Family in the Messiah Yeshua! Greetings and blessings to you from your brothers and sisters at “Holy Land Ministries”, Israel!
Once again, we are in the middle of very important preparations. This is a time for the traditional Shofar blowing and repentance…everybody is getting ready for a new season, for the celebration of the L-rd’s Holy Days.
“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘The feasts of the L-rd, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, these are My feasts’ “. Leviticus 23:2
The first Feast of the L-rd that we are approaching now is “Rosh HaShana” which means “Head of the Year”, also called the Feast of Trumpets. The second name for this Holiday comes from the command to blow trumpets, recorded in Books of Leviticus 23:24 and Numbers 29:1.
“In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24
As we see this event is appointed on the first day (at the new moon) of the seventh month, which is the Jewish month Tishrei. This Feast is celebrated for two days, and this year it begins at sunset Sunday 25th and ends at nightfall on Tuesday 27th of September by the Gregorian calendar. The name of “Rosh HaShana” meaning “Head of the Year” is used because it marks the beginning of the Jewish civil calendar. Thus, on the first of Tishrei we enter into new year 5783.
Right after the new year celebration follows the ten days known as the “10 days of Awe´ or the “10 Days of Repentance” which bring us to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur in Hebrew) commemorated by the absolute national Fast on the 10th of the same month Tishrei, which begins at sundown on the 4th and ends at nightfall on the 5th October according the Gregorian calendar.
And finally, on the 15th of Tishrei we begin the 7-day Succoth celebration (October 9-16 this year), followed by Shemini Atzeret/ Simchat Torah (October 17-18), which concludes this holy and exciting time of the Fall Festivals. As before, we would like to share with you the thoughts of our local rabbi and dear brother in the Messiah Yeshua on this special season that we are all entering now:
בס״ד
The Biblical Fall Festivals
Focus: The Day of Atonement
הימים הנוראים, הנושא: יום הכיפורים
The seventh month on the Biblical calendar is a special one, for in it are four different Festivals—The Feast of Trumpets, The Day of Atonement, The Feast of Tabernacles and the Eighth Day Assembly. In this brief article, I would like to focus on the Day of Atonement and specifically the High Priest. The Day of Atonement is on the tenth day of the seventh month and its primary purpose is for the High Priest to secure atonement for the covenant people of G-d. It is solely the High Priest who does all that is required on behalf of the people. In the letter to the Hebrews, Yeshua is also called our High Priest. In fact, the author of this letter informs the reader concerning the uniqueness of Yeshua being our High Priest.
In chapter three of Hebrews, Yeshua is called the High Priest of our confession and is likened to Moses. What is the purpose of mentioning Moses within this context? Moses is understood as a redeemer; therefore, the work of Yeshua as High Priest is to bring redemption to His covenant people. In this same chapter, Moses is called a servant, Yeshua is called a Son. What is the significance of Yeshua being called a Son? The term son relates to an inheritance which one who is only a servant does not receive. Hence, those who receive His work of redemption will be inherited by Him for “a hope which we should hold firm until the end” (verse 6). This hope is in regard to one being made able to enter into the Kingdom.
It is through Yeshua’s work as High Priest that grace becomes available, as it is written, “Therefore, we should come before the Throne of grace with boldness, in order that we should receive mercy and grace, we should find in the time of needing help.” (Hebrews 4:16)
It is in chapter five that the reader learns an important difference between Yeshua’s Priesthood and a high priest that served through the Levitical covenant. Yeshua is not a High Priest from the same order. He is from the order of Melchi-Tzedek (Hebrews 5:6,10). Although there are many important differences between these two orders, one is the direction of the blessing. The G-d of Israel is a Blessed G-d Who desires to bless His covenant people. Whereas the Levitical priests would take from the people and offer the sacrifice to G-d, one learns from Genesis 14:18-20 that within the context of victory, Melchi-Tzedek blessed Abraham. This same truth is also stated in Hebrews,
“For this Melchi-Tzedek, King of Salem, priest of the Most High G-d, the one having met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him.” Hebrews 7:1
What is also most interesting concerning Melchi-Tzedek is what is further stated in Hebrews chapter seven,
“Without father, without mother, without genealogy, and not having a beginning of days nor an end of life; but, having been made like the Son of G-d, he remains a priest continuously.” Hebrews 7:3
This verse reveals incredible things concerning Melchi-Tzedek which speaks of his uniqueness. It is also very significant that it says that he, “…having been made like the Son of G-d….” I have heard many speculate that Melchi-Tzedek is Yeshua. Such a view is highly problematic. The Greek word used in this verse is ἀφομοιόω and it denotes one who is “made like or rendered similar to”. Yeshua was not made! He is the Eternal Son of G-d and there was never a time that He did not exist and He did not go through any process that affected Him in any way.
