Beha'alotcha - Reading #4

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting

Numbers 8:1-12:16

Reading #4 -Numbers 9:15–10:10

My Thoughts:

What a clear message for the directions of His people. When the cloud moves the people move. They only have to watch for it. When the cloud remained the people stayed. Wouldn’t that be so wonderful for the decisions you are making in your life? Can you imagine that you are thinking of buying a new house in a new city. You look at the Tabernacle to see if the cloud is lifting up. It is! So, you move to your new city! Maybe we could get to know Hashem so well that we could “spiritually” see His “cloud” moving. In other words, we would know through prayer, worship and listening where and what He was showing us! Let’s try this!

Challenge:

In chapter 10 we learn about the alerts of the trumpets. When the priests would blow them you would know whether you were journeying or going to war. It was a sense of trusting authority and being in community for major direction on issues. Maybe you don’t have a community where authority can give you direction or warning. Maybe it is time to pray and ask Hashem to place in you one. One that honors and worships the one true Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. One that follows Torah. One that has trusted leadership. Pray and ask Hashem to lead you to this community. It will help you to be rooted and grounded. And knowing that sometimes leadership can and will make mistakes, but praying for them at all times.

Reading #4 -Numbers 9:15–10:10

9:15 On the day that the tabernacle was raised up, the cloud covered the tabernacle, even the Tent of the Testimony. At evening it was over the tabernacle, as it were the appearance of fire, until morning. 16 So it was continually. The cloud covered it, and the appearance of fire by night. 17 Whenever the cloud was taken up from over the Tent, then after that the children of Israel traveled; and in the place where the cloud remained, there the children of Israel encamped. 18 At the commandment of Hashem, the children of Israel traveled, and at the commandment of Hashem they encamped. As long as the cloud remained on the tabernacle they remained encamped. 19 When the cloud stayed on the tabernacle many days, then the children of Israel kept Hashem’s command, and didn’t travel. 20 Sometimes the cloud was a few days on the tabernacle; then according to the commandment of Hashem they remained encamped, and according to the commandment of Hashem they traveled. 21 Sometimes the cloud was from evening until morning; and when the cloud was taken up in the morning, they traveled; or by day and by night, when the cloud was taken up, they traveled. 22 Whether it was two days, or a month, or a year that the cloud stayed on the tabernacle, remaining on it, the children of Israel remained encamped, and didn’t travel; but when it was taken up, they traveled. 23 At the commandment of Hashem they encamped, and at the commandment of Hashem they traveled. They kept Hashem’s command, at the commandment of Hashem by Moses.

10 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Make two trumpets of silver. You shall make them of beaten work. You shall use them for the calling of the congregation, and for the journeying of the camps. 3 When they blow them, all the congregation shall gather themselves to you at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 4 If they blow just one, then the princes, the heads of the thousands of Israel, shall gather themselves to you. 5 When you blow an alarm, the camps that lie on the east side shall go forward. 6 When you blow an alarm the second time, the camps that lie on the south side shall go forward. They shall blow an alarm for their journeys. 7 But when the assembly is to be gathered together, you shall blow, but you shall not sound an alarm.

8 “The sons of Aaron, the priests, shall blow the trumpets. This shall be to you for a statute forever throughout your generations. 9 When you go to war in your land against the adversary who oppresses you, then you shall sound an alarm with the trumpets. Then you will be remembered before Hashem your Elohim, and you will be saved from your enemies.

10 “Also in the day of your gladness, and in your set feasts, and in the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; and they shall be to you for a memorial before your Elohim. I am Hashem your Elohim.”

Nasso - Reading #4

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate!

Numbers 4:21-7:89

Reading #4 - Numbers 5:11–6:27

My Thoughts:

Hashem wants unity, trust and honesty in a marriage. And if this is challenged, He provides a way to solve any issues regarding faithfulness. It sounds rather harsh, but the offense in itself is harsh. Doubt in a marriage can be very troublesome. It is better to get things out in the open and resolved. If you are married, make sure you have everything you worry about communicated to your spouse. Talk about things and bring them forward. Have an honest and truthful relationship with your partner. This honors Hashem.

