my own life, that I don't focus enough on the reason I am doing them nor the people I have to thank for keeping what's G-d's to be able to.

I think that will be my focus on Yom Kippur. How much more fully those who cling to Yeshua can approach G-d and this Feast Day, and knowing how much pressure Jewish people have taken upon themselves in contrast. I just want them to have the same peace. We know our complete dependence on G-d extends to even our ability to be sinless as we are veiled in the shadow of Messiah Yeshua. They don't have that, which upsets me. They take too much on themselves. It's such a catch 22 to think you can overcome sin on your own as it is sin that keeps you apart from the love of G-d, and you need the love of G-d through relationship with Him to overcome it. What a blessing we know, to only experience the love of G-d through Yeshua who walks and abides with us. When I read that paragraph, the pressure they put upon themselves to be sinless in the absence of Yeshua hit me. Perhaps this is the freedom Paul was talking about that Christians confuse with not having to observe . We can more fully experience because of Yeshua Who places our hearts and souls in the position to do so.

On that note, I will add Hosea as intercession for Israel 14:1-7
O Israel, return to the L-RD your G-d, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity; take words with you, and return to the L-RD. Say to Him."Take away all iniquity; receive us graciously, for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips. Assyria shall not save us, we will not ride on horses, nor will we say anymore to the work of our hands, 'You are our gods.' For in You the fatherless finds mercy." I will heal their backsliding, I will love them freely, for My anger has turned away from him. I will be like the dew to Israel; He shall grow like the lily, and lengthen his roots like Lebanon. His branches shall spread; His beauty shall be like an olive tree, and his fragrance like Lebanon. Those who dwell under his shadow shall return; they shall be revived like grain, and grow like a vine. Their scent shall be like the wine of Lebanon.

And on the complete dependence of G-d for righteousness, redemption, and salvation through the sacrifice of Yeshua, to remind G-d to be merciful to His people 1 Chronicles 29:10-15
Therefore David blessed the L-RD before all the assembly; and David said:
"Blessed are You, L-RD G-d of Israel, our Father, forever and ever. Yours, O L-RD, is the greatness, the power and the glory, the victory and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O L-RD, and you are exalted as head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hand is power and might; in Your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all. Now therefore, Our G-d, we thank You and praise Your glorious Name. But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly as this? For all things come from You, and of Your own we have given You. For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers; our days on earth are as a shadow, and without hope."