Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry Jerusalem, Israel

ISSUE 35 OCTOBER 2016 / TISHREI 5777

“…for out of Zion shall come forth Torah and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.” —Isaiah 2:3

From the Beginning FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS IN GENESIS MY BROTHER’S KEEPER | JEALOUSY AND REVELATION | THE HOUSE OF

Teaching from Zion 35.indd 1 10/25/2016 10:48:46 AM From the Beginning Teaching from Zion ISSUE 35 OCTOBER 2016 / TISHREI 5777 Relationships Within the Story of Creation Published by Netivyah Bible Instruction JOSEPH SHULAM...... 4 Ministry, Jerusalem, Israel Layout: Anne Mandell Am I My Brother’s Keeper? Special thanks to First Fruits of Zion for their assistance with HANNAH KOVNER...... 9 this publication. The articles printed in this issue ofTeaching from Upon the Ark: Noach and His Family Zion are the sole responsibility of their authors. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or by ELHANAN BEN-AVRAHAM...... 14 mail at PO Box 8043, Jerusalem 91080, ISRAEL. Abraham Our Father: A Family Man More Information Website: www.netivyah.org JOSEPH SHULAM...... 15 Youtube: www.youtube.com/netivyahisrael Life of : Jealousy and Revelation SOLOMON INTRATER...... 20 www.facebook.com/netivyah

The House of Joseph: Genesis 45 About Netivyah BOAZ MICHAEL...... 22 Netivyah in Hebrew means “the Way of the Lord.” “The Way” was one of the names by which the early community of believers was known in the Brit Chadashah (New Testament). Paul says: “… According to the Way which they call ‘sectarian,’ I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is accordance with the Torah, and that is written in the Prophets” (Acts 24:14). As followers of “the Way,” we believe in the God of Israel, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. We try to be faithful to God’s law (the Torah) and to the rest of Scripture—the Prophets and the Writings. We believe that the Messiah promised in God’s word is Yeshua (Jesus), the one who “saves His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Cover Artwork: Isaac blessing Jacob by Govert Flinck (1638). An elderly Isaac sits in his bed and blesses Jacob. To the right of the bed Rebecca is standing.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 2 10/25/2016 10:48:50 AM News from Netivyah

e are pleased to present this new issue of Teaching from Zion which touches on the important heroes W of Genesis and the fascinating lives they led. In our current age, one of the profound issues that we face includes relationship troubles, particularly within families. It is relationships be- courage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them tween people that suffer all” (1 Thessalonians 5:14). the most due to the swift Another community that we serve is the Messianic Body changes in our societies, in Israel. One way in which we do this is by giving gifts to especially with the tech- Messianic soldiers currently in the IDF, we typically distrib- nological revolution and ute these packages in the springtime. In order to encourage post-modern desire to create a “new man,” who is detached personal excellence, we also provide yearly scholarships for from history, traditions, and community. By examining the Messianic students involved with academic institutions in lives of our forefathers, the challenges they faced and the Israel. We believe that helping the body of Messiah in Is- roads they took, we can learn how to better overcome our rael in its intellectual, spiritual, and educational growth is own problems and how to live in accordance with God’s will. the task of utmost importance. This makes us an authentic After settling into our new building, we have decided to and influential part of Israeli society; building up strong and direct our focus particularly on spiritual growth. This year we independent congregations both physically and spiritually. have emphasized on our community and the families within I am currently traveling in the Far East in the company of it. A few months ago, Netivyah started a recent tradition of two young men from Netivyah. We will be teaching and shar- monthly Kabbalat Shabbat meetings; the congregation comes ing with our dear brothers from the Word of God. The first together on Friday evenings to worship our Creator and Sav- seminar is dedicated to King David, his personality and the ior. Traditional songs and blessings are followed by a com- great lessons we can learn from him. The teaching discusses munal dinner and fellowship. This allows us to build more how David was the beloved of God and one of the most prom- intimate relationships, becoming true brothers and sisters inent prototypes of Messiah. We hope to create a publication to one another. It also puts to practice the following Biblical that highlights the life of King David in the near future. A sec- command: “And let us consider how to stir up one another to ond seminar with our brothers in Asia, will be held on the love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is book of Leviticus, a less-familiar book to many Christians. the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the Fall is approaching quickly, and with it comes the High more as you see the Day drawing near” (Hebrews 10:24–25). Holidays. We are looking forward to celebrating these Biblical Netivyah’s Food Distribution Center that was founded Feasts together with many friends and visitors from around over 15 years ago, has now officially been named! We are the world. It is a very special season of self-examination, re- pleased to introduce you to “Hamotzi,” which comes from the pentance, renewal, and intimacy with our Creator. It is the traditional Jewish prayer over bread: “Hamotzi lechem min time to seek His truth and presence in every aspect of our lives, ha Aretz …” it means “who brings forth bread from the earth.” especially in the relationships we have with those we cherish. It emphasizes our connection to this Land, to our roots, and I wish you all, our dear brothers and sisters, a very blessed gives us the privilege to serve those around us. Helping your New Year filled with God’s guidance and grace! neighbor is considered one of the most important Biblical values. “And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, en- NETIVYAH BIBLE INSTRUCTION MINISTRY

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 3 10/25/2016 10:48:53 AM By Joseph Shulam

Relationships Within the Story of Creation WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC

Detail from the Adam and Eve (Lucas Cranach the Elder)

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 4 10/25/2016 10:48:54 AM od has made creation fundamentally relational. Since the 19th century, a new system Even more so, we who are created in the image of thought has been introduced: human- ism. In this example, all concerns, inter- G of God are made to be relational beings, as it is ests, needs, and welfare are embedded written: “Then God said, ‘Let Us make man in Our image, only in the human being. The human according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over serves as both the problem and the solu- tion to all his successes and failures. If I the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the had to redefine humanism, I would ex- cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that plain it as the following: man is on his own, for himself and by himself. Human- creeps on the earth’” (Genesis 1:26). ists emphasize the rights of the individ- ual, the equality of all human beings, Inherently, we all seek lifelong re- God said to them, ’Be fruitful and mul- and the freedom of choice. However, it lationships, such as the kind formed tiply …” (Genesis 1:27–28). As it can be ignores the tribe, community responsi- between a man and a woman, as was seen in the bolded words, already in the bilities, and relationships. God’s plan. The next verse that affirms text of chapter 1 we see that the creation this states, “So God created man in His of men and women was pre-engineered No Man Is an Island own image; in the image of God He cre- and pre-planned to be “them” and not Man is a creature of the community, ated him; male and female He created only “Him.” It is especially important tribe, village, and universe. This is how them” (Genesis 1:27). It makes the point because God Himself according to His God Himself designed us as a people. again, in a more emphatic way, that the own nature has the essence of a male Modern existentialism that is the en- relationship between a male and female and female as well. We are in a multi- gine that moves our modern western is in fact the first human relational pair. level relationship with our Creator and society has made man more isolated, Going back to the story of Genesis, it with our fellow creatures, however, it is lonelier, and much more emotionally starts with a clean slate and later on evident that the most basic aspect of all dysfunctional.2 Yes, we have better cars, God creates the first man, Adam. Al- these relationships is that of a male and warmer homes, and faster computers, though very quickly there is a double a female. It is the only relationship that but we have not bothered to improve realization both by God in relation to guarantees a future for the human race our inner person. We find an interest- Adam and by Adam himself, “And the and reproduces it. ing statement by Rabbi Hillel that elab- LORD God said, ‘It is not good that Similarly, in the plant and animal orates on this topic, “If I am not for my- man should be alone; I will make him world, just about everything is based on self, who will be for me? But if I am only a helper comparable to him’” (Genesis a couple paradigm. For instance, many for myself, who am I? If not now, when?” 2:18). After reading the previous pas- plants need some means of pollination; (Ethics of the Fathers 1:14). These words sages, the question that comes to mind one plant plays the female role while from Hillel in the early First Century concerning God’s plan is whether the the other plays the male. Often there Christian Era actually present the issue creation of the woman was a secondary is a type of matchmaker, such as a bug in rhetorical form, thus it has a correlat- idea or an after thought. The answer is or a bee that brings pollen of the same ing answer. The implication of this state- not simple, but it is actually described species to the female plant. Animals also ment is that if I am living only for myself, in the text itself. fall into the couple category as they re- I am really nothing. This next Poem by Note that from the beginning God quire both a male and female for repro- John Donne actually expresses the very is corporate.1 He is speaking to some- duction. Thus, the paradigm seen with basic idea that I am striving to present one and He speaks in plurality, “Let Us nature affirms how God specifically or- in this article: make man in Our image, according to dered the relationships amongst males Our likeness, let them have dominion and females. Even with history, it shows “No man is an island, Entire of over . . .” Going back to a formerly men- that anytime this basic pair is disturbed, itself, tioned verse, we see the logic in this spe- it brings moral depravity first, then so- Every man is a piece of the conti- cific language: “So God created man in cial decay, and finally it brings the end of nent, A part of the main. His own image; in the image of God He civilization. This happened with Greece If a clod be washed away by the created him; male and female He cre- and Rome, as well as with other, less-fa- sea, Europe is the less. ated them. Then God blessed them, and miliar chapters of history. As well as if a promontory were.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 5 10/25/2016 10:48:54 AM Relationships between humans are hold a moral obligation for human be- ings to follow its rule, man might as well not mere philosophical abstractions be the descendant of apes. in the first book of the Bible. The story of Creation in Genesis is indeed the very matrix of relationships that is basic to our human character and existence. Men and women in the As well as if a manor of thy friend’s as all the rest of His creatures. One of are not perfect from the or of thine own were: the most heartfelt scenes in the Bible is beginning. They are presented with two Any man’s death diminishes me, God’s visit to Adam and Eve after they choices, one in which there is a prom- Because I am involved in eat the forbidden fruit. God comes per- ise of improvement based on disobedi- mankind, sonally (the Voice of God = the Word of ence and a relationship of free-will and And therefore never send to know God) to visit Adam and Eve, “in the gar- freedom. It is exactly this freedom of for whom the bell tolls; den at the time of the evening breeze” choice that is set before us as children It tolls for thee.” (Genesis 3:8). This scene is one of the of God that makes our relationship both greatest examples of a warm and per- with God and with each other a living The family units in the book of sonal relationship between the sinful dynamic that is all dependent on our Genesis exhibit the joy and the prob- man/woman and the Almighty Creator families. Genesis continues to present lems of this basic pair called “man and of the Universe. every family in the book with full disclo- woman” which are joined together to In the 20th Century, there were some sure of the blemishes, sins, and imper- form a family. The first thing to notice horrible wars with many millions of vic- fections of character. At the same time it is that the family is God-ordained as tims. However, the greatest victim of the presents the Almighty God, the Creator man and woman, not man with a man 20th century, in my opinion, is the fam- of the Universe, as a creator who knows nor woman with a woman. Yes, the cyn- ily. The family is actually the smallest the faults and weaknesses of His own ics can scoff at this and question what and most basic pair of society, as was creation and therefore is patient with we can actually learn from this ancient mentioned earlier. When this unit of His creatures. book called the Hebrew Bible/book of civilization is damaged and twisted— This kind of relationship is actu- Genesis. What the cynics don’t realize is humankind and the future is in danger. ally unique in the spectrum of world that long before man had discovered the Let us examine this smallest pair within religions. In many other religions, the internal combustion of engines and the society, the family, and one man and one gods demand worship and obedience to jet airplane, Genesis had not only dis- woman becoming one flesh. This makes their cause and benefit; they either don’t covered the basic problem of men and the man and the woman, Adam and Eve, have a high standard of morals them- women, but had likewise unveiled the the most important and basic cell for selves and therefore don’t demand that basic problems of society and the fam- building humanity. kind of high moral standard from their ily. These are the same issues that cause worshipers, or use harsh and immedi- more than 50 percent of marriages to Relational Religion ate judgment on their practitioners. Of end in divorce today; the complications The Bible starts with the creation of the course the ones who carry out God’s that make or break a community and in world by One God. Today, not only sci- judgment are normally the priests who the end, destroy civilizations and coun- entists in the natural sciences realm, but are also servants of the one who is sit- tries. also Bible teachers and Christian Uni- ting on the throne at that time. Relationships between humans are versity Professors are challenging the Throughout the entire Bible, the not mere philosophical abstractions veracity of the story of Creation. This is leaders are not perfect nor their fami- in the first book of the Bible. In fact, not new! What is original is that the peo- lies. They are all fallible and frail people these relationships are the very struc- ple who are supposed to train men and who make some grave mistakes with tural components of creation. God com- women to serve God and to minister His consequences for many generations to mands Adam to give names (identity Word are casting a shadow on the very come.3 We all fall short of our own ide- and character) to the animals as seen first feature of all Biblical accounts; the als, just as our forefathers, but this is not in the passage from Genesis 2:19. From Creation of this world by the Almighty an excuse or a license to ignore and deny the very beginning there is a partner- God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. If the the relational obligations that we have ship and relationship between God the story of creation and the paradigm that toward each other in the basic unit of Creator to Man and Woman, as well it presents is not true and if it does not life and in the larger community, tribe,

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 6 10/25/2016 10:48:54 AM country, or universe. Going back to the 1. The Word of God tells us these of our forefathers; the focus is not to words of John Donne, “No man is an is- stories in order to encourage us, follow their weaknesses but to choose land, Entire of itself … [we are all] a part knowing our weakness in the to follow their strengths. Realistically of the main.” Body. We understand that we speaking, there has never been a perfect Just about every hero and main fig- are sinners and have all fallen family nor will there ever be one. The Bi- ure in God’s Word is exposed in his fail- short of the Glory and perfec- ble purposefully exposes their mistakes ure and shame before all readers. Adam tion of God. and shows us a very relatable picture of and Eve sin blatantly in disobedience to 2. To see the grace of God function- the greatest heroes of our faith, by doing God’s one and only command. The chil- ing in the reality of this World this it presents the Grace of God that dren of Adam and Eve kill each other and the great patience that God passes all understanding and the exam- over what seems to be a senseless re- has for His children. ples for our lives to see and not follow. ligious controversy. Noah after being God knows who we are and all of It is like eating an avocado, you have to saved from the flood and experienc- our weaknesses, but in this He is still eat the fruit and cast out the pit. We too, ing the grace of God exclusively for his faithful to use us as His extension in ought to learn to eat the fruit and cast family, got drunk with wine and com- this World and as instruments of salva- out the hard and damaging seed. The mits a grievous sin with one of his sons. tion and redemption for the next gen- weaknesses of these great men and he- Abraham the father of the faithful, is re- erations of human beings. This is true roes of faith is an example of how God’s ported to have lied to Pharaoh about even if our families are not perfect in mercy and loving-kindness works to Sarah his wife, saying that she is his the flesh and spirit. keep us from becoming depressed and sister. Abraham did this twice, once to despondent about our own problems. Pharaoh and again to Abimelech. Isaac, Family Matters Further, the Word of God demonstrates Abraham’s son, did not learn from his I believe that these failures and sins of how He can use imperfect people to do father’s mistake and did the same thing our forefathers are there to teach and His perfect will and carry out His pro- with Rebecca, saying she is his sister. Re- give us examples of how strong the fam- gram for the salvation of humanity. becca, conspired to deceive her husband ily ought to be even in the face of prob- Right off the bat, the Word of God in favor of Jacob her beloved son. Like- lems and conspiracies—God can and jumped into the deepest of problems wise, Jacob deceived Esau his brother does use us as His imperfect creatures. of humanity and the seedbed of these and Isaac his father with the help of his The purpose of this article is to ac- problems is almost always related to mother Rebecca. Rachel and Leah, the tually learn from the mistakes and sins the family. The first major story outside two sisters and daughters of Laban, de- ceived Jacob and their father on the way back from Haran to the Land of Canaan. In the family of Jacob, the relationships between his sons are scandalous from

the very beginning. The sons of Jacob are DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC infected with major degrees of jealousy and hate against Joseph their younger brother which leads to a plot to kill him. Amongst themselves, the brothers act as a band of hoosligans against the citizens of Shechem. Although Joseph seems in- nocent in most of the story, there are some stains on his character, especially in his attitude towards the brothers and the insertion of the silver cup inside their sack of grain later on. I mention these dark spots in the characters of the book of Genesis not to cast a dark shadow or to defame these characters, but in order to say two things: Eve and the Serpent (Henri Rousseau, 1905)

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 7 10/25/2016 10:48:54 AM Yes, I believe that all humans have descended life is your happiness, however, that formula is the most assured way to end from one seed. We are created to live in your life unhappy, unfulfilled, alone, and relationships and these relationships were in misery. To destroy the family is to de- stroy our relationship with God and to designed and ordained by the Creator Himself. weaken the very fiber that makes us able to build the future without selfishness and in good relationship with both God Himself and with our fellow man. the Garden of Eden is the death of one other seed for me instead of Abel, whom Let us stand in the gap in our own of the two sons of Adam and Eve, Abel. Cain killed.’ And as for Seth, to him also a day and care for our families without This tragedy is compounded by the fact son was born; and he named him Enosh. selfishness and insure that our children that Cain, Abel’s brother, perpetrates his Then men began to call on the name of will be trained, educated, and nourished death. The first family between a man the LORD” (Genesis 4:25–26). Notice, my to have normal, healthy families with and woman is shattered by the death of dear brothers, that in Hebrew, the word many children that will walk in the ways their son Abel. I have often asked my- “Enosh” means “Human.” Yes, I believe of the Lord and be a light to those who self why does the Bible start with such that all humans have descended from are walking in darkness. a morose story and not with some won- one seed. We are created to live in rela- derful type of spring and sunshine story? tionships and these relationships were The only answer that I can give myself designed and ordained by the Creator Endnotes 4 is that the Torah is our schoolmaster , Himself. 1 By saying that God is corporate there is no not about some unrealistic fairytale, but The Teaching from Zion magazine is implication that God is numerous or that a tutor for living our lives according to too short to tell the story of every family there is more than one God. God partners with humans to accomplish His will. For the designer’s program. Living a life that in Genesis. However, we can still give the this very reason there is the incarnation so is against the design for which we were principle that is exhibited in the Shema, that the Messiah and the Almighty work engineered brings to the abuse of life “Hear O Israel.” (Deuteronomy 6:4–9) In together in full equality and partnership. and damage to ourselves as well as the this holiest piece of scripture for Jewish 2 As can be seen in the novels: Jean-Paul Sartre, 5 Nausea, Being and Nothingness (1943); whole human race. people and for Yeshua Himself, immedi- Albert Camus, The Stranger (1942) and The ately after the proclamation of the ONE Plague (1947), A Happy Death (1971); Sam- Created for Relationship God comes the command to teach our uel Beckett, Waiting for Godot (1952), Irra- Let us learn from Adam and Eve about children and make a clear presentation tional Man (1958); Paul Tillich, The Courage to Be; J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye, how a person deals with one of the of who we are and to whom we belong. Franny and Zooey, Nine Stories, Raise High greatest tragedies that can befall a fam- By speaking of One God to our children the Roof Beam; Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead ily: The death of a son murdered by his and writing God’s Oneness on our door- (1943), We the Living (1936), Atlas Shrugged (1957). own brother! What could be a greater posts and on our arms and between our 3 See what happened from the impatience of tragedy? The family had two sons and eyes, we affirm that we are living in a Abraham and Sarah, which led to the birth one killed his brother and was banished relationship with God and our family as of Ishmael and to the deceitful purchase of and banned from society. How does one well as the rest of His creatures. This in Esau’s birthright by Jacob. pick up the broken pieces of the family fact is the basis of our sociability, com- 4 “Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by and continue living and fulfilling his re- munity, and the relationships that we faith.” (Galatians 3:24) sponsibility as a human being? Adam have. The care God has for us and our 5 Some might say, “Who is this Joseph and Eve just started over and had an- family and all the families of the human Shulam?” The answer for this is very sim- other son which they named Seth. They race continues and flows first through ple. I am a person who has seen the great don’t give up and they don’t turn against us and from there to the next genera- wisdom and healthy logic that is embedded in truth and bound in the book between God. He is still there after the tragedy tions. If we destroy the family relations Genesis and Revelation. It is really that and continued to bless and give them we have destroyed the link for the future simple. I have seen the words of man who another seed. “And Adam knew his wife of humanity and all of human civiliza- spoke in God’s name 2800 years ago being fulfilled in my own day. This in fact is the again, and she bore a son and named tion. Some would have you to believe source of my authority and courage to write him Seth, ‘For God has appointed an- that the most important thing in your and to say these things.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 8 10/25/2016 10:48:54 AM By Hannah Kovner

Am I My Brother’s Keeper?

he book of Genesis is a history of one fam- ily; it speaks of the

WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC T relationships between hus- bands and wives, fathers and children, the group of peo- ple that are called to become the main building blocks in the history of Salvation. They are the Chosen Ones, hand-picked by the Creator himself to be used as an example and to be a light- house to others, leading us all to the truth and life.

Nevertheless, none of the characters of the Bible are portrayed as “perfect” or without fault as they go through strug- gles and shortcomings, scandals and tragedies. One of the initial features of Gen- esis that caught my attention was the deep jealousy and hatred that defines the relationships between numerous Cain Slaying Abel (Peter Paul Rubens, 1608–1609) sets of brothers: Cain and Abel, Isaac

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 9 10/25/2016 10:48:55 AM Jacob believed in the invisible promise The Bible is very laconic in its de- scription of the relationship between given by God Almighty to his grandfather: Isaac and Ishmael, the only other men- “And in you all the families of the earth tion of the two together is found in the story of Abraham’s death. “Then Abra- shall be blessed” (Genesis 25:2). ham breathed his last and died a good old age, an old man and full of years; and he was gathered to his people. His sons Isaac and Ishmael buried him in the and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, as well as lie and the cover up attempt, “Am I my cave of Machpelah near Mamre.” (Gen- Joseph and his brothers. Furthermore, brother’s keeper?” esis 25:8–9) Rachel and Leah, the mothers of the The subsequent punishment of Cain The very fact that Isaac and Ishmael Jewish nation, are mostly described as and the birth of Seth, who was the third bury their father together shows their rivals, rather than loving and supporting son of Adam and Eve, didn’t bring any ability to handle hostility and jealousy, one another. relief nor fix the tragedy of the first hu- at least in the face of Abraham’s death. In this article, I would like to dive man family. Jealousy, hatred, and rivalry It gives us hope for future generations of into greater detail and better the under- over God’s inheritance continued to brothers to work out their differences, standing of these relationships amongst shake Abraham’s household until hatred in spite of a present competition and the siblings in the book of Genesis. was healed, the lesson of reconciliation rivalry. was learned, and brothers were finally Cain and Abel able to work together. Jacob and Esau The first siblings in the history of man- The struggle between the twin-broth- kind began their journey of life on Earth Isaac and Ishmael ers began early inside their mother’s by bringing the first fruit of their labor Although the relationship between womb. It is an understandable conflict, to God. “And the LORD had regard for Abraham’s sons never reached the stage as indeed the two were opposite of one Abel and his offering, but for Cain and of open conflict, the Biblical story hints another. Esau was a man of the open his offering he had no regard. So Cain that, without Sarah’s brutal interven- country, whereas Jacob was a quiet man was very angry, and his face fell” (Gen- tion of convincing Abraham to send who dwelled in the tents. Due to being esis 4:4–5). their servant Hagar and her son away, a worldly man, Esau didn’t think much We will probably never know why the disaster could have occurred. “And of his father and grandfather’s calling; God accepted the offering of one the child grew and was weaned. And in his eyes life was supposed to be lived brother and rejected the other. The only Abraham made a great feast on the day in the present. He was a skillful hunter hint that is found in the Biblical text is that Isaac was weaned. But Sarah saw and he knew how to appreciate all the that Cain offered to God “some of the the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom good aspects of life in the moment, al- fruit,” while Abel brought “the best of the she had borne to Abraham, laughing. So ways looking for instant solutions. So, firstborn.” In any case, instead of repent- she said to Abraham, ‘Cast out this slave when coming from the field hungry and ing, improving, and fixing the wrong, woman with her son, for the son of this famished, he didn’t hesitate to sell his Cain was taken by the deep jealousy that slave woman shall not be heir with my birthright for the plate of red stew which very soon grew into a pure hatred which son Isaac’” (Genesis 21:8–10). was prepared by his brother Jacob. Sat- led to the first murder in human history. The separation of Isaac and Ish- isfying his hunger was an immediate God’s rejection of Cain’s offering may mael is seemingly unethical and unfair need, while the birthright—an abstract have been the trigger, but the true rea- to our modern mind; however, it was a future term, meant nothing for him at son for such hate and jealousy must be necessary act that was in place to pre- that moment. Esau said, “‘I am about to rooted much deeper. vent tragedy as was part of God’s plan. die; of what use is a birthright to me?’ Ja- RASHI, a famous Jewish Commen- “For in Isaac your seed shall be called” cob said, ‘Swear to me now.’ So he swore tator, explained it in these words: “Two (Genesis 21:12). God himself provided to him and sold his birthright to Jacob. sons had the first man. One killed the for Hagar and her son. He blessed Ish- Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil other for the inheritance of the world” mael in the wilderness of Paran and his stew, and he ate and drank and rose (for Genesis 9, 25). It was the struggle descendants grew into a great nation. and went his way. Thus Esau despised over inheritance that lead to the first However, Abraham’s calling and blessing his birthright” (Genesis 25:32–35). murder in human history as well as the was passed to his son of promise—Isaac. When reading this story most of us

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 10 10/25/2016 10:48:55 AM naturally feel sympathy towards the Jacob believed in the invisible promise words of his father, he cried out with an strong, yet simple-minded Esau and we given by God Almighty to his grandfa- exceedingly great and bitter cry and said tend to dislike the cunning attitude of ther: “And in you all the families of the to his father, ‘Bless me, even me also, O Jacob, who took advantage of his broth- earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). my father!’ But he said, ‘Your brother er’s lack of discipline and impatience. Once the opportunity presented came deceitfully, and he has taken away However, the Bible doesn’t criticize Ja- itself, he took it without hesitation. your blessing’” (Genesis 27:33–35). cob’s actions at all. Let’s discover why. This doesn’t change the fact that the Esau, who probably already held It is easy to imagine that gentle and proposed deal was clearly unfair and grudge against Jacob for tricking him delicate Jacob spent much of his time in later on, Jacob would have to repay his to sell the birthright for a bowl of stew, the tent with his elderly parents, listen- brother tenfold. was now furious. The struggle for the ing to the stories about Abraham and Further on, the story tells us that rule over the family had begun. “The Isaac’s encounters with God. He proba- when Isaac grew old and wished to days of mourning for my father are ap- bly heard of a prophetic promise, given pass the blessing to his beloved Esau, proaching; then I will kill my brother to his mother Rebecca, while the boys that Jacob, encouraged by his mother, Jacob” (Genesis 27:41). were still in her womb. “Two nations are didn’t hesitate to deceive his father by The only way to save Jacob was to in your womb, and two peoples from pretending to be Esau, thus stealing his send him away, physically separating the within you shall be divided; the one shall brother’s blessing. “Then Isaac trem- two. Under the pretext of finding a wife be stronger than the other, the older bled very violently and said, ‘Who was from Rebecca’s family, Jacob fled to the shall serve the younger” (Genesis 25:2). it then that hunted game and brought house of Laban in Haran. There was nothing Jacob wanted it to me, and I ate it all before you came, The next 28 years of Jacob’s life more than to be the one who carries and I have blessed him? Yes, and he shall would be full of challenges and strug- the torch of Abraham’s faith further on. be blessed.’ As soon as Esau heard the gles. He had to leave his house only with WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC

Jacob and Esau reconcile (Francesco Hayez, 1844)

