Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #6

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #6 - Leviticus 19:33-20:7 

My Thoughts:

Verse 20:3 contains the declaration if you are offering your offspring to Molech - you are "Profaning My holy name." People would give their children, mostly babies as an "offering" to a god that didn't even exist.  Hashem says that in doing this you are profaning His holy name. Why? Because HE CREATED your offspring - they came from Him. And now you are giving them away, totally away to a foreign idol. How insulting and horrible. Unspeakable is this action. And yet today we are doing the same. We offer our preborn babies to the idols of selfishness during an abortion. I know this is hard to hear, but think of it. We are taking what Hashem has created and killing him/her. Destroying His creation. But, here is the good part.  We can repent and teshuvah. We can ask forgiveness and He will forgive us. He has grace for every sinner and if we have had an abortion we need to ask Him to forgive us. Today.

Challenge:

Verse 20:6 is about not following wizards – once again. It is really obvious that Hashem does not like playing around with magic. It is brought several times throughout Scripture. The Land they were going into was full of people and cultures who practiced sorcery. Hashem wanted His people to know this was not acceptable. Look at your life and think about what you do that is not acceptable to Hashem. Stop doing it and teshuvah. Turn around to do good. We must start becoming sensitive to sinful ways and what Hashem requires of us. Let’s start today.

Reading #6 - Leviticus 19:33-20:7

19:33 “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Elohim.

35 “‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. 36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Adonai your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 “‘You shall observe all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them. I am Hashem.’”

20 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 Adonai your Elohim.

Tazria-Metzora - Reading #6

Tazria-Metzora

She will conceive/Leper — תַזְרִיעַ־מְּצֹרָע

Torah Portion: Leviticus 12:1 - 15:33

Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24

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Reading #6 - Leviticus 14:33-15:15 

My Thoughts:

A sensitive, hard to discuss subject today. Most believe the discharge in today’s reading (Leviticus 15) relates to sexual activity. So, why all the rules? We know that reproduction is very important to Hashem, even a commandment to “go and be fruitful and multiply”. It makes sense that there would be some cleanliness rules surrounding this commandment. Hashem wants ALL of our being to be clean before Him -- inside and out. Because many humans do partake in sexual activity (meaningfully with a spouse) then we are now given instructions on how to become “clean” when we go before Hashem. It all makes sense. Just a delicate subject.

Challenge:

So, here is an odd challenge for today. Because in today’s reading we are discussing cleanliness rules after sexual activity, it may be a good time to review this area in your life. We live in a world that looks at sex as in a very different way than the one true Elohim. There is perversion, sex outside of marriage, multiple partners and disregard for honoring the sacredness of marriage. This is a good time to take a look at this area in your life. Are you giving honor to Hashem? Are you following His commandments? Review, repent, ask for forgiveness and change. That is why we have Torah -- to give us life. A life that is clean in all areas and close to Him.

Leviticus 14:33-15:15 

Leviticus 14:33 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 34 “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession, 35 then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, ‘There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.’ 36 The priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes in to examine the plague, that all that is in the house not be made unclean. Afterward the priest shall go in to inspect the house. 37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall, 38 then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days. 39 The priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the plague has spread in the walls of the house, 40 then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city. 41 He shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over. They shall pour out the mortar that they scraped off outside of the city into an unclean place. 42 They shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.

43 “If the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house after he has taken out the stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered, 44 then the priest shall come in and look; and behold, if the plague has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew in the house. It is unclean. 45 He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house’s mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.

46 “Moreover he who goes into the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening. 47 He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

48 “If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. 49 To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. 50 He shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 51 He shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 He shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, with the living bird, with the cedar wood, with the hyssop, and with the scarlet; 53 but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.”

54 This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch, 55 and for the destructive mildew of a garment, and for a house, 56 and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot; 57 to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean.

15:1 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, because of his discharge he is unclean. 3 This shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body has stopped from his discharge, it is his uncleanness.

4 “‘Every bed on which he who has the discharge lies shall be unclean; and everything he sits on shall be unclean. 5 Whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 6 He who sits on anything on which the man who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

7 “‘He who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

8 “‘If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

9 “‘Whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides on shall be unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

11 “‘Whomever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

12 “‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13 “‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

14 “‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before Hashem to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest. 15 The priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem for his discharge.

