The Messianic Torah Observer is an online ministry designed and intended for Torah Observant Believers in Y'shua Messiah. Thus we encourage Torah Living --but Torah Living Y'shua-style. Additionally we provide our listeners with the happenings and goings on in and around the Hebrew Roots communities. We accomplish much of this through Rod Thomas' discussions on his personal life journey as a Hebrew Roots--Disciple of Y'shua Messiah. The True Faith--the Hebrew Roots of the Christian Faith--profoundly affected and changed forever Rod's life and in turn he shares his thoughts and perspectives with you so that you too will experience the tremendous and untold spiritual riches available to each of us who answers the call to true discipleship. We disavow and reject denominationalism at any and every level. The Bible forms the basis of his perspectives and thoughts. Shalom.
Operating in Set-Apart Community Relationship-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 142
In this 142nd Torah Reading discussion, we are taught how to operate in certain domestic relationships that include relating the taking of foreign war brides unto our selves, treatment of the firstborn son in a polygamous relationship, how to properly deal with unredeemable rebellious children, proper treatment of executed criminal remains, and the proper handling of lost property.
7/27/2024 • 50 minutes, 53 seconds
The Messianics Ongoing War Against this World-Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 141
In our Torah Reading discussion for this week, we find ourselves having to contemplate and determine the integrity of our covenant relationship with Yehovah. As well as we are moved to make a choice between being loyal to this world and the things of this world, versus being loyal to God and His ways. This is the 141st reading of our 3-year Torah Reading cycle.
7/20/2024 • 51 minutes, 19 seconds
Operating in a Set-Apart-Kingdom Fashion-- Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 140
In this 140th reading of our 3-year Torah Reading Cycle, the Most High instills in us our responsibility to adhere to the governmental structure He put in place for the Kingdom. Here we learn how the needs of the Levitical Priests were taken care of; the prohibitions against our adopting the religious pagan practices and ways of the nations we were dispossessing; how to discern and treat supposed prophets who claimed to be of God; a reiteration of the establishment of the Cities of Refuge once we settled in the Land of Promise; and the security that comes in knowing that our God will fight for us when we are obediently operating in His Will and Purpose.
7/13/2024 • 39 minutes, 49 seconds
Johns Baptism of Repentance-Part 4 of True Biblical Baptism Series
In this fourth installment of our True Biblical Baptism series, we explore the next scriptural iteration of water immersion: John the Immerser's (aka John the Baptist's) water immersion. What was the meaning of John's water immersion? How, if at all, did it differ from the Hebrew water immersion of Torah? And how, if at all, does it differ from New Covenant, Messianic/Netsari water immersion that we all have been instructed to engage in as part of our discipleship journey in Yeshua Messiah?
7/13/2024 • 55 minutes, 1 second
Offering Unblemished Animal Sacrifices - Idolatry and Paganism Warrants Capital Punishment - Gods Choice of King to Reign Over Us-139
7/6/2024 • 57 minutes, 58 seconds
Immersion of the Two Shavuots-Pentecosts-Part 3 of True Biblical Baptism Series
With the Day of Pentecost or Shavuot being just a day away, it seemed good to discuss the immersions of the two Pentecosts or Shavuots. What were these two Shavuots/Pentecosts and how do they relate to immersion? These are the questions we aim to answer in this installment of TMTO.
6/14/2024 • 36 minutes, 22 seconds
Shavuot-Pentecost-Feast of Weeks-Timing is Everything
In this brief installment of the Messianic Torah Observer, I explain why Messianics and our Orthodox Jewish brethren are keeping Pentecost -- Shavuot -- the Feast of Weeks on differing dates. This discussion is not a teaching. It is meant simply to inform and to hopefully dissuade any confusion or questions that Netsarim may have as it relates to when believers will be keeping the Day of Shavuot in 2024. Shavuot: One of the mandated Feasts of the LORD.
6/11/2024 • 13 minutes, 58 seconds
Mikveh or Baptism-Which Is It-True Messianic Baptism Part 2
In this installment of TMTO, we return to the True Biblical Baptism series I began back in 2022. In this teachings we will examine various aspects of what is popularly referred to in our Messianic Faith communities as the mikveh. From our examination of the mikveh, we will recognize some similarities as well as some dissimilarities to true Messianic water immersion or baptism. Invitation to Messianic Discipleship: Invitation to Messianic Discipleship-From the Sinner's Prayer to True Messianic Discipleship (themessianictorahobserver.org)
5/31/2024 • 45 minutes, 12 seconds
Seven Reason Why I Stand with Israel-Part 5 Israels Inextricable Link to our Salvation
Instead of discussing Torah Reading 133, this Shabbat, I have been led to share with you seven reasons I stand with Israel. This is a controversial topic that few members of our Faith community will engage in. But it remains an elephant in the proverbial room that each of us in our respective walk in Messiah must deal with. I pray that this discussion will lead you to take a stand on the side of Yehovah our Elohim.
5/24/2024 • 1 hour, 8 seconds
Learning to Forget Yehovah -- Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Reading 132
In this 132nd reading in our 3-year reading cycle, we come to terms as it relates to our forgetting about God and His ways. Here in Deuteronomy 8, God reveals to us that we cannot live by physical food alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. themessianictorahobserver.org
5/17/2024 • 52 minutes, 34 seconds
Yeshuas Passover The Means to our Salvation Redemption and Covenant Relationship with God
In this discussion on Yeshua's Passover, I explore the controversies surrounding what the Last Supper was and what it was not. We delve into some of the critical teachings Yeshua gave to His disciples during His last meal, as well as we consider what a meaningful Passover/Pesach may look like to us in 2024.
4/21/2024 • 1 hour, 3 minutes, 34 seconds
Choosing Yeshua as our Pesach-Shadows of Pesach 2024
I have chosen to discuss the shadow picture of Yeshua that is embedded in the Passover and how He fulfills the role of our Pesach instead of discussing the elements of Passover and Unleavened Bread for Pesach 2024. In this discussion, we highlight the Torah instruction to select and take unto ourselves a perfect lamb to serve as our Pesach on the 10th Day of the Month of the Aviv and how Yeshua perfectly fulfilled that critical requirement of Passover.
4/18/2024 • 58 minutes, 41 seconds
Avivs Prophetic Shadows of our Redemption and Salvation Through Yeshua Messiah
Oh, how wonderful is the Month of the Aviv, for it contains the crucial shadows of our redemption and salvation through Yeshua Messiah.
4/12/2024 • 18 minutes, 56 seconds
Welcome to Aviv 2024-A Brief Overview of the Month and a Discussion of What God Expects From Us This Month
The barley is aviv and the renewed moon has been sighted over the Land of Israel. Thus, we have entered the Month of the Aviv, which God commanded us to guard. Tonight, we briefly discuss the significance of this command and prepare ourselves for the tremendous prophetic shadows that are embedded in this holy set apart month of God's sacred calendar year. Happy New Year!
