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“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 intended as 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):
Romans 15:7 → Romans 15:29 (23)
7 Therefore welcome one another as the Messiah has welcomed you, for the glory of G-d.
8 For I tell you that the Messiah became a servant to the circumcised to show G-d’s faithfulness—in order to confirm the promises given to the Patriarchs,
9 and in order that the Gentiles might glorify G-d for his mercy. As it is written: “Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing to your name.”
10 And again it is said: “Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people.”
11 And again: “Praise the L-rd, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples extol him.”
12 And again Yesha’yahu says: “The root of Yishai will come—even he who arises to rule the Gentiles; in him will the Gentiles hope.”
13 May the G-d of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Spirt of Holiness you may abound in hope.
14 I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another.
15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by G-d
16 to be a servant of Messiah Yeshua to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the Good News of G-d, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Spirit of Holiness.
“I bring Heaven and Earth to bear witness that the Spirit of Holiness may rest upon a gentile and a Jew, a man and a woman, a slave and a maid—all depends on the deeds of that particular person.”
-Yalkut Shimoni on Nach 42:7
17 In Messiah Yeshua, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for G-d.
18 For I will not venture to speak of anything except what the Messiah has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed,
19 by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of G-d—so that from Yerushalayim and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the Good News of the Messiah.
20 And thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the Good News, not where the Messiah has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation,
21 but as it is written: “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.”
22 This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to you.
23 But now, since I no longer have any room for work in these regions, and since I have longed for many years to come to you,
24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while.
25 At present, however, I am going to Yerushalayim bringing aid to the holy ones.
26 For Makedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the holy ones in Yerushalayim.
“And this is the meaning of the idiom of “sowing” related to charity: to make sprout the Supreme truth of G–d, especially through the charity and the true kindness performed with the Holy Land [may it be built and established speedily in our days, amen] to realize the verse: “Truth shall sprout forth from the land”—from the sowing of charity in it. And the kindness and great compassion that are gathered and gleaned into it, they arouse—correspondingly—the Supreme graces that are hidden and concealed,46 as it is written: “Which You have hidden…,” to establish it and to set it up firmly. Of this it is written: “Through tzedakah shall you be established.”
-Tanya, Part IV; Iggeret HaKodesh 6:14
27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they are obligated to them. For if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material blessings.
28 When therefore I have completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will leave for Spain by way of you.
29 I know that when I come to you I will come in the fullness of the blessing of the Messiah.
Monday (2):
Romans 15:30 → Romans 16:16 (20)
30 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by our Master Yeshua the Messiah and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to G-d on my behalf,
31 that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Yerushalayim may be acceptable to the holy ones,
32 so that by G-d’s will I may come to you with joy and be refreshed together with you.
33 May the G-d of peace be with you all. Amen.
Chapter 16
1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the assembly at Cenchreae,
2 that you may welcome her in the Master in a way worthy of the holy ones, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of me as well.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Messiah Yeshua,
4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the assemblies of the Gentiles give thanks as well.
5 Greet also the assembly in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the firstfruits of Asia for the Messiah.
6 Greet Miriam, who has worked hard for you.
7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known among the emissaries, and they were in the Messiah before me.
8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Master.
9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in the Messiah, and my beloved Stachys.
10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in the Messiah. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Master who belong to the household of Narcissus.
12 Greet those workers in the Master, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Master.
13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Master; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well.
14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them.
15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the holy ones who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the assemblies of the Messiah greet you.
Tuesday (3):
Romans 16:17 → 1 Corinthians 1:9 (20)
17 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them.
