Introduction
When my mother first sat down to write what could be best termed "the thesis of her faith" in 1997, we had only technically been involved in the Messianic Jewish movement for around six years. In other words, we were novices at best, still learning, still growing, and still viewing our faith through that lens of new found love. To us, especially to my mother, the tenets and teachings of Messianic Judaism were amazing and awe inspiring; they fulfilled a lifelong faith in Yeshua because, through such a clear understanding of scripture, she was finally able to see Him face to face.
As with any new love, my mother was excited to share the truth of what she had learned with the people around her; first and foremost, her family. However, outside of my father and myself, the rest of the gang proved unwilling to listen, and would, at times, even mock and ridicule her in front of her children for what she believed. So, the message she had so desired to share with a family that wouldn't listen went to the outside world. Friends, fellow congregants, acquaintances, shop owners, and
even a few Jehovah's Witnesses who came knocking at our door would be the recipients of the gift she had received, first through comments and conversations, then, finally, through this booklet.
At the time my mother wrote The Unified Body, the modern Messianic movement in America was barely a generation old. Now, nearly ten years later, the movement is on the cusp of middle age, and her teenagers are running wild. Ten years ago, teachings on Rav Shaul's climactic Olive Tree Connection were slim and slow to gain popularity. Now, with the growth of the Christian Zionist and Hebrew roots movements, what was so new and exciting to the few, like my mother, is flowing like fresh water
from a spring to thousands, if not millions of believers today, "Mom," I told her once. "You'll probably never know how many of your books reached how many hands over the years, but I'll tell you something-- they've made an impact, probably more than you'll ever know." She gave a pensive nod, walked over to the bookshelf, and picked up her copy. Thumbing through it carefully, she re-read the tome she had poured over at the dining room table all those years ago, a housewife with no publishing credits to her name. "Nope," she said, "I still wouldn't change one word. Baruch haShem."
It is with the same conviction that I decided to expand "The Unified Body" from her original booklet into a blog charting my own experiences as a Messianic Jew; for what
she wrote about, I lived and continue to live out to this day. It is a testimony to the truth of Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way she should go; and, even when old, she will not swerve from it." But I could not publish the blog without also publishing the booklet. While it is a teaching, it is also a testimony. It is also a document that records where the Messianic movement was at at that specific moment of time, and shows us how it has arrived where it is today. Prayerfully, it also reflects on where our community is going in the future.
"Remember how the old days were; think of the years through all the ages. As your father, he will tell you; your leaders too, they will inform you." -D'varim 32:7
May you be blessed in the reading of this book. May it enlighten and inspire you to take up the easy yoke of Yeshua in your halacha with Him. May it be a blessing to the entire body of believers, that we will soon truly become that unified body we need to be in order to be a real light unto the nations.
Shalom B'Shem Yeshua haMashiach,
~Shoshana
6 Cheshvan 5767 (7/3/2007)
Introduction (1998)
This booklet serves as an introduction to a fuller understanding of G-d’s plan from Genesis to Revelation. For every scripture used here, many more exist which
substantiate what is said. Variation in background and experience of individuals may lend to some repetition, however, a picture not previously seen will become apparent at the completion. It is the responsibility of every believer to know the truth for him/herself so it is my hope and desire to stimulate every reader on to further investigation.
The L-rd has compelled me to be bold and plain in sharing what He has shown me. Please, do not confuse or misinterpret anything contained herein as accusing toward anyone, rather, it is in His timing that the content be made clear.
"Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully, and make it plain, as, of course, I should." Colossians 4:4
With Love and Shalom to all,
~Chana
March 23, 1997
As with any new love, my mother was excited to share the truth of what she had learned with the people around her; first and foremost, her family. However, outside of my father and myself, the rest of the gang proved unwilling to listen, and would, at times, even mock and ridicule her in front of her children for what she believed. So, the message she had so desired to share with a family that wouldn't listen went to the outside world. Friends, fellow congregants, acquaintances, shop owners, and
even a few Jehovah's Witnesses who came knocking at our door would be the recipients of the gift she had received, first through comments and conversations, then, finally, through this booklet.
At the time my mother wrote The Unified Body, the modern Messianic movement in America was barely a generation old. Now, nearly ten years later, the movement is on the cusp of middle age, and her teenagers are running wild. Ten years ago, teachings on Rav Shaul's climactic Olive Tree Connection were slim and slow to gain popularity. Now, with the growth of the Christian Zionist and Hebrew roots movements, what was so new and exciting to the few, like my mother, is flowing like fresh water
from a spring to thousands, if not millions of believers today, "Mom," I told her once. "You'll probably never know how many of your books reached how many hands over the years, but I'll tell you something-- they've made an impact, probably more than you'll ever know." She gave a pensive nod, walked over to the bookshelf, and picked up her copy. Thumbing through it carefully, she re-read the tome she had poured over at the dining room table all those years ago, a housewife with no publishing credits to her name. "Nope," she said, "I still wouldn't change one word. Baruch haShem."
It is with the same conviction that I decided to expand "The Unified Body" from her original booklet into a blog charting my own experiences as a Messianic Jew; for what
she wrote about, I lived and continue to live out to this day. It is a testimony to the truth of Proverbs 22:6, "Train a child in the way she should go; and, even when old, she will not swerve from it." But I could not publish the blog without also publishing the booklet. While it is a teaching, it is also a testimony. It is also a document that records where the Messianic movement was at at that specific moment of time, and shows us how it has arrived where it is today. Prayerfully, it also reflects on where our community is going in the future.
"Remember how the old days were; think of the years through all the ages. As your father, he will tell you; your leaders too, they will inform you." -D'varim 32:7
May you be blessed in the reading of this book. May it enlighten and inspire you to take up the easy yoke of Yeshua in your halacha with Him. May it be a blessing to the entire body of believers, that we will soon truly become that unified body we need to be in order to be a real light unto the nations.
Shalom B'Shem Yeshua haMashiach,
~Shoshana
6 Cheshvan 5767 (7/3/2007)
Introduction (1998)
This booklet serves as an introduction to a fuller understanding of G-d’s plan from Genesis to Revelation. For every scripture used here, many more exist which
substantiate what is said. Variation in background and experience of individuals may lend to some repetition, however, a picture not previously seen will become apparent at the completion. It is the responsibility of every believer to know the truth for him/herself so it is my hope and desire to stimulate every reader on to further investigation.
The L-rd has compelled me to be bold and plain in sharing what He has shown me. Please, do not confuse or misinterpret anything contained herein as accusing toward anyone, rather, it is in His timing that the content be made clear.
"Pray that I will be bold enough to tell it freely and fully, and make it plain, as, of course, I should." Colossians 4:4
With Love and Shalom to all,
~Chana
March 23, 1997
