How The Shabbat Is A Desiderata

By Freda Cohen

How The Shabbat Is A Desiderata: A Compendium of Controversies in Christendom and Misalignments with the Realities and Divine Commands.

This book is a thought-provoking and enlightening exploration of the role of Shabbat in Christian theology and practices. The concept of Shabbat, or the Sabbath, is a central tenet of the Jewish faith, representing a day of rest and spiritual reflection that is sanctified by God. However, while Christians also observe a day of rest and worship, the significance and interpretation of this practice have been the subject of much debate and disagreement throughout history.

 

In this insightful and comprehensive volume, the authors delve into the complex and often conflicting interpretations of Shabbat within Christian tradition. Drawing on a wealth of historical and theological sources, they examined how different Christian denominations have understood and practiced Shabbat, as well as the controversies and misalignments that have arisen as a result.

 

Throughout the book, the authors took a balanced and nuanced approach to the subject matter, providing a detailed analysis of the theological, cultural, and social factors that have influenced the development of Christian beliefs and practices surrounding Shabbat. They also drew on contemporary examples and case studies to illustrate the ongoing relevance and significance of this topic in today's world.

 

Ultimately, How The Shabbat is a Desiderata offers a fresh and compelling perspective on a subject that is of vital importance to both Jewish and Christian communities. With its meticulous research, thoughtful analysis, and engaging writing style, this book is an essential read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the role of Shabbat in religious practice and belief.

 

Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman & Freda Cohen are both Researchers of Jewish way values. We have contributed many articles to several Jewish and Christian media publications. We have been involved in several teams of volunteers' works and researchers for numerous religious, social, and humanitarian works across the Globe. We have also been exploring opportunities and collaborating with other faith communities and organizations in Manhattan, leveraging technology to build bridges and foster meaningful relationships across different groups for seven years now. Scroll up and click the "Buy now" button.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rabbi Yaakov Hoffman
• Release date: Dec 4, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223305989

Book preview

FOREWORD

When the authors of this book- How The Shabbat Is A Desideratum approached me to develop the foreword to this exciting piece, I was initially skeptical about the content of the book. However, after reading through the pages and familiarizing myself with the theme, I felt pleased that I am the one chosen to write the foreword to a very informative and divinely motivating book. It is a book concerning Yahweh (Blessed be His Name) for the Jews, and Christians of all categories who are seeking the truth.

In an era that has witnessed obvious denial of the word of the Heavenly Father, it is amazing to find people holding tenaciously to the word of HaShem. In the book of Prophet Jeremiah 6:16, the Heavenly Father spoke through the prophet enjoining His people thus, "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; Then you will find rest for your souls". The people of Prophet Jeremiah’s time boldly told him that they ‘will not walk in it’.

The Christendom today has continued to behave like the same people of Prophet Jeremiah’s time. But the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob still has witnesses in our own generation which these authors are.

In the five chapters of this valuable work, the authors conceptualize the term worship and distinguished between the worship of Yahweh as directed in the Torah, and the worship of satan as instituted by man. Today, people worship what they do not know (John 4:22) because "....their fathers surely have inherited lies, worthlessness and unprofitable things" (Jeremiah 16:19).

The book highlights the characters of the Heavenly Father thus; He does not break His covenant, He does not alter His promises, whatever He does endures forever, He cannot add to His works of creation and cannot subtract from it either, He does not lie and He does not repent.

How The Shabbat Is A Desideratum pleasingly discusses the seventh day specification for the rest and the acceptable day of worship to The Almighty One. The world of Christendom, by the decree of Emperor Constantine has changed the seventh day worship as ordained by El Elohe, to the first day worship of the sun god. "Let El Elohe be true, but every man a liar" (Romans 3:4). This thrilling book also draws attention to the Temple worship as distinct from church worship and stress on the Set-apart Names of the Father and Son.

