1.  Is Torah “The Law?”

No-no-no--Torah is God’s Teaching and Instructions for living a successful life in the Kingdom of God.  Torah activates ALL the blessings of the Abraham Covenant, after we come to God by grace, through faith and are saved by the blood of Yeshua HaMoshiach--Jesus the Messiah.  The Torah, then is God’s will for each and every believer.  The “Law” Paul referred to in Galatians and Colossians was referencing the Levitical System of gaining and maintaining Ritual Purity through Sacrifice and Offerings; this was a tutor until the time of Yeshua’s (Jesus) appearing.  The Torah of Moses is a gift that will unlock the other 7/8 of the Bible that cannot be discerned without it.

2.  Are you saying that we're still under the law?

That is exactly what we are NOT arguing today.  There was a Law that was done away with, which was the Law of Ritual Purification found in Leviticus 1-5 that Paul taught was called the “Law of Sin and Death”—but what we are arguing for you today is this:  Was ALL the Law found in the First Covenant done away with? If not--which “LAW” still remains--if any? You see,  Greek has one word for law—which is “Nomos”—and Hebrew has some 21 differing words for “Law” so—depending on what you are talking about—that is how we should answer.  If you are asking us if you are under the Oral Law that the Rabbi’s made up—that they give greater weight than the Law of Moses—that Jesus hated and Paul taught against—the Oral Traditions called the Talmud and the Mishnah by many people today--then the answer is no--You see Ladies and Gentlemen, the Rabbinical leaders of Israel created –and raised these “Add On’s” to the Torah and elevated them in importance over the written Law of Moses—Jesus clearly freed us from that madness—but the faith that Abraham had—requires that we keep all of Gods commands, precepts, laws and instructions in Genesis 26:5.  The God of Israel is a covenant keeping God.  Once we come to God by grace through Faith—and NOT OF WORKS—then to be Holy in our walk—we MUST keep the Torah of Moses.  In Matthew 5:17-19 Jesus says it out really clearly—and then as Romans 10:4 states—he became the Goal of our faith.  We are to live JUST LIKE JESUS DID 1 John 2:6.  Violation of the Torah of Moses IS Sin 1 John 3:4.  PAUL SAID—“Let this mind be in you—which was also in Christ Jesus”—well Jesus—was an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi—as was James, Peter, Paul, and John….etc.  IF they all lived like Jesus-keeping the common faith of the Hebrews—then why do we not keep the same because  if they had personally walked with JESUS—DON’T YOU THINK HE WOULD HAVE LET THEM IN ON THIS HUGE SECRET—THAT HE WAS DOING AWAY WITH THEIR ENTIRE FAITH SYSTEM?  Why did they keep the Law of Moses even AFTER the day of Pentecost and we do not—and they had the power of God—and we do not—with the exception of leading people to Christ—but not in major discipleship—then we are missing something.  Ephesians two—states that God made us One—we were formerly pagans—separated from Israel—from the commandments—but Peter says—that NOW THAT WE HAVE CHRIST—we have been brought near.  PAUL WAS AN ORTHODOX RABBI—WHO SAID OVER AND OVER AGAIN—IMITATE ME—AS I IMITATE CHRIST.  Well—if Jesus kept the Torah of Moses, and so did all the Disciples—and we say we want to be like Jesus—after we get saved—then we should too!

3.  What about this—In Galatians 3 Paul writes to us that the Law is a tutor to lead us to Christ. The bible says in Galatians 3:24,25 - "In fact, the Law was our teacher. It was supposed to teach us UNTIL we had faith and were acceptable to God." ²⁵But once a person has learned to have faith, there is no more need to have the Law as a teacher.—how come you say we still need to obey the Torah?”

Here Paul was clearly referring to the system of LEVITICAL sacrifices which Messiah bore in His body—not the total TORAH—Gods Teaching and Instruction.  If the LEVITICAL system did not tell the Jews what an atonement sacrifice was—they would not be guilty for not recognizing that Jesus fulfilled that once and for all in his body on the Tree.  Remember—Greek has 1 word for Law—and Hebrew has over 21 different words—so you cannot just extrapolate out any meaning you want too—you must know what the Apostle was addressing.

4.  In 1 Timothy—1:8 Paul says “We know the Law is good if one uses it properly?”  I have always wondered what that meant—can you tell me?

Great Question -Its proper use has nothing to do in leading someone to Messiah—this is the same works based doctrine of the Pharisee’s but with a twist—if you use the “LAW” properly—it will lead you to Christ—but in reality—it only judges sin—this is why the letter Kills—it kills the flesh.  Its function is solely to kill the flesh.  Through works—nobody is saved—and through works nobody believes in Yeshua—its proper use is following salvation—just like Abraham first came to faith in God in Genesis 12—then you see that many years later he is asked by God to circumcise his entire family—is also a picture of being made Holy.  God uses Torah—His teaching and instructions to guide us in a life that pleases him.  Most of the Church membership today does not follow the Torah fully—not because they are bad—they just have not been taught that its use is for holiness—and not for Salvation.  The first century heretic named MARCION led many believers in the Church astray by creating a two deity principle of the scriptures—where there was an OLD God—full of Judgment—Mr. Mean Guy in the Sky—then there is gentle Jesus—God the good guy—who understands everything and will ride on the back of your Harley—The Apostle John—which was the oldest living Apostle had a student who took over His work named Polycarp—one of the famous Church founders—who excommunicated MARCION and gave back all his money—after He rewrote the New Testament—keeping only the Gospel of Luke and the letters of Paul—which Marcion thought were the only real credible teachings in the Bible—because they had a non-Jewish slant to them.  Marcion argued that everything having to do with the Jews was an abomination to the Lord—so YHVH sent Jesus to be the “NEW GOD” that is a lovey dovey guy that never gets corrective.  In fact Marcion rewrote the Bible—using only the Books of Paul and the Gospel of Luke.  Now anyone who knows anything about the Synoptic Gospels knows that Matthew was written to the Jews—Mark was written to the Greeks—Luke was written to the Former Jews who were scattered throughout the Roman Empire and John—was meant to be read like it would if it were in Hebrew—from the last Chapter to the First.  This is why people have so many questions about the bible today.  If you take the Hebrew Roots out of the Bible—it becomes hard to understand—so people do not even try.  Your Bible is a Hebrew book—written in Hebrew—to Hebrew speaking people—that has been translated into Greek and then into English—most likely through German.  Can you see any possible scenarios where that might be problematic?  Not to mention Marcion's hatred for the Jews—that He infused into all his teachings—that made sure that the early Church Fathers excommunicated him—removing him from the Church—and branding Him as a Heretic to this day!

