Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #4

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #4 - Exodus 38:1-39:1

My Thoughts:

Each man 20 and over were instructed to give a half shekel to the sanctuary. I just got an email this week from the Temple Institute saying it is a tradition to give a half shekel every year to the building of the Temple (or to a local synagogue). I thought about it and concluded that would be an awesome tradition to do each year. You can give to Temple Institute at: Temple Institute You will be super blessed.

Challenge:

We can tell by the instructions for the building of the Tabernacle, that we serve a G-d that is orderly and concise. There is chaos with disorder, there is peace with order. We need to follow His example. Today I challenge you to look at your life. Is your daily lifestyle clean and orderly? Or do you wake up without a plan, disorganized and/or live with chaos? If you are not organized it is time to become so. If we want to be “lights” for Hashem, we must reflect the way He is. And He is a G-d of order. Let’s work hard to be more like Him. Look in the mirror today and think about what you need to do.

Reading #4 - Exodus 38:1-39:1

38 He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood. It was square. Its length was five cubits, its width was five cubits, and its height was three cubits. 2 He made its horns on its four corners. Its horns were of one piece with it, and he overlaid it with bronze. 3 He made all the vessels of the altar: the pots, the shovels, the basins, the forks, and the fire pans. He made all its vessels of bronze. 4 He made for the altar a grating of a network of bronze, under the ledge around it beneath, reaching halfway up. 5 He cast four rings for the four corners of bronze grating, to be places for the poles. 6 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with bronze. 7 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the altar, with which to carry it. He made it hollow with planks.

8 He made the basin of bronze, and its base of bronze, out of the mirrors of the ministering women who ministered at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

9 He made the court: for the south side southward the hangings of the court were of fine twined linen, one hundred cubits; 10 their pillars were twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. 11 For the north side one hundred cubits, their pillars twenty, and their sockets twenty, of bronze; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 12 For the west side were hangings of fifty cubits, their pillars ten, and their sockets ten; the hooks of the pillars, and their fillets, of silver. 13 For the east side eastward fifty cubits, 14 the hangings for the one side were fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three; 15 and so for the other side: on this hand and that hand by the gate of the court were hangings of fifteen cubits; their pillars three, and their sockets three. 16 All the hangings around the court were of fine twined linen. 17 The sockets for the pillars were of bronze. The hooks of the pillars and their fillets were of silver. Their capitals were overlaid with silver. All the pillars of the court had silver bands. 18 The screen for the gate of the court was the work of the embroiderer, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. Twenty cubits was the length, and the height along the width was five cubits, like the hangings of the court. 19 Their pillars were four, and their sockets four, of bronze; their hooks of silver, and the overlaying of their capitals, and their fillets, of silver. 20 All the pins of the tabernacle, and around the court, were of bronze.

21 These are the amounts of materials used for the tabernacle, even the Tabernacle of the Testimony, as they were counted, according to the commandment of Moses, for the service of the Levites, by the hand of Ithamar, the son of Aaron the priest. 22 Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, made all that Hashem commanded Moses. 23 With him was Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, an engraver, and a skillful workman, and an embroiderer in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen.

24 All the gold that was used for the work in all the work of the sanctuary, even the gold of the offering, was twenty-nine talents and seven hundred thirty shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 25 The silver of those who were counted of the congregation was one hundred talents and one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels, according to the shekel of the sanctuary: 26 a beka a head, that is, half a shekel, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, for everyone who passed over to those who were counted, from twenty years old and upward, for six hundred three thousand five hundred fifty men. 27 The one hundred talents of silver were for casting the sockets of the sanctuary and the sockets of the veil: one hundred sockets for the one hundred talents, one talent per socket. 28 From the one thousand seven hundred seventy-five shekels[i] he made hooks for the pillars, overlaid their capitals, and made fillets for them. 29 The bronze of the offering was seventy talents and two thousand four hundred shekels. 30 With this he made the sockets to the door of the Tent of Meeting, the bronze altar, the bronze grating for it, all the vessels of the altar, 31 the sockets around the court, the sockets of the gate of the court, all the pins of the tabernacle, and all the pins around the court.

