(Merriam Webster) Main Entry: ¹mas·quer·-ade

Pronunciation: "mas-k&-'rAd
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French, from Old Italian dialect mascarada, from Old Italian maschera mask
1 a : a social gathering of persons wearing masks and often fantastic costumes b : a costume for wear at such a gathering
2 : an action or appearance that is mere disguise or show

This title might speak volumes to some...to other's, .who do not know what I am referring to.....I would like to share from my heart what YHWH has spoken to me.

Have you ever heard of a Masquerade party? The idea is to mask your face, it's a cover up of who you are. Some cover their entire faces, some just the eyes...but the gist of it is that one gets to hide behind a mask. You can then dress up and pretend to be who ever you choose. Many love attending such a "party", and sadly, many live out entire lives that way.

The main reason for the title YHWH gave me, is to reach out in love to my precious sisters in YHWH who are stuck behind such a mask.

A Messianic, Torah Observant Mask.

I do not share for those who are "all that" who have it "all together" Who have all the answers, and are so wise that they don't have this issue in their lives, nor in their congregations. Be certain before making up your mind, that you really know all those around you, for many, maybe even you...are hiding right now, behind such a mask.

Over the last 10 years, I have watched with joy as the Name YHWH has been broadcast from all corners of the world. More and more and more people are being drawn to what is termed "Hebraic Roots"

Each week congregations have praise reports of "new" brothers and sisters, who have left religions to follow after Yahushua, to walk in obedience to the Word of YHWH.

Due to the growing "demand" of "sheep", Shepherds and teachers are springing up everywhere too!

I rejoice to see YHWH calling out HIS people, drawing them out, two of a city, one of a field....a true fulfillment of HIS Word! HalleluYAH!!

So then, one might ask, what is the problem? What's this about a "mask"?

As the teachers have sprung up, so have the teachings and doctrines. The results? Yet another "religion" !

Religion kills. Only a life in Yahushua, a living, breathing relationship with the Most High YHWH....is what matters. There is only one way to YHWH, that being through Yahushua. Only through drinking LIVING water....can one's thirst be satiated.

YHWH has not been portrayed rightfully through many "teachings" of man. YHWH is love! Knowing that YHWH is love...that HE is merciful and just, would have one wonder why then today so many in the body are hurting so badly. Hurting so quietly!

As mail comes in, as I talk to sisters online, over the telephone...I see something that deeply troubles me, deeply concerns me. Agony. Shame. Defeat. Depression. Thoughts of worthlessness, thoughts of suicide even! All this not outside, but INSIDE the body!

Oh it is so easy to sit back all content and puffed up. It's easy to say, "why, these women simply don't have faith!" Or how about "Shame on them acting that way!" "How dare they put this on their children?" "What kind of mothers are these, what kind of sisters?"

Hmmm...possibly your sisters! Possibly your wives! Possibly you're own mother!

You wouldn't know, for they have all learned, yes each one of them, to don the mask...they all play their part in the Messianic Masquerade.

We have put the Torah before YHWH. Where there should be freedom in and through Yahushua, there have been heavy burdens, yokes, placed upon my sisters.

Those who wear the "Mask", all state that they "know" the Word of YHWH is truth. They all are filled with deep, deep shame, feeling like a bunch of hypocrites, for they dare not tell a soul the agony they walk in day by day.

Sound familiar? Maybe no body said that in word...maybe its all whispers in your mind.

True followers of YHWH, put on their tzitzits everyday, read Torah, and obey Torah to the letter. There is no room for any "flaws" in the body. Put on your head coverings, your long modest apparel, teach the children YHWH gave you, pour yourself into home school studies, give all of yourself to your family, your congregation, your neighbor. Don't let anything be left over, constantly fill your mind with business. Be "up" on your Torah studies. Be sure you obey just as you are being taught. Plan each day to the minute. Your prayer time, your study time, your husband time, your kitchen time, your children time, your housework time...more study time. Be a chef, a seamstress, a teacher, a sister, a councilor, the best wife any righteous husband should deserve! Be at every "meeting" called, with a smile. Have all the right words to say and be sure you know the Hebrew ones everyone is using so you appear intelligent! Never, at any cost, appear to be weak! You are to fulfil Proverbs 31 and excel in it! You cannot have pain, for Yahushua took it all at the stake. Don't try to express shortcomings of any kind...you will appear weak. You will be exposed for the hypocrite you are! You are the wife of the leader at the local fellowships? You are supposed! To have it all together!

