The Oasis of Elim
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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 THE 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).
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With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben
Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
“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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Please Note: All
verses are from the “Jewish Publication Society” (JPS-1917
version).
Around this time of year
(Jan/Feb), according to the Book of Shemot - Exodus and in the center
of Parashat “Beshallah” we fine a very interesting discovery, which is
worthy of its own study:
“And they came to Elim, where were twelve springs of water, and three score and ten palm-trees; and they encamped there by the waters” Shemot - Exodus 15:27.
We have just read
that B’nei Yisrael - בְּנֵי
יִשְׂרָאֵל - the “Children of
Israel” arrived at an Oasis called ‘Elim’.
After their
journey past ‘Marah’, the place of bitter waters, we can only imagine that
this place which had 12 springs and 70 Palm Trees would have come as a welcome
relief. Perhaps they rested here fr
a time, and recovered from their journey, and were they were able to have some
time recalling what had occurred since that big day, back in Egypt and that
memorable day of Pesach!
If we really start
thinking about the place named ‘Elim’, one might well think that that this
place was somehow pre planned by אֱלֹהִים - Elohim (God), blessed
be He, arranged this location, as t was a place tat offered suficient
comfort for the tired and thirsty Hebrews. I will explain this shortly!
Originally, there was only enough water to support the palm trees, but when the
people arrived, the springs gushed forth with sufficient water for everyone,
and remember it was a massive number of people!
Interestingly the
word “elimah” or “toward Elim”, if the
letters are rearranged, it becomes אֱלֹהִים - “Elohim” and it
somehow explains that B’nei Yisrael would be able to reach a new
spiritual level in that very place for אֱלֹהִים - Elohim had arranged it! Somehow I have always attempted to imagine
what ‘Elim’ might have been like at that time? The word itself
means ‘terebinths’, which means a type of tree native to the region better
known as a ‘Pistachio tree’. Taken all together, it somehow implies that this
mysterious grove touched the ‘transcendent’.
The fact is that
the number of trees and springs are absolutely significant in the
detail here. Just think about it, I am sure that the 12 springs echoed
the 12 Tribes of Yisrael, and the 70 Palm trees stood for the 70 Elders of
Israel, or the Tribes who are all directly alluded to in the Torah.
The verse
immediately prior to the story of ‘Elim’ states:
“… for I am יְהוָה - the LORD
that healeth thee” Shemot - Exodus
15:26.
Using the
interpretive principle of we might infer that ‘Elim’ was a place of healing.
And we know that being around water and trees can certainly have a positive
effect on people who travel in the wilderness. I have heard it said that the
journey from ‘Marah’ to ‘Elim’ could actually hint at the name of
‘Miriam’, which means of course “bitter sea.” Likewise, it is known that the
word t’marim, dale palms, becomes Miriam if we
remove the first letter. We might well imagine Miriam singing her songs and
dancing her dances not only once by the Sea of Reeds, but many nights
under the trees at ‘Elim’, while the people bathed their feet in the cool
springs. ‘Elim’ had certainly been a place of replenishment and wonder?
The Question is;
how do we go about creating the wondrous respite of ‘Elim’ today? A place
to breathe, delight in the community, and find the peace that allows us to
persevere, especially in the recent difficult times? We already have
blessed Shabbat and our wonderful Yom Tovim and daily prayer’s etc.
Yet our lives can still be so often rushed and overworked that we often have so
little time for meaningful relationships, and have little to no time to have
some time in nature to relax and appreciate what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim has
given us! And with our interactions limited for so long by the pandemic, I
wonder: Have we had time to study more Torah and share what we learned with
others?
We all need a
little more ‘Elim’ in our lives and take some time to breathe, rest and delight
in our wonderful Hebrew community, and find the peace that allows us to
persevere in our faith and keep up our prayers, uphold the lighting of the
Shabbat Candles enjoy the Kiddush with the Mishpacha (family).
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In Conclusion, a
Question to Deepen the Conversation:
Which part of the Tanakh study, or possibly a particular line or
statement within it has touched you the most? 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 as many of our
blessed Mitzvoth’s?
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 some way, just ask, I can
email you special items to help you with whatever you may need, etc! Just email
me (using the link further below) and I will send it to your email, without any
follow up whatsoever, or any requests from me! The email is just down this
page.
This site was originally 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 of possible three times a day and always seek אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s guidance! But as you may have discovered it has
become very much a teaching site!
Remember what אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, blessed be He, said the following, via 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. MEC).
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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