Lech-Lecha - Reading #2

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #2 -  Genesis 12:14–13:4        

My Thoughts:

I always thought Abram was lying about Sarai being his sister. But really in a way it is true. Some think she is his half-sister, and that they have the same father -- Terah. Others think that she could have been Abram’s niece. So, was Abram (Abraham) lying? And he does this again further on in Scripture.

We will never know the absolute truth about all this but just think -- if your life and your beloved wife’s life was in jeopardy would you lie? Or would you agree to speaking a “half-truth”? I think about how people hid Jews in their homes during the Holocaust. If a Nazi official came to their home they would lie to save the Jews they were hiding. Is that okay? Of course! I had a great uncle who hid out a family of Jews in his home (or as the story goes), and I had other relatives in Europe that gave their lives to the underground in Poland. 

I guess sometimes if a life is involved, you must go before Hashem and seek Him on what to do. 

Challenge: 

Think about a time where you may have said a “white lie” to protect yourself or someone else. Was it truly necessary? Would you do it again? What did you learn from that situation?

Reading #2 -  Genesis 12:14–13:4   

12:14 When Abram had come into Egypt, Egyptians saw that the woman was very beautiful. 15 The princes of Pharaoh saw her, and praised her to Pharaoh; and the woman was taken into Pharaoh’s house. 16 He dealt well with Abram for her sake. He had sheep, cattle, male donkeys, male servants, female servants, female donkeys, and camels. 17 Hashem afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues because of Sarai, Abram’s wife. 18 Pharaoh called Abram and said, “What is this that you have done to me? Why didn’t you tell me that she was your wife? 19 Why did you say, ‘She is my sister,’ so that I took her to be my wife? Now therefore, see your wife, take her, and go your way.”

20 Pharaoh commanded men concerning him, and they escorted him away with his wife and all that he had.

13 Abram went up out of Egypt—he, his wife, all that he had, and Lot with him—into the South. 2 Abram was very rich in livestock, in silver, and in gold. 3 He went on his journeys from the South as far as Bethel, to the place where his tent had been at the beginning, between Bethel and Ai, 4 to the place of the altar, which he had made there at the first. There Abram called on Hashem’s name.

Lech-Lecha - Reading #1

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Torah Portion Genesis 12:1-17:27

Reading #1 - Genesis 12:1–13              

My Thoughts:

How strong and confident Abram must have been in hearing the voice of Hashem. Can you imagine uprooting your whole family and taking them to an “occupied” land. And then to be told that Hashem was going to make you a “great nation”. One would have to be absolutely sure you were hearing from Hashem. Abram must have been in a very close relationship with Hashem. I wonder if we could have the same type of relationship?

Challenge: 

Do you hear Hashem’s voice clearly in your life? A while ago, my husband and I were taught something called “listening prayer”. We would take a prayer request to Hashem by sitting together, getting quiet, asking Him a question and then LISTENING to what He told us. It was interesting because so many times we would each “hear” the same thing from Hashem. I challenge you today to do some “listening prayer”. All you have to do is get into a quiet space, ask your question or request of Hashem, and get quiet and listen to Him. Usually it’s the first thing that comes into your mind. It could be Scripture, a “yes”, “no” or “wait”, or it could actually be some unexpected action you are to take. Try it. You will be amazed. You will learn to listen to Hashem just like Abram did.

Reading #1 - Genesis 12:1–13

12 Now Hashem said to Abram, “Leave your country, and your relatives, and your father’s house, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and make your name great. You will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who treats you with contempt. All the families of the earth will be blessed through you.”

4 So Abram went, as Hashem had told him. Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. 5 Abram took Sarai his wife, Lot his brother’s son, all their possessions that they had gathered, and the people whom they had acquired in Haran, and they went to go into the land of Canaan. They entered into the land of Canaan. 6 Abram passed through the land to the place of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. At that time, Canaanites were in the land.

7 Hashem appeared to Abram and said, “I will give this land to your offspring.”

He built an altar there to Hashem, who had appeared to him. 8 He left from there to go to the mountain on the east of Bethel and pitched his tent, having Bethel on the west, and Ai on the east. There he built an altar to Hashem and called on Hashem’s name. 9 Abram traveled, still going on toward the South.

10 There was a famine in the land. Abram went down into Egypt to live as a foreigner there, for the famine was severe in the land. 11 When he had come near to enter Egypt, he said to Sarai his wife, “See now, I know that you are a beautiful woman to look at. 12 It will happen that when the Egyptians see you, they will say, ‘This is his wife.’ They will kill me, but they will save you alive. 13 Please say that you are my sister, that it may be well with me for your sake, and that my soul may live because of you.”

