During worship gatherings with others, a simple white cloth is worn (without any red color or red decorations on it). Red indicates divine separation due to the menstrual time. That is the only time women will wear red in their head covering during a public/private worship gathering.

Women usually wear dresses in both public (shopping, etc) and worship, although simply going out and about outside of a worship environment, it’s certainly fine to wear any kind of modest womens’ attire (dress, slacks, etc) In some of our cultures within the Assembly, women wear long baggy “pants”. There is a name for these but I can’t remember. It kind of reminds me of over sized pajama bottoms. The length of a modest dress/skirt has usually been defined as covering the knees when sitting; this means whether one is sitting or standing, the knees are covered. In cultures where men wear a wrap around covering, it too must cover the knees.

There are no “specific” rules. Most of the “rules” come from the moderate society in which the Essene resides. I know women in congregations in Syria and other areas in the Middle East generally frown upon the wearing of dresses that have a slit on either side, front or back, but in the West, a short slit in the dress is not seen as a problem.

During worship services neither women or men wear sleeveless shirts or any kind of shirts/blouses that would expose the shoulders and under arm. Revealing, low cut blouses or shirts should be avoided in the congregation (this goes for men too). Jewelry is fine as long as it’s not “gaudy” or seen as wearing it for some sort of pride thing. “Oh, look at my 10 pound glistening diamond ring!”

Ear rings are ok (not giant ones during worship – they are distracting), gigantic over-sized hats, etc. — anything that distracts us or anyone around us from focusing purely on their worship of Mar-Yah should generally be avoided.

Our mode of dress serves three purposes (other than simply covering and protecting ourselves from the elements of weather) …

1) To give honor and respect to Mar-Yah our Father,
2) to not disrespect or stumble our fellow brothers and sisters, and
3) never to bring reproach upon the congregation by those outside the Assembly who may observe our forms of attire or actions.

Children of the age where their parent(s) must choose clothes for them is generally simple, nothing elaborate. You don’t have to dress a girl in an expensive dress or put a suit coat and tie on a boy.

Going on a date I guess would depend on the environment of the place. A ball? That would require some rather not-so-simple attire, especially if it’s a very dress-up ball. It’s ok too because it is expected. Teacher conferences? I guess that depends on the nature of the community in which a person lives. Blue jeans, jogging suit, whatever is ok with the community as long as it doesn’t bring reproach upon the Name of our Father and to the congregation itself.

But what about a pool party? There are many different styles of bathing suits that are modest enough for all of us to wear.

Personally, and I am speaking from my own opinion in this last paragraph: I believe men should really avoid those bikini things, so should women and especially children – there are plenty of other styles that are less revealing. If it’s a personal private owned pool without neighbor observation or guests, wear as much or as little as you want since you are in private. The Assembly never dictates things we do in private as long as it is not sinful, hurting ourselves or others. Of course having a good Godly conscious we would never wish to wear a t-shirt or hat or any other clothing or jewelry that had a logo, image or some kind of phrase that was blasphemous.

Response by Sofer Yusef

Beginning Friday evening, on March 18th, is a High Shabbat. This is the last Sabbath of the sacred year; it is traditional to observe the last Shabbat as a High Sabbath giving thanks to Alaha for all He has done and provided us through the year. The time for lighting Shabbat candles is just before sun down in your own area. Rabban +Mar Ya’aqub says that 30 to 45 minutes before sundown is the time for lighting candles. Usually one needs to consult with a local sunset times chart to obtain the most accurate time for your own area. For example, you can use the Time & Date site to obtain sunrise and sunset times for your particular area.

The Spring Equinox begins on March 20th. Our New Year (Rosh Hashana) always begins the Wednesday following the Spring Equinox, which is on the evening of the 22nd with day observance on the 23rd.

Pesakh is observed on the 14 Rishono.

