A word for those who are new to Torah

For those who are new to Torah, here’s a mini lesson about “what parts we are to keep today.”

YHWH (Yah-way) wasn't "cursing" mankind when He gave us rules to live by! (Our God doesn't do anything without good reason - and, as a matter of fact, He didn't number those "613" commandments Himself; MAN did!) These commandments taught man right from wrong and how to live according to HIS Holy Rules and to worship Him properly.

We must understand, however, that the "numbering" of the original commandments was done by man, not by YHWH Himself, which means there is no reason to worry about trying to keep "all 613 commands." (Not to mention that most of those "613" commands were directed at the cohens (priests) of the day; some were only for men; some only for women, and some were only for a certain timeframe.)

But some were meant to last FOREVER - and those are the ones that believers must pay attention to.

While YHWH eventually recorded ten in stone, we must remember, these ten are just part of the larger picture taken from His Torah which He said would stand forever. Many people balk at this idea because they are under the erroneous impression that they don't even have to bother even keeping the TEN Commandments anymore (let alone the "613"); but, rather, just TWO - and they cite the following as "proof":

Matthew 22:36. "Teacher, which Commandment in Torah is the greatest?" 37. And Y'shua said to him, that "You should love Master YHWH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might and with all your mind." 38. This is the first and the greatest Commandment. 39. And the second is like it. That "You should love your neighbor as yourself." (AENT)

Unfortunately, they stop right there, totally ignoring the next verse, which says: 40. On these two commandments hang Torah and the prophets.

Does verse 40 imply that all of God's original instructions have been done away with? NO! The Torah and the Prophets HANG/ARE DEPENDENT ON those two commands! There's more to it than just "loving God and loving your neighbor!" SIN is still sin and God still expects His people to adhere to His Divine Standards for moral, holy living! So, it is important to note that Torah HANGS on those two commandments. Note also that it doesn't say they REPLACED the Torah!

The thing is, people love to pick and choose and play around with the commandments that were written in stone - such as, for instance, the Fourth Commandment concerning the seventh-day Sabbath. Christianity has decided that the death of Jesus somehow changed YHWH's Seventh Day Sabbath rest to a church event done on Sunday morning (which is mostly based on the writings of what they THINK Paul wrote); which, more often than not, concentrates on bands and entertainment instead of solid Torah teachings (the "law" after all, is considered a curse!)... after which some go home to mow their lawns and clean their houses, or return to the office to catch up on some work....

It seems mankind has always liked to "pick and choose" when it comes to God's Word, but it's time to realize that seventh-day Sabbath command, along with His seven feasts/appointed times were NEVER abolished ... on the cross, or anywhere else! There were parts of Torah that God said would endure FOREVER.

2 Timothy 3:16. All Scripture that was written by the Spirit is profitable for instruction and for decisive refutation, and for correction, and for deep extensive learning in righteousness; 17. that the man of Elohim may become perfect and complete for every good work. (AENT)

I urge therefore to re-read the entire Bible, in sequence, from start to finish, with "new eyes." You cannot possibly have that real relationship with God (much less, know WHO He is and consequently, who His Messiah is) UNTIL you have read and studied everything that comes BEFORE the New Testament! Learning what Torah is will absolutely change your life - guaranteed!