• Mixing of threads, cattle and seed

    Mixing of threads, cattle and seed

    We have previously written an article about the scriptural prohibitions on the mixing of materials for clothing, seed and animals. From time to time we review our articles to make sure our convictions and understanding are honestly represented.  We understand the need to remain teachable and we grow in understanding as we study YHVH’s Word. […]

  • When must the barley be aviv?

    When must the barley be aviv?

    This year there has been a lot of discussion regarding the start of the new year. Most of these discussions were centered around the topic of when the barley needs to be aviv. Should it be before the new year starts or only when the Wave Sheaf offering is brought? In our article in 2012 we took the position that the barley must be aviv before the new year is announced. Due to all these discussions we went back and took a deeper look at this topic. Let us see if our understanding of the Scriptures needs to be adapted.

  • Growing a vegetable garden in the Sabbatical year?

    Growing a vegetable garden in the Sabbatical year?

    We are in the process of preparing for the Sabbatical year which will start in the spring (Aviv) of 2016. As we get closer to the time, we get questions and comments from others who plan to keep, or oppose the keeping of the Sabbatical year. One comment we received was that a family sized vegetable garden would be exempt from the Sabbatical year commandments due to the following reasons. Vegetables tend not to self seed, have a broad growing season and are not harvested in a bulk way. I value these comments even if they oppose our understanding, because it gives us an opportunity to dig deeper and learn more. In this case I actually want them to be correct seeing that vegetables are more difficult to store and we use so much of it. However, I will remain objective and I believe YHVH will help us find the truth. So, is our own family-sized vegetable garden exempt from the requirements of the Sabbatical year or are we required to keep these instructions?

  • The sixth year, a year of preparation

    The sixth year, a year of preparation

    This sixth year of the Sabbatical cycle is a year of preparation. Just like we have the weekly Sabbath with the sixth day as the preparation day, we have the Sabbatical year, the seventh year, with the sixth year as a year of preparation. So this year when the barley is found aviv and the new moon has been sighted, we will start to prepare for the Sabbatical year which starts 1 Aviv 2016. The purpose of this article is to be a practical guide as to what we are to have in place before the beginning of the next Sabbatical year.

  • All that YHVH has spoken we will do!…a message for Shavuot

    All that YHVH has spoken we will do!…a message for Shavuot

    It is almost Shavuot again, the feast of proclamation. How blessed are we to be able to celebrate YHVHs appointed times? YHVH has a purpose with these days, a very special purpose. These appointed times are prophetic and this one, Shavuot, has been fulfilled twice. We have learned, with the previous cycle, that this day is also called the day of proclamation. So what are we proclaiming this year? We believe that we need to continue in repentance as our ways are not perfect before Him. However, we also need to re-commit ourselves to serve YHVH, without compromise. Allow us to explain…

  • Haggai says you need to do more

    Haggai says you need to do more

    We all believe that we should live a righteous life and keep the commandments that YHVH provided for us in His Torah. We also believe that we should love our neighbor as ourselves. If we study the scriptures a bit more we see that this may not be enough. We should learn from Haggai that we need to do more than follow the law. The message that Haggai had to take to the remnant clearly shows that we need to ensure that we are obedient to YHVH and that His will is always our number one priority. Haggai also explains to the people that our responsibility does not stop with our own righteousness. We need to go even further that that.