Signs and Wonders Ministry

THE OLIVE TREE

2011-12-25T01:42:00.006-05:00

Article and Illustration
By Veronique

I remember standing on top of a low hill and looking at the beautiful vista on my father’s property in the south of France. A vista of the countryside dotted with stucco houses with red tiled roofs, here and there. Windy roads, small farmyards and the occasional patch of trees. To my right was a small olive tree orchard, the olives were green and nearly ripe. It was the most distinctive thing on my father’s property that appealed to me. At the time, all I knew about the olive tree was that they were quite common in Israel. It was not until many years later that I realized how significant the olive tree was.

The olive tree is a significant symbol representing some important Biblical truths. Most people understand it to represent several universal themes such as peace, joy, gladness, wisdom, light, fruitfulness, wealth, as well as representing the nation of Israel. However, there are hidden meanings to the mystery of the olive tree that are not immediately apparent without the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. The Hebrew word for olive tree is “sheman” which means “tree of oil” (Strong’s #8081) as it is the most common tree in the Mediterranean region for extracting oil. This multi-purpose, highly valued evergreen tree has been regarded as the “king of trees” as exemplified in the parable of Judges 9:8–9, in which the olive tree is asked by all the other trees to be their king.

The oil of olive was used primarily for 7 purposes, here is a list of references:

To anoint people and kings:
Exodus 29:7
Ruth 3:3
II Sam.12:20
I Sam.10:1
I Kings 1:39
II Kings 9:1, 6

To anoint the sanctuary:
Lev.8:26,
Num. 7:19, 25
Exodus 29:1-2, 30:26-33

For the offerings:
Exo.29:40

As fuel for lamps:
Lev.24:2, Exo.25:6

As medicine:
Isaiah 1:6
Isaiah 1:6
I Kings 17:12-16

For healing of the sick:
James 5:14-16

For eating:
Ezekiel 16:13, 19

In addition, the wood from the olive tree is very useful in making furnishings. Scriptures give one example in I Kings 6:23 where King Solomon commanded the construction of the two cherubim for the inner sanctuary of the First Temple, each measuring the 15 feet or 10 cubit high. (I Kings 6:23) Today, olive wood is valued for its distinctive swirl grain patterns and is used for making almost anything, including candlesticks, kitchen wares, pens, jewelry, chessboard, etc.

In the parable of the ten virgins, of which five were wise and five were foolish, the foolish ones allowed the oil in their lamps to dry up. (Matt.25:3) The lamp is symbolic of the Word of God. The oil in the lamp is symbolic of the indwelling Spirit of God so we can understand and obey God’s Word. Our spiritual light is to shine brightly for other people to see, that they might come and hear the Word of God through us. (Matt. 5:14-16) The apostle John wrote of God’s Spirit as an “anointing.” (I John 2:27). To sum up, oil is often a reference to the Holy Spirit.

In the Greek language, the word to anoint “chrió” means to anoint by rubbing olive oil. It is very closely related to the word “Christos” where our English word “Christ” come from. (Strong’s #5548 & 5547). In Hebrew, the equivalent is “mashach” to anoint and “meshiach” anointed. (Strong’s # 4886 & 4888). When referring to Yeshua the Messiah, it is translated as “the” Messiah or “HaMashiach.” While the belivers are anointed with the Holy Spirit, Yeshua is the special anointed. Psalm 2:2 especially refers to Yeshua as “His anointed.”

BECOMING ONE
The apostle Paul wrote about the grafted olive tree in his letter to the Romans (chapter 11). The olive branches represent the people who have been joined to Israel, as the body of Messiah, the believers and faithful ones. They get their nourishment from the root who is none other than Yeshua. He is called the “root of Jesse” 4 chapters later in the letter to Romans. (Yeshua is descended from the line of King David, whose father was Jesse.) In this way, Messianic Jews and Gentiles who believe in Yeshua are one in Messiah. The wild olive tree represents the nations or the Gentiles. Paul also gave an analogy regarding the wild olive tree, which has never been tended is naturally small and worthless, like a bush, producing fruits that are small and unappetizing. On the other hand, a cultivated olive tree, is very dense and prolific and produce much better fruits or olives. These trees grow very slowly but can last for a thousand of years, reaching an height of 18 to 20 feet and a trunk thick of almost 20 feet in circumference. The trunk of a very old olive tree is unusual: it is beautifully gnarled or intertwined, like a rope.

This brings to mind the stick of Ezekiel in Chapter 37, right after his vision of the valley of dry bones, in which the bones come to life and become a vast army, the whole house of Israel. Adonai told the prophet Ezekiel, “I will put my Spirit in you and you will live…” Ezekiel was then instructed to get two sticks and to write on one stick the name Judah and his house, then on another stick he was to write the name Joseph and his house. Then the two sticks are to be joined together, becoming one in his hand. Thus they will become one nation in the land, on the mountains of Israel and there will be one king and one Shepherd over them, His servant David, Mashiach Yeshua.

The Apostle Paul explains that both wild and cultivated branches can be grafted back in the olive tree. However, both groups, Jews and Gentiles can both be easily cut off: the Jews are cut off for their unbelief and rejection of Yeshua as Messiah and the Gentiles are cut off for their arrogance or disregard of their Jewish roots, the foundation of their faith.

Paul has indeed painted a more meaningful picture of what the cultivated olive tree represents: a people who loves Elohim and who faithfully keep His commandments to love one another despite their difference, even though the worldview of the olive tree is much simpler: such as representing Israel. Love the Adonai Elohenu (The Lord our God) and love your neighbors are the two most important commandments. (Mark 12:330-31) Are you a Gentile? Seek the roots, which is the foundation of the Holy Scriptures. Are you Jewish? Do not be quick to reject the message because of past persecution.

We live in a time when interfaith marriages are very common. My marriage is an excellent example. Many Jewish people are married to Gentiles. This is an opportunity to change the way things were done centuries ago when interfaith marriage was not that a common. It is an opportunity to break the mold that traditional religions have bound people for a long time. Despite the fact that some people still resists, we have more open dialogues between two different groups of people than we ever did. In the past, the approach was to “convert” the Jews to Christianity. With the rise of Messianic Judaism and the teaching of Hebraic roots of the faith, the two groups are closer than before. Adonai is indeed transforming people. This is the answer that Yeshua prayed for, just before he was betrayed by Judas, of all places, in an olive grove. “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. “ (John 17:20-21).

THE HARVEST
During harvest time, toward the end of November, it was customary to gather the fruits of the olive tree by shaking and beating its branches with poles and making them fall to the ground. (Deut.24:20) For this reason, the other name for olive oil in the Scriptures is “beaten oil.” (Exodus 27:20, 29:40, Lev.24:2, Num.28:5) After gathering them, the olives are ground with mortar and pestle, a stone press, or a large stone roller until they are crushed to a pulp. Then the pulp is placed in wicker baskets to remove the impurities. The oil runs off through the baskets like a mesh and is collected in clay jars or jugs. This first grade, known as “beaten oil” was used to fuel lamps. A second grade of oil is made by heating and further pressing the pulp. (Source: Encyclopedia Judaica)

This particular harvest method of extracting the precious oil from the olive tree is a spiritual picture of the life of the Lord’s people, the body of Gentiles and Jewish believers. Like the olive tree, we too are “beaten” and “shaken.” Adonai allows this process to happen in order to mold us to His image. For we are not to be conformed to this world but converted to His way of life. Like Yeshua, we too are to be beaten and crushed that we might produce much good fruits for His Kingdom. Granted, it is not easy to be a believer but He is always with us and we are never tempted beyond what we can handle. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

“Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice because you are participating in the sufferings of the Messiah, so that you may be glad and shout for joy when he appears again in his glory.” (I Pet.4:12-13).

In conclusion, we now see a deeper meaning about the olive tree: that it is symbolic of a people who love Adonai and who loves each other in unity, striving to become one, and finally, the harvest and the process of changing to precious oil is symbolic of our fiery ordeal so that we each individually become molded to the image of Yeshua, who is a perfect image or likeness of Elohim himself. (1 John 3:2, Hebrew 1:3).

© Copyright 2011. By Veronique, Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story or illustration might be reprinted, re-posted on the internet, pasted or forwarded in email without permission. Illustration of Olive Tree by Veronique. © Copyright.

STATEMENT OF FAITH

2011-10-08T11:58:00.001-04:00

THE 13 PRINCIPLES OF A MESSIANIC BELIEVER

1. We believe in a Almighty Creator, who rules all of creation. We worship and glorify Him alone.

2. We believe God (Elohim) is One or ECHAD, a unity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

3. We believe Yeshua is the awaited Messiah of Israel as was promised by the Holy Scriptures, by Moses and by God's anointed prophets. Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus. He is Yeshua HaMashiach.

4. We believe Yeshua is the Aleph and the Tav, the beginning and the end, with the Father who is without form and eternal.

5. We pray only to the Father and in Yehua's name. We believe Yeshua is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He is the mediator between the Father and all people.

6. We believe Yeshua HaMashiach is the beloved Son of His Father in heaven, who descended to earth for our Salvation, born of the Holy Spirit and of a Jewish virgin, the promised seed of King David. He was without sin and was wounded for our transgressions. He came the first time 2,000 years ago as "Messiah Ben Joseph," to become our sacrificial Lamb, once and for all, as was foreshadowed in the pattern of the Tabernacle and festival of Pesach. He is now interceding for us as High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

7. We observe the commandments of the Torah as was given to Moses which sums up as follows: Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbors as yourself.

8. We observe the Sabbaths and the Appointed Times of the Festivals in order to understand their connections to the history and prophecies of the ages.

9. We believe in the whole Bible which is made up of the Torah, the writings of the Holy Prophets, the Wisdom Sayings and the Brit Hadashah (New Testament, or New Covenant) as promised by the prophet Jeremiah, is the inspired Word of God. It is the foundation of our learning and the source of God's wisdom.

10. We believe the Creator, being omniscient, knows all the acts and thoughts of each person.

11. We believe the Creator rewards the righteous believers and that He protects and "passover" us when He sees the blood of Yeshua on us. And He will judge the unrighteous.

12. We believe that at the end of this present age, which is ruled by the prince of darkness, the dead will be resurrected as was Yeshua, who is the first fruit of all those who have fallen asleep. At the same time, the living believers will be changed in an instant and given immortal bodies.

13. We believe that Yeshua HaMashiach will return a second time to set up his glorious kingdom and rule the world as the Prince of Peace, as the King of Kings, as "Messiah Ben David," as was prophesied long ago.

© Copyright 2007 By Signs and Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

WHAT IS SHAVOUT?

2011-06-06T23:27:00.009-04:00

By Veronique

Tomorrow evening, Shavout will begin at sunset. About 49 days ago, we observed the Festival of Passover on the 14th day of the first month of the Biblical calendar. The first day of the first month was always determined by both the new moon and the ripeness of the barley, when it is very green. Hence we have the name Aviv, which means green, for that first month. On the second day of Passover an omer of barley is offered and waved at the temple, then the barley harvest begins. Barley is symbolic of the first resurrection, the first and early harvest. Barley is a grain that looks very much like wheat, it has a lighter color and it always mature first whereas the wheat harvest comes later, just before the summer. The wheat harvest is symbolic of the second resurrection of believers and all other non-believers. The wheat grows with the weeds and both are harvested at the same time and separated later.

Barley and Wheat

Shavout is one of the seven annual festivals YHWH commands us to observe as written in Leviticus 23:15-21 and Numbers 28:26-31. Shavout is a Hebrew word meaning “weeks.” Shavuot commemorates the day when YHWH gave the Israelites the Torah following Moses’ descent from Mount Sinai.

It is customary to stay up all night during Shavout to study and discuss the Torah. The Book of Ruth is also read during Shavout.

Why Ruth? Ruth was a gentile from Moab, who voluntarily chose to join herself to Israel and because of her kindness to her mother-in-law, Naomi, became the great-grandmother of King David, the ancestor of the Messiah, Yeshua of Nazareth. The story goes like this... Naomi was an Israelite who went to live in Moab during a severe famine in Israel. When Naomi's husband and two sons died, she decided to return to her homeland, to Bethlehem (which means house of bread). Ruth, her daughter-in-law joined her, despite the fact Moab and Israel were enemies. Ruth loved her mother-in-law very much, as demonstrated with these beautiful and moving words:

“Do not press me to leave you
or to turn back from following you!
Where you go, I will go;
Where you lodge, I will lodge;
Your people shall be my people and your God my God.
Where you die, I will die
There I will be buried.
May YHWH do thus and so to me
And more as well
If even death parts me from you!”

Naomi and Ruth arrived in Bethlehem in time for the barley harvest. Boaz, a kinsman/relative of Naomi, fell in love with Ruth while she was gleaning (gathering the leftover of the harvest) in the barley field. He married her and they had a child named Obed who, in an interesting turn of events, was nursed by Naomi, his grandmother. Ruth said to Naomi, “Praise to YHWH, who has not left you this day without a kinsman-redeemer. May His name become famous throughout Israel! He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age.” Eventually, Ruth became the great grandmother of King David.

Customary scriptures reading for Shavout:
The 10 commandments Ex 19-20
The book of Ruth
Ezekiel chapters 1-3
Revelation 10:10
Habakkuk 2:20-3:19
Isaiah 59:20-21
Jeremiah 31:31
Acts 2

Individual requirements according to Deut 16:9-12: Freewill offering, rejoice, praise and worship, remembering freedom from slavery.

It is also a Jewish tradition to eat dairy products mixed in honey, such as cheese blintz or cheesecake. The reason for that is because meat could not be eaten on Shavout, hence dairy was the substitute. Shavout is a Shabbat and animals slaughter were prohibited during a Shabbat.

It is interesting to note that the cheese blintz (crepe filled with fresh cheese and honey then rolled) looks very much like the little scroll described in Ezekiel 3, when the prophet was commanded to eat the scroll, it tasted very sweet. The Apostle Yochanan (John) in Revelation 10:10 also ate a scroll that tasted very sweet but turned bitter in his stomach. YHWH’s words are sweet and healing to the soul but often when they are spoken to the world at large and not accepted, it can turn the stomach bitter. That is the way life is for the believers, who has been set apart from the rest of the world for His purpose.

Have a joyous Shavout and may YHWH give you more revelations you as you study and meditate on His words. Let the Holy Spirit be your guide and teacher, this is His promise as foretold to the prophet Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 31:31-34
“The time is coming,” declares YHWH,
“when I will make a new covenant
with the house of Israel
and with the house of Judah.
It will not be like the covenant
I made with their forefathers
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they broke my covenant,
though I was a husband to them
declares YHWH.
“This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel
after that time,” declares YHWH.
“I will put my law in their minds
and write it on their hearts.
I will be their Elohim,
and they will be my people.
No longer will a man teach his neighbor,
or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know YHWH,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest,”
declares YHWH.
“For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”

© Copyright 2011. By Veronique, Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted, re-posted on the internet or forwarded in email without permission.

HOME PAGE

2011-05-07T15:41:00.006-04:00

We have made it easier for you to navigate the website with this listing by categories. Each webpage is listed below:

ABOUT US:
Who are Deaf Messianic Jews?

TESTIMONIES:
Alan Beer
Allen Rothstein
Dawn DePoorter
Haviv Ben Chaim
Joseph Cohen
Karen Goldman
Robert Nathan
Robin Polin
Veronique, Part 1
Veronique, Part 2
Veronique, Part 3

LEARN HEBREW:
Lesson 1: Alef
Lesson 2: Tav
Lesson 3: Alef & Tav
Lesson 4: Bet
Lesson 5: Alef
Lesson 6: Gimel
Lesson 7: Gimel Words
Lesson 8: Supplemental Lesson
Lesson 9: Dalet
Lesson 10: Dalet Words
Lesson 11: Hey
Lesson 12: Hey Words

TEACHING:
Messiah in the Passover
How to Share your Testimony
What is Shavout?
The Olive Tree

VIDEOS:
Testimonies
Festivals of Leviticus 23 Teaching

PRAYERS:
Prayer of Salvation

BOOKS:
Recommended Reading List

TESTIMONY OF JOSEPH COHEN

2011-05-07T15:33:00.001-04:00

A DEAF JEW ACCEPTS THE MESSIAH

I have been a very strong Jew all my life. The rest of my family and relatives are conservative Jews. Until March 1978, my niece who is deaf also, gave me some revelation from the Bible. I was definitely shocked at first, but she did seem to make sense. I guess you could say she planted the first seed.

My good friend and Christian brother, John Ritter, worked on my shift and I noticed him giving testimonies to other deaf co-workers. It sounded similar to what my niece had told me. I asked him some questions and then gradually he blessed me with verses and testimonies of the "Jews for Jesus" movement. He gave me some tracts and good books, Hal Lindsey's Late Great Planet Earth, Leo Bates' Projection for Survival, and many other books. All of these especially hit me hard. I understood it all completely, which seemed a great mystery to me all my life. I realized with clear understanding that there is everlasting life after death. John led me to our Messiah (Christ) at lunchtime in June. After work, at my house, I prayed for the first time, kneeling to my God for my salvation. John and his wife Connie became my best friends and have helped my growth.

The verses, which mean much to me and help me understand Yeshua (Jesus) our Messiah are: Isaiah 53, Romans 1:16, 2:28-29. My favorite verse is Philippians 1:21.

It took me a little while to let that strange salvation story sink in, but when I did finally understand I was about to take a vacation out West in the summer of 1978, visiting some of my old colleagues. I did not want to go unprepared so I got immersed right away and arrived well supplied with some more reading and I loved giving testimonies whenever I could.

