Emor Say — אֱמוֹר
Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23
Reading #4 - Leviticus 23:1–22
My Thoughts:
Today we are looking at some of the annual feasts. Starting off with mentioning the weekly Sabbath. Interesting that the Sabbath is mentioned at the first feast. That’s how important it is to Hashem. And there is a reason. Not only to remember and encourage our relationship with Hashem – but so that our bodies and minds can actually rest. Who do you know that actually takes off one day a week to rest? To not mow the lawn or grocery shop or do laundry? A day where you meet with family and friends, pray and study Torah? This day of rest makes it possible for us to be fruitful the rest of the week. This is how Hashem has planned it. All we have to do is obey.
Challenge:
In verse 22 Hashem tells us to leave the “gleanings” of the field for the poor. It is important to Hashem that those who are less fortunate are cared for. And so must we continue this today. We may not all be farmers that can do this, but we all have resources that we can share with those around us who need help. Are you doing that? If you don’t know anyone who needs help then take a moment to ask Hashem to show you who does. When He shows you then act on it and help them. You will be blessed and so will they. Amen.
Reading #4 - Leviticus 23:1–22
Leviticus 23:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Hashem, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My set feasts.
3 “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Hashem in all your dwellings.
4 “‘These are the set feasts of Hashem, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Hashem’s Pesach. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Hashem. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem seven days. In the seventh day is a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.’”
9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before Hashem, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without defect a year old for a burnt offering to Hashem. 13 The meal offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Hashem for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You must not eat bread, or roasted grain, or fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
15 “‘You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 The next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Hashem. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Hashem. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without defect a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to Hashem, with their meal offering and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to Hashem. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before Hashem, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Hashem for the priest. 21 You shall make proclamation on the same day that there shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall do no regular work. This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.
22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”
