Saturday, December 03, 2005
1:59 PM

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The following article was brought to my attention by one of my, my space friends. The specific friend was interested on my reaction to the article. I have added below the article my response and take on this group called. Please make sure to read my comments as to get my full impression on this group. Also feel free to put in your 2 cents. Shalom, AdamC


Tucson Region
Feeding the hungry soul
Essenes not about losing weight, but strengthening faith in God
By Stephanie Innes
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Tucson, Arizona | Published: 07.17.2004
advertisementPATAGONIA -
The philosophy of the Essenes - disciplined Jewish worshippers who lived by the Sea of Galilee during Jesus' life - is attracting a worldwide following in this small town southeast of Tucson.
The Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center sits on 172 acres of picturesque grasslands alongside a canyon at the base of the Patagonia Mountains. It was founded by Dr. Gabriel Cousens, a 62-year-old physician who espouses a raw-food diet and "spiritual fasting" that he says is part of a modern Essene way of life and a way of awakening people to the spirit of God.
The spirituality practiced at Tree of Life is formally called the Essene Way and Cousens has established an education program, the Essene Order of Light, for ordaining priests and priestesses.
The center is 10 years old but a combination of factors - the mainstreaming of holistic healing, the spiritual trauma of Sept. 11, 2001 and a national obesity crisis that's fueling an interest in nutrition - have combined to make Tree of Life a very popular place. The center now has waiting lists for its programs, and is in the midst of an expansion plan that is scheduled to be completed later this summer.
"There is never enough food to feed a hungry soul. Our work is to feed the hungry soul. We have a message - be your authentic self and know God," said Cousens, a trained rabbi who grew up in a Jewish family and teaches a popular form of Jewish mysticism called Kabbalah. "As the body is purified of physical blockages, you can experience the revelation of light within yourself."
The Essenes were a sect of Judaism but Cousens stresses that in in its modern form the Essene path is an intersection of Christianity and Judaism. He believes Jesus, Mary and Joseph were all Essenes but says the objective of the Essene Way is to bring peace, not to proselytize. He chose Patagonia for his spiritual center because it is in the desert and sits at the same latitude as Jerusalem.
"We don't see a conflict between Christian and Jewish people - those are all people's ego trips," said Cousens, who travels around the world sharing his philosophies and has made several trips to the Middle East to do peace work. "We support one God and encourage people to make connections in whatever way that works for them."
Cousens, who gives personal wellness consultations, is known around the world as a holistic physician. He is also a licensed psychiatrist who does not believe in many psychiatric drug treatments in mainstream medicine, particularly for children. His 2001 book, "Depression-Free for Life," claims a 90 percent success rate through holistic healing.
"We don't suffer a deficiency of Prozac, but we do suffer a deficiency of God," he said during a recent interview at Tree of Life.
While the center gets lots of attention for its holistic medicine, at the core of Tree of Life's teachings is the way of the Essenes, who some believe were the monastic people who once lived in the ancient caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. A modern form of Essene worship based on the teachings of Edmond Bordeaux Szekely was established in 1928. Modern Essenes at Tree of Life talk a lot about purifying and getting rid of the toxins that prevent people from experiencing joy, peace, love and contentment.
The Essene Order of Light is based on Szekely's writings in the "Essene Gospel of Peace," as well as Jewish Kabbalah and Torah teachings.
"The teachings have offered me understanding and spiritual liberation," said 30-year-old Ivri Krzyz, a Florida native who moved to Patagonia over 5 years ago to be closer to Tree of Life and is now the Tree of Life Center's special projects coordinator.
Krzyz, who met her husband, Anu, at Tree of Life, has nearly completed her coursework to become an Essene Order of Light priestess. The couple and their young son, Israel, follow the basic rules of Tree of Life - no slander or gossip, no drugs, alcohol or caffeine and while they are on the center's property their diet consists of raw "live" organic foods - that means no meat or any food that's cooked.
Some clients come to Tree of Life seeking nothing but a trim waistline, but Cousens and his staff of 40 stress that its raw-food regimen is a way to know God - not to get into size 2 jeans.
"It brings you out of reactionary living into conscious living," said Matthew Allen , a 40-year-old Californian who completed a seven-day fast at the center earlier this month. "If you can remember how to give and receive love, your hunger goes away. It's like when you first fall in love and you don't need to eat."
Allen, who is studying Vegan and Live Food Nutrition through Tree of Life, said he has been slowly altering his diet toward raw-only for the past seven years. But he stresses that changing his diet has seeped into nearly every area of his life.
Staying and studying at the center is not cheap - prices for a weeklong cleanse with meals and accommodation included start at $1,195 per person - but Cousens says the objective of the center is not making money but maintaining the Tree of Life programs. Scholarships to the Tree of Life's programs are available.
The center's programs have names like "Conscious Eating," "Sacred Relationship Intensive" and "World's Top Spiritual Fasting Program." One of its hallmark programs is the "Zero Point Process" - a program that aims to help people free themselves from "the self-induced trance where we believe we are our stories of the past, present and future."
While rooted in Jewish tradition, Tree of Life also incorporates aspects of other faiths including Eastern religions and American Indian tradition. Cousens' wife, Shanti Golds Cousens, is co-director of the center and leads women's spirituality rituals, in addition to yoga and live-food workshops.
There are no ovens in the Tree of Life kitchen, just a lot of refrigerator and counter space. One recent Monday, lunch consisted of mashed "un-tatoes" - mashed cauliflower with coconut oil, salt, almonds and honey, and a "spicy lightning" salad of kale and avocado and as much vegetables and raw dressing as diners desired.
"I get the feeling a lot of people are here for spirituality. I guess it's up to each person but I am learning so much from the other guests," said Susan Leveillee, an engineer and nutritionist from upstate New York in her 40s who was a recent guest at Tree of Life. "Food is critical. If you don't eliminate toxins, it can get in the way of spiritual and human growth."
The center's training program in modern Essene ministry has ordained 30 priests and priestesses since 1994. The program currently has about 30 other students studying for ordination, and Cousens encourages those who are ordained to bring peace and healing to their communities.
While the center promotes a disciplined lifestyle, staff and guests say nothing is mandated, and no one is asked to give up his or her personal religious beliefs.
"It may seem monastic but it isn't rigid," Ivri Krzyz said.
"The energy here is very calming," said Ashley White, a 23-year-old Californian who joined the Tree of Life's billing department three months ago. "It's about how to be a good person and the focus is on the simple things in life, but I don't feel boxed in."
The center is now hoping to share some of the success it has experienced with guests worldwide with Southern Arizonans. Later this summer it expects to open a holistic spa and juice bar behind its gift shop that will be available for local residents who may not to want to stay at the center, but are curious to know more.

