Posts Tagged With: remember

Shabbat Zachor

Posted on March 11, 2022 by K. Gallagher

Shabbat Zachor

This is the Shabbat of Remembering – which always occurs on the Sabbath before Purim. What are we “remembering?”

Deuteronomy 25:16-19 (NASB) “For everyone who does these things, everyone who acts unjustly is an abomination to the LORD your God. [17] Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, [18] how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God. [19] Therefore it shall come about when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your surrounding enemies, in the land which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you must not forget.”

Haman was a descendant of Amalek, who was a descendant of Esau. On the Shabbat before Purim, “Remember what Amalek did to you as you came out of Egypt.” In Ex. 17:16, “The LORD has sworn; the LORD will have war against Amalek from generation to generation.” “Don’t forget!” says Adonai.

In my past articles on “Warring with Amalek,” I delve into the deeper meaning of what and who Amalek represents. To remember the destructive nature of the Amalekites, one must first look at the man or woman in the mirror. The masks of Purim also allude to the hidden nature within disguising either the crafty or the righteous. Which one are we?

“So it came about when Moses held his hand up, that Israel prevailed, and when he let his hand down, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy (kavod). Then they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it; and Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side and one on the other. Thus his hands were steady until the sun set. So Joshua overwhelmed Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.” (Exodus 17:11-13, NASB)

 Is Joshua (Yeshua) warring with the Esau in you?

When Moses’ hands (Torah) are lifted up, Joshua (Yeshua) prevails over Amalek.

The power of the Law is to expose the Amalek within, so his memory will be completely blotted out. The “old man” must die. That is the function of the Light of the Torah – it unmasks what is in the darkness, most especially those hidden places of the heart that are ruled by fear and doubt. Everything is laid bare before the mouth of Yeshua’s Sword (Heb. 4:12-13).

This Shabbat Zachor, remember Amalek in order that his memory may be erased. It sounds like a paradox, but it is the Way. Remove the mask.

Categories: Ethics, Moedim, Torah Portions | Tags: , , , , | 5 Comments

Pesach 2013

Posted on April 1, 2013 by K. Gallagher

It was a snowy cold Passover outside this year, but inside it was warm and joyous! We’ve been celebrating Pesach at my Mom and Dad’s for several years now. They have a large Florida room off the walk-out basement that makes for the perfect entertaining area. Especially for larger groups or multiple families. Conveniently, this room is attached to a full kitchen.

This year my mother wanted our Seder to feel more like the first century —- dress and all. So, my father built two 6 foot wide round tables that sat nearly on the ground. We used pillows and bean bags instead of chairs. Mom covered the windows with a beautiful blue fabric and hung red tulle from the ceiling. The idea was to make the room feel and look as much like a “tent” as possible. (:

Those attending were told to dress (optionally) as a bible character. This is where the real fun began! In total there were about 30 of us, with about 10 of those being children under 11. After the dinner and between the 3rd and 4th cups, we have a time reserved in our Haggadah for worship, dance, a children’s play, foot washing, or whatever floats our fancy that year. This year, each person dressed as a bible character, stood up and told the room who they were. We never expected that the children would respond so well. They loved it and were begging for more! Who knew? So, we just might make this a yearly tradition for Pesach.

The Seder has many visual and kinesthetic learning techniques built into the Pesach experience. This process helps the participant to not only mentally retain the elements being presented, but also to experience them as if they were there themselves. This idea was originally given in the commandments of Passover:

“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ (Ex. 13:7-8)

The reason I think the children responded so well to our biblical characters and dress is because it made their experience more real. And because of that, they will remember Passover 2013 with more clarity. And that is the point my friends. To remember. To experience YHWH’s Passover.

Categories: Moedim | Tags: , , , , , | 3 Comments

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