Proverbs 3:6 says, "In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths".
Yasher יָשָׁר is the Hebrew word for straight, honest, upright, right. "Yasher Koach" is a Hebrew phrase meaning "may your strength be straight." It is kind of like saying "more power to you."
Yasher Koach is commonly used to congratulate someone after they read from the Torah or performed a mitzvah in a synagogue setting. The term reflects appreciation for actions that benefit others, particularly in a religious context. I've said it a thousand times. I've had it said to me dozens of times. (FYI, The proper response to "Yasher Koach" is "Baruch Tihiyeh," meaning "may you be blessed.")
The phrase "Yasher Koach" originates from a Talmudic commentary on Moses breaking the Tablets of Testimony. In the Talmud, specifically Shabbat 87a, it is noted that God approved of Moses' action when he shattered the tablets after witnessing the Israelites worshipping the Golden Calf.
After Moses broke the Tablets in Exodus 33:18-19 Moses said, “Please, show me Your glory.” Then He said, “I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.”
Then in Exodus 34.1 the Lord said to Moses “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones, and I will write on these tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke
There is an amazing connection between Yasher Koach and the New Testament, between Moses action and the Apostle Paul. In this article I aim to show that.
Straight Street
There is a VERY important detail in the verse Acts 9.11 of the Brit Hadasha ("a New Covenant by Blood") which could easily be missed that jumped out to me. The detail is the place where Saul of Tarsus is to be found - on "Straight Street." That is is the trigger for this entire essay.
Straight Street is the main east-west Roman road, or decumanus maximus (Principle Street) of the city.
The street's name can be seen as metaphorical for Saul's newfound spiritual direction and clarity after his encounter with Jesus. This interpretation emphasizes the idea of moving from a misguided path to one aligned with divine purpose and truth.
Matthew 7:13-14 says “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 [a]Because narrow is the gate and [b]difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it".
"Straight Street" is an amazing detail that can be traced back to the day Moses came down Mount Sinai with the first "Tablets" and "broke them" and Adonai instructed Moses to “Cut two tablets of stone like the first ones."
"Straight Street" takes us all way forward to the ressurection and the moment when the apostles John and Peter, who were spared by Gamaliel, arrive at the tomb and see the "linen clothes" of Yeshua and "understood."
"Straight Street" is the road the Jews kept going off. Moses and the prophets spoke of the Israelites/Israel's disobedience throughout the Tenach. The Apostle Paul dedicated his life to trying to keep the gentiles on the straight and narrow way.
It is these profound connections to Straight Street this essay seeks to explain. To start out, for context, here are the verses in Acts chapter 9 where the Straight Street where Saul of Tarsus is found just before it is written that "something like scales" fell from his eyes" and "he received his sight and was baptized."
Acts 9:10-18
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying.
12 And in a vision he [Saul/Paul] has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
Acts 6:15 and 7:1 set the stage for Stephen's powerful rebuke by highlighting his divine inspiration and the false accusations against him. In Acts 6:15, Stephen's face is described as that of an angel, indicating his divine authority and the presence of the Holy Spirit. This prepares the audience for the significance of his speech. Acts 7:1 introduces the high priest's question, prompting Stephen's detailed response, which critiques Israel's history of rejecting God's messengers and culminates in a bold indictment of the religious leaders' failure to recognize Jesus as the Messiah. This is the lead in for the the story of Saul from Tarsus on the road to Damascus.
The Holy Spirit Showed Me The Interconnected Legacies of Gamaliel and Paul: Irony, Influence, and the Growth of Early Christianity.
The early Christian movement is a tapestry woven with threads of irony, influence, and transformation. Central to this narrative are two pivotal figures: Gamaliel, a respected Pharisee and teacher, and Paul, his famous student. Their actions and teachings played crucial roles in the development and spread of Christianity, revealing the complex interplay between Jewish and Christian histories, underscored by the profound implications of the Hebrew phrase Yasher Koach.
