Rabbi Wein - Parshas Yisro

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Rabbi Berel Wein and torah.org?

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוהYeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

Rabbi Berel Wein         Print Version
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Parshas Yisro Proper Treatment of the Convert The Torah describes for us in detail the visit of Yitro to the encampment of the Jewish people in the desert of Sinai. It also details for us the advice given to Moshe by Yitro as how to organize the justice system of the Jewish people. Though there is a divergence of view among the rabbinic scholars as to whether Yitro came before or after the revelation and the granting of the Torah at Mount Sinai, there is general agreement that Yitro remains the template and role model for converts to Judaism. Part of the reason is not only Yitro’s sincerity in joining the Jewish people and his abandonment of the pagan gods that he had worshipped earlier in his life but in his willingness to give advice and counsel for the benefit of the administration of justice in his newly adopted society. Many times a new convert is most hesitant to give advice or counsel to the Jewish society. After all, the word “ger”- convert - in Hebrew, has the connotation of being a stranger, an outsider, someone who is only a sojourner and not yet necessarily a full fledged citizen. Therefore it is most understandable that such a person may feel somewhat reticent at giving suggestions and advice to those who have been Jews for generations and since their birth. Yitro’s boldness in asserting himself immediately into advising and improving Jewish society is a testimony to his comfort level, sincerity and commitment regarding the Jewish people and its Torah values and strictures. That is why he is given so much respect and prominence in the Torah of the Jewish people. Converts bring with them a different range of experience and mindset to Jewish life than do generational and born Jews raised exclusively in a Jewish society. In Yiddish there is a famous phrase that “a guest for a while sees for a mile.” Jewish society always needs constant revitalization and freshness. Our Torah is eternal and ageless but the tactics for promoting and teaching it vary from time to time and from locality to locality. Many times it is the newcomer, the former stranger that has newly entered the fold of Judaism and Jewish society that provides that new spark of energy and innovativeness that powers Torah Judaism forward even more. It is no coincidence that the Gaon of Vilna is buried next to the grave of the Ger Tzedek – the righteous convert to Judaism in eighteenth century Vilna. The Gaon was an innovator, a departure from the other scholars of his time and even from many of those who preceded him. Converts on the whole – those who are sincerely attracted to Judaism and not influenced by other factors or are converted by ersatz methods and insincere and non-observant courts – are an inspiration to Jewish society and a prod for further progress and accomplishments. This is also an important lesson that we can glean from the events described in this week’s parsha. Proper treatment of the convert is mentioned thirty six times in the Torah – more than any other commandment or value. We should take heed of this and assess the new convert correctly and not condescendingly. Shabat shalom, Rabbi Berel Wein     Rabbi Berel Wein, Copyright &copy 2011 by Rabbi Berel Wein and Torah.org Rabbi Berel Wein- Jewish historian, author and international lecturer offers a complete selection of CDs, audio tapes, video tapes, DVDs, and books on Jewish history at www.rabbiwein.com Questions or comments? Email feedback@torah.org. Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing. Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.

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Perceptions - Parshas Yisro

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Rabbi Pinchas Winston and torah.org?

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוהYeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

