Rosh Chodesh
And the Lord spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying: This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you.” –Exodus 12:1-2
ראש חודש Rosh Chodesh is Hebrew for “beginning of the Month,” literally meaning “the head of the month.” It is the term used for the minor Jewish holiday marking the first day of every month in the Hebrew calendar. The day is set by the birth of a new moon.
Remote Ordinances
Revelation received May 16, 2019. This revelation was voted on and sustained as canon for use in the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship by the Assembly of Saints April 6, 2020.
I, Nephi
“I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents, therefore, I was taught somewhat in all the learning of my father; and having seen many afflictions in the course of my days–nevertheless, having been highly favored of the Lord in all my days, yea, having had a great knowledge of the goodness and the mysteries of God, therefore, I make a record of my proceedings in my days; yea, I make a record in the language of my father, which consists of the learning of the Jews and the language of the Egyptians. And I know that the record which I make is true; and I make it with mine own hand; and I make it according to my knowledge.” -1 Nephi 1:1-2 RAV, 1:1-3 OPV
Pardes and the Orchard of Kabbalah
“Happy are the poor in spirit, for in them is the Kingdom of Heaven.” -Matthew 5:3
Perhaps the most interesting perspective to come from Kabbalah is the idea that heaven isn’t a far away place. It’s not something to look forward to eventually, but rather something here and now, if we will open our eyes and see it. This is because Kabbalah is about perception. “Change perception, change reality.” This is the last of the Seven Principles of Mormon Kabbalah. Heaven is in us and around us, if we will but see it. How then do we find heaven? We start with a walk in the orchard.
Chesed
“Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself; blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.” –Book of the Law of the Lord 1:4/3 Nephi 5:56 RAV, 12:9 OPV
The 10 Sefirot (Hebrew for “emanations”) are the 10 attributes of God in Kabbalah, through which Ein Sof (the Everlasting name of God) reveals Himself/Themselves to humankind. There are a few different ways of using the Sefirot. Some Kabbalists study and grow from attribute to attribute, while others see them as an urim and thummim. As an urim and thummim, the right and left sides create a series of “lenses” for the natural eyes, while the center creates a series of “lenses” for the third or spiritual eye. Through this urim and thummim, God helps us see both the physical realm and the chain of higher metaphysical realms.
Rechilus
Slander, gossip, talebearer; these are all types of lashon hara (Hebrew: “evil speak”) that fall under the sin of rechilus. The word rechilus comes from the root “rachil,” Hebrew for “a peddler.” This is because a rechilus act is just that: peddling gossip, or ill will towards another.
The Holy Bible
“And what thank they the Jews for the Bible which they receive from them? . . . Do [the Gentiles] remember the travails, and the labors, and the pains of the Jews, and their diligence unto me, in bringing forth salvation unto the Gentiles?” – 2 Nephi 12:27-29 RAV, 29:4b-d OPV
The Holy Bible is a collection of the oldest of God’s words to mankind. It consists of the writings of the ancient Jews, including the Christian Jews that followed Christ and their message to the gentiles. “Bible” is a plural Greek word meaning “Books.”
Latter-day Saints’ Doctrine and Covenants 130
Seeing that Section 130 of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLdS) book of Doctrine and Covenants (DaC) came from two sources, for the purposes of the Church of Jesus Christ in Christian Fellowship, both are presented here in their entirety. Corresponding Sections and verses in the CJCLdS DaC are noted in [brackets].
Ayin Lamed Mem
“Return, O Lord, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies’ sake.” -Psalms 6:4 KJV
Ayin Lamed Mem is a meditation to help us remove negative emotions or thoughts. Negative emotions feed Ego, and we think selfishly as fear and panic rule us. Ayin Lamed Mem reminds us that God’s divine providence is by our side. As we find our centers and detach ourselves from negative influences, balance and harmony return to us.
The Four Levels of Pardes
Pardes is like climbing Jacob’s ladder. An extended meaning never contradicts the base meaning, but rather expand our understanding.
The Factory
The following is a dream the First Elder, David, has Sunday morning, February 17, 2019.
Saturday night, I felt very anxious. I had trouble falling asleep. When I woke up around 2:30 in the morning, something was wrong. I could feel it. But I didn’t know what it was.
The Tzitzit and the Law
For Mormon Kabbalists, the Law is two fold: the spiritual and the practical. For us, the spirit of the Law is now alive in Christ.