Vayikra - Reading #1

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called

Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Reading #1 - Leviticus 1:1–13

My Thoughts:

We read in verse 13 that the offerings are a “pleasant aroma” to Hashem. I’ve always kind of wondered about this. If Hashem creates animals, why would their killing and “roasting” be pleasant to Him. But, as I have studied more, I believe what Hashem finds “pleasant” is that His people are being obedient. He does provide for them to eat of the meat afterwards (however, sometimes the entire offering is consumed by fire). Just as a parent is happy when his/her child obeys -- so must be Hashem. That is what is pleasant to Him is our obeying His Commandments. Are we doing that every day?

Challenge:

We read in verse 11 that the offering is prepared “before Hashem”. It’s almost like they do this in front of Him for His approval. That makes total sense. Like a King sitting before His servants witnessing their acts of servitude and obedience. My challenge today is do you go “before” Hashem in prayer and worship? Sometimes we get in the habit of just praying without a lot of thought. We should not take communication with Hashem lightly. Let’s go before Him with reverence and consideration of who He is. Let’s start doing this today!

Reading #1 - Leviticus 1:1–13

Leviticus 1:1 Hashem called to Moses, and spoke to him from the Tent of Meeting, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When anyone of you offers an offering to Hashem, you shall offer your offering of the livestock, from the herd and from the flock.

3 “‘If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer a male without defect. He shall offer it at the door of the Tent of Meeting, that he may be accepted before Hashem. 4 He shall lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him. 5 He shall kill the bull before Hashem. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall present the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 6 He shall skin the burnt offering and cut it into pieces. 7 The sons of Aaron the priest shall put fire on the altar, and lay wood in order on the fire; 8 and Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall lay the pieces, the head, and the fat in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar; 9 but he shall wash its innards and its legs with water. The priest shall burn all of it on the altar, for a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

10 “‘If his offering is from the flock, from the sheep or from the goats, for a burnt offering, he shall offer a male without defect. 11 He shall kill it on the north side of the altar before Hashem. Aaron’s sons, the priests, shall sprinkle its blood around on the altar. 12 He shall cut it into its pieces, with its head and its fat. The priest shall lay them in order on the wood that is on the fire which is on the altar, 13 but the innards and the legs he shall wash with water. The priest shall offer the whole, and burn it on the altar. It is a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem.

Vayikra - Week #1

Vayikra  וַיִּקְרָא - And He Called

Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Matthew 5:23-30

1.1 First reading — Leviticus 1:1–13

1.2 Second reading — Leviticus 1:14–2:6

1.3 Third reading — Leviticus 2:7–16

1.4 Fourth reading — Leviticus 3:1–17

1.5 Fifth reading — Leviticus 4:1–26

1.6 Sixth reading — Leviticus 4:27–5:10

1.7 Seventh reading — Leviticus 5:11–26

Pekudei - Reading #7

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21

Apostolic Reading: Luke 16:1-13

Reading #7 -  Exodus 40:28–38

My Thoughts:

The Tabernacle is up and ready to serve. And the first thing that happens is Hashem’s glory FILLS the Tent of the Meeting. The place where He meets with the High Priest. All I can imagine is that there was a peaceful, powerful, overwhelming soft light of His presence. It was so amazingly strong that Moses could not enter. And it didn’t end. It continued to “hover” over the Tabernacle day and night. At night it manifested as a cloud of fire. He wanted to journey with His people to the Promised Land, and this is how He did it. I believe His presence still goes with us today, just in a different way. Maybe sometimes it is a particular sign of Him, or a feeling – but I know His Spirit travels with us – all the time. 

Challenge:

Here is the big “take away” from today’s Parashat. When the cloud gets up and moves - you move! You don’t wait to see if He really meant it and maybe He will come back. Or you don’t take your time to decide if you want to follow Him now or wait until later. You go. He goes, you go. And that is what I am talking about for TODAY. If He is asking you to do something – simply follow His lead. Don’t hesitate, you will regret it forever. I remember one of our trips to Israel and we were in Jerusalem. It was raining and I had an umbrella but an older gentleman passed me by and was getting soaked because he did not have one. I felt like Hashem said to me, “Give him your umbrella”. I don’t know if I was scared, or didn’t really believe Hashem told me to do this. But, I hesitated and soon the man was way down the street. I have regretted that decision for years. Who knows, maybe that act of kindness would have changed his life. Or maybe he was having a really hard day and just needed to know someone cared. I missed my chance. I repented and have tried to faithfully listen to Hashem ever since. Follow the “cloud” of Hashem, and when He moves, you move.

