Dancing to the Rhythm

#letstalk

2018-01-31T18:38:00.000-05:00

I am sure that at some point in your life you have had to seek some type of medical help for a physical problem you were facing. In acute cases we act quickly without much time for contemplation; we need stitches; we get them, we break a bone, we get it cast. In chronic cases, treatment could involve an extensive process of healing or sometimes require a life long protocol to manage specific the issue. One common thing is most of these cases is that we generally feel comfortable to speak freely about them, we readily seek out treatment and ask questions. If we know someone going through a health challenge we offer our care and support however we can without judgement.

All that being said my question is: why, why when it comes to a mental health challenge do we treat it so differently? We don’t talk about it, we often don’t readily seek treatment because of self shaming and guilt. Often this can be because the times we are brave enough to open up a little we end up wishing we hadn’t because there is such a strong stigma attached to “mental health issues” that people often colour you a certain way, or judge you as being “weak minded”, “self centered”, “attention seeking” or just plain “lazy”. People can speak of mental disorders in hushed tones as if a terrible scandal has taken place. Some may question the person’s faith or moral character because they struggle with depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, or ADHD etc. Parents even, may refuse to seek help for a child because they themselves are afraid of the stigmas or they simply pass the child off as “bad”, “hard to manage” or “rebellious”(especially in cases of ADHD because often these kids have a really hard time learning from previous mistakes), or because they “knew someone with depression and it looked like “XYZ” and so there is no way that there child is depressed...which is kinda like saying someone couldn’t have cancer because they can’t see the tumor.

So why do we not respond the same as in any other health/medical issue? Is not the brain a physical organ? Does it not ultimately control all of our body’s physical functions? Why is depression labelled as an “emotional problem” but say, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, is not?

I ask these questions just as much to myself as anyone reading. Because the truth is as much as we all wish the stigma was nonexistent it is alive and well. If you struggle with mental health you can already feel very isolated from everything you care about, to risk the possible conscience or subconscious recoil people are likely to have when/if they “find out”, can seem extra daunting to say the least.

I can appreciate people not being able to understand if they have not experienced a mental struggle however I don’t believe that this can be used as an excuse to not productively support someone. Do you need to have cancer to lend your support and care to a friend? Do you need to have had a chronic disease to be able to listen and appreciate the impacts on their daily life? I don’t think so...maybe I can’t fully appreciated someone else’s cancer on a experiential level but I can sit back and go “wow, you are so bad ass, somehow you manage to keep up with all the normal life things on top of all this. You are a fighter!”

Because there is such a strong stigma surrounding mental health many of us have to be our own cheerleaders...which can be a huge challenge because our mind can be our worst enemy. It can get stuck on negative thought patterns that are extremely difficult(and sometimes impossible) to overcome[without treatment], it berates us and plays mental comparisons to belittle our struggles. We are terrified of seeking help because we think we should be like everyone else and believe(or have been told) “there is something really messed up about people who struggle with mental illness”. Or we think we are just inherently flawed, lack the willpower to change, or maybe we really are just plain ol’ stupid. While the real problem lies within our physical brain and without treating that how can change take place? If someone is legally blind, can telling them to “try harder” make their vision any better?

Now I am not saying we don’t take responsibility for our thoughts or emotions, on the contrary I believe if we could break down the stigmas surrounding mental health and demystify the physiology of our brains by creating awareness around how they work and what could be either over/under working in certain “disorders” this could actually increase the number of people who seek treatment. I know that is the only thing that has ever given me the courage to step into a Dr’s office and admit, out loud, my struggles.

If I hadn’t I would have kept on thinking that I needed to hide my “dirty little secret”...until the next time I just “couldn’t go on like this” and made certain I wouldn’t..

So the next time you think someone with a mental illness is “weak minded” or somehow “lesser” in someway in comparison to you….I hope you remember this and ask yourself: do you have that same thought when thinking of your friend struggling with cancer? The man down the street that is paralysed from the waist down? The woman you met at work this week who is recovering from Lyme disease? The blind person you often see walking to the coffee shop every morning with their faithful service dog? Are they weak? Or do they simply have challenges that they have had to work around in life? Challenges that they have been able to find assistance and support for? Can they somehow help themselves less than than the person who ends up having to call into work sick because they have had another massive panic attack that has their body completely drained of energy, the child struggling in school because whenever they try to focus on what their teacher is saying their brain physically shuts down, or the woman who every single day wakes up feeling numb and dead inside and yet somehow manages to make it through another work day just to come home and crash again….if that’s not enough combine all three because often mental disorders like company.

Why am I saying this? To get attention? Have you feel sorry for me? To make myself feel better? No - but because I don’t want to be part of the problem anymore. I don’t want silence to prevent people from getting help, I don’t want the stigma to gain more momentum or power over anyone. I also don’t want us to define ourselves by our mental health issues or feel sorry for ourselves because we may struggle in this area…if we do that, we have given in to the stigma.

If you are struggling with a brain issue - you deserve as much help as anyone. You are not fundamentally broken, you may just need “glasses”.

Most people wake up and tackle the world, we battle ourselves and then tackle the world with whatever we got left. We are not “weak minded”...we are warriors!

#letstalk but then take action and get healthy from the brain out!

https://www.facebook.com/BellLetsTalk/

Put it in your window for all to see....

2015-12-08T00:07:00.000-05:00

Happy Chanukah!

So over the last several years I have been building and adding to my "Chanukah music playlist". I thought I would share one of this year's new songs as I believe it captures so very well one of the main themes of the holiday.

Every time I light the chanukkiah I am reminded that is it only by Yeshua's work(The Servant) that I have any light in me and there by can spread that light to the world.

Carry Your Candle
Kathy Troccoli
There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
And there is a spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home

Carry your candle, and run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So carry your candle, and run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
And hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

'Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, and run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world
Take your candle, and go light your world

Personal Parshah - Chayei Sarah

2015-11-07T04:06:00.001-05:00

This week's parshah is Chayei Sarah (Sarah's life)...however we only hear of her death, burial etc. Immediately following is the famous "Isaac and Rebecca" (as most call it) narrative....in which both parties receive little air time. In fact the star of the story seems to be Abraham's servant, I mean if we are going to judge the "star" by the character with the most dialog.

