LET'S DISCUSS THAT “STICKING-POINT” OF CIRCUMCISION VIA THE “HEBREW MINDSET”…

We’ll start with this:

Ephesians 2:10. For we are His creation who are created in Y’shua the Mashiyach for good works which Elohim has before prepared for us to walk in. 11. Wherefore be mindful that you formerly were carnal Gentiles; and you were called the uncircumcision by that which is called the circumcision and which is the work of the hands in the flesh.[1] (AENT)

Footnote with explanation:

[1] “Hands of the flesh” pertains to physical circumcision alone, without Torah context/teaching. It does NOT suggest that YHWH’s men don’t need to be circumcised…

We must ask ourselves, without Torah, what would be the point of physical circumcision? Jeremiah 9 offers a scathing rebuke of Israel by accusing her of being like Moab and Egypt, and the nations that circumcise because of local tradition; yet have no relationship with YHWH nor walk in Torah as He requests.

So, the point in the above passage is, we are to be like Abraham who first heard YHWH’s voice and THEN was circumcised. He wasn’t circumcised because of some human tradition. He was circumcised BECAUSE he belonged to YHWH, body, mind and soul.

Torah teaches that we must not rely on our flesh (for dust you are, and to dust shall you return - Genesis 3:19), but that we obey our Father YHWH as His children. We are the TRUE circumcision IF we obey YHWH and DO His will.

In other words, circumcision counts for nothing if we are unwilling to turn to YHWH’s instructions and follow in the steps of His Mashiyach (Jeremiah 9). Rav Shaul (Paul) repeatedly taught that circumcision of the heart must come first; and that circumcision of the flesh can never begin to substitute the perfect work of the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit).

Moving on with Ephesians 2:

Ephesians 2:12. And you were, at that time, without the Mashiyach; and were aliens from the regulations of Israel; and strangers to the covenant of the promise;[2] and were without hope and without Elohim in the world. 13. But now, by Y’shua the Mashiyach, you who before were afar off, have been brought near by the blood of the Mashiyach. (AENT)

Wow! What, exactly, does that mean? The AENT footnote explains:

[2] Greek reads “strangers to the Commonwealth of Israel”. Aramaic reads “strangers to the regulations of Israel and to the covenant of the promise.” YHWH identifies Israel according to their obedience to Torah as those who keep Covenant, rather than after the flesh. The Renewed Covenant in Jeremiah 31:31-34/Hebrews 8:8 is first made with Israel and Judah and then offered to others from the nations who choose to live in obedience to the Covenant.

Furthermore, in a very interesting admission, translator John Wesley Etheridge translates duboree d'Aisrayl here as "polity of Israel" but adds in his footnotes regarding this phrase, "the manners, or regulations, of Israel." In other words, he is looking at the nations' divorcement from the intricate rules of Israel and not some obscure moral distillation of Torah, as a bad thing!

Continuing with Ephesians 2:

Ephesians 2:14. He is himself our peace, who has made the two (become) one, and has demolished the wall[3] which stood in the midst, and the enmity, by his flesh; 15. And in his flesh (the) enmity and regulations of commands (contained) in his commandments are abolished[4] (so) that in himself (an occurrence of the divine nature, or qnoma),[5] he might make the two into one, establishing peace. 16. And has reconciled both with Elohim in one body and has slain the enmity by his stake (of execution).

Footnotes:

[3] Aramaic for wall is syaga. Ironically, this exact term was picked up by the Talmudic rabbis in Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers) 1:1 that commanded, “make a fence around the Torah.” Y’shua specifically warned against this activity in Matthew 15, rebuking the Pharisees in the process.

Later on, Y’shua said he was the “door/gate” using a synonym for syaga, known as taarea, which is a homonym “torah” and “teachers,” meaning the Pharisees. So while the Pharisees are busy erecting their fence, Y’shua is pulling it down, allowing everyone access!

[4] The grammatical structure here fully guarantees that namusa is referring to “customs” as in the traditions of the Pharisees, not Torah itself. Mashiyach abolishes the “enmity” (hatred or animosity) that has been brought against YHWH by religious tradition and false interpretations of Torah, which was a heavy burden that people could not bear.

