Yismach Yisrael

by Caroline Maas, 2 Kislev 5770  18 november 2009

G’ds desire
The Book of Isaiah chapter 56 gives comfort to the sons and daughters of Israel and to non-Jews. Even a eunuch is promised to receive a secure place and an everlasting name, as well as foreigners who have joined themselves to Adonai to obey and to love the name of the Eternal One. This by being his workers and to keep and observe his covenant and the shabbat. These servants are happy because they hold on to, keep and observe what pleases the Eternal One and what He desires. The Eternal One is gathering the lost ones and outcasts of Israel. He is still looking for more who are not anymore or not yet keeping his covenant and shabbat.

Lost
One of those stray sheep was me, who had ignorantly lost her shepherd. The Shepherd is looking for lost sheep. A little sheep that has been rejected by humans, is found and comforted by the Shepherd. Though I was raised with the commandments and in the fear of the Lord, I have broken the 4th commandment and more, for 33 years. I did not keep his covenant and the shabbat! Thoughtless I have sinned, by not keeping the shabbat but Sunday. But the Eternal One does indeed keep his covenant. He is faithful to his word and making haste to carry out his promise. He startled me, so that my life was turned upside down. But He offers help in my distress. Yeshua grants me forgiveness, clothes me with the ‘garments of salvation’ and teaches me how to walk in his ways that are truth and righteousness. And that is not all yet.

From Sunday to Shabbat
The Eternal One who has made his covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is longing for their descendants and all who join in, to keep his covenant and the Shabbat. If you make the change from Sunday to Shabbat, it makes you feel like taking a leap into deep water. Anything can happen. There are risks attached to this undertaking. An example of this is, that on shabbat, during worship, I often burst with joy and, in a manner of speaking, jump 3 feet in the air, because the Eternal One has stepped into the breach for me and is defending my cause! To others I may look silly, exuberant with joy, and boundless. One could ask how the other watches and what is really seen. What I am trying to say is that, when you return to the Eternal One, serve Him the way He desires to be served, He gives you vital strength and a lively spirit to worship Him. Then the Eternal One lights the fire of love in your heart which shines and sparkles and that still isn’t all yet.


For in Isaiah 56: 7 it is written:
“I will bring them up to my  holy mountain
And make them joyful in my house of prayer;
Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar;
For my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples!”

Rejoice Israel!
Being called, return to the Eternal One and his covenant and keeping shabbat is one thing. When the Eternal One makes you glad by kindling the fire of love in your heart is very special. However, it will be most special when the Eternal One brings everyone who keeps his covenant and observes the shabbat, to his holy mountain! That is something we still dream about.
Psalm 149 is an enthusiastic song of praise:

Sing to Adonai a new song,
His praise in the assembly of the faithful.
Let Israel rejoice in their maker,
Let Tziyon’s children take joy in their king.
Let them praise his name with dancing,
Make melody to him with tambourine and lyre;
For Adonai takes delight in his people,
He crowns the humble with salvation.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats,
But a two-edged sword in their hands.

This song Yismach Yisrael  is to be found in Hoej’dot nr. 246 or Zimrat Ha’arets nr. 47. The song is composed by Elisheva Shomron ©1982. A joyful dance with jumping, hopping, turning and clapping fits well with a joyful song. This dance is interchangeable, especially fit for music which is played and sung fast and enthusiastically.

HARMONICA                     

Speed        Medium       Abbreviations:
Rhythm      4/4               CW    Clockwise
Formation  Cirlce           CCW    CounterClockWise
Direction    CW             NHH   No Holding Hands
Level          Advanced    HH    Holding Hands
                             OTS    On The Spot
                             FWD   Forward
                            BWD   Backward

Counts    Part A
1 – 4        Mayim to the right (CCW) Start L over R in front
5 – 8         Face CCW step-hop on L (cnt 1-2) step-hop on R (cnt 3-4)
repeat 1 – 8 three more times

Counts    Part B    NHH
1 – 4    Harmonica to the right: start left. L crosses in front of R, placing weight on L R steps in place. L steps to left side, joining R. Hop on L, raising R slightly off the ground
Clap hands on count 1
5 – 8     Harmonica to the left. Reverse of above. R crosses in front of L, placing weight on R. L steps in place. R steps to the right side, joining L. Hop on R, raising L slightly off the ground
Clap hands on count. 5
1 – 4         Harmonica  to the right
5 – 8         Face CW step-hop on R (count 1-2), step-hop on L (count 3-4)
Repeat 1 – 16