Passion and Fire

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” – Deuteronomy 6:4-5 Israel and the Levant, as well as regions like North Africa and the Ionian Peninsula —present-day modern Turkey—are home to passionate people. For instance, if you were to visit an Orthodox synagogue today, or perhaps even during Jesus’ time, you would witness a deep reverence for the Torah. When the Torah is brought out from the Torah closet, it is honored and admired. People bounce it up and down, kiss it, raise their hands, and sing a holy song while proclaiming, “The word of God! The Torah! The Torah!” There is dancing and celebration all around. Why is this the case? Because God has given them His word, His way, and His law.  In contrast, what happens in