V'Zot HaBerachah - Reading #3

V'Zot HaBerachah וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה - And this is the blessing

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17

My Thoughts:

Joseph is receiving a very large and detailed blessing here. Especially on the Land that the tribe will inherit. Blessings over the produce and fruit of the Land. Hashem remembers the suffering Joseph endured when he was separated from his brothers. It makes me think that Hashem remembers the things we have suffered in our lives, that He does not forget. That is a comforting thought and a feeling that Hashem loves us so much and cares for our past and our future. Let us remember that about Him.

Challenge:

Joseph gets a special blessing in verse 15, “...for the best things of the ancient mountains…”. What could possibly be this type of blessing out of ancient mountains? It gives me the idea that the ancient mountains could represent the ancient Word of Elohim. His Word is like a mighty mountain (and was shown on top of a mountain). So, think of this. Hashem wants to give the best things out of His Word. If we are to follow Torah (and that is my challenge today), then He will provide us with the best from it. And if you think of it, what is better than life itself? That is the reality of Torah, and it is the best thing about it. It gives eternal life. Life today and life forever.

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 33:13–17

33:13 About Joseph, he said,

“His land is blessed by Hashem,

    for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew,

    for the deep that couches beneath,

14 for the precious things of the fruits of the sun,

    for the precious things that the moon can yield,

15 for the best things of the ancient mountains,

    for the precious things of the everlasting hills,

16 for the precious things of the earth and its fullness,

    the good will of him who lived in the bush.

Let this come on the head of Joseph,

    on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

17 Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd.

    His horns are the horns of the wild ox.

    With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth.

They are the ten thousands of Ephraim.

    They are the thousands of Manasseh.”

Ha'Azinu - Reading #3

Ha'Azinu הַאֲזִינוּ - Listen!

Torah Portion: Deuteronomy 32:1-32:52

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18

My Thoughts:

It is so harsh that here the people are ready to enter the Promised Land, and Moses is prophesying that they are going to fail and go off and worship other gods. In verse 18, we read, “Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful, and have forgotten Elohiim who gave you birth.” This is how sin begins: we forget who Hashem is. Sometimes things can get so good in life that we forget who gave them to us. We get prideful, puffed up, and think we worked or earned the things we have. And then we begin to worship what we have, instead of Hashem. Maybe you don’t think you could ever forget Hashem and all He has done. But sometimes I think we do. How many hours a day do we watch TV? How many hours a day do we pray and worship Hashem? If that answer convicts you and scares you, then it is time to set things straight! Make sure today that you do not forget Hashem and all that He is. Spend time with Him today. Take a prayer walk and thank Him for all He has done.

Today's Challenge:

In continuation of the thoughts above, have you ever abandoned Hashem (verse 15)? I have a good friend who unexpectedly lost his brother a few months ago. They were best friends. He got mad at Hashem. Why did Hashem take his brother at such a young age? This anger has really separated my friend from Hashem. I am encouraging him to think about where his brother is. Perhaps he is in paradise, in a very special place that Hashem has prepared. My friend is hurt, and we all have had times when we have felt the same. But we must not abandon or reject Hashem. We must remember He gives and He takes away. My challenge to you today is to thank Hashem for today. He woke you up. Ask Him to walk with you today. If you are hurting, go back to Him and ask Him if He will help you to heal and be restored. Ask Him to come close to you so that you can feel His presence in your life. I pray that He does.

Reading #3 -  Deuteronomy 32:13–18

32:13 He made him ride on the high places of the earth.

    He ate the increase of the field.

He caused him to suck honey out of the rock,

    oil out of the flinty rock;

14 butter from the herd, and milk from the flock,

    with fat of lambs,

    rams of the breed of Bashan, and goats,

    with the finest of the wheat.

    From the blood of the grape, you drank wine.

15 But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked.

    You have grown fat.

    You have grown thick.

    You have become sleek.

Then he abandoned Elohim who made him,

    and rejected the Rock of his salvation.