The reader must remember that our subject is the Day of Atonement; but we have already learned that Yeshua’s High Priesthood is about redemption, rather than simply atonement. The author of Hebrews also states that the Levitical priesthood did not and could not secure perfection τελείωσις. It is because of the insufficiency of the Levitical priesthood there was a need for a greater and different priesthood.
It was previously stated in Hebrews that Melchi-Tzedek was the king of Salem, meaning king of peace. The Biblical word peace is connected to the “fulfilment of the will of G-d.” Hence, the priesthood of Melchi-Tzedek will bring about the fulfilment of the will of G-d, i.e. the establishment of the Kingdom of G-d.
Yeshua, by means of the incarnation, entered into human history and was not from the tribe of Levi; rather, He is from the lineage of Yehudah. This change in the priesthood is so what the Levitical high priest could not obtain, Yeshua did secure for His New Covenant people. It is recorded in Hebrews concerning Yeshua,
“…You are a Priest forever (According to the order of Melchi-Tzedek) Hebrews 7:21. That which appears within the parenthesis is included in the Textus Receptus, but not in Nestle- Aland.
Furthermore, because of the need for a better covenant, one which could bring about the fulfilment of the will of G-d, there had to be a better High Priest. One Who could save to the uttermost, i.e., those who were lost in sin and formerly without hope. In the concluding verses of chapter seven, one learns concerning Yeshua that He is the guarantee of a better covenant and represents a priesthood that continues forever and is unchanging. He lives to make intercession for His people and is holy, undefiled and separate from sinners and is higher than the heavens. The work which He did as High Priest was perfect and because it achieves the will of G-d, it does not need to be repeated each year.
It is because of these reasons and more, that Yeshua is seated at the right hand of the throne of majesty in the heavens (Hebrews 8:1). He is the Minister of the sanctuary of the true tabernacle which the L-rd established and not man (Hebrews 8:2).
One must also remember that the Temple in Jerusalem was only a copy of the true Temple in heaven (Hebrews 8:5).
The good news for those who believe in Him and have entered into a better covenant, the New Covenant, is that Yeshua is High Priest of good things to come (Hebrews 9:11). These things are all related to the promise of the eternal inheritance.
The Biblical word eternal αἰώνιος is an adjective which frequently describes the Kingdom of G-d. It should not only be understood as transcending time, but as describing the very character of the Kingdom and a quality that is perfect and without comparison.
Such a Kingdom is beyond the grasp of humanity left to ourselves. It is for this reason that the Eternal Son of G-d left heaven and the incarnation took place. The primary reason for the incarnation is for Messiah Yeshua to do the work of redemption.
The focus of this article is the Day of Atonement; however, atonement is inadequate and relates to the Levitical priesthood. Atonement is only a covering up of the sin and only delays the judgment of G-d; whereas redemption removes the sin and also the necessity of any judgment from G-d. In other words, redemption is much better than atonement and the author of Hebrews proclaims to us that the Messiah has obtained for His covenant people ETERNAL REDEMPTION.
