{"id":2425,"date":"2013-07-28T11:30:31","date_gmt":"2013-07-28T11:30:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=2425"},"modified":"2013-07-28T11:30:31","modified_gmt":"2013-07-28T11:30:31","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-reeh-if-you-abide-in-me-and-my-words-abide-in-you","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-reeh-if-you-abide-in-me-and-my-words-abide-in-you\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Re’eh, If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you"},"content":{"rendered":"

In weeks reading, from Parashat Re\u2019eh (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17<\/em>), Moshe says \u201cSee, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Moshe says the blessing comes if we \u201clisten and obey.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The curse comes to those who turn aside from the way God has commanded.\u00a0 Moshe states that when the Lord brings you into the land, place the blessing on mount Gerizim and the curse on mount Ebal.\u00a0 These form the southern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated on the north side, and is one of the highest peaks in the West Bank and all of Israel.\u00a0 The blessing and the curse represents those who remain \u201cwithin\u201d<\/em> the Lord\u2019s covenant (\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4<\/span> on Gerizim) and those who remain \u201coutside\u201d<\/em> of the covenant (\u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4<\/span> on Ebal).\u00a0 Those inside the covenant live inside of the Promised Land and enjoy the blessing and protection of God.\u00a0 Those outside have no part in God\u2019s protection and promises.\u00a0 Moshe is contrasting blessing and cursing, and those who remain within or without the covenant of God depends upon whether one listens and obeys.<\/p>\n

\u05db\u05ea\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d5\u05d3\u05e9 \/ The Holy Scriptures<\/span><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d0<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u05db\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4: \u05db\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd: \u05db\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e6\u05b7\u05d5\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b5\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd:\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 11:26-28<\/em><\/strong>
\n11:26 \u2018See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: 11:27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, which I am commanding you today; 11:28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of the Lord your God, but turn aside from the way which I am commanding you today, by following other gods which you have not known. (NASB)<\/em><\/p>\n