39 Of the blue, purple, and scarlet, they made finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place, and made the holy garments for Aaron, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #3

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #3 - Exodus 37:17-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we read about incense and light. It is important to have light in the Holy Place and incense to go up before Hashem. I think I read somewhere that the incense smoke penetrated through the curtains of the Holy of Holies where the Shekinah glory rested -- maybe to remind Hashem of the prayers of His people? Both seem necessary, pleasant and pleasing. It reminds us that we are to be a light for Hashem and that our prayers should be like incense going before Him daily.

Challenge:

Everything is either overlaid or created in pure gold. Only the very, very best for Hashem. My challenge to you today is this -- are you giving your very “best” to Hashem? Do you study His Word, do you talk to Him, praise Him and repent often for your mistakes? We know this. That Torah brings eternal life. I believe He created Torah because it is our “service” to Him as we live on this planet of His. By following His instructions for life, we draw closer to Him. We know Him better. Think of it this way. He created you and He created the world you live in. Therefore, follow His instructions closely on how to live your life. It’s all part of the wonderful “package” given by Hashem.

Reading #3 -  Exodus 37:17-29 

37:17 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[a] 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.

Vayakhel- Pekudei Reading #2

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read about Bexalel who is “filled with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, understanding, in knowledge and in all kinds of workmanship.” It is so interesting that Hashem would take an everyday man and fill Him with His Spirit and create in him many gifts. I think He has done that with many people throughout the centuries. Famous people, people who have made magnificent beneficial discoveries and inventions! And I also believe He does that for you and for me. I was the Executive Director of a Pregnancy Center for years. And I know for a fact that Hashem “equipped” and trained me for this position. I felt His hand on my life every day, in every task -- I still do! If you are “gifted” in areas of work and service, know that it only comes from Hashem and be grateful. Praise you Elohim for the gifts you give us!

Challenge:

Hashem picked men with wisdom to design and create the Tabernacle. I believe He picked only His “best” to do this awesome task. After all, they were creating a “resting place” for our one and only Elohim. What a privilege that would have been. And people gave -- even beyond what was needed. Everyone as a community was in the awesome task of creating the Tabernacle. So, here is my challenge for you today. Ask Hashem if there is a community project that YOU can become involved in. Where you can be “equipped” by Hashem to do some awesome and incredible tasks! Then thank Him and join Him and be used by Him to create and serve those around you. It will be a total blessing for you!

Reading #2 - Exodus 35:30-37:16

35:30 Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Hashem has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of G-d, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship; 32 and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 33 in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34 He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

36 “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Hashem has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Hashem has commanded.”

2 Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Hashem had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. 3 They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning. 4 All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did. 5 They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which Hashem commanded to make.”

6 Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.

8 All the wise-hearted men among those who did the work made the tabernacle with ten curtains of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet. They made them with cherubim, the work of a skillful workman. 9 The length of each curtain was twenty-eight cubits,[a] and the width of each curtain four cubits. All the curtains had one measure. 10 He coupled five curtains to one another, and the other five curtains he coupled to one another. 11 He made loops of blue on the edge of the one curtain from the edge in the coupling. Likewise he made in the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the second coupling. 12 He made fifty loops in the one curtain, and he made fifty loops in the edge of the curtain that was in the second coupling. The loops were opposite to one another. 13 He made fifty clasps of gold, and coupled the curtains to one another with the clasps: so the tabernacle was a unit.

14 He made curtains of goats’ hair for a covering over the tabernacle. He made them eleven curtains. 15 The length of each curtain was thirty cubits, and four cubits the width of each curtain. The eleven curtains had one measure. 16 He coupled five curtains by themselves, and six curtains by themselves. 17 He made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain that was outermost in the coupling, and he made fifty loops on the edge of the curtain which was outermost in the second coupling. 18 He made fifty clasps of bronze to couple the tent together, that it might be a unit. 19 He made a covering for the tent of rams’ skins dyed red, and a covering of sea cow hides above.

