Beha'alotcha - Day #4

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting  

Torah Portion: Numbers 8:1-12:16

Numbers 9:15–10:10

9:15 On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the Tent of the Testimony. In the evening, it was over the tabernacle, as it were, the appearance of fire, until morning. 16 So it was continually. The cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel traveled; and in the place where the cloud remained, there the children of Israel encamped. 18 At the commandment of Hashem, the children of Israel traveled, and at the commandment of Hashem they encamped. As long as the cloud remained on the tabernacle, they remained encamped. 19 When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept Hashem’s command, and didn’t travel. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then, according to the commandment of Hashem, they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Hashem, they traveled. 21 Sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they traveled; or by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they traveled. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled. 23 At the commandment of Hashem, they encamped, and at the commandment of Hashem, they traveled. They kept Hashem’s command, at the commandment of Hashem by Moses.

10:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps. 3 When they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 4 If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward. 6 When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.

8 “The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations. 9 When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before Hashem your Elohim, and you will be saved from your enemies.

10 “Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your Elohim. I am Hashem, your Elohim.”

Today’s Meditation: 

What a clear message for the directions of His people. When the cloud moves, the people move. They only have to watch for it. When the cloud remained, the people stayed. Wouldn’t that be so wonderful for the decisions you are making in your life? Can you imagine yourself thinking about buying a new house in a new city? You look at the Tabernacle to see if the cloud is lifting. It is. So, you're moving to your new city. Maybe we could get to know Hashem so well that we could spiritually see His cloud moving. In other words, we would learn through prayer, worship, and listening where He was leading us and what He was leading us to do.

Today’s Challenge:

In chapter 10, we learn about the alerts of the trumpets. When the priests would blow them, you would know whether you were journeying or going to war. It was a sense of trusting authority and being in community for major direction on issues. Maybe you don’t have a community where authority can give you direction or warning. Perhaps it is time to pray to Hashem and ask for one. One that honors and worships the one true Elohim of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. One that follows Torah. One that has trusted leadership. Pray and ask Hashem to lead you to this community. It will help you to be rooted and grounded. And knowing that sometimes leadership can and will make mistakes, but praying for them at all times.

Beha'alotcha - Day #3

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting  

Torah Portion: Numbers 8:1-12:16

Numbers 9:1–14

9:1 Hashem spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Let the children of Israel keep Pesach in its appointed season. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you shall keep it in its appointed season. You shall keep it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances.”

4 Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep Pesach. 5 They kept Pesach in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. 6 There were certain men, who were unclean because of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep Pesach on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 Those men said to him, “We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Hashem in its appointed season among the children of Israel?”

8 Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what Hashem will command concerning you.”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Say to the children of Israel, ‘If any man of you or of your generations is unclean by reason of a dead body, or is on a journey far away, he shall still keep Pesach to Hashem. 11 In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statutes of Pesach, they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people. Because he didn’t offer the offering of Hashem in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14 “‘If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep Pesach to Hashem, then he shall do so according to the statute of Pesach and according to its ordinance. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.’”

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem is reminding His people to celebrate Pesach, the first Pesach in the wilderness (one year after they left Egypt). This is to be a Commandment for many generations, forever. To remind us about Hashem’s deliverance miracle from slavery and His faithfulness to His promises to bring His people to the Promised Land. It’s about them eating unleavened bread in their haste. Hashem knows we need to remember this story. It is the beginning of His people's final return to Israel and formal reception of the Torah, the Book of Life. It is probably one of the most wonderful testimonials in the Bible. And we are to remember it every year. Whether we are Gentiles or Jews, we are invited to celebrate this memorial. As you commemorate this Feast every year, you will draw closer to Hashem.

Today’s Challenge:

Take a minute to remember the last Pesach you celebrated. What I remember this year was just the uniqueness and peace I felt during our Seder meal. We went through a Haggadah that my friend wrote, and it was so special. As we went through each stage of the meal, we remembered something about the original Pesach. The slaughter of the lambs, the blood on the doorposts, the angel of death passing by, the escape, and the crossing of the Red Sea. It brought back to mind the emotional experience the people must have felt: fear, anxiety, worry, doubt, wonder, and joy. But, most of all, it reminded me of Hashem’s love and greatness and how He is full of mercy and miracles every day.

