Dave and Shirley

Hi -- Thanks for visiting my blog. I've met an interesting couple, Dave and Shirley. Dave volunteers his time repairing homes in the area. When I met Shirley, she told me that Dave was adopted, and when he looked into his birth parents background, he found that his mother was Jewish. Following is what I remember of a conversation with Shirley:
S: When Dave found out he was Jewish, we became Jewish.
Me: Does he still believe in Jesus?
S: Yes, he believes in Christ. We're messianic Jews.
Me: You mean like Jews for Jesus.
S: No. Dave looked into them, and he didn't like what he found out about their background.
Me: So, you still celebrate Christmas?
S: No. Dave doesn't believe in celebrating Christmas because Christ wasn't born in December. He was born in the fall, during Succoth. Scriptures say that the shepherds were watching their flocks by night. That was in the fall.
Me: So, you just celebrated Christmas?
S: Yes.
Me: And you exchanged your Christmas gifts?
S: No. We exchange gifts during Hanukkah. That's the festival of lights, and Christ came as the light of the world.

When Shirley and Dave told me that they had built the Succoth structure, I believe he said it was a sikka, I asked if I could see it because I hadn't seen one since I'd visited the Hebrew temple in Greenburgh. They said yes and promptly invited me over to "supper" the next night. At dinner, Dave gave a Hebrew blessing, which he translated into English. I only remember the line, the Lord is one. It seemed quite natural to hear this bearded mountain man offering his praise in Hebrew. Shirley prepared a lovely chicken, onion, and potato dish she took from a Jewish cookbook. She also served sweet tea, healthy because she sweetened it with Stevia. They told me they attend a messianic temple in Lexington. Dave said the service is like a Jewish service, but they read from the New Testament and say add'l prayers. The rabbi has helped him with his Hebrew, plus they have language tapes. After dinner, Dave showed me their Torah scroll, displayed in a case along with several Menorah. Shirley showed me her beautifully bound prayer book for women. Though in English, the pages run right to left, with the cover at what we'd consider the back. Dave then played a song from the Lion King soundtrack, of course, in Hebrew. I told them about the women T used to share an office with who played Hebrew versions of Beatles songs. Shirley laughed and said that that must have sounded strange. They were both gracious hosts, and I'm grateful for them for opening their home to me. A seeker of wisdom and truth is Dave of Middle Creek.
Dave is also a bit of a science experimenter, claiming that last week he applied a stun gun to a copperhead snakebite on his foot and neutralized the venom. His current project is creating lightening. He predicts the bolt will be 12'. Rock on, Dave.