Have You Heard That There Are Verses Missing From The New International Version of the Bible? Let's Get The Facts Straight.

Over the past few years I have been hearing that there is a problem with the New International Version of the Bible and how there are verses missing from it.  In reasearching this I found that there were some changes in the NIV Bible from the King James Bible versions. This concerned me and I let myself get all worked into a frenzy about everything that I had ever read in the NIV Bible right down to how can I trust any version of the Bible. Well, those worries may not have been completely unfounded, meaning that we should study the Word of God to be able to know it well enough to prove to God that were are workmen who can rightly divide the Word of truth. II Tim. 2:15. Those worries were unfounded because I jumped ahead onto the band wagon of the King James version of the Bible can be the only right verson, knowing better from all my fancy Bible schooling I that I have had which taught me to look at all the facts first and then I am free to jump to any conclusion that I want to. Now after my expert research skills were put to use, by asking Google, I found this really well laid out article explaining the in's and out's of what version showed up in history when and who is really behind this train of thought that the KJV is the only right version on earth. I decided that I would not try to restate the article  but rather I would just share it with you so that you can see for yourself. Using tools like the internet can be very useful as well as very confusing, I can expertly speak on this with great authority after getting myself really confused about a lot of different things,  so for me it's important not to use online sources as the final say.  Of course, you have your way of learning and gathering information and above all else, you are welcome to jump to whatever conclusion you want to,  but please do so after you check out this info first before jumping this time.  You might find that you have saved yourself from trouble.    

The shared article is below but let me share a few things first.  What this article says is most important to our understanding about how satan will use anything he can to take us out of God's Word. I don't know if you are aware of the movement of the King James only people but it's important for you to know that they have a strong belief that no other version but the 1611 KJV is the only one that should ever be read and believed. That is a religious spirit at work behind that belief and we can see how much that has caused a problem even causing us to want to throw away bibles and to stop reading them. I'm guilty to of being caught up in the worries of what to do with my bibles and of wondering if I was taught wrong my whole life. Those who have worried about such things, as I did, about this whole situation has made us angry and fearful and doubtful.  God doesn't give us a spirit of fear but rather a spirit of peace so our take away is that if we are presented with a concept that causes us worry or anger or fear then we really need to test that concept to see where it comes from or where it's beginnings are from. Today it is too easy to gather information due to the internet to not only dupe ourselves into making fast and uneducated and unfounded decisions about issues that really do nothing more then help us build up prejudices and hatreds and opinions that are ccausing us to waste time informing all the poor souls that have never heard our new found information or are now not as smart as us on this issue because we have seen a youtube video or have seen a Facebook post about it or read some article that has been reproduced over and over just to prove a point that we some how feel validation in knowing that others opinions support this new frenzy, that we forget to go back to the source, which is God and ask Him to lead us to what is true about the current issue and also we often loose the Christ likeness that we want to strive to live in. We can be sure of that by the way we aporoach the topic with others because our conversations about the issue usually invole such words and or thoughts that make us feel proud, validated, superior, disgust, disbelief, anger, and an urgency to tell everyone we know this awesome new information that will change lives forever. Notice what is missing in this new found information? Peace and lack of fear. 

The enemy against God's Word is so cunning and deceiving that we often don't recognize that it's him at work. Because of this we all need to step up our game and make sure that we are reading God's Word every day, putting on the armor of God and praying ever day which does several things for us, it helps grow out spirit which makes us strong and builds our relationship with God so that we can hear and know His voice and it helps us know how to test every spirit that brings new or really to be honest it is recycled, (because there is nothing new under the sun), information to us that draws us away from doing the things listed above that keeps our minds busy and in a whirlwind. 

Be encouraged and pray for wisdom and strength and unity. We are all in this together and remember, united we stand but once the enemy gets us divided we then often get prideful and then we fall, usually right into the trap the enemy set for us that God has already warnned us about. 

Amy Hosp

Here is the article that I promised. 

JesusAlive.cc Fish

Q: #258. Why is the NIV Bible missing some verses?

By: Steve Shirley

A: The NIV has 16 "missing" verses, all in the New Testament. I put "missing" in parenthesis because many scholars would say that they aren't "missing" at all, but rather, the Bibles that have them (like the KJV) "added" them when they never should have been included in the Bible in the first place.

First off, it is important to understand that we do not have the "autographa" or original manuscripts of the Bible. The versions of the Bible we have today are based on copies from these original manuscripts. We have thousands of fragments and copies of the original manuscripts (some dating before 100 A.D.) that are surviving today. These are used by scholars when they write different versions of the Bible, generally using what is considered the best manuscript evidence available at the time.

These copies agree more than 98% of the time in what they say, but there are some differences. It should be understood that as Christians, we believe that the "autographa" is infallible, however, because fallible man has been involved in copying or translating what God originally stated, MINOR errors have occurred (none that concern any major doctrine). Many of these have been corrected over time. This being said, the "missing" verses would fall into this category.

