[youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_2JCXHHhtbA&feature=youtu.be”]<\/p>\n
The Scriptures for this week may be summarized as the struggle between two brothers in which the Lord God states this is nothing less than the struggle between two nations (\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b9\u05d9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd), the struggle between sin and righteousness, unfaithfulness and faithfulness.\u00a0 This week\u2019s Torah portion opens with the phrase Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:19, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 25:19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac… (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The description of the generations of God\u2019s people draws in the importance of remembering, which leads us to focus upon putting God\u2019s words into action.\u00a0 This is the truth of the gospel message and the power of God in our lives, where in His Messiah and through His Spirit, we are empowered to overcome sin, and we are brought from death unto life.\u00a0 These truths are important for those of us who have come to the conclusion that the Torah has not been abolished, and believe the Torah is God\u2019s will for us to live as we strive to walk in the footsteps of the Messiah.\u00a0\u00a0 In order to more properly understand this it is important to study the Bible from a historical and grammatical interpretation which helps us to draw in the sociological and cultural perspective.\u00a0 This approach is necessary in order to help discern the difference between believing in a theology, as opposed to believing in and understanding what the Scriptures truly teach us.\u00a0\u00a0 In regards to the truth of the gospel message of which the Scriptures speak, the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:20 saying, \u201cSince the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 In chapter two, Paul writes, Romans 2:15 \u201cThey show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Paul speaks of a sort of universalism of the commands of God which are written upon the hearts of all men.\u00a0 These truths being written upon the heart are shown forth from the works of men, in the general consensus of \u201cyou shall not murder,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and \u201cyou shall not commit adultery,\u201d<\/span><\/em> etc.\u00a0\u00a0 These universal Laws are understood as being good and righteous, and just.\u00a0 Romans 3:19 states, \u039f\u1f34\u03b4\u03b1\u03bc\u03b5\u03bd \u03b4\u1f72 \u1f45\u03c4\u03b9 \u1f45\u03c3\u03b1 \u1f41 \u03bd\u1f79\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03bb\u1f73\u03b3\u03b5\u03b9 \u03c4\u03bf\u1fd6\u03c2 \u1f10\u03bd \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03bd\u1f79\u03bc\u1ff3 \u03bb\u03b1\u03bb\u03b5\u1fd6, \u1f35\u03bd\u03b1 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03bd \u03c3\u03c4\u1f79\u03bc\u03b1 \u03c6\u03c1\u03b1\u03b3\u1fc7 \u03ba\u03b1\u1f76 \u1f51\u03c0\u1f79\u03b4\u03b9\u03ba\u03bf\u03c2 \u03b3\u1f73\u03bd\u03b7\u03c4\u03b1\u03b9 \u03c0\u1fb6\u03c2 \u1f41 \u03ba\u1f79\u03c3\u03bc\u03bf\u03c2 \u03c4\u1ff7 \u03b8\u03b5\u1ff7 \u201cAnd we know that as much as the law says, to the ones in the law it speaks; that every mouth should be shut and subject to trial should be all the world to God.\u201d (Literal translation of Greek)<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0 The ones to whom the Scriptures speak are those who would join themselves to the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The Torah was given to a people for the purpose of bringing God\u2019s message of truth and life to all the world.\u00a0 The point of the Torah, as Paul describes it, is to stop every mouth and make the whole world accountable before God.\u00a0 This seems to be the perspective of this week\u2019s Torah portion in regards to those who are faithful (Jacob) as compared to those who are unfaithful (Esau) in relation to God\u2019s covenant.<\/p>\n In this week\u2019s study we are looking at Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:19-27<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:19-27<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d9\u05d8\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05ea \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7: \u05db\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e8\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05ea-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05df \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05d4: \u05db\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b6\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05e2\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05d4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05e8\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9: \u05db\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05e6\u05b2\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd-\u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05e0\u05b9\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05dc\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4: \u05db\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b9\u05d9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd [\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd] \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d8\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05da\u05b0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05de\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05da\u05b0 