Post Correction

Previously, I shared a post from a friend titled, "Is Christianity Based on Anti-Christ Creeds?". Well, I apologize for the post, it seems, that only a small fragment of it posted on my blog. I have made the correction, so that's taken care of now. Also, I added two more posts, that had been saved as drafts, for a while. I've been busy, but will continue posting from time to time.

Not neccesarily spring cleaning

We have begun our yearly routine, of deep cleaning. I don't necessarily clean for the sake of the spring tradition, though. The cleaning we'll be doing, around here, will be with the exclusive purpose of honoring G-d and His Word. Our goal is the complete removal, of chametz(anything containing leaven). These following weeks will be spent in intense deep cleaning. We'll be basically going through a detailed to-do-list of all the cleaning that is to be done around the house.We will be dusting every book, from our library, and cleaning our shelves carefully. The kitchen appliances will also be moved to clean behind them; as from time to time a cookie or other bread-like food may roll under it. Rugs will be washed; living and family room furniture vacuumed carefully. Our curtains will be washed and some walls may be painted at this time. The children's rooms will need some detailed cleaning, especially their closets which need to be reorganized. Usually my husband takes this time to check for any repairs or maintenance, that may need to be done as well. This usually winds up spilling over unto the yard and he'll end up having the kids cleaning up all sorts of stuff around our small property. The next few weeks will be the busiest, as now I have to divide my time, between driving my son to school (which keeps me many hours away from home) and working to get all my cleaning done in time for Pesach.
Here I am posting some links to these excellent sites with very helpful lists for the removal of any food products containing chametz. (Also included in the links other helpful sites on the topic of chametz).

http://oukosher.org/index.php/passover/article/which_foods_are_chametz/
http://www.betemunah.org/chametz.html
http://judaism.about.com/library/3_howto/ht_searchchametz.htm
http://www.chabad.org/kids/article_cdo/aid/485958/jewish/Chametz-vs-Matzah.htm
http://www.chabad.org/holidays/passover/pesach_cdo/aid/117150/jewish/Cleaning-Checklist.htm
http://www.ka.org.au/index.php/Pesach_Guide/The_Mitzvah_of_Disposing_of_Chametz.html

http://www.suite101.com/content/traditional-forbidden-chametz--foods-on-pesach-a209687

Table Settings and Other Beautiful Things

Beautifully set tables have been an interest of mine, for long. Thinking back I remember always liking, pretty dishes and tableware, in general. I remember thinking as I was growing up, that one day I'd like to collect teapots. I've since abandoned that goal, but I have bought a few teapots from time to time. Looking back now, I believe, my mother was a big influence, in this area. She always took special care of how the table was set and what kind of dishes she would be using during dinner parties. Having a home of my own many years later, I find myself taking special interest in those very same things. I don't exactly host too many dinner parties; I have hosted a few yearly dinners, mostly Pesach and Channukah celebrations; but occasionally other dinners as well. When I do have a special dinner, I enjoy using beautiful table settings. I'm always on the lookout for new pieces to enhance my table decor. Right now, I'm hoping to replace my Pesach dishes, so I'll be shopping around and looking for a new set. The way I see it is that a well perpared meal and lovingly set table can make one feel welcomed. In my opinion, it's nice to know someone took special care and thought to prepare a table for them.

Is Christianity Based on Anti-Christ Creeds?

Here is a post by a friend that I'm glad to share here.

Written by Cari Gillespie

Do you know that Christianity is based upon the anti-christ creeds? Read and weep.
In the book of Daniel 11, we read about anti-christ Antiocus Epiphanes. It set up a an image of Zeus, not called Peter by the Vatican, and for 3 years and 2 months, he continued to desecrate the Temple