When the KJV Bible was written in 1611, it was written primarily using what is called the "Textus Receptus." This was a highly regarded source at the time. However, since the KJV was written, we have found many more ancient source texts to use that were not available to those KJV writers (i.e the Codex Sinaiticus - found in the mid 1880's). When these different sources are compared they sometimes (but rarely) disagree. Regarding the "missing" verses, nearly all of the manuscripts we have today do not contain the "missing" verses. Therefore, they are not believed to have been a part of the "autographa" and are removed from that version (the NIV places them in footnotes with an explanation). Some versions include them, but with a warning. The NASB has them in parenthesis and says in the footnotes "Early mss do not contain this verse." The NKJV says, "NU omits verse --" (NU = Nestle-Aland).

I should add here that many who make an attack against these verses being left out are "KJV only" people. They believe that the KJV Bible is infallible or error free. (This is refuted here: Q: #1) We must understand that all Bibles we have are VERSIONS or copies of the original. NONE are infallible or error free. When a "KJV only" person or anyone else voraciously attacks a version of the Bible that leaves out these verses, they are often stating that "their" version (which includes the verses) is the correct standard by which every other version should be judged. If the verses are in "their" version, they should be in ALL versions. Again, this is simply false. (They also attack for other reasons too, some of which have more validity.)

Let me close by sharing this truth with you. God has promised in (Isa 40:8)(1 Pet 1:23,25)(Mt 5:18) that he would preserve His word, and He has done just that. The Bible is the most tested, scrutinized, proven and enduring book in history. While there may be differences in different versions of the Bible, we can rest assured that God's word is preserved.

PS: For those of you who want to know, here is a list of the "missing" verses: (Mt 17:21)(Mt 18:11)(Mt 23:14)(Mk 7:16)(Mk 9:44,46)(Mk 11:26)(Mk 15:28)(Lk 17:36)(Lk 23:17)(Jn 5:4)(Acts 8:37)(Acts 15:34)(Acts 24:7)(Acts 28:29)(Rom 16:24).

*** It should be noted that these are also missing from other Bible versions like the NLT, RSV, NRSV, CEV

http://jesusalive.cc/ques258.htm

Avinu Shebashamayim Prayer For The State of Israel

We are commanded to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Have you ever wondered how to do this or what to pray for? Right now is a wonderful time to pray for the State of Israel. The link will take you to a site so you can read the prayer both in English and in Hebrew. At the very end of the page is the transliteration of the Hebrew and when you read those English letters you will be saying the Hebrew words.

The prayer for the government is a biblical prayer, and is read during the Saturday morning service on Shabbat. The concept of praying for the wellbeing of the government was started in 586 B.C.E. by the prophet Jeremiah after the first expulsion from Jerusalem. Seeing as the Jewish people could not govern themselves, they implored God to guide their foreign rulers. David Abudarham first introduced this prayer into the modern siddurim (prayer book) in the 14th century. Jews have adopted different prayers for the governments of the countries in which they live. The prayer is read aloud after the Torah reading, but before the Torah is placed back into the ark. This blessing asks God to guard the proceedings of the government and the nation’s leaders.

http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Judaism/govprayer.html
Sources: Eisenberg, Ronald L. The JPS Guide to Jewish Traditions. PA: Jewish Publication Society, 2004; "Praying the Welfare of the State of Israel"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4mQPigRpRU

Avinu Shebashamayim

God in heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, 

bless the State of Israel, 

the first flowering of our redemption. 

Shield it with Your love, spread over it Your canopy of peace; 

provide light and truth to its leaders, 

and direct them with Your good counsel.

Strengthen the hands of those who defend our Holy land, 

deliver them and crown their efforts with triumph. 

Bless our land with peace, O God, 

and its inhabitants with lasting joy, and let us say, Amen.

Avinu Shebashamayim tzur yisrael v'goalo 

bareich et m'dinat Yisrael reishit tzmi'chat g'ulateinu.

Hagein aleha b'evrat chasdecha 

ufros aleha sukkat sh'lomecha;

ush'lach orcha vaamitcha l'rosheha sareha v'yoatzeha,

v'takneim b'eitza tova milfanecha.

Chazeik et y'dei m'ginei eretz kadsheinu,

v'hanchileim Eloheinu y'shuah, v'ateret nitzchon t'atreim;

v'natata shalom ba'eretz, v'simchat olam l'yoshveha.

He Turned Aside To Investigate

A Thought for the Week:

When Moses saw the burning bush, he turned aside to investigate. Only then did the Holy One reveal  Himself to Moses. Our problem is that we do not take the time to turn aside and investigate. We all intend to grow spiritually. We all imagine that one day, we will take time to study, take time to grow in Torah and the Word, to do a mitzvah (commandment), a good deed, by more like Yeshua and to pray regularly. But you can’t take good intentions to the grave. A famous rabbi once said, “Do not say to yourself, ‘When I have more time, I will study God's Word more. Perhaps you will not have more time.’”  Do not say, when I have more time, I will turn aside, you might not have more time.  