2. Oh my God, I call on You in the day; do You answer? And in the night, do You remain with me?

3. You are holy, and Israel will live in Your glory.

4. In You, my fathers trusted, they placed their trust in You and You delivered them.

5. To You they cried out and [they] were delivered; they trusted in You, and [they] were not confused.

6. I am a worm and not a man; scorned by men [like] filth among the people.

7. I watch all [of them] make fun [concerning] me, making faces with their lips and shaking their heads, saying:

8. In Mar-Yah he has placed his trust; let Him make the way open for him, if He is pleased in him.

19 February, Deuteronomy 7:12-16:17

26 February, Deuteronomy 16:18-25:19

5 March, Deuteronomy 26:1-30:20

12 March, Deuteronomy 31:1-32:52

19 March Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

“There are the worlds of the spirits which is covered with total darkness. Those who have performed works without having arrived at a proper knowledge of Mar-Yah and His religion, go, after death, to those worlds of the spirits and are given the opportunity to learn and to live and receive rest in the Lord. In this way, if they are successful in their learning, they are able to overcome death and never see it and sin does not walk behind them nor does she stand in the door of their houses. Such a man has overcome death, and he obtains immortality from Alaha. The door of Truth is covered with a golden seal. Open it, disciple! Open it so that you may behold the the True Light.”

What does it mean to be able to overcome death?

This is referring to being able to overcome the final death, complete obliteration, reserved for someone that does not accept knowledge provided to them by Mar-Yah. Notice the commentary reference for Mar Mattai 18:8-9… “The one who does not cross over from Sheol to Paradise and eventually into Heaven, crosses over into Gehinnom instead, for that one has not repented and his stripes are the worst to bear, and he bears his stripes for eternity and never enters into life.”

Does sin have a female gender?

Genesis 4:7 says “…If you do not do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” The word for sin is feminine. The term “it” can also be translated as “she”. Some English non-Essenes have interpreted the term “it” as referring to Cain’s brother, however, in Orthodox Essene commentaries, this is referring to the feminine sin, often a metaphor for the evil one, which is seen as a feminine entity, or at least, identified as such.

How can we open the door of Truth?

“Blessed is the man who has not walked in the direction of the wicked, and has not stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the contemptible ones. But his joy is only in the Aurayta d’Mar-Yah (Mar-Yah’s Torah), and he contemplates in his Aurayta day and night.”  (Psalm 1:1-2)

“Be in subjection to the Will of Alaha; if you stand firm against the evil one he (it/she) will flee from you. Draw close to Alaha and he will draw close to you.” (Igeret Ya’aqub, Book of Presence)

“If you do these observances in accordance with what I, Ya’aqub, have here written to you, you shall find favour with Alaha, walk in peace and your blessings from Maran shall increase.” (Sefer B’nai Or, Book of Presence)

“How can a young man cleanse his way? By observing Your commandments.” (Psalm 119:9-10)

“If you desire to obtain eternal life then you must fulfil the Torah and the Prophets.”  (Mar Mattai 19:21)

A Heartbeat Away

A heartbeat away.  A hair’s breadth.  The blink of an eye. So many people live in a state that is close to, but not actually within a covenant with Messiah. They exist only one heartbeat away from His Presence.  They are are only a hair’s breadth away from obedience.  They are only a blink of an eye from seeing Him.

This also means that what separates them from God, Messiah, a Covenant and eternity in joy and bliss is only a heartbeat; only a hair’s breadth on a blink of an eye away.

How many souls have lived and died, a heartbeat away from commitment to Messiah? How many have settled for a state that lies just outside His loving embrace? How many could open their eyes and have Him there in their lives?

How many? Too many. Too many to even count. Lost souls. Lost, not because they didn’t have all the opportunity in the world to turn to Him, but because they had all the time in the world, but chose, consciously, intentionally, to remain outside of His Covenant, to remain outside of His embrace.

There are no “almost saved” in heaven. No “very nearly faithful” in Olam Ha’Ba. Heaven, Paradise and Olam HaBa is only for those who are not only faithful, but who actively manifest this faith in their lives as Disciples of Yeshua.

