Acharei Mot - Reading #5

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

My Thoughts:

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

Challenge:

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

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

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

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

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

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

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

Acharei Mot - Reading #4

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #4 - Leviticus 17:1–7

My Thoughts:

Moses and Hashem are preparing the people to be a nation. Hashem is giving instructions on how to live in the Holy Land of Israel as a community, a large community. He is getting them ready to be among other peoples who do not worship the same G-d. As we know, it is easy to be influenced by others. And Hashem wants to protect us against that. He says over and over that they will be tempted to worship false idols (as they were also tempted in Egypt) – but ultimately they must seek and serve only Hashem. He provides a way to sacrifice a part of what they own to keep them close to Hashem. If we are “close” to Him we are less likely to go astray. Thank you Hashem for your Commandments. Please help us to follow You and Your instructions today.

Challenge:

In Judaism we study that the Commandments are numbered at 613. That can seem so overwhelming. But, it is not. It is a total joy to know how and when to serve Hashem. We do not have a Temple, so we should be praying every day for the Temple and Mashiach to return. In the meanwhile, we do the best we can do. We can daily offer up the sacrifice of prayer and worship. We honor the commandments that are possible. We try hard to love Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength. Amen.

17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which Hashem has commanded: 3 Whatever man there is of the house of Israel who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, 4 and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to offer it as an offering to Hashem before Hashem’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood. That man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to Hashem. 6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood on Hashem’s altar at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat for a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 7 They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’

Acharei Mot - Reading #3

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #3 - Leviticus 16:25–34

My Thoughts:

This is a once a year cleansing for the nation. We read in verse 34, “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” What a beautiful thing to cleanse a whole group of people once a year. Of course we repent and teshuvah individually – but this commandment is for the whole nation of people! I live in the USA. Can you imagine if once a year we had a national holiday where everyone took off from work and went to synagogue or church to confess their sins and beg for forgiveness for our land? As a group? The purpose of this national holiday would be to cleanse the nation? What would that do? Can you imagine? Maybe we would go into “revival” and rediscover Hashem! Something to think about. And promote?

Challenge:

Hashem really cares about our “nations” (His priority being Israel). Should we then as followers of Him, also care about our nation? Of course we should. We are being taught that it’s important who we are as individuals - we are taught to be selfish. We see this throughout our media. It’s time to promote the idea that we should “love our neighbor as ourselves.” It is a point in history when we have got to start considering the needs of others before our own. If we don’t we will continue down this slippery slope of destruction of “community” and “family”. My challenge to you today is to start looking out for others. Do it sacrificially. And we will begin to change the world. It will become a much better place. Amen.

Reading #3 - Leviticus 16:25-34

16:25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.

26 “He who lets the goat go as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp. 27 The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp; and they shall burn their skins, their flesh, and their dung with fire. 28 He who burns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

29 “It shall be a statute to you forever: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and shall do no kind of work, whether native-born or a stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 30 for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you. You shall be clean from all your sins before Hashem. 31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments. 33 Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34 “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.”

It was done as Hashem commanded Moses.

Acharei Mot - Reading #2

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:18–24

My Thoughts:

Kind of a different commandment to “confess” all the sins of Israel over a live goat. Of course it is very symbolic. The goat then is taken into the wilderness and left to roam. What is interesting is Hashem lets the goat live. Secondly, it is sent away. Just like us, I guess. We confess our sins and we live. He sends our sins into the “wilderness” and away from us. That to me is a gracious Elohim. Full of mercy and grace for all we have done wrong (and continue to do). Thank you Hashem.

Challenge:

Atonement for the Tabernacle is a number one priority. Before any sacrifices can happen, Aaron must be cleansed and so must the interior of the Holy of Holies. Makes sense. It should all be as perfect as possible because this is where the glory of Hashem will reside. Makes me think about our own lives. How “clean” are we inside for the “presence” of the Ruach HaKodesh to visit? We must daily confess and repent. Do Teshuvah. Ask Hashem to forgive us and prepare a place for His love to reside within us. Do you agree?

