Teaching Team
Destruction in Jerusalem: The Spirit vs. the Letter
At FFOZ we often get asked the question what is the difference between the spirit and the letter of the law. After all the Apostle Paul tells us:
…for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. (2 Corinthians 3:6)
I was taught while growing up that this meant that the letter of the law was what was written whereas the spirit behind it is what counted. For example in the commandment of Sabbath, the letter is a literal Shabbat whereas the spirit is the spiritual rest we have in Messiah. Therefore it was not about observing a literal day but remebering the principle behind it.
Jewish thought in this area is a bit different. The letter is the literal reading and the spirit is going above and beyond the letter while still maintaining the letter. A great example of this is found in the Master’s teachings in the Sermon on the Mount.
You have heard that it was said, 'AN EYE FOR AN EYE, AND A TOOTH FOR A TOOTH.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. (Matthew 5:38-42)
Here the Master urges his disciples to go beyond the letter of the law and withhold their rights for the sake of the kingdom. In other words they should not be so strict in judgment. This teaching of Yeshua’s does not break Torah but rather holds it up even higher. Remarkable it is said in the Talmud that similar issues caused the destruction of Jerusalem:
For R. Johanan said: Jerusalem was destroyed only because they gave judgments therein in accordance with Biblical law. Were they then to have judged in accordance with untrained arbitrators? — But say thus: because they based their judgments [strictly] upon Biblical law, and did not go beyond the requirements of the law. (b.Bava Metzia 30a)
The Talmud like the Master, urges use to go beyond the letter of the Torah. We should be gracious in our dealings with others always giving the benefit of the doubt and seeking mercy.
We are currently in the season of the three weeks as has been mentioned in previous posts. This is the time where the walls of Jerusalem were breached and the Temple was eventually destroyed. Perhaps we should take a good look at Matthew 5 during this time. I believe that in the Sermon on the Mount the Master was warning the people of the coming destruction and what they can do to thwart it. Yet, before we point fingers at that generation we should remember the old rabbinic dictum, “each generation in which the Temple is not rebuilt should count itself as being among those who brought its destruction.” Like them we have a lot to learn about personal interactions and what it truly means to love our neighbor as ourselves. As we change through the working of His Spirit and the study of His Torah we are in this process echoing the words of the Siddur:
May it be your will Lord our God and God of our forefathers that the Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days. Amen.
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Visitor Feedback:
Wow! Your explanation of the Jewish thought behind the letter versus the spirit of the law is really insightful! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm going to chew on that for some time.
Thanks!
Mary Ellen
Mary Ellen | July 10, 2007 3:50 PM
Yeshua is our righteousness.
***Toby's Response: Amen!***
cynthia | July 16, 2007 7:23 AM