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So, you’ve decided to incorporate the celebration of Passover into your Christian home. Now what? Where to begin? What to buy? Whom to ask? What to say? What to eat? I know only a couple of Christians that were raised with Passover as a family tradition. What a great blessing! Unfortunately, the rest of us must figure it out on our own. But recent years have produced a large number of resources for Christians interested in Passover. This is a great time to introduce Passover as a tradition in your family and to get started passing it on to future generations. Here’s a simplified, step-by-step guide to help you hold your own Christian Passover Seder. As you continue to learn and grow in this practice, you can involve more of the elements and customs as you see fit for your family.
Let God know your intentions. Ask Him to help you find the resources you need to observe Passover with your family. You’ll be surprised at His response!
Make sure you know what you’re celebrating and why. Even if you know the story, go over it again. Obviously, it’s no substitute for the bible but here’s a quick summary. Don’t miss the supernatural awesomeness of God displayed in this story! The point of all this was to show God’s power and proclaim His name throughout the earth (Exodus 9:16). Make sure that gets done through your Passover celebration. Make sure God gets all the glory.
Bone – 1 for each Seder plate (usually a roasted lamb shank bone but we use a drumstick)
Horseradish – about 1 tablespoon per participant
Wine and/or juice – enough for each participant to have 4 glasses/cups
Glasses and/or cups – 1 for each participant
Full meal to eat (other than the Seder elements, usually pork-free and yeast-free)
Set up
Decide who will lead the Seder. Traditionally, it’s the man of the house, but it doesn’t have to be. This person will be praying, pouring wine, etc., so he or she may have to brush up on how to do a Seder ahead of time. Here’s a great video for that.
Fill hand washing bowl with water and have towel accessible.
Put Matzah on a plate so that everyone at the table has access to it.
Wrap 3 pieces of matzah in the cloth and set it at the leader’s place.
Make saltwater in either individual or shared bowls and place on the table.
Prepare Seder plate(s). Place bone, parsley or celery, charoset, and horseradish on the plate.
Place glasses/cups on the table.
Place wine/juice on the table to have it more easily accessible.
Pour the first glass of wine. Open with a prayer, thanking God for freeing us from slavery, both through the Exodus from Egypt and from sin through our Messiah, Jesus. Optional: say the HaGafen blessing together.
Pass the washing bowl around, and each participant should wash and dry their hands. This signifies that we must approach God with a clean and pure heart.
Dip the parsley in salt water. Tell participants that this reminds us of our tears in slavery. Eat it after the leader has praised God for the vegetables. The HaAdamah can be said at this time.
The leader removes the middle piece of matzah from the 3 pieces of matzah that have been set aside. It should be broken in 2, and the larger piece wrapped in the cloth. In some homes, it is hidden somewhere in the house for the children to find later. This reminds us that Jesus was broken, wrapped, and buried.
Everyone then lifts a piece of matzah. The blessing over the bread, the HaMotzi, can be said at this time. The leader then explains that the bread is like the bread that the Israelites had upon leaving Egypt. The absence of yeast represents the absence of sin in our lives due to the redemption of that sin through Jesus. Set the matzah down.
Pour another glass of wine. At this point, the youngest child in the house who is able to read should read The Four Questions.
On other nights, we don’t dip our food. Why do we dip our food twice tonight?
On other nights, we eat regular bread. Why do we eat only matzah tonight?
On other nights, we eat other vegetables. Why do we eat parsley tonight?
On other nights, we sit in chairs. Why do we recline tonight?
The leader then responds that tonight is different because tonight, we remember that God rescued us from slavery and the slavery of our sin. We dip our food to remind us of the tears shed in our slavery, and we dip again to remember that we are free. Eating matzah reminds us of the Hebrew people hurriedly leaving Egypt and the sinlessness of Jesus. Horseradish reminds us of the bitterness of slavery – both in Egypt and in our sin. We recline as if we’re royalty because we are free people.
The leader tells the Passover story. During the part recalling the plagues, the participants dip their finger in the wine and drop a drop of wine onto a piece of matzah as each plague is recalled (blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock, boils, hail, locusts, darkness, and the death of the firstborn). The leader should emphasize the actual Passover part of the story (lamb’s blood on the doorpost saving God’s people) and that Jesus’s blood allowed our exodus from the slavery of our sin.
Each person should hold up a piece of matzah. The leader should again say that we eat matzah because the Israelites left with no time for their bread to rise. The matzah is also like Jesus, who wasn’t “leavened” with sin so that he could be a sacrifice for ours.
The leader should raise the horseradish and tell everyone that this reminds us of the bitterness of slavery. The leader then puts the horseradish down. The leader should then explain that the charoset reminds us of the mortar used by the Israelite slaves to build brick buildings for the Egyptians.
Everyone lifts the second cup of wine. The leader praises God for saving us and for the fruit of the vine. Then everyone should drink and eat the matzah.
The leader should praise God for the reminder of the bitter herbs. Then all participants should put horseradish on their matzah and eat.
The leader thanks God for the food and for this time to remember the Passover and Jesus, our Passover lamb. The meal is now served.
After the meal is the 3rd cup of wine. You’ll recognize this part from the Last Supper recorded in the Gospels. If the middle matzah was hidden, now is the time to find it. The leader breaks the once-hidden broken matzah into pieces and gives each believer at the table a piece. Another glass of wine is poured, and everyone should hold the matzah and wine. The leader should summarize the Last Supper and then quote 1 Cor. 11:24 and Mark 14:22, where Jesus said, “This is my body which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” Then, everyone should eat their piece of matzah and hold their cup of wine up. The leader should then quote 1 Cor. 11:25 and Mark 14:24, where Jesus said, “This is the cup of the new covenant in my blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” Then all believers should drink the 3rd cup.
This is usually the time for a song of praise. Some say a Psalm or sing a hymn. My kids cannot let this moment pass without singing Dayenu until we eventually have to stop them. Ha ha!
The leader now pours the 4th cup of wine, praises God for the fruit of the vine, and everyone drinks it.
The leader concludes, reminding everyone that tonight’s feast reminds of God’s deliverance for us, not only from slavery in Egypt but also from our sin and the death we deserve. We are redeemed through the blood of Jesus just as the blood of the lamb in the first Passover redeemed the Israelites.
I know there are some out there reading this thinking “A simple overview?!?!”. I was there once too! There’s more to a full Seder, but this post includes just what I consider to be the most important elements. It’s difficult to introduce this tradition if it’s new to you, but if you’ve been convicted that this is something you should be doing with your family, please do it anyway. My family’s first Passover didn’t go as we planned, and we stumbled through it, but we all have learned a LOT since then! Expect a challenge as you start and continue this rich tradition, and I’m guessing you’ll be blessed by your perseverance.
I love this pamphlet by Rose Publishing called Christ in the Passover! It explains why Passover is meaningful to Christians and the significance of the items and story behind the Passover Seder.
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After realizing the value of learning the Hebraic Roots of the Christian faith, there is no clear path to follow, leaving many people feeling stuck, not knowing how to proceed. Although they know that many Jewish traditions like Passover, for example, point to Jesus and enrich the Gospel, there’s no specific source on how to implement those in a modern American Christian family. Searching the internet may help, but it may also be confusing due to conflicting viewpoints inside and outside the Hebrew Roots Movement.
In Acts, there was an ongoing debate about whether Gentiles could participate in the faith of the early Messianic Jews without following all details of the Torah. James the Apostle replies, “Therefore, I judge you not to trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God…” (Acts 15:19-20). James knew, and I’m assuming God knows, that learning Jewish traditions as a Gentile takes some time and grace. Although Christians have already “turned to God,” we may be just beginning to incorporate Biblical practices into our faith. Our family has had to find resources and learn a lot independently, and there has been a steep learning curve. If you give time and grace to yourself and your family in this endeavor and combine them with your conviction about learning these practices, you’ll eventually figure it out. It has been a long process for my family and me, but we’ve grown so much, and it’s been so worth it!
The best place to start is by incorporating the practice of a weekly Sabbath. Observing the Sabbath is where my family started, but I have other reasons for it being a good starting point.
It’s one of the 10 commandments (Ex. 20:8 and others).
It happens weekly, allowing for a lot of practice.
Your practice of it can vary.
Many Jews revere it as the most holy day.
It can bring peace to your home.
It will bring rest.
It is a sign of the covenant between God and His people (Ex. 31:16, Lev. 24:8, and others).
It was made for us! (Mark 2:27)
Soon after you attempt to start doing the Sabbath, you’ll realize that the rest of your week must change to accommodate a workless Sabbath. Friday will turn into Preparation Day, and the chores from Friday and Saturday must be spread out throughout the week. It may be helpful at this point to make or revise your cleaning schedule. A word of caution, though – be careful you don’t ruin your Sabbath by sliding into it exhausted, resentful, and arguing with your family due to your stressing to get everything done. Unfortunately, I’ve done it many times, and it will disrupt the peace the Sabbath is supposed to bring. Keep preparations simple at first, focused on allowing for rest, togetherness, and time with God. Here are some things to start with.
