Week of Pesach - Reading #1

Torah Portion: Exodus 12:21-51, Numbers 28:16-25

Haftarah: Joshua 5:2 - 6:1

My Thoughts:

In verse 12:23 we read “...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 into your houses to strike you.” This is really an amazing miracle of redeeming love from Elohim our Master. If His people showed obedience and sacrificed their best animal, applied the blood to their doorway – then death would pass them by. Are you in a situation now in life where you need the “angel of death” to pass you by? Then let’s pray, honor Hashem, be obedient in all areas of our life and ask Him to do this. I believe He will. Amen.

Exodus 12:21-51

12:21 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 Pesach. 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 Pesach, 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.

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 Pesach 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.

Numbers 28:16-25

28:16 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Hashem’s Pesach. 17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work, 19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Hashem;: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They shall be without defect, 20 with their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil. You shall offer three tenths for a bull, and two tenths for the ram. 21 You shall offer one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you. 23 You shall offer these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24 In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.

Haftarah: Joshua 5:2 - 6:1

2 At that time, Hashem said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.” 3 Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to Hashem’s voice. Hashem swore to them that He wouldn’t let them see the land which Hashem swore to their fathers that He would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 Their children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way. 8 When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.

9 Hashem said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day. 10 The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho. 11 They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Pesach, in the same day. 12 The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”

14 He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of Hashem’s army.”

Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”

15 The prince of Hashem’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

6 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the children of Israel. No one went out, and no one came in.

Metzora - Reading #7

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One
Leviticus 14:1-15:33
Haftarah: II Kings 7:3-20
Apostolic Reading: LUKE 2:22-35; MARK 1:35-45

Reading #7 - Leviticus 15:29–33

My Thoughts:

It’s all about not “defiling” the Tabernacle (verse 31) and “separating” from uncleanliness. Isn’t that what holiness is all about? We may not have a Tabernacle (Temple) yet, but we will someday. And all these laws will make sense to us. When we see the Holy One sitting on the Throne and His shekinah glory emanating from the Temple -- we will see every knee bow before the King -- and we will WANT to be holy. I believe every sin and every piece of “dirt” we carry will be exposed and will make us so sad of what we have done. We will repent will all our hearts, immerse in a mikvah and prepare to present ourselves to Hashem. Maybe we should be practicing today and get ready for all of this. It is time to being separating ourselves from every “unclean” thing/issue in our lives.

Challenge:

In reading “My Thoughts” above, I want to challenge you today to start changing. Me too. As I write this it makes me think about one “continual” sin I have in my life. No matter how I pray, or hard I try it is so difficult to get rid of this sin. I really hope and pray that Hashem sees my heart and that I am trying. That is what you must do. Keep trying. When I quit smoking several years ago, I believe it took me about 3 years to fully quit. And it seemed like when I got the most desperate and ready to give up, that is when Hashem took away my desire for nicotine. He knows our hearts and I believe He wants to help us to “separate ourselves from  uncleanliness”. We all must persevere in cleaning up our lives. Ask for Him to help. Ask for others to help you or to make you accountable. Amen?

Reading #7 - Leviticus 15:29–33

29 On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting. 30 The priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her before Hashem for the uncleanness of her discharge.

31 “‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’”

32 This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it; 33 and of her who has her period, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of him who lies with her who is unclean.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verses 8 and 9 we read in this portion where the lepers are discussing the issue of “keeping quiet”. They have good news about the Syrians retreat and the goods left behind, yet they are keeping it to themselves. They come to their senses when they realize they might be punished for doing this. It makes me think about the miracle that Hashem does in our lives or how we might be experiencing a faith-filled day. Yet we don’t tell others about it. We keep the “bounty” of the miracles to ourselves. It’s time to share with friends and family all the good things Hashem does for you, including His sending a Mashiach. We have a responsibility to be “lights” and to share Elohim. Not to keep Him and all He does to ourselves. Start doing this today!

