Study Notes Week 8

Torah Study Notes for Week 8 of the Torah Reading Cycle

• Torah (T): Bereshiyt (Genesis) 8:1-22
• Prophets (P): Isaiah 54:9-10
• Apostolic (A): Matthew 15:1-20
• Additional (ADD): Jubilees 5:32 – 6:4

Torah Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1. 1. Genesis 8:1 Elohim remembered Noaḥ, all the animals, and all the livestock[, and all the birds, and all the creeping]^(LXX) that were with him in the ark; and Elohim made a wind to pass over the land. The waters subsided.
      1. זָכַר zakhar (H2142) means to recall or act upon events of the past (cf. Genesis 9:16; Deuteronomy 25:17; Numbers 11:5). This word can further mean to remember in thought as a memorial (Exodus 20:8; Numbers 15:39), to mention through speech (cf. Exodus 23:13), to act or speak on behalf of  another (cf. 1 Samuel 4:18). equivalent to the Greek word μιμνῄσκομαι mimnēskomai (G3403) which means to remind; to be recalled or to return to one’s mind, to remind one’s self of, to remember; to be recalled to mind, to be remembered, had in remembrance; to remember a thing; or be mindful of. The Hebrew word for “male” is זָכוּר zakhur (H2138) because the males of the family remember and pass down the family history through story and family name. Males also act and speak for the family. אַזְכָּרָה azkara (H234) is the memorial-offering, the portion of the food offering which is burned (cf. Leviticus 2:2; Numbers 5:26). זִכָּרוֹן zikaron (H2146) means to record or remember something through documentation (cf. Exodus 12:14; Exodus 13:9; Exodus 7:14; Malachi 3:16).
      2. Genesis 5:29 He named him Noaḥ, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which YHWH has cursed.” (cf. Genesis 3:17-18)
         1. The name נֹחַ Noach means “to guide to rest” (H5146) from the root נוּחַ nuach (H5117) which was concretely represented in Ancient Hebrew as a father guiding his seed to a place of rest or a shepherd guiding his flock to a place of water or green pastures.
   2. Genesis 8:2 The deep’s fountains and the heaven’s windows were also stopped, and the rain from the heavens was restrained.
      1. Genesis 1:7 Elohim made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament and it was so.
      2. Jubilees 2:4 And on the second day He created the firmament in the midst of the waters, and the waters were divided on that day–half of them went up above and half of them went down below the firmament (that was) in the midst over the face of the whole earth.
      3. Psalms 148:4 Praise him, you heavens of heavens, you waters that are above the heavens.
      4. 2 Esdras 4:7 He said to me, “If I had asked you, ‘How many dwellings are there in the heart of the sea? Or how many springs are there at the fountain head of the deep? Or how many streams are above the firmament? Or which are the exits of hades? Or which are the entrances of paradise?’
      5. Targum Let there be an expanse in the midst of the waters, and let it separate between the waters above and the waters beneath. [JERUSALEM. And let there be a separation between the waters above and the waters below.] And the Lord made the expanse, upbearing it with three fingers, between the confines of the heavens and the waters of the ocean, and separated between the waters which were below the expanse, and the waters which were above, in the collection (or covering) of the expanse; and it was so
   3. Genesis 8:4 The ark rested in the seventh new moon, on the seventeenth day of the new moon, on the mountains of Ararat.
      1. The mountains of Ararat were a region known during Moses’ time and may therefore not be the same geographical area as the reign of Urartu and or the Ararat mentioned in 2 Kings 19:37, Isaiah 37:38 or Jeremiah 51:27. The modern Mount Ararat (or Mount Ağrı) is a snow-capped and dormant compound volcano in Eastern Turkey. Some researchers say the petrified remains of Noaḥ’s ark can still be seen on Takhte Soleyman in the Alborz mountain range in Iran. In June 2006, the BASE Institute announced the discovery of a large object resembling petrified wood on Mount Takht-e Suleyman in the Alborz. The object, located 13,000 feet (4,000 m) above sea level, was reported to be similar in size to estimates for the Ark. The BASE website asserted that this object was the same one Ed Davis claimed to have seen, but stopped short of proclaiming it Noaḥ’s Ark, instead calling it “a candidate.” “I think we’ve found something that deserves a lot more research,” Cornuke said. “It has a distinct possibility that it could be something like the ark.”
   4. The Raven
      1. Genesis 8:5-7 The waters receded continually until the tenth new moon. In the tenth new moon, on the first day of the new moon, the tops of the mountains were visible. 6 At the end of forty days, Noaḥ opened the window of the ark which he had made, 7 and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the land.
         1. Raven is עֹרֵב orev (H6158) which comes from the same root word as עָרַב erev (H6150) means to become evening, grow dark because the raven is a dark black bird.
            1. Ravens are predators. They are omnivorous birds that eat a variety of plants and animals, including small animals, livestock, and other birds.
            2. Leviticus 11:13-15 “ ‘You shall detest these among the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven.”
            3. Job 38:41 Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to Elohim, and wander for lack of food?
            4. Song of Songs 5:11 His head is like the purest gold. His hair is bushy, black as a raven.
            5. Isaiah 34:8-11 For YHWH has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion. 9 Its streams will be turned into pitch, its dust into sulfur, and its land will become burning pitch. 10 It won’t be quenched night or day. Its smoke will go up forever. From generation to generation, it will lie waste. No one will pass through it forever and ever. 11 But the pelican and the porcupine will possess it. The owl and the raven will dwell in it. He will stretch the line of confusion over it, and the plumb line of emptiness.
   5. The Dove
      1. Doves are not predators. Their diet primarily consists of seeds and grains. Doves are prey for predators.
         1. Matthew 10:16 “Behold, I send you out as sheep among wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. 17 But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils, and in their synagogues they will scourge you.”
      2. First Journey: Repentance
         1. Genesis 8:8-9 He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the face of the ground, 9 the dove found no resting place for the palm of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole land. He put out his hand, and took her, and brought her to him into the ark.
            1. She found no resting place for the palm of her foot
