Vayakhel/Pekudei - Day #1

Vayakhel - Pekudei  ויקהל/פקודי  

Torah Portion: Exodus 35:1-40:38

Exodus 35:1-29 

35:1 Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Hashem has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Hashem: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded, saying, 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to Hashem. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, 6 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 7 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

10 “‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Hashem has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14 the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

20 All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Hashem’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Hashem. 23 Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Hashem’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; 28 with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a freewill offering to Hashem; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Hashem had commanded to be made by Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

Today, we learn about being wise-hearted and having willing hearts. These were the people who contributed to the Tabernacle and helped create the necessary items. Hashem was only looking for people with a giving heart. He did not make giving mandatory, and He never does. It makes me think about how I give to Hashem in different ways. I want to do it with a “wise heart and a willing heart”. And it is critical to listen to Hashem, and He will definitely direct you on how to give. He does for me. But it’s essential to listen to Him, so that you don’t miss out on His blessings.

Today’s Challenge:

Right in verse 1, we read that Hashem gave Moses the words of the Law, and that we are commanded to do them. What an incredible honor that Hashem has given us His instructions for living our lives and living in community. And yes, how to serve Him in the Temple (Tabernacle). Maybe we don’t have a Temple right now, but even the essence of Temple worship is clear—obedience, cleanliness, repentance, servitude, and righteousness. The Jewish people have passed the Torah down from generation to generation throughout the centuries. They have done it carefully and sacrificially. What a privilege to study it and obey. Torah is life. May we be grateful today for Torah and the life it gives us.

Tzav - Day #7

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23

Shabbat: Leviticus 8:30–36

8:30 Moses took some of the anointing oil, and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

31 Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ 32 What remains of the meat and of the bread you shall burn with fire. 33 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days. 34 What has been done today, so Hashem has commanded to do, to make atonement for you. 35 You shall stay at the door of the Tent of Meeting day and night seven days, and keep Hashem’s command, that you don’t die: for so I am commanded.” 36 Aaron and his sons did all the things which Hashem commanded by Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 35, we read that the sons of Aaron are to stay at the door of the Tabernacle for seven days, obey what Hashem has commanded, or they will die. We know that Torah is eternal life. And for those who believe Yeshua is the Mashiach, He is the Word. So, here it is clear. If you want to come into the presence of Hashem, you must follow His commands and instructions. Not to do so will cause death to you. Isn’t that true now? If we follow Hashem and His Commandments, they will bring us life. They show us how to worship, praise, follow, repent, and forgive, atone, live, love Him, and love others. If we don’t do all that, we spiritually die. I believe that is why the world is so dark and sad. They don’t know Hashem and His Messiah. They don’t have life. It’s time for those who believe to begin being a light to the world, reflecting the Torah and Hashem’s love for us.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I encourage you to review whether you are following Hashem’s commandments. Are you honoring the Sabbath? Are you eating clean foods? Are you loving your neighbor more than yourself? Are you loving Hashem with your whole heart, soul, and strength? Give yourself a spiritual check-up today. And change where necessary. Follow Him, and He will give you life.

This Week’s Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23

7:21 Hashem of Armies, the Elohim of Israel says: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. 22 For I didn’t speak to your fathers or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices; 23 but this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and I will be your Elohim, and you shall be My people. Walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 But they didn’t listen or turn their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent to you all My servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. 26 Yet they didn’t listen to me or incline their ear, but made their neck stiff. They did worse than their fathers.

27 “You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 You shall tell them, ‘This is the nation that has not listened to Hashem their Elohim’s voice, nor received instruction. Truth has perished, and is cut off from their mouth.’ 29 Cut off your hair, and throw it away, and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for Hashem has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

30 “For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in My sight,” says Hashem. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I didn’t command, nor did it come into My mind. 32 Therefore behold, the days come”, says Hashem, “that it will no more be called ‘Topheth’ or ‘The valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’; for they will bury in Topheth until there is no place to bury. 33 The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. No one will frighten them away. 34 Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land will become a waste.”

8:1 “At that time,” says Hashem, “they will bring the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of his princes, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves. 2 They will spread them before the sun, the moon, and all the army of the sky, which they have loved, which they have served, after which they have walked, which they have sought, and which they have worshiped. They will not be gathered or be buried. They will be like dung on the surface of the earth. 3 Death will be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them,” says Hashem of Armies.

Jeremiah 9:22-23

9:22 Speak, “Hashem says,

“‘The dead bodies of men will fall as dung on the open field,

    and as the handful after the harvester.

    No one will gather them.’”

23 Hashem says,

“Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom.

    Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might.

    Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Verse 23 says, “Listen to My voice, and I will be your Elohim.” Pretty simple, right? But do we listen to Him? Do you feel a gentle “nudging” during your day to do something or not to do something? Do you follow that nudge? Chances are that Hashem is encouraging you. Listen to Him. Do what He says, or don’t do what He is telling you not to do. If we do this, He has promised to be our Elohim.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In verse 9:23, we are specifically told not to glory or have pride in the wisdom, might, or riches we have. Everything we have comes from Hashem. He owns it all. He lends us things and people temporarily while we are on earth. Don’t think for a minute that the things you possess or the children you have born are from your own doing. It is all from Hashem. Remember that today, and give glory to Him for all He has done and given you. Eagerly awaiting the day He sends His Mashiach to the Temple in Jerusalem. Where we can bow down and offer worship to the Holy One.

Tzav - Day #6

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Leviticus 8:22–29

8:22 He presented the other ram, the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 He killed it; and Moses took some of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot. 24 He brought Aaron’s sons, and Moses put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; 26 and out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before Hashem, he took one unleavened cake, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before Hashem. 28 Moses took them from their hands, and burned them on the altar on the burnt offering. They were a consecration offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Hashem. 29 Moses took the breast and waved it for a wave offering before Hashem. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of consecration, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

Moses consecrates Aaron and his sons. He places blood on their right ear, thumb of the right hand, and toe of the right foot (verses 23-24). What does that all signify? Some sages and scholars believe the ears represent what you listen to, the hand represents what you do, and the toe represents where you walk. That would make sense. We must be cautious in everything we do. Sometimes I think, “If Hashem were here, would He approve of this?” That’s a good measuring line. Imagine His presence and check yourself if you are doing the right thing.

Today’s Challenge:

Moses is consecrating (making holy) Aaron and his sons to do the work of the sacrifices, offerings, etc., in the Tabernacle. We learn from studying Torah that Hashem is into cleanliness and order. The animals must be without defects, and the priests must be clean and wear clean clothing. Our Elohim is Holy and Just. We must not bring anything dirty before Him as it is today. I challenge you to make sure you are not “dirty” in Hashem's eyes. In all that you do and say, ensure it is pleasing to Hashem. Pray that He will convict you of doing something wrong. And listen to Him. Life will be better. And remember, eternal life is in the Commandments.

Tzav - Day #5

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Leviticus 8:14–21

8:14 He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15 He killed it; and Moses took the blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it. 16 He took all the fat that was on the innards, and the cover of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat; and Moses burned it on the altar. 17 But the bull, and its skin, and its meat, and its dung, he burned with fire outside the camp, as Hashem commanded Moses. 18 He presented the ram of the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19 He killed it, and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20 He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat. 21 He washed the innards and the legs with water, and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

Verse 14 says they laid hands on the bull. Usually, laying hands on something or someone means some dedication or transference. Here it could be both. They are dedicating this great animal to Hashem, and they are “transferring” the sins of the people onto this sacrifice. Sometimes when people pray for me or others, they lay hands on us. I believe they are trying to transfer Hashem’s healing power, love, and grace to the person they are praying for. Just one word of caution, do not let just anybody lay hands on you. Be sure you know the person and trust them. They are helping Elohim’s power and plan to reach you.

Today’s Challenge:

Again, we are learning Hashem’s specific rules for sacrifice. They are carefully laid out, and nothing is to be missed when applying them. We need to examine the entire Torah in this manner. We are to follow things exactly, not carelessly. Pay attention to the details and learn to study each Commandment. I encourage you, as you read the giving of the Laws in Torah, to see how they apply to your life today and how you can follow them carefully and precisely as you are able. Torah is life. Breathe it in and try to obey it.

Tzav - Day #4

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Leviticus 8:1–13

8:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.”

4 Moses did as Hashem commanded him, and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 5 Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded to be done.” 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him and fastened it to him with it. 8 He placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate. 9 He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as Hashem commanded Moses. 10 Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them. 11 He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. 13 Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

Today it’s all about preparation. Hashem instructs Moses to gather everyone at the Tent (Tabernacle) and prepare. Aaron and his sons need to get washed, dressed, and ready. And everyone must gather there and prepare to make the sacrifice. This is going to be a big day, as we will soon see. I believe Hashem is all about preparing. He is an Elohim of order and not of disorder, just like we should be enacting in our lives. Order. It brings peace and prosperity because things get done.

