Weightier Matters

I would like to introduce you to the Aydlotte Family   (pictured here). I first became aware of this family several years ago - through the Momma's (Julie) blog. 

Seekingtheoldpaths.blogspot.com
We "commented", then emailed, then we met in person at a Pasach (Passover) gathering one year in KY.  I liked her and her family even more when we met in person - then in print.  :-)  Our families live states away and she too is very active with her family and in her community - so we connect when we can - sporadically, to encourage one another as Yah leads.  Both of our blogging has slowed down considerably in trade for local service. (No complaints there - ideally we always want to be sure that  the needs of our family and local community are being met first!  Right?!)

Phil (her husband) and Julie are Elders in their fellowship, in Virginia -  HODF.org. Which brings me to the purpose of my post.  :-)  Julie called me asking for us to review this teaching that she was asked to present in their fellowship.  Ben and I really appreciated (and agreed) with the message. It is wonderful to see the same wisdom and maturity unfolding in other regions, in the same way that it is in our own.  Most of us have run into (if were we not guilty of being) over zealous "Torah Keepers" swinging big sticks, at the things that Yah has shown them are not Scriptural.  It is very important that this is done in our own lives and families and that we stand firm in what Yah has shown us.  So that we can remove these false things from our things from our lives and replace them with the things that Yah determines as holy.  However, we must consider HIS people who may be in the path!  There is a balance of love, respect and mercy that comes with wisdom in Yah's ways and that often has to be learned the hard way. However, there is hope for us as a community.  There is hope that we can better represent Yah's more COMPLETE WAY of obedience, reverence, commitment, justice,  and  zealousness; WHILE AT THE SAME TIME operating in love, mercy, KINDNESS, patience, wisdom and discernment - by humbling ourselves before HIM and others in our approach to sharing the truth, as well as in our entire lifestyle!  

May we be consistent in Him.  May we be equally as passionate about truth as we are humble in our daily continence.  May they know us by our love and fruits first and our doctrines second- so that our doctrines can not be denied!  May our testimony be righteous and true. May we learn to speak when spoken through.  May we listen more to Yah's specific guidance in each instance and show our obedience in that place, to carry out what He says to do (or not do!). May we only go into battle when we are truly sent by Him.  May we develop the wisdom and discernment to know the difference! 

We thought it was timely message to be shared more broadly in The Body. People are people, but I see Yah working in the hearts of passionate zealots all over to refine us into better Ambassadors for The Kingdom, who truly represent the laws of the Kingdom WITH the heart of The King too. It is crucial that we realize that we can not truly have EITHER one without the other!  

We have linked this message below for YOUR review.  (Please comment below if Yah impresses it upon your heart to do so!)  Are you seeing a change in your home?  In your heart?  In your community? If you see any other teachings along these lines- Please link them in the comments below.

There is a power point that is shown along with the audio teaching.  It takes a couple steps to access the audio and power point separately at first. However, it is very nice to listen to the audio while viewing the power point simultaneously. (So I would recommend it!)

To access audio:
1.  Click this link- The Weightier Matters of Torah 
2.  You arrive at a white page- in the upper left hand corner you will see, "6Sep14.mp3" - click that to access the audio teaching.

To access the Power Point PDF visual:
Click  The Weightier Matters of Torah PowerPoint PDF (Just scroll down manually in pace, as you listen to the audio.)

LIKEWISE:  I would like to direct you to another post from 4 years ago - that really touched our hearts and helped deliberately shape our personal family walk and ministry - to commit to walk this WAY.  http://homeshalom.blogspot.com/2010/08/disputable-matters.html

I will leave you with this thought from Philippians 2:

So if there is any encouragement in Messiah, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.  Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.  Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.  Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Messiah Y'shua, who, though he was in the form of Elohim, did not count equality with Yah a thing to be grasped,  but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant,being born in the likeness of men.  And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Therefore Yah has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,  so that at the name of Y'shua every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,  and every tongue confess that Y'Shua Messiah is Lord, to the glory of Yah the Father.  Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,  for it is Yah who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.  Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of Yah without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Messiah I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.  Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all.  Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.

