The “Unpaid Guardian” represents the individual who feels that he was only created to serve G-d. He sees his life and possessions as Divine “property” which has been placed in his trust, and he does not feel that G-d owes him anything in “compensation” for his efforts.

The “Borrower” benefits from what he borrows, and the owner enjoys no benefit. This represents an individual who seeks self-fulfillment alone. He does not feel that he owes anything for the use of life’s blessings, even though he may acknowledge who the ultimate owner is.

The “Renter” resembles the Borrower in that he prioritizes the fulfillment and enhancement of self, but nevertheless, he feels that he ought to earn this privilege by “also” serving his Creator.

The “Paid Guardian” is like the Unpaid Guardian in that he sees the fulfillment of G-d’s will as the ultimate purpose of life. He differs only in that he reserves for himself a small amount of self interest, feeling that he also deserves some independence in return for his work as a guardian of G-d’s property.

-the Gutnick Chumash commentary on the first few verses of Exodus 22, parasha Mishpatim {from Likutei Sichot}

Which one are you – an Unpaid Guardian, a Borrower, a Renter, or a Paid Guardian?

=)

As I finished packing tonight (can you believe it–all done two days before I leave!), Julianna called to me from her computer, “Hey, you know, at least you were in the Land for 83 days.” 83 days is certainly longer than I’d ever expected to spend here in Israel.  What a blessing to be here for that amount of time!

“Wow,” I replied, then realized, “Does that count Tuesday when I leave?”

“Hmm…no it doesn’t,” Julianna answered, “I guess that makes it 84 days.”

84 days.  Wow.  Just like the 84th Psalm.  Let me tell you a story of God’s faithfulness.

In the beginning of August when I was really wrestling with the opportunity to come here to Israel (it would be awesome!! can I afford it? am I crazy to leave my career? hellooo–it’s Jerusalem! yes, but not everyone gets to go there… [to name but a few of the conflicting thoughts in my head...]), I decided to dedicate a day to fasting and praying, asking God for clarity and wisdom.  Soon, I found myself led to the 84th Psalm.  Here is an excerpt:

“How lovely is Your dwelling place, O LORD of Hosts.
I long, I yearn, for the courts of the LORD; my body and my soul shout for joy to the living God….
Happy is the man who finds refuge in You, whose mind is on the pilgrim highways….
They go from strength to strength, appearing before God in Zion….”

Friends, here I am; God has allowed me to come and dwell in the city of Zion, appearing before Him in what Scripture declares the “abode of His glory” (see Psalms 2, 102, and 132). Wow.  After reading Psalm 84 back in August, the decision to come to Israel became more clear.  I realized that I’d received an invitation to come here, and began putting steps into place for the trip that has lasted until now.  Though I’ve thought in recent days that my plans were getting cut short, ironically, I will leave the land on the 84th day of my trip.  This is no accident.  God used Psalm 84 to confirm His leading me here.  And now, He’s taking me out of the Land on the 84th day of that trip.  Just as He invited me in, now He invites me out. And He almost declared this from the beginning!  Ooh, I hope this swoons your heart as much as it does mine.   He is a good God and even when we do not understand His ways, He gives us little surprises like Psalm 84 to remind us that, ”He who began a good work in you will perfect it [all the way] until the day of Messiah Yeshua” (Philippians 1:6).  I look forward to what He has next!

Julianna and I have had a great last couple days together (we’ve gone to our favorite coffee shop Aroma every day this past week and she surprised me today with an Aroma shirt!  How much cooler do roommates get?  No, but seriously, we’ve hiked the Mount of Olives, toured the Israel Museum (which holds the Dead Sea Scrolls!), watched the sunrise over the Temple Mount, and enjoyed some seriously entertaining and enlightening conversation as we recount our time here.  Julianna–I really treasure the time we’ve spent here in Jerusalem together.  I have learned a great deal from you (did I mention that I’m completely packed two days before I leave?!? .  I am glad we could be like “sisters” here and I look forward with great anticipation to see what God will do in you and through you as you spend the last month and a half with Him as your companion.  He is faithful and He will complete what He has begun in you.  I will miss you tremendously, but look forward to a reunion again soon, as God wills.

I look forward to updating you all soon on my safe arrival! Until then, here is a final “Shalom” from Jerusalem in the love of Messiah, King of Israel,

Lori

Mindfulness requires that we pay attention, not only to huge earth-shattering events but also to tiny details like the way we respond to situations. Mindfulness depends on seeing clearly – seeing truth – without “vision clouded by habitual responses.” {p.79}

Rabbi Slater questions whether meditation is effective in helping us connect mindfully with others. He points out that meditation is very personal, focused on the person practicing, {usually} in an attempt to withdraw from the world. I agree! I like the idea of reflection instead… perhaps taking time at the end of a day to reflect on what transpired and look at our responses objectively.

