Be Not Afraid

My mother-in-law passed away in 2011. Her funeral was at a small Catholic Church she loved.  Being Jewish, and having no belief in Jesus, I found the cross, the liturgy, communion and other aspects of the church odd, for lack of a better description.  I was not prepared for the extordinary unmatched spiritual experience that I was about to have. 

I was sitting in the front row reserved for family. During the service, a worship song was played that I recognized as one my wife Mary and my mother-in-law Margaret would sing together with passion during other funeral services that I had attended with them. 

As this song was being played I closed my eyes to better remember my mother-in-law. That's when something mysterious happened.  I had a vision of Margaret in heaven. The colors in my vision were brilliant and as I saw her I felt undescribable peace. Looking into another realm, I was so overwhelmed that I began to cry. I sobbed like I never have before or since. I literally put both hands over my mouth and tried to silence myself but I couldn't. Margaret was walking away from me towards "the place." At one point she turned and looked back over her shoulder at me with a tranquil knowing smile. It was like she was saying to me, "I will see you again."

As we left the church, I had some explaining to do to my family that was sitting beside me. I told them that Margaret was in heaven and that she's more joyful than I've ever seen her. I told them to trust me, but I couldn't explain how I knew. It was just one of those moments where they thought, I was being very weird. They were right, it was weird for sure and I will never forgot it. 

Fast forward fourteen years. My wife's brother Bobby, to whom she is very close, has been fighting cancer and other respiratory diseases for over a decade.  He survived many years beyond his terminal diagnosis because he fought so hard to hold on to life. But the time had finally come for Bobby to surrender. 

This week I was going to the hospital to sèe Bobby for the last time. Hopice was prescribed and palliative care had begun. He'd be "transitioning" very soon. Bobby was well aware of what was happening.  It was his decision.  He knew his health battle was over.  But was he ready to surrender to God or simply to death? 

Before the trip to the hospital, I prayed for the right words to say to Bobby. Of course, I wanted to express my love and admiration for him. I wanted to tell him some stories that might generate happy memories and perhaps give him a little chuckle. I also wanted to say something that would help him to pass on. Truthfully, I wanted to give him hope on his journey.  

Before the trip to the hospital, I started my day at the Dutchess County Prayer Breakfast. On the 6:30 AM ride over to the hotel, I called my good friend Steven and asked him to pray with me for the words to say to Bobby.  At the Prayer Breakfast, the first speaker on a large panel of speakers provided the words I needed. When he read them, I immediately knew they were perfect. I didn't recognize them but I was certain that I needed a copy of those words to read to Bobby. 

After the breakfast was over, I approached the speaker, who is also a Dutchess County supreme court judge. He told me that he read the lyrics to a song based on scriptures. He brought the lyrics up for me, which I copied on to my phone. 

As I was walking out the door I saw a young man named Rocky who I know has a very strong faith. I asked him to pray with me that the words that I was about to read would be received by Bobby and help him to know that he had a future ahead of him. I asked Rocky to pray with me that there would be a sign that would assure me that Bobby was moved and had hope. Now, I had everything I needed and headed over to the hospital. 

After greeting Bobby's daughters, I sat in a chair bedside Bobby's bedside. Bobby took my hand and my arm in his hands.  Listening intently, Bobby gestured now and again to show his appreciation. Smiling at times, he also tried as best as he could to respond. It was time to tell him I wanted to read him the words I had from the prayer breakfast. As I did, I could see he was visibly moved. 

Finally, after spending some time with his children, who were also in the room, it was time to leave the hospital. I approached Bobby's bedside for what would be the last time. We both said I love you. Then I leaned over him, gave him a kiss on his forehead and said "goodbye Bobby." He struggled to say something through his oxygen mask that I will never forget. Bobby said, "I will see you soon." That was the sign! He had hope!!

After I left the hospital, I looked up the words again on my phone that the judge read at the Prayer Breakfast and that I read to Bobby. This time the song came up that they were from. That's the moment I realized they were from the song that was playing in the church at Margaret's funeral when I saw her in a vision.  Bobby must have heard his mother sing that song dozens of times.  

The song is "Be Not Afraid." Listen to it while reading the lyrics below.

 

Lyrics:

Heard at 12th DC Prayer Breakfast

Read by the Honorable Judge Edward McLoughlin

Be Not Afraid by 

Song by St. Louis Jesuits ‧ 1975

You shall cross the barren desert

But you shall not die of thirst

You shall wander far in safety

Though you do not know the way

You shall speak your words to foreign men

And they will understand

You shall see the face of God and live

Be not afraid

I go before you always

Come, follow me and I will give you rest

If you pass through raging waters in the sea

You shall not drown

If you walk amid the burning flames

You shall not be harmed

If you stand before the power of hell

And death is at your side

Know that I am with you through it all

Be not afraid

I go before you always

Come, follow me and I will give you rest

And blessed are your poor

For the kingdom shall be theirs

Blest are you that weep and mourn

For one day you shall laugh

And if wicked men insult and hate you

All because of me

Blessed, blessed are you

Be not afraid

I go before you always

Come, follow me and I will give you rest.

Amen

Bobby's obituary

PART 3. JEW OR ISRAELITE

Jacob blessing his sons

This is part three of a three part blog article. Links to the other parts are listed at the end.

This gets confusing but I think it makes sense in the end. 

Jacob’s twelve sons became the founders of the Twelve Tribes of Israel, each tribe named after one son-Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. Originally, these tribes formed the nation of Israel, and their descendants were called Israelites.

The term “Jew” comes specifically from the tribe of Judah (Yehudah), which became the dominant tribe after the northern tribes were conquered and dispersed by the Assyrians in the 8th century BCE. The southern kingdom, centered around Judah and Benjamin (and some Levites), survived as the Kingdom of Judah. After the Babylonian exile, the people who returned and maintained their identity were mostly from Judah, and over time, “Jew” (from “Yehudi”) became the common term for all Israelites.

