RECOGNIZING GOD

DO YOU RECOGNIZE THESE TWO IMAGES?  

There is an obvious similarity between these two images. Many people will recognize the image on the left as a famous stained glass "Rose Window" hanging in a church.  Very few will recognize the other image to the right of it.  Ironically, that image is an even more compelling basis for believing in God. 

Can a scientist reconcile faith in God?  What if that scientist was one of the most credible and accomplished scientists in the world?  What if that scientist started out as an atheist with no faith throughout his life?

Could such a scientist find God in any sort of scientific way? Could such a scientist find God with the help of another highly educated and intelligent atheist?

What if the scientist I am referring to based his conclusions on logic and evidence?  What if this scientist came to his belief in God because it was the only plausible explanation for scientific facts?

The scenario I have posed is not hypothetical.  It is a real story.  If you have a hard time coming to faith, but wish you could, this story may be for you. But you would have to be a very intelligent scientific type to get through this story.  If so, perhaps you recognize the image on the right. If you are an atheist, better yet. 

By the way, the scientist I referred to is Francis S. Collins, the former director of the Human Genome Project. The other highly intelligent atheist who reached the same conclusion about God is C.H. Lewis. 

Here is Collins simplest scientific explanation for God:

"God, who is not limited in space or time, created this universe 13.7 billion years ago with its parameters precisely tuned – that fine-tuning argument – to allow the development of complexity over long periods of time. That plan included the mechanism of evolution to create this marvelous diversity of living things on our planet and to include ourselves, human beings. Evolution, in the fullness of time, prepared these big-brained creatures, but that’s probably not all we are from the perspective of a believer.

God, in that case, having a house that’s now well-designed for it, gifted humanity with free will and with a soul. We could argue about what a soul actually means. And at that point, humans received this special status: made in God’s image, not in physical terms, but in spiritual and mental terms. We humans used our free will to disobey God – that’s what the story of the Garden of Eden is all about – leading to our realization of being in violation of that moral law. Thus we were estranged from God. For Christians like myself, Jesus is the solution to that estrangement."

Here Collins telling his story:

https://youtu.be/EGu_VtbpWhE

In a Dark Time

A poem by Theodore Roethke

In a dark time, the eye begins to see,

I meet my shadow in the deepening shade;   

I hear my echo in the echoing wood—

A lord of nature weeping to a tree.

I live between the heron and the wren,   

Beasts of the hill and serpents of the den.

What’s madness but nobility of soul

At odds with circumstance? The day’s on fire!   

I know the purity of pure despair,

My shadow pinned against a sweating wall.   

That place among the rocks—is it a cave,   

Or winding path? The edge is what I have.

A steady storm of correspondences!

A night flowing with birds, a ragged moon,   

And in broad day the midnight come again!   

A man goes far to find out what he is—

Death of the self in a long, tearless night,   

All natural shapes blazing unnatural light.

Dark, dark my light, and darker my desire.   

My soul, like some heat-maddened summer fly,   

Keeps buzzing at the sill. Which I is I?

A fallen man, I climb out of my fear.   

The mind enters itself, and God the mind,   

And one is One, free in the tearing wind.

WE ARE UNWORTHY

Fetus at 20 Weeks

We are unworthy from the second of conception all the way until the moment of our death for God's grace.  But for the grace of God, we would not have the blessings of our birth, the air we breath, the food and water that sustains us.  By the grace of God we live another day. 

The womb was created by the same means by which the womb gives life. The womb was designed by God to be the perfect compassionate environment to sustain and nurture a brand new life for 40 weeks. The Hebrew word for womb also means compassion. 

The womb will determine whether the life it holds is viable. If it is not, the womb will miscarriage to end the life.  

If by a man and women's actions a new life is created, the womb takes possession of that life.  At the moment of conception one is "written in the Book of Life." 

Psalm 139:13 “For you formed my inward parts; you covered me in my mother’s womb.” 

That life is not it's mother or it's father. It has a unique design that no other human being on the planet has.  

If life has sanctity at all, then we all have an obligation to be respectful of a life whether that life is weeks away from birth or weeks away from death.

The Supreme Court is about to decide who gets to choose life or death.  It is about to decide whether our USA Constitution gave the Federal Government the right to end a life in the womb is a Constitutional right given to every woman in America. 

The potential of a human being begins when life begins. No one can deny the potential of an unborn child.    

Open your heart . . . 

Related Post - Give Women Better Choices

Such A Sad Thought

I had such a sad thought just now. It isn't the first time I've had this particular sad thought, but for some reason I decided to blog about it this time. 

The thought was that I didn't have God in my life. I looked for him and he wasn't there. That made me feel sad. 

Fortunately I snapped out of it immediately. I was just imagining for a brief moment what my life would be like without the relationship I've built with God. 

Speaking for myself, life takes on a special new meaning when we develop a relationship with God.  I believe others would agree that God provides us with a greater sense of purpose. We take comfort and toss off anxiety and fear. Some may feel a calling.  

Some people are afraid to have a relationship with God.  I understand the concern about giving up things we value and/or enjoy.  In a way, it is a bit like going on a diet. There can be some pleasure we forgo, but we feel so much better and healthier in exchange.  (Which reminds me that I need to do a better job practicing what I preach. LOL) 

In a relationship with God we gain guidance and there is less stress about the future. It is a relationship we can trust and turn to.  

Numbers 23:19 -- "God is not a man who lies, or a son of man who changes his mind! Does He speak and then not do it, or promise and not fulfill it?"

With God we know we are loved. We experience new joys and our spirit soars.

The thought of not having God deflates our spirit like letting the air out of a balloon. Our heart sinks.  It is sad.

No matter how wealthy one is, if we do not have a relationship with God there is apt be a feeling of emptiness. It is the sense that our life is missing something.  Trying to fill the place where God belongs with anything but God is futile.  We are easily decieved into pursuing false gods.

Those false gods of this world discourage belief in El Elyon. It is difficult to believe in something we don't see but faith doesn't come from seeing.  

