By David Ettinger
What We Learned
I was raised Jewish in New York. My parents sent me to Hebrew School, known by the Hebrew word Yeshiva (from the root “sitting”). I attended the Hebrew Institute of Long Island from 1st grade through my junior year of high school.
Attending Yeshiva was an all-day endeavor, classes beginning at 8 a.m., and ending at 5 p.m.
The day was divided into 2 segments: Hebrew-related studies from 8 a.m. to noon followed by lunch, then standard studies (English, math, science) from 1 to 5 p.m.
The Hebrew portion of the day consisted of classes in Torah, Mishna, Gemorah, and Hebrew grammar. Basically, Torah, though specifically referring to the first 5 books – Genesis through Deuteronomy – represented all studies in the Old Testament.
Given equal time individually – and twice the time totally – were the Mishnah and Gemorah. The Mishnah is the written collection of the oral tradition of the Torah. The Gemorah is the rabbinical analysis of and commentary of the Mishnah. These 2 books comprise the Talmud.
Therefore, the Mishnah is a rabbinic commentary of the Torah, and the Gemorah is a commentary of the Mishnah. To be clear, though the Torah IS the Word of God, the Mishnah and Gemorah are not; they are the collected works of men. Therefore, in Yeshiva, we spent twice as much time on the word of men than on the Word of God.
Failed Teaching
So, this is what was taught, but how was it taught? In a few words: analytically, intellectually, and formulaically. The feeling of the Yeshiva was that, as Jewish boys and girls these were the things we were to know.
Where it failed, however, was in explaining why we were to know these things. We were taught to love God, but were never shown a reason why we should. Rather, we were fed the sundry teachings of rabbinic scholars which had no bearing on our lives. Furthermore, these rabbinic teachings were, ultimately, a system of works. One’s actions determined whether or not an individual was good or bad in God’s eyes.
But where Yeshiva failed was in explaining the sinful state of humanity and how it could be found acceptable to God. We were never told we were born sinners, though the Torah clearly teaches it (Psalm 51:5; Isaiah 53:6). We were never taught that these sins separated us from God though the Torah clearly teaches it (Isaiah 59:2; Exodus 32:33). We were taught about the sacrificial system – that God required a blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sins, the crucial verse being Leviticus 17:11: “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement.”
However, following the destruction of the Jerusalem Temple in A.D. 70 and the end of the sacrificial system, Judaism realized they had a problem. They had no blood sacrifice to atone for their sins. In time, the rabbis concocted a belief system where good works, or Mitzvot, can atone for sins.
Yes, the word “concoct” is strong, but fitting. The rabbis concocted this system out of their own heads. They heard no voice from God, who never rescinded His requirement for blood atonement as per Leviticus 17:11. And this mistaken theology remains.
The Yeshiva I attended taught salvation through good works. Not a word was spoken of blood atonement. So, rather than teaching us how sinful individuals could be made acceptable before a holy God, my Yeshiva taught us good works, and filled our young minds with the contrivances of the Talmud – an endeavor which could never bring us closer to acceptance before a holy God.
What They Missed
What my Yeshiva – and I imagine every Yeshiva – missed is that God never rescinded the requirement for blood atonement. And what Yeshivas further miss is that God HAS provided the permanent blood sacrifice for sin in the person of Yeshuah HaMashiach – Jesus the Christ – Israel’s Messiah who came as the sacrifice for sin.
What Yeshivas miss – and how they fail – is recognizing that their system of works only leads to the pit of Hell, not to the bosom of Abraham. What Yeshivas miss – and how they fail – is in not understanding that only a blood sacrifice can atone for sin, and that a permanent blood sacrifice HAS been made. It was made by Yeshuah, who died for the sins of all humanity, the Jewish people included.
What Yeshivas miss – and how they fail – is in not understanding that Yeshua is the one and only way for human beings to be saved – to be found acceptable before a holy God.
May God open the eyes of the Jewish people that they may come to a saving knowledge of their true Messiah – the one who atoned for all their sins, if they would only accept His wondrous sacrifice on their behalf!
Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
I have a dumb question. What is the Midrash? I have looked this up numerous times and my feeble brain still does not know what this is! Talmud studies interest me. I am fascinated with Rabbinic/Second Temple literature. While all Yeshivas fail in that they are not teaching that Yeshua HaMashiach has come, you received a lot of history and culture which helps me understand and appreciate the Jewish roots of Jesus, Gospel etc. Christians today need to preserve Jesus’s Jewishness. While I am not dismissing that Yeshiva failed you, God has still used your training and upbringing for His glory and your good!
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Hi Mandy. I don’t know what the Midrash is, though I heard of it.
I’ve got to disagree with you in your zeal. Yeshiva didn’t teach me all that much. Yes, it did teach me the Hebrew language and that the God of the Bible created all things, and of course that is very good.
Regarding “history and culture,” not so much. I’ve learned far more about biblical and cultural Judaism after becoming a Christian. Quite frankly, current Judaism is a mishmash of beliefs, and the Talmudic studies don’t particularly interest me at all.
I guess we differ in that area.
Much thanks for reading!!!
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
Hi, David!
Thank you for this!!! This is why one should never assume anything! Sorry to hear about the lack of history and culture. I am interested in Talmudic/Rabbinic literature in that it helps me understand the original audience/recipients who received Jesus’s teaching, especially the parables. Thank you for your patience with me!
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
No problem, Mandy. Go where your interests lead you!
