Ekev עֵקֶב - As a Result
Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25
Isaiah 49:14-51:3
Matthew 16:13-20
1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 7:12–8:10
1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 8:11–9:3
1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 9:4–29
1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 10:1–11
1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 10:12–11:9
1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 11:10–21
1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 11:22–25
Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26
Apostolic Reading: Luke 3:2-15
Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 7:1–11
My Thoughts:
Verse 7 and 8 are just powerful, “Hashem didn’t set His love on you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples; but because Hashem loves you, and because He desires to keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, Hashem has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.” He chose His people because He loved them and He had made a huge promise to them (for the Land and to multiply). Sometimes it is so hard to grasp that with all our actions and behavior that Hashem would love us, but apparently He does. We see it in Torah over and over, where people make mistakes and Hashem forgives them (usually punishment or consequence occurs) and He continues His path of miracles through His people. Never think for once that Hashem does not love you because of something you have done or that you are not worthy. You are His creation and He has a very special plan for you.
Challenge:
Rarely do we see verses about how Hashem feels or what He does if people hate Him. But, we do see it today in verse 10, “He will not be slack to him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face.” Yikes. It sounds like He is not going to lightly dismiss hatred. That there will be consequences. The biggest punishment we know is that people who do not love or serve Hashem, will be eternally separated from Him. That sounds like the worst and most awful consequence possible. Your challenge today is to take a look around you at those people who you know do not have a relationship with Hashem or the Mashiach Yeshua. See if you can start speaking positive, spiritual words into their lives. Try to be a “light” to them regarding Hashem and Torah. You never know -- this could change their life forever! Amen.
Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 7:1–11
7:1 When Hashem your Elohim brings you into the land where you go to possess it, and casts out many nations before you—the Hittite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—seven nations greater and mightier than you; 2 and when Hashem your Elohim delivers them up before you, and you strike them, then you shall utterly destroy them. You shall make no covenant with them, nor show mercy to them. 3 You shall not make marriages with them. You shall not give your daughter to his son, nor shall you take his daughter for your son. 4 For that would turn away your sons from following Me, that they may serve other gods. So Hashem’s anger would be kindled against you, and He would destroy you quickly. 5 But you shall deal with them like this: you shall break down their altars, dash their pillars in pieces, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their engraved images with fire. 6 For you are a holy people to Hashem your Elohim. Hashem your Elohim has chosen you to be a people for His own possession, above all peoples who are on the face of the earth. 7 Hashem didn’t set His love on you nor choose you, because you were more in number than any people; for you were the fewest of all peoples; 8 but because Hashem loves you, and because He desires to keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, Hashem has brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. 9 Know therefore that Hashem your Elohim Himself is Elohim, the faithful Elohim, who keeps covenant and loving kindness to a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments, 10 and repays those who hate Him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates Him. He will repay him to his face. 11 You shall therefore keep the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances which I command you today, to do them.
Haftarah
My Thoughts:
Verse 5 reveals Hashem’s plan for the future, “Hashem’s glory shall be revealed,and all flesh shall see it together.” In the Olam Haba (the world to come) there won’t be any “doubt” about whether Hashem exists -- everyone will see Him and His glory. There will be no excuse, no escape. This is a promise. It is prophesied over and over in the Tanakh and Apostolic Writings. There is this knowledge for those of us who love Him and serve Him. We won’t always live on a corrupt and sinful planet. There is His plan for a future Place. A Place with Him and His Glory. Take some time in your life to prepare for this Place. Make sure you are right with Him.
Challenge:
In verse 21 we are reminded of Hashem and who He is, “Haven’t you known? Haven’t you heard? Haven’t you been told from the beginning? Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?” There isn’t reason that a person should not “know” about Hashem. We have had His Torah from the beginning. And in our lives it is at our fingertips. We can read it online, we can have written copies of it in our home. We can “know” about Hashem because we have “heard” about Him. No excuses. Your challenge today is to check your heart. Run a spiritual EKG and see what your “heartbeat” is? Are you looking out just for yourself -- or do you choose to serve the Holy One and go with His plan? Double check it today. Amen.