Lech-Lecha - Week #3

Lech-Lecha לֶךְ-לְךָ Go Forth Yourself!

Genesis 12:1-17:27

Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Luke 17:20-27

1.1 First reading — Genesis 12:1–13

1.2 Second reading — Genesis 12:14–13:4

1.3 Third reading — Genesis 13:5–18

1.4 Fourth reading — Genesis 14:1–20

1.5 Fifth reading — Genesis 14:21–15:6

1.6 Sixth reading — Genesis 15:7–17:6

1.7 Seventh reading — Genesis 17:7–27

Noach - Reading #7

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Haftarah: Isaiah 54:1-55:5

Apostolic Scripture: Luke 17:20-27

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 11:1–32         

My Thoughts: 

In Genesis 9:7 Hashem says “Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.” I believe He wanted Noah’s families to literally go out and populate the earth. But we see in this week’s portion that the desire of the new families and a couple of generations is to try and make “a name” for themselves, and build a tower that reaches heaven -- so that they will not be dispersed.

Instead of following their Creator’s desires to be fruitful and to go populate the earth, they want to huddle together in one place and to be important. The end result of their sin of “pride and gain” is to be scattered and having different languages. Some see this as the start of the 70 nations later mentioned in Scripture. 

Lesson to be learned. You may try and change what Hashem has planned for you and because you did -- experience the consequence you most feared. Better to seek His plan first, follow it and be blessed.

Challenge:

Can you think of a time where you knew you were choosing to do something that you knew was not right, but you got stubborn and did it anyway? What happened when you did that? Go back and think about what may have happened. What blessing do you think you missed out on? 

READING #7 - Genesis 11:1–32 

11 The whole earth was of one language and of one speech. 2 As they traveled east, they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they lived there. 3 They said to one another, “Come, let’s make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they used tar for mortar. 4 They said, “Come, let’s build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top reaches to the sky, and let’s make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad on the surface of the whole earth.”

5 Hashem came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men built. 6 Hashem said, “Behold, they are one people, and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do. Now nothing will be withheld from them, which they intend to do. 7 Come, let’s go down, and there confuse their language, that they may not understand one another’s speech.” 8 So Hashem scattered them abroad from there on the surface of all the earth. They stopped building the city. 9 Therefore its name was called Babel, because there Hashem confused the language of all the earth. From there, Hashem scattered them abroad on the surface of all the earth.

10 This is the history of the generations of Shem: Shem was one hundred years old when he became the father of Arpachshad two years after the flood. 11 Shem lived five hundred years after he became the father of Arpachshad, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

12 Arpachshad lived thirty-five years and became the father of Shelah. 13 Arpachshad lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Shelah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

14 Shelah lived thirty years, and became the father of Eber. 15 Shelah lived four hundred three years after he became the father of Eber, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

16 Eber lived thirty-four years, and became the father of Peleg. 17 Eber lived four hundred thirty years after he became the father of Peleg, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

18 Peleg lived thirty years, and became the father of Reu. 19 Peleg lived two hundred nine years after he became the father of Reu, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

20 Reu lived thirty-two years, and became the father of Serug. 21 Reu lived two hundred seven years after he became the father of Serug, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

22 Serug lived thirty years, and became the father of Nahor. 23 Serug lived two hundred years after he became the father of Nahor, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

24 Nahor lived twenty-nine years, and became the father of Terah. 25 Nahor lived one hundred nineteen years after he became the father of Terah, and became the father of more sons and daughters.

26 Terah lived seventy years, and became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran.

27 Now this is the history of the generations of Terah. Terah became the father of Abram, Nahor, and Haran. Haran became the father of Lot. 28 Haran died in the land of his birth, in Ur of the Chaldees, while his father Terah was still alive. 29 Abram and Nahor married wives. The name of Abram’s wife was Sarai, and the name of Nahor’s wife was Milcah, the daughter of Haran, who was also the father of Iscah. 30 Sarai was barren. She had no child. 31 Terah took Abram his son, Lot the son of Haran, his son’s son, and Sarai his daughter-in-law, his son Abram’s wife. They went from Ur of the Chaldees, to go into the land of Canaan. They came to Haran and lived there. 32 The days of Terah were two hundred and five years. Terah died in Haran.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts:

Even though Hashem’s people have been dispersed throughout time -- to the nations -- for their sins, He always gathers them back. That is just what has been happening the past 70 years in Israel. Jews from all over the world have been brought back to Israel. And that is just the start. In the Messianic Age we will all be gathered back to Him. And what a wonderful day that will be!

