“…Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham,

the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, hath sent me unto you:  this is my name for ever,

and this is my memorial unto all generations.”  

Exodus 3:15

 

THE  LAWKEEPERS’  MONTHLY  JOURNAL

 

<><><><> AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2004 <><><><>

 

<><><><><>

 

<>ALL MONTHLY EDITIONS ARE A TRIBUTE<>

 

TO 

 

<>THE GOD OF ISRAEL TAKING BACK HIS UNIVERSE!<>

 

AND

 

<>MANIFESTING THE SECOND GREAT EXODUS<>

 

<>OF THE SEED OF THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL<>

 (Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;  But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. - Jeremiah 23:7,8)

 

FOR

 

<><><><>HIS HOLY NAME’S SAKE<><><><>

 

And God said moreover unto Moses, Thus shalt thou say

unto the children of Israel, the LORD God of your fathers,

<>the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,<>

hath sent me unto you:

<>this is my name for ever,<>

<>and this is my memorial unto all generations. <> 

Exodus 3:15

 

Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD;

I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went. 

And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen,

which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know

that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD,

                      when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.

Ezekiel 36:22,23

 

 <><><>

 

“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his hand again

the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be left,

from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush,

and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from

the islands of the sea.  And he shall set up an ensign for the nations,

and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together

the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”

Isaiah 11:11,12

 

“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt;  But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.”

Jeremiah 16:14,15

 

 <><><><><>

 

ESTABLISHED FOR

 

THE RECOGNITION, EXALTATION, AND PRAISE OF

 

THE MOST HIGH GOD OF ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB

 

AND HIS EVERLASTING BOOK OF THE LAW

 

<><><><><>

 

“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,

and thy law is the truth. Thou art near, O LORD;

and all thy commandments are truth  Concerning thy testimonies,

I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever. 

Thy word is true from the beginning:

and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”

Psalm 119:142,151,152,160

 

“For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,

as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?

And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments

so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”

Deuteronomy 4:7,8

 

“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,

and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”

Jeremiah 17:5

 

 <><><>

 

“The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law,

and make it honourable.”

Isaiah 42:21

 

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments,

which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might

do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:  That thou mightest

fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments,

which I command thee, thou, and thy sons and thy son’s son,

all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.  Hear therefore,

Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee,

and that ye may increase mightily, as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey.”

Deuteronomy 6:1 - 3

 

 <><><>

 

“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.” 

Jeremiah 22:29

 

COME<>OFTEN<>TO<>LEARN<>ABOUT

 

THE<>TRUE<>AND<>LIVING<>GOD!

 

 <><><>

 

EXALTATION OF THE MOST HIGH GOD OF ISRAEL:

 

“Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name,

make known his deeds among the people.

 

“Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him, talk ye of all his wondrous works.

 

“Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.

 

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.

 

“Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders,

and the judgments of his mouth;”

I Chronicles 16:8 - 12

 

*****

 

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAWKEEPERS, CO.:

 

GONE FISHING…

 

“And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he [is] a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, [or] peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked.”

 

1 Kings 18:27

 

 

It’s August and vacation time is here.  So I’m taking some time off and going on vacation.

 

GOD don’t take vacations; the Prophet Elijah made that clear when he called on ELOHIM at mount Carmel to prove question of  “Who is GOD?”   In the preceding scripture Elijah is telling the prophets of Baal that their god may be “in a journey” or sleeping, i.e. the same things that people do on vacation.  But when Elijah called upon the name of YIHOVAH, HE didn’t hesitate to answer his servant the prophet………The MOST HIGH don’t take no vacation.

 

But as for me I’m going to put down my briefcase and pick up my rod and reel, cause

I’m on vacation and Gone Fishing.

 

Shalom and Shalom,

 

Yehudah ben Yacob,

President

The LawKeepers, Co.

 

*******

 

Tribute to the New Moon Revised:

 

 

“For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain.

 

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me,

saith the LORD.”

