Book of Acts through the framework of Judaism Salvation: Perspective of Judaism and Christianity Additional questions to consider for this week. 1. What does it mean to be in Messiah or United with Messiah? (1st Thessalonians 4:16, Galatians 3:26-29) 2. Who are those and where are they when Yeshua talks about the people that are wailing and gnashing teeth (Luke 13:23-29)? 3. Is Matthew 13:37-50 the same scenario as Luke 13:23-29 above? 4. What about Matthew 13:36-43, and 47-50 5. What happens to those who died before Messiah came to earth the first time? Those in Abraham s bosom/side? (Luke 16:19-31) 1
STUDY 21 THE NINTH OF AV Four Main Fasts: Zechariah 8:19: "Adonai-Tzva'ot says, 'The fast days of the fourth, fifth, seventh and tenth months are to become times of joy, gladness and cheer for the house of Y'hudah. Therefore, love truth and peace. The 17 th of Tammuz, in commemoration of the breaching of the walls of Jerusalem (Jeremiah 39:2, Jeremiah 52:6) First Temple Nebuchadnezzar (Babylon) Second Temple Titus (Rome) (Tishah be-av), a day of mourning for the destruction of both the First and Second Temples (Jeremiah 52:12 13) 2
Four Main Fasts: Zechariah 8:19: The Third of Tishri, called Ẓom Gedalyah (the Fast of Gedaliah), in memory of the slaying of Gedaliah and his associates (Jeremiah 41:1 2; 2nd Kings 25:25) The Tenth of Tevet, in memory of the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon (2 nd Kings 25:1 2, Jeremiah 52:4; Ezekiel 24:1 2) Also: The Fast of Esther (Ta'anit Ester) on the 13th of Adar, the day before Purim (Esther 4:16) The Day of Atonement 17th Tamuz also: The day Moshe came down from Mt Sinai, saw the Golden Calf and broke the Tablets The day that Noach released the dove from the Ark. The dove did not return. It appears that G-d has a cyclic Calendar He has appointed times to give us appointed messages at specific times 9th of Av Numbers 13:5 14:1 The Sages The 12 spies returned from the Land on 8th of Av, and that evening, which was the 9th of Av, is when Israel cried because of bad report by 10 spies 3
G-d says: That generation will not go into the Promised Land accept Caleb and Joshua (Numbers 14:21-38) The Talmud (Ta anit 29a) says: And it is written, And the congregation raised its voice, and wept; and the people wept that night (Num. 14:1). Rabbah said in the name of R. Joḥanan: That night was the night of the ninth of Av. The Holy One said to them: You have wept without cause, therefore I will set [this day] aside for weeping throughout the generations to come. From then on there were many occasions that sparked reasons to mourning the 9 th of Av Destruction of the First Temple Destruction of the Second Temple First Christian Crusade began in 1095, on or around the 9th of Av (1.2 million Jews killed in total) Expulsion of Jews in 1290 from England 9 th of Av: Expulsion of Jews from Spain, in 1492 WWI began in 1914, when Germany declared war on Russia resulted in holocaust of WWII Many of the atrocities of the holocaust were connected with 9th of Av Second Temple Josephus records (Jewish Wars 250, 267-270): The Deity, indeed long since, had sentenced the Temple to the flames; but now in the revolution of the years had arrived the fated day, the Tenth of the Month of Lous [Av]. [...] Deeply as one must mourn for the most marvelous edifice which we have ever seen or heard of, yet may we draw very great consolation from the thought that there is no escape from Fate, for works of art and places, any more than for living beings. And one may well marvel at the exactness of the cycle of Destiny; for, as I said, she waited until the very month and the very day on which in bygone times the Temple had been burnt by the Babylonians. 4
What does this all mean? Yeshua (Luke 19:41-47): When Yeshua had come closer and could see the city, he wept over it, saying, "If you only knew today what is needed for shalom! But for now it is hidden from your sight. For the days are coming upon you when your enemies will set up a barricade around you, encircle you, hem you in on every side, and dash you to the ground, you and your children within your walls, leaving not one stone standing on another and all because you did not recognize your opportunity when G-d offered it! Jews today have everything Technology, freedom, even the Land But, they are homeless without the Temple The Mourning Period: 3-week period between 17th of Tamuz and the 9th of Av Mourning and Fasting Between the Meytzarim, between the straights Don t: Listen to music, drink wine, eat red meat (except on Shabbat) Nine days prior to 9 th of Av No hot showers On 9 th of Av Fast from food and water, no bathing, wearing leather shoes, sitting on the floor instead of chairs 5
The night before the 9th of Av Sit on the floor and read the Book of Lamentations, by candlelight Forbidden to study the Torah Instead, read Lamentations, parts of Jeremiah and Job, and about laws and customs of mourning Looking to the future: These days are connected with mourning They are also connected with the hope and expectation of the coming Kingdom Midrash about Messiah, in Midrash Rabbah - Lamentations I:51 Looking to the future: There is a Jewish fable that says Messiah will be born on 9th of Av Not necessarily true Just connecting the two destruction of Temple and coming of Messiah A simile, like The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed Destroy this Temple and I will rebuild it in 3 days. Another Midrash? Midrash Rabbah - Lamentations I:51 Rabbi Aibu says, why should I learn from an Arab, since I have an explicit text where it is stated Lebanon will fall by the Majestic One, there will come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from its roots will bear fruit. 6
Isaiah 10:34 to 11:1 He will hack down the forest underbrush with an axe, and the L'vanon in its splendor falls. But a branch will emerge from the trunk of Yishai, a shoot will grow from his roots. Lebanon = The Temple Destruction of the Temple comes with the expectation of Messiah Blessed are those that mourn for they will be comforted Those who mourn for the loss of the Temple, G-d s dwelling among His people Read on in Isaiah 11:10: Isaiah 11:10 On that day the root of Yishai, which stands as a banner for the peoples the Goyim will seek him out, and the place where he rests will be glorious. On that day Adonai will raise his hand again, a second time, to reclaim the remnant of his people who remain Isaiah 61:2 4 connects the loss of the Temple/Zion and corporate mourning to comfort all who mourn, yes, provide for those in Tziyon who mourn, giving them garlands instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning They will rebuild the ancient ruins, restore sites long destroyed; they will renew the ruined cities, destroyed many generations ago. Those who mourn for righteous reasons will be comforted in the Kingdom 7
Matthew 9:14-15 Why do we and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but yours do not fast? Yeshua responded: Can the wedding guest mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? The day will come. Yeshua only weeps twice in the Gospel accounts 1. Over the death of His friend Lazarus 2. Over Yerushalayim From weeping over Israel Yeshua s message shifts from the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand To watch out destruction is coming 8