The reason this simple page of glossary definitions is ranked so popular with the search engine is because so many people click on our links to these definitions from the content in… the 'Netzarim Quarter' Village web site in Ra·an·an′ â(h), Israel at www.netzarim.co.il
The real content is in the 'Netzarim Quarter'! Click on our logo above for an exciting visit to the 'Netzarim Quarter' where you'll learn about Historical Ribi Yehoshua and his original, Jewish, followers before the great Roman-Hellenist apostasy of 135 C.E. — and even more importantly, how you (whether Jew or non-Jew) can follow the historically true, Judaic, Ribi Yehoshua. In Hebrew, his original followers were called the Netzarim (Hellenized to "Nazarenes").
Until Paqid Yirmeyahu researched the Netzarim name and sect and began publishing about it in 1972 in The Netzarim Reconstruction of Hebrew Matityahu (NHM) no one in modern times was even aware of the name Netzarim. It stretches credulity that no one in modern times had heard of the Netzarim until Paqid Yirmeyahu published it in 1972… and then, suddenly, everybody figured it out??? Check (and verify) the dates of the earliest works about the Netzarim by the others and you'll see that they are deceiver-plagiarists. Then insist on the person whom ha-Sheim selected to entrust the knowledge, not imposters who falsely call their continuing practice of Displacement Theology "Nazarene Judaism."
Because we teach and practice the authentic Judaic teachings of Ribi Yehoshua — not Displacement Theology — we are the only group who have restored the Netzarim to be accepted in the legitimate Jewish community in Israel — genuinely like Ribi Yehoshua and the original Netzarim. Consequently, the 'Netzarim Quarter' is the only web site of legitimate Netzarim / Nazarene Judaism.
Give all the friends you've ever known the chance to know about this exciting site; send them our web site address (www.netzarim.co.il) that opens modern eyes for the first time to the Judaic world that Ribi Yehoshua and his original Netzarim knew, practiced and taught.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2007.12.13]
talit; prayer mantle or shawl, incorporating tzitzit. The 4-cornered poncho-like shawl worn by Jews in Biblical times has evolved into today's talit.It is exceedingly rare today to find a talit having tzitzit with a pәtil tәkheilët, as required for Nәtzâr·im′ . For Nәtzâr·im′ , the tzitzit must also be tied according to the No·sakh′ Tei·mân·i′ .
For a visiting non-Jew to wear a talit invites an undesirable misidentification on two counts.
[Updated: 2006.05.01]The indentured apprentice connotation is reinforced in the LXX Greek translation to μαθητης (matheiteis; one under discipline).
Talmud (a study) is a cognate. There are two Talmuds:
Talmud sets forth discussions surrounding mishpâtim and khuq·im′ , issuing from the various Bât·ei′ -Din over the millennia, as they interpreted Tor·âh′ in daily applications.
By convention, Talmud Bav·li′ is assumed unless otherwise stated. Talmud Bav·li′ was codified in the 5th century C.E., setting forth the Ha·lâkh·âh′ handed down by early Jewish Sho·phәt·im′ of the Beit-Din ha-Jâ·dol′ and other Bât·ei′ -Din dating back into the 1st century B.C.E.. These record discussion and real-life, practical, day-to-day interpretation and implementation of Tor·âh′ through the court decisions of the various Bât·ei′ -Din.
[Updated: 2006.05.01]In modern Hebrew, tâm has developed the connotation of unsophisticated, artless and naive.
[Updated: 2006.06.14] [Updated: 2007.03.07] [Updated: 2006.05.01]
[Updated: 2006.05.01]Beside the logical fallacy of begging the question, the phrase "Old Testament" is offensive because the תנ"ך has not been superseded as Christians insinuate by their use of the phrase. If anything, OT stands for "Original Testament." (See also NT.)
In all Nәtzâr·im′ works, references to Tana"kh refer to the original Hebrew and specifically exclude Christian versions, all of which Who Are the Netzarim? (WAN) and The Nәtzâr·im′ Reconstruction of Hebrew Ma·tit·yâh′ u (NHM) document are highly Hellenized (i.e. misojudaicized / Christianized through Christian redaction) and are, therefore, inaccurate, and misleading.
