Searching for and Exterminating the Amaleki
By Isaac Aluochier
[Author's note: The following article is a response to questions raised by a serious student of the Holy Scriptures.]
COMMANDMENTS FOR DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
Shalom Shabbat Brother Isaac,
Thank you very much for your response, which I find to be addressing the heart of the issue. As for the blood covenants, I make a distinction between being fulfilled and being obsolete. The former meaning a vicarious (proxy) observance and the latter being a cancellation. I agree with you that they were never cancelled or done away with, but I wonder how they are to be observed today. I am not sure I understand what the observance of the sacrificial lamb today means in light of Calvary. That is why I am seeking to understand. I am not even sure the blood covenants idea is correct. It is the model that makes most sense so far. It addresses the issues of mildew purification, menstrual and other bodily discharge halakhah, among others. It addresses the circumcision, killing of beasts and killing of sinners, among others.
COMMANDMENTS FOR DIFFERENT GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
As for halakhah applying to different geographical areas of the planet...I am not convinced that Yahshua sent His talmidim (students) to propagate different halakhah for different regions. If Yahshua intended it, I don't know of any evidence to support it. The Netzarim halakhah (which was most likely Yahshua's halakhah) required minimum observance for the Goyim (Gentiles) on their sojourn to become Geyrim (disciples) regardless of where they lived. Now I do agree that there are those who may not be able to get to the temple to offer their sacrifices, but for them the observance of such a law was not done away with. They just understood that when the opportunity availed itself they should.
You asked, "Can you show me clearly where what I have said "contradicts" what Yah'shuah himself has said?
"Therefore go and make talmidim of all Goyim, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to 'obey everything' I have commanded you." Matt 28:19
Here "everything I have commanded you" includes the laws that contain His righteousness and the laws that do not contain His righteousness (I think!?).
I sincerely believe that we have a halakhah problem, that's why you have a website and writing some very pointed studies that need to be heard. I think both of us have been influenced too much by the Christian halakhah or its lack thereof. We have a working paradigm from which we approach the scriptures and oftentimes we try too hard to fit scriptures into that paradigm instead of allowing the scriptures to speak for themselves. I am guilty of this. The Babylonian ways that have infiltrated both the Christian and Judaism halakhah have sullied our understanding. In these last days Yahweh is calling His children out of Babylon and I believe the best way to understand it is to figure out what Yahshua's halakhah was and then start from there, taking into account the meaning of His death and resurrection to the halakhah. Again this is an issue I am struggling with and searching to understand. I don't think we are too far off though.
Thank you for a stimulating response. Again I do appreciate our discourse.
Shalom
Brother
Shalom Brother
Thanks for your letter of a day or two ago….
On the contents of your letter I see that we are not that far apart in our views. For my view is that those commands not containing Yahweh's righteousness are not necessary for performance for purposes of salvation, while your view appears to be that they are. To recall my earlier writing, you will remember that I said that Daniyel did not observe Yahweh's set feasts while he was in captivity in Babylon, yet he will be in Yahweh's kingdom. As Yahweh does not change, and does not show partiality, if he provides salvation for one who does not observe his set feasts at the appointed place, then he likewise provides salvation for another who also does not observe his set feasts at the appointed place. Only that both must do those commands of his that contain his righteousness, irrespective of their geographical dwelling place.
This is not to say that Yahweh's commands not containing his righteousness are not important and should therefore be disregarded. For any command Yahweh issues to an individual that individual must do, if Yahweh is indeed the Mighty One of that individual. For did not king Shaul lose Yahweh's Holy Spirit from dwelling in him because he rebelled from a command of Yahweh issued to him, a command not applicable to others such as you and me, that is to exterminate the Amaleki? But since we have not been so commanded as Shaul, we need not go searching for Amaleki to exterminate them. And by not searching for Amaleki and exterminating them we are surely not violating Yahweh's command. My point is that some commands, those not containing Yahweh's righteousness, are issued to some people and not to all people all over the world. Those issued with such commands must be compliant with them, for non-compliance is rebellion against Yahweh, and separates them from Yahweh. But those not so issued with such commands need not do them.
Proof of Contradiction Still Sought
What you will need to show me is how this "contradicts" Yah'shuah's command that his disciples go to all nations, making disciples of them, and teaching them to observe all things he commanded them. You therefore need to show me the commands Yah'shuah commanded his disciples that I am saying that disciples should not do. Then you will have shown me a "contradiction" or contradictions. But unless and until you do that, your assertion that my position "contradicts" Yah'shuah's command does not appear to hold water. And if you succeed in showing me this, and I am fortunately perceptive enough to see it, I will change my view and align it with that of Yah'shuah. As things stand at the moment I think that what I have said does not "contradict" Yah'shuah's words.
I look forward to hearing from you in due course.
Shalom
ISAAC
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