I have been engrossed in study in the book God's War on Terror. I finished it and will be posting about it soon enough. It was so intense I basically forgot to post. Also finished Aspects of Rabbinic Theology although I only had a little bit left to finish. I tend to be "in" many books at the same time and read according to my "interest" at the moment. The following passage put the fear of the L-RD in me and was referenced in ART but is quoted here from the original source, The Mishnah. Tractate Abot 4:22:
A. ...Those who are born are [destined] to die, and those who die are [destined] for resurrection.
B. And the living are [destined] to be judged--
C. so as to know, to make known, and to confirm that (1) He is G-d,
D. (2) He is the one who forms,
E. (3) He is the one who creates,
F. (4) He is the one who understands,
G. (5) He is the one who judges,
H. (6) He is the one who gives evidence,
I. (7) He is the one who brings suit,
J. (8) and He is the one who is going to make the ultimate judgement.
K. (9) Blessed be He, for before Him are not (1) guile, (2) forgetfulness, (3) respect for persons, (4) bribe taking,
L. for everything is His.
M. And know that everything is subject to reckoning.
N. And do not let your evil impulse persuade you that Sheol is a place of refuge for you.
O. For (1) despite your wishes were you formed, (2) despite your wishes were you born, (3) despite your wishes do you live, (4) despite your wishes do you die, and (5) despite your wishes are you going to give a full accounting before the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Friday, October 22, 2010
Why A Torah Scroll?
Based on my last post, you might be asking yourself the question, "Why does a Gentile man in Merriam, Kansas want a Hebrew Torah Scroll?" Glad you asked.
The Torah is the Five Books of Moses and is the very foundation of the Bible. In his book Jewish Roots, Dan Juster one of the leading Messianic Jewish leaders of today (Jews who love Jesus as their Messiah), writes from a historically Jewish perspective about this foundational aspect of the Torah:
"The Jewish tradition has venerated the Torah above all other revelation. The reason for this is clear: Torah is foundational; all other revelation is to be tested by its consistency to Torah. Therefore, although all Scriptures are inspired by God, Torah is clearly foundational. This has vast implications for our understanding of the New Testament. Any interpretation of the New Covenant Scriptures [New Testament] which is inconsistent with the revelation in the Torah cannot be true."
This is consistent with the character and nature of Jesus. Our Messiah Jesus lived a perfect life according to Hebrews 4:15, Ephesians 4:13, and other Scriptures. He was the perfect Lamb that was slain. But perfect according to what? According to God's law written in the Torah. Jesus was and is and will always be the only One found worthy. He fleshed out the law or Torah of God perfectly because He is the Word of God. The Gospel according to John in chapter one reveals this when he says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." The same Divine Presence that was with God in the beginning, was the Word or Torah of God, that Word then became manifest in the person of Jesus who of course lives out the law perfectly because He is the Law! He is the Living Torah! What a story!
As I like to emphasize, Jewish tradition often points to and alludes to Jesus even if they do not recognize Him as Messiah. This quote reads like the Gospel of John and is taken from Jewish Folklore and Legend:
"According to one tradition God actually created the Torah first, and then consulted it before creating the world...The Torah then became personalized as a kind of artisan, a medium by which the creation of the world was set in motion, and the whole creative process planned. In this sense it may be seen as the Logos, or the divine word."
So, acquiring a Torah Scroll is a way to connect with the Artisan of creation, Jesus as the Living Torah, the very cornerstone of the Bible.
The Torah is the Five Books of Moses and is the very foundation of the Bible. In his book Jewish Roots, Dan Juster one of the leading Messianic Jewish leaders of today (Jews who love Jesus as their Messiah), writes from a historically Jewish perspective about this foundational aspect of the Torah:
"The Jewish tradition has venerated the Torah above all other revelation. The reason for this is clear: Torah is foundational; all other revelation is to be tested by its consistency to Torah. Therefore, although all Scriptures are inspired by God, Torah is clearly foundational. This has vast implications for our understanding of the New Testament. Any interpretation of the New Covenant Scriptures [New Testament] which is inconsistent with the revelation in the Torah cannot be true."
This is consistent with the character and nature of Jesus. Our Messiah Jesus lived a perfect life according to Hebrews 4:15, Ephesians 4:13, and other Scriptures. He was the perfect Lamb that was slain. But perfect according to what? According to God's law written in the Torah. Jesus was and is and will always be the only One found worthy. He fleshed out the law or Torah of God perfectly because He is the Word of God. The Gospel according to John in chapter one reveals this when he says, "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us..." The same Divine Presence that was with God in the beginning, was the Word or Torah of God, that Word then became manifest in the person of Jesus who of course lives out the law perfectly because He is the Law! He is the Living Torah! What a story!
