ADAR 15
Clean
“Blessed are the
clean in heart, because they shall see Elohim.” (Mat 5:8)
To
someone who is a Torah-observant Jew, the concept of being ‘pure’, as some translations
word this verse, is one of being ceremonially ‘clean’, according to the laws
laid out for us in the Torah. We have
instructions concerning clean (or Kosher) foods we may consume, found for us is
Leviticus chapter 11, as well as Deuteronomy chapter 14; these foods are tahor (Strong’s H2889), or clean. In Leviticus 10:8-11, we find instructions
given to the priests concerning ministering in the Tabernacle/Temple while
intoxicated; this is just one example that brings about a state of uncleanness,
or ṭâmê' (Strong’s H2931).
Being ‘pure’, or ‘clean’, has little to do with whether or not we took a
bath; it does have everything to do
with whether or not we have allowed ourselves to become contaminated, thus
becoming ‘impure’ or ‘unclean’.
Someone
who is ‘clean in heart’ is one who has not allowed corruption and defilement in
any form to affect their relationship with the Creator. The heart is the seat of our soul, our
emotions, and we are told to guard it diligently (Pro 4:23) – why do we suppose
that is? Because it is easily defiled,
becoming ‘unclean’. The one who strives with everything in
them to live according to Torah, not because they have to, but out of love and a desire to obedient – this is the one
who is ‘clean in heart’.
“Who does go up into the mountain of יהוה? And who does stand in His set-apart place? He who has innocent
hands and a clean heart, Who did not bring his life to naught, And did not
swear deceivingly. He receives a blessing from יהוה, And righteousness from the Elohim of his deliverance.” (Ps 24:3-5)
“With the clean You
show Yourself clean; And with the crooked You show Yourself twisted.” (Ps 18:26)
©2021
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