בס״ד
Books Available for Purchase Here
“Behold, days are coming, says the L-rd, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Yisra᾽el, and with the house of Yehuda… but this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Yisra᾽el after those days, says the L-rd; I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their G-d, and they shall be my people…”
-Jeremiah 31:31, 33
“Rabbi Elazar says: Be diligent in learning Torah, and know what to respond to one who denigrates the Torah. Know before Whom you labor–the Master of your work is trustworthy to pay you the wage for your activity.”
-Pirkei Avos 2:14
“While writing this commentary of the New Testament, I had no other goal, as I have said in the first volume, but to reconcile these two enemy sisters: The Church and the Synagogue… to show everyone that the New Testament only comes to show that the root of existence is in the unity of G–d (ahdut ha-Bore) … and also to strengthen the law of Moses (Torat Moshe)… I publish this commentary (to Matthew) in Hebrew for Jews, to introduce them to the New Testament who, until now, have not recognized its beauty (eynam makirim ’et yofya)… Notwithstanding the contrary misconception, the New Testament is in no manner contrary to the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) or to the Talmud.“
-Rabbi Eliyahu Tzvi Soloveitchik, Kol Kore
Waykeeper Principles #6 & #8
6. The Jewish writings called, “the New Testament,” are not equal, but are subordinate to the Torah given by G-d at Sinai (and therefore not a Halachic authority).
8. We do not yet have a kosher translation of the “New Testament,” but its general teachings align especially with Hasidic Judaism (e.g. serving G-d with and beyond ‘the letter’).
Based on the Weekly NT Schedule…
Sunday (1):
Acts 18:18 → Acts 19:10 (21)
Return Journey Begins
18
And Paul, remaining many more days, took leave of the brothers and sailed away to Syria—and with him Priscilla and Onkelos—having cut his hair in Cenchreae, for he had a vow.
Ephesus — Brief Synagogue Visit
19
And they came to Ephesus, and he left them there—but he himself entered into the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews.
20
And when they asked him to remain for a longer time, he did not consent,
21
but took leave of them, saying:
“I will return to you again, if G-d wills.”
And he sailed from Ephesus.
Return to the Land
22
And landing at Caesarea, he went up and greeted the assembly, and went down to Antioch.
Strengthening the Communities
23
And after spending some time there, he departed and went through the region of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples.
Apollos — Learned in the Scriptures
24
Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus—and he was mighty in the Scriptures.
25
This one had been instructed in the way of the L-rd, and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Yeshua—knowing only the immersion of Yochanan.
Further Instruction
26
And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue—but hearing him, Priscilla and Onkelos took him aside and explained to him more accurately the Way of G-d.
Apollos in Achaia
27
And when he wished to pass over into Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to receive him—who, arriving, greatly helped those who had believed through grace.
28
For he powerfully refuted those Jews in public, demonstrating through the Scriptures that Yeshua is the Messiah.
Disciples Knowing Only Yochanan’s Immersion
1
And it came to pass, while Apollos was in Corinth, that Paul, passing through the upper regions, came to Ephesus and found certain disciples.
2
And he said to them:
“Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
And they said to him:
“We have not even heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
3
And he said:
“Into what then were you immersed?”
And they said:
“Into Yochanan’s immersion.”
Immersion into Yeshua
4
And Paul said:
“Yochanan immersed with an immersion of repentance (teshuvah), telling the people to believe in the one coming after him—that is, in Yeshua.”
5
And hearing this, they were immersed into the name of the Master Yeshua.
6
And when Paul laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they began speaking in languages and prophesying.
7
And they were about twelve men in all.
Synagogue Teaching
8
And entering into the synagogue, he spoke boldly for three months, reasoning and persuading concerning the Kingdom of G-d.
9
But when some became hardened and disobedient, speaking evil of the Way before the multitude, he withdrew from them and separated the disciples, reasoning daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
10
And this took place for two years, so that all those dwelling in Asia heard the word of the L-rd, both Jews and Greeks.
Monday (2):
Acts 19:11 → Acts 19:34 (24)
Extraordinary Healings
11
And G-d was doing extraordinary miracles through the hands of Paul,
12
so that even cloths or aprons from his body were carried to the sick, and the diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out.
The Sons of Skeva
13
But some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists also attempted to invoke over those having evil spirits the name of the Master Yeshua, saying:
“I adjure you by Yeshua whom Paul proclaims.”
14
And there were seven sons of a certain Skeva, a Jewish chief priest, doing this.
15
But answering, the evil spirit said to them:
“Yeshua I know, and Paul I recognize—but who are you?”
