Messianic Torah Observant Israel

There’s more ‘heart’ to be discovered in the letter to the Romans as Rabbi Steve Berkson continues in chapters 8 and 10, breaking down verse by verse what the apostle Paul was communicating to the set-apart ones living in Rome at that time. Through Rabbi Steve’s teaching we find that Paul was not teaching against Torah observance, but rather, by living according to the Torah we become pleasing to...

Continuing in the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the faithful in Rome, Rabbi Steve Berkson again emphasizes that to understand what Paul was trying to say in this letter, context is crucial. In chapter 6, again we see the contrasting of righteousness vs unrighteousness. We see how even the believers of that time were struggling to understand the purpose of Messiah Yeshua’s death and resurre...

Rabbi Steve Berkson moves us into chapter 2 of the letter that the Apostle Paul wrote to the faithful in Rome (Romans 2). In part 47 of The Heart of the Matter Rabbi Steve hopes to give clarity to these passages that are typically taken out of context and misunderstood. The theme in Romans chapter 2 that we will see is ‘righteousness verses unrighteousness’ and how we are judged as being one or th...

Rabbi Steve Berkson continues teaching about the Heart of the Matter in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles and then begins in the Book of Romans. Some of the topics covered are, what is the purpose of signs and wonders?, Olympic Gold-Medal Conclusion Jumpers, what is ‘emunah’?, and more. Toward the last of this teaching Rabbi Steve speaks from his heart about the importance of not only our ‘vert...

Shifting gears as we go into the book of Acts, Rabbi Steve Berkson helps us look at the Heart of the Matter from the perspective of a ‘forming community.’ Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please click on the "LIKE" button if this teaching has been a blessing to you. For more information about MTOI (Messianic Torah Observant Israel), visit our we...

Rabbi Steve Berkson continues The Heart of the Matter series by exploring what the Gospel of Luke has to say about the heart. What is the definition of ‘blameless’? (Luke 1:6) What does it mean to “turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the insight of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for יהוה.”? (Luke 1:17) Don't miss out on new teachings every week. Y...

Moving into the Gospel of Mark Rabbi Steve Berkson teaches us about ‘reasoning in our hearts’ and how this usually doesn’t turn out very well. Then Rabbi Steve gives amazing insight into the event of the ‘cursing of the fig tree,’ how it is related to the ‘overturning of the money changers tables and seats of those who sold doves and the statement of Yeshua about ‘casting this mountain into the se...

Rabbi Steve Berkson starts part 42 of The Heart of the Matter in Matthew 15 and ‘traditions’. Are they good or bad? Rabbi Steve teaches us how to know. How well do you understand the concept of ‘forgiveness’? It is definitely at the heart of the matter as Yeshua teaches His disciples about it in Matthew chapter 18. Then, Rabbi Steve takes us to Matthew chapter 22 to show us how Yeshua handled bein...

Part 41 of The Heart of the Matter continues exploring the Gospel of Matthew for the understanding of what the scriptures wants to show us about our hearts. Rabbi Steve Berkson begins this teaching in Matthew chapter 11 and reveals the ‘Language of Discipleship’ as Yeshua implored his followers to “take his yoke” upon them. Other topics covered are, those who are ‘prideful in their humility’, ‘jud...

Part 40 of The Heart of the Matter begins the study on the subject of our hearts as the writers wrote about it in the Brit Chadasha (New Testament), the Gospel of Matthew. Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us to the event called the Sermon on the Mount where Yeshua had a discipling time with His taught-ones. Questions to ponder in this teaching: What is our role to play in our walk before the Creator?, Di...

Rabbi Tom Mitchell from Beth Shalom Messianic Congregation, an affiliate of MTOI, brings an interesting perspective on several topics related to water. He begins with teaching about the process of immersion (baptism), then using the names of some of the Torah Portions to “paint a picture” of what’s happening in Israel today. The teaching then turns to the comparison of the Torah and rain. Don't mi...

In Part 8 of Understanding the Ruach/Spirit, Rabbi Steve Berkson brings this series of teachings to a conclusion. In this lesson Rabbi Berkson continues to allow the Scriptures to define itself regarding the Ruach/Spirit with the admonition that we are seeking the truth and understanding, not comfort and reassurance that what we already have is the truth or the correct understanding. Subjects cove...

In part 7 of Understanding the Ruach/Spirit Rabbi Steve Berkson connects the verses found in the Gospel of John chapters 6 and 7 showing us that; (1) according to Messiah Yeshua, the WORDs that He speaks are SPIRIT and are life, and, (2) the LIVING WATER is connected to the WORD which is connected to the SPIRIT. Rabbi Berkson admonishes us to be in the same mind as Peter when he said, “Master, to...

In part 6 of this series, Rabbi Steve Berkson takes us deeper into “what is the Ruach haKodesh (Holy Spirit)?”, specifically, what it does and what is it’s purpose. Don't miss out on new teachings every week. You are welcome to post your comments and please click on the "LIKE" button if this teaching has been a blessing to you. For more information about MTOI (Messianic Torah Observant Israel), vi...

In the first section of Understanding the Ruach/Spirit - Part 5, Rabbi Steve Berkson wraps up the idea of the doctrine of the Trinity by going to Luke 4:1, the account of Yeshua being led by the Spirit into the wilderness. Then Rabbi Berkson addresses the notion that some teach saying the Holy Spirit was not before Acts chapter 2. By going through many scriptures he points out the fact that the Ru...

Understanding the Ruach/Spirit - Part 4 deals mainly with the question, “What is the Holy Spirit”, in Hebrew, Ruach haKodesh or ‘The Spirit of Elohim (YHVH). This lesson deals mainly with the idea of the doctrine of the Trinity; that the Holy Spirit, or Ghost as the Trinitarians say, is a separate entity coexistent and coequal with the Father and the Son. Rabbi Steve Berkson begins this teaching b...

Rabbi Steve Berkson continues where we left off in part two on the subject of The Spirit of haSatan vs The Spirit of Elohim as we move into part three. Rabbi Berkson begins in 1 John 5:18-19 where we learn about guarding ourselves and not allowing the “wicked one” to gain a foothold in our lives. We see a definition of the Hebrew phrases ‘Yetzer haRa’ or ‘evil inclination’ and ‘Yetzer haTov’ which...

What do you understand about the “Holy Spirit” or “Ruach haKodesh”? Is your understanding congruent with what the Bible reveals? Is this Spirit a separate ‘entity’, co-equal and co-existent with the Creator and the Son? In part 2 of this series, Rabbi Steve Berkson defines an aspect of ruach/spirit as ‘Intrinsic Nature’ or the ‘Breath of Life’ that has been breathed into humans that separates us f...

What do you understand about the “Holy Spirit” or “Ruach haChodesh”? Is your understanding congruent with what the Bible reveals? Is this Spirit a separate ‘entity’, co-equal and co-existent with the Creator and the Son? Rabbi Steve Berkson begins this extremely important teaching series by comparing the Mt. Sinai event in Exodus 19 and 20 with the event found in Acts 2. Amazingly there are quite...

Rabbi Steve Berkson begins Part 3 of this teaching in Leviticus 26:23 where he shows us that the Baptism of Fire has many facets such as being “instructed” of YHVH through “punishment” for disobedience and breaking His Covenant. Then, we see discipleship terminology as we go to Matthew 11:25-30 and read Yeshua’s words, verse 29, “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am meek and humble in...