Shemini - Reading #3

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #3 -  Leviticus 9:24–10:11

My Thoughts:

Today we read about “fire”. Fire comes from Hashem to burn an offering and fat on the altar. And fire comes from Hashem to devour two of Aaron’s sons. One fire is for obedience and the other for disobedience. Hashem does not take it lightly when His commandments are broken. Is there a reason in your life that Hashem might consider to “extinguish” you? Of course He would not (I assume). But, after reading today’s Torah Scripture it might be a good idea for all of us to do some “self examination” and see if there is sin in our lives. Where are we not following His commandments? Confess and repent and make it right.

Challenge:

In verse 9 we read that the priests were not to drink any wine before entering the Tabernacle or after. Hashem stresses the need to be clean before Him and to be able to distinguish between common and uncommon. Just think about your own life. When you come before Hashem to pray and worship, have you examined your life and repented for sin? Do you have a problem with alcohol and are drinking at times that are not necessary? Speaking to you as a recovered alcoholic, I encourage you to deal with any problems you have today. Do not delay and get some help. Most important, ask Hashem to deliver you. I promise He will, if you work at it too.

Reading #3 -  Leviticus 9:24–10:11

9:24 Fire came out from before Hashem, and consumed the burnt offering and the fat upon the altar. When all the people saw it, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

10 Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer, and put fire in it, and laid incense on it, and offered strange fire before Hashem, which He had not commanded them. 2 Fire came out from before Hashem, and devoured them, and they died before Hashem.

3 Then Moses said to Aaron, “This is what Hashem spoke of, saying,

‘I will show myself holy to those who come near me,

    and before all the people I will be glorified.’”

Aaron held his peace. 4 Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said to them, “Draw near, carry your brothers from before the sanctuary out of the camp.” 5 So they came near, and carried them in their tunics out of the camp, as Moses had said.

6 Moses said to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons, “Don’t let the hair of your heads go loose, and don’t tear your clothes, so that you don’t die, and so that He will not be angry with all the congregation; but let your brothers, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which Hashem has kindled. 7 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting, lest you die; for the anointing oil of Hashem is on you.” They did according to the word of Moses. 8 Then Hashem said to Aaron, 9 “You and your sons are not to drink wine or strong drink whenever you go into the Tent of Meeting, or you will die. This shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 10 You are to make a distinction between the holy and the common, and between the unclean and the clean. 11 You are to teach the children of Israel all the statutes which Hashem has spoken to them by Moses.”

Shemini - Reading #2

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #2 - Leviticus 9:17–23

My Thoughts:

Last verse (23) Moses and Aaron come out of the Tabernacle, they “bless” the people and Hashem’s glory appears to everyone. How amazing that would be. To be there to witness a special “house” for Hashem and then for His glory to appear. Were they blinded? Did they go prostrate before Him? Whatever happened I can only imagine total unexplained peace and joy. You would not have words to speak, only to dwell in the current moment of time. In the presence of His glory. Imagine that.

Challenge:

As we read Moses and Aaron “blessed’ the people. I want you to think today about YOUR blessings. In other words -- how have YOU been blessed? Sometimes we get caught up in problems, troubles or even daily challenges of life. We start complaining or worrying. We totally forget about all Hashem has given us, all that we have. The fact that we can study and learn about Torah. The Torah that gives eternal life. We can read about serving and loving Hashem and others. What a total blessing that is! Today is a good day to start remembering all that you have. Think about all the wonderful people Hashem has put in your life. Then start to praise Him. No matter how tough of a time you are going through -- thank Him for He has done and continues to do. We may not have Moses to bless us, but we have the Spirit of Elohim upon us! And that is a huge blessing! Amen!

Reading #2 - Leviticus 9:17–23

17 He presented the meal offering, and filled his hand from there, and burned it upon the altar, in addition to the burnt offering of the morning. 18 He also killed the bull and the ram, the sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people. Aaron’s sons delivered to him the blood, which he sprinkled around on the altar; 19 and the fat of the bull and of the ram, the fat tail, and that which covers the innards, and the kidneys, and the cover of the liver; 20 and they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burned the fat on the altar. 21 Aaron waved the breasts and the right thigh for a wave offering before Hashem, as Moses commanded. 22 Aaron lifted up his hands toward the people, and blessed them; and he came down from offering the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings.

23 Moses and Aaron went into the Tent of Meeting, and came out, and blessed the people; and Hashem’s glory appeared to all the people.

