Re'eh - Reading #6

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!
Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 15:1–18

My Thoughts:

 

Fairness in slavery? That seems odd to us today. Slavery the way Hashem describes it - is far from what has happened in Europe and America and the atrocities they inflicted upon others. What Hashem is saying is that at the end of seven years a slave has a choice to stay or leave. What we need to think about is that the slave was probably bought because he/she was in poverty. It was like securing a live-in job. I’m sure there were difficult and harsh task masters, but that is where Hashem is telling His people to treat people fairly. And give the slaves an opportunity to go free after seven years. I wonder how many slaves were treated so fairly that they decided to stay on permanently. When we are following Hashem’s commands to love Him and to love others, the world literally changes.

Challenge:

In verse 4 Hashem is telling us that if we follow Him in all ways, He will bless the land so much that there will be no poor in it. That people will take care of people. Unfortunately that is not true today. We have poor and starving people across our world. But the Torah has the remedy and it is outlined in today’s portion. It’s about taking care of each other - feeding, hiring for help, sharing and loving. Sure there must have been people who took advantage of this situation, from both sides. But Hashem does have the perfect plan for a “whole” and “healthy” world. Today’s challenge is to see how you can help the poor in your community. And how you can make the world a better place -- by following Torah’s directions. Amen.

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 15:1–18

15:1 At the end of every seven years, you shall cancel debts. 2 This is the way it shall be done: every creditor shall release that which he has lent to his neighbor. He shall not require payment from his neighbor and his brother, because Hashem’s release has been proclaimed. 3 Of a foreigner you may require it; but whatever of yours is with your brother, your hand shall release. 4 However there will be no poor with you (for Hashem will surely bless you in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance to possess) 5 if only you diligently listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all this commandment which I command you today. 6 For Hashem your Elohim will bless you, as He promised you. You will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow. You will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you. 7 If a poor man, one of your brothers, is with you within any of your gates in your land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, you shall not harden your heart, nor shut your hand from your poor brother; 8 but you shall surely open your hand to him, and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need, which he lacks. 9 Beware that there not be a wicked thought in your heart, saying, “The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand,” and your eye be evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing; and he cry to Hashem against you, and it be sin to you. 10 You shall surely give, and your heart shall not be grieved when you give to him, because it is for this thing Hashem your Elohim will bless you in all your work and in all that you put your hand to. 11 For the poor will never cease out of the land. Therefore I command you to surely open your hand to your brother, to your needy, and to your poor, in your land. 12 If your brother, a Hebrew man, or a Hebrew woman, is sold to you and serves you six years, then in the seventh year you shall let him go free from you. 13 When you let him go free from you, you shall not let him go empty. 14 You shall furnish him liberally out of your flock, out of your threshing floor, and out of your wine press. As Hashem your Elohim has blessed you, you shall give to him. 15 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Hashem your Elohim redeemed you. Therefore I command you this thing today. 16 It shall be, if he tells you, “I will not go out from you,” because he loves you and your house, because he is well with you, 17 then you shall take an awl, and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever. Also to your female servant you shall do likewise. 18 It shall not seem hard to you when you let him go free from you, for he has been double the value of a hired hand as he served you six years. Hashem your Elohim will bless you in all that you do.

Re'eh - Reading #5

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 14:22–29

My Thoughts:

We are learning about tithing what we have. And then bringing it to Jerusalem to the Temple. He gives us really good instructions for all of this. Even if you are living far away. And you do all this verse 23 so that, “...that you may learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, always...”. It is all about learning how to serve and love Hashem in all we do. We need to learn how to "fear" Hashem. The “fear” is the possibility of not having Him in our life. The “fear” is punishment and separation. The "fear" is about respect and followed by loving Him so much - that we would do anything to please and honor Him. Amen.

Challenge - 

Verse 29 is all about taking care of people, “The Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, as well as the foreigner living among you, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Hashem your Elohim, may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.” It is about sharing the tithe of your land after 3 years and then supplying food for those less fortunate. Here is today’s challenge. Always have your spiritual “antennas” up looking for ways in which you may be able to help the poor. Ask Hashem to show you. Believe me, He will. And when He presents a situation -- take it. Help out someone or a family. Even a smile or “hello” can change someone’s day. Let’s be “givers” and not “takers”. Let’s start doing that right now.

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 14:22–29

14:22 You shall surely tithe all the increase of your seed, that which comes out of the field year by year. 23 You shall eat before Hashem your Elohim, in the place which He chooses to cause His name to dwell, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to fear Hashem your Elohim, always. 24 If the way is too long for you, so that you are not able to carry it because the place which Hashem your Elohim, shall choose to set His name there is too far from you, when Hashem your Elohim, blesses you, 25 then you shall turn it into money, bind up the money in your hand, and shall go to the place which Hashem your Elohim, shall choose. 26 You shall trade the money for whatever your soul desires: for cattle, or for sheep, or for wine, or for strong drink, or for whatever your soul asks of you. You shall eat there before Hashem your Elohim, and you shall rejoice, you and your household. 27 You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no portion nor inheritance with you. 28 At the end of every three years you shall bring all the tithe of your increase in the same year, and shall store it within your gates. 29 The Levite, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you, as well as the foreigner living among you, the fatherless, and the widow who are within your gates shall come, and shall eat and be satisfied; that Hashem your Elohim, may bless you in all the work of your hand which you do.

Re'eh - Reading #4

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 14:1–21

My Thoughts:

In the last verse of today’s portion (verse 21) we read a curious commandment, “You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” It’s like it comes out of nowhere. Many commentators agree that this is a commandment derived from the custom of bowling kid goats for animal sacrifice. Others will say it is Hashem being so kind to the mother as to not boil her kid in milk. Today I read a new commentary that said maybe the kid represents a new generation or new fruits (or other offerings)  and the milk represents the old generation or older fruits (or other offerings). So that in an offering it would not be good to mix old fruit with new fruit, just to make it a larger offering. Or old wheat with new wheat, etc. Whatever it could mean, current Jews will not mix dairy with meat at a meal. Or even use the same plates or utensils. This is a commandment you may have to study awhile to see what it means to you. Then arrive at a conclusion that brings you peace with Hashem.

Challenge:

In verses 3 and on we read about clean and unclean animals. Hashem calls the unclean animals “abominable”. So, what don’t we “get” about that? He has picked out very specific dietary laws for us and has His reasons. It could be to test our obedience, or for safety reasons, or for both. The point is, if Hashem declares it -- then we do it. We don’t question. It’s pretty clear. This is what you can eat and this is what you cannot eat. We don’t need a theological discussion. We are not permitted to change or delete Hashem’s Laws. My challenge to you today is to review your dietary habits. Are you abiding by Hashem’s Laws? If not, it is time to clean it up. And by the way, here is a whole other discussion. What products at the store have pig products in them.  Do some studying and see what you find out, you may be a little surprised. Marshmallows and gelatin are a big concern. And there are many others. 

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 14:1–21

14:1 You are the children of Hashem your Elohim. You shall not cut yourselves, nor make any baldness between your eyes for the dead. 2 For you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim and Hashem has chosen you to be a people for His own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth.

3 You shall not eat any abominable thing. 4 These are the animals which you may eat: the ox, the sheep, the goat, 5 the deer, the gazelle, the roebuck, the wild goat, the ibex, the antelope, and the chamois. 6 Every animal that parts the hoof, and has the hoof split in two and chews the cud, among the animals, you may eat. 7 Nevertheless these you shall not eat of them that chew the cud, or of those who have the hoof split: the camel, the hare, and the rabbit. Because they chew the cud but don’t part the hoof, they are unclean to you. 8 The pig, because it has a split hoof but doesn’t chew the cud, is unclean to you. You shall not eat their meat. You shall not touch their carcasses. 9 These you may eat of all that are in the waters: you may eat whatever has fins and scales. 10 You shall not eat whatever doesn’t have fins and scales. It is unclean to you. 11 Of all clean birds you may eat. 12 But these are they of which you shall not eat: the eagle, the vulture, the osprey, 13 the red kite, the falcon, the kite of any kind, 14 every raven of any kind, 15 the ostrich, the owl, the seagull, the hawk of any kind, 16 the little owl, the great owl, the horned owl, 17 the pelican, the vulture, the cormorant, 18 the stork, the heron after its kind, the hoopoe, and the bat. 19 All winged creeping things are unclean to you. They shall not be eaten. 20 Of all clean birds you may eat.

21 You shall not eat of anything that dies of itself. You may give it to the foreigner living among you who is within your gates, that he may eat it; or you may sell it to a foreigner; for you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim.

You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Re'eh - Reading #3

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 12:29–13:19

My Thoughts:

A prophet that can pull you away from Hashem is part of today’s portion. In 13:5 we read, “That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Hashem.” The cost of someone trying to do this and using signs and wonders -- is death. It is serious business to be a prophet and be making statements that can actually lead someone away from Hashem. And even today these “prophets” are out there. They may be disguised as kind “Biblical” people but really their words are untrue. I bring this up because we must be super careful about who we listen to online, whether it be sermons or podcasts. Do not take everything at face value or as truth. Always check everything you have with Scripture to make sure you are hearing and learning things correctly. If they are not, be sure to think about whether you want to continue to listen to that person.