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 11 10/25/2016 10:48:56 AM as he already had plenty. Indeed, he had essentially inherited all that of Abraham and Isaac. Only after Jacob insisted did Esau agree to accept Jacob’s livestock. WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC The Biblical text revealed to us sincere reconciliation between the two broth- ers. Forgiveness came in place of hatred, brotherly love instead of jealousy. Unlike the partial peace made over Abraham’s grave between Isaac and Ishmael, the reunion between Jacob and Esau was genuine and true. Peace in the family had been re- stored, although, in order to keep it this way, the two brothers had to go their own ways. Jacob, who was well aware of Esau’s character, found a good excuse not to travel with him. He knew that even when they managed to overcome Joseph Reveals his Dream to his Brethren (James Tissot, 1896–1902) the past betrayal and hatred, that the distance between the two would be es- the clothes on his back. Not a penny ered good, however, the old grudge and sential to maintaining this fragile peace. from Abraham’s riches would become pain left behind from Jacob’s betrayal Yet another reason for such separa- his. He would have to work seven years was not ready to go away yet. When he tion is the fact that God’s calling of Abra- for Rachel, only to receive Leah instead. heard that Jacob returned home, Esau ham’s seed was to be passed through He then agreed to work another seven advanced to meet his brother with 400 Jacob alone. Esau, who inherited the years for his beloved Rachel. He would armed men. You don’t bring 400 men physical wealth of Abraham, was not the be cheated by his uncle Laban again just for a welcome party; Esau was ready heir of the spiritual blessings and prom- and again, overcome it all and finally for a war! He was ready to protect what ises. In fact, by accepting Jacob’s gifts of become a new man, Israel. It will be a was his. Nevertheless, when he saw that reconciliation, Esau agreed, that both new Jacob, coming back to his prom- Jacob came in humility with generous Isaac’s blessing and the birthright was ised land. Everything he had, he earned gifts and a humbled spirit, Esau’s sim- now rightfully Jacob’s. Jacob paid with by his own sweat. He had experienced ple heart was ready to forgive his twin- physical wealth to obtain something God’s revelation in Bethel, he struggled brother. “And Jacob lifted up his eyes much more important, the treasure with the mysterious figure at banks of and looked, and behold, Esau was com- which is in heaven and the covenant Jabok river. It is interesting that here as ing, and four hundred men with him. with God Almighty. In this perspective, well, Jacob is looking for a blessing. He So he divided the children among Leah he was fulfilling Yeshua’s command: “Do knows that the spiritual and the invisi- and Rachel and the two female servants. not lay up for yourselves treasures on ble are what really matter, and that what And he put the servants with their chil- earth, where moth and rust destroy and was impossible for Jacob, Israel can do. dren in front, then Leah with her chil- where thieves break in and steal, but lay After all these events, he was ready to dren, and Rachel and Joseph last of all. up for yourselves treasures in heaven, face his brother Esau, was willing to pay He himself went on before them, bowing where neither moth nor rust destroys in full for what he had stolen before, and himself to the ground seven times, until and where thieves do not break in and was confident enough to call himself Es- he came near to his brother. But Esau steal. For where your treasure is, there au’s servant. ran to meet him and embraced him and your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). The Bible is awfully quiet about fell on his neck and kissed him, and they what happened to Esau in those years. wept” (Genesis 33:1–4). Joseph and His Brothers We know that he had many children by Being a man who liked to live in the Nearly one quarter of the book of Gen- his wives and we can assume that he moment, Esau was genuinely happy to esis is dedicated to Joseph’s adventures inherited the physical household of meet his lost brother and his family. He in Egypt. His story concluded the “fam- Abraham and Isaac. His life was consid- honestly refused to accept Jacob’s gifts ily” part of the Jewish History, which was

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 12 10/25/2016 10:48:57 AM picked up again 400 years later as the “They saw him from afar, and before with God’s spirit. His ability to excel in history of the nation. he came near to them they conspired everything he did and the miraculous We see that Jacob’s children main- against him to kill him” (Genesis 37:18). interpretations of Pharaoh’s dreams tained the unfortunate family tradition Both Judah and Reuben, who were not brought Joseph to the top of Egyptian of sibling rivalry. The sons of Rachel and comfortable with fratricide, looked for social hierarchy. However, Joseph made Leah carried on their mother’s struggle different ways in which to get rid of Jo- no attempt to contact his family, to com- for Jacob’s affection, who also proceeded seph. “Then Midianite traders passed by. fort his grieving father, or to punish his to make the same mistakes as his par- And they drew Joseph up and lifted him evil brothers. In the days when Canaan ents by favoring one son over the oth- out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishma- was an Egyptian province, it would have ers. Young Joseph reminded Jacob of his elites for twenty shekels of silver. They been a fairly easy task for someone in beloved Rachel, thus he was his father’s took Joseph to Egypt” (Genesis 37:28). his position. What exactly stopped him favorite. “Now, Israel loved Joseph more The brothers tore and stained Joseph’s from doing this? Was it the fear to face than any other of his sons because he special colorful coat with blood and pre- the hatred of his own family, or perhaps was the son of his old age. And he made sented it to Jacob as evidence of his son the desire to start with a completely him a robe of many colors. But when his being devoured by a wild beast. clean slate? Is it also possible that God brothers saw that their father loved him Years passed by, however, the wound revealed to Joseph the Dreamer what more than all his brothers, they hated forged in Jacob’s family would refuse to would happen in the future as he waited him and could not speak peacefully to heal. We don’t know how the brothers patiently for God’s plan to come true. him” (Genesis 37:3–4). were able to cope with the lie they told From this point, the story of Joseph To make the situation even worth, to their father, especially with the hy- and his brothers is focused on only one Joseph added to the conflict by telling pocrisy of trying to comfort him when theme—achievement of the true rec- on his brothers and bragging about his they knew that they were the ultimate onciliation and peace between the sons dreams. “His brothers said to him, ‘Are source of his grief. of Israel, as without it, the future of the you indeed to reign over us? Or are you Meanwhile in Egypt, slavery, deceit, nation would be impossible. indeed to rule over us?’ So they hated temptation, and prison transformed When hunger became severe in Ca- him even more for his dreams and for a naïve and self-righteous Joseph into naan, the brothers went down to Egypt his words” (Genesis 37:8). the wise and patient man who was filled to purchase some food for their families. Here again, the story ultimately

brings us to the same question of who WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN will be the ruler of the family, who will inherit the birthright as well as all of Abraham’s blessings? Later on, when the older broth- ers were pasturing their flocks near Shechem, Israel send Joseph to check up on them. The Hebrew text actually says “to check upon your brothers’ peace,” the same brothers who couldn’t even speak peacefully with him. Many Jew- ish commentators noticed this contro- versy between the two opposites and the deep spiritual meaning that it gives to the story. Joseph followed his father’s com- mand and traveled to Shechem and then to the valley of Dothan. In spite of the strained relationships in the family, Joseph did all he could to find his broth- ers, even though his brothers were so blinded by hate that they were willing to murder their own flesh and blood. Hagar in the Wilderness (Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot, 1835)

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 13 10/25/2016 10:48:57 AM The Bible takes us from the murder and Joseph wept when they spoke to him. His brothers also came and fell down be- curse in the story of Cain and Abel, to fore him and said, ‘Behold, we are your servants.’ But Joseph said to them, ‘Do coexistence between Isaac and Ishmael, not fear, for am I in the place of God? As through forgiveness and separation between for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about Jacob and Esau to, finally, true repentance. that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. So do not fear; I will provide for you and your little ones.’ Thus he comforted them and spoke “Joseph saw his brothers and recognized ted, and the offender, while able to com- kindly to them” (Genesis 50:15–19). them, but he treated them like strangers mit the offense, nevertheless refrains and spoke roughly to them. ‘Where do from doing so because he has repented Conclusion you come from?’ he said. They relied, and not out of fear or failure of vigor.” Every family story in the book of Gene- ‘From the land of Canaan, to buy food’” (Tractate on the Regulations of the Re- sis depicts the same narrative of sibling (Genesis 42:7). pentance, Chapter 2). rivalry over the question of who will rule Before revealing his true identity, Jo- Judah, who assumed the leadership and who will inherit the spiritual heri- seph had to test his brothers to see if role in the family, chose to offer himself tage. Continually, we see something that they remained the same (hateful and instead of his younger brother. At the differs from the natural order of things, deceitful) or if they had changed and moment, when the brothers openly ad- the youngest amongst the siblings be- felt remorse for their past actions. He mitted their past sin against Joseph and ing chosen by God to carry on the fam- remembered the dreams of his youth were even ready to accept a punishment ily blessing. This led to hatred and even and began to grasp an understanding because of it, Joseph couldn’t contain murder, as seen with Cain and Abel. of the great plan of God. himself any longer. The family was once However, from one story to another, The accusations of being spies and again reunited and saved from hunger. we also see the process of resolving and thieves compelled the brothers into ad- The children of Israel moved to Egypt healing the issues of hate and jealousy. mitting their guilt. “Then they said to and settled in the land of Goshen. “… sin is crouching at the door. Its de- one another, ‘In truth we are guilty con- The last spark of fear and distrust sire is for you, but you must rule over cerning our brother, in that we saw the came up again after Jacob’s death. The it” (Genesis 4:7). Abraham’s decedents distress of his soul, when he begged us brothers were fearful that Joseph would learned how to rule and to control their and we did not listen. That is why this dis- now seek his revenge and created a fake sinful inclinations as well as how to be tress has come upon us’” (Genesis 42:21). dying wish from their father so that Jo- worthy of God’s election. The Bible takes The plot thickened when Joseph ac- seph would indeed still forgive them. us from the murder and curse in the cused his younger brother of “When Joseph’s brothers saw that their story of Cain and Abel, to coexistence stealing his silver cup and then threat- father was dead, they said, ‘It may be between Isaac and Ishmael, through for- ened to throw him in jail. He tested his that Joseph will hate us and pay us back giveness and separation between Jacob brothers in this fashion in order to see for all the evil that we did to him.’ So and Esau to, finally, the true repentance, if they would take the easy path, and they sent a message to Joseph, saying, reconciliation, and blessing in the story leave Benjamin in jail, or if they had ‘Your father gave this command before of Joseph. Although the tension between truly repented and changed their hearts he died: Say to Joseph, ‘Please forgive the different tribes of Israel would reappear towards the sons of Rachel. Accord- transgression of your brothers and their in the future, Jacob’s family was now ing to Maimonides, true repentance is sin, because they did evil to you.’ And united and ready to become a nation of “… when an opportunity presents itself now, please forgive the transgression of God, prepared to face any outside threat for repeating an offense once commit- the servants of the God of your father.’ and to overcome it.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 14 10/25/2016 10:48:57 AM Upon the Ark: Noach and His Family BY ELHANAN BEN-AVRAHAM MIKE_KIEV/BIGSTOCK

