THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly

Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun

No. 1708 / November 15, 2025

2025 Gatherings (services start at 3:00 pm; doors open an hour earlier. )

11/15               Praise & Worship                                                                                            
11/16               Sabbath
11/17               Chodesh (Celebrating the 9th month of the Divine Year) *    
11/22               Praise & Worship                                                                                            
11/23               Sabbath
11/29               Praise & Worship                                                                                            
11/30               Sabbath
12/6                 Praise & Worship                                                                                            
12/7                 Sabbath
12/13               Praise & Worship                                                                                            
12/14               Sabbath

*   A Holy Day like Sabbaths (a day for no work)

2025 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year

Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Wisdom of Solomon; 1611 KJV                                      
11/15 - Chapters 6 – 10           11/16 - Chapters 11 – 15        11/17 - Chapters 16 – 19
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Ecclesiasticus; 1611 KJV (Sirach)                                  
11/18 - Chapters 1 – 5             11/19 - Chapters 6 – 10          11/20 - Chapters 11 – 15
11/21 - Chapters 16 – 20         11/22 - Chapters 21 – 25        11/23 - Chapters 26 – 30
11/24 - Chapters 31 – 35         11/25 - Chapters 36 – 40        11/26 - Chapters 41 – 45
11/27 - Chapters 46 – 51        

Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Baruch; 1611 KJV       Jeremiah’s Letter (Ext. Baruch)
11/28 - Chapters 1 – 5                                                               11/29 - (6:1-72; NAB)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Azariah’s Prayer; 1611 KJV   Susanna (NAB)             
11/30 – Ext. to Daniel (3:24-90; NAB)                                      12/1 – Daniel (Ch. 13)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Bel & Dragon; 1611 KJV       Prayer of Manasseh     
12/1 - Book of Daniel (Chapter 14; NAB)                               Ext. to 2 Chr. 33:11-13
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); 1 Maccabees; 1611 KJV                                                 
12/2 - Chapters 1 – 2               12/3 - Chapters 3 – 4               12/4 - Chapters 5 – 6
12/5 - Chapters 7 – 8               12/6 - Chapters 9 – 10            12/7 - Chapters 11 – 12
12/8 - Chapters 13 – 14           12/9 - Chapters 15 – 16
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); 2 Maccabees; 1611 KJV                                                 
12/10 - Chapters 1 – 3             12/11 - Chapters 4 – 5             12/12 - Chapters 6 – 8
12/13 - Chapters 9 – 11           12/14 - Chapters 12 – 13        12/15 - Chapters 14 – 15

Tabernacle Invitation

Interested in joining Bet Yeshurun Assembly? Please contact Pastor ObadiYah by email, telephone, mail, or in person at a gathering of Yahushuah’s Body.

Other Feasts?

(1 Kings 12:32-33) Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that in Judah and he offered on the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves he had made, and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made. So, he offered on the altar which he made in Bethel the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he devised of his own heart; and ordained a feast unto the children of Israel.

Students of the Word at Bet Yeshurun (BYA) are likely familiar with that Bible passage, which describes Jeroboam’s imposition of his feast upon the Kingdom of Israel. This next passage elaborates upon that king’s motive for changing the date and location of the Feast of Tabernacles. By preventing the Israelites annual pilgrimage to Jerusalem for that Festival, he intended to keep them from politically aligning with the Kingdom of Judah and save his own life. Instead, he led Israel into sin! (1 Kings 12:26-30) Jeroboam said in his heart, “Now, shall the kingdom return to the house of David, if this people go up to do sacrifice in the House of YAHUAH at Jerusalem. Then shall the heart of this people turn again to their lord, Rehoboam, king of Judah. They shall kill me and go again to Rehoboam, king of Judah.” Whereupon the king took counsel, made two calves of gold and said, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem. Behold thy gods O’ Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” He set one in Bethel and the other put he in Dan. This thing became a sin for people went to worship before the one, even unto Dan. 

What can we learn from that ancient history lesson? For one, obeying a civil law in disobedience to YAHUAH’s Torah, can damage our relationship with the Divine Lawgiver. In other words, observing traditional festivals can be sins that can separate us from Elohim: (Isaiah 33:22)For YAHUAH is our judge! YAHUAH is our lawgiver! YAHUAH is our king! (1 John 3:4) Who ever commits sin transgresses also the Law (Torah). For sin is the transgression of Torah. (1 Kings 15:30)Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked YAHUAH Elohim of Israel to anger.

Having seen all the recent decorations and festivities celebrating death and demonic activities (a.k.a. Halloween), it wasn’t difficult to turn away from that obvious ungodly holiday. But soon, America declares a national no-work day for its thanksgiving feast. Then a few weeks later, it’s time for the winter festivals of lights (a.k.a. Hanukah, Christmas). While these upcoming feasts seem to have decent purposes, are such festivals pleasing onto Elohim?