Compile some family favorite recipes that are easy to make or can be made ahead of time and use those for Friday and Saturday evenings.
Make or plan meals with little prep (like veggies and dip or sandwiches) for Saturday lunches. Here’s the hummus recipe we use regularly.
Make sure the house is clean enough for everyone to be able to relax (kitchen, bathrooms, and main living areas functionally clean).
Lay out clothing for Shabbat on Friday.
Find resources
I’m so glad you’re reading this! When I started my Hebraic faith journey, resources for Christians were minimal. I had to wade through Jewish sources, deciphering what applied to me and what didn’t. While I won’t claim to have all the answers, I will share what I’ve learned to make this path easier for other Believers to travel. Many other resources are out there now, most of which weren’t available even a few years ago. Here are some of my favorites, and there are even more on my resources page:
Websites
Hebrew for Christians – While the focus is to teach Hebrew, they also cover holidays, prayers, and more.
119 Ministries – Videos and podcasts that provide Biblical answers to many of our questions on our journey.
Torah Class – The BEST bible study I’ve found that’s from a Hebraic perspective. This study is intense, not directed toward seekers but mature Christians familiar with the Bible. The site has many studies covering the Old and New Testaments and topics, all of which are free!
Land of Honey – Many additional resources for Christians seeking Hebraic information – holidays, printables, etc.
Aish.com – Educational website about Judaism – holidays, Torah, Jewish wisdom, etc.
It’s easier to navigate this new beginning with a community. Chances are getting better that there’s one near you. Even if there’s not, it’s worth the drive! Find one here or here.
I know visiting a new church or synagogue can be intimidating, especially of a different faith than you’re used to! In my experience, Messianic Jewish congregations are open to Christians joining them and welcome them with open arms. If you have any questions or are hesitant to visit one in your area, call first and inquire. I’m willing to bet they’d love to have you show up!
Study the Torah
Studying the Bible from the point of view that the Torah (the first five books) is the root of all Scripture can deepen your knowledge of the Bible in its entirety! If you’re not sure where to start, print out and follow my free, printable Torah reading schedule. It will have a reading from the Torah and a corresponding reading from the New Testament. When I started studying the Bible this way, it significantly improved my understanding of the whole Bible, and I think it will do the same for you.
Learn Some Hebrew
It’s not just one more thing to add to our already full to-do list! Learning the Biblical Hebrew language or having a good grasp on the most-used Hebrew words in the Old Testament can significantly increase your understanding of the culture of the Hebrew people (Jesus’s!), both the Old and New Testaments, and even God Himself.
Although translated by some very educated and gifted individuals, there’s no substitute for the Bible in its original languages. Hebrew doesn’t translate well to English, leaving room for some misunderstanding. One of our lifelong pursuits as Christians is to study the words of our God. Given this, what could stop us from increasing our understanding of the Bible by learning the original language of its writing? Get started! I bet it won’t be as challenging as you think!
Stay in the Word
Always. But especially while you’re on this path that is new to you. As you research and come across resources to help you, use discernment. Compare what you hear to what the Bible says and pray for clarification when necessary. Many Christians of all denominations have gradually and unknowingly strayed from following God through His word to following a pastor, author, or another person instead. This journey is between you and your family and God. Please make sure it brings glory to Him and no one else.
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As many Christians grow in their faith, they begin to pursue the Biblical roots of their faith. They incorporate the Biblical Holy Days, the study of the Hebrew language, and maybe even some Jewish traditions into the practice of their Christian faith.
But how specifically is this different from traditional Christianity? We’ll get to that in a minute. First, let’s look at one way we’re the same to avoid confusion.
Salvation by Grace
Just as traditional Christianity holds to the doctrine of grace (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8–9, and more), so do Hebraic Believers. Unfortunately, this is the biggest misunderstanding and most common objection to the Hebraic faith from their Christian brothers and sisters. Many assume that we’ve shifted from the belief that we’re saved through the sacrifice of Jesus to the belief that we’re saved instead by adherence to the Law. This isn’t true.
Sadly, in some cases, this misunderstanding has led to a wide divide between traditional Christianity and Christians who practice in the ways of their Biblical roots. Instead of being a divider, the concept of grace should be one thing that unites these two faiths!
Where We Differ
Although we have many similarities and agree on many of the concepts in the Bible, the main thing we differ on is how to live out our faith.
Applying the commands in the Torah to the life of a Christian is by far the most common objection traditional Christians have with our faith. You may be surprised to hear, though, that most Christians already observe much of the Law. The 10 Commandments (Ex. 20), the ideal setup for marriage (Gen. 2:24), and the command to love your neighbor (Lev. 19:8) are all parts of the Law. The difference is that we observe a few more of the laws found in the Old Testament than traditional Christians do.
But because we make an effort to follow the Law doesn’t mean we think that’s what saves us. I’ve heard countless Christian arguments of this sort, and this is a result of a misunderstanding of what Hebraic Christians believe.
The main objection is that we teach against grace. They incorrectly assume that, because we teach that Believers should observe the Law, we consider it to be what saves, instead of the blood of Jesus. I’ve heard it said that we even “preach a gospel contrary to what Paul preached” (Gal. 1:8-9).
But what they don’t understand is that we don’t believe that at all. We do not believe or preach that we’re not saved by grace. As a part of multiple communities in the Hebraic and Messianic Christian faiths, I will tell you that I’ve never heard from someone who believes we’re not under grace. I haven’t heard from any group or individual in this faith that has replaced grace with the Law.
A lot of the disagreement comes from our differing interpretation of Pauline Scripture. If you’re interested in pursuing the Hebraic position vs. that of traditional Christianity on this, 119 Ministries has an in depth video series explanation as well as a short book and blog post, all entitled “The Pauline Paradox”.
In the quest to get back to our Biblical roots, many choose to learn Biblical Hebrew. There are many benefits to learning Hebrew but the most common is to bring clarity when studying the Bible.
While only some traditional Christians choose to learn Hebrew, most Hebraic Believers are at some level of knowledge of Hebrew. Some just know basic greetings or names of people and places in the Bible and some are full-blown Hebraists!
Church Replaces Israel
Most Hebraic Believers don’t believe in what’s known as Replacement Theology. This is the concept that the Christian church has replaced the nation (or people) of Israel. Replacement Theology says that the Jewish people are no longer God’s people because the Christian church has taken that place. This idea is not only antisemitic, it’s anti-Biblical!
We believe instead that we’re grafted in to the promises God gave to Israel. We’re adopted into this family of God’s people through our faith in the Messiah but we don’t replace the natural-born children of that family. For more on the relationship between the church and Israel, read Wild Olive Branches: The Blessing of Being Grafted In.
Christians Don’t Become Jews
Another problem Christians see with Hebraic Believers is that they think we’re trying to become Jewish. They argue that one cannot just follow the Law and observe the Holy Days and then be changed into a Jew in the same way you can become Baptist by becoming a member of a Baptist church.
They’re correct. We do not become Jews. This is just another misunderstanding I’ve heard often about Hebraic Believers. We do not believe we are changing into Jews by practicing our faith this way. Our goal is to practice our faith in the way God wants us to. We base these practices on what we find in the Bible and we incorporate some valuable Jewish traditions as we see their relevance to our faith Biblically.
Acceptance of Jewish Traditions
While we’re on the subject of Jewish traditions, this is another objection Christians have to the Hebraic faith. Some say we shouldn’t have practices common to the Jewish people, as we’re not Jewish.
I have two responses to this. First, we follow a Jewish rabbi. Jesus did Jewish things, not just because he just happened to be born into a Jewish family but because that was the faith he was bringing others into. If you struggle with the idea of our Savior being Jewish, I encourage you to think and pray about this: When Jesus returns, will he be Jewish? Did he come to earth to start a new religion? Jesus’s Biblical Jewishness isn’t something he renounced and we shouldn’t either.
Second, many Jewish traditions are deeply rich in the ways they highlight aspects of our faith. Hanukkah is a celebration of God’s faithfulness to His people, as is Purim. Bar Mitzvahs are an important transition where our youth takes responsibility for their own faith. Lighting candles on Shabbat (the Sabbath) helps us fulfill the command to remember the Sabbath and sets it apart from the other days of the week.
These and other Jewish traditions bring our focus back to God and His Word in a way traditional Christianity does not. We learn from them and there are even some Jewish organizations, such as The Chabad, Rabbi Lapin, and Dennis Prager, that direct their ministries partly toward including Christians in their faith.
Different Bible Versions
Christians of all kinds have preferences to certain versions of the Bible. It’s wonderful to live in a time, where we not only have access to God’s Word, we can even choose our favorite way to study it because we have so many resources available to us!
Hebraic Believers tend to prefer more literal Bible translations. We also attempt to replace some of the “Jewishness” and ancient Middle Eastern culture that has been removed from some traditional translations.
