Jewish dating services are all about meeting the right individual that shares your heritage and lives their life with similar beliefs. Hebrew speaking, orthodox beliefs, all aspects of the Jewish faith can be maintained when you visit these fine services that specialize in bringing Jewish people together.

Be ready to meet your match online, if you are ready to share in your life, these are the online introduction services that you should begin with.

Are You Jewish? Single? There are some great people we’d like you to meet! We have combined the ancient art of matchmaking with modern technology.If you are looking for romance, new friends, great company? You have come to the right site.

A good friend of mine actually met her now husband online, their commonality was they were both passionate about hunting dogs.

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We value your input. Please give us your feedback on how we can make your Jewish Matchmakers’ “meeting place” even better. We are open for your comments, suggestions, your feedback is very important for us, it will help us make our service more and more better.

The Jewish dating services are centered to the mission, seeking members to join together by offering a comfortable and safe forum for people to mingle in.

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Jewish dating services are a dating site that specializes in traditional match-making services for Jewish professional men and women. Because so many of today’s top professionals find it difficult to set aside time for personal pleasure and dating, The Jewish dating services devoted itself to helping these highly successful individuals cut down on the time and stress involved in finding their ideal life partners.

Jewish dating section is the leading website covering religion and spirituality. Offering valuable relationships advice and articles from a Jewish perspective, including tips on finding your soul mate, advice and opinions on interfaith dating and marriage, and advice from leading Jewish relationships expert for Jewish singles.

Jewish dating sites, online dating service that provides a unique way for Jewish singles to connect dating advice from a leading Jewish dating expert. Features on dating Jews of different religious backgrounds, interfaith dating and intermarriage, blind dating, and everything else Jewish singles want to know about and so much more.

Julia Tanner

They say that a city’s entertainment and recreational options speak volumes about that city’s prospects as a desirable and rewarding place to live. If such were the case, then Manchester’s vibrant entertainment options certainly speak volumes about the joy of living in this fine, fun-filled city. Manchester is an absolute standout when one considers the depth and breadth of its entertainment options in the field of art, cinema, dance, music, theatre, museums, sports / recreation (including some of the best saltwater fishing around) and the performing arts.

Take for example the Lowry at Salford Quays, inaugurated in 2000 at a cost of £21m, courtesy of the National Lottery fund. Located near the Imperial War Museum North and the Old Trafford football stadium, The Lowry is best known for keeping the biggest collection of L.S. Lowry’s original paintings. Art is its soul, they say, but the Lowry has more to offer than just art. It also houses two theatres that regularly feature touring plays as well as musicians and comedians. These are the Lyric, believed to have the largest stage in the United Kingdom, outside of London’s West End, and the Quays.

Located at the city centre, the Whitworth Art Gallery regularly stages eye-opening, innovative exhibitions and houses over 31,000 great modern pieces, including paintings by Constable, Turner and other masters. The gallery has an impressive collection of watercolours, wallpapers and textiles. Among its most famous pieces is the marble sculpture Genesis by Sir Jacob Epstein.

Cornerhouse on Oxford Road is renowned for its contemporary and cutting-edge multi-media visual art displays. Since it opened in October 1985, the centre has established itself as a venue for artistic experimentation and innovation.

When it comes to contemporary dance performances, Dancehouse Theatre, home of the Northern Ballet School, stages regular performances all year round. The Lowry and the Green Room also stage dance performances throughout the year.

Manchester has a diverse array of musical offerings as well, ranging from classical and opera to pop, rock and jazz.

Bridgewater Hall is the seat of classical music in Manchester and home to the Halle Orchestra and the Manchester Camerata as well as a regular venue of the BBC Philharmonic. The city’s best professional musicians are usually products of the Royal Northern College of Music where they were trained to compose and perform musical scores, jazz concerts and opera arias, among others. Musically gifted children are taught the finer points of their craft at Chetham’s School of Music and these prodigies perform free lunchtime concerts for the public.

On the other hand, the city’s leading proponents of pop, rock and jazz converge at Manchester Academy, Labatt’s Apollo, Band on the Wall and Roadhouse. You will find well-known indie and dance bands at Manchester Academy while Labatt’s Apollo regularly hosts a diverse array of famous British and American singers as well as Asian superstars. Band on the Wall has nightly blues and jazz jam sessions while the musical stars of tomorrow hone their skills at the Roadhouse, a dark and sweaty basement venue. Numerous bars, pubs and nightclubs throughout the city host their own in-house live bands.

