In Hebrew class tonight, my teacher mentioned in passing that the Hebrew word ‏תּוֹרָה‎ (Torah) comes from the root word ‏יָרָה‎ (yara). I had never thought of this before, but something occurred to me that you might find interesting. ‏יָרָה‎ (Strong's #H3384) is commonly translated as “shoot” or “throw”. One Hebrew dictionary says that this word has a “strong sense of control by the subject.”

The definition “shoot,” is used in reference to arrows, and is what yara is most translated as. This imagery is very interesting to me because an oft-misinterpreted passage in the Torat Hashlichim makes an allusion to yara’s other meaning, Torah.

For Moshiach is the goal of the Torah for righteousness to everyone who believes.

Romans 10:4

The word I translate as “goal” is the Greek word τέλος (telos). It is most often translated “end” with translators and commentators saying that the Torah has been ended/finished/usurped by Moshiach. However, that does not mesh with what Sha’ul says in the rest of the book of Romans. Even if you look at the first three verses in this chapter, the context becomes clear and “goal” makes more sense.

What is neat here, though, can be seen when you combine the two thoughts. Sha’ul would have been well aware of the root of the word Torah, and I think he is drawing on that understanding. The Torah is an arrow that G-d shot into existence at creation. Its goal (where it points, what it travels toward) is the Moshiach. The Torah is not done away with as a result of this flight. As a matter of fact, it is still flying, hopefully pulling us along on its journey. When will that journey end? Yeshua says that it will continue “until heaven and earth pass away” (Matthew 5:17-21).

May we be blessed to follow the Torah on its path toward Moshiach.

Labels: Messianic Judaism