From: Rabbi Edward Nydle
To: heb_roots_chr@hebroots.org
Subject: Interpretation of Torah

Interpretation of Torah
By Rabbi Edward Levi Nydle /B'nai Avraham

" The Jews insist upon a LITERAL interpretation of the Scripture based on
thirteen laws, but we know that the spiritual interpretation is far
superior." Jerome

What did Rebbe Yahshua actually say in the language that He spoke and wh=
at
did the words mean to those who heard Him speak? This is a question of
HERMENEUTICS.

Hermeneutics is the science of applying basic laws of interpretation to
the Scriptures to understand what is being said in the document. Herein la=
ys
the biggest difference between Hebraic thought and Greek-Roman Christian
thought. In Hebraic thought there is an agreed upon system of interpretati=
on
of the Scriptures that has kept the people united upon the question of
interpretation even if they are divided upon the question of authority and
observance. The differences are in the question of observance of the Torah
commands not what Moshe meant when he said something. The Hebraic principl=
es
of interpretation have helped to maintain the unity of the Yisraelite peop=
le
and the Torah for around 4,000 years.

Since Clement of Alexandria, Christianity has rejected these Hebraic
principles of interpretation and substituted the principles of the Greek
mythology and philosophical logic. This was done with no premise of any
system or laws of Scriptural interpretation; therefore they rejected the
literal interpretation of the Scriptures as "Jewish" and substituted the
spiritual interpretation of the Scriptures as valid. Dogma after dogma was
written until the theological system had the appearance of pagan Greek
mythology rather than the historical faith of Yahshua and the talmidim.
These dogmas and creeds were enforced until anyone who did not agree with
them was branded a heretic, an apostate, a blasphemer, or an infidel.

In order to achieve this departing from the original faith of the
talmidim, it required the "church" to depart from the Hebraic meaning of
certain words. The result was redefinition of certain words, so much so th=
at
the vocabulary of the Hebrew and the Christian are worlds apart. Words suc=
h
as -the Word of Yahweh, grace, Messiah, redemption, and salvation have
entirely different meanings to the Hebrew mind than they have for the
average Christian.

Theology is an accommodation of particular truths based upon the given
meaning of terms into a system of dogmatic expression. It is easy to educa=
te
a community in that system and ignore the true inspired meanings of certai=
n
terms. This is why Christianity has become divided and fragmented over
doctrine. Theology is a tool of S.A.Tan/Helel that has been used to create
division, and a poor substitute for study and understanding of the Torah.

There is no such thing as theology to the Hebraic mind. They have a syst=
em
for Scriptural interpretation, so the development of theology was not only
unnecessary but also impossible. With the correct method of interpretation=
,
any given passage or word could NEVER be restricted to ONE interpretation.

Unfortunately, the average Christian has been taught that there is one-and
only one meaning to each prophetic Word or passage. He also thinks that th=
e
Ruach HaKodesh is an exclusive "Christian revelation" and totally unknown =
to
the Hebrews.

 "knowing this FIRST, that NO prophecy of Scripture came to be of
one's own interpretation, for prophecy never came by the desire of man, bu=
t
men of Elohim spoke, being moved by the Set-Apart Spirit." 2 Kepha 1:20-21

The word-HERMENEUTIC -comes from the meaning "speaking by the Spirit." I=
n
Greek mythology, HERMES was the speaker for the gods, the one who brought
their message to men and also interpreted it to them. PNEUMA is Greek for
spirit; hence HERMENEUTICS is " speaking or interpreting the message of YH=
WH
by the spirit." It is not a systemless interpretation by -I THINKISM! The
Ruach HaKodesh or BREATH of YAHWEH is a Hebraic concept, and is NEVER at
variance with the written Torah. Each interpretation cannot violate the la=
ws
of the system. These laws work in harmony not in opposition to each other.
The result is a vast depth of possibility and expansion of meaning of word=
s
and Scripture with the operation and use of these laws in the Hebraic syst=
em
of interpretation.

