Breaking news...Words of Wisdom
Our Facebook Fan Page was launched in October 2009, and since then we have tried to post frequent content to inspire, challenge, encourage and inform the movement of Messianic Jews and Gentiles across the world.
Based on regular comments back to us, we have created this area on our main site to act as a repository of all these notes, quotes, anecdotes, musings, and dreams.
We hope you find them to be as informative and encouraging as we have - and please feel free to use the comments section to offer your own contributions. We may even use them on the Facebook site, if you haven't already done so!
On wisdom, Proverbs 2: 1-6 says...
"My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."
Words of Wisdom
Click on the heading to jump to each section:
Encouragement
Whatever you do today, let it shine! “As soon as you start measuring good deeds, to determine which is greater, which takes priority over the other—you have already entered precarious ground. Your job is to do whatever is sent your way.” Chabad “Thought for the Day”. And Messiah, Yeshua Rabbeinu said, “…let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Mt 5:16)
“And it's trouble ahead if you're satisfied with yourself. Your self will not satisfy you for long… There's trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others, saying what flatters them, doing what indulges them. Popularity contests are not truth contests—look how many scoundrel preachers were approved by your ancestors! Your task is to be true, not popular.“ Lk 6: 25-26, The Message.
“Life itself means to separate and to be reunited, to change form and condition, to die and to be reborn. It is to act and to cease, to wait and rest, and then to begin acting again, but in a different way. And there are always new thresholds to cross... the thresholds of birth, adolescence, maturity, and old age; the threshold of death and that of the afterlife-for those who believe in it.” Arnold van Gennep, The Rites of Passage, 189-190.
“When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.” – Jimi Hedrix, legendary rock singer and guitarist. And Rabbi Shaul of Tarsus said, “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13: 4-13.
My heart yearns to be in Jerusalem! The City of Gold, the place where one day His Majesty will be seen to dwell – where there will be no more tears, crying, mourning or pain (Rev 21). Sometimes, I feel like I want to escape from where I am, to go and find my own Jerusalem. But remember, wherever you are, whatever you are doing there, make THAT a Jerusalem – the place where His glory can live in and through you. Amen.
“Everything that occurs comes from Him, and He is only good… Struggle hard to see the good, think positively -and then the good will become revealed.” – Rabbi M. Schneerson, and G-d says through Yirmeyahu haNevi (29:11-12), “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.”
Q: Why are you here? A: Because you have a purpose! In each phase and journey of your life you should recognise and accept where you are. You may only be passing through on your way to somewhere else, which may be better or seemingly more important – but nevertheless, there is a G-dly purpose in where you are right now If not, consider this: why are you here and not called Home to be with Him now?
Rest, assured. Every detail of our life and being is directed in every moment from Above. And beyond that, every nuance is an essential component in G-d’s grand scheme, every moment burns with the pulse of His desire and care. So meditate on this, and then think, “How much more so the details of my daily life.” For He knows you, your needs, your weaknesses, your strengths, your past, present and your future. Amen
"A miracle is what occurs when a force from beyond the finite cosmos enters within. That is why to see a miracle, you need an open heart and mind. Open enough to receive the Infinite." - R. Menachem M Schneerson. Bring on the miracles LORD, bring 'em on. Amen
“Yesterday, you were inspired. Today, that is all gone. And so, you are depressed. But this is the way the system works: Everything begins with inspiration. Then the inspiration steps aside -to make room for you to do something with it. For fire to become deeds.” – Rebbe Menachem M. Schneerson. I really love this!
From the Lubavitcher Rebbe, “Visit the prisoners and bring them some happiness. Even if, in your eyes, they deserve whatever misery they have. Bring them joy. G-d is always with the oppressed.” And from Yeshua, “… when did we see you hungry, thirsty, a stranger, needing clothes. sick, or in prison?’ The King will reply, ‘… whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’” Mt 25:37
By Tzvi Freeman, condensing the teachings of Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson, “Whenever things got worse, Jews would say, "This is a sign! Moshiach is coming!" But in those days, a messianic era would have meant a radical change in the natural order of things. Today, though the human soul sleeps a deep slumber of materialism, the material world itself is prepared.” Deep calls to deep.
