Jonathan Bernis - Torah Readings
Jonathan Bernis: Shalom and welcome to Jewish Voice. I'm Jonathan Bernis, and I'm joined again by my co-host, Ezra Benjamin. One of the most important practices that we can do in our faith is to study the scriptures and to root ourselves in God's truth in a world of chaos. Well, I'm excited that today we're gonna be gleaning from an ancient Jewish tradition that's been practiced for over 2,500 years. And, Ezra, of course, I'm talking about the division of the Torah into what we call parashot or portions.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: Can you talk us through this?
Ezra Benjamin: Sure. And let me just, let's do a couple definitions right out of the gate here Jonathan so we're on the same page with our viewers. When we say the Torah, we're talking about the first five books of the Old Testament or the first five books of the Jewish scriptures. So, Genesis through Deuteronomy. It's understood that Moses penned these books. And it's really the history of the children of Israel. And for all of us who are believers in Jesus who have been grafted into that olive tree, Paul says, whose root is Abraham's faith, whose root is the faith of the people of Israel, this is really the beginnings of all our story. And the idea what's called parashot or portions in Hebrew is when the Jewish people went into exile. We know the story. Isaiah and Jeremiah talked about it that for the disobedience of the Jewish people God would send them to Babylon for a period of 70 years. And they'd have to live there, and they'd have to maintain their Jewish identity, maintain their identity as the people of God but living outside of the land of Israel. So, they were scattered, some went to Babylon, others went into the Assyrian empire. And that's where we actually get the term, "The lost tribes of Israel". Jewish communities who were scattered throughout the known world and who weren't in synagogues, who weren't celebrating the sabbath, shabbat together, who didn't have a temple to go to in Jerusalem and worship. And the question was, how do we stick together, one, to preserve our identity as a people, but two, to remember and to rehearse who we are in God's eyes? Who are we in relationship to the God of Israel? And so, in exile this system was developed of what's called in Hebrew a parashah. It sounds similar to the English word "Portion". Okay. So, portion, parashah. And it was a way of dividing up the Torah, Genesis through Deuteronomy into these bite size weekly portions so that Jewish communities wherever they were in the world, Israel or scattered among the nations, could read the same section of scripture every week throughout the year.
Jonathan Bernis: Very good explanation. And we know that this is the case of the Jewish people by the time of Jesus.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: Because you have meeting in the temple three times a year.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: Right. The men of Israel would come back to Jerusalem. They'd come back at Passover.
Ezra Benjamin: Yep.
Jonathan Bernis: They'd come back at Sukkot. They'd come back at Shavuot.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: I didn't get them in the right order but those three Pilgrimage feast.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: And there were Jewish men from every language. So, they had been scattered through the different captivities.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: But here's the amazing thing, they were all reading the scriptures, the portions of the scripture at the same time.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: So, during the week there could be discussion, there could be Bible study, there could be whatever around that specific portion.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: I love that.
Ezra Benjamin: God commands the children of Israel, he actually commands all of us to be meditators on the Word of God, right? And that word mediation, hagah, in Hebrew isn't a silent devotional meditation. It's actually to repeat with our mouth the words and promises of God. And so, the parashah schedule or the parashot, the portions of the Torah that were read in the Jewish community allowed people to be meditating on the Word of God corporately, not just individually. And all chewing on, meditation on, praying about, thinking about, the same portion of God's word, the same portion of the Torah from week to week.
Jonathan Bernis: Here's the amazing thing, this system is still in practice today after 2,500 years. More than 2,500 years we still have the cycle of reading the portion of the week that takes the entire Jewish community worldwide from Genesis to Revelation and then we start again. Another point, Ezra, is we didn't have scriptures in this form until much later. They were scrolls.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: So, you have in some cases very large scrolls and so, you have to turn to the portion.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: Can you imagine that? That you'd have to turn to different portions where we're looking at something else and you need, I don't know how many. Probably four people to turn.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: This scroll.
Ezra Benjamin: It was very practical, right. I mean, here, you know, you can grab your Bible and open to Matthew and I can grab my Bible and open to Isaiah. It's easy. But in that time as you said there weren't copies of the printed Word of God. It was penned by the scribes of Israel, one copy used to make an exact duplication in the next copy and written on the skins of animals, the dried skins of animals into these heavy, large scrolls.
Jonathan Bernis: And parchment is heavy.
Ezra Benjamin: Yeah, exactly. So, for practical reasons, right, one person couldn't be reading one thing and another person another, they had to read the same thing. 'cause as you said, the scroll was rolled to that portion.