May Yah Bless You and Keep You and Shabbat Shalom,

Hidden Treasure

Here is a tough question.  If the Torah (The Law of Moses) is still fully applicable to all Christians, wouldn’t YHVH (God) make that truth much more obvious?  Seriously, why do only a relative handful of believers embrace the “Old Testament” commandments, if it is really His will that all of His people are to do so?  Furthermore, why would our heavenly Father allow for His true and pure Torah to be distorted and twisted to the degree that it has?  Especially after sending His Son to live out and teach the Torah flawlessly, and even appointing him to die to allow "the nations" access to His Kingdom--what would be the point of letting the path get so foggy and dangerous?

These are all good questions that we have to be brave enough to ask.  There are many great books and websites that detail exactly when, who, and how each erroneous step was taken from the narrow path of truth onto the broad way of destruction.  The details about Jeroboam, Constantine, and Martin Luther are not the purpose of this writing.  My goal is to reveal the motive of the one true overarching source of all of this seemly misleading and distracting information.

I have to admit that early on in my walk, I decided that the mastermind behind every massive deception could only be Satan himself, mostly choosing to work subtly through sinful humans.  He is the “father of lies” (John 8:44), right?  Humankinds sinful nature provides the motive and the means, and Satan provides the opportunity and the inspiration.  Lately, however, I have been marveling at the way YHVH Himself has always used the corrupting power and tactics of the adversary to further His own agenda and plan.  After all, are we to believe that Satan can somehow “get one over” on The Creator, or that our Sovereign King has lost control?  It’s Satan, the created being, that is limited in his understanding and vision, not YHVH.  The Father of Lies, has a father himself, doesn't he? (Ezekiel 28:12-14)  In fact, it’s YHVH that tells us that He is the one who sends false prophets in order to test us. “…you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For YHVH your Elohim is testing you, to know whether you love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.” (Deut 13:3)

We often paraphrase “God works all things together for good” (Rom 8:28), often implying that YHVH is simply good at damage control.  I submit to you, however, that we have to admit that YHVH is and always has been in full control of this apparently chaotic world, including what appears to be the very frustrating destruction and dilution of His laws and principles in most Churches and Synagogues throughout history. Ironically, all of the deceptions that we “Messianic Torah Keepers” rightly despise, seem to have a designed purpose.

It is clear that YHVH deeply desires intimacy with us, but as He is so perfectly Holy, He must keep Himself and His ways hidden from us for our own safety and for the sake of His Name. In the wilderness tabernacle, He hid His Holiness above the ark, and protected the ark with one veil after another. Just like we humans may keep our most precious heirlooms in a safe-deposit box, the Father has done this with His very Heart; His heart is expressed through His commandments, and also through the true nature of His Son.  All of mankind has been invited into relationship with YHVH but He chooses not to force Himself upon us. Therefore, He has blatantly displayed His true self and His very nature in the Torah for all to embrace, but paradoxically, at the same time, He has used mankind’s sinful nature to protect his Holiness from the ‘unclean’. "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.” (Matt 7:6)  However, in the end times, these ‘secrets’ will suddenly become apparent and the world will long for them. ”O YHVH, my strength and my stronghold, my refuge in the day of trouble, to you shall the nations come from the ends of the earth and say: "Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies, worthless things in which there is no profit.”” (Jer 16:19) “In those days ten men from the nations of every tongue shall take hold of the robe of a Jew, saying, 'Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.'" (Zec 8:23)

This is His pattern.  He hardened The Pharaoh’s heart to postpone the Exodus of His firstborn son (Israel) from Egypt until His timing was just right.  He used King Saul’s corrupt kingdom to prepare His people for a righteous King, when His timing was just right.  He used Judas Iscariot and Pontius Pilot as unwitting tools to sacrifice His only begotten Son when His timing was just right.  Likewise, He has used Constantine, Marcion, and even Charles Darwin to protect his precious and powerful Torah from unworthy and unholy hands…until His timing was just right.  Rather than shake our fists at Satan, these corrupt men, and the damage their lies have caused the world, we might be better off putting our energy into praising our awesome and sovereign creator.  We should be thanking Him for not just saving our very souls, but for allowing us to see a far clearer picture of who He is, and revealing the path to become more like His Son.

