Festival of Weeks
The Festival of Weeks (Shavous) begins on the evening of Sunday June 1.  For the Jews this festival commemorates God giving the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai.     

For the rest of the world, this day commemorates God’s giving of the Torah to the Jews on Mt. Sinai.
Explaining further…

Torah Tidbit

In the beginning God communicated all or parts of the seven Noahide Laws to Adam and Eve.  Unfortunately by the time of Noah mankind had forgotten and/or ignored the laws, resulting in total corruption of not just man but all the earth.  God then cleansed the world with water and renewed the laws and a covenant with Noah and his descendants.  Again, within a few centuries almost all of mankind had forgotten these laws and the covenant with God.  However a small band of dedicated Noahides persevered and were specially protected by God.  Eventually these people became the nation of Israel.  In that process God miraculously rescued Israel out of slavery in Egypt and soon after issued a more extended set of laws and covenant to Israel at Mt. Sinai.

He also reiterated the Noahide laws to Israel and renewed the expectation that mankind should follow these laws.  Since then, Israel by default has been the sole possessor of them, for no other group or groups of peoples have taken on the Noahide laws and preserved them through the generations.  Our society honors some of the laws to a greater extent but others are only partially considered and some are not known.  Until only a few decades ago in our culture, a solely Jewish law was partially honored like a Noahide law.

Which is why the acknowledgment of the Noahide laws issuing from Sinai is important.  Sinai, via Israel, is the source of the laws and how we implement them in our lives.

In this context the meaning and intent of the word “laws” get lost within all of our other cultural and personal experiences.  Perhaps considering them “expected codes of conduct” will help make them more relevant.  For as one digs into the Noahide laws, applications to everyday life appear.   

The first grouping we’ll address is establishing courts of justice.  Probably never, across all nations and time, have any courts enforced all the Noahide laws and our judicial system is no different.  That brings up two basic questions:

1) Does our judicial system in any way satisfy the “establishing courts of justice”?  

2) If it doesn’t, how does a Noahide fit into it?  

The discussion over the ages is varied and technical, but the contemporary consensus is that yes, in the main our judicial system satisfies this commandment, which means Noahides are accountable to it.  We may discuss this more on Thursday.

Have a great week!

Torah Tidbit

Vayigash (and (he) approached), Genesis 44:18 – 47:27
Joseph reveals himself to his brothers.  Jacob and his complete family then move to and settle in Egypt. Joseph leads Egypt through the remainder of the famine.
“I am Joseph your brother – it is me, whom you sold into Egypt.  And now, be not distressed, nor reproach yourselves for having sold me here, for it was to be provider that God sent me ahead of you.” – Genesis 45:4-5

Walking the Walk

Joseph and King David share similar fates – rejected and ostracized by their brothers, having to “settle” with menial work (house servant, shepherd, etc.) for years, harsh treatment from employers, then sudden rise to the ruler over Israel (and Egypt for Joseph).  Through it all their walk with God expanded and grew immensely.  How did they do it?  Again, gratitude had to be a key tool, just as it was once they reached the pinnacle of leadership.  
One does not suddenly become thankful upon acquiring incredible political power, often it’s just the opposite.  Rather, Joseph and David thanked God every hour, every day.  Each expression of gratitude gradually built up their trust in God and opened their eyes to His workings and opportunities.  
We probably won’t be rulers of nations.  If we’re honest with ourselves, we don’t always rule ourselves very well.  So let’s start there.  Let’s improve the ruling of ourselves by increasing the exercise of gratitude.  Momentarily pause right now – seriously, stop reading! – to thank the Creator for whatever is at hand.  
Now do the same tomorrow before leaving for work.  Do it again at lunch – getting a cup of coffee – going to the gym – picking up the kids – just before walking into the house at the end of the day.  Do that for a few days and I promise you will begin to see things a little brighter and respond accordingly to the circumstances encountered.  Just like Joseph, we live in a materialistic self-loathing culture that discourages a positively balanced attitude.  Every day we must fight to overcome and happiness – true joy – is key to winning.

The Anointed One

The Jewish Messiah – anointed one – will share similar life experiences with those described above for Joseph and David.  Like them he will:
– Be born and raised within the Jewish people, with solid Jewish ancestry- Have a wife and children- Acquire a deep knowledge and love for Torah observance and its richness- Be virtually unknown and unappreciated prior to his ascendancy- Suddenly arise from within the Jewish people- Becomes a true prophet 
These are good to keep in mind as we approach the end of the age.  Otherwise we may very well miss the significance of this event – or worse yet, be fooled by an imposter.

Be Well!
– Neil

Torah Tidbit

Mikeitz (at the end), Genesis 40:1 – 44:17
Joseph interprets Pharoah’s dream and becomes second in command of all of Egypt.  He leads a massive food storage campaign, then sells back the food to the people once the famine grows severe.  In the footsteps of their grandfather, Jacob’s sons visit Egypt to purchase food.  Joseph recognizes them and tests them on both visits, culminating in threatening imprisonment of Benjamin, Jacob’s youngest son and only other child of Rachel.

“Now let Pharaoh seek out a discerning and wise man and set him over the land of Egypt.” Genesis 41:33

Walking the Walk

Joseph arrived in Egypt at the age of 17, as a slave, with no resources or support other than what he had learned with papa Jacob and the rest of the family.  He works his way up to be in charge of a wealthy household, second in command to only the owner.  He is tossed in prison on a false accusation, but once again works his way up to become second in command, handling all logistics within the prison.  Now on a seemingly happenstance occurrence he arrives yet again at the position of second in command, this time to Pharaoh.  
Joseph’s experiences are not unlike Jacob’s – driven from their homeland, penniless, with only the clothes on their backs.  Yet they prosper in all ways – supportive wives, like-minded children, faithful servants and material wealth.  But most importantly they prospered in their character development and relationship with the Almighty.  How did they do it?  Yes, God was with them, but they had to contribute their fair share, just like all the rest of us.  
They had acquired the habits and mindsets to see God in all that they encountered. Minute by minute, hour by hour, day by day, they thanked Him for all that He brought their way and sought guidance from Him on how to best respond to what He brought them.  They had no books or websites to draw inspiration and guidance, instead they recalled discussions and lessons learned in the land of Canaan.  Perhaps they journaled those experiences, along with those currently being endured and referred to entries from time to time.  They set aside regular time, in spite of long work days, to review their progress with Him.  They carried with them the timing of festivals (including Sabbath), faithfully commemorating them at their due time.  They had no friends when first arriving in the foreign lands, but most likely acquired true friends by looking for opportunities to help others.  They were dutiful employees, seeing within their employment opportunity to serve the Creator by serving their employer.
We Noahides often walk a lonely path knowing few, if any, who are like-minded.  We chose this path as adults, aware of the lack of community and traditions we would now face.  However, just like Jacob and Joseph, we also have ongoing opportunity to develop our relationship with the Creator through all that we encounter.  And unlike Jacob and Joseph, we have many books and websites that guide and inspire.  It’s up to us to make the most of our lives and we can do much.  

Be strong out there!