Perceptions         by Rabbi Pinchas Winston         Print Version
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Parshas Yisro The More You Give, the More You Get And Yisro rejoiced for all the good which God had done to Israel, having delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. (Shemos 18:9) In Hebrew, the word for rejoice in this week’s parshah is vayichad, an unusual word for such a common term, especially since we have so many simpler ways of saying ‘rejoiced’. As a result, the word is interpreted on a deeper level by two Amoraim in the Talmud, Rav and Shmuel. According to Rav, the word vayichad comes from the chad, which means ‘sharp’, indicating that Yisro, upon hearing about all that God had done for the Jewish people converted on the spot, taking a sharp stone and immediately performing Bris Milah on himself. According to Shmuel, the word is an allusion to the chadudim Yisro felt all over his body, what we call ‘goose bumps’, because he still felt bad for the Egyptians who had been destroyed (Sanhedrin 94a). However, since the Torah does not have vowels, alternative readings of a single word, for exegetical purposes, is often possible. Hence, the word vayichad can also be read vayachad without changing a single letter, just the vocalization, changing the meaning of the word from ‘rejoiced’ to ‘unified’. This is not so far-fetched given what was happening at that moment, and what the entire Kabbalas HaTorah experience was soon about to evoke from the entire Jewish nation. Indeed, what Yisro heard and saw at that time had been both intellectually and emotionally overwhelming for him, and certainly had the potential to elevate him to a very high level of spiritual consciousness. At that unique moment, he could easily have had an experience that would have resulted in a precise perception of what life is all about, and how to fulfill its purpose, which in itself is an interesting discussion. The Talmud makes an fascinating remark: A man would prefer one kav of his own instead of nine kabim of another. (Bava Metzia 38a) A kav is a Biblical measurement, but here it is symbolic. It is the proportion that counts, and that is, a person values that which he earns more than that which he is given for free, even if the latter is many times the former. There is something intrinsically special about that which we create ourselves, in whatever manner we do it. For example, if a person works hard for a couple of hours and gets paid with a $100 bill, and then gets one as a birthday gift shortly after, he is more likely to spend the latter than the former, even though they are exactly the same amount and type of bill. Somehow, by working for the first one a certain relationship develops between the person and the money itself, as if the specific bill earned intrinsically represents the amount of his life that he spent to earn it. Not only this, but people can be quite possessive of their personal possessions, in a way that might border on selfishness. We don’t usually think too highly about people who behave in such a way; selfishness seems to be a childish quality that grown-ups are supposed to have overcome. That may be true, but it is also not so clear-cut that such selfishness and possessiveness are coming totally from the wrong place. Indeed, it may be the result of a certain confusion regarding a specific driving force in Creation that is totally positive, and in fact, the goal of Creation, as the Leshem explains. ...Since the main pleasure and delight from all brilliance and good is only when it is his own, and not from someone else … especially when the good is the result of his actions and efforts, after which the pleasure and delight is unlimited [because the Shoresh HaAchdus—the Root of Unity—is in everyone, and everything is carried by this Root of Unity. It is the inner reality of everything, the basis of all that exists … (Drushei Olam HaTohu 2:4:10:3:11) What the Leshem is saying is that, at the center of everything in all of Creation is some very intense unifying force. Though it is very hard to believe, given all the divisiveness and strife in the world, everything in Creation wants to unify with everything else, and ultimately, with God. Therefore, a person pursues himself and that which belongs to him because it is dearer to him than everything else since he is one with it; all of his drive is towards that with which he can become most unified … (Ibid.) This is not a Kabbalistic justification for being selfish; just a Kabbalistic explanation for why selfishness is so gratifying. However, if a person selfishly eats a sandwich, only to find out that by doing so, he surrendered the opportunity to eat a steak, is he not disappointed? Likewise, the most selfish thing a person can do is act selflessly, because then the greater good belongs to him. In truth, the Root of Unity unifies all disparate elements since they are all based upon it, but only through veils and physical and thick barriers that have resulted from the zuhama from the sin …(Ibid.) Once such unity existed in Creation, prior to the sin of Adam HaRishon, after which Creation descended and become greatly reduced, spiritually-speaking. Like man himself who went from skin made from light to actual skin, making unification with Creation on an external level impossible, so was this true for the rest of Creation. However: ...on an internal level, they remain forever unified. (Ibid.) Hence, internally, there is a profound unity amongst all of Creation. How such unity can exist on an internal level while externally, people want to kill each other, remains one of the greatest mysteries of Creation. However, this is the only unity that is recognizable at this time, being very intense, and therefore a person always longs for his own since it is from himself to himself, a deep unity that is apparent even now … (Ibid.) Have you every noticed how certain spiritually-uplifting events have the ability to draw the unity out of people? Sometimes it can be a crisis, or sometimes just a very inspiring moment, but the result is always a melting of certain barriers and a unification that seems to be intrinsic to mankind and Creation. The more the moment melts the barriers, the more intense and meaningful the unification ends up being. For example, we are told by the rabbis that the Sinai experience was so intense that the Jewish people became k’ish echad—like a single individual— b’leiv echad—with a single heart. It was the first and last time the Jewish people ever experienced such sublime unity, which will not return until Yemos HaMoshiach. It was as if the exposure to the Divine Presence yanked them out of their skins to the point that they became more spiritual than physical, allowing them to by-pass their petty negative emotions and instead focus on the opportunity of the moment. Perhaps this is what happened to Yisro in this week’s parshah. In fact, as we said previously, the Midrash explains that he became so overtaken by the moment that he grabbed a sharp stone and immediately performed Bris Milah on himself, and converted. Clearly he had been functioning on a more dramatic spiritual level than normal, and it may have connected him to God and the rest of Creation on a level that most people never achieve in an entire lifetime. It was if he had a Messianic experience. It’s what we’re all after. Just as idol worship is an illegal shortcut to the God experience, resulting in just the opposite in the end, Greed, which still seems to drive society is an illegal shortcut to inner unity and self-fulfillment that ends up delivering just the opposite in life. For according to what has been said, the drive to accumulate riches and material possessions is really just a drive to unify with the world around us. But it doesn’t happen in the end, for a very simple yet profound reason. It works very similar to the Ohr HaGanuz—the Hidden Light of Creation. The Ohr HaGanuz is such a powerfully miraculous light that if an evil person were to gain access to it, he could manipulate the world at will. The control he would have would be unimaginable and the destruction he could do would be catastrophic. This is why, as Rashi explains, God made it that the only people who can access this light are righteous people. Hence, though there are some rules in life that evil people can circumvent, this is not one of them. It is an immutable principle of Creation so that Creation can continue to fulfill the will of its Creator. A certain amount of abuse and destructive behavior is allowed in history, but God has set a limit, and it is not one that can ever be adjusted, at least not by man. Likewise, the unity that we seek, with ourselves and the world around us, is the reward for a life of spiritual growth and development. That is another immutable principle of life in this world, unchangeable by everyone, especially the evil geniuses of history. That is why when Eisav confronted Ya’akov and boasted about his material wealth, it was he, and not Ya’akov, who left their meeting with a sense of lack just the same. Ya’akov Avinu, on the other hand, left with a sense of satiation, physical and spiritual. For, as the Talmud points out, righteous people avoid any kind of theft at any cost—even denying themselves possessions that others might not think twice about taking or using—if any question of ownership comes up at all. They are looking for inner unity, and they know that it is not going to happen unless that with which they are unifying is totally relevant to them. The same is true of shalom bayis on any level. People cannot unify with others unless that with which they are unifying truly belongs to them, which can only happen if a relationship is cultivated. When it comes to relationships the basic rule is: the more you give, the more you get. If you try to get without giving, then the relationship usually disintegrates. Therefore, the first thing Yisro did when he arrived at the Jewish camp in searching for a close relationship with God, was give himself over to the Ultimate Cause, resulting in vayachad Yisro: unification with God, the Jewish people, and Creation as whole.     Perceptions, Copyright &copy 2011 by Rabbi Pinchas Winston and Torah.org. Questions or comments? Email feedback@torah.org. Join the Jewish Learning Revolution! Torah.org: The Judaism Site brings this and a host of other classes to you every week. Visit http://torah.org or email learn@torah.org to get your own free copy of this mailing. Permission is granted to redistribute, but please give proper attribution and copyright to the author and Torah.org. Both the author and Torah.org reserve certain rights. Email copyrights@torah.org for full information.

