I have attached references at the end so you do not have to go to a website to read it. You can therefore easily copy and save this as complete.

The Word has many hidden truths. Many of them were meant, purposed, desired of G-d, to be revealed in the very end. Our Father has a Battle Plan. A Battle Line has been drawn. He is the Victorous One. He is preempting the plans of the Evil One. It was therefore necessary for things to play out like they have. Do not be bitter that you have been taught some of this, or that you have even taught error. The Shephard stands ready to forgive and receive. Only run to Him. You are that lost sheep He is after. Many sheep are already in the fold, and He is coming back to get you. Do not struggle in the trap you are in, listen to His voice, it is Him and not the enemy, you know His voice. Rest and He will pick you up. Let go in His arms. You even may be a shepherd yourself and feel that you cannot face your own flock. Hear the words He spoke to Peter three times: “Get up and feed my Lambs.” As you do, you will discover why what has happened. He has things for you to do. There is still other Harvests. (See Appendix A).

The time is short, I have been given understanding of events right before us, but there is so very much more to be revealed to many. Seek Him in His Word. He will confirm. Wait upon Him, get to know His Spirit speaking to yours, you can know His directions, “run now”, “wait”, “go”, I have stumbled many times in learning His Voice. You must ask and expect Him to speak, but another “spirit” may also try to speak, It must align with the Word, it must confess Jesus was really a man of flesh and is also the coming King. You can, in your spirit, command a lying spirit to leave. Demonic influence will flourish in these last days. Put on the armor of God.

It is the return of Jesus to get His Bride. Many have taught that this day was not to be known, “that no one knows the day or the hour”. That scripture is speaking of His Second Coming, not this coming for His Bride, but anyway, I do believe, that is why I have been diligently watching. Rev 3:3 “Remember, therefore, how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore, thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.”

Stars matching Scripture, matching numbers is a sign. There are several heavenly cycles that all point to spring 2008, some pointing to the weekend just ahead of us. No date watched has ever had so many things line up.

To dispel negative concerns that Christians have for stars, it helps to study a man that was “taken up”, it was Enoch, and he introduced the understanding of the stars. He was the Einstein of Astronomy. See Appendix B.

There are four items, the first item of Scripture aligning with 2008 is the Jubilee. I did find more information about it although it is veiled, you can understand there was great significance and planning in what happened in 1958. They did not use the word Jubilee for obvious reasons. Note there are two references listed. See Appendix C.

>>Cindy Busch (16 Apr 2007)
"to Steve Berryman 2007 rapture vs. 2008 rapture and the SAROS year"

This is only thing in my mind that would hold back the rapture this year, it's the fact that the Saros year preceded His birth and resurrection and it could again, ref. Psalm 19! This year begins the Saros year again. . .

THE SAROS: 7 ECLIPSES IN A 12 MONTH + SPAN NUMBER TYPE DATE
1 Solar, partial, Saturday (Shabbat) February 17, 2007
2 Lunar, Saturday (Shabbat) March 3, 2007
3 Solar, partial, Monday March 19, 2007
4 Lunar, Tuesday, August 28, 2007
5 Solar, partial, Tuesday, September 11, 2007
6 Solar, FULL, Thursday, February 7, 2008
7 Lunar, Thursday, February 21, 2008 <<

The very last Lunar eclipse referenced above is a sign in itself, See Appendix E: the Eclipse of the Moon Bride. How interesting it is that the there is a huge display of SEVEN in the last year with a climax on a very specific DATE. SPRING 2008.

For all fourof the above to just happen together on 2008 is mind boggling to this engineer. Note, there is a 50 year cycle, an 18-19 year cycle, a 6-7 year cycle, and a random 8 year cycle all lining up. It probably is in the millions if not tens of billion. Even if I drop the last 4^th item, which I believe I am not to do, it would still be once in tens of thousands of years. (If I were to allow this 4^th item to not be a requirement, all this would do is move the Seventh day of Unleavened Bread from Sat eve/Sunday to Mon eve/Tuesday.)

This I believe is the finger of God pointing. I believe First Fruits and the Seventh day of Unleavened Bread are both this weekend, this Sunday, actually Saturday April 26^th, for us in America.

