The Good That Is El:
Yeshua, the Commandments, and the Middle Pillar of Light
By
James Scott Trimm
In Matthew 19:16–17, a seeker approaches Yeshua with the most essential question in all of Jewish faith:
“Good Rabbi, what good thing shall I do, that I may acquire the life of the world to come?”
Yeshua’s response seems surprising, even evasive at first:
“Why do you ask me concerning what is good? There is none good but one: there is a good, and that is El. And if you desire to enter into the life of the world to come: keep the commandments of El.”
(Matthew 19:16–17, HRV)
To the casual reader, this might appear to diminish Yeshua’s role, deflecting the title of “Good.” But to a Nazarene Jew grounded both in Torah and the deep wells of Jewish mysticism, this moment reveals a profound affirmation of both divine unity and the path to eternal life.
The Source of All Good
Yeshua’s words echo Deuteronomy 6:4—“Hear, O Israel, YHWH is our Elohim, YHWH is one.” Goodness is not a concept detached from its source; it is a divine attribute rooted in the very essence of El. Yeshua clarifies that true goodness is not found in human behavior alone, but in alignment with the One who is good. In doing so, he affirms that his mission is not to redirect worship toward himself, but to restore Israel to the Good One—El—and to the path of mitzvot.
The Middle Pillar and the Light of the World
This teaching resonates with the mystical insight of the Zohar, which speaks of a hidden, primordial light destined for the righteous in the world to come:
“Let there be light, and there was light… The first ‘light’ refers to the primordial light… destined for the end of days… the second ‘light’ refers to the Left Hand, which issues from the Right… The next words, ‘And God saw the light that it was good,’ refer to the pillar which, standing midway between them, unites both sides.”
(Zohar 2:167a)
The Zohar identifies this unifying force as the Middle Pillar, a figure of harmony between the extremes. The phrase ki tov—“that it was good”—marks the appearance of this Middle Pillar, which brings unity to divine attributes and casts light above and below. It is this harmony of divine attributes—compassion and judgment, right and left—that embodies the Good.
“This is the Middle Pillar: Ki Tov threw light above and below and on all other sides, in virtue of YHWH, the name which embraces all sides.”
(Zohar 1:16b)
In the light of this mystical teaching, we can see Yeshua as the embodiment of the Middle Pillar—the Tzaddik who brings unity between the justice of the Torah and the compassion of the Spirit. His mission is not to nullify the commandments, but to call us back to them with renewed depth and understanding.
The Path to the World to Come
When the man asks, “What good thing shall I do?” Yeshua answers with absolute clarity: “Keep the commandments of El.” This is not a new path, but the ancient one—Halacha rooted in the Torah, illuminated by the Spirit.
For the Nazarenes, the commandments are not burdens but lights—ner mitzvah v’Torah or (“a commandment is a lamp and Torah is light,” Proverbs 6:23). To walk in the commandments is to align ourselves with the primordial light—the very light YHWH declared “good” at creation, the light that shines through the Middle Pillar, the light destined for the righteous in the world to come.
Conclusion
Yeshua is not denying his own goodness—he is pointing to its Source. As the Middle Pillar, he reflects the Light of El, uniting heaven and earth, right and left, body and spirit. He reminds us that the way to acquire the life of the world to come is not through esoteric secrets or new doctrines, but through humble obedience to the mitzvot of El.
In Yeshua, the Light of the World, we see the Torah made flesh—the embodiment of divine Goodness. And in the path he walks and teaches, we return to the unity of YHWH, the Light of creation, and the commandments that lead to life.
Partner with Us: Restore the Path, Rekindle the Light
Nazarene Judaism is rising again—not as a relic of the past, but as a living, breathing expression of faith that honors both Torah and Messiah. Our mission is to:
Rebuild the ancient halachic path of the early Nazarenes
Teach and publish works that illuminate the Jewish roots of the Besorah (Gospel)
Gather scattered seekers into community rooted in mitzvot and Messiah
Preserve sacred traditions while walking boldly into the future
We cannot do this alone. Just as the Temple was not built by one set of hands, the restoration of Nazarene Judaism needs a faithful remnant to rise and give.
If this vision speaks to your heart… if you believe it’s time for the true light of Yeshua within Torah to shine again… then we invite you to give.
Your offering—whether large or small—is a spark that helps rekindle the fire.
Let us join hands as builders, torchbearers, and restorers of the ancient path.
Donate today. Walk with us. Restore the Light.
