Month: ד׳ במרחשוון ה׳תשע״ז (November 2016)

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Seed of Abraham Ministries

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Tom Bradford walks you through the Torah and Prophets chapter by chapter with Hebraic perspective and how the OT points to Yeshua (Jesus).

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All proceeds from Holy Land Market Place go to support Israel families. Christian and Messianic products made in Israel shipped from the USA: Gifts, Books, Jewelry, DVDs, Christian Hebraic Heritage Teachings, Spices, Home Decor and more.

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Hope for Israel is meeting the physical and spiritual needs of the people of Israel and the body of believers in the Land. They provide daily prayer alerts, Bible teachings, and weekly blogs in order to help you understand what God is doing in the Land.

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LoveIsrael.org provides video Bible teachings and commentary in English on the the Parasha, updated weekly. The majority of their teachings are in the Hebrew Language site Pdut.org.

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Seed of Abraham Fellowship is a located in Merritt Island Florida. Pastor Tom Bradford walks through Scriptures, chapter by chapter interwoven with what is happening with Israel and the world today

What Is Torah Class?

Torah Class is an exciting, cutting edge, FREE online Bible study website where you can rediscover the Bible in all its richness and truth. It is a balanced teaching that highlights both God’s grace and our obedience to His commandments. We teach from a Hebraic, original-language, and cultural perspective, offering lessons on the Torah (Genesis through Deuteronomy) as well as many other books of the Bible from both the Old and New Testaments. We allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves and diligently avoid predetermined doctrinal biases.

What is a Hebraic original-language and cultural perspective?

It is an acknowledgment that the Bible is a Hebrew document—from Genesis to Revelation. It was written by Hebrews, and the background and culture of the Bible is Hebrew. The Messiah, Jesus Christ (Yeshua in Hebrew), was a Hebrew (a Jew from the tribe of Judah). Therefore, it is crucial to present and understand God’s Word from the worldview of those to whom it was first entrusted.

Who is Torah Class?

First and foremost, Torah Class is a ministry of Believers in Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah, the Son of God, the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings. Check out the Our Beliefs section to get a comprehensive understanding of our faith principles and theology.

Does Torah Class support Israel?

Torah Class is one of 5 ministries that together form Seed of Abraham Ministries, with headquarters and a Congregation in Merritt Island, Florida. As an IRS-registered, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charitable organization, all 5 ministries are oriented towards Bible teaching, bringing the Gospel to Israel in their Hebrew language, and comforting and aiding the people of Israel in tangible, practical ways. Seed of Abraham Ministries has 2 staffed facilities in Israel: one in Jerusalem and the other in Ashdod.

What is Torah?

Torah is the Hebrew word for the first 5 books of the Bible (Genesis through Deuteronomy). The Torah is the irreplaceable foundation of the Old Testament (Tanakh), just as the Old Testament is the necessary foundation of the New Testament. The Old Testament is the only Holy Scripture that existed in Bible times; and it is what Jesus (Yeshua), Peter, Paul, and all the Disciples taught from. There was no New Testament for well more than a century after Paul’s death. Without knowing the Old Testament in its Hebraic cultural and linguistic context, an incorrect and incomplete understanding of the New Testament is the result.

The Old and New Testaments together form a complete, unified, divinely-inspired Bible. All books of the Bible are equally important and remain relevant for instruction and revelation of truth from God. Torah Class cross-references the Torah and Old Testament passages with New Testament passages to reveal their seamless continuity.

Is Torah Class a school?

Torah Class brings you the latest findings on Bible history and scholarship and takes a multi-disciplinary approach to Bible Study that includes Bible exegesis; an exploration of the original languages, Bible history, and Jewish history; an understanding of the influence of 2nd Temple Judaism upon New Testament development; modern life application; and more. We have renowned teachers, each with different styles and methods to teach you God’s Word and its significance. There are no tests and no admission requirements. There is no cost. Ever. Study at your own pace. If you have questions, email them to us; and we will address them as quickly as possible. We challenge you to find a better Bible education at any price, at any college or theological institution. But here it’s all FREE!

Who are Torah Class’s teachers?

Tom Bradford, BA, the founder and President of Seed of Abraham Ministries, teaches the Bible exegetically, book by book, and verse by verse. His unique studies are in-depth and extensive, yet they are made to be understandable by all.