Saul's conversion on the road to Damascus is marked by a profound encounter with a divine light. In Acts 9:3-6, as Saul travels to Damascus to persecute Christians, a bright light from heaven suddenly surrounds him. This light is accompanied by the voice of Jesus asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" The intensity of the light causes Saul to fall to the ground and blinds him temporarily.
This experience is pivotal, leading to Saul's conversion and transformation into Paul, a devoted apostle of Christianity. The light symbolizes divine revelation and the illuminating power of the Lord, marking Saul's transition from spiritual blindness to enlightenment. I believe this foreshadows the Light of the Resurrection. This is the Light that created "The Sign of Jonah." But let's not get too far ahead.
Gamaliel's Principle and Irony
Gamaliel's intervention during the trial of the apostles Peter and John, as recorded in Acts 5:34-39, is a testament to his wisdom and restraint. He advised the Sanhedrin to exercise caution, suggesting that if the Christian movement was of human origin, it would fail, but if it was from God, it could not be stopped. This pragmatic approach allowed the apostles to continue their mission.
The irony lies in Gamaliel's failure to recognize the growing belief in Jesus as a sign of divine favor, despite his own counsel that such growth could indicate God's hand at work.
Gamaliel's principle of allowing divine will to manifest without interference is reminiscent of the Israelites' journey during the Exodus.
Moses breaking the Tablets upon witnessing the Israelites worshiping the Golden Calf. This act, while seemingly destructive, was a demonstration of leadership and commitment to the divine covenant. Similarly, Gamaliel's advice to let the apostles be was meant to prevent unnecessary conflict, yet he missed recognizing the divine favor in the burgeoning Christian movement.
Gamaliel Misses It
Gamaliel is the author of "The Prayer Against the Heretics," known as the Birkat HaMinim. This bracha was added to the Shemoneh Esreh in the Amidah, a central prayer in Jewish liturgy. This particular blessing, often referred to as the "Twelfth Blessing," asks God to destroy heretics and those who oppose the Jewish faith, namely early Christians.
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| "The prayer against the heretics," known as the Birkat HaMinim |
The Birkat ha-Minim -- (Ber. 28b; Meg. 17b; Yer. Ber. iv.), the prayer against heretics and Sadducees (and traducers, informers, and traitors):
"May no hope be left to the slanderers; but may wickedness perish as in a moment; may all Thine enemies be soon cut off, and do Thou speedily uproot the haughty and shatter and humble them speedily in our days. Blessed be Thou, O Lord, who strikest down enemies and humblest the haughty."
Around 100 AD, according to the Babylonian Talmud (Berakhot 28b), Rabban Gamliel instituted this prayer as part of the Amidah to address the challenges posed by heretical sects, including early Christians and other groups perceived as threats to Jewish religious integrity. The prayer was meant to safeguard the community against those who rejected or undermined rabbinic authority.
The "Twelfth Blessing" is still in the Shemoneh Esreh to this day. When will it will be removed? Surely when the Jews say "Baruch Haba, blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.”
History of Paul
Paul, originally Saul of Tarsus, was a student of Gamaliel and initially a zealous persecutor of Christians. His education under Gamaliel provided him with a profound understanding of Jewish law, which he later used to articulate Christian theology. After his dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, Paul became a leading figure in spreading Christianity, emphasizing faith in Jesus Christ over strict adherence to the Mosaic Law. His efforts to keep the church on a straight path resonate with the ethos of "Yasher Koach", reflecting the perseverance and strength required to maintain doctrinal integrity.
Paul's transformation from a persecutor to a proponent of Christianity illustrates the profound impact of Gamaliel's teachings. Despite initially opposing the Christian movement, Paul's conversion and subsequent missionary work were instrumental in shaping early Christian theology and expanding its reach. His letters to various Christian communities addressed challenges such as ethical behavior and theological disputes, helping to unify and strengthen the early church.
The Broader Impact of Gamaliel's Actions
Gamaliel's intervention had a cascading effect on the early church. By preventing the execution of Peter and John, he allowed the apostles to continue their mission, leading to the conversion of many and the establishment of a strong Christian community. His actions demonstrate the power of restraint and the potential for unintended consequences when dealing with emerging religious movements.
