Interpretation, is it required to read the Tanach?

Interpretation, is it required to read the Tanach?

The answer is: a multi-layered maybe. What Interpretation can I bet my soul on? Or my children’s souls? Or my family’s souls? If I follow, why do I follow? What am I being told to do? Why am I being told this? IS IT RIGHT?  

Like so many things in life, the perspective makes all of the difference when attempting to understand, anything. For example, I am not able to read and understand the meaning of the biblical hebrew found in the Torah. Therefore I must use many different translations of the five Books of Moses, also know as the Torah. Add to those translations, Hebrew/English and English/Hebrew, Greek/English and English/Greek(for New Testament) dictionaries and a couple of concordances. This gets me closer to each individual word as well as the possible variations of that word. The next step for me is to read the entire passage to make sure that I have the best meaning/fit for the words in question. Last and of course not the least of these steps is to open my heart to the word of G-D, after all HE is the author of its meaning. Now, read the Old Testament(Tanach)(and the New) this way over and over again for years. What I get is a different perspective with more refinement and understanding, from each reading, each study session, coupled with prayer and contemplation. All of this is interpretation. The interpretation that I am betting my soul on. 

The last is probably this most important piece to keep in mind, You Are Betting Your Soul on what every decision you make. For example, the worse thing Adam did in as related in Genesis 3:17, was not eating of the tree of Knowledge. It was that he listened to his wife, when the L’RD instructed Adam, Himself. Adam chose to listen to his wife, and for this the Ground was cursed.... I have listened to many different INTERPRETATIONS of that story, but I have never heard that presented as the reason for being forced to the fields and hard labor. By the way, why did the snake know that we (even now) would mis-interpret the meaning of Death? (Gen. 3:3..4 verses Gen. 2 17.) 

It seems that much of what has happened, is do to our thoughts being on something less important than what we should be thinking about –my commentary.

I have not found anything in the Torah(Written Books of Moses), which is a mistake or without value. It is only our lack of understanding and lack of desire to gain that understanding, that keeps us from knowing. However, if a child of six or seven can sit down and read the word of G’D, and learn what they should and should not do, why do we not question what we are told? We just accept it as being correctly stated. Each of us is required to seek understanding of Right and wrong and perform that which is Right. 

G’d wants us to do that which is RIGHT, to seek HIS forgiveness and stop doing that which is wrong. Ezekiel 18:21 “Moreover, if the wicked one repents of all his sins that he committed and keeps all of My Laws and does what Is just and right, he shall live;....”

Last statement today: 

Deuteronomy 30:11" Surely, this Instruction which I enjoin upon you this day is not too baffling for you, nor is it beyond reach. ......14: No, the thing is very close to you, in your mouth and in your heart, to observe it.” This statement from Moses has been twisted by most religious leaders I have ever heard(with more that 50 years of listening). In Exodus 20 the L’RD G’D came down from the mountain, to the those who escaped from Egypt. He came with thunder, lighting, a blaring of horn, a smoking mountain which scared the people so badly that in Ex. 20:16 “You speak to us” they said to Moses, “and we will obey; but lot not G’D speak to us lest we Die.” They send Moses to hear G’D and report what they promise to DO! At the end of Moses life, Moses is pointing out that he has told you and noone needs to go get it for you.

You must choose. You must love the L’RD our G’D, with all of your heart, with all of your soul and with all of your being.  

Shalom,

James