V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #5

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

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 33:22–26

My Thoughts:

Moses continues to bless the tribes. What a beautiful Scripture in verse 26, “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, in His excellency on the skies.” Jeshurun is a poetic name for Israel and means, “Dear upright people”. It is Hashem’s hope all along that His people will be upright, honest, and righteous, following Him and Torah. Israel, His people, and Torah are to be a light to the nations.  Let us pray for Israel and its people, that we may all seek after Hashem wholeheartedly and remain His “Jeshurun”. Hashem, please forgive us all for our sins.

Challenge:

In verse 23, we read, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of Hashem’s blessing…”.  What an incredible blessing. Don’t you want to be full of Hashem’s blessing? How would we achieve this? That is my challenge to you today: think about what you can do, or who you can be, that would warrant Hashem filling you with His blessings. We know that the Torah provides many verses about being blessed, and it always precedes the understanding that one must follow the Torah, love Hashem, and love others. If you want to be filled with His blessings today, review your daily life and ensure you are pursuing Hashem. If you aren’t, then make the changes necessary today. Repent, teshuvah, and make restitution. Love Hashem with your heart, soul, and being.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 33:22–26

33:22 About Dan, he said,

“Dan is a lion’s cub

    that leaps out of Bashan.”

23 About Naphtali, he said,

“Naphtali, satisfied with favor,

    full of Hashem’s blessing,

    Possess the west and the south.”

24 About Asher, he said,

“Asher is blessed with children.

    Let him be acceptable to his brothers.

    Let him dip his foot in oil.

25 Your bars will be iron and bronze.

    As your days, so your strength will be.

26 “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun,

    who rides on the heavens for your help,

    in His excellency on the skies.

Ha'Azinu - Reading #5

Today is Yom Kippur. "For on this day He will forgive you, to purify you, that you be cleansed from all your sins before Elohim." Leviticus 16:30

G'mar chatimah tovah - May you be sealed for a good year in the Book of Life!

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

My Thoughts:

Verse 36 should clarify the future for us, ”For Hashem will judge His people, and have compassion on His servants…”. It’s not like we can lead a sinful life, ignoring Hashem’s commands and not be judged. That is why we repent, through teshuvah, and make restitution — so that He will have compassion on us. Make sure your heart is right with Hashem. If not, make it so. We want to experience Hashem’s kindness and not His judgment.

Challenge:

Sometimes it helps to understand that Hashem really dictates the length of our days. Verse 39 explains, “I kill and I make alive,  I wound and I heal. There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.” He can keep us alive, or He can let us go. But the greater promise is that no one can take you out of His hand. We must remember that Hashem can and will keep us alive and heal us as well. We just need to ask Him. That is my challenge today. If you need healing, you may have a severe underlying disease. Don’t give up. Go to Hashem. Worship and pray before Him. Pray this Scripture that He heals. Then ask Him to heal you. Or someone you love or care about. It’s up to Him, and we can ask. It will be in His time and in His way.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 32:29–39

29 Oh that they were wise, that they understood this,

    that they would consider their latter end!

30 How could one chase a thousand,

    and two put ten thousand to flight,

unless their Rock had sold them,

    And Hashem had delivered them up?

31 For their rock is not as our Rock,

    even our enemies themselves concede.

32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom,

    of the fields of Gomorrah.

Their grapes are poison grapes.

    Their clusters are bitter.

33 Their wine is the poison of serpents,

    the cruel venom of asps.

34 “Isn’t this laid up in store with me,

    sealed up among my treasures?

35 Vengeance is mine, and recompense,

    at the time when their foot slides;

for the day of their calamity is at hand.

    Their doom rushes at them.”

36 For Hashem will judge His people,

    and have compassion on His servants,

when He sees that their power is gone;

    that there is no one remaining, shut up or left at large.

37 He will say, “Where are their gods,

    the rock in which they took refuge;

38 which ate the fat of their sacrifices,

    and drank the wine of their drink offering?