"There will come a time, very soon, when we will be shown miracles so great, they will make the ten plagues and the splitting of the Red Sea appear as ordinary as nature itself. So great, no mind can begin to fathom them; so powerful, they will transform the very fabric of our world, elevating it in a way that the wonders of the Exodus never did." - Tzvi Freeman
"Along the journey to wisdom, you will pass a muddy river. It may appear a river of wisdom, but don't steer your boat towards it. Oh so many have turned to it and lost their way. In fact, it is a river of exile. It is the river of "I have heard that already." To the wise, wisdom never ceases to sing." Rabbi Menachem Schneerson
Women! (and men) - check this out... Proverbs 31:10 says, "A woman of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies", but did you know the Hebrew for "noble character" is חַיִל 'chayil', which is better translated as "might, strength, power, valiant" - as would be used to describe a warrior in an army. So it's not a passive characteristic at all, but rather a dynamic, honourable one.
You are here to reconnect a broken world to its Creator through Messiah. Your attitude will dictate your success, for if you live as a victim of circumstance, then your world is still something separate from G-d. But if you have the confidence that He is always with you and that you can change your destiny in His power, then your world is tied to the heavens - and since He lacks nothing, neither shall you. Amen.
“Sometimes I lay under the moon, and I thank G-d I'm breathin'. Then I pray don't take me soon, 'cause I am here for a reason. Sometimes in my tears I drown but I never let it get me down. So when negativity surrounds, I know someday it'll all turn around… one day” (Matisyahu, “One Day”). And “They will beat their swords into plowshares, nation will not take up sword against nation, and no longer will they train for war.” (Isaiah 2:4)
"The best remedy for those who are afraid, lonely or unhappy is to go outside, somewhere where they can be quiet, alone with the heavens, nature and G-d. Because only then does one feel that all is as it should be and that G-d wishes to see people happy, amidst the simple beauty of nature." - Anne Frank (12 June 1929 –...March 1945, Bergen Belsen), one of the most renowned and discussed Jewish victims of the Shoah.
"Faith is not logical. But it isn't illogical either. Faith is Theo-logical. It does not ignore reality; it just adds G-d into the equation." Mark Batterson, quoted by Chip Furr in his excellent book, "Thin Places." How's the balance in your life equation?
"The life of Avraham aveinu is a model for all of us in every generation. We follow the example of his fiery devotion to Hashem in prayer, kindliness, hospitality, unselfishness, humility, Torah study and self-control." (Rabbi Avigdor Miller, in 'Behold a People', p 29). All of Avraham's tests in life should inspire us to continue to pursue growth, even when times are difficult.
G-d
Do not speak the name of other gods? (Ex. 23:13) But each day of our week is named after a god: Sun-day, Moon-day, Teu’s day, Woden’s day, Thor’s day, Frea’s day, Saturn’s day. And YHVH Himself often speaks the names of foreign gods! But the Hebraic view of this verse actually says “don’t remember” (or act upon) the “name” (or character) of their names. So, we should read, “don’t act like the other gods’ characters.”
"It is a most reassuring and reinforcing experience to the child of G-d to discover that there is, even in the dark valley, a source of strength and courage to be found in G-d. It is when one can look back over life and see how the Shepherd's hand has guided and sustained one in the darkest hours, that renewed faith is engendered." Phillip Keller
Rabbi Judah (2nd Century CE student of R. Akiva in the tradition of Hillel) wrote a hymn, Shir Hakavod (the song of glory), that is still sung weekly in many Jewish services. One line speaks of how indescribable God is, "I tell of Your glory though I have not seen You. I imagine You, and I call You by name, though I know You not." How difficult it is to describe God... mystery and infinity lie at the heart of faith.
"God works by paradox. Success comes via failure; life springs out of death and so on. The only element in the believer's life that crumbles is that which has to go away - the new life can never be harmed or affected. This disintegration is something the believer cannot enter into nor engineer on his own - self will never cast out self." Be encouraged, as He is there always.