Christian theologians, however, twist this verse and teach that it was YHWH’s Torah that brought the hatred and that Mashiyach did away with Torah, which is a very reckless and evil theology. Mashiyach sent the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit) to write YHWH’s Torah upon the hearts of his people, not abolish it.

[5] Qnoma can mean “core substance” or “occurrence.” Although Greek reads “self” Aramaic does not; “self” leads to assumptions of “personhood” which breeds idolatry.

Closing Ephesians 2 with the following:

17. And he came and proclaimed peace to you afar off, and to those near: 18. Because by him there is access for us both, by one Spirit, to the Father. 19. Wherefore you are not strangers nor sojourners, but you are fellow-citizens with the Set Apart believers and of the household of Elohim.

20. And you are built upon the foundations of the Shlichim and the prophets; and Y’shua the Mashiyach has become the head of the corner in the edifice. 21. And in him all the edifice is framed together and grows into a Set Apart temple in Master YHWH; 22. While you also are built in him for a habitation of Elohim through the Spirit. (AENT)

God allows the astute to “see” the “story behind the stories”…

HERE’s A COOL TIDBIT FROM EXODUS 35:1 THROUGH 38:20 – stuff many simply pass over, never really contemplating the “story behind the story.”

For instance, these passages in Exodus 35 not only frame a picture of the crafting of YHWH's Tabernacle and everything contained therein; but they give us an insight into the gifts YHWH gave His people to accomplish their work in the building of the Tabernacle where He would dwell.

Let’s quickly discuss one of these great nuggets by concentrating on two men: B'tzal'el, the man charged with the construction of the Tabernacle; and his helper, Oholi’av. Here’s the scripture:

Exodus 35:30 Moshe said to the people of Isra'el, "See, ADONAI has singled out B'tzal'el the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Y'hudah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of God - with wisdom, understanding and knowledge concerning every kind of artisanry.

32 He is a master of design in gold, silver, bronze, 33 cutting precious stones to be set, woodcarving and every other craft. 34 [ADONAI] has also given him and Oholi'av the son of Achisamakh, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others.

35 He has filled them with the skill needed for every kind of work, whether done by an artisan, a designer, an embroiderer using blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and fine linen, or a weaver - they have the skill for every kind of work and design. (CJB)

The name of B'tzal'el is interesting because his very name provides a fascinating clue about his gifting. You see, his name comes from a combination of three Hebrew words: Be (which means “in”), tz'el (which means “shade”), and El (which is short for “Elohim”).

Together, this can be translated as, "in the shadow of Elohim." Now, the name Oholi'av means both “Father's Tent” and “Father's Shine.”  This is remarkable because the meaning of both names of fits together as if to show us a hint as to why YHWH put the two men with their special gifts together!  Read on...

B'tzal'el means "In The Shadow of Elohim"; the shade or shadow (tz'el) of Elohim is a special place of refuge. The most Kadosh (Holy) item IN THE Mishkan was the Aron Habberit (the Ark of the Covenant), made by B'tzal'el - IN THE shadow ("tent or shine") of YHWH - as the artisan's name indicates!

Josephus tells us in in the Antiquities 3.8.4 that B'tzal'el and Oholi'av appeared to be the most skillful of the workmen; for they invented finer works than what others had done before them; and were of great abilities to gain notions of what they were formerly ignorant of … and of these, B'zal'el was judged to be the best.

Oh, what an awesome ELOHIM we serve – who puts all the pieces of His grand puzzle together - and allows the astute to “see” the "Grand Plan" in the “stories behind the stories!”

Scriptural proof that Israel has a right to defend itself

A True Torah Perspective: Torah, Israel, Its Enemies and the Truth?

This is a deep and highly charged topic, one that requires careful navigation through Torah sources, halachic principles, and historical reality. This topic touches on profound Torah truths regarding the Jewish people’s right to the Land of Israel, the necessity of self-defense, and the role of war in Jewish history.

Torah, War, and Jewish Survival: The Righteous Imperative of Self-Defense

The modern world often misunderstands Jewish ethics concerning war, national sovereignty, and the necessity of military action against those who seek to annihilate Israel. Rabbi Meir Kahane z”l, who was widely misunderstood and mischaracterized, was a Torah scholar who spoke unflinchingly about these matters. His positions were deeply rooted in Torah and Jewish history.