16 They moved Him to jealousy with strange gods.

    They provoked Him to anger with abominations.

17 They sacrificed to demons, not Elohim,

    to gods that they didn’t know,

    to new gods that came up recently,

    which your fathers didn’t dread.

18 Of the Rock who became your father, you are unmindful,

    and have forgotten Elohim who gave you birth.

Vayelech - Reading #3

Vayelech וַיֵּלֶךְ - And He Went

Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30

Shanah Tovah U'Metukah! A good and sweet new year!

Rosh Hashanah Monday Evening September 22 - Wednesday September 24

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 31:7–9

My Thoughts:

Here they are, getting ready to go into the Promised Land. Moses is speaking to the people and encouraging them. And now he is presenting Joshua as their new leader. He tells both the people and Joshua not to be afraid. That Hashem is going ahead of them and He won’t fail them. And most importantly, not to be discouraged. I think of the times when Hashem has called me to do something, but it doesn’t always look like I expect. Discouragement and confusion can set in, but that is not from Hashem. We need to seek His face and trust in Him that He has a plan. Then we try to follow Him to the best of our ability. Moses wanted the people to have peace in a time of change. I pray that for your life today.

Challenge:

It's about preparation. Moses is preparing the people and giving them specific instructions for entering the Land. Here are the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant. The Ark always goes first, even into battle. In your life, the “Ark” should be first also, that is, the Torah. Make sure you are carrying it everywhere you go. Torah is life, and it has to be a big part of our lives. That’s my challenge to you today. Make Torah study a daily part of your life. Fill up your heart and soul with Torah Scripture. Then resolve yourself to follow it to the best of your ability. “Carry” the Torah in your heart all day long. It will change you, mold you, and make you the best person. Guaranteed.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 31:7–9

31:7 Moses called to Joshua, and said to him in the sight of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall go with this people into the land which Hashem has sworn to their fathers to give them; and you shall cause them to inherit it. 8 Hashem Himself is who goes before you. He will be with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you. Don’t be afraid. Don’t be discouraged.”

9 Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Hashem’s covenant, and to all the elders of Israel.

Nitzavim - Reading #3

Nitzavim נִצָּבִים - Standing (Witnessing)

Deuteronomy 29:9-30:20

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 29:15–28

My Thoughts:

What does Hashem say about those who turn away from Him? Read verse 20, “Hashem will not pardon him, but then Hashem’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Hashem will blot out his name from under the sky.” For those who choose not to follow Hashem, not only will He impose the curses in the Law, but he will be “blotted” out from heaven! Pretty clear, right? If we decide we don’t want Hashem in our lives, our name (which is who we are) will be erased. Forever. It only makes sense that Hashem wants only those who want Him. Is that you?

Challenge:

Here it is. Abandon the covenant and you will be cursed and thrown out of the land. Hashem does not want ANYONE to abandon or leave His Law. So why do the followers of Jesus think that He would want us to abandon or cancel the Law? Are there translations of Scripture to supersede the voice of Hashem to Moses and the Israelites? Are the pastors greater than Hashem’s Holy Word? We truly live in an “upside-down” world, and here is one of the obvious reasons. Jesus never “cancelled” or told His disciples to abandon the Law; to do so would bring curses. Your challenge today is to take a moment to think about what you truly believe. Is Hashem’s Torah forever, or have you been excused from following it? I would weigh your answer heavily and carefully. Your life may depend on it. 

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 29:15–28

29:15 ...but with those who stand here with us today before Hashem our Elohim, and also with those who are not here with us today 16 (for you know how we lived in the land of Egypt, and how we came through the middle of the nations through which you passed; 17 and you have seen their abominations and their idols of wood, stone, silver, and gold, which were among them); 18 lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Hashem our Elohim to go to serve the gods of those nations; lest there should be among you a root that produces bitter poison; 19 and it happen, when he hears the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, “I shall have peace, though I walk in the stubbornness of my heart,” to destroy the moist with the dry. 20 Hashem will not pardon him, but then Hashem’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Hashem will blot out his name from under the sky. 21 Hashem will set him apart for evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this book of the law.

