Pesach - Reading #7

Torah Portion: Exodus 13:17-15:26

Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

My Thoughts:

Have you ever been pursued by something or someone evil? I was plagued by an addiction for many years when I was young. It was taking over my life. I would try to run and escape from it, but it always pursued me and won. Until one day, I cried out to Hashem. He heard my cry and He delivered me. Just like the Israelites – He led me through a path of victory and swallowed my enemy. I am so grateful to Him. I have been clean and sober now for over 30 years. Praise Him! If you are in trouble or suffering, I encourage you to call out to Him today! He will answer. Try to be patient and wait on Him.

Exodus 13:17 When Pharaoh had let the people go, Adonai didn’t lead them by the way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near; for Adonai said, “Lest perhaps the people change their minds when they see war, and they return to Egypt''; 18 but Adonai led the people around by the way of the wilderness by the Red Sea; and the children of Israel went up armed out of the land of Egypt. 19 Moses took the bones of Joseph with him, for he had made the children of Israel swear, saying, “Adonai will surely visit you, and you shall carry up my bones away from here with you.” 20 They took their journey from Succoth, and encamped in Etham, in the edge of the wilderness. 21 Hashem went before them by day in a pillar of cloud, to lead them on their way, and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light, that they might go by day and by night: 22 the pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, didn’t depart from before the people.

14 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, that they turn back and encamp before Pihahiroth, between Migdol and the sea, before Baal Zephon. You shall encamp opposite it by the sea. 3 Pharaoh will say of the children of Israel, ‘They are entangled in the land. The wilderness has shut them in.’ 4 I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will follow after them; and I will get honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies; and the Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem.” They did so.

5 The king of Egypt was told that the people had fled; and the heart of Pharaoh and of his servants was changed toward the people, and they said, “What is this we have done, that we have let Israel go from serving us?” 6 He prepared his chariot, and took his army with him; 7 and he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, with captains over all of them. 8 Hashem hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; for the children of Israel went out with a high hand.  9 The Egyptians pursued them. All the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen, and his army overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baal Zephon.

10 When Pharaoh came near, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them; and they were very afraid. The children of Israel cried out to Hashem. 11 They said to Moses, “Because there were no graves in Egypt, have you taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you treated us this way, to bring us out of Egypt? 12 Isn’t this the word that we spoke to you in Egypt, saying, ‘Leave us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians?’ For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness.”

13 Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of Hashem, which He will work for you today; for you will never again see the Egyptians whom you have seen today. 14 Hashem will fight for you, and you shall be still.”

15 Hashem said to Moses, “Why do you cry to me? Speak to the children of Israel, that they go forward. 16 Lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. Then the children of Israel shall go into the middle of the sea on dry ground. 17 Behold, I myself will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will go in after them. I will get myself honor over Pharaoh, and over all his armies, over his chariots, and over his horsemen. 18 The Egyptians shall know that I am Hashem when I have gotten myself honor over Pharaoh, over his chariots, and over his horsemen.” 19 The angel of Adonai, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them, and stood behind them. 20 It came between the camp of Egypt and the camp of Israel. There was the cloud and the darkness, yet it gave light by night. One didn’t come near the other all night.

21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and Hashem caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided. 22 The children of Israel went into the middle of the sea on the dry ground; and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 23 The Egyptians pursued, and went in after them into the middle of the sea: all of Pharaoh’s horses, his chariots, and his horsemen. 24 In the morning watch, Hashem looked out on the Egyptian army through the pillar of fire and of cloud, and confused the Egyptian army. 25 He took off their chariot wheels, and they drove them heavily; so that the Egyptians said, “Let’s flee from the face of Israel, for Hashem fights for them against the Egyptians!”

26 Hashem said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand over the sea, that the waters may come again on the Egyptians, on their chariots, and on their horsemen.” 27 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the sea returned to its strength when the morning appeared; and the Egyptians fled against it. Hashem overthrew the Egyptians in the middle of the sea. 28 The waters returned, and covered the chariots and the horsemen, even all Pharaoh’s army that went in after them into the sea. There remained not so much as one of them. 29 But the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea, and the waters were a wall to them on their right hand and on their left. 30 Thus Hashem saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians; and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. 31 Israel saw the great work which Hashem did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Hashem; and they believed in Hashem and in his servant Moses.