Have I touched the tip of the iceberg yet?

Behind the masks that many of my sisters wear, is a heart that is laden with pain, a mind, that is confused, a broken wounded spirit. We have been so busy displaying our "knowledge", teaching our Torah classes, showing how righteous we are, that we cannot even fathom that any person in the body of Ha Moshiach could have any such "problems." If, and I say "if" any tiny bit should be brought out...the "problems" are over in a meeting, as hands are layed upon these "miserable, spirit bound" sister...and that's it,.,.its over, nothing more to talk about. Pull yourself together and agree you are healed, never to have such "issues" again. You cannot! You are a believer; you cannot have "problems" Put your mask back on quickly!

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Truth before YHWH is. Many of my sisters, your sisters, your wives, your daughters, your mothers, are wearing their "masks" faithfully. Admitting failure and defeat is so shameful; they would truthfully rather die a "sinner", knowing they are just hypocrites, choosing not to hurt YOU!

To those of my sisters...it's time to take off your masks now. For me? No. For any man or woman or child? No. For YHWH!

Psa 56:8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

YHWH knows your heart; no "masks" can hide who you are before HIM. HE has collected all your tears you have wept in shame, all the tears you have not permitted to slide down your cheeks, yes those ones that are bottled up inside your heart. Come, now is the time to come.

Come to the mercy seat, there is a place waiting for you. Abba, our Father, waits with open arms, to comfort you, to bring healing, to let you feel HIS love, that love you have been hiding from, for fear of exposing yourself

Fellowships, husbands, sisters, mothers, children....open the door wide open to let those who are weary, take their place before YHWH. To receive of HIS mercy, to receive help in time of trouble. Our religion has stopped them! Our vain teachings, our arrogance, our pride. "We the elite" don't have problems in our midst", that false mentality has got to go!

Beginning with us, admitting that we have fallen short before YHWH. That we have not made a place for the hurting because we refuse to admit sin, shame, pain..it would make us appear weak. Appear...human!

We need to clear a space in the front of our assemblies. The Scroll looks pretty, the Menorah is a beautiful touch, the music equipment is sure wonderful...but where is the place for someone to come forward....you know the spot before YHWH? The mercy seat?

Has the mercy seat become so cluttered with our teachings and outward adornment that there is no more place for anyone to come? Have we "sealed up" the tear in the veil...making YHWH to "holy" to approach"?

How many wives have had their husbands take them aside, to a quiet place, and asked them if everything was all right? Without fear of judgement and condemnation? How many have been asked if they need help in any area? Without fear of shame and ridicule?

Maybe it is the husband going through all of this. You know, the strong powerful man of YHWH who has it all together, and should never ever have problems?

We have become such a pride filled generation. We have all the answers! We have all the "cures"

After all...YHWH took "US" and showed us HIS Name, showed us HIS Sabbath, showed us, Torah! We study diligently, we find ourselves good Torah teachers.... We say all the right things, wear all the right clothes, speak a lot of Hebrew...we are the "true" followers! We we we we!

Who deceived us so badly? Who, or why have we been placed in such bondage again, that we do not know the compassion of Yahushua? Do we forget that the Word became flesh? Flesh that wept, that felt compassion, which loved like no man, has ever loved? We've are so busy! We are attempting to build YHWH's temple all over again. We have all sorts of laws, mitzvots, mikra's rabbi's and doctrines! We walk and talk Torah. We can spot someone who doesn't believe just like we teach is truth a mile away, and we'll shun them!

Here is a question.

When we stand before YHWH on the day of judgement, accountable for a soul who took their live rather than bringing what they believe is shame into the body, who would rather die day by day on the inside to "protect our name" than admit pain....what will we say? What will be our great excuse then?

When we want, yes desire, yes crave, even expect HIS mercy, when we have not been merciful, should not HE honor HIS Word, and give unto us, just as we have given to those in pain?

"Problems" should not be in the body. Post Partum Depression is a worldly term. Eating disorders are worldly problems. Depression is a spiritual problem found only in the world. Really?

I (personally) would not go to a doctor. I have learned the hard way....to trust YHWH as my healer, the ONLY Physician who doesn't treat the symptoms, but curses the ailments! How equipped are we "the body" are the "leaders"? How much discernment to we really have? How many signs are following "we" the strong believers? How many women, or men, or youth, are in such a loving compassionate fellowship that they wouldn't dream of hiding pain? How open is the body to receiving and seeing that these pains are much alive and real among us? How well are we "skilled at wielding the sword of the Word are we, that we would know how to share the truth in love and face these issues that are very real among us? It is the prayer of the righteous that avails much. How "righteous" are we? Where is our faith? Can these, who hurt among us, receive the seed of the Word of YHWH from our lips and hearts? Can that Word be watered...that YHWH might grant the increase? Is there enough compassion in our hearts to even want to know if this exists in any of those we love around us? Can "those" share without fear? Freely? No shame? No judgement, no contempt, no fear?

Stop the Masquerade! Remove the masks! Both the pious ones, and the ones hiding in pain! Let us be real, genuine people who love and care, and desire the fullness of the power of Ha Moshiach among us. The fullness of HIS anointing! May we STOP blocking those who so desperately need to hear...from hearing and receiving! May we stop passing judgements on all those around us, that those who suffer, can share without feeling the same lashing judgment upon themselves! In truth, if "we" cannot help, the important fact is....don't let OUR shortcomings, stop those who need the help from receiving it! Their bondage is because of the chains we have placed upon them!

Lev 19:14 Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy Elohim: I am YHWH.

:16 Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people: neither shalt thou stand against the blood of thy neighbour: I am YHWH

:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am YHWH.

It is interesting to note that Yahushua said:

Matt 11: 28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

How can those among us come to HIM, those laden with heavy burdens, when we are the ones stopping them?

There are multitudes in the body who have just come to know YHWH in a deeper more intimate way. They are just beginning to feel what it means to be "shunned" by your faith in Yahushua. That pain too is very real. Many of us have turned into Antichristianites. We are ready to take the sword from the hand of Peter, and begin slashing the Christians apart. Why? "Well!" they taught us falsehood! Possibly! But how much time have we spent on our knees seeking YHWH's pardon for placing someone equal to Him? It was we who readily accepted any teaching that came our way! And with very same "faith", the very same trust as those still teaching and leading in the Christian circles. My! Have we turned into the man Yahushua described? Who, after being pardoned much, turned to the one "owing" him, and had him flogged and imprisoned?

Our families grow up, hearing this talk from the pulpits....around the tables...and deep within shudder at the intense judgements being brought forth.

To admit to the ache inside, the love for those who have not yet been as "enlightened" as "we" are....is also shameful, for then we fall under the same judgements. So daughters who had grown up loving and honoring their parents, are cut off from families. Told those on the "outside" are "lost" Our children grow up cut off from families, listening to the harsh judgements being spewed forth from within the walls of our homes and assemblies...they know for they along with mothers and sisters have experienced the hidden pain found inside the walls of our homes.

Many sisters had no one in their life to show them what a righteous mother is, what a righteous daughter is. What are the duties of a scriptural wife and mother?

While talking recently with a precious brother in Ha Moshiach, he said something simple yet profound.

"If a man needs to inform his wife that he is the head....something has already gone wrong."

What is being one in YHWH all about? What is real submission? What is a real head? Is that not one that has a wife being one with him in spirit? Truly Echad in YHWH?

Many wearing masks have been sexually and/or physically, and/or emotionally abused as a child. Their minds can grasp that through Yahushua all pain and suffering can be removed. They understand too that as we forgive, so we are forgiven. But what to do with that abused heart? The one that trust was removed from? Does simply being a member in good standing of a fellowship heal those hearts?

The feelings of shame and self-worthlessness grow larger and larger on the inside, and one by one, my sisters begin to die as it were, on the inside. You won't know on the outside, for there is a role to play as a believer's wife, sister, or mother.

What just what is it that we can say to all those trapped behind a mask? Have we maybe already said too much? Judged too much?

