Parsha 1 ~ B'resheet~ Chapter 1

[Sephania]

For those who don't know what this thread is about please go here B’resheet ~ In the Beginning . (http://www.christianforums.com/showthread.php?p=10073427&posted=1#post10073427)There you will find that we are doing a Torah study together and this is the first portion, or parsha. At that link you will find the appropriate blessings and other instructions as well as a few choice tidbits of inspiration.

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As B'resheet is a super condensed version of earliest times, especially the first portion we are going to take this slowly. As I mentioned in the other thread, we will continue with the next parsha in a different thread but I hope to be able for us to continue on this one as well.



Now having your bibles handy because I don’t' want to make this thread too long with all the scriptures and I am using the CJV which you can find online here (http://bible.crosswalk.com/)if you don't own a copy, just fill in the field like so:



Search for: Genesis 1

in: Whole Bible

using: Complete Jewish bible

Now I am just going to put down the thoughts and questions that came to my mind when I read this most recently. I always see new things and I hope what I have seen will be new to you or you have some inspiration on it or you have new thoughts and questions to share. :)

OK, Synopsis:

Day 1 ~ The creation of Light spoke into being --- verses 3-5
Day 2 ~ The dividing of the waters -- verses 6-8
Day 3 ~ Separation of water from dry land AND the creating of grass, plants and seed bearing fruit trees.-- verses 9-13
Day 4 ~ Lights in the heavens ( Stars) for telling time, seasons, days and years and to divide the light from darkness -- verses 14-19
Day 5 ~ Fish in the waters, Birds in the sky --verses 20-23
Day 6 ~ Living creatures, beasts, livestock, and mankind verses 24-31
Day 7 ~ HeShem is finnished with his creation and ceases from all his "work" -- Chap2 verses1-3

Now of course this is alot to go over, but I will only point out what I see this time.

Day 3 plant life, grains, fruits and vegetables. All each with its own kind of seed for reproduction of itself. ( They were not made 'immortal' but with forethought that they would die thus the need for reproduction.

We have in this order, Light, but is this the sun? or another kind of light?

Light
Dividing of Water ( that was already there on day one) ;)
Appearence of the earth
and on that same day the planting of grasses , plants, tree,
Before time is established, on day 4 with the constelations and moon?

Fish and birds are created on the same day
Mammals and mankind created on the following day

Water - Fish
Sky - Birds
Earth - Animals and Mankind
Followes the first order of in the very beginning

The very first blessing in the word is given on Day 5 to the Fish and birds
The second blessing is given on Day 6 to Mankind
The third blessing is given on Day 7 to a Day and it is sanctified, Kadosh, and separated from the rest of the days, it is different on the first day of its creation.

Mankinds 'job' was to rule over the earth and all that was in it and subdue it.

Why did it need to be subdued at this time? The Hebrew word used is 'kabas' which according to strongs is subdue, overcome and be brought under control, subjection or bondage, force.

Now would this allude to the chaos spoken of in verse 2? It says it was 'void' , the hebrew word is 'bohu' - emptiness, , desolationk, a void associated with chaos; empty and void are a state of total chaos'

Now we know that HaShem does not do anything imperfectly........................thoughts?


Those are my thoughts on Chapter 1 for now.


Go here to read the Haftarah and Brit Chadasha appropriate scriptures for this weeks parsha http://www.familybible.org/Parashot/01_Bresheet.htm

ADDITION TO ORIGINAL POST -------> Parsha from Chumash with Rashi Notes (http://www.tachash.org/metsudah/b01t.html)

You can click on each chapter heading for Rashi's notes.:)

[Sephania]

Thus the heavens and the earth were finnished............along with everything in them. 'Finshed'- Big definition for this one ------------->kalah (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=03615&version=kjv)

I believe 'ceased' is most appropriate as the same word is translated as 'ended' in verse 2 even though he rested - 'shabbat' - also can mean ceased.

