TORAH STUDIES: LINKING SCRIPTURES

SEVEN BRANCHES OF RIGHTEOUSNESS

YHVH'sTorah was established with seven arbitrators, laying the foundationsfor all of creation. These are:

Wisdom: Wisdom refers to the ability to makesound judgments, decisions, and choices based on knowledge,experience, and understanding. It involves the capacity to applyknowledge effectively and judiciously to solve problems and guideone's actions.

Knowledge: Knowledge is the possession ofinformation, facts, or data about various subjects, topics, or areas.It is the awareness or understanding acquired through learning,study, or experience.

Understanding: Understanding involves thecomprehension and insight gained from knowledge. It goes beyond mereknowledge and implies the ability to grasp the deeper meaning,implications, and connections within a subject or situation.

Truth: Truth is the quality of being inaccordance with facts, reality, or the actual state of affairs. It isthe absence of falsehood or deception and represents honesty andaccuracy in communication and belief.

Justice: Justice is the fair and impartialtreatment of individuals, ensuring that they receive what theydeserve, whether it is in terms of rights, rewards, or punishments.It involves upholding moral and legal principles to maintain a justand equitable society.

Righteousness: Isthe behaviorof righteous rulings from YHVH's Torah that is morally correct or tofollow the path of righteousness. an ideal of justice andrighteousness in YHVH's word.

Teshuvah: Is a Hebrew a beautiful word thatis usually translated as "repentance" but literally means"return". It is a central theme in a believers life andrefers to the act of returning to a more authentic and holy versionof oneself.

Teshuvah is a way to atone for your sins andtransform oneself by the renewing of your mind and actions. It isbased on the idea that people can minimize or stop sinning in thefuture by repenting for past transgressions. Teshuvah also teaches usto Forgive for others and self.

"Let YHVH transform your mind" is areference to the scriptures; (Romans 12:2), which says, "Do notbe conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of yourmind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of YHVH, whatis good and acceptable and perfect".

The process of teshuvah is said to include thefollowing steps: Regret: Expressing regret for thepast Confession: Admitting to the sin Vow:Deciding not to repeat the sin.

The High Holiday season, especially Yom Kippur, isconsidered an especially auspicious time for teshuvah. Prayer,charity, and fasting are also said to help one to learn to forgiveand bring forgiveness to others.

For if you forgive others their transgressions,your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgiveothers, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions"(Matthew 6:14-15).

Righteousness is the quality of being morallyright, virtuous, and adhering to a code of moral or ethicalprinciples. It often involves acting in accordance with moral valuesand principles, doing what is right, and maintaining moral integrity.

These Seven Branches of Righteousness areprinciples that can be viewed as reflections of the values andattributes associated with YHVH's throne in a spiritual context.

YHVH, Aravat the Father of Creation in the Hebrewscriptures, is El Gibbor the mighty king and is typically seen asembodying qualities of wisdom, knowledge, understanding, truth,justice, mercy, and righteousness. Here's how these principles can beseen as reflecting the attributes of YHVH's throne.

In this way, the Seven Branches of Righteousnesscan be regarded as a framework for leaders to align their governancewith the divine attributes often associated with YHVH's throne. Itreflects a desire to rule justly and ethically, following a moralcompass. If we incorporate these principles into governance, we canhelp create a just and ethical society.

It's important to note that these principles areinterconnected, and effective leadership often involves finding abalance between them. Rulers must make decisions that reflect notonly their personal values but also the values and needs of theircitizens.