Vayetze - Reading #5

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3
Reading #5 - Genesis 30:28–31:16

My Thoughts: 

Jacob is negotiating with his father-in-law. He is getting ready to pack up his family and leave. And then he makes a really astonishing statement to Laban, “Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned.” In other words, Jacob gives all the credit of Laban’s prosperity not to himself, but to Hashem! His faith in Hashem is so huge that he gives all acknowledgement to Him. And makes sure that Laban knows this. That all his success is really from Hashem. Jacob planned, worked and grew Laban’s assets. A lesson for us to follow. Whatever you do that becomes successful, and benefits others, should be recognized as from Hashem and not you!

Challenge: 

Jacob makes an unusual “business deal” with Laban. It’s all about good and bad flocks of sheep. It turns out that over a period of time and sheep reproducing, Jacob is very successful. This must have been quite a surprise to Laban. My challenge to you today is to be on the lookout for a possible “business deal” that Hashem is orchestrating for you. Maybe you are already working on one. Be sure to be prayerful and to put Hashem right in the middle of your venture. Listen carefully to what He tells you to do. Even if it sounds really weird or unusual (like taking all the sheep rejects). You will be blessed. Guaranteed. 

Reading #5 - Genesis 30:28–31:16

28 He said, “Appoint me your wages, and I will give it.”

29 Jacob said to him, “You know how I have served you, and how your livestock have fared with me. 30 For it was little which you had before I came, and it has increased to a multitude. Hashem has blessed you wherever I turned. Now when will I provide for my own house also?”

31 Laban said, “What shall I give you?”

Jacob said, “You shall not give me anything. If you will do this thing for me, I will again feed your flock and keep it. 32 I will pass through all your flock today, removing from there every speckled and spotted one, and every black one among the sheep, and the spotted and speckled among the goats. This will be my hire. 33 So my righteousness will answer for me hereafter, when you come concerning my hire that is before you. Every one that is not speckled and spotted among the goats, and black among the sheep, that might be with me, will be considered stolen.”

34 Laban said, “Behold, let it be according to your word.”

35 That day, he removed the male goats that were streaked and spotted, and all the female goats that were speckled and spotted, every one that had white in it, and all the black ones among the sheep, and gave them into the hand of his sons. 36 He set three days’ journey between himself and Jacob, and Jacob fed the rest of Laban’s flocks.

37 Jacob took to himself rods of fresh poplar, almond, and plane tree, peeled white streaks in them, and made the white appear which was in the rods. 38 He set the rods which he had peeled opposite the flocks in the watering troughs where the flocks came to drink. They conceived when they came to drink. 39 The flocks conceived before the rods, and the flocks produced streaked, speckled, and spotted. 40 Jacob separated the lambs, and set the faces of the flocks toward the streaked and all the black in Laban’s flock. He put his own droves apart, and didn’t put them into Laban’s flock. 41 Whenever the stronger of the flock conceived, Jacob laid the rods in front of the eyes of the flock in the watering troughs, that they might conceive among the rods; 42 but when the flock were feeble, he didn’t put them in. So the feebler were Laban’s, and the stronger Jacob’s. 43 The man increased exceedingly, and had large flocks, female servants and male servants, and camels and donkeys.

31 Jacob heard Laban’s sons’ words, saying, “Jacob has taken away all that was our father’s. He has obtained all this wealth from that which was our father’s.” 2 Jacob saw the expression on Laban’s face, and, behold, it was not toward him as before. 3 Hashem said to Jacob, “Return to the land of your fathers, and to your relatives, and I will be with you.”

4 Jacob sent and called Rachel and Leah to the field to his flock, 5 and said to them, “I see the expression on your father’s face, that it is not toward me as before; but the Elohim of my father has been with me. 6 You know that I have served your father with all of my strength. 7 Your father has deceived me, and changed my wages ten times, but Elohim didn’t allow him to hurt me. 8 If he said, ‘The speckled will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore speckled. If he said, ‘The streaked will be your wages,’ then all the flock bore streaked. 9 Thus God has taken away your father’s livestock, and given them to me. 10 During mating season, I lifted up my eyes, and saw in a dream, and behold, the male goats which leaped on the flock were streaked, speckled, and grizzled. 11 The angel of Elohim said to me in the dream, ‘Jacob,’ and I said, ‘Here I am.’ 12 He said, ‘Now lift up your eyes, and behold, all the male goats which leap on the flock are streaked, speckled, and grizzled, for I have seen all that Laban does to you. 13 I am the Elohim of Bethel, where you anointed a pillar, where you vowed a vow to Me. Now arise, get out from this land, and return to the land of your birth.’”