18 For such persons do not serve our Master the Messiah, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil.
20 The G-d of Peace will soon crush the Adversary under your feet. The grace of our Master Yeshua the Messiah be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Master.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my Good News and the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages
“And its stating, “and there was light,” is by way of their saying in the Tikunei HaZohar 21, [that it means] “there was a secret,” since the numerical value of light is [the equivalent] of secret. The intention [of this] is that G-d, may His name be elevated, decreed that this light of the King Messiah not be revealed in the world and that it be a hidden secret with Him, as they say (there), “to My heart, I revealed, from the heart to the mouth, He did not reveal.” And its stating, “And G-d saw the light that it was good,” refers back to the light, in of itself, “that it was good” – ‘happy is the eye that saw it’ – and also refers back to what it hinted, that He will make it in [the form of] a hidden secret, [and also about that it is saying, “that it was good;” since so should it be – as they, of blessed memory, have said (Yoma 9) – for several reasons. And [about] its stating, “the spirit of G-d, etc.,” they have said in the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 2:4), “this is the spirit of the Messiah.” “Hovering upon the face of the waters…”
-Or HaChaim HaKadosh, Bereshis 1:1:61
26 but has now been disclosed and through the Prophetic Writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal G-d, to bring about the obedience of faithfulness—
27 to the only wise G-d, through Yeshua the Messiah, be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
1 Corinthians
Chapter 1
1 Paul, a called shaliach of Messiah Yeshua through the will of G-d, and Sosthenes the brother, 2 to the assembly of G-d which is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Messiah Yeshua, called set-apart ones, with all those who call upon the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah in every place—both theirs and ours: 3 grace to you and peace from G-d our Father and the Master Yeshua the Messiah.
4 I give thanks to my G-d always concerning you, for the grace of G-d which was given to you in Messiah Yeshua, 5 that in every way you were enriched in him, in all speech and in all knowledge, 6 just as the testimony of the Messiah was confirmed in you, 7 so that you lack in no gracious gift, awaiting the revelation of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, 8 who will also confirm you unto the end, blameless in the Day of our Master Yeshua the Messiah. 9 Faithful is G-d, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his son Yeshua the Messiah our Master.
Wednesday (4):
1 Corinthians 1:10 → 1 Corinthians 1:31 (22)
1 Corinthians
10 Now I exhort you, brothers, through the name of our Master Yeshua the Messiah, that you all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. 11 For it has been declared to me concerning you, my brothers, by those of Chloe, that there are strifes among you. 12 Now I say this, that each of you is saying: “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Kefa,” and “I of Messiah.” 13 Has the Messiah been divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you immersed into the name of Paul? 14 I give thanks to G-d that I immersed none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 that no one should say that you were immersed into my name. 16 And I also immersed the household of Stephanas. Besides these, I do not know if I immersed any other. 17 For Messiah did not send me to immerse, but to proclaim the Good News—not in wisdom of word, lest the cross of the Messiah be emptied of its power.
18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of G-d. 19 For it is written: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the understanding of the understanding I will set aside.” 20 Where is the wise one? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Did not G-d make foolish the wisdom of the world? 21 For since, in the wisdom of G-d, the world through its wisdom did not know G-d, G-d was well-pleased through the foolishness of the proclamation to save those who believe. 22 For Jews ask for signs, and Greeks seek wisdom; 23 but we proclaim Messiah crucified—to Jews a stumbling block, and to the nations foolishness;
“… As it is stated in reference to the Messiah: “And he shall be for a sanctuary; but for a stone of stumbling and for a rock of offense to both the houses of Israel” (Isaiah 8:14).”
–Talmud Bavli, Sanhedrin 38a:2
24 but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of G-d and the wisdom of G-d. 25 For the foolishness of G-d is wiser than men, and the weakness of G-d is stronger than men.
“See Basi LeGani 5710, Ch. 5ff, where the Rebbe Rayatz explains the importance of shtus d’kedushah [“holy foolishness”], dedication to G‑dliness in a manner that transcends logic. This is the way we combat and transform shtus d’kelipah, the spirit of folly that falls below logical thinking. See Kesubos 17a, where the manner in which several sages danced at weddings is defined as shtus, yet this conduct is vindicated.”
