Shemini - Day #7

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth  

Torah Portion: Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Haftarah: 2 Sam. 6:1-7:17

Shabbat: Leviticus 11:33–47

11:33 Every earthen vessel into which any of them falls and all that is in it shall be unclean. You shall break it. 34 All food which may be eaten which is soaked in water shall be unclean. All drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean. 35 Everything whereupon part of their carcass falls shall be unclean; whether oven, or range for pots, it shall be broken in pieces. They are unclean, and shall be unclean to you. 36 Nevertheless, a spring or a cistern in which water is gathered shall be clean, but that which touches their carcass shall be unclean. 37 If part of their carcass falls on any sowing seed which is to be sown, it is clean. 38 But if water is put on the seed, and part of their carcass falls on it, it is unclean to you.

39 “‘If any animal of which you may eat dies, he who touches its carcass shall be unclean until the evening. 40 He who eats of its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. He also who carries its carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

41 “‘Every creeping thing that creeps on the earth is an abomination. It shall not be eaten. 42 Whatever goes on its belly, and whatever goes on all fours, or whatever has many feet, even all creeping things that creep on the earth, them you shall not eat; for they are an abomination. 43 You shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creeps. You shall not make yourselves unclean with them, that you should be defiled by them. 44 For I am Hashem your Elohim. Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. 45 For I am Hashem who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.

46 “‘This is the law of the animal, and of the bird, and of every living creature that moves in the waters, and of every creature that creeps on the earth, 47 to make a distinction between the unclean and the clean, and between the living thing that may be eaten and the living thing that may not be eaten.’”

Today’s Meditation:

More instructions about clean and unclean. In verse 45, we read, “make a distinction between the unclean and the clean.” This is important to Hashem. He has instructed us on what animals to eat. Think about it. He created all the animals, and He knows what is best for us. Why do we not trust this and choose to eat that which He calls unclean? We really need to examine our hearts. If we genuinely want to follow and obey Hashem, then we must trust in Him and His commands. Examine your life and make sure you are doing this.

Today’s Challenge:

Verse 45 reads, “You shall therefore be holy, for I am holy.” It is Hashem’s heart for us that we strive to be holy. He created us in His image, and He wants us to be like Him. That makes a lot of sense if you think about how you love Hashem and want to walk as He does. It calls for holiness. We don’t hear a lot about that in today’s world; instead, we hear about everything we should do to make ourselves happy. If we aren’t satisfied, we often discard things, such as marriages, homes, and family. Hashem calls us to be more like Him. And the only way we can know what that looks like is to study His special instructions to us – the Torah. I encourage you to keep reading the daily Torah. Do it as a devotion. Start your day with the Torah reading. I promise it will change your life, and you will be super blessed.

This Week’s Haftarah: 2 Samuel 6:1-7:17

6:1 David again gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 David arose, and went with all the people who were with him, from Baale Judah, to bring up from there Elohim’s ark, which is called by the Name, even the name of Hashem of Armies who sits above the cherubim. 3 They set Elohim’s ark on a new cart, and brought it out of Abinadab’s house that was on the hill; and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drove the new cart. 4 They brought it out of Abinadab’s house, which was in the hill, with Elohim’s ark; and Ahio went before the ark. 5 David and all the house of Israel played before Hashem with all kinds of instruments made of cypress wood, with harps, with stringed instruments, with tambourines, with castanets, and with cymbals. 6 When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached for Elohim’s ark, and took hold of it; for the cattle stumbled. 7 Hashem’s anger burned against Uzzah, and Elohim struck him there for his error; and he died there by Elohim’s ark. 8 David was displeased, because Hashem had broken out against Uzzah; and he called that place Perez Uzzah, to this day. 9 David was afraid of Hashem that day, and he said, “How could Hashem’s ark come to me?” 10 So David would not move Hashem’s ark to be with him in David’s city; but David carried it aside into Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house. 11 Hashem’s ark remained in Obed-Edom the Gittite’s house three months; and Hashem blessed Obed-Edom and all his house. 12 King David was told, “Hashem has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of Elohim’s ark.”

So David went and brought up Elohim’s ark from the house of Obed-Edom into David’s city with joy. 13 When those who bore Hashem’s ark had gone six paces, he sacrificed an ox and a fattened calf. 14 David danced before Hashem with all his might, and David was clothed in a linen ephod. 15 So David and all the house of Israel brought up Hashem’s ark with shouting, and with the sound of the trumpet.

16 As Hashem’s ark came into David’s city, Michal the daughter of Saul looked out through the window, and saw King David leaping and dancing before Hashem; and she despised him in her heart. 17 They brought in Hashem’s ark, and set it in its place, in the middle of the tent that David had pitched for it; and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before Hashem. 18 When David had finished offering the burnt offering and the peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of Hashem of Armies. 19 He gave to all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, both to men and women, to everyone a portion of bread, dates, and raisins. So all the people departed, each to his own house. 20 Then David returned to bless his household. Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, “How glorious the king of Israel was today, who uncovered himself today in the eyes of his servants’ maids, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!”

