The Main Principle of Yeshua’s Halacha

The Main Principle of Yeshua’s Halacha

Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

Seeing as the Natsari movement is extracting itself from the 2000 year old crust of the past to become a vibrant Phoenix in the 21^st century we are still trying to find out legs underneath us.

In trying to re-establish ourselves as a movement and a people and seeing as much of our ancient literature has either been confiscated by the Catholic Church or destroyed, we have had to rely upon the non-believing Orthodox Jewish literature and resources to re-establish ourselves. And I have no problem with that. I have stated clearly my position on such literature in Abraham’s Descendants Statement of Faith:

“I believe in holding to, but not being bound by, Jewish Traditions and customs that uphold and help fulfill Torah Commands, and enhance the meaning and significance of YHWH’s Word.  I believe all extra Biblical Documents, (which give us some of the “How To’s’” in fulfilling the Torahs commandments,) such as the Book of Jasher, the Books of Enoch, the Talmud, Shulchan Aruch, Pirkei Avot, Zohar, etc. need to be filtered through the whole of Scripture.  I reject all that which annuls, or contradicts YHWH’s Word.  One has three choices in regards to Traditions:
1. If it lines up with Torah,  Keep it! 2. If it is neutral, neither enhancing nor detracting from Torah one may choose or choose not to keep it. 3. If it nullifies Torah then we MUST NOT keep it!”

-        http://www.abrahamsdescendants.com/statement-of-faith.html

Our problem is that we have relied to heavily upon such Rabbinic literature and have ended up in many cases trying to placate to the Orthodox Jew so as to be accepted by them and feel a since of legitimacy; which has been totally wrong on our part.

Yeshua is not only our Messiah, but our Rebbe, not Schneerson or Nachman, and Yeshua is the one to establish our halacha. And I think there is the key principle in hammering out halacha and traditions in our movement.

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” – Rebbe Yeshua Ha Moshiach - Matt. 11:28-30

The common Jew was trying to escape the crushing bewildering weight of the Pharisaical and Sadduceaic halacha.

“For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.” – Rebbe Yeshua Ha Moshiach - Matt. 23:4

In reviewing many of the prayers, customs, halacha and traditions many of us have taken upon ourselves from the Orthodox, I find have been very fresh and romantic at first but quickly loses their luster and becomes a cumbersome dead ritual; so much so, I actually had to walk away from many of the traditions such as praying the Amidah and donning traditional tefillin for a while until I could figure all this out.

Therefore in order to “work out my own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12) I have experimented with some of the customs and traditions of Judaism which are based in Torah and have shortened and or modified some of them, keeping in mind our Rebbe Yeshua’s yoke, and it has been utterly and intimately transforming to my walk with the LORD!

Keeping in mind however that it is good to know and understand the Orthodox traditions and custom so one can feel at home if they somehow find themselves in a traditional Torah service or minyah or such.

Remember we are not Orthodox, we are not Catholic, we are nor Christian, we are Natsarim and should be our own Torah based unique entity with our own traditions and halacha.

OMER DAY 7

“Today is seven days, which is one week of the Omer.”

·       Theme of the week: Chesed – Loving kindness

·       Theme of the day: Malchut - Majesty

·       Overall Theme: “The Majesty of His loving-kindness.”

Today commemorates the 12 wells of water, one for each tribe of Israel and 70 palm trees for the 70m elders led by Moses to sit under and judge and provide for the 70 nations of the earth.

Exodus 15:27 And they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten palm trees: and they encamped there by the waters.


This also is the day that if the Temple were standing we would offer specified sacrifices to YHWH.

Lev. 23:4-8 These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the LORD's passover. And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto the LORD: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread. In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein. But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto the LORD seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.


Even as early as Exodus we see the formation of a Holy Nation, a Holy Kingdom, with a Holy King (YHWH) who rules by a Holy Law (Torah). Already He is setting His people up to rightfully and majestically reign with Him in the World to Come.