Challenge:

In chapter 6 we learn about the Nazarite vow which is for men and women. Apparently, it is a time to separate yourself from the things of the world and get closer to Hashem, even to become “holy”. Again, Hashem goes into great detail about this. Holiness is very important to Hashem. So, my challenge for you today is to look at your life and think about how you could “separate” yourself unto Hashem. You could even pray about taking a Nazarite vow and follow these instructions. You may want to do a study on it to make sure you are following it appropriately. Think of the blessings that would follow as you grow closer to Hashem!

Reading #4 - Numbers 5:11–6:27

5:11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘If any man’s wife goes astray and is unfaithful to him, 13 and a man lies with her carnally, and it is hidden from the eyes of her husband and this is kept concealed, and she is defiled, there is no witness against her, and she isn’t taken in the act; 14 and the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife and she is defiled; or if the spirit of jealousy comes on him, and he is jealous of his wife and she isn’t defiled; 15 then the man shall bring his wife to the priest, and shall bring her offering for her: one tenth of an ephah of barley meal. He shall pour no oil on it, nor put frankincense on it, for it is a meal offering of jealousy, a meal offering of memorial, bringing iniquity to memory. 16 The priest shall bring her near, and set her before Hashem. 17 The priest shall take holy water in an earthen vessel; and the priest shall take some of the dust that is on the floor of the tabernacle and put it into the water. 18 The priest shall set the woman before Hashem, and let the hair of the woman’s head go loose, and put the meal offering of memorial in her hands, which is the meal offering of jealousy. The priest shall have in his hand the water of bitterness that brings a curse. 19 The priest shall cause her to take an oath and shall tell the woman, “If no man has lain with you, and if you haven’t gone aside to uncleanness, being under your husband’s authority, be free from this water of bitterness that brings a curse. 20 But if you have gone astray, being under your husband’s authority, and if you are defiled, and some man has lain with you besides your husband—” 21 then the priest shall cause the woman to swear with the oath of cursing, and the priest shall tell the woman, “May Hashem make you a curse and an oath among your people, when Hashem allows your thigh to fall away, and your body to swell; 22 and this water that brings a curse will go into your bowels, and make your body swell, and your thigh fall away.” The woman shall say, “Amen, Amen.”

23 “‘The priest shall write these curses in a book, and he shall wipe them into the water of bitterness. 24 He shall make the woman drink the water of bitterness that causes the curse; and the water that causes the curse shall enter into her and become bitter. 25 The priest shall take the meal offering of jealousy out of the woman’s hand, and shall wave the meal offering before Hashem, and bring it to the altar. 26 The priest shall take a handful of the meal offering, as its memorial portion, and burn it on the altar, and afterward shall make the woman drink the water. 27 When he has made her drink the water, then it shall happen, if she is defiled and has committed a trespass against her husband, that the water that causes the curse will enter into her and become bitter, and her body will swell, and her thigh will fall away; and the woman will be a curse among her people. 28 If the woman isn’t defiled, but is clean; then she shall be free, and shall conceive offspring.

29 “‘This is the law of jealousy, when a wife, being under her husband, goes astray, and is defiled, 30 or when the spirit of jealousy comes on a man, and he is jealous of his wife; then he shall set the woman before Hashem, and the priest shall execute on her all this law. 31 The man shall be free from iniquity, and that woman shall bear her iniquity.’”

6 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them: ‘When either man or woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, to separate himself to Hashem, 3 he shall separate himself from wine and strong drink. He shall drink no vinegar of wine, or vinegar of fermented drink, neither shall he drink any juice of grapes, nor eat fresh grapes or dried. 4 All the days of his separation he shall eat nothing that is made of the grapevine, from the seeds even to the skins.

5 “‘All the days of his vow of separation no razor shall come on his head, until the days are fulfilled in which he separates himself to Hashem. He shall be holy. He shall let the locks of the hair of his head grow long.

6 “‘All the days that he separates himself to Hashem he shall not go near a dead body. 7 He shall not make himself unclean for his father, or for his mother, for his brother, or for his sister, when they die, because his separation to Adonai is on his head. 8 All the days of his separation he is holy to Hashem.

9 “‘If any man dies very suddenly beside him, and he defiles the head of his separation, then he shall shave his head in the day of his cleansing. On the seventh day he shall shave it. 10 On the eighth day he shall bring two turtledoves or two young pigeons to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting. 11 The priest shall offer one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, and make atonement for him, because he sinned by reason of the dead, and shall make his head holy that same day. 12 He shall separate to Hashem the days of his separation, and shall bring a male lamb a year old for a trespass offering; but the former days shall be void, because his separation was defiled.