5. The Law was a Covenant—wasn’t that covenant with Israel—that Hebrews 8:8-10 says would be replaced by a NEW Covenant?

It is not that easy…NOT replaced—the Hebrew word for “NEW” in Jeremiah 31:31--which the Apostle is quoting here in Hebrews 8:8-10-- is “chadash {khaw-dash'} or Strong’s  number 02318 meaning to renew—or repair—to make  as good as new!  God COULDN’T REPLACE IT—it would have violated the scripture that says “I am God and I change NOT.”  Malachi chapter 3:6—and further—why would Malachi in Chapter 4 tell us to pay attention to the LAW(Torah) OF MOSES?  Malachi 4:4-6—wouldn’t He instead tell us he was bringing a BRAND NEW WAY OF DOING THINGS?  But He doesn’t in fact –as you point out Jeremiah 31: verse 33 says “But this [shall be] the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law (Torah) in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”  In fact God even goes on to make this statement—which you missed, “If those ordinances depart from before me, saith the LORD, [then] the seed of Israel (that includes JESUS—THE PROMISED SEED) also shall cease from being a nation before me for ever” In Jeremiah 31:36-37 says “"36 Only if these decrees vanish from my sight," declares the LORD, "will the descendants of Israel ever cease to be a nation before me." 37 This is what the LORD says: "Only if the heavens above can be measured and the foundations of the earth below be searched out will I reject all the descendants of Israel        because of all they have done," declares the LORD.”

The renewed covenant in Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8 are both referencing a “Priesthood” and not a “Covenant.”  Jesus came to pay for the sins of the entire world because God had scattered the 10 Northern Tribes called the Biblical House of Israel into every Nation, Language and Tongue under Heaven.  The “Law” that Paul speaks against so vehemently is the Levitical Laws of the Second Temple period which Paul said were “fading and about to disappear.”  Following the Jewish rebellion from 64 to 70CE—Rome sacked the Second Temple; and Jesus had foretold this. 

The writer of Hebrews states in chapter 7: 11-17 “11If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of IT the LAW  was given to the people), why was there still need for another priest to come—one in the order of Melchizedek, NOT in the order of Aaron? 12For when there is a change of the priesthood, there must also be a change of THE LAW. 13He of whom these things are said belonged to a different tribe, and no one from that tribe has ever served at the altar. 14For it is clear that our Lord descended from Judah, and in regard to that tribe Moses said nothing about priests. 15And what we have said is even more clear if another priest like Melchizedek appears, 16one who has become a priest not on the basis of a regulation as to his ancestry but on the basis of the power of an indestructible life. 17For it is declared: “You are a priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."

This makes it completely clear that the PRIESTHOOD of AHARON was instituted as a TUTOR to teach the Jewish people how to deal with sin UNTIL the time of Jesus appearing.  The one thing that could not be “cleansed” in the ritual application of Leviticus –was the conscience of the Sinner.  The only way for us to receive permanent cleanliness was to accept the Priestly offering of the perfect offering: Yeshua ben Yosef (Jesus Christ).  Now understanding that—let’s read Hebrews 8:7-13 in light of this NEW PRIESTHOOD: 

7For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant,[Priesthood] no place would have been sought for another. 8But God found fault with the people and said: "The time is coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant [Priesthood] with the House of Israel and with the House of Judah. 9It will not be like the covenant [Priesthood] I made with their Forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they did not remain faithful to my covenant[Priesthood], and I turned away from them, declares the Lord. 10This is the covenant [Priesthood] I will make with the House of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people.  11No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, 'Know the Lord,' because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. 12For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." 13By calling this covenant [Priesthood] "new," he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and aging will soon disappear.”

 So you should clearly be able to see that the New Covenant really is a Priesthood that allows those who were “Gentiles” [which means “confused—pagan—unbelievers”] like Abraham was, to enter into the Biblical House of Israel through the perfect sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ—Yeshua HaMoshiach.  The “dividing wall of separation” that has been removed was the “laws and ordinances of ritual purity” that were associated with the Aharonic Priesthood and recorded in the book of Leviticus.  We still keep Leviticus, as we do all the Torah, except its sacrifices and purity requirements have become ‘spiritual’ and not physical—as Paul said in Corinthians “First in the Natural—then in the Spiritual!”

Because the Lord God of the Commonwealth of Israel—all 12 Tribes—scattered 10.5 of those Tribes into every Gentile Nation under Heaven, now allows those who will repent and believe in the sacrifice of Yeshua the Messiah have the ability to be an equal part of  “Gods Chosen People” right along side their Brothers and Sisters from the Biblical House of Judah.  We have not replaced the House of Judah—we have only been grafted in along side the House of Judah and once again the House of Israel and the House of Judah are ONE Holy Nation and Royal PRIESTHOOD to the World. 