hough the name Noah in Hebrew means “comfort,” keeping the family together in what was most likely a tight I am not certain that the call that the prophet Noah and stressful environment. They may have had to work at get- T received was all that comfortable or even comforting ting along with each other during their wait for their coming to him. Likewise, that of Yeshua, which is the Hebrew word for fate, yet a mystery to them. Their job was to be good stewards “salvation,” was similar. Both were called to warn, to publish of the world within the ark, while the world outside them what would be an unpopular message, and to build an ark of was utterly beyond their control. A year was a long time for salvation for the remnant faithful who would be preserved waiting and wondering, however, the Navigator eventually for a New World. fulfilled His promise to the drifting sailors and directed them Life on the ark was challenging; Noah was to build a large to a world purged and renewed. ship with no sails, rudder, steering device, nor a fore or aft. The ark that is founded by the Messiah is similar to that Without any modern carpentry tools, it was surely a long and of Noah’s. Constructing that ark was fraught with challenges, difficult task to construct, especially with a small family as the unpopular message, and warning is not without peril. the crew of workers. There were no navigating devices or even Gathering the creatures onto the ark is God’s business, but a decent window to chart direction. When the waters rose, the ark is a sign to our generation and still remains available they were entirely at the mercy of the drift and would land to those who seek it. only where destiny would take them. Their only navigator Upon the ark, our call is the same as Noah’s, which is to was the Creator of the universe. get along with each other under trying circumstances, to It was for a very long spell that they would be at sea, re- raise our families well and faithfully, and to keep the lions quiring a great deal of patience as well as faith in the unseen. from eating the lambs. There are messes to clean up and an They could count only upon the promise of the Creator. Fur- abundance of daily work that we are commissioned to faith- thermore, they were called upon only to complete the job, fully perform in this festering world. Indeed, there are many follow directions, and take care of those living within the ark. odd creatures gathered onto the ark. However, our challenge Everything occurring outside the ark was beyond their con- is to maintain as much harmony as possible and to wait with trol and remained only in the hands of God. patience and faith in the unseen, as it is only the Navigator For almost a year at sea they would go about their daily who can guide the ark and deliver us to our final destination tasks of feeding the collected animals and themselves, clean- in the New World. As He was faithful to Noah and His own, ing up messes, keeping the lions from eating the lambs, and He will be faithful to fulfill His promises to us.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 15 10/25/2016 10:48:57 AM By Joseph Shulam

Abraham Our Father: A Family Man The Man God Chose to Father a Nation

hen one thinks of Abraham, they think of his Sarah initially tries to satisfy Abra- faith in God and all His promises. It is seldom ham’s wish for a son by giving him her handmaid Hagar as a wife. Genesis W that Abraham is viewed as a family man and as 16:1–4 says, “Now Sarai, Abram’s wife, a loving husband. To better grasp this idea, we must first had borne him no children. And she had put ourselves into Abraham’s world and position. an Egyptian maidservant whose name was Hagar. So Sarai said to Abram, ‘See In his realm, it was normal to have more than one wife. Due to this, Abraham now, the LORD has restrained me from took another one in his old age, as it is written in Genesis 25:1–2, “Abraham again bearing children. Please, go into my took a wife, and her name was Keturah. And she bore him Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, maid; perhaps I shall obtain children by Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah …” Right from the beginning we see the importance her.’ And Abram heeded the voice of Sa- placed by God on Abraham’s family and offspring. Further on, God tells him, “Now rai. Then Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from her maid, the Egyptian, and gave her to your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1) Immediately we her husband Abram to be his wife, after find out that Abraham is not going to the Land of Canaan alone, he is taking his kin Abram had dwelt ten years in the land with him on the journey. This verse from Genesis 12:4 elaborates on it, “So Abram of Canaan. So he went in to Hagar, and departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was she conceived. And when she saw that seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Then Abram took Sarai his she had conceived, her mistress became wife and Lot his brother’s son, and all their possessions that they had gathered, despised in her eyes.” and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they departed to go to the land of Canaan. So they came to the land of Canaan.” The Path of Peace Abram (Abraham) receives a great promise from God—to have numerous de- So what can we learn about Abraham scendants: “Then the LORD appeared to Abram and said, ‘To your descendants I and his family from this strange story? It will give this land.’ And there he built an altar to the LORD, who had appeared to is evident that Sarah felt much pain and him” (Genesis 12:7). This promise is to guarantee that his primary wife Sarah, the anxiety because she thought that her matron of his household, will conceive a son. This affirmation became the foun- husband was suffering over the fact that dation of Abraham’s life; his glory and mistakes are all events that happen around she couldn’t have children. She empa- this desire and even obsession to have a son from Sarah. Almost all of Abraham’s thized with Abraham and his obsessive story revolves around this desire and expectation for God to fulfill His promises desire to have a son. Notice that the Bi- to him. ble never tells us anything about Abra-

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 16 10/25/2016 10:48:58 AM ham and his daughters. In fact, we don’t Abraham is not willing to fight with a even know if he ever had a daughter. It is as if the expectation for a son just over- family member, nor is he willing to give up shadows every other issue in the whole his honor for the sake of peace either. He narrative of Abraham within the Bible. This anxiety he had is the cause of one is prepared to suffer economically just so of the major problems in the history of Israel, even until this very day. We are there won’t be strife with his nephew. still dealing with the “Ishmaelite” issue when we face the sons of Ishmael, also known as the Arab nation. Abraham takes Lot, his brother’s a look at some of these problematic er- Negev was just an act of preservation, son, with his family to the land of Ca- rors in Abraham’s docket. thus his actions are justified. naan. It does not take long for a con- It says in Genesis 12:12–16, “There- Genesis 20:2–6 continues, “Now frontation between the shepherds of fore it will happen, when the Egyptians Abraham said of Sarah his wife, ‘She is Abraham and the shepherds who are see you, that they will say, ‘This is his my sister.’ And Abimelech king of Gerar working with Lot’s flocks to have a con- wife’; and they will kill me, but they sent and took Sarah. But God came to flict. First off, Abraham is older and is will let you live. Please say you are my Abimelech in a dream by night, and the head of the family. Further, Lot came sister, that it may be well with me for said to him, ‘Indeed you are a dead along with his uncle Abraham and be- your sake, and that I may live because man because of the woman whom you came richer under the auspices of his of you.’ So it was, when Abram came have taken, for she is a man’s wife.’ But relative. In Middle Eastern context, the into Egypt, that the Egyptians saw the Abimelech had not come near her; and most honorable thing Lot could have woman, that she was very beautiful. he said, ‘Lord, will You slay a righteous done in this situation was allow Abra- The princes of Pharaoh also saw her nation also? Did he not say to me, ‘She ham to make the decision about what and commended her to Pharaoh. And is my sister?’ And she, even she herself to do with the conflict. The passage that the woman was taken to Pharaoh’s said, ‘He is my brother.’ In the integrity discusses this states, “So Abram said to house. He treated Abram well for her of my heart and innocence of my hands Lot, ‘Please let there be no strife between sake. He had sheep, oxen, male don- I have done this.’ And God said to him you and me, and between my herdsmen keys, male and female servants, female in a dream, ‘Yes, I know that you did and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. donkeys, and camels.” this in the integrity of your heart. For I Is not the whole land before you? Please Abraham knew according to this also withheld you from sinning against separate from me. If you take the left, text that if he speaks the truth and tells Me; therefore I did not let you touch then I will go to the right; or, if you go the Egyptians that Sarah is his wife that her.’” to the right, then I will go to the left’” indeed his life will be in danger. He al- There is a rule in the interpreta- (Genesis 13:8–9). lows Sarah to be taken to Pharaoh’s tion of the Word of God that even Ye- Abraham’s attitude towards the house, which makes the Egyptians treat shua used when He was accused by the family is so clearly seen in this story. Abraham well for her sake. He receives Pharisees; this was brought up when he He is not willing to fight with a family grain and other spoils in return for his allows His disciples to pick grain on the member, nor is he willing to give up his deed of abandoning his wife into the Sabbath. Yeshua used the case of Da- honor for the sake of peace either. He is hands of Pharaoh. There does not seem vid who took the bread baked on the prepared to suffer economically just so to be any remorse from this event nor a Sabbath to be placed on the table of the there won’t be strife with his nephew. He hint of what happened to Sarah in Pha- Lord inside the Tabernacle. This bread gives Lot the right of first choice which raoh’s house. was not allowed to be eaten fresh (baked he is not shy to choose the best part of on the Sabbath) and likewise was per- the land with the richest pasture. This Saving a Life mitted only to be eaten by the priests. event is a demonstration of Abraham’s The rabbis have a rule that “preserva- There is no condemnation of David for magnanimity for his family. Naturally, tion of life” (Pikuach Nefesh) puts aside taking this bread and for not speaking most people don’t pay attention to this all the commandments or almost all. the truth to the priest. This principle aspect of Abraham’s story. Neverthe- They believe what Abraham did once is also applied to these indiscretions less, Abraham as a husband and father with Pharaoh in Egypt and again with of Abraham when he inevitably aban- is not without his dark spots. Let us take Abimelch King of Gerar in the northern doned his wife twice.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 17 10/25/2016 10:48:58 AM for all the families of the earth and also many wonderful promises from God that his seed will be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand in the WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC seashore, now has to kill the very object and subject of these promises. What can possibly compromise Abraham’s devo- tion to his family? We must note that the sacrifice of Isaac is actually a test administered by God as seen in Genesis 22:1–2, “ Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ Then He said, ‘Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.’” A series of questions arise after read- ing this passage. First of all, why would Abraham’s Journey from Ur to Canaan (Joszef Molnar, 1850) God need to test Abraham? How could Abraham pass such a test that puts all of God’s promises in jeopardy? How could This similar type of action by Abra- seen when he hears that Lot and his Isaac be so sure that his future is secure ham is later used by Lot when he is will- kin are taken captive by the kings of in the face of Abraham’s action? ing to hand his daughters into a crowd of the north. Abraham takes the men of These questions are key to under- lusting perverts from the city of Sodom. his camp and goes chasing after these stand the personality and faith of Abra- In the end, the daughters raped their powerful kings; later he recaptures Lot ham and his attitude towards God and own father because they thought they and saves them all. his family. were the last survivors of the human race We learn from this event, which and wanted to preserve it by having in- can be found in Genesis chapter 14, Ramban (Nachmanides) tercourse with their drunk father. Again, that Abraham felt responsible for Lot on Genesis 22 we see what goes around comes around and his family and was willing to go to “And God tested Avraham: The issue of and how Abraham’s example influenced war and bring about a major military this test is, in my opinion, shows that his nephew Lot and his family. campaign just to save them from cap- a person has the absolute authority to In a similar fashion comes Abra- tivity. Although Lot acted selfishly with perform an action; one can do what they ham’s willingness to send Hagar and his uncle, Abraham did just the oppo- want, and not do what one doesn’t want. Ishmael out to the desert with a high site and was willing to make significant It is called a nissayon (test) for the indi- probability that they will not survive the sacrifices for him. The crowning acts of vidual being tested (e.g., Avraham), but desert journey. Of course this decision Abraham toward his family will forever the blessed Tester will command him to can be attributed to Sarah and also to remain a conundrum! bring out the thing from ability to actu- God himself who instructs Abraham to The sacrifice of Isaac is an act that ality, giving a reward for a good action listen to Sarah his wife. In the end, it is perhaps under a different circumstance, and not just a reward for a good heart. God who saves Hagar and Ishmael from would be considered criminal. Abraham, Know that “Hashem tests the righteous” certain death. All these events are just a a man who had waited, dreamed, and (Psalms 11:5): when He knows that a window in which to try and understand wished for a son from his beloved Sarah righteous person will act according to the complexity of Abraham’s character was on the very edge and verge of sac- His will, but still seeks [that person to and family relationships. rificing and killing the son that was the act with] their righteousness, He will A story that further illustrates how embodiment of all his hopes and desires. command him to a test. But He does not caring Abraham was for his family is This man, who holds the blessing test the wicked, since they would any-