14 Rachel and Leah answered him, “Is there yet any portion or inheritance for us in our father’s house? 15 Aren’t we considered as foreigners by him? For he has sold us, and has also used up our money. 16 For all the riches which Elohim has taken away from our father are ours and our children’s. Now then, whatever Elohim has said to you, do.”

Toldot - Reading #5

Toldot, תּוֹלְדֹת - Generations

Genesis 25:19-28:9

Reading #5 - Genesis 26:30–27:27

My Thoughts: 

Rebekah and Jacob create a divisive plan to steal a blessing away from Esau. It is one of Scripture’s curious stories. We know Rebekah loves Isaac, but apparently she loves her son more. Enough to want to trick her own husband. What is the lesson to be learned here? I guess I can only look at it this way. What if Jacob would not have stolen the blessing? Yes he may have received less of the inheritance, but I believe Hashem would still have totally blessed the “line of ancestry” through Isaac to continue His promises.

I remember having a client once who told me she was going to go down to Social Services and she was going to lie about something in her life so she could get more free benefits. I gave her a challenge. I asked her to tell the truth and just see what happens. We then prayed that Hashem would bless her. A few hours later I met with her and she was so excited! She didn’t lie but she still received the extra benefits. What a wonderful life lesson!

Challenge: 

Have you recently lied to change the outcome in a particular situation? Or are you thinking about not telling the truth about something because you feel it would help you out? I challenge you to tell the truth, pray and watch what Hashem does! My daughter told the truth about turning down a job to the unemployment bureau. She could have lied and continued to get benefits, but instead told the truth. They stopped her unemployment. But, then the most amazing thing happened! She got a FANTASTIC job! And it pays more than any job she has ever held! She is giving all the glory to Hashem. And so will you!

Reading #5 - Genesis 26:30–27:27

30 He made them a feast, and they ate and drank. 31 They rose up some time in the morning, and swore an oath to one another. Isaac sent them away, and they departed from him in peace. 32 The same day, Isaac’s servants came, and told him concerning the well which they had dug, and said to him, “We have found water.” 33 He called it “Shibah” Therefore the name of the city is “Beersheba” to this day.

34 When Esau was forty years old, he took as wife Judith, the daughter of Beeri the Hittite, and Basemath, the daughter of Elon the Hittite. 35 They grieved Isaac’s and Rebekah’s spirits.

27 When Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his elder son, and said to him, “My son?”

He said to him, “Here I am.”

2 He said, “See now, I am old. I don’t know the day of my death. 3 Now therefore, please take your weapons, your quiver and your bow, and go out to the field, and get me venison. 4 Make me savory food, such as I love, and bring it to me, that I may eat, and that my soul may bless you before I die.”

5 Rebekah heard when Isaac spoke to Esau his son. Esau went to the field to hunt for venison, and to bring it. 6 Rebekah spoke to Jacob her son, saying, “Behold, I heard your father speak to Esau your brother, saying, 7 ‘Bring me venison, and make me savory food, that I may eat, and bless you before Hashem before my death.’ 8 Now therefore, my son, obey my voice according to that which I command you. 9 Go now to the flock and get me two good young goats from there. I will make them savory food for your father, such as he loves. 10 You shall bring it to your father, that he may eat, so that he may bless you before his death.”

11 Jacob said to Rebekah his mother, “Behold, Esau my brother is a hairy man, and I am a smooth man. 12 What if my father touches me? I will seem to him as a deceiver, and I would bring a curse on myself, and not a blessing.”

13 His mother said to him, “Let your curse be on me, my son. Only obey my voice, and go get them for me.”

14 He went, and got them, and brought them to his mother. His mother made savory food, such as his father loved. 15 Rebekah took the good clothes of Esau, her elder son, which were with her in the house, and put them on Jacob, her younger son. 16 She put the skins of the young goats on his hands, and on the smooth of his neck. 17 She gave the savory food and the bread, which she had prepared, into the hand of her son Jacob.

