PInchas - Reading #3

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Reading #3 - Numbers 26:52–27:5

My Thoughts:

In verse 54 we learn about the fairness Hashem exhibits in the plan of distributing the land. He says, “To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given” In other words, those who had a lot of people -- got a lot of land. Those who had less people -- received less land. And as we will learn to the Levites, He gives no land. Instead He gives them the inheritance of serving in the Temple. Which was most likely the most coveted position of all! Think of it. Would you like to be one of the people that served the most Holy Elohim in the Temple? You would be so close to His presence all the time. What a privilege! 

Challenge:

In continuation of “My Thoughts” I challenge you today to think about how you could “serve” Elohim, like the way that the priests did. We do not have a Temple, but take some time to study Temple duties. More information will arise on this subject as we study the next Torah book -- Deuteronomy.  Do we bring “offerings” to the most Holy One (in our own way)? Do you keep a “light” burning continually for Hashem? Certainly we can BE a light for Him! And certainly we can give “offerings” such as prayer, charity, repentance and a righteous life. Start practicing ways you can serve Hashem here on earth. Get ready for when He returns to the Temple in Jerusalem for eternity -- when we will be serving Him -- in person! Amen!

Reading #3 - Numbers 26:52–27:5

26:52 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 53 “To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To the more you shall give the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give the less inheritance. To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given. 55 Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers they shall inherit. 56 According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.”

57 These are those who were counted of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. 59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam their sister. 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Hashem. 62 Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63 These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For Hashem had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua the son of Nun.

27 Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh the son of Joseph came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Hashem in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”

5 Moses brought their cause before Hashem.

Balak - Reading #3

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #3 - Numbers 22:21–38

My Thoughts:

This is quite the recount of what happened to Balaam and his donkey. Some think this is a parable, some think it is true. I believe everything in Torah is true (taking in account translations, etc.). So, if this is true an angel appears to the donkey and soon to Balaam. However, as in other stories of angels, they sometimes turn out to be Hashem Himself. In the end He instructs Balaam to speak the word He says (verse 35). We may not understand all of this, but there is a general message to receive. Hashem wants to direct our lives. He wants us to listen and obey. When we challenge Him -- He is not happy about that. However, He will send warnings to us, like the angel that blocks Balaam’s way. Let us pay attention to what He says to us and how He directs our paths. It will change our lives.

Challenge:

In verse 38 Balaam says he will speak the words Elohim puts in his mouth. Pause and reflect on this. Do you speak the words that Hashem gives you? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like Hashem was telling you to speak something, but you did not? Or maybe you did and you saw wonderful results. We may not hear from Hashem audibly, but all of us have a “sense” of when He is speaking to us. Listen to what He says and do it. Speak what He tells you to speak. My challenge to you today is to go through today and listen. If you think you hear Him -- do what or say what He tells you. See what happens. If you are unsure it is Him, and the message you think you hear is positive and only encourages someone -- take a chance and say it. See if it bears fruit. This is the way we will learn to hear His voice. Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 22:21–38

22:21 Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 Elohim’s anger burned because he went; and Hashem’s angel placed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path. 24 Then Hashem’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.

26 Hashem’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Hashem opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?”

He said, “No.”

31 Then Hashem opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Hashem’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 Hashem’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. 33 The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”

34 Balaam said to Hashem’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”

35 Hashem’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.”

So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?”

38 Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word that Elohim puts in my mouth.”

Chukat - Reading #3

Chukat חֻקַּת - Law

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Reading #3 - Numbers 20:7–13

My Thoughts:

It’s really clear in verse 8 that Hashem is telling Moses to “speak to the rock”. But, maybe that was a little scary to him. Had he ever spoke to something before and a miracle occurred? I don’t know how many times this happened, but apparently hitting the rock with his faithful rod seemed a bit safer. The punishment Moses gets for not doing what Hashem said, is almost unbearable. Now, he can not enter the Holy Land. How devastated he must have felt. Hashem tells us what to do through His Torah. Maybe it is time we listened and obeyed. 

Challenge:

Hashem took away Moses' privilege to enter Israel. Because he disobeyed Him. Can you think of a time in your life when Hashem appeared to have taken something away because of disobedience? I can and I can bear witness it was awful. In fact I believe it has happened to me a few times. You would think it would only have to happen once and that would be enough. Sadly, sometimes I forget how powerful Hashem can be in my life -- with His blessings and my consequences of sin. We need to learn from our mistakes and not do them again. We need to obey Hashem and His Torah, at any cost. Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 20:7–13

20:7 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its water. You shall bring water to them out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.”

