Pinchas - Day #7

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Shabbat: Numbers 29:12–30:1

29:12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. You shall keep a feast to Hashem seven days. 13 You shall offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect; 14 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for every bull of the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each ram of the two rams, 15 and one tenth for every lamb of the fourteen lambs; 16 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.

17 “‘On the second day you shall offer twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 18 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; 19 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, with its meal offering and their drink offerings.

20 “‘On the third day: eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 21 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; 22 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and its drink offering.

23 “‘On the fourth day, ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 24 their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 25 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.

26 “‘On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 27 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 28 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and its drink offering.

29 “‘On the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 30 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 31 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and the drink offerings of it.

32 “‘On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 33 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 34 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.

35 “‘On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall do no regular work; 36 but you shall offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasant aroma to Hashem: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect; 37 their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the ordinance, 38 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, with its meal offering, and its drink offering.

39 “‘You shall offer these to Hashem in your set feasts—in addition to your vows and your free will offerings—for your burnt offerings, your meal offerings, your drink offerings, and your peace offerings.’”

40 Moses told the children of Israel according to all that Hashem commanded Moses.

30:1 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded.

Today’s Meditation:

Today, we are reading about the Feast of Tabernacles. In this Scripture, we are taught about the sacrifices. But in other parts of the Torah, we are told to live in booths for seven days, remembering the journey through the desert. It is also celebrating the end of the harvest year. As they traveled through the wilderness for forty years, the Israelites lived in fragile dwellings. We are to remember this. Also, think about the dependence the Israelites must have had on Hashem for food, water, and life. And with the many hundreds of people, they needed rules, organization, and strong leadership. All of this Hashem provided, in unique ways. Sometimes people would forget about Hashem’s faithfulness and challenge Him in difficult times. There were great consequences for doing this. Let’s remember this as we go through life’s ups and downs. Hashem will always be there for us. We must believe He has the perfect plan, no matter what.

Today’s Challenge:

This is another Feast for you to prepare and plan for. Now is a good time to think about the materials you will need to build your Sukkah this fall. You can find some building plans and ideas online. You can even order Sukkah kits. Or maybe you want to build your Sukkah from a tent. However you want to do it, start your planning now. That is today’s challenge for you.

This Week’s Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

1:1 The words of Jeremiah, the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. 2 Hashem’s word came to him in the days of Josiah, the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Now Hashem’s word came to me, saying,

5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

    Before you were born, I sanctified you.

    I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

6 Then I said, “Ah, Adonai Hashem! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”

7 But Hashem said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. 8 Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Hashem.

9 Then Hashem stretched out his hand and touched my mouth. Then Hashem said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”

11 Moreover, Hashem’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”

I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”

12 Then Hashem said to me, “You have seen well; for I watch over My word to perform it.”

13 Hashem's word came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”

I said, “I see a boiling cauldron, and it is tipping away from the north.”

14 Then Hashem said to me, “Out of the north, evil will break out on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, behold, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says Hashem.

“They will come, and they will each set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem, and against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah.

16 I will utter my judgments against them concerning all their wickedness,

    in that they have forsaken Me,

    and have burned incense to other gods,

    and worshiped the works of their own hands.

17 “You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 For, behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you; for I am with you”, says Hashem, “to rescue you.”

2:1 Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hashem says,

“I remember for you the kindness of your youth,

    the love of your weddings;

how you went after Me in the wilderness,

    in a land that was not sown.

3 Israel was holiness to Hashem,

the first fruits of his increase.

All who devour him will be held guilty.

    Evil will come on them,” says Hashem.

Today’s Haftarah Meditation:

Hashem is giving directions to Jeremiah during a very turbulent time. He wants him to go out as His messenger to the people. In verse 7, we read, “But Hashem said to me, 'Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. 8 Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Hashem. Can you imagine the faith Jeremiah would need as Hashem tells him this? He has to go where He says and speak what He says. But this is given with a strong promise that Hashem will be with him and rescue him. Has Hashem ever told you to go and speak to someone about something? But maybe it was too scary or risky for you to do so? Repent right now if you did not do what He said, and you know what this is. And remember to obey Him next time. It is the only right thing to do.