16
And the man in whom was the evil spirit leaped upon them, overpowering them all, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Fear and Public Repentance
17
And this became known to all, both Jews and Greeks dwelling in Ephesus, and fear fell upon them all, and the name of the Master Yeshua was being magnified.
18
Many also of those who had believed were coming, confessing and declaring their practices.
19
And many of those practicing magical arts brought together the books and burned them before all—and they calculated their value and found it to be fifty thousand pieces of silver.
20
Thus the word of the L-rd was growing mightily and prevailing.
Paul’s Travel Plans
21
And after these things were completed, Paul purposed in the Spirit, passing through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying:
“After I have been there, it is necessary for me also to see Rome.”
22
And sending into Macedonia two of those ministering to him—Timotheos and Erastus—he himself remained for a time in Asia.
Economic Conflict in Ephesus
23
And about that time there arose no small disturbance concerning the Way.
24
For a certain man named Demetrios, a silversmith making silver shrines of Artemis, was bringing no little business to the craftsmen.
25
Gathering together these and the workers in such trades, he said:
“Men—you know that from this business we have our prosperity.
26
And you see and hear that not only in Ephesus but in almost all Asia this Paul has persuaded and turned away a considerable crowd, saying that gods made by hands are not gods.
27
And not only is there danger for this trade of ours to come into disrepute, but also for the temple of the great goddess Artemis to be counted as nothing—and even for her majesty to be deposed, whom all Asia and the inhabited world worship.”
The Riot
28
And hearing this, they were filled with rage and cried out, saying:
“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
29
And the city was filled with confusion, and they rushed together into the theater, dragging with them Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians and traveling companions of Paul.
30
And Paul wished to enter in to the people, but the disciples would not permit him.
31
And even some of the Asiarchs, being friends to him, sent to him and urged him not to venture into the theater.
Confusion in the Assembly
32
So then some were shouting one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most did not know for what reason they had come together.
33
And from the crowd they put forward Alexander, the Jews pushing him forward. And Alexander, motioning with his hand, wished to make a defense to the people.
34
But recognizing that he was a Jew, one voice arose from them all, shouting for about two hours:
“Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!”
Tuesday (3):
Acts 19:35 → Acts 20:12 (19)
The Town Clerk Restores Order
35
And the town clerk, calming the crowd, says:
“Men of Ephesus—what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple-guardian of the great Artemis and of the image fallen from heaven?
36
Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, it is necessary for you to be quiet and do nothing rash.
37
For you have brought these men here who are neither temple-robbers nor blasphemers of our goddess.
38
Therefore if Demetrios and the craftsmen with him have a complaint against anyone, courts are in session and proconsuls are available—let them bring charges against one another.
39
But if you seek anything further, it shall be settled in the lawful assembly.
40
For indeed we are in danger of being accused of rioting concerning today, there being no cause by which we can give account for this disorderly gathering.”
41
And saying these things, he dismissed the assembly.
Acts — Chapter 20 (Journey Toward Jerusalem and Farewell to the Elders)
Departure from Ephesus
1
And after the uproar had ceased, Paul sent for the disciples, and after encouraging them and taking leave, he departed to go into Macedonia.
2
And passing through those regions and encouraging them with many words, he came into Greece.
3
And spending three months there, a plot having been made against him by Jews as he was about to sail for Syria, he decided to return through Macedonia.
Traveling Companions
4
And accompanying him were Sopater of Berea, son of Pyrrhus, Aristarchus and Secundus of the Thessalonians, Gaius of Derbe, Timotheos, and Tychicus and Trophimus from Asia.
5
These went on ahead and waited for us at Troas.
6
But we sailed away from Philippi after the days of Unleavened Bread (Ḥag HaMatzot), and came to them in Troas within five days, where we stayed seven days.
Gathering in Troas
7
And on the first day after Shabbat, when we were gathered together to break bread, Paul was speaking to them, intending to depart the next day, and he prolonged the message until midnight.
8
And there were many lamps in the upper room where we were gathered.
Eutychus Falls
9
And a certain young man named Eutychus, sitting at the window, being overcome by deep sleep while Paul spoke at length, fell down from the third story and was taken up dead.
10
But Paul went down and fell upon him, and embracing him, said:
“Do not be troubled, for his life is in him.”
11
And going back up and breaking bread and eating, and speaking for a long while until dawn, so he departed.
12
And they brought the boy alive and were greatly comforted.
