{"id":5232,"date":"2015-11-15T12:49:54","date_gmt":"2015-11-15T12:49:54","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=5232"},"modified":"2015-11-20T02:50:59","modified_gmt":"2015-11-20T02:50:59","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-vayetze-the-manner-in-which-gods-word-affects-a-faithful-heart","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-vayetze-the-manner-in-which-gods-word-affects-a-faithful-heart\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Vayetze, The Manner in which God\u2019s Word affects a Faithful Heart"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nr4ExwLZ1UE&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>In this week\u2019s reading from Parashat Vayetze (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Genesis 28:10-32:2<\/span><\/em>) Jacob flees, on the advice of his mother, from his brother Esau. There is a lot that occurs in this week\u2019s Torah portion, we read that while traveling, Jacob lays down and falls asleep and the Lord speaks to him in a dream (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05b9\u05dd) about the covenant He made with his fathers (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:10-19<\/span><\/em>), and the Lord promises to be with him too. Jacob travels to Haran and meets Laban his mother\u2019s brother (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">29:9-14<\/span><\/em>) and marries Rachel and Leah and the entire nation of Israel is born, all except Benjamin the youngest son. On arriving in Haran, he falls in love and makes a deal with Laban to work seven years for Rachel to be his wife (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">29:18-21<\/span><\/em>). Laban tricks Jacob and gives the older daughter Leah instead and so he works another seven years for Rachel (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">29:22-28<\/span><\/em>). The twelve tribes of Israel are born to Leah, Rachel, Zilpah, and Bilhah, (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">29:31-30:27<\/span><\/em>). Jacob and Laban agree on wages (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">30:28-43<\/span><\/em>) for the work that Jacob is performing, and the Lord greatly prospers Jacob and his flocks. As a result, Laban and his sons are upset that Jacob has become so wealthy in cattle (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">31:1-3<\/span><\/em>). The Lord speaks to Jacob that it is time for him to return to the land of Canaan, to take his family, and all he owns, back to the land of Canaan (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">31:4-21<\/span><\/em>). The Torah portion concludes with Jacob making a covenant with Laban to do no harm to one another (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">31:22-32:2<\/span><\/em>).<\/p>\n<p>In the opening verses of this week\u2019s portion, the Lord speaks by a dream and Jacob has a vision of angels ascending and descending upon a ladder. We are told that the Lord God stood over top of the ladder, and then he stood next to the ladder and spoke to Jacob. This is the first time the Lord God has revealed Himself to Jacob according to the Torah. Previously, the Lord has been revealed through his father, and family speaking of the goodness of God and how he has worked in their lives. (<em>Note the importance of our sharing our faith with family and friends.<\/em>) As the Lord reveals Himself to Jacob, He reiterates the covenant that He made with his fathers Abraham and Isaac, and this affects Jacob in a powerful way. He renames the place, \u201cBeit-El\u201d (\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc, Bethel, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cHouse of God\u201d<\/span><\/em>) and recognizes the meaning of these words and so he faithfully promises to return a tenth of the wealth God will give him.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d7<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d9\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05dd \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e6\u05b9\u05e7 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05de\u05b6\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e8\u05b9\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc: \u05d9\u05d8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05dd-\u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4: \u05db \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05e0\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05df-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b6\u05d7\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05d3 \u05dc\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1: \u05db\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd: \u05db\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d1\u05b6\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05e9\u05b7\u05b9\u05de\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e2\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:11-13<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 28:18 So Jacob rose early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put under his head and set it up as a pillar and poured oil on its top. 28:19 He called the name of that place Bethel; however, previously the name of the city had been Luz. 28:20 Then Jacob made a vow, saying, \u2018If God will be with me and will keep me on this journey that I take, and will give me food to eat and garments to wear, 28:21 and I return to my father\u2019s house in safety, then the Lord will be my God. 28:22 \u2018This stone, which I have set up as a pillar, will be God\u2019s house, and of all that You give me I will surely give a tenth to You.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Jacob rose early recognizing the significance of the dream. The Lord had revealed His presence in this place and made a promise. As a result, Jacob set up a metzevah (\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4, pillar) and anointed the pillar with oil. Jacob then makes a covenant with God using this pillar as a sign that if the Lord brings him back to this place, and provides for the necessities of life, he says \u201cthen the Lord will be my God.