Messianic Torah Observant Israel

Some of the topics covered are:• What is “Spiritual Slaughter”? (1 Peter 2:5)• Kidney testing?• Letting go and becoming as a newborn babe• Why was the YouTube Chat shut down?• Ideas for teachings that are coming soon• Triggering your trauma?… and much more!Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please click on the "LIKE" button if this podcast has been a blessing to you.For more inf

How does your behavior relate to Darkness and Light? This is the theme as Rabbi Steve Berkson takes you into 1 Peter chapter two, the letter from Peter to the “Strangers of the Dispersion.”• Who are these “Strangers of the Dispersion”? (1 Peter 1:1-2)• What did the apostle mean when he called them, “set apart by the Spirit unto obedience”, and “newborn babes”?• What is the “unadulterated milk of the Word by which we grow”? Does this imply that there is also “adulterated” milk of the Word that can stunt your growth?• What does it look like to become “as a newborn babe”?In 1 Peter 2:9-10, is the writer saying that we have already become these things? Rabbi Berkson clarifies this passage, because sadly, some readers could, and do, interpret it incorrectly.• Do you really, fully care what is acceptable to the Creator? (1 Peter 2:5)• How do the Gentiles come into the Covenant, into Light?Once again, Rabbi Steve Berkson delves deeper into scripture to uncover even more dimensions of Darkness and Light.Don't miss ou

Some of the topics covered are:• Learning how to respond and not react to people or situations• Love Languages• Opinion Poll or counsel – dealing with leadership• Why doesn’t MTOI have a Statement of Faith on their website?• My emotional state is my choice?!• Don’t push the button!• How do I know if I’m holding my leadership in “the highest regard”?… and much more!Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to po

• Is there anything bad or wrong about eschatology or being concerned about the end time?• What does the concern about the end time have to do with darkness and light?As we read what the apostle Shaul, or Paul, wrote to the congregation of Messianic believers in his letter to the Thessalonians, in chapter five, Rabbi Steve Berkson points out that Shaul was doing some damage control regarding the erroneous teaching about the return of Messiah even back then. • What was the prayer Rabbi Berkson prayed when it came to teaching about the end time?• How does one “prepare” for the return of Messiah?As this teaching was done during the 2020 election year, Rabbi Berkson imparts wisdom about what our mindset should be toward our nation’s politics and Elohim’s role in them.• Does being drunk only pertain to alcohol? What does being sober look like?Moving on into Thessalonians chapter five, we read as the apostle gives direction as to how the believers should be living their lives as they look forward to Messiah’s retur

Some of the topics covered are:• Managing the chaos of life• What is it that needs to be “restored” in Heaven?• Who’s mind is in you? By who or what are you influenced?• Are apostles and prophets for today?• Was the Law/Torah nailed to the cross?… and much more!Related Teachings can be found here:• INfocus: You’re Still Wrong https://youtu.be/V9SU20AM5B8• Discovering Your Identity https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HOA0P9oX9sYCl1svmfxY2AfKCmf8H4• INfocus: A Thought About Psalm 119 https://youtu.be/fkSxvsVXMkE• The Armor of Elohim https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HOA0P9oX8dWvXnu5lScQDt1YW2soUBAfterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for

In the 1970’s the singer Bob Dylan sang “you gotta serve somebody.” He pretty much echoed the words from the Bible which has the same message from cover to cover and it’s your choice as to whom you will serve. In this teaching, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us to another of the apostle Paul’s writings, known as the Book of Colossians. Beginning in chapter one, Paul addresses his letter to the “set-apart ones”, and “true brothers in Messiah.” From that greeting Rabbi Berkson has the context for the instruction that follows and the key text that deals with Darkness & Light.• Is there a wrong way to seek the favor of Elohim?• What is it we are to be filled with and how are we to walk in this life?• Does darkness have authority in the earth?• How does Christianity use verses 12 and 13 to promote the idea of “once saved, always saved”?• What was the purpose of the blood of Messiah that we see in verse 20?• Do you know what a “Rap Sheet” is? Did you know that we all had one?• What was it in Colossians 2:14 that was

Some of the topics covered are:• Grieving the Set-Apart (Holy) Spirit• Don’t let the sun go down on your anger…• How do I identify those of the Five-Fold Ministry that I should follow?• Can the roles in Ephesians 4:11 be filled by men and women?… and much more!Related Teachings can be found here:• INfocus: What About Jewish Traditions?Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please cl

