FREEDOM FROM THE CYCLE OF DECEPTION
From the cowardice that shrinks from new truth, from the laziness that is content with half-truth, from the arrogance that thinks it knows all truth, O G-d of Truth, deliver us. (Source: An ancient Jewish prayer)
You have discovered "cracks" in the armor of what you once thought was spiritual truth. You have embarked on a journey that has presented you with many challenges, many dilemmas, many choices and many personal sacrifices because you have determined within yourself to seek truth. The truth you desire is The Truth about the One True G-d and what He desires of mankind. This search for Truth overwhelms you because there are so many discordant voices all claiming to have the "only answer" or, alternatively, to have discovered the newest deception, the most recent cover-up or latest distortion in what has traditionally been accepted as "truth". Desiring clarity, you find yourself amidst clouds of confusion.
The Prophets of Hashem foretold that these days would come upon the world. They also foretold that in the years and days preceding the revelation of Moshiach, Hashem would call upon the Jewish people to take hold of the Light of Truth, His Torah, and reflect that Light to the nations of the world, dispelling myths and restoring a true and valid inheritance of truth to all mankind.
Torah reveals that the Hand of Hashem often works in a concealed manner, behind the scenes, then reveals itself powerfully at the precise moment G-d's desired result has been achieved. The reality we presently face is that the more the Eternal Truth of Hashem and His Torah is revealed, the louder the voice of dissenters becomes. They mock the authenticity of Torah, of the history of the Jewish people, and proactively work to diminish the authority of the Rabbis and Sages of Israel who have labored long and hard to preserve Torah and Halacha throughout the centuries. As the cacophony of opposing voices grows, it is easy to reach a point of total confusion. You may feel pulled to and fro by invisible strings. You seek peace within, a respite from the weight of sifting through opposing claims, but there is an insatiable desire to find truth that burns within you. What do you believe and from whom?
The Torah makes it clear that the ultimate revelation of Truth for Israel and for the nations of the world was given to Moshe at Sinai. Sadly, it has been distorted by mankind throughout the centuries since. This distortion has usually stemmed from mankind's unwillingness to submit to Divine Authority and from the interpretive process undertaken by other religions as they have twisted and turned about passages of Tanach in attempts to justify their claims, to make excerpted passages of the Holy Hebrew Scriptures "fit" their particular theology. Still, as Shlomo haMelech once wrote, there is a time and a season for every purpose under the heavens (Qoheleth 3).
Jeremiah the Prophet spoke in the Name of Hashem when he declared that at the End of Days the nations would cry out that their "forefathers have inherited utter delusions, things that are futile and worthless" (Jeremiah 16:19, JPS Tanach, 1999) An alternative translation renders this passage as "falsehood, futility and lies" (The Scriptures, ISR, 1998).
The Prophet Zechariah spoke in the Name of Hashem when he declared that at the End of Days:
"The many peoples and the multitude of nations shall come to seek the L-RD of Hosts in Jerusalem and to entreat the favor of the L-RD. Thus said the L-RD of Hosts: In those days, ten men from the nations of every tongue will take hold - they will take hold of every Jew by a corner of his cloak and say, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that G-d is with you." (Zechariah 8:22-23, JPS Tanach, 1999)
Both Micah and Isaiah prophesied (a dual testimony confirming the validity of their words) that:
"In the days to come, the Mount of the L-RD's House shall stand firm above the mountains and tower above the hills; and all the nations shall gaze on it with joy. And the many peoples shall go and say: 'Come, let us go up to the Mount of the L-RD, to the House of Jacob; that He may instruct us in His ways, and that we may walk in His paths.' For instruction shall come forth from Zion and the world of the L-RD from Jerusalem." (Isaiah 2:1-4, Micah 4:1-2, JPS Tanach, 1999)
It was the Prophet Isaiah who thrice declared (Isaiah 42:6, 49:5, 60:3) the directive to the descendants of Jacob that they were to be "Or l'Goyim", a light to the nations. The people of Israel were to be witnesses to the world that Hashem is the One True G-d and the Creator of the Universe. It is in the spirit of this Divine directive, and with hearts and minds committed to its fulfillment, that Shuvoo was created and this website has been offered. Our people are to proclaim that mankind has been given a guidebook by which we should govern our relationship with our Creator and our relationships with one another. This Divine Blueprint is the Torah, within which are contained the Seven Laws of Noach -- the foundation for all faith in G-d. We all began as Bnei Noach. This website will travel back to the beginning and forward to the future.
A huge part of the process of purifying your mind and allowing yourself to achieve clarity in spiritual matters is not so much adding to your knowledge, but more often just freeing your mind from so many conflicting ideas. The darkness is so deep, and the thirst for Hashem is so great that we are like spiritual junkies constantly looking for a fix. An endless quest, filled with doubt lurking in the background, makes everything we achieve either insufficient or seemingly fruitless. But we must constantly remind ourselves it all pays off, that is Hashem's promise to us. In the meantime, while we struggle with our egos and the multitude of challenges and obstacles that we encounter on the way, the only thing that we can truly own of eternal value is that through our struggles we become righteous and crave righteousness ... a righteousness that soothes our doubts about being right with our Creator, and that we purify our hearts enough to receive the clarity to distinguish between what is good, and what may be disguised as good but is, in reality, contemptible evil. This is what Hashem desires most of His creation.
"For I am mindful of the plans I made concerning you - declares the L-RD - plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a hopeful future. When you call Me, and come and pray to Me, I will give heed to you. You will search for Me and find Me, if only you seek Me wholeheartedly." (Jeremiah 29:11-13, JPS Tanach, 1999)
"Thus said the L-RD: Stand by the roads and consider, inquire about ancient paths: Which is the road to happiness? Travel it and find tranquility for yourselves." (Jeremiah 6:16, JPS Tanach, 1999)
Shuvoo invites you to join us on a journey of discovery as we travel a Path to Clarity.