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:18–24

16:18 “He shall go out to the altar that is before Hashem and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the bull’s blood, and some of the goat’s blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20 “When he has finished atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready. 22 The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

23 “Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24 Then he shall bathe himself in water in a holy place, put on his garments, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.

Acharei Mot - Reading #1

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1–17

My Thoughts:

Aaron is a high priest, one that Hashem has chosen. He is making sacrifices for atonement. And casting lots for a scapegoat. This is all done because of sin. His sin and the sin of the people. Hashem makes a way for people to be forgiven and set free. He even uses a live animal to be set free into the wilderness - carrying the burden of sin. The blessing is that Hashem provides a way for forgiveness. We read in the Psalms over and over how He forgives - when we repent. Look over your life today and ask Him for forgiveness for what you have done in disobedience. Then provide a sacrifice to Him – prayer, good deeds, giving and/or worship. We may not have a Temple right now or priests to carry out atonement, but we have Him!

Challenge:

Hashem provides a way to live for everyone. I believe He sent Yeshua to show us that life. He sent a manifestation of Himself to His people so that they could draw closer to Him. Yeshua always “pointed” to the Father. And He decidedly taught the heart of Torah. If you read the Gospels you will learn more about Hashem through Yeshua. Just as we do through the Prophets and the Writings. I challenge you to read or reread them in the days to come. You will draw closer to Hashem through doing this. Just as Hashem commanded animal sacrifices to teshuvah and "korban" (draw close) to Him – so has He provided a Son to show us His way. Study both Torah and Yeshua and your life will be complete.

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1–17

16:1 Hashem spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before Hashem, and died; 2 and Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.

3 “Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. 5 He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 He shall take the two goats, and set them before Hashem at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for Hashem, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Hashem, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat shall be presented alive before Hashem, to make atonement for him, to send him away as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

11 “Aaron shall present the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12 He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Hashem, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. 13 He shall put the incense on the fire before Hashem, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the covenant, so that he will not die. 14 He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 16 He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells with them in the middle of their uncleanness. 17 No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

Week of Pesach - Reading #8

Reading #8 

Pesach VIII (on Shabbat) / פֶּסַח ח׳

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17

Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32-12:6

My Thoughts:

The three wonderful, blessed feasts Hashem commands us to follow are written in this portion. I was thinking that in the world we celebrate holidays and give gifts to our kids and to each other. But, in these feasts Hashem asks us to give gifts to HIM and to the poor. What a difference! At Pesach we are remembering His miracles and redemption. In the Feast of First Fruits and Tabernacles we are thanking Him for the harvests and bringing Him gifts from our abundance. The coolest part is – when you do this – you are blessed by Him! I have been doing some very difficult volunteer work. Sometimes I doubt whether I want to continue, but I feel compelled that it is all from Him to do this work. And every time I volunteer, I see abundant blessings afterwards. I know it is because of my obedience to Him for what He has called me to do. Review your life and what you do. Are you doing what He has called you to do? Are you giving back to Him a part of what He has blessed you with? Review, change and do what is right. Amen.

14:22 You shall surely tithe all the increase of your seed, that which comes out of the field year by year. 23 You shall eat before Hashem your Adonai, in the place which He chooses to cause His name to dwell, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to fear Hashem your Adonai always. 24 If the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it because the place which Hashem your Adonai shall choose to set His name there is too far from you, when Hashem your Adonai blesses you, 25 then you shall turn it into money, bind up the money in your hand, and shall go to the place which Hashem your Adonai shall choose. 26 You shall trade the money for whatever your soul desires: for cattle, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul asks of you. You shall eat there before Hashem your Adonai, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27 You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you. 28 At the end of every three years you shall bring all the tithe of your increase in the same year, and shall store it within your gates. 29 The Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, as well as the foreigner living among you, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Hashem your Adonai may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

