MOSHIACH’S LETTER THROUGH THE SHLIACH SHIMON KEFA TO THE BRIT CHADASHA KEHILLAH (ll)

Shimon Kefa, an eved and Shliach of Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua: to the ones having obtained, with us [Shlichim of Moshiach], equally precious [orthodox Jewish] emunah (faith) [the Emunah of the true Dat HaYehudit] in the Tzedek Hashem [Dan 9:24ⁱ] of Eloheinu and Moshieinu Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua. |2| Chesed Hashem and Shalom Hashem to you abundantly in the da’as (personal, saving knowledge) of Hashem and Adoneinu Yehoshua. |3| As the gevurat Hashem (the power of G-d) has given us everything for Chayyim (life) and chasidus through the da’as (personal, saving knowledge) of the One Who bestows on us the kri’ah (calling) to His own Kavod (Glory) and Tzidkanut (Righteousness see 1:5-7; 2:5,21; 3:13) |4| So Hashem has given us precious havtachot gedolot (great promises 3:4,9,13 cf.2:19) that through these promises you might become [regenerate] deveykus participants with the life of the teva haelohi (divine nature, cf Yn 1:13], having escaped the [degenerate] Olam Hazeh’s lust engendered corruption. |5| For this very reason, you must apply all zerizut (diligence) to supply emunah with midah hatov (the attribute of virtue), and midah hatov with da’as (knowledge), |6| And da’as with shlitah atzmit (self-control), and shlitah atzmit with chozek (fortitude) and chozek with chasidus (piety), |7| And chassidus with ahavah shel achvah (brotherly love), and ahavah shel achvah with ahavah (agape). |8| For if these midos are in you increasingly, they will forestall you from being batlanim (idlers) and lo poreh (unfruitful) in the da’as (personal saving knowledge) of Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Adoneinu Yehoshua. |9| For the one with whom these middos chasidus (qualities of piety) are not present is an ivver (blind man), being shortsighted, having forgotten the tohorah (cleansing) of his past averos. |10| Therefore, Achim b’Moshiach, be eagerly diligent to make your kri’ah (summons) and bechirah (election) sure, for, if you do these things, you will never fall over a michshol (stumbling block). |11| For thus will be richly provided for you the entrance into the Malchut Olam of Adoneinu and Moshieinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua. |12| Therefore, it is my tachlis (purpose, final end) always to remind you concerning these things, even though you have da’as of them and have been stabilized in HaEmes that you have. |13| But I consider it befitting, as long as I am in this ohel, to arouse you with a tizkoret (reminder), |14| Als (since) I know that the putting off of my mishkan is imminent, as indeed Adoneinu Rebbe Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua made clear to me. |15| And also I am eager to cause you to always possess the zichron (memory) of these things after my exodus. [T.N. Written shortly before his death al kiddush ha-Shem for his Moshiach. See Bodmer papyrus p72 showing early attestation of this authentic last will and testament of Kefa whom Nero caused to be killed.] 1

|16| For we had not followed cleverly crafted aggadot or doichek (farfetched) bubbemeises or reid (hearsay) when we made known to you the gevurah (miraculous power) of Adoneinu Rebbe, Melech HaMoshiach Yehoshua and the Bi’as HaMoshiach of him; no, we had been edei re’iyah (eyewitnesses) of Moshiach’s majestic gedulah (greatness). |17| For having received from Elohim HaAv kavod va’oz, the bat kol was conveyed to Moshiach by the Majestic Glory, “ZEH BENI AHUVI ASHER BO CHAFATSTI” (“This is my Son, the beloved, with whom I am well pleased” TEHILLIM 2:7ⁱⁱ; BERESHIS 22:ⁱⁱⁱ2; YESHAYAH 42:1). |18| And this bat kol we heard out of Shomayim, having been brought with Moshiach upon the Har HaKodesh. |19| And we have the Dvar HaNevu’ah (Word of Prophecy) made more sure, to which you do well in giving heed as to a menorah shining in a place of choshech until HaYom [of Olam Habah 3:18] dawns and the Kochav (Star BAMIDBAR 24:17^iv) haNogah (of Brightness, Venus) rises in your levavot (hearts). |20| Knowing this first: that every nevu’ah (prophecy) of the Kitvei Hakodesh is not of one’s own interpretation. |21| For no nevu’ah was at any time brought by the ratzon HaBnei Adam (will of Man), but men being carried along by the Ruach Hakodesh spoke from Hashem

Gabriel’s Prophecy of the Seventy Weeks

20While I was speaking, praying, confessing my sin and that of my people Israel, and presenting my petition before the LORD my God concerning His holy mountain— 21while I was still praying, Gabriel, the man I had seen in the earlier vision, came to me in swift flight about the time of the evening sacrifice. 22He instructed me and spoke with me, saying: “O Daniel, I have come now to give you insight and understanding. 23At the beginning of your petitions, an answer went out, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly precious. So consider the message and understand the vision:

24Seventy weekse are decreed for your people and your holy city to stop their transgression, to put an end to sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy Place.f

25Know and understand this: From the issuance of the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem, until the Messiah,g the Prince, there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks. It will be rebuilt with streets and a trench, but in times of distress.