As I mentioned above this is the third bracha that the L-Rd has made, on this Shabbat. He could cease from his work because he had created everything to be tov, and to reproduce itself and also for the earth and plants and animals, mankind and the surrounding canopy, or chauppah, to work in harmony with each other, the perfect eco- system if you will.

He could stop because there was no more to do, at this time all was in perfection.

Verse 4 states the geneology of the earth and heavens, its 'birth' but it says:


(Here is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created.) On the day when ADONAI, God, made earth and heaven, 5 there was as yet no wild bush on the earth, and no wild plant had as yet sprung up; for ADONAI, God, had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to cultivate the ground.
This is a bit confusing, as it says singular "day" . Also it says that there was no bush or plant because there was no one to cultivate the ground. Which would mean to me that Adam would have had to come before the trees and plants. :scratch:

We see in verse 7 that Adonai formed A dam and breathed into his nose the breath of life, the nashamah, breath or spirit of life, but how did the other life forms start to breath or is this something else?:)

Verse 8 tells us that Adonai planted (established) a garden towards the East.

? East of where?
'And there he put the person whom he formed.'

? Does this mean he didn't create him in the garden? If not, where?

"Out of the ground G-d caused to grow every tree, that was "

1. Pleasing in appearence
2. Good for food
3. And included the Tree of Life ~ the tree of Chai ~ which was situated in the middle ( or within) of the garden.

4. AND the tree of Knowledge of good and evil tov and ra

? Why was this tree put in there in the first place?
Was it to tempt? to test?

A river has its source in this garden and divides when leaving the garden into four streams

1. Pishon winds through havilah where there is good gold and aromatic resin ( frankensence? myrrh? ) and onyx stone ( the stone of the tribe of Asher and the two stones with the names of the tribes engraved on them that set upon the Cohen HaGadol shoulders.)
2. Gichon - which winds through the land of Cush _ but there is also a spring in Jerusalem, under the temple mount, by the same name.
3. Tigris - which flows towards the East of Asshur
4 The Euprates - This is just stated as a well known in the time that it was recorded, but the first two have to be described as they may have changed since the parting of the continents?

Verse 15 tells us again that Adonai took the person and placed him in the garden to cultivate it.

? If this was the purpose of Adam to cultivate the ground for the plants and trees then what of the curse to come?:scratch:

Verse 16 THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

16 ADONAI, God, gave the person this order: "You may freely eat from every tree in the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die."

? Why isnt' there any instructions about the tree of life?

Verse 18 tells us it wasn't good for Adam to be alone so the L-RD made all the animal and birds ( note, not fish and sea life) to come to Adam to be named. But after doing this he finds no one suitable for himself to be a companion, so the L-rD takes from him the rib and Havah was 'born'.

? So this tells us in this telling that only Adam was present when the L-Rd told him about the tree of G&E and to not touch it.

This chapter ends with both are naked but have no shame.

? Why is shame mentioned here? I would like to hear what Debi has to bring about this word translated as shame or ashamed. :)

[Sephania]

This is interesting in light of creation:



Jewish Encyclopedia: The vestments of the high priest were interpreted in three ways. The explanation of Philo is as follows ("Vita Mosis," iii. 209): His upper garment was the symbol of the ether, while the blossoms represented the earth, the pomegranates typified running water, and the bells denoted the music ofhttp://www.kensmen.com/catholic/mixedjewels2.jpg the water. The ephod corresponded to heaven, and the stones on both shoulders to the two hemispheres, one above and the other below the earth. The six names on each of the stones were the six signs of the zodiac, which were denoted also by the twelve names on the breastplate. The miter was the sign of the crown which exalted the high priest above all earthly kings.

Josephus' explanation is this ("Ant." iii. 7, § 7): The coat was the symbol of the earth, the upper garment emblemized heaven, while the bells and pomegranates represented thunder and lightning. The ephod typified the four elements, and the interwoven gold denoted the glory of God. The breastplate was in the center of the ephod, as the earth formed the center of the universe; the girdle symbolized the ocean, the stones on the shoulders the sun and moon, and the jewels in the breastplate the twelve signs of the zodiac, while the miter was a token of heaven.


St. Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologica: According to some, the literal reason for these vestments was that they denoted the disposition of the terrestrial globe; as though the high-priest confessed himself to be the minister of the Creator of the world, wherefore it is written (Wis. 18:24): "In the robe" of Aaron "was the whole world" described. For the linen breeches signified the earth out of which the flax grows. The surrounding belt signified the ocean which surrounds the earth. The violet tunic denoted the air by its color: its little bells betoken the thunder; the pomegranates, the lightning. The ephod, by its many colors, signified the starry heaven; the two onyx stones denoted the two hemispheres, or the sun and moon. The twelve precious stones on the breast are the twelve signs of the zodiac: and they are said to have been placed on the rational because in heaven, are the types [rationes] of earthly things, according to Job 38:33: "Dost thou know the order of heaven, and canst thou set down the reason [rationem] thereof on the earth?" The turban or tiara signified the empyrean: the golden plate was a token of God, the governor of the universe.

[koilias]

Mankinds 'job' was to rule over the earth and all that was in it and subdue it.

Why did it need to be subdued at this time? The Hebrew word used is 'kabas' which according to strongs is subdue, overcome and be brought under control, subjection or bondage, force.

Now would this allude to the chaos spoken of in verse 2? It says it was 'void' , the hebrew word is 'bohu' - emptiness, , desolationk, a void associated with chaos; empty and void are a state of total chaos'

Now we know that HaShem does not do anything imperfectly........................thoughts?


Extremely interesting thought Zayit. The Rabbis translate "tohu" as "fearfully astonished". The Zohar interprets "bohu" as "Bo Hu"--"It was in it". "It" the Rabbis say is the foundation stone, the Even Shetiyah, upon which Abraham offered up Yitzhak and the place where the wrath of G-d was checked (which became the site of the temple).

The Rabbis hold that the foundation stone is the center of the universe, from which all was created from.

Now, tradition has it that the Earth was angry that the Heavens were mentioned first (in the Torah) and the Earth protested to HaShem. HaShem was upset at the Earth's arrogant heart and so He bitterly rebuked the earth. Thus the words "v-ha'aretz haitah tohu--now the Earth was being fearfully astonished". But when G-d beheld the foundation upon which Abraham was to offer up his son, His anger was checked, and thus the earth was spared from annihilation! Thus the words "va-bo hu--but It (the Even Shetiyah) was in it."

Yohannan ch. 8 redefines the foundation stone as Yeshua, using Psalm 118:

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw and was glad." [i]57 Then the Jews said to Him, "You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?" 58 Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him; but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.

The "Day" (that HaShem has made, let us rejoice and be glad in It) in Psalm 118:24 is the "chief cornerstone" (vs. 118:22) that is rejected by the builders.

Abraham saw this day (and rejoiced) when he named the Even Shetiyah "Adonai Yir'eh" (Adonai shall provide) in Genesis 22:14, which in Hebrew can literally be translated:

יד וַיִּקְרָא אַבְרָהָם שֵׁם-הַמָּקוֹם הַהוּא, יְהוָה יִרְאֶה, אֲשֶׁר יֵאָמֵר הַיּוֹם, בְּהַר יְהוָה יֵרָאֶה. 14 And Abraham called the name of that place Adonai-yir'eh; as it is said: 'The Day, in the mount of Adonai, will appear.'

Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." 1 Peter 2:6


Following Zayit's train of thought, could it be that the mandate of man to subdue the earth was completed in Yeshua's sacrifice, removing the shame of the earth?

[Sephania]

Very interesting Koilias!
Following Zayit's train of thought, could it be that the mandate of man to subdue the earth was completed in Yeshua's sacrifice, removing the shame of the earth?

I believe it may be so, and following that train, Y'shua also did this in heaven. For wasn't his blood poured out on the earth first? and then taken to the altar in heaven?

'In Earth as it is in Heaven' takes on more meaning now.

[debi b]

2:18
And Adonai Elohim said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help to match him.

The word translated as “match” is neged – it can mean opposite, in front of, before, corresponding to. The last one captures it IMO “corresponding to”.