Challenge:

The big miracle in this ready is in verse 6. Hashem makes the enemy “hear” the sound of many warriors. So much so, that they flee!!! Can you imagine? There are miracles today like this in modern Israel. You can read about the wars, including the 6 day war in 1967. Many times Israel troops would be smaller then the enemy, yet something would happen and all of sudden the enemy would run away! I challenge you to do a study on the 6 day war and read about it. Here is an interesting video to view: Miracle of the Six Day War

Haftarah: II Kings 7:3-20

7:3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We will enter into the city,’ then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let’s surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

5 They rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. When they had come to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, no man was there. 6 For Hashem had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots, and the sound of horses, even the noise of a great army; and they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us.” 7 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. 8 When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid it. Then they came back, and entered into another tent, and carried things from there also, and went and hid them. 9 Then they said to one another, “We aren’t doing right. Today is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let’s go and tell the king’s household.”

10 So they came and called to the city gatekeepers; and they told them, “We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, not even a man’s voice, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were.”

11 He called the gatekeepers; and they told it to the king’s household within. 12 The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, “I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.’”

13 One of his servants answered, “Please let some people take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are consumed. Let’s send and see.”

14 Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king sent them out to the Syrian army, saying, “Go and see.”

15 They went after them to the Jordan; and behold, all the path was full of garments and equipment which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The messengers returned, and told the king. 16 The people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to Hashem’s word. 17 The king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate; and the people trampled over him in the gate, and he died as the man of Elohim had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. 18 It happened as the man of Elohim had spoken to the king, saying, “Two seahs of barley for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;” 19 and that captain answered the man of Elohim, and said, “Now, behold, if Hashem made windows in heaven, might such a thing be?” and he said, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.” 20 It happened like that to him; for the people trampled over him in the gate, and he died.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

What a beautiful miracle when Yeshua cleanses the leper. The person with leprosy asks Yeshua if He would want to heal him, and Yeshua says He does -- He does want to heal him. See this wonderful clip from The Chosen: Yeshua Heals the Leper  It is clear that Yeshua through Hashem wants us all to be healed. We must go to Him and ask. If you need healing please go to a quiet place, go before Hashem and ask Him to heal you , just like the leper in this reading was healed. Then wait for His miracle. Do not give up. Just praise Him for what He is going to do.

Challenge:

Simeon believed that he had heard from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and it is clear that he did. He was promised that he would witness the Mashiach before he died. And he was able to hold Him in his arms. What an amazing day that was! Have you ever heard from the Ruach Hakodesh, the spirit of Elohim? If you have then you know how wonderful and amazing that can be. He will give you instructions, He will bless you, He will fill you with His love. You just have to get quiet and wait for Him. Ask Him to speak to you and listen. He will. You will be amazed just like Simeon was. And you will be super blessed. Do this today.

Apostolic Reading: LUKE 2:22-35; MARK 1:35-45

2:22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to Hashem 23 (as it is written in the law of Hashem, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to Hashem”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of Hashem, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen Hashem’s Mashiach. 27 He came in the Spirit into the Temple. When the parents brought in the child, Yeshua, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received Him into his arms, and blessed Elohim, and said,

29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,

    according to your word, in peace;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32 a light for revelation to the nations,

    and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning Him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

MARK 1:35-45

1:35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there. 36 Simon and those who were with him searched for him. 37 They found him and told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.” 39 He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

40 A leper came to him, begging Him, kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, “If You want to, You can make me clean.”

41 Being moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” 42 When He had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean. 43 He strictly warned him and immediately sent him out, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

45 But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Yeshua could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places. People came to him from everywhere.

Metzora - Reading #6

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One
Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #6 - Leviticus 15:16–28

My Thoughts:

Another reading on cleanliness after sexual activity. They sound like such strict rules, but they are for a reason. All of Hashem’s laws regarding cleanliness are ultimately for entering the Tabernacle area for sacrifices and all. He is looking for excellence and holiness. So, He gives us instructions. Let’s follow them to the best we are able. That’s about all I can say today with this delicate subject.

Challenge:

It is interesting that a woman’s most fertile time is in the middle of the month. Torah Law says she is to be “unclean” for 7 days after her period, which brings her to the “middle” of the month. Since Hashem’s desire is for us to be fruitful and multiply, it makes perfect sense that after this waiting period she then becomes clean and also fertile. A good time to conceive. My challenge to you today is to think about having children. Are you restricting getting pregnant in your relationship with your spouse? Or are you following Hashem’s instructions, waiting until the middle of the month and being “fruitful”. Nowhere does He tell us to have child after child, so there is something called “natural family planning” when you remain abstinent during a woman’s fertile time of the month. Just some things to think about. If you are beyond having children or single, this is information you can share with family and friends -- so that they can get on Hashem’s “page” for a family!

