Author Archives: Derek Leman

About Derek Leman

IT guy working in the associations industry. Formerly a congregational rabbi. Dad of 8. Nerd.

Messianic Jewish Musings Has Moved!!!

Posted on April 18, 2011 by Derek Leman

Messianic Jewish Musings has moved as of April 18, 2011. Old posts and comments will remain here and will also be ported to the new site. New comments (even on old posts) should be made at the new site. To … Continue reading →

Posted in Messianic Jewish | 16 Comments

PODCAST: Narrow Door – Yeshua in Context

Posted on April 15, 2011 by Derek Leman

Luke 13 is in a section about the messianic prophet on his way to Jerusalem. The conflict is mounting. There is a conflict with the powers of illness and demonic possession. Yeshua is defeating them. Another conflict is building with … Continue reading →

Posted in Yeshua, Yeshua In Context | 2 Comments

Hidden things are happening

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Derek Leman

This is sort of random. I just enjoyed the thought that came to me about Luke 13:18-21. How do these retellings of the mustard seed and leaven parables fit with vss. 1-21? Luke Timothy Johnson’s commentary helped me see the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Yeshua, Yeshua In Context | 1 Comment

God-Stories vs. Godless Stories

Posted on April 14, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’m reading Patrick Rothfuss’s The Name of the Wind, a very well written novel in the fantasy genre (a genre I love and which I am writing in as you can see here). One his little side stories made me … Continue reading →

Posted in Atheism, Faith | 11 Comments

MJ About to Get a Media Boost!

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Derek Leman

New partnerships have been planned for over six months and are about to appear on the scene Monday, April 18 (the day of preparation for Passover). Messianic Jewish Musings is moving. Messianic Judaism is going to start getting a boost … Continue reading →

Posted in messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | 2 Comments

The 2011 Passover Palooza of Information!

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Derek Leman

Passover is a biggie. We’ve had lots of articles here already about Passover. And people have plenty of Passover questions. This annual Passover Palooza is a way for you to get tons of info and links to resources all in … Continue reading →

Posted in Messianic Jewish | 4 Comments

Moshe Sharon

Posted on April 12, 2011 by Derek Leman

He commented here a few times yesterday. You can click on his name where it appears on his comments to see his blog. A very quick peek suggests he is a person who dabbles in alternative health mixed with kabbalah. … Continue reading →

Posted in messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | 4 Comments

Biblical Glimpses Into Mystical Horizons

Posted on April 11, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’m giving a Skype lecture Wednesday night to a small group in Texas about mysticism and the Bible. So, naturally, my mind is on the subject this week and I’m putting down some rather random notes. Glimpses into mystical horizons … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Mysticism | 13 Comments

Ways a Bad Translation Can Goof You Up

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Derek Leman

I was teaching yesterday at congregation. I do an interactive hour of teaching every week after the shacharit (morning prayer) service. The subject was Luke 8. I was talking about how you can see over Luke’s shoulders to an issue … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | 8 Comments

PODCAST: Faith in Waiting – Yeshua in Context

Posted on April 8, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’m wondering if we can look over Luke’s shoulder as he orders and shapes the storytelling in Luke 8. Does he order and shape these very familiar stories in a pattern that sends a message to the community in his … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Gospel, Yeshua In Context | 1 Comment

Debunking Three Common Bible Myths

Posted on April 7, 2011 by Derek Leman

These myths are so prevalent, they just keep getting repeated. Myth #1: Abba means “daddy,” and is a term of childhood endearment. Myth #2: The high priest on Yom Kippur went into the Holy of Holies with a rope tied … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible | 14 Comments

“Knowledge” Transcending Knowledge

Posted on April 6, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’m giving a Skype seminar next Wednesday to a small group in Texas. With the cost of airline travel and gasoline, it only makes sense for a small group to find an alternative. I’m interested to see how it all … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Discipleship, Faith, Mysticism | Leave a comment

CLASSIC REPRINT: Hidden Meaning in the Passover Haggadah

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Derek Leman

Reading Lawrence Hoffman’s historical commentary on the Haggadah in My People’s Passover Haggadah is always a joy. My People’s Passover Haggadah (MPPH) has commentary from many angles by different contributors: biblical, theological, midrashic, medieval commentators, modern haggadot, feminist, spirituality, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, Passover | 1 Comment

Also Messiah of the High & Mighty

Posted on April 5, 2011 by Derek Leman

On the Yeshua in Context blog, I explore the not-so-poor-and-lowly among Yeshua’s disciples and those he served. Preview: Don’t forget also the woman with the issue of blood (as the King James has immortalized her in Mark 5:25). She had … Continue reading →

Posted in Discipleship, Yeshua In Context | Leave a comment

Why is Passover so Christian-ly Popular?