The House of Judah still honors those descended from the Priesthood of Aharon and the Tribe of Levi—and so should we.  However Yeshua re-established the Priesthood of Malki-Tzaddek which had first been bestowed on Adam in the Garden of Eden, and was passed onto Abel, and then to Seth, and from Seth’s children it was passed onto Lamech, who passed it onto his son Noah.  Noah was faithful and passed the Priesthood to Shem; Shem was the Priest of Malki-Tzaddek who passed the line to our Father Abraham.  Abraham passed it to Isaac, and Isaac passed it to Jacob; Jacob then passed the Priesthood onto Joseph-who was sold into slavery and when He died and the new Pharaoh enslaved the Israelites the Priesthood eventually made its way to Yitro: the Priest of Midian—the Father of Zipporah—the Wife of Moses—the Man of God;  Yitro taught Moses about the Priesthood and the intimate name of God—I am who I am—so that when Moses came to the burning bush, He knew who was speaking to Him.  Moses passes the Priesthood onto Aharon while still in Egypt and the Malki-Tzadekkian line would have continued through the firstborn of the womb--except for Israel’s sin of the Golden Calf.  Now “willful sin” had to be addressed—as the Yom Kippur Holiday is only about sins that we commit in ignorance and not on purpose.  Moses upon returning to the Camp—breaks the Tablets of the Testimony because they were based on “sins committed in ignorance” and not for willful sin.  Because the Golden Calf was a willful sin—after the whole community heard the command to make no idols—and to worship no other gods except YHWH (God) they were guilty of WILFULL SIN which result in Death; and 3000 died as a result of this sin, because as Paul wrote “the wages of (willful) sin is DEATH..” Aharon was not spared because “the sins of the Father will fall to the sons to the 3^rd and fourth generation of those who disobey me” and Aharon’s two oldest sons: Abihu and Nadav—were killed for offering unauthorized fire to the Lord God—and Aharon is told to not even weep; whew—God holds leaders to a high standard.  Anyway, the purity of the Camp needed to be restored and taught to the former slaves who God had led into the desert and to Mount Sinai. As a result, God gave Moses a second set of tablets—which contained the plans for the Tabernacle and the 10 Commandments, and Priestly instructions for the Levites.  God established the Levites as the Priesthood to be the “Tutor” until the time of Rabbi YahuShua (Jesus) who “re-paired” or “renewed” the Malki-Tzadekkian Priesthood with a perfect sacrifice—a sinless sacrifice.  The Levitical Priesthood was not perfect because the Levites had to first offer a sin offering for themselves before making atonement for the people.  God found fault with this system, because Man could not receive “a clear conscience” from their sins unto death.  It was not until YahuShua said “Here I am I have come to do your will O God” and He made entry into the physical world through the Womb of a Young Levite Maiden and lived a Torah obedient and perfect life according to the Levitical System [You may be tempted to say if Miriam was a Levite—why wasn’t YahuShua a Priest according to Levi—since Jewish lineage is passed through the Mother?  This is not correct—Levitical Priestly lineage was then, is now and will forever be passed from the Father and not the Mother—in case you wondered.  Yes, for the other tribes lineage is from the Mother, but not for the Priesthood—it is from the SEED of THE FATHER.]

Rabbi Yeshua was falsely accused, condemned, crucified for sedition against Rome-- and laid in the grave and for three days and three nights—while He routed the Enemy making an open show of His weakness—leaving him defeated and his kingdom DESTROYED. 

Then, even as He laid down His life, Yeshua took it back up again and taught this Priesthood and its ordinances to the 12 Disciples and the Apostle Paul who wrote down the instructions for adherence to this Malki-Tzadekkian Priesthood and it has been called “The New Testament.”  Evidence of this is found in Paul’s letter to Timothy; Timothy’s Mother and Grandmother were Jews and Timothy’s Father was a Greek.  The Apostle Paul gives Timothy the following instruction in 1 Timothy 4:13 when Paul says “13Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.”  This command is a mirror of the Command of the High Priest Ezra as recorded in Nehemiah who commanded THE PRIESTHOOD to read the TORAH outside the gates of the city of Jerusalem in Nehemiah chapter 8.  Paul is instructing His young pupil about how to be a Priest in the order of Malki-Tzaddek—and this is why He tells him to dedicate His time to PUBLIC reading of the Torah—for this is what Priests did.  Paul’s priestly instructions, along with Peters and Johns and the rest were put together and form a “testament” of the “repaired and renewed” Priesthood—which is why the word used for ‘NEW’ is the word “CHADASH”—in Jeremiah 31, which means to RESTORE to REPAIR or TO RENEW.  Shortened, it is called “new.” 

You are not under the Levitical Law, with its rabbinical interpretations found in the Talmud.   You are the Malki-Tzadekkian Priesthood of YHWH--the Lord Jesus Christ—YahuShua HaMoshiach; and whether you serve in the Outer Court, the Inner Court or the Most Holy Place, you serve the One living and true God—YHWH—who we call YahuShua the Messiah!

6.  We’ve always been taught that the Law is done away with—and now we follow the Holy Spirit—how do you deal with this in your beliefs—don’t you believe we are to be following the leading of the Holy Spirit?

The first thing we have to do is let the Bible define the Bible—when we get into the place where we are letting other things—such as Webster’s dictionary and other resources start to interpret the bible—then we are trying to find the deeper meaning of holy things from unholy sources.

If you turn your Bible to 1 John chapter 5 and verse 6 says “This is the one who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.”—The Truth is defined by the bible in Psalm 119 verse 142—which states very clearly “Your righteousness is everlasting and your LAW is true.” So if the Spirit is the Truth—and the Truth is the Torah—then the Torah and the Spirit are one—which indicates that the Spirit of God will never tell you anything the does not line up with the Torah.  In fact—in the New Testament—8.5 out of every 10 words is a direct quote from the Torah of Moses.  The reason this is done this way—is that Jesus never came to do away with the Torah of Moses—as He clearly stated in Matthew chapter 5 and versus 17-21. He cannot do away with it—because He IS it.  In John Chapter 1 and verse one the scripture teaches us “¹In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ²He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. ⁴In him was life, and that life was the light of men.”

People think that the Law and the Torah is the same thing—and frankly they are not.  The Levitical Law stood against you—to convict you as an impure sinner—until the time you confessed Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior—but then what?  Did you just throw away the first part of the Bible out as not necessary?  I mean—we tithe—but that comes from the first part of the Bible—and we believe we are in the Abrahamic Covenant—but that is in the book of Genesis—and we are hoping for Jesus to return and reveal himself to his Brothers—just like Joseph did in the end of the book of Genesis—and we are expecting the 10 lost tribes to return to unify Israel—but all that happened in the first books of the bible—so if you throw that out—or dismiss it as something for a day gone by—then—you are cursing yourself to a mediocre life!  Paul—the apostle to the Galatians who extensively about the “Law” in the book of Galatians—lets look at what he says about this in Chapter 2 and verse 17-21:

¹⁷"If, while we seek to be justified in Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! ¹⁸If I rebuild what I destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. ¹⁹For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. ²⁰I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. ²¹I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!"