21 David said to Michal, “It was before Hashem, who chose me above your father, and above all his house, to appoint me prince over the people of Hashem, over Israel. Therefore, I will celebrate before Hashem. 22 I will be yet more vile than this, and will be worthless in my own sight. But the maids of whom you have spoken will honor me.”

23 Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child to the day of her death.

7:1 When the king lived in his house, and Hashem had given him rest from all his enemies all around, 2 the king said to Nathan the prophet, “See now, I dwell in a house of cedar, but Hashem’s ark dwells within curtains.”

3 Nathan said to the king, “Go, do all that is in your heart; for Hashem is with you.”

4 That same night, Hashem’s word came to Nathan, saying, 5 “Go and tell My servant David, ‘Hashem says, 'Should you build Me a house for Me to dwell in? 6 For I have not lived in a house since the day that I brought the children of Israel up out of Egypt, even to this day, but have moved around in a tent and in a tabernacle.

7 In all places in which I have walked with all the children of Israel, did I say a word to any of the tribes of Israel, whom I commanded to be shepherd of My people Israel, saying, ‘Why have you not built me a house of cedar?’”’ 8 Now therefore tell My servant David this, ‘Hashem of Armies says, “I took you from the sheep pen, from following the sheep, to be prince over My people, over Israel. 9 I have been with you wherever you went, and have cut off all your enemies from before you. I will make you a great name, like the name of the great ones who are in the earth. 10 I will appoint a place for My people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in their own place, and be moved no more. The children of wickedness will not afflict them any more, as at the first, 11, and as from the day that I commanded judges to be over My people Israel. I will cause you to rest from all your enemies. Moreover, Hashem tells you that Hashem will make you a house. 12 When your days are fulfilled, and you sleep with your fathers, I will set up your offspring after you, who will proceed out of your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He will build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be his father, and he will be My son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men; 15 but My loving kindness will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before you. 16 Your house and your kingdom will be made sure forever before you. Your throne will be established forever.” 

17 Nathan spoke to David all these words, and according to all this vision.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

In verse 12, we read,  “King David was told, ‘Hashem has blessed the house of Obed-Edom, and all that belongs to him, because of Elohim’s ark.’” I'm somewhat curious about this, as just before this, Uzzah is struck dead for trying to catch the ark as it is falling. Both people seem to want to help Hashem with the ark. But, I think, here is the point of it all. Uzzah disobeys Hashem by touching the ark. Obed-Edom takes courage and care to bring the ark into their property/home. Maybe Uzzah wanted to save the ark from falling on the ground. But, really, he just needed to trust that Hashem would take care of this and obey Hashem by not touching the ark. That’s a hard place to be in. Where you think that in disobedience to Hashem, you are doing the right thing. This is why it is so important to be close to Hashem and know His heart. In this particular instance, he wanted obedience, and He would take care of the rest. Let’s remember this and apply it to our lives.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

David celebrates the arrival of the ark into his tent. Imagine how exciting and wonderful that would be. We can not begin to understand the implications of this. But then his wife, Michal, is upset about this display of praise and worship. For her thoughts and words, Hashem removes the gift of childbearing from her. We can learn from this. Hashem wants true worshipers, and if they look a little different than us. We should be cautious not to criticize them. Everyone has their own way of worship, but the important thing is that they are worshiping Hashem, who loves to be worshiped. Make sure you give Him praise.

Week of Pesach - Day #7

Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-15:26  

Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

Exodus 13:17-15:26

13:17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, Adonai didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Adonai said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt''; 18 but Adonai led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “Adonai will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 Hashem went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.

14:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea. 3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem.” They did so.

5 The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 He prepared his chariot, and took his army with him; 7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, with captains over all of them. 8 Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.  9 The Egyptians pursued them. All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Hashem. 11 They said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Hashem, which He will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today. 14 Hashem will fight for you, and you shall be still.”

15 Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. Then the children of Israel shall go into the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 Behold, I Myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will get Myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem when I have gotten Myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.” 19 The angel of Adonai, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them. 20 It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. There was the cloud and the darkness, yet it gave light by night. One didn’t come near the other all night.

21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Hashem caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 In the morning watch, Hashem looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Hashem fights for them against the Egyptians!”

26 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Hashem overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus Hashem saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work which Hashem did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Hashem; and they believed in Hashem and in his servant Moses.

15:1 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Hashem, and said,

“I will sing to Hashem, for He has triumphed gloriously.

    He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.

2 Adonai is my strength and song.

    He has become my salvation.

This is my Elohim, and I will praise Him;

    my father’s Elohim, and I will exalt Him.

3 Hashem is a man of war.

    Hashem is His name.

4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea.

    His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

5 The deeps cover them.

    They went down into the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand, Hashem, is glorious in power.

    Your right hand, Hashem, dashes the enemy in pieces.

7 In the greatness of Your excellency, You overthrow those who rise up against You.

    You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.

8 With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up.

    The floods stood upright as a heap.

    The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder.

    My desire will be satisfied in them.

    I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind.

