BURLESON — The Christian Heritage Foundation, based in Cleburne, held a public exhibition of most of its collection of Jewish Torah scrolls at the Chisenhall Community Center in Burleson on Sunday.
It was the first time the scrolls from the collection were exhibited outside their permanent home at the Christian Heritage Foundation headquarters building.
Charles Garrett, executive director of the foundation, said the exhibition, the first in what is hoped will be many such shows, was organized to begin an education process for Christians about the source documents that are the basis for the Jewish Bible, known as the Tanach, and to cultivate an appreciation and respect for Jews, their faith and Israel.
Mary Ann Mize, widow of the late Walter Mize, the founder of the Christian Heritage Foundation, welcomed visitors and guided them through the show.
“This was Walter’s dream,” she said “and I will do the best I can to promote that dream now.” Mize said. “Walter had finally reached a point in his life where he was able to devote his full attention and effort to realizing his dream. We visited Israel last year for the first time and he was even more convinced that this was what he was supposed to do.”
Mize died in January 2008.
The Jewish Bible comprises the Torah, the first five books of Moses, the Prophets and the Writings, consisting of Psalms, Proverbs, Job and other books.)
The term “Tanach” is the pronunciation of a Hebrew acrostic formed by the Hebrew letters for T, N and K, which stands for Torah, Nevi’im, or Prophets, and Ketuvim, or Writings.
Although the Jewish and Christian Bibles share virtually identical texts for the Old Testament, the arrangement and division of the Writings and the Prophets are slightly different. The Jewish Bible does not contain the books of the New Testament.
Dr. Joe Cathey, pastor of First Baptist Church in Godley and adjunct professor of Hebrew at Dallas Baptist University serves as a consultant to the Christian Heritage Foundation.
He was on hand to explain Jewish religious worship articles on display and answered questions about the archeological digs he has been on in Israel over the years.
“The foundation wanted to ensure that the display of sacred Jewish objects was conducted with the greatest respect towards Jews and the Jewish faith and explained in a proper, sensitive manner. Charles [Garrett] asked me to help with that,” Cathey said.
Also present at the exhibition was Gary Zimmerman, an independent Baptist missionary who acts as a curator of another set of scrolls on display in Glen Rose. He explained the details of each of the scrolls on display, their significance and the meaning of the various scroll accessories accompanying the scrolls that have religious symbolism.
The scrolls are on permanent display at the Christian Heritage Foundation building in Cleburne and can be viewed weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The next traveling exhibition of the scrolls will be from 2-5 p.m. Dec. 7 at the Alvarado Senior Center.
No admission fee is charged and refreshments are served.
Local News
Christian Heritage Foundation displays Torah collection
- Local News
-
-
Officials, residents remember those who gave it all
A robust breeze alleviated the heat somewhat Monday morning at Cleburne Memorial Cemetery, but also played pandemonium with the setting up of a memorial table for POW and MIA veterans. Wind tipped a vase holding a single rose shattering it on the pavement. A hastily retrieved replacement held out but at one point toppled causing water to spill inches shy of the public announcement speaker.
-
A mother’s love, one day at a time
To everyone else, it was a regular Thursday. It was almost the weekend, almost summer break, time for vacation or time with family.
-
Candidates vie for Pct. 2, 3 seats
County voters will weigh in on three Johnson County Commissioners Court seats up for election on Tuesday. In addition to the five-candidate Precinct 1 race, voters living in precincts 2 and 3 will also vote for the commissioner of their choice.
-
Primary could decide constables
Ten candidates, all Republican, compete in their four respective precincts in the May 29 primary. With no Democratic opponents to face in November’s general election, the primary should decide the winner of all but one possible race.
-
Voters urged to check for possible precinct changes
Because of redistricting as required by the 2010 Census, Johnson County experienced some changes effective Jan. 1, said Patty Bourgeois, Johnson County Elections administrator.
-
Early voting numbers well short of ’08
Early voting turnout in Johnson County’s Democratic and Republican primaries totaled 3,914 as of Friday morning. That total includes 309 votes in the Democratic Primary and 3,605 in the Republican Primary.
-
Yellow Jackets headed to finals
GRAHAM — The Wichita Falls Rider pitching staff swam with sharks for most of five innings Friday, avoiding all but a few love taps and playful nips from Cleburne batters.
-
Changes at Splash Station
Splash Station officially opens for the summer season this weekend, and those who frequented the park in years past may notice some modifications.
-
Dang Gym steps up for injured Cleburne officer
Though he remains wheelchair bound for now with braces on his neck and left leg, Cleburne police officer Aaron Beseda gave a thumbs up Wednesday at the Dang Gym in Cleburne.
-
Cowan discusses being police chief, Burleson’s crime rate
Police Chief Tom Cowan, 63, said he believes the key to developing safe neighborhoods begins with the community. It’s an idea he’s developed in his more than 40 years serving in law enforcement.
- More Local News Headlines
-