Continuing the theme of how Darkness and Light relate to the authority structure of the Body of Messiah, Rabbi Steve Berkson starts this episode in Ephesians chapter four. At the beginning of this chapter the apostle Paul calls himself a “prisoner of the Master.” Rabbi Berkson stops at this to slow down and look at why Paul would refer to himself in that way.In the same verse Paul uses the phrase, “to walk worthily of the calling with which you were called.” Rabbi Berkson points out that this could be unsettling to some in other “faith-based” groups who believe once saved-always saved, and that there’s nothing else to do or add to the “work of Messiah.” So, why is worthiness brought into the conversation here?Yahweh has a vision of how his creation should work. Paul understood this as he penned his letters to the assemblies and referred to himself as a “prisoner.” Rabbi Berkson goes into length and depth about the problem with how some groups have taken on Yah’s vision and either co-opted or usurped the visio

Some of the topics covered are:• What things does one look for when finding and deciding on their teacher?• Rabbi’s instruction on posting in social media and how we should interact with each other• If you were in my situation, what would you do? • How does one “grieve the Holy Spirit”?• Was Messiah Yeshua a sacrifice or an offering?• Where in scripture does it say we should have only one teacher?… and much more!Related Teachings can be found here:• INfocus: Women Wearing Tzitzit? https://youtu.be/i8y_y6lNhiI• Making Decisions…the reason you exist https://youtu.be/9RfUrlBAVWw• INFOCUS: That’s Not Submission https://youtu.be/a73Wn6jCz_E• Beware False Prophets https://youtu.be/h3k6TXmzRe4• Are You Saved? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HOA0P9oX-XDS4JdFkY0WuOGluQm7_YAfterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense t

What does it mean to be in darkness? How does one know if they are in light?Rabbi Steve Berkson continues in the topic of Darkness & Light and how it relates to submission; in darkness being under no authority or wrong authority, and in light being under Yah’s authority.First we are taken to the letter to the Romans, chapter 2, verse 17 as we see the apostle Paul call out his brothers for being hypocrites in their role as “guides to the blind” – the blind as in referring to darkness – and a light to those in darkness. • Why did Paul have to come down on his brothers in the Jewish faith? • What was it that made them out to be hypocrites according to Paul?In this section Rabbi Berkson unpacks the meaning of circumcision and uncircumcision as Paul uses those terms when referring to the different groups of people.• If Paul was against torah-observance, as some would say, why did he say what he did in Romans 2:27?• What is one thing that living out Torah does for others?Moving from there to another letter from

Some of the topics covered are:• Why are there going to be people who are “weeping and gnashing their teeth”?• What verse in John 12 could be advocating for suicide? Why or why not?• When confronted with trials/testing, do you pray to be taken out or go through?• Why do we battle with depression, anxiety, bad behavior, etc.?• Boy, I did a lot of dumb things in my life! What can I learn from that?… and much more!Related Teachings can be found here:• The Millennium and the Kingdom https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HOA0P9oX9UNbkpvbCaWQXijbyGCLVK• Do You Know the Father and the Son? https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLf9HOA0P9oX85eE0WcFyzM6xquyz7r_RCAfterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berk

In this episode of Darkness & Light, Rabbi Steve Berkson continues in the Gospel of John, the twelfth chapter, where “certain Greeks” wanted to see Yeshua.• Who were these “Greeks”? What did they want with Yeshua?From this event Rabbi Berkson makes the point that Messiah Yeshua was beginning to draw those of the nations (Gentiles) to Himself, fulfilling the purpose for which He was sent.• In what way do we serve Messiah Yeshua, according to Him?• Do you love your life in this world more than wholly following Yeshua?Yeshua also made the statement, “the ruler of this world shall be cast out.” • Who is “the ruler of this world”?• Who needs to be dethroned and cast out?• If Yeshua is Messiah, why did He have to die? Who is this “Son of Adam” Yeshua referred to Himself as?• If one rejects Messiah Yeshua and does not receive His words, what will judge him/her in the last day? What are His words?Then, Rabbi Steve takes us to the apostle Paul’s testimony of his journey from darkness into light in Acts chapter 26.