    The sea covered them.

    They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like You, Hashem, among the gods?

    Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

    fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out Your right hand.

    The earth swallowed them.

13 “You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that You have redeemed.

  You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.

14 The peoples have heard.

    They tremble.

    Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed.

    Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab.

    All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

16 Terror and dread fall on them.

    By the greatness of Your arm, they are as still as a stone,

    until Your people pass over, Hashem,

    until the people You have purchased pass over.

17 You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,

    the place, Hashem, which You have made for Yourself to dwell in;

    the sanctuary, Adonai, which Your hands have established.

18 Hashem will reign forever and ever.”

19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Hashem brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. 20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21 Miriam answered them,

“Sing to Hashem, for He has triumphed gloriously.

He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”

22 Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, its name was called Marah. 24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried to Hashem. Hashem showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them. 26 He said, “If you will diligently listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Hashem who heals you.”

Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

22:1 David spoke to Hashem the words of this song in the day that Hashem delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul, 2 and he said:

“Hashem is my rock,

    my fortress,

    and my deliverer, even mine;

3 Adonai is my rock in whom I take refuge;

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

    my high tower, and my refuge.

    My savior, You save me from violence.

4 I call on Hashem, who is worthy to be praised;

    So shall I be saved from my enemies.

5 For the waves of death surrounded me.

    The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

6 The cords of Sheol were around me.

    The snares of death caught me.

7 In my distress, I called on Hashem.

    Yes, I called to my Adonai.

He heard my voice out of His temple.

    My cry came into His ears.

8 Then the earth shook and trembled.

    The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken,

    because He was angry.

9 Smoke went up out of His nostrils.

    Consuming fire came out of His mouth.

    Coals were kindled by it.

10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down.

    Thick darkness was under His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub and flew.

    Yes, He was seen on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness a shelter around Himself:

  gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13 At the brightness before Him,

    coals of fire were kindled.

14 Hashem thundered from heaven.

    The Most High uttered His voice.

15 He sent out arrows and scattered them,

    lightning and confused them.

16 Then the channels of the sea appeared.

    The foundations of the world were laid bare by Hashem’s rebuke,

    at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 He sent from on high, and He took me.

    He drew me out of many waters.

18 He delivered me from my strong enemy,

    from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19 They came on me in the day of my calamity,

    but Hashem was my support.

20 He also brought me out into a large place.

    He delivered me because He delighted in me.

21 Hashem rewarded me according to my righteousness.

    He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

22 For I have kept Hashem’s ways,

    and have not wickedly departed from my Adonai.

23 For all His ordinances were before me.

    As for His statutes, I didn’t depart from them.

24 I was also perfect toward Him.

    I kept myself from my iniquity.

25 Therefore, Hashem has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    According to my cleanness in His eyesight.

26 With the merciful, you will show yourself merciful.

    With the perfect man, you will show yourself perfect.

27 With the pure, you will show yourself pure.

    With the crooked, you will show yourself shrewd.

28 You will save the afflicted people,

    But your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, Hashem.

   Hashem will light up my darkness.

30 For by You, I run against a troop.

    By my Adonai, I leap over a wall.

31 As for Adonai, His way is perfect.

    Hashem’s word is tested.

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

32 For who is Adonai, besides Hashem?

    Who is a rock, besides our Elohim?

33 Adonai is my strong fortress.

    He makes my way perfect.

34 He makes His feet like hinds’ feet,

    and sets me on my high places.

35 He teaches my hands to war,

    so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation.

    Your gentleness has made me great.

37 You have enlarged my steps under me.

    My feet have not slipped.

38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them.

    I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.

39 I have consumed them,

    and struck them through,

    so that they can’t arise.

    Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle.

    You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

41 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me,

    that I might cut off those who hate me.

42 They looked, but there was no one to save;

    even to Hashem, but He didn’t answer them.

43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth.

    I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.

44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people.

    You have kept me to be the head of the nations.

    A people whom I have not known will serve me.

45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me.

    As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

46 The foreigners will fade away,

    and will come trembling out of their close places.

47 Hashem lives!

    Blessed be my rock!

Exalted be Adonai, the rock of my salvation,

48  even the Adonai who executes vengeance for me,

    who brings down peoples under me,

49  who brings me away from my enemies.

Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me.

    You deliver me from the violent man.

50 Therefore, I will give thanks to You, Hashem, among the nations,

    and will sing praises to Your name.

51 He gives great deliverance to His king,

    and shows loving kindness to His anointed,

    to David and to his offspring, forever more.”

Today’s Meditation:

Have you ever been pursued by something or someone evil? I was plagued by an addiction for many years when I was young. It was taking over my life. I would try to run and escape from it, but it always pursued me and won. Until one day, I cried out to Hashem. He heard my cry, and He delivered me. Just like the Israelites. He led me through a path of victory and swallowed my enemy. I am so grateful to Him. I have been clean and sober now for over 30 years. Praise Him. If you are in trouble or suffering, I encourage you to call out to Him today. He will answer. Try to be patient and strong, and wait on Him.