The Big Picture

Shalom Chaverim, and Chag Sameach (Happy Upcoming Holiday):

As we busy in preparation for Pesach at kehilat Ahavat Ammi (and there is so much to prepare) in the last few days, as we are getting ready to pesach, i asked myself the question of, how are we to observe Pesach, Shabbat, the holidays and feasts in the way that give Hashem honor.

It seems to be a repeating theme in the messianic movement that people are getting "caught up" in one detail, or another , yet they are missing the "big picture" of these appointed times.

The question is, what gives? Can we be in the 21st century in our current society in a place that we can live such a life of Tzadka that allow us not to make any compromises on our standards?

Before answering this complex question, let me state that that the concept of "Tzadka", is not a "black or white" question. Tzadka is a relative term. I would like to speak about Tzadka in three (3) relative concepts:

1. Earthly Tzadka Is relative and can be reached

ט אֵלֶּה, תּוֹלְדֹת נֹחַ--נֹחַ אִישׁ צַדִּיק תָּמִים הָיָה, בְּדֹרֹתָיו: אֶת-הָאֱלֹהִים, הִתְהַלֶּךְ-נֹחַ.
9 These are the generations of Noah. Noah was in his generations a man righteous and whole-hearted; Noah walked with God.

The idea of Tzadka, is realtive as Noach was a "Tzadik in this generation", the sages understood that since the generation was so wicked, it is as he was a full tzadik in the eye of Hashem

2. A complete Tzadka can never be gained

Rabbi Shaul Quoted from Kohelet 7 as it states:
כ כִּי אָדָם, אֵין צַדִּיק בָּאָרֶץ--אֲשֶׁר יַעֲשֶׂה-טּוֹב, וְלֹא יֶחֱטָא.
20 For there is not a righteous man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.

Why would the Torah (and the brit Hachadash) would quote this verse? Aren't we all Tzadikim because of Yeshua? We cannot be a 'full Tzadikim' even if we try really hard. The only complete Tzadik is Yeshua.

3. The Torah stated "צדק צדק תרדפו" which means "Righoutsness Righoutness you shall persue". The Goal in the life of he believer is try his best level of "full tzadka", but he/she will never reach it.

These three important concepts are so important as we sometimes feel like we can live a full tzadka lives which is virtually impossible. Sadly, we start to define tzadka by a certain set of G-d laws that fit our lifestyles, and fit our idea of Tzadka, and this now become our new standards.

Is it really a Tzadka to "rest on the shabbat" (a mitzvah) but at the same time to break the "assembly of fellowship of believers" (Hebrews) which is also a Mitzvah.

Is it really a Tzadka not be join the body for Pesach (a mitzvah) in order to keep an unclear mitzvah of having somebody else work in Pesach?

I simply suggesting that in our society, some boundaries, and framework have to be put in place in order to pursue Tzadka that is not ours, and really belong to him. May we continue to pursue Yeshua's full tzadka, but may we do it with compassion, love, and the humility of our messiah.

Chag Sameach,

Messianic Rabbi
Tzahi Shapira