In addition, Manchester has many museums that chronicle not only the city’s rich history but also important milestones and landmarks of the United Kingdom and the world. For example, the Manchester Museum, which is owned by the University of Manchester, features over six million items from seven continents, including carvings from India, ancient Egyptian crafts from Africa, age-old art from the Mediterranean, fossils from Australia, pottery from the Americas and much more, including a fossilized Tyrannosaurus Rex from South Dakota.

Meanwhile, the Museum of Science and Industry is concerned with science, technology and industry, especially Manchester’s significant contributions in these areas, particularly in textiles, computing, communications, sewerage and sanitation. The People’s History Museum, located on The Pump House on Bridge Street, traces Manchester’s social culture, particularly with regard to the history of working people in the United Kingdom over the past 200 years. Manchester’s other notable museums include the Greater Manchester Police Museum, Imperial War Museum North, Manchester Jewish Museum, Pankhurst Centre, Urbis and The Gallery of Costume.

Manchester also has great fishing opportunities.  Many of the local shops carry all the top brands of fishing equipment like Shimano Reels, Daiwa Reels, and Penn Reels.  Manchester also has a dazzling array of clubs and nightspots for the local party people (check out the separate article on this website). Among the most popular venues are Rock World (rock ‘n roll and heavy metal), South, Phoenix and Paradise Factory (techno, trance and funky house); Prague V (gay friendly) and student-oriented venues such as Club Underground, The Ritz, The Brickhouse and 5th Avenue.

The theatre scene in Manchester is alive and well. The larger venues include the Palace Theatre, the Royal Exchange Theatre and the Manchester Opera House, which regularly hosts West End touring shows. Although relatively small and located at the basement of the Central Library, the Library Theatre has received glowing critical reviews for staging the works of modern playwrights. Other notable smaller theatres include the Green Room, Contact Theatre and Dancehouse. The Royal Northern College of Music has four theatre spaces for opera and classical music. In addition, Manchester has two widely-respected drama schools: the Manchester Metropolitan University School of Theatre and the Arden School of Theatre.

Article by Susan Ashby

Shabbat, blessing or bother? Take the time to learn a little about this often ignored concept, invest in a few salient pieces of judaica to enhance your experience, and sit back and experience something that can transform your life!

The most important commandment in the Torah is to observe and keep the Shabbat, the Sabbath Day. The commandment was first alluded to in Genesis 2:1-3 and then officially given to the Israelites in Exodus 20:8-11. The Hebrew word “Shabbat” literally means “seven,” and the LORD commanded Israel and all future generations to observe Shabbat (the seventh day) and keep it holy, which means from sundown Friday to sundown Saturday.

Traditionally, Jewish families who observe Shabbat will light two candles on Friday evening just before the sun goes down. The woman of the home will light the candles, move her hands over the lit candles three times, then cover her eyes as she says the b’racha (blessing) that welcomes the Shabbat into the home:

“Baruch ata adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, asher kidd’shanu b’mitzvotav v’tsivanu l’hadleek ner shel Shabbat.”
Blessed art thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who has sanctified us by thy commandments and has commanded us to light the sabbath lights.

Once the b’racha has been said, the woman can take her hands from her eyes and look at the lit candles, then say, “Shabbat Shalom!” This reason for this specific ceremony, repeated all over the world in Jewish homes every Friday night, is often unknown by the woman doing it! In Judaism, one must always say a b’racha (blessing) before doing an action, and so, before the candles are lit the Shabbat b’racha must be said. However, once the b’racha has been said it is Shabbat, and it is not allowed to light the candles, since lighting a fire is considered “work.” How to get around this? The woman of the home lights the candles, covers her eyes so that she cannot see them, says the b’racha to welcome in the Shabbat, and then, voila, removes her eyes to see the candles which are wonderfully lit!

After the candle-lighting there are readings and songs, as well as a b’racha over a kiddush cup of wine, followed by a b’racha over two plaited loaves of bread, called challah, which is broken and eaten during the ceremony. Challah is special because it is made with an egg in addition to water and flour. It often rests on a special challah plate or tray and is covered with a challah cloth which can come in many different designs. There are two loaves of challah to remember that the Israelites, after they were freed from Egypt by HaShem, were fed by manna in the wilderness each day, but on the sixth day there was a double portion given so that they would not have to work to gather food on the seventh.

Following are the blessings over the wine and the challah:
“Baruch ata adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, borey p’ree ha-gafen”
Blessed art thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of the universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.

“Baruch ata adonai, eloheynu melech ha-olam, ha-motzi lechem min ha-aretz.”
Blessed art thou, O L-rd our G-d, King of the Universe, who brings forth bread from the ground.

