Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #4

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 30:15-31:6

30:15 Behold, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and evil. 16 For I command you today to love Hashem your Elohim, to walk in His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His ordinances, that you may live and multiply, and that Hashem your Elohim may bless you in the land where you go in to possess it. 17 But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away and worship other gods, and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you will surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you pass over the Jordan to go in to possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants, 20 to love Hashem your Elohim, to obey His voice, and to cling to Him; for he is your life, and the length of your days, that you may dwell in the land which Hashem swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.

31:1 Moses went and spoke these words to all Israel. 2 He said to them, “I am one hundred twenty years old today. I can no more go out and come in. Hashem has said to me, ‘You shall not go over this Jordan.’ 3 Hashem your Elohim Himself will go over before you. He will destroy these nations from before you, and you shall dispossess them. Joshua will go over before you, as Hashem has spoken. 4 Hashem will do to them as He did to Sihon and to Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when He destroyed them. 5 Hashem will deliver them up before you, and you shall do to them according to all the commandment which I have commanded you. 6 Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them; for Hashem your Elohim himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.”

         

Today’s Meditation:

If your heart turns away, you will perish (verses 16-17). This is a concurrent theme throughout Scripture. We must not turn to other gods (money, relationships, sin). Our life depends on it. We must only follow Hashem and His Torah. This requires us to guard our hearts. And how does that work? That means we stay saturated in His Word. That means we don’t go to places or hang out with people who tempt us to sin. Instead, we surround ourselves with people who love Hashem with all their hearts. It also means we pray and worship Him consistently. Remember, Torah is life. Not to follow Hashem and His Torah is death. I

Today’s Challenge:

When you choose life, it is required (according to today’s reading) that you love Hashem, obey His voice, and cling to Him. We know how to hear His voice (I hope). We know how to obey Him. But how do we cling to Him? Ruth clung to her mother-in-law, Naomi. She told her she would love her, follow her, and her Elohim, her country, everything. That is what clinging is. You hold close. It’s not letting go when you hug someone. I challenge you today to not let go of Hashem. To cling to Him. Give Him everything you have. Do everything for Him and for others. He is your life. Don’t let go.

Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #3

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 30:7-14

30:7 Hashem your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 You shall return and obey Hashem's voice, and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 Hashem your Elohim will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Hashem will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you will obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. 11 For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 8, we read: “You shall return and obey Hashem’s voice.” What are we returning from? It is simple. We are returning to Him from a godless, disobedient, and rebellious life. We are returning to wonderful spiritual things from a dark, callous world. We are returning to the Light from the darkness of evil. We must try to remember that He has so much and is so much, and the earthly life we live is so selfish. We must make an effort every day to return to Him in all we do. To love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength. There is no other way to live.

Today’s Challenge:

To continue my thoughts above, in verse 10, we read that we are to return to Hashem with “all your heart and with all your soul.” This is not just being flippant about how we serve Him, but intentional. It is giving Him all we have within us. That’s the challenge today. Think about how you can give Hashem “your whole heart and soul”. Not just part of it, but all of it. Then we have the greatest blessing of all: “Hashem will again rejoice over you for good”. Can you even begin to imagine what it means for Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to rejoice over us? What does that look like? Does He smile or sing, does He speak kind words about us? Whatever He does, we look forward to receiving it. And we will do our part to follow Torah to the best of our ability. In every minute of every day.

Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #2

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 30:1-6

30:1 It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations where Hashem your Elohim has driven you, 2 and return to Hashem your Elohim and obey His voice according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 that then Hashem your Elohim will release you from captivity, have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples where Hashem your Elohim has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens, from there Hashem your Elohim will gather you, and from there He will bring you back. 5 Hashem your Elohim will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you will possess it. He will do you good, and increase your numbers more than your fathers. 6 Hashem your Elohim will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your offspring, to love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Today’s Meditation:

The idea here today is that if Hashem’s people are dispersed among the nations (as they have been), then they must “return” to Hashem with their whole heart and soul. When they do that, He will gather them from the nations (verses 2-3). In the 1940’s, after World War 2 that is exactly what happened. People prayed, people returned to Hashem, the Holocaust was over, and He brought them back to Israel. And now Hashem is restoring the country. However, there is a cost: people must serve only Him and not false gods. It is mandatory for Him; otherwise, we will lose everything. We must pray every day that the people of Hashem will return their hearts to Hashem and love Him with their whole heart and soul (everything), as will the rest of the world.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 5, we read, “He will do you good.” What does that look like? Will He give you things, bless you with good health, give you good relationships, a new car, house, and job? I’m thinking it means just what it says: that He will be good to you. Maybe He will meet you in worship in a special way. Maybe He will speak to you in a small, still voice. Or maybe you will just feel content in knowing that He loves you. It doesn’t have to be material things; it can be beautiful spiritual things. That’s the kind of good I am looking for and waiting for. My challenge to you is to take a minute today to look at the good Hashem has given you. Then praise Him for it all. I see Him do wonderful works in my life several times a day. I’m sure you do too. 

Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #1

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 29:9-28

29:9 Therefore, keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. 10 All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, 11 your little ones, your wives, and the foreigners who are in the middle of your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 that you may enter into the covenant of Hashem your Elohim, and into his oath, which Hashem your Elohim makes with you today, 13 that He may establish you today as His people, and that He may be your Elohim, as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 14 Neither do I make this covenant and this oath with you only, 15 but with those who stand here with us today before Hashem our Elohim, and also with those who are not here with us today 16 (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; 17 and you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which were among them); 18 lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Hashem your Elohim, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; 19 and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry. 20 Hashem will not pardon him, but then Hashem’s anger and His jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Hashem will blot out his name from under the sky. 21 Hashem will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the law.

22 The generation to come—your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land—will say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Hashem has made it sick, 23 that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which Hashem overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath. 24 Even all the nations will say, “Why has Hashem done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”

25 Then men will say, “Because they abandoned the covenant of Hashem, the Elohim of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know and that He had not given to them. 27 Therefore, Hashem’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. 28 Hashem rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.”

Today’s Meditation:

Verse 9 reads, “Keep the words of this Covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” What does it mean to keep? Can we keep the Temple and priestly laws? No. But we can keep the rest, to the best of our ability. We can avoid unclean foods. We can honor and remember the Feasts. We can protect the Sabbath. And we can follow the rest. When we do this, Hashem does know our hearts. We have the blessing of prosperity. That does not necessarily mean money. It could be wonderful children, a wonderful job, and a wonderful house/car. It could also mean the best friendships and relationships. Most of all, it could mean we are prosperous in our relationship with Hashem. That we could really get to know Him and His Torah. True prosperity is in the heart.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 10, we read, “All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim.” Were they really visibly seeing Hashem at this time? I don’t think so. But because Moses was speaking for Hashem and the community of the people standing together, I believe Hashem was in their presence, by His Spirit. So my challenge today is this. Maybe we could also be in His presence. Take a minute to think about what this would look like. Maybe through your worship, your prayer, your obedience, or just taking a moment to be silent and talk to Him. You will get to know and become familiar with him when He is there. And when that happens, you will want to be with Him more. We are just getting ready on this planet for a time when we will be with Him always in the Olam Haba. Practice this now. Get to know Him now. Ask Him to come and visit you, walk with you, and show you His ways.

