HAKHAM TSEFET’S SCHOOL OF PESHAT

1st Igeret of Hakham Tsefet

By Rabbi Dr Eliyahu ben Abraham

1 TSEFET (PET.) 1:1 – 2

Tsefet, a Shaliach (apostle – emissary) of Yeshua HaMashiach, to the ones predetermined sojourners
of the Diaspora of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and of Bithynia, according to the
foreknowledge of G-d the Father, in the Ruach HaKodesh (breathing of holiness). Setting you apart
to obedient compliance (of the Torah), made ritually clean through the life and teachings of Yeshua
HaMashiach. May chesed (loving-kindness) and shalom (peace – wholeness) be multiplied to you.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 1:3 – 9
¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Master Yeshua HaMashiach, who according to His (God’s)
great chesed (loving-kindness) has renewed a living hope to us through the resurrection of Yeshua
HaMashiach from the dead to an incorruptible inheritance, undefiled, and unfading, reserved for you
in the heavens. Who by the virtuous power of G-d, having been kept through faithfulness to
redemption ready to be revealed in these last days. In which you should greatly rejoice, for yet a
little while, if need be, grieving in the greatest manifold testings of your faithful obedience. So that
the testing’s of your trustworthiness being much more precious than that of gold that perishes, but
being purified by fire, similarly that you might be found worthy of praise and honor and glory at the
unveiling of Yeshua HaMashiach. Even though you have not seen him, you love him; whom you do
not see at the present but being faithfully obedient to him you exult with unspeakable joy, and having
been glorified, obtaining the goal of your faithful obedience, to the redemption of your souls.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 1:10 – 12 + 1:13 – 16
¶ About which deliverance the prophets sought out and searched out, prophesying concerning the
chesed (God’s Loving Kindness) for you; searching for what, or what manner of time, the Ruach of
Mashiach made clear within them, testifying beforehand of the sufferings of Mashiach, and the
glories that should follow. To them it was revealed that not to themselves, but to us, they ministered
the things which are now reported to you by those who have heralded the Mesorah to you in the
Ruach HaKodesh sent from Heavens, which things the messengers desire to consider.
¶ Therefore, girdle the loins of your mind (set yourself in a position of mental readiness) be
soberminded, set your trust fully in the loving-kindness (chesed) which is coming in the revelation
(apokalupsis) of Yeshua HaMashiach. As obedient children (talmidim) not conformed according to
the former passions in your ignorance: But according to the Holy One who called (‫)קָרא‬ ָ you.
(Therefore) you should also become holy in all your conduct because it is written: holy will you be
because I Am holy.

1 TSEFET (1 PET.) 1:17 – 21

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And if you call on the Father, who judges each one’s work impartially, live in reverential fear during
the time of your exile. (Live in fear until the time of your return from exile – foreign residence).
Understand this; you were not redeemed with perishable things such as silver or gold out of the vain
conduct that you inherited. But, with the priceless life of Messiah as if he were a spotless lamb. Who
was made known before the foundation of this present world but is plainly seen in these last days
(times). That through him you trust in G-d who raised him (Yeshua) from the dead and gave him
honor so that your faithfulness and expectation is of G-d.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 1:22 – 25)
Since by your obedience to the truth purifies your souls into brotherly love for one another in
earnest. Not renewed out of perishable seed but through the living word (Oral Torah/Mesorah) of
the G-d, which abides forever. Because all flesh is grass and all the glory of man is like the flower of
the pasture. The grass grows and the flower falls off. But the spoken word of G-d (Oral Torah –
Mesorah) remains ageless. And this is the spoken word (Oral Torah -Mesorah) handed down to you.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 2:1 – 5)
¶ Therefore, lay aside all depravity and all deceit and feigned personalities and all ill will and envy
and every corrupt speech (lashon hara). As just born children (from above) you should crave the milk
of honesty that you may increase in deliverance. As it is written, “Oh, taste and see that the LORD is
good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Ps. 34.8)
¶ You are drawn to a living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by G-d as precious; And as living
stones (‫ – לֻח ֹת‬luchot) you are built into a Mishkan (a spiritual house), a holy (separated) priesthood,
of Hokhmah to offer up sacrifices of the breathed Torah received from God through Yeshua
HaMashiach.”
1 Tsefet (Pe.) 2:6 – 10)
¶ You are drawn to a living Stone, rejected by men but chosen by G-d as precious; And as living
stones (‫ – לֻח ֹת‬luchot) you are built into a Mishkan (a spiritual house), a holy (separated) priesthood,
of Hokhmah to offer up sacrifices of the breathed Torah received from God through Yeshua
HaMashiach.” Because Scripture holds, (or it stands written) “Behold, I lay for the foundations of
Tzion a costly stone, a choice, a corner-stone, a precious stone, for its foundations; and he that is
faithfully obedient to him will by no means be ashamed” (Isa 28:16). This then is honor to you who
are faithfully obedient, but to those who are unfaithful, “He is a stone that the builders rejected; this
one became the Head of corner,” (Ps 118:22) He will be as a sanctuary, but a stone of stumbling and
a rock of offense to both houses of Israel, as a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Yerushalayim.
(Isaiah 8:14) They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
¶ But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you
may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, who once
were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have
obtained mercy.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 2:11 – 12

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¶ Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to distance yourselves from excessive (and abnormal)
passions of the Yetser HaRa (evil inclination), which wage war against your Nefesh (soul breathed
into a body of “flesh”). Guard (shomer) your conduct2, showing that you are men of nobility among
the Gentiles, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they can see your good works
(Tsedaqah – works of righteous/ generosity) and glorify God on the day you are to take office (are
ordained or vested) as a Paqid/Hakham.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 2:13 – 17
Make yourselves subject to every ordinance of Noble Jewish men (i.e Hakhamim), established
through the LORD; to kings, because of their excellency; and to governors, because they are sent by
Him (God) for the punishment of evil workers and because of the honor due to them behave
appropriately (uprightly) doing works of righteous/generosity. Because this is the will of God
(pleasing to God) that your acts of righteousness/generosity will silence (muzzle and cause
speechlessness) the foolishness of ignorant men: as free men and not as those who conceal their
depravity (lawlessness) as if at liberty from (who conduct themselves as if free from the Torah) God
but are truly bound as slaves. Show Honor to all, (those who are honorable, i.e. the Torah Scholars)
loving their fellowship, fear God, honor the king.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 2:18 – 20
Servants should submit to their masters in fear not only to the fair and reasonable but also when they
oppose you. This is for the sake of chesed, if on the account of G-d one patiently endures sorrow,
suffering and injustice. For what honor is there if you sin and endure punishment; but if you suffer
for doing well and endure, this is loving-kindness in the presence (sight) of God.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 2:21 – 25
For to this you were called, for even Messiah suffered on our behalf, leaving behind an example for
us, that you should follow his steps; “though he had done no violence, and deceit was not in his
mouth” (Isa. 53:9). who, having been reviled, did not revile in return; suffering, he did not threaten,
but gave himself up to Him who was judging righteously/generously; who “has borne our
sicknesses/sins" (Isa. 53:4) onto the tree; that dying to sins, we might live to
righteousness/generosity, of whom “with his wounds we ourselves are healed” (Isa. 53:5) For you
were “like sheep that have gone astray” (Isa. 53:6) but now you have turned back to the shepherd and
overseer (Paqid) of your souls.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 3:1-7
Similarly women (wives) being subject to their own man (husband), so that the husband,
disobedient to the Torah (word) will by the woman’s (wife’s) reverential behavior (faithful
obedience – halakhic observance) be turned back (the husband) without direct intervention, halakhic
discussion or argument as they (the husbands) observe the purity of your reverential behavior, do
not let your beauty be merely extraneous braiding of hair and gold necklaces or adornment of
ornamental clothing. But let the soul’s hidden true honorable person (character) which is humble in
its steadfast (in peace –Shalom) spirit, which is precious before God. For in this manner
righteous/generous women of the past trusted in God adorning themselves, submitting to their own
husbands. (Adorning themselves in subordination to their husbands) As Sarah obeyed Abraham’s
words habitually calling him “my lord:” you become her daughters in appropriate conduct also
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without fear or intimidation. Likewise, you men (Husbands) living with (them) with knowledge
(Da’at) according to the weakness of their vessel, assigning honor to the wife as a fellow heir of a
life of chesed (loving-kindness), in order not to be cut off in your prayers (personal convictions).
1 TSEFET (PET.) 3:8 – 17
But the goal of all this is to be of one mind, being sympathetic, having brotherly love, being
kindhearted and humble minded. Not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but to the contrary,
giving blessing because this is the thing we are called to do, in order that you might inherit praise.
For whom is the man that desires life, and loves days, that he may see good therein? Keep your
tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and
pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous/generous, and His ears are open unto their
cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil (T’hillim – Psa. 34:12-16) And who is the
man who oppresses you with evil if you are zealous to do good. But even if you suffer because of
righteousness, you are blessed. Do not go about proclaiming conspiracies for everything these people
speak of is conspiracies; do not fear what they fear and do not be overwhelmed by it (Yesha’yahu –
Isa. 8:12). But sanctify the LORD God in your heart being perpetually ready for verbal defense to
all those who ask of the hope, but let your speech be with gentleness and fear, having a good
conscience so when they speak evil (seeking to defame and condemn or incriminate you) and
disgrace you those who insult your righteous/generous conduct in Messiah will be ashamed. For you
are superior when you suffer unjustly for doing right, if that should be God’s will, then to suffer
justly for doing wrong.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 3:18 – 22
For even Messiah suffered once because of sin, on behalf of the righteous/generous and for the
judgment of the unfaithful, to bring you near to God. His body was certainly put to death, but he
lives on in spirit. And he judged those spirits, which were detained in prison, who were disobedient
at the time when the longsuffering of God waited for Noach to construct the Ark, in which few, eight
souls, were brought safely through water. Now this pattern shows safety, on the account of the
resurrection of Messiah, who has preceded us into the Heavens as is said “The Lord (God) says to
my lord: 'Sit at My right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool,” and messengers,
authorities and powers are subjected to him.
Consequently, Messiah suffered physically, and you should guard yourselves by being like-minded,
because death to the body (physical appetites contrary to Torah and mitzvot) causes you to stop
practicing what the Torah forbids. Be a person that no longer desires what is prohibited but live
according to the will of God, as explicated by the Hakhamim not spending the rest of your lives
pursuing physical (appetites). For you have spent sufficient time living as Gentiles, the result of
which was walking in shamelessness, insolence, lust, drunken debauchery, drunken parading,
drunken parties, and unlawful idolatry. These Gentiles now think it strange that you do not run
together with them in the same dissolute lifestyle, that results in blasphemy. They will recount
everything to the Judge who is ready to judge the living and dead. For this purpose, the Mesorah
(Oral Torah) was presented to the dead that they might be judged in contrast to men alive in the
flesh, agreeing with the ruach (Oral Torah) the way that God has instructed.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 4:1 – 11

