Ki Tavo - Reading #7

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Isaiah 60:1-22

Matthew 4:13-24

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

My Thoughts:

In verse 6 we read that the Hebrew people had not eaten bread nor drank wine for 40 years. I did a little research on this, and it seems like the “manna” or “bread” from heaven was not leavened bread. It may have been a seeded type of wafer. But, think of this -- no bread or wine for 40 years. And then celebrating bread and wine at every meal has been a tradition ever since. He takes away and He gives you back. He does this to show that He is Elohim. And the really cool part is HE IS THE BREAD AND THE WINE. He is everything we need to live. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 5 we read, “I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet.” Isn’t that amazing. Hashem provided everything! Food, water, clothing and sandals. And they never wore out. I have a son-in-law that has saved his clothing from 25 years ago. The amazing thing is that it hasn’t worn out. But, in all fairness -- neither has he worn them every day, like the Hebrew people did. Imagine wearing shoes for forty years and they never, ever wear out! It truly is a miracle. My challenge today is that you think about how Hashem has always provided for you. You have never been for want -- right? Thank Him and praise Him. He is the giver of everything, He is the giver of life. Amen.

Reading #7 - Deuteronomy 29:1–8

29:1 These are the words of the covenant which Hashem commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, in addition to the covenant which He made with them in Horeb. 2 Moses called to all Israel, and said to them:

Your eyes have seen all that Hashem did in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land; 3 the great trials which your eyes saw, the signs, and those great wonders. 4 But Hashem has not given you a heart to know, eyes to see, and ears to hear, to this day. 5 I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not grown old on you, and your sandals have not grown old on your feet. 6 You have not eaten bread, neither have you drunk wine or strong drink, that you may know that I am Hashem your Elohim. 7 When you came to this place, Sihon the king of Heshbon and Og the king of Bashan came out against us to battle, and we struck them. 8 We took their land, and gave it for an inheritance to the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half-tribe of the Manassites.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verse 19 we read, “The sun will be no more your light by day; nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you, but Hashem will be your everlasting light, and your Elohim will be your glory.” This is such an incredible prophecy. In the Olam Haba, the world to come, we will actually not need the sun or the moon --the glory of Hashem, His shekinah glory will fill the earth. His Light will fill the world and it will be wonderful. We have no idea how to imagine what this would be like. I believe to be in the presence of His glory will bring us prostrate. We will not be able to stand, just lay flat. We only see in part right now, but then we will see in full. And it will be totally amazing. Thank you Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 5 we read how people will feel when they are “brought” back to Israel -- to the Land. Verse 5 reads, “Then you shall see and be radiant, and your heart will thrill and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you. The wealth of the nations will come to you.” We will “reflect” HIs glorious light in our lives, in those days. We will be blessed with wealth from the nations. But, as I am reading this today, I think, “why can’t we reflect His light today?” And we should. We are to be a “light” to the nations. My challenge is to start being that “light” today. Let us prepare for His Light to go forth throughout the world. Let us start “shining” His light through all we do and say. Maybe we can begin to “light the way” for Hashem to come. Amen?

Haftarah: Isaiah 60:1-22

60:1  “Arise, shine; for your light has come,

    and Hashem’s glory has risen on you.

2 For, behold, darkness will cover the earth,

    and thick darkness the peoples;

but Hashem will arise on you,

    and His glory shall be seen on you.

3 Nations will come to your light,

    and kings to the brightness of your rising.

4 “Lift up your eyes all around, and see:

    they all gather themselves together.

    They come to you.

Your sons will come from far away,

    and your daughters will be carried in arms.

5 Then you shall see and be radiant,

    and your heart will thrill and be enlarged;

because the abundance of the sea will be turned to you.

    The wealth of the nations will come to you.

6 A multitude of camels will cover you,

    the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah.

All from Sheba will come.

    They will bring gold and frankincense,

    and will proclaim the praises of Hashem.

7 All the flocks of Kedar will be gathered together to you.

    The rams of Nebaioth will serve you.

They will be accepted as offerings on my altar;

    and I will beautify my glorious house.

8 “Who are these who fly as a cloud,

    and as the doves to their windows?

9 Surely the islands will wait for me,

    and the ships of Tarshish first,

to bring your sons from far away,

    their silver and their gold with them,

for the name of Hashem your Elohim,

    and for the Holy One of Israel,

    because He has glorified you.

10 “Foreigners will build up your walls,

    and their kings will serve you:

for in my wrath I struck you,

    but in my favor I have had mercy on you.