As I like to emphasize, Jewish tradition often points to and alludes to Jesus even if they do not recognize Him as Messiah. This quote reads like the Gospel of John and is taken from Jewish Folklore and Legend:
"According to one tradition God actually created the Torah first, and then consulted it before creating the world...The Torah then became personalized as a kind of artisan, a medium by which the creation of the world was set in motion, and the whole creative process planned. In this sense it may be seen as the Logos, or the divine word."
So, acquiring a Torah Scroll is a way to connect with the Artisan of creation, Jesus as the Living Torah, the very cornerstone of the Bible.
Monday, October 11, 2010
150 Year Old Torah Scroll Available
A few months ago, I met this older man at the Jerusalem Conference hosted by the American Institute for Advanced Biblical Studies. He had a few items for sale including an old Esther Megillah Scroll (which he sold at the conference) and most interestingly a 150 year old Torah Scroll! It seemed to be in very good shape (although I am no expert) and very usable although it clearly is not kosher. His asking price was an astonishingly low $2,500! Torah Scrolls can range from $10K-$60K or more so this is quite a deal. A scroll will typically take a sofer (official Hebrew scribe) almost a year to complete!
The man bought the scroll at a store in Tzfat, Israel a few years back. It is quite beautiful. It does not have the Torah Scroll rollers so those would have to be purchased and attached separately (typically a couple hundred bucks). I contacted him again recently to see if the Torah Scroll was still available and it is and he said he was willing to sell it for $2,150 because he wants someone to be blessed by using it! Also, the Scroll is in Houston, Texas and probably should not be shipped so we would need to go and get it. Let me know if you are interested in helping to bring a Torah Scroll to Merriam. Any money donated is tax deductible if it is given to Kingdom Living.
The man bought the scroll at a store in Tzfat, Israel a few years back. It is quite beautiful. It does not have the Torah Scroll rollers so those would have to be purchased and attached separately (typically a couple hundred bucks). I contacted him again recently to see if the Torah Scroll was still available and it is and he said he was willing to sell it for $2,150 because he wants someone to be blessed by using it! Also, the Scroll is in Houston, Texas and probably should not be shipped so we would need to go and get it. Let me know if you are interested in helping to bring a Torah Scroll to Merriam. Any money donated is tax deductible if it is given to Kingdom Living.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
He Who Is Wise Prepares
I just read this Talmudic Tale from the ancient Jewish sages and couldn't help but notice the similarities between our Messiah's teaching in Matthew 25. I thought is was relevant to this season to see repentance as wisdom and preparation for the returning of our Messiah.
A king, in order to test out the wisdom of his attendants, invited them to a banquet but did not set an exact hour for the feast.
The wise ones among them dressed fittingly and held themselves in readiness for the call as they said, "We might be called any moment."
The foolish ones, on the other hand, said, "There will be plenty of time to prepare" and went about their affairs making no preparation whatever for it.
Suddenly, the king announced that the banquet was ready and the wise, who were ready and fittingly clothed, were admitted and seated at the table but to those who had foolishly delayed preparing themselves and came in their work clothes, he said:
"Those who are properly attired for the banquet may sit down and dine with me but those who did not properly prepare themselves, after being invited, shall stand and look on."
It was Rabbi Eliezer who said, "Repent one day before thy death." "But," asked his pupils. "How does a man know on what day he will die so he may repent before that day?"
"Ah!" responded the sage, "that is the secret. Let him prepare today and every day lest he die tomorrow, and doing so, he will be prepared every day of his life."
Compare this story to our rabbi Jesus':
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the fooish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out,' But the wise answered saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridgroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (NKJ)
A king, in order to test out the wisdom of his attendants, invited them to a banquet but did not set an exact hour for the feast.
The wise ones among them dressed fittingly and held themselves in readiness for the call as they said, "We might be called any moment."
The foolish ones, on the other hand, said, "There will be plenty of time to prepare" and went about their affairs making no preparation whatever for it.
Suddenly, the king announced that the banquet was ready and the wise, who were ready and fittingly clothed, were admitted and seated at the table but to those who had foolishly delayed preparing themselves and came in their work clothes, he said:
"Those who are properly attired for the banquet may sit down and dine with me but those who did not properly prepare themselves, after being invited, shall stand and look on."
It was Rabbi Eliezer who said, "Repent one day before thy death." "But," asked his pupils. "How does a man know on what day he will die so he may repent before that day?"
"Ah!" responded the sage, "that is the secret. Let him prepare today and every day lest he die tomorrow, and doing so, he will be prepared every day of his life."
Compare this story to our rabbi Jesus':
"Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish. Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them, but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.
"And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!' Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. And the fooish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out,' But the wise answered saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.' And while they went to buy, the bridgroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.
"Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!' But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'
"Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming." (NKJ)
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Nature of Pleasure Seeking
I will try to address the questions from my previous posts in a future blog post. For now, here is is an excerpt from The Wisdom of Maimonides pg 33 as quoted from Introduction to Perek Herek, Sanhedrin.
"If you contemplate these two forms of pleasure--physical and nonphysical--you will appreciate the baseness of the one and the supremacy of the other, even in this material world. This is obvious from the fact that most people--and perhaps even all--will spend prodigious psychological and physical effort in order to attain position and honor in the eyes others. This pleasure is not physical pleasure, such as eating and drinking.
Similarly, many people choose to seek revenge on their enemies rather than indulge themselves in physical pleasure. And we find that many people avoid the greatest of physical pleasures out of fear that this will bring them shame and embarrassment in the eyes of people, or because they desire to enhance their reputation.
If this is our situation in the material world, surely this applies in the spiritual world--the World to Come--where our souls will be able to experience the Creator. This pleasure cannot be parceled out or described, nor can an analogy be given to define it...
This is the ultimate good to which no good can be compared, nor can any pleasure be likened to it. For how can there be any comparison between that which is eternal and endless, and any temporal matter?"
The argument is interesting in that the realities of the material world point to the supremacy of the spiritual world. It seems to me that it is as if we are experiencing a taste of His eternal kingdom even though it is not fully here yet. And that there is some sort of unity between the physical and spiritual worlds as even this physical/material world is pointing to the supremacy of the World to Come when the physical and spiritual realites will be fully revealed and heaven and earth will be come one.
"If you contemplate these two forms of pleasure--physical and nonphysical--you will appreciate the baseness of the one and the supremacy of the other, even in this material world. This is obvious from the fact that most people--and perhaps even all--will spend prodigious psychological and physical effort in order to attain position and honor in the eyes others. This pleasure is not physical pleasure, such as eating and drinking.
Similarly, many people choose to seek revenge on their enemies rather than indulge themselves in physical pleasure. And we find that many people avoid the greatest of physical pleasures out of fear that this will bring them shame and embarrassment in the eyes of people, or because they desire to enhance their reputation.
If this is our situation in the material world, surely this applies in the spiritual world--the World to Come--where our souls will be able to experience the Creator. This pleasure cannot be parceled out or described, nor can an analogy be given to define it...
This is the ultimate good to which no good can be compared, nor can any pleasure be likened to it. For how can there be any comparison between that which is eternal and endless, and any temporal matter?"
The argument is interesting in that the realities of the material world point to the supremacy of the spiritual world. It seems to me that it is as if we are experiencing a taste of His eternal kingdom even though it is not fully here yet. And that there is some sort of unity between the physical and spiritual worlds as even this physical/material world is pointing to the supremacy of the World to Come when the physical and spiritual realites will be fully revealed and heaven and earth will be come one.
Friday, August 27, 2010
What Do You Mean "Bless the L-RD"?
Can we as created beings really bless the Almighty, our Creator? So I came across a great explanation for why we should bless the L-RD. Not surprisingly, it starts in Torah: Deuteronomy 8:10 is the original context for blessing the L-RD. "So you will eat and be satisfied, and you will bless the L-RD your G-d for the good land He has given you."
Of note is the fact that the commandment (#19 of the 248 positive ones according to Maimonides) is to bless the L-RD not the food. So what does it mean to bless the L-RD? I'm glad you asked. Dr. Brad Young explains, "The Hebrew term barakh [where we get the word "bless"], in this context (Deut 8:10), does not mean to provide a blessing but rather means to worship God by acknowledging His kingdom and His authority, an action which also influences a person's conduct in daily life" (pg 121 from JJT). Many people ask me the question, so how does your understanding of Jewish roots impact your everyday life?
Praying before meal time is a common everyday occurrence for many followers of Jesus so I think this is a great example to address that question. Dr. Young argues that by blessing the L-RD for providing your food (and/or all sorts of other things!) you are going beyond "...mere praise because, in essence, blessing G-d is a full recognition of His lordship and sovereignty. One could say that one is actually acknowledging the kingdom of G-d, His rule, and His reign as sovereign L-RD of His creation" (pg 120 from JJT). Even as I write this it makes me want to bless the L-RD! Speaking words into existence have real power in His kingdom just as He taught us to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done". By blessing Him we are acknowledging the reality of His kingdom!
Dr. Young goes as far as to say that "the failure to bless G-d for benefit received from the world is to deny His goodness and His authority over all that He has created" (pg 121 from JJT). Maybe this is why Shaul (also known as Paul) implores the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). Let's bless the L-RD in all things!
