Congregation of Israel

[Shimon]

“In the wilderness of Sinai, on the first day of the second month, in the second year from the Exodus from the land of Egypt, AD’NAI spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting saying, ‘Do a head count of all the community of Bnei-Yisrael.”

– Numbers 1:1-2, Tree of Life Version

The congregation (adus) of Israel are to serve as a testimony, in and of themselves, to the Kavod (Glory) of G’d. The Hebrew word, adus means testimony; and, is also used in reference to the Ark – the Ark of Testimony – because the Ark contained the tablets of the Decalogue (Ten Commandments). The Commandments are the testimony, received by Moses, and delivered to the B’nei Yisrael at Sinai. Additionally, we, ourselves are a testimony to the L’RD when we follow the commandments. In our own lives, we give glory (kavod) to the L’RD, by serving as an example, of the level of kedushah (holiness) bestowed upon us at Har Sinai (Mount Sinai).

At the time B’nei Yisrael left Egypt, the L’RD counted them (Exodus 12: 37). After the incident of the golden egel (calf), the L’RD took another census to see how many were left, after the transgressors were fallen. And, now, one month after the completion of the Mishkan, where the L’RD’s Divine Presence, the Shechinah rests. It as if to say, that since His Presence dwells amidst B’nei Yisrael, by way of the Mishkan, they have been elevated to a new level of kedushah (holiness) and are even more treasured by the L’RD.

Rashi specifically comments that the L’RD counts B’nei Yisrael because they are dear to him. Ostensibly, B’nei Yisrael was counted, at this time, to find out how many men were eligible to go to war. The Levites were counted separately, for their calling was in service to the L’RD; they were not required to go to war – they were the guardians of the Mishkan (Tanernacle). As such, their responsibilities precluded them from serving in the Legion. They protected the Mishkan.

“The testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world, and most especially toward you, with simplicity and godly sincerity.”

• 2 Corinthians 1:12, Tree of Life Version

The first time that the word adus appears in all of Torah is when the L’RD gives the commandment to the congregation (adus) of Israel, concerning a lamb that is to be taken by each family, and slaughtered (Exodus 12:3). Its blood would then be placed on the doorway, as a sign, whereby the Angel of Death would not destroy the firstborn in the homes protected by the blood of the lamb. This implies not only a redemption for the firstborn, whose lives were spared; all of B’nei Yisrael was redeemed as a people, from slavery in Egypt, in order to begin serving the L’RD as an adus – a congregation – in the Wilderness.

We became an adus, a congregation, at that time, because of our “testimony,” in regard to the placement of the blood of the lamb on the doorways of our homes. Today, a mezuzah is placed upon our doorways, another sign of our faithfulness to the L’RD’s commandments. It was through emunah (faith) that B’nei Yisrael slaughtered a lamb, according to the L’RD’s commandment, trusting in the L’RD for protection against the plague of death. This trust enabled them to boldly place the blood in a visible manner, upon the entranceways of their homes.

This show of trust in the L’RD, and act of faith in his promise of redemption – “I will redeem you with an outstretched arm” (Exodus 6:6, TLV) – rendered B’nei Yisrael an (adus) a unique congregation of people, who trusted in their redemption, as understood by their emunah (faith), concerning the Pesach lamb. “By trusting, he [Moses] obeyed the requirements for the Pesach, including the smearing of the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel” (Hebrews 11:28, CJB).

The Pesach adus, a national offering described by chazal (the sages) as the quintessential korban (offering), foreshadows the ultimate korban (offering) made for all of Israel: “and he was brought like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). Through this offering we may obtain the redemption given to us when we place our trust in the provision given to us through the blood of the Lamb.

“Whom G-d set forth as a kapporah through emunah (faith) in the dahm (blood) of Moshiach, to demonstrate the Tzedek Olamim, the Tzidkat H’Shem (righteousness of G-d) in pasach (passing over, letting go the penalty of) the averos (sins) committed in former times”

• Kehillah in Rome 3:25, Orthodox Jewish Bible

[Shimon]

Yes, a shadow that continually points toward the truth, every year, when I celebrate Passover. And, what better time for me, and anyone "likeminded" to partake of communion, on the very Holy Day that Yeshua instituted communion.

[Shimon]

I am a "natural branch."

please, see Romans 11:24

[PeterR]

6 hours ago, Shimon said:

I am a "natural branch."

please, see Romans 11:24

I do not understand. Does this mean that you, being aware of the wrath of God that comes upon Israel according to the flesh, consciously reject the grace that we have received in and through our Lord Jesus Christ?

Isn't it about those Romans 11 talks about?

 

Rom 11:28  As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 

Rom 11:11  I say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to provoke them to jealousy.

Rom 11:7-8  What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded 
(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day.

Rom 5:9-10  Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 
For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

[Shimon]

You're confused. Paul is saying in 11:24 that a natural branch, i.e., an Israelite (Jewish person) can be grafted back into Israel through belief in Messiah. 

[Michael37]

1 hour ago, Shimon said:

You're confused. Paul is saying in 11:24 that a natural branch, i.e., an Israelite (Jewish person) can be grafted back into Israel through belief in Messiah. 

Interesting that branches on the good olive tree became unbelieving, and were removed. Like most metaphors, the intended meaning is limited in aspect.

The good olive tree has a holy root from which the believing Jew and Gentile partake.

Rom 11:17  But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and became partaker with them of the root and of the richness of the olive tree;
Rom 11:18  don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you.

Unbelieving Israel stopped partaking of the holy root and became dead.

Rom 11:15  For if the rejection of them is the reconciling of the world, what would their acceptance be, but life from the dead?
 

 

[PeterR]

2 hours ago, Shimon said:

You're confused. Paul is saying in 11:24 that a natural branch, i.e., an Israelite (Jewish person) can be grafted back into Israel through belief in Messiah. 

Jewish persons? They certainly can. And they will be.

Gal 3:24-28  
Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 
But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. 
For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.

 

Heb 12:14  Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord