Hebrew Prayer - The Resonance Of Saints by P.R. Otokletos - HTML preview

The Heavenly Rabbi

It is hoped that something Sha'ul revealed to us in his letter to the Ephesians did not slip past our eyes without some intrigue: " Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of ELOHIM; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Mashiach himself being the chief corner stone"

This dear reader is most assuredly unusual language utilized by Sha'ul in as much that Holy Scriptures reveal time and time again that all the works of merit are performed by G_D himself … creation; redemption; salvation … everything.

Yet Sha'ul's revelation makes it very clear that the prophets and apostles represent not just servants of Messiah Yeshua but are true partners regarding the construction of the eternal olam habah … the world to come!

So how can Sha'ul make such a bold statement regarding the stature and role of the prophets and apostles within this context? Under what circumstances or framework can Sha'ul's inspired revelation be understood … realizing of course that the Revelation itself upholds this very scenario depicted by Sha'ul?

Romans (10:8-15) But what says it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Yeshua, and shalt believe in thine heart that ELOHIM hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture says, whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Now … from a modern Christian theological perspective Sha'ul in Romans is pointing us towards what is considered to be the "Great Commission" … or in other words the commandment to spread the Gospel of Messiah to all ends of the Earth! On this point we should have little contention. But let us keep in mind all that has been discussed herein already … let us keep in mind that the very objective of the Gospel is to instill within the believer not just the truth of G_D's great plan of restoration but G_D's very Spirit designed to have us walk the Gospel … walk the life as Yeshua walked!

So what comes to mind when we think of walking as Yeshua walked? To begin if we are not thinking of Yeshua as the Master Rebbe … the greatest Rabbi of all time then we are not on the same page with Yeshua … His disciples (talmidim) … or even Holy Scriptures!

As Yeshua himself reveals … as the Word reveals … Yeshua the perfect man is Jewish through and through. He is the Messiah of Israel and he is the great teacher and arbitrator of Torah as declared in the Messianic prophecies contained within the Tanakh! To understand what it means to walk in Yeshua's footsteps … we then must understand what it means to be a Rabbi and what it means to be a Talmid/Disciple. Naturally then we must approach this in a Jewish context because this is of course the only context that makes any sense.

When we look at “rabbi” … we know that we are by Biblical definition discussing a “teacher of Torah” … a person whose life is dedicated to understanding and transmitting G_D’s Word for the glory of G_D and the betterment of Israel within the auspices of the Everlasting Covenant.

But this view does not really paint the complete picture. The real picture is that the Rabbi is a person who “lives” Torah. A Rabbi is an individual devoted to the transmission of G_D’s revelation to Israel through their very life … unlike our Hellenistic education framework where mental/cognitive understanding of a particular subject … to a particular standard … with certain transmission capacities … qualifies one to be a “teacher”.

There is a huge paradigm differential between the Hebrew Rabbi and the modern “teacher”. In one context the “teacher” transmits knowledge … in the other context the Rabbi transforms the life of the talmid to reflect their own character … their own nature!

Consequently the relationship between a Rabbi and their respective talmid is one of steadfast commitment, personal interaction, intimacy … an endeavor of complete trust and virtual emulation wherein the goal of the talmid is to become just like the Rabbi … in thought and behavior. This relationship is no sheer transfer of knowledge … this is a relationship about action … not about cognitive understanding … or acceptance of ideology.

To this end we get a glimpse into Hebrew discipleship which is all about personal interaction and emulation … it is not about teaching you knowledge of some truth … it is about circumcising this truth on the talmid’s heart through personal exchange and tangible life training. It is really about true Jewish evangelism … did we get this?

When we consider this Hebraic model we can be assured that the lives of the Rabbi and the talmid are deeply connected … deeply integrated … deeply entrusted. Faith and trust are needed on both sides. The Rabbi selects the talmid and the talmid accepts the selection … the two become inseparable and bound by the relationship.

The behavior of the two becomes critically important because both are bound by the understanding of G_D’s revelation and the standards of behavior that must manifest. The behavior of the Rabbi and the talmid is a reflection of each other.

So let us consider Yeshua’s rabbinic model for a moment … dare we ask: "If Yeshua was a good Rabbi?

