What is Torah? Does it still apply to our lives? Can we come to know the mystery and wisdom that is contained in these books? If you have wanted to know answers, listen to the many experienced teachers on Hebrew Nation who will help guide you in coming to know the Creator of the Universe.
Latest Podcasts in Understanding Torah
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 45
In the face of 2,000 years of twisted teaching, Rabbi Steve Berkson asserts that the apostle Paul was not teaching that the Torah had been “done away with.” Rabbi Berkson proposes that the word “law” must be clarified so that we can achieve a better understanding of...
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah 110 (The Moment the World Turned Backward)
This week we’ll cover the Torah portion Kedoshim, or “Holies” and we’ll tease apart some profound details in the account of the woman caught in adultery.
Leviticus 19:1-20:27
Amos 9:7-9:15
Psalm 15
John 8:2-11
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Le 19:18)
Kedoshim, the “holies,” is nestled in the very heart of the Torah. This commandment stitches itself to heaven and earth. Heaven and earth are two witnesses.
If we love Adonai, then we will love His people. Loving His people on earth pleases Him above, for He is “glorified through his people.” Heaven should be glorified on and through the earth.
“Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever, the branch of My planting, the work of My hands, that I may be glorified. (Is 60:21)
“Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” (Jn 14:13)
“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Le 19:18)
In the explanation of the holy commandment to love one’s neighbor, the Torah student is told it’s the most obvious thing:
“This is a great principle in the Torah. Many commandments in the Torah depend on it: Thus, a person who loves another as himself will not steal from him, will not commit adultery with his wife, will not cheat him of goods or oppress him with words, will not move his boundary and will not harm him in any way. So are many other religious duties bound up with it; the matter is evident to every understanding person.” (Sefer HaChinnukh #243)
Yeshua wasn’t kidding. All the commandments really do hang on two!
“…Whoever derives honor through the disgrace of his fellow-man, has no share in the world-to-come. On the other hand, when a man behaves toward his fellow in a way of love and peace, and friendship, seeking his advantage and rejoicing in his good fortune, Scripture refers to him in the verse, ‘Israel, in whom I will be glorified.’ (Is 49:3)” (Sefer HaChinnukh §243)
In the Gospel of John, Yeshua elaborates on how the holy commandment will work on earth to glorify Heaven:
“A new [chadasha-refreshed] commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:34-35)
The KJV translates Strong’s H2318 in the following manner: renew (7x), repair (3x).
Outline of Biblical Usage:
to be new, renew, repair
to renew, make anew
to repair
(Hithpael) to renew oneself
Strong’s Definitions ?????? châdash, to be new; causatively, to rebuild:—renew, repair.
The KJV translates Strong’s H2319 in the following manner:
new (48x), new thing (4x), fresh (1x).
Outline of Biblical Usage: new, new thing, fresh
?????? châdâsh; from H2318; new:—fresh, new thing.
Yeshua wasn’t teaching a brand-new commandment; he was teaching how to refresh and repair the commandment they already had by explaining its function. By loving one another, the greatest commandment, to love Adonai with all one’s heart, soul, and strength, would be fulfilled in such a way that the whole world could see it!
Loving one’s neighbor as one’s self is impossible if the Torah is not written on the tablets of the heart. If we love our neighbor, we will not disgrace him or her. It is a commandment that has a “refresh” button! Each day, we must remind ourselves to hit “refresh and repair” on our hearts where Adonai has written love.
This explanation is found in context. A person who embarrasses another believer is behaving disgracefully toward ADONAI!
A person who behaves peacefully with other believers and honors them glorifies ADONAI, not the person. It honors the Father through the person. It also sets apart in holiness the one who honors others as a disciple of Yeshua in the eyes of all men. This is ONE HEART.
“You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Co 3:2-3)
“Love your neighbor as yourself” is embedded in Leviticus among many statutes of holiness. If you love your neighbor, and you are holy, you will not perform those transgressions. If you love Adonai, you will not perform those transgressions; therefore, all the holy Torah hangs on those two.
“Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.” (Ga 3:19)
Yeshua is the Promised Seed. In him, we have, are, and will be made perfect in love. A day is coming…if we will continually and faithfully “refresh” with the Father’s mercy and His Ruach…when Yeshua will need only two tablets of our hearts to hold 613 commandments. We will be the perfect testimony and witness of Heaven through the earth.
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Isaiah chapter 34
This week the Torah teachers continue the study of the Book of the prophet Isaiah with chapter 34.
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 44
Who are you allowing to have authority in your spiritual life, your faith? Is it possible to have more than one authority as it pertains to your halacha, your walk? What does it mean to be “unequally yoked”? What is the “twisted truth”? Many of you no longer believe...
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah 109 (Days of Elijah: Three Warnings Pt 2)
The Last Three Warnings
and
Shabbat HaGadol
The Days of Elijah begin with Passover. Join us as we explore the role of Shabbat, especially Shabbat HaGadol, and the three foot festivals as a warning for Bride to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. Together we’ll unpack the language of zealous striking in the feasts. This Pt 2.
Mark Call – Parsha “Acharei Mot into Kedoshim teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha "Acharei Mot" (Leviticus chapters 16 through 18) is the regular reading for this week, following the Feast of Unleavened Bread. But we did take a look at that week, Mark decided to look at some of the 'common elements,' including statutes and ordinances that...
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Isaiah chapter 33
The Torah teachers continue the study of the Book of the prophet Isaiah into chapter 33, which includes what may be THE fundamental basis for the structure of the form of government we were SUPPOSED to have: The separation of powers. It's right there in Isaiah 33:22,...
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 43
Continuing with Paul’s Corinthian congregation, in his second letter he reaffirms his leadership and authority under Messiah (2 Cor 3:1). Consider that the congregates were primarily Jewish under a system that built fences around the Torah and who knew the Torah from...
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah 108 (Days of Elijah: Three Warnings Pt 1)
The Last Three Warnings
and
Shabbat HaGadol
The Days of Elijah begin with Passover. Join us as we explore the role of Shabbat, especially Shabbat HaGadol, and the three foot festivals as a warning for Bride to prepare for the coming of the Bridegroom. Together we’ll unpack the language of zealous striking in the feasts.
Mark Call – Parsha “Acharei Mot – ULB” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha "Acharei Mot" (Leviticus chapters 16 through 18) is typically read in the timeframe of the Passover, and the week of the 'Feast of Unleavened Bread,' or Chag HaMaMatzot, but seems to have more to do with a major element of the Fall Feasts - the Day of...
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Isaiah chapter 32
The Torah teachers continue the study of the Book of the prophet Isaiah into chapter 32, and some parallels that look back at Isaiah chapter 3, and also look familiar on TV today.
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 42
Is the wearing of a headscarf (or kippah for males) what is being discussed in 1 Corinthians chapter 11? Why does Paul talk about headship or authority structure in 1 Corinthians chapter 11? What does it have to do with drinking of the cup and eating the bread? How...