Reading #7 - Exodus 40:28-38

28 He put up the screen of the door to the tabernacle. 29 He set the altar of burnt offering at the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting, and offered on it the burnt offering and the meal offering, as Hashem commanded Moses. 30 He set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water therein, with which to wash. 31 Moses, Aaron, and his sons washed their hands and their feet there. 32 When they went into the Tent of Meeting, and when they came near to the altar, they washed, as Hashem commanded Moses. 33 He raised up the court around the tabernacle and the altar, and set up the screen of the gate of the court. So Moses finished the work.

34 Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 35 Moses wasn’t able to enter into the Tent of Meeting, because the cloud stayed on it, and Hashem’s glory filled the tabernacle. 36 When the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the children of Israel went onward, throughout all their journeys; 37 but if the cloud wasn’t taken up, then they didn’t travel until the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of Hashem was on the tabernacle by day, and there was fire in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel, throughout all their journeys.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Amazingly, centuries later the Tent of Meeting is brought to Jerusalem where Solomon has built a “house” Temple for Hashem. They bring in all the items and in verse 10 we read, “It came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled Hashem’s house.” Just like when Moses completed the Tabernacle and the cloud filled the holy of holies! It makes you think that Hashem must be so pleased and happy when He can dwell with His people in His house! We must keep praying that the Temple is rebuilt for Hashem so He can come back and fill His house with His glory. Imagine that!

Challenge:

David wanted to build a house for Hashem, but Hashem instructs him that He wants his son, Solomon, to build His house. Was David disappointed, or did He respect Hashem’s decision? Or was he just so amazed and excited that Hashem would even speak to him – and then tell him He wanted a house. Hashem chooses David to be King over Israel, and then after him, Solomon rules. The point being sometimes we don’t always get what we want. David wanted to build the house but could not. I’m sure Moses wanted to go into the Holy of Holies, but could not. Can you think of something you wanted that you never got? Maybe Hashem just wants to appreciate and care for what you have. Maybe He just wants you to be happy about knowing Him and His Torah! What do you think?

Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:51-8:21

51 Thus all the work that king Solomon did in Hashem’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated, the silver, the gold, and the vessels, and put them in the treasuries of Hashem’s house.

8 Then Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, with all the heads of the tribes, the princes of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel, to king Solomon in Jerusalem, to bring up the ark of Hashem’s covenant out of David’s city, which is Zion. 2 All the men of Israel assembled themselves to king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 All the elders of Israel came, and the priests picked up the ark. 4 They brought up Hashem’s ark, the Tent of Meeting, and all the holy vessels that were in the Tent. The priests and the Levites brought these up. 5 King Solomon and all the congregation of Israel, who were assembled to him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and cattle, that could not be counted or numbered for multitude. 6 The priests brought in the ark of Hashem’s covenant to its place, into the inner sanctuary of the house, to the most holy place, even under the cherubim’s wings. 7 For the cherubim spread their wings out over the place of the ark, and the cherubim covered the ark and its poles above. 8 The poles were so long that the ends of the poles were seen from the holy place before the inner sanctuary; but they were not seen outside. They are there to this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when Hashem made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 It came to pass, when the priests had come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled Hashem’s house, 11 so that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud; for Hashem’s glory filled Hashem’s house. 12 Then Solomon said, “Hashem has said that He would dwell in the thick darkness. 13 I have surely built you a house of habitation, a place for you to dwell in forever.”

14 The king turned his face around, and blessed all the assembly of Israel; and all the assembly of Israel stood. 15 He said, “Blessed is Hashem, the Elohim of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to David your father, and has with His hand fulfilled it, saying, 16 ‘Since the day that I brought my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, that My name might be there; but I chose David to be over My people Israel.’

17 “Now it was in the heart of David my father to build a house for the name of Hashem, the Elohim of Israel. 18 But Hashem said to David my father, ‘Whereas it was in your heart to build a house for My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Nevertheless, you shall not build the house; but your son who shall come out of your body, he shall build the house for My name.’ 20 Hashem has established His word that He spoke; for I have risen up in the place of David my father, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as Hashem promised, and have built the house for the name of Hashem, the Elohim of Israel. 21 There I have set a place for the ark, in which is Hahsem’s covenant, which He made with our fathers, when He brought them out of the land of Egypt.”

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

This is a tough parable to understand. I did some research on it and so might you. The best I can say is that the manager apparently was not doing a good job. Looks like he was going to lose it so it tries to make some instant friends by diminishing their debt. Maybe the manager doesn’t know this, but the debtors begin to pay their debts. The manager did get a little “creative” about retrieving some money. Was that what he was commended for? I have no idea. But one could discern that Yeshua wants us to be “shrewd” with the gifts (money) that we have, or maybe even our talents. This has to do with getting reading for the world to come. How do you interpret this story? Talk about it with someone you know – it will make a good discussion.