\u201d He goes on to say that as he has set up this pillar (\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4), he will give a tenth of all the Lord gives to him. What is interesting about what Jacob is doing is found in the use of the Hebrew word metzevah (\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4). The word metzevah (\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4) is used elsewhere in the Tanach as a reference to setting up an <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cimage,\u201d<\/span><\/em> as in the case of Israel\u2019s sin of setting up an image to worship. In the Tanach we read the following according to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hosea 3:4<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hosea 3:4<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 4:4 For the children of Israel shall abide many days without a king, and without a prince, and without a sacrifice, and without an image, and without an ephod, and without teraphim<\/span><\/em> (\u05d3 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05c0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b5\u05bd\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b6\u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d6\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d0\u05b5\u05e4\u05b9\u05d5\u05d3 \u05d5\u05bc\u05ea\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e4\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Here we are told that a day is coming when Israel will abide without a king, prince, sacrifice, image, ephod, and teraphim. The word Teraphim is explained in the rabbinic literature as a reference to disgraceful things, and in many English translations of the Bible it is translated as idols, or household gods. The Lord is telling Israel through the prophet Hosea that there will come a day when they will not have anything, including their detestable things, their idols and images of worship.<\/p>\n<p>Jacob is not necessarily setting up the metzevah (\u05de\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4) as an idol image. He is setting the pillar up as a marker or point of reference for return to the place the Lord revealed Himself. In his own way he is making a covenant with the Lord God in heaven, but he does not make the covenant in blood, he does so with stone and with oil. Here Jacob makes a covenant with God asking him to be with him, to make him safe, and to provide him with the necessities of life on his journey in a different land. In the covenant that Jacob makes, his statements appear to be almost a test of whether the Lord will be His God that is based upon whether the Lord will provide him with the necessities of life. In a sense, Jacob is asking the Lord to redeem him, he is being exiled and he looks forward to the day when the Lord will bring him back.<\/p>\n<p>The way in which Jacob speaks his covenant with God (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cif the Lord God will be with me and give me the necessities of life, then returning to this place having been given the necessities of life the Lord will be my God.\u201d<\/span><\/em>), there appears to be an interesting parallel in the midrash on <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 80, Part 2<\/span><\/em> the rabbis state, \u05de\u05d4 \u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u201cAs a year of redemption brings with it the necessities of life, so a year that brings the necessities of life brings redemption with it.\u201d The rabbis use an Epanodos in their description of to listen, to give ear. (<em>Epanodos &#8211; a figure of speech where earlier words are repeated in the reverse order.<\/em>) The rabbis make a statement and then reverse the word order for the purpose of emphasizing the play on the meaning of the words and their interaction with one another. The homiletic introduction states that the year of redemption (\u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4) brings the necessities of life (livelihood, \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4) and then reverses the order, the year of necessities (\u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4) brings redemption (\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4). The question is how does the year of redemption bring the necessity of life, and how does the year of the necessity of life bring redemption? Is this the concept that Jacob had when making the covenant and request for the Lord to provide the necessities of life and to bring him back (redeem) into the Land?<\/p>\n<p>We might be able to gain some insights into this reading from the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6-7<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Greater is Torah than priesthood and kingship, for monarchy is obtained with thirty levels, and priesthood with twenty-four, and Torah is obtained with forty-eight things. And they are these: learning, listening of the ear, preparation of speech, understanding of the heart, reverence, awe, humility, happiness, purity, service of Sages, care in [selection of] friends, debate of the students, clarification, reading, learning, minimal commodities, minimal worldly occupation, minimal pleasure, minimal sleep, minimal conversation, minimal laughter, patience, generosity, trust in Sages, acceptance of suffering, knowing one\u2019s place, gladness in one\u2019s portion, erection of a fence to his words, lack of self-aggrandizement, lovableness, love of God, love of the creatures, love of the righteous, love of the upright, love of rebuke, distancing from honor, lack of arrogance in learning, lack of joy in teaching, lifting of a burden with one\u2019s friend, judgment with the benefit of the doubt, standing for the truth, standing for peace, deliberation in study, questioning and responding, hearing and adding, learning in order to teach and learning in order to act, making his master wiser, focusing one\u2019s words, citing the source, for it is taught that one who cites a source brings redemption to the world, as it says (Esther 2:22): \u201cEsther told the king in Mordekhai\u2019s name.