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New Testament Insights

Jesus and the Hasadim

Seeking to understand the historical Jesus is often a difficult task. Every culture seems to have adopted a view of him that mirrors their own context, or a projection of their own values and worldview. In this article, scholar Shmuel Safray lays out a strong case for ...

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Torah

Holy, Common, Impure, and Pure

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Torah

The Blood and the Life-Force

what strikes me as perhaps more interesting is the agreement between the rationalists and the kabbalists. Similarly, there is also a strong affinity to be found among the writings of the New Testament on this topic as well.

Mussar

The Eye of a Needle

The idea of Repentance is often described as other-worldly as it simply does not fit the laws of nature as we perceive them. For this reason the Sages teach Repentance is among (7) things created before the beginning of time (Pirke d'Rabbi Eliezer Chapter 3).

Mysticism and Spirituality

How To Seek The Creator

In Hebrew, the word most commonly used for command[ment] is ‘Mitzvah’. Through these, we may come to recognize that all of the Torah is a kind of program to cultivate a closeness with G_D.

Thoughts

The Great Mystery of Divine Providence

History is full of surprising twists and inexplicable events that have forever changed the course of the world. This can also be said of tragedies, though, usually from a downstream vantage point.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Is the Creation Narrative to Be Taken Literally?

Take a closer look at the Hebrew text above. What does come first in the Hebrew, immediately after that "bracket" (the letter bet), where we are granted permission to consider such matters?

Mysticism and Spirituality

Idol Worship

the secrets of nature and you will find that, behind all the discernible laws and connections, there remains something subtle, intangible and inexplicable. Veneration for this force beyond anything that we can comprehend is my religion. To that extent I am, in fact, religious.” - Albert Einstein

New Testament Insights

Two Messiahs: the Son of David, and Son of Joseph

One of Judaism's most mysterious and guarded concepts is the concept of the twin Messiahs. As a result, it can be safely said that most people have derived their idea of Messiah largely from the various views within Christian theology.

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New Testament Insights

Death Will Be No More

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New Testament Insights

Making a Connection Above

Thoughts

Your Expansive Soul

A hint in the Hebrew text of Genesis gives us a deep understanding of the complexity of human beings and our capacity for elevation.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Mystical Concepts In The New Testament Part 2

What does the New Testament mean with passages that speak of G_D being in us, or Jesus in your soul? In this 2-part series, we will explore the mystical idea behind these and try to shed some light on these ideas

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Mystical Concepts In the New Testament - Part 1

New Testament Insights

Faith in Jesus?

For many centuries, Romans 3:22 has read that it is faith in Jesus that brings redemption. Some might add that this alone, and nothing more is required - that is to say, lifestyle, practices, etc are of no value. Practically speaking, this interpretation has been problematic...

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Mysticism and Spirituality

The Third Heaven

Mysticism and Spirituality

Demons in Judaism

Does Judaism Believe in the concept of demons. Do they really exist? If yes, are there different kinds of demons? All answered by Rabbi Pinchas Taylor

New Testament Insights

Do Everything They Tell You

“The Scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat, so you must do and observe everything they tell you to do" - Matthew 23:2 Before We Begin Before we explore these passages, it may be useful to spend a moment to obtain a more accurate understanding of the

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Torah

Is the Oral Torah "Biblical"? pt. 2

In part 2 we will look at these elements from a simpler, more logical perspective. We will point to some obvious and perhaps not-so-obvious examples of why an oral tradition is necessary.

New Testament Insights

An Advocate with the Father

It is stated explicitly in the sacred Zohar that the righteous shield the world, and after their death even more than in their life. Were it not for the prayer of the righteous in the world, the world would not endure.

Mysticism and Spirituality

Clinging To The Creator

The active form of the word Davak is “Dveikut”, which is a dynamic state of clinging to the Creator. Being in a state of Dveikut is to have the Divine Presence upon you to some degree. In this state, we are filled with awe for the creation and life in general.

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Torah Featured

Is the Oral Torah "Biblical"? pt. 1

One of the biggest hurdles for western Christians to overcome, if they begin studying the Jewishness of the New Testament, is the idea of the Oral Torah.

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New Testament Insights

Paul's Audience(s) in the New Testament

When reading the New Testament, it is very easy - especially if you learned through a denomination of mainstream western Christianity - to assume Paul's audiences are a homogenous body of "Christians".

Mussar

Watching Our Words

One of the fastest ways to accelerate spiritual growth begins with governance over (3) primary areas of our expression; Speech, Deeds, and Thoughts. If we can discipline ourselves in these three categories, we’ll begin a rapid progression towards the light of the Creator.

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Mysticism and Spirituality

Torment in the Grave

Known commonly as Chibut HaKevar, the "Torment in the Grave', the tradition teaches that affliction awaits a person who did not succeed in fighting their Yetzer Hara during their lifetime.