The Feast of First Fruits is believed by many to be the time of the graves opening up. First Fruits (Resurrection Sunday) is always on the first Sunday after Passover. We may be seeing our Christian ancestors this weekend!!

As far as the Seventh Day of Unleavened Bread, I believe, as others, that it pictures the Groom’s arrival for the Bride. This may happen immediately after the graves open up, but there may be a period of time between the two major events. It seems that the graves may open up at “the twinkling of an eye” (I Cor 15:52) which is a Jewish term for just minutes after sundown in Jerusalem. Currently sundown is shortly after 7:00 PM in Jerusalem, which converts to approximately 11:00 AM CST this Saturday April 26th. The Bride could be changed to immortality at that same time, but not actually taken up until later. You see, the Bride has a heart like her Groom. She may minister for 40 days before ascending just like her Groom. Remember Jonah is a type as well. After being in the belly 3 days and 3 nights, he ministered 40 days to Ninevah and they repented. There may be more stuff hidden so we should prepare. The best way is to be “washed by the reading of God’s Word”. He will reveal much in these last days/hours. It is a time to pray, a time to prepare. Run to Him, not away. Many set the example by running and falling at his feet crying out “Lord be merciful to me” or “Give me to drink of your Living Water.” Remember the Cross, today you can be with Him. Just think, we will not see death!! Each believer in their own resurrection. - Bill
http://www.thewayprepared.com/studies/3-foldharvest.html (Appendix A).

There is a harvest in the natural world around us, that we can see, and are familiar with. There is likewise a harvest in the spiritual realm that is not seen with the natural eyesight.

Each year, a farmer has a certain crop in mind, so he plants the appropriate seeds. Later, the seeds spring up, and a crop comes forth. The farmer then harvests the crop when it is ready. So it is in the spiritual realm.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman (farmer). (John 15:1)

Yahweh the Creator is the farmer, and with a certain crop in mind, He plants the appropriate seeds. Without going into much detail in this writing, let us simply say that the earth or garden is mankind, the seed is the incorruptible seed of the Living Word - the Seed of Righteousness poured down from the skies, as seen in Isaiah 45:8, and as we discussed in Righteousness As The Light.

The plants that spring up from the earth are trees of Righteousness, the planting of Yahweh. The fruit or crop is the Fruit of Righteousness, the outward expression of the inward reality. After a time the crop becomes ready, and is harvested, and put into His barn.

So when does the harvest take place? There are many in past centuries that have gone to sleep, and are awaiting their resurrection. In this writing we will not deal with those that have already gone to sleep, but with those that remain alive at the time of the harvest.

... the harvest is the end of the world... (Mt 13:39)

The traditional view of the Harvest at the end of the age is that there is one harvest, and then comes the end. However, Scripture gives abundant witness to show that the one harvest mentioned in the above passage actually consists of three separate phases that differ in timing, as well as in the crop harvested.

These three phases of the harvest - first the Barley crop, next the wheat crop, and finally the crop of grapes and other items - are a prophetic picture of the harvest of souls at the end of the age. We have simply not understood that there are three separate phases of the one harvest.

The Feasts of Israel

Scripture reveals that the three major harvest Feasts ("moedim") of Israel - Pesach, known as Passover; Shavuot, also called Pentecost; and Sukkot, called Tabernacles - are shadows of things to come. That is, they are prophetic, and tell us of many "things to come." One thing the Feasts reveal is that the Feasts themselves speak of the three separate phases of the one harvest, each occurring in its own order. As we examine the following passages, we get the understanding that there is more than one resurrection, and that the harvest occurs in several phases over a span of time.

The First Resurrection Feast

The Spring Feasts of Israel are within the season of Passover, and consist of three distinct Feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Early Firstfruits. It is this Early Firstfruit harvest that is mentioned in Scripture as the First Resurrection:

4 And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

5 But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.

6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Rev 20:4-6)

The First Resurrection gets its name from being the first in order of occurrence. Also known as the Feast of Early Firstfruits ("yom ha Bikkurim"), this resurrection occurs at the end of the Passover season, and represents the first crop to ripen: the Barley. For this Feast, ripe Barley sheaves are to be waved before Yahweh:

Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. (Leviticus 23:10-11)

As the firstfruit crop of the Harvest, Barley speaks loudly throughout Scripture as prophetic of not only Yahshua, but of the Bride. In many of the prophetic pictures of the Bride, Barley is either present or is associated in some way. Many of the Bride examples, as well as Bride characteristics, include mention of the word Barley in some way.

