Yahwism
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Documentary hypothesis
According to the documentary hypothesis, "Yahwism" refers to the religion of the group behind the J source of the Torah. According to the theory, the Yahwist community believed in a personified deity by the name of "Yahweh" and were focused upon (or came from) the Kingdom of Judah and the Aaronid priesthood.
Most Yahwists believe in the keeping of the Torah (first 5 books of the Bible) yet recognize Yeshua (spelled differently by each Yahwist group) as the Messiah and as the son of YHWH. Yahwists tend to believe in the entire Bible - both old testament and new testament. Many in the Yahwist movement believe that the so called "lost tribes of Israel" are not lost but are living in just about all of the nations today (mostly in the prosperous nations). Most Yahwists also believe that is the responsibility of the tribes of Israel to spread the blessing of Yahweh and teach His law to the entire world.
Problems with the name
Jewish law requires that "fences" be built around the basic laws, so that there is no chance that the main law will ever be broken. The original law connected with not uttering the tetragrammaton was probably taken from what have come to be known popularly as "The Ten Commandments," namely, from Exodus 20:7 ("You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain.") At an unknown point in history (with the oldest evidence of special status being given to the name itself coming from the Dead Sea Scrolls), this began to be interpreted among some Jewish groups as not being advisable to pronounce the name at all. Today, some Jews pronounce the name. Others are only willing to pronounce it for educational purposes, and never in casual conversation or in prayer. Still others, such as Orthodox Jews choose not to pronounce it for any reason. Instead, in conversation, many Jewish people will call God "HaShem", which is Hebrew for "the Name" (this was first used in Leviticus 24:11). As an extra precaution, some Jews also write "G-d" instead of "God." These later substitutions are by no means required by the religion (as usually only the Hebrew name, not the English, is considered holy,), but they are considered reminders of the holiness attached to the tetragrammaton itself.
Most modern denominations of Judaism teach that the four-letter name of God is allowed to be uttered by the High Priest, in the Temple. However, since the Temple in Jerusalem is no longer extant, and there is no longer a functioning High Priesthood, this effectively rules out pronouncing the name for many Jews, even in religious rituals. Instead of pronouncing YHWH during prayer or rituals, some Jews say "Adonai," another Hebrew name for God, roughly equivalent to the English "lord." As such, it has become a practice for some Jews to restrict the use of the word "Adonai" as well (to prayer only).
English translations of the Bible generally render YHWH as "the LORD" (in small capitals), and Adonai as "Lord" (in normal case), in order to alert the reader to which name for God appears in the original Hebrew texts. In a few cases where "Lord YHWH" appears, the combination is written as "Lord GOD".
Yahwist religions
More broadly, "Yahwism" may also refer to a religion based on the worship of the deity known as Yahweh.1 Religions that are considered Yahwist may include Samaritanism, Judaism, and some argue Christianity and Islam. There are also several groups who seek to reconstruct the ancient practice of Yahwism as a modern religion such as Primitive Yahwism.
In addition, there is evidence, both from inside the Bible and from ancient text discoveries (such as the Kuntillet Ajrud inscription and the Elephantine papyri), that some worshipped YHWH as the tribal or national god of Israel alongside or in conjunction with other gods.
Yahwism is the name historian John Bright proposed for the religion brought by Abraham from Mesopotamia to Canaan. The word is derived from a Hebrew word for God, transcribed in English as YHWH. Jews avoid using the name itself except in sacred contexts.
In history, Yahwism (Yah´wism) was the worship of the God of Israel (Yahweh) by the ancient Hebrews and Israelites.[1]
In modern usage, the term is used to describe Christian religious groups which use the terms "Yahweh" and "Yahshua" to refer to the God of Israel and Jesus.
Yahwistic
Yahwistic is a theophoric term meaning of or pertaining to Yahweh, the name of the Jewish conception of monotheistic God, and can be applied as a suffix or prefix to a word. These prefixes or suffixes are yhw or variations of it, like ia-a in Akkadian or yau. In common usage, the theophoric element of the word can be dropped- for example, the official name Jehoahaz becomes Ahaz among the commoners. Many- but not all- of the ancient Kings of Israel have Yahwistic names, like Hezekiah or Jehosophat.
