Purim - a Day of gladness and joy

PURIM

Not a Torah commanded Festival

The festival known as Purim (pronounce it as "Poo-reem") is not one of the Torah commanded feasts found within the listing of Leviticus (Vayikra) chapter 23. Chanukah which is celebrated two months before Purim in the Tenth Scriptural month is also not a Torah commanded "Feast of YHVH ". The other Feasts or Appointed times which YHVH called "My feasts (chaggim) or Appointed Times (moadim)" in Lev (Vayikra) 23, are Appointments that are commanded by our Father for the “children of Yisrael (Israel)” (all Yisrael) to keep.

“All Yisrael” include the grafted-in believers (grafted in as the wild-olive branches, through Messiah Yahshua, into the olive tree of Yisrael – Rom 11). YHVH took the initiative and prescribed for every Feast/appointment what it is about and how it should be kept.

Chanukah and Purim on the other hand, came about within the history of the Yahudim (Jews) and are like memorials of very important history of how YHVH delivered them (the Yuhadim/Jerws). We believe that “feasts” like Purim and Chanukah can be counted as “days of gladness” as we see in Bemidbar/Numbers 10:10 “And in the day of your gladness (simcha), and in your appointed times (Maodim – which are the Torah commanded Festivals), and at the beginning of your months (Rosh Chodesh), you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over your peace offerings….” So although Chanukah and Purim are not Torah-commanded festivals, they are “days of gladness” and both Purim and Chanukah are mentioned in Scripture. The (Jews) promised to keep Purim and Chanukah throughout their generations as Days of gladness and feasting. In that sense they can also be called feasts.

Why do we as Non-Jewish believers then want to celebrate Purim and Chanukah?

"Again, it says, 'Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.'" (Rom 15:10)

As non-Jews we have become part of the commonwealth of Yisrael and specifically the renewed Yisrael (those who have accepted that Yahshua is the promised Messiah; that He is the Lamb of Elohim that laid down His life for us; the Mediator between Elohim and men. This renewed Yisrael consists of Jews (natural branches) and non-Jews (wild-olive branches). Together we are the set apart body of Messiah Yahshua.) So by celebrating the two non-Torah commanded festivals called days of gladness, we are identifying with the Yahudim (Jews). Although these two are non-Torah-commanded Feasts, they both have significant implications (historically, futuristic, physically and spiritually) both for physical Yisrael and renewed Yisrael (those who have come to the Father through Messiah Yahshua His brought forth Son.)

Why we as non Jewish believers in Yahshua HaMashiach, are celebrating the Torah-commanded Festivals as laid out in Vayikra/Lev 23.

Out of obedience to the Eternal’s Torah-commandments, we who are grafted into renewed Yisrael through the blood of Yahshua, keep the Appointments (Feasts) of YHVH our Father, as laid out in Vayikra/Leviticus 23. These ones are called Torah-commanded Festivals (Pesach, Unleavened Bread, Omer Reisheet (the day that the first fruit of the Barley harvest had to be waved before YHVH during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, speaking of Yahshua as the First fruit of the resurrection and immortal body), Shavuot, Yom Teruah (feast of Trumpets), Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), Sukkot (7 days) and the one-day festival on the Eighth day at the end of Sukkot.) The Torah-commanded Festivals of YHVH portray so wonderfully the whole redemption plan of the Eternal Father.

More about Purim

The Feast of Purim is a historical celebration of victory over foreign oppressors. It is an annual celebration of the defeat of Haman's plan to exterminate the Jewish people in the Persian Empire 2500 years ago. Purim is the celebration of the story told in the book of Estĕr. In this story “tov” (good) and evil struggle as Yisrael faces extermination by the wicked man Haman. Haman plots to kill all the Yahudim (Jews), but this evil plan is stopped by Haḏassah who by now was called by her Babylonian name, Estĕr and her cousin Mordechai. Since that time Hebrews everywhere have celebrated this day of gladness with joy and ruckus!