“Near and Far”, by Tzvi Freeman: “He hides; we must search for Him. He is here now; our hearts may speak to Him. He is distant; we are small and insignificant. He is close, we are His children, his beloved, his joy. Indeed, He does not fit into our neat cubbyholes of close or distant, of hidden or present. He is all of these, all in perfect oneness.”
G-d is found at two poles of Time. He is found outside Time and beyond time. He is found here within the moment, now. He looked upon a moment in time and saw us, distant from Him in a turbulent world, yet yearning to return to Him. So He invested His infinite light into a finite image, and became one with that image, thus opening the way for each one of us. Selah.
As a father stoops down to his child with such love, leaving his many years of maturity and experience behind to enter into his child’s world: his language, games, pain, upsets, uncertainties and excitement of the little things – how much more then, that G-d feels our pain and our joy. He stoops down to live in intimacy with us in our world, and yet remains infinite, beyond all things – the Creator of the Universe.
'Did God desire the Holocaust? Ask the question another way: Did God desire the death of his own Son? At the instant of pain, it may seem impossible to imagine that good can come from tragedy... We never know in advance exactly how suffering can be transformed into a cause for celebration. But that is what we are asked to believe. Faith means believing in advance what will only make sense in reverse.' P Yancey
“Not with toil and not with struggle, but by the word of His mouth did the One Above create His world. Not with toil and not with struggle, but with words of wisdom and kindness does He require we sustain it. If so, what is the effort He demands from us? That we invest our very essence in His Word, as He invested His very essence within this world He made.” Amen and amen.
'Holy is the way God is. To be holy He does not conform to a standard. He is absolutely holy with an infinite, incomprehensible fullness of purity that is incapable of being other than it is. Because He is holy, all His attributes are holy; that is, whatever we think of as belonging to God must be thought of as holy. He has made holiness the moral condition necessary to the health of His universe.' A.W Tozer
And now for a lighter moment... A boy is sat at his desk drawing a picture. His teacher says, "What's that you're drawing?" The boy replies, "It's God." "But no one knows what God looks like", says the teacher. "Of course," says the boy, "I haven't finished drawing the picture yet".
"G-d has revealed Himself in a written Word, in classical communication. Closeness to G-d requires recapturing a reading and meditative ability that our culture has lost. Our mass media culture produces shallow people who cannot think for themselves, who are easily manipulated. This culture is opposed to the values of the Word of G-d." Dan Juster, Jewish Roots, p242.
Our Humanity
Suffering, trials and tribulations test our patience and endurance, yet “though I walk through a valley of deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for You are with me.” Remember, “we are not human beings on a spiritual journey, we are spiritual beings on a human journey.” With His power and anointing we can survive against all the odds... the Jewish people have. It’s all to do with where the source of your strength comes from.
"Only man among living creatures shares the developed speech capacity of G-d. He is created in G-d's image... Words are our creative power. By confessing G-d's Word and praising Him in words, we change the whole direction of our lives. We go from failure and despair to triumph and joy." [Dan Juster] Never forget the power of words. We are called to be ambassadors of the Most High King for such a time as this.
There are sparks of light hidden in this world. When you "Know YHVH in all your ways," those sparks jump out at you and their light is released in your universe. But then there are sparks of such intensity that they had to be locked away deep, to be searched out and found. The only tools you have to liberate those sparks are the ones that supersede your intellect and senses - this is the spiritual realm, our home.
The purpose of every human being is to serve his Creator, and that is a service of great joy: “I, puny mortal and decidedly finite being, serve with my deeds the Infinite Creator of All Worlds! I am bound to the Source of Life from birth, and all the many raging waters of this world cannot tear me away from that bond. Even if I sometimes fail, I may always return and in a single moment reconnect all my soul.” Chabad
We are not computers. Intellect is not where we begin and end. We have a soul that is beyond intellect, and our soul detects G-d because our soul sees G-d. Our faith is about getting in touch with the soul that knows G-d already, without needing any proof. This is not negating intellect - it is transcending it. How do you get in touch with your soul? Ask G-d. He'll tell you.
