Friday, April 27, 2018

This is an eternal statute

(Leviticus23:14)
Iyar 11, 5778/April 26, 2018
This week's Torah reading, (read here in the land of Israel), Emor, begins by enumerating Torah commandments concerning the kohanim (Temple priests). This, of course, is in keeping with the rest of the book of Leviticus, which is wholly concerned with the conduct of the kohanim in the performance of the Temple offerings and daily Tamid service, and with the 'extra' assignment with which the kohanim were entrusted - the spiritual care with which they tended to non-priestly Israelites who had been stricken with different manifestations of ritual impurity.

What 'Holiness' Looks Like


When a religious person conducts himself no differently than the common, ordinary people around him, he makes God look common and ordinary too.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Acharei Mot-Kedoshim (אחרי מות/קדושים | After the death/Holy)
Torah: Leviticus 16:1-20:27
Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19
Gospel: Matthew 15:10-20;

Yeshua (Jesus) keep the Torah

Orthodox Jewish men gather at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem.
 
 
Shalom,
 
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”  (Matthew 5:17)
 
It is quite often said that Yeshua (Jesus) had little appreciation for Judaism's oral laws.
 
But a great many Jewish people recognized Yeshua as being a holy man, an observant Jew.  In fact, many called Him Rabbi, which at the time meant Master or Teacher of the law, both oral and written.
 
Rabbi Yeshua, likewise, told the crowds and His disciples that the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat.  In saying this, He recognized their official right to make rulings and judgments according to Scripture and the oral tradition.
 
These oral laws or traditions are somewhat akin to judges interpreting the law of the land based on past interpretations by other judges.
 
This authority to rule and make judgments about God's instructions likely began when Moses accepted his father-in-law’s advice to share the burden of leadership with 70 elders of the community (Exodus 18:13–26).

Friday, April 13, 2018

And on the eighth day, he shall take for himself two turtle doves

(Leviticus15:14)
Nisan 28, 5778/April 13, 2018
This week's double Torah reading of Tazria-Metzora deals with a number of subjects, each distinct from the other, but with a common thread woven through each of them. One of the common threads today is how strange, how foreign, how far away they all seem to our modern eyes and ears. Nevertheless the intended common thread throughout Tazria-Metzora is that of tahara, translated as purity, and its antithesis, tum'a, translated as impurity. Just what are taharaand tum'a and what do they have to do with the arcane afflictions whose symptoms are described in painstaking detail, and what does any of this have to do with the central and sole focus of the book of Leviticus, which is the service of the kohanim, (the Temple priests), within the desert Tabernacle?

Aaron's Grief


The Temple belongs to the world in which HaShem will wipe away every tear from their eyes and in which there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Shemini (שמיני | Eighth)
Torah: Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Haftarah: 2 Sam. 6:1-7:17
Gospel: Matthew 3:11-17

Saturday, April 7, 2018

Speak to the children of Israel and let them travel!

7th-day-pesach-sameach-5778-nwslttr

(Exodus 14:15)

Nisan 20, 5778/April 5, 2018
Fulfilling all of G-d's commandments concerning the preparation of and partaking of the Pesach (Passover) offering before leaving Egypt forever on the night of the fifteenth of Nisan was a huge step for the children of Israel, but just the first step, nevertheless, on the long road to freedom. They proved that, even in the face of danger, and with much good reason to be fearful, they could follow G-d's instructions faithfully and to perfection. And for the next six days on their journey this is exactly what they did. G-d told them where to turn and where to encamp, and they did. No questions were asked. No doubts were raised.

Celebrating the Passover Seder

 
 
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  (Isaiah 53:5)
 
 
Shalom,
 
Christians around the world will be honoring Good Friday. 
 
At the same time, Jewish People and Messianic Believers will be celebrating the Passover Seder, recounting how the Angel of Death passed over the homes of the Israelites and all those in Egypt who applied the blood of the Passover lamb to their doorposts.
 
Two thousand years ago, 12 men celebrating the Passover Seder in Jerusalem were told by their rabbi and master, Yeshua (Jesus), that this would be their last Seder together.  He also explained its prophetic significance.
 
“When the hour came, Yeshua and His apostles reclined at the table.  And He said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.  I tell you, I will not eat it again until it finds fulfillment in the kingdom of God.’”  (Luke 22:14–16)
 

The Last Supper, by Jacopo Bassano
 
Despite this last time of breaking unleavened bread and sharing of the wine, Yeshua did not leave them without hope.  
 

A night of anticipation for HaShem

happy-passover-5778-nwslttr

(Exodus 12:42)

Nisan 14, 5778/March 30, 2018
Passover is the festival of freedom. For weeks we prepare to reacquire our freedom, to reaffirm our freedom and to celebrate our freedom, by cleaning our homes and our persons of all manners of chametz - leavened food stuffs, and even food stuffs that could potentially become leavened. We do this to the very last speck of chametz, removing it completely from our lives for seven whole days. Leaven causes things to rise, to take up space, to become full of themselves. The material chametz that we diligently remove from our homes in preparation for Passover parallels the spiritual chametz that we are equally diligent in removing from our souls and our psyches and egos, as we prepare for Passover. To fully receive freedom and to fully embrace freedom we need to clear ourselves of our own inflated self importance, of the crumbs that fill our lives and distract us from our purpose and our potential. We replace our chametz with matza, an unleavened, unassuming bread that doesn't bedazzle or bedevil us with idle distractions, the bread of our fathers before they went down to Egypt, before they became bondsmen. When they were free.