9 Moses took the rod from before Hashem, as He commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank.

12 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

13 These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Hashem, and He was sanctified in them.

Korach - Reading #3

Korach קֹרַח - Korach

Numbers 16:1-18:32

Reading #3 - Numbers 16:20–17:8 (Chapter 17:1-21 in the Jewish Bible)

My Thoughts:

Do we ever learn? First Korath and his household are swallowed up into the ground, and then the 250 leaders with censors are consumed. You would think that people would get on their knees and beg forgiveness to Hashem. And maybe some did. But others began to complain -- the very next day! Oh no! What were they thinking? Hashem is not happy with this and begins a plague, a huge plague. Moses intercedes and Hashem, Aaron runs between the living and the dead and the plague is halted. Here is the lesson. If we disobey Hashem, don’t try to make excuses or think that it is okay. It is not. Beg for forgiveness, repent and be holy. Or another punishment may follow! Hashem loves us either way, but will not let us go unpunished or He will find a way so we learn.

Challenge:

At the end of today’s reading we learn about the story of proving to the Israelites who is their leader. Hashem tells Moses to assemble the leaders with their rods. He gathers them and sets them before the testimony. This is to settle who is truly Hashem’s leader -- once and for all -- so that the complaining ceases! Everyone brings their rods and the next day ONLY Aaron’s buds with almonds. The leader is confirmed! How wonderful of Hashem is to give this wonderful display to prove His point. It is a really interesting visual. Can you think of a time when Hashem showed the reason why He told you something? Maybe He didn’t turn a stick into flowers, but maybe He did give you a “visual” sign? Take some time to think of this and remember His miracles.

Reading #3 - Numbers 16:20–17:8

16:20 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!”

22 They fell on their faces, and said, “Elohim, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?”

23 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the congregation, saying, ‘Get away from around the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram!’”

25 Moses rose up and went to Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him. 26 He spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be consumed in all their sins!”

27 So they went away from the tent of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side. Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood at the door of their tents with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.

28 Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that Hashem has sent me to do all these works; for they are not from my own mind. 29 If these men die the common death of all men, or if they experience what all men experience, then Hashem hasn’t sent me. 30 But if Hashem makes a new thing, and the ground opens its mouth, and swallows them up with all that belong to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall understand that these men have despised Hashem.”

31 As he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split apart. 32 The earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up with their households, all of Korah’s men, and all their goods. 33 So they, and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol. The earth closed on them, and they perished from among the assembly. 34 All Israel that were around them fled at their cry; for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!” 35 Fire came out from Hashem, and devoured the two hundred fifty men who offered the incense.

36 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 37 “Speak to Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest, that he take up the censers out of the burning, and scatter the fire away from the camp; for they are holy, 38 even the censers of those who sinned against their own lives. Let them be beaten into plates for a covering of the altar, for they offered them before Hashem. Therefore they are holy. They shall be a sign to the children of Israel.”

39 Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers which those who were burned had offered; and they beat them out for a covering of the altar, 40 to be a memorial to the children of Israel, to the end that no stranger who isn’t of the offspring of Aaron, would come near to burn incense before Hashem, that he not be as Korah and as his company; as Hashem spoke to him by Moses.

41 But on the next day all the congregation of the children of Israel complained against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed Hashem’s people!”

42 When the congregation was assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they looked toward the Tent of Meeting. Behold, the cloud covered it, and Hashem’s glory appeared. 43 Moses and Aaron came to the front of the Tent of Meeting. 44 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment!” They fell on their faces.

46 Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, put fire from the altar in it, lay incense on it, carry it quickly to the congregation, and make atonement for them; for wrath has gone out from Hashem! The plague has begun.”

47 Aaron did as Moses said, and ran into the middle of the assembly. The plague had already begun among the people. He put on the incense, and made atonement for the people. 48 He stood between the dead and the living; and the plague was stayed. 49 Now those who died by the plague were fourteen thousand seven hundred, in addition to those who died about the matter of Korah. 50 Aaron returned to Moses to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and the plague was stopped.

17:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and take rods from them, one for each fathers’ house, of all their princes according to their fathers’ houses, twelve rods. Write each man’s name on his rod. 3 You shall write Aaron’s name on Levi’s rod. There shall be one rod for each head of their fathers’ houses. 4 You shall lay them up in the Tent of Meeting before the covenant, where I meet with you. 5 It shall happen that the rod of the man whom I shall choose shall bud. I will make the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against you, cease from me.”

6 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and all their princes gave him rods, for each prince one, according to their fathers’ houses, a total of twelve rods. Aaron’s rod was among their rods. 7 Moses laid up the rods before Hashem in the Tent of the Testimony.

8 On the next day, Moses went into the Tent of the Testimony; and behold, Aaron’s rod for the house of Levi had sprouted, budded, produced blossoms, and bore ripe almonds.

Shelach - Reading #3

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #3 - Numbers 14:8–25

My Thoughts:

Joshua and Caleb defend Hashem’s promise to the Land. They try to tell the people that they can trust in Hashem and His Word. That the Land is good and He will deliver it, just like He delivered them out of Egypt. They beg them not to fear but to trust. But, fear takes over the people and they threaten to stone them. You know the rest of the story. Their fear prohibits them from ever entering the promised Land. Only their children will be able to go. That is what fear does. It paralyzes you and keeps you from God’s blessings. I know I have been there. Trusting in Him is much, much better.

My Thoughts:

In verse 22 we read that the people have “tempted” Hashem 10 times and not listened to His voice. We stand astonished at that because it happens right after they have seen the biggest miracle of the parting of the sea. But, I  challenge you to take a look at your life. How many times has Hashem done a super miracle in your life and then shortly after you doubt Him or complain or just don’t trust He is going to pull through again? Time to repent and to believe. And believe me, I am talking to myself right now! He did a major miracle in my life, and then shortly after I am doubting Him about something else! STUPID!!!!! Right? Hashem I am so sorry for not trusting You in this new situation. Please forgive me and help me to believe in You! Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 14:8-25

14:8 If Hashem delights in us, then He will bring us into this land, and give it to us: a land which flows with milk and honey. 9 Only don’t rebel against Hashem, neither fear the people of the land; for they are bread for us. Their defense is removed from over them, and Hashem is with us. Don’t fear them.”

10 But all the congregation threatened to stone them with stones.

Hashem’s glory appeared in the Tent of Meeting to all the children of Israel. 11 Hashem said to Moses, “How long will this people despise Me? How long will they not believe in Me, for all the signs which I have worked among them? 12 I will strike them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of you a nation greater and mightier than they.”

13 Moses said to Hashem, “Then the Egyptians will hear it; for You brought up this people in Your might from among them. 14 They will tell it to the inhabitants of this land. They have heard that You Hashem are among this people; for you Hashem are seen face to face, and your cloud stands over them, and you go before them, in a pillar of cloud by day, and in a pillar of fire by night. 15 Now if you killed this people as one man, then the nations which have heard the fame of you will speak, saying, 16 ‘Because Hashem was not able to bring this people into the land which he swore to them, therefore He has slain them in the wilderness.’ 17 Now please let the power of Hashem be great, according as You have spoken, saying, 18 ‘Hashem is slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness, forgiving iniquity and disobedience; and He will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation.’ 19 Please pardon the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of your loving kindness, and just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”

20 Hashem said, “I have pardoned according to your word; 21 but in very deed—as I live, and as all the earth shall be filled with Hashem’s glory— 22 because all those men who have seen My glory and My signs, which I worked in Egypt and in the wilderness, yet have tempted Me these ten times, and have not listened to My voice; 23 surely they shall not see the land which I swore to their fathers, neither shall any of those who despised me see it. 24 But my servant Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and has followed Me fully, him I will bring into the land into which he went. His offspring shall possess it. 25 Since the Amalekite and the Canaanite dwell in the valley, tomorrow turn and go into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”

Beha'alotcha - Reading #3

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting

Numbers 8:1-12:16

Reading #3 - Numbers 9:1–14

My Thoughts:

Hashem is reminding His people to celebrate Pesach, the first Pesach in the wilderness (one year after they left Egypt). This is to be a Commandment for many generations, forever. To remind us about Hashem’s deliverance miracle from slavery and His faithfulness to His promises to bring His people to the Promised Land. It’s about them eating unleavened bread in their haste. Hashem knows we need to remember this story. It is the beginning of His people finally coming back to Israel and formally receiving the Torah -- the Book of Life. It is probably one of the most wonderful testimonials in the Bible. And we are to remember it every year. Whether we are Gentile or Jews -- we are invited to celebrate this memorial. As you commemorate this Feast every year you will be so blessed and will draw closer to Hashem.

