Matot-Massei - Reading #6

Matot-Massei

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #6 - Numbers 34:16-35:8

My Thoughts:

Today we read about how Hashem organized dividing the Land for the Israelites. This is all in preparation for when they get there and acquire the Land. He chooses princes out of every tribe and Joshua and Eleazar. They are all qualified leaders whom He must trust. The lesson to learn here is first of all that Hashem makes plans, prepares and executes the plans. That is a model for us. There is Scripture that without plans or vision people fail (Proverbs 29:18). Follow Hashem’s practice of planning. It will improve your life greatly.

Challenge:

Today I challenge you to go to Hashem and ask Him for His vision/plan for your life. Are you right where He wants you? Or has He been “nudging” you to do something else. Pray and ask Him. He will answer. Just put your spiritual “antennas” up and listen. See what comes into your life, or what people are saying to you. Look for what makes your heart “jump” and what gives you peace. Do a little soul searching and see if you are in the place He wants you and serving His purpose. Amen.

Reading #6 - Numbers 34:16-35:8

16 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 17 “These are the names of the men who shall divide the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 You shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land for inheritance. 19 These are the names of the men: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 20 Of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 21 Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon. 22 Of the tribe of the children of Dan a prince, Bukki the son of Jogli. 23 Of the children of Joseph: of the tribe of the children of Manasseh a prince, Hanniel the son of Ephod. 24 Of the tribe of the children of Ephraim a prince, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 25 Of the tribe of the children of Zebulun a prince, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 26 Of the tribe of the children of Issachar a prince, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 27 Of the tribe of the children of Asher a prince, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 28 Of the tribe of the children of Naphtali a prince, Pedahel the son of Ammihud.” 29 These are they whom Hashem commanded to divide the inheritance to the children of Israel in the land of Canaan.

35 Hashem spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel to give to the Levites cities to dwell in out of their inheritance. You shall give pasture lands for the cities around them to the Levites. 3 They shall have the cities to dwell in. Their pasture lands shall be for their livestock, and for their possessions, and for all their animals.

4 “The pasture lands of the cities, which you shall give to the Levites, shall be from the wall of the city and outward one thousand cubits around it. 5 You shall measure outside of the city for the east side two thousand cubits, and for the south side two thousand cubits, and for the west side two thousand cubits, and for the north side two thousand cubits, the city being in the middle. This shall be the pasture lands of their cities.

6 “The cities which you shall give to the Levites, they shall be the six cities of refuge, which you shall give for the man slayer to flee to. Besides them you shall give forty-two cities. 7 All the cities which you shall give to the Levites shall be forty-eight cities together with their pasture lands. 8 Concerning the cities which you shall give of the possession of the children of Israel, from the many you shall take many, and from the few you shall take few. Everyone according to his inheritance which he inherits shall give some of his cities to the Levites.”

Acharei Mot - Reading #7

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 12:28-34

My Thoughts:

Hashem is teaching here that sexual sin brings defilement to the land. In other words, sin is so detrimental it affects the land you live in. And as the new Israelites were getting ready to inhabit the promised land (that was promised to their fathers) with that came a set of laws. How to live in the land in a peaceful, loving and G-dly way. A way that would honor Hashem and would not take away from Him. I think we forget how when we sin it affects literally everything and everyone around us. Hashem wanted His people to come into a special place, serve Him, love Him and live together in G-dliness. If you study Torah you will see His commandments to be so fair, so gracious and full of compassion. Just like Him.

Challenge:

In verse 30 we read, “Therefore you shall keep My requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you…”. Again, Hashem is preparing His people to go into a land where sin abounds. But, He doesn’t want them to be influenced or affected by the sins of the people who inhabited the land before them. Just like now. I believe Hashem does not want us to be “influenced” by others in the world around us and fall “prey” to the same sins as the world permeates. Instead He gives us His eternal word, His Torah, to follow to keep us on His path. Review your life today and see where you are faltering in following Hashem. Then make the necessary corrections. His way is the only true way. And we know this in our hearts.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 18:22–30

18:22 “‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.

