Rabbi’s Reflections – Friday, October 16, 2020
(Early) Shabbat Shalom,
Reprinted with permission from Friday, November 10, 2017…
The challenge is not to learn Hebrew, it is to learn Hebrew without an East Tennessee accent. Most people focus on the “Chet” or “Chaf” sound, but that just gets you in the door. For the serious student (and I naively believe you’re all serious students), it is the “Resh” that will be your greatest challenge. This video link is excellent. (There are a lot of bad ones out there.) In six minutes (which is 5 ½ minutes longer than I usually give any video) you will own a genuine sabra (native – home born – Israeli) “Resh.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yNJtAibUeOc
Warning: Do not attempt this at home without the assistance of a trained professional. Remember to breathe and swallow, but not at the same time. (Ha ha, made you think.)
Yesterday we were in the middle of a drash on Exodus 15:11. Yesterday, we found the question asked in Ex 15:11, (Who is like You?) is answered in Psalm 86:8 (There is none like You). The question is asked twice in Ex 15:11. Hebrew uses repetition to show emphasis. This is how we dig deeper into an issue. So we ask again, “Who is like You” but this time we add two Hebrew words “Nedar” and “BaKodesh.” “BaKodesh” means “in the holiness.”
For the rest of today, I want to focus on “Nedar.” “Nedar” is a word that means “the highest possible.” It is like the one point on a bell curve that is just a little higher than any other point. It ends in a “resh,” which by now you’ve been practicing.
When asked in Hebrew how are you (there are several ways to ask and answer) this is a great one word answer (and it works the same if you’re male or female), NEDAR. When you answer “Nedar” you are saying you’re as high as you could possibly be (don’t snicker at that). Then if you’re feeling frisky, add the phrase “Kol HaKavod LaShem” which means “all the glory to God.”
“Kol HaKavod” meaning “all the glory” is widely used in Israel, but when secular people use it, they mean “you” deserve all the glory. When we followers of Yeshua use it, we mean “to God” be the glory. That’s a significant difference. So practice your answer. “Nedar, Kol HaKavod.”
Blessings. Have a “Nedar” day. Kol HaKavod.
Week 42
Memory Verse: 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has taken hold of you except what is common to mankind. But God is faithful—He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you can handle. But with the temptation He will also provide a way of escape, so you will be able to endure it.
206 10/12 Monday: 1 Corinthians 5-6
207 10/13 Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 7-8
208 10/14 Wednesday: 1 Corinthians 9-10
209 10/15 Thursday: 1 Corinthians 10-12
* 210 10/16 Friday: 1 Corinthians 13-14
Reprinted from Friday, October 19, 2018… Question of the day: Given the last verse of 1 Corinthians 13, verse 13 is quoted here, “But now these three remain— faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.” Why does love trump faith and hope?
Answer: 1 Corinthians, chapter 13 is called the “Love Chapter.” From beginning to end the chapter answers questions about love. How critical is love? (verses 1-4) What is love (how would you describe love)? (verses 5-7). How essential is love to our mature walk with God? (verses 8-12)
Then, finally we get to the “tachlis” (bottom line). Love is greater than faith and hope. Anyone care to ask “why?” The previous verse give the answer. There will come a time in the future (but not too distant future) during the millennial reign of Yeshua, when we will not need faith and hope. Everything for which we needed faith, we will no longer need faith, for we will have the fulness of the reality in the presence of Yeshua. The same is true for hope. Everything for which we hoped for will be fulfilled, we will no longer need hope, for we will have the fulness of the reality in the presence of Yeshua. BUT, we will always need love, for God IS love.
1 John 4:7 Loved ones, let us love one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.
So, let’s purpose to be rooted and grounded in love. Ephesians 3:16 I pray that from His glorious riches He would grant you to be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Ruach, 17 so that Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to grasp with all the kedoshim what is the width and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Messiah which surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled up with all the fullness of God.
I agree with Paul in praying this over you in Yeshua’s name. Amen.