Behind-the-Words

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Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!

Tanakh versions:

Throughout this site I may use any of the following three versions of the TaNaKh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF).

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.

Open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold

wondrous things out of Thy Law!

Tehillim - Psalm 119:18..

(JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).

Please Note: Some alterations or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, having been corrected like it once was pre the “Masoretic Text”.

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Remember the following truth from our beloved Torah!

“Ye shall NOT ADD TO THE WORD which I command you, NEITHER SHALL YE DIMINISH FROM IT, that ye may keep the commandments of יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵיכֶם - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy 4:2. (JPS-1917).

However, sadly both the later priests as well as our rabbis of long ago have shamefully disobeyed this command of אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ – ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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“Behind the Words”

With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.

Below are four statements from the Tanakh, which teaches us what is ‘behind the words!

1. Free your heart from any hatred..

“Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart”. Vayikra - Leviticus 19:17.

2. Live simply..

“יְהוָה - the LORD preserveth the simple”. Tehillim - Psalm 116:6.

3. Give more..

“For the poor shall never cease out of the land; therefore I command thee, saying: 'Thou shalt surely open thy hand unto thy poor and needy brother, in thy land”. Devarim - Deuteronomy 15:11.

4. Expect Less..

“And seekest thou great things for thyself? Seek them not”. Yirmyahu - Jeremiah 45:5.

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Creating a Thematic Framework

We can group these verses under a central theme, such as “The Four Gates to a Tranquil Soul”. By adding a short commentary to each of the four main verses for the above, we bridge the ancient text with modern daily life.

Free your heart from hatred: This is not just about the other person; it’s about internal surgery. Hatred is a heavy weight that the hater carries. By releasing it, you reclaim your own heart.

Live simply: In a world of “more”, simplicity is a form of rebellion. It is the trust that what you have is enough, and that the Divine preserves those who don’t overcomplicate their existence.

Give more: This shifts your perspective from scarcity to abundance. Opening your hand ensures that the heart remains soft and connected to the collective human experience.

Expect less: This is the antidote to disappointment. When we stop seeking “great things” for the ego, we become free to appreciate the small, miraculous things already present.

Below are some other points re the above:

Principle	Scriptural Anchor	Actionable Practice
Release	Leviticus 19:17	Identify one grudge today and choose to let it go.
Simplify	Psalm 116:6	Remove one physical or mental clutter item today.
Bestow	Deuteronomy. 15:11	Offer a “gift” a meal, a coin, or a sincere compliment.
Surrender	Jeremiah 45:5	Practice “radical gratitude” for what is, rather than what isn’t.

1. Historical Context: The “Why” Behind the Words:

Understanding the circumstances in which these words were first spoken adds a layer of profound resilience to them.

Leviticus 19:17. (Hatred): This verse appears in the “Holiness Code”. It was given to a newly liberated people who were learning how to be a community after generations of slavery. Moses understood that external freedom is worthless if you remain a slave to internal bitterness.

Deuteronomy 15:11. (Generosity): This was spoken by us the Israelites prepared to enter a land of settled agriculture. Moses knew that even in a “land of milk and honey”, inequality would arise. He commanded an “open hand” to ensure that the community’s heartbeat remained collective rather than individualistic.

Psalm 116:6. (Simplicity): Tradition attributes many Psalms to David, but this specific one is often seen as a song of delivery from death or great distress. The “simple” (pethayim) refers to those who are humble and sincere, lacking the sophisticated defenses or ego of the powerful. It suggests that when we strip away our pretenses, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim finds us more easily.

Jeremiah 45:5. (Expectations): This was spoken to Baruch, Jeremiah’s scribe. Baruch was frustrated and exhausted by the chaos of the falling kingdom of Judah. He felt he deserved better for his hard work. Jeremiah’s response is a “reality check”: in a world that is breaking, do not seek personal “greatness” (status or wealth); seek instead the quiet grace of survival and integrity.

2. A Poetic Expansion: The Fourfold Path:

The Weight of the Heart: Do not store the venom of the years behind the ribs where breath should go. To hate a brother is to build a wall that only keeps your own light low. Cast out the stone, let the waters start; there is no room for ghosts within the heart.

The Grace of the Simple: The world is loud with “more” and “fast”, a frantic race for things that cannot last. But יְהוָה - the LORD attends the quiet, steady soul who finds in “enough” a way to be whole. Walk with a plain step, a mind clear of art; the simple find the shelter where the mercies start.

The Open Hand: The land will always hold the poor, the hungry shadow at the door. Do not clench the fist or turn the eye, lest the spirit within you begin to dry. For the hand that opens wide to give is the only hand that truly learns to live.

The Quiet Ambition: Why seek the crown, the gold, the high renown, when empires fade and kingdoms tumble down? Release the thirst for "great things" in the sun; the greatest work is often left undone. Seek not the heights where the heavy winds blow, but the peace of the valley where the small seeds grow.

3. Daily Affirmations:

For morning practice, why not use the following four sentences:

1. I release resentment: “Today, I choose to travel light, carrying no malice toward others”.

2. I embrace the simple: “I am protected in my sincerity; I do not need to perform or pretend”.

3. I live with an open hand: “I have enough to share, and my generosity connects me to the world”.

4. I release the need for status: “My value is not measured by ‘great things’, but by the quiet integrity of my walk”. Amen.

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Please Note: “hebraicstudies” links are located down the page!

This site was originally created, for those who desired to return to our blessed and wonderful faith. Thus be wise and work on your faith and pray at least two or three times a day (if possible) and always seek our beloved אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance, for His love is always with us, especially when we seek Him, blessed be He! However this site has become very much a teaching site with hundreds of studies!

Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following via several of our prophets...

“Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith צְבָאוֹת- יְהוָה- the LORD of hosts”. Mal’a’chi - Malachi 3:7. (JPS).

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 Eloheichem; 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 - the LORD your Eloheichem”. Yechezkel - Ezekiel 20:19-20. (JPS).

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“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;

“The More Torah, the More Life”

For אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, Blessed be His Sanctified Name,

He 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 - Tefeelah’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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