Balak Numbers (B’Midbar) 22:2-25:9
Torah Portion: Balak Numbers (B’Midbar) 22:2-25:9
HafTorah: Micah 5:6-6:8
New Testament: II Peter 2:1-22; Jude 11: Rev. 2:14-15
There are several things I want us to spend time on today, most of which have to do with Balaam. Balaam, according to scripture in Numbers 22:5, had a reputation and in fact was a really famous person. Balak even uses words in Numbers 22:6 that are normally reserved for G-d. (Genesis 12:3) However as we read this chapter we see Balaam even stating that he can do only what G-d allows. So, apparently he knew G-d on some level. However he did not know enough. It would seem he may have thought he could manipulate the Father.
Hukath (Regulation) Num. 19:1-22:1
Torah Portion: Hukath (Regulation) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19:1-22:1
HafTorah: Judges 11:1-33
New Testament: John 3:9-21; 4:3-30; 12:27-50
Tonight we look at one of the harder things in Torah to understand. The Red Heifer here in the opening verse we read hukath Torah – The decree of the Torah. It is as if the Torah is saying “This is the point of the whole Torah.” A verse in the New Testament, Mark 12:30-31, reflects the same kind of idea. Here Yeshua gives an answer to a question that was meant to trip Him up. Love G-d and love your neighbor. What do the two have to do with each other?
Korach B’Midbar (Numbers) 16-18
Torah Portion: Korach Numbers (B’Midbar) 16:1-18:32
HafTorah: I Samuel 11:14-12:22
New Testament: Jude; II Tim 2:8-21
This week the Torah section covers the rebellion of Korach, Datan and Aviram as well as the 250 leaders of Israel and finally the congregation of Israel. This progression shows us how rebellion spreads. First it was only three, then 250 and then 14,700 that perished. This paints a great picture for us and should be a word for us about rebellion against G-d.
Shelach L’cha (Send on Your Behalf) Num 13
Torah Portion: Shelach L’cha (Send on your behalf) Numbers (B’Midbar) 13:1-15:41
HafTorah: Joshua 2:1-24
New Testament: Hebrews 3:7-19
Today we talk about one of the major turning points of the time in the wilderness, the sin of the 10 spies and the bad report they brought back about the land of promise. I want us to take several things in this Parasha and see how they might help us to shed light on verses in the New Testament.
B’ha’alotkha (When You Set Up) Numbers 8
Torah Portion: B’ha’alotkha (When You Set Up) Numbers (B’Midbar) 8:1-12:16
HafTorah: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
New Testament: John 19:31-37; Hebrews 3:1-6
I would like to look at a Torah section that is filled with spiritual lessons for us. It spans the setting up of the Menorah, dedication of the Levites to their service, grumbling of the people over meat and the criticism of Moses by Miriam and Aaron.
Naso (Take) Numbers 4:21-7:89
Torah Portion: Naso(Take) Numbers (B’Midbar) 4:21-7:89
HafTorah: Judges 13:2-25
New Testament: John 7:53-8:11; Acts 21:17-32
Tonight we read the Parasha Naso. This Torah section is always read either on the Sabbath before or immediately following Shavuot. As we have mentioned before, Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah. In the New Testament we read where Yeshua was and is the embodiment of Torah. In fact in John I He is called the Word.
B’chukkotai (By my regulations) Vayikra Lev. 26
Torah Portion: B’chukkotai (By My regulations) Vayikra (Leviticus) 26:3-27:34
HafTorah: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
New Testament: John 14:15-21; 15:10-12; I John
Today I want us to look at a difficult passage where G-d outlines the blessings and curses associated with obedience and disobedience. I want us to look at these on a personal level. But before we get to that we must realize that these verses were written on a national and a personal basis.
Emor (Speak) Vayikra (Lev) 21
Torah Portion: Emor (Speak) Vayikra (Leviticus) 21:1-24:23 HafTorah: Ezekiel 44:15-31 New Testament: Matthew 5:38-42; Gal. 3:26-29 Tonight I want us to look especially at Chapter 23 of Leviticus. In this chapter we read a listing of G-d’s calendar. The word used in Hebrew is Mo’ed. Think about your phone or computer where you put your […]
Sh’mini (Eighth) Vayikra (Lev) 9
Torah Portion: Sh’mini (Eighth) Vayikra (Leviticus) 9:1-11:47
HafTorah: II Samuel 6:1-7:17
New Testament: Mark 7:1-23, Acts 5:1-11; 10:1-35; II Corinthians 6:14-7:1;
Galatians 2:11-16; I Peter 1:14-16
Tonight marks the end of Passover. Passover is actually two holidays that over time have become a single unit. The first day being Passover and the remaining seven days being the Feast of Unleavened Bread. These eight days make up the holiday we now celebrate. So G-d’s spiritual calendar begins with an 8 day time and ends with Succoth in the fall which is also an eight day holiday. Tell me, what is the significance of eight in the spiritual realm? Why is this important in G-d’s calendar?
Tzav (Give an Order) Vayikra (Lev) 6
Torah Portion: Tzav(Give an Order)
Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:1-8:36
HafTorah: Jeremiah 7:21-8:3; 9:22-23
New Testament: Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2; I Cor. 10:14-23
Tonight we look at the second Torah section from Leviticus. It begins with the word Tzav or command. Here Moses relates G-d’s commands for the various sacrifices starting with the Tamid offering. This word Tamid means always or continuously. This burnt offering was given every morning and evening, every day. What did we learn last week about a burnt offering? It was completely consumed on the altar. Nothing was kept for use by the person or the priest. It was completely given to G-d. So what was the purpose of doing this every day, morning and evening as a national offering? It was an earthly way of showing that Israel, as a nation, was to be completely given over to G-d’s will and use every day all day.