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Shalom [subscriber:firstname | default:dear friend],
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Can we, should we try and define God?
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The general response from a Jewish perspective would be a distinct: No! We are not to define Him. It is absolutely impossible and can only lead to desecrating Him. Christianity’s response is totally the opposite. They have brought Him down to a human level.
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What is the difference between "knowing God" and "defining God"? Should we know God? Can you know Him without defining Him, even if only to some extent possible? If we are to love Him with all our heart and soul – can we do so when we have no concept of His identity?
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Do you really know your wife, your husband – parents or children? I have been married to my Bride for 65 yrs now. Do I really know her? Does she really know me? Certainly enough to love and stick to each other. The problem I see is that our Jewish Sages have so exalted God that He is presented like a vapour in the sky - incorporeal, no form, (according to Maimonides) - Someone very much "unhuman", does not talk, walk, etc. Surely that is defining Him also? How can you truly love such a "non-real" Being, having no idea of His true Identity and Being?
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What does HaShem say about this? Does He appreciate it? Does He want us to know Him intimately and personally?
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Isa. ch. 40 raises this question: to what image will you compare Him? READ the entire chapter.
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In the next chapter Isa. 41: 8-10 He defines whom He is addressing in the 9 consecutive chapters to 49 on this topic, i.e. Israel, His nation, the descendants of Avraham, His covenanted People. Then He raises the stunning reality that His People are "blind and deaf and don't know Him!"
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Isa. 42:19 "Who is blind but My Servant, and deaf like the messenger I send?
Who is blind like the one in covenant with Me, blind like the Servant of HaShem?
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20 You have seen many things, but you pay no attention; your ears are open, but you do not listen.”
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Isa. 45:4, 5 "For the sake of my servant Jacob, and Israel my chosen, I call you by your name, I surname you, though you do not know Me.
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I am HaShem, and there is no other; besides Me, there is no god. I arm you, though you do not know Me,"
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Isa. 35 assures us that in the End we shall see His Glory when He comes to redeem His People.
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Meanwhile, surely, it can be only beneficial that we should seek Him, know Him better - even if we cannot define Him exactly?
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The problem with restricting or discouraging any defining attempts by His followers seem to be the very reason underlying the current deadlock in the way of the reconciliation of the two divided Houses of Israel – namely, Judah (Judaism) and re-awakening Ephraim (found largely within Christianity). Signs of re-awakening, from within both sides, to this vitally required reconciliation, simply abound these days and are increasing at an accelerating tempo. This has become evident over the last week with the shameful withdrawal of the USA from Aghanistan. Commentaries about some 50 million descendents from the House of Israel, exiled amongst the nations from the time of the fall of King Solomon’s World Empire, Israel, (around 900 BCE, popped up in the media. These people now face persecution at the hand of the new rulers in Afgahnistan. Refer https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=3100599630223700&id=100008210807054 Check out the commentaries following the report also.
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The point is that neither side really knows the One True God Who is the Father of both. And, while both sides worship the Creator, in their lack of identifying Him clearly, they are at loggerheads with each other.
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To add to the confusion, He is “A God Who hides Himself,” though Creation, in its entirety, screams out His existence!
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This is a Problem that His followers need to resolve. Many though simply suggest that we await for Him to do so. This was not His style of operation at any time, bringing His People out of Egypt and into the Promised land. Where they failed, He made them find the Way through blood, sweat and tears.
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Do the Scriptures define His Being? To a great extent, yes. But, due to the factors mentioned above, and due to clashing with cultural concepts and teachings about His Being, great confusion reigns and as Scripture confirms: His Own people do NOT know Him. This topic about His True identity, hidden as it is, therefore has become a topic of great contention, beyond mature, open minded discussion. Is it possible that unravelling that topic could bring reconciliation between the two opposing sides of Judah and re-awakening Ephraim – the destructive Family Feud in the 12-Tribed Nation of Israel for the last 2750 years now? Perhaps even if both sides can only acknowledge that they are “deaf and blind” as to Whom they are arguing about that they serve? That they are all God’s People? That His Will is for them to reconcile and reunite His 12-Tribed Kingdom through which He shall rule over the Nations in the Shabbat Millennium and beyond?
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READ this week’s Haftarah https://www.mechon-mamre.org/p/pt/pt1054.htm#1 to realize what this Reconciliation means to the God of Israel, Creator of the Universe. Consider also the wise and enlightening advice of Rabbi Yitzchak Zweig in his commentary on Parashat Ki TeiTzei – of how our failing attitude of blunt denial is simply a resistance barrier which obstructs HaShem’s glorious Purpose for mankind. How much longer will we resist His Wishes?
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May these messages assist in promoting the advance of the Final Redemption (Geulah} – the Time Period of which it seems that we are now entering towards the end of this 6th Millennium – the Time of Trouble, birth pangs of the Shabbat Millennium with all its Blessings ..
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Wishing you HaShem’s richest Blessings!
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Co-founder, KOL HATOR Vision for the Restoration of the re-united 12-Tribed Kingdom of Israel
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NOTE – The views and opinions expressed by the author are not necessarily shared by the Rabbinic Associates of KOL HATOR VISION or the authors of other articles used in this publication. These views are the personal conclusions of the author based on the Rabbinic sources quoted in the article, or elsewhere on this Web Site, or in general out there in cyberspace and print.
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This Week’s Parashah:
NOTE – To see the Hebrew text, ensure that you select the Hebrew version option on the Mechon Mamre Web Pages
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This week’s Parashat commentary from the KOL HATOR library archive:
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Related sources of Information
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Hidden Jewels of uplifting information
Because we constantly find such hidden articles on the KOL HATOR Web Site which amaze us, even as authors, having forgotten that we ever published it, we will now weekly share one such publication with you.
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This week’s jewel drawn from hidden corners of the Web Site:
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Do your own exploration on the comprehensive Web Site of KOL HATOR as follows:
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* For specific information that you may seek, use the Web Site Internal Search Engine. Type your key Search Words into the Search Window at the top, right side, of each web Page on this Site. Or, use the Search Window by clicking on ‘Q’ above the Menu on the KHT Web Pages.
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* Further archive assistance on certain topics will also be found in the black frame at the foot of every KHT Web Site Page under ‘Categories’ and ‘About Kol Hator.’ Click on your topic under these sectors to find a List of articles on that Topic.
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* A most important guide to such hidden articles which shed more info on a topic will be found at the end of every Page on this Site, below the text body of the article you are reading, under “RELATED Posts” - for suggested related Studies on the Topic.
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May these studies inspire us to become the Kidushim (Holy ones, righteous ones) to receive the Eternal Gift of ruling with the God of Israel, as His Living Tabernacle – to possess the Kingdom for ever, even for ever and ever.
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