26Then after the sixty-two weeksh the Messiah will be cut off and will have nothing.

Then the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. The end will come like a flood, and until the end there will be war; desolations have been decreed. 27And he will confirm a covenant with many for one week,i but in the middle of the week he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on the wing of the temple will come the abomination that causes desolation,j until the decreed destruction is poured out upon him.k”

Berakhot 4b:23

After this discussion of the statement that Rabbi Elazar said that Rabbi Avina said, another statement of Rabbi Elazar is cited. Rabbi Elazar bar Avina said: What was said about the angel Michael is greater than what was said about the angel Gabriel. As about Michael, it is written: “And one of the seraphim flew to me” (Isaiah 6:6), indicating that with a single flight, the seraph arrived and performed his mission, while regarding Gabriel, it is written: “The man, Gabriel, whom I had seen at the beginning, in a vision, being caused to fly swiftly, approached close to me about the time of the evening offering” (Daniel 9:21). The double language used in the phrase “to fly swiftly [muaf biaf],” indicates that he did not arrive at his destination in a single flight, but rather, that it took him two flights.

iiEin Yaakov (Glick Edition), Avodah Zarah 1:3

Is that so? Did not R. Mair say: “Whence do we know that even a Gentile who is occupied with the study of the Law, is likened to a high-priest? The passage says (Lev. 18, 5) Which if a man do, shall live by it. It does not specify priest, Levite, or Israelite, but states in general if a man, whence it may be inferred that a Gentile, too, who occupies himself with the study of the Law is equal to a high-priest. We must therefore say that they will not be rewarded for the observance equally with those who observe in accordance with their command; as R. Chanina said: “The reward for him who observes that which he is commanded, is greater than to him who observes the same without being commanded.” The nations will then plead the following: ‘Sovereign of the Universe, has then Israel, who has accepted the Torah, observed it?’ To which, the Holy One, praised be He! will respond: ‘I testify that Israel did observe the entire Torah.’ ‘Sovereign of the Universe,’ the nations will say, ‘is then a father fit to be a witness in the case of his son? Is not Israel called the son of the Eternal (Ex. 4, 22) My son, my first-born, is Israel.’ His reply will be: ‘Let heaven and earth testify that Israel observed the entire Torah.’ Again they will object, saying: ‘Sovereign of the Universe! The heaven and earth are also interested in this case, and therefore are not fit to be witnesses, for it is said (Jer. 33, 25) If My covenant be not … the appointed ordinance of heaven and earth, would not be established. And Resh Lakish said: ‘What is the meaning of the passage (Gen. 1, 31) And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. Why the article Hay in the word Hashishi? From this it may be inferred that the Holy One, praised be He! stipulated with all that had been created during the six days to the effect that if Israel would accept the Torah, well and good, but if not He would return all of them to chaos and ruin.’ Then the Holy One, praised be He! will say: ‘Men of your nations may come and testify that Israel has observed the Torah. Nimrod may testify that Abraham did not worship idols. Laban may testify that Jacob was not suspected of robbery. The wife of Potiphar may testify that Joseph was not guilty of adultery. Nebuchadnezzar may testify that Chananyah, Mishael and Azaryah did not bow themselves to the image; Darius of Daniel, that he did not abolish prayer; Eliphaz the Themanite, and Bildad the Schuchite, and Zophar the Na’amathite may say of all Israel that they observed all the Laws; as it is said (Is. 43, 9) Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified.’ They will then exclaim: ‘Sovereign of the Universe! give it to us now, and we will observe it!’ To which the Holy One, praised be He! will answer: ‘He who has prepared on the eve of Sabbath [for the Sabbath] will have to eat, but he who has not prepared, what then will he have to eat on Sabbath? However, I have one easy, meritorious act; it is the Succah, go and perform it.’ But how can you say so [that they will be permitted to perform it in the world to come]? Has not R. Joshua b. Levi said: ‘What is the meaning of the passage (Deut. 6, 6) Which I command thee this day to do? i.e., this day to do, but not tomorrow to do; this day to do, but not this day to be rewarded (in this world).’ We must therefore explain, this, because the Holy One, praised be He! does not deal despotically with His creatures. (Why is it called easy? Because it requires no expense.) Immediately thereupon, everyone of them will prepare a Succah on his roof, and the Holy One, praised be He! will cause the sun to penetrate it. As soon as the sun heats them, they would kick the Succah with their feet, and go away, as it is said (Ps. 2, 3) Let us break their bands asunder, etc. Why cause the sun to penetrate? Have we not said above that the Holy One, praised be He! does not deal despotically with His creatures? This is because Israel has also to go through such inconvenience of the sun when the summer solstice is postponed until the month of Tishri [touching the feast of Tabernacles]. (Ib. b) But did not Raba say that he who is afflicted by performing the command of Succah, is exempt from that obligation? Yea, but not to kick at it. The Holy One, praised be He! will then smile upon them. Said R. Isaac: “There is no smiling with the Holy One, but on that day.”