Many other biblical characters take Yahwistic names. In the Hebrew Bible, these include Yehoshua (Joshua), Joseph, and Jacob. In the New Testament, aside from Joseph, Jesus also has a Yahwistic name, the original Hebrew being Yeshu, a diminutive form of Yehoshua (Joshua).
In historical terms, having a Yahwistic name is usually proof of the subject being an Israelite or Judahite, but this is not always the case. One of the Shasu groups has a Yahwistic name, while a reference to a Yahweh of Teman has also been found (Teman being Hebrew for south). Still, since most of the Yahwistic names occur in Israel and Judah in ancient Palestine, it is relatively safe to assume historically Yahwistic people are from Palestine.
Yahwistic names should be contrasted with Elohistic names, which referred instead to El, such as Daniel, Ezekiel (c.f. Hezekiah), and Elizabeth. These were also popular in ancient times, particularly amongst the more northern kingdom of Israel, rather than Judah, where theophory in El was more prevalent than Yahweh.
Amongst traditional positions, the distribution of Elohistic and Yahwistic names is explained as by Yahweh being considered the same as El, El being merely translated God, as is perfectly possible. More critical modern positions see traces within the bible, particularly the portions seen as older in critical circles, such as certain of the psalms and the Song of Deborah, Yahweh is considered once to have been a lesser god to El, Yahweh being the patron god of Judah, amongst a pantheon in which El is the chief God, and favourite of Israel.
Modern law tablet
As the result of the spread of such beliefs, so have people claiming to be new prophets directly inspired by His spirit bringing the renowned rules. Here is an example:
1. There are many religions, many beliefes and many Gods on this world. But almost all have been corrupted over time by the incompetence or corruption nature of humans, and such have lost ground. What I have to say to you, others have said to their people before, in a manner close to this, but most was modified, esteticised and removed, so that now we are looking at mockeries of beliefes, diluated at best. As being the newest teller of truths, consider this the closest truth you may find. YAHWEH is our God, and he will protect us and lead us in the troubled times to come.
2. The sacred words are sacred because they are meant to be told with pride and spread. Yahweh's name must be known by the world, so that He may open the eyes of as many as possible. The Christian Churches try to stop the truth, and as such have FORBIDDEN the name of what is in their Bibles and what they recognise as the first name of the God. This is a clear sign they are willing to do anything to conceal the past and the truth.
3. Respect others' faith and Gods if you want yours to be respected. The only one that deserves no respect is the Christian God, because he and his churches have destroyed all that were not as he wished. All with different beliefes, except the followers of the modern Churches and the Christian God, shall be treated as equals and helped on their ways, as you would help one of the followers of Yahweh.
4. Christians are our enemies, but we are not theirs. We must be careful with them, because, as they are, they are tools with only one programing: destroy all that does not follow their way. We must not sink to such level, but we must protect our own and our beliefes. They will see one day the truth, or worse, they will stay with them until the end.
5. Be weary of demons and their tentations and what they ask in return. All true Gods have them as their enemies, and are as hated. Demons are treturous beings in any religion, that may be the few common true factors that have remained until now. However, this does not impose one's battle against them, unless you or your close ones or believers of Yahweh have been provoked by them.
6. His mark has revealed to be the Dragon, and those against his to be the chopped faces (icons), the cross and the churches. Take distance from them if you can, yet do not fear them, because they have no power over you. However, they will diminush your connection with the Lord.
7. The name YAHWEH must be said in any prair, in any adression, even if it is not important or not returned. Replacements may be used only for concealing your faith, if society is so unable to accept it, or in cases in writing where it is clear who it is refered to, and the overrepetition of The Name would diminush its importance. In all thoughts, in all requests, in all wishes, in all address, use in your mind or out loud the name Yahweh as often as necessary, and especially at the beginning. This is the way His name was concealed, by replacing it with simple "Lord" or "God"; we must not fall in such traps.