Baruch Korman holds a Ph.D. in Jewish Studies, is an Orthodox Jew and Believer in Christ, and offers topical lessons and lessons on books of the Bible (Old and New Testament). Baruch lives in Israel.

How is Torah Class funded?

Torah Class is funded entirely through donations. We never charge for our content. We are members of the Evangelical Christian Financial Association (ECFA), which certifies and audits our finances in an ongoing fashion to ensure utmost integrity.

Additional Information

Torah Class research and lesson materials are used by laymen, pastors, Messianic Rabbis, Bible teachers, Christian schools, and theological institutions in almost every nation in the world.

Torah Class in Spanish is underway, and many lessons are now available for Spanish speakers—all for free.

~TorahClass.com. This is Real. Bible. Study.

Our Beliefs

What is Torah Class?

Torah Class is a free online Bible Study website for gentile and Jewish Believers in Jesus Christ, Yeshua HaMashiach. We offer it from a Hebraic Heritage perspective. We honor Israel as God’s chosen people, and we also honor both Testaments of the Bible as truth and infallible. We believe that the Bible is God’s Word to humankind, and so we study it in depth, verse by verse, in the context of the Hebrew culture in which it was written. We add historical background, geography, original language understanding, and other multi-dimensional elements to provide a complete learning experience.

What is Torah?

Torah is a Hebrew word meaning teaching or instruction. It is also the word for the first 5 books of the Bible.

Does Torah Class only teach the first 5 books of the Bible (the Torah)?

We started out more than 15 years ago with that intention, but things changed! Not only do we have lessons for most of the books of the Old Testament, but we also have many lessons on the New Testament as well as on selected Topics.

Why teach the Old Testament?

The Old Testament makes up about 60% of the entire Bible, and the New Testament itself is made up of approximately 50% of Old Testament quotes. When we ignore the Old Testament, we ignore the bulk of God’s Word. The Old Testament (which is valuable and relevant in and of itself) is alive and well and forms the necessary basis for proper understanding of the New.

Is there a charge or fee for taking Torah Class lessons?

No! It’s free! No gimmicks. The local Seed of Abraham Fellowship congregation, along with generous online donors (thank you!), pays for the Torah Class website.

Do I have to sign-up or register for Torah Class?

Yes. Please click on Register or Login at the top of the home page, and then register. Registration is easy and free.

Is there a certain order that I’m supposed to watch the lessons?

Although you can begin anywhere you like, we strongly recommend that you begin at Genesis and go in order of the books of the Bible to get the most from Torah Class. Each lesson and each book build from the previous lessons and books. However, for those who are searching for reference material on a topic or a Bible book, use the Search feature in the top right corner of our website.

What does Torah Class teach?

Torah Class teaches the Bible verse by verse in an exegetical, multi-dimensional format from Genesis to Revelation. We believe in taking the Bible literally and tend to concentrate mostly on the Old Testament because it plays an enormous role in the New Testament and has traditionally been the least studied and understood part of the Bible by Christians.

Does Torah Class believe in and teach the New Testament?

Yes, of course! However, the Old Testament is critically important to know before serious New Testament study should begin, since it forms the foundation for a proper context and understanding of the New Testament. The Old Testament answers many theological questions that the New Testament doesn’t address and establishes principles that a Bible student needs to know. Your knowledge of many of these principles is taken for granted in the New Testament.

Does Torah Class think that gentiles need to become Jews or practice Judaism in order to worship Jesus (Yeshua)?

No! There is no need for a gentile to “become a Jew,” and coming to salvation does not physically change gentiles to Jews, nor Jews to gentiles.

Does Torah Class try to turn Christians towards Judaism?

No. We do not advocate gentile Christians observing Judaism. However, there are many good Traditions in Judaism that Christians might want to consider using for themselves. Also, understanding 1st century Judaism is especially important for understanding the New Testament.

Is The Law of Moses still valid, or is it dead and gone and nailed to the cross?

Jesus Himself taught in His Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:17-20 that the Law remains alive, and that not the tiniest bit of it will be abolished until the Heavens and Earth pass away. The issue for all Believers is how to use and apply The Law in our modern lives and in our many and various cultures, as guided by the Holy Spirit within us and done in the spirit God intended.

Does The Law save us?

No. Only Yeshua, Jesus Christ, saves us. The Law is NOT for salvation and NEVER was for salvation. Rather, it explains what sin is, who God is, and what He deems is good and evil; and it lays out God’s divine principles by which every Believer in the God of Israel is to live AFTER they’ve been redeemed.