Posted on April 4, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’m not sure when the practice started, the practice of churches inviting in Jewish-Christian speakers to talk about Passover and the Last Supper of Jesus. I’m guessing that it sort of started with Jews for Jesus in the 70’s. I … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, Holidays, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Passover, The Cross | 2 Comments

The Lead Codices Aren’t … They Just Aren’t

Posted on April 2, 2011 by Derek Leman

They are not long lost texts that will redefine the meaning of Jesus’ death. They are not a find to rival the Dead Sea Scrolls. There is a chance they may turn out to be something quite significant — but … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Bible, History | 6 Comments

Future Hope vs. Present Distress

Posted on March 31, 2011 by Derek Leman

Mark tells the story of Yeshua focused on future hope. Luke tells the story of Yeshua focused on present distress. What I mean is this: in Mark’s gospel, we see the theme of the identity of the veiled Son of … Continue reading →

Posted in Faith, Yeshua, Yeshua In Context | Leave a comment

Not the God of Death, Part 2

Posted on March 30, 2011 by Derek Leman

As I said in Part 1: there are two things God won’t have near his sanctuary. One of them is sin. The other is death. The meaning of “purification” in Leviticus is an interesting study. The classic scholar on the … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Death, Sacrifices and Purity | Leave a comment

Jewish Names in Yeshua’s Time

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Derek Leman

I wrote up a summary at the Yeshua in Context blog that many Messianic Jewish Musings readers will find interesting. What were the most popular names in Galilee and Judea in Yeshua’s time? Richard Bauckham’s Jesus and the Eyewitnesses is … Continue reading →

Posted in Yeshua In Context | Leave a comment

Passover: A “Captivity and Freedom” Seder

Posted on March 29, 2011 by Derek Leman

As I have said in previous posts, it is good to: (1) cut the haggadah short in some way at your Passover Seders and (2) have multiple Seders during Passover week (or even some Seder-anticipation meals before, but without Passover … Continue reading →

Posted in Holidays, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Passover | 2 Comments

Not the God of Death, Part 1

Posted on March 28, 2011 by Derek Leman

There are two things God won’t have near his sanctuary. One of them is sin. The other is death. Ironically, the priestly and sanctuary laws of Leviticus have been slandered in church history as burdens given to an obstinate people … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Death, Sacrifices and Purity | 1 Comment

Yeshua in Context PODCAST: Jewish Jesus

Posted on March 25, 2011 by Derek Leman

Listen here (or subscribe to “Yeshua in Context” on iTunes). Read the transcript here. Some see him as the “first Christian.” That is an interesting way of putting it. No one, as far as I know, actually uses that terminology. … Continue reading →

Posted in Yeshua In Context | 1 Comment

MessianicJudaism.me . . . Pre-Announcement

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Derek Leman

Something new this way comes. It will arrive in April. And Messianic Jewish Musings will be moving there. But the old posts and images and links will all still be here. You won’t have to change any links you currently … Continue reading →

Posted in Derek's Writings | Leave a comment

Liturgy, Some Scattered Thoughts

Posted on March 24, 2011 by Derek Leman

My experience last Sunday at an Episcopal church near Memphis has me thinking about liturgy. I did not grow up in either a Christian or a Jewish context. In my faith journey, I came to a Southern Baptist church as … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Worship | 2 Comments

Communion Under the Anglo Jesus

Posted on March 22, 2011 by Derek Leman

God has friends and servants in all kinds of places. The face of Messiah looks different and yet the same. I’ve had a number of encounters with beautiful people and communities on the road recently. Humble shepherds, selfless servants, devoted … Continue reading →

Posted in Christian, Faith | 34 Comments