Challenge: 

Are you being ensnared? In our first verses (29-30) today we read, “When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations from before you where you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land,  be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them.” What happens when we are “ensnared” -- we can begin to do what other people are doing. We get drawn into their sin, their way of life. There is a saying, “You are who you hang with.” And we know that to be so true. When I hung out with party people, I partied. When I hung out with church people, I went to church. Today’s challenge. Think about who you “hang out” with. Are they enhancing your life and helping you to draw closer to Hashem? Or are they leading you away from Him? Fix it. 

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 12:29–13:19

12:29 When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations from before you where you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them after they are destroyed from before you, and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” 31 You shall not do so to Hashem your Elohim; for every abomination to Hashem, which He hates, they have done to their gods; for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.

13 If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, “Let’s go after other gods” (which you have not known) “and let’s serve them,” 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Hashem your Elohim is testing you, to know whether you love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after Hashem your Elohim, fear Him, keep His commandments, and obey His voice. You shall serve Him, and cling to Him. 5 That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Hashem your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Hashem your Elohim commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

6 If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, entices you secretly, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods”—which you have not known, you, nor your fathers; 7 of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near to you, or far off from you, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth— 8 you shall not consent to him nor listen to him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him; 9 but you shall surely kill him. Your hand shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people. 10 You shall stone him to death with stones, because he has sought to draw you away from Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 11 All Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall not do any more wickedness like this among you.

12 If you hear about one of your cities, which Hashem your Elohim gives you to dwell there, that 13 certain wicked fellows have gone out from among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods,” which you have not known, 14 then you shall inquire, investigate, and ask diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done among you, 15 you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, with all that is therein and its livestock, with the edge of the sword. 16 You shall gather all its plunder into the middle of its street, and shall burn with fire the city, with all of its plunder, to Hashem your Elohim. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. 17 Nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, that Hashem may turn from the fierceness of His anger and show you mercy, and have compassion on you and multiply you, as He has sworn to your fathers, 18 when you listen to Hashem your Elohim ’s voice, to keep all His commandments which I command you today, to do that which is right in Hashem your Elohim’s eyes.

Re'eh - Reading #2

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 12:11–28

My Thoughts:

Verse 28 concerns our children, “Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in Hashem your Elohim’s eyes.” What a wonderful promise. If we follow His Torah, He will take good care of us and our children! But we have to do what is good and right. I want my kids and grand kids to be blessed. Don’t you? So, not only do we learn from following Torah what is right and good, but we get this super blessing for following it. That is such a great thing. What a faithful Hashem we serve! He is FULL of blessings for us! Todah Hashem (Thank you L-rd)! Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 18 we read, “You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim in all that you put your hand to.” Isn’t that so cool? So, everything we do we should be praising Hashem while we are doing it. We are in the process of moving out of our home into an apartment, a temporary location until our new house is ready. I have seen His Hand all over the selling of our home and buying a new one, and even this apartment! I keep thanking Him. I will say “Todah Hashem” -- thank you L-rd. I feel like He is in it all. Little and big miracles have occurred and I give Him all the glory! Your challenge today is to do the same. Look for how Hashem is moving in your day, in all that you do -- and thank Him. And rejoice!!!

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 12:11–28

12:11 then it shall happen that to the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose, to cause His name to dwell there, there you shall bring all that I command you: your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, and all your choice vows which you vow to Hashem. 12 You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim—you, and your sons, your daughters, your male servants, your female servants, and the Levite who is within your gates, because he has no portion nor inheritance with you. 13 Be careful that you don’t offer your burnt offerings in every place that you see; 14 but in the place which Hashem chooses in one of your tribes, there you shall offer your burnt offerings, and there you shall do all that I command you.

15 Yet you may kill and eat meat within all your gates, after all the desire of your soul, according to Hashem your Elohim’s blessing which He has given you. The unclean and the clean may eat of it, as of the gazelle and the deer. 16 Only you shall not eat the blood. You shall pour it out on the earth like water. 17 You may not eat within your gates the tithe of your grain, or of your new wine, or of your oil, or the firstborn of your herd or of your flock, nor any of your vows which you vow, nor your free will offerings, nor the wave offering of your hand; 18 but you shall eat them before Hashem your Elohim in the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose: you, your son, your daughter, your male servant, your female servant, and the Levite who is within your gates. You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim in all that you put your hand to. 19 Be careful that you don’t forsake the Levite as long as you live in your land.

