Showing posts with label Reading #3. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reading #3. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Vayishlach - Reading #3

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Reading #3 - Genesis 32:31–33:5


My Thoughts: 


Jacob’s fears were for naught. Hashem answered his prayers and he was greeted with love from Esau. Verse 4 says, “Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept.” Doesn’t this sound like the most wonderful reconciliation? Jacob must have felt such incredible relief and peace. That is just what making amends with someone you love does. Each of us have people in our life that we have offended or that have hurt us. Some cases are huge and some are small. Either way it is time to reconcile and receive the same peace that Jacob got that special day. The shalom peace that can only come from Hashem and our obedience to make things right. Whether you have been hurt, or you have hurt someone else -- it’s time to take care of it.


Challenge: 


Traditions are important. Jews today do not eat this part of an animal because of this story of Jacob “wrestling” G-d. And as we are learning there are many more Biblical traditions. Tradition may not be a commandment you have to follow, but it is important to recognize because of its memory and previous impact on souls. We are coming up on the season of Hanukkah. A time in history where men saw a huge miracle of Hashem (the victory of reclaiming the Temple and the lights of the Menorah). We recognize it and celebrate it because it reminds of Hashem’s miraculous love of His people. Think about the traditions in your family this time of year. Instead of taking advantage of them, take time to ponder their importance. Make them special again and pass them on to your children. It’s important to do so.


Reading #3 - Genesis 32:31–33:5


32:31 The sun rose on him as he passed over Peniel, and he limped because of his thigh. 32 Therefore the children of Israel don’t eat the sinew of the hip, which is on the hollow of the thigh, to this day, because he touched the hollow of Jacob’s thigh in the sinew of the hip.


33 Jacob lifted up his eyes, and looked, and, behold, Esau was coming, and with him four hundred men. He divided the children between Leah, Rachel, and the two servants. 2 He put the servants and their children in front, Leah and her children after, and Rachel and Joseph at the rear. 3 He himself passed over in front of them, and bowed himself to the ground seven times, until he came near to his brother.


4 Esau ran to meet him, embraced him, fell on his neck, kissed him, and they wept. 5 He lifted up his eyes, and saw the women and the children; and said, “Who are these with you?”


He said, “The children whom Elohim has graciously given your servant.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Vayetze - Reading #3

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Reading #3 - Genesis 29:18–30:13


My Thoughts: 


Jacob is an interesting Bible character for sure. It was clear that he loved Rachel from the beginning, yet he ended up with three more wives. He has multiple children and some inside bickering between the women. What went wrong, or did everything go right? It’s hard to say what would have happened if Jacob would have just married Rachel. Would she be the mother of the twelve tribes of Israel or did Hashem have it in His plan to have four mothers? It’s very interesting. Again, I would suggest that when we have a desire and prayer request for Hashem, it’s better to wait. His way is definitely higher than ours!


Challenge: 


Would you sacrifice seven years to get a prayer answered? We are so used to “instant” results in all we do. How many of us would actually sacrifice something to achieve the answer of the prayer? It seems that Jacob did not hesitate. He knew right away that he would work and give up things so that he could marry Rachel. Would you do this? My challenge today is to spend some time thinking about what you would have done if you were Jacob.


Reading #3 - Genesis 29:18–30:13


18 Jacob loved Rachel. He said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel, your younger daughter.”


19 Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you, than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”


20 Jacob served seven years for Rachel. They seemed to him but a few days, for the love he had for her.


21 Jacob said to Laban, “Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in to her.”


22 Laban gathered together all the men of the place, and made a feast. 23 In the evening, he took Leah his daughter, and brought her to Jacob. He went in to her. 24 Laban gave Zilpah his servant to his daughter Leah for a servant. 25 In the morning, behold, it was Leah! He said to Laban, “What is this you have done to me? Didn’t I serve with you for Rachel? Why then have you deceived me?”


26 Laban said, “It is not done so in our place, to give the younger before the firstborn. 27 Fulfill the week of this one, and we will give you the other also for the service which you will serve with me for seven more years.”


28 Jacob did so, and fulfilled her week. He gave him Rachel his daughter as wife. 29 Laban gave Bilhah, his servant, to his daughter Rachel to be her servant. 30 He went in also to Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him seven more years.