Of note is the fact that the commandment (#19 of the 248 positive ones according to Maimonides) is to bless the L-RD not the food. So what does it mean to bless the L-RD? I'm glad you asked. Dr. Brad Young explains, "The Hebrew term barakh [where we get the word "bless"], in this context (Deut 8:10), does not mean to provide a blessing but rather means to worship God by acknowledging His kingdom and His authority, an action which also influences a person's conduct in daily life" (pg 121 from JJT). Many people ask me the question, so how does your understanding of Jewish roots impact your everyday life?
Praying before meal time is a common everyday occurrence for many followers of Jesus so I think this is a great example to address that question. Dr. Young argues that by blessing the L-RD for providing your food (and/or all sorts of other things!) you are going beyond "...mere praise because, in essence, blessing G-d is a full recognition of His lordship and sovereignty. One could say that one is actually acknowledging the kingdom of G-d, His rule, and His reign as sovereign L-RD of His creation" (pg 120 from JJT). Even as I write this it makes me want to bless the L-RD! Speaking words into existence have real power in His kingdom just as He taught us to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done". By blessing Him we are acknowledging the reality of His kingdom!
Dr. Young goes as far as to say that "the failure to bless G-d for benefit received from the world is to deny His goodness and His authority over all that He has created" (pg 121 from JJT). Maybe this is why Shaul (also known as Paul) implores the Thessalonians to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thess 5:17). Let's bless the L-RD in all things!
Sunday, August 22, 2010
I Have Officially Entered The 21st Century
So, after much pressure from Leah and many others of the blogging community, I have leaped the technological hurdle of computer saviness (with generous support from Leah) to begin my journey into blogging. By nature, I am a face-to-face person. I do not prefer email, phone, texting, or blogging for communication purposes. However, I do enjoy reading other peoples' blogs. I am the guy who reads and rarely comments but mainly because I can't figure out the word verification, those things can be pretty hard. So, I thought maybe someone out there might enjoy hearing from me every now and again. Plus, as you all know, I have a lot to say and I am very opinionated, so thank you for taking the time to listen to me and/or the people I am quoting.
The following is a quote from a book I just finished. Dr. Young is a Christian who got his Ph. D. from Hebrew University and studied under Dr. David Flusser (probably the most renowned scholar of his day on the historical Jesus). My journey in discovering the Jewishness of Jesus has been so exciting and life giving that I can't even begin to put it in words. Here is a taste of what I love...
Jesus The Jewish Theologian by Dr. Brad Young pg 273
"So the theology of many Jewish scholars is not to have a theology. At least one should not be overly aware of ones theology. Perhaps blind obedience to the Torah will better reveal the divine presence in everyday experience than the intellectual exchange of conceptual ideas. God is too vast. Mystery and wonder must pervade human perception of God's goodness. Contradictions and inconsistencies are part and parcel of God and His mysteries. One learns by doing. The Eastern mind loves riddles and is fond of mystery. The Western theologian explains much and understands little. The Eastern mindset of Jewish theology reveres God and wonders at His mysteries. All attempts to systematize God will fall short. Stand in amazement. Wonder in awe.
Jesus is like that. He never wrote a creed. He did not occupy Himself with systematic theology. But He is a profound theologian even if He would feel uncomfortable with this Western designation, He is a theologian but His theology is Jewish to the core, being rooted in Torah faithful Judaism. He stressed action more than belief. His theology emerges in the metaphor of parable and a holy reverence for life. God is good. One must stand in wonder and awe before Him."
The following is a quote from a book I just finished. Dr. Young is a Christian who got his Ph. D. from Hebrew University and studied under Dr. David Flusser (probably the most renowned scholar of his day on the historical Jesus). My journey in discovering the Jewishness of Jesus has been so exciting and life giving that I can't even begin to put it in words. Here is a taste of what I love...
Jesus The Jewish Theologian by Dr. Brad Young pg 273
"So the theology of many Jewish scholars is not to have a theology. At least one should not be overly aware of ones theology. Perhaps blind obedience to the Torah will better reveal the divine presence in everyday experience than the intellectual exchange of conceptual ideas. God is too vast. Mystery and wonder must pervade human perception of God's goodness. Contradictions and inconsistencies are part and parcel of God and His mysteries. One learns by doing. The Eastern mind loves riddles and is fond of mystery. The Western theologian explains much and understands little. The Eastern mindset of Jewish theology reveres God and wonders at His mysteries. All attempts to systematize God will fall short. Stand in amazement. Wonder in awe.
Jesus is like that. He never wrote a creed. He did not occupy Himself with systematic theology. But He is a profound theologian even if He would feel uncomfortable with this Western designation, He is a theologian but His theology is Jewish to the core, being rooted in Torah faithful Judaism. He stressed action more than belief. His theology emerges in the metaphor of parable and a holy reverence for life. God is good. One must stand in wonder and awe before Him."
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