“If you see what needs to be repaired and how to repair it, then you have found a piece of the world that G-d has left for you to complete. But if you only see what is wrong and how ugly it is, then it is you yourself that needs repair.” – Menachem Mendel Schneerson. Today, in THIS generation, I pray that you will know the power of G-d working in and through you to bring healing to a hurting world. Amen.
When we enter battle, remember our struggle is “against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph 6:12). Yet although fighting evil is a noble activity when it must be done, it is not our primary mission in life – for our job is to bring in more light – as WE “are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14). Selah.
What’s your ‘Animal inside’..? “We all have our animal inside. The point is not simply to muzzle that animal, but to harness its power; to determine what sort of an animal this is and what can be done with it. A sheep, for example, is easily domesticated and doesn’t care to hurt anyone, while an ox may kick and gore. But did you ever see a sheep plough a field?” – R Menachem M Schneerson.
G-d is calling us to greater HOLINESS. Not just passive holiness (abstinence for purity), but being actively "set apart" in our appearance and beliefs. He is calling for Moses people, who will take His Word to the Pharaohs (all sizes / authorities) of this World to "let His people [Israel] go", with signs and wonders following to prove the authority His word.
Each generation has its role in history. From all the generations before us we inherited a wealth of dreams: philosophy, truths, wisdom and purpose. We are tiny midgets standing on the shoulders of their ideas and their noble deeds. Our generation's mandate - and destiny - is to make the dream real.
'Perfection does not lie in never doing anything wrong; perfection lies in the struggle to do the right thing amidst the predilection to do otherwise... The man who struggles is a real hero. The man who fights to do the right thing, that's a true hero... perfection is elusive... All I'm asking is that you struggle, that you fight to become better, that you care enough to maximise your fullest potential.' S. Boteach
In one of his most powerful statements, Rebbe Nacham unequivocally characterizes that facet of the human psyche which functions below the threshold of consciousness. A young man was bemoaning the difficulties he was encountering in his attempts to come closer to God. "But I really want to be a good Jew!" he insisted. "But," said the Rebbe, "do you really want to want?!"
From one of my favourite Jewish scholars and teachers, "The ideals which have lighted my way, and time after time have given me new courage to face life cheerfully, have been Kindness, Beauty, and Truth. The trite subjects of human efforts, possessions, outward success, luxury have always seemed to me contemptible." - Albert Einstein, German-born Jewish Physicist (1879-1955)
"Try not to become a man of success but rather to become a man of value." - Albert Einstein, German-born physicist (1879 - 1955)
"…astronomers have discovered that not all stars shine. There are some stars of such tremendous density that instead of radiating outwards, they only draw light in. Therefore, they have named these stars Black Holes. Fortunately, the universe has enough Black Holes already. If you have light, LET IT SHINE!” - Rabbi M Schneerson, and Rabbi Mashiach Yeshua said “For YOU are the light of the world” (Mt 5:14) - People of G-d, shine on!
Doing good is not about being nice. You can do nice things all day long for many people, but it could be all just more service of your own self, food for your own ego. The world was designed so people would need each other, not so you could be nice, but to give you the opportunity to escape the confines of your own self.
When you help those who show gratitude, when you lend a hand to those who are on your side, you are still within the realm of your own ego and self. Help someone you don’t want to help. Help him and learn to want to help him—only because this is the right thing to do.
