Shameless

No this is not about anybody’s “shameless” actions, well except mine! This is a plug for anybody who would appreciate a Jewish torah study resource. A Daily Dose Of Torah, Volume 1, the complete set is available on Amazon at a nice price with free shipping. The author is Rabbi Yosaif Asher Weiss.

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Yitro

One of the neat things I read from the Torah Portion this week was from the 10 Commandments.

“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.  (Exo 20:8 ESV)

This is what Rashi says on this verse:

Remember Heb. זָכוֹר [The words] “remember (זָכוֹר)” and “keep (שָׁמוֹר)” (Deut. 5:12) were pronounced with one utterance. Similarly [the statements], “Those who profane it shall be put to death” (Exod. 31:14) and “And on the Sabbath day, two lambs” (Num. 28:9) [were said in one utterance], and similarly, “You shall not wear shaatnez,” and “You shall make tzitzith for yourself” (Deut. 22:11, 12). Similarly, [the phrases] “The nakedness of your brother’s wife [you shall not uncover]” (Lev. 18:16), [and] “Her brother-in-law shall come in to her” (Deut. 25:5) [were said in one utterance]. This [occurrence of God saying two phrases simultaneously in one utterance] is the meaning of what is said: “God spoke one thing, I heard two” (Ps. 62:12) (Mechilta). [The word] זָכוֹר is in the פָּעוֹל {pa-ol} form, an expression of ongoing action, like “[Let us engage in] eating and drinking אָכוֹל וְשָׁתוֹ) )” (Isa. 22:13), [and] “walking and weeping הָלוֹ וָּבָכֹה) )” (II Sam. 3:16), and this is its interpretation: Pay attention to always remember the Sabbath day, so that if you chance upon a beautiful thing, you shall prepare it for the Sabbath (Mechilta). (my emphasis)

There is plenty of confusing commentary in Rashi’s statement, but disregarding that I want to highlight the last sentence.  When studying Jewish midrash there are often stories of certain folks who find something special during the week, buy it and save it for the coming Sabbath.  The point is, it is a common practice to reserve the best of your goods for use on the Sabbath in an effort to enhance the pleasure and sanctity of the day.  Examples are clothing (a nice dress or suit), food (a nice cut of meat), etc.

Distinctions.

This is simply a physical way and something we can do to make distinctions between the 7th day and the other 6.  The idea of remembering in Hebrew is not static, abstract thought of former things.  It is actually a performance, whether you are speaking words or acting on behalf of somebody or something.  We are to be in remembrance of the Sabbath, all week long.  This culminates on Friday evening when, in traditional Torah homes, the candles are lit and the prayer for kiddush (sanctification) is recited.  We can do our part to set the Sabbath apart in our lives, just like God did in Genesis.

19 Shevat 5769

First things first

The first thing goes like this:

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.  (Gen 1:1 ESV)

Oh, and by the way:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. 

(Joh 1:1-2 MKJV)

We’ll leave that one for another day, but suffice it to say, this also has something to do with Yeshua (Jesus).

We start here, Genesis 1:1.  Why do we start here?  Because it’s the beginning.  The beginning is important because it also tells about the end:

remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ 

(Isa 46:9-10 ESV, emphasis mine)

So we have established that it is important to look at the beginning.  The beginning of the Bible has been split up in to handy sections by some very savvy people many, many years ago.  The first 5 books of the bible is referred to commonly as the “Law” in our Bibles.  The Hebrew word behind Law is Torah; it means teaching or instruction.  The first 5 books of the Bible are split up into Torah Portions.

 

So, first things first, if you want to learn the Bible, if you want the Bible by way of the Holy Spirit to begin to transform your heart and your mind and your actions, it’s best to start in the beginning.  The “beginning” is split up in to small weekly readings called Torah Portions that thousands of people like you read every week.  You can see the portions on this website: Torah PORTIONS.

Todah  (thanks)

24 Tevet 5769