Definition of the Law

[Ahriman]

A question that has been weighing heavily on my spirit and mind of late is the question of what true observance of the Law is. It seems that the problem among Jews, Christians, Messianics, Noachides, etc...(take your pick) is that they can't, won't agree on anything (and for good reasons). However I was talking to my rabbi and he told me that unlike christianity which seeks to convert you to their religion and customs and if you don't your a heathen etc...(you know thw story) that the true goal of Judaism and the Torah is not to convert anyone nor make anyone a Jew but turn all peoples to the worship of the One True God and to observe His Law i asked him what the Law is and he told me the law is the Aseret ha-D'vareem(the 10 Commandments) and the Noachidic Laws(for Gentiles)...ok i sort of lost where i was going with this but anyways my original question is define the Torah (Law) and what and how it applies to different peoples because the moment you say Torah (Law) people shy away because they don't know what it means...however if you define what the Law is then others will have a better understanding of the Truth and possibly accept it.

 

[chanahs]

I didn't completely answer this question but did discuss some aspects of it in a post yesterday in Jewish Debates in the thread Applicability of Halacha. You might want to read that.

 

[CharlesYTK]

I believe there is a basic eternal core of laws that lies benieth Torah. It is a law that predates Moshe and Torah by several Millennia. It shows up in scripture often times through experience ather than being shown as a codice. For example Gen 26: [4] And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; [5] Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

What laws did Abram have? Here are a few more.

Adam and Eve sinned and hid from God, Caine slew able and hid it from God. Both Caine and Able presented offerings to the Lord. This eternal law lies behind the Noachide covenant. Noach new the difference between clean and unclean animals. The priest Melchezedek was a priest of God, before there was a Aaronic priesthood.

Paul explains a great deal about what it means to be living by the spirit in Ro 8, a chapter that needs to be read over and over. If one is born of the spirit they mind the things of the spirit and are called the sons of God. If you are not born of the spirit you will mind the things of the flesh, and become enmity against God. How so? Ro 8: [7] Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. [8] So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.

The spiritual man's mind IS in subjection to the law of God. This law I believe is this eternal core, which is best sumed up in the ten words. And headed by the two of love. Is it all of Torah? No, not at all. Unless every man believes he is a Levite and needs to understand the laws of sacrifice, and temple service and how to build the tabernacle. ect. There are many things in Torah that are good to know but are not binding upon anyone today, because there is no longer a temple, and temple service. Yet for a future day, we need to know these things.

When the rich young rule came to Yeshua and asked, "what things must I do to inherit eternal life?" Yeshua points him back to the law. (And one more thing which was a special need for this man in particular, to rid himself of his weath, because it had gotten in the way,because he loved his wealth more than God.)

 

[Ahriman]

thanks all!!