Challenge:

Take a minute to remember the last Pesach you celebrated. If you did it this year, it was about 6 weeks ago. What I remember this year was just the uniqueness and peace I felt during our “Seder”. We went through a “Haggadah” that my friend wrote and it was so special! As we went through each “stage” of the meal, we remembered something about the original Pesach. The slaughter of the lambs, the blood on the doorposts, the angel of death passing by, the escape and the crossing of the Red Sea. It brought back to mind the emotional experience the people must have felt -- fear, anxiety, worry, doubt, wonder and joy. But, most of all it reminded me of Hashem’s love and greatness. How much He loves us and does not want us to suffer. His greatness and all His miracles. We need to remember this every year. Look back and remember. Then praise Him.

Reading #3 - Numbers 9:1–14

9:1 Hashem spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Let the children of Israel keep Pesach in its appointed season. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you shall keep it in its appointed season. You shall keep it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances.”

4 Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep Pesach. 5 They kept Pesach in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. 6 There were certain men, who were unclean because of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep Pesach on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 Those men said to him, “We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Hashem in its appointed season among the children of Israel?”

8 Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what Hashem will command concerning you.”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Say to the children of Israel, ‘If any man of you or of your generations is unclean by reason of a dead body, or is on a journey far away, he shall still keep Pesach to Hashem. 11 In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of Pesach they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the Passover, that soul shall be cut off from his people. Because he didn’t offer the offering of Hashem in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14 “‘If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep Pesach to Hashem, then he shall do so according to the statute of Pesach and according to its ordinance. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.’”

Nasso - Reading #3

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate!

Numbers 4:21-7:89

Reading #3 - Numbers 5:1–10

My Thoughts:

Hashem does not want His Tabernacle or the camp in which He dwells, to become defiled with people who have leprosy. So, if someone does have it, they have to go outside the camp (verse 3). We really have no concept about the holiness of Hashem. He is so holy you cannot get anyone or anything near Him that is contaminated. That makes me think about our own lives. When we disobey Hashem and His commandments we are in a sense “defiled”. In this state we cannot be in the presence of Hashem. For us that would be during prayer, praise or our daily walk with Him. If you want this special time to be filled with Hashem’s power and glory -- you must stay clean -- and that means to be holy. Repent today so that you can be clean before Hashem.

Challenge:

Again we learn in Torah about making “restitution” when we sin (verse 7). It gives some details about who to give the restitution to and how to add a fifth and a sacrifice. Torah is teaching me a lot about this. The other day I did something really stupid and immediately felt remorse. I repented but I felt horrible. It was then that I remembered Torah and the commandment to make restitution. So, to make a long story short I did something for someone that I really did not want to do, but I felt like it could be a part of making restitution. It would have been impossible to do something for the person I offended, so instead I feel Hashem directed me to someone who really needed some help. And if I were to help out that person it would be the same as making restitution to the person I harmed. So (a little reluctantly) I did just that. I helped the person that needed it. And I had to make an attitude adjustment. I had to remember it was “unto the L-rd” that I was doing this. That really helped. I did my task unto Hashem. And honestly, it made me feel so wonderful! Sin is wrong but doing something sacrificial will help you to find freedom sooner. Amen Shalom!

Reading #3 - Numbers 5:1–10

5:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel that they put out of the camp every leper, everyone who has a discharge, and whoever is unclean by a corpse. 3 You shall put both male and female outside of the camp so that they don’t defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.”

4 The children of Israel did so, and put them outside of the camp; as Hashem spoke to Moses, so the children of Israel did.

5 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit, so as to trespass against Hashem, and that soul is guilty, 7 then he shall confess his sin which he has done; and he shall make restitution for his guilt in full, add to it the fifth part of it, and give it to him in respect of whom he has been guilty. 8 But if the man has no kinsman to whom restitution may be made for the guilt, the restitution for guilt which is made to Hashem shall be the priest’s, in addition to the ram of the atonement, by which atonement shall be made for him. 9 Every heave offering of all the holy things of the children of Israel, which they present to the priest, shall be his. 10 Every man’s holy things shall be his; whatever any man gives the priest, it shall be his.’”

