I (Jacob) had sent out an email earlier in the day which was my response to a dear brother who kindly had been texting me what in Hebrew would be called a strengthening.
He ended it with Mt. 9:37-38, and I texted back to him Mt. 9:35-36, and then wrote a little about Yeshua’s compassion for his fellow Jews of the Galil “Galilee”.
In the last few decades there has been a tremendous increase in interest in what are called the Hebrew Roots and Jewish Roots, of the Bible and following Yeshua.
Just very quickly for here the use of the term roots is unfortunate. Why? It seems to imply at least in some way, that things begin in Hebrew and Jewish space, that that was the root of steadfast trustworthiness – the meaning of the Hebrew word “faith”, Hebrew not having a word faith or believe, because they’re too conceptual and Hebrew is concrete.
In the same way Hebrew really has no word forever or eternity, but typically expresses it more concretely.
For example, the last verse of Psalm 23 the most beloved of all the Shine Forth Songs of Praise, in Hebrew is literally …”I will dwell in the house of the LORD length of days.”
In short for here dear ones, it is not about Hebrew or Jewish roots; but rather what is the truly fundamental and foundational Hebrew and Jewish understanding of God, the Bible, and following Yeshua?
As we mentioned in the email compassion is one of the attributes that the LORD reveals to Moshe, one that he acts with Man towards. Further, we are supposed to act with that towards each other and others.
According to a Greek Concordance the two words used for compassion are found 23 times.
Lalein glossai “speaking tongues” – in Greek it’s not “speaking in tongues”, it’s “speaking tongues”, found 14 times.
Yeshua does no teaching on it except in Mk. 16:17. This is part of what’s called the longer ending of Mark. In Greek texts this section is double bracketed. Meaning, that there’s some question as to the original authenticity of that part of the text.
For technical reasons and because I always have Jacob (not “James”) 3:1 before me, few should be teachers you’ll be judged the more harshly, I don’t hold to it. If you hold to the longer ending in Mark, I don’t judge you so be it.
In any case regarding tongues there’s at most one mention by Yeshua, and again that particular text is very questionable.
Compassion is mentioned 23 times.
In short for here: unfortunately, by and large it seems that today’s Hebrew roots and Jewish roots focus on things which Yeshua not only doesn’t teach on – but for sure doesn’t teach Gentiles to embrace:
The Festivals
Utilizing Judaica
Learning “Hebrew” or ” learning the meaning of the Hebrew letters” etc., etc.
If someone asked me to point out a verse where Yeshua teaches that especially for Gentiles, how many could I find you? Zero…
In the 86 chapters of Paul, we find no teaching on the above except for two references to the Festivals.
By comparison: Paul uses forms of the word ‘brothers’ between 125 and 150 times. ‘Love’ 130 times, ‘Grace’ 95 times. The Greek word for shalom Paul uses in all 13 of his Letters.
Tongues? Found only in 1st Corinthians and in just two of the 86 chapters the Ruach Hakodesh inspires him to write.
Number of times or places we find Paul teaching Gentiles Hebrew, the meaning of the Hebrew letters, selling Gentiles Judaica? Zero.
If we add up the number of chapters of Peter, Yochanon, and Judah (not “Jude”), those who write to Gentiles in particular that’s another 16 chapters.
We find no teaching on tongues for Gentiles observing the festivals, running around with Judaica, or learning the “meaning of the Hebrew letters”.
So dear ones here’s what we find:
The Gospel contains 89 chapters.
Paul writes 86 chapters.
Peter Yochanon and Judah 16.
If my math is right that’s a total of 191 chapters.
In those we find not 2 chapters but 2 mentions of the Festivals.
We find no teaching on Gentiles utilizing Judaica nor any Jewish brother selling it to them.
We don’t read anywhere of anyone teaching Gentiles “the meaning of the Hebrew letters” etc.
Here’s what we do find as a whole in the RCS.
This is based on a Greek concordance.
