Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #7

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

Reading #7 - Leviticus 20:8-27

My Thoughts:

Hashem gives us commands to make our lives better, not to “burden” us. We ought to count it joy to be able to love and serve Hashem through His Word and directions. In verse 23 He tells us, “You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you…”. There is an obvious reason for this command. There is an old saying, “You are who you hang with”. And this is so true. If you have drinking buddies you drink. If you hang around people who smoke you will likely be smoking. If they party, you will join them. But, if you associate with people who love and fear Elohim, who encourage you through prayer and actions -- you will become like them! It is super important we have friends and family who love Hashem, read Scripture and know the importance of following Torah. This will lead toward growth and a better relationship with the Father. Take time to reflect on this and who you are walking with. It could change your life, and others!

Challenge:

The first verse today (20:8) ‘You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Hashem who sanctifies you.’ clearly instructs us that we must keep Torah and DO Torah. Why? Because He makes us holy, He sanctifies us. Through following and doing Torah, He finds a way to make us holy. Without Torah it is like we are lost in a storm. The world is getting darker and harder. Torah is light and easy. It is a complete joy to communicate with Adonai and follow Him. Which path are you choosing today? I challenge you to choose Elohim.

Reading #7 - Leviticus 20:8-27

20:8 You shall keep my statutes, and do them. I am Hashem who sanctifies you.

9 “‘For everyone who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death. He has cursed his father or his mother. His blood shall be upon himself.

10 “‘The man who commits adultery with another man’s wife, even he who commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, the adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death.

11 “‘The man who lies with his father’s wife has uncovered his father’s nakedness. Both of them shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

12 “‘If a man lies with his daughter-in-law, both of them shall surely be put to death. They have committed a perversion. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

13 “‘If a man lies with a male, as with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon themselves.

14 “‘If a man takes a wife and her mother, it is wickedness. They shall be burned with fire, both he and they, that there may be no wickedness among you.

15 “‘If a man lies with an animal, he shall surely be put to death; and you shall kill the animal.

16 “‘If a woman approaches any animal and lies with it, you shall kill the woman and the animal. They shall surely be put to death. Their blood shall be upon them.

17 “‘If a man takes his sister—his father’s daughter, or his mother’s daughter—and sees her nakedness, and she sees his nakedness, it is a shameful thing. They shall be cut off in the sight of the children of their people. He has uncovered his sister’s nakedness. He shall bear his iniquity.

18 “‘If a man lies with a woman having her monthly period, and uncovers her nakedness, he has made her fountain naked, and she has uncovered the fountain of her blood. Both of them shall be cut off from among their people.

19 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, nor of your father’s sister, for he has made his close relative naked. They shall bear their iniquity. 20 If a man lies with his uncle’s wife, he has uncovered his uncle’s nakedness. They shall bear their sin. They shall die childless.

21 “‘If a man takes his brother’s wife, it is an impurity. He has uncovered his brother’s nakedness. They shall be childless.

22 “‘You shall therefore keep all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not vomit you out. 23 You shall not walk in the customs of the nation which I am casting out before you; for they did all these things, and therefore I abhorred them. 24 But I have said to you, “You shall inherit their land, and I will give it to you to possess it, a land flowing with milk and honey.” I Hashem your Elohim, who has separated you from the peoples.

25 “‘You shall therefore make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean fowl and the clean. You shall not make yourselves abominable by animal, or by bird, or by anything with which the ground teems, which I have separated from you as unclean for you. 26 You shall be holy to me, for I, Hashem, am holy, and have set you apart from the peoples, that you should be Mine.

27 “‘A man or a woman that is a medium or is a wizard shall surely be put to death. They shall be stoned with stones. Their blood shall be upon themselves.’”