Significant to this Feast also is that it is the season of Unleavened bread. Both Passover and Early Firstfruits speak of an unleavened life, one characteristic of the Bride.

For many in the Jewish world today, the significance of this feast is unknown. This significance of this day is that it gives testimony to the Resurrection of the Jewish Messiah. It was on this very day of Early Firstfruits that Yahshua was resurrected, confirming the Scriptures referring to Yahshua Messiah as the "firstfruit" of the resurrection:

But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. (1 Corinthians 15:20)

For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. (Romans 11:16)

But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming. (1 Corinthians 15:23)

Not only is Yahshua mentioned in Scripture as the resurrection firstfruit ("risen from the dead"), but others are also:

Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)

These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev 14:4)

These Scriptures confirm that as part of the final harvest of men, there will be a "firstfruit" harvest.

The Second Resurrection Feast

The second major Feast of Israel is called Shavuot, or the Feast of Latter Firstfruits. Having the Greek name Pentecost, it occurs exactly fifty days after the Feast of Early Firstfruits. This feast occurs as a "memorial" of the much larger wheat harvest, and includes waving of two loaves of leavened wheat bread before Yahweh.

Indeed, Pentecost portrays the Second harvest of souls, those that were not yet ready to be harvested at the First Resurrection. Just as wheat bread is baked with leaven, these souls were still leavened at the time of the Firstfruit Harvest, and were not yet ready. Since they are "Leavened," they are thus made to be baked in the "oven"-- to go through the furnace of affliction-- in order to bring the crop to a state of readiness.

The following passages describe this large part of the Pentecost harvest:

...the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. 10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand. (Daniel 12:9b-10)

9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Rev 7: 9)

13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:13-14)

So we see in the above passages this wheat harvest will be a very great harvest, of those that had robes by virtue of their Faith in Messiah, but were not yet ready when the Bridegroom came for the Bride at the First Resurrection Harvest.

The Third Harvest Feast

The third stage of the harvest to be made is the grape harvest. This is the harvest that comes at a time after the wheat harvest. It will not be discussed at length here. We will make brief note of the grape harvest later as we discuss the Three Harvest phases of Revelation 14.

The 3-Fold Rapture

It is interesting to note that many men have already seen in Scripture some of the various pieces of the Harvest puzzle described above. Some have adopted use of the word "Rapture" to denote the particular resurrection scenario they have seen and understood.

Some have seen a "pre" tribulation rapture in Scripture; some have seen a "mid" trib, and others have seen a "post" trib rapture. Still others have devised a "pre-wrath" view as more logical. Apart from using the non-Biblical term "rapture" in place of "resurrection," I would suggest there is some truth in each one of these ideas. Scripture speaks about each one, each in its own time. What men have not understood is that the entire harvest will not occur in only one phase, but in three.

So we must conclude from all of Scripture, that there will be no single "Rapture" of the saints as widely understood today, but instead a 3-fold Resurrection- consisting of three separate phases of the One Harvest.

The Remnant Harvest of Romans

There are two well-known Scripture passages in Romans, that on first glance, appear to be contradictory:

...a remnant shall be saved.... (Romans 9:27b)

...all Israel shall be saved.... (Romans 11:26a)

Here we see the apostle Paul first tells us a "remnant" - a small part of the Harvest - shall be saved. Then he tells us "all Israel" - the entire Harvest - will be saved. These verses are not written in order to prove a certain point of view. Both of these passages are true, and reveal to us that the Harvest occurs in phases, first a "remnant" or small part, and then the whole Harvest.

Now look at the final explanation Paul gives for the "remnant" Harvest phase:

For he will finish the work, and cut it short <4932> in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. (Romans 9:28)

The Greek word <4932> cut short means to "cut in pieces." Here Paul tells us that "He will finish the work, and literally cut it in pieces by righteousness." That is, each piece, or harvest phase, is determined by its "righteousness" (See Righteousness Sown, Righteousness Harvested).