31 Hashem saw that Leah was hated, and he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren. 32 Leah conceived, and bore a son, and she named him Reuben. For she said, “Because Hashem has looked at my affliction; for now my husband will love me.” 33 She conceived again, and bore a son, and said, “Because Hashem has heard that I am hated, he has therefore given me this son also.” She named him Simeon. 34 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “Now this time my husband will be joined to me, because I have borne him three sons.” Therefore his name was called Levi. 35 She conceived again, and bore a son. She said, “This time I will praise Hashem.” Therefore she named him Judah. Then she stopped bearing.


30 When Rachel saw that she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister. She said to Jacob, “Give me children, or else I will die.”


2 Jacob’s anger burned against Rachel, and he said, “Am I in Elohim’s place, who has withheld from you the fruit of the womb?”


3 She said, “Behold, my maid Bilhah. Go in to her, that she may bear on my knees, and I also may obtain children by her.” 4 She gave him Bilhah her servant as wife, and Jacob went in to her. 5 Bilhah conceived, and bore Jacob a son. 6 Rachel said, “Elohim has judged me, and has also heard my voice, and has given me a son.” Therefore she called his name Dan. 7 Bilhah, Rachel’s servant, conceived again, and bore Jacob a second son. 8 Rachel said, “I have wrestled with my sister with mighty wrestlings, and have prevailed.” She named him Naphtali.


9 When Leah saw that she had finished bearing, she took Zilpah, her servant, and gave her to Jacob as a wife. 10 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a son. 11 Leah said, “How fortunate!” She named him Gad. 12 Zilpah, Leah’s servant, bore Jacob a second son. 13 Leah said, “Happy am I, for the daughters will call me happy.” She named him Asher.

Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Toldot - Reading #3

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Reading #3 - Genesis 26:13–22


My Thoughts: 


Isaac was re-digging wells and trying to reclaim what his father had. Apparently, after Abraham died the Philistines covered them up. When his servants go to re-dig them, the Philistines argue and it looks like they prevent them from opening them. Then finally in verse 22 “For now Hashem has made room for us...” they find a successful well to dig. Isaac does not give credit to himself, but to Hashem for this! Sometimes in life we search and search for an answer to a problem. When we find the answer we will tend to give the credit to ourselves or someone else. When all the glory should go to Hashem! Let’s try and remember all gifts come from the Father of Lights (James 1:17)!


Challenge: 


Are you looking for an answer or solution and NOT allowing Hashem to “make room” for your result? What does that look like to have Him “make room”? To me it means, praying and worshiping Him daily, minute by minute. Then when there is a problem, really look to Him for the answer. Watch Him move. Watch Him “make room” for your solution. And there will be the answer before your eyes! The only thing left to do is to give Him all the thanksgiving and glory for helping you! Your missing ingredient may only be - patience. 


Reading #3 - Genesis 26:13–22


26:13 The man grew great, and grew more and more until he became very great. 14 He had possessions of flocks, possessions of herds, and a great household. The Philistines envied him. 15 Now all the wells which his father’s servants had dug in the days of Abraham his father, the Philistines had stopped, and filled with earth. 16 Abimelech said to Isaac, “Go away from us, for you are much mightier than we.”


17 Isaac departed from there, encamped in the valley of Gerar, and lived there.


18 Isaac dug again the wells of water, which they had dug in the days of Abraham his father, for the Philistines had stopped them after the death of Abraham. He called their names after the names by which his father had called them. 19 Isaac’s servants dug in the valley, and found there a well of flowing water. 20 The herdsmen of Gerar argued with Isaac’s herdsmen, saying, “The water is ours.” So he called the name of the well Esek, because they contended with him. 21 They dug another well, and they argued over that, also. So he called its name Sitnah. 22 He left that place, and dug another well. They didn’t argue over that one. So he called it Rehoboth. He said, “For now Hashem has made room for us, and we will be fruitful in the land.”


Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Chayei Sarah - Reading #3

Chayei Sarah חַיֵּי שָׂרָה- Life of Sarah 

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #3 - Genesis 24:10–26


My Thoughts:


Can we pray specific prayers to Hashem? Abraham’s servant prayed this very specific prayer -- that the woman for Isaac will offer him water and also offer to water his camels! What are the chances of that? And yet that is exactly what happens. Rebekah comes out, offers the servant a drink and then offers to give water to his camels and continues until they are filled.


A wonderful example of how we can ask Hashem for detailed issues of need. Some people think that is not right, or that we don’t need to do that because Hashem knows what we need before we ask. But, with my experience it is good to ask for specific things, mainly because when you do and He answers -- it will build your faith in a huge way. What a glorious and wonderful Hashem we serve!


Challenge:


Think of something you have been praying for. Now, edit your prayer to include some specifics. Of course, when you pray, pray in humility and with worship to the Almighty One. Repent and make restitution to those you have offended. And give thanks to Him ahead of time for what you believe He is going to do. Then wait and watch our Elohim do miracles! Amen!


READING #3 - Genesis 24:10–26


10 The servant took ten of his master’s camels, and departed, having a variety of good things of his master’s with him. He arose, and went to Mesopotamia, to the city of Nahor. 11 He made the camels kneel down outside the city by the well of water at the time of evening, the time that women go out to draw water. 12 He said, “Hashem, the Elohim of my master Abraham, please give me success today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 Behold, I am standing by the spring of water. The daughters of the men of the city are coming out to draw water. 14 Let it happen, that the young lady to whom I will say, ‘Please let down your pitcher, that I may drink,’ then she says, ‘Drink, and I will also give your camels a drink,’—let her be the one you have appointed for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”


15 Before he had finished speaking, behold, Rebekah came out, who was born to Bethuel the son of Milcah, the wife of Nahor, Abraham’s brother, with her pitcher on her shoulder. 16 The young lady was very beautiful to look at, a virgin. No man had known her. She went down to the spring, filled her pitcher, and came up. 17 The servant ran to meet her, and said, “Please give me a drink, a little water from your pitcher.”


18 She said, “Drink, my lord.” She hurried, and let down her pitcher on her hand, and gave him a drink. 19 When she had finished giving him a drink, she said, “I will also draw for your camels, until they have finished drinking.” 20 She hurried, and emptied her pitcher into the trough, and ran again to the well to draw, and drew for all his camels.


21 The man looked steadfastly at her, remaining silent, to know whether Hashem had made his journey prosperous or not. 22 As the camels had done drinking, the man took a golden ring of half a shekel weight, and two bracelets for her hands of ten shekels weight of gold, 23 and said, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me. Is there room in your father’s house for us to stay?”


24 She said to him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel the son of Milcah, whom she bore to Nahor.” 25 She said moreover to him, “We have both straw and feed enough, and room to lodge in.”


26 The man bowed his head, and worshiped Hashem.

Tuesday, November 12, 2024

Vayeira - Reading #3

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #3 - Genesis 19:1–20       


My Thoughts:


Lot went to warn his future son-in-laws to leave Sodom, that Hashem was going to destroy the city. But Scripture says they thought Lot was “joking”. They didn’t go. The city burned and they were killed. How sad because they were told ahead of time, they just doubted him. It makes me think about people in our life that try to “warn” us of pending disasters. People that are honorable and good. But, do we heed their warnings or just jump into what could be sinking sand? I think of the times people have warned me, but out of stubbornness I did not listen. Then something bad happens and they were right. We need to learn to listen well to those around us who love and care for us -- and want us to be safe!


Challenge:


Think of something in your life that you are doing or have done that you know is wrong! I challenge you today to correct it. Even seek advice from someone wise that you know, share your concern and see how they instruct you in the situation. Pray and seek Hashem. Then do what they say. Whether it was something you did, or something you are contemplating -- fix it today! You will be glad and you will hopefully avert what would have been a negative outcome.


Reading #3 - Genesis 19:1–20


19 The two angels came to Sodom at evening. Lot sat in the gate of Sodom. Lot saw them, and rose up to meet them. He bowed himself with his face to the earth, 2 and he said, “See now, my lords, please come into your servant’s house, stay all night, wash your feet, and you can rise up early, and go on your way.”


