Rabbi’s Reflections – Saturday, June 20, 2020
Shabbat Shalom,
Shema (lesson 11): This is the last lesson. Today we will complete the first paragraph of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:4-9). If your memory is good, you may recall in the first lesson I explained that there are 3 sections of Scripture included in the full Shema prayer.
Rabbi Trail: If your memory is not so good, go back to June 10th, or you could also just keep reading here. (1. Deuteronomy 6:4-9. 2. Deuteronomy 11:13-21. 3. Numbers 15:37-41).
There are 5 words left (beginning with the word in light blue): U’K’tav’tem Al M’zuzot Baytecha U’Visharecha. “And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gate.”
U’K’tav’tem: Uses the Vav conversive to become future tense. The “tem” (or perhaps just the “em”) at the end is a contraction of “hem” (which is Hebrew for “them.” Katav means “he wrote.” Because of the Vav conversive it flips to future tense, “you will write.”
Rabbi Trail: In ancient times all reproduction was written. There were no printing presses and certainly no other electronic means of reproduction. Way off on a RT… Actually, there was no such thing as electronic. The phenomenon of electricity has been known for almost 5,000 years. It was not practically harnessed and applied to industry and daily life until about 140 years ago, when it fueled the second industrial revolution. End WOOART and RT.
Meanwhile, God says, “You will write them.” Something happens when we write something. We remember it better. It makes a lasting impression. We appreciate and come into agreement with what we are writing. Try it. Actually “write them” words down and see what happens.
Al M’zuzot: Meaning on (the) doorposts. Mezuzot is plural for mezuzah, doorpost. The “doorpost” is the way of entering in. This is a prominent teaching of Yeshua. John 10:1 “Amen, amen I tell you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. Then Yeshua magnifies His teaching… John 10:9 I am the gate! If anyone comes in through Me, he will be saved. He will come and go and find pasture. It only makes sense that His word would be written on the doorpost where we enter in and go out.
Baytecha: Meaning “your house.”
U’Visharecha: Meaning “and your gates.”
Why does God command that we write His words on our doorpost and gates? So whether we are coming in or going out we will meditate on His love for us and His command that we love Him back.
This is the ultimate mutual blessing. God loves us so much that He sends His own Son to save us from a horrible situation we actually made for ourselves. We even abuse the Son, but God redeems even that (it pleased God to bruise Him – Isaiah 53:10) for our benefit.
God redeems our abuse of His Son through Yeshua’s resurrection. His love for us is complete. Eternal life is available to those who love Him. Our love back to Him completes the circle of love and fulfills His eternal purpose for creating the world.
The Shema begins by declaring God’s oneness. Our love for Him is then commanded; even to exceed our love for ourselves. May each of us sanctify (set apart) His name in our hearts forever. Amen.