Taken from First Fruits of Zion at www.ffoz.org

Here are some traditional Jewish morning prayers that you can pray to help you start your day communicating with God for the day.

The Hebrew transliteration is first and the English follows. By reading the transliteration you are reading the pronunciation of the Hebrew words. 

Modah Ani|Prayer Upon Arising

Modah ani l’faneycha, (ruacḥ chai vekaiyam,) melech chai vekaiyam, shehechazarta bi nishmati bechemla, rabbah emunatecha.

I give thanks to You, living and eternal King, that you have mercifully 
returned my soul within me in compassion, great is your faithfulness.

Yotzer Hame’orot|Blessing for the Morning
Baruch atah, Adonai Eloheinu. Melech ha’olam, yotzer or uvorei choshekh, oseh shalom uvorei et ha’kol. Baruch atah, Adonai, yotzer hame’orot.

Blessed be He, Adonai, Our Elohim, King of the universe, who forms light and creates darkness, who makes peace and creates all things. Blessed be He, ADONAI, who forms the lights. Blessed be you, Adonai our Elohim, King of the Universe, who removes sleep from mine eyes, and slumber from mine eyelids.

Yirat Adonay Fear Of Hashem
Reishit chokhmah yrat Adonay, sekhl to lekhol oseihem, tehillato omedet la’ad. Baruch shem kevod malkhuto le’olam ve’ed.

The beginning of wisdom is the fear of Adonai. Those who perform His commandments have a good understanding; His praise endures forever. Blessed be the Name of His glorious Kingdom forever and ever.

Do You Respect The Bible?

In Messianic Judaism God's Word is highly respected. We don't put our Bibles on the floor and when the Torah scroll is carried around the room we reach out and touch it with either our Bible, or our hand and then kiss that which touched the Torah scroll. We don't do this to worship the Bible or the Torah, but instead we do it to show respect to Yeshua who is the Word!
Can you image not having a Bible in your possession? I have too many of them, I do study from all of them at different times since they are all different versions. To think of only having one Bible and getting one for the first time in my life as an adult.... What a treasure that would be to me.
I have seen preachers throw their Bibles on the ground during a service which I cannot image what they are thinking. Yes, the Bible is a book but it is what is in the that book that is important. It is respect for not only Yeshua who gave His life for us, but also for our creator, God, who loved us enough to send us His Son.
I'm guilty of not reading my Bible everyday and like many of you I've gone through times where I did read it everyday for a long stretch of time, but I can't think of a single reason why I would not or could not read my Bible everyday, or at least turn on a recording of the Word, but after seeing this, I will strive to be more disciplined to read my Bible everyday so that I will have more and more of the Word in my heart.
Tons of reasons to read our Bibles, but what I think of more and more is that one day we may have our Bibles taken from us and I wonder how much of it will I really have hidden in my heart so that I will not sin against God when that time comes. I have several notebooks that I have just sat and copied the Bible into at different times in my life which I always think is a good plan because if my Bibles are ever taken from me, I will still have a copy of the Word in what will look like just a journal.

Have you ever thought what you would do if your Bibles were ever taken from you and if so what is your plan to keep God's Word in your heart if that were to happen?

How the rapture of the body of Yeshua and how it is like a Jewish wedding ceremony

A friend of mine sent me a wonderful article about the rapture of the body of Yeshua and how it is like a Jewish wedding ceremony.  I have posted the article below and hope that you will find it informative and enjoy it as much as I have. 

Jewish Wedding Ceremony

By Joy Wriston

http://www.raptureready.com/soap2/wriston1.html

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I was brought up in a church that believed in the Pre-Trib Rapture but in college encountered other views. I noticed that they mostly used the same verses but interpreted them differently so wondered if my interpretation could be the one that was wrong. Then I discovered Zola Levitt and his explanation of the Jewish roots of the Rapture confirmed for me that the Pre-Trib view is the accurate one.

This is my synopsis of his teaching gleaned from his book, An Israeli Love Story ( a fictional story which explains the Jewish wedding ceremony). Anyone who wants to research this further can do so as there are many articles from different sources on the Internet.

The First Century Jewish Wedding Ceremony

In the first century, when a young man saw a young lady he liked, he consulted with his father. Sometimes the father picked the girl and no consultations were necessary. But when the father approved of the choice of a bride, the young man would go to her house and speak with her father. (p.105)

At the bride’s house three very important things would occur: The groom would make a covenant with the bride, an actual contract; he would drink a cup of wine with her which sealed the covenant and he would pay the bridal price for her to the father. The bridal price was to make sure the groom was serious about the covenant—he had to pay a price. After the covenant was made, the cup had been drunk and the price paid, the groom would make a speech to the bride telling her that he was going to leave her and return to his father’s house to prepare a bridal chamber for her, sort of a honeymoon suite.

