Nodeh Lecha, נוֹדֶה לְךָ "We thank You," O LORD, our God, for the inheritance You gave to our fathers: a pleasant, good and spacious land; and because You, O LORD, our God, took us out from Egypt.

Nodeh Lecha, נוֹדֶה לְךָ "We thank You," our Father, for the life and for the knowledge that You made known to us through Your servant Yeshua. Yours is the glory forever.

This new table blessings guide, We Thank You, offers a simple and innovative liturgy for disciples of Yeshua by weaving the ancient meal blessings of Judaism together with recently discovered prayers of the early believers.

The We Thank You, Audio Companion, makes the traditional melodies available for both Hebrew and English readers and will cause your table to come alive with the joy of gratitude.

More about the Deluxe edition

A Deluxe edition of We Thank You is also available. This is an elegant and durable dining table edition, beautifully embossed and bound with protective, stain-resistant SuedeTex® cover. The Deluxe edition prayer book covers can be personalized to include the name of your congregation or family. Makes a great tribute or gift. Call 800-775-4807 for pricing and details.

Click here for an in-depth view of all the related resources.

Breaking Bread

In Everything Give Thanks

Every meal provides us with an opportunity to take time out, acknowledge God, place words of Torah on our tongue and the path of discipleship back under our feet. "Breaking bread" is a Hebrew idiom for having a meal together. The book of Acts teaches that "breaking bread" together was a central part of the practice of the early believers. For believers, every meal should be a spiritual experience.

In Breaking Bread, FFOZ teachers Aaron Eby and Toby Janicki present a clear exposition on the traditional blessings before and after meals. Includes halachah, detailed explanations and an introduction to the table blessings of the early believers.

The commandment to bless God at meals will help you connect with the people of Israel and appreciate the land of Israel while observing the scriptures of Israel.

More information about all the related resources.

In Breaking Bread, FFOZ teachers Aaron Eby and Toby Janicki present a clear exposition on the traditional blessings before and after meals. Includes halachah, detailed explanations and an introduction to the table blessings of the early believers.

The commandment to bless God at meals will help you connect with the people of Israel and appreciate the land of Israel while observing the scriptures of Israel.

Click here for an in-depth view of all the related resources.

We Thank You-- נוֹדֶה לְךָ

Blessings of Thanks Before and After Meals

Yeshua taught His disciples to bless God before they ate; the Torah commands us to bless God after we eat. Blessing God and thanking God for the provision of food both before and after one has eaten has long been the practice within Judaism.

Our new table blessings guide, We Thank You, offers a simple and innovative liturgy for disciples of Yeshua by weaving the ancient meal blessings of Judaism together with recently discovered prayers of the early believers.

The accompanying audio CDs make the traditional melodies available for both Hebrew and English readers and will cause your table to come alive with the joy of gratitude.

More information about all the related resources.

Who Do You Say that I Am? Defending a Messianic Christology includes audio recordings of three sessions from the First Fruits of Zion conference To Whom Shall We Go? Examining Objections to Yeshua. In these sessions, D. Thomas Lancaster discusses the problems with conversion to mainstream Judaism and defends a Messianic and biblical approach to Christology.

Abandoning the Master

In the book of John, many of Yeshua's followers questioned His identity and rejected His claim of descent from heaven. As many of His disciples turned from Him and left, Yeshua asked Peter and those who remained, "You do not want to leave me too, do you?" (John 6:67, NIV). The Master's question echoes today as some believers in the Messianic movement consider conversion into mainstream Judaism. Who Do You Say that I Am? offers a balanced approach to the difficult questions raised by Judaism--specifically questions about the identity of Yeshua and His divine nature.

He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." -- Matthew 16:15-16

To Whom Shall We Go?

D. Thomas Lancaster discusses why conversion to Judaism is not a good option for Gentile believers. He explores some of the incredible claims Yeshua made about Himself and challenges us to examine our own allegiances.

Who Do You Say that I Am?

Get ready to feel the theological ground moving under your feet as Lancaster takes on objections to the incarnation. A dizzying challenge to conventional Christology and a fresh approach to Yeshua.

The Mystery of Godliness

When discussing the divine nature of the Messiah, First Fruits of Zion has always insisted on using biblical language. Get an earful of what that means.

As it is Written includes audio recordings of three sessions from the First Fruits of Zion conference To Whom Shall We Go? Examining Objections to Yeshua. In these sessions, Toby Janicki attempts to tackle some of the major issues surrounding the reliability and credibility of the Apostolic Writings and the testimony of the Messiah presented therein.

