Beha'alotcha - Reading #5

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting

Numbers 8:1-12:16

Reading #5 - Numbers 10:11–34

My Thoughts:

The cloud lifts and the children go forward. We have talked about this before, but it still is so amazing! To be that CLOSE to Hashem, that you would watch Him literally tell you when to go and when to stay! Again, look at your life and see if you are so near to Hashem that you know what “direction” He is taking you. That you know His timing and watch Him closely. How could you lose?

Challenge:

So interesting in verse 32 when Moses is begging his father-in-law not to part and he says, “that whatever good Hashem does to us, we will do the same to you.” This makes me think. When Hashem is super blessing my life do I turn around and bless others? What a great idea! Kind of like “paying it forward”. Right? Think about today how you can bless someone, because you have been blessed by Hashem. And watch everything “role out” just like it should! Amen!

Reading #5 - Numbers 10:11–34

10:11 In the second year, in the second month, on the twentieth day of the month, the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle of the covenant. 12 The children of Israel went forward on their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai; and the cloud stayed in the wilderness of Paran. 13 They first went forward according to the commandment of Hashem by Moses.

14 First, the standard of the camp of the children of Judah went forward according to their armies. Nahshon the son of Amminadab was over his army. 15 Nethanel the son of Zuar was over the army of the tribe of the children of Issachar. 16 Eliab the son of Helon was over the army of the tribe of the children of Zebulun. 17 The tabernacle was taken down; and the sons of Gershon and the sons of Merari, who bore the tabernacle, went forward. 18 The standard of the camp of Reuben went forward according to their armies. Elizur the son of Shedeur was over his army. 19 Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai was over the army of the tribe of the children of Simeon. 20 Eliasaph the son of Deuel was over the army of the tribe of the children of Gad.

21 The Kohathites set forward, bearing the sanctuary. The others set up the tabernacle before they arrived.

22 The standard of the camp of the children of Ephraim set forward according to their armies. Elishama the son of Ammihud was over his army. 23 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur was over the army of the tribe of the children of Manasseh. 24 Abidan the son of Gideoni was over the army of the tribe of the children of Benjamin.

25 The standard of the camp of the children of Dan, which was the rear guard of all the camps, set forward according to their armies. Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai was over his army. 26 Pagiel the son of Ochran was over the army of the tribe of the children of Asher. 27 Ahira the son of Enan was over the army of the tribe of the children of Naphtali. 28 Thus were the travels of the children of Israel according to their armies; and they went forward.

29 Moses said to Hobab, the son of Reuel the Midianite, Moses’ father-in-law, “We are journeying to the place of which Hashem said, ‘I will give it to you.’ Come with us, and we will treat you well; for Hashem has spoken good concerning Israel.”

30 He said to him, “I will not go; but I will depart to my own land, and to my relatives.”

31 Moses said, “Don’t leave us, please; because you know how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and you can be our eyes. 32 It shall be, if you go with us—yes, it shall be—that whatever good Hashem does to us, we will do the same to you.”

33 They set forward from the Mount of Hashem three days’ journey. The ark of Hashem’s covenant went before them three days’ journey, to seek out a resting place for them. 34 The cloud of Hashem was over them by day, when they set forward from the camp.

Nasso - Reading #5

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate!

Numbers 4:21-7:89

Reading #5 - Numbers 7:1–41

My Thoughts:

The Tabernacle is finished and anointed. The princes from each tribe come to bring their offerings, which mostly go to the priests. It’s really about sharing what you have for the glory of Hashem. They took what they had and found a gift for Hashem, His tabernacle and His priests. It may seem to like us like it was an obligation, but really they must have seen it as an honor. Remember they were coming out of Egypt, idolatry and slavery. They were meeting the one true Elohim for the first time. Some did not even know who He was. Now they were witnessing His power, glory and majesty. They were probably eager to give gifts to support this!

Challenge:

How eager are you about giving gifts to Hashem and His people? Do you support Israel, the people and the Land? Maybe take some time to pray about how you can support Hashem’s people and the Land. In doing so you are giving honor to Hashem. Just make sure you do it with eagerness and joy. Check your motive. Maybe think about how the princes gave their gifts from their tribes. And how they were meeting Hashem, some for the very first time. They were learning how to worship, pray and give. It must have changed their lives. Maybe if we do some joyful giving -- it will change ours!

Reading # - Numbers 7:1–41

7 On the day that Moses had finished setting up the tabernacle, and had anointed it and sanctified it with all its furniture, and the altar with all its vessels, and had anointed and sanctified them; 2 the princes of Israel, the heads of their fathers’ houses, offered. These were the princes of the tribes. These are they who were over those who were counted; 3 and they brought their offering before Hashem, six covered wagons and twelve oxen; a wagon for every two of the princes, and for each one an ox. They presented them before the tabernacle. 4 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 5 “Accept these from them, that they may be used in doing the service of the Tent of Meeting; and you shall give them to the Levites, to every man according to his service.”

6 Moses took the wagons and the oxen, and gave them to the Levites. 7 He gave two wagons and four oxen to the sons of Gershon, according to their service. 8 He gave four wagons and eight oxen to the sons of Merari, according to their service, under the direction of Ithamar the son of Aaron the priest. 9 But to the sons of Kohath he gave none, because the service of the sanctuary belonged to them; they carried it on their shoulders.

10 The princes gave offerings for the dedication of the altar in the day that it was anointed. The princes gave their offerings before the altar.

11 Hashem said to Moses, “They shall offer their offering, each prince on his day, for the dedication of the altar.”

12 He who offered his offering the first day was Nahshon the son of Amminadab, of the tribe of Judah, 13 and his offering was:

one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,[a]

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

14 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

15 one young bull,

one ram,

one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

16 one male goat for a sin offering;

17 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nahshon the son of Amminadab.

18 On the second day Nethanel the son of Zuar, prince of Issachar, gave his offering. 19 He offered for his offering:

one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

20 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

21 one young bull,

one ram,

one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

22 one male goat for a sin offering;

23 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Nethanel the son of Zuar.

24 On the third day Eliab the son of Helon, prince of the children of Zebulun, 25 gave his offering:

one silver platter, the weight of which was a hundred and thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

26 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

27 one young bull,

one ram,

one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

28 one male goat for a sin offering;

29 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Eliab the son of Helon.

30 On the fourth day Elizur the son of Shedeur, prince of the children of Reuben, 31 gave his offering:

one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

32 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

33 one young bull,

one ram,

one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

34 one male goat for a sin offering;

35 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old. This was the offering of Elizur the son of Shedeur.

36 On the fifth day Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai, prince of the children of Simeon, 37 gave his offering:

one silver platter, the weight of which was one hundred thirty shekels,

one silver bowl of seventy shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, both of them full of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering;

38 one golden ladle of ten shekels, full of incense;

39 one young bull,

one ram,

one male lamb a year old, for a burnt offering;

40 one male goat for a sin offering;

41 and for the sacrifice of peace offerings, two head of cattle, five rams, five male goats, and five male lambs a year old: this was the offering of Shelumiel the son of Zurishaddai.

Bamidbar - Reading #5

Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר - In the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Reading #5 - Numbers 3:14–39

My Thoughts:

We read today how the Levites and their families camped all around the Tabernacle. They “surrounded” the Tabernacle. It is so interesting how Hashem would determine this. Don’t you like to be “surrounded” by friends? Or have you ever physically gotten in the “space” of someone you love to protect them? It’s not like Hashem needed protection, but what He did want was serious, committed, holy people encompassing His dwelling place. The rest of His people were neatly situated around the Levites. Hashem has order and meaning to everything He does. And so should we. 

Challenge:

How neatly ordered are the tribes situated in relation to the Tabernacle. Hashem has order and distinction to keep things going right. And in our lives it should be the same. Is your life well ordered, and organized? Or is it chaotic? Do you live off the “seat of your pants” or do you make deliberate plans? I know in my life, I like things to be in order. It feels safer and more peaceful. When my life is disorderly it feels very stressful. It’s like when you bring a new baby home and you don’t know what to expect. Your whole life may be turned upside down for a while until you set a schedule. It may feel pretty tiring and stressful until this happens. As it is in our everyday life. We need order, purpose and a schedule. Of course we can be flexible, but always having a plan is important. If you feel stressed, look at your life and see if you can organize it better. It will bring peace. And of course ask the Father for His help.