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[RTM Torah Portions] - Restoration of Torah Ministries' Parashat HaShavuah (Weekly Torah Portion) - Parashat Yitro!

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Tony Robinson and his ministery?

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוהYeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

Shalom! And Welcome To Everyone Who Is New To The Group!

This coming Shabbat, January 21,  2011 we will be reading Parashat Yitro, Exodus 18:1-20:23[26].   The haftara reading is Isaiah 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6[6-7] (Ashkenaz); 6:1-13 (Sephardic).  You can download the lesson as a PDF file or a WORD file or as the Children's lesson PDF file.  Don't forget to listen to some of the audio visual lessons for the Torah portions here...

http://restorationoftorah.org/ThinkingThematically/ThinkTank.htm

Ministry Opportunities

I'm working on numerous speaking engagements (Mark Biltz's El Shaddai congregation; Monroe, LA; Foley, AL; Huntsville, AL; to name a few) at the moment and will be able to make some announcements soon.  So hang in there.  I may be coming to a place near you and it would be good to meet some of y'all!

God's Learning Channel

For those of you familiar with God's Learning Channel I am now a PROGRAMMER!  I will go to record my first set of teachings in February, which will begin airing in March.  I'll keep you posted as the time approaches.

Translations - Torah Lessons in French!!!

The French web page is "Fully Operational"!  You will be able to go there and download the current Torah portion at any time, as well as various miscellaneous articles.  If you have any French speaking friends or relatives, please consider having them study the weekly lessons on the RTM French web page.

http://restorationoftorah.org/RTMFrench/ParashatHaShavuahFrench.htm

Translations - Torah Lessons in Dutch!!!

The Dutch has been completed with all Torah portions!  If you have any Dutch speaking friends or relatives, please consider having them read an article or two on the RTM Dutch web page.

http://restorationoftorah.org/WeeklyParshaDutch/ParashatHaShavuahDutch.htm

Translations - Torah Lessons in Spanish!!!

The Spanish has the Messiah in the Torah Portion section for every Torah lesson!  If you have any Spanish speaking friends or relatives, please consider having them read an article or two on the RTM Spanish web page. 

http://restorationoftorah.org/WeeklyParshaSpanish/ParashatHaShavuahSpanish.htm

The Sign of the Messiah Online - The Teaching Every Messianic Should See, Lest They Give In To Anti-Missionary's!!!