At first, it may not feel so rewarding. But you have sprung free. (Rabbi Menachem M. Schneerson) And Yeshua said, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Matthew 7:12)
Israel and the Jewish People
"The Land of Israel is the centre of the world; Jerusalem is the centre of the Land; the Holy Temple is the centre of Jerusalem; the Holy of Holies is the centre of the Holy Temple; the Holy Ark is the centre of the Holy of Holies and the Foundation Stone from which the world was established is before the Holy Ark." Midrash Tanhuma, Kedoshim 10
“Today, some Bar Mitzvahs have become so ostentatious and so expensive that all sight is lost of the original intent of Bar Mitzvah and the religious and spiritual values previously associated with it have been avoided.” In fact, it can be worse as: “Often, the Bar Mitzvah boy and his family congratulate each other on the fact that at party time the actual Bar Mitzvah ceremony is over and the recently admitted "adult" can now forget the minimum of Hebrew and Jewish civilization he was forced to learn.” - Shraga Simmons, The Bar / Bat Mitzvah Guide
On Bar and Bat Mitzvah: Coming-of-age rites are poorly developed today among the technologically advanced societies of the world and even within Christianity. We have baptism and confirmation, but problems exist around these. Biblical evidence implicitly suggests that it is important to mark the time when an individual personally takes responsibility for their relationship with God. Whether we follow Jewish practice is not the main issue, but what is of paramount importance is that: “the initiation rite establishes in the boy’s psyche and the collective consciousness of his clan that he is no longer a child.” - Sheppard, Creating Rites of Passage, p14.
P. Johnson, in A History of the Jews says: 'the earliest Jews... always knew that Jewish society was appointed to be a pilot-project for the entire human race... dramas and catastrophes should be exemplary... hatred would be regrettable but only to be expected...{but} Jews should still survive... Providence decreed it and the Jews obeyed.' Amen!
The "issue" of Israel is going to get more and more intense in the world and in public perception. It will get harder and harder for anyone - especially Kingdom people - to sit on the fence. It will cause Churches, friendships, and family relationships to come under growing pressure and strain. We must remain G-d focused and Biblical in all we do.
We must ensure our position is "Pro-G-d" with Israel issues, not simply "Pro-Israel". The results and output of taking this position will often mean we are "Pro-Israel", but in our own hearts we must remember He is the source of all our wisdom, strength and motivation.
“Let slanderers not be established in the land; may disaster hunt down men of violence (Heb. Hamas!). I know that the LORD secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy.” – Yes, G-d knows, Psalms (Tehillim) 140:11-12.
'No NT passage confutes the continuation of the Abrahamic Covenant, an unconditional and everlasting covenant. As Paul says, "the gifts and call of God are irrevocable." Israel remains beloved for the Father's sake... God's choice of Abraham and Israel was not for a narrow or limited purpose... but for service to bring blessing to all.' Dan Juster - Jewish Roots
Did you know? Golda Meir was the first female Prime Minister of Israel and the second female Prime Minister in the world. She was also called the "Iron Lady" years before the phrase was used for Margaret Thatcher in the UK. David Ben-Gurion once even described her as "the only man in the Cabinet.
Ramban (Rabbi Moishe Ben Nachman) can be described as one of history's first Zionists, declaring it a mitzvah to live in Israel (Num 33:53). He fulfilled this commandment, moving to Israel during the Crusades after he was expelled from Spain. He found devastation in the Land, "but even in this destruction," he said, "it is a blessed land." He died there in 1270 CE.
'Israel's calendar is from G-d; her preservation through her heritage is also from G-d. She is therefore a unique witness to G-d's faithfulness and his lordship over all of history.' As we partake in the Days of Awe, Yom Kippur and Sukkot, remember that as Messianic believers we can be creative, as we are led by the Sp...irit; it must come from within, not from obligation to follow the ways of others.
Messiah
Messiah never left this world - he transcended it and is still within it. He is still here to assist those who are joined with him with blessing and advice, just as before, and even more so. Even those who did not know him in his corporeal lifetime can still create with him an essential bond - “for where two or three come together in His name, there He is with them” with His G-dly, Rabbinic authority (Mt 18:20).
‘The Messiah, and His history are not presented in the Old Testament as something separate from, or superadded to, Israel. The history, the institutions, and the predictions of Israel run up into him. He is the typical Israelite... typical Israel itself-alike the crown, the completion, and the representative of Israel. He is the Son of God and the Servant of the Lord... in that highest and only true sense.' Edersheim
'Following the Messiah is tough.. too tough to do alone. That's why Yeshua didn't call isolated individuals to follow him. He called a group. He gathered a crowd. God is still gathering that crowd, still pulling us together, still trying to make us one, by calling us to remember his sacrifice on our behalf, by filling us with the Spirit of his holiness, and by interceding on our behalf by his blessed Son.'
