Lech-Lecha - Day #4

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 14:1–20

14 In the days of Amraphel, king of Shinar; Arioch, king of Ellasar; Chedorlaomer, king of Elam; and Tidal, king of Goiim, 2 they made war with Bera, king of Sodom; Birsha, king of Gomorrah; Shinab, king of Admah; Shemeber, king of Zeboiim; and the king of Bela (also called Zoar). 3 All these joined together in the valley of Siddim (also called the Salt Sea). 4 They served Chedorlaomer for twelve years, and in the thirteenth year they rebelled. 5 In the fourteenth year Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him came and struck the Rephaim in Ashteroth Karnaim, the Zuzim in Ham, the Emim in Shaveh Kiriathaim, 6 and the Horites in their Mount Seir, to El Paran, which is by the wilderness. 7 They returned, and came to En Mishpat (also called Kadesh), and struck all the country of the Amalekites, and also the Amorites, that lived in Hazazon Tamar. 8 The king of Sodom, and the king of Gomorrah, the king of Admah, the king of Zeboiim, and the king of Bela (also called Zoar) went out; and they set the battle in array against them in the valley of Siddim 9 against Chedorlaomer king of Elam, Tidal king of Goiim, Amraphel king of Shinar, and Arioch king of Ellasar; four kings against the five. 10 Now the valley of Siddim was full of tar pits, and the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah fled, and some fell there. Those who remained fled to the hills. 11 They took all the goods of Sodom and Gomorrah, and all their food, and went their way. 12 They took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who lived in Sodom, and his goods, and departed.

13 One who had escaped came and told Abram, the Hebrew. At that time, he lived by the oaks of Mamre, the Amorite, brother of Eshcol and brother of Aner. They were allies of Abram. 14 When Abram heard that his relative was taken captive, he led out his three hundred eighteen trained men, born in his house, and pursued as far as Dan. 15 He divided himself against them by night, he and his servants, and struck them, and pursued them to Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus. 16 He brought back all the goods, and also brought back his relative Lot and his goods, and the women also, and the other people. 17 The king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer and the kings who were with him, at the valley of Shaveh (that is, the King’s Valley). 18 Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was a priest of Elohim Most High. 19 He blessed him, and said, “Blessed be Abram of Elohim Most High, possessor of heaven and earth. 20 Blessed be Elohim Most High, who has delivered your enemies into your hand.”Abram gave him a tenth of all.

Today’s Meditation:

A common question is, “Who is Melchizedek”? We know very little about him. Some people believe he was both a priest and a king. In Judaism, some think he could have been Shem, the son of Noah. Whoever he was, he was kind enough to bless Abram and seal a meeting with bread and wine. Some think he gave tithes to Abram, and some think Abram gave tithes to Melchizedek. Regardless, this is an important meeting/celebration that lacks detailed information. 

We do know that there has been a military victory, and Melchizedek gives glory to Hashem. He is the King of Salem, which is believed to be Jerusalem. My thoughts are, how does he know Elohim? And how important is it that he is a priest and king of Jerusalem? It’s all mysterious and worth an in-depth study if you have time.

Today’s Challenge:

A thought: how often do we sit down with people we know to celebrate a victory? We throw dinners and banquets, but it may be really important to have a one-on-one recognition with those we honor. Think of someone you could do this with, and then plan and execute a meeting with them. We all need encouragement.

Lech-Lecha - Day #3

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 13:5–18

13:5 Lot, who went with Abram, had flocks, herds, and tents. 6 The land was not able to bear them, that they might live together; for their possessions were so great that they couldn’t live together. 7 There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. The Canaanites and the Perizzites lived in the land at that time. 8 Abram said to Lot, “Please, let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen; for we are relatives. 9 Isn’t the whole land before you? Please separate yourself from me. If you go to the left hand, then I will go to the right. Or if you go to the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

10 Lot lifted up his eyes, and saw all the plain of the Jordan, that it was well-watered everywhere, before Hashem destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, like the garden of Hashem, like the land of Egypt, as you go to Zoar. 11 So Lot chose the Plain of the Jordan for himself. Lot traveled east, and they separated themselves from one other. 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinners against Hashem.

