May 2008
Monthly Archive
The Riddle
Roots of Faith 30 May 2008 | : ARBA4, ROF Sunday Shul, Roots of Faith
Ross started a new series this week. The class begins with a riddle:
He was believed to be the Messiah
Some say that his ministry was foreseen by the prophets
He was called the “Light”
He was killed before the 2nd Temple fell
His death may be described in the Hebrew Bible
Some believed that he was raised from the dead
His followers are still around today
Ross begins the class with an intro that expounds on Isaiah 40. He explores the phrase “the Way of YHWH”, looks into the “highway” mentioned in the prophets and talks about the “good news”.
Who is the messenger of the covenant? What is repentance?
A Model of Diplomacy – Women of Valor Part 17
Daughters of Wisdom 29 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Daughters of Wisdom, Hatikva
Daughters of Wisdom – With Debbie Good
New Shows Available Every Thursday
Daughters of Wisdom Program #19 -Women of Valor Part 17 – A Model of Diplomacy
Rachel, the favorite wife, is examined in relationship to a household of several women and her role as the one ‘who was loved.’ There is also discussion regarding her relation to her sister and her anguish at childlessness. Her virtue and diplomacy far outweigh modern and popular responses to issues that are faced today.
Beit Shammai and the Gospel – Galatians #9
The Gates 28 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Hatikva, The Gates
The Gates – With Joseph Good
New Shows Available Every Wednesday
The Gates Program #92 – Galatians #9 – Beit Shammai and the Gospel
The perverted form of the Baserah (Gospel) presented to the non-Jewish believers in Galatia can be traced back to believers from Jerusalem who identified with Beit Shammai in their approach to the status of non-Jews.
The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 3
Torah Focus 27 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Midrashim, Torah Focus
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #21 – The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 3
We begin our discussion in Pirke Avot 1:4
Avot 1:4-5 Yossi ben (son of) Yo’ezer of Ts’raidah and Yossi ben Yochanan of Jerusalem received the transmission from them. Yossi ben Yo’ezer used to say: Let your house be a meeting place for the sages, cleave to the dust of their feet, and drink thirstily their words.”
Yossei the son of Yochanan of Jerusalem would say: Let your home be wide open, and let the poor be members of your household. And do not engage in excessive conversation with a woman. This is said even regarding one’s own wife–how much more so regarding the wife of another. Hence, the sages said: One who excessively converses with a woman causes evil to himself, neglects the study of Torah, and, in the end, inherits Gehenna.
Shaul, knowing the ideology of Mishnaic Rabbinics tells Timothy not to listen to vain wives tales. This further demonstrates the universality of the Mishnaic thought among the Talmidim of Yeshua and Shaul who sat at the feet of Gamaliel.
Avot 1:6 Joshua the son of Perachia and Nitai the Arbelite received from them. Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Assume for yourself a Teacher, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every man to the side of merit.
I discuss Joshua the son of Perachia’s saying “Find yourself and teacher and a study partner.”
Avot 1:7 Nitai the Arbelite would say: Distance yourself from a bad neighbor, do not cleave to a wicked person, and do not abandon belief in retribution.
1:8 -9 Judah the son of Tabbai and Shimon the son of Shotach received from them. Judah the son of Tabbai would say: When sitting in judgment, do not act as a counselor-at-law. When the litigants stand before you, consider them both guilty; and when they leave your courtroom, having accepted the judgment, regard them as equally righteous.
Shimon the son of Shotach would say: Increasingly cross-examine the witnesses. Be careful with your words, lest they learn from them how to lie
I further the idea that the Nasi (President) of the Sanhedrin was prone to Chesed and the Av Beit Din was given to Din – Judgment.
12. Hillel and Shammai received from them. Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron–a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
13. He would also say: One who advances his name, destroys his name. One who does not increase, diminishes. One who does not learn is deserving of death. And one who make personal use of the crown of Torah shall perish.
14. He would also say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
15. Shammai would say: Make your Torah study a permanent fixture of your life. Say little and do much. And receive every man with a pleasant countenance.
16. Rabban Gamliel would say: Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt; and do not accustom yourself to tithe by estimation.
Did Yaakov (James – Yeshua’ brother) agree with Shammai?
We learn that Gamliel was the teacher of Shaul (Paul). Learning this we can see things that Gamliel would have taught Shaul.