Jewish scholar Rivkin says: 'Yet we know, Jews no less than Christians, that the cross was the beginning not the end. It was the birth of a viable and vital messianic idea proclaimed by Jews for Jews... What gave life to the crucified Messiah was the Pharisaic belief in the resurrection of the dead... It dawned on them that the proof of Jesus' claim to be [Messiah] was his resurrection.
Maimonides speaking of Messiah: 'You should not calculate times for him to come, or to look in the verses of Tanach to see when he should come. The sages say: The wisdom of those who calculate times is small… he will be greater and more honored than all of the kings of Israel since the beginning of time as it is prophesied by all the prophets from Moses our teacher to Malachi.'
“Beauty cannot be touched. It cannot be described or explained. The more we uncover Beauty, the more it eludes us. Beauty is where the world makes a window for the light of the Infinite to shine in.” Rabbi M Schneerson. And when Messiah Yeshua sees us, He “...will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears” (Isa 11: 3) because He sees your beauty with the very eyes of G-d.
Shabbat
You must always have good things to think about - an empty mind is a vacuum awaiting destructive thoughts. Chaverim, remember to “fill the cleansed house of your mind” (Luke 11; 24-26) with G-dly things and also take seriously the recommendation from Ps 77:12, “I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.” This Shabbat, fill your minds with the thoughts of YHVH, and be blessed. Amen
Shabbat ends with Havdalah’s (Heb. ‘Separation’) last blessing: “Blessed are You, LORD, our G-d, sovereign of the universe, who separates between sacred and secular, between light and darkness, between Israel and the nations, between the seventh day and the sixth day of labour. Blessed are you, LORD, who separates between sacred and secular.” Shavua tov, chaverim. Be blessed, take risks, live anointed!
For Shabbat. consider the words of Dan Juster: 'What is of primary importance is that our activity be a true renewal of life in God. We need not legalistically define what constitutes "work." However, activity which is wearing on us, which depresses is to be avoided. Sabbath should be a real contrast from other work days. To make Sabbath a delight let our celebrations be creatively expressed and not rote."
“When you come to a place that seems outside of G-d's realm, too coarse for light to enter, and you want to run away, know that there is no place outside of G-d, and rejoice in your task of uncovering Him there.” May you find Him this Shabbat, in the place of peace, in the glory of Yom Tov.
Yeshua said: "The Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath." (Mk:2:27) "It was never meant to be a day of legalistic conformity... Sabbath itself antedates Israel's existence and is a reflection of the creation order. However, Israel is given the Sabbath as a memorial of God's gracious rescue from slavery as well as a memorial of creation and God's resting in the seventh period." [Juster]
This Shabbat, thrive on the goodness of Messiah. Make your time and space G-dly – for Shabbat is your release from the “olam ha ze” (this world) and practice for the “olam ha ba” (the world-to-come). It’s your weekly practice for when we shall live in a world that doesn’t need fixing, when serving G-d will not be a means to an end, but when we can see holiness itself. Shabbat shalom to you all - enjoy your rest.
"If you keep your feet from breaking the Sabbath and from doing as you please on my holy day... call the Sabbath a delight & the LORD's holy day honorable... honor it by not going your own way & not doing as you please or speaking idle words... you will find your joy in the LORD & I will cause you to ride on the heights of the land and to feast on the inheritance of your father Jacob." [Isaiah 58:13-14]
'Genesis 1 cut through the murk of ancient mythology with a shaft of light-light that the whole world lives by now... it is a mystic vision of the origin of things, put in the purest and strongest words, intelligible to the child, inspiring to adult genius, clear enough to survive in primitive eras, and deep enough to challenge sophisticated cultures.' Genesis also says... 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.'
A question once posed to Rebbe Nachman of Breslev: “What if someone feels distant from God and Torah? How can he enter the ‘loop’ of spirituality which on one hand is so appealing, and on the other hand so intimidating?” Rebbe Nachman answered, “Go to a Shabbat table and sing a niggun [wordless melody]. Sing it with zest and verve, with feeling from deep in your soul. That’s the way to jump in!”