How can someone start a relationship with God?  Simple!  Because God is always waiting for our call. God is ready to come into our life the split second that we accept Hashem into our heart. When we do, our life is different. We are transformed. 

Proverbs 23:18 There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Expect divine fulfillment of God’s promises in your life.

God wrote a book for us filled with tremendous stories and instructions.  God provides us with teachers both physical and spiritual.  God shows us signs. God's small voice is in our heart - Shema!

שְׁמַ֖ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יְהֹוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵ֖ינוּ יְהֹוָ֥ה | אֶחָֽד

Sh'ma Yisra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad. Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One

Establishing a relationship with God entails making a Covenant with God.  God is one - but it takes two in order to have relationship. The greater our love, the greater the gifts we give to show our love. The more we give, the more we recieve.  How terribly sad it is to think what it is like to not be in a relationship with God. Perish the thought. 

Amen

GIVE WOMEN BETTER CHOICES!

 

With Supreme Court rulings concerning abortion imminent there are many who are concerned that women will lose the right to a choice. 

Life is a choice. Death is a choice. The opposite of "life" is NOT "choice." It is "death." 

Deuteronomy 30:19 says "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live."

In my humble opinion ... The choice is simple. It has nothing to do with being a man or a woman.  It is about being a humain human being with common sense and compassion.

This article is about better life choices!

If one doesn't want their "seed" to spread, wear a condom or don't have sex. If one makes a bad choice, there are many other options including the "day after pill" and early-term abortion. 

Pregnancy test kits are readily available and women will have the means to terminate a brand new pregnancy. The Supreme Court decision will not remove that right.

Many pregnancies do not go to full term. Many miscarriages happen in the first trimester because God designed our bodies to make it's own decision concerning the viability of the fetus. However, there comes a point in a pregnancy when the unborn has established it's own claim to life.

There is too great of a difference to ignore between this:

AND THIS!

Tearing an unborn baby, especially at 5-9 months out of the womb is barbaric. You could not watch that procedure without drawing the conclusion that you are witnessing a homicide, not a "choice."

I support a woman's right to choose not to have a baby. Of course that is her right!!  Every woman HAS that right and they will have that right even AFTER the Supreme Court allows states to put greater restrictions on abortion, should that be the outcome!  

As a matter of fact, greater restrictions will not result in women giving up the "choice" not to have a baby!  It is virtually certain that the medical and pharmaceutical industry will develop new and other better choices for preventing, detecting and ending an unwanted pregnancy atbthe very start if she must. 

Furthermore, greater protections of unborn viable babies will result it more choices and better choices for women, as well as men.  Those choices will result in the following:

- more thoughtful decisions about practicing unsafe sex, by both women and men

- fewer sexually transmitted diseases 

- fewer unwanted pregnancies

- less women struggling with the emotional pain and turmoil over the decision to abort or carry their unborn baby

- fewer woman suffering the trauma and haunting feelings produced by an abortion 

- more families receiving a baby through adoption

In the final analysis, I believe greater restrictions on abortion will prove to be better for women, both mothers and the millions of female babies who will not be robbed of life by the choice to kill them while they were in the womb. 

The womb is a sacred place.  A womb is quite literally the embodiment of compassion. It's only purpose is to nurture and protect life. To commit a homicide in the womb, such as abortion, is a desecration. 

Related post - We Are Unworthy

STAY CONNECTED

In this crazy and chaotic world, I believe that one of the most effective ways to feel more "grounded" to something meaningful is to stay connected to the Hebrew Calendar. 

One of the cool things about Judaism is that life is lived celebrating events and remembering times in the Bible and the history of God's chosen people. 

Being "chosen" doesn't mean than the Jewish people get it easy. To the contrary, as history proves. But the Jews are to be a light to the nations.  So watch! 

The year is filled with holidays and anniversaries. Hanukkah is an example.

Jews are moon gazers. We look to the heavens to know if it’s a new month and even a new year. We start many of our major holidays when the moon is full and bursting with light – like the spring festival of Passover and the fall harvest festival of Sukkot. 

Here are things I like to do:

- Know the Hebrew date.  Know the month I'm in and what biblical and historical associations there are. Chabad offers a lovely printed calendar. It is easy to Google too.  

- Recognize Rosh Chodesh (Hebrew for “head of the month”).  Each month we celebrate the arrival of the new moon, marking the start of a new month in the Jewish calendar. Rosh Chodesh is celebrated for two days – the last day of the prior month and the first day of the new month.

"And G‑d said to Moses… in the land of Egypt… This month is for you, the head of the months. First it is for you among the months of the year."  Exodus 12:1-2

- Learn about the events in the Bible in real-time.  In other words, as dates with biblical significance come up, take the time to explore what they are about. I like to write on the subject because writing is a great way to deepen and organize my thoughts. 

- Israel has been called God's timepiece. Pay attention to what is happening in Israel with historical connections to the bible. This article about a "sling stone" is a good example. 

https://www.timesofisrael.com/sling-stone-from-hasmonean-period-found-in-southern-hebron-hills/

- Follow/study Torah - The Torah is called the "tree of life." It is the ultimate connection to something meaningful. 

Today is 25th of Kislev 5782 - the first day of Hanukkah. Rosh Chodesh Tevet* is this Sunday, December 5, 2021. 

* Notable events in the month of Tevet: 

There are several very significant events in Jewish history that took place in the month of Tevet. One of the most tragic historical events is Asarah (10th) of Tevet which marks the beginning of the Siege of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzer II of Babylon. That ultimately culminated in the destruction of Solomon's Temple, the downfall of the Kingdom of Judah and the Babylonian exile of the Jews.

This is also a month that Jews were expelled from Vienna Austria and Portugal.  

On a happier note the 10th of Tevet is when Esther appears before King Achashverosh for the first time and is chosen to be His queen. This set the stage for Purim and Haman's demise.

There is also the the 25th of Tevet. Some say it is the 2nd Hanukkah - or the Hanukkah that could have been. It marks when the Jewish high priest came out of the temple in temple robes wearing the sacred jeweled "breastplate of judgment." 