-“Ultimate Opportunity,” Sichos In English, Nissan Dovid Dubov and Naftoli Hertz Pewzner
26 For consider your calling, brothers: not many wise according to flesh, not many powerful, not many nobleborn. 27 But G-d chose the foolish things of the world, that He might shame the wise; and G-d chose the weak things of the world, that He might shame the strong; 28 and the lowly things of the world, and the despised, G-d chose—the things that are not—that He might bring to nothing the things that are, 29 that no flesh might boast before G-d. 30 But out of Him you are in Messiah Yeshua, who became for us wisdom from G-d—both righteousness and sanctification and redemption— 31 that, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts, boast in the L-rd.”
Thursday (5):
1 Corinthians 2:1 → 1 Corinthians 3:4 (20)
Chapter 2
1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, came not with excellence of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the mystery of G-d. 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Yeshua the Messiah, and him crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling; 4 and my speech and my proclamation were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of Spirit and of power, 5 that your faith might not be in wisdom of men, but in power of G-d.
6 Yet we speak wisdom among the mature, but a wisdom not of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are being brought to nothing; 7 but we speak the wisdom of G-d in a mystery—the hidden wisdom—which G-d predestined before the ages unto our glory,
“And its stating, “and there was light,” is by way of their saying in the Tikunei HaZohar 21, [that it means] “there was a secret,” since the numerical value of light is [the equivalent] of secret. The intention [of this] is that G-d, may His name be elevated, decreed that this light of the King Messiah not be revealed in the world and that it be a hidden secret with Him, as they say (there), “to My heart, I revealed, from the heart to the mouth, He did not reveal.” And its stating, “And G-d saw the light that it was good,” refers back to the light, in of itself, “that it was good” – ‘happy is the eye that saw it’ – and also refers back to what it hinted, that He will make it in [the form of] a hidden secret, [and also about that it is saying, “that it was good;” since so should it be – as they, of blessed memory, have said (Yoma 9) – for several reasons. And [about] its stating, “the spirit of G-d, etc.,” they have said in the Midrash (Bereishit Rabbah 2:4), “this is the spirit of the Messiah.” “Hovering upon the face of the waters…”
-Or HaChaim HaKadosh, Bereshis 1:1:61
8 which none of the rulers of this age has known; for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Master of glory. 9 But as it is written: “What eye has not seen, and ear has not heard, and which has not come up upon the heart of man—the things which G-d has prepared for those who love Him.”
10 For to us G-d revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of G-d. 11 For who among men knows the things of the man, except the spirit of the man which is in him? So also no one has known the things of G-d, except the Spirit of G-d. 12 But we received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from G-d, that we might know the things freely given to us by G-d. 13 Which things also we speak—not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit—comparing spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the sensual man does not receive the things of the Spirit of G-d, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 But the spiritual one discerns all things, yet he himself is discerned by no one. 16 For “who has known the mind of the L-rd, who shall instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Messiah.
Chapter 3
1 And I, brothers, was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly ones, as to infants in Messiah. 2 I fed you with milk, not with solid food, for you were not yet able. And even now you are not yet able, 3 for you are still fleshly. For where there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly and walking according to man? 4 For when one says, “I am of Paul,” and another, “I am of Apollos,” are you not merely men?
Friday (6):
1 Corinthians 3:5 → 1 Corinthians 3:23 (19)
5 What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Ministers through whom you believed—even as the L-rd gave to each. 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but G-d was making to grow; 7 so then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but G-d who makes to grow. 8 And the one who plants and the one who waters are one; but each will receive his own wage according to his own labor. 9 For we are G-d’s fellow workers; you are G-d’s field, G-d’s building.
“the change in the wording used reflects the ongoing and ever increasing closeness that existed between the various recipients on the one hand, and G’d on the other, just as already Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had different conceptions of mikdash the holy sanctuary, Abraham calling it “mountain,” Isaac “field” and Jacob “house,” respectively, there has been dynamic progress towards an increasingly intimate relationship between Israel and G’d.”
