The Way of the Pharisees #11
Posted by TsiyonMar 18
The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia states: ”The Jewish religion as it is today traces its descent, without a break, through all the centuries, from the Pharisees … The Talmud is the largest and most important single piece of that literature … and the study of it is essential for any real understanding of Pharisaism.” Some Messianic teachers claim that Yeshua was a Pharisee closely aligned with the Rabbinical School of Hillel and therefore, they believe, Messianic believers should follow Rabbinical customs. In this program we examine the Tenach, the New Covenant Scriptures and well-respected Jewish sources including the Talmud to thoroughly shatter this myth. You will learn from Jewish sources why it is impossible for Yeshua to have been at unity with the Pharisees. Listen and break free from Pharisaism!
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11 comments
Comment by Kwai Chang Caine on January 12, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I really liked your interpretation of Matthew 23:1-3; however, as much as I liked it I do not think it is wholly correct. You made much of the fact that the word “they” is not in the Greek. With this lack, you make the reference that the verb “bid” can be translated more to be “he bids” rather than “they bid”. Then the person Jesus commands them to obey is Moses and not the Pharisees.
I was really excited about this interpretation. However, in checking my Greek textbooks and text, the verb translated as “bid” or “speak” is in the plural and not the singular. Therefore “they bid” is a good translation and “he bid” will not work.
As a result, it does appear that Jesus is commanding the people to obey what the pharisees say as they sit in the seat of Moses, but not to follow what they do. The discrepancy between this apparent endorsement of what the Pharisees say and the rest of the scripture (and indeed this very chapter itself) which condemns them may have to do with exactly what they were allowed to “say” when they were sitting on Moses seat. Perhaps there they were only allowed to quote from the written Scriptures.
You would be able to answer that question better than I.
P.S. I love your broadcasts. I am catching up as best I can through my iPod.
Comment by Tsiyon on January 12, 2008 at 9:21 pm
Thanks for leaving your well-studied and well-expressed comments. It has been a while since I did this particular program, but if I remember correctly my interpretation of the text is influenced by a late Hebrew version of Matthew that I feel mirrors the original Hebrew Matthew that was burned by the Roman Church. As you no doubt are aware, a number of the “Church Fathers” state that Matthew was originally penned in Hebrew. The later Greek version may very well be at variance with the Hebrew on some points, such as the one you mention. In this case I accept the surviving Hebrew text to fine-tune the Greek because it is much more in line with the rest of what Y’shua says about the Pharisees. It is not credible to have Y’shua telling us to “do what they bid you” in one place and then to use the entire rest of the exact same chapter to condemn them as “blind guides” - no matter where they were sitting. Of course, others may not see it as I do. But hey, it’s my show!
Seriously, I’m glad you are enjoying our programs. Don’t miss the new ones while you are catching up on the old ones. Our current program series on the Matrix is perfect for a truth seeker like you!
Comment by Christine on February 5, 2009 at 3:43 pm
Wow…there is so much to say. What an amazing lesson this was; so very informative. First, I never saw scribes in the light of writing oral law; I always perceived them as the pious, overly zealous, focused individuals who scrupulously copied the Torah Scrolls…I never had a clue why they were included in the admonishment of Yahshua, until now knowing they were the ones who also wrote the Talmud. More than anyone, they should have known the Torah well enough to know it was being misinterpreted. And even though, I had read about Hillel, I never knew much of his teaching or really focused on his influence of the Jewish people during the time of Messiah on earth. It certainly helps clarify much of what Yahshua said that is often just over generalized. I also thought it was incredibly interesting where the Sanhedrin were from; I wondered how they had become the religious force, if you will, during this time period. The presentation of what Halachic thinking is did clarify disobedience to the commandment of God for the traditions of men.
I had heard of the sacrificing of children before; but I had been taught it was the Easter fertility rituals and later sacrifices. I never had any idea that it was accepted by the Jewish authority let alone practiced and justified by them. The reference to Jewish magic book sheds light on Kabalah practices. Hmmm, now, I can’t help but wonder when Paul was saying he was a Pharisee of Pharisees if he wasn’t reprimanding himself versus how the world views it - which is most knowledgeable of all of the Torah. And finally, when you were discussing how it is not the fault of the Jews who practice some of these things because they do not know the origin; I couldn’t help but think that is true of all of “Christianity;” for HaSatan has deceived the whole world.
