27th November 2009 Kislev 10 5770
Torah VaYetze Gen 28:10-32:2 Haphtarah Hosea 12:13-14:9
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15
Shabbat shalom dearly beloved:
I am writing this letter after the SHIVA, the 7 days of mourning and sitting on the ground for the dead that is traditional in Judaism. My mom, Sonia (Choly) Albala, loved by all passed away this last Sunday the 15th of November in Herzlyah, Israel. Since Rabbi and I live in Eilat very far from the rest of Israel, we did the traditional SHIVA in the house of my sister Dvorah. During this week of mourning at the house of my sister who is an Orthodox Jew I could see exactly what the Apostle Shaul (Paul) meant when he gave this instruction in the book of Romans:
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15
I saw countless of people coming and going during this week. They came for the sole purpose of accompanying us in our mourning. They brought food, so much food that we had to cook no meals and had enough for all the guests (hundreds of them!) to eat as well. Many of them also helped cleaned house and the like. The local Rabbi made sure that people from the congregation would be continually coming and that there would be a MINYAN a quorum of 10 men to do the traditional prayers 3 times a day (just like Daniel prayed 3 times a day!)
Since my sister frequents two different religious Jewish congregations, the Rabbis and members of both congregations kept coming and going for 7 full days! On top of it all of our family and friends that are not necessarily Orthodox and even friends from school or army service that I had not seen in 25 years or more came also. Some people came from far away by bus just to be with us. They rode for hours on each direction. It was very moving to see the solidarity amongst Jews when it comes to rally around someone that is hurting or mourning. It wrapped us up in a blanket of warmth, care and love like I had never experienced in my life.
In the midst of this special time, I had one piercing pain in my heart and this is the one I want to share with you. I was very sad to personally experience the coldness of the believers in Messiah. While the normal Israelis and the Orthodox Jews were so caring, loving and PRESENT, the Messianic and Christians were ABSENT, only a few came and a few called and a few sent letters. I did experience the love and care of hundreds in my mailing list that sent the most beautiful condolences and I have no doubt that if they could they would have been here as well but I am talking about the local Body, however I believe that this is quite typical of most every local Body anywhere in the world with a few outstanding exceptions!
It is very common that people in the Church feel lonely and unloved. For many years I thought that it is because many harbor a “victim mentality” which is true in some cases. However after this enlightening experience I have come to the conclusion that we are lacking something vital in the Body of Messiah and that this LACK is quenching the Fire of the Holy Spirit in us:
TRUE ACTIVE LOVE AND COMPASSION
Orthodox Jews and even non religious Israelis know how to care and love those that are going through the death of a relative and other hard circumstance. They know the importance of COMUNITY life which includes “Rejoicing with them that rejoice and mourning with those who mourn”. We all rally around one another to CELEBRATE weddings, Bar Mitzvah (coming of age ceremonies), Brit Milah (circumcision ceremony of the boys). It is unheard of to be absent at those times because of “business”! We clear our schedules to accommodate those times and pay a lot of money for travel arrangements and money gifts! The PRESENCE of friends, relatives and even mere acquaintances is what makes all our happy events memorable.
In the same way, we rally around one another when we experience death and tragedy. We clear up our agendas and invest time and money to accompany our loved ones and even if it is a neighbor or just someone we met the other day in the Supermarket. People that we have not seen for many years and that live far away from us SHOW UP at this time! Family members reconcile, offences are forgiven and even old estranged friends come to show solidarity. Their PRESENCE enables the mourner to sit on the floor for seven days doing NOTHING besides being comforted by the love of all. It is tremendously powerful and healing at the same time. It is a moving experience that is remembered for life.
What is it that is MISSING in the Church, Messianic or Christian and especially in the WEST? Torah is missing. The Jewish Roots of the Faith as written in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and even in the writings of Rabbi Shaul (Paul) and Yaakov (James) in the New Testament. TORAH means “Instruction” and it is many times translated as LAW. In other words, we are missing the Godly instructions on how to deal with LIFE and how to live in COMMUNITY. We have interpreted being “free in the spirit” or “free from the law” in such a wrong manner that most of us have thrown away Torah and all that is Jewish because of the fear of “traditions” and “religion”. We are seriously lacking the PRACTICAL side of our faith.
What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? 17In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Yaakov (James) 2:14-17
I believe that is the reason of why so many feel lonely, detached, disconnected and empty even when they “go” to church or to a congregation. Church has become “a building” one goes to rather than a COMMUNITY of people that love and care for one another, that is PRESENT and actively caring in a practical manner for one another.
Do not allow “busyness” to distract you from showing that you LOVE and CARE in practical ways and by your PRESENCE. There is no replacement to PRESENT and PRACTICAL expressions of LOVE!
As we yearn for the return of Messiah, I pray that we all RETURN to the original Hebrew Foundations of Faith. This includes the COMUNITY and CARING lifestyle of the original Jewish Church in Jerusalem. Most of us remember them because their shadow healed the sick and that is good and right. However it is time to remember them and emulate from them for their “Community Lifestyle”. They broke bread from house to house, cared for widows and orphans and no one lacked. Let us keep the freedom of the Holy Spirit without lacking in LOVE, CARE and GOOD WORKS! (Acts 2:42,43)
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world. Yaakov (James) 1:27
Traditions are not always “bondage” bur rather BLESSING! The Church has much to learn from Jewish traditions and community lifestyle, let us remember that we are all Grafted into a Jewish Olive Tree!(Romans 11:15-20) As we restore the lost truth of Community Lifestyle, we will see tremendous healings happening in our midst!
“By His stripes we are healed” Isaiah 53:5b
This verse in Hebrew means BOTH by His WOUNDS we are healed and also in FELLOWSHIP with Him and His People we are healed! The word for wound and fellowship is the same- HAVURAH! 
YHVH is calling us to a caring, loving Community Lifestyle that will cause Yeshua’s battered BODY to heal itself!
Relationships are built upon sharing together both our happy and our sad times. May true, warm, loving and caring relationships flourish among us both locally and all over the world! Thank you to all that sent me cards and loving notes and some that even sent offerings. Every one of them meant so much to me and wrapped me up in Y’shua’s Love through YOU!
“For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent” Isaiah 62:1
Your friends in Israel
Bishop Dominiquae and Rabbi Baruch Bierman
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*Note all scripture is from New American Standard Bible unless otherwise stated.