2:21
And Adonai Elohim made Adam fall into a deep sleep, and he slept; and He took one from his ribs, and closed up the flesh.

The word for deep sleep is “tardeimah” and the dictionary definition is deep sleep. I don’t want to define it, but will say it is used in some interesting ways throughout scripture and a word to tuck away for another day.

2:25
And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.

The word for ashamed comes from “bosh” bet-vav-shin. It is a hithpolel imperfect. It is reflexive (they did it to themselves) and not a completed action (unless you assume this is a preiterite). We are being told of their condition at this point – they were naked and not ashamed. But we do see a significant change to come.

[Sephania]

Or do you have any of your own?

We have in this order, Light, but is this the sun? or another kind of light?

Light
Dividing of Water ( that was already there on day one) ;)
Appearence of the earth
and on that same day the planting of grasses , plants, tree,
Before time is established, on day 4 with the constelations and moon?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mankinds 'job' was to rule over the earth and all that was in it and subdue it.

Why did it need to be subdued at this time? The Hebrew word used is 'kabas' which according to strongs is subdue, overcome and be brought under control, subjection or bondage, force.

Now would this allude to the chaos spoken of in verse 2? It says it was 'void' , the hebrew word is 'bohu' - emptiness, , desolationk, a void associated with chaos; empty and void are a state of total chaos'

Now we know that HaShem does not do anything imperfectly........................thoughts?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Koilios gave some excellent insites, anyone have anything else?

