B'reisheet - Day #7

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning 

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8  

Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Shabbat: Genesis 5:25–6:8

5:25 Methuselah lived one hundred eighty-seven years, then became the father of Lamech. 26 Methuselah lived after he became the father of Lamech seven hundred eighty-two years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 27 All the days of Methuselah were nine hundred sixty-nine years, then he died.

28 Lamech lived one hundred eighty-two years, then became the father of a son. 29 He named him Noah, saying, “This one will comfort us in our work and in the toil of our hands, caused by the ground which Hashem has cursed.” 30 Lamech lived after he became the father of Noah for five hundred ninety-five years, and became the father of other sons and daughters. 31 All the days of Lamech were seven hundred seventy-seven years, then he died. 32 Noah was five hundred years old, and then Noah became the father of Shem, Ham, and Japheth.

6:1 When men began to multiply on the surface of the ground, and daughters were born to them, 2 Elohim’s sons saw that men’s daughters were beautiful, and they took any that they wanted for themselves as wives. 3 Hashem said, “My Spirit will not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; so his days will be one hundred twenty years.” 4 The Nephilim were in the earth in those days, and also after that, when Elohim’s sons came in to men’s daughters and had children with them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.

5 Hashem saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of man’s heart was continually only evil. 6 Hashem was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved him in His heart. 7 Hashem said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the surface of the ground—man, along with animals, creeping things, and birds of the sky—for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found favor in Hashem’s eyes.

Today’s Meditation:

Everyone has thoughts on who the “Sons of G-d” are and the “Daughters of Men” (Genesis 6:1). Many people believe that the “Sons of G-d” are demons or fallen angels. I have a different thought. My idea is that the “Sons of G-d” are actually the set-apart people of Hashem descending from Adam, including Seth’s line. Throughout Scripture, the terms “sons” or “children” refer to individuals in a covenant relationship with Hashem. 

So, that leaves us with the question: who are the daughters of men? I have this theory that there was a “pre-creation” of mankind (Genesis 1) before Hashem created Adam and the Garden. (Some call this a pre-Adamic race). This population, both male and female, was likely not following Hashem, so He then created a set-apart people through Adam. If this were true, then at some point His set-apart people meet up with His first creation of people, and they begin to marry. This is the Bible’s first sign of mixed marriages. And the result doesn’t fare well. The descendants of these mixed marriages become corrupt and sinful, so much so that Hashem wishes He had not created them.

Amidst all this corruption, one man stands out, Noah. He found favor with G-d. Hashem always has a remnant that genuinely loves and serves Him. I want to be part of this group. Those who love Hashem with their whole heart, soul, and being.

Today’s Challenge:

Do you desire to be a “son/daughter of men” or a “son/daughter of Hashem”? I want to be a daughter of Hashem. I want to be picked to be a part of His remnant. I challenge you and myself to find out how we can do that.

This Week’s Haftarah: Isaiah 42:5 - 43:10

42:5 Hashem Elohim, He who created the heavens and stretched them out, He who spread out the earth and that which comes out of it, He who gives breath to its people and spirit to those who walk in it, says:

6 “I, Hashem, have called you in righteousness. I will hold your hand. I will keep you and make you a covenant for the people, as a light for the nations, 7 to open the blind eyes, to bring the prisoners out of the dungeon, and those who sit in darkness out of the prison.

8 “I am Hashem. That is My name. I will not give My glory to another, nor My praise to engraved images. 9 Behold, the former things have happened, and I declare new things, I tell you about them before they come up.”

10 Sing to Hashem a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is therein, the islands and their inhabitants, 11 Let the wilderness and its cities raise their voices, with the villages that Kedar inhabits. Let the inhabitants of Sela sing.  Let them shout from the top of the mountains!

12 Let them give glory to Hashem, and declare his praise in the islands. 13 Hashem will go out like a mighty man. He will stir up zeal like a man of war. He will raise a war cry. Yes, he will shout aloud. He will triumph over his enemies. 14 “I have been silent a long time. I have been quiet and restrained Myself. Now I will cry out like a travailing woman. I will both gasp and pant. 15 I will destroy mountains and hills, and dry up all their herbs. I will make the rivers islands, and will dry up the pools, 16 I will bring the blind by a way that they don’t know. I will lead them in paths that they don’t know. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. I will do these things, and I will not forsake them.

