WHO DO I FEAR?

This week the High Holy Days begin. They are also called the "Days of Awe." Awe is way of describing fear of God.

As a Jew I fear Elohim, the One G-d of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Because I fear Him, I fear condemnation. 

As a Jew I have failed to keep the Mosaic Law, the laws required in the Torah. Is there any Jew who has? So I fear devine condemnation. 

As a Jew I do not believe that my repentance is adequate. Is there any Jew who does? So I continue to fear Devine condemnation. 

Does God want us to live in fear? The prophet Jonah knew God, so what can we learn from him? 

Jonah knew of Lord's grace & mercy from the beginning. 

Jonah 1:1-3 -- Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai (Truth), saying, “Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me.” But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. 

Jonah knew the end from the beginning...

Jonah 4.2 -- "And he prayed to the Lord and said, “O Lord, is not this what I said when I was yet in my country? That is why I made haste to flee to Tarshish; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, and relenting from disaster."

So what was Jonah thinking when he ran from the presence of God? What was he thinking when he told the sailors to throw him overboard? After the "great fish" (Gadol Dawg) that the Lord appointed, saved Jonah, why did he change his mind? 

Why did Jonah decide to go to Nineveh to tell them what the Lord said was going to happen in 40 days? Jonah tells us:

Jonah 2.8 (ESV) -- Those who pay regard to vain idols forsake their hope of steadfast love.

Jonah waiting and watching

Jonah didn't expect the people of Nineveh to repent!  He expected their destruction!!

Jonah knew God, but he misjudged the people of Nineveh. They didn't wait 40 days. They immediately repented. 

The people of Nineveh heard God. They feared the God of Israel. They recieved mercy for their repentance. Jonah on the otherhand, grew very angry when his plant died. So angry that he wanted to die.  

Jonah knew, 2.9 - "Salvation comes from the Lord",  so what was Jonah still missing?  

Jonah 4.10 -- But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

God explained to Jonah that the people of Nineveh didn't understand!  The moment they heard God and repented, they recieved God's mercy.

Jonah thought the Lord sent him to announce the destruction of Nineveh.  But God had a different plan.  Like Joseph told his brothers when they came to him in Egypt:

Genesis 50:19-21 -- But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.

We read the Book of Jonah on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. For over 50 years I read the Book of Jonah and I knew there was a message we were missing. I read it over & over until I finally got it and when I finally did, fear left.

Though we fear God, surely Jonah was a sign that through repentance in God's love we can cast off the fear of condemnation. What would the people of Nineveh say?

Isaiah 41:10 -- fear not, for I am with you; 

be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,

I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

This Rosh Hashanah, on Yom Teruah, may we all hear the blast of the shofar, the call of Hashem and understand so we all may have a sweet New Year! Amen.

א -- The Holy 1

The Hebrew letter א Aleph is the first letter in the Hebrew aleph-beyt. In gematria, Aleph has a value of 1, but when used at the beginning of Hebrew years, it means 1000. 

Adonia's name Elohim אֱלהִיים begins with Aleph. The name El Shaddai (אל שַׁדַּי) "God Almighty" begins with Aleph. אֶחָד ECHad One/United and אָחַד ACHad to Unify, both begin with Aleph. 

Aleph also begins the three words that make up God's name in Exodus: I Am who I Am. In Hebrew it is אהיה אשר אהיה Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh. 

Aleph is also the first letter of the Hebrew word for Truth: אֶמֶת Emet. The prophet Jonah's father is named Emet.  

The first word in the Ten Commandments is אָנֹכִי‎ Anokhi, meaning "I and no one else." 

Below is the verse Genesis 1.1 in an ancient Torah scroll. א Aleph in the third position from the right in the Hebrew word בְּרֵאשִׁית‎‎ (bereshit) which means "In beginning."

The Torah begins with the second letter of the alphabet, Bet.  The first two letters in (bereshit) בְּרֵאשִׁית‎‎ are ב (bet) and ר (resh). Bet ב, the first letter in the Torah, has a meaning/shape of a house (beyt). The second letter ר (resh) means "head or authority." The head of the house is the Father. 

Together Bet and Resh spells the Word בר (Bar) which means "Son." 

The first three letters in בְּרֵאשִׁית‎‎ spell the Hebrew word ברא (bra) which means create. You will see that the next word after בְּרֵאשִׁית‎‎ is also ברא (create). So "create" appears twice in the first two words about the story of creation in the Torah. (First creation and second creation.) 

Bereshit בְּרֵאשִׁית ends with the letter Tav. Tav is also the last letter of the 22-letter Hebrew Aleph-beyt. Ancient Tav was shaped like an "X" or cross symbolizes a mark or sign or agreement.

The form of Hebrew letters has changed over the millennium.  The letter א aleph shown above is the shape of the letter Aleph in the Torah. 

Hebrew letters evolved from a picture language. The pictures are symbols that have meaning. The letter Aleph (א) is derived from the West Semitic word symbol for "ox".  An Ox represents: Strength, Power, Might, Leader, Chief, Master, Prince, Controller, Guide, Yoke, Tame, Gentle.

The shape of the letter Aleph evolved from the shape on the left into the paleo form below. 

You can make out the jaw bone with the two horns coming out of the top of it's head. 

Interestingly, in the ancient world a jaw bone was a weapon and a symbol of violence. Samson slew a thousand with a jawbone in Judges 15.15.  If we strip away the jawbone in the primitive Aleph, we are left with the elements of the modern Aleph in the Torah -- the two horns and the line. 

Luke 1:68-69 -- Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

It seems to me that "The Horn of Salvation" is represented by Yod in the Aleph--the horns caught in the thorns that was the substitute for Isaac. 

Mystical Judaism 

In mystical Judaism we go deeper for meaning. Letters are made up of other letters, so there is a composite meaning in every letter. You might think of it a bit like a word having a root meaning or a meta meaning. 

The form the Aleph in the Torah is comprised of two Yod's (10) separated by that larger line which is the letter Vav (6). 

The Letters that Make up the Letter Aleph

YOD

Again, the Aleph in the Torah is made up of two little lines seperated by one longer line. The little lines are symbolic of the letter Yod.  Yod is the 10th and smallest letter. It's numerical value is 10.  Yod is the most prevalent letter in the Torah. Yod appears some 31k times.

There are two symbolic Yods in the Aleph.  One is above the line and the other is below the line.

The more ancient Yod was originally shaped like an arm with a hand as you can see in this image. The Yod is associated with arm/hand and works*/deeds and worship.

Note: The title of the book of Acts, in the Christian bible comes from the Greek word "praxis." That word was often used in early Christian literature to describe the great deeds of the apostles or other significant believers. 

A person reading the Torah in a temple will use a " yad" יד (hand) rather than their finger as a guide.  The yad is made of sterling silver and has a hand with a pointing finger at the end. The yad aids with keeping place and prevents fingers from smearing the ink. 

The Jewish sages say the Aleph is an image of what is being done in the heavens (the supernatural realm) and what is being done on earth (the physical realm). There is a separation and a connection. 

A person seeks change his intention from wanting to receive for himself to wanting to receive in order to bring pleasure to the Creator by blessing others. this new and revolutionary intent is called a “screen.” Kabbalahist teaches how to acquire the spiritual Vessel for progress they call the “screen.”

Ein-Sof אֵין סוֹף meaning "The Infinite - that which is Boundless" is the name given in Kabbalah to God transcendent, in His pure essence: God in Himself, apart from His relationship to the created world. Again, it begins with the Hebrew Aleph.

VAV

The longer line between the two Yods depicts the Hebrew letter Vav. aleph-beyt.  Vav has a value of 6.

Creation took 6 days. At Sundown of the 6th day, God rested. Sundown on the 6th day is when the 7th day, the Sabbath begins. 

Note: Luke 23:44-46 (KJV) - And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

Like a nail, the Vav is a connecting force. Here you see a paleo version of the letter Vav and the version in the Torah side-by-side. The ancient

Vav (6) - A nail

symbol for a vav is a nail. The vav is symbolic of connecting or adding to. 

The Vav, the nail (VAV) connects the upper supernatural realm (the upper Yod) to the lower earthly realm (the lower Yod). The Vav brings down the heavens. 

Matthew 27.45-46 --

Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

There is a famous Yiddish song "Eli Eli" (My God My God) Eli begins with Aleph. 

Gematria

I already pointed out that Aleph has a value of 1, but when used at the beginning of Hebrew years, it means 1000. 

As illustrated above, Aleph is comprised of two Yods which each have a value of 10.  Plus a Vav (6). Therefore,  א Aleph is (10+10+6=26.)

26 is also the gematric number, being the sum of the Hebrew characters (Hebrew: יהוה) being the name of the god of Israel – YHWH (Yahweh). The unspoken name of God. 

The Hebrew word for Love (Hava אהבה) has a value of 13. The two most important commandments are:  

(13 - Love our God) + (13 Love our Fellow) = 26

Are you amazed at how much is in the Hebrew letter Aleph?  I AM!  God is Amazing! 

Psalm 26.2-3

Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

MORE BIBLE REFERENCES: 

Here are a few occurrences of the number 10 that are significant.