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05ea\u05e8 \u05de\u05df \u05d4\u05db\u05d4\u05d5\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d5\u05de\u05df \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05ea, \u05e9\u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05d5\u05ea \u05e0\u05e7\u05e0\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05e9\u05dc\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05e2\u05dc\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d5\u05d4\u05db\u05d4\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e2\u05e9\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d0\u05e8\u05d1\u05e2, \u05d5\u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05e7\u05e0\u05d9\u05ea \u05d1\u05d0\u05e8\u05d1\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd.\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d4\u05df, \u05d1\u05ea\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3, \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d9\u05e2\u05ea \u05d4\u05d0\u05d6\u05df, \u05d1\u05e2\u05e8\u05d9\u05db\u05ea \u05e9\u05e4\u05ea\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05d1\u05d9\u05e0\u05ea \u05d4\u05dc\u05d1, \u05d1\u05d0\u05d9\u05de\u05d4, \u05d1\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4, \u05d1\u05e2\u05e0\u05d5\u05d4, \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d7\u05d4, \u05d1\u05d8\u05d4\u05e8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e9 \u05d7\u05db\u05de\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05d3\u05e7\u05d3\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d7\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05e4\u05dc\u05e4\u05d5\u05dc \u05d4\u05ea\u05dc\u05de\u05d9\u05d3\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05d9\u05e9\u05d5\u05d1, \u05d1\u05de\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0, \u05d1\u05de\u05e9\u05e0\u05d4, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05e1\u05d7\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05d3\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05e8\u05e5, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05ea\u05e2\u05e0\u05d5\u05d2, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d4, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05e9\u05d9\u05d7\u05d4, \u05d1\u05de\u05e2\u05d5\u05d8 \u05e9\u05d7\u05d5\u05e7, \u05d1\u05d0\u05e8\u05da \u05d0\u05e4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05dc\u05d1 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1, \u05d1\u05d0\u05de\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea \u05d7\u05db\u05de\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d1\u05e7\u05d1\u05dc\u05ea \u05d4\u05d9\u05e1\u05d5\u05e8\u05d9\u05df, \u05d4\u05de\u05db\u05d9\u05e8 \u05d0\u05ea \u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05de\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d4\u05e9\u05de\u05d7 \u05d1\u05d7\u05dc\u05e7\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d4\u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d4 \u05e1\u05d9\u05d2 \u05dc\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05de\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e2\u05e6\u05de\u05d5, \u05d0\u05d4\u05d5\u05d1, \u05d0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d1 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05de\u05e7\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d1 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d1 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05e6\u05d3\u05e7\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d1 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05de\u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d1 \u05d0\u05ea \u05d4\u05ea\u05d5\u05db\u05d7\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d5\u05de\u05ea\u05e8\u05d7\u05e7 \u05de\u05df \u05d4\u05db\u05d1\u05d5\u05d3, \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05de\u05d2\u05d9\u05e1 \u05dc\u05d1\u05d5 \u05d1\u05ea\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e9\u05de\u05d7 \u05d1\u05d4\u05d5\u05e8\u05d0\u05d4, \u05e0\u05d5\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e2\u05dc \u05e2\u05dd \u05d7\u05d1\u05e8\u05d5, \u05d5\u05de\u05db\u05e8\u05d9\u05e2\u05d5 \u05dc\u05db\u05e3 \u05d6\u05db\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d5\u05de\u05e2\u05de\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05d0\u05de\u05ea, \u05d5\u05de\u05e2\u05de\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e9\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d5\u05de\u05ea\u05d9\u05e9\u05d1 \u05dc\u05d1\u05d5 \u05d1\u05ea\u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05d3\u05d5, \u05e9\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d5\u05de\u05e9\u05d9\u05d1 \u05e9\u05d5\u05de\u05e2 \u05d5\u05de\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05e3, \u05d4\u05dc\u05d5\u05de\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05e0\u05ea \u05dc\u05dc\u05de\u05d3 \u05d5\u05d4\u05dc\u05d5\u05de\u05d3 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05e0\u05ea \u05dc\u05e2\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d4\u05de\u05d7\u05db\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05ea \u05e8\u05d1\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d4\u05de\u05db\u05d5\u05df \u05d0\u05ea \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2\u05ea\u05d5, \u05d5\u05d4\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e9\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8\u05d5, \u05d4\u05d0 \u05dc\u05de\u05d3\u05ea \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e9\u05dd \u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8\u05d5 \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d2\u05d0\u05dc\u05d4 \u05dc\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05d0\u05e1\u05ea\u05e8 \u05d1), \u05d5\u05ea\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d0\u05e1\u05ea\u05e8 \u05dc\u05de\u05dc\u05da \u05d1\u05e9\u05dd \u05de\u05e8\u05d3\u05db\u05d9.