Challenge:

Verse 10 says if you are faithful in little things you will be faithful in bigger ones. Is that true about you? Do you respect and take care of small things in your life? For example, your child asks you to play with him/her and you are too tired and make some excuse. Or do you take time and play with him/her – even though you would rather rest? In other words, you put your child above yourself. You become faithful in being a good parent with something small. This qualifies you to believe you will also be faithful when it comes to a larger challenge. Ponder on this for a minute and make sure you take heed to those small things today.

Apostolic Reading: Luke 16:1-13

16 He also said to his disciples, “There was a certain rich man who had a manager. An accusation was made to him that this man was wasting his possessions. 2 He called him, and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Give an accounting of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’

3 “The manager said within himself, ‘What will I do, seeing that my lord is taking away the management position from me? I don’t have strength to dig. I am ashamed to beg. 4 I know what I will do, so that when I am removed from management, they may receive me into their houses.’ 5 Calling each one of his lord’s debtors to him, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe to my lord?’ 6 He said, ‘A hundred batos of oil.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and sit down quickly and write fifty.’ 7 Then he said to another, ‘How much do you owe?’ He said, ‘A hundred cors of wheat.’ He said to him, ‘Take your bill, and write eighty.’

8 “His lord commended the dishonest manager because he had done wisely, for the children of this world are, in their own generation, wiser than the children of the light. 9 I tell you, make for yourselves friends by means of unrighteous mammon, so that when you fail, they may receive you into the eternal tents. 10 He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If therefore you have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? 12 If you have not been faithful in that which is another’s, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to one, and despise the other. You aren’t able to serve Elohim and Mammon.”

Pekudei - Reading #6

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #6 - Exodus 40:17–27

My Thoughts:

How exciting this must have been. After several months of preparation and construction, Moses is finally putting all together – just as Hashem commanded him. You see, he was preparing the most holy place for Hashem to dwell. He was making a “house” for Hashem, right here on the earth. Yes, they were witnessing His glory in the cloud during the day and fire at night. But, this was a place where Hashem was to be honored and worshiped. Where the people would be giving back to Him through sacrifices. Up to this point, it seemed like Hashem was giving of Himself to the people through signs, wonders and miracles. But now, the people had a chance to give back. To show Him how they loved Him and how grateful they were for their deliverance from Egypt. Look at your life today. How do you give back to Hashem?

Challenge:

As we see, the Tabernacle is a very special place of meeting Hashem. I have asked this before, but do you have a special place for Hashem? In Judaism, on Shabbat, a special place is always prepared. A table is set, candles are lit, bread is prepared and placed on the table, songs are sung, prayers are said and there are Torah readings and discussion. It is a very special way to honor and worship Hashem in today’s world. If you are not already honoring Shabbat in this way, I encourage you to start doing so. This is a challenge for myself, because we do not live in a Jewish community. But, I think it is time to start making Shabbat special, like the Tabernacle was made so special. A great place for a great Elohim. A place to meet on a regular basis. Amen!

Reading #6 - Exodus 40:17-27

17 In the first month in the second year, on the first day of the month, the tabernacle was raised up. 18 Moses raised up the tabernacle, and laid its sockets, and set up its boards, and put in its bars, and raised up its pillars. 19 He spread the covering over the tent, and put the roof of the tabernacle above on it, as Hashem commanded Moses. 20 He took and put the covenant into the ark, and set the poles on the ark, and put the mercy seat above on the ark. 21 He brought the ark into the tabernacle, and set up the veil of the screen, and screened the ark of the covenant, as Hashem commanded Moses. 22 He put the table in the Tent of Meeting, on the north side of the tabernacle, outside of the veil. 23 He set the bread in order on it before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 24 He put the lamp stand in the Tent of Meeting, opposite the table, on the south side of the tabernacle. 25 He lit the lamps before Hashem, as Hashem commanded Moses. 26 He put the golden altar in the Tent of Meeting before the veil; 27 and he burned incense of sweet spices on it, as Hashem commanded Moses.

Pekudei - Reading #5

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #5 -  Exodus 40:1–16

My Thoughts:

It has been a year since the Israelites have left Egypt. And it is the beginning of the new year. This is when everything has been completed for the Tabernacle of Hashem and He is ready to have it raised. Isn’t that interesting that it would be exactly one year? It makes me think about Hashem’s perfect timing. We see that often in the Torah. Let’s apply that to our own lives. It is important to wait on Hashem when asking Him for help and even more importantly to wait for His perfect timing. Waiting is worth it. Trust me. But, really, trust Him!

