The Hidden Orchard

New Testament Insights

The Torn Veil

“And the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood facing him, saw that in this way he breathed his last, he said, Truly this man was the Son of G_D!” - Mark 15:38-39 Traditional interpretations have often

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Reincarnation According to Jewish Tradition - Video

In this video, Rabbi Dovber Pinson shares some insights to understand the complexity of the Soul according to Rabbinic tradition.

New Testament Insights

But You Are Not To Be Called "Rabbi"

From a literalist read of the Gospels, it appears that Jesus gives a clear prohibition against the use of religious titles, in particular, the title of "Rabbi".

Thoughts

The Light That Defies Darkness

The Temple, the centerpiece of the Chanukkah story represented a form of defiance to the overreach and technological progress of the surrounding pagan nations.

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Mysticism and Spirituality Featured

The Soul is a Flame

In the Sermon on the Mount, Yeshua leverages many ideas from the Midrash that expound upon the deeper concepts in the Torah. ... many of them find their closest parallels to the works of the Kabbalah - texts like the Zohar, the writings of the ARIzal, and the Tanya.

New Testament Insights

A New Commandment

Did Jesus teach a new and separate commandment apart from the commandments of the Torah?

New Testament Insights Featured

Keys to Understanding the Book of Hebrews

Over the last 50-60 years, Physicists have come to the idea that our universe is the result of a terrifying collapse from a 10-dimensional universe to the 4 dimensions we are familiar with. The kabbalah and science share common, both indicating that there is more to our existence than we can see.

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Thoughts

If You Don't Have Anything Nice to Say...

There is a principle that anything containing immense potential for holiness is commensurately susceptible to corruption. One example is physical intimacy, and speech is another.

New Testament Insights

Who Were the Judaizers?

Despite its ubiquitous usage in the church, the word "Judaizer" is only found once in the New Testament, in Galatians 2:14. In its broadest sense, a "Judaizer" is a pejorative label given to someone who influences others to observe some form of Jewish religious lifestyle.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Resonance, Vibration, and Health

If you want to find the secrets of the universe, think in terms of energy, frequency and vibration. - Nikola Tesla

Wellness

The Importance of Gratitude

Studies have shown that the human brain processes up to 11 million bits of information per second through our various senses. Since the body is hard-wired for survival, University of Berkeley scientists have discovered...

Mysticism and Spirituality

How To Elevate Your Soul

If you have been reading the articles regarding the human soul, (like this one) you are familiar with the (5) levels, and their unique expression in daily life. But, as the saying goes, "knowing is half the battle" - the real test is to apply this knowledge on

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The Soul - A Detailed Diagram

Below is a helpful diagram mapping the levels of the soul, how they interact with human expression, and where they are generally connected to the body.

New Testament Insights

Misunderstanding Paul's Message in Romans 11

In Romans 11, Paul leverages a few Midrashic themes from the Rabbinic tradition that many readers may not be aware of. When understood, these further affirm the Jewish people's selection and enduring covenantal place with G_D.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

What About Jews Who Don't Believe in Jesus?

When understanding the New Testament, it is important that readers become aware that the focus of much of the texts (ie: the Epistles) are largely dedicated to the messages from Paul to specific groups of gentiles among various communities in the Roman Empire. Often, these were home-based communities, or larger

Mysticism and Spirituality Featured

Jewish Meditation

People are often surprised to hear the term Jewish meditation. Otherwise knowledgeable Jews, including many Rabbis and scholars, are not aware such a thing exists. It is therefore not surprising that many current books on meditation give scant attention to Judaism.

Thoughts

Thank you!

Hi, I want to thank you for reading, sharing, and subscribing to the Hidden Orchard Project! 🌿 Believe it or not, this project sat shelved for a few years - stuck on the name and the exact audience. This summer, all at once, a few people (who do not know each

Mysticism and Spirituality

The Mission of Messiah

As pervasive as the idea of Messiah has become over the last 2,000 years, it is easy to forget the basic mission of why we need a Messiah in the first place, and how personal responsibility fits into the equation.

Thoughts

Jonah's Message for Us Today

As the Jewish world has just closed the books on another Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), its message remains as important and relevant for us as ever. Among the readings during the Yom Kippur services, it is customary to study and discuss the book of Jonah. Why Jonah? Of all

Torah

Atonement

In Hebrew, the word Kaphar (כפר) is the word translated as "atonement" in most english translations. Kaphar can imply the 'forgiveness of sins', but this word has other meanings as well that should give us insight into its essence. It is from this word that we get Yom Kippur (כִּפּוּרִ),

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Wellness

The Connection Between Breathing and The Soul

Not only in Hebrew, but in latin we see the words Spirit and Breath are connected through the word, Spīro (to breathe), also Spiritus. We can clearly see the etymological root to the word respiratory.

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New Testament Insights

Heaven Has Suffered Violence

Over the years, I have heard many different explanations of this passage. So diverse, it is tough to really tell which one is the traditional interpretation. One common theme is that this is somehow a departure from Judaism to the new revelation, Christianity.

Thoughts

For the Sake of the World You Were Created

Tradition tells us that humanity was created and placed in a deficient world for the explicit purpose of 'fixing-it'. Additionally, it is through this work that find we are in fact seeking our Creator². The greater the work to be done and obstacles to overcome - the closer we draw to G_D.

Stories

The Misunderstood Torah

The consequence of the sin of the golden calf is that the Torah appears, to most, as simply stories, genealogies, and laws. Subsequently, many perceive the Torah from the opposite angle, fixing their gaze upon the garments.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The Father of Lights

In the first chapter of James, a deeply mystical idea is concealed within a seemingly simple statement. When we analyze the framework of his teachings, we find a strong affinity with later works of the Kabbalah.