Remove Restore Refresh – True, Deeper Hebrew & Jewish Roots and Practices for Christians
Introduction
The Universal Big Picture before the Concrete Specifics
The Torah, the Prophets, and Yeshua often tend to begin by saying what should not be done. The Torah traditionally is said to contain 613 “commandments”!
First, let us quickly point out in short, the following. For the Jewish brothers, Yeshua clearly teaches his fellow Jews to continue to “safeguard by observing, protect, distance from danger (English “observe”) both the Torah (especially!) and the practices of the “P’rushim (“Separate Ones” “Pharisees”) Mt. 5:17-20 vss. 18-19, 23:3 and v. 23. Cf. also Acts 3:1-2, especially 21:20 and Acts 21-28!
The very “key” question is: “does Yeshua instruct his beloved Taught Ones, to teach the Nations about “safeguard by observing”, the Festivals and Judaica” cf. Mt. 28:18-19? If so, where?
Further, one has to ask “does Yeshua do an admonishing rebuke to the 7 assemblies of Gentiles in Rev. 2-3 because they are not observing a couple of the Festivals, and failing to acquire Judaica?
Paul writes, as is post-Biblically divided up, a total of 86 chapters in his 13 Ruach Hakodesh inspired Letters. In those 86 chapters, how many are devoted to instructing or encouraging Gentiles to observe a couple of the Festivals, or to acquire or utilize Judaica? Or, as some are today, inventing Jewish identities for themselves or changing their Gentile name to a Jewish one?
Is this what Paul means when after instructing the Corinthians about being members of one another, of being one Body, etc., he ends 1 Cor. 12 (cf. vss. 12-27) with the following?
Paul in 1 Cor. 12:31 in KG refers to (a) “uperbolnv odov” “(a) far above, far beyond, absolutely superior, plan-council way” that he will show “you – plural”. Paul puts “uperbolnv odov umiv” literally “far above, far beyond, absolutely superior way (to) you – plural” at the end of 1 Cor. 12:31 for emphasis.
To Paul, is this “far beyond, absolutely superior way” for the primarily Gentile Corinthians, that of observing the Festivals and acquiring Judaica? Does Paul see that the myriad of problems the Corinthians have is because they are not observing all the Festivals or blowing the shofar (ram’s horn)?
Does Paul instruct the Corinthians in 1 Cor. 12:12-27 – or anywhere for that matter – that the unity he so desires for the Body (cf. Eph. 4:3 etc. 1 Cor. 12:12-27) can or will be achieved if Gentile followers will simply discover the Festivals and Judaica, as your Jewish roots?
The Letters of Jacob and Hebrews are addressed in their original historical-cultural context and intention, to the Jewish brothers. So then do Peter, Yochanon, or Judah in writing to Gentiles, teach or encourage Gentiles regarding the Festivals and Judaica? If so, where?
One quick note; Judah does not seem to have a necessarily specific audience in mind. However, it seems hard to imagine that Jews who became followers of Yeshua would then have incorporated the mystical pagan religious approaches and thinking that Judah adamantly opposes.
Peter, Yochanon, and Judah write a total of 16 chapters in their combined Letters.
Yochanon calls for special attention in particular. Why?
Yochanon, it should be noted, is the last of the Twelve Yeshua personally sent out. Yochanon – and we believe this is very “key” – raises for us this question. What does the Ruach Hakodesh seem to be emphasizing that we do not miss by inspiring Yochanon to emphasize it?
What doesn’t Yochanon emphasize – or even speak of? What does Yochanon emphasize? What in particular is used – out of proportion – by Yochanon, compared to the earlier Letter writers of the RCS?
In a word – literally – love!
Of the 53 uses in the Gospel of the verbal form of agape, agapeo, 36 are in Yochanon’s Gospel. Clearly, Yochanon – again the last Gospel writer – gives great weight to love in action.
Of the 36 uses, 24 are found in Yochanon 13-17. Yochanon 13-16 consists of Yeshua’s last detailed recorded teaching. Yochanon 17 is our Master’s very Hebraic “extend the hands and ask” form of prayer. The same form of prayer is found in the Hebrew of Psalm 122:6.
