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Head Exploding Moments
Even after many years in serving this ministry, I am continually amazed at how much there is to learn. But I have to admit, working in the Torah all the time, I sometimes take for granted the "wow" response that many of our constituents experience when they read our books, magazines and other materials. One FFOZ staffer calls them "head exploding moments."
What is a "head exploding moment"? It's one of those moments when suddenly everything clicks into place. A passage of Scripture you have read dozens of times suddenly bursts forth with new meaning. The veil slips away for a moment, and you see Messiah clearly revealed. When it happens, it is completely unexpected, completely amazing and completely exhilarating. It is the thrill of discovery, joy and delight in the Word of God.
Below you will find an unexpected note that I recently received from the staff member whose head regularly explodes. She is on the editorial team for Torah Club Volume Five. After working on the project a few months, she sent me this enthusiastic note, encouraging me to promote this Bible study. Rather than spending much time re-working the letter, I decided to just share it with you.
May the Lord bless you richly this Pesach season!
From: Hope E.
Sent: Wednesday, March 10, 2004 9:27 AM
To: Boaz
Cc: Daniel
Subject: TCV5
Hi, BoazI can't believe how good Torah Club Five is!
Before I started working on this project I admit that I wasn't too interested in it. After all, I thought, how many times can someone study through the Torah? (Ok, I know that's not the best mindset, but cut me some slack.) And while learning how to apply Torah in my life did sound mildly interesting, I assumed that these lessons would simply be "how-to" ideas for celebrating the feasts, etc. Boy was I wrong! I think if more people knew about how incredible TCV5 is, more would sign up for it. Here are some of my thoughts that you might incorporate into a letter:
- I've actually struggled editing many of the parshiot (weekly portions) because I've been so mesmerized by the depth of the theology—and the associated implications in my life.
- I was always curious about the 613 Commandments—but never really knew much about them. I was surprised that the end of each TCV5 parasha has a Mitzvah List that spells out (according to the Sages) which of the 613 are derived from that week's reading. (It took me a while to understand the rabbinic coding system that also tells whether the command is still applicable, if it's applicable in the Land or Diaspora, applicable to men, women, priests, the high priest, etc. But now I find that fascinating, too.)
- As someone who desires to be Torah-observant, it's been really neat to examine all of the Torah commands, read how the Sages interpret them, read how we unpack them, and then prayerfully consider how I want to live them out. Unexpectedly, this has taken me light years beyond what my Passover Seder looks like—and I was excited to see where the New Moon concept came from.
- I thought I could not learn anything else about clean/unclean meats. I was so wrong.
- I was delighted to begin to understand some of the most difficult passages in Hebrews, as well as gain a firmer grasp of the difference between "new" and "old" covenants.
- And we're not even half-way done!
Anyhow, I think our constituents should know that this study is both theologically deep and practical. And the challenging, life application points focus not only the external mitzvot, but the "weightier provisions of the law" that the Master talks about in Matthew 23:23.
Please let me know if you'd like me to work with you on this promotional project; I think the potential for glorifying God by exposing more people to TCV5 is tremendous!
-Hope
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