Where does healing come in? How equipped are the leaders to face this and deal with this very real issue according to the Word of YHWH? How many really could reach out with the very same compassion as Yahushua? How many know how to approach these pains without judgement? How many men even know the hearts of these sisters? How many of them know that these women would rather die carrying these loads than admit " shortcomings"

How many can reach them without being sent? How can they go without someone sending them?

We think we have it so "together" today. In our scheduled assemblies, where we are on "top" of every law....is there room for this one?

Eph 3:19 And to know the love of Messiah, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of Elohim?.

For some within the body the masks are donned because they are living in unhappy marriages. That is not a shame! That is nothing to be hidden! I know that looking out to "other" families, they seem to have it all together. Well they might! However the key to overcoming is not through day after day in tears and sorrow. There is help! YHWH is the one who has given HIS desire in our hearts to have a joyful fruitful home. As a body, are we open enough to embrace those among us who want help, but have been hiding because they believe "we" will shake our heads at them and tell them the pain is their own fault? What are we doing to bring in healing? Some sisters have confided that they don't know what to do when their unbelieving spouses desire them to "perform" shameful deeds with their bodies. They don't want to leave the relationships, yet they "feel" that this is something they cannot share because of the shame involved. So, they stay "hidden". It's time for that to be faced! The pain is genuine, the shame is genuine! Oh YHWH may the healing begin in these homes! Oh my YOU raise up mightly leaders to council families such as these!

Oh may these sisters and brothers be set free in the joyous liberty YOU have provided through Yahushua!

There are families in the body who put on a happy face, not knowing how to share the pain in their hearts over children who are not walking according to the Word.

From sharing with many youth who are walking this way, I am saddened at the reasons some of them share. They have grown up listening to constant bickering in the body. They have heard in the home, in homes of their brethren, in their fellowships, how judgmental the body has become. What "legacy" have we left for them? Where is the joy in living for YHWH? Many of us have tried to "kill" their dreams, wanting our youth to live out "our" desires. They don't know how to express uncertainty...and so, they run. Some share how they feel like "hypocrites" because what their parents believe is not understood in their hearts. They say things like " but how do I know it's the truth of YHWH...my parents think so, but my grandparents don't! My friends don't. How do I get "my" faith? They are confused. They have watched misery inside our walls, and know that is something they do not wish to pass on should they get married. How often do we get together as a family, or as a body...and be open before YHWH about our weaknesses and shortcomings? To pray for our youth? How often do we encourage those among us who have youth who are walking the path of the prodigal? Each one of us were that prodigal! Abba in his mercy redirected our path..oh let us hold up our young ones in prayer, oh may we show them a home filled with love!

Beloved in YHWH I enjoin you to open your hearts, open your homes, open the fellowships you are in that healing through Yahushua might begin! We have shared that we all should open our hearts. Yet...

How can one open their heart to Yahushua when one is a stranger to YHWH? Only know to access HIM through outward obedience?

Why don't we all lay down our "Masks"! Let us be real, yes genuine believers. Showing that we are all humans, with different struggles in the flesh. Some have overcome, may they be used mightily of YHWH to share with others, to comfort others with the love they have been comforted with.

Let us not be so high and mighty and proud! Pride is NOT of YHWH!

There are none perfect...rather, we the children of YHWH, need each out to HIM. Let us take our bruised hearts, our broken hearts, let us begin in sincere love to hold up one another, to share in love, not condemnation! May we be used mightily of YHWH in this "last hour" of the ages to walk in truth and love. To freely open our homes to those in the body who are in need. May we lift up the elders, and pastors and leaders among us in prayer. May YHWH grant them discernment, to see what has been hidden all this time. May we rise up as Mighty Warriors, and bind those deeds of darkness, may we be open to hear where those who are in need of an ear need to share.

May Abba grant forgivness to those of us who knowingly or unknowingly presented ourselves as cold and unreachable. For those of you reading, please forgive me for any ways in which I made myself appear so pious and "altogether". I love you, and only through the mercy of YHWH who set me free from a past of chains and darkness, a past of shame and abuse...can I even begin to fathom the pain you have been trapped in. May your healing begin today!!

Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Messiah hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Let us all draw nigh to YHWH!

Jam 4:8 Draw nigh to Elohim, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

May the fulfilment of Matt 11:28 become realtity in our homes and fellowships!