20 He made the boards for the tabernacle of acacia wood, standing up. 21 Ten cubits was the length of a board, and a cubit and a half the width of each board. 22 Each board had two tenons, joined to one another. He made all the boards of the tabernacle this way. 23 He made the boards for the tabernacle, twenty boards for the south side southward. 24 He made forty sockets of silver under the twenty boards: two sockets under one board for its two tenons, and two sockets under another board for its two tenons. 25 For the second side of the tabernacle, on the north side, he made twenty boards 26 and their forty sockets of silver: two sockets under one board, and two sockets under another board. 27 For the far part of the tabernacle westward he made six boards. 28 He made two boards for the corners of the tabernacle in the far part. 29 They were double beneath, and in the same way they were all the way to its top to one ring. He did this to both of them in the two corners. 30 There were eight boards and their sockets of silver, sixteen sockets—under every board two sockets.

31 He made bars of acacia wood: five for the boards of the one side of the tabernacle, 32 and five bars for the boards of the other side of the tabernacle, and five bars for the boards of the tabernacle for the hinder part westward. 33 He made the middle bar to pass through in the middle of the boards from the one end to the other. 34 He overlaid the boards with gold, and made their rings of gold as places for the bars, and overlaid the bars with gold.

35 He made the veil of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, with cherubim. He made it the work of a skillful workman. 36 He made four pillars of acacia for it, and overlaid them with gold. Their hooks were of gold. He cast four sockets of silver for them. 37 He made a screen for the door of the tent, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, the work of an embroiderer; 38 and the five pillars of it with their hooks. He overlaid their capitals and their fillets with gold, and their five sockets were of bronze.

37 Bezalel made the ark of acacia wood. Its length was two and a half cubits,[b] and its width a cubit and a half, and a cubit and a half its height. 2 He overlaid it with pure gold inside and outside, and made a molding of gold for it around it. 3 He cast four rings of gold for it in its four feet—two rings on its one side, and two rings on its other side. 4 He made poles of acacia wood and overlaid them with gold. 5 He put the poles into the rings on the sides of the ark, to bear the ark. 6 He made a mercy seat of pure gold. Its length was two and a half cubits, and a cubit and a half its width. 7 He made two cherubim of gold. He made them of beaten work, at the two ends of the mercy seat: 8 one cherub at the one end, and one cherub at the other end. He made the cherubim of one piece with the mercy seat at its two ends. 9 The cherubim spread out their wings above, covering the mercy seat with their wings, with their faces toward one another. The faces of the cherubim were toward the mercy seat.

10 He made the table of acacia wood. Its length was two cubits, and its width was a cubit, and its height was a cubit and a half. 11 He overlaid it with pure gold, and made a gold molding around it. 12 He made a border of a hand’s width around it, and made a golden molding on its border around it. 13 He cast four rings of gold for it, and put the rings in the four corners that were on its four feet. 14 The rings were close by the border, the places for the poles to carry the table. 15 He made the poles of acacia wood, and overlaid them with gold, to carry the table. 16 He made the vessels which were on the table, its dishes, its spoons, its bowls, and its pitchers with which to pour out, of pure gold.

Vyakhel-Pekudei - Reading #1

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI ויקהל/פקודי

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #1 - Exodus 35:1-29 

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about being wise-hearted and having willing hearts. These were the people who gave to the Tabernacle and helped create the items needed. Hashem was only looking for people with these types of giving hearts. He did not make it mandatory to give, and He never does. It makes me think about how I give to Hashem in different ways. I want to do it with a “wise heart and a willing heart”. And it is really important to “listen” to Hashem and He will definitely direct you how to give. He does for me. But, it’s important to listen to Him -- so that you don’t miss out on blessings.

Challenge:

Right in verse 1 we read that it is Hashem that gave Moses the words of the Law, and that we are commanded to do them. What a wonderful honor that Hashem has given us HIS instructions on how to live our lives and how to live in community. And yes, how to serve Him in the Temple (Tabernacle). Maybe we don’t have a Temple right now, but even the “essence” of Temple worship is clear. Obedience, cleanliness, repentance, servitude and righteousness. The Jewish people have passed the Torah down to generation to generation throughout the centuries. They have done it carefully and sacrificially. What a privilege that we can study it and obey. Torah is LIFE. May we be grateful today for Torah and the LIFE it gives us. Amen.