My intent in writing this post is to clarify these differences for those seeking answers in this area. Although we do have differences, believers in Christ from all backgrounds are parts of the same body, and we should function as such:
For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
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Below are a few Hebrew words that can be better understood in their original language and context. Not nearly an exhaustive list, these few words, better understood from a Hebrew perspective, will illuminate some familiar Christian concepts and bring us closer to the God of the Bible.
1. Shalom שָׁלוֹם (pronounced sha-lōm)
This is a common greeting in Hebrew. Upon meeting someone, you’d say “Shalom,” and they’d respond with the same. Many Hebrew speakers say, “Shalom Aleichem” (peace be with you) instead. On the Sabbath, we wish each other “Shabbat shalom” (Peaceful Sabbath).
The word shalom is often translated simply as peace. While this is partly what shalom means, it only partially conveys its meaning. The concept of shalom goes deeper than that and brings us to realize the perfection in our holy God!
Shalom is a noun with many meanings. Its definition includes completeness, soundness, and welfare, along with harmony, prosperity, and tranquility. We’re left without an English word to convey all these, but searching the Bible for the word shalom can illuminate its more profound significance. Believe it or not, understanding shalom can help us better understand our God’s character!
A Name for God
Shalom is part of one of the names for God in Judges 6:24. Having met God himself and seen firsthand His supernatural power, Gideon built an altar and named it “Jehovah Shalom” or “The LORD is peace” to let everyone know that our God is shalom. He is peace and wholeness, completeness and perfection, harmony and prosperity – all of it!
The Way Things Ought to Be
In his book, Not the Way it’s Supposed to Be, Cornelius Plantinga of Calvin Theological Seminary says the following about shalom:
“The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be.”
CORNELIUS PLANTINGA
Jesus and Shalom
By examining the word shalom, we can also better know Jesus, our Messiah. Isaiah calls Jesus the “Prince of shalom” in verse 9:6. Of all the terms above that are used to define shalom, Jesus has those qualities and is the Prince of them!
We can also use other words from the same root word to better understand what Jesus is Prince of. “Whole,” “it was worth it,” “perfect,” “was paid for,” and “paid for in advance” are meanings of words that come from the same root as shalom. It’s no coincidence that those concepts are part of our story as well. The perfect Prince of Shalom found us worth it and paid for our sin, making us whole!
You already know this one. It’s a word we use in song and otherwise to praise God all the time! Hallelujah is made up of halal and Jah. Halal means “to praise,” “to shine,” “to be boastful,” “to act foolish,” and other similar terms. Jah or Yah is short for the name of God in the Bible, Yahweh. So, hallelujah is to praise God, make Him shine, boast in Him, or even go crazy worshiping Him!
Crazy Worship?!
Is that too much? Well, that depends. Are we just saying words when we praise God, or are we approaching the Creator of the universe to tell Him just how amazing we think He is? Those in heaven know more than we do about God’s awesomeness, and this is the word they use to worship Him!
“After these things I heard something like a loud voice of a great multitude in heaven, saying, ‘Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God…’ And a second time they said, ‘Hallelujah! …’ And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who sits on the throne saying, ‘Amen. Hallelujah!’ …Then I heard something like the voice of a great multitude and like the sound of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, saying, ‘Hallelujah! For the Lord our God, the Almighty, reigns.’”
I don’t know about you, but reading these verses always gives me chills. Sometimes, we subconsciously fit God into our itty-bitty human box and forget that He’s the most awesome supernatural God ever. Try to picture this scene. God, on His heavenly throne, in His holy throne room, surrounded by heavenly elders and frightening creatures, is being worshiped by them. All the glory is His. The awe of the scene and God Himself is not lost on them, and they burst out with nothing other than repeated hallelujahs!
The powerful meaning behind hallelujah in our hearts when we worship might show Him at least a tiny shred of the praise He’s worthy of. What could we possibly say? It’s one of the best words our mortal mouths can offer. Hallelujah!
3. Yeshua יֵשׁוּעַ(pronounced yeh-shoo-uh)
This word is often translated as “Joshua” in the Hebrew Old Testament. It’s also the name of Jesus, our Savior! So, wait. If his name is actually Yeshua, why do we call him Jesus? Where did that come from?
Why Do We Call Him Jesus?
Where Yeshua is found in the Hebrew Old Testament, it is translated into English as Joshua. It was a male name in Bible times, and there are a few different Joshuas or Yeshuas in the Bible. When translated from Greek to English in the New Testament, it underwent a couple of transitions and then became Jesus.
Many now argue that the name Jesus is incorrect and, therefore, should not be used, but we should be careful not to get sidetracked by this. Jesus lived in a multilingual area, and he would have also been. He probably taught and conversed in different languages as necessary. What’s important here and in Jesus’s teachings is to preserve the word’s meaning.
More Than Just a Name
Beyond being a name, the word Yeshua is used throughout the Hebrew scriptures, meaning “salvation.” It was derived from the Hebrew word yasha, which means “to deliver” or “to rescue.” There are many well-known examples of where it’s used in the Old Testament, but here are a couple of my favorites:
“The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation [yeshua];
This is my God, and I will praise Him;
My father’s God, and I will extol Him.” Exodus 15:2
“He only is my rock and my salvation [yeshua],
My stronghold; I shall not be greatly shaken.” Psalm 62:2
Isn’t it wonderful that Jesus’s name was the very thing he would do for us? Others with this same name in the Bible were also saviors of some type. Joshua led the Israelites during a time of numerous victories while conquering the land of Canaan. Yeshua, the High Priest, was the first High Priest in the rebuilt Temple following its destruction by the Babylonians. Isn’t it amazing that this important High Priest, the bridge from the Israelites to God, shares a name with our High Priest (Heb. 4:14) and way to God (John 14:6)?
4. Chesedחֶסֶד(pronounced che-sed, with the “ch” sound coming from the throat, as in Bach)
Known for its difficulty translating into English, this word contains a “chet,” a letter with a sound called a guttural. Since we don’t have true gutturals in English, it can be difficult to say this word correctly. Go ahead and practice. Say “Bach” – like the composer. Say it out loud. Listen for the sound at the end of the word, then say it at the beginning of chesed.
Chesed’s Meaning
Now that we know how it sounds, what does it mean? It’s commonly translated as mercy, kindness, lovingkindness, and goodness. It’s often used to convey God’s love toward His people, but, somewhat like God, it is much more complex than our first impression shows. Here are some very different examples of chesed’s use in the Bible.
“Then the Lord passed by in front of him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness [chesed] and truth; who keeps lovingkindness [chesed] for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations.'” Exodus 34:6-7
“If there is a man who takes his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter, so that he sees her nakedness and she sees his nakedness, it is a disgrace [chesed]; and they shall be cut off in the sight of the sons of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness; he bears his guilt.” Leviticus 20:17
Which is it?
In the above verse from Exodus, chesed is commonly translated as “lovingkindness .” God declares chesed an attribute of Himself. But then, the very same word is used to describe incestuous behavior, translated into English as “disgrace.” The contexts of both verses suggest two meanings for the same word, but this is not so.
Chesed translated as lovingkindness, mercy, charity, or even disgrace, doesn’t do justice to its whole meaning. This complex word conveys instead an attitude or behavior that shows an overflow of zeal or a lack of boundaries. Chesed comes from the Hebrew root meaning “eager and ardent desire .” It can mean both God-sized lovingkindness and disgrace worthy of great punishment because it is not a specific action but the passion or motivation behind it.
When God describes His love for us using the word chesed, He’s telling us that He has a boundless, overflowing love for us! Inside His love for us is His infinite grace, immeasurable love, inexhaustible forgiveness, and unlimited charity. And seriously, Guys? None of us deserve that. I don’t care how great you think you are. We’re nothing but selfish, disobedient specks in this universe. What an awesome God we have that He would extend His chesed to us!
5. Shema שְׁמַע (pronounced shuh-ma)
This word is the first one in The Shema, Deuteronomy 6:4-9, which is recited regularly by Orthodox Jews and by many Christians. It’s also the verse Jesus refers to when asked what the greatest commandment is.
“Hear [Shema], O Israel! The Lord is our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9
To Hear?
Shema is generally translated as “hear .” But right now, I can hear birds singing out the window, my daughter’s TV show in the background, and the keystrokes on my laptop. If the word shema is used to call the attention of the people of Israel and is followed by informing them that their lives should be a walking testament to God Himself, the word “hear” doesn’t quite convey what’s being said. In addition to “hear,”shema is also translated elsewhere in the Old Testament as “report,” “fame,” “tidings, “loud,” and “speech.”
It Requires Action
If you take the word with its context, however, it means more than the culmination of these words. In Deuteronomy 6, Shema is a command to not only hear God’s words but to act on them. I think of it in the same way as when I tell my children to listen. I don’t only mean for them to stop what they’re doing and hear what I say. I mean for them to hear and internalize what I say so that they remember and obey it.
