Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2009 3:34:10 GMT -8
Not all blessings are created equal, neither every curse. The berah-kah (the blessing) is simply a move in a positive direction. The barakhoo is a blessing that gives the idea of lifting up.
The keh-law-lah (the curse) is not the bitter d**n you to hell sort of cursing (this word, that one does exist). Keh-law-lah is the idea of disregard or treating lightly, in some cases, to hold in contempt.
When we consider our relationship with God, whether we want to walk according to
or walk our own way, we often get a distorted perspective on the affect of sin in our lives. We visualize God standing over us with a big stick. When we stray off the course of righteousness, He gives us a good divine whack. This is not the picture that is provided in Deuteronomy 11:26. When we walk according to , Adonai berakhoo: He lifts us up. When we decide to go our own way, He lets us go. There is no sense of wrathful vengeance on us doing our thing. He simply let’s us… and allows us to suffer the consequences.
This is typically not reflective of our personal experiences. When we walk with God, or so we think, our life is just as troubled and frustrating as when we walk according to our own devices. The problem is not in the theological premise. The problem is in our interpretation of righteousness. Drawing near to Adonai by keeping His commandments is not as academically defined as many of us have grown to interpret it. It is not a series of ethical toggle switches or theological practices. Keeping His commandments is a process of making every aspect of our lives a thing of worship.
Freedom of choice has been granted to every man: if he desires
to turn toward a good path and be righteous, the ability to do so
is in his hands; and if he desires to turn toward an evil path and
be wicked, the ability to do so is in his hands...
This concept is a fundamental principle and a pillar of the
and its commandments. As it is written [Deuteronomy 30:15]:
"See, I have set before you life [and good, and death and evil]"
and "See, I set before you today "... For
were G-d to decree that a person be righteous or wicked, of if
there were to exist something in the very essence of a person's
nature which would compel him toward a specific path, a
specific conviction, a specific character trait or a specific
deed...how could G-d command us through the prophets "do
this" and "do not do this,"...? What place would the entire
have? And by what measure of justice would G-d punish the
wicked and reward the righteous...?
(Mishneh, Laws of Repentance 5:1-3)
The keh-law-lah (the curse) is not the bitter d**n you to hell sort of cursing (this word, that one does exist). Keh-law-lah is the idea of disregard or treating lightly, in some cases, to hold in contempt.
When we consider our relationship with God, whether we want to walk according to
or walk our own way, we often get a distorted perspective on the affect of sin in our lives. We visualize God standing over us with a big stick. When we stray off the course of righteousness, He gives us a good divine whack. This is not the picture that is provided in Deuteronomy 11:26. When we walk according to , Adonai berakhoo: He lifts us up. When we decide to go our own way, He lets us go. There is no sense of wrathful vengeance on us doing our thing. He simply let’s us… and allows us to suffer the consequences.This is typically not reflective of our personal experiences. When we walk with God, or so we think, our life is just as troubled and frustrating as when we walk according to our own devices. The problem is not in the theological premise. The problem is in our interpretation of righteousness. Drawing near to Adonai by keeping His commandments is not as academically defined as many of us have grown to interpret it. It is not a series of ethical toggle switches or theological practices. Keeping His commandments is a process of making every aspect of our lives a thing of worship.
Freedom of choice has been granted to every man: if he desires
to turn toward a good path and be righteous, the ability to do so
is in his hands; and if he desires to turn toward an evil path and
be wicked, the ability to do so is in his hands...
This concept is a fundamental principle and a pillar of the
and its commandments. As it is written [Deuteronomy 30:15]:
"See, I have set before you life [and good, and death and evil]"
and "See, I set before you today "... For
were G-d to decree that a person be righteous or wicked, of if
there were to exist something in the very essence of a person's
nature which would compel him toward a specific path, a
specific conviction, a specific character trait or a specific
deed...how could G-d command us through the prophets "do
this" and "do not do this,"...? What place would the entire
have? And by what measure of justice would G-d punish the
wicked and reward the righteous...?
(Mishneh
, Laws of Repentance 5:1-3)
