From: "Ohr Somayach"
To: dafyomi@vjlists.com
Subject: The Weekly Daf - #327
The Weekly Daf #327
Ketubot 46 -52
Issue # 327 Parshat Behar
By Rabbi Mendel Weinbach, Dean, Ohr Somayach Institutions
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A SOLID INVESTMENT
"Wealth and riches shall be in his house," says King David
(Tehillim 112:3), "and his righteousness shall endure
forever." Who is the unnamed recipient of such a blessing?
One interpretation in our gemara is that this refers to one
who studies Torah and teaches it to others.
Maharsha offers a fascinating explanation of the comparison
between Torah and material wealth. In regard to wealth, we
have been taught by Rabbi Yochanan (Mesechta Taanit 9a) that
the Torah's usage of a double phrase "Tithe, you shall surely
tithe" (Devarim 14:22) teaches us that the reward for
fulfilling the mitzvah of tithing is the blessing of wealth.
(The Hebrew word can be read both as "te'asser" which means
"tithe" and as "te'asher" which means "become wealthy.")
Tosefot there cites a Sifrei that this applies not only to
agricultural produce which the Torah commands us to tithe but
to the tithing of any earnings and profits as well.
Just as one who gives a share of his wealth to charity does
not suffer a reduction in his resources but actually enjoys an
increase, so it is with the sharing of his Torah knowledge.
The greatest Sages (Rabbi Chanina in Mesechta Ta'anit 7a and
Rebbie in Mesechta Makkot 10a) have declared "Much have I
learned from my teachers; even more from my colleagues; and
the most from my students." The scholar who shares his
learning with others loses nothing. He becomes even wealthier
with the true riches of Torah knowledge.
* Ketubot 50a
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Written and Compiled by Rabbi Mendel Weinbach
General Editor: Rabbi Moshe Newman
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Ohr Somayach International
22 Shimon Hatzadik Street, POB 18103
Jerusalem 91180, Israel
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(C) 2000 Ohr Somayach International - All rights reserved.
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From: Yair Davidi (britam@netvision.net.il)
To: britam@netvision.net.il
Subject: Isaiah-32
Isaiah-32
[ISAIAH 32:8] BUT THE LIBERAL DEVISETH LIBERAL THINGS; AND BY
LIBERAL THINGS SHALL HE STAND.
"LIBERAL" in Hebrew "Nadiv" meanin generous. Someone who gives to
others readily of himself whether in the form of money, encouragement,
friendship, etc., is in effect giving to himself. He gets it all back
somehow or other many times over.
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From: "Daniel Rendelman" <danielr@innova.net>
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Tithing
TITHING
The salvation that comes through Yahshua was purchased at the highest
possible price - the very life of the Son of Yahweh. Even the Word of
Yahweh has come to us at the highest of costs. Countless saints down
through history have suffered torture and even death to pass on the
truth given ultimately to us, including the Scriptures themselves. We
have the Bible today because zealous, totally devoted people paid
with their very lives to preserve it!
Some do not esteem the truth of the Word as highly as others do, even
though their very salvation hinges on it. In contrast, Yahshua spoke
of a merchant who, in dealing in pearls, found a special one and sold
all he had - including all other pearls - in order to possess the most
valued: "Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and
sold all that he had, and bought it" (Matt. 13:46).
This special pearl refers to the Kingdom of Yahweh and the truth that
leads to it. Once we find the truth about the Kingdom, we seek it
with all our hearts. We are willing to sacrifice whatever it takes for the
Kingdom's sake. Nothing is more important.
Tithe: The Way and Means
Knowing that our duty is to fulfill the Great Commission of Matthew
28, the question becomes, how does Yahweh expect us to carry it out? The
answer is, He has provided a financial program for His people by
which they are able to reach the lost sheep. It is called the tithe. The
tithe is the veritable key to spreading the truth.
Some may be thinking that the tithe is an Old Testament institution
that is no longer applicable.
