Saturday 20 February 2010

Torah Study Days

Interesting driving out to Pilgrims Hall on our first study day last Tuesday. We had so much rain (torrential for almost 24 hours) that the water was running off the fields and across the road like rivers. When we came to dips in the road at the bottom of hills we were driving through deep water and there were flooded fields everywhere. The rose beds in my garden are sheets of ice where the rain has flooded and then frozen over night. This is proving to be one long winter. With that off my chest, let's get back to the subject in hand.

As last year we were so thrilled with our study days again. We got so much out of it and it would be difficult to relate here just how much without resorting to an essay. I guess in a nutshell, I find it amazing to see that whatever story line one follows in these first 5 books of the Bible (Torah), they all lead to the same destination. That is bringing us to the place where we were created to be before the beginning of time - in complete union with God, seeing as he sees and manifesting His life on earth

Before creation God put man inside Himself (even before He created Adam and Eve physically) and repentance returns us to that place. The whole of these scriptures is to bring us to dwelling here on earth but 'in the garden of delight '(Eden - Himself). We are seated in heavenly places in Him and he in us.

I had only ever before seen these truths through Paul's writings in the New Testament, but there they are right at the beginning. Searching these passages through the original Hebrew makes such a difference.

Even the words I use in everyday language take on new meaning, for example 'blessing'. To be blessed is to receive His Word into our life.

I find it fascinating and rewarding to study under Godly Christian men who are also learned scholars in Biblical text, who speak original Hebrew and can dig into these scriptures knowing the background physically, politically and spiritually.

I have therefore decided to dig into some of these depths myself by studying at home with the same course that is used in the Torah Bible College in Israel.

The website for anyone interrested is: http://www.torahresoucesinternational.info/
It seems that for some reason the above link is not working! Try Google instead with just torah resources international.








Seen here my notes on the book of Genesis. I shall work through this before buying the study in Exodus. This will help to spread the cost.

15 comments:

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

I would love that study too. I have done many Bible studies and have found that to fully understand it all we do need to go to the beginning. I did one study on the building of the temple and how it relates to the New Testament. There is so much to learn and I don't think I'll ever quit.

Vee said...

Ah, yes, just as I said before...intriguing and enriching and wonderfully exciting, too, I'm sure. Just the little bit that you've shared here has piqued my curiosity. I had no idea that we were "in Him" before the beginning of time.

I'm sorry that this has been one of those long winters for you folks. It's been pretty mild here for a change, but then I've lived long enough now to say that I've seen all kinds of weather at all times of the year.

Enjoy your gleaning and feel free to share often!

duopastorale said...

Fascinating Barbara.. (tried your link but I think it's broken)
This I do...

Deanna said...

Hello Dear Barbara!
I agree this has been a long winter!!! Praise the Lord we are one day closer to SPRING.

Warring against colds and coughs. Rough.

On Valentine's Day, a sweet grandson was born. Isn't this something?!? I will not have trouble remembering his birthday!


Enjoyed your post and will check out the site you have mentioned.
God bless,
d

Deanna said...

Dear Barbara,
Are you familiar with
www.torah.tv
or Simchat Torah Beit Midrash
PO Box 4810
Parker, CO 80134

Rabbi Ralph Messer is married with 6 children...is the President and Senior Pastor of this congregation in Colorado.
He teaches Hebrew roots of the Faith.

Just thought I'd share this tidbit of info.

God bless,
d

Sara at Come Away With Me said...

That is wonderful, Barbara. I read those two pages you shared with us...it really digs into the meanings.

I hope you will get some relief from all that rain and winter soon.

Willow said...

That sounds like a very interesting study! I am beginning a study in Isaiah next week.

Susan said...

As it was in the beginning.....so it shall be. Yes, it's amazing how everything is laid out in those 5 books of the Torah.

Samantha said...

Ah, my I wish our local paper had such interesting things as that. Sadly, we only have local crazy police reports such as "Man assaults woman with deer meat,"...it's sad, and true.

My, how I bet you wish this winter weather was over so your garden can soon be in full bloom! I wish that I knew more about the Bible, and all of the major religion's texts so I was a worldy person, but it's simply so much difficult information to sort through and decipher. But would be interesting and enlightening, I am sure.

La Petite Gallery said...

Barbara,
This is some undertaking.
I was raised Catholic and married two Jewish men. I learned some things.
I have a friend who is a Cantor here in Maine and gives services at some temples where there is no Rabbi' Good luck on this. You are a blessed person.

Pom Pom said...

Hi Barbara! Thank you for sharing this! It sounds wonderful! I hope you have some spring soon. It's snowing hard at my house tonight.

a woman who is said...

Oh this does sound fascinating. I for one would love to read the essay :)

Sorry about the wretched weather you are having. Hope the roses are okay.

Tracy Golightly-Garcia said...

It seems to be a great study Barbara. I am studying A Woman's Heart by Beth Moore at my church and it is wonderful!
It's a study on The Tabernacle and I am learning things I never knew.

If you look up Lifeway or Beth Moore you can download her studies for a small cost.

Have a lovely week

Best
Tracy :)

Needled Mom said...

It sounds like a fascinating study. I can see how you would really enjoy the readings.

Hope you guys get spring soon. It has been one very long winter for you.

Anonymous said...

Barbara, this sounds fascinating. Just yesterday on one of my *driving kids around town* trips, I was listening to Christian radio and one minister was talking about God's "hesed" or blessing. I have heard this word many times over the past couple of years, but I think I would like to do more study. I have never heard it (I am assuming the word for blessing would be hesed) like you said, though, and I loved it. To receive God's "hesed" is to receive His Word into my life. The blessing is that I am already seated with Christ in heavenly places. That is a beautiful thought. Thank you for sharing... would love to hear more.

Blessings,
Christi