“What Orbits What” (2010/05/29) Sermon Audio

Torah Portion: BeHa’alotkha – Num 8:1-12:16, Zech 2:14-4:7

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“Not Just Counted, But Counted On” (2010/05/22) Sermon Audio

Torah Portion: Naso – Num 4:21-7:89, Judge 13:2-25

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Shavuot – Hag Symptomatic!

“Nowhere in The Bible is any link made between Sinai and Shavuot.” – Rabbi Michael Strassfeld, THE JEWISH HOLIDAYS p 69 Harper Row 1985 Cambridge

Why do Two-Testament Jews practice Tikkun Leil Shavuot (all night study of Torah on Erev Shavuot)?
Ostensibly, our faith has a few bedrock stones in its foundation; and surely, Isaiah 8:20’s concept is among them: “To the Torah and the Testimony (of the Deut. 18 ratified prophets)! If they (any purveyor of allegedly sound religious ideas) do not speak in accord with that word, there is no dawn (actual inspired truth) in the them.”

Even someone as invested in Jewish practice as Rabbi Strassfeld of SAJ here in Manhattan, had to admit in the oxymoronic opening page of his Jewish Holidays book’s chapter on Shavuot – subtitled, “Revealing The Torah,” that “Nowhere in The Bible is any link made between Sinai and Shavuot.”

Strassfeld goes on to say, “The nature of Shavuot began to change after the destruction of The Temple in 70.c.e. Without The Temple, neither of the two agricultural rites of Shavuot could be observed. At some point in the rabbinic period (post 1st-century), connection began to be made with the Revelation at Sinai, which the Biblical text tells us occurred in the third month, or Sivan (Ex. 19:1).” (Strassfeld p. 71) Again – even a committed practitioner of the Matan Torah emphasis feels compelled in conscience to admit that before the removal of the 2nd Temple, there is no evidence of Jewish practice linking Shavuot observance to receiving the Torah at Sinai. That emphasis developed as an artifact of The Temple’s absence, the same way Rabban Yochanon ben Zakkai substituted good deeds for sacrifice with his out of context, partial quotation from Hosea (see Avot D’Rabbi Natan 4:5), and virtually created non-Messianic Judaism by that complete avoidance of the letter and spirit of Daniel 9:24ff and Isaiah 53.

There is, however, a significant body of Torah and Prophetic content – as well as New Testament content – on the concept of “firstfruits” and “the harvest.” Shavuot is, in the Scriptures, called Hag HaBikkurim (Feast of The Firstfruits).

Messianic congregations could be holding ceremonies in which the congregation stands to make the statement in Numbers 26:5 with all first-born children at the bima – and perhaps donate five shekels (the amount for which they were redeemed in their pidyon ha-ben as first-born infants) to their shul or some worthy Jewish cause. We could, in accord with the commandments regarding harvest, bring a portion of our income for that year thus far to be given to the widow and orphan – as Torah commands, and which allowed Ruth (whose book is read on Shavuot) to survive long enough as a poor sojourner to become the great-grandmother of King David. We could ponder the implications of Yeshua, the Suffering Messiah risen from the dead, as what 1Cor. 15:32 calls “firstfruits” of resurrection from the dead, and Believers as what Yaacov/James 1:18 calls “firstfruits among his creations.” We could hold all-night prayer vigils, seeking outpourings like the Acts 2 outpouring in our era.

I have always believed our People have as much to learn from what Messianic Jews do NOT do in line with historic Jewish custom, as what we do.
I became an Israeli media topic because I, as a rabbi, do not keep dairy/meat separation. I do not observe it because it has nothing to do with Judaism. If, by Judaism, you mean a Jewish faith expression consonant with the standard of Isaiah 8:20, and not some post-Biblical, medieval contrivance that has been absorbed across time as definitively “Jewish” in the same way the black coats and kaftans of the arch-Orthodox now seem so quintessentially Jewish, and were actually an attempt by European Jews hundreds of years ago to blend in with standard non-Jewish fashions of that era, and be less identifiably Jewish. My picture appeared in Yediot Achronot in a two page spread, with a caption next to my face reading in Hebrew, “HaRav ochel cheeseburger!” (The rabbi eats cheeseburgers!) It went on to explain in detail why I do. There is nothing non-Jewish, or anti-Scriptural about a cheeseburger – and certainly, in chicken parmesan, there is no chicken that ever gave cow’s milk in such a way that there is danger that the cheese on the chicken contains its mother’s milk.
Shavuot is The Holiday of the Firstfruits.
Shall we not treat it as such?
Shall we not cease merely “going with the flow” of a manner of observance that cooperates with avoidance of the doings of Heaven and all their implications? The Temple is gone by Heaven’s own doing – and the sacrificial system with it. We cannot practice Shavuot as it is written in the Torah. Messiah has come and died at exactly the time Scripture said he would (Daniel 9:24ff): between Cyrus of Persia’s decree to start rebuilding of The Temple (445 b.c.e.) and that rebuilt Temple’s subsequent destruction (70 c.e.). The need for an offering on Shavuot BEGS contemplation of that reality – and “Matan Torah” reformatting avoids it entirely.
I am all for healthy observance of the Acts 21:18-24 mandates that we observe Torah and hold to the customs of our ancestors: and as rabbi of a synagogue in the capital of the Jewish world outside Israel for nearly twenty years now, I am keen to be authentic and authoritative in our Jewish observance.
However, during Passover, I do not allow the post-Biblical total focus on the Exodus to obscure The Lamb to complete invisibility. “The Pesach” actually refers to the lamb sacrificed to insure the survival of the Jewish household. The Afikomen (“I have arrived.” in Greek) ceremony now embedded nearly ubiquitously standard Passover observance, is surely an artifact of 1st and 2nd century Messianic Jewish fulfillment of the Yeshua’s commands about the Passover matzah and wine, “As often as you do this, do it henceforth in remembrance of Me.” Two-Testament Judaism needs to be diligent in regard to its stewardship of The Book (Matt. 5:19).

