(It is our policy not to divulge either the names or locations of those who write us, unless requested by the writer. Hebrew Roots reserves the right to condense letters to save space. Every effort will be made to retain the essence of the communication. Responses to the letters may be for clarification, or for the general edification of our readership and are not necessarily directed toward the person writing the letter.)

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Dear Mr. and Mrs. Wheelock,
      I am writing to request that I be placed on your list of recipients, of your wonderful publication, "Hebrew Roots." I’ve only actually read three issues of Hebrew Roots. But what I read in them was very eye opening, it cleared up more than a few misconceptions I was struggling with.
      This confusion is very wide spread, more than I realized, until I had the great fortune to read Hebrew Roots. I was particularly elated to read in "A View from Beit Shalom," July/August, 1996, a passage from that column, where I’ll quote you as saying: "One rather troubling aspect of entering into this venture is to learn how very hurt so many people are from their past church experiences. Some are bitter, some are angry, some have taken up with doctrines that promote hostility towards other groups of people."
      I was ecstatic when I read that because it described so well my situation as Christianity was concerned two years ago. I feel we don’t have any business in following secular Christianity anymore. That’s what me and a few others call contemporary Christianity. Why bother even going to established churches in quest of salvation? The truth is that it’s not going to be found within their walls. Keep up the good work. Thank you for your time and attention.
            Respectfully Yours,

           FE

Shalom Aleichem FE,
      Thank you for your thoughtful letter. What all of us need to understand is that no church organization can deliver salvation to us. Salvation can only come from a personal relationship with our Savior, Yeshua HaMashiach, and the forgiveness of our sins through His shed blood.
      Sometimes, when we as individuals begin to follow more closely the instruction book of God (the Torah), we find ourselves at odds with the leadership, or fellow members of the churches we have been attending. At times, the only recourse is to separate. However; "If it be possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men." (Rom.12:18)
      God is working with many different people, in many different churches, and in many different ways. When did He first start working with you? Probably when you were still attending one of those ‘Contemporary Christian Churches.’ Chances are, He is also working with many others in those same congregations, but they may not be as far along in their understanding as you presently are, so they may seem to you to be lost in the ‘fluffy’ world of feel-good religion.
      One of the main things that 1 have learned over the years, is that 1 never, ever, knew as much as I thought I knew. I look back a few years and say to myself; "How could I have ever believed that?" I am sure that in the future there will be things that I hold true and dear to my heart at this very moment of which I will say the very same thing again. Then, when we all arrive in the fullness of the Kingdom of God, we will look back at the apex of our human understand and say; "We were such babes."
      Though attending your old congregations may not be possible for you at this stage of your life, please remember this: If and when you do attend, you can be a light that God uses to reach out to them, to help them see an even better way of life than the one they are currently following. To do this requires a spirit of love and not one of condemnation.
      May God richly bless you in your spiritual walk.
            May the peace of God
            be with you always,

            DEW

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Hi Mr. Wheelock,
      Thanks for the tapes. They are great. I am learning a lot.
In your tape "Jacob’s Appointed Times," you said it was in the fall when Jacob left Laban. Gen. 31:19 says Laban had gone to shear his sheep. I want to ask, when did they shear their sheep? Was it in the spring? Would they have sheared their sheep in the fall with winter coming on? It looks like to me they would have sheared the sheep in the spring time, to get off the winter coat.
      It looks like to me it could be the week of Unleavened Bread, Laban overtook Jacob in seven days, Gen. 31:23.
      What do you think?
      Let me know if you have time.