Just think of the brilliance!  YHVH has managed to put His precious and powerful commandments into almost every Western home, printed clearly in hundreds of diverse languages, and has even labeled The Book: THE HOLY BIBLE…yet at the same time He has managed to keep the value of the Torah hidden-- with most Christians casually skipping over it entire chapters and books.  Clearly, and in writing, He has detailed seven glorious feasts that all of His people are invited to, which He Himself attends.  He has described the perfect diet for those of us hand-made by YHVH himself.  He has clearly shared how best to handle money, marriage, childrearing, time, and He has given us clear rules as to how to avoid false teachers—especially those who come teaching in His name, and preforming miracles.  Most especially, He has disclosed the nature of His Messiah, so that no one who honestly shared YHVH’s heart, as revealed through the Torah, could possibly miss Him when He came.  Yet, most followers of “Jesus” who actually read these words in Scripture are somehow convinced that most of these commandments have been “done away with”, despite the fact that The Messiah Himself clearly says otherwise (Matt 5:17).  Most Christians don’t even acknowledge that Yeshua embraced every one of these commandments for His entire lifetime.

Think about what would have happened if the depth of The Father’s Holiness was revealed clearly to everyone in the world, without the divine “filter” of the aforementioned distractions.  How special and Holy would His Sabbath be if every “casual Christian” treated it as simply “one day in seven” or in the irreverent way that Sunday has been treated for decades now?  Isn’t it better that The Sabbath be ignored rather than “defiled”?  How set-apart and sanctified would Passover or His other Feasts be if billions of people around the world commercialized them and distorted them?  History proves that if the pronunciation of His very Name had not been “lost”, people would undoubtedly be using it as a curse word, instead of calling upon it in praise and worship.  The Father, in His omnipotence, has purposely hidden the most precious treasures of His Kingdom, IN PLAIN SIGHT, until these last days.  He has built an ‘ark of light’ for the coming flood of darkness, has kept it sealed and stocked with provisions for millennia, and has just begun to open the doors for all who love Him and are wise enough to see the approaching storm.  Within this ark are the “secrets of the Kingdom”-- the pure Torah, as delivered by Moses and taught by Yeshua.  Like Noah’s ark and the tiny version that saved baby Moses, the exterior of this ark is covered in nasty, stinky, ugly pitch and tar---in this case, the false traditions of men.

As much as we want to think of the Father and Yeshua as “light”, let us remember that it is His pattern to meet us in the dark.  In Genesis 1:2, the Spirit is hovering above the waters-- while at the same time, darkness was on the face of the deep.  In Genesis 15:12, Abraham meets YHVH in a vision and the setting is only described as “extremely dark”.  In Exodus 14:20, YHVH descends upon the mountain, and it is covered with darkness…not light.  Darkness surrounded Moses during his meetings with YHVH in Deut 5:22 and Ex 20:21, as well.  Even the Hebrew day begins with darkness…not light.  Paul met with the risen Yeshua personally, and was temporarily blinded as a result—now that’s dark.  Later, even while filled with The Spirit, Paul still wrote, “now we see through a glass darkly…”.  As believers in Yeshua, still in darkness to some degree or another, we are strongly encouraged to start heading for the light:

“The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Rom 13:12)

“For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14)

“And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing.  In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” (2 Cor 4:4)

"For nothing is hidden, except to be revealed; nor has anything been secret, but that it would come to light.’” (Mark 4:22)

It is the glory of Elohim to conceal a matter, and the glory of Kings to search it out. (Prov 25:2)

The harsh truth is, YHVH’s pattern is to reveal His brightest lights and deepest truths only to the select few who are not afraid to press into Him—to those who are not afraid of the dark nor confuse the darkness with light.  For example, why did Yeshua teach in parables when he could have spoken far more clearly and directly?  I am not the first to ask this question:

“The disciples came to him and asked, "Why do you speak to the people in parables?" He replied, "The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.  Whoever has will be given more, and he will have an abundance.  Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. This is why I speak to them in parables: "Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah:”

'You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.
For this people's heart has become calloused;
they hardly hear with their ears,
and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.'

