Tefillin and kippah

[Jasmine-FL]

Hi gang, :wave:
Friend of mine who is just starting in the messianic faith but speaks no English to participate in the forum asked me to ask you a couple of questions:

1 - Should messianic men put on tefillin on a daily basis? If yes then how do should they do it? Should they follow rabbinic halachah about how to tie it and all?

2 - Should messianic men wear a kippah all through the day? I was told by a messianic rabbi who used to be orthodox who said yes because the kippah symbolizes the priestly hat and that since we are priests we should wear it at all times. Is he right?

:help:

Luv you all, :kiss:
~J~

[Yehoshua]

My Rabbi says those of us who aren't "Jewish" aren't obligated to wear them, but the Torah doesn't say we can't wear them. He said it can even be beneficial (ie. a statement of your faith or a witnessing tool). So I guess the question is, is he actually Jewish?

[Bruce101]

What about what Sh'aul says about headcovering for men "it is a shame",, I think that is what it says, whereas the kippah is a tradition that came much later.
Bruce

[ShirChadash]

Bruce, here's an article you might be interested to read on the Corinthians discussion of men covering their heads. It's by Tim Hegg:

http://www.torahresource.com/English%20Articles/1Co%2011%20&%20Kippas.pdf

[Shimshon]

Both of which you mention are customs of "Rabbinical" Judaism. The teffilin represent where Torah tells us to "bind them (Everything YHWH said) as a sign on your arms and as frontlets between your eyes. This was YHWH's way of saying your actions and your thinking should all reflect the Word of YHWH. It also relates to Yeshua being at the "right hand" of YHWH. This is the same allusion. That the Words of YHWH are your authority and your power, you think of them endlessly as David describes in Tehillim 119.

The kippah is another tradition of Rabbinical Judaism. It is never mentioned for men to cover thier heads. Except for the Levi'im, the Cohen HaGadol. He wears a head covering. But only when giving the sacrifice. It was not a mitzvah from YHWH to have to wear one at all times. To any individual. You won't find that in Torah. It is however observed by Rabbinics with zeal. They see it as a show of piety or holiness when one wears a kippah all the time.

In general a head covering shows a sign of submission. That you are a slave to a master. But neither are commanded by YHWH in Torah to be observed the way Rabbinical Judaism has defined it. This definition would come from Tamud. The Rabbi's addition to Torah. And I say addition because if what they said in it agreed with YHWH's Torah there would be no need to say it at all. But they seem to believe that YHWH has changed his Torah and added the advise of the sages/rabbi'im to his commands.

In contrast NONE of the Talmidim added anything. They only proclaimed the prophecies that were happening to them before thier eyes in thier day. YHWH fortold all the happenings of Yeshua's coming and what it ment beforhand. And Yeshua was revealing to them anything they did not already understand. The NT or Netzarim Ketuvim as I call it is not a "NEW testimony but a fulfilling revelation of the testimony YHWH gave about his Savior long ago. It doesn't contradict the intent or witness of YHWH's Word. That a new PROMISE "covenant" would be made with that same people he made it before. Yisrael AND the rest of the entire world who wishes to join in. The only difference is he placed the commands on our heart. He caused us to LOVE them, and so do them endlessly without inhibition.

As my t-shirt says; I am YHWH I do not change. Malachi 3:6 What part of FOREVER don't you understand?^_^

Remember the reason the old covenant failed was because of the people who would not follow it. YHWH for his part did. And so did many others, Avraham, Yitzak, Ya'akov, Yosef, Moshe, Yehoshua, David, Shlomo, all the Nevi'im. Did not these people make it? Did they not follow his Torah, his covenant so as to be included in the book of life with the righteous? Yes. So people shouldn't go thinking the Torah failed and was replaced with a new covenant. The people failed the Torah. And the new covenant consists of the OLD one only it is put in your heart so you have no excuse to fail now. Now it is YOUR fault if you refuse to obey. Not the Levi'im. Remember that it was they who were accountable for all of the people to YHWH. Just as Yeshua who is our Cohen HaGadol forever is accountable for all of us.