So, while Jacob had many sons and the original Israelites included all twelve tribes, “Jews” are the descendants of those tribes who survived and maintained their identity-primarily from Judah-after the loss of the other tribes.

Is that to say that the tribes that were dispersed did not keep torah? And if they did and they stayed outside of Israel, why did they adopt the term jew?

Most of the ten northern tribes, after being exiled by the Assyrians, gradually lost their distinct Israelite identity. Many did not continue to keep the Torah in its traditional form. Over generations, they assimilated into the surrounding cultures, and their original practices faded. Some individuals and small groups from these tribes did join the southern Kingdom of Judah, where Torah observance continued, and over time they became absorbed into what became known as the Jewish people.

Those who remained outside the Land of Israel and did not assimilate would have had little reason to adopt the term "Jew" (from "Judah") unless they rejoined the Judahite community and its religious life. The term "Jew" became the standard identifier because the surviving, Torah-observant community was centered in Judah, and the descendants of the northern tribes who maintained Israelite identity did so by integrating with this Judahite (Jewish) community.

In summary, the lost tribes largely lost Torah observance and their distinct identity. Those who kept the Torah and rejoined the Judahite community became known as Jews, while those who did not assimilated into other cultures and did not adopt the term "Jew."

But somebody who was from another tribe, even though they never went back to israel, would essentially still be an israelite.

Someone descended from one of the other tribes, even if they never returned to Israel or Judah, would still be an Israelite by ancestry. The term “Israelite” refers to any descendant of Jacob (Israel) and his twelve sons, regardless of which tribe they belong to.

Key Points:

1. Israelite vs. Jew -- Israelite is the broader, original term for all descendants of Jacob/Israel-covering all twelve tribes.

2. Tribal Identity in Exile -- If someone from, say, the tribe of Dan or Asher maintained their Israelite identity, kept Israelite traditions, and did not assimilate, they would still be an Israelite-even if they never returned to the land of Israel.

3. Adoption of “Jew” as an Identity -- The term “Jew” became the global identifier for all Israelites who maintained their ancestral faith and practices, especially after the Babylonian exile, as the Judahite community (Judah, Benjamin, and Levi) preserved the Torah and Israelite religion.

If a member of another tribe kept Torah and identified with the surviving Judahite community, they would be called a “Jew,” but their tribal ancestry would still technically make them an Israelite.

4. Modern Implications -- Today, “Jew” is used for all descendants of the ancient Israelites who practice Judaism or identify with the Jewish people, regardless of tribal origin (which is mostly lost to history except for some Levites and Kohanim).

So by ancestry, someone from another tribe who never returned would still be an Israelite and a Jew.

The shift to “Jew” as a universal term happened because the Judahite community survived, preserved the Torah, and became the core of Jewish identity. But in essence, all Jews are Israelites, though not all Israelites in ancient times were “Jews” in the later, Judah-centric sense.

Since most Jews do not know what tribe they are from, it seems to me that Jews who live outside of Israel and may be part of the original Diaspora, would be more accurate to call themselves israelites. 

Jews today, for the most part, do not know their specific tribal ancestry, and since many are descendants of the original Diaspora, the term “Israelite” could seem more accurate from a historical perspective. 

An exception would be the "priestly tribes."

1. Preserved Lineage -- Kohanim (Priests): Traditionally, Jewish families who are Kohanim have preserved this status through generations, maintaining special roles in synagogue rituals (like the Priestly Blessing) and certain religious privileges and restrictions.

Levites: Similarly, Levite families have maintained their identity, with specific synagogue honors and historical roles related to the Temple service.

2. Tribal Identification -- While most Jews today do not know their specific tribal ancestry, Kohanim and Levites often do, because their status is tied to religious duties and passed down patrilineally.

Their identification as descendants of Levi (and, for Kohanim, specifically Aaron) is both a matter of family tradition and, in some cases, supported by genetic studies showing common paternal ancestry among many Kohanim.

3. Modern Practice -- In synagogue life, Kohanim and Levites are called for the first and second aliyot (Torah readings), and Kohanim perform the Priestly Blessing in some communities.

The "priestly tribes" unique status is recognized across all Jewish communities-Ashkenazi, Sephardi, Mizrahi, etc.

Conclusion

Ashkenazi Jew vs. Ashkenazi Israelite: While “Israelite” is technically correct for anyone descended from Jacob, in both religious and cultural usage, “Jew” now refers to all members of the Jewish people-whether in Israel or the Diaspora. The terms are close synonyms, but “Jew” has become the standard identifier for the collective people, traditions, and religion that survived and evolved from ancient Israel.

Epilogue:

Other related links on Jewish identity and antisemitism:

Part 1. Why we say antisemitism 

Part 2. No Torah, No Jews

PART 2. NO TORAH, NO JEWS

No Tanakh, no Israel and Jews today. Thus, no Jew hatred. 

Something predates every society, but simply having earlier customs or ancestors does not guarantee the later existence of a particular nation or identity. In the case of the Jews and Israel, while there were people and traditions in the region before the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), it is the Tanakh that unified those elements into a coherent, lasting Jewish identity.

Before the Tanakh, the ancient Israelites were one of many tribal groups in the Levant, with shared ancestry and some distinct practices, but not yet a uniquely enduring nation. The Tanakh provided a common narrative, law, and religious mission that bound these tribes together and allowed Jewish identity to survive and adapt through millennia, even in exile and diaspora.

Without the Tanakh, the specific stories, laws, and sense of purpose that define Jews and Israel as a distinct people would likely not have formed or persisted in the way they did. Earlier people and customs alone are not enough; it was the unifying and enduring power of the Tanakh that made the Jewish nation possible as we know it.

The Tanakh is described as “the story of the Jewish people,” the foundational narrative that unifies and shapes Jewish identity, values, and history. It provides the shared stories, laws, and sense of purpose that have bound Jews together across centuries and continents.

Jewish tradition and education explicitly use the Tanakh to build and transmit Jewish identity, character, and moral foundation to each generation.