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous men longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:10-16)

All this Yeshua said to the crowds in parables; indeed he said nothing to them without a parable. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 13:34-35)

Wow.  Even during the time that the Messiah walked on earth in person, He still insisted on hiding the truth from all, except for a select chosen few.  Sometimes when people came to the Messiah publicly declaring their desire to follow Him, He even turned them away! (Matt 19:22)  He wants us to dig for the truth…He always has.  Even after being saved, He still insists that we press into the Scriptures in order to continue to wash off the slime of darkness and walk in the brighter light…how is this done?

 “…For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues." (Acts 15:21). As suggested in the book of Acts, we are to study Moses (the Torah) in a methodical way (every Sabbath). That’s where the truth is…that is always where the light is.

Throughout history, The Father has allowed Constantine and his various councils to criminalize Torah observance in order to preserve what Yeshua called the “secrets of the Kingdom.”  He has allowed Marcion, a since discredited “early church father”, to invent and popularize the inaccurate terms ‘OLD’ and ‘NEW’ Testaments.  He has allowed Charles Darwin’s flawed theory to take root around the world, thus schools teach than mankind’s origin was just random chance, and that our true father’s were monkeys, our grandfathers were fish, and our great-grandfathers were ooze.  He has allowed the pagan celebration of Mithra’s Birthday (Christmas) and the pagan fertility festival (Easter) to almost completely overshadow the True celebrations of The Messiah.  Why did YHVH allow this?…to preserve the “secrets of the Kingdom”.  Great lengths have been taken to secure the Truths of the Torah, so rather than hate the ones who were simply part of the disguise, we need to understand that these lost and hardhearted souls, just may be part of His wonderful design.

Rejoice!  Throughout history, it has been a rare human being that has been invited to understand the secrets of BOTH the Torah and The Messiah (and therefore the secret that The Messiah IS the Torah). He calls us His ‘special treasure’ (Exo 19:5) for a reason. He calls us His ‘peculiar people’ (1 Pet 2:9), for a reason.  He calls us His ‘Kingdom of Priests’ (Ex 19:6), because He has revealed His Holy secrets to us and we have chosen to allow them to transform our lives.  We are “not of this world” (Romans 12:2) because we have been chosen for a time such as this, and He has revealed to us what has been hidden since the foundation of the world.

Ben

Galatians Chapters 3-5

When we realize ALL of Scripture is true and used for our correction and reproof and we start studying it for ourselves (beyond being simply taught religious doctrine from the pulpit), so many of our brothers and sisters in Messiah who have been trained in church theology must re-process their previous (false) understanding of Galatians, its purpose and WHAT it is saying.  It is often used to defend the the position that the law (Torah) is done away with or "bad" or not for "believers".  When we study the whole Bible in it's context (as it was written and meant to be studied) we find that this theology position contradicts the REST of the Bible!  So might it be possible, that the problem of this inconsistency is not inconsistency in the Scriptures, but rather and inconsistency in our previous interpretation/understanding of this letter to the Galatians?

There are thick scholarly books that explain Galatians from a Hebraic point of view, and it is really interesting to go through Paul's letter line-by-line and see what Paul was trying to say here.   However, in the end, there are a few simple concepts that need to be understood before reading it that sets the stage for Galatians as a whole and help us truly understand what is going on there.

First, Paul, the author, was constantly accused of teaching against The Law, during his active time as an Apostle.   In fact, that was the constant refrain against all of the early Disciples of Messiah, and even the Messiah Himself.   The speech Steven gives before his stoning (with Paul encouraging the stoning, ironically) is all about the religious leaders of his day NOT keeping Torah.   They stoned him because he was rebuking them to KEEP the law.  His last words were  “You stiff-necked people! Your hearts and ears are still uncircumcised. You are just like your ancestors: You always resist the Holy Spirit!  Was there ever a prophet your ancestors did not persecute? They even killed those who predicted the coming of the Righteous One. And now you have betrayed and murdered him—  you who have received the law that was given through angels but have not obeyed it.” Acts 7: 51-53

Paul was arrested multiple times, and he defended himself by completely denying ever teaching against the Law or the Commandments (see Acts 24:14 as just one example).  One of the distinguishing factors of the earliest believers was their sudden love of Torah.  Acts 21:20 "And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe ; and they are all zealous of the law."

