D’Varim (Deut.) 1:1-3:22
D’Varim (Deut.) 1:1-3:22
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 1:1-27
Messianic Scripture Hebrews 3:7-4:11
Today I would like to mention a few things concerning the Fast day of Tisha B’Av that begins this evening as Shabbat ends. In English this is the ninth day of the Hebrew month of Av. This is one of the most solemn days of the year. What gives it this name? On this day over 2,500 years ago the Babylonians destroyed the first temple in Jerusalem. Exactly five hundred years later the Romans destroyed the second temple. On that same day, in 1492 Queen Isabella decreed that all Jews in Spain must convert to Christianity or be expelled from Spain. During Tisha B’Av we are encouraged to read the book of Lamentations. This book lays out a very vivid picture of the lamenting and mourning that took place over the destruction of the city of G-d.
Mattot (Tribes) Masa’ei (stages) Numbers/B’midbar 30:2-36:13
Pinchas Numbers/B’midbar 25:10-30:1
Balak Numbers/B’midbar 22:2-25:9
Torah Portion: Balak Numbers/B’midbar 22:2-25:9
Haftorah Reading: Micah 5:6-6:8
Messianic Scripture II Peter 1:1-22, Jude 11, Rev. 2:14-15
Today we have some very interesting issues to cover in the next hour. I would like to begin with my question of the week and talk about the reading from the prophet Micah found in Micah 5:1-6:8. Does anyone know why we read from the prophets each Shabbat?
Chukat (Regulations) Numbers/B’midbar 19:1-22:1
Chukat (Regulations) Numbers/B’midbar 19:1-22:1
Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33
Messianic Scripture John 3:9-21, 4:3-30, 12:27-50
This week we look at a Torah portion filled with many questions. We read of the red heifer. We read of the death of Aaron and Miriam, the two siblings of Moshe. Any one of these could be discussed for hours and even then find there is so much more that could be said. However, today I want to major on only a couple of questions.
First, to begin, I want to give a working definition of the word used as the title for this portion, Chukat. This word means regulation. However, as we dig a bit, it is a word also denoting a regulation that is hard to grasp the logic behind what it is relating to us.
Korach Numbers/B’midbar 16:1-18:32
Korach Numbers/B’midbar 16:1-18:32
Haftorah Reading: I Samuel 11:14-12:22
Messianic Scripture II Timothy 2:8-21, Jude 1-25
Before we get to the Torah portion today I want us first to talk about my question concerning Matthew 27:46. Here, as Yeshua is dying, He said, “My G-d, My G-d, why have you forsaken me?” I am sure all of us have heard pastors explain this verse by saying G-d could not look upon Yeshua on the cross because He was carrying the sins of the world. A holy G-d could not tolerate being in the presence of sin unless it was covered by a blood sacrifice. Have any of you ever heard this explanation or any other?
Shelach L’Kha (Send on your behalf) Numbers/B’midbar 13:1-15:41
Shelach L’Kha (Send on your behalf) Numbers/B’midbar 13:1-15:41
Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24
Messianic Scripture Hebrews 3:7-19
Today we look at one of the most difficult passages we will study all year. It is not difficult because of grammar or use of unfamiliar words. Rather it is difficult to understand because we, looking at it in hindsight, wonder how could these ten men, leaders of the tribes, have made such a serious mistake. How could they have erred in their conclusions? Remember, these men had all seen G-d deliver Israel from Egypt. They had seen the army of Egypt drowned in the Sea while they walked through on dry ground. They sung with all Israel the song of triumph when they were delivered in Exodus 15:1-18. They were all present when G-d came down on the mountain and spoke to them and gave them the Torah.
Beha’alotcha (When you set up) Numbers/B’midbar 8:1-12:16
Beha’alotcha (When you set up) Numbers/B’midbar 8:1-12:16
Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7
Messianic Scripture John 19:31-37, Hebrews 3:1-6
Our reading today contains many themes from the highs of the Menorah to the lows of the verses about Miriam and Aaron complaining and gossiping about Moshe. Today I want us to spend our time mainly on two of these themes. The first is found in Numbers 11:4-5. Here we read of the people complaining about only having manna to eat. They go on and on with their list of just how good they had it in Egypt. They seem to have completely forgotten the part about being slaves there. Then in verses 11:14-15 we see Moshe come to the end of his patience and said to G-d, in verse 15, “And if you deal thus with me, kill me, I pray you.” Moshe had reached the end and cried out to G-d.
Naso (Take) Num/B’midbar 4:21-7:89
Naso (Take) Numbers/B’midbar 4:21-7:89
Haftorah Reading: Judges 13:2-25
Messianic Scripture John 7:53-8:11, Acts 21:17-32
This week we read the portion named Naso. When you read this portion you will find it filled with details of the gifts brought by each family head. However, buried in these details we read the verses laying out a prayer. This prayer was given by G-d to Moshe to be used by the priests to speak over the people. This is what I want us to spend our time on today. The verses are found in Numbers 6:22-27.
B’midbar (In the Desert) Num./B’midbar 1:1-4:20
B’midbar (In the Desert) Numbers/B’midbar 1:1-4:20
Haftorah Reading: Hosea 1:10-2:20
Messianic Scripture Luke 2:1-7, I Cor. 12:12-31
Today we begin the fourth book of the Torah. In English it is named Numbers. This English name has no connection to the Hebrew name of this book, B’midbar, or “In the Desert.” Having said that it is easy to understand the English choice of Numbers. The book begins with G-d speaking to Moshe and telling him to take a census of the people.