Hope this helps clear up a few things for you and your friend.

b,shalom
shimshon

[MyZz]

Great post Shimshon:) and thanks for the kippot link Zem:thumbsup:

[ShirChadash]

mentioned them in passing, taking to task one group of Pharisees for the showy-ness with which they practiced, in Matt. 23. Yet He never indicated that wearing tefillin/phylacteries was an incorrect application... and He had a captive audience to which He could easily have done so. He did spend time correcting other misunderstandings and insufficient/inaccurate applications of Torah, but the wearing of Tefillin as the application of the Torah commands to "bind the words" as as sign on the arm and let them be as frontlets, etc., Y'shua did not speak against in any way.

[Shimshon]

"Yeshua wore Tefillin and mentioned them in passing, taking to task one group of Pharisees for the showy-ness with which they practiced, in Matt. 23. Yet He never indicated that wearing tefillin/phylacteries was an incorrect application... and He had a captive audience to which He could easily have done so. He did spend time correcting other misunderstandings and insufficient/inaccurate applications of Torah, but the wearing of Tefillin as the application of the Torah commands to "bind the words" as as sign on the arm and let them be as frontlets, etc., Y'shua did not speak against in any way.

Shalom alechim Zemirah :wave:

So to you omission implies inclusion?

True he never gave argument specificly against the use of them. This was not one addressed in scripture. However, not one place in scripture do I find Yeshua condoning the practice of any ruling made by the rabbi'im in thier mishna nor the gemara. In every case Yeshua upholds Torah and identifies coruption and wickedness (twisting) when dealing with the "Tradtions of the Elders".


Then Yeshua addressed the crowds and his talmidim: 2 "The Torah-teachers and the P'rushim," he said, "sit in the seat of Moshe. 3 So whatever they tell you, take care to do it. But don't do what they do, because they talk but don't act!

This is a VERY tricky verse. Many use it and hurt themselves and/or others with it. Watch.

Whatever they tell you, do it.


2 "Why is it that your talmidim break the Tradition of the Elders? They don't do n'tilat-yadayim before they eat!"

3 He answered, "Indeed, why do you break the command of God by your tradition? 9 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.'"

Yeshua lead the talmidim NOT to follow this "tradition" and says it is "useless".

Now notice it says "rules" plural. This was not the ONLY rule he was addressing. Do you think ANY rule that man makes, which YHWH doesn't is acceptable? No matter how well the good intent is? And especially when it is being lorded over others above that which was truly given by the mouth of YHWH?

More;


6 So when Yeshua said to them, "Watch out! Guard yourselves against the hametz of the P'rushim and Tz'dukim,"
12 Then they understood -- they were to guard themselves not from yeast for bread but from the teaching of the P'rushim and Tz'dukim.

From the hametz, the "teaching". Is there a specific lone teaching that Yeshua was identifying here? Or does this not mean 'sin' (hametz), "teaching" in general? Again, show me one place where Yeshua condoned or allowed the "traditions" as applied by the Prushim?

Saying "he wore" tehillin is quite a streach to me. It's 'begging the question'. And another prime example of how the adversary uses the very thing that speaks aginst him, in his favor. To me using Mt 23 to say Yeshua was 'Rabbinical' in walk is akin to using Rom./Gal to say the law was abolished. It's using the very witness that shows otherwise against itself. Quite a good ploy if you ask me. To be able to use the very tools you were given against you.

Notice Mt 22 were all Prushim, Tzdukim who put to him a sh'eilah regarding Torah. Not regarding Talmud traditions. Yet Yeshua shut them up accordingly because they can not outwit the Rabbi, the giver of Torah. They come at him relentlessly trying to trap him in his own words.

Yet, in Mt 23 Yeshua now turns to the crowds and his talmidim and does what the Prushim and Tzdukim were trying to do to him. Yeshua dismantles their 'traditions' and words. From being questioned about His word to Yeshua questioning thier words.