13 “‘This is the law of the Nazirite: when the days of his separation are fulfilled, he shall be brought to the door of the Tent of Meeting, 14 and he shall offer his offering to Hashem: one male lamb a year old without defect for a burnt offering, one ewe lamb a year old without defect for a sin offering, one ram without defect for peace offerings, 15 a basket of unleavened bread, cakes of fine flour mixed with oil, and unleavened wafers anointed with oil with their meal offering and their drink offerings. 16 The priest shall present them before Hashem, and shall offer his sin offering and his burnt offering. 17 He shall offer the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem, with the basket of unleavened bread. The priest shall offer also its meal offering and its drink offering. 18 The Nazirite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the Tent of Meeting, take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it on the fire which is under the sacrifice of peace offerings. 19 The priest shall take the boiled shoulder of the ram, one unleavened cake out of the basket, and one unleavened wafer, and shall put them on the hands of the Nazirite after he has shaved the head of his separation; 20 and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Hashem. They are holy for the priest, together with the breast that is waved and the thigh that is offered. After that the Nazirite may drink wine.

21 “‘This is the law of the Nazirite who vows and of his offering to Hashem for his separation, in addition to that which he is able to afford. According to his vow which he vows, so he must do after the law of his separation.’”

22 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 23 “Speak to Aaron and to his sons, saying, ‘This is how you shall bless the children of Israel.’ You shall tell them,

24 ‘Hashem bless you, and keep you.

25     Hashem make His face to shine on you,

    and be gracious to you.

26 Hashem lift up His face toward you,

    and give you peace.’

27 “So they shall put My name on the children of Israel; and I will bless them.”

Bamidbar - Reading #4

Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר - In the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Reading #4 - Numbers 3:1–13

My Thoughts:

In verse 13 we learn that the firstborn of Israel, both man and animal are holy to Hashem, because of the loss of the firstborn of Egypt. Sometimes we reflect on Egypt and think that they were evil people. But in all reality, Hashem loved them the same as He loved His people. The loss of the firstborn must have been very sad for Hashem. Now in memory of them He has the firstborn of His people dedicated - to Him! With this dedication of the firstborn all of mankind can remember the sadness and loss of the Egyptian firstborn. Forever. Let us never think that when a “bad” person dies that it is a good thing. A person is “bad” because of many reasons, sometimes the way he was raised. Hashem loves everyone and in today’s reading we witness this.

Challenge:

The Levites are Hashem’s. They are “set apart” and dedicated. How special that is. He has chosen them to take care of His House. To lead, prepare and move. Hashem really does give all of us special ministries. If you look at your own life you can probably see where He has given you a special “assignment”. When you figure this out it is important you do your ministry with love and care, without grumbling. Sometimes the things He gives us to do are not easy. We just do our best and honor Him. That is my challenge for you today. Do your best with what He has called you to do. If you have been messing up, just start over today. Every day is a new day and a new chance to make things right.

Reading #4 - Numbers 3:1–13

3:1 Now this is the history of the generations of Aaron and Moses in the day that Hashem spoke with Moses in Mount Sinai. 2 These are the names of the sons of Aaron: Nadab the firstborn, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.

3 These are the names of the sons of Aaron, the priests who were anointed, whom he consecrated to minister in the priest’s office. 4 Nadab and Abihu died before Hashem when they offered strange fire before Hashem in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest’s office in the presence of Aaron, their father.

5 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 6 “Bring the tribe of Levi near, and set them before Aaron the priest, that they may minister to him. 7 They shall keep his requirements, and the requirements of the whole congregation before the Tent of Meeting, to do the service of the tabernacle. 8 They shall keep all the furnishings of the Tent of Meeting, and the obligations of the children of Israel, to do the service of the tabernacle. 9 You shall give the Levites to Aaron and to his sons. They are wholly given to him on the behalf of the children of Israel. 10 You shall appoint Aaron and his sons, and they shall keep their priesthood, but the stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”

11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “Behold, I have taken the Levites from among the children of Israel instead of all the firstborn who open the womb among the children of Israel; and the Levites shall be mine, 13 for all the firstborn are mine. On the day that I struck down all the firstborn in the land of Egypt I made holy to me all the firstborn in Israel, both man and animal. They shall be mine. I am Hashem.”

