The Rabbi's Page
Shalom! The topic of women in leadership has been brought up so many times. Women in leadership is discouraged mainly for one reason- women typically are ruled by emotions rather than honest reasoning. Does this mean a woman cannot lead? NO! And not all women are incredibly emotional.
I have wanted to be a missionary all of my life. I wanted to go to Africa, then at one point I wanted to go to China. Somehow I ended up in law enforcement instead, and realized that I was not doing anything that is remotely considered to be G-ds' work. I realized that right where I am at on any given day is my mission field. I decided to get out of law enforcement for a variety of reasons, this being one of my big reasons. I have worked as a tribal judge and still hold a lifetime appointment as such, although I no longer hear cases. I eventually immersed myself into studying scripture and Jewish and Messianic studies.
I am not a womens lib supporter etc. I fully understand and accept womens' roles etc. However, I believe that a woman can and should teach. Deborah was a judge. That is a lot of power. Now consider this, the 'church' was the court in biblical times- was she a Beit Din judge? To be so- she would have been a rabbi and student of Torah. So, perhaps this is a tidbit in scripture that was not fully opened up for a reason- for us to study and dig deep. But remember regarding the end times- "In those days your sons and your daughters will prophesy....." We are in the end times!
The Torah does NOT prohibit a woman from leading or being a rabbi. Those who argue women in leadership, in my experiences, are those who typically believe in modern day polygamy. (See more about this on the Messi-antics page.)
A ministry of this magnitude should receive prayer for the intentions of the ministry to be fulfilled. And at all times- we need to remain teachable spirited people. Truth in study should prevail over the gender of the teacher.
I have a passion for learning and teaching truth. I have a passion for heaven. "Seek ye first the kingdom of G-d....." Sh'ma Ministries is built on a passion for truth and heaven. If these are your passions as well, then Sh'ma Ministries warmly welcomes you and challenges you to progressively teach the besorah with us and tend to the mission field here in Asheville and the surrounding area.
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One of My favorite books outside of scripture itself is Fossilized Customs, by Lew White. Click below to read a pdf version of the book.
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Angel Goes to Police Academy
I like to tell the story of my experience in police academy. It was such a faith building experience for me. Many times, even still, I have that experience I need to draw on, in which G-d really revealed himself to me and how much He loves me. I hope this story is one that can help you build your faith and look for profound answers from Abba such as this.
As you can imagine, police academy is very physical. The instructors took delight in running us until we regurgitated. At some point it seemed to be a pleasant experience (did I really just say that?!) Unfortunately, I ended up getting shin splints. I kept running anyway due to a lack of options. Run or quit. Quitting was not an option in my book. I started going to an orthopedic doctor. Tests were ordered. I had nuclear meds done on my legs, which revealed that I had stress fractures- a lot of them! Eight in one leg, and thirteen in another. For all intent purposes my legs were broken. I begged the doctor for a remedy. Anything! Well he gave me prescribed steroid shots in my legs. A nice long needle in each shin bone (between nobby parts). I couldn't decide which was worse- stress fractures or the shots. He also prescribed a six day oral medication which was a steroid also. I was able to walk better, yet still with pain. When I ran, I felt ok, but as soon as our running sessions were over and I would sit down, my legs would throb of pain. As the steroids would wear off, I would be back in the doctors' office getting more shots and more oral scripts. At one point my doctor said he could not continue, and that if I didn't stop running he would cast me so I wouldn't have an option but to sit still and heal.
We had numerous things to complete for graduation. Book work, running for a specified time and distance, which I cannot now remember, an obstacle course- which included a six foot wall, changing a flat tire for time and a few other things.
My class was finished and my class was ready to graduate. I, on the other hand, had never made it over the six foot wall, or got a good time of late for the running. My instructor came to me and said he would give me a ninety day extension for the physical portion. I had passed the book work with flying colors. It was time to rest and try to heal my legs. I did just that.
On day eighty-five, I was in a panic, as I had not worked out or anything. My legs still hurt a great deal. By day eighty-nine, I decided to go try the wall. The wall was the thing I could not seem to conquer. I remember how I was struggling that day at the wall. Still no success. The instructor came up to me and said "tomorrow it's going to rain. There is no way your going to get over a wet wooden wall, so we will have to do the test this afternoon. Go home and grab some lunch and meet me back here at 3:00."
I went home and instead of eating, I prayed. I cried. I prayed and cried some more. I begged and pleaded with G-d to let me finish police academy, even if I couldn't work afterward in my chosen field. Then I simply stopped pleading and decided to give it up and asked for His will to be done in my life and I would simply accept His will for my life.
I went back to the school and to my surprise, the instructor wanted me to do the timed run first. I was heartbroken. My legs were not ready. If I didn't finish the timed run successfully, then I would never get to even try to conquer the wall. I cannot describe how crushed I was. I felt so low and defeated. I ended up running the trail around the school which was premeasured and only an 'L' shaped portion of the trail was needed. I was running the 'L' backwards- shortest end first. I was coming around the corner and my legs were throbbing with extreme pain. The pain was so severe that I thought I would pass out from the pain. I stopped running. I barely made the timed run in the past giving it my all and never stopping so now was not the time to stop and still complete it on time. But I did. Tears streaming down my face, I figured G-ds' will was for me not to finish police academy. At that very moment a very loud voice screamed in my right ear- "Go! You've got it". I was confused and hurting so badly. I looked around to see what was talking to me. Nothing was apparent. I started to run anyway. It actually wasn't a run- more like a walk/jog. When I got to the finish line, the instructor read out my time- which was the fastest of everyone in my class. I knew better. I knew at that point that G-d wanted me to succeed and he intervened on my behalf. I still had the six foot wall though. I pondered if G-d would help me with the wall and how could such a task be done? I got over to the obstacle course and sized up that wall pretty good- yep I am still intimidated by that ugly thing. The whistle blew- I got through the obstacles leading up to the wall. I stopped and looked at the wall and jumped up to grab the top and started to scale the wall. This hurt my legs again. I got up far enough (I thought) to get my right leg over the top. If I could just hook my foot over the top of the wall, I could pull myself over. I tried. My foot was a centimeter off. I brought my leg back down, still clinging to the wall for dear life. (I might add, that if we came off the wall, we could grab it one more time and that was it.) It would be an automatic out if I dropped down a second time. I knew I couldn't drop down the first time, as my hands were in pain and burning. I decided to try to hook my foot over a second time before dropping down- just in case. I said "G-d help me!" (Not really asking. More of an exasperated statement if anything.)
Again my foot is a centimeter off from success. My body was racked with pain. I was ready to give up and at that very moment, but something slapped my right leg so hard it flew over the top of the wall. YES! I was able to straddle the wall and then finish the rest of the obstacle course! I told the instructor when I finished that I didn't do it. I had help from above. I said "is that cheating?" He said "if your getting help from above- who am I to challenge that?! G-d wants you to be a police officer!"
To this day, when I have a wall in front of me- a David and Goliath situation, I draw on this experience. My faith is strong because of this and other situations. My prayer is that each person that reads this can have an experience as profound as this to build their faith. One thing is for sure- even angels go to police academy!
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The Golem of the Tzaddik
Currently I am writing another book. This will be my fourth, however the first 3 were never published as the government saws fit to take it and keep it (see Worldwide antics page).
This book is a fictional work of end times from dreams and perspectives that you may find interesting to say the least. The story so far includes a homeless man- who really turns out to an angel, a golem, government agents, and a friend of mine. It is full of Jewish perspective, some Christian perspectives, kabbalah, power, wisdom, knowledge, redemption, Elijah, the second coming of Yeshua, and the round-up of oppressors.
It will amaze you to say the least. Some facts, some fiction. No holds barred in regards to end time events and the power G-d has given to His people! I hope to have the book finished and in print by the end of spring or mid- summer at the latest.
If you are of the company of the Bride of Yeshua, you will love this book. While there is a great deal of fiction- you need this book! I promise it to be inspiring, powerful and moving. You wont be able to put it down and at the end you will feel renewed faith and power in your earthwalk during these end times and last days! Warmest regards to you. If I dont get to meet you in my earth walk, I WILL see you on the other side!
B"H
D'vorah Jael
My friend Corey dedicated the above
picture to me on his website. He and his
