Honour the Elder
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Tanakh versions:
Throughout this site I will use the following three
versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication
Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), and 3. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC).
Colour coded details of
the - TaNaKh:
1. Torah = History &
Law, 2. Nevi’im =
The Prophets. 3. *Ketuvim = all other Writings.
*The Ketuvim - Includes, Poetical
books - Psalms, Proverbs, Job, the Megillot, or Scrolls - Song
of Solomon, Ruth, Lamentations of Jeremiah, Ecclesiastes, and
Esther, prophecy of Daniel, and history of Ezra, Nehemiah, and
Chronicles I & II.
Please Note: Some alterations have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ having been corrected as it once was, pre the “Masoretic Text”.
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Remember the following three truth’s from our beloved Scriptures!
“Ye
shall NOT ADD to te Word
which I command you, neither shall ye diminish from
it, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם (the LORD your Elo’lei’chem) which I
command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2.
“This is My Name FOREVER, and this is My Memorial to ALL Generations”. Shemot - Exodus 3:15. (JPS).
“I am יְהוָה, that is My Name; and My glory will I not give to another”. Yeshayahu - Isaiah 42:8. (JPS).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Just before the study, I would like to
commence with one more important quote from the book of Yahushua - Joshua Ch
1:7-8. (JPS-1917).
“Be strong and courageous. Be careful to obey the entire Torah My servant Moshe has given you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. Do not let this Book of the Torah depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”
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Introduction:
Honouring the Elders is a Torah Mandate.
In every generation, the Torah calls us to honour those who came before us, not merely for their age, but for their wisdom, experience, and covenantal role. The commandment is very clear:
“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man…” Vayikra - Leviticus 19:32. (JPG).
The ‘honour’ shown in the verse above, is not sentimental, as it is rooted in reverence for יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ, the LORD our Elo’hei’nu (God), who appoints elders as guardians of memory and transmitters of mitzvot.
Thus, this study explores the sacred responsibility of honouring our elders, especially those versed in the commandments of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be His Holy Name, as clarified in Be’midbar - Numbers 11:16. There, seventy elders are chosen not for their age alone, but for their leadership and spiritual stature. The Torah’s vision of elder hood is ‘active’, ‘wise’, and communal elders stand beside Moshe, guiding the people, and embody the continuity of covenant.
To honour elders is to honour the covenant itself. It is to recognize that Torah is not merely taught, it is ‘lived’, ‘remembered’, and passed down through those who have walked its path longest. In a time when age is often overlooked, the Torah reminds us to have, ‘dignity’, ‘wisdom’, and ‘reverence’ belonging to those who carry the weight of years in righteousness!
Let us enter this study with ‘humility’, ‘gratitude’, and a ‘renewed commitment’ to lift up the elders among us, not only in ritual, but in daily life!
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The next two verses, is all about regarding and honouring our parents, and it shows us of the need to obey Torah based law of honouring parents to show the breadth of scriptural obligation of both parents, elders and learned elders.
Let us first look at Shemot - Exodus 20:12. (JPG-1917).
כָּבֵד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ לְמַעַן יַאֲרִכוּן יָמֶיךָ עַל הָאֲדָמָה אֲשֶׁר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ נֹתֵן לָךְ
“Honour thy father and thy mother, that thy days may be long upon the land which יְהוָה אֱלֹהִים - the LORD thy Elohim (God) giveth thee”.
Next, we read Vayikra - Leviticus 19:32. (JPS-1917).
קָמְמָה לִפְנֵי־שֵׂיבָה וּכְבֹד פְּנֵי־זָקֵן וְיִרְאֶה אֶת־אֱלֹהֶיךָ אֲנִי יְהוָה
“Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and thou shalt fear thy Elohim: I am יְהוָה- the LORD”.
By the expression of an “Old man” is meant ‘one being an old man who is versed in the Mitzvot (Law) of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’, as this is fully clarified in the above verses. However in the verse below, you will once again find the same request
Be’midbar - Numbers 11:16. (JPS-1917).