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The following are a few points this article made. I have commented on each point to explain my opinion of this group.



While the center promotes a disciplined lifestyle, staff and guests say

nothing is mandated, and no one is asked to give up his or her personal

religious beliefs.



Jermiah 7:6 along with a host of other verses tells us not to follow other gods this does not seem to be an issue with this group.





Our work is to feed the hungry soul. We have a message - be your authentic self and know God," said

Cousens, a trained rabbi who grew up in a Jewish family and teaches a

popular form of Jewish mysticism called Kabbalah. "As the body is purified

of physical blockages, you can experience the revelation of light within

yourself."



I do agree that we need to take care of our bodies but I get concerned when people start following the teachings of mystics. I know a lot of people are interested in Kabbalah and I do believe that their are hidden truths in scripture but, most of what is being called Kabbalah is in my mind witchcraft. These days people are more interested in special knowledge and spirituality, than actually doing what Hashem says. If I focus on obedience and fellowship with Yeshua I will be considered faithful in his eyes. This is the key to hidden knowledge. This is why Moses spoke to the father face to face.



"We support one God and encourage people to make connections in whatever way

that works for them."



Humm! This sounds very new age to me how about you?

This group seems to be more focused on becoming like the Essene's than living a life that is according to the Torah. Learning scripture and Yeshua are really the essential paths to making connection to the father. We cannot just pick any means we like and call this a path to G-d.



Krzyz, who met her husband, Anu, at Tree of Life, has nearly completed her coursework to become an Essene Order of Light priestess.



This title is very frightening to me. I once had a friend that came out of wicca. She was at one point held the title of priestess. If we study the Torah we will see a model of leadership that does not feature this title priestess. Its not that woman do not have a role in the body of Messiah (their role is very important) it is just that the model in Torah prescribes that the Man is the head of the household. We also do not see any woman High Priest in Torah except for those practicing a faith opposite of Torah.



Follow the basic rules of Tree of Life - no slander

or gossip, no drugs, alcohol or caffeine and while they are on the center's

property their diet consists of raw "live" organic foods - that means no

meat or any food that's cooked.



This sounds a little extreme to me even the prophets cooked their food. I hope they are not telling people that this is a Torah requirement.



