The teaching of any Hebrew prophet is an exposition of Theological Philosophy. Their main message is on ethics. The main character in their writings is an ethical GOD, ADONAY. Contrary to the common stories of their days, the GOD of Israel is concerned about the behaviour of humanity toward each other. The ethics of the prophets (Derekh haNeviim) is a way of living. Its moral has the foundation on an ethical monotheism. There is One GOD who cares for humanity and humans are expected to care for each other. This principle is found in different statements in many other religions. However, strict ethical monotheism is found only in the teachings of the Torah. Only Islam, the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth, and the Baha'i are the closest to it. In contemporary Judaism every denomination and their "sekten" (using the term in its technical definition) are concerned with ethics. The difference are found in the interpretation; therefore, in the application and implications. Regardless of these differences they all seek to honour GOD in our relationship toward and with others. Hebrew philosophy, like Qoheleth,* is a Theological Philosophy that seeks to understand what GOD expects from humanity and how humanity can be an instrument of the LOVE, MERCY, PEACE, and JUSTICE of ADONAY. An instrument of HOPE. There is Only One True GOD and one humanity. Words that we have heard so often, but that today nations are learning this fact again: may we never forget it.
שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל יי אֱלֹהֵינוּ יי אֶחָד
Deuteronomy 6:4 דברים
הִנֵּה מַה טּוֹב וּמַה נָּעִים שֶׁבֶת אַחִים גַּם יָחַד
Psalm 133:1
שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מִשְּׁיָרֵי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים
Pirke Avot 1:2 פרקי אבות
רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד עַל הַדִּין וְעַל הָאֱמֶת וְעַל הַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפַּט שָׁלוֹם שִׁפְטוּ בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם
Pirke Avot 1:8 פרקי אבות
No comments:
Post a Comment