In November of 1983, as a Christian, I found myself standing at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Today, as a Torah Observing Jewish Messianic Rabbi, I have no doubt that our Father often works in "mysterious ways". He has taken me aside, and through his word, shown to me wonderful and profound things. For example, it is understood within Judaism as a whole, that G_d does not do things without a purpose. He does not do things arbitrarily. Yeshua spoke in terms of "jots and tittles" referring to the small marks within the framework of the Hebrew Torah. They are there for a purpose. Regarding numbers, such as 40, using the Hebrew, the letter 'mem' in Hebrew has a value of 40. It also has a meaning which denotes water, chaos, liquid, or massive. It gives the perception of a state of confusion. Now, consider the scriptural account of the flood of Noah, it rained 40 days, (water, chaos). Also consider Moses at 40 years of age, he killed the Egyptian and had to leave Egypt. He, after being 40 years in Midyan, his life was interrupted at the burning bush, Chaos. He was 80 when he stood before G_d on Sinai and received the command to return to Egypt. The letter "peh" in the Hebrew, has a numeric value of 80, it means mouth, to speak, to open. Remember Moses objection to G_d regarding his slow speech, and how G_d anger was kindled against Moses so Aaron was called in to give Moses support. It is also interesting that the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av saw the Temple being destroyed by not only the Babylonians, but on the same day of the year, by the Romans as well. The hebrew letter "teht" with a value of 9, means Serpent, or Snake. The idea is of the coiling manner of a snake, or that which "surrounds". Jerusalem was surrounded by armies on the 9th of Av. What I am saying is that there are deeper levels of interpretation than just the initial p'shat, or common sense level. I would encourage all Christian communities to consider their Hebrew roots. For it is within that context a much deeper understanding of Scripture can be realized and applied to everyday life.
Shalom yall,
Ya'akov Ben Mika'el

Piper 1,

Would you be so kind in giving the meaning by letter symbol of the word, Law [Torah] It is my favorite, and I believe it will be a favorite of many others when knowing the Hebrew meaning.

Thank you.

quote:

Originally posted by Piper1:
In November of 1983, as a Christian, I found myself standing at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Today, as a Torah Observing Jewish Messianic Rabbi, I have no doubt that our Father often works in "mysterious ways". He has taken me aside, and through his word, shown to me wonderful and profound things. For example, it is understood within Judaism as a whole, that G_d does not do things without a purpose. He does not do things arbitrarily. Yeshua spoke in terms of "jots and tittles" referring to the small marks within the framework of the Hebrew Torah. They are there for a purpose. Regarding numbers, such as 40, using the Hebrew, the letter 'mem' in Hebrew has a value of 40. It also has a meaning which denotes water, chaos, liquid, or massive. It gives the perception of a state of confusion. Now, consider the scriptural account of the flood of Noah, it rained 40 days, (water, chaos). Also consider Moses at 40 years of age, he killed the Egyptian and had to leave Egypt. He, after being 40 years in Midyan, his life was interrupted at the burning bush, Chaos. He was 80 when he stood before G_d on Sinai and received the command to return to Egypt. The letter "peh" in the Hebrew, has a numeric value of 80, it means mouth, to speak, to open. Remember Moses objection to G_d regarding his slow speech, and how G_d anger was kindled against Moses so Aaron was called in to give Moses support. It is also interesting that the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av saw the Temple being destroyed by not only the Babylonians, but on the same day of the year, by the Romans as well. The hebrew letter "teht" with a value of 9, means Serpent, or Snake. The idea is of the coiling manner of a snake, or that which "surrounds". Jerusalem was surrounded by armies on the 9th of Av. What I am saying is that there are deeper levels of interpretation than just the initial p'shat, or common sense level. I would encourage all Christian communities to consider their Hebrew roots. For it is within that context a much deeper understanding of Scripture can be realized and applied to everyday life.
Shalom yall,
Ya'akov Ben Mika'el

WOW Piper1.

