Shemini - Reading #5

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #5 - Leviticus 10:16–20

My Thoughts:

Aaron is not really allowed to do much mourning for his sons, so he chose to not eat the sin offering (verse 19). Maybe because he was sad or wanted to fast. For whatever reason it is definitely tied in with the death of his sons. And once Moses hears his reasoning he seems to excuse him. This teaches us today that sometimes we need to be flexible with people. We need to have compassion and understanding, and not judge too quickly. We need to listen to people and hear their hearts. And that means if we have to change our plans -- that’s okay. Let’s continue to learn how to treat others through Torah study. Amen!

Challenge:

Also today we learn about obeying authority. And also questioning authority. There is definitely a time and place to do so. I used to say to my employees -- “Family comes first”. So, if there were family issues or events that were important, that took precedence over work. Not all employers are like that. So today I challenge you to think about your boss/employer. Be sure to be kind and do what he/she says. If they are not understanding something you are trying to tell them then have patience and explain. Work it out. Just like Aaron did!

Reading #5 - Leviticus 10:16–20

10:16 Moses diligently inquired about the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burned. He was angry with Eleazar and with Ithamar, the sons of Aaron who were left, saying, 17 “Why haven’t you eaten the sin offering in the place of the sanctuary, since it is most holy, and he has given it to you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before Hashem? 18 Behold, its blood was not brought into the inner part of the sanctuary. You certainly should have eaten it in the sanctuary, as I commanded.”

19 Aaron spoke to Moses, “Behold, today they have offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before Hashem; and such things as these have happened to me. If I had eaten the sin offering today, would it have been pleasing in Hashem’s sight?”

20 When Moses heard that, it was pleasing in his sight.

Shemini - Reading #4

Shemini שְּׁמִינִי - Eighth

Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Reading #4 - Leviticus 10:12–15

My Thoughts:

We read about eating in a holy place (verse 13). The offering is holy, the priests have been sanctified, and so when they eat -- it has to be a holy place. It makes me think about where we eat. Do you have a table in the kitchen or dining room where you eat with others in your family? If so, let’s think about making that space a special place. Remember every good gift comes from the Father in heaven. So all our food comes from Him. Today make your dining space special. Maybe a nice tablecloth, or setting the table ahead of time. And remember to praise Him for all you have! Amen!

Challenge:

In verse 12 they are told to eat a meal offering without yeast. It reminds me of the week the Feast of Unleavened Bread -- Chol HaMoed. It is a challenge to go a week without leaven. We do not live in a Jewish community and sometimes I am not sure what we should have in our house during this week and what we should not. Especially when my sons are packing lunches for work! What is important is that we remember these commands and the feasts. We remember what the priests have to do in the Tabernacle and what to do during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Most important to remember that when Hashem delivered His Hebrew people from Egypt they left in haste without being able to make bread! Let’s remember His miracles today! And the current miracles He does today in our lives!

Reading #4 - Leviticus 10:12–15

10:12 Moses spoke to Aaron, and to Eleazar and to Ithamar, his sons who were left, “Take the meal offering that remains of the offerings of Hashem made by fire, and eat it without yeast beside the altar; for it is most holy; 13 and you shall eat it in a holy place, because it is your portion, and your sons’ portion, of the offerings of Hashem made by fire; for so I am commanded. 14 The waved breast and the heaved thigh you shall eat in a clean place, you, and your sons, and your daughters with you: for they are given as your portion, and your sons’ portion, out of the sacrifices of the peace offerings of the children of Israel. 15 They shall bring the heaved thigh and the waved breast with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before Hashem. It shall be yours, and your sons’ with you, as a portion forever, as Hashem has commanded.”

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

Tzav - Reading #7

Tzav צַו - Command!

Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 9:10-17

Reading #7 - Leviticus 8:30–36

My Thoughts:

In verse 35 we read that the sons of Aaron are to stay at the door of the Tabernacle for seven days, obey what Hashem has commanded or they will die. We know that Torah is eternal life. And for those who believe Yeshua is the Mashiach -- He is the Word. So, here it is clear. If you want to come into the presence of Hashem, you must follow His commands and instructions. To not do so will cause death to you. Isn’t that true now? If we follow Hashem and His Commandments they will bring us life. They show us how to worship, praise, follow, repent, forgive, atone, live, love Him and love others. If we don’t do all that we spiritually die. I believe that is why the world is so dark and sad. They don’t know Hashem and His Messiah. They don’t have “life”. It’s time we who believe, begin to be a “light” to the world -- reflecting the Torah and Hashem’s love for us.

Challenge:

Today I encourage you to review if you are following Hashem’s commandments? Are you honoring the Sabbath? Are you eating clean foods? Are you loving your neighbor more than yourself? Are you loving Hashem with your whole heart, soul and strength? Give yourself a spiritual check up today. And change where you need to change. Follow Him and He will give you LIFE.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 8:30–36

8:30 Moses took some of the anointing oil, and some of the blood which was on the altar, and sprinkled it on Aaron, on his garments, and on his sons, and on his sons’ garments with him, and sanctified Aaron, his garments, and his sons, and his sons’ garments with him.

