A Response to Kaddish V. The Lord's Prayer
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Posted:Oct 27, 2010 6:17 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 20384 Views
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Once again, I am not getting any feedback on yesterday's entry. This is not just reading what is going on inside my head, but an opportunity to find out what you think because we are being confronted with Christian challenges to Judaism, and trying to get us to walk away from our Jewish identity and Torah, while embracing the pagan teaching and practices in Christianity.
It is a major cause for concern, and I feel it is time to respond to the growing attacks on Judaism by fundamental Christianity.
Not all Christians are like those who are so quick to convert everyone. We do have some who are open to the Hebraic thought and perspective in the Scriptures and it is so good to see our Jewish brothers and sisters who were Christians, after reading the Hebrew Scriptures in its full context, return to Judaism and those non-Jewish Christians are moving toward living the Noachide Laws, and even convert to Judaism. That's the power of Ruach Elohim through Torah.
Let's get right to this discussion on these two prayers.
Though they are very different in nature, yet the Lord's Prayer is used in the common Jewish prayer language and it is a personal, private prayer people would say, believing that HaShem would provide us with our daily bread rather than us having to get out and earn it ourselves by our own effort.
The Kaddish is a joyous expression of praise to HaShem and of hope for the speedy acknowledgment of divine sovereignty by all humanity, and was originally recited in Talmudic time at the end of the rabbinic study session.
Both prayers are subject to the same influence but different results. What do you think?
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Kaddish V. The Lord's Prayer
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Posted:Oct 26, 2010 11:08 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 20969 Views
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Compare the English translation of Kaddish with the Christian's version of the Lord's Prayer...and how we can respond to our Christian friends in love and understanding.
May the great Name of God be exalted and sanctified, throughout the world, which he has created according to his will. May his Kingship be established in your lifetime and in your days, and in the lifetime of the entire household of Israel, swiftly and in the near future; and say, Amen.
May his great name be blessed, forever and ever.
Blessed, praised, glorified, exalted, extolled, honored elevated and lauded be the Name of the holy one, Blessed is he- above and beyond any blessings and hymns, Praises and consolations which are uttered in the world; and say Amen. May there be abundant peace from Heaven, and life, upon us and upon all Israel; and say, Amen.
He who makes peace in his high holy places, may he bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel; and say Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
Your Kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours.
Now and for ever. Amen
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Hayyei Sarah: The Servant's Prayer (Genesis 23:1 - 25:18)
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Posted:Oct 25, 2010 11:25 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 19569 Views
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We who believe in HaShem may differ on what prayer should be or how it is answered, and we will disagree when we read the account of Avraham's servant on whether the servant had the right to ask for a sign, but we will frequently pray as did Avraham's servant and simply respond with hope: Grant me good fortune."
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Hayyei Sarah (Genesis 23:1-25:18)
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Posted:Oct 24, 2010 8:43 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 19737 Views
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Life Is A Collection of Beginning...And A Collection of Ending.
This thought came across my mind as we see the end of the lives of Sarah and Avarham in this portion of Torah.
The Midrash provided some clues as to what may or may not lead up to her death, but we can be sure that Sarah was old and ailing when Avarham was going to do Ha'Shem's command on Moriah; and what he was going to do would had cause Sarah to collapse and passed on. However, she was not involved in the decision nor was she tested.
What Sarah left for Jewish women in the Scriptures is her sharpness, devotion, generosity, harshness and fiercely commitment to her family. Sounds like the Proverbs 31 Woman to me.
Avraham's legacy is summed up in this text in Beresheit (Genesis) 15:3...'And because he put his trust in Ha'Shem, He reckoned it to his merit." We don't have to go into a list of acts He did in faith and obeidence to Ha'Shem, and time will not permit us.
One thing he did to preserve the Jewish family line by Avraham seeking a wife for his Yitzchak. He bequeathed all that he possessed to Yitzchak, and took this writ and gave it to his servant (whom the midrash calls “Eliezer"). When Abraham commanded the latter, he told him (Gen. 24 ): “He will send His angel before you”; according to the midrash, God designated two angels when Avraham said this. One angel would accompany Eliezer on his journey, and the other would take Revkah out of her parents’ house (Gen. Rabbah 59:10). When the servant reached Haran, he prayed to YHVH, and suggested a sign by which he would recognize the suitable maiden (Gen. 24:14): The midrash comments on this that Eliezer was one of the four who made unseemly requests. If a handmaiden had come forth to him, would he have chosen her as Yitzchak’s bride? If she had been lame or blind, would he have designated her as Isaac’s intended? Despite this, God granted his request and had Revkah come before him (Gen. Rabbah 60:3; BT Taanit 4a).