In Matthew 13:52 Yeshua tells His disciples that those who are competent in Jewish tradition and Biblical exegesis will be able to shed light on Messiah and His Kingdom. Many of the misunderstandings about the Gospels and Epistles result from our failure to read them with Hebraic eyes. Sadly, this failure has caused some to question Messiah and the testimony of His words. As It Is Written demonstrates that the Apostolic Writings and the concepts and argumentation found therein are completely consistent with both ancient and modern Jewish teaching.

Faulty Texts and the Unauthorized Canon

Where do the Apostolic Writings come from? Do they really present an accurate portrayal of the Messiah, or are they made up stories composed by anti-Semitic church fathers?

As it is Written

Did the apostles misapply biblical prophecy by removing it from context to support their claims? Toby Janicki discusses objections to Yeshua as presented by the most classic anti-missionary book of all time by examining several biblical proof texts and comparing them with the midrashic method of exegesis.

The Exalted Rebbe

Anti-missionaries object to the exalted status of Messiah in the Apostolic Scriptures. Toby Janicki investigates some of the toughest concepts in regards to Messiahship of Yeshua from a rabbinic and Chassidic perspective, including hard questions about Christology, the need for a mediator, and the two comings of Messiah.

"I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers." --Luke 22:32

My Brother's Keeper includes audio recordings of three sessions from the First Fruits of Zion conference To Whom Shall We Go? Examining Objections to Yeshua. In these sessions, Boaz Michael and D. Thomas Lancaster discuss the process that leads Messianic believers to question the Gospel and ultimately deny Messiah through a conversion to mainstream Judaism.

The same questions that originally led us to reconsider traditional Christian expression and embrace Messianic Judaism place us in jeopardy of completely denying Yeshua. What causes Messianic believers to falter in their convictions about Messiah? My Brother's Keeper takes an honest look at anti-missionary material and the theological and social pressures that conspire to lead our brothers and sisters away from the light of the Master. Solid material with solid answers to difficult questions. Not for the theologically weak of heart!

My Brother's Keeper

Boaz Michael discusses how we are responsible to defend our Master. To do so, we need to take our studies a step further and look at the Gospel a bit deeper. This session sets the pace for serious study as we examine the purpose and need for apologetic studies in the Messianic movement.

Biblical Battleground

For nearly two thousand years, Christians and Jews have argued over several key passages about Messiah, such as Isaiah 53, Psalm 22, Daniel 9 and many others. Can Yeshua be proven to be Messiah from within the Hebrew Scriptures or not? D. Thomas Lancaster discusses the biblical battleground of Messianic prophecy.

The Missed Mitzvah

Judaism upholds the Torah but stumbles over Yeshua. Why is He such an impediment? Do we really need Yeshua if we have the covenant of Torah? D. Thomas Lancaster teaches us why belief in Yeshua is not merely an option--it is a Torah commandment.

In-studio, in-depth and indispensable. The Beit Midrash Scholars Editions begin where our basic resources end. Using age-old methods of deep scrutiny and dialog, this "House of Study" edition is designed for disciples of Yeshua who are ready for more.

Join Boaz Michael and Toby Janicki together in the First Fruits of Zion Beit Midrash (House of Study) as they dig deeper into the appointed times of prayer. Elaborating point by point upon ideas briefly introduced in the Knocking on Heaven's Gates seminar, this dialog expands on major concepts, studying in-depth perspectives on the Scriptures. This engaging style of Beit Midrash teaching will solidify the importance of daily prayer in the life of disciples of the Master.

"All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer." Acts 1:14

Watch an Introduction to the Mezuzah, by Toby Janicki

The mezuzah's purpose is to remind us of the commandments of the Torah every time we pass by it. This is the context of the mezuzah verses in Deuteronomy. Moses urges us to "fear the Lord your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, all the days of your life" (Deuteronomy 6:2). It is the same way with all the physical symbols of Torah.

The world is constantly moving away from godliness. This is a daily struggle for every man and woman of faith. Diligence and focus are much-needed characteristics for our walk. Every day we see images that do not project godliness and that entice us away from Torah. From billboards to magazine covers to TV commercials, we are flooded with images of immorality, frivolousness and materialism. We need visible reminders to point us back to the path of Torah and to combat these negative influences.

The transparent mezuzah case comes with a legally kosher scroll containing the Hebrew text of the Shema, handwritten by a certified scribe.