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 18 10/25/2016 10:48:58 AM ways not hear. And behold, every test bringing you in order to kill you for story is dedicated and keeps his integ- in the Torah is for the good of the one no good reason? Now, my son, don’t rity no matter what situation arises. being tested.” listen to your silly old man, and don’t In fact, the dedication of Abraham Commentators often question what allow your soul and your beautiful to God is the same level of devotion that the following verse means: “Now it came body be lost forever from the Earth.” he has towards his family. Abraham is to pass after these things that God tested not a perfect human being, but he is Abraham.” The answer that is given by Isaac told his father what Satan pure in his relationship to God and his most Jewish Rabbinical commentators said to him. “Take care and don’t household. is that the phrase “after these things” listen to Satan’s words, for he is en- The final thing that I wish to share means after these events. The events are deavors get to lead us astray from the about Abraham is that his faithfulness interpreted as those of chapter 20 be- commands of our God.” Abraham re- led him not only to believe in God, but tween Abraham and Sarah and Abimel- buked Satan and he went away from also to obey His laws and command- ech. Abraham repeating the same be- them seeing that he cannot prevail ments. Consider the following text: havior that already endangered Sarah in over them. Satan transformed him- the hands of Pharaoh and caused God to self into a large brook of water in the “Then the LORD appeared to him question Abraham’s sincerity and ded- road. When Abraham and Isaac and (Isaac) and said: ‘Do not go down to ication. the two servants reached the brook, Egypt; live in the land of which I shall There is an interesting Midrash that they saw a large and powerful river tell you. Dwell in this land, and I will has the following narrative: with mighty waters. They entered be with you and bless you; for to you the brook, trying to pass it, but the and your descendants I give all these And while Abraham and Isaac further they went, the deeper the lands, and I will perform the oath were proceeding along the road, brook, so that the water reached which I swore to Abraham your fa- Satan came and appeared to up to their necks and they were all ther. And I will make your descen- Abraham in the figure of a very aged terrified on account of the water. dants multiply as the stars of heaven; man, humble and of contrite spirit, But, Abraham recognized the place, I will give to your descendants all and said to him: ‘Are you silly or fool- knew that there had been no water these lands; and in your seed all the ish old man, that you are going to do there before, and he said to his son: nations of the earth shall be blessed; such a evil thing to your only son? “I know this place on which there because Abraham obeyed My voice God gave you a son in your old age, was no brook of water. Now, surely, and kept My charge, My command- and you are going to slaughter him, it is Satan who had done this to us, ments, My statutes, and My laws.’” who did not commit any violence, to make it difficult for us to obey the (Genesis 26:2–5) and you will cause the soul of your L o rd .” only son to perish from the earth? Abraham said to Satan: “The Keep in mind the faith of Abraham Do you not know and understand Lord rebuke you, O Satan. Be gone to all the people in his life. Remember that this thing cannot be from the from us, for we go by the command how he was as loyal to Lot, his nephew, Lord? For the Lord would never do of God.” Satan was terrified at the as he was to his wife Sarah and likewise such an evil and command a person voice of Abraham and he went away to Ephron the Hittite, the man from to sacrifice his only son.’ from them and the place became whom he purchased the cave of Mach- Abraham, hearing these words, dry land again as it was at first. And pela which he buried Sarah in. This was knew that it was Satan, who endeav- Abraham went with Isaac toward only possible because Abraham trusted ors to turn him astray from the way the place that God had told him.” God and His promises, even with the of the Lord, and he rebuked him most absurd of demands. Abraham that he went away. Satan returned This Midrash is of course not a real trusted God’s promises and that gave this time and came to Isaac, and he Bible story. It is an attempt from the rab- him the strength to make himself vul- appeared to him in the figure of a bis to explain the absurdity of this event. nerable and trusting of men. We too can young, handsome man and speak- The importance of it is to show the faith- learn a few more things about our own ing in good manner said: “Do you fulness of God and likewise the devotion families if we trust in the Lord and His not know that your silly old father is of Abraham and Isaac. Everyone in this promises for us.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 19 10/25/2016 10:48:58 AM By Solomon Intrater

Life of Jacob: Jealousy and Revelation

hen I read through the overwhelming

W DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC chapters surrounding Jacob in the book of Genesis, the virtues that left a deep im- pression in me include Jealousy and Revelation.

Jealousy Jealousy is a virtue; The LORD God de- scribed Himself as a jealous God. What might we assume regarding this nature of character? It is a passionate, subjec- tive love that will dare to break rules and cross boundaries of common justice in order to obtain the desired object. Jacob was quite the jealous individ- ual; he desired the favor and love of his father, despite the fact that Isaac was de- voted to Esau. Even while in the womb and after birth, he grasped the heel of his elder brother. On a more spiritual level, Jacob was jealous for the promise of God—the divine blessing he believed rightfully belonged to his life and legacy. Such jealousy, often misleadingly translated as “zeal,” possessed Jesus of Jacob wrestling with the Angel (Rembrandt, c. 1659)

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 20 10/25/2016 10:49:01 AM Nazareth. According to the Gospel of It was the knowledge of God’s vision and John, after the Master violently drove out the merchants from the Temple, the words that created the circumstances disciples were mindful of the powerful in which Jacob and those around him verse in Psalms, “Jealousy for your house consumes me …” (Psalms 69:9). practiced jealousy and strife. The Song of Songs written by Solo- mon famously states, “Love is as strong as death, jealousy as hard as Sheol” (Song of Songs 8:6). In other words, claring, “… and if I be bereaved, I will woman their father loved more than -theirs, but he was also the one experi ואני, כאשר שכלתי שכלתי ”,love and jealousy are parallel to each be bereaved other and equated to great force, death (Genesis 43:14). encing God. They knew this was the spe- or Sheol. We are reminded of Jacob’s fear cific heritage that dated back a few gen- and misery upon hearing that Joseph, Revelation erations. However, unlike their father his favorite son, was killed. He said the The second thread I wish to mention is Jacob, jealousy led them to hate and vio- following when he refused to be com- revelation. Revelations of God’s charac- lence with no particular purpose. Jacob forted, “I will continue to mourn until ter, His historical plans, promises, visi- did not hate his brother Esau nor his I die and descend to Sheol to my son” tations, and love are foreshadowed in father Isaac. He did not hate his uncle (Genesis 37:35). Jacob’s life and throughout the Torah Laban either; he was jealous for God’s As an old man, Jacob had many pre- and Bible. These are the most significant promises and blessing, despite having vious experiences with death and risk- pieces of knowledge that are passed on a rough relationship with some of his ing death for the sake of what must be to us from generation to generation. If relatives. done. He risked his life intercepting Es- we read the Bible with any other her- The text subtly notes that when Jo- au’s blessing from Isaac and fled to sur- meneutic, we fail to be mindful that this seph had his dreams and the brothers vive as a result. When his son Joseph was is both a story and testimony all in one started hating him for it, that Jacob him- born to his true love Rachel, he realized and that this is the essence and the very self reprimanded him, advising him to he must return to fulfill the promise of reason for the textual tradition. Like- keep the words in his heart. For Jacob blessing and legacy in Canaan and he wise, we should not read Jacob’s life, or knew the significance of revelation had to flee Laban in a cross with death. any of the other biblical fathers, without and risked his life based upon the re- Jacob reentered the territory of Esau identifying the centrality of revelation. vealed knowledge and the knowledge fearing death. They were well aware I imagined Jacob as a youth, hear- from the Revealer. For Jacob, his jeal- that they might die, but they crossed ing of the divine revelations and ex- ousy and heritage went hand-in-hand into the land anyway only to discover periences of his father Isaac and his with revelation and blessing. When he that there was no danger. When Sim- grandfather Abraham. Even more so, died, he blessed his children, the tribes eon and Levi murdered the inhabitants learning of the LORD speaking, visiting, that would develop and the nations that of the land, again, Jacob feared for the challenging, and blessing them. Perhaps would be blessed through them as car- life of his family. this is what made him jealous to experi- riers of revelation. Rachel died giving birth and perhaps ence the LORD God firsthand. It was the Any religion that claims affinity to the this was the tragic result of Jacob’s own knowledge of God’s vision and words biblical tradition yet focuses on doctrine curse, ignorant that it was she that had that created the circumstances in which is not genuine. Tradition is the passing stolen Laban’s idols: “Whoever you find Jacob and those around him practiced on of knowledge and hope for revelation. your gods with, will not live” (Genesis jealousy and strife. Jacob surely knew Orthodoxy without faith and experience 31:32). Finally, when there was famine that his mother was spoken to by God, is hopeless. In this respect, controlled and his ten sons went to Egypt seeking proclaiming that the younger would be jealousy is an asset, though risky. Even food, the undisclosed Joseph demanded greater, thus implying that the birth- Jesus’ disciples struggled at times with to see the last brother, Benjamin. Jacob right and blessing belonged to him. jealousy in their confused piety. initially refused to let him go because When Joseph the son of Jacob had May we find the right balance: cher- he was so attached to the boy, the only spiritual dreams from the LORD God, ishing wisdom, community, and tradi- remaining son of his wife Rachel. How- his brothers became jealous. They hated tion without quenching our lust to ex- ever, when he realized that it was a him, not only because he was the favor- perience the LORD God in mystical love trial of life and faith, Jacob agreed de- ite son of their father and the son of the and existential revelation.