What is it that you want to leave behind for people to remember you for?
You Will Be Remember For Two Things: The Problem You Solve Or The Problem You Create.
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What Made Us Forget About Being United in The Jewish Community?
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Posted:Oct 22, 2010 10:00 am
Last Updated:Oct 22, 2010 10:03 am 19361 Views
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This is also found on the blog, Making The Connection at cnyjewishconnection.blogspot.com
During Shabbos we chant Tehillim (Psalm) 133:1 in the congregations we attend as a communal prayer to HaShem and, once we leave Beit Elohim, we are quick to get into conflict with other Jews with different take at the Torah and practices among various branches of Judaism.
Living as Jews and having faith in HaShem is an ongoing challenge and we are encouraged to question and delve into the nature of a faithful life, but we need to go back in the Torah to read HaShem's call for us to love (twice in Vayiqra (Leviticus) and once in Devarim (Deuteronomy)) human beings and, once we love people, we come to love HaShem.
We must return to display our love for our Jewish brothers and sisters, regardless, just as HaShem had loved us and established His Covenant with us at Har Horev, and to be a light to the nations by living and teaching Torah and mitzvot (Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 42:6) and we extend that to Righteous Gentiles who desire to live the Noachide Laws.
A reason for this blog and upcoming radio show from Insight on The Word Radio Network so that we can have Jews (Orthodox, Reform, Messianic, Hassidic Gentiles, etc.) to establish a dialogue and to end the arguments that segmented us for so long.
Another reason for this show is the ongoing onslaught from pagan Christianity by sending out missionaries to our neighborhood and in Israel. I am so sad to see our Jewish brothers and sisters being assimilated and abandoning Judaism.
It is my prayer that this is a seed to be plant in our community and that HaShem will guide us in the direction He needs us to go.
I do pray that you have a great Shabbos and I will return to bring a new thought on this blog.
May YHVH continue to be your rear guard. Shabbat Shalom to you and yours.
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Being In Covenant
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Posted:Oct 20, 2010 7:49 am
Last Updated:May 5, 2012 4:14 pm 18767 Views
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We must go back to the past Torah portion in Lech-Lecha (Beresheit (Genesis) 15:1-16:16) for a bit because we overlook the importance of our covenant to HaShem, and we take for granted as to who we are as Jews, why are we Jews and how to live this life as a Jew in connection with YHVH.
Covenants obligate HaShem but they are dependent on our faithfulness to Him. The Scriptures make HaShem's commitment unconditional. Not only did He created a physical world with immutable laws, He established conditions for an unchanging spiritual world as well. YHVH is a faithful G-d--faithful in His natural as well as transnatural manifestations.
Unlike the pagan gods whose universes were unpredictable and erratic, HaShem reveals Himself, in the covenant of pieces, to be an El-Ne-eman (A G-d who is dependable and trustworthy)
No other religious covenant can be known outside of; Yisrael.
Though not all of us are in Yisrael but we need to be reminded of our place with HaShem and how we can contribute to this world. The only way is to remind ourselves each day, like I do...
I am a Jew because, born of Israel and having lost her,
I have felt her live again in me, more living than myself.
I am a Jew because, born of Israel and having regained her,
I wish her to live after me, more living than in myself.
I am a Jew because the faith of Israel demands of me no abdication of the mind.
I am a Jew because the faith of Israel requires of me all the devotion of my heart.
I am a Jew because in every place where suffering weeps, the Jew weeps.
I am a Jew because at every time when despair cries out, the Jew hopes.
I am a Jew because the word of Israel is the oldest and the newest.
I am a Jew because the promise of Israel if the universal promise.
I am a Jew because, for Israel, the world is not yet completed; men are completing it.
I am a Jew because, above the nations and Israel, Israel places man and his Unity.
I am a Jew because above man, image of the divine Unity, Israel places the divine Unity, and its divinity.
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From the Vayera Portion in The Torah
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Posted:Oct 17, 2010 8:27 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 19594 Views
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From the Midrash it was said that Avraham sat in the door of his tent and watched for strangers whom he might invite into his abode. The Talmud says that greater than the reception of G-d is the practice of hospitality.
We must find opportunity to be a blessing in the lives of others, and continue to make connection while we continue to take this journey as Jews by obeying the Torah and mitzvot so that we can bring heaven to earth.