To understand this issue, one must start with the fundamental principle that the Torah is a Zionist document - the Land of Israel belongs eternally to the Jewish people, as ordained by HaShem.

The Land of Israel: An Everlasting Inheritance

The Torah is unequivocal:

“I will give to you and your descendants after you the land in which you sojourn, the entire land of Canaan, as an everlasting possession; and I will be their G-d.” (Genesis 17:8)

This divine promise was reaffirmed countless times, through Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov, and through Moshe Rabbeinu as he led the nation toward its destiny. The conquest of the land under Yehoshua was not an act of aggression but the fulfillment of HaShem’s command.

The Torah’s Approach to War and Enemies

Many people, even those within the Jewish world, have a distorted view of warfare in Torah. The Torah is not pacifist - it recognizes that peace is the ideal, but peace with evil is itself an act of evil.

The Obligation to Destroy Amalek and Other Enemies

“Remember what Amalek did to you on the way when you were leaving Egypt… You shall erase the memory of Amalek from under the heavens. Do not forget!” (Deuteronomy 25:17-19)

The Torah demands that Israel not only defend itself but preemptively eliminate existential threats. Amalek represents not merely an ancient nation but an eternal concept - those who seek to annihilate Israel. Today, Amalek manifests in Muslim terror groups, regimes that chant for Israel’s destruction, and those who celebrate Jewish bloodshed.

“If someone rises to kill you, kill him first.” (Sanhedrin 72a)

This is not just a halachic principle - it is a moral obligation. Allowing murderers to succeed is a desecration of life itself. The Torah demands that Israel fight for survival and not be naive.

Moshe, Yehoshua, and the Wars of Israel

People forget that Moshe Rabbeinu was a warrior. He led Israel in battle against Amalek (Exodus 17:8-16) and later commanded the obliteration of Midian (Numbers 31). Yehoshua led the conquest of Eretz Yisrael, ensuring that Israel could establish sovereignty over the land. Hence he conquered Israel’s enemies, winning many wars.

Were these acts of violence? No. They were acts of righteousness - protecting Israel from those whose very existence was dedicated to their destruction.

“A time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:8)

Righteous war is not violence for the sake of conquest, but war for the sake of peace.

King David: The Warrior of Hashem

One of the greatest Jewish leaders was David HaMelech (David the King), a man after G-d’s own heart. He was both a poet and a warrior. The Book of Tehillim (Psalms), so filled with spirituality and longing for G-d, was written by a man who spent much of his life on the battlefield.

“Blessed be HaShem, my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (Psalm 144:1)

David fought wars not for personal gain but for the security of Israel. He understood that there are times when force must be used. When Israel’s enemies arose, he crushed them with divine justice.

“You pursued my enemies and overtook them; you did not turn back until they were destroyed.” (Psalm 18:38)

The modern world condemns such strength, yet the Torah praises it. A Jew who is unwilling to fight for his people’s survival is a Jew who has abandoned his mission.

The Judges, The Maccabees, and Jewish Resistance

Throughout history, righteous Jews have taken up arms to defend their people.

• Shimshon (Samson) fought against the Philistines with divine strength.

• Gideon led 300 warriors against an overwhelming enemy and emerged victorious.

• The Maccabees rose against the Greek empire, restoring Jewish sovereignty.

Each of these leaders could have chosen to erroneously “love their enemies” - instead, they chose to obey G-d’s command and vanquish evil.

Rabbi Meir Kahane: A Man of Torah, A Man of Truth

Rabbi Meir Kahane, like the warriors of old, spoke with absolute clarity. He understood that the world respects strength and that Jewish survival depends on Jewish self-determination. He was a realist who refused to bow to fantasy.

He based his philosophy on the words of Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 6:1):

“When you go out to war against your enemies, do not have mercy on them.”

Not because Jews desire war, but because history has proven that mercy on the wicked leads to more Jewish suffering.

Those who oppose Kahane do so because they have been conditioned to believe that self-defense is immoral. Yet the Torah tells us the opposite.