It's been a long time coming, but finally I have a good copy of The Sign of the Messiah online.  It is also available for purchase!!! (it will soon be added to the market place)  Many of you are familiar with the teaching of the Sign of the Messiah through the Torah lessons.  Now RTM has an 83 minute DVD quality teaching on the web site.  This is THE teaching that sets the record straight concerning whether or not Yeshua is the Messiah!  Many of you have seen the presentation.  If you have not, I strongly encourage you to view/listen.  Many Messianics are denying Yeshua as the Messiah simply because they cannot find Him in the Torah/Tanakh.  This teaching proves to anyone who is willing to listen that Yeshua is the Messiah.  It is unique in that it presents a Messianic paradigm from the Torah!  That's right.  We go to the Torah and discover what it says about the Messiah.  We prove beyond a shadow of doubt that the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua in three days is the most prophesied event concerning the Messiah in the Torah as well as the entirety of the Tanakh.  If, after reading the last sentence you're thinking, "How does the Tanakh teach about death, burial and resurrection in three days?" then this teaching is for you.  Please view this teaching and pass the link on to anyone who is struggling with Yeshua being the Messiah.  It's free!  In fact, help me by e-mailing the link to any and all of your friends.  

The video is located here...

The Sign of the Messiah

It is also now a major link on my homepage.  Get the word out!  You can help.  View it, then send it with your recommendation.  Especially send it to people struggling with the Messiahship of Yeshua.

The trailer for my new song (COMING SOONER OR LATER : ) entitled The Sign of the Messiah is here...

The Sign of the Messiah, the Song!

RTM is Now on You Tube!

RTM has begun uploading YouTube video teachings!  As long as you go to the link below and watch the videos there you won't have any problems with unwanted content.  I currently have two separate PLAYLISTS on YouTube, 1) Chiastic Revelations and 2) Resurrection in the Torah! The link to the RTM YouTube web site is . . . 

http://www.youtube.com/restorationoftorah

Here are the latest two uploads . . .

Practical Parallelisms - http://www.youtube.com/restorationoftorah#p/c/A8716190E0E1079D/5/831G2tnnx58

Literal Resurrections in the Tanakkh - http://www.youtube.com/restorationoftorah#p/c/BA69249E4ECFC7BB/4/E5_R7jZKAes

Once there, near the top of the page click on PLAYLISTS and you'll see the two playlists on the right-hand side of the page where you will be able to click on the teachings.  They are numbered, 1, 2, 3,... for ease of remembering where you are.  These are expansions on thematic teachings from the Torah lessons.  Be on the look out for a good mix of YouTube and Power Point and Video presentations.  You absolutely almost can't believe how extensive this teaching is.  But it's here, it's there, it's every where.  In fact, Adonai is literally shouting out to us through the pages of Scripture teaching us this most blessed of truths - Resurrection occurs on day THREE!  So, GET READY! 

The Restoration of Torah Ministries’ Think Tank

 Strictly speaking, a think tank is an organization, institute, corporation, or group that conducts research. The term think tank itself, however, was originally used in reference to organizations that offered military advice, most notably the RAND Corporation, formed originally in 1945. Until around 1970, there were no more than several dozen think tanks, mostly focused on offering non-partisan policy and military advice to the United States government, and generally with large staffs and research budgets. After 1970, the number of think tanks exploded, as many smaller think tanks were formed to express various partisan, political, and ideological views. Some of you may be familiar with many of the conservative (and liberal) think tanks around.

Well, RTM doesn’t have a “large staff and research budget,” neither does it give military advice to the US governmnet. So, what is the RTM Think Tank?

It’s a web page devoted to presenting you with cutting edge thematic research of the scriptures. If you have studied the Torah lessons on this site (The Parashat HaShavuah Link) then you know that Adonai has arranged His eternal Words thematically. Furthermore, you've seen many examples of how themes converge to teach many, many truths. Well, I'd like to follow-up by presenting you with more studies designed to show you how the scriptures come alive when you begin to make thematic connections! These are fresh revelations not covered in the Torah lessons. You will find teachings devoted to uncovering some of the staggering number of chiastic structures and parallelisms found in the Word. But we don't stop at uncovering them. We will examine them for their theological content. These studies will 1) enhance your understanding of the scriptures and help you learn how to apply principles of thematic study. The ThinkTank is located at the following link...  The RTM Messianic Think Tank

The Scroll of the Gospel of David - Discovering a prophecy of the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua in II Samuel 15:10 - 20:2

The book, The Scroll of the Gospel of David - If you have not bought a copy, I urge you to consider doing so. This book is an amazing source of Messianic information from an "Old Testament" perspective. There are very few sources that make such extensive use of the Tanakh (Old Testament) to prove that Yeshua is the Messiah. The Scroll of the Gospel of David is one such source. It is a practical application of what you learn each week during the Torah lessons you study from RTM. Again, if you don't have a copy...Get One! You will not be disappointed! If you would like, you can purchase The Scroll of the Gospel of David. Just go to the following web page . . .

