Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Mattot/Massei - Reading #3

MATTOT/MASSEI

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13


Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19


My Thoughts:


Today’s reading is about negotiations. Leaders from the tribes of Gad and Reuben come to Moses and ask to stay on some land east of the Jordan. Moses is expressing they are like their ancestors, discouraging the Israelites to go into the Land. However, the leaders agree to let their families stay and they will go and fight for Israel. Moses agrees. Apparently, staying in this particular land was important to these two tribes. Important enough they were willing to negotiate and be flexible. This is a really good lesson to learn from. If you have been told to do something but really feel there is a better plan, then see if you can work something out with leadership. Be flexible and be willing to give and take. Look for Hashem’s solution through it all. And work together peacefully and with fairness.


Challenge:


In verses 11 and 12 we read, “...because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’” Moses is revisiting the reasons why they ended up in the desert for so many years, and why some of the people would not be able to enter the Land. Remember when the 12 spies returned and only two supported Hashem’s vision to enter the Land. In today’s reading we see that it is because they did not “completely follow Hashem”. It makes me think. Am I completely following Hashem? Am I surrendering my plans and my life totally to His direction and following? Are you? That is my challenge today for you and me. Let us make sure we are “completely” following Hashem -- without exception. That we are loving Him with our whole heart, soul and strength. SHEMA.


Reading #3 - Numbers 32:1-19


32:1 Now the children of Reuben and the children of Gad had a very great multitude of livestock. They saw the land of Jazer, and the land of Gilead. Behold, the place was a place for livestock. 2 Then the children of Gad and the children of Reuben came and spoke to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the princes of the congregation, saying, 3 “Ataroth, Dibon, Jazer, Nimrah, Heshbon, Elealeh, Sebam, Nebo, and Beon, 4 the land which Hashem struck before the congregation of Israel, is a land for livestock; and your servants have livestock.” 5 They said, “If we have found favor in your sight, let this land be given to your servants for a possession. Don’t bring us over the Jordan.”


6 Moses said to the children of Gad, and to the children of Reuben, “Shall your brothers go to war while you sit here? 7 Why do you discourage the heart of the children of Israel from going over into the land which Hashem has given them? 8 Your fathers did so when I sent them from Kadesh Barnea to see the land. 9 For when they went up to the valley of Eshcol, and saw the land, they discouraged the heart of the children of Israel, that they should not go into the land which Hashem had given them. 10 Hashem’s anger burned in that day, and He swore, saying, 11 ‘Surely none of the men who came up out of Egypt, from twenty years old and upward, shall see the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; because they have not wholly followed Me, 12 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite, and Joshua the son of Nun, because they have followed Hashem completely.’ 13 Hashem’s anger burned against Israel, and He made them wander back and forth in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation who had done evil in Hashem’s sight was consumed.


14 “Behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, an increase of sinful men, to increase the fierce anger of Hashem toward Israel. 15 For if you turn away from after Him, He will yet again leave them in the wilderness; and you will destroy all these people.”


16 They came near to him, and said, “We will build sheepfolds here for our livestock, and cities for our little ones; 17 but we ourselves will be ready armed to go before the children of Israel, until we have brought them to their place. Our little ones shall dwell in the fortified cities because of the inhabitants of the land. 18 We will not return to our houses until the children of Israel have all received their inheritance. 19 For we will not inherit with them on the other side of the Jordan and beyond, because our inheritance has come to us on this side of the Jordan eastward.”



Monday, July 29, 2024

Mattot/Massei - Reading #2

MATTOT/MASSEI

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13


Reading #2 - Numbers 31:13-54 


My Thoughts:


Today we learn about dividing the plunder (even though war is so difficult to comprehend). What is so fair and just is that Hashem provides for the Levites, who did not go out to war. He takes care of everything for all His people. That is important to remember today. He is providing for us and does provide for us every day. All we need is to trust in Him. 


Challenge:


It’s hard for us to understand war, as we have discussed before. This particular war is with the people who swayed the Israelites to sin with the prostitutes. This is the reason they go to war with the Midianites. We can only imagine how upset Hashem is with us when we sin in any area in our lives. He may not impose a “plague” on us, but He does allow us to suffer consequences. I can think of these times in my life and they are not fun. My challenge today is once again to review your life and “fix” your areas of sin. We want to be close to Hashem and not be separated by sin. 


