Ki Tavo - Day #4

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Deuteronomy 27:1–10

27:1 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go into the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised you. 4 It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. 5 There you shall build an altar to Hashem your Elohim, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6 You shall build Hashem your Elohim’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Hashem your Elohim. 7 You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim. 8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

9 Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Hashem your Elohim. 10 You shall therefore obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and do His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 7, we read again that after your sacrifice to Hashem, your Elohim, you are to rejoice. Sometimes, when I read about sacrifices, they seem challenging. Bringing in a spotless offering to the Tabernacle/Temple to the priest, having him slaughter it, then cooking and eating it (the ones that you are permitted to eat). But we don’t realize that all of this is done for Hashem. The creator of the universe. It’s not just some chore; it is a total privilege and blessing. So, that’s when we rejoice. When we realize it is Hashem, the Elohim of all. That is who we are giving to. And what an honor that it is. All so much worth giving Him glory and praise. We don’t have that type of offering today, but we can offer other options. And when we do, be sure to rejoice before Him. Giving and then rejoicing- something we are not used to?

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 9, Moses tells the people to be quiet and listen. That they have become the people of Hashem, so obey His commandments. I believe these words are alive today. We are to listen to the voice of Hashem, but we need to be quiet to do so. We can’t hear His voice when we are leading busy and loud lives. Going places, doing things, talking, and texting. We need to find a quiet place so we can hear His voice. Picture a house full of kids playing, shrieking with laughter, and running around. But one of the kids is trying to talk to you. You can’t hear him/her because of all the noise. Same with Hashem. If we have so much going on around us, we won’t be able to hear Him speak. So that’s the challenge today. Get somewhere quiet and peaceful. Try to spend some time with Hashem.

Ki Teitzei - Day #4

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Deuteronomy 23:8–24

23:8 The children of the third generation who are born to them may enter into Hashem’s assembly.

9 When you go out and camp against your enemies, then you shall keep yourselves from every evil thing. 10 If there is among you any man who is not clean by reason of that which happens to him by night, then shall he go outside of the camp. He shall not come within the camp; 11 but it shall be, when evening comes, he shall bathe himself in water. When the sun is down, he shall come within the camp. 12 You shall have a place also outside of the camp where you go relieve yourself. 13 You shall have a trowel among your weapons. It shall be, when you relieve yourself, you shall dig with it, and shall turn back and cover your excrement; 14 for Hashem your Elohim walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore, your camp shall be holy, that He may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.

15 You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you. 16 He shall dwell with you, among you, in the place which he shall choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best. You shall not oppress him.

17 There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, nor shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18 You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a male prostitute, into the house of Hashem your Elohim for any vow; for both of these are an abomination to Hashem your Elohim

19 You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. 20 You may charge a foreigner interest, but you shall not charge your brother interest, that Hashem your Elohim may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.

21 When you vow a vow to Hashem your Elohim, you shall not be slack to pay it, for Hashem your Elohim will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, it shall be no sin in you. 23 You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips. Whatever you have vowed to Hashem, your Elohim, as a free will offering, which you have promised with your mouth, you must do. 24 When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat your fill of grapes at your own pleasure; but you shall not put any in your container.

Today’s Meditation:

Keeping the camp clean is very important. It is important for people to be righteous and for the camp to be physically clean (especially in the absence of modern plumbing). Why? Verse 14 tells us, “For Hashem your Elohim walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore, your camp shall be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.” He walks in the middle of the camp. What does that look like? We can’t see Him in physical form, but I assume His Spirit walks through our lives and our dwelling places. Now, that is something to think about. If He walks into the middle of our lives, shouldn’t we be very, very concerned about being clean before Him as well? Review your life. Make sure you are repenting, turning away from sin, and washing yourselves clean so that He can walk among us.

Today’s Challenge:

Are you a man/woman of your word? In verse 23, we read, “You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips.” Hashem teaches us that when we say we will do something, we are obligated to do it. This reminds me of when I meet someone, and we are talking. Then I say to them, “I will pray for you”. Well, I'd better be sure I will pray for them, or I shouldn’t say it. It is better to either pray for them on the spot or tell them you will try to remember to pray for them and be honest. The challenge today is to think about who you have told recently that you would do something for them. Have you fulfilled your word? Did you do what you said you would? If not, make it right today. Make your “yes be yes, and your no be no". Be a person of integrity.

Shoftim - Day #4

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Deuteronomy 18:6–13

18:6 If a Levite comes from any of your gates out of all Israel where he lives, and comes with all the desire of his soul to the place which Hashem shall choose, 7 then he shall minister in the name of Hashem his Elohim, as all his brothers the Levites do, who stand there before Hashem. 8 They shall have like portions to eat, in addition to that which comes from the sale of their family possessions.

9 When you have come into the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, you shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations. 10 There shall not be found with you anyone who makes his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, one who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, 11 or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12 For whoever does these things is an abomination to Hashem. Because of these abominations, Hashem your Elohim drives them out from before you. 13 You shall be blameless with Hashem your Elohim.

Today’s Meditation: 

Today, we learn that Hashem says, “You shall not learn to imitate the abominations of those nations.” (verse 9) How would they learn to imitate? If they stayed in their own communities and celebrated, worshiped, and worked together, there would be no chance of imitation. It only happened when they left their community. Isn’t that what happens to us? If we go outside the circle of our close friends and family and hang out with others, we are super susceptible to being influenced by others’ behavior. When I was young, and I hung out with a certain crowd, I did things I would never do with the people close to me. I was imitating others’ bad habits. How do we avoid this happening to us? Stay close to your own community, and only venture out if you have a purpose and a plan (like helping someone for a short time). Yes, we are to love our neighbors, serve them, and be a light to them. But be careful about who you choose as friends in the world, and what you do with them. Guard your heart and keep your eyes on Hashem.

Today’s Challenge: 

A long time ago, I was on a road trip with my sister. She didn’t have a formal belief system, but I do believe that, even back then, she knew Hashem. We were talking about her going to a fortune teller. I told her that Hashem says that by doing this, she was an abomination to G-d. She was shocked and wanted to know where in the Bible this was said. I read these verses in today’s portion: “One who uses divination, one who tells fortunes, or an enchanter, or a sorcerer, or a charmer, or someone who consults with a familiar spirit, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For whoever does these things is an abomination to Hashem.” (Verses 10-12) When she heard me quote Torah, she immediately reacted and said, “Well, I didn’t know that. I will never go again!” And to my knowledge, she never has. The written Word of Elohim is powerful. It spoke right into her heart and immediately changed her mind. My challenge to you today is to do what I did. If you know of someone who is involved with any of these kinds of people, refer them to these verses. You never know; it may literally change their lives. And their relationship with Hashem.

Re'eh - Day #4

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Deuteronomy 14:1–21

14:1 You are the children of Hashem your Elohim. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2 For you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim, and Hashem has chosen you to be a people for His own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.

3 You shall not eat any abominable thing. 4 These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the chamois. 6 Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two, and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. 7 Nevertheless, these you shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of those that have the hoof split: the camel, the hare, and the rabbit. Because they chew the cud but don’t part the hoof, they are unclean to you. 8 The pig, because it has a split hoof but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat their meat. You shall not touch their carcasses. 9 These you may eat of all that are in the waters: you may eat whatever has fins and scales. 10 You shall not eat whatever doesn’t have fins and scales. It is unclean to you. 11 Of all clean birds you may eat. 12 But these are they of which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, 13 the red kite, the falcon, the kite of any kind, 14 every raven of any kind, 15 the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl, 17 the pelican, the vulture, the cormorant, 18 the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. 19 All winged creeping things are unclean to you. They shall not be eaten. 20 Of all clean birds you may eat.

21 You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself. You may give it to the foreigner living among you who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner, for you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Today’s Meditation:

In the last verse of today’s portion (verse 21), we read a curious commandment, “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” It’s like it comes out of nowhere. Many commentators agree that this commandment derives from the custom of boiling kid goats for sacrifice. Others will say it is Hashem being so kind to the mother as to not boil her kid in milk. Today I read a new commentary that suggested the kid might represent a new generation or new fruits (or other offerings), and the milk might represent the old generation or older fruits (or other offerings). So, in an offering, it would not be good to mix old fruit with new fruit just to make it larger. Or old wheat with new wheat, etc. Whatever it could mean, in Judaism, you do not mix dairy with meat at a meal. Or even use the same plates or utensils.

Today’s Challenge:

In verses 3 and on, we read about clean and unclean animals. Hashem calls the unclean animals abominable. So, what don’t we get about that? He has set very specific dietary laws for us, and He has His reasons. It could be to test our obedience, or for safety reasons, or for both. The point is that if Hashem declares it, we do it. We don’t question. It’s pretty clear. This is what you can eat, and this is what you cannot eat. We don’t need a theological discussion. We are not permitted to change or delete Hashem’s Laws. My challenge to you today is to review your dietary habits. Are you abiding by Hashem’s Laws? If not, it is time to clean it up. And by the way, here is a whole other discussion. Which products at the store contain pig products?  Do some studying and see what you find out; you may be a little surprised. Marshmallows and gelatin are a big concern. And there are many other food items to check out. 

Ekev - Day #4

Ekev עֵקֶב - As a Result  

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Deuteronomy 10:1–11 

10:1 At that time Hashem said to me, “Cut two stone tablets like the first, and come up to me onto the mountain, and make an ark of wood. 2 I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets which you broke, and you shall put them in the ark.” 3 So I made an ark of acacia wood, and cut two stone tablets like the first, and went up onto the mountain, having the two tablets in my hand. 4 He wrote on the tablets, according to the first writing, the Ten Commandments, which Hashem spoke to you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire on the day of the assembly; and Hashem gave them to me. 5 I turned and came down from the mountain, and put the tablets in the ark which I had made; and there they are as Hashem commanded me.

6 (The children of Israel traveled from Beeroth Bene Jaakan to Moserah. There Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest’s office in his place. 7 From there, they traveled to Gudgodah, and from Gudgodah to Jotbathah, a land of brooks of water. 8 At that time Hashem set apart the tribe of Levi to bear the ark of Hashem’s covenant, to stand before Hashem to minister to him, and to bless in His name, to this day. 9 Therefore Levi has no portion nor inheritance with his brothers; Hashem is his inheritance, according as Hashem your Elohim spoke to him.)

10 I stayed on the mountain, as at the first time, forty days and forty nights; and Hashem listened to me that time also. Hashem would not destroy you. 11 Hashem said to me, “Arise, take your journey before the people; and they shall go in and possess the land which I swore to their fathers to give to them.”

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem writes the commandments on the stone a second time. Moses doesn’t try to correct his people's mistake (the golden calf); he only begs for forgiveness. Hashem corrects the mistake (breaking of the first tablets) and writes them again. Can you imagine? Moses first had a wonderful set of tablets which Hashem wrote with His finger. He gets angry and breaks them. And then Hashem writes a second set. That is such a testimony to the fact that our Elohim is full of second chances. We must never forget this. He seems to continue to love us no matter what we do to challenge Him.

Today’s Challenge:

Hashem wants a “house” for His holy commandments. He has Moses build a small ark to contain them. The ark protects them and preserves them. Just like Hashem asks Moses to build a Tabernacle. And inside the Holy of Holies is the protected Shekinah glory of Elohim. It shows that Hashem guards holy things, and we should do the same. We should take good care of our Bibles and reverence them. Even though the material they are constructed of is not necessarily holy, the Words inside are. Today’s challenge is to make sure your Bible(s) are in a special place and that you take good care of them. Don’t pile other books on top of it. Don’t leave it outside in the rain or in the bathroom. Remember that Hashem’s Words are holy and give you life. Protect and guard these Words, physically and in your heart. 

Va'etchanan - Day #4

Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded  

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Deuteronomy 5:1–22

5:1 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears today, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.” 2 Hashem our Elohim made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 Hashem didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today. 4 Hashem spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, 5 (I stood between Hashem and you at that time, to show you Hashem’s word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain) saying,

6 “I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

7 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 “You shall not make a carved image for yourself—any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them; for I, Hashem your Elohim, am a jealous G-d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me; 10 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.

11 “You shall not misuse the name of Hashem your Elohim; for Hashem will not hold him guiltless who misuses His name.

12 “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Hashem your Elohim commanded you. 13 You shall labor six days, and do all your work; 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Hashem your Elohim, in which you shall not do any work— neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Hashem your Elohim brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore, Hashem your Elohim commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.

16 “Honor your father and your mother, as Hashem your Elohim commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you.

17 “You shall not murder.

18 “You shall not commit adultery.

19 “You shall not steal.

20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.

21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

22 Hashem spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets and gave them to me.

Today’s Meditation:

Some religions disturb the true order of these “Ten Statements”. The first actual commandment of the Ten Commandments is verse 6, “I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” It is a command to always remember Hashem and that He is the deliverer. Before following any of the following nine commandments, you need to obey this one. That your Elohim is Adonai. That He delivered you. When you acknowledge this, your life is put in order. It puts the commandments in order.

Today’s Challenge:

Today’s challenge is this. Go through the Ten Statements, review them, search your heart, and repent to Hashem if you have been in disobedience. Here are the Ten Commandments and questions for you to consider:

1. Do you remember and worship Adonai as your Elohim and deliverer?
2. Have you worshiped any false gods?
3. Are you respecting and honoring His Name?
4. Have you honored the Sabbath every week as He has commanded you?
5. Are you honoring and obeying your parents (and those in authority over your life/job/family)?
6. Have you murdered anyone?
7. Have you committed adultery (pornography, or imagination)?
8. Have you stolen anything—intentionally or unintentionally?
9. Have you lied about someone you know?
10. Have you coveted (desired) things that are not yours?

Devarim - Day #4

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words  

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1

1:39 Moreover, your little ones, whom you said would be captured or killed, your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. I will give it to them, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

41 Then you answered and said to me, “We have sinned against Hashem. We will go up and fight, according to all that Hashem our Elohim commanded us.” Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.

42 Hashem said to me, “Tell them, ‘Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.’”

43 So I spoke to you, and you didn’t listen; but you rebelled against the commandment of Hashem, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah. 45 You returned and wept before Hashem, but Hashem didn’t listen to your voice, nor turn His ear to you. 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.

2:1 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Hashem spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.

Today's Meditation:

There are lessons to be learned. In verse 42, we read, “Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.” How many times in your life have you clearly heard from Hashem (in whatever way He speaks to you) don’t do what you are thinking of doing. You kind of get that feeling in your belly like you are doing something wrong, but you do it anyway. In this group of Israelites learning about Hashem and how to follow Him, they clearly made this mistake. They try to make the first mistake right (that is, being fearful and doubtful about entering the land) by taking things into their own hands. It doesn’t work. Hashem doesn’t go into battle with them, and they are defeated. We must learn from this. Do not go into a task, project, job, marriage, etc., unless Hashem has called you to do so. If He has called you, then He will go with you. If He hasn’t specifically summoned you, well, you are on your own and may suffer consequences. Better to do things His way.

Today’s Challenge:

How do we know when Hashem is calling or not calling us to do something? You learn by knowing His voice. Sometimes, He can speak to you through other people. Sometimes through Scripture, Torah, or a thought in your mind. When He speaks, there is peace and comfort. If you are hearing another voice, it will usually bring you anxiety or worry. My challenge to you today is to practice hearing Hashem's voice. When you think you hear Him, test it out. Through experience and trial and error, you will eventually learn to hear Him pretty well. Start today. It will change your life. Remember, He is the giver of eternal life, and that is good here on earth.