Reading #5 - Numbers 3:14–39

3:4 Hashem spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, saying, 15 “Count the children of Levi by their fathers’ houses, by their families. You shall count every male from a month old and upward.”

16 Moses counted them according to Hashem’s word, as he was commanded.

17 These were the sons of Levi by their names: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari.

18 These are the names of the sons of Gershon by their families: Libni and Shimei.

19 The sons of Kohath by their families: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel.

20 The sons of Merari by their families: Mahli and Mushi.

These are the families of the Levites according to their fathers’ houses.

21 Of Gershon was the family of the Libnites, and the family of the Shimeites. These are the families of the Gershonites.

22 Those who were counted of them, according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, even those who were counted of them were seven thousand five hundred.

23 The families of the Gershonites shall encamp behind the tabernacle westward.

24 Eliasaph the son of Lael shall be the prince of the fathers’ house of the Gershonites. 25 The duty of the sons of Gershon in the Tent of Meeting shall be the tabernacle, the tent, its covering, the screen for the door of the Tent of Meeting, 26 the hangings of the court, the screen for the door of the court which is by the tabernacle and around the altar, and its cords for all of its service.

27 Of Kohath was the family of the Amramites, the family of the Izharites, the family of the Hebronites, and the family of the Uzzielites. These are the families of the Kohathites. 28 According to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, there were eight thousand six hundred keeping the requirements of the sanctuary.

29 The families of the sons of Kohath shall encamp on the south side of the tabernacle. 30 The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of the Kohathites shall be Elizaphan the son of Uzziel. 31 Their duty shall be the ark, the table, the lamp stand, the altars, the vessels of the sanctuary with which they minister, the screen, and all its service. 32 Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest shall be prince of the princes of the Levites, with the oversight of those who keep the requirements of the sanctuary.

33 Of Merari was the family of the Mahlites and the family of the Mushites. These are the families of Merari. 34 Those who were counted of them, according to the number of all the males from a month old and upward, were six thousand two hundred.

35 The prince of the fathers’ house of the families of Merari was Zuriel the son of Abihail. They shall encamp on the north side of the tabernacle. 36 The appointed duty of the sons of Merari shall be the tabernacle’s boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, all its instruments, all its service, 37 the pillars of the court around it, their sockets, their pins, and their cords.

38 Those who encamp before the tabernacle eastward, in front of the Tent of Meeting toward the sunrise, shall be Moses, with Aaron and his sons, keeping the requirements of the sanctuary for the duty of the children of Israel. The outsider who comes near shall be put to death. 39 All who were counted of the Levites, whom Moses and Aaron counted at the commandment of Hashem, by their families, all the males from a month old and upward, were twenty-two thousand.

Behar/Bechukotai - Reading #5

BEHAR/BECHUKOTAI

Leviticus 25:1-27:34

Reading #5 -  Leviticus 26:10-46

My Thoughts:

We read today all about the “cost” of not following Hashem and His Commandments. And it is so sad and horrible. The worst is the “scattering” out of the Land. If we can’t be in the Land -- we can’t go to the Temple or even have a Temple. The punishment for sinning against Hashem is HUGE and always has been. But, He continues to be full of mercy and grace. Verses 40 and 41 give us the solution, the resolve. First, we must repent. Earnestly, confess to Hashem our sins and make restitution. Secondly, we must walk humbly before Him. In other words, put Hashem first in our lives. Revolve our lives around Him and His Scriptures, not expect Him to revolve Himself around what we choose. And lastly, we must accept our punishment. We learn when we are punished and most likely we will be more careful not to sin again in fear of Hashem and His punishment. We know sin has consequences, and it is super hard to accept these. But, we must so that we can return to Him, and return to the LAND! We want to stay attached to the Covenant with Hashem. Let’s be careful from now on.