11 Your gates also shall be open continually; they shall not be shut day nor night, that men may bring to you the wealth of the nations, and their kings led captive.

12 For that nation and kingdom that will not serve you shall perish; yes, those nations shall be utterly wasted.

13 “The glory of Lebanon shall come to you, the cypress tree, the pine, and the box tree together, to beautify the place of my sanctuary; and I will make the place of My feet glorious.

14 The sons of those who afflicted you will come bowing to you;

    and all those who despised you will bow themselves down at the soles of your feet.

They will call you Hashem’s City,

    the Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

15 “Whereas you have been forsaken and hated,

    so that no one passed through you,

I will make you an eternal excellency,

    a joy of many generations.

16 You will also drink the milk of the nations,

    and will nurse from royal breasts.

Then you will know that I, Hashem, am your Savior,

    your Redeemer,

    the Mighty One of Jacob.

17 For bronze I will bring gold;

    for iron I will bring silver;

    for wood, bronze,

    and for stones, iron.

I will also make peace your governor,

    and righteousness your ruler.

18 Violence shall no more be heard in your land,

    nor desolation or destruction within your borders;

but you will call your walls Salvation,

    and your gates Praise.

19 The sun will be no more your light by day;

    nor will the brightness of the moon give light to you,

but Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and your Elohim will be your glory.

20 Your sun will not go down any more,

    nor will your moon withdraw itself;

for Hashem will be your everlasting light,

    and the days of your mourning will end.

21 Then your people will all be righteous.

    They will inherit the land forever,

    the branch of my planting,

    the work of my hands,

    that I may be glorified.

22 The little one will become a thousand,

    and the small one a strong nation.

    I, Hashem, will do this quickly in its time.”

Apostolic Writing

My Thoughts:

What did Yeshua mean when He said, “Repent for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Verse 11) Did He mean that He was bringing in the Kingdom? Was He? All that has been taught says He came to be crucified and when He was the Kingdom was “delayed”. My thought is that He did come to bring the Kingdom of Heaven. He taught Torah and His objective was to bring people back to Hashem. He knew if people did not quickly turn their hearts to Hashem, that the Temple was coming down, and the people would be dispersed. Could it be that if they would have not crucified Him -- the Temple would have stayed and He would have ushered in the Kingdom of Heaven. Something to think about.

Challenge:

In verse 23 we read, “Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.” Yeshua was a Jewish Rabbi. He taught in the synagogues. He taught Torah and repentance. He taught about the Kingdom of Heaven. And we killed Him. The only begotten Son of Hashem. But, here is the real good news. The Mashiach will return to Jerusalem to the Temple, where He will rule and reign forever. Alongside the glory of Hashem will fill the earth. These are wonderful things to look forward to. Your challenge today -- study the words of Yeshua and try to reflect His teachings. All His teachings are about the heart of Torah, the heart of Hashem. If you follow Him and follow His teachings your life will be full, and you will have real hope for the Olam Haba (the world to come). Amen. 

Apostolic Writing: Matthew 4:13-24

4:13 Leaving Nazareth, He came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, 14 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through Isaiah the prophet, saying,

15 “The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali,

    toward the sea, beyond the Jordan,

    Galilee of the Gentiles,

16 the people who sat in darkness saw a great light;

    to those who sat in the region and shadow of death,

    to them light has dawned.” Isaiah 9:1-2

17 From that time, Yeshua began to preach, and to say, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.”

18 Walking by the sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers: Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 He said to them, “Come after me, and I will make you fishers for men.”

20 They immediately left their nets and followed him. 21 Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them. 22 They immediately left the boat and their father, and followed Him.

23 Yeshua went about in all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the Good News of the Kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people. 24 The report about Him went out into all Syria. They brought to Him all who were sick, afflicted with various diseases and torments, possessed with demons, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Ki Tavo - Reading #6

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In
Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 28:7–69

My Thoughts:

Blessings and curses, that is today’s study. Chapter 28 is known for these. And the contingencies of each are clear. If you follow Him and His Commandments -- you are blessed. If you don’t, you are cursed. Look at verse 10. Here is a new promise, “All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Hashem’s name, and they will be afraid of you.” How will they see you are “called” by “Hashem’s name”? I am thinking that your blessings will be so great and that you will ALL the glory to Hashem, that they will begin to see it is Him who gave it all to you. When they come to know the name of Hashem, then they will know it is He that called you! They will connect all the dots. And it will be obvious. That’s how I want to be and live. That I have followed Hashem with such excellence that His blessings will shine in my life and lead others to His name! Amen!

