Mattot (Tribes) Masa’ei (Stages) (B’Midbar) Numbers30:2-36:13
Torah Portion Mattot (Tribes) Masa’ei (Stages) (B’Midbar) Numbers30:2-36:13
Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-2:28
This week we finish the book of B’Midbar or Numbers. In these two Torah portions we cover a number of topics. These are topics that speak to us in our life and world today. One of the dominant themes is the subject of words. When we began our journey through the Torah the words spoken by G-d brought the world into being. Through all the books so far we have seen the power of words both for good and for evil. We see this same theme in the Messianic Scriptures in Matthew 5:37 where it says, “But let your yes be yes and your no no. For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
Pinchas (B’Midbar) Num. 25:10-30:1
Torah Portion Pinchas (B’Midbar) Numbers 25:10-30:1
Haftorah Reading: I Kings 18:46-19:21
Tonight we read a Torah portion that covers a wide range of topics. We read of a new group of leaders who will take the people to the Promised Land. Joshua is to take the position of Moshe when Moshe dies. Pinkas is granted an everlasting priesthood of peace that in some ways carries on the heritage of his grandfather Aaron. Finally we read of the five daughters of Zelophehad who came to Moshe with a request concerning their right to an inheritance after their father’s death. He died with no sons to inherit his land.
Balak (B’Midbar) Num. 22-25
Torah Portion Balak (B’Midbar) Numbers 22-25
Haftorah Reading: Micah 5:6-6:8
Tonight’s Torah portion is somewhat unusual in that it deals mainly with an idol-worshipping magician, Bilaam, ad his failed attempts to curse the Jewish people. First, to put things into a geographical perspective, Moav, where these verses take place, was on the southwestern side of the Promised Land. The people of Moav were the descendants of Lot. Because of this we read in Deuteronomy (D’Varim) 2:9 where G-d told the people, through Moses, to not distress the people of Moav or provoke them to war because their land was not part of the Promise Land. However, from Balak’s reaction we can assume he was unaware of this and feared the coming Israelites. He thought he needed more help than an army so he turned to Bilaam, apparently a famous person in the ancient world, known for his ability to bring curses down on people and nations. Something to keep in mind, Bilaam lived in what is now Iraq which was a long journey for the messengers of Balak to travel. This distance also speaks of his fame and gives us some idea of how much time it took to bring Bilaam to Moav.
Chukat (Ordinances) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19-22
Torah Portion Chukat (Ordinances) Numbers (B’Midbar) 19-22
Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33
Today we read a Torah portion about the death of both of Moshe’s siblings, Aaron and Miriam. We also read of the remedy for being ritually unclean. You could become ritually unclean by being with or in the house of someone who had died. The only remedy for this level of uncleanness was to be sprinkled with water that contained the ashes of a red heifer.
Korach Numbers (B’Midbar) 16-18
Torah Portion Korach Numbers (B’Midbar) 16-18 Haftorah Reading: I Samuel 11:14-12:22 This week we read the story of the rebellion against Moshe and Aaron. This rebellion was led by Korach but included 250 of the princes of Israel, Dothan and Aviram and men from the tribe of Reuben. I want us to look at the timing […]
Shelach (Send) Numbers (B’Midbar) 13-15
Torah Portion Shelach (Send) Numbers (B’Midbar) 13-15 Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24 Tonight we will concentrate on verses covering the sin of the spies. First, just a word about several Hebrew words that may add some understanding to our story, in Numbers 13:2 we read in English that the mission of the 12 men was to […]
Beha’alotcha (When You Set Up) Numbers (B’Midbar) 8-12
Torah Portion Beha’alotcha (When You Set Up) Numbers (B’Midbar) 8-12
Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
There are a lot of things to talk about in this week’s study. I would like us to zero in on a couple of issues I think will be especially helpful to us in our day-to-day life.
First let us look at Numbers 11:4-6. In these verses we read of the complaints of the people about their situation If you remember this is not the first time we see them complaining about something. After only three days and after the miracle of the splitting of the Reed Sea, Exodus 15:24, we see them asking for water at Meriba. G-d does not scold them but directs Moshe on what to do to turn the water from bitter to sweet. Then, after only a short time they complain about having no food. (Exodus 16:1-3) Again, G-d provides manna. Finally, at Rephidim, in Exodus 17:1-7 they complain about no water. Here again G-d provided without rebuking the people.
So, what makes this time so different? Why does G-d respond differently? Maybe the first three times the complaints were about the very necessities of life, food and water. While here in our portion the complaints seemed to be about a lack of variety in the menu. Here they are not actually hungry or thirsty. Here, they are complaining, spreading discontent just because they did not like the provisions of G-d.
Naso(Lift) Numbers (B’Midbar) 4-7
Torah Portion Naso(Lift) Numbers (B’Midbar) 4-7
Emor(Speak) Lev. (Vayikra) 21-24
Torah Portion Emor(Speak) Leviticus (Vayikra) 21-24
Haftorah Reading Ezekiel 44:15-31
Tonight we read a parasha that covers a variety of subjects. It covers commandments pertaining to the priests and how they are to live, who they are to marry and how they go about their duties. One entire chapter covers the appointed times set by the Father. It is here where I want us to spend a bit of our time tonight. I also want us to talk about the commandments covering the leaving of the edges of your crops and why G-d repeats this commandment when it was covered in last week’s scripture.
Acharei Mot(After the death) and Kedoshim( Holy People) Leviticus (Vayikra) 16-20
Torah Portion Acharei Mot(After the death) and Kedoshim( Holy People) Leviticus (Vayikra) 16-20
Haftorah Reading Ezekiel 22:1-19 and Ezekiel 20:2-20
Tonight we again read two Torah portions. However for our study I would like to mainly look at the second of the two, Kedoshim or Holy People. The word for what is translated as holy is in the plural form, signifying that it applies to us all and that it is to distinguish G-d’s people from the world. Another meaning, or really the primary meaning of the word is to separate out. So when G-d says He is holy what can we understand from that? He is unlike any other so called god. He stands alone. He is recognizable by His characteristics.