The Moral Clarity of Jewish Strength

Judaism values life, peace, and morality- but true peace cannot exist without strength. Those who advocate for blind mercy in the face of existential threats are not being moral; they are being irresponsible.

The Rambam writes:

“War is a necessary reality in this world. It is better to fight for the righteous than to allow the wicked to prevail.”

Rabbi Kahane understood this. The Maccabees understood this. King David understood this.

The Torah Mandates Jewish Survival

• The Torah gives the Land of Israel only to the Jewish people.

• The Torah commands us to destroy Amalek and other existential threats.

• Jewish leaders throughout history- Moshe, Yehoshua, David, the Maccabees- all understood that there is a time when force is required.

• Rabbi Meir Kahane simply reiterated Torah truths, refusing to sugarcoat them.

Those who slander Rabbi Kahane should use context for their points, what exactly are they talking about?

Most are uncomfortable with Jewish strength. But the Torah teaches that survival is not optional.

May we merit leaders with the courage and vision to stand for Torah and for Israel, as our ancestors did before us.

This is the Torah’s perspective - unapologetic, unwavering, and eternally true.

- Author unknown

An important reminder from God Himself about obeying the Seventh Day Sabbath command

WHAT AN AWESOME ELOHIM WE SERVE, WHO GAVE US THE COMMAND TO KEEP THE SEVENTH DAY SABBATH!  Unless otherwise indicated, all the following scriptures were borrowed from Stern’s Complete Jewish Bible.

Exodus 35:1 Moshe assembled the whole community of the people of Isra'el and said to them, "These are the things which ADONAI has ordered you to do. 2 On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest in honor of ADONAI. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.

Exodus 31:16 The people of Isra'el are to keep the Shabbat, to observe Shabbat through all their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between me and the people of Isra'el forever; for in six days ADONAI made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and rested.'"

Ezekiel 20:11 I gave them my laws and showed them my rulings; if a person obeys them, he will have life through them. 12 I gave them my shabbats as a sign between me and them, so that they would know that I, ADONAI, am the one who makes them holy.
Exodus 20:8 "Remember the day, Shabbat, to set it apart for God. 9 You have six days to labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Shabbat for ADONAI your God. On it, you are not to do any kind of work -not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property. 11 For in six days, ADONAI made heaven and earth, the sea and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. This is why ADONAI blessed the day, Shabbat, and separated it for himself.

Isaiah 56: 2 Happy is the person who does this, anyone who grasps it firmly, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing any evil. 3 A foreigner joining ADONAI should not say, "ADONAI will separate me from his people"; likewise the eunuch should not say, "I am only a dried-up tree." 4 For here is what ADONAI says: "As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant: 5 in my house, within my walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off.

6 "And the foreigners who join themselves to ADONAI to serve him, to love the name of ADONAI, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant, 7 I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

Isaiah 58:13 If you hold back your foot on Shabbat from pursuing your own interests on my holy day; if you call Shabbat a delight, ADONAI'S holy day, worth honoring; then honor it by not doing your usual things or pursuing your interests or speaking about them. 14 If you do, you will find delight in ADONAI - I will make you ride on the heights of the land and feed you with the heritage of your ancestor Ya'akov, for the mouth of ADONAI has spoken."

Isaiah 66:23 And it shall be that from one New Moon to another New Moon and from one Sabbath to another Sabbath, all flesh shall come to worship before Me, says the Lord.
Jeremiah 17: 21 Here is what ADONAI says: "If you value your lives, don't carry anything on Shabbat or bring it in through the gates of Yerushalayim; 22 don't carry anything out of your houses on Shabbat; and don't do any work. Instead, make Shabbat a holy day. I ordered your ancestors to do this, 23 but they neither listened nor paid attention; rather, they stiffened their necks, so that they wouldn't have to hear or receive instruction. 24 However, if you will pay careful heed to me," says ADONAI "and carry nothing through the gates of this city on Shabbat, but instead make Shabbat a day which is holy and not for doing work;

As a side note, while you will not find anything in Torah that specifically addresses "buying or selling" on the Sabbath, it was clearly understood by Israel as being taboo. Please check out our article which shows Nehemiah 10:28-39 where we see the people of Israel swearing an oath that included NO COMMERCE on Shabbat.