In verse 10 we read, ‘My loving kindness will not depart from you, and My covenant of peace will not be removed.” That is a promise for the future, but also a promise for today. We just need to step into this promise and accept it with a thankful heart.

Challenge:

There are times in our lives where we stray from Hashem. But, when push comes to shove, we usually return. Look at your life today. Is there an area in your life you have strayed from Hashem and need to repent and return? Do it quickly so that you can receive His promise of the covenants of peace and kindness.

Isaiah 54:1-55:5

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.

11 “You afflicted, tossed with storms, and not comforted, behold, I will set your stones in beautiful colors,and lay your foundations with sapphires. 12 I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of sparkling jewels, and all your walls of precious stones. 13 All your children will be taught by Hashem; and your children’s peace will be great. 14 You will be established in righteousness. You will be far from oppression, for you will not be afraid, and far from terror,for it shall not come near you. 15 Behold, they may gather together, but not by Me. Whoever gathers together against you will fall because of you.

16 “Behold, I have created the blacksmith who fans the coals into flame, and forges a weapon for his work; and I have created the destroyer to destroy. 17 No weapon that is formed against you will prevail; and you will condemn every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of Hashem’s servants, and their righteousness is of Me,” says Hashem.

55 “Hey! Come, everyone who thirsts, to the waters! Come, he who has no money, buy, and eat! Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. 2 Why do you spend money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which doesn’t satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in richness. 3 Turn your ear, and come to me. Hear, and your soul will live.  I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. 4 Behold, I have given him for a witness to the peoples, a leader and commander to the peoples. 5 Behold, you shall call a nation that you don’t know; and a nation that didn’t know you shall run to you, because of Hashem your Elohim, and for the Holy One of Israel; for He has glorified you.”

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts:

History repeats itself often. An entire planet of people was wiped out because of corruption and Yeshua says that will happen again if we are not careful. His promise is to return and rule and reign. But, He gives us a choice now. Do we want to follow Him or follow man? Do we want to be in His kingdom or the kingdom of darkness. Decide now, before you get swept away in the “flood”.

Challenge:

I look at my life and think about Noah and his righteous life. Does my life even come close? Not hardly. I am so affected by the world around me. I react in the flesh to worries, gossip, criticism and everything. I try to go to Hashem first but usually act on my own. My challenge today is to you and me! Let’s stop before we react to the temptations and failures of the world -- and pray. Let’s look to G-d first for an answer and a reaction. Let’s learn to become righteous like Noah.

Luke 17:20-27

17:20 Being asked by the Pharisees when Hashem’s Kingdom would come, He answered them, “Elohim’s Kingdom doesn’t come with observation; 21 neither will they say, ‘Look, here!’ or, ‘Look, there!’ for behold, Elohim’s Kingdom is within you.”

22 He said to the disciples, “The days will come when you will desire to see one of the days of the Son of Man, and you will not see it. 23 They will tell you, ‘Look, here!’ or ‘Look, there!’ Don’t go away or follow after them, 24 for as the lightning, when it flashes out of one part under the sky, shines to another part under the sky; so will the Son of Man be in His day. 25 But first, He must suffer many things and be rejected by this generation. 26 As it was in the days of Noah, even so it will also be in the days of the Son of Man. 27 They ate, they drank, they married, and they were given in marriage until the day that Noah entered into the ship, and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Noach - Reading #6

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Reading #6 -  Genesis 9:18–10:32         

My Thoughts: 

The start of a new world. Hashem literally erases the face of the earth except for this small family. Eight adults survive a catastrophic event. And eight are left to repopulate the world. Because Noah was righteous, one would assume his sons were also. And maybe they were. But, what about their three wives? 

I had this thought that maybe the wives were NOT descendants of Adam, but were descendants of the “sons of man” or the generations of peoples first created in Genesis Chapter 1. I realize that there isn’t a lot of support that this could be true -- that a generation of people before Adam and Eve were created. But to me it makes sense that Hashem could have created man and woman, but they were disobedient. So, He created special people -- Adam and Eve and the Garden. 

Whatever happened, could it be that the wives of the sons of Noah were not righteous? If they were not, that might explain how the earth became corrupt again so quickly. Maybe Hashem thought they would change in the presence and teaching of Noah. It is just so sad that we are given a new start and we fail. Once again. Praise Hashem He is forgiving and full of grace.