Shemini - Reading #6

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #6 - Leviticus 11:1–32

My Thoughts:

Now we begin learning about clean and unclean animals. We first hear mention of clean and the unclean on Noah’s ark. Now Hashem is telling us specifically what we can eat and what we can’t eat. Here it is clear in verse 7 that we are not to eat pig meat. What don’t we understand about this? If Hashem Himself is telling Moses to tell the people NOT to eat these animals, then we must NOT. Not only for obedience, but probably for health reasons too. Some of these animals eat bad things, which go into their system, which in return would go into ours. Hashem is protecting us. Why do we try to change His laws? Why do we say we don’t have to follow them anymore? Throughout the centuries man has had opinions about Scripture. I dare say this is probably the most serious misinterpretation of Scripture man has made. Search your heart. It is clear what we are supposed to eat and not eat. Then follow the Commandments. In them you will have life!

Challenge:

My husband ate raw bacon when he was a kid. He was sick for about a year and almost died. There are real and specific reasons why Hashem gives us Commandments. If He tells us not to eat certain foods, there is a reason. And even if there wasn’t shouldn’t we obey every Word He says? If you are eating unclean foods, and you have read the list today -- I encourage you to stop. He gives us so many different kinds of wonderful foods. Eat them. Obey Hashem and live. And start today.

Reading #6 - Leviticus 11:1–32

11:1 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying to them, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘These are the living things which you may eat among all the animals that are on the earth. 3 Whatever parts the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and chews the cud among the animals, that you may eat.

4 “‘Nevertheless these you shall not eat of those that chew the cud, or of those who part the hoof: the camel, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 5 The hyrax, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 6 The hare, because it chews the cud but doesn’t have a parted hoof, is unclean to you. 7 The pig, because it has a split hoof, and is cloven-footed, but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. 8 You shall not eat their meat. You shall not touch their carcasses. They are unclean to you.

9 “‘You may eat of all these that are in the waters: whatever has fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, that you may eat. 10 All that don’t have fins and scales in the seas and rivers, all that move in the waters, and all the living creatures that are in the waters, they are an abomination to you, 11 and you shall detest them. You shall not eat of their meat, and you shall detest their carcasses. 12 Whatever has no fins nor scales in the waters is an abomination to you.

13 “‘You shall detest these among the birds; they shall not be eaten because they are an abomination: the eagle, the vulture, the black vulture, 14 the red kite, any kind of black kite, 15 any kind of raven, 16 the horned owl, the screech owl, the gull, any kind of hawk, 17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18 the white owl, the desert owl, the osprey, 19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.

20 “‘All flying insects that walk on all fours are an abomination to you. 21 Yet you may eat these: of all winged creeping things that go on all fours, which have long, jointed legs for hopping on the earth. 22 Even of these you may eat: any kind of locust, any kind of katydid, any kind of cricket, and any kind of grasshopper. 23 But all winged creeping things which have four feet are an abomination to you.

24 “‘By these you will become unclean: whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening. 25 Whoever carries any part of their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening.

26 “‘Every animal which has a split hoof that isn’t completely divided, or doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. Everyone who touches them shall be unclean. 27 Whatever goes on its paws, among all animals that go on all fours, they are unclean to you. Whoever touches their carcass shall be unclean until the evening. 28 He who carries their carcass shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the evening. They are unclean to you.

29 “‘These are they which are unclean to you among the creeping things that creep on the earth: the weasel, the rat, any kind of great lizard, 30 the gecko, and the monitor lizard, the wall lizard, the skink, and the chameleon. 31 These are they which are unclean to you among all that creep. Whoever touches them when they are dead shall be unclean until the evening. 32 Anything they fall on when they are dead shall be unclean; whether it is any vessel of wood, or clothing, or skin, or sack, whatever vessel it is, with which any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the evening. Then it will be clean.

Tzav - Reading #6

Tzav צַו - Command!

Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Reading #6 -  Leviticus 8:22–29

My Thoughts:

Moses consecrates Aaron and his sons. He places blood on their right ear, thumb of right hand and toe of right foot (verses 23-24).  What does that all signify? Some sages and scholars believe the ears represent what you listen to, the hand represents what you do and the toe where you walk. That would make sense. We have to be so careful in all that we do. Sometimes I think, “If Hashem were here would He approve of this?” That’s a good measuring line. Imagine His presence and check yourself if you are doing the “right” thing!

Challenge:

Moses is consecrating (“making holy”) Aaron and his sons to do the work of the sacrifices, offerings, etc. in the Tabernacle. We learn from studying Torah that Hashem is into cleanliness and order. The animals must not have defects and the priests must be clean and wear clean clothing. Our Elohim is Holy and Just. We must not bring anything dirty before Him. As it is today. I challenge you to make sure you are not “dirty” before Hashem. In all you do and say, make sure it is pleasing to Hashem. Pray that He will “convict” you to know when you are doing something wrong. And listen to Him. Life will be better. And remember eternal life is in the Commandments.

Reading #6 -   Leviticus 8:22–29

8:22 He presented the other ram, the ram of consecration. Aaron and his sons laid their hands on the head of the ram. 23 He killed it; and Moses took some of its blood, and put it on the tip of Aaron’s right ear, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the great toe of his right foot. 24 He brought Aaron’s sons; and Moses put some of the blood on the tip of their right ear, and on the thumb of their right hand, and on the great toe of their right foot; and Moses sprinkled the blood around on the altar. 25 He took the fat, the fat tail, all the fat that was on the innards, the cover of the liver, the two kidneys and their fat, and the right thigh; 26 and out of the basket of unleavened bread that was before Hashem, he took one unleavened cake, one cake of oiled bread, and one wafer, and placed them on the fat and on the right thigh. 27 He put all these in Aaron’s hands and in his sons’ hands, and waved them for a wave offering before Hashem. 28 Moses took them from their hands, and burned them on the altar on the burnt offering. They were a consecration offering for a pleasant aroma. It was an offering made by fire to Hashem. 29 Moses took the breast, and waved it for a wave offering before Hashem. It was Moses’ portion of the ram of consecration, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayikra - Reading #6

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called

Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Reading #6 - Leviticus 4:27–5:10

My Thoughts:

Hashem makes a way for atonement for sin. A person who sins has to bring an animal for sacrifice, or animals are sacrificed for the nation. Animals were valuable to people, like money is to us today. Think if every time you sinned you had to pay some money, a lot of money. Would that deter you? Sin has consequences and we aren’t necessarily used to that. But, there is a natural consequence. There are people that are affected, and history can be changed by mistakes. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In thinking about sin and atonement, I challenge you today to spend a little time thinking about how the mistakes you have made affect others. If you are in a recurring sin, make a change. You may be in the middle of suffering from an addiction -- but realize how that affects those around you. I believe that with Hashem’s help we can stop sin in our lives. And we can make a special atonement. Make a gift or service for someone else. And be sure to ask for Hashem’s forgiveness. We may not have a Temple right now, but someday we will. We will be impacted by the physical consequence and cost of sinning. So, let’s practice being obedient now. Let’s get ready for His return.

Reading #6 - Leviticus 4:27–5:10

4:27 “‘If anyone of the common people sins unwittingly, in doing any of the things which Hashem has commanded not to be done, and is guilty, 28 if his sin which he has sinned is made known to him, then he shall bring for his offering a goat, a female without defect, for his sin which he has sinned. 29 He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill the sin offering in the place of burnt offering. 30 The priest shall take some of its blood with his finger, and put it on the horns of the altar of burnt offering; and the rest of its blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar. 31 All its fat he shall take away, like the fat is taken away from the sacrifice of peace offerings; and the priest shall burn it on the altar for a pleasant aroma to Hashem; and the priest shall make atonement for him, and he will be forgiven.

32 “‘If he brings a lamb as his offering for a sin offering, he shall bring a female without defect. 33 He shall lay his hand on the head of the sin offering, and kill it for a sin offering in the place where they kill the burnt offering. 34 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; and all the rest of its blood he shall pour out at the base of the altar. 35 He shall remove all its fat, like the fat of the lamb is removed from the sacrifice of peace offerings. The priest shall burn them on the altar, on the offerings of Hashem made by fire. The priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin that he has sinned, and he will be forgiven.