15 Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to Hashem, and said,

“I will sing to Hashem, for He has triumphed gloriously.

    He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.

2 Adonai is my strength and song.

    He has become my salvation.

This is my Elohim, and I will praise Him;

    my father’s Elohim, and I will exalt Him.

3 Hashem is a man of war.

    Hashem is His name.

4 He has cast Pharaoh’s chariots and his army into the sea.

    His chosen captains are sunk in the Red Sea.

5 The deeps cover them.

    They went down into the depths like a stone.

6 Your right hand, Hashem, is glorious in power.

    Your right hand, Hashem, dashes the enemy in pieces.

7 In the greatness of Your excellency, You overthrow those who rise up against You.

    You send out your wrath. It consumes them as stubble.

8 With the blast of your nostrils, the waters were piled up.

    The floods stood upright as a heap.

    The deeps were congealed in the heart of the sea.

9 The enemy said, ‘I will pursue. I will overtake. I will divide the plunder.

    My desire will be satisfied on them.

    I will draw my sword. My hand will destroy them.’

10 You blew with Your wind.

    The sea covered them.

    They sank like lead in the mighty waters.

11 Who is like You, Hashem, among the gods?

    Who is like You, glorious in holiness,

    fearful in praises, doing wonders?

12 You stretched out Your right hand.

    The earth swallowed them.

13 “You, in your loving kindness, have led the people that You have redeemed.

    You have guided them in Your strength to Your holy habitation.

14 The peoples have heard.

    They tremble.

    Pangs have taken hold of the inhabitants of Philistia.

15 Then the chiefs of Edom were dismayed.

    Trembling takes hold of the mighty men of Moab.

    All the inhabitants of Canaan have melted away.

16 Terror and dread falls on them.

    By the greatness of Your arm they are as still as a stone,

    until Your people pass over, Hashem,

    until the people You have purchased pass over.

17 You will bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance,

    the place, Hashem, which You have made for Yourself to dwell in;

    the sanctuary, Adonai, which Your hands have established.

18 Hashem will reign forever and ever.”

19 For the horses of Pharaoh went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and Hashem brought back the waters of the sea on them; but the children of Israel walked on dry land in the middle of the sea. 20 Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with dances. 21 Miriam answered them,

“Sing to Hashem, for He has triumphed gloriously.

He has thrown the horse and his rider into the sea.”

22 Moses led Israel onward from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they couldn’t drink from the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore its name was called Marah. 24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 Then he cried to Hashem. Hashem showed him a tree, and he threw it into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There he made a statute and an ordinance for them, and there he tested them. 26 He said, “If you will diligently listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and will do that which is right in His eyes, and will pay attention to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have put on the Egyptians; for I am Hashem who heals you.”

Haftarah: II Samuel 22:1-51

Samuel 22:1 David spoke to Hashem the words of this song in the day that Hashem delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul, 2 and he said:

“Hashem is my rock,

    my fortress,

    and my deliverer, even mine;

3 Adonai is my rock in whom I take refuge;

    my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

    my high tower, and my refuge.

    My savior, You save me from violence.

4 I call on Hashem, who is worthy to be praised;

    So shall I be saved from my enemies.

5 For the waves of death surrounded me.

    The floods of ungodliness made me afraid.

6 The cords of Sheol were around me.

    The snares of death caught me.

7 In my distress, I called on Hashem.

    Yes, I called to my Adonai.

He heard my voice out of His temple.

    My cry came into His ears.

8 Then the earth shook and trembled.

    The foundations of heaven quaked and were shaken,

    because He was angry.

9 Smoke went up out of His nostrils.

    Consuming fire came out of His mouth.

    Coals were kindled by it.

10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down.

    Thick darkness was under His feet.

11 He rode on a cherub, and flew.

    Yes, He was seen on the wings of the wind.

12 He made darkness a shelter around Himself:

    gathering of waters, and thick clouds of the skies.

13 At the brightness before Him,

    coals of fire were kindled.

14 Hasgen thundered from heaven.

    The Most High uttered His voice.

15 He sent out arrows and scattered them,

    lightning and confused them.

16 Then the channels of the sea appeared.

    The foundations of the world were laid bare by Hashem’s rebuke,

    at the blast of the breath of His nostrils.

17 He sent from on high and He took me.

    He drew me out of many waters.

18 He delivered me from my strong enemy,

    from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.