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05dd \u05d9\u05b6\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b8\u05e5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d1 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b9\u05d3 \u05e6\u05b8\u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8: \u05db\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4 \u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b4\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b4\u05d8\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc: \u05db\u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b5\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d5: \u05db\u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b9\u05d7\u05b6\u05d6\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b5\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd: \u05db\u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d2\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d5 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b9\u05d3\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7 \u05e6\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b5\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n It is interesting that we are told Isaac was 40 years old when he married Rebecca, and then it was 20 years later (60 years old, Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:26, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4) when Rebecca had the twins Jacob and Esau.\u00a0 Isaac was given the task of remaining faithful to the promises of God for 20 years prior to his wife conceiving and giving birth.\u00a0 Rebecca was quite old when she had these children which may explain why she was so sensitive to what they were doing inside of her, struggling together.\u00a0 The striving together of the two children are illustrated in the text saying, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9-\u05db\u05b5\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05e6\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d0\u05b9\u05d7\u05b6\u05d6\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b5\u05d1 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e9\u05b8\u05b9\u05d5 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1 25:26 \u201cAfterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau\u2019s heel, so his name was called Jacob…\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The faithfulness of Jacob is found in his trusting in the God of Abraham and of Isaac, and going to Haran for his wife, whereas the unfaithfulness of Esau is illustrated in his selling his birthright for a bowl of soup (25:29-34), and taking wives from the daughters of Canaan (28:7-9).\u00a0 The struggle between these two brothers, as the scripture says is between two nations (\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b9\u05d9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd).\u00a0 What is the nature of the \u201cstruggle\u201d between the siblings mentioned at the beginning of verse 25:22?\u00a0 As we read through the Torah portion, the struggle that becomes apparent is related to those who are faithful as opposed to those who are unfaithful to the covenant.\u00a0 Do you value the Word of God in your life today?\u00a0 The MT explains to us that there were two brothers, both having been raised in a God fearing house, however one took hold of the Word of God, whereas the other despised God\u2019s Words.\u00a0 Which person are you?<\/p>\n Within this context of the two kingdoms, the rabbis have much to say on this topic.<\/p>\n Rashbam on Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:24, Part 3<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The Lord provided Isaac and Rebecca a prophetic expectation of two nations struggling together.\u00a0 The end of the prophecy states that Esau (the firstborn twin) will serve Isaac (the \u201cyounger\u201d twin).\u00a0 According to the Scriptures, is there any indication why this is the case?\u00a0 What does it mean to serve a younger sibling?\u00a0 The rabbis say in Sefer Hasidim (Yehudah ben Shmuel, aka HeHasid, 12th-13th century Germany) \u201cAnd the elder shall serve the younger.\u00a0 Lest Jacob learn from Esau, God placed enmity in their hearts even before they were born, and the divide between them started at that time.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The general conclusion in the rabbinic literature in regards to the older serving the younger was so Jacob would not learn from his older brother.\u00a0 Why would it be problematic for Jacob to learn from his twin brother, Esau?\u00a0 Could it be that Jacob was to remain in tents to hear the Word of the Lord from his parents and develop a deep faithfulness to the God of his fathers and to the covenant promises?\u00a0 What role does the Lord God play according to this interpretation of the story and what theological implications do Lord\u2019s actions have?\u00a0 The role the Lord plays is in the sense that He is orchestrating the lives of men to facilitate faithfulness in Him.\u00a0 The implication is that all things work together for good (Romans 8:28) because everything is within God\u2019s control.<\/p>\n Rabbi Bunim states the following in relation to the birth of Jacob and Esau:<\/p>\n Rabbi Bunim of Pshischa (18th century Poland)<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The concepts put forth here are that these two children, from before they were born, were given to faithfulness and unfaithfulness, righteousness and unrighteousness.