This meaning is the same as shema can have. We need to pay attention—always studying God’s Word and spending time in prayer with Him so we can hear His words in the first place. Then, we need to internalize what He says, not just read or hear it and forget it. We need to remember it and, when required, obey it and apply it to our lives.
6. Amen אָמֵן (pronounced ah-meyn)
I know, I know – everyone knows this one. But did you know that it was a Hebrew word? Also, look at the above pronunciation. We can argue all day whether or not it’s pronounced ah-men or ay-men or when to use either, but for those who want to be purists about it, it’s neither!
The Deeper Meaning
This Biblical Hebrew word is unique because its primary meaning has not been lost in translation and cultural differences. “So be it” is the usual translation for amen. Amen is used correctly when we use it to affirm something someone says or after a prayer. Its root is aman, meaning “to confirm or support .” A related word is amanah, which means truthfulness, confirmation, credence, or belief. By saying amen, we’re stating that we confirm what has been said, believe in it, and find it true.
We say it to conclude our prayers and signify when we pray in unison with other people. We also use it in song to affirm the words and the message of our worship. Some even yell it out in church when a pastor says something that resounds with them.
The Conclusion of God’s Word
Our entire Bible concludes with this word. The last verse in the Bible sums up the whole Word, then affirms this message of truth with the “so be it” we know so well:
“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” Revelation 22:21
Amen is also translated as “truth,” as in the following verse.
“Because he who is blessed in the earth
Will be blessed by the God of truth [amen];
And he who swears in the earth
Will swear by the God of truth [amen];
Because the former troubles are forgotten,
And because they are hidden from My sight!” Isaiah 65:16
Each word “truth” in this verse comes from amen in Hebrew. It says twice here that God is the “God of amen,” so this is one of God’s attributes or characteristics. He is the God of truth but also of confirmation, faithfulness, support, and affirmation of that truth. How privileged are we to have someone like this as our God?!
This word can be translated as “messiah,” but more literally means “anointed one.” In most places in the Bible, the English is “anointed one .” Only two verses translate it as “Messiah .” When used to refer to Jesus as the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach is used. Yeshua HaMashiach means “Jesus the Messiah” or “Jesus the Anointed One.”
Why Anoint?
The process of anointing someone with oil served to set that individual apart for service to God. It was used in the Old Testament to appoint priests (Ex. 29:7) and to establish kings over God’s people. Saul and David were appointed in this way (1 Sam. 10:1 and 2 Sam. 16:12-13), and prophecy in the Old Testament speaks of Jesus as Mashiach, “anointed one.”
“So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah [Mashiach] the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress.” Daniel 9:25
In this verse, Mashiach is usually translated as “Messiah” instead of “Anointed One,” but the Hebrew word is the same. Jesus is truly our Mashiach! He has been anointed by God, chosen, and appointed to be our king and high priest!
8. Davar דָּבָר (pronounced duh-var)
The most basic translation of davar is that it means “word .” It can also mean “speak,” “pronounce,” “formalize,” “thing,” or “establish .” Here are some examples of its use in the Old Testament.
“And the Lord spoke [davar] to Moses, saying, “Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the sons of Israel go out of his land.” Exodus 6:10-11
“‘ Is anything [davar] too difficult for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son.'” Genesis 18:14
“Then behold, the word [davar] of the Lord came to him…” Genesis 15:4
Although davar is translated as three different English words in the verses above, it means all of them. The context of each is used to derive the word’s meaning in each situation in which it’s used so that the essence of the scripture is not lost.
But things get exciting when davar is translated from Hebrew into Greek in the New Testament. This word is translated into two different Greek words: logos, which refers to a written word, and rhema, which refers to the utterance or the thing that was said.
Jesus, Our Written Word
At the beginning of the book of John, Jesus is referred to as “the Word .” Logos is the Greek word used here, so we can conclude that Jesus is a type of written word. He was here on earth in a physical form and could be “read” as people could watch him and listen to him teach about God and himself. Some of these people recorded the events of his life on earth so we, too, can “read” him.
“In the beginning was the Word [Logos], and the Word [Logos] was with God, and the Word [Logos] was God.” John 1:1
The Power of God’s Word
Later in the New Testament, Hebrews 11:3 tells us that God’s word created something out of nothing.
“By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word [rhema] of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.” Hebrews 11:3
In this verse, the Greek rhema is used in place of “davar,” which is translated into English as “word .” But the implication of this verse is to show us just what kind of power there is in God’s spoken words! God spoke davar into nothingness and created order, an entire universe, and even us!
Davar teaches us that we can “read” Jesus, our “written” Word. He has been there all along, from before creation, but came to earth so we could learn from him and rescue ourselves from certain destruction. It also shows the power of God’s very utterances. He’s so awesome that things that previously didn’t exist spring into existence, just at His word!
It’s unsurprising when these two concepts come together further into the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 1:23-24 calls Jesus “the power and the wisdom of God .” The Word, God’s davar, IS His very power and wisdom! Our Savior is the magnificent power and the infinite wisdom of God!
9. Ra’ רַע (pronounced rah)
There are many different words for sin in the Bible, but ra’ is used more than 600 times! It comes from another Hebrew word, ra’a, meaning evil or bad. When you remove the “a” sound at the end, its meaning encompasses “evil,” “harm,” “displeasure,” or “misery,” but it also conveys an aspect of brokenness. It can mean “broken into pieces,” like when something’s completely ruined, or “blemished,” like things unfit for presentation to God, such as for sacrifice.
Use in Scripture
The ugly, gaunt cows from Pharaoh’s dream in Genesis 41 are described using this word, as is the wild beast that Joseph’s brothers claimed devoured him in Genesis 37. It’s also translated into “evil” in describing the tree in the Garden of Eden. It was the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Ra’.
Brokenness
While we know that sin is disobedience to God, without the aspect of brokenness, we have no reason to turn to our Savior. Everyone knows there’s sin in their life, but not everyone realizes their brokenness in it. We all know someone who says, “Sure, I’ve done bad things, but I’m a good person overall.” They imply that sin is just part of who we are, but God will compare us to one another and forgive the good people for being less evil than the really evil ones.
It sounds great, but that’s just not how it works. The Bible says that we ALL have fallen short of God’s glory (Rom. 3:23). He’s just too glorious, too perfect, and too holy for us – even the good ones – to ever measure up to Him. HE is what we’ll be compared to in judgment, so we all need Jesus, the only person to have kept all of the Law perfectly, as our substitute.
Without realizing that the ra’ in our hearts has left us blemished, unacceptable, and broken before God, we cannot see our need to accept the gift of Jesus. When we get to the point of being devastated by our ra’, we can then humbly approach God, genuinely repentant, and be made unblemished, acceptable, and perfect in the eyes of our Creator, fit for communion with Him!
These are just a few Hebrew words that can enrich our faith by understanding them in their original form. Imagine what can come to light while learning even more of the Hebrew language! As lifelong students of the Bible, learning its primary original language will deepen our faith and our relationship with the God of the universe!
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Astonishingly, we live in a time when God’s Word is readily available in our language! The Bible is available in 670 languages, and the New Testament can be found in 1,521 languages! With the Old and New Testaments available in many different versions to English-speaking Christians, why would we need to learn Hebrew?
1. To strengthen our relationship with God.
As Bible-believing Christians, our highest priority is to have a relationship with the God of the Bible. As we study His Word, we learn of God’s character and thus get to know Him better. Since the Bible is where we learn about Him, we should be diligent students of it, and it should be our life’s work to understand and unpack its truths fully, and learning the Hebrew language aids us in that.
Picture a Shakespearean literary scholar. A Hindi-speaking one. Now imagine that he proceeds in his studies and teaches, writes, and speaks on the subject of his life’s work without ever learning English but instead uses a Hindi translation of the writings. Wouldn’t that be strange? We’d expect him to study the language these plays were written in. Beyond that, we’d expect that he would also become adept at understanding the details of Elizabethan English. His not doing so would cause us to question his authority and understanding of the subject.
It’s the same when we study the Bible. We could make better use of our years of bible study as we mature as Christians if we incorporated insight into the Hebrew language into our studies. To deepen our understanding of the Bible, we must immerse ourselves in the study of it. As we put years in on digging deeper into biblical truths, we should become at least some level of expert on the subject. Returning to my example of a literary scholar or an earnest student of any topic, Christians should become adept at more and more aspects of biblical study as we mature.
While some details will be lost in translation between any two languages, some translate more easily into English than others. Take the word peace, for example. In Spanish, it’s “paz,” meaning tranquility or peacefulness, much like what it means in English. So, paz = peace and vice versa. But in Hebrew, shalom is the word for peace. Shalom doesn’t just mean peace, though. Its full Hebrew meaning encompasses completeness, welfare, prosperity, perfection, soundness, safety, health, and more. Yet when translated into English almost everywhere it appears in the Bible; in nearly every English bible translation, it is merely translated as “peace.”
The inaccurate translation is not the fault of bible translators. They are brilliant and well-educated, using their knowledge to replace Hebrew with the best possible English words to preserve the meaning. The confusion comes from the vast differences between the two languages. Even with such valuable resources as we have in the development of today’s numerous bible translations, some meaning will still be lost.