-Akeidat Yitzchak, Neilat Shearim. 7
10 According to the grace of G-d given to me, as a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another builds upon it. But let each one look how he builds upon it. 11 For no one can lay another foundation than the one being laid, which is Yeshua the Messiah.
“The Messiah, who is the secret of the Yesod (‘Foundation’) of the Winnower, therefore subjected his soul to death and was “counted with transgressors” [Isaiah 53:12], in order to refine, purify, and complete the winnowing of all good. Then evil will be completely eradicated, with no root or branch left.”
-Rabbi Moshe David Valle, Sefer Likkutim, p. 131
12 Now if anyone builds upon the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and what sort each one’s work is, the fire itself will prove. 14 If anyone’s work remains, which he built upon it, he will receive a wage; 15 if anyone’s work shall be burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself shall be saved, yet so as through fire.
16 Do you not know that you are a Temple of G-d, and that the Spirit of G-d dwells in you? 17 If anyone destroys the Temple of G-d, G-d will destroy this one; for the Temple of G-d is set-apart, which you are.
18 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you reckons himself to be wise in this age, let him become foolish, that he may become wise. 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with G-d; for it is written: “He who catches the wise in their craftiness”; 20 and again: “The L-rd knows the reasonings of the wise, that they are vain.” 21 So let no one boast in men; for all things are yours, 22 whether Paul or Apollos or Kefa, or world or life or death, or things present or things to come—all are yours; 23 and you are of Messiah, and Messiah is of G-d.
Shabbat (7):
1 Corinthians 4:1 → 1 Corinthians 4:21 (21)
Chapter 4
1 So let a man reckon us, as servants of Messiah and stewards of the mysteries of G-d. 2 Here, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found faithful. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I should be examined by you, or by a human day; indeed, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not justified by this; the One who examines me is the L-rd. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the proper time, until the Master comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts; and then each one’s praise will come to him from G-d.
6 Now these things, brothers, I have applied figuratively to myself and Apollos for your sake, that in us you might learn the principle: “Not beyond what has been written”—that none of you may be puffed up for the one against the other. 7 For who makes you to differ? And what do you have that you did not receive? But if you also received it, why do you boast as though you had not received? 8 You are already filled; you have already become rich; you have reigned without us. And how I wish that you had reigned, that we also might reign with you! 9 For I think that G-d has displayed us, the Shluchim, as last, as appointed to death; for we have become a spectacle to the world, both to angels and to men. 10 We are fools for Messiah’s sake, but you are wise in Messiah. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored. 11 Up to the present hour we both hunger and thirst and are naked and are beaten and are homeless; 12 and we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; 13 being defamed, we entreat. We have become as the refuse of the world, the offscouring of all things, until now.
“”Lifts up the Evyon from the dunghill” – This is Yesod (“foundation”) [Moshiach Ben Yosef] which, at that time, is in a state of lacking influence and is eager for everything. The unique Name [of G-d] is what stirs to lift him from the dunghill of the chitsonim (external forces), to make it full and abundant. And “to seat him with nobles,” who are the Patriarchs, with whom the Shekhinah (Divine Presence) is united, and Yesod with her.”
-Rabbi Moshe David Valle, Moshia Chosim, p. 20
14 I do not write these things to shame you, but to admonish you as my beloved children. 15 For though you have countless tutors in Messiah, yet you do not have many fathers, for in Messiah Yeshua I begot you through the Good News. 16 Therefore I exhort you, become imitators of me. 17 For this reason I sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Master, who will remind you of my ways which are in Messiah Yeshua, even as I teach everywhere in every assembly. 18 Now some have been puffed up, as though I were not coming to you; 19 but I will come to you shortly, if the L-rd wills, and I will know not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom of G-d is not in word, but in power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of meekness?
Eye To Zion 