A reliable criterion for determining which commands of our Heavenly
Father Yahweh are still binding upon us is to look at the first time
a command or practice appears in Scripture. Then trace it down through
all the various Scriptures and note any importance attached to it and how
it was observed. Did Yahshua uphold it? What does the New Testament say
about it?
Significant as well is whether the precept or practice will be
observed in the future Kingdom. If it will, then it obviously is eternal and
is also binding on us now. Let's analyze the law of the tithe by this
proper method. We'll examine its initial appearance and trace it down
through the Scriptures.
Melchizedek Took Tithes
Tithing is first mentioned in Genesis where Abram, the father of the
faithful, is recorded as giving tithes to Melchizedek, the priest of
the Most High:
"And blessed be the Most High EL ELYON, which has delivered your
enemies into your hand. And he gave him tithes of all" (Gen. 14:).
Giving of the tithe to Melchizedek reveals two things: First, that
the Melchizedek priesthood preceded the Levitical priesthood of Aaron who
came later. Second and most important, that Abraham honored this
priestly order and tithed to it long before the Levitical priesthood
and its tithing system was established.
As we will see, the Melchizedek priesthood still supercedes all
others today and will in the future as well. We today are under the order of
Melchizedek through Yahshua our High Priest, and not under the
Levitical system.
"Whither the Forerunner is for us entered, [even] Yahshua, made an
high priest forever after the order of Melchisedec") Heb. 6:; see also
5:10; 7:17). The point is, if faithful Abraham tithed to Melchizedek,
the priestly order of which Yahshua is chief, what should WE be
doing?
Levites Tithed to Yahshua
The Book of Hebrews makes much over the fact that the patriarchs
Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils to Melchizedek. The Levitical priesthood
descended from Abraham. Even though the tribe of Levi was to take
tithes of their brethren, they in actuality tithed to Melchizedek THROUGH
Abraham (Heb. 7:4-10), which is clear from verse 9: "And as I may so
say, Levi also, who received tithes, paid tithes in Abraham."
An important point made by the author of Hebrews is that Yahshua is
our High Priest in the Melchizedek priesthood. This priesthood has
authority over the Levitical system established under Moses. Yahshua's ministry
is superior and He is the mediator of a better covenant, established
upon better promises, Heb. 8:6.
Therefore, we should take to heart the fact that although the sons of
Levi received tithes in the Old Testament, still they were
subservient to Yahshua's priesthood and actually tithed to Him. In essence, all
of Israel ultimately tithed to Yahshua.
If they paid tithed to the order of Melchizedek, should not we as
spiritual Israelites do the same? We look to Yahshua as our High
Priest and the Head of the Body, tithing to His order of priesthood - the
ministry of Yahshua - and receiving the blessings as did faithful
Abraham.
Returning What Is Yahweh's
As we have just seen, tithing is not an invention of Moses. Abraham
preceded Moses and yet was tithing to Melchizedek, priest of the Most
High El was possessor of all the earth, Genesis 14:19 (see also Ex.
19:5, Ps. 24).
Yahweh owns everything! He allows us to use some of what belongs to
Him in our present but temporary journey in life. He tells us what He
expects a tithe (10 percent) of all that we produce to be given back
to Him:
"And all the tithe of the land, [whether] of the seed of the land,
[or] of the fruit of the tree, [is] Yahweh's: [it is] holy unto Yahweh"
(Lev. 27:30).
In other words, the entire tithe or tenth is His, not ours.
He graciously allows us the use of what is His, but at the same time
requires a tithe of it to be returned to Him.
The word "tithe" is an Old English word meaning "tenth." A "tithing"
was an administrative district in which were ten families. The word tithe
means of "tenth" or "ten percent." The Biblical use of the tithe was
to support the Levites, the priests, according to Numbers 18:21-32.
If one wanted to keep or redeem for money any of the tithe, one was
to add percent to its value.
