Emor - Reading #2

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

My Thoughts:

Today we read about more priestly rules. Hashem does not want animals with defects to be sacrificed, but interestingly enough He doesn’t want humans with defects either! Even a person with a flat nose (verse 18). Hashem is wanting the best, the purest, even the most physically perfect. I don’t think He does this to hurt anyone’s feelings. I believe He requires it to show that we must be holy and perfect before stepping into service for Him. It is an example. Of course He loves people of all shapes, sizes and unique qualities. It’s just when we go into His presence He asks us to be the best we can be. And that is for today. Only our “defects” are sin and an unrepentant heart. He does not want us to go before Him in prayer or worship with sin in our heart. We must repent and teshuvah - come clean. Then we can enter His presence. This all teaches us what is right and what He needs. Amen.

Challenge:

In verse 9 we see once again the penalty for disobedience – death, “‘They shall therefore follow My commandment, lest they bear sin for it and die in it, if they profane it. I am Hashem who sanctifies them.” We are not to take Hashem’s commandments lightly. They are required and they are life to us. Not to follow them brings death (in many ways). If you believe these commandments were erased in any way, I challenge you to study this. Torah says they are eternal. They always were and they always will be. You can not “subtract or add” to them. Of course, some of them we are unable to follow. If we are not priests, and there is not a Temple, or if we are not in the Land – but here is the heart of Torah. Do what you can and do it the best you can. He asks us this for a reason - because He loves us and wants to be with us. Torah is life. 

Reading #2 - Leviticus 21:16–22:16

16 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “Say to Aaron, ‘None of your offspring throughout their generations who has a defect may approach to offer the bread of his Elohim. 18 For whatever man he is that has a defect, he shall not draw near: a blind man, or a lame, or he who has a flat nose, or any deformity, 19 or a man who has an injured foot, or an injured hand, 20 or hunchbacked, or a dwarf, or one who has a defect in his eye, or an itching disease, or scabs, or who has damaged testicles. 21 No man of the offspring of Aaron the priest who has a defect shall come near to offer the offerings of Hashem made by fire. Since he has a defect, he shall not come near to offer the bread of his Elohim. 22 He shall eat the bread of his Elohim, both of the most holy, and of the holy. 23 He shall not come near to the veil, nor come near to the altar, because he has a defect; that he may not profane my sanctuaries, for I am Hashem who sanctifies them.’”

24 So Moses spoke to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel.

22 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Tell Aaron and his sons to separate themselves from the holy things of the children of Israel, which they make holy to Me, and that they not profane My holy name. I am Hashem.

3 “Tell them, ‘If anyone of all your offspring throughout your generations approaches the holy things which the children of Israel make holy to Hashem, having his uncleanness on him, that soul shall be cut off from before me. I am Hashem.

4 “‘Whoever of the offspring of Aaron is a leper or has a discharge shall not eat of the holy things until he is clean. Whoever touches anything that is unclean by the dead, or a man who has a seminal emission, 5 or whoever touches any creeping thing whereby he may be made unclean, or a man from whom he may become unclean, whatever uncleanness he has— 6 the person that touches any such shall be unclean until the evening, and shall not eat of the holy things unless he bathes his body in water. 7 When the sun is down, he shall be clean; and afterward he shall eat of the holy things, because it is his bread. 8 He shall not eat that which dies of itself or is torn by animals, defiling himself by it. I am Hashem.

9 “‘They shall therefore follow My commandment, lest they bear sin for it and die in it, if they profane it. I am Hashem who sanctifies them.

10 “‘No stranger shall eat of the holy thing: a foreigner living with the priests, or a hired servant, shall not eat of the holy thing. 11 But if a priest buys a slave, purchased by his money, he shall eat of it; and those who are born in his house shall eat of his bread. 12 If a priest’s daughter is married to an outsider, she shall not eat of the heave offering of the holy things. 13 But if a priest’s daughter is a widow, or divorced, and has no child, and has returned to her father’s house as in her youth, she may eat of her father’s bread; but no stranger shall eat any of it.

