Rabbi’s Reflections – Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Shalom,
Psalms
Psalm 26:6 – Part 10
Psalm 26:6 I will wash my hands in innocence, so I can walk around Your altar, Adonai.
There is no mention of the “Cross” found, per se, in the Hebrew Scriptures (although the allusion is there by mentioning death on a “tree” as in the Torah – Deuteronomy 21:22). The “Cross” is specifically mentioned in the New Testament almost 30 times and crucifixion (which takes place on a cross) another 47 times. What is the Cross anyway? It is the place and method of total commitment, total surrender, and total sacrifice. It is where we go to die to the flesh and more specifically, die to self spiritually, surrendering in obedience to God, our Father. In that way, the cross is where we enter into life everlasting.
Luke 9:23 Then Yeshua was saying to everyone, “If anyone wants to follow Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross every day, and follow Me.”
In the Hebrew Scriptures we don’t have mention of a cross, but we do the have mention of an altar. In today’s verse, Psalm 26:6, we make a declaration to walk around the Lord’s altar (“Mizbeach,” Hebrew for “altar,” is mentioned over 400 times in the TaNaCH). However; there is a permanent problem with the use of animals for atonement. For a full understanding, please read Hebrews, chapter 10.
Hebrews 10:4 for it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.
To compound the problem, the Aaronic priesthood has ended. (Again, please read Hebrews 10, the whole chapter.) Where is the blood today? Our sages, the renown rabbis of antiquity wrote the Siddur, the Jewish prayerbook, to be a “sacrifice of praise” unto the Lord. The prayers intentionally model the Aaronic priesthood. Still, atonement requires that blood be shed. The Messianic Rabbi who wrote Hebrews says as much in his build up to chapter 10… Hebrews 9:22 And nearly everything is purified in blood according to the Torah, and apart from the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.
Did the New Testament create this out of thin air? Not quite! Here is what the Torah has to say… Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your lives—for it is the blood that makes atonement because of the life.
God’s act of creation is not “start and stop” or a “do and then not do” activity, but an establishment of order, so that what God does and creates, keeps on being done and functioning according to His order. If you doubt me, look up. Isaiah 40:26 Lift up your eyes on high, and see! Who created these? The One who brings out their host by number, the One who calls them all by name. Because of His great strength and vast power, not one is missing.
Therefore; Yeshua’s once for all time sacrifice on Calvary is the means by which we come to the Cross, or (as we say in today’s verse) “walk around the altar.” The term “walk” in Judaism (“Holech” in Hebrew) is euphemistic for how we live our lives. How can we hope to fulfill the command and “walk before Me blameless?” (See Genesis 17:1 and Philippians 1:10 regarding being blameless.) Ephesians 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood—the removal of trespasses—in keeping with the richness of His grace. Shalom shalom.
Daily Bread, reading plan by Lars Enarson (https://www.thewatchman.org/)
Wed 26-Mar-2025 26th of Adar, 5785
Ex 39:33-43 Isa 19-20 Pr 14 Ac 13 (Rev 7)