/
RSS Feed
Shalom. This is our audio commentary on the portion Vay’yelech – “and he went.” On the last day of his life, Moses went through the camp to encourage the people that the Creator would continue to guide them even though he, Moses, would no longer be with them. Yet, he also warned them that, in the future, their disobedience would cause God to “hide” His face from them and it wouldn’t be until the end of days that their descendants would turn back to God with their whole heart. There is much to be considered in this portion.
Download PDF by copying and pasting this link into your browser:
https://billcloud.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/Vayyelech.pdf
Hello,
I enjoy listen to your teachings. I look forward to the next lesson. I have been wondering about the scriptures where Paul and some others are addressing the Jewish leaders about converted Gentiles. They are debating if they have to keep the law of Moses. Finally, it is determined that they abstain from food polluted by idols, sexual immorality and strangled animals and from blood (Acts 15). Does this not exclude Gentiles, non- Jews, from the traditional rituals celebrated by Jewish people? Can you shed light on this matter?
Lisa;
First of all, the things addressed by James in Acts 15 that non-Jews were supposed to observe came directly from what is called the “Heart of the Torah” (Leviticus 17 & 18). For more information on that aspect of things, I’d recommend that you listen to my commentary on the Torah Portion called Acharei Mot.
Secondly if you read Acts 15 carefully you will see that these three (or four) things were not the only things they were to do because as James continues he says, “For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath” (Acts 15:21). In other words, if these non-Jewish people continue coming to synagogue each Sabbath, they will hear more of Moses (Torah) being taught. The implication is, we give them a place to start, they hear the Word and they wil grow in it just as we have had to grow in it. Don’t put too much on them at one time.
That is a cursory view of the topic; there are many other teachings in the Gleaning Corner of this site that will address things like this in greater detail. Blessings.