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In Ezekiel’s verses we read about the “breaking” of all the Commandments we read in Torah today! It’s like Hashem is saying, “I gave you instructions and you are not following a single one of them!” Just like a parent talking to a child. “I told you to clean your room, and you have not lifted a finger!” We know this -- that sin separates us from a relationship with Hashem. Don’t you just know it? When I sin, it’s like I can feel Hashem walking out of the room with disappointment. And the closer I get to Him, the more I feel it. We should wake up every day and ask Him for help. Help to stay clean and righteous. Help to focus on Him and worship only Him. I love Hashem, don’t you? Let’s prove it today.

Challenge:

In verse 12 Hashem reminds us that we “have forgotten Him”. Does this just break your heart? It must break His heart. He created us out of love, and then we turn our backs on Him? How horribly, horribly sad! My challenge today is to look at your life closely. Do you remember Hashem during the day and night -- or do you disregard His Commandments and worship false idols? Are you walking with Him or walking with others? Get back on His path! Hashem please help us to follow only You!!! Amen!

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

22:1 Moreover Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 2 “You, son of man, will you judge? Will you judge the bloody city? Then cause her to know all her abominations. 3 You shall say, ‘Adonai Hashem says: “A city that sheds blood within herself, that her time may come, and that makes idols against herself to defile her! 4 You have become guilty in your blood that you have shed, and are defiled in your idols which you have made! You have caused your days to draw near, and have come even to your years. Therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mocking to all the countries. 5 Those who are near, and those who are far from you, will mock you, you infamous one, full of tumult.

6 “‘“Behold, the princes of Israel, everyone according to his power, have been in you to shed blood. 7 In you have they treated father and mother with contempt. Among you they have oppressed the foreigner. In you they have wronged the fatherless and the widow. 8 You have despised My holy things, and have profaned My Sabbaths. 9 Slanderous men have been in you to shed blood. In you they have eaten on the mountains. They have committed lewdness among you. 10 In you have they uncovered their fathers’ nakedness. In you have they humbled her who was unclean in her impurity. 11 One has committed abomination with his neighbor’s wife; and another has lewdly defiled his daughter-in-law. Another in you has humbled his sister, his father’s daughter. 12 In you have they taken bribes to shed blood. You have taken interest and increase, and you have greedily gained of your neighbors by oppression, and have forgotten Me,” says Adonai Hashem.

13 “‘“Behold, therefore I have struck my hand at your dishonest gain which you have made, and at your blood which has been within you. 14 Can your heart endure, or can your hands be strong, in the days that I will deal with you? I, Hashem, have spoken it, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, and disperse you through the countries. I will consume your filthiness out of you. 16 You will be profaned in yourself, in the sight of the nations. Then you will know that I am Hashem.”’”

17 Hashem’s word came to me, saying, 18 “Son of man, the house of Israel has become dross to me. All of them are bronze, tin, iron, and lead in the middle of the furnace. They are the dross of silver. 19 Therefore Adonai Hashem says: ‘Because you have all become dross, therefore, behold, I will gather you into the middle of Jerusalem.’

Apostolic Scripture

My Thoughts:

I believe Yeshua is trying to teach His disciples (and us) exactly what Hashem was teaching in the Torah reading today. His instructions are not to follow what the people in the idol nations are doing, but to follow Him. In other words, what you eat is who you are. What proceeds “out of you” is what you are ingesting. If you are “eating” the Word of Elohim, then good G-d things will be spoken out of your mouth. If you are consuming sin, then sin will proceed. If you are associating with unclean people and things, you will become unclean. Watch what you “eat” and “who” you eat with.

Challenge:

We have got to realize that Yeshua came at a time when there was a great falling away from the “heart” of Torah. Priests were being picked by the Romans for political gain, not for righteous teaching. The people of Israel were being led by a government that believed in idols and false gods. Yeshua came to draw them back to Adonai. To warn them that not to do so would cause the Temple to fall and the people to be dispersed once again. I believe that is why He is not concerned with the “outside” washing of the hands, but He is concerned with the “inside” washing of our hearts. He is reiterating Torah - to follow Hashem’s commands -- to keep Torah and do Torah. Let’s get back to doing that today in our time. Before it is too late.

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 15:10-20

15:10 He summoned the multitude, and said to them, “Hear, and understand. 11 That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”

12 Then the disciples came, and said to Him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?”

13 But he answered, “Every plant which my heavenly Father didn’t plant will be uprooted. 14 Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit.”

15 Peter answered him, “Explain the parable to us.”

16 So Yeshua said, “Do you also still not understand? 17 Don’t you understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the belly and then out of the body? 18 But the things which proceed out of the mouth come out of the heart, and they defile the man. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, sexual sins, thefts, false testimony, and blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands doesn’t defile the man.”

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #6

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #6 - Leviticus 19:33-20:7 

My Thoughts:

Verse 20:3 contains the declaration if you are offering your offspring to Molech - you are "Profaning My holy name." People would give their children, mostly babies as an "offering" to a god that didn't even exist.  Hashem says that in doing this you are profaning His holy name. Why? Because HE CREATED your offspring - they came from Him. And now you are giving them away, totally away to a foreign idol. How insulting and horrible. Unspeakable is this action. And yet today we are doing the same. We offer our preborn babies to the idols of selfishness during an abortion. I know this is hard to hear, but think of it. We are taking what Hashem has created and killing him/her. Destroying His creation. But, here is the good part.  We can repent and teshuvah. We can ask forgiveness and He will forgive us. He has grace for every sinner and if we have had an abortion we need to ask Him to forgive us. Today.

Challenge:

Verse 20:6 is about not following wizards – once again. It is really obvious that Hashem does not like playing around with magic. It is brought several times throughout Scripture. The Land they were going into was full of people and cultures who practiced sorcery. Hashem wanted His people to know this was not acceptable. Look at your life and think about what you do that is not acceptable to Hashem. Stop doing it and teshuvah. Turn around to do good. We must start becoming sensitive to sinful ways and what Hashem requires of us. Let’s start today.

Reading #6 - Leviticus 19:33-20:7

19:33 “‘If a stranger lives as a foreigner with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. 34 The stranger who lives as a foreigner with you shall be to you as the native-born among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you lived as foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Elohim.

35 “‘You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment, in measures of length, of weight, or of quantity. 36 You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin. I am Adonai your Elohim, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.

37 “‘You shall observe all my statutes and all my ordinances, and do them. I am Hashem.’”

20 Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Moreover, you shall tell the children of Israel, ‘Anyone of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners in Israel, who gives any of his offspring to Molech shall surely be put to death. The people of the land shall stone that person with stones. 3 I also will set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people, because he has given of his offspring to Molech, to defile My sanctuary, and to profane My holy name. 4 If the people of the land all hide their eyes from that person when he gives of his offspring to Molech, and don’t put him to death, 5 then I will set my face against that man and against his family, and will cut him off, and all who play the prostitute after him to play the prostitute with Molech, from among their people.

6 “‘The person that turns to those who are mediums and wizards, to play the prostitute after them, I will even set my face against that person, and will cut him off from among his people.

7 “‘Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be holy; for I am Adonai your Elohim.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #5

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

My Thoughts:

In verse 28 we are told not to put any tattoos on our skin. What part of this Commandment do we not understand? It’s so interesting that when we disobey a Commandment (believe I have done this too!) that we justify our actions. Maybe you think Hashem is talking about tattoos to false gods or this was a different culture or time. But, if we take His Word at face value we see that we are not to mark our skin at all. He says no to this. So, tattoos are wrong -- they are sin. If you have tattoos then maybe it is time to repent and make restitution. If you are thinking about getting one, I pray you take this Commandment literally and do not get one. Seek Hashem, He will show you!

Challenge:

Here is a huge challenge, one that I deal with often because I have small grandchildren. In verse 31 we are told not to “seek” or be “defiled” by medium and wizards. Well, if you turn on kids TV you will find most every station has “magic”, witches, fairies and all sorts of wizardry. If we watch this or even play act with magic aren’t we entertaining wizards and mediums? I will usually justify and say to myself, “It is only make believe”. But, again we are dodging an important Commandment and influencing our children. Lately, I have been saying to my grandkids, “Bubbie does not like magic”. And I will say we can do special things instead. Torah is strict about teaching our children the Truth. Time to change. I know it’s hard. But separation from the Father is even harder, it’s unbearable.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 19:15-32 

19:15 “‘You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor show favoritism to the great; but you shall judge your neighbor in righteousness.