Comment by mfrost on February 16, 2009 at 12:58 pm
satan wants us to believe that we are free and independent of him, that he has no influence. Yet, all the while, we stumble along or fall completely into the snares already in place. If he can ,he will trip us up with our own routines, for if we have become callous to the convicting of Spirit on small, insignificant trespasses, we are alredy weak and vulnerable. Any sin seperates us from God, big or small.If we are seperated, we cant recieve. If we cant recieve, we’re setting ducks.
It’s all about staying hooked up to the Source, connected. YHWH is our supply depot. If the enemy can seperate us from our ability to recieve supplies then we will ultimately become weakened and /or fail. We must constantly monitor and reconnect our supply line. There is a way to do this.
YHWH says ‘If you’ll return to me, I’ll return to you.’ How?
REPENT. TURN AND GO TO GOD. What’d Elijah say ‘ Be immersed and be cleansed of sin.’
so IMMERSE….. suddenly your clean….
Now CONNECT to YHWH by prayer through YESHUA..(He is the door.)
Make your REQUEST ; like for strength, guidance, wisdom, power, etc. by the outpouring of His Holy Spirit.
now RECIEVE the overflowing of His blessing because now you can.
Our righteousness is all that He will remember of us.
Comment by fredrad on August 7, 2009 at 1:35 am
I really enjoyed hearing the context,backdrop,to these verses.It allows for the verses to come alive and expose the message that they truly hold.It sounds so much like the choices today.With so many versions of which way to “pick your religious flavor” it helps to understand the narrow path Yeshua was talking about.Why we should expect Yaweh to change on our choosing at last minutte is beyond me.We need to change to walk with Yaweh ,he doesn’t change for us ,or the Pharisees as these verses say.Valuable insight and a lesson I will pass on to my group.
Blessings to all
Fred
Comment by rickmankim on October 8, 2009 at 10:31 am
I entirely related to Dawn’s passionate outcry in the conclusion of this hour about the messianic congregations people turn to having discovered their Hebrew roots. It’s not until after time passes and people have established friendships in fellowship that they could finally collect enough information on their theological positions and discern whether or not it matches up to the scriptures. These are manmade rules and positions that take scriptures out of context and in the end insinuate that the whole Bible contradicts itself. Many of today’s congregation leaders are proving out to have a lot in common with the Pharisees. This is why when the followers of Yeshua who hold to the commandments of God become one new man, they will NOT have a leader. Ironically, in a recent letter, one certain congregation leader stated that the people they have asked to leave in the past (referred to as 2 house movement) are feared because, drum roll please…. THEY HAVE NO LEADER. These messianic congregations identify gentiles, who in discovering the richness of their Hebrew roots, are zealous for living by Yahweh’s Word and turning from their past pagan traditions. This is very threatening to many messianic congregations as having such people around will “have a divisive spirit” between their congregation and the financially supportive churches. It’s unfortunate to see what this all boils down to at the end of the day. It’s more profitable for them to get rid of the trouble makers then to alienate the institutions that show them the money. However, all said, what is truly ironic is that by removing this gentile group from their fellowship, they are quite possibly sifting them out for certain shepherds to round up as part of Yahweh’s divine plan. He works in such mysterious ways! Just like Him to turn a bad outcome into a blessing. Shalom, Kim
Comment by Shix on October 22, 2009 at 5:40 pm
How could the teaching of today’s christianity , with the mixing of the Roman holidays and Yeshua, be any different than the teaching of the Pharisees in Yeshua’s day. The ministers have placed themselves in the seat of Moses’authority , with no regard to his teaching of the Word of God. Yeshua tells us to do as they say ie.” Love the Lord with all your heart” yet they have misguided many with the birth of Yeshua as their main holidaze, not following dietary commands and changing of the Sabbath. We must learn and do (be doers of the Word) the holy ways and Holy Days of Yahweh ,and observe to overcome the misguided teaching present today, as it was in the first century! Yahweh is the source of ALL truth! Praise God! Selah!
Comment by torahbound on December 31, 2009 at 8:25 pm
I really appreciated the way this information was put together. Though I have known this concerning the teaching of the Pharisees, I had never put it together with the demon worship you mentioned. This gives more credence when explaining these things to others.
Comment by Seeking Yeshua on January 23, 2010 at 3:52 am
11 The Way of the Pharisees
Shalom! Many Blessings to Tsiyon, Eliyahu and Dawn!