Behar/Bechukotai - Reading #4

BEHAR/BECHUKOTAI

Leviticus 25:1-27:34

Reading #4 -  Leviticus 25:39-26:9

My Thoughts:

In the verses 26:3-5 we learn from Hashem that if we follow His Commandments that even more blessings will come to us. We will have rain, crops growing and bearing fruit and bread to eat. And in verses 6-8 we receive even more promises if we follow Torah. We will have peace in the Land, no animal attacks and a special power over our enemies! What beautiful rewards Hashem has in store for us for simply following His instructions! Do you think these are available today? I do. I can see a big difference when I am obedient. Things in life go so much easier. I feel His Presence around me and good things happen to me and my family. And in the reverse when I am disobedient it seems like I am on my own. It’s lonely and sometimes scary. It is a negative feeling that only by repenting and obeying again -- do I feel peace. How about you?

Challenge:

In verses 26:1-2 we have a strong reminder about idols and Sabbaths. When the Israelites were going into their Land they were going to meet up with a lot of false worship and other gods. Our G-d, Elohim, wanted to make sure this didn't happen. Because what happens when people worship idols and forget Sabbath? They “stray” away from Hashem! They lose that strong Presence from Him. It only brings disaster! So my challenge for you today, in a very dark and scary world is to remember who you worship. Remember Hashem is your one and only Elohim. And He sets aside a special day for us to spend with Him -- the Shabbat. So, YOU set aside that day for Him! Start right now!

Reading #4 -  Leviticus  25:39-26:9

25:39 “‘If your brother has grown poor among you, and sells himself to you, you shall not make him to serve as a slave. 40 As a hired servant, and as a temporary resident, he shall be with you; he shall serve with you until the Year of Jubilee. 41 Then he shall go out from you, he and his children with him, and shall return to his own family, and to the possession of his fathers. 42 For they are my servants, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. They shall not be sold as slaves. 43 You shall not rule over him with harshness, but shall fear your Elohim.

44 “‘As for your male and your female slaves, whom you may have from the nations that are around you, from them you may buy male and female slaves. 45 Moreover, of the children of the aliens who live among you, of them you may buy, and of their families who are with you, which they have conceived in your land; and they will be your property. 46 You may make them an inheritance for your children after you, to hold for a possession. Of them you may take your slaves forever, but over your brothers the children of Israel you shall not rule, one over another, with harshness.

47 “‘If an alien or temporary resident with you becomes rich, and your brother beside him has grown poor, and sells himself to the stranger or foreigner living among you, or to a member of the stranger’s family, 48 after he is sold he may be redeemed. One of his brothers may redeem him; 49 or his uncle, or his uncle’s son, may redeem him, or any who is a close relative to him of his family may redeem him; or if he has grown rich, he may redeem himself. 50 He shall reckon with him who bought him from the year that he sold himself to him to the Year of Jubilee. The price of his sale shall be according to the number of years; he shall be with him according to the time of a hired servant. 51 If there are yet many years, according to them he shall give back the price of his redemption out of the money that he was bought for. 52 If there remain but a few years to the year of jubilee, then he shall reckon with him; according to his years of service he shall give back the price of his redemption. 53 As a servant hired year by year shall he be with him. He shall not rule with harshness over him in your sight. 54 If he isn’t redeemed by these means, then he shall be released in the Year of Jubilee: he and his children with him. 55 For to me the children of Israel are servants; they are my servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Elohim.

26:1 “‘You shall make for yourselves no idols, and you shall not raise up a carved image or a pillar, and you shall not place any figured stone in your land, to bow down to it; for I am Hashem your Elohim.

2 “‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and have reverence for my sanctuary. I am Hashem.

3 “‘If you walk in my statutes and keep my commandments, and do them, 4 then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit. 5 Your threshing shall continue until the vintage, and the vintage shall continue until the sowing time. You shall eat your bread to the full, and dwell in your land safely.

6 “‘I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and no one will make you afraid. I will remove evil animals out of the land, neither shall the sword go through your land. 7 You shall chase your enemies, and they shall fall before you by the sword. 8 Five of you shall chase a hundred, and a hundred of you shall chase ten thousand; and your enemies shall fall before you by the sword.

