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.”

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 been changed or replaced with new ones. 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 fully understand them, just do your best. He will show you and bring people into 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 for the natural-born Jew and also the foreigner who “joins” Israel. If you are not Jewish, consider joining 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 real 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 15 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 Teitzei - Reading #3

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

My Thoughts:

“So you shall remove the evil from Israel.” (verse 22) Here are some specific instructions about “taking” a virgin. And also the importance of a woman remaining a virgin until marriage (or it could cost her life). Hashem’s specific instructions are given so that Israel does not become corrupted, anywhere. He does not want people to be influenced by other people who worship false gods, neither does He want any disapproved sexual conduct. How very “loose” we have become regarding virginity. TV, movies, media all promote promiscuity. It would be wise to study these verses and teach our children to be righteous before Hashem.

Challenge:

Verse 8 commands people to make a railing around a porch, or anywhere people may be at risk on a building. He is so wonderful about thinking about the safety of everyone. My challenge to you today is to take a review of your house. Is it safe? Do you have sturdy railings in places they should be? Have you made necessary repairs throughout your house that make people safe? Take an inventory and make sure that you are not taking risks. It is a command. Obey it.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 22:8–23:7

8 When you build a new house, then you shall make a railing around your roof, so that you don’t bring blood on your house if anyone falls from there.

9 You shall not sow your vineyard with two kinds of seed, lest all the fruit be defiled, the seed which you have sown, and the increase of the vineyard. 10 You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together. 11 You shall not wear clothes of wool and linen woven together.

12 You shall make yourselves fringes on the four corners of your cloak with which you cover yourself.

13 If any man takes a wife, and goes in to her, hates her, 14 accuses her of shameful things, gives her a bad name, and says, “I took this woman, and when I came near to her, I didn’t find in her the tokens of virginity;” 15 then the young lady’s father and mother shall take and bring the tokens of the young lady’s virginity to the elders of the city in the gate. 16 The young lady’s father shall tell the elders, “I gave my daughter to this man as his wife, and he hates her. 17 Behold, he has accused her of shameful things, saying, ‘I didn’t find in your daughter the tokens of virginity;’ and yet these are the tokens of my daughter’s virginity.” They shall spread the cloth before the elders of the city. 18 The elders of that city shall take the man and chastise him. 19 They shall fine him one hundred shekels of silver, and give them to the father of the young lady, because he has given a bad name to a virgin of Israel. She shall be his wife. He may not put her away all his days.

20 But if this thing is true, that the tokens of virginity were not found in the young lady, 21 then they shall bring out the young lady to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done folly in Israel, to play the prostitute in her father’s house. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

22 If a man is found lying with a woman married to a husband, then they shall both die, the man who lay with the woman and the woman. So you shall remove the evil from Israel. 23 If there is a young lady who is a virgin pledged to be married to a husband, and a man finds her in the city, and lies with her, 24 then you shall bring them both out to the gate of that city, and you shall stone them to death with stones; the lady, because she didn’t cry, being in the city; and the man, because he has humbled his neighbor’s wife. So you shall remove the evil from among you. 25 But if the man finds the lady who is pledged to be married in the field, and the man forces her and lies with her, then only the man who lay with her shall die; 26 but to the lady you shall do nothing. There is in the lady no sin worthy of death; for as when a man rises against his neighbor and kills him, even so is this matter; 27 for he found her in the field, the pledged to be married lady cried, and there was no one to save her. 28 If a man finds a lady who is a virgin, who is not pledged to be married, grabs her and lies with her, and they are found, 29 then the man who lay with her shall give to the lady’s father fifty shekels of silver. She shall be his wife, because he has humbled her. He may not put her away all his days. 30 A man shall not take his father’s wife, and shall not uncover his father’s skirt.

23 He who is emasculated by crushing or cutting shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly. 2 A person born of a forbidden union shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one of his enter into Hashem’s assembly. 3 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into Hashem’s assembly; even to the tenth generation shall no one belonging to them enter into Hashem’s assembly forever, 4 because they didn’t meet you with bread and with water on the way when you came out of Egypt, and because they hired against you Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse you. 5 Nevertheless Hashem your Elohim wouldn’t listen to Balaam, but Hashem your Elohim turned the curse into a blessing to you, because Hashem your Elohim loved you. 6 You shall not seek their peace nor their prosperity all your days forever. 7 You shall not abhor an Edomite, for he is your brother. You shall not abhor an Egyptian, because you lived as a foreigner in his land.