While Jewish identity can include elements of ancestry, ethnicity, and culture, these alone have not historically been enough to sustain a distinct nation over millennia once the people have been dispersed.

Without the Tanakh and the resulting Jewish identity, the specific phenomenon of antisemitism as it developed in history-targeting Jews as a distinct religious, cultural, and later ethnic group-would not have existed in the same way. The unique identity shaped by the Tanakh is what made Jews visible and distinct, which, tragically, also made them targets of hatred and persecution throughout history.

Without the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), there would be no enduring Jewish nation or identity-the Torah is often described as the “water” in which Jewish life exists. The stories, values, traditions and culture built up with and around the Tanakh have been central to Jewish continuity, especially through times of crisis and dispersion.

In summary: No Tanakh, no enduring Jewish people or Israel as we know them-and likely no antisemitism in the form it has taken throughout history. The Tanakh is the essential foundation for both Jewish continuity and the historical responses to Jewish distinctiveness.

P.S. It is notable as well that without the Tanakh there would have been no Jesus and Christianity as we know it today as well. 

Part 1. Why Do We Say "Antisemitism."

Part 3. Jew or Israelite

LET'S GO FISHING

Note: This post is still in process. It will likely be some time before it is complete. 

Uncle Kenny and Me (20's)

When I was a young boy, my beloved uncle Kenny, my mother’s twin brother, took me fishing many times. He would rent a tiny wooden rowboat with rickety painted oars that squeeked as we rowed out into Wappingers Creek. Part of our routine was to stop at a little old bait store by the water for blood worms. 

I called this post, "Let's Go Fishing" as a pun to play on the idea of how popular worms are for fishing. Obviously, this isn't a post about fishing. Nonetheless, both the fish and a type of worm in the story of prophet Jonah are significant.  This post is mostly about that "worm."

The Story

In the last chapter of the story of the prophet Jonah, in verse 4, "Jonah went out from the city and sat east of the city. There He made a sukkah and he sat under it, in the shade, until he saw what would happen in the city. 6 Then Adonai God prepared a plant and it grew up over Jonah, to give shade over his head to spare him from his discomfort. So Jonah was very happy about the plant. 7 But God at dawn the next day prepared a worm that crippled the plant and it withered away."

Before Adonai prepared a worm he prepared a fish. In chapter 2.2, Adonia prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.

The Sign

Yeshua singles out Jonah as the "sign that he is the Messiah." In Matthew 16.4, Yeshua says, "An evil and adulterous generation clamors for a sign, yet no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah." And leaving them behind, He went away." He is foreshadowing his crucifixion and resurrection.

Two Fish

There is another "fish story" that comes into play in the context of this post. John 21.3, “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.

Then John 21.4-5 reads -- Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. He called out to them, “Friends, haven’t you any fish?” “No,” they answered.

Yeshua told them John 21.6 to, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish." 

Pay Attention to Details

In the rest of John 21, the final chapter in the Gospel of John, we find that Yeshua had prepared a "miraculous catch" of 153 fish.  That is no random number! God can do what he wills with fish or any of his creatures. 153 is the "Measure of the Fish." 

There was a famous mathematician named Pythagoras, who lived nearly 500 years before Jesus. Pythagoras calculated the "measure of fish."

Pythagoras believed that numbers had special significance and could explain the universe.

In Matthew 27:45 we are lead to believe that there was a eclipse at the time of Yeshua's crucifixion. The Gospel reads, "Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour." 

Pythagoras geometrically modeled the shadow cast on the earth during an eclipse at the intersection of the two "circles." This is where we get the shape of the "Jesus Fish" from. 

Pythagoras, who is most well known for the Pythagorean theorem that relates the lengths of the sides of a right triangle. His calculations arrived at the knowledge of "Triangle Numbers." The 17th "Triangle number" is 153!  I call attention to 17 not only because of 153, but because of John 17. Perhaps the connection between 153 and 17 relates to why John 17 is Jesus's powerful prayer of intercession for his disciples and all who would believe in him through their message. He prays for their unity, protection from the evil one, and ultimately, that they might be with him to share his glory. This prayer, often called the High Priestly Prayer, is a testament to Jesus's love and concern for his followers.  Please take a moment to read John 17 and then come back for my further thoughts about the "worm." 

Back to Jonah and the Worm

זוַיְמַ֚ן הָֽאֱלֹהִים֙ תּוֹלַ֔עַת בַּֽעֲל֥וֹת הַשַּׁ֖חַר לַֽמָּֽחֳרָ֑ת וַתַּ֥ךְ אֶת־הַקִּֽיקָי֖וֹן וַיִּיבָֽשׁ

Jonah 4:7 Now God appointed a worm at the rise of dawn on the morrow, and the worm attacked the plant (kikayon), and it withered away.

The Hebrew word for the "worm" in Jonah is תוֹלַ֣עַת (Tolyot). It is actually a crimson-grub that was used to dye cloth crimson red. It has also been called the "Scarlet Worm."

John 20 ‐ Early on the first day...

In the story with Jonah, at the rise of dawn, God appointed the worm (תוֹלַ֣עַת) to attack the plant for which Adonai said, “you did no labor or make it grow, that appeared overnight and perished overnight." 

It is said that Jonah represents Israel. If Jonah is Israel, what did the Children of Israel do to be "Chosen?"  Did Israel put the Lamp on the lamp stands for the world to see or did Israel keep the Torah for itself?

Why did Adonai command Jonah to go to Nineveh?  It seems to me that God answers these questions implicitly in the following words to Jonah. 

Jonah 4.11 (TLV) -- Now should I not take pity on Nineveh, the great city, in which there are many more than one hundred twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, and many beasts as well?

In the Book of John, the stage is explicitly set for Yeshua's crucifixion. Notice who's  mouth these prophetic words are coming out:

John 11:47-53 (TLV) -- So the ruling kohanim and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we doing?” they asked. “This Man is performing many signs! If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our holy place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was kohen gadol that year, said to them, “You know nothing! You don’t take into account that it is better for you that one man die for the people rather than for the whole nation to be destroyed.” Now he did not say this by himself; but as the kohen gadol that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the nation. And not for the nation only, but also so that He might gather together into one the scattered children of God. So from that day on, they plotted to kill Him.