Finally, and most importantly, regarding Paul's writing style, Peter gives us a warning in 2 Peter 3:14, "Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace.  And count the patience of our Lord as salvation, just as our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures.  You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.   But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen."  This quote from Peter needs to printed as a warning on everything Paul wrote, including the book of Galatians.  

With all of that background, it suddenly becomes impossible to see Paul as preaching AGAINST the Law and it's intended purpose, and becomes very clear that Paul is trying to clarify the purpose of the Law, and the way it is to be carried out in our lives.   Galatians is one of my favorite books in the New Testament.   It is carries so much relevant truth not just for we Torah Pursuant brothers and sisters, but for those in the traditional "Church" as well.  

To summarize Galatians, Paul is saying that a lifestyle that reflects Messiah is NOT a lifestyle of checklists.   This is his letter adamantly against "religious checklistism" (my words).   If you think you are "more saved" because you avoid Easter and Christmas, you are wrong.   If you think that you are "more saved" because you avoid pork, you are wrong.   We are not saved due to any checklist, but due to our faith in the Blood of the Lamb.   That being said, there are endless verses by Paul and others in the Bible that obviously show that Faith without some sort of evidence is a lie, and not real faith at all.    Exactly what that evidence looks like changes as we conform our lives DAILY to the Torah instructions.   There are plenty of "saved" people who keep Easter and Christmas, because they are wrongfully convinced that they are legitimate Holy Days, and yet they honor them in the correct spirit of worship and humbleness.   There are also plenty of atheist Jews that keep Rosh Hoshanna and Passover.   Which are truly His people?   Messiah warns us in his Revelation to "be Hot or be Cold or I will spew you out of my mouth".   Meaning, even if we are wrong, be wrong WHOLEHEARTEDLY for HIM.   He will fine tune our walk if we are actually walking!

Galatians therefore speaks against a ritual physical circumcision as a mandatory first step to following Messiah, in the same way it speaks against the way many Churches will require a re-baptism before you can become a "member" of that denomination.   Remember too, that many of the hearers of this letter were former pagans, not former Jews.   This letter is warning to people of all religious backgrounds to be sure that FAITH is the centerpiece of all action.   From Paul's perspective, any works, no matter how pious and holy they may seem, even if they line up perfectly with the Law of Moses, if not done with a Faithful heart, are not acceptable offerings.   

Faith groups worldwide have created their own "Statements of Faith" that attempt to define what a "true" Christian looks like.   Galatians is the book that cautions against using any man-made list as a check-list that defines who is in and who is out.   The most ironic thing is when traditional Christians hold up their checklist to other believers, and quote Galatians while chastising the lack of Sunday observance, Christmas observance, etc... all of which are outside of the actual written instructions by YHVH Himself!   They have misunderstood the "freedom" from the Law, and used that licence to create their own law, not even realizing that they are preaching rebellion against the very standard that Yeshua said was eternal (Matt 5:17, Matt 15:3-9).   They themselves have inadvertently become the modern day "circumcision party" that Paul is warning against.   We like Paul, are faithful believers, who are striving to understand His commandments, and therefore we are the ones who should be "preaching Galatians" to them!  

In Humble Service to Our King,
BEN 
(and Pamela)

We're Not Working for Salvation

For those who have ears, Let them hear! Praise YHVH!

Audio Bible

I am recently reminded how precious it is to my spirit and soul to HEAR The Scriptures. There is something about audio that penetrates my soul so deeply. It takes me back to the Mountain as recorded here in Deut 4:9-13:

9 "Only take care, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life. Make them known to your children and your children’s children— 10how on the day that you stood before the LORD your God at Horeb, the LORD said to me, 'Gather the people to me, that I may let them hear my words, so that they may learn to fear me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children so.' 11And you came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while the mountain burned with fire to the heart of heaven, wrapped in darkness, cloud, and gloom. 12Then the LORD spoke to you out of the midst of the fire. You heard the sound of words, but saw no form; there was only a voice. 13 And he declared to you his covenant, which he commanded you to perform, that is, the Ten Commandments, and he wrote them on two tablets of stone. 14And the LORD commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and rules, that you might do them in the land that you are going over to possess.

