V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #4

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

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #4 -  Deuteronomy 33:18–21

My Thoughts:

Blessings on two more tribes. It’s almost like every tribe has a “role” in the Kingdom of Elohim and here on earth. To each tribe, he ascribes unique blessings that must align with their particular gifts and callings. Zebulun was apparently a seafaring tribe. Doing trading with fish, etc. Hashem was going to bless this about them, for they would “draw out of the abundance of the seas” verse 19. This makes me think that whatever Hashem calls us to do, if we are obedient to Him and His Torah, He will allow us to draw out of the abundance. This abundance will be in our area of need. We follow, and He blesses us.

Challenge:

There are blessings on the tribe of Gad in today’s readings. Remember that Gad is one of the tribes that wanted to settle east of the Jordan, not west. However, they offered to join the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan River. They were apparently known as skilled fighters, efficient in battle. And that’s where Hashem wanted them. From that story, we learn that it’s okay to ask Hashem for special things (like settling east of Jordan), but when He asks us to do extraordinary things, we must return His favor. That’s my challenge today. If Hashem is asking you to do something special, and maybe it’s out of your comfort zone, do it. If He wants you to go to war and fight for Him, do it. He will give you what you want, but we also have to do what He wants. Be ready to settle “East” but be prepared to also go “West” for a while to do His will.

Reading #4 -  Deuteronomy 33:18–21

18 About Zebulun he said,

“Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out;

    and Issachar, in your tents.

19 They will call the peoples to the mountain.

    There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness,

for they will draw out the abundance of the seas,

    the hidden treasures of the sand.”

20 About Gad he said,

“He who enlarges Gad is blessed.

    He dwells as a lioness,

    and tears the arm and the crown of the head.

21 He provided the first part for himself,

    for the lawgiver’s portion reserved was reserved for him.

He came with the heads of the people.

    He executed the righteousness of Hashem,

    His ordinances with Israel.”

Ha'Azinu - Reading #4

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

My Thoughts:

After Moses explains the trouble they are going to be getting into when they abandon Hashem, he says in verse 28, ”For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.” He is predicting that they will have a time in the future when they will no longer “consult” with Hashem. They will be “void” of His counsel. Therefore, since they are not in a relationship with Hashem, there will be no understanding. That’s what is happening today. People no longer believe or communicate with the one true Elohim. They are going it alone. And the end result is that they have no understanding of spiritual matters. People have become totally carnal, devoid of the one true spiritual relationship with Hashem. This is sad. You and I can be a part of changing this. We can be “lights” to His truth and existence, bringing His real love to others. We can teach people about Him and how to communicate (pray) with Him. If they do this, they will gain understanding. 

Today's Challenge:

In verse 20, we read that the result of disobedience among His people is that, “I will hide My face from them.”. Having the face of Hashem “hid” from you means He is no longer visible or tangible in your life. It is like when we sin, the “hand” of Hashem is lifted off our lives -- we can only go it alone. Do you want that? I don’t. And I can feel this happening every time I deliberately sin against Him. It’s like He really does “hide His face” from me. It takes true repentance and teshuvah to regain that personal relationship with Him. My challenge for you today is to assess your spiritual life. Do you feel Hashem’s Hand in upon your life, or do you feel He is “hiding His face” from you? If it is the latter, please take action. Repent and return to Him. Make restitution for what you have done and pray that He will return to you. Scripture says He will (Malachi 3:7). Don’t be content with a life absent from Hashem; invite Him back into your life. And show Him that you really mean this.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

19 Hashem saw and abhorred,

    because of the provocation of His sons and his daughters.

20 He said, “I will hide My face from them.

    I will see what their end will be;

for they are a very perverse generation,

    children in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim.

    They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities.

I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.

    I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,

    that burns to the lowest Sheol,

    devours the earth with its increase,

    and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.

23 “I will heap evils on them.

    I will spend my arrows on them.