The words he would say were “I go to prepare a place for you.” He would be gone for a long time. He would have to build and finish the bridal chamber and have it approved by his father. It would have to be stocked for enough provisions to last for the prescribed seven days for a honeymoon of that time period.He would want it to be beautiful for her.

It had to be done right to win the approval of the groom’s father. During that year or so that the groom was building the bridal chamber, if anyone asked him when the wedding would be, he would say. “I don’t know. Only my father knows.”And that was true.He couldn’t go back to get his bride until his father approved the chamber and told him to go get her.(pp.106-108)

Meanwhile, the bride was waiting with dignity. She wore her veil whenever she went out so that other young men would know that she wasn’t available. Now she was called “set apart,” “consecrate.” And “bought with a price.” She was no longer her own person but an individual contracted to another and she conducted herself in a way that respected that agreement. She didn’t seek after other young men. She prepared herself for marriage by gathering her trousseau and waiting for her groom. She was at home every night, especially as time went on and she knew he could be coming.

The tradition was for him to come at night, especially midnight, to try to take her by surprise. It was to be “an abduction.” The bride would be waiting with her “bridesmaids,” her sisters or whomever she wanted in her wedding party. They would all have oil in their lamps just in case the groom did come at night. As time went on they were sure to be ready every night. (pp.109-110)

One night the groom did finally come. It was customary for the groom’s party to shout as they neared the bride’s house.When the bride heard that shout, she knew her groom had come to get her. The groom and his friends would rush in and grab every girl in sight, being sure to get the one with the veil (the bride). He needed her veil as the party would be going through the streets and she was not yet married. The bride’s father and brothers looked the other way as long as it was the young man with the contract. (p.110)

The entire wedding party would head towards the groom’s house, traveling through the streets and laughing. People would know there was a wedding going on but couldn’t tell who the bride was because the bride was covered by the veil. The bride and groom would enter the bridal chamber while the wedding party waited outside along with the wedding guests (friends of the groom’s father). Everyone waited outside the wedding chamber until the groom told his trusted friend through the door that the marriage was consummated.

Then the guests began celebrating an accomplished marriage. The guests would spend the next seven days there celebrating until the bride emerged with her veil off. Now the couple were husband and wife. Then there would be the marriage supper where everyone would joyfully congratulate the new couple. Afterwards, the young couple would leave the father’s house and go to a permanent home the husband had prepared for them. (p.111-113)

Jesus as the Bridegroom

The New Covenant

Hebrew 8:8 quotes Jeremiah 31:31-34 which states:

“‘Behold, days are coming,’ declares the Lord, ‘when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah; not like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; My covenant which they broke, although I was a husband to them,’ declares the Lord.‘But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days’ declares the Lord, ‘I will put My law within them and on their heart I will write it; and I will be their God and they shall be My people. They will not teach again, each man his neighbor and each man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them,” declares the Lord, “for I will forgive their iniquities and their sin I will remember no more.”

The New Covenant had to do with the Messiah’s coming and had to be signed in blood. Abraham had to divide animals when the Abrahamic Covenant made the Jews the chosen people (Genesis 15:10). In Moses’ day, the blood of the sacrificial lamb on the doorposts saved the firstborn of the Jewish believers (Exodus 12:7). Then later on Mount Sinai, the Mosaic Covenant was established. It required repeated blood (animal) sacrifices specified in the Law for the forgiveness of sins/offenses against God (Exodus 20:24).

The Davidic Covenant included burnt and peace offerings which required the shedding of animal blood (2 Samuel 6:17-18, 1 Chronicles 16:1-3). It’s the blood that makes the Covenant go into effect. When the Messiah (Jesus) came, John the Baptist called Him ,“The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Isaiah 53:7 says the Messiah “would be led as a lamb to the slaughter.” When Jesus died on the cross, it was as a sacrifice for us; dying in our place with our sins placed on Him.

That the relationship of God and Israel has always been a marriage is made clear in the book of Hosea. In Jeremiah 31:32 God says He has been a “husband” to Israel.Paul compared marriage to being like the relationship between Christ and the church (Ephesians 5:22-33). The church is referred to as the bride of Christ or betrothed of Christ (Revelation 17:9; Ephesians 5:25-28; 2 Corinthians 11:1-4).

Jesus said that He only came for the “lost sheep of the house of Israel.” When Gentiles came to faith in the Jewish Messiah they were grafted into the Jewish tree, and were called the spiritual seed of Abraham (Matthew 15:24; Romans 11:17).

The Cup

At the Passover supper Jesus drank the cup with his disciples and stated “This is My blood of the new covenant which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28) God promises, “I will forgive their iniquities and remember their sins no more.” (Jeremiah 31:34) In the Jewish faith, the cup at the Passover supper is called the “Cup of Redemption.”