Does violating The Law affect or even end our salvation?

No. Violating the Law is called sin, and Yeshua died to atone for our sins (our violations of the Law: 1 John 3:4).

Do you celebrate the Jewish (Biblical) Feasts?

Yes, we do! The 7 biblical feasts were not only ordained by God to be observed literally but were also prophetic of Messiah’s ministry and foreshadow the redemptive process. It is also a means for Christians to identify with the Jewish people as our elder brothers and sisters in the faith and to join with them in common celebration of our mutual God.

Do you celebrate Christmas and Easter?

We understand and agree with the desire to celebrate Christ’s birth and resurrection, yet Christmas and Easter are undeniably manmade celebrations that began as borrowed pagan celebrations and over time have been further co-opted by the secular world. For these reasons, we have chosen different occasions to celebrate the Believer’s intent of Christmas and Easter. Therefore, while there is no God-ordained biblical feast after which we can model a celebration of Jesus’ birth, there is a series of 3 God-ordained biblical festivals that precisely speak of His death, burial, and resurrection: the Biblical Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and Firstfruits. We celebrate those feasts in lieu of Easter.

Does Torah Class celebrate the birth of Jesus?

Yes. But we have chosen to celebrate it on Hanukkah. We know that He was not born on Hanukkah (and neither was He born on December 25th!) and that Hanukkah was not created for that purpose; however, it does afford us an occasion to remember and thank the Lord for the birth of our Savior. It also gives us another way to be celebrating at the same time as our Jewish friends and allows us a “reset” from Christmas to a more appropriate way to celebrate the birth of Yeshua.

Does Torah Class observe a Saturday Sabbath?

Yes. There is historically and biblically no such thing as a “Sunday” Sabbath. Saturday is the 7th day of the week, while Sunday is the 1st day of every week. Sunday was designated as the “Lord’s Day” circa A.D. 350 by the Roman Church at the Synod of Laodicea; and at the same time, Sabbath for gentile Christians was officially abolished by the Roman Church leadership. There is only one biblical weekly Sabbath: the 7th day, Saturday (Friday sundown to Saturday sundown as reckoned by the Hebrew day). It is a day of rest (ceasing). Sabbath was originally ordained at Creation, and it remains a holy day for all mankind to observe.

Is The Law for Jews only, and is Christ for gentiles only?

The Law and Christ are for both Jews and gentiles. However, the Law and Christ each have different functions. The Law is not a means of salvation for Jews, and Christ is not an alternative means of salvation meant only for gentiles.

Does Torah Class think it’s wrong to meet on Sunday?

No. Our companion congregation, Seed of Abraham Fellowship, meets on Sundays as well as Saturdays and other days of the week. That the bulk of the Church meets to worship on Sunday is a perfectly good thing for all Believers. However, meeting on Sundays is NOT Sabbath observance; and it should not be mistaken as such.

Should Jews who become “Christians” go to a traditional gentile Church?

That is entirely up to the individual. If a Jewish Believer prefers to go to a traditional Church, great. Often a Messianic Synagogue is more comfortable for a Messianic Jew because they tend to hold their services in a more culturally Jewish setting. Messianic Synagogues are Jewish Synagogues where Yeshua (Jesus) is worshipped as the Messiah. But no Jew who comes to belief in Yeshua should be asked to give up any element of his or her Jewishness. There is NO biblical or spiritual requirement for a Jew to stop being Jewish when he or she comes to faith in Messiah.

Is Torah Class part of the Hebrew Roots movement?

We prefer to use the term Hebraic Heritage and to focus on the Bible, as opposed to ritual and tradition. Hebrew Roots or Jewish Roots is a term that has been abused, misused, and not precisely defined. In one sense, it merely means to acknowledge that the Christian faith sprung from the Hebrew faith and has a Jewish Messiah, and that our holy text (the Bible) is a Hebrew document written entirely by Hebrews. In another sense, Hebrew Roots indicates a love for (and spiritual connection with) Israel and the Jewish people and an acknowledgement that Jesus did NOT create a new religion of, by, and for gentiles. Torah Class believes in these first two tenets. However, some other folks have taken a rather different view and tend to ask their gentile adherents to more or less “become Jews,” often by observing many Orthodox Jewish Traditions and also thinking that when becoming saved, a gentile literally goes through a physical transformation of some kind and becomes a physical Jew or national Israelite. Torah Class does NOT accept this because it has no biblical basis.