5 “‘If anyone sins, in that he hears a public adjuration to testify, he being a witness, whether he has seen or known, if he doesn’t report it, then he shall bear his iniquity.

2 “‘Or if anyone touches any unclean thing, whether it is the carcass of an unclean animal, or the carcass of unclean livestock, or the carcass of unclean creeping things, and it is hidden from him, and he is unclean, then he shall be guilty.

3 “‘Or if he touches the uncleanness of man, whatever his uncleanness is with which he is unclean, and it is hidden from him; when he knows of it, then he shall be guilty.

4 “‘Or if anyone swears rashly with his lips to do evil or to do good—whatever it is that a man might utter rashly with an oath, and it is hidden from him—when he knows of it, then he will be guilty of one of these. 5 It shall be, when he is guilty of one of these, he shall confess that in which he has sinned; 6 and he shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem for his sin which he has sinned: a female from the flock, a lamb or a goat, for a sin offering; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin.

7 “‘If he can’t afford a lamb, then he shall bring his trespass offering for that in which he has sinned, two turtle doves, or two young pigeons, to Hashem; one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. 8 He shall bring them to the priest, who shall first offer the one which is for the sin offering. He shall wring off its head from its neck, but shall not sever it completely. 9 He shall sprinkle some of the blood of the sin offering on the side of the altar; and the rest of the blood shall be drained out at the base of the altar. It is a sin offering. 10 He shall offer the second for a burnt offering, according to the ordinance; and the priest shall make atonement for him concerning his sin which he has sinned, and he shall be forgiven.

Pekudei - Reading #6

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #6 - Exodus 40:17–27

My Thoughts:

How exciting this must have been. After several months of preparation and construction, Moses is finally bringing it all together – just as Hashem commanded him. You see, he was preparing the most holy place for Hashem to dwell. He was making a “house” for Hashem, right here on the earth. Yes, they were witnessing His glory in the cloud during the day and fire at night. But, this was a place where Hashem was to be honored and worshiped. Where the people would be giving back to Him through sacrifices. Up to this point, it seemed like Hashem was giving of Himself to the people through signs, wonders and miracles. But now, the people had a chance to give back. To show Him how they loved Him and how grateful they were for their deliverance from Egypt. Look at your life today. How do you give back to Hashem?

Challenge:

As we see, the Tabernacle is a very special place of meeting Hashem. I have asked this before, but do you have a special place for Hashem? In Judaism, on Shabbat, a special place is always prepared. A table is set, candles are lit, bread is prepared and placed on the table, songs are sung, prayers are said and there are Torah readings and discussion. It is a very special way to honor and worship Hashem in today’s world. If you are not already honoring Shabbat in this way, I encourage you to start doing so. This is a challenge for myself, because we do not live in a Jewish community. But, I think it is time to start making Shabbat special, like the Tabernacle was made so special. A great place for a great Elohim. A place to meet on a regular basis. Amen!

Reading #6 - Exodus 40:17-27

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up. 18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 20 He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Hashem commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He set the bread in order on it before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayakhel - Reading #6

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #6 - Exodus 37:17–29

My Thoughts:

This Torah portion goes into detail how the lamp stand is to be made. Why does Hashem need a lamp stand when He is pure light? Remember the Tabernacle has no windows. So there is no natural light coming in from the outside. And even if His glory will shine inside the Holy of Holies, there will be minimal light in the Most Holy Place. Hence, the lamp stand. It is made specially of gold and with intricate flowers. Everything inside the Tabernacle has meaning and was created a certain way for a reason. Even the number of lights needed is important and makes for an interesting study. Maybe try doing some investigation about this today.

Challenge:

The incense table is important in the Tabernacle. Some have assumed that it is necessary to provide “smoke” so as to “cover” Hashem’s presence in the Holy of Holies. Others say Hashem loves the sweet fragrance of the incense. Remember the recipe to create the incense can not be used for personal needs – only to be present in the Tabernacle. In Scripture it is written that our prayers ascend to Hashem like incense (Psalm 141:2). This is especially important to remember during a time on earth where there isn’t a holy Temple. Maybe we can make this an intentional gift to Hashem to send up prayers daily – like an incense. A sweet aroma to Hashem!