Anyway the first thing I noticed was that Sarah died...obvious yes but hang in there....and just give some thought to the life of Sarah. All this time of waiting for some evidence of the promise of HaShem, hoping in the covenant of G-d to give them offspring....I don't think it is a stretch to say that this promise was just as important to Sarah as it was to Abraham, you can sense it in the urgency in which she hopes to gain seed through Hagar...whoops! A for motives...but pretty much a fail for "good plan". However She had complete faith that HaShem would deliver on what He said He would do even though she may have wavered(as well as Abraham) on the method. But by and by Isaac is born and the first morsel of the covenant is actually tasted!

Now Isaac grows up but Sarah goes to the grave before even seeing Isaac marry...for her there is really no "tangible insurance" that Isaac's name will continue. For some people that may have cause them to have a few doubts...my opinion here but I don't believe this was the case with Sarah. She had taken hold of HaShem's covenant and, I believe, she went to her grave in full faith that HaShem would bring about what he promised in the life of her son becoming a great nation and in ultimately One would come to crush the head of the serpent...the Redeemer Himself.

We would do well to follow in the footsteps of our mother Sarah, having assurance in those things hoped for, and the conviction of things not yet seen.

Yeshua said to him, "have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed. John 20:29

By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11

Abraham also had this strong covenant focus. We see in the beginning of chapter 24 that "God had blessed Abraham in all things". It could have been quite easy for him to begin to "rest upon his laurels" so to speak, but just the opposite! All the wealth and earthly possessions did not in the least detract from the focus he had on the promises of HaShem and so he instructs his servant regarding a wife for Isaac. He is covenant minded not earthly minded.

Abraham knows by faith that HaShem had prepared a wife for Isaac, one that would be a help mate suitable, equally yoked and ready to carry on the covenant to the next generation and she was not to be found in Canaan but in the land of his kindred. Like himself she too would be called out from the land of her forefathers to go to a land that she knew not...she would be one who would walk by faith.

Even Eleazar, Abraham's loyal servant, has his eyes fixed in faith before him on these covenant promises as he obediently sets out to seek a wife for his master's son. Confident that the L-rd has gone with him and would bring him to the one He had selected.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1,2

My son, be attentive to my words;

incline your ear to my sayings.

Let them not escape from your sight;

keep them within your heart.

For they are life to those who find them,

and healing to all their flesh.

Keep your heart with all vigilance,

for from it flow the springs of life.

Put away from you crooked speech,

and put devious talk far from you.

Let your eyes look directly forward,

and your gaze be straight before you.

Ponder the path of your feet;

then all your ways will be sure.

Do not swerve to the right or to the left;

turn your foot away from evil.

Proverbs 4:20-27

Christ is the end(goal) of the Torah so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Romans 10:4

* I have no idea what is causing the white highlighting in the post...I have tried unsuccessfully to reformat the post so it would appear but to no avail *

So much for silence

2015-10-17T01:38:00.000-04:00

Here it goes I am going to do my best to break the blog silence! Why have I not been writing for so long? Well many reasons I suppose, lack of time and energy being a main one.

It is a funny thing how life takes you through cycles. When I started this blog I seemed to be blessed with perspective and just enough extra time to give it a coherent voice! Lately, (and by that I mean at least the last year) that has just not been the case. Its been more of a "hanging on for dear life" kind of time ....I hope that means G-d has just added another brick to the load because I have gotten stronger, but I'll be honest, it feels more like I have gotten weaker as I struggle to remain centred on this little Rock of mine as everything swirls around me. I feel like I've been on the proverbial rack emotionally -- And am no longer living, just surviving. And that is not the most conducive to clear articulated inspiration thoughts(as this entry proves), even when they do occur the energy it takes to convey them often evades the ponderer long enough for the thought to vanish as quickly as it appeared.

Now you may think that sounds rather defeatist and you are entitled to your opinion but can you blame the pot for burning because all the water boiled away?

But this too is fleeting and it too shall pass, but what is the conclusion of the matter? Fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

I'll live because He lives.

Shalom

Matzah Granola

2015-04-08T11:39:00.000-04:00

Ingredients

roughly half a package of matzah broken into small pieces(if you like it sweeter use less)

a big spoonful of honey

1/2 cup of butter

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 cup sesame seeds*

1/3 cup sliced almonds*

1/3 cup dried cranberries*

* or any nuts, seeds or dried fruit of your liking

Mix broken matzah, nuts and seeds in a shallow baking pan

Melt butter, honey and salt in a saucepan then stir into matzah until well coated.

Bake at 300 degrees stirring about every 6-10 minutes until toasted, around 25 min. Add any dried fruit 1/2-3/4 of the way through baking time.

10th of Tevet

2015-01-01T09:34:00.002-05:00

Today, the tenth of the Hebrew month of Tevet, is the anniversary of the day Babylon laid siege to Jerusalem in the year 3336(425-BCE) which ultimately led to the destruction of the Temple(9th of Av) and our exile to Babylon for 70yrs.

This sad day on our calender is traditionally marked with fasting and reflection, both on those sad events of the past and also on our own personal path with HaShem.

The Sages explain:

“Every generation for which the Temple is not rebuilt, is as though the Temple was destroyed for that generation.”

Just as at Pesach we are to celebrate the feast as if we personally came up out of Egypt, our Sages want us to also personally connect with the tragedies of our people as well. I think that is very wise. In any family there are going to be bumps and potholes, and also times for joy and celebration. What kind of person would one be if we showed up only for the celebrations and never for the deaths, the hard times, the losses etc?

Now I will be honest I did not grow up with this calender...and in many ways it still feels foreign...and unfortunately it is usually mostly at these times, the times of mourning. I don't want it to be that way, I want the words of my Master to be fulfilled in my life when He says: Blessed are they that mourn, for they will be comforted!" . When these days are turned into days of gladness and joy as the prophet Zachariah* says I want to be able to experience that to the full degree.

For more information on this day here are a few other links to check out:

http://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/102698/jewish/10-Tevet.htm

http://dancingtotherhythm.blogspot.ca/2012/12/his-eyes-are-on-it-continually.html

"Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children's children..." -Deut. 4:9

Music Room Reno

2014-05-13T22:40:00.003-04:00

Finally getting around to posting before and afters of the music room reno!

It all started when I was held up in my "music room" and just couldn't take the outdated wall paper and the lack of space anymore and just started ripping the paper off the wall...

Before: (I kinda forgot to take pictures before I started ripping but you get the idea...)

