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General Thoughts

Before you delve into my thoughts and beliefs about Judaism and issues related to it, I would like to help you understand some of my foundational beliefs. I have posted these beliefs here so that you are not surprised when you see references or inferrences to them later. My main intention is to help you understand me a little better.

The Authority of the Torah

What is the Torah? Within Judaism, the word “Torah” is most commonly used to refer to the Pentateuch, the first five books of the Bible, which were written by Moshe. Because the entirety of the Hebrew Bible is considered to be the instructions of Hashem, in many instances the word “Torah” is also used to refer to the entire Tanach. I am fully convinced that the entire Hebrew Bible has the authority to teach us the ways of Hashem. I approach Judaism from a Messianic direction, so I also hold the Torat HaShlichim on the same level of authority as the Hebrew Scriptures.

When I use the word “Torah” within this website, I do so within different contexts. In most cases, I use it to refer to the Pentateuch, and in some cases to the entirety of the Scriptures.

I do not believe that the Torah has been abolished, abrogated, or in any other way done away with. I also do not believe that the Torah has been completely adjusted so that it is effectively done away with. These two common teachings are, in my mind, not founded on correct interpretations of the Scriptures, and I address them more fully in other articles. I do beleive that the Torat HaShlichim gives us additional instructions and that we must make our lives fall in line with its teachings, but I do not see any part of the Torat HaShlichim that opposes the Torah or its intent.

As I see it, the natural flow of the Scriptures is this: The Torah is the foundational teaching; all other teaching must keep in step with it. The Neviim and Ketuvim are both complementary works and commentary on the Torah, offering new insights into Hashem's heart. The Torat HaShlichim is also a complementary work, and it is intended to be an exposition on the entire Tanach.

Oral Torah

Judaism is a living, breathing religion. Because it acts as the civil foundation for a nation, Torah is, by nature, a legal system. This legality is necessary to ensure its longevity, but the beauty of the system is that it is not stagnant. It has the flexibility to adjust as necessary to meet the demands of life in every generation, while losing neither its power nor its moral foundation.

What gives the Torah this flexibility? The Oral Torah (Torah shebal peh) and halacha, which originate in the Written Torah (Torah she’biktav) and derive their authority from it. I believe that the Oral Torah, halacha, and Jewish tradition are all authoritative. I will go into much more detail in my article on the subject (when it is finally written!), but it is important that you understand my general approach to the Oral Torah and Jewish tradition.

The Jewish People

This leads me to my third main belief. Hashem expresses His desires for mankind in the Torah, and by giving the Torah to the Jewish people He shows us His choice of them as His special people. I believe that that choice is irrevocable. I also believe that His choice of the Jewish people gives their understandings and interptretations of the Torah weight and validity. So, the Jewish people model for the rest of mankind the way to follow Hashem—a way of life of that includes not only the Torah, but also the other teachings and the traditions that have been passed down to us.

This means that I do not see Christianity as the best way to follow Hashem. I will not go so far as to say that it is the wrong way, because only Hashem can make that determination. However, I cannot personally see how a religion that has rejected Hashem's stated desires for so long and that has absorbed into itself such a large amount of paganism can truly show forth Hashem’s praises. If you are a Christian, please do not take offense at my stance. I am merely attempting to express this belief at the beginning so that you are not surprised later when you encounter the idea in one form or another.

Hermenutics

I am a student of the Scriptures, so my hermenutic principles are founded not only on simple faith, but also on what I have read, what I have studied, and what I have been taught. I am not a “King James only” man, and I do not hold to the school of thought that rejects the use of textual criticism in the study of the Scriptures. My belief in the authority of the Scriptures actually requires me to utilize textual criticism to increase my understanding of them.

You may find that in some places I discuss the validity of words or sections in the text of the Scriptures. I just want to be clear that these approaches to the text are for the purpose of understanding it more fully and being able to integrate it more cohesively into my life.

Yeshua

I believe that Yeshua of Natzeret is the Moshiach. I go into detail in my Moshiach section as to why I hold this belief and particular issues surrounding it, including the divinity of Moshiach and His place in the atonement process.

Conclusion

I hope that you enjoy reading the rest of the site and that you find it informative and thought-provoking. If you go away from this site upset, I will be satisfied in the knowledge that my passion for what I believe has been met with equal passion. If you go away puzzled, I hope that I can be of assistance in answering the questions that you find floating around in your head. And if you go away having confirmed what you already knew, I will be happy to know that I have found a kindred spirit in my journey. It is my real hope that you will go away inspired and informed, and that I can help you in your journey in some way.

‏תּוֹרָה‎ — The first five books of the Bible. Alternately, refers to the entire body of commandments of G-d. The Torah is read in the synagogue on a yearly schedule, starting and finishing on Simchat Torah.

‏מֹשֶׁה‎ — Moses, leader of the Jewish people in their escape from Egypt. Also known as ‏מֹשֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ‎, Moshe Rabbeinu, “Moses Our Teacher”.

‏הַשֵּׁם‎ — Literally, “the Name.” A common replacement for the Shem Hameforash in everyday speech. See my article on The Name of G-d.

‏תַנַ״ךְ‎ — a.k.a. Tanakh or Tenach. An acronym for the three sections of the Hebrew Bible (“Old Testament”): Torah (‏תורה‎), Neviim (‏נביאים‎), Ketuvim (‏כתובים‎). More...

‏תּוֹרָת הַשְּׁלִיחִים‎ — Literally, “Teachings of the Emmisaries.” This is another name for the “New Testament,” a collection of writings of the followers of Yeshua within the first century after his resurrection.

‏תּוֹרָה שֶׁבְּעַל פֶּה‎ — The Oral Torah, teachings and rulings passed down orally from Mt. Sinai. More...

‏הֲלָכָה‎ — Literally, “the way to go.” Jewish Law, the practical application of the mitzvot found in the Torah she’biktav and Torah shebal peh. More...

‏תּוֹרָה שֶׁבִּכְתָב‎ — The Written Torah, teachings and rulings found in the first five books of the Bible. More...

‏נָצֶרֶת‎ — Nazareth, a town in Northern Israel, in the Gallil.

‏מָשִׁיחַ‎ — “Messiah”; means “Anointed One.” The concept of Moshiach as a deliverer is a completely Jewish concept.

The various musings and kvetchings of a Torah-observing, eBook-editing, wife-adoring, baby-loving ger. Everything from Torah study to technology is fair game. The Four Questions come from Shabbat 31a.