Beha'alotcha - Day #2

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting  

Torah Portion: Numbers 8:1-12:16

Numbers 8:15–26

8:15 “After that, the Levites shall go in to do the service of the Tent of Meeting. You shall cleanse them, and offer them as a wave offering. 16 For they are wholly given to Me from among the children of Israel; instead of all who open the womb, even the firstborn of all the children of Israel, I have taken them to Me. 17 For all the firstborn among the children of Israel are mine, both man and animal. On the day that I struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, I sanctified them for myself. 18 I have taken the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel. 19 I have given the Levites as a gift to Aaron and to his sons from among the children of Israel, to do the service of the children of Israel in the Tent of Meeting, and to make atonement for the children of Israel, so that there will be no plague among the children of Israel when the children of Israel come near to the sanctuary.”

20 Moses, and Aaron, and all the congregation of the children of Israel did so to the Levites. According to all that Hashem commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so the children of Israel did to them. 21 The Levites purified themselves from sin, and they washed their clothes; and Aaron offered them for a wave offering before Hashem, and Aaron made atonement for them to cleanse them. 22 After that, the Levites went in to do their service in the Tent of Meeting before Aaron and before his sons: as Hashem had commanded Moses concerning the Levites, so they did to them.

23 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “This is what is assigned to the Levites: from twenty-five years old and upward they shall go in to wait on the service in the work of the Tent of Meeting; 25 and from the age of fifty years they shall retire from doing the work, and shall serve no more, 26 but shall assist their brothers in the Tent of Meeting, to perform the duty, and shall perform no service. This is how you shall have the Levites do their duties.”

Today’s Meditation:

This is so interesting in verse 19, Hashem explains that the priests (Levites) will make atonement for the people of Israel so that they are not afflicted with a plague as they approach the sanctuary area. In other words, Hashem is protecting His people from severe repercussions for attempting to approach the Temple without being prepared. The Levites, through Hashem’s instruction, will pave the way for them to come near. The Levites will make sacrifices that atone for the sins and the uncleanness of the people. Hashem has made a way for everyone to approach Him. We need to think about that for today.

Today’s Challenge:

If the Levites were giving offerings for the atonement of the people so they could come close to the sanctuary (come close to Hashem), how do we approach Hashem today? There is no Temple where His glory can reside, but, as throughout Torah and Scripture we read, Hashem communicates with His people. He either sent messengers, angels, dreams, or spoke in a still small voice. The point is, He has always reached out to His people. I don’t think we have been trained to hear from Hashem, or see what He is doing. 

Today is the day to start your training. Do something called “listening prayer”. Get to a quiet place. Pray and ask for forgiveness. Clear your mind. Ask Hashem to remove anything evil from your thoughts and then ask Him for what is on your heart. Take a short moment to listen to what He says. He may speak to you in a word picture, a Scripture verse, or just one word. Write it down. And then see how it applies to your life. Most importantly, do what He says. I have done this for years, and it is a very special way to communicate with Hashem.

Beha'alotcha - Day #1

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting  

Torah Portion: Numbers 8:1-12:16

Numbers 8:1–14

8:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron, and tell him, ‘When you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lamp stand.’”

3 Aaron did so. He lit its lamps to light the area in front of the lamp stand, as Hashem commanded Moses. 4 This was the workmanship of the lamp stand, beaten work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was beaten work. He made the lampstand according to the pattern which Hashem had shown Moses.

