His name has been deleted but several of his comments and questions were important to share. A prisoner wrote:
“I am an avid viewer of CrossTalk & a follower of Yeshua. I am also a death-row inmate. A friend of mine here, a believer, and I have been studying Scripture and watching your program. We feel the Lord leading us to learn more of the Jewish perspective on Scripture and how to live our lives for Yeshua. We have some questions and I hope that you will assist us with the answers.”
And then a variety of technical questions were asked about Sabbath-keeping, dietary regulations, prayer shawls, preferred versions of the Bible, and numerous other matters. My reply is below. Since death-row is a precarious place to live, I hope my answers did not add to his burden. I responded:
How are you my friend? I do hope you can forgive me for responding so slowly to your letter. I seem to keep falling behind on answering letters and then I feel like it is impossible to catch up.
You asked some very profound questions about Jewish issues. Permit me to offer a brief perspective with which you may certainly disagree if it fails to fit within your “comfort level.” Basically, I have some of the same questions myself. What are our obligations before God relevant to the myriad of regulations? As an example, believers should be obedient to God’s Laws and the 10 Commandments. But how do we satisfy the fourth commandment, as keeping the Sabbath holy.
One might ask how we prove our love for a starving Christian in Pakistan by religiously refraining from carrying wood on the Sabbath in Iowa? Perhaps another more plausible view could hark back to the answer of Jesus when He was queried by the lawyer in Matthew 22:36-40. Remember, that Jesus there referenced the Shema (a central prayer of Judaism from Deut. 6:4-5.)
The issue also begs the question, “Which day is actually the Sabbath?” Jewish tradition (and Scripture, along with the earliest traditions of the Church), suggest it was Saturday. Nevertheless, Sunday, the Lord’s Day, can also lay claim to being a biblical day to celebrate the Resurrection. When and how are we to rest on the Sabbath? I guess however we keep the Sabbath holy; there is no salvation in Sabbath rest. Salvation is only through Christ. Some have sought to add to the grace of God. The formula is as follows: Christ + nothing = salvation. Salvation is not available via our humble efforts to fulfill the Law. This is obviously due to the fact that the Law is like an expensive piece of china glassware. Once broken, it cannot be restored to its original state of perfection. I believe that is why we need a savior. It is good to protect china. It is good to refrain from re-breaking china that has been mended. It is also good to maintain due diligence to not break another piece of the set of fine china. In like manner, we have already broken the law in varying degrees.
The Law is quite complex. Undoubtedly, it can be kept, however, only Jesus was successful. You and I have both failed. We can rest in His perfection and His finished work at Calvary. I strongly feel that the Spirit guides us to rest in Him and cease from our own works. We should respect and obey the moral codes of Scripture. Anything less is lawlessness. We are not able to obey all of the ceremonial legislation. Even if we desired, many of the Levitical injunctions are beyond our ability to practice.
I realize I have not answered all of your questions. My hope is that instead of drawing closer to the regulations, you would be drawn closer to the heart of God which transcends the rules. Jesus fully accomplished all that the Law requires. On our best day, in our most observant frame of mind, we are still unable to achieve what was already finished at the Cross. So my prayer is that we can both simply and humbly draw near to Christ. His Spirit will reveal the truth and show you how best to serve and please God.
Regarding the issue of the Talit–there are actually several types. Some are worn externally and others are worn under one’s shirt with only the fringes exposed. They can be worn during prayer or whenever one wants to wear a prayer shawl. The undergarment versions are usually worn throughout the day. Non-Jews can certainly wear them and I like to think of wearing a Talit as entering into my prayer closet. When one puts it over their head and covers themselves, it is sort of like climbing into a tent of mercy and the world is shut out of one’s environment for a few moments.
However, it is still just a piece of cloth or wool. Contrary to rabbinic opinion, wearing a prayer shawl does not truly allow a person to enwrap oneself in the 613 laws and thereby fulfill the law. I believe that to be a fictional interpretation. Rather, we should seek to draw near to Jesus and allow His love to enwrap us and His blood to cover our transgressions.
Regarding versions of the Bible, I think most translations are quite excellent. Certain stylistic nuances are obvious between versions that compete to explain the meaning and intent of ancient phrases, as compared to versions that translate the literal meaning of each word in the text. Both styles are helpful yet serve slightly different audiences. I prefer study Bibles (such as the Thomson Chain Reference) that contain needed information to help us understand the text, the context, and the textual challenges that have been discovered over the centuries. Nevertheless, like my friend John Watters of Wycliffe Bible Translators told me, the best version is the one that is read.
The Hebrew version I prefer is known as the Masoretic Text from the Jewish Publication Society. I use a large number of translations in my own studies. But in general, I stick with the KJV as that is the version I began using when I came to faith so I am most fluent in KJV. However I could not say it is the best. When quoting in academic writing, I use either the NASB or the NIV and I have found myself drawn to the TNIV in recent years too. I am sure that might displease those who dislike aspects of the TNIV (most of whom likely never actually read it through).
You asked about living for Yeshua. May I suggest that it is best done in faith and most fruitful when you can share your faith with others who need hope. My prayer for you is that your days will be many and they will be filled with the love of God. I pray that your faith will overflow into the lives of others who need His love. And I pray that our Messiah will be well pleased with the result of His life invested in yours for you and your friend may be the only voices proclaiming salvation within your area of influence.
Stay strong and be blessed in Him,
Shalom!
Randy Weiss
www.crosstalk.org
2 responses so far ↓
1 Paul Tucker // Nov 28, 2009 at 3:41 pm
I love Dr Weiss’ response, to put it as Hillel said, don’t do anything to others that you would not have done to you. Or as Yeshua put it, Do unto others as you would have done to you. Yochanan says, ” This is his command,(that is G-d’s), that we are to trust in the person and power of his Son Yeshua the Messiah and to keep loving one another, just as he commanded us” This Love is one which seeks the blessing and benefit of those around us, we can only apply such love by the Spirit of God, who dwells in every believer. This Love seeks not it’s own benefit, is kindhearted, is not puffed up; it is enduring, not jealous, not boastful. It is not proud or rude, selfish or easily angered. It keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not gloat over other people’s down falls and short comings, but takes delight in the truth. Love always bears up under a load, and always trust, hopes, and endures. Love never quits working.
2 admin // Nov 28, 2009 at 4:00 pm
Very well said Paul.
Thanks!
Randy
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