22 The generation to come—your children who will rise up after you, and the foreigner who will come from a far land—will say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses with which Hashem has made it sick, 23 that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim, which Hashem overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath. 24 Even all the nations will say, “Why has Hashem done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?”

25 Then men will say, “Because they abandoned the covenant of Hashem, the Elohim of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them out of the land of Egypt, 26 and went and served other gods and worshiped them, gods that they didn’t know and that he had not given to them. 27 Therefore, Hashem’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book. 28 Hashem rooted them out of their land in anger, in wrath, and in great indignation, and thrust them into another land, as it is today.”

Mattot/Massei - Reading #3

MATTOT/MASSEI

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13

Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19

My Thoughts:

Today’s reading is about negotiations. Leaders from the tribes of Gad and Reuben come to Moses and ask to stay on some land east of the Jordan. Moses is expressing they are like their ancestors, discouraging the Israelites to go into the Land. However, the leaders agree to let their families stay and they will go and fight for Israel. Moses agrees. Apparently, staying in this particular land was important to these two tribes. Important enough they were willing to negotiate and be flexible. This is a really good lesson to learn from. If you have been told to do something but really feel there is a better plan, then see if you can work something out with leadership. Be flexible and be willing to give and take. Look for Hashem’s solution through it all. And work together peacefully and with fairness.

Challenge:

In verses 11 and 12 we read, “...because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’” Moses is revisiting the reasons why they ended up in the desert for so many years, and why some of the people would not be able to enter the Land. Remember when the 12 spies returned and only two supported Hashem’s vision to enter the Land. In today’s reading we see that it is because they did not “completely follow Hashem”. It makes me think. Am I completely following Hashem? Am I surrendering my plans and my life totally to His direction and following? Are you? That is my challenge today for you and me. Let us make sure we are “completely” following Hashem -- without exception. That we are loving Him with our whole heart, soul and strength. SHEMA.

Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19

32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock. They saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead. Behold, the place was a place for livestock. 2 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land which Hashem struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock.” 5 They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Don’t bring us over the Jordan.”

6 Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Hashem has given them? 8 Your fathers did so when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Hashem had given them. 10 Hashem’s anger burned in that day, and He swore, saying, 11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’ 13 Hashem’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander back and forth in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation who had done evil in Hashem’s sight was consumed.

14 “Behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, an increase of sinful men, to increase the fierce anger of Hashem toward Israel. 15 For if you turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and you will destroy all these people.”

16 They came near to him, and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our houses until the children of Israel have all received their inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.”

Balak - Reading #3

Balak בָּלָק - Balak

Numbers 22:2-25:9

Reading #3 - Numbers 22:21–38

My Thoughts:

This is quite the recount of what happened to Balaam and his donkey. Some think this is a parable, some think it is true. I believe everything in Torah is true (taking in account translations, etc.). So, if this is true an angel appears to the donkey and soon to Balaam. However, as in other stories of angels, they sometimes turn out to be Hashem Himself. In the end He instructs Balaam to speak the word He says (verse 35). We may not understand all of this, but there is a general message to receive. Hashem wants to direct our lives. He wants us to listen and obey. When we challenge Him -- He is not happy about that. However, He will send warnings to us, like the angel that blocks Balaam’s way. Let us pay attention to what He says to us and how He directs our paths. It will change our lives.