24 They shall be wasted with hunger,

    and devoured with burning heat

    and bitter destruction.

I will send the teeth of animals on them,

    with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

25 Outside the sword will bereave,

    and in the rooms,

    terror on both young man and virgin,

    the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.

26 I said that I would scatter them afar.

    I would make their memory to cease from among men;

27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,

    lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,

    lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,

    Hashem has not done all this.’”

28 For they are a nation void of counsel.

    There is no understanding in them.

Vayelech - Reading #4

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah! A good and sweet new year!

Rosh Hashanah Monday Evening September 22 - Wednesday September 24

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

My Thoughts:

Can you imagine reading the Torah every seven years at Sukkot, in front of thousands of people? How long would that take? What does that look like? It is called the “Hakhel Ceremony”. Not all of Torah is read, but selected verses. This is why it is important to join the Jewish people in Israel, who have carried on for centuries the Laws and Feasts of Torah. They will instruct us how to do these things. If you research this, apparently, this particular ceremony has not occurred since the destruction of the Temple. I believe we need to study this. Connect with Israel and its people, and we will learn together. This commandment confirms to us that we must be immersed in Torah every day.

Challenge:

Why is it important to study Torah every day (just like we do through the portions and daily readings)? In verse 12, we learn it is so that “...the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law.” That is my challenge to you today. Stay with these daily readings, every year. So that you hear and learn. Share them with your family and friends. It is life to you. Hashem will help you to hear, and He will teach you so that you learn. The end result is that we will fear Hashem, which means we will love Him so much that we will want to obey Him in every way.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 31:10–13

3:10 Moses commanded them, saying, “At the end of every seven years, in the set time of the year of release, in the feast of booths, 11 when all Israel has come to appear before Hashem your Elohim in the place which He will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing. 12 Assemble the people, the men and the women and the little ones, and the foreigners who are within your gates, that they may hear, learn, fear Hashem your Elohim, and observe to do all the words of this law, 13 and that their children, who have not known, may hear and learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, as long as you live in the land where you go over the Jordan to possess it.”

Nitzavim - Reading #4

Nitzavim נִצָּבִים - Standing (Witnessing)

Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 30:1–6

My Thoughts:

The idea here today is that if Hashem’s people are dispersed among the nations (as they have been), then they must “return” to Hashem with their whole heart and soul. When they do that, He will gather them from the nations (verses 2-3). In the 1940s, after World War 2, that is precisely what happened. People prayed, people returned to Hashem, the Holocaust was over, and He brought them back to Israel. And now Hashem is restoring the country. However, there is a cost -- that is, the people must serve only Him and not false gods. It is mandatory from Him, or else we will lose everything. We must pray every day that the chosen people will return their hearts to Hashem, as will the rest of the world.

Challenge:

In verse 5, we read “He will do you good”. What does that look like? Will he give you things, bless you with good health, give you good relationships -- a new car, a house, a job? I think it means just what it says: He will be good to you. Maybe He will meet you in worship in a special way. Perhaps He will speak to you in a small, still voice. Or maybe you will just feel content in knowing that He loves you. It doesn’t have to be material things; it can be beautiful spiritual things. That’s the kind of good I am looking for and waiting for. My challenge to you is to take a minute today and reflect on the good Hashem has given you. Then praise Him for it all. I see Him do good in my life, several times a day. Thank you, Hashem.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 30:1–6

30:1 It shall happen, when all these things have come on you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you shall call them to mind among all the nations where Hashem your Elohim has driven you, 2 and return to Hashem your Elohim and obey His voice according to all that I command you today, you and your children, with all your heart and with all your soul, 3 that then Hashem your Elohim will release you from captivity, have compassion on you, and will return and gather you from all the peoples where Hashem your Elohim has scattered you. 4 If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of the heavens, from there Hashem your Elohim will gather you, and from there he will bring you back. 5 Hashem your Elohim will bring you into the land which your fathers possessed, and you will possess it. He will do you good, and increase your numbers more than your fathers. 6 Hashem your Elohim will circumcise your heart, and the heart of your offspring, to love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.

