Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #1

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Reading #1: Deuteronomy 29:9-28

My Thoughts:

Verse 9 reads, “...keep the words of this Covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do.” What does it mean to keep? Can we “keep” the Temple and priestly laws? No. But we can “keep” the rest, to the best of our ability. We can avoid unclean foods. We can honor and remember the Feasts. We can protect the Sabbath. And we can follow the rest (including the big ten)! When we do this, and Hashem does know our hearts -- we have the blessing of prosperity. That does not necessarily mean money. It could be wonderful children, a wonderful job and a wonderful house/car. It could also mean the best friendships and relationships. Most of all it could mean that we could be prosperous in our relationship with Hashem. That we could really get to know Him and His Torah. We could serve Him and love Him. True prosperity is in the heart. And it is a blessing only from Him. Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 10 we read, “All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim…”. Were they really visibly seeing Hashem at this time? I don’t think so. But, because Moses who was speaking for Hashem and the community of the people standing together -- I believe Hashem was in their presence -- by His Spirit. So my challenge today is this. If they could be in His presence, maybe we could be in His presence also. Take a minute to think about what this would look like. Maybe through your worship, your prayer, your obedience or just taking a moment to be silent and talk to Him. You will get to know and become familiar when He is there. And when that happens, you will want to be with Him more. We are just getting reading on this planet for a time when we will be with Him always in the Olam Haba. Practice this now. Get to know Him now. Ask Him to come and visit you, walk with you and show you His ways. Amen.

Reading #1: Deuteronomy 29:9-28

Therefore keep the words of this covenant and do them, that you may prosper in all that you do. 10 All of you stand today in the presence of Hashem your Elohim: your heads, your tribes, your elders, and your officers, even all the men of Israel, 11 your little ones, your wives, and the foreigners who are in the middle of your camps, from the one who cuts your wood to the one who draws your water, 12 that you may enter into the covenant of Hashem your Elohim, and into his oath, which Hashem your Elohim makes with you today, 13 that He may establish you today as His people, and that He may be your Elohim, as He spoke to you and as He swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 14 Neither do I make this covenant and this oath with you only, 15 but with those who stand here with us today before Hashem our Elohim, and also with those who are not here with us today 16 (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; 17 and you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which were among them); 18 lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Hashem your Elohim, to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; 19 and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry. 20 Hashem will not pardon him, but then Hashem’s anger and His jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Hashem will blot out his name from under the sky. 21 Hashem will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the law.

22 The generation to come—your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land—will say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Hashem has made it sick, 23 that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which Hashem overthrew in His anger, and in His wrath. 24 Even all the nations will say, “Why has Hashem done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”

25 Then men will say, “Because they abandoned the covenant of Hashem, the Elohim of their fathers, which He made with them when He brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know and that He had not given to them. 27 Therefore Hashem’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. 28 Hashem rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.”

Week #8 - Nitzavim-Vayelech

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Torah: Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Haftarah: Isaiah 61:10-63:9

Apostolic Scriptures: Luke 24:1-12, Luke 24:13-43

1: 29:9-28 · 20 p’sukim ·  

2: 30:1-6 · 6 p’sukim ·  

3: 30:7-14 · 8 p’sukim ·  

4: 30:15-31:6 · 12 p’sukim ·  

5: 31:7-13 · 7 p’sukim ·  

6: 31:14-19 · 6 p’sukim ·  

7: 31:20-30 · 11 p’sukim

Ki Teitzei - Week #6

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Isaiah 54:1-10

Matthew 24:29-42

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 21:10–21

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 21:22–22:7

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 23:8–24

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 24:5–13

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19

Bechukotai - Reading #7

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Haftarah: Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

Apostolic Writings: Matthew 16:20-28

Reading #7 - Leviticus 27:29–34

My Thoughts:

Today we are learning about the “tithe of the land” verse 30. He is instructed that when they get into Israel and they begin to farm – plant and reap – that a tithe of all that – is Hashems. That equals 10%. And even if you trade it out, then what you trade for is still His. This is something that is not an option. In our modern day churches and synagogues we are getting teaching on “tithes”. Religious institutions have to have a way to financially exist. This we know. But, whether it is a tithe is debatable. I believe we should be giving back to Hashem a tenth (at the very least) of what we have. Think about doing that. Find a charitable organization that is in line with Torah and what Hashem instructs in helping others and/or the poor. Give to them today!

