Category: Jews

Pharisaic Calendar and Court – Pt. 2

YRR has released an audio Mini-Pod titled “Pharisaic Calendar and Court – Pt. 2”

The court system developed by the Hillelic Pharisees was clearly a device they invented to address how a New Moon Day was to be declared. The rabbis did involve the populace by having them act as official witnesses, making them feel as if they were an essential part of the process.

At the same time, the Jewish people allowed the Nasi (head of the Sanhedrin) to become all-powerful, giving him the same status as Moses and by hanging on his very utterance of approval before they could begin a month and count the days to their festivals.

Ultimately, the regulations of the Hillelic system caused it to collapse under its own weight, leaving those who adhered to its principles in a constant state of confusion.

Listen in to get the facts regarding the alteration of Yahweh’s sacred calendar by the Hillelic Pharisees and its effect on those today who are unknowingly following their precepts, which include the requirement of a visible crescent of the moon to begin a month.

This audio presentation can be accessed and listened to at the following link:

M019. Pharisaic Calendar and Court -Pt. 2 – (15:58)

It can also be listened to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean, among others.

Pharisaic Calendar and Court – Pt. 1

YRR has released an audio Mini-Pod titled “Pharisaic Calendar and Court – Pt. 1”

The Hillelic Pharisees, starting with Gamaliel I, using the “traditions of their fathers” and heavily influenced by Babylonian customs, instituted a series of modifications that forever changed the requirements for determining the beginning of a month and a year in what became known as Orthodox Judaism.

One must realize the fact that there is no record before the Mishnah (200 C.E.)—and then only when it deals with the period of Pharisaic control over intercalation beginning in 41 C.E.—of any official sanctification of the new moons and the requirement for witnesses before a court to confirm a visual sighting of a new moon crescent.

Listen in to get the facts regarding Yahweh’s sacred calendar.

This audio presentation can be accessed and listened to at the following link:

M018. Pharisaic Calendar and Court -Pt. 1 – (19:10)

It can also be listened to on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and Podbean, among others.

Pharisee Influence

The calendric system utilized by the Hillelic Pharisees between 41 and 365 C.E. becomes an essential issue for our study. Various present-day researchers, both from rabbinic Judaism and neo-Christianity, have, without adequate foundation, concluded that the Hillelic system was the original method required by Scriptures.

Both rabbinic Judaism and neo-Christian groups, as a result, have assumed that the Israelites always had waited to declare a New Moon Day until the night that its first crescent was witnessed. For some Christian messianic groups, it is presumed that authority to continue this practice in Christianity is brought forth from Romans 3:1-2 and Matthew 23:3. The question is, Do these passages actually support such a conclusion?

The willingness to accept the pro-Pharisaic interpretation of the two above passages comes as the result of two circumstances:

• The assumption that the Jews from this period must have known and practiced the true system.

• The victory of the Hillelic Pharisees in their political struggle against their religious rivals, leaving predominantly Pharisaic records as our primary source for Jewish practices of the first and subsequent centuries C.E., somehow proves their authority. Continue reading “Pharisee Influence” →

Jewish Authority

There is yet another important question that must be addressed pertaining to Yahweh’s instructions from Scriptures regarding when to begin the sacred months and years. How much authority do we allow the Sadducees, Pharisees, or any of the other ancient Jewish groups regarding the sacred calendar?

In reality, there is no justification at all for accepting as authoritative the teachings of any of the Hasidic groups, especially the Pharisees, or even that of the Aristocratic sects of the Sadducees, Boethusian Sadducees, or Samaritans. All systems must be weighed against what Scriptures actually state, not vice versa.

If after examining Scriptures we find that one or another of these groups held true to some of the practices and doctrines that were originally commanded, the most we can say is that they were observing that point correctly. Yet any conclusion must be tempered by the scriptural warnings about the various teachings of the Sadducees, Pharisees, and scribes (lawyers). Continue reading “Jewish Authority” →

Passover – A Challenge : 7 or 8 Days?