Bamidbar - Reading #3

Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר - In the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Reading #3 - Numbers 2:1–34

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about the tribes camping around the Tabernacle. Interesting to me is that Judah is placed on the east side of the Tabernacle. In Jerusalem the Temple would face east. And in prophecy, the Mashiach will come back from the east. There is something very special about the “east”. Also in prophecy the river from the throne will flow to the east (see Ezekiel and Revelations). I encourage you to do a special study about this.

Challenge:

Moses listened to Hashem and directed the tribes. In the last verse (34) we learn that the people of Israel obeyed Moses and camped right where he told them. Again we are being taught about leadership and authority. Hashem has taught throughout Scriptures about following and respecting authority. In the past few weeks I have challenged you to review your relationship with the authority in your life, and correct things if they are not right. Are you respecting him/her? Are you obedient (unless they are asking you to sin)? Today’s challenge is to do something NICE for the person in authority. It is so much responsibility to be in charge and make things run correctly. So, get a gift or do a special extra task for your boss or spouse, rabbi or pastor. Go out of your way to give it to them and tell them how much you appreciate them. It will be so special and you will be blessed in return.

Reading #3 - Numbers 2:1–34

2:1 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “The children of Israel shall encamp every man by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall encamp around the Tent of Meeting at a distance from it.”

3 Those who encamp on the east side toward the sunrise shall be of the standard of the camp of Judah, according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Judah shall be Nahshon the son of Amminadab. 4 His division, and those who were counted of them, were seventy-four thousand six hundred.

5 Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Issachar. The prince of the children of Issachar shall be Nethanel the son of Zuar. 6 His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-four thousand four hundred.

7 The tribe of Zebulun: the prince of the children of Zebulun shall be Eliab the son of Helon. 8 His division, and those who were counted of it, were fifty-seven thousand four hundred.

9 All who were counted of the camp of Judah were one hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out first.

10 “On the south side shall be the standard of the camp of Reuben according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Reuben shall be Elizur the son of Shedeur. 11 His division, and those who were counted of it, were forty-six thousand five hundred.

12 “Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Simeon. The prince of the children of Simeon shall be Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai. 13 His division, and those who were counted of them, were fifty-nine thousand three hundred.

14 “The tribe of Gad: the prince of the children of Gad shall be Eliasaph the son of Reuel. 15 His division, and those who were counted of them, were forty-five thousand six hundred fifty.

16 “All who were counted of the camp of Reuben were one hundred fifty-one thousand four hundred fifty, according to their armies. They shall set out second.

17 “Then the Tent of Meeting shall set out, with the camp of the Levites in the middle of the camps. As they encamp, so shall they set out, every man in his place, by their standards.

18 “On the west side shall be the standard of the camp of Ephraim according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Ephraim shall be Elishama the son of Ammihud. 19 His division, and those who were counted of them, were forty thousand five hundred.

20 “Next to him shall be the tribe of Manasseh. The prince of the children of Manasseh shall be Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur. 21 His division, and those who were counted of them, were thirty-two thousand two hundred.

22 “The tribe of Benjamin: the prince of the children of Benjamin shall be Abidan the son of Gideoni. 23 His army, and those who were counted of them, were thirty-five thousand four hundred.

24 “All who were counted of the camp of Ephraim were one hundred eight thousand one hundred, according to their divisions. They shall set out third.

25 “On the north side shall be the standard of the camp of Dan according to their divisions. The prince of the children of Dan shall be Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai. 26 His division, and those who were counted of them, were sixty-two thousand seven hundred.

27 “Those who encamp next to him shall be the tribe of Asher. The prince of the children of Asher shall be Pagiel the son of Ochran. 28 His division, and those who were counted of them, were forty-one thousand five hundred.

29 “The tribe of Naphtali: the prince of the children of Naphtali shall be Ahira the son of Enan. 30 His division, and those who were counted of them, were fifty-three thousand four hundred.

31 “All who were counted of the camp of Dan were one hundred fifty-seven thousand six hundred. They shall set out last by their standards.”

32 These are those who were counted of the children of Israel by their fathers’ houses. All who were counted of the camps according to their armies were six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty. 33 But the Levites were not counted among the children of Israel, as Hashem commanded Moses.

34 Thus the children of Israel did. According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so they encamped by their standards, and so they set out, everyone by their families, according to their fathers’ houses.

