Building According to the Word of YAH
Yeshurun Farm Community Cooperative (YFCC) is founded upon the belief that the Word of YAH is not merely something to believe—it is something to live.
Our purpose is not to create another religious organization where people gather for worship and then return to a way of life largely governed by the standards of the world. We seek to establish a community in which the Word of YAH governs our worship, families, relationships, conduct, use of resources, education of our children, care for one another, and stewardship of the land.
Our foundation begins with a simple command:
Deuteronomy 6:5 — KJV
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
YAH does not ask for only a portion of our lives.
If we love Him with all our heart, soul, and might, then obedience to Him must extend into every part of our lives.
That is the foundation upon which YFCC seeks to build.
THE WORD OF YAH IS OUR STANDARD
We believe the Scriptures establish the standard by which the people of YAH are to live.
Human societies change.
Governments change.
Cultures change.
Traditions change.
Religious doctrines change.
But the Word of YAH remains.
Isaiah 40:8 — KJV
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Therefore, YFCC does not seek to determine righteousness according to what is presently accepted by society.
Neither do we believe religious tradition has authority to replace the commandments of YAH.
Yahshua warned:
Mark 7:7–8 — KJV
“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.
For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men…”
Our standard must remain the Word of YAH.
WE BELIEVE IN THE NEW COVENANT
We believe in the New Covenant through Yahshua, but we do not believe the New Covenant abolished, cancelled, or replaced the Torah of YAH.
In fact, the New Covenant itself declares what YAH intended to do with His law.
Jeremiah 31:31–33 — KJV
“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.”
The New Covenant does not say:
“I will abolish my law.”
It says:
“I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts.”
Hebrews repeats the same promise:
Hebrews 8:10 — KJV
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people.”
The change promised under the New Covenant is therefore not that YAH would remove His standard of righteousness.
His law would become internalized within His people.
The Torah would be written upon their hearts and placed within their minds.
YAHSHUA DID NOT DESTROY THE LAW
Yahshua plainly declared:
Matthew 5:17–19 — KJV
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
Yahshua could hardly have been clearer.
He said:
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law.”
He then warned against both breaking the commandments and teaching others to break them.
Therefore, YFCC does not accept the teaching that faith in Yahshua gives a believer permission to knowingly transgress the commandments of YAH.
FAITH DOES NOT MAKE VOID THE LAW
The apostle Paul asked the question directly:
Romans 3:31 — KJV
“Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.”
Our faith does not overthrow the Torah.
Paul’s answer is:
“God forbid.”
We therefore reject the false choice that says a person must choose between faith and obedience.
Scripture presents both.
Faith does not give us permission to sin.
Grace does not transform transgression into righteousness.
And forgiveness does not mean that the commandment which was transgressed has ceased to exist.
SIN IS THE TRANSGRESSION OF THE LAW
Scripture gives a direct definition of sin:
1 John 3:4 — KJV
“Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
If sin is the transgression of YAH’s law, then abolishing the law would not solve the problem of sin—it would eliminate the standard identifying the transgression.
The New Covenant provides forgiveness for sin and changes the heart of the sinner so that he can walk in obedience to YAH.
It does not redefine disobedience as obedience.
Paul wrote:
Romans 6:1–2 — KJV
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
Grace therefore cannot mean permission to continue transgressing the law.
The person who has received grace is called to turn away from sin, not continue in it.
THE SPIRIT LEADS US INTO OBEDIENCE
The prophets foretold that YAH would put His Spirit within His people.
Notice what YAH said His Spirit would cause His people to do:
Ezekiel 36:26–27 — KJV
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.”
The Spirit of YAH does not lead His people away from His commandments.
YAH said His Spirit would cause them to:
walk in His statutes,
keep His judgments,
and
do them.
Therefore, being led by the Spirit and obeying the commandments of YAH are not opposites.
The Spirit produces obedience from a changed heart.
OBEDIENCE DOES NOT PURCHASE SALVATION
We do not believe a person can purchase salvation by performing commandments.
We obey YAH because He is our God and because those who belong to Him are commanded to walk according to His Word.
Obedience is not the price we pay YAH to make Him owe us salvation.