               1. מָנוֹחַ manoach (H4494) is a resting place or state or condition of rest and comes from the root word נוּחַ nuach (H5117) which was concretely represented in Ancient Hebrew as a father guiding his seed to a place of rest or a shepherd guiding his flock to a place of water or green pastures.
               2. Deuteronomy 28:15, 65 But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to the voice of YHWH your Elohim, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come on you and overtake you…Among these nations you will find no ease, and there will be no resting place for the sole of your foot; but YHWH will give you there a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and pining of soul.
               3. Judges 13:2-5 “There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoach; and his wife was barren, and childless. 3 The angel of YHWH appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing; 5 for, behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to Elohim from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”
               4. Ruth 2:22 – 3:1 Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good, my daughter, that you go out with his maidens, and that they not meet you in any other field.” 23 So she stayed close to the maidens of Boaz, to glean to the end of barley harvest and of wheat harvest; and she lived with her mother-in-law. 3:1 Naomi her mother-in-law said to her, “My daughter, shall I not seek a resting place for you, that it may be well with you?“
               5. Lamentations 1:3 Judah has gone into captivity because of affliction and because of great servitude. She dwells among the nations. She finds no resting place. All her persecutors overtook her in her distress.
            2. She returned תָּשָׁב tashav H7725
               1. In Hebrew, the letter tav (ת) is a prefix that means “she/you/they will” so the literal translation is “the dove found no resting place for the palm of her foot, and she will return (repent) into the ark to him”
      3. Second Journey: Deliverance and Grafting In
         1. Genesis 8:10-11 He waited yet another seven days; and again he sent the dove out of the ark. 11 The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noaḥ knew that the waters were abated from the land.
            1. Deuteronomy 24:20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.
            2. Judges 9:8-9 The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves. They said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ 9 “But the olive tree said to them, ‘Should I stop producing my oil, with which they honor Elohim and man by me, and go to wave back and forth over the trees?’
            3. Psalm 52:8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of Elohim. I trust in the loving kindness of Elohim forever and ever.
            4. Romans 11:16-24 If the first fruit is holy, so is the lump. If the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive, were grafted in among them and became partaker with them of the [rich root]^(mss) of the olive tree, 18 don’t boast over the branches. But if you boast, remember that it is not you who support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in.” 20 True; by their unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by your faith. Don’t be conceited, but fear; 21 for if Elohim didn’t spare the natural branches, neither will he spare you. 22 See then the goodness and severity of Elohim. Toward those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in his goodness; otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 They also, if they don’t continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for Elohim is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a good olive tree, how much more will these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?
      4. Third and Final Journey: Shabbat Resting Place
         1. Genesis 8:12 He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.
            1. Hebrews 4:1-11 Let’s fear therefore, lest perhaps anyone of you should seem to have come short of a promise of entering into his rest. 2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, even as they also did, but the word they heard didn’t profit them, because it wasn’t mixed with faith by those who heard. 3 For we who have believed do enter into that rest, even as he has said, “As I swore in my wrath, they will not enter into my rest;” (cf. Psalms 95:11) although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he has said this somewhere about the seventh day, “Elohim rested on the seventh day from all his works;” (cf. Genesis 2:2) 5 and in this place again, “They will not enter into my rest.” (cf. Psalms 95:11) 6 Seeing therefore it remains that some should enter into it, and they to whom the good news was preached before failed to enter in because of disobedience, 7 he again defines a certain day, “today”, saying through David so long a time afterward, just as has been said, “Today if you will hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.” (cf. Psalms 95:7-8) 8 For if Joshua had given them rest, he would not have spoken afterward of another day. 9 There remains therefore a Sabbath rest for the people of Elohim. 10 For he who has entered into his rest has himself also rested from his works, as Elohim did from his. 11 Let’s therefore give diligence to enter into that rest, lest anyone fall after the same example of disobedience.
   6. Genesis 8:13-17 In the six hundred first year [of Noaḥ’s life],^(LXX) in the first new moon, the first day of the new moon, the waters were dried up from the land. Noaḥ removed the covering of the ark, and looked. He saw that the face of the ground was dry. 14 In the second new moon, on the twenty-seventh day of the new moon, the land was dry. 15 Elohim spoke to Noaḥ, saying, 16 “Go out of the ark, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping that treads on the land, that they may breed abundantly in the land, and be fruitful, and multiply on the land.”
      1. Genesis 1:21-22 Elohim created the great sea animal and every living soul that treads, with which the waters swarm, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. Elohim saw that it was good. 22 Elohim blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and birds multiply on the land.”
      2. Genesis 9:1-3 Elohim blessed Noaḥ and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the heavens. Everything that moves along the ground, and all the fish of the sea, are delivered into your hand. 3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given everything to you.
