Torah Focus – with Dr. Walter Oakley
The Temple
Overview of the Beit HaMikdash
This class looks at the overall structure, layout and services of the Temple. We have focused on the Beit HaMikdash thes past couple of weeks reverencing the time of mourning that we are in. This season will conclude the 9th of Av. wehere we will again look ofrward to the New Temple’s building.
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Tuesdays on ARBA4
Program #73 – Genuine Spirituality #16
“The Yetzer Hara”
In this program I build on the idea that man is the creation of earth and breath of G-d. This gives man a dual nature of sorts. This helps us explain the propensity towards the natural mundane world. However, it creats a great question. Why did G-d give us a Yetzer hara?
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #53 אֶל El
In this “Taste of Hebrew” I take a look at the Hebrew word אֶל from pasuk ט perke א of ספר בראשית The ninth (9th) verse of the first chapter of Genesis. We look at the diversified word and its varied meanings of the Hebrew word El.
Praying for the rebuilding of the Temple
Shavuah Tov, (good week) We would try to encourage everyone to remember where we are in relation to the Biblical Calendar. Today is the 5th of Av. We are in the nine day period that mourns the destruction of the Temple. If ever we needed a Temple in the Holy City its now.
Lets remember to say the prayer Yehi Ratzon.
May it be your will, HaShem our G-d and the G-d of our forefathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt, speedily in our days. Grant us our share in your Torah, and may we serve You there with reverence, as in days of old and in former years. Then the offering of Judah and Yerushalyim will be pleasing to HaShem, as in days of old and in former years
Really, who are you?
Slowly the contemporary presidency reveals and show us its true identity. Consider the following…
Exodus 5:2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the L-RD that I should obey His voice to let Yisrael go? I do not know the L-RD, and besides, I will not let Yisrael go.”
This statement by Pharo, cost him and his nation their lives. The regime of Pharo that sought to destroy the plan of HaShem we quickly destroyed because of their oppression of Yisrael. Woe to any nation that believes that it should and can subjugate Yisrael. Historical and Biblical history teaches us that subjugation of Yisrael is impossible. Does Obama think that he is Pharo? Alternatively, maybe he thinks that he is more powerful that Pharo. On the other hand, possibly he believes that he is greater than the crazed leader of the recent past who sought to annihilate millions of Jews with his “final solution.” Strangely, both the Pharo who would not submit to HaShem’s beckoning voice and the crazed leader of our recent history succumbed to their own fiendish plans.
While I am greatly alarmed at the ideas purported by the contemporary presidential regime, I recall a passage from Tehillim that brings some comfort.
Psalm 2:1-12 1 Why do the nations rage, and the peoples meditate on a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers plot together, against L-rd and against His anointed, saying, 3 Let us break their bands in two and cast away their cords from us. 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; L-rd shall mock at them. 5 Then He shall speak to them in His anger, and trouble them in His wrath. 6 Yea, I have set My king on My holy hill, on Zion. 7 I will declare the decree of L-rd. He has said to Me, You are My Son; today I have begotten You. 8 Ask of Me, and I shall give the nations for Your inheritance; and the uttermost parts of the earth for Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 10 And now be wise, O kings; be instructed, O judges of the earth. 11 Serve L-rd with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled in but a little time. Blessed are all who put their trust in Him.
Perhaps the contemporary presidential regime has forgotten that HaShem created the earth and established its authorities. HaShem will deal quickly and mercilessly with those who contend His power.
While most Christians read the 12th verse as a reference to Messiah, it is also a reference to Yisrael the first-born son of G-d.
WE are commanded to PRAY for the PEACE of Yerushalayim. Tehillim 122:6
Psalm 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; those who love you shall be blessed.
This passage makes it all clear. If we do not pray and support Yerushalayim we will not continue to enjoy and peace of blessing ourselves. What does that say to us as Americans with crazed leaders that want to defy G-d and destroy the peace of Yerushalayim? I believe that it is openly telling us that our peace and prosperity and the lack there of is a direct result of the crazed ideas to destroy the peace of Yerushalayim.
WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!