14 “‘If a man eats something holy unwittingly, then he shall add the fifth part of its value to it, and shall give the holy thing to the priest. 15 The priests shall not profane the holy things of the children of Israel, which they offer to Hashem, 16 and so cause them to bear the iniquity that brings guilt when they eat their holy things; for I am Hashem who sanctifies them.’”

Emor - Reading #1

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Emor - Reading #1

My Thoughts:

Today we read about the priests obligations regarding marrying and being around dead people. Hashem sets very high standards for holiness and purity. In order for the priest to perform service before Adonai – he must be as holy as possible. We don’t have the issue of being around dead people very much. We pay funeral homes to take care of preparing bodies. But, this is just not so in the times of the Bible. Hashem makes it clear that this is not the work of a priest, in fact, he is to stay away from the dead body so that he is not defiled. Same with the marriage requirements. He is to marry a virgin, a pure woman. I really think we have no idea what holiness is. One day we will. When we are in the Olam Haba, in the presence of the Holy One, we will begin to understand His holiness and prostrate ourselves before Him.

Challenge:

In verse 12 we read about the “crown” upon the priest, “...for the crown of the anointing oil of his Elohim is upon him.” This is why a priest had to follow all the rules about remaining holy while in the Temple area. He was sanctified with the oil of the Temple, which permitted him to do service before Hashem. To come in contact with anything of the “world” would take away this anointing. How does this relate to us today? We obviously don’t have a Temple, but we do try to step into the “presence” of Hashem through prayer and worship and sometimes just our daily living. Today’s challenge is to look at yourself and see how close you come to being “holy”. Are  you following Torah, repenting and doing teshuvah? Let’s try each day (and throughout the day and evening) to constantly review our thoughts and actions. Make sure that they are pure. So, that when we come “before” Hashem we are holy as He is holy.

Reading #1 - Leviticus 21:1–15

21 Hashem said to Moses, “Speak to the priests, the sons of Aaron, and say to them, ‘A priest shall not defile himself for the dead among his people, 2 except for his relatives that are near to him: for his mother, for his father, for his son, for his daughter, for his brother, 3 and for his virgin sister who is near to him, who has had no husband; for her he may defile himself. 4 He shall not defile himself, being a chief man among his people, to profane himself.

5 “‘They shall not shave their heads or shave off the corners of their beards or make any cuttings in their flesh. 6 They shall be holy to their Elohim, and not profane the name of their Elohim, for they offer the offerings of Hashem made by fire, the bread of their Elohim. Therefore they shall be holy.

7 “‘They shall not marry a woman who is a prostitute, or profane. A priest shall not marry a woman divorced from her husband; for he is holy to his Elohim. 8 Therefore you shall sanctify him, for he offers the bread of your God. He shall be holy to you, for I Hashem, who sanctify you, am holy.

9 “‘The daughter of any priest, if she profanes herself by playing the prostitute, she profanes her father. She shall be burned with fire.

10 “‘He who is the high priest among his brothers, upon whose head the anointing oil is poured, and who is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not let the hair of his head hang loose, or tear his clothes. 11 He must not go in to any dead body, or defile himself for his father or for his mother. 12 He shall not go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his Elohim; for the crown of the anointing oil of his Elohim is upon him. I am Hashem.

13 “‘He shall take a wife in her virginity. 14 He shall not marry a widow, or one divorced, or a woman who has been defiled, or a prostitute. He shall take a virgin of his own people as a wife. 15 He shall not profane his offspring among his people, for I am Hashem who sanctifies him.’”

Emor - Week #7

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Haftarah - Ezekiel 44:15-31

Apostolic Writings - Matthew 26:59-66

1.1 First reading — Leviticus 21:1–15

1.2 Second reading — Leviticus 21:16–22:16

1.3 Third reading — Leviticus 22:17–33

1.4 Fourth reading — Leviticus 23:1–22

1.5 Fifth reading — Leviticus 23:23–32

1.6 Sixth reading — Leviticus 23:33–44

1.7 Seventh reading — Leviticus 24:1–23

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #7

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Reading #7 - Leviticus 20:8-27

My Thoughts:

Hashem gives us commands to make our lives better, not to “burden” us. We ought to count it joy to be able to love and serve Hashem through His Word and directions. In verse 23 He tells us, “You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you…”. There is an obvious reason for this command. There is an old saying, “You are who you hang with”. And this is so true. If you have drinking buddies you drink. If you hang around people who smoke you will likely be smoking. If they party, you will join them. But, if you associate with people who love and fear Elohim, who encourage you through prayer and actions -- you will become like them! It is super important we have friends and family who love Hashem, read Scripture and know the importance of following Torah. This will lead toward growth and a better relationship with the Father. Take time to reflect on this and who you are walking with. It could change your life, and others!