Challenge:

We are finishing up Leviticus today. Hashem has given some new commandments and reviewed some already given. In verse 34 we read, “These are the commandments which Hashem commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mt. Sinai”. Notice He does not say the commandments which Hashem “suggested” or “recommended” – He says COMMANDED. Again, as I have said many times, what about following the Torah do we not understand? It’s not hard to follow. We do our best for commandments that are possible – to obey them today. Remember – we are commanded to follow them. It is not an option. And really the Torah gives us life! The commandments ARE life to us! We should be so happy and willing to do all that we can to obey them! Today is a good day to start doing this. Make a promise to yourself that you will start reading Torah portions every day. That you will think about them and how they apply to your life. Obey Hashem. Through this you will find the most loving and kind relationship with Him! Amen.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 27:29-34

27:29 “‘No one devoted to destruction, who shall be devoted from among men, shall be ransomed. He shall surely be put to death.

30 “‘All the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the trees, is Hashem’s. It is holy to Hashem. 31 If a man redeems anything of his tithe, he shall add a fifth part to it. 32 All the tithe of the herds or the flocks, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth shall be holy to Hashem. 33 He shall not examine whether it is good or bad, neither shall he exchange it. If he exchanges it at all, then both it and that for which it is exchanged shall be holy. It shall not be redeemed.’”

34 These are the commandments which Hashem commanded Moses for the children of Israel on Mount Sinai.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 17:7 we read, “Blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem, and whose confidence is in Hashem.” Then it goes on to say you won’t worry when there is heat or drought. Yesterday I was listening to the news and they were saying we are on a brink of a food shortage - world food shortage. That can bring panic to your soul, unless you put your trust in Hashem. Yes of course, we are to be wise and store up some food for emergencies. But, in the end, our trust and confidence have to be in the Father. He is the provider and the sustainer. Think about how we read in Torah that He provided manna throughout the time in the desert. And when they got thirsty, water flowed from rocks. It takes great faith and patience to get through hard times. This passage confirms you will be taken care of.

Challenge:

In verse 17:10 we read, “I, Hashem, search the mind. I try the heart, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Wow this can be frightening – right? Hashem knows our thoughts and our hearts, and everything we do. We can’t hide things from Him, like we hide things from people. If you think you are getting away with some sort of sin right now, well, you aren’t. Hashem knows all about it. So, it’s time to confess and repent. Make things right. Especially if your sin is affecting other people. Although it is so hard to tell people when we have done something wrong – Hashem demands this. By doing so we will make our minds better and cleaner. So, fix what you have to fix – today! And so will I!

Haftarah;  Jeremiah 16:19 - 17:14

Hashem, my strength, and my stronghold,

    and my refuge in the day of affliction,

the nations will come to you from the ends of the earth,

    and will say,

“Our fathers have inherited nothing but lies,

    vanity and things in which there is no profit.

20 Should a man make to himself gods

    which yet are no gods?”

21 “Therefore behold, I will cause them to know,

    this once I will cause them to know My hand and My might.

    Then they will know that My name is Hashem.”

17 “The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron,

    and with the point of a diamond.

It is engraved on the tablet of their heart,

    and on the horns of your altars.

2 Even their children remember their altars

    and their Asherah poles by the green trees on the high hills.

3 My mountain in the field,

    I will give your substance and all your treasures for a plunder,

    and your high places, because of sin, throughout all your borders.

4 You, even of yourself, will discontinue from your heritage that I gave you.

    I will cause you to serve your enemies in the land which you don’t know,

    for you have kindled a fire in My anger which will burn forever.”

5 Hashem says:

“Cursed is the man who trusts in man,

    relies on strength of flesh,

    and whose heart departs from Hashem

6 For he will be like a bush in the desert,

    and will not see when good comes,

but will inhabit the parched places in the wilderness,

    an uninhabited salt land.

7 “Blessed is the man who trusts in Hashem,

    and whose confidence is in Hashem.

