Musing – Why Do We Argue?

Hebraic Musing – Why Do We Argue?

The Jews are known for arguing; they always have an alternative opinion.  I’ve said this before – I want to meet a Rabbi with only one hand; so he won’t say “on the other hand.”  The penchant for arguing is obvious in a Yeshiva (school for study of Torah and Talmud) scene in the movie “Yentl.”  The scene was a chaotic cacophony in a room full of students seated in pairs across the table from each other and each student arguing loudly and vehemently with his partner.  It was chaotic!  Israeli politics are no different. 

Case in point:  In the 1980s, an Israeli politician appeared on the Morton Downey, Jr. Show, a controversial talk show that was known for heated, even acrimonious debates between the show’s guests. When this politician made his appearance, everyone was screaming at him – the guests, the audience, everyone. As they called him names, hurled threats and voiced their hatred of Israel, the Israeli sat completely calm.
When Morton asked him how he could sit so calmly, the politician replied: “I’m used to this. This is what our Knesset (the Israeli parliament) discussions are like every day!”

Whether you go into the Knesset or into a yeshiva you will likely find Jews screaming at each other in disagreement. Yet, in this week’s Torah portion we learned about how Korah disagreed with Moses and attempted to usurp the authority and truths that God Almighty had given Moshe and Aaron.  Korah’s disagreement was actually rebellion against YHWH Himself; therefor he brought the punishment upon himself.  “Korah son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and certain Reubenites … — became insolent   and rose up against Moses.” Numbers 16:1-2  NIV   Later in verse 32 “ and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, with their households and all Korah's men and all their possessions.”

So, is there a right way and a wrong way to argue or disagree?

The Talmud tells about a scholar whose study partner Reish died, so he was assigned a new study partner.  His new partner was known to be the most brilliant man in town!  But the scholar was sad.  When asked why so sad, he replied “This man is indeed a scholar. In fact, he’s so brilliant that he can come up with 24 ways to prove that what I’m saying is correct.   But when I studied with Reish, he brought me 24 proofs that what I was saying was wrong.  That's what I miss!  The goal of study is not to just have someone agree with me.  I want someone to criticize, question, and prove to me that I’m wrong.  That's what uncovering the truth is about!”   

KEY POINT -- Judaism differentiates between acrimonious arguments and “arguments for the sake of heaven.”  The first is destructive, the other constructive.  Jews are allowed to disagree with each other – and they are even encouraged to question one another – when the goal of both parties is to uncover the truth.   True intellectual integrity requires solicitation of opposing points of view.  However, when it comes to arguments with ulterior motives – such as self-aggrandizement or the desire to put someone else down – those are the types of disputes we all need to avoid.

So next time you find yourself in a heated debate, or even better, next time you find yourself about to enter one, ask yourself if your argument is for the right reason.  If it isn’t, then walk away peacefully.  If it is to search out the truth, then go right ahead and argue!

Points to ponder

Why am I always so sure I am right?

Why do we sometimes lose friends after arguing?

 “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."  John 8:32

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                   July 11, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com

Note – Inspired by and excerpted from IFCJ email June 21, 2017 -- “Arguments for Heaven’s Sake”
         - The Torah portion for that week was “Korach” from Numbers 16:1–18:32.

Musings – Why did God give us “Appointed Times?

Hebraic Musings – Why did God give us “Appointed Times?

The Jewish calendar has special days often referred to as “Jewish Feast Days.”  In Hebrew they are “Moadim” (appointed times, festivals or feasts).  The Lord communicated them to Moses “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: 'These are my appointed feasts…” Leviticus 23:1-2 NIV  Let’s look at each of these “Moadim” recognizing them as foreshadowings of God’s appointed times.  Maybe they apply to us Christians as the Lord’s people?

Sabbath Rest.  "'There are six days when you may work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath of rest, a day of sacred assembly. You are not to do any work; wherever you live, it is a Sabbath to the Lord.”  Lev 23:3     “Seven” denotes “Completion” in Hebrew symbolism; so, is the seventh day Sabbath a foreshadowing of our eternal rest upon completion?   There are seven more “Moadim” – 3 in Spring, 1 in late Spring, 3 in Fall -- Menorah pic!!!  

1.   Passover is the first Spring feast – “The Lord's Passover begins at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month.”  Lev 23:5-6   For the Jews, it starts a new year.  For Christians Passover has the dearest connection with the sacrificial death of Jesus, our Messiah.

2.   Feast of Unleavened Bread starts on the 15^th day of the first month; “For seven days you must eat bread made without yeast.”  In Exodus, they came out of Egypt, released from the bondage of Satan, and ate unleavened (sinless) bread.  Sinless Jesus died on the cross for us; so does Matzo represent the sinless bread of life.

3.   First Fruits celebration -- “When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.”  Lev 23:10-11   This early spring celebration thanks the Lord for the barley harvest, the first crop of the year.  As Christians, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ as our firstfruits of life from the dead.  “He is risen” and now lives His sinless life in us Christians!

Shavuot, or Pentecost -- the Middle light  “Count off fifty days (after Passover) … and then present an offering of new grain to the Lord.” Lev 23:16-17     Moses received the 10 commandments on Shavuot - foreshadowing of the Holy Spirt being poured out on believing disciples in Acts as the first harvest of souls into the Kingdom of God.

1.      Rosh Hashanah (Trumpets) begins with a blast – “'On the first day of the seventh month you are to have a day of rest, a sacred assembly commemorated with trumpet blasts.” Lev 23:24-25   The ten days starting with Rosh Hashanah and ending with Yom Kippur are known as Days of Awe or Days of Repentance.  Could the trumpet calls be a foreshadowing of the end of times. ‘Pre-Trib’ folks consider this the rapture of the Church.

2.      Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) – “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. … sacred assembly and deny yourselves, ….  Do no work on that day, because …Atonement is made for you before the Lord your God.  Anyone who does not deny himself on that day must be cut off … destroy … anyone who does any work on that day. …  do no work at all. … a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.… and you must deny yourselves.” Lev 23:27-32  For the Jews, the holiest day of the year.  Should we pay attention to “…lasting ordinance for the generations to come….”?  While there are a number of ways to view this most Holy Day, I find myself honoring it as a day of deep self-reflection supported by a serious fast. 

3.      Sukkot (Tabernacles or Booths) – “On the fifteenth day of the seventh month the Lord's Feast of Tabernacles begins, and it lasts for seven days. … present offerings … and on the eighth day hold a sacred assembly and present an …. It is the closing assembly;” Lev 23:34-36   This feast is celebrated by eight days living outdoors in flimsy shelters remembering God’s miraculous salvation of His people (from Egypt, or from Sin?). The final day is called Simchat Torah, a full day devoted to “The Joy of the Torah”. Sounds a lot like heaven to me!  Is this what Micah and Isaiah taught us when we say the Lord will once again “tabernacle” with His people?   The Lord enjoyed the 7 days in the booths fellowshipping with His people so He added one more day! 

 Points to ponder

Are these “Jewish Feast Days”?  Or “God’s Appointed times” for all of us?!

Hag Sameach (Happy Holiday)

 Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                              July 4, 2017

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings”      www.InsightsByYosef.com