The Three-Phase Harvest of Revelation 14

The three-fold Harvest can be seen through many examples in Scripture. Perhaps one of the clearest pictures may be seen in Revelation Chapter 14:

3 And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

4 These are they which were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. (Rev 14:3-4)

In the above passages, and in those we saw above in Rev 20, it appears to be implied that both the first and second Harvest phases are portrayed as the "firstfruits unto God." The Greek word for redeemed <59> means "to buy or purchase," and is from a Greek base word meaning "gather", which in turn is related to the Greek word egeiro <1453> meaning "to arise," which in the New Testament often refers to “resurrection.” It seems to be that the early and latter "Firstfruits" become as one "Firstfruits," even though they occur at different times.

We now come to Rev. 14:14, where we next see the second Harvest phase portrayed:

14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.

15 And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap<2325>: for the time is come for thee to reap<2325>; for the harvest<2326> of the earth is ripe.

16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped<2325>. (Rev 14:14-16)

In the passages above we see the word translated reap is the same word for harvest, but used as a verb. This is the second Harvest phase. This second phase of the Harvest speaks of those virgins in Matt 25:11, after missing the Bridegroom at the first Resurrection Harvest:

11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not. (Matthew 25:11-12)

What do we know about their state of readiness? Notice the following:

...I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work "iniquity" (<458>=Literally,without Torah). (Matt 7:23b)

We see in Scripture that the Greek word for Harvest - therismos - appears 13 times in the new Testament. Since the number 13 speaks of Love, we understand that the Harvest is simply a three-phase reaping of love - Yahshua's harvest of those who love Him. Yahshua has already told us "if you love me, keep my commandments."

So again we see another characteristic of the Second phase of the Harvest- that it consists of those that were lacking love (of keeping "My Commandments") at the time the Bridegroom came for the Bride. This lack of love is somehow related to the phrase, "I never knew you."

Indeed, many today call Yahshua Saviour, and Messiah. Yet they do not truly know who He really is - that it was He that gave the Commandments to Moses. Yet they refuse to keep His Commandments. Many today do not know of the perpetual ("eternal") sign of the Everlasting Covenant - the sign of those that truly know Him (See Ex 31:13, 16; Eze 20:20). This sign seen in Exodus and Ezekiel is likewise a sign to the Bridegroom - of those that know Him, and love Him. This is the sign of those that keep his Commandments - and thereby love Him.

So we conclude that the Second phase of the Harvest in Revelation is made up of the great teeming multitudes, who claim to honour Messiah, and call Him "Lord." However, their love for Him is questionable, so they must go through a time of "testing" before they are harvested. These are those multitudes seen in Rev 7 and Rev 20, who passed the second Love-Test:

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)

"...the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands..." (Rev 20:4b)

"...these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. (Rev 7:14b)

These were, in timing, part of the Second Harvest phase, but appear to be named in Scripture as among the "First Resurrection," and are likewise named among the "Firstfruits" of the Harvest!

Now we will notice now what must take place during the Third Harvest phase:

17 And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.

18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.

19 And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.

20 And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs. (Rev 14:17-20)

For this third phase of the Harvest, the harvest-word used is gather. This third phase of the harvest speaks of those who had heard the Truth of the Gospel, but had not made it a part of their lives. Thus they were among the grape harvest.

Notice that for each of the three harvest phases, there was a detailed warning that had been given to all - Chapters 1-14 of the Book of Revelation. This warning described for them in great detail, the characteristics of each phase of the harvest. With foreknowledge and fore warning, each could choose to amend his ways accordingly. Yahweh is not willing, that any should perish.

Conclusion

We have seen how Scripture gives abundant testimony of the Harvest as being three separate harvests of men, each group in its own order. First, the Early Firstfruit Barley Bride will be harvested; then after a time, the Latter Firstfruit-Pentecost-Christianity Wheat will be harvested; and lastly, the grapes. Each harvest phase brings further separation from within the harvest, and bears testimony of the true nature of each crop.

There are many more "Treasures" to be found in Scripture - Treasures that reveal the King, and His Kingdom. There are many more prophetic pictures revealing the true nature of the Harvest, and details of each Harvest phase. May you, dear Reader, seek and find much more of the King's Treasure.

