In "Change is a Constant" it was mentioned that inner change is key to a true outward change. This is a concept that even though we may agree with, we don't really grasp it. For some reason this can be grasped for a moment while being spoken of but immediately it becomes an ineffective thought once our mind goes off on to other matters. This tells us that this concept needs to become a focused part of our lives. So lets explore this concept a little more and hopefully make it more and more a conscious part of our lives.
It is essential for us to realize that religion is our enemy. Yes I do mean this! I will also go as far as to say, "Any religion is our enemy!" More than likely you realize more information is needed to clarify what I mean. Religion as an institution and as an outward practice is what I am speaking of. The focus is only to control (I mean this negatively) a person on the outside not a change in the person. Religion can never change a person for good or bad. Many falsely feel that membership via faith has its privileges with The Creator in these institutions.
Religion dictates practices and establishes a culture for its members that is typically blindly followed. But the focus is only on controlling (I mean this negatively) a person on outward practices not a change in the person's inner space. How many of us and people we know that have questioned the practices of their religion? The vast majority do not. A few that do are typically viewed as trouble makers at best and heretics at worst. How many times have WE viewed such people as peculiar or trouble makers? I can say that I am guilty of this.
The core belief of any religious system is not up to questioning. Questioning is not a bad thing though. But it is to a religion. Look at the entire TNK ("old testament"). The nature of The Creator was questioned over and over again. The Creator never punished a person or people for questioning provided they were willing to acknowledge the truth when presented. Moshe and Avram questioned The Creator. Were they struck down. No! But a religion will strike a person down for it views all questioning as insincerely motivated and a threat to its control. Religion is about man control not G-d control.
With this stated we will pause for now and continue this subject in another blog entry in a few days.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Change is a constant
We as humans love to figure out ways to do the least for the most benefit. It is instinctive to seek out ways to minimize effort for anything we perceive that we have a right to. A quick calculation takes place for any desire we have. How much effort does it take? Will the fulfillment of that desire be worth the output. Is there a risk and is it a reasonable risk? On a corporate level royalty, religious leaders, military leaders, and politicians all have done this as well. This has lead to exploitation, bearing false witness, and down right murder. The Ten Commandments touch on these areas.
Basically,we want to fulfill a desire without changing ourselves. Change is painful. Change creates a paradigm shift in our minds, hearts, and actions (Deuteronomy 6:4) that we just don't want to give up. Our desires are typically based upon sustaining the status quo. Thus our equation is more like, "what am I willing to give up for remaining where I am?" We could also say our desire is focused towards a goal, like becoming a millionaire. But still this is based upon sustaining some kind of a desire that one has pictured in their mind.
Change is essential for our growth. It should not be avoided. We are created to take the hard road not the easy way out. We are meant to change, for the better. Many times change is feared to be bad. This is a valid concern. In our Torah we have a passage:
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love HaShem your G-d with all of your heart (desire), with all of your soul (includes mind), and with all of your strength (action).
This passage teaches us that our Creator is to be the center of our desires, minds, and actions. The Torah is our litmus test to determine what needs changing and what does not. Understand that change takes place within. Don't change an action for the sake of changing the action. Rather change the root problem deep inside so that action takes care of itself.
Change as revealed by Torah is the right change provided it is for the Creator's sake. Changing for one own sake is fruitless and meaningless.
Basically,we want to fulfill a desire without changing ourselves. Change is painful. Change creates a paradigm shift in our minds, hearts, and actions (Deuteronomy 6:4) that we just don't want to give up. Our desires are typically based upon sustaining the status quo. Thus our equation is more like, "what am I willing to give up for remaining where I am?" We could also say our desire is focused towards a goal, like becoming a millionaire. But still this is based upon sustaining some kind of a desire that one has pictured in their mind.
Change is essential for our growth. It should not be avoided. We are created to take the hard road not the easy way out. We are meant to change, for the better. Many times change is feared to be bad. This is a valid concern. In our Torah we have a passage:
Deuteronomy 6:5
Love HaShem your G-d with all of your heart (desire), with all of your soul (includes mind), and with all of your strength (action).
This passage teaches us that our Creator is to be the center of our desires, minds, and actions. The Torah is our litmus test to determine what needs changing and what does not. Understand that change takes place within. Don't change an action for the sake of changing the action. Rather change the root problem deep inside so that action takes care of itself.
Change as revealed by Torah is the right change provided it is for the Creator's sake. Changing for one own sake is fruitless and meaningless.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
The Troubles with Titles
Recently I was faced with listening to a man rant and cuss at the suggestion that a person should not take on titles when coming to religion. Needless to say this man was not thinking the subject out but in fact was proving out our reason for avoiding titles here at UTOM (to the best of our ability).
We live in a world that is very external in it views, affairs, and activities. We guide our selves by visual (worldly) landmarks. Where are our friends? What do they belong to (such as a sport, club, or religion)? With that information we gravitate towards those things. And guess what? They all have a title or name.
So our society and social patterns dictate what we belong to and what titles are bestowed upon us. This in turn molds and shapes us into a corner. This is very true for religion. Even within religion there are subgroups as well. Once we follow this breakdown we loose more and more our individuality. This is a real tragedy.
A walk with THE Creator is personal and from within. It is not a without situation. Let me explain. We as individuals are in fact unique from all others. No two individuals are alike. Just as no two snowflakes are the same. There never was and will be a ME! I am it!
It is imperative for us to let our Creator given uniqueness shine in spite of any title (religion) we belong to. But unfortunately, we as creatures of habit tend to fall victim to fullfilling the obligations of a title and then stop.
So at best a title should only be a loose definition of who we are for the moment. We should not fear going outside such titles and search for our Creator beyond the boundaries of titles. This gives us the freedom to search for our Creator from within.
We live in a world that is very external in it views, affairs, and activities. We guide our selves by visual (worldly) landmarks. Where are our friends? What do they belong to (such as a sport, club, or religion)? With that information we gravitate towards those things. And guess what? They all have a title or name.
So our society and social patterns dictate what we belong to and what titles are bestowed upon us. This in turn molds and shapes us into a corner. This is very true for religion. Even within religion there are subgroups as well. Once we follow this breakdown we loose more and more our individuality. This is a real tragedy.
A walk with THE Creator is personal and from within. It is not a without situation. Let me explain. We as individuals are in fact unique from all others. No two individuals are alike. Just as no two snowflakes are the same. There never was and will be a ME! I am it!
It is imperative for us to let our Creator given uniqueness shine in spite of any title (religion) we belong to. But unfortunately, we as creatures of habit tend to fall victim to fullfilling the obligations of a title and then stop.
So at best a title should only be a loose definition of who we are for the moment. We should not fear going outside such titles and search for our Creator beyond the boundaries of titles. This gives us the freedom to search for our Creator from within.
Friday, April 1, 2011
A Change, a new start
In the past few months of this New Year, I have been starting to contemplate my role and purpose in creation. Not in terms of me taking over the world. But, rather in who do I, as an individual, help complete this world we live in? The past posts were more of a technical nature but were not communicating what was going on within me. They did not cover what changes were taking place in me.
It is not my goal to make this into "its all about me" blog. It became apparent to me that I am no different than the next person deep down. The more I would dig into "me" the more "us" started to showed up. Yes, on the surface we are different but deep down we have the same desire. Identify our creator and draw our strength from IT.
So from this point on I will be writing about "US" instead. Share "US" with all of you out there.
Let me throw out some things to think about. If we come from the same source then would it not stand to reason that at some level we are all connected? So why do we exploit, hurt, and kill each other? What is that barrier that keeps us from looking out for our betterment by looking out for everyones benefit? What is that "betterment" that we should be looking for that is univeral to us all?
It is not my goal to make this into "its all about me" blog. It became apparent to me that I am no different than the next person deep down. The more I would dig into "me" the more "us" started to showed up. Yes, on the surface we are different but deep down we have the same desire. Identify our creator and draw our strength from IT.
So from this point on I will be writing about "US" instead. Share "US" with all of you out there.
Let me throw out some things to think about. If we come from the same source then would it not stand to reason that at some level we are all connected? So why do we exploit, hurt, and kill each other? What is that barrier that keeps us from looking out for our betterment by looking out for everyones benefit? What is that "betterment" that we should be looking for that is univeral to us all?
Monday, February 14, 2011
Why is the Tenth Commandment different from the others?
Who remembers Mel Brooks, "The History of the World"? Remember Moses coming down with the 3 tablets of the commandments? Moses presented the tablets to the people and says, "The fif... [he drops one of the tablets]...the ten commandments!" Is there a lesson to be learned from this story? No I am not saying there were more than the Ten Commandments. But can we gain something out of the humor of Mel Brooks? I personally believe there is.