iiiEin Yaakov (Glick Edition), Sanhedrin 11:93

(Ib. b) (Num. 22, 21) And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his ass.” We are taught in a Baraitha in the name of R. Simon b. Elazar: “Love disregards the rule of dignified conduct and causes men to do things ordinarily left to servants, as we have seen by Abraham, concerning whom it is written (Gen. 22, 3) And Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his ass [because of his love for the Creator]; so does hatred disregard the rule of dignified conduct. We learn it from Bil’am concerning whom the passage says And Bil’am rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, [because of his animosity for Israel].”

ivJerusalem Talmud Ta’anit 24a:1

Ya’adin Ma’aydin Ma’Davin worked for the Epiphany, R ‘Shimon Ben Lakish spoke to M’Malan (Numbers 13: 11) that he was stronger than he supposedly could not say. R. Levi named R. Levi named R. Hama Bar Hanina (Jeremiah 11: 16) The voice of the hubbub grew to the great hubbub that you said set fire to it and shattered its varicose veins.Tani R. Yossi says the day the house sword was Saturday night and Shmita night and Yahavirib’s guard on T. Babb as well as two in this and that were leveled On the pulpit and Amarin (Psalm 23:23) and sitting on them and on their merits their inner selves Gd our God. Rabbi Shimon Ben Lishish in Comi Rabbi Yochanan What is it to say a song we would not agree with Nishmaina from the religious in this and that was halevi They stand on the stand and say and sit down on Unm and Goo. Rabbi Abhu said with a speech about Rabbi Yohanan and Rashbaal Rabbi Yohanan say a song without consent Rashbaal said do not say a song without consent. Rabbi Yohanan wrote to Rashabal and Tani on this and that, and the Levites were standing on the stand and saying their tribute to Rashabal what they heard from Mina, since these were agreed to be the time of a song. Yesterday’s poem said: “Levi Yehiorib’s son, Miron, received a message from Serbian in a scathing message. Rabbi Yehuirib Ye quarreled with his sons for guarding and refusing him. Knowledge of deep birds Ye knew deep advice in their hearts and embodied to Zippurin: captured more. Rabbi Hava demanded Asherin and four Abedin (Acts 2: 2), the Lord swallowed no mercy. Yochanan demanded Ashitin. And Yochanan would permit Rabbi but by the derby Haveh thick to ruin the Temple, Hush Tamin Sabine Nahirin, and Hashem Dashin and Inin Bachin and Shatkin and Kaimin Lun. Tani R. Yehuda Ben R. Alai Baruch R. would require (Genesis 26: 29) the voice of Jacob and his hands by Esau Jacob’s voice squealing from what they did by Esau in Beitar. Tani Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said: My teacher, Rabbi Akiva, would expound on the verse “A Star has risen from Jacob.” When Rabbi Akiva would see Bar Kusba (Bar Kochba) he would say, ‘that is the King the Messiah.’ Rabbi Yochanan ben Torta said to him: Akiva! Grass will grow on your cheeks and the son of David will not yet have come! . Sir John Cole Adrianus Caesar kills eighty thousand more rebuilders. Sir John eighty thousand of a pair of fund-raisers rounded out Betar and each one was in charge of several soldiers and there was a false son and he had two hundred thousand finger tips. Send wise men and tell him until when do you make Israel my mum told them and that it allowed you to check. He was told that anyone who does not ride his horse and a landlord from Lebanon will not be written in your Isertia, he had two hundred thousand and two hundred thousand and a faded heart issued to the Lord said that Ribonia Delma And you will not go out in our armies for three years and a half, Comprehensive Edrinus did more. And this is the conscious Rabbi Elazar sitting on the sack and on the ashes and praying every day and telling the world ruler Do not sit in judgment today Do not sit in judgment today in Ara Adrienus Mizel Lia. Said Leia Moneti will not neglect you, my mother-in-law what is working and complement you with the state of Ala Leia from Biba Demtinata Ala and forgetful Rabbi Elazar Modi Kai Shady. Her soul slave whispered in the state of Goh Odnya Hamunya people of the state and Ayatonia Gabi ben Kuzba. Amaron Lia Khamin, your great grandfather said to Lia what did you say to Lia and what did you say to Lia please tell me Malka Katali me and if not please tell you Katali Yati Ati Gabi Rabbi Elazar Modi told Lia what did you say, Kuteya told Lia nothing what did you say Lia nothing