Korach - Reading #6

Korach קֹרַח - Korach

Numbers 16:1-18:32

Reading #6 - Numbers 17:25–18:20

My Thoughts:

In this reading Hashem is explaining to us the role and some specifics about the priests and those who serve in the Tabernacle. No stranger is to be around them. It could be possible this is for a couple of reasons. First of all, strangers may not have the right “motives” for approaching the priests. There is a “protocol” for strangers and foreigners obeying and following Torah. I believe once they decide to “join” Israel they are no longer considered strangers. Plus, strangers sometimes have a negative and poor influence on people. Hashem must be protecting the cleanliness and holiness of His servants who will be serving Him directly in the Tabernacle.

Challenge:

Today is about “sharing”. All that people bring to Hashem, will be shared with the Priests to consume. Of course, except for the offerings that are totally burnt at the altar. I heard once that Hashem doesn’t “waste” anything. It seems natural that He would not want all these offerings to be wasted or thrown away. I believe this is how things are in our lives today. Hashem does not want us to waste anything. We need to share what we have and recycle things we no longer use. My challenge today for you is to think about what you can begin to share with others, whether they are poor or not. And to be more careful about recycling things you no longer need to protect the earth. Yesterday, my husband and I went through old paints and chemicals in the basement. We have a few boxes to take to “recycling day” next week. There they will properly dispose of them. Instead of us throwing them into a landfill (which I have been guilty of in the past). Let’s protect what Hashem has given us and be respectful.

Reading #6 - Numbers 17:25–18:20

18:1 Hashem said to Aaron, “You and your sons and your fathers’ house with you shall bear the iniquity of the sanctuary; and you and your sons with you shall bear the iniquity of your priesthood. 2 Bring your brothers also, the tribe of Levi, the tribe of your father, near with you, that they may be joined to you, and minister to you; but you and your sons with you shall be before the Tent of the Testimony. 3 They shall keep your commands and the duty of the whole Tent; only they shall not come near to the vessels of the sanctuary and to the altar, that they not die, neither they nor you. 4 They shall be joined to you and keep the responsibility of the Tent of Meeting, for all the service of the Tent. A stranger shall not come near to you.

5 “You shall perform the duty of the sanctuary and the duty of the altar, that there be no more wrath on the children of Israel. 6 Behold, I myself have taken your brothers the Levites from among the children of Israel. They are a gift to you, dedicated to Hashem, to do the service of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You and your sons with you shall keep your priesthood for everything of the altar, and for that within the veil. You shall serve. I give you the service of the priesthood as a gift. The stranger who comes near shall be put to death.”

8 Hashem spoke to Aaron, “Behold, I myself have given you the command of my wave offerings, even all the holy things of the children of Israel. I have given them to you by reason of the anointing, and to your sons, as a portion forever. 9 This shall be yours of the most holy things from the fire: every offering of theirs, even every meal offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs, which they shall render to me, shall be most holy for you and for your sons. 10 You shall eat of it like the most holy things. Every male shall eat of it. It shall be holy to you.

11 “This is yours, too: the wave offering of their gift, even all the wave offerings of the children of Israel. I have given them to you, and to your sons and to your daughters with you, as a portion forever. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.

12 “I have given to you all the best of the oil, all the best of the vintage, and of the grain, the first fruits of them which they give to Hashem. 13 The first-ripe fruits of all that is in their land, which they bring to Hashem, shall be yours. Everyone who is clean in your house shall eat of it.

14 “Everything devoted in Israel shall be yours. 15 Everything that opens the womb, of all flesh which they offer to Hashem, both of man and animal, shall be yours. Nevertheless, you shall surely redeem the firstborn of man, and you shall redeem the firstborn of unclean animals. 16 You shall redeem those who are to be redeemed of them from a month old, according to your estimation, for five shekels of money, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, which weighs twenty gerahs.

17 “But you shall not redeem the firstborn of a cow, or the firstborn of a sheep, or the firstborn of a goat. They are holy. You shall sprinkle their blood on the altar, and shall burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 18 Their meat shall be yours, as the wave offering breast and as the right thigh, it shall be yours. 19 All the wave offerings of the holy things which the children of Israel offer to Hashem, I have given you and your sons and your daughters with you, as a portion forever. It is a covenant of salt forever before Hashem to you and to your offspring with you.”