Challenge:

In verse 38 Balaam says he will speak the words Elohim puts in his mouth. Pause and reflect on this. Do you speak the words that Hashem gives you? Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like Hashem was telling you to speak something, but you did not? Or maybe you did and you saw wonderful results. We may not hear from Hashem audibly, but all of us have a “sense” of when He is speaking to us. Listen to what He says and do it. Speak what He tells you to speak. My challenge to you today is to go through today and listen. If you think you hear Him -- do what or say what He tells you. See what happens. If you are unsure it is Him, and the message you think you hear is positive and only encourages someone -- take a chance and say it. See if it bears fruit. This is the way we will learn to hear His voice. Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 22:21–38

22:21 Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his donkey, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 Elohim’s anger burned because he went; and Hashem’s angel placed himself in the way as an adversary against him. Now he was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and the donkey turned out of the path, and went into the field. Balaam struck the donkey, to turn her into the path. 24 Then Hashem’s angel stood in a narrow path between the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel, and she thrust herself to the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall. He struck her again.

26 Hashem’s angel went further, and stood in a narrow place, where there was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 The donkey saw Hashem’s angel, and she lay down under Balaam. Balaam’s anger burned, and he struck the donkey with his staff.

28 Hashem opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?”

29 Balaam said to the donkey, “Because you have mocked me, I wish there were a sword in my hand, for now I would have killed you.”

30 The donkey said to Balaam, “Am I not your donkey, on which you have ridden all your life long until today? Was I ever in the habit of doing so to you?”

He said, “No.”

31 Then Hashem opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw Hashem’s angel standing in the way, with his sword drawn in his hand; and he bowed his head, and fell on his face. 32 Hashem’s angel said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out as an adversary, because your way is perverse before me. 33 The donkey saw me, and turned away before me these three times. Unless she had turned away from me, surely now I would have killed you, and saved her alive.”

34 Balaam said to Hashem’s angel, “I have sinned; for I didn’t know that you stood in the way against me. Now therefore, if it displeases you, I will go back again.”

35 Hashem’s angel said to Balaam, “Go with the men; but you shall only speak the word that I shall speak to you.”

So Balaam went with the princes of Balak. 36 When Balak heard that Balaam had come, he went out to meet him to the City of Moab, which is on the border of the Arnon, which is in the utmost part of the border. 37 Balak said to Balaam, “Didn’t I earnestly send for you to summon you? Why didn’t you come to me? Am I not able indeed to promote you to honor?”

38 Balaam said to Balak, “Behold, I have come to you. Have I now any power at all to speak anything? I will speak the word that Elohim puts in my mouth.”

Chukat - Reading #3

Chukat חֻקַּת - Law

Numbers 19:1-22:1

Reading #3 - Numbers 20:7–13

My Thoughts:

It’s really clear in verse 8 that Hashem is telling Moses to “speak to the rock”. But, maybe that was a little scary to him. Had he ever spoke to something before and a miracle occurred? I don’t know how many times this happened, but apparently hitting the rock with his faithful rod seemed a bit safer. The punishment Moses gets for not doing what Hashem said, is almost unbearable. Now, he can not enter the Holy Land. How devastated he must have felt. Hashem tells us what to do through His Torah. Maybe it is time we listened and obeyed. 

Challenge:

Hashem took away Moses' privilege to enter Israel. Because he disobeyed Him. Can you think of a time in your life when Hashem appeared to have taken something away because of disobedience? I can and I can bear witness it was awful. In fact I believe it has happened to me a few times. You would think it would only have to happen once and that would be enough. Sadly, sometimes I forget how powerful Hashem can be in my life -- with His blessings and my consequences of sin. We need to learn from our mistakes and not do them again. We need to obey Hashem and His Torah, at any cost. Amen.

Reading #3 - Numbers 20:7–13

20:7 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 8 “Take the rod, and assemble the congregation, you, and Aaron your brother, and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it pour out its water. You shall bring water to them out of the rock; so you shall give the congregation and their livestock drink.”

9 Moses took the rod from before Hashem, as He commanded him. 10 Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels! Shall we bring water out of this rock for you?” 11 Moses lifted up his hand, and struck the rock with his rod twice, and water came out abundantly. The congregation and their livestock drank.

