Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #3

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #3 - Leviticus 17:8-18:21 

My Thoughts:

Interesting that in Chapter 21 we read about not having sexual relations with other people (that is what uncovering the nakedness means). Then in 21:21 we are told “You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech”. Why would Hashem give this commandment right after He is directing His people not to have sexual relations outside of marriage? Most likely because people are people -- sinned -- and committed adultery. And when they did so, the woman in the picture got pregnant. Instead of abortion, why not just put the baby in the arms of a hot burning Molech statue? Either way the baby would die. And we are strongly told NOT to do this. 

Challenge:

Right after Hashem gives the command not to sacrifice children He commands us not to “profane the Name of Elohim.” I’m thinking that profane here means disregarding His Name of Creation. He is the Creator of everything and when we destroy His creation -- we are profaning the Creator Himself. If you have ever had an abortion or were part of one in some way maybe today is a good day to go to the Father and ask for forgiveness. Or maybe you have been a part of destroying another kind of creation. Repent and make retribution. Or maybe you can restore what was taken. Let’s try to not profane His Name and make things right.

Reading #3 - Leviticus 17:8-18:21 

17:8 “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 Elohim. 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 Elohim. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Hashem.

6 “‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Hashem.

7 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

8 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.

9 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.

10 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.

11 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.

12 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman.

13 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kinswoman.

14 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt.

15 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

16 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

17 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

18 “‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.

19 “‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

20 “‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

21 “‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #2

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:25-17:7

My Thoughts:

 

In verse 34 we read that this atonement will be made once a year to cleanse Israel from their sins. It is necessary to clean the “nation” and not only the “person”. Think about this today. Is the nation you live in considered “clean”? There is no Temple to do sacrifices in to atone for the nation, but is there ever a type of “national repentance” that you can remember? Probably not unless you are contacted to a special prayer group. So, what you can do is remember and honor this particular Moadim -- Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Take the day off from work, fast all day and try to get in the presence of Hashem. Do it for your nation, do it for Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 29 we read that even the stranger for lives as a foreigner and the native-born are to be included in this Feast. When Hashem speaks of the nation of Israel and it’s atonement, He includes strangers! Apparently He wants EVERYONE to be cleansed and forgiven. My challenge is for you to think about this today. Look at your “unbelieving” neighbors and friends. Do you exclude them or include them? If we serve an Elohim that cares about the stranger and outsiders, we would be best to include those around us in our lives. Pray for them and help them however possible in the little things and the big things. Let your light from Hashem shine through all you do so that your friends and strangers around you may be drawn in to HIM. Be a “conduit” and a representative for how Hashem does work in the world! Start today!

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:25-17:7

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.

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/Kedoshim - Reading #1

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1-24

My Thoughts:

Aaron is making atonement for himself, his family and his people. That’s a lot of atonement and sacrifices. As I was reading this I was thinking about the responsibility Aaron must have felt so sad after his sons were lost and then he had to do special sacrifices and make atonement for the Tabernacle and all. In verse 17 Hashem says you can not enter the Holy Place until this atonement is made. So, Hashem wants everybody and everything surrounding Him either clean and made atonement for. Why? Because He is PERFECT. He must not want any contamination, sin, uncleanliness or unrighteousness in the area of His presence. What does this say about today? Has anything changed? No. He requests us to be clean. Let’s work on this. We want to be as close to Him as we can, even without a Temple.

Challenge:

Here is a thought. Is Aaron grieving the loss of his sons - of course. But, it looks like he must make atonement for this incident. He must “clean house” for Hashem. Can you think of something that has happened to you or your family that you need to make some restitution for? Something that went wrong. And now you have to make it right? Or maybe you haven’t made it right yet? Repent to the Father and make it right. Prepare your home once again so that you can be in Hashem’s special “presence” during prayer, worship, mitzvah, Scripture study and all that you do during the day. You will want to do this now.

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1-24

16 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.

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/Kedoshim - Week #6

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Ezekiel 22:1-19

Matthew 15:10-20

1: 16:1-24 (24 p'sukim)

2: 16:25-17:7 (17 p'sukim)

3: 17:8-18:21 (30 p'sukim)

4: 18:22-19:14 (23 p'sukim)

5: 19:15-32 (18 p'sukim)

6: 19:33-20:7 (12 p'sukim)

7: 20:8-27 (20 p'sukim)

Vayakhel-Pekudei -Reading #7

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13

Reading #7 - Exodus 40:1-38

My Thoughts:

They finish the Tabernacle and Hashem’s cloud descends and glory fills the entire place (verse 37). Can you even imagine the excitement, the awe and the amazement of all of this? They have been traveling with the cloud and fire, but as the cloud fills the Tabernacle the GLORY ARRIVES. So much, that Moses could not even enter it. I don’t think we have any idea or concept what this would be like, but we can imagine it all. When read Torah we have “life”. When we read about the glory we experience this “life”. Spend some time today meditating on this particular incident.