While rooted in Jewish tradition, Tree of Life also incorporates aspects of

other faiths including Eastern religions and American Indian tradition.



If this is not a huge red flag that than I do not know what is. We are not to have any other G-ds other than YHVH. The Tree of Life Rejuvenation Center in my onion is just another fad/cult. You see this type of stuff pop up all over. Look at Hollywood�s fascination with Kabbalah. Do you really think that Ashton Kutcher, Madona, and Brittney spears are concerned with keeping the Torah? I think not. Like much of the world these stars are intrested in experiencing some type of spirituality with out any commitment. If only people could open their eyes and see that there is more to Hashem than just this. The father wants us to have a relationship with him. This is why he sent his son Yeshua.
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I cant believe my eyes! They want to make Tel Aviv the gay capitol of the world. Read Below: Leviticus 18: 18 - 30

The Pink City

Local tourism officials plan on turning Tel Aviv into the gay capital of the world; Israel Hotel Association official: Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit Danny Sadeh

Tel Aviv is known throughout the world as �The White City� due to the many Bauhaus-style structures that adorn its streets, but the city may soon be called �The Pink City,� as tourism industry heads are planning on transforming the city into the gay capital of the world, Israel�s leading newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported.

Tel Aviv and gay people are a perfect fit,� an Israel Hotel Association (IHA) official said.

The idea was born when IHA Director-General Eli Ziv visited London recently to participate in the 2005 World Travel Market exhibition.

During the exhibition Ziv met with representatives of the homo-lesbian travel industry, and discovered an audience that would travel just about anywhere for a good party, even to the Middle East.

The gay community has amazing consumer power, and Tel Aviv has a lot to offer to this community,� Ziv explained.

We have the beach, sun, culture and nightclubs. To our knowledge, gays are capable of hopping on a plane and traveling to the other side of the world just to participate in parties and events that are related to the gay community.�

'Grand opening for homosexual events'

The IHA in Tel Aviv, along with a local gay rights group, turned to European travel agents who focus on the gay community and requested they prepare vacation packages to Tel Aviv.

We are drafting plans to encourage gay tourism from Germany, England and Holland,� Ziv added.

We plan on approaching travel agents who are aware of the gay community�s needs, launch a special website for gays and advertise Tel Aviv in gay European websites as well.

Jerusalem is scheduled to host the 2006 World Pride Parade , but Ziv is already working to have it moved to Tel Aviv.

This event could mark the grand opening for homosexual events in the city,� he said. We need the boost.�

'An airlift of gays'

Meanwhile, Tourism Ministry Director-General Eli Cohen said he would offer any financial assistance necessary to turn Tel Aviv into

the gay capital of the world, and he is not alone: TUI, Europe�s largest tourism conglomerate, has recently decided to offer charter flights to Tel Aviv. Israeli tourism officials said they believe the decision would facilitate the travel of thousands of gays to the country.

Today TUI offers a roundtrip ticket on a weekly charter flight to Israel for 150-200 euros (about USD 176-234).

It will be helpful to our initiative if they increase the number of flights to Tel Aviv,� Ziv said.

Now the occupancy rate on these flights already stands at more than 80 percent for the next few months. In February they plan to increase the number of flights to three a week. If this will indeed happen, we will see an airlift of gays to Tel Aviv.�
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Notice the numbers in the background.

Secretary Rice's Press Availability After Middle East Quartet Meeting


United Nations Headquarters
New York City
September 20, 2005


Secretary Rice's press availability after Middle East Quartet Meeting with (left to right) European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, UK Foreign Secretary Jack Straw, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, Secretary Rice, and EU High Representative Javier Solana. State Department Photo by Michael Gross.


