Shalom Macon: Messianic Jewish Teachings

The Torah provides a never ending source of lessons for life. In this weeks portion, Jethro teaches Moses, one of the most important leadership lesson: delegation. But when we read Jethro’s question to Moses, we discover that he’s teaching a lesson not just for Moses, but to the nation as a whole. A lesson that Yeshua would later echo for all of his disciples, and one that certainly still applies...

Jewish tradition and commentary have dug deeply into the biblical texts for millennia. From the fruit of that labor, we are sometimes privileged to see stories beneath the story. This week presents an unknown hero of the Exodus. A name and a lesson that—after this teaching—you’ll always remember. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teaching...

Why did God choose to bring the 10 plagues upon Egypt? Was there not a better way than the death of innocent children? Were the Egyptians treated unfairly by the God of justice? This week’s teaching explorers the purpose behind the last three devastating plagues in the story of the Exodus. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If yo...

There are incidents in the Bible that sometimes cause people to question the motives of God. Pharaoh’s hard heart presents one of those challenges and sets the stage for the argument over free will versus predestination. Is there an answer if we look at the Jewish perspective? This message explores the story behind the story and offers an explanation that shows the true nature of our God. Join Sha...

  The “Bridegroom of Blood” episode in the Book of Exodus is undoubtedly one of the most peculiar events in the Torah. Various interpretations of this incident exist within Jewish thought. This message delves into a couple of traditional perspectives behind Zipporah's actions, but also introduces a novel interpretation that portrays her as a woman of faith and courage. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 1...

What is higher purpose of life? Most experts argue its not status, wealth, or accumulating expensive cars, houses, shoes or watches, but rather finding peace and contentment. What is it that gives us the sense of contentment and accomplishment we seek? To Bless or Seek. That is the question. Let's explore the answer. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worsh...

If we look around, there are so many unhappy people in the world. It seems everyone is looking for happiness, but very few find it. This is a message for anyone who desires to live their life to the fullest. It integrates psychological insights with biblical teachings, offering a comprehensive view of achieving true, lasting happiness. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat)...

Every day we put on different clothes based on what we are doing or how we are feeling. But have you ever thought about putting clothes on your soul? It may sound like an odd concept, but we actually do it every day, and sometimes we show up in the wrong outfit. Join us to find out what these "soul threads," or garments of the soul are.  Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat...

Hanukkah was a holy war, if by holy, we mean directed by God. There is currently a different kind of holy war being waged, and God is certainly not directing this one. It is imperative, not just for disciples of Yeshua, but for all of humanity, to be aware of this enemy and to stand united against it. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Tea...

What is Hanukkah? The Talmud asks the question, but today, many Christians are too. There are meaningful themes of the past associated with the Feast of Dedication, but it’s the the powerful message of hope for the future that makes the answer to that question one worth knowing. What is Hannukah? Find out here. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Mus...

A brief word from Rabbi Damian about one of life’s most important attributes: Gratitude. Then join Shalom Macon as we sings songs of thanksgiving to our God. 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 --...

The Bible is book of building, giving not taking. In a society built on consumption, the idea of building a better world has seemingly lost its luster. But the stories of the Bible call us to the task. Shalom Macon intends to bring that back, to live in service to people, to be builders not bystanders. Find out what that means in this week’s teaching. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Satu...

Israel has been “ruled” by a diverse cast of characters throughout history. Many empires have declared ownership of the land, but one people has a legal claim to it, politically and biblically. Who might you think that would be? Take a listen and share this message with others.

The expulsion of Hagar and Ishmael is a difficult read. Why do we need to know all the details of this event? Why does God allow Sarah to separate them from Abraham? What does this story have to do with Arab-Israeli relations today? This message offers some provocative answers for these questions.

It was inevitable that some, maybe much of the world would begin to see Israel negatively as this war has continued. It’s always this way. But the turning tide shares much in common with the antisemitism and hatred of Jewish people that we hoped had died with the Nazis. It’s imperative that the facts in this war are discussed and shared. This message intends to prepare you to be an informed advoca...

The Torah says that during the days of Noah, the world became corrupt and was filled with … hamas. Yes - Hamas. Our Torah portion addresses our present situation and give us answers if we look deep enough. Let's take a look at this ancient foe and see what steps we can take to overcome it together.

Anyone who has even the slightest connection to Israel is reeling from the recent horrific attacks. For those who are strongly connected, there’s a chance that anger and even hatred are parts of these emotions. Is that okay? Should we feel bad about our emotional response to the hatred that others have shown? How do we deal with these negative emotions in light of our mission and calling as childr...

How high can the walls of your sukkah be? It’s an actual discussion we find in rabbinic literature. Our first response might be, “Who cares?!” As we close out the fall holidays, this message investigates what this seemingly trivial argument can reveal to us about ourselves.

The most famous part of the Sukkot celebration has to do with the sukkah, the temporary dwelling. But there is another component of the holiday which is mentioned even before God commands us to dwell in Sukkot. It called the arba minim, the four kinds, and it has a lot to say about you, your heart, and your joy. We’ll investigate that story in this teaching.

It’s Shabbat Shuvah, the Shabbat of Return. One last step remains on the repentance road we’ve been walking—one last rock to confront, and then we can look to tie the knot with our Father and our King. You need to hear this message to understand!

On Rosh Hashanah, we simultaneously meet regret and hope with the sound of the shofar. Both are powerfully pointing us to be the people God intends us to be.

We’ve walked the Repentance Road for 4 weeks in this series. Hopefully, we’ve learned the steps to take, prepared for the challenges ahead, and set our hearts and minds on being transformed during the upcoming High Holidays. In this conclusion, Rabbi Damian shares a powerful action step for us all to take as we enter the gates of repentance on Rosh Hashanah.

Is forgiveness a part of repentance? If I’ve been wronged, and no one has apologized, how can I be expected to repent? When we see repentance for what it really is, a turning, forgiveness fits within it. When we decide to turn, we see the true power and freedom of forgiveness in our lives.

There are 4 steps to repentance. We’ve covered the first three, but the fourth part is considered the most important, the commanded component — confession. But why? What’s happening when we confess our transgression? What does “I’m sorry” really accomplish?

The season of repentance is in full swing now. The month of Elul brings our focus to repentance and positive change. Sounds great, but how do we do it? How do we succeed?