It was a few years about 10 I guess. My church helped me to go to the Holy Land. WOW!!! That was a trip of a life time for me. :-)

I remember finding one of those real dark spots I guess was a result of gun fire in one of thier wars. I prayed at that spot so that when I see that wall in the news I know just the spoit when I pray for so many of my loved ones.

I had a prayer list that I prayed every where I went, but that special spot touched my heart royally :-) Thanks for posting circuit

Hey Piper! So glad to see that you are well and still posting with us here in Meridian!

For quite some time I have been wanting to study Hebrew/Greek. I would prefer an online study or self-teaching through DVD or CD.

Do you have a suggestion or preference or any advice? Sincerely, YADA

quote:

Originally posted by PreteristView:
Piper 1,

Would you be so kind in giving the meaning by letter symbol of the word, Law [Torah] It is my favorite, and I believe it will be a favorite of many others when knowing the Hebrew meaning.

Thank you.

Sure, the Hebrew word for Torah composes 4 letters. Since I cannot write/type the Hebrew, I will phonically give the letters name.

The letter: (tav) numeric value = 400 (meaning sign, seal, to covenant)
The letter: (vav) numeric value = 06 (meaning nail, peg, to add, to secure)
The letter: (resh)numeric value = 200 (meaning head, the highest)
The letter: (heh) numeric value = 05 (meaning to reveal, revelation)
total - 611
One may ask why doesn't the total value reflect 613, the total number of law, instead of 611? Where are the other two. It is reasoned that while at Sinai, the children of Israel informed Moses that they wanted to hear G_d speak to them himself. G_d permitted it and when he spoke the children of Israel feared for their very lives and begged Moses to go speak to him and then come back and let them know what G_d said. Remember that? It is reasoned that G_d himself spoke the first two commandments to the gathered assembly, Moses then went up the mountain and gathered the 611, hence 613.

In Messianic Thought the above definition is suggestive of Messiah. It could easily be read:
The highest revelation, nailed as a sign. In older forms of Hebrew, the letter "tav" would have appeared as a cross. The definition would coincide with Messiah Yeshua, and as recorded in John 1, v.14, "The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw his Sh'khinah, the Sh'khinah of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth." It is within this framework that we Messianic's often refer to Yeshua as the Torah (G_d's Word) made flesh. Even today at the Western Wall, during special occasions, the Torah scroll is often held high and paraded through the masses. The faithful will touch it with their zitzit and then in adoration, kiss the zitzit. The Torah itself was painstakenly written by scribes who checked and double checked their work. No error was allowed. It was written on a scroll made from the skin of a kosher animal and attached to two wooden spindles whereupon it could be rolled from one end to the other. Our Father put a scroll of life before us, it to was paraded before men, and lifted up. His words was written upon kosher flesh, that of his son. He to was attached to two beams of wood and bore the name of his father, even above him: Yeshua Hanatzri Vemelech Hayehudim (Notice the sequence of the capital letters..YHVH, the tetragrammon, the unspeakable name of G_d. Perhaps that's why many of those standing there wanted Pilate to change the sign above his head. The Torah made flesh.
Shalom friends,
Ya'akov Ben Mika'el

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Piper1,

quote:

Originally posted by YADA:
Hey Piper! So glad to see that you are well and still posting with us here in Meridian!

For quite some time I have been wanting to study Hebrew/Greek. I would prefer an online study or self-teaching through DVD or CD.

Do you have a suggestion or preference or any advice? Sincerely, YADA

That is Great YADA!

