Feast of Unleavened Bread

I went to the coffee shop the other day to get my usual morning coffee and as I stood waiting for the creamer to be refilled, I eyeballed the brownies and muffins while pondering what to have for breakfast. I recalled that I brought some items to eat and dismissed the idea of the brownie and muffins. It wasn't until the next day that I realized that YHVH Eloheyka prevented me from purchasing the brownie and/or muffin. When I remembered that I had entertained that idea the previous morning, I was so blessed by YHVH's provisions of protection! In spite of me, He restrained me from eating leaven! Last year, I spent the Feast of Unleavened Bread in California with friends. While there, I had the opportunity to visit family for a weekend. My cousin and I went to a mall and visited a beverage vendor to quench our thirst. One of the employees was passing out fresh donut holes. Without thinking, I accepted one and popped it into my mouth. It wasn't until after I had swallowed it that I realized what I had done and went into shock. A gasp escaped my lips as I said, "Oh no!" My hand went to my mouth. My eyes widened. The employee asked, "What's wrong?" My cousin realized it too and answered, "She can't have any leaven." He then said to me, "Ah - Shalom!" I spent that evening repenting. Well, I remembered this also. So I saw how the year before, I fell into the peril of actually breaking the commandment of the Feast of Unleavened Bread and ate leaven. This year, I almost fell into the same peril, but Bless YAH! I did not follow through. So it got me thinking: We are not commanded to do anything but to eat unleavened bread, which - unless we follow through with actually eating unleavened bread each day - does not present us with any way of remembering to stay away from leavened foods during the week while we are at work or somewhere other than at home. The only thing that helps me remember to stay away from leavened foods (since that lustful day in which I eyeballed those brownies and muffins in the coffee shop) is because I have this quiet voice that repeats in my mind, "Have you eaten any unleavened matzah (bread) today? How much?" We are not required to eat a certain amount -- not that I know of anyway -- but we *are* required to eat Unleavened Bread for a period of 7 days. So I gave it more thought and realized last year I was not as determined as I am this year to make sure I have matzah with me when I leave home. At work, I have a box of matzot. Last year, I did not have a box with me. So when I visited my familu, I was caught unawares. This year, I am diligent AND I have YAH watching over me, making sure my feet do not slip in my halacha (walk) before Him. Bless His Holy Name! \o/ Each year (and I am only two years old at this), it gets easier and sweeter and full of revelation. Chag Sameach!

Friendships

It is a sad thing how experience has taught me this...

Whenever a really close friend has returned to their vomit - or is out of the will of YHVH - they stop talking to me.

Where once, we would talk on the phone for hours at a time - that ceases.

Something else has occupied their heart and mind.

--------------------------

In the invisible realm, I can't help but imagine that what happens is we are all gathered around YHVH with hearts filled with joy, laughter, merriment, warmth...

We are all in one accord - we are ECHAD...

YHVH is our source of joy and strength and confidence...

And because we are all surrounding Him, we enjoy one another as well...

But the minute one of us turns their head away from YHVH as the center of attention and looks over their shoulder, turning their back on YHVH, and running to something else or someone else for their source of joy and strength and confidence...

That person departs from YHVH... departs from the group surrounding Him... departs...

And no more is the fellowship found as it once was.

Until they turn away from their vomit - until they turn away from their new-found ba'al - until they come back into alignment with the will of YHVH and His ways ...

Regardless of what THEY believe should be the truth... what THEY believe should be the right way to live...

UNTIL they RETURN to YHVH...

They are out of fellowship.

And the Spirit of YHVH - the set-apart Spirit - grieves in me for these friends.

I know who they are.
I won't reveal who they are.
They know who they are too.
The shoe fits. But they'll try to prevent it from fitting. They'll push it off.

It is not for me to do the sprinkling of water to cleanse them.
That is for YHVH to do.

I will move on with Him -

YHVH GIVES, YHVH TAKES AWAY. BARUCH HASHEM YHVH LEOLAM VAED !!