Let them rise up and help you!

    Let them be your protection.

39 “See now that I Myself am He.

    There is no god with Me.

I kill and I make alive.

    I wound and I heal.

    There is no one who can deliver out of My hand.

Vayelech - Reading #5

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19

My Thoughts:

Verse 17 carries strong discipline, “Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them…”. Hashem is prophesying that after the people begin to live in the Land, they will turn from Him and follow other gods. They will be influenced by the people and tempted to live a life outside of Hashem. How does Hashem react to this? He simply leaves them. He forsakes them and hides His face. Kind of like now. When we sin, we are separated from Hashem. He is no longer with us. Not until we “teshuvah”. We turn completely from our sin, we repent, and we make restitution. After sinning and repentance, we must fully return to Hashem. Not just a part of us but all of us. He is serious when He tells us to love Him with “all your heart, soul, and strength”. Remember all this the next time you consider sinning. Remember the cost. And stop in your tracks. Pray each day for Hashem to give you strength to withstand temptation.

Challenge:

Joshua and Moses met Hashem in the Tent of the Meeting (the Tabernacle). Hashem appears in a pillar of cloud. I believe this is because the cloud, in a special way, hid His presence from them so that they wouldn’t die. No one can see Elohim. Here is my challenge for you today. For you and for me. Let’s search for the cloud in which Hashem can present Himself to us. This cloud could be through worship, through prayer, and through service. It may not look like a cloud, but He does present Himself in many ways to us. I see Him work miracles in my life every day. Some small, some large. Just take the time to look for Him. You will be surprised at how often He shows up during your day. Really, it’s true.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 31:14–19

31:14 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, your days approach that you must die. Call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.”

Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the Tent of Meeting.

15 Hashem appeared in the Tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood over the Tent’s door. 16 Hashem said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods of the land where they go to be among them, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. 17 Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come on them; so that they will say in that day, ‘Haven’t these evils come on us because our Elohim is not among us?’ 18 I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they have done, in that they have turned to other gods.

19 “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for Me against the children of Israel.

Nitzavim - Reading #5

Nitzavim נִצָּבִים - Standing (Witnessing)

Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 30:7–10

My Thoughts:

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

Challenge:

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

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 30:7–10

30:7 Hashem your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 You shall return and obey Hashem’s voice, and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 Hashem your Elohim will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Hashem will again rejoice over you for good, as he rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you will obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.

Balak - Reading #5

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #5 -  Numbers 23:13–26

My Thoughts:

The Word that Balaam gives Balak from Hashem is so strong! Hashem has blessed and it cannot be reversed (verse 20)! There is nothing we can “undo” that Hashem has ordered. Even in our own lives. He is the ultimate source and power of everything, and it is time we realize this. The world can go about thinking the people have the power to take control, but they don’t -- only Hashem has control. He owns it all. And the sooner we realize this the better! In Olam Haba there will no longer be a power struggle. We will no longer have to curse people, lie and cheat. We will serve only One Elohim -- the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob! Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 19 we read, “...Has He said, and He won’t do it? Or has He spoken, and He won’t make it good?” When Hashem promised His people to give them the Land of Israel, He meant it. He never broke His promise. However, we break our promises to Him all the time. Think of the last time you promised Hashem something you would never do again, and yet you find yourself breaking that promise and do it again? It’s time we begin to change and think about how Hashem wants us to be holy as He is holy. He wants us to be righteous -- at all costs. Let’s start today to try and clean up our lives. Let us try to honor and please Him in all we do. Amen!

Reading #5 -  Numbers 23:13–26

23:13 Balak said to him, “Please come with me to another place, where you may see them. You shall see just part of them, and shall not see them all. Curse them from there for me.”

14 He took him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered up a bull and a ram on every altar. 15 He said to Balak, “Stand here by your burnt offering, while I meet Elohim over there.”

