In Judaism, Shabbos is a time to be especially careful not to become angry or to become involved in a quarrel. Quarrels spread like fire and destroy everything that is precious. The sanctity of Shabbos, if it is observed properly, enables people to feel a sense of unity. It promotes love and brotherhood. The sanctity of Shabbos can spread and enter the hearts of each individual and everyone can become as one.
-Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
“The Sanctity of Shabbos”
Aish.com
I’ve been trying to write a commentary for Torah Portion Re’eh (the reading for this coming Shabbat) but it’s not coming. I actually did write something, but I didn’t like it, so I deleted it (a rare thing for me). I know I’m forcing stuff into the text rather than just letting it flow. That’s not typical of how I write but then, it’s still Monday and maybe I’m just too far away from Shabbos mentally and spiritually.
Rabbi Pliskin says that we should not become angry or quarrel on Shabbos. It destroys peace. It’s destroys sanctity, not just the sanctity of the Shabbat, but the sanctity among God’s people (if we can call ourselves God’s people).
Here’s an example of Shabbos as described by Derek Leman in his blog post The Jewish Experience at UMJC 2013:
The highlight of the conference for me came in the Shabbat Shacharit service. While our crowd of 600 people that morning may not have been the largest crowd I have ever been in, it was the largest crowd of Jewishly knowledgeable and intensely spiritual people I have ever been in. I have worshipped in a stadium with 50,000 Christians before and found it to be powerful. But to be in ballroom meant for 474 people that has 600 Jews packed in with tallitot and kippot, all of whom know the calls and responses of the Hebrew liturgy, was something powerful on a level I can hardly explain.
Before reciting the Shema we sang a song about the Shema. It began with a haunting melody that we called out for several minutes just to the sound “oo.” Kavanah, they say, is the Hebrew word for inner intent, devotion and concentration upon an idea. I have never felt kavanah like that before.
When the Torah scrolls were being paraded around the ballroom, paraded throughout a dense crowd, standing room only, aisles packed, and being paraded slowly so all could touch their tallitot or books to it and bring the word to their lips, we recited the “Niggun Neshama,” by Neshama Carlebach. It must have taken at least ten minutes to complete the Torah parade, with the crowd facing it wherever it was in the room and a spirit of intensity of devotion on every face and joy that was overwhelming.
I truly experienced what God said about Shabbat, “It is a sign between you and me forever” (Exod 31:13).
I have to admit to being a little envious (sorry, Derek) at reading his description, but then again, even if I had the bucks to spend on going to a conference in Los Angeles, Derek did say it was “600 Jews packed in with tallitot and kippot,” so it’s not an experience that would be open to (Gentile) Christians.
No, I’m not kvetching. I understand and support worship venues that are specific to Jewish people in the Messiah. I realize I’m not part of the community of Messianic Jews (and I’ve calmed down since I wrote that last blog post). Last May, I expressed some concerns about worshiping in a Messianic Jewish context, based on my “transition” into a Christian religious space, but after about nine months in church, as much as I enjoy certain aspects of being in church, if I had my “druthers,” I’d probably worship at some place like Beth Immanuel.
But for lots and lots of reasons, I don’t have my “druthers” and probably never will. Frankly, I don’t think it’s about me getting my way. I think it’s about me being where I am and doing what God wants me to do. Anyway…
But as much as Derek enjoyed his time at the Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations (UMJC) conference, there are others who didn’t think it was so hot. I was going to quote from a certain Hebrew Roots blogger or one of the commenters on his blog as an example of their criticism, but after reading through the material, I just didn’t have the heart. It’s not Shabbos, but really, the words have been put online once. I don’t need to repeat them. Suffice it to say, there are those who find that the UMJC is disingenuous, or non-Biblical, or too Talmudic, or not enough apostolic scriptures, or whatever.
I’ve complained about religious people on more than one occasion. Really, it takes a lot of effort sometimes to remain religious, at least publicly, given the way some people express themselves, supposedly for the sake of Heaven.
From there they sailed to Antioch, from which they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had accomplished.