Mat 11:28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest

In closing, I would like to share one last thing YHWH has shown to me and then also confirmed through another brother.

1Co 11:23 For I have received of the Master that which also I delivered unto you, That the Master Yahushua the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:

1Co 11:24 And when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.

1Co 11:25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.

26 For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Messiah's death till he come.

27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Master, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Master.

28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Master's body.

31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Master, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened bread are soon to come, HalleluYAH!

For years, verse 30 has been reality among us. Many are weak and sickly among us!

The celebration, the partaking of the Passover is NOT something any one of us should partake in lightly. When I read the words, I stand in awe of YHWH, I plead the blood of Yahushua, and I pray that through HIM I might be found worthy to partake. There is DAMNATION to those who eat and drink unworthily.! That is serious, VERY serious!

None of us on our own are worthy enough to drink. If we were, we wouldn't need to partake! It is the "Manner" in which we partake...do we do so worthily? When we do...our heart, our flesh, all of us, our soul cries out to YHWH! Such grief and sorrow over sin! Not one fiber of our body is worthy...and to come face to face with the knowledge and remembrance that the BLOOD of Yahushua has made us worthy to partake is deeply humbling, shaking the core of who we are...understanding not ONE thing we ever did in life has made us worthy....for should we think that, should we think piously that "OUR" Torah observance, makes us worthy to "keep this part of Torah", should we entertain that thought for even a moment, it is a lie! That would make us partaking unworthily! It is ONLY and ever only about Yahushua! We NEED this! Oh before YHWH may not one of us drink or eat damnation to ourselves! To just partake out of custom, out of tradition, out of just a legal observance of a command! Oh let us not keep this Feast as one of our works unto YHWH! We don't overcome through our works, through our torah observance, through our clothes and our Hebrew skills!

We can ONLY...every single one of us, overcome by the BLOOD OF THE LAMB, YAHUSHUA! Our ONLY covering is NOT to be a mask, our ONLY covering needs to be....the blood of Yahushua!

My prayer this year is for each one of us, that we come to know the power of the Passover, namely Yahushua and HIM crucified!

It is only the cup of the New Covenant, or renewed covenant, when it is done and understood and believed to be , the New covenant IN HIS BLOOD. May we all repent before YHWH for making attempting to make a way through the flesh, for observing this awesome feast through "our way" "our interpretation" Our pious observance.

There is a reminder for all of us...

1Co 11:28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.

1Co 11:29 For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Master's body.

Let us start with "SELF" examination...then let us see if we are the cause for those among us...to be in hiding, for fear of their secret pain to be exposed...causing them to feel unworthy. Let us be used mightily of YHWH to see, it is NOT what we did or didn't do...that brought worthiness, but rather ONLY the blood of Yahushua....let us rightfully discern HIS body!

To my sisters who are reading this, those of you who feel trapped in pain...who have been hiding...I ask you to search your heart before YHWH. HE knows every single tear you have shed, he knows the tears you weep deep inside your heart where you think no one sees. It is FOR those tears too that Yahushua died! We need healing to begin in the body, to drink worthily...believing and accepting that HE knows our lives, our intimate thoughts, our hidden sin is ever before HIM! Oh let us reach out with trembling, and partake this year with the understood need for the blood of Yahushua, The need for redemption and restoration! HIS perfect sacrifice, when HE cried out...IT IS FINISHED....let those words echo deep in your soul. Let these attacks in your hearts, these pains, these sins....let them come face to face with the BLOOD of the Lamb! Let HIM remove these pains as we each come forward and confess. Let those among us be ready to hold and comfort each one of them, not judging their pain, but rather carrying one anothers burdens that are so real inside of us. Let us this year, experience the power of Passover! The blood of the Lamb Yahushua. In so doing....

The weak and sickly will receive the healing offered to them through the Blood of the new covenant.

May not one of us put on the "torah" as a mask....rather, may we each come to embrace the truth, that Yahushua is the Living Word, through whom living waters of life are springing forth, waters of healing! HalleluYAH!

Remember, focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on YHWH. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores YHWH, ends up thinking more about self than YHWH!

I love you all in Yahushua!

Sister Tamar

Feel free to email me with questions or comments thewendells@centurytel.net