Founder’s Blog
Rosh Hashanah: Hitting Reset
L'Shanah Tova First Fruits of Zion family and friends,
There is a party taking place this weekend; tonight is an auspicious time when Rosh Hashanah and Shabbat occur on the same day. The holiness of the Sabbath is sweetened with the holiness of the festival. We have the opportunity to herald the Messiah King and the Sabbath Queen. Will you be there? Everyone is invited to come to the King's banquet.
Each of the appointed times gives us an opportunity to connect with God, reflect on his kingdom, our lives and his will.
During the high holidays, our lives are weighed and measured--we need to take this season seriously, with genuine introspection, consideration, and contemplation.
The season of Rosh Hashanah is a season of transition and reconciliation. The high holidays sharpen us and draw us closer to Abba's will. They are shadows of the things to come, the substance of Messiah, and they help reconcile us to the image of Messiah.
I send out this year's greeting during a time of uncertainty and concern for many of our readers and students. Some of you are concerned because we no longer speak of Gentile obligation in regard to certain commandments of the Torah. Instead we speak of "invitation." What does the future hold? Where is the ministry of FFOZ going in the new year 5770?
Our mission remains unchanged. Teaching Torah, the whole Torah, to all of God's people, and encouraging Jew and Gentile to walk out the fullness of Abba's instructions. We want Gentile believers to embrace and celebrate the Sabbath, the festival, the dietary laws and the rest of the Torah out of their love for God, as our Master said, "If you love me you'll keep my commandments."
As we enter the high holidays, I entreat you to intercede in prayer for us, as we also will be praying for each of you. I also ask those of you who are dismayed at us to pray and to heed the wise words of Rabban Gamliel the elder who said:
If this plan or this undertaking is of man, it will fail; but if it is of God, you will not be able to overthrow them. You might even be found opposing God. (Acts 5:39)
In the coming year, we look forward to the launch of the new HaYesod program. We pray that through HaYesod, many new people will learn about the Torah, God's ways, the beauty of Sabbath, and that they will be become ever more devoted to Messiah. It would bring us all great joy to see an increase among the disciples this year--thirty, sixty, one hundred-fold--more brothers and sisters to join us next year to hear the sound of the shofar.
Do not be afraid little flock, your Father in Heaven has been pleased to give you the kingdom. May Abba be pleased to give you a sweet New Year. Rejoice that your names are written in heaven.
Boaz Michael and the Staff of First Fruits of Zion
Search in Blogs...
Browse through Blogs
Feeds
Use this RSS feed to track our blogs in your favorite reader.
The FFOZ Blogs RSS Feed
Blogs by Category
- Back Office
- Events and Administration
- Founder’s Blog
- Guest Authors
- Lessons from the Land
- Levertoff Documentary
- Mishlei Musings
- Publications
- Road Trip 09
- Shalom Tour
- Teaching Team
- The Siddur Project
- Torah Club
- Video Blogs
- Site Info Blog
Blogs by Author
- Aaron Eby
- Boaz Michael
- D. Thomas Lancaster
- FFOZ Staff
- Guest Authors
- Media Staff
- Hope Egan
- Seth Dralle
- Toby Janicki
More Recent Posts
- Shameless Self-Promotion
- Is the Bible B.S.?
- Becoming A Better Boss
- Remembrance and Repentance
- Passover and the Death of James the Just
- Hosting Your First Passover Seder
- Devil's Children
- Vacation Time
- Visit Israel with FFOZ
- A KISS from me to you