         1. Genesis 1:27-31 Elohim created the man in his own image. In the image of Elohim he created him; male and female he created them. 28 Elohim blessed them, [saying],^(LXX) “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the land, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the heavens, and over the livestock, [and over all the wild animals of the land],^(syr) [and over all the souls that crawl]^(LXX) on the land.” 29 Elohim said, “Behold, I have given you every plant yielding seed, which is on the face of all the land, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every wild animal of the land, [and to every livestock of the land],^(mss) and to every bird of the heavens, and to every treader upon the land, in which there is a living soul, I have given every green plant for food.” 31 Elohim saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.
   7. Genesis 8:18-22 Noaḥ went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him. 19 [And all the wild beasts and all the livestock],^(LXX) every creeping, and every bird, whatever moves on the land, after their families, went out of the ark. 20 Noaḥ built an altar to [Elohim],^(LXX) and took of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 YHWH smelled the pleasant aroma. YHWH said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake for the inclination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living, as I have done. 22 While the land remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”
      1. Jubilees 6:1-4 And on the new moon of the third new moon he went forth from the ark, and built an altar on that mountain. 2. And he made atonement for the land, and took a kid and made atonement by its blood for all the guilt of the land; for everything that had been on it had been destroyed, save those that were in the ark with Noaḥ̣. 3. And he placed the fat thereof on the altar, and he took an ox, and a goat, and a sheep and kids, and salt, and a turtle-dove, and the young of a dove, and placed a burnt sacrifice on the altar, and poured thereon an offering mingled with oil, and sprinkled wine and strewed frankincense over everything, and caused a goodly savour to arise, acceptable before the Lord. 4. And the Lord smelt the goodly savour, and He cut a covenant with him that there should not be any more a flood to destroy the land; that all the days of the land seedtime and harvest should never cease; cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night should not change their order, nor cease for ever.
         1. “Israel has a wide variety of climatic conditions, caused mainly by the country’s diverse topography. There are two distinct seasons: a cool, rainy winter (October–April) and a dry, hot summer (May–September). Along the coast, sea breezes have a moderating influence in summer, and the Mediterranean beaches are popular.” (Britannica)
      2. The Hebrew word לְכַהֲנוֹ l’khahanov means to adorn with special ornaments or garments for a special office or event. This phrase is often translated as “that he may minister unto me in the priests office” (see Isaiah 61:10 below). לְכַהֲנוֹ l’khahanov is from the Hebrew word כָּהַן kahan (H3547) which is most often translated as “to act as a priest”  or “minister in a priest’s office.” Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in YHWH! My soul will be joyful in my Elohim, for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation. He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks* himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. *The word “decks” is יְכַהֵ֣ן y’khahen (from כָּהַן kahan H3547) and means to adorn with special ornaments or garments for a special office or event. כָּהַן kahan is from the root word כֵּן ken (H3651 or H3652) which is the modern Hebrew word for “yes” and used as an adjective or adverb in the Bible and translated to “so, therefore, or thus.” כֵּן ken is first used in Genesis 1:7 “And Elohim made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament: and it was so (כֵּן ken),” where “it was so” can be translated as “it was firmly established”. When used as a noun, כֵּן ken means “to stand firmly as a root or base of something” and translated as foot (8x), estate (4x), base (2x), office (1x), place (1x), well (1x).
      3. Levi received a vision from Elohim that he would be priest and
         1. The Words of Levi – 4Q213 Frag.1 Col. 2, Oxford Geniza Text Col. A + 1Q21, Col. B, & Col. D Although the Greek Testament of Levi was not found at Qumran, scholars did discover portions of the present work, an Aramaic composition that seems to have influenced it
         2. 4Q213 Frag. 1 Col. 2 …Then I went on […] to my father Jacob, and when […] from Abel-Main. Then […where] I laid down. And I remained […] Then I was shown a vision […] in the appearance of a vision, and I saw heav[en]… and a mountain] under me so high it reached [the heavens[n… and they opened] for me the gates of the heavens and an angel […] Mt. Athos MS And he said to me: Levi, to you and to your descendants the priesthood is given, to serve the Most High in the midst of the land and to atone for the sins of the land. Then he gave the blessings of the priesthood… Oxford Geniza Text Col. A + 1Q21 …So we went to my father Isaac, and he blessed me. Then when Jacob my father was tithing everything he had in accordance with his vow, […] I ranked first, at the head of […]; and to me, of all his sons, he gave the fist of a ti[the] to Elohim, and he dressed me in priestly vestments, and officially appointed me as priest to Elohim Eternal. I offered all his sacrifices and blessed my father for life and also my brothers. Then all of them blessed me, and my father too blessed me. When I finished Col. B offering the sacrifices in Bethel, we left Bethel and lived in our great-grandfather Abraham’s palace with Isaac our grandfather. When Isaac our grandfather saw us all, he greeted us joyfully. When he recognized that I had become priest to Elohim Most High, the Lord of Heaven, he began to teach me authoritatively the priestly way of life. He said to me, Carefully avoid all ritual impurity and every kind of sin. Your way of life is to be more strict than all other humans. So now, my son, I will show you the proper way for you to live, not withholding from you anything you need to know about the priestly way of life. First, carefully avoid, my son, all impure lewdness and every kind of improper sexual act. You must marry a woman from my clan, so as not to defile your seed with foreign women, because you are a holy seed, and holy is your seed as the holy temple, and because you are considered a holy priest to all the seed of Abraham. You are close to Elohim and close to all his holy angels. So keep your flesh clean from every impurity of any man. Col. D Now when four weeks of years in my life had passed, when I was twenty-eight, I took a wife from the stock of my great-grandfather Abraham, Milkah, daughter of Bathuel, the son of Laban, my mother’s brother…When I was en, I was brought into the land of Canaan, and I was eighteen when I killed Shechem and eliminated those who commit crimes. I was nineteen years old when I became priest, and I was twenty-eight when I took a wife for myself.The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.

