Beth Immanuel Newsletter for Adar II 5774 or March 2014

Beth Immanuel Newsletter for Adar II 5774 or March 2014
Shalom Beth Immanuel Friends and Family,
Welcome to Adar II
The month of Adar II has begun, a special “extra” month that only occurs once every few years. As we explained in the monthly newsletter last month, this thirteen-month, Jewish “leap year” occurs seven times in a nineteen-year cycle. The leap year is called a shanah meuberet (which means, “a pregnant year”) because it contains an extra month of Adar: Adar I and Adar II.
The Talmud says that joy increases in the month of Adar. We say, “Mishenichnas Adar, marbim besimcha!” which means, “When Adar arrives, we increase our joy!” Since this year is a leap year, our joy is doubled with two months of Adar.
Shabbat Zachor
Shabbat Zachor (Sabbath of Remembrance) is Saturday March 15. Shabbat Zachor is the Shabbat immediately preceding Purim. Deuteronomy 25:17-19, describing the attack by Amalek, is read with the regular Torah reading. Tradition says that Haman, the evil nemesis of the Jewish people in the Purim story, was descended from Amalek. The portion that is read includes a commandment to remember the attack by Amalek, and therefore at this public reading everyone makes a special effort to hear the reading. Our haftarah portion for Shabbat Zachor (1 Samuel 15:2–15:34) tells the story of how King Saul spared King Agag of the Amalekites and lost the kingdom.
Erev Purim
After Sabbath ends on March 15, we will begin the festival of Purim with an English reading of the scroll of Esther, followed by a Purim party with costumes, cookies, games, and songs. Join us at 8:00 PM for the fun.
Purim Day
Sunday morning, March 16, we will gather again to hear a Hebrew reading of the scroll of Esther, followed by the fun and festivities of Purim day at Beth Immanuel. Join us at 10:00 AM for the Hebrew reading of the Megillah.
Isaiah in the New Testament
Pastor Lancaster has begun his twelve week class on the prophet Isaiah, Tuesday nights at 7:00 in the Beth Immanuel library. The class focuses on selected texts from Isaiah that appear in the apostolic writings. The New Testament quotes Isaiah or alludes to the book of Isaiah more than eighty times with references to some sixty different passages. We are attempting to cover all of them, understand them in the context of Isaiah, and understand them in the context of the New Testament under the interpretation of Yeshua, the apostles, and rabbinic sources. If you are interested in subscribing to the audio CD’s, contact us.
Beth Immanuel Reading List
At Beth Immanuel, we are compiling an essential reading list for Messianic Jewish literacy. Do you have suggestions for our list? Contact us and let us know what books you think every Messianic needs to read.
2014 Shavuot Conference: Shabbaton, Eyes on Zion, Ethics of Sinai
First Fruits of Zion has announced plans to host three consecutive events this year at Beth Immanuel between May 30 and June 5. The festivities begin on Friday, May 30 with a special Shabbaton event dedicated to the release of the new Vine of David liturgical resource The Sabbath Table. The Shavuot conference, “Eyes on Zion,” runs June 1-3. Finally, on the actual holiday of Shavuot (June 4-5), we will celebrate Shavuot and hear teachings on the “Ethics of Sinai.” For more information click here.
Epistle to the Hebrews
Pastor Lancaster’s year-long study through the Epistle to the Hebrews is nearly complete. Catch up with the teachings at bethimmanuel.org.  
Messianic blogger James Pyles has continued his in-depth summary and review of the series. Follow his reviews and contribute to the conversation.
Israel Trip 2014
We are going to Israel this fall! Join Pastor Lancaster and his brother Steven on the First Fruits of Zion Study Tour of the land of Israel this fall, October 27–November 11. $4,643.00 per person, all expenses, meals, tips, and fees included. For more information, contact First Fruits of Zion.
Support 
Please prayerfully consider supporting the work of Beth Immanuel. Donations can be made online at www.bethimmanuel.org/donate or by sending a check to
Beth Immanuel 
PO Box 562
Hudson, WI 54016
Sincerely,
The Beth Immanuel Elders
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