The Shabbat ceremony is then followed by a Shabbat meal, which is normally a good meal with a nice tablecloth and the best tableware/flatware. It is also considered a “mitzvah,” a blessing, to have guests to stay for Shabbat dinner.

As Shabbat draws to a close at dusk on Saturday, the havdalah ceremony commences. During this ceremony, the father of the family lights a havdalah candle with multiple wicks. He then places his hands on either side of the flames so that there is light on his palms and darkness on the backs of his hands. He praises G-d for the separateness between the light and the dark, the Jewish people and the other nations, and Shabbat and the other six working days of the week. He says a b’racha over the candle, a b’racha over a kiddush cup of wine, and a b’racha over a spice box filled with sweet-smelling spices. To conclude the Havdalah ceremony, the candle is doused in the cup of wine and everyone says, Shavuah Tov! Have a good week!

To help you celebrate Shabbat there are many beautiful judaica items available online. Take a few minutes to browse through challah covers, challah plates, Shabbat candlesticks, kiddush/wine cups, havdalah sets, candlelighting artwork and so much more. Plus, there is wonderful music to enrich your experience by gifted musicians bringing spiritual songs such as L’cha Dodi, Barchu, Shema, and Shalom Aleichem, just to mention a few, into your home.

Adam Barnett
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/shabbat-blessing-or-bother-70681.html

Flashbooking is a growing cheap hostel Prague and hotels directory specializing in budget accommodation for independent travellers, students, adventurous backpackers, international volunteers, families and all the ones that travel on a budget.

Those who love travelling light, those with a sense for adventure, those who love flexibility in their trips, those who like meeting locals and travelling slow and low… those are Flashbooking happy travellers!

Flashbooking accommodation database is easily available online and comes completed with all relevant information about youth hostel and hotel location and map, description, services, hostel contacts, customer ratings, six pictures and updated prices inclusive of taxes and services together with instant real availability.

Having the reservation final price is also convenient as it does give the transparency our users pretend while booking. Having the final total amount of your booking means you do not have to worry about other extra surprises! Flashbooking cheap lodging solutions are all available for online bookings and divided by Countries.

Travellers have free access to the updated list of Europe hostels and budget hotels, North and South America hostels, Caribbean and Central America hostels as well as for Asia cheap accommodations, Oceania youth hostels and Africa hostels. Flashbooking’s happy travellers can book their rooms and beds not only in cheap hotels or youth hostels but also consider other budget accommodations in Bed and Breakfast, Guesthouses, Campsites, apartments, farm houses and much more.

Flashbooking chose to provide backpackers, students and families with a list of budget selected and independent accommodations worldwide, mostly run by locals, in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.

For this and other reasons Flashbooking is becoming a recognized source of information and services for who loves creating a trip by him/herself and book bed nights securely online. In fact, thanks to a secure server certified SSL provided by Thawte (the global certificate authority) www.flashbooking.com is able to guarantee instantly confirmed and secure online reservations.

Thawte is a system which encrypts all the processed data and guarantees that this will not be read, used or modified by other parties. Confirmed online bookings mean that your holiday is just a click away, that you can get all the information needed to book online, that you can save time and money!

Recently added a new free customer service online at travellers disposal to suggest the perfect accommodation for their trip and voyages. The Skype account ‘Flashbooking Customercare’ gives more assistance also in the booking process for all our travellers and backpackers needs.

Other reasons to chose Flashbooking? Flashbooking helps you saving money with a special promotion that allows travellers to earn money and credits of 1,5 euros by inviting other friends to subscribe and receive the monthly newsletter, rich of information about hostel and hotel deals. For each friend that sings up, our travellers get 1,50 euros: it is possible to earn up to 40 euros! These credits are immediately registered in the user’s personal online account ‘My Booking’ and at the reach of 40 euros they are automatically deducted to pay your online hostel reservations !

With the monthly newsletter, Flashbooking puts at travellers’ and partner hostels’ free disposal some useful information tools as pocket travel guides of the top world cities: the Amsterdam City guide, the London City guide, the Barcelona City guide, the Paris City guide, the Rome City guide, the Florence City guide, and the freshly issued Prague City guide!

In general, these guides have been written for giving the essential information about the most visited cities in the world and in particular for any traveller or first-time visitor. For a short visit, a week-end, a city break, these free pocket guides are useful printable and downloadable tools available online.

