B'reisheet - Day #2

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - the Beginning

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Day #2: Genesis 2:4–19

2:4 This is the history of the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that Hashem Elohim made the earth and the heavens. 5 No plant of the field was yet in the earth, and no herb of the field had yet sprung up; for Hashem Elohim had not caused it to rain on the earth. There was not a man to till the ground, 6 but a mist went up from the earth, and watered the whole surface of the ground. 7 Hashem Elohim formed man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. 8 Hashem Elohim planted a garden eastward, in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed. 9 Out of the ground Hashem Elohim made every tree to grow that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. 10 A river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from there it was parted, and became the source of four rivers. 11 The name of the first is Pishon: it flows through the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold; 12 and the gold of that land is good. Bdellium and onyx stone are also there. 13 The name of the second river is Gihon. It is the same river that flows through the whole land of Cush. 14 The name of the third river is Hiddekel. This is the one that flows in front of Assyria. The fourth river is the Euphrates. 15 Hashem Elohim took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to cultivate and keep it. 

16 Hashem Elohim commanded the man, saying, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; 17 but you shall not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; for in the day that you eat of it, you will surely die.”

18 Hashem Elohim said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make him a helper comparable to him.” 19 Out of the ground Hashem Elohim formed every animal of the field, and every bird of the sky, and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. Whatever the man called, every living creature became its name.

Today’s Meditation: 

When Hashem created Adam, He breathed the breath of life into him. When you consider this, it is powerful. Adam was not born or carried by his mother. He did not have a mother. He was created directly by Hashem. And after he was created, Hashem breathed His life into his nostrils. This is how His special people were created; this is what sets them apart. They began with His breath of life, His oxygen.

Today, we debate when life begins. Does it begin at conception? Birth? When does Hashem breathe life into a new creation? This is something to reflect on.

Today’s Challenge:

In what ways are you trying to get back to the Garden or the presence of Hashem? Do you think there will be a time when His covenant followers will return to the Garden? Maybe the Garden is in the Kingdom of Heaven—the perfect place.

B'reisheet - Day #1

B'reisheet בְּרֵאשִׁית - In the Beginning 

Torah Portion: Genesis 1:1-6:8

Day #1: Genesis 1:1-2:3

1:1 In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was formless and empty. Darkness was on the surface of the deep, and Elohim’s Spirit was hovering over the surface of the waters. 3 Elohim said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 Elohim saw the light, and saw that it was good. Elohim divided the light from the darkness. 5 Elohim called the light “day”, and the darkness he called “night”. There was evening and there was morning, the first day.

6 Elohim said, “Let there be an expanse in the middle of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” 7 Elohim made the expanse, and divided the waters which were under the expanse from the waters which were above the expanse; and it was so. 8 Elohim called the expanse “sky”. There was evening and there was morning, a second day.

9 Elohim said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together to one place, and let the dry land appear;” and it was so. 10 Elohim called the dry land “earth”, and the gathering together of the waters he called “seas”. Elohim saw that it was good. 11 Elohim said, “Let the earth yield grass, herbs yielding seeds, and fruit trees bearing fruit after their kind, with their seeds in it, on the earth;” and it was so. 12 The earth yielded grass, herbs yielding seed after their kind, and trees bearing fruit, with their seeds in it, after their kind; and Elohim saw that it was good. 13 There was evening and there was morning, a third day.

14 Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the sky to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs to mark seasons, days, and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the expanse of the sky to give light on the earth;” and it was so. 

16 Elohim made the two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He also made the stars. 17 Elohim set them in the expanse of the sky to give light to the earth, 18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. Elohim saw that it was good. 19 There was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.

20 Elohim said, “Let the waters abound with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.” 21 Elohim created the large sea creatures and every living creature that moves, with which the waters swarmed, after their kind, and every winged bird after its kind. Elohim saw that it was good. 22 Elohim blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 There was evening and there was morning, a fifth day.

24 Elohim said, “Let the earth produce living creatures after their kind, livestock, creeping things, and animals of the earth after their kind;” and it was so. 25 Elohim made the animals of the earth after their kind, and the livestock after their kind, and everything that creeps on the ground after its kind. Elohim saw that it was good.

26 Elohim said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” 27 Elohim created man in His own image. In Elohim’s image He created him; male and female he created them. 28 Elohim blessed them. Elohim said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the sky, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” 29 Elohim said, “Behold, I have given you every herb yielding seed, which is on the surface of all the earth, and every tree, which bears fruit yielding seed. It will be your food. 30 To every animal of the earth, and to every bird of the sky, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food;” and it was so. 31 Elohim saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good. There was evening and there was morning, a sixth day.