Challenge:

Has Hashem ever given you a new start in life? Maybe a new job, or a new city to start over in? Only when you get the “new start” you find yourself just falling into your old self, your old not so good habits? I challenge you to think that every day can be a “new start”. When you wake up in the morning, greet Hashem. Tell Him you are thankful for today, that you love Him and that you will try your best today to FOLLOW HIM. Soon you can make this a habit!

Reading #6 - Genesis 9:18–10:32

9:18 The sons of Noah who went out from the ship were Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Ham is the father of Canaan. 19 These three were the sons of Noah, and from these the whole earth was populated.

20 Noah began to be a farmer, and planted a vineyard. 21 He drank of the wine and got drunk. He was uncovered within his tent. 22 Ham, the father of Canaan, saw the nakedness of his father, and told his two brothers outside. 23 Shem and Japheth took a garment, and laid it on both their shoulders, went in backwards, and covered the nakedness of their father. Their faces were backwards, and they didn’t see their father’s nakedness. 24 Noah awoke from his wine, and knew what his youngest son had done to him. 25 He said,

“Canaan is cursed. He will be a servant of servants to his brothers.”

26 He said, “Blessed be Hashem, the Elohim of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant. 27 May Elohim enlarge Japheth. Let him dwell in the tents of Shem. Let Canaan be his servant.”

28 Noah lived three hundred fifty years after the flood. 29 All the days of Noah were nine hundred fifty years, and then he died.

10 Now this is the history of the generations of the sons of Noah and of Shem, Ham, and Japheth. Sons were born to them after the flood.

2 The sons of Japheth were: Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech, and Tiras. 3 The sons of Gomer were: Ashkenaz, Riphath, and Togarmah. 4 The sons of Javan were: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim, and Dodanim. 5 Of these were the islands of the nations divided in their lands, everyone after his language, after their families, in their nations.

6 The sons of Ham were: Cush, Mizraim, Put, and Canaan. 7 The sons of Cush were: Seba, Havilah, Sabtah, Raamah, and Sabteca. The sons of Raamah were: Sheba and Dedan. 8 Cush became the father of Nimrod. He began to be a mighty one in the earth. 9 He was a mighty hunter before Hashem. Therefore it is said, “like Nimrod, a mighty hunter before Hashem”. 10 The beginning of his kingdom was Babel, Erech, Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. 11 Out of that land he went into Assyria, and built Nineveh, Rehoboth Ir, Calah, 12 and Resen between Nineveh and the great city Calah. 13 Mizraim became the father of Ludim, Anamim, Lehabim, Naphtuhim, 14 Pathrusim, Casluhim (which the Philistines descended from), and Caphtorim.

15 Canaan became the father of Sidon (his firstborn), Heth, 16 the Jebusites, the Amorites, the Girgashites, 17 the Hivites, the Arkites, the Sinites, 18 the Arvadites, the Zemarites, and the Hamathites. Afterward the families of the Canaanites were spread abroad. 19 The border of the Canaanites was from Sidon—as you go toward Gerar—to Gaza—as you go toward Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboiim—to Lasha. 20 These are the sons of Ham, after their families, according to their languages, in their lands and their nations.

21 Children were also born to Shem (the elder brother of Japheth), the father of all the children of Eber. 22 The sons of Shem were: Elam, Asshur, Arpachshad, Lud, and Aram. 23 The sons of Aram were: Uz, Hul, Gether, and Mash. 24 Arpachshad became the father of Shelah. Shelah became the father of Eber. 25 To Eber were born two sons. The name of the one was Peleg, for in his days the earth was divided. His brother’s name was Joktan. 26 Joktan became the father of Almodad, Sheleph, Hazarmaveth, Jerah, 27 Hadoram, Uzal, Diklah, 28 Obal, Abimael, Sheba, 29 Ophir, Havilah, and Jobab. All these were the sons of Joktan. 30 Their dwelling extended from Mesha, as you go toward Sephar, the mountain of the east. 31 These are the sons of Shem, by their families, according to their languages, lands, and nations.

32 These are the families of the sons of Noah, by their generations, according to their nations. The nations divided from these in the earth after the flood.

Noach - Reading #5

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Reading #5 -  Genesis 9:8–17         

My Thoughts: 

A covenant with Hashem is a sacred agreement. It will never be broken by Him. This covenant He makes with Noah and “every living creature of all flesh” is to never flood the earth again, never. It is said by many that this is the first formal covenant between Hashem and man. There are approximately six covenants that follow later.