23 “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

24 “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25 The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall keep My statutes and My ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you 27 (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled), 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

29 “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall keep My requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

What are the consequences for disregarding the Law? Verse 15 clearly displays the wrath of Hashem, I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you.” As we have learned throughout Scripture, when Hashem’s people are in disobedience – He scatters them. He allows them to be conquered and dispersed among the nations. This happened two thousand years ago when Rome came and destroyed Jerusalem and the Jewish people fled to the mountains. And it has taken all this time of repentance and prayers to return.That’s the awesome thing about Hashem. He is a G-d of second chances. We are witnessing the returning of the Jews to their homeland for the past 75 years or so. It is amazing and it is miraculous. But, it requires obedience to be sustained. I pray that Hashem’s people will honor and obey Him and stay in the land. Amen.

Challenge:

Hashem requires love and obedience. In return, He blesses us abundantly. That seems pretty fair to me, does it to you? It shouldn’t be so hard to follow Hashem. To be set apart, is a privilege not a burden. Look at your own heart today and see who you are following. I say, choose G-d.

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

22 Moreover Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations. 3 You shall say, ‘Adonai Hashem says: “A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her! 4 You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come even to your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries. 5 Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult.

6 “‘“Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood. 7 In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. 8 You have despised My holy things, and have profaned My Sabbaths. 9 Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you. 10 In you have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity. 11 One has committed abomination with his neighbor’s wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter. 12 In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten Me,” says Adonai Hashem.

13 “‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, Hashem, have spoken it, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you. 16 You will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am Hashem.”’”

17 Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver. 19 Therefore the Adonai Hashme says: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.

Apostolic Scripture:

My Thoughts:

In the Mark scripture, Yeshua is summarizing the Torah. First and greatest commandment is to love Hashem with everything you have. The second is to love one another. I really believe Yeshua came to teach the “heart” of Torah, that HE IS the heart of Torah! He doesn’t teach that we are to just “do” the commandments but we are to follow the heart, the essence of them. Isn’t that so beautiful?

Challenge:

So, in Matthew here Yeshua is saying that what is really important is what you speak. Yes, it is important to follow the dietary laws, of course. To disobey them is sin. But, again, He goes to the heart of Torah and says what affects the world around you is what you say. Today I was standing in front of an abortion clinic holding a sign that said, “Pray to End Abortion.” That’s it, no graphic pictures or condemnation. Just pray. And people would go by and yell out obscenities and mean words to us. Along with finger gestures. It was so hurtful and felt so sad. That people could be so angry about someone standing in front of a place that literally rips apart babies in the womb – only ironically not angry at the doctors or nurses – but at me. The person praying in front of the clinic for the women and men in this difficult situation. Words are powerful and we need to be so careful about what we speak, myself included. Hashem forgive me for the times I have spoken out and hurt people. And G-d bless those who were angry today – that they may find the eternal love of the Master.

Matthew 15:10-20

10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. 11 That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

12 Then the disciples came, and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 So Yeshua said, “Do you also still not understand? 17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Mark 12:28-34

28 One of the scribes came, and heard them questioning together, and knowing that He had answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the greatest of all?”

29 Yeshua answered, “The greatest is, ‘Hear, Israel, Hashem our Adonai, Hashem is one: 30 you shall love Adonai Hashem with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. 31 The second is like this, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these.”

32 The scribe said to him, “Truly, teacher, you have said well that he is one, and there is none other but he, 33 and to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more important than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

34 When Jesus saw that he answered wisely, he said to him, “You are not far from God’s Kingdom.”

No one dared ask him any question after that.

Acharei Mot - Reading #6

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #6 - Leviticus 18:6–21

My Thoughts:

“Uncovering their nakedness” in the Bible usually refers to some sort of sexual sin. Hashem is not very specific what this would be, except anything that is outside acceptance of sexual activity in the marriage relationship. Remember they were coming in to a land where there were pagans – people not following Hashem. And many of the pagans sexual activities were not approved by Hashem. In fact, He wants you to strongly avoid them. In our world today that would include things like sex outside of marriage, sexual molestation of others, pornography and even watching a movie with sexual sin. Remember Hashem is trying to protect us and show us the better way. He wants us holy as He is holy. Make sure you are obeying Him in this area today.

Challenge:

In verse 18:21 Hashem commands His people not to sacrifice their children to other gods, “‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech.” If you study this practice in those times (and other times) it was especially horrific. When I visited Israel, our tour guide took us to some of the “high places” where babies were put in the burning hot metal arms of a statue and tortured to death. All as a “gift” to some god. This may seem appalling to us today, but look at what we do with abortion. A very popular abortion procedure is called “dilatation and curettage” where a suction tube is inserted into the woman and the developing baby inside of her is ripped to pieces – and then suctioned out. I have posted some abortion procedure videos online. My prayer is that women and men will look at these procedures and decide to allow their babies to live. Take a look and see what you can do to stop this atrocity. Go to: Abortion Video. This is our modern day sacrifice to false gods. Hashem please forgive us. (If you have had an abortion or particpated in someone getting one, you can go to Hashem and ask forgiveness. Praise Him that forgives us for all we do.)

