Revelation at Sinai: Law & Covenant (Exodus 19-21)
Thursday Class with Dr. Edward Breuer
This morning we took a look at the Law and the Covenant as it is understood by the Jewish people. Again, it is important to remember that there is rarely one point of view concerning things Jewish. One thing that does unite the Jewish people over the past 3,000 years is the Law as revealed on Mount Sinai and as given in detail in the books of the Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It is the practice of the Law that unites the observant Jew. More than that, it is the correct observance of the Law that unites the observant Jews and that fulfils the covenant with God.
The details concerning the correct observance of the many Laws are the subject of rabbinic discussions known as "Midrash" and the "Talmud." Throughout the last millenium the discussions of the rabbis have been recorded and are used as the basis for continued discussions. As new situations arise, ways must be found to correctly observe and fulfil the Law. The Law is not incidental. The Law is the key to building a relationship with God. The fulling of the Law gives meaning to the observant Jew. It provides structure in which to live faithfully with God.
Persons in the Christian tradition might look at the Law and be tempted to judge it to be restrictive and an unnecessary burden. Some would even declare the Law to be a stumbling block to genuine faith. As I hear the fulfilling of the Law described by observant Jews, I understand the fulfilling of the Law to be a means and not an end in itself. It is a means to know one’s identity as a Jew. It is a means to walk with God. It is a means to connect with every Jewish brother and sister that has ever lived. It is a means to remember the biblical stories and events.
The Law is an invitation to live in a certain way. It is a vessel through which or in which the Jewish person can continually discover his/her relationship to God and to all neighbours.
This morning we took a look at the Law and the Covenant as it is understood by the Jewish people. Again, it is important to remember that there is rarely one point of view concerning things Jewish. One thing that does unite the Jewish people over the past 3,000 years is the Law as revealed on Mount Sinai and as given in detail in the books of the Exodus, Leviticus and Deuteronomy. It is the practice of the Law that unites the observant Jew. More than that, it is the correct observance of the Law that unites the observant Jews and that fulfils the covenant with God.
The details concerning the correct observance of the many Laws are the subject of rabbinic discussions known as "Midrash" and the "Talmud." Throughout the last millenium the discussions of the rabbis have been recorded and are used as the basis for continued discussions. As new situations arise, ways must be found to correctly observe and fulfil the Law. The Law is not incidental. The Law is the key to building a relationship with God. The fulling of the Law gives meaning to the observant Jew. It provides structure in which to live faithfully with God.
Persons in the Christian tradition might look at the Law and be tempted to judge it to be restrictive and an unnecessary burden. Some would even declare the Law to be a stumbling block to genuine faith. As I hear the fulfilling of the Law described by observant Jews, I understand the fulfilling of the Law to be a means and not an end in itself. It is a means to know one’s identity as a Jew. It is a means to walk with God. It is a means to connect with every Jewish brother and sister that has ever lived. It is a means to remember the biblical stories and events.
The Law is an invitation to live in a certain way. It is a vessel through which or in which the Jewish person can continually discover his/her relationship to God and to all neighbours.
posted by Philip | 5:12 a.m.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home