Today we see something which has not been seen en masse for almost 2000 years. Gentiles are turning to Jewish people, to the teachings of Judaism to find out what their relationship should really be like. Why? Because so many of us have found that there is no satisfaction, no real relationship with G-d, or even with each other in the religions of this world.
What happened? What severed the relationship of the Gentiles with G-d? Sin! The Gentiles stopped worshipping G-d in the manner revealed to Adam and to Noah and they began to worship other gods.
The Prophet Jeremiah says that in the last days, the Gentiles will turn to G-d coming from the ends of the earth to seek Him.
What happens to people who forget G-d? Again Jeremiah says that they begin to practice paganism, to offer vain incense, incense itself is likened to prayer by David, King of Israel. This means that the prayers of the unrighteous, are not even heard by G-d.
Isaiah 1:14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear [them]. 15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.
From this we can know that the "word" of G-d, His Torah, His TeNaCh (Bible) will enlighten our steps, as we walk in His paths, step by step.
Jeremiah 18:15 Because my people hath forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways [from] the ancient paths, to walk in paths, [in] a way not cast up;
G-d is the one who decides when and where mankind should worship Him, it is not up to man to establish his own festivals, in which to worship Him. Therefore, when men begin to establish holidays for religious purposes, and those days are not honouring Him, they are separating themselves from G-d. For many thousands of years man has observed pagan holidays and festivals, and worshipped G-d on the wrong days at the wrong time, when He has not made His "Presence" available in a very special way. When they do this they meet instead with other gods, called "Baalim". Thus man began to worship the "sun" "moon" or "stars" in the sky and call them "G-d". They made images and worshipped these, claiming that these images represented G-d, but these images
are in direct contradiction to the commandments of G-d.
G-d gave mankind the times and seasons when we are commanded to meet with Him. Appointments with G-d. These special times were part of the very Creation of the earth on which we live.
In Genesis 1:14-19 The heavenly 'lights' were put into place in the heavens, the sun, moon, and stars, are a giant clock by which the people of the earth may measure our 'time'. Not only the days and the hours, but also 'spiritual time,' so that we may know the times appointed by G-d for us to appear before Him. At all times man may get in touch with G-d, but it is more like using a telephone, so that we can call on him when we wish to do so, in prayer. But G-d has also said that there are times when He desires 'our presence' before Him, collectively, not just individually as prayer may be. Although even many prayers are meant to be 'collective' they do not have to be collective, but are often personal.
Genesis 1:14 And God saith, `Let luminaries be in the firmament of the heaven, to separate between the day and the night, and they shall serve as signs, and for festivals, and for days and years....
17 And G-d set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth, to dominate by day and by night, and to separate between light and the darkness. And G-d saw that it was good.
These signs separate not only physical darkness and physical light, but they also separate between spiritual darkness and spiritual light - the 'True' Light.
They point us to the "Light" which existed on the first day. Gen. 1:3-5. This primeval Light existed before the physical light was put into place. This primeval "Light" was hidden in the Torah, and will once again be revealed at the end of days.
According to the Midrash, the original light was of an intense spiritual quality and G-d saw that the wicked were unworthy of
enjoying it. Therefore, He separated it from the rest of the universe and set it aside for the use of the righteous in the World to Come. (Rashi). (Parashas Bereishis 1:4-5 Commentary - Stones Chumash).
This concept is the root of faith for those who believe that G-d's Torah prepares man for Divine wisdom but it can be the root of heresy for those who deny it. It is not within the intellectual scope of the human mind to grasp the conditions which enable man to receive these Divine Influences or to evaluate their quality. Even if it were possible to know them quantitatively and qualitatively, one would not know the proper time for their reception. In order to understand the essence, the relationship, and the requirements for these Divine influences, one must receive elaborately-detailed and exact information from a Divine Source. Whoever has attained this level of perception and whole-heartedly obeys these instructions in every detail without reservation is a believer.