[Updated: 2006.05.01] [Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27]The Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ designed by Yәkhezqeil (43, et al.) was not only never built, but (as Artscroll "Yechezkel" demonstrates is physically and geographically impossible to fit within Israel) was the תבנית for how the Second Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ was supposed to be, but wasn't, understood — a Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ in the spiritual realm.
According to Yәkhezqeil's תבנית, the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ was never intended to come down to physical and geographical Israel. Rather, physical Israel — the kindred living in the land of geographical Israel — was intended to ascend regularly to the spiritual Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ , interceding on behalf of all mankind as the buffer between the י--ה of Israel and the rest of mankind; the prophesied realm of Ko·han·im′ (Shәm·ot′ 19.5-6).
Additionally, this interpretation, alone, overcomes the endless contradictions deriving from interpretations stuck in a physical domain — the Moslem cemetary immediately in front of the East Gate, prophecies of eternal, invulnerable and inviolable nature, and the like.
[Updated: 2006.05.01]
[Updated: 2006.04.27]No·sakh′ Tei·mân·i′ is regarded by most scholars as the least contaminated by external factors in the world. (See, for example, A.Z. Idelsohn, Jewish Music (New York: Schocken, 1967), pp. 22-23, 67.)
Hence, No·sakh′ Tei·mân·i′ is the most pristine representation on the planet (followed by other Jews of Middle Eastern origin: Iraqi, the closest; then Iranian and other Sepharadim; loc. cit.) of the pristine Judaism of Har Sin·ai′ that Mosh′ ëh knew.
The Nәtzâr·im′ were dormant from 135 C.E. until the 1970s. Until they were ousted by gentile Roman "bishops" that year, the only evidence of dispute between the Nәtzâr·im′ and Pәrush·im′ , other than condemning sanctimony, appears to have been with the Roman-collaborating, Boethusian-Herodian "Pәrush·im′ " loathed by the mainstream Pәrush·im′ .
The Nәtzâr·im′ , lacking our own halakhic tradition since 135 C.E., fill in the lucanae with the most pristine halakhic tradition, least compromised by extra-Judaic influences since Har Sin·ai′ , on the planet – No·sakh′ Tei·mân·i′ . This stands in stark contrast to the Christian tradition of filling in lucanae with post-135 C.E. gentile, Hellenist-Roman mythology and idolatry.
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2008.04.17] [Updated: 2006.05.01]פתיל תכלת (pәtil tәkheilet) is the thread of indigo-color, which Torah commands must be included in the tzitzit.
Mix tәkhina, garlic, water, pepper, salt and lemon juice until you get smooth paste. Add water if tәkhina is too thick.
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2007.12.13]
tәphilin; prayers (Aramaic); refers to the small black boxes of halakhically-selected Hebrew Scriptures. In accordance with Dәvârim 6.8 & 11.18, they are strapped to the crown of the forehead and the weak arm during regular weekday Shakharit Tәhilot (de-Judaized to "phylacteries").Archaeologist Yigael Yadin discovered that the head tәphilin used by Bar-Kokhvâ's men, of the 1st – 2nd centuries C.E., included, in one of its scrolls, the עשרת הדברות (A·sër′ ët ha-Di·bәr·ot′ ; cf. יגאל ידין, תפילין של ראש מקומרן Yigal Yadin, Tәphilin shël Rosh mi-Qumrân, Hebrew University, Yәru·shâ·la′ yim). As a backlash against Christian practice, the rabbis later eliminated this passage from the scroll.
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.06.14]The traditional phrase חזר בתשובה (khazar bi-tәshuv·âh′ ) means "return (to Tor·âh′ -observance) in response."
In recent decades, in which 90+% of Jews have become estranged from rabbinic views and serious and sincere questions have gone unanswered by the rabbis, the retort from modern questioning Jews has become חזר בשאלה (khazar bi-shә·eilah; return in question).
One who returns to Tor·âh′ -observance is called a ba′ al tәshuv·âh′ .