During:

and FINALLY after:

Absolutely NO regrets going red. I made the speaker shelves, desk and storage bench myself out of pallets! Recycled our old couch cushions for the bench. The total cost outlay was only in my primer, paint and screws. :) I am planning on adding a shelf or two under the turn table and perhaps one under the desk as well later on.

Pesach Snap Shot

2014-04-16T21:30:00.003-04:00

I love Passover, yes even the cleaning and the prep! It makes the week so much more satisfying when it arrives. We had a small seder just my parents and Grandparents this year, we had invited a couple others besides but unfortunately they were unable to come. So in the end Elijah had more room at the table :).

The funny thing about our seder's is they are never quite the same. Yes of course we do the same things every year but it always looks a little different, it keeps things interesting :)

So here is a snap shot of our Seder this year!

I made bookmarks for each place setting, not only did it serve the practical purpose of seating but everyone was able to use them as haggadot markers as well.

I made them ahead so I went for a neutral coloured paper and used strips of scrap fabric for the fringe.

Do to our table being significantly decreased in size since last year I no longer had table room to put extra matzot on my silver plates as I have in the past so I improvised really quick the night of the seder and took a spare linen towel and covered the matzah box with it, tied blue and white cotton crochet thread around it and finished it with a white flower hair clip. I think this wins thrifty award for the year if I do say so myself!

For our seder plate I used our glass pedestal cake plate and three small square dishes we had in the cupboard in which I placed the charoset, maror, and karpas.

In the middle I put parfait type dish in the centre with the salt water for dipping. The empty spaces I filled up with the remaining items: sheep wool, a stone, and a few springs of thyme(which I consider a bitter herb). We used the sheepskin wool in lieu of the traditional shank bone this year. We choose to leave the egg off the plate and have instead a stone to remind us of three things: Pharaoh's hard heart, G-d's promise to remove our stony hearts and give us hearts of flesh, and lastly that the stones of the Temple will once again be raised up when Mashiach returns!

The Echad

Aerial view of the table

After polishing the candle sticks I discovered I had used the last of our shabbat candles....hmmm well no problem I pulled out our trusty crown mason jars and a couple of the half burned votives from my sisters wedding last year (wow yes that was exactly a year ago!) and viola.

Menu for this year consisted of honey chicken, garlic-horseradish mashed potatoes, and Thai cucumber salad.

Homemade lemon ice cream and lemony coconut macaroons for dessert.

Chametz chamtez everywhere but not a crumb to eat

2014-04-08T00:22:00.001-04:00

Pesach is rushing to arrive and we are once again hit with that question: "So what is chametz again and what do I need to take out?"

Chametz is the Hebrew word almost universally translated "leaven" in our English bibles and most often is attributed to risen baked products or just bread that has been baked with yeast. While it's true that both these fall into the category of chametz it may not totally answer the question?".

Our ancestors in Egypt did not have "yeast" as we have today, instead they had to wait for their dough to "become leavened". So how does dough become leavened then?

Naturally leavened breads rise over time as they draw in wild yeast spores from the air. As the unique and complex family of friendly bacteria thrive on the nutrient rich whole grain flour they produce carbon dioxide gas, this is was causes air bubbles in your dough and ultimately gives a finer texture to your bread. But while it takes some time to make a full fledged risen sourdough bread it doesn't take long for leavening to begin. Our sages of blessed memory observed this process closely noting that when rye, wheat, spelt, oat, or barely flour are mixed with water they naturally begin the leavening process in as little as 18min*. Therefore if dough was not rolled and cooked within that time frame it would not be matzah("unleavened bread") but it would in fact be chametz dough.

This is also why all chametz isn't necessarily full out risen bread. Yes all breads are chametz but all chametz isn't “risen” bread. Pasta, cookies, crackers, breaded fish, pitas, grain based alcohols, etc. are just a few other things that are chametz because they have all been allowed to become at least partially leavened. Which dawned on me this year that I can't stop at the obvious, I can't assume I know the appearance of sin or arrogance, it could very well be hiding behind the appearance of good. I need to be diligent to search it out because just because it doesn't possess the obvious appearance of leaven doesn't mean it isn't...a little bit of leavening still leavens the whole lump...hmm that sounds familiar..... :]

For more a more in depth article about chametz I recommend the below article written by Tim Hegg.

http://torahresource.com/EnglishArticles/Chameitz&Pesach.pdf

The following is a list taken from the above article and what we personally go by when it comes to removing the chametz from our dwellings:

1.Any of the ﬁve grains or ﬂour made from them, to which water has been added and allowed to sit long enough to begin the fermentation process (18 minutes is the accepted time according to the Sages). If fermentation occurs, they have become leavening agents. They are not to be used during the festival.
2. All prepared foods that contain any of the ﬁve grains (sandwich breads, even pita bread, since it may have been allowed to sit too long before being baked; cereals, cookies, crackers, etc.) are prohibited. Prepared foods made from kitniyot do not need to be removed (unless one wants to adhere to the additional Ashkenazic rabbinic fences). So, for instance, corn tortillas are okay, as are foods made from rice.
3. Noodles purchased from the store, made from one of the ﬁve grains are prohibited, unless they are marked as Kosher for Pesach. (You can make your own noodles as long as they are cooked right away after water is added to the ﬂour, if you are using ﬂour ground from one of the ﬁve grains).
34. Beer, whiskey and the like, which are made from fermented grains, are prohibited. (Not all alcoholic beverages are prohibited. For instance, some vodka is made from potatoes and does not therefore contain chameitz).
5. Substances containing leaven or leavening agents but which are never eaten do not need to be removed, since the primary commandment is that one is not to eat leavened foods nor have leavening agents that would be added to foods. Thus, cleaning agents, pet food, etc. that contain one of the ﬁve grains do not need to be removed.
6. Medicines containing leaven are not prohibited during the festival, on the principle (pikuach nefesh) that those things necessary to sustain life generally take precedents over other commandments.
7. Wine and vinegar (other than grain vinegar) are not considered chameitz because they are not made from grain products, and are therefore useable during the festival
-excerpt from "What Foods are Prohibited During Chag HaMatzot?" by Tim Hegg

* note that the 18min is calculated using cold water only. If one uses hot water the fermentation begins much faster! When making matzah coldest is best!

Pesach

2014-04-01T17:53:00.003-04:00

COMING UP....

The next holiday on the calender is Pesach and Chag HaMatzot!

Pesach is a celebration of our great deliverance from the brutal slavery we endured in the land of Egypt.