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing:

but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

(Proverbs 25:2)

Home | Top of Page | Site Contents | Links

Time Portals or Annual Gates

Astronomers of the ancient past appear to have once
reckoned a number of 6 annual portals or gates

KEHILAT HAR-EL - JERUSALEM
Rabbi Ada Zavidov
Cantor Evan Cohen
Director Michael Adam
Chair Tzvi Rosenthal
16 Shmuel HaNagid Street
94592 Jerusalem ISRAEL
Phone: 011-972-54-474-2314 (Cantor Evan Cohen)
Fax: 011-972-2-623-4866
E-mail: cantorevan@gmail.com

Celebrating 50 Years as Israel’s Pioneer
Progressive Reform Congregation

A Proud History
Forty-five years ago, in the spring of 1958, a small group of Jerusalemites, originating from many different countries and all walks of life, led by the scholar and philosopher Prof. Schalom Ben-Chorin, formed the nucleus of a congregation that they called the ''Association for the Renewal of Religious Life in Israel.'' Their ideas were the same as those of Reform-minded Jews everywhere: to preserve and to convey Jewish faith and tradition in a way that is relevant for modern times and to create a progressive congregation in Jerusalem and a national movement in Israel, based on egalitarianism and tolerance, as an alternative to religious extremists who deny pluralism and democracy as intrinsic values of Judaism.

From those early beginnings, Har-El evolved as Israel's first Progressive-Reform congregation and became the forerunner of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.

During its first few years, the congregation me in private homes or hired halls until, in 1962, it finally moved to its present home in beautiful old building in Jerusalem's city center.

Har-El Today
Since then, the congregation has developed steadily and interest in progressive Judaism in Jerusalem continues to increase every year. Our successful programs include two preschool classes for children aged 2-4; activities for immigrants from all over the world, especially from Argentina and the former Soviet Union; a unique Bar/Bat Mitzvah workshop, a ''beit midrash'' (literally, house of study) which draws people from the Jerusalem community at large, an active youth group which places an emphasis on social justice, and spiritual Shabbat and holiday services known for their integration of congregational singing with traditional chazzanut.

Today, Har-El's membership is made up of a wide cross-section of the Jerusalem public, including academics, writers, professionals and artists, Sephardim and Ashkenazim, native Israelis and immigrants. We are led by our new rabbi, Ada Zavidov (who is Jerusalem’s first and only female congregational rabbi) who, together with our administrator and program director, Michael Adam, and our cantor, Evan Cohen, look forward to contributing to the present sense of renewal and excitement, which marks the Har-El community.

In contrast to Israel’s Orthodox congregations, our congregation receives no meaningful funding from the Israeli government. Donations from our friends abroad are crucial, therefore, especially in the light of Israel’s current political and economic circumstances. At this difficult time in Israel’s history, you can help us to provide a strong Reform voice for a tolerant, creative, and compassionate Jewish society within an ever-growing sector of Jerusalem’s population.

Also check out: http://wupj.org/Publications/Newsletter.asp?ContentID=110

Issue # 298

Issue #298 – 7 February 2008 / 1 Adar I 5768

IN THIS ISSUE:

FIRST ISRAELI PROGRESSIVE CONGREGATION CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

AMERICAN BAR MITZVAH SEEKS HIS ROOTS IN GERMANY

PROGRESSIVE COMMUNITY CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST HATE CRIMES IN UKRAINE

UPCOMING EVENTS

FIRST ISRAELI PROGRESSIVE CONGREGATION CELEBRATES GOLDEN JUBILEE

Kehilat Har-El of Jerusalem, Israel’s pioneer Progressive congregation, has begun a year-long celebration of its golden jubilee (see WUPJnews #295). Founded in 1958 as the 'Association for the Renewal of Religious Life in Israel, it is the forerunner of the Israel Movement for Progressive Judaism.

The World Union was involved with Har-El from the outset. “From the very beginning,” says founder and past president, Werner Loval, “Congregation Har-El had the encouragement and blessings of the World Union. It was its president at the time, Rabbi Maurice Eisendrath, who in 1958 sent us our first rabbi, Rav Herbert Weiner.” Loval adds that the World Union’s bulletin, the forerunner of WUPJnews, reported on the new congregation in its March, 1958 issue.