Tәshuvâh, the "return" to Tor·âh′ -observance, is only possible for one who previously kept Tor·âh′ ; i.e. a Jew (or geir), who is from a Tor·âh′ -observant environment and, so, is "returning." (Non-Jews must make nilwëh; cf. The Nәtzâr·im′ Reconstruction of Hebrew Ma·tit·yâh′ u (NHM) 4.17.1 note.)
It's as non-sensical for Goy·im′ to speak of a "return" to the Tor·âh′ they've never known as it is for a gentile to speak of being "born again" – implying, in Judaic literature, "as a Jew." As in the 1st century, Goy·im′ can interface in the Jewish community only by
[Updated: 2006.04.27]In the first century C.E., one who practiced and advocated טבילה (tәvilâh), including one who supervised, witnessed and attested to the validity of tәvilâh, was called 'ha-Matbil' (the מטביל ['Matbil']). (The immersant cannot be touching anything, even clothes or jewelry. The Judaic practice has always been grossly different from the Christian misunderstanding and subsequent perversion of it.)
Today, Jewish men aren't required to have a supervising witness and the woman who supervises tәvilâh for Jewish women has an entirely unrelated title. Thus, the term matbil has no parallel today.
Archeology has confirmed the halakhic requirements of the miqwëh.
For tәvilâh to be valid, the matbil checked (and today's women's attendant checks), inter alia, that nothing — not even a ring, hairpin, dirt under fingernails, or the like — is touching the body (much less another person) during immersion, as well as to ensure that the entire body, including all hair, is completely enveloped in water. This means that tәvilâh can only be performed entirely nude. Modesty, of course, must also be maintained.
To ensure all halakhic requirements are satisfied so that a tәvilâh is valid, the מבטיל (and today's women's attendant) must be thoroughly familiar with halakhic requirements.
For numerous reasons, no "baptism" performed by Christians, depicted in their movies, etc. — and a public event in front of an audience — qualifies as tәvilâh.
TR occasionally diverges from all early source mss. TR is also known as the Elzevir text.
[Updated: 2008.03.31] [Updated: 2008.04.17] [Updated: 2008.04.18]תכון תבל (Ti·kon′ Tei′ veil; may the civilized-world be established).
This phrase, echoed in the Tei·mân·i′ sidur (Yom Tov Musâph), derives from the ordained order (first all of hâ-Â′ rëtz, "then" the Goy·im′ ) set forth in Tәhil·im′ 93.1; 96.10 & Divrei ha-Yâmim Âlëph 16.30:
"Tremble before Him all hâ-Â′ rëtz,
".
אף-תכון
תבל
בל
תמוט
לתכן עולם (lә-ta·kein′ O·lâm′ ; to establish [or "for establishing"] an olâm),
"…to quickly see the Opulence of Your Strength, causing idols to pass away from hâ-Â′ rëtz and the faux-g*ods to be absolutely excised – לתכן עולם in the Kingdom of Shad·ai′ …"
Here, Ash·kәnaz′ im sidurim read: לתקן עולם (lә-ta·qein′ o·lâm′ ; to repair an olâm), popularly understood as "repairing [or reforming] the world!!!
תקון עולם (ti·qun′ O·lâm′ ; repairing the world), popularly understood as human (Jewish Kabbalist or Humanist-Reform) efforts to "reform" the world—which contradicts Tәhil·im′ 3.9; et al. & 118.8-9!!!
The closest Scriptural mention is Qohëlët 7.13: "Who can לתקן (lә-ta·qein′ ; repair) what He has twisted?"
Are humans reforming the world or are Tor·âh′ -keepers, with their nәphâsh·ot′ , establishing the stones of a spiritual Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ ha-Shelishit in the heavens? Do we look in this world or in hâ-olâm ha-bâ? Surprisingly, many look to peace and all of the fulfillments in this physical world when all of the prophecies describe the spiritual hâ-olâm ha-bâ in which ha-Sheim dwells.
European לתקן? Or Biblical (Tei·mân·i′ and Nәtzâr·im′ ) לתכן?
