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?

Tazria (Conceived) and Metzora (Leper) (Leviticus) Vayikra 12-15

Torah Portion:  Tazria (Conceived) and Metzora (Leper) (Leviticus) Vayikra 12-15

Haftorah Reading: II Kings 4:42-5:19 and II Kings 7:3-20

Tonight we read two Torah Portions concerning clean and unclean items and people. Remember, this condition of being unclean does not necessarily mean sin has occurred. Usually it is a result of just living in the world or natural bodily functions such as we see here tonight.

However, as with leprosy it can be brought on by the sin of “lashon harah” or an evil tongue. This is related to gossip or talking badly about someone or in some cases about something. The most obvious example is the case of Miriam, the sister of Moshe. We read about this in Numbers/B’Midbar 12:1-10. When we read these verses we read where Aaron and Miriam were talking about Moshe marrying a Cusite woman. G-d judged Miriam by causing her to have leprosy. Scripture says she became white as snow and was restored only when Moshe prayed for her. We also see where this condition was looked on as if she was dead.

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.