Archive for December, 2008
In a time when Web sites such as MySpace, Facebook, and hundreds of others with similar formats are drawing millions together for exchange and dialog, “meeting in Cyperspace” has become one of the main trends of our new globally oriented 21st century. In this regard, there is a new site hosted by Roots of Faith leader Ross Nichols called “The Synagogue without Walls.” You can take a look at A Synagogue Without Walls where you can browse and get an idea of what is offered.
Ross, who is an ordained teacher of United Israel, intends it to be a “meeting place” for those who are scattered by distance, many outside the United States, but who are connected by a common desire to connect with others involved in the quest for our Hebrew Roots of Faith. It is a new site, just beginning, but already quite lively with exchanges, photos, music, messages, and dialog. You are welcome to join if you think this is a group that might fit your needs. The atmosphere is open and friendly, with a spirit of commonality in the Quest.
You can also catch Ross Nichols each Sunday night live on the Web, via either audio or video, teaching from the Hebrew Bible. He is right now in a series titled “Restoring Abrahamic Faith.” If you can’t listen live you can download the lessons and play them later. Go to RootsofFaith Webcast to connect and learn more. Ross will be teaching tonight at 6pm CST/7pm EST on “Keeping the Commandments.” Tune in if you can. I have found him to be one of the most insightful and biblically learned teachers of our day.
The post below is from Ross Nichols, one of the ordained ministers with United Israel and founder of Roots of Faith as well as teacher and leader of the Biblical Studies group meeting at the historic Temple Sinai in St. Francisville, Louisiana. The post below is from Mr. Nichols, marking the 3rd anniversary of his work:
Shalom! I hope that this note finds all of you well. I could not let this date pass without sending out a communication to everyone on my mailing list. Some of you are also members with me on other lists so I apologize for the duplication, but wanted to inform the whole group of the significance of today.
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2008 is the 6th of Kislev on the Hebrew Calendar. This date on the Hebrew calendar (Kislev 6) marks the three year anniversary of my receiving the keys to Temple Sinai Synagogue. Three years ago, this date fell on Wednesday, December 7th (2005), but when I checked the Hebrew dates I realized that the actual anniversary is today!
The Torah reading associated with this date on the Hebrew calendar is Vayyetze (Genesis 28:10-32:3). The Haphtorah is Hosea 12:13-14:10.
A few points of interest from this Torah Reading:
This reading of course has the dream of Jacob (28:16-17). When I read Jacob’s words I cannot help but to connect them with the feeling I get about this synagogue and what is in store if we remain faithful. Of this “makom – place”, Jacob says, “this is the house of God” twice (Genesis 28:17 and 28:22). While I realize that “Even heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Him – I Kings 8:27″, I still feel that there can be a certain awe and sanctity attached to a “place” where people gather together to learn of God’s Ways.
I see this place, through the teaching that goes forth every week, as a place from which a call is going forth to turn from various forms of idolatry. Many sincere people have inherited lies, vanity and things wherein there is no profit (Jeremiah 19:19) In declaring the truth of the Hebrew Faith to the nations, I believe that the veil will begin to be lifted and people will embrace the truth.
Idols play a key part of this Torah reading. Remember that Rachel steals her father’s idols and hides them (Genesis 31:19, 34). In the haptorah, we find mention of idolatry as well (Hosea 13:1-2), but we see something else later! In Hosea 14:9, we see that Ephraim finally denounces idolatry! May we lead people away from all forms of idolatry through our declaration of the truth, and may we do so not by might, nor by power, but by His Spirit! This passage from Hosea 14 (verses 2-10) is the one read on Shabbat Shuva (The Sabbath of Return or repentance). I encourage you to read this Torah Reading this weekend.
The Torah reading also contains the birth of the sons of Israel (except for Benjamin whose birth is recorded in chapter 35). Most are aware that the “Tribes” are a major part of my understanding of Scripture. So I find it of special importance that in the year 1903, when Temple Sinai Synagogue was originally dedicated that the following words were declared:
The newspaper (True Democrat – March 28, 1903) covered the dedication and recalls the words of one of the speakers – “His prayer was that the grace of God should descend upon this house and its people, and many now and in years to come might learn the ways of righteousness and the paths of peace through its influence as a house of worship”
Commenting on the words of another speaker at this dedication the article says, “He referred to the sympathy existing between Anglo Saxon and Jew, and that there was a theory that the former was descended from the Lost tribes of Israel. Be that as it may, there can be no doubt that the Anglo Saxon is ever a cordial compatriot of his Hebrew Brother.”
NOTE: I do not accept standard forms of Anglo – Israelite theology. Many of these theories are racist at the core. I do however, see the clear Scriptural teaching of the return of “the Lost Sheep of the House of Israel” as the major theme of prophetic teaching in the entire Hebrew Bible. Amos declares that Ephraim would be sifted through the nations as corn is sifted through a seive. One cannot discern this people by their skin color or national identity. At this point they are literally….red and yellow, black and white! And every other color I might add. For information of a Biblical nature concerning the “lost tribes”, please see the United Israel web site.
The dedication sermon in 1903, was preached by a Dr. Heller. He began with a recitation of Mah Tovu – How goodly are thy tents O Jacob….. The article states that; “He briefly sketched the history of the Jewish synagogue, which was successively tent, temple and house, as represented by the tabernacle in the wilderness, the Temple on Moriah and the synagogue of the middle ages the highest, a God-home and a heart-home, in which all the loftiest instincts of man’s likeness to God finds satisfying exercise. The eloquent rabbi closed with a prayer that the newly consecrated synagogue might become a God-home dedicated not by any breath of mouth or act of hand, but made holy by the impressive associations and sacred rites of many a memorable hour.”
In 3 years, our teachings have literally reached the ends of the earth. We have live webcasts, podcasts, an email list with many members (knowledgeable ones – educated laity, biblical scholars, Jews and non-Jews who love God, Israel and Torah), and over the past couple of weeks we have added video teaching for those who are not able to attend in person. We have also added a newly formed social network (www.rootsoffaith.net) that allows people to meet and make new friends with common interests. If you have not checked it out, I encourage you to do so. You do not need to join to look around, but if you feel alone in your quest for the true faith then I strongly urge you to consider signing up. We already have over 50 members. Members are from all over the U.S., Australia, the UK and as word gets out I feel certain that other nations will be represented in the Synagogue Without Walls!
I want to honor the prayers of those who went before me in the building and dedication of Temple Sinai. I want to take their vision and share it with the world. I want others to be a part of a noble effort to share Biblical truth with everyone.
So today, I wanted to take some time to reflect on the blessings that have come our way over the past three years. First, I have met some of the most incredible people during this time. We have become the best of friends. I look forward every week to seeing this incredible group of people. We have had some good memories, celebrated ancient Hebrew festivals, camped out together, traveled together, argued and debated, but through it all we have become a family! We love and trust one another. They are the most talented and dedicated group that I have been around and I am excited about what is to come for all of us. With our new Synagogue Without Walls, we are able to open our doors to old friends and new and provide a place of meeting for anyone that believes in the one God of Israel and seeks to live according to the principles of the Hebrew Bible.
I look forward to what is coming and hope you will be a part of bringing this vision to fruition and in advancing Abrahamic Faith. To God be the Glory!
Shalom and God Bless you all, Ross