What is a Messianic Jew?

A Messianic Jew is another name for a Jewish person who has come to faith in Yeshua (Jesus). Usually a Jew who calls himself a “Messianic” attends a Messianic Synagogue as opposed to a traditional Church, and may observe some number of cultural Jewish Traditions, but otherwise believes essentially the same as a gentile Christian and relies on the same Savior.

Are Jesus and Yeshua different people?

No; they are the same person. Jesus is an Anglo-Saxon name given to our Messiah by English speakers as a result of the Bible being translated from Hebrew and Greek into the European languages. Since He was born a Jew to Jewish parents in the Jewish Holy Land, He of course was given a Hebrew name (not an English name!) by his parents. His given name was Yeshua (Hebrew meaning God Saves). In Torah Class, we acknowledge both names as valid and acceptable but favor “Yeshua” as it is His real and original name in His own language and culture, and it is easily pronounceable by English speakers.

Is Yeshua (Jesus) God?

Yes, He is. Jesus is 100% God, and 100% man (a true mystery). He is one with the Father and the Holy Spirit. They are not separate “gods,” nor is the Father the “old god” and Yeshua the “new god”.

Does Torah Class stand with Israel?

Yes! We see Israel as God’s land, given as a permanent inheritance to the Israelites. Therefore, we affirm Israel as a Jewish State and that all the land described in the Bible as belonging to Israel still belongs to Israel alone, even if at the moment some of that land is either disputed or not fully in their possession.

Does Torah Class support Israel with ministries and money?

Yes, Torah Class supports 3 ministries directly connected to Israel through Seed of Abraham Ministries’s Family of 5. Holyland Marketplace is an online store that sells products made primarily by Believing Jews living in Israel. The store is not-for-profit, and all proceeds are used to benefit Israeli Believers. Seed of Abraham also has two ministries located in Israel. LoveIsrael.org operates a Messianic learning center in Ashdod and transmits Bible teachings on various cable and satellite TV stations in the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Russia, and America. Hope for Israel is located in Jerusalem and is staffed by Jewish Believers. It is a humanitarian mission designed to serve the Israeli people in a variety of ways—from offering Biblical proof of the Gospel for those who seek it to helping the needy, supporting soldiers in the IDF, providing scholarships for those who have finished their time in the IDF, and even building rocket-proof shelters for protection from enemy attacks.

Has the Church replaced Israel (replacement theology)?

No. The Church has joined Israel but has not replaced Israel. The “joining” that Paul calls “grafted in” (Romans 11) takes place on a spiritual level. Israel remains the apple of God’s eye and His chosen people: He has not rejected them in favor of the gentile Church. Israel remains at the center of God’s plan of redemption, and one of the proofs of this is their miraculous return to their homeland in 1948.

Is Torah Class and Seed of Abraham Ministries “two house”?

There is an erroneous doctrine floating about that says that because Israel was divided into two “houses,” one of those houses (called Ephraim) has become the gentile Church. We do NOT believe this as it is but a subtle form of Supersessionism (Replacement Theology). Rather, there is no doubt historically and biblically that Israel was split into two houses (the house of Judah and the house of Ephraim-Israel) after King Solomon died; and these 2 houses together make up the whole house of Israel. Ezekiel 37 explains that these 2 houses (consisting of Hebrews) shall remain separated by exile until the Jews return, and Israel is re-born as a nation (which has happened). Afterwards, the other house, Ephraim-Israel, will come to join them. This process is currently underway with many of the tribes of Ephraim returning now to Israel.

Welcome to Torah Class!

Do you want more in your journey with God?
Are you a serious follower of Messiah and a true student of the Bible?
Do you want to graduate from milk to meat?

Torah Class is not designed for Seekers—although many Seekers have come, read, and listened to our studies and turned to the Lord as a result. Rather, Torah Class is designed for those who already have a relationship with Christ. Are you ready to know more about your faith and the deeper mysteries and truths that lay just under the surface? Do you want to reinvigorate your walk with God, even after years or decades as a dedicated Believer? God’s truth is our goal—NOT the teaching of manmade doctrines and traditions.