They said, “No, but we will stay in the street all night.”


3 He urged them greatly, and they came in with him, and entered into his house. He made them a feast, and baked unleavened bread, and they ate. 4 But before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, surrounded the house, both young and old, all the people from every quarter. 5 They called to Lot, and said to him, “Where are the men who came in to you this night? Bring them out to us, that we may have sex with them.”


6 Lot went out to them through the door, and shut the door after himself. 7 He said, “Please, my brothers, don’t act so wickedly. 8 See now, I have two virgin daughters. Please let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them what seems good to you. Only don’t do anything to these men, because they have come under the shadow of my roof.”


9 They said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one fellow came in to live as a foreigner, and he appoints himself a judge. Now we will deal worse with you than with them!” They pressed hard on the man Lot, and came near to break the door. 10 But the men reached out their hand, and brought Lot into the house to them, and shut the door. 11 They struck the men who were at the door of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they wearied themselves to find the door.


12 The men said to Lot, “Do you have anybody else here? Sons-in-law, your sons, your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place: 13 for we will destroy this place, because the outcry against them has grown so great before Hashem that Hashem has sent us to destroy it.”


14 Lot went out, and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters, and said, “Get up! Get out of this place, for Hashem will destroy the city!”


But he seemed to his sons-in-law to be joking. 15 When the morning came, then the angels hurried Lot, saying, “Get up! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the iniquity of the city.” 16 But he lingered; and the men grabbed his hand, his wife’s hand, and his two daughters’ hands, Hashem being merciful to him; and they took him out, and set him outside of the city. 17 It came to pass, when they had taken them out, that he said, “Escape for your life! Don’t look behind you, and don’t stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be consumed!”


18 Lot said to them, “Oh, not so, my lord. 19 See now, your servant has found favor in your sight, and you have magnified your loving kindness, which you have shown to me in saving my life. I can’t escape to the mountain, lest evil overtake me, and I die. 20 See now, this city is near to flee to, and it is a little one. Oh let me escape there (isn’t it a little one?), and my soul will live.”

Tuesday, November 5, 2024

Lech-Lecha - Reading #3

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #3 - Genesis 13:5–18


My Thoughts:


Was Lot looking out for himself? He thought he was choosing the “better” land, but he actually got some polluted and corrupt land - Sodom. And look at the end result of that! Sodom was destroyed! And in the end Abram was blessed by Hashem with a promise of receiving ALL of the land.


Maybe the next time someone gives us the first opportunity to choose, we may go to Hashem and ask Him what we should do. Also, it might be advantageous and righteous to choose the “lesser” and give the other person the best!


Challenge:


I have a friend who is like Abram. She is always letting me have the best in all situations. I have learned so much from her. Here is my challenge for today. The next time you are given an opportunity to make a choice with someone else - choose the lesser and give your friend the best! You will be blessed even greater for doing so! 


Reading #3 - Genesis 13:5–18


13:5 Lot also, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together. 7 There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time. 8 Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. 9 Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”


10 Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Hashem destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Hashem, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one other. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Hashem.


14 Hashem said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.”


18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to Hashem.

Tuesday, October 29, 2024

Noach - Reading #3

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Reading #3 - Genesis 7:17–8:14              


My Thoughts: 


Water has great significance in the Bible. The flood, the crossing of the Red Sea, the commandments of washing, the water from the rock, Yeshua as the “living water” and more. And we must remember that our bodies are made up of about 60% water. We just read last week about how Hashem separated the waters. Bottom line water is an important part of our existence. We can’t live without it. 


In today’s reading Hashem uses water to “cleanse” the earth. Just like when you go into a mikvah before you enter the Temple area. You must be cleansed to enter into the presence of Hashem. So, what do we do today? Some will still use mikvahs in synagogues, some get “water baptized” and some of us think about how we can be cleansed daily simply by true repentance. Whichever way you choose, it is important to be cleansed from sin and renewed daily by repentance.


Challenge:


Take some time today to think about active sin in your life. Or even sin that you have held on to. See if you can find a way to be cleansed of your sin. Come clean before Hashem today.


