How Should We Understand the Law? In this series in "How to Understand the Bible" we are focussing on how to understand the Old Testament. Many people find parts of the Old Testament daunting and challenging to understand. One such part is that portion in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. If you know someone or […]

“Does God require Sabbath-keeping of Christians?”……In Colossians 2:16-17, the apostle Paul declares, "Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is […]

“What does it mean that Christians are not under the law?”……An exposition ofRomans 10:4, which says: “Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes,” will help in understanding what is means that Christians are not under the law. The apostle Paul clarifies the effects of original […]

“Do Christians have to obey the Old Testament law?” (also see Jesus and the law)……Answer: The key to understanding this issue is knowing that the Old Testament law was given to the nation of Israel, not to Christians. Some of the laws were to reveal to the Israelites how to obey and please God (the […]

Talmud/Mishna/Gemara The Jewish community of Palestine suffered horrendous losses during the Great Revolt and the Bar-Kokhba rebellion. Well over a million Jews were killed in the two ill-fated uprisings, and the leading yeshivot, along with thousands of their rabbinical scholars and students, were devastated. This decline in the number of knowledgeable Jews seems to have […]

Shavuot…Shavuot isn't commemorated by most Christians, but Christians are well familiar with the event it recalls: the giving of God's Law to the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Those Ten Commandments-still recited each week in Christian churches around the world-defined for ancient Israel and for us today the standards to which God holds his covenant people […]

“What is the Talmud?”……The word "Talmud" is a Hebrew word meaning "learning, instruction." The Talmud is a central text of mainstream Judaism and consists primarily of discussions and commentary on Jewish history, law (especially its practical application to life), customs and culture. The Talmud consists of what are known as the Gemara and the Mishnah.……In […]