A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #59 Dasha / דשא
This program is a discussion on the Hebrew word Dasha which is rooted in the word Dasha. This word is seldom used in the scriptural text. We look at it interpretation an use.
יום שני, י”ח באלול, תשס”ט
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Program #22 – A Gentile Question
“A Gentile Question.” What does the Gentile have to do to inherit the olam haba?
I continue to use the Mishna (Pirke Avot – the Sayings, Chapter or Ethics of the Fathers) as a tool to illuminate the world of Yeshua and His talmidim.
I begin talking about the fourth pair of the Zugot (pairs) Shemayah and Avyalyon. These men who received the Tradition of the Torah were descendants of Gentiles.
Our discussion uses Yoma 71b to illuminate the lives and circumstances of Shemayah and Avyalyon’s lives.
This passage in the Talmud discusses the confrontation between these Teachers and the Cohen Gadol on Yom Kippur. These two men suggest that the heathen who does the “work of Aaron” will come in peace. This phrase is a synonym for entrance into the Olam haba (world to come). I discuss the descendants and work of Aaron.
I discuss the 2nd chapter of the Book of Malachi. 2:1-6.
These passages discuss the work of Aaron and the covenant of peace established with Levi.
Click the Program link above to go to ARBA 4 and view the program.
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #54 מָקוֹם
In this “Taste of Hebrew” I take a look at the Hebrew word מָקוֹם from pasuk ט perke א of ספר בראשית The ninth (9th) verse of the first chapter of Genesis. We look at the diversified word and its varied meanings of the Hebrew word Makom. We also look at a couple of Scriptural textx that review Makom as a synanym for G-d.
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Mondays on ARBA4/Torah Focus
A Taste of Hebrew #53 אֶל El
In this “Taste of Hebrew” I take a look at the Hebrew word אֶל from pasuk ט perke א of ספר בראשית The ninth (9th) verse of the first chapter of Genesis. We look at the diversified word and its varied meanings of the Hebrew word El.
Midrashim – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Tuesdays on ARBA4
Program #68 – Genuine Spirituality #11
Spirituality, The Korbanot #2 / קרבנות ב
In this program I continue my series within a series on the Korbanot and their relation to spirituality. I delve deeper into the understanding of the allegorical interpretation of the korbanot found in Vayikra (Leviticus) chapter 1. I first look at the varied levels of Rabbinic Hermeneutics then launch the discussion in to a comparative between Romans Chapter 12 and Leviticus chapter 1. I further elaborate on Shaul’s phrase concerning “living sacrifices” from his letter to the Romans Chapter 12.
Torah Focus – with Dr. Walter Oakley
Counting the Omer – Keys to Spirituality
In this class we look at the Counting of the Omer from Vayikra (Leviticus) 23:15ff as a means of understanding the process of spiritual growth and maturity.
We contrast Peasch and a picture of being born into the Kingdom with Shavout (Pentecost) the receiving of the Torah at Sinai. Pesach teaches us to come to faith in G-d through Messiah. Sinai teaches how that those who have come to faith should conduct themselves.
This is a positive class with a positive view of how the Torah is supposed to affect the life of the Believer.
Note: Click the “EBOOK” icon below for class notes
Counting the Omer - Keys to Spirituality: Play in Popup | Download
Counting the Omer (Class Notes): Play in Popup | DownloadCovenants Lesson #7 – The Vessel its contents and purpose.
Advanced Class
This lesson begins with a look at the numeric value of the Hebrew word Brit (covenant - ברית ). I then move into the idea of a vessel (Hebrew – Keli) כלי in relation to the concept of the contents of the Brit.
I conclude the lesson with a look at the seven stages of wisdom or the seven characteristic of wisdom as mentioned in Perke Avot 5:7
This class takes a very advanced look into the subject of creation, holiness and being a vessel of G-d.
Notes to this class will be posted soon.
A Taste of Hebrew – with Dr. Walter Oakley
New shows available every Monday.
Program #1- Introduction – SHALOM!
Introduction to How the Hebrew language works:
We start with the word Shalom. What does the Hebrew word Shalom really mean? I discuss the parent word of shalom. In this lesson we give an introduction into Hebrew. We start here building a Hebrew vocabulary.
