Behar - Reading #3

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר
Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Reading #3 - Leviticus 25:19–24

My Thoughts:

Verse 21 reads, “...then I will command My blessing on you…”. Reminds me of the Joseph anointing. Where Joseph was able to gather up food and there was enough for everyone during a severe famine. It just shows that Hashem will always take care of us – even when the land is “resting”. And remember the manna. At this time they are still collecting it (for forty years). And on the sixth day of the week they collect enough for that day and the Sabbath! Why do we ever worry that we will have enough food, money or clothing. He takes care of us with it all! Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

Hashem is also teaching us a lesson on preparation. If the land has to rest for a year, then we must plan for that seventh year of rest. Just like the Sabbath. We need to prepare food ahead of time and get things ready – so that we are able to rest. Hashem talks about eating from the “old store”. This was probably dried fruit, maybe some sort of preserving methods of food. That takes time to prepare for the future, and we live in an “instant” society. My challenge for you today is to start doing that. Prepare for the future. With food, money, wills, burial plots – get ready for when times can be hard and/or you will be gone. Don’t leave everything for others. Be responsible and plan for yourself and your loved ones.

25:19 The land shall yield its fruit, and you shall eat your fill, and dwell therein in safety. 20 If you said, “What shall we eat the seventh year? Behold, we shall not sow, nor gather in our increase;” 21 then I will command My blessing on you in the sixth year, and it shall bear fruit for the three years. 22 You shall sow the eighth year, and eat of the fruits from the old store until the ninth year. Until its fruits come in, you shall eat the old store.

23 “‘The land shall not be sold in perpetuity, for the land is mine; for you are strangers and live as foreigners with Me. 24 In all the land of your possession you shall grant a redemption for the land.

Behar - Reading #2

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר

Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Reading #2 -  Leviticus 25:14–18

My Thoughts:

Being fair to each other is really important to Hashem (verse 14). In all of our encounters – financial or any type of help. We are to be honest with all our dealings. Hashem had a special way to figure out all this according to the year of Jubilee.  He asks us to not wrong each other and to not do so because we fear Him. What does that mean? I believe it means that we are to respect and honor Him. After all He is the creator of EVERYTHING AND EVERYBODY. It is the second most important commandment to love our neighbor more than ourselves. That includes in all business situations too! If you are not doing this, then change.

Challenge:

Hashem asks us to follow His commands so we can dwell safely (verse 18). Originally set for the people going into Israel. Think about it. They were coming out of slavery and taking over a country with lots of idolatry. They had to learn a way to leave peacefully, with respect for others and for Hashem. The Law is exactly what would show them how to do this. Remember it’s not a burden to follow the Law, it is LIFE. And to follow it gives you peace and joy. Remember this the next time someone challenges you about following Torah. Do your best to follow it. It will keep you safe.

Reading #2 -  Leviticus 25:14–18

Leviticus 25:14 “‘If you sell anything to your neighbor, or buy from your neighbor, you shall not wrong one another. 15 According to the number of years after the Jubilee you shall buy from your neighbor. According to the number of years of the crops he shall sell to you. 16 According to the length of the years you shall increase its price, and according to the shortness of the years you shall diminish its price; for he is selling the number of the crops to you. 17 You shall not wrong one another, but you shall fear your Elohim; for I am Hashem your Elohim.

18 “‘Therefore you shall do My statutes, and keep My ordinances and do them; and you shall dwell in the land in safety.

Behar - Reading #1

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר
Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Reading #1 - Leviticus 25:1–13

My Thoughts:

Keeping a Sabbath the seventh year for the land. When we had a country home we noticed there were years the farmers would let the fields rest. It was so they would have better crops and the land would have a chance to rejuvenate. That is just how Hashem created the land. To produce and then in the seventh year to rest. That’s how He created us too! To work six days and rest on the seventh. So that we could produce more too! Think of how more fruitful your life would be – just like the land – if you took a Sabbath rest! 

Challenge:

We also learn about the year of Jubilee. After seven times seven years there will be a loud trumpet and in the fiftieth year special things happen. Property is returned and debts are canceled. Can you imagine? If you sold a piece of land and fifty years later it was returned to you? But, not really. Because what Hashem is teaching is that it all belongs to Him – not us! That’s what we should realize in today’s world and time. Really nothing totally belongs to us. In fact, when we die we can’t even take our clothes with us – let’s remember that. 

Reading #1 - Leviticus 25:1-13

25:1 Hashem said to Moses on Mount Sinai, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you come into the land which I give you, then the land shall keep a Sabbath to Hashem. 3 You shall sow your field six years, and you shall prune your vineyard six years, and gather in its fruits; 4 but in the seventh year there shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for the land, a Sabbath to Hashem. You shall not sow your field or prune your vineyard. 5 What grows of itself in your harvest you shall not reap, and you shall not gather the grapes of your undressed vine. It shall be a year of solemn rest for the land. 6 The Sabbath of the land shall be for food for you; for yourself, for your servant, for your maid, for your hired servant, and for your stranger, who lives as a foreigner with you. 7 For your livestock also, and for the animals that are in your land, shall all its increase be for food.

8 “‘You shall count off seven Sabbaths of years, seven times seven years; and there shall be to you the days of seven Sabbaths of years, even forty-nine years. 9 Then you shall sound the loud trumpet on the tenth day of the seventh month. On the Day of Atonement you shall sound the trumpet throughout all your land. 10 You shall make the fiftieth year holy, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you; and each of you shall return to his own property, and each of you shall return to his family. 11 That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee to you. In it you shall not sow, neither reap that which grows of itself, nor gather from the undressed vines. 12 For it is a jubilee; it shall be holy to you. You shall eat of its increase out of the field.

13 “‘In this Year of Jubilee each of you shall return to his property.”

Behar - Week #14

Behar - On the mountain  בְּהַר

Torah Portion: Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Haftarah: Jeremiah 32:6-27

Apostolic Writings: Luke 4:14-22

1.1 First reading — Leviticus 25:1–13

1.2 Second reading — Leviticus 25:14–18

1.3 Third reading — Leviticus 25:19–24

1.4 Fourth reading — Leviticus 25:25–28

1.5 Fifth reading — Leviticus 25:29–38

1.6 Sixth reading — Leviticus 25:39–46

1.7 Seventh reading — Leviticus 25:47–26:2

Emor - Reading #7

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר
Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23
Haftarah - Ezekiel 44:15-31
Apostolic Writings - Matthew 26:59-66

Reading #7 - Leviticus 24:1–23

My Thoughts:

Today we read the story of the men who cursed and blasphemed His Name. This is very serious. And the penalty from Hashem was they were to be stoned to death. Why? My thoughts are that Hashem wants His people truly to be holy. And if someone is not and also blaspheming Hashem, it only brings division and confusion among the people. That’s what sin does. It affects everyone. They were getting ready to go into Israel, the promised land. They were given a set of rules to keep things in order and to stay close to Hashem. This behavior did not promote unity, nor respect for our Elohim. The penalty seems strong. Today when people do this they just walk out without punishment. And the world is getting darker and darker. When the Mashiach comes He will bring Hashem’s Light and the world will change. And people will gladly follow the Torah. I can’t wait for this to happen. You?

Challenge:

In verse 20 we read, “ It shall be done to him as he has injured someone.” I believe Hashem orders this because it would make someone think twice about punching someone in the face and causing damage. A lot of Hashem’s laws let you know that there are severe consequences for doing wrong. Today we don’t get punished for many sins (except murder, etc). Yet we know the affects our sins have on others and the world can be very detrimental! Examine your life and repent of any sins. Make a strong commitment to Hashem that you will not do them again. Repay or make reparation for whatever you are able. Help repair our relationships and our world. Do it today.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 24:1–23

Leviticus 24:1 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel, that they bring to you pure olive oil beaten for the light, to cause a lamp to burn continually. 3 Outside of the veil of the Testimony, in the Tent of Meeting, Aaron shall keep it in order from evening to morning before Hashem continually. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations. 4 He shall keep in order the lamps on the pure gold lamp stand before Hashem continually.

5 “You shall take fine flour, and bake twelve cakes of it: two tenths of an ephah shall be in one cake. 6 You shall set them in two rows, six on a row, on the pure gold table before Hashem. 7 You shall put pure frankincense on each row, that it may be to the bread for a memorial, even an offering made by fire to Hashem. 8 Every Sabbath day he shall set it in order before Hashem continually. It is an everlasting covenant on the behalf of the children of Israel. 9 It shall be for Aaron and his sons. They shall eat it in a holy place; for it is most holy to him of the offerings of Hashem made by fire by a perpetual statute.”

