Objective:
In this week’s discussion we will explore the mystery of Gevurah (Strength). By considering a passage from Zenock. (this passage follows immediately after the one from last week)
Beads:
Section 6, the fifth bead:
The Mystery of the Perfect Judgement: that we may call upon Ahyeh Asher Ahyeh to receive strength as we judge only our own actions and deeds.
Passages to Ponder
Zenock 12:27-32
27. ¶ And the Torah does teach us: Calling upon Ahyeh Asher Ahyeh, Moses did receive strength.
28. Wherefore we do see that in the judgement that Moses did judge, so too was he judged;
29. And the judgment of Moses was not to cast out his brother, but to cast that adversary of doubt from out of himself.
30. And I do say unto you now: That when a man knows the unity or oneness of YHVH Elohim, he knows the oneness of this creation and truly understands his mitzvoth;
31. For the Torah does teach us truth, saying: Hear, O Israel: YHVH is our Elohim; YHVH is Unity.
32. And this wisdom is the perfect judgement, that we do judge not but in righteousness, which is to say, we only judge our own actions and our own deeds.
1 Moses 1:37-41
37. ¶ And it came to pass that Moses began to fear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of Sheol;
38. Nevertheless, calling upon The Creator, Moses received strength.
39. And Moses commanded, saying: Depart hence, Satan; for this one, Ahyeh Asher Ahyeh, only will I worship, which is given me by Ruach HaKodesh.
40. ¶ And now, the Adversary began to tremble, and the earth shook.
41. And Moses received strength and called upon the Creator in the name of the Yachad, saying to the Adversary: Depart hence in the name of Yachad Yachid Echad!
1 Moses 22:6-13
6. And there upon the altar The Voice of YHVH came down from the heavens as a stream of fire, calling out: Abram, Abram!
7. And Abram said: Here am I!
8. And The Voice said: Thou art searching for the Elohim of elohim, the Creator, the understanding of thy heart: behold! I am He.
9. And the angel of YHVH did come and take him, calling him by name, saying: Hear O Abram, and behold the strength of YHVH!
10. And I have heard thee, and have come down to deliver thee, and to take thee away from the house of thy father, and from all thy kinsfolk, into a strange land which thou knowest not of;
11. And this because these have turned their hearts away from me, to worship the elohim of their hands, and the elohim of Pharaoh;
12. Therefore, I have come down to visit them, and to destroy these that hath lifted up their hand against thee to take away thy life.
13. Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee in, and seal upon thee my name, even as I did thy fathers; and my power shall be over thee, and I shall be with thee;
Questions of Knowledge (What it says at the surface)
- What does it say a person must do to truly understand their mitzvoth (responsibilities, duties, or commandments)?
- How did Moses receive strength in order to cast away his doubts?
Questions of Wisdom (What it means below the surface)
- What does knowing our mitzvoth have to do with judging our own actions and deeds?
Questions of Understanding (Likening it to Ourselves)
- Have you ever received strength by calling upon God? What were the circumstances and the result of receiving the strength?
Questions of Mystery (What deeper meaning can be harvested)
- Moses’s job in the wilderness was to be a judge for the children of Israel. So, it is not entirely true that Moses never judged someone else’s situation. Zenock certainly knew that. So then, what does Zenock mean when he says that the only righteous judgement is done via receiving strength from God to judge our own actions and deed? (don’t just guess, ask)