2 The heavens, the earth, and all their vast array were finished. 2 On the seventh day, Elohim finished His work which He had done; and He rested on the seventh day from all His work which He had done. 3 Elohim blessed the seventh day, and made it holy, because He rested in it from all His work of creation which He had done.

Today’s Meditation: 

Hashem essentially created the entire universe, including His planet Earth, in six days. The question asked over the centuries is: Why? Some think that He wanted companionship. Others believe He wanted to be worshiped. I speculate He wanted both. 

During His creation, He made stars for us to enjoy in the evening. A beautiful sun to warm us during the day. Water to drink, and plants to eat. And the best part was to be walking with Him, the Almighty, together in a very beautiful place. Worshiping and loving Him every minute of the day. He created a place to love, to expand His love. He created us so that we would reside in His presence and worship Him with all our hearts, souls, and strength. Only we messed it all up. We disobeyed Him, got selfish, and were removed from His presence.

Now we have His planet, but it is bruised and damaged. We can catch glimpses of His presence only through prayer, His Word, and worship. But in the end, we will walk with Him again. And once again, we will be surrounded by His perfect creation. It might be good to start planning for that day.

Today’s Challenge: 

In verse 3, Elohim creates “light”. You may want to think about your own life. Are you a light, a representative of Hashem’s love for others? When people look at you, do they see the Spirit of Hashem lighting up your life? Make some changes today and try to be a mirror of who Hashem can be in one’s life. When people perceive you as religious or spiritual, they tend to watch you more closely. If you make a mistake, admit it and try to rectify the situation. That will teach them about Hashem’s grace and forgiveness, rather than making you appear hypocritical. 

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #7

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18

Shabbat Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 34

My Thoughts:

Here we are at the end (but really the beginning). Our kind and generous Elohim takes Moses to the top of Pisgan and supernaturally shows Moses the complete Land of Israel. He can see all the way to the western sea. And yet Hashem says to him in verse 4, “I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.” Moses sees the majestic beauty of the Land that has been promised for several centuries, and I’m sure his heart soared. And even though he could not go into the Land, he had the satisfaction of leading all the people there safely. What a journey it was. Now it is his turn to die. I believe Moses must have felt so complete. So comforted. He left his charge in trustworthy hands to Joshua. All was well, and now it was time to step into eternity. With perfect peace.

Challenge:

Moses knows his time is over, and he is leaving it all to the faithful hands of Joshua, who was “full of the spirit of wisdom.” I was thinking, did you ever have to turn something over (that was very important to you), to someone else? Did you trust them? What a difference it would make. Sometimes it is very difficult to leave a job, ministry, or even a family in the care of someone who may or may not be capable of tending to it. My last challenge of the year to you is this. Reflect on your life. Thank Hashem for all the good and for being with you through all the bad. If you have had to leave something to someone else, ask Hashem to give that person the Spirit of wisdom to know how to handle it/them and to take good care of it/them. Then trust Him to help that person take care of things for you. Pray for that person as often as you are able. Turn it all over to Hashem, really, it is all His.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 34

34:1 Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. Hashem showed him all the land of Gilead to Dan, 2 and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the Western Sea, 3 and the south, and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar. 4 Hashem said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring. I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.”

5 So Moses the servant of Hashem died there in the land of Moab, according to Hashem’s word. 6 He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day. 7 Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone. 8 The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were ended. 9 Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as Hashem commanded Moses. 10 Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom Hashem knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and the wonders which Hashem sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land, 12 and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.

Haftarah: Joshua 1:1-18

Now after the death of Moses the servant of Hashem,  Hashem spoke to Joshua the son of Nun, Moses’ servant, saying, 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, go across this Jordan, you and all these people, to the land which I am giving to them, even to the children of Israel. 3 I have given you every place that the sole of your foot will tread on, as I told Moses. 4 From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the great sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border. 5 No man will be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

6 “Be strong and courageous; for you shall cause these people to inherit the land which I swore to their fathers to give them. 7 Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commanded you. Don’t turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. 9 Haven’t I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be dismayed, for Hashem your Elohim is with you wherever you go.”

10 Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, 11 “Pass through the middle of the camp, and command the people, saying, ‘Prepare food; for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you to possess.’”

12 Joshua spoke to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of Manasseh, saying, 13 “Remember the word which Moses the servant of Hashem commanded you, saying, ‘Hashem your Elohim gives you rest, and will give you this land. 14 Your wives, your little ones, and your livestock shall live in the land which Moses gave you beyond the Jordan; but you shall pass over before your brothers armed, all the mighty men of valor, and shall help them 15 until Hashem has given your brothers rest, as he has given you, and they have also possessed the land which Hashem your Elohim gives them. Then you shall return to the land of your possession and possess it, which Moses the servant of Hashem gave you beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise.’”

16 They answered Joshua, saying, “All that you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we listened to Moses in all things, so will we listen to you. Only may Hashem your Elohim be with you, as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your commandment, and doesn’t listen to your words in all that you command him shall himself be put to death. Only be strong and courageous.”

My Thoughts:

Joshua has taken over for Moses. He is appointed by Hashem because of his faith and dedication. And he had gained confidence from the people. It is so important that the people we are in charge of, or that we lead, have confidence in us. You are a role model for Hashem in all you do and say. If there is an area of your life that you have been struggling with, try to go to Hashem and ask Him for His help to fix it.

Challenge:

We have just finished a year of Torah Portions. We have completed the reading of the entire Torah. It is tradition to say "Chazak, chazak, v'nitchasek!" This means, "Be strong, and may we be strengthened." This is my desire for you as you have finished up five very sacred and wonderful books from Hashem, that you will be strong and strengthened. Through this past year and the reading of the complete Torah, He has given us directions of how to follow Him, obey Him, how to love Him, and love others. We know Torah is Life, and He has given this gift to us.

May you be blessed and grow closer to Hashem as you move into the next Torah cycle, B'reisheet. It is a privilege to have walked this journey with you, and I look forward to doing so again beginning next week. Every new chapter of Torah, is a new chapter in your life with Hashem.

V'Zot - HaBerachah - Reading #6

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 33:27–29

My Thoughts:

Here are Moses' closing remarks. What an incredible and challenging journey he has undertaken. Now he stands with His people, ready to enter the Land, but he will not be able to cross over. He knows he is about to die. But Moses is clear on one thing: Elohim is his dwelling place. There is nowhere else he will be when he enters the “Olam Haba” life in the world to come. He will be in paradise, a level of heaven, I believe, until the final resurrection of life into the new world on earth. This will be where the Mashiach rules from the Temple in Jerusalem, and the glory of Hashem fills the earth. It is all a beautiful life in His everlasting arms. Moses is about ready to say goodbye, but in reality, he is saying hello to eternal life.

Challenge:

Verse 29 says it all: "You are happy, Israel. Who is like you, a people saved by Hashem, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You will tread on their high places.” There will be great happiness in Israel's near future. They will be saved, protected by His shield and sword, and the enemies will bow down to them. However, as we know from Torah writings, this will not last too long. Israel and its people will succumb to the influences of temptation. They will be exiled and defeated. There will be mountaintops and valleys, just like in our lives. And that is my final challenge to you in our daily readings this year. Be very self-aware of who Hashem is in your life. Incorporate Him into every moment that you breathe. Stand with Him and for Him in all situations. Avoid the temptations of sin, and repent immediately if you fall into them. Stay in daily readings as the new Torah cycle begins. Be immersed in Torah. Look for signs of Hashem during your day. See what He is doing all around you and join Him. Be blessed.

I have enjoyed journeying with you all this year.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 33:27–29

33:27 The eternal Elohim is your dwelling place.

    Underneath are the everlasting arms.

He thrust out the enemy from before you,

    and said, ‘Destroy!’

28 Israel dwells in safety,

    the fountain of Jacob alone,

In a land of grain and new wine.

    Yes, His heavens drop down dew.

29 You are happy, Israel!

    Who is like you, a people saved by Hashem,

    the shield of your help,

    the sword of your excellency?

Your enemies will submit themselves to you.

    You will tread on their high places.”

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #5

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 33:22–26

My Thoughts:

Moses continues to bless the tribes. What a beautiful Scripture in verse 26, “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, in His excellency on the skies.” Jeshurun is a poetic name for Israel and means, “Dear upright people”. It is Hashem’s hope all along that His people will be upright, honest, and righteous, following Him and Torah. Israel, His people, and Torah are to be a light to the nations.  Let us pray for Israel and its people, that we may all seek after Hashem wholeheartedly and remain His “Jeshurun”. Hashem, please forgive us all for our sins.

Challenge:

In verse 23, we read, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of Hashem’s blessing…”.  What an incredible blessing. Don’t you want to be full of Hashem’s blessing? How would we achieve this? That is my challenge to you today: think about what you can do, or who you can be, that would warrant Hashem filling you with His blessings. We know that the Torah provides many verses about being blessed, and it always precedes the understanding that one must follow the Torah, love Hashem, and love others. If you want to be filled with His blessings today, review your daily life and ensure you are pursuing Hashem. If you aren’t, then make the changes necessary today. Repent, teshuvah, and make restitution. Love Hashem with your heart, soul, and being.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 33:22–26

33:22 About Dan, he said,

“Dan is a lion’s cub

    that leaps out of Bashan.”

23 About Naphtali, he said,

“Naphtali, satisfied with favor,

    full of Hashem’s blessing,

    Possess the west and the south.”

24 About Asher, he said,

“Asher is blessed with children.

    Let him be acceptable to his brothers.

    Let him dip his foot in oil.

25 Your bars will be iron and bronze.

    As your days, so your strength will be.

26 “There is no one like Elohim, Jeshurun,

    who rides on the heavens for your help,

    in His excellency on the skies.

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #4

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #4 -  Deuteronomy 33:18–21

My Thoughts:

Blessings on two more tribes. It’s almost like every tribe has a “role” in the Kingdom of Elohim and here on earth. To each tribe, he ascribes unique blessings that must align with their particular gifts and callings. Zebulun was apparently a seafaring tribe. Doing trading with fish, etc. Hashem was going to bless this about them, for they would “draw out of the abundance of the seas” verse 19. This makes me think that whatever Hashem calls us to do, if we are obedient to Him and His Torah, He will allow us to draw out of the abundance. This abundance will be in our area of need. We follow, and He blesses us.

Challenge:

There are blessings on the tribe of Gad in today’s readings. Remember that Gad is one of the tribes that wanted to settle east of the Jordan, not west. However, they offered to join the other tribes in conquering the land west of the Jordan River. They were apparently known as skilled fighters, efficient in battle. And that’s where Hashem wanted them. From that story, we learn that it’s okay to ask Hashem for special things (like settling east of Jordan), but when He asks us to do extraordinary things, we must return His favor. That’s my challenge today. If Hashem is asking you to do something special, and maybe it’s out of your comfort zone, do it. If He wants you to go to war and fight for Him, do it. He will give you what you want, but we also have to do what He wants. Be ready to settle “East” but be prepared to also go “West” for a while to do His will.

Reading #4 -  Deuteronomy 33:18–21

18 About Zebulun he said,

“Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out;

    and Issachar, in your tents.

19 They will call the peoples to the mountain.

    There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness,

for they will draw out the abundance of the seas,

    the hidden treasures of the sand.”

20 About Gad he said,

“He who enlarges Gad is blessed.

    He dwells as a lioness,

    and tears the arm and the crown of the head.

21 He provided the first part for himself,

    for the lawgiver’s portion reserved was reserved for him.

He came with the heads of the people.

    He executed the righteousness of Hashem,

    His ordinances with Israel.”

V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #3

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17

My Thoughts:

Joseph is receiving a very large and detailed blessing here. Especially on the Land that the tribe will inherit. Blessings over the produce and fruit of the Land. Hashem remembers the suffering Joseph endured when he was separated from his brothers. It makes me think that Hashem remembers the things we have suffered in our lives, that He does not forget. That is a comforting thought and a feeling that Hashem loves us so much and cares for our past and our future. Let us remember that about Him.

Challenge:

Joseph gets a special blessing in verse 15, “...for the best things of the ancient mountains…”. What could possibly be this type of blessing out of ancient mountains? It gives me the idea that the ancient mountains could represent the ancient Word of Elohim. His Word is like a mighty mountain (and was shown on top of a mountain). So, think of this. Hashem wants to give the best things out of His Word. If we are to follow Torah (and that is my challenge today), then He will provide us with the best from it. And if you think of it, what is better than life itself? That is the reality of Torah, and it is the best thing about it. It gives eternal life. Life today and life forever.

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17

33:13 About Joseph, he said,

“His land is blessed by Hashem,

    for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew,

    for the deep that couches beneath,

14 for the precious things of the fruits of the sun,

    for the precious things that the moon can yield,

15 for the best things of the ancient mountains,

    for the precious things of the everlasting hills,

16 for the precious things of the earth and its fullness,

    the good will of him who lived in the bush.

Let this come on the head of Joseph,

    on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

17 Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd.

    His horns are the horns of the wild ox.

    With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth.

They are the ten thousands of Ephraim.

    They are the thousands of Manasseh.”