What-is-Faith
-hebraicstudies.net-
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”.
YYYYYYY
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).
YYYYYYY
With Rabbi, Dr. Reuven Ben Avraham-Goossens, PhD.
The question really is: “What is faith for Us?”
Reflections on Emunah:
Action and Loyalty: Emunah (אֱמוּנָה) means faithfulness, steadfastness, or firm trust, going beyond passive belief to mean an active, reliable way of living. However, “Emunah” shares its root with ‘amen’ (אָמֵן) (certainty/so be it) and ‘omnan’ (craftsman). It is an active posture building trust day by day through ‘action’, ‘observance’, and ‘moral integrity’.
Perseverance over Dogma: As Habakkuk highlights, living by faith means maintaining ‘hope’, ‘justice’, and ‘alignment with אֱלֹהִים - Elohim even when external circumstances or history seem dark and unpromising.
Reciprocal Trust: Faith is a two-way street in the Tanakh. Human ‘emunah’ mirrors אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s eternal ‘emunah’ our steadfastness in keeping the covenant reflects אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s unwavering faithfulness to creation.
Key dimensions of “Emunah” includes:
Divine Faithfulness: As highlighted in Lamentations 3:23 (“They are new every morning; great is Thy faithfulness”), Emunah describes אֱלֹהִים - Elohim’s constant, ‘dependable devotion’ and ‘mercy’, which renews each day, even amid suffering.
Human Action & Trust: From a human perspective, “Emunah” is not merely an intellectual concept, but a lived experience of endurance, trust, and fidelity through life’s hardships.
The Root Connection: The shared root A-M-N (Aman) reflects ‘firmness’, ‘certainty’, and ‘truth’, serving as an affirmation that something is valid, enduring, and worthy of complete trust.
YYYYYYY
Please Note: All verses are from the JPS-1917 version of the Tanakh.
Faith as a Trustful Relationship:
“And he believed in יְהוָה - the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness”. Genesis 15:6.
Faith as Steadfastness and Perseverance:
“Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall live by his faith”. Habakkuk 2:4.
Faith as Moral and Covenantal Fidelity:
“Know therefore that יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - the LORD thy Eloheicha, He is אֱלֹהִים - Elohim; the faithful אֱלֹהִים - Elohim, who keepeth Covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His Commandments to a thousand generations”. Deuteronomy 7:9.
Faith Renewed in Times of Reflection:
“They are new every morning; great is Thy
faithfulness”. Lamentations 3:23.
YYYYYYY
Thus the Question was - “What is faith for Us?”
Below are 15 Options’:
1. Faith is a choice.
2. Faith is a step of obedience.
3. Faith is a spiritual exercise.
4. Faith is taking אֱלֹהִים - Elohim at His Word.
5. Faith is saying yes to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
6. Faith is looking to אֱלֹהִים - Elohim for everything.
7. Faith is knowing we are never without hope.
8. Faith is what lifts us out of our circumstances.
9. Faith is not holding anything back from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim.
10. Faith is being obedient, even if at times we do not feel like it.
11. Faith is a gift from אֱלֹהִים - Elohim as we read His blessed Word!
12. Faith is knowing that everything will work out.
13. Faith is a way out of our limitations.
14. Faith is having hope in Him.
15. Faith is the road to peace.
YYYYYYY
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...
“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 ...