Today’s Challenge:

My challenge to you today is about getting ready to meet Hashem. We have talked about this in the past. But today I want to challenge you about clothing. Aaron and his sons have been dressed in their special tunics. What do we wear when we go before Hashem? You may think it is irrelevant, but is it? During your prayer time, are you sitting in your old pajamas, ripped, stained clothing, or just not caring about what you're wearing? Maybe you are saying, “Hashem doesn’t care what I look like!” Well, yes, He does accept us for who we are, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to be especially clean and nice when we come to Him. So, when you enter your prayer time or study time today, be neat, clean, and well-dressed. It is about respecting Hashem in all areas of our lives.

Tzav - Day #3

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Leviticus 7:11–38

7:11 “‘This is the law of the sacrifice of peace offerings, which one shall offer to Hashem: 12 If he offers it for a thanksgiving, then he shall offer with the sacrifice of thanksgiving unleavened cakes mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil, and cakes mixed with oil. 13 He shall offer his offering with the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving with cakes of leavened bread. 14 Of it, he shall offer one out of each offering for a heave offering to Hashem. It shall be the priest who sprinkles the blood of the peace offerings. 15 The flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings for thanksgiving shall be eaten on the day of his offering. He shall not leave any of it until the morning.

16 “‘But if the sacrifice of his offering is a vow, or a free will offering, it shall be eaten on the day that he offers his sacrifice. On the next day, what remains of it shall be eaten, 17 but what remains of the meat of the sacrifice on the third day shall be burned with fire. 18 If any of the meat of the sacrifice of his peace offerings is eaten on the third day, it will not be accepted, and it shall not be credited to him who offers it. It will be an abomination, and the soul who eats any of it will bear his iniquity.

19 “‘The meat that touches any unclean thing shall not be eaten. It shall be burned with fire. As for the meat, everyone who is clean may eat it; 20 but the soul who eats of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings that belongs to Hashem, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from his people. 21 When anyone touches any unclean thing, the uncleanness of man, or an unclean animal, or any unclean abomination, and eats some of the meat of the sacrifice of peace offerings which belong to Hashem, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”

22 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘You shall eat no fat, of bull, or sheep, or goat. 24 The fat of that which dies of itself, and the fat of that which is torn of animals, may be used for any other service, but you shall in no way eat of it. 25 For whoever eats the fat of the animal which men offer as an offering made by fire to Hashem, even the soul who eats it shall be cut off from his people. 26 You shall not eat any blood, whether it is of bird or of animal, in any of your dwellings. 27 Whoever it is who eats any blood, that soul shall be cut off from his people.’”

28 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 29 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘He who offers the sacrifice of his peace offerings to Hashem shall bring his offering to Hashem out of the sacrifice of his peace offerings. 30 With his own hands, he shall bring the offerings of Hashem made by fire. He shall bring the fat with the breast, that the breast may be waved for a wave offering before Hashem. 31 The priest shall burn the fat on the altar, but the breast shall be Aaron’s and his sons’. 32 The right thigh you shall give to the priest for a heave offering out of the sacrifices of your peace offerings. 33 He among the sons of Aaron who offers the blood of the peace offerings, and the fat, shall have the right thigh for a portion. 34 For the waved breast and the heaved thigh I have taken from the children of Israel out of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel.’”

35 This is the consecrated portion of Aaron, and the consecrated portion of his sons, out of the offerings of Hashem made by fire, in the day when he presented them to minister to Hashem in the priest’s office; 36 which Hashem commanded to be given to them of the children of Israel, in the day that he anointed them. It is their portion forever throughout their generations. 37 This is the law of the burnt offering, the meal offering, the sin offering, the trespass offering, the consecration, and the sacrifice of peace offerings 38 which Hashem commanded Moses in Mount Sinai in the day that he commanded the children of Israel to offer their offerings to Hashem in the wilderness of Sinai.

Today’s Meditation:

In today’s reading, we have specific instructions on consuming the offering meat after it has been offered and burned. In some cases, the person making the offering has the meat to eat (verses 11-15), and in other cases, the priests are entitled to it. What I find most valuable is that Hashem is not letting any of the offerings go to waste. Maybe you weren’t planning on giving up a useful animal until you realized you sinned. However, after you're commanded to do so, you can keep the cooked meat for up to two days. It seems pretty generous of Hashem to offer this back to you.

Today’s Challenge:

There are five offerings listed in this recent reading in Leviticus. They can be hard to understand because most of us do not live in a Jewish community where these offerings are made (and because there is currently no Temple in Jerusalem to offer them). So, the best we can do is research and learn. Today, I ask you to delve into the heart of this matter. We discussed yesterday that the central purpose of giving offerings was to draw closer to Hashem. We know this, that sins separate us from communing with Hashem. An offering of repentance and worship brings us back to Him. Just like in Temple times, you could bring an animal or meal offering; now you can bring a worship, prayer, or mitzvah offering to Hashem.