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New Testament Insights
The Criminals On the Cross Through the Lens of Midrash
Few images in Christian tradition are as recognizable as the three crosses of Golgotha. But the picture Luke paints weaves in references to the third heaven, garments divided by lots, the words of Isaiah 53, and Joseph's cellmates in the prison of Pharaoh.
Torah
Athens to Jerusalem: Four Shifts for Learning the Bible
Truly understanding the Bible means closing knowledge gaps most readers don't know exist. Going deeper isn't about acquiring more information; it's more like a complete change of operating system. Four shifts in thinking will help one begin the journey from Athens to Jerusalem.
Torah
She’ol, Hades & Gehenna: Mapping the Biblical Underworld
What is She'ol? Korach's descent into the earth opens a study of the Jewish concept of the underworld, its gates, chambers, and appearances of this tradition in the New Testament.
Gospels
The Cursing of the Fig Tree as Midrash: Has Israel Been Replaced?
Learn how the Cursing of the Fig Tree, though taught as a pillar of Replacement Theology, might actually be a Midrash on two well-known prophetic passages.
Mysticism and Spirituality
Aliens, Idols, Demons, and Angels
What does the Jewish tradition say about phenomena like Aliens, or extra-terrestrial beings? And, is there any overlap with the broader categories of Angels and demons?
New Testament Insights
New Book: Reading The Beatitudes Through the Jewish Mussar Tradition
A new book available on Amazon.com
New Testament Insights
The Shaliach: Agency and Representation in Jewish Tradition
Can someone speak, act, forgive, heal, or even claim unity with G_D without collapsing the boundary between the human and Divine? Is there a precedent in the Torah that helps us understand this idea?
New Testament Insights
Was Thomas a Doubter? The Pharisees' Tradition and the Resurrection.
Thomas's refusal to believe in the resurrection without seeing Jesus's wounds is typically read as a failure of faith. But against the backdrop of rabbinic tradition, the Gospel of John affirms details of the Pharisaic tradition of the Resurrection of the Dead.
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.
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 relev
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),
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
What Is Your Morning Routine?
Starting with gratitude is one of the best possible ways to set an intention for the new day. Additionally, it is not only a great way to guard your mind from negative influence, it will ensure that you begin with G_D consciousness
Models of Repentance - Teaching Hour
As a special for the month of Elul, and the preparation for Rosh Hashanah, here is a teaching from this past week at Tikvat David on the models of repentance and how we are to bring the kingdom to earth in our lives.
Tips to Calm the Mind for Meditation
Managing your thoughts will bring the highest degree of complexity. To be sure, the only way to truly develop this skill is through regular practice. Meditation is an accumulative process
Is Rosh Hashanah for Everyone?
A little-known secret; though Jews observe this holiday, this holiday is an incredible opportunity for everyone on earth! This is because, on Rosh Hashanah is the day the report card of every individual in the world, undergoes a review.
The Human Soul
Contrary to many modern [prevailing] ideas about the soul, the Bible teaches that the human soul is more complex than we are aware. The soul is comprised of levels and sub-levels that all influence the (3) modes of human expression; Thoughts, words, and deeds.
New Research Shows How Sodom and Gemorah Might Have Been Destroyed
... a high-temperature jet of ionized gases and impactor fragments reaches Earth’s surface at high velocity, excavates unconsolidated sediment, and expands radially outward in what is sometimes called a ‘base surge’.
The New Covenant?
One of the key ideas perpetuated through replacement theology, (also known as supercessionism) is taught under the heading of the "New Covenant". On the surface, this seems innocent enough, perhaps even quite logical, however, when we explore this in-depth, some assumptions are revealed;
The (4) Categories of Sin
The Hebrew Bible uses (4) different words to describe the categories of what we have broadly called, "sin". G_D takes in
What Happens When We Sin?
In this chart, we learn the dynamics of impurity, sickness, healing, and repentance.
3 Levels of Faith
The quicker, and more efficiently we begin to progress through these Levels of Faith, the more attuned to the ways of G_d we will become.
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 ...
Holy, Common, Impure, and Pure
One of the more difficult concepts in the Bible are the categories of; Pure and Impure, Holy and Common, and Profane. What adds to the confusion is the inconsistency and imprecision in which some of these words are rendered in various English translations.
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.
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).
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.