The second most used word in the Greek text is ‘kai’, ‘and’. What does ‘and’ do? It connects things. Looking for a true Hebrew and Jewish root? One of the hallmarks of Hebrew is connectedness.
There are 865 uses of ‘we’, ‘us’, ‘our’.
There are almost 670 uses of the Greek word ginomai for ‘be/become’.
Over 60% of them are in the Gospel. This means Yeshua or others mention it well over 350 times.
The Greek word for ‘do/make’ is used almost 570 times.
Over 60% of those are in the Gospel.
This is why you will hear in my teaching that I talk about what Yeshua wants us to be and do.
There are 370 uses of the Greek words for ‘brothers/sisters’.
There are a total of 3 uses of Xristianos Christians.
There are about 345 uses of the Greek words for ‘love’, not pertaining to physical love.
Yochanon far and away uses them more than any other writer. Why is it significant?
Yochanon is the last writer of Scripture. He writes under inspiration of the Ruach Hakodesh. Thus, I would strongly posit, that the Spirit wants to be sure that we don’t miss the emphasis and importance on love, especially when it comes to one another!
In Yochanon’s Gospel there are 36 uses of love, according again to a Greek Concordance.
24 of those are in Yeshua’s last extended recorded teaching Yochanon 13-16. Why don’t we find 24 references to speaking in tongues, or the festivals or Gentiles learning “the meaning of the Hebrew letters”?
Why do we find so much emphasis by our Master not only on love, but love towards one another?
The Concordance list 155 uses of xaris Grace. 95 of those are by Paul. Paul speaks of ‘grace’ 95 times. ‘Tongues’ 14 times.
There are 143 uses of the Greek word for holy, not pertaining to the Ruach Hakodesh.
There are almost 100 uses of the closest Greek equivalent to the Hebrew word shalom. Part of the deeper meaning of shalom is concern for the well-being of others, restoration of relationship, and not just a superficial coexistence but a harmony and an organic interaction.
In Hebrew the word shalom is organically related with the Hebrew word dream, by a couple of shared root letters.
One of the great Torah commentators points out that when Joseph interpreted Pharaoh’s dream, Joseph brought the disparate elements of the dream together. Meaning, the rabbi says, that Joseph interpreted the dream not from elements outside of the dream, but rather brought the disparate elements within the dream together.
In Eph.2:14-17 Paul speaks four times not about the one new man but about the Shalom that Yeshua makes between Jew and Gentile.
That Shalom includes bringing the disparate elements of Jew and Gentile together through the Cross.
Paul speaks of shalom in all 13 of his Letters. Compare this again please, to tongues mentioned in one Letter. In the bigger picture, would we look at the Corinthians as a model to follow?
Paul spends 5 years taking up a collection from the Gentile brethren to the Jewish brothers and Jewish people in Jerusalem. Not 5 days 5 weeks or 5 months but 5 years. Scholars estimate Paul goes 2,000 miles out of his way to do so. Paul is set on bringing the Collection to Jerusalem first; before going to the end of the Earth West which to him was Spain.
In part as we see at the end of 2nd Corinthians 9 part of the purpose of the Collection was to bring Gentiles together with their Jewish Brothers.
Paul spends 5 years and goes 2,000 miles out of his way with this collection. Why instead, doesn’t he do that in selling Gentiles Judaica or teaching them the meaning of the Hebrew letters….
Paul also warned about false teachers and warned his beloved Timothy in his last Letter that there would be those who no longer would put up with sound teaching but instead would accumulate for themselves teachers who told them what they’re itching ears wanted to hear cf. 2 Cor. 11:3-4, 2 Tim. 4:3.
One quick thing about Hebrew. I am not saying Gentiles cannot learn Hebrew. Speaking the truth in love though what I have found is where Hebrew works with my dear Gentile brethren, are those who are Mashiach like. Meaning, they seek to learn Hebrew not for their Self but to better understand and teach and apply the Bible.