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>What is important to note from the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6<\/span><\/em> is the relationship of the Torah to redemption and the necessity of life. The rabbis say that the Torah is greater than the priesthood and kingship, and then go on to list the significance using the gematria, where the numeric value of Torah is greater than these other two. They go on to list the added value of the study of Torah, and then they conclude with the one who cites the source brings redemption to the world. Note that there are two aspects to the comment of citing the source. One is in the meaning of the words, that one is to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cfocus upon one\u2019s words citing the source\u201d<\/span><\/em> meaning to consider your motivation in what you say. The other is in citing the source of the words, whether Scripture, or someone else. Note that in many cases, throughout the Talmud, Mishnah, and Midrashim, the rabbis always cite the source of their comments (<em>interpretation<\/em>) as a former rabbi. Consider the NT connection of citing the source of our Rabbi Yeshua the Messiah and how doing so brings redemption to the world. (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. KJV<\/span><\/em>) His words lead to eternal life (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John 6:60, 12:50<\/span><\/em>). Note what Yeshua states concerning the Mitzvot in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John 12:50 I know that His commandment is eternal life; therefore the things I speak, I speak just as the Father has told Me.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em> Note also that Yeshua taught Torah as a way of life. In addition, if Yeshua\u2019s words do lead to eternal life, then citing his words brings redemption to the world, a direct parallel to what the Rabbis are saying here in the Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6. Note also the relationship with the necessities of life. The list given in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:6<\/span><\/em> is pretty exhaustive. In each of these words used to describe what happens to the one who studies Torah, it is possible to find a NT verse of either Yeshua, the disciples, or Paul speaking of who we are or what we should be in the Messiah. Take for example the words <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cminimal laughter\u201d<\/span><\/em> where Paul says in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ephesians 5:4 \u201cand there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p>The rabbis continue in the Mishnah on the importance of the Torah saying the following:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:7:<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Great is Torah, for it gives life to those who do it in this world and in the next world, as it says: \u2018For they are life to those that find them, and healing to all his flesh\u2019 (Proverbs 4:22), and it says \u2018It will be healing for your navel, and tonic to your bones\u2019 (Proverbs 3:8). And it says \u2018It is a tree of life to those who hold it, and those who grasp it are happy\u2019 (Proverbs 3:18). And it says \u2018For they are an accompaniment of grace for your head, and a necklace for your throat\u2019 (Proverbs 1:9). And it says \u2018She will give your head an accompaniment of grace; with a crown of glory she will protect you\u2019 (Proverbs 4:9). And it says \u2018For by me your days will be multiplied, and you will be given additional years of life\u2019 (Proverbs 9:11). And it says \u2018Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left is wealth and honor\u2019 (Proverbs 3:16), and it says \u2018For length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you\u2019 (Proverbs 3:2), and it says \u2018her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace\u2019 (Proverbs 3: 17).<\/span><\/em> (\u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05ea\u05d5\u05e8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05e0\u05d5\u05ea\u05e0\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d1\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d1\u05d0, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 (\u05de\u05e9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d3), \u05db\u05d9 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05dd \u05dc\u05de\u05d5\u05e6\u05d0\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05db\u05dc \u05d1\u05e9\u05e8\u05d5 \u05de\u05e8\u05e4\u05d0, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d2), \u05e8\u05e4\u05d0\u05d5\u05ea \u05ea\u05d4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e9\u05e8\u05da \u05d5\u05e9\u05e7\u05d5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05e2\u05e6\u05de\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05da.\u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd), \u05e2\u05e5 \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05de\u05d7\u05d6\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05ea\u05d5\u05de\u05db\u05d9\u05d4 \u05de\u05d0\u05e9\u05e8.\u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d0), \u05db\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d7\u05df \u05d4\u05dd \u05dc\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05da \u05d5\u05e2\u05e0\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05d2\u05e8\u05d2\u05e8\u05ea\u05d9\u05da.\u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d3), \u05ea\u05ea\u05df \u05dc\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05da \u05dc\u05d5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d7\u05df \u05e2\u05d8\u05e8\u05ea \u05ea\u05e4\u05d0\u05e8\u05ea \u05ea\u05de\u05d2\u05e0\u05da.