Pesach in it's common usage generally includes Chag HaMatzot but technically Pesach is more of a point in time rather than a day. Pesach is the time when the plague went through Egypt and "passed over" the blood on our doorposts. Chag HaMatzot overlaps Pesach as it begins at sunset on the 14th of Nisan.

HaShem gave the instructions this way in Vayikra/Leviticus 23:5,6

"In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at dusk, is the LORD'S passover.
And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD; seven days ye shall eat unleavened bread."

We are also instructed in Shemot/Exodus that we are to remove "all Chametz(commonly translated: "leaven") out of your houses; for whosoever eateth leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel." Shemot/Exodus 12:15

A month before (or after Purim is a good marker) many people cease from buying chametz products so they can start to finish up the ones in the home. A thorough clean of the house ensues in the month leading up to the feast to purge all areas of the home of the chametz. Hmm....did you ever wonder where "Spring Cleaning" came from?

The basic Pesach activities are:
- Purging the house of chametz prior to the Feast
- The Sedar meal on the 14th of Nisan at evening in which we eat the matzah, bitter herbs ( to commemorate the bitter bondage in Egypt), drink four cups of wine or grape juice (cup of sanctification, deliverance, redemption, and praise) representing the four "I wills" of HaShem (I will bring you out, I will redeem you, I will deliver you, and I will take you to Myself for a people) in ShemotExodus 6:6,7, and reading through the Haggadah (lit. telling) of history of the exodus from Egypt.

- Feasting and rejoicing in the miracles that HaShem has done on our behalf
- And last but certainly not least, remembering the great deeds of our Mashiach Yeshua and the great salvation He has wrought on our behalf

Chag HaMatzot

- The first and last days are to be holy convocations:

"And in the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no manner of work shall be done in them, save that which every man must eat, that only may be done by you." Shemot/Exodus 12:16

- Eating bread without chametz/unleavened bread

- Remembering what the L-rd did for us in Egypt

*It is very difficult to touch on everything! This is only meant to be a quick summary on the holiday.

Chaunkkah Banner

2013-11-13T20:51:00.000-05:00

Chaunkkah Banner

This week I hosted a few of the teen girls from my congregation for a Chanukkah decoration making party. At first none of us felt too "inspired" or creative but everyone managed to leave with some pretty nifty things in the end.

Some of us attempted 3-d paper dreidels but soon discovered how time consuming they are and moved on to other things :). After I had finished 4 of them(displayed in 1st and last photos on the Chanukkah Up-cycle post) myself I started the banner pictured above. I didn't get it finished(due to the time invested in paper deideling) but got it finished up and hung during the next couple days.

I scored some alphabet stencils at the dollar store a couple weeks ago which came in handy with this(I don't like doing letters free hand). We also still had my Aunt's "Cuttlebug" paper embosser on loan which was a total bonus! So after cutting out my card stock stars and dreidels I ran them through that to give them a little texture.

Once the paper is textured like this a little silver and blue paint carefully rubbed on the edges via make-up sponge gives a great antiquey look.

I mounted each shape on silver glittery paper with hot glue and punched an eyelet through the top to make the hole. Added a small bit of ribbon to each letter and then threaded it on to a short length of silver tulle.

Chanukkah Up-cycle

2013-11-12T10:56:00.000-05:00

This past week I tackled my stemware Chanukkiah and I have to say I am more than pleased with the outcome. This is really inexpensive to make because all thrift stores have an overwhelming amount of mismatching stemware for cheap!

To do this you need:

9 pieces of steamware

enamel/glass paint

make-up sponges

electricians tape

Use the electric tape to tape off stripes or other designs on your glasses.

I started out measuring from the rim down to make sure I had the stripe straight but eventually found it easier [and just as effective] to pull the tape taunt and just "eye ball it" as I turned the glass.

My paint was on the relatively thick side as well so I found it worked well to prime my sponge first by getting it wet and squeeze it out before dipping in the paint. This opened the pores of the sponge and helped thin the paint.

Sponge over the area you want to paint until you're happy with the results and carefully peel back the tape.

Cut out shapes from a strip of tape and paint over them for this effect.

A word about glass paint...

Some paint requires baking for a period of time in a 350 degree oven...mine says bake or let dry 21 days. For this project I am opting for the air dry because I have no idea of the quality of the glass in question and whether it would be able to take the heat or not.I am planning on finishing all the glasses with my Krylon Crystal Clear acrylic sealer to further protect the paint finish, since no one is going to be drinking out of any of them that won't be a problem.

**I know in the finished photo I have the tea lights in the bottom of the glass but when it comes time to actually light them I plan on using some kind of filler(Epson salts, pebbles etc.) so they are not so far down inside the glass. This will prevent the unsightly black flame rings and keep the glass from getting to hot.

Thanks to www.creativejewishmom.com for giving me this idea http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/03/fit-for-royalty-paint-stunning-wine-glasses-for-pesach.html

Today...

2013-11-01T02:16:00.003-04:00

Today was my sister and brother's birthday.

Today I cleaned for a woman who's husband suffered a stroke a month ago.

Today I hung more posters with my dog's picture on them.

Today I witnessed the strength of a family, who by G-d's grace, is able to count their blessings mere days after the loss of their 18 year old daughter and sister.

Today I laughed...

Today I cried....

Today I received a tremendous blessing.

Today I fought worry

Today I found solace in the smiles and giggles of my sweet nephew.

Today I was inspired by the legacy and wisdom left behind by a young woman who I did not have the opportunity to meet...at least not yet

Today reminded me of my blessings

Today stretched me both directions...leaving marks for tomorrow

"...in my younger days I pictured my life going along like scenes of a play. When things didn't go the way I planned I felt like a failure. As I trusted in God, knowing HE has known my path all along, I am excited about my future. Whatever comes my way, As I follow the Lord, I know that HE will give me more than I could've ever known." - Julia Weverink

Tears for a Stranger

2013-10-28T20:45:00.000-04:00

Today the sun shone...but it had no effect on my mood...how could it? If it had been my sister I had lost would I be rejoicing over the reappearance of sunshine and the fleeting of rain clouds? Would that be enough to dull the pain in my heart?...Hardly...on the contrary in fact, it would be difficult not to curse the outside world for it's trite display of cheerfulness when one's heart was breaking.