The very first reason these laws were rejected by the "church fathers"
was the fact that they were viewed as "JEWISH". Thus the rejection of the
system of interpretation required a substitution to accommodate the
spiritual interpretation of Scripture in place of the literal. Church
councils were called to redefine words to fit the new spiritual
interpretation of Scripture. The words and phrases from Hebrew took on a n=
ew
meaning totally unrelated to their Hebrew origins and meanings. The result
was a "dogmatic theology" that was based upon Greek logic, which separated
the "church" from the Olive Tree of Yisrael even further. These laws of
Hebraic interpretation are divided into four levels called PRDS or PaRDeS
"paradise, orchard, or Gan Eden." [See Beginners Torah lesson #1-4
www.bnaiavraham.net under "ASK THE RABBI"]

Another reason the replacement theologians rejected this system was that
it created students that learned to think for themselves. Seminaries that
would develop their students to think in the perameter of Hebraic thought
would create a clergy that was more interested in asking questions than
giving their dogmatic answers. This would then diminish the denominational
schools of thought that brainwash clergy and do not allow them to think at
all. What and how the clergy think is reflected in the people (laity), "li=
ke
priest, like people." A thinking clergy would produce a thinking laity.

A thinking laity would have more appreciation for their Hebraic roots an=
d
study of the whole body of Scripture.Many thinking Believers today are
leaving the "church" because they have discovered the TRUTH about the Tora=
h
and have attempted to reinstate Hebraic thought into their minds. They are
in the process of renewing their minds to think Scripturally and
Hebraically. They are rejecting the views of the Protestant "Church
Fathers". The very man (Luther) who led the Protestant Reformation was an
avid Anti-Semite and prepared the blueprint for the Nazis. He recommended
the burning of Jewish books, homes, synagogues, and suggested such
refinements as forcing the Jews to labor for Christians. If all that did n=
ot
work then he suggested concentrating them (the Jews) into certain areas so
they would not infect the purity of Christianity. I find it hard to believ=
e that people
who call themselves "Messianic" actually are recommending that we adopt th=
is
viewpoint of the Scriptures, and are fearful that Ephraim will become too
"Jewish". The biggest enemy Ephraim has is the Separate Entity/Replacement
theology of the "church' and the "Church Fathers" - not the Torah of
Yahudah.

THINKING IN HEBRAIC THOUGHT PATTERNS AND THE USE OF THE HEBRAIC SYST=
EM
OF INTERPRETATION WILL RESULT IN THE SACRIFICING OF THE GOLDEN CALF OF
CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY THAT WILL BRING A REVEALING OF THE HEBRAIC ORIGINS OF T=
HE
SCRIPTURES AND A REDISCOVERY OF THE VALIDITY OF THE TORAH BY BELIEVERS IN
YAHSHUA! AS THEY PROPERLY INTERPRET THE BRIT CHADASHA THEY WILL HAVE AN
ENCOUNTER WITH THE TRUE JEWISH /YISRAELITE MOSHIACH-YAHSHUA! THEY WILL LEA=
VE
THE HARLOT MOTHER AND HER DAUGHTERS AND REALIZE THEY ARE PART OF THE PEOPL=
E
OF YAHWEH-YISRAEL!

The Four Levels

The name of the four levels of Hebraic interpretation is called PaRDeS:
Pashat (simple), Remez (hint level), Drash (exegetical level), and Sod
(secret level or hidden level). NOTE: Please see the previous "Beginner"
lessons in "KOL SHOFAR". These levels are placed in the order of lowest to
highest. They do not conflict with one another nor negate one another but
are complimentary to each other. The Sod level does not negate the Pashat
level of the passage, but gives a deeper meaning and perspective into the
interpretation.

Bereshith (Genesis) is the book of Beginnings. The other four books of t=
he
Torah- Shemot, Wayyiqra, and Devarim contain the Torah given to all twelve
tribes of Yisrael at Mt. Sinai.They contain the Law of Moshe. There are fo=
ur
books- four levels of interpretation. There are four books containing the
life of our Rebbe Yahshua.There are four writers of the Good News.

