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ABOUT Torah Association of Believers Observing and Understanding Torah
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ABOUT Torah Association of Believers Observing and Understanding Torah
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SECTION 1 |
The recent Torah reading of Hukat (Numbers 19:1 – 221:1) has many levels of Torah knowledge that are relevant to our daily walk. One of the most significant understandings comes from the section of the portion that includes Numbers 19:17-20:7. It is in this section that HaShem defines His desire that Israel become a sanctified and set apart people. A lesson that is extremely important to this generation, when there are so many influences that demand our time and keep us from living a Holy lifestyle. Living Holy is not just a desire of HaShem. It is a command. Numbers 19 clearly lays out HaShem’s desire for Israel to be pure. Here the Lord explains to Israel the remedy for becoming unclean for the dead. For instance, this passage from Numbers 19:16-17 clearly states that when anyone comes into contact with the dead they are rendered unclean. “And whosoever toucheth one that is slain with a sword in the open fields, or a dead body, or a bone of a man, or a grave, shall be unclean seven days. And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel.” In this instance, the consequence of being unclean is that the offender was to be cut off from HaShem and from the rest of Israel. This was no small punishment. It meant permanent disassociation from family, friends, and HaShem. The repercussions of uncleanness for the dead reveal to us the importance of being Holy to the Lord. However, in His infinite mercy HaShem provided a remedy for this type of uncleanness. The only accepted remedy to reestablish Holiness was the sprinkling of water that contains the ashes of the red heifer. As stated in Numbers 19:20 those not sprinkled would be permanently cut off “But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean”. Though, as scripture verifies, what HaShem considers crucial mankind often neglects to see as important. Interestingly enough, soon after HaShem provided the remedy for uncleanness for the dead there was a death. As scripture states, “Then came the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.” (Numbers 20:1). Since Miriam was a crucial member of the congregation and a spiritual leader the whole assembly would have mourned her passing. In the process of mourning, many of the assembly would have touched her, would have been in her presence, and would have been with her when she died. Suddenly, on the event of this one death, the entire assembly of Israel is in danger of becoming unclean. The consequences for this would be permanent disassociation from God and Israel. However, in his wisdom HaShem had already provided the remedy. The remedy for this type uncleanness, as scripture states, demanded Israel take running water and the ashes of the red heifer. “And for an unclean person they shall take of the ashes of the burnt heifer of purification for sin, and running water shall be put thereto in a vessel.” However, in the desert of Zin, where Miriam died, there was no water for purification. Since no water could be found in the desert of Zin, according the Torah all Israel was in danger of being cut off. “But the man that shall be unclean, and shall not purify himself, that soul shall be cut off from among the congregation, because he hath defiled the sanctuary of the LORD: the water of separation hath not been sprinkled upon him; he is unclean”. (Num 19:20) HaShem’s desire for Israel to be Holy would now be put to a crucial test. Like all humans they were about to be faced with the choice of self-gratification, or walking in Holiness. Following after the weakness of the flesh the children of Israel demanded water for drinking, instead of water for purification. It is tragic that Israel would rather be physically satisfied than spiritually purified. Don’t we all have this tendency? Instead of seeking to be cleansed we are more worried about the immediate situation. This is one reason HaShem was so disturbed when Moses struck the rock rather than speaking to the rock. HaShem is to be considered Holy in all circumstances. So He demands those that approach him to be Holy also. Israel and Moses struggled with their own nature; this is why the place was named Meribah (Waters of Strife). As followers of Yeshua, it is imperative that we constantly seek to overcome our nature and stir up a desire to reflect HaShem’s holiness to the world. When we reflect His holiness we can be transformed into the image of Yeshua. Just as the Torah and Brit Hadasha confirm “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” (Genesis 17:1, Mt 5:48) The healing of the world depends on our demonstration of HaShem’s holiness. |
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Just For Fun
Schtettle, Kansas, a small rural community oddly enough made up mostly of Jews. Why would a bunch of Jews settle on the prairie? As a direct descendant of one of the founding families of this town I can tell you that it wasn't for the noble reasons given in our official town history, that's just for tourists and school children. The real reason was my ancestors were sick and tired of traveling. It took my family and I three days to get here from the east. It took nine months via covered wagon for my great grandparents. Bubbe Bloom was about to give birth to my zayda when she went into labor about a half mile from where I'm typing this. Grandpa Jacob thought that they'd move on and catch up with the other wagons on their way to Tulsa after his wife and their new son had a chance to rest. Not so! Bubbe managed to get comfortable. I guess getting tossed about in a wagon, running from hostile Indians and experiencing a tornado makes one appreciate taking the time to stop and smell the roses. My great grandparents had made camp along the banks of the Mishigas river where the land was fairly flat and fertile, so was Bubbe for that matter. Ah, what I mean to say is Bubbe was also fertile, she had sixteen children. Grandpa Jacob or "Jake", as he later came to be called, was an enterprising fellow. He cut down some trees and built a ferry. That's how my great grandparents earned a living. Grandpa Jake ferried wagons across the river and Bubbe ran a restaurant. Soon other Jewish families making their way to Tulsa arrived, some stayed put, the rest you can read about in the pamphlet we give out to visitors. Well now that you know the history of my town, I suppose I should get to the point of why I'm bothering to tell you all of this. I was asked to write