He clarifies by saying, they are your leaders, obey what they have been given to enforce (Torah). But don't do with it what they do/did. Don't add to it and thus nullify it's intent.

Don't make rules (tie heavy loads) that even YOU can't nor want to follow, yet force others to do so. They do everything to be seen by others not by YHWH. And here you have the mention of tefillin. In context it shows this is an example of what NOT to do. Not an approval of it's use. In fact the example is also how NOT to adorn the tzitziyot. Yet we know by Torah that they WERE to wear them. Which is why I feel you have mention of Yeshua wearing them, but none of his wearing tefillin.

The thing that this verse hangs people up with is this. The fact that he mentions both Talmud tradition and Torah mitzvah in the same breath.

for they make their t'fillin broad and their tzitziyot long,

But this little mention is surrounded by a host of context about NOT following the traditions of the Prushim.

Yeshua says that to Him they; "are shutting the Kingdom of Heaven in people's faces, neither entering yourselves nor allowing those who wish to enter to do so. "

And how are they doing this?

For one in Mt 21 they question Yeshua's authority. They asked him "What s'mikhah do you have that authorizes you to do these things? And who gave you this s'mikhah?"
Right of the bat they didn't believe he had a right to speak his words.

Mt 22 they confront him regarding his words (Torah). Mt 23 Yeshua throws the ball back at them and confronts them regarding thier words. Mt 24 he prophecies the outcome of following mens words with YHWH's (again).


2 "Why is it that your talmidim break the Tradition of the Elders? They don't do n'tilat-yadayim before they eat!"

3 He answered, "Indeed, why do you break the command of God by your tradition? 9 Their worship of me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.'"


28 Likewise, you appear to people from the outside to be good and honest, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and far from Torah.


This verse is the prophetic final outcome of the House of David as THEY knew it.

38 Look! God is abandoning your house to you, ]leaving it desolate. 39 For I tell you, from now on, you will not see me again until you say, `Blessed is he who comes in the name of ADONAI.'"

The Temple was destroyed and the House brought down to the ground. Scattered as YHWH said he would. To the "four corners" of the world. NOW, does the world REALLY have four corners? Or is this a metaphor? Were we commanded to wrap leather straps with scrolls rolled up boxes around our arms and head? Or is this a metaphor?

To me it is. and I believe you know the meaning of it too. :)

b,shalom
shimshon

[Sephania]

I agree shimshon, for what use is words rolled up and secreted behind a black box? How does this make one to see? And they are not wore even between the eyes but high up on the forehead.

The word used though is 'bind' and in english is translated to bind from many words. the word translated 'bind' same as used in Deut 6:8 to bind them upon your hand is this word "qashar" and is also used here in proverbs:

Pr 3:3 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=pr+3:3&version=kjv&showtools=yes) Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

Pr 6:21 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=pr+6:21&version=kjv&showtools=yes) Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.

What is "them" 20 My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Pr 7:3 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=pr+7:3&version=kjv&showtools=yes) Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.

Again what is to be "bound" 1 My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee. 2 Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.

Pr 22:15 (http://bible.crosswalk.com/OnlineStudyBible/bible.cgi?passage=pr+22:15&version=kjv&showtools=yes) Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.
The last one really show this bounding, or binding, it is what is in the heart, not on the flesh. You cannot tie something to the physical heart ( unless you are a cardiac surgeon ;) ) so this is speaking spiritually, not physically.

And anyway why would Yeshua even have need for this? Were not the mitzvah come from him in the first place? To tie his own words so that he might remember them on his hand...........................

From what I understand about the laying on it is only at certain times, could that possibly what the L-RD meant? to only have his words occasionally as one (bound) with his people? :scratch:

6:8 And thou shalt bind (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=07194&version=kjv) them for a sign (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=0226&version=kjv) upon thine hand, (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=03027&version=kjv) and they shall be as frontlets (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=02903&version=kjv)between thine eyes. (http://bible.crosswalk.com/Lexicons/Hebrew/heb.cgi?number=05869&version=kjv)

bands, phylacteries, frontlets, marks
I like the last definition, 'Marks', following his commandments is our 'mark', not carrying them around with us. That would be like saying if you take your bible everywhere you go, you will go to heaven. ;)

[Sephania]

Hand and head, it's like Belief and works. Many say you dont' have to do any works, just believe because you have grace. But faith without works is dead.