Within a matter of minutes her life was gone. A life that was given little hope to win the battle that lay claim to her future but somehow managed to remain vibrate and joyful in spite of her struggle.......a life, however, that we are unsure if we'll meet again....Perhaps this is why the loss hangs so heavy on us? The reality of a life without an eternal Savior, the thought of a spark of light extinguished forever. We don't know, we are not positive, yes we are afraid of speaking the unspeakable.

The tears run hot, tears shed for a life but perhaps also a soul....because we just don't know, cause "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make them drink"....I just pray her thirst was quenched before she was taken away.

The L-rd heals the broken hearted and binds up their wounds

I come dwelling in sukkot...

2013-09-23T13:11:00.000-04:00

So for whatever reason I always miss doing my holiday spiel on Sukkot! I guess because it is always such a busy holiday :)

This year was the first in many years we have actually been able to start sukkah construction the day after Yom Kippur! And if that wasn't good enough we had our frame still standing from last year...although that didn't keep us from being creative this year and adding a few modifications. It all started with using greenhouse poly instead of tarps on the walls and ended with framing in doors on either end of the sukkah (hey yo! My idea!! mmhmm) :) It never ceases to surprise how one can hang on to any remnant of perfectionism whilst using *free* materials......but on the bright side, there is never a question as to which is the crown side of the lumber :P.

No matter how elaborate the sukkah though, it still pails in comparison to the shelter and comfort of a house, which reminded me of the passage in Philippians 2 where, speaking of our Saviour, it says:

" He made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." -Philippians 2: 7,8

HaShem came and dwelt with us in the wilderness, covering us with his clouds of glory, He humbled himself to abide in an earthly sukkah(temporary dwelling) all for the sake of His people which he loves (John 3:16)...it's mind bending, it is incomprehensible, it's amazing and it always will be.

There is so much more packed into the feast but time does not allow me to dive into it so with that quick thought I will say Chag Sukkot sameach!
See you round the sukkah.

Yom Kippur

2013-09-06T15:29:00.002-04:00

COMING UP....

Rosh Hashanah is now behind us...and what a lovely time it was! A time of remembering and reflecting... recognizing G-d as our Creator, King and Savior! Now as we are entering the 10 days of awe(10 days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur), we are looking ahead to Yom Kippur(The Day of Atonement)

"Now on the tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be for you a time of holy convocation, and you shall afflict yourselves and present a food offering to the L-RD.
And you shall not do any work on that very day, for it is a Day of Atonement, to make atonement for you before the L-RD your God.

For whoever is not afflicted on that very day shall be cut off from his people.

And whoever does any work on that very day, that person I will destroy from among his people.

You shall not do any work. It is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.

It shall be to you a Sabbath of solemn rest, and you shall afflict yourselves. On the ninth day of the month beginning at evening, from evening to evening shall you keep your Sabbath." Vayikra/Leviticus 2:27-32

I struggle to put Yom Kippur into words, partly because it is such a deep and holy day, and partly I think because it is so misunderstood.

Misunderstood I think because we have lost a sincere fear of HaShem and so just thinking of standing before Him in total brokenness, calling upon His Name (character and promise = merciful, long-suffering, slow to anger etc.) and pleading with Him to remember no more our transgressions and to forgive our iniquities, seems like a terrible thing to our white washed, feel good, "G-d is my buddy" mindset.

Well G-d isn't our "buddy", He is a holy and awesome Elohim. He has absolutely no reason to extend mercy or forgiveness to us. However He, in His abundant mercy, promises that if we humble ourselves and "shuv", turn, to Him and confess our iniquities He will be faithful and just to forgive us.

Yom Kippur is often called the "holiest day of the year" and how true as the restoration of our relationship with HaShem is the most holy thing we could ever desire!

May we all seek to have this Yom Kippur be a day to be cleansed anew, purged and restored to be vessels set apart for holy use...not only individually but corporately....Knowing that while we may come before the King broken and remorseful for our errors and rebellion He is no less Just in His mercy...aka something has to give for us to have life...the One who demands payment became the payment Himself....fully Just, fully Merciful. It's truly only by His grace that we even have the opportunity to come before him in repentance.

May the Holy One speedily bring us all to true repentance and hasten the return of Mashiach, speedily and in our days!

May you have an easy fast!

The Fast of all Fasts - what it looks like

Yom Kippur is what is called a "hard" fast. Unlike the "easy" fasts, of the 10th of Tevet and others, it is a full 24hrs(sundown to sundown) instead of only 12(sun up to sun down). Neither food or water is consumed, bathing for pleasure is avoided, and wearing leather products*. The book of Jonah is traditionally read, and much of the day is spent in prayer.

It is customary to wear white on Yom Kippur to remind us that though our sins be as scarlet we shall be made white as snow:

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the L-rd: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18

The fast is broken at sundown and traditionally the shofar is blown to signify the end of the fast, after the shofar is blown the entire mood of the day switches from solemnity to joy! In complete faith that G-d has heard our cry, seen our tears, and will be faithful and just to His promise to hear the cry of those that call upon Him:

The L-RD is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works. The L-RD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. Psalm 145: 17-19

Fast Exceptions

Life always trumps everything so those who's health would be threatened by going without food or water(and by health I don't mean "comfort" I mean it would be unsafe to do so) are always exempt from the obligation to fast. Others who wouldn't be obligated(in fact not permitted!) to the full fast are: pregnant women who are very near their delivery date(or just given birth) and children under nine years.

Older children and women from the third to seventh day after childbirth and nursing mothers are permitted to fast but may break it at any time if they feel they need to. If one has a question whether doing a hard fast could be detrimental to their health(if you have an chronic illness, nursing etc) it is recommended they consult with their physician prior to the fast.

For those unable to due a full fast for any of the above reasons, many choose to do a veggie fast or cracker fast...basically do what you can do...just because you can't go without food and water for 24hrs doesn't mean you have to have a extravagant three meals plus snacks on the day. Your doctor should be able to give you some advice on this too.

*Leather is considered to be a material of comfort or affluence, on a day where we are called to humble/afflict our souls it hardly seems like the appropriate material. In like manner one doesn't bath for pleasure for the same reason, we are humbling ourselves and so engaging in a self satisfying hot bath might make you loose your focus.

Rosh Hashanah

2013-08-21T18:04:00.000-04:00

Rosh Hashanah is also know as the Feast of Trumpets or Yom Teruah(Day of Blowing). It falls on the 1st day of the month of Tisrei and begins the calender year(this year we begin the year 5774 - May it come to us for peace and blessing!). The name "Rosh Hashanah" means "Head of the Year", "rosh"="head", "ha"="the" "shanah"="year".


