Erev Pesach - The Evening Before Pesach

Erev Pesach - The Evening Before Pesach

Tonight we read the Haggadah. You probably already have a copy of it, but if not here is a wonderful free download: Chabbad Haggadah.

Cleanse your home of leaven and prepare for your Passover Seder. If you are not meeting with a group of people it may be good to go through the Haggadah yourself!

My Thoughts:

Whenever you decide to hold your Pesach Seder meal (either tonight or tomorrow night) you might want to think about what "sacrifice" you can give to Hashem for this. We do not have a Temple and we can not follow those specific Torah instructions for the Pesach sacrifices. But, we can go before Hashem and ask Him what He would want from us today? That is my challenge for you today. Ask Him. Maybe you can do a "mitzvah" or a good deed. Maybe go for a walk and have some personal time with Hashem. Sing some worship songs or just try to be a kind person today to those you love. Remember this. We are to love Hashem with our whole heart, soul and strength. He delivered His people in a miraculous way back then, and He can deliver you and anything you are suffering through -- today. Amen.

Today let’s read:

Exodus 12:21-28

21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Passover. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when he struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

Week of Pesach - Reading #2

Torah Portion: Leviticus 22:26-23:44

Haftarah: II Kings 23:1-9, 23:21-25 

My Thoughts:

Leviticus 23 is the chapter to go to read and learn about all the Feasts. It tells you when not to work, what sacrifices to offer and when to rest. It is all about remembering, worshiping and honoring Hashem. If you are not a Jew and you do not live in a Jewish community – it is a real challenge to effectively follow all the Feasts. But, this is how I feel. I believe Hashem knows our hearts. And if you do your very best to follow Him and His feasts, He will understand if you don’t really do them so correctly. Hashem looks at our hearts and our intentions. Just do the best you are able. Last year we lit two candles, drank grape juice, ate a salad and ate honey (from Israel) and matzo. That was our “Seder” meal. (This year we are blessed to celebrate with some friends a traditional seder meal.)  We asked the four questions of the children and talked about the Moses story. We also watched “Bim-Bam” on TV about the Pesach Feast. My point is – we didn’t do all the prayers and all the traditions, but we attempted to celebrate and remember. Let’s all just do the best we are able, with the right heart and motive.

Leviticus 22:26-23:44

22:26 Hashem  spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “When a bull, a sheep, or a goat is born, it shall remain seven days with its mother. From the eighth day on it shall be accepted for the offering of an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 Whether it is a cow or ewe, you shall not kill it and its young both in one day.

29 “When you sacrifice a sacrifice of thanksgiving to Hashem, you shall sacrifice it so that you may be accepted. 30 It shall be eaten on the same day; you shall leave none of it until the morning. I am Hashem.

31 “Therefore you shall keep My commandments, and do them. I am Hashem. 32 You shall not profane My holy name, but I will be made holy among the children of Israel. I am Hashem who makes you holy, 33 who brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim. I am Hashem.”

23 Hashem  spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘The set feasts of Hashem, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My set feasts.

3 “‘Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation; you shall do no kind of work. It is a Sabbath to Hashem in all your dwellings.

4 “‘These are the set feasts of Hashem, even holy convocations, which you shall proclaim in their appointed season. 5 In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month in the evening, is Hashem’s Pesach. 6 On the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread to Hashem. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7 In the first day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 8 But you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem seven days. On the seventh day is a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.’”

9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap its harvest, then you shall bring the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11 He shall wave the sheaf before Hashem, to be accepted for you. On the next day after the Sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12 On the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb without defect a year old for a burnt offering to Hashem. 13 The meal offering with it shall be two tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering made by fire to Hashem for a pleasant aroma; and the drink offering with it shall be of wine, the fourth part of a hin. 14 You must not eat bread, or roasted grain, or fresh grain, until this same day, until you have brought the offering of your Elohim. This is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