Today’s Haftarah Challenge:

In Chapter 2:3, we read, “Israel was holiness to Hashem, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,” says Hashem. This is something to pay strong attention to. Hashem has special favor over the land of Israel. In troubled times, in good times, in obedience and disobedience, Hashem is faithful and loves His people and His land. If anyone, or any government, does evil to His people or His land, there will be strong repercussions. Remember this today, and we see terrorists and countries attacking Israel at different times. Remember to pray and give financially to help protect the land. This must be a number one priority. And if you are not doing this, start today. Search online for the many organizations that support Israel and its people.

Pinchas - Day #6

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Numbers 28:16–29:11

28:16 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Hashem’s Passover. 17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work, 19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They shall be without defect, 20 with their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil. You shall offer three tenths for a bull, and two tenths for the ram. 21 You shall offer one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you. 23 You shall offer these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24 In this way, you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.

26 “Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Hashem in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 30 and one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.

29:1 “‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets to you. 2 You shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect; 3 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for the bull, two tenths for the ram, 4 and one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 5 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you; 6 in addition to the burnt offering of the new moon with its meal offering, and the continual burnt offering with its meal offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem.

7 “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls. You shall do no kind of work; 8 but you shall offer a burnt offering to Hashem for a pleasant aroma: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old, all without defect; 9 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for the bull, two tenths for the one ram, 10 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 11 one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and their drink offerings.

Today’s Meditation:

Today, we read a review about the Feasts. In each one, you are to have a holy convocation. A special gathering of Hashem’s people. At this meeting, there are sacrifices made and a remembrance of why Hashem picked this particular Feast at this particular time. In Pesach (Passover), we remember the miracle of the splitting of the Sea. In Unleavened Bread, we remember how the Israelites did not have time to bake bread because they were on the run. In First Fruits, we remember that all we have is from Hashem. On the Day of Trumpets, we are reminded of our sins, do ten days of repentance and pray for the return of the Mashiach. On Yom Kippur, we are given a second chance; our sins are forgiven, nationally and personally. These Feasts help us to remember Hashem’s deliverance and redemption. So that we may never forget.

Today’s Challenge:

My challenge for you today is to mark your calendar for the remaining Feast Days of the year. This is so we can take the days off from work and plan the convocations. I have learned so much from friends when studying on the Feast Days. And it helps so much to have community when remembering Hashem's goodness and faithfulness. Plan ahead this year. Try to be prepared and to honor Adonai.

Pinchas - Day #5

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Numbers 28:1–15

28:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘See that you present my offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, as a pleasant aroma to me, in their due season.’ 3 You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Hashem: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening, 5 with one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. 6 It is a continual burnt offering which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem. 7 Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for each lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Hashem in the holy place. 8 The other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the meal offering of the morning, and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

9 “‘On the Sabbath day, you shall offer two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, and its drink offering: 10 this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.

11 “‘In the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect, 12 and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for the one ram; 13 and one tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb, as a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem. 14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15 Also, one male goat for a sin offering to Hashem shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.

Today's Meditation:

Today, we are reading about regular sacrifices. One of them includes the sacrifices at the beginning of the month, or “Rosh Chodesh”. The monthly celebration of a new month, including a new moon. We are commanded to remember the beginning of each month. There are online calendars that show when Rosh Chodesh is. It is important for us to pray at the beginning of each Biblical month. It is a prayer of thanksgiving, thanking Hashem for the month He has just given us and for the month to come.

Today’s Challenge:

So often we get busy (including myself) and forget to honor Rosh Chodesh as commanded in Numbers 10:10 “On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your Elohim: I am Hashem your Elohim.” So my challenge today is simple. Start observing Rosh Chodesh every month. As mentioned above. Set a calendar reminder for yourself and say a simple prayer. Hashem gives us every day of our lives. Blessed be Hashem.

