Bat-Cipher and Yokes

Topic(s): Evangelism, Jesus, Love

The selection process that Rabbis used to choose their disciples is interesting. At age 6, children began learning the Torah. This training was called Bat-cipher. From 8 to 10, they had to learn the Torah by heart (memorize Genesis – Deuteronomy). At the end of Bat-cipher, most children went to learn their family trade, but the best of the best advanced to the next level. The ones with the most natural ability then memorized Genesis to Malachi. After this, the best of the best of the best applied to a rabbi to become his disciple.

A disciple did not just want to know what his rabbi knew, he wanted to be like his rabbi, and do what his rabbi did. Each rabbi had a different set of interpretations, which was called a rabbi's yoke. When one applied to a rabbi, he “grilled” the applicant. The rabbi wanted to know if this disciple could do what the rabbi did: “Can he spread my yoke?” After the rabbi grilled the child, he might say, “You love God and know the Torah, but you are not good enough. Go learn your family business.” But if the rabbi thought the child had what it took, he said, “Come follow me.” The disciple then left his family, friends, synagogue, and village to devote his entire life to being like the rabbi, learning to do what the rabbi did. This is what it meant to be a disciple.

In the Gospel Accounts, Jesus called Peter and Andrew to come and follow Him. Picture Jesus, a rabbi, walking along the beach, saying, “Come and follow me.” He is really saying, “Come and do what I can do; be like me.” They were fishing with their fathers, which meant they were learning the family business. This, of course, meant that they had not made the cut; they were not considered the best of the best. They dropped their nets and followed Jesus.

Jesus told his disciples that He chose them and they did not choose Him (John 15). A rabbi chose his disciples on the basis of their potential to be like him. Jesus must have faith in us because He tells us to go and make more disciples (Mark 16:15). He actually believes that we can be like Him and live like Him! May you believe in God and may you come to see that God believes in you. That is why He chose you!

“Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” —Matthew 4:19