Korach B’midbar/Numbers 16:1-18:32

Torah Portion: Korach B’midbar/Numbers 16:1-18:32  

Haftorah Reading: I Samuel 11:14-12:22

Today we are looking at a very important Torah portion. I realize I say that quite often but in this portion I believe we are looking at verses that speak directly to our times today.

Let me begin by looking at another verse that has Hebrew – English translation issues. In Numbers 16:1 we read in English, “Korah took men.” However in Hebrew the word men does not appear. It reads, “Korach took.” This leaves us with an interesting question, what did Korach take?

Shelach L’Kha (Send on Your Behalf) B’midbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41

Shelach L’Kha(Send on Your Behalf)B’midbar/Numbers 13:1-15:41
Haftorah Reading: Joshua 2:1-24
 
Today, we again have a very important Torah portion to look at. It has much to teach us, some points will take some digging on our part to discover answers. Some will require a look at the words in Hebrew and other verses will appear to be in conflict by the wording.
 
For example, in Numbers 13:1-2 we read, “The L-rd said to Moshe, send some men to explore the land of Canaan.” Then in Deut. 1:22 we read that the people came to Moshe and asked him to send men to explore the land. This leaves us with a question. Who told Moshe to send the men into the land? In our portion today in Numbers 13, we can bring clarity by looking at the wording in Hebrew. Numbers 13:2 can be translated as, “Send for yourself,” or do what seems right in your own eyes. G-d was saying to Moshe, after the visit of the people, you make this decision as the leader of the people. This gives us more harmony between the two accounts. I bring this out to show us there is harmony in G-d’s word. But sometimes it takes a little effort or digging to find answers.

Beha’alotcha (When You Set Up) B’midbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16

Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha(When You Set Up)B’midbar/Numbers 8:1-12:16

Haftorah Reading: Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Today we are studying a portion of scripture that has so much to say to us in our daily walk with the Father. I have several topics to cover, all of which I believe will speak to us. The first has to do with Moses. In this portion we read of the people’s complaints of having only manna to eat. They reminisced about the variety of food they had in Egypt. G-d told Moses He would supply the Israelites with enough meat for a month. In Numbers 11:22 Moshe shared with G-d his doubts that that was possible. G-d’s responded to Moses by asking if the L-rd’s power was limited? In Hebrew, Numbers 11:23 is expressed well, “Has the hand of the L-rd become shortened?” In effect He is reminding Moses how He delivered the people from Egypt, split the sea for them to cross on to dry land, brought them water from a rock and brought mana down each day.

Naso (Take) B’midbar/Numbers 4:21-7:89

Naso(Take)B’midbar/Numbers 4:21-7:89

Haftorah Reading: Judges 13:2-25

This afternoon we study a very important Torah portion. At first glance Naso seems to be a portion of disconnected subjects. We read the account of the Levitical families of Gershon and Merari and their tasks to carry part of the Mishkan when the Israelites journeyed from place to place. We read of the sota or the wife whose husband became jealous and accused her of being unfaithful. We also read of the laws of the Nazarite. Next is the priestly blessing. This prayer has been used by faiths other than Judaism. It is the oldest prayer in the world still being used today. This prayer is followed by a listing of the gifts brought by the princes of each tribe at the dedication of the Mishkan. 

B’midbar (In the Desert) B’midbar/Numbers 1:1-4:20

B’midbar(In the Desert)B’midbar/Numbers 1:1-4:20

Haftorah Reading: Hosea 1:10-2:20

Tonight there is so much to talk about. Shavuot begins tonight at sundown. It is one of the three pilgrimage holidays and comes 50 days after Passover. It is followed by Sukkot in the fall.

I would like to begin with a few words about what I consider one of the main lessons wrapped up in our Torah portion this week.  How many times have you heard someone say something like, “but this is just how I am.” Maybe you have even said it yourself. There is good news for those of us who think along those lines. That statement is a false statement. We can change.

B’chukkotai (By My Regulations) Vayikra/Leviticus 26:3-27:34

B’chukkotai(By My Regulations)Vayikra/Leviticus 26:3-27:34

Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 16:19-17:14

Even though we are unable to meet today I want to send you some thoughts on this week’s Torah portion. I would like to concentrate on an extremely important section of this Torah portion. It begins with these words, “If you walk in my statutes and keep My commandments so as to carry them out” Leviticus 26:3. Isn’t that statement a bit redundant? What is the difference between 1. walking in My statutes and 2. keeping the commandments and 3. carrying them out? I might add this question also applies to Yeshua’s commandments in the Messianic Scriptures.

B’Har (On the Mountain) Vayikra/Leviticus 25:1-26:2

B’Har(On the Mountain)Vayikra/Leviticus 25:1-26:2

Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 32:6-27

Tonight I want to begin our time together by looking at a set of holidays that we seldom take time to study indepth.  These include Shabbat, the Shmitah year and Jubilee year. What do these three teach us and why are they important to remember?

Emor (Speak) Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1-24:23

Torah Portion: Emor(Speak)Vayikra/Leviticus 21:1-24:23

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 44:15-31

Today we read a very important section of Torah. This portion begins in chapter 21 of Leviticus. Here we read verses about the requirements for a priest of G-d as he lives out his life in the service of G-d. We also have a listing of the holidays celebrated by the people dedicated to G-d.

Kedoshim (Holy People) Vayikra/Leviticus 19:1-20:27

Kedoshim(Holy People)Vayikra/Leviticus 19:1-20:27
Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 20:2-20
 
Today we look at a Torah portion that by most accounts is the most important section of Torah. This Torah portion actually tells us in practical terms what it means to be holy. Our world has improved in many ways since Adam and Eve. Humanity has grown in number. There are many new inventions to make life easier. There are new and easier to use tools that are supposed to help us cope better with the challenges of life. These advances are to make our lives more pleasant and profitable.

Acharei Mot (After the death) Vayikra/Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Acharei Mot (After the death)Vayikra/Leviticus 16:1-18:30

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 22:1-19

I want us to talk about a very serious issue that is all around us. Even in our religious institutions we see things condoned that we would have never dreamed of a few years ago. In our Torah portion today we read of a remedy for the sin sweeping our world.

My question this week centered on two verses, one in our reading and one from the Messianic scriptures. Both of these verses lay out a path for G-d’s people to rise above the situations we encounter each day. We see how to resist becoming numb to the sins we encounter.