Program #21 – The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 3
We begin our discussion in Pirke Avot 1:4
Avot 1:4-5 Yossi ben (son of) Yo’ezer of Ts’raidah and Yossi ben Yochanan of Jerusalem received the transmission from them. Yossi ben Yo’ezer used to say: Let your house be a meeting place for the sages, cleave to the dust of their feet, and drink thirstily their words.”
Yossei the son of Yochanan of Jerusalem would say: Let your home be wide open, and let the poor be members of your household. And do not engage in excessive conversation with a woman. This is said even regarding one’s own wife–how much more so regarding the wife of another. Hence, the sages said: One who excessively converses with a woman causes evil to himself, neglects the study of Torah, and, in the end, inherits Gehenna.
Shaul, knowing the ideology of Mishnaic Rabbinics tells Timothy not to listen to vain wives tales. This further demonstrates the universality of the Mishnaic thought among the Talmidim of Yeshua and Shaul who sat at the feet of Gamaliel.
Avot 1:6 Joshua the son of Perachia and Nitai the Arbelite received from them. Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Assume for yourself a Teacher, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every man to the side of merit.
I discuss Joshua the son of Perachia’s saying “Find yourself and teacher and a study partner.”
Avot 1:7 Nitai the Arbelite would say: Distance yourself from a bad neighbor, do not cleave to a wicked person, and do not abandon belief in retribution.
1:8 -9 Judah the son of Tabbai and Shimon the son of Shotach received from them. Judah the son of Tabbai would say: When sitting in judgment, do not act as a counselor-at-law. When the litigants stand before you, consider them both guilty; and when they leave your courtroom, having accepted the judgment, regard them as equally righteous.
Shimon the son of Shotach would say: Increasingly cross-examine the witnesses. Be careful with your words, lest they learn from them how to lie
I further the idea that the Nasi (President) of the Sanhedrin was prone to Chesed and the Av Beit Din was given to Din – Judgment.
12. Hillel and Shammai received from them. Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron–a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
13. He would also say: One who advances his name, destroys his name. One who does not increase, diminishes. One who does not learn is deserving of death. And one who make personal use of the crown of Torah shall perish.
14. He would also say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
15. Shammai would say: Make your Torah study a permanent fixture of your life. Say little and do much. And receive every man with a pleasant countenance.
16. Rabban Gamliel would say: Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt; and do not accustom yourself to tithe by estimation.
Did Yaakov (James – Yeshua’ brother) agree with Shammai?
We learn that Gamliel was the teacher of Shaul (Paul). Learning this we can see things that Gamliel would have taught Shaul.
The Malchut Shamayim – Kingdom of Heaven
The Fifth lesson of “From Jerusalem to Athens” begins with a discussion on Adam and his occupation as the initial authority of the Malchut Shamayim (Kingdom of Heaven). I discuss the terms as used in the Apostolic Writings. Likewise, we discuss the two phrases used in the Apostolic Texts, Kingdom of Heaven vs Kingdom of G-d. And then Yeshua’s preaching the “Kingdom of Heaven” is “at hand.” We discuss the phrase “at hand.”
The Kingdom Of Heaven was contested by the serpent. How does this play out in the scriptures. What happened to the Kingdom when Adam failed to live up to his obligation to protect the garden and dominate the earth?
We discuss this Kingdom and what really happened to it in Adam’s fall.
Program #20 – The Mishna, Yeshua’s Teachings & Pirket Avot 2
In this program I begin moving forward in my discussion of the Pirke Avot. Likewise, we explore the idea that Yeshua and his talmidim were acquainted with the Mishnaic ideas of their day.
Who were the Men of the Great Assembly? We discuss who they were and their identities. I discuss Ezra the Torah teacher and a Member of the Men of the Great Assembly. Ezra restores the Torah to Yisrael. Hillel the last of the Zugot (pairs) equals the character of Ezra because he too restores the Torah to Yisrael.
Avot 1:2 Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of G-d, and deeds of kindness.
From here I move into the 4th Mishnah which reads
Avot 1:4 Yossi ben (son of) Yo’ezer of Ts’raidah and Yossi ben Yochanan of Jerusalem received the transmission from them. Yossi ben Yo’ezer used to say: Let your house be a meeting place for the sages, cleave to the dust of their feet, and drink thirstily their words.”