We are now selling this product, but have a limited supply at this price: $25.00.

20% Bulk Discounts available!

Buy this Product...

The Appointed Times (Mikra'ey Kodesh—Sacred Appointments) of Adonai outlined in Leviticus 23 are not merely historical events for seminary discussions, or lifeless exercises of routine—they were expressions of God's will and a testimony to His redemption, they are to be remembered, lived out, understood, and greatly anticipated by the people of God.

The Mikra'ey Kodesh Hebraic calendar presents the entire Hebrew year, from Tishrei to Elul (September 2007 to September 2008) with complete details of the entire biblical year. This calendar is a daily and weekly reminder of the word of God which stands firm in the heavens.

Features:

• Size: 24 x 36 inches (makes a great display poster)
• Hebrew months are shown together with Gregorian months.
• The weekly Sabbaths, Torah readings, the annual Festivals, traditional Fast days and New Moons are all graphically indicated.
• Torah festivals, Israeli holidays, and other biblically based celebrations and commemorations are all clearly indicated using symbols and a color scheme.
• Complete details for the weekly Torah readings.

An excellent Teaching Tool

Use it to teach about the Appointed Times. Share it with others. Display it in your home, office or congregation.

The new Monthly eRosh delivers fresh studies and activities for the whole family. It's free for all myffoz members.

• Learn everything you need to know about Rosh Chodesh (the New Moon) and the importance of this monthly appointed time.
• Download monthly studies and activities for kids (ages 2-6 and 7-12) and for teens.
• Download and print a free monthly calendar page and view the Hebrew month with secondary Gregorian dates. Full of historical and Biblical events, and of course, the Moadim (“Appointed Times”).

For more information, visit the eRosh homepage.

Volume 1

Spontaneous Prayer: Pouring out Our Hearts Like Water

"Arise, cry aloud in the night at the beginning of the night watches; pour out your heart like water before the presence of the LORD." Lamentations 2:19

These words of the Prophet Jeremiah speak of a prayer life that is infused with emotion and a deep sense of relationship with the Creator. Take a journey through the Scriptures and examine spontaneous prayer from both a biblical and Hebraic perspective. This seminar challenges listeners to take time out of their busy schedules to get alone with our Father in heaven and communicate with Him like a friend. Yeshua Himself showed us this method long ago, and it was revived by a famous Rabbi in the Middle Ages. Be challenged and strengthened as you rediscover the importance of spontaneous prayer.

Volume 2

Tefillah: Bonding with God

"And it will be, if you carefully listen to my commandments, which I command to you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him, with all of your heart and with all of your soul…" Deuteronomy 11:13

Praying the traditional Jewish liturgy allows us to tap into a unity in prayer that already exists. As we believers step into this river of prayer that circles the earth, we are able to infuse in it the power of the name of Yeshua the Messiah. These blessings from the Torah, oracles from the Prophets and petitions from the Psalms are woven into a beautiful tapestry of prayer that is deeply poetic and extremely biblical. As we pray these ancient words, we join the chorus of the generations of Israel for many centuries. Our voices mingle with those prayers of the apostolic community and even with Yeshua Himself.

Volume 3

Introduction to the Shema

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!" Deuteronomy 6:4

Long before any of the other prayers were formulated, the recital of the Shema in the morning and evening was a part of the daily life of Israel. The Shema means much more to Judaism than simply a Scripture reading or a daily prayer; it is a summary of faith, mission and identity all in one. It is often the first verse of the Bible that a Jewish child learns by heart. It is recited twice daily by faithful Jewish people for as long as they live. Many people, especially martyrs, utter the words of the Shema with their dying breath. Yeshua named the Shema as the greatest commandment in the Torah.

The Restoration Workbook is the ideal companion to the book Restoration. It will provide a good review tool for students as they read each chapter. The study questions will help students acquire and retain the information more effectively than merely reading the book.

Group leaders could set up a book study, where participants read a chapter during the week, and then the group could go over the workbook portion of the chapter during the study. The group leader could decide the amount of material to be covered. Some may desire to go through more than one chapter per week to limit the number of consecutive meetings necessary to complete the book.