Challenge:

The first verse today (20:8) ‘You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Hashem who sanctifies you.’ clearly instructs us that we must keep Torah and DO Torah. Why? Because He makes us holy, He sanctifies us. Through following and doing Torah, He finds a way to make us holy. Without Torah it is like we are lost in a storm. The world is getting darker and harder. Torah is light and easy. It is a complete joy to communicate with Adonai and follow Him. Which path are you choosing today? I challenge you to choose Elohim.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 20:8-27

20:8 You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Hashem who sanctifies you.

9 “‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon himself.

10 “‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

11 “‘The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

12 “‘If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have committed a perversion. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

13 “‘If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

14 “‘If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you.

15 “‘If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal.

16 “‘If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

17 “‘If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity.

18 “‘If a man lies with a woman having her monthly period, and uncovers her nakedness, he has made her fountain naked, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

19 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity. 20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless.

21 “‘If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

22 “‘You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I Hashem your Elohim, who has separated you from the peoples.

25 “‘You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I, Hashem, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

27 “‘A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones. Their blood shall be upon themselves.’”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In Ezekiel’s verses we read about the “breaking” of all the Commandments we read in Torah today! It’s like Hashem is saying, “I gave you instructions and you are not following a single one of them!” Just like a parent talking to a child. “I told you to clean your room, and you have not lifted a finger!” We know this -- that sin separates us from a relationship with Hashem. Don’t you just know it? When I sin, it’s like I can feel Hashem walking out of the room with disappointment. And the closer I get to Him, the more I feel it. We should wake up every day and ask Him for help. Help to stay clean and righteous. Help to focus on Him and worship only Him. I love Hashem, don’t you? Let’s prove it today.

Challenge:

In verse 12 Hashem reminds us that we “have forgotten Him”. Does this just break your heart? It must break His heart. He created us out of love, and then we turn our backs on Him? How horribly, horribly sad! My challenge today is to look at your life closely. Do you remember Hashem during the day and night -- or do you disregard His Commandments and worship false idols? Are you walking with Him or walking with others? Get back on His path! Hashem please help us to follow only You!!! Amen!

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

22:1 Moreover Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations. 3 You shall say, ‘Adonai Hashem says: “A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her! 4 You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come even to your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries. 5 Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult.

6 “‘“Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood. 7 In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. 8 You have despised My holy things, and have profaned My Sabbaths. 9 Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you. 10 In you have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity. 11 One has committed abomination with his neighbor’s wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter. 12 In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten Me,” says Adonai Hashem.

13 “‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, Hashem, have spoken it, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you. 16 You will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am Hashem.”’”

17 Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver. 19 Therefore Adonai Hashem says: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.’

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

I believe Yeshua is trying to teach His disciples (and us) exactly what Hashem was teaching in the Torah reading today. His instructions are not to follow what the people in the idol nations are doing, but to follow Him. In other words, what you eat is who you are. What proceeds “out of you” is what you are ingesting. If you are “eating” the Word of Elohim, then good G-d things will be spoken out of your mouth. If you are consuming sin, then sin will proceed. If you are associating with unclean people and things, you will become unclean. Watch what you “eat” and “who” you eat with.

Challenge:

We have got to realize that Yeshua came at a time when there was a great falling away from the “heart” of Torah. Priests were being picked by the Romans for political gain, not for righteous teaching. The people of Israel were being led by a government that believed in idols and false gods. Yeshua came to draw them back to Adonai. To warn them that not to do so would cause the Temple to fall and the people to be dispersed once again. I believe that is why He is not concerned with the “outside” washing of the hands, but He is concerned with the “inside” washing of our hearts. He is reiterating Torah - to follow Hashem’s commands -- to keep Torah and do Torah. Let’s get back to doing that today in our time. Before it is too late.