The "Times of the Gentiles" began with the banishment of Jews — and usurpation of the Nәtzâr·im′ Pâ·qid′ — from Yәru·shâ·la′ yim in 135 C.E. and ended with the re-establishment of the State of Israel in 1948 (and of the Nәtzâr·im′ Pâ·qid′ in 1985). The celestial sign "in the stars" of Lk. 21.25 was fulfilled in 1994 by the collision of the bride-like comet, Shoemaker-Levy 9 , with the Mâ·shi′ akh-"star" (tzëdëq). For further information, reference Atonement In the Biblical 'New Covenant' (ABNC).
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27]
[Updated: 2008.05.09]Tor·âh′ does not mean "Law" – for which there is דין (din). The Christian de-Judaization to "Old Testament" – implying displacement theology – is extremely offensive.
Another cognate deriving from ירה is מורה (morëh; instructor, teacher).
Tor·âh′ is a metonym for the Biblical phrase dër′ ëkh ha-Sheim comprising Tor·âh′ shë-bikhtâv which specifically stipulates inherent khuq·im′ and mishpâtim (Biblical terms for Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh = Oral Torah).
Consequently, Tor·âh′ is understood by all Orthodox Jews to be the five books of Mosh′ ëh (bә-Reish·it′ , Shәm·ot′ , wa-Yiqrâ, bә-Mid·bar′ and Dәvârim) codified by Mosh′ ëh on Har Sin·ai′ (also called הר מוריה; ca. B.C.E. 1466) and interpreted authoritatively (i.e. the Oral Law, later Ha·lâkh·âh′ ) thereafter exclusively by Bât·ei′ -Din established by Mosh′ ëh (Shәm·ot′ 18.24-26) or Nәviy·im′ . Thus, Tor·âh′ , as used by Orthodox Jews, includes Tor·âh′ shë-bikhtâv and Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh. This is the standard convention in Jewish parlance.
Contrary to gentile perceptions, Dead Sea Scroll 4Q MMT has demonstrated conclusively that for Jews — including Rib′ i Yәho·shu′ a Bën-Dâvid — Tor·âh′ has ALWAYS consisted of two elements:
[Updated: 2006.05.23]The Pәrush·im′ , forbears of today's Orthodox rabbinic Judaism, called their Oral Law הלכה (Ha·lâkh·âh′ ; the Walk).
The Qumrân Khasidim Tzәdoq·im′ called their version of Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh מעשה (Ma·asëh; the practice, the doing).
The Hellenist Roman vassal pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ ("Ko·han·ei′ hâ-Râshâ") of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ in Yәru·shâ·la′ yim codified their version of Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh into what the Pәrushi document, in מגילת תענית (Mәgilat ta·anit; Scroll of Fasting), as ספר גזירות (Seiphër Jәzeirot; Book of Decrees) in Hebrew or ספר גזירתא (Seiphër Jәzeirtâ; Book of Decrees) in Aramaic. "For a discussion of [Tzәdoq·im′ & Oral Law] see D.W. Halivni, 'Midrash, Mishna, and Gemara: The Jewish Predilection for Justified Law,' Cambridge, Mass. 1986." Qimron, p. 132.
Since the pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ were Hellenist (i.e., Greek-oriented), they may have composed their "Book of Decrees" in Greek, and it may have been better known in Greek, having been called something like Βιβλιον Δογματων, (Biblion Dogmaton; Book of Decrees).
The most likely reference to this Hellenist pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ counterpart of the later Pәrush·im′ Talmud found so far (thanks to Brian J. Tebbitt in Roseville, MN USA) is in the 7th book of Paul the Apostate ("Colossians") in the NT. Co-authored by Hellenist Jew Timotheos (Timothy), 7th Paul was addressed to the Hellenist Jews in the Tәphutzâh of Denizli in southeast Turkey.
Timotheos writes concerning the "hollow and deceptive philosophy" (2.8), leaving no doubt he referred to Greek philosophy of the Hellenists and the Hellenist "Reformed Judaism" of the Hellenist pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ . Use of exclusively Hellenist names instead of Hebrew names demonstrates that Timotheos' proto-Christian Hellenist image must be identified, probably due to later Hellenist Roman redactions (since he's arguing against Hellenism), as Yësh"u rather than, lә-havdil, Rib′ i Yәho·shu′ a. Timotheos cites his Hellenist christ as a greater authority than the Hellenist pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ – namely the "Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ " popularly referred to as the Ko·hein′ hâ-Râshâ.
Consistent with repudiating the authority of the increasingly rival pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ , despite their being fellow Hellenists, Timotheos declares that his and Paul the Apostate's proto-Christian Hellenist image has εχαλειφω (ekzaleifo; wiped out) the Χειρογραφον τοις Δογμασιν (kheirografon tois dogmasin; handwritten-document of dogmas, doctrines, decrees, 2.14). This corresponds with the same testimony from the Mәgilat Ta·anit about the 14th of Fourthmonth (Hellenized through Babylonian assimilation to Tammuz).
After codifying their formerly-Oral Law, they argued, as they always had, against the Oral Law of the other sects and the continued transmission of the Oral Law by the other sects; insisting that only their now-written version of Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh was valid. Dead Sea Scroll 4Q MMT demonstrates that not even they rejected Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh (cf. Ëlishâ Qimron, Discoveries in the Judaean Desert (X, Qumrân Cave 4 (V, "Miqsat Ma'ase Ha-Torah," Oxford: Clarendon, 1994).
While the earliest attestation to the phrase Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh is apparently 3rd century C.E., it is a more neutral term than Ha·lâkh·âh′ , which implies the rabbinic (Pәrush·im′ ) view (in contrast, for example, with Ma·asëh of the Qumrân Khasidim Tzәdoq·im′ DSS sect). Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh is therefore used to describe 'Oral Torah' before the divisions into the Pәrush·im′ Ha·lâkh·âh′ , the Qumrân Khasidim Tzәdoq·im′ DSS sect Ma·asëh and the pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ "Book of Decrees."
While the Beit-Din ha-Jâ·dol′ convened, prior to the destruction of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ , Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh comprised the khuq·im′ and mishpâtim and the Hajâdâh of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ .
Another term for Tor·âh′ shë-bә·al pëh is Mishnâh. Since the destruction of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ , Mishnâh has comprised Talmud and Midrâsh = Ha·lâkh·âh′ .
See also "Oral Law," EJ 12:1441.
[Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2006.04.27] [Updated: 2007.03.08] [Updated: 2006.04.27]When used as a title, הצדיק ( ha-Tzadiq; "the just") identifies a person as the leader of a branch of khasidim.
The honorific title of Ya·aqov "ha-Tzadiq" (Hellenized to "James the Just") Bën-David, first Nәtzâr·im′ Pâ·qid′ and brother of Rib′ i Yәho·shu′ a Bën-David, is well documented.
See also cognates tzәdâqâh, Tzәdoq·im′ and tzëdëq.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]Commentators unfamiliar with the Middle East and similar climates could not grasp how to interpret הבשר החי (ha-bâsâr ha-khai; "living flesh") in va-Yiqra 13.15. "Living flesh" or "healthy flesh" is neither contaminated nor a contaminant.
However, there is a parallel phrase in Hebrew, מיים חיים (mayim khayim; "living water"), and we know that this means "moving water" in contrast to still water. Thus, הבשר החי refers to "moving flesh." Maturing larvae deposited by a biting fly can cause movement under the skin. We find "moving flesh" — that is contaminated — when a biting fly deposits an egg under the flesh and it begins to mature and move under the flesh, causing "moving flesh."
The descriptions of tzâra•at indicate more than one type of affliction. Another of the descriptions suggests a seasonal fungal rash (spring & autumn) that causes flaking of the skin — and coincides with fungus outbreaks on the walls of buildings.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]These terms are all popularly distorted in Christian Bibles as "host" (pl. "hosts") when they mean, and should be understood, as a military force of warriors, i.e. an army.
צה"ל (Tzahal) is the acronym for the צבא הגנה לישראל (Tzәva Haganah Lә-Yis·râ·eil′ ; Army of Defense for Israel), i.e. the Israel Defense Forces — the IDF.