The free City pocket guide of the Czech Capital contains, in just 9 printable pages, all the essential information and very good suggestions divided by areas: Prague New City and Prague Old city, the Jewish quarter (Josephov), the Malastrana district and the Castle. Prague is renown for wooden toys, crystal products, flea markets and Christmas markets, Wenceslas Square and museums, Art Galleries, breweries and beers and cheap lodgings, classic itineraries in the Boemian countryside and a lot more to make a visit worth wise. Free for anyone who wish to book and go and rich of colour pictures, the Prague Travel Pocket Guide is at backpackers disposal in Flashbooking.com! For Flashbooking users and travellers that might have a personal website or a travel blog, or even manage a youth hostel or a hotel accommodation, and are interested in the travel city guides, the pocket guides can be collected and put at your visitors’ disposal.

In the Prague City guide students, families and backpackers can get a large selection of cheap or low cost accommodation with plenty of low cost solutions in budget youth hostels, Prague bed and breakfast, guesthouses, cheap hotel deals.

Our travellers are also our good partners as they help us either giving their ratings of some accommodations, lodgings, BandB, youth hostels and budget small hotels where they personally stayed, either enlarging the hostel offer by reporting some new contacts.

Flashbooking policy tends to privilege small and family-run hotels in order to promote an alternative tourism respectful of cultures and different societies.

So mates, we are looking forward to finding you THE budget accommodation that meets your needs and pocket for your next trip!

Michele De Capitani
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/prague-great-free-pocket-travel-guide-by-flashbooking-online-booking-82225.html

Since the beginning of summer, when I came to the island, I have spent Sunday evenings exploring the Old Town, the Medieval City of Rhodes. It is my ritual for decompressing and enjoying quiet time. I know what you are thinking. Quiet time in the Old Town? An oxymoron if there ever was one! Yet I am talking about Old Town the neighborhood, not the evening hotspot.

There is another world, a neighborhood where people live peacefully, surrounded by history in Knights’ houses and centuries-old narrow streets, elements that have graciously survived for hundreds of years. The current shape and size of the Medieval City date back to the mid-15th century. The City itself has gone through numerous distinct periods, with a mélange of styles, nations and ethnicities, and as many masters: Byzantines, Knights, Ottomans and Italians, among others. Even though “ethnic” neighborhoods existed, the lines between ethnic and class formations were blurred. Take, for example, the old Jewish neighborhood, spread across the East side of town. Within the Jewish neighborhood alone, Jews, Greeks and Franks coexisted, along with at least five Christian churches.

That such a massive fortress like the one in the Medieval City remained intact since the 16th century, despite four centuries of occupation, is extremely rare. As the island came under Turkish occupation, its geographical significance lessened. As a result, with no serious threats facing it, there was little need to keep modernizing the fortress and it remained relatively unaltered. In turn, building facades in the Medieval City were, for the most part, devoid of ornamentation. At the turn of the 16th century, when Knights’ Town enjoyed special prominence, several buildings were restored. During that time some early Renaissance touches were added to the buildings, especially the ones facing ‘Magna et Communis Platea’, the Grand Square.

In the mid-19th century powerful earthquakes caused severe damages in the Old Town, with further damage ensuing when the city was bombed during WWII. Still, several monuments and the Town’s medieval character remained wonderfully intact. When the Dodecanese Islands were incorporated into Greece, shortly after WWII, the Medieval City was largely in ruins. Several years later, intensive and careful restoration began. Today, the Medieval City of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage City, and one of the biggest and most important groups of monuments in the Aegean.

Inevitably, the Old Town is a visitors’ magnet. As you walk through the gate your senses switch to overdrive: a whirlwind of sights, sounds and smells vie for your attention. Tourist shops, selling everything from olive soap to replicas of medieval armor, compete with tavernas and bars in a decibel-induced feast. If this is not your cup of tea, keep walking until you get to the neighborhood. They say the only way to get past something is through it.

Back to my Sunday ritual, it goes something like this: spend the day reading and swimming in South Rhodes. Start the hour-long drive to Old Town in late afternoon, park by the harbor and walk through the Main Gate. Buy ice cream from the aptly named Medieval, up the street. Walk toward the main square, making way through dense crowds. Arrive to the residential section of Old Town just as ice cream begins to melt. Slow down, inhale evening aromas of jasmine and primrose, and look around. What I see is straight from the pages of an art book, frames of simple domestic life, beautiful: old ladies and men sitting in their courtyards, women hanging clothes to dry, barefoot children playing outside or feeding the cat. All this in the sanctuary of narrow streets and thick, textured walls. Sit on a stoop and rest bare feet on mosaic made of black and white pebbles, a trade nearly extinct. Look at sky above, dark but clear, and the occasional bursts of color from a bougainvillea or a brightly painted wall. Take all this in with voyeuristic joy. End the day feeling grateful for experiencing these Greek moments with history, tradition and modernity, young and old peacefully under one roof.

