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Jewish religion, castes, rites and festivals at the time of Christ

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Aa

GRM 5.2

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

5.2 «Are you in pain?»

«No. But I can feel the great peace that I experienced in the Temple when I was granted the grace, and which I felt once again when I knew I was pregnant. It is like an ecstasy, a sweet sleep of the body while the soul rejoices and calms itself in a peace that has no bodily comparison. I have loved and still do love you, Joachim, and when I entered your house and I said to myself: “I am the wife of a just man”, I had peace: and I felt the same every time your provident love took care of your Anne. But this peace is different. Understand: I think that the soul of our father Jacob was invaded by a similar peace, like the soothing given by oil that spreads and appeases, after he dreamt of the angels. And, possibly more accurately, it is like the joyful peace of the Tobiahs after Raphael appeared to them. If I absorb myself in this feeling, it grows more and more in strength while I enjoy it. It is as if I were ascending into the blue spaces of the sky… And furthermore, I don’t know the reason for it, but since I have had this peaceful joy in me, I have a song in my heart: old Tobiah’s song. I think it was written for this hour… for this joy… for the land of Israel that receives it… for Jerusalem-sinner and now forgiven… But do not laugh at the frenzy of a mother… but when I say: “Thank the Lord for your wealth and bless the God of centuries, that He may rebuild His Tabernacle in you”, I think that He Who will rebuild the Tabernacle of the true God in Jerusalem will be This One who is about to be born… And I also think that the destiny of my creature was prophesied and not the fate of the Holy City, when the song says: “You shall shine with a bright light: all the peoples of the world will prostrate themselves before you: the nations will come bringing gifts: they will worship the Lord in you and will hold your land as sacred, because within you they invoke the Great Name. You will be happy on account of your children, because they will all be blessed and they will gather near the Lord. Blessed are those who love you and rejoice in your peace…”

Detail

Anne is about to give birth.

Annotation

Book of Genesis 28, 12

Gen 28, 12 : And he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set upon the earth, and the top of it reached unto heaven; and behold, upon it the angels of God ascended and descended, and at the top stood Yahweh.

Book of Tobit 12, 15-21

Tb 12, 15-21: "I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven who stand in the presence of the Lord. "When they heard these words, they were beside themselves, and trembling, they fell on their faces to the ground. And the angel said to them: "Peace be with you! Do not be afraid. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God; so bless him and sing his praises. It seemed to you that I ate and drank with you; but I fed on an invisible food and a drink that the eye of man cannot reach. So it's time for me to return to the one who sent me; but you, bless God and publish all his wonders. "When he had said this, he was hidden from their sight, and they could see him no more. Then, prostrating themselves for three hours with their faces to the ground, they blessed God and, rising, told of all his wonders.

Book of Tobit 13, 1-18

Tb 13, 1-18: Old Tobias opened his mouth and blessed the Lord, saying: "You are great, Lord, in eternity, and your kingdom extends to all ages. For you punish and you save, you lead to the grave and you bring back from it, and there is no one who can escape your hand. Celebrate the Lord, children of Israel, and praise him before the nations. For he has scattered you among the nations who do not know him, so that you may tell of his wonders, and make known to them that there is no other Almighty God but him alone. He has punished us because of our iniquities, and he will save us because of his mercy. Consider how he has dealt with us, and bless him with fear and trembling, and glorify by your works the King of the ages.

As for me, I want to bless him in this country where I am a captive, because he has shone his glory on a criminal nation. Repent then, sinners, and do justice before God, trusting that he will have mercy on you! As for me, I will rejoice in him with all my soul. Bless the Lord, all you chosen people; celebrate days of joy and sing his praises!

Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord has chastened you for the works of your hands. Glorify the Lord with your good works, and bless the God of the ages, that he may rebuild his sanctuary in you, that he may call back to you all the captives, and that you may rejoice for ever and ever. You will shine with a bright light, and all the countries of the earth will bow down before you. Nations will come to you from distant lands, bringing gifts; they will worship the Lord within your walls, and regard your land as a sanctuary; for they will call upon the great Name in your midst. Cursed shall be those who despise you, condemned shall be those who blaspheme you; blessed shall be those who build you up. And you will rejoice in your children, for they will all be blessed and gathered to the Lord. Blessed are all who love you and rejoice in your peace!

