Shanah Tovah u'metukah! May you have a good and sweet New Year in 5779!

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1 From: Bulletin Editor Subject: United Israel Bulletin - September 10, 2018 Date: September 10, 2018 at 1:03 PM To: livetospin@gmail.com September 10, 2018 / 1 Tishri 5779 A global publication by World Union Press Editor, Ross K. Nichols Social Sites Special Rosh HaShanah / Yom Teruah Edition Publishing important Biblical research and messages of current interest since Donate to United Israel World Union, Inc. Shanah Tovah u'metukah! May you have a good and sweet New Year in 5779! Address Correction When we mailed out the Jewish Calendars, we failed to provide the Suite number for our main office on the self-addressed envelopes. The address should be as follows:

2 should be as follows: United Israel World Union 2101 Sardis Road North, Suite 110 Charlotte, NC, Please note this in your records, and in any written communications sent via the mail. Thank you, and sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Teruah - Getting at the Meaning English Bible verses are from the ESV in this article According to the Bible, the first day of the seventh month marks a special day on the Hebrew calendar. The day is popularly known as the Feast or Festival of Trumpets. There are two main texts in the Torah that provide all that we know of this holy day. And the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work, and you shall present a food offering to the LORD. (Leviticus 23:23-25) On the first day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall not do any ordinary work. It is a day for you to blow the trumpets, (Numbers 29:1) Aside from these two texts we have little else in biblical literature to inform us about the day. It is referred to as a Shabbaton, a Zikron Teruah, a Mikra Kodesh, and Yom Teruah in the Hebrew of these verses. The blasting, or

3 Kodesh, and Yom Teruah in the Hebrew of these verses. The blasting, or blowing of trumpets is found in the English of both passages, but it is worth pointing out that neither the word for a ram's horn trumpet, nor the silver trumpet is in the texts. Rather, what we find is the Hebrew word teruah. If this day, listed among the festivals in Leviticus 23, is called a Memorial (Zikron) or Day (Yom) of Teruah, it is important that we know the meaning of the Hebrew teruah. Psalm 89 says the following: Blessed are the people who know the festal shout, who walk, O LORD, in the light of your face, (Psalm 89:16 [verse 15 in English Bibles]) The Hebrew behind the English translation "festal shout," is the word Teruah. So, this text says that those who know Teruah are blessed, or happy. It stands to reason then that we seek out a definition for this Hebrew word. The Hebrew word Teruah, according to The Hebrew & Aramaic Lexicon of the Old Testament by Koehler Baumgartner, means: "on the one hand it means alarm or scream, and the other hand shout or jubilation; they are both also found in the verb רוע to shout or to rejoice; of these meanings alarm can probably be taken to be the more original or the older one; according to the individual situation it can be taken to mean cry (especially war cry) and a loud shout of joy..." Teruah can be produced with the voice, or with trumpets - both the ram's horn and, or the silver trumpet. Examples of the word in the Hebrew Bible follow: Voice I Samuel 4:5-6 As soon as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came into the camp, all Israel gave a mighty shout, so that the earth resounded. And when the Philistines heard the noise of the shouting, they said, What does this great shouting in the camp of the Hebrews mean? And when they learned that the ark of the LORD had come to the camp, [In this passage the Hebrew word teruah is translated as shout] Psalm 27:6 And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD. [Sacrifices of shouts of joy - Hebrew sacrifices of teruah] Psalm 33:3 Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts. [with loud shouts - with teruah] Job 8:21 He will yet fill your mouth with laughter, and your lips with shouting. [with shouting - with teruah] Job 33:26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face

4 Job 33:26 then man prays to God, and he accepts him; he sees his face with a shout of joy, and he restores to man his righteousness. [shout of joy - teruah] Trumpets - Silver Trumpets Numbers 10:5-6 When you blow an alarm, the camps that are on the east side shall set out. And when you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that are on the south side shall set out. An alarm is to be blown whenever they are to set out. [Alarm - teruah] Numbers 31:6 And Moses sent them to the war, a thousand from each tribe, together with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. [alarm - teruah] Shofar - Ram's Horn Trumpet 2 Samuel 6:15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up the ark of the LORD with shouting and with the sound of the horn. [literally, with teruah and with the voice of shofar] Zephaniah 1:16 a day of trumpet blast and battle cry against the fortified cities and against the lofty battlements. [a day of shofar and teruah] Psalm 47:5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of a trumpet. [gone up in teruah...in a voice of shofar] Shofar is also associated with teruah in the famous story of the walls of Jericho (See Joshua chapter 6, particularly vv 2-11, 13, 16, and 20). The sound of a loud shofar is mentioned in the narrative of the giving of the Torah at Sinai (see Exodus 19:16-20) and was used to announce the Jubilee (Leviticus 25:8-10). It was also used to announce the coronation of kings in the Hebrew Bible (Solomon, Jehu, etc). The coming redemption is associated with the sound of a great shofar, and according to one reading of a verse in Isaiah 18, the resurrection of the dead is heralded by the sound of a shofar! Isaiah 27:13 And in that day a great trumpet (Shofar) will be blown, wand those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Isaiah 18:3 All you inhabitants of the world, you who dwell on [or IN] the earth, when a signal is raised on the mountains, look! When a trumpet is blown, hear! And perhaps one of the most interesting eschatological usages of shofar,

