My friends,
Thank you for your patience with me this week. In order for us to complete our DVD’s in this course, we will be watching some next week as well.
TO WATCH
For THIS week, because of their thematic cohesion, please make sure you have seen an interacted with 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, and 6.1 Our main themes will be the role of Study in Judaism, and sub-themes on Kashrut, and Ritual life. The DVD 6.1 is more general and philosophical, and gets us into our hashgafa—our general worldview on religious life, and the role of halacha.
I know this is quite a bit, but it will make next week go better. If you absolutely cannot do all of this, then leave 6.1 for next week.
TO READ
As for readings, all of these are coordinated with the DVD’s in question:
Sonsino on “The Spirituality of Study” (both the related Section in our packet and in his book).
Section on Study (Ruth Gais chapter) in Olitzky and Judson, plus the related material in our Section G - beginning about page 74.
Section T in our Packet - on Life-Long Learning Among the Jews
Also, Foreward, Introduction and Chapter 3 on Kashrut from Olitzky and Judson plus related packet materials.
TO DO
Because of our strange week and a late start, two questions instead of three will be more than adequate.
Let me tell you though, the material from Olitzky and Judson will turn you on, and the material on Life Long Learning Among the Jews will challenge your life and vision.
That’s it for now.
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11 comments:
My Two Questions:
(1) I am interested in the class's response to whether our motivation for keeping mitzvot is for solidarity with the Jewish community or if it is because we believe what G-d says and that this is our response to His call on our lives?
(2) How far can mainstream Jewish Spirituality go without Yeshua and the Ruach HaKodesh? How far can Messianic Jewish Spirituality go without the context of mainstream Jewish Spirituality? Taking this one step further, if Israel's "no" to Yeshua does not give rise to His rejection of the Jewish people and Yeshua is indeed working "behind the scenes," how much or what, if anything, is mainstream Jewish Spirituality lacking, other than an express affirmation of Yeshua's Messiahship? Put another way, if G-d is one (Father, Son & Ruach Hakodesh) and if the Jewish people out of their love for G-d d'vekut upon Him by responding through his Torah, how can they be missing Yeshua or the Ruach?
I'd just like to answer how I see Paul's question for me:
This question of solidarity rubs me up the wrong way in some respects.
Who ever asked for solidarity?
If solidarity hasn't been demanded or is not implied by a people then the outcpome from following acts derived from solidarity are suspect.
Solidarity has also been put forward as a "bridge" to communication between traditional and Messianic jewish groups.However,again,it would seem to me a flimsy bridge...and we don't live on a bridge.To have Mitzvot as central in our lives,and not in any way from legalistic motives but as a way to bring G-D present in the ordinary, and to be able to carry on with rituals day after day, the base must be more than solidarity ...it must be identity! We do Mitvoth because we are Jewish!No explanations,no apologies,no highly intelectualised arguments..it just is what we do as a people!
That is why I would explain "Jewish lifestyle and observance" not as a calling to " Torah"..but as a calling to our identity as Jews as G-d made us.
As to the second question on Israel's "no" to Yeshua..:
It would seem to me that the goal of all Torah is to lead us to Messiah,Yeshua...no getting away from it.
However,in acknowledging this we have to ask .."so what!"
Certainly without this target religious life in the community and spiritual life of the individual can take some very strange deviations and "hover around the centre without ever hitting it"
This does not completely devalue Judaism at all, but Judaism must lack the central focus of acceptance of Yeshua as G-D's very Shekinnah and Saviour of souls left to their own devices.
However,does Yeshua acceptance force us to proclaim Yeshua everywhere?
I believe not.Yeshua acceptance does not allow us to cross and tear down cultural barriers without discretion... so NEVER mentioning Yeshua in the synagogue doesn't bother me at all! I worship in the synagogue because I am Jewish..not to convert anyone.
The Jewish community has missed the most important event of all..Yeshua
The Jewish community does however represent G-D'S chosen people..,and indepedant of the "Yeshua rejection"
My role is not to divide with Yeshua but to worship in Adonai..the rest is mystery!!
My two questions:
In agreement with our Rabbi Aldin Steinsaltz "ignorance of the Talmud is more serious than ignorance of the scriptures"
Why can we go along with this? Because a certain knowledge of Talmud would seem to be essential for explaining all that we believe and do in almost all other fields of Judaism,and all are nutured by it.
Yes,I did read the quotation about the wine and spiced wine and the water in the handout "T" concerning the study groups Jews formed together,but undoubtedly it is the Talmud that binds Jews and gives Jews their identity as different from mainstream Christian believers ,and as such needs to be our focus and definition of most ritual in which we partake.What I would like to ask is how can we effectively "bring back Talmud study " for Jewish-Christian believers, without having to pour over texts looking for references to Yeshua.I wonder if we shouldn't ask traditional Rabbi's alone to teach us and to be part of our chevruta study groups..if they are willing!I'm sure it's possible....that way we can get away from evangelical input that is "out -of-context"
In the Likouté Halakhoth (Guiloua'h) it's written that some teachers were of the opinion that study and especially philisophical study could help our knowledge of G-D.
The rebbe,Na'hman in "Si'hoth haran" states categorically that the only way to know G-D in his grandeur and splendor, is by faith:Hosea(2.22" and I will betroth you to me in faith.(Emounah)..and you will know Adonai"
Again the sefer Ha'hinoukh 25:"You must constantly feel that G-D is there and not forget HIM for an instant"
And how do we do this we ask?
Psalm 119:86 can help us:All your commandments are faith,the base for all Torah and HIS commandments"
So it would seem our study should no be geared by philosophy,or dry theology but fired by faith...in this way we can pour over Talmud/torah all night ...resting on the pews when sleep begets us ..eager to start again the morn.!!
How does this differ fron "bible study" as we know it.I would seem that to be in a group of about five to ten guys pouring over commentaries has not been the usual way of doing things...but what an idea!!
"It is not up to you to finish the work,but you are not free to avoid it(Talmud Torah) Pirkei Avot 2.16)"
As an end thought:
I was also greatly challenged by the DVD's this week, as I think they brought up issues that are sometimes "watered-down " in the Olitsky book.
One such passage is on the meaning of Shabbat.Is it for the Jew to indulge himself in things he likes(bookshops,films,etc..in the Olitsky book) or rather to cut down everything so that communication with G-D is the centre? I can't help feeling that we've gotten into an egotistical view over Shabbat as a holiday time/relax time,when it's all about pruning all activities not involving directly with praying to or studying about G-d..
Question for John:
Can you go behind your comment that we do mitzvot because we are Jewish? What does that mean? It is still vague.
Robert-
Q1
In lectures regarding “God’s ‘fingerprints’ can be seen, but never God’s ‘fingers.’ When I first heard this commentary from one of my teachers, I let out an audible , ‘Yes!! That’s it exactly.’” [111]. When I read this it made much sense, but on the other hand as NC Jews don’t we have so much more to say on this matter especially in light of Yeshua? I could think of numerous amounts of verses, but John chapter 1 stands out the most in connection with God having come in the form of man in the person Yeshua.
Q2
The whole section on Kashrut was intriguing and this particular part of Jewish halachah is one where I see a “smorgasbord” approach not only in the MJ movement but even amongst the other sects of Judaism. As R. Stuart mentioned in lectures, truly this is a very “touchy” subject. My question is not so much in relation to MJ’s but instead of Gentiles embracing these particular laws. It is clear that and I understand that there are certain covenantal parts of the Torah that only apply to the Jews (ie – Kashrut) but I have always struggled in teaching this particular subject as “only for the Jews” primarily due to the adverse effects of eating un-kosher foods. When a gentile asks why would Hashem give the Jews the better diet, what is a reasonable answer? To say covenantal responsibilities is understood, but shouldn’t theses un-clean animals be un-fit for all?