In this week\u2019s reading, Moshe speaks of a blessing and a curse that depends upon whether one listens or does not listen to the mitzvot (commands) of Lord our God.\u00a0 The example that Moshe provides is that the blessing belongs to those who are in a covenant relationship with the Lord.\u00a0 Consequentially, those who are cursed are those who are outside of a covenant relationship with the Lord.\u00a0 While reading Tehillim \/ Psalms 23<\/em>, David makes a similar contrast on the covenant of God in Psalm in 23:4<\/em>.\u00a0 David says \u05d3\u00a0 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05de\u05bb\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9:<\/span> 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (NASB)<\/em>\u00a0 According to David, the rod and staff they comfort him.\u00a0 How does the rod and staff of God provide comfort?\u00a0 Taking a closer look at the Psalm, we learn that David uses these two Hebrew Words, \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span>.\u00a0 The word \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8<\/span> from the root \u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span> means (noun) \u201crod, stick, or tribe, clan,\u201d<\/em> and the word \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span> from the root \u05e9\u05e2\u05df<\/span> means (verb) \u201cto lean\u201d<\/em> and (noun) \u201cto support, rest, prop; assistance, welfare.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Researching the biblical usage of these words, it is interesting according to the Torah, when Moshe refers to a \u201cstaff, rod, branch\u201d he uses the word \u05de\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4<\/span>, whereas when he refers to \u201ctribe\u201d<\/em> he uses the word\u00a0 \u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span>.\u00a0 What is David trying to say here in Tehillim \/ Psalms 23:4<\/em> using the words \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span>?\u00a0 Thinking on the meaning of a shepherds staff throughout the Scriptures, we think of protection against our enemies, to discipline, to guide, and to rescue.\u00a0 In addition to this, a royal scepter is also known as a rod and a rod is frequently mentioned as a weapon.\u00a0 The staff or rod was also symbolic of authority, as for example the scepter that stands between the king\u2019s feet.\u00a0 Was this the imagery that David is trying to portray using the words \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span>?\u00a0 David begins this verse saying \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e6\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d5\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9<\/span> \u201cEven though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me.\u201d<\/em> David is confident the Lord is with him because of the covenant relationship that he has with the Lord.\u00a0 This may be the reason David uses the word \u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span> which also has the meaning \u201ctribe or clan.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 A person who is living among the tribes of Israel are living in the covenant blessing as is described in this week\u2019s reading.\u00a0 This applies whether one is native born or a ger (stranger) who lives in the midst of Israel.\u00a0 In addition to this, paying particular attention to the NASB translation, the translators translated \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8<\/span> as \u201cYour rod and Your staff;\u201d<\/em> the words are not so much expressive of the \u201crod and staff\u201d<\/em> imagery as much as it is expressing emphasis upon the Covenant of God with His people (the tribes of Israel), and the one upon whom we are to lean, an implied reference that we are to lean upon the Lord God Almighty.\u00a0 Remaining in the covenant relationship with the Lord, we are comforted in His presence.\u00a0 This leads to our understanding that He cares for us, protects us, and guides us in His holy word.\u00a0 He is Lord and King over the community, over relationships, over individual lives, and essentially all of who we are.\u00a0 It is interesting to read, based on this understanding, how the rabbis interpret this verse in the Psalms.\u00a0 The Aramaic Targum states \u05d3\u00a0 \u05d1\u05e8\u05dd \u05dc\u05d7\u05d5\u05d3\u00a0 \u05db\u05d3 \u05d0\u05d6\u05dc \u05d1\u05d2\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea\u05d0 \u05d1\u05de\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d8\u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d3\u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05d0 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d3\u05d7\u05dc \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05e9\u05ea\u05d0 \u05de\u05d8\u05d5\u05dc \u05d3\u05de\u05d9\u05de\u05e8\u05da \u05d1\u05e1\u05e2\u05d3\u05d9 \u05ea\u05d9\u05d2\u05d3\u05d0\u05da \u05ea\u05e8\u05d9\u05e6\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05ea\u05da \u05d4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05df \u05d9\u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05e0\u05d9\u05c3<\/span> 23:4 Indeed, when I go into exile by the plain of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for your word is my help, your straight staff and your Torah, they will comfort me. (EMC)<\/em>\u00a0 The rabbis translate \u201cyour straight staff and your Torah, they will comfort me.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 They have come to the conclusion that David is in fact speaking within a covenant context and that he does not fear and the Lord will guide him according to His word.\u00a0 The important point of studying these Scriptures is seeing the dual usage of the word Shevat (\u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span>) as both a staff (scepter) and tribe (see Bereshit \/ Genesis 49:10<\/em>).\u00a0 A Shevat (\u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span>) is a descendant of a person and matteh (\u05de\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4<\/span>) is a \u201cstaff, rod, branch.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 There is a deep spiritual meaning here that David is bringing out in his Psalm and similarly in the Torah portion this week.\u00a0 In David\u2019s Psalm we see the dual usage of the word Shevat (\u05e9\u05d1\u05d8<\/span>) as a reference to God\u2019s protection that is found within the covenant relationship.\u00a0 The staff, rod, scepter, and tribe are all interconnected.\u00a0 In a similar manner, Moshe\u2019s plea to the children of Israel in Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 11:26-28<\/em> saying the blessing comes if they \u201clisten and obey,\u201d<\/em> reveals to us that listening and obeying is an important factor of remaining in a covenant relationship with the Lord.\u00a0 We are saved in Christ, now are we remaining \u201cin Christ\u201d<\/em> by listening and obeying? (John 15:7<\/em>)\u00a0 What does it mean to abide in Christ?\u00a0BTT_Parashat Re\u2019eh-2013<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In weeks reading, from Parashat Re\u2019eh (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17), Moshe says \u201cSee, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.\u201d\u00a0 Moshe says the blessing comes if we \u201clisten and obey.\u201d\u00a0 The curse comes to those who turn aside from the way God has commanded.\u00a0 Moshe states that when the Lord brings […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2425","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2425","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2425"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2425\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2425"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2425"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2425"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}