The Importance and Significance of Symbols, and Symbolism When we view symbols, such as the three in the painting of Roni & an Orthodox Jewish friend at the Western Wall in Jerusalem, we should note those things that are symbolic – Seven branch candle stick, Star of David, and the box of the phylacteries on Ron’s head. What do each of these symbolise mean, and what do they signify?
We should note that Judaism and Christianity each have multiple symbols that carry powerful religious meaning that lie at the heart of these two Abrahamic faiths. Though some are distinctive to its specific faith, others are significant to both. So, let’s begin by exploring some of these powerful images and explore their importance.
Some synonyms for ‘type’: sign, character, mark, letter, hieroglyph, ideogram, emblem, token, representation, figure, image, type, metaphor, and allegory.
HIGHLIGHTS:
What do you understand from the idea of symbol & symbolism?
With the use of a graphic image such as a Star of David or menorah how does that define Judaism?
Think about the significance of wearing a sign or symbol on your arm, and between your eyes – how do these influence ‘faith,’ and ‘practice?’
Learn to say the Shema in Hebrew – Follow the Link below.
In the New Testament in John’s Gospel Chapter 1 we have several symbols such as “light,” “Lamb of God,” how does these assist our understanding of the Messianic faith?
The symbol of the Menorah, Star of David, with a Cross, and the Fish, what do these images symbolise?
Read John Chapter 1 and identify as many symbols as you can, and think about how they may be applied?
Please enjoy this presentation by Elisheva Mechanic on Messianic Jewish Art: A New Perspective
Our objective in giving expression to Messianic Jewish Art
A group of artist friends from the Messianic Jewish Alliance of Australia have started an art group to give expression to their desire as Messianic believers to explore the way that they may depict visual art works. Part of this enterprise involves the exploration of the spiritual dynamic and desire to communicate the reality that the members as Messianic believers are both artist or love the visual arts (art appreciation), and are exploring new ways to develop their artistic ability. Membership of this forum is not exclusively for people living down under, but through social media, through the use of WhatApp, Zoom, Google Meetup, etc., it is possible to participate both locally in Sydney, Melbourne, and elsewhere in Australia, but especially, anywhere else in the world where there is internet connectivity.
How may you get involved?
Firstly, you need to share the faith values of the Group, then you will need to send a request to participate to the group administrator.
What is Messianic Jewish art?
We need to differentiate between, Jewish art, Christian art, and Messianic Jewish art. Each of these categories are very broad and each in turn requires both clarifying and defining.
Jewish art
When we consider the Jewish world of art and culture, the two are intimately link, for artistic expression is an outworking of various art forms that notably helps define that people of whom it is a part, but it also helps to define who they/we are as a distinctive people-group within the world.
The Twelve Tribes Glass Windows by Marc Chagall
We must note that Chagall’s depiction of the Twelve tribes has avoided any explicit images, but is rather abstract in its interpretation due to the prohibition of the visual representation of humans and beasts in the Torah.
Notwithstanding, from the mid-nineteenth century Jewish artists under the influence of the Enlightenment threw caution to the wind, and began to boldly enter the world of European artistic expression that held no such restriction upon the portrayal of general everyday human life. This included breaking through another taboo of the representation of Jesus of Nazareth, who had been most certainly off limits to Jewish people in general, and in this context artists as well.
Christian art
Christian artistic representation of Biblical, theological, ecclesiological and general religious themes have been part and parcel of the Christian faith from its inception and did not follow Judaism’s ban on the visual presentation of humans and animals as explained above.
Messianic Jewish art
Where you may ask does Messianic Jewish art fit into the scheme of things? Is it constrained by the Torah’s prohibition as in the case Orthodox Jewish interpretation? Has it fully embraced the Christian world-view? Or does it fall somewhere in between the two faith, a bit like a half-way house, or a bridge, to use these two metaphors?
This is where the ‘new perspective.’ When we speak about a ‘bridge,’ this analogy fits well the attempt that Messianic Jewish artist and their supporters are attempting to achieve giving a clear presentation of Biblical themes and everyday life.
Work in progress
We are on a journey to ‘somewhere,’ not nowhere, as Talking Heads says. The ‘somewhere’ is what this venture and exploration is all about. We want invite you to consider what we have been discussing and discover your place within this ‘new perspective.’
Additional Resources Available:
This art book is available from Amazon Worldwide in Hardcover & Paperback
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Elisheva’s & Roni’s Other Books are available from Amazon Worldwide:
anic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
Mindlessness – ‘blow your mind,’ is a popular expression to take drugs, get high, etc.
In contrast Think about what you are contemplating – The thing that you are considering to act upon have consequences. Love, peace, and concord, verse hate, violence, and discord are two path that are set out before us as individuals.
So, what’s it to be? While others may influence you to choose their preferred path, ultimately, we are the one’s that must decide which way to go!
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 English Standard Version:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
I have decided to follow Yeshua – Jesus – It is probably one of the most important decisions that you can make in your life.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
2. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
3. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus, My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus; No turning back, No turning back.
