Shalom Macon: Messianic Jewish Teachings

What happens when the greatest prophet in Israel gets it wrong? In Shemini, tragedy strikes with Nadav and Avihu—but that’s not the only tension in the story. A dispute breaks out between Moses and Aaron over how to handle the offerings. Moses searches… intensely. And still, he misses it. So who really understood the Torah correctly? If the one who received the Torah could be mistaken, what does that say about how we approach it today? And what does true humility look like when we’re convinced we’re right? Let’s explore why the heart of the Torah is found in the search itself… in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Was the Passover lamb actually a sacrifice for sin? In this message, we look closely at Exodus 12 and challenge one of the most common assumptions in Christian theology. What was the Passover lamb doing? What did the blood mean? And how should this shape the way we understand Jesus, sacrifice, and atonement? This teaching explores the biblical text carefully and argues that the Passover story may not mean what many of us were taught to assume. Atonement Explained is a new teaching series exploring sacrifice, atonement, grace, blood, and the role of Yeshua through the patterns of the Bible, asking whether popular Christian assumptions fully reflect the story Scripture is telling. Shalom Macon is a vibrant community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua, gathering in person in Macon, Georgia, and online around the world. We are committed to helping people encounter Jesus in His Jewish context through thoughtful teaching on Scripture, Israel, and the Kingdom of God. Support Shalom Macon: https://www.shalomacon.org/give Tithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563 PayPal | [email protected]

If Yeshua’s obedience was automatic, then in what sense was it ever truly tested? And if it was not tested, in what sense does he fulfill the biblical pattern of the righteous mediator? In this message, Rabbi Damian Eisner continues his series on atonement by exploring the merit of Messiah and challenging familiar assumptions about salvation and sacrifice. Atonement Explained is a biblical teaching series designed to help viewers rethink what sacrifice and atonement really mean. With careful attention to Leviticus, the sacrificial system, Passover, grace, and the role of Yeshua, the series explores whether popular Christian ideas about penal substitution fully reflect the story and logic of Scripture. Shalom Macon is a vibrant community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua, gathering in person in Macon, Georgia, and online around the world. We are committed to helping people encounter Jesus in His Jewish context through thoughtful teaching on Scripture, Israel, and the Kingdom of God, creating a place where Jewish believers can honor their heritage and Gentile believers can grow deeper in faith and understanding. Join us live every Saturday at 11:00 AM Eastern. If you receive value from our work, please consider Supporting Shalom Macon: -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings

What if the most important fire in Scripture isn’t one you can see? The Torah commands that the altar fire must never go out—but why repeat it three times? And what does that eternal flame have to do with your daily prayers… or your own heart? In a world without a Temple, how do we keep the fire burning? Is prayer enough—or is something deeper required? And if the early disciples said their hearts “burned within them,” what does it mean if ours don’t? Are we tending the fire… or letting it fade? Let’s explore this together in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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 grace really mean? In this opening message, Rabbi Damian Eisner challenges common assumptions about grace and salvation by tracing the biblical idea of chen as favor that is connected to tested faithfulness, covenant standing, and solidarity with others. Looking closely at Moses and Israel after the golden calf, this teaching shows that divine favor was already operating in Scripture in ways many believers have never fully considered. Atonement Explained is a biblical teaching series designed to help viewers rethink what sacrifice and atonement really mean. With careful attention to Leviticus, the sacrificial system, Passover, grace, and the role of Yeshua, the series explores whether popular Christian ideas about penal substitution fully reflect the story and logic of Scripture. Shalom Macon is a vibrant community of Jewish and Gentile believers in Messiah Yeshua, gathering in person in Macon, Georgia, and online around the world. We are committed to helping people encounter Jesus in His Jewish context through thoughtful teaching on Scripture, Israel, and the Kingdom of God, creating a place where Jewish believers can honor their heritage and Gentile believers can grow deeper in faith and understanding. Join us live every Saturday at 11:00 AM Eastern.