Reading #3 - Genesis 7:17–8:14


7:17 The flood was forty days on the earth. The waters increased, and lifted up the ship, and it was lifted up above the earth. 18 The waters rose, and increased greatly on the earth; and the ship floated on the surface of the waters. 19 The waters rose very high on the earth. All the high mountains that were under the whole sky were covered. 20 The waters rose fifteen cubits higher, and the mountains were covered. 21 All flesh died that moved on the earth, including birds, livestock, animals, every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, and every man. 22 All on the dry land, in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, died. 23 Every living thing was destroyed that was on the surface of the ground, including man, livestock, creeping things, and birds of the sky. They were destroyed from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those who were with him in the ship. 24 The waters flooded the earth one hundred fifty days.


8 Elohim remembered Noah, all the animals, and all the livestock that were with him in the ship; and Elohim made a wind to pass over the earth. The waters subsided. 2 The deep’s fountains and the sky’s windows were also stopped, and the rain from the sky was restrained. 3 The waters continually receded from the earth. After the end of one hundred fifty days the waters receded. 4 The ship rested in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on Ararat’s mountains. 5 The waters receded continually until the tenth month. In the tenth month, on the first day of the month, the tops of the mountains were visible.


6 At the end of forty days, Noah opened the window of the ship which he had made, 7 and he sent out a raven. It went back and forth, until the waters were dried up from the earth. 8 He himself sent out a dove to see if the waters were abated from the surface of the ground, 9 but the dove found no place to rest her foot, and she returned into the ship to him, for the waters were on the surface of the whole earth. He put out his hand, and took her, and brought her to him into the ship. 10 He waited yet another seven days; and again he sent the dove out of the ship. 11 The dove came back to him at evening and, behold, in her mouth was a freshly plucked olive leaf. So Noah knew that the waters were abated from the earth. 12 He waited yet another seven days, and sent out the dove; and she didn’t return to him any more.


13 In the six hundred first year, in the first month, the first day of the month, the waters were dried up from the earth. Noah removed the covering of the ship, and looked. He saw that the surface of the ground was dry. 14 In the second month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, the earth was dry.

Tuesday, October 22, 2024

B'reisheet - Reading #3

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

READING #3 - Genesis 2:20–3:21                   


My Thoughts: 


We are in the first chapters of Hashem’s Word and He begins to give commands. His first is to “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it (the earth).” Genesis 1:28 Then after He created Adam and Eve in the garden, He instructed them with the command “... you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.” Genesis 2:17 Two simple commands.


As time goes on, He continues to give us His set of rules - His Laws, the Torah. We are to obey them and they are forever. Only just like the serpent we hear, “Did Elohim really say that? Surely you will not die.” (paraphrase of verses 2:1 and 2:4) Isn’t that what religion says today? Christianity (and other religions, too) teach that we no longer have to follow the Law or His rules. That somehow, this all changed. But, this simply is not true. His Torah is Life. His Torah is forever.


Deception works hard to keep us from Truth. And Truth is when Hashem tells us to do something - we do it. In love and worship to Him we follow His Laws, His instructions. And we believe Him when He says if we do not obey His rules we will die. Maybe that’s the real reason He sent Yeshua as the Mashiach. To bring us back to Him, to Truth, and back to obedience/faithfulness to His Laws. 


Challenge:


What are the times you have been taught things in the Bible and you said to yourself, “Did G-d really say that?” If that has happened did you look up Scripture to see if He really did say it?


READING #3 - Genesis 2:20–3:21

2:20 The man gave names to all livestock, and to the birds of the sky, and to every animal of the field; but for man there was not found a helper comparable to him. 21 Hashem Elohim caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. As the man slept, He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh in its place. 22 Hashem Elohim made a woman from the rib which He had taken from the man, and brought her to the man. 23 The man said, “This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken out of Man.” 24 Therefore a man will leave his father and his mother, and will join with his wife, and they will be one flesh. 25 The man and his wife were both naked, and they were not ashamed.

3 Now the serpent was more subtle than any animal of the field which Hashem Elohim had made. He said to the woman, “Has G-d really said, ‘You shall not eat of any tree of the garden’?”

2 The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees of the garden, 3 but not the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden. G-d has said, ‘You shall not eat of it. You shall not touch it, lest you die.’”

