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Beit Midrash Nearing Completion

By Seth Dralle | Comments (1) | Posted on September 5, 2008

In our new distribution office in MO there has been a lot of construction the last few months. Circular saws have been whirling, hammers pounding, and boards clanking on the floor. The future First Fruits Beit Midrash Library is underway and it has been a long process. Construction began over six months ago with the frame for the walls and installation of the wiring.

But two weeks ago, a new buzz was in the air around the office. The new shelving was finally going up. In a matter of 3-4 days, our Beit Midrash went from an empty room, to a serious looking study center. The 340 feet of shelving was quite a sight to behold. After the carpenters were done, each of the staff took a handful of books to go try out the new shelves. We were as giddy as school children.

Around the same time, the furniture trucks arrived to deliver our tables and chairs for the Beit Midrash. Those of us in the back: Brian Reed, Jeremiah Michael, Gabe Lancaster, Brian Nicholas, Jeremy Schoenwald, and myself had fun unloading these solid wood pieces in the 90-degree heat (While Boaz stood there and watched, lol). They were heavy, but were so nice to look at and sit in once they were unloaded.

Interestingly, seeing the Beit Midrash caused some of the delivery guys to ask about our ministry. We were able to share a bit about First Fruits and give them a copy of Restoration and messiah magazine.

This week, the sounds of construction have stopped. Rather than sounds, we now have a new smell in the office, but it isn't exactly a pleasant one. The smell of wood stain now fills the air. Though the smell isn't the greatest, our shelves went from natural unfinished wood to a beautiful dark chestnut (matching the tables and chairs). As I speak, the painters are finishing up the staining and plan to varnish it early next week. (I guess there will be more new smells for us then).

If things go according to plan, God willing, we just need to lay down some carpet and install new lighting. Then comes the much anticipated transfer of the books to the shelves and moving in the furniture, including our Aron Kodesh (Holy Ark) and Torah scroll. Our Beit Midrash will then be complete. It's been an exciting spectacle to watch the room go from a skeletal frame to the awe-inspiring room it is now.

God willing, this Beit Midrash will serve not only First Fruits of Zion, but the entire Messianic community for generations to come. The collection of books we have thus far are quite an extensive collection. But with God's help and blessing, it will continue to grow with the best sources of both Jewish and Christian scholarship. We certainly have enough shelf space.

Standing in the Beit Midrash, contemplating all that it represents for the future generations, we feel greatly humbled. We solemnly, but gladly bear the responsibility of utilizing this Beit Midrash for producing balanced, well-documented material and teachings. This is not a task that we take lightly. None of this would be possible without your generous support of the ministry of First Fruits of Zion.

Thank you for your support, and Shabbat Shalom.

About the Author: Seth Dralle is the fulfillment and shipping department manager and a research and teaching assistant for FFOZ. He is also a contributor to messiah magazine, the Monthly eRosh and the Torah Club Online Dictionary.

Visitor Comments

Wow, sounds great! How about posting some pics?

May God continue to bless FFOZ.

Seth's response: That's a good idea. I will try to post some next week.

Posted by: EWilson | September 5, 2008 1:42 PM

With this all new Hebrew learning resource you can get started in learning Hebrew and drawing ever nearer to the Jewish Messiah as you master the Hebrew alphabet

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