12 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you didn’t believe in Me, to sanctify Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”

13 These are the waters of Meribah; because the children of Israel strove with Hashem, and He was sanctified in them.

Pekudei - Reading #3

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #3 - Exodus 39:22–32

My Thoughts:

In verse 30 we read that there is a crown for the priest that says “Holy to Hashem”. Why would Hashem think this would be needed? If you do a little research you will see it was actually common, in other religions, for priests to wear tiaras or crowns. Maybe Hashem decided that He would do the same for the priests among His chosen people, only their crowns would have a message. Their crowns would have a constant reminder that they must be Holy before the L-rd! It would encourage this responsibility. Maybe we too, need some sort of reminder to be holy before Hashem in all we do! What would that look like?

Challenge:

After each task, it is written “...as Hashem commanded Moses”. And in verse 32, after the Tabernacle is finished, we read, “The children of Israel did according to all that Hashem commanded Moses; so they did.” In other words, Moses got directions from Hashem – and conveyed them directly to the people. When they heard what to do, they did not question him, they just did it! I would like to challenge you today. As you study and read through the Torah – are you doing “all that Hashem commanded Moses”? That is what this blog is all about. Let’s read daily exactly what Hashem commanded Moses. And after reading and studying – let’s think about it and pray and ask Hashem how to follow His commands. So that we can answer like the children of Israel and as we hear the commands “so they did” (so we do!).

Reading #3 - Exodus 39:22-32

22 He made the robe of the ephod of woven work, all of blue. 23 The opening of the robe in the middle of it was like the opening of a coat of mail, with a binding around its opening, that it should not be torn. 24 They made on the skirts of the robe pomegranates of blue, purple, scarlet, and twined linen. 25 They made bells of pure gold, and put the bells between the pomegranates around the skirts of the robe, between the pomegranates; 26 a bell and a pomegranate, a bell and a pomegranate, around the skirts of the robe, to minister in, as Hashem commanded Moses.

27 They made the tunics of fine linen of woven work for Aaron and for his sons, 28 the turban of fine linen, the linen headbands of fine linen, the linen trousers of fine twined linen, 29 the sash of fine twined linen, blue, purple, and scarlet, the work of the embroiderer, as Hashem commanded Moses.

30 They made the plate of the holy crown of pure gold, and wrote on it an inscription, like the engravings of a signet: “HOLY TO HASHEM”. 31 They tied to it a lace of blue, to fasten it on the turban above, as Hashem commanded Moses.

32 Thus all the work of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting was finished. The children of Israel did according to all that Hashem commanded Moses; so they did.

Vayakhel - Reading #3

Vayakhel  וַיַּקְהֵל - And He Assembled

Torah Reading: Exodus 35:1-38:20

Reading #3 – Exodus 35:30–36:7

My Thoughts:

In verse 36:6 we read, “So the people were restrained from bringing”. Can you even imagine? Think about the church, synagogue or small group you attend and the leader telling you not to donate anymore to the ministry that you have been giving to. That they have more than enough. Wouldn’t that be so amazing? I actually witnessed this a few weeks ago. In a local community zoom meeting I was attending, the director of a local non-profit spoke to us. She was asked how we could help her ministry. She said, “Really right now we have enough. We have been over blessed with money and goods to help our clients.” I was astonished. I had never heard someone from a non-profit agency say that they had all they needed. Truly this ministry was super blessed by Hashem!

Challenge:

My challenge to you is to “check out” the group/ministry that you usually give to. Maybe you can ask for a fiscal report and see how they are doing. If it looks like their income has far exceeded their expenses, then maybe it is time to pray about giving elsewhere for a while. We want to be good stewards of all that Hashem has given us. We need to make sure we are giving to the organization/group that Hashem has called us to. Amen!

Exodus 35:30–36:7

30 Moses said to the children of Israel, “Behold, Hashem has called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 31 He has filled him with the Spirit of Elohim, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all kinds of workmanship; 32 and to make skillful works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 33 in cutting of stones for setting, and in carving of wood, to work in all kinds of skillful workmanship. 34 He has put in his heart that he may teach, both he and Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan. 35 He has filled them with wisdom of heart to work all kinds of workmanship, of the engraver, of the skillful workman, and of the embroiderer, in blue, in purple, in scarlet, and in fine linen, and of the weaver, even of those who do any workmanship, and of those who make skillful works.