18 He came to his father, and said, “My father?”

He said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”

19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn. I have done what you asked me to do. Please arise, sit and eat of my venison, that your soul may bless me.”

20 Isaac said to his son, “How is it that you have found it so quickly, my son?”

He said, “Because Hashem your Elohim gave me success.”

21 Isaac said to Jacob, “Please come near, that I may feel you, my son, whether you are really my son Esau or not.”

22 Jacob went near to Isaac his father. He felt him, and said, “The voice is Jacob’s voice, but the hands are the hands of Esau.” 23 He didn’t recognize him, because his hands were hairy, like his brother Esau’s hands. So he blessed him. 24 He said, “Are you really my son Esau?”

He said, “I am.”

25 He said, “Bring it near to me, and I will eat of my son’s venison, that my soul may bless you.”

He brought it near to him, and he ate. He brought him wine, and he drank. 26 His father Isaac said to him, “Come near now, and kiss me, my son.” 27 He came near, and kissed him. He smelled the smell of his clothing, and blessed him, and said,

“Behold, the smell of my son is as the smell of a field which Hashem has blessed.

Vayeira - Reading #5

Vayeira וַיֵּרָא - And He Appeared

Genesis 18:1-22:24

READING #5 - Genesis 21:5–21      

My Thoughts:

This story has some mystery indeed. Why would Hashem tell Abraham to listen to his wife and send Hagar away from home? And to send her out with water and bread. That sounds very unusual. But, even though we don’t understand this -- the end of the story is Hashem saves them after the water and bread has run out. He miraculously provides a well with water. They drink and they live. And Esau grows and marries. 

What do we learn from this? What appears to not make sense, we can guarantee that Hashem has a PLAN. He is faithful and true, and will bring the best out of every situation.

Challenge:

Have you ever been in the middle of something that looks hopeless (like running out of bread and water?) But, then suddenly Hashem does something miraculous? If that has happened I know you have given Hashem the glory and honor and thanks. If you are in the middle of a horrible situation I challenge you to try and have hope. Read this story and see how Hagar was so hopeless, but at the last minute Hashem delivered. And He delivered with a miracle. A well of water. Ask Hashem today for YOUR well of water. 

Reading #5 - Genesis 21:5–21

21:5 Abraham was one hundred years old when his son, Isaac, was born to him. 6 Sarah said, “Elohim has made me laugh. Everyone who hears will laugh with me.” 7 She said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? For I have borne him a son in his old age.”

8 The child grew and was weaned. Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, mocking. 10 Therefore she said to Abraham, “Cast out this servant and her son! For the son of this servant will not be heir with my son, Isaac.”

11 The thing was very grievous in Abraham’s sight on account of his son. 12 Elohim said to Abraham, “Don’t let it be grievous in your sight because of the boy, and because of your servant. In all that Sarah says to you, listen to her voice. For your offspring will be named through Isaac. 13 I will also make a nation of the son of the servant, because he is your child.” 14 Abraham rose up early in the morning, and took bread and a container of water, and gave it to Hagar, putting it on her shoulder; and gave her the child, and sent her away. She departed, and wandered in the wilderness of Beersheba. 15 The water in the container was spent, and she put the child under one of the shrubs. 16 She went and sat down opposite him, a good way off, about a bow shot away. For she said, “Don’t let me see the death of the child.” She sat opposite him, and lifted up her voice, and wept. 17 Elohim heard the voice of the boy.

The angel of Elohim called to Hagar out of the sky, and said to her, “What troubles you, Hagar? Don’t be afraid. For Elohim has heard the voice of the boy where he is. 18 Get up, lift up the boy, and hold him with your hand. For I will make him a great nation.”

19 Elohim opened her eyes, and she saw a well of water. She went, filled the container with water, and gave the boy a drink.

20 Elohim was with the boy, and he grew. He lived in the wilderness, and as he grew up, he became an archer. 21 He lived in the wilderness of Paran. His mother got a wife for him out of the land of Egypt.