Ask yourself—what does God call Sin?  1 John 3:4 says that Sin is Lawlessness.  Verse 17 that we just heard—says that Christ does not promote sin—so that means Jesus does not promote lawlessness—which is the absence of teaching and instruction—and remember that now that you are a believer—you not under the Law—but the Law—or Torah—has become Teaching and Instruction to you!  So according to the Apostle to the Gentiles—in verse 19 of the 2^nd Chapter of Galatians—he wrote that through the Written Torah—he died to the Talmud (code of Jewish instructions)  so that he might live for God.  In so doing he PROVES that he is not a TORAHBREAKER—Jesus Christ kept the Torah—every word in it—and 1 John Chapter 2 and verse 6 says “⁶Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” Which means—that when we come to Jesus—our confession has to match our conduct—and Jesus lived according to the Torah: Gods teaching and instruction!

7.  I am presently studying or really just reading Hebrew Roots books and I am really wondering and please don't laugh at me... To a Christian Believer... why should they know this?

We would never laugh at you--it is a valid question; because the answer is the key to all areas of our life in Godliness.

The Festivals and the Feast days are rehearsals for the 1000 year reign with Yeshua.  Jesus kept the feast days and the festivals of God--and it is important for us as believers to do it as well.  It is not a salvation issue--but a holiness issue.  We are called out people—The House of Israel--and our lives are supposed to look differently than the worlds.  In the Church especially--as the real fact of the matter is the Jewish people will not believe Jesus is the Messiah--until the Church begins to capture what Jews have traditionally considered as "theirs"--for instance--when the average Church begins to celebrate Shabbat and the Passover--the Jews will want to know why?  They will get jealous--when enough are--and they will be open to hearing why we believe that Jesus is the Messiah of ALL ISRAEL.  Today--they could care less--because they know that no Messiah is the REAL Messiah--if He does not have the Torah.  You see Pastor---Orthodox Jews consider anyone outside the Torah--to be dead.  The phrase "resurrection of the dead" in the NT--is a Hebrew Idiom 95% of the time indicating those who begin to study Torah from the "Nations."

The Feast days and Festivals also open the keys to financial blessing in your life.  Sukkot for instance--the Feast of Tabernacles is the key to abundant--abundance according to Deuteronomy 28.  Most in the body of YahuShua do not walk in financial blessing like Abraham did-even though they come to God--just like Abraham did--by grace through faith (Hebrew 11); but they do not couple that faith with the life that Abraham lived. (Genesis 26:5)  He kept ALL Gods COMMANDS (The 10 Commands and the Command of Loving God and Loving Your Neighbor)--PRECEPTS (which are the Feast Holidays) LAWS (for the Priesthood) and the INSTRUCTIONS (which are the Festivals Holidays including Shabbat--because you are commanded to follow it on a certain day and time.)

This is not manipulation of God--but rather coming into agreement with what God has ALREADY SAID--and UNITY COMMANDS the blessing!  The reason most people don't have the blessing flowing 24/7 in their lives--is that they are stuck on salvation.  Getting saved is the first step in a walk of being delivered.  We were saved--are saved now--and will be saved in the future.  You are the Temple of the Holy Spirit--but if you have no idea about Temple Worship--then how can you maximize you walk??  During the Millennial reign--the Torah will go forth from Zion---where is Zion??  It is in you and in me, and it will go forth to the entire world.

The attributes of the Bride are those who have their wicks trimmed (so their light--or Torah--shines brightly) and oil in their lamps.  The oil of course is the Holy Ghost.  Every time you touch the Torah to anything--without the Holy Ghost--it brings death (remember always--the letter kills) but when you touch YahuShua’s Spirit to the Torah--you create life!  The reason we have not seen this in the contemporary Church--is that we do not have the right combination.  Some in the current Church are led by many “spirits”--but remember Pastor--THE SPIRIT according 1 John 5:6 is TRUTH--and TRUTH according to Psalm 119:142 is Gods Torah.  The Father--Spirit and Torah are ONE!

This will help maximize your walk--by providing you consistent steadfast obedience--coupled with your faith and when your confession and your conduct become ONE--then you are walking in the MaHaKavod--or the Glory of God--and you will see the Glory of God manifesting!!

8.  One last question for this week.... Laugh...:) I hope I am not pestering you... You are very busy and I just need to know some things about Shabbat: Can we cook on the Sabbath?

Absolutely.  I mean it is like this--you will never out do Yeshua at keeping the Torah through ritual applications.  He did it--not so you don’t have to try--but so you can do it "like" He did--by the Spirit.  Not cooking is a rabbinical restriction for the House of Judah--this is ritual application of the Torah.  On Shabbat: be free—free to--cook--eat--rest and worship; and I have a rule—we never spend money between Friday night sundown and Saturday night sundown—unless there is an emergency—and it better be a “blood squirter” if you know what I mean.  Rest means rest; American Christians would live longer if they would take the Shabbat off; it is not burdensome—but easy and a wonderful time to spend with the children and grandchildren.

9.  What does not work on the Sabbath mean? 

We teach people at all our Hebrew Roots Congregations that “work” as it is defined in the Torah is “nothing for Gain and Increase." 

If your job is on Saturday--don't quit or change UNTIL the Holy Ghost opens the door.  God has called you and HE is leading you--preciously by His Spirit.  It is BEST if you do not work at all--but if God gave you the job--He will make a way--even when there may seen to be no way.  I had a man in one of our congregations--who owned a Mobile Home Business.  His busiest day was Saturday.  He came to me perplexed--and I told him, "Don't do anything UNTIL God makes a way.  He continued working for about 4 months--then one day--led by the Spirit--he shut down on Sabbath.  All his competitors remained open.  He went to work on Sunday--usually a dead day--and they sold more homes that someday than they had for a month prior.  Needless to say--He stayed closed on Sabbath from that point out. 

