Returning-to-our-Faith
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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, 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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“Returning
to our Faith”
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
There is no doubt that Judaism has
sadly gone astray in certain parts, all due to certain Kabbalistic
so-called sages interference altering our faith, from what we had originally!
And yes we need to return unto our beloved יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵינוּ - the
LORD our Eloheinu and the faith which He has originally given us!
Let us look at Ezekiel Chapter 11,
verses 19 & 20. (JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh).
First in Hebrew, followed by the English translation:
וְנָתַתִּי
לָהֶם לֵב
אֶחָד,
וְרוּחַ
חֲדָשָׁה
אֶתֵּן
בְּקִרְבְּכֶם;
וַהֲסִרֹתִי
לֵב הָאֶבֶן,
מִבְּשָׂרָם,
וְנָתַתִּי
לָהֶם, לֵב
בָּשָׂר
לְמַעַן
בְּחֻקֹּתַי
יֵלֵכוּ, וְאֶת-מִשְׁפָּטַי
יִשְׁמְרוּ
וְעָשׂוּ
אֹתָם; וְהָיוּ-לִי
לְעָם-וַאֲנִי,
אֶהְיֶה
לָהֶם לֵאלֹהִים
19. “And I will give
them (Israel) one heart, and I will put a new spirit within you; and
I will remove the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of
flesh; 20 that they may walk in My statutes, and keep Mine
ordinances, and do them; and they shall be My people, and I will be their אֱלֹהִים - Elohim”.
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These two verses promise an inward,
communal renewal: אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will replace
Context and plain meaning:
Ezekiel 11:19-20 comes at the close
of a vision condemning Jerusalem’s leaders and describing אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s departure from the temple; the
promise that follows is a reversal of judgment, a Divine act of internal
regeneration so the people can walk in אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s statutes. The language, “one heart”,
“a new spirit”, removal of a “heart of stone”, stresses that true obedience
must begin in the ‘inner life’, not merely in ‘outward observance’.
It’s significance:
It is ‘Inner transformation’, not
mere ‘reform’. The promise is that אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will give the new heart and
spirit; the change is initiated and effected by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim rather than by human effort alone.
This promise is echoed in Ezekiel 36:26-27. The emphasis is on ‘moral capacity’
‘tenderness’, ‘responsiveness’, and ‘the ability to keep the Mitzvoth -
Commandments’.
This time we will read Ezekiel
chapter 36, verses 26 & 27. (JPS-1917 version of the
Tanakh).
וְנָתַתִּי
לָכֶם לֵב
חָדָשׁ,
וְרוּחַ חֲדָשָׁה
אֶתֵּן
בְּקִרְבְּכֶם;
וַהֲסִרֹתִי
אֶת-לֵב
הָאֶבֶן,
מִבְּשַׂרְכֶם,
וְנָתַתִּי
לָכֶם, לֵב
בָּשָׂר
וְאֶת-רוּחִי,
אֶתֵּן
בְּקִרְבְּכֶם;
וְעָשִׂיתִי,
אֵת
אֲשֶׁר-בְּחֻקַּי
תֵּלֵכוּ, וּמִשְׁפָּטַי
תִּשְׁמְרוּ,
וַעֲשִׂיתֶם
26. “A new heart also will I give you, and
a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of
your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27. And I will
put My spirit within you, and cause you to
walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep Mine ordinances, and do them”.
Communal unity: “One heart” implies corporate
cohesion and shared purpose; restoration is not only ‘individual’ but
‘communal’, enabling
Covenantal reciprocity: Chapter 11, verse 20’s is close
“they shall be my people, and I will be their אֱלֹהִים - Elohim”, frames the transformation as
covenantal: ‘renewed identity’ and ‘relationship’ follow ‘the inner change’.
Historical and prophetic horizon:
Historically, Ezekiel addresses
exiles who had witnessed
Scriptural and ethical application:
Spiritual formation: The passage invites leaders and
communities to prioritize heart work, repentance,
teaching that forms affections, and practices that cultivate responsiveness
to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
Important point: obedience that pleases אֱלֹהִים - Elohim flows from a transformed ‘will’
and ‘affections’, ‘not coercion’.
Hope for the hardened: The “heart of stone” image
offers ‘comfort’, ‘hardness is not final’; Divine grace can soften and restore.
Important point: this is a promise of agency, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim acts to enable what people
cannot accomplish alone.
My Closing Reflection:
Ezekiel 11:19 & 20 holds together
‘judgment’ and ‘mercy’: after exposing corruption, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim promises a radical inward cure
so that the people may truly live as אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s people. It is at once a call to
humility (we need אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s work within us) and a confident
hope (אֱלֹהִים - Elohim will do it!).
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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...
“Hebraic Studies” motto is as follows;
“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!
Enter ...