Haganah derives from the same root verb as mâgein in Mâgein Dâvid — shield and, by extension, defense (popularly mistranslated as "star") of Dâvid.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]According to Tor·âh′ , charity is required, and the poor are due such assistance. Therefore, it is not accurately charity, but mere justice. Thus, the meaning of צדקה has eroded, in a case of selective 'tunnel vision,' to charity.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]Tzëdëq has been known from antiquity as a metonym for the Mâshiakh. The "star" (as it was then thought to be) that has represented the Mâshiakh since ancient astronomy has always, for this reason, been called Tzëdëq, the Mâshiakh-"star," in Hebrew (which is J*u*p*i*t*e*r in English). Tzëdëq was also the planet impacted by the "heavenly-angelic-bride" (symbolic of the Bride of ha-Sheim – the Jews) string of comets in 1994 that was the greatest phenomenon in the recorded history of the solar system, even beyond that signaling the birth of Rib′ i Yәho·shu′ a (cf. The Nәtzâr·im′ Reconstruction of Hebrew Ma·tit·yâh′ u (NHM) chap. 2 commentary). How could this not herald the dawn of the Messianic Era (cf. our note "Shoemaker-Levy" in our newsletter archives)? See also Malki-Tzëdëq.
[Updated: 2007.07.20]The Bәn-Tzâ·doq′ derive from Tzâ·doq′ Bën-Akhituv, the Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ during the reign of Dâ·wid′ ha-Mël′ ëkh, who returned the Aron ha-Bәrit and remained loyal to Dâ·wid′ ha-Mël′ ëkh, anointing Shlomoh ha-Melekh as Mël′ ëkh – for which his descendents were awarded exclusive right to serve as Ko·han·im′ (Yәkhëz·qeil′ 44.15).
Bën-Gurion Univ. Prof. of Linguistics Ëlishâ Qimron has demonstrated from Dead Sea Scroll 4Q MMT that the Qumran-"Essenes" were also Tzәdoq·im′ . As the better-known Tzәdoq·im′ of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ in Yәrushalayim were corrupt Hellenist Roman appointee vassals, i.e., the "Ko·han·ei′ hâ-Râshâ," the Qumran-"Essene" Tzәdoq·im′ were clearly the more authentic, and probably hearkened back to the Khasidim.
Consequently, it is essential to distinguish between the Hellenist Roman appointed vassals of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ who sometimes weren't even genealogically kohanim at all, from the Qumran Tzәdoq·im′ . As the Hellenist Roman quisling " Tzәdoq·im′ " in the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ were obviously Hellenized from the earlier Bәn·ei′ Tzâ·doq′ Tzәdoq·im′ , it is justified to refer to the " Tzәdoq·im′ " in the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ , who often weren't Bәn·ei′ Tzâ·doq′ , as Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ . We can then easily differentiate the Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ from the authentic (probably Khasidim-) "Bәn·ei′ Tzâ·doq′ " Tzәdoq·im′ of Qumran. See also related terms Tzedaqah, Tzadiq, Tzeddeq, Qumran Tzәdoq·im′ and Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ .
The genuine Tzәdoq·im′ were displaced from the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ , first by the Syrian Hellenists (Antioch IV Epiphanes) and later by the Romans, both of whom appointed their own 'Ko·han·im′ ' and 'Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ ' who wasn't even genealogically a Ko·hein′ , corrupting the priesthood.
The first genealogically non-Ko·hein′ Roman appointee "Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ " was a fanatic Hellenist named Menelaus (d. ca. B.C.E. 162), who succeeded Yәho·shu′ a Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ .
The corruption of the Kәhunâh is well documented in Tana"kh: Malâkhi 1,8,13-14; 2.8-9, 13; Ëzrâ 10.18ff; Nәkhëmyâh 13.29.
Specifically, it was Yәho·shu′ a Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ , a rabid Hellenizer Reformist, who Hellenized – corrupted – the Kәhunâh for all time. He was also the last Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ who was even genealogically qualified! He purchased the office of Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ from Antiochus IV Epiphanes in B.C.E. 175, deposing the last Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ who was faithful to Tor·âh′ — his own brother, Yәkhon·yâh′ Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ .
Consequently, the genuine Ko·han·im′ / Tzәdoq·im′ were relegated primarily to Qumrân. The genealogically unqualified Roman puppets who served as priests in the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ in Yәru·shâ·la′ yim were pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ who became known as the "Sadducees."
It then becomes clear why the genuine Tzәdoq·im′ of Qumrân called Yәho·shu′ a Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ (and his successors) Ko·hein′ hâ-Rësha instead of Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ . The Qumrân Khasidim Tzәdoq·im′ also designated the last Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ who was faithful to Tor·âh′ , Yәkhon·yâh′ Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ , as the Mor′ i ha-Tzëdëq.
The argument that Yәkhon·yâh′ Bën-Shim·on′ (II) Bën-Tzâ·doq′ cannot be the Mor′ i ha-Tzëdëq because the Mor′ i ha-Tzëdëq is documented to have lived at a later time is as silly as arguing that Aharon couldn't have been the Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ because the Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ is documented to have lived when the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ was destroyed in 70 C.E.
The relationship between the Romans and the Hellenist Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ was always a case of the compromising Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ being rejected as apostate and turncoat Ko·han·ei′ hâ-Rësha by the rest of the Jews while their refusal to give allegiance to Rome, manifested in their resistance against the occupying authorities, failed to satisfy the Roman Hellenists.
In 66 C.E., this fissure between the Hellenist Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ and Hellenist Romans was cracked open, creating a no-longer-bridgeable chasm, when increasing tensions between Hellenists and Jews erupted in the desecration, by Hellenists (including non-Jewish foreigner occupiers), of a Beit ha-Kәnësët in Keisâriyâh (Caesarea). The Romans refused to take any action against the Hellenists. It was impossible for the Pәrush·im′ to accept a Roman policy that, by their refusal to punish the offenders, passively endorsed Hellenist desecration of their Bât·ei′ ha-Kәnësët.
The writing was on the wall and not even the Hellenist-loving Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ could any longer ignore it. With their lifeline of Jewish-Roman relations irreparably destroyed, the option of trying to walk a middle path of assimilation between Jews and Romans evaporated. The Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ , forced to choose sides, broke with the Romans. Eliezar Bën Hanania, son of the Pseudo-Tzәdoq·im′ Ko·hein′ ha-Jâ·dol′ , stopped the apostate tәphilot and qârbânot in the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ for the Roman Emperor, which they had earlier authorized to comply with the Roman occupiers, and subsequently led a successful attack on the Roman garrison occupying Yәru·shâ·la′ yim. The pro-Roman, Hellenist king descended from an Ëdomi-Arab father and Arab mother, Agrippa II, sided with the Romans and fled Yәru·shâ·la′ yim. These were the trigger events that culminated in the destruction of the Beit ha-Mi·qәdâsh′ 4 years later, in 70 C.E.
[Updated: 2006.04.27]Tzëmakh is widely accepted as a symbol of the Mâ·shi′ akh (cf. Yәshayahu 4.2; Yir·mәyâh′ u 23.5; 33.15; Zәkharyah 3.8 & 6.12).
[Updated: 2006.04.27]Tzәphan·yâh′ is the ninth book of the twelve minor Nәviy·im′ of Tana"kh.
[Updated: 2007.12.13]Tzitzit; tassel, blossom, bloom and, by extension, nipple; Hellenized to "fringe" (plural tzitziot). Tzitzit is also used to refer to the Arbâ Kәnâphot.The four-cornered garment refers either to the usual Arbâ Kәnâphot proper, which is worn all during the day, or to the talit. The Arbâ Kәnâphot are generally worn under a shirt, although the more zealous wear an outer version. According to bә-Mid·bar′ 15:37-38, one doesn't fulfill the mitzwâh unless the tzitziot includes a פתיל תכלת (pәtil tәkheilët).
[Updated: 2006.04.27]
[Updated: 2007.12.19]Not-so-observant Jews often wish "Tzom kal" (an easy fast). However, this is incompatible with Yәsha·yâh′ u 58.1-12. The Tor·âh′ -compatible greeting is, rather, "צום מועיל!" See also Yir·mәyâh′ u 31.13 and Zәkharyâh 8.19.
[Updated: 2008.05.13] [Updated: 2006.04.27] |
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