Shemini - Reading #1

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #1 - Leviticus 9:1–16

My Thoughts:

Prepare the offerings for “today Hashem appears to you (verse 4).” How amazing that would be! You are bringing a perfect offering, you are preparing to present it, and you know that soon Hashem will appear in His glory! What excitement and energy that must have brought to the people. And hopefully fear. Fear of the presence of the Holy One! Good fear, fear of Hashem. We should be getting excited too! We should be praying every day for Hashem to come back to the Temple in Jerusalem. We should be praying for the Temple to be built! We should be getting ready for the glory of Hashem to come to Israel, may it be soon. Remember to do this. It may help to bring Him back sooner. Please Hashem.

Challenge:

I challenge you today to make an “offering” to Hashem. It can be prayer, sacrifice, worship, repentance or a good deed (mitzvah). Think about what you can give today and do it. And be excited and anticipatory to give it to Him. Think of all the gifts He gives you every day. Today is the day to give Him one!

Reading #1 - Leviticus 9:1–16

9 On the eighth day, Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2 and he said to Aaron, “Take a calf from the herd for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without defect, and offer them before Hashem. 3 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Take a male goat for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, without defect, for a burnt offering; 4 and a bull and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before Hashem; and a meal offering mixed with oil: for today Hashem appears to you.’”

5 They brought what Moses commanded before the Tent of Meeting. All the congregation came near and stood before Hashem. 6 Moses said, “This is the thing which Hashem commanded that you should do; and Hashem’s glory shall appear to you.” 7 Moses said to Aaron, “Draw near to the altar, and offer your sin offering, and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself, and for the people; and offer the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as Hashem commanded.”

8 So Aaron came near to the altar, and killed the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 The sons of Aaron presented the blood to him; and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it on the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the base of the altar; 10 but the fat, and the kidneys, and the cover from the liver of the sin offering, he burned upon the altar, as Hashem commanded Moses. 11 The meat and the skin he burned with fire outside the camp. 12 He killed the burnt offering; and Aaron’s sons delivered the blood to him, and he sprinkled it around on the altar. 13 They delivered the burnt offering to him, piece by piece, and the head. He burned them upon the altar. 14 He washed the innards and the legs, and burned them on the burnt offering on the altar. 15 He presented the people’s offering, and took the goat of the sin offering which was for the people, and killed it, and offered it for sin, like the first. 16 He presented the burnt offering, and offered it according to the ordinance.

Shemini - Week #4

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

2 Sam. 6:1-7:17

Matthew 3:11-17

1.1 First reading — Leviticus 9:1–16

1.2 Second reading — Leviticus 9:17–23

1.3 Third reading — Leviticus 9:24–10:11

1.4 Fourth reading — Leviticus 10:12–15

1.5 Fifth reading — Leviticus 10:16–20

1.6 Sixth reading — Leviticus 11:1–32

1.7 Seventh reading — Leviticus 11:33–47

Bo - Reading #7

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about redeeming the firstborn. Interestingly enough, before the “golden calf” incident, the firstborn males of Israel were all to be involved in the priesthood. After the incident, only the Levites were designated for this. They did not participate in the golden calf event. And since that time, all Jewish firstborn males are to be redeemed. There is a ceremony today called the “Pidyon Haben” where a baby is presented to a priest and redeemed for 5 shekels (Numbers 18:16). It all reminds me that really everything belongs to Hashem. All of us are created by Him, live for Him and return to Him. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 9 we read about having a “sign” of Hashem’s Law on our hearts. The forehead and the hand. These may represent our ability to "think" in our brains and "implement" with our hands. Our thoughts must reflect Torah, our love for Hashem and others. Our hands must carry out all the duties/acts that He requests of us. I challenge you today to take some time to review if your thoughts and actions are representative of Hashem’s light in your life. And work on areas that are not. Improve and be better. For Him. For others.

Reading #7 - Exodus 13:1–16

13 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Sanctify to me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of animal. It is mine.”

3 Moses said to the people, “Remember this day, in which you came out of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; for by strength of hand Hashem brought you out from this place. No leavened bread shall be eaten. 4 Today you go out in the month Abib. 5 It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall keep this service in this month. 6 Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Hashem. 7 Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and no leavened bread shall be seen with you. No yeast shall be seen with you, within all your borders. 8 You shall tell your son in that day, saying, ‘It is because of that which Hashem did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9 It shall be for a sign to you on your hand, and for a memorial between your eyes, that Hashem’s law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand Hashem has brought you out of Egypt. 10 You shall therefore keep this ordinance in its season from year to year.

