A Second Torah

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And it is written: “That he shall write for himself a second (mishneh) Torah” (Deuteronomy 17:18) — a script that is apt to be changed (lehishtannot)

Some of the most ancient surviving Hebrew texts are written in what looks, to the untrained eye, like chicken scratch. This is the original Hebrew script that scholars call Paleo-Hebrew. The Hebrew script that we are familiar with doesn’t appear in the Jewish historical record until after the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile in 538 BCE, during the time of Ezra the scribe. This newer script was adapted from the Aramaic alphabet, the standard alphabet of the Babylonian Empire. While most of the biblical manuscripts found among the Dead Sea Scrolls (dating from the third century BCE to the first century CE) are written in this new alphabet, many continue to spell out the Tetragrammaton, the four-letter name of God, in Paleo-Hebrew. Presumably, the authors of these scrolls associated this older script with God and increased holiness. 

Eventually, the practice of writing even God’s name in Paleo-Hebrew fell out of favor, and all Hebrew texts were written in the newer script — the one familiar to us — based on Aramaic. Though this may be the first time you’re hearing about Paleo-Hebrew, the rabbis of the Talmud were well aware of it.

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Categories
    • Obedience of the Rechabites Jeremiah holds up the Rechabites as a model Rechabites are blessed
    • Capture of Zedekiah and destruction of Jerusalem foretold by Jeremiah Judah given into the hands of the enemy
    • Jeremiah in prison, prophesies a gracious return from captivity The Davidic Kingdom
    • Jeremiah's imprisonment Jeremiah's prayer Confirmation of the captivity and return
    • Israel's restoration Rejoicing of the nation The new covenant
    • The word of Yahweh concerning Israel and Judah Jacob comforted Israel and Judah's returned promised
    • Jeremiah's letter to the exiled Their return after seventy years Fearful end to Ahab and Zedekiah Doom of Shemaiah
    • False prophecy of Hananiah Jeremiah's counter prophecy Hananiah's death foretold
    • Conquest of Babylon foretold Submission urged Jeremiah’s acquittal Of Lying Prophets
    • Jeremiah urges repentance Jeremiah's arrest Jeremiah's life is threatened Jeremiah's pardon
    • Reproof of the Jews The captivity foretold Babylon to be destroyed All nations to perish
    • The good and the bad figs type the restoration and captivity
    • Restoration of the scattered flock The righteous Branch and King False prophets and mockers
    • Jeremiah exhorts to repentance Jeremiah's threats on Judah and her kings
    • Zedekiah inquires of Jeremiah Siege and captivity foretold The king's house reproved
    • Pashur strikes Jeremiah Pashur's doom Jeremiah's complaint
    • Destruction of a potter's vessel the type of Judah's destruction
    • God's power typed by the potter Judgements on Judah A prayer
    • Sin and the captivity of Judah Trust in God is blessed God's salvation Renewal of the covenant
    • Ruin of the Jews foreshadowed by types Their return Double payment for idolatry
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