16 “‘You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people.

“‘You shall not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am Hashem.

17 “‘You shall not hate your brother in your heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of him.

18 “‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the children of your people; but you shall love your neighbor as yourself. I am Hashem.

19 “‘You shall keep my statutes.

“‘You shall not cross-breed different kinds of animals.

“‘You shall not sow your field with two kinds of seed;

“‘Don’t wear a garment made of two kinds of material.

20 “‘If a man lies carnally with a woman who is a slave girl, pledged to be married to another man, and not ransomed or given her freedom; they shall be punished. They shall not be put to death, because she was not free. 21 He shall bring his trespass offering to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, even a ram for a trespass offering. 22 The priest shall make atonement for him with the ram of the trespass offering before Hashem for his sin which he has committed; and the sin which he has committed shall be forgiven him.

23 “‘When you come into the land, and have planted all kinds of trees for food, then you shall count their fruit as forbidden. For three years it shall be forbidden to you. It shall not be eaten. 24 But in the fourth year all its fruit shall be holy, for giving praise to Hashem. 25 In the fifth year you shall eat its fruit, that it may yield its increase to you. I am Hashem your Elohim.

26 “‘You shall not eat any meat with the blood still in it. You shall not use enchantments, nor practice sorcery.

27 “‘You shall not cut the hair on the sides of your head or clip off the edge of your beard.

28 “‘You shall not make any cuttings in your flesh for the dead, nor tattoo any marks on you. I am Hashem.

29 “‘Don’t profane your daughter, to make her a prostitute; lest the land fall to prostitution, and the land become full of wickedness.

30 “‘You shall keep my Sabbaths, and reverence my sanctuary; I am Hashem.

31 “‘Don’t turn to those who are mediums, nor to the wizards. Don’t seek them out, to be defiled by them. I am Hashem your Elohim.

32 “‘You shall rise up before the gray head and honor the face of the elderly; and you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #4

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

My Thoughts:

Verses 23 and 24 are specific to women and men and who or what they have sexual relations with. If you believe in Hashem and His perfect Torah, then you can not dispute or change what He is commanding. He makes it clear. Not to have sex with the same gender and not with animals. In fact, He calls it detestable, perversion and an abomination. Like any other sin we have -- we can work on changing our behavior. We can repent and turn around. It is possible. In life we make choices. Hashem directs us to make the right ones. 

Challenge:

Interesting in verse 19:3 that Hashem first tells us to respect our parents, and in the same thought He tells us to keep the Sabbath. The reason is because He is Elohim! It seems these two commands are very important to Him. When He created our parents, He gave them the seed to create us. They then love us and raise us. And they hopefully teach us Torah and how to keep Sabbath. Honoring the creation He gave us (parents) and keeping Sabbath go hand in hand. Summarized, it is all about obedience. Review your life today and make sure you are honoring both your parents and the Sabbath. Make necessary corrections. Amen.

Reading #4 - Leviticus 18:22-19:14

18:22 “‘You shall not lie with a man as with a woman. That is detestable.

23 “‘You shall not lie with any animal to defile yourself with it. No woman may give herself to an animal, to lie down with it: it is a perversion.

24 “‘Don’t defile yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations which I am casting out before you were defiled. 25 The land was defiled. Therefore I punished its iniquity, and the land vomited out her inhabitants. 26 You therefore shall keep my statutes and my ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the native-born, nor the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you 27 (for the men of the land that were before you had done all these abominations, and the land became defiled), 28 that the land not vomit you out also, when you defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.

29 “‘For whoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people. 30 Therefore you shall keep my requirements, that you do not practice any of these abominable customs which were practiced before you, and that you do not defile yourselves with them. I am Adonai your Elohim.’”