Blood on the Doorposts


Although Passover is celebrated annually, the Israelite homes were never again smeared with blood from the Passover lambs.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Pesach (פסח | Passover)
Torah: Exodus 12:21-51
Haftarah: Joshua 3:5-7, 5:2-6:1, 6:27
Gospel: John 19:31-20:1

Korban Pesach (Passover Offering).


A Jewish High Priest wearing Hoshen and Ephod.  The Holy of Holies is
in the background.  (1890 Holman Bible)
 
  
Shalom,
 
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”  (Leviticus 17:11)
 
Yesterday, here in Jerusalem, huge Israeli crowds watched the reenactment of a full Passover ceremony, including the slaughtering of a Korban Pesach (Passover Offering)
 
This is a definite sign that we are living very close to the time when Yeshua (Jesus) returns in these Last Days.
 
This NEW annual ceremony took place at the southern wall of the Temple Mount, where the ancient Israelites would ascend the steps to the Temple with their offerings. 
 
While Passover does not begin until Friday night, this reenactment with about 20 kohanim (priests) in white vestments (some blowing authentic Temple trumpets) is necessary preparation for the day when the Temple will be rebuilt and sacrifices will resume as God prescribed in the Torah (instructions).
 

Kohanim blowing silver trumpets and carrying lambs to the place of the
offering.  (Source: Temple Institute Facebook)
 
Religious (Orthodox) Jews from around the world who have been praying for the reconstruction of the Beit HaMikdash (Holy Temple) three times a day in their daily prayers along with even secular Israelis, watched the re-institution of the Temple's sacrificial service.
 

A pleasing fragrance to HaShem

(Leviticus 6:8)
Nisan 7, 5778/March 23, 2018
This week's Torah reading, Tzav, like last week's opening chapters of the book of Leviticus, and like much of the book of Leviticus that will follow, is an intensely detailed description, instruction book, actually, for the preparation and performance of the diverse Temple offerings, as well as the related topics of ritual purity and dietary laws, as we shall see. Torah should be applauded for its transparency. After all, only a small number of kohanim, (Temple priests), truly need to know most of this information, in any given generation. Nevertheless, the Torah shares all of these details with the entire people of Israel. The spiritual transformation that all these vividly detailed offerings and issues of ritual purity are intended to effect, can only be achieved in the light of day, and with the full knowledge and cognizance of the participant.

The Thanksgiving Offering


People in Bible times did not celebrate the American holiday of thanksgiving, but they had their own thanksgiving meals, nonetheless.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Tzav (צו | Command)
Torah: Leviticus 6:1-8:36
Haftarah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3, 9:22-23
Gospel: Matthew 9:10-17

A special portion for Shabbat HaGadol is read this Shabbat!
Shabbat HaGadol (שבת הגדול | The Great Sabbath)
Haftarah: Malachi 3:4-24
Gospel: Matt 17:9-13

Preparing for Passover is the ultimate in spring cleaning

Stack of matzah (unleavend bread)
 
 
"Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread.  On the first day you shall remove leaven from your houses.  For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that person shall be cut off from Israel."  (Exodus 12:15)
 
 
Shalom,
 
With Passover (the Festival of Unleavened Bread) beginning in two weeks, all over Israel every man, woman and child will soon be busy cleaning their closets, shelves, drawers and vehicles in order to be ready for this most important celebration.
 

Passover at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem
 

And He called...

(Leviticus 1:1)
Adar 29, 5778/March 16, 2018
When we fall in love with someone and desire to spend the rest of eternity with them, we need to create a space for them in our lives, a physical, emotional and spiritual space, and invite them in. To stay. Forever. This is the basic story line which describes G-d's relationship with man, beginning with "In the beginning... " in which G-d created time and space so that He could share that space with His creation, and with Man, the crown jewel of His creation. G-d created a special space, called it the Garden of Eden, and put Man in it, but Man, it appears, was not quite ready for this relationship, and opted to strike out on his own, independent of G-d. The rest, we know, was a painful history, of starts and stops, misunderstandings, misreadings and missteps. G-d was pushed aside and discarded, and cataclysmic flood and devastating destructions were the result. Both partners in this stillborn relationship were in pain. And then Avraham appeared, and, at long last, reciprocated, on man's behalf, G-d's primordial gesture to Man, and opened up his world, (our world), to G-d, creating a space in his heart and soul, in his life and in the lives of his associates and passers by and in his family and his progeny. Man and G-d are, for the first time, looking directly into one another's eyes, as Avraham stated on Mount Moriah, when he declared, "HaShem will see, as it is said to this day: On the mountain, HaShem will be seen." (Genesis 22:14) A courtship has begun.