The Scroll of the Gospel of David

 . . . and you will find instructions on where to purchase. It is an 8 1/2 x 11 inch paperback book that sells for 18.00 + shipping and handling. It can be shipped throughout the world.

The Scroll of the Gospel According to King David

Hebrew Version is Here!

It can be purchased at the webpage marketkplace.

Torah To The Nations - The RTM Parashat HaShavuah is already translated into Dutch & Spanish.  But can you believe we may soon have them in German, French, Urdu, Panjabi and Russian as well as various articles in Africaan!

Due to faithful translators who want their people to study RTM's Torah lessons in their native tongue, we are able to offer the weekly Torah lessons in Dutch and Spanish. The Dutch page is up and running and so is the Spanish page. If you'd like to see this week's Torah lesson in Dutch click here >>>>> Link To All Dutch Torah Lessons

For the Spanish lesson click here >>>>> Link To All Spanish Torah Lessons

For the French lesson click here >>>>> Link To All French Torah Lessons

If you know how life changing these Torah lessons are and have a burden to see them translated into your native language, please see if Adonai would have you be a blessing by translating them!

Shalom, The Robinson's 

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The Parashat HaShavuah (Weekly Torah Portion) E-Mail List From Restoration of Torah Ministries

 

Study Guide To Torah Portion Yitro

Can we do תפילות prayers for:

Emet Ministries?

That also through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?