–Acts 14:26 (NASB)
Last Sunday, my Pastor preached on Acts 14:21-28 in his sermon, “What Makes a Good Missionary (Part 3)?” I’ll write more about it on Thursday, but as part of his description of the end of “Paul’s first missionary journey,” he said that Paul and Barnabas reported back to their “home church” at Syrian Antioch (I’m more inclined to believe it was a synagogue that included Jewish and non-Jewish disciples of Messiah) about everything they had accomplished. Reminded me of this:
The essence of Shabbos is peace of mind. Our attitude on Shabbos should be as if all the work we need to do has already been completed. If you need to travel or do any kind of work, on Shabbos you should try to feel as if you have reached your destination and every single job you have to take care of has already been completed.
All the laws of Shabbos serve as a recipe for attaining peace of mind. Not only are we to refrain from doing any form of work, but we are enjoined not to even discuss anything that has a connection with work.
-Rabbi Zelig Pliskin
“Let Shabbos Finish Your Work”
Aish.com
Absence of quarreling and peace of mind at the week’s work having been accomplished. Sounds good, but my view of the world of which I’m a part doesn’t provide for peace.
Derek ended his blog post this way:
I am encouraged. I am strengthened. I pray you, Jewish or non-Jewish reader, find your heart warmed as well. May God, as Solomon prayed, hear in heaven and forgive the sins of our people and bring them again to the land which was given to the Jewish people as an inheritance.
The Jewish people have a right to pray for the God of Israel to forgive their sins and to return them to their Land which was given to them as an eternal inheritance. If we Gentile believers can’t be a part of the solution, then we should at least get out of their way (and out of God’s way…not that we could ever inhibit His will). My generation used to have a saying: “If you aren’t part of the solution, then you’re part of the problem.”
We Gentile believers, whether we call ourselves “Christians,” “Hebrew Roots,” or anything else, need or consider our position and make a few adjustments. The fact that we are disciples of the Jewish Messiah does not give us vast authority to run roughshod over those people who were uniquely chosen by God at Sinai. If there was no Israel, there would be no method of attaching a Gentile through covenant to God. We vilify the Jewish people at our own peril. We should be wise. A blessing and a curse lay before us as well.
I’ve been writing about the Shabbat which I currently have no way to enjoy. I suppose that’s my fault for a lot of reasons, but it is no longer in my control. However there is an eternal Shabbat promised to all the faithful, if we can just maintain our strength until it comes. But in denigrating the Jewish people including Jews in Messiah (no, we don’t have to agree with all Messianic Jewish organizations about everything) are we unknowingly throwing away our place within that Shabbat? Are we in the process of finishing our work as the crown jewels of the nations or are we simply ending our opportunity for the final Shabbat rest because of our hostility and disrespect?
Sorry for another in a long line of “why can’t we play nice together” blog posts. I really wish the lot of us would take the advice of Thumper’s father (brief video) and just hush up and worry about perfecting our own spirituality. Let other people including Derek Leman and the various attendees of the UMJC conference attend to their own relationship with the Almighty.
Morning Meditations 
Oh balderdash, James, all this phony posturing by Messianic Jews in re firstborn ‘position’ is embarrassing, obnoxious and unsupported by Scripture.
I am a non-Messianic Jew. I have my theories as to why Messianics persecute their brethren, thusly. It is human nature to want someone to be lower on the, ahem, totem pole — but aren’t we here to conquer human nature?
For you to long to be in Shabbat service; yet have been told your ‘lowly’ gentile (first) birth makes you somehow ineligible, is to disregard your (second) birth into the commonwealth of Israel.
I just hate to imagine all the ‘Jameses’ out there with their noses pressed against the glass, if you will. The righteousness of the Messianics most certainly does NOT exceed that of the noble Pharisees!
How ugly they treat those who have been ‘brought near,’ — an Hebraic term which connotes the intimate pairing of husband and wife, producing offspring. How dare the Messianics reject their new siblings? Yshua told Kefa-Peter to feed his sheep–not deny them entrance into the fold.
Sincerely,
Diana Horvat
Sent from my iPhone
Shalom, Diana — You might want to consider that one of the problems messianic Judaism has faced is one that is not faced by traditional non-messianic Jewish congregations. MJ has long been endangered and hindered in its Jewish development by being numerically overwhelmed by inexperienced non-Jews who wish to deepen their experience with the Jewish origins of messianic faith. In recent years, MJ congregations have had to begin to “put their foot down”, so to speak, to insist on the Torah’s distinctions between Jews and non-Jews in Jewish space, in order to preserve Jewish identity and mitigate assimilation.
