The First Agreement with the Animals

Animal Sacrifice

THE EIGHTH CENTURY B.C. INAUGURATED AN ERA

of spiritual and moral evolution in Judaism that struggles to continue in our own day. It was a giant leap in consciousness that seemed to emerge, full-blown, in the teachings of the Latter Prophets.

The teachings of those men affirmed the primary importance of social justice, rejected ceremonial and sacrificial religion, and articulated a change from henotheism to monotheism. They also taught that homo sapiens is not the end-all or be-all of Elohim�s creation�that, in fact, the animal kingdom is an integral part of the Kingdom to come. It would be a peaceable kingdom where �they shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Sovereign.� (Isa. 11:9)

Although this change in consciousness regarding animals was first articulated in the Hebrew Scriptures (or Old Testament), students of religion have traditionally credited India with the concept. They point to the teachings of Buddha and Mahavira, both of whom denounced the sacrifice of animals in the sixth century B.C. The Hinduism of their day required the slaughter of sacrificial animals; it was an integral part of that religion.

 

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Vegetarianism in the Scriptures!

Vegetarianism in the Scriptures

The bible, on many occasions, says that man was given "dominion" over the animals. People have twisted this to mean that they can do anything they wish to animals. What is meant by "dominion" is the ability to impose our will. We do indeed rule over all animals, as we are the most powerful species on the planet. This however, does not mean it is okay to abuse this power, through animal abuse, and other wicked acts. The Sovereign, without a doubt, wants us to show mercy for animals.

Animal Sacrifices

We have just discussed the concept of The Sovereign having mercy on animals and  not wanting us to abuse them. The idea of animal rights being expressed in the bible comes under fire from those who point to instances of animal sacrifice. I admit the many scriptures about  animal sacrifice in the bible have troubled me in the past. How can The Merciful One command us to sacrifice animals? The truth of the matter is, we are NOT supposed to sacrifice animals. The Sovereign does not command us to do this. 

The great Jewish philosopher Abarbanel believed animal sacrifice was briefly allowed by Elohim in order to end the idolatry the Jews practiced in Egypt. He cited a Jewish writing that indicated that the Jews had become accustomed to sacrifices in Egypt. To wean them from these idolatrous practices, Elohim tolerated the sacrifices but commanded that they be offered in one central sanctuary:

Thereupon the Holy One, blessed be He, said "Let them at

all times offer their sacrifices before Me in the Tabernacle,

and they will be weaned from idolatry, and thus be saved."

(Rabbi J. H. Hertz, The Pentateuch and Haftorahs, p. 562)

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Should Hebrews go to the Doctor?

Physicians are referred to about a dozen times throughout the Bible. The only verse that could be taken out of context to teach that one should not go to physicians would be 2 Chronicles 16:12.

"In the thirtyninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the the ETERNAL, but only from the physicians."

But this particular case involved Asa's whole outlook on life in his later years (that of turning his back on Elohim at an earlier point in his life). His sin? NO trust in the ETERNAL. TOTAL trust in doctors. Lack of balance!!! Are your medical views in, or out of balance, one way or the other?

There are many verses that speak of using "medical treatments" such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James 5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), wine (1 Timothy 5:23), and salves, particularly the "balm of Gilead" (Jeremiah 8:22).  

Mark 5:25-30 relates the story of a woman who had trouble with continual bleeding, a problem that physicians could not heal even though she had been to many of them and had spent all of her money on them. Coming to YEHSHIYEH, she thought to herself that if she but touched the hem of His garment/His tzitzit, she would be healed, and she was.  YEHSHIYEH  never rebuked her for visiting doctors all her life!  YEHSHIYEH , in answering the questioning Pharisees as to why he spent time with sinners said to them, �Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12).  YEHSHIYEH  clearly recognizes the need and validity of doctors, comparing the physical realm�s need for doctors�, with the spiritual realm�s need for HIMSELF as THE Spiritual Healer of all of mankind! Moreover based on Matthew 9:12 we see that:

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A Sacred Duty! Why You MUST Consider Vegetarianism!

A Sacred Duty - Why you MUST consider Vegetarianism!

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Going Vegetarian? Should we or Should we Not?