I would begin with the study of either Hebrew, or Greek, but not both at one time. I would suggest you begin with Hebrew, since it was the original language of the Scriptures. There are Hebrew words that will not translate into either Greek or English. Having a "working" knowledge of Hebraic words & definitions should be one of your immediate goals. Being able to write it and create words and sentences from those Hebrew words, as well as knowing their numeric value, and how they were structured will give you valuable insight into the scriptures. In fact, I would love to see every Christian Sunday School teaching the Aleph-Beit, starting their youth off in getting familiar with the Hebrew language, so by the time they are adults, all of them can do the same. Here are some sources I have found helpful in my study of Hebrew:
1. Biblical Hebrew (Author: Menahem Mansoor)
2. The Language of Judaism (Author: Simon Glustrom)
3. The Secrets of Hebrew Words (Author: Benjamin Blech)
4. Hebrew for Dummies (Author: Jill Suzanne Jacobs)
5. Hebrew Word Pictures (Author: Dr. Frank T. Seekins)
6. Though not a language book: (Scattered Among the Nations by Alexis P. Rubin) is a great
historical book on the Jewish people. It's a good supplement.)
There are others as well, but the first one, Biblical Hebrew is the one I cut my teeth on. I have the first volume, but I think there are additional volumes now. There is also an answer Key you can get for the questions asked at the end of each chapter. There are a sequence of videos that are available that goes along with this book, but they are kinda steep. However, if you would like to pursue that, let me know.

Shalom in Messiah Yeshua,
Ya'akov ben Mika'el

quote:

Originally posted by Piper1:
That is Great YADA!

I would begin with the study of either Hebrew, or Greek, but not both at one time. I would suggest you begin with Hebrew, since it was the original language of the Scriptures. There are Hebrew words that will not translate into either Greek or English. Having a "working" knowledge of Hebraic words & definitions should be one of your immediate goals. Being able to write it and create words and sentences from those Hebrew words, as well as knowing their numeric value, and how they were structured will give you valuable insight into the scriptures. In fact, I would love to see every Christian Sunday School teaching the Aleph-Beit, starting their youth off in getting familiar with the Hebrew language, so by the time they are adults, all of them can do the same. Here are some sources I have found helpful in my study of Hebrew:
1. Biblical Hebrew (Author: Menahem Mansoor)
2. The Language of Judaism (Author: Simon Glustrom)
3. The Secrets of Hebrew Words (Author: Benjamin Blech)
4. Hebrew for Dummies (Author: Jill Suzanne Jacobs)
5. Hebrew Word Pictures (Author: Dr. Frank T. Seekins)
6. Though not a language book: (Scattered Among the Nations by Alexis P. Rubin) is a great
historical book on the Jewish people. It's a good supplement.)
There are others as well, but the first one, Biblical Hebrew is the one I cut my teeth on. I have the first volume, but I think there are additional volumes now. There is also an answer Key you can get for the questions asked at the end of each chapter. There are a sequence of videos that are available that goes along with this book, but they are kinda steep. However, if you would like to pursue that, let me know.

Shalom in Messiah Yeshua,
Ya'akov ben Mika'el

Thank you so much Piper! I will purchase the Biblical Hebrew. However, 'Hebrew for Dummies" sounds more like my speed!

Actually, it is the author and speaker from Texas, Beth Moore, who has started this fire in me to learn more about the Hebrew and Greek language.

Not to mention that my favorite scripture is Psalms 63:1. God's word is so much more detailed than I ever knew. I love many different versions of the Bible but when I read a deeper meaning based on the original writings...it makes me thirst after God and long all the more for Him. Thank you once again and I will keep you posted as to my (hopeful) success. Sincerely, YADA

YADA,

There are some online courses for free. Just type 'Learn Hebrew for Free,' in your search engine. There are some programs where it teaches you how to write, read, and speak it simultaneously.

I think Foundation Stone is one of the free software downloads. Maybe Piper1 is familiar with one that would be the most accurate.

Thanks Preter I really appreciate that!