Let me not take the liberty of writing a foreword to attempt to open up every details of the book for the taste of pudding as is always said, is in the eating. I will grant the reader to opportunity to discover the treasure hidden in this mystery box. This book is strongly recommended to every person who truly seeks salvation and the Kingdom of Heaven.

Rabbi Avraham Greenfield

Manhattan, New York City

INTRODUCTION

T

he world of Christendom is deeply rooted in Hebraic lives and styles, but the neglect and hatred towards this sect of people had given room to multiple searches for seemingly true way to eternity. In the streets of popular municipalities in the world today, we often notice various types of gatherings, gospels preaching and songs, all in the name of finding a enduring rest. But a cautious study of Jewish lives and existence, to be more specific from Abraham the Hebrew, to the mainland Israel and her communities in Diaspora world over, would give us a path to follow.

The ancient Israelites bequeathed to us a lasting legacy which must not be left to decay, because salvation, we have been told is of the Jews-John 4:22. It is very unfortunate indeed that the world has utterly neglected this legacy and gone their separate ways. The ancient Israelites had an unusual method of worship established at the time of creation by The Most High. It took them to superior height, freed them from bondage and slavery. It is this condition of slavery that the entire world of Christendom had found herself today (bondage to Satan and her cohorts).

How The Shabbat Is A Desideratum introduces you to the original worship of the ancient Israelites. It is intended basically to advice the Christendom, but it is also hoped that the Jews in Diaspora who have fallen away from their divine instructions might benefit by reading this book as well. It is also intended to serve as a transcript for seminarians, schools and the academia, Church Leaders, businessmen and women who are genuine and serious students of the Set-Apart Book (Bible).

The title of this book, How The Shabbat Is A Desideratum, has been chosen to redirect readers to the true and correct day of worshiping the Creator of heaven and earth. It is remarkable that in the creation history, this day is so important that it received recognition in Gen 2:2-3. Today, this great day of rest had been wiped out in the lives of this generation of people as a worship day. It is now considered a day for social or business activities as against its apartness (holiness).

This book reveals on some other broader parts of both Jewish and Messianic believes. But more precisely, it attempts to correct some beliefs in the Christendom that are in contradistinction to the Hebrew viewpoints. Although, my views about some of the Messianic beliefs may have some shortcomings, it does not entirely deviate from the overall Jewish belief systems as ordained by Yahweh, blessed be He.  

The opening chapter deals with the concept of worship: The worship of our Creator and the adversary (Satan) respectively. The character of The Most High and worship to Him in spirit and truth were respectively discussed. The chapter concluded by examining some of the declarations made by Yahsha Messiah and His disciples.

Chapter Two started by mentioning the specificity of the day of worship as found in several portions of the Scriptures. Also discussed here is the integration of pagan worship with messianic worship, which now gave way to multiplicity of churches.

Chapter Three introduces the reader to the change from the seventh day worship to first day of the week; who did the change and the date it was done. The change created hatred between the early converts and the core Jews who believed that their faith had been trodden upon by integrating these converts. They also saw their participation as sabotage to their believe. This chapter ended with allusion to the Star of David as the source of Jewish strength and power.

Chapter Four focuses on the synagogue of worship. Here consideration is given to words like congregation, assembly, community as proper nomenclatures for any gathering meant for the worship of our Creator. This is contrary to the messianics usage of the word church, which has no place in service to Yahweh, blessed be He. The word is written in italics throughout this book. Furthermore, adulteration like trinity and dualism in the Heavenly Majesty was been corrected at the end of this chapter.

Finally, Chapter five advices Christendom to redirect their way of worship so as to adhere with their Hebrew root. Some likely outreach for this reversion is proposed so as to be properly in harmony with the sources, which are the First Covenant-The Scriptures.