\u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d8), \u05db\u05d9 \u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e8\u05d1\u05d5 \u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05da \u05d5\u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5 \u05dc\u05da \u05e9\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd.\u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05d2), \u05d0\u05e8\u05da \u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e9\u05de\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e2\u05e9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05db\u05d1\u05d5\u05d3, \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd), \u05db\u05d9 \u05d0\u05e8\u05da \u05d9\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05e9\u05e0\u05d5\u05ea \u05d7\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05e9\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05d9\u05e4\u05d5 \u05dc\u05da \u05d5\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05e8 (\u05e9\u05dd), \u05d3\u05e8\u05db\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d3\u05e8\u05db\u05d9 \u05e0\u05d5\u05e2\u05dd \u05d5\u05db\u05dc \u05e0\u05ea\u05d9\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e9\u05dc\u05d5\u05dd.)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Note how consistent these words are with Yeshua\u2019s words in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John 12:50<\/span><\/em>. If we consider these words from the Mishnah and the homiletic introduction states that the year of redemption (\u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4) brings the necessities of life (livelihood, \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4) and then reverses the order, the year of necessities (\u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4) brings redemption (\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4). Asaph\u2019s words calling out to the Lord to give ear, Asaph is seeking the Lord God in heaven to hear; the year of redemption is connected to seeking the Lord and the Lord who provides the necessary redemption for His people, which leads to the necessity of life as is found in the Torah, and its connection to the source, Yeshua God\u2019s Messiah. The year of the necessity of life corresponds to the redemption, by reason that when one obtains these necessities which lead to the redemption of the world, one has God\u2019s redemption. Note how the list appears to be the work God begins in us who are in the Messiah, the creating of the new man, our motivation, the changed heart, the plans for our lives to serve Him, to live for Him, all of these things are connected. From a rabbinic context, the year of redemption brings the necessity of life, and the year of the necessity of life brings redemption, because the Lord God in heaven is involved.<\/p>\n<p>The entire midrash states the following:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Tehillim 80, Part 2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 2. Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel (Tehillim \/ Psalms 80:2). As a year of redemption brings with it the necessities of life, so a year that brings the necessities of life brings redemption with it. And so redemption sustains us every day, so the necessities of life maintain us every day. As a redemption is miraculous, so the necessities of life are miraculous. Rabbi Samuel son of Nahmani taught, The miracle of the necessities of life is greater than the miracle of redemption, for while redemption depends upon an angel, as Jacob said, The angel who has redeemed me form all evil (Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:16), the necessities of life come from the hand of the Holy One blessed be He, as Jacob said, The God who has been my Shepherd all my life long unto this day (Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15). Hence Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel. You that led Joseph like a flock (Tehillim \/ Psalms 80:2), as Joseph in the seven years of plenty gathered for the seven years of famine, so I will gather in the life of this world for the life in the world to come. As Joseph sustained his brothers according to their deeds, as is said, And Joseph sustained his brethren according to the little ones (Bereshit \/ Genesis 47:12), do You sustain us according to our deeds. Rabbi Menahema said in the name of rabbi Abin, As Joseph, whose brothers had required him with evil deeds, requited them with good deeds, even so have we, in a manner of speaking, required You with wicked deeds, having transgressed Your commandments, but You have required us with good deeds. Hence You that led the flock like Joseph.<\/span><\/em> \u05d1 \u05e8\u05d5\u05e2\u05d4 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d4\u05d0\u05d6\u05d9\u05e0\u05d4. \u05de\u05d4 \u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05e9\u05e0\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4, \u05d5\u05de\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05d9\u05d5\u05dd, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05d9\u05d5\u05dd, \u05de\u05d4 \u05d4\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e4\u05dc\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05e4\u05dc\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd, \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05f3 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05ea\u05e8 \u05de\u05df \u05d4\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05e9\u05d4\u05d2\u05d0\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4 \u05ea\u05dc\u05d5\u05d9\u05d4 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d9\u05d3\u05d9 \u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05d4 \u05d4\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da \u05d4\u05d2\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 (\u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05d7 \u05d9\u05d5), \u05d5\u05d4\u05e4\u05e8\u05e0\u05e1\u05d4 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d9\u05d3 