4. The world behind me, the cross before me, The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
A way back…What do I mean when I speak of a way back? If we have misgivings, doubts, second-thoughts, or regrets about a decision that you have made, then you don’t have to accept that you made a wrong choice. You can attempt to find a way back. In biblical terms, we refer to this as ‘repentance.’ Repentance is multifaceted – it has many dimensions to it, and also it potentially carries deep implication, that will not only have a personal outcome, but may well influence the live of many others.
The big one, and the smaller ones…What do I mean by saying that there is a big one, and there are small ones? The big one – is when we recognise that our relationship with our Heavenly Father is broken, and we make the decision to repent!
Repentance involves…Confession – admitting that we are wrong, and have done wrong. Turning back, or turning around are part of the vital process. Having regret is only the beginning of the process, and many get stuck at first base and never progress to make a home run to use a baseball metaphor.
We began by saying, ‘Your mind matter!’ The philosopher Rene Descartes said, cogito ergo sum literally mean?
‘I think, therefore I am‘ – cogito ergo sum
The Latin cogito, ergo sum, usually translated into English as “I think, therefore I am“, is the “first principle” of René Descartes’s philosophy. While his viewpoint is quite profound, it does not contain the whole truth! His is a purely human response to ur being, or existence. He has missed our God’s point of view – God say something substantially different about our existence – he created us to not only be, but supremely to love him, worship, and adore him – in other words, that our live may glorify him always!
Cogito, ergo sum, dictum coined by the French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) as a first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge. It is the only statement to survive the test of his methodic doubt. The statement is indubitable, as Descartes argued in the second of his six Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), because even if an all-powerful demon were to try to deceive him into thinking that he exists when he does not, he would have to exist in order for the demon to deceive him. Therefore, whenever he thinks, he exists. Furthermore, as he argued in his replies to critics in the second edition (1642) of the Meditations, the statement “I am” (sum) expresses an immediate intuition, not the conclusion of a piece of reasoning (regarding the steps of which he could be deceived), and is thus indubitable. However, in a later work, the Principles of Philosophy (1644), Descartes suggested that the cogito is indeed the conclusion of a syllogism whose premises include the propositions that he is thinking and that whatever thinks must exist.
Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
Mindlessness – ‘blow your mind,’ is a popular expression to take drugs, get high, etc.
In contrast Think about what you are contemplating – The thing that you are considering to act upon have consequences. Love, peace, and concord, verse hate, violence, and discord are two path that are set out before us as individuals.
So, what’s it to be? While others may influence you to choose their preferred path, ultimately, we are the one’s that must decide which way to go!
Deuteronomy 30:15-20 English Standard Version:
15 “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. 16 If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God[a] that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules,[b] then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.”
I have decided to follow Yeshua – Jesus – It is probably one of the most important decisions that you can make in your life.
I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus; I have decided to follow Jesus; No turning back, no turning back.
2. Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me I still will follow, Tho’ none go with me, I still will follow; No turning back, no turning back.
3. My cross I’ll carry, till I see Jesus; My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus, My cross I’ll carry till I see Jesus; No turning back, No turning back.
4. The world behind me, the cross before me, The world behind me, the cross before me; The world behind me, the cross before me; No turning back, no turning back.
A way back…What do I mean when I speak of a way back? If we have misgivings, doubts, second-thoughts, or regrets about a decision that you have made, then you don’t have to accept that you made a wrong choice. You can attempt to find a way back. In biblical terms, we refer to this as ‘repentance.’ Repentance is multifaceted – it has many dimensions to it, and also it potentially carries deep implication, that will not only have a personal outcome, but may well influence the live of many others.
The big one, and the smaller ones…What do I mean by saying that there is a big one, and there are small ones? The big one – is when we recognise that our relationship with our Heavenly Father is broken, and we make the decision to repent!
Repentance involves…Confession – admitting that we are wrong, and have done wrong. Turning back, or turning around are part of the vital process. Having regret is only the beginning of the process, and many get stuck at first base and never progress to make a home run to use a baseball metaphor.
We began by saying, ‘Your mind matter!’ The philosopher Rene Descartes said, cogito ergo sum literally mean?
‘I think, therefore I am‘ – cogito ergo sum
The Latin cogito, ergo sum, usually translated into English as “I think, therefore I am“, is the “first principle” of René Descartes’s philosophy. While his viewpoint is quite profound, it does not contain the whole truth! His is a purely human response to ur being, or existence. He has missed our God’s point of view – God say something substantially different about our existence – he created us to not only be, but supremely to love him, worship, and adore him – in other words, that our live may glorify him always!