5 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Take the Levites from among the children of Israel, and cleanse them. 7 You shall do this to them to cleanse them: sprinkle the water of cleansing on them, let them shave their whole bodies with a razor, let them wash their clothes, and cleanse themselves. 8 Then let them take a young bull and its meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil; and another young bull you shall take for a sin offering. 9 You shall present the Levites before the Tent of Meeting. You shall assemble the whole congregation of the children of Israel. 10 You shall present the Levites before Hashem. The children of Israel shall lay their hands on the Levites, 11 and Aaron shall offer the Levites before Hashem for a wave offering on behalf of the children of Israel, that it may be theirs to do the service of Hashem.

12 “The Levites shall lay their hands on the heads of the bulls, and you shall offer the one for a sin offering and the other for a burnt offering to Hashem, to make atonement for the Levites. 13 You shall set the Levites before Aaron and before his sons, and offer them as a wave offering to Hashem. 14 Thus, you shall separate the Levites from among the children of Israel, and the Levites shall be Mine.

Today’s Meditation:

Today, we are reading about the Levites' dedication to Temple service. What an incredible privilege this would be for them. Hashem made sure to get the rest of the people involved in the “laying on of hands”. The position of caring for the Temple was probably the highest position that you could serve Hashem. However, with all of Hashem’s mercy and grace, He still saw all His people as equal. Maybe people's service was different, but all hearts were viewed the same way. Just as He views our hearts, however, we must be set apart from the rest of the world so that we can be His special people also.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 14, we read that “the Levites are Mine”. Of course, we are all His. But this special group of people was dedicated to a very special service unto Hashem. I would like us all to think about what special service we could do for Hashem today. We don’t have a Temple, and we are not Levites (maybe some of us are and don’t know it), so what can we do for Him today? Open up your eyes and look around. Perhaps a lady at the grocery store needs some help. Or someone is stopped at the side of the road trying to change a flat. Or your son or daughter needs help with homework. Look and see how you can serve Hashem today. And do it.

Nasso - Day #7

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate!  

Torah Reading: Numbers 4:21-7:89

Haftarah: Judges 13:2-5

Shabbat: Numbers 7:72–89

7:72 On the eleventh day, Pagiel, the son of Ochran, prince of the children of Asher, 73 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

74 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

75 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 76 one male goat for a sin offering;

77 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Pagiel, the son of Ochran.

78 On the twelfth day, Ahira, the son of Enan, prince of the children of Naphtali, 79 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

80 one golden spoon of ten shekels, full of incense;

81 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 82 one male goat for a sin offering;

83 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Ahira, the son of Enan.

84 This was the dedication offering of the altar, on the day when it was anointed, by the princes of Israel: twelve silver platters, twelve silver bowls, twelve golden ladles; 85 each silver platter weighing one hundred thirty shekels, and each bowl seventy; all the silver of the vessels two thousand four hundred shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; 86 the twelve golden ladles, full of incense, weighing ten shekels apiece, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; all the gold of the ladles weighed one hundred twenty shekels; 87 all the cattle for the burnt offering twelve bulls, the rams twelve, the male lambs a year old twelve, and their meal offering; and twelve male goats for a sin offering; 88 and all the cattle for the sacrifice of peace offerings: twenty-four bulls, sixty rams, sixty male goats, and sixty male lambs a year old. This was the dedication offering of the altar, after it was anointed.

89 When Moses went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with Hashem, he heard His voice speaking to him from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the Testimony, from between the two cherubim; and He spoke to him.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 89, we read that Moses heard His voice above the mercy seat in the Holy of Holies. How magnificent this must have been. Hashem is pleased with His special gifts from His special people. The offerings and sacrifices of obedience have been met. All is well. If even just for a short time. Isn’t that the way it is with us, too? All can be super good and right, for a short time. But that’s when we have to show our love and trust even during the hard times. It’s during those times that we grow really close to Hashem because we have to depend on Him. If you are going through a good time, give your praises to Hashem. If you are going through a challenging time, try to thank Him for staying by your side and for assuring you that it will all work out.

Today’s Challenge:

Who could enter the Holy of Holies during this time? Just Moses and the High Priest Aaron. And I believe Aaron could only enter on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Time with Hashem is special. Time to be appreciated and to look forward to. My challenge to you today is to think about how you spend your time with Hashem. Is it special? Do you plan it? Do you try to spend time with Him every day? I tend to talk to Him throughout the day. I like to think He is with me through everything I do. In the morning, I do my Bible Torah study, and I always feel like He is giving me revelation and direction through His Holy Scripture. I pray for His land and His people (Israel) every day. Make sure you are making time to be with the Father. He is the whole reason for our existence. I pray we never forget that.

This Week’s Haftarah: Judges 13:2-5

13:2 There was a certain man of Zorah, of the family of the Danites, whose name was Manoah; and his wife was barren and childless. 3 Hashem’s angel appeared to the woman, and said to her, “See now, you are barren and childless; but you shall conceive and bear a son. 4 Now therefore please beware and drink no wine nor strong drink, and don’t eat any unclean thing; 5 for, behold, you shall conceive and give birth to a son. No razor shall come on his head, for the child shall be a Nazirite to Elohim from the womb. He shall begin to save Israel out of the hand of the Philistines.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

In this week’s Torah Portion, Hashem describes the Nazarite vow to us. And here in Judges, we read about Samson and how, even before he is conceived, an angel tells his mother that Samson will be a Nazarite. And he will be set apart to defend Israel. Sometimes Hashem does call us to tasks and sets us apart. I think the next time He does this with me, I will try to follow the Nazarite instructions. It makes sense. A clear mind from alcohol, especially over time, really helps you to have a more explicit focus. This might be something we all think about.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

I don’t know if any of you have ever had an angel from Hashem come to you. I know there have been times in my life when it seemed as if an angel came and helped me through a particular situation. Our family has a story about when our two adopted sons first came to us from Korea. Before we met them on the plane, we had arrived at Chicago O’Hare Airport. We had gotten lost at the airport, and their arrival was getting close. Out of nowhere, a woman in a suit appeared and asked us if we needed help. She walked with us for a while, then clearly showed us where to go. We thanked her and started walking away. We turned around, and she had disappeared. The challenge today is to think of times when unusual things happened. Did it involve an angel? Maybe a special messenger from Hashem has visited us. And that is a wonder and an honor.

Nasso - Day #6

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate! 

Torah Portion: Numbers 4:21-7:89 

Numbers 7:42–71

7:42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, 43 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

44 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

45 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 46 one male goat for a sin offering;

47 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Eliasaph, the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day, Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, 49 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

50 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

51 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 52 one male goat for a sin offering;

53 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Elishama, the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day, Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh, 55 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

56 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

57 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 58 one male goat for a sin offering;

59 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Gamaliel, the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day, Abidan, the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, 61 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

62 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

63 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 64 one male goat for a sin offering;

65 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Abidan, the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day, Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, 67 gave his offering:

One silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

68 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

69 one young bull, one ram, one male lamb, a year old, for a burnt offering; 70 one male goat for a sin offering;

71 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs, a year old. This was the offering of Ahiezer, the son of Ammishaddai.

Today’s Meditation:

The tribe leaders all gave the same sacrifices to Hashem. Equality in worship of the Father. That’s an interesting concept. But, they didn’t give it all on the same day. They each had their own day. It reminds me of how it is now in a way. We each bring something to Hashem on our own special day. It could be on Shabbat or another day of the week. But, we can still do something or give something on a day set apart. The question is what are we giving/doing? Give this some thought and be like the tribe leaders, giving Hashem beautiful gifts.

Today’s Challenge:

I feel like today’s reading is a lot about equality. No tribe leader was trying to outdo the other. They probably saw the first leader make their sacrifice and offerings, and decided it would be good to do the same. Maybe they realize that Hashem sees us all as equals,” so why outgive each other? It is an excellent example of being fair. My challenge to you today is to think about your kids, grandkids, coworkers, or friends, and ask yourself: Do you treat them equally when it comes to gift-giving? Or do you have your favorite one that you treat differently? Maybe rethink your giving and try to make things equal. I have a feeling that this is important. Probably, because no one gets hurt this way. Please take a look at it and make any necessary changes.