1. There were 10 recorded creation of God statements in Genesis 1. Each statement was God revealing a place where, “God said” something and that which was spoken was then manifested and God calls these types of things the works of His hands (Isa 45:12).
2. God creates Adam forming his body with His hands from the dirt of the ground and places on him 2 hands, one left and one right and having 10 total fingers (Gen 2, Ps 119:73).
3. There were 10 generations from Adam to Noah when God’s flood judgment came upon the earth (Gen 5).
4. Abraham pays tithes (10%) to Melchizedek in Genesis14:18-20.
5. God agreed to not destroy Sodom if 10 righteous were found. (Gen 18:32)
6. God Judges Egypt after 400 years of Israel’s bondage and uses 10 plagues in Egypt to free them (Gen 15:14, Exo 6:5-6).
7. First Passover in Egypt was the 10^th plague, and it began when the lamb was selected on the 10^th day of the first month. (Exo 12:2)
8. God gives Moses 10 commandments carved on two stone tablets by His finger on Mt. Sinai. (Exo 31:18, Deut 4:13). This is a repeat of the two hands of man containing 10 fingers pattern.
9. Israel in the wilderness tempted God 10 times and were judged and did not enter the promised land. (Num 14:22)
10. Boaz takes 10 men to witness and judge the purchase of Elimelech’s possessions and the taking of Ruth to be his wife (Ruth 4:2).
11. Job rebukes his friends for vexing his soul and breaking him into pieces ten times, with their words (Job 19:1-2)
12. Daniel and the 3 Israelites were tested for 10 days to see if God’s diet would be better than the King’s diet and were justified. (Dan 1:15).
13. Daniel and the 3 Israelites, when tested by the King, were found 10 times wiser and more understanding than all his magicians. (Dan 1:20)

FUN REFERENCE: 

This is not biblical!!  It is just a funny reference to letter YOD.

The name Yoda is likely drawn from the Hebrew word Yodea, meaning one with knowledge.

Judaism teaches that the source of Light and Darkness are One and the same, as it says in the prayer book: “Blessed art You, Eternal One, our God, Ruler of the Universe, Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates all things.” The source for this line of liturgy can be found in the Hebrew Bible, Isaiah 45:7: “Who forms light and creates darkness, Who makes peace and creates evil; I am the Eternal One, Who makes all these.”

The ever-present and overarching theme of Star Wars is that of the Force that endows these films with their undeniable spiritual orientation. The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It binds the galaxy together.

Both Judaism and Christianity are reflected in Star Wars, philosophically and historically. Particularly concerning the depiction of the eternal conflict between good and evil, students of Judaism will recognize the yetzer ha-tov vs. the yetzer ha-ra, the opposing human inclinations present in every person. There may even be a connection to the Dead Sea Scrolls, one of which is entitled “The War of the Sons of Light Against the Sons of Darkness.”

TRY TO IMAGINE YOU ARE A JEW

Daniel 12.1 ‐- "At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people—everyone whose name is found written in the book—will be delivered.

Try to imagine you are about 20 years of age.  Not such a leap.  You were there before. Now here comes a giant leap.

The year is about 40 C.E. and you are a Jew, born and living in the land of Israel, just bit north of Jerusalem. 

This seems like a totally irrelevant scenario, but I propose to you that it is extremely relevant to you and these times.  So try to imagine. 

There is major turmoil in the land. Big changes are afoot. Leadership is being challenged.  Authority is being called into question. The nation is torn and major societal forces are at work. There are wars and rumors of wars. 

Before not too long, the world as you know it is about to be rocked!  The walls will come down and your life will never be the same. You will lose more than you could have imagined. Perhaps even your life.

The stresses are enormous. Surely you will be seeking spiritual reassurance and comfort.  Where do you turn--The temple?  The Roman authorities are about to tear every stone down. 

Who could have imagined such a time?  I'll tell you who.  The Jewish prophets! 

Here's the wild part. The Jewish prophets imagined these times too. 

~ The End ~

Zechariah 1:1-3 -- 

In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to the prophet Zechariah son of Berekiah, the son of Iddo:

“The Lord was very angry with your ancestors. Therefore tell the people: This is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘Return to me,’ declares the Lord Almighty, ‘and I will return to you,’ says the Lord Almighty. 

SOMETHING FISHY ABOUT THE BIBLE

Study of Central Area by National Capital Park and Planning Commission 

The first definition of "Fishy" is "relating to or resembling fish or a fish." 

I know the title of this article relates to the bible, but I am going to start out in Washington D.C.  After all, America is a Judeo-Christian nation, so there ought to be something fishy about our Nation's Capital. 

Is there something "fishy" about Washington D.C.?  There most certainly is. See if you can spot it on the image at the top of the blog. Do you see how there is a fish?  Here's a hint: 

The eye is the Lincoln Memorial and the tail is Capital. There is more.

Joke: In Hebrew a fish is pronounced "dawg." So the dog wags the tail. Or visa versa. 

Notice the area created by the overlapping shapes of the eclipse in Ellipse Park. 

The Washington Monument is located in a 52 acre park called "Ellipse Park." In the park is an image of a eclipse. The area of the shape of the eclipse is approximately 17 acres. Within the center of the eclipse in Ellipse Park there is the shape of a fish.  Here is an Ariel view. See if you can spot it. 

This begs the question, is there anything more? Did you know that at the tippy-top of the Washington Monument there is a pyramid capstone made of aluminum that is just under nine (9) inches tall which weighs 100 ounces. When it was made in 1884 it was the world's largest piece of solid aluminum.  Edgar H. Dix, then chief metallurgist of the Aluminum Company of America (now Alcoa) declared the aluminum cap on the Washington Monument "the crown jewel of the aluminum industry." 