Reading #6 - Exodus 37:17–29

17 He made the lamp stand of pure gold. He made the lamp stand of beaten work. Its base, its shaft, its cups, its buds, and its flowers were of one piece with it. 18 There were six branches going out of its sides: three branches of the lamp stand out of its one side, and three branches of the lamp stand out of its other side: 19 three cups made like almond blossoms in one branch, a bud and a flower, and three cups made like almond blossoms in the other branch, a bud and a flower; so for the six branches going out of the lamp stand. 20 In the lamp stand were four cups made like almond blossoms, its buds and its flowers; 21 and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, and a bud under two branches of one piece with it, for the six branches going out of it. 22 Their buds and their branches were of one piece with it. The whole thing was one beaten work of pure gold. 23 He made its seven lamps, and its snuffers, and its snuff dishes, of pure gold. 24 He made it of a talent of pure gold, with all its vessels.

25 He made the altar of incense of acacia wood. It was square: its length was a cubit, and its width a cubit. Its height was two cubits. Its horns were of one piece with it. 26 He overlaid it with pure gold: its top, its sides around it, and its horns. He made a gold molding around it. 27 He made two golden rings for it under its molding crown, on its two ribs, on its two sides, for places for poles with which to carry it. 28 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold. 29 He made the holy anointing oil and the pure incense of sweet spices, after the art of the perfumer.

Ki Tisa - Reading #6

Ki Tisa  כִּי תִשָּׂא - When You Elevate

Exodus 30:11-34:35

Reading #6 - Exodus 34:10–26

My Thoughts:

It is very clear from today’s reading that Hashem does not want His people hanging out with others that are clearly not believers. He knows they will influence them in very bad ways. So, therefore, He promises to wipe them out before their eyes. And tells them in verse 14 “Hashem, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous G-d”.

Do you ever picture Hashem being that way -- jealous? It’s kind of hard for me to picture that, but Scripture says He is. But, think about people you love, like a partner. Aren’t you a little jealous when they are with someone else? It must be in our nature. Anyways, the solution of course is to place our hearts and minds -- centered on Hashem, at all times. To not allow ourselves to be “influenced” in negative ways by others who are in the “world”. Stay close to His Word, pray and repent daily. Stay away from those who do not worship your Elohim, or you just may become influenced by them.

Challenge:

In 34:10 Hashem promises to do “marvels”. It may be His marvels were destroying the enemy, which of course would be huge. But, I think He is also referring to the everyday miracles He will be performing in their midst every day. And I believe those miracles have never stopped. I look at my life, and He is always working miracles and wonders in my life. I challenge you to take some time today and think about what miracles (marvels) Hashem has done in your life lately. Then acknowledge Him with praise and prayer. We are truly grateful for all He does for us and those we love!

Reading #6 - Exodus 34:10–26

34:10 He said, “Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of Hashem; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you. 11 Observe that which I command you today. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 12 Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare among you; 13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; 14 for you shall worship no other god; for Hashem, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous G-d.

15 “Don’t make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice; 16 and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.

17 “You shall make no cast idols for yourselves.

18 “You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib; for in the month Abib you came out of Egypt.

19 “All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20 You shall redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb. If you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before me empty.

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest: in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

22 “You shall observe the feast of weeks with the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of harvest at the year’s end. 23 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before Hashem, the Elohim of Israel. 24 For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither shall any man desire your land when you go up to appear before Hashem, your Elohim, three times in the year.

25 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The sacrifice of the feast of the Passover shall not be left to the morning.

26 “You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground to the house of Hashem your Elohim.

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Tetzaveh - Reading #6

Tetzaveh תְּצַוֶּה - You Shall Command

Exodus:27:20-30:10

Reading #6 - Exodus 29:38–46

My Thoughts:

The glory of Hashem sanctifies the Tabernacle, how wonderful is that? Can we even imagine what Hashem’s glory would be like? Would it light up the area? Would it bring you to your knees, would you lay prostrate, would you be totally consumed by His love? Maybe it’s good to think once in a while what it would be like to be “exposed” to the glory of Hashem. It is something we could yearn for and pray about. For the Temple to be rebuilt and for His presence, His glory to return. Let’s get ready for this. Let’s be living our lives in such a way that when His glory returns, we are ready to present our lives to Him. Every knee will bow, and every tongue will praise Him!