Bless the Lord, my soul, for he, the Lord, our God, has delivered her city Jerusalem from all its tribulations. Happy will I be if there are still offspring of my race to see the splendor of Jerusalem! The gates of Jerusalem will be built of sapphires and emeralds, and the whole wall of her walls of precious stones. Immaculate white stones will form the pavement of her squares, and they will sing in her streets: Alleluia! Blessed be the Lord who gave Jerusalem this glory, and may he reign over her for ever and ever! Amen! "

GRM 6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Purification of Anne and offering of Mary, the perfect little girl for the Kingdom of Heaven.

Date of vision and dictation: Monday, August 28, 1944

Calendar: Tuesday, November 25, 21 A.D.

Old Julian calendar: Tuesday, September 27, 21 A.D.

Jewish calendar: 30 Kisleu 3741

Location (map): Jerusalem (Temple of Jerusalem)

Cycle: Birth and childhood of the Virgin Mary

Summary: Anne presents her daughter at the Temple, accompanied by Joachim, Elisabeth and Zacharie. The happy parents have dressed up for the occasion. Soon, Anne speaks with Elisabeth, and Joachim's wife confides in her that she will give the Lord her Flower in three years' time. To realize this heroic sacrifice, she reminds herself that God has given her Mary. She will also tell herself that her child is praying for them, and that the Lord will be her Father after they are gone. They finally arrive at the Temple, where Anne purifies herself. The group goes on to the place where Anne's wish was granted, and there they meet Anne of Phanuel, who will be Mary's mistress at the Temple.

Jesus then gives a dictation and explains that the Virgin was burning to come to God. He returns to the phrase "Let the little children come to me"; then he insists on Mary's love, which was constant throughout her life. Her eyes are peaceful and benevolent, and the same is true of the saints, who, like their heavenly Mother, have a gaze that is "light for the soul".

Chapter contents: 6.1: Joachim, Anne, Zechariah and Elizabeth on their way to the Temple. 6.2: Anne will give to God what comes from him. 6.3: Anne's purification. 6.4: Mary's consecration and first contact with Anne of Phanouel. 6.5: In three years, you too will be here, my Lily. 6.6: Behold the perfect Child, with the heart of a dove, simple and pure. 6.7: The pure, peaceful, benevolent eye possessed by the pure, the saints, those enamored of God.

Previous edition: Tome 1, chapters 9 and 10

GRM 6.3.5

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They have now reached the walls of the Temple.

«While you go to Nicanor’s Gate, I will go and inform the priest. And then I will come, too» Zacharias says. And he disappears behind an arch leading into a large yard surrounded by porches.

The group continues to proceed along the ensuing terraces. I do not know whether I have said this before: the enclosure wall of the Temple is not on level ground but it rises up higher and higher by means of successive terraces. Each terrace is reached by means of a flight of steps and on each terrace there are yards and porches and beautiful portals wrought in marble, bronze and gold.

Before reaching their destination they stop to take out the contents of the parcels: cakes, I think, which are wide and flat and very greasy, some white flour, two doves in a small wicker cage and some big silver coins: they are quite heavy but fortunately garments did not have pockets in those days. They would have made holes in them.

Here is the beautiful Gate of Nicanor, all chiselled in heavy bronze silver plating. Zacharias is already there beside a stately priest dressed in linen. (...)

6.5 «I would like to give the offering to the Temple and go over there where I saw the light last year.»

They go accompanied by Anna of Phanuel. They do not enter the actual Temple; since they are women and it is the case of a little girl, it is understandable that they do not even go where Mary went to offer Her Son. But very close to the wide open door, they look into the half-dark inside from which sweet songs of girls can be heard and where precious lamps are lit and spread a golden light on two flower beds of white veiled heads: two real flowerbeds of lilies.