Bechukotai - Reading #3

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #3 - Leviticus 26:10–46

My Thoughts:

In today’s reading we learn about the wrath of Elohim. If His people are not obedient His punishment is severe. Remember the Israelites have not yet entered the Land. He is preparing them to think about all the consequences there will be if they are not obedient in the new Land and follow the sin of the natives! And yet this is also prophetic, because this is exactly what does happen in the Land and the people are disbursed and taken out of the nation. But, in His love and mercy He wants to warn them. This is what can happen – so don’t let it! And it applies for today. Simply said, if we obey we are blessed. If we disobey, the blessings are taken away. What life do you want?

Challenge:

Verses 40 to 45 bring hope. Hashem says if we repent and turn our hearts back to Him, then He won’t break His covenant with us. He may allow us to suffer a while, but in the end He will hold up His promises. That is a very faithful Elohim. Let us remember that. Let us remember that there are consequences for what we do that is not of G-d. But, in the end He will remember us. Ask Hashem for forgiveness today, turn away from your sin and follow Him. Accept your consequences, yet know He will never leave or forsake you. Amen!

Reading #2 - Leviticus 26:10-46

26:10 You shall eat old supplies long kept, and you shall move out the old because of the new. 11 I will set My tent among you, and My soul won’t abhor you. 12 I will walk among you, and will be your Adonai, and you will be My people. 13 I am Hashem your Adonai, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you walk upright.

14 “‘But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments, 15 and if you shall reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances, so that you will not do all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away. You will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you, and you will be struck before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and you will flee when no one pursues you.

18 “‘If you in spite of these things will not listen to Me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19 I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your sky like iron, and your soil like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain; for your land won’t yield its increase, neither will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21 “‘If you walk contrary to Me, and won’t listen to Me, then I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins. 22 I will send the wild animals among you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number. Your roads will become desolate.

23 “‘If by these things you won’t be turned back to Me, but will walk contrary to Me, 24 then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will strike you, even I, seven times for your sins. 25 I will bring a sword upon you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant. You will be gathered together within your cities, and I will send the pestilence among you. You will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight. You shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27 “‘If you in spite of this won’t listen to Me, but walk contrary to Me, 28 then I will walk contrary to you in wrath. I will also chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons, and you will eat the flesh of your daughters. 30 I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and My soul will abhor you. 31 I will lay your cities waste, and will bring your sanctuaries to desolation. I will not take delight in the sweet fragrance of your offerings. 32 I will bring the land into desolation, and your enemies who dwell in it will be astonished at it. 33 I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you. Your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. 34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. 35 As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it didn’t have in your Sabbaths when you lived on it.

36 “‘As for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword. They will fall when no one pursues. 37 They will stumble over one another, as it were before the sword, when no one pursues. You will have no power to stand before your enemies. 38 You will perish among the nations. The land of your enemies will eat you up. 39 Those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers they shall pine away with them.

40 “‘If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against Me; and also that because they walked contrary to Me, 41 I also walked contrary to them, and brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity, 42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, My covenant with Isaac, and also My covenant with Abraham; and I will remember the land. 43 The land also will be left by them, and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them; and they will accept the punishment of their iniquity because they rejected My ordinances, and their soul abhorred My statutes. 44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly and to break My covenant with them; for I am Hashem their Adonai. 45 But I will for their sake remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their Elohim. I am Hashem.’”

46 These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws, which Hashem made between Him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by Moses.

Behar - Reading #3

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר
Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Reading #3 - Leviticus 25:19–24

My Thoughts:

Verse 21 reads, “...then I will command My blessing on you…”. Reminds me of the Joseph anointing. Where Joseph was able to gather up food and there was enough for everyone during a severe famine. It just shows that Hashem will always take care of us – even when the land is “resting”. And remember the manna. At this time they are still collecting it (for forty years). And on the sixth day of the week they collect enough for that day and the Sabbath! Why do we ever worry that we will have enough food, money or clothing. He takes care of us with it all! Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

Hashem is also teaching us a lesson on preparation. If the land has to rest for a year, then we must plan for that seventh year of rest. Just like the Sabbath. We need to prepare food ahead of time and get things ready – so that we are able to rest. Hashem talks about eating from the “old store”. This was probably dried fruit, maybe some sort of preserving methods of food. That takes time to prepare for the future, and we live in an “instant” society. My challenge for you today is to start doing that. Prepare for the future. With food, money, wills, burial plots – get ready for when times can be hard and/or you will be gone. Don’t leave everything for others. Be responsible and plan for yourself and your loved ones.

