MAY 2008

As a part of Temple Shalom Yisrael’s Yom HaShoah observance during our Sabbath service on May 3, 2008, Michelle Imrem will give a presentation about Hiram Bingham. Come to the Sabbath service on May 3^rd to find out who Hiram Bingham was, and what he did that relates to Yom HaShoah.

   Michelle Imrem and the other members of her family are have been part of Temple Shalom Yisrael for years.

Michelle lives with her parents Joel and Alicia, and her older sister Monica in Lake in the Hills, Illinois. Michelle’s cat Nemo, Monica’s cat Poncho, and the family’s dog Gigi also share their home.

   G-d has gifted Michelle with the ability to teach and work with children. At Temple Shalom Yisrael, Michelle teaches a Junior Shabbat class. Her students range from preschool age thru those in grades kindergarten-second grade. Currently Michelle’s class is learning from the book of Genesis how Avraham and Isaac obeyed G-d. One of Michelle’s responsibilities each Saturday is receive any hugs her students want to give her. When we asked Michelle “What would you like to do for G-d that you haven’t had the opportunity to do yet?” Michelle answered, “I will do whatever G-d asks me to do next.”

   Michelle is a junior at Huntley High School. Her favorite class in school is history. After Michelle graduates from high school, she plans to attend McHenry County College and Harper College. After college, Michelle plans to join the Navy.

   Michelle enjoys reading. Michelle also is good at writing, which is one reason she was asked to give the Yom HaShoah presentation. It is fun to be in Michelle’s company, since she enjoys spending time with people and finding out about their lives. Thanks Michelle for being a cheerful, hard-working servant of G-d.

INSIGHTS FROM THE WORD

ADONAI Nissi

“Moshe built an altar, called it `ADONAI Nissi’ (ADONAI is my banner)” Exodus 17:15

ADONAI led the Israelites from Egypt and brought them safely across the Sea of Suf (Sea of Reeds).

[Exodus 17:8-16] Then, at Refidim, men from the country of Amalek attacked the Israelites. Moshe told Joshua, “Choose men for us to go out and fight with Amalek. I will stand on top of the hill with G-d’s staff in my hand.” During the battle, when Moshe raised his hand that was holding the staff, the Israelites were successful in fighting the Amalekites. When Moshe lowered the staff, the soldiers from Amalek began to win the battle. Aaron and Hur (who were with Moshe on the hill) placed a stone so that Moshe could sit on it. Then, Aaron and Hur each held up one of Moshe’s hands, so that his hands stayed steady until sunset. Because of this, Joshua and the Israelites defeated and killed Amalek’s soldiers. Moshe built an altar and called it ADONAI Nissi (ADONAI is my banner). Moshe said, “Because the Amalekites’ hand was against the throne of Yah, ADONAI will fight Amalek generation after generation.”

Valuable lessons can be learned these Bible verses.

  The Israelites’ victory over Amalek came when Moshe held G-d’s staff up in the air during the battle. However, we should not mistakenly believe that the power that brought victory to the Israelites was in the staff Moshe held up. Instead the power came from the One (YHVH) who the rod was lifted up to. Since Moshe was standing on a hill near the battlefield, the Israelites could see the staff in Moshe’s hand and know that G-d was with them and would bring them victory over their enemies.

The staff Moshe lifted up during the Israelites’ battle against Amalek was the same staff that ADONAI had Moshe use to do miracles at the burning bush [Exodus 4:1-5] and in Egypt before Pharaoh [Exodus 7- 11]. Then, (after the Israelites left Egypt) ADONAI commanded Moshe to hold the same staff up over the Sea of Suf (Sea of Reeds) so that the Israelites could cross the Sea on dry land [Exodus 14:15-31]. 

  Another lesson we learn from the story in Exodus 17:8-16 is that G-d does not want His servants to think that they can work for G-d without the support of their fellow servants. Moshe was able to hold up the staff for a short time, but when he became tired, he needed help from Aaron and Hur.

ADONAI Nissi (ADONAI is my banner) is with believers today.

David said to G-d in Psalm 60:4-5 [CJB 60:6-7], “To those who fear you because of the truth, you gave a banner to rally around so that those you love could be rescued so save with your right hand and answer us!” [The word “banner” used in this verse means “something lifted up” and comes from the Hebrew root

word nes (lift up)]

   Psalm 60:4-5 starts with the words “To those who fear you (G-d) …” The word “fear” can also be translated “awe” or “reverence”. G-d gives His “banner” to people who worship Him and obey His commands out of respect and love for who G-d is. The “banners” (signs) G-d has given believers to show that He is still with us are not a staff like Moshe had. Instead, G-d sent Yeshua (G-d’s Son) to die on the execution stake to pay for forgiveness of all men’s sins. The execution stake Yeshua died on and the tomb left empty after Yeshua arose from the dead are visible signs of G-d’s gift of forgiveness and eternal life. Another visible banner (sign) that

G-d is with us is G-d’s Word in the form of a Torah scroll or a Bible. As believers study the Bible and let G-d write His Word on our hearts and minds, we become more confident that G-d will provide for our needs and protect us from our enemies.

  G-d does not give a believer  “banners” (signs of G-d’s presence with us) so that the believer use them to convince other people of his own importance. A believer should also not imagine that he can do everything by himself, without the help of other believers. Instead, believers are to use the “banners” (signs) G-d gives us to “rally around so that those we love can be rescued.” When Moshe used His staff (in the examples above), Moshe was an instrument of G-d’s plan to rescue the Israelites from slavery in Egypt and from their enemies. Believers too can allow G-d to use us to “rescue” people by sharing with them how they can ask Yeshua to be their personal Savior, and thus receive eternal life. We can also use talents G-d gives us to minister to people who are sick or in need.

Temple Shalom Yisrael Copyright May 2008

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