Maybe I am a little crazy or I am "over spirituallizing" something...but there is something to the spoken Word which is so strong! I can't imagine what it must have been like coming form the very mouth of Yah in person echoing over the mountain...The power it must heald...I can see how the people present were so very fearful of His might to ask Moshe to be their mediator!

I have enjoyed the spoken Word in recorded form from many resources over the years. It is so nice to listen too while I walk along the way. As a momma of 6 (with one now on the way - halleluyah!), I find my hands always full. So I am reminded what a blessing it is to HEAR the Word when my hands and eyes may not be able to hold a Bible or read the lines. When I am not well, it is like being anointed with healing salve all over to convalesce in the midst of the Spoken Word. It is good to go to sleep with it being spoken over me and wake with it still being spoken over me. It is encouragement, edification, correction, conviction and education all rolled into one!
I have purchased different audio Bibles on disc and for download over the years. Some that were maybe a bit too dramatic, and some that were maybe a little bit too dry in delivery for my taste. Yet, I have still been blessed by them, because it is the Living Word! As my knowledge and understanding of Hebrew grows, I am very much looking forward to listening to the Word in Hebrew!! My soul longs to understand His precepts in Hebrew! It is my heart and goal to one day have the Torah memorized. However, until then, in this most recent season, I have discovered a wonderful and FREE resource that I just had to share with you. It is called Faith Comes By Hearing FREE Audio Bibles They have over 500 Bible versions in many many languages (including two choices in Hebrew). They have several English choices in different versions and also in different styles of some versions, some being more dramatic than others. My favorite so far, is ESV Old Testament.

So if you would like to add another dimension to your personal study; your family time in the Word; being ministered too while sick; raising your children up in The Way; Shabbat meditations; blessing the elderly to those who may struggle read...This may be a very useful tool to help you do that.

May Your time in the Scriptures be blessed and draw you closer to The Creator of the Universe and and His Precepts!

In Him,

pamela+

What is Torah to YOU?

A good friend recently asked a similar question on her site, TorahFamilyLiving.com and I thought it was a great question! This was my answer from the depths of my heart. What is yours? This is the next chapter of Scripture that we are committing to memory in our homeshul, as Yah continues to write His Word and the love of it on our hearts.

