Early Chanukah Miracles and Light

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With joy you shall draw water from the wells of salvation.  

Isaiah 12:3

Every year for several years I have been sharing about Israel and the Festival of Chanukah in a community arts festival here in Japan.  It takes place in an open square plaza in front of a department store that God has been redesigning for his glory over the years.  This year  a great miracle happened there!  A family from Israel ‘just happened to be passing by`.  They heard the Hebrew music of Mayim Mayim and saw us dancing, and turned to come into the space of the event.

It was wonderful and a miracle to welcome them, and to hear Hebrew being spoken in our small city and to know that `undoubtedly God is in this place and we didn’t know it`! *  This encounter surely came about from years of prayer to make known about Israel and the God of Israel in that place, as we joyfully draw water to dig up the wells of Salvation!

With joy you shall joyfully draw water from the wells of Salvation.   Isaiah 12:3 and verse that `Mayim Mayim`song and dance is from

They were  excited and surprised… and blessed! to see us celebrating Chanukah.   We were so blessed  and excited to welcome them, and have international exchange between our  local Japan community and our special guests from Israel.  Everyone received a dreidel as our hearts turned to God`s love and His presence in that place!

There were other miracles as well ~~ at least 8 miracles that I counted ~  which also included two healings and one salvation, and a perfect sunny and warm day when the weather forecasted rain.

With that we want to encourage you to come into this season of Chanukah (our event was a little early!)  with expectation and trust, trust, Trust in the God who is faithful, and to see the miracles that He is doing every place where we encounter Him!

*. Verse from that week’s parsha, when Jacob had the dream of the ladder and awoke from his sleep and said,

`Surely the LORD is present in this place, and I did not know it!`  Genesis 28:16

Chanukah Samech!  

Happy Chanukah!❤️ Love, 

Shayndel 

NES GADOL

HAYA SHAM 

A Great Miracle Happened There ! 

Shema Israel

 

❤️🇮🇱❤️

 

 

 

 

Shabbat Shalom! Three Hebrew Words in Challah from the Book of Ruth

But now these three remain --- faith, hope, and love.  And the greatest of these is love.   1 Corinthians 13:13*

(*this scripture here because the story of Ruth is a LOVE story, though these are not the three words I did in Challah, I think I will have to do these three words in challah for another upload!! Read on to find out what the three words in challah are today.  Or rather, you will have to watch Part 1 at least to find out the words!! Enjoy!)

Dear Friends, 

Just coming in for a quick hello and to say Shabbat Shalom!

For your viewing pleasure and hopefully some Hebrew learning and insights, I am sharing this mini-series in 3 parts,  freshly made.  We haven`t done a word study in Challah for some time, and I felt a divine encouragement to make these three words !!! They are three words in Hebrew from the Book of Ruth.  

As you know the book of Ruth is read at Shavout for its taking place in the Harvest season as well as for the coming together in a love story of Ruth and Boaz and the strong echoes of the bringing forth of Messiah Yeshua ....generations later!!!

Well, I can`t write much now as I have to clean up my house for Shabbat and spent all morning making the video! I hope you might watch and enjoy it, and that there might be something in it that blesses you.  As I told another blog friend/sister, I felt the LORD wanted me to post this series before Shabbat, so I am premiering it here!! 

Blessings all and Shabbat Shalom!

Much Love,❤️

Shayndel (Joanne)

 #messianicjapan

 Part 1:

 

 Part 2:

 

 

Part 3

Post returned, though still in progress

Thank you friends, I returned the post below, but temporarily removed the Hebrew postcard, To add an   א   !!!!!

The post, "God is Love, and you are a crown of beauty in His hand, Postcards♡"  is back,  with the scriptures added!!

The Hebrew version of the postcard will return shortly!!

I couldn`t leave the post out of commission for too long, as the word that it contains is from the scriptures and I wanted to have the word posted , even if the postcard will be delayed!!  Reminded that the word of God will remain even after the heavens and earth ( and all the material world things ) pass away!!