Challenge:

Priorities. This week I was miserable. We are in the middle of getting ready to sell our house, and as most of you know that is an incredible amount of work. I have been working hard and have been overwhelmed. What really happened is that I started to worry about a lot of things and it brought great stress. All my priorities were getting “out of order”. Put “stuff” before Elohim, instead of keeping Him in first place! Then through talking with some prayer partners I realized that I was not trusting Hashem. I have been trying to do everything in my own strength, instead of relying on Him. It has been suffocating to live this way. Last night I made a decision. My life is Elohim’s and whatever and however He wants to move in my life -- it is time to surrender it all to Him. I want Him to be in my everyday life, showing me the way. I want to go back to trusting Him and following Him. I want to depend on Him to lead my way, and not try to do this all on my own. That is my challenge to you today, to turn everything over to Hashem today. If you are struggling, ask Him for help and then wait on Him. Try to stop doing things on your own and trust in Him. Put Elohim back in the first spot in your life. Make Him number one! Then everything else will fall into line. Amen!

Reading #5 -  Leviticus 26:10-46

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Emor - Reading #5

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #5 - Leviticus 23:23–32

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about celebration and honoring the “Feast of Trumpets” (Yom Teruah). On this day we blow the shofar and have a holy convocation.  Some believe this is the day that the Mashiach will return. That we will look up and see Him coming in the clouds. Coming to earth to gather His people to Jerusalem where He will rule and reign forever. Whatever happens that day we know it will be divine and like no other. If you don’t already pray for the Mashiach to come, then I ask you to start praying. Our world is upside down. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Only Hashem can straighten this out. Pray for Him to come.

Challenge:

Once a year we remember the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). In verse 27 we read, “You shall afflict yourselves.” We are to do this to remember the sin we have committed. Sin is far reaching. It affects those around us and the world we live in. Here is a day where Hashem has laid it aside so that we can pray and fast (afflict ourselves) and be forgiven. Isn’t it amazing that we serve an Elohim that is so full of grace and mercy and that He forgives us for our disobedience? When there is a Temple there is a procedure for forgiving the Nation. For right now, we go to Him and for ten days preceding this Feast we ask Him and others to forgive us. It purifies us and helps to repair the world. This Yom Kippur I challenge you to plan ahead for. Study it through Scripture and find out what you are to do. Think about it in advance. And start going to the people that you need to restore relationships with. Maybe if we all did this, and prayed for His return, He would come sooner than later. You think?

Reading #5 - Leviticus 23:23–32

23:23 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no regular work. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem.’”

26 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement. It shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall afflict yourselves and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 You shall do no kind of work in that same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Hashem your Adonai. 29 For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whoever does any kind of work in that same day, I will destroy that person from among his people. 31 You shall do no kind of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath.”

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #5

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

My Thoughts:

In verse 28 we are told not to put any tattoos on our skin. What part of this Commandment do we not understand? It’s so interesting that when we disobey a Commandment (believe I have done this too!) that we justify our actions. Maybe you think Hashem is talking about tattoos to false gods or this was a different culture or time. But, if we take His Word at face value we see that we are not to mark our skin at all. He says no to this. So, tattoos are wrong -- they are sin. If you have tattoos then maybe it is time to repent and make restitution. If you are thinking about getting one, I pray you take this Commandment literally and do not get one. Seek Hashem, He will show you!

Challenge:

Here is a huge challenge, one that I deal with often because I have small grandchildren. In verse 31 we are told not to “seek” or be “defiled” by medium and wizards. Well, if you turn on kids TV you will find most every station has “magic”, witches, fairies and all sorts of wizardry. If we watch this or even play act with magic aren’t we entertaining wizards and mediums? I will usually justify and say to myself, “It is only make believe”. But, again we are dodging an important Commandment and influencing our children. Lately, I have been saying to my grand kids, “Bubbie does not like magic”. And I will say we can do special things instead. Torah is strict about teaching our children the Truth. Time to change. I know it’s hard. But separation from the Father is even harder, it’s unbearable.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

19:15 “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.

16 “‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.

“‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Hashem.

17 “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Hashem.

19 “‘You shall keep my statutes.

“‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals.

“‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed;

“‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.

