Read
the Gospels again and focus on all the distinctly Jewish elements of Jesus’
story and message. Ask yourself, “What difference does it make that Jesus was
Jewish?” I promise you this. You will spend the rest of your life finding the
answer to that question, and the rest of your days enjoying the Bible like
never before. Jewish and Christian foundations are as intertwined as the Jews
and Christians who walk through Jerusalem today. How tragic that so few in
either group recognize the kindred spirits in the other. Read complete article
at -- http://www.macon.com/living/religion/article144572804.html
One of Jesus’s earliest memories was no doubt watching and listening to his family when they gathered to pray the Shema at sunrise before the day’s work began and after the working work day was over at sunset . He also heard and participated in praying the Shema at their synagogue. He was surrounded by neighbors who also prayed the same prayer in their homes every day. The Hebrew word for prayer is tefilah . It is derived from the root Pe-Lamed-Lamed and the word l'hitpalel, meaning “ to judge oneself .” This surprising word origin provides insight into the purpose of Jewish prayer. The most important part of any Jewish prayer, whether it be a prayer of petition, of thanksgiving, of praise of God, or of confession, is the introspection it provides, the moment that we spend looking inside ourselves, seeing our role in the universe and our relationship to God. [1] Most of Jewish prayers are expressed in the first person plural, "us" instead of "me," an...
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