Meanwhile, I needed to get a new yellow color pencil, you may not believe it but I used the very last of the color pencil to color the postcards, and to make the correction I needed more yellow to fill the heart around `God is Love` in Hebrew!! That may be more blog- behind-the-scenes that you needed to know, but as you are my loyal and wonderful blog friends who hold me accountable for my actions by your loving and caring comments and sharing, I felt to tell you what was happening on this end, probably things only a fellow blogger could understand (I hope!! Lol!!:)!! And if anyone has no idea what I am talking about, no worries!! Enjoy, have some challah, and thank you for visiting!!!

Meanwhile, 
We at Challah and Cherry Blossoms apologize for any inconvenience with my posting and reposting!! and For your viewing pleasure during this inconvenience,  I invite you to watch my new One-minute  `Trailer`!!! at Joanne`s Challah-Cast Channel.

(note :  its a new Trailer!!!,  the feature has already been released!!!

Enjoy!! Love, Shayndel

Aaron’s Blossoming Staff Challah! A Challah-cast!

An intimate moment with Yeshua!! Taste and See that the LORD is good!

And behold, Aaron`s staff, from the house of Levi, had sprouted, blossomed, and produced almonds!
Numbers 17:8

You`ll find the story of Aaron`s blossoming rod in the Book of Numbers chapter 17 verse 8.   The blossoming rod of Aaron has intrigued me for the blossoms and the life and the supernatural qualities that God reveals of Himself as He reveals the staff of Aaron blossoming, and shows that is only God alone who chooses.

Once I started making challah and celebrating and observing the Shabbat a few years ago, there were certain Parsha (Torah portions) that inspired me to make a special Challah to pertain to that portion.  The first time I made the `Aaron`s Blossoming Rod Challah` was 3 years ago, the challah `came to life` in my spirit  and I have been making it ever since , a once a year special challah at the Shabbat of this Parsha, Parsha Korah!!

It has become a celebration here at  Challah and Cherry blossoms to make the Aaron`s Blossoming Staff Challah, and remember the blossoming of Aaron`s staff as well as learn new things in each reading.  May we draw nearer to the LORD through His living Word!! 

When the parsha came around this year I was  excited to make it again, and this time will share how to make it on a Challah-cast `tutorial` of how to make an Aaron`s Blossoming Rod Challah!!
Thank you for being along on the Torah and Challah journey with me over these years, I am thankful for this `space` and for you to share the challah and the  journey with!!! 

For the first time ever here on Challah and Cherry Blossoms! Enjoy!! (note* part 1 below, and link to part 2 after that!)

Part 2:



Oh how I love your Torah!
Psalm 119:97

If you would like to read where we find the Blossoming Rod of Aaron, as well as the rebellion of Korach which is much of the parsha  and related to the staff incident, the readings for Parsha Korah are here:

Numbers 16:1 ~18:32
1Samuel 11:14~12:22
2Timothy 2:14~25

I love reading on the Torah cycle and engaging with the Holy Spirit to bring parts of what we read to life through the Challah or through drawing or dancing or other creative ways!!
How does the Word come alive for you? How can we bring the word of God into our lives and invite others to hunger for the Word of God ?

For related posts on the Aaron`s Blossoming rod challah as well as a tutorial on the blog of how to make it, please see the previous years posts for Parsha Korach Here , Here, and Here! 
For the list of where we are each week in the Torah readings for this 2019~2020 year 5780, please click HERE, as well as you can always find it on the sidebar at the right, it is there under *Pages*!

Blessings and Love!

Shayndel

Blossoms and Seder table and the month of Yeshua!!

Worthy is the Lamb! See link below for the Messianic Hagaddah I used for the Passover Seder

Charoset, a mixture of apples and nuts and wine or grape juice symbolizes the mortar that the Children of Israel used to make bricks in the time of slavery in Egypt.

