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.

Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Tazria(She Conceives)Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Haftorah Reading: II Kings 4:42-5:19

This Torah portion may seem at first glance to have little to do with us or our world. However, as we go over it tonight I pray each of us will see the biblical truths within these verses, truths that will give us a far better understanding of how it speaks exactly to us today.

Vayak’hel (He Assembled) Sh’mot/Ex. 35:1-38:20 P’Kudei (Accounts) Sh’mot/Ex 38:21-40:38

Torah Portions: Vayak’hel (He Assembled) Sh’mot/Ex. 35:1-38:20 

P’Kudei (Accounts) Sh’mot/Ex 38:21-40:38

Haftorah Readings: I Kings 7:13-26; 7:40-8:21

Our teaching today covers the last two Torah portions of Exodus. The name of the first portion is Vayak’hel which means, gathering of people of like mind. It is the modern word, Kehila or congregation. It is the word we use for Road to Zion.

The second portion is Pekudei and means something like giving an account or counting. Today it is the source of the modern Hebrew word pakeed or clerk. You can add these words to your Hebrew vocabulary.

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

Torah Portion: Beha’alotcha (When You Lift Up) B’midbar(Numbers) 8:1-12:16  Haftorah Reading Zechariah 2:14-4:7

Tonight, our reading covers a wide range of subjects. We begin with the instructions for lighting the golden menorah in the Mishkan or Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem. We also read of the men who came to Moshe and pleaded for a chance to keep Passover since they were unclean from being in contact with a dead body during the holiday. This portion also covers the order the tribes were to be in when it came time, at G-d’s direction, for them to move.

Passover Reading Lev 25 Counting the Omer

Passover Reading:  (Leviticus) Vayikra 25:1-16

Counting the Omer

At sundown today the holiday of Pesach ends and we count day eight of the omer. Since there is no Torah portion for this Sabbath we will give our attention to several topics that G-d has brought before me this week including some insight on counting the omer.

Sh’mot (Names) Exodus 1-6

Torah Portion:  Sh’mot (Names) Exodus 1:1-6:1

Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 1:1-2:3

Tonight we begin the second book of the Torah – Sh’mot  (Exodus). It begins by listing the seventy people of Jacob’s family who came to Egypt from Israel and begins with introducing the hardships of the people under the rule of Pharaoh. In this section we read of the naming of Moshe and also the introduction of the Holy Name of G-d. I would like to cover several important topics tonight that I believe have a direct impact on our spiritual life.

Tol’dot (Generations) Beresheet Gen 25-28

Torah Portion:  Tol’dot (Generations) (B’resheet) Genesis 25-28

Haftorah Reading: Malachi 1:1-2:7

This week we read a portion of Torah that covers much of the life of Isaac.  Contained also is the drama played out in the family which concerns the two sons of Isaac and Rebekah. I want us to take time looking at this drama but first a few words about the second Patriarch of Israel, Isaac.

B’resheet (In the Beginning) Gen. 1:1-6:8

Torah Portion:  B’resheet (In the Beginning) 1:1-6:8

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 42:5-43:10

Today we begin our journey anew by looking at Genesis, B’resheet, “In the Beginning.” In this Portion we read of G-d creating out of nothing. We read of the first family, the first children and of course of the first sin. We read of a couple who walked with G-d, a couple created in the image of G-d and a couple seduced by their own choice.

Tol’dot (History) Gen 25-28

Torah Portion: Tol’dot (History) B’resheet Genesis 25-28

HafTorah: Malachi 1:1-2:7

In this section of scripture we read about the birth of twins to Rivkah and Yitzak. We read of the on going tension between the boys and the eventual leaving of Ya’acov to the home of Rivkah’s brother. This section is filled with relational issues that arise in a family and I think gives us some insight in the correct way to deal with them. This is the main thrust of what I would like to look at today.

Ki Tavo (When You Come) Deut. 26

Torah Portion: Ki Tavo (When You Come) D’Varim, Deut. 26:1-29:8

HafTorah: Israel 60:1-22

This Torah section covers the blessings and curses that await the people depending on how they relate to the Father in the years ahead. I purpose that we can somewhat apply this to ourselves as well. What does G-d require of us in our walk with Him? In my first question this week I quoted Deut. 28:47. I asked you to tell me what this means to us and how do we acquire this joy in our lives. I got some very good answers to this and I appreciate them. Is joy or gloom a thermometer of our general situation in life? Does it measure our emotional feeling at any given time? What does scripture have to say? Read James 1:2. The real question comes in how we see G-d in the world around us. Do we see everything around us as an opportunity to express our joy for what He has done in our lives? Now in the good things this is usually no problem. But in those things that come to us that are difficult it is more difficult. Even in the good times we can get caught up in what we’ve done or we think we have to protect what we have by worrying or working harder and harder. In fact this verse says exactly that. They did not serve Him with joy when they had everything.