19 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Hashem your Elohim, am holy.

3 “‘Each one of you shall respect his mother and his father. You shall keep my Sabbaths. I am Hashem your Elohim.

4 “‘Don’t turn to idols, nor make molten gods for yourselves. I am Hashem your Elohim.

5 “‘When you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to Hashem, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 6 It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and on the next day. If anything remains until the third day, it shall be burned with fire. 7 If it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an abomination. It will not be accepted; 8 but everyone who eats it shall bear his iniquity, because he has profaned the holy thing of Hashem, and that soul shall be cut off from his people.

9 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you shall not wholly reap the corners of your field, neither shall you gather the gleanings of your harvest. 10 You shall not glean your vineyard, neither shall you gather the fallen grapes of your vineyard. You shall leave them for the poor and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.

11 “‘You shall not steal.

“‘You shall not lie.

“‘You shall not deceive one another.

12 “‘You shall not swear by my name falsely, and profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

13 “‘You shall not oppress your neighbor, nor rob him.

“‘The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.

14 “‘You shall not curse the deaf, nor put a stumbling block before the blind; but you shall fear your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #3

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #3 - Leviticus 17:8-18:21 

My Thoughts:

Interesting that in Chapter 21 we read about not having sexual relations with other people (that is what uncovering the nakedness means). Then in 21:21 we are told “You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech”. Why would Hashem give this commandment right after He is directing His people not to have sexual relations outside of marriage? Most likely because people are people -- sinned -- and committed adultery. And when they did so, the woman in the picture got pregnant. Instead of abortion, why not just put the baby in the arms of a hot burning Molech statue? Either way the baby would die. And we are strongly told NOT to do this. 

Challenge:

Right after Hashem gives the command not to sacrifice children He commands us not to “profane the Name of Elohim.” I’m thinking that profane here means disregarding His Name of Creation. He is the Creator of everything and when we destroy His creation -- we are profaning the Creator Himself. If you have ever had an abortion or were part of one in some way maybe today is a good day to go to the Father and ask for forgiveness. Or maybe you have been a part of destroying another kind of creation. Repent and make retribution. Or maybe you can restore what was taken. Let’s try to not profane His Name and make things right.

Reading #3 - Leviticus 17:8-18:21 

17:8 “You shall say to them, ‘Any man there is of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who offers a burnt offering or sacrifice, 9 and doesn’t bring it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to sacrifice it to Hashem, that man shall be cut off from his people.

10 “‘Any man of the house of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who eats any kind of blood, I will set my face against that soul who eats blood, and will cut him off from among his people. 11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood. I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement by reason of the life. 12 Therefore I have said to the children of Israel, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any stranger who lives as a foreigner among you eat blood.”

13 “‘Whatever man there is of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who live as foreigners among them, who takes in hunting any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood, and cover it with dust. 14 For as to the life of all flesh, its blood is with its life. Therefore I said to the children of Israel, “You shall not eat the blood of any kind of flesh; for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats it shall be cut off.”

15 “‘Every person that eats what dies of itself, or that which is torn by animals, whether he is native-born or a foreigner, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. Then he shall be clean. 16 But if he doesn’t wash them, or bathe his flesh, then he shall bear his iniquity.’”

18 Hashem said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘I am Hashem your Elohim. 3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived. You shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You shall not follow their statutes. 4 You shall do my ordinances. You shall keep my statutes and walk in them. I am Hashem your Elohim. 5 You shall therefore keep my statutes and my ordinances, which if a man does, he shall live in them. I am Hashem.

6 “‘None of you shall approach any close relatives, to uncover their nakedness: I am Hashem.

7 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father, nor the nakedness of your mother: she is your mother. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

8 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife. It is your father’s nakedness.

9 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your sister, the daughter of your father, or the daughter of your mother, whether born at home or born abroad.

10 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your son’s daughter, or of your daughter’s daughter, even their nakedness; for theirs is your own nakedness.