The high priest and his accompaniment walked through the night with torches burning over to met Alexander the Great. Alexander came down from his chariot and bowed down to the high priest even after the Samaritans said the Jews intended to betray him. The reason why King Alexander bowed down and what happened after is a fascinating story.

REMEMBER THE 13TH ADAR!

REMEMBER THE 13TH ADAR!

The story of Hannukah that the scholars debate in the Gemara, hundreds of years after the Books of Maccabees, is not in the Hebrew bible (the Tanach). However, the Hebrew word Hanukkah, which means dedication, is all through it! 

The Books of Maccabees are not canonical for Jews, but they are for some Christians, for example Catholics.  In fact the FIRST place the "Celebration of Dedication" (Hanukkah) is mentioned is in the New Testament.

THE GREAT IRONY OF HANUKKAH - "The Books of Maccabees survived because they became part of the Christian canon, or otherwise they most certainly would have been lost during the centuries. But once this Christian canonization occurred, these books became lost to the Jewish world for many centuries."

A good read of the Books of Maccabees reveals a point that both Jews and Christians seem to be missing. That is the explicit edict by Judah Maccabee to "Remember the 13th of Adar."

I want to explain why we should remember the 13th of Adar and the historical story of Hannukah which is found in the Books of Maccabees.  We owe it to Judas Maccabeus and his followers who fought back against Hellenism and assimilation to remember!

In the Books of Maccabees there is the story of a great battle on the 13th of Adar 161 BC. The future of the Jewish Nation was at stake. This battle took place at Adasa (חדשה‎), near Beth-horon, between the Maccabees and the Seleucid Empire led by the Syrian-Seleucid General Nicanor under the King Antiochus Epiphanes. 

Against great odds, the Maccabees are victorious and head of Nicanor is cut off. Judah Maccabee declares in 2 Maccabees to "Remember the 13th of Adar! The Ancient Judean Holiday: Yom Nicanor - 13th of Adar -- is in rememberance of this crucial victory. 

"Coincidentally" there was another great battle that took place on the 13th of Adar. It didn't take place at Adasa, but the heroin Hadassa (Esther) played a great role. Like the battle with the evil and treacherous Nicanor, there was another evil and treacherous man who had the King's support. The other man being Haman. Like in the Book of Maccabees, the Jewish nation's fate was at stake. Like the battle of the Maccabees, the Jews win a glorious victory. Like Hanukkah, Jews celebrate this occasion to this day. I am referring to Purim. 

In both cases there are ancient Jewish Megillahs (scrolls). We have the Scroll of Esther covering Purim and the Books of Maccabees for Hanukkah.  

Purim takes its name from the lots (“purim” in Hebrew) that Haman casts which fall on the 13th day of Adar. That is the date set for when Haman was going to massacre the Jews.

Mordecai, the hero in the Megillah of Esther, discovers Haman’s plot to massacre the Jews. Mordechai urges his cousin Esther to risk her life by revealing her Jewish identity to King Ahasuerus and expose Haman’s plot to wipe out her people. King Ahasuerus orders Haman to be hanged, and the Jews are permitted to fight back. In a major turn of events the Jews are victorious and kill their enemies who were preparing to slaughter them.

The Fast of Esther is observed on the 13th of Adar in commemoration of Mordechai and Esther and all Israel. The acceptance of this Fast of the 13th of Adar on the part of Israel for later generations is alluded to in the Scroll of Esther: "And as they accepted upon themselves and upon their children, the matters of their fastings and their cry" (Esther 9).

Purim is celebrated on the 14th day of Adar, when the Persian Jews are said to have celebrated after vanquishing their would-be executors. 

The Book of Esther does not feature among the Dead Sea Scrolls (spanning 150 BCE – 70 CE) and references to Purim do not feature in the Jewish literature before the 1st century C.E. 

In fact the FIRST REFERENCE TO PURIM is in the deuterocanonical book Maccabees II (15:32), which merely says that on the 14th of the Jewish month of Adar, Jews celebrated a holiday called "Mordecai Day." Even the author of 2 Maccabees recognizes the parallel between the Book of Esther and The Battle of Adasa. 

In Maccabees 2, Judah fastened Nicanor’s head to the citadel, visible to all and an obvious sign of the help of the Lord. And they all decreed by public vote never to let this day go unobserved but to have the thirteenth day of the twelfth month (Adar) in the Syrian language, marked, the day before Mordechai’s day.

What are the odds that there would be two victories of such significance to the survival of the Jewish Nation on the 13th of Adar?  

The 13th of Adar is also mentioned in the Talmud as the day on which vengeance was executed.

Is there a prophetic message about a future "day of vengeance" that might fall on the 13th of Adar?  

If one is looking for a hint more of the prophetic related to Hanukkah it could be something that Yeshua said in the Book of Matthew.  

The revolt of the Maccabees begins with the "Abomination of Desolation" when the father of Judah Maccabee, Matisyahu (which is the Hebrew origin of the name Matthew), kills a Jew and a soldier for erecting an altar to Zeus in the Holy of Holies and sacrificing a pig on it. After that the Maccabees flee to the hills!

In chapter 24 of the Book of Matthew in the Brit Haddasha (New Testament), Yeshua (Jesus) says: 

15 “So when you see ‘the abomination of desolation,’ which was spoken of through Daniel the prophet, standing in the Holy Place (let the reader understand), 16 then those in Judea must flee to the mountains. 17 The one on the roof must not go down to take what is in his house, 18 and the one in the field must not turn back to get his coat. 19 Woe to those who are pregnant and to those who are nursing babies in those days! 20 Pray that your escape will not happen in winter, or on Shabbat. 21 For then there will be great trouble, such as has not happened since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will. 22 And unless those days were cut short, no one would be delivered. But for the sake of the chosen, those days will be cut short.

CONCLUSIONS: 

REMEMBER THE 13TH OF ADAR!  Surely a great miracle happened there -- Nes Gadol Haya Sham. 

There is more in the story of Hanukkah for both Jews and Christians. 

With smooth words he will seduce those who act wickedly against the covenant, but the people who know their God will stand strong and prevail. Daniel 11:32

Happy Hanukkah.

P.S. It takes a Hammer to drive a nail. 

P.P.S. I encourage you to listen to this teaching by Israeli Amir Tsfarti.  

HERE COMES THE SUN

One day very soon you are going to look at the sun in a new light.  Actually, the sun has always been a free and available energy source powering life on earth since Bereishit - "In Beginning."

"Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light. God saw that the light was good." Genesis 1:3-4

What's new, and also tov (good) is the level of technology with the ability to harness this power in more efficient and practical "mass market" ways.  Are you ready for it? 

First some facts . . .

- The first solar panels from the mid-1950s only reached an efficiency of 2%. 

- 10 years ago, solar panels averaged around 15% efficiency.

- Today's solar panels reach 22% in efficiency 

- Researchers are convinced that we will reach 30% efficiency very soon. 

- There are solar panels in development that will come to market reaching 50% efficiency.

Once we get to >30% efficiency at mass market prices, solar systems will become a far more mainstream means for electricity. I believe demand will soar even more.

Coupled with solar system efficiency, we can expect far more economical and efficient battery (storage) technology. This is crucial to the value and functionality of a robust solar system. In addition, new fast charging technology will greatly decrease the time to recharge vehicles.

As solar demand goes mass market and electricity prices climb rapidly, along with taxes passed through on utility bills, I forsee several impacts. You could call these "predictions" but they are just logical extrapolations: 

 1. Home prices will be effected by their level of viable solar exposure. Here are factors that come into play:

• Ratio of roof top or ground space with usable southern exposure.
• Ability to remove shade trees that obstruct the sunlight.
• The ability to limit the negative aesthetic impact of the solar system.  

2. Community solar systems and solar cooperatives will be much more common. 

3. Commercial roof top solar systems will become common. 

4. Being a skilled solar installer and technician will be a job in very high demand. 

5. Demand for solar systems will have major impacts on general roofing products, systems and methods, as well as labor demand. Certain types of roofs are better than others. Plus, an older roof may require replacement before it can properly accommodate a new solar system.  

6. Homes with excess solar capacity and storage are bound to purchase electric vehicles and lawnmowers. 

7. The desire to "go off the grid" in terms of disconnecting from one's utility company will be a 🔥  topic. Going off the electric grid is not simple and is frought with issues, not just for the homeowner!  Expect many ramifications: political, code, technological, financial, etc.

8. Needless to say, there will be a vast number of ways to invest in the solar boom. Here again you need to be a smart decision maker. 

Energy Independence is a dream one can achieve. If you want to live the dream you have a lot to do to PLAN AHEAD::

Get ahead of the curve and demand:

• Evaluate your best location and start planning your system location.
• Prepare your property for a system taking into account the possible need for tree trimming and removal.  
• Consider doing a solar carport or a ground array.  
• You may even want to move to a property with more ideal solar potential if your present home has considerable solar limitations. 

Sunny days are ahead . . . Make good use of them! 

Personal note: I have installed 53 solar panels at my home. Half are installed on the roof of my barn. The other half are installed on the roof of the cottage (accessory building) that I constructed for my mom. I submitted a building permit just yesterday to my town in order to erect a carport with a 600 Sq. Ft. shed roof that faces south. Once that is complete I will have a perfect surface for all the panels and battery storage necessary to be entirely energy independent. 

IT TAKES A HAMMER TO DRIVE A NAIL

Judas Maccabeus - A.K.A. The Hammer

“The sages decreed on the 8 day festival…because they realized that the miracle of the lights would shine forever with a message of hope, because it was part of the light that would glow with the coming of the Messiah.”

IF NOT FOR THE MACCABEES . . . 

Could The Maccabees, and the true historical story of Hanukkah, have set the stage for the coming of Yeshua?

The Maccabees story is the incredible story of Israel's independence approximately 2,200 years ago. 

Nes Gadol Haya Sham - A Great Miracle Happened There.

Dreidel/Sevivon with letters
Nun, Gimel, Hei and Shin 

The Maccabeus family, called "The Maccabees) and their followers fought amazing battles in order to expel pagan rituals, Hellenism, defeat the Seleucid Empire and eventually drive the "Abomination of desolation" (an altar to Zeus) out of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 167 B.C.

After the Maccabees restored the Holy Temple and the story we know today as Hanukkah, the historical events continued and the Maccabees continued to fight on. 

Here is a video which tells the history of that period from a military perspective.

https://youtu.be/TaanPpi8LK0

In 161 BCE, according to 1 Maccabees 8:17–20 and Josephus, Judas Maccabeus made a treaty agreement with The Roman Republic, which wasn't even an Empire yet, to help protect Judaea from the Seleucids.  It was the first recorded contract between the Jewish people and the Romans. It essentially invited the Romans to Jerusalem. 

The Hasmoneans were direct descendants of the Maccabees. Their rule began the Hasmonean dynasty of ancient Judaea. This was the last time when Israel was an independent kingdom.

The Hasmonean dynasty ruled Judea and surrounding regions from 140 - 37 B.C. Judea gained further autonomy and expanded into the neighboring regions of Samaria, Galilee, Iturea, Perea, and Idumea. 

The Hasmonean dynasty was replaced by the Herodian period. In 40 B.C. Herod, who was a friend of the Roman leaders, was appointed “client” king of Judaea by the Roman Senate 

Herod was of Edomite descent. That would make him a descendant of Jacob's brother Esau. The physical description of Esau, as blood red (adom) and covered in hair (se’ar) foreshadows his future as the founder of the Edomites who live near Mount Seir.

"Esau took his wives, his sons, his daughters, and all the members of his household, with his livestock, all his animals, and all his possessions, which he had gathered in the land of Canaan, and went into a land away from his brother Jacob." Genesis 36:6-7

In the Bible, Esau is the ancestor of the Edomites who live on Mount Seir, southwest of Judah. The rabbis come to associate Esau and Edom with Rome and Christianity.

Herod was an Edomite and although of Jewish faith, he was allied through his mother with wealthy Arabs across the Jordan River. During Herod's reign Jerusalem became a great metropolis of the Hellenistic Age during which Jerusalem was ruled by a series of Roman procurators including Pontius Pilate.  Paganism and corruption returned. 