something about my home in the hope that by doing so, I might be able to persuade some of you to consider enrolling and studying at our yeshiva. Being a tiny little community we can't hope to compete with the likes of New York or Jerusalem, they have amenities that we couldn't begin to match, but can they claim to be the birthplace of the inventor of the first Matzo ball making machine? I think not! As hard as it is to believe, the Kinadelich-1801 was invented right here in Schettle by Izy Perlman in 1800. He called his first working model the 1801 because that was the year when he finally convinced the Patent office he hadn't infringed on a patent for the first hand operated ice cream scoop. No where would you be if Izy hadn't invented his wonderful device? Why you'd still be making Matzo balls with a fork or a spoon instead of turning out dozens of perfectly rounded Kinadelich that positively float. You won't find the Izy Perlman Museum in New York, nor will you find it with his first working prototype on display in Jerusalem, they're both right here in Schtettle. Oye, it's been a rather long week. You'll have to forgive me if I get a bit off track. Now where was I? Oh yes, the yeshiva. We offer a four-year program that is designed to give our students a building block approach to the realm of rabbinic studies. Ours is a tried and tested program developed by another of our local celebrities, Rabbi Hershel M. Blockman, Ph.D. Contrary to an unfortunate rumor which got started, the rabbi is still very much alive. Although he has long since retired from teaching, Rabbi Blockman still manages to keep his hand in the running of the yeshiva. I along with the other faculty members meet with him each morning just after we daven at the club. Oh, I'm sorry, I keep forgetting that you're not familiar with our town. When I say "the club" I mean the nursing home. Specifically I mean the– Alda Kacher Convalescent and Retirement Home located on Lulav Avenue just off Temple street. Pardon me for bragging, but I can't help it. The Alda Kacher Convalescent and Retirement Home is a state of the art, Glatt kosher, long term care nursing facility. Since our Shul burned down we've been holding services in the club's chapel which is quite spacious and boasts of excellent acoustics. Why just the other day I was in rapture listening to the new cantor who was hired by the Reformed congregation here in town. Seems he too heard of Rabbi Blockman's passing but was relieved to find out that it was just so much misinformed gossip. I honestly don't know how these things get started. Oh all right, so I do. I hate to admit this, but it's really all my fault. I'd arrived at a bit before 7 a.m., as is my usual habit. I got out the siddurim and began handing them out to the old timers who were being wheeled into the chapel by the nurses aides. We began praying at 7:30; it takes a little longer for the old gents to get their tefillin on. I was half way through the Shemone Esre when I happened to glance over at Rabbi Blockman. He wasn't moving! His eyes were shut and he was slumped over. Now you have to understand this is not his typical posture. Although the rabbi is now confined to a wheelchair, he still shekels with the best of us, but now he was perfectly still. I waited for the others to finish and quietly broke the news; it looked like our beloved spiritual leader had passed away. While we were waiting for Dr. Fischer to confirm what we believed, some of the men began a spontaneous recitation of the Kaddish, which was most appropriate at this juncture. That's when I noticed it. You know the part in the Kaddish where the congregation joins in by saying, "Y'he– sh'meh rabbo m'vorach l'olam ulolmay olmayo"? Well I just froze. With tears in my eyes I looked at my dear mentor and colleague, his lips were moving! Just barely, but they were moving. "Baruch HaShem!" I cried. "He's alive. Somebody call the doctor!" Mrs. Goodman the Charge-nurse and Mr. Finegold, the director of the club came rushing into the chapel making such a commotion that it woke the rabbi from his sound sleep with a start. He wasn't too happy having been pronounced dead and he began scolding me for making a blessing in vain, adding a few colorful Yiddish phrases here and there for good measure. Heck, I didn't care, he was alive! Hehehe, I see I did it again, I got off track. I hope you can forgive me. Now what was I saying before I went off on this tangent? Oh, yes, the yeshiva. Well what more can I say, it's a fine institution. |
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OMJRA ConferenceJuly 17-21, 2002
Independence, Kansas will be the location of the Fifth Annual Observant Messianic Jewish Rabbinical Association Conference. Previously held in private settings, this year the conference will be held at the local Independence branch of a national hotel chain. The three-day conference has a full schedule of schmoozing (fellowship), s’michot (ceremonies), worship, and business planned. Members and guests will have the chance to meet others from across the nation and to witness ordination and conversion ceremonies. Also, routine and visionary business for the OMJRA will be planned for the upcoming year, with discussions ranging from personal observance of the Sabbath to ministering to friends and neighbors to combatting national issues. The yearly conference is always a blessing to those in attendance.
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ABOUT-Torah was founded by Rabbi Yaakov benYosef and his wife Hava as a fulfillment of the calling that the Lord placed on their lives. As the Lord led the Rabbi and his wife in their messianic walk it became obvious that the messianic community needed good institutions to train individuals in scriptural and cultural discernment. This training needed to be based on three pillars: Spiritual, Biblical, and Historical. With these three pillars in place the mission of ABOUT-Torah was obvious. We would train people to live and walk as the Lord walked, using an approach that is based on Spiritual Leading, Biblical Inspiration, and Historical Fact. With these three tools the school's mission would be to learn and teach as much information about Yeshua’s life as possible. In this way we would fulfill the great commission as outlined in Mt 28:19 “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” In the future there will be more biographies about the staff at the school. Rabbi Yaakov benYosef: Hava benYosef: Rabbi Yehoshua M. Othniel: aka Yadhu Shalom for this addition of the ABOUT-Torah newsletter until next publication "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Num 6:24-26) |
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