Loving Our God by Learning the Language of His Text to Live Out His Teachings
גזריא Fencing The Discussion
The Torah is precious, and the commandments (מצות - mitzvot) are to be honored wholly as holy; in other words, completely, as the Shema (שמע) states (בכל - with all!) Jewish halakhah (הלכה - the path that one walks, or the way to live) teaches that we ought to "fence" in the Torah. That is to say, we build oral traditions, contemporary guidelines, and even lasting traditions that are in alignment with the teachings of Torah to be absolutely certain we do not break the commandments. It is an insurance to ensure that our lives honor the life God has given us in His Torah, His teachings and guidance. R. Akiva illuminates this by saying (in Pirke Avot 3:17): "the transmitted tradition is a fence around the Torah; tithes are a fence for riches; vows are a fence for abstinence; a fence for wisdom is silence."
Really quite profound, and in all actuality, a principle that humanity practices even to this day (no dancing for Baptists; no carrying alcoholic beverages in your vehicle, at least in California).
The word גזריא (gezeirah) stems from the letters (ג-ז-ר) which is a root meaning "to cut off" or "separate." It (the root) is used in words found in the following passages: Genesis 15:17 as the "pieces" (or "half-pieces") of the animals cut by Abraham; Leviticus 16:22 as the "solitary place" [the NIV translation. It should most likely read "the land of separation" (אל-הארץ גזרה)]; Psalm 136:13 of "divided the Red Sea" (לגזר ים סוף - and as you all know, it is the "Sea of Reeds"); and of course the city named "Gezer."
For this Ning-network, then, I would like to propose a few "fences" (גזריאים - someone check me on the spelling of that...) that will guide and protect our posting, blogging, and discussing on this site.
1. This is not a network to advertise on. In other words, please do not post information regarding personal or congregational events.
2. This is not a "community-based" network. This is primarily a "study-based" network consisting of a community of people who are here primarily to learn and grow in the area of Biblical Hebrew.
3. This is neither a denominationally nor religiously affiliated network. In other words, we are not "Messianic," "Christian," or "Jewish." We are an eclectic mix of all of those (somewhat religiously-egalitarian), and any others who wish to engage in Biblical Hebrew.
4. THIS IS A LEARNING NETWORK. Posts like Glenda's blog on July 26 detailing the meanings of the letters of the Aleph-Bet is very much in line with our purposes here. Thanks for that contribution, and we encourage others to give the same.
5. THIS IS A HEBREW NETWORK. We're really not looking for your typical Biblical commentary. Instead, we're hoping for insights into the text of the Hebrew Bible [for example, the word תבה, "teivah" in Genesis 7:1, translated "ark" is the same word used in Exodus 2:3 for the "basket" that Moses was placed in. In other words, the "teivah" (התבה) in both usages is a "saving vessel." Perhaps there is a connection in the narrative in the two stories].
6. THIS IS A GROWING NETWORK. As we align ourselves to these גזריאים, we hope others will join to freshen and enrich our journey together.
Really quite profound, and in all actuality, a principle that humanity practices even to this day (no dancing for Baptists; no carrying alcoholic beverages in your vehicle, at least in California).
The word גזריא (gezeirah) stems from the letters (ג-ז-ר) which is a root meaning "to cut off" or "separate." It (the root) is used in words found in the following passages: Genesis 15:17 as the "pieces" (or "half-pieces") of the animals cut by Abraham; Leviticus 16:22 as the "solitary place" [the NIV translation. It should most likely read "the land of separation" (אל-הארץ גזרה)]; Psalm 136:13 of "divided the Red Sea" (לגזר ים סוף - and as you all know, it is the "Sea of Reeds"); and of course the city named "Gezer."
For this Ning-network, then, I would like to propose a few "fences" (גזריאים - someone check me on the spelling of that...) that will guide and protect our posting, blogging, and discussing on this site.
1. This is not a network to advertise on. In other words, please do not post information regarding personal or congregational events.
2. This is not a "community-based" network. This is primarily a "study-based" network consisting of a community of people who are here primarily to learn and grow in the area of Biblical Hebrew.
3. This is neither a denominationally nor religiously affiliated network. In other words, we are not "Messianic," "Christian," or "Jewish." We are an eclectic mix of all of those (somewhat religiously-egalitarian), and any others who wish to engage in Biblical Hebrew.
4. THIS IS A LEARNING NETWORK. Posts like Glenda's blog on July 26 detailing the meanings of the letters of the Aleph-Bet is very much in line with our purposes here. Thanks for that contribution, and we encourage others to give the same.
5. THIS IS A HEBREW NETWORK. We're really not looking for your typical Biblical commentary. Instead, we're hoping for insights into the text of the Hebrew Bible [for example, the word תבה, "teivah" in Genesis 7:1, translated "ark" is the same word used in Exodus 2:3 for the "basket" that Moses was placed in. In other words, the "teivah" (התבה) in both usages is a "saving vessel." Perhaps there is a connection in the narrative in the two stories].
6. THIS IS A GROWING NETWORK. As we align ourselves to these גזריאים, we hope others will join to freshen and enrich our journey together.
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