Ki Tavo - Day #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

Shabbat: Deuteronomy 29:1–8

29:1 These are the words of the covenant which Hashem commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which He made with them in Horeb. 2 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that Hashem did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 3 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4 But Hashem has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day. 5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet. 6 You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am Hashem your Elohim. 7 When you came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we struck them. 8 We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 6, we read that the Hebrew people had not eaten bread nor drunk wine for 40 years. I did a little research on this, and the manna, or bread, from heaven was not leavened bread. It may have been a seeded type of wafer. But think of this: no bread or wine for 40 years. Celebrating bread and wine at every meal has been a tradition ever since. He takes away, and He gives you back. He does this to show that He is Elohim. And the really great part is, really, He is the bread and the wine. He is everything we need to live.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 5, we read, “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet.” Isn’t that amazing? Hashem provided everything. Food, water, clothing, and sandals. And they never wore out. I have a son-in-law who has saved his clothing from 25 years ago. The fantastic thing is that it hasn’t worn out. But, in all fairness, neither has he worn them every day, as the Hebrew people did. Imagine wearing shoes for forty years and never, ever having them wear out. It truly is a miracle. My challenge today is to reflect on how Hashem has always provided for you. You have never been for want, right? It is time to thank Him and praise Him. He is the giver of everything. He is the giver of life. 

This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

60:1  “Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    and Hashem’s glory has risen on you.

2 For, behold, darkness will cover the earth,

    and thick darkness the peoples;

but Hashem will arise on you,

    and His glory shall be seen on you.

3 Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

    they all gather themselves together.

    They come to you.

Your sons will come from far away,

    and your daughters will be carried in arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant,

    and your heart will thrill and be enlarged;

because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you.

    The wealth of the nations will come to you.

6 A multitude of camels will cover you,

   the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah.

All from Sheba will come.

    They will bring gold and frankincense,

    and will proclaim the praises of Hashem.

7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.

    The rams of Nebaioth will serve you.

They will be accepted as offerings on My altar;

    and I will beautify My glorious house.

8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud,

    and as the doves to their windows?

9 Surely the islands will wait for me,

    and the ships of Tarshish first,

to bring your sons from far away,

    their silver and their gold with them,

for the name of Hashem, your Elohim,

    and for the Holy One of Israel,

    because He has glorified you.

10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,

    and their kings will serve you:

for in My wrath I struck you,

    but in My favor I have had mercy on you.

11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you;

    and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet.

They will call you Hashem’s City,

    the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,

    so that no one passed through you,

I will make you an eternal excellency,

    a joy of many generations.

16 You will also drink the milk of the nations,

    and will nurse from royal breasts.

Then you will know that I, Hashem, am your Savior,

    your Redeemer,

    the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 For bronze I will bring gold;

    for iron, I will bring silver;

    for wood, bronze,

    and for stones, iron.

I will also make peace your governor,

    and righteousness your ruler.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,

    nor desolation or destruction within your borders;

but you will call your walls Salvation,

    and your gates, Praise.

19 The sun will be no more your light by day;

    nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you,

but Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and your Elohim will be your glory.

20 Your sun will not go down anymore,

    nor will your moon withdraw itself;

for Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and the days of your mourning will end.

21 Then your people will all be righteous.

    They will inherit the land forever,

    the branch of My planting,

    the work of My hands,

    that I may be glorified.

22 The little one will become a thousand,

    and the small one a strong nation.

    I, Hashem, will do this quickly in its time.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

In verse 19, we read, “The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Hashem will be your everlasting light, and your Elohim will be your glory.” This is such an incredible prophecy. In the Olam Haba, the world to come, we will actually not need the sun or the moon—the glory of Hashem, His shekinah glory, will fill the earth. His Light will fill the world, and it will be wonderful. We have no idea what this would be like. I believe that being in the presence of His glory will lay us prostrate. We will not be able to stand; just lie flat. We currently see only part of it, but we will see the whole picture soon. And it will be totally amazing.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In verse 5, we read how people will feel when they are brought back to Israel, to the land. Verse 5 reads, “Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged, because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.” We will reflect His glorious light in our lives, in those days. We will be blessed with wealth from the nations. But, as I am reading this today, I think, “Why can’t we reflect His light today?” And we should. We are to be a light to the nations. My challenge is to start being that light today. Let us prepare for His Light to go forth throughout the world. Let us begin shining His light through all we do and say, and light the way for Hashem to come.