Today we have the opportunity to be part of an exciting piece of the puzzle of God’s prophetic plan. He is restoring the Torah of Moses to His people all over the world. Many believers are turning back to their Hebrew roots and embracing the walk of Yeshua and the early disciples—a life of Torah. They are embracing the biblical Sabbath, the biblical festivals, the biblical dietary laws and the biblical prescription for life. They are seeing the Bible’s concepts of loving God and loving one’s neighbor brought back into their proper contexts. Faith is being strengthened while Yeshua’s light is shining brighter and brighter. These are definitely exciting times.

However, in this return to Torah, there is also a lot of chaos and confusion. As we venture into uncharted waters, there are many obstacles in our way. If we are not careful to keep our equilibrium on this new journey, things can quickly fall out of balance.

It is our hope at FFOZ that the book Restoration provides a balanced and sound introduction to the Torah. We desire to see the Torah lead people into a more Messiah-centered life.

Restoration is a friendly, gracious introduction to the world of Hebrew roots that encourages readers to deepen their faith in Messiah. It is in this spirit that we have created this workbook for further studies.

In this workbook are fifteen chapters that correspond to the chapters in the book Restoration. Each chapter contains an introduction and questions to help the reader explore the concepts and ideas presented in the book in more detail. The reader will be challenged to remember each chapter’s contents and reiterate the information in his or her own words. Also included in each chapter is a quotation from the book as well as a similar thought or quotation from an evangelical author to help facilitate more discussion. Finally, testimonies that will inspire practical application are included at the end of every chapter.

Individuals can use this workbook as a companion to Restoration. It will provide a good review tool for them as they read each chapter. The study questions will help students acquire and retain the information more effectively than merely reading the book. This study guide will benefit the reader’s comprehension and serve as an avenue for sharing the material with others.
This workbook is primarily intended for use in a group setting.

Group leaders could set up a book study, where participants read a chapter during the week, and then the group could go over the workbook portion of the chapter during the study. The group leader could decide the amount of material to be covered. Some may desire to go through more than one chapter per week to limit the number of consecutive meetings necessary to complete the book.

A fascinating teaching seminar that explores the Scriptures, re-examining them from an historical and biblical perspective, for a fresh understanding of prayer.

Prayer is often misunderstood. Too often we have simply assumed that the ordinary model of prayer we hear around us is biblically normal. We are excited to share with you some of the ancient rhythms of prayer we have discovered—a rich biblical understanding with practical application that will transform your prayer life and help you to connect with God daily in a significant and transforming way.

• Everyone will leave educated, encouraged and challenged to rise to a new life of fervent prayer.
• Learn practical ways to fulfill Paul’s injunction to, “pray without ceasing” and to “pray with understanding”
• Discover how you can participate in the daily moed—an appointed time of prayer
• Understand prayer as a “Service of the Heart”
• See how prayer assists in the process of renewing one’s mind
• Be in one accord, “All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer.” (Acts 1:14)

It turns out that Jesus is not a one-size-fits-all mystic. He wasn’t a Christian either. Jesus was a Jew.

While stripping back centuries of cultural misinterpretations, Lancaster reveals the historical, Jewish Jesus in vivid new strokes and colors that fire the heart and deepen devotion to Him. King of the Jews digs into the history and literature of early Judaism to demonstrate the authenticity of the Gospels and to dispel today’s errant re-interpretations of Jesus.

Not just another book about Jesus, this thought provoking, fun-to-read journey into the world of the Bible is guaranteed to change how you think about Jesus while affirming the historical basis for faith in the King of the Jews.

The average churchman is finally figuring out what New Testament scholars have always known: Jesus was Jewish. He wasn’t Jewish like a famous actor might be Jewish. For example, you might have watched a lot of Star Trek episodes and never known that both Leonard Nimoy and William Shatner were Jewish. Shatner doesn’t look particularly Jewish, and Nimoy looks Vulcan. On the show, neither of them do anything very Jewish. Their Jewishness is just their ethnicity.

Jesus wasn’t like that. Jesus was really Jewish. If you saw Him, you could not possibly mistake it. The man was Jewish. Everything He did and said was patently Jewish. That’s what this book is about.

"Hey, That's Not in the Bible!" Extra-Biblical Literature: Introduction and Utilization, tells the story of the evolution of Jewish literature from the days of Ezra and Nehemiah, through the Apostolic Period and up to the close of the Talmudic era. Torah luminaries like Rashi and Rambam are also given their place, as well as comments on the esoteric texts of Jewish mysticism. This is the resource you need for sorting out your resources.

Format: DVD

The foundational question of how the Torah applies to believers has been so thoroughly answered by long-standing Christian theologies that it is no longer considered a question. In our ‘post-Torah’ era, the Bible is read through the lenses of modern Christian theologies—where the Torah’s value has long since been determined.