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u05f4\u05d4, \u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05e8\u05d5\u05e2\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9 (\u05e9\u05dd \u05e9\u05dd \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05f4\u05d7 \u05d8\u05d5), \u05d4\u05d5\u05d9 \u05e8\u05d5\u05e2\u05d4 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05d4\u05d0\u05d6\u05d9\u05e0\u05d4. \u05e0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d2 \u05db\u05e6\u05d0\u05df \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05e3. \u05de\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05e3 \u05db\u05d9\u05e0\u05e1 \u05d1\u05e9\u05d1\u05e2 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e9\u05d1\u05e2 \u05dc\u05e9\u05d1\u05e2 \u05e9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e8\u05e2\u05d1, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05d0\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05db\u05e0\u05d9\u05e1 \u05de\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d7\u05d9\u05d9 \u05d4\u05e2\u05d5\u05dc\u05dd \u05d4\u05d1\u05d0, \u05de\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05e3 \u05db\u05dc\u05db\u05dc \u05d0\u05ea \u05d0\u05d7\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05de\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd, [\u05e9\u05e0\u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d7\u05dd \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d8\u05e3 (\u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05de\u05d6 \u05d9\u05d1)], \u05d0\u05e3 \u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05db\u05dc\u05db\u05dc \u05d0\u05d5\u05ea\u05e0\u05d5 \u05dc\u05e4\u05d9 \u05de\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5. \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05f3 \u05de\u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05d0 \u05d1\u05e9\u05dd \u05e8\u05f3 \u05d0\u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05de\u05d4 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05e3 \u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d7\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e8\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05d4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d2\u05de\u05dc \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea, \u05d0\u05e3 \u05d0\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05e0\u05d5\u05da (\u05dc\u05da) \u05e8\u05e2\u05d5\u05ea \u05d5\u05d0\u05ea\u05d4 \u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05ea \u05e2\u05dc\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d5\u05ea \u05db\u05d1\u05d9\u05db\u05d5\u05dc \u05e9\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8\u05e0\u05d5 \u05e2\u05dc \u05de\u05e6\u05d5\u05ea\u05d9\u05da, \u05d4\u05d5\u05d9 \u05e0\u05d5\u05d4\u05d2 \u05db\u05e6\u05d0\u05df \u05d9\u05d5\u05e1\u05e3.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Tehillim 80, Part 2<\/span><\/em>, The rabbis state <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cAs a redemption is miraculous, so the necessities of life are miraculous.\u201d<\/span><\/em> Have you ever considered the necessities of life as being a miracle of God? Consider the following from the Torah in Parashat Ekev,<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 8:16-19<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 8:16 \u2018In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He might test you, to do good for you in the end. 8:17 \u2018Otherwise, you may say in your heart, \u2018My power and the strength of my hand made me this wealth.\u2019 8:18 \u2018But you shall remember the Lord your God, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day. 8:19 \u2018It shall come about if you ever forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I testify against you today that you will surely perish. (NASB)<\/span><\/em> (\u05d8\u05d6 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05db\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b8\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0-\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b0\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05e0\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05d8\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8: \u05d9\u05d6 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05e6\u05b6\u05dd \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d6\u05b8\u05db\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d7\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dc \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d4\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05ea\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05db\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b5\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e2\u05b4\u05d3\u05b9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d3 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc\u05df:)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Notice how Moshe writes concerning the way the Lord fed the people in the wilderness. The purpose was to humble the people and to test them, so that they would not believe it was by their own power they entered into the promised Land. Moshe states that it is the Lord God in heaven who gives us the power to make wealth. It is for this propose, to confirm the covenant He swore to our fathers. The Lord gives us the ability to obtain the necessities of life, and He wants us to recognize that it is the Lord who is doing this. The point is, we are to recognize who it is that gives us life so that we do not turn to other gods to serve them or to turn to our own ways away from God\u2019s ways. Another interpretation may be that the necessities of life may become a god or an idol in one\u2019s heart by the pursuit of wealth and gain to the point of neglecting our service to the Lord, and our service towards others. In addition, the same could be said of pride, which is the raising up of ourselves, thinking more of ourselves in our hearts than what we truly are. Jacob had the perspective that all he will receive is from the Lord and that what he has he will give back.