The other source for potential confusion is how a word or phrase is translated, depending on the translator. Without their own understanding of the scripture’s original language, the reader must lean on the translator’s interpretation. Take 1 Sam 2:30 (emphasis mine in both verses).
The ESV version of the verse reads this way:
“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that your house and the house of your father should go in and out before me forever,’ but now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me, for those who honor me I will honor, and those who despise me shall be lightly esteemed.”
Yet the NIV
version is this:
“Therefore the Lord, the God of Israel, declares: ‘I promised that members of your family would minister before me forever.’ But now the Lord declares: ‘Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.”
So, which is it? Will those who despise God be disdained or merely lightly esteemed?
We can find the answer in the Hebrew. The root of the word used here is qalal. Its meaning includes lightly esteemed and disdained but also trifling, treated with contempt, dishonored, cursed, and insignificant. Neither of these translations is wrong, but neither fully conveys the word’s meaning.
The Christian student of the Hebrew language will shed light on this inevitable confusion. By learning to understand Hebrew – both the word meanings and how the words relate to the context, one gains a greater overall understanding of the scriptures concerning their original intended language.
3. It helps us understand Jewish culture.
While I don’t subscribe to all of Martin Luther’s beliefs and reject some of his teachings, he advocated for Christians to learn Hebrew. I love the following quote from his book Table Talk about Christians learning Hebrew.
“The Hebrew language is the best language of all, with the richest vocabulary… If I were younger I would want to learn this language, because no one can really understand the Scriptures without it. For although the New Testament is written in Greek, it is full of Hebraisms and Hebrew expressions. It has therefore been aptly said that the Hebrews drink from the spring, the Greeks from the stream that flows from it, and the Latins from a downstream pool.”
Martin Luther
Luther concludes, as do many Christians, that even the New Testament can be better understood through the Hebrew language. However, we need to know more than just the words to understand the Bible. Jewish culture in the time of both the Old and New Testaments was very different from our American culture. Learning Hebrew culture illuminates the Bible in a way that merely reading our English versions can’t.
Idioms – There are Hebrew idioms (sayings) in the Bible – even the New Testament. These are some of what Luther calls “Hebraisms” or “Hebrew expressions.” An idiom is a statement that conveys a message but must be previously defined to be understood. Some English idioms are “kick the bucket” or “see eye to eye.”
The meaning of some of these idioms, understood in ancient culture, is lost to us by translating from Hebrew word for word. For example, in Exodus 3:8, God tells of His plan to bring the Israelites out of Egypt to a “land flowing with milk and honey.” This phrase doesn’t mean a land where milk and honey are flowing literally but a fertile land that will meet their needs and even provide luxury.
In Romans 12:20, Paul uses an expression from his Hebrew culture by quoting Proverbs 25:21-22, “‘But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” From the standpoint of our modern American culture, heaping burning coals on someone’s head seems like a pretty horrific way to treat them! But Paul calls it overcoming evil with good. Proverbs says that God will reward people who treat their enemies this way.
Poem and Song – Poetic structure is also lost in translation. Much of the Old Testament was written in song or poem form to aid in memorization or clarify concepts, but these things are lost when these scriptures are translated into English, where the verses then lose their cadence. Old Testament scripture read in Hebrew has a beautiful sound that cannot be reproduced when translated from the original language. One prominent example of this is the Shema, Deuteronomy 6:7-9.
Separation of the words from the culture encompassing them results in a loss of meaning. An in-depth understanding of Hebrew can help us discover the scriptures’ implications beyond their mere translation..
4. It’s the language used in synagogues.
One of the most apparent differences between worship in a Messianic Synagogue vs. a traditional Christian church is the use of the Hebrew language. The Hebrew liturgy shocked me since I walked into the first synagogue I attended with a complete knowledge of maybe 20 words in Hebrew!
But over years of studying Hebrew and attending Messianic Synagogues, it’s no longer shocking; it’s beautiful! I love hearing the blessings, prayers, and scripture readings in their original language. What may be lost in translation to English is retained, and all can appreciate the beauty of the language combined with centuries-old traditions surrounding it.
Once considered a dead language, Hebrew is now the national language of Israel. Eliezer Ben-Yehuda is credited with reviving spoken Hebrew near the end of the 19th century. He created words for everyday use, making Hebrew user-friendly and a single language to replace the many languages used in that area at that time.
There are differences between Biblical Hebrew (the language used in Hebrew scrolls, such as the Dead Sea Scrolls) and Modern Hebrew (spoken in Israel today), but learning one will excel the process of learning the other.
Many Christians travel to the Holy Land, and a grasp of Hebrew would greatly benefit a trip like this one. There are plenty of other reasons that it’s beneficial to learn Hebrew. Knowledge of another language is helpful in various areas of life, such as career and mission work.
6. Our Messiah Jesus learned Hebrew!
What a privilege we have to be able to learn the same language and study the very scriptures that Jesus did! Aramaic was the language he would have probably spoken, but Hebrew was the language of the synagogues in his day, much like today.
In the area where Jesus lived, the people spoke many languages. Judging from his activities and those he conversed with in the New Testament, he probably knew at least some Aramaic, Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and possibly others.
Since he was raised in a Jewish household, he would have learned the Torah (the first five Old Testament books) in Hebrew, as all Jewish boys did. He conversed with religious leaders in the synagogue when he was twelve (Luke 2:39-52). Due to the Hebrew language being used in the synagogue, even then, we can conclude that this conversation either took place in or contained much Hebrew.
What a unique way to learn about and from Jesus! To understand one of the same languages he used to study the scriptures is a gift we should readily accept!
7. Many resources for learning Hebrew.
The availability of information in our day can be for good or evil. There are plenty of both out there, but Christian students of the Hebrew language certainly have a significant advantage right now. There are numerous resources for learning Hebrew; many are custom-made for Christians interested in learning Hebrew. Check out my Hebrew Language resources page for some beginner-friendly resources.
Given the availability of sources for American Christians to learn Hebrew, it is now relatively easy for us to study Hebrew in our spare time and obtain a solid understanding of it. We can use this to deepen our faith and grow closer to God in the process.
If this question crosses your mind, you’re not alone! Much of the Old Testament is in Hebrew, but it also contains some Aramaic. The New Testament is in Koine Greek, so why wouldn’t I encourage Christians to learn those too?
Well, honestly, I would! Going back to my example of a Shakespearean scholar, I think we should employ all the resources God makes available to us to better learn His Word and His character.
However, if you’re going to start somewhere, the above seven reasons show that Hebrew is the best place to start. Once you get a firm grasp on Hebrew, make sure not to stop there! Continue to be a student of the Bible until God chooses to end your time on earth!
Whether or not you start down the path of learning the Hebrew language, make sure you are continually a diligent student of the Bible. Unlike any other book, it is alive with words from the Creator of the universe, written for you to get to know Him personally. Don’t miss the gifts He has in it for you!
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What does it mean to eat Biblically clean? Why have some made it a part of their faith? And weren’t the dietary laws disposed of with Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross? This post will explain a Biblically clean diet, answer the above questions, and more.
A diet change occurred for some Christians who have made their Biblical Hebraic Roots a part of their faith. They aligned their diet with the one prescribed by God in the Bible. This change is confusing to many from traditional Christianity as they believe all dietary laws were done away with when Jesus died for our sins.
First of all, does God care what we eat? Of course He does! He cares about every aspect of His people’s lives– small and large. In His mercy and patience, He knows we aren’t perfect and provides a Savior to cover all we do that disobeys Him.
But after we receive Jesus as our Savior, should we continue in our disobedience? Of course not! As we mature as Christians, we must examine every area of our lives and continually grow closer and closer to the way God wants us to live in all areas.
What It Is
Eating biblically clean comes from the command given in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14. These chapters only cover animals and not vegetables, fruits, or grains. Although everything in these chapters about hooves, fins, and scales can be confusing, we can narrow it down pretty simply. Most animals we usually eat in the U.S. are fine. But pork and shellfish are out, as are any other fish without fins and scales. We don’t commonly eat other restricted animals – dogs, horses, rabbits, vultures, eagles, owls, snakes, etc.
Biblically Clean vs. Kosher
Although there are apparent similarities, an Orthodox Jew would not consider a Biblically clean diet Kosher. Basically, a Biblically clean diet follows the dietary laws given in Leviticus 11 literally. Biblically clean is different from what’s referred to as a Kosher diet according to today’s understanding. Eating Kosher includes not mixing meat with dairy products and other rabbinical additions to the statutes in Leviticus.
Why We Do It
Out of obedience
As we all recall the story of Adam and Eve, we always question why they ate the fruit. Why didn’t they just take God at His word and obey Him? It was such a small thing to avoid just one of the many trees in the garden. They were given such a beautiful place to live, peace, each other, and communion with God! What more could they need?