Pinchas - Day #4

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Numbers 27:6–23

27:6 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 7 “The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. You shall surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers. You shall cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. 8 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘If a man dies, and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. 9 If he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers. 10 If he has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his father’s brothers. 11 If his father has no brothers, then you shall give his inheritance to his kinsman who is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it. This shall be a statute and ordinance for the children of Israel, as Hashem commanded Moses.’”

12 Hashem said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim, and see the land which I have given to the children of Israel. 13 When you have seen it, you also shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered; 14 because in the strife of the congregation, you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin, to honor me as holy at the waters before their eyes.” (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.)

15 Moses spoke to Hashem, saying, 16 “Let Hashem, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh, appoint a man over the congregation, 17 who may go out before them, and who may come in before them, and who may lead them out, and who may bring them in, that the congregation of Hashem may not be as sheep which have no shepherd.”

18 Hashem said to Moses, “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit, and lay your hand on him. 19 Set him before Eleazar the priest, and before all the congregation; and commission him in their sight. 20 You shall give authority to him, that all the congregation of the children of Israel may obey. 21 He shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before Hashem. At his word they shall go out, and at his word they shall come in, both he and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”

22 Moses did as Hashem commanded him. He took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before all the congregation. 23 He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, as Hashem spoke by Moses.

Today’s Meditation:

I recently discussed with an acquaintance about how we really do have the Spirit of Hashem residing in us. But, not in a way that I was thinking before or had been taught previously. He told me that the Spirit of Hashem is breathed into us at our birth. Which is what Scripture says. In Genesis 2:7, Hashem breathes “Life” into us. That is His Spirit. In verse 16 in today’s reading, we read, “Let Hashem, the Elohim of the spirits of all flesh”. We are made up of Spirit, His Spirit. That is how we breathe and live daily. When we die and go to Olam Haba, His Spirit is removed from us, where I assume we are made spiritual beings of our own spirit, until the resurrection of our physical bodies. It is incredible to think that we are alive today because the Spirit of Hashem exists in us and gives us life. It makes you view things very differently. Ponder on this today and see if you agree.

Today’s Challenge:

In verse 18, we read that Hashem chose Joshua as Israel’s next leader: “Take Joshua the son of Nun, a man in whom is the Spirit.” As Moses knows he is about to leave the earth, he is concerned about who will lead the people. It makes sense that Hashem will choose someone who has been taught and mentored by Moses. Remember, we have read about Joshua’s dedication and service to Hashem, so much so that he did not want to leave the door of the Tabernacle (Exodus 33:11). If you are leaving a position/job, do you contemplate if the person who is replacing you is close to Hashem? Even if you are in a secular job, isn’t it important to know that the person who will have your position is qualified and dedicated? Sometimes when we leave employment, we don’t care who follows, but I challenge you today to make sure that it does matter. And if you aren’t changing jobs, maybe this applies to another area of your life. Maybe give it some thought and prayer.

Pinchas - Day #3

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Torah Portion: Numbers 25:10-30:1

Numbers 26:52–27:5

26:52 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 53 “To these the land shall be divided for an inheritance according to the number of names. 54 To the more you shall give, the more inheritance, and to the fewer you shall give, the less inheritance. To everyone, according to those who were counted on him, shall his inheritance be given. 55 Notwithstanding, the land shall be divided by lot. According to the names of the tribes of their fathers, they shall inherit. 56 According to the lot shall their inheritance be divided between the more and the fewer.”

57 These are those who were counted of the Levites after their families: of Gershon, the family of the Gershonites; of Kohath, the family of the Kohathites; of Merari, the family of the Merarites. 58 These are the families of Levi: the family of the Libnites, the family of the Hebronites, the family of the Mahlites, the family of the Mushites, and the family of the Korahites. Kohath became the father of Amram. 59 The name of Amram’s wife was Jochebed, the daughter of Levi, who was born to Levi in Egypt. She bore to Amram Aaron and Moses, and Miriam, their sister. 60 To Aaron were born Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar. 61 Nadab and Abihu died when they offered strange fire before Hashem. 62 Those who were counted of them were twenty-three thousand, every male from a month old and upward; for they were not counted among the children of Israel, because there was no inheritance given them among the children of Israel. 63 These are those who were counted by Moses and Eleazar the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho. 64 But among these there was not a man of them who were counted by Moses and Aaron the priest, who counted the children of Israel in the wilderness of Sinai. 65 For Hashem had said of them, “They shall surely die in the wilderness.” There was not a man left of them, except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun.