Emor - Reading #4

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #4 - Leviticus 23:1–22

My Thoughts:

Today we are looking at some of the annual feasts. Starting off with mentioning the weekly Sabbath. Interesting that the Sabbath is mentioned at the first feast. That’s how important it is to Hashem. And there is a reason. Not only to remember and encourage our relationship with Hashem – but so that our bodies and minds can actually rest. Who do you know that actually takes off one day a week to rest? To not mow the lawn or grocery shop or do laundry? A day where you meet with family and friends, pray and study Torah? This day of rest makes it possible for us to be fruitful the rest of the week. This is how Hashem has planned it. All we have to do is obey.

Challenge:

In verse 22 Hashem tells us to leave the “gleanings” of the field for the poor. It is important to Hashem that those who are less fortunate are cared for. And so must we continue this today. We may not all be farmers that can do this, but we all have resources that we can share with those around us who need help. Are you doing that? If you don’t know anyone who needs help then take a moment to ask Hashem to show you who does. When He shows you then act on it and help them. You will be blessed and so will they. Amen.

Reading #4 - Leviticus 23:1–22

Leviticus 23:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Hashem, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My set feasts.

3 “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Hashem in all your dwellings.

4 “‘These are the set feasts of Hashem, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Hashem’s Pesach. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Hashem. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.’”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before Hashem, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without defect a year old for a burnt offering to Hashem. 13 The meal offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Hashem for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You must not eat bread, or roasted grain, or fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

15 “‘You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 The next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Hashem. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Hashem. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without defect a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to Hashem, with their meal offering and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to Hashem. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before Hashem, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Hashem for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day that there shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall do no regular work. This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #4

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

My Thoughts:

Verses 23 and 24 are specific to women and men and who or what they have sexual relations with. If you believe in Hashem and His perfect Torah, then you can not dispute or change what He is commanding. He makes it clear. Not to have sex with the same gender and not with animals. In fact, He calls it detestable, perversion and an abomination. Like any other sin we have -- we can work on changing our behavior. We can repent and turn around. It is possible. In life we make choices. Hashem directs us to make the right ones. 

Challenge:

Interesting in verse 19:3 that Hashem first tells us to respect our parents, and in the same thought He tells us to keep the Sabbath. The reason is because He is Elohim! It seems these two commands are very important to Him. When He created our parents, He gave them the seed to create us. They then love us and raise us. And they hopefully teach us Torah and how to keep Sabbath. Honoring the creation He gave us (parents) and keeping Sabbath go hand in hand. Summarized, it is all about obedience. Review your life today and make sure you are honoring both your parents and the Sabbath. Make necessary corrections. Amen.

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

18:22 “‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.

23 “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

24 “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25 The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you 27 (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled), 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

29 “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Adonai your Elohim.’”

19 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Hashem your Elohim, am holy.

3 “‘Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father. You shall keep my Sabbaths. I am Hashem your Elohim.

4 “‘Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Hashem your Elohim.

5 “‘When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day. If anything remains until the third day, it shall be burned with fire. 7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted; 8 but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Hashem, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.

9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.

11 “‘You shall not steal.

“‘You shall not lie.

“‘You shall not deceive one another.

12 “‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

13 “‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him.

“‘The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

14 “‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Tazria-Metzora - Reading #4

Tazria-Metzora

She will conceive/Leper — תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע

Torah Portion: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33

 

Reading #4 - Leviticus 13:55-14:20

My Thoughts:

I am trying to understand the meaning of atonement. Online the definition is “Kippur (Hebrew)" means to pay back a debt and to purify. So, after one has sinned you have the chance from Hashem to make things right. First there is repentance, then there is atonement. You bring a sacrifice to Him. This offering is paying back to Hashem what you did wrong, and through this gift you are purified. We can do this today. Read my “challenge”.

Challenge:

How can we present an “offering” to Hashem today? Many people think it is not necessary - that through their spiritual “doctrine” (belief system) this has been taken care of. Others believe that we should offer up a “sacrifice” and that it is very important to do so. This for starters is obedience. It can be difficult to obey and follow the commands. Along with obedience we can offer daily prayer. At the times, when there were sacrifices in the Temple, we can also pray (3 times a day). We can do good deeds for others. We can be kind, generous and thankful for what we have. This all can be presented to Hashem as offerings. It can all be a small way to pay back to Him for the wrongs we have done. This will draw us “near” to Him and help us to be “purified” from what we have done. Work on this. I will too!