Biblically clean is similar to the way we view these dietary laws. God gives us all we have and has lavishly blessed us. He gives us numerous food choices outside of the restrictions he gives. We can (and many do) live free and happy lives without including the restricted foods in our diet. The cost of obeying these laws is minimal, but disobeying God always has negative consequences, even if we see the issue as insignificant.
To set us apart
In conclusion to His explanation of the dietary restrictions in Leviticus 11, God states the following:
“For I am the Lord who brought you up from the land of Egypt to be your God; thus you shall be holy, for I am holy.’” Lev. 11:45
As Gentiles grafted in to the promises given to Israel by God, this verse is for us, too! God doesn’t want us to blend in with those around us. He wants us to look different – to be His!
Dietary laws, along with the Sabbath and other commands, do set us apart from the rest of the world. If you keep the Sabbath or eat Biblically clean, you’ll soon learn how different your life will look from those around you.
God knows what’s best for us
Many people propose that God gave the dietary laws for health reasons. Whether or not this is true isn’t clear, but it’s also irrelevant. If God tells us to do anything, we know it’s for good – our good, the good of others, or for His glory. If He told the people of Israel, His chosen people, what not to eat, we can trust that it was not only best for them then but is best for us today.
Remembering who we serve 3 times a day
Sometimes it’s challenging to stay focused on what’s important, isn’t it? When eating according to the Biblical dietary laws, we’re reminded many times daily who we’re living for. If I were living for myself and ordering a pizza, I’d order a pepperoni pizza, but I have to stop and think before I order since I’m committed to eating Biblically clean. What would God prefer I order? Wouldn’t we rather please Him with even the little things in life, like what we order at a restaurant? Is it possible He doesn’t care about something that small? I don’t think so!
Spiritual discipline
We live in a culture in which there’s really no right or wrong. Where you draw the line on any issue is up to you, and you can change it anytime. But how does a Christian discipline him or herself to stay on God’s path in our culture? Discipline is like a muscle. Some call it the “no” muscle. If we live giving in to everything our flesh desires, how do we exercise this “no” muscle?
Keeping a Biblically clean diet is very helpful for building discipline in life – both yours and that of those around you, like your children! When we have uncompromising things to adhere to, we keep our “no” muscle in good shape. An exercise you must do three or more times daily will make spiritual discipline second nature as you must stop and think before each meal, ensuring that it aligns with your beliefs.
Did Jesus Say Dietary Laws Don’t Matter?
People often use the story in Mark 7:1-23 as a reason not to eat according to the laws in the Bible. Here, Jesus scolds the Pharisees for condemning those eating without first ritually washing their hands. However, a few points are beneficial in understanding what’s going on here.
First, Jesus notes that they are putting the traditions of man above the Commands of God. Ritual hand washing was a law made by the rabbis of the time and not a Command from God.
Second, Jesus didn’t refer to the food during this chapter but to ritual hand washing. One can apply the meaning to food, but Jesus didn’t say that.
Third, most English Bible translations include a sentence at the end of this story with a highly disputed translation. It’s in verse 19 and is often in parentheses: “Thus he declared all foods clean.” But that’s a loose translation from the original Greek. We can easily interpret the point of this story in the context Jesus indicated – that ritual hand washing doesn’t make foods clean or unclean.
What Would Jesus Eat?
Have you ever wondered what Jesus ate while he was here on earth? All of his meals would have been eaten according to specific rules, not just because he was Jewish by heritage but out of obedience to God – to avoid sin and obey the Laws God gave us.
Think about it. Had Jesus broken these dietary laws and disobeyed God, would he have been perfect? Would he have qualified to be our Savior and Messiah? Nope.
But What About Peter’s Vision?
Acts 10 is another place Christians look to to show we shouldn’t adhere to dietary laws. But, again, taken in context, this chapter isn’t talking about food at all but about people.
Read the whole story when you get a chance, but to summarize, Peter has a vision in which a sheet is lowered three times. On the sheet are all kinds of animals – both clean and unclean. A voice says, “Get up, Peter, kill and eat.” Peter protests, saying he’s never eaten anything unclean. He then hears the voice again. This time, it says, “What God has cleansed, no longer consider common.” (Side note – for an eye-opening view of this story, do a word study on the words used here for clean, unclean, and common.)
Instead of accepting the vision and the words at face value, Peter is perplexed. He’s pretty disturbed by it and tries to figure out what the vision could have possibly meant.
Many stop here and conclude that the vision meant two things – that followers of Jesus are to disobey the commands concerning food in Leviticus 11 and that Gentiles are allowed into the faith and able to receive the Holy Spirit. That could be one way to interpret this story, but later, Peter explains more than once (Acts 10:28 & 11:2-18) that he’s figured out what the vision meant and that it’s about people (Gentiles included in the faith). He doesn’t mention it being about food at all.
How Does Grace Factor in?
So, if we’re supposed to keep the dietary laws post-Jesus, doesn’t that mean we’re doing works to earn our salvation?
No – not at all. Let me explain. The Bible discussed two relevant concepts here – justification and sanctification. Salvation (or justification) is a one-time thing. It occurs when we repent of our sin and turn to Jesus, putting our belief in him as the one who paid for our sin.
When we discuss the things we do in our daily lives as we live obedient to God, we’re talking about a process called sanctification. A simple way to explain it is that we grow closer and closer to holiness as we mature in our faith.
So, eating unclean animals does not condemn us in the same way stealing doesn’t. We eat Biblically clean not to be saved but because we are saved and love and trust God. We want to live God’s way and obey Him. He has given us the way to live in His Word, and Jesus also upheld the authority of these instructions (Matt. 5:17-19).
Should You Eat Biblically Clean?
Like all the changes a Christian makes in his or her life, the first step is to consult God. Honestly seek what He has to say as you seek an answer to this question. Be sensitive to whether or not The Spirit is convicting you on this issue. If you’re still on the fence about it, check out the Holy Cow: Does God Care What We Eat? for more Biblically-based information on the subject of diet.
Challenge
If you’re thinking of going Biblically clean, try it out as you’re waiting for God’s answer. Eat Biblically clean for one month and see what happens. Did you think about God more or the same amount? Did you find yourself in the Word more or less? Did discipline in other areas of your life increase or stay the same? Does the thought of returning to the way you previously ate bother you?
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I love getting questions from my audience and try to answer all of them to the best of my ability. With a worldwide audience, many of the same questions are asked, so I put my answers all in one post to help you find the answers you’re looking for. If you don’t see your question here, add it in the comments or send me a message, and I’ll do my best to answer you.
Here are the most frequently asked questions, not necessarily in any order.
The most common question is, “Is there a Hebraic congregation near me?” The answer can be complicated because many congregations don’t make their information public, and some are small congregations that lack the resources to advertise when and where they meet.
These congregations can be challenging to find. A partial solution lies in the online directories to connect people with a congregation in their area. I’ve compiled the directories I know of in one post, How to Find a Hebraic Congregation, and I included options for an online community in case you cannot find a live one near you.
What do I do if my spouse disagrees with my spiritual beliefs?
Whether or not this is your question, I’m sure you’d be surprised at how often I get this one! Very often, spouses don’t have the same level of conviction in pursuing a more Hebraic faith walk. This differing conviction is a sensitive issue and can be heartbreaking, but it’s not unlike many other differences in marriage. Many Christians I know are in different places spiritually than their spouse but still maintain a successful marriage, despite that hardship.
Aside from differences in individual situations, I almost always recommend what was recommended to wives of unbelievers in 1 Peter 3.
Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct.
I don’t think nagging or arguing will cause the Spirit to convict your spouse. But I believe the positive change in your actions and attitude from your spiritual growth will be evident and contagious.
As you make changes in your faith and life, weigh each change you make for the impact it will have on your marriage. For example, you may want to attend a more Hebraic congregation, but your spouse is comfortable at your current church. Could you find a Hebraic Bible study (see the next section) or an online community instead? If you feel strongly about not working on the Sabbath, maybe you could make it your day off and focus on Bible study or another Sabbath activity rather than on your spouse working that day.
In summary, respond to the Spirit’s conviction that has moved you in the Hebraic direction, but don’t make it a wedge between you and your spouse if possible. Be in constant communication with God about your words and actions and how they will affect your relationship with your spouse and God. Be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading as you balance the battles that must be fought (if any!) and those of lesser importance.
As we realize how precious the Sabbath should be to God’s people, we explore different options for using the time on the Sabbath day. Keeping the Sabbath is not only the fourth of the Ten Commandments; the Bible says it’s a sign that we’re God’s people. I wrote this post in response to the question of what to do on the Sabbath: What DO We Do on the Sabbath?
The Sabbath should be a day set apart from the other days of the week, but not just by taking time for ourselves. We should rest and enjoy this day off from our regular work, but we should also set it apart for God. That means we replace our priorities on that day with His, more than we try to on other days of the week.
Although the Sabbath looks different in every family, here are some things my family includes in ours.
Physical rest
Bible study
Family time
Time with our fellow Believers
What do you call yourselves?