Two dozen uses of love – in just 4 chapters! Again, with the context being Yeshua’s last detailed recorded teaching, we must ask: what is Yeshua trying to be sure his beloved Taught Ones “be and do”? Is it not love; meaning in part “complete devotion to the other” and more deeply in Hebrew, “to breath after someone”?
Does Yeshua in Yochanon 13-16 – or anywhere – say or teach that the World would know – in Hebrew – “experience, intimacy, personal relationship” – that they had “given everything up to follow the life, the words, the teaching of the Teacher (simple English “Disciple/disciple”)? When the World sees them observing the Festivals together; or is it going to be by reciprocating love for one another Yochanon 13:34-35?
The extremely “key” question is; what does our wonderful Mashiach expect to be brought forward by the Jewish brothers Mashiach personally chose?
That those of the Nations focus on the Festivals and Judaica – rather than – “complete devotion to one another by reciprocating love back and forth”?
Which – the Festivals and Judaica or love – is given as a commandment? What again does Yeshua expect the Taught Ones to use to “make taught ones – those that have given everything up to follow the life, the words, the teaching of the Teacher”.
What “fulfilling of which leads to fullness of life” (part of the meaning of the word translated commandment) in Mt. 28:18-19 did Yeshua teach the Taught Ones?
We will segue back to commandment in a bit.
First however let us please examine the following evidence; then decide for yourself what is truly fundamentally and foundationally “Jewish” for Gentile followers of Yeshua.
The Gospel consists altogether of 89 chapters. In those 89 chapters how much does Yeshua speak of the Gentiles lacking or being pagan and ungodly because “they do not observe the Festivals, and do not seek Judaica”?
Paul’s Letters consist of 13 Letters and a total of 86 chapters. Paul uses forms of brothers 125-150 times. Forms of “agapeo” love, 130 times (75 as the noun “agape”).
Paul uses “shalom” (KG “eirene”) translated simply as “peace” but more deeply in Hebrew in part “…restoration of relationship…not just a superficial co-existence, but a harmony and an organic interaction”.
Shalom also includes the deeper idea “to bring disparate elements together”, as one of the great 19th century Torah teachers and philologists (word study expert) correctly explains.
Does Paul teach somewhere “that when those of the Nations who follow Yeshua observe the Festivals and acquire Judaica, this is the way to bring the disparate elements of Jew and Gentile together in unity? If so; where?
In the Letters written more specifically to Gentiles, other than by Paul, i.e. Peter, Judah, and Yochanon there are a total of 16 chapters.
We neglected to mention above that 1 Yochanon, which is 5 chapters, has over 40 uses of various forms of love.
Does the last extended Letter, 1 Yochanon, speak of the “Jewish roots” as incorrectly taught today, or love?
To return, of those 16 chapters why is there not one reference to the original hearers and their “Jewish roots”, as put forth today, i.e. the Festivals and Jewish objects?
If Christians “need to restore our Jewish roots”, which does Peter emphasize in his 2 Letters? Is it Festivals, Judaica, and inventing-acquiring Jewish identities? Or, is it what is known in Hebrew as one’s “spiritual level”, and especially “ethics, morals, discipline, commitment, a striving for personal perfection in serving God by serving others”? In short for now, the big issue is, is the Biblical model that Gentiles seek “Jewish Roots” on or largely on their own? Are Gentiles supposed to pursue this with little or no regard and shalom for their Jewish brothers?
Though unfortunately Western Tradition scholars seem to be unaware of this deeper meaning of what they refer to as ethics and morals, they point out the following about Peter’s two Letters.
1 and 2 Peter both focus on ethics and morals, to go along with Peter’s focus on eschatology (End Time events).
Do Peter’s ethics and morals for Yeshua’s followers include their “Jewish roots” as “taught” today, regarding a focus on the “fun” things of Judaism?
To sum up before returning to “commandment”:
- In the 89 chapters of the Gospel, how many references are there to the “Jewish roots” “teaching” that focuses on the Festivals and Judaica – for Gentiles?
It is a quick but “key” side-note: scholars point out Luke-Acts is Luke’s “apologetic”, his defense for the inclusion of Gentiles. How much – if at all – does Luke speak of the “Jewish roots” when it comes to the Gentiles?