Shoftim - Reading #3

Shoftim שֹׁפְטִים - Judges

Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 18:1–5

My Thoughts:

Think about this. The only “inheritance” the Levites receive is Hashem (verse 2) - and serving and loving Him! Can you imagine this in your life? Not needing land, or houses or worrying about purchasing food. Your job would be to serve Hashem in the Temple. And everything else would be provided! And the very best part is that He would be all that you need! Isn’t that true for us today? Isn’t He all that we need? Yes we have to have jobs to make money and houses to live in. But truly when it comes down to it all -- Hashem is our all in all. Let’s remember that today!

Challenge: 

With today’s reading we should be thinking about those people around us who spend their lives serving Hashem. Whether they are Jewish or another religion, they are doing what Hashem has called them to do and they should be financially supported. My challenge to you today is to think about who is either in your life or your community that is serving Hashem full time in ministry. A rabbi or pastor or spiritual leader needs support. Pray and ask Hashem who you should support. You will be blessed in return. Amen. 

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 18:1–5

18:1 The priests and the Levites—all the tribe of Levi—shall have no portion nor inheritance with Israel. They shall eat the offerings of Hashem made by fire and His portion. 2 They shall have no inheritance among their brothers. Hashem is their inheritance, as He has spoken to them. 3 This shall be the priests’ due from the people, from those who offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep, that they shall give to the priest: the shoulder, the two cheeks, and the inner parts. 4 You shall give him the first fruits of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the first of the fleece of your sheep. 5 For Hashem your Elohim has chosen him out of all your tribes to stand to minister in Hashem’s name, him and his sons forever.

Re'eh - Reading #3

Re'eh רְאֵה - See!

Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 12:29–13:19

My Thoughts:

A prophet that can pull you away from Hashem is part of today’s portion. In 13:5 we read, “That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Hashem.” The cost of someone trying to do this and using signs and wonders -- is death. It is serious business to be a prophet and be making statements that can actually lead someone away from Hashem. And even today these “prophets” are out there. They may be disguised as kind “Biblical” people but really their words are untrue. I bring this up because we must be super careful about who we listen to online, whether it be sermons or podcasts. Do not take everything at face value or as truth. Always check everything you have with Scripture to make sure you are hearing and learning things correctly. If they are not, be sure to think about whether you want to continue to listen to that person.

Challenge: 

Are you being ensnared? In our first verses (29-30) today we read, “When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations from before you where you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them.” What happens when we are “ensnared” -- we can begin to do what other people are doing. We get drawn into their sin, their way of life. There is a saying, “You are who you hang with.” And we know that to be so true. When I hung out with party people, I partied. When I hung out with believers, I went to assemblies of believers. Today’s challenge. Think about who you “hang out” with. Are they enhancing your life and helping you to draw closer to Hashem? Or are they leading you away from Him? Fix it. 

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 12:29–13:19

12:29 When Hashem your Elohim cuts off the nations from before you where you go in to dispossess them, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, 30 be careful that you are not ensnared to follow them after they are destroyed from before you, and that you not inquire after their gods, saying, “How do these nations serve their gods? I will do likewise.” 31 You shall not do so to Hashem your Elohim; for every abomination to Hashem, which He hates, they have done to their gods; for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. 32 Whatever thing I command you, that you shall observe to do. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.

13 If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you, and he gives you a sign or a wonder, 2 and the sign or the wonder comes to pass, of which he spoke to you, saying, “Let’s go after other gods” (which you have not known) “and let’s serve them,” 3 you shall not listen to the words of that prophet, or to that dreamer of dreams; for Hashem your Elohim is testing you, to know whether you love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 You shall walk after Hashem your Elohim, fear Him, keep His commandments, and obey His voice. You shall serve Him, and cling to Him. 5 That prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death, because he has spoken rebellion against Hashem your Elohim who brought you out of the land of Egypt and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to draw you aside out of the way which Hashem your Elohim commanded you to walk in. So you shall remove the evil from among you.

6 If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son, or your daughter, or the wife of your bosom, or your friend who is as your own soul, entices you secretly, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods”—which you have not known, you, nor your fathers; 7 of the gods of the peoples who are around you, near to you, or far off from you, from the one end of the earth even to the other end of the earth— 8 you shall not consent to him nor listen to him; neither shall your eye pity him, neither shall you spare, neither shall you conceal him; 9 but you shall surely kill him. Your hand shall be first on him to put him to death, and afterwards the hands of all the people. 10 You shall stone him to death with stones, because he has sought to draw you away from Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 11 All Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall not do any more wickedness like this among you.