Returning to the story of Jonah 4:8-9 -- When the sun rose, God provided a scorching east wind, and the sun blazed on Jonah’s head so that he grew faint. He wanted to die, and said, “It would be better for me to die than to live.” But God said to Jonah, “Is it right for you to be angry about the plant?” “It is,” he said. “And I’m so angry I wish I were dead.”

Go back over those words with this context: Jonah is Israel.  Remember, God "chose" Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses. Jesus was forsaken and knew he had to die for the world and that as a result of his death the Hebrew scriptures would go and grow throughout the world, not for the Nation of Israel only. 

A Very Special Worm

It is important to notice that the Hebrew tells us it is not just any type of worm. This was the "scarlet worm" (Kermes ilicis or Coccus ilicis). The Kermes worm is where we get the word crimson. This special worm was used to create red dye around the ancient Mediterranean. The scarlet worm was used to make scarlet clothes and cords, like the one used by Rahab in Jericho. In that story, the "scarlet cord" is called a Tikvah. It is also the Hebrew word for Hope. HaTikvah (The Hope) is the National Athem of Israel. 

Joshua 2:17-18 -- Now the men had said to her, “This oath you made us swear will not be binding on us 18 unless, when we enter the land, you have tied this scarlet cord in the window through which you let us down, and unless you have brought your father and mother, your brothers and all your family into your house.

Does this special worm appear elsewhere in the Hebrew scriptures.  It certainly does. Let's look at the context: 

Psalm 22:1-8 -- My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest. Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the one Israel praises. In you our ancestors put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried out and were saved; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads. “He trusts in the Lord,” they say “let the Lord rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him.”

An interesting fact about the crimson worm eggs is that after they hatch they feed on the parent worm for about 3 days. During this time the mother releases a crimson/scarlet dye.

In Isaiah 1:18 (ESV) "Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

The so-called “scarlet thread” of redemption runs throughout the Bible—from the wrist of Judah’s son to Rahab’s cord of rope. It’s woven into priestly garments and throughout the textiles in the tabernacle. Crimson (scarlet) is a consistent clue about the Messiah.  The scarlet thread runs all the way into the Talmud, as a clue to the salvation procured by Messiah’s perfect sacrifice. The crimson-grub left it's stain on oak trees. 

During the Second Temple era, it was tradition that a scarlet thread, made from wool, was fastened to the door of the temple, and later tied to the head of the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement.

The worm that Adonai appoints in the story of Jonah invokes the blood-stained tree of the Crucified. 

One other place the worm appears, in plural form, תּוֺלָעִים versus תּוֹלַ֔עַת, is Exodus 16 speaking of the Manna. 

Exodus 16:19 -- And Moses said, Let no man leave of it till the morning. Notwithstanding they hearkened not unto Moses; but some of them left of it until the morning, and it bred worms, and stank: and Moses was wroth with them. And they gathered it every morning, every man according to his eating: and when the sun waxed hot, it melted. And it came to pass, that on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one man: and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses

There are others, but I will mention one more example where this תּוֹלַ֔עַת worm is mentioned: 

Isaiah 66:24 -- “And they will go out and look on the dead bodies of those who rebelled against me; the worms that eat them will not die, the fire that burns them will not be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”

So now what do you think about the worm that ate the plant in the story of prophet Jonah? Is the "sign" any clearer?

Jonah is Israel.  And Israel resented Adonai's mercy on Nineveh.  But the story of Jonah doesn't end there. We need to know where Jonah went after Adonai asked him the question in the last paragraph.  

Jonah 4.11 --  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?”

Conclusion

2 Kings 14:25 -- He was the one who restored the boundaries of Israel from Lebo Hamath to the Dead Sea, in accordance with the word of the Lord, the God of Israel, spoken through his servant Jonah son of Amittai, the prophet from Gath Hepher.

Jonah is Israel. The worm is the scarlet (crimson) thread that runs through the entire bible.  It is the blood of the High Priest's sacrafices and a prophetic symbol of the Messiah. The booth (sukkah) that Jonah built for shade is the tabernacle. The plant is the Shekinah--God chooses where and when to shine His Light. The Light goes where Adonia chooses. 

The Light was to go out to the world .... to all those who didn't know their left hand from their right. Adonai sent Jonah as a sign of His will. Jonah did not want to go. What would come of the Nation of Israel if the God of Israel gave mercy and strength to it's enemies? But Jonah expected the Ninevites to cling to their idols and foresake their welfare. In any event, Jonah was redemed and he knew his salvation was of God. His life belonged to Adonai. 

The story of Jonah continued after the book was written. Jonah didn't leave Niniveh. He stayed and taught. Jonah was the rabbi to the Ninevites who will stand in judgment. 

Adonai dealt with the evil Assyrians at the Walls of Jerusalem during King Hezekiah's reign.  They were used to restore the Nation's faith. What would come of the Ninevites that stayed in Niniveh? Well, over 85% of Assyrians today are Christians. Makes one wonder what Jonah was teaching them many centuries before Yeshua declared he was the sign. 

Jonah didn't understand Adonai's plans for the Nation. But he fulfilled his prophetic purpose, precisely as the Lord desired. With 5 (Hey) Hebrew words Jonah revealed and the Ninevites heard God. 

PART I. WHY DO WE SAY "ANTISEMITISM?"

This is part one of a three part blog article. Links to the other parts are listed at the end.

According to the biblical account in Genesis 10,  Noah had three sons and their descendants repopulated the earth after the Flood:  Ham, Japheth and Shem.

Shem is traditionally considered the ancestor of the Semitic peoples, including the Hebrews (Israelites), Arabs, Assyrians, Arameans, Elamites, and others mainly in the Middle East.