15 At the end of every seven years, you shall cancel debts. 2 This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Hashem’s release has been proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may require it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release. 4 However there will be no poor with you (for Hashem will surely bless you in the land which Hashem your Adonai gives you for an inheritance to possess) 5 if only you diligently listen to Hashem your Adonai’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today. 6 For Hashem your Adonai will bless you, as He promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. 7 If a poor man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which Hashem your Adonai gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9 Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to Yahweh against you, and it be sin to you. 10 You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing Hashem your Adonai will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 11 For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land. 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 When you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty. 14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Hashem your Adonai has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Hashem your Adonai redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today. 16 It shall be, if he tells you, “I will not go out from you,” because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you, 17 then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise. 18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for he has been double the value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Hashem your Adonai will bless you in all that you do. 19 You shall dedicate all the firstborn males that are born of your herd and of your flock to Hashem your Adonai You shall do no work with the firstborn of your herd, nor shear the firstborn of your flock. 20 You shall eat it before Hashem your Adonai year by year in the place which Hashem shall choose, you and your household. 21 If it has any defect—is lame or blind, or has any defect whatever, you shall not sacrifice it to Hashem your Adonai 22 You shall eat it within your gates. The unclean and the clean shall eat it alike, as the gazelle and as the deer. 23 Only you shall not eat its blood. You shall pour it out on the ground like water.

16 Observe the month of Abib, and keep the Pesach to Hashem your Adonai; for in the month of Abib Hashem your Adonai brought you out of Egypt by night. 2 You shall sacrifice the Pesach to Hashem your Adonai, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Hashem shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall eat no leavened bread with it. You shall eat unleavened bread with it seven days, even the bread of affliction (for you came out of the land of Egypt in haste) that you may remember the day when you came out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4 No yeast shall be seen with you in all your borders seven days; neither shall any of the meat, which you sacrifice the first day at evening, remain all night until the morning. 5 You may not sacrifice the Pesach within any of your gates which Hashem your Adonai gives you; 6 but at the place which Hashem your Adonai shall choose to cause His name to dwell in, there you shall sacrifice the Pesach at evening, at the going down of the sun, at the season that you came out of Egypt. 7 You shall roast and eat it in the place which Hashem your Adonai chooses. In the morning you shall return to your tents. 8 Six days you shall eat unleavened bread. On the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to Hashem your Adonai You shall do no work.

9 You shall count for yourselves seven weeks. From the time you begin to put the sickle to the standing grain you shall begin to count seven weeks. 10 You shall keep the feast of weeks to Hashem your Adonai with a tribute of a free will offering of your hand, which you shall give according to how Hashem your Adonai blesses you. 11 You shall rejoice before Hashem your Adonai you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite who is within your gates, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are among you, in the place which Hashem your Adonai shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 12 You shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt. You shall observe and do these statutes.

13 You shall keep the feast of booths seven days, after you have gathered in from your threshing floor and from your wine press. 14 You shall rejoice in your feast, you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, the Levite, the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates. 15 You shall keep a feast to Hashem your Adonai seven days in the place which Hashem chooses, because Hashem your Adonai will bless you in all your increase and in all the work of your hands, and you shall be altogether joyful. 16 Three times in a year all of your males shall appear before Hashem your Adonai in the place which He chooses: in the feast of unleavened bread, in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths. They shall not appear before Hashem empty. 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to Hashem your Adonai blessing which He has given you.

Haftarah: Isaiah 10:32-12:6

10:32 This very day he will halt at Nob. He shakes his hand at the mountain of the daughter of Zion, the hill of Jerusalem.

33 Behold, Adonai, Hashem of Armies, will lop the boughs with terror. The tall will be cut down, and the lofty will be brought low. 34 He will cut down the thickets of the forest with iron, and Lebanon will fall by the Mighty One.