11 “It shall be, when Hashem brings you into the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and will give it you, 12 that you shall set apart to Hashem all that opens the womb, and every firstborn that comes from an animal which you have. The males shall be Hashem’s. 13 Every firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb; and if you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and you shall redeem all the firstborn of man among your sons. 14 It shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall tell him, ‘By strength of hand Hashem brought us out from Egypt, from the house of bondage. 15 When Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, Hashem killed all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man, and the firstborn of livestock. Therefore I sacrifice to Hashem all that opens the womb, being males; but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16 It shall be for a sign on your hand, and for symbols between your eyes; for by strength of hand Hashem brought us out of Egypt.”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In the crazy world we live in -- a world of "G-dlessness" -- we have a promise. The promise is all will be made well in the end. The garden of Eden will be restored in a sense, because in eternity we live with Him once again. We see this promise in verse 27 “Jacob will return, and will be quiet and at ease…”. I often think about what it will be like when we are in the Olam Haba (the world to come). Where in this world there is chaos, in the Olam Haba there will be “peace and ease”. Something we should look forward to, prepare for and pray for.

Challenge:

In verse 28 we read that there will be “consequences” for all we have done. We will be punished. I believe we receive that in our lives here on earth. For every sin we commit, there is a consequence. Whether you see it or not. And many times our sins affect others. Today would be a good day to take a hard look at your life. What are things you have or do in your life that do not bring glory to Hashem? It’s time to correct them. It’s time to make things right.

Haftarah: Jeremiah 46:13-28

46:13 The word that Hashem spoke to Jeremiah the prophet, how that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon should come and strike the land of Egypt.

14 “Declare in Egypt,

    publish in Migdol,

    and publish in Memphis and in Tahpanhes:

say, ‘Stand up, and prepare;

    for the sword has devoured around you.’

15 Why are your strong ones swept away?

    They didn’t stand, because Hashem pushed them.

16 He made many to stumble.

    Yes, they fell on one another.

They said, ‘Arise! Let’s go again to our own people,

    and to the land of our birth,

    from the oppressing sword.’

17 They cried there, ‘Pharaoh king of Egypt is but a noise;

    he has let the appointed time pass by.’

18 “As I live,” says the King,

    whose name is Hashem of Armies,

“surely like Tabor among the mountains,

    and like Carmel by the sea,

    so He will come.

19 You daughter who dwells in Egypt,

    furnish yourself to go into captivity;

for Memphis will become a desolation,

    and will be burned up,

    without inhabitant.

20 “Egypt is a very beautiful heifer;

    but destruction out of the north has come.

    It has come.

21 Also her hired men in the middle of her are like calves of the stall;

    for they also are turned back.

    They have fled away together.

They didn’t stand,

    for the day of their calamity has come on them,

    the time of their visitation.

22 Its sound will go like the serpent;

    for they will march with an army,

    and come against her with axes, as wood cutters.

23 They will cut down her forest,” says Hashem,

    “though it can’t be searched;

because they are more than the locusts,

    and are innumerable.

24 The daughter of Egypt will be disappointed;

    she will be delivered into the hand of the people of the north.”

25 Hashem of Armies, the Elohim of Israel, says: “Behold, I will punish Amon of No, and Pharaoh, and Egypt, with her gods, and her kings; even Pharaoh, and those who trust in him. 26 I will deliver them into the hand of those who seek their lives, and into the hand of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of his servants. Afterwards it will be inhabited, as in the days of old,” says Hashem.

27 “But don’t you be afraid, Jacob my servant.

    Don’t be dismayed, Israel;

for, behold, I will save you from afar,

    and your offspring from the land of their captivity.

Jacob will return,

    and will be quiet and at ease.

    No one will make him afraid.

28 Don’t be afraid, O Jacob my servant,” says Hashem;

    “for I am with you;

    for I will make a full end of all the nations where I have driven you;

but I will not make a full end of you,

    but I will correct you in measure,

    and will in no way leave you unpunished.”

