Torah Focus

Down to Athens

This class will be the next to the last class in our Jerusalem to Athens series.  We begin by looking at the departurefrom the faith.  Then we look at the origin of the Sanhedrin.   Then we discuss the controling parties in Jerusalem during the life of Yeshua and his talmidim.   Then our discussions turn to the two advents of Messiah.  The first apperance bein the Suffering Messiah. Mashiach ben Yoseph (messiah the son of Joseph).   Then we discuss the Mashiach ben David (Messiah son of David).   What will the Davidic Messiah be like?

 Down to Athens: Play in Popup | Download (216)

Return to Eden

In this lesson we explore the creation of Adam and the environment that he first experienced. Adam was created as he final act of creation. What was Adam’s first experience? What was the environment that he was created to live in?

G-d created Adam to rule the world he lived in. However, the Hebrew text can be read differently. What significance does this different reading have?

What was the first week of Adam’s life like? We discuss this in some length and depth.

What was life like in the Gan Eden (Garden of Eden)? Are there any parallels to the Mishkan (Tabernacle)?

We discuss all these things and much more.

 Standard Podcast: Play in Popup | Download (255)

Blue resembles the sea, and the sea resembles heaven, and heaven resembles the Divine throne

  – Talmud, Sotah 17a

You should accustom yourself to being in the olam haba

Why do we nap on the Sabbath?

We nap on the Sabbath because we are participating in the olam haba.

If we are in the olam haba during the Sabbath then why is the nap requisite?

The nap and rest is requisite because in the olam haba we will not live the laborious lives that we live now. We will live stress free lives filled with the joy of the shekinah.

Shabbat and Completion:

The idea of Shabbat is one of completion. Those who enter into the Sabbath are those who have entered into he olam ha ba. Shabbat is typological of the completion (the product).

The philosophical connection is implied by the number 39, particularly as the Mishnah describes it as “40 missing 1″. 40 is associated with creation, as G-d created the world through 10 pronouncements, each of which had 4 aspects. So, there are 40 acts of creation whose absence is commemorated on Shabbat. Of the 40, one is ex nihilo which is prohibited by the conservation laws of physics. So only 39 are prohibited by the laws of Shabbat — “40 missing one”. One of those 39 is kindling.  So, when we rest from kindling fires on Shabbat, we do so in part because it corresponds to some aspect of creation, be it the creation of light on day 1, of the sun and stars on day 4, or some step whose connection is less obvious.

The idea of cessation is one of completion. G-d stopped His act of creation on the Sabbath to indicate that it lacked nothing. Similarly we are to cease creative acts on creation as an indication that the weekly acts of creation have come to an end.

The week is given for spiritual development. We are supposed to take the Sabbath to reflect on the weeks work.  We are to ask ourselves the question; what have we accomplished in the realm of our spiritual development during the week.

What does the Hebrew for word holy? What does it really Mean. We open with the Bereshit (Gen) 1:4 and discuss this verse as a means for understanding the Biblical idea of holiness. We discuss the hermeneutic of lexicons for understanding certain words. Then we discuss the concept of darkness.

 Standard Podcast: Play in Popup | Download (223)

Please read these instructions carefully.

 We have integrated a live video feed with our live audio transmission class.

The following should help you understand how we intend this media to be accessed and used.

Please read before following or implementing these instructions.

First:        Click the Torah Focus Live tab at the top of the page or click this link.

Second:    Engage the audio player of your choice (windows media player) or MP3 Player.

This will start the live audio feed as normal. It is through this media that you will be able to listen to the broadcast.

Third:         Click the Live Interactive Page

Fourth:         Begin the Cover it live interaction

 Note:    Please Note that the video feed is transmitted through the internet faster than our audio feed.   We have received feedback from several of those who have interacted with is in our classes. They have suggested keeping things just as the appeared last week.  What this means is you will actually be able to see us before you hear us.  This can be very beneficial when trying to very our board.

Also note that we have a lot to do to make all of this happen.  My wife (Dr. Elizabeth) tries to manage all of this while I teach. So please be patient with us as we try to work out all of our bugs.

Fifth:            Watch the video feed and enjoy the class.

 Thanks so much for your attendance.   We are doing this for you, in order to enhance your walk with HaShem.

Shalom

In this class we will be discussing the relationship of fallen Adam, to the Torah, the Tabernacle and redemption.

We will continue from last weeks discussion.  What was the result of Man (Adam) eating from the forbidden Tree.   How dis this affect his progeny?  How did this bring the Torah and the Tabernacle into play  as a part of humanities history?  How does the Torah fit the plan of redemption.  Join us in our live class . Thursday night at 7:00 CST.

Redemption and Two Trees 

There were two trees in Gan Eden (the Garden of Eden).  Adam and Chava (Eve) ate from one of the trees.   What was this tree?  What was the trees real name?  the English translation of the tree is the “Tree of knowledge of good and evil.”  What is the name and characteristic of this tree in Hebrew?

How did this tree affect humanity?  Did Judaism, does Judaism believe in the original sin?

How can we repair the damage caused by the tree?

Listen to this class and learn about the the answers to these questions.

 Redemption and Two trees: Play in Popup | Download (259)