Jonathan Bernis: Yeah. And what we know from archaeological sites from the time of Jesus or earlier, 200 years earlier, 200 years later that the synagogues were built in such a fashion where there was a path, a groove where they would actually wheel in the Torah scrolls and they would be set to the portion of that week. In synagogues today, they're set into portions. If you've ever been in a synagogue and you've seen the ark with the ner tamid, the light over it, inside those cabinets are the Torah scrolls.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: And they are set each week to the portion to read.
Ezra Benjamin: One thing really quick is, you know, maybe you've wondered, "What's happening at a bar mitzvah, or a bat mitzvah for a Jewish girl, a bar mitzvah for a Jewish boy"? They're reading the portion of scripture that correlates to the date they were born based on what the parashah, the portion of scripture was that week. And they're reciting that in front of the synagogue.
Jonathan Bernis: Yeah. My bar mitzvah was 50 years ago, and I still remember the portion that I had to learn in Hebrew. Ephraim and Manasseh. I chose that from that portion, the specific story of Ephraim and Manasseh because I was the younger son.
Ezra Benjamin: Jonathan, bar mitzvahs may be a very foreign concept, something you've only seen, or attended, or heard about if you're not from a Jewish background. But I'm thinking of the Christian church worldwide, the body of believers. And also, you know, extending even to the Catholic church, orthodox churches a significant portion of those who would call themselves Christian actually still follow the same tradition, right? There's a book of common prayer just like there was a Jewish book of common prayers since the exile to Babylon. And there's this daily or this weekly I should say, scripture reading, right? Someone stands up and says, "The word of the Lord". And everybody says, "Thanks be to God". Where is that coming from? It's not a Christian invention, it was a Jewish idea before Jesus ever came and walked on the earth.
Jonathan Bernis: It's much more common of course, in the orthodox and historic church.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: But it keeps everybody in unity in unison...
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: Worldwide.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: So, I think it's a fantastic concept. And the fact that it's survived over two millennia is really amazing. And it really is one of the things that keeps the Jewish community, the dispersed Jewish community worldwide bound together.
Ezra Benjamin: Absolutely.
Jonathan Bernis: Whether you live in the United States, whether you live in Israel, whether you live in the United Kingdom.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: You're reading, it's an amazing thing, the same scriptures in the United States is the reading in Israel that week. You're discussing and studying the same scriptures. And then of course the mo'edim, the Jewish festivals. The festivals of the Lord are being celebrated and observed at the same time as well.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly. You know, I'm thinking of the phrase, "A family that prays together, stays together". Have you heard that? Maybe you say that. Maybe that's part of your own priorities in your own family of making sure you have a prayer life. But I'm thinking maybe we can draw a parallel and say, "A community of faith or a faith family that meditates on the word together, grows together". Right? And there's an element that maybe, Jonathan, we've lost in this day and age where our faith is a very private individualistic thing. I'm reading this and I'm thinking about that. I'm praying about this. But maybe there's something we're missing in the idea that just like the people of Israel, there is a corporate experience of meditating on the word of growing together. What is the Lord saying, not just to me as a believer but to us as a community?
Jonathan Bernis: Well, one thing that's been very exciting and enriching for me is to see Christians that are grabbing a hold of the shabbat because it's a family anchor.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: And what do you do at shabbat? You break bread together as a family, you have friends over, you pray for each other, but you also have a short scripture study.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: And what scripture study do you use? You use something from the portion of that week.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: So, you don't have to go searching around for an idea. It's right there for you.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: And it's a beautiful observance. Shabbat is so important and we encourage you to consider that. Hey, we've only scratched the surface of the whole idea of the parashah or portion of the week. But how do you put it into practice? We'll answer those questions when we return. But if you're interested in the parashah, listen to our announcer for helpful resources as well as how you can help Jewish Voice distribute Bibles to Jewish believers around the world. Take a look and we'll be right back.
Jonathan Bernis: Well, we wanna talk about putting this into practice. Before we get into that we wanna say thank you for your continued partnership with Jewish Voice. We're getting scriptures into the hands of Jewish people around the world, and this is so important. You're helping to make this possible so thank you. This is an investment, and we greatly appreciate it on their behalf. So, Ezra, we want to make this practical.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: We're talking about the portion of the week. This division that's continued on for 2,500 years now. A cycle through the first five books of Moses. But let's bring this on practically for people that are watching.