Cogito, ergo sum, dictum coined by the French mathematician and philosopher René Descartes in his Discourse on Method (1637) as a first step in demonstrating the attainability of certain knowledge. It is the only statement to survive the test of his methodic doubt. The statement is indubitable, as Descartes argued in the second of his six Meditations on First Philosophy (1641), because even if an all-powerful demon were to try to deceive him into thinking that he exists when he does not, he would have to exist in order for the demon to deceive him. Therefore, whenever he thinks, he exists. Furthermore, as he argued in his replies to critics in the second edition (1642) of the Meditations, the statement “I am” (sum) expresses an immediate intuition, not the conclusion of a piece of reasoning (regarding the steps of which he could be deceived), and is thus indubitable. However, in a later work, the Principles of Philosophy (1644), Descartes suggested that the cogito is indeed the conclusion of a syllogism whose premises include the propositions that he is thinking and that whatever thinks must exist.
Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
SHARE:
Additional Resources Available:
Elisheva’s New Books are available from Amazon Worldwide:
Following the Jewish Jesus: A Cross-Cultural Ministry Paperback – 30 Dec. 2023
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
What are our expectations? What are your hope & dreams?
Click on Link to Listen:
In contrast, what are your fears & dreads?
Lord’s Prayer (Modern) (New English Version – adopted by the Church of England in 1977):
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen.”
So,Hopes &Dreams: Fears & Dreads – For starters, a good happy, and life in which we experience a sense of wellness, and wholeness – If we examine each word in turn we will discover a wealth of meaning:
Happy; wellness; wholeness; etc…
Happy – what do we understand from this word?
Wellness – its meaning needs further elaboration…
Wholeness...
In the Lord’s Prayer we express a number of different issues that cover aspects of human life and relationships…
Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
What are our expectations? What are your hope & dreams?
Click on Link to Listen:
In contrast, what are your fears & dreads?
Lord’s Prayer (Modern) (New English Version – adopted by the Church of England in 1977):
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours. Now and for ever. Amen.”
So,Hopes &Dreams: Fears & Dreads – For starters, a good happy, and life in which we experience a sense of wellness, and wholeness – If we examine each word in turn we will discover a wealth of meaning:
Happy; wellness; wholeness; etc…
Happy – what do we understand from this word?
Wellness – its meaning needs further elaboration…
Wholeness...
In the Lord’s Prayer we express a number of different issues that cover aspects of human life and relationships…
Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
How can I help to fix it? By asking this question you are suggesting that something is broken. Sure – The universe is broken, well – wow, so how can I fix it? Well, on your own you can play your part. But first, seek to begin fixing the things that you can in the realm where you best fit in. But let’s ask some basic questions of what you view as the problems that personally confront you?
For starters, I need to face up to some of the things that require attention in my life. In our own lives let’s firstly pay attention to our own lives –
Ask yourself these two questions: 1/ What is my walk like? 2/ What is my talk like? Im I a contradiction? You I say nice things, but then behave badly? No one wants to be called “hypocrite!” Admitting that I don’t always get it right, helps us to begin to be able to address some of the biggest inconsistencies in my life.
Now for the big crunch – “Stand Up and Be Counted!” But you may ask, “how can I make a difference?” Well at first you need to look around you and survey the scene and look at what is broken and fixing, and then ask is there anything that I can do to assist in helping to repair things?
As a Jesus-believing-Jew, since 1969 I have been involved in helping my fellow Jews, and Christians, and non-believers gain a fresh perspective on who Jesus/Yeshua is, and what he can do for them if they turn to him.
Antisemitism on Canadian Universities – Pro-Palestine Protests are targeting Jewish Students and Staff due to the Israel – Gaza War. In this programme Jewish Students are being interviewed to discover the impact that it is having upon them personally, and Jewish Students in General.
What is taking place in Canada is also taking place in the USA, United Kingdom, France, Germany, and throughout the rest of Europe.
Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
Additional Resources Available:
Elisheva’s New Books are available from Amazon Worldwide:
Following the Jewish Jesus: A Cross-Cultural Ministry Paperback – 30 Dec. 2023
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
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DON”T EAT THAT HAT: Making Sense of it All:Judaism and Islam in Conflict
Judaism and Islam in Conflict
In our desire to make sense of an increasingly fractured and complex world, it requires each one of us to not just accept all that we are being told in both the main media, as well as the world-wide web with its multiple narratives that we are being confronted with constantly.
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Shalom Radio UK wants to thank you the listener for your support towards this ministry of promoting Messianic Jewish Perspectives – Please repost this Podcast on your network!
Additional Resources Available:
Elisheva’s New Books are available from Amazon Worldwide:
Following the Jewish Jesus: A Cross-Cultural Ministry Paperback – 30 Dec. 2023
This book is a guide for those beginning a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry and for anyone wanting to spend some time in a cross cultural situation such as a short term mission. It includes some Social Anthroplogy background as well as an understanding of cross-cultural communication and approaching ministry in a new cultual setting. It will help the reader to understand world view and how to overcome the negative effects of adjusting to a new culture and come to an understanding of the customs and outlook on life of a new community of people. Included are insights into understanding the Jewish community as well as several other cultural groups.The Biblical feasts are included as well as an order of service for a Messianic Jewish Passover. Personal anecdotes are included of the author’s experience of cross-cultural ministry and life experiences in ministry.
Version 1.0.0
Please make a charitable donation toward Shalom Radio UK – towards running costs:
