An Introduction to the Parashat HaShavuah (Weekly Torah Portion) Understanding the Torah From a Thematic Perspective Yitro (Jethro) By Tony Robinson Copyright © 2003 (5764) by Tony Robinson, Restoration of Torah Ministries. All rights reserved. —The Family House of Study— Examining the Parashat HaShavuah by Thematic Analysis Welcome to Mishpachah Beit Midrash, the Family House of Study. Each Shabbat1 we gather in our home and study the Scriptures, specifically the Torah.2 It’s a fun time of receiving revelation from the Ruach HaKodesh3. Everyone joins in—adults and children—as we follow the Parashat HaShavuah4 schedule. We devote ourselves to studying the Torah because the Torah is the foundation for all of Scripture. Therefore, a thorough understanding of the Torah will help us more fully understand the rest of the Tanakh5 and the Brit Chadasha.6 Furthermore, as Yeshua stated Himself, the Torah teaches about Him. So we study the Torah in order to be drawn closer to Yeshua, the goal of the Torah. As believers in the Messiah we have discovered the richness of the wisdom of the sages of Israel. These men, who devoted themselves to the study of the Torah, have left us a rich heritage. Part of that heritage is a unique method of learning and interpreting the Scriptures. It’s called thematic analysis. In thematic analysis we search for the underlying theme/topic of each passage of Scripture. By studying Scriptures related by a common theme, line upon line and precept upon precept, the Scriptures open up to us in a unique manner that is clearly inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh. Passages that seemed obscure begin to make sense, and numerous levels of wisdom and understanding unfold before us. Thematic analysis of Scripture is based on the following premises. 1) Moses wrote the Torah as five separate books as the Ruach HaKodesh inspired him. 2) Since Adonai had him separate those words into five separate books, we surmise that each book has a unique message or theme. 3) Within each book, the words are written with two paragraph-like divisions7 interrupting the flow of the words. 4) Since Adonai commanded Moshe to separate the individual books into smaller paragraph-like sections or Parshiot, we surmise that each Parsha was written as a separate unit because each of those Parshiot is trying to convey a unique thought, theme, concept or understanding. Therefore, since Adonai inspired these divisions, we think they are VERY important. We use these God-breathed divisions as the basis of our thematic analysis of Scripture. Once you begin to interpret the Scriptures thematically, you will immediately SEE that Adonai wrote His words in a manner consistent with the intent that they be interpreted thematically. Here is an example of what the Parsha divisions look like … Page 2 of 15 s—Parsha Stumah (plural, stumot)—A paragraph-like break inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh, still preserved on kosher Torah Scrolls, where there are at least nine blank spaces between a word and the next word, all on the same line of text. p—Parsha P'tuchah (plural, p'tuchot)—A paragraph-like break inspired by the Ruach HaKodesh, still preserved on kosher Torah Scrolls, where there are blank spaces extending to the end of a line of text and the subsequent text does not begin until the next line. (Hebrew is read from right to left) Page 3 of 15 —Parashat HaShavuah— Ar.tiy Yitro (Jethro) Shemot 18:1 - 20:23 (Exodus 18:1 - 20:23) 1 Shemot 18:1 - 18:27 p 2 Shemot 19:1 - 19:25 s 3 Shemot 20:1 s 4 Shemot 20:2 - 20:6 s 5 Shemot 20:7 p 6 Shemot 20:8 - 20:11 s 7 Shemot 20:12 s 8 Shemot 20:13 s 9 Shemot 20:148 p 10 Shemot 20:15 - 20:18 s 11 Shemot 20:19 - 20:23 p Page 4 of 15 Understanding the Parsha Exodus 19:1-25 Objective—Learn how to interpret the main theme of a Parsha. Find other Scriptures thematically connected with the Parsha under examination. Understand how the thematic connections help you to interpret the significance of the Parsha under examination. What's on the Agenda for Israel at Mount Sinai? I. From time to time we have outlined different Parshiot to demonstrate how outlining helps us follow the flow of events. As we study the Torah it helps to be able to see the big picture so that we know where we are in the flow of events. In Exodus 6:6-8,9 Adonai gave us an overview of His plan for fulfilling the promises to the Patriarchs. These five I Wills provide the roadmap for the remainder of the Torah. Currently, we