Reading #6 - Leviticus 15:16–28

15:16 “‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. 17 Every garment and every skin which the semen is on shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening. 18 If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.

19 “‘If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days. Whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.

20 “‘Everything that she lies on in her impurity shall be unclean. Everything also that she sits on shall be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 22 Whoever touches anything that she sits on shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 23 If it is on the bed, or on anything she sits on, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until the evening.

24 “‘If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed he lies on shall be unclean.

25 “‘If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her period, all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness shall be as in the days of her period. She is unclean. 26 Every bed she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her period. Everything she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her period. 27 Whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

28 “‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

Metzora - Reading #5

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #5 - Leviticus 14:54–15:15

My Thoughts:

A sensitive, hard to discuss subject today. Most believe the discharge in today’s reading relates to sexual activity. So, why all the rules? We know that reproduction is very important to Hashem, even a commandment to “go and be fruitful and multiply”. It makes sense that there would be some cleanliness rules surrounding this commandment. Hashem wants ALL of our being to be clean before Him -- inside and out. Because many humans do partake in sexual activity (meaningfully with a spouse) then we are now given instructions on how to become “clean” when we go before Hashem. It all makes sense. Just a delicate subject.

Challenge:

So, here is an odd challenge for today. Because in today’s reading we are discussing cleanliness rules after sexual activity, it may be a good time to review this area in your life. We live in a world that looks at sex as in a very different way then the one true Elohim. There is perversion, sex outside of marriage, multiple partners and disregard for honoring the sacredness of marriage. This is a good time to take a look at this area in your life. Are you giving honor to Hashem? Are you following His commandments? Review, repent, ask for forgiveness and change. That is why we have Torah -- to give us life. A life that is clean in all areas and close to Him.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 14:54–15:15

14:54 This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch, 55 and for the destructive mildew of a garment, and for a house, 56 and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot; 57 to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean.

This is the law of leprosy.

15 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, because of his discharge he is unclean. 3 This shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body has stopped from his discharge, it is his uncleanness.

4 “‘Every bed on which he who has the discharge lies shall be unclean; and everything he sits on shall be unclean. 5 Whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 6 He who sits on anything on which the man who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

7 “‘He who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

8 “‘If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

9 “‘Whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides on shall be unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

11 “‘Whomever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

12 “‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13 “‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

14 “‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before Hashem to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest. 15 The priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem for his discharge.

Metzora - Reading #4

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #4 - Leviticus 14:33–53

My Thoughts:

Hashem not only cares about us physically but He also cares that the place we live is clean. It is important that there is not mildew or mold in our homes. It might be wise to go through our homes once or twice a year and do a deep cleaning. Especially in our bathrooms. I know that bleach is a good way to get rid of any mold or mildew. Keep up on it, and keep your house clean! Hashem has us do these things for special reasons. To keep us healthy and clean.

Challenge:

A few years ago we had a roof that leaked into our kitchen. It took awhile for us to fix the roof, but finally we did. But then we had a mold issue in the walls in the kitchen. I was surprised at what clean up and repair looked like. We called our insurance company and workers came in with masks and put plastic up to protect other rooms. Drywall had to be cut out, just like the stones were removed in our reading today. It was quite an ordeal. We really should have taken care of it sooner. So, here is my challenge. If you have some walls or ceilings that need repair, take care of it today! Call your insurance company or do the work yourself. Just take care of it now! Or it will spread and might make you unhealthy!

Reading #4 - Leviticus 14:33–53

14:33 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 34 “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession, 35 then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, ‘There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.’ 36 The priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes in to examine the plague, that all that is in the house not be made unclean. Afterward the priest shall go in to inspect the house. 37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall, 38 then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days. 39 The priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the plague has spread in the walls of the house, 40 then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city. 41 He shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over. They shall pour out the mortar that they scraped off outside of the city into an unclean place. 42 They shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.

43 “If the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house after he has taken out the stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered, 44 then the priest shall come in and look; and behold, if the plague has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew in the house. It is unclean. 45 He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house’s mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.

46 “Moreover he who goes into the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening. 47 He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

48 “If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. 49 To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. 50 He shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 51 He shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 He shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, with the living bird, with the cedar wood, with the hyssop, and with the scarlet; 53 but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.”