\u00a0 The rabbis continue to interpret these two children as a struggle between two nations (\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b9\u05d9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd).\u00a0 The point is that regardless of whether one was given to unrighteousness from birth, he remains accountable before God as is described in Ezekiel 14:13-15<\/span><\/em> which speaks of the nations being accountable to the Law and the covenant of God with respect to faithfulness.<\/p>\n Ezekiel 14:12-14<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The concepts put forward here by the prophet Ezekiel are related to a nation that sins against the Lord in unfaithfulness.\u00a0 If the Law was given only to Israel, why would the nations be held accountable to God\u2019s Law and to faithfulness?\u00a0 This may be related to what is written in the Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:7.<\/p>\n Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:7<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Based upon what we read here in the Mishnah Pirkei Avot, all normative statements assume values.\u00a0 In economics and philosophy, a \u201cnormative statement\u201d expresses a value judgment about whether a situation is desirable or undesirable. For example in the phrase, \u201cIt looks at the world as it \u2018should\u2019 be.\u201d\u00a0 In other words, laws and norms are in many ways the concrete expression of value and belief systems.\u00a0 What are some of the values or beliefs that you believe stand behind the normative statements made in the Mishnah Pirkei Avot 6:7<\/span><\/em>?\u00a0 The mitzvah of being good to your neighbor, morality, and justice which is coupled to righteousness, these are the normative and desirable things.\u00a0 These are the things the Lord is looking for in addition to being recognized as the creator, and through whom we receive forgiveness and salvation from sin (i.e. in the Messiah Yeshua).\u00a0 This is what the Apostle James was writing in his book when he mentions in James 1:23-25<\/span><\/em> speaking of \u201cThe Royal Law of Liberty,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and where he clarifies saying in James 2:8-13 \u201cThe Royal Law\u201d<\/span><\/em> speaking of the Torah.\u00a0 He writes in James 2:12-13<\/span><\/em> speaking of mercy which is coupled to the Torah, similar to our previous study.<\/p>\n James 1:23-25<\/span><\/em><\/strong> James 2:8-14<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Again note all the normative statements expressing a value judgment about whether a situation is desirable or undesirable.\u00a0 The desirable thing is to serve the Lord by the way we love our neighbor, this is taught to us in the Torah.\u00a0 Though we fall short of keeping all of the commands, the Torah has the function of leading us to repentance and to the Lord God of Israel, and His Messiah Yeshua seeking for forgiveness and help to turn from sin.\u00a0 The Torah is coupled to mercy, therefore found within the Mitzvot (commandments) are opportunities of grace (mercy) that we are called to show unto each other.\u00a0 This is something that Jacob and Esau should have shown to one another.\u00a0 However, the Torah portion details how Rebecca sent Jacob away out of fear that Esau will kill him as a result of the nature of sin and unfaithfulness.<\/p>\n Radak has the following to say concerning this week\u2019s Torah portion:<\/p>\n Radak on Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:23 Part 5<\/span><\/em><\/strong> What image of family life does this portray? How about the relationship between communities or nations?\u00a0 The rabbis say that holiness is at home and unholiness is away which is contrasted to Jacob and Esau, and Israel and the nations.\u00a0 Rashi on Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:23<\/span><\/em> states \u201cOne nation will struggle against the other. They will never be equal. When one rises the other will fall and vice versa.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 This is a significant issue that seems to perpetuate the issue of competition in relation to faithfulness and unfaithfulness.\u00a0 What can we do to escape the Esau-Jacob relationship paradigm as this is related to us and the nations, or to being a faithful or an unfaithful people?\u00a0 It is important to note the prophetic texts which state according to Isaiah 2:<\/p>\n Isaiah 2:1-5<\/span><\/em><\/strong> Isaiah speaks of a future time when Jerusalem will be a place of worship where all the nations will come together to seek the Lord and His ways of righteousness, justice, and truth, and to serve and worship Him!\u00a0 He speaks of a time when the Torah (instruction) of God will go forth to the nations, meaning that God\u2019s people will take His words to the nations.\u00a0 This is taken in contrast to what most people understand the Torah to be according to Yeshua words in Matthew 5:38-48<\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n Matthew 5:38-48<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The point Yeshua was making is that we are to suffer any injury for the sake of peace, and commit your concerns to the Lord and overlook a sin that is committed against you for the sake of the glory of God.\u00a0 In the Messiah, by faith, we are to forgive, seek peace, and speak of God\u2019s Words to others, avoiding disputations and striving with one another as Jacob and Esau did.