10 The son of an Israelite woman, whose father was an Egyptian, went out among the children of Israel; and the son of the Israelite woman and a man of Israel strove together in the camp. 11 The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name, and cursed; and they brought him to Moses. His mother’s name was Shelomith, the daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan. 12 They put him in custody until Hashem’s will should be declared to them. 13 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 14 “Bring him who cursed out of the camp; and let all who heard him lay their hands on his head, and let all the congregation stone him. 15 You shall speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Whoever curses his Elohim shall bear his sin. 16 He who blasphemes Hashem’s name, he shall surely be put to death. All the congregation shall certainly stone him. The foreigner as well as the native-born shall be put to death when he blasphemes the Name.

17 “‘He who strikes any man mortally shall surely be put to death. 18 He who strikes an animal mortally shall make it good, life for life. 19 If anyone injures his neighbor, it shall be done to him as he has done: 20 fracture for fracture, eye for eye, tooth for tooth. It shall be done to him as he has injured someone. 21 He who kills an animal shall make it good; and he who kills a man shall be put to death. 22 You shall have one kind of law for the foreigner as well as the native-born; for I am Hashem your Adonai.’”

23 Moses spoke to the children of Israel; and they brought him who had cursed out of the camp, and stoned him with stones. The children of Israel did as Hashem commanded Moses.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

These verses in Ezekiel are for the world to come, possibly the Messianic Era. It describes the duties of the priests which is very close to the descriptions in the Torah. That is because in the future, when the Temple is rebuilt – and it will be rebuilt – the Torah Temple rules will be followed and enforced. We are not done with sacrifices or priestly rule. Just read the Prophets.

Challenge:

In verse 23 we learn that the priests will take on a teaching role. They will instruct the people about holiness, clean and unclean. Don’t you think that would be a good idea to start learning that now? In preparation for the Temple and to follow what we can in our lives today. For example the dietary laws. Torah says they are forever. And they will be taught again in the future. It is imperative and I believe a sin if we do not distinguish between clean and unclean foods. If we think we can indulge in any meats or shellfish, etc. we are making a terrible mistake. That’s why it is good to follow Hashem and His Torah. Every day. Study, learn and obey. Start today.

Haftarah - Ezekiel 44:15-31

15 “‘“But the Levitical priests, the sons of Zadok, who performed the duty of my sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, shall come near to Me to minister to Me. They shall stand before Me to offer to me the fat and the blood,” says Hashem Adonai. 16 “They shall enter into My sanctuary, and they shall come near to My table, to minister to Me, and they shall keep My instruction.

17 “‘“It will be that, when they enter in at the gates of the inner court, they shall be clothed with linen garments. No wool shall come on them while they minister in the gates of the inner court, and within. 18 They shall have linen turbans on their heads, and shall have linen trousers on their waists. They shall not clothe themselves with anything that makes them sweat. 19 When they go out into the outer court, even into the outer court to the people, they shall put off their garments in which they minister, and lay them in the holy rooms. They shall put on other garments, that they not sanctify the people with their garments.

20 “‘“They shall not shave their heads, or allow their locks to grow long. They shall only cut off the hair of their heads. 21 None of the priests shall drink wine when they enter into the inner court. 22 They shall not take for their wives a widow, or her who is put away; but they shall take virgins of the offspring of the house of Israel, or a widow who is the widow of a priest. 23 They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and cause them to discern between the unclean and the clean.

24 “‘“In a controversy they shall stand to judge. They shall judge it according to my ordinances. They shall keep my laws and my statutes in all my appointed feasts. They shall make my Sabbaths holy.

25 “‘“They shall go in to no dead person to defile themselves; but for father, or for mother, or for son, or for daughter, for brother, or for sister who has had no husband, they may defile themselves. 26 After he is cleansed, they shall reckon to him seven days. 27 In the day that he goes into the sanctuary, into the inner court, to minister in the sanctuary, he shall offer his sin offering,” says Hashem Adonai.

28 “‘They shall have an inheritance. I am their inheritance; and you shall give them no possession in Israel. I am their possession. 29 They shall eat the meal offering, and the sin offering, and the trespass offering; and every devoted thing in Israel shall be theirs. 30 The first of all the first fruits of every thing, and every offering of everything, of all your offerings, shall be for the priest. You shall also give to the priests the first of your dough, to cause a blessing to rest on your house. 31 The priests shall not eat of anything that dies of itself, or is torn, whether it is bird or animal.