            Testament of Levi 4Q213B (ADD)

            Numerous small fragments representing the Aramaic Testament of Levi from Cave 4 all date to the mid-first century B.C.. Part of the Testament of Levi involves Levi being taken to the heavens and promised the priesthood forever, and then seven angels physically give him the insignia of the priesthood (as described in Exodus). This part parallels the beginning and end of a vision in the Aramaic Levi Document, whence the body of the vision is now lost; and is thought to preserve that part of the text.

            [The seven departed from me] and I woke up from my sleep. Then [I said, ‘This is a vision and I am so amazed that I should have any vision.’ And] I [concealed] this also in my heart [and disclosed it] to no man. And we went to my father, Isaac, and he too blessed me thus. Then Jacob, my father, tithed all that he had in conformity with his vow and I was the first at the head [of the priesthood] and to me, one of his sons, he gave a gift … to Elohim, and he clothed me with the garment of the priesthood and he ordained me, and I became a priest of the everlasting Elohim …

      4. The Levitical Priesthood established and installed in Leviticus 8:1-36; YHWH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Appointed Tent.” 4 Moses did as YHWH commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Appointed Tent. 5 Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which YHWH has commanded to be done.” 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him and fastened it to him with it. 8 He placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Tummim in the breastplate. 9 He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as YHWH commanded Moses. 10 Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them. 11 He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. 13 Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them, as YHWH commanded Moses. 14 He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15 He killed it; and Moses took the blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it. 16 He took all the fat that was on the innards, and the cover of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat; and Moses burned it on the altar. 17 But the bull, and its skin, and its flesh, and its dung, he burned with fire outside the camp, as YHWH commanded Moses. 18 He presented the ram of the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19 He killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20 He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat. 21 He washed the innards and the legs with water; and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to YHWH, as YHWH commanded Moses. 22 He presented the other ram, the ram of installation. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 He killed it; and Moses took some of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot. 24 He brought Aaron’s sons; and Moses put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; 26 and out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before YHWH, he took one unleavened cake, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before YHWH. 28 Moses took them from their hands, and burned them on the altar on the burnt offering. They were an installation offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to YHWH. 29 Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before YHWH. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of installation, as YHWH commanded Moses. 30 Moses took some of the anointing oil, and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him. 31 Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, “Boil the flesh at the [courtyard]^(LXX) of the Appointed Tent, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of installation, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons will eat it.’ 32 What remains of the flesh and of the bread you will burn with fire. 33 You will not go out from the door of the Appointed Tent for seven days, until the days of your installation are fulfilled: for he will fill your hand seven days. 34 What has been done today, so YHWH has commanded to do, to make atonement for you. 35 You will stay at the door of the Appointed Tent day and night seven days, and guard YHWH’s command, that you don’t die: for so [has YHWH Elohim]^(LXX) commanded.” 36 Aaron and his sons did all the things which YHWH commanded by Moses.
      5. Melchizedek, priest to El Elyon Genesis 14:18-24; Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest to El Elyon. 19 He blessed [Abram],^(LXX) and said, “Blessed be Abram to El Elyon, purchaser of the heavens and the land. 20 Blessed be El Elyon, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.” Abram gave him a tenth of all. 21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.” 22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to El Elyon, purchaser of the heavens and the land, 23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”
         1. Psalm 110:1-4; YHWH says to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool for your feet.” 2 YHWH will send out the rod of your strength out of Zion. Rule among your enemies. 3 Your people offer themselves willingly in the day of your power, in holy array. Out of the womb of the morning, you have the dew of your youth. 4 YHWH has sworn, and will not change his mind: “You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”
         2. The Coming of Melchizedek 11Q13 Column 2; […] And concerning what Scripture says, “In [this] year of jubilee [you will return, every one of you, to your property” (Leviticus 25:13) and what is also written, “And this] is the [ma]nner of [the forgiveness]: every creditor will remit the claim that is held [against a neighbor, not exacting it of a neighbor who is a member of the community, because Elohim’s] forgiveness [has been proclaimed” (Deuteronomy 15:2): [the interpretation] is that it applies [to the L]ast Days and concerns the captives, just as [Isaiah said: “To proclaim the jubilee to the captives” (Isaiah 61:1)… just] as […] and from the inheritance of Melchizedek, f[or… Melchizedek, who will return them to what is rightfully theirs. He will proclaim to them the jubilee, thereby releasing th[em from the debt of a]ll their sins. [He will pro]claim this decree in the fir[s]t [wee]k of the jubilee period that foll[ows nine j]ubilee periods. Then the “D[ay of Atone]ment” will follow af[ter] the [te]nth [ju]bilee period, when he will atone for all the Sons of [Light] and the peopl[e who are pre]destined to Mel[chi]zedek. Melchiz[edek]’s favor” (Isaiah 61:2, modified), [and] by his might w[i]ll judge Elohim’s holy ones and so establish a righteous ki[n]gdom, as it is written about him in the Songs of David, “A godlike being has taken his place in the council of Elohim; in the midst of the divine beings he holds judgement” (Psalms 82:1). Scripture also s[ays] about him, “Over [it] take your seat in the highest the heavens; A divine being will judge the peoples” (Psalms 7:7-8). Concerning what Scripture s[ays, “How long will y]ou (plural: you-all) judge unjustly, and sh[ow] partiality to the wick[e]d? [S]el[ah]” (Psalms 82:2), the interpretation applies to Belial and the spirits predestined to him, becau[se all of them have rebe]lled, turn[ing] from Elohim’s precepts [and so becoming utterly wicked.] Therefore, Melchizedek will thoroughly prosecute the veng[ea]nce required by God’s statu[te]s. [Also, he will deliver all the captives from the power of B]elial, and from the power of all [the spirits predestined to him.] Allied with him will be all the [“righteous] divine beings” (Isaiah 61:3). [The…] wh[ich…al]l the divine beings. The vi[sitation] is the Day of [Salvation] that He has decreed [through Isai]ah the prophet [concerning all the captives,] inasmuch as Scripture sa[ys, How] beautiful upon the mountains are the fee[ t of] the messeng[er] who [an]nounces peace, who brings [good] news, [who announces salvat]ion, who [sa]ys to Zion, Your [di]vine being [reigns’” (Isaiah 52:7).] This scripture’s interpretation: “the mounta[ins” are the] prophet[s], they w[ho were sent to proclaim Elohim’s truth and to] proph[esy] to all I[srael]. The “messenger” is the [An]ointed of the spir[it], of whom Dan[iel] spoke, [“After the sixty-two weeks, an Anointed one will be cut off” (Daniel 9:26). The “messenger who brings] good news, who announ[ces salvation”] is the one of whom it is wri[tt]en, [“to proclaim the year of the LORD’S favor, the day of vengeance of our Elohim;] to comfo[rt all who mourn” (Isaiah 61:2). This scripture’s interpretation:] he is to inst[r]uct them about all the periods of history for eter[nity…and in the statutes of] [the] truth. […] […dominion] that passes from Belial and ret[urns to the Sons of Light…] […] by the judgement of Elohim, just as it is written concerning him, [“who says to Zi[on ‘Your divine being reigns’” (Isaiah 52:7). [“Zi]on” is [the congregation of all the sons of righteousness, who] uphold the covenant and turn from walking [in the way] of the people. “Your di[vi]ne being” is [Melchizedek, who will del]iv[er them from the po]wer of Belial. Concerning what Scripture says, “Then you will have the trumpet [sounded loud; in] the [seventh m]o[nth…”] (Leviticus 25:9.)The above excerpt is from Wise, Michael Owen, et al. The Dead Sea Scrolls: a New Translation. HarperSanFrancisco, 2005.