Register For Free

Begin your journey of knowledge and inspiration by registering. Registration is free, easy, and takes only a few seconds to set up your personal account. The only information that you will give to us is your email address (which is your username) and a password that you create. Your password is encrypted and stored digitally: we have no access to it. Registration gives you access to all lessons and resources on the entire TorahClass.com website—nothing is held back! But you do have to REGISTER in order to have access to our content. Be aware that you will receive occasional emails from any of our Family of 5 Ministries (see below)—emails that we think you’ll look forward to. Don’t worry, you won’t be slammed with emails; and we won’t give your email address to anyone. However, if you unsubscribe your email address, your registration will automatically terminate; and you will lose access to Torah Class lessons. We believe that receiving a few emails each month is a small price to pay for the free treasure trove of Godly learning that is available.

Meet Our Bible Teachers

Your Registration gives you access to the Scriptural research, commentary, and works of renowned Bible Teachers: Tom Bradford and Baruch Korman, Ph.D. (sometimes referred to as R Baruch). Some Torah Class lessons are topical, while others are exegetical, in-depth, and multi-faceted verse-by-verse Bible studies. New lessons are added every week and can be streamed or downloaded. Go at your own pace; listen, read, or watch from your favorite device—even in your car or during air travel!

  • Tom Bradford’s lessons are available in multiple formats: video, MP3 audio, and text manuscripts. Each lesson also includes a companion slide show presentation that helps to guide you through the lesson and provides colorful maps, illustrations, and other graphical teaching aids. Podcasts are also available on iTunes.
  • Baruch Korman’s lessons are mostly available in video format, while some are offered only as MP3 audio.

If you wish to go through entire Bible books, select the lessons of Tom Bradford. An average Bible book study will consist of around 35 lessons (some more and some fewer depending on the length of the Bible book). Each lesson is around 45 minutes in length. It is important to start at the beginning to get the most from these lessons. While it is fine to select a particular book you are interested in to study, the better way is to begin with Lesson 1 of Genesis and progress through each lesson and book in their Biblical sequence. Don’t skip any lessons and don’t skip around. Each lesson builds upon the previous lessons, and each book builds upon the previous books. New concepts and information are added step by step. In Bible study, context is everything. Please be aware that we do not have lessons on every Bible book. What you see listed is what we have. However, the library is continuously growing!

Baruch Korman has some lessons that are stand-alone and others that are taught in a series of lessons. Some lessons are topical, and others are exegetical Bible study.

Check Out Some Additional Resources

Be sure to explore the Torah Class website to find Articles written by guest authors, a list of study Resources, and more. You will also find specials events listed (such as Biblical Feast celebrations) that you may like to attend at our Congregation in Merritt Island, Florida. Check the home page regularly for updates!

Use Torah Class For Your Needs

Are you a home group, a Bible Study fellowship, or perhaps a house church? Torah Class materials are used by thousands of individuals and home groups worldwide. Watch a video on your TV; listen to an audio on an iPad, smartphone, or any other device; and download and use it all for free.

Are you a Synagogue, Church, Sunday School, Christian School, or Bible College? Yes, Torah Class materials are regularly used there as well. Use them as a reference or basis for a sermon or Bible study. Download, print, and reproduce the manuscripts; and hand them out—no limit. Project the HD quality videos on your lecture hall screen, and play the MP3 audios through your sound system. It’s all free. Please note that our material is copyrighted and that you should review our Copyright terms at the bottom of our home page.

Everything that TorahClass.com offers is online: we do not send printed materials through the mail.

Meet Our Family of 5 Ministries

TorahClass.com is one of 5 ministries under Seed of Abraham Ministries. The other 4 are: Holyland Marketplace, Seed of Abraham Fellowship, LoveIsrael.org, and Hope for Israel.

Why is everything free? That’s an easy one! We exist to serve the Kingdom of God as He has directed us, and we think that it is time that the deep truths of God’s Word are made available to all, outside of the hallowed walls of our finest Theological and Bible schools where only a select few have access.

Take Your First Step

That’s it. That’s all there is to it. Now, Register for free; and start learning God’s Word and absorbing inspirational Biblical topics from an authentic, scholarly, and user-friendly original-language and cultural perspective. Understand God’s Word as though you were there when it was first given.

When in doubt, start at the beginning: Lesson 1 of Genesis. Torah Class studies will expand your understanding and enhance your relationship with the Lord. Are you ready for a life-changing experience with God? All it costs you is your time.

~TorahClass.com. This is Real. Bible. Study.

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