15 “‘You shall count from the next day after the Sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering: seven Sabbaths shall be completed. 16 The next day after the seventh Sabbath you shall count fifty days; and you shall offer a new meal offering to Hashem. 17 You shall bring out of your habitations two loaves of bread for a wave offering made of two tenths of an ephah of fine flour. They shall be baked with yeast, for first fruits to Hashem. 18 You shall present with the bread seven lambs without defect a year old, one young bull, and two rams. They shall be a burnt offering to Hashem, with their meal offering and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of a sweet aroma to Hashem. 19 You shall offer one male goat for a sin offering, and two male lambs a year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20 The priest shall wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering before Hashem, with the two lambs. They shall be holy to Hashem for the priest. 21 You shall make a proclamation on the same day that there shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall do no regular work. This is a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

22 “‘When you reap the harvest of your land, you must not wholly reap into the corners of your field, and you must not gather the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor, and for the foreigner. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

23 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, there shall be a solemn rest for you, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25 You shall do no regular work. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem.’”

26 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 27 “However on the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement. It shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall afflict yourselves and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. 28 You shall do no kind of work in that same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement for you before Hashem your Elohim. 29 For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day shall be cut off from his people. 30 Whoever does any kind of work in that same day, I will destroy that person from among his people. 31 You shall do no kind of work: it is a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 32 It shall be a Sabbath of solemn rest for you, and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Sabbath.”

33 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 34 “Speak to the children of Israel, and say, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of booths for seven days to Hashem. 35 On the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work. 36 Seven days you shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. On the eighth day shall be a holy convocation to you. You shall offer an offering made by fire to Hashem. It is a solemn assembly; you shall do no regular work.

37 “‘These are the appointed feasts of Hashem which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, to offer an offering made by fire to Hashem, a burnt offering, a meal offering, a sacrifice, and drink offerings, each on its own day— 38 in addition to the Sabbaths of Hashem, and in addition to your gifts, and in addition to all your vows, and in addition to all your free will offerings, which you give to Hashem.

39 “‘So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you shall keep the feast of Hashem seven days. On the first day shall be a solemn rest, and on the eighth day shall be a solemn rest. 40 You shall take on the first day the fruit of majestic trees, branches of palm trees, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and you shall rejoice before Hashem your Elohim seven days. 41 You shall keep it as a feast to Hashem seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations. You shall keep it in the seventh month. 42 You shall dwell in temporary shelters for seven days. All who are native-born in Israel shall dwell in temporary shelters, 43 that your generations may know that I made the children of Israel to dwell in temporary shelters when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am Hashem your Elohim.’”

44 So Moses declared to the children of Israel the appointed feasts of Hashem.

II Kings 23:1-9, 23:21-25 

23:1-9 The king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 The king went up to Hashem’s house, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, with the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great; and he read in their hearing all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in Hashem’s house. 3 The king stood by the pillar, and made a covenant before Hashem, to walk after Hashem, and to keep His commandments, His testimonies, and His statutes, with all his heart, and all his soul, to confirm the words of this covenant that were written in this book; and all the people agreed to the covenant. 4 The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold, to bring out of Hashem’s temple all the vessels that were made for Baal, for the Asherah, and for all the army of the sky, and he burned them outside of Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5 He got rid of the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the army of the sky. 6 He brought out the Asherah from Hashem’s house, outside of Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and beat it to dust, and cast its dust on the graves of the common people. 7 He broke down the houses of the male shrine prostitutes that were in Hashem’s house, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. 8 He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba; and he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man’s left hand at the gate of the city. 9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places didn’t come up to Hashem’s altar in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers.

2 Kings 23:21-25

23:21 The king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Pesach to Hashem your Elohim, as it is written in this book of the covenant.” 22 Surely there was not kept such a Pesach from the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 23 but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, this Pesach was kept to Hashem in Jerusalem. 24 Moreover Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might confirm the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in Hashem’s house. 25 There was no king like him before him, who turned to Hashem with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; and there was none like him who arose after him.