Exodus 20:14
...don't covet anything that is your neighbors.
Several years ago I read the TEN Commandments very carefully and discovered an interesting anomaly. The first 9 Commandments are fairly specific in terms of what to do and not to do. They tell us what actions not to or to take part in. But the Tenth commandment seems to have a slightly sublime aspect to it. After all, taking anyones possession is stealing (which is already mentioned in "thou shalt not steal"), committing adultery was also already mentioned in a previous commandment. So it should be clear that the subject is coveting!
Coveting is a process that takes place in the mind first then realized in action. It is the cause of the action. In this case a sin reaction. The Tenth Commandment is concerned with the intentions/motives for the sin, not the sin itself. Thus we could easily extend the concept of intent to the first 9 commandments as well.
In short it is teaching us that the INTENTION of our HEART is to be in play. The Commandments are not simply a do as I say, though there are times for simple obedience.
In short the Ten Commandments are to be simply obeyed otherwise the idea of Intent would have been specifically mentioned. However, including that insight from the Tenth Commandment teaches us that Intent must eventually become part of the picture.
Exodus 20:14
...don't covet anything that is your neighbors.
Several years ago I read the TEN Commandments very carefully and discovered an interesting anomaly. The first 9 Commandments are fairly specific in terms of what to do and not to do. They tell us what actions not to or to take part in. But the Tenth commandment seems to have a slightly sublime aspect to it. After all, taking anyones possession is stealing (which is already mentioned in "thou shalt not steal"), committing adultery was also already mentioned in a previous commandment. So it should be clear that the subject is coveting!
Coveting is a process that takes place in the mind first then realized in action. It is the cause of the action. In this case a sin reaction. The Tenth Commandment is concerned with the intentions/motives for the sin, not the sin itself. Thus we could easily extend the concept of intent to the first 9 commandments as well.
In short it is teaching us that the INTENTION of our HEART is to be in play. The Commandments are not simply a do as I say, though there are times for simple obedience.
In short the Ten Commandments are to be simply obeyed otherwise the idea of Intent would have been specifically mentioned. However, including that insight from the Tenth Commandment teaches us that Intent must eventually become part of the picture.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
What is our purpose?
Often we hear, "what is the meaning of life?" Once we look at the question without, "what is in it for me?" we can find a rather startling answer. In effect we are asking what is our purpose!
There are two verses, commandments, we need to consider:
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the L-rd your G-d with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your strength.
In short we are instructed to adhere ourselves to our Creator with all of our heart/desires, with all of our soul/spirit/life force, and with all of our physical abilities. We are to submit all of our existence from our soul, desires, and our physical being to His will.
His plea with us is to literally join and be partners with Him. The Creator and humans are to be one! One in purpose on a personal level. We are to become the fingers of G-d within creation.
And
Leviticus 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself for I am the L-rd
We covered this in a previous post "Love your neighbor: The 11th Commandment?" Suffice it to say, we are to realize and accept that a part of our Creator exists within each of us. This includes the righteous and the wicked as well as all of us in between.
This is His plea with us to literally join and be a partner with Him on a corporate level. We, as a people, are to become one with Him! We are to become a nation of people that He can call us by name. Hear O'Israel! Israel is anyone looking for a direct relationship with the Creator without any middlemen or intermediary deities.
As Hallel taught, these commandments sum up the entire Torah and all other commandments are in effect commentary for the two just mentioned above. The Torah is not replaced by these two commandments but rather these commandments give us our focus.
Each of these verses identify our Creator as the source and the reason for the commandments. We are being told that we are to be like our Creator. The Creator gives, that is His nature and this He does without variation. He is a constant that never changes. We are receivers by design but like to give as well. Thus as we receive from our Creator we are to share and bestow upon others. Can we image a world were all would give for the sake of all in an altruistic manner?
He is asking us to be like Him. The Torah, which is for all of mankind, Is His blue print for how we are to conduct our affairs with Him and our neighbor. By implementing the Torah with the correct intention of giving ourselves to our Creator selflessly, We can make a positive change in the universe.
Our purpose is to join and be like our Creator, not in form but in intention and attributes, by giving of ourselves in a selfless manner to Him.