27:1 Then the daughters of Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of Manasseh, the son of Joseph, came near. These are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 2 They stood before Moses, before Eleazar the priest, and before the princes and all the congregation, at the door of the Tent of Meeting, saying, 3 “Our father died in the wilderness. He was not among the company of those who gathered themselves together against Hashem in the company of Korah, but he died in his own sin. He had no sons. 4 Why should the name of our father be taken away from among his family, because he had no son? Give to us a possession among the brothers of our father.”

5 Moses brought their cause before Hashem.

Today’s Meditation:

In verse 54, we learn about the fairness Hashem exhibits in the plan of distributing the land. He says, “To everyone according to those who were counted of him shall his inheritance be given.” In other words, those who had many people received a lot of land. Those who had fewer people received less land. And as we will learn from the Levites, He gives no land. Instead, He gives them the inheritance of serving in the Temple. Which was likely the most coveted position of all. Think of it. Would you like to be one of the people who served the Most Holy Elohim in the Temple? You would be so close to His presence all the time. What a privilege.

Today’s Challenge:

Today, I challenge you to consider how you could serve Elohim as the priests did. We do not have a Temple, but we need to take some time to study the Temple's duties. More information will emerge on this subject as we study the next book of the Torah, Deuteronomy.  Do we bring offerings to the most Holy One (in our own way)? Do you keep a light burning continually for Hashem? Certainly, we can be a light for Him. And certainly, we can offer prayers, charity, repentance, and a righteous life. Start practicing ways you can serve Hashem here on earth. Get ready for when He returns to the Temple in Jerusalem for eternity, when we will be serving Him, in all of His majesty and glory.

Pinchas - Day #2

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas  

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Numbers 26:5–51

26:5 Reuben, the firstborn of Israel; the sons of Reuben: of Hanoch, the family of the Hanochites; of Pallu, the family of the Palluites; 6 of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Carmi, the family of the Carmites. 7 These are the families of the Reubenites; and those who were counted of them were forty-three thousand seven hundred thirty. 8 The son of Pallu: Eliab. 9 The sons of Eliab: Nemuel, Dathan, and Abiram. These are Dathan and Abiram, who were called by the congregation, who rebelled against Moses and against Aaron in the company of Korah when they rebelled against Hashem; 10 and the earth opened its mouth, and swallowed them up together with Korah when that company died; at the time the fire devoured two hundred fifty men, and they became a sign. 11 Notwithstanding, the sons of Korah didn’t die. 12 The sons of Simeon after their families: of Nemuel, the family of the Nemuelites; of Jamin, the family of the Jaminites; of Jachin, the family of the Jachinites; 13 of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites; of Shaul, the family of the Shaulites. 14 These are the families of the Simeonites, twenty-two thousand two hundred. 15 The sons of Gad after their families: of Zephon, the family of the Zephonites; of Haggi, the family of the Haggites; of Shuni, the family of the Shunites; 16 of Ozni, the family of the Oznites; of Eri, the family of the Erites; 17 of Arod, the family of the Arodites; of Areli, the family of the Arelites. 18 These are the families of the sons of Gad according to those who were counted of them, forty thousand and five hundred. 19 The sons of Judah: Er and Onan. Er and Onan died in the land of Canaan. 20 The sons of Judah after their families were: of Shelah, the family of the Shelanites; of Perez, the family of the Perezites; of Zerah, the family of the Zerahites. 21 The sons of Perez were: of Hezron, the family of the Hezronites; of Hamul, the family of the Hamulites. 22 These are the families of Judah according to those who were counted of them, seventy-six thousand five hundred. 23 The sons of Issachar after their families: of Tola, the family of the Tolaites; of Puvah, the family of the Punites; 24 of Jashub, the family of the Jashubites; of Shimron, the family of the Shimronites. 25 These are the families of Issachar according to those who were counted of them, sixty-four thousand three hundred. 26 The sons of Zebulun after their families: of Sered, the family of the Seredites; of Elon, the family of the Elonites; of Jahleel, the family of the Jahleelites. 27 These are the families of the Zebulunites according to those who were counted of them, sixty thousand five hundred. 28 The sons of Joseph after their families: Manasseh and Ephraim. 29 The sons of Manasseh: of Machir, the family of the Machirites; and Machir became the father of Gilead; of Gilead, the family of the Gileadites. 30 These are the sons of Gilead: of Iezer, the family of the Iezerites; of Helek, the family of the Helekites; 31 and Asriel, the family of the Asrielites; and Shechem, the family of the Shechemites; 32 and Shemida, the family of the Shemidaites; and Hepher, the family of the Hepherites. 33 Zelophehad, the son of Hepher, had no sons, but daughters: and the names of the daughters of Zelophehad were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. 34 These are the families of Manasseh. Those who were counted of them were fifty-two thousand seven hundred. 35 These are the sons of Ephraim after their families: of Shuthelah, the family of the Shuthelahites; of Becher, the family of the Becherites; of Tahan, the family of the Tahanites. 36 These are the sons of Shuthelah: of Eran, the family of the Eranites. 37 These are the families of the sons of Ephraim according to those who were counted of them, thirty-two thousand five hundred. These are the sons of Joseph, listed by their families. 38 The sons of Benjamin after their families: of Bela, the family of the Belaites; of Ashbel, the family of the Ashbelites; of Ahiram, the family of the Ahiramites; 39 of Shephupham, the family of the Shuphamites; of Hupham, the family of the Huphamites. 40 The sons of Bela were Ard and Naaman: the family of the Ardites; and of Naaman, the family of the Naamites. 41 These are the sons of Benjamin after their families, and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand six hundred. 42 These are the sons of Dan after their families: of Shuham, the family of the Shuhamites. These are the families of Dan after their families. 43 All the families of the Shuhamites, according to those who were counted of them, were sixty-four thousand four hundred. 44 The sons of Asher after their families: of Imnah, the family of the Imnites; of Ishvi, the family of the Ishvites; of Beriah, the family of the Berites. 45 Of the sons of Beriah: of Heber, the family of the Heberites; of Malchiel, the family of the Malchielites. 46 The name of the daughter of Asher was Serah. 47 These are the families of the sons of Asher according to those who were counted of them, fifty-three thousand four hundred. 48 The sons of Naphtali after their families: of Jahzeel, the family of the Jahzeelites; of Guni, the family of the Gunites; 49 of Jezer, the family of the Jezerites; of Shillem, the family of the Shillemites. 50 These are the families of Naphtali according to their families; and those who were counted of them were forty-five thousand four hundred. 51 These are those who were counted of the children of Israel, six hundred one thousand seven hundred thirty.

Today’s Meditation:

Hashem is asking Moses to take a census of the men over 20 who would be willing and ready to go to war. It must be that Hashem anticipates that war is imminent. It would be like our government in the US calling up men for the draft. It’s about preparing and getting ready. That is a strong characteristic of our Elohim. He prepares and gets ready. It is a lesson for all of us. Maybe we are not going into any obvious battle, but even getting up in the morning to meet the world each day, we must prepare for what lies ahead. This includes prayer and worship of Hashem, and asking Him to be in the middle of it all.

Today’s Challenge:

This was no small group of men. The total count of those over 20 (and probably under 55) was over 600,000. And add in children, the elderly, and women. Some researchers say this huge number is impossible. Even using the latrine for this number of people would seem impossible. But we serve a powerful Elohim. One that does not lie. And if He wants Moses to record this number, then it is certainly true. That’s why the whole story is such a great miracle. That so many people were freed and then journeyed together through the desert. No wonder Hashem gave such a powerful Torah of commandments. To keep order and for protection. My challenge for you today is to think about the Torah in relation to your life. How does it bring order and protection to you and your family? Then take time to praise Adonai for giving it to us and preserving it. It truly does bring us eternal life.