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

Interesting that not one bone of Yeshua was broken. Just like the Pesach lamb. Torah instructs us not to “break any bones” of the lamb (Exodus 12:46). Yeshua was killed on Pesach, just about the time they were sacrificing the lambs. The Pesach lamb’s life was given to redeem the firstborn male of the Hebrew households. When Yeshua died, He gave His life to redeem His people and set them free. I believe He came to warn His people that if they did not start worshiping Hashem and obeying His commands, that the Temple was going to come down (70 A.D.) and they would be dispersed for a long, long time. It was a strong message, but few heeded it. And His prophecy was fulfilled. 

When He came to warn His people about all this, He knew they would kill Him. But, He came anyway. He came because He loves us so much. His blood will not be wasted. It will be used to “seal the New Covenant”. The future covenant of Jeremiah 31. It all fits. He came to redeem Israel, to save the Temple from being destroyed. To help the people find their way back to Hashem. And some day we will do this.

Challenge:

If you are not familiar with how the death of Yeshua the Mashiach ties in with the Feast of Pesach, then I challenge you to start studying it today. There are many prophecies about the coming Mashiach written in Scripture. I believe Yeshua came first as the “suffering Mashiach”. And that He will return as the “King Mashiach”. If you want to learn more about Yeshua the Rabbi, go to my website: https://www.jesus-was-a-rabbi.com/

Apostolic Scripture: John 19:31-37

19:31 Therefore the Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies wouldn’t remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a special one), asked of Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. 32 Therefore the soldiers came, and broke the legs of the first, and of the other who was crucified with him; 33 but when they came to Yeshua, and saw that He was already dead, they didn’t break his legs. 34 However one of the soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35 He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe. 36 For these things happened that the Scripture might be fulfilled, “A bone of him will not be broken.”Exodus 12:46; Numbers 9:12; Psalm 34:20 37 Again another Scripture says, “They will look on him whom they pierced.”Zechariah 12:10

Bo - Reading #6

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

My Thoughts:

In verse 49 we read; “One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” Here is the first time that Hashem is actually saying that there is one law for both foreigner and native born. To me that means that if you decide to follow Torah and it’s Commandments then you may become a part of Israel. You serve the same Hashem and to follow Him you follow the same Law. One Law for all - as long as you are willing to serve Him together. (Just like Ruth?)

But, I have an honest question - can we "join" Israel? Is it really possible? Does Hashem see us "as one"? Verse 48 says, "He (the foreigner) shall be as one who is born in the land." And this happens with the "stranger" only if you are circumcised. Which is, of course, you are then following the Law. I desire to be as one who is born in the land. So, I must follow Torah to the best of my ability. Amen.

Challenge:

The Hebrew people left with beautiful jewels, gold and silver. All given to them from the Egyptians. What an interesting turn of events! One day they are slaves and the next day through the favor of Hashem they are rich! Think of a time in your life when maybe you had a dramatic financial turning. Or when you received some unexpected money. If you haven’t already thanked Hashem, do it today. All good things come from Hashem.

Reading #6 - Exodus 12:29–51 

12:29 At midnight, Hashem struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Hashem, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”

33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.

37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, in addition to children. 38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves. 40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of Hashem’s armies went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed to Hashem for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Hashem, to be much observed by all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

43 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it. 45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it. 46 It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 When a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, and would like to keep the Passover to Hashem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. He shall be as one who is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” 50 All the children of Israel did so. As Hashem commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 That same day, Hashem brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Bo - Reading #5

Bo, בֹּא - Come!

Exodus:10:1-13:16

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

My Thoughts:

This Pesach (Passover) miracle is to be remembered and passed down from generation to generation. It is a Feast that we are required to memorialize each year. It is not meant to be some heavy “burden” -- but rather a wonderful reminder of Hashem’s mercy and grace. He heard His people “cries” and He answered them. He delivered them out of slavery and into a Land of milk and honey. Celebrating Pesach every year can draw us back into time, a time where Hashem held His arms out to His people and redeemed them. 

I am sure this was very unexpected to them. After all, they were probably asking to be delivered from slavery, not necessarily to be moved into a different country. Maybe they had forgotten the promise made to their fathers. The promise of Israel. Nevertheless, Hashem did not forget. And now it was time to bring them home. May we never forget that Hashem does hear our prayers and He does have answers. They may just look different then what we expected.

Challenge:

Are you asking Hashem to deliver you out of a certain situation? Keep believing He has heard you and will redeem you, it just may surprise you how He does it. Try to be strong and keep faith. Trust that He will move in His time. Open your eyes and see if your “exodus” has begun!

Reading #5 - Exodus 12:21–28

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.