Challenge:

In verse 46 Hashem tells His people WHY He brought them out of Egypt, “that I might dwell among them. I am Hashem their Elohim.” He wants to dwell with us! But He needs a house to dwell in. Just like we do. And that house is the Temple in Jerusalem. I have mentioned this before. Please pray for the Temple to be built so we have a place for the glory of Hashem. We should do this daily. How exciting it will be when He comes! Get ready!

Reading #6 - Exodus 29:38–46

29:38 “Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually. 39 The one lamb you shall offer in the morning; and the other lamb you shall offer at evening; 40 and with the one lamb a tenth part of an ephah of fine flour mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil, and the fourth part of a hin of wine for a drink offering. 41 The other lamb you shall offer at evening, and shall do to it according to the meal offering of the morning and according to its drink offering, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem. 42 It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Hashem, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you. 43 There I will meet with the children of Israel; and the place shall be sanctified by My glory. 44 I will sanctify the Tent of Meeting and the altar. I will also sanctify Aaron and his sons to minister to me in the priest’s office. 45 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their Elohim. 46 They shall know that I am Hashem their Elohim, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, that I might dwell among them: I am Hashem their Elohim.

Terumah - Reading #6

Terumah תְּרוּמָה - Offering

Exodus:25:1-27:19

Reading #6 - Exodus 27:1–8

My Thoughts:

The altar of sacrifice. This is a very important part of Temple service to Hashem. In order to come before Him in the Holy of Holies -- and to have His continual presence -- there must be sacrifice. We must give in order to receive! And the way that Hashem has chosen is sacrifice. 

We don’t have a Temple to offer our sacrifices, but we still serve Hashem and want to be in His “presence”. We can offer the sacrifice of prayer, giving, serving and loving others. He has gifted us to give to others. Ask Him today what He would want you to “sacrifice” for the gift of being in His “presence”. Amen!

Challenge:

One of the greatest sacrifices we can give to Hashem is our gift of “time”. Whether we spend some time helping someone out, or volunteering, or most importantly praying -- we can present this gift to Hashem. Today I ask you to reflect on who needs your help. Or what organization you can support. And if you are praying daily to Hashem! It’s time to give back to Hashem for all the wonderful things He has given us!

Reading #6 - Exodus 27:1–8

27 “You shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long, and five cubits wide. The altar shall be square. Its height shall be three cubits. 2 You shall make its horns on its four corners. Its horns shall be of one piece with it. You shall overlay it with bronze. 3 You shall make its pots to take away its ashes; and its shovels, its basins, its meat hooks, and its fire pans. You shall make all its vessels of bronze. 4 You shall make a grating for it of network of bronze. On the net you shall make four bronze rings in its four corners. 5 You shall put it under the ledge around the altar beneath, that the net may reach halfway up the altar. 6 You shall make poles for the altar, poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with bronze. 7 Its poles shall be put into the rings, and the poles shall be on the two sides of the altar when carrying it. 8 You shall make it hollow with planks. They shall make it as it has been shown you on the mountain.

Beshalach - Reading #6

Beshalach בְּשַׁלַּח - When He Sent Out

Exodus:13:17-17:16

Reading #6 - Exodus 16:11–36

My Thoughts:

Everyone has unbelief. Even when Hashem is performing great miracles before your eyes. I guess. The Hebrew people did. He sent bread from heaven, literally. Parted a great sea. And He tells them not to gather on the Shabbat. But they try anyway. They go out and there is none to gather (verse 27). Does that shock you? That they would not believe their Elohim, who is displaying His glory from heaven! But, aren’t we the same? He will tell us something not to do very clearly, but we attempt to do it anyway? A good lesson to be learned this week. Listen to what Hashem is telling you and heed His word. Follow His Commandments fully and completely. He will provide.