Rev. 4:1-11 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter. And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. And he that sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold. And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind. And the first beast was like a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, LORD God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever, The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Rev. 5:8-10 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

Rev. 7:9-17 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces, and worshipped God, Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.

Rev. 21:1-6 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.

Rev. 21:24-27 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.


The Traditional text to read is Psalm 119:49-56:

49     ¶ ZAIN. Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope.

The Torah is David’s hope, in other places he says it’s his salvation, his Yeshua. And remember what I said that Yeshua is nothing more than the Living Manifestation of the Written Torah?

50     ¶ This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me.

The Torah is also His Comfort, and what do we call the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) which comes from G-d? The Comforter. In passages in the Brit Chadshah (Renewed Covenant) it says that the Ruach will guide us in all Truth (John 16:13), and David already said that the Torah is Truth.

51     ¶ The proud have had me greatly in derision: yet have I not declined from thy law.

David says that he will stick to his guns and no matter what pressures from others may come, he will not budge nor compromise in regards to the Torah.

52     ¶ I remembered thy judgments of old, O LORD; and have comforted myself.

David is comforted by G-d judicial rulings of the Torah because he knows that they are fair, good and holy.

53     ¶ Horror hath taken hold upon me because of the wicked that forsake thy law.

David hates to think about those who don’t get it, who don’t understand the awesomeness of G-d’s Torah and therefore doesn’t obey it. He know where Torah-less-ness leads.

54     ¶ Thy statutes have been my songs in the house of my pilgrimage.

Before David sung and wrote the Psalms, he but the Torah to music and praised G-d that way. Specifically the Commandments in which G-d gave no logical explanation for at that!

55     ¶ I have remembered thy name, O LORD, in the night, and have kept thy law.

He even wants G-d’s Torah to rule his unconscious dream life! He wants to be holy through and through. David goes to sleep thinking about the Torah.

56     This I had, because I kept thy precepts.

He knows that his night life can only be pure because of G-d’s Word, His Torah and because he lives to obey it, he can have a holy night life.

“Abba YHWH Elohim, not only did You love us enough to save us and give us victory too and taste Your Glory, but have also allowed us to share in Your majesty! Thank You Father! HalleluYah! In the Name of Yeshua Messiah I pray and praise, Ameyn!”

“Just Give Up Why Don’t’cha!?”

“Just Give Up Why Don’t’cha!?”

Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr

“Give up!”

“Surrender!”

“Just Quit!”

Those are dirty words to the Westerner who fought oppression and tyranny to be free. “NEVER!” is the response to the commands above. It is just not in the Western psyche to “Give up.” That has been our greatest strength, but is also our greatest weakness. Even in matters of faith, “Giving up” is not an option.

“Speak to that mountain…”

“Have faith of a mustard seed…”

“Name it, and claim it!”

“Speak Life and Breakthrough to your situation.”

It is simply not in us to give up or give in.

Some of us may not be physical Israel, but we sure our stiff-necked like them!

I feel the LORD is really trying to speak to His People here, today, right now in the Western World. I know of two friends of mine who are currently up against some unique obstacles and they are frustrated because they have tried everything and do not know what to do. While in mediation and prayer regarding their situation it occurred to me. They have tried everything but surrender, just giving up!

This very message GOD drilled into me at the start of 2013. I was in a very dark spiritual place where I could not hear clearly from the LORD. I tried everything, prayer, fasting, anointing myself and my house and rebuking and casting our demons left and right. Finally I screamed to the heavens, “GOD! I GIVE UP! I am done, I quit! I refuse to speak or move (spiritually) until you speak to me!” Childish? Yes. Audacious? Most certainly, but necessary. Just three to four days after I made that declaration, HE SPOKE, In a mighty and unexpected way! Out of the blue and I have never been the same since. I advised these men to just simply, give up! Still sounds like a bad idea? Let me put it another way, “LET GO AND LET GOD!”

I am reminded when my wife and I were trying to have a child. It didn’t happen until we gave up. It is when we stopped trying and focusing on the issue that it happened!