	Emet Ministries
	Study   Guide   to   Parasha Yitro   Exodus 18:1-20:23 Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-8 Matthew 5:8-20      The Torah Portion at a Glance Moses' father-in-law, Jethro or "Yitro" in Hebrew, hears of the great miracles which YHWH performed for the people of Israel. Yitro comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife and two sons. Yitro advises Moses to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administrating justice to the people. The Children of Israel camp opposite Mount Sinai, where they are told that YHWH has chosen them to be His "kingdom of priests" and "holy nation." The people respond by proclaiming, "All that YHWH has spoken, we shall do." On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles at the foot of Mount Sinai.  YHWH descends on the mountain amidst thunder, lightning, billows of smoke and the blast of the shofar, and summons Moses to ascend. YHWH proclaims the Ten Commandments, commanding the people of Israel to believe in YHWH, not to worship idols or take YHWH's name in vain, to keep the Shabbat, honor their parents, and not to murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness or covet another's property. The people cry out to Moses that the revelation is too intense for them to bear, begging him to receive the Torah from YHWH and convey it to them.   (adapted from chabad.org)   The Messiah in the Torah Portion The expression "third day" is found all throughout the Bible as a special code of significance.  Some of the most important events in the history of Israel occurred on the third day.  For example, we can read in the Torah portion, Yitro, that after three days of preparation the Law/Torah was given to Moses.  This pattern is a spiritual truth that is repeated throughout the Scriptures.  For example, the Torah was given after three days of preparation and Y'shua rose from the dead on the third day after his death.  The Messiah said, "For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth, Matthew 12:40.  The giving of Torah on the third day is a prophetic picture of the resurrection of Y'shua on the third day. Here are some more instances of the third day to consider: "The earth brought forth vegetation: seed-bearing plants of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit." (Genesis 1:12) "Abraham looked up and saw the place [Mount Moriah] from afar." There he intends to offer his son Isaac as a burnt offering to YHWH. Yet he assures his companions, "We will worship and return." (Genesis 22:4-5) Pharaoh releases his chief cupbearer from death-row. (Genesis 40:20-21) Joseph releases his brothers from prison in Egypt. (Genesis 42:17-18) The Israelites request Pharaoh's permission to make a three-day journey to offer sacrifice in the desert to YHWH. (Exodus 3:18) Plague Nine, the Plague of Darkness, in Egypt ends, "though the Israelites enjoyed light in their dwellings." (Exodus 10:22) YHWH descends to Mount Sinai in fire with the sound of a shofar. He then reveals The Ten Words, Israel's constitution of new life as a nation after their resurrection from the death of slavery in Egypt. (Exodus 19:16-19) Israelites are to purify themselves with water after being in contact with the dead. (Numbers 19:12) After coming to the river and preparing themselves, the Israelites cross the Jordan "to enter and possess the land that YHWH [their] YHWH is giving to [them] as a possession." (Joshua 1:11; 3:2) Joshua's spies emerge from hiding from the Jerichoites, then return to their commander. (Joshua 2:16, 22) A famine during David's reign ends. (2 Samuel 21:1). A famine called for by Elijah the prophet ends. (1 Kings 18:1) After asking YHWH for release, King Hezekiah is healed of his fatal disease and offers thanks in the temple. (2 Kings 20:5) Jonah is expelled from the fish belly. (Jonah 1:17/2:1 Heb) (Matt 12:40; cf Matt 16:21; 17:23) After fasting, Esther puts on royal apparel and enters the palace of the Persian king in order to thwart a death-plot against her people, the Jews. (Esther 4:16; 5:1) Within the pages of an open Bible lay many references to the third day.  Each of these verses and occurrences can be tied directly to the Messiah Y'shua.  Truly, a study of the Torah is a study of Y'shua!        Applying the Portion to Life Today "Moses is considered by many to be a great man.  Some have called him a prophet.  The Bible says he was the "most humble in the entire earth."  Did you know that Moses was also an evangelist?  Part of Moses' ministry (and ours) was to tell others of the wonders of YHWH.  He described YHWH's power to Pharaoh and spoke of His wonders to the people of Israel.  Moses also shared with his father-in-law about how YHWH led the people of Israel out of bondage.  There is much we can learn about evangelism and sharing our faith from this week's Torah portion and the prophet Moshe. Psalm 19:7 explains that the Torah of YHWH has the power to convert souls from darkness to light.  This means that through properly using the Torah we can witness to the lost and show them the true plan of salvation.  The Torah converts us FIRST at salvation.  THEN it converts and sanctifies us as we walk with YHWH!  The Torah transforms us!  As we follow Torah we move from an existence based on momentary happiness to a life of meaning and purpose.  It corrects our soul and converts our fleshly natures to holy desires.  Psalm 19:7, "The Torah of YHWH is perfect, converting the soul."  In this verse the word for "converting" is the Hebrew phrase "shuv" which means to "turn, return, refresh, restore, and reverse."  When YHWH revealed the Ten Commandments He was in essence establishing the basic requirements of mankind that can either redeem a person or condemn them as guilty before YHWH.  The Torah was given to set the standard for righteous living.  "I had not known sin but by the law," Romans 7:7.  The Torah itself is not sinful but acts as an agent to reveal a person's sin.  A person sins when they disobey the words of the Bible. "Sin is transgression of the law / Torah,"  1 John 3:4.  The Torah shows us our sin and our need for a Savior.  As a mirror, the Torah stops sinners from rationalizing their goodness.  There is none righteous no not one!  Romans 3:19, "Now we know that whatsoever things the Torah says, it says to them who are under the Torah that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guilty before YHWH." The Ten Commandments, given in our weekly Torah portion, are known by children worldwide and people of various faiths.  