“We received our first two sifrei Torah in the summer of 1958,” Loval says, “from Rabbi Richard Hirsch, who headed a World Union-sponsored NFTY group from the U.S.” [Hirsch later became the World Union’s executive director and moved its headquarters to Israel in 1973 – ed.] “At the convention of the World Union in London in July, 1959, Professor Schalom Ben-Chorin was invited to address the delegates on the subject of ‘Liberal Judaism in Israel.’ Rabbi Jacob Shankman, then the director of the World Union, told the delegates, ‘The Jerusalem group [Har-El] has brought religious ferment in Israel to the surface and its efforts have been widely publicized and discussed.’

“In August, 1960, Rabbi Jerome Unger was sent to Jerusalem as the representative of the World Union and became our rabbi. The World Union appropriated $15,000 to provide for his salary and subsidize his work. ‘The beginnings were modest but the decision was an historic one,’ Rabbi Shankman wrote in his report to the conference of the World Union in 1961. You will agree,” concludes Loval, “that our 50th anniversary is a major milestone in the growth and development of the World Union for Progressive Judaism.”

Har-El kicked off its jubilee festivities on Thursday, January 10, just prior to the Shabbat on which the weekly portion of Bo was read from the Torah. "We celebrate Har-El's birthday every year on the Shabbat of parashat Bo," explains its cantor, Evan Cohen, "because the congregation's first service was held that Friday evening" in 1958.

The opening event was an exhibit of art works by congregation members, in recognition of the strong influence of the Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design, the congregation’s neighbor for many years in the Rehavia section of Jerusalem.

Rabbi Ada Zavidov and Cantor Cohen led a festive Friday night Kabbalat Shabbat service, accompanied by Dennis Sobolev on guitar and by the Nechama choir, conducted by Jana Pritzker. They enjoyed a gala Shabbat dinner at the nearby Sheraton Plaza Hotel, which was sponsored by New York City's Congregation Emanu-El.

On Shabbat morning, a joint service was held at Har-El together with the Hebrew Union College, represented by Cantor Professor Eliyahu Schleifer, pianist Anastasia Sobolev (wife of Dennis, mentioned above), and flautist Jeanne Schaffer. Rabbi Tovia Ben-Chorin, who served for many years as Har-El’s rabbi, gave the d’var torah. After the service, there was a festive kiddush sponsored by Congregation for Reform Judaism in Orlando, Florida.

Shabbat ended with evening services led by Rabbi Zavidov and Cantor Cohen, accompanied by harpist Regina Spitkovsky, and a special Havdalah service co-led by the children from the congregation's preschool. The evening program continued with a panel discussion - dedicated to the memory of Professor Schalom Ben-Chorin, one of Har-El's founders and its first spiritual leader - on the topic: “Is Liberal Judaism a Viable Alternative in Israel?”

Later this year the celebrations will continue with a cantorial concert, while the jubilee will also be marked at the IMPJ biennial, May 23-24, 2008.

Saros cycle

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Saros cycle is an eclipse cycle with a period of about 18 years 11 days 8 hours (approximately 6585⅓ days) that can be used to predict eclipses of the Sun and Moon. One Saros after an eclipse, the Sun, Earth, and Moon return to approximately the same relative geometry, and a nearly identical eclipse will occur.

[edit] History

The Saros cycle was discovered by the Chaldeans (ancient Babylonian astronomers) in the last several centuries BC, and was later known to Hipparchus, Pliny (Naturalis Historia II.10[56]) and Ptolemy (Almagest IV.2), but under different names. The Sumerian/Babylonian word "SAR" was a unit of measure, and as a number appears to have had a value of 3600. The name "saros" was first given to the eclipse cycle by Edmond Halley in 1691, who took it from the Suda, a Byzantine lexicon of the 11th century. Although Halley's naming error was pointed out by Guillaume Le Gentil in 1756, the name continues to be used.