Also, they have great humility and great respect and great love and compassion in a real way, as well as a sense of obligation, to the Jewish People and to Israel.
For others unfortunately speaking the truth in love I found that once they start getting interested in Hebrew, they either go off into other things or they’re simply no longer teachable.
A Gentile brother once told me he was learning the supposed ancient meaning of Hebrew words. Something came up in which he absolutely steadfastly refused to forgive someone. When I heard that I pointed out to him, what is the point of learning the ancient Hebrew meaning of the word forgive, if you’re not willing to exercise it towards another brother?
We know that Yeshua told Peter to forgive 7 times 70.
In short: if I thought what most of today’s so-called Hebrew and Jewish roots seem to focus on would make better followers of Yeshua, then I would have taught those things going back almost 30 years ago.
There is an old joke about a star college athlete who was scholastically ineligible for his sport. Someone asked what were his grades? Three E’s and a D. Three E’s and a D; what happened? He spent too much time on the D…
Meaning, he spent so much time on a course he wasn’t going to pass anyway that he flunked the others!
Unfortunately, this is what it’s like with much of today’s Hebrew and Jewish roots movements. There’s a Hebrew Roots movement which sadly seems to have no interest whatsoever with their Jewish Brothers. This is the first instance in history in which there’s Hebrew with no Hebrews, i.e., Jews!
Is that what Yeshua died to make possible; so Gentiles could observe the Festivals, run around with Judaica etc., but have no shalom with their Jewish Brothers?
Is what’s being focused on in much of today so-called Hebrew and Jewish roots teaching, the equivalent of three e’s and a D. Is there any Merit or reward for doing so?
As we pointed out in a separate teaching about the Gentile greats of the Bible; one thing they all had in common besides either fear or love of God? They all either help the Jewish People or Jewish Brothers in some way.
Looking for your lost Hebrew and Jewish roots that the Western system robbed you of? There they are!
On our website on the About You and Us page we point out that we’re not here to tell you what to think but rather the better help you think for yourself. So:
- 865 uses of ‘we’ ‘us’ ‘our’
- 370 uses of ‘brothers’ ‘sisters’
- 345 or so uses of ‘love’
Thank you, LORD, for reminding me; according to Greek text sources what is the most cited verse of the Torah in the RCS? Does it have anything to do with the Festivals or Judaica?
Is Leviticus 19:18, cited 10 times and in simple English love your neighbor as yourself.
- 155 uses of ‘grace’
- 143 uses of ‘holy/holiness’
- Almost 100 uses of ‘shalom’
Very quickly while we’re at it there are almost 70 uses of the Greek word translated clean, and about 45 uses of the word translated unclean.
These have tremendous tremendous tremendous meaning and significant in Hebrew and they are overwhelmingly found in Leviticus.
All kinds of teaching and emphasis on tongues among many followers; mention 14 times. By comparison clean and unclean combined over 110.
As we said we’re not here to teach you what to think but with God’s help to help you better think for yourself.
So then please dear one, look at the tape measure we gave you above so to speak, in other words based on a Greek Concordance what’s actually emphasized and what isn’t, and measure for yourself what Scripture emphasizes, and what in part seems to be the Real and True Hebrew and Jewish basis of Scripture and following Yeshua.
Again, as I’ve said Jacob 3:1, as a teacher I am subject to harsher judgment. We all however have to come before the Judgment seat and give an account of our actions 2 Cor. 5:10.
In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells the Corinthians that when he was a child he acted like a child. And he became a man, he put away the childish things.
Imagine the tremendous potential positive possibilities if in both today’s Hebrew and Jewish roots movements and in some major aspects of evangelicalism, there was a Brotherhood movement, a love movement, a Grace movement, a holiness movement, and a Shalom movement – and the emphasis on being and doing what Yeshua actually lived, modeled, and teaches us to be and do!
Jacob
assemblywithouthewalls.org
2 Cor 2:17