20 Hashem said to Aaron, “You shall have no inheritance in their land, neither shall you have any portion among them. I am your portion and your inheritance among the children of Israel.

Shelach - Reading #6

Shelach שְׁלַח-לְךָ - Send For Yourself

Numbers 13:1-15:41

Reading #6 - Numbers 15:17–26

My Thoughts:

Today we read about the “wave offering”. It was done by the priests and it was a special offering made to Hashem. Apparently, the priest would “wave” the offering to and fro, above his head. It was a sign of servitude, commitment and peace. It makes me think about when people win something. They “show it off” by waving it above their heads. It’s like, “See everyone what I got!” So, when the priests were waving their offerings before Hashem, they could have been seeing, “See Hashem this is for You!” A special, set aside offering to show before Hashem. Pretty cool, right?

Challenge:

In verses 23-26 we learn about “mistakes” or errors. Everyone makes mistakes right? Sometimes we do them unintentionally and sometimes we do them willingly. The point here is that Hashem makes a way for forgiveness. Through the priests and the sacrificial system, sins could be forgiven. So, what do we do about forgiveness now? We pray and ask. Psalm 130:3-4, “If You, Hashem, kept a record of sins, Hashem, who could stand? But with You there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve You.” We confess and He forgives. Join me in doing this today. “Hashem please forgive me for all I do that is sin. I am so sorry for disobeying and not following You and Your Torah. Help me to be clean, please forgive me. I praise You and love You Hashem. Amen.”

Reading #6 - Numbers 15:17–26

15:17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 18 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land where I bring you, 19 then it shall be that when you eat of the bread of the land, you shall offer up a wave offering to Hashem. 20 Of the first of your dough you shall offer up a cake for a wave offering. As the wave offering of the threshing floor, so you shall heave it. 21 Of the first of your dough, you shall give to Hashem a wave offering throughout your generations.

22 “‘When you err, and don’t observe all these commandments which Hashem has spoken to Moses— 23 even all that Hashem has commanded you by Moses, from the day that Hashem gave commandment and onward throughout your generations— 24 then it shall be, if it was done unwittingly, without the knowledge of the congregation, that all the congregation shall offer one young bull for a burnt offering, for a pleasant aroma to Hashem, with its meal offering and its drink offering, according to the ordinance, and one male goat for a sin offering. 25 The priest shall make atonement for all the congregation of the children of Israel, and they shall be forgiven; for it was an error, and they have brought their offering, an offering made by fire to Hashem, and their sin offering before Hashem, for their error. 26 All the congregation of the children of Israel shall be forgiven, as well as the stranger who lives as a foreigner among them; for with regard to all the people, it was done unwittingly.

Beha'alotcha - Reading #6

Beha’alotcha בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ - In Your Uplifting

Numbers 8:1-12:16

My Thoughts:

Complaining. That’s what the first part of today’s reading is about. The Chosen people, led through the wilderness for a trip to the promised land, start to yearn for MORE. Isn’t that why we complain too? We are in the midst of something -- but we want more. More of people, more of material things, more of Hashem. I have been so convicted lately about complaining. I feel like when I do, it separates me immediately from the Hashem. It’s like grumbling is a huge offense to Him. And no wonder. He has given us so very, very much. And we want more. And if we don’t get it, we complain. Oh, how it must hurt His heart. I’m working on it. When I catch myself doing this, I try to repent immediately. And I try to correct my behavior. Maybe every time we think about complaining we should give PRAISE to Hashem!!! How our lives would change!

Challenge:

There is a great story at the end of this reading. Hashem puts the “spirit” that rests on Moses and gives it to the seventy elders. Then someone notices that there are a few extra people who seem to have the spirit on them, and are prophesying. But, Moses doesn’t see this as a problem, in fact he wishes everyone was moving in the spirit. Now, I am thinking this is the Spirit of Hashem that is resting on people. And I do believe His Spirit can rest on us today, too! And amazingly enough we can have the power to prophesy also! What would we need to do for this gift? It may simply all be in our relationship to Hashem. If we are close to Him, study His Word, obey Torah, repent and give to others - maybe His Spirit will rest on us too! Let’s think and pray about that today. Ask Hashem to “rest” His Spirit on you today. See what that does in your life! 