Challenge:

In verse 30 Hashem is teaching people to begin resting on the Shabbat. Maybe in Egypt they were neglecting to do that. Or maybe they were ordered as slaves to work every single day. Here is Hashem, full of mercy and grace, gently leading them to the restoration of the Commandment of Shabbat. So, here is my question for you. Do you honor the Shabbat -- the seventh day of the week? If not or if you are not being fully obedient about observing the Shabbat -- then I challenge you to change. This is for me too! When Hashem says REST He means it. I think that anything we try to “gather” on the Shabbat will rot. So, why do it? Wait and gather the next day so that your harvest is abundant and fresh.

Reading #6 - Exodus 16:11–36

16:11 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 12 “I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel. Speak to them, saying, ‘At evening you shall eat meat, and in the morning you shall be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

13 In the evening, quail came up and covered the camp; and in the morning the dew lay around the camp. 14 When the dew that lay had gone, behold, on the surface of the wilderness was a small round thing, small as the frost on the ground. 15 When the children of Israel saw it, they said to one another, “What is it?” For they didn’t know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread which Hashem has given you to eat. 16 This is the thing which Hashem has commanded: ‘Gather of it everyone according to his eating; an omer a head, according to the number of your persons, you shall take it, every man for those who are in his tent.’” 17 The children of Israel did so, and some gathered more, some less. 18 When they measured it with an omer, he who gathered much had nothing over, and he who gathered little had no lack. They each gathered according to his eating. 19 Moses said to them, “Let no one leave of it until the morning.” 20 Notwithstanding they didn’t listen to Moses, but some of them left of it until the morning, so it bred worms and became foul; and Moses was angry with them. 21 They gathered it morning by morning, everyone according to his eating. When the sun grew hot, it melted. 22 On the sixth day, they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for each one; and all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23 He said to them, “This is that which Hashem has spoken, ‘Tomorrow is a solemn rest, a holy Sabbath to Hashem. Bake that which you want to bake, and boil that which you want to boil; and all that remains over lay up for yourselves to be kept until the morning.’” 24 They laid it up until the morning, as Moses ordered, and it didn’t become foul, and there were no worms in it. 25 Moses said, “Eat that today, for today is a Sabbath to Hashem. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26 Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day is the Sabbath. In it there shall be none.” 27 On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather, and they found none. 28 Hashem said to Moses, “How long do you refuse to keep my commandments and my laws? 29 Behold, because Hashem has given you the Sabbath, therefore he gives you on the sixth day the bread of two days. Everyone stay in his place. Let no one go out of his place on the seventh day.” 30 So the people rested on the seventh day.

31 The house of Israel called its name “Manna”, and it was like coriander seed, white; and its taste was like wafers with honey. 32 Moses said, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded, ‘Let an omer-full of it be kept throughout your generations, that they may see the bread with which I fed you in the wilderness, when I brought you out of the land of Egypt.’” 33 Moses said to Aaron, “Take a pot, and put an omer-full of manna in it, and lay it up before Hashem, to be kept throughout your generations.” 34 As Hashem commanded Moses, so Aaron laid it up before the Testimony, to be kept. 35 The children of Israel ate the manna forty years, until they came to an inhabited land. They ate the manna until they came to the borders of the land of Canaan. 36 Now an omer is one tenth of an ephah.

Bo - Reading #6

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

My Thoughts:

In verse 49 we read; “One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” Here is the first time that Hashem is actually saying that there is one law for both foreigner and native born. To me that means that if you decide to follow Torah and it’s Commandments then you become a part of Israel. You serve the same Hashem and to follow Him you follow the same Law. One Law for all -- as long as you are willing to serve Him together. (Just like Ruth!)  Isn’t that very exciting to those of us who are foreigners that love Hashem and His Word?

Challenge:

The Hebrew people left with beautiful jewels, gold and silver. All given to them from the Egyptians. What an interesting turn of events! One day they are slaves and the next day through the favor of G-d they are rich! Think of a time in your life when maybe you had a dramatic financial turning. Or when you received some unexpected money. If you haven’t already thanked Hashem, do it today. All good things come from Hashem.

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

12:29 At midnight, Hashem struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Hashem, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”

33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.

37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, in addition to children. 38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves. 40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of Hashem’s armies went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed to Hashem for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Hashem, to be much observed by all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

43 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it. 45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it. 46 It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 When a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, and would like to keep the Passover to Hashem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. He shall be as one who is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” 50 All the children of Israel did so. As Hashem commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 That same day, Hashem brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.