Ki Tavo - Reading #4

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

My Thoughts:

In verse 7, we read again that after your sacrifice to Hashem, your Elohim, you are to rejoice. Sometimes, when I read about sacrifices, they seem challenging. Bringing in a spotless offering to the Tabernacle/Temple to the priest, having him slaughter it, then cooking and eating it (the ones that you are permitted to eat). But we don’t realize that this is all done for Hashem. The creator of the universe! It’s not just some “chore”, it is a total privilege and blessing. So, that’s when we rejoice. When we realize it is Hashem, the L-rd of L-rds, the Elohim of all. That is who we are giving to. And what an honor that it is. All so much worth giving Him glory and praise. We don’t have the type of offering today, but we can do other “offerings”. And when we do, be sure to rejoice before Him. Giving and then rejoicing, something we are not used to?

Challenge:

In verse 9, Moses tells the people to be quiet and listen. That they have become the people of Hashem, so obey His Commandments. I believe these words are “alive” today. We are to be listening to the voice of Hashem, but we need to get quiet to do so. We can’t hear His voice when we are leading busy and loud lives. Going places, doing things, talking, and texting. We need to find a place to get quiet so we can hear His voice. Picture a house full of kids playing, shrieking with laughter, and running around. But one of the kids is trying to talk to you. You can’t hear him/her because of all the noise. Same with Hashem. If we have so much going on around us, we won’t be able to hear Him speak. So that’s the challenge today. Get somewhere quiet and peaceful. Spend some time praising Hashem. Then listen to what He wants to tell you. It will change your life for sure.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

7 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go into the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised you. 4 It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. 5 There you shall build an altar to Hashem your Elohim, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6 You shall build Hashem your Elohim’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Hashem your Elohim 7 You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim 8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

9 Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Hashem your Elohim 10 You shall therefore obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and do His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Ki Teitzei - Reading #4

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 23:8–24

My Thoughts:

Keeping the camp clean is very important. It is important for people to be righteous, and for the camp to be physically clean (especially without modern plumbing)! Why?  Verse 14 tells us, “...for Hashem your Elohim walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, that he may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.” He “walks” in the middle of the camp. What does that look like? We can’t see Him in physical form, but I am assuming His Spirit walks through our lives, through our dwelling places. Now, that is something to think about. If He “walks” in the middle of our lives, shouldn’t we be very, very concerned about being “clean” before Him also? Review your life. Make sure you are repenting, turning away from sin, and washing yourselves clean so that He can walk among us!

Challenge:

Are you a man/woman of your word? In verse 23 we read, “You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips.” Hashem is teaching us that when we say we are going to do something, we are obligated to do it! This reminds me when I meet someone and we are talking. Then I say to them “I will pray for you”. Well, I better be sure that I will pray for them, or I better not say it. It is better to either pray for them on the spot, or tell them you will try and remember to pray for them and be honest. The challenge today is for you to think about who you have told you would do something for recently. Have you fulfilled your word? Did you do what you said you would? If not, make it right today. Make your “yes be yes, and your no be no". Be a person of integrity.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 23:8–24

8 The children of the third generation who are born to them may enter into Hashem’s assembly.

9 When you go out and camp against your enemies, then you shall keep yourselves from every evil thing. 10 If there is among you any man who is not clean by reason of that which happens to him by night, then shall he go outside of the camp. He shall not come within the camp; 11 but it shall be, when evening comes, he shall bathe himself in water. When the sun is down, he shall come within the camp. 12 You shall have a place also outside of the camp where you go relieve yourself. 13 You shall have a trowel among your weapons. It shall be, when you relieve yourself, you shall dig with it, and shall turn back and cover your excrement; 14 for Hashem your Elohim walks in the middle of your camp, to deliver you, and to give up your enemies before you. Therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may not see an unclean thing in you, and turn away from you.