Aluminum is a chemical element with an atomic number of 13. Thirteen is the gematria value of LOVE!

The "pyramid and eye" depicted on our dollar bill is based on the Washington Monument. What you don't see is the obelisk below it.

The words on the "Great Seal" on the dollar above the monument read "Annuit Coeptis" which is Latin for "He favors our undertakings."  The words below "novus ordo seclorum" translates to "a new order of the ages."

Did you know that the original Washington Monument project ran out of money and stood unfinished for a period of time. It stood unfinished at 153 feet!  I will explain why that number 153 is significant. 

Once the funds were available the entire 555' 5" with the pyramid and the capstone were completed. (5 has great biblical significance.)

On the east face of that 9-inch aluminum cap on top of the Washington Monument is inscribed the Latin phrase "Laus Deo" which translates to "Praise be to God." (The number 9 is significant. I blogged about this the other day.)

 

The capstone was placed on December 6, 1884. That date fell in the Hebrew month of Kislev which is the 9th month of the Hebrew calendar. 

The month of Kislev is best known for two holidays -- Hanukkah and Christmas. (Hanukkah is on the 25th of Kislev. Christmas is on the 25th of December.) 

The captone was placed to mark the completion of the 36-year construction of the monument. (36 is a special number in Hebrew known as "double chai" or "double life.") 

But I have digressed and I want to get back to the fishy shape.  Did you know that the fish shape which is formed by the overlapping shapes of an eclipse has specific geometric name and measurement? Yes, it is called the Vesica Piscis.  It is a geometric shape derived from an actual eclipse. The sign may remind you of "Pisces" the last sign of the Zodiac, a water sign. Below is a diagram which illustrates this. See if you can spot the fish.

Here is where it gets even more interesting. That fish shape not only has a name it also has number associated with it. That number is known as "the measure of the fish." Below is the calculation that was figured out by the famous 

Greek mathematician, physicist, engineer, astronomer, and inventor known as Archimedes of Syracuse (287–212/211 BCE). Archimedes was considered one of the leading scientists in classical antiquity. He devised methods for calculating areas and volumes 2,000 years before the invention of calculus.  Below is the final calculation of the area in the "fish" of the eclipse that Archimedes figured out. It is what is known as the "measure of the fish."

153 is known as the "measure of the fish." This is also where we get the so called "Jesus Fish" shape. 

The Gospel of John (chapter 21:1–14) includes the narrative of the miraculous catch of 153 fish as the third appearance of Jesus after his resurrection. Simon/Peter's is saved, literally and figuratively, by that catch. 

You'll notice in the formula for the "Measure of the Fish" the square root of three. That equals approximately 1.7. (If you recall, the area of the Eclipse in Ellipse Park in Washington is approximately 17 acres.)

The number three (3) is what is mathmatically known as a "triangle number."  Look down the right side of the triangle below to see other triangle numbers including 1, 3, 6 .... 17.

It so happens that the 17th "Triangle number" is 153. 

John 21.11 -- So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them. And although there were so many, the net was not torn.

So Simon Peter went aboard and hauled the net ashore, full of large fish, 153 of them to be exact! 

Are all these associations just coincidences? If you think not, then the obvious conclusion is that Yeshua determined the number of fish that would fill Simon/Peter's nets. In other words, the 153 big fish were appointed by Yeshua.  

Is there a time in the Hebrew Bible that God appointed/prepared a big fish? The answer is YES.  That is exactly what happened in the Book of Jonah. 

Jonah 2.17 -- And the Lord appointed a great* fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

* The Hebrew word gadol can be translated as big, large, great or high.

Isn't it interesting that Yeshua said: 

John 12:38-40 -- Then some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” But he replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights.

What would Moses have to say about all of this? Of course we know that Moses died long before Yeshua.  Moses worked a lot with numbers in the Hebrew Bible known as the Tenach. Numbers are big in Judaism for finding deeper meaning. Moses taught us about Creation using numbers.  Need I even mention 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 13, 40, etc? 

Moses used "factorials." Factorals are big in creation! Moses died on a factoral number:

5! = 5×4!=5×4×3×2×1=120.

Moses death, 120, is the 5th Factoral. If we add up the first 5 factorals guess what we get: 

(1st - 1) + (2nd - 2) + (3rd - 6) + (4th - 24) + (5th - 120) = 153. 

I've pointed out significant relationships with the number 17 and the number 153 and related then to " shape of the fish." You can see why we get the "Jesus Fish." 

 

Here is one more mathmatical coincidence. If we add up the first 17 integers what do we get? Here is the answer:

1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9+10+11+12+13+14+15+16+17=153!

In John 2, Yeshua famously declares he is God's "temple." There is one other connection to 153 that I'd like to point out. Adonia appointed Bezalel to build the Tabernacle.  His name has a gematria of 153. 

