Today we see something which has not been seen en masse for almost 2000 years. Gentiles are turning to Jewish people, to the teachings of Judaism to find out what their relationship should really be like. Why? Because so many of us have found that there is no satisfaction, no real relationship with G-d, or even with each other in the religions of this world.
What happened? What severed the relationship of the Gentiles with G-d? Sin! The Gentiles stopped worshipping G-d in the manner revealed to Adam and to Noah and they began to worship other gods.
The Prophet Jeremiah says that in the last days, the Gentiles will turn to G-d coming from the ends of the earth to seek Him.
What happens to people who forget G-d? Again Jeremiah says that they begin to practice paganism, to offer vain incense, incense itself is likened to prayer by David, King of Israel. This means that the prayers of the unrighteous, are not even heard by G-d.
Isaiah 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them]. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
The words "ancient paths" are speaking about "paths" "netivot" "תובתנ" paths which have become overgrown and need to be searched for once again. When we find that 'pathway' then we find "eternal life." Those who 'walk' in the pathways of G-d will obey Him. The Paths that the Prophet Jeremiah is directing us to are the paths trodden in the past by Noah and his righteous descendants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all of these men were Noahides. Indeed until the children of Israel reached Sinai, they too, although especially chosen by G-d as a nation unto Him, were also B'nai Noach. When they entered into the Covenant the Children of Israel took upon themselves additional laws, besides the laws given to their fathers.
From this we can know that the "word" of G-d, His Torah, His TeNaCh (Bible) will enlighten our steps, as we walk in His paths, step by step.
Jeremiah 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up; G-d is the one who decides when and where mankind should worship Him, it is not up to man to establish his own festivals, in which to worship Him. Therefore, when men begin to establish holidays for religious purposes, and those days are not honouring Him, they are separating themselves from G-d. For many thousands of years man has observed pagan holidays and festivals, and worshipped G-d on the wrong days at the wrong time, when He has not made His "Presence" available in a very special way. When they do this they meet instead with other gods, called "Baalim". Thus man began to worship the "sun" "moon" or "stars" in the sky and call them "G-d". They made images and worshipped these, claiming that these images represented G-d, but these images G-d gave mankind the times and seasons when we are commanded to meet with Him. Appointments with G-d. These special times were part of the very Creation of the earth on which we live.
In Genesis 1:14-19 The heavenly 'lights' were put into place in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, are a giant clock by
which the people of the earth may measure our 'time'. Not only the days and the hours, but also 'spiritual time,' so that
we may know the times appointed by G-d for us to appear before Him. At all times man may get in touch with G-d, but it is more like using a telephone, so that we can call on him when we wish to do so, in prayer. But G-d has also said that there are times when He desires 'our presence' before Him, collectively, not just individually as prayer may be. Although even many prayers are meant to be 'collective' they do not have to be collective, but are often personal.
Genesis 1:14 And God saith, `Let luminaries be in the firmament of the heaven, to separate between the day and the night, and they shall serve as signs, and for festivals, and for days and years.... These signs separate not only physical darkness and physical light, but they also separate between spiritual darkness and spiritual light - the 'True' Light.
They point us to the "Light" which existed on the first day.
Gen. 1:3-5. This primeval Light existed before the physical light was put into place. This primeval "Light" was hidden in the Torah, and will once again be revealed at the end of days.
According to the Midrash, the original light was of an intense spiritual quality and G-d saw that the wicked were unworthy of This concept is the root of faith for those who believe that G-d's Torah prepares man for Divine wisdom but it can be the
root of heresy for those who deny it. It is not within the intellectual scope of the human mind to grasp the conditions which enable man to receive these Divine Influences or to evaluate their quality. Even if it were possible to know them quantitatively and qualitatively, one would not know the proper time for their reception.
In order to understand the essence, the relationship, and the requirements for these Divine influences, one must receive
elaborately-detailed and exact information from a Divine
Source. Whoever has attained this level of perception and whole-heartedly obeys these instructions in every detail without
reservation is a believer.