I have been to Israel four times: 1976, 1980, 1985 and 2000. My second trip to Israel in 1980 was made after my salvation. I realized both of these trips were much different. In 1976, my purpose for the first trip to Israel was to understand my Jewish roots but I was not saved. My deaf Jewish friend and I joined with a hearing group. We were without any interpreter, which was difficult for us. It forced us to depend on guide books and notes from hearing tourists.

Until I became a Messianic Jew I did not study the New Testament and realized how much I had missed from my first trip in 1976 because I did not accept my Messiah and did not bother to learn more about the things He did for us in the Holy Land. For this reason, I decided to go to Israel once more in 1980, joining Dr. Harold Willmington. Now I see how much benefit and experience I have gained from this trip with two especially excellent interpreters. I saw the places I did not see in 1976; the Mount of Ascension, Garden of Gethsemane, St. Peter's Church, Fields of the Shepherds, and most important of all, Garden Tomb with Golgotha (Skull) Hill. Megiddo did not impress me in 1976 but with my knowledge of Revelation, Zechariah, Ezekiel, Isaiah and other books in the Old Testament, I understand why Megiddo is very important now.

Since I promised my daughter a trip to Israel, I went again in 1985. My deaf sister, her husband, my niece and her husband joined us in Willmington's tour trip.

There are many deaf Jews across the U.S.A. who still have never heard what I have. I would love to go and feed Yeshua's words to them. Nowadays, most Jewish people refuse to believe that Yeshua can make them a complete Jew. (Romans 2:28-29.) The New Testament was written by men who were Jewish, but Jewish people are taught not to read the New Testament at all. Ever since my salvation in 1978, what I am now is due 100% to the cooperation and power of the Holy Spirit, the mustard seed. (Luke 13:18,19).

For the real Jew is not merely Jewish outwardly;
true circumcision is not only external and physical. On the contrary, the real Jew is one inwardly; and true circumcision is of the heart, spiritual not literal; so that his praise comes not from other people but from God (CJB) Romans 2:28, 29.

TEACHING VIDEOS

2011-04-23T01:25:00.042-04:00

THE PASSOVER TABLE:
A PREVIEW OF THE PASSOVER SEDER

PART 1: MATZAH, THE UNLEAVENED BREAD

PART 2: THE PASSOVER PLATE

PART 3: THE FOUR CUPS

MORE VIDEOS COMING SOON!

MESSIAH IN THE PASSOVER

2011-04-11T17:49:00.005-04:00

JESUS CHRIST, OUR PASSOVER LAMB
By Esther Bryna

Jews all over the world celebrated Passover by celebrating the feast of unleavened bread and retelling the story of the Israelites’ redemption from bondage in Egypt.

If you drop by a typical Passover seder, you would eat matzoh and other ceremonial food, such as charoses, bitter herbs, and parsley dipped into salt water, but you might not find lamb on the menu. In fact, the first Passover meal was quite different from the modern Passover meal.

The Lord commanded the Israelites to take a year-old lamb without any defect. The Israelites took care of the young lambs for four days before slaughtering them for the Passover meal. The Israelites sprinkled the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe of their houses. After roasting the lamb whole, they ate it with matzoh and bitter herbs.

Exodus 12:7-8 Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

Because the Israelites obeyed God’s mandate to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their doorframes,the angel of death passed over them. And soon afterwards, the Pharaoh drove the Israelites out of Egypt. Not only were their firstborn children and animals saved but the entire nation of Israel was delivered from slavery.

This Passover lamb was a foreshadowing of Jesus, our Passover lamb. Jesus was without sin or defect.

John 1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

1 Peter 1:18-19 For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.

Jesus was led like a lamb to the slaughter. He gave up his life for our sins the day after he celebrated Passover with his disciples.

Isaiah 53:7 He was oppressed an afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth.

Did you know that Jesus ate the traditional Passover meal with his disciples the evening before he died on the cross for our sins? During the meal, they drank the wine and ate the matzoh, and then went out to the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives to pray. Jesus was preparing to become the final Passover lamb.

Matthew 26: 17-19 On the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?” He replied, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The teacher says: My appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.” So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

The Israelites who obeyed God’s command to prepare the Passover lamb were saved from death. In a similar way, because Jesus paid the price for our sins, we can have eternal life if we accept him as our Messiah.

© Copyright 2011. By Esther Bryna. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted or re-posted on the internet or forwarded in email without permission.

TESTIMONY OF ALAN BEER

2011-02-23T14:12:00.000-05:00

HE HEARS THEIR CRY AND SAVES THEM

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them.
--Psalm 145:19

I grew up orally in a Jewish family in New Jersey near New York City. We went to the synagogue once in a while, especially for the High Holy Days. We also celebrated Passover and Chanukah in the home every year. However, I was hard of hearing and could not understand what was being said during the synagogue service. At school, I mainstreamed with hearing students and was fortunate to graduate from high school in 1980. I went to a hearing college in Pennsylvania. This was the time before when the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) was enacted. The college years were very difficult for me because I had communications problems in and out of the classroom. In spite of the academic and social challenges, I was able to graduate with a B.A. degree in Economics in 1985.

I moved to Florida in 1995 for a new computer programming job. When I was 34 years old, I had a head injury from a fall from passing out at work in the men restroom. I spent 5 days in a hospital. The doctors were not able to determine the exact cause of the fainting. The head injury caused my hearing to deteriorate until I became profoundly deaf. I had to learn sign language for better communication. Depression, despair and hopelessness forced me to cry out to the God I did not yet know to save me.

Later in 1998, I moved to a different town in Florida where I met a deaf man who became my friend. He felt like it was his responsibility to cause me to understand the spiritual truth about my Jewish Messiah, Jesus (Y'shua in Hebrew). He was successful. When I clearly understood, of course, I accepted Him as my Messiah and Savior. I was baptized a few months later. God continues to teach and guide me. He sustains me by strengthening and encouraging me. I continue to put my trust in Him. My knowledge and faith in Him have become a duty to share with others about Lord Jesus Christ (Adonai Y'shua HaMashiach in Hebrew). "I am crucified with Messiah: nevertheless I live; and it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." --Galatians 2:20.

HOW TO SHARE YOUR TESTIMONY

2011-02-05T20:10:00.011-05:00

Why is a testimony important? These 3 reasons are enough:

The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. (1John 5:10) Your testimony is important because it is about the power of transformation through Messiah Yeshua, which then draws other unsaved souls to want the same for their own lives.

Our testimony about the Messiah was verified among you, so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait eagerly for the Lord Yeshua our Messiah to be revealed. (1Corinthians 1:6-7) The way to recognize other believers in the body of Mesiah is to share our testimonies. In doing so, we build our trust for each other and build His Kingdom through the power of His Spirit, and through the spiritual gifts He gave us.

Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed have come, for the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. (Revelation 12:10-11) Every time believers experience a spiritual struggle, they need to remember the blessings Yeshua has given them and the hope of more to come. By doing so, they overcome the evil one. Such is the power of a person's testimony, the enemy will flee and we are left with His wonderful presence and peace.

The above verses tell us that there are 3 reasons why testimonies are important: because His testimony is in ourselves, because it is verified among us and because it is necessary to overcome the accuser.

To that end, I encourage each of you to share your testimony. It can be written or videotaped. If you follow these simple steps by answering the following questions, you will develop a nice story about yourself and how you met your Messiah. It is not necessary to answer all the questions, just some of them. We have several Deaf people's testimonies on our site, reading their stories or watching their videos is also helpful. If you are concerned about keeping your identity private, or if you have any questions, contact us.

1. Where and when were you born?
2. When did you become deaf? Were you born deaf?
3. Write something about your parents: where they come from, what they do?
4. Did you grow up in a Jewish family?
5. Did you have a Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah?
6. What religion were you exposed to as you grew up?
7. Did your family instill in you any moral values?
8. What was your childhood like? School? Friends? Communication?
9. How did you first hear about Yeshua?
10. How were you led (or drawn) to Him? By asking questions from a friend? By
studying God's word? By hearing someone preach? Or was your heart stirred?
11. What was your reaction?
12. How and where did you accept Yeshua as your Messiah? By yourself? Pray with friends? Where?
13. Do you remember the date of your spiritual birth?
14. How did your life change after accepting Yeshua?
15. What was your life like before and after Yeshua?
16. Did you experience any supernatural sign from God?
17. Did you experience any deliverance from drugs, alcohol, smoking, any addiction, illness, depression, or anything else? Healing from disease? Miracle?
18. How did your family react when you told them about your Messiah?
19. Are you the only member in your family who has accepted Yeshua and if
not, who else?
20. Do family and friends see any difference in your life?
21. What did your old friends say about your new found faith?
22. How are you involved in helping share the good news of Yeshua?
23. How do you feel now about your relationship with Yeshua?
24. Tell us how God has blessed your life.
25. What spiritual gifts has God given you to equip you to grow the Kingdom of
God?
26. What do you do now? Work? Married? Children?
27. How, where and when did you first meet your spouse? Is your spouse a
believer also? How did he or she first become one?
28. What congregation do you attend now?
29. Does your congregation provide you with an interpreter?
30. What is your favorite Bible verse and why do you like it?
31. What is your favorite Bible story? How does it apply to your life?
32. Add anything else you can think of.

© Copyright 2011. By Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this article might be reprinted, or re-posted on the internet, or forwarded in email without permission.

FREE ONLINE BIBLE STUDY TOOLS

2011-01-25T15:24:00.019-05:00

The links below will lead you to popular websites with tools to help you study the Bible. Tools like concordances, Bibles in different versions or languages, dictionaries, commentaries, maps, references, etc. They are free and available online anytime. Great for people who cannot purchase expensive books or software. Very simple to do, just hover your mouse on any of the names on the list and click to go there.

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Bible Gateway
Parallel Bible
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More Links

HEBREW STUDIES
Interlinear Bible
The Complete Jewish Bible
The New Testament in Hebrew
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English-Hebrew Dictionary

GENERAL DICTIONARIES AND ENCYCLOPEDIAS
Dictionary
Encyclopedia
Jewish Encyclopedia
1911 Encyclopedia
Encyclopedia Britannica
Wikipedia
Jewish Virtual Library

VERONIQUE'S TESTIMONY, Part 3

2011-01-24T17:44:00.011-05:00

A LOST SHEEP FOUND

Yeshua told them this parable, saying, “What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!'" I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous persons who need no repentance. (Luke 15: 3-7)

I believe a person's testimony is not complete without a follow up of what happens after salvation, and until he or she has produced enough fruits of the Spirit. Yeshua told his disciples the parable of the sower, which is about the spiritual growth of four different believers, exemplified by the way each seed fell into the ground: One believer heard the Word (the Gospel) but the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. The second is the believer who hears the Word and immediately receives it with joy, yet when persecution arises because of the Word, immediately he falls away. The third is the man who hears the Word, but because of the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth, he becomes unfruitful. The fourth is the man who hears the Word and understands it, who truly bears fruit and grow.

So my story continues... I was so excited about my new found faith and wanted to share it with everyone. I wanted to be a "Christian," not realizing that label was not necessary. It was enough to be saved. I thought I was the only Jewish believer in college. I did not understand that Jesus was Jewish and so were all his disciples. The New Testament was a Jewish book, written by Jews. It did not occur to me because I was seeing it from a Christian perspective. Like everyone else, my mind was compartmentalized, there was no reconciling both perspectives. Jews were Jews and Christians were Christians. I had a gold necklace with the Star of David pendant that I removed for awhile. I went home to tell my family about Jesus, never expecting to upset them.

Although this never happened to me, thankfully, I have heard stories. A "funeral of the living" can happen in some Jewish families: for example, if a member of the family converts to Christianity, or proclaims his faith in Yeshua as Messiah, the family pronounces that member dead and refuses to see him. They allow themselves to grieve and make arrangement for a funeral, even though the rejected member is still alive. It is ridiculously extreme but sadly true. Jews have been living in fear of persecution for centuries, they face the challenge of trusting people outside of their own faith. It was so with my own family. I became the black sheep of the family.

God promised that veil will be removed in these last days and I believe it already begun in the Sixties, a time when the younger generation wanted changes: Make Love Not War, the drug culture, the Hippies, the Communes, the Jesus movement, etc... and many Jews began to find Yeshua. Since then, Messianic Jewish believers have been gaining in numbers for the last five decades. Whereas, Jewish believers in Yeshua were rare over a century ago, now we have Messianic congregations all over the world, including Israel. There is strength in numbers.

So, at a time when the Messianic movement was just beginning, I felt alone when I found the Messiah, except for His Spirit. Since I thought I was the only Jewish believer, "conversion" seems the only desirable alternative. My family thought I was naive. I did not have an emotional support system. I joined a Christian group where the focus was on group activities, not on the individuals. We had time for prayers, but I did not know how to pray and the others did not understand my needs.   I was still a baby believer and vulnerable to deceptions from the enemy of God.   And because I did not have anyone to guide me, I lost sight of God for a while. Yes, it is surprising. All it takes is one angry person to share the wonderful gospel with, if the person rejects the message with enough angry words, it can lead to confusion. It is very hard for new believers to see the Messiah rejected by family and peers. It takes a very strong person to stand up and speak about Yeshua without giving up. If you read the parable of the sower, I was like the plant that grew fast but got choked by the weeds. I did not understand that being rejected was part of the believer's lifestyle. Depression hit me like a wave. I closed myself to God. I stayed a new believer for only a year. I found out years later it is called “backsliding.” It does not mean that one lose their salvation, but it is a conscious and voluntary withdrawal from fellowship with God that can be temporary. (Here are links of articles with explanation of what backsliding means, Backsliding and Seven Reasons Why A Born-Again Christian Cannot Lose His Salvation)

If I had a word of advice to new believers it would be this: be watchful. New believers are like newborns, they need protection from a cruel world and much encouragement. They need to grow more spiritually mature until His strength flows in them. They need to find a good congregation or church, a good teacher and someone to guide them through their walk with Adonai. The Holy Spirit will prompt them when the time is right. Never approach an unbeliever without praying first. It is better to witness with someone else, another person who can be supportive, like a mentor. Even the apostle Paul, right after he encountered the presence of Yeshua and went blind briefly, he had to go through a sheltered period of nurturing, before going out to preach. He eventually became the most courageous apostle of them all. He urges us in Ephesians 6:18: With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all believers, and pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.

In this same chapter, Paul urges us to put on the full armor of God to stand firm against the plan of the adversary: the girdle for truth, the breastplate for righteousness, the feet covering for the gospel of peace, the helmet for salvation and the sword for the Spirit of God.    For our struggle is not against people or mortal enemies, but against the powers of darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil. These are things that try to stop us from doing God's will, things that are constantly at work to keep us from getting a full glimpse of God's truth. How often does God warn us, be alert, be watchful but we do not heed His word?

My testimony is the reason I believe so strongly that we must provide new believers, especially Deaf believers, with good teachers, mentors and counselors. They need solid teachings and a strong foundation to stand on. They need a sense of belonging into their new spiritual family, especially if their own family rejects them, so that they do not lose heart like I did.

Because of my “backsliding” I was left with a spiritual hunger and looking for other ways to satisfy the void left after experiencing God’s presence. I got involved in many new age practices such as meditation, yoga, witchcraft, astrology, tarots, psychic consultation, and other ways. I even become a yoga teacher for a while. I believe it is very common for Jewish people to go in this direction--because for many of them it is much safer to think of Jesus as an enlightened teacher or an exceptional guru than it is to accept him as the son of Elohim coming down from Heaven to redeem mankind.

The other mistake I made was to "yoke" myself with an unbeliver in marriage. The apostle's message is clear: Do not be bound/yoked/joined together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their God and they shall be my people.   Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate, says Adonai. (2 Corinthians 6: 14-17)   Let this be a warning and an example to anyone who read this. Most people do not want to remember their embarrassing mistakes, much less talk about them. Neither do I, but I have to because I do not want anyone to suffer as I did. I have not always been humble.

The children of Israel were unfaithful to Him many times even after having seen His great power at work... that is why he scattered them all over the world. But God is also able to bring back healing and restoration in anyone's life, as he did in my life. God promises to restore to us many things we have lost through our own lifetime, and through our ancestors. "For behold, days are coming," declares Adonai, "when I will restore the fortunes of My people Israel and Judah. I will also bring them back to the land that I gave to their forefathers and they shall possess it," as another great prophet, Jeremiah wrote.(30:3)

I am now 50 plus years old. I have 2 children from my first marriage. I met my second husband, a faithful believer who pointed me in the direction of the Lord. I re-committed myself to the Lord in 1993 and I have since repented of my rebellion and sins. Adonai is always forgiving and merciful. I have no regrets, even though I wasted some years ignoring Him, I have peace. I see myself as the prodigal daughter who as returned to her Father. The story of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:32 is one of my favorite parable. It is in the same chapter as the story of the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin.

One of the first thing I did after I re-committed myself to the Lord was to destroy all my occult books. This is what I call, "repentence through action." Since then, the Lord has blessed me richly with knowledge to fill the gaps in which I had missed Him. This kind of action is also recorded in the book of Acts 19:18-20. Many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices. And many of those who practiced magic brought their books together and began burning them in the sight of all; and they counted up the price of them and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. So the word of the Lord was growing mightily and prevailing.

I encourage you to make this kind of sacrifice. The blessings that come after are priceless. One of my favorite verse is Romans 11:33-36: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of Elohim! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of Adonai, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given to Him that it might be paid back to him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.