17 “Those who trust in engraved images, who tell molten images, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned back. They will be utterly disappointed.

18 “Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see. 19 Who is blind

but My servant? Or who is as deaf as My messenger whom I send? Who is as blind as he who is at peace, and as blind as Hashem’s servant? 20 You see many things, but don’t observe. His ears are open, but he doesn’t listen. 21 It pleased Hashem, for His righteousness’ sake, to magnify the law and make it honorable. 22 But this is a robbed and plundered people. All of them are snared in holes, and they are hidden in prisons. They have become captives, and no one delivers, and a plunder, and no one says, ‘Restore them!’

23 Who is there among you who will give ear to this? Who will listen and hear for the time to come? 24 Who gave Jacob as plunder, and Israel to the robbers? Didn’t Hashem, He against whom we have sinned? For they would not walk in His ways, and they disobeyed His law. 25 Therefore, He poured the fierceness of His anger on him and the strength of battle. It set him on fire all around, but he didn’t know. It burned him, but he didn’t take it to heart.”

43:1 But now Hashem, who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: “Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are Mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the Rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you.

3 For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I have given Egypt as your ransom, Ethiopia, and Seba in your place. 4 Since you have been precious and honored in My sight, and I have loved you, therefore I will give people in your place, and nations instead of your life.

5 Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. I will bring your offspring from the east, and gather you from the west. 6 I will tell the north, ‘Give them up!’ and tell the south, ‘Don’t hold them back! Bring My sons from far away, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—7 everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed, yes, whom I have made.’”

8 Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears. 9 Let all the nations be gathered together, and let the peoples be assembled. Who among them can declare this, and show us former things? Let them bring their witnesses, that they may be justified, or let them hear, and say, “That is true.” 10 “You are My witnesses,” says Hashem, “With My servant whom I have chosen; that you may know and believe Me and understand that I am He. Before Me there was no god formed, neither will there be after Me.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

What promises do we have from our great and mighty Elohim? If only we could understand that He requires us to be active in our love for Him. That means following His commandments and displaying true worship to Him in every moment of our waking lives.

He says, “But now Hashem who created you, Jacob, and He who formed you, Israel, says: 'Don’t be afraid, for I have redeemed you. I have called you by your name. You are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you. For I am Hashem your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.”

He knows our name. He has redeemed us. And He will be with us through every trial and test, for He is Elohim.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In this verse, think about how He has redeemed you. How many times has He pulled you out of deep waters? Or rescued you from the fire? Reflect on His mercy and goodness.

V'Zot HaBerachah - Day #7

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה -   

And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18

Shabbat: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

34:1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. Hashem showed him all the land of Gilead to Dan, 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the Western Sea, 3 and the south, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar. 4 Hashem said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring. I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.”

5 So, Moses the servant of Hashem died there in the land of Moab, according to Hashem’s word. 6 He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day. 7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone. 8 The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, until the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were ended. 9 Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him and did as Hashem commanded Moses. 10 Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom Hashem knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and the wonders which Hashem sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Today’s Meditation:

Here we are at the end (but really the beginning). Our kind and generous Elohim takes Moses to the top of Pisgan and supernaturally shows Moses the complete land of Israel. He can see all the way to the western sea. And yet Hashem says to him in verse 4, “I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” Moses sees the majestic beauty of the land that has been promised for several centuries, and I’m sure his heart soared. And even though he could not go into the land, he had the satisfaction of leading all the people there safely. What a journey it was. Now it is his turn to die. I believe Moses must have felt so complete, so comforted. He left his charge in Joshua’s trustworthy hands. All was well, and now it was time to step into eternity with perfect peace.

Today’s Challenge:

Moses knows his time is over, and he is leaving it all to the faithful hands of Joshua, who was “full of the spirit of wisdom.” I was thinking, did you ever have to turn something over (that was very important to you), to someone else? Did you trust them? What a difference it would make. Sometimes it is very difficult to leave a job, project, or even a family in the care of someone who may or may not be capable of caring for it. My last challenge to you this year is this. Reflect on your life. Thank Hashem for all the good and for being with you through all the bad. If you have had to leave something to someone else, ask Hashem to give that person the Spirit of wisdom to know how to handle it/them and to take good care of it/them. Then trust Him to help that person take care of things for you. Pray for that person as often as you are able. Turn it all over to Hashem, really, it is all His.