Ever since “it is not good for man to be alone,” we have had relationships with the people around us. Some would say that we have a responsibility to transform the world for the benefit of all. The Torah instructs us how to interact with others – what our responsibility is to family members, neighbors, strangers, even enemies.

To investigate and understand the workings of the world are glorious endeavors. That is our charge. We can come to a deeper comprehension of the world and our place in it, as well, through the study of Torah. [...] Thus, if the goal or outcome of mindfulness practice were to remove us from engagement with the world, it would be a betrayal of Jewish life and tradition.
-p.81

Mindfulness begins with an internal focus. It applies to our hearts, motivations, and attitudes. But the goal is to control our external responses through accurately understanding the events happening around us, to “experience our lives with less anxiety, stress, or contention” {p. 82}, and to continually demonstrate compassion.

Rabbi Slater gets down to a practical level in this chapter. To practice mindfulness, he says the key question is “What is the truth of this moment?” I have to confess I’ve never asked myself this question! He gives an example of a time when he was studying. He asked himself, what is the truth of this moment? The answer was, “I am sitting here; there is noise; there is anger” {p. 82}. Looking at how he perceived the moment, we can tell he is frustrated because he’s trying to focus but there are distractions. His point in this example is that our first response to a situation is normally not true  – we tell ourselves a “story.” He has unconsciously created a self-centered story about the inconsiderate people around him and made himself unhappy. What is the truth? “There is sound.” See the difference?! When he simply recognizes “sound,” he is able to let go of his instinctive reaction and ignore the interruption.

I thought that example was fascinating. The practice of mindfulness really started to make sense to me! “Until we can see the habits of our mind, we are trapped, bound to react without control, harming ourselves and others, digging ourselves deeper and deeper into those patterns of thought and feeling.” {p.84} Interestingly, Rabbi Slater goes on to talk about how King David also has a habitual response to suffering. “I am imprisoned,” “I am cut off,” “I am numbered with those who go down to the Pit” – these statements express David’s feeling of abandonment or desperation. Are they true? No, of course not! If he truly had no hope, why does he pray?

Mindfulness is seeing G-d in each moment. Ask yourself, “How can I see G-d in what causes me discomfort/disgust/displeasure?“

…when I am challenged by someone else’s behavior I first ask, “How am I like that person?” I look at my habitual responses, and seek that which stimulates my reaction, some what in which I am like that which offends me. I can then see how my reaction is an attempt to hide from my own flaw by attacking it in another. It is not easy, but when I recognize that in me, rather than cringing in shame, I try to open my heart to accept it, with compassion. In that manner, I can begin the process of change, to repair the flaw.
-p.93

Start to notice how you respond. Ask yourself what is true. Substitute intention for inclination. Remember our mortality, that “ultimately, against your will you will have to face the truth and be accountable for the ways in which you allowed your habitual responses to cloud your vision…” {p.108}. The chapter ends with a reminder that the opportunity to wake up and see clearly is always before us.

=)

In a conversation I had, my attention was recently brought to the fact that we should hate sin more than anything – even the death of a loved one. I pondered this for a moment, taking it in. Death is very serious in the Jewish culture, and as you know, the death of a loved one is mourned every year, with the annual reminder of their yahrzeit. The point was clarified with the following quote by Thomas Watson:

We must grieve more for offending G-d than for the loss of dear relations. Sorrow for sin must exceed sorrow at the grave, and with good reason; for in the burial of the dead it is only a friend who departs, but in sin…G-d departs.

We must hate it, dread it, flee from it, and fear the places where it inhabits; for G-d is watching over all.

As I started to look at Chapter 4, the last page of the previous chapter caught my attention… so instead of moving on, I {mindfully} stepped back to re-examine the closing thoughts of Chapter 3. This post really inspired me and I hope it does the same for you!

“I shall not die, but live.” That is a vain expression, a boast that will not stand, unless it is attached to the end of the verse: “and I will proclaim the works of Adonai.” {Psalm 118.17}
-p. 76

Mindfulness is realizing that the “works of Adonai” are in this moment, right now. If we can experience blessing in this moment, without worrying about pain or mortality in the future, we will live gratefully! “Every breath is a blessing, each moment a gift” because “This is the day Adonai has made, let us exult and rejoice in it.” {Psalm 118.24} We are alive and we live in G-d’s presence! For this reason, cherish your life. Seek to fill your moments with meaning. Do your best in every way. “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, giving thanks to G-d the Father through Him.” {Colossians 3.17}

Imagine that this day is the one that was granted to you to return from heaven to this world to perfect your ways before you die. How precious would this day be, since you will never have it again.
-p.78, from Tiferet Shelomo

I believe a practice of mindfulness should lead us to gratefulness. Gratefulness, in turn, leads to obedience, compassion, and joy.

As a new day begins… “I gratefully thank You, O living and eternal King, for you have returned my soul within me with compassion, abundant is your faithfulness.”

{this is a beautiful story about the Modah Ani prayer}

Live mindfully today!

=)

Notes from yesterday’s analysis of the Two House position…

What were the promises given to Abraham?

• great name, a blessing to ALL people {Genesis 12, 18, 28; Zechariah 8}
• multiply exceedingly & father a multitude of nations {Genesis 17, 46, 48}
• relationship with HaShem {Genesis 17}
• the Land of Canaan {Genesis 17}

What are the tenets of Two House?

1. the Northern tribes {known as “Ephraim”} were captured and did not return from Babylon – they never rejoined the Southern tribes {known as “Judah”}.
2. the Southern tribes {“Judah”} are what we know as Jews today, while the Northern tribes {“Ephraim”} are still lost and have been entirely assimilated into modern-day Gentile kingdoms.
3. the blessing given to Ephraim in Genesis 49 is fulfilled by the infiltration of Israel into all nations.
4. when Christians start keeping Torah we assume they have a hidden Jewish soul inside, which is why they were ‘drawn’ to the Torah of Israel in the first place.
5. Judah {the Southern tribes} and Ephraim {the Northern tribes} comprise completed Israel.

Problems:

• If all who come to Judaism are Israelites, the blessing to the Gentiles through Abraham cannot come to pass. Logically, we can’t all be Jews!
• There were more Jews in Babylon than anywhere else in the world when Yeshua was born. It’s normal for Jews to remain in exile – look at how many there are in America today who don’t like the idea of moving to Israel!
• Babylon is the same place the Southern tribes were taken.
• The term “Jew” does NOT refer only to a person from the tribe of Judah.
• Scripture makes it clear that the tribes in captivity knew who they were – they didn’t forget their heritage or lose their Jewishness. {Hosea 2, 5}
• Believing we are “the new Israel” is simply soft anti-semitism or supercessionism.
  {these two are frequently combined, as seen in quotes like “Israel of the Scripture is totally distinct from the Jewish people.” -C.A.L. Totten, Yale University}
• We are drawn to a lifestyle of obedience by the Spirit of G-d, not by our national heritage. As sinful people, nothing within ourselves can compel us to love and obey G-d. {Romans 7, Psalm 14}
• Assimilation with the world cannot be G-d’s approach to blessing! HaShem hates syncretism {us being part of the culture}. He calls us to come out and be separate! He cannot bless what He has forbidden or cursed.

Consider…

The response of disciplined children…
…because effective discipline leads to repentance. We have the story of the “Wise Men” as a result of the Babylonian captivity – Jewish scholars studying the Scriptures, eagerly awaiting the birth of the Messiah, and finally coming to honor the King.

Rebels find each other…
…and in the same way, Jews find each other! G-d’s people have an incredibly strong and resilient bond to each other. There is no way entire tribes could have forgotten their ancestry.

Egypt, Rome, England, Spain, and Portugal…
…all kicked out the Jews. This NEVER meant that the people in question stopped being Jewish – they were simply forced to relocate.

Judah {the Southern tribes} is described as far worse…
…than Ephraim {the Northern tribes}. Yet Judah was allowed to return and keep their Jewish identity? This doesn’t make sense.

Did G-d’s people change so dramatically? “Vanishing Jews” from thousands of years ago are all the sudden found, in Messianic congregations? Even when Israel as a nation disobeyed G-d and broke His commandments, He always refers to their sin as mixing His ways with pagan culture, not losing Judaism.

Conclusion: if you’re part of the Two House movement, take time to study what you believe and why. Think about these points. You can find the audio recording of this class, “Two House Two Step” on Bella Torah’s website.Your thoughts and comments are welcome.

~//A non-Jewish girl serving the G-d of Israel, grafted in to His chosen nation, striving to be holy unto Him {kadosh l’cha}//~
-torahgirl

=)

Peace amid chaos.

That’s what I keep coming back to this season. You know, I used to love the chaos. I used to revel in the “Christmas Spirit” of gifts and parties. I sense the difference in my heart this year, total indifference to what is happening in the world of commerce. Holiday spending is up 3% this year, I heard today… but that statistic doesn’t include me. Life continues peacefully {well… as peaceful as can be when one is getting married in 2 months} {grin} yet the world “outside” seems like it’s spinning out of control, with frantic last-minute shopping, holiday baking, travel, etc.

I don’t mean we should do nothing in December. It’s important to establish traditions that are Biblically meaningful. My fiancé and I find ourselves with the perfect opportunity to redefine our observance of holidays like Chanukah next year as a married couple. Even beyond this, we find ourselves with the incredible opportunity to raise children who have no background of the pagan influences that have crept into Christmas. For this we are humbled and grateful.

My mother pointed out how appropriate it is that Christmas should fall on Shabbat, as it does this year. There is no question where our attention is. According to the world’s calendar, tonight is Christmas Eve, but we know it to be Erev Shabbat, the start of the holy Sabbath day. Tomorrow is Shabbat, first and foremost of the moedim. It is the first time we have held a community Shacharit service on December 25! Baruch HaShem for the families who will be here to fellowship and worship with us… what a blessing to be surrounded by encouragement and support as we practice our faith both corporately and individually.

Tonight we are lighting the Shabbat candles and discussing the Torah portion. Tomorrow we will pray, read, talk, learn, share, and rest. We have peace amid chaos.

I like this conclusion from Wild Olive Shoot:

I did not come lightly to the realization that I needed to change a few things- that some things to which I’d grown accustomed, YHVH, in fact, detested. I am admittedly a bit sad this year, for the changing of traditions, for the fact it saddens others around me. Oh, how I wish we had not inherited futile, useless customs! I am trying my best to follow YHVH’s leading on this and pray for His guidance as each situation arises. There is a time for everything. There will be a time to speak and a time to be quiet, a time to participate and a time to stay away. And there will be a time to celebrate! YHVH gives us wonderful Feast days, all His appointed times, His prophetic messages… May YHVH light your way as you walk the narrow path.

=)

Lush trees and the far off Blue Ridge Mountains rushed by as I rode through the Virginia countryside this morning. Beautiful scenery always causes me to reflect on important things…and this morning I thought about all the people I come across as a photographer.

Fast paced people, slow, easy-going people, sluggish people who act twice their age, people who are enthusiastic about life, and some that are annoyed by everything or simply don’t care.

Which was I?

Enthusiastic at times, excited about life for sure, fast paced, but am I easily annoyed? Do I get discouraged too easily? In 10 years will I act twice my age and simply not care about life anymore?

“L-rd, help me never be satisfied with mediocre!” I prayed under my breath. I sincerely meant it and wanted to think about the power of that statement more. I quickly typed it out on my phone and texted it in as my new status on Facebook.

“Do you really want Me to make you NEVER satisfied with mediocre?” I heard G-d quietly ask.

“Well yes! I really do!”

“Do you know what that really means? I can do it, but are you sure you are ready to live that way every day?”

I thought about that. My quick answer was, “Yes I really do. I don’t know the cost, but I really want You to do it. It’s worth it, isn’t it?”

“Don’t you think you should ask that first? What IS worth it in my Kingdom? What is really important about that to Me?”

I pondered that question. It was true…I shouldn’t flippantly ask for something if I don’t know what or why it is really important to G-d.

I came to this conclusion. Not being mediocre means passionately pursuing G-d in *every* aspect of my life. But there is more… and it can’t be described in one sentence. It should be [lived] in one life.

But I’m a writer. I literally have to take a pen and paper and really write out what I’m thinking. I’m also a list maker. So of course…I wrote a list. Not a list of do’s and don’ts, but a list to form in my mind what it means to passionately pursue G-d. A list to check myself…which person am I becoming?

So… What does it mean to not be mediocre?

• It’s doing everything with purpose.
• It’s seeing the value and potential in each thing I do.
• It’s being excited about what G-d is excited about.
• It’s stopping to see what’s REALLY going on and what G-d is up to in it.
• It’s actively [pursuing G-d] in every thought, activity, decision and spoken word.
• It’s opening my eyes to SEE Him!
• It’s a daily choice.
• It’s knowing truth and sticking to it.
• It’s doing what G-d says without heeding what others say or think.
• It’s pondering the past, but living in the future.
• It’s realizing that everything has value and worth.
• It’s not living or believing the “norm.”
• It’s questioning G-d alone for what to believe and do.
• It’s the active pursuit of our Heavenly Father.

this post quoted with permission from www.madisonkiley.com

Agreeing on the reliability and authority of the Scriptures, as well as the centrality of Yeshua, is essential to sustaining One Torah communities. Moses wrote the Torah with hindsight {possibly starting in Exodus and backtracking}; Torah is the foundation, and building on it we get progressive revelation. G-d’s promise plan is revealed more and more over time. We rely on divine inspiration of the Scriptures – including preservation through time.

Note: What about oral Torah? Does it “belong” to the Jews? No, they received it. We can use traditions which honor the Torah without doing any disservice to the Jewish people.

This has been an extensive review of “Identity & One Torah” – thank you for your patience! As I mentioned at the beginning, the audio recording of this seminar will be an excellent resource. For more about Divine Invitation theology, I recommend Tim Hegg’s paper “An Assessment of the ‘Divine Invitation’ Teaching” {also available on paper or in audio format}.

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear G-d and keep His commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.
For G-d will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.
-Ecclesiastes 12.13-14

=)

{this post contains notes from Session 4 of Tim Hegg’s Identity & One Torah seminar, continuing to address the issue of Divine Invitation theology. It’s a lot of material, but if you’re at all familiar with DI, please take the time to read through it.}

The premise of DI: only Jews are members of the Sinai Covenant and required to keep it. Gentiles are invited to participate but must remain distinct.

There seems to be a lack of Scriptural support for this premise. The Tanach contains several covenants, each one carrying a single promise – if we are “in Messiah,” we are members of the covenant (Ephesians 2.12). The Abrahamic covenant, irrevocably tied with the Sinaitic covenant, is an unconditional process of sanctification. Yeshua is the mediator of the New Covenant {which cannot annul an earlier covenant} and we {the nations} are part of His final fulfillment.

Every sect has a source of authority. Rabbinic Judaism uses the Tanach + traditions {written/oral Torah}, Catholics have the Bible + church, and Christians claim Sola Scriptura. As for the Messianic movement: Mark Kinzer, president of the UMJC, was asked recently if the written Torah is sufficient for us. He said no, because it lacks legal details, contradicts itself, and obviously requires help or ‘supplemental instruction’ from the oral Torah. The exact quote is available in Tim Hegg’s seminar material.

At the center of our differences with the UMJC is our relationship with HaShem. The fulfillment of a mitzvah ultimately rests with G-d, not man. The Torah is not manageable. We don’t have a scorecard of exactly how well we kept the Sabbath. We only know when we’ve broken it… and it’s dangerous to assume that not breaking a command is the same as keeping it.

Is it true that Torah observance cannot rest with us? We must live our lives and our walk of obedience under the authority of rabbinic doctrine?

DI stands between basic Messianic Judaism and the UMJC. We’re forced to ask, how much can the Gentiles keep? DI seems to prohibit innately “Jewish” things like Shabbat, moedim, kashrut, etc. So instead of the 10 commandments, do Gentiles have 9 commandments/1 invitation? Or is it 8 commandments/2 invitations? The answer is No. Our halachah is based on the Scripture – we cannot possibly adhere to 100% of the oral Torah. This would mean denying Yeshua and going back to some of the very manmade customs He denounced as burdensome.

Bi-lateral ecclesiology: the 2 parts of the ekklesia {assembly}, Jew & Gentile, are distinct – unified in a mystical sense but separate in daily life. For instance, DI teaches that Jews must keep Torah. This point raises a natural question – who is a Jew? Someone with a Jewish mother? Both parents Jewish? Any ancestor Jewish? David Ben Gurion once defined a Jew as “anyone who worships with us.” The sages of Israel disagree on who is a Jew. Does this mean divided households?

Using the logic of DI, a Jewish man married to a Gentile woman must invite his own children to keep the mitzvot! DI leaves us in limbo. There are no good answers to the myriad of questions it raises. What about a fellowship where some Gentiles “accept” the invitation but others do not? Does this mean class warfare? Spiritual segregation? There is no apparent unity, only huge problems.

Picture a fellowship where there are Jewish members, non-Jewish members who have accepted the invitation, converts to Judaism, and “Torah-friendly” people who have rejected the invitation… wouldn’t one law be simpler? Close fellowship, even “breaking bread together,” is not possible.

The bottom line of DI? Time’s up. If you’re not Jewish, get back in the church.As Tim put it, the welcome sign in some messianic groups has changed to “Jews and converts welcome…”

=)