Acts 20:7 "And on the first day of the week, when we assembled to break bread, Paul spoke with them, because he was to depart the next day; and he continued his discussion till midnight." (AENT)

Since "Jesus" was a Jew who taught only from the Tanach - the "Old Testament" - the earliest "Christians" were taught by him to observe HIS Sabbath, which was the 7th day. A study of early Christian writers reveals that Sunday observance of a Sabbath was a second century invention, not around in Paul's time. No, we can be sure that when Acts mentions the "Sabbath day", it is the 7th day and not Sunday.

Corinthians 16:1. And as to the collection for the Set Apart believers, as I directed the assemblies of the Galatians, so do you. 2. On each first day of the week, let every one of you lay aside and preserve at home what he is able; that there may be no collections when I come.(AENT)

NOTE: Here the Christian myth of Sunday replacing Shabbat is fully exposed for what it is! The fact is that Rav Shaul (Paul) asks people to make preparations on “the first day,” i.e. work, proving that neither he nor the Corinthians viewed the first day of the week as a Shabbat (Sabbath).

The fact that Rav Shaul wants to make sure they don’t need to prepare when he comes, speaks volumes towards Shabbat observance on the Seventh Day Shabbat! Acts records 84 occasions when he met in the synagogues on Shabbat.

Paul does not want his hosts to break the Shabbat and he counsels them to make ready for him in advance. All early Netzarim (Nazarene) believers like Rav Shaul RESTED on the Seventh Day Shabbat in Mashiyach (Messiah).

It is so clear that we are to "work" for six days and then REST on the Seventh! Back in olden days before matches or electricity, people had to "work" to cut and gather the wood. To keep from being guilty of "working" they had to cut and gather wood before Shabbat. Today, all we need to do to have heat in our homes is to flick a switch; same with "building a fire" to cook meals. It's no longer "work" to do these things, but cooking, for instance, is work - and that is why it's best to prepare our Shabbat meals ahead of time. (Please see this article for some ideas on how to keep the Sabbath: https://therefinersfire.org/sabbath_keeping.htm)

A wake-up call for those who once believed in Y'shua and have now turned their backs on Him

Here's a note to those who once believed in Y'shua and have now turned their backs on Him:  Please read the below very carefully - and then if you still wish to believe that Y'shua is a myth and the "New Testament" is a fabrication, fine. But be sure in your heart that you wish to stake your eternal life on your "new" belief...

2 Peter 2:12 But these, like nasty beasts that by nature are for slaughter and corruption, while engaging in evil speech regarding things they don't know, will perish in their own corruption; 13. they being persons with whom iniquity is the reward of iniquity, and by them rioting in the daytime is accounted delightful; defiled and full of blemishes (are they), indulging themselves at their ease while they give themselves up to pleasure; 14. having eyes that are full of adultery and sins that never end; seducing unstable souls; and having a heart exercised in greed; children of cursing: 15. And, having left the correct path, they have wandered and gone in the way of Balaam the son of Beor who loved the wages of iniquity, 16. and who had for the corrector of his transgression a mute mule which, speaking with the speech of men, rebuked the madness of the prophet.

17. These are wells without water, clouds driven by a storm, persons for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness. 18. For, while they utter astonishing vanity, they seduce with obscene lusts of the flesh, them who have almost abandoned these that walk in error. 19. And they promise them liberty while they themselves are the slaves of corruption: for, by whatever thing a man is vanquished, to that is he enslaved.

20. For if, when they have escaped the pollutions of the world by the knowledge of our Master and Redeemer Y'shua the Mashiyach, they become again involved in the same and are vanquished, their latter state is worse than the former. 21. For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than after having known (it), to turn back from the Set Apart Commandment that was delivered to them. 22. But the true proverb has happened to them: the dog returns to his vomit and the pig that was washed, to her wallowing in the mire. (AENT)

Hebrews 10:26 For if a man sin voluntarily after he has received a knowledge of the truth, there is no longer a sacrifice which may be offered for sins: 27. but the fearful judgment impends, and the zeal of fire that consumes the adversaries. 28. For if he who transgressed the Torah of Moshe, died without mercies at the mouth of two or three witnesses; 29. how much more, do you think, will he receive capital punishment who has trodden upon the Son of Elohim and has accounted the blood of his covenant by which he is sanctified, as the blood of all men and has treated the Spirit of grace in an insulting manner? 30. For we know him who has said, Retribution is mine and I will repay: and again, Master YHWH will judge his people. 31. It is very terrible to fall into the hands of the living Elohim.  (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: The admonition above in Hebrews 10 is perhaps a midrash about "blaspheming against the Ruach haKodesh" as mentioned by Y'shua in Matthew 12:32.