Week of Pesach - Reading #1

Torah Portion: Exodus 12:21-51, Numbers 28:16-25

Haftarah: Joshua 5:2 - 6:1

My Thoughts:

In verse 12:23 we read “...when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.” This is really an amazing miracle of redeeming love from Elohim our Master. If His people showed obedience and sacrificed their best animal, applied the blood to their doorway – then death would pass them by. Are you in a situation now in life where you need the “angel of death” to pass you by? Then let’s pray, honor Hashem, be obedient in all areas of our life and ask Him to do this. I believe He will. Amen.

Exodus 12:21-51

12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel, and said to them, “Draw out, and take lambs according to your families, and kill the Pesach. 22 You shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two door posts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. 23 For Hashem will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel, and on the two door posts, Hashem will pass over the door, and will not allow the destroyer to come in to your houses to strike you. 24 You shall observe this thing for an ordinance to you and to your sons forever. 25 It shall happen when you have come to the land which Hashem will give you, as He has promised, that you shall keep this service. 26 It will happen, when your children ask you, ‘What do you mean by this service?’ 27 that you shall say, ‘It is the sacrifice of Hashem’s Pesach, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He struck the Egyptians, and spared our houses.’”

The people bowed their heads and worshiped. 28 The children of Israel went and did so; as Hashem had commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did.

29 At midnight, Hashem struck all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sat on his throne to the firstborn of the captive who was in the dungeon, and all the firstborn of livestock. 30 Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 He called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, “Rise up, get out from among my people, both you and the children of Israel; and go, serve Hashem, as you have said! 32 Take both your flocks and your herds, as you have said, and be gone; and bless me also!”

33 The Egyptians were urgent with the people, to send them out of the land in haste, for they said, “We are all dead men.” 34 The people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes on their shoulders. 35 The children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they asked of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and clothing. 36 Hashem gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they let them have what they asked. They plundered the Egyptians.

37 The children of Israel traveled from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot who were men, in addition to children. 38 A mixed multitude went up also with them, with flocks, herds, and even very much livestock. 39 They baked unleavened cakes of the dough which they brought out of Egypt; for it wasn’t leavened, because they were thrust out of Egypt, and couldn’t wait, and they had not prepared any food for themselves. 40 Now the time that the children of Israel lived in Egypt was four hundred thirty years. 41 At the end of four hundred thirty years, to the day, all of Hashem’s armies went out from the land of Egypt. 42 It is a night to be much observed to Hashem for bringing them out from the land of Egypt. This is that night of Hashem, to be much observed by all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

43 Hashem said to Moses and Aaron, “This is the ordinance of the Passover. No foreigner shall eat of it, 44 but every man’s servant who is bought for money, when you have circumcised him, then shall he eat of it. 45 A foreigner and a hired servant shall not eat of it. 46 It must be eaten in one house. You shall not carry any of the meat outside of the house. Do not break any of its bones. 47 All the congregation of Israel shall keep it. 48 When a stranger lives as a foreigner with you, and would like to keep the Pesach to Hashem, let all his males be circumcised, and then let him come near and keep it. He shall be as one who is born in the land; but no uncircumcised person shall eat of it. 49 One law shall be to him who is born at home, and to the stranger who lives as a foreigner among you.” 50 All the children of Israel did so. As Hashem commanded Moses and Aaron, so they did. 51 That same day, Hashem brought the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.

Numbers 28:16-25

28:16 “‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, is Hashem’s Pesach. 17 On the fifteenth day of this month shall be a feast. Unleavened bread shall be eaten for seven days. 18 In the first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work, 19 but you shall offer an offering made by fire, a burnt offering to Hashem;: two young bulls, one ram, and seven male lambs a year old. They shall be without defect, 20 with their meal offering, fine flour mixed with oil. You shall offer three tenths for a bull, and two tenths for the ram. 21 You shall offer one tenth for every lamb of the seven lambs; 22 and one male goat for a sin offering, to make atonement for you. 23 You shall offer these in addition to the burnt offering of the morning, which is for a continual burnt offering. 24 In this way you shall offer daily, for seven days, the food of the offering made by fire, of a pleasant aroma to Hashem. It shall be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. 25 On the seventh day you shall have a holy convocation. You shall do no regular work.

Haftarah: Joshua 5:2 - 6:1

2 At that time, Hashem said to Joshua, “Make flint knives, and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.” 3 Joshua made himself flint knives, and circumcised the sons of Israel at the hill of the foreskins. 4 This is the reason Joshua circumcised them: all the people who came out of Egypt, who were males, even all the men of war, died in the wilderness along the way, after they came out of Egypt. 5 For all the people who came out were circumcised; but all the people who were born in the wilderness along the way as they came out of Egypt had not been circumcised. 6 For the children of Israel walked forty years in the wilderness until all the nation, even the men of war who came out of Egypt, were consumed, because they didn’t listen to Hashem’s voice. Hashem swore to them that He wouldn’t let them see the land which Hashem swore to their fathers that He would give us, a land flowing with milk and honey. 7 Their children, whom he raised up in their place, were circumcised by Joshua, for they were uncircumcised, because they had not circumcised them on the way. 8 When they were done circumcising the whole nation, they stayed in their places in the camp until they were healed.

9 Hashem said to Joshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Therefore the name of that place was called Gilgal to this day. 10 The children of Israel encamped in Gilgal. They kept the Pesach on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho. 11 They ate unleavened cakes and parched grain of the produce of the land on the next day after the Pesach, in the same day. 12 The manna ceased on the next day, after they had eaten of the produce of the land. The children of Israel didn’t have manna any more, but they ate of the fruit of the land of Canaan that year.

13 When Joshua was by Jericho, he lifted up his eyes and looked, and behold, a man stood in front of him with his sword drawn in his hand. Joshua went to him and said to him, “Are you for us, or for our enemies?”

14 He said, “No; but I have come now as commander of Hashem’s army.”

Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and worshiped, and asked him, “What does my lord say to his servant?”

15 The prince of Hashem’s army said to Joshua, “Take off your sandals, for the place on which you stand is holy.” Joshua did so.

6 Now Jericho was tightly shut up because of the children of Israel. No one went out, and no one came in.

Metzora - Reading #7

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One
Leviticus 14:1-15:33
Haftarah: II Kings 7:3-20
Apostolic Reading: LUKE 2:22-35; MARK 1:35-45

Reading #7 - Leviticus 15:29–33

My Thoughts:

It’s all about not “defiling” the Tabernacle (verse 31) and “separating” from uncleanliness. Isn’t that what holiness is all about? We may not have a Tabernacle (Temple) yet, but we will someday. And all these laws will make sense to us. When we see the Holy One sitting on the Throne and His shekinah glory emanating from the Temple -- we will see every knee bow before the King -- and we will WANT to be holy. I believe every sin and every piece of “dirt” we carry will be exposed and will make us so sad of what we have done. We will repent will all our hearts, immerse in a mikvah and prepare to present ourselves to Hashem. Maybe we should be practicing today and get ready for all of this. It is time to being separating ourselves from every “unclean” thing/issue in our lives.

Challenge:

In reading “My Thoughts” above, I want to challenge you today to start changing. Me too. As I write this it makes me think about one “continual” sin I have in my life. No matter how I pray, or hard I try it is so difficult to get rid of this sin. I really hope and pray that Hashem sees my heart and that I am trying. That is what you must do. Keep trying. When I quit smoking several years ago, I believe it took me about 3 years to fully quit. And it seemed like when I got the most desperate and ready to give up, that is when Hashem took away my desire for nicotine. He knows our hearts and I believe He wants to help us to “separate ourselves from  uncleanliness”. We all must persevere in cleaning up our lives. Ask for Him to help. Ask for others to help you or to make you accountable. Amen?

Reading #7 - Leviticus 15:29–33

29 On the eighth day she shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and bring them to the priest, to the door of the Tent of Meeting. 30 The priest shall offer the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering; and the priest shall make atonement for her before Hashem for the uncleanness of her discharge.

