"Judge not, that you be not judged"

"Judge not, that you be not judged" This is a quote from Matthew 7:1, King James Bible, part of the Sermon on the mount.

It is also used by many to be open hearted to evil doers and is in my opinion completely against the GOD of Abraham, the GOD of Isaac and the GOD of Jacob, for all of the following reasons.

You must judge, and you judge yourself FIRST! Maybe the issue is the word JUDGE. For me to judge, a verb, means to determine right from wrong in any circumstance.

Webster's Dictionary on-line states: Definition of JUDGE; transitive verb 1: to form an opinion about through careful weighing of evidence and testing of premises.

Dictionary.com (American Heritage Dictionary) Definition of JUDGE; transitive verb; 8. to form a judgment or opinion of; decide upon critically.

This is a TEST.....! Will you pass?

We, everyone of us is tested by The Creator of the Heavens and Earth. For me this statement goes without any further question. A rich person, one that inherited the family's wealth built over generations, seams to have a life of ease, yet bored, anger, frustration, misdeeds, . . . . . plague that life.

Every decision or choice we make which involves the Laws and Teachings given by G-D, is either for or against G-D. It does not matter whether or not you know these Laws and Teachings found in the Writings of Moses, you and I are accountable to G-D.

Why should we follow the Five Books of Moses --The Law?

We are told in the Five Books of Moses, to Love G-D, Know the Law and Keep our hands from doing evil. It seems that these Laws and Rules are generally not followed, unless we happen to understand and agree that they are acceptable to us.

The World is a harsh place to live in and the people are worse. This leads us to seek what is beneficial to our own welfare first and foremost. Later if we get around to it, we will work on these other things like: Love G-d, Know the Law(HIS LAW), make sure that we do them(if we think about it). It seems that way when I look at the world and the people around me. We are also quick to find fault and justifications not to listen or accept that which is written in the First Five Books of the Bible or Tanach. Surprising as I believe that most have NOT read them, or even attempted to really understand what they read. However, we are ready to agree and accept those that give a opinion of "I'm OK, You're OK, Everybody else needs to change" type of speech. But, are we OK? Is the World we live in getting Better or Worse?

So back to the original question: Why should we follow the Five Books of Moses --The Law?

What is your opinion, question or comment?

Shalom

RE: H''EM's Question to Miriam and Aaron

Let me paraphrase question presented in Numbers 12:8 "why were you not afraid to speak against MY servant Moses?"

Some starting points which I know to be true:
   -- Questions by H''em are not random nor chance events in the Writings of Moses.
   -- H''em already knows all of the answers
   -- Therefore the question is being presented to the read/student and for US.

The implication of this question requires the contexts of: when, where, who is present, condition of the environment and what happens next, these are the talking points today. I am not attempting to answer the question. However, I am going to use examples from the Writings of Moses to demonstrate what happens to those that act in manner that justifies need for the Question along with those that follow them.

My synopsis of the story: Miriam is talking to Aaron, with Moses nearby. She in belittling Moses, her brother and his wife which is Midianite/Cushite woman. With no resistance from her audience(Aaron) she places herself and Aaron at the same level as Moses for authority and service to H''em. Aaron says nothing but lets Miriam do the talking. GOD shows anger a this event and orders the three in to the Tent of Meeting, a cloud covers the doors to prevent escape and intrusion -- like a Management Reprimand. The event it is written in the Book, so that we may also understand what they are being told. H''EM tells of Moses special relationship with H''EM, (which is also demonstrated by H''EM in this very act of Defense of Moses)then asked the question just prior to leaving the Tent of Meeting, whereupon Miriam receives punishment. Aaron begs Moses for help, Moses pleads with God on Miriam's behalf.... This was Chapter 12.(A rebellion against Moses by Miriam with Aaron listening to gossip.)

In Chapter 13 & 14, Ten spies return from spying in the Promised Land and the people turn away from GOD, Moses and the Land --Moses pleads to save the lives of the Rebellers(the children of Israel) and Israel is made to wander the desert 40 years, instead of being utterly destroyed .(This is a rebellion against H''em and Moses)

Chapter 15 One Law for Israel and the Stranger that attaches themselves to Israel.

Chapter 16 Another rebellion, this by Korah and his followers. These also want to lift themselves above Moses and Aaron. These are even going to take over the worship in the House of H''em, O.K., the Mobile Temple of H''em. God declares that HE will destroy all of them. Again Moses prays to not harm those which are not directly involved. GOD is merciful, and must 14,700 more die the day after the Korah Matter.(H''em acts for HIS Honor and to defend Moses, without Moses request for asistance.)