The irony of Gamaliel's role is further underscored by the account in John 20:3-9, where Peter and John, the apostles he spared, discover the empty tomb and the "linen cloths" that Jesus was wrapped in by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus who prepared Him for burial and laid him in the tomb.
Upon seeing the linen cloths, John believed, recognizing the significance of the empty tomb as evidence of Jesus' victory over death. This moment of realization highlights the transformative power of faith and the ability to perceive divine truth in seemingly ordinary circumstances. Gamaliel, with his principle of recognizing divine movements, might have been expected to see the growth of Jesus' followers in a similar light, as a testament to the divine favor upon Jesus' message.
The Significance of Yasher Koach
The phrase Yasher Koach, may your strength be straight, embodies the spirit of strength and perseverance demonstrated by key figures in religious history. In the context of early Christianity, it reflects the efforts of individuals like Paul, who worked tirelessly to guide the church and ensure its doctrinal integrity. This perseverance and commitment to maintaining a straight path are central to the ethos of Yasher Koach.
The phrase's origin, tied to Moses' breaking of the Tablets, serves as a reminder of the importance of discernment and leadership in maintaining the covenant with God. Just as the Israelites' deviation with the Golden Calf was a significant misstep, Gamaliel's oversight in recognizing the divine favor in Jesus' message serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of discernment and openness to God's work in the world.
A Disciple Is On a Straight Street
A disciple being on a straight, disciplined road. The essence of dedication and focus required in the pursuit of spiritual growth and understanding is captured in the meaning of Yasher Koach. This concept underscores the importance of maintaining a clear path, free from deviations and distractions, as one seeks to embody the teachings and values of their faith.
The path of discipline is a cornerstone of a disciple's journey. We all need to stay on a "Straight Street" and we all need to call on strength from the Lord to do so.
Isaiah 45.2 - I will go before you And make the crooked places straight; I will break in pieces the gates of bronze And cut the bars of iron.
Conclusion
The intertwined stories of Gamaliel and Paul highlight the interconnectedness of Jewish and Christian histories. Gamaliel's influence on Paul demonstrates how Jewish teachings and traditions played a crucial role in shaping early Christian theology.
The irony of Gamaliel's role in the growth of Christianity, coupled with Paul's efforts to maintain the church's integrity, underscores the complexity and richness of early Christian history. Gamaliel's failure to fully practice his principle of recognizing divine movements, alongside Paul's steadfast guidance, illustrates the nuanced and often unexpected ways in which religious traditions can intersect and influence one another.
Gamaliel's initial advice to let the apostles be, based on the premise that divine movements cannot be stopped, should have led him to recognize the growing number of Jesus' followers as a sign of God's favor. Yet, his reluctance to fully embrace this possibility highlights the complexities of faith and the challenges of interpreting divine will. This narrative serves as a reminder of the profound impact of individual actions and decisions on the course of religious development, illustrating the nuanced and often unexpected ways in which religious traditions can intersect and influence one another.
The insight from John 20:3-9, where Peter and John understood the significance of the empty tomb, further emphasizes the transformative power of faith and the ability to perceive divine truth in the unfolding of history. Gamaliel's story, with its profound irony, invites reflection on the importance of openness to divine movements and the potential for growth and transformation in unexpected places.
It must be repeated that Gamliel spared Peter and John, who are two of the earliest disciples who are on Straight Street. They are also the first two apostles to see the and "understand" at the tomb when they saw the linen clothes. Peter is symbolic of the start of the Church. John, the one Jesus is said to love most, is the author of the final book in the New Testament, Revelation.
Ezekiel 36:26 -27 -- I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
The Lord and the Scriptures promised us His Spirit and that Spirit would help us stay on straight (Yasher) Street.
"Let your eyes look straight ahead,
And your eyelids look right before you."
Proverbs 4.25
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Note: I checked the original Hebrew in the verses of Proverbs I quoted and יָשָׁר is applied.