8 For he will be as a tree planted by the waters,

    who spreads out its roots by the river,

and will not fear when heat comes,

    but its leaf will be green,

and will not be concerned in the year of drought.

    It won’t cease from yielding fruit.

9 The heart is deceitful above all things

    and it is exceedingly corrupt.

    Who can know it?

10 “I, Hashem, search the mind.

    I try the heart,

even to give every man according to his ways,

    according to the fruit of his doings.”

11 As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid,

    so is he who gets riches, and not by right.

In the middle of his days, they will leave him.

    At his end, he will be a fool.

12 A glorious throne, set on high from the beginning,

    is the place of our sanctuary.

13 Hashem, the hope of Israel,

    all who forsake you will be disappointed.

Those who depart from me will be written in the earth,

    because they have forsaken Hashem,

    the spring of living waters.

14 Heal me, O Hashem, and I will be healed.

    Save me, and I will be saved;

    for you are my praise.

Apostolic Writings

My Thoughts:

Yeshua teaches in verse 24, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.” Yeshua always taught that the “cost” of being obedient and following Him and Torah was big. It was a time where there was great persecution (and after Yeshua left) for Jews. He says it is more important to follow Hashem than to follow man. Don’t you agree? Yes, but how often do we seek to please others even with the cost of sinning? We must stay in Hashem’s Word, pray, obey Torah, love Him and follow Him. We must “take up our cross” daily. And stand strong.

Challenge:

In verse 26 we read, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life?” What a profound teaching! We can go after the world, make money and follow other gods, or we can choose Hashem. If we are in the world we forfeit our life. If we are in Hashem we gain eternal life. Which do you choose? Make your decision today and stand by it!

Apostolic Writings: Matthew 16:20-28

16:20 Then He commanded the disciples that they should tell no one that he was Yeshua the Mashiach..

21 From that time, Yeshua began to show His talmidim that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and the third day be raised up.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, L-rd! This will never be done to You.”

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me, for you are not setting your mind on the things of Adonai, but on the things of men.”

24 Then Yeshua said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever will lose his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with His angels, and then He will render to everyone according to his deeds. 28 Most certainly I tell you, there are some standing here who will in no way taste of death until they see the Son of Man coming in His Kingdom.”

Bechukotai - Reading #6

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #6 - Leviticus 27:22–28

My Thoughts:

How beautiful is verse 28, “Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to Hashem.” Things we dedicate to Him become holy. Can we even begin to understand that? We live in a world that is so focused on our own needs and wants. Everything is about “me”. Not others. Not Hashem. But, if we were to dedicate anything to Him – it automatically becomes holy. Have you ever heard a teaching on this? I haven’t. It is something to think about, and study more intently. It is an amazing concept. For instance, I dedicate to Hashem my house. It becomes holy to Him! So we better be acting holy in this house and giving Him glory for it! Take some time to think about this concept today!

Challenge:

And in verse 28 there is a stipulation. “Everything that is permanently devoted….”. It must be given to Hashem forever, not given and taken back. I have made promises to Hashem over the years, and then taken them back. Have you done that? If we “give” Hashem a promise, if we say “Hashem this is forever” – then we better mean it. Another example is marriage. We give a vow before Hashem to honor our husband/wife through anything. But if we think it’s not working out, then we take back that vow. We need to be giving to Hashem – permanently. Let’s really focus on this. If your marriage is seeing some hard times, I pray that you will seek Hashem to heal it! Or anything else that you have vowed or given to Him. I pray we all realize our gifts and dedications to Hashem are forever and never to be revoked. Amen.

Reading #6 - Leviticus 27:22–28

27:22 “‘If he dedicates a field to Hashem which he has bought, which is not of the field of his possession, 23 then the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your valuation up to the Year of Jubilee; and he shall give your valuation on that day, as a holy thing to Hashem. 24 In the Year of Jubilee the field shall return to him from whom it was bought, even to him to whom the possession of the land belongs. 25 All your valuations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary: twenty gerahs to the shekel.

26 “‘However the firstborn among animals, which belongs to Hashem as a firstborn, no man may dedicate, whether an ox or a sheep. It is Hashem’s. 27 If it is an unclean animal, then he shall buy it back according to your valuation, and shall add to it the fifth part of it; or if it isn’t redeemed, then it shall be sold according to your valuation.