Metzora - Reading #3

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #3 -  Leviticus 14:21–32

My Thoughts:

Hashem makes a way for the poor. Worship of Him is not just for those who have careers and money, but for those who have been more unfortunate. That is how kind and just Elohim is. You see this throughout the Torah. He will make sure you leave food in your fields for the poor, that you take care of the poor and now that the poor can bring special sacrifices for atonement -- whatever they can afford. I really believe that Hashem looks at our hearts when He is considering us. Not what we wear or where we live or what we have. Those things are just temporary and of the world. He wants deeper things from us. He wants us to love those around us, more than we do ourselves!

Challenge:

If you think about it, if we are following Torah, then the poor around us should just be temporary. If we are really watching out for our neighbors, then if they have trouble we should be there to help. We can help train, and take people under our wings. Just think if each one of us helped just one person who was down and out -- the whole earth could be transformed. Poverty could be erased. See who Adonai is putting in your life today to help out. And then take action.

Reading #3 -  Leviticus 14:21–32

14:21 “If he is poor, and can’t afford so much, then he shall take one male lamb for a trespass offering to be waved, to make atonement for him, and one tenth of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering, and a log of oil; 22 and two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, such as he is able to afford; and the one shall be a sin offering, and the other a burnt offering.

23 “On the eighth day he shall bring them for his cleansing to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, before Hashem. 24 The priest shall take the lamb of the trespass offering, and the log of oil, and the priest shall wave them for a wave offering before Hashem. 25 He shall kill the lamb of the trespass offering. The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering and put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 26 The priest shall pour some of the oil into the palm of his own left hand; 27 and the priest shall sprinkle with his right finger some of the oil that is in his left hand seven times before Hashem. 28 Then the priest shall put some of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, on the place of the blood of the trespass offering. 29 The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, to make atonement for him before Hashem. 30 He shall offer one of the turtledoves, or of the young pigeons, which ever he is able to afford, 31 of the kind he is able to afford, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering, with the meal offering. The priest shall make atonement for him who is to be cleansed before Hashem.”

32 This is the law for him in whom is the plague of leprosy, who is not able to afford the sacrifice for his cleansing.

Metzora - Reading #2

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #2 - Leviticus 14:13–20

My Thoughts:

When the offering is slaughtered and goes on the altar it becomes holy. Up to this point it was not. Think of that. In verse 14:13 it says “It is most holy.” What makes it holy? My thought is that the altar and the priest are in close proximity to the Holy of Holies. Where the ark and the presence of Elohim dwell. Objects have been anointed and the priests themselves have been sanctified. This changes the status of the offering/animal. It goes from being unholy to holy. By being in the presence of Hashem. I believe that this is what He wants for us. He does want us to “be holy as He is holy”. We may attempt to do this by repenting, worshiping, praying and entering the “presence” of Hashem. This is really important to think about.

Challenge:

We studied this before how the right ear, right thumb and right big toe are anointed. They may represent what we choose to hear, what we do in action and where we go. I challenge you today to review these things in your life. Are you listening to music that Hashem would approve of? Do your actions reflect your following the Torah? Do you go places that are appropriate in your walk with Adonai? Do a real check on these things today and make sure you are honoring the most Holy One -- in all areas of your life.

Reading #2 - Leviticus 14:13–20

14:13 He shall kill the male lamb in the place where they kill the sin offering and the burnt offering, in the place of the sanctuary; for as the sin offering is the priest’s, so is the trespass offering. It is most holy. 14 The priest shall take some of the blood of the trespass offering, and the priest shall put it on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot. 15 The priest shall take some of the log of oil, and pour it into the palm of his own left hand. 16 The priest shall dip his right finger in the oil that is in his left hand, and shall sprinkle some of the oil with his finger seven times before Hashem. 17 The priest shall put some of the rest of the oil that is in his hand on the tip of the right ear of him who is to be cleansed, and on the thumb of his right hand, and on the big toe of his right foot, upon the blood of the trespass offering. 18 The rest of the oil that is in the priest’s hand he shall put on the head of him who is to be cleansed, and the priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem.

19 “The priest shall offer the sin offering, and make atonement for him who is to be cleansed because of his uncleanness. Afterward he shall kill the burnt offering; 20 then the priest shall offer the burnt offering and the meal offering on the altar. The priest shall make atonement for him, and he shall be clean.