25:19 The land shall yield its fruit, and you shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety. 20 If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;” 21 then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years. 22 You shall sow the eighth year, and eat of the fruits from the old store until the ninth year. Until its fruits come in, you shall eat the old store.

23 “‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with Me. 24 In all the land of your possession you shall grant a redemption for the land.

Emor - Reading #3

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #3 -  Leviticus 22:17–33

My Thoughts:

We are learning about animal sacrifice. Just as Hashem wants people to be unblemished who are serving in the Temple, so also does He want the animals as perfect as possible. The requirements are listed. But, think of this. If you have to give up a really good animal, worth more money than a “damaged” animal – wouldn’t this mean more to you? Which is harder for you to do, give $10 to your congregation or $1,000? Hashem requires our best and we should be willing to give it to Him! In all areas of our life!

Challenge:

Verse 31 reads, “...keep My commandments and do them…”. So, is keeping different then doing? To me, “keeping” means you are willing to obey what Hashem tells you to do. And of course, “doing” is actually following them. Here is the question – are you simply keeping the commandments or are you doing them also? I try to “keep” the Sabbath, but am I really doing all that it requires? Am I truly resting and not working, or am I “slipping” some tasks into my Sabbath day that I shouldn’t be? Time to reevaluate and take a hard look. He wants to “keep” and “do”. That’s really important to think about. 

Leviticus 22:17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘Whoever is of the house of Israel, or of the foreigners in Israel, who offers his offering, whether it is any of their vows or any of their free will offerings, which they offer to Hashem for a burnt offering: 19 that you may be accepted, you shall offer a male without defect, of the bulls, of the sheep, or of the goats. 20 But you shall not offer whatever has a defect, for it shall not be acceptable for you. 21 Whoever offers a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem to accomplish a vow, or for a free will offering of the herd or of the flock, it shall be perfect to be accepted. It shall have no defect. 22 You shall not offer what is blind, is injured, is maimed, has a wart, is festering, or has a running sore to Hashem, nor make an offering by fire of them on the altar to Hashem. 23 Either a bull or a lamb that has any deformity or lacking in his parts, that you may offer for a free will offering; but for a vow it shall not be accepted. 24 You must not offer to Hashem that which has its testicles bruised, crushed, broken, or cut. You must not do this in your land. 25 You must not offer any of these as the bread of your Adonai from the hand of a foreigner, because their corruption is in them. There is a defect in them. They shall not be accepted for you.’”

26 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “When a bull, a sheep, or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother. From the eighth day on it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.

29 “When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Hashem, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. 30 It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Hashem.

31 “Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and do them. I am Hashem.. 32 You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Hashem who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Adonai. I am Hashem.”

Kedoshim - Reading #3

Kedoshim - Holy  קְדשִׁים
Torah Portion: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27

Reading #3 - Leviticus 19:23–32

My Thoughts:

Today’s reading is quite interesting. We have commands not to practice sorcery, nor consult wizards or mediums (verses 26 and 31). I remember my sister a few years ago was consulting a medium. She said she wasn’t really that interested but her daughter was bringing her there and encouraging her to go. I explained to her that G-d has a commandment about mediums and to go to one was a sin. She acted really surprised and to my amazement said, “Well, I guess if it’s a sin I won’t go anymore.” And to my knowledge she never has. Standing up for Hashem’s commands is really important. Sometimes people just don’t know. It can be “life-saving”!

Challenge:

One year, not too long ago, my husband planted a cherry tree in our backyard. I told him about this commandment and he wasn’t sure it “applied” to us. But, interesting enough, this cherry tree took about five years to blossom and produce fruit. I thought that was pretty interesting. It’s like nature obeys Hashem before we do! He is the creator and all of creation knows Him! So, here’s my challenge today. If you are planting a fruit tree – plan to wait five years before eating its fruit! Be patient and obey. Amen.

Leviticus 19:23 “‘When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden.  For three years it shall be forbidden to you. It shall not be eaten. 24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to Hashem. 25 In the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield its increase to you. I am Hashem your Adonai.

26 “‘You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it. You shall not use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.

27 “‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.

28 “‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Hashem.

29 “‘Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

30 “‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence My sanctuary; I am Hashem.

31 “‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Hashem your Adonai.

32 “‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.