Shalom to all of you! I hope that this post finds you doing well, HaShem willing.
All good things in this topic are from HaShem; all things not so good are from me. This topic is being made with a constructive purpose, and if I error in either forum policy or in not following the rules of proper speech, I humbly apologize ahead of time and hope that all of you (Gentile and Jew) will not let my errors in such matters stand between us as human beings.
I would like to start off by welcoming all of my fellow Gentiles to these forum message boards. I am very happy to see that there are so many of us taking the time to search out places such as this; in order to better understand Torah, Judaism, and the Hebrew language. It is my sincere hope that all of us can take the time to read many of the wonderful articles, forum posts, and links that have been provided for us here at this site. There is much knowledge to be gained from these resources.
We must all be thankful as well for all of the time, energy, and commitment that has been given to make this web site what it is. For all of our Jewish friends who help run and maintain this site: They are allowed to fulfill G-d's will, as it were. How do they do this one may ask? By teaching Gentiles the proper understanding of the Hebrew language; by sharing with us an understanding of the Torah, parts of which pertain to all of mankind; and by leading by example in regards to study and application of the Torah through Judaism. As it states in Isaiah 42:6 "I am HASHEM; I have called you with righteousness; I will strengthen your hand; I will protect you; I will set you for a covenant to the people, for a light to the nations;" (Artscroll Tanach, student size edition; June 2001; Mesorah Publications; Brooklyn, NY; page 1027).
For all of our Gentile friends who visit this site: We are blessed to help our Jewish friends fulfill HaShem's desire, at it were. How do we do this one may ask? By allowing our Jewish friends to be "for a light to the nations" by teaching us, the Gentiles. As it states in Exodus 19:6 "You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation." (Artscroll Chumash, Eleventh edition; January 2009; Mesorah Publications; Brooklyn, NY; page 403). Also, we fulfill HaShem's desire, as it were, for us as Gentiles as well. How do we do this one may ask? By allowing our path to the will of HaShem to be given light by His nation of priests, through proper knowledge of the Torah that applies to us all. It is a great thing we are all involved in. We all gain by this and I hope that everyone merits reward for their participation in this web site, HaShem willing!
In my humble opinion one of the aspects of Torah, and therefore Judaism, is the aspect of action. It seems to me that from the observance of the positive and negative commandments; through practice of studies and emphasis on education; through the charity work and assistance practiced regularly by a large portion of the Jewish community, one could see how this aspect is treated. I do not claim that there are those who are Gentile that do not practice these things. But it is interesting to note how action is stressed by Jewish tradition. I personally believe much can be gained by a careful examination of this.
One place I am sure all of us could agree on to practice positive action would be in our approach to respect. As I read many of the topics and replies here on the forums I find myself being constantly reminded of how G-d has blessed me to be a slow learner, and how He has blessed me with challenges in regards to understanding. I know that I am in error more often than not when I read posts that seem to show Gentiles arguing with Jews over what Torah says. I know this because it is understood that Jews have kept the Torah in its form since it was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. I also know this because Jews have kept the ancient and holy language of Hebrew alive to this very day! I know that my fellow Gentiles are far wiser than I am, and that they have recognized these things more easily than I have. I know that I am also in error when I interpret posts that seem to be preaching another religion, or it's point of view, here on this site. I know that a majority of my fellow Gentiles would never come to a site dedicated to Jewish outreach in order to deflect time and energy away from that purpose. I know that many times there are questions within these posts, but I must admit that at times I struggle with locating these questions. I hope that you all will have patience with this shortcoming of mine.
So in conclusion, I suppose that I am simply wishing to send a warm greeting to all of you, and express how excited I am that I am not alone in seeking knowledge. Our interest and our questions help to produce answers for us all, and I thank you for helping me to better understand Torah! May all of us Gentiles learn and practice the seven categories of the laws of Noah, as given to us from HaShem through Moses and the Jewish people, and may the long awaited Messiah come in our days, HaShem willing that it be presently.