There are two verses, commandments, we need to consider:
Deuteronomy 6:5 Love the L-rd your G-d with all of your heart, with all of your soul, and with all of your strength.
In short we are instructed to adhere ourselves to our Creator with all of our heart/desires, with all of our soul/spirit/life force, and with all of our physical abilities. We are to submit all of our existence from our soul, desires, and our physical being to His will.
His plea with us is to literally join and be partners with Him. The Creator and humans are to be one! One in purpose on a personal level. We are to become the fingers of G-d within creation.
And
Leviticus 19:18 Love your neighbor as yourself for I am the L-rd
We covered this in a previous post "Love your neighbor: The 11th Commandment?" Suffice it to say, we are to realize and accept that a part of our Creator exists within each of us. This includes the righteous and the wicked as well as all of us in between.
This is His plea with us to literally join and be a partner with Him on a corporate level. We, as a people, are to become one with Him! We are to become a nation of people that He can call us by name. Hear O'Israel! Israel is anyone looking for a direct relationship with the Creator without any middlemen or intermediary deities.
As Hallel taught, these commandments sum up the entire Torah and all other commandments are in effect commentary for the two just mentioned above. The Torah is not replaced by these two commandments but rather these commandments give us our focus.
Each of these verses identify our Creator as the source and the reason for the commandments. We are being told that we are to be like our Creator. The Creator gives, that is His nature and this He does without variation. He is a constant that never changes. We are receivers by design but like to give as well. Thus as we receive from our Creator we are to share and bestow upon others. Can we image a world were all would give for the sake of all in an altruistic manner?
He is asking us to be like Him. The Torah, which is for all of mankind, Is His blue print for how we are to conduct our affairs with Him and our neighbor. By implementing the Torah with the correct intention of giving ourselves to our Creator selflessly, We can make a positive change in the universe.
Our purpose is to join and be like our Creator, not in form but in intention and attributes, by giving of ourselves in a selfless manner to Him.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Love Your Neighbor: Altruism
In the previous post called "Love your Neighbor: The Eleventh Commandment?" We learned that loving others was an expression of our love for the Creator. We also learned that love is an act of giving not taking.
Understand that there are times to withhold as a form of loving. We can give by not giving. A child misbehaves so the child will lose a toy or a treat. This is a means to change a bad behavior. When reading the surrounding passage of Leviticus around 19:18 we find many actions of love. These are not simply emotional responses which love these days typically is based upon. We are being instructed to do for others, not only for their benefit but for the community and most importantly for our Creator.
The Torah, when properly understood and applied is a road map toward an altruistic existence with our Creator and those around us. We are to look out for the betterment of others. Not for their sake or even ours but rather according to the will of our Creator. What does this mean? By practicing Torah with the intention of pleasing our Creator's will and not for our gain we are actually benefiting everyone including ourselves.
Imagine a world where all of our energies are focused upon altruistic efforts and not of self gain.
Understand that there are times to withhold as a form of loving. We can give by not giving. A child misbehaves so the child will lose a toy or a treat. This is a means to change a bad behavior. When reading the surrounding passage of Leviticus around 19:18 we find many actions of love. These are not simply emotional responses which love these days typically is based upon. We are being instructed to do for others, not only for their benefit but for the community and most importantly for our Creator.
The Torah, when properly understood and applied is a road map toward an altruistic existence with our Creator and those around us. We are to look out for the betterment of others. Not for their sake or even ours but rather according to the will of our Creator. What does this mean? By practicing Torah with the intention of pleasing our Creator's will and not for our gain we are actually benefiting everyone including ourselves.
Imagine a world where all of our energies are focused upon altruistic efforts and not of self gain.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Love your neighbor: The Eleventh Commandment?
I once heard a person addressing a large audience stating that "love thy neighbor as yourself" was the 11th Commandment instituted by Jesus. I was shocked how ignorant people are of their Bibles. It brought to mind just how much we don't understand or apply this verse and this also adds to our ignorance. Let’s read it in the Torah, 1500 years before Jesus.
Leviticus 19:18b
Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the L-rd (Ha-Shem).
This particular verse is very different from the surrounding passage. It ends with a declaration from our Creator - I AM THE L-RD or I AM HA-SHEM. Why?
Here is another verse to contemplate first.
Genesis 1:26
Let’s create humans in our likeness.