4 The serpent said to the woman, “You won’t really die, 5 for G-d knows that in the day you eat it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like G-d, knowing good and evil.”

6 When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took some of its fruit, and ate. Then she gave some to her husband with her, and he ate it, too. 7 Their eyes were opened, and they both knew that they were naked. They sewed fig leaves together, and made coverings for themselves. 8 They heard Hashem Elohim’s voice walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of Hashem Elohim among the trees of the garden.

9 Hashem Elohim called to the man, and said to him, “Where are you?”

10 The man said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid myself.”

11 Elohim said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”

12 The man said, “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree, and I ate it.”

13 Hashem Elohim said to the woman, “What have you done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

14 Hashem Elohim said to the serpent, “Because you have done this, you are cursed above all livestock, and above every animal of the field. You shall go on your belly and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. 15 I will put hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel.”

16 To the woman He said, “I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth. You will bear children in pain. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.”

17 To Adam He said, “Because you have listened to your wife’s voice, and have eaten from the tree, about which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ the ground is cursed for your sake. You will eat from it with much labor all the days of your life. 18 It will yield thorns and thistles to you; and you will eat the herb of the field. 19 You will eat bread by the sweat of your face until you return to the ground, for you were taken out of it. For you are dust, and you shall return to dust.”

20 The man called his wife Eve because she would be the mother of all the living. 21 Hashem Elohim made garments of animal skins for Adam and for his wife, and clothed them.

Tuesday, October 15, 2024

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #3

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12


Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17


My Thoughts:


Seems like Joseph is getting a very large detailed blessing here. Especially on the Land that the tribe will inherit. Blessings over the produce and fruit of the Land. Hashem remembers the suffering Joseph endured when he was separated from his brothers. It makes me think that Hashem remembers things in our lives that we have suffered from, that He does not forget. That is a comforting thought and a feeling that Hashem loves us so much and cares for our past and our future. Let us remember that about Him. Amen.


Challenge:


Joseph gets a special blessing in verse 15, “...for the best things of the ancient mountains…”. What could possibly be this type of blessing out of ancient mountains? It gives me the idea that the ancient mountains could represent the ancient Word of Elohim. His Word is like a mighty mountain (and was given on top of a mountain). So, think of this. Hashem wants to give the “best” things out of His Word. If we are to follow Torah (and that is my challenge today) -- then He will give us the “best” from it. And if you think of it, what is better than “life” itself? That is the reality of Torah and the best thing about it. It gives eternal life. Life today and life forever. Don’t you want that? Amen.


Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17


33:13 About Joseph he said,


“His land is blessed by Hashem,

    for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew,

    for the deep that couches beneath,

14 for the precious things of the fruits of the sun,

    for the precious things that the moon can yield,

15 for the best things of the ancient mountains,

    for the precious things of the everlasting hills,

16 for the precious things of the earth and its fullness,

    the good will of him who lived in the bush.

Let this come on the head of Joseph,

    on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

17 Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd.

    His horns are the horns of the wild ox.

    With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth.

They are the ten thousands of Ephraim.

    They are the thousands of Manasseh.”



Tuesday, October 1, 2024

Ha'Azinu - Reading #3

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52


Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18


My Thoughts:


It is so harsh that here the people are ready to enter the Promised Land and Moses is prophesying that they are going to fail and go off and worship other gods. In verse 18 we read, “Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten Elohiim who gave you birth.” This is how sin begins, we forget who Hashem is. Sometimes things can get so good in life, that we forget who gave them to us. We get prideful, puffed up and think we worked or earned the things we have. And then we begin to “worship” what we have, instead of Hashem. Maybe you don’t think you could ever forget Hashem and all He has done. But, sometimes I think we do. How many hours a day do we watch TV? How many hours a day do we pray and worship Hashem? If that answer convicts you and scares you -- then it is time to set things straight! Make sure today that you are not forgetting Hashem and all He is. Spend time with Him today. Take a “prayer walk” and thank Him for all He has done!


