What Is a Blessing? Plus: Anti-Israel Chants, Abbas Takes Sides, and Bentching (#200)

🎙️ Episode Title: "What Is a Blessing? And Why It Matters Now More Than Ever"

In This Episode of The Jew and Gentile Podcast… Chris and Steve dive into the rich biblical concept of blessing—what it is, who gets it, where it comes from, and how long it lasts. But first, they cover two critical topics that shouldn’t be missed:

🔥 This Week’s Highlights: 📖 1. FOI Equip Class – Finding Messiah in Unexpected Places

Dr. Michael Rydelnik is back! His teaching is leaving us kvelling:

• Last week: David’s Last Words (2 Samuel 23)
• This week: Joel 2

Discover Messiah in places you may have never looked before. This is foundational teaching to help you see Jesus throughout the Hebrew Scriptures.

🗓️ June 5 & 12 🔗 Register at: foiequip.org

🚨 2. Recognizing Dangerous Chants

Don’t be fooled by feel-good slogans. Here’s what protesters are really saying:

• “From the river to the sea” – Erasure of Israel.
• “Resistance by any means” – Justifies Hamas terrorism.
• “Globalize the intifada” – Incites global violence against Israel and supporters.
• “Khaybar Khaybar ya Yahud” – References the 7th-century massacre of Jews.

Words matter. Know what they mean.

✨ Main Topic: The Power and Source of Blessing

• Definition of Blessing:
  • English: Something that brings happiness or welfare.
  • Hebrew:
    • Barak – to praise or kneel.
    • Bracha – benediction (spoken over meals, people, and moments).
    • Esher (אשר) – happiness or "blessedness" (Psalm 1).
  • Greek:
    • Makarios – blessed, fortunate (Matthew 5).
    • Eulogeō – to bless or speak well of (eulogy).
• Where Does It Come From?
  • God is the source of all blessing (Gen. 1:22, 1:28, 12:1–3).
  • God instructs us to bless others (Numbers 6:23–26 – the Priestly Blessing).
• Who Gets It?
  • All of God’s creation.
  • Psalm 146:5 – “Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob…”
• How Long Does It Last?
  • As long as we respond in worship and trust.
  • ✡️ Aleinu prayer reminder – video worth watching!
    • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMdeZDI2SG0

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💬 Oy, look at Steve’s punim!

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📚 FOI Resources & Ways to Get Involved

• Free 1-Year Trial – Israel My Glory Magazine: israelmyglory.org/subscribe
• Get Involved with FOI’s global outreach: foi.org/outreach
• 📘 Books:
  • Chris Katulka’s Israel Always: foi.org/israelalways
  • Steve Herzig’s Jewish Culture & Customs: foi.org/jcc
• 📖 Devotionals:
  • messiahinpassover.org
  • christmasisjewish.org
• 📰 News & Commentary:
  • Harbingers Daily

🗣️ Yiddish Word of the Day:

Bentching (sounds like “benching”) – a blessing, especially the one recited after meals.