15 You shall not deliver to his master a servant who has escaped from his master to you. 16 He shall dwell with you, among you, in the place which he shall choose within one of your gates, where it pleases him best. You shall not oppress him.

17 There shall be no prostitute of the daughters of Israel, neither shall there be a sodomite of the sons of Israel. 18 You shall not bring the hire of a prostitute, or the wages of a male prostitute, into the house of Hashem your Elohim for any vow; for both of these are an abomination to Hashem your Elohim

19 You shall not lend on interest to your brother: interest of money, interest of food, interest of anything that is lent on interest. 20 You may charge a foreigner interest; but you shall not charge your brother interest, that Hashem your Elohim may bless you in all that you put your hand to, in the land where you go in to possess it.

21 When you vow a vow to Hashem your Elohim you shall not be slack to pay it, for Hashem your Elohim will surely require it of you; and it would be sin in you. 22 But if you refrain from making a vow, it shall be no sin in you. 23 You shall observe and do that which has gone out of your lips. Whatever you have vowed to Hashem your Elohim as a free will offering, which you have promised with your mouth, you must do. 24 When you come into your neighbor’s vineyard, then you may eat your fill of grapes at your own pleasure; but you shall not put any in your container.

Mattot/Massei - Reading #4

MATTOT/MASSEI

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #4 - Numbers 32:20-33:49

My Thoughts:

At the end of today’s reading we have a summary of the travels of the Israelites. A journey that would normally have taken a few weeks, turned into 40 years. Along the way there were struggles and joys, miracles and punishment. Kind of like our lives. It is such a wonderful lesson to learn. If we follow Hashem and obey Him our journey to success will be short. If we don’t follow and sin, our journey will be long. The miracle is that either way He will be with us! Isn’t that something amazing to ponder?

Challenge:

In verse 23 we read, “If you will not do so, you have sinned against Hashem, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Isn’t this so true? We can’t hide anything from Hashem -- including sin! We may think we have gotten away with something but then “our sin finds us out”. Usually when that happens it is not a good thing. Haven’t you noticed though, that the closer you get to Hashem, the more obvious temptations become. You will get a huge “check in your spirit” when you are about to do the wrong thing. My challenge to you today is to watch out for those “checks” and pay attention. Do not do what you were planning -- it will come back to bite you. And the worst thing is -- it will separate you from Hashem. We don’t want that do we?

Reading #4 - Numbers 32:20-33:49

32:20 Moses said to them: “If you will do this thing, if you will arm yourselves to go before Hashem to the war, 21 and every one of your armed men will pass over the Jordan before Hashem until he has driven out his enemies from before Him, 22 and the land is subdued before Hashem; then afterward you shall return, and be clear of obligation to Hashem and to Israel. Then this land shall be your possession before Hashem.

23 “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against Hashem; and be sure your sin will find you out. 24 Build cities for your little ones, and folds for your sheep; and do that which has proceeded out of your mouth.”

25 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben spoke to Moses, saying, “Your servants will do as my lord commands. 26 Our little ones, our wives, our flocks, and all our livestock shall be there in the cities of Gilead; 27 but your servants will pass over, every man who is armed for war, before Hashem to battle, as my lord says.”

28 So Moses commanded concerning them to Eleazar the priest, and to Joshua the son of Nun, and to the heads of the fathers’ households of the tribes of the children of Israel. 29 Moses said to them, “If the children of Gad and the children of Reuben will pass with you over the Jordan, every man who is armed to battle before Hashem, and the land is subdued before you, then you shall give them the land of Gilead for a possession; 30 but if they will not pass over with you armed, they shall have possessions among you in the land of Canaan.”

31 The children of Gad and the children of Reuben answered, saying, “As Hashem has said to your servants, so will we do. 32 We will pass over armed before Hashem into the land of Canaan, and the possession of our inheritance shall remain with us beyond the Jordan.”

