Teaching Team
The Gospels: Our Connection to Yeshua (Part 1)
We at First Fruits of Zion are excited about the rollout of the Delitzsch Hebrew Gospels project. As we engage in the study of the Gospels, we can take a cue from Chassidic Judaism as to the importance of this discipline in our walk of discipleship. One of the central tenants of Chassidic life is the concept of hitkashrut (התקשרות) which is the close connection a disciple has with his Rebbe. The bond is likened to that of marriage, and it is through the Rebbe that the disciple connects with HaShem himself. A key aspect of this connection between the rabbi and his disciples is yechidut (יחידות), which means "oneness." Yechidut is a private meeting between the Rebbe and his disciple where the Rebbe connects with him on an intimate spiritual level and offers advice and guidance. But sometimes, as a rabbi gains more and more disciples, these private meetings become impossible to conduct with all of his students.
One example of this can be found in the famous Chassidic work, the Tanya. The Tanya was written by the Alter Rebbe at a time where his popularity was growing immensely and yechidut was becoming nearly impossible. In the foreword to the book, he attempts to console his students, who are grieved that they no longer can have such a close and confidential time with their Rebbe. He assures them that now it is his writings that will serve to facilitate this close personal bond. He writes that to "those who know me well ... may my words percolate to them, and my tongue be as the pen of scribe." [1] Later Chassidic literature would insist that "those who know me well" refers to anyone in all generations that studies the Tanya; they too would be intimately connected with the Alter Rebbe and would be considered as his disciples. [2] In fact, no less than the Alter Rebbe's grandson, the Rebbe Rashab, wrote, "To study the Tanya is to converse with the Alter Rebbe." [3]
This concept has been expanded to basically all the works of the great Chassidic teachers and is thought to be effective even after their lifetime. Reb Noson of Breslov taught that "despite the fact that true tzaddikim leave this world, nevertheless their chiddushim (original Torah thoughts)--the halachos/laws that they revealed--remain for us." [4] The Mittler Rebbe adds that even if one did not know or serve a great rabbi in his lifetime "but only studied the holy books that he left over as a blessing, and who bask in the radiance of his Torah teachings" have acquired connection with that rabbi in a very personal way, i.e., hitkashrut. [5] His writings become the cement for that spiritual bond.
For us as disciples of Yeshua, we know that he is our only connection to HaShem; as he said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6). Despite the fact that we are almost two thousand years removed from his physical presence here on earth, our personal connection with him can be strengthened through reading his words. When we read the Gospels, it is not just an intellectual exercise where we gain head knowledge of events and sayings; rather it is a spiritual engagement whereby we connect with our Master in a real and tangible way.
We must remember that in the Master's day, there were many who physically saw him and spoke with him but yet really didn't know him. Similarly, a Chassidic story relates that once a Chassid came to the Rebbe Rayatz bragging that he had merited meeting the Rebbe's father in person. Sensing the Chassid's insincerity, he replied, "You merited to see [riya] my father. However you did not recognize [hakara] him." [6] It is one thing to know of Yeshua and it is another to know Yeshua himself.
On the contrary, even for those of us thousands of years removed from his physical appearance on earth, as we engross ourselves in his words and deeds, we obtain a bond with him that is as real as it was for the twelve who sat at his feet. To study the Gospels is to have an intimate private conversation with Messiah that will affect the deepest part of our souls.
[1] Likutei Amarim: Tanya (trans. Nissan Mindel et al.; Brooklyn: Kehot Publication Society, 1998), xx.
[2] Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz, Opening the Tanya (San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, 2003), 33.
[3] Torat Shalom, 56.
[4] Likutei Halachos on Parshat Shoftim. Translation from Dov Grant, "Learning Halachah: Likutei Halachos on Parshat Shoftim," n.p. [cited 6 September 2011]. Online: http://www.nanach.org/likutay-halachos/devarim/shoftim.html.
[5] Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson, Proceeding Together (Trans. Uri Kaploun; 3 vols.; Brooklyn, NY: Sichos in English, 1995), 1:15-16.
[6] Rabbi Chaim Dalfin, Farbrengen: Inspirational Stories and Anecdotes (New York, NY: Ostar Sifrei Lubavitch, 1999), 11.
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Visitor Feedback:
What I'm about too share, comes from a foundational teaching that our Messiah used with His Disciples. First I would like to say that these (4) ways of teaching was very acute for the soul purpose of defining Scripture. A standard elevation from which are for consistency. Levels of Hebrew teaching!
1). Parashet=Straightforward teaching,simple or literal. Yeshua used this teaching for reasoning in lifestyle. 2). Remez= Refered back to something. To bring the Scriptures forward. 3). Drash/Midrash= Discussion of the Scriptures from a personal view, that wood allow the use of Q&A concept. 4). SOD= The hidden meaning of Scripture that allowed the WORD to be brought too the light from the Prophets.This was also a great level of comprehension that broaden the scope of their understanding. Now, this also applies to "US" today as we have been given a mandate to carry on the work of Messiah. Shalom and Be Blessed!
Michael Taylor | September 8, 2011 11:41 AM
I've always been interested in learning more about Messiah and found that HaShem has encoded a great amount of material concerning Him and His Name right into Torah. If you'd like to see an example you can have a look at my site. Thank you, John B.
**Toby's Response** Thank you for comments. Typically we do not post links to other cites in our blog comments. I trust you understand.
John Boylan | September 27, 2011 5:05 PM