Reading #6 -  Numbers 10:35–11:29

10:35 When the ark went forward, Moses said, “Rise up, Hashem, and let your enemies be scattered! Let those who hate you flee before you!” 36 When it rested, he said, “Return, Hashem, to the ten thousands of the thousands of Israel.”

11 The people were complaining in the ears of Hashem. When Hashem heard it, his anger burned; and Hashem’s fire burned among them, and consumed some of the outskirts of the camp. 2 The people cried to Moses; and Moses prayed to Hashem, and the fire abated. 3 The name of that place was called Taberah, because Hashem’s fire burned among them.

4 The mixed multitude that was among them lusted exceedingly; and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, “Who will give us meat to eat? 5 We remember the fish, which we ate in Egypt for nothing; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlic; 6 but now we have lost our appetite. There is nothing at all except this manna to look at.” 7 The manna was like coriander seed, and it looked like bdellium. 8 The people went around, gathered it, and ground it in mills, or beat it in mortars, and boiled it in pots, and made cakes of it. Its taste was like the taste of fresh oil. 9 When the dew fell on the camp in the night, the manna fell on it.

10 Moses heard the people weeping throughout their families, every man at the door of his tent; and Hashem’s anger burned greatly; and Moses was displeased. 11 Moses said to Hashem, “Why have you treated your servant so badly? Why haven’t I found favor in Your sight, that You lay the burden of all this people on me? 12 Have I conceived all this people? Have I brought them out, that You should tell me, ‘Carry them in your bosom, as a nurse carries a nursing infant, to the land which You swore to their fathers?’ 13 Where could I get meat to give all these people? For they weep before me, saying, ‘Give us meat, that we may eat.’ 14 I am not able to bear all this people alone, because it is too heavy for me. 15 If You treat me this way, please kill me right now, if I have found favor in Your sight; and don’t let me see my wretchedness.”

16 Hashem said to Moses, “Gather to me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom you know to be the elders of the people and officers over them; and bring them to the Tent of Meeting, that they may stand there with you. 17 I will come down and talk with you there. I will take of the Spirit which is on you, and will put it on them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with you, that you don’t bear it yourself alone.

18 “Say to the people, ‘Sanctify yourselves in preparation for tomorrow, and you will eat meat; for you have wept in the ears of Hashem, saying, “Who will give us meat to eat? For it was well with us in Egypt.” Therefore Hashem will give you meat, and you will eat. 19 You will not eat just one day, or two days, or five days, or ten days, or twenty days, 20 but a whole month, until it comes out at your nostrils, and it is loathsome to you; because you have rejected Hashem who is among you, and have wept before Him, saying, “Why did we come out of Egypt?”’”

21 Moses said, “The people, among whom I am, are six hundred thousand men on foot; and you have said, ‘I will give them meat, that they may eat a whole month.’ 22 Shall flocks and herds be slaughtered for them, to be sufficient for them? Shall all the fish of the sea be gathered together for them, to be sufficient for them?”

23 Hashem said to Moses, “Has Hashem’s hand grown short? Now you will see whether My word will happen to you or not.”

24 Moses went out, and told the people Hashem’s words; and he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people, and set them around the Tent. 25 Hashem came down in the cloud, and spoke to him, and took of the Spirit that was on him, and put it on the seventy elders. When the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied, but they did so no more. 26 But two men remained in the camp. The name of one was Eldad, and the name of the other Medad; and the Spirit rested on them. They were of those who were written, but had not gone out to the Tent; and they prophesied in the camp. 27 A young man ran, and told Moses, and said, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”

28 Joshua the son of Nun, the servant of Moses, one of his chosen men, answered, “My lord Moses, forbid them!”

29 Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all Hashem’s people were prophets, that Hashem would put his Spirit on them!”

Nasso - Reading #6

Nasso נָשֹׂא - Elevate!

