Midrashim
Archived posts from this Category
A Gentile Question Part 2
Posted by Torah Focus on 10 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim, Torah Focus
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #23 - A Gentile Question Part 2
“A Gentile Question.” What does the Gentile have to do to inherit the olam haba?
I pick up where we left off with the Pirke Avot (Pirke Avot 1:10-12) and the Talmud (Yoma 71b).
I discuss the Maxim of Hillel purported in Avot 1:12 “Be the Disciple of Aaron, Love peace and Draw your students near to the Torah.”
I begin to explore the gentile ancestry of Shemayah and Avyalyon. I discuss the Elisha and Gehazi his servant (talmid) in relationship to Naaman. Follow the following link to read what the Jewish Encyclopedia has to say about Naaman. (Naaman)
I discuss the level of the Gentile in relation to conversion and associated phrases such as Ger toshav, Ger Tzaddik, Talmidim and talmid.
I elaborate on the saying from the Talmud attributed to Shemayah and Avyalyon “concerning entering in peace.”
A Gentile Question
Posted by Torah Focus on 03 Jun 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim, Torah Focus
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #22 - A Gentile Question
“A Gentile Question.” What does the Gentile have to do to inherit the olam haba?
I continue to use the Mishna (Pirke Avot - the Sayings, Chapter or Ethics of the Fathers) as a tool to illuminate the world of Yeshua and His talmidim.
I begin talking about the fourth pair of the Zugot (pairs) Shemayah and Avyalyon. These men who received the Tradition of the Torah were descendants of Gentiles.
Our discussion uses Yoma 71b to illuminate the lives and circumstances of Shemayah and Avyalyon’s lives.
This passage in the Talmud discusses the confrontation between these Teachers and the Cohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. These two men suggest that the heathen who does the “work of Aaron” will come in peace. This phrase is a synonym for entrance into the Olam haba (world to come). I discuss the descendants and work of Aaron.
I discuss the 2nd chapter of the Book of Malachi. 2:1-6.
These passages discuss the work of Aaron and the covenant of peace established with Levi.
The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 3
Posted by Torah Focus on 27 May 2008 | Tagged as: 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.
The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 2
Posted by Torah Focus on 20 May 2008 | Tagged as: 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.
The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot
Posted by Torah Focus on 13 May 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #19 - The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot
In this program, I continue with the first Mishnah of Pirke Avot.
I continue my discussion on the idea of talmid and talmidim.
I also discuss the difference between the Greek ideas of learning as opposed to the Hebrew ideology of learning. There are two Greek words for the subject. However, there is only one Hebrew word and family that conveys the sum of the idea of education.
I discuss D’varim (Deuteronomy) 4:10 as a means of understanding the purpose of Hebrew Education.
We discuss the idea of fearing Heaven (HaShem) and learning.
However, in this program, I focus on the fact that Yeshua followed the typical Pharisaic practice of building a fence around the Torah. “and make a protective fence for the Torah.” Likewise, I discuss Yeshua’s relation to the House of Hillel I discuss the hierarchy of Hillel and the characteristics of his successors.
“Moshe received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it Yehoshua. Yehoshua transmitted it to the Zekanim (Elders), the Zekanim to the Neviim (Prophets), and the Neviim transmitted it to the Men of the Great Assembly.
They [the Men of the Great Assembly] said three things: Be deliberate in judgment, raise many students, and make a protective fence for the Torah.”
Yeshua’ idea of a fence is related to Iyov 1:31. Did Yeshua make any fences around the Torah? I will discuss the fence and Yeshua’s idea of a fence.
The Mishna & Yeshua’s Teachings
Posted by Torah Focus on 06 May 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #18 - The Mishna and Yeshua’s Teachings
In this program, I explore the first Mishnah of Pirke Avot (The Sayings of the Fathers).
We place Pirke Avot in its ethical category of mussar. I explain that one chapter of Pirke Avot is read each Shabbat from Pesach until Rosh HaShanah.
Pirke Avot 1:1
“Moshe received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it Yehoshua. Yehoshua transmitted it to the Zekanim (Elders), the Zekanim to the Neviim (Prophets), and the Neviim transmitted it to the Men of the Great Assembly.
They [the Men of the Great Assembly] said three things: Be deliberate in judgment, raise many students, and make a protective fence for the Torah.”
(1:1a): The Hebrew begins: “They said three things…” In the first saying, metunim, “deliberate,” also means slow, calm, and careful. The second saying is literally “raise up many students.”.
In this program, I have related the three maximums of the “Men of the Great Assembly” with the teachings, character and life of Yeshua. I will use this passage in the next couple of programs as means for modeling Yeshua’s mission and life.
I focus on Yeshua and his deliberate judgments and choosing and developing talmidim.
I begin discussing the idea of talmid and talmidim.
The Mishna & the Student Teacher Relationship Part 2
Posted by Torah Focus on 29 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #17 - The Mishna and the Student Teacher Relationship Part 2
Continuing from the last program, I talk about the Student Teacher relationship, the Men of the Great Assembly and the Authority of the seat of Moshe.
The Mishna and the Student Teacher Relationship
Posted by Torah Focus on 22 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #16 - The Mishna and the Student Teacher Relationship
In this lesson, I discuss the vitality of the student relationship using
Moshe (Moses) and Yehoashua (Joshua) as examples.
I focus on B’midbar (Numbers) 27: 18-20 and the passing of the “authority of
Moshe to Yehoshua.”
I deal briefly with the “Men of the Great Assembly” and Ezra.
I look at the Siddur (Daily Prayer Book) as a way to see the daily life of
Yeshua and his talmidim.
Learning to use the Mishna
Posted by Torah Focus on 15 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #15 - The Mishnah - Learning to use the Mishnah
I begin this program by re-introducing the Sederim of the beginning Mishna
(Zeriim and Berachot).
I begin to explain the process of receiving the Written Torah (Torah
M’Sinai) and the Oral Torah (Torah Sh’ bal pey - the Torah of the mouth.)
I discuss the Oral Torah as a means for understanding the laws that apply to
the Talit. Likewise, I discuss the “Statutes” (Chukkim) and the Judgments
(Mishpatim) and the Laws (Toroth) referred to in the Book of Vayikra
(Leviticus) 26: 46.
I also discuss the vitality of the Oral Torah for explaining Laws that seem
to be without explanation.
I discuss D’varim (Deuteronomy) 30:12 and that fact that the explanation we
need are here in the Torah and the Oral Torah not in Heaven or have to be
sought after in some “super spiritual” manner.
I also discuss Yehoshua (Joshua) as a talmid (student) of Moshe (Moses)
The Mishnah - Introduction, Order and Transmission
Posted by Torah Focus on 08 Apr 2008 | Tagged as: ARBA4, Midrashim
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Tuesday.
Program #14 - The Mishnah - Introduction, Order and Transmission
In the first program I begin with an simple overview of the opening Order of the Mishnah. I begin by teaching about the fundamental order of the Mishnah and then start to talk about the Transmission of the Torot (Oral and Written Torah).