Wednesday (4):
Acts 20:13 → Acts 20:31 (19)
Journey Continues
13
But we, going ahead to the ship, sailed for Assos, intending to take Paul aboard there—for thus he had arranged, intending himself to go on foot.
14
And when he met us at Assos, taking him aboard, we came to Mitylene.
15
And sailing from there, on the next day we arrived opposite Chios, and the following day we touched at Samos, and the next day we came to Miletus.
16
For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus so that he might not spend time in Asia, for he was hurrying, if possible for him, to be in Jerusalem on the day of Shavuot (Pentecost).
Farewell to the Elders of Ephesus
Calling the Elders
17
And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and summoned the elders (zekenim) of the assembly.
Paul’s Defense of His Conduct
18
And when they came to him, he said to them:
“You yourselves know—from the first day I entered Asia—how I was with you the whole time,
19
serving the L-rd with all humility and tears and trials that happened to me through the plots of those Jews;
20
how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house,
21
solemnly testifying both to Jews and Greeks repentance (teshuvah) toward G-d and faith toward our Master Yeshua.
Journey to Jerusalem Despite Danger
22
“And now behold—I go bound in spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there,
23
except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city, saying that chains and afflictions await me.
24
But I consider my life of no value to myself, if only I may complete my course and the service which I received from the Master Yeshua—to testify to the good news of the grace of G-d.
Warning to the Elders
25
“And now behold—I know that none of you among whom I went about proclaiming the Kingdom will see my face again.
26
Therefore I testify to you this day that I am clean from the blood of all,
27
for I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of G-d.
Pastoral Responsibility
28
“Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has placed you as overseers, to shepherd the assembly of G-d, which He acquired through the blood of His own son.
29
I know that after my departure savage wolves will enter among you, not sparing the flock,
30
and from among yourselves men will arise speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.
31
Therefore stay awake, remembering that for three years, night and day, I did not cease admonishing each one with tears.
Thursday (5):
Acts 20:32 → Acts 21:14 (21)
Commendation to G-d
32
“And now I entrust you to G-d and to the word of His grace, which is able to build up and to give the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
33
Silver or gold or clothing I coveted from no one.
34
You yourselves know that these hands ministered to my needs and to those with me.
35
In all things I showed you that laboring in this way it is necessary to help the weak, and to remember the words of the Master Yeshua, that he himself said:
‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Parting
36
And after saying these things, kneeling down, he prayed with them all.
37
And there was much weeping among them all, and falling upon Paul’s neck, they kissed him repeatedly,
38
grieving most of all over the word he had spoken—that they would no longer see his face. And they accompanied him to the ship.
Acts — Chapter 21 (Return to Jerusalem and Temple Controversy)
Voyage Toward Jerusalem
1
And when it came to pass that we had parted from them and set sail, running a straight course we came to Cos, and on the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara.
2
And finding a ship crossing over to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail.
3
And sighting Cyprus and leaving it on the left, we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was unloading cargo.
Warning Through the Spirit
4
And finding the disciples, we remained there seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go up to Jerusalem.
5
And when our days there were completed, departing, we went onward, all accompanying us with wives and children as far as outside the city—and kneeling down on the shore, we prayed.
6
And taking leave of one another, we boarded the ship, and they returned to their homes.
At Caesarea — Agav’s Prophecy
7
And completing the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and greeting the brothers, we stayed one day with them.
8
And on the next day, departing, we came to Caesarea and entered into the house of Philip the proclaimer (mevaser), being one of the Seven, and stayed with him.
9
Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied.
10
And while we remained for many days, a certain prophet named Agav came down from Judea.
11
And coming to us and taking Paul’s belt, binding his own feet and hands, he said:
“Thus says the Holy Spirit:
‘In this way the Jews in Jerusalem will bind the man to whom this belt belongs, and they will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’”
Paul Resolute
12
And when we heard these things, both we and the local people urged him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13
Then Paul answered:
“What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Master Yeshua.”
14
And since he would not be persuaded, we became silent, saying:
“The will of the L-rd be done.”
Friday (6):
Acts 21:15 → Acts 21:36 (22)
Arrival in Jerusalem
15
And after these days, preparing ourselves, we went up to Jerusalem.
16
And some of the disciples from Caesarea also came with us, bringing us to Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we were to lodge.
Meeting with Ya‘akov and the Elders
17
And arriving in Jerusalem, the brothers welcomed us gladly.
18
And on the following day Paul went in with us to Ya‘akov, and all the elders were present.
19
And greeting them, he recounted one by one the things G-d had done among the Gentiles through his service.