Katerina Roussou
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/sunday-nights-with-the-knights-strolling-through-the-medieval-city-of-rhodes-71393.html

It is a little known fact that much judaica and jewish gifts are actually made in India and China. Until recently, these items were almost universally just imported into the USA and distributed through almost all the major judaica importers. However, since the more recent encouragement to buy things that are made in Israel, a practice has arisen with a few companies whereby they import judaica from India and China into Israel, and then export it out from Israel selling it to those who don’t know as “From Israel” when in fact it is not Israeli at all.

Understandably, there are many many Israeli artists that are upset by this practice, since there are stricter regulations for manufacturing, including the use of children in adult employment. Plus, the quality of workmanship is higher in Israel, and these artists continue to struggle while the other products dominate the market.

It may be that you cannot find what you want that is made in Israel, and of course there is no need to feel that you cannot buy other products, but if it is important to you to support Israeli artists and manufacturers, then don’t be afraid to ask WHERE the item you are looking at is actually made, and BY WHOM so that you are an informed buyer!

Here are a few reasons to “Buy Made In Israel”:

1. Although you may pay a little more for genuine “Made in Israel” Judaica, you will get better quality.

2. When you buy Judaica made in Israel, you are supporting the artists who live there. The tourism industry in Israel is very weak right now, so any support you can lend to Israel really does make a huge difference. Remember, it is multiple small drops of water that make up a lake or an ocean.

3. Judaica from India and China is sometimes cheaper, but some of it is made by children who are working long, unacceptable hours. If you’re buying something for a religious purpose, why would you buy it from a child who is being overworked & not protected by employment laws?

4. Judaica that is actually made in Israel is often of a much higher quality

Remember, there is a big difference between “from Israel” and “made in Israel.” At Studio Shofar we recognize that there is some judaica that is not easily available from Israel, at least not at prices affordable to many; in addition, there are many jewish artists living in America, Canada and elsewhere who make beautiful judaica, whether tallits, jewelry, Shabbat items, or more.

When you shop for judaica products, look for stores that let you know up front whether or not an item was made in Israel. For example, some use an Israeli flag next to Israeli-made products. This makes it easy for you to make educated decisions in your purchases.

Adam Barnett
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/judaica-made-in-israel-what-you-dont-know-does-matter-to-israeli-artists-71836.html

All philosophical, theological and political discourse issues from a presuppositional matrix. The communicator’s ideas are characterized, influenced and motivated by a preexisting corpus of antecedent beliefs. I commence with the presupposition that Jesus understood perfectly and clearly who he was. His auto-noetic frame was accurate and complete. From such a substratum his ipsissima verba would proceed. Filtered through an Occidental mindset, in particular, a pragmatic philosophy, the words of Jesus have been denuded of their intrinsic authority and regenerative power. The context in which we read the words of Christ must change, from a techno-centric, hedonistic and democratic state to a matrix of First Century Judaism. When the words of Christ are heard within the context of his day, and understood against the backdrop of rabbinic Judaism, his words blaze with unsurpassed authority and creative power (Isa. 49:2). He spoke with an authority unprecedented within the history of Israel (Ps. of Sol. 17:36, 43, Matt. 7:29, 24:35, Mk. 1:22, 27, Lk. 4:36).

Utilizing a Messianic designation from the Old Testament and a title rich in apocalyptic color, Jesus would identify himself to his Judaic world. Jesus’ autobiographical designation, utilized 81 times in the gospels, was the title Son of Man. Through this Messianic prism, we shall see the transcendent dimension of Jesus’ nature as defined by him. “Jesus chose it [title Son of Man] as the ideal expression for progressively and, to some extent, retrospectively, revealing the nature of his person and work.” (D. A. Carson, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 8, p. 213). Jesus adopted and repeatedly alluded to the figure Son of Man from Daniel 7:13-14, “I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven one like a Son of Man was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to Him was given dominion, glory and a kingdom, that all the peoples, nations, and men of every language might serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion which will not pass away; and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed.” Daniel in vision sees four empires in succession depicted as bestial. Verses 1-12, characterize the savage, rapacious nature of their rule. But another figure comes upon the scene, he is conducted to the Ancient of Days, the Son of Man. In Hebrew, the phrase Son of Man is bar enosh. Enosh emphasizes the mortal, frail, anemic, suffering and incurable nature of man in the bondage of corruption. This figure is in stark contrast to the four preceding images, depicting the arrogant brutality of totalitarian power. An autocratic power exercised in the establishment and continuance of an empire’s reign, dictatorial violence that stamps out any residue of resistance. But this figure, Son of Man, has acquired a kingdom not by military might or dictatorial tyranny, but through humiliation and suffering. In the title Son of Man there is a unitive exegetic presented, the multi-faceted significance of the humiliation and glorification of the Messiah is revealed. “… while Daniel 7:13-14 indeed speaks of the glorification of the Son of Man, it is in context a glorification and vindication through suffering. Both aspects of 1) humiliation and suffering, on the one hand, and 2) vindication and glory on the other, are signaled by the expression ‘Son of Man’…” (Richard N. Longenecker, The Christology of Early Jewish Christianity, p. 87-88).