are at the fourth I Will—I will take you as My people, and I will be your God. Then you shall know that I am the LORD your God who brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Let's see how Adonai plans to take Israel as His people. A. Read Exodus 19:1-25—What thematic connection exists between the fourth I Will statement above and verses 3-6, which proves that chapter 19 begins the fourth I Will?10 How do verses 5-6 strengthen the connection between the fourth I Will and this stage in Israel's development?11 B. What seems to be the main event in this chapter?12 Considering the ultimate goal for Israel (Exodus 19:5-6), what is the purpose of the giving of the Torah?13 The Continuing Revelation of the Name YHVH II. In Parashat Va'eira we learned that the statement in Exodus 6:2-4 primarily pertains to how Adonai makes Himself known experientially through His names, not whether or not He used the names. The El Shaddai/Elohim of Genesis 1:1-2:3 had made Himself known, behind the scenes, through the lives of the Patriarchs. But now, the YHVH of Genesis 2:4-3:24 is about to become intimately involved in the affairs of man, as the Lord of history, so as to make Himself known to the nations! When you compare and contrast Adonai's appearance in Exodus 3:1-6 with the appearances throughout the book of Genesis, you will notice one particular shift in emphasis. When in Genesis did Adonai ever tell one of the Patriarchs, "Do not come any closer to me…Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground?" Clearly, beginning with the burning bush, Adonai is making Himself known in a new manner. A. Which verses (pertaining to inaccessibility) in Exodus 19:1-25 are thematically linked to the passage in Exodus 3:1-6?14 When did Adonai ever act this way with the Patriarchs? As you can see, He is making Himself known in a manner the Patriarchs never experienced. B. What aspect of His character is He making known to Israel?15 This is a very important theme, and we will continue to follow it as we progress through the Torah. C. We know that Adonai has intense love for the people of Israel, the offspring of the Patriarchs. Furthermore, we know that the main theme of this section of Scripture Page 5 of 15 pertains to how He wants to enter into covenant relationship with them. However, when you read Exodus 19, did you notice that Adonai refuses to speak directly to the people, the object of His affection? Did you notice how He keeps telling Moses to talk to them? Have you noticed how the people always have to send messages to Him via Moses? How is this behavior thematically related to how Adonai is making Himself known as a Holy God?16 Once again, we see that the Torah is trying to teach us about the Holiness/Set-Apartness of our God. III. The Atmosphere Surrounding the Giving of the Torah—We know that Adonai will descend upon Mount Sinai and that the people are to meet Him there. How does the Torah describe the mountain as they approached?17 How is this description thematically related to the events surrounding Moses' initial encounter with Adonai as He began to make Himself known as YHVH for the first time (Exodus 3:1-6)?18 Did the circumstances surrounding these encounters facilitate the process of drawing near to Adonai? No. So, we see that at the giving of the Torah, even the events occurring in nature support the theme that YHVH is not easily approached. These are some of Israel's first lessons on an attribute of Adonai that He had not made known to the Fathers when He revealed Himself as El Shaddai/Elohim. Hopefully, analysis of this story has shown you how forcefully Adonai is trying to convince us that no one approaches Him except on His terms. Moses' Role at the Giving of the Torah I. The Torah paints many pictures for us. Sometimes, however, we can miss them unless we look for the themes. As you read Exodus 19:1-25, what is the primary physical activity Moses seems to be engaged in?19 A. Many times the Torah teaches us by its repeated use of words or themes associated with that word. For example, have you noticed how many times the words up/ascend and down/descend were used with reference to Moses? Do you know how many times he went up and down the mountain in those three days?20 B. Considering that Adonai only speaks to the people through Moses, and considering that the people can only speak to Adonai through Moses, what is the Torah trying to teach us concerning the role Moses is fulfilling?21 That's right.