The Hebrew View of the Law/Torah

Terminology

We begin with what Christianity calls "the Law," but in Judaism is called the Torah -- the term given to the first five books of the Bible. This is also referred to by Christiansas the "Pentateuch" (a Greek term). The term "Law," especially in the legal sense as the western mind understands it, is not an appropriate translation of the word "Torah." A correct translation of Torah is "instruction" or "revelation" -- as in "Hashem (Name of G-d) instruction," or "revelation from G-d." This is how the Torah is presented in Judaism.

The Torah is a revelation of the character of Hashem (Name of G-d) as well as an insight of what is to come. The Torah is Hashem (Name of G-d) instruction on how those who place their trust in Him (Jew or gentile) are to live, so that "all will be well with them." (Deuteronomy 4:40)

Verses such as Exodus 12:48-49

Leviticus 24:22

and Isaiah chapter 56,

 יְשַׁעְיָהוּ

show that the Torah was not strictly for the Hebrews, but also for those Gentiles who wanted to be part of Hashem (Name of G-d) people.

Although Hashem (Name of G-d) chose to present His revelation through the Jewish people, it was not to be solely "their religion."

They were to be a "light to the world," and bring this revelation to the Gentiles, as Yahushua reminded them in His sermon of Matthew chapter 5.

Though the Torah proper is the five books of Moses (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy), the term "Torah" can also include the rest of the Tenakh (commonly called the "Old Testament") and the books of the "New Testament," in that they are Hashem (Name of G-d) continued revelation/instruction. None of Hashem (Name of G-d) later revelation in the rest of the Tenakh (the Prophets & Writings) contradicts the Torah, and none of the "New Testament" contradicts the Torah, Prophets or Writings. Hashem (Name of G-d) word is one.

What Does the Tenakh say about the Torah, Forgiveness of Sin, and Salvation?

Unlike the movie, "Back to the Future," we will for the purpose of this study of the Torah, go "forward into the past." In the Gospel of John chapter 3, we have one of the foundational verses of "faith-based Christianity:"

You must be born again.

Christianstout this as a preeminent "faith teaching of Jesus." Notice however, what the Mashiach says to Nicodemus when the latter asks, "How can these things be?"

Yahushua replies to him: "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things?"

Nicodemus is criticized by the Mashiach, who says that as a "teacher of Israel," he should have known about being "born again." Now how would Nicodemus know about this if it was a new teaching of Yahushua?

The answer is that "being born again" is not an original teaching from Yahushua and the launching point for some new Christian faith.

Being born again was and is fundamental to Torah-based Judaism, as the message of the Torah has always been to have faith in Hashem (Name of G-d) for salvation and not "work your way."

This can be seen in the book of Deuteronomy:

Deuteronomy 10:16 --

The term "stiffnecked" is equivalent to not having faith. Hashem (Name of G-d) called the generation in the wilderness stiffnecked because they failed to trust (have faith) in Him. (See Exodus 32:9; 33:3,5; 34:9, Deut. 9:6,13; 2 Chron. 30:8; Acts 7:51)

Hebrews 3:7-4:2, commenting on these same stiffnecked people, said they received the Gospel but failed as they did not "mix it with faith," and "went astray in their hearts."

Deuteronomy 30:6 --

Here the word "live" is used in a spiritual sense and is equivalent to salvation.

The epistles show that "circumcision of the heart" is the equivalent of "being born again":

Romans 2:29 -- "But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart ..."

Colossians 2:11 -- "In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands ..."

Hashem (Name of G-d) has always asked that we first recognize and trust in Him before trying to "do" anything for Him. To have faith/trust in Him is the "first commandment."

Exodus 20:2-3 

Deuteronomy 5:6-7 --

Habakkuk 2:4 & Romans 1:17 -- "The righteous live by faith." (Paul quotes this "Old Testament" verse in Romans to make his point.)

Hebrews 11:6 -- "Without faith it is impossible to please Him."   (This chapter then goes on to list those who "followed the Law," such as; Moses, David and Samuel)

Yahushua continues His discussion with Nicodemus, speaking of His ascending to heaven (John 3:12-13), thus linking the Torah, (as Hashem (Name of G-d) spoke about it in Deuteronomy 30:11-14), with Himself (as Paul wrote in Romans 10:1-8).

Yahushua concludes his discussion by pointing to the incident of the Children of Israel looking upon the bronze serpent and living (John 3:14) as a faith issue (Numbers 21:9) comparing that to faith in Himself.

Hashem (Name of G-d) does not change. Salvation in Torah-based Judaism has always been by faith, both before Moses and after him, as well as before Yahushua and after Him. The Torah is Hashem (Name of G-d) revelation, as Yahushua is also Hashem (Name of G-d) revelation. Faith, Torah and Yahushua are inseparable. Salvation was always through faith, Mashiach and Torah, as Yahushua is the lamb slain since the foundation of the world (Hebrews 4:3, 9:26; Rev. 13:8). Yahushua Himself said:

John 8:56 -- "Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it, and was glad."

Yahushua is the goal of the Torah (Romans 10:4, see the section below, "Making the Hebrew Connection: Torah and Mashiach.") Yahushua is the Torah in the flesh -- the point of John 1:1.

The reason most people don't see this when they read the "Old Testament," is because their understanding of, "what the Scriptures say," is affected by hundreds of years of theology formed by previous generations studying and interpreting the Hebrew Bible in a Hellenized (non-Hebrew) way. This "mindset" is not an easy thing to shake off (especially in the USA) as it is reinforced daily by family, friends, sermons, books, Christian TV programs, Christian holidays -- the entire culture we live in.

read Messianics™

Lies and truth| Christian Conspiracy | Flesh a body of Death | DIvine Commandments |Christian View of the law | Books of the Old Testament | Prophecies | Hebrew view of Torah | Believers Fundemental Issues | Prayer | Roman Catholic Church | Christian view of The Law | Illuminatti | The anti Christ Empire | Paganism | Yahushua | Questions & Answers | Glossary | Articles | Lottery News | Contact Us