20 “‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 He shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Hashem for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tazria-Metzora - Reading #5

Tazria-Metzora

She will conceive/Leper — תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע

Torah Portion: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33

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Reading #5 - Leviticus 14:21-32 

My Thoughts:

Interesting that the blood the priest is placing on the individual that has been healed from leprosy/infections is the same procedure that Moses applied to Aaron and the priests when the Tabernacle was being sanctified. We have talked about this before. The symbolism of these placements of blood could mean the following. That the blood on the right ear is for making sure what you are listening to is not unholy. The blood on the right thumb is making sure that what you put your hands to (work, deeds) is also to be holy, not unholy. And applying blood to the right toe could mean you should be walking the path of holiness at all times, right alongside Hashem. Once again, Hashem is telling us that in all our ways to honor Him, obey Him, worship Him and be holy as He is holy.

Challenge:

I challenge you today to think about the things that you do in your life that are holy and unholy. What kind of media/entertainment are you listening to? What kind of deeds are you putting your hands to? Where are the places that you walk to and through? Do you give honor and glory to Hashem for all these things? Or do you hide from Him when you know you are doing wrong? Today, try to start making things right before Him! Try to walk, listen and do as He would want you to! Amen?

Leviticus 14:21-32 

Leviticus 14:21 “If he is poor, and can’t afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering, and a log of oil; 22 and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.

23 “On the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, before Hashem. 24 The priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Hashem. 25 He shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering. The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and 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. 26 The priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand; 27 and the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Hashem. 28 Then the priest shall put some 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, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering. 29 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, to make atonement for him before Hashem. 30 He shall offer one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, which ever he is able to afford, 31 of the kind he is able to afford, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meal offering. The priest shall make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before Hashem.”

32 This is the law for him in whom is the plague of leprosy, who is not able to afford the sacrifice for his cleansing.

Shemini - Reading #5

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #5 - Leviticus 10:16–20

My Thoughts:

Aaron is not really allowed to do much mourning for his sons, so he chose to not eat the sin offering (verse 19). Maybe because he was sad or wanted to fast. For whatever reason it is definitely tied in with the death of his sons. And once Moses hears his reasoning he seems to excuse him. This teaches us today that sometimes we need to be flexible with people. We need to have compassion and understanding, and not judge too quickly. We need to listen to people and hear their hearts. And that means if we have to change our plans -- that’s okay. Let’s continue to learn how to treat others through Torah study. Amen!

Challenge:

Also today we learn about obeying authority. And also questioning authority. There is definitely a time and place to do so. I used to say to my employees -- “Family comes first”. So, if there were family issues or events that were important, that took precedence over work. Not all employers are like that. So today I challenge you to think about your boss/employer. Be sure to be kind and do what he/she says. If they are not understanding something you are trying to tell them then have patience and explain. Work it out. Just like Aaron did!

Reading #5 - Leviticus 10:16–20

10:16 Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burned. He was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying, 17 “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Hashem? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly should have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.”

19 Aaron spoke to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before Hashem; and such things as these have happened to me. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in Hashem’s sight?”

20 When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.

Tzav - Reading #5

Tzav צַו - Command!

Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Reading #5 - Leviticus 8:14–21

My Thoughts:

Verse 14 says they “laid hands” on the bull. Usually “laying hands” on something or someone means some sort of dedication or transference. Here it could be both. They are dedicating this great animal to Hashem and they are “transferring” the sins of the people onto this sacrifice. Sometimes when people pray for me or others - they “lay hands” on us. I believe what they are trying to do is “transfer” Hashem’s healing power, love and grace onto the person they are praying for. Just one word of caution -- do not just let anybody lay hands on you, be sure you know the person and you trust them. They are helping Elohim’s power and plan to reach you.

Challenge:

Again, we are learning Hashem’s specific rules for sacrifice. They are carefully laid out and nothing is to be missed when applying them. We need to look at the whole Torah this way. We are to follow things exactly and not with carelessness. Pay attention to the details and learn to study each Commandment. I encourage you as you read the giving of the Laws in Torah, that you see who they apply to your life today and how you can follow them carefully and exactly as you are able. Torah is life. Breathe it in and obey it.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 8:14–21