Let’s check into Scripture for guidance about engaging in human traditions and festivities. Keep in mind, no earthly king is demanding we participate under the pressure ancient Israel faced. We do feel the pressure, however, from religious organizations that strongly support such feasts. The Word warns BYA not to listen! (Deuteronomy 4:1-2) Hearken, O’ Israel unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do that you may live and go in and possess the land, which YAHUAH Elohim of your fathers gives you. You shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from it, that you may keep the commandments of YAHUAH Elohim.

While Moses shared that passage over 3,000 years ago, it’s critical to note Elohim’s Word doesn’t change. Ever! (Malachi 3:5-7) “I will come near to you to judgment. I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, adulterers, false swearers and against those that oppress the hireling in wages, the widow and the fatherless, and turn aside the stranger, and fear not me,” says YAHUAH Tzavuot (of hosts). “For I am YAHUAH! I change not! Therefore, you sons of Jacob are not consumed. Even from the days of your fathers you are gone away from my ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you,” says YAHUAH Tzavuot.

In other words, the Way of YAHUAH has no time constraints, and our Creator’s Feasts still picture Yah’s plans for humanity. Thus, there is no need of any human variations! (Also read Leviticus 23; Number 28 and 29; Deuteronomy 16:9-17; Exodus 34:22)

Consider how each Feast of YAHUAH is significant! (Leviticus 23:1-2) YAHUAH spoke unto Moses saying, “Speak to the children of Israel and say to them, ‘Concerning the Feasts of YAHUAH, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My Feasts.

Yes! These are YAH’s Feasts,” or “Mô‛êd” (H4150) in Hebrew. Strong’s Concordance explains that word also means “appointments.” So, these “holy convocations” are YAH’s appointed times for Elohim’s Family to gather! (Genesis 1:14) Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, for seasons (mô‛êd), and for days and years.”

Wow! YAH not only appoints our Feasts, HE sets heavenly signs of when to meet in the spring, summer and fall. Reread the passages on Yah’s Feasts. Note none are during the season of darkness (a.k.a. winter). Believers of YAH follow HIS appointed times, which seldom appear on calendars. (Psalm 111:7-10) The works of His hands are verity and judgment; all His commandments sure. They stand fast forever and ever, done in truth and uprightness. He sent redemption unto his people: He has commanded His covenant forever: holy and reverend, His name. The fear of YAHUAH is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His commandments.

Furthermore, YAH’s Feasts, like His Word, aren’t to be changed, or annulled. Although many celebrate special holidays throughout the year, BYA won’t cast away YAH’s Feasts to keep such holidays and traditions of humans. Indeed, casting YAH’s “Feasts” aside was Jeroboam’s sin! It’s also a reason why Elohim turns away from “professed” Believers! (1 Peter 1:24-25) For all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower thereof falls away. But the Word of YAHUAH endures forever. (Isaiah 40:8) Grass withers. The flower fades. But the Word of Elohim shall stand forever. 

Indeed, our Heavenly Father speaks against the festivals that humans appoint! (Deuteronomy 12:32) Whatever I command you, observe to do it. Thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.

Since YAH’s Word won’t change, people should hesitate to follow the likes of a Jeroboam, who modified Elohim’s Way in ordaining worship days. (Ecclesiastes 3:14)Whatsoever Elohim does, it shall be forever. Nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and Elohim does it that men should fear before him.

Note well, our Messiah kept the Feasts. He also said follow Him! (John 2:23) He was in Jerusalem at the Passover in the Feast, and many believed in His name when they saw the miracles, which He did. (John 7:37) In the Last Day, that great day of the Feast, Yahushuah stood and cried, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” (also read Luke 2:39-52)  
In showing us how to obey His Father’s sayings, He kept not the feasts of men! (John 14:23-24) Yahushuah answered him (Judas, not Iscariot), “If a man loves Me, he keeps My words and My Father will love him. We will come to him and make Our abode with him. He that loves Me not, keeps not My sayings and the word you hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me.”

Paul and the 1st century AD Church obediently kept YAH’s Feasts. So, should we! (Acts 2:1-4) When the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind and it filled all the house where they were sitting. There appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. They were filled with Ruach ha’Qodesh and began to speak with other tongues as Ruach gave them utterance.  (Acts 18:21) I must by all means keep this Feast that comes in Jerusalem, but I will return again to you, if Elohim will. (1 Cor. 5:7-8) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us. Therefore, let us keep the Feast, not with old leaven, neither with leaven of malice and wickedness but with unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (also read 1 Cor. 16:5-9; Acts 20:16)

Hallelu YAH! Elohim’s Feasts are still in effect and will be even after the Messiah returns: (Zechariah 14:16-19) It shall come to pass t hat everyone who is left of all the nations, which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to worship the King, YAHUAH Tzavuot, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. (Also see Isaiah 66:22-23)

So BYA, read your Bible. Keep YAH’s Feasts! These are not rituals! Do what the Word says! And may we always live according to Elohim’s Will and Way!
Shalom, Elder Curt

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Thoughts for Meditation

Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist in the 17th century - “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642 astronomer) - “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”

Martin Luther - “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”