Category Archives: ethics

Poor in Spirit

Posted on March 15, 2011 by Derek Leman

How important is it to interpret a biblical text well? Obsession with details of theology, which is at least close to the same thing as obsession with a good interpretation of a sacred text, has been compared to speculating about … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, ethics, Faith, Gospel, Life to Come, Messianic Jewish, Yeshua, Yeshua In Context | 1 Comment

A Very Moving Blog by Gene Shlomovich

Posted on February 25, 2011 by Derek Leman

On baseless hatred as the cause for the Second Temple’s destruction and relating it all to Yeshua’s suffering. http://dailyminyan.wordpress.com/2011/02/25/why-was-the-second-temple-destroyed/

Posted in ethics, Yeshua | Leave a comment

PODCAST: Yeshua in Context – What Defiles

Posted on January 21, 2011 by Derek Leman

I’ve always thought that Mark 7:15 was one of the most penetrating, well-phrased, to the heart of the matter statements of what Yeshua stood for. It’s not what comes from the outside that defiles. It’s what comes out of you. … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, ethics, Yeshua, Yeshua In Context | Leave a comment

A Very Non-Expert Introduction to Mussar

Posted on December 27, 2010 by Derek Leman

I spent the later part of the afternoon yesterday meeting with a friend and congregant to compare notes and discuss Mussar. Mussar is a movement coming out of Lithuania in the 19th century. Mussar is about working on the improvement … Continue reading →

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

A Richer Messianic Judaism, Pt 2

Posted on August 25, 2010 by Derek Leman

In my first post on this topic, I noted that I have been reading some blog conversations about movements amongst post-evangelical Christians. A number of movements have grown up in the last decade from evangelical Christianity to something deeper and … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, Christian, ethics, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Vine of David | 5 Comments

Lydia: A Lesson in Wealth

Posted on August 23, 2010 by Derek Leman

I write a daily commentary on the readings from Chumash (the five books of Torah) and the gospels. It is a sort of Messianic Jewish equivalent to the many fine Jewish services commenting online about the Chumash (perhaps the best … Continue reading →

Posted in Bible, ethics, Gospel, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | 2 Comments

Men Without Chests

Posted on May 17, 2010 by Derek Leman

I’m having a little revival of C.S. Lewis reading. I just reorganized by Lewis bookshelf last night and ordered a few new books (note to my congregational bookkeeper: I paid for these books myself). So, it has been many years … Continue reading →

Posted in C.S. Lewis, ethics, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | 1 Comment

J-BOM: Extremism in Pirkei Avot?

Posted on April 28, 2010 by Derek Leman

J-BOM stands for Jewish Book of the Month Club and is a term coined by young MJ blogger Yahnatan Lasko for a movement of bloggers and readers working through great Jewish books together. The April selection is Visions of the … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | Tagged Abraham Twerski, J-BOM, Pirkei Avot | 2 Comments

Tzedaka (Almsgiving)

Posted on April 22, 2010 by Derek Leman

About ten years ago at a UMJC Conference morning minyan (gathering for prayer), I remember being puzzled by a box that was put out for those participating to make donations to charity. Someone said this was an aid to prayer, … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | Tagged Almsgiving, Tzedaka | 2 Comments

J-BOM: Striving for the Ethical Life

Posted on April 14, 2010 by Derek Leman

Posted in Bible, Christian, ethics, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Torah | Tagged Abraham Twerski, J-BOM, Pirkei Avot | 3 Comments

J-BOM: The Ethical and Wise Path

Posted on April 8, 2010 by Derek Leman

Posted in ethics, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism, Talmud and Tradition | Tagged Abraham Twerski, J-BOM, Pirkei Avot | 14 Comments

Ethics of Speech, by Ramban

Posted on January 20, 2010 by Derek Leman

I recently bought A Letter for the Ages (Iggeres HaRamban): The Ramban’s Ethical Letter. This is a short (3 pages in English) letter that Nahmanides (a.k.a. Ramban) wrote to his son. I will likely share brief excerpts from time to … Continue reading →

Posted in ethics, Judaism, messianic, Messianic Jewish, Messianic Judaism | Tagged Iggeres HaRamban, Nahmanides, Ramban | 3 Comments