<\/p>\n<p>It is interesting how the rabbinic interpretation gives the following comments concerning the necessities of life:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rabbi Samuel son of Nahmani taught, The miracle of the necessities of life is greater than the miracle of redemption, for while redemption depends upon an angel, as Jacob said, The angel who has redeemed me form all evil (Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:16), the necessities of life come from the hand of the Holy One blessed be He, as Jacob said, The God who has been my Shepherd all my life long unto this day (Bereshit \/ Genesis 48:15).<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The rabbis conclude the necessities of life is a greater miracle than the miracle of redemption. The reason being, \u201credemption\u201d depends upon a messenger (\u05de\u05dc\u05d0\u05da, angel), as opposed to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cnecessity\u201d<\/span><\/em> that requires God\u2019s hand upon one\u2019s life to sustain and to bless as we learn according to Parshiot Toldot and Vayetze, in the lives of Jacob and Joseph, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>The concepts of redemption and the necessities of life are paralleled to Joseph\u2019s life in Midrash Tehillim 80, Part 2, and his God given gifts and putting him in a place of power to preserve the people. This is described as God <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cGathering in, the life of this world, for the life in the world to come.\u201d<\/span><\/em> This illustrates God\u2019s role in the work He is performing in our lives to bring us into the world to come. This is then paralleled in God\u2019s working in our lives for the purpose of sustaining us in our deeds.<\/p>\n<p>The basic concepts here in relation to Parashat Ekev (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 8:18<\/span><\/em>), the Midrash, the Mishnah, and the Torah portion is the idea of the Lord God who causes us to do good works. The question presented here for us is in the context of works which merit the kingdom of God. Do your works merit the kingdom of God? Or said another way, do you see the Lord God working in your life to produce good works? Is the Spirit of God working in your life to cause you to live a humble life, to do good works, to do justice, and righteousness, to live holy lives, and to help the poor and your neighbor? If not, why not? Jacob expected the Lord to work in this way in his life. Do you expect the Lord to work in this way in yours?<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Tehillim 80, Part 2<\/span><\/em> concludes saying, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cRabbi Menahema said in the name of rabbi Abin, As Joseph, whose brothers had required him with evil deeds, requited them with good deeds, even so have we, in a manner of speaking, required You with wicked deeds, having transgressed Your commandments, but You have required us with good deeds. Hence You that led the flock like Joseph.\u201d<\/span><\/em> The conclusion of the midrash is that in the evil deeds we have done, the Lord God continues to bless us doing good things for us. The midrash states that God required use with good deeds. The word used here is \u05d2\u05de\u05dc\u05ea meaning \u201cbenefited.\u201d Though we have transgressed the Torah command, the Lord benefits us with goodness and righteousness, and calls us back to His ways and to faith in his Messiah, the redeemer.<\/p>\n<p>The topic of this week\u2019s Torah potion is the Manner in which God\u2019s Word affects a Faithful Heart. The point is to consider in your life how God\u2019s word affects you; do you have a faithful heart? Jacob believed in the word and the promises of God. While studying the Apostolic Writings (NT) it is amazing how often the authors cite examples from the Torah and the Prophets as launching points to introduce what they are about to teach. This denotes the significance of the Torah and the Prophets for us today and the need to be diligent students of God\u2019s Word and of our own lives. The author of the book of Hebrews has much to say about the Torah and the Messiah. The most difficult aspect is how to understand or interpret the meaning of Scripture. Depending on one\u2019s background, there may be a number of ways to interpret a simple passage to have various meanings. This delineates the issue of interpretation having the aspect of being very emotionally driven. Emotions have a huge effect on our understanding of God\u2019s word, specifically in tradition which is considered very emotionally motivated. The question is do you follow tradition because it makes you feel good, are you more emotionally motivated to follow tradition as opposed to Scripture? <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hebrews 4:7-12<\/span><\/em> explains the effect of God\u2019s word, which is stronger than any two edged sword and is capable of causing a division between both the soul and the spirit and dividing between joints and marrow, and judging between the thoughts and the intentions of the heart.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hebrews 4:7-13<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 4:7 He again fixes a certain day, \u2018Today,\u2019 saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, \u2018Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.\u2019 4:8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. 4:9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. 4:10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 4:11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. 