These commands are a type of mirror that each person should see their reflection within. The mirror is broken when a person violates just one precept.  "Wherefore the Torah was our schoolmaster to bring us to Y'shua that we might be justified by faith," Galatians 3:24 KJV.   The Bible says that the wages of sin is death. When a person violates just one of these commands he is then guilty of breaking them all.  By reminding people of the 10 Commandment we can help them come face to face with their sinful ways. Too many times, the Gospel is presented simply as "Jesus loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life."  This is not the Good News according to the Bible.  The Scriptures state that "godly sorrow worketh repentance" in 2 Corinthians 7:10.  What this means is that for a person to experience the conversion of their soul then they must first show sorrow for their sins.  When you begin to use the Torah for its rightful purpose, as a mirror that reflects obedience or disobedience, then people can have true conversion in their faith.  How should you do this?  Well, if you can remember the word TORAH then you can share the plan of salvation with others.  The "T" in Torah stands for "Times are hard."  When you are talking with someone, simply talk about the bad economy, wars, natural disasters, or whatever.  People love to talk about bad times and current events.  The pain that the world experiences help soften the lost to the Gospel message. The "O" in Torah stands for "On a scale of one to ten, do you consider yourself to be a good person?"  Ask this question!  This is a simple way to shift any conversation to spiritual subjects.  Most people will rate themselves a 4 or 5 as they don't think they are too sinful or too holy.  Your question at this point starts their mind on the journey to repentance. The "R" in Torah stands for "Remember the Ten Commandments?"  The Ten Commandments are well known by most people and establish an easily recognizable map of righteousness.  Ask them if they have kept the Ten Commandments perfectly.  Then remind your friend that violation of one command makes them guilty of breaking them all.  Showing a person the mirror of the Torah allows the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and wrong doing. Say something like, "Remember the 10 Commandments?  This is the Almighty's standard for goodness.  Have you kept them all perfectly?  Probably not.  This means you are guilty of sin before the Almighty."  At this point in the conversation you can begin using the Torah to show a person their sinfulness.  Most people are familiar with a few of the 10 Commandments.  By bringing these commandments to "light" the person's sinfulness is exposed and their conscience is pricked.  "The commandment is a lamp and the law is light," Proverbs 6:23.  The Torah burns in their soul as man's inadequacy is magnified.  Remember, the standard of Torah acts as a mirror for people to compare themselves to. Ask that person, "Have you ever stolen something, even something small?  What does that make you?  A THIEF!"  Then remind them that the Bible says that having hatred in your heart is equal to committing murder.  "Whoever is angry with his neighbor without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment," Matthew 5:22.  The Scriptures also state that "no thief will inherit the kingdom of Heaven," 1 Corinthians 6:10.  And, the Savior said that whoever looks upon a woman with lust in His heart has already committed adultery.  Ask the person, "Have you ever done these thing?  If so, what does that make you?  An adulterer, liar, or thief." The "A" in Torah stands for "Are you concerned about this?" and "Are you going to heaven when you die?"  Remind the person that "by your own admission you are a lying, stealing, adulterer at heart and will face the Almighty on judgment day.   As you face judgment day, will you be guilty or innocent?" The Torah will provoke the conscience of the person "which show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness" Romans 2:15.  Ask them, "Are you keeping the commandments of Torah?" The "H" in Torah stands for "Have you heard of the name of YHWH Y'SHUA?"  This is the name of salvation.  Explain that "Anyone who calls upon the name of YHWH shall be saved," Acts 2:21.  "For YHWH so loved the world, that He gave His only brought forth Son, that whoever believes on Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" John 3:16.  YHWH Y'SHUA is the name of salvation!  At the burning bush, the Almighty said, "I AM that which I AM YHWH, YHWH is my name forever, and this is my memorial unto all generations."  YHWH is found hidden behind the capitalized terms "LORD" or "YHWH" in most English Bibles.  However, YHWH's name was not intended to be hidden by translators.  YHWH Himself gave us His name a sign of His existence and as a means of personal relationship. Say, "By repenting of your sins and calling upon the name of YHWH Y'SHUA, you can receive the gift of eternal life.  "YHWH showed His great love for us in this manner - while we were still sinners Y'shua died for us," Romans 5:8." By following this simple outline of TORAH you can effectively share the Good News with your friends and family.  Take this knowledge and pray for an opportunity to explain the faith.  Then, as you meet someone this week simply explain TORAH to them and allow them to make a decision.  As you do this, you will find the immense power of the blood of Y'shua and our Torah portion.  Plus, you will be acting just like Moshe who evangelized his father-in-law through the wonders of YHWH's Torah.      Portion Points to Ponder 1. The Hebrew name for this portion is "Yitro."  What does this mean? 2. Read Jeremiah Isaiah 6:1-7:6, 9:5-8.  How does this relate to the story of Exodus this week? 3. Consider the words found in Matthew 5:8-20.  What did you learn from studying this passage? 4. How does this Torah portion speak of the Messiah Y'shua? 5. Describe two ways that you can apply this week's Torah portion to your life. 6. Who did Yitro worship? 7. Why was Tzipora with her father, Yitro, and not with Moshe when 8.  Bnei Yisrael left Egypt? 9. Why did Moshe tell Yitro all that YHWH had done for the Jewish People?  Why is it important to tell others of what YHWH has done for you? 10.  Who were the Midians?  Were they friends of Israel? 11.  What were the names of Moses' two children?  12.  Explain the Hebraic custom of greeting someone with a kiss and even a bow.  Who in the Torah used this type of greeting?  