19 They came on me in the day of my calamity,

    but Hashem was my support.

20 He also brought me out into a large place.

    He delivered me, because He delighted in me.

21 Hashem rewarded me according to my righteousness.

    He rewarded me according to the cleanness of my hands.

22 For I have kept Hashem’s ways,

    and have not wickedly departed from my Adonai.

23 For all His ordinances were before me.

    As for His statutes, I didn’t depart from them.

24 I was also perfect toward Him.

    I kept myself from my iniquity.

25 Therefore Hashem has rewarded me according to my righteousness,

    According to my cleanness in His eyesight.

26 With the merciful you will show yourself merciful.

    With the perfect man you will show yourself perfect.

27 With the pure you will show yourself pure.

    With the crooked you will show yourself shrewd.

28 You will save the afflicted people,

    But your eyes are on the arrogant, that you may bring them down.

29 For you are my lamp, Hashem.

   Hashem will light up my darkness.

30 For by You, I run against a troop.

    By my Adonai, I leap over a wall.

31 As for Adonai, His way is perfect.

    Hashem’s word is tested.

    He is a shield to all those who take refuge in Him.

32 For who is Adonai, besides Hashem?

    Who is a rock, besides our God?

33 Adonai is my strong fortress.

    He makes my way perfect.

34 He makes His feet like hinds’ feet,

    and sets me on my high places.

35 He teaches my hands to war,

    so that my arms bend a bow of bronze.

36 You have also given me the shield of Your salvation.

    Your gentleness has made me great.

37 You have enlarged my steps under me.

    My feet have not slipped.

38 I have pursued my enemies and destroyed them.

    I didn’t turn again until they were consumed.

39 I have consumed them,

    and struck them through,

    so that they can’t arise.

    Yes, they have fallen under my feet.

40 For you have armed me with strength for the battle.

    You have subdued under me those who rose up against me.

41 You have also made my enemies turn their backs to me,

    that I might cut off those who hate me.

42 They looked, but there was no one to save;

    even to Hashem, but He didn’t answer them.

43 Then I beat them as small as the dust of the earth.

    I crushed them as the mire of the streets, and spread them abroad.

44 You also have delivered me from the strivings of my people.

    You have kept me to be the head of the nations.

    A people whom I have not known will serve me.

45 The foreigners will submit themselves to me.

    As soon as they hear of me, they will obey me.

46 The foreigners will fade away,

    and will come trembling out of their close places.

47 Hashem lives!

    Blessed be my rock!

Exalted be Adonai, the rock of my salvation,

48  even the Adonai who executes vengeance for me,

    who brings down peoples under me,

49  who brings me away from my enemies.

Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me.

    You deliver me from the violent man.

50 Therefore I will give thanks to You, Hashem, among the nations,

    and will sing praises to Your name.

51 He gives great deliverance to his king,

    and shows loving kindness to his anointed,

    to David and to his offspring, forever more.”

Pesach - Reading #6

Numbers 9:1-14

My Thoughts:

Men become compromised and can not bring the Pesach sacrifice. They go to Moses for answers and he says to them in verse 8, “Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what Hashem will command concerning you.”” Here is the point. He doesn’t just arbitrarily answer the men, he seeks Hashem first. He doesn’t make up his own ideas on what to do – He consults with the Father. Wow. And that is just what we should do. We need to go to Hashem when we have a question about what to do regarding Torah or anything else of importance. And we need to WAIT until He responds (in some particular way) and lets us know what He wants us to do. Don’t you want His plan instead of yours? I certainly do! Try going to Him today. Pray and seek His face. Find out what He has to say and then do it!

Numbers 9:1-14

Numbers 9:1 Hashem spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the first month of the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, 2 “Let the children of Israel keep the Pesach in its appointed season. 3 On the fourteenth day of this month, at evening, you shall keep it in its appointed season. You shall keep it according to all its statutes and according to all its ordinances.”

4 Moses told the children of Israel that they should keep the Pesach. 5 They kept the Pesach in the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at evening, in the wilderness of Sinai. According to all that Hashem commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did. 6 There were certain men, who were unclean because of the dead body of a man, so that they could not keep the Pesach on that day, and they came before Moses and Aaron on that day. 7 Those men said to him, “We are unclean because of the dead body of a man. Why are we kept back, that we may not offer the offering of Hashem in its appointed season among the children of Israel?”