Challenge:

The cloud by day and fire by night. They don’t move and travel -- until the cloud does. They only want to be where Hashem is. My challenge today is, do we “move” with the glory of Hashem? Do we watch where He is manifesting Himself on a daily basis? Meditate on this today. And see if you can “move” and follow Hashem wherever He is traveling. You will get a sense, because your spirit will be stirred. It may simply be an encouragement to someone, or helping some person to do something or giving of time and money to a good cause. Just check in with the Father and see if it is from Him. You will be blessed.

Reading #7 - Exodus 40:1-38

40 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that Hashem commanded him, so he did.

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up. 18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 20 He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Hashem commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He set the bread in order on it before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 28 He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as Hashem commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash. 31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Hashem commanded Moses. 33 He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of Hashem was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

We are reading about the FUTURE Temple in these verses. We can read about this Temple in Isaiah, Ezekiel, and other prophetic books. The point is -- there is a future Temple and in it we will be making offerings unto Hashem. If you have been taught that there will be no more Temples and offerings, I believe from Scripture, you have been taught in error. Study the future Temple and figure it out. It is our future. It is eternity. Heaven on earth, the Mashiach ruling and reigning from Jerusalem and Hashem’s glory once again filling the Temple.

Challenge:

The challenge today is to simply start studying the future Temple and its implications. You may want to go the the Temple Institute website for more information. See: Temple Institute

Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18

16 “All the people of the land shall give to this offering for the prince in Israel. 17 It shall be the prince’s part to give the burnt offerings, the meal offerings, and the drink offerings, in the feasts, and on the new moons, and on the Sabbaths, in all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel. He shall prepare the sin offering, the meal offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make atonement for the house of Israel.”

18 “‘Hashem says: “In the first month, in the first day of the month, you shall take a young bull without defect; and you shall cleanse the sanctuary. 19 The priest shall take of the blood of the sin offering, and put it on the door posts of the house, and on the four corners of the ledge of the altar, and on the posts of the gate of the inner court. 20 So you shall do on the seventh day of the month for everyone who errs, and for him who is simple. So you shall make atonement for the house.

21 “‘“In the first month, in the fourteenth day of the month, you shall have the Passover, a feast of seven days; unleavened bread shall be eaten. 22 On that day the prince shall prepare for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering. 23 The seven days of the feast he shall prepare a burnt offering to Hashem, seven bulls and seven rams without defect daily the seven days; and a male goat daily for a sin offering. 24 He shall prepare a meal offering, an ephah[a] for a bull, and an ephah for a ram, and a hin[b] of oil to an ephah.

25 “‘“In the seventh month, in the fifteenth day of the month, in the feast, he shall do like that for seven days; according to the sin offering, according to the burnt offering, and according to the meal offering, and according to the oil.”

46 “‘Hashem says: “The gate of the inner court that looks toward the east shall be shut the six working days; but on the Sabbath day it shall be opened, and on the day of the new moon it shall be opened. 2 The prince shall enter by the way of the porch of the gate outside, and shall stand by the post of the gate; and the priests shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he shall worship at the threshold of the gate. Then he shall go out; but the gate shall not be shut until the evening. 3 The people of the land shall worship at the door of that gate before Hashem on the Sabbaths and on the new moons. 4 The burnt offering that the prince shall offer to Hashem shall be on the Sabbath day six lambs without defect and a ram without defect; 5 and the meal offering shall be an ephah for the ram, and the meal offering for the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin[c] of oil to an ephah. 6 On the day of the new moon it shall be a young bull without defect, and six lambs, and a ram. They shall be without defect. 7 He shall prepare a meal offering, an ephah for the bull, and an ephah for the ram, and for the lambs according as he is able, and a hin of oil to an ephah. 8 When the prince enters, he shall go in by the way of the porch of the gate, and he shall go out by its way.

