More YEA NEWSLETTERS

May-June-2003
(PAGE TWO)

As I had predicted, the series of articles that I have been running on "The Spirits Like Frogs Identified" has ended up bringing about the accusation of Anti-Semitism. And its from people whose hearts are supposedly set on the Scriptures and also supposedly understand end-time events.

Had I run the article backwards, beginning with Islam, then progressing to Christianity and then Judaism, I know that nothing would have been said about either Islam or Christianity. There would have been total agreement and the article probably would have even been posted on the party in question’s web-site. But when I got to Judaism, I would still have been declared Anti-Semitic. I have no doubt about this at all.

I am presenting the correspondence that I had with the group in question. It is the Union of Two House Messianic Congregation group headed by Rabbis Moshe Koniuchowsky and Ed Nydle. I hope that you will be able to follow the thread. If you see any mistakes or fallacies on my part, please let me know.

Shalom Elder Helen,

I trust this letter finds you well. It has recently come to our attention that in some of your recent letters, you have called Judaism a devil's and evil religion. Also you taught that the frog spirit that ensnares the nations is actually Judaism. Here's my question and concern. Do you realize that when you say "Judaism", most people rightly or wrongly equate that as synonymous with the Jewish nation? I may not and Ed may not but fact remains most do!

(EDITOR’S NOTE: Please notice that I am accused of broad brushing all Jews, but are all Jews members of Judaism? Did I say so in my article? Absolutely not! Rabbi Moshe is the one who is actually broad brushing all Jews here.)

In a message dated 3/17/2003 1:10:07 PM Central Standard Time, RABBIED@prodigy.net writes:

Shalom Jerry- I have been reading the articles in question and still need some clarification about your beliefs concerning Judaism and the Jewish people. I am finding your interpretation of the "FROGS" very troubling and offensive to the Jewish people as a whole-just as I would painting the broad stroke of "the Christian peoples and Muslim peoples". It is true there may be some PRACTICES within Judaism that you may not feel are "torah" BUT the Jews as a people and the rabbis preserved the Torah for all mankind for milleniums. They have remained a distinct people group because of Torah and millions have died defending the Torah. I need ASAP clarification of your beliefs of the modern State of Israel- are you an anti-Zionist?

First , I am requesting you remove these articles from any sites -they are an embarrassment to the UNION and the RESTORATION of ALL Israel. Next I want a retraction in writing posted of your statements calling the Jews "the seed of the serpent". I want a solid statement of full support of our brother Yehudah and the State of Israel.
I am also troubled with your statements concerning Torah and it being abrogated by a "NEW covenant".
Please respond to me ASAP.
Rabbi Edward L. Nydle
Bnai Avraham
UTHMC Board of rabbis

Rabbi Nydle,

Have you read the article on Zionism in the Encyclopedia Judaica? (A Jewish work) You need to understand who it is that stole the term Zion, Zionist and Zionism before you begin to judge me concerning my stand. As for the present day state or what is called Israel, do they serve YAHWEH? Do they serve YAHshua? Are they publishing the good news concerning the coming kingdom of heaven? Are they publishing the name YAHWEH? Are they publishing the name YAHshua? Did not the Pharisees of old proclaim that they were upholding the Torah, Torah, Torah, but didn't truly believe the writings? Please understand, I am not trying to be obstinate at all. But you need to read my article again and compare it with both secular and Biblical history.

Now, as far as the Christian peoples are concerned, they, as Judah, have preserved the Scriptures and profess a love for them, all the while practicing idolatry and unbelief. A broad stroke against all Christianity? Yes, but don't you understand how deep the deception has been? Judaism proclaims a messiah, but denies the true Messiah. Christianity proclaims a messiah, but denies the true Messiah. To deny the true Messiah is to be an anti-Messiah. I have prepared a second article identifying the second unclean froglike spirit that comes out of the mouth of the beast. That spirit is the spirit of Christianity.

I will then prepare a third article concerning the third unclean froglike spirit that comes out of the mouth of the false prophet. That spirit will be identified as the spirit of Islam. There are three spirits working in this world today to bring about the battle of the great day of Almighty YAHWEH. They are the spirits of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. Those are the facts Rabbi Nydle. Look at your news reports. Look at the things that are going on behind the scenes.

You say that my article reminds you of Germany and Hitler, but such is not the case because I proclaim my love for the Jewish people in the article. Evidently, you haven't read the article carefully or you would have seen that. I also love the Christian (Israelite and non-Israelite) peoples, but I am prepared to call a spade a spade and truth as truth. You see, Rabbi Nydle, when I read the prophets of both Old and New Testaments, I see only a few men going against the great rivers of humanity whether they were Jewish, Israelite, Hebrew or non-Hebrew. The prophets have warned us what is going to come to pass. It's here and it must be revealed.

I am sure that I would also love so many, many of the Islamic peoples, but here again, they are anti-Messiah and I must call a spade a spade and truth as truth.

I have also found in the Jewish Book of Knowledge the proud proclamation that three great faiths came from Judaism, to wit: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It shows the three faiths growing out of the same base and being united together and then growing into 3 separate men. Someone is utilizing all three of these faiths, Rabbi Nydle, to bring about the dilemma that we are facing in today's world. If you can't see how our peoples have been and are being deceived, then that is a problem that you need to work on. As for me I encourage everyone to come out of all three faiths and enter into the Faith based upon our true Elohim YAHWEH and His beloved and Anointed Son YAHshua. I thought that you were doing the same thing. If you are not doing the same and are rather in full support of those who do not love and uphold the true Messiah, and if that is what the Union is doing, then I definitely shouldn't be considered to be a part of that Union.

As for the articles that I have written, I refuse to recant or remove them. I have written what I have written. They are based upon Scriptural and secular history. They are based on prophecy also. If any are offended by them, then they simply don't understand what is going on in this world.

Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

Rabb Ed,

Is speaking and publishing the truth beating around the bush? You are charging me with saying things that I have not said. But I must ask you, are you calling the Jewish people out of their blinded state? Are you calling them to repent? I support the Jewish and Israelite state that publishes the truth concerning YAHWEH, YAHshua and their kingdom and holy city. What does the book of Revelation say about the present city of Jerusalem, Ed? Please read Rev. 11:8.
Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

Rabb Ed,

Is speaking and publishing the truth beating around the bush? You are charging me with saying things that I have not said. But I must ask you, are you calling the Jewish people out of their blinded state? Are you calling them to repent? I support the Jewish and Israelite state that publishes the truth concerning YAHWEH, YAHshua and their kingdom and holy city. What does the book of Revelation say about the present city of Jerusalem, Ed? Please read Rev. 11:8.
Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

What does this mean, Ed? "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. Do ye thus requite YAHWEH, O foolish People and unwise? Is not He thy Father that hath bought thee? Hath He not made thee, and established thee?....But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook Eloah Which made him and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation. They provoked Him to jealousy with strange elohim, with abominations provoked they Him to anger. They sacrificed to devils, not to Eloah; to elohim whom they knew not, to new elohim that came newly up, whom your fathers feared not. Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten El That formed thee. And when YAHWEH saw it, He abhorred them, because of the provoking of His sons, and of His daughters. And He said, 'I will hide My face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a froward generation, children in whom is no faith. They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not El; They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation...Their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. For YAHWEH shall judge His people, and repent Himself for His servants, when He seeth that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. And He shall say, 'Where are their elohim, their rock in whom they trusted, which did eat the fat of their sacrifices, and drank the wine of their drink offerings? Let them rise up and help you, and be your protection.' (Dt. 32)

"YAHWEH said also unto me in the days of Josiah the king, 'Hast thou seen that which backsliding Israel hath done? She is gone up upon every high mountain and under every green tree, and there hath played the harlot. And I said after she had done all these things, 'Turn thou unto Me.' But she returned not. And her treacherous sister Judah saw it. And I saw, when for all the causes whereby backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also. And it came to pass through the lightness of her whoredom, that she deviled the land, and committed adultery with stones and with stocks. And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto Me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith YAHWEH.' And YAHWEH said unto me, 'The backsliding Israel hath justified herself more than treacherous Judah." (Jer. 3)

"The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron, and with the point of a diamond: it is graven upon the table of their heart, and upon the horns of your altars; whilst their children remember their altars and their groves by the green trees upon the high hills....O YAHWEH, the Hope of Israel, all that forsake Thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from Me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken YAHWEH, the Fountain of living waters....Behold, they say unto me, 'Where is the word of YAHWEH? Let it come now.' As for me, I have not hastened from being a pastor to follow Thee: neither have I desired the woeful day; Thou knowest: that which came out of my lips was right before Thee. Be not a terror unto me: Thou art my Hope in the day of evil. Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction." (Jer. 17)

"And the word of YAHWEH came unto me, saying, 'Son of man, set thy face toward Jerusalem , and drop thy word toward the holy places, and prophesy against the land of Israel, and say to the land of Israel, 'Thus saith YAHWEH; 'Behold, I am against thee, and will draw forth My sword out of his sheath, and will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked. Seeing then that I will cut off from thee the righteous and the wicked, therefore shall My sword go forth out of his sheath against all flesh from the south to the north: that all flesh may know that I YAHWEH have drawn forth My sword out of his sheath: it shall not return any more."....Again the word of YAHWEH came unto me, saying, 'Son of man, prophesy, and say, 'Thus saith YAHWEH; Say, 'A sword, a sword is sharpened, and also furbished: it is sharpened to make a sore slaughter; it is furbished that it may glitter: should we then make mirth? it contemneth the rod of My son, as every tree. And He hath given it to be furbished, that it may be handled: this sword is sharpened, and it is furbished, to give it into the hand of the slayer.' Cry and howl, son of man: for it shall be upon My people, it shall be upon all the princes of Israel: terrors by reason of the sword shall be upon My People: smite therefore upon thy thigh. Because it is a trial, and what if the sword contemn even the rod? it shall be no more saith the Sovereign YAHWEH. Thou therefore, son of man, prophesy, and smite thine hands together, and let the sword be doubled the third time, the sword of the slain: it is the sword of the great men that are slain, which entereth into their privy chambers. I have set the point of the sword against all their gates, that their heart may faint, and their ruins be multiplied: ah! it is made bright, it is wrapped up for the slaughter. Go thee one way or other, either on the right hand, or on the left, whithersoever thy face is set. I will also smite Mine hands together, and I will cause My fury to rest: I YAHWEH have said it." (Ez. 21)

Ed, Please look at these Scriptures most carefully. I am giving them to you so you can warn your (our) people before it is too late. In Jeremiah, Jerusalem was to be destroyed twice because of the treachery of Judah. Such has happened for Nebuchadnezzar destroyed it the first time and Titus destroyed it the second time. But Ezekiel proclaims that destruction is to be doubled the THIRD TIME! There is so much that I would love to discuss with you if you could receive it. Ed, please warn the people of Judah concerning the coming third destruction. Yes, Ed, I do love Israel. Yes., I do love Judah. Yes, I do love all of YAHWEH’S people. Yes, I do love the people living in the state of Israel today and have been so frustrated with the attacks upon them that if I were a young man, I would consider going and volunteering to serve in their army in order to help, even though I know that YAHWEH is going to allow the sword to come upon Jerusalem, Judah (the current state of Israel), and Israel (Britain, America and most of the English speaking world.

I wish I didn't see things this way. But I can't deny YAHWEH’S word, His warnings and His prophecies.
Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

Ed, I hope you are right concerning me being wrong about this, but I know in my heart and spirit that I am not. You have an opportunity to warn the Jewish people and also the Israelite peoples before the prophesied destruction comes. You are in a much better position than I am. If I am right and you fail to warn them, then may their blood be on your head as the Scriptures state. Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

The Pharisees, scribes and Sadducees were a generation (children, descendants, progeny) of vipers (serpents). Their father was the devil! They withstood and tried to trip YAHshua up at every turn. They caused the death of the Savior. They began the persecution on the assembly, the body of the Messiah. Then they secretly entered into the assembly of believers sowing the seeds of perversion and turning so many, many of the believers away from the true Messiah to a false one!

JERRY- the above is from your own pen! This is anti-Jewish slime from the satan himself. IT gave Hitler the right to kill over 6 million -you do believe in the Holocaust don't you? The above quote is what A. Roy Eckardt called "The Road to Auschwitz" in his book "Jews and Christians" p.63. I suggest you read a history of the Pharisees to understand the quote in context!

I have nothing more to say to you except "REPENT".

Oh, I see, Ed, you don't truly believe the words of the New Covenant. You don't truly believe what the New Covenant says, you only seemingly trust in the Old Covenant, but that covenant revealed that neither Israel nor Judah had the heart to keep YAHWEH’S word. It was declared in the Torah, in the prophets, in the Psalms and also in the New Covenant.

You are the one who must REPENT, ED! You are a deceiver who has entered into the body of believers and are in the process of twisting and perverting the faith of the people. You are evidently one of those spoken of by the book of Jude (Judah). Shame on you, Ed. Repent before it's too late for you.
Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

As much as it pains me personally, since I remember meeting you and finding you "a nice guy", as well as someone who has the gift of teaching, I simply must tell you that Rabbi Ed and I cannot go along with your understanding of the scriptures. Yahshua was not calling all Jews the devils seed, but merely one particular generation that condemned Him. If all Jews were serpent seed, that who were the ones who wrote the scriptures. Wasps?

Shalom,

Brethren; As much as it sometimes is unsettling to ask some group or affiliation to leave The Union Of Two House Messianic Congregations, Rabbi Ed and I have found and determined that Yahweh's Evangelical Assembly of Texas with Elder Jerry Helen, are teaching clear anti Semitic doctrines. This is not to say that Elder Helen is an anti-Semite or a bad person per se. Only Yahweh knows the heart for sure. But what we can know is his teachings on the Jews as the physical "serpent seed" of Lucifer, with the inhabitants of modern Jerusalem as Sodom are unacceptable to us. His teachings against the Jews is most alarming. Additionally this puts him in violation of our clear doctrinal statement as outlined at: "http://www.2house.org/page.php?page=doctrinal_statement" which reads as follows.......

· The Union is completely opposed to any sects of White-Aryan Ephraimitism, or anything remotely anti-Jewish, anti-Israel, anti Zionist or that can be construed as being anti-Semitic. Most British Israel groups are also considered outside the realm of membership for some of the same reasons mentioned above.

Also Jerry Healan's teaching on Torah we find to be dispensational, where he teaches in many differing ways that the New Testament is the Torah sent to replace the first Torah. His anti-Jewish teachings can be seen first hand at his website at: "http://members.cox.net/brendahobbs/yea_15-11.htm"

Rabbi Moshe, I never called "ALL" Jews the seed of the devil. It is clear that the Pharisees were called the seed of the devil because of their teachings and their resistance to the Messiah YAHshua. Modern day Judaism admits that it comes from the Pharisees (see Jewish Book of Knowledge). Modern day Judaism rejects and hates YAHshua. Any who reject YAHshua the Messiah are anti-Messiah even though they may believe in "a messiah." As you know, Christianity and Islam both also stand in this position.

It is my purpose, as it should be yours also, to call our people out of those faiths to the true faith of YAHWEH and YAHshua. It is disturbing to me that you also reject the teachings of the New Covenant. I have studied it thoroughly, Rabbi Moshe, and there are too many differences between the old and the new for the new covenant to be exactly as the old.

Specifically, the new covenant has a different Egypt, a different Passover Lamb, a different priesthood, a different tabernacle, a different circumcision, different sacrifices, a different Jerusalem, etc., etc.

I love you Rabbi Moshe. I have told you that before. I encouraged you to stand in the true names of YAHWEH and YAHshua. You did. I believe in and look forward to the union of the houses of Judah and Israel. But I believe that some have entered into your group who are presently perverting the teachings, turning it back into Judaism.

As you made your stand, and have been tremendously blessed for doing so, I must make a stand on the truths that have been revealed to me. As you should know, I have never spoken out against the teachings of the Union, but I have seen errors in some articles. I would warn you away from any Kabbalistic teachings, per se. Kabbalism is the basis of freemasonry and Cain was the first freemason before the flood while Nimrod was the first freemason after the flood. I have read many, many teachings of the Kabbalah as tendered by Freemasonry. I have also read many, many teachings of the Kabbalah, Cabala, Qabalah as tendered by Orthodox Judaism, I have found that these teachings were blended in with the Scriptures from Solomon onward. These are the teachings that YAHWEH hated and destroyed both Israel and then Judah for turning to.

I will no longer attempt to contact you, nor seek to justify myself, as you have judged me to be worthy only of removal from your midst. All I can say is that it is on my heart to serve YAHWEH, YAHshua, their kingdom, their people (Judah, Israel and those non-Hebrews who have their names), with the truths that are found in the Scriptures.

I pray that YAHWEH will bless you and keep you from harm and I hope that you and I (as well as all of YAHWEH’S myriads) will embrace in His wondrous and glorious kingdom and Holy City, New Jerusalem soon.
Shalom,
Elder/Evangelist Jerry Healan

4-4-03

Is this the state that you support? How can such a holy state be delicately balanced between religious and secular? Shouldn't the whole state be holy to YAHWEH? And you and I know that the Ultra Orthodox don't give a hoot about YAHshua. They hate Him. Didn't John write that those who deny that YAHshua came in the flesh are anti-Messiah?

Since the secular certainly don't give a hoot about the Scriptures or YAHshua, and the Ultra-Orthodox don't either, don't you think that Rev. 11:8 truly applies here? It is as I stated Ed, modern day Jerusalem is Sodom and Egypt. They have made a covenant of peace with the people of the land (the Palestinians). The secular part of the government doesn't give a hoot at all about the Scriptures, and the religious part of the nation and government hates the LIVING TORAH, YAHSHUA.

Open your eyes to see.
Jerry

Israeli Court rejects military exemptions. Author/s: Issue: Dec 23, 1998

In a historic decision, Israel's Supreme Court December 9 ordered the government to stop granting blanket draft exemptions to tens of thousands of ultra-Orthodox yeshiva students. The court unanimously ruled that legislation is needed to deal with the issue. Because of overwhelming political opposition to the exemptions, any such legislation would likely result in many of the yeshiva students becoming subject to Israel's military draft.

The precedent-setting decision is likely to have a far-reaching impact on Israel's delicate religious-secular balance of power. It is also likely to exacerbate the dispute between religious and secular leaders over the Supreme Court's right to rule at all on controversial religious issues, such as who controls conversions to Judaism and attempts by liberal Jewish movements to gain full state recognition.

The court gave the government a year to implement its ruling, which could affect an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 ultra-Orthodox young men currently studying in yeshivas, or religious schools, with draft exemptions. Ultra-Orthodox leaders vowed to battle the decision by pushing for passage of legislation that would enshrine the exemptions into law. Should the Knesset, or Israeli parliament, fail to pass such a bill, ultra-Orthodox youths would go to prison or leave the country rather than enter the military, the leaders added.

"If there is, God forbid, a decision by the Knesset or the Supreme Court to draft anyone, we will have no choice but to leave the country," said Moshe Gafni, a leader of Torah Judaism, an ultra-Orthodox political party. "After suffering the Inquisition, and centuries of persecution for studying Torah, now we have to face this in the Jewish state," added Avraham Lazer, a Knesset member representing Agudath Israel, another ultra-Orthodox party.

In Israel's fractious parliamentary political system, ultra-Orthodox parties wield political power disproportionate to their community's size, which has been estimated at less than 20 percent of Israel's Jewish population. Despite their power, it would be difficult for ultra-Orthodox politicians to muscle passage of a law favorable to them through the Knesset because most Israelis--secular and religious--serve in the army at some point in their lives.

Only ultra-Orthodox Jews seek to avoid the military, arguing that religious studies are at least as important and that army service would subject the community's young men to corrupting influences. But most Israelis, who hold the military in high esteem and see it as a guarantor of their physical security, have become generally fed up with the growing number of ultra-Orthodox exemptions. Even the two centrist Orthodox members of the 11-member Supreme Court joined in the recent decision--a sign of how little support the exemptions have in Israeli society.

The Christian Century Foundation

I have read information on Zionism from the Encyclopedia Britannica, the Encyclopedia Judaica, and The Jewish Book of Knowledge. All three works testify that the modern day Zionist philosophy began in the mid to late 19th century and is purely secular and socialist in its make-up. Orthodox Judaism tried to link with the Zionist movement, but withdrew when they realized that the secular politicians had no Torah based vision of the prophesied Zion.

Below is information from an Ultra-Orthodox Jewish group. Their web-site is called "Jews Against Zionism." Will they be proclaimed by Rabbis Koniuchowsky and Nydle as anti-Semitic? No, because they are Jews. But I will once again be accused as being anti-Semitic for publishing this. However, if you will read this information, you will discover that their stand, as is mine, based on the Holy Scriptures and our reasoning is almost identical.

The worldwide view of the approaching Israeli elections, as reported in the media, suffers from the mistaken belief that all Orthodox Jews patronize and support the State of Israel, its parliament, and its rules when, in fact, a great number of Orthodox Jews are in opposition to what it taking place in Israel and believe that many Israeli Jews and their leaders have forsaken their duties to Judaism and the True Torah guidance. Therefore, to dispel this mistaken view, we wish to state clearly and precisely that the Jewish people have always been far removed from involvement in the business of government, including elections. Opposition to the involvement in government continues to this day.

The true Rabbis have prohibited and demanded that observant Jews refrain from such involvement. Over the years and in present times they have published letters and advertisements to explain and spread the reason why it is a terrible sin to support Israel, the Kenesset, or their elections.

We are confident in our statements. According to our Holy Torah every form of sovereignty, especially in Israel, is a rebellious and betrayful act. All that participate, by any means, in Israel, the Kenesset, or their elections, take part in this rebellion and we shall not join them.

Some years ago about 94 Rabbis from across the globe, headed by Satmar Grand Rabbi Joel Teitelbaum, may his memory be blessed, gave their signatures to boycott elections in Israel. Participating in elections was prohibited throughout the years by Major Rabbis and that prohibition is still respected today by the ultra-orthodox population. They and we are trying to persuade even more religious Jews to admit the truth. The statistics confirm that the number of people refraining from voting continues to escalate each time elections occur in Israel.

This year, 2003, for the sixteenth time since Israeli elections began in 1949, the Grand Beth Din of Jerusalem and the Central Rabbinical Congress of the United States and Canada have put a boycott on these sinful elections. Each time elections took place they renewed their prohibitions. They proclaim that it is an absolute crime to be part of these sinful elections. This belief was presented by "all" previous Rabbis and may no one deny this fact by not obeying. It was just simple and nobody even thought that something else could be right.

Lately, when the Zionists campaigned for the State of Israel, false Rabbis have had the audacity to change the true Torah Theory. They had, and still have, no permission whatsoever to do so.

In 1961 a letter was published with 36 more Rabbis adding their signatures to the previous list. They stated: "May nobody be a part of Israel, Kenesset, or elections." Various Rabbis, including many Sephardic leaders (not only Ashkenas, but all united Jews) have restated the sin that one should stay far from Israel, Kenesset and elections. This declaration, to step back as much as possible from Kenesset and their elections, was accepted by hundreds of thousands of Ultra-Orthodox Jews in Israel. They have received support from hundreds of thousands of Jews from all over the world that feel the same pain that the Zionists have caused Hashem-God, the Torah, and the Jews.

Many major public gatherings were arranged to explain the sin of joining in the elections. Brochures were distributed explicitly boycotting the Kenesset and the elections.

There was once a king exiled from the nation he himself had established when rebels betrayed him, overthrew his rule, and removed him from power. This new regime built a parliament and enacted new laws directly contrary to those established by the old king. Understandably, of course, when elections are needed to re-elect and reinforce the policies of the rebellious government, loyal supporters of the original king are sympathetic and heartbroken. Furthermore, if those who were close to the old king cooperate in the elections or, even worse, participate in this sinful congress, forgiveness will never be granted them when the emperor is returned to his former power. When the awaited day comes and the rightful kingdom is restored, it is understood that those having no connection whatsoever with the revolution or its government and rules will be enormously rewarded. Conversely, however, those revolting and not sympathizing with the plight of their king will be terribly punished.

This is exactly the way the secular State of Israel can be portrayed.

A Democracy represents its people. Every voting person is participating in the government. Electing someone to represent him in congress is the same as appearing there himself to voice his opinion.

There is no way whatsoever to destroy their vile plans. By voting and taking part in this "Kenesset" you admit and agree that this is a right place and that what they do is right. You just help them perform more wrong doings. Nothing exists without compromise. There is no choice but to surrender to many of their terrible acts.

Forever, in all generations, have all trusted Rabbonim and Jewish leaders resented any such type of establishment. Today, as well, Rabbis strongly protest any similar act.

In the 1800’s many (26) Gedolim prohibited electing and participating in a Jewish congress in Hungary that did not agree to obey the Torah rules. It was wrong, even if it was in the forbidden state of Israel (as long as we are in exile). It was not even in a privately owned land (which we are not yet allowed to have) and still it was not good.

Over eighty years ago Rabbi Yosef Chaim Zonnenfeld, may his memory be blessed, Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem and ruling over many other Rabbis, objected to a Jewish parliament in Israel that did not adhere to the teachings of the Torah. Israel was under English rule at that time, the parliament was not in full charge of the country, and yet it was wrong.

The Torah is our only constitution and there is nothing above it. As long as we Jews are in exile we ought to bow and be humble to all other nations of the world. Raise your heads and show the world. The "Kenesset" stand for just the contrary. They vigorously fight and don’t surrender to the Arabs.

When the Arabs lived in Israel they were very good neighbors with Jewish population. By cooperating in the "sinful" elections or by being part of the "sinful Kenesset" itself you consent to the idea to fight and overthrow the Arabs. This is a terrible fault according to the Torah.

Hundreds of thousands of ultra-orthodox Jews all over the world, including many in Israel itself, fiercely resent these elections. It is as the true loyal supporters of Hashem-God and his Holy Torah, which the pain and sympathy for the original king evokes in our hearts when these revolting elections come forward. It’s as if the rebellion is happening once again when the elections renew the Kenesset so sinfully.

Until we are freed from our exile, we shall never own Israel but must patiently wait for our Messiah to come to us. He will give back this Holy Nation to the suffering Jews who owned it before the exile began. Then will be the grand time when Hashem-God will finally return to his rightful place and do right for those that did right to him and rightful punishment to those who did wrong to him.

Again and again the State of Israel, the "Kenesset" and now more importantly, the elections are terrible sins according to the Torah. We true Jews shout: "It is wrong, wrong, wrong!!

From the inception of the Zionist State and particularly in recent times, the impression has been created in the World that there is some connection between the State, which falsely calls itself Israel, and the Jewish people as a whole. Therefore, we who continue to uphold the never-changing tradition of the Jewish people find it proper to again clarify the following points:

 A Jew is one who remains faithful to the laws of the Jewish religion, that is, the Holy Torah and its commandments.

 The Jewish people became a people before they had their own land, and continued to exist as a people also after they went Into exile, because our very peoplehood is based exclusively on the Torah.

 The Holy Land was given to the Jewish people on the condition that they observe the Torah and its commandments. When they failed to do this, their sovereignty over the land was taken from them, and they went into exile. From that time, we are prohibited by the Torah with a very grave prohibition to establish a Jewish independent sovereignty in the Holy Land or anywhere throughout the world. Rather, we are obligated to be loyal to the nations under whose protection we dwell.

 This situation has existed for close to 2000 years when the Jewish people were dispersed throughout all corners of the world. During this time, the Jews always remained faithful to the country in which they lived.

 The Jewish people are grateful to all those merciful nations which have allowed them to observe Torah and the commandments undisturbed.

 From ancient times, the relations between the Jewish and Islamic peoples have always been those of peace and brotherhood, and friendship always reigned between them. The proof of this is the fact that for centuries, in all the Arab lands, hundreds of thousands of Jews lived in honor and amidst mutual esteem.

 Jews throughout all generations yearned to grace the sacred soil of the Holy Land and to live there. However, their sole purpose was to fulfill the commandments dependent upon the land and to absorb Its holiness. Never, G-d forbid, did they have any nationalist or sovereign intent whatsoever which, as mentioned above, is forbidden to us. Indeed, also here in the Holy Land, our fathers lived in neighborly harmony with the Palestinian residents of the land, helping one another, to mutual benefit.

 Until about two hundred years ago, the vast majority of Jews observed the Torah and the commandments in entirety. Jewry's leaders were Torah scholars, who directed the people according to the Torah. They were loyal citizens in the host nations where they dwelled and to the local laws. They prayed for the welfare of their respective governments. To our sorrow, at that time a small number of Jews slowly left their observance of Torah and commandments. Together with this, they began to deride the spiritual leadership of their people. This assimilation was the basis upon which, one hundred years ago, the ideology of Zionism was born. Its founders were assimilated Jews who had abandoned the Torah.

 Immediately at the founding of the Zionist movement, masses of Jews under the rabbis, launched a heavy battle against Zionism. Their attack was directed not only at the non-religious Zionist idea, but rather, primarily at its opposition to the Torah-ordained path that Jewry must follow while in exile. As such, the Zionists incited the nations of the world, demanding political sovereignty over the Holy Land while remaining oblivious to the resentment this would arouse In the Palestinian Arabs, the land's veteran inhabitants. As stated, the leaders of Orthodox Jewry vehemently opposed the movement with all force.

 The Zionists refused to heed the voice of the Rabbis and Torah authority. They persisted in their ways until they succeeded in influencing the British government to issue the Balfour Declaration concerning the "establishment of a national home for the Jews in the land of Israel." To our great sorrow, "quotes/baruchkaplan.htm" of the land. This occurred because the Arab people understood that the Zionists wished to seize rulership from them. In addition, the Arab people had suspicions as if the Jewish people wished to seize control of the Temple Mount and other similar sites. Matters worsened as a result.

 The Jewish leadership of that time saw it as proper to clarify before the Arab leaders that the "quotes/truthandpeace-zonnenfeld.htm", and that our desire was to continue to live in peace with the Arabs, as we had always done. The leader of the G-d-fearing Jewish community at that time, "quotes/sonnenfeld.htm". of blessed memory, organized a delegation in July of 24' which "quotes/sonenfeld_to_hussein.htm" and his sons Faisal the King of Iraq and the Amir Abdullah In order to lucidly present to them the position of the G-d-fearing Jewish community. The Jewish delegation clarified unequivocally that Torah Jewry is totally opposed to the Zionist sovereignty over the Holy Land. It Is worth noting that the delegation was received with great honor. They were even assured that all Arab lands were "rabbiquotes/abramblau.htm", however, on the condition that the Jews do not demand political rights. This condition also applied to the Holy Land. One of the members of the Jewish delegation, "onlinebooks/martyrsmessage.htm", paid with his life for his participation.

 Torah Jewry protests at every opportunity against the Zionist rule over the Holy Land, and the Zionist rebellion against the neighboring nations. Torah Jewry has condemned the Zionist oppression of the Palestinians, the land's veteran inhabitants who have been driven from their homes and properties. The Zionists' barbaric and violent deeds are absolutely antithetical to the essence of the Jewish people.

 Torah Jewry has never ever recognized the Zionist state. Since the Zionists succeeding in establishing their state, Torah Jewry has continuously announced to the world that the Zionists do not represent the Jewish people, and that the name "Israel" that they use is a forgery. For as has been stated above, it is forbidden to us from the Torah to rebel against the nations, and all sovereignty by us is prohibited. Rather, we await the days when all the world will recognize the sovereignty of the Creator, and the words of the prophet Isaiah will yet be fulfilled: "And they will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. No nation will lift its sword against any other, nor will they learn warfare anymore."

 Anti-Zionist Orthodox Jews have refrained to this day from taking any funds from the Zionist regime, whether for their educational institutions, synagogues or other benefits. Obviously, they do not participate in the Zionist elections, whether for the "Knesset" or for the municipality. We do not serve in their army, and we even avoid speaking in the Hebrew language that the Zionists Invented. (incidentally, this is not the holy and true Hebrew language in which the Bible is written.) All this is done because Torah Jewry does not recognize the Zionist regime, which Is against the Torah and against humanity.

 Lately, the question has once again arisen concerning the Temple Mount and sovereignty over it. Thus, we wish to state unequivocally: a) In our time, it is a severe Torah prohibition for any Jew to set foot on any part of the Temple Mount area. b) The Jewish people have no claim whatsoever to sovereignty over this holy site, which is under Islamic authority, nor over any other holy site. Rabbi Zonenfeld was once asked, "is it true, that the Rabbi prefers an non-Jewish government over all of the Holy Land"? Rabbi Zonenfeld replied, "if King Hussein would rule over Palestine, the holiness of the Holy Land would not be diminished to even to an Iota degree". We yearningly await G-d's great day, when He will return His Divine Presence to Zion, restoring the holy city to its former holiness and glory as in days of old, to be a light to the peoples and the nations.

 The Zionists have no right of any sovereignty over even one inch of the Holy Land. They do not represent the Jewish people in any way whatsoever. They have no right to speak in the name of the Jewish people. Therefore, their words, declarations and actions are not in any way representative of the Jewish people. This is because the Zionists' seizing of power over the Holy Land is antithetical to Jewish law, and also because the Zionists do not behave like Jews at all rather, they desecrate the sanctity of the land.

 We once again clarify that it is our desire to live in peace with our Arab and Palestinian neighbors, as we did before the Zionist revolution, and as Jews all over the world till today live, accepting the yoke of rulership of their host nation, with complete loyalty. Our sole desire is to serve our G-d and to fulfill His commandments with a perfect heart and to delight in the radiance of the sanctity of the Land.

All of these things having been said, we do understand that the Jewish people, the Israelite people and the non-Hebrew people who belong to YAHWEH are loved by Him and will eventually have the opportunity to come out of the blindness and error that has afflicted them for so long a time. They will have the opportunity for redemption. We look forward to and pray for that day to come soon. We do love all of YAHWEH’S people and long for the restoration of the kingdom to Judah and Israel as has been promised by the faithful Word of YAHWEH, HalleluYAH!!!

We will keep you updated on any further developments.
JH

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Genesis 1 (26) And Elohim said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. (27) So Elohim created man in HIS own image, in the image of Elohim created HE him; male and female created HE them.

From the following two scriptures, it becomes evident that YAHWEH, the INVISIBLE Elohim, was speaking to Something that was called the Word, Elohim, the Light, and the Firstborn of all Creation. That Something became YAHshua (Many pronounce His name as "Yeshua."), HIS Son in the flesh. It was in their image and their likeness that we were created.

John 1 (I) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with YAHWEH, and the Word was Elohim. (2) The same was in the beginning with YAHWEH. (3) All things were made by Him; and without Him was not any thing made that was made. (4) In Him was life; and the life was the Light of men. (5) And the Light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. (6) There was a man sent from YAHWEH, whose name was John. (7) The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through Him might believe. (8) He [John] was not that Light, but was sent to bear witness of that Light. (9) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. (10) He [the Light, the Word] was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. (11) He [the Light, the Word] came unto His Own, and His Own received Him not. … (14) And the Word [also the Light] was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the FATHER,) full of grace and truth.

Colossians 1 (12) Giving thanks unto the FATHER, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in Light: (13) WHO hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of HIS dear Son (YAHshua): (14) In Whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (15) Who is the image of the INVISIBLE Elohim, the Firstborn of *every *creature [all creation]: (16) For by Him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: (17) And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.

*Translated as: "all creation" by The Interlinear Bible by J. P. Green Sr. & Young's Literal Translation.

According to the above scriptures, YAHWEH, the INVISIBLE Elohim, created mankind in the image and likeness of HIMSELF and YAHshua.

What does the YAHWEH, the INVISIBLE Elohim, look like? YAHshua revealed to Thomas the answer to that question.

John 14 (5) Thomas saith unto Him, Sovereign, we know not whither Thou goest; and how can we know the way? (6) YAHshua saith unto him, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life: no man cometh unto the FATHER, but by Me. (7) If ye had known Me, ye should have known My FATHER also: and from henceforth ye know HIM, and have seen HIM. (8) Philip saith unto Him, Sovereign, show us the FATHER, and it sufficeth us. (9) YAHshua saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known Me, Philip? He that hath seen Me hath seen the FATHER; and how sayest thou then, Show us the FATHER? (10) Believest thou not that I am in the FATHER, and the FATHER in Me?

With the above in mind, YAHWEH'S Son, YAHshua, is surely the perfect pattern that YAHWEH had in mind when HE created mankind before the fall in the Garden of Eden.

After YAHshua was manifested in the flesh with earthly physical features, He was the visible pattern that had already been used to create Adam in the image and likeness of YAHWEH.

Adam was formed of the dust of the earth, but YAHshua existed as a different substance before He became flesh and blood.

In point #1 of this next scripture, we find a very significant way that we were patterned after the image and likeness of YAHWEH with YAHshua being the perfect pattern.

In point #2, we will also find a very significant way that we will be re-created from the very same substance that YAHshua came from before He was born of flesh and blood.

Hebrews 1 (1) YAHWEH, WHO at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, (2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by HIS Son, Whom HE hath appointed heir of all things, by Whom also HE made the worlds; (3) Who being the Brightness [Effulgence-Brilliant Radiance] of HIS GLORY, and the express image [G5481-engraved character or exact copy] of HIS person [essence] [some translate as substance], and upholding all things by the word of HIS power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; (4) Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.

Those points are:

#1: YAHshua is the express image [engraved character or exact copy] of HIS [YAHWEH’S] person [essence].

#2: YAHshua is the Brightness [Effulgence - Brilliant Radiance] of YAHWEH'S GLORY [Splendor or Magnificent Appearance].

Point #1 will be divided into two parts.

Part A: Let us look at the words "express image" from the Greek word #[G5481 meaning- "engraved character" or "exact copy."

G5481. charakter, khar-ak-tare'; from the same as G5482; a graver (the tool or the person), i.e. (by implying) engraving ["character"], the figure stamped, i.e. an exact copy or [figuratively] representation):--express image. STRONGS

char·ac·ter (k²r"…k-t…r) n. 1. The combination of qualities or features that distinguishes one person, group, or thing from another. See Synonyms at disposition. 2. A distinguishing feature or attribute, as of an individual, a group, or a category. … --char·ac·ter tr.v. charac·tered, charac·ter·ing, charac·ters. Archaic. 1. To write, print, engrave, or inscribe. 2. To portray or describe. --idioms. in character. Consistent with someone's general character or behavior: behavior that was totally in character. out of character. Inconsistent with someone's general character or behavior: a response so much out of character that it amazed me. [Middle English carecter, distinctive mark, imprint on the soul, from Old French caractere, from Latin charact¶r, from Greek kharakt¶r, from kharassein, to inscribe, from kharax, pointed stick.] --char"ac·ter·less adj. AHD (American Heritage Dictionary)

Part B: We will look at the phrase "of HIS person" G5287 meaning- essence.

(Note: The Interlinear Bible by J. P Green Sr. reads, "the express image of HIS essence.")

G5287. hupostasis, hoop-os'-tas-is; from a comp. of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), i.e. (fig.) concrete essence, or abstr. assurance (obj. or subj.):--confidence, confident, person, substance. STRONGS

es·sence (µs"…ns) n. 1. The intrinsic or indispensable properties that serve to characterize or identify something. 2. The most important ingredient; the crucial element. 3. The inherent, unchanging nature of a thing or class of things. AHD

Again, we come right back to the word character. It seems that the Greek words from which "express image" and "of His person" were translated are actually synonyms having to do with Character i.e. characteristics or attributes.

YAHshua Ha Mashiach has YAHWEH'S Essence, Characteristics, or Attributes engraved in Him and He also engraves them in the Believers.

Special note: YAHWEH'S Essence, Characteristics, or Attributes are collectively personified in the scriptures as HIS Holy Spirit. They are: HIS Wisdom, HIS Understanding, HIS Counsel, HIS Might, HIS Knowledge, HIS Reverence, and HIS Righteousness. (See my article on "The Spirit of YAHWEH.")

Here again, YAHshua was the pattern. Adam was only patterned after His image and likeness, but not an exact copy. Adam was only given a very limited portion of the Spirit of YAHWEH. The combination of the human physical passions and desires of man combined with that very limited portion of YAHWEH'S essence, characteristics, or attributes is called the spirit of man or human nature.

As I stated earlier, in point #2 we will find a very significant way that we will be re-created from the very same substance that YAHshua came from before He was born of flesh and blood.

Point #2: YAHshua is the Brightness [Effulgence - Brilliant Radiance] of YAHWEH'S GLORY [Splendor or Magnificent Appearance].

Since YAHshua is the "Brightness (Effulgence- Brilliant Radiance) of YAHWEH'S GLORY," we need to define the word "GLORY" which comes from the Hebrew word "kabowd."

Strong's: H3519. dwbk kabowd, kaw-bode'; rarely kabod dbk, kaw-bode'; from H3513; prop. weight; but only fig. in a good sense, Splendor or copiousness:-- (":--" means - also translated in the King James Version as:) glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able).

From The American Heritage Dictionary, the word "Splendor" means:

1. great light or luster; brilliance. 2. a. Magnificent Appearance or display; grandeur. b. Something grand or magnificent. 3. Illustriousness; glory.

Special note: Please keep it in mind that Appearance is synonymous with Presence and Manifestation.

EXAMPLE #1 of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH:

Moses asked YAHWEH to show him HIS Glory.

Exodus 33 (18) And he said, I beseech thee, show me THY glory. (19) And HE said, I will make all MY goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of YAHWEH before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. (20) And HE said, Thou canst not see MY face: for there shall no man see ME, and live. (21) And YAHWEH said, Behold, there is a place by ME, and thou shalt stand upon a rock: (22) And it shall come to pass, while MY glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with MY hand while I pass by: (23) And I will take away MY hand, and thou shalt see MY back parts: but MY face shall not be seen.

Moses did indeed see a Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH! There was a shape, form, or likeness of hands and back parts. There was also a face which Moses did not get to see. As can be seen in verse 20, YAHWEH does not manifest HIMSELF in the fullness of HIS entire, supernatural Being. Therefore, man can see only a portion of HIS Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation. (The Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH in any shape, form, or likeness would always be Magnificent to behold!) HalleluYAH!!!

EXAMPLE #2 of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH:

When Moses conversed with YAHWEH he always saw a Similitude of HIM. That Similitude was also only a portion of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH.

Numbers 12 (6) And HE said, Hear now MY words: If there be a prophet among you, I YAHWEH will make MYSELF known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. (7) MY servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all MINE house. (8) With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even *apparently [by an appearance], and not in dark speeches; and the **Similitude [likeness, form] of YAHWEH shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against MY servant Moses?

*Translated as: "an appearance" by The Interlinear Bible by J. P. Green Sr. & Young's Literal Translation.

*H4758. mareh, [909c]; from H7200; sight, appearance, vision:-- appear(1), appearance(48), appears(7), desires(m)(1), face(m)(2), form(m)(2), good-looking*(1), impressive(m)(1), like(m)(1), looked(2), looked like(1), looking(1), openly(1), pattern(1), saw*(m)(1), see*(m)(1), sight(5), something(1), some thing(2), vision(10), what they see(2), who(1). NASC

**H8544. temunah, [568b]; from the same as H4327; likeness, form:-- form(7), likeness(3). NASC

EXAMPLE #3 of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH:

YAHWEH manifested HIMSELF to Moses in either the likeness or form of an angel (messenger) in a flame of fire or in the likeness or form of a flaming fire in a burning bush that was not consumed by the fire. Again, this had to have been a Magnificent Appearance or Presence of YAHWEH.

Exodus 3 (2) And the angel of YAHWEH appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. (3) And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. (4) And when YAHWEH saw that he turned aside to see, Elohim called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I (5) And HE said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. (6) Moreover HE said, I am the Elohim of thy father, the Elohim of Abraham, the Elohim of Isaac, and the Elohim of Jacob. And Moses hid his face; for he was afraid to look upon Elohim.

Moses was on holy ground as a portion of YAHWEH'S Presence manifested as an angel in a flame of fire was there! He saw only a portion of YAHWEH'S Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation manifested as something that his natural eyes could see and his mind could comprehend. It was still so awesome that he was afraid to continue looking.

EXAMPLE #4 of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH:

Moses and the Children of Israel saw the GLORY or the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH! They saw it manifested in the form of a devouring Fire. This was something that they could see with their natural eyes and comprehend with their minds. It was still awesome to see!

Exodus 24 (15) And Moses went up into the mount, and a cloud covered the mount. (16) And the GLORY of YAHWEH abode upon mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days: and the seventh day HE called unto Moses out of the midst of the cloud. (17) And the sight of the GLORY of YAHWEH was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.

EXAMPLE #5 of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH:

YAHWEH told Moses that HE would dwell in the sanctuary and commune with him from above the Mercy Seat (Ark Cover).

Exodus 25 (8) And let them make ME a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. … (22) And there I will meet with thee, and I will commune with thee from above the mercy seat, from between the two cherubims which are upon the Ark of the Testimony, of all things which I will give thee in commandment unto the children of Israel.

Did YAHWEH'S entire Being dwell in the tabernacle and commune with him above the mercy seat? Again, this must have been only a portion of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH for HE dwells in Heaven with the earth as HIS footstool. Therefore, HIS whole Being can not dwell in an earthly man-made building?

Isaiah 66 (I) Thus saith YAHWEH, The heaven is MY throne, and the earth is MY footstool: where is the house that ye build unto ME? And where is the place of MY rest?

It should be clear that YAHWEH speaking out of the midst of the burning bush, YAHWEH speaking to the prophets in visions, the Similitude of YAHWEH speaking to Moses and YAHWEH dwelling in the Tabernacle were all only a portion of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH.

One of the reason that I asked the reader to keep it in mind that Appearance is synonymous with Presence and Manifestation is because there is a rabbinic term for the Presence of YAHWEH that shows some light on what the Light (YAHshua) is. (Pun intended!) After you understand what the rabbis and sages wrote concerning YAHWEH'S Presence you will understand why the first century followers of YAHshua understand what John was saying when he spoke of YAHshua being the Light. I think that they write YAHWEH'S Presence or Presence of YAHWEH as hgykv hwhy, but I am not 100% sure.

The term for the Presence of YAHWEH is the Hebrew word "Shekhinah."

The following quotations have been taken from the Encyclopedia Judaica's article on "Shekhinah." (Liberty has been taken to highlight certain points of interest. [Supplementary information will be set off with brackets and in smaller print and mostly in this color.]

SHEKHINAH (literally "dwelling," "resting"), or Divine Presence, refers most often in rabbinic literature to the numinous [presiding divinity] immanence [existence] of God [YAHWEH] in the world. The Shekhinah is God [YAHWEH] viewed in spatio-temporal [existing in both space and time] terms as a presence, particularly in a this-worldly context: when He sanctifies a place, an object, an individual, or a whole people---a revelation of the holy in the midst of the profane. Sometimes, however, it is used simply as an alternative way of referring to God [YAHWEH] himself, such as "The Holy One Blessed be He," or "The Merciful One..".. One of the more prominent images associated with the Shekhinah is that of light. Thus, on the verse, .".. the earth did shine with His glory" (Ezek. 43:2), the rabbis remark, "This is the face of the Shekhinah" (ARN 2, 13a; see also Hul. 59b-60a). Both the angels in heaven and the righteous in *olam ha-ba ("the world to come") are sustained by the radiance of the Shekhinah (Ex. R. 32:4; Ber. 17a; cf. Ex. 34:29-35). This association with light has led to the view that the Shekhinah is some kind of luminous material, a being of light created by God [YAHWEH].

The same article relates Shekhinah as used in the Talmud and in Midrash.

In origin Shekhinah was used to refer to a divine manifestation, particularly to indicate God’s [YAHWEH'S] presence at a given place. This did not imply a limitation of God’s [YAHWEH'S] omnipresence, however, since it is said the Shekhinah is in all places (BB 25a), and that just as the sun radiates throughout the world so does the Shekhinah (Sanh. 39a). Even those special places and objects which God [YAHWEH] imbues with an extra holiness by His presence---such as the thorn bush in which He manifested Himself to Moses, or Mount Sinai, or the Tabernacle in the wilderness---in connection with which the term Shekhinah is most often used, teach us that no place is devoid of His presence:

The same article relates Shekhinah as used in Jewish Philosophy.

In Jewish Philosophy. Unlike the rabbinic sages, who generally identified Shekhinah with the Presence of God [YAHWEH], or even with God [YAHWEH] Himself, the medieval Jewish philosophers were concerned with avoiding any possible anthropomorphic interpretations of this concept, and therefore went to great lengths to point out that Shekhinah refers not the God [YAHWEH] Himself, nor to any part of His Essence, but rather to an independent entity, created by God [YAHWEH]. According to *Saadiah Gaon, the Shekhinah is identical with kevod ha-Shem ("the glory of God [YAHWEH]"), which served as an intermediary between God [YAHWEH] and man during the prophetic experience. He suggests that the "glory of God [YAHWEH]" is the biblical term, and Shekhinah the talmudic term for the created splendor [the magnificent appearance] of light which acts as an intermediary between God [YAHWEH] and man, and which sometimes takes on human form. Thus, when Moses asked to see the glory of God [YAHWEH], he was shown the Shekhinah, and when the prophets in their visions saw God in human likeness, what they actually saw was not God [YAHWEH] Himself but the Shekhinah... [YES, Yes, and yes!!! I totally agree!]

* A famous Jewish philosopher who lived in Babylon around 1000 CE

*Maimonides accepts Saadiah's view that the Shekhinah is a created light, identified with glory. He too associates the Shekhinah with prophecy, explaining that it is the Shekhinah which appears to the prophet in his vision (Guide of the Perplexed, 1:21). Explaining prophecy as an overflow from God [YAHWEH] through the intermediation of the active intellect (ibid., 2:36), Maimonides writes that man apprehends God [YAHWEH] by means of that light which He causes to overflow toward him, as it is written, "in thy light do we see light." Some interpreters of Maimonides believe that the Shekhinah corresponds to the active intellect itself, which is the lowest of the ten intellects (see *Intellect), and which communes with the prophets (Yad, Yesodei ha-Torah, 7:1). However there are also passages in which Maimonides identifies the Shekhinah with God [YAHWEH] Himself rather than with some other being.

*A famous twelfth­century Jewish philosopher who lived most of his life in Old Cairo Egypt

Now, let us look again at some of the things that were said about the Shekhinah of YAHWEH. All of these things describe the five examples of the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH that I have given above. They also describe YAHshua Ha Mashiach, Who was Immanuel or Emmanuel (El with us). (Isaiah 7:14 & Matthew 1:23)

#1: SHEKHINAH (literally [means] "dwelling," "resting"), or Divine Presence.

#2: [The Shekhinah is] a revelation of the holy in the midst of the profane.

#3: [The] Shekhinah was used to refer to a divine manifestation, particularly to indicate God’s [YAHWEH'S] presence at a given place.

#4: The Shekhinah is identical with kevod ha-Shem ("the glory of God [YAHWEH]"), which served as an intermediary between God [YAHWEH] and man during the prophetic experience.

#5: One of the more prominent images associated with the Shekhinah is that of light.

#6: This association with light has led to the view that the Shekhinah is some kind of luminous material, a being of light created by God [YAHWEH].

#7: the "glory of God [YAHWEH]" is the biblical term, and Shekhinah the talmudic term for the created splendor [the magnificent appearance] of light which acts as an intermediary between God [YAHWEH] and man, and which sometimes takes on human form.

#8: Maimonides [A famous twelfth­century Jewish philosopher] accepts Saadiah's [A famous tenth­century Jewish philosopher] view that the Shekhinah is a created light, identified with glory. He too associates the Shekhinah with prophecy, explaining that it is the Shekhinah which appears to the prophet in his vision.

#9: When Moses asked to see the glory of God [YAHWEH], he was shown the Shekhinah, and when the prophets in their visions saw God [YAHWEH] in human likeness, what they actually saw was not God [YAHWEH] Himself but the Shekhinah.

#10: Sometimes Maimonides identifies the Shekhinah with God [YAHWEH] Himself rather than with some other being.

#11: Both the angels in heaven and the righteous in *olam ha-ba ("the world to come") are sustained by the radiance of the Shekhinah.

The Glory or Shekhinah of YAHWEH is the Magnificent Appearance, Presence, or Manifestation of YAHWEH that appeared to YAHWEH'S people Israel in many forms in Old Testament times.

How Beautiful! That same Glory or Shekhinah appeared again to YAHWEH'S people Israel almost 2,000 years ago in the form of HIS own Son, YAHshua Ha Mashiach! YAHshua was only a portion of the Glory or Shekhinah of YAHWEH. Again, the Jewish people thought that the Glory or Shekhinah of YAHWEH was created as a Being of Light, not entirely separated from YAHWEH, but the Glory or Shekhinah of YAHWEH was always with HIM as it is part of HIS eternal being. However, they did have it correct that YAHWEH did manifest HIMSELF in different forms (including Light and the form of a man) as an Intermediary to communicate with the human race. YAHWEH temporally laid aside the divinity of only a portion of His eternal Glory or Shekhinah to become HIS Son made of human flesh to be the Mediator between HIMSELF and the entire human race! Therefore, YAHshua was & is the Brightness [Effulgence - Brilliant Radiance] of YAHWEH'S GLORY. HalleluYAH!!!

Just think about this! At the Resurrection, our bodies of flesh that was created from the dust of the earth will be exchanged for an eternal one like unto the glorious body of YAHshua! At that time, we will in every way be true Sons and Daughters of YAHWEH in the Kingdom of YAHWEH! HalleluYAH!!!

I Corinthians 15 (20) But now is Messiah risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (21) For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. (22) For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive. (23) But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah's at His coming. … (50) Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of YAHWEH; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. (51) Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, (52) In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. (53) For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. (54) So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. (55) O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

I Thessalonians 4 (13) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep [in Messiah], that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. (14) For if we believe that YAHshua died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in YAHshua will YAHWEH bring with Him. (15) For this we say unto you by the word of YAHWEH, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Sovereign shall not prevent [precede] them which are asleep [in Messiah]. (16) For the Sovereign Himself shall descend from Heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of YAHWEH: and the dead in Messiah shall rise first: (17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Sovereign in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Sovereign. (18) Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Philippians 3 (20) For our *conversation [citizenship] is in Heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Sovereign YAHshua Messiah: (21) Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His **glorious body, according to the working whereby He is able even to subdue all things unto Himself.

*G4175. politeuma, pol-it'-yoo-mah; from G4176; a community, i.e. (abstr.) citizenship (fig.):--conversation STRONGS

**As used in this article, the Greek word "doxa" (G1391) translated as "Glory" was defined by Gesenius as:

I opinion, judgment, view: in this sense very often in professional writing; but in the Bible only in 4 Macc. v. 17 (18).

II opinion, estimate …

III. As a translation of the Hebrew *dwbk, in a use foreign to Greek writing [W. 32], splendor, brightness; 1. properly: tou feggouv, Acts xxii. 11; of the sun, moon, stars, 1 Co. xv. 40 sq.; used of the heavenly brightness, by which God [YAHWEH] was conceived of as surrounded, Lk. ii. 9; Acts vii. 55, and by which heavenly beings were surrounded when they appeared on earth, Lk. ix. 31; Rev. xviii. 1; with which the face of Moses was once made luminous, 2 Co. iii. 7, and also Christ [Messiah] in his transfiguration, Lk. ix. 32; doxa tou kuriou, in Septuagint equivalent to dwbk hwhy, in the Targum and Talmud hgykv, Shekhinah or Shekhinah [see BB.DD. s.v.], the glory of the Lord [YAHWEH], and simply h doxa, a bright cloud by which God [YAHWEH] made manifest to men his Presence and power on earth (Ex. xxiv. 17; xl. 28 (34 sqq. etc.)

*As used in this article, the Hebrew word "dwbk" (kabowd) translated as "Glory" was defined by Strongs as:

Strong's: 3519. dwbk kabowd, kaw-bode'; rarely kabod dbk, kaw-bode'; from H3513; prop. weight; but only fig. in a good sense, Splendor or copiousness:-- (":--" means - also translated in the King James Version as:) glorious (-ly), glory, honour (-able).

From The American Heritage Dictionary, the word "Splendor" means:

1. great light or luster; brilliance. 2. a. Magnificent Appearance or display; grandeur. b. Something grand or magnificent. 3. Illustriousness; glory.

That glorious body will not be of the dust of the earth, but will be of the same substance as YAHshua was, is, and will be, Shekhinah! HalleluYAH!!!

T.H.

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