On the Seder Plate, Each item represents something in the telling of the Exodus story and in the revealing of Messiah Yeshua

We drink 4 cups of Wine during the Seder, as per the words in the Scripture in Exodus 6:6, God's promises of redemption and making us a people unto Him. Yeshua too drank 3 of these cups at His seder, the 3rd of which has become the "communion" of the New Covenant.

3 matzah are wrapped in a "trinity" of Matzah! The middle matzah is the Afikomen, which represents the body of Yeshua and which is "hid" during the seder, and found at the end of the meal.  Yeshua Himself has been "hidden" from the Jewish people, soon to be revealed  with great joy and rejoicing for all!!  The Truth shall set us all free!!!

This year the blossoms  fill our inside and  the Passover spills forth outside.  On Passover in Japan the renewal and resurrection that is expressed in the Month of Springtime, Nissan, and the resurrection and Redemption that we celebrate in Yeshua on Passover, seem to echo each other as the blossoms and Passover spring forth in the month of Nissan.

I say every year that I can't wait until the Japanese people know their Messiah and maybe it will even be so that after this year when there are no people picnicking under the blossoms, that next year there will be a new gathering under the blossoms in the recognition of our Creator who brings this all forth and our Redeemer who will deliver Japan too in His mighty Hand of Salvation!! I can't wait!!

This year when reading in the Hagaddah, I also learned that Nissan is called "Chodesh Yeshuah".  Which means the Month of Salvation.   For the Jewish people too, I can't wait until they know thier Messiah.  Me too, I didn't know Him until six years ago.  It is so amazing that for 2000 plus years Jewish people know that the month is "Chodesh Yeshua" and yet we have lived with not knowing the truth of Yeshua who is our Passover Lamb, the Lamb that the whole seder is based upon and reveals.  As I observe the Passover year after year, as a Messianic believer reborn in Yeshua,  this reality of Yeshua as our Passover Lamb just bursts alive, as each element on the Passover table reveals our Messiah.

And yet most Jewish people, including all of my family,  still have not received this truth.  
I pray this Passover that all my Jewish family and all my Japan family will know this truth, and the truth will set Israel free and Japan free and all the nations of the world free!!!

BTW, why a Tambourine on the Seder table?? Its my original addition, as it represents Miriam the prophet, Moses' sister, and her great faith in God her Deliverer and the Saviour of her people.  She was all prepared and had "packed' her timbrels knowing in complete faith and believing that God would bring about a great Deliverance!  When indeed the Jewish people were led through the Sea of Reeds and set free on the other side,  she led the women in timbrels and dancing!!! May we have our timbrels ready for His great deliverance this Passover as well!

Blessings and Happy Passover, and a happy Month of Yeshua!!!

note:  the Hagaddah I have used this year and last year is THIS LINK, Messianic Hagaddah.  I'm sure there are many you can find, and this one is pretty long!! But even so, I have found it very good for teaching and for the seder!!! Recommended for all who desire to see how the Jewish Passover reveals our Messiah Yeshua, as well as the Revelations for the Passover we will all celebrate together when it is fulfilled in the Kingdom and we drink the fourth cup with Him, all together as ONE in Him!!!

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female---for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua.   

Galatians 3:28

♡ 

 

#messianicjapan, #beautifulsedertable, #japanpassover, #passoverandcherryblossoms, 

#challahandcherryblossoms, #matzahandcherry blossoms,#monthofnisaninJapan

Choose Your Mask!!! Purim is almost Here

These days should be remembered and observed in every generation by every family and in every province and every city.  These days of Purim should not fail from among the Jews, nor their remembrance perish from their descendants.        Book of Esther 9:28 

Choose your mask!!

Purim is almost here!! Proclaim His Name and His Victories from every province and every city!!

Let the Hamantashen making begin!!!

May we joyously move into the next Feast, the feast of Purim!!

You still have time to prepare!!

Stay tuned for an invitation to the banquet:))

Blessings and Shalom!