31 Moses said to Aaron and to his sons, “Boil the meat at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and there eat it and the bread that is in the basket of consecration, as I commanded, saying, ‘Aaron and his sons shall eat it.’ 32 What remains of the meat and of the bread you shall burn with fire. 33 You shall not go out from the door of the Tent of Meeting for seven days, until the days of your consecration are fulfilled: for he shall consecrate you seven days. 34 What has been done today, so Hashem has commanded to do, to make atonement for you. 35 You shall stay at the door of the Tent of Meeting day and night seven days, and keep Hashem’s command, that you don’t die: for so I am commanded.” 36 Aaron and his sons did all the things which Hashem commanded by Moses.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

Verse 23 says to “listen to My voice and I will be your Elohim.” Pretty simple, right? But do we listen to Him? Do you feel a gentle “nudging” during your day to do something or not to do something? Do you follow that “nudge”? Chances are that Hashem is encouraging you. Listen to Him. Do what He says, or don’t do what He is telling you NOT to do! If we do this, He has promised to be our Elohim. Isn’t that so worth it!?

Challenge:

In verse 9:23 we are specifically told not to “glory” or have pride in the wisdom, might or riches we have. Everything we have comes from Hashem. He owns it all. He just “lends” things and people temporarily while we are on the earth. Don’t think for a minute that the things you possess or the children you have born, are from your “own doing”. It is all from Hashem. Remember that today, and give glory to Him for all He has done and given you. Eagerly awaiting the day He sends His Mashiach to the Temple in Jerusalem. Where we will be able to bow down and give worship to the Holy One -- Hashem!

Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23

7:21 Hashem of Armies, the Elohim of Israel says: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. 22 For I didn’t speak to your fathers or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices; 23 but this thing I commanded them, saying, ‘Listen to My voice, and I will be your Elohim, and you shall be my people. Walk in all the way that I command you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 But they didn’t listen or turn their ear, but walked in their own counsels and in the stubbornness of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward. 25 Since the day that your fathers came out of the land of Egypt to this day, I have sent to you all my servants the prophets, daily rising up early and sending them. 26 Yet they didn’t listen to me or incline their ear, but made their neck stiff. They did worse than their fathers.

27 “You shall speak all these words to them, but they will not listen to you. You shall also call to them, but they will not answer you. 28 You shall tell them, ‘This is the nation that has not listened to Hashem their Elohim’s voice, nor received instruction. Truth has perished, and is cut off from their mouth.’ 29 Cut off your hair, and throw it away, and take up a lamentation on the bare heights; for Hashem has rejected and forsaken the generation of his wrath.

30 “For the children of Judah have done that which is evil in my sight,” says Hashem. “They have set their abominations in the house which is called by My name, to defile it. 31 They have built the high places of Topheth, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire; which I didn’t command, nor did it come into my mind. 32 Therefore behold, the days come”, says Hashem, “that it will no more be called ‘Topheth’ or ‘The valley of the son of Hinnom’, but ‘The valley of Slaughter’; for they will bury in Topheth until there is no place to bury. 33 The dead bodies of this people will be food for the birds of the sky, and for the animals of the earth. No one will frighten them away. 34 Then I will cause to cease from the cities of Judah, and from the streets of Jerusalem, the voice of mirth and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom and the voice of the bride; for the land will become a waste.”

8 “At that time,” says Hashem, “they will bring the bones of the kings of Judah, the bones of his princes, the bones of the priests, the bones of the prophets, and the bones of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, out of their graves. 2 They will spread them before the sun, the moon, and all the army of the sky, which they have loved, which they have served, after which they have walked, which they have sought, and which they have worshiped. They will not be gathered or be buried. They will be like dung on the surface of the earth. 3 Death will be chosen rather than life by all the residue that remain of this evil family, that remain in all the places where I have driven them,” says Hashem of Armies.

Jeremiah 9:22-23

9:22 Speak, “Hashem says,

“‘The dead bodies of men will fall as dung on the open field,

    and as the handful after the harvester.

    No one will gather them.’”

23 Hashem says,

“Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom.

    Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might.

    Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches.

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

In verse 13 we are reminded by Yeshua that Hashem “Desires mercy, not sacrifice.” Does that mean we are not to follow His Law. Absolutely not! It means we are to live a life of righteousness and mercy. We are to be merciful to those around us that we love and to those we do not know. We are to help others when we are presented with the need to do so. Yes, sacrifice is important. But, if we are making offerings to Hashem, but ignoring those around us who need help -- then our offerings are useless. That is what He desires, for us to be merciful and giving. Then to present our clean offerings to Him. Think about it.

Challenge:

What does it mean in verses 16 and 17 when Yeshua is talking about new wine and old wineskins? I believe it simply means this. When you repent, worship and seek forgiveness you are washed, new, born again. You can come “clean” before Hashem like a “new wineskin”. When this happens you are ready to be “filled” with fresh wine, new wine. If you don’t come clean before Hashem and expect to be “filled” spiritually with new wine, you will not be able to accept it -- you will “burst”. Make sure today that you are coming prepared and clean before Hashem to be filled daily with His Holy Spirit, the “new wine”. Do not try to come before Him in “dirty” clothing, it will not work. You will not be able to come into His presence. Remember, sins separates us from Hashem.

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 9:10-17

9:10 As He sat in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and sat down with Yeshua and His disciples. 11 When the Pharisees saw it, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12 When Yeshua heard it, He said to them, “Those who are healthy have no need for a physician, but those who are sick do. 13 But you go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice,’ for I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

14 Then John’s disciples came to him, saying, “Why do we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples don’t fast?”

15 Yeshua said to them, “Can the friends of the bridegroom mourn as long as the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom will be taken away from them, and then they will fast. 16 No one puts a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; for the patch would tear away from the garment, and a worse hole is made. 17 Neither do people put new wine into old wine skins, or else the skins would burst, and the wine be spilled, and the skins ruined. No, they put new wine into fresh wine skins, and both are preserved.”