11 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s wife’s daughter, conceived by your father, since she is your sister.

12 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s sister. She is your father’s near kinswoman.

13 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your mother’s sister, for she is your mother’s near kinswoman.

14 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your father’s brother. You shall not approach his wife. She is your aunt.

15 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your daughter-in-law. She is your son’s wife. You shall not uncover her nakedness.

16 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of your brother’s wife. It is your brother’s nakedness.

17 “‘You shall not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter. You shall not take her son’s daughter, or her daughter’s daughter, to uncover her nakedness. They are near kinswomen. It is wickedness.

18 “‘You shall not take a wife in addition to her sister, to be a rival, to uncover her nakedness, while her sister is still alive.

19 “‘You shall not approach a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.

20 “‘You shall not lie carnally with your neighbor’s wife, and defile yourself with her.

21 “‘You shall not give any of your children as a sacrifice to Molech. You shall not profane the name of your Elohim. I am Hashem.

Acharei Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #2

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:25-17:7

My Thoughts:

 

In verse 34 we read that this atonement will be made once a year to cleanse Israel from their sins. It is necessary to clean the “nation” and not only the “person”. Think about this today. Is the nation you live in considered “clean”? There is no Temple to do sacrifices in to atone for the nation, but is there ever a type of “national repentance” that you can remember? Probably not unless you are contacted to a special prayer group. So, what you can do is remember and honor this particular Moadim -- Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur). Take the day off from work, fast all day and try to get in the presence of Hashem. Do it for your nation, do it for Hashem!

Challenge:

In verse 29 we read that even the stranger for lives as a foreigner and the native-born are to be included in this Feast. When Hashem speaks of the nation of Israel and it’s atonement, He includes strangers! Apparently He wants EVERYONE to be cleansed and forgiven. My challenge is for you to think about this today. Look at your “unbelieving” neighbors and friends. Do you exclude them or include them? If we serve an Elohim that cares about the stranger and outsiders, we would be best to include those around us in our lives. Pray for them and help them however possible in the little things and the big things. Let your light from Hashem shine through all you do so that your friends and strangers around you may be drawn in to HIM. Be a “conduit” and a representative for how Hashem does work in the world! Start today!

Reading #2 - Leviticus 16:25-17:7

16:25 The fat of the sin offering he shall burn on the altar.

26 “He who lets the goat go as the scapegoat shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp. 27 The bull for the sin offering, and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Holy Place, shall be carried outside the camp; and they shall burn their skins, their flesh, and their dung with fire. 28 He who burns them shall wash his clothes, and bathe his flesh in water, and afterward he shall come into the camp.

29 “It shall be a statute to you forever: in the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you shall afflict your souls, and shall do no kind of work, whether native-born or a stranger who lives as a foreigner among you; 30 for on this day shall atonement be made for you, to cleanse you. You shall be clean from all your sins before Hashem. 31 It is a Sabbath of solemn rest to you, and you shall afflict your souls. It is a statute forever. 32 The priest, who is anointed and who is consecrated to be priest in his father’s place, shall make the atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, even the holy garments. 33 Then he shall make atonement for the Holy Sanctuary; and he shall make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar; and he shall make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

34 “This shall be an everlasting statute for you, to make atonement for the children of Israel once in the year because of all their sins.”

It was done as Hashem commanded Moses.

17 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, and to all the children of Israel, and say to them, ‘This is the thing which Hashem has commanded: 3 Whatever man there is of the house of Israel who kills a bull, or lamb, or goat in the camp, or who kills it outside the camp, 4 and hasn’t brought it to the door of the Tent of Meeting to offer it as an offering to Hashem before Hashem’s tabernacle: blood shall be imputed to that man. He has shed blood. That man shall be cut off from among his people. 5 This is to the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they sacrifice in the open field, that they may bring them to Hashem, to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to the priest, and sacrifice them for sacrifices of peace offerings to Hashem. 6 The priest shall sprinkle the blood on Hashem’s altar at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and burn the fat for a pleasant aroma to Hashem. 7 They shall no more sacrifice their sacrifices to the goat idols, after which they play the prostitute. This shall be a statute forever to them throughout their generations.’