Ezra Benjamin: Right. Two things. First, let's talk about why we repeat it. Why do we repeat the cycle every year? And we have an answer for that. I think the scriptures have an answer for that for the Jewish people and for all of us. And then secondly, Jonathan, let's look at actually the parashah, the portion of scripture the Jewish community is reading this week that we're filming this episode. So, first of all, why do we repeat? And it's actually true in the church Bible reading calendar as well. If you're familiar at all with that and you come from that kind of a more traditional background, you know that every year it repeats itself again. And you ask, "Well there's so much, you know, there's a thousand something pages depending on the size font you have in your Bible of scripture, why would we read the same passages over and over? Why would Israel need to go back to the beginning and read about how in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and the people of Israel and the Exodus, year after year"? And I think it's because the people who created the portion calendar, as well as God himself knew that we're prone to forget, aren't we? That's the thing. We're prone to forget who it is that we are, more importantly, who God is and who we are in him, and where it is that we've come from. And even with the Jewish feast, Jonathan, the mo'edim, or the appointed times, like Passover, like feast of tabernacles, like Shavuot, the feast of weeks that we've been talking about as well, we're supposed to repeat these things every year. There's a couple thoughts there. One is because we need to teach the next generation why do we repeat our history in God? Because we have a responsibility. The scripture say, when your children ask you, why do you do these things? Why has God set us a part? Why does God require such and such obedience of us? You're to explain to them from our history in him why it is, who we are and...
Jonathan Bernis: Yeah. Very good point. I find that every time I read the scriptures, even if I've read it a hundred times, I learn something new. I get something new out of it. God speaks to me, gives me a whole new perspective.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: And as there's repetition, I find also that I'm reminded as you said...
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: Of what's foundational. And I think that the Torah, well, I don't think, this is clearly the truth that the five books of Moses provide the foundation for everything else.
Ezra Benjamin: Yep.
Jonathan Bernis: We have the whole gospel message, we have God's intent in his creation, and impartation and calling, first to Adam and Eve and then to Abraham. It's all in those first five books. And, Ezra, the prophets, the writings, the New Testament in fact...
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: Are built upon this foundation of Torah, of the first five books.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: And so, we have a saying in Messianic Judaism, Torah foundational, that the Torah hasn't been done away with. The law, in fact, hasn't been done away with, it's been written on our hearts.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: And the Torah becomes foundational for all the Revelation that follows.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: From the prophets to the writings, the rest of the Old Testament, and in fact, the New Testament also.
Ezra Benjamin: Jesus makes it very clear because he was being accused in teaching Jewish men and women, many of whom were far from God and hopeless, this is what the father is really after. He's after a heart condition not an outward appearance. He was accused by some of the Jewish leaders, "You're doing away with the Torah. You're doing away with God's law, this most holy requirements of a holy God". And Jesus makes it very clear. He said, "Until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest stroke of a pen in the law will pass away. I haven't come to abolish the Torah, the law, but to fulfill it".
Jonathan Bernis: And we not in no way talking about the idea that you keep the law for righteousness.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: We're not saved by works, we're saved by grace. Let me be very clear about that.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: We're not talking about legalism. We're not talking about the law. We're talking about the value of the Torah. The value of the Old Testament which is part of our inheritance. It's part of your inheritance.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: And so, talk about how this works a little bit and by application now.
Ezra Benjamin: Yeah, Jonathan, well, it begins, it's divided into really a Hebrew calendar. It doesn't always line up exactly with the January to December calendar that most of us around the world follow. But on the Hebrew calendar which begins, actually the scripture reading cycle begins on this day called simchat Torah, the joy of the Word of God. The joy of Torah which comes at the end of the feast of tabernacles every year on the Jewish calendar. And this is when the scriptures are rolled back, remember it's written on parchment. So, you roll it back to Genesis 1 and you read, "In the beginning". And then there's, depending on the week anywhere from, you know, four chapters to even seven, eight, or nine chapters. But you work your way from the Jewish fall holidays all the way to the following year through to the end of the Deuteronomy.
Jonathan Bernis: And let me add, you work on strengthening your left arm because it's not when you lift up the scr...
Ezra Benjamin: To hold up the Torah and all of it is on one side. Right. That was always the scary part.
Jonathan Bernis: The middle part of the year is better because it's balanced but then it's all on the right side.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: That's how it works when you have the Torah scrolls.
Ezra Benjamin: Exactly.