Reading #1 -  Exodus 35:1-29 

35 Moses assembled all the congregation of the children of Israel, and said to them, “These are the words which Hashem has commanded, that you should do them. 2 ‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day there shall be a holy day for you, a Sabbath of solemn rest to Hashem: whoever does any work in it shall be put to death. 3 You shall kindle no fire throughout your habitations on the Sabbath day.’”

4 Moses spoke to all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded, saying, 5 ‘Take from among you an offering to Hashem. Whoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it as Hashem’s offering: gold, silver, bronze, 6 blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, 7 rams’ skins dyed red, sea cow hides, acacia wood, 8 oil for the light, spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense, 9 onyx stones, and stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate.

10 “‘Let every wise-hearted man among you come, and make all that Hashem has commanded: 11 the tabernacle, its outer covering, its roof, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, and its sockets; 12 the ark, and its poles, the mercy seat, the veil of the screen; 13 the table with its poles and all its vessels, and the show bread; 14 the lamp stand also for the light, with its vessels, its lamps, and the oil for the light; 15 and the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door, at the door of the tabernacle; 16 the altar of burnt offering, with its grating of bronze, its poles, and all its vessels, the basin and its base; 17 the hangings of the court, its pillars, their sockets, and the screen for the gate of the court; 18 the pins of the tabernacle, the pins of the court, and their cords; 19 the finely worked garments for ministering in the holy place—the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons—to minister in the priest’s office.’”

20 All the congregation of the children of Israel departed from the presence of Moses. 21 They came, everyone whose heart stirred him up, and everyone whom his spirit made willing, and brought Hashem’s offering for the work of the Tent of Meeting, and for all of its service, and for the holy garments. 22 They came, both men and women, as many as were willing-hearted, and brought brooches, earrings, signet rings, and armlets, all jewels of gold; even every man who offered an offering of gold to Hashem. 23 Everyone with whom was found blue, purple, scarlet, fine linen, goats’ hair, rams’ skins dyed red, and sea cow hides, brought them. 24 Everyone who offered an offering of silver and bronze brought Hashem’s offering; and everyone with whom was found acacia wood for any work of the service, brought it. 25 All the women who were wise-hearted spun with their hands, and brought that which they had spun: the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen. 26 All the women whose heart stirred them up in wisdom spun the goats’ hair. 27 The rulers brought the onyx stones and the stones to be set for the ephod and for the breastplate; 28 with the spice and the oil for the light, for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense. 29 The children of Israel brought a free will offering to Hashem; every man and woman whose heart made them willing to bring for all the work, which Hashem had commanded to be made by Moses.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Week #10

Vayakhel-Pekudei - He gathered/Countings — וַיַּקְהֵל־פְקוּדֵי

Torah Reading Exodus 35:1 - 40:38

Haftarah:  Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Reading:  John 13:1-19 Luke 16:1-13

First Reading: Exodus 35:1-29

Second Reading: Exodus 35:30-37

Third Reading; Exodus 37:17-29

Fourth Reading: Exodus 38: 1-39

Fifth Reading: 39:2-21 

Sixth Reading: Exodus 39:22-43

Seventh Reading: Exodus 40:1-38

Ha-Azinu - Reading #4

Haazinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

My Thoughts:

After Moses explains the “trouble” they are going to be getting into when they abandon Hashem, he says in verse 28, ”For they are a nation void of counsel. There is no understanding in them.” He is predicting that they will have a time in the future when they will no longer “consult” with Hashem. They will be “void” of His counsel. Therefore, since they are not in relationship with Hashem there will be “no understanding”. That’s what is happening today. People no longer believe or communicate with the one true Elohim. They are going it alone. And the end result is that they have no understanding in spiritual matters. People have become totally carnal, devoid of the one true spiritual relationship with Hashem. This is sad. You and I can be a part of changing this. We can be “lights” to His truth and existence and bring His real love to others. We can teach people about Him and how to communicate (pray) with Him. If they do this they will gain understanding. 