         3. Yeshua, priest forever in the order of Melchizedek and our High Priest
            1. Hebrews 4:14 – 5:11; Having then a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Yeshua, the Son of Elohim, let’s hold tightly to our confession. 15 For we don’t have a high priest who can’t be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but one who has been in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin. 16 Let’s therefore draw near with boldness to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace for help in time of need. 5 For every high priest, being taken from among men, is appointed for men in things pertaining to Elohim, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 The high priest can deal gently with those who are ignorant and going astray, because he himself is also surrounded with weakness (ἀσθένεια astheneia G769 means want of strength, weakness, infirmity of the body or of the soul, see Hebrews 7:18) . 3 Because of this, he must offer sacrifices for sins for the people, as well as for himself. 4 Nobody takes this honor on himself, but he is called by Elohim, just like Aaron was. 5 So also Messiah didn’t glorify himself to be made a high priest, but it was he who said to him, “You are my Son. Today I have become your father.” ( 6 As he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.” (Psalm 110:4) 7 He, in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and petitions with strong crying and tears to him who was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, 8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered. 9 Having been made perfect, he became to all of those who obey him the author of eternal salvation, 10 named by Elohim a high priest after the order of Melchizedek. 11 About him we have many words to say, and hard to interpret, seeing you have become dull of hearing.
            2. Hebrews 7:1 – 8:7; For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of Elohim Most High, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham divided a tenth part of all (cf. Genesis 14:20), being first, by interpretation, “king of righteousness”, and then also “king of Salem”, which means “king of peace”, 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of Elohim, remains a priest continually. 4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even Abraham the patriarch gave a tenth out of the best plunder. 5 They indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have a commandment to take tithes from the people according to the Torah (cf. Numbers 18:21; Deuteronomy 18:1), that is, of their brothers, though these have come out of the body of Abraham, 6 but he whose genealogy is not counted from them has accepted tithes from Abraham, and has blessed him who has the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. 8 Here people who die receive tithes, but there one receives tithes of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 We can say that through Abraham even Levi, who receives tithes, has paid tithes, 10 for he was yet in the body of his father when Melchizedek met him. 11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood, for under it the people have received the Torah, what further need was there for another priest to arise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, there is of necessity a change made also in the law. 13 For he of whom these things are said belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord has sprung out of Judah, about which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood. 15 This is yet more abundantly evident, if after the likeness of Melchizedek there arises another priest, 16 who has been made, not after the law of a fleshly commandment, but after the power of an endless life; 17 for [it is witnessed],^(mss) “You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.” (cf. Psalm 110:4) 18 For there is an annulling of a foregoing commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law perfected nothing, but a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to Elohim. 20 Inasmuch as he was not made priest without the taking of an oath, 21 for they indeed have been made priests without an oath, but he with an oath by him that says of him, “The Lord swore and will not change his mind, ‘You are a priest forever, according to the order of Melchizedek.’ ” (cf. Psalm 110:4) 22 By so much, Yeshua has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Many, indeed, have been made priests, because they are hindered from continuing by death. 24 But he, because he lives forever, has his priesthood unchangeable. 25 Therefore he is also able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to Elohim through him, seeing that he lives forever to make intercession for them. 26 For such a high priest was [indeed]^(mss) fitting for us: holy, guiltless, undefiled, separated from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; 27 who doesn’t need, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices daily, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. For he did this once for all, when he offered up himself. 28 For the Torah appoints men as high priests who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints a Son forever who has been perfected. 8 Now in the things which we are saying, the main point is this: we have such a high priest, who sat down on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2 a servant of the sanctuary and of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, not man. 3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4 For if he were on earth, he would not be a priest at all, seeing there are priests who offer the gifts according to the Torah, 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, even as Moses was warned by Elohim when he was about to make the tabernacle, for he said, “See, you shall make everything according to the pattern that was shown to you on the mountain.” (cf. Exodus 25:40) 6 But now he has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as he is also the mediator of a better covenant, which on better promises has been given as Torah. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then no place would have been sought for a second.
         4. We are a kingdom of priests and a holy nation
            1. Exodus 19:1-6; In the third month after the sons of Israel had gone out of the land of Egypt, on that same day they came into the wilderness of Sinai. 2 When they had departed from Rephidim, and had come to the wilderness of Sinai, they encamped in the wilderness; and there Israel encamped before the mountain. 3 Moses went up to Elohim, and YHWH called to him out of the mountain, saying, “This is what you shall tell the house of Jacob, and tell the sons of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings, and brought you to myself. 5 Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, then you shall be my own possession from among all peoples; for all the earth is mine; 6 and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the sons of Israel.”
            2. Isaiah 61:1-6; The Spirit of [the Lord]^(DSS)(LXX) YHWH is on me, because [he]^(LXX)  has anointed me to preach good news to the humble. He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and [recovering of sight to the blind]*,^(DSS)(LXX) 2 to proclaim the year of YHWH’s favor and the day of vengeance of our Elohim, to comfort all who mourn, 3 to provide for those who mourn in Zion, to give to them a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness, that they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of YHWH, that he may be decorated. 4 They will rebuild the old ruins. They will raise up the former devastated places. They will repair the ruined cities that have been devastated for many generations. 5 Strangers will stand and feed your flocks. Foreigners will work your fields and your vineyards. 6 But you will be called YHWH’s priests. Men will call you the servants of our Elohim. You will eat the wealth of the nations. You will boast in their glory.
               1. *The Masoretic text reads, “release to those who are bound”, however, both the Septuagint (LXX) and Dead Sea Scrolls from 250 B.C. and earlier read, “recovery of sight to the blind,” and matches Luke’s quotation of this verse in Luke 4:18.
            3. Revelation 1:1-6; This is the Revelation of Yeshua the Messiah, which Elohim gave him to show to his servants the things which must happen soon, which he sent and made known by his angel‡ to his servant, Yochanan, 2 who witnessed to the word of Elohim and of the testimony of Yeshua the Messiah, about everything that he saw.
               3 Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written in it, for the time is near. 4 John, to the seven assemblies that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Elohim, who is and who was and who is to come; and from the seven Spirits who are before his throne; 5 and from Yeshua the Messiah, the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth. To him who loves us, and washed us from our sins by his blood— 6 and he made us to be a Kingdom, priests to his Elohim and Father (cf. Exodus 19:6; Isaiah 61:6) —to him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
               1. The Textus Receptus (King James Version) reads “And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father”