33 Moses gave to them, even to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh the son of Joseph, the kingdom of Sihon king of the Amorites, and the kingdom of Og king of Bashan; the land, according to its cities and borders, even the cities of the surrounding land. 34 The children of Gad built Dibon, Ataroth, Aroer, 35 Atroth-shophan, Jazer, Jogbehah, 36 Beth Nimrah, and Beth Haran: fortified cities and folds for sheep. 37 The children of Reuben built Heshbon, Elealeh, Kiriathaim, 38 Nebo, and Baal Meon, (their names being changed), and Sibmah. They gave other names to the cities which they built. 39 The children of Machir the son of Manasseh went to Gilead, took it, and dispossessed the Amorites who were therein. 40 Moses gave Gilead to Machir the son of Manasseh; and he lived therein. 41 Jair the son of Manasseh went and took its villages, and called them Havvoth Jair. 42 Nobah went and took Kenath and its villages, and called it Nobah, after his own name.

33 These are the journeys of the children of Israel, when they went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. 2 Moses wrote the starting points of their journeys by the commandment of Hashem. These are their journeys according to their starting points. 3 They traveled from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the next day after the Passover, the children of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians, 4 while the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom Hashem had struck among them. Hashem also executed judgments on their gods. 5 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses, and encamped in Succoth. 6 They traveled from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, which is in the edge of the wilderness. 7 They traveled from Etham, and turned back to Pihahiroth, which is before Baal Zephon, and they encamped before Migdol. 8 They traveled from before Hahiroth, and crossed through the middle of the sea into the wilderness. They went three days’ journey in the wilderness of Etham, and encamped in Marah. 9 They traveled from Marah, and came to Elim. In Elim, there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there. 10 They traveled from Elim, and encamped by the Red Sea. 11 They traveled from the Red Sea, and encamped in the wilderness of Sin. 12 They traveled from the wilderness of Sin, and encamped in Dophkah. 13 They traveled from Dophkah, and encamped in Alush. 14 They traveled from Alush, and encamped in Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink. 15 They traveled from Rephidim, and encamped in the wilderness of Sinai. 16 They traveled from the wilderness of Sinai, and encamped in Kibroth Hattaavah. 17 They traveled from Kibroth Hattaavah, and encamped in Hazeroth. 18 They traveled from Hazeroth, and encamped in Rithmah. 19 They traveled from Rithmah, and encamped in Rimmon Perez. 20 They traveled from Rimmon Perez, and encamped in Libnah. 21 They traveled from Libnah, and encamped in Rissah. 22 They traveled from Rissah, and encamped in Kehelathah. 23 They traveled from Kehelathah, and encamped in Mount Shepher. 24 They traveled from Mount Shepher, and encamped in Haradah. 25 They traveled from Haradah, and encamped in Makheloth. 26 They traveled from Makheloth, and encamped in Tahath. 27 They traveled from Tahath, and encamped in Terah. 28 They traveled from Terah, and encamped in Mithkah. 29 They traveled from Mithkah, and encamped in Hashmonah. 30 They traveled from Hashmonah, and encamped in Moseroth. 31 They traveled from Moseroth, and encamped in Bene Jaakan. 32 They traveled from Bene Jaakan, and encamped in Hor Haggidgad. 33 They traveled from Hor Haggidgad, and encamped in Jotbathah. 34 They traveled from Jotbathah, and encamped in Abronah. 35 They traveled from Abronah, and encamped in Ezion Geber. 36 They traveled from Ezion Geber, and encamped at Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. 37 They traveled from Kadesh, and encamped in Mount Hor, in the edge of the land of Edom. 38 Aaron the priest went up into Mount Hor at the commandment of Hashem and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fifth month, on the first day of the month. 39 Aaron was one hundred twenty-three years old when he died in Mount Hor. 40 The Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel. 41 They traveled from Mount Hor, and encamped in Zalmonah. 42 They traveled from Zalmonah, and encamped in Punon. 43 They traveled from Punon, and encamped in Oboth. 44 They traveled from Oboth, and encamped in Iye Abarim, in the border of Moab. 45 They traveled from Iyim, and encamped in Dibon Gad. 46 They traveled from Dibon Gad, and encamped in Almon Diblathaim. 47 They traveled from Almon Diblathaim, and encamped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. 48 They traveled from the mountains of Abarim, and encamped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 49 They encamped by the Jordan, from Beth Jeshimoth even to Abel Shittim in the plains of Moab.