Each one of the writers and his account of the life of Moshiach Yahshu=
a
correspond to the four levels of interpretation: John Mark -the simple or
Pashat; Luke is the Remez or allegorical account; Mattithyahu is the Drash
or Midrash -parabolic account of the life of Yahshua; and Yochanan is the
Sod or hidden account. Just as each level of interpretation requires its o=
wn
emphasis, so does each one of the writers of the life of Yahshua. Each
account has its own order of presentation and each writer has chosen to
express it in the vocabulary of his strata of life, and the proper words i=
n
describing any given event. As the four levels of interpretation were to
develop CONTRAST and to multiply meanings of words of the Torah, so the fo=
ur
accounts were given to show multiplicity of meaning to the readers of each=

level. Each gives us a different viewpoint or perspective on the life of
Yahshua.

 The Pashat level is for the "simple man" and is the plain literal
meaning of the text. We ask, "what does the Torah ask of me? What must I d=
o
to fulfill the Torah in my life?"This simple level gave a guide to the
actions and conduct of the common person. The good News according to Mark =
is
on the Pashat level. He wrote a short precise account of the life of
Yahshua. He wrote with simple precise facts .He actually wrote in somewhat
of the Mishnaic style. He presents the Moshiach as the Suffering Servant f=
or
the common people.

 The Remez level is the allegorical or hint level. This level has =
a
higher aim, and is nobler in its content. It was for the doctors, teachers=
,
lawyers, and those of the noble class. This level does not replace the
Pashat level, but adds grace and seasoning to it. Luke is a physician and =
an
aristocrat. His account in his Good News is more flowery and noble. He use=
s
more technical terms and words in his writing. His writing is very similar
to the Gemara.He presents Yahshua as the "Son of Man". Every word is Remez=
,
or hint, to another higher parallel. Luke is more intricate in his treatme=
nt
of the Torah and Halakah. Luke could not have been a "Gentile" as he uses
more Hebraisms and rabbinical jargon than any other author of in the Brit
Chadasha.

 The next level is Drash, or Midrashic .It means "to thresh". It i=
s
parabolic in nature. It bases its symbolism on the entire narrative rather
than on word-phrase level. This is where "suggestive possibility" comes in=
to
play in interpretation. Mattithyahu is from the tribe of Levi. He sees
Yahshua through the eyes of the "Kingdom-Malkut Hashammayim". We can see
this in his genealogy of the Moshiach tracing him through the line of
David.He presents Yahshua as the "King". His account is the most lengthy o=
f
all the Good News. Mattithyahu stresses the parables of the Rebbe Yahshua =
as
no other writer does in the Brit Chadasha.A parable can be given as much t=
o
conceal a truth as reveal one.

A parable is a suggestive supposition in the form of a narrative and is
preceded by a statement that it is a parable or be the terms: "Such and su=
ch
is like unto..". Most of the parables of our Rebbe Yahshua have never been
interpreted to their full Midrashic tenor. They will never be until we beg=
in
applying the rules of Hebraic interpretation to them and place them in the
Hebrew text from which they originally came.

 The fourth and last level is Sod, meaning the secret or concealed
meaning. This is the highest and most complicated level of interpretation.
It is more otherworldly or actually prophetic in nature. The writer sees t=
he
material world through the miraculous, rather than seeing the miraculous
world through the material. This focuses upon the word and letters of the
Torah. Yochanan is writing the "hidden" life of Yahshua.His narrative
focuses around seven miracles in the life of Yahshua. The key to his book =
is
chapter 20:30-31. He presents Yahshua as the "Son of Elohim"-the Moshiach.=

He speaks of "LIGHT" shining out of darkness in the vernacular of Sons of
Zadok at Qumran.Yochanan is a man of dreams and visions. He is the Daniel =
of
the Brit Chadasha.He even opens his account with a quote from the Oral
Tradition: " and the Torah became flesh, dwelling among us, and we beheld
His glory..."This written in the vocabulary of the "mystic". Yochanan does
not even make an effort to make his account synonymous with the other
narratives.