Hold on for a moment any that might be offended by the question … let us judge not according to some standard that we don’t know anything about … let us consider the following:

• The Rabbi was an expert in the Sacred Texts;
• The Rabbi was an expert in Jewish Law;
• The Rabbi was an expert in Jewish Tradition;
• The Rabbi understood and used acceptable Jewish exegetical and interpretive methods/principles;
• The Rabbi was Torah observant;
• The Rabbi transmitted Torah to Israel;
• The Rabbi selected and trained their talmidim;
• The talmidim’s authority came by way of the Rabbi;
• The Rabbi sent the talmidim out to walk as He walked;
• The Rabbi’s heritage is maintained through the Rabbinic/Talmidic line

Now perhaps … we are in a better situation to answer the question … while understanding that Yeshua himself declared that he was tin fact the Master Rebbe … so we know that he did according to the mandatory Jewish definition of what a Rabbi is … else his own people would have no rationale to accept him!

Now comes the kicker … if we don’t or can’t see from Holy Scriptures how Yeshua upheld this Rabbinic model (seriously see it and not just nod a head at it) … then we quite frankly don’t really know Yeshua … you heard this correct … then we quite frankly don’t know our Messiah!

Now don’t get this wrong … we very well may know Yeshua as Lord and Savior … as our great Redeemer and lover of our souls … but we surely don’t know him as a man … as the Rabbi … as the One who we are to emulate! And this is critical for us. For if we don’t know Yeshua as a man … or understand how we are to walk after Him in the flesh … than pray tell how are we to know what He wants from us as G_D?

As Messiah revealed to Nicodemus … if you can’t understand what is shown and explained to you in the Earthly … how much more impossible is it that you will understand the Heavenly? In plain rabbinic terms the notion is preposterous … you can’t understand the Heavenly if you can’t understand the Earthly through which the Heavenly is revealed.

Now the intent herein is not to provide hundreds of instances where Yeshua upheld the rabbinic model on top of what has already been exposed herein … this would simply take too long indeed. But it must be noted that Yeshua was Torah observant … that Yeshua taught Torah … that Yeshua used well known Hebraic Rabbinic conventions and idioms … that Yeshua taught by using and referencing the Tanakh … that Yeshua used the rabbinic expression of Torah to even combat the Jewish religious establishment of his day … on and on.

Unfortunately our modern theology tends to focus on “the miracles” and consider that these works of the Spirit … somehow served as a replacement for plain and simple Torah observance and obedience. But this is not what the Sacred Texts reveal and as for the miracles … as amazing as they were these were mandatory signs for Mashiach to perform so that He could be recognized … just as the Messianic prophecies within the Tanakh depict. It is well known within the Messianic Jewish tradition that Yeshua by no means revoked or abrogated the Rabbinic tradition … the facts are simply irrefutable … and in fact we know that Yeshua commissioned his talmidim as Rabbi(s) just before his ascension to glory … therein passing the Earthly Rabbinic baton to them!

“Go therefore and make disciples (talmidim) of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you." 

Let us really consider this great commission before we let our minds wander off to some Greek/Christian notion of what this distinctly Jewish dynamic means. Oh the church indeed has their understanding of this great baptismal charge most assuredly … this great altar call … undoubtedly! But what does this commission look like if we consider the traditional Rabbi-Talmid paradigm … what does this great commission look like in a Jewish context? Hmmm!

1) Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him. But when Yeshua knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; And charged them that they should not make him known: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying, Behold my servant, whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I will put my spirit upon him, and he shall show judgment to the Gentiles.

2) And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he (Yeshua) entered into the synagogue, and taught. And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.

3) And in the synagogue there was a man, which had a spirit of an unclean devil, and cried out with a loud voice, Saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with thee, thou Yeshua of Nazareth? Art thou come to destroy us? I know thee who thou art; the Holy One of G_D. And Yeshua rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace, and come out of him. And when the devil had thrown him in the midst, he came out of him, and hurt him not. And they were all amazed, and spoke among themselves, saying, what a word is this! For with authority and power he commands the unclean spirits, and they come out. And the fame of him went out into every place of the country round about.

4) There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Yeshua by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from G_D: for no man can do these miracles that thou does, except G_D be with him.