Ya'akov ben Mika'el,



know you are busy but when you get a chance would you explain your perspective on God's covenant with Israel and whether that covenant inures to the Church. ( Church as in the ecclesia - called out by his grace)

Reply to Mississippi Dreamin’s question: Explain your perspective on G_d’s covenant with Israel and whether that covenant inures to the Church. (Church as in the ecclesia – called out by his grace)

Piper1 – Response: Before responding directly, it is necessary that definition be given on the subject of “who” Israel is; moreover, the misconceptions that many Christians have in regard to the position of the Church as it relates to Israel. We know that when Moses left Egypt with the “Called Out Assembly”, scripture clearly states in Exodus 12 that: “37 Now the sons of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand men on foot, aside from children. 38 A mixed multitude also went up with them, along with flocks and herds, a very large number of livestock.” This “mixed Multitude” that also went up with them were probably not Jewish. They may well have come from over the rest of the known world. Traditional Talmudic teaching holds that the word given at Sinai, was heard in 70 different tongues. (Shadows of Pentecost) Talmud - Mas. Shabbath 88b
Rabbi Johanan said:— "Every single word that went forth from the Omnipotent was split up into seventy languages." Entering into Israel, was 12 tribes, 10 of them would later go into exile into the nations. The term “Goy” is used by the Jews as a term for the nations, which would include the 10 lost tribes from the Northern Kingdom. We are aware that Israel was a nation of lost sheep, and a prostitute. We read: Hosea 9:1 “NAU Hosea 9:1 Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations! For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. You have loved harlots' earnings on every threshing floor.” And also that G_d would search for this lost sheep. In Ezekiel 34:11, “11 For thus says the Lord GOD, "Behold, I Myself will search for My sheep and seek them out.” Even Yeshua said in Matthew 15, “24 But He answered and said, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel." These were the tribes who had gone into exile after being taken into captivity by the Babylonians, and who had mixed their blood with the nations, who had forgotten Torah and were destined to loose their true identity as a holy people. Remembering they were sons of Ya’akov/Jacob via the union between he and Leah. What Yeshua was informing us regarding his mission is that he was going to clean up Israel’s prostitution and put an end to it’s assimilation among the nations. To me, it stands to reason that the overall focus of the Brit HaChadashah / New Testament, is that it is time for Israel’s Goy/Gentiles if you will, to come home in fulfillment of prophecy. Going home means much more that just entering the land, it means entering back (restoration) into right standing with G_d. Yeshua was teaching Torah, the written word of G_d. Some Christians are quick to assume that Paul spoke against Judaizers, who they define as those who hold to the written commandments of G_d, such an assumption is in error. Judaizers are those who do not hold to the “written” commandments of G_d, but rather practice the Oral Traditions of men, and legislate/legalize such man made traditions into Oral Law, thus valuing their own traditions over the very written Word of G_d. That is what I believe Paul spoke against. Sure, this was done in Yeshua’s day by the Scribes and Pharisees. But the Christian Church through the ages and even unto day is guilty of the same crime. No where in scripture did G_d or Yeshua change the commandment remembering the Sabbath to Sunday, nor did Yeshua proclaim that Christmas and Easter replace the set-times and observances commanded in the Torah. Does the witness example of the Christian Church today stand up to what our Messiah said in Matthew 5: “20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Remember the scribes and the Pharisees didn’t follow written law, they followed Oral Tradition made law. Isn’t the Christian Church guilty of doing the same thing, elevating tradition over the written law of G_d? Is not righteousness hearing from G_d and doing it? Hear O Israel the L_rd our G_d…And you shall….. In closing, I am of the impression that I am communicating with believers. I am not, and I’ll say again, I am not calling believers to salvation, but to repentance and restoration, back home to Israel. Only the shed blood of our Messiah can atone for salvation, even the Torah cannot do that. But a believer’s inheritance is the Torah: Genesis 13, “15 For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed forever.” Forever, that’s a promise found in the Torah. If the Torah has been voided, then the promise has been voided as well. Personally I don’t believe Paul spoke against the written Torah; however, as some Christians hold that Paul’s writing is proof of us not being under the authority of G_d’s word, then I would suggest interpreting Pauls word against the measure of the Torah and the words of the Messiah, and not the other way around. It won’t be Paul who will be judging you. As for the commandments, do what you can do. The time is getting short.