The Problem

With this understanding of the Good News accounts and the Hebraic mann=
er
they were written, we have the solution to the 'synoptic " problem in the
Brit Chadasha. The synoptic problem claims that each narrative is a copy o=
f
a former source for the Good News.For example- Luke copied from Mark, and
Mattithyahu copied from Luke, etc. The problem with the synoptic approach =
is
the negative attitude towards the Hebraic origin of the language of the Go=
od
News (or the fact that all were recorded in Hebrew originally) and the
abandonment of the four levels of interpretation. This does not mean that =
we
do not use textual analysis and criticism. On the contrary, comparative
analysis is necessary and profitable to the student of Scripture.It can on=
ly
be when synoptic mechanics of study are subjected to the four Hebraic
methods and laws of interpretation will the synoptic problem be solved.

The very spirit of the synoptic problem is the basis of Replacement
Theology in the "church". It cannot coexist with the Hebraic laws of
interpretation.

Since the "church" has divorced itself from Yisrael, and from
understanding Yahshua in the framework of the Hebraic way of interpretatio=
n
of Scripture (PaRDeS), they had to substitute the Greek philosophical logi=
c
way of dogmatic theology to the four Good News accounts by Yisraelite
writers. The result has been the invention of "Jesus Christ" the
anti-Torah, anti-Jewish, Sunday going, Xmass born, Bible toting
"Christian", Who died on a "cross", and rose on Easter (Ishtar) to set us
free from the Law of Yahweh. This is a man-made image that has been
substituted for the TRUE Yahshua and Brit Chadasha (a Renewed Covenant NOT
NEW) apart from the Olive Tree of Yisrael and Hebraic thought and laws of
Scriptural interpretation and study. We cannot substitute the Hebraic
methods of studying Scripture for the Greek pagan methods of logic. One ne=
w
translation after another, one new commentary after another, each saying t=
he
same thing-just new clich=E9s and spins on the same old lies. Each one is =
more
Anti-Semitic and Anti-Torah than the preceding one. Those who claim to hav=
e
a love for Yisrael have an Anti-Semitic undercurrent and foundation in the
Greek theological system of hermeneutics. As history has proven-Ephraim is
still substituting what it thinks is better so Yisrael will not follow the
Torah and worship Yahweh. They are satisfied with a cheap substitute rathe=
r
than the real thing. The sin of Yarobaom continues in Yisrael.

 "Thus Yisrael revolted against the house of David to this day." 1
Melakim 12:19


We praise Yahweh that more Believers are saying -"What did Yahshua real=
ly
say and what did His words really mean?" Returning to the Hebraic laws of
interpretation of the Scriptures - PaRDeS- will swell His every Word with
the pregnancy of His message for Messianic Yisrael. It will result in a
myriad of new meanings and a greater understanding of His mission to find
the Lost Sheep of the House of Yisrael.It will enrich the lives of every
Yisraelite as he seeks to serve his Master and Rebbe Yahshua HaMoshiach by
observing the Torah of Yahweh.

 Thus said Yahweh of hosts, "In those days ten men from ALL
languages of the goyim (the Lost Sheep of Yisrael) take hold, yea, they
shall take hold of the tzit-tzit (representing the Torah and the Name) of =
a
man, a Yahudite, saying, " Let us go with you, for we have heard that Eloh=
im
is with you." Zekaryah 8:23

There awaits each one that is willing to think for himself and abandon
the Greek logic and the theology of the "church fathers", and study the
Torah and Brit Chadasha in the Hebraic method of interpretation a crown of
Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge. You will experience the Ruach Hakode=
sh
(THE Spirit of TRUTH) leading you into all truth. You shall know the TRUTH
and the TRUTH will set you FREE!

May Yahweh truly bless your study of His Torah with understanding.

Rabbi Edward Levi Nydle

Shalom B'shem Rebbe Melek Yahshua HaMoshiach
Rabbi Edward Levi Nydle

www.bnaiavraham.net

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