9 “‘“But when the people of the land come before Hashem in the appointed feasts, he who enters by the way of the north gate to worship shall go out by the way of the south gate; and he who enters by the way of the south gate shall go out by the way of the north gate. He shall not return by the way of the gate by which he came in, but shall go out straight before him. 10 The prince shall go in with them when they go in. When they go out, he shall go out.

11 “‘“In the feasts and in the solemnities the meal offering shall be an ephah for a bull, and an ephah for a ram, and for the lambs as he is able to give, and a hin of oil to an ephah. 12 When the prince prepares a free will offering, a burnt offering or peace offerings as a free will offering to Hashem, one shall open for him the gate that looks toward the east; and he shall prepare his burnt offering and his peace offerings, as he does on the Sabbath day. Then he shall go out; and after his going out one shall shut the gate.

13 “‘“You shall prepare a lamb a year old without defect for a burnt offering to Hashem daily. Morning by morning you shall prepare it. 14 You shall prepare a meal offering with it morning by morning, the sixth part of an ephah,[f] and the third part of a hin of oil, to moisten the fine flour; a meal offering to Hashemcontinually by a perpetual ordinance. 15 Thus they shall prepare the lamb, the meal offering, and the oil, morning by morning, for a continual burnt offering.”

16 “‘Hashem says: “If the prince gives a gift to any of his sons, it is his inheritance. It shall belong to his sons. It is their possession by inheritance. 17 But if he gives of his inheritance a gift to one of his servants, it shall be his to the year of liberty; then it shall return to the prince; but as for his inheritance, it shall be for his sons. 18 Moreover the prince shall not take of the people’s inheritance, to thrust them out of their possession. He shall give inheritance to his sons out of his own possession, that my people not each be scattered from his possession.”’”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

In this reading Yeshua is teaching His disciples about servanthood. The Son of G-d takes time to wash their feet. Which is an example of holding others higher than yourselves. And it is true. We should not be selfish and always looking for ways to serve others. Following Yeshua is following Torah. He teaches Torah and He is a Rabbi. Listen to Him and learn the “heart” of Torah.

Challenge:

Verse 16:10 we read that Yeshua teaches this: If you are faithful in little, you will be faithful in much. In other words if you follow Torah even in the small things in life, you will be likely to be able to follow it in large things. An example could be how you treat those whom you love. Are you respectful even in the little things? Do you encourage, compliment and treat others you care about with total respect? Do you put their needs ahead of yours? If not, I encourage you to start doing so today. When you are faithful following Torah in this way, you will be surprised how the large Commandments will be easier to follow. You can do it.

Apostolic Scripture: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13

13 Now before the feast of the Passover, Yeshua, knowing that his time had come that he would depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, he loved them to the end. 2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, to betray Him, 3 Yeshua, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He came from Elohim, and was going to Elohim, 4 arose from supper, and laid aside His outer garments. He took a towel and wrapped a towel around His waist. 5 Then he poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel that was wrapped around Him. 6 Then He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “L-rd, do you wash my feet?”

7 Yeshua answered him, “You don’t know what I am doing now, but you will understand later.”

8 Peter said to Him, “You will never wash my feet!”

Yeshua answered him, “If I don’t wash you, you have no part with Me.”

9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!”

10 Yeshua said to him, “Someone who has bathed only needs to have his feet washed, but is completely clean. You are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew him who would betray Him, therefore he said, “You are not all clean.” 12 So when He had washed their feet, put His outer garment back on, and sat down again, He said to them, “Do you know what I have done to you? 13 You call me, ‘Rabbi’ and ‘L-rd.’ You say so correctly, for so I am. 14 If I then, the L-rd and the Rabbi, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. 15 For I have given you an example, that you should also do as I have done to you. 16 Most certainly I tell you, a servant is not greater than his lord, neither is one who is sent greater than He who sent Him. 17 If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. 18 I don’t speak concerning all of you. I know whom I have chosen. But that the Scripture may be fulfilled, ‘He who eats bread with me has lifted up his heel against me.' From now on, I tell you before it happens, that when it happens, you may believe that I am He.

Luke 16:1-1

16 He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

3 “The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5 Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8 “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. 9 I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve Elohim and Mammon.”