Much of what you spoke about I honestly had no or little clue and now I totally and completely understand why it is of the utmost importance to keeping the commandments and not to add to nor take away from them. Also, that if one is not from a Jewish background they should not just blindly embrace every Jewish practice while researching Hebraic roots! I went nuts when my eyes were opened to the Hebraic Roots. I didn’t know where to go, what to do, who…. I know now in my heart that keeping the commandments, staying faithfully connected through daily prayer, and waiting on him about sums it up. It’s not hard to do after you withdrawal from the world as we had known it all our lives. Man has distorted everything to make it more complicated and harder than it actually is and was first intended by YHVH.
The traditions of man is heart wrenching as they are far from the commandments of YHVH. Praise be to YHVH, for he just answered a question I asked HIM earlier with this program. I have withdrawn myself from worldly ways and was feeling a little alone. (I know I am not alone. =D) I know now it is far better for me to feel a little alone than to be sucked up into the traditions of man and defile myself in YHVH sight. I wait on HIM. At the very least I now recognize that by sticking with the written commandments given to from YHVH to Moses and from Yeshua, I am on the right narrow path. One cannot serve two masters.
Loving your neighbor as yourself and doing for them as you would do for yourself is not all there is to the commandments of YHVH.
May YHVH make me an instrument to help in the restoration of the Remnant of Israel for HIS Glory!
Still amazed and seeking to learn more about YHVH, Yeshua, and Ruach HaQodesh.
Shalom!
Comment by gilahinYah on July 11, 2010 at 12:18 pm
Shalom! This material was new to me, and it cleared up some questions I had concerning this specific passge of scriptures. I have never been tempted to follow the rabbinical jews because they deny Yahshua, and now I have even more reason to avoid the trap of looking to them for guidance in my search for my hebrew roots.
The teaching of any leader should reflect what is written in the scriptures; however, with so many different misguided translations that are available, what recourse do many believers have? Most do not have the means to acquire ancient texts to test what translations that they hold. The Ruach Hakodesh will testify to the validity of what we read. I know many, many times the Holy Spirit has checked me in understanding passages… I prayed to understand, and eventually the understanding comes…
The anger and outrage that I felt while listening to this program towards the enemy and his disciples cannot be fully expressed. Their reward is coming, and that I can rejoice in.
We are encouraged to test/try the spirits to see who they are from…The Torah is solid and the prophets that line up with the Torah can be a rock to stand on. This is our measuring line.
I rejoice in the fact that Yahweh has not left us without viable teachers of who He is and what He requires of us; even so, we must be like the Bereans and measure up what we hear with what is written. We must pray and seek the truth, Yahsuah said, “If you seek, you will find”…
Comment by donjuls on July 17, 2010 at 10:08 am
This is truly mind blowing. Being raised Catholic and subsequently being saved in a Protestant Church I had heard of the Talmud but never understood what it was or were it came from. I am absoluetly shocked, but not surpised that Satan once again slithered his way into the affairs of Yawhew’s people to lead them into destruction. I had always read Mathew 7:13-15 (The Narrow and Wide gates) as Yeshua speaking of “true” believers vs. “fake” believers with respect to Christianity. I guess that’s the problem with being taught to think as a modern day Christian and not as a 1st Century Believer. Yeshua is talking to Jews, about Jews here in this passage (and probably in the vast majority of scripture as well). I have to constantly remind myself that “Christianity” was not the dominant religion of the day then. It wasn’t a religion at all yet!
Although I have not read the “Roman Catholic Catechism” (RMC) (I wonder if that’s a sin being a former Catholic???- I digress), I get the sense that it (the RMC) would be similar to the Talmud. In other words the Talmud is to the Pharisaic Jew as the RMC is to the Roman Catholic. Both documents are man made rules and laws that pervert the Law of Yahweh.
I have a question concerning the Talmud. Elyahu, in your program you indicate that the Talmud was based on the teachings of Rabbi Hillel who lived prior to the time of Yeshua. He didn’t actually write the Talmud, did he? I get the sense that the Talmud is a document that is added to periodically as the times and practices of the culture change. Is that right? The reason I ask is becasue you also indicate that in the time after Yeshua left this earth, the Rabbis taught their people some rather disturbing things about Him. This came from the Talmud. So I have to conclude that the docuemnt or the teaching changes with the times.
It kind of goes without saying that we really need to just leave well enough alone when it comes to Yahweh’s law. Why do we always think that we can improve on what is already perfect? It’s becasue we (collective ‘we’) always want something else. We always want to believe that serpent when he whispers in our ear, “Did God really say…?” Oh, when will we learn(again collective ‘we’)?
Thank you for another eye opening teaching.
Shalom!
Don
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