We have entered an age where everyone is afraid to make a commitment – most  especially about faith. That same fear of commitment may seem to be a helpful tool to avoid false prophets, teachers and fly by night religious entities, but in the same instant, if Messiah returns tomorrow, all those who could not be bothered to make a commitment to Messiah will be left outside in the darkness. No special reprieve. No do over’s. Nothing. They will have had their chance and it will have come and gone.

A heartbeat away from salvation and then its all gone forever.

No one who believes in God, who longs for a place in the World to Come, should stand on the sidelines of life, waiting for a future time that may never come to embrace Messiah and His Halakha.

Standing one inch from the finish line is a terrible way to end the race. Standing out of arm’s reach of Messiah’s loving embrace is a terrible way to end your existence.

Another heartbeat, another opportunity to accept Him.

(Originally published October 14, 2008, by Rabban +Mar Andreos)

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“There are two ways, one of life and one of death; but there is certainly a great difference between these two ways. The way of life, then, is this: First, you shall love Alaha who made you; second, your neighbour as yourself; and you should never do to others, what you yourself would not want done to you by others.” (Limudah)

Targum on the Limudah

This is the way of life: In the beginning you should know to love Alaha who is your Creator; the next is that you should love your neighbour as if he were yourself; and you should never treat others in a way that you would not want them to treat you.

The love of Alaha and the love of one’s neighbour has always been a central theme in the Faith of the Holy Assembly of Jerusalem. We are taught that, in the time of ancient Israel, King David boiled the Mitzvoth down to just eleven parts (Psalm 15:1-5); the Prophet Micah boiled them down to three (6:8), the Prophet Isaiah to two (56:1), the Prophets Amos (5:4) and Habakkuk (2:4) to just one each.

“You shall not bear any enmity against the children of your own people, but you shall love your neighbour as yourself; I am Mar-Yah.” (Leviticus 19:18)

In Pirke Avoth (Ethics of the Fathers) we see the importance of this theme with the following verse: “The honour of your fellow man should be as valuable to you as that of your own, and do not be easy to anger…The possessions of your fellow man should be as precious to you as that of your own.”

This first verse in Limudah is a reiteration of Rabbeinu Yeshua’s words which can be found in the 22nd chapter of Mar Mattai:

“When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they assembled together, and asked one of them, who knew the Aurayta [Torah], to test him: “Rabbi, which mitzvah is the greatest in the Aurayta?” Yeshua said to him: “You shall love Mar-Yah your Alaha, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and first mitzvah. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. On these two mitzvoth hang the Aurayta and the Prophets.”

We are also taught by Rabbeinu Yeshua, “If therefore you are offering your gift at the altar, and remember that your brother holds a grudge against you, leave your offering there upon the altar, and first go to be reconciled with your brother, and then come offer your offering; for it is a great sin to cause distress to the spirit of your brother. (Mar Mattai 5:23,24) In the sixth chapter of Mar Mattai, we read Mshikha’s words: “If you forgive men their wrongdoing, your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their wrongdoing, neither will your Father forgive your wrongdoing.” (6:14,15).

The story of Joseph receiving his brothers is a beautiful and praiseworthy example of forgiveness and love for one’s fellow-man. According to the Scriptures Yoseph’s brothers had sold him into slavery in Egypt as a youth. There he rose to become one of the most powerful ministers of the land. When his brothers came of Egypt during a year of famine to request food, Yoseph revealed himself to them.

Psalm 15:1-5 (Ketava d’Mazmore d’Dawid)

1 Oh Mar-Yah, who dwells in your tabernacle? Who dwells in your holy hill?

2 He who walks blameless, does the works of righteousness and speaks the truth from his heart;

3 who does not deceive with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbour, or accepts bribes from his neighbour;

4 one in whose sight, the one who causes wrath, is despicable, but honours those who do reverence to Mar-Yah, he who swears to his neighbor without lying;

5 who does not lend money with interest, or accepts a bribe against the innocent. Whoever does these things walks justly, and will never be shaken.