Today, Veronique is the founder of the Signs & Wonders ministry, her vision and mission is to teach the people of her faith about the Jewish roots of Christianity, to share the good news of Yeshua with Deaf Jews and to bring both groups together for the purpose of harmony within the body of Messiah, to reflect a name worthy of "the Bride of Messiah." And most of all, to fulfill God's will in her life and be a part of His plan to bring the Kingdom of Heaven here on Earth. To God be the glory and the power forever!

© Copyright 2011. By Veronique, Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted or re-posted on the internet or forwarded in email without permission.

VERONIQUE'S TESTIMONY, Part 2

2011-01-23T01:45:00.007-05:00

THE VEIL OF DARKNESS LIFTED

The one who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. (1John 5:10)

It was the year 1977 at college, during Thanksgiving break and I was staying at my friend's dorm room while my own dorm was closed. I was bored and had nothing better to do so I began to read my friend's Christian books. I have always been a bookworm. Books were my friends, because in high school I was the only Deaf student, there was no interpreters in those days. It was frustrating having to sit all day long in classes not understanding the teachers, five days a week for years. I did not have many friends. My reading habits had always upset my mother, especially when I stayed up all night to read. It served some very useful purposes: first in helping me to learn English faster, and that week during college break, it served a far greater purpose in helping me find my Messiah. God had it all planned out.

I remember some of the books I read were by C.S. Lewis and Francis Shaffer, who had a ministry in Switzerland called L'Abri. While I read these books, I kept thinking ... what are these people talking about? They seem to make a big deal out of one particular person, a human being who was born 2,000 years ago and I thought, so what? Why is this Jesus so important? What did he do? These people were quite in awe of Him and kept referring to Him as God. My mind could not comprehend a God in human flesh. The way my mother taught me about God was different. He was completely separate from us, all powerful, knowing everything, He created everything and He led the people out of Egypt. So God was not just someone sitting on a throne in heaven with a long white beard, looking down at us? This was the image of God that stuck to my mind while I was growing up, a God so far out of reach. Obviously, my friend's books told me there was more to God than that.

After finishing all the Christian books, my curiosity wanted to know more about this Jesus. There was only one more thing to do... go straight to the Bible. I skipped the Old Testament and went straight to the gospels. I did not want to hear about Moses or Abraham, the stories I grew up with. I grew up in a conservative Jewish family, going to the synagogue was exactly like school with no interpreters. Even the prayers from the Jewish books were dreadfully repetitious. I remember arguing with my mother not to take me there when I got older. (I found out later that Jesus taught us how to pray, He also said not to use vain or meaningless repetitions, in Matt 6:7 and most Christians pray from their hearts, that I definitely liked!)

So that day in the dorm room, I was in a safe place all alone with the Bible and no one to bother me. The gospels had a great impact on me and I began to understand that I was lost. I was touched by what the Messiah did for us. Here was an incredible special person, who could do things no human beings could do: miraculous healing of the sick and disabled, raising the dead, walking on water, multiplying food, changing wine, exorcising evil spirits, and overcoming death after 3 days . Here was a God who wanted to be close to us. What more could I ask for? What was I waiting for? This was God personified in the flesh, He has all the qualities people seek in a God, all displayed in the action and person of Jesus. He was perfect. The promises of God sounded so appealing, because I knew in my heart the world was not a beautiful place. I decided right then and there that I better do what is right before God and I started praying, kneeling before the bed and accepting Jesus into my life. At the time, he was Jesus to me... I did not call him Yeshua, his Hebrew name, until years later.

What happened next is a surreal experience, no words can do justice to it.   It was a strange night, almost “spooky." I was excited but a little nervous as if meeting my first date. As I laid down on the bed, I felt a very strong presence in the room and could not sleep. Although it was not cold, I felt the goose bumps on my arms. There was a wind blowing in the room but it was not the wind. A similar thing happened in the book of Acts 2:2-4 "And suddenly there came from heaven a noise like a violent, rushing wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire distributing themselves, and they rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit was giving them utterance."

After a while I finally went to sleep. The next morning, everything looked so different. The colors and the lights. There was a certain glow to everything around me. It was like my mind was waking up and seeing the world with different eyes. I could see pain and other emotions in people's eyes. Even today, I hear many stories of salvation, but very rarely do I hear about an overnight "spiritual awakening." It was as if the Lord has "branded" me with His Spirit. I changed completely and become more serious about my studies. I stopped partying and joined a Deaf Christian group on campus. For me, meeting God for the first time was a supernatural experience. It also explains something about the Jewish people: 2 Corinthians 3:14-16 But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remained, because it is removed in Messiah. But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to Adonai (Lord), the veil is taken away.

My veil was taken away. I see. I hear. I understand. My story tells you that no person witnessed to me except the Spirit of God. No one told me about Yeshua but I found Him on my own, exactly the way He planned it. For hundred of years, Jews were persecuted and forced to convert to Christianity. God had other plans, He choose to change the Jews the opposite of man's ways.

For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
         Nor are your ways My ways,” declares Adonai.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
         So are My ways higher than your ways
         And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

He choose the soft and gentle way of the Holy Spirit, like the whisper of the wind. Where the first believers experienced a mighty rushing wind, I experienced a very gentle one, but still powerful. Unknown to Christians who insist on the altar call in a church, the Spirit of God is quite able to move without our help because He does not want anyone to boast but to give Him the glory. Rom 11:6-8 But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace. What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; just as it is written, "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes to see not and ears to hear not, down to this very day.”

To this day, I am still humbled that He has chosen me. He has known about me before the foundation of the world.   Ephisians 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach (Messiah), who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Messiah, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and blameless before Him. In love, He predestined us to adoption as sons through Yeshua HaMashiach to Himself, according to the good purpose of His will.

Adonai came to the prophet Jeremiah, saying:
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
         And before you were born I consecrated you;
         I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
Then I said, “Alas, Adonai Elohim!
         Behold, I do not know how to speak,
         Because I am a youth.”
But Adonai said to me,
         “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’
         Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,
         And all that I command you, you shall speak.
Do not be afraid of them,
         For I am with you to deliver you,” declares Adonai.
Then Adonai stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and Adonai said to me,
         “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.
See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms,
         To pluck up and to break down,
         To destroy and to overthrow,
         To build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:4-10)

Glory and honor be to Adonai Elohenu, the Lord our God, King of the Universe, Almighty Creator, and Praise be to His Son Yeshua! (Story continues to part 3, click here for more of Veronique's testimony.)

© Copyright 2011. By Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted or posted on the internet without permission.

VERONIQUE'S TESTIMONY

2011-01-22T00:21:00.014-05:00

Now the salvation, and the power, and the kingdom of our God and the authority of His Anointed have come, for the accuser of our brethren has been thrown down, he who accuses them before our God day and night. And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death. Revelation 12:10-11

Veronique's Testimony, Part One
HE CHOOSE THE WEAK TO SHAME THE STRONG

Although I come from an interesting Jewish bloodline, I firmly believe this: a person is not a Jew because of his appearance, nor is circumcision something physical only. A person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is of the heart, brought about by the Spirit, as the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:29. I want to tell this story because it is fascinating and it explains an important element of Jewish life, the hope and the longing of a people to know their Messiah. My family are descendants of Sephardic Jews from Spain. I remember the story my mother told me of my famous ancestor, Rabbi Ephraim El Enkaoua, who is well remembered and honored among our relatives. It is an amazing true story passed down the generations through seven centuries.

It was the Middle Age, a dark age characterized by fear and hatred of Jews and a time of Jewish persecution across Europe. England had expelled their Jews in 1290, France in 1306 and other countries soon followed their examples. The Bubonic plague, also known as Black Death, reached its peak in 1348 and was blamed on the Jews who were suspected of poisoning the wells. Most Jews were not affected by the Black Death because they practiced the strict Levitical law regarding hygiene, especially in regard to touching sick people and dead bodies. The Black Death is estimated to have killed about half of Europe's population. Fear of the Jews gripped the hearts of people in Europe.

It is unfortunate that the cruelty of that particular early Christianity was based on ignorance of God's word, since most people at that time were either not literate enough or did not have access to copies of God's word. The Roman Catholic church did not help, instead of reading the Scriptures to the mass, they choose to focus on lithurgy and rituals that the mass accepted without questions. What happened? This people perished from lack of knowledge. Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Some English version translates, lack of knowledge as "ignorance." The opposite of ignorance is knowledge and awareness. It was not until the invention of the printing press that this veil of ignorance lifted as the Holy Bible gradually became available to the mass. The educational system improved and the literacy rate increased. This is partly in fulfillment of the prophetic promise from the prophet Habakkuk, 2:12-14: For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the sea is covered by the waters. The human heart has a longing for that awareness, for light and peace, because the Almighty Father put it there. The gross darkness covering the earth is gradually being lifted and today, most believers look forward to the day when the whole earth will be filled with an awareness of God's glory, from sea to sea, from every corner of the earth, and in every little niche.

It is in that context, in a world where awareness of God was virtually absent except for a few saintly people, Ephraim was born in Toledo, Spain in 1354. Anti semitism was rampant all over Europe. The Jews of Spain experienced peace until 1390 when King Alfonso died and the persecution of Spanish Jews began.   Many Jewish communities in Spain suffered, they had to choose between forced conversion or death. Many Jews choose to face death rather than convert. So it was with Ephraim's father. He saw his father die as a martyr, burned at the stake. He quickly escaped with his brother in the middle of the night. They went toward the south of Spain and later arrived in Morocco. There, Ephraim later split with his brother and went to the east toward Tlemcen.

People on the outskirts of the town of Tlemcen, saw him arrive, of all things, on a lion, holding onto a snake which he used to harness the lion. He had learned to control these animals and had an exceptional gift with them. The people were quite in awe of Rabbi Ephraim. He was also well versed in the healing art using herbal and medicinal plants. Words of this exceptional man spread to the Jewish community and he was often asked to help their sick people.

One day the only daughter of the Sultan, of the kingly family of Beni Zion, was sick and dying. The Sultan was desperate and asked for Rabbi Ephraim. When the Rabbi arrived, the Sultan asked him, “I have heard that you are a great doctor and have saved many lives. Save my daughter’s life and name your price.” After examining the daughter, the Rabbi told the Sultan that he should be the only doctor to treat her. He treated her with his own brand of special herbs and to everyone’s amazement, she became well. The Sultan was very grateful and asked the Rabbi his price for the recovery. The Rabbi did not want the offer of gold, he only wanted one thing-- to live with his fellow Jews within the city and to build a house of prayer there. Back then, and in most countries, it was common for Jews to live outside the city. This unusual request was granted. Because of this man, the Jews were permitted to live within the city of Tlemcen. Later other cities of North Africa began to follow this example.

Ephraim eventually founded a yeshiva (a Jewish school) and synagogue that became a thriving cultural center for the Jewish people of North Africa. The center was much needed and allowed the Jews to shed the strange and superstitious Berber customs and beliefs they had adopted from their indigenous Arab neighbors.   Not only was Rabbi Ephraim a physician, healer, writer, teacher, and founder of a community center, he was a revered person by many Jews of North Africa. There is a street named after him in the town of Tlemcen, Algeria. Every year, thirty days after Pesach, thousands of Jews come to see the grave of this well known Rabbi. The words that were inscribed on his grave were: “He was our pride, our support, the Glory of Israel and we ask God that ‘the Maker of Miracles’ protect us and help to send us the Messiah.”

That was the lives of my ancestors, people of Sephardic descent. While Europe persecuted the Jews, the Jews of North Africa were living decently, albeit as second class citizens under Muslim rule. They were forced to pay taxes while the Muslims were exempt, but for the most part it was a peaceful co-existence for decades. The final expulsion of Jews from Spain in 1492, the same day Columbus (who was rumored to be Jewish) sailed for the Americas, had left Spain penniless. They should have remembered God's word to Abraham in Genesis 12:3: And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.

After the Middle Age, the Age of Renaissance and the so called Age of Enlightenment, Europe continued to force the Jews to live in separate communities, yet they somehow managed to survive. Some times, they were forced to wear a a badge on their clothing, which was originally issued by the Pope... the Nazis were not the first to invent this. Hundred of years of hatred and bigotry finally culminated in the Holocaust. Europe invented many excuses for hating the Jews, but one common theme of that hate emerged: "Christ killers." This particular twisted reasoning comes from a passage in Matthew 27:25, when Yeshua was brought before Pilate, who did not want to be responsible for the execution of an innocent man, so the people answered him: "Let his blood be on us and on our children!”   Many Christians interpreted this passage as saying Jews were responsible for the execution of Jesus. How can 80 generations of Jews from that time until the present be responsible for killing Him? They failed to understand the real purpose of Yeshua's death and resurrection. He died willingly of his own choice for all of us, according to God's will, as a payment for our sins.

Out of the ashes of the Holocaust, came the rebirth of Israel as a nation in 1948. One year after the signing of the United Nations Partition Plan, the British withdrew from the occupation of Israel and that very same day, Israel declared their independence on May 14, 1948. There was no time to appoint a new government, the Declaration of Independence had to be signed in one day. It was an incredibly prophetic day, as seen by the most remarkable of all prophets, Isaiah.

Before she travailed, she brought forth;
   Before her pain came, she gave birth to a boy.
Who has heard such a thing? Who has seen such things?
   Can a land be born in one day?
   Can a nation be brought forth all at once?
As soon as Zion travailed, she also brought forth her sons. (Isaiah 66:7-8)

During World War II, the Jews of North African were protected by the Allies. The French colonization of Algeria lasted from 1830 until 1962. A large influx of European immigrants, came to start life in Algeria but the vast majority of the inhabitants were the indigenous Muslims. My grandfather became a French citizen right after joining the French army and serving his time during World War I.   In the 1960’s, things had begun to change.   The Arabs of Algeria resented the presence of the French and wanted greater political autonomy. Since many Jews had become French citizens, in the eyes of the Arabs, they were also considered enemies. French citizens were terrorized and killed. Fearing for their safety and their families, many French citizens began the tedious and slow process of moving back to France. War between France and Algeria concluded in 1962 when Algeria gained independence.

My father was born in Oran, Algeria which is a little further east than Tlemcen. He was the youngest of eight children, and a successful businessman. He owned a chain of mercantile shops which his oldest brothers managed for him. I was born in 1958, growing up among the occasional noise of bombs and shootings until I was 4 years old when my mother took me and my one-month old baby brother to France for safety. My father remained behind to run the business with his brothers. I was born a perfectly normal and healthy hearing child. Right after we moved to France, I became sick with the German measles, the mumps, high fever, and a few episodes of unconsciousness. I lost my hearing gradually and by the time I was six, I became profoundly deaf.

One night in Algeria, my father and his brother were walking toward the car when some Muslims drew their guns and asked them to move toward the wall. Trembling, they walked toward the wall, fearing for their lives, when suddenly out of nowhere, from the building above them, they heard guns going off, bullets hitting the concrete sidewalk near their would-be executioners.   Scared for their lives and thankful for the distraction, they jumped in the car and drove away fast. Father never looked back and decided at this point in his life to drop everything to join my mother in France. He was thankful for whoever distracted his executioners. He never met the people who saved his life. He left his business and livelihood behind, with no time to pack everything. In France, he had to start all over again. He was not as successful as he had been in Algeria and this disappointment must have weighed on him and affected the family.   My parents could not handle the stress of having a deaf child; they had disagreements on how best to raise a deaf child. My mother wanted me to get an oral education, hearing aids, no homemade signs. My father had other ideas, he was known to use some sign language with a deaf customer. They became divorced when I was about 10 years old and shortly afterward, my mother came to the United States with me and my brother--for a better life, especially a better education for me. We started out with her sister in New Jersey, then moved out to our own place and she eventually re-married.

After graduating from public high school in New Jersey, I went to a college for the Deaf at the Rochester Institute of Technology. That was my first exposure to Deaf culture and the first time I learned American Sign Language. Learning about the Deaf culture has been rocky road but I learned ASL fast, because I felt like it was my native language. Eventually, I did not feel so frustrated trying to understand people. My speech and communication skill gradually improved. To my surprise, my mother did not object to my learning sign language this time, because she knew the education was paid for by the local vocational rehabilitation service.

Now comes the best part of my story... the part where I get to meet my Messiah! It is the heart and soul of the story and the reason why the Jewish people have endured as much as they have today. They are a very special part of God’s plan. Without the Messiah, a Jew’s perspective of the purpose of life is confused and cloudy. Putting the Messiah into my life was like putting on a new pair of glasses and seeing things I had never seen or understood before. Some of my favorite verses are 1Corinthians 1:27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-- and the things that are not-- to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. Matt 11:25 At that time Yeshua said, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. I was only 19 years old when I met my Messiah. My real life was just beginning. (Story continues to part 2, click here for more of Veronique's testimony.)

© Copyright 2011. By Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted or posted on the internet without permission.

TESTIMONY OF DAWN DEPOORTER

2011-01-20T12:42:00.003-05:00

FINDING MY JEWISH IDENTITY LATE IN LIFE

I was born in Detroit Michigan on the same day when the movie Ben Hur came out in 1959. My deafness was caused by the Rubella measles that my mother carried when she was pregnant with me.

My father's family were originally from Belgium.   My grandfather's mother was a Belgian Jew and his father, Camiel came from a generation of royal bloodline. ... Camiel's wife's parents decided to convert from Judaism to Catholic before they were born. Camiel moved to America with his wife and children to Illinois where there used to be a farmland. They never spoke English after they immigrated to USA but they raised 7 children. My grandfather Alfonso was the last baby to be born 20 years later. Alfonso worked for factory somewhere in Chicago and married a gentile. They had a son Gary but in 1933 they got divorced. Alfonso heard about better job opportunities in Detroit and decided to move there. His siblings decided to follow him to Detroit, Michigan and his parents followed him to be closer to their children. Al worked for Chrysler for many years until his retirement.

When Al settled down in Detroit, Michigan, he met another lady, Gertrude or "Trudy" for short at a dance hall. Her parents were both from Germany. They also converted from Judaism to Catholic. Trudy and Al got married in 1938. My father Douglas was born in 1939 and then my aunt Dianne and uncle Carl. My father met my mother Janet at High School prom through mutual friends.

My mother also came from royal bloodline and Jewish as well... Her family came from Finland. My parents got married in 1958 in Detroit, Michigan., then in 1959 I was born. My childhood was complicated. I did not grow up in a "typical Jewish" family because my parents knew they were Jewish but hide their true identity to survive. They raised me as Lutheran and Catholic. I felt mixed up because my parents divorced later. I was Lutheran when I was living with my mother. When I saw my father during his visiting rights on weekend and went to his Catholic church. I was never member of either churches. I just went to make my parents happy. I grew up somewhat neglected and did not have good family moral values.

My childhood was very difficult. I didn't learn to talk until I was 7 years old because my mother did not know how to teach me to say some words. She had difficult time understanding my needs as a Deaf person.   I learned sign language at age 8 but my mother was totally against the idea because she felt it would fail my speech. She also believe that sign language belonged to the devil but later, she has changed her view when I got older.   She realized sign language was beautiful when I sang a song with it and she regretted the things she said about it later. I use lip reading and home body language with my family and sign language with my Deaf friends. I have two communication methods all my life.

The first time I heard about Yeshua was when somebody sang about Him. I was invited to a Messianic worship service on a Friday night. I did not know who Yeshua was. I was told it's Jesus in Hebrew. I quickly accepted it. It was not hard for me to learn at all. I just learned fast and adapted very well. I was drawn to the warmth He represented through His people who became my good friends. I fell in love with the music, it was so powerful and I got lot of goose bumps... and after listening to the preaching, it touched my heart and it stirred me. I felt excited and inspired and wanted to belong to Yeshua and his family.

Later, I accepted Yeshua as my Messiah in Rochester NY on September, 18 1993. This was the day of my spiritual birth. The day I felt moved to accept Yeshua in my life, the Rabbi asked if anyone wanted to accept Yeshua in their heart to be saved and baptized. I was sitting down and felt "someone" push me in the back. It was the Holy Spirit. I felt the urge to accept Yeshua and got up with courage toward the Rabbi and his wife. I told them I would love to do this. They were very thrilled and excited to make arrangement immediately, I was baptized in a swimming pool. I was blessed that day.

My life after I accepted Yeshua immediately changed. I worked very hard to pass all my courses as a student at NTID. I am still having obstacles in my life but it just made me stronger and made me an "overcomer." My life before and after Yeshua was very different. Before Yeshua I was lesbian and hang out into wrong group and had lot of problems with roommates and people mistreating me etc. After Yeshua, I did not have anymore desire of to get involved with the wrong peers. I still have challenges in my life but it changed me to become a better person. I remain single... and that's ok! I'm just humbled that God protected me as far as He did and I was never involved with drugs or alcohol.

My family and friends saw some difference in my life but did not understand it at all. My old friends don't contact me anymore, they were surprised but don't seem to care about my newfound faith. When I accepted Yeshua in my life, my father told me to use my spiritual gifts but not to share them with the family. I respected his wish but later found out that I am not the only the only member of the family who have accepted Jesus/Yeshua.   My grand aunt Hilde and my Uncle Carl are Christians and also another grand aunt, Annie.

My father never told me while I was growing up that our family was Jewish. When I was in college during my 3rd year, my Jewish friend who was also a believer suspected that I was Jewish. The next time I went home to visit my family, I asked my father. That was in 1993 I was 33 years old at the time. During Christmas dinner, I asked my father, "Dad, I have a friend who suspect that I am part Jewish. Is it true? I need to know the true answer." He was shocked and stopped eating. At first he wouldn't answer immediately but told my stepmother. "I have to tell her the truth... I'm sorry." My step mother stayed quiet.   "Dawn.. yes, you have Jewish blood in you and my ancestors who are your ancestors too... they were all Jewish, even on your mother's side."

I had several other supernatural experiences. I had one in 1988 after an hectic day in St. Paul Minnesota, I saw a vision of Yeshua on his stake and dripping of blood about to pour on me. I had several other supernatural experiences and another time, I heard the angel spoke to me in dream ... she said " you are beautiful Dawn." In 2008, I had prophetic dream .. this is very clear to me it says " King David, King David. You are descendant of King David! You must hide!" That confirmed my Jewish identity.

God has blessed me many ways... housing, foods, money, even small things, He is always with me, even I can see him around. The spiritual gifts God has given me to equip me to grow the Kingdom of God are discernment of spirits and once in a while prophetic dreams. My spirit grows slowly closer to kingdom of God. I am 100 percent single, never married. No children. I am currently studying photography at a community college.

Notes from the editor: Dawn's story is a beautiful example of God restoring back everything His people lost through persecution and the diaspora. Through Yeshua, Dawn is rightfully restored back to her Jewish roots and the royal position her family had lost she regained when she made Yeshua a big part of her life, she is now a part of God's royal family and priesthood, as are all believers who have accepted Yeshua as their Messiah! © Copyright 2010. Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

Dawn in 1983

TESTIMONY OF KAREN GOLDMAN

2011-01-19T14:04:00.001-05:00

MY HEART WAS DEAF

I am a complete Jew! The Lord saved me even before I was aware that there are other Jewish believers in the world.

I was brought up in a very reformed Jewish home. My family faithfully celebrated Hanukkah and Christmas, Passover and Easter, and Rosh Hashanah. Our Christmases consisted of a large family dinner and dozens of presents but nary a mention of a Messiah. For some reason, my parents considered Christmas trees and lights too "Christian" so we never had them, which deeply disappointed me since I loved to decorate the Christmas trees at school. Our Easters consisted of sleeping late, dying eggs, egg hunts and more food. We celebrated Rosh Hashanah with a feast but did not observe Yom Kippur at all.

We never went to the synagogue except for Bar Mitzvahs. Even for that we used to come a half-hour before the service ended, just in time for the fabulous smorgasbord spreads. Sorry, I don't know the Yiddish word for Bar Mitzvah luncheons; that just proved how little we practiced Judaism! My mom never even made chicken soup and dumplings chopped liver and other Jewish dishes except for the holidays.

I have been deaf since birth. I attended Tucker Maxon Oral School from pre-school through the sixth grade. We were taught how to lipread and speak. Because the principal was a fundamentalist Baptist, the school was practically a Christian school. We had morning prayers and prayers before lunch. We had Bible classes once a week. We had religious annual Christmas pageants. My parents hated the Bible classes but they did not wish to remove me from the school since it was the best deaf school in Portland. I really enjoyed the Bible classes. I read the children's Bible from cover to cover. I used to play Sunday school with my dolls. I loved the story of Jesus and wished it was true, but alas, Jesus was for Gentiles only. Unfortunately I experienced a little anti-Semitism from my classmates. They teased me and the few other Jews, because we did not believe in Christmas and Santa Claus, and because we did not go to Sunday school. This confused my conception of Christianity.

When I was 11 years of age, the fundamentalist principal retired, and a Mormon replaced her. He stopped the Bible classes. I soon lost all interest in religion. Prior to beginning at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, my mom warned me that the school was full of Jesus freaks. I told her not to worry, for I did not run around with hippies, religious or not.

I was sometimes lonely at college. Many of the people were afraid to get to know me at a less superficial level because I was deaf. However, many of the Christians went out of their way to be friendly with me. They also preached the Gospel to me. I politely told them that Jesus was for Gentiles only. They patiently persisted in preaching the Gospel. I wanted to have an open mind to others' viewpoints, but refused to believe since I assumed Christianity was only one of many religions. One of my friends, Linda, invited me to the campus Christian fellowship. I agreed to go just once. It was a dark, rainy night. I slipped 5 times on the way to the chapel. That scared me, as it felt spooky or supernatural. To my relief there was no teaching that night because the leader was sick. We just had sharing and rap sessions, which I enjoyed. No one pressured me. Another friend, Nick, told me that he cried when Jesus entered his heart which impressed me, so I ran up to my dorm room and whispered, "Come to me, Jesus. For a few minutes I felt exhilarated and believed, but then the tempter snatched away the freshly sown seed in my heart. I started feeling phony so I pushed all thoughts of Jesus out of my mind. However, a tiny root remained. In the meanwhile, I was often unhappy. I had problems with my family and was extremely worried about my future after graduation. But after I rejected Jesus things went from bad to worse. I read Carlos Castaneda, an occult author who wrote Journey to Ixtlan and other books describing his adventures as an apprentice of a Mexican sorcerer. He described death as a shadow lurking behind your left shoulder, ready to pounce without warning. Death could also take the form of a driverless car's headlights in the night, which made me too scared to drive. I was also scared to sleep alone at night.

I read Jung's Man and Symbols, which described an esoteric rebirth process, for I was anxious to know the purpose of life, and what happens after death. I desired to be reborn and start afresh, but did not know how. One night I had a dream in which "l was born again." I was being cradled in a tree being swayed by a gentle breeze, near the sea. The tree's giant leaves softly enveloped my body. Then I saw a flashback of myself at 2-3 years of age climbing some steps at a Rocky Mountain National Park.

A short time later, I bought the Late Great Planet Earth, by Hal Lindsey out of curiosity at a supermarket. I loved science fiction and futuristic books. I kept putting off reading it, but the Holy Spirit drew me towards it. I hungrily read the book in one evening. Lindsey's somewhat dull account of the 100% accuracy of the Old Testament prophecies bored me until I noticed the accuracy of Ezekiel's prophecy of the regathering of Israel after two thousand years of Diaspora (dispersion). That really struck me! So I began wondering if Jesus' claims were valid. It occurred to me that I had never investigated this for myself. Here's the prophecy of Ezekiel 38:8... After many days you will be summoned; in the latter years you will come into the land that is restored from the sword, whose inhabitants have been gathered from many nations to the mountains of Israel which had been a continual waste; but its people were brought out from the nations, and they are living securely, all of them.

The next day after classes ended, I visited a friend whom I had not seen for a long time. She told me about her faith in Jesus. I replied, "I'm thinking it over," so she gave me Beyond Ourselves by Catherine Marshall and the Gospel of John. I was too self-conscious to accept Jesus right there, so I left for the library where I was to meet my dad who was picking me up. Just as his car pulled up I took a deep breath, "Jesus, I don't know whether you are real or a myth, but come into my heart." I wondered if anything would happen. No fireworks danced before my eyes. No trumpets sounded (yes, I can hear trumpets). I just knew the reality of Jesus (Yeshua), his forgiveness of sins, and my salvation. I had not even touched the New Testament but I remembered one verse from Revelations 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone listens to my voice and opens the door, I shall come to him and dine with him and he with Me. The date: February 14, 1974 Valentine's Day.

A couple of weeks later, I met Moishe Rosen, the leader of Jews for Jesus, at my college. That is when I found out there were many other Jewish believers, (Mispochech, which means family). This may be the end of my testimony, but my salvation marked the beginning of my life with Yeshua HaMashiach. © Copyright 2008. Karen Goldman. All Rights Reserved.

TESTIMONY OF HAVIV BEN CHAIM

2011-01-18T13:56:00.006-05:00

THE STRUGGLE OF A DEAF ISRAELI

Haviv is a unique Messianic Deaf believer who has accepted Yeshua (Jesus) as his Messiah and one of the few Deaf Israeli living in the United States. An orthodox Jew born in Haifa, Israel, he was trained in Judaism from the age of seven and had his Bar Mitzvah in 1982. He went to General Education School for the Deaf in Israel. Haviv and his family have visited many places of historical significance in Israel. Every year in May, they go to Mt. Maroen near Galilee where people go to worship and sacrifice the lambs for the removal of the sins in the family. Haviv remembered how he became upset because he always preferred to have the lamb as pet. His father tried to comfort him and explained to him that the sacrifice was important for the forgiveness of sins. Haviv accepted this and became used to the sacrifices each year. However, he still felt "dead" in spirit because he never understood the importance of communicating with God.

He came to the United States in 1978 at the age of 18 with his parents, his hearing sister Hila, his twin brother Charly and sister Ronit, both Deaf. His parents wanted cochlear implants for all three Deaf children but could not afford for the surgeries in Israel. They relocated to the United States to have the surgeries done. However, God had other plans and events took an unexpected turn. The cochlear implants never happened.

It was during an English class in San Diego, California where he was learning his fourth language. Israeli Sign Language was his native language as he was growing up. He then learned Hebrew at school. When he and his family moved to the United States, he learned American Sign Language first, then English. It was in English classes that he met his future wife Marie, a Deaf Gentile. Learning another spoken and written language was a struggle for Haviv who is profoundly deaf. Marie was from the Dominican Republic and also took the class to improve her English. At that time, Haviv was wearing the traditional black orthodox outfit with the kipa and the fringes of his tallit hanging out. Marie had been involved with Tenth Coin, a drama group that tours the United States to be a witness to the Deaf for the Lord. She was led by the Holy Spirit to ask Haviv if he believed Yeshua (Jesus) to be the Messiah. This was the beginning of a spiritual adventure for Haviv.

Haviv told Marie that Yeshua was not Messiah as she believed, but the true Messiah would come the first time in glory on His horse. Marie was very patient and spent much time talking to Haviv. He was willing to learn more but was confused trying to understand concept like "one God or many gods"? Everyday at lunchtime in the cafeteria, they met to discuss the Messiah. Marie showed him the prophecies concerning the Messiah from the Old Covenant only. These meetings continued for two years at the same school. She also invited him to fellowship at her church and to join a Bible study group.

One day, he saw video about Jesus, the actor portraying Jesus was walking on the land in Israel. His heart broke open and he remembered all the places he visited with his family and on special school trips. He asked himself, what was a Christian Jesus was doing in Israel? It brought back memories of how much he loved his native homeland, Israel. He cried in private. Why did Yeshua have to show up in Israel, perform so many signs and miracles and rise from the dead after three days? He remembered the burial place, the Garden Tomb of Jesus, and how his teacher said that Jesus was a false Messiah and not God. By now, Haviv's heart was very open to God and he did some more research on the prophecies fulfilled by Yeshua. All the archeological places Haviv had visited in Israel combined with the prophecies were great evidences to him. He realized that Yeshua has finally satisfied all his questions including the ones about the sacrifices on Mt. Maroen. Only Yeshua had the power to remove his sins, not the lambs his father bought for the family sacrifices. He had never been able to feel the cleansing or "feeling of peace" from the sacrificial lambs that only Yeshua gave him.

When Haviv was ready to accept Yeshua, he asked Marie how to become saved, and she showed him how to pray in his own words by himself. When he did, the Holy Spirit filled him and he felt joy, peace and love from Yeshua. Haviv continued his study of the Bible. He felt a desire to tell his parents that Yeshua was the real Messiah but they got very upset and angry with him. He was very stubborn and insistent that Yeshua was the Messiah and explained to them about Isaiah 53. His father insisted that Yeshua was a false Messiah. It was the beginning of a spiritual struggle for Haviv but he remained faithful and the Lord told him in a still small voice, "My Child, do not be afraid, please follow me." Haviv still believed he is Jewish and did not stop being Jewish. Haviv witnessed to his Deaf twin brother Charly and his Deaf sister Ronit who accepted Yeshua easily. His hearing sister Hila will not accept Yeshua as Messiah. In this family, only the Deaf members are saved.

Haviv continued fellowship with Marie at her church. He asked Marie to marry him but she did not accept, as she was only interested in witnessing and bringing souls to Christ. Haviv was disappointed but he prayed one night and during his sleep an angel called him, "Haviv, do not be afraid, please go for marriage to Marie." So he woke up that morning and went to her home to tell her about the dream. She was doubtful and told him to wait for God to give the answer so she can assure herself this was true. Again that night, Haviv had the dream of the angel telling him three times to marry her. That same night, Marie also had a dream in which the angel told her three times to marry Haviv. They both had the same experience. This convinced her to accept marriage to Haviv. They have been happily married ever since.

At first, his parents had a very difficult time accepting their marriage because they felt that Haviv was "breaking the family tradition" by marrying a Gentile. Three years later, after the birth of their two daughters, Haviv's parents showed more acceptance of Marie but still do not believe in Yeshua.

Haviv and Marie now live in Massachusetts and have two daughters. Haviv works with Deaf clients in a mental health unit. He shares the Gospel with other Deaf people and encourages them to build spiritual stability with the truth of the Scriptures and away from false teachings. He misses his homeland Israel very much. He loves his hometown, Kriemal. It has been 30 years since he left Israel.

One of Haviv's favorite verse is Isaiah 9:6: To Haviv, this verse shows the Son being called the Father and points to Him as the Messiah. Haviv believes Jews do not need to wait for the Messiah anymore because Yeshua has fulfilled many prophecies. Amen! © Copyright 2007. Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved.

Haviv's testimony in ASL on YouTube Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuCRZhpq_CM&feature=player_embedded

Haviv and his twin brother Charly, undergoing their Bar Mitzvahs
at the Kotel (the Western Wall in Jerusalem)

Haviv and his family sacrificing the lamb on Mt. Maroen near Galilee, a traditional family event.

VIDEOS

2011-01-17T16:31:00.015-05:00

VIDEOS IN AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE

Robin Polin's testimony, the full story

Robin shares her testimony in ASL during Moishe Rosen's Memorial

Haviv Ben-Chaim, Deaf Israeli believer.

Cyril Axelrod, Deaf-blind priest.
Grew up Orthodox Jewish, "converted" to Catholic later.
Helped many Deaf communities in South Africa, Asia and worldwide.

CAPTIONED VIDEOS

Robin Polin's story as seen on TV news, in captions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6znTP1SQAQ
Click on above link to watch video on YouTube

Testimony of Haviv Ben-Chaim,
with family photos and captions:

MORE VIDEOS COMING SOON!

TESTIMONY OF ROBIN POLIN

2011-01-17T16:23:00.009-05:00

FIGHTING FOR HER FREEDOM TO BELIEVE

I was raised in a Jewish home after being born deaf. My deafness was caused by German measles during my mom's pregnancy. I attended Sunday school class at synagogue when I was 5 years old. In class there was no interpreter, which caused me to be bored and unhappy. So I quit going there. However, my family and I often attended my synagogue for the special holidays like New Year's, Yom Kippur, Hanukkah and Passover annually. I was never had a "Bat Mitzvah", but my sisters and brother had their Bar/Bat Mitzvahs.

When I was 7-years old, my mother and I were driving home. Looking out the window, I saw a church and wondered to myself why there was a cross above the roof. What about the synagogue? It didn't have a cross on its building. I didn't ask my mother "why?" at the time. Then one Sunday morning I woke up and had nothing to do, so I decided to turn on the TV. I saw people in a church talking about this man who hung on the cross. My thoughts were that this man was a good man, though still a stranger to me.

In my school, a deaf classmate who already had become a Christian explained to the rest of us 6th graders in elementary school about being baptized. My teacher, a Catholic, interrupted my deaf classmate's explanation for she knew I was a Jew and did not want me to listen to her story. When I was 12-years old, my good friend's deaf pastor and wife visited our house for dinner one Saturday evening. They asked my parents, "Can Robin go with us to the skating party after church?" My parents just said to them "NO." I was very embarrassed at this, but I just kept eating and tried not to pay attention to them. My parents would make me so nervous. Two girls from the church shortly after that came to visit me at my home. My mother told me to say,” No, I can't go to the church with you because I am Jewish." So I told the girls what my mother told me to say. They respected my words and left. They prayed silently in their hearts for my salvation.

God continued to put more people in my life in order to draw me to himself. When I was 13, I was a member of Fire Camp Girls. Before supper, all the girls and leaders prayed for the blessing of the food. I noticed that they all bowed their heads to pray. It caused me to be embarrassed because my family never used to bow their heads when praying at meals- it was new to me. Later, one of the leaders asked me to be involved in the bible study group on Sunday morning. I was alone in the supper room and saw through the window their replied, "No, I am Jewish and do not believe in Jesus." I cried and yelled to God and asked "Why must I be left alone by everyone in the Bible study group? Why am I Jewish and told not to believe in the church or the Bible?" Then when I was 14-years old, I had a strange and disturbing dream one night. On the orange desert my dry skeleton lay- only my eyes were alive. It seemed this was after my death. This dream stayed with me and caused me to be so worried about where I would go after my death. There was nothing to reveal the answer to my question. I was restless in my bed at night for at least a week.

I found myself searching for the truth of God and was unhappy in my life with my Jewishness. I had hoped that my Jewishness alone would make me successful and happy, but it failed. I asked my mom what she believed about heaven and hell. She said that all people in the world can go to heaven. I asked my sister and father what they thought, and they said that good people can go to heaven and bad people go to hell. Privately, I disagreed with their beliefs, but I knew there was "truth" somewhere; I would find it later.

In high school I used to watch my deaf classmate who was a fine Christian and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. She was joyful and smiled all the time. It caused me to wonder why she smiled and had joy all the time, seeming to have few troubles. I was curious and asked her questions about Jesus and her beliefs one day during the lunch hour. She loaned me a bible and talked to me about Jesus while I watched out for the teachers around me. I brought the bible home with me and read it in my living room. My mom saw me reading the bible and asked who it belonged to. I told her, "my deaf classmate". It caused her to be very upset when she learned that I was exposed to the Gospel in my high school.

My mother called my teachers and explained to them what I had been hearing from my deaf classmates. She wanted my teachers to rebuke my deaf classmates and instruct them not to talk with me about Jesus because I am Jewish. I got very upset with my mother. I told my teachers that my desire was to learn more about Jesus. But my teachers warned me that if the school got into trouble for allowing students to talk about Jesus those parents could sue the school. I replied that no matter how they feel, each person is free to talk about religious beliefs and that is their own business. After this happened, some of the deaf students started keeping away from me. A few months later, I became determined to talk to my deaf believer friends about the issues in the Bible while keeping watch out for the teachers so I wouldn't get in trouble.

I tried to understand the Bible, but it was not working. I was thinking about what to do. I got a new idea about visiting the deaf pastor after school. I made an appointment for meeting with him after school. I was driving there feeling so afraid of what my parents would do if they found out I was going to visit him. Anyways I figured I should be courageous enough on my own at 17-years old to go visit him. I asked him to explain the Bible. We talked for one hour.

I learned that Jews and Goyim are equal in God's eyes according to the Bible saying, Romans 3:9-12. So are we Jews better than others? No! We have already said that both Jews and those who are not Jews are guilty of sins. As the Scriptures say: "There is no one who does what is right, not even one. There is no one who understands. There is no one who looks to God for help. All have turned away. Together, everyone has become useless. There is no one who does anything good; there is not even one."

A few weeks later, the pastor shared with me where I would go after I died. He said that I would go to hell without Jesus. He also shared with me the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about Jesus in the New Testament. This evidenced Jesus' truth to me. So I realized that I am a sinner and the worthlessness of being Jewish, but I was so happy that Jesus was the Messiah and could save me from hell. So then I prayed to receive Jesus as my personal saviour. After that, I was so joyful in my heart- wow! I thank God that He sent His son Jesus into the world to die on the cross and forgive us of our sins. I was in a hurry to get home. My mother asked me where I was. I said I went to see the deaf pastor. She asked, "For what?" I said that we talked about Jesus. My mother got really upset and called the deaf pastor telling him not to talk to me about Jesus.

I continued to attend the deaf pastor's house after school and did not tell my parents where I was. I have been learning God's word ever since I became a believer. One day I asked my deaf pastor where the deaf missionaries to the Jewish people in America were. He said there are no missionaries to the deaf Jewish people in America. I became disappointed because I felt a burden for the deaf Jewish people and did not want them to go to hell without Jesus. So I decided to surrender to God and be a missionary to deaf Jews.

The time came to tell my parents about my decision with six weeks left before my high school graduation in May 1983. My high school teacher had given me an application for a scholarship. I wanted to go to Bible College, but my parents wanted me to be a computer programmer and go to East Central University or Gallaudet University. So I drove to my best friend's place of work after school one day and talked to her about how I felt God's calling me to be a missionary and go to Bible college. So we gathered to pray as we knew it would be very hard for this to go through my unsaved Jewish parents. So I went home and prayed hard for an hour before writing a note to my parents about my goal of going to Bible College.

I confronted my parents with the note and saw their expression become one of anger when they heard what I had to say. My dad's temper flared and he took away my car keys, Closed Captioning, and TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) from me. They were upset because I believed in Jesus.

A few weeks later, my father decided he was fed up with me because I refused to change my mind and return to Judaism. He wrote to me, "You must make up your mind to either follow your parents and the Ten Commandments or follow Jesus and leave home." I chose to follow Jesus and to leave home. My father grabbed my purse and I stopped him, but he hit my mouth. He closed his room door. So I left and went to the store to place an emergency call to my best friend, but that didn't really help. But I prayed to God and let God guide me on His path.

I decided to go back home and call my deaf friend. We went out into our neighborhood to babysit. Somehow it was God's miraculous moving in me to see the sign. My best friend heard that I tried to call him but there was no answer. So my best friend and other friend drove around my house because she knew that I had to work as a babysitter across the street from my parent's house. I couldn't hear the horn. So they prayed to God and asked Him to control my heart to see the car. For some reason, God allowed my deaf friend to get sick suddenly as we were sitting there talking in the living room. I was very shocked in that moment. I was telling her that my father kicked me out of the house. She told me to meet her at school tomorrow afternoon at softball practice.

So the next day I had a meeting with my best friend, deaf pastor and his wife, and Jewish believer friends to discuss the problem of my parents. They shared with me the verse in the Bible, Matthew 19:29, "And everyone that hath forsaken houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children or lands for my name's sake shall receive a hundredfold and shall inherit everlasting life." I would follow Jesus rather than listen to my parents and reject Jesus. My father kicked me out of the house.

After school I was rushing to pick up my best friend and we stopped by the shopping park. I wrote the letter to my parents while I was so nervous. I said in the letter that I have my own free will as an 18-year old to leave my parents' house. Then we went to the notary public to seal the notary on the letter to be sent to my parents. Meanwhile, my parents searched somewhere for me but couldn't find me- I was hiding at my Jewish believer friend's house. They went to the police station and filed a missing persons report. Also, they sent two detectives to my best friend's place of work and asked her where I was. She answered, "I can't tell you where she is." They showed the missing persons report with my senior picture to my best friend. They couldn't do anything more about finding me; therefore, they left and informed my father about it.

The next day, my father filed a complaint on the matter of guardianship. The court made an appointment for Thursday May 5, 1983 at 9:30 AM. There he declared to newspaper reporters that I was mentally incompetent and that I needed guardianship as I was being brainwashed by a "Baptist Cult". His story in the newspaper lied against me. I was shocked and did not know what to do. I thought about it and asked my friend to call Jews for Jesus to help out with this emergency. Also, I told her to say that needed a lawyer but had no money!?

Jews for Jesus was shocked too about my situation with my parents, so they sent a missionary, Susan Perlman, to fly to Tulsa to help me get an attorney and prepare me for court. My attorney, John Mark Young, sent me to the Oklahoma School for the Deaf in Sulphur, Oklahoma to take an I.Q. test because the results of the test would show that I was competent as an 18-year old to be independent of my parents. I scored a 126 which is above normal and passed!! Three TV news and two newspaper reporters came to my attorney's office and interviewed my through the interpreter for 1 and 1/2 hours. I went to court on May 5, 1983 and had a battle in court for 5 days. The deaf people came by side to support me. Sadly though, the judge ruled that I was incompetent and needing guardianship.

Robin's story in the newspaper

Obviously, I had lost my case, but I still appealed to the court. I decided to appeal to the Oklahoma Supreme court, but they dismissed my case; that is, until they found out I was going to East Central University. In the meantime, the judge at district court planned to fire my attorneys for no reason. But somehow the judges from Oklahoma Supreme Court stopped and cancelled the case in Tulsa District Court. My attorneys came to see the judge in District Court and found out the information from Oklahoma Supreme Court.

Praise God! Then, one month later I went to my sister's house for thanksgiving. The Holy Spirit spoke to me inside my heart as I felt something strange, "The court will call your attorney." I doubted what was going on. I just forgot about it. The next day, I was at church listening to my deaf pastor preach, and at the same time the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart, "Oh yes, yes, the court will call your attorney!" I was suspicious and feeling funny. When the pastor finished his sermon, I asked one of the members what would happen, etc. She said that I would have to wait and see if God shows me that in fact He will answer my prayer. I said OK and returned to college.

I felt like giving up after six months of prayer, but determined myself to keep praying. Two days later, the Oklahoma Supreme Court made a decision in my favor as they voted 8 to 1! My attorney called my friend at college, "ROBIN IS FREE FROM INCOMPETENT AND GUARDIANSHIP! Robin is a winner over her case!" It was November 29, 1983. Victory for me!!! God answered my prayers! My friend was so surprised that I won the case. After the court ruled in my favor, I transferred to Tennessee Temple University in Chattanooga.

But my father got very mad; upset enough to appeal the case to the Oklahoma Supreme court a few times. But he lost again and had to appeal to the US Supreme Court in Washington, DC. He still lost 3 times. Now he leaves me alone as he can't force me to do what he wants to. The two main reasons for this are: Freedom of Religion and the rights of the Deaf. In 1988, I earned Bachelor of Religious Education (BRE) in Missions from Tennessee Temple University. I learned many mistakes in my experience working for the Lord. It changes me to be a better person to continue serving the Lord no matter what situations I face. Copyright © 2009 By Robin Polin. All Rights Reserved.

Robin with Jews for Jesus in New York City

Editor's notes: After many years of praying for her father, her prayers were answered. Robin's father passed away recently, but before he died he accepted Yeshua as his Messiah. Robin continues to witness to her Deaf Jewish friends and has videos of her message on www.youtube.com.

Robin shares her testimony during Moishe Rosen's Memorial:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2sbhk_IYY04

Robin's story as seen on TV news, in captions:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6znTP1SQAQ

More newspapers clips about Robin's court battle:

PRAYER OF SALVATION

2011-01-17T10:43:00.002-05:00

Below is only one of the many examples of a prayer of salvation. It is usually best to pray by yourself with a sincere heart instead of repeating it, or without reading. At first, most people need help understanding the basic of salvation before praying on their own. Only God can see the true intention of your heart; after all, if He knows the number of hairs on your head, He knows everything. One of His awesome attribute is omniscence (all knowing). Be honest with yourself and with Him.

The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob offers us ONE all-sufficient solution--His answer to all the problems that have plagued mankind from the beginning. That solution is the exchange that took place on the stake some 2,000 years ago at Galgotha in Jerusalem. The most complete account of this accomplishment was given through the prophet Isaiah 700 years before it actually took place, in Isaiah chapter 53. This account was fulfilled and told in the four gospels of the New Covenant. This is the same new covenant that was promised through the prophet Jeremiah in chapter 31, verse 31.

Why do we need to be saved? Because all of us are born with a sinful, selfish and rebellious nature. If you say you do not need to be saved because you are a good person, you are lying to yourself. We cannot save ourselves through our own effort. We have failed many times. You only have to pay attention to world news to know there is something corrupt about human beings. We need a greater power beyond ourselves to obtain salvation. No matter how good you try to be, you will still come up short of God's standard of holiness. Therefore, God offers us a perfect solution through Yeshua, who is perfect and without sin. God, the all-powerful and all-knowing being in the universe, in His mercy, planned all this.

For those who say, "There is no God," God only has one thing to say to them... they are fools! Even a small child can see that the universe in all its wonders has an almighty Creator. Who was Yeshua? Simply, He was God incarnate in the human flesh. He was born of a virgin. He came from Heaven to earth to dwell among humans. He has the power to heal, to perform miracles, to change substance, to multiply food, to command the weather... in effect, He demonstrated powers beyond the ability of ANY man in this world since the beginning of history. The most important thing He did for us was to overcome the power of death and to promise the same to anyone who believe in Him. He is the firstfruits of those who have been resurrected.

Yeshua was punished that we might be forgiven.
Yeshua was wounded that we might be healed.
Yeshua died our death that we might share His life.
Yeshua became poor that we might share His riches.
Yeshua bore our shame that we might share His glory.
Yeshua became a curse that we might receive His blessings.
Yeshua bore our sins that we might become righteous with His righteousness.
Yeshua endured our rejection that we might have His acceptance as children of God.

The word salvation is from the Greek root, sozo, which means to be saved not only from forgiveness of sins but healing from illnesses, demon possessions, or even death as are told in the four gospels. Salvation includes the total human personality: spirit, soul, mind and body.

John 3:3: I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

Roman 5:6-8, 10:9: I Confess with your mouth, "Yeshua is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved."

Adonai (Lord), Elohim (God) of Israel, thank you for sending your beloved Son to die for me. I know that without Him I would be separated from You forever by my sins. I invite Him into my life to be my Savior, my Redeemer, my Messiah, my Lord, my King, my Master and the most important person in my life.

Adonai, God of Israel, I believe now that You are the Son of God and the ONLY way to God; that you died on the stake for my sins and rose again from the dead.

Adonai, God of Israel, I gave up all my rebellion and all my sins, and I submit myself to You as my Lord and Savior.

Adonai, God of Israel, I confess all my sins before You and ask for your forgiveness, for any sins that exposed me to a curse. Free me also from the consequences of my family's sins.

By decision of my free will, I forgive all who have harmed me or wrong me, just as I want God to forgive me. In particular, I forgive... (think of the people you need to forgive.)

I gave up all contact with anything evil, occult, or satanic. If I have any contact objects, I commit myself to destroy them. Any claims that the evil adversary has made on me, I cancel all of them.

Adonai, I believe that on the stake (or the cross), You took on yourself ever curse that could ever come on me. So I ask that you now release me from every curse on my life... in Your name, Messiah Yeshua.

By faith, I now receive my release and I thank You for it. I now open myself to receive Your blessings. I pray in the name above all names, Yeshua, Messiah and Redeemer of Israel.

Messianic prophecies from the Old Testament fulfilled by Yeshua as told in the New Testament:
http://www.messianic-prophecy.net/
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/messianic.htm

TESTIMONY OF ALLEN ROTHSTEIN

2011-01-16T16:40:00.003-05:00

BEING "GOOD" WASN'T ENOUGH

Reprinted by permission from the Messianic Times, March 2000. Al Rothstein of Rochester, NY, Iived most of his life with barely a thought about his eternal destiny and no idea he had to repent of his sins to receive eternal life. "I figured we were all going to heaven unless we did something terrible--then we would go to hell," said Al, who attended Hebrew and Shabbat school as a child.