Chapter2
We see in verse 7 that Adonai formed A dam and breathed into his nose the breath of life, the nashamah, breath or spirit of life, but how did the other life forms start to breath or is this something else?:)

~~~~~~~~~~~
Verse 8 tells us that Adonai planted (established) a garden towards the East.
? East of where?'And there he put the person whom he formed.'
? Does this mean he didn't create him in the garden? If not, where?~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Out of the ground G-d caused to grow every tree, that was "
1. Pleasing in appearence
2. Good for food
3. And included the Tree of Life ~ the tree of Chai ~ which was situated in the middle ( or within) of the garden.

4. AND the tree of Knowledge of good and evil tov and ra ? Why was this tree put in there in the first place? Was it to tempt? to test?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Verse 15 tells us again that Adonai took the person and placed him in the garden to cultivate it. ? If this was the purpose of Adam to cultivate the ground for the plants and trees then what of the curse to come?:scratch:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Verse 16 THE FIRST COMMANDMENT

16 ADONAI, God, gave the person this order: "You may freely eat from every tree in the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die."
? Why are't there any instructions about the tree of life?

[koilias]

2:18
The word for ashamed comes from “bosh” bet-vav-shin. It is a hithpolel imperfect. It is reflexive (they did it to themselves) and not a completed action (unless you assume this is a preiterite). We are being told of their condition at this point – they were naked and not ashamed. But we do see a significant change to come.The targumim get a little wild with this word, I can't remember the exact wording but I believe Targum Yerushalmi or Yonatan have "v-lo bosheshu shesh sha'ot" (and they didn't wait six hours) for "v-lo yitbosheshu" (and they were not ashamed).

Umm...I won't explain further....

The Rabbis mention the "not waiting six hours" part of this verse with an instance that comes up with Moshe before going up to Sinai and I believe also in connection with Sisera, but the point totally escapes me now....There are three instances in the Tenakh were people did not wait six hours, and this is one of them.

[By Grace]

Re: the question about the tree of life: My theory is that they were expected to eat of it, and that had they stayed in the Garden, the Tree of Life would be what helped them live for eternity. JMO

Also, wasn't the sun made the same day as the moon?



Now to a slightly different question: I know this isn't very profound, but I was wondering what everyone thought of this comparison:

Day 1: light and darkness
First 1,000 years: sin entered the world, defining good and evil


Day 2: the dome, or the sky, separating the waters
Second 1,000 years: G-d put the rainbow in the sky, establishing a dome of protection over the earth; G-d separated out His people from all others


Day 3: gathered the oceans, made dry land and plants
Third 1,000 years: G-d gathered His people and grew the nation of Israel, settling them in the Land of Promise

Day 4: Sun, moon and stars
Fourth 1,000 years: sent His Son as the Light of the world, and spread the light through the talmidim after lighting His Fire in their hearts (Pentecost); (would the moon be Yochanan the Immerser, reflecting the Light of the Son?)

Day 5: birds, fish, and creeping things; the first blessing
Fifth 1,000 years: G-d's people are fishers of men, spreading the Ruach HaKodesh (a dove); I'm not sure what the first blessing would represent

Day 6: animals (livestock/domesticated animals and wild beasts) and man (the first Adam); second blessing
Sixth 1,000 years: G-d's children include both domesticated animals (Jews/cultivated olive branches) and wild beasts (Gentiles/wild olive shoots); the final Adam will come; maybe the second blessing is the re-establishment of Israel?

Day 7: Sabbath, rest, completion; third blessing
Seventh 1,000 years: Messiah reigns, and we believers rest in the true Sabbath; eternal blessing

Please correct me if I'm wrong on some of the timeline, or other parallels. Or if you have something to add, I would appreciate it. I'm trying to gather these sorts of ideas in my notes, so any input is welcome!

TIA,

[debi b]

The targumim get a little wild with this word, I can't remember the exact wording but I believe Targum Yerushalmi or Yonatan have "v-lo bosheshu shesh sha'ot" (and they didn't wait six hours) for "v-lo yitbosheshu" (and they were not ashamed).

Umm...I won't explain further....

The Rabbis mention the "not waiting six hours" part of this verse with an instance that comes up with Moshe before going up to Sinai and I believe also in connection with Sisera, but the point totally escapes me now....There are three instances in the Tenakh were people did not wait six hours, and this is one of them.

Interesting, not sure where the six hours thing comes from. I don't see that in the text. And they would be then placing that verb in a perfect aspect.

There are times when some event that happens in scripture is really big and we try to wrap our heads around it. We go to the dictionary for a definition and start there. Then we watch how that word is used. I think this may be one of those words. No specific conclusion :) This word is also used of the kind of sleep that Abraham was in in Bereshit 15.

[debi b]

Why are't there any instructions about the tree of life?

Adam was told if you eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you will surely die. That would seem to indicate that the current condition is that they would not die (if this is a consequence).

After eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil Adam is now subject to death. Adonai now says if Adam eats from the tree of life he would live forever. Now he is prevented from having that ability.

So the consequence is Adam surely died. But his physical life did not end at that moment....

[koilias]

Interesting, not sure where the six hours thing comes from. I don't see that in the text. And they would be then placing that verb in a perfect aspect.

It is in the word itself, drawn out Rabbinically of course. It is a sheer fun-loving word-play. Let's just say our Rabbis read a lot into the words "and they were not ashamed".:blush:

[koilias]

? Why was this tree put in there in the first place? Was it to tempt? to test?
No, to make man wise so that he could be free to choose his own way in life.

Adam had two clear choices: to tend the garden or to gain wisdom to take care of himself (which meant facing inevitable death since man is rooted to the earth). If he wanted wisdom (to do other things) he would need to "come of age" so to speak, to become mature (wise). In the Tenakh, the age of accountability (when one is one's own person and not subject to a parent) is termed specifically "the day you know to refuse evil and choose good". This day was typically when you turned 20. (See Isaiah 7:16: "Yea, before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good,--that is, before the age of 20--the land whose two kings thou hast a horror of shall be forsaken.")

The fruit of the tree of knowledge was not inherently "evil"! It served a purpose, and it was there so that Adam knew that G-d only wanted him in the garden under Adam's free volition. HaShem wanted a servant who loved Him. He didn't want a lackey or a slave. If Adam desired, he could eat of the tree of knowledge and gain the maturity (wisdom) to depart the garden and find his own way in life.

[Sephania]

Re: the question about the tree of life: My theory is that they were expected to eat of it, and that had they stayed in the Garden, the Tree of Life would be what helped them live for eternity. JMO

Also, wasn't the sun made the same day as the moon?



Now to a slightly different question: I know this isn't very profound, but I was wondering what everyone thought of this comparison:

Day 1: light and darkness
First 1,000 years: sin entered the world, defining good and evil


Day 2: the dome, or the sky, separating the waters
Second 1,000 years: G-d put the rainbow in the sky, establishing a dome of protection over the earth; G-d separated out His people from all others


Day 3: gathered the oceans, made dry land and plants
Third 1,000 years: G-d gathered His people and grew the nation of Israel, settling them in the Land of Promise

Day 4: Sun, moon and stars
Fourth 1,000 years: sent His Son as the Light of the world, and spread the light through the talmidim after lighting His Fire in their hearts (Pentecost); (would the moon be Yochanan the Immerser, reflecting the Light of the Son?)

Day 5: birds, fish, and creeping things; the first blessing
Fifth 1,000 years: G-d's people are fishers of men, spreading the Ruach HaKodesh (a dove); I'm not sure what the first blessing would represent

Day 6: animals (livestock/domesticated animals and wild beasts) and man (the first Adam); second blessing
Sixth 1,000 years: G-d's children include both domesticated animals (Jews/cultivated olive branches) and wild beasts (Gentiles/wild olive shoots); the final Adam will come; maybe the second blessing is the re-establishment of Israel?

Day 7: Sabbath, rest, completion; third blessing
Seventh 1,000 years: Messiah reigns, and we believers rest in the true Sabbath; eternal blessing

Please correct me if I'm wrong on some of the timeline, or other parallels. Or if you have something to add, I would appreciate it. I'm trying to gather these sorts of ideas in my notes, so any input is welcome!

TIA,
I believe that the tree of life is the Torah. In rejection of this tree of life ( G-ds laws, Adam choose to think higher of knowledge instead of wisdom.

Your 'timeline' Jill is very interesting, I like the way you have incorporated the blessings in there, also the Sun moon and stars day, which brings to mind Rev. 12 and the woman.

[Sephania]

It is in the word itself, drawn out Rabbinically of course. It is a sheer fun-loving word-play. Let's just say our Rabbis read a lot into the words "and they were not ashamed".:blush:According to the order, It seems to me that they didn't 'know' one another until removed fromt the garden ...........which brings us to the next two chapters.

I will be using this thread to continue on B'ersheet but will start a new thread on this weeks parsha. just so we keep up. But since this is so entailing, and so meaty we can take our time through here.

Now that serpent was the craftiest........................

[koilias]

I believe that the tree of life is the Torah. In rejection of this tree of life ( G-ds laws, Adam choose to think higher of knowledge instead of wisdom.

Your 'timeline' Jill is very interesting, I like the way you have incorporated the blessings in there, also the Sun moon and stars day, which brings to mind Rev. 12 and the woman."She is a tree of life to those who find her"...that's somewhere in Proverbs...You're right, Wisdom/Torah is a "tree of life" according to the Rabbis. More than that, Wisdom/Torah is like a "well-watered garden" (I believe that's from the Songs).

More to the point:

Adam's job was to "tend and keep" the garden, right?