In our earnest craving to produce this book for wider society, we had resort to the advice in Rev. 18:4, which say, "Come out of her, My people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. Here you will read the proper Set-Apart Name of our Maker Yahweh, Blessed be He. The word God either small or big letter has no sure significance and difference, hence does not really qualify as a name of the Creator of Heaven and earth. Since small letter g was designated to a deity or idol, the big letter G" should stand therefore for higher or bigger idol or deity (probably in strength and power). But our Father Yahweh, blessed be He is No deity (Ps. 96:5). Hebrew Name for God is EL Elohe (Almighty One). God has a carnal or sensual meaning and differs from El Elohe in concept and meaning. Yahweh, blessed be He is The Almighty One. He is our ever-living Father.

The reader will also notice here the use of Yahsha Messiah, which is the Hebrew and correct Name of our Savior as against the Messianic substitute Jesus Christ. Be informed here that Hebrew language has no letter J hence the genesis of the name Jesus is Greek Iesous not Hebrew which then renders it improper. It is a Hellenized word from the Greek. Recall that our Yahsha did warn us in John 5:43 saying, "I have come in My Father's Name YAH, (Ps 68:4; Isa 12:2; 26:4; 38:11) and you do not receive Me; if another comes in his own name, him you will receive".

Furthermore, we applied the word set-apart, apartness as against holy, holiness. They are essentially more Hebraic (qodesh) in meaning than holy, holiness which are obtained from the divinely honored sun. Again the "taught-ones replace the word disciples while Messianic" is used instead of the word Christians, which had its origin from Christo’s that is related to sun worship. Messiah is from the Hebrew Ha’Meshiyakh. It can be seen in Dan. 9: 25, 26.

Also readers should notice the use of First Covenant Books as against Old Testament Books, as well as Second or Renewed Covenant as against New Testament Books. The word testament is entirely removed because of its Greek origin and many meanings. Covenant is a more appropriate word. Read 2 Kings 23: 2, 21.

It is our sincere hope that this book will be highly informative to most Messianics of every denomination and background world-wide. In earnestly seeking to have an eternal rest which our Maker had mercifully given us, we have to adhere to the LAW (code of conduct) and believe in His WORD. The rest starts here now by observing the Shabbat days so as to avoid being a stranger in the Kingdom to Come.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD          

INTRODUCTION           

CHAPTER ONE

THE CONCEPT OF WORSHIP    

Who do you worship- Yahweh or Satan?   

The Perfect Character of Yahweh.      

The word serve and its correlation to the True Worship.         

Worship in Spirit and Truth.     

Worship of the Patriarchs, Prophets and Apostles.   

An insight into I am the Way, the Truth and the Life.     

CHAPTER TWO

THE SEVENTH DAY SPECIFICATION 

The Merging of Pagan and Messianic Worship.   

The Everlasting Covenant of Yahweh, broken or not?     

CHAPTER THREE

THE CHANGE OF SHABBAT FROM SEVENTH DAY TO FIRST DAY     

Dichotomy between the early Converts and the Core Jews     

The Incorporation of Star of David    

CHAPTER FOUR

SYNAGOGUE OF WORSHIP  

The Etymology of the word ‘Church’ 

Adulterations in Christendom-Trinity, Duality or Oneness?    

CHAPTER FIVE

REWRITING AGENDA   

Taking heed to the sources   

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

APPENDIX 1

The Act of Prayer  

The Almighty’s desire        

The Desires of Man        

The Functions of Prayer       

Meditations and Spoken Prayers   

The Sacred Tongue          

Communal Prayer        

Faith and Prayer Relationship      

APPENDIX 2       

Some Significant Prayers       

Shemoneh Esrei         

Welcoming the Shabbat   

Conclusion of Shabbat   

Prayer for a New Moon                

CHAPTER ONE

THE CONCEPT OF WORSHIP

I

n contemporary society, one often hears people saying, "I worship God; I went to worship" etc without really knowing the exact meaning of the word worship. Worship has been found to involve bowing down, singing songs of praises, clapping of hands, dancing, adoration, giving monetary offerings and of course providing animal sacrifices and so on to the Spirit Being.

