The new moon was NOT sighted last night in South Africa. With NO confirmed sighting, we enter Rishon 1, 6028 AA on Shabbat. It will therefore be a DOUBLE SHABBAT.
Please ensure that each community verifies sightings within its own country or region, as local confirmation establishes the beginning of the month and new year.
Rosh Qodesh, Mitspacha!
Shalom, Mitspacha!
Justice – financial mercy / Prohibition of hardening the heart
"If you take your neighbor's raiment to pledge, you shall deliver it unto him by that the sun goes down: For that is his covering only, it is his raiment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep? and it shall come to pass, when he cries unto Me, that I will hear; for I am gracious."
- Shemot (Exodus) 22:26-27
"If there be among you a poor man of one of your brethren within any of your gates in your land which YHVH your Elohim gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother."
- Devarim (Deuteronomy) 15:7
Today we focus on the command to return a debtor's essential garment before sunset. This mitzvah teaches that even in a legal debt, the mercy and physical survival of our neighbor must take priority over our financial security.
Our compassion for our brother in need must overshadow our legal right to keep his garment.
We also focus on the inner discipline of the heart. The Torah warns us against the spiritual danger of becoming indifferent to a brother's suffering.
True obedience requires a heart that remains sensitive and responsive to the needs of the community.
As we prepare to enter the New Year and a Double Shabbat, we recognize that our financial dealings are a mirror of our spiritual state. Financial mercy is the outward evidence of a heart that has not been hardened by the world. By letting go of our strict "rights" today, we invite the favor of YHVH into our new year, knowing that He hears the cry of the poor and rewards those who mirror His gracious character.
Abba YHVH, as the sun sets on this year and this month, we come before You with grateful hearts. We thank You for Your provision and Your righteous laws. We ask that You keep our hearts soft and our hands open as we enter this set-apart time of the Double Shabbat.
We pray for peace in Middle East, South Africa and the world. Release your Ru'ach of goodwill and peace and bind the evil spririt of strife and war.
We pray for end-time revival. The sign are everywhere that Your Time is at hand. Wake the sleeping brothers and sisters now.
We pray for the elderly, especially those subject to abuse and neglect. Bring to justice every abuser and let their children remember Your Words about honoring them.
We pray for the farmers, especially those in danger of attacks. Send your protecting angels to guard them and bring every enemy of a farmer to justice.
We pray for people living in disaster stricken areas. Provide relief in the form of rain, food and shelter, YHVH Yireh.
We pray for evangelists all over the world, especially in those countries where they are persecuted. Protect them with a special angel when they do Your Work.
We pray for ill people, especially those with cancer and new viral diseases that are spreading like wildfires. You are YHVH Raphah. Heal them in Your Great Mercy.
We pray for the coming tribulation as the signs of the birth pains are here already. Prepare us for what is about to come.
We pray for our ministry (Derech Olam Ministries). May we find hearts that are ready and may Your Word reach them wherever they are.
Baruch YHVH.
Shalom until tomorrow.