14 Hashem said to Abram, after Lot was separated from him, “Now, lift up your eyes, and look from the place where you are, northward and southward and eastward and westward, 15 for I will give all the land which you see to you and to your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring as the dust of the earth, so that if a man can count the dust of the earth, then your offspring may also be counted. 17 Arise, walk through the land in its length and in its width; for I will give it to you.” 18 Abram moved his tent, and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which is in Hebron, and built an altar there to Hashem.

Today’s Meditation:

Was Lot looking out for himself? He thought he was choosing the better land, but he actually got some polluted and corrupt land, Sodom. And look at the result of that. Sodom was destroyed. And in the end, Abram was blessed by Hashem with a promise of receiving all of the land.

Next time we have a choice, we will turn to Hashem and ask for guidance on what to do. Also, it might be advantageous and righteous to choose the lesser and give the other person the best.

Today’s Challenge:

I have a friend who is like Abram. She always gives me the best in every situation. I have learned a great deal from her. Here is my challenge for today. The next time you are given a choice with someone else, choose the lesser option and give your friend the best. You will be blessed even more for doing so. 

Lech-Lecha - Day #2

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 12:14–13:4  

12:14 When Abram had come into Egypt, the Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 Hashem afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, see your wife, take her, and go your way.”

20 Pharaoh commanded men concerning him, and they escorted him away with his wife and all that he had.

13 Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Hashem’s name.

Today’s Meditation:

I always thought Abram was lying about Sarai being his sister. But really, it is true. Some believe she is his half-sister and that they have the same father, Terah. Others think that she could have been Abram’s niece. So, was Abram (Abraham) lying? And he does this again, further on in Scripture.

We will never know the absolute truth about all this, but just think, if your life and your beloved wife’s life were in jeopardy, would you lie? Or would you agree to speaking a “half-truth”? 

I think about how people hid Jews in their homes during the Holocaust. If a Nazi official came to their home, they would lie to save the Jews they were hiding. Is that okay? Of course. I had a great uncle who hid out a family of Jews in his home, and I had other relatives in Europe who gave their lives to the underground in Poland. 

Sometimes, when a life is involved, one must go before Hashem and seek Him for guidance on what to do. 

Today’s Challenge: 

Think about a time when you may have said a white lie to protect yourself or someone else. Was it truly necessary? Would you do it again? What did you learn from that situation?

Lech-Lecha - Day #1

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!  

Torah Portion: Genesis 12:1-17:27

Genesis 12:1–13  

12 Now Hashem said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as Hashem had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

7 Hashem appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.”

He built an altar there to Hashem, who had appeared to him. 8 He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There, he built an altar to Hashem and called on Hashem’s name. 9 Abram traveled, still going on toward the South.

10 There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai, his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look at. 12 It will happen that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me, but they will save you alive. 13 Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you.”

Today’s Meditation:

How strong and confident Abram must have been in hearing the voice of Hashem. Can you imagine uprooting your whole family and taking them to an occupied land? And then to be told that Hashem would make you into a great nation. One would have to be absolutely sure that they were hearing from Hashem. Abram must have been in a very close relationship with Hashem. Could we have the same type of relationship?

Today’s Challenge: 

Do you hear Hashem’s voice clearly in your life? A while ago, my husband and I were introduced to something called “listening prayer.” We would take a prayer request to Hashem by sitting together, getting quiet, asking Him a question, and then listening to what He had to say. It was interesting because we would often hear the same thing from Hashem. 

I challenge you today to do some “listening prayer”. All you have to do is find a quiet space, ask your question or request of Hashem, and quiet yourself to listen to Him. Usually, it’s the first thing that comes into your mind. It could be Scripture, a “yes”, “no”, or “wait”, or it could actually be some unexpected action you are to take. Try it. You will be amazed. You will learn to listen to Hashem just like Abram did.