1. Evil Inclination
   1. Genesis 8:21 “…YHWH said in his heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake for the inclination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living, as I have done.”
      1. Septuagint LXX: …for the thought of man is intently bent upon evil from his youth…
   2. Heart – When not referencing the vital organ which pumps blood (cf. 2 Kings 9:24), לֵב lev (H3820) can literally be translated “authority of the house” in reference to the inward man’s (cf. Romans 7:22) mind, inclination, resolution, determination (of will), understanding, and conscience (cf. Genesis 6:5; Exodus 7:13; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 30:6; Psalm 34:18; Psalm 51:17) לֵב lev is equivalent to the Greek word καρδία kardia (G2588) which literally refers to the vital organ in the body that is the center of the circulation of the blood, and hence was regarded as the seat of physical life (e.g. “cardiac arrest” is the abrupt loss of heart function). When not literally referencing this vital organ, καρδία kardia refers to the center and seat of spiritual life; 1) the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors, 2) of the understanding, the faculty and seat of the intelligence, 3) of the will and character (cf. Luke 11:39; Romans 7:22; 2 Corinthians 4:16).
   3. Evil – רַע ra (H7451) means to be dysfunctional in the sense that the wrong, wicked, evil, or bad behavior has deviated from the original function of operating normally or properly.
   4. Inclination – יֵצֶר yetser (H3336) means to be pressed or squeezed out of shape or into shape as when clay is pressed into a shape. When referring to inclination, יֵצֶר yetser means to form thoughts in one’s heart.
      1. According to Modern Judaism:
         1. The Talmud adds that “from his youth” means “from his birth”. [Berakhot Y 3:5]
         2. But Judaism teaches that we are not only evil: Everyone has an Evil Inclination (in Hebrew, yetzer ha-ra’) and a Good Inclination (in Hebrew, yetzer ha-tov). The Evil Inclination is what incites us to do prohibited things, to do permitted things to excess, to insist on instant gratification at any price, to fall to temptation, and to demand from others without caring what happens to them. This is the typical behavior of a child.
         3. The commentary Avot de Rabbi Natan says: It is said that the Evil Inclination is thirteen years older than the Good Inclination. It arrives when man is born and grows with him, so that he transgresses commandments, and there is nothing in his mind to chastise him. But when he is thirteen years old, the Good Inclination arrives. [Avot de Rabbi Natan 16:12]
         4. The Tosafot, medieval commentators, elaborate: The Good Inclination is given to a person in his mother’s womb, where he knows the entire Torah. And at the time of birth, the Evil Inclination enters and banishes the Good Inclination until the person matures, and [then] the Good Inclination enters [once again]. [Piskei Tosafot to Nedarim 62]
         5. So the Good Inclination is a sign of maturity, of transition from childhood to adulthood.
   5. Romans 7:18-25 For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but the doing of good is not. 19 For the good which I desire, I don’t do; but the evil which I don’t desire, that I practice. 20 But if what I don’t desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. 21 I find then the law that, while I desire to do good, evil is present. 22 For I delight in God’s Torah after the inward person, 23 but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? 25 [Thanks be to Elohim]^(mss) through Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God’s Torah, but with the flesh, sin’s law.
   6. James 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by Elohim,” for Elohim can’t be tempted by evil, and he himself tempts no one. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. 15 Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin. The sin, when it is full grown, produces death.
   7. Matthew 15:17-20 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Apostolic Summary
Context and coherence (Nehemiah 8:8)

1. Our Apostolic portion provides a glimpse into the cultural and religious dynamics at work during Yeshua’s ministry.
   1. Reveals a key aspect of His purpose and ministry:
      1. To pronounce the Father’s judgment on the religious establishment
      2. To free the people from a yoke which their forefathers had not been able to bear (Acts 15:10).
   2. We will unpack how, in Christ, the Torah is a comfortable yoke that is not a heavy burden for those who walk in it; in fact, it gives rest to the soul (Mat. 11:29-30; Psa. 19:7).
   3. We will also see that the doctrines of men – in whatever religious package they come – are burdensome, suffocating and end up creating distance between the child of God and his/her Creator.
2. Understanding Oral Torah (i.e. traditions) versus Torah (i.e. commandments).
   1. “Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do Your disciples break the tradition (#3862) of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.’ And He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment (#1785) of God for the sake of your tradition (#3862)?’” (Mat. 15:1-2)
      1. G3862. paradosis – “an instruction, tradition”.
         1. HELPS Word-studies: from 3844 /pará, “from close-beside” and 1325 /dídōmi, “give over”) – properly, give (hand over) from close-beside, referring to tradition as passed on from one generation to the next.
      2. G1785. entolé – “an ordinance, injunction, command, law”.
         1. Corresponding Hebrew Entries: – H4687 (מִצְוָה, mitzvah).
   2. All tradition comes from men and not God, but that doesn’t mean all tradition is bad.
      1. “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Messiah. Now I praise you because you remember me in everything and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I handed them down to you” (1 Cor. 11:1-2).
      2. “So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold on to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us” (2 The. 2:15).
      3. “Now we command you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother or sister who leads a disorderly life and not one in accordance with the tradition which you received from us” (2 The. 3:6).
   3. Another word for tradition is halachah which describes how we “walk out” and apply the commandments.
      1. H1980. halak – “to go, walk, come, proceed, move”.
         1. “If you walk (#1980) in My statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out, then I shall give you rains in their season, so that the land will yield its produce and the trees of the field will bear their fruit” (Lev. 26:3).