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But the goal for all things is at hand, therefore exercise self-control (being in your right mind) and be
sober headed in prayer. Before everything else, be enthusiastic in love among yourselves because it
is written, “Hatred stirs up strife: but love atones for all transgressions” (sins). (Pro 10:12). Be
hospitable to one another without grumbling or complaint, for each of you has received the
responsibility to be good administrators of God’s loving-kindness. Whoever proclaims the Mesorah
must realize that he is operating by the power of God, which He supplies so that everything may be
to His glory and dominion through the work of Yeshua HaMashiach in the present and coming world
amen.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 4:12 – 19
¶ Beloved do not let the fiery trial that comes on you to test you take you by surprise. It is not as
though you are experiencing something strange. However, rejoice when you experience the same
trials that Messiah suffered, because it reveals your nobility. If someone insults you because of
Messiah’s authority, you are truly blessed. This shows that the Shekinah rests on you, as it is written,
And the Shekinah of the LORD will rest upon him, the ruach of Hokhmah (wisdom), Binah
(understanding), and the ruach of Da’at (knowledge –ChaBaD) along with the ruach of counsel and
might, with the reverential fear of the LORD (Yesha’yahu - Isa. 11:2). Let none of you suffer as a
murderer, thief, and criminal or as an informer (false witness). However, if any of you suffer as a
talmid (follower) of Messiah, you are not to be ashamed, rather let him feel honored for his
authorities’ sake. The time has come for judgment to begin in the house of God. If judgment begins
with us, what will the result be for those who disobey the Mesorah (Oral Torah)? Moreover, “If the
righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner.” (Pro
11:31). And therefore, let those who suffer according to God’s will place their souls in God’s care,
the faithful Creator, while you do acts of righteousness/generosity in moral excellence.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 5:1 – 4
Therefore, I address (exhort) the Hakhamim (Zaqenim – Hakhamim) in your midst, I am also a
Hakham, and I am also a witness of Messiah’s suffering, and I will also share in the glory of his
revealing soon.
1 TSEFET (PET.) 5:5 – 14
¶ Therefore humble yourselves under the Yad Hazahah (mighty hand) of God, that He may exalt you
at the appropriate time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, and vigilant;
because your adversary (the Yetser HaRa) is lurking about like a shadé and a roaring lion, seeking
whom he can devour. He (the Yetser HaRa) is resisted through faithful obedience and the knowledge
that your brethren in the diaspora are suffering the same thing. But after having suffered for a short
season, the God of unlimited loving-kindness, who has called you to His eternal honor through
Yeshua HaMashiach, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you. To Him (God) be
the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen
¶ By Hillel/Luqas (Silas), our faithful brother who I consider most honorable, I have written to you
this brief exhortation declaring the true loving-kindness of God by which you have been made to
stand. The equally chosen of Babylon greet you and so does Mordechai (Mark) my talmid.
¶ Greet one another with a loving kiss. Shalom Alechem to all of you in Messiah. Amen.

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