Reading #6 - Leviticus 18:6-21

6 “‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Hashem.

7 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

8 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.

9 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.

10 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.

11 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.

12 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman.

13 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kinswoman.

14 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt.

15 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

16 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

17 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

18 “‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.

19 “‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

20 “‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

21 “‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot - Reading #5

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

My Thoughts:

Whose law are we to live by? Hashem’s FIRST. In 18 verse 4 we read, “You shall do My ordinances. You shall keep My statutes and walk in them. I am Hashem your Adonai.” And in the following verse we read that if we follow His statutes and not the “world’s” that we will LIVE. Here is the good news. Hashem’s words are eternal. He has given us forever instructions. We are not to do what everyone else does, who does not follow Hashem. We are to keep our eyes and our heart on Hashem. We are to do what He says. And here is the blessing. If we do follow Him – we live. Forever. Here and in the olam haba. Thank you Adonai!

Challenge:

Here we have some commandments regarding “blood”. In verse 17:12 we read, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.” Who wants to eat blood? Well if you are in a land where people do not worship the true Elohim, you will see and learn some strange practices. And one of those is eating, drinking blood. That is strictly not approved of by Hashem. So, he tells them. It would be like today and Hashem would say to us “Do not eat a bacon burger”. Even though everyone else, it is forbidden to us. If you are following some commands that are not Hashem’s, I encourage you today to stop doing them. Ask for forgiveness and teshuvah. Ask for His help to be better. Obedience is valued by our Hashem. Let’s all try to become more obedient. Life will look different if we do.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 17:8–18:5

8 “You shall say to them, ‘Any man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to Hashem, that man shall be cut off from his people.

10 “‘Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the children of Israel, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Whatever man there is of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who takes in hunting any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood, and cover it with dust. 14 For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”

15 “‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. Then he shall be clean. 16 But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’”

18 Hashem said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Hashem your Adonai. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4 You shall do My ordinances. You shall keep My statutes and walk in them. I am Hashem your Adonai. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot - Reading #4

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #4 - Leviticus 17:1–7

My Thoughts:

Moses and Hashem are preparing the people to be a nation. Hashem is giving instructions on how to live in the Holy Land of Israel as a community, a large community. He is getting them ready to be among other peoples who do not worship the same G-d. As we know, it is easy to be influenced by others. And Hashem wants to protect us against that. He says over and over that they will be tempted to worship false idols (as they were also tempted in Egypt) – but ultimately they must seek and serve only Hashem. He provides a way to sacrifice a part of what they own to keep them close to Hashem. If we are “close” to Him we are less likely to go astray. Thank you Hashem for your Commandments. Please help us to follow You and Your instructions today.

Challenge:

In Judaism we study that the Commandments are numbered at 613. That can seem so overwhelming. But, it is not. It is a total joy to know how and when to serve Hashem. We do not have a Temple, so we should be praying every day for the Temple and Mashiach to return. In the meanwhile, we do the best we can do. We can daily offer up the sacrifice of prayer and worship. We honor the commandments that are possible. We try hard to love Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength. Amen.

17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which Hashem has commanded: 3 Whatever man there is of the house of Israel who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, 4 and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to offer it as an offering to Hashem before Hashem’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood. That man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to Hashem. 6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood on Hashem’s altar at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat for a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 7 They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’

Acharei Mot - Reading #3

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #3 - Leviticus 16:25–34

My Thoughts:

This is a once a year cleansing for the nation. We read in verse 34, “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.” What a beautiful thing to cleanse a whole group of people once a year. Of course we repent and teshuvah individually – but this commandment is for the whole nation of people! I live in the USA. Can you imagine if once a year we had a national holiday where everyone took off from work and went to synagogue or church to confess their sins and beg for forgiveness for our land? As a group? The purpose of this national holiday would be to cleanse the nation? What would that do? Can you imagine? Maybe we would go into “revival” and rediscover Hashem! Something to think about. And promote?