We are created in our Creator’s image. Understand that "our likeness" is not hinting to multiple or multiplicity of gods. It is in reference to attributes of our Creator that It has revealed to us and placed within us. This means that through these similarities we are assured of a relationship with our Creator DIRECTLY. It is like plugging our mouse into the computer. As long as the mouse is created to work in the mouse port of the computer, it will communicate with the computer. However our relationship is more. We can understand and learn of our Creator via the attributes It has revealed and shared with and within us.
Genesis 2:8b
And breathed into his (the human) nostrils a breath of live.
It is essential to understand that our Creator did not waste It creative energies. Thus we are of value to our Creator. We are not abandoned, forgotten, or forsaken. To do so It would be rejecting and abandoning itself. Does that make sense? Rather the opposite is true. The breath of life in us is part of the Creator's soul within each and every one of us! This gives us LIFE! La'Chaim!!
Note that in Hebrew the word for love has an attribure of giving not taking.
Now reread Leviticus.
Leviticus 19:18b
Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the L-rd (Ha-Shem).
It should be clear we are to not only to love ourselves (without an ego), for the Creator made each of us as an individual, but those around us for they too are just as unique (special). Collectively we are the recipients of the same breath of our Creator and thus we are all part of a universal soul.
A piece of our Creator is within each of us. To love ourselves and others is to LOVE OUR CREATOR.
May this be a blessing to all that read it!
Shalom
Leviticus 19:18b
Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the L-rd (Ha-Shem).
This particular verse is very different from the surrounding passage. It ends with a declaration from our Creator - I AM THE L-RD or I AM HA-SHEM. Why?
Here is another verse to contemplate first.
Genesis 1:26
Let’s create humans in our likeness.
We are created in our Creator’s image. Understand that "our likeness" is not hinting to multiple or multiplicity of gods. It is in reference to attributes of our Creator that It has revealed to us and placed within us. This means that through these similarities we are assured of a relationship with our Creator DIRECTLY. It is like plugging our mouse into the computer. As long as the mouse is created to work in the mouse port of the computer, it will communicate with the computer. However our relationship is more. We can understand and learn of our Creator via the attributes It has revealed and shared with and within us.
Genesis 2:8b
And breathed into his (the human) nostrils a breath of live.
It is essential to understand that our Creator did not waste It creative energies. Thus we are of value to our Creator. We are not abandoned, forgotten, or forsaken. To do so It would be rejecting and abandoning itself. Does that make sense? Rather the opposite is true. The breath of life in us is part of the Creator's soul within each and every one of us! This gives us LIFE! La'Chaim!!
Note that in Hebrew the word for love has an attribure of giving not taking.
Now reread Leviticus.
Leviticus 19:18b
Love your neighbor as yourself. I am the L-rd (Ha-Shem).
It should be clear we are to not only to love ourselves (without an ego), for the Creator made each of us as an individual, but those around us for they too are just as unique (special). Collectively we are the recipients of the same breath of our Creator and thus we are all part of a universal soul.
A piece of our Creator is within each of us. To love ourselves and others is to LOVE OUR CREATOR.
May this be a blessing to all that read it!
Shalom
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Spirituality: Why Now?
In recent years the idea of spirituality has been surfacing. Many feel or sense it but, no one can explain it. It is something beyond explanation of words but is well within our ability to experience. What is going on? Why are we so interested in it now as opposed to the past?
In a nutshell, I think people are just now realizing the importance of spirituality in their lives. We are living in a time where we have great physical wealth and with the economic difficulties on the horizon, we are finding out that this wealth lacks something. It lacks real substance that will support our essence. Material wealth has proven to be empty. Why? Because in reality we are spiritual beings. Yes we have physical bodies but that is not who or what we really are.
We have also exhausted the limits of religion to explain or give a deeper meaning to our lives and give a satisfactory explanation of our importance. Where do we go for answers?
This can take volumes to talk about (yet that would not be enough). So I feel the answer is where do we start? Our spiritual walk is just that, a walk, not a destination. We have been taught, too long, by our religious institutions that faith is a destination not a journey. Could we image a religion filled with people journeying its faith? Every religion would not only lose control but would also lose people. The people would not be satisfied with the boundaries religion has established.
Abraham in Genesis 12 had the same problem. He left to go into the wilderness. But the Hebrew for going out means to "leave by going inside". He left for the wilderness to remove the distractions of the world. He then started to look for answers within himself. Why? A piece of God exist within each of us. A piece of a universal soul within us has the memory of the truth. We should be looking to access that memory and discover that TRUTH (EMET).
In a nutshell, I think people are just now realizing the importance of spirituality in their lives. We are living in a time where we have great physical wealth and with the economic difficulties on the horizon, we are finding out that this wealth lacks something. It lacks real substance that will support our essence. Material wealth has proven to be empty. Why? Because in reality we are spiritual beings. Yes we have physical bodies but that is not who or what we really are.
We have also exhausted the limits of religion to explain or give a deeper meaning to our lives and give a satisfactory explanation of our importance. Where do we go for answers?
This can take volumes to talk about (yet that would not be enough). So I feel the answer is where do we start? Our spiritual walk is just that, a walk, not a destination. We have been taught, too long, by our religious institutions that faith is a destination not a journey. Could we image a religion filled with people journeying its faith? Every religion would not only lose control but would also lose people. The people would not be satisfied with the boundaries religion has established.
Abraham in Genesis 12 had the same problem. He left to go into the wilderness. But the Hebrew for going out means to "leave by going inside". He left for the wilderness to remove the distractions of the world. He then started to look for answers within himself. Why? A piece of God exist within each of us. A piece of a universal soul within us has the memory of the truth. We should be looking to access that memory and discover that TRUTH (EMET).
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Messiah: What is it?
When talking about messiah we think of a man coming on the scene either from nowhere or from the sky with a heavenly host to set the world straight. This sounds great but it requires a reality check. These thoughts are based upon a single man (a super hero) whipping the world into shape as a benevolent king passing judgment upon the world. Thus by force the world is transformed. When reviewing the Torah we find no mention of such a messiah.
The word messiah comes from the Hebrew word moshiach, which means "anointed". Moses was instructed to create a special oil (Exodus 30:22-25, 31) that was kept in the Tabernacle (1 Kings 1:39). This oil was used only when instructed by God (Exodus 30:26) to use it, thus it was to confirm God's will (1 Kings 1:39-40). The furnishings of the Tabernacle as well as the priests were anointed or messiahed with the oil (Exodus 30:26-30). We find that kings and occasionally prophets were also messiahed as well (1 Kings 1:39, Psalm 45:8, 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Kings 19:16).
The Tabernacle was an image of the body of a man (Israel) and his relationship with the Creator. It was not an image of a single individual only (Exodus 4:22). When the Tabernacle was operational it was a health meter of Israel's (corporate body) relationship with God. It was the shadow of our corporate health with God in heaven.
With all of this in mind it is not difficult to contemplate that Israel is the Messiah. All of those that grasp the Torah, including those individuals from the nations are the Messiah. Messiah is not just about an individual but also the willing corporate body.
In the near future we will be faced with a false messiah that will usher in the Temple and sacrifices within Jerusalem. This man will be false because he is an individual not the corporate Messiah body of Israel. Many will believe that he is the Messiah but few will speak out against this beast. We have seen this before.
The word messiah comes from the Hebrew word moshiach, which means "anointed". Moses was instructed to create a special oil (Exodus 30:22-25, 31) that was kept in the Tabernacle (1 Kings 1:39). This oil was used only when instructed by God (Exodus 30:26) to use it, thus it was to confirm God's will (1 Kings 1:39-40). The furnishings of the Tabernacle as well as the priests were anointed or messiahed with the oil (Exodus 30:26-30). We find that kings and occasionally prophets were also messiahed as well (1 Kings 1:39, Psalm 45:8, 1 Samuel 9:16, 1 Kings 19:16).
The Tabernacle was an image of the body of a man (Israel) and his relationship with the Creator. It was not an image of a single individual only (Exodus 4:22). When the Tabernacle was operational it was a health meter of Israel's (corporate body) relationship with God. It was the shadow of our corporate health with God in heaven.
With all of this in mind it is not difficult to contemplate that Israel is the Messiah. All of those that grasp the Torah, including those individuals from the nations are the Messiah. Messiah is not just about an individual but also the willing corporate body.
In the near future we will be faced with a false messiah that will usher in the Temple and sacrifices within Jerusalem. This man will be false because he is an individual not the corporate Messiah body of Israel. Many will believe that he is the Messiah but few will speak out against this beast. We have seen this before.