Priests Received the Tithes
Because of the tribe of Levi was the priesthood, they were not to
inherit any of the Promised Land. Today's Bible maps showing the
division of the land among the tribes accurately omit the Levites.
However, the priests were given 48 Levitical cities. Instead of an
inheritance of land, the Levites were given the tithe for an
inheritance.
"And Yahweh spake unto Aaron, you shall have no inheritance in their
land, neither shall you have any part among them: I [am] your part
and your inheritance among the children of Israel. And, behold, I have
given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for
their service which they serve, [even] the service of the tabernacle
of the congregation" (Num. 18:-21).
Now that we are under the New Covenant made with the Messiah, we find
the priesthood changed from the Levitical to that of Melchizedek, and
those who are called of Yahweh serve as his ministers, His priests.
Paul does not specifically mention tithes in the following passages,
but he does expect support for those teaching Yahweh's Word.
"Even so has Yahweh ordained that they which preach the evangel
should live of the evangel [KJV].
"In the same way, Yahweh has commanded that those who preach the
evangel should receive their living from the evangel" [NIV] (1Cor. 9:14).
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. For the
Scripture says, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. And, The
labourer [is] worthy of his reward" (1 Tim. 5:17-18).
"Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teaches
in all good things [KJV].
"Anyone who receives instruction in the words must share all good
things with his instructor" {NIV} (Gal. 6:6).
Remember that the Apostles were of the tribe of Judah, with Paul
being of Benjamin. Luke may have been a gentile, yet all of the Apostles
carried out the work of proclaiming the Glad Tidings of the Kingdom,
though they were not Levites.
The task of the Levites was that of offering the sacrifices and
cleansing of the congregation so that the people could offer worship
to Yahweh. They also taught the laws and precepts of Yahweh to Israel.
Now that the Savior has paid the complete sacrifice of Himself, we no
longer offer animal sacrifice, but are to sacrifice our bodies in our daily
living:
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Elohim, that
you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto Elohim,
which is your reasonable service" (Rom. 12:1).
By being obedient to His Word, we sacrifice our time, efforts and
life itself in compliance. Through this obedience we are sanctified and
cleansed as we obey His word in our daily walk through faith in the
Messiah (Eph. 5:26).
Savior Advocates Tithing
As a part of the Body of Messiah, we may not be from the tribe of
Levi. The ekklesia is made up of people from the nations (Greek ethnos) and
among the gifts given to the Assembly will be found ministering and
teaching, Romans 12:7.
"And Elohim has set some in the Assembly, first apostles, secondarily
prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of
healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues." 1Cor. 12:28)
Yahshua put His finger on the typical behavior of the Pharisees who
emphasize their righteousness by obedience in minutiae, allowing
trivia to occupy their time and attention.
"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For ye pay tithe of
mint and anise and cumin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of
the law, judgement, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done,
and not to leave the other undone," Matthew 23:23.
They tithed of mint, anise, and cumin - little garden herbs. However,
they neglected the weightier matters of justice, mercy, and faith.
Notice that Yahshua says that tithing is something He said they
SHOULD do, but not to neglect being just, showing mercy, and strengthening
the faith of others. He did not condemn them for tithing, but for
neglecting other important matters as well.
Support for the Workers
Tithing is clearly carried over from the Old Testament to the New. It
is Yahweh's method of financing the Kingdom Message, which is to be
preached in all the world as a warning before the return of the
Messiah, Matthew 24:14. Those who have their minds on spiritual things will be
deeply concerned that this be carried out.
Notice the thrust of the following verses, which point out the
obligation that we have in providing for those doing the work of the
ministry so that others may also hear, learn, and benefit from the
teaching of the Good News:
"And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as
they give: for the labourers is worthy of his hire" (Luke 10:7).
"It has pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the
Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their
duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things" (Rom. 15:27)
"The husbandmen that labors must be first partaker of the fruits"
(2Tim. 2:6).