Most importantly, we are to be a light to the nations and draw all mankind to HaShem.
What You Make Happen For Others, HaShem Will Make It Happen For You.
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Mistranslated Scriptural Verses Referring To Jesus
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Posted:Oct 15, 2010 4:43 pm
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 20741 Views
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Biblical verses can only be understood by studying the original Hebrew text—which reveals many discrepancies in the Christian translation.
A. VIRGIN BIRTH
The Christian idea of a virgin birth is derived from the verse in Isaiah 7:14 describing an "alma" as giving birth. The word "alma" has always meant a young woman, but Christian theologians came centuries later and translated it as "virgin." This accords Jesus’ birth with the first century pagan idea of mortals being impregnated by gods.
B. CRUCIFIXION
The verse in Psalms 22:17 reads: "Like a lion, they are at my hands and feet." The Hebrew word ki-ari (like a lion) is grammatically similar to the word "gouged." Thus Christianity reads the verse as a reference to crucifixion: "They pierced my hands and feet."
C. SUFFERING SERVANT
Christianity claims that Isaiah chapter 53 refers to Jesus, as the "suffering servant."
In actuality, Isaiah 53 directly follows the theme of chapter 52, describing the exile and redemption of the Jewish people. The prophecies are written in the singular form because the Jews ("Israel") are regarded as one unit. The Torah is filled with examples of the Jewish nation referred to with a singular pronoun.
Ironically, Isaiah’s prophecies of persecution refer in part to the 11th century when Jews were tortured and killed by Crusaders who acted in the name of Jesus.
From where did these mistranslations stem? St. Gregory, 4th century Bishop of Nazianzus, wrote: "A little jargon is all that is necessary to impose on the people. The less they comprehend, the more they admire."
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This Had Grab My Attention from Lech-Lecha
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Posted:Oct 13, 2010 8:02 am
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 18936 Views
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"And Avram heard that his [nephew Lot] was taken captive and he armed his initiates who had been born in his house - three hundred and eighteen - and he gave chase as far as Dan." (Beraishis/Genesis 14:14)
The Talmud (Nedarim 32b) teaches that they were armed with gold; Tosafos (1) explain that they were armed with wealth so that they would maintain their focus on their lifesaving mission and not be distracted by precious stones and pearls.
Implicit in this commentary is the lesson that had they not been given this wealth in advance they would have become distracted by riches and compromised their mission to save Lot. But these were the righteous students of the Patriarch Avram. They themselves were so righteous that they openly relied on Divine miracles, willing to risk all in going to battle against four national armies. And while they were in the heat of battle they would have realized that, indeed, against all rational explanation, they were actually winning, 318 individuals against four complete armies. How is it possible that these individuals would abandon Lot and instead pursue precious stones?
Chidushei HaLev explains that in the heat of battle one becomes very focused on the ultimate short term goal - victory - and loses sight of the greater mission, the greater goal - in this case, to save Lot's life. When caught in the throes of this inherently human short-sightedness, even the righteous can lose sight of their mission. With the ultimate objective out of mind, any and all distractions become possible. Thus, Avram gave his warriors riches in advance, to preempt the power of this great distraction.
The contemporary parallels are manifold. Do we go to work because we must earn a living and we allow ourselves to believe the yield is commensurate to the effort, or do we maintain a consciousness that G-d cursed mankind that it must toil but once due diligence is expended the reward will be gifted? The answer is clear when, after reasonable effort has made, a chessed or Torah study opportunity presents itself: having fulfilled the Divine mandate to toil for livelihood do we pursue the mitzvah opportunity, thus keeping holiness as the focus of our lives, or do we lose sight of our mission and continue to labor (in vain) to earn more money?
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Re: A Special Thought To Share...
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Posted:Oct 9, 2010 3:19 pm
Last Updated:May 21, 2024 5:24 am 19608 Views
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I was hoping to have a number of responses on this but I will have to start explaining this Seed of Wisdom: "If You Insist On Taking Something HaShem Did Not Give You, He Will Take Back What He Had Given You."
HaShem gave Adam and Chavvah The Garden of Eden but not the Tree of Knowledge of Good And Bad. They ate from the tree so HaShem took back the garden.
HaShem gave Samson his superhuman strength and judgeship of Israel but not Delilah. He took Delilah so He had to take away Samson's championship status.
What is it that we try to take that He did not provide in the relationship we are (or were in) that HaShem had no choice to dismantle the relationship?
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