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Judaism

I grew up a Christian, attended Christian schools through the 12th grade andearned my Associates Degree in Biblical Studies from a Bible college in Texas. In 1998 I began studying the Torah, and I have always found that study to be challenging, encouraging, and engaging.

I am Messianic. That means that I follow the Moshiach of Israel. It means that I try to follow the Torah as it applies to me as a Gentile.

This section of The Four Questions contains a few of my thoughts about Torah and Judaism, as well as two papers I wrote in college that I think might be an interesting read.

• General Thoughts
• The Name of G-d
• The Hebrews
• Whose Land?

‏תּוֹרָה‎ — The first five books of the Bible. Alternately, refers to the entire body of commandments of G-d. The Torah is read in the synagogue on a yearly schedule, starting and finishing on Simchat Torah.

‏מִצְוָה‎ — (Plural ‏מִצְוֹת‎, “mitzvot”) Literally, “commandment.” Colloquially refers to any good deed.

‏מִשְׁנָה‎ — (a.k.a. Mishnah) The foundation of the Talmud, commentary of the Tanaaim on the Torah. The Mishnah was compiled by Rabbi Yehudah HaNassi (commonly referred to within the text as “Rabbi”) with the help of the members of his Academy in the 3rd century. It is divided into six sedarim (orders); those are further divided into masekhot (tractates), which are further divided into individual mishnayot (verses).

‏מָשִׁיחַ‎ — “Messiah”; means “Anointed One.” The concept of Moshiach as a deliverer is a completely Jewish concept.