—

Micah 6:8 (Ketava d’Mikha Nebya)

It has been shown to you, oh son of man, that which is good – that which Mar-Yah requires of you: To do justice, love mercy and always ready to follow Mar-Yah your God.

—

Isaiah 56:1 (Ketava d’Eshaya Nebya)

Thus says Mar-Yah: maintain law and do the work of righteousness, for my salvation is near to come, and my righteousness is about to be revealed.

—

Amos 5:4 (Ketava d’Amos Nebya)

Therefore, thus says Mar-Yah to the House of Yisrael, Seek me and live.

—

Habakkuk 2:4 (Ketava d’Khabkok Nebya)

His soul has no pleasure in wickedness, but the righteous one shall be saved by faith.

(By Br. Michael)

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1. Get at least six hours of sleep fitted around your schedule, waking in the early hours for a vigil.

2. Let Alaha have your first waking thought

3. Do your ablutions

4. Dress simply

5. Read at least a chapter of the Scriptures, meditate or engage in religious conversation while preparing to work for the day.

6. Offer morning prayers (perform 4 times daily…morning, midday, evening and a midnight prayer)
a. The Shma
b. The Lord’s Prayer
c. Read a part of Scripture in context
d. Apply Divine Reading (reading Scripture and mediating upon the words)
e. Read or sing a Psalm
f. Pour out yourselves in prayer

7. Renew your intentions and remembrance that when you set yourselves to your days work that you will do no work you cannot entitle to Alaha. All of your labor must be the labor of a traveler who has no roots in the fallen world but who works to make his/her passage to the Kingdom of Heaven and that whatever you do, you do all to the glory of Alaha.

8. Every action you take, no matter how small should begin with the prayer invoking Alaha’s blessing “In the Name of the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.” It is encouraged that you make the Sign of the Cross every time you make this invocation. Some traditions do not use this but as long as the invocation is made that is enough. It can be said verbally or mentally.

9. Know your weaknesses and temptations and watch against them daily. Pay special attention against the breaking of Mitzvoth, blasphemy, wickedness, perversion, pride, vanity, spiritual death, lust, materialism, deceit, anger, violence, injustice and cruelty.

10. If you are alone in your work, use the time for fruitful and practical meditations: the love of Alaha through Mshikha.

11. Say the Yeshuan Prayer constantly. Whether verbally or mentally. You may use a prayer rope or simply say it without counting. The Yeshuan Prayer is “Adonai Yeshua bar Alaha, have mercy upon me, a sinner.” Say this whenever and wherever possible, and as often as possible so that it becomes your breath and your heartbeat. You become this prayer.

12. Whatever you do in the day, let your internal focus be on the discipline of the soul and your external focus be on performing your duties. Do not be a victim of barren thoughts or words.

13. Do not waste time in vanities, getting lost in useless thoughts, losing time in pointless conversation, and meaningless actions.

14. Eat and drink with moderation and temperance, for health and not pleasure. A way to hit the main points of thinking of it as the “KISH” diet (Kosher, Inexpensive, Small and Healthy). Never eat to appease your appetite only to satisfy your hunger. Do not use intoxicants as a means of appeasing your hunger. Praise Alaha for your food before you eat, and thank Mar-Yah, praying for the sustenance of others after you finish.

15. When you are overcome by any temptation and you make mistakes because of this, immediately confess to Alaha and to your fellow brother that you have sinned against them and as soon as humanly possible seek to repent, removing further opportunities to sin and making things right to the best of your ability.

16. Be attentive to the special needs of those in your life: spouses, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, extended family, friends, coworkers and the people of your congregation. Show that you are thankful that Mar-Yah has placed these people in your life. To value their company, to learn from them (both what to do and not to do sometimes). Use their fellowship as a means to be better servants, but if they seek to bar your focus from your life as a Disciple of Yeshua, be separate from them, till they are reconciled with Alaha.