12 If you hear about one of your cities, which Hashem your Elohim gives you to dwell there, that 13 certain wicked fellows have gone out from among you and have drawn away the inhabitants of their city, saying, “Let’s go and serve other gods,” which you have not known, 14 then you shall inquire, investigate, and ask diligently. Behold, if it is true, and the thing certain, that such abomination was done among you, 15 you shall surely strike the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, with all that is therein and its livestock, with the edge of the sword. 16 You shall gather all its plunder into the middle of its street, and shall burn with fire the city, with all of its plunder, to Hashem your Elohim. It shall be a heap forever. It shall not be built again. 17 Nothing of the devoted thing shall cling to your hand, that Hashem may turn from the fierceness of His anger and show you mercy, and have compassion on you and multiply you, as He has sworn to your fathers, 18 when you listen to Hashem your Elohim ’s voice, to keep all His commandments which I command you today, to do that which is right in Hashem your Elohim’s eyes.

Ekev - Reading #3

Ekev עֵקֶב - As a Result

Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 9:4–29

My Thoughts:

Hashem is reminding His people what really happened over the past 40 years. That it wasn’t all because of what they did but rather it was what the people in the Land neglected to do -- and that was to serve Hashem instead of false gods. We all have to be very careful that we do not go after false idols, and we do not forget where we came from. It is also important that we don’t “puff” ourselves up. It is important to be holy and in right relationship with Hashem. But, through it all we must remember that HE makes all the decisions, HE confirms all the plans, and HE owns all the cattle on the hills. All glory and credit, all worship, must go to HIM! Amen!

Challenge:

Moses falls on his face in prayer to ask Hashem to spare His people from His wrath. What a faithful intermediary for the people. I don’t know if they realized how he would stand in the gap for them -- so often. Or did they appreciate his thoughtfulness and how he would go to their defense? Think of a leader in your life that has defended you and stood up for you. Have you thanked him/her and recognized their helpfulness? That’s today’s challenge. Think hard about who always is there for you, who defends you and protects you. Tell them how grateful you are for him/her. And thank Hashem that He has put them in your life. Don’t delay. Hashem’s Word tends to be super timely. Amen.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 9:4–29

Don’t say in your heart, after Hashem your Elohim has thrust them out from before you, “For my righteousness Hashem has brought me in to possess this land;” because Hashem drives them out before you because of the wickedness of these nations. 5 Not for your righteousness or for the uprightness of your heart do you go in to possess their land; but for the wickedness of these nations Hashem your Elohim does drive them out from before you, and that he may establish the word which Hashem swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. 6 Know therefore that Hashem your Elohim doesn’t give you this good land to possess for your righteousness, for you are a stiff-necked people. 7 Remember, and don’t forget, how you provoked Hashem your Elohim to wrath in the wilderness. From the day that you left the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against Hashem. 8 Also in Horeb you provoked Hashem to wrath, and Hashem was angry with you to destroy you. 9 When I had gone up onto the mountain to receive the stone tablets, even the tablets of the covenant which Hashem made with you, then I stayed on the mountain forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water. 10 Hashem delivered to me the two stone tablets written with God’s finger. On them were all the words which Hashem spoke with you on the mountain out of the middle of the fire in the day of the assembly.

11 It came to pass at the end of forty days and forty nights that Hashem gave me the two stone tablets, even the tablets of the covenant. 12 Hashem said to me, “Arise, get down quickly from here; for your people whom you have brought out of Egypt have corrupted themselves. They have quickly turned away from the way which I commanded them. They have made a molten image for themselves!”

13 Furthermore Hashem spoke to me, saying, “I have seen these people, and behold, they are a stiff-necked people. 14 Leave me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under the sky; and I will make of you a nation mightier and greater than they.”

15 So I turned and came down from the mountain, and the mountain was burning with fire. The two tablets of the covenant were in my two hands. 16 I looked, and behold, you had sinned against Hashem your Elohim. You had made yourselves a molded calf. You had quickly turned away from the way which Hashem had commanded you. 17 I took hold of the two tablets, and threw them out of my two hands, and broke them before your eyes. 18 I fell down before Hashem, as at the first, forty days and forty nights. I neither ate bread nor drank water, because of all your sin which you sinned, in doing that which was evil in Hashem’s sight, to provoke him to anger. 19 For I was afraid of the anger and hot displeasure with which Hashem was angry against you to destroy you. But Hashem listened to me that time also. 20 Hashem was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him. I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. 21 I took your sin, the calf which you had made, and burned it with fire, and crushed it, grinding it very small, until it was as fine as dust. I threw its dust into the brook that descended out of the mountain. 22 At Taberah, at Massah, and at Kibroth Hattaavah you provoked Hashem to wrath. 23 When Hashem sent you from Kadesh Barnea, saying, “Go up and possess the land which I have given you,” you rebelled against the commandment of Hashem your Elohim, and you didn’t believe him or listen to his voice. 24 You have been rebellious against Hashem from the day that I knew you. 25 So I fell down before Hashem the forty days and forty nights that I fell down, because Hashem had said he would destroy you. 26 I prayed to Hashem, and said, “L-rd Hashem, don’t destroy your people and your inheritance that you have redeemed through your greatness, that you have brought out of Egypt with a mighty hand. 27 Remember your servants, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Don’t look at the stubbornness of this people, nor at their wickedness, nor at their sin, 28 lest the land you brought us out from say, ‘Because Hashem was not able to bring them into the land which he promised to them, and because He hated them, He has brought them out to kill them in the wilderness.’ 29 Yet they are your people and your inheritance, which you brought out by Your great power and by Your outstretched arm.”