One, however, who attempts to prepare conditions for the reception of these inspirations based on astrological analyses and deductions, or who tries to evoke the supernatural through idols and talismans, is an agnostic. He brings offerings and burns incense based on his own speculations not knowing what he is doing, totally ignorant of the laws, methods, and specific details of Divine offerings. He is like the ignoramus who entered the pharmacy of a renowned physician, famous for his successful cures, and in the absence of the physician dispensed various medicines from the doctor's supply without knowing the contents of the medications or the required dosage needed by each patient for specific ailments. Needless to say he killed many of the patients with the medications that were meant to heal. When he by chance healed anyone with the drugs he dispensed, people attributed their cure to him without realizing that it was only by the merest accident that they were cured rather than killed. They failed to understand that the real cures come from a learned physician who devises medications and prescribes dosages in addition to instructing his patients regarding proper diet, excercise, and rest. In this same manner, before the time of Moses most people were fooled and misled by the theories of astrology and natural science. They drifted from concept to concept, from god to god, even worshipping several gods at the same time. They abandoned their guide and master (the Creator) and attributed their good fortune to imitations which were in reality the causes of their destruction. In essence observing the statutes of the Divine Creator is the source of all that is beneficial to man, and harm can come to him only when the Divine Influence is withdrawn because of his disobedience." (The Metsudah Kuzari) pages 29 -33.)
In Genesis 2:1 we see that the Seventh day Sabbath was introduced, and is what identifies G-d as the Creator of the universe, because it was in six days that He brought the universe into being, and observance of the weekly Sabbath demonstrates testimony to this fact.
Although Gentiles are not permitted to observe the Sabbath in the way that the Jews do, we also have a part in the weekly Sabbath, and when we observe it we connect ourselves to G-d.
According to the Metsudah Kuzari - Translated by Rabbi Avroham Davis - From the Arrangement of Hagaon R' Yechezkel Sarne zt'l,
on page 15 the weekly Sabbath and the number of the days of the week correspond everywhere in the world.
So how can a Gentile become re-connected to G-d? By keeping
His Commandments. According to Rabbinical Judaism, this
may be accomplished by keeping the Seven Laws of Noah.
But first there must be repentance on the part of the Gentiles of their rebellion against G-d by keeping the pagan holidays, and worshipping the works of their own hands.
Isaiah 42:16 And I will bring the blind by a way [that] they knew not; I will lead them in paths [that] they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
When the children of Israel take up their responsibility again to be a "Light to the Gentiles" then Gentiles will seek to that light.
Notice that this shall all take place even before Israel is gathered back to their land. Apparently according to the Prophet Isaiah, the tribes of Jacob will be restored simultaneously with their becoming a "Light to the Gentiles." Today we see that there are many Rabbis and Jews who have seen that they have a responsibility to teach the Gentiles and to be that Light.
What will those who cause people to worship the LORD be called?
Repairer of the breach, Restorer of the Paths to dwell in.
Proverbs 4:11 I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
In the last days once again the sons of Adam, and Noah will seek out the LORD and will go to the Mountain G-d to seek His Laws and will walk in these ancient paths just as their ancestor Noah did.
Once again mankind will observe the "Festivals" given by G-d at Creation.
Those nations which refuse to keep this festival and honour the G-d of Israel will find themselves punished by not receiving any rain until they comply with the commandments of the LORD. Mankind will go up to the Temple (Bais HaMikdash) of the LORD of Hosts and they will worship Him there, and make sacrifices at His Holy House.
Today we are living in the last days, and we await with great Joy and anticipation for the Rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem, and the establishment children of Israel in their own land, knowing that when this takes place the whole earth will be filled with the Glory of the LORD.
Isaiah 12:1 You will say on that day, 'I thank You, HaShem, for You were angry with me, and now Your wrath has subsided and You have comforted me, 2 Behold, G-d is my salvation; I shall trust and not fear. For G-d is my might and my praise - HaShem - and He is a salvation for me.' 3 You can draw water with joy from the springs of salvation. 4 And you will say on that day, 'Give thangs to HaShem, declare His Name, make His acts known among the peoples; declare that His Name is exalted. 5 Make music for HaShem, for He has acted with grandeur; make this known throughout the world. Exult and shout for joy, O inhabitant of Zion, for the Holy One of Israel is great in your midst!
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"Rachav - A Righteous Gentile" who helped Israel, by Rachav
"Noah The Father of the Gentiles" by Rachav