[edit] Description

The Saros cycle of 18 years 11 days 8 hours is very useful for predicting the times at which nearly identical eclipses will occur, and is intimately related to three periodicities of the lunar orbit: the synodic month, the draconic month, and the anomalistic month. For an eclipse to occur, either the Moon must be located between the Earth and Sun (for a solar eclipse) or the Earth must be located between the Sun and Moon (for a lunar eclipse). This can happen only when the Moon is new or full, and repeat occurrences of these lunar phases are controlled by the Moon's synodic period, which is about 29.53 days. Most of the times during a full and new moon, however, the shadow of the Earth or Moon falls to the north or south of the other body. Thus, if an eclipse is to occur, the three bodies must also be nearly in a straight line. This condition occurs only when the Moon passes close to the ecliptic plane and is at one of its two nodes (the ascending or descending node). The period of time for two successive passes of the ecliptic plane at the same node is given by the draconic month, which is 27.21 days. Finally, if two eclipses are to have the same appearance and duration, then the distance between the Earth and Moon must be the same for both events. The time it takes the Moon to orbit the Earth once and return to the same distance is given by the anomalistic month, which has a period of 27.55 days.

The origin of the Saros cycle comes from the recognition that 223 synodic months is approximately equal to 242 draconic months, which is approximately equal to 239 anomalistic months (this approximation is good to within about 2 hours). What this means is that after one Saros cycle, the Moon will have completed an integer number of synodic, draconic, and anomalistic months, and the Earth-Sun-Moon geometry will be nearly identical: the Moon will have the same phase, be at the same node, and have the same distance from the Earth. If one knew the date of an eclipse, then one Saros later, a nearly identical eclipse should occur. However, the Saros cycle (18.031 years) is not equal to the precessional period of the lunar orbit (18.60 years). Therefore, even though the relative geometry of the Earth-Sun-Moon system will be nearly identical, the Moon will be in a different position with respect to the fixed stars.

A complication with the Saros cycle is that its period is not an integer number of days, but contains a fraction of ⅓ of a day. Thus, as a result of the Earth's rotation, for each successive Saros cycle, an eclipse will occur about 8 hours later in the day. In the case of an eclipse of the Sun, this means that the region of visibility will shift westward by 120°, or one third of the way around the globe, and the two eclipses will thus not be visible from the same place on Earth. In the case of an eclipse of the Moon, the next eclipse might still be visible from the same location as long as the Moon is above the horizon. However, if one waits three Saros cycles, the local time of day of an eclipse will be nearly the same. This period of three Saros cycles (54 years 1 month, or almost 19756 full days), is known as a Triple Saros or exeligmos (Greek: "turn of the wheel").

[edit] Saros Series

Lunar eclipses occurring near the Moon's descending node are given odd Saros series numbers. The first eclipse in such series passes through the southern edge of the Earth's shadow, and the Moon's path is shifted northward each successive Saros cycle.

As described above, the Saros cycle is based on the recognition that 223 synodic months is to a good approximation equal to 242 draconic months and 239 anomalistic months. However, as this relationship is not perfect, the geometry of two eclipses separated by one Saros cycle will differ slightly. In particular, the place where the Sun and Moon come in conjunction shifts westward by about 0.5° with respect to the Moon's nodes every Saros cycle, and this gives rise to a series of eclipses, called a Saros series, that slowly change in appearance.

Each Saros series starts with a partial eclipse, and each successive Saros cycle the path of the Moon is shifted either northward (when near the descending node) or southward (when near the ascending node). At some point, eclipses are no longer possible and the series terminates. For solar eclipses the statistics for the complete Saros series within the era between 2000 BCE and 3000 CE are as follows.^[1][2] The series last from about 1226 to 1550 years, which corresponds to 69 to 87 eclipses; most series have 71 or 72 eclipses. From 39 to 59 (mostly about 43) eclipses in a given series will be central (that is, total, annular, or hybrid annular-total). Lunar eclipse series are not as long-lived. At any given time, approximately 40 different Saros series will be in progress.

Saros series are numbered according to the type of eclipse (solar or lunar) and whether they occur at the Moon's ascending or descending node.^[3][4] Odd numbers are used for solar eclipses occurring near the ascending node, whereas even numbers are given to descending node solar eclipses. For lunar eclipses, this numbering scheme is reversed. The ordering of these series is determined by the time at which each series peaks, which corresponds to when an eclipse is closest to one of the lunar nodes. For solar eclipses, (in 2003) the 39 series numbered between 117 and 155 are active, whereas for lunar eclipses, there are now 41 active Saros series.