This post-Torah perspective is the paradigm by which the words of Yeshua and the Apostles are read, interpreted and applied.

But the modern Torah movement dares to ask the hard questions. And in so doing, we subtly—and not so subtly—suggest that the age-old ‘answers’ are patently insufficient.

In the It is Often Said series, Tim Hegg addresses and answers some of the most common misconstrued theologies and statements of our time.

• Thorough investigations and answers to common anti-Torah arguments
• Each chapter includes useful summary and study questions
• Ideal for small Bible studies
• Excellent material to help spread a positive attitude about Torah

It is Often Said will reconcile the teachings of Yeshua and Paul in a way that supports the belief that the Bible, and God Himself, is unchanging, consistent and authoritative.

The following oft-repeated statements against the validity of the Torah are covered in these four volumes.

• Yeshua Broke the Sabbath
• Torah is a Burden
• The Law Is Fulfilled
• The Law is not Spiritual
• Yeshua's Law Replaced the Law of Moses
• We Have the Spirit, Who Needs the Letter?
• Moses Brought Condemnation; Yeshua Brought Grace
• The Word of the Spirit Began at Pentecost
• Paul Was All Things to All Men
• The Law Was Given to Condemn
• The Church Replaced Israel
• The Torah is Only for Jews

If you have ever been challenged with these statements, then "It is Often Said" is for you.

These booklets can be used for personal study, sharing with family or friends, and group study. Each chapter is followed by a Lesson Summary and a Questions Section to help make your studies thorough and complete. Each booklet contains approximately 70 pages.

Discover for yourself the profound beauty of Torah life, the celebration of the biblical Sabbath, and the appreciation of God’s holy feast days. Your eyes will be opened to another dimension of the faith that is beginning to re-emerge among Christians worldwide.

Lancaster answers common theological objections to the Torah, while demonstrating that Christians are already keeping more of God’s Law than they realize. This thought provoking, theological boat-rocker is a fun-to-read, inspiring journey into the world of the Bible.

Writing a book about God’s Word is a serious undertaking, not to be entered into lightly. It comes with a weighty responsibility before God. The same can be said of publishing such a work. Therefore, it is with some consternation that we at First Fruits of Zion place this work before you. There are some risks involved. It is a dangerous business.

In the preface to his inspiring book Birthright, Professor David Needham points out, that any book about God’s Word which challenges mainstream, conventional notions of faith and practice is risky primarily for two reasons. The first danger is that the book will become fuel for religious radicals whose greatest source of delight lies in iconoclasm. Such a person has an unhealthy love for overturning the theological tables of other believers. He gets a perverse charge out of labeling other people’s sacred institutions as false or pagan, and feels smugly self-righteous when he does. He lives on radical teachings and leaps upon every opportunity to fracture harmony within his congregation and even within his own family.

But there is another risk, an even greater danger than fueling the misguided zealot. Because a book like this does challenge some of our most deep-seated, traditional Christian ideas, many sincere traditional Christians will reject it on this basis alone. Such a person is quick to shun any teaching that might force them to reexamine their understanding of biblical truth. Such a person might feel as if his narrow scope is a mark of special piety, and he will regard it as a religious duty to reject at first sight any suspicious teaching.

This book is intended for neither the iconoclast, nor the traditional Christian afraid to step outside of the box. This book is intended primarily for you—a believer who is committed to the authority of God’s Word, even if it means rethinking a few deep-seated belief systems or reluctantly engaging in a little bit of iconoclasm. You are an independent thinker; a serious student of the Bible. You are not afraid to step outside of the proverbial box and be different, if that is what God calls you to do for Him. You are careful and deliberate in your assessment of Bible teaching—critical enough to know bunk when you see it, but open enough to explore unfamiliar ideas. Your faith, up to this point, has been a persistent quest for biblical truth, and the Holy Spirit has directed you in that quest thus far. You find no personal gratification in overturning the theological tables of other believers, but neither are you afraid of seeing your own table overturned—so long as it is Christ who does the overturning. Therefore, you will not be intimidated by what this writer has to say. You will weigh it, consider it, pray over it, and then make your decisions.

My prayer for you is that wherever Messiah might lead you—whether you agree with Daniel’s conclusions or not—that your feet would be quick to follow.

May the Lord bless you and keep you!

Boaz Michael
Founder/President
First Fruits of Zion