5 And perhaps one of the most interesting eschatological usages of shofar, actually presents YHVH blowing a shofar! Zechariah 9:14 Then the LORD will appear over them, and his arrow will go forth like lightning; the Lord GOD will sound the trumpet and will march forth in the whirlwinds of the south. These are merely a sampling of the passages which employ words associated with teruah, and the means whereby one makes teruah. One would be remiss for not including Isaiah 58, where the prophet is told to lift his voice "like a shofar" to declare the sins of the people to whom he was sent. So, on this day called Zikron Teruah and Yom Teruah, at the time of this special Sabbath, and on a day referred to by Ezra as a day holy to YHVH (See Nehemiah chapter 8): We should: Cry aloud and not hold back Lift up our voices and call an alarm Call for an assembly of YHVH's people Declare YHVH as our king and as King over the entire world Announce the arrival of the 7th biblical month (Psalm 81:3) And affirm the prophetic, and coming redemption as well as the resurrection of those who presently sleep in the dust. A teaching on this subject of the word Teruah and it's significance was given from the United Israel Center South. In this teaching Ross takes a look at linguistic clues, and passages throughout the Hebrew Bible in order to get at the meaning of the day. [The article above can be found on the UI Blog here. Here you will also find links to the audio files, and Facebook video at this link.] Watch the video on YouTube: Teruah - Getting at the Meaning

6 Bulla inscribed, Gedaliah ben Pashur Courtesy of Dr. Eilat Mazar Discovered at Ir David / Announced 2008 Why Fast for Gedaliah? On the third day of the seventh biblical month (September 12, 2018), the Jewish people will observe a day of fasting. The observance is known as the Fast of Gedaliah. Who was Gedaliah, and why is his name associated with a day of fasting down to this day? In the aftermath of the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, a few of the poorest of the land were left to be vine dressers and plowmen (II Kings 25:12; Jeremiah 39:10). The majority of the people were taken captive, their cities were left in shambles and their hope was gone. The King of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as Governor over the land and the small

7 King of Babylon appointed Gedaliah as Governor over the land and the small remnant of Judeans. The Governor tried to reassure his people that all would be well if they would but serve the King of Babylon and live in the land. He encouraged them to dwell in the cities and go about their lives without fear. He told them to gather wine and summer fruits and oil, and store them in vessels and to live without fear. Judeans began to return and inhabit the cities left vacant in the wake of Babylonian aggression. Gedaliah made his home in Mizpah (Jeremiah 40:7-12). During these dark days, Nebuchadnezzar gave special instruction concerning the prophet Jeremiah. He ordered Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard to, take him, look after him well, and do him no harm, but deal with him as he tells you. Nebuzaradan released Jeremiah from his chains and offered him the choice of going to Babylon or returning to his own land to dwell with the appointed Governor of the land among the people. Jeremiah chose to live among his people in the land, in the home of the Governor (Jeremiah 39:11-14, 40:1-6). As it turns out, the two most likely knew each other quite well. Gedaliah s father, Ahikam, had come to Jeremiah s aid when he was accused of prophesying against the Temple and the city, pronouncing their ruin (II Kings 26:24). Gedaliah s grandfather, and Ahikam s father, also played into the story of Jeremiah. His name was Shaphan. It was Shaphan, who in the days of Josiah was part of an incredible discovery story. The High Priest Hilkiah discovered a scroll of the Torah in the Temple and he told Shaphan about it. Shaphan reported the discovery to King Josiah and read the scroll to him. King Josiah sent Shaphan, his son Ahikam, the priest Hilkiah (Jeremiah s father? cf. Jeremiah 1:1), and two others to go inquire of YHVH about the words of the scroll. They all went together to a prophetess by the name of Huldah who told them of all that was to come (II Kings 22:8-20). So why do we fast for Gedaliah? What happened to the Governor whose family plays so prominent a role in the life of Jeremiah? He was assassinated by a member of the royal family (Jeremiah 41:1)! Gedaliah had been warned of the plot but refused to believe it, but the warning was true. At a meal in Mizpah, eleven men rose up and struck down the Governor and those that were with him (II Kings 25:25; Jeremiah 40:13-41:3). The murder of Gedaliah seemed to mark the end of the Judean commonwealth. According to the biblical record, the murder of Gedaliah occurred in the seventh month (II Kings 25:25, Jeremiah 41:1, 2) and the people of Judah held a fast to commemorate his death. According to tradition, this is believed to be the fast to which Zechariah makes reference (Zechariah 7:5; 8:19). The fast of the seventh month is known as the Fast of Gedaliah. It has been kept since the days of Zechariah it would seem! So as the third day of the seventh month approaches, I am thinking of Gedaliah. He was a good man who had high hopes and best wishes for the restoration of his people and their land in a very dark period of history. He didn t want to believe that one of his own people would seek his harm. I sit here today as I write this and wonder what conversations took place between