20 When Hashem your Elohim enlarges your border, as he has promised you, and you say, “I want to eat meat,” because your soul desires to eat meat, you may eat meat, after all the desire of your soul. 21 If the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to put His name is too far from you, then you shall kill of your herd and of your flock, which Hashem has given you, as I have commanded you; and you may eat within your gates, after all the desire of your soul. 22 Even as the gazelle and as the deer is eaten, so you shall eat of it. The unclean and the clean may eat of it alike. 23 Only be sure that you don’t eat the blood; for the blood is the life. You shall not eat the life with the meat. 24 You shall not eat it. You shall pour it out on the earth like water. 25 You shall not eat it, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, when you do that which is right in Hashem’s eyes. 26 Only your holy things which you have, and your vows, you shall take and go to the place which Hashem shall choose. 27 You shall offer your burnt offerings, the meat and the blood, on Hashem your Elohim’s altar. The blood of your sacrifices shall be poured out on Hashem your Elohim’s altar, and you shall eat the meat. 28 Observe and hear all these words which I command you, that it may go well with you and with your children after you forever, when you do that which is good and right in Hashem your Elohim’s eyes.

Re'eh - Reading #1

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!
Deuteronomy 11:26-16:1

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 11:26–12:10

My Thoughts:

In verse 12:5 we learn that there is a place where Hashem will dwell, where He will put “His name”, But to the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose out of all your tribes, to put His name there, you shall seek His habitation, and you shall come there.” That special place is at first the Tabernacle and then later the Temples (first and second). Right now of course, we do not have a Temple. But, we will. It is promised in Scripture. And there He will place His name and there will see Him and go to. It will be in Jerusalem and it will be when the Mashiach comes. We will be commanded to go there at least for the 3 required Feasts. But, I am sure we will all want to live in Israel during the Messianic Age! Study more and learn about this by reading Ezekiel

Challenge:

In verse we are challenged to “listen” to the commandments of Elohim and we will get a blessing. The way we “listen” can either be by hearing Him speak through Scripture or through prayer. Sometimes we can hear Him speak to us through other people too. But, your “spiritual antennas” must be in place to hear Him. That is why it is so important to study Torah every day! And that is what I challenge you today and every day -- to read the “Torah portion” and pray. Pray that you will “hear” His voice through your reading and prayer. That you will get direction in your life and learn how to live and worship Him. And as you study and pray you will learn how to love and serve others. By doing all this -- the blessing comes! And you will surely recognize it! Thank you Adonai for all you do and give to us. We love You!

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 11:26-12:10

11:26 Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: 27 the blessing, if you listen to the commandments of Hashem your Elohim, which I command you today; 28 and the curse, if you do not listen to the commandments of Hashem your Elohim, but turn away out of the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known. 29 It shall happen, when Hashem your Elohim brings you into the land that you go to possess, that you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim, and the curse on Mount Ebal. 30 Aren’t they beyond the Jordan, behind the way of the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites who dwell in the Arabah near Gilgal, beside the oaks of Moreh? 31 For you are to pass over the Jordan to go in to possess the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, and you shall possess it and dwell in it. 32 You shall observe to do all the statutes and the ordinances which I set before you today.

12 These are the statutes and the ordinances which you shall observe to do in the land which Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has given you to possess all the days that you live on the earth. 2 You shall surely destroy all the places in which the nations that you shall dispossess served their gods: on the high mountains, and on the hills, and under every green tree. 3 You shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, and burn their Asherah poles with fire. You shall cut down the engraved images of their gods. You shall destroy their name out of that place. 4 You shall not do so to Hashem your Elohim. 5 But to the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose out of all your tribes, to put His name there, you shall seek His habitation, and you shall come there. 6 You shall bring your burnt offerings, your sacrifices, your tithes, the wave offering of your hand, your vows, your free will offerings, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock there. 7 There you shall eat before Hashem your Elohim, and you shall rejoice in all that you put your hand to, you and your households, in which Hashem your Elohim has blessed you. 8 You shall not do all the things that we do here today, every man whatever is right in his own eyes; 9 for you haven’t yet come to the rest and to the inheritance which Hashem your Elohim gives you. 10 But when you go over the Jordan and dwell in the land which Hashem your Elohim  causes you to inherit, and he gives you rest from all your enemies around you, so that you dwell in safety,

Re'eh - Week #4

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Isaiah 54:11-55:5

John 6:35-51

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 11:26–12:10

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 12:11–28

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 12:29–13:19

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 14:1–21

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 14:22–29

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 15:1–18

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17