36 “Bezalel and Oholiab shall work with every wise-hearted man, in whom Hashem has put wisdom and understanding to know how to do all the work for the service of the sanctuary, according to all that Hashem has commanded.”

2 Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab, and every wise-hearted man, in whose heart Hashem had put wisdom, even everyone whose heart stirred him up to come to the work to do it. 3 They received from Moses all the offering which the children of Israel had brought for the work of the service of the sanctuary, with which to make it. They kept bringing free will offerings to him every morning. 4 All the wise men, who performed all the work of the sanctuary, each came from his work which he did. 5 They spoke to Moses, saying, “The people have brought much more than enough for the service of the work which Hashem commanded to make.”

6 Moses gave a commandment, and they caused it to be proclaimed throughout the camp, saying, “Let neither man nor woman make anything else for the offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing. 7 For the stuff they had was sufficient to do all the work, and too much.

Bo - Reading #3

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3

My Thoughts:

With this reading I think about the times Pharaoh is going back on his word. He says he will let them go, then always changes his mind. You may say this is because Hashem “hardened” his heart. And I am sure this is a large part of it all. But, regardless, he is not a man of his word. Today we have many people who are not “people of their word”. We say a lot of things, but we don’t stand behind what we say. In fact, many times, we don’t even do what we promise. How many times have you said, “I will be praying for you”. Only you walk away and never do? Or you say “I will call you soon”. But, you never do. Make sure when you tell someone you are going to do something -- you do it! You are representing Hashem and His faithfulness. Be careful.

Challenge:

In the last verse we see Moses was great in the sight of the people. What made him great? The miracles, his bravery, his strength, perseverance -- what? Maybe all those things. I challenge you today to think about what makes you “great” in the sight of others? What kind of traits do you have that others respect and admire? If you can’t think of many things then maybe it is time to change. Become a “light” to the nations. It is our purpose.

Reading #3 - Exodus 10:24–11:3

24 Pharaoh called to Moses, and said, “Go, serve Hashem. Only let your flocks and your herds stay behind. Let your little ones also go with you.”

25 Moses said, “You must also give into our hand sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice to Hashem our Elohim. 26 Our livestock also shall go with us. Not a hoof shall be left behind, for of it we must take to serve Hashem our Elohim; and we don’t know with what we must serve Hashem, until we come there.”

27 But Hashem hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he wouldn’t let them go. 28 Pharaoh said to him, “Get away from me! Be careful to see my face no more; for in the day you see my face you shall die!”

29 Moses said, “You have spoken well. I will see your face again no more.”

11 Hashem said to Moses, “I will bring yet one more plague on Pharaoh, and on Egypt; afterwards he will let you go. When he lets you go, he will surely thrust you out altogether. 2 Speak now in the ears of the people, and let every man ask of his neighbor, and every woman of her neighbor, jewels of silver, and jewels of gold.” 3 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants, and in the sight of the people.

Nitzavim-Vayelech - Reading #3

Nitzavim-Vayelech

Deuteronomy 29:9-31:30

Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14

My Thoughts:

Verse 8, “You shall return and obey Hashem’s voice…”. What are we returning from? It is simple. We are returning to Him from a godless, disobedient and rebellious life. We are returning to spiritual things that are wonderful, from a dark, callous world. We are returning to the Light from the darkness of evil. We must try and remember that He has so much and IS so much, and the earthly life we live is so selfish. We must make an effort every day to return to Him in all we do. To love Him with our whole heart and soul and strength. There is no other way to live. Amen.