Psalm 119
Aleph
1 Blessed are those whose way is blameless,
who walk in the law of the LORD!
2Blessed are those who keep his testimonies,
who seek him with their whole heart,
3who also do no wrong,
but walk in his ways!
4You have commanded your precepts
to be kept diligently.
5Oh that my ways may be steadfast
in keeping your statutes!
6 Then I shall not be put to shame,
having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.
7I will praise you with an upright heart,
when I learn your righteous rules.
8I will keep your statutes;
do not utterly forsake me!
Beth
9How can a young man keep his way pure?
By guarding it according to your word.
10 With my whole heart I seek you;
let me not wander from your commandments!
11I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
12Blessed are you, O LORD;
teach me your statutes!
13With my lips I declare
all the rules[c] of your mouth.
14In the way of your testimonies I delight
as much as in all riches.
15I will meditate on your precepts
and fix my eyes on your ways.
16I will delight in your statutes;
I will not forget your word.
Gimel
17 Deal bountifully with your servant,
that I may live and keep your word.
18Open my eyes, that I may behold
wondrous things out of your law.
19I am a sojourner on the earth;
hide not your commandments from me!
20My soul is consumed with longing
for your rules at all times.
21You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones,
who wander from your commandments.
22Take away from me scorn and contempt,
for I have kept your testimonies.
23Even though princes sit plotting against me,
your servant will meditate on your statutes.
24Your testimonies are my delight;
they are my counselors.
Daleth
25 My soul clings to the dust;
give me life according to your word!
26When I told of my ways, you answered me;
teach me your statutes!
27 Make me understand the way of your precepts,
and I will meditate on your wondrous works.
28 My soul melts away for sorrow;
strengthen me according to your word!
29Put false ways far from me
and graciously teach me your law!
30I have chosen the way of faithfulness;
I set your rules before me.
31I cling to your testimonies, O LORD;
let me not be put to shame!
32I will run in the way of your commandments
when you enlarge my heart!
He
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes;
and I will keep it to the end.
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep your law
and observe it with my whole heart.
35 Lead me in the path of your commandments,
for I delight in it.
36 Incline my heart to your testimonies,
and not to selfish gain!
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things;
and give me life in your ways.
38 Confirm to your servant your promise,
that you may be feared.
39Turn away the reproach that I dread,
for your rules are good.
40Behold, I long for your precepts;
in your righteousness give me life!
Waw
41Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD,
your salvation according to your promise;
42then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me,
for I trust in your word.
43And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth,
for my hope is in your rules.
44I will keep your law continually,
forever and ever,
45and I shall walk in a wide place,
for I have sought your precepts.
46I will also speak of your testimonies before kings
and shall not be put to shame,
47for I find my delight in your commandments,
which I love.
48I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,
and I will meditate on your statutes.
Zayin
49Remember your word to your servant,
in which you have made me hope.
50This is my comfort in my affliction,
that your promise gives me life.
51 The insolent utterly deride me,
but I do not turn away from your law.
52When I think of your rules from of old,
I take comfort, O LORD.
53 Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked,
who forsake your law.
54Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my sojourning.
55I remember your name in the night, O LORD,
and keep your law.
56This blessing has fallen to me,
that I have kept your precepts.
Heth
57 The LORD is my portion;
I promise to keep your words.
58I entreat your favor with all my heart;
be gracious to me according to your promise.
59When I think on my ways,
I turn my feet to your testimonies;
60I hasten and do not delay
to keep your commandments.
61Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me,
I do not forget your law.
62At midnight I rise to praise you,
because of your righteous rules.
63 I am a companion of all who fear you,
of those who keep your precepts.
64 The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love;
teach me your statutes!
Teth
65You have dealt well with your servant,
O LORD, according to your word.
66Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in your commandments.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.
68 You are good and do good;
teach me your statutes.
69 The insolent smear me with lies,
but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;
70their heart is unfeeling like fat,
but I delight in your law.
71It is good for me that I was afflicted,
that I might learn your statutes.
72 The law of your mouth is better to me
than thousands of gold and silver pieces.
Yodh
73 Your hands have made and fashioned me;
give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.
74Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice,
because I have hoped in your word.
75I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,
and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76Let your steadfast love comfort me
according to your promise to your servant.
77Let your mercy come to me, that I may live;
for your law is my delight.
78Let the insolent be put to shame,
because they have wronged me with falsehood;
as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.
79Let those who fear you turn to me,
that they may know your testimonies.
80May my heart be blameless in your statutes,
that I may not be put to shame!
Kaph
81My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word.
82My eyes long for your promise;
I ask, "When will you comfort me?"
83For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke,
yet I have not forgotten your statutes.
84 How long must your servant endure?
When will you judge those who persecute me?
85 The insolent have dug pitfalls for me;
they do not live according to your law.
86All your commandments are sure;
they persecute me with falsehood; help me!
87They have almost made an end of me on earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts.
88In your steadfast love give me life,
that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.
Lamedh
89Forever, O LORD, your word
