Tazria/Metzora - Day #1

Tazria-Metzora 

She will conceive/Leper — תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33

Leviticus 12:1-13:23 

12:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a woman conceives, and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean seven days; as in the days of her monthly period she shall be unclean. 3 In the eighth day, the flesh of his foreskin shall be circumcised. 4 She shall continue in the blood of purification thirty-three days. She shall not touch any holy thing, nor come into the sanctuary, until the days of her purifying are completed. 5 But if she bears a female child, then she shall be unclean two weeks, as in her period; and she shall continue in the blood of purification sixty-six days.

6 “‘When the days of her purification are completed for a son or for a daughter, she shall bring to the priest at the door of the Tent of Meeting, a year-old lamb for a burnt offering, and a young pigeon or a turtledove, for a sin offering. 7 He shall offer it before Hashem, and make atonement for her; then she shall be cleansed from the fountain of her blood.

“‘This is the law for her who bears, whether a male or a female. 8 If she cannot afford a lamb, then she shall take two turtledoves or two young pigeons: the one for a burnt offering, and the other for a sin offering. The priest shall make atonement for her, and she shall be clean.’”

13:1 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “When a man shall have a swelling in his body’s skin, or a scab, or a bright spot, and it becomes in the skin of his body the plague of leprosy, then he shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his sons, the priests. 3 The priest shall examine the plague in the skin of the body. If the hair in the plague has turned white, and the appearance of the plague is deeper than the body’s skin, it is the plague of leprosy; so the priest shall examine him and pronounce him unclean. 4 If the bright spot is white in the skin of his body, and its appearance isn’t deeper than the skin, and its hair hasn’t turned white, then the priest shall isolate the infected person for seven days. 5 The priest shall examine him on the seventh day. Behold, if in his eyes the plague is arrested and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall isolate him for seven more days. 6 The priest shall examine him again on the seventh day. Behold, if the plague has faded and the plague hasn’t spread in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean. It is a scab. He shall wash his clothes and be clean. 7 But if the scab spreads on the skin after he has shown himself to the priest for his cleansing, he shall show himself to the priest again. 8 The priest shall examine him; and behold, if the scab has spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is leprosy.

9 “When the plague of leprosy is in a man, then he shall be brought to the priest; 10 and the priest shall examine him. Behold, if there is a white swelling in the skin, and it has turned the hair white, and there is raw flesh in the swelling, 11 it is a chronic leprosy in the skin of his body, and the priest shall pronounce him unclean. He shall not isolate him, for he is already unclean.

12 “If the leprosy breaks out all over the skin, and the leprosy covers all the skin of the infected person from his head even to his feet, as far as it appears to the priest, 13 then the priest shall examine him. Behold, if the leprosy has covered all his flesh, he shall pronounce him clean of the plague. It has all turned white: he is clean. 14 But whenever raw flesh appears in him, he shall be unclean. 15 The priest shall examine the raw flesh, and pronounce him unclean: the raw flesh is unclean. It is leprosy. 16 Or if the raw flesh turns again, and is changed to white, then he shall come to the priest. 17 The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him clean of the plague. He is clean.

18 “When the body has a boil on its skin, and it has healed, 19 and in the place of the boil there is a white swelling, or a bright spot, reddish-white, then it shall be shown to the priest. 20 The priest shall examine it. Behold, if its appearance is deeper than the skin, and its hair has turned white, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is the plague of leprosy. It has broken out in the boil. 21 But if the priest examines it, and behold, there are no white hairs in it, and it isn’t deeper than the skin, but is dim, then the priest shall isolate him seven days. 22 If it spreads in the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him unclean. It is a plague. 23 But if the bright spot stays in its place, and hasn’t spread, it is the scar from the boil; and the priest shall pronounce him clean.

Today’s Meditation:

We are learning about purification practices for a woman after childbirth. The issue of uncleanness is most likely due to the blood. She is given time to rest and be purified. Maybe this is Hashem’s way of providing a woman after childbirth a chance to recuperate and heal. If she is unclean, people cannot touch her, or they will become unclean. The laws of Hashem for intercourse and monthly cycles make a lot of sense. They bring a rhythm to the cycle of life. And it is natural. Today, we decide when we want children. We think we have the power to do this. However, we should ultimately leave this up to the Creator. His plans are far superior to ours.

Today’s Challenge:

If you are young and of childbearing age, you may want to research birth control medications. Hashem lays out a plan for becoming pregnant and the ovulation schedule. There is something called “natural family planning”. Look it up on the internet. Instead of taking chemicals, you can actually naturally find out when you are most likely to become pregnant (ovulation cycle) and avoid sex during this time (or if you want to become pregnant, this is obviously a good time to conceive). It is a healthy and normal way to try to manage your family size. However, seeking Hashem through prayer, as for how many children you are to bear, would be the best way.

Shemini - Day #1

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Leviticus 9:1–16

9:1 On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2 and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without defect, and offer them before Hashem. 3 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without defect, for a burnt offering; 4 and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Hashem; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Hashem appears to you.’”

5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting. All the congregation came near and stood before Hashem. 6 Moses said, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded that you should do; and Hashem’s glory shall appear to you.” 7 Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as Hashem commanded.”

8 So Aaron came near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar; 10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar, as Hashem commanded Moses. 11 The meat and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp. 12 He killed the burnt offering, and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head. He burned them upon the altar. 14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar. 15 He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first. 16 He presented the burnt offering and offered it according to the ordinance.

Today’s Meditation:

Prepare the offerings for “today Hashem appears to you." (verse 4) How amazing that would be. You are bringing a perfect offering, you are preparing to present it, and you know that soon Hashem will appear in His glory. What excitement and energy that must have brought to the people. And hopefully fear, fear of the presence of the Holy One. Reasonable fear, fear of Hashem. We should be getting excited, too. We should pray every day for Hashem to return to the Temple in Jerusalem. We should be praying for the Temple to be built. We should be getting ready for the glory of Hashem to come to Israel, may it be soon. Try to remember to do this. It may help to bring Him back sooner. 

Today’s Challenge:

I challenge you today to make an offering to Hashem. It can be prayer, sacrifice, worship, repentance, or a good deed (mitzvah). Think about what you can give today and do it. And be excited and anticipate giving it to Him. Think of all the gifts He gives you every day. Today is the day to provide Him with something special.

Tzav - Day #1

Tzav צַו - Command!  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Leviticus 6:1–11

6:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “If anyone sins, and commits a trespass against Hashem, and deals falsely with his neighbor in a matter of deposit, or of bargain, or of robbery, or has oppressed his neighbor, 3 or has found that which was lost, and lied about it, and swearing to a lie—in any of these things that a man sins in his actions— 4 then it shall be, if he has sinned, and is guilty, he shall restore that which he took by robbery, or the thing which he has gotten by oppression, or the deposit which was committed to him, or the lost thing which he found, 5 or any thing about which he has sworn falsely: he shall restore it in full, and shall add a fifth part more to it. He shall return it to him to whom it belongs in the day of his being found guilty. 6 He shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem: a ram without defect from the flock, according to your estimation, for a trespass offering, to the priest. 7 The priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem, and he will be forgiven concerning whatever he does to become guilty.”

8 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 9 “Command Aaron and his sons, saying, ‘This is the law of the burnt offering: the burnt offering shall be on the hearth on the altar all night until the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning on it. 10 The priest shall put on his linen garment, and he shall put on his linen trousers upon his body; and he shall remove the ashes from where the fire has consumed the burnt offering on the altar, and he shall put them beside the altar. 11 He shall take off his garments, and put on other garments, and carry the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.

Today’s Meditation:

When we are dishonest with others, we are to restore what was taken and add a fifth. It's all about restoration and making things right (verses 4-5). This is what repairs the world we live in: restoration. Examine your life and see whether you owe anyone anything or have oppressed anyone. Then take care of it, restore what was taken, and give extra. Imagine if we all did this, what a changed world we would live in.

Today’s Challenge:

Along with making things right with those you have offended, you are to bring an offering to Hashem. That offering in today’s time could be praise, worship, repentance, and a gift to support Israel. Again, take a look at your life and see what Hashem shows you. Take care of it soon, no matter how hard it may seem. Let’s change the world together. 

Vayikra - Day #1

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Leviticus 1:1–13

1 Hashem called to Moses, and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When anyone of you offers an offering to Hashem, you shall offer your offering of the livestock, from the herd and from the flock.

3 “‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Hashem. 4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 He shall kill the bull before Hashem. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 6 He shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order on the fire; 8 and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar; 9 but he shall wash its innards and its legs with water. The priest shall burn all of it on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

10 “‘If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male without defect. 11 He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before Hashem. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 12 He shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat. The priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar, 13 but the innards and the legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

Today’s Meditation:

We read in verse 13 that the offerings are a “pleasant aroma” to Hashem. I’ve always wondered about this. If Hashem creates animals, why would their killing and roasting be pleasant to Him? But, as I have studied more, I believe what Hashem finds pleasant is that His people are being obedient. He does provide for them to eat of the meat afterwards (however, sometimes the entire offering is consumed by fire). Just as a parent is happy when his/her child obeys, so must Hashem be. That is what is pleasant to Him, obeying His Commandments. Are we doing that every day?

Today’s Challenge:

We read in verse 11 that the offering is prepared before Hashem. It’s almost like they do this in front of Him for His approval. That makes total sense, like a King sitting before His servants witnessing their acts of servitude and obedience. My challenge today is, do you go before Hashem in prayer and worship? Sometimes we get into the habit of just praying without much thought. We should not take communication with Hashem lightly. Let’s go before Him with reverence and consideration of who He is.

Vayakhel/Pekudei - Day #1

Vayakhel/Pekudei  ויקהל/פקודי  

Torah Portion: Exodus 35:1-40:38

Exodus 35:1-29 

35 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 hearts 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.

Ki Tisa - Day #1

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate  

Torah Portion: Exodus 30:11-34:35

Exodus 30:11–31:17

30:11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “When you take a census of the children of Israel, according to those who are counted among them, then each man shall give a ransom for his soul to Hashem when you count them, that there be no plague among them when you count them. 13 They shall give this, everyone who passes over to those who are counted, half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs); half a shekel for an offering to Hashem. 14 Everyone who passes over to those who are counted, from twenty years old and upward, shall give the offering to Hashem. 15 The rich shall not give more, and the poor shall not give less, than the half shekel, when they give the offering of Hashem, to make atonement for your souls. 16 You shall take the atonement money from the children of Israel, and shall appoint it for the service of the Tent of Meeting; that it may be a memorial for the children of Israel before Hashem, to make atonement for your souls.”

17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “You shall also make a basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, in which to wash. You shall put it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and you shall put water in it. 19 Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in it. 20 When they go into the Tent of Meeting, they shall wash with water, that they not die; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to Hashem. 21 So they shall wash their hands and their feet, that they not die. This shall be a statute forever to them, even to him and to his descendants throughout their generations.”

22 Moreover, Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty; 24 and of cassia five hundred, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; and a hin of olive oil. 25 You shall make it into a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer: it shall be a holy anointing oil. 26 You shall use it to anoint the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, 27 the table and all its articles, the lamp stand and its accessories, the altar of incense, 28 the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the basin with its base. 29 You shall sanctify them, that they may be most holy. Whatever touches them shall be holy. 30 You shall anoint Aaron and his sons, and sanctify them, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. 31 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘This shall be a holy anointing oil to me throughout your generations. 32 It shall not be poured on man’s flesh, and do not make any like it, according to its composition. It is holy. It shall be holy to you. 33 Whoever compounds any like it, or whoever puts any of it on a stranger, he shall be cut off from his people.’”

34 Hashem said to Moses, “Take to yourself sweet spices, gum resin, onycha, and galbanum: sweet spices with pure frankincense. There shall be an equal weight of each. 35 You shall make incense of it, a perfume after the art of the perfumer, seasoned with salt, pure and holy. 36 You shall beat some of it very small, and put some of it before the covenant in the Tent of Meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be to you most holy. 37 You shall not make this incense, according to its composition, for yourselves: it shall be to you holy for Hashem. 38 Whoever shall make any like that, to smell of it, he shall be cut off from his people.”

31 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Behold, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 I have filled him with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship, 4 to devise skillful works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, 5 and in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of workmanship. 6 Behold, I Myself have appointed with him Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and in the heart of all who are wise-hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the Tent of Meeting, the ark of the covenant, the mercy seat that is on it, all the furniture of the Tent, 8 the table and its vessels, the pure lamp stand with all its vessels, the altar of incense, 9 the altar of burnt offering with all its vessels, the basin and its base, 10 the finely worked garments—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, the garments of his sons to minister in the priest’s office— 11 the anointing oil, and the incense of sweet spices for the holy place: according to all that I have commanded you they shall do.”

12 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 13 “Speak also to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Most certainly you shall keep My Sabbaths; for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am Hashem who sanctifies you. 14 You shall keep the Sabbath therefore, for it is holy to you. Everyone who profanes it shall surely be put to death; for whoever does any work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. 15 Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, holy to Hashem. Whoever does any work on the Sabbath day shall surely be put to death. 16 Therefore, the children of Israel shall keep the Sabbath, to observe the Sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. 17 It is a sign between Me and the children of Israel forever; for in six days Hashem made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.’”

Today’s Meditation:

Interesting in today’s reading that atonement for souls (verse 30:16) is a money offering. We always think of shedding blood to make atonement. But here we see a different type of offering, a half-shekel. Maybe it was important for Hashem to see their commitment because money is such a huge part of our lives. If we have to give away our money, then we are giving up something important to us. Money is imperative for living—food, housing, clothing, etc. To give some of it away to Hashem shows trust and dedication.

In this instance, the whole Tabernacle and priesthood are being established. So, it makes sense that money is needed to sustain the building and materials (although, as we read, many materials were donated). We also learn that money is used to redeem the firstborn. Money is just a part of our lives now as it was back then. In Biblical times, your livelihood also included livestock and land. Our sacrifice and privilege, now and then, is to give just as Hashem directs us.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 31:16, we read that the Shabbat is to be a perpetual covenant. Never to end. It is a sign between Hashem and His people. What about that do we not understand? Why have believers in Hashem chosen to say this is no longer in effect? Who are we, or anyone, able to change a covenant with Hashem, or change His Law? In fact, we are told in Torah to never add or subtract from the Law. Observing and guarding Shabbat is required. It is mentioned many, many times. And clearly we see in verse 31:17 that this adherence to the Shabbat Commandment comes with the gift of refreshment. Don’t you feel refreshed after spending time with Hashem in prayer and worship?

My challenge to you today is this. Observe and honor the Shabbat starting this week. Take from sundown on Friday to sundown on Saturday to rest, read Scripture, study Torah, spend time with family, and pray. It will totally refresh you for the week to come.