What do the Jewish Taught Ones in the Jerusalem Council of Acts 15 indicate that the Gentiles must give up? Do they decide “the Gentiles must observe the Festivals and acquire and use Judaica, or they have no fellowship with us”?
Is that really what they see the Gentiles learning from the Torah.
- Paul writes 86 chapters in his 13 Letters. He uses forms of brothers 125-150 times, and in fact “Xristianos” “Christians” – zero Paul uses forms of love 130 times. Of the 155 uses of grace (KG “Xaris”), 95 – an overwhelming number – are by Paul.
Paul uses the KG “eirene” for “shalom”, in all 13 Letters.
Does Paul teach today’s “Jewish roots” in all 13 Letters? In how many Letters does Paul reference “Jewish roots” as taught today? (Answer – only twice! 1 Cor. 5 and Col. 2:16-17).
- Why does Paul then in the context of writing to the Gentile brothers in Colossae (Colossians) refer to the “Jewish roots” of festivals and related as “skia” “shadow”?
In Col. 2:17 Paul says “..to de swma Tou Xpistou” “and in comparison-contrast (to what I just said), specifically referring to the Body specifically absolutely of the Mashiach”. (Taking the articular genitive here as “absolute”)
- In other words what is the body, translated “substance”? Is it some observances done in a cursory and pick-and-choose way – or, the Mashiach?
Very quickly for here, there is a well-known Hebrew term among knowledgeable Jews called “substance”. Knowledgeable and observant Jews seek and look not for what is called in Hebrew “external, superficial” but rather for “substance”.
As we open up in our teaching “commandment” in Hebrew means “fulfilling of which leads to fullness of the life, delegation of authority while the LORD retains control, like being assigned to a (military) post”.
As we point out in our teaching the Torah does not actually use the word “sin” regarding what Adam and Eve did. Not to say that they did not sin; but rather, in short, what did they actually fail to do?
They failed to do what the LORD gave in Hebrew as a “command, fulfilling of which leads to fullness of life” cf. Gen. 2:16. Adam had one thing not to eat.
In short, Adam did fail to act about something he should have done. Rather, he failed to follow the LORD’s “fulfilling of which leads to fullness of life”, by his act of eating from the fruit he was expressly commanded not to!
Also, in far far too short for here, Eve listened to someone she never should have! Eve allowed her Self to get the better of her and then, if we may use a modern term, Eve went and “did her own thing her own way”. The World has never been the same since. Cf. Rom. 5.
As a quick side-note; we believe Jewish brother David Stern is correct to point out that in Rom. 5-6 Paul actually speaks with a positive tone about what Mashiach had done regarding sin, rather than a negative tone.
In other words Paul sees Mashiach as having dealt with the sin of the World positively. Meaning that it is about what positively is now possible through life in union with Mashiach.
Rather, than Paul taking an Augustinian negative view of life.
Our emphasis for followers is on what we call the positive Gospel of Yeshua Hamashiach; not the negative gospel of Augustine.
That is, in short, Yeshua’s positive emphasis on the Kingdom – 111 references in the Gospels, and working followers towards the Kingdom! Cf. Mk. 1:15 et al.
The “negative gospel” focuses on working the individual away from Hell, rather than towards the Kingdom.
In short and without getting into “theology”; Yeshua saw the potential of his fellow Galilean Jews that he taught and spoke with. Yeshua saw positively their “potential” for being subjects of the Kingdom. Cf. Mk. 1:15 et al.
The Augustinian view in short basically sees Man as a total degenerate on his way to Hell.
If that is how Yeshua sees Man, how then do we explain the 10 to 1 ratio of Kingdom references to Hell references in the Gospel, literally 111 to 11? Overall in the RCS it is 137 to 12.
Did you know the following (which is based on our KG concordance)?
- Hell is used just once between Acts 1:1 and Rev. 22:21 (the end of the Bible)
- Paul never uses “Hell” – period!
- Note – there is of course the Lake of Fire in Rev. 20. However, Rev. 21-22 speaks more about Heaven and – this is “key” – Rev. ends with 22:21 rather than Rev. 20.
In other words, the end of Scripture, while it does contain severe warnings to non-followers, is overall greatly encouraging for followers!