Acharei-Mot/Kedoshim - Reading #1

ACHAREI MOT/KEDOSHIM

Combined readings

Leviticus 16:1-20:27

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1-24

My Thoughts:

Aaron is making atonement for himself, his family and his people. That’s a lot of atonement and sacrifices. As I was reading this I was thinking about the responsibility Aaron must have felt so sad after his sons were lost and then he had to do special sacrifices and make atonement for the Tabernacle and all. In verse 17 Hashem says you can not enter the Holy Place until this atonement is made. So, Hashem wants everybody and everything surrounding Him either clean and made atonement for. Why? Because He is PERFECT. He must not want any contamination, sin, uncleanliness or unrighteousness in the area of His presence. What does this say about today? Has anything changed? No. He requests us to be clean. Let’s work on this. We want to be as close to Him as we can, even without a Temple.

Challenge:

Here is a thought. Is Aaron grieving the loss of his sons - of course. But, it looks like he must make atonement for this incident. He must “clean house” for Hashem. Can you think of something that has happened to you or your family that you need to make some restitution for? Something that went wrong. And now you have to make it right? Or maybe you haven’t made it right yet? Repent to the Father and make it right. Prepare your home once again so that you can be in Hashem’s special “presence” during prayer, worship, mitzvah, Scripture study and all that you do during the day. You will want to do this now.

Reading #1 - Leviticus 16:1-24

16 Hashem spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they came near before Hashem, and died; 2 and Hashem said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at just any time into the Most Holy Place within the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark; lest he die; for I will appear in the cloud on the mercy seat.

3 “Aaron shall come into the sanctuary with a young bull for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering. 4 He shall put on the holy linen tunic. He shall have the linen trousers on his body, and shall put on the linen sash, and he shall be clothed with the linen turban. They are the holy garments. He shall bathe his body in water, and put them on. 5 He shall take from the congregation of the children of Israel two male goats for a sin offering, and one ram for a burnt offering.

6 “Aaron shall offer the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house. 7 He shall take the two goats, and set them before Hashem at the door of the Tent of Meeting. 8 Aaron shall cast lots for the two goats: one lot for Hashem, and the other lot for the scapegoat. 9 Aaron shall present the goat on which the lot fell for Hashem, and offer him for a sin offering. 10 But the goat on which the lot fell for the scapegoat shall be presented alive before Hashem, to make atonement for him, to send him away as the scapegoat into the wilderness.

11 “Aaron shall present the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and shall make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall kill the bull of the sin offering which is for himself. 12 He shall take a censer full of coals of fire from off the altar before Hashem, and two handfuls of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil. 13 He shall put the incense on the fire before Hashem, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is on the covenant, so that he will not die. 14 He shall take some of the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

15 “Then he shall kill the goat of the sin offering that is for the people, and bring his blood within the veil, and do with his blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the mercy seat and before the mercy seat. 16 He shall make atonement for the Holy Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions, even all their sins; and so he shall do for the Tent of Meeting that dwells with them in the middle of their uncleanness. 17 No one shall be in the Tent of Meeting when he enters to make atonement in the Holy Place, until he comes out, and has made atonement for himself and for his household, and for all the assembly of Israel.

18 “He shall go out to the altar that is before Hashem and make atonement for it, and shall take some of the bull’s blood, and some of the goat’s blood, and put it around on the horns of the altar. 19 He shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and make it holy from the uncleanness of the children of Israel.

20 “When he has finished atoning for the Holy Place, the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall present the live goat. 21 Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over him all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, even all their sins; and he shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send him away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who is ready. 22 The goat shall carry all their iniquities on himself to a solitary land, and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.

23 “Aaron shall come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Holy Place, and shall leave them there. 24 Then he shall bathe himself in water in a holy place, put on his garments, and come out and offer his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people.