Noach - Day #6

Noach נֹחַ - Rest  

Torah Portion: Genesis 6:9-11:32

         

Genesis 9:18–10:32

9:18 The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

20 Noah began to be a farmer and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father and told his two brothers outside. 23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backward, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backward, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness. 24 Noah awoke from his wine and knew what his youngest son had done to him. 

25 He said, Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”

26 He said, “Blessed be Hashem, the Elohim of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant. 27 May Elohim enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived 350 years after the flood. 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.

10:1 Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 

3 The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

6 The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before Hashem. Therefore, it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Hashem”. 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah. 13 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.

15 Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16 the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward, the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.

21 Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber. 22 The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah. Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations.

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth after the flood.

Today’s Meditation:

The start of a new world. Hashem literally erases the face of the earth except for this small family. Eight adults survive a catastrophic event. And eight are left to repopulate the world. Because Noah was righteous, one would assume his sons were also. And maybe they were. But what about their three wives? 

What if the wives mentioned here were not descendants of Adam, but instead were descended from the “sons of man”? Or what if they were ancestors of the generations of people created in the first chapter of Genesis? I realize there isn’t much support for this, but what if a generation of people existed before Adam and Eve were created? But to me, it makes sense that Hashem could have created man and woman, and they disappointingly became disobedient. So, He created special people, Adam and Eve, and the Garden of Eden.   

Whatever happened, could it be that the wives of the sons of Noah were not righteous? If they were not, that might explain how the earth became corrupt again so quickly. Perhaps Hashem believed they would change in the presence of and through Noah's teachings. It's so sad that we are given a new start and still fail. Once again. Praise Hashem, He is forgiving and full of grace.

Today’s Challenge:

Has Hashem ever given you a new start in life? A new job, or a new city to start over in?  Only when you get a new start do you find yourself falling back into your old self, with its not-so-good habits? I challenge you to think of every day as a new start. When you wake up in the morning, greet Hashem. Tell Him you are thankful for today, that you love Him, and that you will try your best today to follow Him. Soon, you can make this a habit.

B'reisheet - Day #6

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning   

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Genesis 4:23–5:24

4:23 Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, hear my voice. You wives of Lamech, listen to my speech, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young man for bruising me. 24 If Cain will be avenged seven times, truly Lamech seventy-seven times.”

25 Adam knew his wife again. She gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, saying, “For Elohim has given me another child instead of Abel, for Cain killed him.” 26 A son was also born to Seth, and he named him Enosh. At that time, men began to call on Hashem’s name.

5:1 This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that Elohim created man, He made him in Elohim’s likeness. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them. On the day they were created, He named them Adam. 3 Adam lived one hundred thirty years, and became the father of a son in his own likeness, after His image, and named him Seth. 4 The days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he became the father of other sons and daughters. 5 All the days that Adam lived were nine hundred thirty years, then he died.

6 Seth lived one hundred five years, then became the father of Enosh. 7 Seth lived after he became the father of Enosh for eight hundred seven years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 8 All of the days of Seth were nine hundred twelve years, then he died.

9 Enosh lived ninety years and became the father of Kenan. 10 Enosh lived after he became the father of Kenan for eight hundred fifteen years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 11 All of the days of Enosh were nine hundred five years, then he died.

12 Kenan lived seventy years, then became the father of Mahalalel. 13 Kenan lived after he became the father of Mahalalel eight hundred forty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters 14 and all of the days of Kenan were nine hundred ten years, then he died.

15 Mahalalel lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Jared. 16 Mahalalel lived after he became the father of Jared for eight hundred thirty years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 17 All of the days of Mahalalel were eight hundred ninety-five years, then he died.

18 Jared lived 162 years, then became the father of Enoch. 19 Jared lived after he became the father of Enoch for eight hundred years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 20 All of the days of Jared were nine hundred sixty-two years, then he died.

21 Enoch lived sixty-five years, then became the father of Methuselah. 22 After Methuselah’s birth, Enoch walked with Elohim for three hundred years, and became the father of more sons and daughters. 23 All the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty-five years. 24 Enoch walked with Elohim, and he was not found, for Elohim took him.