17. In the evening, return to the worshiping of Alaha both in the social setting (whether in your home or with a group of disciples) and also privately as this was done in the morning. Offer your prayers, receive instruction from the Holy Scriptures. Practice Divine Reading. Offer personal petitions to Maran, etc.

18. If you have any impediment that hinders you from one day or time from fulfilling your service to Alaha, make this up as soon as possible at the next appointed time, adding that to the next appointed time. Take advantage of extraordinary assistance available to you, making use of:

*Religious lectures or lessons
*Sermons
*Services
*Religious writings
*Conversations with righteous people

19. In the fallen world, there are many types of media: good, bad and neutral. Your use of media should be conscious and positive for your world view and not vain and destructive. If your use of media (movies, television, books, music, etc.) is not edifying to the mind and soul, then it is in vain and should be avoided. There are also many forms of media that are “Gray Areas”, they have a mixture of good, bad and neutral material. If you are confused as to whether this media is beneficial or at least neutral as opposed to negative or harmful, review the specific movie, show, book, song etc, and judge this piece of media by the number of positive, neutral or negative elements. A greater percentage of positive elements means it is worthwhile for you. A greater percentage of neutral elements means it is vain and pointless and a greater percentage of negative elements means it is destructive and harmful for you. NOTE: Give special marks for those elements that stay with you (Positive or Negative), they should get a double score in either direction. Greater percentages of negative or vain forms of media should be removed from your life, generally positive and spiritually edifying media should be emphasized and if there is none, better to spend time in mediation, contemplation, study and reflection.

20. Before you fall asleep, review your day: your actions and the mercies you received throughout that day. Make sure to offer thanks for those tender mercies. Also make sure to be open and honest about where you stumbled so that you may humbly seek forgiveness for your sins and then you can renew your commitment to be even more obedient to Alaha tomorrow.

21. As a helpful tool, you may want to have a journal or log by your bedside – a “Mercy and Sin Journal”, to write down those daily mercies you received and also those areas where you stumbled. So that you may examine yourself to whether your soul grows better or worse, whether sin is going down and grace is rising or not, whether you may be any better prepared for suffering and death. Do not waste too much time in the ordinary accounts of your life, (those neutral things that happen everyday, focusing on these tend to distract from the real mercies and real stand out issues you need to learn from).

22. Make it a habit to offer a general confession for those many instances throughout the day where you may have sinned in thought, word or deed that you cannot recall. Admitting that in a fallen state, even the memory from time to time betrays us. Also offer a general prayer of thanksgiving for those many mercies throughout the day where Mar-Yah Alaha blessed you, but you may have overlooked, again due to the deceptive and selective nature of the memory.

23. In your daily journal of your sins and mercies, bring to light those that standout – mercies and sins that have stayed with you first and foremost, focusing on the others in descending order based on their impact with you.

24. While your journal is private, those sins and mercies that you would not want others to know, retain only in the mind – not in writing in case someone has occasion to read your journal. (You may use a code that only you know for information you do not want others to read. This way even if someone happened upon your journal, they would never be able to decipher your abbreviations or code. If you have a safe spot to place your journal, then by all means write openly because this is only between you and Alaha.

25. When you prepare yourself to sleep, again commit yourselves to Alaha through Mshikha and crave His protection and close up they day with some holy exercise of faith and love. Saying the Yeshuan prayer and seeing Mshikha in your mind’s eye. Let Him be the first image you see mentally when you wake and the last image you see when you fall asleep.

26. Wake in the middle of the night, perform your ablutions and with lamp lit (this can be a candle or candles) and sandals near you, offer special prayer and remain in vigil for an appointed time to mark the potential and immanent return of Yeshua who may came at any moment. Read Scripture that reminds you of His Divine Presence and reminds of this immanent return. This should be in an area where you reserve for your prayers, study or worship. Upon your completion of this sentry duty, return to sleep in the peace of Yeshua.