One of my best friends and I have this conversation a lot, and I know many of you do too! Naming Hebraic believers can be confusing! For example, I consider myself a Hebraic Roots believer, but if you scour the internet for what that means, you’ll come up with many different things, and among them are a few beliefs I disagree with 100%! In saying this, I’d like to point out that there are many types of Hebraic Believers with varying belief systems. People also hold differing beliefs in traditional Christianity, but it’s not as easy to assume what a Hebraic Roots Believer believes.
In my faith community, we lean more toward Messianic Judaism. We have some Messianic Jews in our congregation and also generally agree that Messianic Jewish resources and worship traditions tend to be the most Biblically solid. Other communities I’ve visited are less traditional, even though we hold very similar beliefs. Those of us who lean more toward Messianic Jewish teachings and traditions often refer to ourselves as “Messianics.” We can’t say we’re Messianic Jews because we’re not Jewish, even though we worship with Jews. We’re technically “Messianic Gentiles,” but I hesitate to use that term because many Christians object to being referred to as “Gentiles” (even though that’s what we are).
So, why don’t we just call ourselves “Christians”? Well, this is where things get a bit messy. If you define a Christian as someone who believes that Jesus is the Messiah and that he has authority over your life, Hebraic believers fit under that title. However, belief in Jesus isn’t something all people tend to associate with the term “Christian.”
Traditional Christians generally believe that the Law (commandments in the Old Testament) have been done away with due to Jesus’s atonement for sin. They follow the Gregorian calendar instead of the Biblical calendar, and their main holidays are Christmas and Easter instead of the Biblical Holy Days. Whether you agree with these beliefs and practices or not, most people around the world identify these as “Christian.” Because of this, some Hebraic believers find it misleading to call themselves “Christian” and instead call themselves “Messianic” or whatever term they find to be a better fit. Not calling themselves Christian doesn’t mean they deny Christ, just that they believe differently than most Christians.
The short answer is yes! We believe that Jesus’s death on the cross paid the price we could not for our sin and that our sin has been fully atoned for through him.
Now for the long answer. Once you have this saving faith, your actions and beliefs will change as you grow in your faith, and you’ll increase in holiness. This process is referred to as “sanctification.” Our actions naturally follow when we honestly turn our hearts toward following Jesus. Most Christians agree with this, and this idea is Biblically supported.
The point Messianics and traditional Christians disagree on is what we’re responsible for once we’re saved. Traditional Christians would usually say that we’re responsible for obeying the 10 Commandments (Ex. 20), the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19), and loving our neighbor (Lev. 19:18), among other commands found in the Bible.
But many Hebraic believers believe that, as a grafted-in part of Israel, the best way to live is the way God laid out for His people from the beginning of Creation. We take Jesus at his word when he says he didn’t come to abolish the Law. We take seriously his warning that whoever annuls (also translated as “breaks,” “nullifies,” and “relaxes”) one of the commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matt. 5:17-19). We conclude from Jesus’s quote here and others that Jesus takes the Commandments of the Torah seriously and teaches his followers to do so as well.
We don’t believe that grace and works are mutually exclusive but must both be present in genuine and mature faith, as stated in James 2:14-26 – “faith without works is dead.”
Isn’t this cultural appropriation?
What I find most interesting about this question isn’t that it’s asked, but who asks it! I get this question only from either non-Jews or people who are Jewish by heritage but don’t practice Judaism. And they usually aren’t just asking; they’re aggressively condemning me for following traditions they do not hold dear. They bring up historical situations where Christians committed violence against the Jewish people and claim that non-Jews embracing Jewish traditions are committing that same violence.
Because they make this claim, it’s clear that they don’t know any Messianics personally. We do the exact opposite of violence against Jews. We hold the Jewish people high because God says they are His Chosen people. Instead of erasing their traditions, we want them to be revered and valued. We honor them in our congregations and our families, not because we hate them but because we see the value in worshipping God in the way He desires, which many of these Jewish traditions have done for thousands of years.
The other exciting thing about this topic is the support this movement has from observant, non-Messianic Jews. Some have contacted me personally to thank me for what I do to help bring the truth from God’s Word to the Christian community, and one was even happy that I pointed out the Jewishness of Jesus!
Are you Jewish?
Nope. Not as far as I know. In addition to asking if I’m Jewish, people also ask if I think I’m becoming Jewish by embracing these traditions. I don’t believe that doing traditionally Jewish practices can make a Gentile into a Jew; however, I find Jewish traditions tend to be true to the Bible. Because of that, they’re also valuable to Christians – especially those aiming to return to their faith’s Biblical roots.
When I first started attending Messianic Jewish services, I realized that many of their traditions are Biblical. I learn even more about these Biblical foundations as I discover more about Jewish traditions. Some I even see Jesus participating in as I study the New Testament (one example: Luke 14:16, where he participates in synagogue services by reading from the Torah). The more I learn about them, the more I love these traditions as they bring glory to God through His Word and even to our Messiah!
What the Law includes is, unfortunately, a big misunderstanding between traditional Christians and Messianic believers. You’ll get various answers if you ask a conventional Christian what the Law is. Some say it’s the 10 Commandments. Some say the only laws are “Love God and Love People,” and some consider the Great Commission a law.
But the answer is much more straightforward than this. “The Law” is all of the commands God gave to His people in the Torah (the Bible’s first five books). Wise Jewish rabbis have scoured the Torah to find all God asks of His people and have devised a collection of 613 Laws. You can read them and where they’re located in the Bible here.
“Wow,” you say. “613! That’s a lot! How could God possibly expect us to keep that many laws?!”
Well, not only does He expect us to (Lev. 22:31, Rev. 14:11, and so many others), He says we’re capable of keeping them and that they’re not too much to ask of us (Deut. 30:11, 1 John 5:1-5).
To go even further, the Bible says that we’re to love God’s laws (Ps. 1:2, 19:7-14, 119, Prov 29:18, Rom. 7:22, and others).
And if you’re wondering how Jesus feels about the Law, here are a few of his quotes:
“Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.”
“And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.”
Now, to reiterate what I said in the section on grace, we DO NOT believe that keeping the Commandments is what saves us. However, we know that God laid out a specific way to live as His people, and Jesus upheld this prescribed way to live in his teachings. Once we attain salvation, we begin the sanctification process- becoming more like God and our Savior.
This one is listed first because it’s my favorite. It’s easy to read but an excellent translation for those whose faith leans toward the Hebraic direction.
This Bible adds the context of the ancient culture of the Bible. It includes beautiful maps and diagrams to bring the Bible to life through your studies.
What Hebraic Bible studies do you recommend?
A growing number of these are out there, which is terrific for believers on this path.
This study is my absolute favorite. I’ve learned so much from Tom Bradford. His teachings are solidly based on the Bible, and his teaching method is clear.
First Fruits of Zion has a Bible study from a Messianic Jewish point of view. Although they have books you can purchase, most Torah Clubs meet in person weekly worldwide.
Studying the Bible through the Torah Portions is a great way to get the whole picture of the big story throughout the New and Old Testaments. It’s my favorite way to study the Bible, and my family and I repeat it yearly, learning new things each time!
If you’re an absolute beginner, you can start learning the letter and vowel sounds and basic reading on my website. You’ll enjoy the free printable flashcards! There’s some additional information on Hebrew words and the language as well.
This pack has all you need to go from a beginner to an advanced Hebrew student and beyond! The best thing about it is that you can do the entire course at your own pace and in your own home.
Where can I learn more about the Hebraic faith?
Right here on this website! Looking for something in particular? Visit the home page and search for what you’re interested in. You can also get the “book version” of the instructional info on my website here: Bring Shalom to Your Home by Holly Eastburg.
But there are other great resources out there as well. Here are some others.
John Parsons explains the traditions of Messianic Judaism and provides many resources for learning Biblical Hebrew. His website has so much useful information!
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You’ll find that following the Hebrew calendar becomes necessary when you begin to observe the Biblical Holy Days and align your year according to the Bible. To guide you in this, I recommend you purchase a calendar with the corresponding Hebrew months and Biblical Holy Days. The one I use is from First Fruits of Zion. It includes the Holy Days, corresponding dates on the Hebrew calendar, and the Torah Readings for each week and holiday.
The significant differences between the Gregorian calendar we’re used to and the Hebrew/Biblical calendar are: – Hebrew days start the evening before instead of at midnight. – Hebrew months do not correspond to the months on the Gregorian calendar. – The Hebrew calendar has a different Leap Year system, adding in a month 7 of the years out of a 19-year cycle instead of a day every four years, like the Gregorian leap year. – The Hebrew calendar is lunar rather than solar. – Months are 29 or 30 days instead of 28, 29, 30, or 31 like Gregorian months.
Biblical Events on the Hebrew Calendar
It’s interesting to study events in the Bible and where they occur on the Hebrew calendar. We can note when they occur, remember them, and even study them on the anniversary of their occurrence!
Here are some of the events from the Bible that we know the date of on the Hebrew calendar:
Nisan/Aviv (The First Month)
God designated this the year’s first month (Ex. 12:2).