This has nothing to do with second-class citizenship or have-nots pressing their faces to the glass wishing they could come in to get warm. Such imagery is entirely inapplicable to the reality of the situations and it falsely condemns the right of Jews to be Jews. You might be surprised at how difficult that can be when “ten non-Jews take hold of the tzitzit of a Jew pleading ‘Let us come with you because we have heard that G-d is with you.'” (Zech.8:23) This problem was also possibly anticipated when the Jerusalem Council of Emissaries issued their halakhic ruling that exempted non-Jews from converting to Judaism as a prerequisite to participation. It is, perhaps, also a necessity for the fulfillment of Isaiah’s vision in Is.56 in which HaShem commends “b’nei nechar” for their devotion to His covenant including the keeping of Shabbat.
Traditional Jewish congregations do not award Torah or Haftara readings to non-Jews, and non-Jews are otherwise limited in their participation, despite the long-standing Jewish view that “HaShem’s house is a house of prayer for all peoples.” The same limitations should continue to be maintained within messianic Judaism, though there are other potential roles that may be available to non-Jews therein, in recognition of their position as non-idolatrous non-pagans who are “clean” of any such tumah. In fact, as such people operating in Jewish space become more knowledgeable of Torah in all aspects, including those which apply to non-Jews as well as those which apply only to Jews, they may face a choice about their “calling” and whether they might have reason to convert to Judaism to take upon themselves full Jewish responsibilities. However, such reasoning would be much different than what was impelling the ancient non-Jewish Galatians that Rav Shaul strongly discouraged from conversion. Nonetheless, even without conversion, they may become properly eligible for roles that would be inappropriate for the average non-Jew. This is an area where Jewish tradition has had little experience from which to develop halakhic guidance. The “Shabbes Goy” notion is simply by far inadequate, and we have not yet seen what may develop as the movement matures.
Hi Diana. Thanks for commenting (yes, I mean it).
You said: For you to long to be in Shabbat service; yet have been told your ‘lowly’ gentile (first) birth makes you somehow ineligible, is to disregard your (second) birth into the commonwealth of Israel.
I don’t think I was as clear as I should have been about my “relationship” with the Shabbat. Actually, since my wife (who is also Jewish and not a believer) and daughter don’t keep Shabbat in the home, I finally decided to loosen up about it. I was the only one lighting the candles Friday night and trying to say the blessings. For some reason, my wife has backed off going to either synagogue (although she does keep in touch with the Chabad Rebbitzin), and although she reads and studies, she doesn’t seem to be particularly observant beyond avoiding treif.
That’s the reason I’m largely not keeping any sort of Shabbat at this point (and she puts plenty of work on my “honey do” list for Saturdays). As far as whether I would attend an actual Messianic congregation such as Beth Immanuel, if it was up to me and no one else was impacted (and assuming the congregation would have me), that’s where I’d attend. I stopped participating in the One Law group I used to be affiliated with for several reasons, not the least of which was out of consideration for my spouse (another reason is that I experienced a paradigm shift and didn’t find that the One Law position was Biblically supported). Although my wife tried to talk me out of leaving, she eventually admitted that it was embarrassing for her to have a “Messianic” husband in relation to her connections to the local Jewish community (Boise’s a small city, so word gets around).
It’s hardly the UMJC or any other group that is “barring” me from Shabbat observance. In fact, I have no contact with that group and I’m sure they don’t even know I exist (except for Derek and maybe one or two other people). I really don’t think what I do or don’t do would have any affect on them and nothing they say or do is the motivating factor on what I do.
I don’t feel that “Messianic Judaism” in its various forms is treating me poorly and in fact, I have some good friends in the movement.
“A word fitly spoken” dear brother. Shalom and much love in Yeshuah!
Thanks, Iona. Blessings.