So why is it a "curse" to work the land afterwards, nu?....Isn't this the very same kind of work he was doing in the garden anyways?? Well, ok, ok, so the brambles did not come up in Eden, and he didn't have to work of the sweat of his brow before. But notice how the curse deals with the toiling of the earth specifically because Adam must return to the soil he came from. As long as he was in the garden, the soil was not his concern, because HaShem sustained his life. Therefore "tend and keep the garden" refers to something other than gardening work, it must refer to "studying and keeping the Torah".

...And that, the Rabbis say, was exactly what Adam was doing.

[Sephania]

And we toil our whole life to keep the Torah, nu? :) But if you have Y'shua..........

Kinda brings to mind what Y'shua said about eating his body. Adam would have to work at toiling for this spiritual food, it would not be easy to understand, but when Messiah came, he made all thing clear, and by belief in him our sins are washed away, like blinders and we can walk easier in that tree that leads to life. This was the conclusion wasn't it of the giving of the Torah?


See this day I have set before you, life and good, and death and evil; in that I command you this day to love the L-RD you G-d, to walk in his ways and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgements, that you may live and multiply.............( D'Varim 30)
that you may live and multipy...........this sounds like he was trying after all that had happened to get back to the garden and what he was trying to teach there.

[Sephania]

WOWSA!

Look what I just found, going through the archives, I just read this and it is really terrific koilias! BRAVO!

http://www.christianforums.com/t63065-a-song-for-yeshuapraise-him-praise-him.html

[Sephania]

Here's another interesting link http://www.christianforums.com/t69853-noah-17th-of-the-second-month.html about Noah, note what sonworshipper said about the months, does anyone have any corelation to this as far as the 17th day? The seventeenth day of the first month would be first fruits, was this a mistranslation and should be first month?

[koilias]

WOWSA!

Look what I just found, going through the archives, I just read this and it is really terrific koilias! BRAVO!

http://www.christianforums.com/t63065-a-song-for-yeshuapraise-him-praise-him.htmlEr...thanks Zayit for your kind comments! :blush:

That was the inspiration of reflections on Yohannan's gospel. Chapter 6 (the multiplication of loaves and the "bread of life" discourse) is the "third day" section of the gospel. I believe the starting point for all Yohannan mysticism is the Ma'ase B'resheet, "the works of Creation" (the creation story). In Jewish mysticism the creation story is one of the most important entry points to higher reflections of G-d's nature.

A friend and I are working on a comprehensive literary theory of the Johannine gospel, which we believe is composed as a liturgical Jewish "hexaemeron". Other hexaemeral works existed in first century Jewish literature, and the Church fathers also wrote hexaemera, but lost the depth of Jewish exegesis behind it. Not so Yohannan. One apocalypse, for example, (4 Ezra) is structured around seven visions which are thematically linked to the seven days of creation. My friend believes Yohannan is similarly structured to follow the lexical liturgy of the days leading up to Pesach in first century synagogues.

Yohannan Chapter 6 would have been read on the third day leading up to Pesach, probably along with the account of the parting of the Red Sea, and the mannah in the wilderness.

[visionary]

According to Science magazine, the greatest scientific breakthrough of the year 2003 was the confirmation that “dark energy” and “dark matter” is the stuff that makes up the overwhelming majority of our universe. This is a major development in physics, and quite a surprising one at that. Because until this discovery in 2003, all the objects scientists knew about shared one attribute – they gave off light. Now we know that the particles that we’re all familiar with (like electrons and protons) make up only 4 percent of known matter. The rest is either “dark matter” or “dark energy,” called by that name because it represents the bulk of the universe that cannot be seen.

Fascinatingly, this confirms what every mystic, and for that matter, any Bible reader, always knew: The universe is first and foremost a dark place. The first description of the universe in the opening verses of the Bible states that “the earth was empty (or chaotic) and void and darkness prevailed over existence.” Only afterwards does G-d say, “There shall be light,” and light came into existence.

On its own this Biblical opening is cryptic. The opening line of the Zohar (Genesis) begins: “In the beginning of the King’s authority, the Lamp of Darkness engraved a hollow in the Supernal Luminescence.” This too however is quite cryptic. The great 16th century mystic, Rabbi Isaac Luria (the Arizal), in the opening of his classic work the Etz Chaim (Tree of Life), explains this primal darkness with what is called the Great Primordial Tzimtzum: In the beginning (conceptually, not in time) the light of the Ein Sof (the infinite light) filled all of existence; G-d then concealed His omnipresent light (energy) in order to allow “room” for the consciousness of an independent existence.

In other words there are two types of consciousness, or two dimensions of reality: Pre-Tzimtzum and Post-Tzimtzum. The Higher reality (Daas Elyon) is a Divine consciousness that is all encompassing. The lower reality (Daas tachton) is an existential consciousness that sees its own existence as primary and can barely sense a reality outside of its own.

