Keeping the Law

I have been reading a book called, "Chofetz Chaim, A Lesson a Day - The Concepts and Laws of Proper Speech Arranged for Daily Study" by Rabbi Shimon Findelman and Rabbi Yitzchak Berkowitz. The reading for day #168, titled, "Taking Hold of the Tree" begins by saying "The Torah is called a 'tree of life for those who grasp it'. The way to grab onto a tree is to take hold of one of its branches; in so doing, one has attached himself to the entire tree of which this branch is a part.'

Now as you may have noticed, the authors are Jewish, and I do not believe that they are followers of Jesus. But they are dedicated to following the teachings of the Tanach (which includes the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings - our Old Testament). Chofetz Chaim was apparently a man who stood out among his fellowmen in his dedication in applying the Words of Scripture to his life, and it would have been an honor to have met him in his lifetime.

When I read the reading for day 168, however, I could not help but think about how Jesus said that He is the Vine - we are the branches.

First of all, I wonder - since we are the branches - if someone makes contact with us, attaching themselves to us in fellowship, presupposing that we are in right relationship with the Father and our faith in Jesus is sound, this should lead them to Jesus Himself. Just as Chofetz Chaim said that when someone grabs onto a branch of a tree, they are attaching themselves to the whole tree of which that branch is a part.

Secondly, I thought of the difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Old Testament actually contained 613 commandments - not just the 10 we know today in the gentile world. Concerning these 613, Chofetz Chaim said, "The way to attach oneself to the 613 mitzvos is by fulfilling one particular mitzvah with exacting precision and total dedication. Dedicaton and attachment to a single commandment will cause one's soul to become united with Hashem and His Torah and will lead to a proper fulfillment of other mitzvos as well."

The writing for day 168 goes on to say, "One who will dedicate himself to the meticulous observance of these laws in all their fine details, in all situations and under all conditions, will thereby take hold of a branch of the Tree of Life and merit reward that no angel can fathom."

I guess so! I don't know if that is possible! Meticulous observance . . .in all the fine details. .under all conditions. . .in all situations! Oh my goodness!

I thought of something Paul said that seems to me is accurate. It is written that if a person breaks even one point of the law, they broke the whole law! No one except Jesus has been able to say they have never sinned. Jesus has fulfilled all the requirements of the law. He has received a "reward that no angle can fathom." As a believer in Jesus, we are partakers with Him in His inheritance. No wonder the Bible calls it "good news". I thought, "It is actually almost unbelievable," when we consider what we have been given in Him. He fulfilled the Law. When we wholeheartedly believe in Him and live a life in response to what He has done for us, then His righteousness is transferred to us. He kept the law, "in all its fine details, in all situations and under all conditions."

We owe Him our gratitude and love. We could never do it ourselves, so He did it for us! That is good news.