A rainbow is a sign of Hashem’s promise to His creation. It can be used by various groups of peoples in different times to mean other things - but the true Biblical and authentic meaning is a sign of Hashem’s eternal promise never to flood the earth.

When my husband and daughters were praying about adopting two baby brothers from Korea, we saw a double rainbow in the sky! We knew it was a sign from Hashem that adopting these two wonderful boys was going to be a blessing and that He would be with us every step of the way! I can testify that after 35 years this is true! My sons have blessed us and others in many special ways! 

This about what this special covenant that Hashem made with Noah - means to you. Bring what happened thousands of years ago to our present day. What have we learned?

Challenge:

Have you ever made an agreement with Hashem? Did you ever say to Him, “G-d if you give me this or if you do this, then I promise I will never -------- again.” Try to remember the time(s) you did this. And if you haven’t held fast to your agreement with Him, I would suggest you get on your knees and repent. And make it right.

Reading #5 - Genesis 9:8–17

9:8 Elohim spoke to Noah and to his sons with him, saying, 9 “As for me, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your offspring after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you: the birds, the livestock, and every animal of the earth with you, of all that go out of the ship, even every animal of the earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you: All flesh will not be cut off any more by the waters of the flood. There will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 Elohim said, “This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: 13 I set my rainbow in the cloud, and it will be a sign of a covenant between me and the earth. 14 When I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow will be seen in the cloud, 15 I will remember my covenant, which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh, and the waters will no more become a flood to destroy all flesh. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud. I will look at it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between Elohim and every living creature of all flesh that is on the earth.” 17 Elohim said to Noah, “This is the token of the covenant which I have established between me and all flesh that is on the earth.”

Noach - Reading #4

Noach נֹחַ - Rest

Torah Portion Genesis 6:9-11:32

Reading #4 - Genesis 8:15–9:7           

My Thoughts: 

A common thread through the first nine chapters of Genesis is “be fruitful and multiply” (verse 9:1). It is believed by many that this is actually the first commandment that Hashem gives to man. It is considered the “great Mitzvah”. Meaning the greatest commandment of all. And what is really interesting is in the Talmud it is believed that when every soul from heaven is delivered to creation on the earth, then the Mashiach (Messiah) will come! That is truly an interesting thought.

This is an area that each of us really need to give prayerful consideration. Do we allow Hashem to dictate how many children we have or do we do things (birth control, abortion, etc.) that inhibit His plans? Think of the “souls” that Hashem could have placed into His creation that were interrupted by our selfishness and “family planning” ideas. This is something to really take a pause and pray about.

Challenge:

Do some research today on the forms of birth control available. Look at what they actually do. Do they prohibit and destroy a fertilized egg from implanting into the uterus? If so, then is birth control actually destroying conception - a created being? You may be surprised by what you discover.

Reading #4 - Genesis 8:15–9:7  

8:15 Elohim spoke to Noah, saying, 16 “Go out of the ship, you, your wife, your sons, and your sons’ wives with you. 17 Bring out with you every living thing that is with you of all flesh, including birds, livestock, and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, that they may breed abundantly in the earth, and be fruitful, and multiply on the earth.”

18 Noah went out, with his sons, his wife, and his sons’ wives with him. 19 Every animal, every creeping thing, and every bird, whatever moves on the earth, after their families, went out of the ship.

20 Noah built an altar to Hashem, and took one of every clean animal, and of every clean bird, and offered burnt offerings on the altar. 21 Hashem smelled the pleasant aroma. Hashem said in His heart, “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake because the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. I will never again strike every living thing, as I have done. 22 While the earth remains, seed time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

9 Elohim blessed Noah and his sons, and said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, and replenish the earth. 2 The fear of you and the dread of you will be on every animal of the earth, and on every bird of the sky. Everything that moves along the ground, and all the fish of the sea, are delivered into your hand. 3 Every moving thing that lives will be food for you. As I gave you the green herb, I have given everything to you. 4 But flesh with its life, that is, its blood, you shall not eat. 5 I will surely require accounting for your life’s blood. At the hand of every animal I will require it. At the hand of man, even at the hand of every man’s brother, I will require the life of man. 6 Whoever sheds man’s blood, his blood will be shed by man, for Elohim made man in His own image. 7 Be fruitful and multiply. Increase abundantly in the earth, and multiply in it.”