Challenge:

What would that have felt like for Moses that Hashem is asking him to prepare everything for his brother to be a high priest. Moses could prepare offerings, but it was actually Aaron that would serve Hashem in the Holy of Holies. Even though Hashem regularly spoke with Moses, in a very personal way, he was not chosen to perform the High priestly duties. Think about that. Hashem’s relationship with Moses was very special and personal – and extremely anointed and important. I’m sure he did not feel “slighted” that he was not to serve in the Tabernacle. He had his own “position” with Hashem. I challenge you to look at your life and your relationship with Hashem. Are you in the “position” He has called you to be in? Or are you coveting or striving for another position? Pray and talk to Him about this.

Reading #5 - Exodus 40:1-16

40 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “On the first day of the first month you shall raise up the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 3 You shall put the ark of the covenant in it, and you shall screen the ark with the veil. 4 You shall bring in the table, and set in order the things that are on it. You shall bring in the lamp stand, and light its lamps. 5 You shall set the golden altar for incense before the ark of the covenant, and put the screen of the door to the tabernacle.

6 “You shall set the altar of burnt offering before the door of the tabernacle of the Tent of Meeting. 7 You shall set the basin between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and shall put water therein. 8 You shall set up the court around it, and hang up the screen of the gate of the court.

9 “You shall take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle and all that is in it, and shall make it holy, and all its furniture, and it will be holy. 10 You shall anoint the altar of burnt offering, with all its vessels, and sanctify the altar, and the altar will be most holy. 11 You shall anoint the basin and its base, and sanctify it.

12 “You shall bring Aaron and his sons to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall wash them with water. 13 You shall put on Aaron the holy garments; and you shall anoint him, and sanctify him, that he may minister to me in the priest’s office. 14 You shall bring his sons, and put tunics on them. 15 You shall anoint them, as you anointed their father, that they may minister to me in the priest’s office. Their anointing shall be to them for an everlasting priesthood throughout their generations.” 16 Moses did so. According to all that Hashem commanded him, so he did.

Pekudei - Reading #4

Pekudei  פְקוּדֵי - Accounts

Torah Reading: Exodus 38:21-40:38

Reading #4 - Exodus 39:33–43

My Thoughts:

Here is the wrap up for the Tabernacle. Everyone did his/her part. Some gave money, some gave talents, some worked very hard to make everything. It is apparent that they all did their part. They worked together as a community, under one leader and produced excellent results. Isn’t that how we should live our lives? When called to work together with others, we should give our best. We must listen to the leader and follow what he/she says (always unless it goes against the word of Elohim). We must also do everything in excellence – giving it more than our best. Let’s agree today as we move forward in life, that we will follow the example of these believers. They were on a special journey, on the way to the promised land. And so are we. Let’s go there together, following one leader - Hashem – Holy is the L-rd..

Challenge:

We should never do something for someone else and expect something in return. However, here is the most amazing thing. When you do what Hashem has called you to do – there is a blessing, a reward. I can attest to that in my own life. I have served Hashem in ministry for many years. I could have earned way more by working a secular job. But, I knew I would be blessed in even greater ways working for Him. And I was and I continue to be. It is truly incredible when I look back and see all the miracles that Hashem did for me and my family. We have never lacked anything, and in fact we have been abundantly blessed. Believe this as you choose to serve Hashem. Just like in verse 40, “Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed them.” Be blessed. Amen!

Reading #4 - Exodus 39:33–43

33 They brought the tabernacle to Moses: the tent, with all its furniture, its clasps, its boards, its bars, its pillars, its sockets, 34 the covering of rams’ skins dyed red, the covering of sea cow hides, the veil of the screen, 35 the ark of the covenant with its poles, the mercy seat, 36 the table, all its vessels, the show bread, 37 the pure lamp stand, its lamps, even the lamps to be set in order, all its vessels, the oil for the light, 38 the golden altar, the anointing oil, the sweet incense, the screen for the door of the Tent, 39 the bronze altar, its grating of bronze, its poles, all of its vessels, the basin and its base, 40 the hangings of the court, its pillars, its sockets, the screen for the gate of the court, its cords, its pins, and all the instruments of the service of the tabernacle, for the Tent of Meeting, 41 the finely worked garments for ministering in the Holy Place, the holy garments for Aaron the priest, and the garments of his sons, to minister in the priest’s office. 42 According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did all the work. 43 Moses saw all the work, and behold, they had done it as Hashem had commanded. They had done so; and Moses blessed 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.