IS TITHING ONLY AN "OLD TESTAMENT" COMMANDMENT?

Tithing is not a "New Testament" commandment of God. And the early Jewish Christians did not tithe to their local congregations. Those Jewish Christians residing in the land of Israel did tithe. They gave of their produce to the Jerusalem temple (10%), Jerusalem city merchants (10% every first, second, fourth, and seventh year of a seven year cycle), and local charities (10% every third and sixth year of a seven year cycle). It was the law / Law. To not have done so would have been a sin.

WAS THE LAW GIVEN *ONLY* WITH THE GROSS SINNER IN MIND, TO *ONLY* DEFINE. EXPOSE, AND CONDEMN SIN?

 Please compare the following two passages from the same letter:

"... the Law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, kidnapping-enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine" (1Tim 1:9-11).

Then:

"Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses" (1Tim 5:19).

In the second passage, Paul was applying the Law of Moses within a Christian context:

Noach walked with G-d

                 (Genesis 6:9)

Tishrei 30, 5778/October 20, 2017

Noach was born into a most unpropitious moment in history. G-d was so discouraged by man's misdeeds and corrupt behavior that He was preparing to put an end to what He had hoped would become the jewel in the crown of creation: mankind. And along with mankind, G-d was intending to put an end to all land, air and sea-based creatures. Man's behavior had become so despicable that, simply by evil example, man had succeeded in defiling the animal kingdom. In short, G-d was ready to erase and delete the entire work of His sixth day of creation. But then, we are told in the final verse of last week's Torah reading, Bereshiet, "Noach found favor in the eyes of HaShem." (Genesis 6:8)

The Heavenly Adam

God made Adam "in His image," but what is the image of the invisible God? What, or who, is the image of God?

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

B'reisheet (בראשית | In the beginning)

Torah: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret 5778

Simchat Torah/Shemini Atzeret: Chag Sameach! Tishrei 21, 5778/October 11, 2017 The seventh day of Sukkot, known as Hoshana Rabba, is the climax of Sukkot, and in many ways, the climax of the entire seven week period of intense introspection and spiritual 'body-building' that begins on Rosh Chodesh, the first day of Elul, reaches its first climax on Rosh HaShana, (the first and second day of Tishrei), attains its second pinnacle on Yom Kippur, (the tenth of Tishrei), and reaches its final, crucial, crescendo on Hoshana Rabba, before transforming into the joyful, triumphant celebration of Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah, the final day of our spiritual journey, at which point we are ready to meet the new year head on and heart on, new and improved versions of ourselves, by virtue of our own hard work and intensive spiritual efforts.

He Negotiated for Forgiveness

Moses knew that he had found favor in God's eyes. By deliberatly identifying himself with Israel, he extended that favor to the whole nation.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:

A special portion for Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot is read this Shabbat!

Shabbat Chol Hamoed Sukkot (סוכות שבת חל המועד | Intermediate Day of Sukkot on Shabbat)

Torah: Exodus 33:12-34:26

Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16

Chag Sukkot Sameach 5778

Chag Sukkot Sameach - A Joy-filled Sukkot to All! Tishrei 14, 5778/October 4, 2017 Seven days you shall celebrate the Festival to HaShem, your G-d, in the place which HaShem shall choose, because HaShem, your G-d, will bless you in all your produce, and in all the work of your hands, and you will only be happy."(Deuteronomy 16:15) Can G-d really command us to "only be happy?" Yes He can! Can we fulfill this commandment? Being happy isn't a given, and being only happy is ever greater a challenge. But we can surely do it!