James, if you are interested in learning from my most recommended parsha study, try Bill Bullock’s: http://www.regionschristiancenter.org/the-rabbis-son/ Although I don’t keep up with all the MessyWorld conflicts, I do hear a few things. For one, I sincerely doubt that all 600 of the attendees were Jewish. It is likely DL considers those he mentioned as, “Jewishly knowledgeable and intensely spiritual,” as Jewish? DL is not Jewish himself, so where does he get off claiming a non-Jew is somehow excluded or lesser? Full disclosure: I have a history with DL as he was nasty and manipulative with me when I critiqued his review of another person’s review of a book, “written by his friend.” To all the other readers here: this or that group can claim to represent Messianic Jews or Messianic non-Jews, torah observers, whatever….but this is just their claim. There are several camps, and divisions within those camps. I have friends in all the camps, but don’t feel loyal to any one. Actually, I believe religious systems (let us have a king like the other nations) act in opposition to, rather than in support of, following Yeshua. The son of man has no place to lay his head, and neither will we if we choose to listen to his voice and follow him, and not follow the voice of another.
Thanks for the link to Bill Bullock’s site. I’ll check it out in more detail when I get the opportunity.
Actually, Derek and I in years past exchanged a few unkind words but we eventually settled our differences. I’m sorry your history with him was that difficult but obviously, I can’t speak for him.
I will agree that Messianic Judaism is considerably “messy” and there’s a lot of history in certain circles that hopefully will be cleared up. I know there are a lot of wounded people who need to heal. Healing won’t begin though until we allow ourselves to let go of old hurts and to let God comfort us.
In the middle of all our debates and arguments, we need to remember that ultimately, what matters the most is how we act as representatives of Moshiach. If we can act in accordance with his wishes and will, we will be doing well. But being flawed human beings, we don’t always do as well as we should.
Hi James. I went to the UMJC conference as well. You would certainly be as welcome as I was and find it as meaningful. If you can make it next year, it would be worth your time. Just for the record. 🙂
Hi Karen. Nice to “talk” with you again. I think Derek must have been waxing “poetic” when he said there were 600 Jewish people in attendance. As Diana pointed out, he also said “Jewishly knowledgeable” people. I am curious to a point. Since the UMJC is no doubt sensitive about non-Jews wearing tallitot and such, how did that work out?
It’s one of the activities that on paper seems to go one way but in group practice isn’t always consistent. I know what I do in my personal worship but I’m curious how it worked out in actually practice with hundreds of Jewish and non-Jewish people within a Messianic context.
Hope you had a great time.
Nonetheless, even without conversion, they may become properly eligible for roles that would be inappropriate for the average non-Jew.
There’s a tendency to think of Messianic Judaism as a single entity within the larger Jewish (and arguably Christian) space, but in reading Rudolph’s and Willitts’s book Introduction to Messianic Judaism, it became apparent in more than a few of the essays that exactly how Jews and non-Jews function within a Messianic Jewish context is still being worked out (along with a good many other things).
I support the establishment and maintenance of a religious and worship context in which Messianic Jews can be Jews and the ideal is for synagogues to be established with a majority Jewish population for that purpose. As far as I can tell, Messianic Judaism isn’t there yet as far as having sufficient population, which is probably why many and even most of the people at any Messianic Jewish gathering such as the UMJC conference probably weren’t Jewish.
As Derek said in a reply to me on his blog, there are also numerous intermarried couples, so its hardly uncommon for a Jewish attendee to bring their non-Jewish spouse with them, assuming they are both of the same mind (unlike my situation).
I find myself wondering if, like the various Christian denominational options available to Gentile believers, if Messianic Judaism will develop into several separate or overlapping streams, each with a somewhat different emphasis on various matters including the presence and role of non-Jewish within their walls.
I think it may be said already that MJ has developed separate streams, though perhaps not formalized beyond affiliation with congregational organizations like IAMCS or UMJC, or non-affiliation. But, of course, even these organizations are somewhat diverse and in flux due to the developmental nature of the MJ social movement. The unity or separateness of the MJ entity depends on the position from which one tries to observe it, and, as I indicated in my previous post, I agree with the R&W book that distinctive roles are still in development. Also TBD is the longevity of any of the streams, as some earlier views may give way to more recent developments or some recent views may be a mere “flash in the pan”. It is tempting to think that because we are so few in number that some sort of ultimate unity must prevail, unless of course we come to exemplify that Jewish joke which envisions two Jews rescued from a desert island leaving behind three synagogues that they had built: one for each of their perspectives and one that neither would ever set foot in. [:)]
…that Jewish joke which envisions two Jews rescued from a desert island leaving behind three synagogues that they had built: one for each of their perspectives and one that neither would ever set foot in. [:)]
LOL. I suppose that’s always possible.