One, however, who attempts to prepare conditions for the reception of these inspirations based on astrological analyses and deductions, or who tries to evoke the supernatural through idols and talismans, is an agnostic. He brings offerings and
burns incense based on his own speculations not knowing what he is doing, totally ignorant of the laws, methods, and specific details of Divine offerings. He is like the ignoramus
who entered the pharmacy of a renowned physician, famous
for his successful cures, and in the absence of the physician dispensed various medicines from the doctor's supply without
knowing the contents of the medications or the required dosage needed by each patient for specific ailments. Needless
to say he killed many of the patients with the medications that were meant to heal. When he by chance healed anyone
with the drugs he dispensed, people attributed their cure to him without realizing that it was only by the merest accident
that they were cured rather than killed. They failed to
understand that the real cures come from a learned physician who
devises medications and prescribes dosages in addition to instructing his patients regarding proper diet, excercise, and
rest. In this same manner, before the time of Moses most
people were fooled and misled by the theories of astrology
and natural science. They drifted from concept to concept, from
god to god, even worshipping several gods at the same time. They abandoned their guide and master (the Creator) and attributed their good fortune to imitations which were in reality the causes of their destruction. In essence observing the statutes of the Divine Creator is the source of all that is beneficial to man, and harm can come to him only when the Divine Influence is withdrawn because of his disobedience." (The Metsudah Kuzari) pages 29 -33.) In Genesis 2:1 we see that the Seventh day Sabbath was introduced, and is what identifies G-d as the Creator of the universe, because it was in six days that He brought the universe into being, and observance of the weekly Sabbath demonstrates testimony to this fact.
Although Gentiles are not permitted to observe the Sabbath in the way that the Jews do, we also have a part in the weekly Sabbath, and when we observe it we connect ourselves to G-d.
According to the Metsudah Kuzari - Translated by Rabbi Avroham Davis - From the Arrangement of Hagaon R' Yechezkel Sarne zt'l,
So how can a Gentile become re-connected to G-d? By keeping
His Commandments. According to Rabbinical Judaism, this
Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known:
I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them. When the children of Israel take up their responsibility again to be a "Light to the Gentiles" then Gentiles will seek to that light.
Notice that this shall all take place even before Israel is gathered back to their land. Apparently according to the Prophet Isaiah, the tribes of Jacob will be restored simultaneously with their becoming a "Light to the Gentiles." Today we see that there are many Rabbis and Jews who have seen that they have a responsibility to teach the Gentiles and to be that Light.
What will those who cause people to worship the LORD be called?
Repairer of the breach, Restorer of the Paths to dwell in.
Proverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
In the last days once again the sons of Adam, and Noah will seek out the LORD and will go to the Mountain G-d to seek His
Laws and will walk in these ancient paths just as their ancestor Noah did.
Once again mankind will observe the "Festivals" given by G-d at Creation.
Those nations which refuse to keep this festival and honour the G-d of Israel will find themselves punished by not receiving any rain until they comply with the commandments of the LORD.
Mankind will go up to the Temple (Bais HaMikdash) of the LORD
of Hosts and they will worship Him there, and make sacrifices at His Holy House.
Today we are living in the last days, and we await with great Joy and anticipation for the Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the establishment children of Israel in their own land, knowing that when this takes place the whole earth will be filled with the Glory of the LORD.
Isaiah 12:1 You will say on that day, 'I thank You, HaShem, for You were angry with me, and now Your wrath has subsided and You have comforted me, 2 Behold, G-d is my salvation; I shall trust and not fear. For G-d is my might and my praise - HaShem - and He is a salvation for me.' 3 You can draw water with joy from the springs of salvation.
4 And you will say on that day, 'Give thangs to HaShem, declare His Name, make His acts known among the peoples;
declare that His Name is exalted. 5 Make music for HaShem, for
He has acted with grandeur; make this known throughout the world. Exult and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great in your midst!