"Herod the Great" was also known as a "madman." Jews who also hated Roman oppression were looking for the Messiah to come riding in on a colt, the foal of a donkey as prophesied.  Isaiah 53 rings to mind for Jews at the time.

The stage was set and Herod knew it. Try as Herod did to find and kill the prophesied baby Messiah, he could not. How did he know to expect him?  Magi (wise men) from the same court as the Prophet Daniel tipped him off.

The Maccabees changes the world.  Lord Rabbi Sacks z"l tells how. The Maccabees set off a series of events that lead to Roman domination and the crucifixion of the Nazareen Yeshua. While Jews celebrate the "Miracle of the Oil," Christians celebrate Christmas, but it was the Maccabees who set the stage for both.  

When you read the Books of Maccabees (1 and 2) you see strong shadows of the Resurrection and the martyrdom of the Disciples. Those aspects are left out of the Hanukkah story as it was written hundreds of years after the Books of Maccabees and told by rabbis to this day. Perhaps that made the Pharisees uncomfortable, I don't know. But it is easy to lose sight of the actual historical story of Hanukkah and how closely events in Judaism and Christianity are related. 

Judas Maccabeus is known as "the Hammer" because Maccabee means "hammer." He was a fierce warrior for justice.  He brought the hammer down on the Seleucids and Hellenized Jews as well.

The Maccabees brought in the Romans and their method of capital punishment know as crucifixion which nailed a person to a cross and raised them up. For Christians, seeing Jesus up on a wood pole is a reminder of when God told Moses to wrap a bronze serpent on a pole. 

Numbers 21:6-8

The Lord sent against the people the venomous snakes, and they bit the people, and many people of Israel died.

The people came to Moses and said, "We have sinned, for we have spoken against the Lord and against you. Pray to the Lord that He remove the snakes from us." So Moses prayed on behalf of the people.

The Lord said to Moses, "Make yourself a serpent and put it on a pole, and let whoever is bitten look at it and live." 

Moses made a copper snake and put it on a pole, and whenever a snake bit a man, he would gaze upon the copper snake and live.

There is a Judas in both stories. Both holidays fall on the the 25th. You might say it takes a Hammer to drive a nail.  

One day maybe we can come back together?  Surely this is possible with the Messiah.

P.S. Remember the 13th of Adar and Mordechai day. 

🙏

WHY WON'T FACEBOOK LET ME POST THIS?

Below is content that Facebook would not let me write this copy/text on a post. They say it goes against "Community Guidelines." 

Saule Omovaro, Biden's pick for Comptroller of the currency was born in the West Kazakhstan Region of the Soviet Union (now Kazakhstan). She got her Bachelors at Moscow State University. Her ties to Russia don't end their.

She is a Senior Berggruen Fellow at the Berggruen Institute. Check this out - https://thebl.com/us-news/scandalous-the-chinese-communist-party-will-even-control-bidens-national-security-team.html

Saule has openly advocated for:

• Central planning of monetary policy and the elimination of private banks.
• Policy which leads to bankruptcy of the USA oil & gas industry. (Which obviously benefits Russia.)
• Forcing radical leftist policies onto private corporation boards.

Biden is a puppet of the Radical Left that seeks to destruct America's fundamental foundational vision and values and "build back" America under a new, so called "better," One World Order Globalist vision.

The global elite who meet secretly to plot ways to take control and reset this nation want a central-control model under which all our faith is given to government.

National Sovereignty is surrendered. God is subordinated and those who don't bow down are villafied.

Under the stated future plans of the Global One World Order, individuals will "rent" rather than "own." Private property is increasingly either eliminated or controlled by central planners. Luxury and private wealth are centralized as well - they are the rewards for the elite at the top of party and their loyalist. Propagandists in the media are thrown enough bones to buy their pens. Through the media, academics and celebrities who are all paid handsomely with the notoriety their ego needs and the lifestyle perks their hearts desire, the true power players possess all the cultural tools they need to control the minds of we the sheep.

Individual Liberty is lost. To achieve this plan to the fullest requires an economic collapse. The "Great Recession" was just a taste of what is too come. The next time the Central Banks bail out the economy they will take over and retain the means to control enterprise. Capitalism will be dead. Entrepreneurs will have to operate under the authority of the State.

Key to their plans is the money supply and controlling how we "buy or sell." That is why the appointment of Saule Omovaro is such an important appointment. That is why she so closely fits their requirements.

Check out the following articles about Saule.

6 Takeaways From Hearing for Biden’s Controversial Pick for Currency Chief

Who is Saule Omarova, Biden’s pick for a key banking post?

Black Swan Potential
Saule Omovaro, Biden's nomination for Comptroller,  worries about private currencies. Trump voiced similar concerns.

Omarova says she favors a central bank digital currency (CBDC) over privately issued stablecoins because it’s issued by the government and will ensure access for everyone.

“The one potential advantage of CBDC over privately issued stablecoins is that it will be issued subject to statutory mandate legal decisions made by democratically elected lawmakers,” Omarova told the committee reviewing her nomination.

“So that will allow the central bank under the oversight of congress to ensure everyone has fair access to new forms of money,” she added.

Governments and Central Banks around the world, not just in the USA, could take a collective stance against private crypto currencies in favor of government issued digital currencies.  If markets perceive this as a possibility threat to the future of private crypto his could trigger a sell off in those currencies.  That could snowball into a panic.  If this were to happen, the amount of wealth that would be wiped out would be staggering. This would surely spill over into equity markets and economy.  

THE SIN OF THE FIRST MURDER

Genesis 4:9  Then Adonai said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?” 

“I don’t know,” he said. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”

The reasons that Hillary Clinton, the DNC and Deep State bad actors could pull off the greatest political coup in USA history still exist. What's worse is that so many Americans and media are alright with that.

WHAT IS AMERICA ANYMORE? WHO ARE WE? BECAUSE WE ARE NO LONGER "OUR BROTHER'S KEEPER."

THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM

WHO IS "SHE" IN PROVERBS 9? 