8. You may do all that you wish in your name, or ask Yahweh for guidance, power or express help in important matters. There is no limit to this in theory, however it should be in the limit of decency, not exceding a few requests per day. For every such thing you must thank for his attempts both before and after, even if the request was not fulfilled, for His power to grow, as so as His trust in you. Only be careful with your wished, and remember what you do to another, so it shall be done unto you, that is a Law even Yahweh cannot protect you (partially of fully) from.
9. Magic and any form of branded-by-the-church pagan activity is acceptable, as long as it doesn't involve demons, selling your soul, the Christian God or loosing your faith. On the contrary, there will be even greater enlightenment in such activities, if carried with care and purpose. Remember however the three fold law, and do not do harm to others with magic unless there is no choice, as it will return upon you three times, less you do three times more good than the harm inflicted.
10. Man is equal to woman, as we are all, in our essence, souls of the same traits. Humans are also equal, indifferent of religion, nationality, race etc., the only difference is that of belief and which one take us closed to our God, Yahweh; and in this sense, we are the most enlightnend. All who have been chosen, or have interest in Yahweh may join, indifferent of their status, etnicity or views on the world. As such, do not do harm to any of the believers of Yahweh, as you will be considered treason of our ways. Only the advocators of His word have that right, and only after long considerations. All non-believers or believers in other deities, including demons, must not be engaged in battle less you have been wronged in a substantial way by them. It is not our way to "settle scores", it is to follow our own enlightment. Christians however are to be acted in any manner pleased, as long as it does not desecrate the name of Yahweh, and when any such action will not be associated with Him by popular belief or even gossip.
11. These words, came directly from our Lord Yahweh, will only have power and only enlighten our futures if they are not distorted or modified in any way. They are clear enough not to be interpretated, only followed, and those who are voluntearing to translate His words in any other language, must try to keep the exact meaning and texting to each law, and must be fairly good in both languages. If this text is ever changed, or rules added from others than the one inspired to write them, we will revert to the barbarism current religious are facing.
Talmidaism
In Talmidaism, as a theological classification, Yahwism is defined as including any religion that worships YHVH God, and follows the Torah. According to this definition, this would include Rabbinical Judaism, Karaism, Talmidaism and even Samaritanism. Although not considered to be Jews, Samaritans would be considered Yahwists in Talmidaism.
Yahwism has had three main periods of theological development:
- the time of the Patriarchs to the Exodus of the Israelites from Egypt (c.1880 BCE to 1446 BCE)
- from Moses to the destruction of the 1st Temple (1446 BCE to 586 BCE)
- Return of the Exiles from Babylonia to present day (536 BCE to present)
Yahwism in its purest form is considered to have existed from the time of the patriarch Abraham in about 1880 BCE, to the time of the Babylonian exile of the kingdom of Judah in 586 BCE.
Early Yahwism (from Abraham to the Exodus), was driven by the worship of YHVH God alone, with male circumcision as a sign of the Covenant between God and Abraham and his descendents. Its teachings were the obligatons of the Covenant - to keep God’s rites, precepts and laws, and to follow the moral and ethical teachings given by God. With the revelation at Mount Sinai, Yahwism entered a new stage with the codification of God's laws in the Torah.
After the return of the Judean exiles to the Land, Yahwism become Judeo-centric - that is, centred on the practices and beliefs of the returning exiles and their descendants, whose ancestors were of the tribes of Judah, Benjamin and Simeon. Theologically speaking, it is this form of Yahwism which is now called Judaism, although in every-day parlance, Judaism has become synonymous with Yahwism.
