Today, 10/18/2021 was Temple Israel Long Beach’s second New Testament From a Jewish Point of View class. Again we met via Zoom. We had a small, but lively class. Six of us participated: Me, Karen, Dave, David, Renee, and also someone named Lila Orshefsky listened in, but did not participate, but thanked us when the study ended.
We read the second chapter of Romans twice since the first time we read it, most of us were confused. I will try to summarize what we discussed.
The first time we read it was in a modernized version of the King James Version called the New King James Version of the New Testament by Karen who does not have a copy of the Jewish Annotated New Testament.
It was interesting following the chapter as she read it, since the version most of us have the New Revised Standard Version (a Christian New Testament), which is also the Jewish Annotated New Testament. What makes that version “Jewish” is the Jewish commentary by Amy-Jill Levine and Marc Zvi Brettler.
When we read it the first time, I commented how interesting it was to follow two versions that said about the same thing but so differently.
We talked about the idea of “circumcision of the heart.” It reminded me of how very dedicated the Orthodox Jews I know are committed to living a godly life.
With both David and Dave’s suggestion, using the second edition of the Jewish Annotated New Testament’s grey comment boxes and notes, we learned what “circumcision of the heart” was according to Paul. It is the idea that it is a Jewish responsibility to live according to the ideals of being circumcised in the body. A Jewish person should intentionally be dedicated to live a righteous life.
We discussed Romans Chapter 2 is a continuation of Paul’s letter to the gentiles who were believers in Jesus who lived in Rome. (Dave said “Italy!”) Paul wanted to make it clear that the gentiles did not have to become Jews in order to follow Jesus and they didn’t have to be circumcised, but he expected Jews to still be circumcised even if they were now Christians and that everyone needs to live a righteous and good life.
Karen mentioned that Paul was addressing the hypocrisy displayed by some followers of Jesus, Jew and gentile.
Paul said that real circumcision is spiritual and not literal. It is about the way one lives.
Renee read the first part of chapter 2 again. Even though she did not read from the actual Jewish Annotated New Testament, her version had the same words as ours did. Dave read the rest of the chapter and before we read the chapter the second time around both David and Dave read much of the commentary.
I am so glad we read it twice. It was obvious reading the commentary and the added information was very helpful.
We talked about living according to The Law. David mentioned that there are so many rules in Orthodox Judaism, but still that is not The Law. We talked about even without The Law it is common sense to not kill and steal or sacrifice babies!
I mentioned that some gentiles I know who are into messianic Judaism sort of keep their version of “the law” even though they are Christians.
I also mentioned once taking a photo of the beautiful words from the “V’ahavta” at a Temple Israel service and I posted it on Facebook and I was criticized by a “friend” that she no longer had to follow the law. I never thought that the prayer that follows the Shema being “The Law” before and I still don’t consider it “The Law.”
You shall love the L-rd your G‑d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart. You shall teach them thoroughly to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk on the road, when you lie down and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign upon your hand, and they shall be for a reminder between your eyes. And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and upon your gates.
If anyone has any additions or comments to my summary of what we discussed and studied today, please feel free to comment.
I liked the saying "A Jewish person should intentionally be dedicated to live a righteous life." Not because of any punishment or reward, but like my father in law has said multiple times "virtue is its own reward."
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