In response to Paul’s Q1 & Q2
I can only speak for myself because I am certainly in process on all of this. I believe our motivation in keeping mitzvot is first due to our allegiance to Hashem then for solidarity with the Jewish community. I think in part we can pose a problem to our movement if we deal with all these issues with a humanistic approach as opposed to a supernatural revival approach. All are looking for different things, but I have ZERO hope for Jews coming to Yeshua by becoming more Torah observant/more spirituality than the rest. First of all, we can never attain that level of adherence on all the various levels. Secondly, you said, “ how much or what, if anything, is mainstream Jewish Spirituality lacking, other than an express affirmation of Yeshua's Messiahship? Regardless if its MJAA, UMJC, Tikkun, Hashiveinu ect….. nothing is going to change unless there is a outpouring of the Ruach HaKodesh in revival. How this will look, who knows we cant place G-d in a box, and just when you think you found the way G-d pours himself out, it will be different the next time. Shabbat Shalom …
In response to Robert:
I agree that we need to be focused on G-d and that He needs to be the basis for the desire to maintain Covenant faithfulness. I also agree that it will likely not be observance that brings Jews to faith. In fact, the more the "same" we are, the less distinction we have. Where I think it will turn is when we are not considered boogie men by the people and they come and "see" something more, something new. This is our experience at Tikvat. When Jews come who are curious, they sense something different, hamish but more. And they keep coming back.
Rabbi D:
I am a little late getting to the DVD's, but I am enjoying the topic. This is the easiest mitzvah for me. I am a study maniac. Wish I could say the same about prayer, deeds, and other mitzvot.
First Q: Is it inadvisable or impermissible to have your wife as your chevrutah?
Derek
Hey all:
Sorry about the late post
Question 1: This is a quote from the Sonsino book, page 62. It blew me away.
Talking about the benefits of Torah Study, “It is equivalent to offering a sacrifice and therefore atones for our sins (Men. 11a, Tanh. B, Ahare Mot 35a).”
I guess the question is, how/why is this accepted as truth by the Jewish community that does not believe in Yeshua? How do they negate the requirement of a blood sacrifice?
Question 2:
I was very interested in the previously mentioned Torah Study Buddy (I forget the official name used). What are some practical examples of this relationship in action? What is it like to study God’s Word on a consistent basis with another person, and what should that look like?
Some of the discussions this week are interesting. Mitzvot and Study are one of those things that must go together. One must study to know what to do, but doing only does not build you up to be better.
In regard to some of the discussions, especially those raised by Paul, I think that there is an aspect that is definitely not there in Judaism without Yeshua. Just as someone also brought up that our Judaism without an ifusion of the Ruach HaKodesh is missing something.
In our studying, we must allow Yeshua to imbue every aspect of our observance, and allow the ruach to flow and be revealed by our faithfulness to G-d's mitzvot.
In responce to John's Comment:
Although I encourage our engagement with Jewish texts and our tradition, I would also completely disagree with your comment in agreement with In agreement with Rabbi Aldin Steinsaltz, that "ignorance of the Talmud is more serious than ignorance of the scriptures."
This is problematic on various levels, but I will comment on just three.
1) Canonical Scripture must be the sole foundation of Jewish practice. In theory, this is even the philosophy within halachah - hence the understanding that halachah originates in two parts - d'oraita (from Torah), and d'rabbanan (from the rabbis). That which is d'oraita takes presidense over that which is d'rabbanan.
2) The rabbis gavve themselves the ability to at times change d'oraita and place halachot d'rabbanan at a higher level than that which is d'oraita (from the Torah). This is a problem.
3) Although there is and aspect of G-d's hand in the formation of rabbinic decree, it is not perfect. And also, if we agree that the Ruach should infuse and guide our halacha, just by believing so posts us against the halachah. For the rabbis strictly believed that there is no place for divine intervention in halachah (hence the "not in Heaven" discussion in the Talmud).
You are correct in that Jewish tradition and its texts is what separate us from Christians, but it is more complicated. For the way Jews read the Bible today is not exactly the way Jews did 500 years ago, 1000 y.a., and especially not 2,000 yrs ago. even Jewish interpretive traditions change.
We should engage halachah and its literature. But, as Messianic Jews we must recognize that it times it also needs ovehauled. And this is not just I as a Messianic Jew saying this. More and more those in the Jewish world are actually saying the same thing. Hence, even some of the progressive Jewish literature read in our classes a few weeks ago. Many jewish thinkers today believe it is time to re-engage the Jewish tradition. I also believe this. And we as M.J.'s need to do so in a way which imparts, and at the same time brings out the light of Yeshua and the Ruach. As well as the emphasis of justice and mercy.
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