14 He brought the bull of the sin offering, and Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the bull of the sin offering. 15 He killed it; and Moses took the blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar with his finger, and purified the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar, and sanctified it, to make atonement for it. 16 He took all the fat that was on the innards, and the cover of the liver, and the two kidneys, and their fat; and Moses burned it on the altar. 17 But the bull, and its skin, and its meat, and its dung, he burned with fire outside the camp, as Hashem commanded Moses. 18 He presented the ram of the burnt offering. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 19 He killed it; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 20 He cut the ram into its pieces; and Moses burned the head, and the pieces, and the fat. 21 He washed the innards and the legs with water; and Moses burned the whole ram on the altar. It was a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayikra - Reading #5

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called

Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Reading #5 - Leviticus 4:1–26

My Thoughts:

When the priest makes these offerings for the unintentional sin of the people, they are forgiven. What is interesting is that Scripture does not say this is for intentional sin. What about that? We learn in later instructions and commandments that people who intentionally sin are either stoned (after being judged and providing witnesses) or they are cast outside the camp. Almost like there is no forgiveness for intentionally sinning. But, we know when we look at all the Torah, that He does forgive those who sin on purpose. He is a forgiving and just Elohim. And we are grateful that He is. 

Challenge:

Sin causes consequences. It hurts us, others and Hashem. Only a sacrifice and repentance can bring forgiveness. And because He loves us, He allows this. Today is a good day to check your heart in the areas where you know sin resides. Confess and repent. Bring a “sacrifice” before Hashem. It can be worship, prayer, praise and giving back to those we have sinned against. Look for reconciliation with Him and with others. Don’t wait. Sin is without cost. The sooner you take care of it, the sooner you will find freedom. Examine your heart today and change.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 4:1–26

4 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If anyone sins unintentionally, in any of the things which Hashem has commanded not to be done, and does any one of them, 3 if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer for his sin which he has sinned a young bull without defect to Hashem for a sin offering. 4 He shall bring the bull to the door of the Tent of Meeting before Hashem; and he shall lay his hand on the head of the bull, and kill the bull before Hashem. 5 The anointed priest shall take some of the blood of the bull, and bring it to the Tent of Meeting. 6 The priest shall dip his finger in the blood, and sprinkle some of the blood seven times before Hashem, before the veil of the sanctuary. 7 The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before Hashem, which is in the Tent of Meeting; and he shall pour out the rest of the blood of the bull at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 8 He shall take all the fat of the bull of the sin offering from it: the fat that covers the innards, and all the fat that is on the innards, 9 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 remove, 10 as it is removed from the bull of the sacrifice of peace offerings. The priest shall burn them on the altar of burnt offering. 11 He shall carry the bull’s skin, all its meat, with its head, and with its legs, its innards, and its dung 12 —all the rest of the bull—outside of the camp to a clean place where the ashes are poured out, and burn it on wood with fire. It shall be burned where the ashes are poured out.

13 “‘If the whole congregation of Israel sins, and the thing is hidden from the eyes of the assembly, and they have done any of the things which Hashem has commanded not to be done, and are guilty; 14 when the sin in which they have sinned is known, then the assembly shall offer a young bull for a sin offering, and bring it before the Tent of Meeting. 15 The elders of the congregation shall lay their hands on the head of the bull before Hashem; and the bull shall be killed before Hashem. 16 The anointed priest shall bring some of the blood of the bull to the Tent of Meeting. 17 The priest shall dip his finger in the blood and sprinkle it seven times before Hashem, before the veil. 18 He shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar which is before Hashem, that is in the Tent of Meeting; and the rest of the blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 19 All its fat he shall take from it, and burn it on the altar. 20 He shall do this with the bull; as he did with the bull of the sin offering, so he shall do with this; and the priest shall make atonement for them, and they shall be forgiven. 21 He shall carry the bull outside the camp, and burn it as he burned the first bull. It is the sin offering for the assembly.

22 “‘When a ruler sins, and unwittingly does any one of all the things which Hashem his Elohim has commanded not to be done, and is guilty, 23 if his sin in which he has sinned is made known to him, he shall bring as his offering a goat, a male without defect. 24 He shall lay his hand on the head of the goat, and kill it in the place where they kill the burnt offering before Hashem. It is a sin offering. 25 The priest shall take some of the blood of the sin offering with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering. He shall pour out the rest of its blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering. 26 All its fat he shall burn on the altar, like the fat of the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin, and he will be forgiven.