*** None of us like war or understand it. But, it occurred to me that this must really be difficult on the Father, Adonai. He created and loves His creation how devastating it must be when when they die in war or disease (even if He has ordered to do this). We know He experiences loss and grief, He is all-knowing an all-feeling. He is everything. Don't think for a minute that Hashem does not have a reaction to all of this, He does. But, He also knows what is best for everyone. And He has instituted consequences for sin. I encourage you to think about all this the next time you want to "judge" G-d in your own mind for these wars that He calls into action. His reasons and purposes way surpass any understanding we might have. That is why we must learn to trust what He has done, what He is doing and what He will do.


Reading #2 - Numbers 31:13-54 


13 Moses and Eleazar the priest, with all the princes of the congregation, went out to meet them outside of the camp. 14 Moses was angry with the officers of the army, the captains of thousands and the captains of hundreds, who came from the service of the war. 15 Moses said to them, “Have you saved all the women alive? 16 Behold, these caused the children of Israel, through the counsel of Balaam, to commit trespass against Hashem in the matter of Peor, and so the plague was among the congregation of Hashem. 17 Now therefore kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man by lying with him. 18 But all the girls, who have not known man by lying with him, keep alive for yourselves.


19 “Encamp outside of the camp for seven days. Whoever has killed any person, and whoever has touched any slain, purify yourselves on the third day and on the seventh day, you and your captives. 20 You shall purify every garment, and all that is made of skin, and all work of goats’ hair, and all things made of wood.”


21 Eleazar the priest said to the men of war who went to the battle, “This is the statute of the law which Hashem has commanded Moses. 22 However the gold, and the silver, the bronze, the iron, the tin, and the lead, 23 everything that may withstand the fire, you shall make to go through the fire, and it shall be clean; nevertheless it shall be purified with the water for impurity. All that doesn’t withstand the fire you shall make to go through the water. 24 You shall wash your clothes on the seventh day, and you shall be clean. Afterward you shall come into the camp.”


25 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 26 “Count the plunder that was taken, both of man and of animal, you, and Eleazar the priest, and the heads of the fathers’ households of the congregation; 27 and divide the plunder into two parts: between the men skilled in war, who went out to battle, and all the congregation. 28 Levy a tribute to Hashem of the men of war who went out to battle: one soul of five hundred; of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks. 29 Take it from their half, and give it to Eleazar the priest, for Hashem’s wave offering. 30 Of the children of Israel’s half, you shall take one drawn out of every fifty, of the persons, of the cattle, of the donkeys, and of the flocks, of all the livestock, and give them to the Levites, who perform the duty of Hashem’s tabernacle.”


Sunday, July 28, 2024

Mattot/Massei - Reading #1

MATTOT/MASSEI

Torah Reading: Numbers 30:2-36:13


Reading #1 - Numbers 30:2-31:12 


My Thoughts:


Today we learn about vows to Hashem and the husbands/fathers role in all of this. Vows are very sacred to Hashem. We are not to say them without first considering their importance. Hashem with all His grace and mercy has made some considerations for women making “rash” vows without thinking. A husband can actually release his wife from a vow -- as can a father for a daughter. This shows the fairness and equity of Hashem. But, it also shows the seriousness of what words come out of our mouths. Let us be super careful about what we promise to others and what we vow to Hashem. Follow through and make good what you say. Your word “stands” before Hashem. 


Challenge:


A great war is fought between the Midianites and Israelites. These are difficult passages to read. But we must remember this. The Midianites had enticed Israel to sin. Yes, Hashem’s people “fell” into the sin and could have resisted. But they did not not. Hashem inflicted punishment on His people with a plague. Now, there must be punishment on the people that did this to Israel. Sin does not go forward without consequence. We might think we are getting away with something when we sin -- but this is never the case. What we do affects our lives, other people’s lives and our relationship with Hashem. Remember this the next time you are tempted to do something wrong or and to disobey Hashem. Repent quickly and make things right -- make restitution. There will be consequences but most likely not as severe as if you did not repent. Sin separates us from Hashem. We do not want this and neither does He. Let’s be careful about what we do and say. Amen.


Reading #1 - Numbers 30:2-31:12 


30:2 When a man vows a vow to Hashem, or swears an oath to bind his soul with a bond, he shall not break his word. He shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth.