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read that the result of disobedience amongst His people is that, “I will hide My face from them.”. Having the face of Hashem “hid” from you means He is no longer visible or tangible in your life. It is like when we sin, the “hand” of Hashem is lifted off our lives -- we can only go it alone. Do you want that? I don’t. And I can feel this happening every time I deliberately sin against Him. It’s like He really does “hide His face” from me. It takes true repentance and teshuvah to regain that personal relationship with Him. My challenge today is for you to assess your spiritual life. Do you feel Hashem’s Hand in upon your life, or do you feel He is “hiding His face” from you? If it is the latter, please do something about it. Repent and return to Him. Make restitution for what you have done and pray that He will return to you. Scripture says He will (Malachi 3:7). Don’t be content with a life absent of Hashem, invite Him back into your life. And show Him that you really mean this. Amen?

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 32:19–28

19 Hashem saw and abhorred,

    because of the provocation of His sons and his daughters.

20 He said, “I will hide My face from them.

    I will see what their end will be;

for they are a very perverse generation,

    children in whom is no faithfulness.

21 They have moved Me to jealousy with that which is not Elohim.

    They have provoked Me to anger with their vanities.

I will move them to jealousy with those who are not a people.

    I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22 For a fire is kindled in my anger,

    that burns to the lowest Sheol,

    devours the earth with its increase,

    and sets the foundations of the mountains on fire.

23 “I will heap evils on them.

    I will spend my arrows on them.

24 They shall be wasted with hunger,

    and devoured with burning heat

    and bitter destruction.

I will send the teeth of animals on them,

    with the venom of vipers that glide in the dust.

25 Outside the sword will bereave,

    and in the rooms,

    terror on both young man and virgin,

    the nursing infant with the gray-haired man.

26 I said that I would scatter them afar.

    I would make their memory to cease from among men;

27 were it not that I feared the provocation of the enemy,

    lest their adversaries should judge wrongly,

    lest they should say, ‘Our hand is exalted,

    Hashem has not done all this.’”

28 For they are a nation void of counsel.

    There is no understanding in them.

Emor - Reading #7

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Haftarah - Ezekiel 44:15-31

Apostolic Writings - Matthew 26:59-66

Reading #7 - Leviticus 24:1–23

My Thoughts:

Today we read the story of the men who cursed and blasphemed His Name. This is very serious. And the penalty from Hashem was they were to be stoned to death. Why? My thoughts are that Hashem wants His people truly to be holy. And if someone is not and also blaspheming Hashem, it only brings division and confusion among the people. That’s what sin does. It affects everyone. They were getting ready to go into Israel, the promised land. They were given a set of rules to keep things in order and to stay close to Hashem. This behavior did not promote unity, nor respect for our Elohim. The penalty seems strong. Today when people do this they just walk out without punishment. And the world is getting darker and darker. When the Mashiach comes He will bring Hashem’s Light and the world will change. And people will gladly follow the Torah. I can’t wait for this to happen. You?

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read, “ It shall be done to him as he has injured someone.” I believe Hashem orders this because it would make someone think twice about punching someone in the face and causing damage. A lot of Hashem’s laws let you know that there are severe consequences for doing wrong. Today we don’t get punished for many sins (except murder, etc). Yet we know the affects our sins have on others and the world can be very detrimental! Examine your life and repent of any sins. Make a strong commitment to Hashem that you will not do them again. Repay or make reparation for whatever you are able. Help repair our relationships and our world. Do it today.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 24:1–23

24:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 3 Outside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Hashem continually. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 4 He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lamp stand before Hashem continually.

5 “You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 You shall set them in two rows, six on a row, on the pure gold table before Hashem. 7 You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Hashem. 8 Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before Hashem continually. It is an everlasting covenant on the behalf of the children of Israel. 9 It shall be for Aaron and his sons. They shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him of the offerings of Hashem made by fire by a perpetual statute.”

10 The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp. 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 They put him in custody until Hashem’s will should be declared to them. 13 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring him who cursed out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Whoever curses his Elohim shall bear his sin. 16 He who blasphemes Hashem’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name.

