Ki Tisa - Day #7

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38

Shabbat: Exodus 34:27–35

27 Hashem said to Moses, “Write these words; for in accordance with these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel.”

28 He was there with Hashem forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments.

29 When Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the covenant in Moses’ hand, when he came down from the mountain, Moses didn’t know that the skin of his face shone by reason of his speaking with Him. 30 When Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come near him. 31 Moses called to them, and Aaron and all the rulers of the congregation returned to him; and Moses spoke to them. 32 Afterward, all the children of Israel came near, and he gave them all the commandments that Hashem had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. 33 When Moses was done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. 34 But when Moses went in before Hashem to speak with Him, he took the veil off, until he came out; and he came out, and spoke to the children of Israel that which he was commanded. 35 The children of Israel saw Moses’ face, that the skin of Moses’ face shone; so Moses put the veil on his face again, until he went in to speak with Him.

Today’s Meditation:

Another huge miracle in today’s reading. Moses does not eat or drink for forty days when he meets Hashem on the mountain a second time. We know this is not physically possible. But with G-d, all things are possible. He enters the presence of Hashem for forty days. It must have seemed much shorter for him. The glory of Hashem sustained him physically, emotionally, and spiritually. How utterly amazing. And when he descends the mountain and meets his people, his face is shining, glowing, from being in the presence of Hashem. This is all so hard to imagine. But think about it: if we just spent some time with Hashem in prayer and worship. A part of ourselves would also glow. I believe that is why when you meet certain people, you literally see Hashem’s peace all over them.

Today’s Challenge:

Hashem has given Moses a second chance to receive the Ten Commandments—the Law. The finger of Elohim wrote the first set; now this new set is written by Moses. The whole experience is glorious, yet not the same. It makes me think that when Hashem gives us a second chance, it may not have been what He had initially intended for us. He adjusts it a little. But it is still good.

If you need a second chance at something in life (I know I do, I am thinking of it right now). Do not expect it to be what G-d intended from the beginning, but He will still make it good. There is a contingency: we are to follow Him, obey Him, repent, and worship. Go ahead today and ask Hashem for a second chance (or third or fourth). Praise Him and repent that you did not accept His original gift. 

This Week’s Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-38

36:16 Moreover, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 17 “Son of man, when the house of Israel lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and by their deeds. Their way before Me was as the uncleanness of a woman in her impurity. 18 Therefore, I poured out my wrath on them for the blood which they had poured out on the land, and because they had defiled it with their idols. 19 I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. I judged them according to their way and according to their deeds. 20 When they came to the nations where they went, they profaned My holy name; in that men said of them, ‘These are Hashem’s people, and have left his land.’ 21, but I had respect for My holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the nations where they went.

22 “Therefore, tell the house of Israel, ‘Hashem says: “I don’t do this for your sake, house of Israel, but for My holy name, which you have profaned among the nations where you went. 23 I will sanctify My great name, which has been profaned among the nations, which you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am Hashem,” says Hashem, “when I am proven holy in you before their eyes.

24 “‘“For I will take you from among the nations and gather you out of all the countries, and will bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean. I will cleanse you from all your filthiness, and from all your idols. 26 I will also give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit within you. I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes. You will keep My ordinances and do them. 28 You will dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers. You will be my people, and I will be your Elohim. 29 I will save you from all your uncleanness. I will call for the grain, and will multiply it, and lay no famine on you. 30 I will multiply the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field, that you may receive no more the reproach of famine among the nations.

31 “‘“Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good; and you will loathe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations. 32 I don’t do this for your sake,” says Hashem. “Let it be known to you: be ashamed and confounded for your ways, house of Israel.”

33 “‘Hashem says: “In the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited and the waste places will be built. 34 The land that was desolate will be tilled instead of being a desolation in the sight of all who passed by. 35 They will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden. The waste, desolate, and ruined cities are fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left around you will know that I, Hashem, have built the ruined places, and planted that which was desolate. I, Hashem, have spoken it, and I will do it.”