5) For the Father loves the Son, and shows him all things that himself does: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raises up the dead, and quickens them; even so the Son quickens whom he will. For the Father judges no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honors not the Son honors not the Father which hath sent him.

6) And when it was day, he called unto him his disciples: and of them he chose twelve, whom also he named apostles; Simon, (whom he also named Peter,) and Andrew his brother, James and John, Philip and Bartholomew, Matthew and Thomas, James the son of Alpheus, and Simon called Zelotes, And Judas the brother of James, and Judas Iscariot, which also was the traitor.

7) And with many such parables he spoke the word unto them, as they were able to hear it. But without a parable he spoke not unto them (the talmidim): and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples.

8) And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, why call thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He says unto him, which? Yeshua said … The young man says unto him, all these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Yeshua said unto him, if thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

9) And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, which is the first commandment of all? And Yeshua answered him, the first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our G_D is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy G_D with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these … On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one G_D; and there is none other but he: And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. And when Yeshua saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, thou art not far from the kingdom of G_D. And no man after that dared ask him any question.

10) And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain: and when he was set, his disciples came unto him: And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying, Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you. …

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savor, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick; and it gives light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill. For amen I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

11) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that bears not fruit he takes away: and every branch that bears fruit, he purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abides in me, and I in him, the same brings forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knows not what his lord does: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no cloak for their sin. He that hates me hates my Father also. If I had not done among them the works which none other man did, they had not had sin: but now have they both seen and hated both me and my Father. But this comes to pass, that the word might be fulfilled that is written in their law, they hated me without a cause. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

12) Yeshua says unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.

13) Now before the feast of the Passover, when Yeshua knew that his hour was come that he should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them unto the end. And supper being ended, the devil having now put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon's son, to betray him; Yeshua knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from G_D, and went to G_D; He rises from supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself. After that he pours water into a basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded. Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter says unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Yeshua answered and said unto him, what I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter says unto him, thou shalt never wash my feet. Yeshua answered him, if I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me. Simon Peter says unto him, Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head. Yeshua says to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and ye are clean, but not all. For he knew who should betray him; therefore said he, ye are not all clean. So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know ye what I have done to you? Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Amen, Amen, I say unto you, the servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eats bread with me hath lifted up his heel against me. Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he. Amen, Amen, I say unto you, He that receives whomsoever I send receives me; and he that receives me receives him that sent me.

14) If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you forever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it sees him not, neither knows him: but ye know him; for he dwells with you, and shall be in you. I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. Yet a little while, and the world sees me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father, and ye in me, and I in you. He that hath my commandments, and keeps them, he it is that loves me: and he that loves me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas says unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Yeshua answered and said unto him, if a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loves me not keeps not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.

15) And he said unto them, these are the words which I spoke unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the Law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Mashiach to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

Commentary:

OK now … it is time to put on our Jewish caps and look at these Holy Scriptures within a rabbinic framework! What should we be seeing?

Within passages #1-#5 respectively … We see the pattern of Rabbi and Talmid between Abba Father and Yeshua wherein Abba has chosen Yeshua and all things are shown to Yeshua! We see where Yeshua is sent by Abba to behave and teach just as Abba would.

 Yeshua is the exact image and likeness of Abba … the Heavenly Rabbi is how Yeshua refers to the divine G_D-head! Remember that the goal of the Talmid is to learn and become just like the Master. Yeshua as he Himself declares is “the Master Rebbe” … taught by ABBA directly! Yeshua declares that his word is not his own but the word of the Father!

We see where Yeshua’s authority is derived from the One who sent him on his mission. The authority is overtly perceived and supported by Yeshua’s doctrine and majestic works. Yeshua goes so far as to declare that because he himself is just as the One who sent him … that Yeshua as well has the power to raise, quicken and judge! Yeshua declares that he has become the Rabbi that perfectly reflects the Father!

In a proper Hebraic context we can readily see the rabbinic paradigm unfold in Abba and Yeshua! It is clear that the “great commission” is not some church mandate … the great commission is rooted in Yeshua’s very own ministry and mission. This great commission is not something that commenced after Yeshua’s ascension … it was going on throughout Yeshua’s entire life … ultimately culminating in His glorious works of self-sacrifice and redemption!