♡Love, Shayndel

(post edited)

L'Dor V'dor Tour, Entrance to the City of David

I will praise You with the harp for Your faithfulness, my God.  I will sing praise to You with the lyre, Holy One of Israel.

Psalm 71:22

Dear friends, I just came back to Japan after a tour of Israel!  It was a prayer come true, to go to the land of our Messiah Yeshua and to see the place that God is so zealous for, Zion!! It was a worship tour led by father-daughter singing team of Marty and Misha Goetz, and family.  The trip went from Jerusalem to the Galilee, all the way up to the northern border, and back down to Tel Aviv.  There was worship all the way, with songs they sang on the land or on the bus, songs on the sea, and hearts of prayer in unity in Messiah as we walked the streets of the old and new cities.   

Just opening back up after a brief absence from the blog with this picture of the harp at the entrance to the City of David.  I am sorry for my slipping out and going without  notice, but as I have been planning to go other times but had false starts and didn't make it---I felt in my heart best to just make sure I got there and back this time.  And as you can see from this picture and Praise, I am full of thanks to the LORD for the wonderful chance to make it this time and visit His Holy Land!!

I will share some of the trip and my journey in some posts to follow !

The trip for 2020 is already open for registration, so if these posts make you want to go, I highly recommend it and you can find the details at Marty Goetz's site HERE.

Hope all have been well and I look forward to visiting you and catching up.

God Bless you.

Love and blessings,

♡

Shayndel

PS I saw lots of sparrows (as we were speaking of sparrows before I signed off)!
God showed me sparrows at every site we visited, starting with the song of sparrows from outside the hotel window the first Jerusalem morning.
To be continued...

Blossoms and Birthday in the Spirit!

Yeshua answered, "Amen, amen I tell you, unless one is born of water and spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not be surprised that I said to you, "You all must be born from above."  John 3:5~7

Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation.  

The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.  

2Corinthians 5:17

This year my "spiritual" birthday came in full blossoms!!
Today is my born-again birthday!!  Five years in Messiah Yeshua!!

Walking out amidst the blossoms that speak of re-birth I looked up to heaven in thanks for the re-birth in my Messiah!!

Breezing past bunches of blossoms seen from the bus, I breathed in the day.

This year my spiritual birthday also came on the day of the spring recital!! I was in a recital of students age 5 to age 75 for the voice training lessons I take!! Three years ago, I started taking voice training because of back problems.  After finding out I would need to strengthen the muscles around the spine to avoid further problems, I started taking voice training!! It became not only a way of healing my back,  it has opened a new door to sing songs of Praise to my maker!! And share and minister His heart to others through the songs!!  As well as get to know and grow with a wonderful teacher, who is also my friend,  and be part of the spring recital and continuing learning...and healing!  Thank you Yeshua!

Blossoms and song, a family atmosphere and listening to others share their gifts  was a beautiful gift to me as well!!  I never imagined I would be singing in front of people, and the thought of being "good" or not didn't even cross my mind.  Its funny as I am not a "singer", but  I know it is a gift from God to do this voice training,  and if He wants us to share something, then its something we will be delighted to share!!

  You must be born again I tell you!!  That is what Yeshua, Jesus, says!

Thy Kingdom come, on earth as it is in Heaven!

The youngest student performer in the recital today was 5 years old!  I think now, that is the same age as my years since being born anew!! We can be 5 again, through being born in the spirit!! We must be born again, says Yeshua!!

And for a gift for you, here is the song I sang---it is a  beautiful song by Misha and Marty Goetz called "The Plans I Have for You",  that they wrote together based on the scripture of Hope that many of you are familiar with from Jeremiah 29:11.

As in Japan a new year starts in April, after the cherry blossoms, it seemed like a fitting song to sing when many of the students would be graduating and going into a new school year.  I translated part of it with the help of my teacher in Japanese, so we added some verses in Japanese so those listening could understand the words!!  It will be a little while still and  a few more years training until I share my singing here!!! Please stay tuned with patience!