The Price

Jesus paid the bride price. He even asked His Father if it was worth it. (Luke 22:42-44) In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but yours be done. And His sweat fell like great drops of blood while He was contemplating the cross. God sent an angel to strengthen His Son. That was His answer. Jesus paid the price for us.

“I Go to Prepare a Place for You”

In John 14:2-3 Jesus tells His disciples, “ In My Father’s house are many dwelling places. If it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” His ascension into heaven is recorded in Mark 16:19-20 and Luke 24:50-51.

The Bride Awaits

Jesus is still at his Father’s house preparing a place for us. And we are awaiting His return in a consecrated way—bought with a price; set apart (1 Corinthians 6:20; John 17:14-26, Romans 12:2;1 Peter 1:15-16.) “We are to act like the covenanted bride and be waiting at all times for our Bridegroom to come.We are to have oil in our lamps and be ready to travel, even at night (Matthew 25:1-46). Our oil is the Holy Spirit, the third Person of the Trinity who came to the Jews at Pentecost after the Messiah ascended. We are each to be filled with the Holy Spirit and always ready to go (Acts 2).

Jesus performed a vast Jewish courtship with His believers. “The Lord will return for His bride. There will be a bridal chamber in heaven where Jesus and the church will spend seven years - like the ancient seven days, and there will be a marriage supper like the Jews used to have. Every detail of Jesus’ great wedding will be accomplished and it will be carried out in the exact traditions of the Jewish people, because Jesus is Jewish!”

The Return of the Bridegroom

In the Jewish holy days, “Shuvuot (Pentecost) – that’s the harvest holiday. All summer following Pentecost the people plant and till the ground. But when the trumpet sounds, on what we now call Rosh Hashanah, the old Feast of Trumpets, the crops are in and the harvest is finished. Jeremiah, just to mention one prophet, could see that we wouldn’t be ready—not all of us.

“The summer is ended and we are not saved” (Jeremiah 8:20).Paul gave us a wonderful picture of that moment when the groom will return for His bride.” For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we shall always be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17). (pp. 149-151)

That fulfills everything.You have the shout of the bridegroom to notify the bride of his coming; you have the trumpet to finish the harvest and to proclaim liberty for God’s people. We (Jews) used to blow the trumpet on each Jubilee to proclaim liberty…well, this is real liberty (Leviticus 25:10).

Just as a Jewish bridegroom called for his bride unexpectedly, and took her to his father’s house, Jesus will take His Bride (believers) away quickly, changed in the twinkling of an eye. (1 Corinthians 15:52). The Bride is to be ready and waiting with her veil on so that anyone who sees her pass will not know who she is.

People in today’s world also don’t recognize the bride of Christ. They see people going to church but don’t recognize them as the Bride. It’s as if true believers are wearing a spiritual veil making them unrecognizable to the world. After the Bride has gone on to her wedding, the world still won’t recognize who she was.

The House of the Father of the Groom

When the bride and groom arrive at the groom’s father’s house they will find a large gathering of wedding guests who are friends of the father. When the Bridegroom brings us to His Father’s house we will also find the Father’s friends there as wedding guests. These are the Old Testament saints, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the prophets, and the faithful chosen people who lived prior to the coming of the Messiah.

But first the bride and groom must go into the bridal chamber for seven days. And the groom’s friend waits outside the chamber until he hears the groom’s voice. Then he tells the guests when the marriage is consummated. In John 3:29 the Pharisees were questioning John the Baptist if he was the Messiah. John told them: “He that has the bride is the bridegroom: but the friend of the bridegroom who stands nearby and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. So this joy of mine has been made full.” The marriage is accomplished when the bridegroom’s voice is heard.

The “honeymoon” in heaven is the judgment seat of Christ. We will go before the Messiah and He will look at our works done for Him while we were in the flesh.We (believers) are all His servants and we do both good works and bad. In 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 Paul wrote:

“No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay or straw, each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it for it is to be revealed with fire and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. If any man’s work which he has built on remains, he will receive a reward (crowns). If any man’s work is burned up he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

This has nothing to do with sins. They were all covered at the cross. God isn’t going to charge us for what is already paid for. If you accept Jesus as Messiah (Savior) all your sins are forgiven. The “honeymoon” is where the groom removes the bride’s veil and knows her secrets. Even with our “bad” works, love is the healing factor. If you want a “good honeymoon” follow the Lord and do your good works for him. Either way, keep in mind that Jesus loves you and will be very glad to see you.

The Marriage Supper

The announcement has been made that the marriage is consummated. The Lord has examined everyone’s works and the crowns have been awarded. Now there is great rejoicing and celebration. The marriage is official and the great marriage supper (what we would call the reception) will commence. The Bride will be greatly honored:

“Let us rejoice and be glad and give glory to Him for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His wife has made herself ready. It was given to her to clothe herself in fine linen, bright and clean; for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints” (Revelation 19:7-8).

Notice that the Bible now says “wife” instead of “bride.” The honeymoon is finished and we are now married to the Lord. After the supper is over, we’ll leave to live and reign with our Husband in His millennial kingdom.

"I have no pleasure in the death of anyone says the Lord God." Ezekiel 18:32

"I have no pleasure in the death of anyone says the Lord God." Ezekiel 18:32

I was in New York City on 9/11 and as a matter of fact I had just moved there the day before. It was a very hard time to be there but at the same time it was a wonderful opportunity do to some reflecting. I want to share a journal entry that I wrote one afternoon just a short while after 9/11 while I was waiting for the fairy to take me into New York City from Staten Island. I think back to the day that I wrote this and it is still fresh in my mind but I know that God is still in control. We need to remember this even now. Please read this and pass it on to anyone you think may reap from its message.
Be Blessed
amy

“I have no pleasure in the death of anyone says the Lord God.” Ezekiel 18:32

As I sit on the shore side at the Minor League Baseball Stadium on Staten Island listening to the lapping waves of the Hudson River and trying not to sniff the faint fish odor I look out across the water into the foggy haze at only an outline of the city. Without the World Trade Center buildings looming high above the concrete jungle, from this point of view the city seems dwarfed somehow, even more so today in the haze. Lady Liberty is tiny from here, not that she’s all that big to begin with. What I notice about her is that her face in some small semblance of fate is turned so that only her peripheral view can see that remaining rubble of those destroying moments. I think that it is fitting that she didn’t have to watch it happen and that only a glimpse of that day was caught by her. That is how America one day will see it, as only a glimpse, like so many other history making events that have taken place in the course of our nation’s life. We will not spend needless hours of watching and waiting, but we will see it as a glimpse of our past. We know that it happened but we must remain standing, like Lady Liberty, to say that life goes on and we stand up for great things!

The haze of this day is a reminder that the memory of 9-11-01 will, even though it is hard to imagine, one day be a hazy memory. Don’t get me wrong, this day for some will never weaver in brightness or rather I should say darkness but to the countless rest of the people who were in no way connected other than being alive, being American, and watching the news will realize that this become a memory of “where I was on that day”. It reminds me of the way America sees the death of President Kennedy. I was not alive then so I only have film and stories from others about the terrible day. This too will be the way 9/11 will be seen by generations in the future. In no way do I intend to down play this most horrible tragedy of 9/11 but in all ways I do intend to remind everyone that there is something bigger than all this, and that something is someone. God! He loves you and He loved and cared about each one of those lost lives from that day, yes, even the men who carried out the horrible task.

I don’t want to discuss the issues of if this was God’s plan or the devil’s plan except that there are a few Scriptures that we can look at to see what part belonged to whom. The fact of the matter is that God is in control and all the Glory will go to Him in the end. If you see 9/11 as an act of God to wake us up or if you see it as an act of the devil to destroy us, either way there is only one way to turn and that is up toward God. A quote from the book Desiring God by John Piper helped me see clearly how I should view this event. The quote says, “How can God be happy and decree calamity? Consider that he has the capacity to view the world through two lenses. Through the narrow one He is grieved and angered at sin and pain. Through the wide one He sees evil in relation to its eternal purposes. Reality is like a mosaic. The parts may be ugly in themselves, but the whole is beautiful.” And also quoted from the same book, “If God reigns as sovereign over the world, then the evil of the world is not outside His design.” Amos 3:6 “Does evil befall a city, unless the Lord has done it?” This may sound harsh and like it is an action from an unloving God but please, I encourage you to take some time and search the Scriptures to see that God’s plan will not cease no matter how painful it may be for us. In the end He always follows His plan. Here are a few verses that I found:

Lamentations 2:11 “My eyes fail from weeping, I am in torment within, my heart is poured out on the ground because my people are destroyed, because children and infants faint in the streets of the city.”

Lamentations 3:37-38 “Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?”

Revelation 17:17 “For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish His purpose by agreeing to give the beast their power to rule, until God’s words are fulfilled.”

I know that this may be hard to take but it is true. Even harder to take is the fact that thousands of those lost that day was just that, lost. They will spend an eternity in hell. I think about the pictures that I saw on the news where the people on the floors above where the airplane hit the towers were hanging out of the windows trying to escape the intense heat from the fire that the airplane fuel ignited and I wondered if those people were going to be entering into a fire much hotter of which they can never escape……. We can’t say that God was mean for taking them this way knowing so many would go to hell, but the fact of the matter is that none of us knows which day will be our last. Friend, I urge you with all that is within me to ask Jesus Christ to come into your heart and save you. We all need to be saved because we all have sinned. Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” That sin has separated us from God and when we die in our sin then we are forever separated from Him but He has given us a gift to take instead. Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” How and why did God give us this gift? John 3:16 “ For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” God loved us from the beginning and He showed us His love by giving us His son. Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” What right does this give you? John 1:12 “Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” You see satan intends for us to be destroyed, he is like a thief that comes and steals from you, but God has a better plan. John 10:10 “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy, I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” Jesus is asking you now to let Him into your heart and allow Him to become the Lord of your life to save you from an eternity in hell. Revelation 3:20 “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.”

Make the decision today to accept Christ and if you already know Jesus as your personal Savior than please tell those around you about Him.

Today in History, Jewish History is packed full of important events!

 I love History! I also really love knowing what is happening in Biblical History!! I visit http://www.chabad.org/ everyday and it is just packed full of information about Biblical history from the Torah. This is today's history:

Today is: Tuesday, Nissan 1, 5774 · April 1, 2014
Rosh Chodesh Nissan                                                                                                        

BLESSING ON BLOOMING TREES
A special mitzvah, which can be fulfilled only once a year, is to recite the berachah ("blessing" or prayer) made upon seeing a fruit tree in bloom: Blessed are you G-d our G-d, king of the universe, who left nothing lacking in His world, and created within it good creatures and good trees with which He gives pleasure to people. Today is the first opportunity to make this blessing, but it can be done anytime during the month of Nissan (referred to by the Torah as "the month of spring" ). Many visit botanical gardens during this time, so as to avail themselves of an opportunity to observe this beautiful mitzvah.

                                                     www.colourbox.com

'NASI' OF THE DAY
Beginning today, and continuing through Nissan 13, we recite the verses (from Numbers ch. 7) describing the offerings made by the "princes" (nesi'im) of the 12 tribes of Israel. Today we read of the gift bought by Nachshon ben Aminadav, the nasi of the tribe of Judah, on this date. Tomorrow we read of Issachar's gift, and so on for the 12 tribes. On the 13th of Nissan we read G-d's instructions to Aaron regarding the kindling of the menorah, which represents the participation of the priestly tribe of Levi.

Following the verses of the day's "Nasi," we recite a short prayer in which we say, "...if I, Your servant, am from the tribe of ___ whose section of the Nasi I have read today in Your Torah, may all the holy sparks and holy illuminations that are included within the holiness of this tribe shine upon me, to grant me understanding and intelligence in Your Torah and my awe of You, to do Your will all the days of my life...."

The Nasi for all 13 Days:

First of Nissan
And it was on the day that Moses finished setting up the Tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it and all its vessels, and the altar and all its vessels, and had anointed them and sanctified them—that the princes of Israel, the heads of their father’s houses, who were the princes of the tribes, those who had superintended the counting, offered: And they brought their offering before the Lord—six covered wagons and twelve oxen, a wagon for every two of the princes and an ox for each one; and they presented them before the Tabernacle. And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Accept it from them that they may be used in the service of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the Levi’im, to each man according to his service. Moses took the wagons and the oxen and gave them to the Levi’im. Two wagons and four oxen he gave to the sons of Gershon, according to their service, and four wagons and eight oxen he gave to the sons of Merari, according to their service—under the supervision of Itamar the son ofAaron the Kohen. But to the sons of Kehat he did not give any, since theirs was the service of [carrying the most] sacred objects; they shall carry them upon their shoulders. The princes brought the dedication-offering for the altar on the day that it was anointed, and the princes offered their offering before the altar. And the Lord said to Moses: They shall present their offering, each prince on [his] day, for the dedication of the altar. And he who presented his offering on the first day was Nachshon the son of Aminadav of the tribe of Judah. And his offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Nachshon the son of Aminadav.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Judah, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Second of Nissan
On the second day, Netanel the son of Tzuar, the prince of Yissachar, offered. He presented his offering: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Netanel the son of Tzuar.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Yissachar, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Third of Nissan
On the third day, the prince of the children of Zevulun, Eliav the son of Chelon [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty Shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Eliav the son of Chelon.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Zevulun, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Fourth of Nissan
On the fourth day, the prince of the children of Reuven, Elitzur the son of Shedeur [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Elitzur the son of Shedeur.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Reuven, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Fifth of Nissan
On the fifth day, the prince of the children of Shimon, Shelumiel the son of Tzurishadai [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Tzurishadai.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Shimon, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Sixth of Nissan
On the sixth day, the prince of the children of Gad, Elyasaf the son of Deuel [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Elyasaf the son of Deuel.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Gad, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Seventh of Nissan
On the seventh day, the prince of the children of Ephraim, Elishama the son of Amihud [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Elishama the son of Amihud.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Ephraim, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Eighth of Nissan
On the eighth day, the prince of the children of Menasheh, Gamliel the son of Pedatzur [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Gamliel the son of Pedatzur.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Menasheh, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Ninth of Nissan
On the ninth day, the prince of the children of Binyamin, Avidan the son of Gidoni [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Avidan the son of Gidoni.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Binyamin, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Tenth of Nissan
On the tenth day, the prince of the children of Dan, Achiezer the son of Amishaday [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Achiezer the son of Amishaday.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Dan, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Eleventh of Nissan
On the eleventh day, the prince of the children of Asher, Pagiel the son of Achran [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Pagiel the son of Achran.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Asher, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Twelfth of Nissan
On the twelfth day, the prince of the children of Naftali, Achira the son of Enan [offered]. His offering was: one silver dish whose weight was a hundred and thirty shekels, one silver bowl of seventy shekels by Sanctuary weight—both filled with fine flour mixed with oil for a meal-offering; one golden cup of ten [shekels], filled with incense. One young bullock, one ram, one lamb in its first year, for a burnt-offering; one goat for a sin-offering; and for a sacrifice of peace-offering: two oxen, five rams, five he-goats, five yearling lambs. This was the offering of Achira the son of Enan.