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 21 10/25/2016 10:49:01 AM By Boaz Michael

The House of Joseph Genesis 45 Stories are Powerful

his son Isaac, he sent his servant on a quest to find a girl from his own people. He wanted a Hebrew, Shemite bride for his son. Abraham’s servant procured Re-

WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC DOMAIN WIKIMEDIA/PUBLIC becca for Isaac, and they had two sons. They grieved over Esau because he took wives from among the local girls. Jacob’s wives, on the other hand, were Hebrew Shemites like his mother and grand- mother. But in Joseph’s case, Asenath was the daughter of an Egyptian priest, and hence a Hamite. Joseph’s marriage to her appears to be a breach of ethnic fealty. One can almost hear Grandma Rebecca’s disapproving “tsk-tsk” echo- Joseph in Egypt (James Tissot, c. 1896–1902) ing from inside the Machphelah tomb in Hebron. s Paul wrestled with the mystery of the gospel, Daughter of trying to come to terms with the Gentile inclusion, The embarrassment over Asenath comes A he might have rolled the scroll to the stories of from the implication that two of the Is- Joseph. In Paul’s day, other voices were already retelling raelite tribes had Egyptian blood in their the stories of Joseph as metaphors for Gentile inclusion veins from the outset. In response to this uncomfortable moment in the Torah, and exclusion. the sages supplied a midrashic expla- During Joseph’s time of estrangement from his family, he took an Egyptian bride. nation for Joseph’s marriage to Asenath. Her name was Asenath. She was the daughter of a pagan priest. We are told nothing According to this explanation, Asenath else about her except that she bore Joseph two sons: and Manasseh. Her was Joseph’s niece, the daughter of his two sons went on to be patriarchs of two of the twelve tribes of Israel. sister Dinah. Of course Joseph did not Joseph’s Egyptian wife was something of an embarrassment to the sages. Abra- realize this, but through miraculous cir- ham’s wife, Sarah, was a Hebrew like himself. When Abraham sought a wife for cumstances, his niece had been adopted

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 22 10/25/2016 10:49:02 AM by Potiphera and raised as an Egyptian. Asenath must be Israelite because the Therefore, Asenath, the bride of Joseph, was not an Egyptian at all; she was re- alternative is unthinkable. It cannot be proven ally an Israelite in disguise. The happy and it need not be proven, because it is a result of this retelling of the story is that Ephraim and Manasseh (and hence the matter of identity. It is a story, not a history. tribes that bear their names) are full- blooded sons of Jacob. The midrash says, “When Shechem son of Hamor violated Dinah, she con- daughter of an Egyptian priest?” he asks, “And from where was Joseph to ceived and bore Asenath. Jacob’s sons The old sage considers the question. obtain a wife? Why did God provide an wished to kill the child. What did Ja- How should he answer? He might an- Israelite bride for each of his brothers cob do? He inscribed the Divine Name swer, “Asenath was a proselyte that con- but not for him?” on a gold foil, hung it about her neck, verted to Judaism, thus Joseph was free The disciples shake their heads. They and sent her away. The angel Michael to marry her.” But such an answer would do not know why. descended and brought her down to seem to sanction mixed marriages. It “I’ll tell you why,” the sage says. “Be- Egypt into the house of . Poti- might even encourage his disciples to cause Dinah’s daughter Asenath was fit- phar’s wife, being barren, raised Asenath consider Gentile women for themselves, ting for him as a wife.”2 As his explana- as a daughter.” 1 In the story, Jacob’s gold- Heaven forbid. What would prevent one tion grows, the story of Asenath’s birth, foil dog-tag with the ineffable Name in- of his disciples from marrying a Gen- her abandonment, her angelic transpor- scribed on it serves to identify her later. tile woman whom he had convinced tation to Egypt, and her adoption by Po- This assures us that she is indeed Di- to make a similar conversion? Further- tiphera are all supplied as necessary de- nah’s daughter and not a horrid Egyp- more, such an answer would imply that tails to support the premise. tian woman after all. the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh By imagining sibling-spouses for The revision of the story is primarily were not pure descendants of Shem–– the sons of Jacob and by reinventing concerned with the purity of bloodlines. an unconscionable conclusion to reach. Asenath as a granddaughter of Jacob, We can imagine the sage who created The sage understands that his telling of our sage has avoided the unpleasant im- this explanation for Asenath. He is a re- the story of Asenath will shape the iden- plications of mixed bloodlines. In addi- spected teacher in his community, per- tity of the Jewish community for better tion, he has protected his ethnocentric haps with his own school of disciples. or for worse. worldview, which places Gentiles out- As the Torah authority of the local Beit He considers it a moment more and side of the people of God. Nevermind Midrash and synagogue, he feels respon- answers with a question. “What of the that Dinah’s own daughter, child of a sible for safeguarding the community. other eleven brothers? From where did Canaanite rape, could hardly have been What’s more, he is not particularly fond they obtain their wives?” of a pure bloodline herself. It is enough of proselytes. His disciples have no answer. This that the reproach of Joseph has been re- He has seen both converts to Ju- question had not previously occurred to moved. daism and Christians turn against the them. From where indeed? Aside from He has reinvented Asenath. He has Jewish community when the political the ill-fated marriage of Judah, the To- made her into a symbol and confirma- pressure to do so was applied. He has rah does not say. tion of the exclusion of the Gentiles. seen the deleterious effects of Gentile “I will tell you from whence they She may at first appear to be a Gentile worldviews in the Torah community. He found wives,” the sage says. “The wives convert, but on closer examination, she has had to deal with the legal problems of all the tribes were born along with proves to be a lost daughter of Israel. raised by mixed marriages. Further, them, from the same womb even. Each Objections to his interpretation are he has seen more than enough Jewish of Jacob’s sons was born as a fraternal waved away by fanciful claims and a cre- blood spilled by Gentile hands. twin with his wife. Thus, God provided ative retelling of the story. Asenath must His disciples come to him with a good Israelite wives for each of our fa- be Israelite because the alternative is question. “Master,” they ask, “how is it thers. Except for Joseph.” unthinkable. It cannot be proven and it that Joseph, who proved his purity and Now the sage has a smile on his face. need not be proven, because it is a mat- devotion to his father’s family when He has his disciples hanging on his ev- ter of identity. It is a story, not a history. tempted by the Egyptian woman, suc- ery word. Their mouths are agape. Their However, his fanciful retelling is cumbed to be married to the heathen eyes are riveted on him. He chuckles as contrary to the literal reading of the