17 “‘He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death. 18 He who strikes an animal mortally shall make it good, life for life. 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, it shall be done to him as he has done: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It shall be done to him as he has injured someone. 21 He who kills an animal shall make it good; and he who kills a man shall be put to death. 22 You shall have one kind of law for the foreigner as well as the native-born; for I am Hashem your Adonai.’”

23 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and they brought him who had cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. The children of Israel did as Hashem commanded Moses.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

These verses in Ezekiel are for the world to come, possibly the Messianic Era. It describes the duties of the priests which is very close to the descriptions in the Torah. That is because in the future, when the Temple is rebuilt – and it will be rebuilt – the Torah Temple rules will be followed and enforced. We are not done with sacrifices or priestly rule. Just read the Prophets.

Challenge:

In verse 23 we learn that the priests will take on a teaching role. They will instruct the people about holiness, clean and unclean. Don’t you think that would be a good idea to start learning that now? In preparation for the Temple and to follow what we can in our lives today. For example the dietary laws. Torah says they are forever. And they will be taught again in the future. It is imperative and I believe a sin if we do not distinguish between clean and unclean foods. If we think we can indulge in any meats or shellfish, etc. we are making a terrible mistake. That’s why it is good to follow Hashem and His Torah. Every day. Study, learn and obey. Start today.

Haftarah - Ezekiel 44:15-31

15 “‘“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me. They shall stand before Me to offer to me the fat and the blood,” says Hashem Adonai. 16 “They shall enter into My sanctuary, and they shall come near to My table, to minister to Me, and they shall keep My instruction.

17 “‘“It will be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. No wool shall come on them while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. 18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and shall have linen trousers on their waists. They shall not clothe themselves with anything that makes them sweat. 19 When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister, and lay them in the holy rooms. They shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments.

20 “‘“They shall not shave their heads, or allow their locks to grow long. They shall only cut off the hair of their heads. 21 None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court. 22 They shall not take for their wives a widow, or her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. 23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

24 “‘“In a controversy they shall stand to judge. They shall judge it according to my ordinances. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts. They shall make my Sabbaths holy.

25 “‘“They shall go in to no dead person to defile themselves; but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister who has had no husband, they may defile themselves. 26 After he is cleansed, they shall reckon to him seven days. 27 In the day that he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering,” says Hashem Adonai.

28 “‘They shall have an inheritance. I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel. I am their possession. 29 They shall eat the meal offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs. 30 The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house. 31 The priests shall not eat of anything that dies of itself, or is torn, whether it is bird or animal.

Apostolic Writings

My Thoughts:

I suppose you could say that the chief priest and elders believed that Yeshua was blaspheming Hashem. And as we read in today’s Torah portion the penalty for this is death. If they had read Torah and studied Scriptures they would have known He was the prophesied Mashiach. They would have followed and sat at His feet, instead of condemning Him. That is why it is important to know the whole Word of Hashem and His prophets. And why now we must study to know what Hashem really says about the coming Mashiach and His role. We don’t want Yeshua to come back and we don’t recognize Him. If so, we will lose out – eternally.

Challenge:

In verse 64 Yeshua says that we see Him coming on the clouds of the sky. Many people have pondered this verse. Some think He comes halfway, grabs some of the “church” and returns to heaven. I don’t see any Scripture to support this. Others believe He will come (as prophesied) and gather His people to Jerusalem where He will rule and reign in the Temple. That’s what I believe. And we see that in the many verses of Ezekiel and other prophets. Be sure you study all of this and go to Hashem with your questions. We must be ready when the Mashiach comes and know what Scripture says. Not man — Scripture! Amen.

Apostolic Writings - Matthew 26:59-66

59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Yeshua, that they might put Him to death, 60 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of Elohim, and to build it in three days.’”

62 The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?” 63 But Yeshua stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living Elohim that you tell us whether you are the Mashiach, the Son of Adonai.”

64 Yeshua said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard His blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

They answered, “He is worthy of death!”