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We post a lot of information for the Assembly of Jerusalem, a lot about Orthodox Essenism, about following Yeshua, about the Torah of Mosha Sealed in the Blood of the Lamb. We do this so often, that it begs the question, “Who is this information for?” Who? Anyone who will read it, think about it and use it in their lives.

If you were a person who were one of the elect, the information of the Orthodox Essenes would call to you, a song that only a few people can hear. A drink of cool water to the thirsty.

Making one’s home with the Essenes was a personal choice, and it was not for everyone, simply because not everyone was called to this Tribe. Only they were able to determine that for themselves.

But the information shared with the world is not strictly about bringing people into the Holy Tribe. It is also our responsibility to share the Truth of the Essene Way of Life with all those who will listen. Others will have their say, about who we are, and what we mean, but base your judgement on what we say for ourselves and then make your determination.

We call those who come from non-Messianic Judaism, to honour the Covenant of Sinai. To live Torah Judaism as they were called to, in the age of Moses, Aaron and Miriam. To honour Hillelite rulings in regard to Torah. There are many individuals in Temani, Mizrachi and Sephardic sects of Judaism, while not Essene, do strive to live in Covenant with Mar-Yah through the Covenant of Sinai. For this community, we only seek fellowship to call them to stay faithful to this covenant.

For those who come from one of the many self-styled Essene groups in the world, we call them to honour the Covenant of Kirbat Qumran, made with the Teacher of Righteousness. If they do not view Yeshua as Messiah, and this covenant was made before the birth of Yeshua, then honouring the Original intent of this Covenant is in their best interest. This means embracing Torah Observance because to claim to be an Essene but to deny Torah Observance, is to completely misunderstand what an Essene really is.

For the Christian who takes Christ as their Lord and Saviour, and while they can see validity in the message of the Essenes, they cannot see themselves moving beyond their current religious affiliation. They are comfortable in their church, congregation, denomination etc., what we call this person to is to honour the Covenant of St. James for the Gentiles, that being the Didache (Limudah). With their Bible in one hand and the Didache in the other, they have all they need to Walk the Narrow Path and secure a place in the Kingdom of Heaven if they are fully committed to Yeshua in love and obedience.

These are not different messages to different people. It is One Message to All People:
“Honour your Covenant with God”

How can a person claim to be a child of Abraham if they do not observe Torah?

How can a person claim to be an Essene if they do not observe Torah?

How can a person claim to be covered under the Brith Chadasha not observe Torah? How can a gentile claim to be a child of Yeshua and not walk the Path of Light laid out in the Covenant of St. James?

There is no Jewish, no Essene congregation on earth that is not called upon by God, to Torah Observance. There is no Christian church or congregation on earth that is not called upon, by Yeshua, to walk the Path of Light laid out in the Didache. That is the truth. Anything other than this is outside of a covenant with the One God.

God is well within His rights to dismiss any person or group that seeks to reject His Covenant or who seeks to reinterpret the requirements of that covenant to suit their own needs. There are far too many religious institutions and teachers who fall under this category. Honour your Covenant with God and He will Keep His promise to you. Reject your covenant with God and He owes you nothing.

There may be something comforting to people who believe that, by birth they are automatically secured a place in heaven, or that because of a rite, or affirmation at one time in your life, that you are promised heaven. These are comforting fairy tales, but like all fairy tales, they are not true. No child of Abraham is getting into heaven if He rejects Torah Observance. No Follower of Yeshua is getting into heaven if he rejects the Way of Light described in the Didache. Only Yeshua, in the final analysis, will be able to discern if a soul has something within them that warrants life beyond the grave, but what He does require has already been spelled out in God’s Covenants. There won’t be a completely different set of criteria created for people who just couldn’t be bothered to honour one of His established covenants with mankind…something to think about.

By Rabban +Mar Andreos