Challenge:

To continue my thoughts above, in verse 10 we read we are to return to Hashem with “all your heart and with all your soul”. This is not just being flippant about how we serve Him -- but intentional. It is giving Him ALL we have within us! That’s the challenge today. Think about how you can give Hashem “your whole heart and soul”. Not just part of it, but all of it! Then we have the greatest blessing of all -- “Hashem will again rejoice over you for good”. Can you even begin to imagine what it means for Hashem, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob to rejoice over us? What does that look like? Does He smile or sing, does He speak kind words about us? Whatever He does, we look forward to being able to receive it. And we will do our part to follow Torah to the best of our ability. In every minute of every day. Amen.

Reading #3: Deuteronomy 30:7-14

7 Hashem your Elohim will put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you. 8 You shall return and obey Hashem's voice, and do all His commandments which I command you today. 9 Hashem your Elohim will make you prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, for good; for Hashem will again rejoice over you for good, as He rejoiced over your fathers, 10 if you will obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this book of the law; if you turn to Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul.

11 For this commandment which I command you today is not too hard for you or too distant. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, “Who will go up for us to heaven, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, “Who will go over the sea for us, bring it to us, and proclaim it to us, that we may do it?” 14 But the word is very near to you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.

Bechukotai - Reading #3

Bechukotai - In my statutes בְּחֻקֹּתַי

Torah Portion: Leviticus 26:3 - 27:34

Reading #3 - Leviticus 26:10–46

My Thoughts:

In today’s reading we learn about the wrath of Elohim. If His people are not obedient His punishment is severe. Remember the Israelites have not yet entered the Land. He is preparing them to think about all the consequences there will be if they are not obedient in the new Land and follow the sin of the natives! And yet this is also prophetic, because this is exactly what does happen in the Land and the people are disbursed and taken out of the nation. But, in His love and mercy He wants to warn them. This is what can happen – so don’t let it! And it applies for today. Simply said, if we obey we are blessed. If we disobey, the blessings are taken away. What life do you want?

Challenge:

Verses 40 to 45 bring hope. Hashem says if we repent and turn our hearts back to Him, then He won’t break His covenant with us. He may allow us to suffer a while, but in the end He will hold up His promises. That is a very faithful Elohim. Let us remember that. Let us remember that there are consequences for what we do that is not of G-d. But, in the end He will remember us. Ask Hashem for forgiveness today, turn away from your sin and follow Him. Accept your consequences, yet know He will never leave or forsake you. Amen!

Reading #2 - Leviticus 26:10-46

26:10 You shall eat old supplies long kept, and you shall move out the old because of the new. 11 I will set My tent among you, and My soul won’t abhor you. 12 I will walk among you, and will be your Adonai, and you will be My people. 13 I am Hashem your Adonai, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, that you should not be their slaves. I have broken the bars of your yoke, and made you walk upright.

14 “‘But if you will not listen to Me, and will not do all these commandments, 15 and if you shall reject My statutes, and if your soul abhors My ordinances, so that you will not do all My commandments, but break My covenant, 16 I also will do this to you: I will appoint terror over you, even consumption and fever, that shall consume the eyes, and make the soul to pine away. You will sow your seed in vain, for your enemies will eat it. 17 I will set my face against you, and you will be struck before your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you; and you will flee when no one pursues you.

18 “‘If you in spite of these things will not listen to Me, then I will chastise you seven times more for your sins. 19 I will break the pride of your power, and I will make your sky like iron, and your soil like bronze. 20 Your strength will be spent in vain; for your land won’t yield its increase, neither will the trees of the land yield their fruit.

21 “‘If you walk contrary to Me, and won’t listen to Me, then I will bring seven times more plagues on you according to your sins. 22 I will send the wild animals among you, which will rob you of your children, destroy your livestock, and make you few in number. Your roads will become desolate.

23 “‘If by these things you won’t be turned back to Me, but will walk contrary to Me, 24 then I will also walk contrary to you; and I will strike you, even I, seven times for your sins. 25 I will bring a sword upon you that will execute the vengeance of the covenant. You will be gathered together within your cities, and I will send the pestilence among you. You will be delivered into the hand of the enemy. 26 When I break your staff of bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver your bread again by weight. You shall eat, and not be satisfied.