ב2צ90ל30א1ל30

So the man who built the Tabernacle, the "Jesus Fish" and the number of fish in Peter's catch all just happen to relate to 153.  "Sounds fishy" to me. But who am I to say ...

Psalm 107:23-25 -- 

Some went down to the sea in ships,

doing business on the great waters;

they saw the deeds of the Lord,

his wondrous works in the deep.

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,

which lifted up the waves of the sea.

Jonah's Conclusion. Its all a gadol (great/big) dawg (fish) story. The Bible is filled with them.  Creation, the sea parting, manna, a man swallowed by a large fish, fire coming down, men walking on water, people rising from the dead ... there are literally hundreds of "great fish stories" in the Bible.  Truth?  If you are seeking "truth" you are a lot less likely to find it on the evening news than in the Bible. 

TET - 9

וַיַּ֧רְא אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָא֖וֹר כִּי־ט֑וֹב וַיַּבְדֵּ֣ל אֱלֹהִ֔ים בֵּ֥ין הָא֖וֹר וּבֵ֥ין הַחֽשֶׁךְ

Genesis 1.4 -- And God saw the light that it was good, and God separated between the light and between the darkness.

TET, the 9th letter in the Hebrew alphabet is a paradoxical letter in that it reveals both good (tov) and evil, light and darkness. 

Meaning and Symbolism:

Goodness: The primary meaning of Tet is associated with "good" or "best," derived from the Hebrew word "tov" (טוב). This connection is evident in its first appearance in the Torah in Genesis 1:4, where it describes the goodness of creation.

Duality: Tet also embodies duality, as it is the first letter in words for both "purity" (טהרה) and "impurity" (טומאה). This reflects a balance between good and evil, purity and impurity.  

Genesis 50:20 -- Indeed, you intended evil against me, [but] God designed it for good, in order to bring about what is at present to keep a great populace alive.

Symbolism: The shape of Tet resembles a vessel or basket, symbolizing hidden or potential goodness, akin to a womb containing new life.

The Tet represents the hidden good that resides within the womb (the vessel) of the mother. 

Here are some Hebrew words that begin with the letter "Tet" (ט):

• Tov (טוב): Meaning "good." 
• Tevet (טבת): This is the name of a month in the Hebrew calendar. There is much written on this month and it's relationship to Tet. 
• Tallit (טלית): A traditional Jewish prayer shawl.
• Terefah (טרפה): Refers to non-kosher food.
• Teruah (תרועה): Refers to a trumpet blast, often associated with biblical festivals like Rosh Hashanah.

Mystical Meaning 

The Hebrew letter "Tet" (ט) carries significant mystical symbolism, often associated with themes of goodness, transformation, and hidden wisdom.

Transcendence and Transformation: Tet is seen as a symbol of transcendence, enabling individuals to surpass ordinary limitations and manifest the supernatural in the natural world. It is described as a vessel that shapes and manifests the divine glory, reminding us to be vessels of honor.

Hidden Wisdom: Mystically, Tet represents concealed wisdom within creation, waiting to be discovered. This hidden aspect is likened to a snake, symbolizing the presence of wisdom that must be uncovered through spiritual exploration.

Tet represents a womb

Feminine Essence and Manifestation: The essence of Tet is considered feminine, representing the number nine for the nine months of pregnancy. It symbolizes a womb or container where transformation occurs, embodying the potential for new life and manifestation.

Light Within Darkness: In Kabbalistic teachings, Tet is associated with the concept that darkness is merely concealed light. It emphasizes the idea that within challenges or darkness lies hidden goodness and light.

These mystical interpretations highlight Tet's role in spiritual growth and understanding, encouraging a journey toward uncovering divine wisdom and goodness.

A Basket - טֶנֶא

Exodus 2.3 --[When] she could no longer hide him, she took [for] him a reed basket, smeared it with clay and pitch, placed the child into it, and put [it] into the marsh at the Nile's edge.

The Paleo-Hebrew form of the letter "Tet" (ט) is depicted as a basket, which carries significant meaning rooted in the practical and symbolic aspects of ancient Hebrew culture. In ancient times, baskets were essential tools used for storing and carrying various items, such as grains, tools, and food. This practical use is reflected in the meanings associated with the letter Tet, such as "contain," "store," and "enclose".

Deuteronomy 26.2 -- you must take the first of all the ground’s produce you harvest from the land the Lord your God is giving you, place it in a basket, and go to the place where he chooses to locate his name.

This Torah verse corolates to the Torah portion from which we get the holiday of First Fruits. It is the this portion that inspired me to do this writing.  The Parasha (portion) for the shabbat is called "Ki Tavo" which means "when you come."

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

9 - Truth 

The numeric value of Tet is 9.  This corresponds to the nine months of pregnancy. Furthermore, the number nine is a “true” number. 9 is associated with truth. 

Remember that there is a "duality" to Tet. The upside-down 9 is 6. The truth can be turned upside-down. 