To consider oneself "equal" to YHWH is a very serious matter. Yeshua spoke of himself as being about his Father's business, of coming in his Father's Name; he spoke and taught with authority and performed healings which made him a formidable opponent to religious tradition. The charge here of Yeshua making himself equal to YHWH is simply Pharisee tradition projecting itself onto Yeshua. The Ruach haKodesh in Mashiyach is "equal" to YHWH, but the Pharisees supposed that Yeshua and his followers equated his humanity with YHWH; they didn't understand Isaiah 11:1-2, that Mashiyach has the Ruach haKodesh (another name for YHWH-Psalm 51:1-11, Isaiah 63:1-11) within him. YHWH spoke through the Spirit of Mashiyach, rather than through his human component!

Yeshua maintained that his nefesh (soul) would die, but that YHWH would resurrect it! Yeshua believed his own nefesh was mortal. Zechariah 12:10 the Spirit of YHWH is "pierced" but they mourn for him (Yeshua) as an only begotten son. YHWH cannot literally be "pierced"; therefore, this refers to Mashiyach who has the Spirit of YHWH in him. (Footnote borrowed from the Aramaic/English New Testament)

While the Christian "Jesus" has been made out to be a Torah-less, blond adonis who supposedly "abolished the Law," the REAL Yeshua, the "arm of YHWH," (Isaiah 53:1) was a Torah observant, seventh-day Sabbath and Feast-keeping, kosher JEW.

Philippians 2:5 And think you so in yourselves, as Y'shua the Mashiyach also thought; 6. who, as he was in the likeness of Elohim, did not regard it sinful to be the coequal of Elohim; 7. yet disinherited himself and assumed the likeness of a servant, and was in the likeness of men and was found in fashion as a man; 8. and he humbled himself and became obedient to death, even the death of the stake. 9. Wherefore, also, Elohim has highly exalted him and given him a name which is more excellent than all names; 10. that at the name of Y'shua every knee should bow, of (beings) in heaven and on earth and under the earth; 11. and very tongue will avow MarYah - that is, Yeshua the Messiah - to the glory of יְהוָֹה His Father. (AENT)

More than his literal birth name Y'shua (which was and is a common Hebrew name), and more than the perfect reputation that his name represents. Y'shua bears the Name of YHWH, the "name above all names"! Y'shua has the Name and reputation of the Father YHWH in him (John 17:11) and the name means "YHWH is Salvation" (Matthew 1:21). (The angels, for instance, only have YHWH's title of ELOHIM within their names: GabriEL, MichaEL, RaphaEL....)

Are you new to Torah, and wish to discover how can you can be "set apart" for God?

 

 

 

 

So how do you do it?

 

The simplest answer is:  Read and study the Torah - the first five Books of the Bible.  I've been doing it for almost three decades now, via the "yearly" reading cycle that takes you, in increments, from Genesis through Deuteronomy. Over and over again. These yearly studies reveal not only who God is and what He expects of His people, but you'll also learn the history of His people, and how YOU fit into the grand plan!

 

I promise you, it's not boring.  Every time you study your way through those first five Books, you will "see" or suddenly recognize "something new" that you hadn't noticed before. Every year, you'll be stepping up onto the next "rung of the ladder" that leads toward a closer relationship to God than you could ever imagine!

 

Throughout the Torah we not only see Divine Rules to follow, but we are told via many examples exactly HOW we can be "set apart" for Him.  (The main thing, of course, is, don't follow the abominable ways of the other nations). YAHWEH - or simply YHWH (the Name the Father gave to Moshe/Moses in Hebrew -  יְהוָֹה - in Exodus 3:13-15) gives us a choice to follow Him, or not. Those who follow Him are blessed; those who don't are "cut off." That is what the Torah tells us throughout. There is no gray area.

