Your Daily Slice

 

ADAR 15

Clean

 

“Blessed are the clean in heart, because they shall see Elohim.” (Mat 5:8 ISR)

 

To someone who is Jewish, 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 through carnal, selfish or earthly desires, 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 is ‘clean in heart’ is 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.

 

“Who may go up on the mountain of Adonai? `Who may stand in His holy place? One with clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully. He will receive a blessing from Adonai, righteousness from God his salvation.” (Ps 24:3-5 TLV)

“With the clean You show Yourself clean; And with the crooked You show Yourself twisted.” (Ps 18:26 ISR)

 

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