Jonathan Bernis: But it's such a great event. I mean, as a child, the celebration of re rolling the Torah scrolls was a lot of fun. And really, it taught me as a child the importance of the scriptures. So, it's about imparting to your children something that is really of lasting value, because if you teach them the way they should go as a child, they will not depart.
Ezra Benjamin: Jonathan, I'm thinking of the richness even of the particular parashah or Torah portion that the Jewish community is reading around the world this week, the week that we're filming this episode, and it begins in Genesis 18. And it's the story of these visitors, these angelic visitors coming to Abraham and saying, "You're gonna have a son. It's not Ishmael, which was your son of works 'cause you tried to make my promise happen in your own strength. Sarah, your wife who is beyond childbearing years is gonna have a son. His name is gonna be yitzchak which is laughter because Sarah is laughing and doesn't believe that I'm gonna be able to keep this promise". The angel said to her, really the Lord said to her, to bring a son, Isaac. Not the son of works, Ishmael, but a son, Isaac, who would be born of Sarah, who was far beyond childbearing years. So, it's Abraham, seeing the Lord, and receiving a promise. Remember Abraham beleived God and it was credited to him as righteousness. You know, we could go on and there's so much more depth and richness in there, but just, that's one example of how a Torah based reading schedule can bring us to fantastic passages that remind us of truths like this. That when God makes a promise, he is faithful to keep it.
Jonathan Bernis: It's a story that I had sort of forgotten that one of the angels was actually God and referred to as Adonai, the tetragrammaton, yud-hey-vav-hey. And then Abraham bargaining for Sodom to be spared. He goes from, I think 50 down to ten.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: I forgot about that story and then the sacrifice of Isaac is also in that parashah and Isaac is spared. God actually appears to him and says, "I will provide myself,"
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: "As an offering". You have a Messianic prophecy.
Ezra Benjamin: So much depth and richness and that's just one week. You know, Jonathan, so many people that we know, maybe you at home have done this, or maybe you're doing it right now, have a Bible in a year plan, and that's fantastic. And why do we do that? Because we need a way to discipline ourselves to make it through the whole story. What if you disciplined yourself for one year, for one year of your life, maybe in addition to your other devotional readings, and did a Torah in the year plan to understand the foundation of the whole story which is the Torah.
Jonathan Bernis: Yeah. That's what we're advocating for plain and simple. A reading plan to get you through the foundational five books of Moses.
Ezra Benjamin: Right.
Jonathan Bernis: And you can tie in scriptures from the prophets.
Ezra Benjamin: Sure.
Jonathan Bernis: You can tie in New Testament passages.
Ezra Benjamin: Totally.
Jonathan Bernis: But a reading plan that really gets you back to a place that some of you need to get back to, you really do. Too much news, not enough good news. This is a great way to study the scriptures, but how can people learn the scriptures when they don't have a Bible available to them? Well, Jewish Voice wants to help provide Bibles to scattered Jewish people around the world so they can read about their promised Messiah and tell their own communities. Will you partner with us each month? I'm asking you to make a monthly commitment to make this possible. Please listen now to learn more, then Ezra and I will come back to pray for you and your needs, and the needs of your family.
Jonathan Bernis: Well, we just have a minute left, but we always take time to pray for the needs of those that write to us, for you who are watching. We know the needs are many, the needs of your family. And so, we're just gonna agree together really quickly because God answers prayer. We believe that. And we trust him and we're agreeing with you together. "Where two or three agree on earth as touching anything, it shall be done". So just reach out in faith now. Lord, we thank you that every need is met, we thank you for your divine provision. We thank you for healing. We declare by the wounds of our Messiah, you are healed. We declare it over you. We declare restoration for your family, we declare peace. We command depression, discouragement, and isolation to go. And we pray father that the goodness of God might become a reality in people's lives this week. Answer prayer that people have been praying for some time now. We declare it is done in Jesus' name.
Ezra Benjamin: Amen.
Jonathan Bernis: Amen. Prayer works.
Ezra Benjamin: Yeah.
Jonathan Bernis: If you'd like more information about our ministry, you can log on to jewishvoice.tv, that's our website, jewishvoice.tv. You can send us your prayer request and we'll pray for them. Right on the website we have a place where you can send the prayer request. Or team at Jewish Voice will read your prayer, we'll pray for you by name. We believe in the power of prayer. We care about you and God cares about you even more. We're out of time. As we close our program, Ezra and I wanna remind you to pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Psalm 122:6, "They shall prosper who love thee". So, prosper this week. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. And until next time, this is Jonathan Bernis along with Ezra Benjamin saying, "Shalom and God bless you".