Ham is the forefather of peoples in parts of Africa and the Near East, including Cushites, Egyptians (Mizraim), Canaanites, and others.

Japheth is associated with the ancestors of many peoples in Europe and parts of Asia, including Greeks, Romans, Persians, and others

Shem's descendants include:

• Elamites (from Elam, east of Mesopotamia)
• Assyrians (from Asshur)
• Arameans (from Aram, covering parts of Syria and Mesopotamia)
• Lud (often associated with the Lydians of Asia Minor)
• Arphaxad, from whom Abraham and thus the Israelites and Arabs descend
• Joktan, whose descendants are linked to varioxx̌, us Arabian tribes
• These groups broadly occupied West Asia, including regions of modern Israel, Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. Shem's descendants are often called Semites, a term derived from his name. Some overlap exists with descendants of Ham and Japheth in certain regions, but Shem's lineage is mainly tied to the Semitic peoples of the ancient Near East

If the "Shemites" includes all these other descendants, why does the term "Antisemitism" refer specifically to Jews?  

There is much to be said about the hatred and discrimination that Jews have faced for thousands of years in many regions around the globe. Perhaps that is for another post.  

In the late 19th century, before the term "antisemitism" was coined in Germany, Judenhass was the common expression for Jewish hatred, typically rooted in religious prejudice. Judenhass is a German term meaning "Jew-hatred." It traditionally refers to hostility or opposition to Jews, often based on religious grounds (anti-Judaism) or broader cultural, economic, political, or racial discrimination against Jews.

"Antisemitism" is a term that was coined by a German Journalist that stuck. It is technically inaccurate and correct at the same time. In other words, it is illogical just like antisemitism is. 

Before proceeding, watch this brief video on "antisemitism."

Back to the explanation of the origin of the term antisemitism. 

In 1879 a German journalist by the name Wilhelm Marr's wrote a pamphlet titled "The Way to Victory of Germanism over Judaism" (also known as The Victory of Judaism over Germanism), that argued that Jews had gained dominance in German society due to emancipation and liberalism, which he saw as a threat to German identity and culture. Marr framed this conflict as a racial struggle between the "Semitic" Jewish race and the Germanic people, claiming Jews possessed qualities like astuteness and realism that allowed them to outmaneuver the Germans, whom he described as clumsy and inferior in this racial contest.

In the pamphlet, Marr declared that the struggle could not be resolved by assimilation because it was rooted in racial differences, and he warned that a Jewish victory would mean the end of the German people ("finis Germaniae"). The pamphlet was filled with exaggerations and false claims about Jewish control over finance and politics, reflecting the racial "antisemitic" ideology Marr promoted.

Marr’s work marked a shift from religious to racial antisemitism and was foundational in popularizing the term "antisemitism."  

Seeing Jews as a threat, Marr founded the League of Antisemites in 1879.  It was the first political organization dedicated specifically to combating Jews as a racial group, popularizing the term and ideology.  His concept laid the groundwork for modern racial antisemitism, which culminated in the Nazi era.

Marr chose "antisemitism" over the traditional term Judenhass ("Jew-hatred") because he wanted to emphasize racial conflict rather than religious prejudice, presenting his views as more "scientific" and secular. 

In summary, "antisemitism" shifted hatred of "Jews" from a religious based hatred to a racial (genetic) based hatred. It didn't matter to Hitler whether or not you were a "practicing" Jew. What mattered is whether you had Jewish blood. Hitler and the Nazis defined Jews not by their religious beliefs or practices, but by their ancestry-specifically, whether a person had Jewish "blood." 

Plot Twist -- Is it correct to call ourselves Jews?  

Linguistically, the English word "Jew" entered the language in the late 12th century. The term "Jew" originates from the name Judah (Hebrew Yehudah), who was one of the twelve sons of Jacob in the Bible. Judah became the ancestor of one of the twelve tribes of Israel, and later the name was used for the Kingdom of Judah, which included the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and parts of Levi.

The Hebrew word Yehudi (יְהוּדִי) originally meant a member of the tribe or kingdom of Judah. Over time, especially after the exile and the disappearance of the northern tribes, the term "Jew" came to refer to all people of Jewish ethnicity and religion, not just those from the tribe of Judah.

While DNA testing can suggest genetic links to ancient Judahite populations, definitive proof of belonging to the Tribe of Judah through DNA alone is not currently possible. These tests provide historical and genetic context rather than absolute tribal identification. 

Should We (Jews) Really Call Ourselves Israelies? 

An argument can be made for Jews all over the world calling ourselves Israelies. So I would be an Israeli American.  (As I think about it, this is analogous to Blacks who prefer to be called African Americans.)

In this video, Moriel explains some of thè deep misunderstandings between Jews and Muslims, not to mention Christians. 

By & large, Jews recognize that our Patriarchs are Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We accept that Jacob's name became Israel. The children of Israel became the Israelites of biblical fame who went out of Egypt as described in the Book of Exodus. The Hebrew name for Exodus is the Sefer Shemot" (סֵפֶר שְׁמוֹת), which literally means "Book of Names." This name comes from the opening words of the book, "Ve-eleh shemot" (וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת), meaning "And these are the names," referring to the names of the sons of Israel who came to Egypt. 

The connection can be drawn to the Land that God promised the Children of Jacob, and thus a line can be drawn between Zionist and the Israelites.  Thus also between antisemitism and anti-Zionist. 

Conclusion 

The bible doesn't begin at Parsha Noach (the portion about Noah). Man is created on the 6th day in Genesis 1. 

Essentially, the concept of identity can be defined by genetics, which is our family lineage.  If that's the case, we are all descended from the first man and woman. In effect, we are all related. 

Part 2. No Torah, No Jews

Part 3. Jew or Israelite 

Have a listen. 

Epilogue:

Why Jews are Hated

 

לג - 33

First thing this Saturday morning  I heard the number 33 mentioned at the start of a sermon.  It captured my attention and as much as I tried to focus on the rest of what was said, my mind moved to what the Spirit wanted me to see. This post is about 33.

