Paths-of-Divine-Order
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Please do NOT visit this site on שַׁבָּת - Shabbat or on the מוֹעֲדִים - Mo’a’dim - Feasts!
Re Tanakh versions:
Throughout
this site I may use any of three versions of the Tanakh: 1. “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917), 2. “Mechon-Mamre.org” (MEC), and 3. “Sefaria.org” (SEF), three brilliant versions, However, the
JPS-1917 is my preferred version!
Colour coded
details of our beloved 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
or (additions) have been made relating to ‘Names’ and ‘Attributes’ of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), 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 אֱלֹהֵיכֶם יְהוָה - the LORD your Eloleichem, which I command you”. Davarim - Deuteronomy
4:2. (JPS-1917).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
Please Note: All verses are
from the JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
Theme 1: The Concept of the “Path” in Joel and the Heavens.
Often, studies focus heavily on the philosophical path of man, but a fascinating study could look at the absolute precision of the natural order as a reflection of the Divine.
וְאִישׁ אָחִיו לֹא יִדְחָקוּן, גֶּבֶר בִּמְסִלָּתוֹ יֵלֵכוּן; וּבְעַד הַשֶּׁלַח יִפֹּלוּ, לֹא יִבְצָעוּ
“Neither doth one thrust another, they march every one in his
highway; and they break through the weapons, and
suffer no harm”. Joel
2:8.
The Angle: A rational exploration of structural order. Maimonides often emphasized that the laws of nature are the supreme expression of Divine wisdom. You could explore how this verse uses the absolute discipline of a locust swarm or the unyielding orbit of the stars to contrast against the chaotic choices of human free will.
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Theme 2: The Logic of Justice vs. Sacrificial Ritual.
A text-first study on why internal moral rectitude is logically superior to external, physical rituals throughout the Prophets.
עֲשֹׂה, צְדָקָה וּמִשְׁפָּט- נִבְחָר לַיהוָה מִזָּבַח
“To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to יְהוָה - the LORD than sacrifice”. Proverbs 21:3.
The Angle: This perfectly bridges a strict textual analysis with the rationalism of Maimonides (who famously argued in the ‘Guide for the Perplexed’ that sacrifices were a temporary historical concession, whereas justice is eternal). You could look at how the Text structurally places doing above offering across the Ketuvim (Writings).
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Theme 3: The Boundaries of Human Wisdom in Job.
Looking at how the literal text defines the strict limits of
human intellect when trying to understand suffering or the cosmos.
וְהַחָכְמָה,
מֵאַיִן
תִּמָּצֵא;
וְאֵי זֶה,
מְקוֹם
בִּינָה
לֹא-יָדַע אֱנוֹשׁ עֶרְכָּהּ; וְלֹא תִמָּצֵא, בְּאֶרֶץ הַחַיִּים
“But wisdom, where shall it be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living”. Job 28:12-13.
The Angle: A beautiful, humbling topic to write on. Maimonides strongly defended the idea of negative theology, that our human minds are physically limited in fully grasping the Infinite. You could examine how Job uses the physical geography of the earth (mining deep into the dark earth for gold, yet failing to find wisdom) to show that true understanding is not a physical object we can unearth.
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Summing up:
1. Joel 2:8. The Unstoppable, Cosmic Alignment.
In this verse, the “path” is rendered as בִּמְסִלָּתוֹ (his highway). A mesillah
is not a winding, accidental dirt path; it is a
intentionally cast-up, built-up highway.
What it is telling us: Joel is describing an apocalyptic, locust-like army moving with terrifying, supernatural precision. The text emphasizes absolute order: “Neither doth one thrust another, they march every one in his highway.”
The Cosmic Connection: The text describes an earthly or invading force operating with the flawless, unswerving precision of the heavenly bodies. Just as the stars and planets move in their fixed orbits (or “highways” across the sky) without colliding or breaking rank, this force moves under Divine decree. The “path” here represents an absolute, unyielding alignment with a designated course.
2. Proverbs 21:3. The Moral Path as True Worship.
While this verse does not explicitly use the word “highway”,
it directly addresses the concept of a person’s דֶּרֶךְ (‘way’ or ‘life-path’), which is the core
subject of the surrounding verses in Proverbs 21 (such as verse 2, “Every way
of a man is right in his own eyes”).
What it is telling us: “To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to יְהוָה - the LORD than sacrifice.”
The Cosmic Connection: In the scriptural worldview, the physical universe operates on laws established by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, but humans are given a moral path. This verse defines the true coordinates of that path. A person might think they are staying on track by performing physical rituals (sacrifices), but אֱלֹהִים - Elohim evaluates the internal directional heading righteousness (tzedakah) and justice (mishpat). The true “path” aligned with the Heavens is a moral one, not just a ritualistic or physical one.
3. Job 28:12-13. The Hidden Path to Wisdom.
Job 28 is a profound poem about where ultimate wisdom (Chokhmah) comes from. Humans know how to mine the earth for
silver and gold, but Wisdom remains elusive.
What it is telling us: “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.”
The Cosmic Connection: If we look just slightly further down in this exact chapter Job 28:23, the text states:
אֱלֹהִים, הֵבִין דַּרְכָּהּ; וְהוּא, יָדַע אֶת-מְקוֹמָהּ
“אֱלֹהִים - Elohim understandeth the way thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof”.
What these verses are telling us is that the “path” to ultimate Wisdom does not exist on any earthly map or within human capability. It is a heavenly path known only to the Creator. To find the true path of understanding, one must look away from the earthly, material “land of the living” and look upward to the Divine source.
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Synthesizing the Theme:
When we look at the first three texts together on above, a
clear progression emerges for this study:
Joel 2:8 shows us the physical/cosmic path, absolute, orderly, unswerving movement under Divine command.
Proverbs 21:3 anchors this in the human/moral path, living a life of justice is how a human aligns with the order of אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Job 28:12-13 reveals the transcendent path, acknowledging that true wisdom and direction cannot be manufactured by man; its coordinates belong to the Heavens alone!
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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 through a number 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).
“The More Torah,
the More Life”,
For 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 - Tefeelah’s - Prayers and
regular בְּרָכָה - Be’ra’chah’s - blessings before
food and drinks, etc!
שָׁלוֹם
עֲלֵיכֶם - Shalom Aleichem - Peace be with you!
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