In Rabbinical literature much is said regarding the Messianic passage of Daniel 7:13. In the Talmud of Babylon Sanh. fol. 98.1, Daniel 7:13-14 is reconciled with Zechariah 9:9. Joshua ben Levy said, “If Israel are worthy, the Messiah comes with the clouds of heaven; but if they are not worthy, he comes poor, and riding on an ass.” Samuel ben Nachman (270 C.E.) said that according to Daniel 7:13, the angels accompany the Messiah as far as their precincts allow, while God then conducts him to Himself, according to Jeremiah 30:21 (Midrash on Ps. 21:7). In Zohar, Gen. folio 85.4, reference is made to Daniel 7:13 as referring to the Messiah. The Hebrew name “Anani” meaning “clouds” is a name for the Messiah (alluding to Daniel 7:13) in the Targum translation of I Chron. 3:24. Mention is made of the name of a person, Anani, it is added, “Who is the Messiah that is to be revealed,”-a direct reference to Daniel 7:13. In the Talmud of Babylon Sanh. 96b the Messiah is named Bar-Naphle, the cloud-man. Rabbis Jarchi, Saadiah, Gaon, Aben Ezra, and R. Joshua expounded the text of Daniel 7:13 as referring to the Messiah. Outside of Rabbinical literature, Justin in his Dialogue 32.1 reports that the “one like a son of man” of Daniel 7:13 was identified with the King Messiah in mid-Second Century Judaism.

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (Matt. 18:11)

Jesus said unequivocally that he had the authority to forgive sins because he was the Son of Man (Matt. 9:2, 5-6, Mk. 2:5, 9-10, Lk. 5:23-24, 7:47-48). Authority is the Greek word exousia. The root meaning is literally, “out of substance or nature,” indicating an intrinsic right and power of execution. The exousia was his because he identified himself as the Son of Man. As the long-awaited Savior of Israel, Jesus would embody the saving nature of God, forgiving sins on the merit of his own intrinsic nature. “… All the good which I will do unto you I do through the merit of the Messiah who was kept back all those years. He is righteous and filled with salvation.” (Zech. 9:9) (Pes. R. 146b, 159b.) Jesus exercised an atoning authority in forgiving sins redemptively, a salvational act considered exclusively Divine. The Jews unwaveringly believed that “God keeps Salvation in His own power.” (Talmud of Babylon Sanh. 113a) “But there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared.” (Ps. 130:4) “Forgiveness is solely with the Lord; He alone is capable of forgiving. The mouth of a mortal who, after all, is himself in need of forgiveness, cannot pronounce the sinner pure, much less render him pure. Only He, Who is as omnipotent as He is gracious, in the abundance of His grace and almighty power, can perform for man that miracle of miracles, the blotting out of the consequences of his past mistakes.” (Samson Raphael Hirsch, The Hirsch Psalms, pg. 396).

“And behold, they were bringing to Him a paralytic, lying on a bed; and Jesus seeing their faith said to the paralytic, ‘Take courage, My son, your sins are forgiven.’” “For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise, and walk’? ‘But in order that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins’-then He said to the paralytic-’Rise, take up your bed, and go home.’” (Matt. 9:2, 5-6, Mk. 2:5, 9-10, Luke 5:20, 23, 24, 7:47-48). No sinful mortal can pronounce a condemned sinner forgiven and free from sin’s consequences. A sinner can share his knowledge of a savior but the saving act of forgiveness and pardon is exclusively Divine. To forgive sins is solely a Divine prerogative that Jesus unhesitatingly asserted. A salvational act no rabbi, priest, or prophet would have dared imitate for fear of committing blasphemy. (Luke 5:21, Matt. 9:3, Mk. 2:6-7) “… the word used in Hebrew for ‘forgiven’ is the Hebrew salach, literally, nislechu lecha chatoteicha (forgiven are your sins). Today, in Hebrew, a person may say to another, ‘Ani soleach lecha’ (I forgive you), but in the time of Jesus this expression for forgiveness was only used of God’s forgiving someone (cf. Leviticus 4:26, 31, 35). “…in the healing of a paralyzed man he used words of forgiveness reserved strictly in the Law to God.” (Dr. Robert Lindsey, Hebrew scholar, from 1945-1990 Pastor of the Narkis Street Baptist Congregation, Jerusalem, Israel, Jesus Rabbi and Lord, p. 48, 50.) The idea that the redemptive act of forgiving sins is within the human domain, “Is alien to the mind of Judaism and of early Christianity.” (Vincent Taylor, The Gospel According to Saint Mark, p. 199) Jesus recognized His own saving task as summed up in his words at the house of Zaccheus, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Lk. 19:9-10).