The Shofar - made from a hollowed out ram's horn

This is just one of the several "new years" on the Hebrew calender, others include the new year for trees (Shevat 15 used to count the years of fruit trees in order to fulfill the Torah instructions of the tithes), the "spiritual" or religious new year (Nisan 1)...I know it kinda sounds confusing at first but just think, on the secular calender January 1st begins the "new civil year", or the "calender year" with January as the first month. However you also have a birthday - your personal "new year", oh and don't forget your anniversary another "new year" of sorts....and then of course there are those fiscal new years too! Does it make more sense now?

Themes of the Day

Creation
One of the many events that took place on the day includes the creation of man so it is no surprise that is a day to recognize G-d's creator role and acknowledge Him as our sustainer and author of life.

Repentance - G-d's Kingship
It is a day of repentance and time to re-crown HaShem as King over us, singly and corporately. It is said by many a great sage that the books are opened on this day and all men are judged. How appropriate to call this the "head of the year" as it surely is the pinnacle, will you choose life or will you choose death?

"And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire."

~ Rev 20:11

Is your name in the book? Have you placed your faith in the salvation provided by HaShem through the work of Yeshua HaMashiach? If not I hope and pray that you may be inscribed this year!

Blow That Shofar!
The Torah says that it is to be "a day of blowing", a "memorial of blowing of trumpets". You positively cannot let this day go by without hearing the sound of the shofar! This is again, is a last and final call or cry to repentance, a "wake up the King is coming! The King is here!" kind of moment. And to those who have turned back to HaShem this is the coronation blast! The trumpet that sounds signifying our crowning G-d as our King of Glory!

"Who is this King of glory? The L-RD of hosts, he is the King of glory. Selah." -Psalm 24:10

For me personally this memorial or remembrance represents the following things
#1 It serves as a reminder for me to turn my foot from following after the things of the world and turn back to the way of the L-rd. To search my ways, make peace with my brother and repent.

#2 It is a remembrance for HaShem. In scripture the phrase is used: "and G-d remembered"...the blowing of the shofar acts as a bringing us to G-d's remembrance(or attention). Reminding G-d that we have not forgotten His covenant and says in a way, as is so often said in the Psalms, G-d "don't forget us, we wait on You, we hope in Your covenant. Remember Your promises to Your people Israel"

#3 Lastly it reminds me of the trumpet that will blow at Mashiach's return. When He will be crowned as the rightful and righteous King of Israel! May it come soon and in our days!

~ Customs and Traditions ~

Apples and Honey - It is traditional to eat sliced apples dipped in honey. Why an apple you ask? Well apparently the pile of ashes that remained on the alter after a sacrifice was then carefully raked and shaped into a perfect semi-circle? And this was called the "tapuach" which means "apple" in Hebrew. (http://www.templeinstitute.org/illustrated/tapuach_description.htm) Why would they call it that though? Well, an offering or a sacrifice for a truly repentant person was a means to draw close to HaShem. Naturally this "drawing near"/fellowship with G-d had a sweetening effect to the judgment, just like making peace with our fellow or rectifying a wrong brings sweetness back to the relationship. With Rosh Hashanah having such a theme of repentance it only seems fitting that we have something to remind us of drawing near to HaShem in that special way.

A couple other things to think of when you dip your apple this year is how Israel is likened to the apple of G-d's eye in scripture, He gaurds us and protects us and will not cast us away!

Honey is in everything at Rosh Hashanah; challah, cakes, and main dishes. Obviously it symbolizes our desire for a sweet year to come but it should also reminds us, wherever we are, of the promised land of Israel, G-d's promised heritage for His people. The land that Mashiach will return to and reign as King!

.....Oh and something I just thought of now...honey doesn't have an expiry date, that's right it never spoils!.....And neither do HaShem's promises! Now that's sweet!

Blessing for eating the apple and honey:

Ba-ruch a-tah Ado-nai E-lo-hei-nu me-lech ha-olam bore pri ha-etz.

Blessed are You, L-rd our G‑d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the tree.

Ye-hi ratzon she-ti-cha-desh alei-nu shanah tovah u-m'tu-kah.

May it be Your will to renew for us a good and sweet year.

Switching Up the Challah
Challah is generally made sweeter(than normal!!) and shaped round (instead of braided) to resemble a crown. This reminds us that G-d is our King and we desire to crown Him as such. It is also to remind us that the feasts of the L-rd are a cycle a circle, meant to, with each consecutive year, bring us into a closer and deeper relationship with G-d.

Tashlich - On the first day of Rosh Hashanah the community gathers next to a stream or some other body of water for prayers and to take part in the tradition of tashlich, which literally means to "cast off".

"Who is a God like unto Thee, that pardoneth the iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He retaineth not His anger for ever, because He delighteth in mercy. He will again have compassion upon us; He will subdue our iniquities; and Thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. Thou wilt show faithfulness to Jacob, mercy to Abraham, as Thou hast sworn unto our fathers from the days of old." Micah 7:18-20

In remembrance of these words during the Tashlich service everyone casts some *pebbles into the water to symbolize the casting off of the previous years sin (teshuva-repentance). And of course in remembrance that in Yeshua HaMashiach we are made a new creation, our eternal penalty was cast completely on Him, sin's curse taken away *forever* so that we may dwell with him in his kingdom.

*Some communities use bread crumbs, however to avoid giving others the impression that you could be feeding the fish many hold the opinion that pebbles are the better choice.

For more on Tashlich check out the links below
http://www.ou.org/chagim/roshhashannah/tashlich.html
http://www.torahresource.com/Parashpdfs/Tashlich.pdf
Click HERE for a copy of the Tashlich prayer

Elul - The King is coming! He is in the field! Let's get ready!

2013-08-15T10:32:00.004-04:00

I neglected to post this at the beginning* of Elul but I guess better late than never....*

~ The month of Elul ~

During the month of Elul, the month preceding the holiday of Rosh Hashanah, we begin preparations for this special mo'ed(appointed time) by repairing relationships, bridging gaps between our fellow, and seeking forgiveness from those we have wronged and of course extending that forgiveness to those who have wronged us during the past year.