In order to answer this question, first I would like to explain a word that appears toward the end of Proverbs chapter 9 -- the word fear. 

The Hebrew words יִרְאַ֣ת (yir'aṯ) and פחד (p̄aḥaḏ) are most commonly used to describe fear of Yahweh / God.

In some Bible verses the English word "fear" is a translation of the Hebrew noun פחד (pahhad), meaning "shaking," or as verb meaning "to shake."

In other uses of the word "fear" it is derived from the noun יראה yirah and the verb yarah. 

The verb ירה (yara) means to throw, cast or shoot. The literal concrete meaning of yara is a "flowing of the gut," which can be applied to "fear" or "reverence."

PROVERBS 9.10: "THE FEAR OF ADONAI IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE HOLY ONE IS UNDERSTANDING."

In Proverbs 9.10 it is written יהוה יראת yirat Yahweh. (Fear God). Yirat is a feminine use of yirah, the noun for fear. 

Now, with these points about the feminine use of the word fear in mind, revist Proverbs 9 from the beginning. 

1 Wisdom has built her house. She has carved out her seven pillars.

2 She has slaughtered her meat, she has mixed her wine; she has also set her table.

3 She has sent out her servant girls. She calls from the city’s heights:

4 “Whoever is naïve, turn in here!” To those who lack understanding, she says:

5 “Come, eat my bread and drink the wine I have mixed.

6 Abandon your foolish ways and live! Walk in the way of understanding.”

7 Whoever corrects a scoffer is asking for insult. Whoever reproves a wicked man gets abuse.

8 Do not correct a scoffer or he will hate you. Rebuke a wise man and he will love you.

9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still. Teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

10 The fear of Adonai is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

11 For through me your days will be many and years will be added to your life.

12 If you are wise, you are wise to your own advantage, but if you scoff, you bear it alone.

13 The foolish woman is rowdy. She is naïve and knows nothing.

14 So she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the heights of the city,

15 calling to those who pass by, who go straight on their way:

16 “Whoever is naïve, let him turn in here.” To those who lack understanding, she says:

17 “Stolen water is sweet and bread eaten in secret is delicious!”

18 But he does not know that the dead are there— her guests are in the depths of Sheol.

Now you can answer my opening question. Who is "SHE" in Proverbs 9? "SHE" is the fear of Yahweh personified. SHE IS THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM!!

Therefore, it is fair to say that fear of the Lord is a healthy thing.  It is one way to put the Bible in context. Let's apply this context to Proverbs 1. 

PROVERBS 1:20-33

20 Wisdom calls aloud in the streets, she raises her voice in public squares.

21 She cries out above the commotion. At the entrances of the city gates, she utters her speech:

22 “How long will you naïve ones love simplicity you scoffers delight in scoffing, and you fools hate knowledge?

23 You are repulsed at my rebuke. Behold, I pour out my heart to you. I will make my words known to you.

24 Because you refused when I called, and did not pay attention when I stretched out my hand,

25 since you ignore all my advice and would not accept my rebuke,

26 I in turn will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when dread comes on you,

27 when your terror comes like a storm and your calamity sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when trouble and distress overwhelm you!

28 Then they will cry out to me, but I will not answer! They will earnestly seek me, but will not find me.

29 Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Adonai,

30 they would not accept my counsel, they spurned all my reproof,

31 so they will eat the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own schemes.

32 For the backsliding of the naïve will kill them and the complacency of fools will destroy them.

33 But whoever pays attention to me will live securely, and be free from the fear of evil.”

Beholding great sights are known to fill humans with both wonder and fear. 

"And Israel saw that great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD, and his servant Moses." Exodus 14.31

"So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am quaking with fear." Hebrews 12.21

PREDICTION

 PREDICTION:

If you want to skip the religious perspective and just here my economic predictions, you can stop it at that point in the video.

https://youtu.be/f6XH8qkm7LQ

Waking Up to 30+ Year Old Nightmare

 Over 30 years ago I imagined a scary future.  Call it a dream, a fantasy, a nightmare or whatever.  I am sharing it now because it looks to me like it could be actually happening.

https://youtu.be/cTcYdFngowM

BASELESS HATE

 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”  Mishlei

The famous rabbi, Talmudic genius and prodigy, Rabbi Menachem Ziemba (1883–1943) (Hebrew: מנחם זמבה‎) who was gunned down by the Germans in the Warsaw Ghetto during Passover, wrote that there was no logical explanation for Anti-Semitism.  He explains further in this video:

https://youtu.be/Gj7XmL4LZwI

If Rabbi Menachem, one of the greatest Jewish minds in history who experienced the Holocaust first hand, says there is no logical explanation for Anti-Semitism, then why should we think we can explain it?  Where should we turn for a true understanding?

Furthermore, if the explanation given for the Holocaust is Anti-Semitism, but there is no logical explanation for Anti-Semitism, then how can it be a logical explanation of the Holocaust?

I believe an explanation does exist.  As strange as it may seem, the explanation starts with a strange story In the Gemara (the rabbinical analysis of and commentary on the Mishnah the Oral Torah).

Believe it or not, it is based on a story about a dinner party. This is used to teach about Tisha be’Av (9th day of the month of Av). If one follows through, there are further teachings regarding this banquet which lead to the discovery of an entirely new way to understand the Holocaust and Anti-Semitism through the millennium.

I am of course referring to the story of “Kamtza and Bar Kamtza."  Reference for more on "Kamtza and Bar Kamtza” https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/72848

To understand the Holocaust one must look at the event in the greater context of Tisha B’Av. The Holocaust is one horrific happening in a sequence of other great tragedies befalling the Jewish people going back thousands of years.  All these events in history are connected. They all occurred on the biblical Tisha B’Av. 

