Keeping A Torah Obedient Home
Introduction
As Natsari women, we have an awesome responsibility! That responsibility begins in the home. There are some who say this is a sexist attitude, and that regulating our activities to the home is severely limiting our potential. Today’s Torah-less society tells us that women who focus on the mundane activities of the home makes us second class citizens to men. We should be out in the world, making a difference - making our presence known. I say that nowhere is our potential greater than in the home!
Most English Bibles have translated ‘keepers of the home’ (Titus 2:5) to workers in the home. This is a very one-dimensional translation. In the KJV the Greek word oikouros is translated as keeper. The Hebrew equivalent of oikouros is shamar. Both words mean to guard. Specifically, shamar means to guard, protect, preserve. This is the awesome responsibility that is ours. It is more than cooking and cleaning.
Since the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, the center of Jewish worship is the home. As guardians (keepers) of the home, it is our responsibility to maintain Torah in the home. For example - we are the first teachers of our children, guiding them into obedience to the Father and introducing them to the Messiah Yeshua. We also ensure our kitchens are kosher, and we guide and prepare the celebration for the Feasts. However, we also guard. We should be ever vigilant in what we allow into our homes as well. As I said this is an awesome responsibility, and one not to be easily dismissed.
There are many facets to keeping a Torah obedient home. This section will be an on-going work.
The Kitchen