Note that this is up on a US government web site!
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A few month ago my wife, a friend, and I attended a Jewish Messianic synagogue. We generally attend an erev Shabbat meeting at our local congregations so we though it would be interesting to visit another congregation. I had visited the congregation once before and really liked it. This particular Shabbat It started out the same. The music was wonderful along with the rabbi�s message. After the service a few people greeted us and invited us to a potluck. The rabbi then greeted us and as we talked he asked me if I was familiar with the denomination that the synagogue was associated with. I told him I was somewhat familiar with the denomination. The rabbi then started to ask questions and I can only assume that he new that I was not by birth Jewish. Perhaps this was because I wore a hat instead of a kippa, or maybe because I had blue strand on my zitzit when every one else�s was plain white. I�m not sure. Any way he continued to explain that his congregation was part of a bigger organization and he wanted to make clear that we under stood what they were about. He continued to explain in a metaphoric way that the Torah was only for Jews. He did not say this right out but said that it was important for people to know their place. He made the analogy of a guy walking in a girl�s bathroom. Thus saying that for a gentile to keep the Torah it would be like a guy walking into a girl�s bathroom. This was very offensive and we all decided that we were not comfortable sticking around for the potluck. I expect this kind of doctrine from non Messianic Jews, but not from followers of the Messiah. I don�t see how Jews who have found the Messiah can hold on to such a doctrine. What about Rom 11:24 which states �For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural [branches], be graffed into their own olive tree?� Would a loving parent of both a biological son and adopted son treat them any different? I think not. I know this from experience. I have a few adopted brothers, and growing up my parents gave them the same type of discipline and praise as I, a biological son received. Should we think that our father in heaven is any different? Does he have a different standard for those born of a Jewish family, when compared to those brothers and sisters who have been joined in through the means of adoption? If Scripture talks about one Torah for all people, and even the foreigners with in the gates of an observant people are commanded to keep the feast, why are we in our generation any different? I believe that all are called to keep the commandments of YHVH. If this is not the case why do the apocalyptic writings use words like lawlessness and workers of iniquity (lawness) when describing the conduct of those who are being judged? Those who accept Yeshua and the Torah receive the rewards that come along with being apart of the family of YHVH. Those who are not sons and daughters are strangers and are cast away.
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Well another Yom Kippur has passed and I still don�t feel vindicated. This is by no fault of my wonder father. The Most high G-d I am only to blame for my actions. Learning the Torah has taught me what true repentance is and it is more than just a lip service. You can say sorry until you�re blue in the face but if you don�t do teshuva (turn around stop sinning) then it is not true repentance. It really scares me to think that some issues that I dealt with last year are still a reality this year. It takes time I say to my self but in all reality how much time do we really have? I remember when Yeshua told the lady guilty of committing adultery that her sins were forgiven, he sent her off with specific instructions he said go and sin know more. Well my friends I have met this same Messiah and I have not listened to that same warning. Yeshua says that we should forgive 70 times 7 this is of course a word play meaning that there is not limit to the amount of time you should forgive someone. I know that he was demonstrating the kind of forgiveness that he shows to us but I just feel as If I don�t deserve this. I will however accept his mercy and grace but be careful to listen to the words of the Messiah as he first forgives and then tells us to go and sin no more.



� Father forgive me for my wickedness this year. I have no intention of grieving your most holy sprit, the same spirit that gives the ability to keep your commandments. Father I pray that you clean me so that I am as white as snow. Make me sensitive to your spirit. Please let me know what it is to fear you Abba (daddy). I am a lost little kid with out your guidance. Hold my hand as I walk through this life and teach me what dangers lay ahead of me and how to avoid them. Lead me in a trade that will be a true representation of your name and what you stand for. Amen
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This is an interesting email that I received. I thought it would be an interesting read as we are entering the fall feast days.

Aleichem shalom,

Yom HaKippurim Semeach!
Blessing to each one of you as we enter this very prophetic day. I am a tzitzit wearing middle school math teacher at a middle school in Northern California where I have worked for the last eleven years.Yesterday, my Principal walked into my room and explained to me that my leave to keep the fall feasts, including the Feast of Tabernacles, would no
longer be granted with pay because the contract did not specifically delineate "religious leave" as a permissible Personal Necessity leave.I explained to her that at my hiring conference eleven years ago, I specifically informed the Superintendent at that time of the festivals and he said it would not pose a problem. For the last eleven years, I have enjoyed paid release time (of course my minimal sick leave is used each year), but that has now come to an end. I told her straight out that if the District continues this course of action, I will do whatever is in my power to fight this discriminatory act, and if necessary, bring it to Court showing that the school calendar violates the Establishment Clause of the
First Ammendment by establishing vacation time around the major Christian holiday of Christmas and Easter.Please pray, on this Yom HaKuppurim, that Y'hovah would bring about a
peaceful solution, of if necessary, to grant me the wisdom to fight this and
win.

Brachot,

Dave
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The call to return to the torah, (which is a theme throughout scripture) is similar to a doctor pleading his patient to accept a cure for a disease. Often in the scriptures the people of Israel refused to walk according to the Torah (Law) accepting the curses that came a long with rejecting the Torah. Because the people of Israel rejected the Torah, they broke a covenant with G-d. Moses (Moshe) warned the people of Israel that that if they transgressed the Torah they would be subject to curses, desolation, and destruction. Despite of this warning the people of Israel removed their eyes away from the Torah leading to curses, destruction and even death.
No one would refuse a cure to a friend in need? Those of us who have found the Torah and are living within the blessings that it provides must share this with those whose lives are in turmoil. Often I look around and see so many people whose lives are in shambles. They ask questions like why would G-d allow my wife to leave me or how could G-d allow me to be so poor, why are my children rebellious, why do I suffer from such depression. Often church going people ask the same type of questions. Why me
G-d? I believe that if we are honest with our selves and we study the whole of scripture, it is evident that many people have broke a covenant with the most high. We all at some point have done this, but are we listening to the call of the prophets including Moshe and Yeshua? We need to heed the words of those whom have called us to return to the Torah. In Matthew we see Messiah repeating the message of the Prophets as he clearly states that the Torah (Law) is as much a foundation as the Earth and the Heavens. Matthew 5:17-18 states; "Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to complete. For truly I say to you. Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Torah until all is accomplished."
We should not be so quick to think that such a foundation like the Torah is compromised by only one prophet who also is the Messiah. We must also conclude that Yeshua new the future. He new that a time would come when men would preach that He came to do away with the Torah. If Yeshua preached another gospel other than the one that was preached by Moshe (Moses) and the rest of the prophets, then he cannot be the Messiah. This is something we must grapple with when studying scripture. A kingdom divided against itself cannot stand and if Yeshua came to do away with the very Torah (Law) that was established by the followers of G-d, than we have a major problem.
Luckily many now are starting to wake up to the understanding that Yehsua did not come to do away with the Torah, he only came to show us how it was to be observed. Yeshua is the only Talmud (oral law) we need. When looking at our lives and conduct we must compare our lives to the life of Yeshua. He was able to fulfill (rightly live out) the Torah. He being the likeness of His Father was the very manifestation of the Torah. Perhaps this is why scripture states that the volume of the scroll was written of him (Yeshua).

Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O Lord..l "7" Hbr 10:7
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No thanks Abercrombie and Finch.

There is a particular clothing store called Abercrombie and Finch that I usually pass as I walk through the mall. Besides selling shredded jeans for hundreds of dollars, Abercrombie and Finch are also know for the ads which often depict half naked teenagers. You would think that if you were selling clothes that you would prefer your models to actually wear some, but not this store. Recently the Abercrombie and Finch Company put out a catalogue and though I never saw it I herd plenty in the media about it. Apparently there were topless teens both male and female. Again why advertise cloths this way. From what I understand there was an age limit for this particular catalogue so most of the Abercrombie and Finch�s customer base would not even be able to view it. It would be like the gap selling playboy magazines. It is obvious that the Abercrombie and Finch Company is not interested in selling cloths. The product they are really selling is sex. If you have ever walked by the store you know what I mean. I�m sure that Abercrombie and Finch is an equal opportunity employer as many businesses are these days but I really can�t help to wonder whether their employees are picked by their appearance.

Most of the Abercrombie and Finch employees are young attractive teens that fit in well with the Abercrombie and Finch adds. Its not my point to place blame on the Abercrombie and Finch employees most are probably hard
working college and high school students and they cant help the fact that
they are attractive. I just wonder why I never see any one working there
that are slightly over wait or maybe a little nerdy. Why is it that every
one that works at these stores looks as if they have been plucked out of a
G.Q magazine? Yesterday I took a walk instead of taking my usual break. I
thought it would be nice to get out of the work place for a bit instead of
sitting in a break room. Like any time I walk through the mall I walked past
Abercrombie and Finch but this time instead of just seeing adds of half
naked people I saw the real thing. Towards the front entrance I noticed a
rather built guy walking around with no shirt. I thought to my self some one
should really tell that customer to put a shirt on. As I was leaving the
mall I passed the store once more to see this same shirtless guy standing
next to a scantly clad girl greeting people as they entered the store. I�m
not sure what the deal was. Perhaps they were some of the same models that are featured in the Abercrombie and Finch adds maybe not, but I was rather disgusted that this was allowed. What ever happened to no shoes, no shirts, no business. I�m sure if I entered the store with no shirt on I would be asked to leave right away. I of course don�t have a six-pack and don�t look like model. All I can say is next time I want a pair of torn up jeans I will make my own. No thanks Abercrombie and Finch.
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