 This is what he demanded of the people of Israel and the whole world, if they refused, they died. 1) thou shall PROFANE the sabbath 2) thou shall CHANGE the the set-apart times of YHWH (festivals) and laws (Torah) 3) thou shall set up idols... 4) thou shall EAT UNCLEAN animals 5) thou shall NOT circumcise 6) thou shall FORGET Torah
Does your denomination obey these commands of the anti-christ and do you think it's OK?
In the early 4th century AD, The Roman Emporer, Constantine, a Mythra (sun god) worshipper revived these laws and gave them new life. The early believers in Messiah were tortured and hung on crosses, set on fire before they were dead, etc. Here is what he demanded: The Constantine Creed: "I renounce all customs, rites, legalisms, unleavened breads, sacrifices of lambs of the Hebrews, and all the other feasts of the Hebrews, sacrifices, prayers, aspirations, purifications, sanctifications, and propitiations, and fasts and new moons, and Sabbaths and superstiitions and hymns and chants, and observances and synagogues, absolutely everything Jewish, every law (instruction), rite and custom and if afterwards I shall wish to deny and return to Jewish superstition, or shall be found eating with Jews, or feasting with them, or secretly conversing and condemning the "Christian religion," instead of openly confuting them and condemning their vain faith, then let the trembling of Cain and the leprosy of Gehazi cleave to me, as well as the legal punishments to which I acknowledge myself liable. And may I be an anthema in the world to come, and my my soul be set down with Satan and the devils."
(Stefano Assemani, Acta Sanctorium Martyrum Orientalium at Occidentalium, Vol. 1, Rome 1748, page 105) Furthermore, any follower of the "Jewish Messiah" (Yeshua HaMashiach) who wished to join this "holy community" was compelled to adopt a different set of rules and customs. Subsequently, special creeds were drafted, to which the "Christian" would have to swear as such:

"I accept all customs, rites, legalisms, and feasts of the ROMANS, sacrifices, prayers, purificaitons with water sanctifications by PONTIFUS MAXIMUS (high priests of Rome), propititations, and feasts, and the NEW sabbath "Sol Dei" (day of the sun god), all new chants and observances, and all the foods and drinks of the ROMANS. In other words, I absolutely accept everything ROMAN, every NEW law, rite and custom, of ROME and the NEW Roman religion."
All Protestants are daughters of this Roman church and all protestants obey these laws in defiance of the Word of The Father and The Son. Protestants are included as they still observe the holidays (Easter and Christmas) and sabbaths (Sunday) of Rome, as in "are you going to church tis Lord's Day?" The Lord being the sun god of Sunday.
What really is ironic, these laws were created by two anti-christs, Antiocus and Constantine and that is what people CHOOSE to live by today, totally going against The Father and the bible.
-Cari Gillespie

Havdalah Set Arrival

Something that I have looked forward to for some time now has finally happened. This day was distinctively marked by the arrival of my new Havdalah set. Yesterday I received my Havdalah candle (which I did not include in the picture for now). The set I decided to buy is made of brass; which I thought would be a good choice for our family due to its durability. For the most part I wanted to stay away from anything that was too fragile and could therefore easily break. It was hard deciding on a Havdalah set because there are so many beautiful sets to choose from. The Judaica which I bought it from is called Aharon's MileChai Judaica. I'm quite pleased with their products and service; and hope to do some upcoming purchases from them again. The flowers in the picture are one more reason that I'm thrilled about. They are a gift from my incredibly sweet and thoughtful husband. I thought they would make a good backdrop for the Havdalah set picture, while also be a good way to keep the memory. This is without a doubt, a special week. 


*A Note on Havdalah
Havdalah is basically 'separation' It is a service that marks a distinct separation between the holy set apart time and the ordinary rest of the time. This is a change from the the consecrated to the regular weekly routine. Special blessings are recited over the fruit of the vine (wine or grape juice), fragrant spices, and a braided candle which is lit. The wine is sipped as in other special occasions symbolizing great joy and sanctifying the moment. The candle is lit much in the same way that in the beginning of Shabbat candles are lit as we welcome the day; only this time the braided candle is marking the distinction between the end of Shabbat and the following week. The spices are a sweet aroma promoting a lingering scent of our beloved day. By observing the sky one can determine the time for Havdalah at the sight of three stars. The concluding prayer is as follows:
 
Blessed art thou, G-d, our L-rd, King of the Universe Who distinguishes Holiness from profanity, Light from dark, Israel from the nations, The seventh day from the six workdays, Blessed art thou, God Who distinguishes holiness from profanity.