09-08-2008, 12:59 AM
Someone sent me this and though the link no longer works, I thought it was very good.
Excerpt:
http://shofar.tzemakh.org/content/view/90/1
Descending From the Nest
Our sages understood that the redeemer of Israel would be revealed only after this messianic soul made its descent from the Bird's Nest, coming to rest upon the one whom would be revealed as Mashiach. This is spoken of as the "crowning" of the redeemer and marks the point in his life when he would begin his messianic mission (Ibid Cf. Igeret Teyman, ch. 4).
Nearly two millennia ago Yeshua traveled from the Galil in Northern Israel to be immersed by Yochanan Hamatbil z"l, a relative who had been instructed by a heavenly decree to immerse the sons of Israel until he saw a "dove" descend upon one of them. This holy Jew was the Mashiach. It is written that when our Mashiach rose from the water the Ruach Elohim was seen descending on him as a dove. ***
That the identity of Mashiach was revealed through water is significant. The first time the soul of Mashiach was seen interacting with the chaos of this world is found at the beginning of Sefer Bereishit. The Torah relates that while the world was yet formless and void, covered by darkness on the face of the deep, the Ruach Elohim hovered [like a mother bird shielding her young with her wings] upon the face of the waters. This Ruach Elohim is said to be that of Mashiach (Bereshit Rabbah 2:5).
After his crowning with the messianic soul, Yeshua spoke of himself using the language of a bird. While standing upon the Mount of Olives, Mashiach lamented over Jerusalem saying, "Again and again would I have taken your children to myself, as a bird gathers her young ones under her wings, but you would not!" (Lk 13:34) Here Mashiach speaks of his desire to gather the exiles of Israel. He is detained only by our refusal to be redeemed.
Excerpt:
http://shofar.tzemakh.org/content/view/90/1
Descending From the Nest
Our sages understood that the redeemer of Israel would be revealed only after this messianic soul made its descent from the Bird's Nest, coming to rest upon the one whom would be revealed as Mashiach. This is spoken of as the "crowning" of the redeemer and marks the point in his life when he would begin his messianic mission (Ibid Cf. Igeret Teyman, ch. 4).
Nearly two millennia ago Yeshua traveled from the Galil in Northern Israel to be immersed by Yochanan Hamatbil z"l, a relative who had been instructed by a heavenly decree to immerse the sons of Israel until he saw a "dove" descend upon one of them. This holy Jew was the Mashiach. It is written that when our Mashiach rose from the water the Ruach Elohim was seen descending on him as a dove. ***
That the identity of Mashiach was revealed through water is significant. The first time the soul of Mashiach was seen interacting with the chaos of this world is found at the beginning of Sefer Bereishit. The Torah relates that while the world was yet formless and void, covered by darkness on the face of the deep, the Ruach Elohim hovered [like a mother bird shielding her young with her wings] upon the face of the waters. This Ruach Elohim is said to be that of Mashiach (Bereshit Rabbah 2:5).
After his crowning with the messianic soul, Yeshua spoke of himself using the language of a bird. While standing upon the Mount of Olives, Mashiach lamented over Jerusalem saying, "Again and again would I have taken your children to myself, as a bird gathers her young ones under her wings, but you would not!" (Lk 13:34) Here Mashiach speaks of his desire to gather the exiles of Israel. He is detained only by our refusal to be redeemed.