Al, 48, began to learn about man's sinful nature in a journey that began in a Baptist Church and his Bible and ended in a Messianic Jewish congregation and in his accepting Yeshua as the Jewish Messiah more than four years ago. He began attending Westside Baptist Church with a friend. Unlike the Jewish schools he had attended as a child, the church had equipment for the hearing impaired, and for the first time in his life, Al, who is considered legally deaf, could clearly hear Biblical teaching. The pastor's messages intrigued him and prompted him to read the New Covenant Scriptures where he could see Yeshua and his followers' Jewishness. Al said he began to ask why Judaism denounced Yeshua.

A Messianic Jewish Passover Seder presented by Jews for Jesus further opened his eyes, showing him the connection between the lamb slaughtered to save the Hebrews from slavery and Yeshua as the Passover Lamp sacrificed to deliver the world from sin and death, he said. After the Seder, another friend from Westside told Al about Shema Israel, a Messianic Jewish congregation in Rochester. A few weeks later, Al visited Shema and found a place with sign language interpretation and captivating teaching. It was a place where he could "come home among people of my faith--Jews and Gentiles." He said. Al met Rabbi Jim Appel after the service and learned that the Jews for Jesus speaker had just that day given his name to the Rabbi to follow up on. Al continued to attend Shema, and he and Appel met to discuss spiritual issues. During Appel's second visit, Al said he decided to receive Yeshua.

His perceptions that he was a "good" person at first made him hesitate until Appel explained, "we all had a sinful nature going back to the day of Adam and Eve," said Al. After he prayed to receive Yeshua, Al said he felt like a "complete Jew and a follower of Yeshua back in His days." He said he was so excited about his new faith he rushed to tell his sister who immediately stopped talking to him, and his brother, who was "not so bad." Though Al and his sister have reconciled, she still does not accept his faith. Undaunted, the new believer studied the Bible, grew in his faith, and began serving at Shema as usher, then leader of a home group for deaf people - a 'big honor" for him, he said.

He now oversees the congregational building and grounds and serves as president of Deaf Messianic Jews, a national membership organization for hearing-impaired Messianic Jews. "I look forward to my life now. The Lord has really made many provisions for me -- a house, a congregational family, and a lovely wife. I couldn't ask for anything more," he said. (Reprinted by permission from the Messianic Times, March 2000. © Copyright 2007.)

LINKS TO DEAF GROUPS & MORE

2011-01-16T12:51:00.007-05:00

DEAF MESSIANIC FELLOWSHIPS:
ANDOVER, MN: House of the Messiah
CINCINNATI, OH*
DUESSELDORF, GERMANY*
ROCHESTER, NY*
SAN DIEGO & GREATER LA, CA area*
BRADENTON, FL*
TAUNTON & BOSTON, MA area*

INTERPRETED WORSHIP SERVICES:
CHICAGO, IL: Olive Tree Congregation, Phone: 847.222.1230
CINCINNATI, OH: Beth Messiah Synagogue, Phone:513.683.8817
DALLAS, TX: Baruch HaShem Messianic Synagogue, Phone: 972.386.0121
MANHATTAN, NY: Congregation Beth El, Phone: 212.772.7500
WAYNE, NJ: Beth Israel Worship Center, Phone: 973.709.9466
RIO GRANDE, NM: Baruch Hashem Congregation, Phone: 505.892.3195
ROCHESTER, NY: Congregation Shema Yisrael, Phone: 585.288.0670
SAN JOSE/SAN FRANCISCO, CA: Tsemach Adonai, Phone: 831.477.7739
TAMPA, FL: Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue, Phone: 813.831.LORD
WASHINGTON, DC & LORTON, VA: Ohev Israel Messianic Congregation, Phone: 703.550.0888

DIRECTORIES OF MESSIANIC CONGREGATIONS
Messianic Times Directory
Petah Tikvah Messianic Directory
Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations

WHERE TO FIND INTERPRETERS,
RESOURCE FOR CONGREGATIONS, PASTORS & RABBIS
Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Florida Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf
Florida, New York and Nebraska: Interpretek
Deaf Ministries Connection
MIT, Menorah Interpreter Training for Messianics

Please contact us to update the list.
*Please email us if you need the group leader contact information. Email addresses are no longer posted on the internet due to spamming.
NOTES: Some congregations request that you call first to prepare for an interpreter in advance. Call them through the Relay Service for the Deaf.

TESTIMONY OF ROBERT NATHAN

2011-01-14T21:29:00.002-05:00

A RETIRED DEAF JEWISH PASTOR

While a student in high school, I heard about the persecution of the Jews in Europe. This made me feel that God had forsaken Israel and that being a Jew was not a happy lot. I observed many happy church-going people and desired to be one of them. At the time I did not know that Jews could become Christians. I observed Jewish holidays and attended a synagogue with my family occasionally.

At times, during my childhood I heard some things about Jesus Christ; that He is the Son of God; that He lived in Palestine; that He was said to be the King of the Jews; that He had power to heal people of bodily sickness; that He was crucified; that He rose from the dead; and that He ascended to heaven. I was puzzled when I heard that Jewish people would not believe in Him as their King.

After l finished high school I entered Gallaudet College in Washington, D.C., to study in the field of science and mathematic. During my years in college I read astonishing news reports that the State of Israel was established in Palestine and that Arab nations were at war against Israel. I thought the Jews would be defeated and was amazed to later hear that Israel had triumphed over the Arabs. Being absorbed in my college studies I did not give much thought to the establishment of Israel.

A few months after my college graduation in 1949 my attention was called to a salvation and healing campaign at the Chicago Coliseum. I attended the meetings and was astounded to observe miracles of healing. I could not hear the evangelist preaching but I could feel the power of God in the meetings and see the delighted and worshipful expressions of those who received healing. On the way home from one meeting I saw an advertisement on a streetcar that pictured a cross shining over the world with the Bible verse: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) Another poster read: "Jesus said... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). My heart was stirred as I read these verses again and again.

At the meeting the next evening I purchased a copy of a booklet written by the evangelist. I could not listen to his messages but I could read them in print. In the booklet he said, "My friends, the glorious miracles of healing you have witnessed have been wrought, healing power of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God."

As I continued reading that booklet I learned for the first time that Jesus suffered a painful and agonizing death for our sins. The sinless Son of God took all the blame for our sins and was shamefully nailed to the cross in our place. Being unable to restrain myself I broke into tears and accepted Jesus as my personal Savior. That night I read the Gospel of John with absorbing interest. Early the next morning I awoke to look up at Jesus' lovely face with the eye of faith in my heart. Suddenly, my whole being trembled as the Holy Spirit swept through me. I felt greatly joyful, with peace and a strong love for God and for everyone.

Soon after this glorious experience I met some Hebrew Christians and realized that many Jews had already become Christians. My study of the Scriptures revealed that the first Christians were Jews, that the Gospel of the Kingdom was preached to the Jews first and then to the Gentiles, that God is calling from all the nations of the earth a people for His name, and that judgment came upon the Jewish nation because of their rejection of Christ as Messiah.

The Jew is not cursed forever. Jesus said: "Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. For I say unto you, you shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, "Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord." (Matthew 23:38-, 39). Isaiah prophesied concerning Jerusalem: "Thou shalt no more be termed Forsaken; neither shall thy land any more be termed Desolate: but thou shalt be called Hephzibah and thy land Beulah: for the Lord delighteth in you..." (Isaiah 62:4).

Being grateful to the Lord for my salvation and for revealing all His glorious promises to me, I say with Paul: "Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham...And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall came out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." (Romans 11: I, 26)
My faith in Jesus as my personal Savior would be inadequate if it were based merely on the miracles which I witnessed at the Chicago Coliseum, or on the fact that Christians were more blessed, or on my spiritual experience which I received from the Lord. My faith is made more certain by the Scriptures which reveal through types, parables, prophecy, and history that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel.

Robert Nathan was a pastor of the Assembly of God, leading a Deaf flock for many years and has since then been enjoying his retirement. He lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana and his wife Fern, who is the author of the book, Memoirs of a Deaf Lady Evangelist, passed away several years ago. © Copyright 2007. Robert Nathan. All Rights Reserved.

ABOUT US

2011-01-13T19:16:00.002-05:00

Who are we? We will start by saying that our history is not important without first mentioning the real HIS STORY, began 2,000 years ago when the Messiah was born. Yeshua is the Hebrew name for Jesus as He is called by Christians today. Yeshua is the name Jewish people called him by when he walked on this earth long ago.   The English language did not exist until much later and even then the letter "J" was not originally in the Old English language.

Yeshua is uniquely Jewish and practiced a form of Judaism as is witnessed in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament/Covenant). He followed the commandments of His Father to observe all Appointed times, also called the Festivals of Leviticus 23. Although, many Jewish people have been persecuted for many hundreds of years and have rejected Yeshua as their Messiah, a small remnant still clung to their original faith. No doubt there were Deaf people during Yeshua's time as witnessed in a few passages of the Brit Hadashah but for the purpose of this ministry, our focus is only on those who have been part of the ACHARIT-HAYAMIM or "latter days" movement.

Deaf Jews who believe Yeshua as their Messiah and savior have been around since the beginning of Messianic synagogues, fellowships and conferences, as far back as the 1960's when the Messianic movement first grew in fervor among Jewish people. Deaf people in general have not been reached with the Gospel until the formal development of sign language in schools around 200 years ago. In review, we have two groups of people who previously have not been open to the Gospel, the Deaf and the Jews. That indeed is an awesome sign that tells us of Yeshua coming to set up His Kingdom very soon.

Messianic Judaism is a movement of Jews and Gentiles who worship Yeshua as their Messiah in the context of a Jewish lifestyle and who are committed to restoring the Hebraic or Jewish roots of the Christian faith, by worshiping the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Our vision is one of God's everlasting faithfulness to Israel and the Jewish people. As witnessed in the growth of Messianic Jews in the land of Israel and worldwide, God is indeed bringing more Jews to Himself and has a plan to make them part of the end time revival.   There are currently well over 200 Messianic congregations in the United States, all located in major metropolitan centers, and an unknown number in Europe, about 70 known Messianic congregations in Israel and countless more fellowships.   There are also many growing churches who have a heart for Israel and who are turning to the Hebraic roots of their faith for a better understanding the Almighty Creator 's overall plan for the ages.

The first formal group of Deaf believers, both Jews and Christians, first met in Flaunders, New Jersey in 1995 and it was there that the first organization was named Deaf Messianic Jews. The first conference was held at Gallaudet University in 1996, following by more conferences in Pennsylvania and Chicago. Out of this small group was born the fruit of this mission by one Deaf member. This website/blog not affiliated to the organization "Deaf Messianic Jews" but we continue the work the Lord called us to do, to encourage each other and to expand God's kingdom here on earth through the work of the Holy Spirit.

The reason we choose the name, Signs and Wonders, is because as a Deaf ministry, sign language is a wonderful gift from God. It is the native language we communicate with and it is also a sign from God, a blessing! Communication is about sharing and learning from each other! It is a play on words, "Sign language is a wonderful sign."   This is the name we choose for our first Deaf Messianic Jews newsletter and was later adopted by the founder of this deaf ministry.

Lesson 12: Hey words

2009-10-22T20:04:00.005-04:00

In this lesson we will learn some words and names with the Hebrew letter ה. We learned in our previous lesson that this is letter is called "Hey" and has gradually evolved to become more like the English E. However, it is a silent letter like H.

Let us take a look at the story of Abraham and Sarah in Genesis 17, starting with verse 4, where you will see the Hebrew word Hinneh translated as "Behold." Here is what Adonai told Abram:

"As for me, behold, my covenant is with you, and you will be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer will you be called Abram (Exalted Father), but Abraham (Father of Many) because I have made you a father of many nations. I will make you very fertile (fruitful), I will make nations of you, and kings will come from you. I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. I will give to you, and to your descendants after you, the land where you are traveling, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting (permanent) possession. I will be your Elohim." Elohim said further to Abraham, "Now as for you, you shall keep My covenant, you and your descendants after you throughout their generations. This is how you are to be faithful to my promise: Every male among you is to be circumcised. You are to undergo circumcision, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and you... (here Elohim explains more about circumcision for infant males)... Don't call your wife by the name Sarai anymore. Instead, her name is Sarah (Princess). I will bless her, and I will also give you a son by her. I will bless her, and she will become a mother of nations, and kings will come from her."

Notice, what exactly changed? The Hebrew letter "Hey" or ה was added in the names of Abram and Sarai. Abram becomes Abraham and Sarai becomes Sarah. What else changed for Abraham and his wife, Sarah? Not only their names but Elohim made a permanent promise, a covenant between Him and His generations which is still valid to this very day. Altogether, Elohim gave Abraham six important promises: 1) covenant 2) change of names 3) numerous descendants and nations 4) descendants who will become kings 5) land of Canaan and 6) circumcision. In some of the most important prophetic announcements of Biblical events, the word "Behold" is often written in advance of a "new" thing to happen.

Many years later, Elohim again repeated the same promises, taking them to new spiritual level. Abraham not only become the Father of many nations but also their perfect example to those Gentiles of what it means to be completely faithful. Let us take a look at how all 6 promises became fulfilled:

A NEW COVENANT

"Behold, the time coming," declares Adonai, "when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah, It will not be like the covenant I made with their forefathers when I took them by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, because they broke my covenant, though I was a husband to them," declares Adonai. "But this is the promise that I will make to Israel after those days," declares Adonai: "I will put my teachings inside them, and I will write those teachings on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. (Jeremiah 31:31-33)

A NEW HUMANITY

Yet, it was Adonai's will to bruise him and cause him to suffer. When Adonai has made his life a sacrifice for our wrongdoings, he will see his descendants (offspring, seed) for many days. The will of Adonai will prosper in his hand. (Isaiah 53:10)

We know that Yeshua fulfilled most of the prophecies written by Isaiah and other prophets concerning his first coming. Anyone who believe in Yeshua as his Messiah become born again "from above" and therefore become His spiritual descendants, destined to live in the New Kingdom. ...and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. (Colossians 3:10)

According to the promise from our Almighty Father, through Yeshua, we will become a new "humanity." Whoever is a believer in Messiah is a new creation. The old way of living has disappeared. Behold! A new way of living has come into existence. (2 Corinthians 5:17) The new humanity in other English versions is also called the "new self," "new man," "new person," "new creation," "new creature," or "one new man."

Other verses use words like masterpiece or workmanship, for example in Ephesians 2:10-16: For we are God's masterpiece (or workmanship), created in Yeshua HaMashiach to do good works that Elohim prepared long ago to be our way of life. Therefore remember that formerly you, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called "Uncircumcision" by the so-called "Circumcision," which is performed in the flesh by human hands--remember that at that time you were separate from Messiah, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without Elohim in the world. But now, in union with the Yeshua HaMashiach, you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, He rendered the law inoperative, along with its commandments and regulations, thus creating in himself one new humanity from the two, thereby making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to Elohim through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.

FRUITFULNESS

At the unveiling of Yeshua HaMashiach, the apostle John saw a vision of the innumerable multitudes of people. Revelation 7:9 After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands.

LAND

Zechariah 10:10 Though I scatter them among the peoples, yet in distant lands they will remember me. They and their children will survive, and they will return. I will bring them back from Egypt and gather them from Assyria. I will bring them to Gilead and Lebanon, and there will not be room enough for them.

Isaiah 11:11 Then it will happen on that day that the Lord will again recover the second time with His hand the remnant of His people, who will remain, from Assyria, Egypt, Pathros, Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. And He will lift up a standard for the nations and assemble the banished ones of Israel, and will gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.

Hosea 11:11 They will come trembling like birds from Egypt and like doves from the land of Assyria; and I will settle them in their houses, declares the LORD.

Micah 7:12 It will be a day when they will come to you from Assyria and the cities of Egypt, from Egypt even to the Euphrates, even from sea to sea and mountain to mountain.

MANY KINGS

Revelation 1:5-6 And from Yeshua HaMashiach, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, And has made us kings and priests to God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Revelation 20:6 Blessed and holy are those who share in the First Resurrection. The Second Death has no power over them, but they shall be priests to God and to Christ, and shall be kings with Christ for the thousand years. (Most English versions say "reign" with Him, same concept, different words.)

CIRCUMCISION

Romans 2:29 Rather, a person is a Jew inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, brought about by the Spirit, not by a written law. That person's praise will come from God, not from people.

A NEW NAME

Revelation 2:17 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give him a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to him who receives it.

What an AWESOME Creator we serve! First He fulfilled his promise to Abraham by making him fruitful. The exalted father became the father of a multitude of nations. Throughout the history of humankind, these nations fought wars with each others. Then Elohim sent his only Son so that through Him we can become reconciled, not only to Elohim himself but to each other. Only though His son can peace finally be achieved and nations will stop bloodshed. Just as Elohim gave Abraham and Sarah new names, so He will do for us if we are faithful to the end. Just as Abraham and Sarah, who were already of "old age" became renewed through His promises and with with the letter ה embedded in their new names... so are we as a new creation, a new humanity, His final masterpiece, a workmanship to BEHOLD! This new creation is an ongoing process which will become fully manifest upon His second coming.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." And He who sits on the throne said, "Behold, I am making all things new." And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alef and the Tav, the Beginning and the End." (Revelation 21:4-6)

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Lesson 11: Hebrew Hey

2009-10-15T12:20:00.000-04:00

ה
This is the fifth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Hey" and pronounced like an E or הא.
It also represents the number 5.
It means, "Behold." Also to show or to reveal.
It is also "the" prefix added before any noun.
If this letter is added at the end of a word, it become a feminine noun.
"Behold" is a word that is very common in our Scriptures,
meaning that our Elohim wants us to pay attention.
During proto-canaanite time, this letter originally looked like a man with his hands lifted up.