Before the celebrations on the 14^th or 15^th of the 12^th Scriptural month (Adar), there is traditionally a fast day, called the “Fast of Estĕr”.

"The Fast of Estĕr or “Ta’anit” is a new tradition that has sort of evolved concerning Purim. The day before Purim is observed as a minor fast-day. Participants can fast from sunset (13^th of Adar) until the next sunset (14^th of the 12^th Scriptural month (called Adar since Babylon)), or from sun up to sundown on this day of the 13^th of Adar. The fast is a reminder of the three days of fasting that the Hebrew people did before 

Parashat 4 Portion 18 – Beresheet/Genesis 21:1-34 – 1 Samuel 2:21-28 –Matthew 1:18-25

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,

you have selected us from among all the peoples,

and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Several years ago an old Chinese missionary who had suffered much as a believer in his own country was invited to visit several American churches. He was asked after his tour to these churches what it was that impressed him the most about American Christians. He responded by saying that he was deeply impressed about what these believers had accomplished without the help of YHVH.

This Torah portion helps us realize that in our flesh dwells no good thing - Rom 7:18 - “For I know that in me, that is in my flesh, dwells no good”.

We as believers struggle to come to terms with this fact in our lives. We simply cannot produce in ourselves what is desired to make us good and acceptable to YHVH.

     Rom 5:12  For this reason, even as through one man sin did enter into the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned – It is for this reason that we mourn our true condition before YHVH and live lives of deep repentance and humility before man and our Creator.

Where does YHVH dwell?

Yeshayahu/Isa 57:15  For thus declares the high and exalted One who dwells forever, whose Name is set-apart, “I dwell in the high and set-apart place, with him who has a bruised and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of bruised ones.

Gen 21:1  And יהוה visited Sarah as He had said, and יהוה did for Sarah as He had spoken.

We see a pattern in scripture that whenever YHVH “visits” us or a people, something happens (Heb –“asah”) this can be good and sometimes not good.  

We see this pattern confirmed in the next verse, YHVH visits the 90 year old Sarah and she conceives, as a result of this visitation Sarah gives birth to a son (vs 2)

YHVH still longs to visit His people - Rev 3:20  “See, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I shall come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.

We are challenged to discern the “knocking on the door of lives and situations” and then responding appropriately. This often opens up to us great opportunities of blessing in our lives that otherwise would not have been possible.

We see in the above verse in Revelation as well at the passage of scripture in Matthew 25 about the parable of the 10 virgins that YHVH often visits when we least expect it.  

Tehillim/Psalm 15 gives us some very valuable instruction concerning visiting and permanently dwelling in His presence.

Psa 15:1  יהוה, who does sojourn(visit as a guest) in Your Tent? Who does dwell (permanently) in Your set-apart mountain?

Psa 15:2  He who walks blamelessly, And does righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart.

Psa 15:3  He has not slandered with his tongue, He has not done evil to his neighbour, Nor lifted up a reproach against his friend;

Psa 15:4  In whose eyes a reprobate one is despised, But he esteems those who fear יהוה; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Psa 15:5  He has not put out his silver at interest, And has not taken a bribe against the innocent. He who does these is never moved.

Every time we come to the Torah to embrace its perfection in its entirety we connect or visit with YHVH.

It may be only those who seek and desire such visitations that will one day permanently dwell in His Presence on His Mountain -  Tzion.

Parashat 4 Portion 17 - Beresheet/Genesis 20:1-18

Blessing for the Torah:

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,

you have selected us from among all the peoples,

and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

According to scholars the triennial system of Torah study was used during the first century. This would imply that this was one of Yahshua’s first sermons he delivered in a local synagogue in Nazareth. We know this from the Haftarah attached to this Torah reading – Yeshayahu 61 –

After Yahshua returns from his “mikvah” and the 40 day fast in the wilderness we read the following:

     Luk 4:14  And יהושע returned in the power of the Spirit to Galil, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding country.