A popular Sacred Name group offers an article titled “Why Passover is Not a High Day.” This article contains the subtitle “12 Reasons Why the Passover Is Not the First High Day.”

We shall present a few excerpts from the article to illustrate the reinterpretations of Scriptures utilized to justify the predetermined conclusions regarding the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

The following are “Reasons” 10 and 11. In addition, after each
– SNG STATEMENT – ( Sacred Name group statement) we, will provide a
• YRR RESPONSE • (Yahu Ranger response).

10. Does Passover Memorial Make Eight Days of the Feast?
– SNG STATEMENT –
From the time we take the emblems of unleavened bread and the cup, we are to purge (Strong’s No. 1571 ekkathairo), meaning to cleanse thoroughly, to eliminate, to purify, to get rid of the old leaven. Does this mean that we are now keeping eight days of unleavened bread rather than seven, as some allege?

• YRR RESPONSE •
The SNG STATEMENT implies that after eating the Passover meal at the beginning of Abib 14, one is to begin to purge or get rid of the old leaven that still remains in the home. Continue reading “Passover – A Challenge : 7 or 8 Days?” →

40. Passover – C. O. Dodd’s Failing

There are those who would point to Leviticus 23:6 and insist that Abib 15 is the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread which continues through Abib 21.

And on the fifteenth day of the same month is a festival of unleavened bread unto Yahweh: seven days you must eat unleavened bread. (Leviticus 23:6)

An additional reference is also given from Numbers:

And on the fifteenth day of this month is a festival; seven days shall unleavened bread be eaten. (Numbers 28:17)

For those who observe a form of the Pharisaic/Hasidic practice for the Festival of Unleavened Bread (System B and System G), these passages from Leviticus and Numbers are held as proof that the first day of the 7-day Festival of Unleavened Bread is Abib 15.

It is evident that when these two passages are closely examined in context, the results reveal the opposite and actually support Passover Day, Abib 14, as being the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread (System A).

Continue reading “40. Passover – C. O. Dodd’s Failing” →

What Is Truth?

This question is one of the most profound statements found in Scriptures and uttered by the most unlikely of persons.

The New Testament names him Pontios Pilatos, or as many would recognize him, Pontius Pilate. He was the Roman prefect (governor) of Judaea under the emperor Tiberius, from 26-36 C.E.

The circumstances occurred when Yahushua the messiah was brought before Pontius Pilate by the Jewish religious leaders to exact an execution to be legally carried out by the Roman state.

The historical evidence dates this event to Abib 14, Passover day, of 30 C.E., corresponding to Thursday, April 6.

Was it possible that Pilate was capable of grasping some sense of truth from Yahushua?

Continue reading “What Is Truth?” →

13. Passover – Hasidic Practice II

In this second and final half of our discussion we will now look to the ancient records that demonstrate the Hasidic view regarding Passover.

The Book of Jubilees
The Book of Jubilees, originally composed in Hebrew by the Hasidim in the late second century B.C.E.,1 gives us the earliest representation of the Hasidic argument. To date, the most complete version of this text is found in the Ethiopian edition. It reports:

Continue reading “13. Passover – Hasidic Practice II” →

12. Passover – Hasidic Practice I

Since the first century C.E., the most prevalent and popular view for the observance of Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread has been Hasidic System B—an interpretation first expressed by the ancient Hasidim.

This practice has the Passover sacrifice offered during during the afternoon of Abib 14 with the Passover meal eaten at the beginning of Abib 15. All leavening is removed from one’s home by noon on Abib 14. Abib 15 begins the 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread and continues through Abib 21. There is a total of 8 days of Unleavened Bread counted from Abib 14-21.

The questions that must be asked are:

• What is the ancient evidence of this interpretation? Also, just how and on what days did they keep the Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread?

• When did this Hasidic view of Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread first appear?