Lech-Lecha - Reading #5

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #5 -  Genesis 14:21–15:6

       

My Thoughts:

This is the most amazing story. Abram is old and has no children. He has just made an incredible move with his wife and all his earthly belongings. He meets with Hashem and Hashem tells him that “I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.” He elaborates that He will be blessing Abram with generations of descendants. 

How hard would this be to believe? It sounds like Abram has been married for years without having children. Now he is in the land that Hashem brings him to and not only is he rewarded with a new life in a new land, but with descendants as numerous as the stars. Abram was righteous and part of being so most likely means your faith is huge. Abram had no idea how this was all going to happen, but he believed. 

How often do we look to Hashem for a huge request in prayer? And how often do we believe He will answer? 

Challenge: 

Think of something that you really believe you need help with. It could be a physical/mental/emotional healing for you or someone you love. It could be finances to pay off debt. A new job, a new house or simply a new life. Maybe you have an addiction that has been impossible to take care of. My challenge is for you to ask Him for help. Ask big, pray and wait. In the meanwhile, worship and be obedient to our faithful Elohim. And believe. Be like Abram and look for the impossible.

Reading #5 -  Genesis 14:21–15:6

14:21 The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people, and take the goods for yourself.”

22 Abram said to the king of Sodom, “I have lifted up my hand to Hashem, Elohim Most High, possessor of heaven and earth, 23 that I will not take a thread nor a sandal strap nor anything that is yours, lest you should say, ‘I have made Abram rich.’ 24 I will accept nothing from you except that which the young men have eaten, and the portion of the men who went with me: Aner, Eshcol, and Mamre. Let them take their portion.”

15 After these things Hashem’s word came to Abram in a vision, saying, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward.”

2 Abram said, “L-rd Hashem, what will you give me, since I go childless, and he who will inherit my estate is Eliezer of Damascus?” 3 Abram said, “Behold, you have given no children to me: and, behold, one born in my house is my heir.”

4 Behold, Hashem’s word came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir, but he who will come out of your own body will be your heir.” 5 Hashem brought him outside, and said, “Look now toward the sky, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” He said to Abram, “So your offspring will be.” 6 He believed in Hashem, who credited it to him for righteousness.

Noach - Reading #5

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Reading #5 -  Genesis 9:8–17         

My Thoughts: 

A covenant with Hashem is a sacred agreement. It will never be broken by Him. This covenant He makes with Noah and “every living creature of all flesh” is to never flood the earth again, never. It is said by many that this is the first formal covenant between Hashem and man. There are approximately six covenants that follow later.

A rainbow is a sign of Hashem’s promise to His creation. It can be used by various groups of peoples in different times to mean other things - but the true Biblical and authentic meaning is a sign of Hashem’s eternal promise never to flood the earth.

When my husband and daughters were praying about adopting two baby brothers from Korea, we saw a double rainbow in the sky! We knew it was a sign from Hashem that adopting these two wonderful boys was going to be a blessing and that He would be with us every step of the way! I can testify that after 35 years this is true! My sons have blessed us and others in many special ways! 

This about what this special covenant that Hashem made with Noah - means to you. Bring what happened thousands of years ago to our present day. What have we learned?

Challenge:

Have you ever made an agreement with Hashem? Did you ever say to Him, “G-d if you give me this or if you do this, then I promise I will never -------- again.” Try to remember the time(s) you did this. And if you haven’t held fast to your agreement with Him, I would suggest you get on your knees and repent. And make it right.

Reading #5 - Genesis 9:8–17

9:8 Elohim spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 Elohim said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 I will remember my covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between Elohim and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 Elohim said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

B'reisheet - Reading #5

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning

Torah Portion Genesis 1:1-6:8

Reading #5 - Genesis 4:19–22

My Thoughts:

After Cain moves away and leaves the presence of G-d and his family, Scripture begins to list a line of his descendants. In this rather short reading we learn a little about Tubal Cain “a forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron.” If you begin to research this you may find that it was thought that Tubal Cain was actually a blacksmith that made weapons. Kind of ironic don’t you think? His distant great grandfather - Cain - commits the first documented murder in the Bible. Now his great grandson (to the 5th order?) is producing weapons.

Hashem specifically gives us the commandment not to murder. And yet we see how early on in the history of mankind this commandment is broken and sin perseveres. Don’t you ever wonder how man so quickly and easily began to sin, even when Hashem’s presence was still evident? Just something to think about. 

