About Us
Todd D. Bennett is an author, teacher, and speaker who operates a specialty tour business providing custom tailored trips to Israel. He has spent nearly twenty years traveling to the land of Israel researching history, archaeology, and ancient biblical languages while investigating the Hebrew roots of the faith in Messiah.
Todd is the author of the highly acclaimed Walk in the Light series as well as other books, articles, and teachings. Part of his mission involves helping the poor and the needy through Shema Yisrael Charities.
Shema Yisrael Publications’ mission is to: “Publish, distribute and teach the Hebraic roots of the faith taught by Yahushua the Messiah. Provide monetary and educational assistance to promote the advancement of Scriptural truth and to enhance the lives of people throughout the world.”
What we believe
We believe that after the rebellion of mankind, the Father YHWH (Yahuwah) chose Abram, brought him out of Babylon and made Covenant with him, changed his name and gave the promise that “In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” Genesis 22:18
That Covenant flowed through Yitshaq and Yaakob, who was later named Yisrael. Yisrael was and remains the assembly of Believers who are in Covenant with YHWH – not to be confused with the Modern State of Israel.
Yisrael was chosen to be the conduit for the Messiah and for the redemption of mankind.
Yisrael was supposed to be a nation of priests and shine as a light to the nations. They failed and instead of drawing the nations to
YHWH, they strayed and followed after the gods of the nations.
Yisrael was divided into two kingdoms, the Northern Tribes called the House of Yisrael and the Southern Tribes called the House of Yahudah.
Both the House of Yisrael and the House of Yahudah broke the Covenant and therefore they were both exiled from the Covenant Land.
The House of Yisrael was first exiled by the Assyrians and have never been restored through a Renewed Covenant. The House of Yahudah was later exiled by the Babylonian Kingdom. A remnant of the House of Yahudah returned after their Babylonian exile, but they were never fully restored and were eventually exiled again by the Romans.
YHWH provided a great promise through the Prophet Jeremiah:
“31 Behold, the days are coming, says YHWH, when I will make a renewed covenant with the House of Yisrael and with the house of Yahudah 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My Covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says YHWH. 33 But this is the Covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says YHWH: I will put My Torah in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.” Jeremiah 31:31-33
We believe that Yahushua HaMoshiach, the “only begotten” (unique) son of the Father, Yahuwah came to renew the Covenant with the House of Yisrael and the House of Yahudah. He taught us how to obey the Torah, which contains the instructions of YHWH and He sent the Spirit to help us obey. He taught against the traditions and commandments of men and religions that burdened people.
He taught us to take his easy yoke and follow Him as he exposed the corrupt religious leaders and taught us how to live in His Kingdom.
In fact, when asked what was the greatest Commandment He stated: “The first of all the Commandments is ‘Hear, O Yisrael, Yahuwah your Elohim, Yahuwah is One. And you shall love Yahuwah your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’” Mark 12:29
In the Hebrew language He said “Shema Yisrael” and He was quoting the Commandment found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5.
Contrary to what some teach, the Torah is not too difficult to obey. YHWH would never ask us to live in a way that was too hard. In fact, He specifically stated: “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.” Deuteronomy 30:11
Yahushua specifically stated: “Do not think that I came to destroy the Torah or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the Torah till all is fulfilled.” Matthew 5:17-18
He also said “If you love Me, keep My Commandments.” John 14:15
Only through following the Master Yahushua can we be covered by the Blood of the Lamb, enter into the Renewed Covenant and properly obey the Torah and rehearse the Appointed Times.
He specifically came as a Shepherd King, like King David. He came to find the lost sheep and stated: “I was not sent except to the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael.” Matthew 15:24
Christianity has taken the words, teachings and actions of Yahushua out of context. The Christian religion has misrepresented His Name and His purpose and applied the Renewed Covenant to the Christian Church rather than the House of Yisrael.
Our mission at Shema Yisrael is to spread the Good News of the Messiah, and obey the Command to “go to the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael” Matthew 10:6
Yahushua came and shed His blood as the Lamb of Elohim. Through His shed blood we can receive forgiveness and cleansing so that we can be restored to the Covenant Assembly of Yisrael – not the Christian Church.
Elohim is looking for obedient servants who will be His priests to the nations. As we go to the nations seeking the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael we are fulfilling the original mandate of Yisrael under the authority of Yahushua the High Priest in the Order of Melchizedek. (Psalm 110:4)
Our primary teaching tool has been the Walk in the Light series, which is intended to guide people out of man-made religious systems and onto the Covenant path.
We also have other books, video teachings, newsletters, articles and tracts to help in this mission.
We invite you to join us in our desire turn “many to righteousness” as described in Daniel. “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:3