Haftarah: Isaiah 40:1-26
40 “Comfort, comfort My people,” says your Elohim. 2 “Speak comfortably to Jerusalem; and call out to her that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned, that she has received of Hashem’s hand double for all her sins.”
3 The voice of one who calls out,
“Prepare the way of Hashem in the wilderness!
Make a level highway in the desert for our Elohim.
4 Every valley shall be exalted,
and every mountain and hill shall be made low.
The uneven shall be made level,
and the rough places a plain.
5 Hashem’s glory shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together;
for the mouth of Hashem has spoken it.”
6 The voice of one saying, “Cry!”
One said, “What shall I cry?”
“All flesh is like grass,
and all its glory is like the flower of the field.
7 The grass withers,
the flower fades,
because Hashem’s breath blows on it.
Surely the people are like grass.
8 The grass withers,
the flower fades;
but the word of our Elohim stands forever.”
9 You who tell good news to Zion, go up on a high mountain.
You who tell good news to Jerusalem, lift up your voice with strength!
Lift it up! Don’t be afraid!
Say to the cities of Judah, “Behold, your Elohim!”
10 Behold, the Adonai Hashem will come as a mighty one,
and His arm will rule for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him,
and His recompense before Him.
11 He will feed His flock like a shepherd.
He will gather the lambs in His arm,
and carry them in his bosom.
He will gently lead those who have their young.
12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand,
and marked off the sky with his span,
and calculated the dust of the earth in a measuring basket,
and weighed the mountains in scales,
and the hills in a balance?
13 Who has directed Hashem’s Spirit,
or has taught him as his counselor?
14 Who did he take counsel with,
and who instructed him,
and taught him in the path of justice,
and taught him knowledge,
and showed him the way of understanding?
15 Behold, the nations are like a drop in a bucket,
and are regarded as a speck of dust on a balance.
Behold, he lifts up the islands like a very little thing.
16 Lebanon is not sufficient to burn,
nor its animals sufficient for a burnt offering.
17 All the nations are like nothing before Him.
They are regarded by Him as less than nothing, and vanity.
18 To whom then will you liken G-d?
Or what likeness will you compare to him?
19 A workman has cast an image,
and the goldsmith overlays it with gold,
and casts silver chains for it.
20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering chooses a tree that will not rot.
He seeks a skillful workman to set up a carved image for him that will not be moved.
21 Haven’t you known?
Haven’t you heard?
Haven’t you been told from the beginning?
Haven’t you understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the circle of the earth,
and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers;
who stretches out the heavens like a curtain,
and spreads them out like a tent to dwell in,
23 who brings princes to nothing,
who makes the judges of the earth meaningless.
24 They are planted scarcely.
They are sown scarcely.
Their stock has scarcely taken root in the ground.
He merely blows on them, and they wither,
and the whirlwind takes them away as stubble.
25 “To whom then will you liken me?
Who is my equal?” says the Holy One.
26 Lift up your eyes on high,
and see who has created these,
who brings out their army by number.
He calls them all by name.
by the greatness of His might,
and because He is strong in power,
not one is lacking.
Apostolic Reading
My Thoughts:
Today we read about John the Immerser and how he fulfilled the prophecy in Isaiah (also today’s Haftarah). John had the privilege to prepare the people to receive Yeshua the Mashiach. He reminded them about Torah and their relationship to Hashem. He taught words of Torah to reignite their passion for Elohim. He got them ready to hear what the Mashiach would bring them -- which was all about returning to Hashem. Today we need more “John the Immersers”. We need people to prepare the way for the Mashiach to return and for the Olam Haba. We can all do this by loving and serving others. By teaching them Hashem’s Word whenever possible. By reflecting His light to the world. Start today.
Challenge:
John taught repentance (verse 3). You may think that this was probably not necessary, that everyone already knew about repenting for their sins. But, what if they had forgotten? What if they were straying from their relationship from Hashem and serving other gods? What if they had forgotten how to ask for forgiveness and how to forgive others? Isn’t that what is happening today? When was the last time you repented to Elohim for something you had done? When did you make restitution lately for a sin you have committed? Your challenge today is to look over your life and detect the sins you have committed. Go to Hashem immediately and ask for forgiveness -- repent (turn around) from what you have done. And make it right. Make it right with Elohim and with the people you affected. Do it. Amen.
Apostolic Reading: Luke 3:2-15
3:2 in the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of Elohim came to John, the son of Zacharias, in the wilderness. 3 He came into all the region around the Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for remission of sins. 4 As it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet,
“The voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make ready the way of Hashem. Make his paths straight.
5 Every valley will be filled. Every mountain and hill will be brought low. The crooked will become straight,
and the rough ways smooth. 6 All flesh will see Elohim’s salvation.’”Isaiah 40:3-5
7 He said therefore to the multitudes who went out to be baptized by him, “You offspring of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Therefore produce fruits worthy of repentance, and don’t begin to say among yourselves, ‘We have Abraham for our father;’ for I tell you that Eloihim is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones! 9 Even now the ax also lies at the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down, and thrown into the fire.”
10 The multitudes asked him, “What then must we do?”
11 He answered them, “He who has two coats, let him give to him who has none. He who has food, let him do likewise.”
12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized, and they said to him, “Teacher, what must we do?”
13 He said to them, “Collect no more than that which is appointed to you.”
14 Soldiers also asked him, saying, “What about us? What must we do?”
He said to them, “Extort from no one by violence, neither accuse anyone wrongfully. Be content with your wages.”
15 As the people were in expectation, and all men reasoned in their hearts concerning John, whether perhaps He was the Mashiach.
Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 6:4–25
My Thoughts:
Today we read the “Shema” (hear). A prayer that is recited several times a day in Judaism and those of us who have attached to Israel. It is said that Jewish people would want this particular prayer on their lips when they die. It is the heart of Torah. We are to love and obey Hashem with everything we have and place His Torah on our heart. We are to teach it to our children so it continues on through the generations. We are to know that He is One, that there are no other gods. If we believe this, we will have life for eternity. If you haven’t already memorized this prayer both in English and Hebrew then I encourage you to do so today. Put it on a notecard by your bed and on your refrigerator and go over it repeatedly until you have it memorized. Continue to pray it daily. It will remind you who Hashem is and why you serve Him. Amen.
Challenge:
Are you looking for how to be holy and righteous before Hashem? We have the answer in verse 25, “It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before Hashem your Elohim, as He has commanded us.” Holiness is obeying His Commandments. To not do so is sin and unholiness. How can you say you are not sinning, unless you know what sin is? That is why we must “learn” and study Torah. Yes, many of the Commandments do not apply today because we do not have a Temple and we are not priests. But, many of them do apply and direct our lives. That is why we go through the portions every day. To learn what is sin and what is not sin. Your challenge today is to read and study the Torah portions every day. Learn Torah and do it -- so that you may have life!
Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 6:4–25
6:4 Hear, Israel: Hashem is our Elohim. Hashem is one. 5 You shall love Hashem your Elohim with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. 6 These words, which I command you today, shall be on your heart; 7 and you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. 8 You shall bind them for a sign on your hand, and they shall be for frontlets between your eyes. 9 You shall write them on the door posts of your house and on your gates.
10 It shall be, when Hashem your Elohim brings you into the land which he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give you, great and goodly cities which you didn’t build, 11 and houses full of all good things which you didn’t fill, and cisterns dug out which you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive trees which you didn’t plant, and you shall eat and be full; 12 then beware lest you forget Hashem, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 13 You shall fear Hashem your Elohim; and you shall serve Him, and shall swear by His name. 14 You shall not go after other gods, of the gods of the peoples who are around you, 15 for Hashem your Elohim among you is a jealous Elohim, lest the anger of Hashem your Elohim be kindled against you, and He destroy you from off the face of the earth. 16 You shall not tempt Hashem your Elohim, as you tempted Him in Massah. 17 You shall diligently keep the commandments of Hashem your Elohim, and His testimonies, and His statutes, which He has commanded you. 18 You shall do that which is right and good in Hashem’s sight, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which Hashem swore to your fathers, 19 to thrust out all your enemies from before you, as Hashem has spoken.
20 When your son asks you in time to come, saying, “What do the testimonies, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Hashem your Elohim has commanded you mean?” 21 then you shall tell your son, “We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt. Hashem brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand; 22 and Hashem showed great and awesome signs and wonders on Egypt, on Pharaoh, and on all his house, before our eyes; 23 and He brought us out from there, that He might bring us in, to give us the land which he swore to our fathers. 24 Hashem commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear Hashem your Elohim, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as we are today. 25 It shall be righteousness to us, if we observe to do all these commandments before Hashem your Elohim, as He has commanded us.”
Va'etchanan וָאֶתְחַנַּן - Pleaded
Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11
Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 5:23–6:3
My Thoughts:
In regards to obedience verse 32 sums it up well, “You shall observe to do therefore as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you. You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left.” A simple command. Do what He says and don’t deviate (to the left or right). I am finding when I do “deviate” or sin that it feels awful for days. Last night I came home and my husband was working on a project that really upset me. Instead of talking it out, I got really, really angry. It’s like I lost control. I said things I never should have said. And even when I’m spouting off I say to Hashem, “Please forgive me”. But, I was going to say them anyway. I spent the night repenting and even today I feel horrible about it all. It just wasn’t worth it. I should have stayed quiet or spoken calmly and I didn’t. I deviated, and now I feel the consequences. Whether I was justified or not, it was wrong. Can you relate at all?
Challenge:
We have an eternal promise in verse 33, “You shall walk in all the way which Hashem your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.” We may not live in the Land (yet), but His promise is still the same today. If we obey Him and His Commandments we will LIVE, things will be good and we will serve Him with a long life. My challenge to you today is to once again review if you are following Him and Torah. It only makes sense that if we are obeying Him we have life, and if we don’t we have “death”. It is said, “sin separates us from Hashem”. And if you ever sin (like I do) then you know this is true. I would rather have “life” -- wouldn’t you? Start obeying and following Him today. I am going to try and do the same, with all my heart, soul and strength.
Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 5:23–6:3
5:23 When you heard the voice out of the middle of the darkness, while the mountain was burning with fire, you came near to me, even all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; 24 and you said, “Behold, Hashem our Elohim has shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice out of the middle of the fire. We have seen today that Elohim does speak with man, and he lives. 25 Now therefore, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us. If we hear Hashem our Elohim’s voice any more, then we shall die. 26 For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living Elohim speaking out of the middle of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27 Go near, and hear all that Hashem our Elohim shall say, and tell us all that Hashem our Elohim tells you; and we will hear it, and do it.”
28 Hashem heard the voice of your words when you spoke to me; and Hashem said to me, “I have heard the voice of the words of this people which they have spoken to you. They have well said all that they have spoken. 29 Oh that there were such a heart in them that they would fear me and keep all My commandments always, that it might be well with them and with their children forever!
30 “Go tell them, ‘Return to your tents.’ 31 But as for you, stand here by me, and I will tell you all the commandments, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which you shall teach them, that they may do them in the land which I give them to possess.”
32 You shall observe to do therefore as Hashem your Elohim has commanded you. You shall not turn away to the right hand or to the left. 33 You shall walk in all the way which Hashem your Elohim has commanded you, that you may live and that it may be well with you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which you shall possess.
6 Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the ordinances, which Hashem your Elohim commanded to teach you, that you might do them in the land that you go over to possess; 2 that you might fear Hashem your Elohim, to keep all His statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son, and your son’s son, all the days of your life; and that your days may be prolonged. 3 Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it, that it may be well with you, and that you may increase mightily, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised to you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.
Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 5:1–22
My Thoughts:
Here is something amazing. Those of you who are Protestant or Catholic -- you may not know this. The first commandment of the Ten Commandments is verse 6, “I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Yes, this is true. It is a command to always remember Hashem and that He is the deliverer. Before following any of the following 9 commandments, you need to obey this one. That your Elohim is Adonai. That He delivered you. When you acknowledge this it places your life in order. It puts the commandments in order. Remember this. Remember Him.
Challenge:
Today’s challenge is this. Go through the Ten Commandments, review them, search your heart and repent to Hashem if you have been in disobedience. Here are the ten commandments and questions:
Do you remember and worship Adonai as your G-d and deliverer?
Have you worshiped any false gods?
Are you respecting and honoring His Name?
Have you honored the Sabbath every week as He has commanded you?
Are you honoring and obeying your parents (and those in authority over your life/job/family)?
Have you murdered anyone?
Have you committed adultery (pornography, or imagination)?
Have you stolen anything -- intentionally or unintentionally?
Have you lied about someone you know?
Have you coveted (desired) things that are not yours?
Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 5:1–22
5:1 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them, “Hear, Israel, the statutes and the ordinances which I speak in your ears today, that you may learn them, and observe to do them.” 2 Hashem our Elohim made a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 Hashem didn’t make this covenant with our fathers, but with us, even us, who are all of us here alive today. 4 Hashem spoke with you face to face on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, 5 (I stood between Hashem and you at that time, to show you Hashem’s word; for you were afraid because of the fire, and didn’t go up onto the mountain) saying,
6 “I am Hashem your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
7 “You shall have no other gods before Me. 8 “You shall not make a carved image for yourself—any likeness of what is in heaven above, or what is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. 9 You shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them; for I, Hashem your Elohim, am a jealous G-d, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate Me; 10 and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love Me and keep My commandments.
11 “You shall not misuse the name of Hashem your Elohim; for Hashem will not hold him guiltless who misuses His name.
12 “Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as Hashem your Elohim commanded you. 13 You shall labor six days, and do all your work; 14 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to Hashem your Elohim, in which you shall not do any work— neither you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your ox, nor your donkey, nor any of your livestock, nor your stranger who is within your gates; that your male servant and your female servant may rest as well as you. 15 You shall remember that you were a servant in the land of Egypt, and Hashem your Elohim brought you out of there by a mighty hand and by an outstretched arm. Therefore Hashem your Elohim commanded you to keep the Sabbath day.
16 “Honor your father and your mother, as Hashem your Elohim commanded you; that your days may be long, and that it may go well with you in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you.
17 “You shall not murder.
18 “You shall not commit adultery.
19 “You shall not steal.
20 “You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.
21 “You shall not covet your neighbor’s wife. Neither shall you desire your neighbor’s house, his field, or his male servant, or his female servant, his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”
22 Hashem spoke these words to all your assembly on the mountain out of the middle of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two stone tablets, and gave them to me.
Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 4:41–49
My Thoughts:
We read in verse 45, “These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt.” The Israelites were going to be a “physical” nation. They were going into the Land and they were to occupy it. As a nation there had to be laws and rules. This was done obviously for peace and order. And that is what the Law does in our lives today. It gives us peace and order, instead of confusion and fear. It is guaranteed. Hashem’s Word is alive. The Torah is Life. If we follow Him our lives will be filled with righteous plans and success. This is a blessing.
Challenge:
Hashem takes care of everyone. Even those who are falsely accused of a crime (the man slayer). He cares so much he provided cities of “safety” for those people in trouble. It makes me think that when we get in trouble and are falsely accused for something we didn’t do -- that we need not worry. He can take us to a “place” of peace and safety. If that is you today, then ask Him to bring you to that place. It may be a spiritual or emotional “place” -- but it will be somewhere where you can live with joy. The challenge is to seek Him with your whole heart and soul, today. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 4:41–49
4:41 Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, 42 that the man slayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally and didn’t hate him in time past, and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 43 Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
44 This is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 45 These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, 46 beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel struck when they came out of Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise; 48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Sion (also called Hermon), 49 and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.
Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 4:5–40
My Thoughts:
Verse 8 is compelling, “What great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?” And it is so true. What group of people on this planet have such righteous laws as Israel? We should acknowledge and thank Hashem that we are able to connect and unite with Israel and the Torah. It makes us a people who are set apart and worship the one true Elohim. There is only one true Elohim. The Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. And He has created unique and wonderful statutes and ordinances. We praise Adonai for this.
Challenge:
Who or what are we looking for? Verse 39 says it all, “Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that Hashem himself is Elohim in heaven above and on the earth beneath. There is no one else.” He is the One. And He is G-d of heaven and earth. Think of that. He is the one and only G-d of the planet earth. He created and owns the earth. And if we really believe that we need to be taking better care of what He has entrusted us with. That is my challenge to you today. Make sure your house is “in order”. And see if there is anything you can do for your community. Both your religious community and the physical community you live in. If you see a piece of paper or garbage on the ground -- pick it up! Let’s start with what Hashem has given us and take care of it. This will affect the rest of the world for sure!
Reading #2 : Deuteronomy 4:5–40
4:5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and ordinances, even as Hashem our Elohim commanded me, that you should do so in the middle of the land where you go in to possess it. 6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who shall hear all these statutes and say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.” 7 For what great nation is there that has a god so near to them as Hashem our Elohim is whenever we call on him? 8 What great nation is there that has statutes and ordinances so righteous as all this law which I set before you today?
9 Only be careful, and keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things which your eyes saw, and lest they depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your children and your children’s children— 10 the day that you stood before Hashem your Elohim in Horeb, when Hashem said to me, “Assemble the people to me, and I will make them hear My words, that they may learn to fear Me all the days that they live on the earth, and that they may teach their children.” 11 You came near and stood under the mountain. The mountain burned with fire to the heart of the sky, with darkness, cloud, and thick darkness. 12 Hashem spoke to you out of the middle of the fire: you heard the voice of words, but you saw no form; you only heard a voice. 13 He declared to you His covenant, which He commanded you to perform, even the ten commandments. He wrote them on two stone tablets. 14 Hashem commanded me at that time to teach you statutes and ordinances, that you might do them in the land where you go over to possess it. 15 Be very careful, for you saw no kind of form on the day that Hashem spoke to you in Horeb out of the middle of the fire, 16 lest you corrupt yourselves, and make yourself a carved image in the form of any figure, the likeness of male or female, 17 the likeness of any animal that is on the earth, the likeness of any winged bird that flies in the sky, 18 the likeness of anything that creeps on the ground, the likeness of any fish that is in the water under the earth; 19 and lest you lift up your eyes to the sky, and when you see the sun and the moon and the stars, even all the army of the sky, you are drawn away and worship them, and serve them, which Hashem your Elohiim has allotted to all the peoples under the whole sky. 20 But Hashem has taken you, and brought you out of the iron furnace, out of Egypt, to be to him a people of inheritance, as it is today. 21 Furthermore Hashem was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in to that good land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance; 22 but I must die in this land. I must not go over the Jordan, but you shall go over and possess that good land. 23 Be careful, lest you forget the covenant of Hashem your Elohim, which he made with you, and make yourselves a carved image in the form of anything which Hashem your Elohim has forbidden you. 24 For Hashem your Elohim is a devouring fire, a jealous G-d. 25 When you father children and children’s children, and you have been long in the land, and then corrupt yourselves, and make a carved image in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in Hashem your Elohim’s sight to provoke him to anger, 26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will soon utterly perish from off the land which you go over the Jordan to possess it. You will not prolong your days on it, but will utterly be destroyed. 27 Hashem will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where Hashem will lead you away. 28 There you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell. 29 But from there you shall seek Hashem your Elohim, and you will find Him when you search after Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in oppression, and all these things have come on you, in the latter days you shall return to Hashem your Elohim and listen to His voice. 31 For Hashem your Elohim is a merciful Elohim. He will not fail you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them. 32 For ask now of the days that are past, which were before you, since the day that Elohim created man on the earth, and from the one end of the sky to the other, whether there has been anything as great as this thing is, or has been heard like it? 33 Did a people ever hear the voice of Elohim speaking out of the middle of the fire, as you have heard, and live? 34 Or has Elohim tried to go and take a nation for himself from among another nation, by trials, by signs, by wonders, by war, by a mighty hand, by an outstretched arm, and by great terrors, according to all that Hashem your Elohim did for you in Egypt before your eyes? 35 It was shown to you so that you might know that Hashem is Elohim . There is no one else besides Him. 36 Out of heaven He made you to hear His voice, that He might instruct you. On earth He made you to see His great fire; and you heard His words out of the middle of the fire. 37 Because He loved your fathers, therefore He chose their offspring after them, and brought you out with His presence, with His great power, out of Egypt; 38 to drive out nations from before you greater and mightier than you, to bring you in, to give you their land for an inheritance, as it is today. 39 Know therefore today, and take it to heart, that Hashem Himself is Elohim in heaven above and on the earth beneath. There is no one else. 40 You shall keep His statutes and His commandments which I command you today, that it may go well with you and with your children after you, and that you may prolong your days in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for all time.