The phrases "thirty and three" or "three and thirty" appear seven times in the Tenach also know as the Old Testament. The number 33 in the Bible holds significant spiritual meaning related to divine promises, fulfillment, and spiritual maturity. The number 33 relates to the mystery of faith.  33 marks key moments where God's covenant and salvation plan unfold, such as:

• The 33rd time Noah’s name appears in Scripture coincides with God's covenant never to flood the earth again, symbolizing divine faithfulness and restoration. (My calculation may be off.) 
• King David, who represented God’s chosen leadership, reigned in Jerusalem for 33-years. He initially reigned in Hebron for 7 years and 6 months before moving to Jerusalem, where he ruled over all Israel and Judah for the remaining 33 years of his 40-year reign. 
• Yeshua (Jesus) began his ministry at age 30 and 3 years later at about 33 years old He was crucified. 33 marks the fulfillment of His earthly ministry and the establishment of the New Covenant of grace and redemption for humanity. 33 combines the spiritual completeness of the number 3 (the Trinity).

• 33 symbolizes the divine intervention that brings about salvation and the unfolding of God’s redemptive purpose in history.  

33 in the Hebrew Letters

In Hebrew, numbers are often represented by letters of the Hebrew alphabet, each letter having a numerical value and placement value.

30 is represented by the 12th letter ל (Lamed). 3 is represented by the 3rd letter ג (Gimel). So, the number 33 in Hebrew letters would be written as לג (Lamed-Gimel - Hebrew is right to left.)

The Hebrew letters ל (Lamed) and ג (Gimel),  together represent the number 33 (לג), have rich significance in the Old Testament:

• Lamed (ל) is the 12th letter of the Hebrew alphabet with a numerical value of 30. It symbolizes learning, teaching, authority, and guidance, often likened to a shepherd’s staff, representing leadership and spiritual direction. Lamed is associated with maturity and strength, as priests began their service at age 30, and King David began his reign at 30 (Numbers 4:2–3; 2 Samuel 5:4)

• Gimel (ג) is the 3rd letter of the Hebrew alphabet with a numerical value of 3. The Hebrew letter Gimel (ג) is traditionally pictured as a camel or the foot of a camel. It symbolizes movement, journey, and giving. Gimel’s shape and name relate to the Hebrew word gamal (גמל), meaning camel. The camel was valued for its ability to travel long distances through the desert carrying goods, symbolizing endurance and provision on a spiritual journey. This ties to the idea of a believer’s pilgrimage through life, sustained by faith and divine provision 
• Giving and Charity: The Talmud teaches that Gimel represents a rich man running after a poor man. The Gimel is running toward the Dalet. The next letter Dalet is the word for and symbol of a door. 

In summary, 33, Lamed Gimel לג, in the Old Testament context points to themes of mature spiritual authority, teaching, guidance, and purposeful movement or mission, deeply embedded in the Hebrew alphabet’s symbolic and numerical system.

Galgal 

Job 38.1 -- The Adonia answered Job out of the whirlwind. 

The sequence Gimel Lamed Gimel Lamed (גימל למד גימל למד) appears in the Old Testament as the Hebrew name of the "galgal" plant mentioned in Psalm 83 and Isaiah 17, is translated variously as "wheel," "whirlwind," or "tumbleweed," which some interpret prophetically.

In Isaiah 17, the galgal imagery is used in a prophecy about the destruction of Damascus and the judgment of many nations that rage against Israel. It points to a future time when God’s deliverance will cause the enemies to be scattered like tumbleweed, emphasizing God’s sovereignty* and the futility of opposing Him.

(* I'm sure it's just a coincidence that "Sovereignty" won the Kentucky Derby on Shabbat this weekend. LOL)

Isaiah 17:13 -- The nations shall rush like the rushing of many waters: but God shall rebuke them, and they shall flee far off, and shall be chased as the chaff of the mountains before the wind, and like a rolling thing before the whirlwind.

The Hebrew word galgal literally means “wheel,” linking the imagery of rolling or being driven away by the wind, reinforcing the idea of instability and judgment.

Isaiah 17.1 -- An oracle concerning Damascus. Behold, Damascus will cease to be a city and will become a heap of ruins.

The galgal starts as an innocuous weed but develops a large, thorny, and impenetrable shrub. Then, suddenly, it dies, detaches from its roots, and is blown away by the wind. This process vividly represents how God will deal with those opposing His purposes-strong and threatening at first but ultimately destroyed and scattered by divine judgment.

Psalm 83:13-14 -- O my God, make them like a wheel; as the stubble before the wind. 14 As the fire burneth a wood, and as the flame setteth the mountains on fire

In Psalm 83, the enemies of Israel are prayed against to become like the galgal-scattered and powerless before God’s storm, so that God's name will be glorified through Israel’s deliverance.

Thus, the galgal serves as a powerful prophetic symbol of judgment, defeat, and God's ultimate deliverance of Israel from its enemies.

The Hebrew Word "לג" (Lag) - 33.

The Hebrew word לֹג (log) is a biblical unit of liquid measure of about 10 ounces used in ancient Israel, primarily for oil and other liquids in ritual contexts. It is approximately equal to about 0.3 to 0.5 liters (roughly a third to a half liter, about 0.3 quarts). It's primarily used in the context of the law regarding lepers in Leviticus 14.

Leviticus 14 details the ritual for the cleansing of a person healed from leprosy (tzara’at). This passage is central to the Torah portion known as Metzora (מְּצֹרָע), which covers Leviticus 14:1–15:33.  It "happens to be" the Torah portion for this very Shabbat- TODAY! 

(Just another coincidence like Sovereignty. LOL!)

During Jesus's ministry, healing lepers represents one of his most significant miracles.

THE 33 DAY OF COUNTING THE OMER

On the 33rd day of the Counting of the Omer called there is a lesser known Jewish holiday called Lag BaOmer. 

Lag is 33. BaOmer is counting the Omer. An Omer is a measure of Wheat.