Some of the topics covered are:• How can we understand the entity we know of as Elohim?• Is there such a thing as “Predestination”?• What does the term “called and chosen” mean?• Messiah Yeshua is still the Light of the World, right?• Like a baby in the womb, can there be protection in darkness?… and much more!Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please click on the "LIKE" button

As he starts this episode in the Gospel of John chapter 1, verse 1, Rabbi Steve Berkson enlightens us with an interesting observation about Messiah Yeshua and the relationship that he has with his Father. This observation flies in the face of any other doctrine that is out there regarding “oneness”, or the “Trinity”, etc.• What role did Messiah Yeshua have in the creation account?• In what way does John 1 parallel Genesis 1?In John chapter 1 we are introduced to another John who would be known as “John the Immerser”, or “John the Baptist.”• Was there a clash between the two ministries, John and Yeshua?• How else was John known to the people–how did they regard him?• What was his role in the entrance of Messiah into the world?In verse 12 it says, “to those believing in His Name”, Rabbi Berkson clarifies the understanding that although the name of Yeshua is important, the message conveyed here is not so much the name as is the “authority” behind the name. Being in the state of “darkness” places one under no aut

Some of the topics covered are:• My Bible translation has problems?!• How do I open my eyes and ears to Yah’s word?• What is the “Acceptable Year of Yah”?• Can I break bread with them?• Is Messiah Yeshua against the Talmud?… and much more!Related Teachings can be found here:• Do You Know the Father and the Son? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z1kbbHXKq6I&list=PLf9HOA0P9oX85eE0WcFyzM6xquyz7r_RCAfterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings

Diving right in to this teaching, Rabbi Steve Berkson starts us in Matthew 15:1 where we see the Scribes and Pharisees confronting Yeshua about how his disciples did not observe one of the “traditions of the elders”–the ceremonial washing of hands before eating food.• For what purpose did the religious authority of the First Century continually confront Yeshua?• What did the Pharisees do that Yeshua took issue with them about?• Are “traditions” bad and not to be observed at all?• What could Yeshua have done that would have completely destroyed his ministry?• What does the phrase, “blind leading the blind” mean?• What does the true ‘discipleship model’ look like?Rabbi Berkson then takes us to the passage in Isaiah 29:13-24 that Yeshua directly quoted when confronting the Scribes and Pharisees about elevating man-made traditions to the level of Torah, eclipsing actual Torah. In this passage Rabbi Berkson expands on the issue of Light vs. Dark being spoken of by the prophet. He also shares a conversation he had

Some of the topics covered are:• How do we balance Matthew 6:31, “Take no thought…” with how we interact with the environment, climate change and using the Earth’s resources responsibly?• Walking in darkness, but thinking you’re walking in the Light• What are you willing to do to get where Yah wants you to be?• How can we know we’re not engaged in Trivial Pursuits?• Husbands and wives providing emotional support for each other?… and much more!Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching t

After a brief refreshing of the last four parts Rabbi Steve Berkson continues in Matthew 6:24, making the point that there are those who would start a teaching at this verse. He states that when other teachers skip ahead in this chapter some of the meaning of what Yehsua was getting across to his followers would be lost without the context of the previous twenty-three verses.Matthew 6:24 states a basic relational principle–that you cannot serve two masters. In this situation, as Rabbi Steve points out, it’s a question of who are you trying to please or impress, man or Elohim? If you try to please both you will become frustrated, ending up pleasing nobody because of how diametrically opposed each party is from the other. Yeshua is making the point that it is impossible.Then, moving into verses 25-34 Rabbi Berkson begins a section on something that all of us can succumb to – worry. Yet, Yeshua assures and comforts us with the knowledge that we are the most important to our Father in all of his creation.Connecti

Some of the topics covered are:• What does it really mean to “honor your parents”?• What are miracles for?• How husbands and wives should relate struggles with each other• How to help someone without enabling to be codependent• Forgiveness… and much more!Afterburn: also known in the world of fitness as the “afterburn effect”, simply put; The more intense the exercise, the more oxygen your body consumes afterward. The same could be true as you build up your spiritual self. After an intense teaching session, you need answers as more thoughts and questions consume you in your spiritual growth.Rabbi Steve Berkson, director of MTOI, provides an opportunity for the Afterburn to take place by additional thoughts and insight about what he just taught as well as answering questions from the local congregation and those watching the live stream.Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please click on the "LIKE" button if this teaching has been a blessing to you.For more info

As he finishes the Tanakh portion of Darkness & Light, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes you to Proverbs 6:20-25 and makes the comparison of parental instruction and instruction from the Eternal Father. The way the author worded phrases in Proverbs was as a father talking to his son, but should be interpreted for you today as your heavenly Father talking to you. Rabbi Berkson also points out that the Torah not only functions as a light instructionally, but it also has a nurturing aspect as would a mother’s role in giving instruction to her children, giving comfort and encouragement.What is meant by a “flattering tongue”?How many different ways can you attach the Torah to yourself?How is “deep” darkness defined?Moving into the Brit Chadasha (New Testament), Rabbi Berkson expounds Matthew 4:13-17 as this passage includes a quote from Isaiah as a Messianic proof of Yeshua being the light. The people who were living in that area at that time were sitting in gloom and darkness, not only under the oppression of Rome, b