31 “‘Thus you shall separate the children of Israel from their uncleanness, so they will not die in their uncleanness when they defile my tabernacle that is among them.’”

32 This is the law of him who has a discharge, and of him who has an emission of semen, so that he is unclean by it; 33 and of her who has her period, and of a man or woman who has a discharge, and of him who lies with her who is unclean.

Haftarah

My Thoughts:

In verses 8 and 9 we read in this portion where the lepers are discussing the issue of “keeping quiet”. They have good news about the Syrians retreat and the goods left behind, yet they are keeping it to themselves. They come to their senses when they realize they might be punished for doing this. It makes me think about the miracle that Hashem does in our lives or how we might be experiencing a faith-filled day. Yet we don’t tell others about it. We keep the “bounty” of the miracles to ourselves. It’s time to share with friends and family all the good things Hashem does for you, including His sending a Mashiach. We have a responsibility to be “lights” and to share Elohim. Not to keep Him and all He does to ourselves. Start doing this today!

Challenge:

The big miracle in this ready is in verse 6. Hashem makes the enemy “hear” the sound of many warriors. So much so, that they flee!!! Can you imagine? There are miracles today like this in modern Israel. You can read about the wars, including the 6 day war in 1967. Many times Israel troops would be smaller then the enemy, yet something would happen and all of sudden the enemy would run away! I challenge you to do a study on the 6 day war and read about it. Here is an interesting video to view: Miracle of the Six Day War

Haftarah: II Kings 7:3-20

7:3 Now there were four leprous men at the entrance of the gate. They said to one another, “Why do we sit here until we die? 4 If we say, ‘We will enter into the city,’ then the famine is in the city, and we will die there. If we sit still here, we also die. Now therefore come, and let’s surrender to the army of the Syrians. If they save us alive, we will live; and if they kill us, we will only die.”

5 They rose up in the twilight, to go to the camp of the Syrians. When they had come to the outermost part of the camp of the Syrians, behold, no man was there. 6 For Hashem had made the army of the Syrians to hear the sound of chariots, and the sound of horses, even the noise of a great army; and they said to one another, “Behold, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites and the kings of the Egyptians to attack us.” 7 Therefore they arose and fled in the twilight, and left their tents, and their horses, and their donkeys, even the camp as it was, and fled for their life. 8 When these lepers came to the outermost part of the camp, they went into one tent, and ate and drank, and carried away silver, gold, and clothing, and went and hid it. Then they came back, and entered into another tent, and carried things from there also, and went and hid them. 9 Then they said to one another, “We aren’t doing right. Today is a day of good news, and we keep silent. If we wait until the morning light, punishment will overtake us. Now therefore come, let’s go and tell the king’s household.”

10 So they came and called to the city gatekeepers; and they told them, “We came to the camp of the Syrians, and, behold, there was no man there, not even a man’s voice, but the horses tied, and the donkeys tied, and the tents as they were.”

11 He called the gatekeepers; and they told it to the king’s household within. 12 The king arose in the night, and said to his servants, “I will now show you what the Syrians have done to us. They know that we are hungry. Therefore they have gone out of the camp to hide themselves in the field, saying, ‘When they come out of the city, we shall take them alive, and get into the city.’”

13 One of his servants answered, “Please let some people take five of the horses that remain, which are left in the city. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are left in it. Behold, they are like all the multitude of Israel who are consumed. Let’s send and see.”

14 Therefore they took two chariots with horses; and the king sent them out to the Syrian army, saying, “Go and see.”

15 They went after them to the Jordan; and behold, all the path was full of garments and equipment which the Syrians had cast away in their haste. The messengers returned, and told the king. 16 The people went out and plundered the camp of the Syrians. So a seah of fine flour was sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, according to Hashem’s word. 17 The king appointed the captain on whose hand he leaned to be in charge of the gate; and the people trampled over him in the gate, and he died as the man of Elohim had said, who spoke when the king came down to him. 18 It happened as the man of Elohim had spoken to the king, saying, “Two seahs of barley for a shekel, and a seah of fine flour for a shekel, shall be tomorrow about this time in the gate of Samaria;” 19 and that captain answered the man of Elohim, and said, “Now, behold, if Hashem made windows in heaven, might such a thing be?” and he said, “Behold, you will see it with your eyes, but will not eat of it.” 20 It happened like that to him; for the people trampled over him in the gate, and he died.