To exercise the authority to forgive sins, as illustrated in the healing of the paralytic (Matt. 9:2, 5-6, Mk. 2:5, 9-10, Lk. 5:20, 23, 24, 7:47-48), was not a salvific work foreign to his nature as the Son of Man. Every Jew, confronted with the ministry of Jesus, understood the implication of the salvational acts of forgiveness that he singularly offered, “…the early Jewish believers in Jesus appreciated the fact that as the Messiah, he was the one who had embodied and effected the salvation promised of old…” (Richard N. Longenecker, The Christology of Early Jewish Christianity, p. 103). The healing and redemptive work of forgiving sins was an exercise of authority over the physical and spiritual realm of human malady, preadumbrating the Son of Man’s role as the eschatological judge of men and nations. “This expression [Son of Man] goes beyond self-reference and, seen in the light of the post-resurrection period, surely indicates that the eschatological judge had already come on earth with the authority to forgive sin.” (D. A. Carson, Expositor’s Bible Commentary, Vol. 8, p. 222) As holder of the intrinsic right and power of execution as the Universal Judge (Matt. 16:27, 25:31-46), to heal the sick and forgive sins did not tax his authority.

“The one like a man [the Son of Man] who sits upon the throne of God’s glory, the sublime eschatological judge, is the highest conception of the Redeemer ever developed by ancient Judaism.”–David Flusser, Jesus, p. 103

In the Jewish Apocalyptic book, The Parables of Enoch, the date of authorship is considered to be pre-70 C.E. (see James Charlesworth, Jesus Within Judaism, p. 40, ff), the Son of Man is presented as pre-existent from all eternity. He is specially related to God, in that he shares both the heavenly glory of God and is God’s chosen agent of vengeance and judgment. The picture of his exalted greatness and authority is overwhelming to behold. “And there I saw One who had a head of days, and His head was white like wool, and with Him there was another whose countenance had the appearance of a man, and his face was full of graciousness, like one of the holy angels. And I asked the angel who went with me and showed me all the hidden things, concerning that Son of Man, who he was, and whence he was, and why he went with the Head of Days? And he answered and said unto me: ‘This is the Son of Man who hath righteousness, with whom dwelleth righteousness, and who revealeth all the treasures of that which is hidden, because the Lord of Spirits hath chosen him, and whose lot hath the pre-eminence before the Lord of Spirits in uprightness forever. And this Son of Man whom thou hast seen shall put down the kings and mighty from their seats, and the strong from their thrones, and shall loosen the reins of the strong and break the teeth of sinners. And he shall put down the kings from their thrones and kingdoms because they do not extol and praise Him, nor humbly acknowledge when the kingdom was bestowed upon them. And he shall put down the countenance of the strong, and shall fill them with shame. And darkness shall be their dwelling, and worms shall be their bed, and they shall have no hope of rising from their beds, because they do not extol the name of the Lord of Spirits.’” (I Enoch 46:1-6) “And the kings and the mighty and all who possess the earth shall bless and glorify and extol him who rules over all, who was hidden. For from the beginning the Son of Man was hidden, and the Most High preserved him in the presence of His might, and revealed him to the elect. And the congregation of the elect and holy shall be sown, and all the elect shall stand before him on that day. And all the kings and the mighty and the exalted and those who rule the earth shall fall down before him on their faces, and worship and set their hope upon that Son of Man, and petition him and supplicate him for mercy at his hands.” (I Enoch 62:3-8) “And he sat on the throne of his glory, and the sum of judgment was given unto the Son of Man, and he caused the sinners to pass away and he destroyed from off the face of the earth, and those who have led the world astray. With chains shall they be bound, and in their assemblage-place of destruction shall they be imprisoned, and all their works vanish from the face of the earth. And from henceforth there shall be nothing corruptible; for that Son of Man has appeared, and has seated himself on the throne of his glory, and all evil shall pass away before his face, and the word of that Son of Man shall go forth and be strong before the Lord of Spirits.” (I Enoch 69:26-29) In the above cited passages the Son of Man is seated on the Throne of Glory. He exists before the sun and stars were created, executes universal judgment, and brings salvation at the end of ages, when he will be enthroned as king of the world. “The son of man has a superhuman, heavenly, sublimity. He is the cosmic judge at the end of time; seated upon the throne of God, he will judge the whole human race with the aid of the heavenly host, consigning the just to blessedness and sinners to the pit of hell; and he will execute the sentence he passes.” (Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 15, p. 160) The authority of this figure Son of Man, far transcends any anointed office in the Old Testament or the entire angelic order. He stands signally alone in all Judaism as the final arbiter of the destiny of men and nations. “The image of this Bar-Enosh is fascinating and unique. It is the figure of an almost super-human judge, who is to sit on the throne of God and to separate the righteous from the wicked. He is to deliver the righteous to everlasting life and the wicked to everlasting punishment.” (David Flusser, professor of early Christianity, Hebrew University, Jewish Sources in Early Christianity, p. 56) In attempting to define the nature of this One, the Gordian Knot, consisting merely of a human evaluation, looms large in Judaism. Can he be the cosmic judge of such unlimited authority and simply be super-human? Is this description a trivialization of his true character?

