Delving into well hidden factors in the Scriptures which can positively advance the Drive towards Reconciliation and hence Geulah – if we only would care to confront it rather than sweep it under the carpet
#1 – The Untold Story of Tzipporah, Wife of Moses (see The Untold Story of Zipporah, Wife of Moses – Rabbi Levi Avtzon, Chabad)
#2 – The modern Ger controversy and its application to respond to the World Wide phenomenon of a Torah Awareness amongst non-Jews.
* Did you know that Moses separated from his wife, Tzipporah (meaning ‘bird’)?
* Tziporrah was not a Hebrew. She and her sisters introduced Moses to their Midianite Ruler father as an ‘Egyptian’ (Exod. 2:19) – obviously judging from his appearance. Moses grew up in the Royal Palace of Egypt since a baby.
* The Scriptures refer to Moses as a Ger, as was Avraham (Exod. 18:3; Gen. 23:4).
| Exod. 18:2 “So Moses’ father in law, Jethro, took Zipporah, Moses’ wife, after she had been sent away, | בוַיִּקַּ֗ח יִתְרוֹ֙ חֹתֵ֣ן משֶׁ֔ה אֶת־צִפֹּרָ֖ה אֵ֣שֶׁת משֶׁ֑ה אַחַ֖ר שִׁלּוּחֶֽיהָ: | |
| 3. and her two sons, one of whom was named Gershom, because he [Moses] said, “I was a stranger in a foreign land” | גוְאֵ֖ת שְׁנֵ֣י בָנֶ֑יהָ אֲשֶׁ֨ר שֵׁ֤ם הָֽאֶחָד֙ גֵּֽרְשֹׁ֔ם כִּ֣י אָמַ֔ר גֵּ֣ר הָיִ֔יתִי בְּאֶ֖רֶץ נָכְרִיָּֽה: |
We also learn from this statement in the Word, the horror of translations:
Moses was a Ger = a word causing much controversy today in the treatment by Judah of re-identifying Ephraimites seeking Return to their Divine Heritage. They are treated as “unacceptable to the ‘Jewish Torah Covenant’”, thus making the Prophesied Return of the Lost House of Israel – the Northern 10 Tribes exiled 2700 years ago – and the subsequent Geulah impossible. Did Moses’ being a Ger make him unacceptable to HaShem – not only for Torah but being the Teacher of the Torah?
A study of the use of the word ‘Ger’ in Scripture reveals a totally different concept of a stranger who was required to fall under the same Torah Requirements as the Hebrew, amongst whom they sojourned.
This ‘Ger’ concept started with the large masse of Egyptians who left Egypt together with the 12 Tribes of Israel. It developed over time to the totally opposite that is understood of it today (In the Torah, is the ‘Ger’ ever a Convert? – Prof. Ishay Rosen-Zvi is Professor of Rabbinic Literature in the department of Jewish Philosophy and Talmud at Tel-Aviv University. A comprehensive overview of the development of the Biblical ‘Ger’ concept in Jewish history to this day.). Today, the modern Rabbinic concept of a Ger is: a stranger, who is not required to observe Torah and who is not really welcome to become intrinsic part of Judah or Torah Judaism. Gerim are kept at arm’s length from Torah Judaism by a popular modern definition. According to a highly complicated series of interwoven definitions and discriminations, a Ger is preferred to become a Noahide, at best, with the obligation to 7 laws only – which exclude Shabbat observance. A main influence in the development of this concept was, of course, the persecution of Jews throughout millennia, for what they believed of the Word of God. The developing forming bond was that of self-protection of the Torah nation and its culture – certainly a vitally necessary and commendable goal.
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Today, however, totally at odds with the shaping trends of history, we are coming face to face with the Divine Program of Restoration – i.e. Reconciliation with the hidden and yet developing inner embryo, the core of required Redemption (Geulah).
The Horror of translation
For the non-Jew, the Ger, the matter is further repressed by translations of the Original Hebrew Word of God. It is nothing short of nightmarish. Translators have made of it a free play of what suites their understanding and agendas best. These translators were obviously also guided by what they have learnt and heard of Judaism – and not what they have experienced with thorough Rabbinic studies.
However, in all this, we have not been left rudderless; The Creator Himself has mandated the Israelite House of Judah (Judaism today) to be the Guiding Channel of understanding. Refer our study Judah, the Mechoqeck of HaShem.
A study of the word ‘Ger’ reveals the confusion brought into an already plaguing topic which withholds Final Redemption. However, such an exercise, vital as it is, simply opens up yet another deviation from finding the core requirement facing us. In fact, the issue about a ‘Ger’ and its relationship to association with Jewish Israel has absolutely nothing to do with the real Issue which we are facing: i.e. What should be our reaction to the approach of “Our Captive brothers and sisters of the House of 10-Israel being called back from Exile and their responding to the Call of HaShem for Return – the ‘Lost Child of Israel’! These are not Gerim in the true sense of the word, either ancient or current. They are descendents of their forefathers who stood with Judah, representing the Whole House of 12-Tribed Israel, at Sinai. They are heirs to the Covenant Promises and obligations which HaShem entered into with them. They are the promised descendants of Avraham who have lost their Hebrew Identity in exile. Their Return was Divinely oathed in Prophecy after Prophecy, page after page of the entire Tanach. This is in fact the Main Theme of prophecy.
What is Judah’s response to this Phenomenon? How far are they prepared to go to bring back the ‘Lost Child of Judah’; and the ‘Captives of 10-Israel in ‘Egypt’? How does reawakening 10-Israel react to this Divine Call Home? This entire topic of the Ger is a Deviation from Reality.
Deciphering the Original Word and the Intent of HaShem should go a long way to kindling what shall surely become a nuclear inferno resulting from the re-uniting and Restoration of the 12-Tribed Kingdom of Israel as ONE Nation – the Israel of HaShem. The igniting of this inferno should originate with us. HaShem is doing His part of the Consolation –imbuing the exiles with an urge to return and so formulate the regathering of the exiles. Rather than opposing it, as is evident in both Houses today, we should activate and inspire it.
This is the theme of the Prophetic Reading for this week, Haftarah for Parashat Eikev from Isaiah 49. Listen to the inspiring Message and insight provided by Rabbi Machlis, Jerusalem.
Independent research scholar. He works tirelessly as an activist promoting Israel and settlement of the Land of Israel, and as Webmaster and co-ordinator of Kol HaTor. Read More.