11 A shoot will come out of the stock of Jesse,

    and a branch out of his roots will bear fruit.

2 Hashem’s Spirit will rest on Him:

    the spirit of wisdom and understanding,

    the spirit of counsel and might,

    the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of Hashem.

3 His delight will be in the fear of Hashem.

He will not judge by the sight of His eyes,

    neither decide by the hearing of His ears;

4 but He will judge the poor with righteousness,

    and decide with equity for the humble of the earth.

He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth;

    and with the breath of His lips He will kill the wicked.

5 Righteousness will be the belt of His waist,

    and faithfulness the belt of His waist.

6 The wolf will live with the lamb,

    and the leopard will lie down with the young goat,

    the calf, the young lion, and the fattened calf together;

    and a little child will lead them.

7 The cow and the bear will graze.

    Their young ones will lie down together.

    The lion will eat straw like the ox.

8 The nursing child will play near a cobra’s hole,

    and the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den.

9 They will not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain;

    for the earth will be full of the knowledge of Hashem,

    as the waters cover the sea.

10 It will happen in that day that the nations will seek the root of Jesse, who stands as a banner of the peoples; and His resting place will be glorious.

11 It will happen in that day that Adonai will set His hand again the second time to recover the remnant that is left of his people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. 12 He will set up a banner for the nations, and will assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth. 13 The envy also of Ephraim will depart, and those who persecute Judah will be cut off. Ephraim won’t envy Judah, and Judah won’t persecute Ephraim. 14 They will fly down on the shoulders of the Philistines on the west. Together they will plunder the children of the east. They will extend their power over Edom and Moab, and the children of Ammon will obey them. 15 Hashem will utterly destroy the tongue of the Egyptian sea; and with His scorching wind He will wave His hand over the River, and will split it into seven streams, and cause men to march over in sandals. 16 There will be a highway for the remnant that is left of His people from Assyria, like there was for Israel in the day that he came up out of the land of Egypt.

12 In that day you will say, “I will give thanks to you, Hashem; for though you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you comfort me. 2 Behold, Elohim is my salvation. I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Adonai, Hashem, is my strength and song; and He has become my salvation.” 3 Therefore with joy you will draw water out of the wells of salvation. 4 In that day you will say, “Give thanks to Hashem! Call on His name! Declare His doings among the peoples! Proclaim that His name is exalted! 5 Sing to Hashem, for He has done excellent things! Let this be known in all the earth! 6 Cry aloud and shout, you inhabitant of Zion; for the Holy One of Israel is great among you!”

Bo - Reading #7

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about redeeming the firstborn. Interestingly enough, before the “golden calf” incident, the firstborn males of Israel were all to be involved in the priesthood. After the incident, only the Levites were designated for this. They did not participate in the golden calf event. And since that time, all Jewish firstborn males are to be redeemed. There is a ceremony today called the “Pidyon Haben” where a baby is presented to a priest and redeemed for 5 shekels (Numbers 18:16). It all reminds me that really everything belongs to Hashem. All of us are created by Him, live for Him and return to Him. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 9 we read about having a “sign” of Hashem’s Law on our hearts. The forehead and the hand. It makes me think this is because of thinking and implementing. Our thoughts must reflect Torah, our love for Hashem and others. Our hands must carry out all the duties/acts that He requests of us. I challenge you today to take some time to review if your thoughts and actions are representative of Hashem’s light in your life. And work on areas that are not. Improve and be better. For Him. For others.

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

13 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.”

3 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Hashem brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today you go out in the month Abib. 5 It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Hashem. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders. 8 You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Hashem did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Hashem’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Hashem has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

11 “It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it you, 12 that you shall set apart to Hashem all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Hashem’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. 14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Hashem brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Hashem killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Hashem all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand Hashem brought us out of Egypt.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In the crazy world we live in -- a world of G-dlessness -- we have a promise. The promise is all will be made well in the end. The garden of Eden will be restored in a sense, because in eternity we live with Him once again. We see this promise in verse 27 “Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease…”. I often think about what it will be like when we are in the Olam Haba (the world to come). Where in this world there is chaos, in the Olam Haba there will be “peace and ease”. Something we should look forward to, prepare for and pray for.