Revelation 22: “ 13 “I am the ‘Aleph’ and the ‘Taw’, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last. 14“Blessed are those doing His commands, so that the authority shall be theirs unto the tree of life, and to enter through the gates into the city.

The Messiah is speaking to believers….
(More on Grace later and the called out assembly, though I think I have a previous posting on an element of the called out assembly as it relates to Yeshua's recognition of Kepa's/Peter's confession)

Shalom,

Ya’akov Ben Mika’el

Shalom to you Ya’akov Ben Mika’el and thanks for the response. It seems that you were addressing the issue of whether Messianic Christianity is a form of what Paul opposed in the early days of the Church. Although your answer was insightful, I disagree to some extent. As far as the primary question about the covenant with Israel and I am including God's promise to Abraham and any subsequent "revisions" with Noah and it appears that you in essence agree that those covenants merge into the present realm of Christianity and that the Church is not merely parenthetical as per dispensational teachings held by many evangelical Christians ( and strongly taught and held by Dallas Theological Seminary - I assume you are familiar with those teachings)

I disagree is your assertions that the ceremonial aspects of the law are still in effect. For example, I take it that you maintain the requirement feast of Passover.But I would maintain that Jesus was the Passover lamb and when we partake of him by faith, the symbol has been satisfied and there is no requirement to engage in the annual ceremony.
In addition, recall that Paul said that some esteem some days above another, others see all alike. Paul did not admonish anyone to keep the Sabbath but he recognized its symbolic significance.

The strict answer to my question about the covenant would then be yes?

Thank you for the post and I await your response.

Peace, love and joy in the Holy Spirit

quote:

Originally posted by Piper1:
In November of 1983, as a Christian, I found myself standing at the Western Wall in Jerusalem. Today, as a Torah Observing Jewish Messianic Rabbi, I have no doubt that our Father often works in "mysterious ways". He has taken me aside, and through his word, shown to me wonderful and profound things. For example, it is understood within Judaism as a whole, that G_d does not do things without a purpose. He does not do things arbitrarily. Yeshua spoke in terms of "jots and tittles" referring to the small marks within the framework of the Hebrew Torah. They are there for a purpose. Regarding numbers, such as 40, using the Hebrew, the letter 'mem' in Hebrew has a value of 40. It also has a meaning which denotes water, chaos, liquid, or massive. It gives the perception of a state of confusion. Now, consider the scriptural account of the flood of Noah, it rained 40 days, (water, chaos). Also consider Moses at 40 years of age, he killed the Egyptian and had to leave Egypt. He, after being 40 years in Midyan, his life was interrupted at the burning bush, Chaos. He was 80 when he stood before G_d on Sinai and received the command to return to Egypt. The letter "peh" in the Hebrew, has a numeric value of 80, it means mouth, to speak, to open. Remember Moses objection to G_d regarding his slow speech, and how G_d anger was kindled against Moses so Aaron was called in to give Moses support. It is also interesting that the 9th of the Hebrew month of Av saw the Temple being destroyed by not only the Babylonians, but on the same day of the year, by the Romans as well. The hebrew letter "teht" with a value of 9, means Serpent, or Snake. The idea is of the coiling manner of a snake, or that which "surrounds". Jerusalem was surrounded by armies on the 9th of Av. What I am saying is that there are deeper levels of interpretation than just the initial p'shat, or common sense level. I would encourage all Christian communities to consider their Hebrew roots. For it is within that context a much deeper understanding of Scripture can be realized and applied to everyday life.
Shalom yall,
Ya'akov Ben Mika'el

Just curious, what's with the G_d? What's wrong with God?

I asked that question many years ago when my Jewish students wrote themes in my high school composition class. Apparently, there is a thing in Jewish teaching about writing, typing, printing the word GOD. Maybe an orthodox Jewish friend will explain their reasoning.

I think it was Piper who explained about the Jewish custom of never spelling out the full name of God.

Something to do with the fear that if they spelled out all the letters of God, that someone could find the paper or page and desecrate it.

Anyway, they're very respectful towards God's name.