 

Over and over in the Torah, we see YHWH saying in various ways: "Be holy because I am holy."  We are to "do" or "not do" simply because He SAID so - because HE KNOWS what is best for us!  Paraphrased:  "I am ADONAI! I am holy, and I want YOU to be holy, because I am holy! It is the only way you can enter into My Presence..."

 

So, how does one know how to "be holy"? It is revealed to us in Leviticus 18:

 

Leviticus 18: 1 ADONAI said to Moshe, 2 "Speak to the people of Isra'el; tell them, 'I am ADONAI your God. 3 You are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Egypt, where you used to live; and you are not to engage in the activities found in the land of Kena'an, where I am bringing you; nor are you to live by their laws. 4 You are to obey my rulings and laws and live accordingly; I am ADONAI your God. 5 You are to observe my laws and rulings; if a person does them, he will have life through them; I am ADONAI. (CJB)

 

It couldn't be any clearer!  And guess what:  YOU, as a believer in Jesus (whose given Hebrew Name is ישוע - or, Yeshua, which means "YHWH is Salvation") are grafted into Israel.  As such, you are expected to do what His people do - OBEY His divine Instructions in Righteousness found only in the Torah, which is our ONLY blueprint for moral, holy living.  

 

(Contrary to popular belief, it's NOT only all about "believing in Jesus" and "grace and mercy." It's a two-way street where God shows mankind HOW to live a holy, set apart life, according to His wonderful Divine blueprint; and you, as a believer, are obligated to obey - just like your parents expected you to learn and obey their rules, for your own good, when you were growing up.)

 

Unfortunately, many insist “those old rules were just for the Jews,” which is a HUGE misconception, as we are “one in Messiah” (Galatians 3:23-29; Ephesians 4:1-6; and John 17:20-23), which means: same God, same rules for holy, set apart living. (I'm not making this up! It's all outlined in Torah.)

 

We can see evidence of this way back at Mt. Sinai: There were 12 Tribes standing before YHWH at Mt. Sinai, INCLUDING all the pagans who followed Moshe out of Egypt, who were told that, if they accepted YHWH as their God, to do "exactly" as His people did (Numbers 15:13-16). That rule was not discarded just because Yeshua died. He didn't come to change Torah; he came to be our final SIN "sacrifice." (Well, he wasn't actually "sacrificed" as nobody sacrificed him; but he willingly martyred himself to shed his Divine Blood, against which is there is no law...

 

Anyway, the Book of Leviticus outlines the things our Creator tells us to do in order to be holy, through obedience to HIS rules!  It's a hard Book to read because some of the rules written thousands of years ago, sound very strange to our "modern" ears and mindsets.  

 

The good news is, nobody is expected to adhere to "all 613 commands" as most of them were directed at the Levite cohens (priests); some were only for men; some only for women; and some were only for a certain time frame. (Please read our website's article entitled, But, didn't Jesus abolish the Law and those 613 original commandments?)

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

If you are new to the idea of Torah, you're surely rolling your eyes by now and asking:  "Okay, then - WHAT rules am I supposed keep today?" (The answer can be found in our article called What parts of Torah can we keep today?  )

 

Basically, this is what the article says:

 

(1) Eat only “clean” foods (i.e., no pork or shellfish). (For more explanation, see our article Does God Really Consider All Foods Clean?)

 

(2) Keep God’s commanded Seventh Day Sabbath “rest” (which are our “weekly dates” with Him). (See our article, The Seventh Day is a SIGN between God and His People)

 

(3) Keep His seven High Holy Days, which are our “yearly dates” with Him, spread throughout the year, with each one having great significance. For instance - Messiah Yeshua has fulfilled 4 of the 7 ... and the next one (Yom Teruah/Feast of Trumpets when God calls His people together, which is what Christians refer to as "the Rapture" ...See our article: Yeshua in the Biblical Feasts)

 

Folks, I promise you: Just DOING these things will bring you SO MUCH closer to God than you’ve ever thought possible!  Please give it a try... It's truly not that hard to do!