            WG

Shalom Aleichem WG,
      I think you are absolutely correct in your reading of the Genesis story about when Jacob left Laban’s land. it is always quite amazing to me to realize how often we overlook little details that are placed there to give us dues as to what is going on.
      At first your letter left me with a dilemma. if that was not the time in Jacob’s life that represented Rosh HaShanah, (the Feast of Trumpets) then what was? interestingly enough, the answer came as I was preparing one of the tapes offered last time; the one entitled: Love Song of the Messiah.
      In the Song of Songs, the bride does a dance for her Husband coiled the Dance of Mahanaim. This puzzled me until I looked up Mahanaim in the concordance and found that it was often used as a place of safety and security. This is the very place where Jacob stopped when he first reentered the promised land. it is also the city to which King David fled when he had to leave Jerusalem due to the rebellion of Absalom.
      "So Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him. When Jacob saw them, he said, ‘This is God’s camp.’ And he called the name of that place Mahanaim." (Gen. 32:1-2)

      The word Mahanaim means "double camp, or two camps." According to Jewish tradition, at this time the company of angels that had been with Jacob, while he was in Laban’s land, left him and a new group joined him as he entered back into the land of Canaan. I believe this pictures the great resurrection of the saints that will take place on Rosh HaShanah, when we will be taken to a place of safety and security for our wedding to Yeshua HaMashiach.
      Thanks for your input. I especially appreciate the fact that you gave me this needed information in a loving way, not condemning my mistake. We pray that others can learn and benefit from your example. it certainly makes for a more peaceful Bride.
            May the peace of God
            be with you always,

            DEW

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Dear Mr. & Mrs. Wheelock,
      We hope your Newsletter will continue. Also, that you continue learning -- growing in knowledge and truth to inform God’s children.
      We too, have been slowly learning and observing Yeshua’s lifestyle into our way of worship of Him. The Holy days also, indeed need to be correct.
      Thanks for your hard work, this last newsletter was the best so far.
            Your friends,

            J & IP

Shalom Aleichem J & IP,
      Thank you for your kind letter. Certainly it is important that we all continue to ‘grow in grace and knowledge,’ but it is even more important to grow in love. However, along the way we all make mistakes. Sometimes those mistakes are much better teachers than getting everything right all the time. A good example is the letter from WG, where he pointed out an error. You can bet that I will never read that passage again without that fact coming to my mind. Praise HaShem (the Name) and thank you for your support.
            May the peace of God
            be with you always,

            DEW

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Dear Dean & Susan,
      Thank you so much for sending me Hebrew Roots with the article about "Oil For Our Lamps." It’s excellent and an answer to me from God. The week before I asked God to explain this parable to me. The reason I asked is because about a week before that it came to me to pray that I would be one of the five wise virgins. I began to pray and mentioned this to a friend. She told me I was wrong, that we weren’t the virgins but Israel (Jews) were. This led me to cry out to God for an explanation and then your newsletter came days later for the first time. I knew it was God’s answer to me.
      I am including many Christians who would so appreciate this newsletter. God bless you and keep up this great work!
            Your sister in Yeshua,

            LB

Shalom Aleichem LB,
      It is always comforting to us to hear that something that appeared in Hebrew Roots has been helpful to another member of the Body.
      At times, people (who do not have the same understanding of scripture as we might have) say things that quench our spirit and kill our hope. This is usually not intentional, but results from the natural desire for people to want others to see things the same way they see them.
      The Apostle Paul said:
      "For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
      "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise." (Gal. 3:26-29)

      I believe with all my heart that the five virgins represent the entire Bride of Messiah, both Jew and Gentile. Let no man steal your crown.
      Thank you for the many names you sent us. Since Hebrew Roots does not advertise, the only way news of our publication spreads is through people like you who send us names of those whom they believe would both benefit from, and appreciate receiving, this publication.
      We have sent each of them the first and latest issues, and a Materials Request Form. If they wish to remain on the mailing list they simply need to contact us. Otherwise, this present issue will probably be the last one they will receive.
            May the peace of God
            be with you always,