[edit] Example: Lunar Saros 131

As an example of a single Saros series, the accompanying table gives the dates of lunar eclipses for Saros series 131. This eclipse series began in AD 1427 with a partial eclipse at the southern edge of the Earth's shadow when the Moon was close to its descending node. Each successive Saros cycle, the Moon's orbital path is shifted northward with respect to the Earth's shadow, with the first total eclipse occurring in 1950. For the following 252 years, total eclipses occur, with the central eclipse being predicted to occur in 2078. The first partial eclipse after this is predicted to occur in the year 2220, and the final partial eclipse of the series will occur in 2707. The total lifetime of the lunar Saros series 131 is 1280 years.

Because of the ⅓ fraction of days in a Saros cycle, the visibility of each eclipse will differ for an observer at a given fixed locale. For the lunar Saros series 131, the first total eclipse of 1950 was not visible to viewers in North America, as it took place during the day, and is labeled as down in the table. The following eclipse in the series occurred ⅓ day later, and is labeled as rising, as it occurred in the early evening. The third total eclipse occurred ⅓ day later, in the early morning, and is labeled as setting. This cycle of three (down, rising, setting) repeats from the initiation to termination of the series.

>>The Eclipse of the Bride Moon

On February 21, 2008, the moon was fully covered in a Lunar eclipse, appearing next to Regulus on one side, and Saturn on the other. This sign in the heavens tells us this is the time for the Bridegroom to present the fully-veiled Bride before the Father, to ask His approval for marriage.

This is also a signal to the Bride, corresponding to the sign given to Jephtha's daughter, who was given two months in which to bewail her virginity on this earth, and to bewail all that she had hoped and dreamed for herself on this earth. But as Jephthah’s daughter willingly gave up herself to the oath of the covenant, so does the Bride, for her heavenly Bridegroom.

We do not know what happened eventually to Jephthah’s daughter, except that she knew no man. But we can say with confidence there is no need to bewail what we will miss on earth, but only to reconcile ourselves, and prepare for the heavenly marriage.

This second sign of the covered Bride is given by the Bridegroom, both for the Bride's understanding and preparation, and to confirm the first sign. We are told in Rev. 3:3 that those that watch, will not be punished by not knowing the hour of the Bridegroom's return. Perhaps these two signs tell us the time is almost at hand, to hear the midnight cry: "Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him." (Matthew 25:6)<<

>>The Heavenly Message and its Significance

So what is the message spoken by the Gospel written in the Heavens? The Sun and Mercury have run the same race every 6 to 7 years in the general vicinity of Pisces. Likewise there have been many conjunctions of the Sun and Mercury. However, it is very rare that these conjunctions occur at the cords holding the fish. Having fast-forwarded the computer program and noted all conjunctions for the next 100 years, there are very few possibilities. One of these is very near to us now, even at the door.

We must ask ourselves, "What is the significance of this sign in the heavens for today?" It is clear that the heavenly signs were put there by Yahweh not to create Truth, but only to confirm Truth Yahweh has already spoken, though concealed, in the Scriptures.

The significance may be seen in all the prophetic words, names, and numbers found in Scripture. All that is considered Truth must be based on Scripture. Anything we think we see, must be held loosely, not dogmatically, even as loose-fitting pieces of a great puzzle. We then move these pieces around to see if the pictures and the shapes match. We can not force the pieces to fit. We must allow the Holy Spirit to reveal His Truth to us, in His timing.<<

Saros 131 lunar eclipse dates
May 10, 1427	First penumbral (southern edge of shadow)
...intervening penumbral eclipses omitted...
July 25, 1553	First partial umbral
...intervening partial eclipses omitted...
March 22, 1932	Final partial umbral
April 2, 1950	First total down
April 13, 1968	rising
April 24, 1986	setting
May 4, 2004	down
May 16, 2022	rising
May 26, 2040	setting
June 6, 2058	down
June 17, 2076	Central rising
June 28, 2094	setting
July 8, 2112	down
July 21, 2130	rising
July 31, 2148	setting
August 11, 2166	down
August 21, 2184	rising
September 3, 2202	Last total setting
September 13, 2220	First partial umbral
...intervening partial eclipses omitted...
April 9, 2563	Last partial umbral
...intervening penumbral eclipses omitted...
July 7, 2707	Last penumbral (northern edge of shadow)