Patterns: Rebelling against Moses is the same as rebelling against GOD.
              H''M takes an active role to defend HIS servant against all comers
              While Moses prayed for salvation of the wrong doers, in the end, all that were saved continued to rebel and died for they would not learn.

How will up answer the question "why were you not afraid to speak against MY servant Moses?" Will GOD even ask it of you? Of was this the time of the question?

Shalom,

Yaakov

Seeking understanding regarding a question by H'shem.

Tue Jun 08, 2010 12:37 am
There are some basic thoughts on the best ways to learn from the Bible(x-tian) or Tanach - Jewish.

--First, read a section at a time. i.e. If you are reading about the flood, read all of the story of Noah, then you will have the contexts and a better chance of understanding what is written.

--Second, if you have read a section before, and something this time seems "out of place" try to understand that something until you KNOW the truth of it. Don't give up, you can do it.

--Third, when you have finished the the Bible, do it again. I like to find a new way to read the Bbile. I mean one time I read it as a good story --after all many people I have heard call it just that. I have read it looking a GOD as Father and seeking clues to being a great papa himself.

The question that I have today is: Numbers 12:8 "...How then did you not shrink from speaking against My Servant Moses?"(JPS version 2000)

That question is truly misplaced in general terms. **This section I call the Sedition of Miriam, as only she is punished, only she spoke before GOD took up the defense of Moses, most of what GOD says is hidden from the Israelites in camp, but not from us.

First, it is GOD's Question.
Second, I know that GOD knew all of this before HE said "Let there be LIght!" ....So I must assume that it is not Moses, Aaron of Miriam to answer GOD.
My conclusions so far. Everything is done for a reason, as to me there seems to be no frivolous of unnecessary discussions or instructions. So I know that the conversation was not for those in the desert but for us to gain wisdom from.

Do you have an insight regarding this question? Please post your thoughts here.

Shalom,

Yaakov

Power Grab --ATTEMPTED

Korah – Power Grab –ATTEMPTED

Numbers 16:1 through 18:32 --Parsha Korah


In this story we have a power struggle for the glory and honor associated with Leading the Children of Israel. Korah a descendant of Levi, along with Dathan and Abiram descendants of Rueben attempt to take power from Moses and Aaron by force of numbers if not by physical force. Along with Koran are 250 leaders and elders of the tribes of Israel, know to be men of repute.


What seems to be lacking here is a knowledge of Hashem in WHOs service Moses and Aaron employed. Korah is a cousin to Moses and Aaron, of the Levi family which carries much responsibility already, so why an attempted take over?


When Korah and his gang confront Moses, Moses falls down on his face and never fights them (this is not Moses’ battle.) Moses then informs the crowd that Hashem will judge this in the morning. When Moses has finished with this statement, he informs them that “You have gone too far, Sons of Levi!”



This story points out to me that Korah and his followers are not here to worship The L-RD G-D, they are here for themselves, and their glory. If they had any wisdom at all, they would never have attempted this takeover. Hashem chooses and assigns people to jobs and tasks, whether we understand the reasoning or not.


Back to the story, Moses pleads with Hashem not to destroy all of the Children of Israel because of a few bad ones. Hashem relents and in the morning Korah and his fellows are of the same mind set as the previous night, they and all they possess and all who bond with them are swallowed by the earth in a moment. It actually says Numbers 16:43 “They went down alive into Sheol, with all that belonged to them, the earth closed over them and they vanished from the midst of the congregation.” Note: Sheol should be read as HELL, Alive into Sheol was unheard of, but it also means that the normal process is to go there after you die. This I take as one proof of a SOUL that continues after the body is dead and dies later –if it is not righteous.


This is not the end for it seems that when we have our mind and heart set on doing evil we will not sense the danger we are in. Hence, we find: The next day the whole Israelite community railed against Moses and Aaron, saying “You two have brought death upon the Lord’s people!” Moses again pleads with the Lord and sends Aaron with a fire pan with fire from the Alter, into the community to make atonement for the people, thereby saving most from the instant plague from Hashem. 14,700 died in moments from the anger of Hashem represented by the plague.


Torah also points out that this number (14,700)does not include the ones from Korah’s group on the previous day. Hashem does not like rebels and those that mutter against Him.


Many things can be learned in this section, the last I present is: Hashem is the one with the power and the glory. He guards His glory and His name steadfastly. He also guards those who love Him and keep his Laws and Rules by which we can Live!

May you seek Hashem and His Law with all that you are. If you do this, you will be successful.

Shalom,
Yaakov