Nisan 1: Building of the Tabernacle was completed, the 2nd Temple consecrated, and construction of the 3rd Temple will be completed (Ex. 40:2, 17; 2 Chr. 29:17, Eze. 45:18).
Nisan 10: The Passover Lambs are chosen (Ex. 12:3).
Nisan 11: When Jesus arrives in Jerusalem, his triumphal entry is when people greet him with palm branches and shout “Hosanna” (Mt. 21:10- 19).
Nisan 12: The Last Supper and Jesus arrested (Mt. 26:17-68).
Nisan 13: Jesus is crucified, and Passover begins (Mt. 26-27, Ex. 12:8).
Nisan 14: Passover (Lev. 23:5, Ex. 12:6-13).
Nisan 15-21: Feast of Unleavened Bread (Lev 23:6, Ex. 12:15-2).
Nisan 15: The Hebrew people leave Egypt (Ex. 12:28-51).
Nisan 16: Jesus rises from the dead (the evening before), First Fruits (approximate date) (Mt. 28:1, Lev 23:9-14).
Shevat 1: Moses told the people God said He’d give them the Promised Land (Deut. 1:3-8).
Shevat 24: Zechariah’s vision (Zech. 1:7).
Adar (The Twelfth Month)
Adar 3: Building of the 2nd Temple completed (Ezra 6:15).
Adar 14: Purim, Jews celebrate victory (Est. 9:17-18).
Adar 25: Jehoiachin freed from prison (2 Kgs. 25:27-30).
Understanding the Hebrew calendar is vital to Belivers because it increases our understanding of the Bible and Biblical events.
Take the Temple, for example. Is it merely a coincidence that the construction of the first and second Temples happened within a day of one another, even though these events took place 485 years apart? How about when both Temples were destroyed on the same day, but the second was destroyed 656 years after the first?
Or, even more intriguing, that Jesus, who John referred to as the Lamb of God before his ministry even started, was crucified on Passover when the Passover lambs were killed (John 1:29, Mt. 26-27)? Or when the Apostles were celebrating God giving the Law on Shavuot, which happened over 1,000 years earlier, the Holy Spirit was given, and the Law was written on their hearts (Ex. 19:16-25, Acts 2)?
I don’t think any of this occurred randomly. It happened just as God knew it would. He also knew what was coming and what would happen in the future. Isn’t it amazing to look at the Hebrew calendar and see God’s faithfulness to His people throughout time?
The plan of the LORD stands forever, The plans of His heart from generation to generation.
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According to the Bible, there are seven Feasts that God calls His Feasts (Lev. 23:2, Ez. 44:24) and commands His people to keep. Although it became rare for Christians to keep these Feasts in recent times, many are returning to a more Biblical way of life and realizing all that God has to teach us through these Feasts!
Each Feast teaches us about our God’s attributes. By observing these Feasts, we can learn what a wonderful God He is! The Feasts also teach us about ourselves, how we should live as His people, and what our relationship with Him should look like.
These Feasts are also prophetic. When God commanded them, he wanted His people to look back on what He had done for them in the past and forward to the rest of the story of Him and His people.
One important thing – the Sabbath is covered before these Feasts are listed in the Bible. It’s the holiest of all the Feasts, and observing it demonstrates to God, others, and ourselves that we belong to God. Although it’s not on this list, it’s of great importance in the life of any Believer. For more info on the Sabbath and how to keep it, visit this page.
Below, I will cover each Feast very briefly. Know that, with each Feast, you can go more into the practices, symbolism, sacrifices, where they occur in the Bible, etc., and learn more of what God has for you with each of them. Here, I want to cover the basics for those who want to see just a summary of these Feasts and their meanings.
Passover is the first Feast of the year, commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. It helps us remember how God redeemed His people from captivity and brought them out so they could freely worship Him. Like the blood on the doorways of the Hebrew people in Egypt was a protective covering from the plague of the firstborn, the blood of Jesus provides a covering for our sin.
Passover (Pesach in Hebrew, meaning “skip”) is usually celebrated with a seder. In this seder, the story of the Exodus is retold, and each aspect of it is “experienced” by the participants. It’s a time of celebration, and each element of the seder represents a part of this incredible story.
Just after Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Observing this Feast is to remember the Exodus further and that the Israelites needed to flee Egypt in a hurry and didn’t have time to leaven their dough before leaving. Leaven often represents sin in the Bible, so the lack of leaven represents sinlessness. Jesus fulfilled this Feast by following the Laws of the Torah and was, therefore, a pure candidate for atonement.
Unleavened Bread is called Matzah in Hebrew, so this Feast is Biblically called the Feast of Matzah. It is observed by eating unleavened bread for seven days and even cleaning all the leaven out of the home (Ex. 12:19). The first and seventh days of Unleavened Bread are Sabbaths.
First Fruits
The first of something, like the harvest, firstborn child, or firstborn animals, were given to God as an offering, thanking Him for providing and putting faith in Him to continue to provide in the future (Deut. 26:1; Ex. 13:1-2, 11-16). During the Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits is a time to bring the first of what we reap to God and look to Jesus as the first and best offering to God. He’s also the first of those to be raised from the grave (1 Cor. 15:20).
The Hebrew word for First Fruits is Bikkurim, which comes from the same root word as the word for “firstborn,” which is bekhor. It’s commonly thought that Jesus rose from the dead on First Fruits, so many celebrate his resurrection during this two-day celebration.
Starting on First Fruits, many “count the omer.” This practice comes from Leviticus 23:15-16, where God says to count 7 Sabbaths or 50 days from First Fruits, then to observe Shavuot. We symbolically prepare our hearts to receive the Law and the Spirit during this time, and Shavuot is a Sabbath.
Shavuot is a time to celebrate God giving us His Law (Yes, it’s worth celebrating!) and eventually His Spirit to live in us. His Law was given on Mount Sinai, and the prophetic side of this Feast (Jere. 31:33) was fulfilled when the Spirit was given, and the Law was no longer external but written on our hearts instead.
The word Shavuot means “weeks.” It’s also known as Pentecost, which comes from a Greek word meaning “fiftieth.” Biblically, Shavuot includes an offering from the wheat harvest, a sign of gratitude to God for providing through the land. To further celebrate the giving of the land, milk and honey (or recipes containing the two) are often eaten on Shavuot. It’s also a time to celebrate the Law and the Spirit, showing that we’re thankful for both.
This Feast is often confused with Rosh Hashanah, but they are different celebrations, and you can read more about the differences here. Yom Teruah is another Sabbath, observed on the first day of the seventh month, and it’s supposed to be “a reminder by blowing of trumpets.”
A “teruah” or trumpet blast is heard in the Bible when God’s doing something incredible. What we remember on Yom Teruah are all of the awesome things our God has done throughout time. Prophetically, we look forward to the day we hear the “teruah” announcing the return of our Savior!
This day is observed at sundown by looking for the New Moon (indicating the first day of the month has started) and blowing the shofar when it’s spotted. Some mix traditions from Rosh Hashanah and Yom Teruah, celebrating the beginning of the Hebrew calendar year at this time.
The tenth day of the month of Tishrei is Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur is when the priest made atonement for the nation of Israel in the days of the Temple. It’s a Sabbath, and the Bible says we’re to be “humbled” or “afflicted” on this day. This Holy Day is more somber and focused, less celebratory, where people wear white, attend services, and fast.
On Yom Kippur, we can look to Jesus and be grateful for his covering (Kippur means “covering”) of our sin in response to our repentance. As a people, though, we need to repent, pray for God’s mercy, and turn to Him for forgiveness. Yom Kippur is a day when we examine our actions and those of our nation, repent where needed, and turn back to the path God wants us to take.
The prophecy in Yom Kippur is that we look forward to a time when Jesus will be the judge. It will be up to him who enters God’s Kingdom and who doesn’t.
Sukkot is the last of the Holy Days on the Biblical calendar. It’s a joyful celebration lasting eight days, starting on the fifteenth day of the seventh month on the Biblical calendar, also known as Tishrei. The first and last of the eight days of Sukkot are Sabbaths.
According to the command for Sukkot in Leviticus 23, God’s people are to celebrate by living in temporary dwellings called Sukkot. God says this is to remind us that God had the people live in dwellings like these when He brought them out of Egypt. During Sukkot, we remember many things – that God provides, that God supernaturally rescued the Hebrew people and provided for them in the wilderness, and that He sent Jesus to “tabernacle” or temporarily dwell with us on earth.
Sukkot is also prophetic in that there will be one day when Jesus will not just tabernacle but will live among us on earth. It points forward to the wedding feast, where we, as God’s people, will finally be joined with Jesus and live with him physically among us, ruling on earth.
This article is just a summary of each of these Holy Days, but don’t stop here in your study of them. God has so much for you to learn as you study these meaningful Feasts that He calls His. Explore them further by browsing the Traditions category on HolyBranches.com or in my book, Bring Shalom to Your Home.