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 23 10/25/2016 10:49:02 AM Torah. In the Torah’s account, Asenath ence of those Gentiles enriched the fam- shall be ‘City of Refuge,’ because in you is Egyptian. She is the blood-daughter ily of God. many nations will take refuge with the of an Egyptian, and Joseph marries her As a result, he took a very positive LORD God, the Most High, and under because he has no hope of ever being view of converts; perhaps he himself your wings many peoples will be shel- reunited with his family. His marriage was a convert to Judaism. In his book, tered and behind your walls will be to her results in two sons. Joseph names Joseph and Asenath, his interpretation guarded those who attach themselves the elder Manasseh (“forgetful”) because of the Asenath character is considerably to the Most High God in the name of he has forgotten his father’s family. He friendlier toward Gentiles than that of repentance.”5 names the second son Ephraim (“dou- the midrash cited above. After her encounter with the divine bly fruitful”) because God has made him Joseph and Asenath is a suggestively Joseph-Man, Asenath converts into a twice fruitful with two his sons. erotic love story about Joseph and his worshipper of the LORD God Most High. The midrash wants to adjust the Egyptian bride. In the story, Asenath is She confesses her sins and washes her- plain meaning of the text in order to portrayed as a breathtakingly beautiful, self from the ashes of her repentance. avoid the unpleasant implication that virgin daughter of an Egyptian priest. She dresses herself in a wedding gar- two of the tribes of Israel have an Egyp- Despite her great beauty, she is com- ment and waits for her beloved to re- tian mother. By trying to control the pletely devoted to idolatry and worships turn. story, the midrash hopes to control Jew- all the gods of Egypt. Yet when she lays The Pharaoh of Egypt informs her, ish identity. eyes on Joseph, she is so smitten that “The LORD, the God of Joseph, has cho- she says, “I did not know that Joseph is sen you as a bride for Joseph, because Daughter of Egypt a son of God.”3 he is the firstborn son of God. And you But there exists another, perhaps She tries to woo him, but he is not in- shall be called a daughter of the Most older, answer to the question about Jo- terested. He rebukes her for her idolatry Hi g h .” 6 At last, Joseph and Asenath are seph’s bride. This interpretation of the and she is filled with shame. Having fallen married, after which Asenath says to Jo- Asenath character comes from the pen utterly in love with Joseph, she destroys seph, “Your father Israel is like a father of a Greek-speaking Jewish author liv- all of her idols, repents for seven days in to me.” ing sometime in the first century of the sackcloth and ashes, and calls upon the common era. We don’t know his name God of Joseph. During her seven days of City of Refuge or where he came from, but we can infer repentance, a heavenly man appears to Joseph and Asenath is an important some things about him from his writ- her. He is described as “a man in every work because it presents a first-century ing. He wrote in Greek, had an interest respect similar to Joseph … except that typology of both the Joseph character in things Egyptian, and seemed to have his face was like lightning and his eyes and the Asenath character. In the mind firsthand knowledge of Egyptian geogra- like sunshine and the hairs of his head of the writer of Joseph and Asenath, Jo- phy. Also, he may have been an Egyptian like a flame of fire of a burning torch, seph represents a messianic figure. He Jew living in Alexandria. and hands and feet like iron shining forth is even called “the firstborn son of God.” In his community, he had probably from a fire.” 4 The heavenly Joseph-Man is The divine Joseph-Man gives Asenath seen scores of Gentiles turn from their similar to the Son of Man descriptions in to eat from the “blessed bread of life” idolatrous worship systems and attach the books of Daniel and Enoch. and to drink from the “blessed cup of themselves to the God of Abraham. The The Joseph-Man speaks to Asenath, immortality.” These seem to be clear great port city of Alexandria afforded saying, “Take courage, for behold your allusions to the rites of the Last Seder. him plenty of occasions to rub shoul- name was written in the book of the Through the agency of this messianic ders with all manner of men. He met living in heaven in the beginning of the Joseph character (who is represented people from all nations who had joined book, as the very first of all, your name as both divine and earthly), Asenath is themselves to Israel as proselytes and was written by my finger and it will not converted from paganism to the wor- converts. They were Greek speakers for be erased forever. Behold, from today, ship of the one true God. The imagery the most part, but they possessed a deep you will be renewed and formed anew seems pointedly Christian, and it may passion for the God of the Hebrews. and made alive again and you will eat be that our Alexandrian Jewish author They were God fearers, converts, and the blessed bread of life, and drink a was also a believer.7 Christians. They crowded themselves blessed cup of immortality, and anoint Unlike the midrashic explanation into the Great Synagogue; they pressed yourself with blessed ointment of incor- of Asenath, our unknown author rev- themselves in among Israel. From the ruptibility. And your name shall no lon- els in Asenath’s Gentile roots and pagan Egyptian writer’s perspective, the pres- ger be called Asenath, but your name origin. It is her Gentile and pagan na-

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 24 10/25/2016 10:49:02 AM ture that intrigues him. In her he sees a Which Asenath better represents model for all future converts to Judaism. She is a “City of Refuge” for all nations Messianic Gentiles? and peoples who attach themselves to the Most High God. By creating this charming story, our unknown Jewish author lends us an posed by many Gentile believers in Mes- And called from the darkness important alternative interpretation of sianic Judaism today. Which Asenath to the light the Asenath character and the Gentile better represents Messianic Gentiles? And from the error to the truth question. His readership was probably Are Gentile believers like the daughter And from the death to the life. composed of Gentile converts to Juda- of Dinah, lost and forgotten Israelites May you, LORD, bless this virgin, ism (or the sect of Judaism called “The raised in a Gentile environment, igno- And renew her by your spirit, Way”). Asenath is offered to them as a rant of our own true identity as Israel, And form her anew by your hidden sort of patron saint. She is the Torah until it is revealed to them through their hand, matriarch for Gentiles seeking legiti- salvation and the teaching of the Two- And make her alive again by macy in Israel. House theology? Or are Gentile believ- your life, In this respect, Asenath’s character ers like the daughter of the Egyptian And drink your cup of blessing, is a proto-Ruth. Like Ruth, Asenath is priest, a real Gentile fallen head-over- And number her among your a Gentile daughter of a people forbid- heels in love with Joseph the Israelite, people den to intermarry with Israel. She also forsaking pagan identity and clinging That you have chosen before all makes a dramatic declaration of con- to Joseph and his God? I would opt for came into being, version. Even more so, Asenath is ulti- the latter. And let her enter your rest mately brought into Israel through mar- The author of Joseph and Asenath Which you have prepared for your riage to a Redeemer-Messiah character. definitely would place us in the latter chosen ones, Through her attachment to Joseph, camp. His messianic treatment of Joseph And live in your eternal life forever Asenath becomes the bride of a son of creates a typology into which Yeshua fits and ever. 8 God and a daughter of the Most High. very well. As the bride of Yeshua, we are Endnotes his Asenath. And like Asenath, we are 1 Yishai Chasidah, Encyclopedia of Biblical Will the Real Asenath brought into the family of Israel through Personalities (Jerusalem: Shaar Press, 1994), Please Stand Up? our husband. As Asenath tells Joseph 97‒98, citing Midrash Aggadah, Bereishit These two interpretations of Asenath in the story, “Your father Israel is like a 41:45; Yalkut Shimoni, Vayishlach 134. 2 Pirkei d’Rabbi Eliezer 36. are roughly contemporary. Yet they father to me.” Asenath is a City of Ref- 3 Joseph and Asenath 6:5 ( James H. could not be more opposite in orien- uge in Israel for those of us who have at- Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepi- tation. The midrashic view rises from a tached ourselves to the Most High God, grapha [2 vols.; trans. C. Bruchard; New York: defensive and ethnocentric Judaism that the God of Israel. Doubleday, 1983], 2:209). views Gentile converts as a threat to the 4 Joseph and Asenath 14:9 (Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:225). integrity of the Jewish race and religion. A Prayer for Asenath 5 Joseph and Asenath 15:2–7 (Charlesworth, The TheJoseph and Asenath view rises from In the story Joseph and Asenath, Joseph Old Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:226). a confident and expansive Judaism that prays for his beautiful Egyptian princess 6 Joseph and Asenath 21:4 (Charlesworth, The Old views Gentile converts as a complement prior to her conversion. The prayer elo- Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:235). to Israel and a testimony to the univer- quently expresses the hope of our faith, 7 However, Burchard’s introduction to the work sal validity of faith in God. our desire to be born again, to be re- claims that “every competent scholar has confirmed that Joseph and Asenath is Jewish” Which view is correct? It depends made and renewed and brought into (Charlesworth, The Old Testament Pseude- on whom you ask; neither story is his- the family of the God of Israel. Listen to pigrapha, 2:186). The majority of scholars torical. Rather, they are stories written the words of Joseph as he prays for his maintain that Joseph and Asenath is a Jewish work, too Jewish to be written by a Christian. to shape a people’s corporate self-con- Gentile bride: But the rigid distinction we assume between sciousness. Whoever controls the sto- Judaism and Christianity did not exist ries of a people controls the identity of LORD God of my father Israel through most of the first century. It is pos- sible that the author of Joseph and Asenath the people. The Most High, the Powerful One was a Jewish believer. The two versions of Asenath have of Jacob 8 Joseph and Asenath 8:9 (Charlesworth, The Old striking similarities to the questions Who gave life to all Testament Pseudepigrapha, 2:212).

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Teaching from Zion 35.indd 25 10/25/2016 10:49:02 AM Connect with Netivyah

Teaching from Zion 35.indd 26 10/25/2016 10:49:07 AM There’s a lot more to Netivyah than meets the eye—the Teaching from Zion magazine is only one of our outreach and hu- manitarian ministries. We invite you to connect with, and contribute to, the other branches of our ministry. Congregation Roeh Israel, “Shepherd of Israel,” is a Messianic Jewish Congregation in Jerusalem. The congregation is made up of followers of Yeshua, both Jews and non-Jews, who worship together in a traditional synagogue environment. Humanitarian Aid There are many families in Israel, even entire sectors of the population, who fall between the cracks. Hamotzi Food Distribution Center is a place to literally bring forth food for local needy families in Jerusalem. Without charities and organizations like Netivyah they would not be able to put food on the table. Publications Publishing is one of Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry’s top priorities, as we see education as being central to our existence. Visit our website for previous issues of Teaching from Zion, as well as a selection of our books. Radio Station Kol Ha’Yeshuah (“The Voice of Salvation”) is the Hebrew partner of “Trans World Radio” worldwide gospel radio network. We present the Good News to our netivyah.org Hebrew-speaking audience in the context of its Jewish and Hebrew culture. [email protected]

Teaching from Zion 35.indd 27 10/25/2016 10:49:09 AM Netivyah Bible Instruction Ministry

PO BOX 8043, JERUSALEM 91080, ISRAEL Tel. 972-2-6231019 www.netivyah.org

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