Customer Reviews

The Torah Blessing

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I always chuckle when I read that realizing that Jesus was a Jewish rabbi and that the early Christians were actually practicing Jews until about the 5the Century was a startling revelation to someone. Duh, it's basic pre-school Sunday School. However, I am fast learning that not every church or Sunday school teaches that fact. And, I think, after reading this book, that we need those people who are surprised because then if they are thinking students of Christianity, they go out and do some research and write very interesting books of which this book is a prime example. This is a well-written informative book about several of God's blessings that are recorded in the Old Testament and are still valid today but today's Christians don't really pay attention to them because basically we tend to shun anything that is "Jewish tradition". Mr. Huch's view is that we could be so much more, receive so many more of God's blessings, if we just understood what these traditions were and incorporated them into our livestyle. He has selected several blessings and has explained how they still relate to Christianity and how we can add a Christian slant to them. In the chapter about the Tallit, he also explains how words and word pictures that were automatically known to Jesus' audience would not make sense now unless we knew the Jewish tradition. For instance, the tassles at the corners of the Tallit have a blue thread in them which represents the complete Word of God and were called "wings". So, wrapping an ill person in a tallit is wrapping them in the Word of God and miracles will happen. It also explains Jesus' reference to gathering people under his wings. The last part of the book is about the seven Holy feasts and how to celebrate them and why they would bring meaning and peace to our lives. Many of his ideas are based on Ephesians 2:11-22 where we as Gentiles are no longer strangers to Judiasm but rather members. That God will not be able to save the world until we remove the wall between Judism and Christianity as in verses 20-21. It's a very interesting concept, he has some strong arguments for it, and this book is full of very interesting facts and explanations of Christian/Judish traditions that will make your Christian walk more meaningful whether you follow it or just gain some insight.

The Torah Blessing is a wonderful work in many respects. In the first part of the book Pastor Larry Huch, pastor of New Beginnings Church in Irving, Texas, lays out how Christians and Christianity through the centuries have pulled away from its Jewish roots and in doing so not only adopted and mixed pagan Roman rituals into the faith (for example the influence of Constantine and the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325) but how in Christian thought, doctrine and practice we became anti-Jewish and persecuted Jews. This is undeniably true.

When Huch talks about how the nomos (the law around the law or man-made tradition, is the curse Paul speaks about, and that the Law of Moses or Torah is a not a curse, as many Christians believe) he hits the mark.

However where he falls short, is his advocating the celebration of Jewish festivals for special blessings and in essence his advocating that Gentile believers can do well to become like Jewish-Christians. Huch does indeed states that Christians are saved by faith and faith alone. However he does claim that added and extra blessings come through observance of said Jewish holy days and festivals. This is where I part ways with Huch.

If Christians have to start keeping the Jewish calendar and holy days and festivals (not for salvation but for "blessing") are we getting entangled again in a yoke of slavery? I think so. It can be dangerously close to re-establishing legalism, the nomos or law around the law. If I think I can only obtain certain special favor of God by doing these things, am I countering Paul's' claims in the epistles. Again quit possibly.

Addressing the believers in Colossae, Paul though confronting the Gnostic heresy, lays out a clear principle applies to any situation. Paul states: "Let no one make rules about what you eat or drink or about holy days or the New Moon Festival or the Sabbath." Colossians 2:16

In the letter to the Hebrews, the author, who is anonymous, but still holds tightly to Pauline theology, argues that Christians do not need to be or become Jewish Christians since Christ is superior to the structure and rituals of Judaism.

Furthermore, most of the new converts to Christianity at the time of and after Paul's missionary journeys were Gentiles, with a mix of Jewish believers. It is not possible that they would want to or in many cases be allowed to live as Jewish believers. In fact, Paul addresses many of the believers who are meeting and holding church in individual homes, not synagogues. (Philemon 1:2, Romans 16:5)

In the early church we see the mother church (Jewish) in Jerusalem led by James, the brother of the Jesus, (Acts 15) and other Jewish churches. But what scholars call the Hellenistic churches were springing up all over the Roman Empire as the gospel went forth.

So, in summary Huch shines best when he exhorts the church to look at the faith through its roots- Judaism, that the Lord was after all Jewish and that Roman and Greek thought has permeated the church and therefore its Theology, both the Catholic Church and even the Protestant Reformation adherents up to the present. He is also correct when he discusses the fact that the church is to be one body of both Jewish and Christian believers, using Paul's terminology, of being "grafted" in together (Romans 11: 17-18.) Where he falls short is advocating the extra blessings that come from observing what can be called a return to Jewish-Christianity, and the very real possibility of re-establishing a practice that can led to legalism.

If you practice these things - and are blessed - then by all means continue therein. However guard against the very real threat of legalism and the temptation that arises when the church experiences any type of new or re-discovered revelation, excess.

Here is an acid test: Ask yourself: "Do I want/have to keep these festivals and observances to receive extra blessings?" If your answer is yes, by all means adhere to them. If your answer is: "I don't necessarily 'want' to but feel I 'have' to... I don't want to miss any blessings." If you feel you "have" to do these things, then it becomes an obligation and legalism, something Christ set us free from.

We can ask ourselves would Paul and the other New Testament writers would advocate for us the observance of Jewish days and festivals. The answer is that they most likely would not.

It is also worth noting what one of the early church fathers Irenaeus (2nd Century AD)(disciple of Polycarp, who was the disciple of the apostle John stated in his defense of the gospel against false doctrine or being lead astray when doing theology. He urged that "originality" was the last thing to be expected of a theologian and that heresy was born of the itch for something new.

It is useful advice.

Larry Huch's "The Torah Blessing" is truly a blessing to read. This beautifully written non-fiction title is loaded with great information about Judaism that every Christian should know. These informative chapters will add new dimension to the Bible study of every reader. There is wonderful insight into the Jewish feasts, the tabernacle and the Passover Seder meal. This book also contains a helpful glossary. This is a terrific resource that no Christian library should be without.

Shalom,

I am a Messianic Jewish Believer and teacher in Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah, and I have been praying for years now (1989) that God would one day raise-up many Christian Pastors to write books on the Blessings that could be found in God's Torah (Law). I teach that God's Torah is (God's teaching, guidance and instructions) and is good for all Believers in Jesus, just like rabbi Paul tell us in the book of Romans. And my friend, Torah is for today. Pastor Larry Huck points this out in his book, and I love that about the book. Although the book is very basic instructions, it seeks to help those who want the "much more" of God in their lives. This book will be a starting place for many of you. Torah is Yeshua (Jesus -John 1:1-14), He is the Word made flesh to those who Believe in Him. If you are seeking more info. like this, check out [...] for some wonderful Messianic Jewish articles. And in this holiday season why not give Pastor Huck's book "Torah Blessing" to someone you know who loves God's Word like Jesus does. I bought a few copies today to give out as gifts this season.

Thanks Pastor Huck for writing this book, I'm sending you my blessings and pray that you will keep your Messianic Jewish studies going. You may want to read some of Dr. Brad Young's books, they are also very very good.

Todah rabbah (Thanks you very much),

Rev. Barbara A. Di Gilio

Mayim Hayim Ministries, Phoenix, AZ

This book goes into great detail about what we are missing when we forget Jesus and his disciples were practicing Jews. I have been wanting to understand Jesus on a different level, and this book goes beyond my hope...presenting ideas I have never heard before. Very interesting book. Whether you agree with him or not, I'd highly recommend it to challenge the ideas we have always held.

This book has opened my eyes to things that I, as a Christian, didn't know or understand. This will give me new perspective into my heritage as a child of God.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST BOOK I HAVE READ AND STILL I LIKE TO STUDY IT MORE ONCE YOU GET THIS BOOK YOU WILL BE BLESS IT IS HARD TO PUT IT DOWN I THANK GOD FOR SUCH AND POWERFUL BOOK GOD BLESS THE WRITER AND HIS FAMILY

I was completely satisfied with my purchase of the book "Torah the Blessing". It arrived in excellent condition and the packing was superb. The book itself was like brand new and seemed to not have been used at all. I would definetely order from this person again.

Eddy3Jan

THE PRODUCT CAME FASTER THAN I THOUGHT. IT WAS PACKAGED VERY VELL I AM FULLY SATISFIED WITH THIS ORDER. I WILL BE ORDERING AGAIN.

I really loved reading this book. This is for anyone who wants to start learning about their Jewish Roots. Pastor Huch set a basic foundation for what we have been missing out on.