4:12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\u05d6 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e3 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b7 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b5\u05e5 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05c2\u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05ea\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05e2\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e7\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d7 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05bb\u05e2\u05b7 \u05dc\u05c2\u05d0\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b5\u05e8\u05c3 \u05d8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05be\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3 \u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea \u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05dd \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05c2\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05de\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b8\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05dd\u05be\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d0\u05db\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05c2\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3 \u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05e0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4\u05be\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05c2\u05d0\u05be\u05d9\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05dc \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b6\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd\u05c3 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05c2\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05c2\u05e2\u05b5\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d3 \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d7\u05b6\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05d1 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e4\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05c2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d3 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3\u05be\u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05df\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05df\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b9\u05d7\u05b5\u05df \u05de\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b5\u05d1\u05b8\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05d6\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05c3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The soul (\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1) and the spirit (\u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7) are the two primary immaterial aspects that Scripture ascribes to humanity. The Spirit desires the things of God (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 7<\/span><\/em>), and the soul desires the things of the flesh. According to the Apostolic Writings, believers are said to be spiritually alive (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 2:11, James 2:26<\/span><\/em>), whereas unbelievers are spiritually dead (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ephesians 2:1-5, Colossians 2:13<\/span><\/em>). Paul spoke of the spirit as being pivotal to the life of the believer (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 2:14, 3:1, Ephesians 1:3, 5:19, Colossians 1:9, and 3:16<\/span><\/em>). However, the soul is the reference to the material aspects of life and the body, and so the Word of God has the capability of placing a division between the two in the sense that the Spirit wants the things of god while the flesh wants to live for self, just as Esau demonstrated in his life. Jacob demonstrates for us in this week\u2019s Torah portion that he remained faithful to the Lord God, he did not compromise his faith. He trusted in the Lord, and lived according to His word. According to the rabbis (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shelah, Toldot, Ner Mitzvah 2<\/span>) <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201c&#8230; all the patriarchs observed the commandment \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05dd, \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05de\u05d0\u05d5\u05d3\u05dd, \u201cwith all their hearts, their souls and their means.\u201d The words \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05de\u05d0\u05d5\u05d3\u05dd can be understood literally, i.e. \u201ca tithe of everything.\u201d The expression \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05dd refers to Jacob who even tithed \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea, souls; the expression \u05d1\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05dd, refers to \u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05d4 \u05d2\u05d3\u05d5\u05dc\u05d4, something for which the Torah does not prescribe a fixed amount. The amount to be set aside for the priest is left to the generosity of the individual, i.e. it is something to be decided on by his heart, \u05dc\u05d1\u05d1\u05d5.\u201d<\/span><\/em> In a similar way, the word of God calls us to give all of our hearts, souls, and means for the service of the Lord God in heaven. This is the manner in which God\u2019s Word affects a faithful heart! <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/11\/BTT_Parashat-Vayetze-2015.pdf\">BTT_Parashat Vayetze-2015<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=nr4ExwLZ1UE&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;] In this week\u2019s reading from Parashat Vayetze (Shemot \/ Genesis 28:10-32:2) Jacob flees, on the advice of his mother, from his brother Esau. There is a lot that occurs in this week\u2019s Torah portion, we read that while traveling, Jacob lays down and falls asleep and the Lord speaks to him in a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":5235,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-5232","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5232","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=5232"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5232\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5235"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5232"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}