It's a time to take stock of our life and seriously evaluate where we are in our service to the Creator. Are we just going along to get along? Have we gone deeper in our relationship with Him? Am I truly being an obedient servant, or do I retain my control by choosing to obey certain things in the Torah and purposefully neglect other instructions? Am I coasting?.....It seems only appropriate that "Elul" means "search" doesn't it?

Another interesting fact that I learned in prior years is that the spelling of the word "Elul": aleph, lamed, vav, lamed, is the acronym for "Ani l'dodi v'dodi li," "I am my Beloved's and my Beloved is mine," Mashiach is truly our Beloved who we wait to come and receive us as His bride. With this in mind Elul can be thought as our preparation to meet our bridegroom and King. Let us be diligent to be ready for His coming, with repentance and clothes without spot.

...and as the bridegroom rejoiceth over the bride, so shall thy God rejoice over thee.

-Isaiah 62:6

Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. - 2nd Kefa 3:14

"Believing that the "beloved" refers to God, the sages take this verse to describe the particularly loving and close relationship between God and Israel. Elul, then, is our time to establish this closeness so that we can approach the Yamim Noraim, or Days of Awe[the ten days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom HaKippurim], in trusting acceptance of God's judgment. We approach the trial not out of fear, but out of love."

- The Month of Elul: Leading into the High Holidays by Rabbi Dr. Reuven Hammer

~ Customs During Elul ~

The Shofar - One of the most common customs of the month of Elul is the sounding of the shofar after the morning prayers. Rambam(Rabbi Mosheh ben Maimon) explains this is to serve as a wake up call, a reminder to throw off our slumber and complacency and do teshuva(literally: change direction, or turning around). However it is not blow on the Shabbat or on the day just prior to Rosh Hashanah( to distinguish between the custom of blowing during the month and the biblical mitzvah to blow the shofar on the day of Rosh Hashanah)

Mikvah(Immersion) - The mikvah represents a change of state. It could be anything from the change from tamei(unlcean) to tahor(clean) to marking a change of heart or will (teshuva/repentance) it's the latter that Yochanan the Immerser was conducting(or more accurately - "witnessing") during the day of our Master Yeshua. In like manner those who placed their faith in Yeshua as Mashiach underwent mikvah in his name. You could perhaps say this acted as statement to those witnessing that you were accepting Him as your master, putting yourself under his authority and accepting his yoke.

The Tehillim - Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer (founder of Chassidic Judaism) began the custom of reading 3 of the tehillim(Psalms) everyday starting on the 1st of Elul and continuing until Yom Kippur. On Yom Kippur the remaining 36 psalms are recited to complete the reading of the entire book of Psalms. In like manner Psalm 27 is read daily following the shacharit/morning prayers.

No matter what customs you keep during this Elul I hope that they will inspire you to answer the call to repentance and be inscribed in the book for a good and sweet year to come!

Apple Cake

2013-08-13T20:55:00.000-04:00

Somehow I always think I will never fail to find recipes I haven't made for a year...I think my subconscious must be under the false impression I have a fool-proof memory...ah if it were only true! If you too fall into this category don't let your self fall sway to the lie!!

Rosh Hashanah is coming up fast so I figured I should dig out my "successfuls" from last year...so far it's been like..."yeah...um hopefully this is the same recipe??"...New years resolution #1 start a holiday recipe book!

I specifically wanted to make sure I had the recipe for the apple cake I used last year it was really really reeeeeally good! I have the following recipe copied out in my recipe book....I guess we'll find out this year if it is indeed the same one...I sure hope so!

Fresh Apple Cake

Combine and let stand 10min:

1 3/4 cup chopped apples

1/2 cup sugar

Sift together:

1 1/3 cup flour

1 tsp b. soda

1/2 tsp salt

tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp allspice

then add to apples and sugar mixture and add:

1/2 melted butter

1 egg

1/2 cup rasins

Spread into a greased and floured 8" square pan

bake at 350 for about 35min

Let cool and dust with powdered sugar and or ice with honey butter icing

Just a Journal Entry

2013-08-02T01:44:00.002-04:00

Just a Journal Entry

August 1st, 2013(at an ungodly hour)

Music is a journal

holding the stories of

life's ups and downs

and even though most pages are blank

if you listen close enough

they'll tell you more tales

than could ever be held

on a flimsy page.....

So don't stop listening

everyone has a tune

they either dance or cry too

So don't stop listening

to what's going on

in the lives around you

what makes them laugh

what makes them cry

if you don't know

perhaps your not listening

to the music

that's playing around you

There's always more there

than just what you see

and if we'd just listen

we would hear it perfectly

it may be pain

it may be fear

but with all this noise

how are you to know?

So don't stop listening

to the music that is playing around you

Shabbat Shalom!

A Blog From The Dominion of Canada

2013-07-01T14:35:00.004-04:00

Congratulations Canada you are 146.

I like your rocks and trees, your cold clear water, and yes even those long cold winters. I am very proud of Canada's military history as our boys(and girls!) made us proud during WWI and II fighting courageously for the freedom of so many. I am very proud and thankful you have taken a bold stand with Israel in my day, an action that has been tested and remained firm in spite of the political pressure.....I pray that G-d will keep this land glorious and free...and that our *"two subs" don't break down while we stand on guard for thee.
..........Oh yeah that's something else I like about Canada...we know how to laugh at ourselves :)

My festivities so far....
- fireworks last night
- early morning drive to and from the airport to pick up the folks
- mid morning nap to recover from said early morning,
- now a couple hours of odd dreams later I am sipping on my homemade iced chai thinking "I wish we still called it Dominion Day"
- refilled drinking jar of iced chai and started writing a blog
- probably go get a refill of iced chai and then fertilize my poor yellowing hydrangea after I am finished this blog

The following pictures are for those of you that haven't been or won't be going to any firework shows this weekend.....sorry I don't do sound effects...you're on your own there.

HAPPY CANADA DAY a.k.a HAPPY DOMINION DAY

Great Canadian inventions! Go team!

http://www.careerchem.com/NAMED/Canadian-Inventions.html

Iced Chai ^

.....This blog brought to you by my iced chai.....which I don't think is Canadian...but it tastes good anyway.

