Who is online?
In total there are 46 users online :: 0 Registered, 0 Hidden and 46 Guests :: 1 BotNone
Most users ever online was 386 on Sun 25 Apr 2021, 2:56 pm
Latest topics
Living as a Temple of God
Living as a Temple of God
https://theisraelbible.com/living-as-a-temple-of-god/?
Living as a Temple of God
By Shira Schechter
In the Torah portion of Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) we read about the miraculous Splitting of the Sea. Emerging triumphantly from the Red Sea, the Israelites sang the 'Song of Moses', a heartfelt ode of gratitude. This song encapsulates their profound reverence and thankfulness to God for saving them from certain death. Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, explains that we learn from this song, specifically the line, "this is my God, and I will glorify Him" (Exodus 15:2), how to express gratitude to God for being saved.
But this line also begs the question: How does one truly glorify God? What is the meaning of this phrase?
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE https://theisraelbible.com/living-as-a-temple-of-god/
Living as a Temple of God
Jan 22, 2024
Israeli soldiers looking out at the site of the Temple in Jerusalem (Shutterstock.com)
עׇזִּ֤י וְזִמְרָת֙ יָ֔הּ וַֽיְהִי־לִ֖י לִֽישׁוּעָ֑ה זֶ֤ה אֵלִי֙ וְאַנְוֵ֔הוּ אֱלֹהֵ֥י אָבִ֖י וַאֲרֹמְמֶֽנְהוּ׃
Hashem is my strength and might; He is become my deliverance. This is my God and I will enshrine Him; The God of my father, and I will exalt Him.
OZ-zi v'-zim-RAT ya, va-YA-hee-LEE li-y'-shu-AH, ZEH e-LEE v'-an-VE-hu, e-lo-HAY a-VEE va-a-rom-MEN-hu.
Exodus 15:2
In the Torah portion of Beshalach (Exodus 13:17-17:16) we read about the miraculous Splitting of the Sea. Emerging triumphantly from the Red Sea, the Israelites sang the ‘Song of Moses’, a heartfelt ode of gratitude. This song encapsulates their profound reverence and thankfulness to God for saving them from certain death. Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, explains that we learn from this song, specifically the line, “this is my God, and I will glorify Him” (Exodus 15:2), how to express gratitude to God for being saved.
But this line also begs the question: How does one truly glorify God? What is the meaning of this phrase?
Rabbi Mirvis first quotes the Talmud, which suggests that we glorify God by beautifying the commandments that we perform. Each commandment is not merely a duty to be discharged. Instead, it’s an opportunity to showcase our appreciation for God and His divine commandments. This perspective urges us not to perform commandments perfunctorily or to just get them over with, but to fulfill them in a beautiful and glorified manner. Doing so brings honor and glory to God.
Many of the medieval commentators offer another layer of interpretation. They suggest that the Hebrew word for “I will glorify Him,” v’anveihu, comes from the Hebrew word naveh which means “a home,” connecting the concept of glorification of God to the idea of building a home for God. This interpretation stems from the aspiration, expressed from the dawn of the Jewish nation’s existence, to create a sacred space for God, a divine abode on earth. The best way to glorify God is to build Him a Temple, something the Israelites aspired to do already as they were leaving Egypt.
However, Rabbi Mirvis prefers the interpretation of Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, who takes a more intimate and personal approach to the connection between v’anveihu and building a home. He explains that glorifying God is not limited to building an external home for God, i.e. a Temple, rather glorifying God means making oneself into a home for God. It God means reflecting His presence through one’s very being, both through the levels of spirituality that we attain as well as the acts of loving-kindness that we perform.
This idea is beautifully exemplified in the life of Abraham. When he interacted with the Hittites to secure a burial place for Sarah, they recognized in him a “prince of God.” In Abraham, they saw a person who personified God’s presence through his conduct; a paragon of holiness, spirituality, and loving-kindness.
Thus, Rabbi Mirvis articulates a profound and multifaceted approach to thanking God for the gift of survival. It’s not just about performing rituals and commandments; it’s about elevating them, cherishing them, and allowing them to infuse our lives with beauty and meaning. It’s about creating spaces – both physical and spiritual – where God’s presence can dwell. Most importantly, it’s about embodying divine attributes and being a living testament to God’s presence in the world through our actions, our kindness, and our unwavering commitment to reflect the divine in all that we do. In doing so, we become, like Abraham, veritable princes and princesses of God, carrying His presence in our hearts and minds, and radiating it out into the world.
Related Names and Places: Splitting of the Sea
https://theisraelbible.com/cheesecake-and-the-hebrew-bible/
Relate Bible Verses: Chapter 15
Similar topics
» Temple Groups Practice Passover Sacrifice In Anticipation Of Third Temple
» Tips for Better Living
» LIVING WITH SIN'S CONSEQUENCES*
» Living in the Day of God's Promises
» Living Leviticus: Who Could Do It? Who Would Want To?
» Tips for Better Living
» LIVING WITH SIN'S CONSEQUENCES*
» Living in the Day of God's Promises
» Living Leviticus: Who Could Do It? Who Would Want To?
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
Yesterday at 10:18 pm by Admin
» WORTHY NEWS
Yesterday at 10:11 pm by Admin
» Open letter Jewish COLLEGE STUDENTS
Yesterday at 9:42 pm by Admin
» Historic Milestone Saudi Arabia-Israel stability
Yesterday at 9:08 pm by Admin
» AISH Honest Reporting
Yesterday at 5:36 pm by Admin
» BIBLE STUDY on VERSE
Yesterday at 5:19 pm by Admin
» PRO TRUTH of Israel what Pro PA want
Yesterday at 4:59 pm by Admin
» ISRAEL BREAKING NEWS
Yesterday at 4:19 pm by Admin
» BRITAIN NEWS AND ALERT's
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 11:56 pm by Admin
» JIHAD WATCH
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 11:44 pm by Admin
» NUGGET Today's Devotional
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 11:19 pm by Admin
» Israel 365 News
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 11:09 pm by Admin
» CHRISTIAN NEWS NETWORK
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 11:05 pm by Admin
» PULSE OF ISRAEL
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 10:59 pm by Admin
» iNSPIRATIONAL DEVOTION Israel
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 10:38 pm by Admin
» THE FREE PRESS
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 5:52 pm by Admin
» THE BLAZE
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 4:40 pm by Admin
» Chip Brogden CHURCH WITHOUT WALLS
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 4:37 pm by Admin
» VERY IMPORTANT CHRISTIAN CONCERN
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 4:24 pm by Admin
» Jewish History~ WHO DOES IT BELONG TO
Tue 30 Apr 2024, 4:22 pm by Admin