"And I will put my words in his mouth and the teaching will be glorious!"

Moving along … within passages #6-#7 respectively we see where Yeshua begets the rabbinic lineage through the process of choosing his own talmidim … and as the Sacred Texts declare they are already deemed to be “apostles/emissaries”.

Let us also remember … the talmidim were selected by Yeshua and of course they had to accept the invitation to become the trusted talmidim … with the full knowledge of what this entailed in a Jewish context. They in essence were giving over their lives to Yeshua.

We also see where Yeshua, unlike to the masses, reveals plainly and fully the scope of Torah (teaching/revelation) to His talmidim.

What we must also consider is the significant importance relative to the selection of the original twelve talmidim … symbolic of the twelve tribes of Israel and therefore conclude that this “great commission” is essentially the same “great commission” placed upon Israel within the auspices of the Everlasting Covenant … to be the light to the nations!

Moving along … within passages #8-#10 respectively we see Yeshua definitively teaching Torah in accordance with His divine commission and doing so within a Covenantal and Rabbinic framework.

In passages #8 and #9 Yeshua validates the Sacred Torah and Laws handed down to Israel directly from G_D!  First we see Yeshua uphold the sanctity of Torah by revealing that “keeping the commandments” is the way of life! But Yeshua goes further as we see …

Yeshua directly invokes the great commission call of Moses in Deuteronomy … Hear, O Israel: the LORD our God, the LORD is one. And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be upon thy heart; and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sits in thy house, and when thou walks by the way, and when thou lie down, and when thou rise up. And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thy hand, and they shall be for frontlets between thine eyes. And thou shalt write them upon the door-posts of thy house, and upon thy gates. But … there is still more …

Yeshua points Israel right back to Leviticus chapter nineteen when He reveals that loving thy neighbor as thyself is the second great commandment.

And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying: Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them: Ye shall be holy; for I the LORD your God am holy. Ye shall fear every man his mother, and his father, and ye shall keep My Sabbaths: I am the LORD your God. Turn ye not unto the idols, nor make to yourselves molten gods: I am the LORD your God. And when ye offer a sacrifice of peace-offerings unto the LORD, ye shall offer it that ye may be accepted. It shall be eaten the same day ye offer it, and on the morrow; and if aught remain until the third day, it shall be burnt with fire. And if it be eaten at all on the third day, it is a vile thing; it shall not be accepted. But every one that eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he hath profaned the holy thing of the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from his people. And when ye reap the harvest of your land, thou shalt not wholly reap the corner of thy field, neither shalt thou gather the gleaning of thy harvest. And thou shalt not glean thy vineyard, neither shalt thou gather the fallen fruit of thy vineyard; thou shalt leave them for the poor and for the stranger: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall not steal; neither shall ye deal falsely, nor lie one to another. And ye shall not swear by my name falsely, so that thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not oppress thy neighbor, nor rob him; the wages of a hired servant shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling-block before the blind, but thou shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD. Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor favor the person of the mighty; but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbor. Thou shalt not go up and down as a talebearer among thy people; neither shalt thou stand idly by the blood of thy neighbor: I am the LORD. Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thy heart; thou shalt surely rebuke thy neighbor, and not bear sin because of him. Thou shalt not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD. Ye shall keep my statutes.

We need to put our rabbinic caps on beloved children of G_D. Yeshua is the Master Rebbe … He was using well known rabbinic methods to expound upon the Torah. What we should see is that Yeshua did not provide some form of axiomatic philosophic guideline … but rather Yeshua revealed the consistency and unchanging nature of the Torah and great commission to humanity handed down to Israel. This is why there was “consent” from the Scribe!

The Scribe knew that Yeshua had perfectly encapsulated their understanding of Torah. It was Covenantal and cemented first and foremost within the G_D to Israel relationship … G_D first above all else … in thought, heart and behavior. But the Scribe also knew that the mandate to “love thy neighbor as thyself” carried with it the entire revelation of Leviticus 19:1-19 (Be Holy because ADONAI is Holy) culminating in the mandate to “keep the statues … i.e. the Sacred Law”!

In the traditional Hebraic perspective there is simply no way to comply with the commandment of loving thy neighbor without complying with the mandate to be Holy … to be se