The basis for the association between 9 and truth is too heavy for this blog article, but if you would like to read more about mystical Judaism's reasoning click here. 

A Note to Believers in Yeshua: 

Yeshua died at 9th hour of the day, or 3 p.m.

Matthew 27:45-46 -- from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried out with a loud voice, saying, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”.

Consider that an upside-down 9 is a 6. In the 6th our their was "darkness over all the land." Do you see the connection to creation and Genesis 1.4?  Do you see the "duality?" 

For the Christian reading this, I suggest that now that you see the hidden meaning of Tet (9), scroll back up and read the "Mystical Meaning" of Tet again. 

The ninth month of the Hebrew calendar is Kislev, which is celebrated for the Festival of Lights, or Hanukkah

EPILOGUE:

This video on Tisha B'Av relates to Tet-9. 

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE SHOFAR

"In the seventh month on the first of the month, it should be a day of sounding for you." 

With Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets), otherwise known as Rosh Hashanah (Head of the Year) coming up on the 1st day of the 7th month which is Tishrei, I wanted to write an article about the Shofar.  

A shofar is literally a horn from a ram. 

The first mention of a ram's horn, or shofar, in the Bible is in the context of the story of Abraham and Isaac in Genesis 22. 

Genesis 22:13 -- And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son.

After God tested Abraham by asking him to sacrifice his son Isaac, a ram was provided as a substitute sacrifice. Abraham found a ram caught by its horns in a thicket, which he then offered as a burnt offering instead of his son. This event is significant as it symbolizes God's provision and is often associated with the origins of the shofar as a sacred instrument.

The word "shofar" is related to the concept of reform or improvement, as it is intended to inspire self-betterment and spiritual awakening during religious observances. 

The root word for "shofar" in Hebrew is derived from the letters shin-peh-resh (שָׁפַר), which means "to be good" or "to beautify" . This root suggests both moral and physical goodness, implying beauty.

The shofar has historically been used as a call to battle or to awaken people, both physically and spiritually. In biblical times, it was sounded to rally troops or signal the start of a battle, as seen in the story of Joshua at Jericho and Ehud calling the Israelites to fight against the Moabites. The shofar's sound served as an alarm for war, alerting people to gather and prepare for defense or attack.

Spiritually, the shofar is also used as a wake-up call for repentance and introspection. Maimonides described it as a means to awaken the slumbering soul, urging people to examine their deeds and return to God. This dual role of the shofar—as both a physical call to arms and a spiritual call to reflection—highlights its significance in Jewish tradition.

SHOFAR BLASTS:

The shofar is traditionally blown with three main types of sounds during Jewish religious ceremonies, specifically on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur:

Tekiah: A single long blast that serves as a call to attention or a summons, often associated with the coronation of a king.

The root meaning of "tekiah" (תְּקִיעָה) in Hebrew is derived from the verb "taka" (תקע), which means "to blow" or "to thrust." 

Shevarim: Composed of three medium-length, broken sounds, which are often compared to the sound of weeping.

The root word for "Shevarim" (שברים) is "shavar" (שבר), which means "broken" or "fractured." The sound of Shevarim is intended to inspire reflection on what is broken in our lives and the world, encouraging spiritual introspection and repentance

Teruah: A series of nine or more rapid, staccato notes that resemble an alarm, intended to wake listeners from their spiritual slumber.

The word "Teruah" (תְּרוּעָה) comes from the Hebrew root "rua" (ר.ו.ע), which means "to shout" or "to make a loud noise" . The term is associated with a loud sound, which can be a shout of alarm, joy, or a blast from a horn, such as the shofar. In biblical contexts, "teruah" can refer to various types of loud sounds used for different purposes, including signaling war, celebrating joy, or calling people to worship .

These blasts are sounded in various combinations during the shofar service, often concluding with a longer version of the tekiah known as the "tekiah gedolah" or "great blast"

The order of shofar blasts on Rosh Hashanah is rooted in Jewish tradition and law, with the sequence designed to fulfill the mitzvah of hearing the shofar. The blasts are arranged in specific patterns to ensure that all possible interpretations of the biblical term "teruah" are covered. The Torah mentions "teruah" three times in connection with Rosh Hashanah, leading the rabbis to conclude that each teruah must be preceded and followed by a tekiah, resulting in three sets of tekiah-teruah-tekiah.

The traditional sequence includes:

Tekiah-Shevarim-Teruah-Tekiah: This combination covers different interpretations of what constitutes a "teruah" sound.

Tekiah-Shevarim-Tekiah: Addresses the possibility that "shevarim" alone fulfills the "teruah" requirement.

Tekiah-Teruah-Tekiah: Ensures that a rapid staccato sound is included.

These sequences are repeated multiple times during the service, culminating in 100 blasts, which is a custom that has developed over time. 

According to the biblical account in Exodus 19:16, the sound of the shofar was very loud and accompanied the presence of God on Mount Sinai, causing the people to tremble in awe.