Leviticus 13:55-14:20

Leviticus 13:55 Then the priest shall examine it, after the plague is washed; and behold, if the plague hasn’t changed its color, and the plague hasn’t spread, it is unclean; you shall burn it in the fire. It is a mildewed spot, whether the bareness is inside or outside. 56 If the priest looks, and behold, the plague has faded after it is washed, then he shall tear it out of the garment, or out of the skin, or out of the warp, or out of the woof; 57 and if it appears again in the garment, either in the warp, or in the woof, or in anything of skin, it is spreading. You shall burn what the plague is in with fire. 58 The garment, either the warp, or the woof, or whatever thing of skin it is, which you shall wash, if the plague has departed from them, then it shall be washed the second time, and it will be clean.”

59 This is the law of the plague of mildew in a garment of wool or linen, either in the warp, or the woof, or in anything of skin, to pronounce it clean, or to pronounce it unclean.

14 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying,

2 “This shall be the law of the leper in the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest, 3 and the priest shall go out of the camp. The priest shall examine him. Behold, if the plague of leprosy is healed in the leper, 4 then the priest shall command them to take for him who is to be cleansed two living clean birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. 5 The priest shall command them to kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 6 As for the living bird, he shall take it, the cedar wood, the scarlet, and the hyssop, and shall dip them and the living bird in the blood of the bird that was killed over the running water. 7 He shall sprinkle on him who is to be cleansed from the leprosy seven times, and shall pronounce him clean, and shall let the living bird go into the open field.

8 “He who is to be cleansed shall wash his clothes, and shave off all his hair, and bathe himself in water; and he shall be clean. After that he shall come into the camp, but shall dwell outside his tent seven days. 9 It shall be on the seventh day, that he shall shave all his hair off his head and his beard and his eyebrows. He shall shave off all his hair. He shall wash his clothes, and he shall bathe his body in water. Then he shall be clean.

10 “On the eighth day he shall take two male lambs without defect, one ewe lamb a year old without defect, three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with oil, and one log of oil. 11 The priest who cleanses him shall set the man who is to be cleansed, and those things, before Hashem, at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

12 “The priest shall take one of the male lambs, and offer him for a trespass offering, with the log of oil, and wave them for a wave offering before Hashem. 13 He shall kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary; for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy. 14 The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 15 The priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. 16 The priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Hashem. 17 The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering. 18 The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, and the priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem.

19 “The priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness. Afterward he shall kill the burnt offering; 20 then the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meal offering on the altar. The priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.

Shemini - Reading #4

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #4 - Leviticus 10:12–15

My Thoughts:

We read about eating in a holy place (verse 13). The offering is holy, the priests have been sanctified, and so when they eat -- it has to be a holy place. It makes me think about where we eat. Do you have a table in the kitchen or dining room where you eat with others in your family? If so, let’s think about making that space a special place. Remember every good gift comes from the Father in heaven. So all our food comes from Him. Today make your dining space special. Maybe a nice tablecloth, or setting the table ahead of time. And remember to praise Him for all you have! Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 12 they are told to eat a meal offering without yeast. It reminds me of the week the Feast of Unleavened Bread -- Chol HaMoed. It is a challenge to go a week without leaven. We do not live in a Jewish community and sometimes I am not sure what we should have in our house during this week and what we should not. Especially when my sons are packing lunches for work! What is important is that we remember these commands and the feasts. We remember what the priests have to do in the Tabernacle and what to do during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Most important to remember that when Hashem delivered His Hebrew people from Egypt they left in haste without being able to make bread! Let’s remember His miracles today! And the current miracles He does today in our lives!

Reading #4 - Leviticus 10:12–15

10:12 Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the meal offering that remains of the offerings of Hashem made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar; for it is most holy; 13 and you shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your portion, and your sons’ portion, of the offerings of Hashem made by fire; for so I am commanded. 14 The waved breast and the heaved thigh you shall eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel. 15 They shall bring the heaved thigh and the waved breast with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before Hashem. It shall be yours, and your sons’ with you, as a portion forever, as Hashem has commanded.”

Tzav - Reading #4

Tzav צַו - Command!

Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Reading #4 -  Leviticus 8:1–13

My Thoughts:

Today it’s all about preparation. Hashem tells Moses to bring everyone to the Tent (Tabernacle) and get ready. Aaron and his sons need to get washed, dressed and ready. And everyone must meet there and get ready to sacrifice. This is going to be a big day as we will soon see. I believe Hashem is all about preparing. He is a Elohim of order and not of disorder. Just like we should be enacting in our lives. Order. It brings peace and prosperity because things get done! Try it today!