Concern Over Torah Observance
20
And hearing it, they glorified G-d. And they said to him:
“You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jews who have believed—and they are all zealous for the Torah.
21
And they have been informed concerning you that you teach all the Jews among the nations to forsake Moshe, telling them not to circumcise their children nor walk according to the customs.
Proposal — Public Temple Participation
22
What then is to be done? They will certainly hear that you have come.
23
Therefore do this which we tell you:
We have four men who have a vow upon themselves.
24
Take these men and purify yourself with them, and pay their expenses so that they may shave their heads—and all will know that there is no truth in what they have been told concerning you, but that you yourself also walk orderly, keeping the Torah.
Reminder of the Jerusalem Ruling
25
“But concerning the nations who have believed, we wrote, having decided that they should keep themselves from what is sacrificed to idols, blood, what is strangled, and sexual immorality.”
Temple Purification
26
Then Paul, taking the men, on the next day, having purified himself with them, entered into the Temple, declaring the completion of the days of purification until the offering was presented for each one of them.
Riot in the Temple
Accusation
27
And when the seven days were almost completed, Jews from Asia, seeing him in the Temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands upon him,
28
crying out:
“Men of Israel—help! This is the man teaching everyone everywhere against the people and the Torah and this Place—and besides, he even brought Greeks into the Temple and has defiled this Holy Place!”
29
For they had previously seen Trophimus the Ephesian in the city with him, whom they supposed Paul had brought into the Temple.
Mob Violence
30
And the whole city was stirred up, and the people ran together; and seizing Paul, they dragged him outside the Temple, and immediately the doors were shut.
31
And while they were seeking to kill him, a report went up to the commander of the Roman cohort that all Jerusalem was in confusion.
Roman Intervention
32
Who immediately took soldiers and centurions and ran down upon them—and seeing the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.
33
Then the commander came near and seized him and ordered him to be bound with two chains, and inquired who he was and what he had done.
34
But among the crowd some shouted one thing and some another—and being unable to know the certainty because of the uproar, he ordered him to be brought into the barracks.
35
And when he came upon the steps, it happened that he was being carried by the soldiers because of the violence of the crowd,
36
for the multitude of the people followed, crying out:
“Away with him!”
Shabbat (7):
Acts 21:37 → Acts 22:16 (20)
Request to Speak
37
And as Paul was about to be brought into the barracks, he says to the commander:
“Is it permitted for me to say something to you?”
And he said:
“You know Greek?
38
Then are you not the Egyptian who before these days stirred up a revolt and led the four thousand men of the assassins out into the wilderness?”
39
But Paul said:
“I am a Jewish man, from Tarsus in Cilicia, citizen of no insignificant city—and I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.”
40
And when he permitted him, Paul, standing on the steps, motioned with his hand to the people—and when there was a great silence, he addressed them in the Hebrew language, saying:
Acts — Chapter 22 (Paul’s Defense Before the Jerusalem Crowd)
Opening Defense in Hebrew
1
“Men, brothers, and fathers—hear now my defense before you.”
2
And hearing that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet.
And he says:
Paul’s Jewish Identity and Education
3
“I am a Jewish man, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamliel according to the strictness of the ancestral Torah, being zealous for G-d just as all of you are today.
4
And I persecuted this Way unto death, binding and delivering both men and women into prisons,
5
as also the High Priest bears witness for me, and all the council of elders—from whom also receiving letters to the brothers, I was journeying to Damascus to bring even those there bound to Jerusalem to be punished.
The Damascus Encounter
The Heavenly Appearance
6
“And it happened to me, as I was traveling and drawing near to Damascus, about midday, suddenly a great light from heaven flashed around me.
7
And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me:
‘Shaul, Shaul—why are you persecuting me?’
8
And I answered:
‘Who are you, master?’
And he said to me:
‘I am Yeshua of Nazareth whom you are persecuting.’
9
And those with me indeed saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of the one speaking to me.
10
And I said:
‘What shall I do, master?’
And the Master said to me:
‘Rise and go into Damascus, and there it will be told to you concerning all that has been appointed for you to do.’
Blindness and Guidance
11
And since I could not see because of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those with me, I came into Damascus.
Ḥananyah
12
“And a certain Ḥananyah, a devout man according to the Torah, well spoken of by all the Jews dwelling there,
13
came to me, and standing by said to me:
‘Brother Shaul, receive your sight.’
And at that very hour I looked up at him.
14
And he said:
‘The G-d of our fathers appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from his mouth,
15
because you will be a witness for him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
16
And now why do you delay? Rise, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling upon his name.’
Eye To Zion 