Challenge:

So, maybe you have a great time praying with Hashem or you are in a church/assembly service and really feel His presence in that place. But, five minutes later you do something sinful? I’ve been there and done it. My challenge today is to see if you can become MORE conscious of NOT sinning. Even if for just a day?

Reading #5 Genesis 4:19–22

4:19 Lamech took two wives: the name of the first one was Adah, and the name of the second one was Zillah. 20 Adah gave birth to Jabal, who was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 21 His brother’s name was Jubal, who was the father of all who handle the harp and pipe. 22 Zillah also gave birth to Tubal Cain, the forger of every cutting instrument of bronze and iron. Tubal Cain’s sister was Naamah.

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #5

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

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 will all totally seek after Hashem and we will all remain His “Jeshurun”. Hashem please forgive us all for our sins. Amen. 

Challenge:

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

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

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

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, 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 compassion and not His judgment. Amen.

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 no one can take you out of His hand. We must remember that Hashem can and will keep us alive and will heal us too. We just need to ask Him. That is my challenge today. If you need healing, maybe you have a serious 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. Amen.

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.

Ki Tavo - Reading #5

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

My Thoughts:

Here are some Commandments from Hashem. And following them comes a very special blessing in 28:2 “All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice.” Isn’t that so amazing? That not only are you going to be blessed, but that the blessings will “overtake” you. That’s a lot of blessings! Have you ever been overtaken by anything? This is being taken by something really good, Hashem’s blessings. Common sense would tell me that if I only obey and listen to Hashem -- I will be super blessed. What’s so hard to understand about that? 

Challenge:

Verse 27:26 tells us what happens if we do NOT follow Hashem’s commandments, “Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.” Simply said, if you don’t do what He has told us to do, you will be cursed. Do we really understand the “weight” of these words? Do we really understand what being “cursed” means? Continuing on in Chapter 28 we will see. The results of the curse are explained. My point is this -- do we really want to be cursed? Or even this, do we believe that we will? I guess if you don’t believe in the one true Elohim, then you don’t believe that you can be cursed. That’s a real problem and that is exactly what is going on today. I live in a country that for the most part is ruled by “godless” people. People who do not believe or honor Hashem in any way, shape or form. And because of this our country is a total mess. In the truest sense we have been “cursed”. And we are on our own. My challenge to you today is to think about what you can do about this. How can you be a part of helping our country, our government and our people to return to Hashem? How can you help “reverse the curse”? The answer is simple. Pray and be a light to His truth. Pray that the people in the USA will return their hearts to Hashem. That they will start following and obeying Him. Then pray that He will return to us. Be a part of changing hearts by being a “light” to His truth and how by following Torah you are being blessed. It starts with you and me. It can begin today. 

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

11 Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Hashem, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’

All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

17 ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

18 ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

28:1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments which I command you today, that Hashem your Elohim will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice. 3 You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. 4 You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. 6 You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out.

Ki Teitzei - Reading #5

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4

My Thoughts: In this week's Torah portion we learn that it is okay to pick corn or grapes from our neighbor if we happen to walk through their property. No trespassing laws, in fact an invitation to help yourself. But, of course only for what you need at the moment. Not to gather bushels full. It is very kind and generous to think that our Hashem allows this kind of trust and sharing. He also has rules for your harvest and the poor. Hashem makes it clear He does not want the poor to starve, and He is interested in sharing our blessings. Let us try to remember that in our daily lives.

Challenge:

Today we read some interesting rules about divorce and remarrying. It seems like Hashem is allowing divorce, but not remarrying that person again (if she has married someone else and they have died). In fact, He mentions it is an abomination if you do this. And that we do not cause the land to sin. It has to do with his wife being “defiled”. We may not quite understand this, but what we can understand is that He does not want us to sin. Period. Your challenge today is to look over your life -- pay attention to the areas you know where you are “sinning” or disobeying Hashem’s commands. Do not pretend that you are perfect. Because as soon as you think about this -- sin will be revealed. Even what you may think is a “small” sin, like gossiping. Gossiping is NO small sin. It affects people, and can ripple out to affect your community, thus affecting a part of the world. It gets “into the Land”. Get rid of sin in your life today. If it is a habit, then ask Hashem to help you. It may be hard to change, but He can help you. Guaranteed.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4

25 When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, then you may pluck the ears with your hand; but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.