It will be interesting to see what develops in five or ten years in Messianic Judaism, both as scholarship and doctrine become more sophisticated and as more Jewish people (ideally) come to faith within the MJ context (as opposed to traditional Christian churches).
One thing that occurs to me is that there are plenty of non-Jewish driven Hebrew Roots congregations that self-identity as “Messianic Judaism” which to my way of thinking, just muddy the waters. It’s tough enough to establish Jewish identity within Messianic Judaism without having scores of congregations out there established and operated by mainly non-Jewish with a marginal (if it exists at all) Jewish presence. Of all people, I can hardly complain about Christians having a drive to connect some sort of Jewish view of our faith in the Jewish Messiah, but that’s a long way from said-Christians being able to establish Jewish worship venues.
One question you may be able to clear up for me, PL. What does a non-Jew worshiping within a Messianic Jewish congregation practice: Christianity or Messianic Judaism? Can a non-Jew practice Judaism is they are worshiping within a synagogue setting?
Welcome ladies and gentlemen, and you too can participate in that old family favorite game show: “Name that religion!” …. Now, Toby Janicki of FFOZ seems to like to introduce himself as “a gentile who practices Messianic Judaism”, which seems to presume the existence of a distinct religion called “Messianic Judaism”. And even if one allows the term “messianic” to become merely an adjective, it leaves us with the problem that western societies (and some Jews) have relegated the concept of “Judaism” to the status of a mere religion comparable with other religions, worldviews, or philosophies. Because of the historical animosity presented by Christianity against what it has termed Judaism throughout the past 15 centuries or so of its existence, those non-Jews who now follow Rav Yeshua with a Jewish perspective are somewhat loathe to say that they practice Christianity any longer. But if Judaism is not merely an “ism”, suggesting a viewpoint or philosophy; if Judaism is an entire civilization and way of living that defines the Jewish people, then such non-Jews cannot properly be said to be practicing Judaism (even if hyphenated or modified with an adjective such as “messianic”). Jewish messianists may practice Judaism with a messianic perspective, or messianic-ly. However, this practice extends far beyond synagogue worship practices. So what term might be applicable to non-Jews? “Notzerism”, for following the Nazarene rabbi, might work; and it would be compatible with existing Hebrew terminology used to translate “Christians” as “Notzrim”. It also correlates with a Hebrew term “Notzer”, meaning a diligent covenant follower. Note that I am choosing terms that need not be limited to the synagogue worship setting. “Yeshuanism” might be meaningful, both for its incorporation of our rabbi’s name and for the implication of “salvationism”. Or it might be meaningful to coin a Hebrew acronym, much as the Hasidic sect “Habad” extracted a phrase from the Amida prayers about “hochmah” (wisdom), “bina” (understanding), and “deah” (knowledge). As such, they have been called “habadniks”, and they even possess a sub-sect of messianists (“meshichistim”), whom some call “Schneersonites”. However, at the moment, off the top of my head, no particularly meaningful anagram or acronym comes to my mind. I recommend that we avoid “Meshichistim”, “Yeshuati-im”, “Notzer-im” (messianists, salvationists, diligent covenant followers), due to the unfortunate Hebrew acronym “MIN” (sectarian). We’ve had trouble previously from being classified as “minim”. [:)] I also hesitate to suggest “messianism”, because as a general term it will tend to obliterate distinctions between non-Jews and Jews and will be correlated with “Christian” by those who focus on literal translation of “messiah” as “christos”, hence “christos-ism”.
So, you too can play this game. Maybe there is a clue to be found in the Hebrew text of Isaiah 56 that could offer an acronym. If we can identify or invent a term that is particularly meaningful, perhaps we also can popularize it until it is widely accepted and adopted.
“It will be interesting to see what develops in five or ten years in Messianic Judaism, ”
They said the same thing 5 years ago, so what happened? They only gained in hypocrisy. when they follow someone who obtained a fake “conversion” and calls himself a Jew, do you think they have any future?
Come home James…It is you who is drowning in the muddy water of MJ UMJC style….