Balak - Reading #4

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #4 - Numbers 22:39–23:12

My Thoughts:

This is quite the story and somewhat hard to understand. Except it seems like Balaam does really want to follow Hashem, and not curse the Israelites. It is curious in verse 4 that “Balaam met Elohim”. It almost sounds casual. Like anyone at that time, could “meet with” Hashem. And then Hashem speaks to Balaam. And says He will put “His words” in his mouth. Maybe in a time of less distraction it was easier to “meet” with Hashem. Maybe our world is so busy, so full of other things that if we just got in a peaceful, quiet place -- we too, could “meet” with Hashem. And hear what He has to say. Let’s try it.

Challenge:

Let’s talk briefly about blessing people. In this reading Balaam is blessing people through words. But, there are obvious other ways to bless people. That is my challenge to you today. Think about and pray about, how Hashem wants you to bless others. It could be through listening to someone and their concerns. Or maybe someone needs some authentic financial help. Maybe someone needs prayer and/or an encouraging word. Look around you and see how you can bless someone today. Let’s help make the world a better place today.

Reading #4 - Numbers 22:39–23:12

2239 Balaam went with Balak, and they came to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and sent to Balaam, and to the princes who were with him. 41 In the morning, Balak took Balaam, and brought him up into the high places of Baal; and he saw from there part of the people.

23 Balaam said to Balak, “Build here seven altars for me, and prepare here seven bulls and seven rams for me.”

2 Balak did as Balaam had spoken; and Balak and Balaam offered on every altar a bull and a ram. 3 Balaam said to Balak, “Stand by your burnt offering, and I will go. Perhaps Hashem will come to meet me. Whatever He shows me I will tell you.”

He went to a bare height. 4 Elohim met Balaam, and he said to Him, “I have prepared the seven altars, and I have offered up a bull and a ram on every altar.”

5 Hashem put a word in Balaam’s mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and thus you shall speak.”

6 He returned to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, he, and all the princes of Moab. 7 He took up his parable, and said,

“From Aram has Balak brought me,

    the king of Moab from the mountains of the East.

Come, curse Jacob for me.

    Come, defy Israel.

8 How shall I curse whom Elohim has not cursed?

    How shall I defy whom Hashem has not defied?

9 For from the top of the rocks I see him.

    From the hills I see him.

Behold, it is a people that dwells alone,

    and shall not be listed among the nations.

10 Who can count the dust of Jacob,

    or count the fourth part of Israel?

Let me die the death of the righteous!

    Let my last end be like his!”

11 Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I took you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them altogether.”

12 He answered and said, “Must I not take heed to speak that which Hashem puts in my mouth?”

Chukat - Reading #4

Chukat חֻקַּת - Law

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Reading #4 - Numbers 20:14–21

My Thoughts:

Edom is the descendant of Esau. And as we know Esau was not happy about Jacob taking his inheritance and birthright. The two groups were at odds ever since. And today we read how the Edomites will not allow Israel to pass through. Some sages do believe that they sold the Israelites some food. Regardless, it is so sad that nations that should really be “brothers” do not get along. It is a lesson to be learned for us. Do we get along with our “brothers and sisters”? It would be good to reconcile or there might be generations after you that carry the “grudge”. This could cause a lot of hurt and pain. Reconcile today!

