Roots of Faith

Archive for the ‘Notes’ Category

Tonight marks the beginning of the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. This evening at sundown we begin the 25th day of the 9th Biblical month. In the Talmud it is most often referred to as the “Feast of Illumination”. It is also known as the Feast of the Maccabees, the Festival of Lights and the Feast of Dedication (see John 10:22 in the Christian Scriptures). The origins of this festival are not found in the Bible, but in the book of 1 Maccabees. According to the writer of that work, a “sinful root” by the name of Antiochus Epiphanes rose to power in the year 175 B.C.E.. In 169 B.C.E. he turned his evil intentions against the towns, the people and the religion of Israel. With pomp and arrogance he entered the sanctuary speaking boastful words. He stripped the Temple of all valuable items and shed much blood. In 167 B.C.E., he put out a decree to his entire kingdom. In this decree he stated that all people should be one and that everyone should give up their particular customs. The non-Jews and even some from Israel gladly accepted this new “kingdom religion”. The religion of Israel was profaned in every regard and forsaking the Torah was the watchword of the new socially acceptable religion brought in by the sinful root, Antiochus. A “desolating sacrilege” was erected in the Temple, altars went up throughout the towns, and Torah scrolls were burned in the fire. Women who circumcised their children were put to death and the same fate befell those who were discovered following the Torah.

The book of Maccabees records that “many in Israel stood firm and were resolved in their hearts not to eat unclean food. They chose to die rather than to be defiled by food or to profane the holy covenant; and they did die. Very great wrath came upon Israel.” In the midst of these trying times a priestly family rose to the occasion. From a garrison in Modein, a man named Mattathias and his five sons mourned over the situation. They were approached by the officers of Antiochus with an offer of riches for violating the covenant of their fathers. Not only did they refuse to profane the covenant of their fathers, but they led a rebellion that ultimately defeated the armies of insolence.

Three years to the day that the altar was defiled, the altar was re-dedicated. It was then determined that every year on this date that for eight days, beginning on the 25th of the 9th month a time of joy and gladness should be observed. Since that time, the re-dedication of the altar has been commemorated in the eight-day festival known as Hanukkah.

In our own day, during this season, we should make an extra effort to stand for the holy covenant and to stand against pagan practices and those influences that oppose the Torah. Around the world, Torah oriented people will be kindling the lights in keeping with the tradition of Hanukkah. I pray that you have a blessed season of renewal to the covenant – a re-dedication of your life to the Torah. It should also be pointed out that today marks the ONLY date on the Hebrew calendar that is specifically attached to a blessing. The promised blessing is found in the prophetic book known as Haggai (2:10-23). There we read the following words; “From this day on I will bless you.”

You are invited to join the congregation of Roots of Faith for a Hanukkah party at Temple Sinai. We would love to see you in person, but you are also welcome to attend via the internet (www.rootsoffaith.org/streaming-video).

I pray a special blessing on all who read these words, and as always – thanks for your continued interest in Roots of Faith. Shalom!

The Story of the Dead Sea Scrolls
Their Miraculous Discovery and
True Significance

A lecture by
Professor Geza Vermes
Tuesday, Sept. 29
5 p.m.
Hill Memorial Library Lecture Hall
Reception and book signing following the lecture

Geza Vermes is Professor Emeritus of Jewish Studies and Emeritus Fellow of Wolfson College, Oxford University. He has edited the Journal of Jewish Studies since 1971 and in 1991 was appointed director of the Oxford Forum for Qumran Research at the Oxford Centre for Hebrew and Jewish Studies. He is a Fellow of the British Academy (1985) and of the European Academy of Arts, Sciences and Humanities (2001). He is the author of more than a dozen books on the Dead Sea Scrolls, Judaism, Christianity, and the life and religion of Jesus.

Sponsored by the LSU Department of Philosophy & Religious Studies
and the LSU Libraries

The lecture is free and open to the public.

Illustration: Psalms (Tehillim) 11QPs. Copied ca. 30 – 50 C.E. Reproduced from http://www.ibiblio.org/expo/deadsea.scrolls.exhibit/Library/psalms.html

Yom Teruah

I wanted to post a special note on my blog as we draw near to the beginning of the 7th month on the Biblical Calendar. This 7th month, is referred to by Josephus as the “Sacred Month”.

This is my favorite time of the year. The Bible refers to this season as the “turn of the year – Exodus 34:22″ and I always feel that this time leads us into a holy time – a time to reflect on our deeds and a time to “turn to our God” in repentance.

One thing that I constantly stress in my teachings is that people would do well to incorporate the “times and seasons” of the Bible into their personal faith. There is something incredible about being in sync with God’s appointed times (moedim). A careful study of Leviticus 23 is a good place to start. In the very first verse we learn that these are the “festivals of Yehovah”.

Jews have kept these festivals since they were given and have developed their own rich traditions around each of these. Christians are beginning to see the great value in studying them and incorporating them into their walk, often as a way to be more like Jesus (Yeshua). These moedim clearly have meaning for anyone that seeks to adopt the ways of the Creator.

