Principle #7
“and if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7
At The Door – “The exact moment when the human being becomes endowed with the evil impulse was discussed by Antonius and R. Judah the Prince, and the decision was as stated above, viz., the urge comes into existence at the time of birth. ‘Antoninus asked R. Judah, “From what time does the evil impulse exercise its power in the human being – from the time of the embryo’s formation or its emergence from the body?” He answered, “From the time of its formation.” The other retorted, “In that case it ought to kick about in the womb and come out of its own accord! Surely it is from the time of its emergence!” R. Judah said, “Antoninus has taught me something which is corroborated by a Scriptural text, viz., ‘Sin coucheth at the door’ (Gen. iv. 7) – i.e. the opening of the mother’s body”’
This little discussion illustrates principle #7, devar halamed meinyano (“a word that is learned from its own issue”). Something is learned from its own subject. Here the subject is the yetzer ha’ra.Its connection to Genesis 4:7 allowed Rabbi Judah to see that the human being comes under the power of the evil inclination at birth, not at conception.
Of course, modern, Greek-thinking, scientific Man might object to this entire argument as mythological nonsense.There is nothing “spiritual” going on in the birth of a child.It is all simply a matter of anatomy and reproduction.What’s the difference between the birth of a rabbit and the birth of a human being?Not much, really.But the objections of the Greek-thinking modern Man won’t have much effect on the rabbi.He doesn’t share the mechanistic worldview.His world is filled with mystery, awe, reverence and discovering principles from within the very words God uses.
Remember PaRDeS, the four levels of Scriptural meaning. This principle seems most likely to lead us to Sod, the level of mystery. The twists and turns of Hebrew mystical thought are often tied to intricacies within the words themselves. For Greek thinkers, it is a strange – and sometimes wonderful – world, and it takes a great deal of getting used to.
We have reached the end of the rabbinic principles of Scriptural interpretation. Have we learned anything really important? I hope we have learned at least this much. The Bible is not quite the so-familiar territory we thought it was. We will have to be much more careful and patient as we continue to explore the Book of all books. God is at work here. May His name be blessed.
Topical Index: principle #7, devar halamed meinyano, Genesis 4:7, yetzer ha’ra, Talmud
“Remember PaRDeS, the four levels of Scriptural meaning. This principle seems most likely to lead us to Sod, the level of mystery. The twists and turns of Hebrew mystical thought are often tied to intricacies within the words themselves. For Greek thinkers, it is a strange – and sometimes wonderful – world, and it takes a great deal of getting used to.”
Great!!! Dr. Moen keep on working with all the elements of PaRDeS!!! Wonderful!!!! The last part of the quote is really enlighten. Why? Because is entering to another way of seing the Torah. Please keep in mind what Rabbi David Cooper wrote in his book, “God is a Verb”, p.34: “Whereas the physical universe is measure in time and distance , the mystical universe is measured in terms of levels of awareness. These levels should not be viewed as separate boundaries for awareness is a continuum.” Besides, Rabbi Cooper in the same book, made an excellent analysis of the PaRDes in pages 46-51. Thanks again, Dr. Moen. May HaShem by your Light!!!
Hi Ismael,
Funny, I came across a reference to Rabbi David Cooper and his book, “God is a Verb” today; together with some interesting scripture:
The Spirit of YHWH shall rest upon him,
The Spirit of Wisdom (Chochmah) and Understanding (Binah),
The Spirit of Counsel (Atzah) and might (Geburah)
The Spirit of Knowledge (Da’at) and of the fear (yirah) of YHWH
(Is. 11:2)
Yours, O YHWH, is:
the greatness (Gedulah)
the power (Geburah)
and the glory (Teferet)
the victory (Natzach)
and the majesty (Hod)
…Yours is:
the Kingdom (M’lakah)…
(1Chron. 29:11)
…I YHWH lay in Zion for a foundation (yesod), a stone, a tried stone, … a sure foundation (yesod)…
(Is. 28:16)
…his [YHWH’s] mercy (chesed) endures forever…
(2Chron. 20:21)
Thanks Skip.
Although I’ve almost always seen things in terms of “four logical permutations,” I think I understand the following passage a bit better now:
Gen 4:4 Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the LORD had regard for Abel and for his offering;
Gen 4:5 but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell.
Gen 4:6 Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen?
