The-Lamed-Bet-Story

 

 

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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 (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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The Lamed Bet Story

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

We all know that there has never been a prophet the like of Moshe Rabeinu, whom יְהוָה - the LORD knew so well. It was evident by the signs and the wonders that יְהוָה - the LORD had sent him to perform in the Land of Egypt to Pharaoh and to all his servants, etc. And by all the strong hand and by all the great power that Moshe performed before the eyes of all Israel.

Let us read Devarim - Deuteronomy 34:10-12. (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

We can read it first in Hebrew, followed by the English Translation:

וְלֹא-קָם נָבִיא עוֹד בְּיִשְׂרָאֵל, כְּמֹשֶׁה, אֲשֶׁר יְדָעוֹ יְהוָה, פָּנִים אֶל-פָּנִים

לְכָל-הָאֹתֹת וְהַמּוֹפְתִים, אֲשֶׁר שְׁלָחוֹ יְהוָה, לַעֲשׂוֹת, בְּאֶרֶץ מִצְרָיִם-לְפַרְעֹה וּלְכָל-עֲבָדָיו, וּלְכָל-אַרְצוֹ

וּלְכֹל הַיָּד הַחֲזָקָה, וּלְכֹל הַמּוֹרָא הַגָּדוֹל, אֲשֶׁר עָשָׂה מֹשֶׁה, לְעֵינֵי כָּל-יִשְׂרָאֵל

“10. And there hath not arisen a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom יְהוָה - the LORD knew face to face; 11. in all the signs and the wonders, which יְהוָה - the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 12. and in all the mighty hand, and in all the great terror, which Moses wrought in the sight of all Israel”. Devarim - Deuteronomy 34:10-12. (JPS-1917 version of the Torah).

With these words, which describe the supremacy of Moshe’s prophecy, we complete וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - V’zot HaBracha and our annual Torah reading cycle. Whilst celebrating this milestone on ‘Simchat Torah’, and we do not wait for the next Shabbat to recommence with the book of Bereshit - Genesis, but immediately return to the very beginning of our beloved Torah:

Next we read Bereshit - Genesis 1:1. (JPS-1917).

בְּרֵאשִׁית, בָּרָא אֱלֹהִים, אֵת הַשָּׁמַיִם, וְאֵת הָאָרֶץ

“In the beginning, אֱלֹהִים - Elohim created heaven and earth” (Bereshit - Genesis 1:1).

This immediate recommencement of the cycle comes to highlight the continuity of Torah, our love of Torah, and that however many times we may have completed the Torah, there is still more to learn.

Numerous explanations are given for the fact that the Torah begins with the letter “ב - bet” (of “בְּרֵאשִׁית - Bereishit”) and finishes with the letter “ל - lamed”.

Amazingly, bet and lamed are the two letters that represent the unity of יְהוָה - the LORD’s Name and come to teach us that everything begins and ends with יְהוָה - the LORD.

Other commentators point out that the letters ‘lamed’ and ‘bet’ spell out the word “lev” (heart) with the heart being the link between the completion of the Torah and its recommencement and the heart performs this linking role in various ways.

First of all, our Torah studies cannot be a purely ‘academic’ or an ‘intellectual exercise’. To ensure the continuity of Torah and to ensure the recommencement of our Torah reading year after year, we must be emotionally connected to our beloved Torah.

Second, the continuity of the Torah goes ‘hand in hand’ with the ‘love of our fellow man’. Torah study which is not accompanied by pleasant character traits and concern for others is flawed. Reading the Torah without a heart is not ‘Torah’. The love of our fellow man is not only essential to truly receiving Torah, but is particularly vital in passing it on as well.

Third, our devotion and commitment to Torah should be as constant as the beating of the heart. Whilst an emotional connection to the Torah is essential, emotion can be fickle and must be accompanied by commitment.

As we renew our Torah reading cycle, we should renew our passion and love for Torah, both our commitment to the Torah and our love for אֱלֹהִים יְהוָה - the LORD Elohim, בָּרוּךְ שֵׁם קָדוֹשׁוֹ - ‘Baruch Shem Kadosho’ - ‘Blessed be His Holy Name!’

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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).

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“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- יְהוָהthe 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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