8 here today as I write this and wonder what conversations took place between Gedaliah and the prophet Jeremiah in his home. Gedaliah s father had once defended and saved the life of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24). His father and his grandfather had been part of a discovery that led to one of the greatest revivals in all of biblical history. Should we not on this day honor Gedaliah? I say we should. One day, the fast of the seventh month will be among the seasons of joy and gladness and cheerful feasts (Zechariah 8:19). Therefore love truth and peace. Gedaliah certainly did. Link to Article on UI Blog

9 From the Torah The Torah reading this week is Va-Yelech (Deuteronomy 31:1-30). This coming Sabbath is also a special Sabbath known as Shabbat Shuvah (Sabbath of Return). Shabbat Shuvah is the Sabbath that falls between Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur, during the Ten Days of Awe. The special prophetic readings associated with Shabbat Shuvah are Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; and Joel 2: "Remember the Torah of my servant Moses, the statutes and judgments that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel" (Malachi 4:4 English / Malachi 3:22 Hebrew). Facebook and YouTube Links for Hebrew Torah Reading Team Video Promo Tabor - Nichols Tour!

10 Secure Your Seat Today! Publication The Documentary/Travel Log Petra One of the New Seven Wonders of the World A Review by Jon Langberg [United States] : Travel Video Store, [2011] Cast Narrator, Tariq Al Farra. Summary Famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time," while

11 Summary Famously described as "a rose-red city half as old as time," while the UNESCO described it as "one of the most precious cultural properties of man's cultural heritage," the Lost City of Stone is now one of the 'New Seven Wonders of the World." The only modes of transport allowed inside Petra are camels, horses and donkeys, yet it's an interesting and smooth ride down the road that leads to magnificent wonders of Petra. Author s Review & Grade: The published summary sounds extremely inviting and is. The presentation is very professional with fantastic background features and it is worth watching. The narrator is well connected to the settings and holds the listeners attention. I felt this was an excellent presentation of Petra. On a 1 to 5 scale, I give this documentary a 5 because if you are thinking about traveling to a specific area a travel log should provide insights as to what you should look for. In that regard it was a successful video. I will watch it again, particularly since my wife and I will be visiting Jordan in November. Not With You Alone - Torah Reading Nitzavim In this teaching, Ross covers material found in Torah Reading Nitzavim (Deuteronomy 29:10-30:20). Specifically, he considers the identity of the audience to whom Moses addresses these words. To whom is Moses speaking? Most read these texts as historical documents, and indeed they are, but Ross shows in this class that Moses is addressing an audience other than his contemporaries in this Torah Reading. The social media icons below will take you to the videos of this teaching on

12 The social media icons below will take you to the videos of this teaching on Facebook and YouTube. The green link will take you to the blog post on our website where you will find a short summary, the video files, and an audio player. Featured Photo of the Week

13 This week we installed several "floating bookshelves" at the UI Center South. Latest Episode of IOMM with Jono Vandor and Ross Nichols In this show Jono and Ross take a look at Israel by the numbers. Jono covers recently published demographic data on Israel, and then your hosts discuss terms used to define various degrees of religiosity, or the lack thereof. They also reveal that the number of nations with an Embassy in Jerusalem decreased by one, while funding to UNRWA hit a record low with the U.S. pulling its standard 30% of the body s budget. They also cover a few celebrities in the news. Roseanne may be moving to Israel (again), while Lana Del Rey (whoever she is) will NOT be performing after all. This and much more in Israel, By The Numbers. Listen to the Show Support United Israel World Union For those who wish to donate to United Israel, please visit our Donate Page. United Israel World Union, INC, is a 501 (c) 3 Non-Profit. All contributions are tax deductible. Your financial support enables us to do all that we do. You

14 are tax deductible. Your financial support enables us to do all that we do. You can make a one time donation or set up a recurring contribution. We provide all that we do at no charge, trusting that those who benefit from our work, and who are able to do so, will support the work financially. In this way, everyone who wants to learn can do so. We appreciate your interest in, and support of UIWU. Donate to United Israel World Union, Inc.

15 The Book of David David Horowitz: Dean of United Nations Press Corps and Founder: United Israel World Union by Ralph Buntyn For 10 years, author Ralph Buntyn spent many hours with renowned United Nations correspondent and United Israel founder David Horowitz. They engaged in lengthy discussions about his foundational views drawn from his experience and unique vantage point in the two world bodies. The Book of David is based on his personal notes, extensive archival records and reflections from these conversations. Pre-order the Hardcover Edition Today! ISBN: $28.95 Pre-Order The Book of David Unsubscribe This message was sent to from Bulletin Editor United Israel World Union 2101 Sardis Rd North Suite 110 Charlotte, NC