Isaiah 66:22,23

 

<<<PLEASE TAKE PART IN THE NEW MOON WATCH>>>

 

<<<For The First Day of the “HEBREW” Month>>>

 

IF “SIGHTED,”

And if it’s not the evening of GOD’s Holy Seventh Day Sabbath of

COMPLETE REST or other Holy Day,

please report your evidence (day, date, and time) to:

thelawkeepers@yahoogroups.com

 

START THE NEXT NEW MOON WATCH ON THE EVENINGS OF

 

<<<AUGUST 16,17,18, 2004>>>

 

BY LOOKING IN THE “WEST” JUST ABOVE THE HORIZON.

 

“He appointed the moon for seasons…”

Psalm 104:19

 

The first “Sign” in the Heavens to provide the start of days, years and “seasons” can only begin with the “Sighting” of the New Moon Crescent - that which we can “see” in order for it to serve as a “Sign” and enable us to begin counting our days and months.   Just imagine not being able to “see” the moon at all.  How then could it be appointed for a “Sign” or for “seasons”?

 

“The natural thought might be that the moon is like a living being.  It is born, grows, reaches maximum size, then fades and dies, going through all these stages in one month.  Even today, we still talk of the thin crescent in the western sky as a new moon and the thin crescent in the eastern sky a month later as the old moon.  Half way between is the full moon.  As I explained earlier, this cycle of phases of the moon established the month as a unit of time, and the first calendars were based on this.”   ISAAC ASIMOV’S GUIDE TO EARTH AND SPACE, pages 79 and 80

 

In that the King of Israel is supposed to be a “Righteous Judge” (II Chronicles 1:11), it stands to reason that he is also supposed to be a “Righteous Role Model.”  Thus, if the King that GOD appoints over Israel observes a “feast” on the day of the New Moon, then wisdom tells the Nation of Israel to do likewise.  King Saul and the anointed David observed this service (I Samuel 20th Chapter).

 

To their and our hurt our forefathers worshipped all manner of symbols:  the sun, moon, stars, and images of gold and silver.  To observe the “Sign” in the heavens as being the New Moon “Sighting” is NOT worshipping the moon, but rather it is doing as we are COMMANDED in Genesis 1:14:

 

“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:”

 

Some people feel that the moon has no “light,” but according to GOD’s WORD to HIS Prophets, it most certainly does:  Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 30:26; Jeremiah 31:35; Ezekiel 32:7. 

 

***

 

“Sing aloud unto God our strength:  make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.

“Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the psaltery.

“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed,

on our solemn feast day.

“For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.”  

Psalm 81:1 - 4

(A Psalm of Asaph, the Seer –

one who should be well informed about GOD’s Ways)

 

“Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings,

and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God:  I am the LORD your God.”  

Numbers 10:10

 

Contrary to the belief of some Israelites, the moon does indeed shine!  Whether the Moon shines on its own or with the aid of the sun, IT STILL SHINES!  And the fact that Scripture attests to this fact, is what’s important:  Isaiah 60:19; Jeremiah 31:35; and Ezekiel 32:7.  Therefore, Genesis 1:14 is proof enough that we must use the shining New Moon Crescents as “…SIGNS, AND FOR SEASONS, AND FOR DAYS, AND FOR YEARS:”  

 

Some Israelites, along with White Jews, use the dark phase of the moon to determine the start of a new month.  If the dark phase of the moon lasts for “2-3 days,” then which of these days is supposed to be the distinguishing “Sign” that determines the First Day of the month?  Or do we just arbitrarily select either/or depending on the imaginations of our hearts?  

 

On the contrary, with the use of the sighted “Sign” of the New Moon Crescent in the Heavens we eliminate any confusion as to which day IS the First Day of the month. 