• 586 B.C.E. The First Temple, Solomon's Temple was destroyed on the 9th Av by the Babylonians under King Nebuchadnezzar. (Many Jews were subsequently forcibly exiled to Babylon).
• 70 C.E. Tisha b'Av (9th of Av) five hundred years later, the 2nd Temple in ancient Jerusalem was destroyed on the same date by the Romans.
• 135 C.E on the 9th Av during the time of the Jewish revolt against Roman rule, soldiers led by Rabbi Simon bar Kochba were massacred in their final battle at Betar. (Proportionately this was more Jews than were killed during the Holocaust.)
• 1096, 9th of Av the Crusades began during which 1.2 million Jews were killed.
• 1290 A.D. 9th Av England expelled the Jews.
• 1306 A.D. France expelled the Jews.
• 1492 The Golden Age of Spain came to a close when Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand ordered that the Jews be banished from Spain. The edict of expulsion was signed on the 31st March and the Jews were given exactly four months to put their affairs in order and leave. The Hebrew date of their leaving was to be the 9th of Av!  (That was the date the Columbus was planned to leave Spain backed by a wealthy Jew. Columbus postponed his trip by one day to avoid bad luck!)
• 1670 A.D the Jews were forced out of Vienna Austria.
• 1881 A.D. 22 the Russian Pogroms started.
• 1914 Tisha B'Av marked the declaration of war by Germany on Russia, the two major powers from the two opposing alliances which fought in WWI. Many historians view WWI as one of the major causes of Hitler’s rise to power and the Second World War. In a very real sense, WWI was a direct progenitor of WWII and the Holocaust.
• 1942 On the 9th of Av, Heinrich Himmler presented the Nazi “Final Solution” to wipe out all Jews in Europe.  In 1942, on this same day, the Nazis began to deport all Jews from the Warsaw Ghetto to extermination camps.

[There are other tragic events on Tisha B’Av that I have not listed above.]

What is the likelihood of so many terrible events in the history of the Jewish people being associated to one date, Tisha B’Av? There is no logical explanation!  And as Rabbi Menachem wrote as an observer and victim of the Holocaust, there is no logical explanation for Anti-Semitism.

 “Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their guilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbors yourself. I am the Lord."  Leviticus 19:17-18

My understanding is the fundamental reason for all of this is what Rashi describes as "Baseless Hate."  I am talking about hate taken into the heart and nurtured into a grudge. Hate which becomes toxic and leads us to sin. 

Baseless hate, as I understand it from my studies, is not your ordinary hate. It is difficult to explain the distinction in the space of this article. I will simply say that it is an unjustified level of hate which is based on "things" that one has severely over-amplified.  I will describe it as an illogical level of hate. 

Hate leads us to covet, lie and steal. Baseless hate leads people to bear fall witness.  Hate leads to idolatry and adultery, to murder and the denial of God. 

Hate is the force which climbs up and down the Ten Commandments.   

Jonah Ritter

But here is the profound twist. The haters in the Rabbi's lessons are Jews, not gentiles!  In other words, the Rabbis say the destruction of the Temple is the result of hate in the heart of Jews, not gentiles. 

God's "chosen people" are a light to Nations. But the Torah is filled with times when Jews disobeyed God and lost faith. Throughout the Torah the Hebrews face near destruction, but for the Covenant and the intercession of Moses, we may have been.

We live in a time that seems to be filled with Baseless Hate.  I see my fellow Jews justifying "baseless hate."  To anyone who believes that history repeats or at least rhymes, I ask a prophetic question. If all this is so, and Tish B’Av is historic as well biblical, then what's to say there will not be another Tisha B'Av? 

Tisha B'Av is the reason that Jewish Identity is a very long story of PTSD.

Justice Robert H. Jackson, Chief of Counsel for the United States, for International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, said the following in his opening statement:

"The wrongs which we seek to condemn and punish have been so calculated, so malignant, and so devastating, that civilization cannot tolerate their being ignored, because it cannot survive their being repeated."

“A person’s tongue is more powerful than his sword. A sword can kill someone who is nearby; a tongue can cause the death of someone who is far away.” Gemara

“Just as the learning of Torah equals all other mitzvas combined, so does speaking loshon hora equal all sins combined.”  The Yerushalmi

Proverbs 6:16-19

Six things Adonai hates,

yes, seven are abominations to Him:

haughty eyes,

a lying tongue,

hands that shed innocent blood,

a heart that plots wicked schemes,

feet that run to evil,

a false witness who spouts lies,

and one who stirs up strife among brothers

I will leave it there . . . but I assure you that God will not. 

Epilogue: 

8.14.23 - Here is an excellent teaching I heard recently about Tisha B’Av.

SHOULD I BUY AN EV OR GAS VEHICLE? Hmmm ...

 PERSPECTIVE:

PERSPECTIVE: Best-Selling Electric Vehicles of 2021 (Through Sept.) Hyundai Ioniq Electric (1595 units sold) Tesla Model X (3000 units sold) Tesla Model S (5400 units sold) Porsche Taycan (7228 units sold) Hyundai Kona Electric (7656 units sold) Audi e-tron and e-tron Sportback (7793 units sold) Nissan Leaf (10,074 units sold) Volkswagen ID.4 (12,279 units sold) Ford Mustang Mach-E (18,855 units sold) Chevrolet Bolt EV and EUV (24,803 units sold) Tesla Model 3 (94,900 units sold) Tesla Model Y (132,000 units sold) Top selling vehicles in America to date: Ford F-Series, 534,831 Ram Pickup, 434,772 Chevrolet Silverado, 407,266 Toyota RAV4, 313,447 Honda CR-V, 290,140 Toyota Camry, 256,769 Nissan Rogue, 234,647 Honda Civic, 216,575 Toyota Highlander, 207,564 Toyota Tacoma, 200,631 Toyota Corolla, 200,225 GMC Sierra, 191,186 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 189,727 Jeep Wrangler, 164,709 Ford Explorer, 160,174 Honda Accord, 157,988 Chevrolet Equinox, 151,110 Mazda CX-5, 137,343 Subaru Forester, 132,254 Subaru Outback Wagon, 122,978

Total Vehicle Sales: Electric - ~290k Gasoline - ~16M

CO2 benefits of EV's:

The electricity that supplies the energy for electric vehicles is generated by burning fossil fuels, including 30% with coal. In many other countries, such as China, the percentage of electricity from coal plants is much higher.

