Eikev 2019- “consequently” or “because”

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25, Isaiah 49:14 to 51:3, Luke chapter 15

We have previously pointed out that Yeshua quotes the book of Devarim [Hebrew: Words], or Deuteronomy more than any other book of the Torah. In Rabbi Jonathan Sack’s short commentary from a few years ago, “The Morality of Love,”  the reason becomes evident.

The book of Deuteronomy is saturated with the language of love. The root a-h-v appears in Shemot [Exodus]twice, in Vayikra [Leviticus] twice (Lev. 19), in Badmibar [Numbers] not at all, but [23 times in the book of Deuteronomy]. Devarim is a book about societal beatitude and the transformative power of love.- Rabbi Jonathan Sacks

Among Yeshua final words to His disciples is the powerful exhortation: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (John 13:34)

But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despise you, and persecute you. Mat 5:44/Luke 6:27

Honor thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shall love thy neighbor as thyself. (Mat. 19:9)

And thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mat 22:36, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27)

Rabbi Sacks points to a profound statement contained in philosopher Simon May’s splendid book, Love: A History:

“The widespread belief that the Hebrew Bible is all about vengeance and ‘an eye for an eye,’ while the Gospels supposedly invent love as an unconditional and universal value, must therefore count as one of the most extraordinary misunderstandings in all of Western history. For the Hebrew Bible is the source not just of the two love commandments but of a larger moral vision inspired by wonder for love’s power.” -Simon May – philosopher

I hope you will take time to read all of  Rabbi Sack’s short commentary. Let us consider and repent of this gross misunderstanding and the resulting long and painful separation from our Jewish brethren, which ultimately gave birth to the Holocaust. May Abba help us to reach out in love as never before.

If we put it in context of this week’s parsha, Yeshua was saying, “Eikev [because or consequently] you love one another, all men shall know that you are my disciples.  (see John 13:35)

Shabbat shalom!

 

 

 

 

 

Va’etchanan 2019: Clinging to God

Each year when this torah portion rolls around, the picture I have in my mind is of a toddler, shrieking with joy, arms and legs firmly wrapped around her papa’s lower leg as he walks from room to room pretending to try to shake his delighted daughter’s hold.

That kind of clinging is exactly what Abba is looking for us to do. In fact, it is the very essence of Moses last words.

(Deut. 4:4 ISV)  But all of you who are clinging to the LORD your God are alive today.

(Deut. 30:19-20 ISV) “I call heaven and earth to testify against you today! I’ve set life and death before you today: both blessings and curses. Choose life, that it may be well with you—you and your children.  20) Love the LORD your God, obey his voice, and cling to him, because he is your life—even your long life—so that you may live in the land that the LORD promised to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” 

Here’s a terrific short video from Aleph Beta to help us connect the dots in Moses long speech and beautiful love letter:

 

 

 

Devarim 2019-Covenant in 15 minutes

photo by John-Mark Smith on Pixel

Shabbat shalom dear friends and family,

A few years ago I happened upon this most excellent explanation of the significance of the structure of the love letter from Moses, posted by  Britain’s Chief Rabbi Jonathan Sacks. It remains, to date, the best introduction that I have found to the book of Torah that Yeshua quoted most frequently, a “new covenant” for the last generation.  Enjoy!