Book of the Shining Path

The Book of the Shining Path is an in depth study of the fundamental and mystical understandings of the doctrines of Messianic Judaism. This book is a fundamental work for Messianic Jews for now and for generations of our people, far into the future, until which time Rabbi King Messiah returns. This book introduces the mystical nature of Messianic Jewish doctrine, as well as exploring understandings which set Messianic Judaism apart from other movements in Judaism as well as the Hebrew-root Christian movements.

The Book of the Shining Path explores the various levels of Torah understanding:

Peshat - "simple understanding" of the text without embellishments. All other levels of understanding must agree with this simple understanding of the Torah. Any interpretation which contradicts the simple understanding of Torah is either not understood or incorrect. Peshat is the foundation upon which all other knowledge and forms of interpretation are built.

Derash - "extrapolation" of understanding by exploring alternate meanings or extended meanings of words, phrases, and context. Most ministers and rabbis use derash for their weekly sermons. The expanded perceptions of derash have been the basis for many intense Bible studies and arguments.

Remez - "hinting at" other scripture references. Portions of Torah remind us of other parts of Torah or sacred writings. Frequently, better teachers will quote part of a verse that is elsewhere in the Bible and thereby convey volumes of information with few words. Yeshua used remez when talking to Nicodemus.

Sod - "hidden" study of the not-so-obvious aspects of the text. Some of these aspects include homilies, gamatria (numeric value of words), alternate Aleph-Bet set, equidistant spacing, meanings of the letter in context, mystical shapes of the letters, and more. At first glance, some of these techniques of extracting supernatural information from the Torah seem like a far reach. Once one has come to understand the Torah, having done more than just read it once or twice, the sod level of understanding can be seen.

In the Book of the Shining Path, Rabbi ben Ya'ocov also teaches about the foundational principles of Messianic Judaism which are as follows:

- repentance from dead works

- faith (trusting) toward G-d

- immersions (washings)

- s'mikah (laying on of hands for authority or other purposes such as healing)

- resurrection

- eternal judgment.

Rabbi Yehoiakin-Barukh ben Ya'ocov is the founder and director of Bet Doresh Messianic Jewish Ministries of New Mexico (www.betdoresh.org).

-- Jay Newcomb