Balak (Numbers) B’Midbar 22-25
Torah Portion: Balak (Numbers) B’Midbar 22-25
Haftorah Reading: Micah 5:6-6:8
Tonight we study the Torah portion named Balak, after a Moabite king. It is the only Torah portion we study that is looked at through the eyes of non-Jewish people. As you know, the setting takes place very near the time Israel enters the Land in an area geographically just across the Jordon River from what is now Israel.
Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar (Numbers) 19-22
Torah Portion: Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar 19-22
Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33
Tonight we read a Torah section that includes two passages that are difficult to completely understand. The first is the “Red Heifer.” When we read the verses about the preparation and use of the ashes of the red heifer we see a process that cleanses one person from ritual impurity, because of contact with a dead body, while at the same time causing the priest, who is involved, to become unclean in the process. How can this be? I think we will be able to answer this riddle over the next few minutes.
Korach Num. (B’Midbar) 16-18
Torah Portion: Korach (Numbers) B’Midbar 16-18
Haftorah Reading: I Sam. 11-12
Tonight we read the Torah portion Korach. We read of a rebellion led by the cousin of Moshe. A rebellion led by a talented and gifted orator who could have done so much to help but instead fell into the trap of following his illusions. Rather than clearly seeing G-d’s hand in what was transpiring with the people of Israel, he believed his own hype. I want us to look at this Torah portion and find G-d’s direction for our own life and discover ways to not fall into the trap of Korach and his followers.
Shellac L’Kha (Send on Your Behalf) Numbers/B’Midbar 13-15
Torah Portion: Shelach L’Kha (Send on Your Behalf) (Numbers) B’Midbar 13-15
Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24
This week we read the story of the scouts who Moshe sent to scout out the Land of Promise. In this story we can see so much that speaks to our own spiritual life. To illustrate I would like to begin with an archeological lesson. If you have been to Israel and toured the Land I am sure you would have noticed what looked like hills but look out of place with the topography of the land. These small, sometimes large hills are called tels. They actually are the remains of ancient cities built one on top of the other and over time rise above the surrounding area. If we take a cross section of one of these hills we would find layer upon layer of past cities, each built on the remains of earlier dreams and expectations. Some were destroyed because of war while others were destroyed by natural disasters or were simply abandoned. However, in every case the newer was built on the remains of the older, using some of the same ideas, some of the same material, each reaching higher than its predecessor. Each one learning from the latter. In many ways our story of the scouts is similar. This episode ended in failure. However, the people moved on and in their search for and cleaving to the hope and promise of the Father, did not give up. They went on to more and more as they moved closer to the dream. So should we in our lives. We all miss the mark from time to time. But we should move on. We learn, we grow closer to the Father. We never give in to discouragement no matter how many times we stumble. We press ahead. We pick ourselves up and G-d leads us on. So it was here in our verses.
Beha’alotcha (He Lifted Up) (Numbers) B’Midbar 8-12
Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha(He Lifted Up) (Numbers) B’Midbar 8-12
Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
This Torah section begins with the lighting of the Menorah in the Mishkan/Tabernacle for the first time. In the first three verses we read where G-d tells Moshe to relate to Aaron the instructions on the process he was to follow. There are a couple of interesting things that stand out in these verses. In Numbers 8:2 we read in English, “When you light.” The actual Hebrew word means, “When you lift up.” Here we get an idea of what the real purpose of the candles was. The Menorah symbolizes among other things, the light of G-d, the way to the Father. So we could see these verses as saying, “Lift up the light of the Father that people can find their spiritual way, that we can find our way in this world.” Really, here the words have much more to say to us than just a physical act of lighting the candles, but of lighting our way by being lifted up. It might give us a deeper understanding of John 12:32 where we read the words of Yeshua being lifted up and drawing people to Him. The ultimate purpose of that lifting up is that we should be filled with a longing to satisfy our Father. We look for ways to please Him and our own desires pale in comparison. This gives us a deeper understanding of the verses in Numbers 9:6-12 which covers the request of the men who missed Pesach/Passover because they were unclean from being in contact with a dead body. They came to Moshe and asked why they could not have the opportunity to fulfill Passover. Moshe went to G-d and G-d issued an additional commandment that allowed these men to celebrate Passover in the second month since they missed the appointed time in the first month.
Naso (Take) Numbers (B’Midbar) 4-7
Torah Portion: Naso(Take) (Numbers) B’Midbar 4-7
Haftorah Reading: Judges 13:2-25
This Torah portion is the largest section we read during the year totaling 176 verses. In it we read of the census taken of the Levites, the woman suspected of being unfaithful to her husband, the Nazirite Vow, the priestly blessing and the confession of sin.
I emailed a paper to all of you here tonight written by Rabbi Jonathan Sacks entitled, “The Blessing of Love.” This article deals with the priestly blessing. I emailed the article to you to give you time to think about how it might apply spiritually to us in our lives today. I want us to take a few minutes to talk about this paper. The priestly blessing is found in Numbers 6:24-26. This is the blessing said by father’s over their children at the beginning of the Sabbath each week and one of the oldest prayers in scripture. In each line the second word used is the intimate holy name of G-d. In the first part of each line we read of action by G-d, bless, make His Face shine, and turn His face toward. The second part of each verse speaks of the effect of that action, giving us protection, grace and peace. These effects also go deeper as we progress.
B’chukotai (By my statutes) Lev 26-27
Torah Portion: B’chukkotai(By My Statutes) (Leviticus) Vayikra 26-27
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14
In this Torah portion we are immediately struck by the blessings for obeying G-d’s Word, followed by the curses for not following His Word. We are presented with verses that seem to say there is a physical reward for obedience and physical punishment for disobedience. Is that the point of what we read? Maybe on some level it is true however, we all know godly people who do not seem to enjoy the blessings mentioned and on the other hand, ungodly people who seem to flourish. So how are we to solve this riddle?
Faith vs. Trust – B’Har (On the Mount) Lev. 25-26
Torah Portion: B’Har (On the Mount) (Leviticus) Vayikra 25-26:2
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 32:6-27
This week we read the shortest portion of the Year being only one chapter and two verses of the next chapter. Here we read a description of the Shmitah year or a year of solemn rest for the land. In this year the agricultural land lays fallow. No work on the land is permitted. This year happens every 7th year. We can see some similarities between the Shmitah Year and the Sabbath but also some differences.
Emor (Speak) Lev (Vayikra) 21-24
Torah Portion: Emor (Speak) (Leviticus) Vayikra 21-24
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 44:15-31
The week’s Torah portion covers several topics such as the commandments, a priest’s contact with a dead person. It also covers whom a priest can marry and what would disqualify a priest from coming into G-d’s presence to offer an offering. We read of many commandments covering the animals that could be offered. The animal could have no blemish. It had to be physically perfect.
Kedoshim (Holy People) Vayikra/Leviticus 19-20
Torah Portion: Kedoshim (Holy People) (Leviticus) Vayikra 19-20
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 20:2-20
Today I want us to talk for a bit about holiness. Here in our opening verse the Father says to Moshe call all of Israel together and share with them these words of how they should live and conduct their lives to be holy, for I am holy. Right away this verse puts the question to us, “What is holy, what does it mean and how does it impact our lives as people of G-d.”