May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that in Your great kindness You will shine upon the holy souls that renew themselves as “birds” and sing and praise and pray on behalf of the holy people Israel. Master of the world, gather and take in those sacred “birds” to the holy place of which it is said: No eye has seen it, except You, O God. May it be Your will, Lord my God and God of my fathers, that if I, Your servant, am of the tribe of Naftali, the Torah section of whose prince I have recited today, then may there shine upon me all the holy “sparks” and all the holy lights which are contained in the holiness of this tribe, to understand and comprehend in Your Torah and in the fear of You, to do Your will all the days of my life—I and my children and my children’s children, from now and forever. Amen.

Thirteenth of Nissan
This was the dedication-offering for the altar on the day when it was anointed, from the princes of Israel: twelve silver dishes, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden cups. A hundred and thirty shekels of silver was each dish and seventy each bowl—all the silver of the vessels was two thousand four hundred Sanctuary shekels. Twelve golden cups, filled with incense, each cup weighing ten Sanctuary shekels; all the gold of the cups was one hundred and twenty. All the oxen for the burnt-offering were twelve bullocks, twelve rams, twelve yearling lambs, and their meal-offering; and twelve goats for a sin-offering. And all the oxen for the sacrifice of peace-offerings were twenty-four bullocks, sixty rams, sixty he-goats, sixty yearling lambs. This was the dedication-offering for the altar after it was anointed. When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Him, he heard the Voice speaking to him from above the cover that was upon the Ark of Testimony, from between the two kruvim; and He spoke to him. The Lord spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and say to him: When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall shed light toward the [central shaft of the] menorah. And Aaron did so; he lit its lamps toward the [central shaft of the] menorah, as the Lord had commanded Moses. And this is how the menorah was made: it was hammered gold, from its base to its flowers it was hammered [of one piece]; according to the pattern that the Lord had shown Moses, so he made the menorah.
From Siddur Tehillat Hashem. © Copyright Kehot Publication Society, Brooklyn NY

CREATION OF MAN (IN THOUGHT) (3761 BCE)
The Talmud (Rosh Hashanah 10b-11a) cites two opinions as to the date of G-d's creation of the universe: according to Rabbi Eliezer: "The world was created in Tishrei" (i.e., the sixth day of creation--the day on which Adam and Eve were created--was the 1st of Tishrei, celebrated each year as Rosh Hashanah); according to Rabbi Joshua, "The world was created in Nissan." As interpreted by the Kabbalists and the Chassidic masters, the deeper meaning of these two views is that the physical world was created in Tishrei, while the "thought" or idea of creation was created in the month of Nissan.

THE PATRIARCHS (1813-1506 BCE)
According to the Talmud, the three Patriarchs of the Jewish people-- Abraham (1813-1638 BCE), Issac (1713-1533 BCE) and Jacob (1653-1506 BCE)--all were born and passed away in the month of Nissan.

JEWISH CALENDAR INAUGURATED (1313 BCE)
On the first of Nissan of the year 2448 from creation (1313 BCE--two weeks before the Exodus), G-d showed Moses the crescent new moon and told him, "When you see the moon like this, sanctify [the new month]." This ushered in the first Jewish month, and commenced the lunar calendar Jews have been following ever since.

MISHKAN INAUGURATED (1312 BCE)
On the eight day following a 7-day training and initiation period, the portable Mishkan ("Tabernacle" or "Sanctuary") built by the Children of Israel in the Sinai desert was erected, Aaron and his sons began serving as priests, and the Divine Presence came to dwell in the Mishkan; special offerings were brought, including a series of gifts by Nachshon ben Aminadav, the Prince of the Tribe of Judah (similar offerings were brought over the next 11 days by the other tribes of Israel).

DEATH OF NADAV AND AVIHU (1312 BCE)
On the day the Mishkan was inaugurated (see above), "Nadav and Avihu, the sons of Aaron, took each of them his censer, and put fire in it, and put incense on it, and offered strange fire before G-d, which He commanded them not. A fire went out from G-d, and consumed them, and they died before G-d" (Leviticus 10:1-2).