16 Hashem met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, “Return to Balak, and say this.”

17 He came to him, and behold, he was standing by his burnt offering, and the princes of Moab with him. Balak said to him, “What has Hashem spoken?”

18 He took up his parable, and said,

“Rise up, Balak, and hear!

    Listen to me, you son of Zippor.

19 Elohim is not a man, that He should lie,

    nor a son of man, that he should repent.

Has He said, and He won’t do it?

    Or has He spoken, and He won’t make it good?

20 Behold, I have received a command to bless.

    He has blessed, and I can’t reverse it.

21 He has not seen iniquity in Jacob.

    Neither has He seen perverseness in Israel.

Hashem his Elohim is with him.

    The shout of a king is among them.

22 Elohim brings them out of Egypt.

    He has as it were the strength of the wild ox.

23 Surely there is no enchantment with Jacob;

    Neither is there any divination with Israel.

Now it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel,

    ‘What has Elohim done!’

24 Behold, a people rises up as a lioness.

    As a lion he lifts himself up.

He shall not lie down until he eats of the prey,

    and drinks the blood of the slain.”

25 Balak said to Balaam, “Neither curse them at all, nor bless them at all.”

26 But Balaam answered Balak, “Didn’t I tell you, saying, ‘All that Hashem speaks, that I must do?’”

Chukat - Reading #5

Chukat חֻקַּת - Law

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Reading #5 - Numbers 20:22–21:9

My Thoughts:

Complaining again. The people were getting tired of the food and were thirsty again. Every time they had to suffer they would complain and want to go back to Egypt. We may read this and be very judgmental against them, but just wait a second. Isn’t that what we do? We complain that things are not going well instead of praising Hashem for all He has given us! The punishment for their complaints was severe. Hashem sent poisonous snakes. Moses prays and Hashem provides a way of escape. They simple need to look at the serpent on the poll and remember the greatness of Elohim! Next time you start to complain, either in your head or out loud, please remember the greatness of Hashem. Stop complaining, repent and praise Him for all He does! Amen!

Challenge:

This story on the pole and the bronze serpent has a lot of commentary from many people. Why would Hashem ask the people to look upon a bronze anything? There is a strict commandment not to have false idols. Maybe because Hashem is showing He is Elohim! Remember the snake story with the Pharaoh. Moses' staff turned into a snake and swallowed the other fake snakes the sorcerers had created. Maybe this snake story reminds the people of His greatness. That is what I believe. What other reason could there be? My challenge to you today is to remember Hashem’s greatness. In your life and in the world -- think about how He has shown His greatness. And thank Him. 

Reading #5 - Numbers 20:22–21:9

20:22 They traveled from Kadesh, and the children of Israel, even the whole congregation, came to Mount Hor. 23 Hashem spoke to Moses and Aaron in Mount Hor, by the border of the land of Edom, saying, 24 “Aaron shall be gathered to his people; for he shall not enter into the land which I have given to the children of Israel, because you rebelled against My word at the waters of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and Eleazar his son, and bring them up to Mount Hor; 26 and strip Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron shall be gathered, and shall die there.”

27 Moses did as Hashem commanded. They went up onto Mount Hor in the sight of all the congregation. 28 Moses stripped Aaron of his garments, and put them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there on the top of the mountain, and Moses and Eleazar came down from the mountain. 29 When all the congregation saw that Aaron was dead, they wept for Aaron thirty days, even all the house of Israel.

21 The Canaanite, the king of Arad, who lived in the South, heard that Israel came by the way of Atharim. He fought against Israel, and took some of them captive. 2 Israel vowed a vow to Hashem, and said, “If you will indeed deliver this people into my hand, then I will utterly destroy their cities.” 3 Hashem listened to the voice of Israel, and delivered up the Canaanites; and they utterly destroyed them and their cities. The name of the place was called Hormah.