Okay, so I had a friend over for Shabbat services and we were talking Torah. She brought up the topic of how much meat is eaten and that the prophets say that the ETERNAL NEVER asked for animal sacrifices (Jer. 7). Well, it was on! I began to reference all of the scriptures that I know concerning Kashrut, animal sacrifice, the feast days and so on...Then I realized that I had heard the very same statement from another brother that came to  the Shavuot celebration. Now that was two people in less than a few months. I began to consider the thought that what I thought I knew about the will of the ETERNAL was being challenged and that I need to go into a serious study concerning this issue.

So I began...

Two weeks later, I am seriously considering the idea of removing all meat from my family's diet. Why, you ask. Didn't the ETERNAL give us clean animals to eat and sacrifices were really big "cook outs" anyway, right? The truth of the matter is that we have to consider the original diet given by the Most High. We must ask ourselves if eating meat is in the "PERFECT" or "ACCEPTABLE" will of the ETERNAL. We must consider the conditions in which animals were raised in the bible days and compare that to the factory farming of today. We must consider the commands given to Noach, Moshe and others in the Torah and why they were given. If we follow on to know the "Perfect" will of the ETERNAL, we may find that it is not in the eating of meat.

Herein lies the beginning of my search for the truth of the matter. I will follow up with a few scriptural incidences for us to consider.

For right now, I am not eating meat, although I am still eating fish, eggs and dairy. Walk with me thru my journey of discovery and let us find the conclusion of the whole matter.

Should Believers go to Doctors?

Physicians are referred to about a dozen times throughout the Bible. The only verse that could be taken out of context to teach that one should not go to physicians would be 2 Chronicles 16:12.

"In the thirtyninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the YHWH, but only from the physicians."

But this particular case involved Asa's whole outlook on life in his later years (that of turning his back on Elohim at an earlier point in his life). His sin? NO trust in YHWH. TOTAL trust in doctors. Lack of balance!!! Are your medical views in, or out of balance, one way or the other?

There are many verses that speak of using "medical treatments" such as applying bandages (Isaiah 1:6), oil (James 5:14), oil and wine (Luke 10:34), leaves (Ezekiel 47:12), wine (1 Timothy 5:23), and salves, particularly the "balm of Gilead" (Jeremiah 8:22). Also Luke, the author of Acts and the Gospel of Luke, is referred to by Paul as "the beloved physician" (Colossians 4:14). If visiting doctors was somehow sinful, Rav Shaul would not have travelled with Luke and had him as a ministry partner!

Mark 5:25-30 relates the story of a woman who had trouble with continual bleeding, a problem that physicians could not heal even though she had been to many of them and had spent all of her money on them. Coming to Yahshua, she thought to herself that if she but touched the hem of His garment/His tzitzit, she would be healed, and she was. Yahshua never rebuked her for visiting doctors all her life! Yahshua, in answering the questioning Pharisees as to why he spent time with sinners said to them, �Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick" (Matthew 9:12). Yahshua clearly recognizes the need and validity of doctors, comparing the physical realm�s need for doctors�, with the spiritual realm�s need for HIMSELF as THE Spiritual Healer of all of mankind! Moreover based on Matthew 9:12 we see that:

1) Physicians are not Elohim and should not be viewed as such. They sometimes can help, but there will be other times when all they will accomplish is the removal of money.

2) Seeking physicians and using "earthly" remedies are not condemned in Scripture, but rather seem to have been used throughout Scripture.

3) Elohim's intervention in any physical difficulty should be sought (James 4:2; 5:13). He does not promise us that He will answer the way we will always want (Isaiah 55:8-9), but we have the assurance that all He does will be done in love and thus in our best interest (Psalm 145:8-9).

So, should Nazarene Yisraelites go to doctors? Elohim created us as intelligent beings and gave us the ability to create medicines and learn how to repair our bodies. There is nothing wrong with applying this knowledge and ability towards physical healing. Doctors can be viewed as Elohim�s gift to us, a means through which Elohim brings healing and recovery. At the same time, our ultimate faith and trust is to be in Yahweh, not doctors or medicine. As with all the difficult decisions we face in life, Elohim promises to give us wisdom when we ask for it (James 1:5), so we know how to pursue all available venues of healing.