Apostolic Reading

My Thoughts:

What a beautiful miracle when Yeshua cleanses the leper. The person with leprosy asks Yeshua if He would want to heal him, and Yeshua says He does -- He does want to heal him. See this wonderful clip from The Chosen: Yeshua Heals the Leper  It is clear that Yeshua through Hashem wants us all to be healed. We must go to Him and ask. If you need healing please go to a quiet place, go before Hashem and ask Him to heal you , just like the leper in this reading was healed. Then wait for His miracle. Do not give up. Just praise Him for what He is going to do.

Challenge:

Simeon believed that he had heard from the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and it is clear that he did. He was promised that he would witness the Mashiach before he died. And he was able to hold Him in his arms. What an amazing day that was! Have you ever heard from the Ruach Hakodesh, the spirit of Elohim? If you have then you know how wonderful and amazing that can be. He will give you instructions, He will bless you, He will fill you with His love. You just have to get quiet and wait for Him. Ask Him to speak to you and listen. He will. You will be amazed just like Simeon was. And you will be super blessed. Do this today.

Apostolic Reading: LUKE 2:22-35; MARK 1:35-45

2:22 When the days of their purification according to the law of Moses were fulfilled, they brought him up to Jerusalem, to present him to Hashem 23 (as it is written in the law of Hashem, “Every male who opens the womb shall be called holy to Hashem”), and to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of Hashem, “A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.”

25 Behold, there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon. This man was righteous and devout, looking for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. 26 It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he should not see death before he had seen Hashem’s Mashiach. 27 He came in the Spirit into the Temple. When the parents brought in the child, Yeshua, that they might do concerning him according to the custom of the law, 28 then he received Him into his arms, and blessed Elohim, and said,

29 “Now you are releasing your servant, Master,

    according to your word, in peace;

30 for my eyes have seen your salvation,

31     which you have prepared before the face of all peoples;

32 a light for revelation to the nations,

    and the glory of your people Israel.”

33 Joseph and his mother were marveling at the things which were spoken concerning Him, 34 and Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary, his mother, “Behold, this child is set for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which is spoken against. 35 Yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul, that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

MARK 1:35-45

1:35 Early in the morning, while it was still dark, he rose up and went out, and departed into a deserted place, and prayed there. 36 Simon and those who were with him searched for him. 37 They found him and told him, “Everyone is looking for you.”

38 He said to them, “Let’s go elsewhere into the next towns, that I may preach there also, because I came out for this reason.” 39 He went into their synagogues throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

40 A leper came to him, begging Him, kneeling down to Him, and saying to Him, “If You want to, You can make me clean.”

41 Being moved with compassion, He stretched out His hand, and touched him, and said to him, “I want to. Be made clean.” 42 When He had said this, immediately the leprosy departed from him and he was made clean. 43 He strictly warned him and immediately sent him out, 44 and said to him, “See that you say nothing to anybody, but go show yourself to the priest and offer for your cleansing the things which Moses commanded, for a testimony to them.”

45 But he went out, and began to proclaim it much, and to spread about the matter, so that Yeshua could no more openly enter into a city, but was outside in desert places. People came to him from everywhere.

Metzora - Reading #6

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One
Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #6 - Leviticus 15:16–28

My Thoughts:

Another reading on cleanliness after sexual activity. They sound like such strict rules, but they are for a reason. All of Hashem’s laws regarding cleanliness are ultimately for entering the Tabernacle area for sacrifices and all. He is looking for excellence and holiness. So, He gives us instructions. Let’s follow them to the best we are able. That’s about all I can say today with this delicate subject.