Let us take a look at some passages. The word behold is often used when our Almighty Father is trying to get our attention to some very important matter... this particular passage is Jeremiah is significant because the sign of Yeshua, the Alef and Tav, the beginning and the end, is there in verse 7! (Shown in red letters) The first letter of verse 6, starts with Behold, or pronounced as "hinni" or הנני which is also another word for Behold, and it starts with the same letter, Hey ה. Note an interesting thing happens, something that not many of us realize. There are 3 similar words that are repetitive for emphasis (this is called Redundancy): health, healing, I will heal. What does it mean? Our Father is to revealing to us that peace and truth brings healing. Our study of His word, His truth, is what brings healing!

Jeremiah 33:6-7
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.
הנני מעלה לה ארכה ומרפא ורפאתים וגליתי להם עתרת שלום ואמת׃
I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel and will rebuild them as they were at first.
והשבתי את שבות יהודה ואת שבות ישראל ובנתים כבראשנה׃

Yeshua told his disciples, his talmudim (the Hebrew words for students or disciples) in John 8:32: "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." Free from what? From the hold that sins and diseases have on our lives. The discovery of God's truth during your time of study and devotion is what brings healing to your body.

There's more! Read on to verse 7, Elohim promised also that He will restore our fortunes! Long time ago, about 3,000 years, Israel as a nation was at the height of its glory. It was wealthy and prosperous. Can you imagine our Almighty Father actually restoring all this? There's hope for us yet! Since the return of the captives in 1945, Israel has gradually became a prosperous nation. For a small country, its technological growth has been amazing in such a short time, compared to its larger neighbors.

I hope this lesson has been a blessing for you. Next we will learn to read words with the letter Hey. Have a blessed weekend!

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Lesson 10: Dalet Words

2009-10-15T00:57:00.000-04:00

ד

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called Dalet, pronounced D.
It means door, path, pathway, way of life, or journey.
Let us take a look at some words with the letter Dalet.

It is interesting to note that there are not many words in Hebrew that start with D. On the other hand, there are more words that end with D. In this lesson, we will learn 3 words with the letter Dalet: perish, garment and religion.

אבד
This Hebrew word is pronounced, "abad" as a verb:
It means to perish, to lose oneself, to wander away, or to destroy.
http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/6.htm
Also as a noun it is pronounced, "obed"
It means destruction or ruin. http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/8.htm

There are 4 different ways to understand this word "obed."
1) If you remember, we learned the letters א and ב from previous lessons. Alef=One and Beth=House or Body. If you add all 3 words אבד together you get, One+Body+Path, then you get the idea of a person who wander away or who lose himself/herself.
2) The letter א Alef also represents Strength or the strength one get from Elohim (God). "Obed"=Strength+Body+Path. Therefore you get a picture of someone whose strength from Elohim has left or wandered away from the body. The body is just a place for the soul to dwell in... it is our "house." Philippians 4:13 says: I can do everything through Messiah who gives me strength. http://bible.cc/philippians/4-13.htm
3) "Obed" can also be interpreted as two words: אב as Father + ד as path, then you get another meaning: to wander away from the Father. What is the result of wandering away from the Father? It leads to destruction and death. Going back to the Father means reconciliation through Yeshua.

בגד
This Hebrew word is pronounced, "beged" (as a noun)
It means a garment, clothing, robe, covering or wardrobe.
Depending on some context, it also means rags or treachery.
It is Strong's concordance #899.
http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/899b.htm

If you put all 3 meanings of each letter together you get, Body+Benefit+Path. This is a picture of the naked body being benefited or "lifted up" to become a way of life. This is interesting since clothing is such a big part of our lifestyle.

In Genesis, Adam and Eve tried to cover their nakedness with fig leaves. Elohim showed Adam and Eve how to make garments His way, from the skin of animals... although the passage is not obvious, this is the very first time Elohim showed them how to kill an animal... the very first shedding of blood after the beginning of creation... you can imagine how horrified Adam and Eve must have been, seeing blood and violence done for the first time since the creation of the universe. Elohim was teaching them the consequences of their rebellion. By showing them how to sacrifice the animals, Elohim was preparing all their future generations to understand the need for blood as a substitute for atonement. This practice become a way of life for the people of Elohim that eventually pointed to the ultimate sacrifice of the Messiah. In conclusion, by covering Adam and Eve's naked bodies, they are therefore "lifted up."

In Genesis 24, we learn that Abraham sent his servant to look for a bride for his son Isaac. When he met the bride to be, the servant brought out silver and gold jewelry and garments and gave them to Rebekah; he also gave expensive gifts to her family. Although there are different Hebrew words for garments or clothing, this particular verse is translated as "beged" or בגד from Strong's Concordance #899. This story of Rebekah and Isaac is a prophetic picture of the Bride of Messiah getting ready to meet Yeshua, the bridegroom at the end of this age. http://biblos.com/genesis/24-53.htm

In Matthew 22 there is a parable of the marriage feast in which a man is caught coming to the wedding without his wedding garment and is thrown out.

In the book of Revelation, we see His righteous servants and saints wearing white garments, white symbolizing purity, righteousness and holiness. (Revelation 3:18, 7:9, 16:15 and 22:14.)

Another very good example of how the word "beged" is used: The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed judgment to Jerusalem for her disobedience, for going after false idols and other despicable practices. It is interesting to note that Ezekiel, being also servant of Elohim did the opposite of what Abraham's servant did for Rebeccah. Ezekiel 16:39 "I will also give you into the hands of your lovers, and they will tear down your shrines, demolish your high places, strip you of your clothing, take away your jewels, and will leave you naked and bare." Again, this is the same Hebrew word, "beged" from Strong's Concordance #899. As a consequence, the people of Israel were stripped of their covering, their enemies took their land and their wealth, took the people captive and Israel became a scattered nation for a time. Elohim "brought Jerusalem down" which is the opposite of "lifted up." The nakedness or "shame" of Jerusalem was set for a time until that nation came back from captivity in the year 1945 and Jerusalem came into the hand of the Jewish nation more completely in 1967. http://biblos.com/ezekiel/16-39.htm

דת
Pronounced "dath" this is the modern Hebrew word for religion,
but in the Old Testament, it is translated as "law" or "decree."
This is one of the few words that begins with D.
Here we have a ד Dalet and a ת Tav, the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet which means a sign.
Put this 2 letters together: Doorway+Sign, then you get the idea of a "pathway or doorway that leads to the sign."
In previous lesson, we learned that Yeshua the Messiah is the sign from Elohim. In the gospel of John 14:6, Yeshua answered someone, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one goes to the Father except through me." He also said that if you knock at the door, He will answer. In conclusion, the Hebrew word religion, or דת means "the way to Yeshua."

Stay alert and learn! Keep studying the Holy Scriptures. Revelation 16:15 Behold, I come like a thief! Blessed is he who stays awake and keeps his clothes with him, so that he may not go naked and be shamefully exposed.

I pray this lesson has been very blessed for you! Have a good week and don't forget to continue your next lesson with the Hebrew letter "Hey."

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Lesson 9: The Hebrew Dalet

2009-09-29T17:35:00.005-04:00

This is the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

This is D in Hebrew.

It is called "Dalet"

During proto-Canaanite period, this letter used to look like the flap of skin that people used to hang over the entry of their house, (long before the invention of a door) or like a flap or covering in front of tent.

During the early Hebrew-Phoenician period, the letter used to look like a triangle.

It has several meanings: A door, a path or a way of life. It also signifies movement into something or out of something. Also: a leaf or a page.

It is also represents the number 4.

In researching the history of the development of the Jewish star, some people think the star developed from the letter D when it used to look like a triangle. The name "David" has 2 letters D, which is why the Jewish star is called the "Star of David" because that star looked like 2 triangles overlapping on each other, one triangle pointing up and the other down.

Here are some example of the symbolic use of Dalet, door or path:

1 Corinthians 16:9 The apostle Rabbi Shaul (Saul of Tarsus) says: But I will stay on at Ephesus until Shavout (Pentecost), because a great door to do effective work has opened to me.

Elohim commands us to commit His Word to our hearts. Deuteronomy 11:18, 20 Therefore, you should impress these words of mine on your heart and in your soul, bind them on your hand for a sign, and marked on your forehead .... Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

The Israelite on the eve of their departure from Egypt, on the night of Angel of death is to strike the firstborn of Egypt, are commanded to sprinkle the blood of the lamb on their door posts to protect themselves: Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the bowl of blood and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the door frame. Not one of you shall go out the door of his house until morning. In that manner, the Lord protected and passed over them.

The door to Yeshua is always open and He is always ready to fellowship with those whose hearts are open to him: Revelation 3:20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.

What happens when the door to heaven is shut? This is not something we would want to contemplate: Matthew 25:10-13 While they (the foolish bridesmaids) were buying oil, the groom arrived. The bridesmaids (the wise ones) who were ready went with him into the wedding hall, and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids arrived and said, "Lord, lord, open up for us!" But he answered them, "I don't even know who you are!" Therefore, stay awake, because you don't know the day or the hour.

In Revelation 4:1, the apostle John saw a door in Heaven: After these things, behold, I saw a door standing open in heaven. I heard the first voice like a trumpet speaking to me. It said, "Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this."

Isn't it a little strange to see a door in the sky? It is an unusual place for a door! This should be interpreted symbolically to mean that John has found a "path" to the throne of Elohim (God) and been allowed to see things no other human have been able to see.

What path (door) have you chosen? Yeshua is the way (path), the truth and the life. He is the Lamb of Elohim. His blood was sprinkled on the stake (doorpost) for us. When we accept Him in our hearts, which symbolize our very one personal doorways, it is His blood that washes away our sins and makes us into a new creation. There are only two paths in everyone's life. One path is life and the other path is death. Let us chose wisely. Hallelujah! Thanks Elohim for teaching us about the letter Dalet. In our next lesson, we will review Dalet with a few names and words.

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Lesson 8: Supplemental Hebrew Lesson

2009-09-23T13:07:00.001-04:00

Before we move on to the next Hebrew alphabet letter, I would like to review what we have learned so far and add some important point about the Hebrew language.

Let's review our lessons so far:
א This is Alef, the first letter of Hebrew alphabet
ת This is Tav, the last letter of Hebrew alphabet
את This is the Alef and the Tav, the firs and the last, representing Yeshua.
ב This is Bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet
אב This is Abba, Father
ג This is Gimel, the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
גא This is gah, meaning pride.

We have learned that the most important reason for learning Hebrew is because some Biblical passage cannot be properly translated such as Revelation 22.13 in which Yeshua says He is the Alef and the Tav. Our English (and other translated languages) Bibles do not show this. By studying the Hebrew text, we can find the Alef and the Tav in the first verse of Genesis: In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth. Yeshua has always pre-existed with the Father. Alef Tav is the fourth word in the verse, a word that does not have a translation because according to the ancient Hebrew sage and scribes, it is considered a sign. It is THE SIGN of Yeshua himself that the ancient oracles of Israel have prophecied. All this is explained in our previous 3rd lesson, the Alef and the Tav.

In our previous lesson, we learned the powerful meaning of people's names. Not only should we learn new words in Hebrew, but the names too. A name can be a good description and characteristic of a person. For example, the name Moses or Moshe, means drawn out from the water. Why? Because Pharaoh's sister found him floating on the water and saved his life and thus named him so. The name Goliath mean 'uncovered' in Hebrew. What did we uncover or discover in our last lesson on Gimel? That the story of Goliath and David is a prophetic picture that is symbolic of the end of the age. Where was Goliath hit? One the forehead. It is familiar to the very first prophecy of Genesis 3:15: And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise you on the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. (Please note: this is not an attempt to convince you to use the true name of Elohim with the tetragrammaton, YHWH, which is a completely different topic we will not go into. Nobody really knows how that name is pronounced and only the Kohen priesthood 2,000 years ago were allowed to use that name. Since the destruction of the temple in 70 A.D. and the scattering of the Israelites, that verbal knowledge has been lost. It is enough to understand the characteristics of Elohim, which are in His name. When the time is right, Adonai will tell us the sound of His name but in the meantime, we will not elaborate on this subject.)

Here are more insights into the importance of names. Let us take a look at the first genealogy of Adam in Genesis chapter 5. Normally, people tend to gloss over these parts, a list of names can be very boring. It reminds us of the daily roll calls during school homerooms. You might think it is not very "practical" part of our Bible study but let's see what we can do to change that attitude.

Let us take all the names from this genealogy and give each their meaning:
Adam=earthy man
Seth=to place
Enosch=frail flesh
Kenan=house, fixed habitation
Mahalalel=praise of Elohim
Jared=descent
Enoch=teaching
Metuselah=when he is dead, it will be sent
Lamech=powerful one
Noah=comfort

Finally, let's put all these meanings together to make a statement:

Earthy man was placed in frail flesh as his habitation. The praise of Elohim will descend to teach. When he is dead, it will be sent, the powerful one, the comforter.

There you have it! This geneanology is a prophetic picture of Yeshua. I don't know about you, but this give me goose bumps!!! This is the kind of devotional study that gets my heart racing and more motivated than ever to learn Hebrew! It makes me fall in love with Elohim all over again. He is so good!

Romans 11:33 Oh, how deep are God's riches, wisdom and knowledge! How unfathomable are his decisions and unexplainable are his ways!

Job 15:8 Do you hear the secret counsel of God, and limit wisdom to yourself?

HalleluYah! Our next lesson is Dalet.

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Lesson 7: Gimel words

2009-09-21T13:45:00.000-04:00

ג
In this lesson, we will learn some words and names with the letter Gimel ג in it.
Gimel is one of the least alphabet letters used in the Hebrew language. It is not common.

FIRST INSTANCE OF "GIMEL" IN GENESIS:
The first word with ג in the Genesis does not appear until 16 verses later, in the word "great" in the passage where Elohim created two great lights, the sun being the greater light and the moon being the lesser light. It is pronounced, "gadol" or "hagadol," הגדל It is Strong's #1419: http://strongsnumbers.com/hebrew/1419.htm This is the same word used to describe the greatness of Elohim, or our High Priest Yeshua, "Cohen HaGadol." To verify, check the Hebrew interlinear text analysis for this psalm: http://biblos.com/psalms/77-13.htm

Psalm 77:13 Your way, O Elohim, is holy; What god is great like our Elohim?

CHARACTERS OR PERSONS WITH GIMEL IN THEIR NAMES:
גלית Goliath
Everyone remembers the story of Goliath, the giant David killed. Giants are mentioned several times in the scriptures. However, 3 times, they are mentioned in confrontations with the Israelites. The first instance, they were the offspring of the Sons of Elohim and Daughters of Men. The term, "Sons of Elohim" is applied to beings who were created directly from Elohim, like angels and archangels. These beings left their own habitation to come to earth because they saw and desired the earth women. These unions produced a race of giants, the Nephilim who wrecked havoc on the earth and grieved the Holy One. The earth was filled with violence, chaos and rebellion and thus was the reason Elohim wiped them all out with a great flood. Except of course, for the faithful Noah, his family and all life in the ark. (Genesis 6:4)

The second time, giants are mentioned is in Numbers and Deuteronomy, as the descendants of the Anakim, which the 12 spies sighted in the Holy Land. Ten spies gave good reports, saying that the Israelites can conquer the land but two spies were afraid of the giants and spread bad reports among the community of Israelites, causing rebellion and dissension. As a result of their lack of faith, the Israelites were forced to endure 40 more years of wilderness until the older generations passed away. The Israelites were later able to conquer the land of the giants, Bashan and Argob, from King Og. (Deut. 3:11). That portion of the land was given to one of the Israelite tribe, Manasheh. Joshua 11:22 There were no Anakim (giants) left in the land of the sons of Israel; only in Gaza, in Gath, and in Ashdod some remained.

The story of Goliath is the third time that giants are mentioned in conflict with Israel. Goliath was a Philistine giant from Gath, a later remnant of those not killed by Joshua. He was 9 to 10 feet tall, he defied the God of the Israelite army, taunting, shouting and challenged them to fight him. The Israelite army was too terrified of him until young David shows up. As recorded in 1 Samuel 17:

David said to the Goliath “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Adonai Almighty, Elohim of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.
...Thus David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone, and he struck the Philistine and killed him....
...When the Philistines saw that their hero was dead, they turned and ran.
...Then the men of Israel and Judah surged forward with a shout and pursued the Philistines to the entrance of Gath...
And many years later, David and his warriors went on to kill more of these giants, the descandants of Rapha in Gath, one of whom was Goliath's brother. (1Chronicles 20:8)

Notice the name Gath: a Philistine city meaning, "wine press." You already learned the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet: Tav. גת (Reading from right to left, gimel and tav).

Let us study another character, Gabriel:
גבריאל
Gabriel means Man of Elohim, he is the angel who stands in the presence of Elohim. This Archangel (meaning chief angel) has appeared to 3 people: the prophet Daniel, Mary the mother of Yeshua, and Zechariah the father of Yochanan the Baptist. Gabriel serves a different purpose than the archangel Michael who is called the Prince of Israel. While Gabriel also fights spiritual battles with Michael, his main purpose is to bring good news to the people of Elohim. In fact, the Hebrew word for angel, malak, means messenger, ambassador, envoy, prince.

Luke 1:19 The angel answered and said to him (Zechariah), "I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of Elohim, and I have been sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news."

Daniel 10:13 (Gabriel speaking) But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; but, behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me: and I remained there with the princes of Persia.

Goliath and Gabriel are in sharp contrast to each other. Goliath curses, Gabril blesses and brings good news. While Goliath is defiant and stand against Elohim, Gabriel stands in the presence of Elohim. While Goliath challenged the Israelites, blocking them out of land of promises, Gabriel blessed the prophet Daniel with understanding of the vision about the end of the age--a time when the exile ends and the people of Elohim are brought back to Mt Zion for the final time, never again to be forced out. (Note: The name Goliath is very similar to the word galut, which mean exile.)