Challenge:

I guess the message today is that if you ask someone something and they refuse, turn away and leave. Hashem will provide a different path for you. Of course, as mentioned above, it is best to reconcile and make things right from the beginning. But, if this doesn’t happen and you approach your “brother/sister” and they do not wish to help you -- go somewhere else for help. Remember to first go to Hashem. Think of the peace that could reside in our earth if people only got along. Amen.

Reading #4 - Numbers 20:14–21

20:14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom, saying:

“Your brother Israel says: You know all the travail that has happened to us; 15 how our fathers went down into Egypt, and we lived in Egypt a long time. The Egyptians mistreated us and our fathers. 16 When we cried to Hashem, He heard our voice, sent an angel, and brought us out of Egypt. Behold, we are in Kadesh, a city in the edge of your border.

17 “Please let us pass through your land. We will not pass through field or through vineyard, neither will we drink from the water of the wells. We will go along the king’s highway. We will not turn away to the right hand nor to the left, until we have passed your border.”

18 Edom said to him, “You shall not pass through me, lest I come out with the sword against you.”

19 The children of Israel said to him, “We will go up by the highway; and if we drink your water, I and my livestock, then I will give its price. Only let me, without doing anything else, pass through on my feet.”

20 He said, “You shall not pass through.” Edom came out against him with many people, and with a strong hand. 21 Thus Edom refused to give Israel passage through his border, so Israel turned away from him.

Pekudei - Reading #4

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #4 - Exodus 39:33–43

My Thoughts:

Here is the wrap up for the Tabernacle. Everyone did his/her part. Some gave money, some gave talents, some worked very hard to make everything. It is apparent that they all did their part. They worked together as a community, under one leader and produced excellent results. Isn’t that how we should live our lives? When called to work together with others, we should give our best. We must listen to the leader and follow what he/she says (always unless it goes against the word of Elohim). We must also do everything in excellence – giving it more than our best. Let’s agree today as we move forward in life, that we will follow the example of these believers. They were on a special journey, on the way to the promised land. And so are we. Let’s go there together, following one leader - Hashem – Holy is the L-rd..

Challenge:

We should never do something for someone else and expect something in return. However, here is the most amazing thing. When you do what Hashem has called you to do – there is a blessing, a reward. I can attest to that in my own life. I have served Hashem in ministry for many years. I could have earned way more by working a secular job. But, I knew I would be blessed in even greater ways working for Him. And I was and I continue to be. It is truly incredible when I look back and see all the miracles that Hashem did for me and my family. We have never lacked anything, and in fact we have been abundantly blessed. Believe this as you choose to serve Hashem. Just like in verse 40, “Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.” Be blessed. Amen!

Reading #4 - Exodus 39:33–43

33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen, 35 the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, 36 the table, all its vessels, the show bread, 37 the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light, 38 the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent, 39 the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting, 41 the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office. 42 According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.

Vayakhel - Reading #4

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #4 - Exodus 36:8–19

My Thoughts:

In verse 19 we read that there will be animal skins required to cover the top of the Tabernacle. Interesting that Hashem would choose skins – which means the animals had to be sacrificed for this purpose. Maybe this is a reminder that Hashem requires the most from us, that is, sacrificing meaningful possessions such as animals. In today’s culture we don’t really have to “sacrifice” our physical possessions anymore for Hashem. But, maybe what can replace it is the sacrifice of our time, money and talents. What would be a “sacrifice” for you to give up for Hashem?

Challenge:

Once again we read about the wise-hearted men working on the Tabernacle. Some translations use the word “skillful” instead of wise-hearted. Hashem was picking people who had the skills and the heart to carry out His specific instructions. Each of us have been gifted with special skills. Do we use these skills just to make money or do we use them for the Kingdom – the purposes of Hashem. Review the unique skills that you have in your life and think about how you can use them to help others and to help Hashem. You will be blessed in return.