Luk 4:15  And He was teaching in their congregations, being praised by all.

Luk 4:16  And He came to Natsareth, where He had been brought up. And according to His practice, He went into the congregation on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.

Luk 4:17  And the scroll of the prophet Yeshayahu was handed to Him. And having unrolled the scroll, He found the place where it was written:

Luk 4:18  “The Spirit of יהוה is upon Me,¹ because He has anointed Me to bring the Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send away crushed ones with a release, Footnote: ¹Isa. 61:1-3.

Luk 4:19  to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה.”¹ Footnote: ¹Isa. 61:1-2.

Luk 4:20  And having rolled up the scroll, He gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the congregation were fixed upon Him.

Luk 4:21  And He began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been filled in your hearing.”

Luk 4:22  And all were bearing witness to Him, and marvelled at the pleasant words that came out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not the son of Yosĕph?”

Luk 4:29  And rising up they drove Him out of the city, and brought Him to the brow of the hill on which their city was built, in order to throw Him down.

Luk 4:30  But He, passing through the midst of them, went away.

Why is this so significant in the light of this week’s Torah portion?

The Second Writings seem to suggest that it was after announcing Yahshua’s intention of healing the broken hearted, proclaiming release to the captive, recovery of sight to the blind, and the setting free of the crushed that his ministry began to testify of these blessings.

Yes/Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Master יהוה is upon Me, because יהוה has anointed Me to bring good news to the meek. He has sent Me to bind up the broken-hearted, to proclaim release to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound,

Isa 61:2  to proclaim the acceptable year of יהוה, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn,

Isa 61:3  to appoint unto those who mourn in Tsiyon: to give them embellishment for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. And they shall be called trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה, to be adorned.

Isa 61:4  And they shall rebuild the old ruins, raise up the former wastes. And they shall restore the ruined cities, the wastes of many generations.

Isa 61:5  And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the foreigner be your ploughmen and your vinedressers.

Isa 61:6  But you shall be called, ‘Priests of יהוה,’ ‘Servants of our Elohim’ shall be said of you. You shall consume the strength of the gentiles, and boast in their esteem.

Isa 61:7  Instead of your shame and reproach, they rejoice a second time in their portion. Therefore they take possession a second time in their land, everlasting joy is theirs.

Isa 61:8  “For I, יהוה, love right-ruling; I hate robbery for burnt offering. And I shall give their reward in truth, and make an everlasting covenant with them.

Isa 61:9  “And their seed shall be known among the gentiles, and their offspring in the midst of the peoples. All who see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed יהוה has blessed.”

Isa 61:10  I greatly rejoice in יהוה, my being exults in my Elohim. For He has put garments of deliverance on me, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isa 61:11  For as the earth brings forth its bud, as the garden causes the seed to shoot up, so the Master יהוה causes righteousness and praise to shoot up before all the nations!

Beresheet/Gen 20:1  And Aḇraham set out from there to the land of the South, and dwelt between Qaḏĕsh and Shur, and stayed in Gerar.

      ויסע^H5265  משׁם^H8033  אברהם^H85  ארצה^H776  הנגב^H5045  וישׁב^H3427  בין^H996  קדשׁ^H6946  ובין^H996  שׁור^H7793  ויגר^H1481  בגרר׃^H1642  Gen 20:1 

Avraham moved towards a parched land (S5045 means south or parched in Hebrew), he stays in a place which means “chewing the cud” between two cities, Kadesh/Qadesh which  means “set apart” and Shur which could mean “travelling about” implying his nomadic existence (itinerant ministry).

We can therefore midrashically deduce that those who follow in his footsteps, will also find themselves in a spiritual wilderness knowing  that it is the set apart place until Messiah comes to rescue us and that our lives  here on earth are of a temporary and passing nature. It is with this mind - set that we arm ourselves for this life and prepare ourselves for the next.