8 Moses answered them, “Wait, that I may hear what Hashem will command concerning you.”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Say to the children of Israel, ‘If any man of you or of your generations is unclean by reason of a dead body, or is on a journey far away, he shall still keep the Pesach to Hashem. 11 In the second month, on the fourteenth day at evening they shall keep it; they shall eat it with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. 12 They shall leave none of it until the morning, nor break a bone of it. According to all the statute of the Pesach they shall keep it. 13 But the man who is clean, and is not on a journey, and fails to keep the Pesach, that soul shall be cut off from his people. Because he didn’t offer the offering of Pesach in its appointed season, that man shall bear his sin.

14 “‘If a foreigner lives among you, and desires to keep the Pesach to Hashem, then he shall do so according to the statute of the Pesach, and according to its ordinance. You shall have one statute, both for the foreigner, and for him who is born in the land.’”

Pesach - Reading #5

Reading #5

Torah Portion: Exodus 34:1-26

My Thoughts:

The first set of commandments - it appears that Hashem made them. But, after Moses smashed them at the incident of the golden calf, Hashem ordered Moses to chisel out the second set. It is a little controversial if Hashem wrote the words or Moses did – the point is things were “gifted” to Moses the first time and he had to work for them the second time. Kind of like in the garden of Eden. In the beginning man was given everything. But, after he disobeyed Hashem he had to go into the world and work for his food. Hashem is fair and just. When He asks us to do something I believe He will make it easy the first time. If we don’t listen, well, then it becomes a lot harder. Let’s try and get it right on the first time around. And let’s praise the Master when we do! Amen!

Exodus 34:1-26

Exodus 34:1 Hashem said to Moses, “Chisel two stone tablets like the first. I will write on the tablets the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke. 2 Be ready by the morning, and come up in the morning to Mount Sinai, and present yourself there to Me on the top of the mountain. 3 No one shall come up with you or be seen anywhere on the mountain. Do not let the flocks or herds graze in front of that mountain.”

4 He chiseled two tablets of stone like the first; then Moses rose up early in the morning, and went up to Mount Sinai, as Hashem had commanded him, and took in his hand two stone tablets. 5 Hashem descended in the cloud, and stood with him there, and proclaimed Hashem’s name. 6 Hashem passed by before him, and proclaimed, “Hashem! Hashem, a merciful and gracious Elohim, slow to anger, and abundant in loving kindness and truth, 7 keeping loving kindness for thousands, forgiving iniquity and disobedience and sin; and who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, and on the children’s children, on the third and on the fourth generation.”

8 Moses hurried and bowed his head toward the earth, and worshiped. 9 He said, “If now I have found favor in your sight, Hashem, please let Hashem go among us, even though this is a stiff-necked people; pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us for your inheritance.”

10 He said, “Behold, I make a covenant: before all your people I will do marvels, such as have not been worked in all the earth, nor in any nation; and all the people among whom you are shall see the work of Hashem; for it is an awesome thing that I do with you. 11 Observe that which I command you today. Behold, I will drive out before you the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite. 12 Be careful, lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land where you are going, lest it be for a snare among you; 13 but you shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and you shall cut down their Asherah poles; 14 for you shall worship no other god; for Hashem, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Elohim.

15 “Don’t make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, lest they play the prostitute after their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and one call you and you eat of his sacrifice; 16 and you take of their daughters to your sons, and their daughters play the prostitute after their gods, and make your sons play the prostitute after their gods.

17 “You shall make no cast idols for yourselves.

18 “You shall keep the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib; for in the month Abib you came out of Egypt.

19 “All that opens the womb is mine; and all your livestock that is male, the firstborn of cow and sheep. 20 You shall redeem the firstborn of a donkey with a lamb. If you will not redeem it, then you shall break its neck. You shall redeem all the firstborn of your sons. No one shall appear before me empty.

21 “Six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest: in plowing time and in harvest you shall rest.

22 “You shall observe the feast of weeks with the first fruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of harvest at the year’s end. 23 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before Hashem Adonai, the Elohim of Israel. 24 For I will drive out nations before you and enlarge your borders; neither shall any man desire your land when you go up to appear before Hashem, your Elohim, three times in the year.

25 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The sacrifice of the feast of the Pesach shall not be left to the morning.