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

15:10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. 11 That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

12 Then the disciples came, and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 So Yeshua said, “Do you also still not understand? 17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #6

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #6 - Leviticus 19:33-20:7 

My Thoughts:

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

Challenge:

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

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

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

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

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

20 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone that person with stones. 3 I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile My sanctuary, and to profane My holy name. 4 If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.

6 “‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.

7 “‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am Adonai your Elohim.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #5

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

My Thoughts:

In verse 28 we are told not to put any tattoos on our skin. What part of this Commandment do we not understand? It’s so interesting that when we disobey a Commandment (believe I have done this too!) that we justify our actions. Maybe you think Hashem is talking about tattoos to false gods or this was a different culture or time. But, if we take His Word at face value we see that we are not to mark our skin at all. He says no to this. So, tattoos are wrong -- they are sin. If you have tattoos then maybe it is time to repent and make restitution. If you are thinking about getting one, I pray you take this Commandment literally and do not get one. Seek Hashem, He will show you!

Challenge:

Here is a huge challenge, one that I deal with often because I have small grandchildren. In verse 31 we are told not to “seek” or be “defiled” by medium and wizards. Well, if you turn on kids TV you will find most every station has “magic”, witches, fairies and all sorts of wizardry. If we watch this or even play act with magic aren’t we entertaining wizards and mediums? I will usually justify and say to myself, “It is only make believe”. But, again we are dodging an important Commandment and influencing our children. Lately, I have been saying to my grandkids, “Bubbie does not like magic”. And I will say we can do special things instead. Torah is strict about teaching our children the Truth. Time to change. I know it’s hard. But separation from the Father is even harder, it’s unbearable.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

19:15 “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.

16 “‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.

“‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Hashem.

17 “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Hashem.

19 “‘You shall keep my statutes.

“‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals.

“‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed;

“‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.

20 “‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 He shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Hashem for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.

23 “‘When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden. For three years it shall be forbidden to you. It shall not be eaten. 24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to Hashem. 25 In the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield its increase to you. I am Hashem your Elohim.

26 “‘You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it. You shall not use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.

27 “‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.

28 “‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Hashem.

29 “‘Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

30 “‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Hashem.

31 “‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Hashem your Elohim.

32 “‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #4

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

My Thoughts:

Verses 23 and 24 are specific to women and men and who or what they have sexual relations with. If you believe in Hashem and His perfect Torah, then you can not dispute or change what He is commanding. He makes it clear. Not to have sex with the same gender and not with animals. In fact, He calls it detestable, perversion and an abomination. Like any other sin we have -- we can work on changing our behavior. We can repent and turn around. It is possible. In life we make choices. Hashem directs us to make the right ones. 

Challenge:

Interesting in verse 19:3 that Hashem first tells us to respect our parents, and in the same thought He tells us to keep the Sabbath. The reason is because He is Elohim! It seems these two commands are very important to Him. When He created our parents, He gave them the seed to create us. They then love us and raise us. And they hopefully teach us Torah and how to keep Sabbath. Honoring the creation He gave us (parents) and keeping Sabbath go hand in hand. Summarized, it is all about obedience. Review your life today and make sure you are honoring both your parents and the Sabbath. Make necessary corrections. Amen.

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

18:22 “‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.

23 “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

24 “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25 The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you 27 (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled), 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

29 “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Adonai your Elohim.’”

19 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Hashem your Elohim, am holy.

3 “‘Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father. You shall keep my Sabbaths. I am Hashem your Elohim.

4 “‘Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Hashem your Elohim.

5 “‘When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day. If anything remains until the third day, it shall be burned with fire. 7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted; 8 but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Hashem, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.

9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.

11 “‘You shall not steal.

“‘You shall not lie.

“‘You shall not deceive one another.

12 “‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

13 “‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him.

“‘The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

14 “‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.