What does Two-Testament Judaism have to bring to observance of Shavuot?
Heaven only knows. But – the key is in The Book.
In this rabbi’s opinion – an authentic, sound, and authoritative Shavuot will not be found going along with the “Matan Torah” reformatting of the holiday, and the Tikkun Leil Shavuot, dairy and greenery purchases, and all other amplifications of that emphasis, which even the most committed of Jewish traditionalists admits “is nowhere in The Bible.” The words “nowhere in The Bible” should not describe the foundation of any of our practices in my opinion.

So – while I wish all a “Hag Sameakh” – I see Shavuot right now more as “Hag Symptomatic.” Symptomatic of a great need among our People – and in Two-Testament Jewish faith also – to stop reading past the words on the page, adopt more caution in regard to desiring to “act Jewishly” – and become erudite in the actual content of Biblical Judaism, and its expressive practices.

Let’s sit down with a nice cheeseburger, and set to work on the recovery of The Holiday of The Firstfruits for our own, and following generations? May our children’s children see a Shavuot observance in their era that cannot even remotely be described by the words, “Nowhere in The Bible.”

Rabbi Bruce Cohen
19 May 2010

YouTube Videos of Rock Purim 2010 Available

Videos of the individual songs from Beth El of Manhattan’s Purim 2010 Rock n’ Roll Worship Service are now available for free viewing online at my YouTube Channel [ http://www.youtube.com/brucohnyc ]. These videos are an improvement over last year’s, since we added the lyrics in captions. No more need to ask for the lyrics or look them up on a separate page. :-) Enjoy.

“In the Desert” (2010/05/15) Sermon Audio

Torah Portion: BeMidbar – Num 1:1-4:20, Hos 2:1-22

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“Relax” (2010/05/08) Sermon Audio

Torah Portions: BeHar – Lev 25:1-26:2, Jer 32:6-27 and BeHukotai – Lev 26:3-27:34, Jer 16:19-17:14

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Torah and T’filah (Study & Prayer)

June 2, 2010
6:45 pmto8:15 pm
June 9, 2010
6:45 pmto8:15 pm
June 16, 2010
6:45 pm
June 23, 2010
6:45 pmto8:15 pm
June 30, 2010
6:45 pmto8:15 pm
July 7, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
July 14, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
July 21, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
July 28, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
August 4, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
August 11, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
August 18, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
August 25, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
September 1, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
September 15, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
September 29, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
October 6, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
October 13, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
October 20, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
October 27, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
November 3, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
November 10, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
November 17, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
November 24, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
December 1, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
December 8, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
December 15, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
December 22, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
December 29, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm
January 5, 2011
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

Attendance limited to Beth El members and invited guests:

Torah (teaching) and T’filah (Prayer) have been going on every week in Manhattan’s Upper East Side for the last 15 years. Come be a part of New York’s longest enduring Messianic Jewish (Two-Testament) congregation. Wednesday Bible studies are for members only, because of the deeply personal nature of intercessory prayer. Come and explore the adventure of Scripture study and prayer! Info@bethelnyc.org or call (212) 772-7500

“User Friendly” (2010/05/01) Sermon Audio

Torah Portion: Emor – Lev 21:1 -24:23, Ezek 44:15-31

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Shabbat Service

April 24, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
May 1, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
May 8, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
May 15, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
May 22, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
May 29, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
June 5, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
June 12, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
June 19, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
June 26, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
July 3, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
July 10, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
July 17, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
July 24, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
July 31, 2010
10:30 am
10:30 am
August 7, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
August 14, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
August 21, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
August 25, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
August 28, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
10:30 amto12:30 pm
September 4, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
September 11, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
October 9, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
October 16, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
October 23, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
October 30, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
November 6, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
November 13, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
November 20, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
November 27, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm
December 4, 2010
10:30 amto12:30 pm

Come join us for Shabbat Services this and every Saturday morning at 10:30 am.

Click here for directions.

Torah and T’filah (Study & Prayer)

May 25, 2010
7:00 pmto9:00 pm

Attendance limited to Beth El members and invited guests:

Torah (teaching) and T’filah (Prayer) have been going on every Tuesday in Manhattan’s Upper East Side for the last 15 years. Come be a part of New York’s longest enduring Messianic Jewish (Two-Testament) congregation. Tuesday Bible studies are for members only, because of the deeply personal nature of intercessory prayer. Come and explore the adventure of Scripture study and prayer! Info@bethelnyc.org or call (212) 772-7500

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