The whole point of appropriate practices is to lead us to “be and do” as Mashiach. That is, to lead godly lives rather than merely “believing so I can get into Heaven and avoid the terror of Hell”.
If the latter were “all” that being a follower of Yeshua is about, then why does the Bible give so much specific instruction – and emphasis – about how to lead godly and spiritually “filled full” lives?
To return; the Torah is said to traditionally have 613 commandments. There are more “negative” ones, i.e. things not to do, than things to do.
Further, in Mt. 5-7, Yeshua’s illumination of the real essence-substance of the Torah – Yeshua holds out the Gentiles-pagans as a model not to “be and do” as. Cf. Mt. 5:46-48, Mt. 6:7-8, Mt. 6:31-32. Cf. also Lk. 12:29-31.
In short for here, the LORD in the Torah repeatedly repeatedly tells the Israelites they cannot “be and do” as the peoples around them. In short these peoples practice abominable things! That includes also a complete total utter lack of ethical and moral conduct. This includes, as the Torah specifically teaches us, how others are to be treated.
The rabbis ask the question “Why didn’t the Israelites build what in Hebrew more deeply means “(the) Source-Place of the Presence that dwells like a neighbor” (in simple English, “Tabernacle”) immediately upon being freed from the Constraint of Egypt”? (“Egypt” in Hebrew means “constraint”!).
In short, the rabbis answer correctly. The Israelites had physically left Egypt; but “Egypt” had not yet left them.
In other words; the Israelites were out of Egypt – but Egypt was not yet out of them!
The rabbis correctly point out that before the Israelites could build the place for the LORD to dwell in their midst, they had to do a few “key” things.
First they had to remove Self from themselves. They had to be willing to put the LORD first, better to have the LORD as central.
They then had to be willing to place themselves around the “Source Place of the Presence that dwells like a neighbor” (English “Tabernacle”) according to where the LORD placed each tribe.
Each tribe collectively – this was not at all done individualistically – had to be willing to be in its assigned position around the Source-Place.
When the Israelites were willing to do that – then they received the instructions of the model that the LORD showed to Moshe, to build the Source-Place (“Tabernacle”).
When this was accomplished, in short the Israelites had the completely unprecedented Presence of the LORD in their midst!
They – as a whole People – followed the LORD. No one could touch them!
A couple of “key” things should be noted:
- The Israelites had to prepare, Ex. 19, before they receive what is called in Hebrew “Ten of the Words”, which the World calls “the Ten Commandments”, Ex. 20. (Preparation has already begun on a very extensive audio teaching on the “Ten Commandments”).
- Though the Torah is not historical in the sense of being always strictly chronological, we do see the following:
Are the Israelites given the Appointed Times (“Festivals”) before the “Ten of the Words”?
The Torah gives us in Ex. 20 how the LORD expects the Israelites to “be and do”. To “be and do” justly and righteously, among and between themselves – and others – followed by very specific ways to do so beginning in Ex. 21.
In short for here; “an eye for an eye” is completely misunderstood and applied! Why? Ex. 21:24 in Hebrew in short is “an eye in place of (an) eye”. The word is literally “under”, but is used more than once for “in place of” or “instead of”.
For example, the famous chapter on what is known in Hebrew as the Binding of Isaac Gen. 22, uses this word. Gen. 22:13 in Hebrew says Abraham used the ram in place of Isaac.
The rabbis correctly say that if “an eye for an eye were taken literally as it seems, the whole World would be blind”!
To return, in short the Appointed Times (“Festivals”) shofar (ram’s horn) etc. – are given later in the Torah – after the giving of the “Ten of the Words” (“Ten Commandments”).
The LORD reveals and instructs in short how the Israelites are to “be and do”. The moral, ethical, godly character and integrity they are to “be and do” before – before – the LORD reveals the totality of the Festivals in Lev. 23.
Paul it should be noted takes what is spelled out in detail in Lev. 18 and in effect condenses it in a word. Say, “porneia” “fornication”. Or, a verse or two of conduct and behavior that followers – formerly pagans – need to literally “put to death” (the KG of Col. 3:5). That is, thinking, conduct and behavior towards others that first must be put to death. This is followed in Col. 3 by what type of godly attitude and behavior they should “be and do”.
The rabbis correctly and astutely point out that it is very deliberate that the content of Lev. 18 immediately precedes Lev. 19.
In short Lev. 19-20 are probably the Bible’s greatest chapters on holiness! Does “holiness” mean the “Festivals and Judaica” (i.e., Jewish ritual objects)? No!
In short we explain in our teaching that the Hebrew for “holy” more deeply means “prepare for task, dedicate all resources”.
One of the great 19th century Torah teachers points out in Hebrew that “holy” includes the idea “be at the very height of being absolutely ready to receive all that is good”. (Citing the Hebrew of Gen. 2:3 and context).
In short “holy” also includes the meaning “to act morally”. Lev. 19 begins in short with the LORD telling the Israelites, by the use of the plural form of “holy” in Hebrew, the following.
That the totality of the Israelites are to be holy. “For – like as a model, including divinity, holy; I (the) LORD (to you) collectively (am) your God”.
We rendered “collectively your God” because “your God” here in Hebrew is in the plural, not singular.
If we were to stop here and learn together Lev. 19, would we see “signs and wonders”? Would we learn of “doctrinal positions” that make the Israelites holy?
Or, would we learn holiness consists also in godly behavior in everyday life; in real, concrete situations?
In short here is a “key”. Lev. 19:18 the famous verse “love your neighbor as yourself” (in English) is found in the chapters on what constitutes holiness.
Are the verses or a verse on the Festivals and the shofar (ram’s horn) and other Jewish objects the most cited Torah verse in the RCS?
Did you know Lev. 19:18 “love your neighbor” is actually the most cited Torah verse in the RCS? (According to our Greek Translators Edition Index of Quotations).
The Index lists 10 RCS verses where Lev. 19:18 is cited.
Ten is extremely significant in Hebrew. Why? Ten is symbolic of the LORD. How? The tenth Hebrew letter is the first Letter of the Hebrew name LORD.
As one contemporary Orthodox Jewish rabbi astutely points out, 10 is the first number that makes a “complete unit”. (That is, after 1-9 – all single digits – 10 “completes” the single numbers. Ten is composed of two numbers, not a single number).
It is no coincidence that the first letter of LORD is also the first letter of Yeshua, Israel, Jerusalem, and Jew as well as of Isaac and Jacob.
Lest we forget it is also the first letter of Judah, Jacob’s son that Yeshua is particularly connected with. Cf. Rev. 5:5!
Our KG concordance lists 143 uses of the key word for holy “agios”, not pertaining to the Ruach Hakodesh.
That is eight times more uses than “lalein glwwsai” “speaking tongues” and 143 times more uses than “doctrine”. (We point out in our teaching that in fact there is no KG word “doctrine”! Two words for “teach” and “instruct” are spun as “doctrine” in English translations. This is to try to get the Text to conform to post-Biblical Western Tradition agendas).
To think Yeshua used the word “doctrine” is as ludicrous and inaccurate as thinking William Shakespeare thought or wrote Hamlet in Hebrew!
As we open up in depth we hope (!) in our teaching on the original Hebrew name of the Holy Spirit – Ruach Hakodesh – we learn the following.
Ruach “Spirit” comes from a verb; “to force open space”. Holy as we brought out above more deeply means “to be at the very height of being absolutely ready to receive all that is good”.
Very “key” is that in Hebrew “the” is attached to “Holy”. As we explain in our teaching, the in Hebrew more deeply indicates “positive bearer of existence-actuality”. Further, when attached to a verb (as one of the great Orthodox Jewish philologists points out) it indicates “to serve as an agent” (i.e., means) and “activity that includes motion”.
Thus the Ruach Hakodesh is the positive bearer of existence-actuality that serves as an “agent” (i.e., means), is active with motion, that “forces open, spreads”.
In other words the Ruach Hakodesh is not at all for the “purpose” of primarily individualistic ecstatic experiences.
As we point out in our teaching – the ancient pagan cults focused on exactly that; very individualistic ecstatic experiences. Does not Paul very much try to reign this in 1 Cor. 14?
Incidentally what is translated “saints” in the RCS is in KG holy” in plural form. Paul for example really means “holy ones” – which is why we render it accordingly.
To see how Paul says things should be in the assemblies of the “holy ones” please especially see 1 Cor. 14:33!
God willing, more to follow!