The Torah Network

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The Torah, The law, and The Sacrifices

Did the sacrificial system actually become a perceived “Pay for Play” device, allowing the children of Yisrael to become of the mindset that they could do whatever, then simply pay for it with the blood of innocent animals each time they went to the Temple and made their atonement? But the sacrifices were given as a remedy for unintentional and minor sins, not as a payment system for evil we want to do in our own desires.
“Hear the Word of YHWH, you rulers of Sedom; give ear to the Torah of our Elohim, you people of Amorah! Of what use to Me are your many sacrifices? declares YHWH. I have had enough of ascending offerings of rams and the fat of fed beasts. I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs or goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courtyards? Stop bringing futile offerings, incense, it is an abomination to Me. New moons, Sabbaths, the calling of gatherings – I am unable to bear unrighteousness and assembly. My being hates your new moons and your appointed times, they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them. And when you spread out your hands, I hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I do not hear. Your hands have become filled with blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Stop doing evil! Learn to do excellence! Seek judgment, reprove the oppressor, defend the fatherless, plead for the widow…” (Isa. 1)

Of course we have all come across things we earlier believed to be a sin until we started looking at scripture. From the initial sin by Adam & Chavah in the Garden until now, YHWH’s people have had to learn what sin is and the consequences for it. We do not know it “naturally,” as some say, because:
“The natural man does not receive the matters of the Spirit of Elohim, for they are foolishness to him, and he is unable to know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”

“Sin is the transgression of the law” (1st John 3:4). The law is found throughout the entirety of the first 5 books of scripture, which is why it is called The Torah – which means “The Teaching.” The Torah must be learned through lifelong study, governed and empowered by the Spirit of the Most-High, and then implemented by His children who truly love Him, know Him, and want to become like His son ,our Messiah - “walking as he walked.” This life is a learning and testing chamber for us, and these are not complete until the day we die.

The Torah is precise, not vague or ambiguous. It tells us clearly what sin is, so there will be no misunderstanding or cause for wonder about it – which would be pretty unfair. If you devote yourself to learning it, all of it, you can learn to recognize and refrain from intentional sin. If you do not, you cannot. You cannot know what you do not know. And when we inevitably err, we have grace through our blessed Messiah and the grace of YHWH.
“…Come now, and let us reason together, says YHWH. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If you submit and obey, you shall eat the excellence of the land; but if you refuse and rebel, you shall be devoured by the sword, for the mouth of YHWH has spoken.” (Isa. 1)

Yeshua said,
“You heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone looking at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.”
He was not adding to or taking away from the law here, but teaching his own true followers that the law is not only physical, but spiritual, and that YHWH also desires our hearts to be pure, not just our actions. He was telling them that all Yisrael is charged with keeping Torah law, simply and literally, but if anyone wants to be one of his followers, one of the “Qedoshim,” they would have to take a step above the literal and simple commandments of YHWH and also infuse the spiritual intent of the law into their hearts, as well. Or, as he told the ‘rich young ruler’, they needed to become “perfect.”
“And see, one came and said to him, ‘Excellent Teacher, what excellent shall I do to have everlasting life?’ And he said to him, Why do you call me excellent? No one is excellent except One – Elohim. But if you wish to enter into Life, guard the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which?’ And Yeshua said, ‘You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Respect your father and your mother, and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these I have watched over from my youth, what do I still lack?’ Yeshua said to him, ‘If you wish to be PERFECT, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.’”

The Hebrew word for “perfect” is “tamim” (תָּמִ֣ים), and does not mean without flaw, but whole and complete, as is written:
“Be perfect (תָּמִ֣ים) before YHWH your Elohim.”
And,
“YHWH appeared to Avram and said to him, ‘I am Ěl Shaddai – walk before Me and be perfect’” (תָּמִ֣ים).
This is what Yeshua taught and demanded of his own true followers – that they should be “perfect,” keeping both the clear and precise letter of the law and its underlying Spirit, as well. They must be whole and complete in their walk, in their spirit, and in their faith.

The Torah and its laws are also perfect, whole and complete, just as we are meant to be:
“The Torah of YHWH is perfect, restoring the soul; The witness of YHWH is faithful, making wise the simple; The orders of YHWH are straight, rejoicing the heart; The command of YHWH is clear, enlightening the eyes; The fear of YHWH is clean, standing forever; The judgments of YHWH are true, They are righteous altogether, More desirable than gold, than much fine gold; and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb. Also, Your servant is warned by them, in guarding them there is great reward. Who discerns mistakes? Declare me innocent from those that are secret. Also keep Your servant back from presumptuous ones. Do not let them rule over me. Then shall I be perfect, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be pleasing before You, O YHWH, my rock and my redeemer.”

“O how I love Your Torah! It is my study all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies; for it is ever before me. I have more understanding than all my teachers, for Your witnesses are my study. I understand more than the aged, for I have observed Your orders. I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might guard Your word. I have not turned aside from Your judgments, for You Yourself have taught me. How sweet to my taste has Your word been, more than honey to my mouth! From Your orders I get understanding; therefore, I have hated every false way. Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. I have sworn, and I confirm, to guard Your righteous judgments. I have been afflicted very much; O YHWH, revive me according to Your word. Please accept the voluntary offerings Of my mouth, O YHWH, and teach me Your judgments. My life is in my hand continually, and Your Torah I have not forgotten. The wrong have laid a snare for me, but I have not strayed from Your orders. Your witnesses are my inheritance forever, for they are the joy of my heart. I have inclined my heart to do Your laws forever, to the end.”

“Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this the whole duty (but not the salvation) of all mankind! For Elohim shall bring every work into judgment, including all that is hidden, whether excellent or whether evil.”

Learn it, love it, do it. Yeshua did, his disciples did, and you can, too. Not without flaw, but with all your heart, soul, and might:
“For this command which I am commanding you today, it is not too hard for you, nor is it far off. It is not in the heavens, to say, ‘Who shall ascend into the heavens for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, to say, ‘Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it to us, and cause us to hear it, so that we do it?’ For the Word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart – to do it.”

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