The authority that the Son of Man is portrayed as being invested with, as cited in the above passages, far transcends any delegated authority to adjudicate legal disputes, wage war, or interpret the Torah. The Son of Man’s judicial exercise encompasses the entire earth, in its execution of the justice of God. The Father has vested all judiciary powers in the Son of Man (see Targum on Genesis 49:11, Targum on Isa. 11:4, 10:27, 14:29, Targum on Ps. 72:1-2, Psalms of Solomon 17:21-30, II Baruch 72:2-6, John 5:22-24, 27-30). “Thus it seems that the concept [the eschatological figure Son of Man] preceded the final identification of the Son of Man with the Messiah, which became common at the end of the second temple. It was so applied in the time of Jesus, who used to speak of the Son of Man as the heavenly judge and it seems that finally he identified himself with this sublime figure.” (Encyclopedia Judaica, Vol. 15, p. 160).

Jesus states unequivocally that he has an all-encompassing judicial authority. “For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son. In order that all may honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him. Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgement, but has passed out of death into life.” “…and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man. Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice, and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.” (John 5:22-24, 27-30) The above passages are startling in their boundless import. Jesus claims that he has universal judicial authority as the Judge of all, because he is the Son of Man. No prophet, priest, scribe, or rabbi has ever executed such a judicial authority. No mere man or angelic being operates in such a realm. In the Old Testament, the prerogative of judgment belongs exclusively to God (Gen. 18:25, Judges 11:27, Ps. 9:8, 50:60, 82:8, 94:2, 98:9, 110:6, Isa. 33:22, I Chron. 16:33, Aboth 4:29).

Jesus’ use of the Messianic title Son of Man, encompasses the full breadth of his nature: preexistent, suffering, atoning death, exaltation, glorification, and enthronement as the coming King and Judge. In consequence, no devised category can contain Jesus. He bursts forth and declares that he is illimitable. Prerogatives that are solely Divine are affirmed by him. A trilemma confronts anyone who undertakes a serious investigation of the Person of Jesus. Either he was a fraud, self-deceived, i.e., nut or he was who he says he was. There can be no other options. The good moral teacher category, utilized to neatly dismiss Jesus, demands by definition truthfulness and sanity. If his declarations are untrue, they would nullify such a classification. “The idea of a great moral teacher saying what Christ said is out of the question. In my opinion, the only person who can say that sort of thing is either God or a complete lunatic suffering from that form of delusion which undermines the whole mind of man. If you think you are a poached egg, when you are looking for a piece of toast to suit you, you may be sane, but if you think you are God, there is no chance for you.” (C. S. Lewis, essay: “What Are We to Make of Christ?” God in the Dock, p. 158) A rubicon decision is demanded by him, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15) Jesus leaves no one in a moral no-man’s land. May his spirit grace us with a vision of his nature, a Divine unveiling from the Father. “And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God.’ And Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon bar Jona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’” (Matt. 16:16-17).

“For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.” (Matt. 18:11)

lawrence hilliard
http://www.articlesbase.com/religion-articles/the-autobiography-of-jesus-131867.html

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Shavu’ot, the Festival of Weeks, is the second of the three major festivals with both historical and agricultural significance (the other two are Passover and Sukkot). Agriculturally, it commemorates the time when the first fruits were harvested and brought to the Temple, and is known as Hag ha-Bikkurim (the Festival of the First Fruits). Historically, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, and is also known as Hag Matan Torateinu (the Festival of the Giving of Our Torah).

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