by nvpadmin | Jan 1, 1970 |
“…When thou walk through fire, you shall not be scorched; through flame it shall not burn you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior.” Isaiah 44:2 The Fire of God The image of fire appears repeatedly throughout the Bible. Unlike the other elements of earth, air and water, only fire creates, destroys and transforms. Abraham carried the fire with him to sacrifice Isaac. God revealed Himself through the burning bush that was consumed, yet did not burn. The Golden Calf is created from fire. Aaron’s sons are killed by fire. The image of fire also reverberates in the modern day. During the Holocaust, Jews were shoved into ovens, the flames causing soot to darken the skies, as their ashes disappeared across frozen lands. In Israel, the unsung heroes are the firefighters who operate on a slim budget to put out deadly fires caused by Arab arsonists, faulty electricity in poorly constructed buildings, house and car accidents, forest fires, terror attacks. The Hebrew letters rise like an everlasting flame that will not go out. Higher and higher, in burning fire, the letters climb to reach the top. And, what is at the top but the Yud, the Hebrew letter for the word of God? God creates fire. He uses it to communicate when His Chosen People do not listen and obey. He uses these deadly flames to set boundaries, to instill fear in Him. Fear of the Lord is essential because without this fear, man may fear man and not God. Is there a fear of consequences, the price to be paid for...
by nvpadmin | Jan 1, 1970 |
“You shall make a Menorah of pure gold, hammered out shall the Menorah be made, its base, its shaft, its cups, knobs, and its blossoms shall be hammered from it. Six branches shall emerge from its sides, three branches of the Menorah from its one side and three branches of the Menorah from its second side; three cups engraved like almonds on the one branch, a knob and a flower, and three cups engraved like almonds on the next branch, a knob and a flower – so for the six branches that emerge from the Menorah. And on the Menorah shall be four cups, engraved like almonds, its knobs and its flowers. A knob shall be under two of the branches from it, a knob under two of the branches from it and a knob under two of the branches from it – for the six branches emerging from the Menorah. Their knobs and branches shall be of it; all of it a single hammered piece of pure gold. You shall make its lamps seven; he shall kindle its lamps so as to give light toward its face. Its tongs and its spoons shall be of pure gold. Of a talent of pure gold shall he make it, with all these vessels. See and make, according to their form that you are shown on the mountain.” Exodus 25:31 The Eternal Menorah Menorah, if you could speak what would you say? To hold you tight, to always obey? What is it like to travel through time? To have been born in the wandering, then returned Home, to have experienced the...
by nvpadmin | Jan 1, 1970 |
(Use Hebrew Lettering, here, above this English translation) Hear, O Israel: The Lord Our God. The Lord is One. Jews love words and books are a collection of the word. Hear. And then listen and remember. These books are all that remain from our six million slaughtered Jewish families. But like the Phoenix Bird, we rise from the ashes to our second chance. Is not our survival an ongoing miracle? Modern day Amaleks thought that all that would remain would be museums of a people who no longer exist. But we are a stubborn lot. We refuse to die. We are a people not only of the Book, but a people who have nothing to lose. Jews have a long and powerful memory. We refuse to forget and we demand that the world remembers. We seek truth and demand justice. We know that it is only through our Torah, given to us by God, that we are able to...
by nvpadmin | Jan 1, 1970 |
“I will give them in My house and within My walls a memorial and a name.” Isaiah 56:5
by nvpadmin | Jan 1, 1970 |
“The Lord is with me, I do not fear – what can man now do to me? The Lord is with me to help me, and I will see the vengeance of my enemies. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to rely on the Lord than to trust in nobles. All the nations surrounded me, but with the Name of the Lord I will cut them down. They surrounded me, they encompassed me, but with the Name of the Lord, I will cut them down. They surrounded me like bees, they extinguished me like fiery thorns, but with the Name of the Lord I will cut them down. They repeatedly pushed me to fall but the Lord helped me. God is my strength and song, and He has been a help to me. … I will not die! … I offer thanks to You for You have answered me and You have been my deliverance. The stone that the builders scorned has become the chief cornerstone.” Psalm...
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