10.  Does not working just cover employment or does it refer to outside work like working in the Yard or both?

You can certainly do good on the Sabbath.  If working in the Yard is for some elderly Widow then you are doing "good" and you are not being paid--then by all means--rake your heart out for Yeshua!!  If you just need to cut the grass—then wait until Sunday—and after your restful Saturday—you’ll be all charged up for cutting the grass.

11.  What can’t I eat according to Torah?

This will try to be a major stumbling block for most people.  We tell people publicly--"If you want to eat Pork--we'll buy you a Pepperoni Pizza--but as for me and my house--we want to live with a better quality of life--so we choose to eat only the things God said in Leviticus 11.  We do not condemn ANYONE if you disagree--we just choose to be obedient for health reasons." 

People will disagree about this, and that is okay--don't get trapped in this--what you can and cannot do is a trap the Enemy uses to keep people from the real issue of obedience--it is the “legalistic” and “Judaizing disqualifier.”  If you think about it--what did God say to Adam and Chavah in the Garden?  "Of all this food you can eat--BUT--of this ONE THING--don't eat it," and man has been saying I'll take two ever since!"    People are looking for any reason to disqualify the Torah as bondage.  The truest test of the Torah’s working in your heart and you walking as a Priest of Malki-Tzaddek--is whether you and I will be forgiving of our brothers--who are not obeying God--have bacon on their breath--and are starting businesses on the Sabbath; will we love them and forgive them?  They are innocent--nobody has ever taught them--and they cannot help it.  Our SOLE purpose is to be forgiving ourselves and all others of their sins.  Jesus said--"As the Father has sent me--now I am sending you"--so--what was he sent for?  To forgive the world of sins.  Have you ever wondered what the Greater Works would be YahuShua spoke of?  What is the one thing Jesus could NEVER do that we CAN do?  Jesus couldn't forgive Himself--as He never sinned.  Forgiving ourselves--and others-is the greater works Jesus was talking about.  I mean really-- face it---getting Believers to forgive THEMSELVES is harder than raising the dead in most places and it would cut out 98% of the suffering people do in the body--and simple obedience to God's pattern for a successful life would eliminate the other 2%.

Torah is the S.O.P—the “standard operating procedures” for a successful life.  Commandments is a Greek based word--the Hebrew word is really "Habits."  Your past does not define your future--your habits define your future.  The Sabbath was made for man--not man for the Sabbath.  Adding the Rabbinical restrictions--or not realizing that the Levites worked in the Temple on Sabbath--yet were innocent is denying the very nature of the Sabbath.  Shabbat is about family--friends and God--it is about us looking different--being called out to holiness as a sign to the world around us--while the rest of the World runs around doing as they please.  The living breathing walking talking Torah IS Jesus Christ--and He is IN YOU sitting on the throne IN YOU and He is coming again IN YOU to bring about the restoration of ALL things--back to the Garden of Eden. 

We recommend to just try to avoid shopping (gain and increase) if possible--and try not to work on Shabbat--IF at all possible--and will God still love and bless you if you have to: OF COURSE HE WILL!  The Sabbath is the wedding ring of being in covenant with the God of Abraham--Isaac and Jacob through the blood of Jesus.  No bondage--just “habits” that make you and your people successful!  If you worship on Sunday--GOOD--God wants to be adored every day of the week--but we are still required to celebrate the Sabbath as a sign for all generations to come that God made the Heavens and the Earth in 6 days and that God rested on the 7^th Day from all His labors.  Hebrew Roots is NOT an ideology about “Do’s and Don’ts”--but one about authentic love from a broken heart searching for the Truth that YahuShua--Jesus the Messiah taught.

12.  I have a question... I asked my spiritual mother and father about the law... Why Jesus celebrated it and how it pertains to us.  Now they are Hagin and Copeland people and I enjoy some of their teaching also... but what they told me was the fact that YahuShua had to be born under the law and do the law to free us from the law... so that keeping the Shabbat is like a death thing. They focused on the two great commandments of Jesus and I know they are summed up of the Ten Commandments. So when I love the Lord with all my heart, all my soul, and all my strength... isn't keeping the Shabbat and no idols loving him with all my heart... I do it out of love and not out of a penance of going to heaven. OR are we to keep the Shabbat? Why did he write the law in my heart if it was dead?  To me... the Torah is alive because of YahuShua... the provision, the righteousness of the law because of his blood is alive to me and what document is in the ark of the covenant in the book of Revelation? Isn't it the Torah?   It never left there before or after the age of man?

The reason they say this--is that they misunderstand--because no Spirit filled Jews have taught it in a way they could understand.  I am sorry about that--please forgive us in Jesus Name.

Here is the KEY to God's redemptive plan on the earth: "God saved Israel by Grace--He redeemed Israel by His same Grace--and brought her to a place of Teaching and Instruction--so that in its obedience--Israel would show the proper response to God's Grace."

Being under Law--meant that you needed to follow the ritual application of the Law--Circumcision, Kashrut (Kosher Diet) and the Sabbath to have any hope of remaining Ritually Pure and Holy--this is the limited sense of the Torah--that Paul stood against--because you are not claiming Leviticus 18:5 for your salvation but you are relying firmly on Yeshua and His shed blood for your only hope for righteousness--as seen in Jeremiah 23:6.  The ritual application of many things connected to the Second Temple Priesthood was done away with in the physical realm--but only because it was a limited view--where as God's Spirit was not limited to the ritual application of the Law.  Following Torah is the natural response to anyone who is walking in THE Spirit of God; who do you think taught them the two Major Torah Commands—to Love the Lord your God with all your Heart and Soul and all your strength; and to Love your neighbor as yourself.   Jesus said if you love me—keep my commands.  One man asked Yeshua—how do I get to Heaven?  Jesus said “KEEP THE COMMANDS” to which the man replied “which ones?” Then Jesus himself said “Here O Israel the Lord Our God the Lord is One.  Do not steal—Don’t not Kill—Do not commit Adultery,” and the Young Man said “I have kept all these since I was a Child” and Yeshua said “If you want to be perfect—go sell all you have-- and give the proceeds to the poor—and come and follow Me.” 