Today’s Meditation:

If you study the phrase “Men began to call on Hashem’s name” (verse 4:26), you will be surprised, actually, to find two possible meanings. The first being that men began to give the name of Hashem to other physical forms, including themselves. In other words, they began to initiate a false deity. I suppose that since sin had entered the world, it manifested itself in various ways, including false worship.

The second meaning is one that we can agree on. That man began to call upon, pray, and/or worship Hashem. Now having a sense of good and evil, they most likely found that worshiping Hashem and seeking Him brought peace and joy into their lives. It became evident that humans were beginning to distinguish between light and dark. And, just like us, they desired to be in the light.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I challenge you to call upon Hashem’s Name. See if you can walk closely with Him. Look for what He is doing and try to join Him. He will reveal Himself to you throughout the day in many different ways. You will find this to be a fascinating way to live.

V'Zot HaBerachah - Day #6

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה -   

And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Deuteronomy 33:27–29

33:27 The eternal Elohim is your dwelling place.

    Underneath are the everlasting arms.

He thrust out the enemy from before you,

    and said, ‘Destroy!’

28 Israel dwells in safety,

    the fountain of Jacob alone,

In a land of grain and new wine.

    Yes, His heavens drop down dew.

29 You are happy, Israel!

    Who is like you, a people saved by Hashem,

    the shield of your help,

    the sword of your excellency?

Your enemies will submit themselves to you.

    You will tread on their high places.”

Today’s Meditation:

Here are Moses' closing remarks. What an incredible and challenging journey he has undertaken. Now he stands with His people, ready to enter the land, but he will not be able to cross over. He knows he is about to die. But Moses is clear on one thing: Elohim is his dwelling place. There is nowhere else he will be when he enters the “Olam Haba” life in the world to come. He will be in paradise, a level of heaven, I believe, until the final resurrection of life into the new world on earth. This will be where the Mashiach rules from the Temple in Jerusalem, and the glory of Hashem fills the earth. It is all a beautiful life in His everlasting arms. Moses is about ready to say goodbye, but in reality, he is saying hello to eternal life. 

Today’s Challenge:

Verse 29 says it all: "You are happy, Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Hashem, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You will tread on their high places.” There will be great happiness in Israel's near future. They will be saved, protected by His shield and sword, and the enemies will bow down to them. However, as we know from the Torah, this will not last long. Israel and its people will succumb to the influences of temptation. They will be exiled and defeated. There will be mountaintops and valleys, just like in our lives. And that is my final challenge to you in our daily readings this year. Be very self-aware of who Hashem is in your life. Incorporate Him into every moment that you breathe. Stand with Him and for Him in all situations. Avoid the temptations of sin, and repent immediately if you fall into them. Stay in daily readings as the new Torah cycle begins. Be immersed in Torah. Look for signs of Hashem during your day. See what He is doing all around you and join Him. Be blessed. 

I have enjoyed journeying with you all this year.

Ha'Azinu - Day #6

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Deuteronomy 32:40–43

32:40 For I lift up my hand to heaven

    and swear, as I live forever,

41 if I sharpen my flashing sword

    and my hand takes hold of judgment,

I will take vengeance on my adversaries

    and will repay those who hate me.

42 I will make my arrows drunk with blood,

    and my sword shall devour flesh—

with the blood of the slain and the captives,

    from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’

43 “Rejoice with Him, O heavens;

    bow down to Him, all gods,

for He avenges the blood of His children

    and takes vengeance on His adversaries.

He repays those who hate Him

    and cleanses His people's land.”

Today’s Meditation:

Even though the people of Israel will fall after they arrive in the land, Hashem is always faithful to bring them back. His love for His people is so strong that He will protect them through it all. We see this in verse 43, “He avenges the blood of His children and takes vengeance on His adversaries. He repays those who hate Him and cleanses His people's land”. Even if people stray from Hashem, they will still have enemies or people always pursuing them. Hashem says He will take vengeance on these enemies and will cleanse the land. Somehow, He will get rid of those who tempt and torment His people. That is unconditional love. Imagine turning on your best friend. But then he/she saw that you were in trouble with another person. I’m sure he/she would defend you, even if you had hurt them. That is true friendship, to help someone when they have turned their back on you. 