27 “‘If you in spite of this won’t listen to Me, but walk contrary to Me, 28 then I will walk contrary to you in wrath. I will also chastise you seven times for your sins. 29 You will eat the flesh of your sons, and you will eat the flesh of your daughters. 30 I will destroy your high places, and cut down your incense altars, and cast your dead bodies upon the bodies of your idols; and My soul will abhor you. 31 I will lay your cities waste, and will bring your sanctuaries to desolation. I will not take delight in the sweet fragrance of your offerings. 32 I will bring the land into desolation, and your enemies who dwell in it will be astonished at it. 33 I will scatter you among the nations, and I will draw out the sword after you. Your land will be a desolation, and your cities shall be a waste. 34 Then the land will enjoy its Sabbaths as long as it lies desolate and you are in your enemies’ land. Even then the land will rest and enjoy its Sabbaths. 35 As long as it lies desolate it shall have rest, even the rest which it didn’t have in your Sabbaths when you lived on it.

36 “‘As for those of you who are left, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies. The sound of a driven leaf will put them to flight; and they shall flee, as one flees from the sword. They will fall when no one pursues. 37 They will stumble over one another, as it were before the sword, when no one pursues. You will have no power to stand before your enemies. 38 You will perish among the nations. The land of your enemies will eat you up. 39 Those of you who are left will pine away in their iniquity in your enemies’ lands; and also in the iniquities of their fathers they shall pine away with them.

40 “‘If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against Me; and also that because they walked contrary to Me, 41 I also walked contrary to them, and brought them into the land of their enemies; if then their uncircumcised heart is humbled, and they then accept the punishment of their iniquity, 42 then I will remember My covenant with Jacob, My covenant with Isaac, and also My covenant with Abraham; and I will remember the land. 43 The land also will be left by them, and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them; and they will accept the punishment of their iniquity because they rejected My ordinances, and their soul abhorred My statutes. 44 Yet for all that, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them, neither will I abhor them, to destroy them utterly and to break My covenant with them; for I am Hashem their Adonai. 45 But I will for their sake remember the covenant of their ancestors, whom I brought out of the land of Egypt in the sight of the nations, that I might be their Elohim. I am Hashem.’”

46 These are the statutes, ordinances, and laws, which Hashem made between Him and the children of Israel in Mount Sinai by Moses.

Behar - Reading #3

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר
Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Reading #3 - Leviticus 25:19–24

My Thoughts:

Verse 21 reads, “...then I will command My blessing on you…”. Reminds me of the Joseph anointing. Where Joseph was able to gather up food and there was enough for everyone during a severe famine. It just shows that Hashem will always take care of us – even when the land is “resting”. And remember the manna. At this time they are still collecting it (for forty years). And on the sixth day of the week they collect enough for that day and the Sabbath! Why do we ever worry that we will have enough food, money or clothing. He takes care of us with it all! Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

Hashem is also teaching us a lesson on preparation. If the land has to rest for a year, then we must plan for that seventh year of rest. Just like the Sabbath. We need to prepare food ahead of time and get things ready – so that we are able to rest. Hashem talks about eating from the “old store”. This was probably dried fruit, maybe some sort of preserving methods of food. That takes time to prepare for the future, and we live in an “instant” society. My challenge for you today is to start doing that. Prepare for the future. With food, money, wills, burial plots – get ready for when times can be hard and/or you will be gone. Don’t leave everything for others. Be responsible and plan for yourself and your loved ones.

25:19 The land shall yield its fruit, and you shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety. 20 If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;” 21 then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years. 22 You shall sow the eighth year, and eat of the fruits from the old store until the ninth year. Until its fruits come in, you shall eat the old store.

23 “‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with Me. 24 In all the land of your possession you shall grant a redemption for the land.