Numbers 4:21-7:89

Reading #6 -  Numbers 7:42–71

My Thoughts:

The tribe leaders all gave the same sacrifices to Hashem. Equality in worship of the Father. That’s an interesting concept. But, they didn’t give it all on the same day. They each had their own day. It reminds me of how it is now in a way. We each bring something to Hashem on our own special day. It could be on Shabbat or another day of the week. But, we can still do something or give something on a day set apart. The question is -- what are we giving/doing? Give this some thought and be like the tribe leaders, giving it a beautiful gift(s) to Hashem!

Challenge:

I feel like today’s reading is a lot about equality. No tribe leader was trying to “outdo” the other. They probably saw the first leader give their sacrifice and gifts and they decided it would be good to do the same. Maybe they realize that Hashem sees us all as “equals” -- so why outgive each other? It is a wonderful example of being fair. My challenge to you today is to think about your kids, grandkids, coworkers or friends and do you treat them equally when it comes to gift giving? Or do you have your favorite one that you treat differently? Maybe rethink your giving and try to make things EQUAL. I have a feeling that this is important. Probably, because no one gets hurt this way. Take a look at it and make any necessary changes. Shalom!

Numbers 7:42–71

7:42 On the sixth day, Eliasaph the son of Deuel, prince of the children of Gad, 43 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;

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

45 one young bull,

one ram,

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

46 one male goat for a sin offering;

47 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 Eliasaph the son of Deuel.

48 On the seventh day Elishama the son of Ammihud, prince of the children of Ephraim, 49 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;

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

51 one young bull,

one ram,

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

52 one male goat for a sin offering;

53 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 Elishama the son of Ammihud.

54 On the eighth day Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur, prince of the children of Manasseh, 55 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;

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

57 one young bull,

one ram,

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

58 one male goat for a sin offering;

59 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 Gamaliel the son of Pedahzur.

60 On the ninth day Abidan the son of Gideoni, prince of the children of Benjamin, 61 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;

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

63 one young bull,

one ram,

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

64 one male goat for a sin offering;

65 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 Abidan the son of Gideoni.

66 On the tenth day Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai, prince of the children of Dan, 67 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;

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

69 one young bull,

one ram,

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

70 one male goat for a sin offering;

71 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 Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.

Bamidbar - Reading #6

Bamidbar בְּמִדְבַּר - In the Wilderness

Numbers 1:1-4:20

Reading #6 - Numbers 3:40–51

My Thoughts:

Hashem is very detail oriented. Today He is commanding a redemption for the firstborn that exceed the number of Levites. Why? I can only imagine because He wants everything to be fair and equal. And He is taking care of the Levites, His very special people. He wants equality down to the littlest detail. It makes me think that He does care about even the small details in our lives too. I just told a friend that I didn’t want to bother Hashem with the small needs of my life and she said she thought that I should ask Him. That He does care, even about the little things. Like a parent wants to please even the small things that their child/ren ask him/her for. That makes sense doesn’t it?

Challenge:

When you are praying today and asking Hashem to do the big things (protect Israel, your family, stop sickness and hunger, etc) take a moment to ask Him for something minor. Do it with praise and of course any repentance you need to make. I think He does care about everything in our lives. He sure did at the time of this reading. After He honors your prayer, be sure to give Him all the praise and honor. I see Hashem in every part of my life and I pray you do too!

Reading #6 - Numbers 3:40–51

3:40 Hashem said to Moses, “Count all the firstborn males of the children of Israel from a month old and upward, and take the number of their names. 41 You shall take the Levites for me—I am Hashem—instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel; and the livestock of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the livestock of the children of Israel.”

42 Moses counted, as Hashem commanded him, all the firstborn among the children of Israel. 43 All the firstborn males according to the number of names from a month old and upward, of those who were counted of them, were twenty-two thousand two hundred seventy-three.

44 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 45 “Take the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the children of Israel, and the livestock of the Levites instead of their livestock; and the Levites shall be mine. I am Hashem. 46 For the redemption of the two hundred seventy-three of the firstborn of the children of Israel who exceed the number of the Levites, 47 you shall take five shekels apiece for each one; according to the shekel of the sanctuary you shall take them (the shekel is twenty gerahs; 48 and you shall give the money, with which their remainder is redeemed, to Aaron and to his sons.”

