Esnoga Bet Emunah - 227 Millset Chase - San Antonio, Texas 78253

Telephone: (210) 277 8649 - United States of America © 2006

Three and 1/2 year Lectionary Readings	First Year of the Reading Cycle
Sivan 6/7, 5767 – May 22/24, 2007	Fifth Year of the Shemittah Cycle

Chag Shabuot Sameach! Happy Festival of Pentecost!

Candle Lighting times:

San Antonio, Texas: Eve of First day Shabuoth Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Light Candles at: 8:05 PM Eve of Second day Shabuoth Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Light Candles at: 9:03 PM Thursday, May 24, 2007 Holiday Ends: 9:04 PM	Singapore: Eve of First day Shabuoth Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Light candles at: 6:49 PM Eve of Second day Shabuoth Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Light Candles at: 7:49 PM Thursday, May 24, 2007 Holiday Ends: 7:40 PM
Atlanta, Georgia Eve of First day Shabuoth Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Light Candles at: 8:18 PM Eve of Second day Shabuoth Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Light Candles at: 9:19 PM Thursday, May 24, 2007 Holiday Ends: 9:20 PM	Brisbane, Australia Eve of First day Shabuoth Tuesday, May 22, 2007 Light Candles at: 4:46 PM Eve of Second day Shabuoth Wednesday, May 23, 2007 Light Candles at: 5:41 PM Thursday, May 24, 2007 Holiday Ends: 5:41 PM

Services and Readings:

Eve of First day Shavuot - Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Tikun Leil Shabuot - a Night of Vigil and Study for Shabuot (Pentecost) `- We have a custom on the night of Shabuot to stay awake all night and study the Torah. It is called the 'tikun' of Shabuot. A tikun implies a repair. We stay up to “repair” the damage. Our Sages in the Midrash tell us that the Israelites went to sleep on that all-important night, and when Ha-Shem came down onto Mt. Sinai, the people were sleeping.

Frantically, Moses had to wake them up telling them that the “groom” (Ha-Shem) is here already awaiting his “bride” (Israel). How could this happen? How could they have slept? Our sages explain that the Jews didn't just go to sleep like any other night. They thought that the Torah would be given to them through prophecy, and like most prophets, Ha-Shem appears to them in a dream-like appearance. They thought that the happiness of the holiday and its meal, together with a pleasant sleep would create a happy feeling in order to receive the prophecy. Moshe had to wake them and tell them that Torah is not like prophecy. One must be fully awake with a clear head and a sharp logic. He taught them that otherwise we wouldn't be able to learn and study the Torah with clarity. Receiving the Torah is greater than prophecy! The Talmud (Baba Batra 12) says that a Hakham is greater than a prophet. We must utilize all of our senses to learn Torah. Therefore it had to be initially received with clarity. This is why the Torah makes a point that they “stood” (vayityatzvu) at Mt. Sinai.

The whole experience at Mt. Sinai is referred to as Ma'amad Har Sinai, the standing at Har Sinai, to imply that they stood on their own two feet and used their clear senses. This is why we stay up all night to study Torah, to be awake with open eyes and an open mind. Ha-Shem gave man an unbelievably powerful intellect. Man can develop almost anything. We see this all the time with man's scientific and technological advances which are mind boggling. Why did Ha-Shem do this? Because the Torah in itself is mind boggling! He gave us a great mind to meet the challenge of Torah study. Let's grab that opportunity!

Texts for study: Psalm 119; 2 Lukas (Acts) 2:1-47

Questions for reflection:

1. In 2 Lukas 2:1 we literally read in the Greek “And in the day of the Pentecost being fulfilled, they were all with one accord at the same place.” Why does the text need to emphasize the facts that the Talmidim were “all with one accord” and “at the same place”? Were they not allowed to have differences of opinion, and to sit in the Temple each one with their own families and friends? And by saying: “they were all with one accord at the same place” what does Hakham Shaul want to teach by the hand of his scribe Dr. Lukas?

2. Where is the antecedent in the Torah for the statement in 2 Lukas 2:2 – “and there came suddenly out of the heaven a sound as of a bearing violent wind, and it filled all the temple where they were sitting”?

3. Is there any antecedent in the Torah (Pentateuch) for the statement in 2 Lukas 2:3-4 – “and there appeared to them divided flames, as it were of fire; it sat also upon each one of them, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, according as the Spirit was giving them to declare” ?

4. Why is fire a symbol of the Holy Spirit, and what is the meaning of this symbol as explained in the Hebrew Scriptures?

5. Why is the festival of Pentecost associated with the 70 languages of the Gentiles and with Hebrew?

6. Why did this miracle happened only to the Talmidim and not to the rest of the Jews congregated in the Temple for this solemn occasion? And what does this incident has to say about some of the gifts required to be a Hakham (Rabbi)?

7. Why did the Jewish people in the Temple asked the Talmidim “What shall we do, men, brethren?” (2 Lukas 2:37), and not “what shall we believe?” What are the quantitative and qualitative differences between “believing” and “doing”?

8. Hakham Tsefet answered (2 Lukas 2:38) “Return, and be immersed each of you on the authority of Yeshuah the Messiah, to remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The word in Hebrew is “Shuv” which means “return,” and since all in the audience were Jews celebrating the feast of Pentecost, to what did the Jewish audience understood they needed to return? Why does it state “the gift of the Holy Spirit,” if before two conditions are mentioned (return and immerse) in order to receive it?