What we deemed as the enemy trying to stop us is perhaps the Holy One trying to stop us so He can speak to us!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. –James 4:7

Submit is just another word for “surrender” and “give up.”

Didn’t Messiah say that it is hard to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5; 26:14). He was speaking in terms of Himself. It is hard to fight against Messiah when He is trying to tell you something!

Remember when you first got saved; the fight and the struggle that was to give up and surrender yourself fully to Messiah? If in your walk and ministry you have hit a brick wall and have tried everything and do not know what to do, why not try quitting? Just give up! I recently had a friend call me and tell me that they feel so stupid because they were trying to do ministry and they kept hitting roadblocks. Obviously they thought it was Satan trying to stop them when they realized the particular thing they was doing when all finished would have been a waste of time due to a missing component. Satan wasn’t trying to stop them, GOD WAS! He was trying to save my friend from further heartache and frustration.

Have you hit a brick wall? Tried everything? Is and has GOD been trying to tell you something? Has He been trying to get you quiet and alone so He can reveal something to you or download something into your spirit?

My advice to you is, “Give up!”

Be still, and know that I am God. – Psa. 46:10

OMER DAY 6

“Today is six days of the Omer.”

·       Theme of the week: Chesed – Loving kindness

·       Theme of the day: Yesod – Intimacy/Foundation

·       Overall Theme: “The Intimacy of His loving-kindness.”

Today commemorates the events found in Exodus 15:22-26 regarding the bitter waters made sweet.
Exodus 15:22-26 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter: therefore the name of it was called Marah. And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD shewed him a tree, which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet: there he made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there he proved them, And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.

James 1:2-8  My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.


Faithfully obeying Torah gives us the confidence to pray for necessities in faith and actually receive them. Faith is not just believing, but acting upon ones beliefs. My belief in my wedding vows cause me to act faithfully toward my wife and thus receiving the benefits of such a union. Seeing Torah as our wedding vows to YHWH causes us to be faithful Him by obeying Torah via the example of His Son Yeshua; hence our themes of love and intimacy which is the foundation of our Faith.

The Traditional text to read is Psalm 119:41-48:

41     ¶ VAU. Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

David knew that the Torah led to salvation. Don’t the Scriptures say that Salvation comes from the Jews (John 4:22)? The Written Torah tells what the Living Torah (The Messiah) was to be like.

42     So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproacheth me: for I trust in thy word.

The Torah is the final word in what G-d considers righteous conduct, and when one is living by the Torah, no one can say anything legitimate against you in the realm of wrong doing.

43     ¶ And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in thy judgments.

Here David clearly says that the Torah is Truth. This is the answer to Pilates question to Yeshua, “What is Truth? (John 18:38).

44     So shall I keep thy law continually for ever and ever.

Notice there isn’t an italics or parentheses in the ancient text that disclaims this verse by saying “until the Messiah come.” No, he says the Torah is to be obeyed forever. If David knew about the coming of the Messiah and that the Torah told about him (even Yeshua said the Torah speaks of him (Luke 24:13-49) then he would have known if the Torah would be changed by the Messiah. Instead He affirms that the Torah stands for ever.

45     ¶ And I will walk at liberty: for I seek thy precepts.

Liberty!? Is David saying that there is a freedom in keeping the Commandments? Absolutely! This doesn’t sound like the “bondage of the Law” that the Christians are always talking about.

46     I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.

David will tell all other nations and kings about G-d and His dealings with Israel, and no matter how they respond, he will not be ashamed because he KNOWS that all the stories are absolutely 100% true!

47     And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved.

Torah makes David happy! What more can I say on this verse?

48     My hands also will I lift up unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.

He says he will DO the Torah, because it is all he can think about. It is so deep he can never come to an end of thinking about G-d’s Torah! He is especially fascinated with the commandments that have seemingly no logical purpose.

“Abba YWHW Elohim, Your Word calls us the Bride of Messiah, help and enable us to be faithful to You by keeping the Wedding Vows of Torah. In Yeshua’s Name I pray, Ameyn.”