 

“So David hid himself in the field: and WHEN THE NEW MOON WAS COME, the king sat him down to eat meat.”   I Samuel 20:24

 

At the time of the dark phases of the moon (generally 2-3 days), as previously written, there is no “moon” in SIGHT.  Therefore, I Samuel 20:24 sheds more light on Genesis 1:14.  “WHEN THE NEW MOON WAS COME,” is clearly telling readers that this is a reference to a visible “Moon Crescent Sighting”  - the light in the firmament…i.e., the “Sign” for (lunar) days.  Thus, if we are to count all the lunar days (29.5) in a month, it only makes sense to start counting from the New Moon Crescent “when the New Moon was come” and NOT from the dark phases at the end of the month, which do not emit any “sign” or “light” in the heavens.

 

The only problem that presents itself when using the “New Moon Sighting” to call the First Day of the month is cloud coverage, as this prevents the ability to see the New Moon Crescent.   Nonetheless, when “Sighted,” one can easily distinguish the New Moon Crescent from all the other phases due to its thin sliver and its low position in the heavens.  And the reason is that no two days or rather phases of the visible moon are alike.  Hence, to use the New Moon Crescent as the “Sign” in the heavens, as we are COMMANDED to do for our seasons, days, and years, negates the belief that the “commandment was given to the luminaries.”  The “luminaries” fulfill GOD’s Commandments:  the sun shines and the moon orbits the Earth.  They have no need to determine seasons, days, and years.  Hence, our New Moons are obviously of more spiritual significance to the Nation of Israel than we are aware.  And for sure, the TRUTH concerning them are in GOD’s WORD to HIS Prophets/Seers - not the White Jews or other Gentiles.  All we need do is use wisdom, discern what’s written in Scripture, accept it, and act accordingly!

 

“Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,

 

“Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.” II Chronicles 8:12,13

 

Unless there is an emergency, please try not to buy or sell on this day.  Conduct all financial and business transactions prior to the day of the New Moon.  Interesting enough, II Kings 4:23,24 constitutes the New Moon as being a day to seek “the man of God.”  Although the New Moon is NOT a Day of Rest, Our GOD did set it aside for recognition:

 

“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.”   Psalm 81:3

 

“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.”   Isaiah 66:23

 

“…When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn?…”   Amos 8:5

 

Probably, the Scripture that most determines and clarifies the fact that our New Moons are Feast Days is Ezekiel 45:17:

 

“And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the NEW MOONS, and in the Sabbaths, in ALL SOLEMNITIES of the house of Israel:  he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the HOUSE OF ISRAEL.”   (Caps. are mine.)

 

Unequivocally, our New Moons are included in these “SOLEMNITIES” mentioned in Ezekiel 45:17.

 

“Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the Sabbaths [Feasts – NOT 7th Day Sabbaths*] and in the NEW MOONS.”   Ezekiel 46:3   (Brackets are mine.)

 

Thereby, this verse justifies the First Day of each month being our “Feast” Day.  It should be realized that the Feast Days that Our GOD selected (Leviticus 23rd Chapter) are “Holy Convocations,” i.e., on these days we cannot do any work.  However, because King Saul observed the New Moon as a Feast Day, we have every reason to do so, as well.   We also have learned that our forefathers traveled to the Temple to worship the Holy ONE on the New Moon (II Kings 4:23; Ezekiel 45:17; and Ezekiel 46:1), and when HE has HIS Temple rebuilt, then we will again be able to resume this service and worship.

 

When we return to our heritage and worship YIHOVAH according to HIS Ways, then we can establish our own “Calendar of the Universe,” whereby, the days of the New Moon and all GOD’s Holy Days will be recognized by the whole entire World.  And I am sure that it will be the desire of the Righteous Remnant and ALL the world to make a Feast to the Most High GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel every First Day of the Month. 

 

ALSO, I believe that if Lot (Genesis 19:3) and Abraham (Genesis 21:8) can proclaim “Feasts,” then there is no stipulation for NOT establishing Feast Days, as we so desire.  Therefore, to proclaim a feast to EXALT the Holy ONE of Israel on the First Day of each month is quite acceptable - given the Scripture (above) regarding worshipping Our LORD GOD of ISRAEL, Our SAVIOR, on the New Moons.  We should know that throughout the Tanakh Hebrew Israelites called for “feasts” for various occasions.  Therefore, we are within our rights to observe a Feast every New Moon to Our GOD, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel.   And those of us who love this WONDERFUL GOD and who choose HIM to EXALT HIM for being the ONLY LORD and SAVIOR can be at liberty to use the day of the New Moon to show forth HIS PRAISE in a “feast” and worship HIM in Jerusalem FOREVER. 