Why does the book of Vayikra (Leviticus) begin with sacrifices, blood, and purification rituals—topics many modern readers would rather avoid? If these practices feel strange or even disturbing today, what did they mean to those who first received them? And why did Jewish tradition begin a child’s Torah education with this very book? The Hebrew word for sacrifice—korban—comes from a root meaning to draw near. But draw near how? On our terms, or on God’s? Leviticus challenges a modern assumption: that worship should reflect our preferences. What if drawing close to God requires approaching Him the way He has asked? Let’s explore why in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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 Passover isn’t just a memory—but a moment of spiritual breakthrough available right now? In this teaching for Shabbat HaChodesh, we explore the first commandment given in Egypt: sanctifying time. Why would God give Israel control of the calendar before the Exodus even happened? Could the real battle before Passover be Amalek cooling our spiritual passion? What if the festivals are not simply reminders of the past—but portals where divine light enters the world again each year? And could the Pesach Seder itself be designed to trigger a quantum leap in faith and transformation? Join us as we prepare for Passover and rediscover how one small step of devotion can become a quantum leap. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Why did Moses ask one of the strangest questions in the Torah: “Show me Your glory”? Most people read this moment as a mystical encounter between Moses and God. But what if that’s not what’s happening at all? What if Moses wasn’t asking for himself—but for Israel? In the aftermath of the golden calf, when God threatens not to go with His people, Moses makes a bold request that reshapes Israel’s future. Why does God respond by declaring His character instead of showing His power? And how does this moment become the foundation for the Tabernacle, Leviticus, forgiveness, and ultimately the story of Yeshua? This is where everything begins. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

If breaking Shabbat once carried the death penalty, shouldn’t we know exactly what counts as “work”? The Torah commands rest—but gives almost no detailed list. No full definition. No exhaustive breakdown. Just a warning… and consequences. So who decided what qualifies as a violation? And on whose authority? Can every individual define Shabbat for themselves, or was the Torah given with a built-in legal framework? Ki Tisa forces us to wrestle with a bigger question: Who has the right to interpret God’s commands? Let’s explore these questions together in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. 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 -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Are you building for God… or building for yourself? Last week we talked about impressing God. But what happens when ambition turns into idolatry? The Torah hints at something profound in the double yod of Vayeitzer — two inclinations, two Adams, two sides of you. Are you Adam 1 — the builder, achiever, dominion-taker? Or Adam 2 — the seeker, the covenant soul longing for connection? What if you were made to be both? This teaching explores the tension between drive and devotion, work and worship, yetzer hara and yetzer hatov — and why suppressing either one may cost you your calling. Which side of you is winning? Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Why would God command the Kohen Gadol to wear a garment made of wool and linen—then forbid everyone else from mixing those same materials? Is holiness about chemistry… or boundaries? Parashat Tetzaveh introduces us to garments woven with gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen—beautiful, intricate, and set apart. But when the sacred becomes common, something is lost. Are we blurring lines that were meant to protect holiness? Have we mistaken accessibility for sanctity? What happens when the distinct becomes ordinary? Let’s explore why boundaries aren’t restrictive—they’re beautiful… in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Why do we face Jerusalem when praying? Why don’t we “tithe” the same way churches do? Why kiss a Torah scroll? Why avoid saying God’s name casually? And what’s the real difference between a church and a synagogue? In this candid Lunch & Learn, we pull back the curtain on synagogue life — history, holiness, etiquette, immersion, prayer, and purpose — and explore how community shapes sacred space. If you’ve ever felt unsure walking into a synagogue, this will change that. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Is it wrong to want God to be impressed by your life? We’re told over and over: don’t strive, don’t try too hard, don’t “earn” what’s already been given. But is that what Scripture actually teaches? Does grace eliminate effort — or ignite it? From the Tabernacle to the parable of the talents, the Bible paints a picture of partnership, not passivity. What if God isn’t threatened by your obedience… but delighted by it? What if striving to please Him isn’t legalism — but relationship? Let’s wrestle with the tension between grace and building, salvation and sanctification, love and effort. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Is the Torah a bridge… or a barrier? When God chose to dwell among Israel, He surrounded His presence with boundaries—restricted access, layers of separation, guarded space. That doesn’t sound welcoming. It sounds exclusive. So what is holiness really about? Does it draw us closer to God, or keep us at a distance? And why would the very structure meant to connect heaven and earth be built with limitations? In Parashat Terumah, we discover that boundaries may not be obstacles to intimacy—but the very foundation of it. Let’s wrestle with this tension in this week’s 5 Minute Torah. Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!

Have you ever discovered something so life-changing that you felt others had been misled? But what if the way you share that truth is pushing people further away? In Parashat Mishpatim, the Torah commands us to return a lost object. What if that “lost object” is faith itself? What if our Jewish and Christian brothers and sisters aren’t rebellious—but simply unaware? Are you dropping crumbs that awaken curiosity… or truth bombs that cause damage? This message explores empathy, responsibility, and how to draw people close to Torah without weaponizing it. You were once a stranger. How will you treat the strangers around you? Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!Join Shalom Macon Live! at 11am EST every Saturday (#Shabbat) for uplifting Worship Music and Teachings If you get value from our work, pleaseconsider Supporting Shalom Macon https://www.shalomacon.org/give -- Ways to Support Shalom Macon -- Our Website | https://www.shalomacon.org/giveTithe.ly | https://tithe.ly/give?c=329563PayPal | [email protected] "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!