3 “Also, when a woman vows a vow to Hashem and binds herself by a pledge, being in her father’s house, in her youth, 4 and her father hears her vow and her pledge with which she has bound her soul, and her father says nothing to her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge with which she has bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father forbids her in the day that he hears, none of her vows or of her pledges with which she has bound her soul, shall stand. Hashem will forgive her, because her father has forbidden her.


6 “If she has a husband, while her vows are on her, or the rash utterance of her lips with which she has bound her soul, 7 and her husband hears it, and says nothing to her in the day that he hears it; then her vows shall stand, and her pledges with which she has bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband forbids her in the day that he hears it, then he makes void her vow which is on her and the rash utterance of her lips, with which she has bound her soul. Hashem will forgive her.


9 “But the vow of a widow, or of her who is divorced, everything with which she has bound her soul shall stand against her.


10 “If she vowed in her husband’s house or bound her soul by a bond with an oath, 11 and her husband heard it, and held his peace at her and didn’t disallow her, then all her vows shall stand, and every pledge with which she bound her soul shall stand. 12 But if her husband made them null and void in the day that he heard them, then whatever proceeded out of her lips concerning her vows, or concerning the bond of her soul, shall not stand. Her husband has made them void. Hashem will forgive her. 13 Every vow, and every binding oath to afflict the soul, her husband may establish it, or her husband may make it void. 14 But if her husband says nothing to her from day to day, then he establishes all her vows or all her pledges which are on her. He has established them, because he said nothing to her in the day that he heard them. 15 But if he makes them null and void after he has heard them, then he shall bear her iniquity.”


16 These are the statutes which Hashem commanded Moses, between a man and his wife, between a father and his daughter, being in her youth, in her father’s house.


31 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Avenge the children of Israel on the Midianites. Afterward you shall be gathered to your people.”


3 Moses spoke to the people, saying, “Arm men from among you for war, that they may go against Midian, to execute Hashem’s vengeance on Midian. 4 You shall send one thousand out of every tribe, throughout all the tribes of Israel, to the war.” 5 So there were delivered, out of the thousands of Israel, a thousand from every tribe, twelve thousand armed for war. 6 Moses sent them, one thousand of every tribe, to the war with Phinehas the son of Eleazar the priest, to the war, with the vessels of the sanctuary and the trumpets for the alarm in his hand. 7 They fought against Midian, as Hashem commanded Moses. They killed every male. 8 They killed the kings of Midian with the rest of their slain: Evi, Rekem, Zur, Hur, and Reba, the five kings of Midian. They also killed Balaam the son of Beor with the sword. 9 The children of Israel took the women of Midian captive with their little ones; and all their livestock, all their flocks, and all their goods, they took as plunder. 10 All their cities in the places in which they lived, and all their encampments, they burned with fire. 11 They took all the captives, and all the plunder, both of man and of animal. 12 They brought the captives with the prey and the plunder, to Moses, and to Eleazar the priest, and to the congregation of the children of Israel, to the camp at the plains of Moab, which are by the Jordan at Jericho.



Mattot/Massei - Week #9

MATTOT/MASSEI


Numbers 30:2-36:13

Isaiah 66:1-24

Luke 13:1-9; Mark 11:12-23


1: 30:2-31:12 (28 p'sukim)

2: 31:13-54 (42 p'sukim)

3: 32:1-19 (19 p'sukim)

4: 32:20-33:49 (72 p'sukim)

5: 33:50-34:15 (22 p'sukim)

6: 34:16-35:8 (22 p'sukim)

7: 35:9-36:13 (39 p'sukim)


Saturday, July 27, 2024

PInchas - Reading #7

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1

Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Apostolic Reading: John 2:13-22


Reading #7 - Numbers 29:12–30:1


My Thoughts:


Today we are reading about the Feast of Tabernacles. In this Scripture we are taught about the sacrifices. But, in other parts of Torah we are told we are to live in booths for 7 days remembering the journey through the desert. It is also celebrating the end of the harvest year. The Israelites as they traveled in the wilderness for 40 years lived in fragile dwellings. We are to remember this. Also think about the dependency the Israelites must have had upon Hashem. For food, water and life. And with the many hundreds of people they had to have rules and organization -- strong leadership. All of this Hashem provided and provided in unique ways. Sometimes people would forget about Hashem’s faithfulness and challenge Him in difficult times. There were great consequences for doing this. Let’s remember this as we go through life and it’s ups and downs. Hashem will always be there for us. We must believe He has the perfect plan, no matter what.