            DEW

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Dear Dean & Susan,
      Thank you very much for the literature and tapes you have sent us -- we truly appreciate it!!!
      We’ve often wondered how it was for Jesus during His life as a small boy growing up into manhood -- on into the years of His association with His disciples -- everything about Him, His family and the ‘time’ in which He lived His life. Never dreamed that one day we would receive a package in our mail containing literature and tapes on this subject. We’ve enjoyed every bit of the literature we've read, and your tapes, and are looking forward to receiving whatever more you may wish to offer.
      We pray that our heavenly father will surround you and your loved ones with His everlasting love and protection, and bless you with good health always.
            With love,

            C & AR

Shalom Aleichem C & AR,
      Thank you for making our day with your kind words, but especially with the knowledge that you are taking a part of your allotted time on this earth to offer up prayers on our behalf.
            May the peace of God
            be with you always,

            DEW

~ ~ ~

~ Baruch HaShem ~

Dear Bro. Dean & Sister Susan,
      I have been reading Hebrew Roots and I am learning in depth re: the Bible. I would like to share with you some truths I have learned also.
      The first one is re: our creator's name. His name is Yahweh. The Jews believed it was to holy to pronounce and so they used Adonai. If you notice in the bible Yahweh talks all the time about his name. My People shall know my name, my people shall call upon my name and etc.. The son of Yahweh’s name is "Yahshua." He said "I come in my fathers name." In Hebrew ‘shua’ is Saviour. So it is Saviour of Yah.
      The Jews use "Yeshua" because they won’t use "Yahshua" because again of the "Yah" being to holy to pronounce.
      I also would like to point out that Yahweh is not a "god." He is the creator of Heaven and Earth. He also is not a "Lord." These are pagan titles. We can call Yahweh our El, or Elohim, our Almighty and of course our Creator and our Father.
      When people use God and Lord to me, I ask them what is your God’s name or your Lord’s name? There are Gods many and Lords many in this world, but only one creator.
            May Yahweh Bless
            you both,

            VW

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Mr. Wheelock,
      First let me say that I enjoy and benefit from your Hebrew Roots publication. I appreciate the time and effort that goes into it.
      But there is one thing that seems strange to me, you use many Hebrew names and phrases and words, which is good. A lot of times the Hebrew has a lot more meaning, especially names, i.e. Yahshua as opposed to Jesus.
      But I’m curious as to why you use Yahshua (Yeshua), but you don’t use Yahweh or Elohim. Names are important, names carry a lot of meaning.
      Well, thanks for your time, and may Yahweh bless you and your efforts.
            MD

~

Hebrew Roots:
      I’ve enjoyed quite a few articles in your magazine, however, something on page 8, column 2, paragraph I of the Nov./Dec. 1997 issue stood out in a negative way. I quote the paragraph: "Are there any members of the Bride of Messiah today who stand guilty of desecrating God’s name? If so, complete repentance and a change of behavior is required." While I have no argument that there are many ways of desecrating the Father’s name, I’d also have to say that you are guilty of doing the same by almost totally leaving it out of your publication, especially when we all know that the name was in scripture in each place where we find LORD in capital letters today. YHVH told of a time in which the prophets caused the people to forget His name in Jer. 23:27 and other places, and while I am not trying to advocate which pronunciation is correct, or even which spelling of the tetragrammaton, I cannot help but feel that upholding the removal and replacement of the name is certainly doing that. Moreover, when one really studies out what it means to take the name in vain, removing and almost never using it would also render one guilty just as much so as the indiscriminate use thereof.
            HA

~

Dear Dean & Susan,
      Thank you for sending me two issues of "Hebrew Roots" and the list of past issues and tapes. I want them all.
      I found your attitudes open and refreshing -- a welcome change from those of some others who continually excoriate those true believers who are not followers of their own brand of ‘truth.’
      I am more than a little cautious about your use of Hebrew names and "roots." Some brethren have so avidly sought for spiritual nourishment since the ___ debacle that they have mistakenly gone back to Judaism or into the "Sacred Names" heresy thinking that God is a Jew. He isn’t, and He doesn’t want us to be.
      Taken from the historical perspective I think your information is helpful, but please reconsider your use of Hebrew words and names alone. It will confuse some, turn others off to your writings, and may reinforce the use of so-called sacred names by some. Why not: Jesus (Yeshua) etc.? In that way all bases would be covered.
      Thank you for your love of God’s family and your efforts to bring us all closer to Christ.
            AE