* there is a running joke that Canada has two submarines....one for each side of the country....I guess we don't need one up north cause no one wants the far north anyways :P

A Crumby Post

2013-06-11T23:28:00.000-04:00

Crumbs...
K. Taylor June 7th 2013

I am poor
and my hunger is great
I sit at the door
I sit at the gate
hoping to glean a little more
to sit at the table
I can't afford
so it's for the crumbs
that I bless the L-rd

a little here a little there
it may seem meger
but I'm not going anywhere
when a crumb or two
can last a week
a drop of water
refresh my spirit deep
for to sit with the dogs
is better than gold
so long as you're sitting amoung
the Master's fold

And I believe with perfect faith
He will be coming again
I can't say how
and I'm not sure when
but though He may tarry
I will wait for Him
and until I hear that trumpet sound
I know I can be thankful
for the crumbs that fall down

I can't think of a title for this post....but I had to write something, so this is it

2013-06-02T15:03:00.003-04:00

In keeping with my fidgety study habits I had to take a break to make myself something to sip while I confine myself in front of this computer screen trying to absorb and regurgitate information(Dear L-rd grant me the gift of grit and please be quick!). And so instead of keeping this creation of delicious awesomeness to myself I am going to share it so you too can indulge in sips of bliss whilst doing...well whatever you may be doing when you finally try this...

Warning I don't measure ingredients so the following is slightly relative...

1/2 frozen raspberries
1/2-3/4 cup of lime yogurt (Kosher Astro Balkan 6%)
1 TBSP fresh or frozen peppermint
a drizzle of milk and water - however much is needed to thin it to "drink" consistency

To avoid the unattractive milk moustache enjoy your creation of deliciousness through a straw.....If you already have a moustache this is not optional but a requirement.

-Shavua Tov

Just Chillin....

2013-05-28T21:06:00.000-04:00

Yeah so I am just sitting here at the computer chilling...rockin some new music I downloaded today*. When you can put on your headphones and just kinda stare into space you know it's good stuff :]. So since I kinda have a thing about promoting the small time artist....you need to go check him out! www.jacobmoon.com

My first introduction to Jacob Moon's music was a few years back when I was shown the following videos.

Playing RUSH and Peter Gabriel music solo is just crazy cool man!

Rock out

*What I am listening to right now........don't be cheap, leave a tip! Musicians work hard.
http://noisetrade.com/jacobmoon/landing-2-the-10th-anniversary-concert

Emor: Say! How long is Forever!?....

2013-04-25T15:03:00.000-04:00

If you've been reading through the Torah schedule for any amount of time there may be a couple phrases that you have noticed repeatedly cropping up. One has to do with the eternal nature of HaShem's instruction and the other to do with the fact that whether native born or not, if one has the desire to follow HaShem, the decrees are just as binding to him/her(the one that joins Israel) as the native born who is walking in the ways of the Almighty.


"I am my beloved's and my beloved is mine"

The "forever" really popped out to me again this year...I think especially since many times it's so explicitly tied to something tabernacle related. In the age of exile that we live in, it has become unfortunately impossible for us to keep a good portion of HaShem's instructions. We can become almost too comfortable entirely focusing on the "spiritual symbolism" of them that we can actually start to forget the numbers of times HaShem says that these should be "eternal decrees for you among your generations". Now before you start jumping to conclusions, I am not saying the symbolism isn't of value...as Paul would say: "G-d forbid!" But on the contrary Mashiach is the goal of the Torah!

For Mashiach is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. - Rom 10:4

The words translated "end" is the word τέλος (tel'-os) in the Greek which means "goal or conclusion, point, result or purpose". He is the beginning("in the beginning was the Word") and the end - the point of the whole story. Everything is pointing or shadowing him, his work, and character. However we must guard ourselves from the apathy that drives the belief that "once I understand the meaning behind the deed, doing the deed doesn't matter"...for if this were the case HaShem would have said something like: "these things shall be for you to do, observe and keep....but only until you discover how they picture Mashiach, then you can just forget about the rest of the stuff."....Are we so afraid that somehow by doing something that would now have even more meaning to us become "legalism" or "earning our salvation"? That's ridiculous "logic"!

I know the question comes up a lot in Torah study "so how does Messiah fit into all of this?" and as innocently as it may be intended the phrase implies that we have to try to fit Messiah into the Torah like He wasn't there in the first place! And, let's admit it, it is much more comfortable to discuss the spiritual platitudes of the Tabernacle services then to discuss the nitty gritty-rubber meets the road of taking that animal of mine and bringing it up to Jerusalem and watching it go up in flames on the alter(cha-ching!)....not to mention making sure we are fit to go there in the first place....isn't it? I'll be honest, it is not a natural bend for me to make in my faith! But then again, is anything without the work of the Holy One in our life? Hmmm...

I guess what I am getting at is that even though we may not understand how something points to Mashiach, it does not mean that it doesn't, in fact, scream it from the hill tops! How arrogate to think that just because I don't see the benefit that there isn't one? Maybe it's not about me(whoa what a thought!)? Maybe it's just a matter of learning like a child and taking my Father at His word that this is what righteousness looks like, this is what Mashiach looks like, and if we are in Him this is what He wants us to look like too.

Whether you were born into a believing community or not is not the prerequisite, it has always been and always will be by faith alone so that no man can boast. Faith is a gift! So lets not waste it by missing out on walking in what points us(and others) to our Master Yeshua!

Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear G-d, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. ~Ecc 12:13

For this is the love of G-d, that we keep His commandments: and His commandments are not grievous. ~ 1Jn 5:3

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ~Romans 12:1,2

Dancing to the Rhythm

#letstalk

Put it in your window for all to see....

Happy Chanukah!

Personal Parshah - Chayei Sarah

So much for silence

Matzah Granola

Ingredients

10th of Tevet

Music Room Reno

Pesach Snap Shot

Chametz chamtez everywhere but not a crumb to eat

Pesach

Chaunkkah Banner

Chanukkah Up-cycle

Today...

Tears for a Stranger

I come dwelling in sukkot...

Yom Kippur

COMING UP....

The Fast of all Fasts - what it looks like

Fast Exceptions

Rosh Hashanah

Themes of the Day

~ Customs and Traditions ~

Elul - The King is coming! He is in the field! Let's get ready!

*I neglected to post this at the beginning of Elul but I guess better late than never....*

~ The month of Elul ~

~ Customs During Elul ~

Apple Cake

Just a Journal Entry

A Blog From The Dominion of Canada

A Crumby Post

I can't think of a title for this post....but I had to write something, so this is it

Just Chillin....

Emor: Say! How long is Forever!?....

I neglected to post this at the beginning* of Elul but I guess better late than never....*