Obedience and Sacrifice


What gift can you get for the God who already has everything? Does God desire sacrifice? The book of Leviticus opens with a gift registry that offers a few suggestions.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Vayikra (ויקרא | And he called)
Torah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftarah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Gospel: Matthew 5:23-30
* Special readings for Shabbat HaChodesh are applicable this Shabbat.
Shabbat HaChodesh (החדש | The Month)
* Maftir: Exodus 12:1-20
* Haftarah: Ezekiel 45:16-46:18
Gospel: Luke 22:1-13

With the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, with insight, and with knowledge

(Exodus 35:30)
Adar 22, 5778/March 9, 2018
This Shabbat we read the concluding chapters of the book of Exodus, the double Torah reading of Vayakhel-Pekudei. In these chapters, Moshe, having descended from Mount Sinai and having dealt decisively with the debacle of the golden calf, now assembles the entire nation and gives over to them the instructions that G-d had given to him while still cloistered on Mount Sinai: the finely detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle, its vessels and the garments for the kohanim who will serve in the Tabernacle. Moshe then calls upon the people whose heart compels them to come forth and donate the raw materials necessary for the Tabernacle and its accoutrements. The nation as a whole rises to the occasion and with generous hearts bring such quantities of the necessary materials that, within just two days, Moshe sends out the call that no more materials are needed: the construction of the Tabernacle can begin. G-d calls upon Moshe to appoint master craftsmen Betzalel ben Uri and Ohaliav ben Achisamach, whose hearts He will fill "with the spirit of G-d, with wisdom, with insight, and with knowledge, and with [talent for] all manner of craftsmanship... " (Exodus 35:30) Work on the Tabernacle commences in earnest. The entire nation lends its skills and expertise to the fulfillment of the great project of making for G-d a sanctuary that He may dwell amongst them, the fulfillment of G-d's primordial desire for His presence to dwell among His people, the completion and perfection of His creation.

The 'Church' at Mount Sinai


We often see pictures of Jesus in church, but in reality, Jesus himself never set foot in a church. He attended synagogue services, and He assembled along with all Israel at the Temple.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Vayakhel-Pekudei (ויקהל/פקודי | He gathered/Countings)
Torah: Exodus 35:1-40:38
Haftarah: 1 Kings 7:40-50 *
Gospel: John 13:1-19; Luke 16:1-13
* Special readings for Shabbat Parah are applicable this Shabbat.
Shabbat Parah (פרה | Cow)
* Maftir: Numbers 19:1-19:22
* Haftarah: Ezekiel 36:16-36:38
Gospel: John 11:47-57

HaShem, HaShem, benevolent G-d

(Exodus 34:6)
Adar 15, 5778/March 2, 2018, Shushan Purim
Much has been written and said about the great debacle of the golden calf, whose story takes center stage in this week's Torah reading of Ki Tisa, sandwiched between G-d's final commandments to Moshe in Mount Sinai, concerning the preparation of the Tabernacle, and the parashah's closing description of the three pilgrimage festivals to be observed in the land of Israel, Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot. To attempt to get to the bottom of the golden calf incident, its real meaning and significance, we need to not only determine what it was, but also what it wasn't.

The Word Made Stone


Moses descended and broke the tablets when he saw the golden calf. He returned to the cloud of glory, carrying new stone tablets before descending a second time in the glory of the LORD, carrying the new stone tablets of the renewed covenant.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Ki Tisa (כי תשא | When you take)
Torah: Exodus 30:11-34:35
Haftarah: 1 Kings 18:1-39
Gospel: Mark 9:1-10

You shall make holy garments for your brother

(Exodus 28:2)
Adar 8, 5778/February 23, 2018
"I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel and I will be their G-d. They will know that I, HaShem, am their G-d, Who brought them out of the land of Egypt in order that I may dwell in their midst; I am HaShem, their G-d." (Exodus 29:45-46) After G-d has completed His instructions to Moshe for building the Tabernacle and its vessels, making the priestly garments for Aharon and his sons, and dedicating the Tabernacle, He then reaffirms His reason for bringing Israel out of Egypt and His determination to dwell in their midst. What is the nature of this meeting place between G-d and man? What makes the Mishkan(Tabernacle) so unique? For sure, it is filled with beautiful vessels of gold and silver, but gold and silver are also the cherished possessions of earthly kings. And G-d doesn't command Israel to make for Him a sanctuary so that His presence may inhabit these man-made vessels, G-d forbid! G-d commands Israel to make for Him a sanctuary so that He may dwell amongst them.

Kohens, Priests of a Different Kind


What's the difference between the priests in the Bible and Christian priests? More than you might think. They aren't even related.

THIS WEEK'S TORAH PORTION:
Tetzaveh (תצוה | You shall command)
Torah: Exodus 27:20-30:10
Haftarah: Ezekiel 43:10-27
Gospel: Matthew 5:13-20
* Special readings for Shabbat Zachor are applicable this Shabbat.
Shabbat Zachor (זכור | Remember)
* Maftir: Deuteronomy 25:17-19
* Haftarah: 1 Samuel 15:1-34
Gospel: Mark 6:14-29