I begin discussing the 5 Zugot (Pairs). The First set of pairs being found in this Mishhnah. The final set of pairs being Hillel and Shammai. I discuss why the Torah was passed on to the Zugot. I further explain the characteristics of the Zugot and their relationship to the Sanhedrin’s two key figures, the Nasi – President of the Sanhedrin and the Av Beit Din (Father of the House of Judgment). I deal with this pattern as it is seen in Hillel and Shammai in the times of Yeshua and his talmidim.
Program #18 – The Mishna and Yeshua’s Teachings
In this program, I explore the first Mishnah of Pirke Avot (The Sayings of the Fathers).
We place Pirke Avot in its ethical category of mussar. I explain that one chapter of Pirke Avot is read each Shabbat from Pesach until Rosh HaShanah.
Pirke Avot 1:1
“Moshe received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it Yehoshua. Yehoshua transmitted it to the Zekanim (Elders), the Zekanim to the Neviim (Prophets), and the Neviim transmitted it to the Men of the Great Assembly.
They [the Men of the Great Assembly] said three things: Be deliberate in judgment, raise many students, and make a protective fence for the Torah.”
(1:1a): The Hebrew begins: “They said three things…” In the first saying, metunim, “deliberate,” also means slow, calm, and careful. The second saying is literally “raise up many students.”.
In this program, I have related the three maximums of the “Men of the Great Assembly” with the teachings, character and life of Yeshua. I will use this passage in the next couple of programs as means for modeling Yeshua’s mission and life.
I focus on Yeshua and his deliberate judgments and choosing and developing talmidim.
I begin discussing the idea of talmid and talmidim.
Lesson #1
We begin our new teaching series called “From Jerusalem to Athens.”
In our first class, we introduce our class. Likewise, we lay the foundation for all the coming classes.
In this class, we introduce life in the first century and the socio-political environment surrounding the book of Acts.
We discuss the definition of the word Jerusalem (YaruShalem – a whole and complete teaching) versus the definition of Athens (the home of the goddess Athena and as Thayers defines Athens (uncertainty).
Likewise, we discuss the socio-political scene of the first century and the events that surrounded the lives of Yeshua’s talmidim.
Midrashim - with Dr. Walter Oakley
Dr. walter Oakley’s Midrashim airs a new show every Tuesday.
Program #14 – The Mishnah – Introduction, Order and Transmission
In the first program I begin with an simple overview of the opening Order of the Mishnah. I begin by teaching about the fundamental order of the Mishnah and then start to talk about the Transmission of the Torot (Oral and Written Torah).
To go to the Arba4 “Midrashim” page and watch this video presentation click here.
שלום / Shalom
Note: Before you begin reading this post. There are four images to download. These images will help you understand what will be taught live in this class.
Shalam, Shalom, 1 Thessalonians 5:23, and Amen
Simply right click each word and you will be able to “save as target” to a desired location on your computer for personal viewing.
Mastering Shalom
We read or hear the word שלום (shalom) and immediately think of “peace.” This word is one of those Hebrew words that many people know. However, the definition of “peace” does not plumb the depths of the true meaning and idea of “Shalom.” Likewise, Shalom is used in contemporary Hebrew as a greeting. This is not a new contrivance. Shalom has been used as a greeting for millennia. In using Shalom as a greeting we might think that we are asking, “are you at peace”? However, the word shalom is far more incisive.
There are two ways in which we will approach our study of the word Shalom. The first will lexical. The second will be conceptual.
We will begin in brief with the lexical definition of Shalom.
Those who have an elementary understanding of languages know that words are usually based on word roots or foundations. This is the case with Shalom. Shalom is based on the Hebrew word Shalam. This is the parent word for all the words in the Shalom family. The lexical definition (in brief) for shalam is as follows. Being whole, complete, finished, restored, uninjured, safe, rewarded (especially for good), payed for services. It also means tranquility, well, free from fault, happy, mature, sound, blessed laughing and a covenant of peace. As a result, of the lexical ideas found in the parent word shalam the word shalom fosters the same fundamental ideas. For example the fuller meaning of shalom would be complete, sound, welfare, safety, health, prosperity, peace and friendship.