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #6

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #6 - Exodus 39:22-43 

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read that they make a crown for the priest and on the crown are the words “Holy to Hashem”. This is not to be taken lightly. Think if you were wearing a crown and going into the Tabernacle of Hashem that said you were holy to Hashem! What a privilege, but what a responsibility too! The priests had special garments to wear and they had to wash and be anointed for service. They had to get totally prepared to serve Hashem -- exactly the way He had instructed. They had to become “holy” in order to come before and serve Hashem. Something to think about for us today. When we meet Hashem for prayer and/or worship, do we prepare to become “holy”? We could repent for our sin, cleanse our hearts, even wear nice clothing. We could make it all very special. When we meet with Hashem it could be very special and wonderful.

Challenge:

At the end of today’s reading we see that the people “finished” all the work they had to do, as Moses instructed them -- and they were blessed. My challenge to you today is think about a service you have been doing for Hashem, and if you have “finished” what He asked you to do? Make sure if you are doing a special project for someone else that you actually complete it. Often we start things and do not finish them. I really believe that just as He blessed the Israelites for their completion of the Tabernacle, so will He bless us for the completion of the tasks He asks us to do! Try it today!

Reading #6 - Exodus 39:22-43 

39:22 He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. 23 The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn. 24 They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen. 25 They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates; 26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Hashem commanded Moses.

27 They made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons, 28 the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen, the linen trousers of fine twined linen, 29 the sash of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Hashem commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HOLY TO HASHEM”. 31 They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as Hashem commanded Moses.

32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that Hashem commanded Moses; so they did. 33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen, 35 the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, 36 the table, all its vessels, the show bread, 37 the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light, 38 the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent, 39 the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting, 41 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. 42 According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.

Vayakhel-Pekudei - Reading #5

VAYAK'HEL/PEKUDEI

Exodus 35:1-40:38

Reading #5 - Exodus 39:2-21 

My Thoughts:

The breastplate -- with an attachment of 12 beautiful special stones with the names of the 12 tribes of Israel written on them. This breastplate is placed over the heart of the priests as they enter the Tabernacle. They are there as a sign to Hashem of His special people who love Him and serve Him! He knows their names. He knows our names! We matter to Him just like the original 12 tribes of Israel. He cared enough for them to have their names written on the priest’s breastplate! And He cares for us. Why do we ever doubt that?

Challenge:

My challenge to you today is to take a few minutes and think about how Hashem knows YOUR name. Picture what it would be like if He were sitting next to you (or more realistically, you were bowing at His feet) and He called you by name. It would be a super sweet and wonderful sound. “Hey Bob”, “Hey Mary”, “Hey Nancy” -- it would just be too amazing. Sit for a minute and listen to what that would sound like. Then praise Him.

Reading #5 - Exodus 39:2-21 

39:2 He made the ephod of gold, blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 3 They beat the gold into thin plates, and cut it into wires, to work it in with the blue, the purple, the scarlet, and the fine linen, the work of the skillful workman. 4 They made shoulder straps for it, joined together. It was joined together at the two ends. 5 The skillfully woven band that was on it, with which to fasten it on, was of the same piece, like its work: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen, as Hashem commanded Moses.

6 They worked the onyx stones, enclosed in settings of gold, engraved with the engravings of a signet, according to the names of the children of Israel. 7 He put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, to be stones of memorial for the children of Israel, as Hashem commanded Moses.

8 He made the breastplate, the work of a skillful workman, like the work of the ephod: of gold, of blue, purple, scarlet, and fine twined linen. 9 It was square. They made the breastplate double. Its length was a span, and its width a span, being double. 10 They set in it four rows of stones. A row of ruby, topaz, and beryl was the first row; 11 and the second row, a turquoise, a sapphire, and an emerald; 12 and the third row, a jacinth, an agate, and an amethyst; 13 and the fourth row, a chrysolite, an onyx, and a jasper. They were enclosed in gold settings. 14 The stones were according to the names of the children of Israel, twelve, according to their names; like the engravings of a signet, everyone according to his name, for the twelve tribes. 15 They made on the breastplate chains like cords, of braided work of pure gold. 16 They made two settings of gold, and two gold rings, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate. 17 They put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings at the ends of the breastplate. 18 The other two ends of the two braided chains they put on the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod, in its front. 19 They made two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on its edge, which was toward the side of the ephod inward. 20 They made two more rings of gold, and put them on the two shoulder straps of the ephod underneath, in its front, close by its coupling, above the skillfully woven band of the ephod. 21 They bound the breastplate by its rings to the rings of the ephod with a lace of blue, that it might be on the skillfully woven band of the ephod, and that the breastplate might not come loose from the ephod, as Hashem commanded Moses.