Challenge:

Hashem really cares about our “nations” (His priority being Israel). Should we then as followers of Him, also care about our nation? Of course we should. We are being taught that it’s important who we are as individuals - we are taught to be selfish. We see this throughout our media. It’s time to promote the idea that we should “love our neighbor as ourselves.” It is a point in history when we have got to start considering the needs of others before our own. If we don’t we will continue down this slippery slope of destruction of “community” and “family”. My challenge to you today is to start looking out for others. Do it sacrificially. And we will begin to change the world. It will become a much better place. Amen.

Reading #3 - Leviticus 16:25-34

16:25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.

26 “He who lets the goat go as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp. 27 The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp; and they shall burn their skins, their flesh, and their dung with fire. 28 He who burns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

29 “It shall be a statute to you forever: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and shall do no kind of work, whether native-born or a stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 30 for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you. You shall be clean from all your sins before Hashem. 31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments. 33 Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34 “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.”

It was done as Hashem commanded Moses.

Acharei Mot - Reading #2

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:18–24

My Thoughts:

Kind of a different commandment to “confess” all the sins of Israel over a live goat. Of course it is very symbolic. The goat then is taken into the wilderness and left to roam. What is interesting is Hashem lets the goat live. Secondly, it is sent away. Just like us, I guess. We confess our sins and we live. He sends our sins into the “wilderness” and away from us. That to me is a gracious Elohim. Full of mercy and grace for all we have done wrong (and continue to do). Thank you Hashem.

Challenge:

Atonement for the Tabernacle is a number one priority. Before any sacrifices can happen, Aaron must be cleansed and so must the interior of the Holy of Holies. Makes sense. It should all be as perfect as possible because this is where the glory of Hashem will reside. Makes me think about our own lives. How “clean” are we inside for the “presence” of the Ruach HaKodesh to visit? We must daily confess and repent. Do Teshuvah. Ask Hashem to forgive us and prepare a place for His love to reside within us. Do you agree?

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:18–24

16:18 “He shall go out to the altar that is before Hashem and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the bull’s blood, and some of the goat’s blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20 “When he has finished atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready. 22 The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

23 “Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24 Then he shall bathe himself in water in a holy place, put on his garments, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.

Acharei Mot - Reading #1

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1–17

My Thoughts:

Aaron is a high priest, one that Hashem has chosen. He is making sacrifices for atonement. And casting lots for a scapegoat. This is all done because of sin. His sin and the sin of the people. Hashem makes a way for people to be forgiven and set free. He even uses a live animal to be set free into the wilderness - carrying the burden of sin. The blessing is that Hashem provides a way for forgiveness. We read in the Psalms over and over how He forgives - when we repent. Look over your life today and ask Him for forgiveness for what you have done in disobedience. Then provide a sacrifice to Him – prayer, good deeds, giving and/or worship. We may not have a Temple right now or priests to carry out atonement, but we have Him!

Challenge:

Hashem provides a way to live for everyone. I believe He sent Yeshua to show us that life. He sent a manifestation of Himself to His people so that they could draw closer to Him. Yeshua always “pointed” to the Father. And He decidedly taught the heart of Torah. If you read the Gospels you will learn more about Hashem through Yeshua. Just as we do through the Prophets and the Writings. I challenge you to read or reread them in the days to come. You will draw closer to Hashem through doing this. Just as Hashem commanded animal sacrifices to teshuvah and "korban" (draw close) to Him – so has He provided a Son to show us His way. Study both Torah and Yeshua and your life will be complete.

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1–17

16:1 Hashem spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before Hashem, and died; 2 and Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.

3 “Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. 5 He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 He shall take the two goats, and set them before Hashem at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for Hashem, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Hashem, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat shall be presented alive before Hashem, to make atonement for him, to send him away as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

11 “Aaron shall present the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12 He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Hashem, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. 13 He shall put the incense on the fire before Hashem, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the covenant, so that he will not die. 14 He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 16 He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells with them in the middle of their uncleanness. 17 No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

Acharei Mot - Week #8

Acharei Mot - After the death אַחֲרֵי מוֹת 

Torah Portion: Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Apostolic Scripture Matthew 15:10-20; Mark 12:28-34

First reading — Leviticus 16:1–17

Second reading — Leviticus 16:18–24

Third reading — Leviticus 16:25–34

Fourth reading — Leviticus 17:1–7

Fifth reading — Leviticus 17:8–18:5

Sixth reading — Leviticus 18:6–21

Seventh reading — Leviticus 18:22–30