Vayelech - Reading #7

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Haftarah Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

My Thoughts:

Moses seems anxious about how the Israelites will fare after his death. In verse 29, he says, “For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves…”. How sad is this? After 40 years of substantial miracles and witnesses of Hashem’s power and glory, the chosen people are still disobeying Him. What is it about humankind that just can’t seem to get it together? How could they have looked upon the pillar of the cloud in the day and the pillar of fire at night? Wouldn’t that miracle alone (His presence) be enough in your life to want to stay on your knees day and night? Why are we so weak? Even today, look at the world. It is crazy. Right is wrong and wrong is right. We are so upside down. Those of us who profess to know Hashem and love Him still disobey Him and sin. The beauty of it all is teshuvah. As we are in the ten days of awe leading to Yom Kippur, we must repent and turn around. When we turn around, we don’t look back. We must become beacons of light for Hashem to the rest of the world. So that He wants to send the Mashiach.

Challenge:

The book of the Law in verse 25 reminds them (us) about how to live. It is a witness. That’s why they carry it in the ark. It needs to be with them at all times. Just like now. We need the Torah by our side every day. It needs to be in plain view where we can study it and learn from it. That is the advantage of doing the daily reading schedule. It is always in your life, every day. And that is my challenge to you today. Make a promise to yourself that as the new Torah cycle begins (after Sukkot), you will immerse yourself. Pick a time every day to study, and if you happen to miss a study, make it up. Get yourself a journal to record your thoughts. Let the Torah speak to you in powerful ways each day. Remember, it is life.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 31:25–30

31:25 Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, saying, 26 “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Hashem your Elohim’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. 27 For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Hashem. How much more after my death? 28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. 29 For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Hashem’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”

30 Moses spoke in the ears of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were finished.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Micah 7:8 contains a beautiful passage, “Who is an Elohim like You, who pardons iniquity, and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage? He doesn’t retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving kindness. ” When we were reading the Torah today, we saw how Moses predicted the failure of his people. But even when we fail, Hashem is there to forgive us. He actually will pass over our disobedience. He doesn’t stay mad for long. This is because He is a kind and loving Elohim. I’m sure you have seen evidence of this in your life. You have done dumb things, confessed, and really felt like Hashem has forgiven you. Because He has. We should be more like Him. When people do things to upset us and make us angry, we should show loving kindness instead of retaliation. We need to forgive and make things right. When we do this, the world will be such a better place. Remember, it starts with you and me. 

Challenge:

In Joel 2:27, we read, “You will know that I am among Israel, and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else; My people will never again be disappointed.” What a wonderful promise. We must remember there is no other Elohim but Hashem. His presence will be known in Israel and around the world. And when that happens, there will be no more sin, no more tears, no more wars, no more disappointment. My challenge to you is to try to be like that now. Let’s strive to show the world that Hashem is perfect, loving, and kind. That we can cast our burdens upon Him and He will carry them for us. Let us try to portray to the world that by following the one true Elohim, joy and peace will follow. Be that as it may, today, I will join you.

Haftarah: Hosea 14:2-10; Micah 7:18-20; Joel 2:15-27

Hosea 14:2-10 

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

Micah 7:18-20

8 Who is an Elohim like you, who pardons iniquity,

    and passes over the disobedience of the remnant of His heritage?

He doesn’t retain His anger forever,

    because He delights in loving kindness.

19 He will again have compassion on us.

    He will tread our iniquities under foot;

    and you will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea.

20 You will give truth to Jacob,

    and mercy to Abraham,

    as you have sworn to our fathers from the days of old.

Joel 2:15-27

Blow the trumpet in Zion!

    Sanctify a fast.

    Call a solemn assembly.

16 Gather the people.

    Sanctify the assembly.

    Assemble the elders.

    Gather the children, and those who nurse from breasts.

Let the bridegroom go out of his room,

    and the bride out of her room.