Regarding the history and culture, I got the idea to write this yesterday when a work colleague asked me regarding my Hebrew School days: “Did they teach you geography, about how far biblical sites were from each other.”
I thought about it and said, “No, they didn’t. In fact, I can hard think of anything helpful they taught me in all those 11 years.”
Truth is, I learned just about all of my Judaica from Christian teachers. Ironic!
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
Completely ironic!!!!
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dawnfanshawe
March 28, 2021
Hi, see my attempted explanation of midrash below.
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ken riddles
March 16, 2021
Thank you – I found this informative – do they give a reason as to why the sacrifices having ceased, should stay ‘ceased”?
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Hi Ken. The sacrifices ceased, primarily, because the Temple was destroyed, which was the only place they could make sacrifices.
Also, the Jewish people were widely dispersed by the Romans, which means that even if there was a Temple, they couldn’t get there to sacrifice.
For the past 30 years or so, there has been an organization in Jerusalem looking to bring back the sacrificial system and build a new temple in which to exercise it. They are called, “The Temple Institute.”
I believe this will happen during the first 3 1/2 years of the final 7-year period of history.
Thanks for asking, Ken!
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
The Temple Institute is an interesting place to visit.
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
I visited way back in 1992, but it was hardly then what it is now. Would be interesting to go back.
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
You may not want to go back and visit. It is something else!
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Tom
March 16, 2021
Thanks, David, for posting your personal experiences and insights into Judaism. Wow! That was a long school day! It’s sad that the Jews were/are so close to true faith, but rejected/reject the Messiah and salvation by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. I’ve read that the nation of Israel is largely secular. I did a little googling and came across a 2011 study that said only 19% of NYC Jews at that time attended a weekly synagogue service.
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Great comments, Tom, and correct on every one. Israel is VERY secular. It is no surprise they will sign a covenant with the Antichrist.
And regarding the 19 percent, that definitely sounds right. Most of the world’s Jewish population is secular.
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Blue Collar Theologian
March 16, 2021
The secular Jews/Israelis are about at war with hatred for the ultra-Orthodox. It will be interesting to see what happens/results next Tuesday.
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ken riddles
March 16, 2021
Thanks for answering – interesting again – duly noted.
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Thank you, Ken.
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Bruce Cooper
March 16, 2021
REALLY interesting. This is why I appreciate your insight so much! The series you did on the Synagogue was especially informative. Did you ever do a study on the Seder (Passover Meal)? The reason I ask that, is that I read somewhere that when Jesus did the last supper, it was the third of four drinks wherein He said this cup is the New Covenant in my blood and the last or fourth drink was not done., which if I recall correctly, Jesus said He would drink with us new in God’s Kingdom. The Temple Institute has a website https://templeinstitute.org/ and my understanding is that they already have much of what will be required, already made. I see that they are doing their utmost to have a Red Heifer ready soon. Your insights are invaluable to those of us who are unschooled in these matters, so I sincerely thank you for filling in the blanks (so to speak), whenever you can. Blessings!
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Thank you, Bruce. I never wrote on Christ in the Passover, but I used to give Passover demonstrations on how Christ is in the Passover. The main point was that after Jewish people received Christ, they incorporated elements into the Seder that were NOT prescribed in the Bible.
This was their tribute to Jesus.
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Bruce Cooper
March 16, 2021
May I impose upon you to let me know what you think of the info in this link? https://www.itsmidnight.org/passover?
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Sure, Bruce. I’ll read and get back to you.
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dettinger47
March 16, 2021
Hi Bruce. I thought this was very good, and found nothing I disagreed with.
One thing that would have helped, however, was talking about the 3 pieces of matzoh that are wrapped in a cloth, AND THE MIDDLE ONE IS BROKEN!!! The symbolism here is obvious, but unbelieving Jews have no idea why this is done.
This is a big omission. This is not in the Bible. Rather, I believe, it is an example of how believing Jews incorporated Christ into the Passover Seder.
Overall, though, I think he did a very nice job.
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Bruce Cooper
March 16, 2021
Thank you David, sincerely appreciated! Duly noted about the big omission!
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seekingdivineperspective
March 16, 2021
David, you do a great job of explaining the difference between the Jewish faith(traditions) and the Christian faith. Thanks for speaking from your experience. It was very enlightening.
PS I’m glad you have joined the family of believers in your Messiah.
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dettinger47
March 17, 2021
Thank you for your very kind words!
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heavensreef
March 17, 2021
Excellent way of explaining the differences. So glad you are part of the Body of Christ now! I learn so much from you! I am blessed every time I read your posts……thanks much David.
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dettinger47
March 17, 2021
Thank you for the kind words, Maxine.
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Angel
March 17, 2021
This was beautiful David!
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dettinger47
March 17, 2021
Thank you, Angel.
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dawnfanshawe
March 28, 2021
While the Yeshivas may have missed things and failed you, Yeshua didn’t miss you or fail you and He gives everyone an opportunity to find Him – indeed He pursues us all. I think your upbringing and schooling was perhaps a blessing and it certainly won’t be wasted! I think of the training Saul had and how he lived before the Lord spoke to him! Midrash, as I understand it, is a process of writing Biblical stories and “filling in the gaps” as it were – ie – if writing a story about Mary the mother of Jesus, for example, one would use all that is known from Scripture and all historical records and research to create a realistic story, but fictional in parts – eg describing her cooking her dinner for the family etc. So it’s a sort of Biblical, historical fictional writing, done prayerfully. That’s my understanding.
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dettinger47
March 28, 2021
Great explanation, Dawn. Thank you for it!
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