"Even so has Yahweh ordained that they which preach the evangel
should live of the evangel" (1Cor. 9:14).
Aiding and supporting those proclaiming the Good News allows them to
devote themselves entirely to their calling of teaching the Word.
Tithing in New Testament
Our focus must be on the Old Testament as well as the New. Many Bible
readers are surprised to learn that the Bible teaches that our
salvation is to be found in the Old Testament.
Notice:
"And that from a child you have known the holy scriptures, which are
able to make you wise unto salvation through faith which is in
Messiah Yahshua" (2Tim. 3:15). Also see John 5:47; Romans 3:1-2; Acts 7:38.
The Apostles drew their message from the Old Testament, for the New
had not yet been written. We also know that the New Covenant is based
upon what was written in the Old as we see in Hebrews 8:8-10:
"For finding fault with them, he said, Behold, the days come, says
Yahweh, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and
with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made
with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them
out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and
I regarded them not, says Yahweh. For this [is] the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh; I will
put my laws into their minds, and write them in their hearts: and I will
be to them an Elohim, and they shall be to me a people."
Notice that the New Covenant offers the same laws as given in the
Old, which including tithing. And in the Kingdom the Levitical priesthood
will again be established, Ezekiel 44-48. The Levitical priesthood
was established on and was always supported by tithes and offerings from
the people.
Support Only the Truth
We should be very careful that we support only those who are
preaching the truth, the whole counsel of Yahweh
The Bible warns that there will be false prophets (Matt. 24:11), who
will appear meek and righteous, but who are ravening wolves at heart,
Matthew 7:14.
The true congregation will be restoring forgotten truth and ignored
laws, pointing us back to the Old paths of righteousness, Isaiah
58:12.
True believers will gladly accept hardships 2Tim. 4:5; realizing that
we will suffer shame for His great Name, Acts 5:41. The true followers
of the Great Shepherd will indeed be a little flock, Revelation 12:17,
Luke 12:32.
The fact that there be but a small group of people engaged in
proclaiming the good news of the coming Kingdom should not deter us.
If we are faithful and sincerely seeking to serve Him, Yahweh will be
with us. Even a little flock of dedicated people can do great things in
successfully proclaiming this vital message in the end time.
The true Philadelphia Assembly in Revelation is described as being
small but devoted: "I know your works: behold, I have set before you an
open door, and no man can shut it: for you have a LITTLE STRENGTH, and
have kept my word, and have not denied my NAME" (Rev. 3:8).
Where Is YOUR Heart?
When doing His will, we are promised all the help and courage needed.
Yahweh will see us through. Yahshua began with twelve disciples and
turned the world upside down, Acts 17:6. If we do not accomplish the
same, Yahweh will raise up a group that will.
To place the kingdom first in our lives is the command of our Savior:
"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust
doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up
for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your
treasure is, there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:19-21).
Take special note that Yahshua declared that where your treasure is,
there is where your heart will be found. That is to say, that which
you desire, that which dominates your thinking and is your goal in life -
that is where your heart is. Your heart can be on earthly gains,
possessions, the social whirl, a house, car, country club, gems, the
stock market - almost anything on earth. If these things influence,
control, direct, or consume most of your thoughts and attention, you
are building castles in the sand. You have a problem with idolatry.
Physical gain in this life is but temporary gain. We have been warned
that we can gain the whole world and lose our soul or life (Matt.
16:26). We are promised but 70 years on this earth (Ps. 90:10), and
we will one day appear before the judgement seat of the Savior.
We each have just one life, and it will soon be past; only what is
done for the Messiah will last. Yahshua says we should lay up for
ourselves treasure in heaven, Matthew 6:. Yahweh commands that we take 10
percent of our income (increase) and turn it into spiritual treasure
by helping others find the truth that leads to salvation. These
spiritual treasures are eternal and will last forever.