We are in a “recession.” Have we stopped to ask ourselves why? Could it be that we are in direct violation to the plan and will of G-d? Could it be that we have elected a campaign of lunacy that will bring our nation to its knees? The last sentence can have a double meaning. We can either get on our knees and pray for G-d’s intervention, or we can be destroyed. When the physical state of Yisrael was threatened, the Jews of Persia prayed and fasted. Are you praying and fasting for the peace of Yerushalayim? When the spiritual state of the Jewish people was threatened, they took up arms and drove the Grecian and Roman governments from their land. Should we stand idly by while similar administrations try to produce the same results?
Just how much do you love HaShem, Messiah and His people?
WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Thursday night we will be looking at the Temple and its role in First Century life. We will see Yeshua in the Temple and view his attitude towards the Beith HaMikdash. We will also be looking at the Biblical commands to make a Mikdash (Sanctuary) for HaShem. Join us live at 7 CST
Torah Focus – with Dr. Walter Oakley
17th of Tammuz #2
The Five Disasters of the 17th of Tammuz
As you may know July 9th 2009 was the Seventeenth of Tammuz. This day is a fast Biblically. (Zech 8:18-23) This day is known for Five disasters that occurred throughout Biblical history. In this class I discuss each of these disasters. In this second class we delve further into Zecheriah chapter 8
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Tuesdays on ARBA4
Program #72 – Genuine Spirituality #15
“Let us make man”
This program initiates a look at the Biblical phrase “Let us make man in our image.” We have delved into the age old argument as to who the “US” could possibly be. We look at the text rather throughly to see if we can find clues as to who the “US” could possibly be. It is profound to look and actually see the Biblical text explain this phrase. This is the second part in the two part series on this phrase.
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #52 יִקָווּ Yekavu
In this “Taste of Hebrew” I take a look at the Hebrew word יִקָווּ from pasuk ט perke א of ספר בראשית
The ninth (9th) verse of the first chapter of Genesis. We look at the diversified word and its varied meanings.
Torah Focus – with Dr. Walter Oakley
17th of Tammuz
The Five Disasters of the 17th of Tammuz
As you may know July 9th 2009 was the Seventeenth of Tammuz. This day is a fast Biblically. (Zech 8:18-23) This day is known for Five disaters that occured throughout Biblical history. In this class I discuss each of these disaters.
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #51 – Hebrew and the Web
In this “Taste of Hebrew” I take a look at a couple of web pages that will assist education in Hebrew. Then, I take a look at a e-book that will be worth its weight in gold.
This week on Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew:
This week’s Taste of Hebrew will focus on two web site and one ebook that will help us in the educational process of learning Hebrew.
Midrashim:
This week’s Midrashim looks at the grand question of who the “Us” is in Genesis 1:26. We look at the text to see if there are any textual clues to answer this age old dilemma.
Torah Focus:
This weeks live class will be a continuation of the “Three Weeks” theme. We will delve more deeply into the Temple and it role in first century life.
17th of Tammuz – Tisha B’Av
We have come to the time of the year when we need to stay in contemplation of the Beit haMikdash (the Temple). The 17th of Tammuz marks the breach of the walls of the Temple and the decline towards destruction on the 9th of Av. In this class will begin a discussion on this three week period, the Biblical calendar and the Festivals.
We open our discussion with the idea that G-d’s agenda is determined by the Biblical Calendar. We delve into the idea of the Moedim (Divine appointments). What are these “Moedim”? We also discuss the possibility of an oral Torah that precedes the Written Torah. How was this Torah transmitted and through whom? We delve into the Biblical personage of Melchizedek. Who was he? Melchizedek is a title meaning the “King of Righteousness.” Who was this “king of Righteousness”? We also discuss Avraham’s relation to this King of Shalem. Where was “Shalem”? We discuss this and much more.
You will need the image we have uploaded entitled the Biblical Calendar.
Torah Focus – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Prayers that Yeshua (Jesus) would have Prayed (9th Class)
Yeshua in the Synagogue #9
In this class we begin to take a more in-depth look at the structure of the First Century Synagogue. In looking at the structure of the Synagogue we look at the role that Yeshua may have played in the locale Synagogue. Yeshua read the Haftarah passages in the service. What else could he have done during this service?
Shalom from Torah Focus
Midrsahim will resume to its normal schedule next week. Next weeks program will focus on the age old question of who is the “Us” of Bereshit (Genesis) 1:26 where G-d declares “Let Us make man in our image.” Who can the “Us” be? There have been many explanations and comments over the last two thousand years. What can the truth possibly be? Join us in this coming class (next Tuesday July14th) to find out the answer.
