Noach - Day #5

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

Genesis 9:8–17

9:8 Elohim spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “As for Me, behold, I establish My covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth. 11 I will establish My covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 Elohim said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between Me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between Me and the earth. 14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 I will remember My covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between Elohim and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 Elohim said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between Me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Today’s Meditation: 

A covenant with Hashem is a sacred agreement. He will never break it. This covenant He makes with Noah and “every living creature of all flesh” is never to flood the earth again, never. It is said by many that this is the first formal covenant between Hashem and man. There are approximately six covenants that follow later.

A rainbow is a sign of Hashem’s promise to His creation. Various groups of people can use it at different times to mean other things, but the true Biblical and authentic meaning is a sign of Hashem’s eternal promise never to flood the earth.

When my husband and I, along with our daughters, were praying about adopting two baby brothers from Korea, we saw a double rainbow in the sky. We knew it was a sign from Hashem that adopting these two wonderful boys would be a blessing and that He would be with us every step of the way. I can personally attest to this after 35 years. My sons have blessed us and others in many special ways. 

Think about what this special covenant that Hashem made with Noah means to you. Bring what happened thousands of years ago to our present day. What have we learned?

Today’s Challenge:

Have you ever tried to make a bargain with Hashem? Did you ever say to Him, “Hashem, if you give me this or if you do this, then I promise I will never -------- again.” Try to remember the time(s) you did this. And if you haven’t held fast to your agreement with Him, I would suggest you get on your knees and repent. And make it right. We should not take our commitments lightly.

B'reisheet - Day #5

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning  

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Genesis 4:19–22

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

Today’s Meditation:

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

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

Today’s Challenge:

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

V'Zot HaBerachah - Day #5

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה -   

And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Deuteronomy 33:22–26

33:22 About Dan, he said,

“Dan is a lion’s cub

    that leaps out of Bashan.”

23 About Naphtali, he said,

“Naphtali, satisfied with favor,

    full of Hashem’s blessing,

    Possess the west and the south.”

24 About Asher, he said,

“Asher is blessed with children.

    Let him be acceptable to his brothers.

    Let him dip his foot in oil.

25 Your bars will be iron and bronze.

    As your days, so your strength will be.

26 “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun,

    who rides on the heavens for your help,

    in His excellency on the skies.

Today’s Meditation:

Moses continues to bless the tribes. What a beautiful Scripture in verse 26, “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, in His excellency on the skies.” Jeshurun is a poetic name for Israel, meaning “Dear upright people.” It is Hashem’s hope all along that His people will be upright, honest, and righteous, following Him and Torah. Israel, His people, and Torah are to be a light to the nations.  Let us pray for Israel and its people, that we may all seek after Hashem wholeheartedly and remain His “Jeshurun”.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 23, we read, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of Hashem’s blessing.”  What an incredible blessing. Don’t you want to be full of Hashem’s blessing? How would we achieve this? That is my challenge to you today: think about what you can do, or who you can be, that would warrant Hashem filling you with His blessings. We know that the Torah contains many verses about being blessed, and that this always precedes the understanding that one must follow the Torah, love Hashem, and love others. If you want to be filled with His blessings today, review your daily life and ensure you are pursuing Hashem. If you aren’t, make the necessary changes today. Repent, teshuvah, and make restitution. Love Hashem with your heart, soul, and being. 

Ha'Azinu - Day #5

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Deuteronomy 32:29–39

32:29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,

    that they would consider their latter end!

30 How could one chase a thousand,

    and two put ten thousand to flight,

unless their Rock had sold them,

    And Hashem had delivered them up?

31 For their rock is not as our Rock,

    even our enemies themselves concede.

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,

    of the fields of Gomorrah.

Their grapes are poison grapes.

    Their clusters are bitter.

33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,

    the cruel venom of asps.

34 “Isn’t this laid up in store with Me,

    sealed up among my treasures?

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

    at the time when their foot slides;

for the day of their calamity is at hand.

    Their doom rushes at them.”

36 For Hashem will judge His people,

    and have compassion on His servants,

when He sees that their power is gone;

    that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.

37 He will say, “Where are their gods,

    the rock in which they took refuge;

38 which ate the fat of their sacrifices,

    and drank the wine of their drink offering?

Let them rise up and help you!

    Let them be your protection.

         

39 “See now that I Myself am He.

    There is no god with Me.

I kill, and I make alive.

    I wound, and I heal.

    There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.

Today’s Meditation:

Verse 36 should clarify our future: ”For Hashem will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants.” It’s not like we can lead a sinful life, ignoring Hashem’s commands and not be judged. That is why we repent, through teshuvah, and make restitution, so that He will have compassion on us. Make sure your heart is right with Hashem. If not, make it so. We want to experience Hashem’s kindness and not His judgment.

Today’s Challenge:

Sometimes it helps to understand that Hashem really dictates the length of our days. Verse 39 explains, “I kill, and I make alive,  I wound, and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.” He can keep us alive, or He can let us go. But the greater promise is that no one can take you out of His hand. We must remember that Hashem can and will keep us alive and heal us. We need to ask Him. That is my challenge today. Maybe you need healing; you may have a severe disease or illness. Don’t give up. Go to Hashem. Worship and pray before Him. Pray this Scripture that He heals. Then ask Him to heal you. Or someone you love or care about. It’s up to Him, and we can ask. It will be in His time and in His way.

Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #5

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 31:7-13

31:7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which Hashem has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 Hashem Himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”

9 Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. 10 Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of booths, 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which He will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”

Today’s Meditation:

Here they are, getting ready to go into the Promised Land. Moses is speaking to the people and encouraging them. And now he is presenting Joshua as their new leader. He tells both the people and Joshua not to be afraid. That Hashem is going ahead of them and He won’t fail them. And most importantly, not to be discouraged. I think of the times when Hashem has called me to do something, only maybe it doesn’t look like I think it should. Discouragement and confusion can set in, but that is not from Hashem. We need to seek His face and trust in Him that He has the plan. And then we try to follow Him the best we are able. Moses wanted the people to have peace in a time of change. And I pray that for your life today.

Today’s Challenge:

Today is about preparation. Moses is preparing the people and giving them specific instructions for entering the land. And here are the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark always goes first, even into battle. In your life, the Ark should come first, that is, the Torah. Make sure you are carrying it everywhere you go. Torah is life, and it has to be a big part of our lives.  That’s my challenge to you today. Place Torah study in your life every day. Fill up your heart and soul with Torah Scripture. Then resolve yourself to follow it the best you are able. Carry the Torah in your heart all day long. It will change you, mold you, and make you the best person you can be.

Ki Tavo - Day #5

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

27:11 Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Hashem, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’

All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

17 ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

18 ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

28:1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments which I command you today, that Hashem your Elohim will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice. 3 You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. 4 You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. 6 You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out.

Today’s Meditation:

Here are some commandments from Hashem. And following them comes a very special blessing in 28:2: “All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice.” Isn’t that so amazing? That not only will you be blessed, but the blessings will also overtake you. That’s a lot of blessings. Have you ever been overtaken by anything? This is being taken by something really good: Hashem’s blessings. 

Today’s Challenge:

Verse 27:26 tells us what happens if we do not follow Hashem’s commandments: “Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.” Simply said, if you don’t do what He has told us to do, you will be cursed. Do we really understand the weight of these words? Do we really understand what being cursed means? Continuing on in Chapter 28, we will see. The results of the curse are explained. My point is this: do we really want to be cursed? Or even this: do we believe that we will? I guess if you don’t believe in the one true Elohim, then you don’t think that you can be cursed. I live in a country that, for the most part, is ruled by godless people. People who do not believe or honor Hashem in any way, shape, or form. And because of this, our country is a total mess. 

My challenge to you today is to consider what actions you can take about this. How can you help your country, government, and people return to Hashem? We could try to be a light to His truth. And pray that the people in your country will return their hearts to Hashem, that they will start following and obeying Him. Then pray that He will return to us. Be a part of changing hearts by being a light to His truth. See how following the Torah blesses you.