Now Pastor, don’t you think if all He had to do is keep the two biggest commands—the Jesus might possibly have mentioned that??  Of course He would of. The Torah--written on Scrolls, and daily sacrifices, was not enough for man to know the ways of God, so Yeshua came to life as a Man--being fully God, and He became the “END” of the Law--or “TELOS” of the Torah (Romans 10:1-4).  Telos= “Goal”—and not END of the Torah. 

Jesus is the GOAL of what a Torah obedient life by the Spirit of God can look like.  Jesus kept Torah--BY THE SPIRIT--as a pattern of a Spirit led life!!  Jesus was not living a life that did away with the very key to happiness!  This idea confuses many Messianic’s and Christians alike.  

Here is why so many Messianic’s miss it--they get saved and then they get the revelation of Torah--and they grab on to the "Ritual Application of the Torah"--which is Circumcision—Kashrut/Kosher Purity and the Sabbath--and suddenly they are "super Jews!"  They put on all the Jewish stuff and the next thing you know their Grandparents are convinced they are in a cult!  And who would blame them?  They do not follow these things by the Spirit--letting the Holy Ghost lead.  There is nothing wrong with the stuff--but most people try to stuff it into the hole that God intends Jesus to fill in their heart, and religion that gets stuffed into a dark, moist hole ends up becoming impacted and infected; I have seen it a million times.  Then they spend the next 7 years trying to figure out where they went wrong.  The Yarmulke hats, Prayer Shawls, Tefillin, and all the Jewish religious stuff is just an outward sign of an inward condition; if your heart is not whole—don’t start wearing it, as you are not ready—and Jesus accepts you as you are.

Following the Holy Spirit--which is the Truth 1 John 5:6--and Truth is the Torah (Psalm 119:142)--so the Spirit will lead you to following the Torah--but BY THE SPIRIT--not by mandating you live as a Rabbinic Jew!  God forbid!  The Nations were always in God's heart!  He wants to be the God of ALL the earth--not just the God of the tinniest country on earth.  It is the same grace that saved you--that is leading you into following the Torah.  You said of your spiritual parents:

"They focused on the two great commandments of Jesus and I know they are summed up of the Ten Commandments" 

When you speak about words like "Love"--we need to let the Bible define itself--Pastor Smith--if I teach you ANY lesson whatsoever--let it be this one: "The Scripture fully harmonizes and it defines itself."  When we look at love the Lord your God--we need to let the Bible define what we mean.  Love--according to our Great Master--is "Keeping the Commandments."  Jesus often said, "If you love me--keep my commandments."  Jesus IS God--so loving God is obeying His commandments--all of them, from Genesis 1:1--through the book of the Revelation of Yeshua--and this can ONLY be accomplished by following the Spirits direction as Jesus daily demonstrated for us.

Now--let us define "Loving our Neighbor--as we love ourselves."  The Bible says in 1 John 5:2 " THIS is how we KNOW we LOVE the Children of God: by Loving God and keeping his commandments."  SO--Loving God is keeping His commandments--and loving our neighbor is keeping His commandments--so perhaps we should focus on "keeping His commandments??" 

Jesus said --this is MY commandment--that you love one another.  People try to run right off to 1 Corinthians 13 and skip 1 John 5:2.  This is very simple--when it comes from a Hebrew perspective.  They are both right.  1 John 5:2 is WHAT LOVE IS--and 1 Corinthians 13--is WHAT LOVE DOES.  Love IS obeying the Torah--Love DOES patience, Love does goodness--love does bear all things, love does believe all things--love does hope all things.  Torah is the accurate arrangement of things--these are the things that you will do--when you ARE born again.  Most Christians are already doing most of them--without even knowing it.  85% of the New Testament is an exact--word for word quote of the Torah.  They are keeping the Torah--at least a little.  The thing that they are not doing is keeping the Shabbat--which is God's Wedding Ring for His Bride, and the thing which guarantees financial blessing when coupled with the Tithe.  Additionally--the Festivals and Feast Days--which are a command--and a sign, like the Shabbat.

The only danger--is that you do not go the OTHER way--and make yourself a "Torah Terrorist" and quarrel about Torah.  Remember--your in Laws and the other Christians you meet are completely innocent--God has not awakened them from sleep yet.  God has awakened you and He will surely bring them.  This is Gods plan.  People will all get this message--through one of two ways--Divine Revelation--like you received it--or Tribulation. 

Pastor--the books of the Torah are books of Prophecy.  Joseph is revealing himself to His brothers.  And immediately afterward--the Pharaoh arose who "did not know Joseph"--who is a type and Shadow of Jesus.  So the person--or better said today---the "spirit" that is arising--is the anti-Christ spirit--the spirit if LAWLESSNESS.  The only antidote--is Torah.  But most in the Church have lost their identity as Israelites--and even as Joseph’s brothers did not recognize him--most Christians do not recognize the Torah.  They will eventually--remember they are innocent.

You are doing Spirit led Torah--not the ritual application of the Torah.  There is nothing wrong with the ritual application as long as one does it BY THE SPIRITS LEADING--and not enter into it by the FLESH.  The letter kills--always.  Remember: “Torah makes LOVERS not LAWYERS!”

The Torah's sole goal is to be the antidote to Sin and its certain curses (DT 28).  Jesus bore that curse for you--but you are responsible for your life after coming to Messiah.  Obeying Torah--is just the bare minimum of the Kingdom--the greater works of the Torah is forgiveness.  Jesus could not forgive Himself--He never sinned--but we must forgive ourselves--and others. 

Whatsoever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven--this was speaking of our neighbors transgressions against us--and our self transgressions.  Jesus said--as the Father sent me, now I am sending you--and Jesus was sent to forgive “them for they know not what they do.”  God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the World--but that the World might be delivered through Him.  What was Jesus constantly doing? He was forgiving, "go--your sins are forgiven etc"--so what are we supposed to be doing?  Forgiving.  BUT--if we are full of flesh--we will not ever forgive.  We will hold bad childhoods against our parents--hate former wives--murder members of our family with our mouth--in fact ALL and I mean ALL of our problems as the Corporate Church--stem from a lack of forgiveness on some level.

The greater works of Torah--is doing the simple obedience that Torah requires--and going above and beyond that--to forgiving--just like we see the Father doing. 

13.  Do you believe that we must follow all the commandments that Christ laid out in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew?