\u00a0 The \u201ceye for an eye\u201d command is found in Shemot \/ Exodus 21:24, Vayikra \/ Leviticus 24:20, and Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 19:21<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0 This command was given as a rule to regulate the decisions of judges.\u00a0 They were commanded to take an eye for eye, and tooth for tooth, in order to limit the judicial rule for the purpose of maintaining justice.\u00a0 Yeshua finds no fault with the rule as it is applied to magistrates, and does not take it upon himself to repeal or overrule this command.\u00a0 The halakhic approach in the First Century however was that this command was extended into one\u2019s private conduct,which enabled one to take revenge.\u00a0 It was considered a justification by this rule to inflict the same injury on others that they had received.\u00a0 Yeshua however reconstructs this interpretation and states that this rule is not in reference to private revenge, it was given to regulate magistrates, and to place limits upon their rulings for justice and righteousness sake.\u00a0 Our private conduct is to be governed by different principles.\u00a0 The principle of forgiveness and mercy!\u00a0 It is under these principles that we are able to escape the Esau-Jacob relationship paradigm as it is related to us and the nations and to one another (our brothers).\u00a0 It is by our faith in Yeshua the Messiah, the indwelling of God\u2019s Holy Spirit, and our faithfulness to His commands that we are called to walk, and to break this struggle between nations.\u00a0 Let\u2019s take the Word of God, the Message of God, His Messiah, and His Ways of Life to the nations!\u00a0 This is what the Lord is looking for in our lives! btt_parashat-toldot-2016<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=_2JCXHHhtbA&feature=youtu.be”] The Scriptures for this week may be summarized as the struggle between two brothers in which the Lord God states this is nothing less than the struggle between two nations (\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d2\u05b9\u05d9\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd), the struggle between sin and righteousness, unfaithfulness and faithfulness.\u00a0 This week\u2019s Torah portion opens with the phrase Bereshit \/ Genesis 25:19, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":6127,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-6123","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\/6123","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=6123"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6123\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6127"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6123"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6123"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6123"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\n 25:19 Now these are the records of the generations of Isaac, Abraham\u2019s son: Abraham became the father of Isaac; 25:20 and Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah, the daughter of Bethuel the Aramean of Paddan-aram, the sister of Laban the Aramean, to be his wife. 25:21 Isaac prayed to the Lord on behalf of his wife, because she was barren; and the Lord answered him and Rebekah his wife conceived. 25:22 But the children struggled together within her; and she said, \u2018If it is so, why then am I this way?\u00a0 So she went to inquire of the Lord. 25:23 The Lord said to her, \u2018Two nations are in your womb; And two peoples will be separated from your body; And one people shall be stronger than the other; And the older shall serve the younger.\u2019 25:24 When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. 25:25 Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau. 25:26 Afterward his brother came forth with his hand holding on to Esau\u2019s heel, so his name was called Jacob; and Isaac was sixty years old when she gave birth to them. 25:27 When the boys grew up, Esau became a skillful hunter, a man of the field, but Jacob was a peaceful man, living in tents. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n \u05d5\u05e9\u05e0\u05d9 \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05dd, kingdoms, as per Psalms 148:11 \u05de\u05dc\u05db\u05d9 \u05d0\u05e8\u05e5 \u05d5\u05db\u05dc \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05dd, \u201call kings and peoples of the earth.\u201d We know that this interpretation is correct as otherwise the words \u05d2\u05d5\u05d9\u05d9\u05dd and \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05dd would simply be a needless repetition. The word \u05dc\u05d0\u05d5\u05de\u05d9\u05dd therefore refers to nations. Seeing that the prophet had already begun to foretell Rivkah part of the future, he continued further adding:<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n When Rebekah would pass the doors of the Torah academies…Jacob would struggle to come out, but when she passsed places of idolatry, Esau struggled to come out (Rashi). Why would Jacob want to come out considering that fact that the Talmud teaches that when a child is still in the womb, \u201cthey [the angels] teach the child Torah?\u201d [He wanted to come out] because it is difficult for a righteous person to be in the same place as a wicked person, even if he is studying Torah from an angel.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 14:12 Then the word of the Lord came to me saying, 14:13 \u2018Son of man, if a country sins against Me by committing unfaithfulness, and I stretch out My hand against it, destroy its supply of bread, send famine against it and cut off from it both man and beast, 14:14 even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,\u2019 declares the Lord God.