You favor man with perception and teach mankind understanding. Grant us knowledge, understanding and intellect from You. Blessed are You, Adonoy, Grantor of perception. Amidah (Ashkenazi version) Perception/ Understanding – Let’s summarize yesterday’s insights. This version of the Amidah suggests that da’at was given to Adam, and that bina was taught to ‘enosh. These are…
For I have taken all this to my heart and explain it that righteous men, wise men, and their deeds are in the hand of God. Man does not know whether it will be love or hatred; anything awaits him. Ecclesiastes 9:1 NASB In the hand of God – Michael Fox clarifies Koheleth’s comment: “Literally, ‘in God’s hand.’ This means that…
A perverse heart shall depart from me, I will know no evil. Psalm 101:4 NASB I will know – End of the Roman calendar year. Most people are making some sort of resolution. Usually these last but a short time and the ordinary routine returns. Most resolutions are statements of positive self-improvement. I have a…
But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you, who will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves.2 Peter 2:1 NASB Destructive heresies – The second chapter of Peter’s second letter reads like a prosecutor’s opening argument. These people, says Peter, do nothing right. They…
And not only this, but there was Rebekah also, when she had conceived twins by one man, our father Isaac; for though the twins were not yet born and had not done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to His choice would stand, not because of works but because of Him who calls, Romans 9:10-11 NASB Choice– Why were you born? What difference…
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24 NASB Cannot serve– It’s not possible to “opt out” in the Hebrew worldview. Choosing not to participate is still a choice. …
For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Hebrews 2:18 NASB Suffered – Is suffering ever good? If you were a Greek in the first century, you might answer the question, “No!” In fact, even if you were a…
Now it came about after this that the sons of Moab and the sons of Ammon, together with some of the]Meunites, came to make war against Jehoshaphat. 2 Chronicles 20:1 NASB Now it came about – Once again we encounter our neon sign. Vayhi—and it came about. It signals that the apparently accidental occurrence has…
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 NASB Opportunity – Everyone must deal with forks. No, not eating utensils. I mean forks in the roads we travel. We have to decide which way to go,…
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. Deuteronomy 6:5 NASB Heart – One of the wonders of Hebrew is that it communicates on multiple levels. This fact is much more than the rabbinic PaRDeS approach. The structure of Hebrew (the way…
