Torah Class - Day 27: Commandment 4: Passover (Part 2)

Today, we continued our study of Passover. We found that Yahweh commands His people to keep the Passover.  If we do not, Scripture tells us that we will be "cut off". For those who cannot keep the Passover on the 14th of Abib,  there is a Scriptural provision for keeping a second Passover/Unleavened Bread in the Second Month (14th day). There are two reasons to keep a Second Passover: 

1) a death in the family

2) being on a trip (in which a shipwreck, or disaster strikes, preventing the keeping of Passover).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for February, 2024:

Mon & Wed, February 5 & 7 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 12 & 14 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 19 & 21 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 26 & 28 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 26: Commandment 4: Passover (Part 1)

Today, we continued our study of Passover. We found that Passover is a word which means three things, in Scripture: 

1) It is the name of the day - Abib 14

2) It is the name of the Seder Meal, which takes place on Abib 14, in the evening.

3) It is the name of the lamb, which was sacrificed on the 14th day of Abib.

Only the sacrificial lamb is ended. We are not to sacrifice the lamb, as it pointed to Yahshua's Death. Also, eating the Passover lamb, at the Passover Seder was not merely a menu item. It was a sacrifice, according to Exodus 12. Thus, we are no longer to eat the Passover lamb, at the Seder Meal, but we are still to keep the meal and the day of Passover.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January-February, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 5 & 7 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 12 & 14 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 19 & 21 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, February 26 & 28 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 25: Commandment 4: How to keep the New Moons

Today, we studied how to keep the New Moon and started our study of Passover.

New Moon Study Conclusion:

·   New Moons are the beginning of the Biblical Month.

·   New Moons are the monthly time for reconnecting with Yahweh and family.

·   New Moons are special days for prayer and worship, in fact, Yahweh answers prayer requests especially on both New Moons and Sabbaths. It has been said that Yah does not let the sun go down on the New Moon or the Sabbath before He answers the prayers that ascend before His Throne on these days.

·   Work may be done on New Moon days, because they are not Sabbaths.

·   The only New Moon which is also a Sabbath, is the Feast of Trumpets, according to Leviticus 23:23-25.

·   In the time of Amos, there was no buying and selling on New Moon days – thus there is a good suggestion here that one shouldn’t buy or sell on them now.

·   New Moons are set apart days where we are called to spend prayerful consideration of Heaven’s Sacrifice and what our Salvation cost.

·   New Moons are still to be kept by God’s people today, and will be kept by the saints into sinless Eternity.

·   As we saw in our Study of Exodus 12:2 (Statutes 215-216), the first New Moon of the year (which is also the true New Year’s Day) is Abib Day 1, which is the first New Moon following Tekufah Nisan (Vernal Equinox).

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 22 & 24 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 24: Commandment 4: How to keep the Sabbath (conclusion)

Today, we finished our study of the 4th Commandment's Statutes. In short, we found the following:

• The Seventh day is the Sabbath, which is a Day, set apart for the focus and worship of Yahweh.
• Sabbath is a Day of rest from our common, weekly labors. So cooking, cleaning, and regular work is to be completed prior to the Sabbath.
• Sabbath is kept from sunset on Friday evening to sunset on Sabbath night.
• Sabbath is 24 hours long.
• We are to keep the Sabbath holy, and are to require Sabbath keeping for all who are under our jurisdiction (family, friends, guests, employees, working animals).

In addition to our study of what the Statutes require for Sabbath keeping, we were also blessed to read in Isaiah, where it tells us to "delight" in Yahweh on the Sabbath hours. In fact, there is a special blessing of Yahweh for those who do delight in Him, in this time:

Isaiah 58:13-14  "If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy pleasure on My holy Day; and call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of Yahweh, honourable; and shalt honour Him, not doing thine own ways, nor finding thine own pleasure, nor speaking thine own words: Then shalt thou delight thyself in Yahweh; and I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth, and feed thee with the heritage of Jacob thy father: for the Mouth of Yahweh hath spoken it."

