I think the writer of the Gospel of Matthew wrote a delightful midrash in his account of Yeshua’s birth. The writer cleverly weaves several verses of Scripture together in one quotation and gives us a rich meditation on the Mission and calling of Yeshua to usher in the Kingdom of Heaven. First a little story … Continue reading They Will Call His Name Immanuel

This Mishnah teaches that natiylat-yadayim (ritual hand-washing) and table fellowship are of great importance. This post will discuss how tzedakah (charitable disposition in deeds) is essential for table fellowship. Mishnah Yadayim 2:4 states: “Concerning the case for “the uncertain ritual purity status of hands at table fellowship”, do they transmit uncleanness (tamei’, or unclean) or … Continue reading Mishnah Yadayim 2.4: Table Fellowship And Yeshua’s Doctrine.

Having discussed נשמה, neshamah in part 1, now I will move to the other two Hebrew words for “soul”: נפש, nefesh and רוח, ruach. In the Mussar book, “The Ways of the Righteous”, the nefesh and ruach are likened as two masters of our soul. These two, however, are subordinate to the neshamah. This can … Continue reading 3 Hebrew Words For A Human Soul: Neshamah, Nefesh, Ruach. Part 2: Nefesh and Ruach.

The essential nature of every human is that we are an incarnate soul. The soul is a profound aspect of the human condition. Even in Hebrew, one word was not sufficient to describe all the attributes of the human soul. Three words for soul are used in Hebrew: נשמה, נפש, רוח. In this post, I … Continue reading 3 Hebrew Words for A Human “Soul”: Neshamah, Nefesh and Ruach. Part 1, Neshamah.

The Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad (hereafter, TKGB) were created by HaShem for human free-will. Eating from the TKGB did not tarnish Mankind with absolute immoral depravity. The TKGB was a tragic choice, but it is morally pure for mankind. Once chosen, mankind began a journey to … Continue reading Becoming Like HaShem: The Tree Of The Knowledge Of Good And Bad. Genesis 3:1-8.