This Week’s Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18

1:1 Now after the death of Moses the servant of Hashem,  Hashem spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses My servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

6 “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause these people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Hashem your Elohim is with you wherever you go.”

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess.’”

12 Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of Hashem commanded you, saying, ‘Hashem your Elohim gives you rest, and will give you this land. 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them 15 until Hashem has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Hashem your Elohim gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Hashem gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’”

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Hashem your Elohim be with you, as He was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him, shall himself be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Joshua has taken over for Moses. He is appointed by Hashem because of his faith and dedication. And he had gained the people's confidence. It is so important that the people we are in charge of or who lead us, have confidence in us. You are a role model for Hashem in all you do and say. If there is an area of your life you have been struggling with, try going to Hashem and asking Him for His help to fix it. 

       

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

We have just finished a year of Torah Portions. We have completed the reading of the entire Torah. It is tradition to say "Chazak, chazak, v'nitchasek!" This means, "Be strong, and may we be strengthened." This is my desire for you, as you have finished five very sacred and wonderful books from Hashem: that you will be strengthened. Through this past year and in the reading of the complete Torah, He has given us directions on how to follow Him, obey Him, and love Him and others. We know Torah is Life, and He has given this gift to us. 

May you be blessed and grow closer to Hashem as you move into the next Torah cycle, B'reisheet. It is a privilege to have walked this journey with you, and I look forward to doing so again beginning next week. Every new chapter of Torah is a new chapter in your life with Hashem. 

Ha'Azinu - Day #7

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!  

Torah Portion: 

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

Shabbat: Deuteronomy 32:44–52

32:44 Moses came and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people, he and Joshua the son of Nun. 45 And when Moses had finished speaking all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. 47 For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

48 That very day the Lord spoke to Moses, 49 “Go up this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the people of Israel for a possession. 50 And die on the mountain which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51 because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the people of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, and because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the people of Israel. 52 For you shall see the land before you, but you shall not go there, into the land that I am giving to the people of Israel.”

Today’s Meditation:

Here is the end of Moses' journey with Hashem to the Promised Land. It is so very sad that, after all of Moses’ dedication and work, he can not enter the land. However, it serves as a stark reminder to all of us that sin is powerful and has severe repercussions. Yes, we know Hashem forgave Moses, but He did not forget. He passed judgment at the time of Moses' sin (at the water of Meribah), and He upheld that judgment. It makes me think that there is a consequence to disobedience. We can repent and teshuvah, but we still must suffer the effects of what we have done. This reminder serves as a check for us today. Let us think carefully before disobeying the Father. 

Today's Challenge:

Today, we are also reminded that Torah is life. In verse 47, we read, “It is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long.” As we have studied Torah each day throughout this past year, we have been filled with Hashem’s Word. What a blessing it is to have eaten of it every day. Soon, we will return to the beginning of the Torah and start all over again. It will be a new year with new revelations and more miracles in our lives. We will be reminded every day of Hashem’s promises and His requirements of how to live our lives. My challenge to you today is to start over again after Sukkot in the new Torah cycle. Read, study, pray, worship, and live His Word every day. It will give you an abundant life and liberty.

This Week’s Haftarah: 2 Samuel 22:1-51

22:1 And David spoke to Hashem the words of this song on the day when Hashem delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul. 2 He said,

“Hashem is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

3 my Elohim, my Rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

    my stronghold and my refuge,

    my Savior; You save me from violence.

4 I call upon Hashem, who is worthy to be praised,

    and I am saved from my enemies.

5 “For the waves of death encompassed me,

    the torrents of destruction assailed me;

6 the cords of Sheol entangled me;

    the snares of death confronted me.

7 “In my distress, I called upon Hashem;

    to my Elohim I called.

From His Temple, He heard my voice,

    and my cry came to His ears.

8 “Then the earth reeled and rocked;

    the foundations of the heavens trembled

    and quaked, because He was angry.

9 Smoke went up from His nostrils,

    and devouring fire from His mouth;

    glowing coals flamed forth from Him.

10 He bowed the heavens and came down;

    thick darkness was under His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub and flew;

    He was seen on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness around him, His canopy,

    thick clouds, a gathering of water.

13 Out of the brightness before Him

    coals of fire flamed forth.

14 Hashem thundered from heaven,

    and the Most High uttered His voice.

15 And He sent out arrows and scattered them;

    lightning, and routed them.

16 Then the channels of the sea were seen;

    the foundations of the world were laid bare,

at the rebuke of Hashem,

    at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 “He sent from on high, He took me;

    He drew me out of many waters.

18 He rescued me from my strong enemy,

    from those who hated me,

    for they were too mighty for me.

19 They confronted me in the day of my calamity,

    but Hashem was my support.

20 He brought me out into a broad place;

    He rescued me because He delighted in me.

21 “Hashem dealt with me according to my righteousness;

    according to the cleanness of my hands, He rewarded me.

22 For I have kept the ways of Hashem

    and have not wickedly departed from my Elohim.

23 For all His rules were before me,

    and from His statutes I did not turn aside.

24 I was blameless before Him,

    and I kept myself from guilt.

25 And Hashem has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    according to my cleanness in His sight.

26 “With the merciful you show Yourself merciful;

    with the blameless man, You show Yourself blameless;

27 with the purified You deal purely,

    and with the crooked, You make Yourself seem tortuous.

28 You save a humble people,

    but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, Hashem,

    and my Elohim lightens my darkness.

30 For by You I can run against a troop,

    and by my Elohim, I can leap over a wall.

31 This Elohim—His way is perfect;

    the word of Hashem proves true;

    He is a shield for all those who take refuge in Him.

32 “For who is Elohim, but Hashem?

    And who is a rock, except our Elohim?

33 This Elohim is my strong refuge

    and has made my way blameless.

34 He made my feet like the feet of a deer

    and set me secure on the heights

35 He trains my hands for war,

    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have given me the shield of Your salvation,

    and your gentleness made me great.

37 You gave a wide place for my steps under me,

    and my feet did not slip;

38 I pursued my enemies and destroyed them,

    and did not turn back until they were consumed.

39 I consumed them; I thrust them through, so that they did not rise;

    they fell under my feet.

40 For You equipped me with strength for the battle;

    you made those who rise against me sink under me.

41 You made my enemies turn their backs to me,

    those who hated me, and I destroyed them.

42 They looked, but there was none to save;

    they cried to Hashem, but He did not answer them.

43 I beat them fine as the dust of the earth;

    I crushed them and stamped them down like the mire of the streets.

44 “You delivered me from strife with my people;

    You kept me as the head of the nations;

    people whom I had not known served me.

45 Foreigners came cringing to me;

    as soon as they heard of me, they obeyed me.

46 Foreigners lost heart

    and came trembling out of their fortresses.

47 “Hashem lives, and blessed be my Rock,

    and exalted be my Elohim, the Rock of my salvation,

48 the Elohim who gave me vengeance

    and brought down people under me,

49 who brought me out from my enemies;

    You exalted me above those who rose against me;

    You delivered me from men of violence.

50 “For this I will praise you, O Hashem, among the nations,

    and sing praises to Your name.

51 Great salvation He brings to His king,

    and shows steadfast love to His anointed,

    to David and his offspring forever.”

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Here is a beautiful testimony from David about Hashem’s deliverance, love, and faithfulness. In verse 36, we read, “You have given me the shield of Your salvation, and Your gentleness made me great.” Hashem gave David a special anointing. He protected him fiercely, yet was gentle in showing His love for him. This is just what we can look forward to today in Hashem. Again, His faithfulness and protection require us to be righteous and faithful to Him. We must obey His laws and commandments. Make today a new day and resolve to do this. Resolve you will serve Hashem with your whole heart, soul, and strength. 

Today's Haftarah Challenge;

If you are in trouble, sick, or need Hashem’s help, here is a wonderful Scripture to read, especially verse 7, “In my distress I called upon Hashem; to my Elohim I called. From His Temple, He heard my voice, and my cry came to His ears.” I believe when we call out to Hashem with all of our hearts, that He does hear us. Sometimes it may not seem so, because our prayers don’t appear to be being answered. However, from my experience, I can attest that He always hears you. He may have a different way of hearing your prayer. Sometimes we pray for healing for someone, and they die. We think He didn’t hear our prayer. But, He did. That person we prayed for has ultimate incredible healing in Paradise with Him. That person is in the best part of eternity. My challenge to you is to ask Hashem for more faith. Faith that He does hear us and that we have evidence of that.