~

Shalom Aleichem VW, MD, HA &AE,
      Thank you all for taking the time and making the effort to express your thoughts about "The Name." I appreciate your generally non-condemning attitude, although I do take issue with HA’s statement that not using the "Name" of the Creator in print is a form of desecration. In my humble opinion, it is a form of respect, because of what He Himself spoke to the children of Israel at Mount Sinai:
      "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain."
(Ex. 20:7)

      Personally, I would rather fail on the side of to little public usage rather than to much, thereby making the ‘sacred’ name of YHVH to be so common that crude people begin using it in the form of a curse the way they do with some of the English counterparts.
      Of course, as VW points out, the English words "God" and "Lord" are titles or descriptions and not actual names. However, the same is true of the Hebrew words "El" and "Elohim." I find it difficult to understand why some feel it is all right to use "El" and "Elohim" but not the English equivalent, "God." Take a good Hebrew concordance and study all of the usage’s of the word "Elohim" you will find that it is used, in the Pages of the Bible to describe: "other gods," "the judges," "strange gods," "molten images," and "men." This is why it is so important to identify that we worship the "God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob."
      Much the same can be said for the word Lord ("Adonai" in Hebrew). Many people object to this word, saying it is of pagan origin. However, once again the Bible uses the Hebrew word "Adonai" to identify both the "Creator God," and "my master" (meaning a man)." Of course, for some, the pagan god Baal was their "adonai" or "lord," but that did not prevent the use of the word Adonai to represent YHVH in Scripture. Since HaShem (the Name) is not fussy about the usage of these words in Hebrew, I do not feel the need to be fussy about the English equivalents.
      Now to the tetragrammaton, the "" (YHVH) which is translated in our English Bibles as ‘LORD.’ with all capital letters. Currently the most popular pronunciation of this name is "Yahweh." However, I am totally convinced this is not the correct pronunciation. This is why I never use that form of ‘the Name’ in my own writings, but only when quoting others. The correct pronunciation of ‘the Name’ has been hidden for centuries, and we may never know how to correctly pronounce it before Messiah returns. Perhaps our Father in heaven got tired of hearing people use His name in a vain way, and therefore caused it to be hidden.
      We do know that the first syllable of ‘the Name’ is probably "Yah." But should we go around using this name in public? Many Hebrew names end with the suffix "yahu" (pronounced ‘yah-hoo’). For example, Isaiah’s name in Hebrew is Yehsha’yahu. in English we use that word (Yahoo) to define a person who is regarded as "crude or brutish." I believe this is a blatant form of taking the LORD’s name in vain, for it uses a derivative of God’s Name to identify people who are the antithesis of God.
      I do not wish to be part of furthering the taking of His Name in vain by printing it in our publication. Rather I prefer, like the Jews, not to use it at all in a public way. How I use ‘the Name’ in the privacy of my own home, in prayer, or in Scripture reading, is another matter. That is between HaShem (The Name) and myself.
      Is it really necessary for Believers to actually Pronounce the name of the Creator God in public? After all, we now have a Father/child relationship with Him. I never called my physical father Emory, although that was his name. Nor do my adult children call me Dean or Mr. Wheelock. I called my father ‘Dad,’ or ‘Daddy,’ or ‘Pa.’ I believe we have the proper example of how we should address the Father in the following scripture:
      "For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.'"
(Rom. 8:15)