4 They traveled from Mount Hor by the way to the Red Sea, to go around the land of Edom. The soul of the people was very discouraged because of the journey. 5 The people spoke against Elohim and against Moses: “Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no bread, there is no water, and our soul loathes this disgusting food!”

6 Hashem sent venomous snakes among the people, and they bit the people. Many people of Israel died. 7 The people came to Moses, and said, “We have sinned, because we have spoken against Hashem and against you. Pray to Hashem, that He take away the serpents from us.” Moses prayed for the people.

8 Hashem said to Moses, “Make a venomous snake, and set it on a pole. It shall happen that everyone who is bitten, when he sees it, shall live.” 9 Moses made a serpent of bronze, and set it on the pole. If a serpent had bitten any man, when he looked at the serpent of bronze, he lived.

Pekudei - Reading #5

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #5 -  Exodus 40:1–16

My Thoughts:

It has been a year since the Israelites have left Egypt. And it is the beginning of the new year. This is when everything has been completed for the Tabernacle of Hashem and He is ready to have it raised. Isn’t that interesting that it would be exactly one year? It makes me think about Hashem’s perfect timing. We see that often in the Torah. Let’s apply that to our own lives. It is important to wait on Hashem when asking Him for help and even more importantly to wait for His perfect timing. Waiting is worth it. Trust me. But, really, trust Him!

Challenge:

What would that have felt like for Moses that Hashem is asking him to prepare everything for his brother to be a high priest. Moses could prepare offerings, but it was actually Aaron that would serve Hashem in the Holy of Holies. Even though Hashem regularly spoke with Moses, in a very personal way, he was not chosen to perform the High priestly duties. Think about that. Hashem’s relationship with Moses was very special and personal – and extremely anointed and important. I’m sure he did not feel “slighted” that he was not to serve in the Tabernacle. He had his own “position” with Hashem. I challenge you to look at your life and your relationship with Hashem. Are you in the “position” He has called you to be in? Or are you coveting or striving for another position? Pray and talk to Him about this.

Reading #5 - Exodus 40:1-16

40 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that Hashem commanded him, so he did.

Vayakhel - Reading #5

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #5 - Exodus 36:20–37:16

My Thoughts:

I was reading online about acacia wood. That it is basically indestructible. It is very resistant to any type of bugs and diseases. This makes sense that Hashem would pick this type of wood to encompass the most sacred “housing” for Himself. The whole “house” and walls of the Tabernacle are made of this wood. And there are no windows to allow for fresh air. You would need this type of wood, acacia, to protect what you were placing inside of your dwelling. Hashem knows about everything and is particular. We need to pay attention to that.

Challenge:

In verses 37:1-9 we read about the construction requirements for the Ark of the Covenant (mercy seat). Remember, this the “chair” in the Holy of Holies in which the Elohim of everything will be dwelling. It is all covered with gold and specifically “covered” with angels. Angels worship Elohim in heaven, now He is wanting them to play an important part of His revelation on earth. I really believe we each have an angel watching over our lives. Psalm 91:11-12 confirms this – His angels are sent to be given charge over our lives. Maybe it’s time we actually thank Hashem for giving us angels to watch out for us. I encourage you to take time for that right now.

Reading #5 - Exodus 36:20–37:16

20 He made the boards for the Tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the width of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined to one another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of bronze.

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits, and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. 3 He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side. 4 He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12 He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Bo - Reading #5

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

My Thoughts:

This Pesach (Passover) miracle is to be remembered and passed down from generation to generation. It is a Feast that we are required to memorialize each year. It is not meant to be some heavy “burden” -- but rather a wonderful reminder of Hashem’s mercy and grace. He heard His people “cries” and He answered them. He delivered them out of slavery and into a Land of milk and honey. Celebrating Pesach every year can draw us back into time, a time where Hashem held His arms out to His people and redeemed them. 