Best regards,
Les
All good things in this topic are from HaShem; all things not so good are from me. This topic is being made with a constructive purpose, and if I error in either forum policy or in not following the rules of proper speech, I humbly apologize ahead of time and hope that all of you (Gentile and Jew) will not let my errors in such matters stand between us as human beings.
I would like to start off by welcoming all of my fellow Gentiles to these forum message boards. I am very happy to see that there are so many of us taking the time to search out places such as this; in order to better understand Torah, Judaism, and the Hebrew language. It is my sincere hope that all of us can take the time to read many of the wonderful articles, forum posts, and links that have been provided for us here at this site. There is much knowledge to be gained from these resources.
We must all be thankful as well for all of the time, energy, and commitment that has been given to make this web site what it is. For all of our Jewish friends who help run and maintain this site: They are allowed to fulfill G-d's will, as it were. How do they do this one may ask? By teaching Gentiles the proper understanding of the Hebrew language; by sharing with us an understanding of the Torah, parts of which pertain to all of mankind; and by leading by example in regards to study and application of the Torah through Judaism. As it states in Isaiah 42:6 "I am HASHEM; I have called you with righteousness; I will strengthen your hand; I will protect you; I will set you for a covenant to the people, for a light to the nations;" (Artscroll Tanach, student size edition; June 2001; Mesorah Publications; Brooklyn, NY; page 1027).
For all of our Gentile friends who visit this site: We are blessed to help our Jewish friends fulfill HaShem's desire, at it were. How do we do this one may ask? By allowing our Jewish friends to be "for a light to the nations" by teaching us, the Gentiles. As it states in Exodus 19:6 "You shall be to Me a kingdom of ministers and a holy nation." (Artscroll Chumash, Eleventh edition; January 2009; Mesorah Publications; Brooklyn, NY; page 403). Also, we fulfill HaShem's desire, as it were, for us as Gentiles as well. How do we do this one may ask? By allowing our path to the will of HaShem to be given light by His nation of priests, through proper knowledge of the Torah that applies to us all. It is a great thing we are all involved in. We all gain by this and I hope that everyone merits reward for their participation in this web site, HaShem willing!
In my humble opinion one of the aspects of Torah, and therefore Judaism, is the aspect of action. It seems to me that from the observance of the positive and negative commandments; through practice of studies and emphasis on education; through the charity work and assistance practiced regularly by a large portion of the Jewish community, one could see how this aspect is treated. I do not claim that there are those who are Gentile that do not practice these things. But it is interesting to note how action is stressed by Jewish tradition. I personally believe much can be gained by a careful examination of this.
One place I am sure all of us could agree on to practice positive action would be in our approach to respect. As I read many of the topics and replies here on the forums I find myself being constantly reminded of how G-d has blessed me to be a slow learner, and how He has blessed me with challenges in regards to understanding. I know that I am in error more often than not when I read posts that seem to show Gentiles arguing with Jews over what Torah says. I know this because it is understood that Jews have kept the Torah in its form since it was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai. I also know this because Jews have kept the ancient and holy language of Hebrew alive to this very day! I know that my fellow Gentiles are far wiser than I am, and that they have recognized these things more easily than I have. I know that I am also in error when I interpret posts that seem to be preaching another religion, or it's point of view, here on this site. I know that a majority of my fellow Gentiles would never come to a site dedicated to Jewish outreach in order to deflect time and energy away from that purpose. I know that many times there are questions within these posts, but I must admit that at times I struggle with locating these questions. I hope that you all will have patience with this shortcoming of mine.
So in conclusion, I suppose that I am simply wishing to send a warm greeting to all of you, and express how excited I am that I am not alone in seeking knowledge. Our interest and our questions help to produce answers for us all, and I thank you for helping me to better understand Torah! May all of us Gentiles learn and practice the seven categories of the laws of Noah, as given to us from HaShem through Moses and the Jewish people, and may the long awaited Messiah come in our days, HaShem willing that it be presently.
Best regards,
Les
But I will answer your last question first, then answer the first two questions together after this.