      However, this does not answer the question about what word to use when writing about God in a publication. We have tried a number of ways; ‘God,’ ‘the Creator,’ ‘our Father,’ ‘YHVH,’ ‘HaShem’ and ‘the Eternal,’ and probably some others I cannot remember right now. Personally, I like the expression HaShem, for it simply means ‘the Name.’ To me it gives a sense of reverence to God’s ‘Name’ without making its usage too common. However, we must also not ignore the other example that is set for us in the Greek Scriptures. All of the apostles and writers of the New Testament used the Greek word ‘Theos,’ of which our English equivalent is ‘God.’ As the old saying goes, "If it’s good enough for the apostles, it’s good enough for me."
      As to the correct spelling of the Hebrew name for Jesus, we could probably also disagree about that until He returns. We prefer to use the common Messianic Jewish form, which is ‘Yeshua.’ VW would like us to use ‘Yahshua.’ Another reader, not quoted here, would like us to use ‘Yahoshua.’ Still others want ‘Yehoshua.’
      I would like to also make a comment concerning the name ‘Jesus,’ and the title ‘Christ.’ Jesus is the Anglicized name form of the Greek name for Yeshua, ‘Ieasous.’ All names go through transformations between languages. Thus, Miriam in Hebrew becomes Mary in English and Maria in Spanish. ‘Christ’ is the Anglicized form of the Greek word ‘Christos,’ which merely means Messiah (Mashiach in Hebrew).
      Thirty years ago I was baptized in the name of "Jesus Christ." I did not even know that His Hebrew name was Yeshua, or that His Hebrew title was Mashiach. Were I to be baptized today I would prefer the Hebrew name and title be used. However, I am not going to be re-baptized just because I have now learned what my Saviour’s name is in-Hebrew. ‘Jesus Christ’ is still the most excellent name in the English language.
      AE expressed concern that we use to many Hebrew words and names. I understand the frustration, I had the same reaction when I first began to study into the Hebrew roots of the Faith. However, I found that after becoming more familiar with the Hebrew, it actually enhanced my ability to think in a more Hebraic manner. I believe this is necessary if we desire to more fully understand what Yeshua and the other Jewish writers of the New Testament were trying to teach the Believing community. The Hebrew mind is much different than our western civilization mind set, which is really descended from the cultures of Greece and Rome, and is a block to our full understanding of the Scriptures. Even the Greek New Testament is full of Hebrew idioms. if we do not recognize them, we are bound to lose a certain amount of the message they were meant to convey.
      As to the statement that God is not a Jew, of course He is not. He is the Creator of the Jews, just as He is of all the races. However, Yeshua certainly came to this earth as a properly observant Jew. Not exactly the way some of the Pharisees would like to have seen Him, but the way He was supposed to be according to Torah. Will He be a Jew when He returns???
      In my opinion, to downplay Yeshua’s Jewishness is to miss the point of much of His teaching. Certainly one can be ‘saved’ without embracing ‘Jewish roots.’ However, I desire to understand as much about my Husband as possible so that I can prepare myself as best I can for our wedding.
I also would not characterize the ‘Sacred Names’ groups as falling into heresy. They do present valid reasons for their belief that one should hold the name of YHVH in awe and use it with reverence. What I do object to is when some of them tell me that I must believe as they believe, and that I must pronounce ‘the Name’ as they pronounce it in order to be saved. But then, that same type of attitude is a problem that is extant in the practice of many Believers, not just Sacred Name folk. I did not get the impression that the writers of the letters quoted here held that rigid of a position.
      We all need to be gentle with one another and look for those areas where we agree, not emphasizing those areas where we disagree. Only then can we begin communicating with one another in a manner that will allow us to learn why we disagree on certain points of doctrine. That exercise in itself can be a very important step in our own spiritual development.
      Finally, it is certainly not the purpose of Hebrew Roots to bring people into Rabbinic Judaism. On the other hand, we have seen years of effort on the part of many teachers to keep us away from things ‘Jewish’ so that we not be ‘tainted.’ Both approaches are equally wrong. Let us not forget that Orthodox, Rabbinic Jews can, and many have, become Believers in Yeshua as their Messiah. For this we say, Baruch HaShem (Blessed be the Name).
            May the peace of YHVH
            be with all of you always,

            DEW

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