The average electric car uses kWh 0.346kWh per mile. The average kWh of electricity generated by power plants produces 0.85 lbs of CO2. The average gasoline vehicle gets 25.4 miles per US gallon which works out 0.0408 gallons per mile. Every gallon of gasoline burned creates about 8,887 grams of CO2 which works out to 363 grams (.8 lbs) CO2 per mile. Average CO2 Produced Per Mile (Energy used): Electric - .85 lbs Gasoline - .8 lbs

Energy Costs* Per Mile:

Electric - 4.33 cents per mile

Gasoline - 0.13872 cents per mile

*Figures based on 12.5 cents per kWh and $3.40 per gallon.

Dependency: Electric - Lithium (for batteries) supplied 80% by China Gasoline - Gasoline supplied by the USA Taxpayer Subsidies: Electric - $7500-$12,500 Gasoline - $0

Energy Distribution Requirements: Electric - new charging stations nationwide and massive improvement to our Electric grid. Gasoline - existing gas stations

Vehicle Cost - Average Vehicle Selling Price:

Electric - $51k Gasoline - $42k

Selection:

Wider selection of new and used vehicles to choose from. Gas handsdown.

Per Mile energy cost:

Gas advantage. Plus electricity costs are going to rise significantly in coming years!

Range on a charge versus a tank.

Gas advantage

Time to Refill verse Recharge:

Gas advantage

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:

With electric vehicles there is an environmental hazard with dead batteries. EV batteries are larger and heavier than those in regular cars and are made up of several hundred individual lithium-ion cells, all of which need dismantling. They contain hazardous materials, and have an inconvenient tendency to explode if disassembled incorrectly. Gas vehicles have lead batteries that are easily recycled.

Economically viable electric vehicle lithium-ion battery recycling is rapidly and increasingly needed. But it is very unclear that there is an economical and viable solution. This may substantially increase the end-of-life disposal cost of EV's. This cost is not factored into the comparison, but it could be quit a sizeable disadvantage for EV's in the near future.

One more thing, and its a big thing! You know all that lithium that we are going to need to power the vast number of EV's. Well guess who is the WORLD'S largest miner of lithium? CHINA. And those mines are an environmental nightmare. So we go from depending on OPEC to "energy independence" to relying on China for lithium. UGH!!

BOTTOM LINE:

At this time the only reason an EV stands a chance in competing with gas power vehicles is because of large taxpayers subsidies. Someone has to cover the cost of those EV tax breaks!

There is the benefit of "virtue signaling." Driving an EV shows the world around you that you care about climate change and that makes you a "better person." Really??

CONCLUSION:

Buy an electronic vehicle because you prefer the way it drives, not because you are saving the planet.

There are many more cost effective ways to save energy and reduce greenhouse gases than buying an EV, at least at this point in time. Given all the advantages that Gas vehicles have presently, the choice is pretty clear.

By the same token, the future is not far off, maybe the span of one car lease, when the status of EV'S will be far better. Sunny days are ahead. Check it out.

EV MYTHS - EVs should not be seen as some sort of panacea for dealing with climate change.

Are Electric Vehicles a Scam?

Staying warm in a traffic jam.

WE WERE WARNED

Total U.S. annual primary energy net imports (imports minus exports) generally increased in most years since the mid-1950s.

Donald Trump came to office with a “vision” and a promise for an “America first energy plan”. This included developing new oil fields in the US, creating “at least half a million new jobs” in energy, and promoting natural gas over coal in order to tackle emissions.

Trump delivered on his promise.

In December 2018, the U.S. became a Net Oil Exporter for the First Time in 75 Years!!  In addition, Trump Administration policies resulted in a massive supply of low cost clean natural gas. 

Increases in domestic natural gas production and increases in liquefied natural gas (LNG) export capacity resulted in The United States becoming a net exporter of natural gas for the first time since the late 1950s. In 2020, natural gas gross exports reached a record high. The USA became the world's largest supplier of gas. The climate benefits of natural gas over coal are very significant. 

The large supply of cheap and clean natural gas drove down demand for coal. As a result, coal production hit a 50-year low in 2020, and 151 coal mines were idled or closed.

On January 27, President Biden issued executive orders which did just the opposite. He revoked the federal permit for the continued construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline, (cost 11,000 jobs) and he "temporarily" stopped granting permits for oil and gas operations on federal lands, which will reduce U.S. oil production. There were at least 10 other orders and directives issued aimed at repealing directives issued by Trump.

Biden’s executive orders reduced U.S. oil supplies that reached historic levels of 13 million barrels per day just one year prior.

Biden's terrible energy policies resulted in skyrocketing natural gas prices. This contributed to a giant surge in the usage of the most climate unfriendly form of energy production - coal.

U.S. coal production is actually up significantly this year. The U.S. Energy Information Administration expects 22% growth in electricity generation from coal this year compared to 2020, partially due to coal's stable prices and the high cost of natural gas.

China is ramping up coal production like crazy. They are opening hundreds of new coal mines to meet energy demands at home and abroad. China, Russia, OPEC, and others including Iran are all too happy to fill the energy gap which Biden policies have contributed to.

Whereas most nations that signed on to the Paris Climate Accord failed to meet their goals and actually increased CO2 emissions, while Trump was President the USA made great strides in reducing greenhouse gases. 

Biden's policies amount to giant tax on consumers. 

The median price of a barrel of oil during Trump's term was approximately $45. Today's price is $85.  (89% increase in 10 months.) The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline during Trump's term was about $2.20. Today's price is about $3.38. (51% increase in 10 months.)

We were winning!

Trump's energy policies were one of his greatest achievements.  During the Trump years the economy and tbe consumer won. He drove down energy prices, lowered greenhouse gases, turned the USA into a net exporter of CLEANER energy supplies. In the process the United States national security interests were served and the world was a safer place. 

We were warned.

Trump warned us the Biden's energy policies would reverse America's supply gains, raise energy prices, help our enemies and make the world less safe. Biden even campaigned on the policies that Trump warned us about. 

WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR JOE BIDEN? SERIOUSLY, WHY?