The story of David overcoming Goliath, is a prophetic picture of the second coming of Yeshua and his people overcoming giant obstacle (when the odds where not in their favor) and defeating all the nations who stand against Elohim at the end of the age:

Revelation 19:15 Out of his mouth proceeds a sharp, double-edged sword, that with it he (Yeshua) should strike the nations. He will rule them with an iron rod. He treads the winepress (gath) of the fierceness of the wrath of Elohim, the Almighty.
Isaiah 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the peoples there was no man with me: yes, I trod them in my anger, and trampled them in my wrath; and their lifeblood is sprinkled on my garments, and I have stained all my clothing."

SOME WORDS WITH GIMEL:
Proud, pride
גא or גאה
Here the word pride is pronounced as "ga-ah." It spells with Gimel and Alef.
It means "to lift up strength."
In our previous lesson, we learned that Gimel means lifted up.

James 4:10 Humble yourselves before Adonai, and he will lift you up.
Proverbs 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
Job 5:11 So that He sets on high those who are lowly, And those who mourn are lifted to safety.
Luke 1:52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.
James 4:6 "Elohim is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

The story of Lucifer is about a fallen angel. He fell because of his pride. He tried to lift himself up (gimel) or to "ascend" higher but the Holy One cast him out.
Isaiah 14:12,13 How you have fallen from heaven, O morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars of Elohim; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain."

Let us ask ourselves: Are we lifting up our own strength or are we lifting up the name of Elohim? Are we happy with what Adonai has given us? Is our pride גא getting the better of us? Do we cultivate an attitude of humility? Do we seek Him in all things always? Do we sow discord among our brothers and sisters or do we seek to love and unite each other in one Spirit, one Mind, one Body? Do we bless others? Do we make our best to emulate the characters of Gabriel, blessing His people with understanding, lifting them up at their time of distress? Are we doing our best to bring the good news of Yeshua to our friends and neighbors as ambassadors or messengers?

Those who are humble and gentle in spirit are able to bring the good news to the nation. They shall be lifted up. HalleluYah!

Don't forget to keep up with the lesson for next week, we will learn the 4th letter of Hebrew alphabet, Dalet. Have a blessed week!

Copyright. All rights reserved. Please contact the author for permission to distribute the lessons. Thank you.

Lesson 6: Hebrew Gimel

2009-09-15T16:39:00.000-04:00

ג

This is the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Gimel"
The letter looks like the profile of a man walking with his head bowed down.
During proto-canaanite period, this letter was carved on tablets to look like a camel.
It has several meanings:
-a camel
-benefited or lifted up
-to return someone
-to repay, to requite or to reciprocate, to recompense
-to deal fully or adequately
-brought
-reward
-ripening
-weaned
-to toil
It also represents the number 3.

In the story of Genesis 24, Abraham sent his servant to look for a wife for Isaac back from his own homeland. The servant took 10 camels and many gifts for the bride-to-be. He met the young Rebekah as she was going to the well to get water. After he prayed that she be the one, the girl gave him and his camels water. It was common in those days to purchase a bride from her father with many fine gifts. Rebekah turned out to be a relative of Abraham... she went with her maids and Abraham's servant to become Isaac's wife.

This story has all the elemental meanings of the letter Gimel:
The number 10 of camels, means completion.
Abraham's servant compensated the family of Rebekah with gifts.
He paid for the full price of the bride.
The servant returned to Abraham with the bride-to-be.
The bride rode the camel and was brought to Isaac.
Isaac benefited a wife and was lifted up.
The young girl was weaned from her family.
The servant's toil was done.

HalleluYah! How comforting it is to know that אב cares about us! As His body and His bride, Yeshua being the head of this body of believers, we will be taken care of. Yeshua, our bridegroom, the alef and the tav, את has paid the full price by the shedding of His blood on that stake. He was lifted up and carried to heaven until a certain time. Everyday we learn to humble ourselves so that אב can lift us up! He has given us spiritual gifts to equip us to grow the Kingdom of Elohim. We look forward when we can be brought to the Messiah as a pure Bride, full of joy and triumph! Meanwhile we have the Holy Spirit to comfort us. Until His coming again, the work of the Holy Spirit is not done. It remains for us to be weaned from the world with all its attractions and distractions. The more we are weaned from the world, the more we grow or ripen under the guidance of the Holy Spirit. What an extraordinary beautiful romantic story between Yeshua and his people! Amen!

Let's review our lessons so far:
א This is Alef, the first letter of Hebrew alphabet
ת This is Tav, the last letter of Hebrew alphabet
את This is the Alef and the Tav, representing Yeshua
ב This is Bet, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet
אב This is Abba, Father
ג This is Gimel, the third letter of the Hebrew alphabet

Don't forget to keep up with the lesson for next week, we will learn some words with Gimel. Have a blessed week!

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Lesson 5: Hebrew Alef & Bet

2009-09-15T15:49:00.000-04:00

Let's review: This is Alef א and this is Bet ב.
We also learned about the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Tav ת.
Let's put together two letters, reading from right to left:
אב

Alef and Bet: these two letters, read from right to left is pronounced ABBA. This is an affectionate term for Father, like the word Daddy. The more formal word, Father is pronounced AHV. Sometime this same word is spelled by adding another Alef at the end, it is also a affectionate term:
אבא

Genesis 17:5 (Elohim said to Abram) No longer will you be called Abram, your name will be Abraham , for I have made you a father of many nations.

ABram=exalted father
ABraham=father of many nations

Remember the meaning of the letter Alef?
It means Strong, Leader, Gentle, First, like an Ox.
Bet means house, family or household.
Putting together these 2 letters, Abba symbolizes: First strong leader of the house/family.
It means Abba is our creator! He gave us life and He was always there before everything was!

John 5:26 For as the Father is the source of Life, he has enabled the Son to be the source of life too.
John 1:4 In him (Yeshua) was life, and that life was the light of men.

If you switch the letter around, with Bet first, Alef second:
בא
It means, "Come"
Let's have some fun and make a sentence! Remember to read from left to right:
אבא בא
It means "father is coming." (It reads like ABA BA). Don't worry about the pronunciation, we will learn this later. As Deaf people, we can learn to read it first and learn to speak it later.

Let's read this new word: It read, "BT" Bet, Tav
בת
It is pronounced BAHT and it means: daughter.

Zechariah 2:10: Sing for joy and be glad, O daughter of Zion; for behold I am coming and I will dwell in your midst," declares Adonai.

See if you can find the Hebrew words "daughter" and "coming" in this verse:
http://biblos.com/zechariah/2-10.htm
or here in the interlinear Bible:
http://interlinearbible.org/zechariah/2.htm
(this link show all of chapter 2, you need to scroll down to verse 10)

Here is another word to learn:
תאב
The letter Tav is before Alef and Bet. Tav is the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet but here Tav comes before Father. It shows that people who are greedy put their own interest ahead of other people and ahead of Elohim. This interesting word means "greedy." (Note: there are 2 Hebrew words for greed, this is one of the two words).

Proverb 1:19. This is what happens to everyone who is greedy for unjust gain. Greed takes away his life.

We know that greed, jealousy, envy and unjust gain are actions that come from coveting things we don't have and these actions completely ignore the Father's heart. As the Hebrew word greed תאב demonstrate, we should not put our own desire before that of the Father's. Let our hearts always be filled with thanksgiving for what אבא has done for us! Our אבא is the source of all life and if we trust Him, He fulfill all our needs! HalleluYah! Let's us be like the daughter בת of Zion and rejoice for He is coming בא in glory very soon!

In this lesson, we learned that Abba, our Father is the giver of life but greed does the opposite, it takes away anyone's life.

I hope you have fun learning Hebrew. Next lesson, we will go on to the third letter of the alphabet!

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Lesson 4: Hebrew Bet

2009-09-15T15:43:00.000-04:00

This is the 2nd letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Bet" or "Beth" and it looks like this:
ב
During proto-canaanite time long ago, this letter originally looked like a house or a tent.
This letter symbolizes: House, Tent, or a Family or Household.
It also means the number 2. Alef is 1.
It also symbolizes "INside, within or amid."
This letter still looks like a house... you can see the floor in the straight horizontal line, the wall and the ceiling. The empty space at the left is the entry or door. It is always open, never closed!

Bet is ALSO the first letter of Genesis 1:1 from Beresh't. IN the beginning.... you don't have to understand the whole Hebrew, just find the first letter on the right! (Remember Hebrew is read from right to left)

בראשית ברא אלהים את השמימ ואת הארץ
HAERETZ VAT HASHAMAYIM AT ELOHIM BRAH BERESH'T
the earth. and the Heavens --- God created In the beginning

The House of our Father is where everything began.
Let's take a look at scriptures to get some hints of the importance of Bet:
John 14:2
In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.
Matthew 4:17
From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."
John 3:3-6:
In reply Yeshua declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of Elohim unless he is born again.... I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of Elohim unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
2 Corinth 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Revelation 3:20
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 11:13-14
I am the Alef and the Tav, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the gates into the city."

So imagine yourself as a little person standing next to the letter Bet ב near the door waiting to enter the Kingdom of Elohim! You stand ready to enter the gate into the Holy City as a born again believer filled with the Spirit of Elohim, because you trusted Yeshua who is the mediator between two different worlds, the heavenly and the physical. In order to enter this Kingdom, we must let Yeshua enter into our hearts first. He is in us and we are in Him. Thank you Elohim for your grace and the free gift of salvation that is Yeshua!

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Lesson 3: Hebrew Alef & Tav

2009-09-15T15:02:00.010-04:00

את

During our first two Hebrew lessons, we learned about the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Alef and the Tav. Yeshua is the Alef and the Tav, the beginning and the end, according to the text of Revelation 22:13.

According to the apostle John, Yeshua was in the beginning. Let's read John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim (God), and the Word was Elohim. He was with Elohim in the beginning.

Where can we find Yeshua in the book of Genesis? Where in the Old Testament is he mentioned as the Alef and Tav? This is the exciting because this is the one of the most important reason why we must learn Hebrew!

Let us take a look at Genesis 1:1:
In the beginning, Elohim (God) created the heavens and the earth.

Let us now take a look in Genesis 1:1 in Hebrew from the interlinear Bible. There are 7 Hebrew words in Genesis 1:1. You don't have to know the full Hebrew alphabet. The 1rst line is the Hebrew, the 2nd line is the transliteration (pronounciation of the Hebrew), the 3rd is English. All you have to do is find the Alef and Tav! Can you see the Alef and the Tav? (Remember to read Hebrew in reverse from the right to left.)

בראשית ברא אלהים את השמימ ואת הארץ
HAERETZ VAT HASHAMAYIM AT ELOHIM BRAH BERESH'T
the earth. and the Heavens --- God created In the beginning

If you are unable to read the Hebrew above go to this link: http://www.scripture4all.org/OnlineInterlinear/OTpdf/gen1.pdf (This interlinear Bible link is read as normal, from left to right.)

In the beginning, God(Elohim) created the heavens and the earth. That's right, it is the fourth word in the color purple! Now you know where the Alef and the Tav is mentioned in Genesis! You would never have been able to find it if your Bible says "the Alpha and Omega" which is Greek alphabet. Alpha is first letter of the Greek alphabet and Omega the last letter. Nor would you have been able to understand it if your Bible reads "the A and the Z"!!! With the Hebrew letters את, we understand how John 1:1 and Revelation 22:13 makes more sense!

את (Alef Tav) is the fourth word of the first Genesis verse. Why the fourth word? Because Yeshua was from the tribe of Judah, who was the fourth son of Jacob! And also because Yeshua was THE SIGN given to us some 4,000 years after the creation. The number 4 is THE SIGN of Yeshua because Elohim created the sun, moon and stars as SIGNS on the 4th day! (Genesis 1:14-19) The amazing thing about the word את is that there is no translation for it. According to the ancient Hebrew sages, the purpose of את is to serve as a sign!

Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Adonai(Lord) Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel. (Elohim with us)

Yeshua is also called the "WORD." Why is that? Because את represents the Hebrew alphabet: the entire range of sound vibrations. Before Elohim could create the universe, He had to speak it first! Sound is power. Notice את is before 2 words: heavens and earth. Yeshua, the את, the fourth letter in Genesis 1:1 comes before the fifth and seventh words, the heavens and the earth. Therefore, Yeshua was there before the universe was created.

1 Peter 1:20
He was foreknown before the creation (foundation) of the world, but on the other hand, he was revealed in these last days for your sake.

Sound vibrations from Elohim is what created the universe. Scientists are just beginning to discover this. Elohim always spoke first before he created everything. Notice each part of creation:
Genesis 1:3 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be light"; and there was light..... and it was so.
Genesis 1:6 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be .... water." .... and it was so.
Genesis 1:9 Then Elohim SAID, "Let the ... dry land appear"; and it was so.
Genesis 1:11 Then Elohim SAID, "Let the land produce vegetation" ... And it was so.
Genesis 1:15 Then Elohim SAID, "Let there be lights in the sky" ... And it was so.
Genesis 1:20 And before Elohim created the fishes and birds, He also spoke first!
Genesis 1:24 And before Elohim created the earth animals, He also spoke first!
Genesis 1:26-30 Then Elohim SAID, "Let us make man in our image"... and it was so.

WOW! Adonai is awesome!!! He planned all of this from the beginning! Praise Him! Rejoice in Him! Halleluyah!

In review, we learned about the letter א Alef and ת Tav, the first and last letters of the Hebrew alphabet, is the foundation for all the sounds that created the universe. Elohim (God) spoke and it was. We also learned that את is the Word of Elohim, Yeshua the Messiah, the sign given to us from Elohim. He was there in the beginning when the universe was created and He will return at the completion of the ages! He is את, the beginning and the end, the first and the last! Halleluyah!

The Word became flesh and lived among us. We have seen His glory, the kind of glory that the Father shares with his unique Son, full of kindness and truth. ~John 1:14

© Copyright 2009. By Veronique of Signs & Wonders Ministry. All Rights Reserved. No part of this story might be reprinted, re-posted on the internet, or forwarded in email without permission of the author. Thank you.

Lesson 2: Hebrew Tav

2009-09-15T14:58:00.000-04:00

Let us take a look at the last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, the Tav which looks like this:
ת

Long ago, during proto-canaanite time, this letter originally looked like a cross.
It slowly changed over time to look like a T or a small cross in most languages.
Definition: a mark or a sign.
Symbolic of: ownership, to seal, to make a covenant, to join 2 things together, to make a sign.

Here are the some related scriptures with the word SIGN or SIGNS:
Isaiah 7:14
Therefore the Adonai(Lord) Himself will give you a sign:
Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son,
and she will call His name Immanuel. (Elohim with us)
In Genesis 1:14-19 We read how Elohim (God) created the sun, moon and the stars on the fourth day to serve
as signs to mark the seasons, days and years.
And Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to separate the day from the night,
and let them serve as signs to mark seasons and days and years ...
Revelation 22:16
Elohim sent Yeshua as a sign from Heaven. Yeshua is called the Bright Morning Star
I am the Root and Offspring of David, the Bright Morning Star.
Malachi 4:2
Yeshua is also called the Sun of Righteousness and in John 8:12, he is the Light of the World.

Scriptures with the word SEAL or MARK:
2 Corinthians 1:21-22
He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Ruach (Spirit) in our hearts as a deposit. (A deposit is a down payment, a guarantee, or a pledge. In this case, the full payment is to come later as we receive new eternal bodies).
Revelation 7:3
"Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the bond-servants of Elohenu (our God) on their foreheads."

The lesson continues... next we will talk again about both letters, Alef and Tav, and how to find Yeshua hidden in the text of Genesis... how the Hebrew scriptures reveal Yeshua in the beginning of the creation!

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Lesson 1: Hebrew Alef

2009-09-15T14:37:00.008-04:00

This is for beginner level Biblical Hebrew lessons that begin with the Hebrew alphabet and some short words. Hebrew vowels are not included in the beginner's level. These lessons are designed for the Deaf, who cannot hear the difference between most vowels sounds, anyway. This is exactly how the original Hebrew language began, without the vowels.
א

This is the first letter of the Hebrew alphabet.
It is called "Alef"
Long ago, during proto-canaanite period, this letter was originally carved on stones to look like an ox.
It slowly changed over time to look like A or א
It has several meanings: First, Gentle, Tame, Ox, Bull, Leader of family or tribe.
It also represents the number 1.

Related scriptures:
Proverbs 14:4
Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty, but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.
Oxen were also an important part of the tabernacle offerings, especially for leaders.
Numbers 7:3
They brought their offering before the Lord, six covered carts and twelve oxen, a cart for every two of the leaders and an ox for each one. These they presented before the tabernacle.

Revelation 22:13:
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.(NIV)
I am the 'A' and the 'Z,' the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (CJB)
Isaiah 41:4, the first mention of it in the Old Testament,
which was originally written in Hebrew:
“Who has performed and accomplished it,
Calling forth the generations from the beginning?
‘I, Adonai (Lord), am the first, and with the last. I am He.’”
Also Isaiah 44:6,
Thus says Adonai, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: "I am the first and I am the last, And there is no God besides Me."

Yeshua is the first and last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, so properly translated,
He is saying that He is the Alef and the Tav, from the Hebrew alphabet!!
Omega is the last letter of the Greek alphabet.
Z is the last letter of our English alphabet.
Surprisingly, the letter A looks very much the same and listed as first in most of the foreign language alphabets.