“But Messiah having arrived as High Priest of coming good things through a greater and more perfect tabernacle not made by hands, this is not of this creation. And not by blood of goats and calves, but by His Own blood, He entered once and for all into the Holy Places having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:11-12
Yeshua has completed the payment for redemption and has secured for His New Covenant people eternal salvation. However, the outcome of His High Priesthood has not yet been manifested. In regard to this, I am referring to the receiving of His Kingdom promises and all the eternal benefits of being one’s Saviour. It is to this issue that the author of Hebrews writes,
“…He will be seen to the ones who are waiting for Him for salvation.” Hebrews 9:28b
The salvation which is being referred to in this verse is not the forgiveness of sin, but the outcome of having one’s sins being forgiven by faith in Him, i.e., the victory of departing this sin-stained world and being welcomed into the eternal Kingdom of G-d where we will be forever in His Presence and the eternal recipients of His goodness.
Therefore, on this Yom Kippur, as we read about the work of the high priest from Leviticus chapter sixteen, let us also remember our High Priest, Messiah Yeshua, Who obtained for us not an annual atonement, but eternal redemption.
Dear Family, please continue to pray for Lisa, (we have already introduced you to Lisa in one of our previous letters.) Lisa is one of the few Holocaust survives that are still with us…
She was born in 1930 in Ukraine, in Kyiv to a Jewish family and like many of her generation had to go through the horrors and trials of World War II. Many of her extended family were killed. She and her father “just made it”, when they were evacuated with the last train, literally a day before the German troops captured Kyiv.
During the years of evacuation, little Lisa lived with her parents in the Urals, part of Russia, bordering with Siberia. This was a very difficult time for everyone there; – people lived in constant hunger and cold, fighting disease, and desperately trying to survive…
Lisa and her family have survived. And after the war they returned to Ukraine, where she grew up, married, and raised her children. Then, in the beginning of 90’s, when the Soviet Empire collapsed, Lisa and her husband decided to make Aliya, they were already 65 years old when they made the decision to move to Israel, using the Law of Return, which gives a right to every Jewish person to settle in their historical Home Land.
But unfortunately, all her children at that time remained in Ukraine. Currently, Lisa lives alone in a hostel, her husband died some years ago, and right now she is very lonely, day and night thinking and worrying for her children and grand children, who are caught up in the war in Ukraine. She is crying and all the time is asking us to pray for the safety of her family and for the possibility for them to get to Israel.
“Behold, I will send for many fishermen,” says the Lord, “and they shall fish them; and afterward I will send for many hunters, and they shall hunt them from every mountain and every hill, and out of the holes of the rocks.” Jeremiah 16:16 NKJV.
We continue to pray for Lisa, for her sincere repentance and for the salvation of all her family, escaping the war and coming safely to Israel, where the L-rd has appointed them to be.
Please pray with us for this courageous Jewish woman, for her salvation, for her personal saving knowledge and faith in Messiah of Israel and His abundant grace in the lives of all her family.
Dear Family we are asking your special prayers for Vyacheslav an older Jewish man, (89 years old), who urgently needs the help of our G-d and His amazing grace. Vyacheslav has lived a long and difficult life which is not unusual for his generation. He was born in Leningrad, just seven years prior to the beginning of the Second World War, and lived through the most difficult period of the famous Leningrad Blockade, survived starvation and absolute deprivation of basic human needs. During the Blockade, his younger brother died painfully before his eyes. The war robbed him of his childhood and left scars for his whole life.
Although Vyacheslav may not have fully realized the spiritual significance of being Jewish, it still meant a lot to him. To the point that because of his position concerning his Jewishness he became subject to repression and persecution from the Soviet regime that dominated Russia at that time. In the beginning of 1990’s the Soviet Union collapsed along with its communist dictatorship and Vyacheslav decided to make Aliyah to Israel. By that time, he had buried his beloved wife and came to Israel alone in 1997.
Despite many anticipated challenges relating to whole “Aliyah” process and settling in a totally new country, he fell in love with Israel and fully embraced his new home, where the L-rd had brought him, ” returning him into the Land of his father”. Thus, for the last twenty-five years Vyacheslav has lived in Israel, in Ashqelon in a small rented apartment.
But even here the war has reached him again in a form of constant rocket attacks, to which Israelis are continually subjected in our days. A few years ago, during one of these attacks, a rocket hit the house where Vyacheslav is renting his small apartment. Fortunately, he was not hurt.