Challenge:

My challenge to you today is about getting ready to meet Hashem. We have talked about this in the past. But today I want to challenge you about clothing. Aaron and his sons have been dressed in their special tunics. What do we wear when we go before Hashem? You may think it is irrelevant, but is it? During your prayer time are you sitting in your old pajamas, ripped stained clothing or just not caring about what you're wearing? Maybe you are saying “Hashem doesn’t care what I look like!” Well, yes, He does accept us for who we are, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have to be especially clean and nice when we come to Him. So, today when you enter your prayer time or study time, be neat and clean and dressed well. It is about respecting Hashem. And respecting Him in all areas of our life!

Reading #4 -  Leviticus 8:1–13

8:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Take Aaron and his sons with him, and the garments, and the anointing oil, and the bull of the sin offering, and the two rams, and the basket of unleavened bread; 3 and assemble all the congregation at the door of the Tent of Meeting.”

4 Moses did as Hashem commanded him; and the congregation was assembled at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 5 Moses said to the congregation, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded to be done.” 6 Moses brought Aaron and his sons, and washed them with water. 7 He put the tunic on him, tied the sash on him, clothed him with the robe, put the ephod on him, and he tied the skillfully woven band of the ephod on him and fastened it to him with it. 8 He placed the breastplate on him. He put the Urim and Thummim in the breastplate. 9 He set the turban on his head. He set the golden plate, the holy crown, on the front of the turban, as Hashem commanded Moses. 10 Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle and all that was in it, and sanctified them. 11 He sprinkled it on the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all its vessels, and the basin and its base, to sanctify them. 12 He poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head, and anointed him, to sanctify him. 13 Moses brought Aaron’s sons, and clothed them with tunics, and tied sashes on them, and put headbands on them, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayikra - Reading #4

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called

Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Reading #4 - Leviticus 3:1–17

My Thoughts:

Right away in this paragraph we learn that Hashem wants sacrifices that are the best -- without defect. And He still does. He wants our praise, prayer and repentance to be pure, honest and forthright. He doesn’t want distraction or second hand praise. He doesn’t want us to come before Him with sin on our heart. Examine your heart today and repent. Make things right with others and make things right with Hashem. 

Challenge:

Sometimes I have been in church or at a conference praising Hashem, but not with a pure heart. I may be distracted looking around, or caring what others think of how I am praising. I challenge you today, whether you are at home or in a group, a synagogue or a church -- that you devote your praise fully to Him. Go to Him with a repentant heart, washed with forgiveness. Picture yourself only with Him, praising Him with your whole heart. That’s what He is looking for. He wants all of us, not a part of us. Praise with sincerity and cleanliness. Remember He is the Elohim of the Universe. Praise Him!

Reading #4 - Leviticus 3:1–17

3 “‘If his offering is a sacrifice of peace offerings, if he offers it from the herd, whether male or female, he shall offer it without defect before Hashem. 2 He shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it at the door of the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle the blood around on the altar. 3 He shall offer of the sacrifice of peace offerings, an offering made by fire to Hashem. The fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 4 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 5 Aaron’s sons shall burn it on the altar on the burnt offering, which is on the wood that is on the fire: it is an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

6 “‘If his offering for a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem is from the flock, either male or female, he shall offer it without defect. 7 If he offers a lamb for his offering, then he shall offer it before Hashem; 8 and he shall lay his hand on the head of his offering, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting. Aaron’s sons shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 9 He shall offer from the sacrifice of peace offerings an offering made by fire to Hashem; its fat, the entire tail fat, he shall take away close to the backbone; and the fat that covers the entrails, and all the fat that is on the entrails, 10 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 11 The priest shall burn it on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire to Hashem.

12 “‘If his offering is a goat, then he shall offer it before Hashem. 13 He shall lay his hand on its head, and kill it before the Tent of Meeting; and the sons of Aaron shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 14 He shall offer from it as his offering, an offering made by fire to Hashem; the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 15 and the two kidneys, and the fat that is on them, which is by the loins, and the cover on the liver, with the kidneys, he shall take away. 16 The priest shall burn them on the altar: it is the food of the offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma; all the fat is Hashem’s.

17 “‘It shall be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwellings, that you shall eat neither fat nor blood.’”

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.