Why does the book of Numbers begin with page after page of census data? Why would God dedicate so much space to counting people, organizing tribes, and preparing Israel for battle before they ever entered the Promised Land?

In this week’s 5 Minute Torah, we step back and look at the big picture behind Parashat Bamidbar. What if the wilderness wasn’t wasted time? What if the preparation was part of the purpose? And what if the details we often overlook are actually helping us see God’s greater design?

The Hebrew name Bamidbar means “In the Wilderness,” reminding us that Israel was living between redemption and promise—freed from Egypt, but not yet home. In many ways, that’s where we often find ourselves too.

This teaching explores how the census, the arrangement of the camp, and the responsibilities of the Levites all point toward preparation, purpose, and seeing our lives as part of something far greater than ourselves. Are we just numbers in a list—or threads in the tapestry of God’s Kingdom?

Watch now and discover why the wilderness may be shaping you more than you realize.

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We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

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We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

For many believers, “Jewish sources” sound intimidating, unnecessary, or even dangerous. But what if understanding the world of the Mishnah, Talmud, Midrash, Targums, Musar, Hasidut, and Kabbalah could actually deepen your understanding of Scripture instead of distracting from it?

In this special Lunch & Learn teaching from Shalom Macon, Darren and Sabrina explore the vast ocean of Jewish thought and tradition that surrounds the Hebrew Scriptures and shaped the world of Yeshua and the apostles. From the structure of the Tanakh to the purpose of the Talmud, from the beauty of Musar to the mystery of Kabbalah, this introduction opens the door to centuries of Jewish wisdom, interpretation, and spiritual development.

Why were these texts preserved for generations?
How did Jewish people understand Scripture in the time of Yeshua?
Can studying Jewish sources actually help us read the Bible more faithfully?

Whether you’re completely new to Jewish literature or have studied for years, this conversation will challenge assumptions, spark curiosity, and invite you into a much larger story.

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

What if the Gospels are telling a bigger story than we’ve been taught?

In this powerful continuation of the Atonement Explained series, Rabbi Damian Eisner explores a stunning pattern woven throughout the Gospels: whenever Yeshua encounters impurity, suffering, or death itself, the direction reverses. Instead of impurity spreading to Him, holiness flows outward from Him.

From the metzora to the woman with the issue of blood… from Jairus’ daughter to Lazarus… the Gospel accounts reveal more than isolated miracles. They reveal a holy life confronting the forces of death head-on.

Could it be that resurrection is more than a “receipt” proving the cross worked? Could the Gospels be showing us that Yeshua’s life itself carried a holiness death could not contain?

This message challenges common assumptions about atonement, sacrifice, substitution, resurrection, purity, and the Kingdom of God—while remaining deeply rooted in the Torah, Prophets, and the world of Second Temple Judaism.

What if the cross cannot be fully understood apart from the life that led to it?

What if resurrection is the climax—not the footnote?

Watch now and join the conversation.

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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Text "GIVE" to (706) 739-5990

God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

Most people think the opposite of obedience is rebellion. But what if the greater danger is something far more subtle? What if spiritual collapse doesn’t begin with open defiance—but with casualness?

In this week’s 5 Minute Torah, we explore the double Torah portion of Leviticus Behar–Bechukotai and uncover a chilling insight hidden in the Hebrew word keri—a word connected not to rebellion, but to apathy, passiveness, and spiritual indifference.

Rabbi Damian walks through the biblical concepts of the Shemitah, the Yovel (Jubilee), and Gemilut Chasidim (acts of lovingkindness), showing how God’s commandments were never merely rules—but invitations into trust, restoration, and transformation.

What happens when obedience becomes optional?
Can someone know Torah and still drift spiritually?
Is the greatest threat to faith today not hostility toward God—but casualness toward Him?

Drawing from Torah, James, Midrash, and Jewish commentary, this teaching confronts the modern tendency to reduce holiness to information while neglecting application.

If you’ve wrestled with the relationship between obedience, grace, and the Spirit of God, this episode will challenge you deeply.

Join us as we discover why the righteous delusion may be far closer than we think… in this week’s 5 Minute Torah.

Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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Text "GIVE" to (706) 739-5990

God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

What if everything you’ve been taught about atonement… is missing the point?

For centuries, many have assumed that forgiveness requires sacrifice—that sin demands blood, and that God cannot forgive without it. But what if the prophets themselves challenge that assumption?

In this teaching, we trace a powerful thread through the Torah and the Prophets—one that leads not to escalating sacrifice, but to something far deeper: God’s mercy, God’s cleansing, and God’s direct intervention in the human heart.

Why do the prophets speak of water instead of blood?
Why does Ezekiel describe a divine washing and a new heart?
And why does John call Israel to repentance through immersion—before Yeshua ever appears?

If forgiveness isn’t rooted in sacrifice the way we’ve been told… then what is it rooted in?

And more importantly—what does that mean for how we understand Yeshua?

This isn’t about tearing down theology. It’s about rebuilding it—faithfully, biblically, and honestly.

Join us as we explore a perspective that may challenge assumptions… and reveal something far more beautiful.

And ask yourself: Have we misunderstood the foundation?

Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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Text "GIVE" to (706) 739-5990

God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

What does it really mean to be set apart? Emor challenges how we live, speak, and even mark time. Are we living on God’s schedule—or our own?

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

What if we’ve misunderstood atonement… entirely?

For many, the sacrificial system is about sin, punishment, and death. But what if the Torah is telling a very different story? What if blood isn’t about death at all—but about life?

In this teaching, we take a deep dive into Leviticus, Yom Kippur, and the chattat offering to uncover a truth that challenges some of the most common assumptions in modern theology. If the Day of Atonement could truly fix everything, then why exile? Why does Scripture speak of limits?

Is atonement about forgiveness… or purification?
Is the sanctuary the focus—not the person?
And what happens when the system reaches its ceiling?

We’ll explore the powerful imagery of the “tote goat,” the role of blood as life, and why even the most sacred rituals could not ultimately transform the human heart.

This isn’t about tearing anything down—it’s about asking a better question:
What is Scripture actually teaching?

Join us as we wrestle with the deeper meaning of atonement—and why it matters more than you think.

Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
consider Supporting Shalom Macon

https://www.shalomacon.org/give

-- Ways to Support Shalom Macon --

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Text "GIVE" to (706) 739-5990

God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!

What does it actually mean to be holy?

In Acharei Mot–Kedoshim, we’re given a sweeping collection of commandments—honor your parents, keep the Sabbath, care for the poor, pursue justice, and love your neighbor as yourself. But all of it flows from one foundational command: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy.”

But here’s the question: Is holiness just about avoiding what’s forbidden… or something more?

It’s easy to see how the Torah sets boundaries through “thou shalt not.” But what about the things that are permitted? Could it be that holiness is found not only in what we avoid—but in what we choose to limit?

Are we living disciplined lives… or just permissible ones?

From the wisdom of the sages to the teachings of Yeshua and the words of Paul, this portion challenges us to rethink holiness—not as distance from the world, but as intentional restraint within it.

So what does it look like to be set apart in a world where almost everything is allowed?

And could it be that true holiness begins where our freedom ends?

Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

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God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

If you get value from our work, please
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Text "GIVE" to (706) 739-5990

God provides for the work of Shalom Macon through the giving of those who benefit from that work and in turn, give generously to allow it to continue.

Whether you are an in-person or virtual member, your support is vital to sharing the message.

We thank you for joining us, Shabbat Shalom!