The tzimtzum is “dark energy” – a type of negative energy or negative light, void of matter. The letters of the “reshimu” (a type of “residue” that remains after the tzimtzum) is “dark matter,” which would “later” evolve into the containers (“keilim”) of existence. (More on this in a future column).

The fact that these classic works – the Bible, the Zohar and the Etz Chaim – all open up with a description of the nature of existence as a dark place, tells us that this information is critical and fundamental to understanding the nature of existence. We cannot understand our universe and our lives if we don’t know that the beginning of the universe is rooted in a state of primordial darkness.

Furthermore: Ironically, we can never overcome the darkness and difficulties of our lives if we don’t face and respect the fact that the essential stuff of our existence is rooted in darkness.

However, with one critical qualification: Darkness alone is not the goal nor the ultimate essence of existence. It is only a means to allow existence to come into being. Beneath – or within – the darkness lies light, indeed, the deepest light of all. In other words: Darkness is just another form of light/energy, and its purpose is to reveal light. But in order to uncover the light we must first recognize the darkness for what it is. This then allows us to illuminate the darkness with light, “let there be light.”

[Sephania]

Er...thanks Zayit for your kind comments! :blush:

That was the inspiration of reflections on Yohannan's gospel. Chapter 6 (the multiplication of loaves and the "bread of life" discourse) is the "third day" section of the gospel. I believe the starting point for all Yohannan mysticism is the Ma'ase B'resheet, "the works of Creation" (the creation story). In Jewish mysticism the creation story is one of the most important entry points to higher reflections of G-d's nature.

A friend and I are working on a comprehensive literary theory of the Johannine gospel, which we believe is composed as a liturgical Jewish "hexaemeron". Other hexaemeral works existed in first century Jewish literature, and the Church fathers also wrote hexaemera, but lost the depth of Jewish exegesis behind it. Not so Yohannan. One apocalypse, for example, (4 Ezra) is structured around seven visions which are thematically linked to the seven days of creation. My friend believes Yohannan is similarly structured to follow the lexical liturgy of the days leading up to Pesach in first century synagogues.

Yohannan Chapter 6 would have been read on the third day leading up to Pesach, probably along with the account of the parting of the Red Sea, and the mannah in the wilderness.
That sounds truly intriguing, I would like to hear more if you care to share on another thread. :) I am intrigued by Ezra 4, also Neh 2 where the Arabs try to have a part in Yerushalyim as well but are told they have no history there, and then they seek to meet with him to do him harm. Parallel that with what's going on today in the same place when HaShem has called them back to this same piece of land.

[Sephania]

According to Science magazine, ..............................
...........................................................
This then allows us to illuminate the darkness with light, “let there be light.”
When I read this article, what immediately jumped to mind were these words of Yeshua:
22:13 Then (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=5119&version=kjv) said (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2036&version=kjv) the king (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=935&version=kjv) to the servants, (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1249&version=kjv) Bind (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1210&version=kjv) him (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=846&version=kjv) hand (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=5495&version=kjv) and (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2532&version=kjv) foot, (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4228&version=kjv) and take (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=142&version=kjv) him (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=846&version=kjv) away (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=142&version=kjv), and (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2532&version=kjv) cast (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1544&version=kjv) him into (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1519&version=kjv) outer (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1857&version=kjv) darkness; (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=4655&version=kjv) there (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1563&version=kjv) shall be (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2071&version=kjv) weeping (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2805&version=kjv) and (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=2532&version=kjv) gnashing (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=1030&version=kjv) of teeth. (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Greek/grk.cgi?number=3599&version=kjv)

[Sephania]

I found this other thread that has some tidbits worth reading about the geneology from Adam to Noah. I really liked your post there koilios, I am not sure why others that aren't MJ were allowed to debate it, but it was very good and I believe the same.

http://www.christianforums.com/t76076-hidden-gospel-message-in-genesis-five-genealogy.html


About the article posted in the OP , I have seen Perry Stone say the same thing, must be going around the Christian circles. Hope they look for more. ;)