24 When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 When she has departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3 If the latter husband hates her, and write her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband dies, who took her to be his wife; 4 her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled; for that would be an abomination to Hashem. You shall not cause the land to sin, which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance.

Shoftim - Reading #5

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 18:14–19:13

My Thoughts:

In verses 18 and 19 we read about Hashem telling Moses there will be another prophet like him, “I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him.  It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him.” Who is this prophet? Has he arrived? Many people believe Yeshua (Jesus) is this prophet, others Mohammed. Others believe their prophets like Joseph Smith, etc. Hashem provides a “test” for prophets. See if the prophets “words” have come to pass. If not they are a false prophet. Yeshua, I believe is the prophet Hashem is speaking about. He was sent by Hashem, and He spoke words that Hashem gave to Him. Some of His words came to pass like the Temple being torn down. Other words did not have “cut off” dates and have not happened yet, like the resurrection of the dead in the Olam Haba. Who do you believe to be this prophet like Moses that Hashem is speaking about? Search your heart, and search Scripture. And pray that Hashem shows you.

Challenge: 

In verse 10 we read, “This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you.” Killing innocent people brings blood on the land -- and blood guilt. You may think you support abortion in your community, but you may want to look at it more seriously. Abortion literally takes the life of an innocent preborn child. Aborted babies are either flushed down toilets, ground up in garbage disposals or buried in landfills (except for those who are sold for experimentation or pharmaceutical companies). Does that mean our land has “blood guilt” from this atrocity? My challenge to you today is to spend some time contemplating this. If you believe like I do, I suggest you look into helping to stop abortion in your community. There is a new movement of “sanctuary cities for the unborn”. Go to: https://sanctuarycitiesfortheunborn.com/ Just as in this portion, Hashem is helping people to provide sanctuary cities for babies yet to be born. How exciting is this? Pray about becoming involved!

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 18:14–19:13

18:14 For these nations that you shall dispossess listen to those who practice sorcery and to diviners; but as for you, Hashem your Elohim has not allowed you so to do. 15 Hashem your Elohim will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him. 16 This is according to all that you desired of Hashem your Elohim in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, “Let me not hear again Hashem my Elohim’s voice, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I not die.”

17 Hashem said to me, “They have well said that which they have spoken. 18 I will raise them up a prophet from among their brothers, like you. I will put My words in his mouth, and he shall speak to them all that I shall command him. 19 It shall happen, that whoever will not listen to My words which he shall speak in My name, I will require it of him. 20 But the prophet who speaks a word presumptuously in My name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die.”

21 You may say in your heart, “How shall we know the word which Hashem has not spoken?” 22 When a prophet speaks in Hashem’s name, if the thing doesn’t follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Hashem has not spoken. The prophet has spoken it presumptuously. You shall not be afraid of him.

19 When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations whose land Hashem your Elohim gives you, and you succeed them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, 2 you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the middle of your land, which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess. 3 You shall prepare the way, and divide the borders of your land which Hashem your Elohim causes you to inherit into three parts, that every man slayer may flee there. 4 This is the case of the man slayer who shall flee there and live: Whoever kills his neighbor unintentionally, and didn’t hate him in time past— 5 as when a man goes into the forest with his neighbor to chop wood and his hand swings the ax to cut down the tree, and the head slips from the handle and hits his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live. 6 Otherwise, the avenger of blood might pursue the man slayer while hot anger is in his heart and overtake him, because the way is long, and strike him mortally, even though he was not worthy of death, because he didn’t hate him in time past. 7 Therefore I command you to set apart three cities for yourselves. 8 If Hashem enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land which he promised to give to your fathers; 9 and if you keep all this commandment to do it, which I command you today, to love Hashem your Elohim, and to walk ever in his ways, then you shall add three cities more for yourselves, in addition to these three. 10 This is so that innocent blood will not be shed in the middle of your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, leaving blood guilt on you. 11 But if any man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises up against him, strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees into one of these cities; 12 then the elders of his city shall send and bring him there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die. 13 Your eye shall not pity him, but you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel that it may go well with you.