Beginning at sundown tonight, according to the Jewish calendar, we enter this 7th month. This first day of the 7th month is known biblically as Yom Teruah, (a day of blasting, shouting), more commonly known as the Feast of Trumpets and traditionally as Rosh HaShana (or New Year’s day).

Anciently, the new month was determined based upon the sighting of the new moon (a thin crescent), while the modern Jewish calendar is determined by calculation. The subject of the Hebrew Calendar is a very interesting and hotly debated subject – but one that is quite rewarding. So whether you follow the Jewish calendar or prefer to spot the thin crescent moon in the sky with your own eyes, the day is fast approaching!

By the way, if you are interested in learning more about observing the New Moon – see for example the following site:

http://www.karaite-korner.org/

So, to my Jewish friends – happy New Year! I will be teaching on Yom Teruah this Sabbath from the historic Temple Sinai. Check it out live at 10:30 am central www.livestream.com/rootsoffaith

These are some notes meant to stress the importance of linking up with the ancient practice of reading Scriptures in public in order to enhance and develop the faith of the faithful. Jews have done this since the time of Moses it seems. Indeed there is something to the idea of “hearing the word of God”. The Christian New Testament records that Faith comes by hearing the word of God. Too often, ministers base an entire sermon on only a few words from the vast literature at their disposal and expound upon their chosen text, quite often taken out of context. As my teacher once wrote, “Christians have traded their birthright for a mess of pottage”. Regrettably, I have to concur with this. It is time for teachers of the Bible to restore this practice. God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. How will they gain knowledge if they only hear a few verses a week? I realize that many have felt this void and so have studied the Bible with a passion on their own. While this is essential, I suggest that this reading be done audibly and in public whenever possible.

The central teaching of Hebrew Faith, called by Jesus the first and greatest commandment in the Torah (LAW) begins with the Hebrew word – SHEMA! (Deuteronomy 6:4 / See Matthew 22:34 and Mark 12:28). I translate this by the old word “hearken”. I think that this implies an active listening. There are numerous examples in the Bible where this human sense is upheld as the means whereby truth is conveyed.

So here are a few of my notes on the ancient practice of reading the Torah and Prophets in public. If these don’t get you participating in the public reading of Scripture nothing will.

Moses’ Instructions in the Torah about the Public reading of the Torah

KJV Deuteronomy 31:10 And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, 11 When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.

Josephus on Reading Moses every week – Contra Apionem ii.18

18. But for our legislator, he very carefully joined these two methods of instruction together; for he neither left these practical exercises to go on without verbal instruction, nor did he permit the hearing of the law to proceed without the exercises for practice; but beginning immediately from the earliest infancy, and the appointment of every one’s diet, he left nothing of the very smallest consequence to be done at the pleasure and disposal of the person himself. Accordingly, he made a fixed rule of law what sorts of food they should abstain from, and what sorts they should make use of; as also, what communion they should have with others what great diligence they should use in their occupations, and what times of rest should be interposed, that, by living under that law as under a father and a master, we might be guilty of no sin, neither voluntary nor out of ignorance; for he did not suffer the guilt of ignorance to go on without punishment, but demonstrated the law to be the best and the most necessary instruction of all others, permitting the people to leave off their other employments, and to assemble together for the hearing of the law, and learning it exactly, and this not once or twice, or oftener, but every week; which thing all the other legislators seem to have neglected.

Ezra Performs a Torah Service

NRS Nehemiah 8:1 all the people gathered together into the square before the Water Gate. They told the scribe Ezra to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had given to Israel. 2 Accordingly, the priest Ezra brought the law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could hear with understanding. This was on the first day of the seventh month. 3 He read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book of the law. 4 The scribe Ezra stood on a wooden platform that had been made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand; and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hash-baddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. 5 And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was standing above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up. 6 Then Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. Then they bowed their heads and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground. 7 Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the law, while the people remained in their places. 8 So they read from the book, from the law of God, with interpretation. They gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

James, the Brother of Jesus on the Public Reading of Scripture

NRS Acts 15:19 Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, 20 but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. 21 For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every Sabbath in the synagogues.”

Evidence of a Torah Service attended by Paul

NRS Acts 13:13 Then Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia. John, however, left them and returned to Jerusalem; 14 but they went on from Perga and came to Antioch in Pisidia. And on the sabbath day they went into the synagogue and sat down. 15 After, the officials of the synagogue sent them a message, saying, “Brothers, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, give it.” 16 So Paul stood up and with a gesture began to speak: “You Israelites, and others who fear God, listen.

Jesus Participates in the Public reading of Scripture – It was his custom to do so!

NRS Luke 4:16 When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, 17 and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: 18 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, 19 to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” 20 And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. 21 Then he began to say to them, “Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.”

Paul encourages Timothy to give attention to the public reading of Scripture!

NRS 1 Timothy 4:11 These are the things you must insist on and teach. 12 Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech and conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you through prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Put these things into practice, devote yourself to them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.