The Shofar Newsletter
THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly
Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun
No. 1805 / August 30, 2026
2026 Gatherings (services start promptly at 3:00 pm; doors open an hour earlier. )
8/31 Sabbath
9/5 Praise & Worship
9/7 Sabbath
9/8 Pentecost (First-Fruits of Oil) *
9/9-14 Wood Offerings **
9/13 Praise & Worship
9/14 Sabbath
9/17 Yom Peguim (Leap Day services for the autumn season)
9/18 Yom Teruah (Day of Shouting/Trumpets) *
9/20 Praise & Worship
9/21 Sabbath
9/27 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) *
9/28 Sabbath
10/2 Chag Sukkoth (Day 1 of the Festival of Tabernacles) *
* A Holy Day like Sabbaths (no-work)
** Days of personal reflection and prayer
2026 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year
Ketuvim; Iyov (Hated) Teachings of Job Shir ha’Shirim (Song of Songs-Solomon)
9/5 - Chapters 31 – 35 9/6 - Chapters 36 – 42 9/7 - Chapters 1 – 8
Ruth (Friend) Teachings Eykah (How) Lamentations
9/8 - Chapters 1 – 4 9/9 - Chapters 1 – 5
Ketuvim; Qoheleth (Convener) Ecclesiastes
9/10 - Chapters 1 – 6 9/11 - Chapters 7 – 12
Ketuvim; Hadassah (Myrtle Tree) Teachings of Esther
9/12 - Chapters 1 – 5 9/13 - Chapters 6 – 10
Ketuvim; Ezra (Help) Writings of Ezra
9/14 - Chapters 1 – 5 9/15 - Chapters 6 – 10
Ketuvim; Nechemiah (Consolation of Yah) Writings of Nehemiah
9/16 - Chapters 1 – 4 9/17 - Chapters 5 – 8 9/18 – Chapters 9 – 11
9/19 – Chapters 12 – 13
Ketuvim; Divrey ha’Yamim 1 (The Annals of Time) First Book of Chronicles
9/20 - Chapters 1 – 3 9/21 - Chapters 4 – 6 9/22 - Chapters 7 – 10
9/23 - Chapters 11 – 14 9/24 - Chapters 15 – 18 9/25 - Chapters 19 – 22
9/26 - Chapters 23 – 26 9/27 - Chapters 27 – 29
Ketuvim; Divrey ha’Yamim 2 (The Annals of Time) Second Book of Chronicles
9/28 - Chapters 1 – 4 9/29 - Chapters 5 – 8 9/30 - Chapters 9 – 12
Interested in joining Bet Yeshurun Assembly? Please contact Pastor ObadiYah by email, telephone, mail, or in person at a gathering of Yahushuah’s Body.
The Wood Offering
(Nehemiah 10:34-35) We cast lots among the priests, Levites and people for the wood offering, to bring it to the House of Elohim after the houses of our fathers, at times appointed year by year, to burn on the altar of YAHUAH Elohim, as written in the Law (Torah).
This article for Bet Yeshurun (BYA) examines the wood offering from a physical and spiritual perspective. On the back page of this Shofar, the days of BYA’s 2026 wood offerings are from 9/9 through 9/14. Ancient Judea also offered wood under governor Nehemiah (his name means the “consolation of YAHUAH”). Here, he refers to the wood offerings at the Temple of Jerusalem: (Nehemiah 13:29-31) “Remember them, O’ Elohim, because they (sons of Joiada and High Priest Eliashib) defiled the priesthood and Covenant of the priesthood and of the Levites. Thus, I cleansed them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of priests and Levites, everyone in his business; for the wood offering at times appointed. Remember me, O’ Elohim, for good.”
Strong’s Concordance says “wood” is “ates” (ʿēṣ; H6086). In Hebrew, that worddescribes wood. But what kind? This verse gives some guidance: (Jubilees 21:12) Be careful about the kinds of woods that are used for sacrifice so that you bring no kinds of woods onto the altar except these only: cypress, silver-fir, almond, fir, pine, cedar, juniper, date, olive wood, myrtle, laurel wood, the cedar whose name is the juniper bush, and balsam.
Consider the common, physical characteristics of those identified trees. Most are evergreens; conifers that retain leaves (needles) through the year, stay green (a sign of life) and smell good: (Enoch 3:1) Observe and notice how during winter, all trees appear as if they withered and lost their leaves, except for fourteen trees that do not shed foliage but keep their old leaves for two to three years until the new ones arrive.
In late summer, many trim the dead branches of oak, elm and maple trees. The dead limbs make a great bonfire, yet those woods aren’t on the list of Elohim. On the other hand, the ancient Zadokite priests that lived in Qumran prior to the Messiah’s birth described in their Dead Sea Scrolls (DSS) who and when the wood offerings were brought: (DSS-11Q19) The twelve tribes of the children of Israel were to bring wood for the altar, and the tribes of Levi and Judah brought wood on the first day; the tribe Benjamin and the sons of Joseph brought wood on the second day; the tribes of Reuben and Simeon brought wood on the third day; Issachar and Zebulun on the fourth day; Gad and Asher on the fifth day; then Dan and Naphtali and on the sixth day.
While Nehemiah served in a House that was destroyed long ago, a spiritual one exists today. So, we do well to also consider the wood offerings from a spiritual view: (1 Corinthians 3:16-17) Know not that you are the Temple of Elohim and the Ruach of Elohim dwells in you? If any man defiles the Temple of Elohim, him shall Elohim destroy; for the Temple of Elohim is holy, which ye are.
Much like modern-day worship calendars, the ancient Zadokite priests also relied on a calendrical scroll (DSS-4Q324d) that identified wood offerings. Discovered in 1946 near the Dead Sea in a cave, their calendar reveals wood was offered following a First-Fruits Feast of Oil. The days of wood offerings on BYA’s worship calendar also come after that Pentecost Feast. Although no gatherings are scheduled, the Word says to keep a spiritual fire upon our altar, forever: (Leviticus 6:12-13) The fire on the altar shall be burning in it. It shall not be put out. The priest shall burn wood on it every morning and lay the burnt offering in order upon it. He shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar. It shall never go out!
Approaching YAHUAH’s all-consuming fire is a challenge! Yet, prayers during the days of wood offerings can picture the giving of our lives (a spiritual wood): (Leviticus 3:5) Aaron's sons shall burn it on the altar upon the burnt sacrifice, which [is] upon the wood that [is] on the fire: [it is] an offering made by fire, of a sweet savor unto YAHUAH. (Deuteronomy 4:24) For YAHUAH Elohim is a consuming fire. (Mark 8: 24) He (Yahushuah) looked and said, “I see men as trees, walking.” (Hebrews 12:29) Elohim is a consuming fire!
Offering bodies (wood) onto the fiery presence of Elohim results in blessings upon our individual and collective body. Those days of wood offerings also are a great time to spiritually prepare for our 2026 Day of Trumpets (Yom Teruah), Atonement Day (Yom Kippur) and the Festival of Tabernacles (Sukkot). Those who ignorantly disregard, or willfully choose to neglect the days of wood offerings miss out on an opportunity to serve others as a source of light! (2 Timothy 2:19-21) Adonai knows them who are His and let everyone that names the name of Messiah depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also wood and earth; and some to honor, some to dishonor. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honor, sanctified, meet for the master's use and prepared unto every good work.
Like Timothy, Apostle Peter further reminds BYA that in light of Yah’s suffering and death, we can do nothing less than to “follow” His perfect sacrifice with our own sacrifice: (1 Peter 2:21-24) For even hereunto were ye called because Messiah also suffered for us, leaving us an example that ye should follow His steps. Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not but committed to Him that judges righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.
Pruning fruit trees is well-known for producing more fruit. So, the week offerings are a good time to remove dead wood (fleshly works) to bear more spiritual fruit. (Galatians 5:19-21) The works of the flesh are manifest, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, reveling, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. (Galatians 5:22-23) But the fruit of the Spirit (Ruach) is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law (Torah).
Offering wood is also a sacrifice from which we are to receive little to no personal benefit. In other words, our free-will offerings are to benefit others. Here are some questions to ask during the unique days of wood offerings. What prevents or hinders our walk in YAH’s Way of Life? How do we keep the spiritual fire burning in our heart for others to see? What else can we give to Yah without expecting His blessings or favor? As we make wood offerings, may the answers to those questions help us heed this encouragement from our Messiah: (Matthew 5:14-16) Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it gives light to all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
Apostle Paul has a few more encouraging words for BYA in regards to our 2026 wood offerings: (Romans 12:1-2) I beseech you, therefore, by the mercies of Elohim, present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim, which is your reasonable service. Be not conformed to this world. But be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, acceptable and perfect, Will of Elohim.
In summary, wood offerings speak to our flesh. As YAH is a consuming fire, the benefit of giving allows us to get closer to YAH. For our fleshly minds and bodies separate us from YAH. Thus, the more wood (flesh) we give to be consumed, the closer our Spirit Man gets to YAH. Selah! Shalom, Elder Curt
Announcements
FirstFruits of Oil Friends and family of BYA are invited to celebrate our next Pentecost with an outdoor gathering on 9/8/26. Please join usfor a picnic to be held from 11:00 am until 6:00 pm at Marshbank Park (2805 Hiller Rd; West Bloomfield Twp).
Day of AtonementStarting at sunset on 9/26/26, BYA will refrain from water and food during a 24-hour fast thatends at sunset on 9/27/26 after our worship services. If you are unable to physically keep such a fast, please consider supporting us,spiritually.
Festival of TabernaclesBeginning 10/1/26, BYA will set-up our dwellings (tents) at 4181 East Mt. Morris Road.We close by celebratingthe Last Great Feast Day on 10/9/26. Please call 248.850.3480, if you need additional information regardingour off-site camp.
Thoughts for Meditation
Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist in the 17th century - “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”
Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642 astronomer) - “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”
Martin Luther - “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”