01-13-2019, 06:39 PM
Great topic! And thank you for the book recommendation by Rabbi Sacks. I was not aware there weren't any words for (obey) in Hebrew and had been pondering that concept since reading this post.
I've learned the combinational use שמע לקול, שמע בקול means he hearkened to the voice of. The book of Zechariah, Chapter 6 verse 15b. If you truly listen to the voice of Hashem - אמ-שמוע תשמון בקול יה אלֹהיכם. The same combination of words are written in the book of Exodus 15 verse 26. If you hearken diligently to the voice of Hashem...אם-שמוע תשמע לקול יה אלֹהיך.
I looked up the word, hearken, and it means to listen. I noticed where to hearken is used in the Torah, obey Me fully, in the NIV, for the same verse. I think this difference is significant, especially when it comes to attitude or belief.
I can see the concept of obedience is different between what Judaism and Christianity present, where it seems Christianity places a higher value on obedience over that of understanding. During my transition out of the Christian faith, I remember listening to one of Rabbi Singer's podcasts where he was speaking to a group of women, both Jewish and Christian. He had raised a point about something and some of the women questioned his assertion, asking for clarity. He had jokingly remarked that he could always tell who is Jewish by the challenges and questions presented to him. That had been a profound statement for me to hear because questioning certain biblical concepts are not really encouraged within some branches of Christianity on some of the foundational tenets. The New Testament has so many verses about walking in obedience to his commands, even verses about wrath and hell for disobedience. I love reading about the finer points in the Hebrew language. Again, thank you for the eye opener. This is a book I'd like.
I've learned the combinational use שמע לקול, שמע בקול means he hearkened to the voice of. The book of Zechariah, Chapter 6 verse 15b. If you truly listen to the voice of Hashem - אמ-שמוע תשמון בקול יה אלֹהיכם. The same combination of words are written in the book of Exodus 15 verse 26. If you hearken diligently to the voice of Hashem...אם-שמוע תשמע לקול יה אלֹהיך.
I looked up the word, hearken, and it means to listen. I noticed where to hearken is used in the Torah, obey Me fully, in the NIV, for the same verse. I think this difference is significant, especially when it comes to attitude or belief.
I can see the concept of obedience is different between what Judaism and Christianity present, where it seems Christianity places a higher value on obedience over that of understanding. During my transition out of the Christian faith, I remember listening to one of Rabbi Singer's podcasts where he was speaking to a group of women, both Jewish and Christian. He had raised a point about something and some of the women questioned his assertion, asking for clarity. He had jokingly remarked that he could always tell who is Jewish by the challenges and questions presented to him. That had been a profound statement for me to hear because questioning certain biblical concepts are not really encouraged within some branches of Christianity on some of the foundational tenets. The New Testament has so many verses about walking in obedience to his commands, even verses about wrath and hell for disobedience. I love reading about the finer points in the Hebrew language. Again, thank you for the eye opener. This is a book I'd like.