Challenge:

In verse 28 we read that there will be “consequences” for all we have done. We will be punished. I believe we receive that in our lives here on earth. For every sin we commit, there is a consequence. Whether you see it or not. And many times our sins affect others. Today would be a good day to take a hard look at your life. What are things you have or do in your life that do not bring glory to Hashem? It’s time to correct them. It’s time to make things right.

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

46:13 The word that Hashem spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt.

14 “Declare in Egypt,

    publish in Migdol,

    and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes:

say, ‘Stand up, and prepare;

    for the sword has devoured around you.’

15 Why are your strong ones swept away?

    They didn’t stand, because Hashem pushed them.

16 He made many to stumble.

    Yes, they fell on one another.

They said, ‘Arise! Let’s go again to our own people,

    and to the land of our birth,

    from the oppressing sword.’

17 They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise;

    he has let the appointed time pass by.’

18 “As I live,” says the King,

    whose name is Hashem of Armies,

“surely like Tabor among the mountains,

    and like Carmel by the sea,

    so He will come.

19 You daughter who dwells in Egypt,

    furnish yourself to go into captivity;

for Memphis will become a desolation,

    and will be burned up,

    without inhabitant.

20 “Egypt is a very beautiful heifer;

    but destruction out of the north has come.

    It has come.

21 Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall;

    for they also are turned back.

    They have fled away together.

They didn’t stand,

    for the day of their calamity has come on them,

    the time of their visitation.

22 Its sound will go like the serpent;

    for they will march with an army,

    and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.

23 They will cut down her forest,” says Hashem,

    “though it can’t be searched;

because they are more than the locusts,

    and are innumerable.

24 The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed;

    she will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.”

25 Hashem of Armies, the Elohim of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him. 26 I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old,” says Hashem.

27 “But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant.

    Don’t be dismayed, Israel;

for, behold, I will save you from afar,

    and your offspring from the land of their captivity.

Jacob will return,

    and will be quiet and at ease.

    No one will make him afraid.

28 Don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant,” says Hashem;

    “for I am with you;

    for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you;

but I will not make a full end of you,

    but I will correct you in measure,

    and will in no way leave you unpunished.”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

Interesting that not one bone of Yeshua was broken. Just like the Pesach lamb. Torah instructs us not to “break any bones” of the lamb (Exodus 12:46). Yeshua was killed on Pesach, just about the time they were sacrificing the lambs. The Pesach lamb’s life was given to redeem the firstborn male of the Hebrew households. When Yeshua died, He gave His life to redeem His people and set them free. I believe He came to warn His people that if they did not start worshiping Hashem and obeying His commands, that the Temple was going to come down (70 A.D.) and they would be dispersed for a long, long time. It was a strong message, but few heeded it. And His prophecy was fulfilled. 

When He came to warn His people about all this, He knew they would kill Him. But, He came anyway. He came because He loves us so much. His blood will not be wasted. It will be used to “seal the New Covenant”. The future covenant of Jeremiah 31. It all fits. He came to redeem Israel, to save the Temple from being destroyed. To help the people find their way back to Hashem. And some day we will do this.

Challenge:

If you are not familiar with how the death of Yeshua the Mashiach ties in with the Feast of Pesach, then I challenge you to start studying it today. There are many prophecies about the coming Mashiach written in Scripture. I believe Yeshua came first as the “suffering Mashiach”. And that He will return as the “King Mashiach”. If you want to learn more about Yeshua the Rabbi, go to my website: https://www.jesus-was-a-rabbi.com/

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

19:31 Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Yeshua, and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34 However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. 36 For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 37 Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”Zechariah 12:10