Va'etchanan - Reading #3

Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 4:41–49

My Thoughts:

We read in verse 45, “These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt.” The Israelites were going to be a “physical” nation. They were going into the Land and they were to occupy it. As a nation there had to be laws and rules. This was done obviously for peace and order. And that is what the Law does in our lives today. It gives us peace and order, instead of confusion and fear. It is guaranteed. Hashem’s Word is alive. The Torah is Life. If we follow Him our lives will be filled with righteous plans and success. This is a blessing.

Challenge:

Hashem takes care of everyone. Even those who are falsely accused of a crime (the man slayer). He cares so much he provided cities of “safety” for those people in trouble. It makes me think that when we get in trouble and are falsely accused for something we didn’t do -- that we need not worry. He can take us to a “place” of peace and safety. If that is you today, then ask Him to bring you to that place. It may be a spiritual or emotional “place” -- but it will be somewhere where you can live with joy. The challenge is to seek Him with your whole heart and soul, today. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 4:41–49

4:41 Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, 42 that the man slayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally and didn’t hate him in time past, and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 43 Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.

44 This is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 45 These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, 46 beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel struck when they came out of Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise; 48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Sion (also called Hermon), 49 and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

Devarim - Reading #3

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38

My Thoughts:

In verse 29 Hashem tells us not to be afraid when He sets us to a task. That “He goes before you”. What about this, don't we believe? He is true and trustworthy and all we need to do is trust in Him. I wonder why this is so hard. Even in my life today I feel like He has asked me to be involved in this huge pro-life project. We have to raise $250,000 to get a mobile medical unit on the road! It seems like so much money but for Him it is so small. We just have to be obedient and trust He will lead us to the right to people, and that He will move on people’s hearts. Amen! I just have to believe He is going before us!

*** A follow up: The money was raised and the mobile unit is now on the road helping women with medical decisions and medical care. Thank You Hashem!

Challenge:

Again the Israelites are scared and doubting why they left Egypt. Moses is retelling the story, and it is a story that has been retold over the centuries! What we learn is that they left because Hashem called them and led them. He provided and saved them! He wants to get this message deep into our souls. He is the DELIVERER!

My challenge today to you is that you spend time thinking about this. If you are in a tough spot in life remember to pray, see His face and ask Him for deliverance. He is listening and He will work it out for you. Start praising Him for the results! Amen!

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38

1:22 You came near to me, everyone of you, and said, “Let’s send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we must go up, and the cities to which we shall come.”

23 The thing pleased me well. I took twelve of your men, one man for every tribe. 24 They turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 25 They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us, and brought us word again, and said, “It is a good land which Hashem our Elohim gives to us.”

26 Yet you wouldn’t go up, but rebelled against the commandment of Hashem your Elohim. 27 You murmured in your tents, and said, “Because Hashem hated us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to the sky. Moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there!’”

29 Then I said to you, “Don’t be terrified. Don’t be afraid of them. 30 Hashem your Elohim, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all that He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you have seen how that Hashem your Elohim carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.”

32 Yet in this thing you didn’t believe Hashem your Elohim, 33 who went before you on the way, to seek out a place for you to pitch your tents in: in fire by night, to show you by what way you should go, and in the cloud by day. 34 Hashem heard the voice of your words and was angry, and swore, saying, 35 “Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it. I will give the land that he has trodden on to him and to his children, because he has wholly followed Hashem.”

37 Also Hashem was angry with me for your sakes, saying, “You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it."

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.”

PInchas - Reading #3

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Reading #3 - Numbers 26:52–27:5

My Thoughts:

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

Challenge:

In continuation of “My Thoughts” I challenge you today to think about how you could “serve” Elohim, like the way that the priests did. We do not have a Temple, but take some time to study Temple duties. More information will arise on this subject as we study the next Torah book -- Deuteronomy.  Do we bring “offerings” to the most Holy One (in our own way)? Do you keep a “light” burning continually for Hashem? Certainly we can BE a light for Him! And certainly we can give “offerings” such as prayer, charity, repentance and a righteous life. Start practicing ways you can serve Hashem here on earth. Get ready for when He returns to the Temple in Jerusalem for eternity -- when we will be serving Him -- in person! Amen!

Reading #3 - Numbers 26:52–27:5

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

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

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

5 Moses brought their cause before Hashem.