<\/span><\/em> (NASB, \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b7\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8: \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05df-\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05d8\u05b8\u05d0-\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dc-\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05d8\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05d1\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05de\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b5\u05d4-\u05dc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d1 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05e0\u05b9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc [\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc] \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d4\u05b5\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d9\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05e0\u05b0\u05d0\u05bb\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b4\u05d4:)<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n Great is Torah, for it gives life to those who do it in this world and in the next world, as it says: \u201cFor they are life to those that find them, and healing to all his flesh\u201d (Proverbs 4:22); and it says, \u201cIt will be healing for your navel, and tonic to your bones\u201d (Proverbs 3:8). And it says, \u201cIt is a tree of life to those who hold it, and those who grasp it are happy\u201d (Proverbs 3:18). And it says, \u201cFor they are an accompaniment of grace for your head, and a necklace for your throat\u201d (Proverbs 1:9). And it says, \u201cShe will give your head an accompaniment of grace; with a crown of glory she will protect you\u201d (Proverbs 4:9). And it says, \u201cFor by me your days will be multiplied, and you will be given additional years of life\u201d (Proverbs 9:11). And it says, \u201cLength of days is in her right hand, and in her left is wealth and honor\u201d (Proverbs 3:16); and it says, \u201cFor length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you\u201d (Proverbs 3:2); and it says, \u201cher ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace\u201d (Proverbs 3:17).<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 1:23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; 1:24 for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n 2:8 If, however, you are fulfilling the royal law according to the Scripture, \u2018You shall love your neighbor as yourself,\u2019 you are doing well. 2:9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 2:10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. 2:11 For He who said, \u2018Do not commit adultery,\u2019 also said, \u2018Do not commit murder.\u2019 Now if you do not commit adultery, but do commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 2:12 So speak and so act as those who are to be judged by the law of liberty. 2:13 For judgment will be merciless to one who has shown no mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment. 2:14 What use is it, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but he has no works? Can that faith save him? (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n \u05de\u05de\u05e2\u05d9\u05da \u05d9\u05e4\u05e8\u05d3\u05d5, as soon as they come out of your womb they will each develop in a different way, even physically. One would be hairy, his skin reddish looking, whereas the other would have smooth skin like normal babies. They would be different in their deeds and choice of occupations as soon as they would be old enough to make such choices. The Torah testifies to this by describing Esau as \u05db\u05d9 \u05e6\u05d9\u05d3 \u05d1\u05e4\u05d9\u05d5, being a hunter, whereas Yaakov is described as \u05d9\u05d5\u05e9\u05d1 \u05d0\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd, a dweller of tents, i.e. studious bookish type. They would also hate one another as a matter of course.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 2:1 The word which Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. 2:2 Now it will come about that In the last days The mountain of the house of the Lord Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. 2:3 And many peoples will come and say, \u2018Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways And that we may walk in His paths.\u2019 For the law will go forth from Zion And the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. 2:4 And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. 2:5 Come, house of Jacob, and let us walk in the light of the Lord. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\n 5:38 \u2018You have heard that it was said, \u2018An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.\u2019 5:39 \u2018But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. 5:40 \u2018If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. 5:41 \u2018Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 5:42 \u2018Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. 5:43 \u2018You have heard that it was said, \u2018You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.\u2019 5:44 \u2018But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 5:45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. 5:46 \u2018For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 5:47 \u2018If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others\u00a0 Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 5:48 \u2018Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n