«In three years’ time You will be there too, my Lily» promises Anne to Mary, Who looks fascinated at the inside and smiles at the slow song.

GRM 6.3-4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They have now reached the walls of the Temple.

«While you go to Nicanor’s Gate, I will go and inform the priest. And then I will come, too» Zacharias says. And he disappears behind an arch leading into a large yard surrounded by porches.

The group continues to proceed along the ensuing terraces. I do not know whether I have said this before: the enclosure wall of the Temple is not on level ground but it rises up higher and higher by means of successive terraces. Each terrace is reached by means of a flight of steps and on each terrace there are yards and porches and beautiful portals wrought in marble, bronze and gold.

Before reaching their destination they stop to take out the contents of the parcels: cakes, I think, which are wide and flat and very greasy, some white flour, two doves in a small wicker cage and some big silver coins: they are quite heavy but fortunately garments did not have pockets in those days. They would have made holes in them.

Here is the beautiful Gate of Nicanor, all chiselled in heavy bronze silver plating. Zacharias is already there beside a stately priest dressed in linen.

Anne is sprinkled with what I suppose is lustral water and then she is instructed to move towards the altar of the sacrifice. The Child is no longer in her arms. Elizabeth, who has stopped at this side of the Gate, has taken Her.

Joachim, instead, enters behind his wife, dragging a miserable bleating lamb. And I… I do exactly what I did on the occasion of Mary’s purification: I close my eyes not to see any slaughter.

Now Anne is purified.

Zacharias whispers something to his colleague, who nods smiling. He then approaches the group, which has reassembled, and as he congratulates the mother and father on their joy and their loyalty to the promises, he is given the second lamb, the flour and the cakes.

GRM 8

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title:Mary welcomed into the Temple. In her humility, she was unaware that she was the woman full of Wisdom.

Date of vision and dictation: August 30, 1944

Calendar: Monday, October 3, 18 A.D.

Old Julian calendar: Monday, October 5, 18 B.C.

Jewish calendar: 10 Tishri 3744.

Location (map): Jerusalem

Cycle: Birth and childhood of the Virgin Mary

Summary: Anne, Joachim and Mary are in Jerusalem to enter the Temple. Joachim and Anne seem to have cried a lot, but they try to show their child as little as possible. They meet Elisabeth, who invites them to a friend's house. Anne reveals that she has no regrets about giving Mary to the Temple, and that she hasn't changed her mind, but that her mother's heart hurts. The same goes for Joachim. Zechariah, who arrives, and his wife try to console them as best they can. Then they set off again. The high priest arrives, and Mary has the opportunity to make her vow. She enters the Temple of Jerusalem. The chapter ends with Jesus dictating that his Mother possessed Wisdom.

Chapter contents: 8.1: Slow, sad walk through the streets of Jerusalem. 8.2: Stop. Anne confides her grief to Elisabeth. 8.3: Zechariah encourages Joachim and Anne. 8.4: Anne leaves young Mary her bridal veil. 8.5: Mary asks her parents for their blessing. Arrival at the Temple. 8.6: The High Priest welcomes the spotless Lamb. 8.7: The prayer of the "humble handmaid". 8.8: You too, Mary, "walk in my presence and be perfect for it".

Previous edition: Tome 1, chapters 13 and 14

GRM 8.5-6

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

They are now inside the walls of the Temple. «I will go to the High Priest. You go to the Great Terrace.»

They go across three yards and through three halls, set one upon the other. They are now at the foot of the huge marble cube crowned with gold. Every dome, convex like a huge half orange, blazes in the sun, which now, at midday, is shining down directly onto the large yard surrounding the solemn building and is filling with its dazzling light the large square and the wide flight of steps leading up to the Temple. Only the porch facing the steps, along the façade, is in the shade and the very high bronze and gold door is even darker and more solemn looking in so much light.

Mary looks whiter than snow in so much sunshine. She is now at the foot of the steps, between Her father and Her mother. How violently their hearts must be throbbing! Elizabeth is beside Anne, but a little behind her, about half a step.