In the Talmud, Lag BaOmer takes place during the 2nd century in Israel while the Jews are in hiding from the Romans, when Christians were a growing sect of Judaism. In my opinion, the lessons of Lag BaOmer are profoundly related to Jesus's teaching. 

• Balancing Love and Truth: It highlights the paradox of loving others deeply while still striving to correct and improve them. Rabbi Akiva’s 24,000 students died due to a lack of mutual respect despite their love, teaching us to combine sincere care with humility and tolerance in relationships.

• Integration of Spirituality and the Physical World: Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai’s emergence from the cave on Lag BaOmer symbolizes the realization that holiness is found not only in Torah study but also in engaging with and elevating the material world. The day teaches that spiritual growth includes transforming everyday life into a dwelling for God.

• Hope and Divine Protection: The cessation of the plague among Rabbi Akiva’s students and the association with Rabbi Shimon’s merit reflect themes of divine mercy, protection, and the power of spiritual merit to bring blessing and renewal.

• Joy Amid Mourning: Lag BaOmer breaks the semi-mourning period of the Omer with celebration, teaching resilience and the importance of joy even during times of hardship and reflection.

• Unity in Diversity: The holiday encourages valuing diverse perspectives within the community, as seen in the varied understandings of Rabbi Akiva’s teachings, fostering respect and harmony despite differences.

• Spiritual Illumination: The bonfires and teachings of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai symbolize spreading the light of mystical wisdom and divine secrets, inspiring deeper connection to God and Torah.

In essence, Lag BaOmer teaches us to love and respect other while seeking truth. It teaches us to find holiness in both study and daily life, to celebrate hope and unity, and to illuminate the world with spiritual light.  That's 33!

(Coincidently, Lag BaOmer is celebrated in next in about a week.)

Scriptures & teaching on Lag BaOmer. 

MAN OF GOD!

In Deuteronomy 33, Moses, described as "the man of God," pronounces a final blessing over the tribes of Israel before his death. This chapter serves as a prophetic and pastoral declaration where Moses calls upon God's favor and protection for each tribe, highlighting their unique strengths and roles within Israel. The blessing emphasizes God's presence, law, and leadership as the foundation for Israel’s future security and prosperity.

Moses is about to see the tribes of Israel off as the journey he lead them on, his life, and the Torah, are coming to a completion. Joshua is about to realize God's promise. 

(Coincidentally, Deut. 33, was a point in the sermon I listened to the day after I started this post. There's a lot of 33 coincidences going on. LOL. 

Conclusion: 

I will simply conclude with the last verse in the Torah.  

Deuteronomy 34.10-12 -- There has not risen again a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom Adonai knew face to face, 11 with all the signs and wonders Adonai sent him to do in the land of Egypt—to Pharaoh, all his servants, and all his land— 12 by the strong hand and great awe that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Amen 

Epilogue:

The story of Paul's conversion can be found in the New Testament in the book of Acts on the road to Damascus. Although there is no evidence pinpointing Paul's exact date of birth, most sources date Paul's birth close to the time of Jesus's birth. Sources will list his year of birth between 4-6 AD. Paul's conversion to Christianity and the beginnings of his mission journeys are dated between ~33 AD.  Not sure if this qualifies as another 33. 😇

MASHAL (משל) -- The Wisdom of Solomon

King Solomon also called Jedidiah יְדִידְיָה which is derived from Yedidiah. His names means "beloved of the Lord." Yedidiah combines "yādid" (meaning "beloved") with "Yah" (a form of God's name).

He was the successor of his father, King David. Solomon was the penultimate ruler of all Twelve Tribes of Israel under an amalgamated Israel and Judah. He reigned from 970 to 931 BC and Israel expanded greatly under him. Solomon built the first temple of Israel in approximately 967 BC.

Solomon is credited for the biblical wisdom Book of Proverbs. It is said that Solomon’s wisdom surpassed that of all other men in the East and Egypt. His reputation for wisdom was so great that even kings and queens. Even the Queen of Sheba traveled well over 1,000 miles to see his glory, here his wisdom and recieve his counsel (1 Kings 10:1).

Solomon's wisdom was not only intellectual but also practical and deeply insightful about human nature and divine principles. This wisdom helped him govern Israel justly and brought great prosperity during his reign. 

Solomon's wisdom is legendary to this day, with millions turning to his writings every day!

Yeshua (Jesus) compared himself to King Solomon when speaking of the prophet Jonah.  In the Gospels, Matthew 12:42, Jesus says, “The queen of the south will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” By this, Jesus declares that He is greater than Solomon in wisdom, authority, and significance, emphasizing that people should listen to Him even more than they did to Solomon.

In Luke 11:31: Jesus says, “The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.” Jesus uses this to highlight that He is greater than Solomon, yet His own generation refuses to listen, unlike the Queen of Sheba who traveled far to hear Solomon.

What is about the wisdom of Jesus that is greater than Solomon? It is the understanding of the wisdom. What gives them the understanding? The answer is fundamental to the message of Jesus--the Holy Spirit. The Jewish leaders didn't get it...but to be fair, even the apostles didn't understand at that point. It wasn't until John and Peter saw the burial Linens that they understood "the sign of Jonah."

Psalm 72 is the last psalm that King David wrote. The Jewish leaders at that time believed Psalm 72 was about King Solomon. I wonder what they'd make of it if they believed in the ressurection? After all, Yeshua does tell them to search their scriptures in John 5:39. Surely that would lead the Pharisees and Sadducees to The Book of Jonah and Psalm 72. In Gematria, the Hebrew word חֶסֶד chesed (loving-kindness) has a value of 72 (Hect 8 + Samech 60 + Dalet 4). That would have been a solid clue that not all of them would have missed -- including Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea. 

END-TIMES FORESHADOWING

There is an important end-times message for Jews.  In Matthew 12:41, speaking of "End Times" Yeshua says that, "The Men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here."