וַיֹּאמֶר יְהוָה אֶל-מֹשֶׁה, אֶסְפָה-לִּי שִׁבְעִים אִישׁ מִזִּקְנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, אֲשֶׁר יָדַעְתָּ, כִּי-הֵם זִקְנֵי הָעָם וְשֹׁטְרָיו; וְלָקַחְתָּ אֹתָם אֶל-אֹהֶל מוֹעֵד, וְהִתְיַצְּבוּ שָׁם עִמָּךְ
“And יְהוָה said unto Moshe: ‘Gather unto Me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tent of meeting, that they may stand there with thee.’”
Thus, we now know what the will of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, is?
Let
us now look at yet another verse of great interest:
Proverbs 16:31 (JPS). Regarding the dignity of those with gray hair.
עֲטֶרֶת תִּפְאֶרֶת שֵׂיבָה; בְּדֶרֶךְ צְדָקָה, תִּמָּצֵא
“The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.”
Thus, it has already become clear how אֱלֹהִים, blessed be He, wishes for the elders to be not only respected but honoured, for who they are.
We should give אֱלֹהִים thanks for reminding us, regarding the intrinsic value and dignity of age of those who have come before us as well those who are with us today!
There is no doubt that their elders who have clearly taught us regarding our beloved mitzvot, and assisted us in the way of life and modelled our righteous behaviour.
I pray that this study has given you greater respect for our elders and teachers!
In conclusion: A short prayer;
“May the Eternal One, יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the LORD of Hosts, who appoints elders in wisdom and righteousness, bless the work of our hands and the words of our mouths as we honour those who have walked before us in faith and mitzvoth.
May we rise before the hoary head with reverence, listen to the counsel of age with humility, and uphold the dignity of every soul who bears the weight of years.
May our communities be strengthened by memory, guided by justice, and sustained by the wisdom of those who teach those who walk in the way of our blessed Torah!”
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In Conclusion, a Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of this study, or a particular line or statement within it
has touched you? And how do you feel about spending more time studying our
beloved Tanakh? I pray that you are doing well as a faithful Hebrew, and אֱלֹהִים - Elohim willing, you are upholding our blessed
Mitzvoth’s?
I am well aware that the modern world sadly contains far too many
deviations as well as problems that seem to get in the way of
our lifestyle. Yet worse than that, these days there are far too many
enticements, which sadly can so easily throw many off track,
and I know that has happened for so many. Thus, if there are struggles
that are taking place in your life, be it at this or at any time, I am well
aware that sadly it often has a terrible and a cruel effect upon your life?
Dear reader, please remember this, pray for peace and
solitude in your life, and then work on keeping as calm as possible and learn
to improve your life, for אֱלֹהִים - בָּרוּךְ
אֱלֹהִים - Bless Elohim, He is
always there and ready to help and guide you!
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PLEASE NOTE: If you need assistance in any way, just ask, I will email you with special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email me (using the link further down the page) and I will send it to your email, without any follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me!
This site was originally created for those who
needed to return to our blessed and wonderful faith, thus be wise and work on
your faith and pray at least two or possibly three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance!
But as you may have discovered this site has become very much a teaching site!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following...
“Return unto Me,
and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. Also
read Yeshayahu - Isaiah 44:22,
and Zecharyah - Zechariah 1:3.
And Remember ...
Enjoy your Sabbath Rest, Shabbat
Shalom!
אֲנִי יְהוָה
אֱלֹהֵיכֶם, בְּחֻקּוֹתַי
לֵכוּ; וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
שִׁמְרוּ, וַעֲשׂוּ
אוֹתָם
וְאֶת-שַׁבְּתוֹתַי, קַדֵּשׁוּ; וְהָיוּ
לְאוֹת, בֵּינִי
וּבֵינֵיכֶם-לָדַעַת, כִּי
אֲנִי יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם
“I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה
(the LORD your Elo’hei’chem);
walk in My statutes, and keep Mine ordinances,
and do them; and hallow My Sabbaths, and they shall be a sign between Me and
you, that ye may know that I am אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - YaHVaH your Elo’hei’chem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).
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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“The More Torah, the More Life”.
For our Elohim is the One who gave us our ... Life!
May the שָׁלוֹם - Shalom = Peace of צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה= the LORD of hosts. be with
you, and please always uphold our blessed שַׁבָּת - Shabbat, as well as the ‘מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts, and continue saying your
daily תְּפִלָּה - Te’fee’lah’s (Prayers) and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s (blessings) before food and
drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
Rabbi,
Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
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