Noach - Day #2

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Genesis 7:1–16               

7:1 Hashem said to Noah, “Come with all of your household into the ship, for I have seen your righteousness before Me in this generation. 2 You shall take seven pairs of every clean animal with you, the male and his female. Of the animals that are not clean, take two: the male and his female. 3 Also of the birds of the sky, seven and seven, male and female, to keep seed alive on the surface of all the earth. 4 In seven days, I will cause it to rain on the earth for forty days and forty nights. I will destroy every living thing that I have made from the surface of the ground.”

5 Noah did everything that Hashem commanded him.

6 Noah was six hundred years old when the flood of waters came on the earth. 7 Noah went into the ship with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives, because of the floodwaters. 8 Clean animals, unclean animals, birds, and everything that creeps on the ground 9 went by pairs to Noah into the ship, male and female, as Elohim commanded Noah. 10 After the seven days, the floodwaters came upon the earth. 11 In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst open, and the sky’s windows opened. 12 It rained on the earth forty days and forty nights.

13 In the same day Noah, and Shem, Ham, and Japheth—the sons of Noah—and Noah’s wife and the three wives of his sons with them, entered into the ship— 14 they, and every animal after its kind, all the livestock after their kind, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth after its kind, and every bird after its kind, every bird of every sort. 15 Pairs from all flesh with the breath of life in them went into the ship to Noah. 16 Those who went in went in male and female of all flesh, as Elohim commanded him; then Hashem shut him in.

Today’s Meditation: 

What about the verse, “Entered into the ship”? I have always thought of Noah and his family just walking up the plank behind the animals, silent and willing. But today I had another thought. What if Noah said, “It’s time to get in the boat”? And some of his sons started wailing, “No, I don’t want to! This is crazy!” And what if they resisted? Would Noah try to calm them down and remind them of Hashem’s promises to save them? What if his sons thought, “But what about all our friends? What will they think?” Would peer pressure be particularly intense for his sons and daughters? What would ultimately bring them into the boat? Would Noah be shouting at them? Ordering them to enter?

What brought them into the boat was obedience. Their father did this extravagant thing. Hashem gave him instructions for building a boat, and with the help of his sons and daughters, they built it. It must have been a truly miraculous experience. They must have been overwhelmed when they saw the completed boat and the animals from all over the world entering it. The next step was to obey their father and board the ship. Would you have done that? Would you have left everything behind without hesitation?

Today’s Challenge:

Think today about what you would be willing to give up to “get on the boat” with Hashem? Would you give up everything? You may think you have already done that when you decided to join His Covenant and follow His commandments. But, really, have you? Maybe take some time to reflect on this.

Noach - Day #1

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Genesis 6:9-22                

6:9 This is the history of the generations of Noah: Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time. Noah walked with Elohim. 10 Noah became the father of three sons: Shem, Ham, and Japheth. 11 The earth was corrupt before Elohim, and the earth was filled with violence. 12 Elohim saw the earth, and saw that it was corrupt, for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.

13 Elohim said to Noah, “I will bring an end to all flesh, for the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them and the earth. 14 Make a ship of gopher wood. You shall make rooms in the ship, and shall seal it inside and outside with pitch. 15 This is how you shall make it. The length of the ship shall be three hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits. 16 You shall make a roof in the ship, and you shall finish it to a cubit upward. You shall set the door of the ship on its side. You shall make it with the lower, second, and third levels. 17 I, even I, will bring the flood of waters on this earth, to destroy all flesh having the breath of life from under the sky. Everything that is in the earth will die. 18 But I will establish My covenant with you. You shall come into the ship, you, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you. 19 Of every living thing of all flesh, you shall bring two of every sort into the ship, to keep them alive with you. 

They shall be male and female. 20 Of the birds after their kind, of the livestock after their kind, of every creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two of every sort will come to you, to keep them alive. 21 Take with you some of all food that is eaten, and gather it to yourself; and it will be for food for you, and for them.” 22 Thus Noah did. He did all that Elohim commanded him.

Today’s Meditation:

What does it mean to walk with G-d (v. 9)? The word walk in Hebrew is “halakh”. It means to be in a relationship and fellowship. For Noah, in a time when corruption seemed rampant, it meant he was in a good relationship with Hashem. He wasn’t going with the mainstream; he was instead walking closely with Hashem.

I imagine that Noah paid a price to be walking with Hashem. Perhaps some people disliked him for that reason, leading them to shun or mock him. And consider the criticism he faced when he began building a gigantic boat. The laughter and jeers were most likely unbearable. It didn’t matter. He still walked with G-d. Because of his righteousness, Hashem saved him and his family from destruction. And He preserved the lineage for the future Mashiach (Messiah).