But exactly how can I do that? You ask. Simply by setting aside a
portion of your income, 10 percent, and seeing that it is used to
proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom. Yahweh in turn will enable you
to do more with 90 percent of your earnings and His blessings than you
could do with 100 percent minus His blessings. It is a fact proven
over and over in the lives of those who love Yahweh and obey the
principles of the tithe.
An Awesome Responsibility
Yahweh's plan is that each one who is converted to His way of
righteousness should do what he or she can to get the message of
salvation to others. To give back some of what we have been given is
fundamental to Yahweh's methods.
Each believer should pay his or her own way, and not take without
giving something back. That is the principle Yahweh teaches us through the
tithe. As we partake of the grace freely given, we take a portion of
Yahweh's blessing and bestow it upon others so they might also be
partakers of the salvation which in Yahshua.
Through giving and sacrifice we are able to invest in the coming
Kingdom and bear fruit unto life eternal. Tithing is a way to put Yahweh
first in our lives. By giving ten percent of our income, we show Yahweh
that our treasure and heart are focused on Him and in His coming Kingdom
on earth.
As we showed at the beginning, tithes were given to Melchizedek. In a
sense we are already the New Testament extension of the Melchizedek
priesthood, being that we are under Yahshua. The Bible calls us a
nation of priests:
"And hast made us unto our Elohim kings and priests: and we shall
reign on the earth" (Rev. 5:10). See also Revelation 1:6 and :6.
Not Robbing but Sharing
The man said, I'd tithe, but I just can't afford it." Knowing that
the Scriptures says that ten percent of what is given us belongs to
Yahweh and is not ours to keep, we must respond, "Then you prefer to steal
from your Heavenly Father?"
Yahweh plainly says we are ROBBING Him when we don't pay our tithes:
"Will a man rob Yahweh? Yet you have robbed me. But you say wherein
have we robbed you? In tithes and offerings. You are cursed with a curse:
for you have robbed me, even this whole nation" (Mal. 3:8-9).
Both the stingy giver and the generous will be rewarded in kind:
"Give, and it will be given unto you, A good measure, pressed down,
shaken together, and running over, will be poured into your lap. For
with the measure you use, it will be measure to you" (NIV Luke 6:38).
Through tithing we can show that our heart's desire is to be with
Yahshua in that Kingdom, for He said, "For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also" (Matt. 6:21).
We are given the example of Paul chiding the Corinthian brethren for
their selfishness is not providing him and Barnabas with their
sustenance, 1Corinthians 9:5-14. Paul goes on to point out that
soldiers do not pay their own expenses; one who plants a vineyard eats the
fruit from it; he who shepherds a flock, does he not get a living from the
milk? Paul reminds us that even the priests in the Temple sacrificing
were given a part of the animal, verse 13.
If Yahshua could give up His life, Paul in kind could also surrender
his right for the support of the brethren, verse 18. After admonishing
their neglect in not supporting him, Paul concludes this chapter by saying
he will continue to carry out the mandate to preach the word even if the
Corinthian brethren fail to support him.
Imagine standing before Yahweh's judgement throne and having to
explain to your Heavenly Father why you robbed from Him by withholding the
tithe. Your very neglect testifies about you - that other things have
come between you and your desire for the Kingdom.
Return to Me, and I will return to you, says Yahweh Almighty..In this
passage we return to Him through tithing, Malachi 3:7-9 (NIV) and lay
up treasure in heaven.
By withholding tithes and offerings we come under a curse. On the
other hand, the promises of wonderful blessings for tithing are given in
Malachi 3:10-18.
Our works will follow us into the Kingdom: Yahshua said, "And,
behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according
as his work shall be" (Rev. 22:12).
Consider this scene: some day in the Kingdom we will have the
opportunity to meet other saints, who will be there in part because
someone (perhaps you) provided the avenue and way for them to come to
a proper understanding of the truth that brought them to accept the
salvation of Yahshua.
What a wonderful thought!
1996 Yahweh's New Covenant Assembly
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