26 “You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground to the house of Hashem your Elohim..

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.”

Pesach - Reading #4

Reading #4

Torah Portion: Exodus 22:24-23:19

My Thoughts:

We are reminded about the three major Feasts in this portion. But, we are also reminded in verse 23:7 “...and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.” If you have read my blog for a while you know I take a strong defense of the preborn. I know women get confused and in unfortunate situations, but that is not a reason to be able to take the life of an innocent yet to be born baby. We are instructed by Hashem not to do so. A baby developing in its mother’s womb should be safe and protected. Instead one out of four pregnancies ends in an abortion. This is taking an innocent life. If you have had an abortion, Hashem will forgive you. There is an excellent website you can go to: https://yourabortionexperience.org. Get some help today, it will change your life. 

Exodus 22:24-23:19

Exodus 22:24 and My wrath will grow hot, and I will kill you with the sword; and your wives shall be widows, and your children fatherless.

25 “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be to him as a creditor. You shall not charge him interest. 26 If you take your neighbor’s garment as collateral, you shall restore it to him before the sun goes down, 27 for that is his only covering, it is his garment for his skin. What would he sleep in? It will happen, when he cries to me, that I will hear, for I am gracious.

28 “You shall not blaspheme Elohim, nor curse a ruler of your people.

29 “You shall not delay to offer from your harvest and from the outflow of your presses.

“You shall give the firstborn of your sons to Me. 30 You shall do likewise with your cattle and with your sheep. It shall be with its mother seven days, then on the eighth day you shall give it to Me.

31 “You shall be holy men to Me, therefore you shall not eat any meat that is torn by animals in the field. You shall cast it to the dogs.

23 “You shall not spread a false report. Don’t join your hand with the wicked to be a malicious witness.

2 “You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. You shall not testify in court to side with a multitude to pervert justice. 3 You shall not favor a poor man in his cause.

4 “If you meet your enemy’s ox or his donkey going astray, you shall surely bring it back to him again. 5 If you see the donkey of him who hates you fallen down under his burden, don’t leave him. You shall surely help him with it.

6 “You shall not deny justice to your poor people in their lawsuits.

7 “Keep far from a false charge, and don’t kill the innocent and righteous; for I will not justify the wicked.

8 “You shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds those who have sight and perverts the words of the righteous.

9 “You shall not oppress an alien, for you know the heart of an alien, since you were aliens in the land of Egypt.

10 “For six years you shall sow your land, and shall gather in its increase, 11 but the seventh year you shall let it rest and lie fallow, that the poor of your people may eat; and what they leave the animal of the field shall eat. In the same way, you shall deal with your vineyard and with your olive grove.

12 “Six days you shall do your work, and on the seventh day you shall rest, that your ox and your donkey may have rest, and the son of your servant, and the alien may be refreshed.

13 “Be careful to do all things that I have said to you; and don’t invoke the name of other gods or even let them be heard out of your mouth.

14 “You shall observe a feast to Me three times a year. 15 You shall observe the feast of unleavened bread. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, as I commanded you, at the time appointed in the month Abib (for in it you came out of Egypt), and no one shall appear before me empty. 16 And the feast of harvest, the first fruits of your labors, which you sow in the field; and the feast of ingathering, at the end of the year, when you gather in your labors out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before Hashem Adonai..

18 “You shall not offer the blood of my sacrifice with leavened bread. The fat of my feast shall not remain all night until the morning.

19 You shall bring the first of the first fruits of your ground into the house of Hashem your Elohim..

“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.

Pesach - Reading #3

Torah Portion: Exodus 13:1-16

My Thoughts:

We are in the week of Unleavened Bread. It is a command not to eat any leaven for a week. I have to confess that when I went grocery shopping in preparation for this week – it was an awakening about how I actually had better, fresher food in my grocery cart! More fruit, vegetables and healthy food. Food without yeast right? That includes no cookies, cakes, pies, bread, noodles, etc. I can see how my family really doesn’t eat very healthy. This is going to change!!! Maybe I should pretend every week is Unleavened Bread week and shop that way! Just being real with all of you. May Hashem bless you as you celebrate His feasts this week. Amen.

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 on 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.”

Erev Pesach - The Evening Before Pesach

Erev Pesach - The Evening Before Pesach

Tonight we read the Haggadah. You probably already have a copy of it, but if not here is a wonderful free download: Chabbad Haggadah.

Cleanse your home of leaven and prepare for your Passover Seder. If you are not meeting with a group of people it may be good to go through the Haggadah yourself!

My Thoughts:

Whenever you decide to hold your Pesach Seder meal (either tonight or tomorrow night) you might want to think about what "sacrifice" you can give to Hashem for this. We do not have a Temple and we can not follow those specific Torah instructions for the Pesach sacrifices. But, we can go before Hashem and ask Him what He would want from us today? That is my challenge for you today. Ask Him. Maybe you can do a "mitzvah" or a good deed. Maybe go for a walk and have some personal time with Hashem. Sing some worship songs or just try to be a kind person today to those you love. Remember this. We are to love Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength. He delivered His people in a miraculous way back then, and He can deliver you and anything you are suffering through -- today. Amen.

Today let’s read:

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.

Week of Pesach - Reading #2

Torah Portion: Leviticus 22:26-23:44

Haftarah: II Kings 23:1-9, 23:21-25 

My Thoughts:

Leviticus 23 is the chapter to go to read and learn about all the Feasts. It tells you when not to work, what sacrifices to offer and when to rest. It is all about remembering, worshiping and honoring Hashem. If you are not a Jew and you do not live in a Jewish community – it is a real challenge to effectively follow all the Feasts. But, this is how I feel. I believe Hashem knows our hearts. And if you do your very best to follow Him and His feasts, He will understand if you don’t really do them so correctly. Hashem looks at our hearts and our intentions. Just do the best you are able. Last year we lit two candles, drank grape juice, ate a salad and ate honey (from Israel) and matzo. That was our “Seder” meal. (This year we are blessed to celebrate with some friends a traditional seder meal.)  We asked the four questions of the children and talked about the Moses story. We also watched “Bim-Bam” on TV about the Pesach Feast. My point is – we didn’t do all the prayers and all the traditions, but we attempted to celebrate and remember. Let’s all just do the best we are able, with the right heart and motive.

Leviticus 22:26-23:44

22:26 Hashem  spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “When a bull, a sheep, or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother. From the eighth day on it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.

29 “When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Hashem, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. 30 It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Hashem.

31 “Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and do them. I am Hashem. 32 You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Hashem who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim. I am Hashem.”

23 Hashem  spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Hashem, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My set feasts.

3 “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Hashem in all your dwellings.

4 “‘These are the set feasts of Hashem, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Hashem’s Pesach. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Hashem. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.’”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before Hashem, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without defect a year old for a burnt offering to Hashem. 13 The meal offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Hashem for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You must not eat bread, or roasted grain, or fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

15 “‘You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 The next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Hashem. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Hashem. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without defect a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to Hashem, with their meal offering and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to Hashem. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before Hashem, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Hashem for the priest. 21 You shall make a proclamation on the same day that there shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall do no regular work. This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

23 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no regular work. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem.’”

26 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement. It shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall afflict yourselves and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 You shall do no kind of work in that same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Hashem your Elohim. 29 For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whoever does any kind of work in that same day, I will destroy that person from among his people. 31 You shall do no kind of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath.”

33 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of booths for seven days to Hashem. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.

37 “‘These are the appointed feasts of Hashem which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Hashem, a burnt offering, a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day— 38 in addition to the Sabbaths of Hashem, and in addition to your gifts, and in addition to all your vows, and in addition to all your free will offerings, which you give to Hashem.

39 “‘So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Hashem seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to Hashem seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations. You shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in temporary shelters for seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in temporary shelters, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in temporary shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the appointed feasts of Hashem.

II Kings 23:1-9, 23:21-25 

23:1-9 The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 The king went up to Hashem’s house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in Hashem’s house. 3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Hashem, to walk after Hashem, and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant. 4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Hashem’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5 He got rid of the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the army of the sky. 6 He brought out the Asherah from Hashem’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people. 7 He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Hashem’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. 8 He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city. 9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places didn’t come up to Hashem’s altar in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.

2 Kings 23:21-25

23:21 The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Pesach to Hashem your Elohim, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” 22 Surely there was not kept such a Pesach from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 23 but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, this Pesach was kept to Hashem in Jerusalem. 24 Moreover Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in Hashem’s house. 25 There was no king like him before him, who turned to Hashem with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.