Portions for 08/16/2025
Shalom Aleichem,
Blessings to you this week…we hope all finds you well and ….well, a little Hebrew word “if”. That is, “if”, you follow the laws, you will be blessed, in spirit and even materially it’s possible seeking first, his laws. The thing is, like many contract laws of earth, Adonai had a covenant law with the Israelites, that “if” you follow his laws, then you will be blessed with his covenant. Obedience is paramount for blessings.
The points and messeges contained in the weeks Torah portions are immense, powerful and deep. His people are not Robots, they had choices, obey and be blessed, or not obey, and be cursed. I recall well the patriarchal blessings from my father, and the matriarchal roles as well, my bar mitzvah, and ordination, in the great journey. The covenant applying to his people, and to one God. We know the problems from dancing with Golden Calves, or sorcery of mixing spirits in unusual idolatry. Adonia has the prayer formula, and the commands are clear to follow and should by all commands of Hashem, be the Jewish leaning. This is where it’s gets very confusing between Torah Judaism, and Messianics and or even some Christians. None really question one God, yet, it’s gets lost in translation and lost in transmission to some people for a simple lack of knowledge. The Torah becomes the knowledge and the instruction and direction. Some even confuse “law”, “works”, “grace”, “sin” and “transgression”. Yet, be clear, follow the law. The little Hebrew word “if”, is clear, even in 2 Chronicles 7:14 ….”If my people who are called by name…”. And who are “my people”, and what is his name? It doesn’t say “title”, or label, it is clear it says “called by my name” and it is quite singular. The covenant cop does not say “press hard, you are writing in triplicate and this goes to several agencies and entities or multifarious deities of God”. Avoiding debates, today’s discussion goes to the law to be obeyed….the Torah…being year 5785, we are told to still obey it that way, until even the end of time itself.
Torah: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
If….if, …”no if’s, and, ors, buts…or robots”. If my people, and if you follow his laws, it is a choice. Obey the laws, or don’t obey the laws, that is your human free-agency choice to follow….a law. We get asked are we Noahide, are we Orthodox, Reformist, or Messianics…and yes there are differences between Temples, Churches, and Synagogues, and Congregations, etc.. The best answer for now, as a Ministry, is we call ourselves “Home Synagogue”, as we study “the law” in our homes, and we keep Shabbat, as a ministry is religious in nature, to keeping Jewish principles. The ministries founders, directed the Rabbi, to also look forward to a Foundation. A Jewish Rabbi once said the homes foundation, must be upon the rock, not the sand. Clear? Clear as “mud”? One of the founders of this ministry was very clear when she prayed to Adonia, and documents and writes those prayers, and praise to Adonia in praise to “one God”, and following his Halakhal. Recently some people were trying to say that the ministry Carol was into Trinitarianism, and never let her fill in the blanks with her own testament showing the One God is Adonia of her Jewish leanings.
Yet Carol documents her prayers and praise, and this home Synagogues ministry speaks of one God, to whom Adonia is praised, and the Halakhal-laws are followed.
“If” a person disagrees, they are not robots, but we hold that one God and Adonia,….will bless us “if” we keep the covenants. Is it not what Moses said? The great “if”.
The discussions are far from over…..Hashem over the Israelites Tribes has so much more to say….
B’Shalom,
Rabbi Mark Howard
markhoward2012@gail.com