Gen 4:7 “If you do well, will not {your countenance} be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Because sin does crouch at the door, let us be ever more mindful of the fall feasts which teach us to examine ourselves, confess our sin and be forgiven, and to look forward to the day when we will forever “tabernacle” with our Elohim. We are commanded to keep the feasts. It is not an option (Zechariah 14: 16-19 to see what happens to those who don’t). Though there is much debate about the interpretation of the scriptural date, let us remember we are in a rehearsal and the year of fulfillment will be perfect, just as it was for Passover when our Savior was crusified at the exact hour the sacrifice was made in the temple, so let us rehearse! It is interesting to note that according to NASA in the year 20_ _ all feasts will have a “blood” moon. Interesting. (Go ahead…Look it up) I believe when the year comes for the fulfillment of all things, we all will be on the same page…Until then… it is just a rehearsal, but let us rehearse!
If you are new to Torah and do not know where to observe the fall feasts, if you just put your state and “Sukkot” into your search engine, you will find several places where you can celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles with other Torah believers in your area around the first & second week of October. The same for Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets which is in just a few days, and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement at the end of the month.
Very nice summary of basic Hebraic rabbinic exegetical methods! 🙂
And certainly there is no debate that Yeshua utilized such methods to teach and also to battle the prevailing Jewish religious establishment.
Now with no desire to ridicule or cast doubts upon the value proposition of the basic rabbinic exegetical methods (not my intent), I would like to draw attention to the following passages from The Word contained in Matthew and John respectively!
Matthew: 13:10 And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables? 13:11 He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. 13:12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13:13 Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 13:14 And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: 13:15 For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 13:16 But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. 13:17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
John: 10:22 And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. 10:23 And Yeshua walked in the temple in Solomon’s porch. 10:24 Then came the Jews round about him, and said unto him, How long dost thou make us to doubt? IF THOU BE THE MASHIACH, TELL US PLAINLY. 10:25 Yeshua answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me. 10:26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you. 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 10:28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. ….
So why do I introduce these passages?
It is clear that Yeshua utilized the same rabbinic methods to reveal the fullness of Torah and deliver the Gospel of Light and Truth! Yeshua could not be accused of “coming in from left field” … Yeshua dealt with the rabbinic culture on its own terms. Yet …. we can surely see that towards the end THEY BEGGED Yeshua to stop playing on their terms and “speak plainly”! They knew they had been caught in their own snare! If they could have proved Yeshua was not Mashiach via conventional rabbinic analysis … they would have done so … but they could not!
I think one should read Matthew 23:13 – 39 again … real closely! …. Yes … we can see Yeshua using these same methods to condemn the Pharisees and Scribes.
So what is the point? Ultimately these …. or any methods pale in comparison to faith! What we can not do is fool ourselves into thinking that rigorous mental exercises and application of any specific methods will yield revelation WITHOUT FAITH or GUIDANCE by Ruach HaKodesh. Revelation comes from Ruach HaKodesh … man can not provide himself revelation.
Does this mean then that the Hebraic methods Skip has just so graciously exposed are no longer of value? Of course there is value:
* We certainly can educate ourselves … and we should!
* We can discard our Western cultural bias and we should!
* We can embrace numerous aspects of the Hebrew culture to strengthen and enrich our walk with and in Yeshua … and we should!
* We can pray that Adonai will raise up the remnant of His chosen people so that their purpose be fulfilled … and we should!
* Understanding these Hebraic methods helps us put much necessary context into the delivery of The Word.
I believe that there is a message for us believers today with Rabbi Sha’ul being raised up as the “Apostle to the Gentiles”. The message being … “If we want to understand The Word then we need to understand the inspired authors, the audiences and applicable cultures of the time!” … We need to understand the Hebraic context!
In fact the irony of the situation should not be lost: the Apostle to the Gentiles was a Pharisee of Pharisees. So despite the mis-use of the exegetical methods by the Jewish religious establishment it would seem that Yeshua was sending us a message … He approved of the faithful use of the Hebraic method!
In fact with Sha’ul we received the full deal didn’t we? … We got “inspiration – revelation” through Ruach HaKodesh and the delivery came via the established exegetical processes developed by the people chosen to be Adonai’s custodians of Torah.
In the end we still need to be mindful of how we apply these methods. It still boils down to faith and even tried and true methods can be used to generate bad results if the motives are not pure! 🙂
Great week Skip … thanks!