With this in mind, here are a few suggestions for ways to "delight in Yahweh" which may serve to help you get ideas for making righteous and meaningful traditions for Sabbath delight! Some of these ideas are from the chat in today's class (thanks for sharing!):

• I used to do a Sabbath box on Friday night with the kids. Where we had special treats and a study.
• Light Sabbath candles and put on Sabbath music to welcome the Sabbath, as sunset approaches.
• Make a plan of action for how to spend the Sabbath...  vary your plan... Here are a few wonderful things to do to keep the Sabbath:
• have a set time for personal worship and Bible study.
• have a set portion of the Sabbath for corporate worship, where you will join with like-minded believers for worship.
• prepare a special Sabbath meal to be enjoyed on the Sabbath hours.
• take a nature walk to worship the Creator and appreciate the beauty of the things He has made.
• plan a time for personal ministry: visit a shut-in person or do something to encourage someone else in their walk with God.
• Sing and pray
• Spend time delighting in Yahweh with your undivided attention.

Challah Bread can be a special part of bringing in the Sabbath. If you would enjoy adding Challah Bread to your Sabbath plans, here's a recipe we enjoy in our household:

Manfredine Family Challah Bread Recipe:

• 2 cups warm water or milk
• 2 pkgs dry active yeast
• 6-7 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup organic sugar (or substitute honey)
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 cup oil
• 1 egg 

DIRECTIONS:

1. In large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water (careful of the temperature or it won't rise. You can use a thermometer to check the temperature. You want 75-120 degrees.) Stir in sugar and salt. Add 3 cups flour and mix well. Add oil and egg and mix well. Then add remaining flour. (The dough will be a little sticky but don't add more flour.)

2. Wet a clean dish towel and ring it out. Cover the bowl of dough with the towel. Put the bowl in the refrigerator and let stand overnight.

3. When dough is doubled in size braid as follows:

Divide the dough into 3 pieces. Cut 1 piece into thirds; with your hands roll each piece into a 16 inch-long rope or snake. Place ropes side by side and braid as you would hair.

Pinch ends of braid to seal. Place on cookie sheet the bottom loaf. Repeat with another piece for another loaf. Cut remaining dough into 6 pieces; roll each into 17 inch-long ropes. Braid each set of three ropes as shown in figure; pinch ends to seal.

Place each smaller braid on top of a large braid; tuck ends of top braid under bottom braid stretching top braid if necessary.

4. Arrange loaves at least 5 inches apart on oiled or greased cookie sheet; cover and let rise in warm place until doubles in size. (Depending on your house temperature. Find a warm place.)

5. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook bread for about 35 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from oven and brush top and sides of loaves with butter. Let cool on wire rack.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 22 & 24 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 23: Commandment 4: How to keep the Sabbath

Today, we continued our study of the 4th Commandment. We focused on the Statutes and cross reference Scriptures for how to keep the Sabbath. We are focusing on seeking to understand the Creator's Intent behind the Statutes - prayerfully, not falling into the trap of legalism which entrapped the Pharisees and brought about the writing of all the extra laws in the Talmud.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 15 & 17 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 22 & 24 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 22: How to Make a Biblical Calendar - concluded

Today, we continued our study of the 4th Commandment - specifically relating to the timing of the Feast Days. We have concluded going through the Leviticus 23 details and making the Biblical Calendar for 2024.

The Question was raised regarding what factors are needed to sight a new moon. Here is the promised answer. First, I think folks would like the answer to be simple, like "you can sight the New Moon when it is 3% and the elongation is 10 degrees"...  But the answer isn't that simple. In fact, some have sighted a New Moon when it is only 1%, but the conditions have to be absolutely - and unusually - perfect... So much so that this almost never happens. So, a simple formula doesn't work for 100% accuracy in determining when New Moon crescents will be visible...  Sorry...

Perhaps the most important factor for reliably sighting the new moons and getting the dates right is practice in actually sighting the new moons. We have found great insights and help from just practicing sighting it. You get a flavor for it, so to speak. And your ability to calculate the new moon dates improves the more experience you get in this.

Having said that, the next most important factors for determining the new moon sighting are phase, altitude and elongation. Of these, elongation is the most important. Also, you can use the date of the conjunction (dark phase of the moon) to help you find the new moon date...  The new moon sighting should be at least 24 hours from the actual conjunction.

The size and brightness of the lunar crescent depends on the elongation of the Moon from the Sun, which is the apparent angular distance between their centers. Elongation has been called the arc of light. If we know the value of the elongation at any instant, we can immediately compute the width of the crescent.