KEY POINT:

Tradition provides a pathway for discipleship, parenting, and training of the next generation.

1. The “Oral Torah” is a term that summarizes the traditions, or halachah, passed down over the centuries in Judaism.
   1. The rabbis taught that when Moses was on Mount Sinai two sets of laws were delivered to him: one, they said, was recorded, and is that contained in the Pentateuch; the other was handed down from father to son, and kept uncorrupted to their day. They believed that Moses, before he died, delivered this law to Joshua; he to the Judges; they to the prophets; so that it was kept pure until it was recorded in the Talmuds.
   2. Authority for the oral traditions was traced all the way to the addition of the seventy elders set under Moses in Numbers 11:25 to bear a share in the government. This group came to known as the Sanhedrin and was the supreme judicial court in Judaism in the 1st-century for all things moral, judicial, or ceremonial, and every Israelite was bound to abide by their determination.
   3. By the time of Yeshua’s ministry, the traditions of the elders (e.g. Oral Torah) was regarded by the religious authorities as more important than either Moses or the prophets.
      1. “Know then, that ‘the words of the Scribes’ are more lovely than the words of the law: for, says R. Tarphon, if a man does not read, he only transgresses an affirmative; but if he transgresses the words of the school of Hillell, he is guilty of death, because he hath broke down a hedge, and a serpent shall bite him. It is a tradition of R. Ishmael, the words of the law have in them both prohibition and permission; some of them are light, and some heavy, but ‘the words of the Scribes’ are all of them heavy – ‘weightier are the words of the elders’, than the words of the prophets.’ (Zohar in Deut. fol. 107. 3).

KEY POINT:

Yeshua’s rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees must be viewed in a 1st-century context that distinguishes between the written and Oral Torah and how the latter had, for the most part, resulted in doctrines that corrupted the original intention of God’s commandments. 

Exhortation
Counsel, comfort, and encouragement (Acts 13:14-15)

1. Let’s look deeper at the Apostolic portion.
   1. “Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, ‘Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread’” (Mat. 15:1-2).
   2. “The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots). The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, ‘Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?’” (Mar. 7:1-5).
      1. What the Pharisees insisted on was not cleanliness as such, but the avoidance of ceremonial (i.e. ritual) pollution.
      2. Generally speaking, the Pharisees wanted the purity laws of the priesthood applied to the people (Martin, V. (1995). A house divided: The parting of the ways between synagogue and church. Paulist Press).
   3. The biblical origin for this objection to unwashed hands is likely drawn from the ritual purity laws in Leviticus.
      1. “[I]f a person touches any unclean thing, whether a carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean cattle, or a carcass of unclean swarming things, though it is hidden from him and he is unclean, or if he touches human uncleanness, of whatever sort his uncleanness may be with which he becomes unclean, and it is hidden from him, and then he comes to know it, he will be guilty” (Lev. 5:2-3).
   4. Many of the rabbinic traditions were fences designed to prevent ritual uncleanness for Jews visiting a marketplace or otherwise interacting with Gentiles.
      1.  In Yeshua’s day, the extent to which these fences had been placed around the Torah was extensive.
         1. “The Babylonian Talmud is divided into six parts. The sixth is about purifications; it contains twelve books, and every book has twenty or thirty chapters, all treating about the purifying of houses, clothes, vessels, human bodies, and their several parts” (Barnes).
      2. “R. Jose says, ‘whoever eats bread without washing of hands, is as if he lay with a whore: and, says R. Eleazer, whoever despises washing of hands, shall be rooted out of the world.’ And elsewhere it is said by them, that ‘he that blesses (food) with defiled hands, is guilty of death.’ And again, ’whoever does not wash his hands as is fitting, although he is punished above, he shall be punished below.’” (Zohar in Deut. fol. 107. 3; Zohar in Gen. fol. 60. 2).

KEY POINT:

Rabbinic fences, like other traditions, might have begun with the intention of preventing transgressing of God’s commandments, but fundamentally violate the Torah by adding to His Word.

“Additions to God’s laws reflect upon his wisdom, as if he had left out something which was needed, and which man could supply; in one way or other they always lead men to disobey God” – Matthew Henry