8.6 Upon the blare of silver trumpets the door rotates on its hinges, which seem to be emitting the sound of a cithern, while turning on the bronze balls. The interior appears with its lamps in the far end and a procession is moving towards the door, a stately procession with silver trumpets, clouds of incense and lights.

Detail

Mary, Anne and Joachim are at the Temple. The Immaculate will enter and become a consecrated virgin.

Annotation

They cross three courtyards and three superimposed porches. From the outer enclosure, you actually pass through 3 gates to reach the women's courtyard. You'll be interested to see the site devoted to: "The Beth Hamikdach Temple of Jerusalem" and chapter 5 of Maimonides' "Laws of the House of Election" (Beth Habe'hirah). Maimonides, by name Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon (רבי משה בן מיימון), known as the Rambam (March 30, 1135, Cordoba - December 13, 1204, Fostat), was a Jewish philosopher and theologian, Nagid (head of the community) of the Jews of Egypt and physician to the court of Saladin. He was a major figure in rabbinic Judaism, exerting considerable influence on medieval philosophy. Christians know him as Moses Maimonides, and Muslims as Mussa bin Maimun ibn Abdallah al-Kurtubi al-Israili.

Here they are at the foot of a vast marble cube crowned with gold. The Temple is shaped like a vast cube, reached by a monumental staircase of 15 circular steps, surrounded at the top by golden spikes.

Each dome, convex like an enormous orange half, gleams in the midday sun. Maimoid describes domes on the annex buildings in the Court of Israel, but recent models of the Temple show no domes at all. The presence of "resplendent" domes is mentioned several times by Maria Valtorta in EMV 53.1 and EMV 169.7. This is perhaps confirmed by the "fire" in this quotation from Maimoid: "To the right of the Temple, a large pavilion, the House of Fire, is recognizable by the dome that tops it".

The gigantic bronze and gold gateway appears even more sombre and solemn. Nikanor's gate, facing east, is well in the shade from midday onwards. In EMV 6.3 Maria Valtorta describes "embroidery in solid bronze laminated with silver", not gold. These bronze doors, made in Alexandria, were a gift from Nicanor. They were left untouched when all the Temple's other wooden doors were later overlaid with gold and silver (Flavius Josephus, Jewish Wars, V, 5, 3). But their bronze continued to shine "like gold".

GRM 10

The Gospel as revealed to me

Detail

Chapter title: Mary's canticle. She recalled what her soul had seen in God.

Date of vision and dictation: Saturday, September 2, 1944

Calendar: Summer of year -9

Location (map): Jerusalem

Cycle: Birth and childhood of the Virgin Mary

Summary: Mary must be about twelve years old. She is praying and singing a hymn. She then plunges into even more fervent prayer, and Anne of Phanuel arrives in the meantime. The Immaculate greeted her and a conversation ensued between the two women. They talk about her virginity, the Law that obliges her to marry, and her vow to remain a virgin all the same. They also spoke of the Messiah to come. Mary already senses that he will be the Martyr, and that much purity is needed to prepare for his coming. She reveals that she is a virgin, not because she hopes to be the Mother of the Lord, but because purity is of immense value in the eyes of the Most High.

Finally, Jesus gives dictation and reveals that Mary remembered God. She remembered what she had seen when her soul was created, and the Master explains that the mind has the capacity to remember, to see and to foresee. God gave Man intelligence, but not all knowledge is good, and what's more, human capacities are limited. However, the Spirit can speak to us and instruct us, but to possess the Holy Spirit, we need Grace. The saints also remember God," Jesus explains, before continuing his dictation on Mary, who was full of Grace, and therefore lived in the Spirit.

Chapter contents: 10.1: Mary sews and sings a hymn. 10.2: Anne of Phanuel surprised by Mary's appearance. 10.3: God's presence in Mary. 10.4: Her will to remain a virgin. 10.5: The wait for the Messiah is shortened. I will place myself totally at his service. 10.6: He will be the Man of Sorrows. 10.7 : All drunk with the Invisible Presence. 10.8: Marie se souvenait de Dieu. 10.9: La participation à l'Intelligence Suprême. 10.10: La Pleine de Grace. 10.11: Everything comes from another source, Maria Valtorta notes, reassuring herself.