is firmly fixed in the heavens.
90Your faithfulness endures to all generations;
you have established the earth, and it stands fast.
91By your appointment they stand this day,
for all things are your servants.
92If your law had not been my delight,
I would have perished in my affliction.
93I will never forget your precepts,
for by them you have given me life.
94I am yours; save me,
for I have sought your precepts.
95The wicked lie in wait to destroy me,
but I consider your testimonies.
96I have seen a limit to all perfection,
but your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Mem
97Oh how I love your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
98Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies,
for it is ever with me.
99I have more understanding than all my teachers,
for your testimonies are my meditation.
100I understand more than the aged,
for I keep your precepts.
101I hold back my feet from every evil way,
in order to keep your word.
102I do not turn aside from your rules,
for you have taught me.
103How sweet are your words to my taste,
sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104Through your precepts I get understanding;
therefore I hate every false way.
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet
and a light to my path.
106I have sworn an oath and confirmed it,
to keep your righteous rules.
107I am severely afflicted;
give me life, O LORD, according to your word!
108Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD,
and teach me your rules.
109I hold my life in my hand continually,
but I do not forget your law.
110The wicked have laid a snare for me,
but I do not stray from your precepts.
111Your testimonies are my heritage forever,
for they are the joy of my heart.
112I incline my heart to perform your statutes
forever, to the end.
Samekh
113I hate the double-minded,
but I love your law.
114You are my hiding place and my shield;
I hope in your word.
115 Depart from me, you evildoers,
that I may keep the commandments of my God.
116Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,
and let me not be put to shame in my hope!
117 Hold me up, that I may be safe
and have regard for your statutes continually!
118You spurn all who go astray from your statutes,
for their cunning is in vain.
119All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross,
therefore I love your testimonies.
120My flesh trembles for fear of you,
and I am afraid of your judgments.
Ayin
121I have done what is just and right;
do not leave me to my oppressors.
122Give your servant a pledge of good;
let not the insolent oppress me.
123My eyes long for your salvation
and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.
124Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love,
and teach me your statutes.
125I am your servant; give me understanding,
that I may know your testimonies!
126It is time for the LORD to act,
for your law has been broken.
127Therefore I love your commandments
above gold, above fine gold.
128Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right;
I hate every false way.
Pe
129Your testimonies are wonderful;
therefore my soul keeps them.
130The unfolding of your words gives light;
it imparts understanding to the simple.
131I open my mouth and pant,
because I long for your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me,
as is your way with those who love your name.
133 Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from man’s oppression,
that I may keep your precepts.
135 Make your face shine upon your servant,
and teach me your statutes.
136My eyes shed streams of tears,
because people do not keep your law.
Tsadhe
137 Righteous are you, O LORD,
and right are your rules.
138You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness
and in all faithfulness.
139My zeal consumes me,
because my foes forget your words.
140Your promise is well tried,
and your servant loves it.
141I am small and despised,
yet I do not forget your precepts.
142Your righteousness is righteous forever,
and your law is true.
143Trouble and anguish have found me out,
but your commandments are my delight.
144Your testimonies are righteous forever;
give me understanding that I may live.
Qoph
145With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD!
I will keep your statutes.
146I call to you; save me,
that I may observe your testimonies.
147I rise before dawn and cry for help;
I hope in your words.
148My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,
that I may meditate on your promise.
149Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;
O LORD, according to your justice give me life.
150They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose;
they are far from your law.
151But you are near, O LORD,
and all your commandments are true.
152Long have I known from your testimonies
that you have founded them forever.
Resh
153Look on my affliction and deliver me,
for I do not forget your law.
154 Plead my cause and redeem me;
give me life according to your promise!
155 Salvation is far from the wicked,
for they do not seek your statutes.
156 Great is your mercy, O LORD;
give me life according to your rules.
157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,
but I do not swerve from your testimonies.
158I look at the faithless with disgust,
because they do not keep your commands.
159Consider how I love your precepts!
Give me life according to your steadfast love.
160 The sum of your word is truth,
and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.
Sin and Shin
161 Princes persecute me without cause,
but my heart stands in awe of your words.
162I rejoice at your word
like one who finds great spoil.
163I hate and abhor falsehood,
but I love your law.
164Seven times a day I praise you
for your righteous rules.
165Great peace have those who love your law;
nothing can make them stumble.
166I hope for your salvation, O LORD,
and I do your commandments.
167My soul keeps your testimonies;
I love them exceedingly.
168I keep your precepts and testimonies,
for all my ways are before you.
Taw
169Let my cry come before you, O LORD;
give me understanding according to your word!
170Let my plea come before you;
deliver me according to your word.
171My lips will pour forth praise,
for you teach me your statutes.
172My tongue will sing of your word,
for all your commandments are right.
173Let your hand be ready to help me,
for I have chosen your precepts.
174I long for your salvation, O LORD,
and your law is my delight.
175Let my soul live and praise you,
and let your rules help me.
176I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,
for I do not forget your commandments.


Beruch,

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