49 Moses took the redemption money from those who exceeded the number of those who were redeemed by the Levites; 50 from the firstborn of the children of Israel he took the money, one thousand three hundred sixty-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary; 51 and Moses gave the redemption money to Aaron and to his sons, according to Hashem’s word, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Behar/Bechukotai - Reading #6

BEHAR/BECHUKOTAI

Leviticus 25:1-27:34

Reading #6 -  Leviticus 27:1-15

My Thoughts:

Today we read about dedicating people, animals and houses to Hashem. I’m not sure what exactly this meant but here we have instructions on how to do this. It makes me think. Do we dedicate everything we have to Hashem? Do we dedicate our children, our spouse, our homes, our jobs and our belongings to Him? Or do we just believe we “earned” it all by our hard work and our own initiative? When we bought the house we live in, we had some special friends come over and we “anointed” it with oil, walked the property boundaries and dedicated it to Hashem. I believe this house has been set apart for Him. And now that we are selling it and moving it I pray that a family who loves Hashem, will continue to know it is really His and belongs to Him!

Challenge:

Today I challenge you to think about the things that you “have” in your life. Your home, kids, family and material items. If you haven’t already dedicated them to Hashem, then do so today. Just take time to pray, even “anoint with oil” your children, home, etc. Give it all to Hashem and thank Him for all He has given you!

Reading #6 - Leviticus 27:1-15

27 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to Hashem in a vow, according to your valuation, 3 your valuation of a male from twenty years old to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If she is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. 5 If the person is from five years old to twenty years old, then your valuation shall be for a male twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 6 If the person is from a month old to five years old, then your valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation shall be three shekels of silver. 7 If the person is from sixty years old and upward; if he is a male, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8 But if he is poorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before the priest, and the priest shall assign a value to him. The priest shall assign a value according to his ability to pay.

9 “‘If it is an animal of which men offer an offering to Hashem, all that any man gives of such to Hashem becomes holy. 10 He shall not alter it, nor exchange it, a good for a bad, or a bad for a good. If he shall at all exchange animal for animal, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy. 11 If it is any unclean animal, of which they do not offer as an offering to Hashem, then he shall set the animal before the priest; 12 and the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall be. 13 But if he will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of it to its valuation.

14 “‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to Hashem, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad. As the priest evaluates it, so it shall stand. 15 If he who dedicates it will redeem his house, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall be his.

Emor - Reading #6

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #6 -  Leviticus 23:33–44

My Thoughts: 

This is one of my favorite feasts to celebrate. It is such a joyous occasion. You decorate a “booth” -- eat and/or sleep in it for seven days. It is to remind us how the Israelites slept in such a type of temporary dwellings for 40 years. Each year I try to get creative in building a “sukkah”. We have friends over and celebrate. It is a really special time. This year maybe you can contemplate having a special booth to honor this very special time of the year.

Challenge:

We just spent this week learning about all the feasts. The wonderful thing is that they are cyclical. And each year they can be better. If you do not live in a Jewish or Messianic community it can be hard to celebrate these feasts correctly. So, I just do the best I am able. There is a lot of information of course on the internet and you can learn from it. My challenge for you is that if you are not already taking the feasts seriously – to start doing so now. The next feast is the feast of first fruits - Shavuot. Study about it, and figure out a way to remember it. I promise you and your family will be super blessed. The feasts help us to draw closer to Hashem by remembering His miracles and deliverances. Study and learn. Amen.

Leviticus 23:33 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of booths for seven days to Hashem. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.

37 “‘These are the appointed feasts of Hashem which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Hashem, a burnt offering, a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day— 38 in addition to the Sabbaths of Hashem, and in addition to your gifts, and in addition to all your vows, and in addition to all your free will offerings, which you give to Hashem.

39 “‘So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Hashem seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Hashem your Adonai seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to Hashem seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations. You shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in temporary shelters for seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in temporary shelters, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in temporary shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Adonai.’”

44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the appointed feasts of Hashem.

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.