Today’s Challenge: 

Today, consider how you can walk a little closer to Hashem. Imagine you are taking Him everywhere you go. Would that make a difference?

B'reisheet - Day #7

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning 

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8  

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Shabbat: Genesis 5:25–6:8

5:25 Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 27 All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.

28 Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, then became the father of a son. 29 He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which Hashem has cursed.” 30 Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah for five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 31 All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died. 32 Noah was five hundred years old, and then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

6:1 When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 Elohim’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3 Hashem said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when Elohim’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

5 Hashem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil. 6 Hashem was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in His heart. 7 Hashem said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in Hashem’s eyes.

Today’s Meditation:

Everyone has thoughts on who the “Sons of G-d” are and the “Daughters of Men” (Genesis 6:1). Many people believe that the “Sons of G-d” are demons or fallen angels. I have a different thought. My idea is that the “Sons of G-d” are actually the set-apart people of Hashem descending from Adam, including Seth’s line. Throughout Scripture, the terms “sons” or “children” refer to individuals in a covenant relationship with Hashem. 

So, that leaves us with the question: who are the daughters of men? I have this theory that there was a “pre-creation” of mankind (Genesis 1) before Hashem created Adam and the Garden. (Some call this a pre-Adamic race). This population, both male and female, was likely not following Hashem, so He then created a set-apart people through Adam. If this were true, then at some point His set-apart people meet up with His first creation of people, and they begin to marry. This is the Bible’s first sign of mixed marriages. And the result doesn’t fare well. The descendants of these mixed marriages become corrupt and sinful, so much so that Hashem wishes He had not created them.

Amidst all this corruption, one man stands out, Noah. He found favor with G-d. Hashem always has a remnant that genuinely loves and serves Him. I want to be part of this group. Those who love Hashem with their whole heart, soul, and being.

Today’s Challenge:

Do you desire to be a “son/daughter of men” or a “son/daughter of Hashem”? I want to be a daughter of Hashem. I want to be picked to be a part of His remnant. I challenge you and myself to find out how we can do that.

This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10

42:5 Hashem Elohim, He who created the heavens and stretched them out, He who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, He who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:

6 “I, Hashem, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, 7 to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.

8 “I am Hashem. That is My name. I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to engraved images. 9 Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things, I tell you about them before they come up.”

10 Sing to Hashem a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants, 11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.  Let them shout from the top of the mountains!

12 Let them give glory to Hashem, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 Hashem will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies. 14 “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained Myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant. 15 I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools, 16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.

17 “Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.

18 “Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see. 19 Who is blind

but My servant? Or who is as deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Hashem’s servant? 20 You see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen. 21 It pleased Hashem, for His righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable. 22 But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers, and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’

23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t Hashem, He against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in His ways, and they disobeyed His law. 25 Therefore, He poured the fierceness of His anger on him and the strength of battle. It set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know. It burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.”

43:1 But now Hashem, who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the Rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.

3 For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia, and Seba in your place. 4 Since you have been precious and honored in My sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.

5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—7 everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’”

8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” 10 “You are My witnesses,” says Hashem, “With My servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no god formed, neither will there be after Me.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

What promises do we have from our great and mighty Elohim? If only we could understand that He requires us to be active in our love for Him. That means following His commandments and displaying true worship to Him in every moment of our waking lives.

He says, “But now Hashem who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: 'Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

He knows our name. He has redeemed us. And He will be with us through every trial and test, for He is Elohim.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In this verse, think about how He has redeemed you. How many times has He pulled you out of deep waters? Or rescued you from the fire? Reflect on His mercy and goodness.

B'reisheet - Day #6

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning   

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Genesis 4:23–5:24

4:23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”

25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “For Elohim has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time, men began to call on Hashem’s name.

5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that Elohim created man, He made him in Elohim’s likeness. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them. On the day they were created, He named them Adam. 3 Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after His image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of other sons and daughters. 5 All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred five years, then became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh for eight hundred seven years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 8 All of the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.

9 Enosh lived ninety years and became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan for eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 11 All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.

12 Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters 14 and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.

15 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared for eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 17 All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.

18 Jared lived 162 years, then became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch for eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 20 All of the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.

21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. 22 After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with Elohim for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. 23 All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with Elohim, and he was not found, for Elohim took him.

Today’s Meditation:

If you study the phrase “Men began to call on Hashem’s name” (verse 4:26), you will be surprised, actually, to find two possible meanings. The first being that men began to give the name of Hashem to other physical forms, including themselves. In other words, they began to initiate a false deity. I suppose that since sin had entered the world, it manifested itself in various ways, including false worship.