Challenge:


This is another Feast for you to prepare and plan for. Now is a good time to think about the materials you will need to build your Sukkah this fall. You can find some building plans and ideas online. You can even order Sukkah “kits”. Or maybe you want to build your Sukkah from a tent. However you want to do it, start your planning now. That is today’s challenge for you. Amen.


Reading #7 - Numbers 29:12–30:1


29:12 “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. You shall keep a feast to Hashem seven days. 13 You shall offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem: thirteen young bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old, all without defect; 14 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for every bull of the thirteen bulls, two tenths for each ram of the two rams, 15 and one tenth for every lamb of the fourteen lambs; 16 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.


17 “‘On the second day you shall offer twelve young bulls, two rams, and fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 18 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; 19 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, with its meal offering and their drink offerings.


20 “‘On the third day: eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 21 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; 22 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and its drink offering.


23 “‘On the fourth day ten bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 24 their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance; 25 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.


26 “‘On the fifth day: nine bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 27 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 28 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and its drink offering.


29 “‘On the sixth day: eight bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 30 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 31 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and the drink offerings of it.


32 “‘On the seventh day: seven bulls, two rams, fourteen male lambs a year old without defect; 33 and their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number, after the ordinance, 34 and one male goat for a sin offering; in addition to the continual burnt offering, its meal offering, and its drink offering.


35 “‘On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly. You shall do no regular work; 36 but you shall offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, a pleasant aroma to Hashem: one bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect; 37 their meal offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, shall be according to their number, after the ordinance, 38 and one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering, with its meal offering, and its drink offering.


39 “‘You shall offer these to Hashem in your set feasts—in addition to your vows and your free will offerings—for your burnt offerings, your meal offerings, your drink offerings, and your peace offerings.’”


40 Moses told the children of Israel according to all that Hashem commanded Moses.


30 Moses spoke to the heads of the tribes of the children of Israel, saying, “This is the thing which Hashem has commanded.


Haftarah


My Thoughts:


Hashem is giving directions to Jeremiah during a very turbulent time. He wants him to go out as His messenger to the people. In verse 7 we read, “But Hashem said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. 8 Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Hashem.’” Can you imagine the faith Jeremiah would have to have as Hashem is telling him this? He has to go where He says and speak what He says. But, this is given with a strong promise that Hashem will be with him and rescue him. Has Hashem ever told you to go and speak to someone about something? But, maybe it was too scary or risky for you to do so? Repent right now if you did not do what He said -- and you know what this is. And remember next time to obey Him. It is the only right thing to do. Trust me I know.


Challenge:


In Chapter 2:3 we read, “Israel was holiness to Hashem, the first fruits of his increase. All who devour him will be held guilty. Evil will come on them,”’ says Hashem.” This is something to pay strong attention to. Hashem has special favor over the Land of Israel. In troubled times, in good times, in obedience and disobedience -- Hashem is faithful and loves His people and His Land. If anyone, or any government does “evil” to His people or His Land there will be strong repercussions. Remember this today and we see terrorists and countries attacking Israel at different times. Remember to pray and give financially to help protect the Land. This must be a number one priority. And if you are not doing this, start today. Do a search online to the many organizations who help Israel and its people. Give today. Amen.


Haftarah: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

1:1 The words of Jeremiah the son of Hilkiah, one of the priests who were in Anathoth in the land of Benjamin. 2 Hashem’s word came to him in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign. 3 It came also in the days of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the end of the eleventh year of Zedekiah, the son of Josiah, king of Judah, to the carrying away of Jerusalem captive in the fifth month. 4 Now Hashem’s word came to me, saying,


5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you.

    Before you were born, I sanctified you.

    I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.”


6 Then I said, “Ah, Adonai Hashem! Behold, I don’t know how to speak; for I am a child.”


7 But Hashem said to me, “Don’t say, ‘I am a child;’ for you must go to whomever I send you, and you must say whatever I command you. 8 Don’t be afraid because of them, for I am with you to rescue you,” says Hashem.


9 Then Hashem stretched out his hand, and touched my mouth. Then Hashem said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth. 10 Behold, I have today set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to uproot and to tear down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.”


11 Moreover Hashem’s word came to me, saying, “Jeremiah, what do you see?”


I said, “I see a branch of an almond tree.”


12 Then Hashem said to me, “You have seen well; for I watch over My word to perform it.”


13 Hashem's word came to me the second time, saying, “What do you see?”


I said, “I see a boiling cauldron; and it is tipping away from the north.”