Challenge:


In continuation of the thoughts above -- have you ever “abandoned” Hashem (verse 15)? I have a good friend who unexpectedly lost his brother a few months ago. They were best friends. He got mad at Hashem. Why did Hashem “take” his brother at such a young age? I can see where this anger has really separated my friend from Hashem. I am encouraging him to think about where his brother is. That just maybe he is in paradise (I believe with Yeshua) -- in a very special place that Hashem has prepared. My friend is hurt, and we all have had times when we have felt the same. But we must not abandon or reject Hashem. We must remember He gives and He takes away. My challenge to you today is to thank Hashem for today. That He woke you up, Ask Him to walk with you today. If you are hurting, go back to Him and ask Him if He will help you to heal and be restored. Ask Him to come close to you so that you can feel His presence in your life. I pray that He does.


Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18


32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth.

    He ate the increase of the field.

He caused him to suck honey out of the rock,

    oil out of the flinty rock;

14 butter from the herd, and milk from the flock,

    with fat of lambs,

    rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats,

    with the finest of the wheat.

    From the blood of the grape, you drank wine.

15 But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked.

    You have grown fat.

    You have grown thick.

    You have become sleek.

Then he abandoned Elohim who made him,

    and rejected the Rock of his salvation.

16 They moved Him to jealousy with strange gods.

    They provoked Him to anger with abominations.

17 They sacrificed to demons, not Elohim,

    to gods that they didn’t know,

    to new gods that came up recently,

    which your fathers didn’t dread.

18 Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful,

    and have forgotten Elohiim who gave you birth.



Tuesday, September 24, 2024

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #3

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30


Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14


My Thoughts:


Verse 8, “You shall return and obey Hashem’s voice…”. What are we returning from? It is simple. We are returning to Him from a godless, disobedient and rebellious life. We are returning to spiritual things that are wonderful, from a dark, callous world. We are returning to the Light from the darkness of evil. We must try and remember that He has so much and IS so much, and the earthly life we live is so selfish. We must make an effort every day to return to Him in all we do. To love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength. There is no other way to live. Amen.


Challenge:


To continue my thoughts above, in verse 10 we read we are to return to Hashem with “all your heart and with all your soul”. This is not just being flippant about how we serve Him -- but intentional. It is giving Him ALL we have within us! That’s the challenge today. Think about how you can give Hashem “your whole heart and soul”. Not just part of it, but all of it! Then we have the greatest blessing of all -- “Hashem will again rejoice over you for good”. Can you even begin to imagine what it means for Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to rejoice over us? What does that look like? Does He smile or sing, does He speak kind words about us? Whatever He does, we look forward to being able to receive it. And we will do our part to follow Torah to the best of our ability. In every minute of every day. Amen.


Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14

7 Hashem your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 You shall return and obey Hashem's voice, and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 Hashem your Elohim will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Hashem will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you will obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Ki Tavo - Reading #3

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8


Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19


My Thoughts:


In verse 16 we are told to follow Torah with all of our heart and soul. He commands us so. These laws have never changed, or been replaced with new laws. These are the same commandments for eternity. This is not hard to understand. He has given us Torah, now we learn it and follow it -- with everything we have. Do you love Hashem so much that you will agree today to follow His Torah with your whole heart and soul? Even if you are learning, or don’t totally understand them all -- just do your best. He will show you and bring people in your life to teach you. Just ask Him. The reward is eternal life.


Challenge:


Verse 18 says Hashem has “declared today that you are a people for His own possession…”. You are possessed by Him when you love Him, serve Him, worship Him and follow His Torah. I believe this is the natural born Jew and also the foreigner that “joins” to Israel. If you are not Jewish consider “joining” to Israel. That is my challenge to you today. Be like Ruth and say, “Your people are my people. Your Elohim is my Elohim. Where you go, I go. Where you live, I live…” (Ruth 1:16-17) That is a true attachment. Consider “joining” Hashem’s people and serving the one True Elohim. It will change your life forever. I know this, I have been a “Ruth” for over 11 years.


Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19


26:16 Today Hashem your Elohim commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that Hashem is your Elohim, and that you would walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. 18 Hashem has declared today that you are a people for His own possession, as He has promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments. 19 He will make you high above all nations that He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor; and that you may be a holy people to Hashem your Elohim, as He has spoken.