Subject: [ETI Informal All 1AD.05.03.02] Thoughts on Purim
From: "James R @ ETIMin" <[email-masked]>
To: "Lists @ ETI Min" <[email-masked]>
Date: Thu, 3 Mar 2005 18:43:20 +0200

Restoration RecordsGreetings

A further message for your consideration.

We have never observed Purim but i have also never encountered it presented in the manner that follows.

It is also interesting that i found myself reading Esther a few days ago.

Warm regards and blessings

James

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Restoration Records 
To: [email-masked] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2005 11:02 PM
Subject: Thoughts on Purim

                         

                  * Hear Oh Yisrael Yahweh Our Mighty One Yahweh Is One  

                         * *And You Shall Love Your Neighbor As Yourself

Thoughts on Purim

by Yochanan Mascaro

Scripture indicates that the celebration of Purim occurs on the 14th & 15th of the twelfth month known as "Adar". Esther 9:20-28. The traditional Yahudim (Jews) will be celebrating Purim on March 25, 2005 according to the pre-calculated (and some would say Babylonian) calendar which already presumes that barley will not be in Avib this year in time to declare the first month of the scriptural year. 

Notwithstanding the fact that Purim is NOT a scriptural moed (appointed time of YHWH), we believe it is inappropriate to disregard the celebration of Purim on the 14th and 15th of the twelfth month as described by scripture - and which was observed by the Yahudim in Yahshua's day as we read about in Brit Chadashah. Thus we at Restoration Records and Kahal Yahshua HaMashiach observe it at this time, starting tonight and tomorrow. It is a day to rejoice in how YHWH freed Yahudah from the evil plans of Haman and can and should be read about tonight by all true believers by reading the book of Esther. 

Another reason why we observe Purim at this time is because the 14th of the twelfth month of Adar comes prior to the time when it can be accurately determined whether barley will be in Avib during the month of Adar and thus when the first scriptural month may be declared. So it seems presumptuous not to observe Purim now at 14th Adar simply under an expectation that man's pre-calculated calendar will always be correct. That forces us to place reliance upon the flesh rather than on YHWH. For indeed there may not be an Adar bet (second month of Adar) either this year or at some future date when we expect one. YHWH will always tell us something important but we must rely solely upon Him and His signs. 

Also, for those who think that all Jews will be observing Purim only on March 25 this year think again. The Karaites in Yerushalayim will be observing it tonight too. While some would argue that it is ludicrous to follow what the Karaites teach in this regard since they do not believe Yahshua is The Messiah, that same argument can be made about the Pharisaic and traditional Yahudim. The Karaites represent another sect of Judaism that disagrees with many Pharisaic rabbinic interpretations that they claim add and subtract from the literal Torah. They can be likened to the Tzadokim (Saduccees) in Yahshua's day although even at that time there were varying sects even within the Tzadokim - and not all believed the same things about matters such as the resurrection and messengers/angels. 

We thus encourage everyone to read the whole magillah (scroll) of Esther tonight and tomorrow and rejoice in the retelling of the account. There are important connections between the following scriptures and Purim: Yehesquel (e.g., 38:8, 18-23; 39:6-7, 22-24, 27-29; Yeshayahu 54:7-8; Esther 3:8 and also the book of Revelation 20:8 (the gog / magog connection for example) to name but a few. 

Further, Yahshua probably observed Purim since he is said to have gone up to heal the man at the pool at Bayit Tzaydah during a "feast of the Yahudim". Yochanan [John] 5:1. That healing occurs after "December" (Yochanan [John] 4:25) but before Pesach (Yochanan [John] 6:4). There is no other "feast of the Yahudim" between such dates except for Chanukah of course but Chanukah is spoken of already as a separate "feast of the Yahudim" at Yochanan 10:25. So the "feast of the Yahudim" referred to at Yochanan 5:1 during the healing at Bayit Tzaydah is likely Purim! 

The preceding point may help clarify an issue that has puzzled many when reading the "New Testament" (Brit Chadashah). Many "Christians" sadly have used the expression "feasts of the Yahudim" found in Brit Chadashah to disregard the "feasts of YHWH" found in the Torah. When Brit Chadashah refers to "feasts of the Yahudim" it is not always referring to the Torah commanded moedim. [Some examples of where it does include when we read about Passover/Feast of Unleavened Bread at Yochanan 6:4 and Tabernacles at Yochanan 7:2.] At other times, however, "feasts of the Jews" is referring to a specifically-Jewish feast [you'll see what I mean momentarily] - not a Torah commanded appointed time [moed] feast [chag]. 

The expression "feast of the Jews" should not be an excuse for anyone who calls themselves a true believer on YHWH to disregard the "feasts of YHWH" simply because some other event is described as a "feast of the Yahudim". The main "feasts of the Yahudim" commemorate events that affected Yisrael when only the remnant of Yisrael - namely Yahudah [Judah] - was its representative due to the scattering of the other 10 tribes of Yisrael. Consequently, those commemorations came to be known as "the feasts of the Yahudim" or "the feasts of the Jews". The "feasts of the Yahudim" are principally Chanukah, Purim and Tisha b"Av (ninth of Av) though Tisha b'Av is not so much a "feast" but a day of fasting since YHWH has judged Yisrael (and particularly Judah) during that day throughout its history. The "feasts of YHWH" in Torah which are binding upon all true believers are of course the ones described at Wayiqra 23. 

While clearly the tribe of Yahudah observes the "feasts of YHWH" as should all true believers on YHWH, Yahudah also observed and still observes the other commemorative days and in fact so did Yahshua since he was a Yahudi [a Jew]. This is done in thanksgiving for what YHWH "spoke" or "did" for, or to, Yisrael (as represented strictly by Yahudah) during such times. And yes in the case of Tisha b'Av not all was tov [good] but "all things work together for good to them that love YHWH, to them that who are the called according to [His] purpose." Romans 8:28. 

Clearly brother Efrayim should not shun the joy as well as the sadness of brother Yahudah as representative of Yisrael during these "feasts of the Yahudim" but should rejoice and/or grieve together with them during these times. Tehillim 133:1 "Oh how tov (good) and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity." 

Sadly, there still is disagreement between the scriptural interpretation of the 14th and 15th of Adar for Purim and for other timing issues. May YHWH bring about the day when the timing issue for this "feast" as well as other timing issues we all spend too much time bickering about may be resolved once for all. 

Speedily in our day. 

                      ______________________________________________________________________

Restoration Records is a ministry serving believers on Yahshua HaMashiach (Yahshua The Messiah) who are interested in the scriptural message of proclaiming "the restoration of all things" (Matt 17:11; Mark 9:12; Acts 1:6; 3:19-21) and in scripturally-based praise n worship psalms. The ministry is led, and the related websites www.restorationrecords.com and www.kahalyahshuahamshiach.org are published by Yochanan Mascaro. View archives of prior articles and messages by clicking the link below or pasting the following address into your web browser address bar: http://www.restorationrecords.com/cgi-bin/dada/mail.cgi?flavor=view_archive                               ______________________________________________________________________