Obscured amid the detailed instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, there is a fundamental key to the service of G_D. Tell the Israelite people to bring Me gifts; you shall accept gifts for Me from every person whose heart is so moved. - Exodus 25:2
As part of the greater Jewish community, the Apostolic leaders struggled with these particular issues more acutely. The sudden influx of Gentiles leaving paganism to join the diasporic Jewish communities made this a primary issue for them...
In Romans 11, Paul leverages a few Midrashic themes from the Rabbinic tradition that many readers may not be aware of. When understood in this context, Paul's message confirms the Jewish enduring covenantal place and role in the redemption.
Most are not aware of the meditative methodologies within Rabbinic Jewish tradition and the idea of 'Soul ascents'. These can often sound similar to (and may be), the (OBE) Out of Body experiences or (TM) Transcendental Meditations found in modern spirituality movements.