In Talmidaism, the basic fundamentals of Judaic Yahwism are condensed in what has come to be known as the Twelve Articles of Piety. They are considered to be the twelve main points which mark out a Judaic Yahwist religion:
- that YHVH alone is our God; and that we should worship only Him
- that YHVH is the Creator, eternal and indivisible, without any physical form
- that we are not to fashion or worship idols, or bow down to them
- that we accept God's Covenant with the Houses of Israel & Judah forever
- that all males are circumcised as a sign of the Covenant
- that we should not use God's Holy Name for false or evil purposes
- that we are to keep the Sabbath holy throughout all generations
- that we follow Torah as the revelation of God's Law
- that Moses is the greatest of all the prophets
- that we reject pagan forms of sacrifice and religious observance, as proscribed in Torah
- that we should not practise witchcraft, divination, or augury
- that we identify completely with God's ongoing relationship with the past, present and future generations of all the people of Israel
While Maimonides' 13 Principles of Faith accurately describe Rabbinical Judaism, they are not sufficient criteria for defining and encompassing all the historical sects and groups within Judaism. For example, whereas groups like the Sadducees would be excluded under the criteria of the 13 Principles (as they did not believe in the resurrection of the body, or accept the books of the biblical prophets), they would be included under the criteria of the 12 Articles.
Karaism, which considers itself a biblical Jewish faith which rejects the authority of the Talmud and rabbinical literature, would not be classed as Jews under the 13 Principles, but would be under the 12 Articles.
Using the 12 Articles as defining guideposts, religions like Christianity and Islam would not be classified as Yahwist religions, but would be classed as Abrahamic religions.
Classic belief
Most Yahwism believers are descendents of the house of Israel and followers of the Messiah Yahushua. 70% of Yahwism’s are descendents of the house of Israel and the following 30% are of what many call the Gentiles. Their belief and teachings are that all men of all races are equal. They do not worship in any building but rather from their homes. A few core points are;
YHWH is the name of God and is to be pronounced Yahweh.
Yahushua is the Son of God and the Messiah promised to Israel.
Women are not to work outside of their father or husbands authority.
Women must keep with the Israel tradition of head covering and full body cover dressing.
Men are responsible for all people that dwell in their home.
They cannot divorce, as they believe once they are married they are of one blood and it can’t be separated.
They are against blood transfusions and organ transplants.
They will not vote or be involved in any political activity.
They are against any form of violence to other human beings.
They believe sin is cast down to their children and other generations, which cause them to take some time in making any decision that is out of the normalities of day-to-day life.
They follow the Jewish Sabbath, festivals and the Ten Commandments
They have arranged marriages. Men are in most cases married after 33 years of age and women are allowed to marry only after the end of the 5th year of menstruation, making the average age 19 to 21 years of age.
All men and women are expected and encouraged to be highly educated and are often found to have a university education.
They have no strict regime of spreading their beliefs, as they believe it’s the way they act to the out side community that is a testament of their faith and belief.
They do not celebrate birthdays or any Christian holidays such as Christmas or Easter etc.
Women will not touch other men, this includes hand shaking, if it is not their father, husband or brother. Men are the same, but some elders often shake women’s hands only to offer a verbal blessing with the touch.
They believe in full immersion of water for their baptisms.
They believe men are responsible for their wives well being and, a wife is the greatest earthly gift they can have. Men must be able to cook and clean and run a house for when their wife is sick or pregnant or in need of a break. So much time is spent with both parents to learn husband’s duties and wife’s duties.
See also
References
2: Since Ancient Hebrew had no written vowels, there is no certain way to know how it would have been pronounced, however "Yahweh" has become the convention.
- John Bright A History of Israel Westminster John Knox Press; 4th edition (August 2000) ISBN 0664220681
| This page uses content from Wikipedia. The original article was at Yahwism. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. The text of this Wikinfo article is available under the GNU Free Documentation License and the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license. |
External links
- Encyclopedia Mythica. 2004. Arbel, Ilil. "Yahweh."
- PaleoTimes - Sacred Names
- The Sacred Name Yahweh, a publication by Qadesh La Yahweh Press
- The Sacred Name: Yahveh or Yahweh? a Yahweh's Restoration Ministry publication
- Eliyah is a Yahwist who aspires to fulfill the mission of Eliyahu the Prophet.