 

“And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and [he] made a feast to all his servants.”

I Kings 3:15

 

*Leviticus 23:24,39 (Sabbaths of Feasts)

 

*******

 

A Tribute to GOD’s “HOLY” Seventh Day Sabbath of Complete Rest:

 

 

“REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY”

Exodus 20:8

 

 

“See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”   Exodus 16:29

 

“And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.

 

“Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD: whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.”  Exodus 35:1,2

 

“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation [“HOLY DAY”]; ye shall do no work therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.”   Leviticus 23:3

 

“Six days may work be done; but in the seventh is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.”   Exodus 31:15 - 17

 

“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.  And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”   Genesis 2:2,3

 

Significantly, in the beginning when the Holy ONE of Israel established this Sabbath Day of COMPLETE REST and when HE clearly COMMANDED the Children of Israel in the Wilderness to observe this Holy Day, HE MADE NO EXCEPTIONS! 

 

If “ALL” GOD’s COMMANDMENTS are sure, then for sure, we must give credence to Exodus 16:29 and abide in our places on GOD’s HOLY Seventh Day of Complete REST as we are COMMANDED TO DO!

 

“He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.”   Psalm 111:7

 

GOD’s Holy Sabbath Day of REST is not only one of HIS Greatest WORKS of all time, but this Holy Day is an extraordinary “SIGN” between this Most High GOD, the CREATOR and HIS Chosen People, the Children of Israel! 

 

“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.”   Genesis 2:1 - 3

 

“And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.

 

“See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.”   Exodus 16:23,29

 

The wise, obedient ones understand the great importance of observing this Seventh Day of Rest exactly as GOD Commanded and will not add to or diminish from this Law of the “Blessed,” “Sanctified,” and “Holy” Seventh Day Sabbath. 

 

*******

 

“…we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

Psalm 20:7

 

“And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee:

for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee.”

Psalm 9:10

 

“… The LORD God of your fathers,

the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac,

and the God of Jacob…this is my name for ever,

and this is my memorial unto all generations.”

Exodus 3:15

 

“Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant

whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me,

and understand that

I am he:

before me there was no God formed,

neither shall there be after me.

 

“I, even I, am the LORD;

and beside me there is no saviour.”

Isaiah 43:10,11

 

*******

 

THE TORAH READINGS FOR THE NEW MOON,

AND GOD’s SEVENTH DAY SABBATHS

DURING

  AUGUST / SEPTEMBER 2004

ARE AS FOLLOWS:

(If some of the Sabbath Readings are too lengthy for one day, then pace yourself, and consider reading the TORAH Writings on the Sabbath and the rest of the Scriptures listed throughout the week.)

 

***

NEW MOON WATCH:

August 16,17,18, 2004

“And they shall be my people, and

I will be their God: And I will give them

one heart, and one way, that they may

 fear me for ever, for the good of them,

and of their children after them:” 

Jeremiah 32:39

 

Numbers 10:10

Psalm 81:1 – 10

Ezekiel 46:3

Numbers Chapters 29 - 31

Isaiah 25th Chapter

Ezekiel 45th Chapter

Psalm 50th Chapter

Isaiah 19th Chapter

Jeremiah 44th Chapter

Nahum 1st Chapter

Psalm 22nd Chapter

“…their nobles shall be of themselves, and

their governor shall proceed from the midst

of them; and I will cause him to draw near,

and he shall approach unto me: for who is

this that engaged his heart to approach

unto me? saith the LORD. And ye shall be

my people, and I will be your God.”

Jeremiah 30:21,22 (Deu. 17:5)

 

SHABBAT READINGS - 8/21/04

 

Genesis 2:1 - 3

Exodus 16:29

Exodus 31:12 - 18

Deuteronomy 5:12 - 15

Isaiah 56:1 - 7

Isaiah 58:10 - 14

Numbers Chapters 32 and 34

I Kings 9:1 – 9

I Kings 9:25

II Kings 10th Chapter

II Kings 17:36 - 39

Jeremiah 13th Chapter

Zechariah 13th Chapter

Isaiah 45th Chapter

Joshua 1:7,8

Psalm 89th Chapter

Psalm 9th Chapter

 

SHABBAT READINGS – 8/28/04

 

Genesis 2:1 - 3

Exodus 16:29

Exodus 31:12 - 18

Deuteronomy 5:12 - 15

Isaiah 56:1 - 7

Isaiah 58:10 – 14

Numbers Chapters 35 and 36

I Kings 11th Chapter

Joshua 13th Chapter

Joshua 20th Chapter

Joshua 23rd Chapter

Judges 2nd Chapter

Hosea 4th Chapter

Hosea 5th Chapter

Hosea 7th Chapter

Psalm 22nd Chapter

Psalm 135th Chapter

 

SHABBAT READINGS 9/4/04

 

Genesis 2:1 - 3

Exodus 16:29

Exodus 31:12 - 18

Deuteronomy 5:12 - 15

Isaiah 56:1 - 7

Isaiah 58:10 – 14

Deuteronomy Chapter 1
I Kings 8th Chapter

Ezekiel 4th Chapter

Psalm 33rd Chapter

Psalm 46th Chapter

 

SHABBAT READINGS - 9/11/04

 

Genesis 2:1 - 3

Exodus 16:29

Exodus 31:12 - 18

Deuteronomy 5:12 - 15

Isaiah 56:1 - 7

Isaiah 58:10 - 14

Deuteronomy Chapters 2 - 4

I Chronicles 1st Chapter

Jeremiah 49:1 - 22

Obadiah

Malachi 1st Chapter

Joshua 2nd Chapter

Ezekiel 20: 5 - 38

Hosea 8th Chapter

II Kings 17th Chapter

II Kings 18:4

Isaiah 55th Chapter

Jeremiah 23rd Chapter

Jeremiah 30:24

Psalm 25th Chapter

Psalm 32nd Chapter

Psalm 34th Chapter

Psalm 148th Chapter

 

Please note:

At this point, the Chapter order for some

Readings have been switched in order to

accommodate specific “Readings” for

the different Holy Feast Days.

 

***

 

Watch for the next NEW MOON "Sighting" on SEPTEMBER 14,15,16, 2004 - The Memorial of Blowing of Trumpets.

 

A complete TORAH Readings Hebrew Calendar displaying all the months,

“Holy” Sabbaths of Rest, New Moon Watches, and

Holy Days for the entire year can be found on The LawKeepers WebSite: 

 

www.thelawkeepers.org

 

Click on “Torah Readings.”

 

*******

 

SOME QUESTIONS TO PONDER:

 

“And there was no water for the congregation: and they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron.”   Numbers 20:2

 

We should know that the Holy ONE of Israel tried the Israelites in the Wilderness on a number of occasions to see how they would behave themselves.  Several times HE withheld water from them, as in the passage above.  But the Children of Israel failed this test and greatly angered the Holy ONE.  If we were out in the Second Wilderness without water, how should we conduct ourselves?

 

***

In respect to serving and ministering before the Most High GOD of Israel, how do the duties of the Levites and the Priests differ?

 

***

 

Should you choose to respond to the above questions, I shall publish your response in the next issue of The LawKeepers JOURNAL.   T.Y., Editor

 

*******

 

HINTS FOR HARDY, HEALTHY HEBREWS:

MORE FOOD-BORNE ILLNESSES STEM FROM

FRESH FRUITS, VEGGIES

 

Industry alarmed by recent outbreaks

Jerri Reges, who suffered from salmonellosis,

talks about the experience at her home

in Cabot, Pa.,

July 28.



The Associated Press

Updated: 2:33 p.m. ET Aug. 2, 2004


PITTSBURGH - Jerri Reges can tell you what food poisoning feels like.

“This was worse than labor,” said Reges, a mother of two.


The 39-year-old woman got severe stomach cramps after eating a hoagie at a convenience store July 5, becoming one of more than 300 people sickened in a recent salmonella outbreak that has hit five states. Roma tomatoes are believed to be the cause.

It’s the latest high-profile scare involving fresh produce, which experts say is the new frontier in foodborne disease prevention. In this round no one has died, in contrast to last year’s hepatitis outbreak that killed four people and made hundreds sick. Green onions from Mexico were blamed.


Fresh foods more risky

 

Tainted fresh foods pose more concerns than others because fruits and vegetables are often eaten raw or lightly cooked. That means salmonella, cyclospora, shigella, E. coli and other pathogens often aren’t killed before eating, and they generally can’t be removed by washing.


The most common of these cause diarrhea and cramps and are not fatal. The germs are often spread from the unwashed hands of food workers.


WHAT ARE SALMONELLA AND E. COLI?

 

Both are bacteria that occur commonly in the intestinal tracts of animals and humans, but some types cause serious illness. They are often spread by the unwashed hands of food workers.



HOW ARE THEY SPREAD?

 

Some strains of salmonella can turn up on fruits and vegetables; others are found in eggs and poultry. E. coli is most often linked to undercooked meat but also can be found in raw sprouts and lettuce. Both bacteria are also found in unpasteurized milk and juice.


WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF THESE ILLNESSES?

 

People exposed to salmonella can get sick in one to three days, with diarrhea, fever, abdominal cramps and vomiting which lasts up to seven days. E. coli’s basic symptoms are similar, but can take up to eight days to develop, and may last up to 10 days. Both germs are most dangerous to young children, the elderly and people with weakened immune systems. Deaths are rare, although one strain of E. coli causes particularly severe illness.


WHAT OUTBREAKS HAVE BEEN THE WORST?

 

Perhaps the largest salmonella outbreak in the country sickened about 20,000 people in 1994 who ate ice cream from Schwan’s, a home food delivery company based in Marshall, Minn. Investigators traced the bacteria to tanker trucks used to haul both ice cream and raw eggs. Over the last decade, hundreds also have become sick from tainted tomatoes and orange juice.A major E. coli outbreak in 1993 sickened about 700 people and killed four who ate undercooked Jack in the Box hamburgers in Washington state. That outbreak led to tighter U.S. Department of Agriculture safety standards for meat and poultry producers.


Some strains of salmonella can turn up on fruits and vegetables; others are found in eggs and poultry. E. coli is most often linked to undercooked meat but also can be found in raw sprouts and lettuce. Both bacteria are also found in unpasteurized milk and juice. 


International and federal laws don’t allow the United States to set tougher safety rules for imported produce than for domestic products. Though the Food and Drug Administration tightened seafood and juice regulations after outbreaks in the late 1990s, officials are still studying whether to tighten fruit and vegetable standards.

“It’s really discouraging that it takes somebody to die to get anybody to do something,” said Nancy Donley, president of Safe Tables Our Priority. The Burlington, Vt.-based group was formed by the parents of children who died or were seriously ill after a 1993 E. coli outbreak traced to undercooked hamburgers.


Divided responsibility

 

Donley said a key problem is that no single agency is responsible for food safety. The USDA monitors meat, poultry and some egg products; the FDA handles eggs still in their shell, dairy products, and all other foods.


“If you’ve got an outbreak in a place that makes both cheese and sausage pizzas, you’ll have the USDA in there for the sausage pizzas and the FDA in there for the pizzas with just cheese,” Donley said. “It’s just silly.”


Officials with those agencies note that their jurisdictions are set by Congress.

The fruit and vegetable industry, alarmed by the outbreaks, is already policing itself, said Devon Zagory, senior vice president of Davis Fresh Technologies LLC of Redding, Calif., a food safety consulting firm. Most supermarket chains, for example, make growers and suppliers use food safety programs that must be audited by third-parties like Zagory’s company, he said.