Jewish Mystical Perspectives on the Shofar 

Here are four highlights of the shofar' profound spiritual and symbolic significance:

1. Divine Connection: The shofar is seen as a manifestation of God's voice, symbolizing divine communication and presence. It is believed to invoke emotions and spiritual awakening beyond words, opening the soul to a yearning for God's presence.
2. Rosh Hashanah and Creation: The shofar is integral to Rosh Hashanah, marking the beginning of creation. It is blown during this time as a proclamation of God as King and Creator, symbolizing His coronation.
3. Repentance and Mercy: Mystically, the shofar's sound is thought to ascend to the heavens, awakening divine mercy and removing judgment. It serves as a call for repentance, urging individuals to return to their true selves and mend their ways.
4. Symbolism of Redemption: The shofar is associated with redemption, reminding Jews of the revelation at Sinai and the future messianic redemption. Its blasts symbolize liberation from spiritual bondage and herald the coming Kingdom of God.

Bible Stories that Feature a Shofar:

One of the most dramatic stories in the Bible involving a shofar is the Battle of Jericho, as described in the Book of Joshua. In this story, Joshua leads the Israelites to conquer the city of Jericho. Following God's instructions, the Israelites marched around the city once a day for six days, with seven priests carrying (7) shofars ahead of the Ark of the Covenant. On the seventh day, they marched around the city seven times, and at Joshua's command, the priests all blew their shofars and the people shouted loudly. They also smashed jars with a flame inside.  The walls of Jericho miraculously collapsed, allowing the Israelites to capture the city. This involves the story of Rahab and the first time the word "tikvah" (scarlet cord) is used. 

Another dramatic story involving the shofar in the Bible is the account of Gideon and his 300 men in the Book of Judges. In this narrative, Gideon is instructed by God to reduce his army to just 300 men to defeat the Midianites, who numbered over 100 thousand, ensuring that the victory would be attributed to divine intervention rather than human strength.

Gideon and his men surrounded the Midianite camp at night, each armed with a shofar and a torch hidden inside a pitcher. At Gideon's signal, they blew their shofars, broke the pitchers to reveal the torches, and shouted, "A sword for the Lord and for Gideon!" The sudden noise and lights caused confusion and panic among the Midianites, leading them to turn on each other in chaos. This miraculous victory underscored the power of faith and obedience to God's commands, with the shofar playing a crucial role in delivering Israel from its enemies.

Blowing the Shofar:

Blowing the shofar can be challenging due to several factors. The difficulty primarily lies in the design of the mouthpiece, which is crucial for producing sound. The mouthpiece is the narrow end of the horn that is drilled to create a bore through which air is pressured. The specific design and craftsmanship of this part significantly affect how easily the shofar can be blown.

Additionally, producing the different traditional sounds—Tekiah, Shevarim, and Teruah—requires skill and practice. Each sound has distinct characteristics: Tekiah is a long blast, Shevarim consists of three medium-length notes, and Teruah involves a rapid series of short blasts. Achieving these sounds accurately requires a good sense of rhythm and breath control, particularly for the Teruah, which demands precise timing to produce exactly 11 quick notes.

Shofar Cost:

The price range for shofars varies widely depending on their size, material, and decoration. Here are some examples:

• Small Ram's Horn Shofars: These typically range from around $18 to $30.
• Medium Ram's Horn Shofars: Prices can be between $27 and $35.
• Large Ram's Horn Shofars: These can cost from approximately $44 to over $200.
• Yemenite Shofars: These larger shofars, often made from kudu horns, range from about $149 to over $400, with decorated versions costing even more.
• Decorated and Silver-Plated Shofars: These can be priced anywhere from around $210 to over $600, depending on the level of decoration and materials used.

The wide range in pricing reflects differences in craftsmanship, materials, and decorative features.

Hearing the Shofar:

Hearing the sound of the shofar evokes a range of emotional and spiritual responses among listeners. It is often described as an emotional and intuitive experience that reaches deep into the heart, providing access to profound spiritual knowledge. The shofar's blasts are intended to inspire introspection and transformation, urging individuals to live more meaningful and fulfilling lives.

For many, the sound of the shofar serves as a powerful spiritual technology that facilitates prayer, meditation, and personal growth. It can invoke a sense of urgency or a call to action, prompting listeners to reflect on their lives and make positive changes. The shofar is also associated with memory and identity, resonating with people across various religious backgrounds as a symbol of remembrance and encounter.

Overall, the shofar's sound is designed to awaken a sharper state of consciousness, offering a different perspective on life and encouraging empathy and understanding.

I remember during a Torah study class many years ago, the rabbi asked us to, "tell the class what we thought about or felt when we heard the sound of the shofar on the high holidays." She asked if we had any specific memories related to hearing the shofar. Rabbi went around the room. People remembered their parents dressing up, holiday meals, being at temple, etc. I was the last person the rabbi came to as she went around the table. I could certainly relate to everybody else's answers. But by recollection was different. When I hear the shofar blown I imagine being at the base of Mount Sinai with the millions of Israelites. I feel sense of how awesome that must have been. 