Previous edition: Tome 1, chapter 16

GRM 10.1 · Volume 1

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

She is sewing in a very small room, which is also completely white, and through the wide open window one can see the imposing central part of the Temple, the flights of steps of the yards and porches. Beyond the enclosure wall also the town can be seen with its streets, houses, gardens, and in the background the humped green top of the Mount of Olives.

GRM 10.3

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

10.3 «Were You praying? Are Your prayers never enough for You?»

«My prayers would be enough. But I speak to God. Anna, you cannot imagine how close I feel Him. More than close, within My heart. May God forgive Me for My pride. But I do not feel lonely. See? Over there, in that House of gold and snow, behind the double Curtain, there is the Holy of Holies. Nobody is ever allowed to look at the Propitiatory, on which the glory of the Lord rests, except the High Priest. But My worshipping soul does not need to look at the embroidered Curtain, which quivers at the songs of the virgins and Levites and is scented with precious incense, as if I wanted to pierce its fabric and see the Testimony shine through it. I do look at it! Do not think that I do not look at it with worshipping eyes like every son of Israel. Do not think that pride blinds Me making Me think what I will now tell you. I look at it and there is no humble servant amongst the people of God that looks more humbly at the House of the Lord than I do, because I am convinced that I am the least of all. But what do I see? A veil. What do I think there is behind the Veil? A Tabernacle. What is in it? If I listen to My heart, I see God shining in His loving glory and He says to Me: “I love You” and I reply to Him: “I love You” and I die and I am recreated at each beat of My heart in this mutual kiss… I am amongst you, My dear teachers and companions. But a circle of fire isolates Me from you. Within the circle, God and Myself. And I see you through the Fire of God and so I love you… but I cannot love you according to the flesh, neither shall I ever be able to love anyone according to the flesh, neither shall I ever be able to love anyone according to the flesh. I can only love Him Who loves Me, according to the spirit..

GRM 10.4

The Gospel as revealed to me

Quotation

10.4 This is My destiny. The secular Law of Israel wants every girl to be a wife, and every wife to be a mother. But, while obeying the Law, I must obey the Voice that whispers to Me: “I want You”; I am a virgin and a virgin I shall remain, How shall I succeed? This sweet invisible Presence that is with Me will help Me, because it is Its desire. I am not afraid. I have no longer My father and mother… and only God knows how My love for whatever human being belonged to Me was burnt in that pain. Now I have but God. I therefore obey Him unquestioningly… I would have done so also regardless of My father and mother, because I have been taught by the Voice that whoever wishes to follow It, must go beyond father and mother. Parents are loving patrols watching the hearts of their children, whom they wish to lead to happiness according to their plans… and they are not aware of other plans leading to infinite happiness… I would have left them My dresses and mantles, to follow the Voice that says to Me: “Come, My beloved Spouse”. I would have left them everything, and the pearls of My tears, for I would have cried having to disobey them, and the instincts of My blood, because I would have defied even death to follow the Voice calling Me who, would have told them that there is something greater and sweeter than the love of a father and mother and that is the Voice of God. But now, by His will, I am free from this tie of filial love. In fact, it would not have been a tie. My parents were two just people and God certainly spoke to them as He speaks to Me. They would have followed justice and truth. When I think of them, I imagine them in the quiet expectation among the Patriarchs and I hasten with My sacrifice the coming of the Messiah to open for them the gates of Heaven. I am My own guide on earth, or rather God guides His poor servant giving Her His commands and I fulfil them because it is a joy for Me to obey. When the time comes, I will reveal My secret to the spouse… and he will accept it.»

«But, Mary… which words will You find to persuade him? You will have the love of a man, the Law and life against you.»

«I shall have God with Me… God will enlighten the heart of the spouse… life will lose the incentives of the senses and become a pure flower with the fragrance of charity.

Detail

In this passage, Mary speaks of her future husband, whom she does not yet know.