37 “‘Hashem says: “For this, moreover, I will be inquired of by the house of Israel, to do it for them: I will increase them with men like a flock. 38 As the flock for sacrifice, as the flock of Jerusalem in her appointed feasts, so the waste cities will be filled with flocks of men. Then they will know that I am Hashem.’”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Hashem makes it pretty clear what will happen when He returns to rule and reign in Jerusalem, in the Temple, forever. He states in verse 27, “I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes. You will keep My ordinances and do them.” His Spirit will inhabit us when we are obedient to His Law. Clear and simple. His Law is never taken away; in fact, when He returns, it is thoroughly followed. Why? Because it is life. Let us remember that. We have so diminished His Torah over time. Even those who are strangers and not Jews, who hope to attach to Israel, do not even fully understand His Law. But they can try to do their best. Each day, we must study His Torah. That is what this blog is all about.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In verse 20, Hashem explains that they have profaned His holy Name. I believe today we profane His holy Name when we do not follow Torah. When we carelessly study Torah, and go back into the world to live a pagan life. Yes, we live in a world where most people do not honor or respect Hashem. But that is why we are supposed to reflect His light. Let’s try today to change our lives and respect His holy Name and His sacred Words. Let us stop being careless about following His commands, and by doing so, we will begin to respect His Name.

Ki Tisa - Day #6

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Exodus 34:10–26

34:10 He said, “Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of Hashem; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you. 11 Observe that which I command you today. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 12 Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare among you; 13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; 14 for you shall worship no other god; for Hashem, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Elohim.

15 “Don’t make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice; 16 and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.

17 “You shall make no cast idols for yourselves.

18 “You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib; for in the month Abib you came out of Egypt.

19 “All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20 You shall redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb. If you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before me empty.

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest: in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

22 “You shall observe the feast of weeks with the first fruits of the wheat harvest, and the feast of harvest at the year’s end. 23 Three times in the year, all your males shall appear before Hashem, the Elohim of Israel. 24 For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither shall any man desire your land when you go up to appear before Hashem, your Elohim, three times in the year.

25 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The sacrifice of the feast of the Passover shall not be left to the morning.

26 “You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground to the house of Hashem your Elohim.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Today’s Meditation:

It is very clear from today’s reading that Hashem does not want His people hanging out with others who are clearly not believers. He knows they will influence them in evil ways. So, therefore, He promises to wipe them out before their eyes. And tells them in verse 14 “Hashem, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous G-d”.

Do you ever picture Hashem that way—jealous? It’s hard for me to picture that, but Scripture says He is. But think about the people you love, such as a partner. Aren’t you a little jealous when they are with someone else? It must be in our nature. Anyways, the solution, of course, is to place our hearts and minds, centered on Hashem, at all times. To not allow ourselves to be influenced in negative ways by others in the world. Stay close to His Word, pray, and repent daily. Stay away from those who do not worship your Elohim, or you just may become influenced by them.

Today’s Challenge:

In 34:10, Hashem promises to do marvels. It may be His marvels were destroying the enemy, which, of course, would be huge. But He is also referring to the everyday miracles He will perform in their midst. And I believe those miracles have never stopped. I look at my life, and He is always working miracles and wonders in my life. I challenge you to take some time today to reflect on the miracles (marvels) Hashem has done in your life lately. Then acknowledge Him with praise and prayer. We are truly grateful for all He does for us and those we love.

Ki Tisa - Day #5

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Exodus 34:1–9

34 Hashem said to Moses, “Chisel two stone tablets like the first. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to me on the top of the mountain. 3 No one shall come up with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain. Do not let the flocks or herds graze in front of that mountain.”

4 He chiseled two tablets of stone like the first; then Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Hashem had commanded him, and took in his hand two stone tablets. 5 Hashem descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Hashem’s name. 6 Hashem passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Hashem! Hashem, a merciful and gracious Elohim, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, 7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”

8 Moses hurried and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. 9 He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Hashem, please let Hashem go among us, even though this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”

Today’s Meditation:

We serve an Elohim of “second chances”. Moses, in anger, broke the first set of holy tablets. But, Hashem, in His kindness and mercy, gives him the chance to make a second set of tablets. Hashem invites Moses back up the mountain, and He descends in a cloud. Moses bows and worships Him. Isn’t it so kind that He is fair with Moses and His people? He is giving them the Ten Commandments, the substance of all Laws. Think about what would have happened if He decided not to reinstate the Commandments. Who knows what would have happened? Would there have been chaos? Would they ever have arrived in the Promised Land? It certainly would have been different. We know the Torah gives life. Hashem was giving life to Moses with the second set.

Today’s Challenge:

Who are the guilty in verse 7? Hashem has already said He will forgive iniquity. The guilty are those who do not repent, nor do they want to. They remain in sin and guilt. They choose themselves over Hashem. And even more sad, their sin is visited on generations to come. My challenge today is to take a look at your life. Is there a sin in your life that you will not repent of, or let go? Be honest. If there is, ask for repentance and turn your life around (teshuvah). We know sin separates us from Hashem, and repentance brings us closer.

Ki Tisa - Day #4

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Exodus 33:17–23

33:17 Hashem said to Moses, “I will do this thing also that you have spoken; for you have found favor in My sight, and I know you by name.”

18 Moses said, “Please show me Your glory.”

19 He said, “I will make all my goodness pass before you, and will proclaim Hashem’s name before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy.” 20 He said, “You cannot see My face, for man may not see Me and live.” 21 Hashem also said, “Behold, there is a place by me, and you shall stand on the rock. 22 It will happen, while my glory passes by, that I will put you in a cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand until I have passed by; 23 then I will take away My hand, and you will see My back; but My face shall not be seen.”

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem is so thoughtful. He knows Moses cannot see Him face-to-face, so He hides him in the cleft of a rock. Moses desires to see His glory. And Hashem agrees to this. Can you even imagine if you were Moses, hiding in a cleft, and there goes the glory of Hashem, right past you? Would you cry, bow down, pass out, praise Him, sing, and just be so happy? To see His glory would be incredible beyond words.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 19, we hear Hashem say that He has mercy and is gracious to whom He wills. I see His mercy and grace in my life every day. Do you? Today’s challenge is for you to look for His mercy and grace throughout your day. Perhaps He will show you mercy through a coworker. Or grace in a special situation where you really need it. Try to be aware of it today. And when He blesses you with compassion and/or grace, be sure to thank Him. Today is going to be a good day.

Ki Tisa - Day #3

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Exodus 33:12–16

33:12 Moses said to Hashem, “Behold, You tell me, ‘Bring up this people,’ and You haven’t let me know whom You will send with me. Yet You have said, ‘I know you by name, and you have also found favor in My sight.’ 13 Now therefore, if I have found favor in Your sight, please show me Your way, now, that I may know You, so that I may find favor in Your sight; and consider that this nation is Your people.”

14 He said, “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

15 Moses said to Him, “If Your presence doesn’t go with me, don’t carry us up from here. 16 For how would people know that I have found favor in Your sight, I and Your people? Isn’t it that You go with us, so that we are separated, I and Your people, from all the people who are on the surface of the earth?”

Today’s Meditation:

Moses is leading thousands of His people into the Holy Land. What is he concerned about? He is interested in Hashem going with him. In fact, he says, “Don’t carry us up from here, if Your presence doesn’t go with me” (verse 15). That is really his only concern, that Hashem leads the way. It is the most significant task in the world, and he knows that he can’t do it without Him. Isn’t that how our lives should be? That we don’t go forward with any big decisions (and some small) without Hashem going before us? Think about it. If you are making critical changes in your life, be sure to invite Hashem to be with you and help you every step of the way.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 13 of today’s reading, Moses says, “Please show me Your way, now, that I may know You.” It is essential to understand Hashem’s way. Sometimes it is very different from what we think we should do. Today, I challenge you to search out Hashem’s way in your life. Make sure you are on His path. If you don’t have peace in your heart, you aren’t in His will. When you include Hashem in the middle of your decision-making and when seeking your purpose, you will have total shalom peace.