Neither is grace permission to rebel against the One who gave us grace.
Scripture says:
Ephesians 2:8–10 — KJV
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
We are not saved because we have made ourselves righteous.
We are saved by grace through faith unto a life of obedience and good works.
LOVE DOES NOT REPLACE THE COMMANDMENTS
Yahshua taught:
Matthew 22:37–40 — KJV
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
This is the first and great commandment.
And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Yahshua did not say that love abolished the law.
He said:
“On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Love summarizes the principle upon which the commandments operate.
The commandments teach us how love toward YAH and love toward our neighbor are expressed in actual conduct.
Scripture makes that relationship unmistakable:
1 John 5:2–3 — KJV
“By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments.
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.”
Biblical love therefore cannot be separated from obedience.
TEACHING OUR CHILDREN
The responsibility to teach our children comes directly from Torah.
Immediately after commanding Israel to love Him with all their heart, soul, and might, YAH said:
Deuteronomy 6:6–7 — KJV
“And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.”
Teaching children the ways of YAH was not intended to be confined to a few hours of religious instruction.
It was woven into everyday life.
At home.
While traveling.
Morning.
Evening.
Generation after generation.
Proverbs likewise commands:
Proverbs 22:6 — KJV
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
YFCC therefore views the raising and education of our children as one of the community’s greatest responsibilities.
We desire to raise children who know the Word of YAH and also possess the practical knowledge necessary to become productive adults capable of serving their families and community.
BELIEVERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ONE ANOTHER
The congregation described in Acts was not merely a collection of individuals who attended the same worship service.
They became a community.
Acts 2:44–47 — KJV
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart,
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”
Their faith affected their relationship to one another.
They were together.
They shared.
They recognized needs.
They ate together.
They worshipped together.
They lived “with one accord.”
This is one of the primary biblical patterns upon which YFCC is based.
THAT THERE BE NO LACK AMONG US
Acts gives an even stronger description:
Acts 4:32–35 — KJV
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
One statement especially defines our community vision:
“Neither was there any among them that lacked.”
Scripture does not say everyone possessed exactly the same amount.
It says:
“distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.”
This establishes a principle of mutual responsibility.
Those who possessed resources used them to strengthen the body.
YFCC therefore seeks to develop a cooperative community where each person contributes according to his or her ability and where the community uses its collective strength to meet legitimate needs.
All will contribute financially.
Some may farm.
Some may build.
Some may teach.
Some may maintain equipment.
Some may administer.
Some may care for children.
Some may care for the elderly.
Different abilities do not eliminate our responsibility toward one another.
The objective is a community in which everyone contributes and no one is unnecessarily left in lack.
CARING FOR THE FATHERLESS, WIDOWS, AND VULNERABLE
Scripture repeatedly commands the people of YAH to care for those who cannot adequately protect or provide for themselves.
James writes:
James 1:27 — KJV
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.”
This cannot merely be a statement we quote.
It requires action.
A functioning biblical community should know when a widow is struggling.
It should know when children have lost a parent.
It should know when an elderly member can no longer perform the work he once performed.
It should know when a family is experiencing legitimate hardship.
And it should possess the willingness and, as YAH prospers it, the resources to respond.
Community means that our people do not simply become someone else’s problem when circumstances become difficult.
We bear responsibility toward one another.
WORK IS PART OF COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY
Having all things common does not mean that able people are free to live from the labor of everyone else.
Scripture also establishes personal responsibility.
2 Thessalonians 3:10 — KJV
“For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.”
Notice that Scripture says “would not work,” not could not work.
There is a difference between someone who cannot work and someone who refuses to work.
The widow, fatherless, elderly, sick, injured, and genuinely needy are to be cared for.
The able-bodied member has a responsibility to contribute.
Therefore YFCC combines two biblical principles:
Those who are able should work.
Those who genuinely need help should be cared for.
That balance protects both compassion and responsibility.
STEWARDSHIP OF WHAT YAH PROVIDES
The earth ultimately belongs to YAH.
Psalm 24:1 — KJV
“The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Whatever land, water, animals, crops, equipment, finances, knowledge, or other resources come into our hands are ultimately things over which we exercise stewardship.