9. In 2 Lukas 2:41 we read: “then those, indeed, who did gladly receive his (Hakham Tsefet’s) word were immersed, and there were added on that day, as it were, three thousand souls.” The text says that they “did gladly receive his (Hakham Tsefet’s) word.” Since all the audience were Jews from many places in the world who had come in obedience to the Word to celebrate Shabuot, how come now the text says that “did gladly receive Hakham Tsefet’s word”? Did Hakham Tsefet added anything that was not already mentioned in the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures)?

10. Why did this miracle of flames of fire and speaking in different languages happened in the Temple at Jerusalem and not in Rome, Athens or Alexandria?

11. After mentioning this miracle at Shabuot in the Temple, the text now says (2 Lukas 2:44-45): “and all those believing were at the same place, and had all things common, and the possessions and the goods they were selling, and were parting them to all, according as any one had need.” Why is the theme of community intimately related here to the act of receiving the Holy Spirit? How is this related to Psalm 133? How did the Talmidim understand the relationship between the degree of indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the degree of community bonding?

12. In 2 Lukas 2:46 we read: “Daily also continuing with one accord in the temple, breaking also at every house bread, they were partaking of food in gladness and sincerity of heart.” Why did the Talmidim found it necessary to continue “with one accord in the Temple”? And why does the text emphasize the word “daily,” had they not work to do to such as earning a living? Who was “daily” at the Temple? All who were added to the Nazarean group or only some of them? Why were they “daily” in the Temple and not in the street proclaiming their message?

13. What commandments are taught to be obeyed by all who call themselves disciples of the Master of Nazareth?

14. Why does Smikha (ordination) to be a Hakham (Rabbi) is so intimately connected to the festival of Shabuot? And in relation to this subject what is one of the main purposes of Tikun Leil Shabuot (Lit. “Reparation of the Night of Pentecost”)?

15. Why were the Talmidim not expelled from the Temple (since they attended daily there for many years)?

16. According to Psalm 119:1-8 why is the study of Torah so vital for any human being? And why was the Study of Torah so essential for the Talmidim that they went daily to the Temple to teach and study Torah?

17. The Temple is called in Hebrew Bet Hamiqdash (House of Holiness). What relationship is there between strophe Bet in Psalm 119:9-16 and the Temple or the individual’s home (household)?

18. Why does the local Nazarean Synagogue should be the key and central passion to any follower of the Master of Nazareth? The Synagogue is symbolized by the word Delet (Door), what does Psalm 119:25-32 have to teach regarding the Synagogue and its importance to the life of a follower of the Master of Nazareth?

19. The Holy Spirit is known as G-d’s agent in bringing life (Hebrew Chai – starting with the Hebrew letter Chet). What does Psalm 119:57-64 has to say about living a life in the Holy Spirit?

20. The Hebrew letter Yod is the first letter of G-d’s name and also of Messiah’s name. What does Psalm 119:73-80 has to say about the Messiah ben David, and our relation to him? According to this portion who can truly call him/herself a G-d fearer and a disciple of the Messiah the Master of Nazareth?

Shabuot (Pentecost) Morning Service - Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Torah & Ashlamatah Readings: Shemot (Exodus) 19:1 – 20:23

B’Midbar (Numbers) 28:26-31

Yehezekel (Ezekiel) 1:1-28; 3:12

Reader 1 – Shemot 19:1-6

Reader 2 – Shemot 19:7-13

Reader 3 – Shemot 19:14-19

Reader 4 – Shemot 19:20 – 20:14

Reader 5 – Shemot 20:15-23

Maftir - B’Midbar 28:26-31

Yehezekel 1:1-28; 3:12

N.C. 2 Lukas (Acts) 2:1-47

Shabuot (Pentecost) Minchah – Afternoon Service:

• Recitation of the Azharoth part I (positive commandments)

• Reading on the Book of Ruth 1:1 – 3:7

Shabuot (Pentecost) Morning Service - Thursday, May 24, 2007

Torah and Ashlamatah Readings: D’barim (Deuteronomy) 14:22 – 16:17

B’Midbar 28:26-31

Habakkuk 2:20 - 3:19

Reader 1 – D’barim 14:22-29

Reader 2 – D’barim 15:1-18

Reader 3 – D’barim 15:19-23

Reader 4 – D’barim 16:1-3

Reader 5 – D’barim 16:4-8

Reader 6 – D’barim 16:9-12

Reader 7 – D’barim 16:13-17

Maftir - B’Midbar 28:26-31

Habakkuk 2:20 - 3:19

N.C. Bereans (Hebrews) 5:12 – 6:3

Shabuot (Pentecost) Minchah – Afternoon Service:

• Recitation of the Azharoth part II (negative commandments)

• Reading on the Book of Ruth 3:8 - 4:22

For further studies on this festival see:

· http://www.betemunah.org/shavuot.doc

· http://www.betemunah.org/ruth.doc

· http://www.betemunah.org/freedom.doc

· http://www.betemunah.org/betroth.doc

His Honour Rosh Paqid Adon Hillel ben David and myself, join together with our beloved families to wish you and loved ones a very happy and prosperous observance of Chag Shabuot, may these two days of festivities, be two great days that changed your life completely for great blessing, two nights and two days that you will remember forever, amen ve amen!

Do not forget to eat some good “arroz con leche y canela” (creamed rice with cinnamon)!

Chag Sameach Shabuoth ve Shalom Shabbat!

Hakham Dr. Yosef ben Haggai