Jesus compares Solomon’s splendor with God’s splendor in Matthew 6:29 -- “Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all hi s splendor was dressed like one of these.”  He does the same in Luke 12:27 where Jesus says, “Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” 

Let's not race past this rather simple comparative statement. In the Bible, "splendor" refers to magnificence, brilliance, glory, or radiant beauty. It often describes the majestic and awe-inspiring nature of God. Splendor conveys the overwhelming beauty, majesty, and exalted status of God's presence and actions.

1. "Lilies" are often associated with purity and innocence in the Bible. In the Song of Solomon, the lily is used as a metaphor for love and beauty. Lilies also represent resurrection and new life, as they bloom in the spring, symbolizing the promise of eternal life in

2. The Light of Yeshua (His "Glory") is not like the glory (the light) from Solomon’s riches. 

3. The "provision" of Jesus comes through his crucifixion. The pain and suffering of the crucifixion equate to God's love, forgiveness, freedom from sin, and reconciliation with God. The Bible says that Solomon was the richest man who ever lived, and yet Yeshua is saying that the wealth of his provision is greater.  Preparing them for his departure, in just the prior chapter, Luke 11:1-4, Jesus teaches his Jewish Apostles how to pray for their daily bread. 

Just after Jesus says in Luke 11:32, "...and behold, something greater than Jonah is here," the very next words Jesus gives us is the following parable:

In Luke 11:33-36: “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eye is healthy, your whole body is full of light, but when it is bad, your body is full of darkness. Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness. If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”  Keep in mind that the Jews have just been have just been hearing about Jesus's "splendor." Now in these verses Jesus is speaking of the "Light" that will be in his believers after his ressurection.  

Jesus's message concerning Jonah is a prophetic sign to the Jewish leaders that his crucifixion and resurrection will prove that He is greater than Solomon and that greater riches and a more adundant life will come from His Light which is fully revealed at his ressurection. 

Jesus connects wisdom to light by teaching that His message and presence illuminate truth, just as a lamp lights up a room. 

Jesus warns that if people who do not recognize and receive this light, they remain in darkness, even if they think they have light. The healthy “eye” (or spiritual perception) allows a person to be filled with this light, but a bad eye leaves one in darkness.

Jesus says in Luke 11:36 -- "If then your whole body is full of light, having no part dark, it will be wholly bright, as when a lamp with its rays gives you light.”

The concept of a "whole body is full of light" that is "wholly bright" is also reference to the Light released at the moment of his ressurection, 1/40th billion of second to be exact, that 34 trillion watts of vacuum ultra-violet light created the image on Jesus's burial linen clothes.  

There's More

If you know me, I like to see if their are any clues in the Hebrew and gematria that correspond to the messages above which I see in the scriptures. So check this out, starting with the Hebrew. 

The Hebrew word for "proverbs" mashal (משל), is also the word for "parables."  The Jews hearing the word marshal would have to recognize that Jesus is telling them to find His wisdom in His parables. This point is given along with his reference to Jonah. 

But there is a significant point to be made about the case which Jesus is making. His parallel reference to Jonah, particularly the aspect that Jonah was in the "great fish for three days and nights," wouldn't be appreciated until after his was death and resurrection. In other words, Jesus is saying that the proof of his wisdom, his marshal, is his crucifixion and resurrection.  Jesus warned the Jewish leaders.

Next I looked at the gematria (numerical value) of the Hebrew word משל (mashal). It is 370. This is calculated by adding the values of its letters: מ (mem) = 40, ש (shin) = 300, ל (lamed) = 30, totaling 370.

Jesus promises "Shalom Shalom," meaning perfect peace. The essence of shalom is not just peace as the absence of conflict but a state of wholeness, well-being, and completeness. The core word (root) of shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is ש-ל-ם (sh-l-m), which means “to be complete,” “whole,” or “sound”. From this root come related words like shalem (“whole, complete”), mushlam (“perfect”), and shulam (“was paid for”).  The Hebrew word Shalem, meaning "Salem" or "complete/peace," also equals 370.  Mashal 370 = Salem 370. Wow!

Still More

Go back to the parable Jesus delivered immediately after stating Jonah was the only sign. Luke 11:33-36: “No one after lighting a lamp puts it in a cellar or under a basket, but on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light.  Jesus metaphor relates to a Light being revealed to those who enter.  In just days after saying this the Apostles John and Peter will enter the tomb, see the Linen Clothes and understand! 

in this same parable, this same mashal, Jesus tells the Jewish leaders "Therefore be careful lest the light in you be darkness." So Jesus isn't only saying he offers greater wisdom than Solomon; he is also saying that his light which will be revealed is different.

To seek a deeper understanding of this point I checked out another source. I looked to see if there were any clues that matched with the Jewish mystical Science of Creation, known as Kabbalah, based on the Tree of Life, otherwise known as Jacob’s Ladder. Look what I found: 

Below is Jacob’s Ladder. The area inside the dotted orange circle drawn on it, is called the Zeir Anpin. Zeir Anpin is Aramaic for "Lesser Countenance" or "Small Face." It is a central concept in Kabbalah, representing a revealed aspect of God. 

In the ancient writing of the Zohar and Lurianic Kabbalah, Zeir Anpin is the perceptible manifestation of the Divine, the aspect through which God relates emotionally to creation.  In summary, Zeir Anpin is the Kabbalistic representation of the Divine which acts as a bridge between the supernatural higher intellect and the manifest world. The Zeir Anpin plays a crucial role in the spiritual structure of the universe. Got an image? Does anyone come to mind? If you said Jesus, check this out -- In Kabbalah, "370 lights" are said to shine from the spiritual face of Zeir Anpin, representing a mystical illumination.  

There is so much more in the actual Book of Jonah. The Book of Jonah sheds light of the Gospel of Jesus, which is why Jesus said, in Matthew 12:38-39 -- Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from you.” He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Epilogue 

Could it be that the ressurection is captured in the Aaron's blessing? 

Numbers 6:24–26 (ESV) -- The Lord bless you and keep you; 25 the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; 26 the Lord lift up his countenance (face) upon you and give you peace.