• What issues created their interpretation and how did they derive their understanding of בערב (be-arab; in the mixing of light and dark [twilight]) and its cognate term בין הערבים (byn ha-arabim; between/among the mixings of light and dark [twilight])?

Continue reading “12. Passover – Hasidic Practice I” →

10. Passover – Sadducees & Pharisees Part 1

With the proper historical and cultural context in hand per our previous posts dealing with “The Dark Period,” we shall now turn our attention toward the two leading Jewish religious parties: the Sadducees and the Pharisees.

These two religious groups held opposing interpretations for בין הערבים (byn ha-arabim; between the evenings), for the day on which the Passover was eaten, and for the seven days of Unleavened Bread.

The Sadducees reflected the Aristocratic view while the Pharisees carried on the Hasidic tradition.

Continue reading “10. Passover – Sadducees & Pharisees Part 1” →

7. Passover – Jewish Factions

Different Jewish practices with reference to the Khag of Passover and the seven days of Unleavened Bread and the Khag of Shabuath (Pentecost) become overtly apparent in the mid-second century B.C.E.

During this period a great dispute was already under way among the Jews, not just over exactly how the nation of Judaea should observe these festivals but over the approach to religion itself.

This debate was fought between the two leading factions of Judaism: the Hasidic and the Aristocratic schools.

Continue reading “7. Passover – Jewish Factions” →

Messiah Convicted of Blasphemy

Did Yahushua the messiah in fact commit blasphemy, an alleged scriptural crime whereby he was convicted and sentenced to death by the religious leaders of Judaea?

Was there actually any scriptural basis for the extreme hatred of Yahushua by these religious leaders resulting in their wanting Yahushua dead?

To those religious leaders who were eventually responsible for Yahushua’s conviction and death sentence, the messiah had this to say:

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)

Are there any facts to indicate that Yahushua did in fact commit the scriptural crime of “blasphemy” thereby justifying his execution?

If you’re interesting in finding the answers you might want to continue reading as we proceed with our investigation.

Continue reading “Messiah Convicted of Blasphemy” →

Motive to Murder Yahushua

Was the motive to murder Yahushua because he claimed to be the messiah? It seems like a reasonable question, but is it true?

Why was such extraordinary anger and hostility directed toward Yahushua the messiah by the religious leaders? What caused this hostility, resulting in the messiah’s death sentence?

Could there be another reason for Yahushua to be unlawfully murdered?

Could that “reason” have a direct connection with Yahushua using the sacred name Yahweh?

If you’re interested in finding out the truth of the matter, please continue reading on as we investigate the facts. Continue reading “Motive to Murder Yahushua” →

Ineffable Name Yahweh?

Is there any credence to the idea that the sacred name Yahweh should be protected from possible misuse by demanding that it should not be spoken?

Some may even cite as proof of this notion the third commandment in Scriptures.

You shall not take the name of Yahweh your eloahi to worthlessness; for Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes his name to worthlessness. (Exodus 20:7)

On the other hand, there would seem to be contradictions in Scriptures if one were to suppress usage of the sacred name Yahweh.

So how and when did the concept of the “Ineffable Name” doctrine come about?

If you’re interested in finding out, then you’re invited to explore the details by reading on.

Continue reading “Ineffable Name Yahweh?” →

Israel – Still Guessing?

If you’re still contemplating the conclusion of our last post, “Israel – Guess Who?”, then this follow-up  is sure to make things more interesting.

We are now going to address a few other issues, namely the disposition, location, and condition of the nation of Ephraim/Israel, especially in the “Last Days.”

Disposition
Let us first take a look at the general disposition of the nation of Israel.

Furthermore Yahweh said to me, ‘I have seen this people, and behold, it is a stubborn people. (Deuteronomy 9:13)

You have been rebellious against Yahweh from the day that I knew you. (Deuteronomy 9:24)

Continue reading “Israel – Still Guessing?” →