14 Then Hashem said to me, “Out of the north, evil will break out on all the inhabitants of the land. 15 For, behold, I will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north,” says Hashem.


“They will come, and they will each set his throne at the entrance of the gates of Jerusalem,

    and against all its walls all around, and against all the cities of Judah.

16 I will utter my judgments against them concerning all their wickedness,

    in that they have forsaken Me,

    and have burned incense to other gods,

    and worshiped the works of their own hands.


17 “You therefore put your belt on your waist, arise, and say to them all that I command you. Don’t be dismayed at them, lest I dismay you before them. 18 For, behold, I have made you today a fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls against the whole land, against the kings of Judah, against its princes, against its priests, and against the people of the land. 19 They will fight against you, but they will not prevail against you; for I am with you”, says Hashem, “to rescue you.”


2:1 Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “Go and proclaim in the ears of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Hashem says,


“I remember for you the kindness of your youth,

    the love of your weddings;

how you went after Me in the wilderness,

    in a land that was not sown.

3 Israel was holiness to Hashem,

    the first fruits of his increase.

All who devour him will be held guilty.

    Evil will come on them,”’ says Hashem.”


Apostolic Reading


My Thoughts:


Today we read about Yeshua going to Jerusalem during Pesach and seeing people with booths set up to sell items. I don’t know if this in itself was necessarily a bad thing, because people were traveling far and most likely needed to buy things. I think the problem was they were in the Temple area doing this. Remember as we have studied Torah that the Temple is a sacred and holy place. There are strict rules for cleanliness and holiness, sacrifices and all. People setting up “business” in this area was not a good thing. It was in a sense desecration. How easy it is to forget the Holiness of Hashem and try to take advantage of holy gathering places. We must repent and make it right. I think you know what I mean.


Challenge:


Yeshua is giving lead information that He is going to die and in a miraculous way He will be raised from the dead in 3 days (verse 22). I believe this had to happen to show that He was the Son of G-d. Not only was He raised from the dead, but He spent time continuing to teach Torah and prophecy for the next 40 days. And then He miraculously ascended into Heaven to reside in the Kingdom of Hashem. This is what the accounts of the Gospels tell us and in this particular reading -- Yeshua is telling us. Yeshua’s earthly body died, but He was raised into an eternal body. And indication of what is to come for mankind. In the end (beginning of eternity) -- we too will be raised from the dead. First to be judged and second to live forever in the Olam Haba. Just as you have been challenged to get ready for the annual Feasts, I challenge you to get ready for the day that you will be taken from this earth. Pray, repent and see His face. We must do this often in preparation. Whether you are old or young, be ready. If you make a mistake or sin, make it right. And do it quickly. Amen.


Apostolic Reading: John 2:13-22


2:13 The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Yeshua went up to Jerusalem. 14 He found in the Temple those who sold oxen, sheep, and doves, and the changers of money sitting. 15 He made a whip of cords, and threw all out of the temple, both the sheep and the oxen; and he poured out the changers’ money and overthrew their tables. 16 To those who sold the doves, He said, “Take these things out of here! Don’t make My Father’s House a marketplace!” 17 His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will eat me up.”


18 The Jews therefore answered Him, “What sign do you show us, seeing that you do these things?”


19 Yeshua answered them, “Destroy this Temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”


20 The Jews therefore said, “It took forty-six years to build this temple! Will you raise it up in three days?” 21 But he spoke of the temple of His body. 22 When therefore He was raised from the dead, His disciples remembered that He said this, and they believed the Torah, and the word which Yeshua had said.


Friday, July 26, 2024

Pinchas - Reading #6

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1


Reading #6 - Numbers 28:16–29:11


My Thoughts:


Today we read a review about the Feasts. In each one you are to have a “holy convocation”. A special gathering of Hashem’s people. At this gathering there are sacrifices made and a remembrance of why Hashem picked this particular Feast at this particular time. In Pesach (Passover) we remember the miracle of the splitting of the Sea. In Unleavened Bread we remember how the Israelites did not have time to bake bread, but were on the run. In First Fruits we remember all we have is from Hashem. On the Day of Trumpets we are reminded of our sins, do ten days of repentance and pray for the return of the Mashiach. On Yom Kippur we are given a second chance -- our sins are forgiven -- nationally and personally. These Feasts help us to remember Hashem’s deliverance and redemption. So that we may never forget!