Challenge:

Verse 46 says that Hashem’s commandments and statutes, “They will be for a sign and for a wonder to you and to your offspring forever.” A sign because these commandments are unique only to Torah. And a wonder because they will be wonderful to follow and the blessings will astonish you. Don’t you want “signs and wonders” in your life? I do! Let’s commit to following Torah to the best we are able, and let’s start doing that today. That is my challenge for you. 

Reading #6 - Deuteronomy 28:7–69

28:7 Hashem will cause your enemies who rise up against you to be struck before you. They will come out against you one way, and will flee before you seven ways. 8 Hashem will command the blessing on you in your barns, and in all that you put your hand to. He will bless you in the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you. 9 Hashem will establish you for a holy people to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Hashem your Elohim and walk in His ways. 10 All the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by Hashem’s name, and they will be afraid of you. 11 Hashem will grant you abundant prosperity in the fruit of your body, in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Hashem swore to your fathers to give you. 12 Hashem will open to you His good treasure in the sky, to give the rain of your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. You will lend to many nations, and you will not borrow. 13 Hashem will make you the head, and not the tail. You will be above only, and you will not be beneath, if you listen to the commandments of Hashem your Elohim which I command you today, to observe and to do, 14 and shall not turn away from any of the words which I command you today, to the right hand or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

15 But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come on you and overtake you. 16 You will be cursed in the city, and you will be cursed in the field. 17 Your basket and your kneading trough will be cursed. 18 The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock will be cursed. 19 You will be cursed when you come in, and you will be cursed when you go out. 20 Hashem will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you put your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the evil of your doings, by which you have forsaken me. 21 Hashem will make the pestilence cling to you, until He has consumed you from off the land where you go in to possess it. 22 Hashem will strike you with consumption, with fever, with inflammation, with fiery heat, with the sword, with blight, and with mildew. They will pursue you until you perish. 23 Your sky that is over your head will be bronze, and the earth that is under you will be iron. 24 Hashem will make the rain of your land powder and dust. It will come down on you from the sky, until you are destroyed. 25 Hashem will cause you to be struck before your enemies. You will go out one way against them, and will flee seven ways before them. You will be tossed back and forth among all the kingdoms of the earth. 26 Your dead bodies will be food to all birds of the sky, and to the animals of the earth; and there will be no one to frighten them away. 27 Hashem will strike you with the boils of Egypt, with the tumors, with the scurvy, and with the itch, of which you can not be healed. 28 Hashem will strike you with madness, with blindness, and with astonishment of heart. 29 You will grope at noonday, as the blind gropes in darkness, and you shall not prosper in your ways. You will only be oppressed and robbed always, and there will be no one to save you. 30 You will betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her. You will build a house, and you won’t dwell in it. You will plant a vineyard, and not use its fruit. 31 Your ox will be slain before your eyes, and you will not eat any of it. Your donkey will be violently taken away from before your face, and will not be restored to you. Your sheep will be given to your enemies, and you will have no one to save you. 32 Your sons and your daughters will be given to another people. Your eyes will look, and fail with longing for them all day long. There will be no power in your hand. 33 A nation which you don’t know will eat the fruit of your ground and all of your work. You will only be oppressed and crushed always, 34 so that the sights that you see with your eyes will drive you mad. 35 Hashem will strike you in the knees and in the legs with a sore boil, of which you cannot be healed, from the sole of your foot to the crown of your head. 36 Hashem will bring you, and your king whom you will set over yourselves, to a nation that you have not known, you nor your fathers. There you will serve other gods of wood and stone. 37 You will become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword among all the peoples where Hashem will lead you away. 38 You will carry much seed out into the field, and will gather little in, for the locust will consume it. 39 You will plant vineyards and dress them, but you will neither drink of the wine, nor harvest, because worms will eat them. 40 You will have olive trees throughout all your borders, but you won’t anoint yourself with the oil, for your olives will drop off. 41 You will father sons and daughters, but they will not be yours, for they will go into captivity. 42 Locusts will consume all of your trees and the fruit of your ground. 43 The foreigner who is among you will mount up above you higher and higher, and you will come down lower and lower. 44 He will lend to you, and you won’t lend to him. He will be the head, and you will be the tail.