I am sure this was very unexpected to them. After all, they were probably asking to be delivered from slavery, not necessarily to be moved into a different country. Maybe they had forgotten the promise made to their fathers. The promise of Israel. Nevertheless, Hashem did not forget. And now it was time to bring them home. May we never forget that Hashem does hear our prayers and He does have answers. They may just look different then what we expected.

Challenge:

Are you asking Hashem to deliver you out of a certain situation? Keep believing He has heard you and will redeem you, it just may surprise you how He does it. Try to be strong and keep faith. Trust that He will move in His time. Open your eyes and see if your “exodus” has begun!

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Bechukotai - Reading #5

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #5 - Leviticus 27:16-21

My Thoughts:

More on dedicating land to Hashem and its value. Currently, we don’t have the Year of Jubilee, nor do we have a priesthood. I believe the important concept here is dedicating something to Hashem. When our grandchildren were born we “spiritually” dedicated them to Hashem. We asked if Hashem would please watch over and guide them all the days of their lives. It was important to us. You may think about “dedicating” your children and/or grandchildren to Hashem if you haven’t already done so. After all, He created them and gave them on “loan” to us.

Challenge:

What do you dedicate to Hashem? Have you given Him your marriage? Your children/grandchildren? Your house and all you own? Your life? Just because we don’t live in Temple times (yet) it doesn’t seem like we should not do the things the best way we are able. This is with all the commandments. Dedication, Sabbaths, dietary laws, helping neighbors and the poor, etc. We are to give back to Hashem all that we can and we are to do all we can do follow His instructions. My challenge to you today is that you review your life in relation to Torah and repair what needs to be fixed. Do more. Love more. Amen.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 27:16–21

16 “‘If a man dedicates to Hashem part of the field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. The sowing of a homer of barley shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17 If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18 But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money according to the years that remain to the Year of Jubilee; and an abatement shall be made from your valuation. 19 If he who dedicated the field will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall remain his. 20 If he will not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more; 21 but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, shall be holy to Hashem, as a devoted field. It shall be owned by the priests.

Behar - Reading #5

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר

Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

My Thoughts:

Some more instructions on poverty. In verse 35 we are told if our “brother” is poor and can not take care of himself then we are to help. Notice it says “brother”. I am pretty sure this means a fellow Jew and/or family member or neighbor. Someone close in your own community. Sometimes I think we all worry that we must go out and support the world of the poor. We see starving children on TV and it touches our hearts. But, in all reality if we each took care of those in our own communities then everyone in the world would be taken care of. Each community helps each other. That makes perfect sense right? Make sure YOU are doing this! And me too!

Challenge:

Verse 37 is interesting, “ You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit.” Basically Hashem is telling us not to take advantage of those who are needy. If your sister asked you for a loan of $1000 to pay her rent, you are not going to charge her interest. Yes, she should pay you back if it is possible. Or you are not to sell a bag of groceries to your neighbor for a higher price then you bought them (who would do that?). I look at our check cashing stores. They will cash your check instantly instead of going to a bank, but they charge you an outrageous service charge. That is definitely taking advantage of someone who does not have resources to have a bank account. As I always say – review your life and make sure you are doing what Hashem says we are NOT to do!

Reading #5 - Leviticus 25:29–38

29 “‘If a man sells a dwelling house in a walled city, then he may redeem it within a whole year after it has been sold. For a full year he shall have the right of redemption. 30 If it isn’t redeemed within the space of a full year, then the house that is in the walled city shall be made sure in perpetuity to him who bought it, throughout his generations. It shall not be released in the Jubilee. 31 But the houses of the villages which have no wall around them shall be accounted for with the fields of the country: they may be redeemed, and they shall be released in the Jubilee.

32 “‘Nevertheless, in the cities of the Levites, the Levites may redeem the houses in the cities of their possession at any time. 33 The Levites may redeem the house that was sold, and the city of his possession, and it shall be released in the Jubilee; for the houses of the cities of the Levites are their possession among the children of Israel. 34 But the field of the pasture lands of their cities may not be sold, for it is their perpetual possession.

