The Tabernacle In Branson

The Tabernacle In Branson

TABERNACLE TIMES

THE TABERNACLE IN BRANSON'S MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

FOOT WASHING

July 2019 | Sivan - Tammuz 5779 | Volume 14 Issue 7

Helping someone in need can be a rewarding experience. When doing something for someone else, you are guaranteed to learn something new about yourself, about your family, or about the people whom the Holy One Created. Human beings are definitely busy people. A pedicurist can tell by the condition of their client’s feet just how busy they are. Some feet are always on the go, and some run for exercise. There are feet that stand all day in a confined location and take only limited steps. There are feet that get crammed into shoes that are too small and those who prefer to be bare. There are also those feet who spend the day chasing or cleaning up after little feet. Whatever the case may be, our feet are a very important part of our body. Helping someone in need can be a rewarding experience. When doing something for someone else, you are guaranteed to learn something new about yourself, about your family, or about the people whom the Holy One Created. Human beings are definitely busy people. A pedicurist can tell by the condition of their client’s feet just how busy they are. Some feet are always on the go, and some run for exercise. There are feet that stand all day in a confined location and take only limited steps. There are feet that get crammed into shoes that are too small and those who prefer to be bare. There are also those feet who spend the day chasing or cleaning up after little feet. Whatever the case may be, our feet are a very important part of our body. “Foot Washing” is a hospitality custom. In ancient civilizations, especially where sandals were the #1 choice in footwear, the host would provide basins of water to wash the guest’s feet. Some hosts would even provide a “servant” to wash the feet of his guests. The first we find “foot washing” in the Bible is in the book of Genesis. “Let some water be brought and wash your feet, and recline beneath the tree”, Abraham begins the preparations for welcoming the three men with this “act of kindness” (Genesis 18:3). Foot washing has been called a metaphor for humble leadership. Some religions wash each others feet on the Christian day called “Maundy Thursday”. The Christian regard the act of Yeshua washing the disciples feet as one of the most incredible acts of humility (John 13:1-15). In the book of Exodus we find, “Aaron and his sons are to wash their hands and feet…when they come near the altar to minister…, so that they will not die.”(30:20) Even the priests, who were already cleansed from impurity, had to wash their hands and feet. This washing was for sanctity, preparing the servants of G-d for their total devotion to the service they are about to perform. So, also, was Yeshua leaving this legacy of love for his disciples. Comparing the verses in John and Exodus we can see that there is a continual need to repent, make repairs, and seek forgiveness from the Holy One. The Sages relate that the first “foot washing” that was done by Abraham was actually carried out on Foot Washing the third day after he was circumcised. The very day that Abraham would have found his wound to be the most painful and his body the most weak, HaShem visited him to show him honor for carrying out the commandment of circumcision. Abraham sought to serve the Holy One at ALL times and his manner of service was being kind to people. Abraham’s desire was to inspire others by his example of servitude in hopes that they would also serve G~d and serve others. The Hebrew word for “foot” in Genesis 18:3 is regal, (reysh, gimmel, lamed). The reysh represents the head, the source of giving, the mind, knowledge, and can even represent the overseer or head teacher. The gimmel denotes lifting up, nourishing, going beyond, or reaching out. The lamed pictures a goad, used to instruct, teach, correct, or prevent. This cleansing of the feet brings to mind the instructions of the Holy One, clearing away the dust of the past and choosing to stay on the course of what it means to become pure, a spotless bride.