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God's Appointed Customs: A Messianic Jewish Guide to the Biblical Lifecycle and Lifestyle

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Explains how biblical customs are often the missing key to unlocking the depths of Scripture. Companion to God’s Appointed Times

170 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 1941

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About the author

Barney Kasdan

6 books6 followers
Barney Kasdan is leader of Kehilat Ariel, a thriving Messianic congregation located in San Diego. He holds degrees from Biola University (B.A.) and Talbot Theological Seminar (M.Div.). He also completed a year of post-graduate study at the University of Judaism in Los Angeles. Mr. Kasdan is the author if the popular book God’s Appointed Times.

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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer Fertig.
86 reviews19 followers
May 24, 2017
What Barney Kasdan has done here is a gift to all Jewish and Gentile believers in Yeshua. A gift that draws you into the heart of God.
This is a book of "biblical" customs. "This means that these traditions are not only enriching to Jews, but that any Bible-believer can be blessed by an understanding of biblical culture."
Each chapter (a custom appointed by God) gives the historical background (scripture references), the traditional Jewish observance, relevance to the New Testament, and a practical guide to the Messianic observance of the custom. So well laid out. I will go back to this one as a great reference and reminder.
For those who are believers in Jesus as Messiah, this is a must-read.
Blessed art Thou, O Lord our God, King of the universe who has sanctified us by his commandments.

157 reviews
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June 4, 2021
Judaism has always been a faith filled with liturgy, ritual and custom. In this companion volume to God’s Appointed Times, Barney Kasdan, head rabbi of Kehilat Ariel Messianic congregation in San Diego, explains the Biblical background and meaning of eleven different, distinctive customs and shows how both traditional and Messianic Jewish believers (and Gentile believers as well, if they so desire) can integrate them into their lifestyle and lifecycle. These include circumcision, redemption of the firstborn, Bar/Bat Mitzvah, the Jewish wedding, death and mourning, the Mezuzah, Kosher dietary laws, ritual water immersion, prayer shawls and fringes, headcoverings (kippah or yarmulke), and the phylacteries.

The author stresses that Jews who accept Yeshua as Messiah do not cease to be Jews, but instead gain a deeper level of meaning and understanding of the festivals, customs and rituals they have observed throughout their lives. Gentile believers, too, may gain a greater appreciation of the historic Jewish roots of their Christian faith. While rabbi Kasdan does not suggest that the Gentiles are obligated to follow Jewish custom (this was a hotly debated issue in the First Century, discussed at length in the Pauline epistles), he does declare that following Jewish custom, in whatever way they are led to do, will strengthen, deepen and add new levels of meaning to their faith.

A short bibliography of both Jewish and Christian sources is included for those wishing to study in greater depth.

**** review by Chuck Graham ****
6 reviews1 follower
August 6, 2022
As as Gentile believer in Messiah, this book was helpful in explaining to me Jewish customs, commands, and traditions, both ancient and current. Author Barney Kasdan seems like the type of genuine, likeable, and devoted man of God that I would like to sit down and have tea with to discuss these things further. Barney did a good job of reminding the reader to remember the mindset of worship behind all the traditions and customs, and to be wary of using them to serve self rather than God.
Profile Image for Staci.
4 reviews
February 6, 2011
Explains how the Biblical feasts are for ALL God's people, not just "the Jews" and how Christians are commanded to celebrate these feasts & why. Great read. Not too heavy.
Profile Image for Summer Hurst.
127 reviews3 followers
January 7, 2019
Customs

Not as great as God’s appointed Times but still a good read good information you will learn from it I am sure
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews

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