28 “‘Notwithstanding, no devoted thing that a man devotes to Hashem of all that he has, whether of man or animal, or of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed. Everything that is permanently devoted is most holy to Hashem.

Bechukotai - Reading #5

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #5 - Leviticus 27:16-21

My Thoughts:

More on dedicating land to Hashem and its value. Currently, we don’t have the Year of Jubilee, nor do we have a priesthood. I believe the important concept here is dedicating something to Hashem. When our grandchildren were born we “spiritually” dedicated them to Hashem. We asked if Hashem would please watch over and guide them all the days of their lives. It was important to us. You may think about “dedicating” your children and/or grandchildren to Hashem if you haven’t already done so. After all, He created them and gave them on “loan” to us.

Challenge:

What do you dedicate to Hashem? Have you given Him your marriage? Your children/grandchildren? Your house and all you own? Your life? Just because we don’t live in Temple times (yet) it doesn’t seem like we should not do the things the best way we are able. This is with all the commandments. Dedication, Sabbaths, dietary laws, helping neighbors and the poor, etc. We are to give back to Hashem all that we can and we are to do all we can do follow His instructions. My challenge to you today is that you review your life in relation to Torah and repair what needs to be fixed. Do more. Love more. Amen.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 27:16–21

16 “‘If a man dedicates to Hashem part of the field of his possession, then your valuation shall be according to the seed for it. The sowing of a homer of barley shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. 17 If he dedicates his field from the Year of Jubilee, according to your valuation it shall stand. 18 But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, then the priest shall reckon to him the money according to the years that remain to the Year of Jubilee; and an abatement shall be made from your valuation. 19 If he who dedicated the field will indeed redeem it, then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your valuation to it, and it shall remain his. 20 If he will not redeem the field, or if he has sold the field to another man, it shall not be redeemed any more; 21 but the field, when it goes out in the Jubilee, shall be holy to Hashem, as a devoted field. It shall be owned by the priests.

Bechukotai - Reading #4

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #4 - Leviticus 27:1–15

My Thoughts:

Verse 14 is about dedicating your home to Hashem. “‘When a man dedicates his house to be holy to Hashem, then the priest shall evaluate it, whether it is good or bad.” The point is the person wants his home - all of it - to be holy. Do we want our homes to be holy? Do we dedicate our homes to Hashem? It might be something to think about. Wouldn’t you just love it if your home was so holy that when people entered they immediately felt the presence of Hashem and His peace. That people could be healed and set free. Maybe take your spouse or friend and make a plan to have a special time to pray and devote your house to Hashem. It’s really His anyway.

Challenge:

We learn today when we bring any animals, houses and even people before Hashem – we go to the priest. The priest has the authority (in Temple times) to accept or reject the gifts/offerings. The priests were selected by Hashem and in an orderly way. People must have had a huge trust in the authority of the priests. It makes me wonder what we have that is comparable today? We have rabbis and pastors but do we really respect their authority? Should we? I think if we are certain the rabbi/pastor is authentically spiritual and that they are trying their best to serve Hashem (and have proven through experience their understanding of Scripture) – we would respect and honor their decisions and influence. Pray today about your pastor or rabbi. Ask Hashem to show what level of respect and honor you should give them. Listen and obey. 

Reading #4 - Leviticus 27:1–15

27:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘When a man consecrates a person to Hashem in a vow, according to your valuation, 3 your valuation of a male from twenty years old to sixty years old shall be fifty shekels of silver, according to the shekel of the sanctuary. 4 If she is a female, then your valuation shall be thirty shekels. 5 If the person is from five years old to twenty years old, then your valuation shall be for a male twenty shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 6 If the person is from a month old to five years old, then your valuation shall be for a male five shekels of silver, and for a female your valuation shall be three shekels of silver. 7 If the person is from sixty years old and upward; if he is a male, then your valuation shall be fifteen shekels, and for a female ten shekels. 8 But if he is poorer than your valuation, then he shall be set before the priest, and the priest shall assign a value to him. The priest shall assign a value according to his ability to pay.

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

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