Today's Challenge:

Torah is clear that we are to rejoice with Hashem in all we do. The beginning of verse 43 says, “Rejoice with Him, O heavens; bow down to Him, all gods.” Not only are we to bow to the King of the Universe, but He wants us to rejoice with Him. What does that look like? It could simply be giving praise and honor throughout your day. Every time you see His Hand and work, or feel His presence, or witness a miracle, you thank Him with all your heart. That is my challenge to you today. Look for Hashem and praise Him when you find Him. If you can’t seem to find Him, praise Him anyway. He is always there, that is His promise.

Nitzavim/Vayelech - Day #6

Nitzavim - Vayelech  

Torah Portion;

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Deuteronomy 31:14-19

31:14 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.” Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.

15 Hashem appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door. 16 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our Elohim is not among us?’ 18 I will surely hide My face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.

19 “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.

Today’s Meditation:

Verse 17 carries strong discipline: “Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them.” Hashem prophesies that after the people begin living in the land, they will turn from Him and follow other gods. They will be influenced by the people and tempted to live a life outside of Hashem. How does Hashem react to this? He simply leaves them. He forsakes them and hides His face. Kind of like now. When we sin, we are separated from Hashem. He is no longer with us. Not until we teshuvah. We turn completely from our sin, we repent, and we make restitution. After sinning and repentance, we must fully return to Hashem. Not just a part of us but all of us. He is serious when He tells us to love Him with “all your heart, soul, and strength”. Remember all this the next time you consider sinning. Remember the cost. And stop in your tracks. Try to pray each day for Hashem to give you strength to withstand temptation.

Today’s Challenge:

Joshua and Moses met Hashem in the Tent of the Meeting (the Tabernacle). Hashem appears in a pillar of cloud. I believe this is because the cloud, in a special way, hid His presence from them so that they wouldn’t die. No one can see Elohim. That is a fact. But here is my challenge for you today. For you and for me. Let’s search for the cloud that Hashem has revealed to us. This cloud could be found through worship, prayer, and service. It may not look like a cloud, but He does present Himself to us in many ways. I see Him work miracles in my life every day. Some small, some large. Just take the time to look for Him. You may be surprised by how often He shows up throughout your day.

Ki Tavo - Day #6

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In  

Torah Portion:

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Deuteronomy 28:7–69

28:7 Hashem will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways. 8 Hashem will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you. 9 Hashem will establish you for a holy people to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Hashem your Elohim and walk in His ways. 10 All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Hashem’s name, and they will be afraid of you. 11 Hashem will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Hashem swore to your fathers to give you. 12 Hashem will open to you His good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow. 13 Hashem will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Hashem your Elohim, which I command you today, to observe and to do, 14 and shall not turn away from any of the words which I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

15 But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come on you and overtake you. 16 You will be cursed in the city, and you will be cursed in the field. 17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. 18 The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock will be cursed. 19 You will be cursed when you come in, and you will be cursed when you go out. 20 Hashem will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the evil of your doings, by which you have forsaken me. 21 Hashem will make the pestilence cling to you, until He has consumed you from off the land where you go in to possess it. 22 Hashem will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with fiery heat, with the sword, with blight, and with mildew. They will pursue you until you perish. 23 Your sky that is over your head will be bronze, and the earth that is under you will be iron. 24 Hashem will make the rain of your land powder and dust. It will come down on you from the sky, until you are destroyed. 25 Hashem will cause you to be struck before your enemies. You will go out one way against them, and will flee seven ways before them. You will be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your dead bodies will be food to all birds of the sky, and to the animals of the earth; and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 Hashem will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with the tumors, with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed. 28 Hashem will strike you with madness, with blindness, and with astonishment of heart. 29 You will grope at noonday, as the blind gropes in darkness, and you shall not prosper in your ways. You will only be oppressed and robbed always, and there will be no one to save you. 30 You will betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her. You will build a house, and you won’t dwell in it. You will plant a vineyard, and not use its fruit. 31 Your ox will be slain before your eyes, and you will not eat any of it. Your donkey will be violently taken away from before your face, and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to save you. 32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to another people. Your eyes will look, and fail with longing for them all day long. There will be no power in your hand. 33 A nation that you don’t know will eat the fruit of your ground and all of your work. You will only be oppressed and crushed always, 34 so that the sights that you see with your eyes will drive you mad. 35 Hashem will strike you in the knees and in the legs with a sore boil, of which you cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head. 36 Hashem will bring you, and your king whom you will set over yourselves, to a nation that you have not known, you nor your fathers. There you will serve other gods of wood and stone. 37 You will become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples where Hashem will lead you away. 38 You will carry much seed out into the field, and will gather little in, for the locust will consume it. 39 You will plant vineyards and dress them, but you will neither drink of the wine, nor harvest, because worms will eat them. 40 You will have olive trees throughout all your borders, but you won’t anoint yourself with the oil, for your olives will drop off. 41 You will father sons and daughters, but they will not be yours, for they will go into captivity. 42 Locusts will consume all of your trees and the fruit of your ground. 43 The foreigner who is among you will mount up above you higher and higher, and you will come down lower and lower. 44 He will lend to you, and you won’t lend to him. He will be the head, and you will be the tail.

45 All these curses will come on you, and will pursue you and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you didn’t listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep his commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They will be for a sign and for a wonder to you and to your offspring forever. 47 Because you didn’t serve Hashem your Elohim with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; 48 therefore you will serve your enemies whom Hashem sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 Hashem will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies: a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce facial expressions, that doesn’t respect the elderly, nor show favor to the young. 51 They will eat the fruit of your livestock and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed. They also won’t leave you grain, new wine, oil, the increase of your livestock, or the young of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. 52 They will besiege you in all your gates until your high and fortified walls, in which you trusted, come down throughout all your land. They will besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land, which Hashem your Elohim has given you. 53 You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Hashem your Elohim has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will distress you. 54 The man who is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye will be evil toward his brother, toward the wife whom he loves, and toward the remnant of his children whom he has remaining, 55 so that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left to him, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in all your gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye will be evil toward the husband that she loves, toward her son, toward her daughter, 57 toward her young one who comes out from between her feet, and toward her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of all things in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in your gates. 58 If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, Hashem your Elohim, 59 then Hashem will make your plagues and the plagues of your offspring fearful, even great plagues, and of long duration, and severe sicknesses, and of long duration. 60 He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of; and they will cling to you. 61 Also, every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law, Hashem will bring them on you until you are destroyed. 62 You will be left few in number, even though you were as the stars of the sky for multitude, because you didn’t listen to Hashem your Elohim's voice. 63 It will happen that as Hashem rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Hashem will rejoice over you to cause you to perish and to destroy you. You will be plucked from the land that you are going in to possess. 64 Hashem will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone. 65 Among these nations you will find no ease, and there will be no rest for the sole of your foot; but Hashem will give you there a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and pining of soul. 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you. You will be afraid night and day, and will have no assurance of your life. 67 In the morning you will say, “I wish it were evening!” and at evening you will say, “I wish it were morning!” for the fear of your heart which you will fear, and for the sights which your eyes will see. 68 Hashem will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I told you that you would never see it again. There you will offer yourselves to your enemies for male and female slaves, and nobody will buy you.

Today’s Meditation:

Blessings and curses, that is today’s study. Chapter 28 is known for these. And the contingencies of each are clear. If you follow Him and His commandments, you are blessed. If you don’t, you are cursed. Look at verse 10. Here is a new promise: “All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Hashem’s name, and they will be afraid of you.” How will they see that you are called by Hashem’s name? I believe that your blessings will be so great, and that you will give all the glory to Hashem, that they will begin to see it is He who gave it all to you. When they come to know the name of Hashem, then they will know it is He who called you. They will connect all the dots. And it will be obvious. That’s how I want to be and live. That I have followed Hashem with such excellence that His blessings will shine in my life and lead others to His name.

Today’s Challenge:

Verse 46 says that Hashem’s commandments and statutes, “They will be for a sign and for a wonder to you and to your offspring forever.” A sign because these commandments are unique only to Torah. And a wonder because they will be wonderful to follow, and the blessings will astonish you. Don’t you want signs and wonders in your life? I do. Let’s commit to following the Torah to the best of our ability, and let’s start doing that today. That is my challenge for you.