“How many a man has dated a new era in his life from the reading of a book! The book exists for us, perchance, that will explain our miracles and reveal new ones. The at present unutterable things we may find somewhere uttered. These same questions that disturb and puzzle and confound us have in their turn occurred to all the wise men; not one has been omitted; and each has answered them according to his ability, by his word, and his life.“
~ Henry David Thoreau
Hebraic Roots Books
Here I’ve compiled a list of books I’ve read on my favorite subject; studying the Word of God within the context of its Hebraic culture and history. I’ve only begun this journey of learning more about Christianity’s Hebraic heritage about ten years ago. I’d like to recommend the following books to you, many of which I need to re-read myself- this time with my kids!
- Sitting at the Feet of Rabbi Jesus: How the Jewishness of Jesus Can Transform Your Faith Loved it, using it as a devotional in our homeschool! To read my review of this book, click here.
- The Miracle of the Scarlet Thread This book helped me to understand the crucial concept of covenant in a way that only a thorough look at the ancient customs of the Jewish priesthood can. Offers greater understanding of the work our High Priest accomplished for us in establishing the New Covenant. We’ll be using this book in our homeschool study of the Tabernacle.
- Family Sanctuary: Restoring the Biblically Hebraic Home & Other books by Dr. John Garr Lisa shared a great little review of this book over at her blog.
- A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays This wonderful book has been our most valuable standby for many years now. Next to my Bible, it is my most cherished and used homeschooling resource. Finding it was truly a milestone and a beacon for our family. I’ve read it and drawn inspiration from it year after year…
- Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith
- The Letter Writer: Paul’s Background and Torah Perspective
- Our Lost Legacy: Christianity’s Hebrew Heritage
- Torah Rediscovered: Challenging Centuries of Misinterpretation and Neglect This was the first book I read on this subject, excellent and chock full of challenging insights. It caused me to fall deeper in love (and awe) with the timeless Word of Adonai!
- Restoration: Returning the Torah of God to the Disciples of Jesus
- Yeshua: A Guide to the Real Jesus and the Original Church
- Shabbat Shalom: A Guide for Christians to Understand the Sabbath
- The Shofar: Ancient Sounds of the Messiah
- Praying with the Jewish Tradition
- Riddle of the Exodus: Startling Parallels Between Ancient Jewish Sources and the Egyptian Archaeological Record
- Jesus the Jewish Theologian
- Paul the Jewish Theologian: A Pharisee among Christians, Jews, and Gentiles
- The Gospel According to Moses: What my Jewish Friends Taught me about Jesus
Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled. Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.
~ Jesus, Matthew 5.17-20
Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old.
~ Matthew 13.52
Hebrew Language Learning Resources (will update more asap).
- The First Hebrew Primer, used with Tim Hegg’s free online Hebrew course {mp3′s with video found here}: Beginning Hebrew Class
- Free course at Hebrew4Christians (a wonderful learning resource!):
Here you’ll find basic information about the Hebrew alphabet, vowels, and Biblical Hebrew grammar so that you can better understand the Scriptures from a Hebraic point of view. Join me in my Bet Midrash (house of study), and progress from knowing not one letter of Hebrew to reading and speaking it with confidence! **Now with Hebrew AUDIO!**
In addition to learning Biblical Hebrew grammar, this site provides information about common Hebrew blessings and Jewish prayers, the Hebrew Scriptures (Tanakh), the Jewish holidays, and weekly Torah portions from a Messianic point of view. The Hebrew Names of God, as well as an online glossary of Hebrew and Yiddish terms is also provided.
Online Bible Study References
- Biblos.com: Search, Read, Study the Bible in Many Languages
- Blue Letter Bible
- Calvary Chapel Children’s Ministry::Free Curriculum, Colorsheets, etc.
- Hebrew4Christians: Here’s an archive of wonderful teaching articles covering “various facets of the Jewish roots of the Christian faith, covering a wide range of issues, including questions about Torah observance, the relationship between the followers of Jesus and Israel, and much more…”
- First Fruits of Zion
- How to do a Hebraic Study
- TanakhML Project.
- The Temple Institute
- The Virtual Tabernacle
- Why you CAN believe the Bible.
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 from it, for there is no better pursuit for you than this.
~ On studying the Scriptures (Mishnah, Pirke Avot 5.27, first century A.D.)
More Bible Study Helps & Hebraic Heritage Learning Resources
- Biblical Holidays:: Jewish Feasts Reveal Messiah Yeshua::Jesus “This site contains hundreds of pages about the Biblical Holidays and innovative ideas for celebrating them. Here you will find history, ideas, crafts, activities, articles, links, a list group, and tons of information about our Hebraic heritage.” Robin Sampson, Author of A Family Guide to the Biblical Holidays
- Center for Judaic Christian Studies. Material by Dwight Pryor and others. Excellent audio/video materials about applying Hebraic study to life today.
- En-Gedi Resource Center Educational ministry that teaches about the Jewish context of Christianity. Hundreds of links to other recommended sites for study. Books and articles by Lois Tverberg and other authors.
- Follow The Rabbi Website by Ray VanderLaan, source of Faith Lessons video series. Many articles and resources available.
- HaY’Did (the Friend) Learning Center Mission Statement: To train, educate and equip both the Jew and the non-Jew for study of the rich Biblical/Hebraic Heritage of our faith.
- Heart of Wisdom Store :: Hebrew Roots Many wonderful books arranged by study topic.
- Hebraic Christian Global Community Founded by John Garr, PhD “to facilitate the move of God to restore the Hebraic foundations of the Christian faith to all believers without any distinction as to gender, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or denominational affiliation.”
- HaKesher, Inc. (Hakesher means “the connection”). Resources to help believers in the development of a deeper faith through the study of Hebrew language and culture.
- Hebraic Heritage Ministries International “Teaching the Hebraic Roots of Christianity”, this site has hundreds of links to excellent articles to read online for free, great books and other reputable sites.
- TorahResource.com
- YashaNet Studies
O put into our hearts to understand and to discern, to mark, learn and teach, to heed, to do and to fulfill in love all the words of instruction in Thy Torah.
~ From the traditional prayer recited before saying the Shema.