The second meaning is one that we can agree on. That man began to call upon, pray, and/or worship Hashem. Now having a sense of good and evil, they most likely found that worshiping Hashem and seeking Him brought peace and joy into their lives. It became evident that humans were beginning to distinguish between light and dark. And, just like us, they desired to be in the light.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I challenge you to call upon Hashem’s Name. See if you can walk closely with Him. Look for what He is doing and try to join Him. He will reveal Himself to you throughout the day in many different ways. You will find this to be a fascinating way to live.

B'reisheet - Day #5

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning  

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Genesis 4:19–22

4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.

Today’s Meditation:

After Cain moves away and leaves the presence of Hashem and his family, Scripture begins listing his descendants. In this relatively short reading, we learn a little about Tubal Cain, “a forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron.” If you begin researching this, you may find that Tubal Cain was thought to be a blacksmith who made weapons. Ironic. His distant great-grandfather, Cain, commits the first documented murder in the Bible. Now his great-grandson (to the 5th generation) is producing weapons. Maybe for defense, maybe not.

Hashem specifically gives us the commandment not to murder. And yet, we see how early on in the history of mankind this commandment is broken, and sin persists. Don’t you ever wonder how man so quickly and easily began to sin, even when Hashem’s presence was still evident? Just something to think about. 

Today’s Challenge:

Maybe you have had a memorable moment praying with Hashem, or you are at a church/synagogue service and really feel His presence there. But you leave, and five minutes later, you do something sinful? I’ve been there and done it. My challenge today is to help you become more aware of not sinning. Even if for just a day.

B'reisheet - Day #4

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning  

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Genesis 3:22–4:18

3:22 Hashem Elohim said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us, knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand, and also take of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever—” 23 Therefore Hashem Elohim sent him out from the garden of Eden, to till the ground from which he was taken. 24 So he drove out the man, and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

4:1 The man knew Eve, his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Cain and said, “I have gotten a man with Hashem’s help.” 2 Again, she gave birth to Cain’s brother Abel. Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground. 3 As time passed, Cain brought an offering to Hashem from the fruit of the ground. 4 Abel also brought some of the firstborn of his flock and of its fat. Hashem respected Abel and his offering, 5 but He didn’t respect Cain and his offering. Cain was very angry, and the expression on his face fell. 

6 Hashem said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why has the expression of your face fallen? 7 If you do well, won’t it be lifted up? If you don’t do well, sin crouches at the door. Its desire is for you, but you are to rule over it.” 

8 Cain said to Abel, his brother, “Let’s go into the field.” While they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel, his brother, and killed him.

9 Hashem said to Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?”

He said, “I don’t know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

10 Hashem said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries to me from the ground. 11 Now you are cursed because of the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. 12 From now on, when you till the ground, it won’t yield its strength to you. You will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth.”

13 Cain said to Hashem, “My punishment is greater than I can bear. 14 Behold, you have driven me out today from the surface of the ground. I will be hidden from your face, and I will be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. Whoever finds me will kill me.”

15 Hashem said to him, “Therefore, whoever slays Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” Hashem appointed a sign for Cain, so that anyone finding him would not strike him.

16 Cain left Hashem’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 17 Cain knew his wife. She conceived and gave birth to Enoch. He built a city and named it after the name of his son, Enoch. 18 Irad was born to Enoch. Irad became the father of Mehujael. Mehujael became the father of Methushael. Methushael became the father of Lamech.

Today’s Meditation: 

What exactly is the sign on Cain? I always thought it was some mark on his forehead so everyone could see it. However, rabbinical literature views the sign as a mark of forgiveness. After Hashem confronts Cain about his evil deed of murdering his brother, Cain remarks, “My punishment is greater than I can bear.” It sounds like he is repenting. And when we repent, Hashem forgives us. 

Perhaps this is the first instance of forgiveness mentioned in the Bible. After all, we are only in chapters 3 and 4. This forgiveness is so great that Hashem places a mark on Cain so that no one will harm him. What a powerful sign that must have been. That is Hashem’s grace for sure. Forgiveness and protection. It also reminds us that sin comes with consequences. Truly, the sadness of this all is that Cain will now be hidden from Elohim’s face.

Today’s Challenge:

Are you wearing a sign of forgiveness on your face? Or is that not possible because there is actually someone in your life you are having a hard time forgiving? I challenge you to take the person Hashem has just put on your mind, go to them, and seek their forgiveness. When you do this, you will see that Hashem has also forgiven you.