Challenge:


My challenge for you today is to mark your calendar for the rest of the year for the Feast Days. This is so we can take the days off from work and plan the convocations. I have learned so much from friends when studying on the Feast Days. And it helps so much to have community when remembering the goodness and faithfulness of Hashem. Plan ahead this year. Get prepared. And honor Adonai. Amen.


Reading #6 - Numbers 28:16–29:11


28:16 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Hashem’s Passover. 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.


26 “‘Also in the day of the first fruits, when you offer a new meal offering to Hashem in your feast of weeks, you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work; 27 but you shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old; 28 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil, three tenths for each bull, two tenths for the one ram, 29 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 30 and one male goat, to make atonement for you. 31 Besides the continual burnt offering and its meal offering, you shall offer them and their drink offerings. See that they are without defect.


29 “‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a holy convocation; you shall do no regular work. It is a day of blowing of trumpets to you. 2 You shall offer a burnt offering for a pleasant aroma to Hashem: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect; 3 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for the bull, two tenths for the ram, 4 and one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 5 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you; 6 in addition to the burnt offering of the new moon with its meal offering, and the continual burnt offering with its meal offering, and their drink offerings, according to their ordinance, for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem.


7 “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month you shall have a holy convocation. You shall afflict your souls. You shall do no kind of work; 8 but you shall offer a burnt offering to Hashem for a pleasant aroma: one young bull, one ram, seven male lambs a year old, all without defect; 9 and their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil: three tenths for the bull, two tenths for the one ram, 10 one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 11 one male goat for a sin offering, in addition to the sin offering of atonement, and the continual burnt offering, and its meal offering, and their drink offerings.


Thursday, July 25, 2024

PInchas - Reading #5

Pinchas פִּינְחָס - Phinehas

Numbers 25:10-30:1


Reading #5 - Numbers 28:1–15


My Thoughts:


Today we are reading about regular sacrifices. One of them includes the sacrifices of the beginning of the month or the “Rosh Chodesh”. The monthly celebration of a new month, including a new moon. We are commanded to remember the beginning of each month. Here is a calendar you can refer to: Hebrew Calendar. It is important for us to pray at the beginning of each Biblical month. It is a prayer of thanksgiving. Thanking Hashem for the month He has just given us and for the month to come. Amen.


Challenge:


So often we get busy (including myself) and forget to honor Rosh Chodesh as commanded in Numbers 10:10 “On the day of your gladness also, and at your appointed feasts and at the beginnings of your months, you shall blow the trumpets over your burnt offerings and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings. They shall be a reminder of you before your Elohim: I am Hashem your Elohim.” So my challenge today is simple. Start observing Rosh Chodesh every month. As mentioned above. Make yourself a calendar reminder and say a simple prayer. Hashem gives us every day of our life. We need to thank Him for that. 


Reading #5 - Numbers 28:1–15


28 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Command the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘See that you present my offering, my food for my offerings made by fire, as a pleasant aroma to me, in their due season.’ 3 You shall tell them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you shall offer to Hashem: male lambs a year old without defect, two day by day, for a continual burnt offering. 4 You shall offer the one lamb in the morning, and you shall offer the other lamb at evening, 5 with one tenth of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering, mixed with the fourth part of a hin of beaten oil. 6 It is a continual burnt offering which was ordained in Mount Sinai for a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem. 7 Its drink offering shall be the fourth part of a hin for each lamb. You shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to Hashem in the holy place. 8 The other lamb you shall offer at evening. As the meal offering of the morning, and as its drink offering, you shall offer it, an offering made by fire, for a pleasant aroma to Hashem.


9 “‘On the Sabbath day, you shall offer two male lambs a year old without defect, and two tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, and its drink offering: 10 this is the burnt offering of every Sabbath, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.


11 “‘In the beginnings of your months, you shall offer a burnt offering to Hashem: two young bulls, one ram, seven male lambs a year old without defect, 12 and three tenths of an ephah of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for each bull; and two tenth parts of fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil, for the one ram; 13 and one tenth part of fine flour mixed with oil for a meal offering to every lamb, as a burnt offering of a pleasant aroma, an offering made by fire to Hashem. 14 Their drink offerings shall be half a hin of wine for a bull, the third part of a hin for the ram, and the fourth part of a hin for a lamb. This is the burnt offering of every month throughout the months of the year. 15 Also, one male goat for a sin offering to Hashem shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering.