Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus; a book review

I was recently offered the opportunity to read and review this newly released book, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith, co-written by two Christian women who are both wonderfully inspiring teachers themselves, Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg. I am thankful to Ms. Tverberg for this privilege, as it has been a joy to read of her own journey towards God, and to share in some of the priceless discoveries she and Ann have made along the way as they’ve (obviously) been sitting at the feet of Jesus. I’m honored to now have this opportunity to share a bit about it with others.

Where to start? I found myself unable to sit down with this book without a pencil to make notes or underline with! It’s one of those rare books where it seemed like I just had to highlight just about every other line I read- seriously! And as I read,  it crossed my mind more than a few times how enjoyable this book was to simply relax with. With all of its otherwise interesting content aside, these ladies are just great writers, which makes a big difference as to whether or not I actually finish a book! Also, I love the way that the book is laid out- transitions from one venue of thought to another are very organized and cohesive. It just flows well, which is important when an author is covering so much ground! Also, even though a lot of historical/contextual territory is covered, this book is SO NOT dry, nor choppy with its presentation. I never felt overwhelmed or bogged down with information.

With an ongoing interest of the last ten years in studying and learning about the Hebraic roots of my own Christian faith, the title intrigued me immediately. Consequently, when I found out from Ms. Tverberg that the book was co-edited by Dr. Marvin Wilson, author of Our Father Abraham, I knew that this book was going to be not only doctrinally sound, but well-researched, historically accurate, and just plain-out good! Then when I also realized that Ms. Tverberg is a co-founder of the En-Gedi Resource Center, I was doubly pleased. I’ve read quite a few articles from that site and have been so blessed by them over the years. Some of you may also be familiar with some of the many other books that Mrs. Spangler has written.

However, even with all of my anticipation as I eagerly awaited its arrival in the mail, I was still taken by surprise as I read it. These ladies make a great writing team!! Before I continue on with my lengthy review, I’d like to mention that at the bottom of this post are directions as to how you can win your own FREE copy of this book. Now, on with this review, in which I’m certain that I will not do this book justice, which is why you’ll just have to read it for yourself!

I found myself wondering over new discoveries and beautifully glimmering nuggets of insight I found, even within the first few pages… and then continuing throughout every. single. chapter! For the record, I’ve read quite a bit of literature in this field of study over the years, but I am so excited to see another credible/balanced book that expounds on this most important topic- the Jewishness of Jesus and why it matters – enter the mainstream Christian market. Sharing these fascinating truths is a cause which has grown consistently more near and dear to my heart, since learning about this stuff has had such a grounding impact on Chris and I’s faith over the last decade.

Learning more about the 1st Century Judaic world in which Jesus taught and the Hebraic mindset/cultural context of those to whom He spoke and interacted with will undoubtedly add wonderful new dimensions to your own understanding of His Word as you walk with the Rabbi Jesus. I’ve been amazed at all of the nuances of teachings my Westernized mind totally missed when I first read certain Scriptures, and how so many teachings in the Bible have now literally come alive with deeper meanings once I’ve learned more about the scene, all of the unspokens that the people that were there living in this culture, with a deep knowledge of God’s Torah just already knew and understood. Truly, I have been humbled and stirred to cry out to the Spirit for His wisdom and guidance, as I’ve been re-reminded of how very little of His Word I know. I’ve had lots of “A-ha!”, “Wow.” moments with this book…

As Christians we can never forget that the Bible – from Genesis through Revelation – is essentially a Jewish document. Once we begin to read it from a Jewish perspective, our experience of it will be transformed, as though we have just swapped an old black-and-white TV with its scratchy image for the latest flat screen, high-definition set. Suddenly the Bible takes on new depth and color as we read the familiar stories once again, but this time from the perspective of its original audience. ~ excerpted from “Why Focus on Jesus’ Jewishness?”, a subsection of Ch. 1, Joining Mary at the Feet of Jesus.

Having seen how enriched my own family’s spiritual journey has been as we’ve pursued God in this manner, I am so very thankful to have now found this wonderful resource to recommend to friends as a sort of Hebraic roots primer. In the last few years I’ve been on the look-out for a good one, and have recommended other books covering similar topics, ALL of which are WONDERFULLY written, great, scholarly books that I do/will still highly recommend… However, now, this shall be my first recommendation to those who ask for a place to start or from which to continue their own studies or are maybe looking for a way to add depth to their devotional time with the Lord Jesus, in an approachable, easily “digestible” manner.

Sometimes his references were obvious and sometimes subtle – only a word or two. In fact, there are times when knowing what Jesus doesn’t say becomes as important as knowing what he does say. In other words, the passages from which Jesus quoted provide background for understanding his meaning more fully. If we miss his reference, we may miss his point. ~ excerpted from “‘Hinting’ to the Scriptures”, a subsection of Ch. 3, Stringing Pearls. (Loved this chapter!!)

This ancient rabbinic concept of “stringing pearls”, which was employed by Jesus Himself as a teaching method, is explained in detail and I found it absolutely fascinating, as it offers such beautiful imagery and insights that one would otherwise most definitely miss as they read and meditate upon the Word. A few examples are given of how this particular approach rabbis often use(d) to teach (and rebuke) their talmidim (Hebrew for disciples/students) applied to a few instances in the Gospels that totally blew my spiritual socks off!

Yes, this book is truly that good, so manageable in the way it’s organized, thorough in its scope of topical introductions and uplifting in its approach, taking one’s hand like a gentle teacher bent on showing you an easily missed, though well worn path toward an unforgettable garden of ideas. And yet, as I can testify, this is no watered down version of scholarship either. I do believe that both Ann and Lois are truly gifted authors, who have managed to balance the technical aspects of so much tedious research with their casual, narrative storytelling-like manner of writing. I was truly captivated from the first page, as I walked along the road, behind the Rabbi, headed towards the home of Mary and Martha.

Female Students in the First Century Women were encouraged to sit in on the advanced discussions at the synagogue if they were able. A few even acquired the high level education required to contribute to rabbinic debates, and their words are still on record. Some restrictions on women, like separating men and women during worship, actually arose several centuries later. (A margin note from Ch. 1, Joining Mary at the Feet of Jesus, Footnotes included for reference in back of book.)

This is a gem of a book!! Numerous times as I read I was moved deeply, had to stop to ponder, pray, re-read to my husband, discuss and delightedly thank the Lord for using this book to re-ignite my (lately) tired mind and waning spirit. I am thankful to these two beautiful ladies for helping to fan into flame my own faithfulness, the gift of God within me…

It is a genuinely easy to read book, written on a subject of study that – albeit intriguing- is one that is often quite overwhelming and easy to bog down in (especially when you first begin to dig so deeply- ask me how I know?). As one begins to research, read and pursue the Scriptures within their historical context, one is faced early on with an almost (seemingly) insurmountable amount of new information to sort through and synthesize… Yet somehow Ann and Lois have managed to serve a wonderfully proportioned size of soul nourishing insights in an immensely engaging manner, approachable by the average reader/Believer curious to know more of where their spiritual heritage lies and what ramifications it may hold for their own daily lives. However, this book remains as academically sound and spiritually challenging as any of the other “harder” books I’ve read on this subject.

The book has 14 chapters, with each chapter having 3-5 subheadings. Also discussion questions and even project/activity ideas for further study/interaction are provided at the end of each chapter in a section appropriately subtitled “At the Feet of the Rabbi”. Chris and I are looking forward to re-reading this book again next year with our 13yo son and 10yo daughter as well, as a devotional reading in our homeschool, and then I’ll be sure and take the time to make the most of these thoughtfully offered suggestions with them.

Introduction

1. Joining Mary at the Feet of Jesus
2. Why a Jewish Rabbi?
3. Stringing Pearls
4. Following the Rabbi
5. Get Yourself Some Haverim
6. Rabbi, Teach Us to Pray
7. For Everything a Blessing
8. A Passover Discovery
9. Discovering Jesus in the Jewish Feasts
10. At Table with the Rabbi
11. Touching the Rabbi’s Fringe
12. Jesus and the Torah
13. The Mysterious Kingdom of God
14. Becoming True Disciples of Our Jewish Lord

Appendices A Prayers Jesus Prayed 211 B The Feasts 218 C Recommended Resources 222 D Glossary 226 Notes 234 Scripture Index 253 General Index 257

Sprinkled within the margins of this book are little shaded boxes full of interesting contextual tidbits, definitions and explanations which are very helpful. This was a really nice touch, glad they thought of it! It was nice to have these comprehension helps so accessible as I read (or reviewed!).

With today being the Eve of Passover, I thought that it would be fitting to share some from the eighth chapter, A Passover Discovery, with you all.

The Garden of Gethsemane by John Miller Watt

Have you ever wondered over how the disciples could have fallen asleep on that fateful night in the garden of Gethsemane, even after their Rabbi had twice asked them to keep vigil with him on the most challenging night of his life? Or maybe, like me, you’ve wondered over the fickleness of the Jewish crowd in Jerusalem who adored Jesus one week, praising Him with the waving of palm branches as he entered the city, and yet seemingly hated him the next, shouting “Crucify him!”?!  Louis Tverberg has made an excerpt, Under the Passover Moon, which is a sort of introduction to the rest of Ch. 8, entitled A Passover Discovery, available here on her blog. In it she touches on those ideas…

There is so very much more in the next three sections of this particular chapter as well, concerning the significance of this ancient Feast, “laden with messianic expectations and filled with prophetic significance”, which as recorded in the Gospel accounts, our Lord was so careful as to have His closest disciples make special preparations for, that He might share it with them one last time while here on earth… As Lois and Ann write later in the Passover chapter,

Knowing how the events of Jesus’ last week fit into the celebration of Passover shows us the tremendous significance of his death and resurrection.

The next four sections of this particular chapter are subtitled, Jesus’ Last Passover, The Bread of Passover, The Feast of Firstfruits, and Remembering Our Redemption. As you can imagine, there’s a lot of profoundly soul-stirring, faith-grounding insights here in this one chapter alone! Let me just share a taste with you, and then I’m going to have to make myself stop and wrap up this review, lest I write a book about it myself!

… Redemption did arrive on the very day they were looking for it, but it took a surprising shape. For God had engineered a far greater liberation than they had imagined – freedom not just for one people but for all people. And it was to be liberation not from the earthly power of a political enemy but from the sinister power of sin and death. During the Passover in Egypt, the Israelites had been instructed to mark their doorframes with the blood of a lamb so that the Lord would pass over them when judgment came. Interestingly, the rabbis marveleed at how the blood of a mere sheep could protect people from God’s judment. They commented that God must have seen the “blood of Isaac” on the doorposts- meaning that God remembered Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Remembering it, he spared his people. How close they were! What they did not realize was that when God saw Abraham’s son Isaac, he saw his own Son, Jesus, who would one day sacrifice himself out of loving obedience to his Father. On the first Passover, God freed his people by taking the life of the firstborn sons of Egypt. Many centuries later, God made salvation possible for all who would accept it by giving the life of his firstborn Son. ~ excerpted from Jesus’ Last Passover, a subsection of Ch. 8.

The Passover Lamb by Frederick T. Heath

… Jewish scholar David Daube has pointed out that another significant meaning was given to the bread Jesus broke. He says that Jesus held up a piece of matzah and broke off a special piece called the afikomen, which was then hidden away. At the end of the meal the afikomen was brought out and then broken and eaten by all the participants. Still today this is done, but the explanations vary as to why- …

… But Daube asserts that in Jesus’ time, the afikomen referred to “the coming one”, meaning the longed-for Messiah. The tradition was that the whole piece of matzah represented all of Israel, and that the Messiah was “broken off” from the people and hidden away. The appearance of the piece a the end was symbolic of the coming of the Messiah, fervently expected at the time of Jesus. When Jesus held up that particular piece of bread and said, “this is my body”, he was making a shocking claim to be the Messiah, the Christ. Daube believes that rabbies later downplayed the messianic nature of this ritual because of the poor relationship that developed between Christians and Jews. ~ excerpted from The Bread of Passover, a subsection of Ch. 8

Get the book! I highly recommend that you get yourself a copy asap (Be sure and enter the give-away!), move it to the top of your reading list, and read it! Then get yourself some haverim (Hebrew for friend, but so much more too- read the book!) and share what the Lord reveals to you as you continue to walk with Him. I’d love to hear your thoughts as you read it too, so please share them! I hope that you are refreshed and renewed in your own pursuit of the Rabbi, our Messiah Jesus… I know that I’ve spent more time sitting at His feet for having read it these last couple of weeks… But don’t simply take my word for it, check out the endorsements of these well-known and highly respected authors and scholars of the Bible and Judeo-Christian studies found here.

Ann Spangler has also made a PDF of Chapter 1 from Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus available on her website, along with the book’s Table of Contents and the Introduction, all available for free download and reading by clicking here.

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN WIN A FREE COPY OF THIS BOOK, SIGNED BY Ms. TVERBERG, FOR YOURSELF:

1. Comment here (you must comment on this post to win).
2. Twitter about this contest and then comment again to let me know (you must leave one comment per entry).
3. Email your buddies and CC me. My email address is bethDOTbrewcrewATgmailDOTcom. Then comment again.

You may enter once per day, per method. In other words, one plain comment, one Twitter, one Email – per day (that adds up to 3 different options per day). You have a week! Entries must be received by Wed., April 15th- midnight, Eastern standard time. You must provide your address to me as well so that I can let Lois know where to send the book!

I’ll announce the winner on Thursday, April 17th. One random winner will be chosen per Random.org by comment number.

Thanks for reading this long review, and entering our give-away. There’s still so much more I’d like to share and discuss from this book, and will probably still continue writing more about my own grapplings as I continue to interact with it over at my own blog. I pray that the LORD will multiply the efforts of these authors and their readers, for the fruit from this book in the lives of those who read it shall surly be good and plentiful. Honestly, though curious, I did not expect to be this impressed, renewed and refreshed upon my reading of this (new favorite) book of mine! OH! what a surprise I was in for… I sincerely do hope that you will take the time to read this book for yourself, since as you can see, my review here is also a hearty recommendation!

Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith

By: Ann Spangler, Lois Tverberg

Publisher: Zondervan Publishing Copyright: 2009

Synopsis from Zondervan: Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus takes readers on a fascinating journey, helping them discover how learning about the Jewish world of Jesus can enrich their own faith. By exploring the land, culture, customs, prayers, and feasts, Ann Spangler and Lois Tverberg help readers to perceive Jesus through the eyes and ears of first-century Jews.   Click for product description and details

ISBN: 0310284228,  ISBN-13: 9780310284222

Pages: 208 plus several appendixes and index, 272 altogether

Pore over it again and again, for everything is contained in it; look into it, grow old and gray over it, and do not depart form it, forthere is no better pursuit for you than this. Mishnah, Pirke Avot 5.27- On studying the Scriptures (first century A.D.)

Embracing the adventure,

Tagged as: book reviews, Christianity, Hebraic roots, product review, reviews, Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus