Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Ki Tavo - Reading #3

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8


Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19


My Thoughts:


In verse 16 we are told to follow Torah with all of our heart and soul. He commands us so. These laws have never changed, or been replaced with new laws. These are the same commandments for eternity. This is not hard to understand. He has given us Torah, now we learn it and follow it -- with everything we have. Do you love Hashem so much that you will agree today to follow His Torah with your whole heart and soul? Even if you are learning, or don’t totally understand them all -- just do your best. He will show you and bring people in your life to teach you. Just ask Him. The reward is eternal life.


Challenge:


Verse 18 says Hashem has “declared today that you are a people for His own possession…”. You are possessed by Him when you love Him, serve Him, worship Him and follow His Torah. I believe this is the natural born Jew and also the foreigner that “joins” to Israel. If you are not Jewish consider “joining” to Israel. That is my challenge to you today. Be like Ruth and say, “Your people are my people. Your Elohim is my Elohim. Where you go, I go. Where you live, I live…” (Ruth 1:16-17) That is a true attachment. Consider “joining” Hashem’s people and serving the one True Elohim. It will change your life forever. I know this, I have been a “Ruth” for over 11 years.


Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 26:16–19


26:16 Today Hashem your Elohim commands you to do these statutes and ordinances. You shall therefore keep and do them with all your heart and with all your soul. 17 You have declared today that Hashem is your Elohim, and that you would walk in His ways, keep His statutes, His commandments, and His ordinances, and listen to His voice. 18 Hashem has declared today that you are a people for His own possession, as He has promised you, and that you should keep all His commandments. 19 He will make you high above all nations that He has made, in praise, in name, and in honor; and that you may be a holy people to Hashem your Elohim, as He has spoken.

Monday, September 16, 2024

Ki Tavo - Reading #2

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8


Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 26:12–15


My Thoughts:


Today is about giving to the Levite, the fatherless and the widow. This is so important to Hashem. Yes, we do not have a Temple so can not bring our tithe to support this. But, we can still support others. Look around you today and see who Hashem has put in your life that needs support. Is it your pastor or rabbi? Is it someone in your family who has not been able to make ends meet? Is it someone at the grocery store? I love it when people “pay it forward”. That has happened to me at McDonalds. I was in the drive through and the car ahead paid for my meal. I couldn’t thank them in person (they had already driven away), but I can tell you this -- it totally blessed my day! Take careful notice of what is going on around you. Then take action when needed. This blesses Hashem, and will ultimately bless you.


Challenge:


Verse 15 says, “Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel...”. I was thinking today that Hashem does have a “Holy habitation in heaven”. Many Bible verses describe the true Holy Temple being in heaven. It seems this would be the place where His emanation would go forth to the universes and eternity. Can you even imagine what this looks like? I challenge you today to pray and study about the Holy Temple in heaven. Some believe this Temple will descend to the earth in the Olam Haba and this is where His glory will shine for all to see. I believe this Temple and His Holy Presence will be presented to everyone who believes in Him -- for eternity. And what a glorious time that will be! Amen?


Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 26:12–15


26:12 When you have finished tithing all the tithe of your increase in the third year, which is the year of tithing, then you shall give it to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, that they may eat within your gates and be filled. 13 You shall say before Hashem your Elohim, “I have put away the holy things out of my house, and also have given them to the Levite, to the foreigner, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all your commandment which you have commanded me. I have not transgressed any of your commandments, neither have I forgotten them. 14 I have not eaten of it in my mourning, neither have I removed any of it while I was unclean, nor given of it for the dead. I have listened to Hashem my Elohim’s voice. I have done according to all that you have commanded me. 15 Look down from your holy habitation, from heaven, and bless your people Israel, and the ground which you have given us, as you swore to our fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey.”


Sunday, September 15, 2024

Ki Tavo - Reading #1

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8


Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 26:1–11


My Thoughts:


Testimony -- it is so important. When you have a story about how wonderful Hashem has been in your life, you need to tell others. Today we learn when they come into the land, the Israelite is to bring his first fruits to the Tabernacle. When he brings it in, he is to give the “testimony” to the priest. The story of redemption and being freed from slavery in Egypt. It is a beautiful and awesome testimony of the greatness of Elohim. As we read it today, let us remember how we were all once slaves and delivered into freedom through Hashem and His Torah. Amen!


Challenge:


After the testimony we are to praise Him. In verse 11 we read, “You shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your Elohim has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.” Hashem wants to be happy and give Him praise for all He does and gives. Not only to us, but to those around us. My challenge for you today is to take some time to tell Hashem how much you love Him. Thank Him for your family, friends, dwelling place and all you have. Thank Him that you are so privileged to know Him and to know and follow His Torah. He gives us life. Without Him and all He is -- we have nothing. That is a lot to be grateful for! Amen.


Reading #1 - Deuteronomy 26:1–11


26:1 It shall be, when you have come in to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance, possess it, and dwell in it, 2 that you shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you shall bring in from your land that Hashem your Elohim gives you. You shall put it in a basket, and shall go to the place which Hashem your Elohim shall choose to cause His name to dwell there. 3 You shall come to the priest who shall be in those days, and tell him, “I profess today to Hashem your Elohim that I have come to the land which Hashem swore to our fathers to give us.” 4 The priest shall take the basket out of your hand, and set it down before Hashem your Elohim altar. 5 You shall answer and say before Hashem your Elohim “My father was a Syrian ready to perish. He went down into Egypt, and lived there, few in number. There he became a great, mighty, and populous nation. 6 The Egyptians mistreated us, afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. 7 Then we cried to Hashem, the Elohim of our fathers. Hashem heard our voice, and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. 8 Hashem brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand, with an outstretched arm, with great terror, with signs, and with wonders; 9 and He has brought us into this place, and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. 10 Now, behold, I have brought the first of the fruit of the ground, which you, Hashem, have given me.” You shall set it down before Hashem your Elohim and worship before Hashem your Elohim. 11 You shall rejoice in all the good which Hashem your Elohim has given to you, and to your house, you, and the Levite, and the foreigner who is among you.


Ki Tavo - Week #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Isaiah 60:1-22

Matthew 4:13-24


1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 26:1–11

1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 26:12–15

1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 26:16–19

1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 27:1–10

1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 28:7–69

1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 29:1–8


Saturday, September 14, 2024

Ki Teitzei - Reading #7

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out

Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 24:29-42


Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19


My Thoughts:


Why would someone carry diverse weights? In verse 25:13 we read, “You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light.” The answer seems obvious. You would only have them to cheat someone. And who would do that? Unfortunately, we all have “cheated” someone in our life -- intentionally or not intentionally. It can happen at the grocery store.  It can happen when paying an employee for hours worked or not worked. At home we can “cheat” a spouse on our home budget. It can happen anywhere. We need to make sure that the “weights” we are using in life are equal and fair. To not be equitable is an “abomination” to Hashem. That is enough reason right there.


Challenge:


In verse 25:4 we read, “You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.” That is another curious commandment. Except when you contemplate what Hashem is really saying it is incredible. He is making a commandment to allow your ox to take small breaks, bend his head down and eat grain. So many times in Torah we see Hashem giving mercy to animals. They are His creation, just like mankind. My challenge to you today is to make sure you are treating animals kindly. If you see an animal (wild or domestic) that needs help -- help it. If you are riding a horse and it looks stressed, give it a break. If you have a dog, don’t chain it up outside all day. Invest in an invisible fence. I learned you can install your own fence for under $300. So, don’t go out to eat for a while and help your dog to run free! Let’s all be kind to our animals. (There is a whole other subject of the way we slaughter animals for meat. That is a discussion for another day).


Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 24:14–25:19


24:14 You shall not oppress a hired servant who is poor and needy, whether he is one of your brothers or one of the foreigners who are in your land within your gates. 15 In his day you shall give him his wages, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor and sets his heart on it; lest he cry against you to Hashem, and it be sin to you.


16 The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers. Every man shall be put to death for his own sin.


17 You shall not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, nor take a widow’s clothing in pledge; 18 but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and Hashem your Elohim redeemed you there. Therefore I command you to do this thing.


19 When you reap your harvest in your field, and have forgotten a sheaf in the field, you shall not go again to get it. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow, that  Hashem your Elohimmay bless you in all the work of your hands. 20 When you beat your olive tree, you shall not go over the boughs again. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow.


21 When you harvest your vineyard, you shall not glean it after yourselves. It shall be for the foreigner, for the fatherless, and for the widow. 22 You shall remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I command you to do this thing.


25:1 If there is a controversy between men, and they come to judgment and the judges judge them, then they shall justify the righteous and condemn the wicked. 2 It shall be, if the wicked man is worthy to be beaten, that the judge shall cause him to lie down and to be beaten before his face, according to his wickedness, by number. 3 He may sentence him to no more than forty stripes. He shall not give more, lest if he should give more and beat him more than that many stripes, then your brother will be degraded in your sight.


4 You shall not muzzle the ox when he treads out the grain.


5 If brothers dwell together, and one of them dies and has no son, the wife of the dead shall not be married outside to a stranger. Her husband’s brother shall go in to her, and take her as his wife, and perform the duty of a husband’s brother to her. 6 It shall be that the firstborn whom she bears shall succeed in the name of his brother who is dead, that his name not be blotted out of Israel.


7 If the man doesn’t want to take his brother’s wife, then his brother’s wife shall go up to the gate to the elders, and say, “My husband’s brother refuses to raise up to his brother a name in Israel. He will not perform the duty of a husband’s brother to me.” 8 Then the elders of his city shall call him, and speak to him. If he stands and says, “I don’t want to take her,” 9 then his brother’s wife shall come to him in the presence of the elders, and loose his sandal from off his foot, and spit in his face. She shall answer and say, “So shall it be done to the man who does not build up his brother’s house.” 10 His name shall be called in Israel, “The house of him who had his sandal removed.”


11 When men strive against each other, and the wife of one draws near to deliver her husband out of the hand of him who strikes him, and puts out her hand, and grabs him by his private parts, 12 then you shall cut off her hand. Your eye shall have no pity.


13 You shall not have in your bag diverse weights, one heavy and one light. 14 You shall not have in your house diverse measures, one large and one small. 15 You shall have a perfect and just weight. You shall have a perfect and just measure, that your days may be long in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you. 16 For all who do such things, all who do unrighteously, are an abomination to Hashem your Elohim.


17 Remember what Amalek did to you by the way as you came out of Egypt; 18 how he met you by the way, and struck the rearmost of you, all who were feeble behind you, when you were faint and weary; and he didn’t fear Elohim. 19 Therefore it shall be, when Hashem your Elohim has given you rest from all your enemies all around, in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance to possess it, that you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under the sky. You shall not forget.


Haftarah


My Thoughts:


Isaiah writes about things to come. He always sees Hashem bringing His people back to the Land to be reconciled. In verse 5 we read encouraging words, “For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name. The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer. He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth.” We must remember these words if we ever get discouraged. There will be a time when there will be new heaven and new earth, filled with the glory of Hashem. The Temple will be restored and His Torah will go forth. Every knee will bow. And He will be Elohim over all the earth. This is what we have to look forward to. And we praise you Elohim for this promise. Amen.


Challenge:


In verse 10 we have a comforting promise from Hashem, “...My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed...”. What is this “covenant of peace”? I believe it is the ultimate shalom that can only come from the Father. It is the peace He gives us when everything around us is toppling down. His promise is that He will never leave us or forsake us. So if you are down and out, or going through some hard times, remember these words. This is my challenge to you today. Lift your eyes up toward heaven and ask Hashem to pull you out of the pit of discouragement. If this is not you, then share it with someone in your life that is going through a difficult time. We all need hope. And it can only come from Him! Amen.


Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-10


54 “Sing, barren, you who didn’t give birth;

    break out into singing, and cry aloud, you who didn’t travail with child:

    for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife,” says Hashem

2 “Enlarge the place of your tent,

    and let them stretch out the curtains of your habitations;

    don’t spare: lengthen your cords, and strengthen your stakes.

3 For you will spread out on the right hand and on the left;

    and your offspring will possess the nations

    and settle in desolate cities.


4 “Don’t be afraid, for you will not be ashamed.

    Don’t be confounded, for you will not be disappointed.

For you will forget the shame of your youth.

    You will remember the reproach of your widowhood no more.

5 For your Maker is your husband; Hashem of Armies is His name.

    The Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer.

    He will be called the Elohim of the whole earth.

6 For Hashem has called you as a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit,

    even a wife of youth, when she is cast off,” says your Elohim.


7 “For a small moment I have forsaken you,

    but I will gather you with great mercies.

8 In overflowing wrath I hid my face from you for a moment,

    but with everlasting loving kindness I will have mercy on you,” says Hashem your Redeemer.


9 “For this is like the waters of Noah to me;

    for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah will no more go over the earth,

    so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, nor rebuke you.

10 For the mountains may depart,

    and the hills be removed;

but my loving kindness will not depart from you,

    and my covenant of peace will not be removed,”

    says Hashem who has mercy on you.


Apostolic Writing


My Thoughts:


Yeshua shares in this Matthew segment about His return. That there will be signs that He is coming. Including His arrival on clouds and the announcement through the sound of a trumpet. His angels will gather His chosen ones and I believe they will bring them back to Israel. That is what all the prophets (including Isaiah’s verses above) encourage us with. The Mashiach will come and His chosen throughout the world will be gathered and returned to Israel. The Temple will be built and the Mashiach will reign. This is what Yeshua is teaching -- just what the prophets did. Everything Yeshua taught pointed to the Father and to the Torah. Amen.


Challenge:


Verses 36-42 are widely used to defend the doctrine of the “rapture”. That the good people who have received Jesus will be taken up to heaven. This so amazes me because if you carefully read these verses you will see that the opposite takes place. In verse 37 we read, “As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Who exactly were “taken away” during the time of the flood? Those who were evil. They were drowned in the waters. Noah warned them and they did not listen. That is who will be taken away in the end. Those who are evil, who do not want Hashem -- they will be removed.  The ones that go to Israel are “gathered”, the ones who are removed are “taken”. My challenge is to study about this. Search your heart, pray and ask Hashem what is to happen. Yeshua is giving us some important information here, and it is good to study it out. 


Apostolic Writing: Matthew 24:29-42


24:29 “But immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will not give its light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken; 30 and then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky. Then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory. 31 He will send out his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His chosen ones from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.


32 “Now from the fig tree learn this parable: When its branch has now become tender and produces its leaves, you know that the summer is near. 33 Even so you also, when you see all these things, know that he is near, even at the doors. 34 Most certainly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things are accomplished. 35 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.


36 “But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 37 As the days of Noah were, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 38 For as in those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ship, 39 and they didn’t know until the flood came and took them all away, so will the coming of the Son of Man be. 40 Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. 41 Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left. 42 Watch therefore, for you don’t know in what hour Hashem comes.


Friday, September 13, 2024

Ki Teitzei - Reading #6

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 24:5–13


My Thoughts: 


Verse 6 is a curious commandment,  “No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge, for he takes a life in pledge.” After doing some research it seems like what Hashem is saying is don’t take the “livelihood” of another as a pledge (to pay for a debt, etc). To do so, would take his ability to take care of himself and family -- away. And leave him with nothing to sustain his family. Hashem doesn’t want us to do this. That’s how much He loves each of us. It is a protection that someone would not lose everything and become destitute. Again one more example of how Hashem protects the poor. And how we are to be involved with that process.


Challenge:


We learn today another lesson of protecting husband and wife, and their relationship, by Hashem. If you are newly married you are not required to serve in the army for at least a year. This is so beautiful. Think of how important that first year is in a marriage. How hard it would be to be apart from your new spouse, right after you got married. This is a clear indicator of how Hashem wants marriages to be good and solid. Your challenge today is to look at your own marriage, or the marriage of a friend or family person. Have they had time together to solidify their marriage (or have you)? Have they (you) had a special time of at least one year to “ground” their marriage? If not, take the time to do so now. Or help the couple that has not had that special time, to do the same. Support marriages in your family and amongst your community of friends. 


Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 24:5–13


24:5 When a man takes a new wife, he shall not go out in the army, neither shall he be assigned any business. He shall be free at home one year, and shall cheer his wife whom he has taken.


6 No man shall take the mill or the upper millstone as a pledge, for he takes a life in pledge.


7 If a man is found stealing any of his brothers of the children of Israel, and he deals with him as a slave, or sells him, then that thief shall die. So you shall remove the evil from among you.


8 Be careful in the plague of leprosy, that you observe diligently and do according to all that the Levitical priests teach you. As I commanded them, so you shall observe to do. 9 Remember what Hashem your Elohim did to Miriam, by the way as you came out of Egypt.


10 When you lend your neighbor any kind of loan, you shall not go into his house to get his pledge. 11 You shall stand outside, and the man to whom you lend shall bring the pledge outside to you. 12 If he is a poor man, you shall not sleep with his pledge. 13 You shall surely restore to him the pledge when the sun goes down, that he may sleep in his garment and bless you. It shall be righteousness to you before Hashem your Elohim.


Thursday, September 12, 2024

Ki Teitzei - Reading #5

Ki Teitzei כִּי-תֵצֵא - When You Go Out
Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4


My Thoughts: In this week's Torah portion we learn that it is okay to pick corn or grapes from our neighbor if we happen to walk through their property. No trespassing laws, in fact an invitation to help yourself. But, of course only for what you need at the moment. Not to gather bushels full. It is very kind and generous to think that our Hashem allows this kind of trust and sharing. He also has rules for your harvest and the poor. Hashem makes it clear He does not want the poor to starve, and He is interested in sharing our blessings. Let us try to remember that in our daily lives.


Challenge:


Today we read some interesting rules about divorce and remarrying. It seems like Hashem is allowing divorce, but not remarrying that person again (if she has married someone else and they have died). In fact, He mentions it is an abomination if you do this. And that we do not cause the land to sin. It has to do with his wife being “defiled”. We may not quite understand this, but what we can understand is that He does not want us to sin. Period. Your challenge today is to look over your life -- pay attention to the areas you know where you are “sinning” or disobeying Hashem’s commands. Do not pretend that you are perfect. Because as soon as you think about this -- sin will be revealed. Even what you may think is a “small” sin, like gossiping. Gossiping is NO small sin. It affects people, and can ripple out to affect your community, thus affecting a part of the world. It gets “into the Land”. Get rid of sin in your life today. If it is a habit, then ask Hashem to help you. It may be hard to change, but He can help you. Guaranteed.


Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 23:25–24:4


25 When you come into your neighbor’s standing grain, then you may pluck the ears with your hand; but you shall not use a sickle on your neighbor’s standing grain.


24 When a man takes a wife and marries her, then it shall be, if she finds no favor in his eyes because he has found some unseemly thing in her, that he shall write her a certificate of divorce, put it in her hand, and send her out of his house. 2 When she has departed out of his house, she may go and be another man’s wife. 3 If the latter husband hates her, and write her a certificate of divorce, puts it in her hand, and sends her out of his house; or if the latter husband dies, who took her to be his wife; 4 her former husband, who sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife after she is defiled; for that would be an abomination to Hashem. You shall not cause the land to sin, which Hashem your Elohim gives you for an inheritance.