17 Let the priests, the ministers of Hashem, weep between the porch and the altar,

    and let them say, “Spare your people, Hashem,

    and don’t give your heritage to reproach,

    that the nations should rule over them.

Why should they say among the peoples,

    ‘Where is their Elohim?’”

18 Then Hashem was jealous for His land,

    And had pity on His people.

19 Hashem answered His people,

    “Behold, I will send you grain, new wine, and oil,

    and you will be satisfied with them;

    and I will no more make you a reproach among the nations.

20 But I will remove the northern army far away from you,

    and will drive it into a barren and desolate land,

    its front into the eastern sea,

    and its back into the western sea;

    and its stench will come up,

    and its bad smell will rise.”

Surely He has done great things.

21 Land, don’t be afraid.

    Be glad and rejoice, for Hashem has done great things.

22 Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field;

    for the pastures of the wilderness spring up,

    for the tree bears its fruit.

    The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.

23 “Be glad then, you children of Zion,

    and rejoice in Hashem, your Elohim;

    for He gives you the early rain in just measure,

    and He causes the rain to come down for you,

    the early rain and the latter rain,

    as before.

24 The threshing floors will be full of wheat,

    and the vats will overflow with new wine and oil.

25 I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten,

    the great locust, the grasshopper, and the caterpillar,

    my great army, which I sent among you.

26 You will have plenty to eat, and be satisfied,

    and will praise the name of Hashem, your Elohim,

    who has dealt wondrously with you;

    and My people will never again be disappointed.

27 You will know that I am among Israel,

    and that I am Hashem, your Elohim, and there is no one else;

    and my people will never again be disappointed.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

In today’s reading, we learn how Yeshua did not tolerate sin. Selling anything in the temple was, of course, forbidden. The temple was the place where Hashem would dwell. There was to be no bartering or exchanging of money, and so on. How could people get to this point? How could they dishonor the presence of Hashem? Yeshua came to bring people back to Hashem. To remind them of Torah and the commandments. He told the people that if they loved Him, they would follow His commandments. That is so true. If we really love Hashem, we would delight in following Torah. It would not be drudgery or a burden. It is a blessing, and it is life. Let us not become like the “money-changers” in the temple, forgetting the presence and power of Elohim. Let’s be more like Yeshua and remind the world of what is right.

Challenge:

Why were the priests indignant that Yeshua was healing people in the temple? Apparently, people were coming to the temple who needed healing. They needed a touch from Hashem. They needed restoration. Yeshua was Hashem’s vehicle to bring that touch. Were these particular priests jealous, confused, or low on faith? Whatever reason made them skeptical of Yeshua and who He was, it did not end well. Yeshua was killed, and the temple was destroyed. Two huge losses. But here lies the hope. We know from the Torah that the Mashiach will come. That He will rule in the final Temple, where the glory of Hashem goes forth to the world. That is my challenge to you today. Begin to be used by Hashem to give a touch to others. This may be praying for them, helping them, or studying Torah with them. Don’t worry about people around you who don’t understand what you are doing. Just follow Hashem and do what He tells you. We want Mashiach to return. We want the glory of Hashem to fill the earth. So let’s bring the Torah to those around us. Let us help to prepare the world for the Olam Haba.

Apostolic Reading Matthew 21:9-17

9 The multitudes who went in front of Him, and those who followed, kept shouting, “Hosanna to the son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 

10 When He had come into Jerusalem, all the city was stirred up, saying, “Who is this?”

11 The multitudes said, “This is the prophet, Yeshua, from Nazareth of Galilee.”

12 Yeshua entered into the temple of Elohim and drove out all of those who sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables and the seats of those who sold the doves. 13 He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you have made it a den of robbers!”Jeremiah 7:11

14 The lame and the blind came to Him in the temple, and He healed them. 15 But when the chief priests and the scribes saw the wonderful things that He did, and the children who were crying in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the son of David!” they were indignant, 16 and said to Him, “Do you hear what these are saying?”

Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Did you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of children and nursing babies, you have perfected praise?’”

17 He left them and went out of the city to Bethany, and camped there.