Sunday Shul – Messiah Part 5 – Prophets and Prophecy
Roots of Faith 23 May 2008 | : ARBA4, ROF Sunday Shul, Roots of Faith
“Christianity” claims that its message is to be based upon a prophetic message (see for example 2 Peter 1:16-21).
Both John and Jesus are called prophets and so it becomes essential that we understand this subject.
Here are some of the passages that Ross uses to teach this subject.
Exodus 20:18-21
Deuteronomy 18:9-22
Amos 3:1-8
Prophets are shown in this class to be the ones that make messiahs -
See for example; 1 Kings 19:15-16 and 1 Samuel 9:15-16
The Hebrew word for prophet is navi – which comes from a root word that means to “bubble up or flow / pour forth”. Ross shows that the prophet is a spokesman. He also points out an example to explain what a prophet is (see Exodus 4:10-16 and Exodus 7:1-2.)
You will not want to miss this class as it will serve as a transition to the next teaching series.
Shalom
Women of Valor Part 16 – Hey and Ships
Daughters of Wisdom 22 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Daughters of Wisdom, Hatikva
Daughters of Wisdom – With Debbie Good
New Shows Available Every Thursday
Daughters of Wisdom Program #18 -Women of Valor Part 16 – Hey and Ships
The fifth verse of the Proverbial Woman passage is discussed along with some of its metaphorical attributes. In addition, the fifth letter of the Hebrew Alef-bet is examined and compared to the verse it represents in the context of Proverbs.
A Different Gospel – Galatians #8
The Gates 21 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Hatikva, The Gates
The Gates – With Joseph Good
New Shows Available Every Wednesday
The Gates Program #91 – Galatians #8 – A Different Gospel
Paul claims that the congregations in Galatia have turned from the true Baserah (Gospel) to a changed or perverted Baserah. This change relates to the status of non-Jews within the congregation and what they must do to experience redemption.
The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 2
Torah Focus 20 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Midrashim, Torah Focus
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #20 – The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 2
In this program I begin moving forward in my discussion of the Pirke Avot. Likewise, we explore the idea that Yeshua and his talmidim were acquainted with the Mishnaic ideas of their day.
Who were the Men of the Great Assembly? We discuss who they were and their identities. I discuss Ezra the Torah teacher and a Member of the Men of the Great Assembly. Ezra restores the Torah to Yisrael. Hillel the last of the Zugot (pairs) equals the character of Ezra because he too restores the Torah to Yisrael.
Avot 1:2 Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of G-d, and deeds of kindness.
From here I move into the 4th Mishnah which reads
Avot 1:4 Yossi ben (son of) Yo’ezer of Ts’raidah and Yossi ben Yochanan of Jerusalem received the transmission from them. Yossi ben Yo’ezer used to say: Let your house be a meeting place for the sages, cleave to the dust of their feet, and drink thirstily their words.”
I begin discussing the 5 Zugot (Pairs). The First set of pairs being found in this Mishhnah. The final set of pairs being Hillel and Shammai. I discuss why the Torah was passed on to the Zugot. I further explain the characteristics of the Zugot and their relationship to the Sanhedrin’s two key figures, the Nasi – President of the Sanhedrin and the Av Beit Din (Father of the House of Judgment). I deal with this pattern as it is seen in Hillel and Shammai in the times of Yeshua and his talmidim.
Women of Valor Part 15 – The Wisdom of the Letters
Daughters of Wisdom 15 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Daughters of Wisdom, Hatikva
Daughters of Wisdom – With Debbie Good
New Shows Available Every Thursday
Daughters of Wisdom Program #17 -Women of Valor Part 15 – The Wisdom of the Letters
In this program, the first four verses of the Proverbial Woman passage are compared to the first four paragraphs of Psalm 119 – another example of acrostic Biblical literature. In addition, the women represented are cross-referenced with the two scriptures and the attributes of the four letters of the Hebrew Alef-bet.
Defining the Gospel Part 3 – Galatians #7
The Gates 14 May 2008 | : ARBA4, Hatikva, The Gates
The Gates – With Joseph Good
New Shows Available Every Wednesday
The Gates Program #90 – Galatians #7 – Defining the Gospel Part 3
The ancient Jewish understanding of the Baserah of Good news (translated as the “Gospel” in the New Testament) is defined from the Jewish sources. By the First Century C.E. this Baserah was well defined and contained a list of expectations directly linked to the coming redemption which would be accomplished by the Messiah. Understanding the Baserah is foundational in a study of Galatians.
