Ki Tavo - Reading #4

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

My Thoughts:

In verse 7 we read again that after your sacrifice to Hashem your Elohim, you are to rejoice! Sometimes when I read about sacrifices it seems like they are somewhat challenging. Bringing in a spotless offering to the Tabernacle/Temple to the priest, having him slaughter it, then cooking and eating it (the ones that you are permitted to eat). But, we don’t realize that this is all done for Hashem! The creator of the universes! It’s not just some “chore”, it is a total privilege and blessing! So, that’s when we rejoice. When we realize it is Hashem, the L-rd of L-rds, the Elohim of all -- that is who we are giving to. And what an honor that it is. All so much worth giving Him glory and praise! We don’t have the type of offering today, but we can do other “offerings”. And when we do, be sure to rejoice before Him! Giving and then rejoicing, something we are not used to?

Challenge:

In verse 9 Moses tells the people to be quiet and listen. That they have become the people of Hashem, so obey His Commandments. I believe these words are “alive” today. We are to be listening to the voice of Hashem -- but we need to get quiet to do so! We can’t hear His voice when we are leading busy and LOUD lives! Going places, doing things...talking and texting. We need to find a place to get quiet so we can hear His voice. Picture a house full of kids playing, shrieking with laughter and running around. But, one of the kids is trying to talk to you. You can’t hear him/her because of all the noise! Same with Hashem. If we have so much going on around us we won’t be able to hear Him speak. So that’s the challenge today. Get somewhere quiet and peaceful. Spend some time praising Hashem. Then listen to what He wants to tell you. It will change your life for sure.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

7 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go into the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised you. 4 It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. 5 There you shall build an altar to Hashem your Elohim, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6 You shall build Hashem your Elohim’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Hashem your Elohim 7 You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim 8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

9 Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Hashem your Elohim 10 You shall therefore obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and do His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

Ki Tavo - Reading #3

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19

My Thoughts:

In verse 16 we are told to follow Torah with all of our heart and soul. He commands us so. These laws have never changed, or been replaced with new laws. These are the same commandments for eternity. This is not hard to understand. He has given us Torah, now we learn it and follow it -- with everything we have. Do you love Hashem so much that you will agree today to follow His Torah with your whole heart and soul? Even if you are learning, or don’t totally understand them all -- just do your best. He will show you and bring people in your life to teach you. Just ask Him. The reward is eternal life.

Challenge:

Verse 18 says Hashem has “declared today that you are a people for His own possession…”. You are possessed by Him when you love Him, serve Him, worship Him and follow His Torah. I believe this is the natural born Jew and also the foreigner that “joins” to Israel. If you are not Jewish consider “joining” to Israel. That is my challenge to you today. Be like Ruth and say, “Your people are my people. Your Elohim is my Elohim. Where you go, I go. Where you live, I live…” (Ruth 1:16-17) That is a true attachment. Consider “joining” Hashem’s people and serving the one True Elohim. It will change your life forever. I know this, I have been a “Ruth” for over 11 years.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19

26:16 Today Hashem your Elohim commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that Hashem is your Elohim, and that you would walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. 18 Hashem has declared today that you are a people for His own possession, as He has promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments. 19 He will make you high above all nations that He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor; and that you may be a holy people to Hashem your Elohim, as He has spoken.

Ki Tavo - Reading #2

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 26:12–15

My Thoughts:

Today is about giving to the Levite, the fatherless and the widow. This is so important to Hashem. Yes, we do not have a Temple so can not bring our tithe to support this. But, we can still support others. Look around you today and see who Hashem has put in your life that needs support. Is it your pastor or rabbi? Is it someone in your family who has not been able to make ends meet? Is it someone at the grocery store? I love it when people “pay it forward”. That has happened to me at McDonalds. I was in the drive through and the car ahead paid for my meal. I couldn’t thank them in person (they had already driven away), but I can tell you this -- it totally blessed my day! Take careful notice of what is going on around you. Then take action when needed. This blesses Hashem, and will ultimately bless you.

Challenge:

Verse 15 says, “Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel...”. I was thinking today that Hashem does have a “Holy habitation in heaven”. Many Bible verses describe the true Holy Temple being in heaven. It seems this would be the place where His emanation would go forth to the universes and eternity. Can you even imagine what this looks like? I challenge you today to pray and study about the Holy Temple in heaven. Some believe this Temple will descend to the earth in the Olam Haba and this is where His glory will shine for all to see. I believe this Temple and His Holy Presence will be presented to everyone who believes in Him -- for eternity. And what a glorious time that will be! Amen?

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 26:12–15

26:12 When you have finished tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates and be filled. 13 You shall say before Hashem your Elohim, “I have put away the holy things out of my house, and also have given them to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all your commandment which you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, neither have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of it in my mourning, neither have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor given of it for the dead. I have listened to Hashem my Elohim’s voice. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

Ki Tavo - Reading #1

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 26:1–11

My Thoughts:

Testimony -- it is so important. When you have a story about how wonderful Hashem has been in your life, you need to tell others. Today we learn when they come into the land, the Israelite is to bring his first fruits to the Tabernacle. When he brings it in, he is to give the “testimony” to the priest. The story of redemption and being freed from slavery in Egypt. It is a beautiful and awesome testimony of the greatness of Elohim. As we read it today, let us remember how we were all once slaves and delivered into freedom through Hashem and His Torah. Amen!

Challenge:

After the testimony we are to praise Him. In verse 11 we read, “You shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your Elohim has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.” Hashem wants to be happy and give Him praise for all He does and gives. Not only to us, but to those around us. My challenge for you today is to take some time to tell Hashem how much you love Him. Thank Him for your family, friends, dwelling place and all you have. Thank Him that you are so privileged to know Him and to know and follow His Torah. He gives us life. Without Him and all He is -- we have nothing. That is a lot to be grateful for! Amen.

Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 26:1–11

26:1 It shall be, when you have come in to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, possess it, and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you shall bring in from your land that Hashem your Elohim gives you. You shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall come to the priest who shall be in those days, and tell him, “I profess today to Hashem your Elohim that I have come to the land which Hashem swore to our fathers to give us.” 4 The priest shall take the basket out of your hand, and set it down before Hashem your Elohim altar. 5 You shall answer and say before Hashem your Elohim “My father was a Syrian ready to perish. He went down into Egypt, and lived there, few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation. 6 The Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. 7 Then we cried to Hashem, the Elohim of our fathers. Hashem heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 Hashem brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, with great terror, with signs, and with wonders; 9 and He has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, Hashem, have given me.” You shall set it down before Hashem your Elohim and worship before Hashem your Elohim. 11 You shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your Elohim has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.

Ki Tavo - Week #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Isaiah 60:1-22

Matthew 4:13-24

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 26:1–11

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 26:12–15

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 26:16–19

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 27:1–10

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 28:7–69

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 29:1–8