Elongation is more accurate than moon's percentage of illumination in determining whether it is visible or not. And, honestly, this is where accurately pre-calculating new moon dates gets a bit complicated...  

So, for all who are feeling a bit overwhelmed and intimated at this point, please know that Lighted Way Ministries plans to provide this information for calendation. 

What is the value of the elongation when the Moon's age is 1 day? (1 Day after the lunar conjunction). It varies, depending on several factors:

1) The elongation at the lunar conjunction (wrongly now called the "New Moon" day). The moon can pass directly in front of the sun at the lunar conjunction (which it does when a solar eclipse will occur) or the lunar conjunction can pass as far as five degrees from the sun.   

2) The speed of the Moon in its orbit. The moon's orbit is elliptical, and its speed is greatest when it is near perigee (when the moon is nearest to earth). If perigee occurs near the lunar conjunction (dark phase of the moon), the moon will appear to be moving away from the sun at a greater than average rate (making elongation possibly happen sooner).

3. The distance of the Moon. Again, because of its elliptical orbit, the distance of the moon varies, so even if the moon moved with a constant speed, its angular motion as viewed from the Earth would be greater when the moon is near perigee.

Note: some of the earliest reliable sightings of the crescent occur near elongations of around 10 degrees.

Simply specifying the age of the Moon cannot tell the whole story. The elongation of the Moon doesn't tell the full story either. But, of the two parameters, the elongation is much more reliable parameter to use as a starting point in assessing the lunar crescent visibility at any given date and time.

For more information about what it takes to make a new moon crescent visible, visit the US Naval Observatory at:  https://aa.usno.navy.mil/faq/crescent

Here is a link to a moon calculator...  Please note, for challenging moon dates (when conditions are such that visibility is in question) it is best to use 2-3 different calculation sources to verify sightability:

https://aa.usno.navy.mil/data/MoonFraction 

Once again, this information is provided in answer to a question raised in class today. This information is not intended to overwhelm anyone. As students of the Torah, we all need to know how a Biblical calendar should be made. We have studied this. But, it is not wrong to rely on someone else, longer in the priesthood role, to give the timing of the moon sightings. After all, the Children of Israel left determining the moon-sightings and dates of new moons to the priests. 

So, please don't feel overwhelmed. If you know how to calculate the Feast Days, as shown in class, that is sufficient to be protected from calendar doctrinal confusion. 

COURSE FEE FOR JANUARY:

Quick reminder... The course fee for this class, for January is now due. Please send online through the Lighted Way Ministries' Donation center. For convenience, you may use the following button. If you have already sent the $100.00 for December, please disregard this reminder and thank you so much! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 15 & 17 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 22 & 24 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Torah Class - Day 21: How to Make a Biblical Calendar - continued

Today, we continued our study of the 4th Commandment. We are going through the Leviticus 23 details and making the Biblical Calendar for 2024. 

Here is what you need to make a correct Biblical calendar:

1) the calendar worksheets provided in the class

2) the End of the Biblical year is the spring Tekufah, Vernal Equinox (northern hemisphere), which is March 20, 2024. Start by marking this date on your calendar.

3) mark all the new moon eves (night of the sighting of the first visible sliver of the new moon) on your calendar. These dates are provided in your class worksheet.

4) mark all the new moon days (which are the day after the new moon eve) on your calendar. These dates are also provided in your class worksheet.

5) the first new moon day following the spring Tekufah (March 20) is the first day of the new Biblical Year. This day is Abib - day 1.

6) Use Leviticus 23 to help you calculate and count to determine when each annual feast day is, from that point. All the annual feasts are determined by using the moons and counting...  So you will have everything you need to do a 2024 calendar in the worksheet and in Leviticus 23.

COURSE FEE FOR JANUARY:

Quick reminder... The course fee for this class, for January is now due. Please send online through the Lighted Way Ministries' Donation center. For convenience, you may use the following button. If you have already sent the $100.00 for December, please disregard this reminder and thank you so much! 

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The following is our class schedule for January, 2024:

Mon & Wed, January 8 & 10 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 15 & 17 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 22 & 24 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.

Mon & Wed, January 29 & 31 - Torah Class will meet, as scheduled, live on Zoom, on both these days.