Challenge:

It is interesting that a woman’s most fertile time is in the middle of the month. Torah Law says she is to be “unclean” for 7 days after her period, which brings her to the “middle” of the month. Since Hashem’s desire is for us to be fruitful and multiply, it makes perfect sense that after this waiting period she then becomes clean and also fertile. A good time to conceive. My challenge to you today is to think about having children. Are you restricting getting pregnant in your relationship with your spouse? Or are you following Hashem’s instructions, waiting until the middle of the month and being “fruitful”. Nowhere does He tell us to have child after child, so there is something called “natural family planning” when you remain abstinent during a woman’s fertile time of the month. Just some things to think about. If you are beyond having children or single, this is information you can share with family and friends -- so that they can get on Hashem’s “page” for a family!

Reading #6 - Leviticus 15:16–28

15:16 “‘If any man has an emission of semen, then he shall bathe all his flesh in water, and be unclean until the evening. 17 Every garment and every skin which the semen is on shall be washed with water, and be unclean until the evening. 18 If a man lies with a woman and there is an emission of semen, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the evening.

19 “‘If a woman has a discharge, and her discharge in her flesh is blood, she shall be in her impurity seven days. Whoever touches her shall be unclean until the evening.

20 “‘Everything that she lies on in her impurity shall be unclean. Everything also that she sits on shall be unclean. 21 Whoever touches her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 22 Whoever touches anything that she sits on shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 23 If it is on the bed, or on anything she sits on, when he touches it, he shall be unclean until the evening.

24 “‘If any man lies with her, and her monthly flow is on him, he shall be unclean seven days; and every bed he lies on shall be unclean.

25 “‘If a woman has a discharge of her blood many days not in the time of her period, or if she has a discharge beyond the time of her period, all the days of the discharge of her uncleanness shall be as in the days of her period. She is unclean. 26 Every bed she lies on all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her period. Everything she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her period. 27 Whoever touches these things shall be unclean, and shall wash his clothes and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

28 “‘But if she is cleansed of her discharge, then she shall count to herself seven days, and after that she shall be clean.

Metzora - Reading #5

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #5 - Leviticus 14:54–15:15

My Thoughts:

A sensitive, hard to discuss subject today. Most believe the discharge in today’s reading relates to sexual activity. So, why all the rules? We know that reproduction is very important to Hashem, even a commandment to “go and be fruitful and multiply”. It makes sense that there would be some cleanliness rules surrounding this commandment. Hashem wants ALL of our being to be clean before Him -- inside and out. Because many humans do partake in sexual activity (meaningfully with a spouse) then we are now given instructions on how to become “clean” when we go before Hashem. It all makes sense. Just a delicate subject.

Challenge:

So, here is an odd challenge for today. Because in today’s reading we are discussing cleanliness rules after sexual activity, it may be a good time to review this area in your life. We live in a world that looks at sex as in a very different way then the one true Elohim. There is perversion, sex outside of marriage, multiple partners and disregard for honoring the sacredness of marriage. This is a good time to take a look at this area in your life. Are you giving honor to Hashem? Are you following His commandments? Review, repent, ask for forgiveness and change. That is why we have Torah -- to give us life. A life that is clean in all areas and close to Him.

Reading #5 - Leviticus 14:54–15:15

14:54 This is the law for any plague of leprosy, and for an itch, 55 and for the destructive mildew of a garment, and for a house, 56 and for a swelling, and for a scab, and for a bright spot; 57 to teach when it is unclean, and when it is clean.

This is the law of leprosy.

15 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, because of his discharge he is unclean. 3 This shall be his uncleanness in his discharge: whether his body runs with his discharge, or his body has stopped from his discharge, it is his uncleanness.

4 “‘Every bed on which he who has the discharge lies shall be unclean; and everything he sits on shall be unclean. 5 Whoever touches his bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening. 6 He who sits on anything on which the man who has the discharge sat shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

7 “‘He who touches the body of him who has the discharge shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

8 “‘If he who has the discharge spits on him who is clean, then he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

9 “‘Whatever saddle he who has the discharge rides on shall be unclean. 10 Whoever touches anything that was under him shall be unclean until the evening. He who carries those things shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

11 “‘Whomever he who has the discharge touches, without having rinsed his hands in water, he shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.