WE ARE TO FOLLOW EVERYTHING WRITTEN IN THE WORD—ALL OF IT. 

14.  Can you list some of the scriptures for me to check out?

Matt 5:17-19, Romans 3:31, 1 John 2:6, James 2, 1 John 3:4, Psalm 119:142, 152, 160, Psalm 100:5, Ex  12:42, Lev 19:30—all of 1 John and Titus Malachi 3:6--Mark 13:31--2 Timothy 3:16-17

15.  The Apostle Paul didn’t keep the Law--why should we?

The answer to this question is found in Paul’s recorded behavior below--and Remember--Jesus said in Matthew 5:17-21 that He did not come to DO AWAY with the Torah--And YahuShua OUT RANKS the Apostle Paul.  Look at Paul’s real life below:

A-  Acts 21:23-24 And Acts 18:18 Paul Keeps a Nazerite vow from Number 6:13-21--Ask Yourself Why?

B-  Acts 13:42, 17:2, 18:4  Paul observed the Holy Shabbat on Friday evening--to Saturday evening-- Ask Yourself Why?

C.  1 Corinthians 5:8--Paul kept the Feast of Passover-- Ask Yourself Why?

D.  Acts 20:16--Paul keeps the Festival of SHAVUOT--or Pentecost in Jerusalem-- Ask Yourself Why?

E.  Ephesians 4:25--We know he believed in observing the words of the Prophets (Zech 8:16) and the Psalms (Ps 4:4)  Ask Yourself Why?

F.  1 Cor 11:1--  We know Paul tried to imitate Yeshua--an Ultra Orthodox 1st century  Plebian Class Jewish Pharisee-- Ask Yourself Why?

G.  Ephesians 6:1--Paul believed in teaching the Proverbs of Shlomo--Solomon (6:20 23:22)-- Ask Yourself Why?

H.  Eph 6:2--Paul keeps the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20:12-& Deuteronomy 5:16--- Ask Yourself Why?

I. 1 Timothy 1 8:-11--Paul calls the Torah of Moses "Sound Teaching"-- Ask Yourself WHY?

J.  1 Timothy 4:3--Paul told some of his followers to be present for the public reading of the Torah--and to listen to its teachings-- Ask Yourself Why?

K.  1 Timothy 5:17--Paul taught that we should not cheat those who pay our wages as it says in Torah  Deuteronomy 25:4-- Ask Yourself Why?

L.  1 Timothy 6:3--Paul again calls Torah "sound words" and anyone who teaches against the teaching Jesus Taught--which again is Torah--then Paul called them CONCEITED and said they KNEW NOTHING-- Ask Yourself Why?

M.  2 Timothy 3:8--Paul refers to Moses Teachings as TRUTH-- Ask Yourself Why?

N.  2 Timothy 4:3--We know Paul called the Torah "Sound Doctrine"  as he supported this in 1 Timothy 1:8-11-- Ask Yourself Why?

O.  Romans 16:25-27--We know that Paul called the writings of the Hebrew Prophets "Scripture" and that this Scripture would be able to lead the Gentiles into obedience and trusting YHVH-- Ask Yourself Why?

P.  2 Corinthians 13:1--We know Paul applied the Torah (Deuteronomy 19:15) to his teachings given to this particular group of Corinthian believers. Ask Yourself Why?

Ask yourself why--why did Paul do ALL these things?--Didn't Paul know that this was all done away with.  Why did He state four times WITHOUT FAIL--that he never violated the Laws of the Jews--why not?  Didn't He know He was free--or did Jesus forget to tell the Apostle to the Gentiles?  It is our misinterpretation based on the lies of MARCION, TERTILLIAN, EUSIBUS, MATYR--the heretics and the imposition of a 200 year old theory called “Evangelical Dispensationalism Theory;” which was formulated by a Catholic Priest in Brazil.  The early Church Fathers would never have accepted this theory--and it leads to general confusion in the body of Messiah and a lick of real daily power--that only coming to God by faith and following closely the Torah: God’s Teaching and Instruction provides.

16.  Are you trying to make Christians into Jews?

Absolutely not!  Only God and a Jewish Parents can make a Jew!  We are Israel, the grafted in people of God--formerly known as the 10 lost tribes of Israel--that were once scattered to the wind--assimilated into the Nations--and were living as Gentiles (confused pagan unbelievers)  in the earth.  Through our blood covenant with Jesus the Messiah, we are grafted in--NOT as Christians per se--but as FULL covenantal members of Israel.  We have IN NO WAY REPLACED PHYSICAL ISRAEL--but we have been made equal members of the Commonwealth of Israel through the blood of Jesus, and with our Brothers and Sister in Judah--we make up the Commonwealth of Israel--the unified 12 Tribes of Jacob.

We are the long lost brothers and sisters of the Jewish people—called the Biblical House of Israel and they are commonly known as he Biblical House of Judah; and as Ezekiel 37:15-28 says, in the last days God will reunite us as ONE mighty stick in His hand.  That was first prophesied by Moses himself in Deuteronomy 30:1-6 and we are living this prophecy out.  We are creating Born Again, Spirit Filled, Believers in Jesus who are in touch with our Hebrew Roots and in LOVE with the Torah: God’s Teaching and Instructions for a Successful life in the body of Messiah Yeshua--Jesus Christ.  This is a 3500 year old miracle!!

17. What does it mean to be a Believer who keeps their Hebrew Roots in YahuShua HaMoshiach--Jesus the Messiah?

First, we come to saving knowledge of Yeshua --Jesus the Messiah--by grace through faith.  If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord—YHWH-- and that Elohim (God) raised Him from the dead, then the Bible says you WILL BE DELIVERED BY GOD (Saved).

Secondly, immediately after making Teshuvah (turning around to follow God’s ways by repenting) then our first act of obedience is to follow God’s command to be Baptized in the T’Villah Water (living water) identifying with Yeshua’s Death, Burial and Resurrection. Following your raising up out of the water--you are a new creature--you have died according to Colossians 3:3 and now Messiah lives in you. Your life is brand new!