Meanwhile,  I will share the anointed singing by Marty and Misha, from Jerusalem!!Its a beautiful song, and a beautiful backdrop, please enjoy it HERE!!

  With a message of hope for all.
 It says

" I know the plans I have for you!  You're always on my mind.  And all the thoughts I think towards you are lovingly designed.  To bring you through and give to you a future and a hope.  They're for your peace they're for your good.... the plans I have for you!"  (from lyrics by Marty Goetz and Misha, based on Jeremiah 29:11 )

❤️

The Blossoming Challah

 Mixing the Cherry Blossoms flakes into the dough is always sublime, as they disappear into the mixture from sight, but there remains the infusion of Cherry Blossom.   Cherry blossoms paste is rolled into the strands.

. 

In a Messianic Japan, the challah blossoms before the cherry blossoms.
The seasons of our King are a harmony.  Watching in anticipation for the spring is like when you have a song to sing and the words begin to fit the music.

I can't really explain all that is in my heart,  but want to post some of the pictures of the sakura challah that have been blossoming in the meantime, before making a space for some Purim Posts.

Hope you are enjoying the season and wishing you a happy time in Purim preparations and eager anticipation of the spring blossoms, and for the song

Blessings and Shalom, Love Shayndel

Just posting this quickly before the Purim posts!! Tomorrow will begin Purim in the evening, wishing all a happy preparation and a smooth fast if you do the Esther fast. To remember how the Jewish people were threatened with being wiped out, there is a day of fasting to remember, and then to enter into the Joy of their being saved through Esther and Mordechai, there is the joy of the feast.  God remained "behind the scenes" but we know He purposed all for His Glory and planned all for His purposes.  On Purim we also rejoice to see His Hand in every thing!!




 ♡

Subtitle:

Messianic Japan!!

Welcoming Messiah Yeshua to Japan!!

Yeshua, Japan welcomes you!!

Japan leading nations into the Messianic Age as the Revelation of Yeshua comes to be known and spread through out the nation this Cherry Blossoms season!!

The obstacles and principalities of the air  have been trampled and stepped on and no longer have power in Japan in the name of Yeshua!!

Declaration!!! The Island nations receive the Torah of the LORD!! We've been waiting!! Thank you LORD Yeshua!!

xoxo Declared with Love, 

by Shayndel

Challah Nagila

Let us delight and rejoice in your love         
                                                            Song of Songs 1:4

Come let us bow down and kneel,

bend the knee before the LORD our maker,

for He is our God,

and we are the people He tends, the flock in His care.

--Psalm 95:6

♡

Shabbat Shalom!


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note:  I wrote this post last Shabbat.   I was going to post it after  finishing a draft and putting in the pictures, but the next morning I found out the news about the tragedy in Pittsburgh, and didn't post it as it is about joy and a wedding and then suddenly there was so much sadness.  
Is it ok to post it today?  I decided I will.  with a prayer of Sabbath Peace, today as we enter into a new Shabbat,  amid continued prayers of  healing and comfort to the entire Pittsburgh Jewish community and for the peace in the world.  Shabbat Shalom!


I love seeking the LORD on Shabbat.  And every day of course, but on Shabbat I feel more open to revelations, as if there is less work seeking,   He Is... His word opens up to spread out its fragrance in a new way.  To use the language of this week`s Parsha and study portion, Vayera, He ... appears!

When I was reading the Song of Songs,  welcoming the Shabbat and entering into His presence, this verse (1:4, above)  jumped out of the first page, and lit up a word that I have heard before, but for the first time noticed it in the scripture.  That word is the Hebrew word nagila.

 I looked more closely at the line, and read it a few times.   I was led to another line in scripture that has almost the same line, in Psalm 118, verse 25 (in the Hebrew).

