This morning I a woke with the subject of ‘knowledge’ on my mind. I knew shortly that I wanted to write on it for it has been on my mind for some time now.

Shortly after I woke I had read a writing on this week’s Torah section by Yossi Katz of the Breslov Research Institute, low and behold this very subject is mentioned in his writing. He brought to my attention another facet of the subject of knowledge that I had not thought of.

It seemed this subject was all around me. Several postings on my Facebook page from friends touched on the subject in one way or another.

Below is the definitions of ‘knowledge’ that I found on Bing.

knowl·edge
[ˈnäləj]

NOUN
1. facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject:

synonyms: understanding · comprehension · grasp · command · mastery ·
what is known in a particular field or in total; facts and information:

philosophy

2. true, justified belief; certain understanding, as opposed to opinion.
awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation:

synonyms: awareness · consciousness · realization · cognition · apprehension ·

 

They are for our example

Many of you may know a little of my past example, where after leaving one religion I began studying for another for some 6+ years to come to myself and take on the commandments that the Creator wanted me to do as an average human being born and raised in the south.

Because of the studies I had been involved in, I kind a laid them aside for a while so I could learn the commandments I was responsible for, only as I grew in the knowledge of these commandments I would also find that they led me back to where I had left off.

I think a lot of thanks go to a rabbi in the Atlanta area, he taught me not only how but the importance of asking questions.

By asking questions and listening to other questions, I have been able to find some answers for my self. Sometimes someone else will ask a question that is on your mind but haven’t asked it yourself.

The question goes something like this; in our world today many are taking hold to the Seven Commandments of the Creator but it seems the majority of the Hebrew Scriptures are about one nation. Why?

So many coming from a particular religion seems to think the whole bible/Hebrew Scriptures is for them, and from this they make some horrible mistake.

There is a reason the Hebrew Scriptures/ Tanach’s major emphasis is about the one nation of Israel and not the rest of us.

It is told to us that the Creator offered to us the Torah, His instructions. But the nations at the time basically said no. But Israel as a nation said yes so in away they won the toss so to speak.

In the book of Isaiah, we the nations are asked by the Creator to look to Him only,

Isaiah 45:22
Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else.

Out of all the nations, Israel is the only example we have in looking toward the Creator. They not only represent our rebellious side but also or thirst for proper spirituality. The instructions of our Creator are designed to help us be better Humans and souls. The divide has become blurred. In the one manual are instructions given to Israel only, it is through their Help and teaching that we find our place in creation. It is not they are holding out on us or being 1st class, Israel holds a special place in the Creators eyes as a nation who will show the rest of us the way back to the Creator. The Tanach does not want everyone to become Israel but for each of us to obey the Creator where we are at.

Knowledge lead to faith

Yossi Katz in his article, he showed us that after all the miracles that Israel saw, through their knowledge that the Creator has power over nature, they had faith.

Exodus 14:31
And Israel saw the great work which the LORD did upon the Egyptians, and the people feared the LORD; and they believed in the LORD, and in His servant Moses

Yossi katz further states in his article that, “The purpose of expanding our knowledge is to strengthen our faith.”

The Creator in psalm 46 tells the nations to stop and Know Him. We are told to stop what we are doing not only to ourselves but to the world and to Israel and know Him. Finally after the world has about destroyed its self the Creator steps in and through His miraculous deeds, shows us what Israel saw and saves us. Our knowledge of Him will lead us to proper faith in the Creator.

Up to the mountain

Israel experienced the Creator on a mountain to learn of His ways, now it is the rest of the worlds turn.

Isaiah 2:2-3
And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the LORD’S house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many peoples shall go and say: ‘Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.

So what has been on my mind lately is – knowledge & Israel – not only has my studies but also my questions have led me to faith. With proper teachings from Israel I will correctly know my place in the Creator’s teaching and I will know Him.

All knowledge is to know Him, and through this knowledge my faith is strengthened.

The purpose of expanding our knowledge is to strengthen our faith.

Terry W. Hayes
1/2018