Now, Dan, really! … Nobody is “following” anyone with a fake conversion. You are on terribly dangerous ground with respect to your own spirit to address any convert in such a fashion. You set yourself up as a condemning judge only to invite being condemned yourself for your own shortcomings (viz: Matt.7:1-2; Lk.6:37, and maybe a somewhat imprecise drashic application extracted from Rom.2:1-4 & 17-21). If you wish to criticize a man’s beliefs or viewpoints, you may do so if you have justification. But ad-hominum attacks are not justifiable, nor do they advance any particular argument you might wish to promote.
Oh, by the way, James — the system seems to have dropped out a phrase I used in my 9:58am post, because I mistakenly thought I could indicate stage directions using triangle brackets. Apparently such things are presumed to be unwanted URLs and eliminated automatically. Perhaps if I use curly brackets instead the first sentence may become:
Welcome ladies and gentlemen, and you too can participate in that old family favorite game show: “Name that religion!” {fanfare, theme music, applause}….
PL said: Welcome ladies and gentlemen, and you too can participate in that old family favorite game show: “Name that religion!”
Maybe I struck a nerve with that one and if so, I apologize. It just seems that there’s a tremendous amount of confusion about who gets to call themselves what and why. I think you really nailed it when you said, “those non-Jews who now follow Rav Yeshua with a Jewish perspective are somewhat loathe to say that they practice Christianity any longer.” It’s one of the main reasons I call myself a Christian (also keeping in mind that being a Christian just means a follower of Christ, i.e. Messiah), to take the “demonization” out of the term.
Hi Dan. I’m at work now, but will be returning home this afternoon. As far as God is concerned, I’m always “home.” As today’s extra meditation will state though, with human beings, I sometimes feel like “moving out.”
I would like to ask PL what “Judaism civilization he has in mind?
Orthodox-who elevate oral Torah above the Written Torah?
Reform-who perform same sex marriages and ordains gay rabbis?
Conservative-who still cannot define themselves and sit on the fence?
Reconstructionist-who took God completely out of the picture?
Lubavitch-who worship a dead man as messiah?
To what “Judaism civilization you alluded to, PL?
Dan, Yeshua told us in Matt. 6:23: “But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
One can only see the evil in a group or situation, or one can see the good too, and what the Holy One is seeking to accomplish through these people. No one person speaks for the Jewish people as a whole, or even the various flavors, although there are certain talking heads. It would be the same as claiming Benny Hinn, Rick Warren or John MacArthur represent Christians.
All the camps of Judaism, Christianity and MessyWorld consist of the good, the bad and the ugly. My view is that the Holy Spirit moves upon people, and then men exploit that move for financial gain, career advancement, power, etc. So, well men are busy building their Babels and making a name for themselves, the real sheep are listening to the voice of the shepherd and following him. I choose not to worry so much about what the Babel builders are doing, except when I see them causing harm to the sheep.
James, you might want to consider if you desire to interact more with Shabbat. The Hebrew word picture is, “return to the covenant.” That is not saying you need to follow men’s ways or legalisms. There are wonderful verses in Isaiah about the blessings to the gentiles who keep my Shabbats. Notice it is “my Shabbats,” not man’s Shabbats or the Jews’ Shabbats. Shabbat is a sign, an ot, like a rainbow is an ot. Some call it God’s wedding ring. You don’t need to wear God’s wedding ring, but why not consider it? You don’t need to follow the ways of men who claim to speak for God to you. I believe you have young children? How would your wife feel about Friday dinner being a time where the kids can do a craft (Biblical Holidays by Robin Sampson) sing songs for children, and you can bless the children and say Proverbs 31 over your wife. The Orthodox men sing a song, Eshet Chayil, from Prov. 31. What if you just began by asking your wife if it was ok with her if you blessed her and the kids after the meal?
Since you like to read, I suggest Abraham Joshua Heschel’s book, “Shabbat,” and Rabbi Nachman’s book, “7th Heaven.” I haven’t read this book, but it sounds good: http://www.amazon.com/The-Sabbath-Entering-Gods-Rest/dp/188022674X/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1375209830&sr=8-5&keywords=books+messianic+s
Hi Chaya,
Actually, my youngest “child” is 25 years old. I do have a four year old grandson, though. I’m a little hesitant to follow your suggestion because this is an old conversation in my home. I sincerely appreciate your desire to help out, but Shabbat is something that will have to be kept in my heart for now. The future I’m leaving up to Hashem.
Just clicked the link you offered. Wow, that’s a blast from the past. We used to have this book back when it was first published, more or less.
Thanks.