Prison Weekly Av 15, 5768

Shalom

The Hebrew month is Av These Parashahs HaShavuah are for Sabbath Av 15, 5768

The Torah Parashah HaShavuah is Va'eschanan"and I pleaded" Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11,

Haftarah Isaiah 40:1-26 & Brit Hadasha Mark 12:28-34

Next Weeks: Torah Ekev "On the heel of " Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25 Haftarah Isaiah 49:14-51:3 & Brit Hadasha Romans 8:31-39

Moshe pleads with God to enter the Holy Land, but is turned down. (Remember, God always answers your prayers - sometimes with a "yes," sometimes with a "no" ... and sometimes with a "not yet.") Moshe commands the Children of Israel not to add or subtract from the words of the Torah and to keep all of the Commandments. He then reminds them that God has no shape or form and that we should not make or worship idols of any kind.

The cities of Bezer, Ramot and Golan are designated as Cities of Refuge east of the Jordan river. Accidental murderers can escape there to avoid revengeful relatives. They then await there until tried.
The Ten Commandments are repeated to the whole Jewish people. Moshe then expounds the Shema, affirming the unity of God, Whom all should love and transmit His commandments to the next generation. A man should wear Tefillin upon the arm and head. All Jews should put a Mezuzah (the scroll is the essential part) upon each doorpost of their home (except the bathroom).
Moshe then relays the Almighty's command not to intermarry "for they will lead your children away from Me" (Deut. 7:3-4).
Dvar Torah based on Growth Through Torah by Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
In the Torah, Moses states:
"See that I have taught you statutes and laws as the Lord, my God, commanded me to do in the midst of the land" (Deuteronomy 4:5).
What do we learn from the added phrase "in the midst of the land"?
Philosophers have taught that if a person wants to live a life of sanctity and perfection of the soul, he must flee from inhabited places and live alone in the wilderness. There he will separate himself from other people and from all worldly pursuits. This is not the path of the Torah. Moses told the people, "I have taught you to follow the commandments in the midst of the land." That is, you should live an elevated life among other people. True sanctity and perfection is to live among people and behave both towards God and towards your fellow men in a manner consistent with Torah values.
The ideal of the Torah is to bring sanctity and idealism into all aspects of human endeavor. If you live alone, you will be free from anger, envy, causing other people pain, etc. However, you will be missing opportunities for kindness, compassion and love. Moreover, the true test of controlling anger or of honesty is when you have to deal with others. Only when you are in the company of other people can you fulfill all aspects of the Torah.

The Haftorah Parashah HaShavuah is Yeshaya (Isaiah) 40:1-26

This week's haftorah introduces a special series of haftorah readings related to our final redemption. In this opening one the prophet Yeshaya delivers the Jewish people warm words of comfort from Hashem. After over one thousand years of exile the time will finally arrive for the Jewish nation to return to Hashem and His Promised Land. But, as Chazal explain (see Yalkut Shimoni Yeshaya 443, 445) the painful scars of exile, persecution, and rejection will remain fresh in their minds and it will be difficult to approach Hashem and rebuild a relationship. In addition, they will remember vividly all their acts of defiance and will be embarrassed to return to Hashem. Hashem therefore turns to His nation and expresses to them warm words of comfort and console. Hashem instructs the prophet Yeshaya, "Speak to the heart of Jerusalem and call her because her long term has been served and her sin has been forgiven." (40:2) After all of this time, the Jewish people will find it difficult to accept that Hashem is truly interested in them. Although, the time for redemption has arrived they have not thoroughly cleansed themselves from all of their wrongdoings. They question how they could entertain establishing a perfect relationship with Hashem without having even perfected their ways. Hashem responds, "Her sins have been forgiven because she suffered an abundant and full measure for them." (ibid.) The Malbim (ad loc.) explains this to mean that the harsh severity of their sufferings will compensate for their incomplete steps of repentance. The Jewish people deserve their redemption after enduring and outliving the most horrifying and tragic experiences with steadfast faith in Hashem. During their painful exile they consistently demons trated unwavering commitment to Hashem and an inseparable attachment to Him. Our Chazal (see Yalkut Shimoni Yeshaya 443, Beraishis 162) share with us an additional dimension about Yeshaya's words of comfort. They quote a passage in Shir Hashirim referring to the era of the final redemption and the profound statement the Jewish people will make then. They plead to Hashem, "If only, You could be like a brother to me." (Shir Hashirim 8:1) Chazal see this brotherly relationship as a reference to the indescribable compassion that Yosef Hatzadik showed his brothers. After the atrocious behavior the tribes displayed towards Yosef they could never forgive themselves for those misguided actions. They therefore delivered a message to Yosef beseeching Him to forgive them without harboring any ill feelings towards them. In response to their plea, the Torah states "And Yosef comforted them and spoke to their hearts." (Breishis 50:21) Chazal explain that mere words of comfort and assurance were not sufficient to allay their fears. Yosef therefore saw it appropr iate to appeal to their hearts and redirect their thinking. He convinced his brothers how meaningful they were to him and how their safety and prominence served as key factors in his attaining and maintaining his position of glory. The Jewish people express their wish that Hashem act in this same manner with them. They find it impossible to forgive themselves for all the wrong they have done to Hashem. However, as Yosef appealed to his brothers' hearts and redirected their thinking, Hashem can certainly do the same. They plead with Hashem to remove any trace of ill feelings for all their years of unfairness to Him. Chazal conclude that as Yosef allayed his brothers' fears Hashem will do the same for His people. Therefore, when instructing Yeshaya to comfort the Jewish people, Hashem states, "Comfort them and speak to their hearts." Yeshaya, as Yosef, is charged with a mission of conveying to the Jewish people how significant each and every one of them is to Hashem. Yeshaya faithfully says to the Jews, "Hashem will lead you like a shepherd tends his flock, gathers them in his arm, carries them in his bosom and gently leads young ones." (40: 11) Yeshaya informs them that Hashem does care about every Jewish soul as a shepherd cares for each of his sheep. Although the Jewish people had previously strayed and suffered so much for their wrongdoing Hashem still cares about them in indescribable measures. Yeshaya beckons the Jews not to be hesitant or embarrassed to return. Hashem cares so much for each one of them that He will personally escort them back to Him.

Yeshaya continues, " Who measured the depths of the water by his fists, the span of the heavens by his hand, the width of the land by the measure of three fingers or the weight of mountains and hills on a scale? Behold the nations are but a remaining drop in a bucket, the rust of a scale." (40: 12,15) Although in our eyes, the entire world and its inhabitants are of enormous proportions, in the eyes of Hashem they are but tiny miniscule dots. They all serve a general purpose but the concern and focus of Hashem is not specifically upon them. Yeshaya concludes, "Lift your eyes heavenward and see who created these, He who brings out the myriads by number and to each He calls by name. (40: 26) The prophet is referring to the millions of stars found in the heaven. Each of them serves a specific purpose and is identified by name at all times. Each star is significant and every one occupies a prominent position in the master plan of Hashem. In view of all the above we can suggest the following interpretation to the final words of the haftorah. Dovid Hamelech in Sefer Tehillim (Psalm 147) makes a similar reference to the stars in the heavens. He says, "Hashem is the builder of Yerushalayim; He will gather in the dispersed of Israel. He counts the stars by number, to all He calls by name. (147: 2,4) The Ibn Ezra interprets Dovid Hamelech's profound verses in the following manner. The Jewish people have been scattered all over the world which should be indicative of their insignificance. To this Dovid Hamelech responds and reminds us that the stars are also scattered over the vast span of the horizon. However, Hashem knows every one of them and identifies him by name and purpose. In this same vein Hashem knows every Jewish person and identifies with him by his individual name and purpose. Following this thought we can appreciate Yeshaya's words in this same manner. At the time of redemption Hashem will display His appreciation for each and every Jewish soul and personally escort him back to Eretz Yisroel. Every Jewish person counts because he occupies an important role in the scheme of the glory of Hashem. To Hashem every Jewish soul is greatly significant because his personal role adds a unique and distinct dimension to the majesty of Hashem. May we merit soon the realization of these comforting words with the coming of Mashiach and the ingathering of the exiles.
Mission Updates; Greetings, As most of you access the country are trilled that the temperatures have dropped saved on electric bills and having cooler nights, to the homeless it is a crisis. They NEED now sleeping bags, blankets, and jackets. Cold medication and pain meds, the work we do goes on all year and right now we have great needs, let alone we need to place a food order. Today I was already asked if I had a food box, guess what I have nothing to give out. We really need your help and maybe one of these days I will have no need to bother you but that day has not come! We need help in all area's and we really need to place that food order. Even if we could do half of it $500 it would help. So please take it all to prayer as this ministry is funded by the Father uses you who get these updates, the people who listen to radio, and some on a mailing list. We have no other means of bringing the money in. In His Perfect Peace, Pastor Dan Catlin Also we need support for radio, if we could expand radio we could bring in more money. I have been contacted by stations on regular AM and FM to be on but no funds. I have been offered a spot on Sundays at $100 a month for satellite but no funds....so if I could increase radio it would help....I also need someone who knows how to hook up mikes and mixers etc to tell me how to set things up.....also I have not figured out how to record the whole room conversation as Sabbath service is mostly me speaking but the people here interact and I have not figured out how to pick them up and me at the same time...it will be done when I figure it out..is there a things called a room Mike? I am also maybe looking for someone who would like to co-host some news podcasts.....

1 Timothy 6: 5-10

^{5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.}

Shalom In Yeshua our Messiah

This week sure went fast, the boys an I picked two bags of tomatoes a bag of hot peppes and a bag of grapes last evening. I will serve them to the people today. I placed our first food order yesterday and we pick it up Monday at 2:30. I did order some foods for food boxes but most of what I got was for meals at the mission. I paid a few bills but need around 700 to pay the rest of the bills for this month. We also need to get the funding for the September Newsletter so it can go out in the next few weeks. Our grandson went to the hospital last night because his tonsils were so big he could barely breath. He is only three so please lift him in prayer to have a safe surgury and speedy recovery. Thanks to all of you who support the needs for all these works. Yahweh can only supply these needs through those whom allow Him to use them. Keep us in prayer and have a very Blessed week. Pray about supporting an be lead by Yahweh to do His will!

Shalom B'Shem Yeshua HaMashiach / Peace in the Name of Yeshua, the Messiah

Mark 9:23,10:27

THE Truth will set you FREE"