Shalom Saints,

In my maternal family, the Tooth Fairy didn't appear until my generation. I was the first to receive the quarters for lost teeth. I found this out when I asked my Mom if the Tooth Fairy had visited her when she was a child. She chuckled and said, “Nobody had money to throw around for the Tooth Fairy! We didn't play those games.”

Getting the money was always a treat to look forward to receiving. Losing the teeth wasn't. They were either pulled out by the dentist or Slow Poke Suckers; yanked out by my grandfather pulling on a string tied around the tooth; or they just fell out while I was eating a meal (I was so glad I didn't swallow them!).

My sister shared a Tooth Fairy story about her daughter. The two of them had gone to the Disney Store in the mall. Her daughter was trying to persuade my Sister to buy a toy. The conversation went something like this:

“Mommy, I really want this toy. It is just what I've been wishing I could get. Will you please buy it for me? Pretty Please?”

“Honey, this toy costs more than what I want to spend on a toy. Why don't you buy it with the money you have saved?”

“Oh No! I can't spend my money! The only way I can get more money is to lose teeth!!”

Because Floyd and I wanted to be “good parents” we had many discussions about what to do and what not do to with the children. We had eliminated Santa and the Easter Bunny from the “get-go”, but the Tooth Fairy was in a non-religious class all by herself. We figured it was cute (Here we go!), and that the children, by the time they started losing teeth at 5 or 6 years old, they would know it was just a game.

So, when Winston lost his first tooth, we made a big deal out of the Tooth Fairy coming that night and Winston would get some money. Well, that night, we slipped a quarter under his pillow while he was sleeping.

The next morning, Winston wasn't overly surprised, but was pleased to get the money. However, at the breakfast table, he made a comment about how little the Tooth Fairy left for him. We said something like,

“Well, you know that's the going rate for teeth these days. Besides, the Tooth Fairy didn't take the tooth, we can save it.”

This only produced an indifferent look on Winston’s face and he went back to eating.

Now Floyd and I were disappointed that the quarter and our midnight ruse hadn't produced the jubilance from Winston that we had anticipated. So the next time we upped the ante and left $1.00. This brought the jubilance, but somehow I had the feeling I had been hustled by “the kid”.

When Winston was 7 years old, by this time a seasoned Fairy money receiver, he began to overtly talk about knowing that we were the Tooth Fairy. Floyd and I never admitted it, because we wanted to keep the game going. However, we knew we had to be careful and not get caught at our own game.

When Winston lost the next tooth, we debated who would be the best “secret agent” to deliver the money and escape Winston’s room undetected. We both wanted the challenge. Then I figured out that the agent would have to wait until near midnight to make sure Winston was in a deep sleep state. I then quickly acquiesced and Floyd got the assignment.

Floyd waited until after 11:30 PM and tiptoed down the hall into Winston’s room. Floyd carefully slipped his hand under the pillow and as quick as a flash Winston grabbed his hand and said,

“Gotcha!!”

As I reflect on my Tooth Fairy experiences, I know if I had it to do over, I wouldn't continue to perpetuate this fantasy. Truth and honesty are such a rare commodity that I wouldn't sacrifice them for a temporary pleasure. This story is not an indictment against having fun with your children, but exposes one type of “little white lie” in the hopes of eradicating all falsehoods from our lives.

A Yiddish Proverb says that “a half-truth is a whole lie.” Another quote from someone on the Internet says, “When you stretch the truth, watch out for the snapback.

As believers, we need to weed out all lies, all traditions masquerading as truth, and definitely all traditions that have been elevated to commandment status.

Summary of the Teaching

Our three ministers, Arthur, David and Efraiym, brought forth the teaching. Arthur introduced Passover as the English word for Pesach. Pesach is a sacrifice, an event that is commanded by Yehovah even though it is often referred to as a Jewish holiday. The conversational teaching started with scripturally identifying what we are celebrating when we observe the Passover. The discussion included separating tradition from scripture; what are we supposed to “remember” on Pesach; and what deliverance do we celebrate. We were warned not to handicap our children with traditions disguised as commands.

Our ministers then shifted to a consideration of the Passover story. First, they made clear that a Seder, not even the word “Seder”, was in scripture; neither was an example of a Haggadah. Listen as they have a lively discourse on the Passover story including Exodus 12:12.

Exodus 12:12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt this night, and will smite all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and against all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgment: I am the Lord. King James Version

They also examine a possible reason why the children of Israel were enslaved in Egypt.

Efraiym, at one point says that, “There is no expectation that you start out with Yehovah as a finished product!” We are being molded and shaped into the image of Messiah. Part of the molding is going through and enduring the tribulations and afflictions that are in the Master’s plan for us. Listen as Efraiym, Arthur and David discuss how our Elohim sees the other side of the trials and sees our deliverance.

The teaching culminated with Arthur reiterating that we are not able to sacrifice, but we keep the other commanded elements of Pesach. At that point, the Online Community was invited to participate with us in the eating of unleavened bread and bitter herbs.

Buzz on the Teaching

The Fellowship before and after the teaching was marvelous! The atmosphere was charged with the Holy Spirit, we were surrounded by splendid decorations, and all the Saints were dressed in their best. My Sister Saint Rebecca mentioned that she always dressed up for Passover in remembrance that when the children of Israel left Egypt, Yehovah brought them out wealthy.

There were Saints that joined us from Minnesota, Wyoming, Washington State, New Jersey, Texas, The Bahamas, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and North Carolina. I was meeting some for the first time, others I knew only through emails or phone calls, and some Saints I hugged with the recognition that Yehovah had allowed us to meet again! What a happy Royal Family Reunion.

My Sister Saint from Texas excitedly told me that before she arrived in Charlotte, she had a dream where she heard that judgement had come upon the gods of Egypt! She was elated to hear Arthur mention this in the service AND she used this to minister to a Brother Saint in our midst who has been challenged by health issues over a long period of time. She told him that he was healed and to claim the promises of Yehovah Rapha (healer):

26 And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee. King James Version - Exodus 15:26

15 And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. - Deuteronomy 7:15 King James Version

My Sister Saint and I also rejoiced that this is the first time her husband was eating unleavened bread and making sure the house stays leaven free! We are hopeful that he will join us in Charlotte for one of the Feasts soon. Praise Yehovah for opening eyes and ears and softening hearts!

Until next time… Blessings to You and Yours,

Sharon