12 “‘The earthen vessel, which he who has the discharge touches, shall be broken; and every vessel of wood shall be rinsed in water.

13 “‘When he who has a discharge is cleansed of his discharge, then he shall count to himself seven days for his cleansing, and wash his clothes; and he shall bathe his flesh in running water, and shall be clean.

14 “‘On the eighth day he shall take two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, and come before Hashem to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and give them to the priest. 15 The priest shall offer them, the one for a sin offering, and the other for a burnt offering. The priest shall make atonement for him before Hashem for his discharge.

Metzora - Reading #4

Metzora מְּצֹרָע - Infected One

Leviticus 14:1-15:33

Reading #4 - Leviticus 14:33–53

My Thoughts:

Hashem not only cares about us physically but He also cares that the place we live is clean. It is important that there is not mildew or mold in our homes. It might be wise to go through our homes once or twice a year and do a deep cleaning. Especially in our bathrooms. I know that bleach is a good way to get rid of any mold or mildew. Keep up on it, and keep your house clean! Hashem has us do these things for special reasons. To keep us healthy and clean.

Challenge:

A few years ago we had a roof that leaked into our kitchen. It took awhile for us to fix the roof, but finally we did. But then we had a mold issue in the walls in the kitchen. I was surprised at what clean up and repair looked like. We called our insurance company and workers came in with masks and put plastic up to protect other rooms. Drywall had to be cut out, just like the stones were removed in our reading today. It was quite an ordeal. We really should have taken care of it sooner. So, here is my challenge. If you have some walls or ceilings that need repair, take care of it today! Call your insurance company or do the work yourself. Just take care of it now! Or it will spread and might make you unhealthy!

Reading #4 - Leviticus 14:33–53

14:33 Hashem spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying, 34 “When you have come into the land of Canaan, which I give to you for a possession, and I put a spreading mildew in a house in the land of your possession, 35 then he who owns the house shall come and tell the priest, saying, ‘There seems to me to be some sort of plague in the house.’ 36 The priest shall command that they empty the house, before the priest goes in to examine the plague, that all that is in the house not be made unclean. Afterward the priest shall go in to inspect the house. 37 He shall examine the plague; and behold, if the plague is in the walls of the house with hollow streaks, greenish or reddish, and it appears to be deeper than the wall, 38 then the priest shall go out of the house to the door of the house, and shut up the house seven days. 39 The priest shall come again on the seventh day, and look. If the plague has spread in the walls of the house, 40 then the priest shall command that they take out the stones in which is the plague, and cast them into an unclean place outside of the city. 41 He shall cause the inside of the house to be scraped all over. They shall pour out the mortar that they scraped off outside of the city into an unclean place. 42 They shall take other stones, and put them in the place of those stones; and he shall take other mortar, and shall plaster the house.

43 “If the plague comes again, and breaks out in the house after he has taken out the stones, and after he has scraped the house, and after it was plastered, 44 then the priest shall come in and look; and behold, if the plague has spread in the house, it is a destructive mildew in the house. It is unclean. 45 He shall break down the house, its stones, and its timber, and all the house’s mortar. He shall carry them out of the city into an unclean place.

46 “Moreover he who goes into the house while it is shut up shall be unclean until the evening. 47 He who lies down in the house shall wash his clothes; and he who eats in the house shall wash his clothes.

48 “If the priest shall come in, and examine it, and behold, the plague hasn’t spread in the house, after the house was plastered, then the priest shall pronounce the house clean, because the plague is healed. 49 To cleanse the house he shall take two birds, cedar wood, scarlet, and hyssop. 50 He shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water. 51 He shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird, and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 He shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird, and with the running water, with the living bird, with the cedar wood, with the hyssop, and with the scarlet; 53 but he shall let the living bird go out of the city into the open field. So shall he make atonement for the house; and it shall be clean.”