Apostolic Writings

My Thoughts:

I suppose you could say that the chief priest and elders believed that Yeshua was blaspheming Hashem. And as we read in today’s Torah portion the penalty for this is death. If they had read Torah and studied Scriptures they would have known He was the prophesied Mashiach. They would have followed and sat at His feet, instead of condemning Him. That is why it is important to know the whole Word of Hashem and His prophets. And why now we must study to know what Hashem really says about the coming Mashiach and His role. We don’t want Yeshua to come back and we don’t recognize Him. If so, we will lose out – eternally.

Challenge:

In verse 64 Yeshua says that we see Him coming on the clouds of the sky. Many people have pondered this verse. Some think He comes halfway, grabs some of the “church” and returns to heaven. I don’t see any Scripture to support this. Others believe He will come (as prophesied) and gather His people to Jerusalem where He will rule and reign in the Temple. That’s what I believe. And we see that in the many verses of Ezekiel and other prophets. Be sure you study all of this and go to Hashem with your questions. We must be ready when the Mashiach comes and know what Scripture says. Not man — Scripture! Amen.

Apostolic Writings - Matthew 26:59-66

59 Now the chief priests, the elders, and the whole council sought false testimony against Yeshua, that they might put Him to death, 60 and they found none. Even though many false witnesses came forward, they found none. But at last two false witnesses came forward 61 and said, “This man said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of Elohim, and to build it in three days.’”

62 The high priest stood up and said to him, “Have you no answer? What is this that these testify against you?” 63 But Yeshua stayed silent. The high priest answered him, “I adjure you by the living Elohim that you tell us whether you are the Mashiach, the Son of Adonai.”

64 Yeshua said to him, “You have said so. Nevertheless, I tell you, after this you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming on the clouds of the sky.”

65 Then the high priest tore his clothing, saying, “He has spoken blasphemy! Why do we need any more witnesses? Behold, now you have heard His blasphemy. 66 What do you think?”

They answered, “He is worthy of death!”

Emor - Reading #6

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #6 -  Leviticus 23:33–44

My Thoughts: 

This is one of my favorite feasts to celebrate. It is such a joyous occasion. You decorate a “booth” -- eat and/or sleep in it for seven days. It is to remind us how the Israelites slept in such a type of temporary dwellings for 40 years. Each year I try to get creative in building a “sukkah”. We have friends over and celebrate. It is a really special time. This year maybe you can contemplate having a special booth to honor this very special time of the year.

Challenge:

We just spent this week learning about all the feasts. The wonderful thing is that they are cyclical. And each year they can be better. If you do not live in a Jewish or Messianic community it can be hard to celebrate these feasts correctly. So, I just do the best I am able. There is a lot of information of course on the internet and you can learn from it. My challenge for you is that if you are not already taking the feasts seriously – to start doing so now. The next feast is the feast of first fruits - Shavuot. Study about it, and figure out a way to remember it. I promise you and your family will be super blessed. The feasts help us to draw closer to Hashem by remembering His miracles and deliverances. Study and learn. Amen.

Leviticus 23:33 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 Adonai 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 Adonai.’”

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

Emor - Reading #5

Emor Say — אֱמוֹר

Leviticus 21:1 – 24:23

Reading #5 - Leviticus 23:23–32

My Thoughts:

Today we learn about celebration and honoring the “Feast of Trumpets” (Yom Teruah). On this day we blow the shofar and have a holy convocation.  Some believe this is the day that the Mashiach will return. That we will look up and see Him coming in the clouds. Coming to earth to gather His people to Jerusalem where He will rule and reign forever. Whatever happens that day we know it will be divine and like no other. If you don’t already pray for the Mashiach to come, then I ask you to start praying. Our world is upside down. Right is wrong and wrong is right. Only Hashem can straighten this out. Pray for Him to come.

Challenge:

Once a year we remember the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). In verse 27 we read, “You shall afflict yourselves.” We are to do this to remember the sin we have committed. Sin is far reaching. It affects those around us and the world we live in. Here is a day where Hashem has laid it aside so that we can pray and fast (afflict ourselves) and be forgiven. Isn’t it amazing that we serve an Elohim that is so full of grace and mercy and that He forgives us for our disobedience? When there is a Temple there is a procedure for forgiving the Nation. For right now, we go to Him and for ten days preceding this Feast we ask Him and others to forgive us. It purifies us and helps to repair the world. This Yom Kippur I challenge you to plan ahead for. Study it through Scripture and find out what you are to do. Think about it in advance. And start going to the people that you need to restore relationships with. Maybe if we all did this, and prayed for His return, He would come sooner than later. You think?

Reading #5 - Leviticus 23:23–32

23:23 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 Adonai. 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.”