45 All these curses will come on you, and will pursue you and overtake you, until you are destroyed, because you didn’t listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to keep his commandments and His statutes which He commanded you. 46 They will be for a sign and for a wonder to you and to your offspring forever. 47 Because you didn’t serve Hashem your Elohim with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things; 48 therefore you will serve your enemies whom Hashem sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things. He will put an iron yoke on your neck until he has destroyed you. 49 Hashem will bring a nation against you from far, from the end of the earth, as the eagle flies: a nation whose language you will not understand, 50 a nation of fierce facial expressions, that doesn’t respect the elderly, nor show favor to the young. 51 They will eat the fruit of your livestock and the fruit of your ground, until you are destroyed. They also won’t leave you grain, new wine, oil, the increase of your livestock, or the young of your flock, until they have caused you to perish. 52 They will besiege you in all your gates until your high and fortified walls in which you trusted come down throughout all your land. They will besiege you in all your gates throughout all your land which Hashem your Elohim has given you. 53 You will eat the fruit of your own body, the flesh of your sons and of your daughters, whom Hashem your Elohim has given you, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemies will distress you. 54 The man who is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye will be evil toward his brother, toward the wife whom he loves, and toward the remnant of his children whom he has remaining, 55 so that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he will eat, because he has nothing left to him, in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in all your gates. 56 The tender and delicate woman among you, who would not venture to set the sole of her foot on the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye will be evil toward the husband that she loves, toward her son, toward her daughter, 57 toward her young one who comes out from between her feet, and toward her children whom she bears; for she will eat them secretly for lack of all things in the siege and in the distress with which your enemy will distress you in your gates. 58 If you will not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and fearful name, Hashem your Elohim 59 then Hashem will make your plagues and the plagues of your offspring fearful, even great plagues, and of long duration, and severe sicknesses, and of long duration. 60 He will bring on you again all the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of; and they will cling to you. 61 Also every sickness and every plague which is not written in the book of this law, Hashem will bring them on you until you are destroyed. 62 You will be left few in number, even though you were as the stars of the sky for multitude, because you didn’t listen to Hashem your Elohim voice. 63 It will happen that as Hashem rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Hashem will rejoice over you to cause you to perish and to destroy you. You will be plucked from the land that you are going in to possess. 64 Hashem will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth. There you will serve other gods which you have not known, you nor your fathers, even wood and stone. 65 Among these nations you will find no ease, and there will be no rest for the sole of your foot; but Hashem will give you there a trembling heart, failing of eyes, and pining of soul. 66 Your life will hang in doubt before you. You will be afraid night and day, and will have no assurance of your life. 67 In the morning you will say, “I wish it were evening!” and at evening you will say, “I wish it were morning!” for the fear of your heart which you will fear, and for the sights which your eyes will see. 68 Hashem will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I told to you that you would never see it again. There you will offer yourselves to your enemies for male and female slaves, and nobody will buy you.

Ki Tavo - Reading #5

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

My Thoughts:

Here are some Commandments from Hashem. And following them comes a very special blessing in 28:2 “All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice.” Isn’t that so amazing? That not only are you going to be blessed, but that the blessings will “overtake” you. That’s a lot of blessings! Have you ever been overtaken by anything? This is being taken by something really good, Hashem’s blessings. Common sense would tell me that if I only obey and listen to Hashem -- I will be super blessed. What’s so hard to understand about that? 

Challenge:

Verse 27:26 tells us what happens if we do NOT follow Hashem’s commandments, “Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.” Simply said, if you don’t do what He has told us to do, you will be cursed. Do we really understand the “weight” of these words? Do we really understand what being “cursed” means? Continuing on in Chapter 28 we will see. The results of the curse are explained. My point is this -- do we really want to be cursed? Or even this, do we believe that we will? I guess if you don’t believe in the one true Elohim, then you don’t believe that you can be cursed. That’s a real problem and that is exactly what is going on today. I live in a country that for the most part is ruled by “godless” people. People who do not believe or honor Hashem in any way, shape or form. And because of this our country is a total mess. In the truest sense we have been “cursed”. And we are on our own. My challenge to you today is to think about what you can do about this. How can you be a part of helping our country, our government and our people to return to Hashem? How can you help “reverse the curse”? The answer is simple. Pray and be a light to His truth. Pray that the people in the USA will return their hearts to Hashem. That they will start following and obeying Him. Then pray that He will return to us. Be a part of changing hearts by being a “light” to His truth and how by following Torah you are being blessed. It starts with you and me. It can begin today. 

Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 27:11–28:6

11 Moses commanded the people the same day, saying, 12 “These shall stand on Mount Gerizim to bless the people, when you have crossed over the Jordan: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin. 13 These shall stand on Mount Ebal for the curse: Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan, and Naphtali. 14 With a loud voice, the Levites shall say to all the men of Israel, 15 ‘Cursed is the man who makes an engraved or molten image, an abomination to Hashem, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and sets it up in secret.’

All the people shall answer and say, ‘Amen.’

16 ‘Cursed is he who dishonors his father or his mother.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

17 ‘Cursed is he who removes his neighbor’s landmark.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

18 ‘Cursed is he who leads the blind astray on the road.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

19 ‘Cursed is he who withholds justice from the foreigner, fatherless, and widow.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

20 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his father’s wife, because he dishonors his father’s bed.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

21 ‘Cursed is he who lies with any kind of animal.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

22 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his sister, his father’s daughter or his mother’s daughter.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

23 ‘Cursed is he who lies with his mother-in-law.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

24 ‘Cursed is he who secretly kills his neighbor.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

25 ‘Cursed is he who takes a bribe to kill an innocent person.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’

26 ‘Cursed is he who doesn’t uphold the words of this law by doing them.’

All the people shall say, ‘Amen.’”

28:1 It shall happen, if you shall listen diligently to Hashem your Elohim’s voice, to observe to do all His commandments which I command you today, that Hashem your Elohim will set you high above all the nations of the earth. 2 All these blessings will come upon you, and overtake you, if you listen to Hashem your Elohim’s voice. 3 You shall be blessed in the city, and you shall be blessed in the field. 4 You shall be blessed in the fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the fruit of your animals, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock. 5 Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. 6 You shall be blessed when you come in, and you shall be blessed when you go out.

Ki Tavo - Reading #4

Ki Tavo כִּי-תָבוֹא - When You Enter In

Deuteronomy 26:1-29:8

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

My Thoughts:

In verse 7 we read again that after your sacrifice to Hashem your Elohim, you are to rejoice! Sometimes when I read about sacrifices it seems like they are somewhat challenging. Bringing in a spotless offering to the Tabernacle/Temple to the priest, having him slaughter it, then cooking and eating it (the ones that you are permitted to eat). But, we don’t realize that this is all done for Hashem! The creator of the universes! It’s not just some “chore”, it is a total privilege and blessing! So, that’s when we rejoice. When we realize it is Hashem, the L-rd of L-rds, the Elohim of all -- that is who we are giving to. And what an honor that it is. All so much worth giving Him glory and praise! We don’t have the type of offering today, but we can do other “offerings”. And when we do, be sure to rejoice before Him! Giving and then rejoicing, something we are not used to?

Challenge:

In verse 9 Moses tells the people to be quiet and listen. That they have become the people of Hashem, so obey His Commandments. I believe these words are “alive” today. We are to be listening to the voice of Hashem -- but we need to get quiet to do so! We can’t hear His voice when we are leading busy and LOUD lives! Going places, doing things...talking and texting. We need to find a place to get quiet so we can hear His voice. Picture a house full of kids playing, shrieking with laughter and running around. But, one of the kids is trying to talk to you. You can’t hear him/her because of all the noise! Same with Hashem. If we have so much going on around us we won’t be able to hear Him speak. So that’s the challenge today. Get somewhere quiet and peaceful. Spend some time praising Hashem. Then listen to what He wants to tell you. It will change your life for sure.

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 27:1–10

7 Moses and the elders of Israel commanded the people, saying, “Keep all the commandments which I command you today. 2 It shall be on the day when you shall pass over the Jordan to the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, that you shall set yourself up great stones, and coat them with plaster. 3 You shall write on them all the words of this law, when you have passed over, that you may go into the land which Hashem your Elohim gives you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, has promised you. 4 It shall be, when you have crossed over the Jordan, that you shall set up these stones, which I command you today, on Mount Ebal, and you shall coat them with plaster. 5 There you shall build an altar to Hashem your Elohim, an altar of stones. You shall not use any iron tool on them. 6 You shall build Hashem your Elohim’s altar of uncut stones. You shall offer burnt offerings on it to Hashem your Elohim 7 You shall sacrifice peace offerings, and shall eat there. You shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim 8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very plainly.”

9 Moses and the Levitical priests spoke to all Israel, saying, “Be silent and listen, Israel! Today you have become the people of Hashem your Elohim 10 You shall therefore obey Hashem your Elohim’s voice, and do His commandments and His statutes, which I command you today.”

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.

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.”

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.