Compare this to Romans 16:16.  Should believers do this today? 13.  In Exodus 18:10, Yitro says a blessing to YHWH.  Is Yitro confessing faith in YHWH for the first time? 14.  Explain how often times wisdom and counsel from others helps accomplish the will of YHWH. 15.  The requirements of Israel's leadership are listed in Exodus 18:21&22.  What type of judgment were these people to pass?  What were attributes each judge was to have? 16.  Did Moses establish a spiritual hierarchy with the levels of judges?  What religions today have a hierarchy today that must be used to access the Almighty? 17.  What was so special about Jethro's advice to Moses that earned it a place of merit in the Torah - and indeed why does the Torah give him great credit for his suggestion: 'Moses listened to his father-in-law and did all he said' (18:24)? 18.  Why did Yitro return to his own land? 19.  On what month did the Israelites enter the Wilderness of Sinai?  Why is this important?  What commanded holy day of Leviticus 23 occurs each year during the third month? 20.  How do the Scriptures describe the beginning of a month?  How did Israel know it was the first of the third month? 21.  In Exodus 19:4, YHWH tells Moses that He brought the people to Him "on the wings of eagles." How is this similar to the expression used in Revelation 12:14, where Israel is protected by YHWH from her enemies? 22.  In Exodus 19:5-6 a special blessing is spoken over the nation of Israel.  That very same passage is quoted in the Newer Testament in 1 Peter 2:9-10.  How could the exact words be used to describe the nation of Israel in the Older Testament AND the body of believers in the Newer Testament IF these are two separate groups?  Or are these groups the same? 23.  Why did YHWH choose Israel to be His covenant people? 24.  Did Israel agree to obey all of the Torah before they heard the commands?  Did this work for them? 25.  Why were the people told to wash their clothes and remain pure for three days?  In what ways was this similar to a type or baptism or mikvah? 26.  The people who approached the mountain before the appointed time were to be killed.  How is this similar to unauthorized people who came into YHWH's sanctuary in the book of Numbers? 27.  Why would "going near a woman" make someone unclean?  Reference Exodus 19:15, Leviticus 15:19-24 and Leviticus 20:18. 28.  What signs appeared at the mountain of YHWH when the Torah was given through Moses? 29.  In Exodus 19:18 the Torah says that the "smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, the whole mountain trembled violently."  What does it tell us that the smoke ascended up from the mountains to the heavens and not from the heavens down? 30.  YHWH continued to give instructions to the people regarding the mountain as holy.  He did this several times in our Torah portion to keep people from dying.  Is YHWH merciful? 31.  Why did YHWH give access to the mountain in stages - first the people at the bottom, then the elders and leaders at the middle, and then Moses at the top?  How is this similar to the construction of the Temple and Tabernacle's three parts? 32.  Describe how the Ten Commandments have affected all major religions and cultures of the world? 33.  Are the Ten Commandments still valid for today? 34.  How does Christianity list the Ten Commandments?  How does Judaism list the Ten Commandments?  Explain why and how these two lists differ. 35.  Did everyone alive in the world hear the Ten Commandments or only Moses and Israel? 36.  In Judaism, the Ten Commandments are often referred to as the "Ten Words."  How were the Ten Words divided into two groups of instructions? 37.  Compare the giving of the Ten Words in Exodus 20 to Deuteronomy 5:6-17. What is different? 38.  What is the first of the Ten Commandments? 39.  Is the command "do not murder" or "do not kill?"  When would killing be allowed? 40.  How is it derived that "do not steal" refers to kidnapping? 41.  How do you keep the command to "honor the Sabbath day by setting it apart?"  Do you work on the Sabbath?  How do you define "work?"  Why would YHWH care what day we worship?  Can any day be the Sabbath? 42.  The commandment regarding the Sabbath is expressed here as "remember" the Sabbath. Later, in Deuteronomy 5:12, the command is to "observe" the Sabbath.  What is the difference?  Are these two separate commands? 43.  How does Matthew 5:22 explain that murder occurs simply through anger? 44.  What does 1 Corinthians 6:10 say will happen to all thieves? 45.  In Matthew 5:28 Y'shua said that whoever simply looks upon a woman with lust has already committed adultery.  How does this and other passages reflect that the 10 Commandments are more than just outward actions? 46.  Why do the Ten Commandments so strongly emphasize the nature of the actual relationship between Man and YHWH and between Man and Man, but have relatively little focus on ritual observance? 47.  Does the order of the Ten Commandments have any significance? 48.  How are each of the Ten Commandments discussed or commented on in the Brit Chadasha? 49.  How did the people respond to the 10 Commandments in Exodus 20:15-18? 50.  Do you think it is valid to look at this passage as a wedding between YHWH and Israel?  Why or why not? 51.  How does YHWH test His people with His presence Exodus 20:17? 52.  What were the Israelites to make for YHWH in accordance to His commands for worship?  Could they build this item just any way they wanted or was it to be specifically constructed? 53.  Exodus 20:24 seems to permit numerous places of sacrifice.  Is such allowed?  54.  Could the prohibition to cut the stones used for the altar be to preclude the temptation to carve images into them? 55.  Why does the use of iron tools profane the altar? 56.  Why would YHWH care about stopping the nakedness of His priests as seen in Exodus 20:26 if YHWH would later command the priests to wear undergarments? 57.  What did you learn from this Open Bible study?       The Open Bible is a teaching series written by Daniel Rendelman of Emet Ministries.  Find more teachings, audio messages, videos, and music at www.emetministries.com.  Daniel Rendelman is the found and leader of Emet Ministries and the author of the book "Finding the Truth."  He, his wife, and five children live in Newberry, South Carolina.  He can be reached at emetministries@gmail.com. Emet Ministries Vision is to...   Strengthen families worldwide Teach the Hebrew roots of the faith Expose pagan practices of religion Experience true worship