Like every other things that The Most High created, worship can be viewed in dual perspectives- Gen 6:19; 7:8, 9. We have the true worship as well as the false worship. The earlier has been found to be related with the Creator of heaven and earth, Yahweh- (Exo. 6:3; 23:17 footnotes NKJV. See YHWH, blessed be He). The later linked to the chief of the fallen angels-Satan the devil.

Yahweh being a Perfect Father, has an organized and systematic ways which He instructed His people to worship Him. He as well ordered how, where and when to take part in the worship. In Exo.13:1-22, He commanded the whole mankind on how we should be remembering our redemption from Egypt (sinful world-Rev.11:8). This is by the celebration of the Feast of Passover / Unleavened Bread (Not Easter). In Exodus 29:1-46, a system of how burnt sacrifices ought to be presented is outlined.

The Law of Yahweh is also recorded in Exo. 34:1-35. Again in Exo. 39:1-43 the mode of dressing for the Priests before presenting an offerings (Yahweh’s food-Num. 28:1-3; 1Sam.2:29, 30) is stipulated and must be sternly obeyed.

Furthermore, in Lev. 17:1-16; Deut. 12:1-32, Yahweh instructed only one place of sacrifice or offering. Ultimately, He did not leave us in doubt as to when to offer the worship Him-Lev. 23:1-44. If you are obedient to these Commandments as mentioned above, you would be regarded as worshiping the true Father-Heb.9:1-2. Should there be anything to the contrary is totally allegiance to the fallen angels (Satan), who has no definite system or instructions on worship (self-willed).

So far Satan is concerned one can worship anyhow and anywhere one like e.g. celebrating Easter, Christmas and several other pagan festivals, because it does not matter as long as it is not Shabbat and it is termed ‘worship’. Again it does not matter where you do your worship either in one Pentecostal Church or the other, in Catholic Church or Anglican Church or even one Assemblies of God or the other, as long as miracle or anointing services are going on there every Sunday (a day of sun-deity). Remember our explanation of worship above which is connected with burnt offering. This burnt sacrifice according to Numbers 28:1-3 is food to our Creator. So when you worship as Satan demands, it then means that you are automatically denying our Creator His spiritual food and that is pure wickedness. Having cleared these explanations let us then proceeds by answering some of the questions.

Who do you worship- Yahweh or Satan?

This is a question for one to really examine oneself now and know to whom one offers praises. In an attempt to answer the question, we found out that worshiping Yahweh involves keeping all His Commandments. Of course one worships, who one loves and knows. Yahsha Messiah advocated that in John 14:15, 21; 15:10. The love for Yahweh and subsequent worship to Him brings salvation and redemption to man. The Laws of Yahweh have been found to be the true way of existence and keeping them attracts eternal life in the Kingdom to Come.

The Psalmist prayed The Most High Father in Ps. 119:18-20 saying "Open my eyes that I may see the wondrous things from Your Law, because I am a stranger in the earth; Do not hide Your Commandments from me. For my soul breaks with longing for Your Judgments at all times". I wish you could pray like King David in this manner.

Yahweh has hidden this secret in the Law for many years and from generations that have passed away. He had been revealing them to His chosen or the called out ones (Saints) - Col.1:26-27, "The mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His Saints {For the Saints? See Rev. 14:12; Ps. 50:5}. To them Yahweh willed to make known what are the riches of the esteem of this secret among the Gentiles; who is Messiah in you i.e. the hope of the esteem".

Doing the Laws is the only way we could come into contact with Him so that our prayers will not be regarded abominable before Him-Prov. 28:9. Yahweh of Hosts attached great importance for nations to worship Him, so He commanded regarding the day of His visitation as it is written in Zech. 14:16-21 saying, "And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, Yahweh of Hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, Yahweh of Hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plaque with which Yahweh strikes the nations who do not come