Therefore, developing Yeshurun Farms is not simply about possessing land.
It is about making responsible use of it.
We seek to improve the land, conserve water, build soil, produce food, generate energy responsibly, reduce waste, and leave productive resources to those who come after us.
Our children should inherit something better because we were here—not something exhausted because we consumed everything available to us.
WE DO NOT PLACE OUR TRUST IN SELF-SUFFICIENCY
YFCC seeks greater independence in food, water, power, housing, and other necessities.
But we must never confuse preparedness with salvation.
Psalm 127:1 — KJV
“Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.”
Land cannot save us.
Food cannot save us.
Solar power cannot save us.
Money cannot save us.
Technology cannot save us.
Preparedness cannot save us.
Our trust must remain in YAH.
The purpose of developing these things is to exercise stewardship, reduce unnecessary dependence, provide for our households, and increase our ability to care for one another.
Self-sufficiency is a tool. YAH is our provider.
THE SAINTS KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE FAITH
The final book of Scripture gives a simple description of the saints:
Revelation 14:12 — KJV
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Notice again that Scripture does not force us to choose between commandments and faith.
The saints possess both:
The commandments of YAH.
The faith of Yahshua.
That is the foundation upon which YFCC seeks to build.
EQUAL MEMBERSHIP DOES NOT MEAN EQUAL INCOME
Members will not all earn the same amount.
One member may earn $1,000.
Another may earn $3,000.
Another may earn $5,000.
Another may have little outside income but possess valuable agricultural, mechanical, construction, educational, administrative, or other skills.
The value of a person cannot be measured solely by his paycheck.
Scripture says:
1 Corinthians 12:14 — KJV
“For the body is not one member, but many.”
Different members bring different abilities.
The person repairing a water system may be just as necessary to the community as the person earning outside income.
The person growing food contributes something the community would otherwise have to purchase.
The person teaching children performs work necessary for another generation.
The person maintaining solar equipment protects infrastructure upon which everyone depends.
Therefore, YFCC does not establish a person’s worth according to the size of his financial contribution.
Equal membership means equal human value and responsibility before the community—not identical income, identical abilities, or identical assignments.
OUR FOUNDATION IN SIX BIBLICAL PRINCIPLES
LOVE YAH
Deuteronomy 6:5
“And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.”
YAH must come before everything we build.
TEACH OUR CHILDREN
Proverbs 22:6
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
What we learn must be transmitted to the next generation.
LIVE AS A COMMUNITY
Acts 2:44
“And all that believed were together, and had all things common;”
Faith must affect how we live with one another.
LET THERE BE NO LACK AMONG US
Acts 4:34
“Neither was there any among them that lacked…”
Our collective strength should be used to care for legitimate needs.
CARE FOR THE VULNERABLE
James 1:27
“Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…”
The strength of our community must include those who need us most.
KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS AND THE FAITH
Revelation 14:12
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.”
Faith in Yahshua does not give us permission to abandon the commandments of YAH.
FROM BELIEF TO A WAY OF LIFE
These Scriptures are not merely our statement of faith.
They explain why YFCC exists.
If we believe that we should care for one another, then we must build systems capable of caring for one another.
If we believe that we should teach our children, then we must build an educational system capable of teaching them.
If we believe that we should care for widows, fatherless, elderly, and needy members, then we must create a community strong enough to do so.
If we believe that YAH has made us stewards of His creation, then we must responsibly manage our land, water, animals, crops, and other resources.
If we believe the commandments of YAH should be written upon our hearts, then those commandments must become visible in the way we actually live.
This is why YFCC involves agriculture.
This is why we develop water and energy systems.
This is why we build housing.
This is why we educate our children.
This is why we pool resources.
This is why we work.
This is why we prepare.
And this is why we build together.
The infrastructure serves the community.
The community serves the people.
And the people serve YAH.
ONE HEART. ONE SOUL. ONE PURPOSE.
Our goal is not perfection overnight.
Our goal is obedience.
We are building, learning, correcting, growing, and preparing something that we pray can be passed from generation to generation.
The biblical picture before us remains:
Acts 4:32 — KJV
“And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul…”
That is more than a verse we admire.