35 “‘If your brother has become poor, and his hand can’t support himself among you, then you shall uphold him. He shall live with you like an alien and a temporary resident. 36 Take no interest from him or profit; but fear your Adonai, that your brother may live among you. 37 You shall not lend him your money at interest, nor give him your food for profit. 38 I am Hashem your Adonai, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your Elohim.

Kedoshim - Reading #5

Kedoshim - Holy  קְדשִׁים

Torah Portion: Leviticus 19:1 - 20:27

Reading #5 -  Leviticus 20:1–7

My Thoughts:

Again we are learning about Hashem’s extreme disregard for child sacrifice. The penalties for this are death itself to the person committing the crime. So, what has changed if we look at today? We “sacrifice” pre-born babies (children) to the gods of convenience, selfishness, fear, abuse, economics, etc. through abortion. Our country (the United States) and other countries (even Israel) have been torn apart regarding this controversial issue of life. But, why is it controversial? Why do people defend the right to “choice” – the legal right to abort (kill) your developing baby? I’m afraid the root of all this is very deep. And the consequences go far and wide. If you have had an abortion or helped someone to get one, now is the time to go earnestly before Hashem to ask for forgiveness. From my understanding, He will forgive you. And then make a strong effort to support women around you who do get pregnant unexpectedly – help them not to make the same mistake. It’s time for all of us to change and get on Hashem’s path of life. Amen.

Challenge:

Again we learn about not following or seeking mediums and wizards. Here is the question I have about this. If we watch shows about magic, mediums, the darker side of the world – is that disobedience? We may not be performing the task, but we are watching someone else do so. And when you watch a movie/TV show – aren’t you participating in this somehow? If you buy products, games, and apparel that are produced by companies that promote magic (mediums, wizards, etc.) – isn’t that the same as participating in the act itself? We all need to take a hard look at what we do with magic. We need to repent, turn away and change. Today.

20:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone that person with stones. 3 I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile my sanctuary, and to profane My holy name. 4 If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.

6 “‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.

7 “‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am Hashem your Adonai.

Acharei Mot - Reading #5

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

My Thoughts:

Whose law are we to live by? Hashem’s FIRST. In 18 verse 4 we read, “You shall do My ordinances. You shall keep My statutes and walk in them. I am Hashem your Adonai.” And in the following verse we read that if we follow His statutes and not the “world’s” that we will LIVE. Here is the good news. Hashem’s words are eternal. He has given us forever instructions. We are not to do what everyone else does, who does not follow Hashem. We are to keep our eyes and our heart on Hashem. We are to do what He says. And here is the blessing. If we do follow Him – we live. Forever. Here and in the olam haba. Thank you Adonai!

Challenge:

Here we have some commandments regarding “blood”. In verse 17:12 we read, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.” Who wants to eat blood? Well if you are in a land where people do not worship the true Elohim, you will see and learn some strange practices. And one of those is eating, drinking blood. That is strictly not approved of by Hashem. So, he tells them. It would be like today and Hashem would say to us “Do not eat a bacon burger”. Even though everyone else, it is forbidden to us. If you are following some commands that are not Hashem’s, I encourage you today to stop doing them. Ask for forgiveness and teshuvah. Ask for His help to be better. Obedience is valued by our Hashem. Let’s all try to become more obedient. Life will look different if we do.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

8 “You shall say to them, ‘Any man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to Hashem, that man shall be cut off from his people.

10 “‘Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the children of Israel, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Whatever man there is of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who takes in hunting any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood, and cover it with dust. 14 For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”

15 “‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. Then he shall be clean. 16 But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’”

18 Hashem said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Hashem your Adonai. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4 You shall do My ordinances. You shall keep My statutes and walk in them. I am Hashem your Adonai. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Hashem.