1. Understanding the vow of Corban. 
   1. “And He answered and said to them, ‘Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? For God said, “HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER,” and, “HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH.” But you say, “Whoever says to his father or mother, “Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God,” he is not to honor his father or his mother.’ And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition’” (Mat. 15:3-6).
   2. “[B]ut you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that” (Mar. 7:11-13).
   3. The rabbis taught that to use something consecrated to God for any lower human use is sacrilege, and therefore a man who turned all his property into a Corban was bound not to spend it to support even his nearest relations. However, the rabbis left it up to the individual to determine the time of fulfilling their vow of Corban and declared that no one had a right to call them to account for delay. With this loophole, the Corban practice became an easy method of evading natural obligations.
   4. This practice demonstrates how rabbinic authority was held up as equal to, and even superior to, the authority of YHWH’s Torah.
      1. In direct violation of Deut. 23:21: “When you make a vow to the YHWH your God, you shall not delay to pay it, for YHWH your God will certainly require it of you, and it will be a sin for you”.
   5. Yeshua’s example of Corban in the case of parents highlights three direct violations of the covenant, or Ten Commandments.
      1. #1 – You shall have no other gods before Me, #5 – Honor your mother and father, #8 – You shall not steal.
2. This helps us understand Yeshua’s strong rebuke of the scribes and Pharisees as He quotes from Isaiah 29:
   1. “Then YHWH said, ‘Because this people draw near with their words and honor Me with their lip service, but they remove their hearts far from Me, and their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote” (Isa. 29:13).
   2. In the preceding context of the chapter, YHWH is warning Israel, specifically the city of Ariel, which is a reference to Jerusalem (Lit. “Lion of God”).
      1. Prophecy given just three years before the Assyrians capture and exile the northern ten tribes (722 B.C.E) and less than two centuries before the fall of Jerusalem to the Babylonians (587 B.C.).
         1. The Charge:
            1. “Be delayed and wait, blind yourselves and be blind; they become drunk, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink…. Who cause a person to be indicted by a word, and ensnare him who adjudicates at the gate, and defraud the one in the right with meaningless arguments” (Isa. 29:9,21).
               1. The leaders had usurped YHWH’s authority through manmade wisdom and reasoning and it had led to delusion among them and the people.
         2. The judgment:
            1. “For the LORD has poured over you a spirit of deep sleep, He has shut your eyes, the prophets; And He has covered your heads, the seers…Therefore behold, I will once again deal marvelously with this people, wondrously marvelous; and the wisdom of their wise men will perish, and the discernment of their discerning men will be concealed. The entire vision will be to you like the words of a sealed book, which when they give it to the one who is literate, saying, ‘Please read this, he will say, “I cannot, for it is sealed.” Then the book will be given to the one who is illiterate, saying, “Please read this.” And he will say, “I cannot read”. Those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction.’” (Isa. 29:10-12,14,24).

KEY POINT:

The creation of man-made traditions – i.e. the adding to or taking away of God’s Word (Deut. 21:32) — and their ascension into a place of authority over God’s people brings forth YHWH’s judgment in the form of confusion, delusion, and bondage. 

1. What transgression is committed when tradition becomes more important than, and contradicts or usurps, the authority of God’s Word?
   1.  “These people draw near (#5066) with their words and honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from me (” (Isa. 29:13).
      1. H5066. nagash – “to draw near, approach, come near”.
         1. Used over 30 times in the Torah to describe bringing a sacrifice.
      2. True service with the lips or mouth is confession of sin or praise. 
      3. H7368. rachaq — “to be far, to be distant, to remove, to withdraw”.
         1. The tense in Isaiah 29:13 is the Pi`el (Perfect 3rd-Person Masculine Singular)
            1. “To send far away”, accusative of person; of people (Isa.6:12); “you have far extended (with accusative) all the ends (boundaries) of the land” (Isa. 26:15).

KEY POINT:

The traditions of men create distance between the worshipper and his/her God by changing what God has said He wants from His covenant people in terms of worship and obedience.

“…The artificial divorce between religion and morality” —  Gill’s Exposition

1. What motivates men to commit this transgression?
   1. Trying to be like God is the original sin of humanity, and the battle is always over God’s Word.
      1. “Now the nachash was more crafty than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said to the woman, ‘Indeed, has God said, “You shall not eat from any tree of the garden”? The woman said to the serpent, ‘From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’ The serpent said to the woman, ‘You surely will not die! For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil’” (Gen. 3:1-5).
2. Despite what people might say, or even what men might teach from the pulpit, the Word of God is unchanging and as fully authoritative as when He first spoke it. 
   1. “Forever, YHWH, Your Word stands firm in the heavens” (Psa. 119:89)

KEY POINT:

As disciples of Messiah and servants of the Most High, we are called to honor His Word above everything else and affirm its authority over any man-made doctrine that contradicts or undermines it. This requires labor to study it, an open heart to be changed by it, and like-minded Believers to do this together with.

“Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for You” (Psa. 119:38).

1. Applying what we have learned to Matthew 15:15-20 and Mark 7:17-19:
   1. This passage is commonly taught to support the doctrine that Yeshua set aside the dietary laws of Leviticus 11 and all animals are now to be considered food. 
      1. “And when He later entered a house, away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him about the parable. And He said to them, ‘Are you so lacking in understanding as well? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the person from outside cannot defile him, because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?’” (Thereby He declared all foods clean.) (Mar. 7:17-19).
      2. Some simple questions to ask:
         1. Why is the last statement in parentheses? If it’s not a direct quote from Yeshua, how do we know that He made this declaration? What is the most basic and plain explanation for what Yeshua is teaching?
   2. When in doubt, use an interlinear Bible translation to see exactly what Greek words are used and how they are translated.
      1. Another option is to look up the passage in a literal translation like Youngs or Wycliffe.
         1. “And when he entered into a house from the multitude, his disciples were questioning him about the simile, and he saith to them, `So also ye are without understanding! Do ye not perceive that nothing from without entering into the man is able to defile him? Because it doth not enter into his heart, but into the belly, and into the drain it doth go out, purifying all the meats.’” (Mark. 7:17-19)
   3. The point of this passage is a simple and clear explanation of the parable, as requested by His disciples. Specifically, that it is the heart of man, and not his stomach, that determines his morality and covenant faithfulness to YHWH. 
2. Questions for discussion:
   1. What do you think of traditions – are they good or bad? If so, when and why?
   2. What doctrines did you grow up with that you now look back on with a different understanding from scripture?

Does anyone have specific questions or need any clarification from what was said during the Summary or Exhortation?

Application & Discussion
Living the Word and following Yeshua (Acts 2:37; Romans 2:13)
Questions, input, and sharpening (Proverbs 27:17; Luke 2:46)

Romans 2:13 For it isn’t the hearers of the Torah who are righteous before Elohim, but the doers of the Torah will be justified.

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves.

1. 1. What questions or comments came up during your family’s discussion of this week’s study?
   2. “What other related Scriptures did you find during your study of this week’s portion?”
   3. Have you ever experienced something from this study or something related to it?
   4. “What changes do you need to make in your life to align with what you learned during this week’s Torah Study?”

Additional Study Notes