Reading #4 - Exodus 36:8-19

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the Tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits, and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite to one another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outermost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

Bo - Reading #4

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #4 - Exodus 11:4–12:20

My Thoughts:

Today we read about the very first Pesach. The Hebrews were to take in a lamb, slaughter it on the 14th day and cover their doorposts with its blood. When Hashem passes through the land and sees the blood on the posts, He will pass over. If the blood is not there then destruction comes to the firstborn -- both human and animal. Another test of faith and loyalty. Those who did what Hashem said, did not suffer. Those who did not, lost precious life. Then Hashem commands them to eat unleavened bread for 7 days. This feast is to last forever. Every year we are to remember this story and memorialize it. To not do so, is disobedience. Hint: It’s not about Easter -- it’s about Passover. Study and get ready to observe.

Challenge:

Have you ever celebrated or honored Pesach (Passover)? And the Feast of Unleavened Bread? Today, you are introduced to the original story. The reason why we remember this event. It’s about freedom and deliverance. Take some time this week and look up the Pesach celebration in Scripture. Look for the places it is mentioned and what the instructions for it. You will be blessed. Guaranteed.

Reading #4 - Exodus 11:4–12:20

11:4 Moses said, “This is what Hashem says: ‘About midnight I will go out into the middle of Egypt, 5 and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the mill, and all the firstborn of livestock. 6 There will be a great cry throughout all the land of Egypt, such as there has not been, nor will be any more. 7 But against any of the children of Israel a dog won’t even bark or move its tongue, against man or animal, that you may know that Hashem makes a distinction between the Egyptians and Israel. 8 All these servants of yours will come down to me, and bow down themselves to me, saying, “Get out, with all the people who follow you;” and after that I will go out.’” He went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.

9 Hashem said to Moses, “Pharaoh won’t listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh, but Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he didn’t let the children of Israel go out of his land.

12 Hashem spoke to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you. 3 Speak to all the congregation of Israel, saying, ‘On the tenth day of this month, they shall take to them every man a lamb, according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household; 4 and if the household is too little for a lamb, then he and his neighbor next to his house shall take one according to the number of the souls. You shall make your count for the lamb according to what everyone can eat. 5 Your lamb shall be without defect, a male a year old. You shall take it from the sheep or from the goats. 6 You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of the same month; and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it at evening. 7 They shall take some of the blood, and put it on the two door posts and on the lintel, on the houses in which they shall eat it. 8 They shall eat the meat in that night, roasted with fire, with unleavened bread. They shall eat it with bitter herbs. 9 Don’t eat it raw, nor boiled at all with water, but roasted with fire; with its head, its legs and its inner parts. 10 You shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; but that which remains of it until the morning you shall burn with fire. 11 This is how you shall eat it: with your belt on your waist, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it in haste: it is Hashem’s Passover. 12 For I will go through the land of Egypt in that night, and will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and animal. I will execute judgments against all the gods of Egypt. I am Hashem. 13 The blood shall be to you for a token on the houses where you are. When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will be on you to destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 This day shall be a memorial for you. You shall keep it as a feast to Hashem. You shall keep it as a feast throughout your generations by an ordinance forever.

15 “‘Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread; even the first day you shall put away yeast out of your houses, for whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel. 16 In the first day there shall be to you a holy convocation, and in the seventh day a holy convocation; no kind of work shall be done in them, except that which every man must eat, only that may be done by you. 17 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread; for in this same day I have brought your armies out of the land of Egypt. Therefore you shall observe this day throughout your generations by an ordinance forever. 18 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, you shall eat unleavened bread, until the twenty first day of the month at evening. 19 There shall be no yeast found in your houses for seven days, for whoever eats that which is leavened, that soul shall be cut off from the congregation of Israel, whether he is a foreigner, or one who is born in the land. 20 You shall eat nothing leavened. In all your habitations you shall eat unleavened bread.’”