In recent years, he began to attend the Torah lessons in a local Synagogue, but rather “just out of loneliness” at that time, as he said to us. Unfortunately, Vyacheslav is really lonely, because all his family is still in Russia.
During the forced isolation during covid-19 epidemic, no one except for the soldier-volunteers (from the Israel Defense Forces) visited him. Israeli soldiers delivered him food and other necessities. He had no other communications during the whole time of pandemic. Our team met Vyacheslav very recently, as his son Herman has contacted HLM volunteer asking to help looking after his father. Herman has heard about our ministry from the other elderly people living in the same apartment block with Vyacheslav. A few months ago, Herman with his family came from Russia to visit and help his elderly father, but did not plan to make Aliyah.
On the contrary, when we brought the subject up, he was really negative and didn’t want to listen about moving to Israel as a permanent home. We all prayed about this situation. Repeatedly, as we visited Herman and Vyacheslav at their home, we have shared with them the numerous passages from the Scripture, talking about the return of the Jewish people to the Promised Land, as well as about the commandments given to Israel by the Almighty on the Mount Sinai.
Unfortunately, in early September, Vyacheslav’s health has drastically deteriorated: he has a cataract and partial blindness; then he had a mild stroke and about the same time he fell and broke his femoral joint. He was operated on the next day in the local hospital, though the doctors were very skeptical about the outcome considering Vyacheslav’s medical condition and the age factor.
After that, we visited Vyacheslav in the hospital, once again prayed and talked to him and to his son Herman about the urgency of calling on the name of the Lord and trusting His unlimited grace and mercy…and a miracle happened – Vyacheslav was able to recover after the difficult surgery (in-spite of the doctor’s prognosis) and is now in the rehabilitation stage. Also his son, with his entire family, are preparing to make Aliyah to Israel.
Thus, the Word of the L-rd about ” Return of His people” is coming to pass, being wonderfully fulfilled in the life of one more family…
“…The LORD lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them ‘ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers’.” Jeremiah 16:15 NKJV
Please pray for this precious Jewish family and for the L-rd’s special protection and guidance, as all of them at this time are going through a challenging, but exciting time in their lives.
Please pray for Vyacheslav, for his full recovery, for the gift of Faith and for the abundant grace in the life of this dear Jewish man, who has suffered so much already in his life.
That the L-rd would comfort him now, showing him a glimpse of the glory of the Messiah’s everlasting Kingdom, forever free from pain and suffering.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope”. Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV
“So, they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31 NKJV.
Dear Friends, we sure that many of you remember Valentina, we have written about her on the various occasions in our perversions reports over the years. Valentina is one of our dear wards who came to Faith, was disciples and baptized by local believing rabbi some time ago already.
Valentina is a lonely widow for many decades, but she has a daughter Helena, who is devoted to her and looking after her for the last years, as her mom’s health has deteriorated.
Since Valentina is not capable of visiting physically any local group of Yeshua’s disciples, due to her age and health condition, we have tried to visit her regularly at home, seeking to help her not just with physical, but also with the spiritual needs.
As we visited Valentina in her home, we have studied the Word with her and were taking communion all together, we have established a relationship with her daughter. At first Helena didn’t seem really interested in what we had to say and most of the time had preferred to stay in her room while we were studying the Torah and discussing various Biblical questions with Valentina. But little by little she became more interested and started to ask her own questions. Sometimes later, she has joined our group and begun her own spiritual journey and search for the life meaning.
Baruch HaShem, eventually the L-rd has opened Helena’s mind and heart for repentance, and has given her His Divine Truth and Revelation. Last year our rabbi has baptized her with the few others in the name of the Messiah Yeshua! Thus the new life in the Messiah has began for Helena, our precious new sister in the L-rd.
“…being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” , Philippians 1:6 NKJV
Dear family, please pray that the L-rd will continue His work in Helena’s heart and His perfect will be done in her life. May Helena will be strengthened and established in the understanding and teaching of our Messiah bring much fruits and eternal blessing into His coming Kingdom!
Dear Family, we wish you a joyful and blessed new year 5783 in the name of our eternal King Yeshua ha Masheach!
Holy Land Ministries 