Damnation/Hell
There are some that feel that we are all doomed to eternal Hell if we don’t agree to various “blind faith” religious doctrines. We have been taught by our religious western culture that since God is perfect we have been rejected by IT because we are not perfect. Thus we were created to be separated from God. This truly is a tragedy! We are left with the conclusion that we are unwanted. This creates a niche market and fertile grounds for snake oil salesmen of religious institutions to offer a solution to the very lies they create. HOW CONVENIENT!
But “blind faith” solutions defy logic. Let’s take a logical walk. If nothing is equal to the Creator and nothing exists outside of the Creator, than all exist within IT. Thus all that is within the Creator receives life from the Creator. If the Creator gives life to all souls then a piece of the Creator exists within each of us. This would mean without that piece of the Creator within us we would cease to exist. So we must exist due to God’s “breathe” within us. If our soul feels joy then our Creator, through that piece of ITSELF in us, “shares” in that joy. If we feel pain the Creator also “shares” in that pain. So if we are to be eternally damned then so too will be part of our Creator. Thus, eternal damnation cannot exist simply because God would be inflicting pain upon ITSELF.
One more thought may help to clarify this point. We at this point must conclude that Hell is a created place if it exists. If Hell is within our Creator, then Hell would be contained within our Creator. But here is the problem. Hell is a place devoid of God so souls can be tormented. Such a place cannot exist within our Creator Remember that nothing else exists other than the Creator. Thus Hell cannot exist.
Damnation or Hell is not spoken of or supported within the Torah. The Torah defines a covenant with mankind and would be the most appropriate time to mention such damnation. There are mentions of punishments but with a positive outcome assured by our Creator. Hell on the other hand, offers no hope thus opening a door for the snake oil salesmen that crafted a solution to the very problem they created.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Torahs Purpose: Exhaust Religion
The first five books of our Bibles are called the written Torah, Pentateuch, or the Books of Moses.
When asking people what the purpose of Torah is, we get varied responses. Some will say it is a book that teaches us how to live a life acceptable to G-d. Some will say it is the beginning of our faith. Others will say, it is about creation of the universe, creation of the people of faith, and creation of Israel. None of these are wrong. But is there a more subtle purpose for it. After all it was given to Israel after leaving an oppressive nation both physically and philosophically (Exodus 20:2).
It is interesting to note that no less than three religions use the Torah as their declaration of legitimacy for their religion. The three are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. How can this be? These three religions are very dissimilar and in many cases they are in opposition to each others' teachings and beliefs.
The answer is simply, that each religion implements the Torah as its base document for their religions beliefs. Each religion has it own doctrines and agenda. In short each has its own propaganda machine that redefines the Torah into a tool for the good of the religion. The Torah is placed secondary to the goals of the religious establishment. Rather the religions should be transforming itself for the GOOD of Torah.
Torah's purpose is to exhaust religion. It is meant to dismantle religious fallacies. What is left are the sparks of Truth that were hidden within the religion and raise them up for all to see. When that is done, religion will become passé and as such we will be drawn closer with a direct (Israel = Direct to God) relationship to our Creator with no intermediaries.
When asking people what the purpose of Torah is, we get varied responses. Some will say it is a book that teaches us how to live a life acceptable to G-d. Some will say it is the beginning of our faith. Others will say, it is about creation of the universe, creation of the people of faith, and creation of Israel. None of these are wrong. But is there a more subtle purpose for it. After all it was given to Israel after leaving an oppressive nation both physically and philosophically (Exodus 20:2).
It is interesting to note that no less than three religions use the Torah as their declaration of legitimacy for their religion. The three are Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. How can this be? These three religions are very dissimilar and in many cases they are in opposition to each others' teachings and beliefs.
The answer is simply, that each religion implements the Torah as its base document for their religions beliefs. Each religion has it own doctrines and agenda. In short each has its own propaganda machine that redefines the Torah into a tool for the good of the religion. The Torah is placed secondary to the goals of the religious establishment. Rather the religions should be transforming itself for the GOOD of Torah.
Torah's purpose is to exhaust religion. It is meant to dismantle religious fallacies. What is left are the sparks of Truth that were hidden within the religion and raise them up for all to see. When that is done, religion will become passé and as such we will be drawn closer with a direct (Israel = Direct to God) relationship to our Creator with no intermediaries.
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