The word nagila is a word I have heard often but didn't ever notice it before in scripture.  I recognized it from the famous Hebrew folk song, Hava Nagila.
  It is a song that is sung and danced to at Jewish weddings, but even if you have never been to a Jewish wedding, you may have heard it as its become a popular folk song around the world.

What excited me not only to find the word, then the corresponding scripture in the psalms, but also I thought, there is big wedding coming up!  When the Messiah returns,  there will be a great wedding、The wedding of the Lamb!   We are His bride!   A few things I want to do to get ready are to perfect my Cherry Blossoms Challah, to offer the guests at the wedding.  And  practice Israeli dances and have a few dances ready.   The sense in reading these verses was that that great day isn`t too far off.

Shabbat Shalom!

Love,

Shayndel

Aaron`s Blossoming Staff Challah, Part 2, Setting the Table for Parsha Korach

The table is set as the story of this week`s Parsha Korach unfolds ---in Challah!---  to reveal almond flowers from Aaron`s Staff

On Shabbat, our table can become a place to tell the story of the weekly parsha reading, and a way to invite others to enter into the Torah in creative and fun ways.  And maybe even inspire others to read the Torah and hunger for the Word that it contains.

The Parsha this week inspired me to make a Challah to express Aaron`s Blossoming, Flowering  Staff.

 (see Post , Aaron`s Blossoming Staff Challah, Part 1 below )

In this post, I would like to set the table with the Challah and a little more of the story.

When Korach rebels against Moses, which is actually a rebellion against G-d, G-d tells Moses to have the twelve tribes line up their staffs (rods)  in front of the testimony of the Tent of Meeting.

ADONAI spoke to Moses saying, "Speak to Bnei-Yisrael and get a rod from each ancestral house, twelve staffs in all, from each prince according to his ancestral household.  ---Numbers 17:1

He then tells Moses that the staff of the man that He chooses will sprout, and this is how He was to do away with those who are grumbling and rebelling against Moses.  So Moses gathered the staffs and placed them before ADONAI in the Tent of Testimony.

Of course, Aaron's staff blossoms (see post below and read Numbers 17:1 - 12!).

 To keep the surprise for your Shabbat guests, I recommend keeping `Aaron`s Flowering Staff` Challah  covered at first.  This is fitting  because we keep the Challah covered while we recite the blessings over the candles and the wine (explained in a post HERE)!  I used my Second Challah Cover, with the Hebrew names of the Twelve Tribes.    

For a dramatic effect in the telling of the parsha, from under the Challah Cover, you can have the flowers and the top of the staff emerge!

As you tell the story of the Parsha to your Shabbat guests, and uncover the Challah it makes for a memorable surprise and teaching to see how only the staff of Aaron blossomed.  Have almonds scattered on the table, and if possible, use a blossom patterned cloth!

Behind the scenes note:

For the eleven `staffs` of the tribes,  I used `POCKY` sticks.  They are a popular kind of candy in Japan.  I used `almond` variety, and this colorful shower variety.  I bring your attention here to the back of the `Almond` Pocky box.  There were perforations where you could poke the arms out and move them into an embrace.  It just seemed perfect to put the flowering staff into the hands of the boy!  And  do you see how the background has blossoms all around!!

Don`t you find that as our lives get more and more focused on Torah, every little thing around us reflects it too!! Even a Pocky Box! Pocky sticks! And the origami paper that is full of blossoms.  Just roll it and tape it to make a little `flowering Staff` to remind us of Aaron in the story this week of Parsha Korach.

Aaron`s staff is a testimony in perpetuity to us all to NOT rebel like Korah, and to be obedient to the One who G-d chooses as His High Priest.  This story lives on.

ADONAI said to Moses, "Put Aaron's staff back in front of the Testimony to keep as a sign to the sons of rebellion, so that it may put an end to their grumblings against Me, and so they will not die. "  Moses did just as ADONAI commanded him.     --Numbers 17:12

 

Blessings and Shalom!

Love,

Shayndel

note:  I have been using the words `rod` and `staff` interchangeably through these two posts.