On your head ( in your head) you know , you believe G-d is Real, his Messiah is Yeshua and he rose from the dead, and he has certain things he wants you to do.

Now your hand, this is your works of your faith, obedience to the mitzvot, the commandments.

this is your sign, of love and who you serve, this is wearing your mark, of who you belong to.

[P_G]

I agree fully with Zayit and does that then not rivet into clarity this verse from Revelation:

Rev 13:16 And he makes all, the small and the great, and the rich and the poor, and the freemen and the slaves, to be given a mark on their right hand or on their forehead,

I think too that some of this is custom or tradition which belongs to our Jewish born brothers.

I do not wear a kippot because I do not find it commanded. It is however something which identifies my Jewish born and converted brothers. I honestly feel this I should leave alone.

PG

[By Grace]

And anyway why would Yeshua even have need for this? Were not the mitzvah come from him in the first place? To tie his own words so that he might remember them on his hand...........................



But didn't Yeshua wear tzitzit? That was designed to be a reminder, too.

I agree with everything else you said in this post--very interesting information on the word translated "bind." And great point with the hand and head being targeted as symbolic of beliefs and works. :thumbsup:

[By Grace]

This is a VERY tricky verse. Many use it and hurt themselves and/or others with it. Watch.

Whatever they tell you, do it.


Shimshon, I think you would enjoy Nehemiah Gordon's book on this passage. I think the essence of what he said about this is that the verse should be translated, "Whatever he tells you, do it." The "he" refers to Moses and the Mosaic law. So we're to do what Moses said to do, but don't do as the P'rushim do (or say to do).

[Sephania]

ah, I like that! :thumbsup:

[Sephania]

But didn't Yeshua wear tzitzit? That was designed to be a reminder, too.



I guess I didn't take enough time with that, what I was trying to say was Yeshua didn't need the exact words tied physically to his hands, if anyone had them on their heart and in their mind it was he, right. And besides the tzitziot were already a reminder of HaShem and all his mitzvah so why the redundancy of tying the words ( and only a few that is) to your head and hand? :doh: ;)

I agree with everything else you said in this post--very interesting information on the word translated "bind." And great point with the hand and head being targeted as symbolic of beliefs and works. :thumbsup:
Yes, isn't it, I love when questions come up and I always seek to share what I know but to dig deeper so I go to the scripture and check on the meaning behind the words, there is always a treasure to find, either you find a wonderful deeper meaning or you find that what you thought or was taught was wrong all along! If you have a concordance, look up bind and see all the different words that have been translated from the hebrew to one english word, bind. Enlightening.:)

[Shimshon]

I guess I didn't take enough time with that,


But I did.

Don't make rules (tie heavy loads) that even YOU can't nor want to follow, yet force others to do so. They do everything to be seen by others not by YHWH. And here you have the mention of tefillin. In context it shows this is an example of what NOT to do. Not an approval of it's use. In fact the example is also how NOT to adorn the tzitziyot. Yet we know by Torah that they WERE to wear them. Which is why I feel you have mention of Yeshua wearing them, but none of his wearing tefillin.

The thing that this verse hangs people up with is this. The fact that he mentions both Talmud tradition and Torah mitzvah in the same breath.


for they make their t'fillin broad and their tzitziyot long,

He mentions them together because the Prushim twisted the observances together. But Yeshua never once affirms the traditions of the elders. He always shows where they oversteped the original intent. He does not condone Rabbinicalism ever. It's only by begging the question can one come up with this belief. The desire to be right causes people to see things as they are not. I was initially surprised by those who claim Yeshua was "rabbinical". Very interesting development to me. I'm used to people trying to make Yeshua a goy. Not a Parush.;)