From the words of Abraham Heshel: 'Unless one learns how to relish the taste of Sabbath... one will not be able to enjoy the taste of eternity in the world to come... Six days a week we wrestle with the world, wringing profit from the earth; on the Sabbath we especially care for the seed of eternity planted in the soul. The world has our hands, but our soul belongs to Someone Else.'
For too long people have been deceived into thinking that Messiah Yeshua broke the Sabbath in order to show us we were free from the Sabbath. This entire concept is a blasphemy and an affront to the Most High. It is born out of ignorance and rebellion. Why would anyone want to be “free” from a gift of G-d?
"All week we may ponder and worry whether we are rich or poor, whether we succeed or fail in our occupations; whether we accomplish or fall short of reaching our goals. But who could feel distressed when gazing at spectral glimpses of eternity? The Sabbath is no time for personal anxiety or care, for any activity that might dampen the spirit of joy. The Sabbath was given by G-d for joy, for delight, for rest, and should not be marred by worry or grief." (Abraham Heschel, The Sabbath, p. 30)
Torah
"Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go." [Joshua 1:8-9]
"I strongly believe... that the canonised Bible is the inerrant Word of G-d... I also believe that... by selectively studying the apocryphal and pseudepigraphic (not canonised) literature that was written concurrently with the biblical writings, we can often gain a better insight into the intended meaning of the related canonised writing." - Bob Fischer, The Ways Of The Way, p 182
Micah summed up how we should live, yet some dispute how we are to observe Torah. Friedman says: "We can help each other learn the Torah, and understand the principles by which Yeshua lived out the mitzvot. At the same time, we should not push each other to be conformed to our own standards. When Messiah returns he will ultimately teach us the perfect way until then, "we see through a dirty mirror.""
We think that learning and practising Torah is crucial for our lives, as it is written: 'Teach me Thy statutes, make me understand the way of Thy precepts, so I will meditate on Thy wonders (Ps.119:26b-27). How do we keep it though? The Prophet Micah said: 'He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.' (6:8) Amen
"Everyone of us has a mitzvah (instruction) with which we find an affinity. There is no need to convince, to argue, to cajole... just to find that mitzvah and encourage." (Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson)
“What is hateful to you do not do to another. That is the whole Law, the rest is Commentary.” (Rabbi Hillel, c. 70BCE - 10CE). "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." (Rabbi Yeshua, Matisyahu 7:12). Selah.
G-d said Torah is good - see Dt 6 and Ps 119 if you don’t believe me! The word ‘Torah’ is from the Hebrew root ‘yarah’ (to shoot / take aim) and the opposite is ‘chata’, (to miss the mark, and also “sin” in the Bible). We need more respect for the whole instruction of G-d, and not simply write it off because it is alien to us. Yeshua didn’t change it (Mt 5:17-18), and Paul thoroughly recommended it (2 Tim 3:16).
"Reading the Bible in translation is like kissing your new bride through a veil." (Jewish Poet, Haim Nachman Bialik, 1873-1934).
"The long exile of the Jewish people is at its end. In the same way, the long exile of the Gospel is at an end. Just as the Jewish people are returning to their native soil, we are returning the gospel to its original matrix of the Torah of Moses... Moses foresaw the time of restoration. 'And you shall again obey the Lord, and observe all His commandments. (Deuteronomy 30:8)
"Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish mystical tradition. From a Messianic Jewish perspective, it is truly a mixed bag. At times, one can find within Kabbalism the most profound and Biblically-valid thoughts on everything from the Messiah's suffering for sin to even a Triune concept of the unity of G-d. However, Kabbalism also contains concepts from magic and paganism." Dan Juster, Jewish Roots, p238.
Genesis Rabbah 10: 1: “Everything has an end - heaven and earth have an end - except one thing which has no end. And what is that? The torah.” And Yeshua said, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets... I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, or the least stroke of a pen will disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished.” (Mt 5: 17-18)
The Church