HAVE YOU SEEN HIM?

Picture this common crime scene drama:

A police investigator, who happens to be a Christian, walks into a bar. He is there conducting a missing person investigation related to a homocide.  The detective goes over to the bartender and gets his attention.  The detective holds up a picture of man in his 30's with long hair and a beard. He asks "Have you seen him?" The bartender shakes his head side-to-side and says "He doesn't look familiar. The detective holds the image closer to the bartender and tells him to, "Look closely." He asks again, "are you sure he hasn't been around here?"

Here is the twist. Imagine that you are the bartender and the one in the picture is the Messiah. Would you recognize him?

If you ask most Christians whether they have an image in their mind of what Jesus looks like, I suspect the majority of them would say they do. Furthermore, if they were to describe him they might say that he looks like he does in the movies or like the image depicted on the cross in Catholic Churches. 

If the Messiah were to show up, and he looked like the man on the burial Shroud of Turin, most Christians would recognize him. How would they know he's the Messiah? I think most people expect he'd be surrounded by light and possessing a glowing quality.  

Revelation 1: 16 -- "He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength. 

If you ask most Jews, what they expect the Messiah to look like I'm not sure that there would be a common answer. I doubt most Jews would be able to describe what the Messiah looks like. I suspect they would be very reluctant to say, "he'll look like Jesus." 

So this begs a question which would probably get a very different response from a Christian versus a Jew. Here's the question:

If the Messiah showed up today and he not only looked like Jesus but was Jesus would you be happy or disappointed? 

Conversely I would ask the question the opposite way:

If the Messiah showed up today and he didn't look like Jesus and in fact was not Jesus would you be happy or disappointed?

Now I want to get back to where I started this article. Imagine that it really is Jesus imprinted on the Shroud of Turin. That being the case, we know what Jesus looked like. In fact we have an excellent image of his entire body from head to toe, front and back. Jesus's image can be recreated in precise detail.

Image created based on the Shroud 

Matthew 12:37-40 -- "some of the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” But he replied to them, “An evil and adulterous generation craves a sign. Yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah, because just as Jonah was in the stomach of the sea creature for three days and three nights, so the Son of Man will be in the heart of the earth for three days and three nights"

What if the image that the police investigator showed the bartender was this image of Jesus based on the Shroud? The "sign of Jonah" is the image that lets us recognize Jesus. And it's the image that Christians have had in their head for thousands of years. When he comes back the Christian will recognize him, the Christian will know him. But what about the Jew?

As a Jew I have some thoughts on what fellow Jews will think and feel if the Messiah arrives and he is the prophet they rejected.  I can imagine how they might feel knowing that we accused him of blasphemy and called for his crucifixion.

Psalm 118:22 -- The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone.

I also can't help wonder whether Jews would share in the joy that Christians feel when they see the Savior again. Would Jews be disappointed that we have been wrong for thousands of years? I plan to ask some of my Jewish friends what they think. 

In contemplating the Messiah's identity and our potential reactions, we are reminded of the profound concept of the "One New Man" as described in Ephesians. This idea transcends our traditional divisions, suggesting that through the Messiah, both Jew and Gentile are reconciled and united into a new spiritual entity. The Messiah, as the ultimate bridge between these historically separated groups, doesn't merely offer salvation to one or the other, but creates a new spiritual reality where old distinctions fade away. In this light, recognizing the Messiah becomes less about confirming our preexisting beliefs and more about embracing a radical new identity that encompasses all of humanity. This "One New Man" represents the ultimate fulfillment of the Messianic promise - not just individual salvation, but the unification of all people under divine love and purpose.

We must not lose sight of a fundamental truth: the concept of salvation. The Messiah, whether recognized as Jesus or awaited as a future redeemer, represents a singular path to divine reconciliation and eternal life. This oneness of purpose - to bring humanity closer to the Divine and offer redemption - is the true essence of the Messianic promise. Our salvation hinges on our willingness to step through the door the Messiah opens for us. This door, singular in its purpose yet accessible to all, invites us to look beyond our differences and embrace a shared destiny of spiritual fulfillment and divine connection.

Whether Christian or Jew, our reaction to the Messiah's arrival may reveal more about ourselves than about the divine figure we've long anticipated. This contemplation serves as a reminder that faith, at its core, is not about recognizing a familiar face, but about opening our hearts and minds to the unexpected. As we reflect on salvation - the ultimate promise of redemption and eternal life - we must focus on the transformative power of His message. 

Perhaps the true test of faith lies not in our ability to identify the Messiah, but in our willingness to embrace the path of salvation the Messiah offers, regardless of how it aligns with our expectations. 

In the end, the question is whether we are prepared to receive and act upon the message of love, redemption, and unity that holds the key to our personal and collective salvation.

Hebrews 11.1 -- Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.