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"Rachav - A Righteous Gentile" who helped Israel, by Rachav
"Noah The Father of the Gentiles" by Rachav
Proverbs 12:28 In the way of righteousness [is] life; and [in] the pathway [thereof there is] no death.
How do we find the "paths" of G-d? G-d gave us a "light" so
that we can see our way.
Psalm 119:105 NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
Jeremiah 6:16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where [is] the good way, and
walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, "We will not walk [therein]".
are in direct contradiction to the commandments of G-d.
Amos 3:3 Do two people walk together, unless they had [so] arranged? (Stones TeNaCh).
17 And G-d set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, to dominate by day and by night, and to separate between light and the darkness. And G-d saw that it was good.
enjoying it. Therefore, He separated it from the rest of the universe and set it aside for the use of the righteous in the World to Come. (Rashi). (Parashas Bereishis 1:4-5 Commentary - Stones Chumash).
"The Fallacy of Idolatry
1. The sun, moon, and stars effect heat and cold, wetness and dryness.
They have the power - ability to function, but they do not have the power - wisdom to direct or control their ability.
This power is the exclusive realm of the Almighty. There is no harm in describing these functions (heat, cold, etc.,) as "nature" so long as we do not attribute wisdom to them. Similarly, while a man and a woman have the ability to produce a child, no one would be so foolish as to say that they "created" the child with their wisdom. They merely serve the purpose of the Creator in functioning according to His will. Do not consider it incredible that the characteristics of the Divine are found in the material world, for this is true whenever man is prepared to receive and retain the sparks of Divine Wisdom.
on page 15 the weekly Sabbath and the number of the days of the week correspond everywhere in the world.
REGARDING THE NUMBER OF DAYS OF THE WEEK - Is there a nation in existence that doesn't consider a week to be seven days starting with the first day and ending on the Sabbath? How is it possible that the people of China concur with those of the Western world unless there was some common early convention or agreement? It is unlikely that such a world encompassing accord could have been reached or was in fact reached. The only plausible solution is that all men share a common tradition because they are descendants of Adam (or Noach) from whom they received the tradition of the seven-day week.
Establishing a Connection
When mankind begins to obey G-d and keep His commandments, and Torah, then they will once again establish a connection to Him.
The very word 'mitzvot' itself implies 'connection'.
may be accomplished by keeping the Seven Laws of Noah.
But first there must be repentance on the part of the Gentiles of their rebellion against G-d by keeping the pagan holidays, and worshipping the works of their own hands.Isaiah 2:3 And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the
God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the
word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Isaiah 49:5 And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb [to be] his servant, to bring Jacob again to him,
Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. 6 And he
said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel:
I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.
7 Thus saith the LORD, the Redeemer of Israel, [and] his Holy One, to him whom man despiseth, to him whom the nation
abhorreth, to a servant of rulers, Kings shall see and arise, princes also shall worship, because of the LORD that is faithful,
[and] the Holy One of Israel, and he shall choose thee. 8 Thus
saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee,
and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish
the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages.
Isaiah 58:12 And [they that shall be] of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many
generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in.
Proverbs 3:6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Micah 4:2 And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, and to the house
of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
Zechariah 14:16 And it shall come to pass, [that] every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, and to keep the feast of tabernacles.
17 And it shall be, [that] whoso will not come up of [all] the families of the earth unto Jerusalem to worship the King, the
LORD of hosts, even upon them shall be no rain. 18 And if the
family of Egypt go not up, and come not, that [have] no
[rain]; there shall be the plague, wherewith the LORD will smite the heathen that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
19 This shall be the punishment of Egypt, and the punishment of all nations that come not up to keep the feast of tabernacles.
20 In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD; and the pots in the LORD'S house shall be like the bowls before the altar. 21 Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts.
Isaiah 11:9 They will neither injure nor destroy in all of My sacred mountain; for the earth will be filled with the knowledge HaShem as the water covering the sea bed. 10 It shall be on that day that the descendant of Jesse, who stands as a
banner for the peoples; nations will seek him, and his resting place will be glorious. .......
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