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We are coming very close now to the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, and what is often called the ‘birth of our nation.” We’ve already seen spectacles like UFC fights and World Cup soccer events — and will no doubt see more jets and fireworks — but those are pale substitutes, and even smokescreens, for the Real Questions:

Does that nation even still exist? And – especially if NOT, which seems to be the more supportable answer – do we know WHY?

News and commentary for Thursday, 18 June, 2026.

News and commentary for Wednesday, 17 June, 2026.

News and commentary for Tuesday, 16 June, 2026.

News and commentary for Monday, 15 June, 2026.

“The War is [almost] over.” Yeah, we’ve heard it before. We’re hearing it again. Perhaps even from additional sources. Fer sure, take it with a grain of salt.

But there’s more, on other fronts…

This teaching series is based on the tradition of “Shabbat Shuva,” or the “Shabbat of Return,” which falls between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur (the Day of Trumpets and the Day of Atonement). The text for this tradition is Hoshea (Hosea) chapter 14, which begins, “O Yisra’el, return to Yahweh your Elohim…”

After having gone through the Spring Feasts – Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Shavuot, which are types and shadows of the Hebrews’ exodus from Egypt and journey to Mt. Sinai, have you maintained a faithful, straight walk in Torah? Or have you gotten “off the path” a little or a lot? Do you sense a call to return to the path, to Yahweh?

• What is meant by “crookedness”? What does crookedness cause you to do?

• Regarding the call to return – return to what?

From there, Rabbi Berkson takes us into Leviticus 26 to examine the reasons for returning to the Covenant. In Leviticus chapter 26, the blessings and curses associated with Yahweh’s Covenant with His people are listed.

• How will you be able to walk in Covenant with the Creator?

From Leviticus, we go to Deuteronomy 4:25, where we see that Yahweh has an issue with His people and their idol worship. How can we relate to them today regarding ‘idol worship’? Rabbi Berkson then takes us to Deuteronomy chapter 30 to show us one of Moses’ final exhortations to the people as they are about to cross over into the Promised Land. Interestingly, Yahweh, through Moses, told the people that in their future they would stray from the path they were supposed to walk and be taken from the Land by their enemies, but as they were living in a foreign land, their hearts would turn back to Yahweh, and they would return once again to possess and live in their Promised Land.

• In this chapter, we see the phrase, “circumcise your heart” – what does that mean? Isn’t that just a “New Testament” concept? What is it doing left of Matthew?

And then we are taken to Romans chapter 10, where Rabbi Berkson points out that the apostle Paul is clearly writing about Torah observance and, indeed, substitutes the word ‘Messiah’ for the word ‘Torah’ as he quotes Moses in Deuteronomy chapter 30.

• What does Romans 10:4 really mean?

• What is “the righteousness of belief”?

• What is “the good news of the good”?

• Was there “Good News” before the New Testament?

Verse-by-verse and step-by-step, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us on a journey of discovery and learning how to covenant with our Creator and Father, which, from time to time, requires us to turn around and return to His Word so that we can have a sure entrance into His Kingdom.

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Good news! Transcripts of Heaven Shaking the Bear are still coming thanks to a volunteer.

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There is a Heaven Shaking the Bear playlist to make it easier to find the videos. Click if you missed past livestreams: Heaven is Shaking the Bear Playlist

The Shabbat livestream is the next installment of Heaven Shaking the Persian Bear. We’ll take a final look at another Bear kings of the East drawn into the river as well as the cost of the repairs needed to break the walls of the beast kingdoms.

Please join us.

Shabbat Shalom!

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Parsha ‘Beha-alotecha’ ends with what Mark Call of Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship has often described as “the Whining.” Which is followed by ‘the Lusting.’ And a lot of people who end up dead as a result. And that leads directly into parsha “Shalach Lekha,” where the words mean “send out men.” It is the story of the infamous “spies” — including Joshua and Caleb — and is also what Mark calls the “first recorded VOTE in history.”

And Joshua and Caleb LOST it, 10-2. But, much like ‘votes’ today, the only people that REALLY lost were those who participated. Their “bodies fell in the wilderness,” ultimately, as they were promised.

The Erev Shabbat reading of the entire ‘parsha-plus’ clarifies that connection:

Did EVERY single man over the age of 20 die in the wilderness because they went along with the “evil report” of those ten spies? Scripture makes it clear that they did. But, other than Joshua and Caleb, weren’t there ANY men above ‘voting age’ that simply didn’t participate with that infamous ‘first vote’? Would God really do that?

But it turns out the pattern, and the progression, are clear. First they “murmured,” but perhaps “whined” really is what it would probably be termed today. Then they lusted, and got quail. A LOT of it. And probably wished they hadn’t. But Scripture told us the complaining, and worse, was widespread – but did not use the word “all.” Even if it may have been the vast majority.

UNTIL that ‘first recorded vote.’ After which, it says clearly, and repeatedly, “ALL” of ’em. And Joshua and Caleb admonished ALL of ’em, too. And then ALL of them tried to kill them both.

After which “ALL” of them got what they deserved. Or had earned. But it may not have been the very first time after all.

Shabbat Shalom Mesa fellowship worship services and teachings are broadcast live every Sabbath, via Paltalk. (www.paltalk.com has both the link, and the app.) The “room name” is “Walking Torah with Shabbat Shalom Mesa,” and can be found via the paltalk search, then bookmarked.

Erev Shabbat services begin at 7:00 PM Mountain Time Friday evenings (9 PM Eastern, 8 PM Central)

Live Sabbath teachings begin shortly after 11 AM Mountain time on Sabbath day (Saturday).

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The combined two-part reading and Sabbath midrash:

Host Mark Call takes a look back at some of the major news stories of the week ending 13 June, 2026.

Last week, the question was, “Just how much MORE are Americans going to put up with?” But this week we saw what may have been one of the ‘final straws’ – at least until it is violently suppressed! – in Ireland, where yet another violent attack by Islamic invaders seems to have finally pushed too many people too far.

While in the US, the Biggest of the Big Liars just keep doubling down. But it’s impossible to ‘un-see’.

David Justice and Mark Call discuss the news of the week, where it seems that the promise of things hidden being revealed is not only well underway, but so is the long-awaited reaction.

But it had better be done right.