And when questions arise about unsafe imports, the FDA can simply ban products it can’t otherwise regulate.


76 million Americans affected every year

 

The agency barred imported Mexican cantaloupes a few years ago after dozens of people got sick and two died in four separate salmonella outbreaks linked to melons. The ban was lifted for some Mexican companies that said they would adopt stricter safety standards.


But another key to combating food poisoning is measuring the problem, an inexact science that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is working to improve.

The CDC estimates 76 million Americans get foodborne illnesses each year, based on a study of 1997 statistics, said Dr. Robert Tauxe, chief of CDC’s foodborne and diarrheal diseases branch. In that study, the CDC concluded that 325,000 Americans are hospitalized and 5,000 die each year, but that one in 38 cases is never reported.


Those numbers are based on the assumption that millions of people, unlike Reges, are never hospitalized and blame their illness on a virus or the flu.


The CDC is now actively tracking foodborne illnesses in nine states and using those numbers to set nationwide estimates.


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5579642/

***

 

REGARDING OTHER MATTERS OF HEALTH AND EXERCISE…

 

As always, before starting ANY exercise program and/or diet, check with your doctor and get his approval.  This is all about being safe rather than sorry. 

 

And if you feel you are suffering from depression, do know that there are medications available for you.  Don’t be embarrassed; this malady goes with the RAT RACE.  Therefore, see your doctor, and feel better fast! 

 

Have you started that “Walking” for weight loss and healthy heart routine, yet? There is no excuse for not going it alone, joining with someone, or even forming a group to take that walk at least five (5) times a week and for 40 minutes minimum.  So, stop procrastinating and get started.  Walk to the tune of Scripture or your favorite upbeat music.  And if you prefer the quiet, walk and meditate with the Most High.  Just make sure that you make time for your body and soul.  You’ll see and feel the difference after just two weeks, or I’ll eat your sneakers!  :)

 

***

 

May the Holy ONE of Israel be with us to keep us safe and informed in order that we make wise and healthy decisions.

 

Tziona Yisrael

 

*******

 

THOUGHT FOR TODAY AND FOREVER:

 

Let’s keep YIHOVAH and HIS LAW our focus and pray for deliverance and fulfillment of all of GOD’s WORD, so that every Nation will show forth HIS Praise and Exalt HIM above all other gods.

 

*******

 

THE  GREATEST  “SPOIL”  OF  ALL

 

The Israelites received Reparations for their free labor when they left out of Egypt (Exodus 12:35,36, Psalm 105:37).   Note also that Reparations were given to Ezra for the building of GOD’s Temple and for the service of the House of the LORD GOD of Israel (Ezra 7:12 –21).  And it is prophesied that we will again receive compensation for our free labor and bondage in this modern-day Egypt (all the lands that took Israelites captive):

 

“The Lord said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction.”   Jeremiah 15:11

 

*******

 

EDITORIAL  PERSPECTIVE:

 

FOLLOWING THE GOD OF ABRAHAM AND MOSES!

 

“Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way,

take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.

 

“For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity,

whose name is Holy;

I dwell in the high and holy place,

with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit,

to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

 

“For I will not contend for ever, neither will I be always wroth:

for the spirit should fail before me, and the souls which I have made.

 

“For the iniquity of his covetousness was I wroth,

and smote him:

I hid me, and was wroth, and he went on frowardly in the way of his heart.

 

“I have seen his ways, and will heal him: I will lead him also,

and restore comforts unto him and to his mourners.”

Isaiah 57:14 - 18

 

“For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD,

they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be:

yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be.

But the meek shall inherit the earth;

and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.”

Psalm 37:9 - 11

 

                                                                                                    August 2004

 

Can you imagine what a world that FEARS the True and Living GOD of Abraham and Moses will be like?  Can you fathom GOD, the CREATOR, taking back HIS Universe?  Can you envision a globe that embraces GOD’s WORD and the Ways of Righteousness that HE established so many thousands of years ago in the Wilderness before HIS Chosen People, the Children of Israel?