Today in class our teachers told the story of Ruth 2 and we discussed it - all in Hebrew (you should understand that there are plenty of times when I "listen slowly" and don't get everything in the discussion, but I continually get better). We also discussed passover in Jesus' day and recited a couple of prayers that were probably recited by Jesus and the disciples at the Last Supper. Many of the things seen in the Passover Seder service come from later Judaism (say, after AD 135 and the Bar Kokhba rebellion, or certainly after AD 70, when the Temple was destroyed) when Passover could no longer be celebrated according to the law of Moses, because Jews could not do the Temple sacrifice. In Jesus' day, the Passover was probably a little different. Here is a picture of our classroom building.
We are memorizing Deut 6:4-9, the famous Shema passage, and Lev 19:18. One of the most interesting things we learned is that the exact Hebrew word (ve'ahavta) for "and you shall love" (this is all one word in Hebrew) occurs only four times in the entire law of Moses. In Mark 12:28-31, Jesus answers the question about what is the greatest commandment by naming two commendments, the Shema and Lev 19:18. These are two of the places in which this one Hebrew word, ve'ahavta, is found. It is the occurrence of uncommon expressions in Scripture that got the notice of the Jewish teachers. In fact, this is actually an example of one of the rules of interpretation taught by the rabbis even before Jesus. The rule is called gzerah shava and refers to a linking of same forms. I learned about rabbinic methods of interpretation at Hebrew Union College, but I had not considered that the great day of questions in Jesus
final week provides such a great example. Jesus is using a technique known and used by the Jewish scholars of his day. In the parallel account in Matt 22:34-40, Jesus says, "On these two commands the whole law and the prophets depend." This clever and profound joining of two passages may have combined to cause the scribe to respond, "Well spoken, teacher ..." (Mark 12:32). That teh scribe was sincere seems clear from Jesus' response, "Not far are you from the kingdom of God (Mark 12:34).
New Friends
Now I would like to introduce you to two of my new friends, David and Amanda Bosanquet. They are a delightful Christian couple. Amanda was born in Wales and David in England. They both attended the same medical school in Cardiff, Wales. They married a year ago and now practice medicine there. Amanda is in general practice and David just passed his exams to be a surgeon. Incidentally, in England, before you are a doctor, you are a "mister." Once you become a physician, you are called "doctor." Once you become a surgeon, you earn the prestigious title of "mister." This may seem strange to Americans, but it is taken with no little sense of accomplishment.
Amanda is in the Jonah (beginning) class with little to no prior knowledge of Hebrew, and David is with us in the Ruth (intermediate) class. I asked them why they are studying Hebrew. Their answer was that they wanted to be able to study the Bible directly from the original and know the Bible better.
I find this so refreshing and encouraging. Many of our preachers have little interest in knowing Greek, much less Hebrew. Here are non-clergy Christians who study Hebrew because they love God and the Bible. For years I have been telling students that these are the two best reasons to study biblical languages, hence the name of this blog (Peter Vogt gave me the idea). I say this with a smile on my face, but I think they think I'm joking. I'm actually quite serious. I hope readers of this blog will be so encouraged, whether they are pursuing professional ministry or not.
Old Ruins (and More Friends)
Peter and I ran this morning, but took another walk this evening. This time we went to the third site on the Tzuba road, Tel Tzuba. A tel ("mound") is like a hill, except that it is not a hill made by the earth's own forces, but one made by a city being built, destroyed, and rebuilt on the same site over and again. I took a number of photos. Here are just a few. The first photo is simply the public marker naming the site. It reads right-to-left, of course, and says, "Tel Tzuba."
It turned out that we had quite a group from various classes of the Ulpan ("school") go. On the front row of five, left-to-right, Carlos (Ecuador), Peter (my roommate from Minnesota), Geli (England). Emily (Michigan), Amanda, and Lori (South Carolina); on the back row, David and I. This picture was take atop the highest building of the tel on the very top of the hill.
One of the residents of the Kibbutz, nicknamed Bucky (from being born with two front teeth), volunteered to be our guide. He took the picture. His English and American accent were so good, that when he had to take time to search for a word, it seemed surprising. He led us up the back way, which involved a little climbing - not so easy for girls in skirts. We went down an easier way.
From here is a beautiful view of Jerusalem to the east and various other places in all directions. Down the hill to the west is the Kibbutz Tzuba. The picture shown here looks northward. The city in the center is part of Mevasseret Zion. It is an upper class area that wishes to remain an independent town from Jerusalem. Before Mevasseret you can see the vineyards of the Kibbuts. Bucky said that the weather here, with hot summers and cold winters, allows them to grow grapes with an unusual quality, that allows the Kibbuts to make very good wine.
This is another view from the very top into the courtyard of Tel Tzuba. This would have been a market place. I don't know how old the remains are. They go back at least to the Early Byzantine period (about AD 325-640). There is lots of evidence of rebuilding. The city itself is mentioned in Scripture in 1 Sam 14:47; 2 Sam 8:3, 5, 12; 23:36; 1 Kgs 11:23.
With that I will wish you layla tov ("good night").
No comments:
Post a Comment