Tetzaveh - Day #5

Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 27:20-30:10

Exodus 29:19–37

29:19 “You shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. 20 Then you shall kill the ram, and take some of its blood, and put it on the tip of the right ear of Aaron, and on the tip of the right ear of his sons, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the big toe of their right foot; and sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 21 You shall take of the blood that is on the altar, and of the anointing oil, and sprinkle it on Aaron, and on his garments, and on his sons, and on the garments of his sons with him: and he shall be made holy, and his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him. 22 Also you shall take some of the ram’s fat, the fat tail, the fat that covers the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys, the fat that is on them, and the right thigh (for it is a ram of consecration), 23 and one loaf of bread, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer out of the basket of unleavened bread that is before Hashem. 24 You shall put all of this in Aaron’s hands, and in his sons’ hands, and shall wave them for a wave offering before Hashem. 25 You shall take them from their hands, and burn them on the altar on the burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma before Hashem: it is an offering made by fire to Hashem.

26 “You shall take the breast of Aaron’s ram of consecration, and wave it for a wave offering before Hashem. It shall be your portion. 27 You shall sanctify the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the wave offering, which is waved, and which is raised up, of the ram of consecration, even of that which is for Aaron, and of that which is for his sons. 28 It shall be for Aaron and his sons as their portion forever from the children of Israel; for it is a wave offering. It shall be a wave offering from the children of Israel of the sacrifices of their peace offerings, even their wave offering to Hashem. 29 “The holy garments of Aaron shall be for his sons after him, to be anointed in them, and to be consecrated in them. 30 Seven days shall the son who is priest in his place put them on, when he comes into the Tent of Meeting to minister in the holy place.

31 “You shall take the ram of consecration and boil its meat in a holy place. 32 Aaron and his sons shall eat the meat of the ram, and the bread that is in the basket, at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 33 They shall eat those things with which atonement was made, to consecrate and sanctify them; but a stranger shall not eat of it, because they are holy. 34 If anything of the meat of the consecration, or of the bread, remains to the morning, then you shall burn the remainder with fire. It shall not be eaten, because it is holy.

35 “You shall do so to Aaron and to his sons, according to all that I have commanded you. You shall consecrate them seven days. 36 Every day you shall offer the bull of sin offering for atonement. You shall cleanse the altar when you make atonement for it. You shall anoint it to sanctify it. 37 Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar, and sanctify it; and the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar shall be holy.

Today’s Mediation:

Hashem is getting His priests ready for the Tabernacle. It is essential to anoint the ears (so they may hear clearly), the thumb (so that their actions will be good), and the foot (to anoint the path of wherever they go). Everything Hashem does is intentional and not random. Sacrifices and clothing are essential for preparing to serve Hashem. That is why all these instructions are given, so that this very special place has people who are prepared in special ways to approach Hashem. It is a very privileged time to be in the Tabernacle. And as we will soon see, if the priests do not follow instructions, they will not be allowed to enter. Same for our lives. If we do not follow His instructions (Laws), we will not be able to enter eternal life.

Today’s Challenge:

They spend seven days atoning at the altar and getting it ready (verse 37). They are preparing the altar and making it holy for sacrifice. We pray as a sacrifice, and in the space we pray. Is it a sacred space? In other words, is it set apart and special for your prayer time? I have a place in my house where I like to pray every morning. It’s comfortable, and I study there too. Perhaps you could consider making your prayer space a special place. Add a picture, a candle, worship music, or anything else that makes it special. We don’t have the Temple right now, but we can still have a special place to meet with Hashem. Try it, you will really love your morning devotional time.

Terumah - Day #5

Terumah תְּרוּמָה - Offering  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 25:1-27:19

Exodus 26:31–37

26:31 “You shall make a veil of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. It shall be the work of a skillful workman. 32 You shall hang it on four pillars of acacia overlaid with gold; their hooks shall be of gold, on four sockets of silver. 33 You shall hang up the veil under the clasps, and shall bring the ark of the covenant in there within the veil. The veil shall separate the holy place from the most holy for you. 34 You shall put the mercy seat on the ark of the covenant in the most holy place. 35 You shall set the table outside the veil, and the lamp stand opposite the table on the side of the tabernacle toward the south. You shall put the table on the north side.

36 “You shall make a screen for the door of the Tent, of blue, and purple, and scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of the embroiderer. 37 You shall make for the screen five pillars of acacia, and overlay them with gold. Their hooks shall be of gold. You shall cast five sockets of bronze for them.

Today’s Meditation:

Today, we learn about the veil that separated the Holy of Holies from the Holy Place. It is the veil that only the high priest can go through, once a year. It covers the room where the Ark of the Covenant is located. It has to be very special and the “work of a skillful workman” (verse 31).  And again, cherubim are woven into it. I find it curious that the Ark has two cherubim, while the veil has more. I believe Hashem is in the presence of many angels in His heavenly Kingdom and wants to recognize their continual presence in the Tabernacle. He is accustomed to having them around Him in the Kingdom and wants the same on earth.

Today’s Challenge:

How about doing a quick study on angels? Go to: Chabbad.org and read this fascinating article called “Angels”.  And if you have time, maybe just Google angels online. Or go to your Bible and look up verses about angels. We know they are real and a very part of Hashem’s Kingdom. So, it is essential to know more about Hashem.

Mishpatim - Day #5

Mishpatim מִּשְׁפָּטִים - Laws  

Exodus: 21:1-24:18

Reading #5 - Exodus 23:6–19

23:6 “You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

7 “Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.

8 “You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

9 “You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

10 “For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.

12 “Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant, and the alien may be refreshed.

13 “Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don’t invoke the name of other gods or even let them be heard out of your mouth.

14 “You shall observe a feast to me three times a year. 15 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it you came out of Egypt), and no one shall appear before me empty. 16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field; and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. 17 Three times in the year, all your males shall appear before the Lord Hashem.

18 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.

19 You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Hashem your Elohim.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Today’s Meditation:

The last command in this reading is not to boil a young goat in its mother’s milk (verse 19). At first glance, we can feel this is a very humane act, which it is. But some sages believe it represents pagan worship. The pagans would sacrifice a baby goat in its mother’s milk. And of course, Hashem does not want us performing or even copying any pagan worship. He is the only Elohim we serve. He wants us to know that He does not want us to engage in pagan worship. When the Israelites entered the Land, they encountered many pagan gods. Hashem cares for us and instructs us beforehand. 

Today’s Challenge:

I love verse 10, how Hashem has us rest our crops in the seventh year, and how the poor will have a way to eat. He provides for everyone—rich and poor alike. And He is instructing His people on how to care for those around us. Today, my challenge is for you to consider whether you are, in some way, providing for the poor or those around you who need special assistance. If you aren't, ask Hashem to allow you to do so. And He will. I actually got a text from a former client before a recent holiday, asking for help. Our family, along with five other family friends, decided to help her and her seven children. We gave her food and presents. Her children were so excited. I know it was from Hashem because we were blessed more than the rest of the family.

Yitro - Day #5

Yitro יִתְרוֹ - Jethro  

Torah Portion: Exodus: 18:1-20:22

Exodus 19:7–19

19:7 Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which Hashem commanded him. 8 All the people answered together, and said, “All that Hashem has spoken we will do.”

Moses reported the words of the people to Hashem. 9 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, I come to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever.” Moses told the words of the people to Hashem. 10 Hashem said to Moses, “Go to the people, and sanctify them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments, 11 and be ready for the third day; for on the third day Hashem will come down in the sight of all the people on Mount Sinai. 12 You shall set bounds to the people all around, saying, ‘Be careful that you don’t go up onto the mountain, or touch its border. Whoever touches the mountain shall be surely put to death. 13 No hand shall touch him, but he shall surely be stoned or shot through; whether it is animal or man, he shall not live.’ When the trumpet sounds long, they shall come up to the mountain.”

14 Moses went down from the mountain to the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. 15 He said to the people, “Be ready by the third day. Don’t have sexual relations with a woman.”

16 On the third day, when it was morning, there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud on the mountain, and the sound of an exceedingly loud trumpet; and all the people who were in the camp trembled. 17 Moses led the people out of the camp to meet Elohim, and they stood at the lower part of the mountain. 18 All of Mount Sinai smoked, because Hashem descended on it in fire; and its smoke ascended like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked greatly. 19 When the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and Elohim answered him by a voice.

Today’s Meditation:

What an exciting experience. Thunderings, lightning, smoke, fire, and a very loud trumpet. Hashem is descending on Mt. Sinai in front of His chosen nation to speak to them! I can hardly imagine what this would be like! It would be so wonderfully overwhelming and probably frightening—in a good way. This particular scene, along with the giving of the Law, would create love for Hashem and obedience for centuries to come. And if we believe the prophets, His glory will return to the Temple in Jerusalem. And He will send His Mashiach to rule and reign forever. We should be praying every day for His return. And for the Temple in Jerusalem to be built. Do not take this lightly. Just as He appeared in the most extreme and incredible way to Moses and His people, so will He return to the Temple Mount with a great appearance. Be ready. Study Scripture so you know what to expect. Repent daily and seek His face. 

Today’s Challenge:

Some say it’s been about fifty days since the Hebrew people left Egypt, to the giving of the Law on Mt. Sinai. That is when we celebrate the Feast of Shavuot. This year, when you get ready to celebrate this Feast, and you are counting the “omer” for fifty days, be sure to think of the occurrence we read of today. Take a moment to imagine what it was like when Hashem appeared to give the Torah. Make sure you continue to show him reverence in your life. Ensure you remain clean and obedient to His Word. Wear your tzit-tzit to remember you to follow His Law. Show Him your love by loving others more than yourself.

Beshalach - Day #5

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out  

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 15:27–16:10

15:27 They came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees. They encamped there by the waters.

16 They took their journey from Elim, and all the congregation of the children of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after their departing out of the land of Egypt. 2 The whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron in the wilderness; 3 and the children of Israel said to them, “We wish that we had died by Hashem’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots, when we ate our fill of bread, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”

4 Then Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, I will rain bread from the sky for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My law or not. 5 It shall come to pass on the sixth day, that they shall prepare that which they bring in, and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily.”

6 Moses and Aaron said to all the children of Israel, “At evening, you shall know that Hashem has brought you out from the land of Egypt. 7 In the morning, you shall see Hashem’s glory, because He hears your murmurings against Hashem. Who are we, that you murmur against us?” 8 Moses said, “Now Hashem will give you meat to eat in the evening, and in the morning bread to satisfy you, because Hashem hears your murmurings which you murmur against Him. And who are we? Your murmurings are not against us, but against Hashem.” 9 Moses said to Aaron, “Tell all the congregation of the children of Israel, ‘Come close to Hashem, for He has heard your murmurings.’” 10 As Aaron spoke to the whole congregation of the children of Israel, they looked toward the wilderness, and behold, Hashem’s glory appeared in the cloud.

Today’s Meditation:

Imagine bread from the sky (verse 16:4). Can you even believe that Hashem loves His people (and us) so very much that He heard their hunger pains and blessed them with bread literally from the sky? I never thought of it this way before, but that’s how it covered the ground. If our Elohim can send bread from the sky and part the waters of the sea so that thousands of people can walk through it, well, I guess He can do anything. I encouraged you to take a moment to reflect on how deep and how high Hashem’s love for us is. No matter how rough things get, if we are following Him with complete faith, He will meet our needs, even in miraculous ways.

Today’s Challenge:

Hashem is getting ready to test His people. Yes, He delivers this miraculous bread from heaven (actually for forty years), but He also sets a Law. Only gather enough on the 6th day of the week to last you that day and the Shabbat. The rest will rot. How tempting it would have been to gather more. Think of it, you are starving, and you never want you or your family to starve again. So, you naturally want to gather as much information as possible. However, Hashem says not to do that. What faith and courage it would take to obey Him. 

Do you have a situation in your life where God has blessed you, but you still yearn for more? I challenge you to put your trust in Him for your future and to accept with gratitude what He has given you now. He will provide all you need if you ask Him.

Bo - Day #5

Bo, בֹּא - Come!  

Torah Portion: Exodus:10:1-13:16

Exodus 12:21–28

12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Today’s Meditation:

This Pesach miracle is to be remembered and passed down from generation to generation. It is a Feast that we are required to memorialize each year. It is not meant to be a heavy burden, but rather a wonderful reminder of Hashem’s mercy and grace. He heard His people's cries, and He answered them. He delivered them out of slavery and into a Land of milk and honey. Celebrating Pesach every year can draw us back in time to a time when Hashem held out His arms to His people and redeemed them. 

I am sure this was very unexpected to them. After all, they were probably asking to be delivered from slavery, not necessarily to be moved into a different country. Maybe they had forgotten the promise made to their fathers—the promise of Israel. Nevertheless, Hashem did not forget. And now it was time to bring them home. May we never forget that Hashem hears our prayers and answers them. They may look different than what we expected.

Today’s Challenge:

Are you asking Hashem to deliver you from a specific situation? Keep believing He has heard you and will redeem you; it just may surprise you how He does it. Try to remain strong and hold onto your faith. Trust that He will move in His time. Open your eyes and see if your “exodus” has begun.