Jesus is alive in you--the Kingdom of God is now in You--and the Temple of God, and the Promise Land--is IN YOU!  You are to bring YahuShua to the unbelieving nations, making them Disciples of Yeshua--Jesus the Messiah and the Torah: God’s Teaching and Instruction. 

Thirdly, a Disciple of Rabbi Yeshua will follow the way of their Master.  Jesus kept every aspect of the Torah’s righteous commands--and so will we.  We will start by observing the Sabbath rest which begins each Friday afternoon at Sundown and goes through Saturday Night at Sundown.  We will then begin obeying the Scripture in Leviticus 11 about what God said was healthy to eat and trying to avoid what is not.  We will also begin being a part of a Bible believing Church and Torah teaching Community of Believers (Making sure that the group we are in is under authority of a Godly Denomination, or Ministry covering that has been tried and true.  We would recommend not being a part of a home based church if possible--unless it is part of a larger denomination or ministry that it is accountable to.  By this, you will avoid people who have authority issues, and lone wolf--wanna-be “experts” or “pop-up” Rabbi’s--who have little or no real training beyond personal study.) 

Fourth, now that we have found our Hebrew Roots we will observe God’s Festivals and Feast Days, referred to as God’s “Mo’Edim:” which means “appointed times and seasons.  These Festivals will teach you as rehearsals for the Messiah’s return.  Any Bride will rehearse before a wedding--and these Festivals are rehearsals for the upcoming reunion with Messiah!

Fifth, your daily Torah obedient activities will include taking care of the poor, the widow, and the orphan and the practice of ACTIVELY forgiving people of their EVERY SIN.  Forgiveness is the single most important thing that you will ever do--and it is what YahuShua--Jesus constantly did to everyone including Yehudah Iscariot--Judas Iscariot.  If Yeshua can forgive Judas-and call him "friend"-we can forgive others--to include ourselves.  To be truly free we will have to forgive ourselves and others as we attempt to walk out Torah and avoid all religion or legalism.  You will also become involved in projects of “Social Justice” like volunteering at a homeless shelter, an anti-abortion home, a drug recovery center—anything like this.  Social Justice is a sign that Torah is in you; one of Torah’s biggest qualities is “Justice” and those who obey Yeshua should be partnering with God in Tikkun L’Olam: Repairing the World—one act at a time.

Sixth, if God calls you to wear Hebrew clothing and accessories--then by all means do that; but do not think that doing any of that will draw you nearer to the Lord---it won’t, and you will never be better at it than Jesus was; it is an honor to partake in all aspects of the Commonwealth of Israel--to include the customs of clothing--like Kippa’s and Tzitzit--but certainly not a requirement.

Seventh--Do NOT quit a job that has you working on Saturday--until and unless the Holy Spirit leads you to do so--remember, God has you on this path--it is nothing you have to work up out of the flesh.

Lastly--Do not listen to ANY HEBREW ROOTS TEACHER that BASHES the Christian Church; or any Teacher that tells you that ANY PART of God’s Word is done away with; or anyone who tells you that you are still a Gentile (Gentile means confused pagan unbeliever).  These are a sure sign that the teacher has a religious Spirit--and you should avoid those kinds of ministries at all cost. 

Any ministry that is Torah based--by God’s Spirit--will be seeking the Unity of the House of Israel--which is Messiah’s body--as Paul laid out in Ephesians 2.  Be realistic and remember always that ONLY GOD draws people to his Torah by His revelation--and it is He that does the circumcision of the heart--so anyone who does not yet see Torah as necessary is innocent.  This does in no way mean they are not saved—don’t be ridiculous—many people are turned off to Torah by well intentioned people who have not spent years being taught by the Lord—going forth as a Judge of others salvation.  God made you a Priest and the Torah clearly teaches that the Priesthood made atonement for the people—and never forget “when we were yet SINNERS—Christ died for us;” this should be the guiding rule. 

Today’s Christian Church Pastors ARE keeping and teaching Torah for the most part--in that 85% of the New Testament is an EXACT QUOTE of the Torah--so don’t run around being some “Torah Terrorist” judging every Christian Pastor you meet.  Pastors in the Christian Church are God’s hero’s, and they are the Levite Priests to the House of Israel--who are working very hard to introduce people to Yeshua--Jesus the Messiah--this is the continuing ministry of Priest John the Baptist--whereas your return to your Hebrew Roots is the beginning of the movement of the return of Elijah that Yeshua prophesied would happen just before His return!  They need each other and you should always provide double honor for any man who has given his life for the preaching of the Word of God.

If you remember these things, and practice them--studying the Torah daily, and seeking His will with all your heart through obedience to His commands--then you will be successful in ALL you do.  A Torah based lifestyle will be the easiest thing you have every done--it’s already been written down for you to follow--and how easy is that??  Jesus walked this way each day of His life--and so did all the early Disciples--so for you to walk it--will be very easy and exciting to do!!

ONE FINAL CAUTION-- BEWARE THE INTERNET--I know this seems funny and ironic--since you found TORAH FOR CHRISTIANS™ on the Internet--but the internet is full of the anti-Christ spirit.  Find a trusted Teacher through the Union of Messianic 2 House Congregations, or other reputable ministries who identify with the two house reunification.   Never eat only at those places--or you may find yourself trapped in current heretical teachings like “Jesus is the Messiah--but He is not YHVH (God) in the flesh.”  These are common heresies that new believers in their Hebrew Roots fall victim too.

Welcome home Ephraim—the Biblical House of Israel (Christian Church Today) and Judah (today’s Jewish people); God has been longing for our reunion for over 2000 years.  When the Christian Church begins following Torah in a more open and purpose driven manner--the Jewish People will begin accepting the fact that YahuShua REALLY IS YHWH (God)--and when the Jews realize that we serve the same Elohim--Romans 11:15 says it will result in “LIFE FROM THE DEAD!”  Even as Lazarus came forth--so too will God’s Congregation come back to life--no longer wearing their grave clothing--and the celebration feast will begin!!!  Thanks be to God--welcome home Ephraim: the Biblical House of Judah that was salted into the Nations!  As it is said in Hebrew “Baruch Haba B’Shem Adonai:” blessed is He who comes in the Name of the LORD!