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.
Nitzavim (Standing) D’Varim (Deut.) 29:9-30:20, Vayelekh (He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30
: Nitzavim (Standing) D’Varim (Deut.) 29:9-30:20, Vayelekh (He Went) D’Varim (Deut.) 31:1-30
Haftorah Readings: Isaiah (Yesh’yahu) 61:10-63:9; Hosea 14:1-10, Micah 7:18-20, Joel 2:15-27
This week we read a double portion of scripture. Remember, this was Moshe’s last day alive, yet he was still speaking G-d’s word to the people. This will be covered a bit more later. However, it does raise the question, how do we spend our days especially when we are near the end of life? I read a quote this week from a book about Sherlock Holmes. It was, “I draw your attention, Watson, to the curious incident of the dog at night.” “But the dog did nothing at night,” said Watson. “That is the curious incident,” said Holmes. Sometimes to truly understand a book’s point you need to pay attention to not only what it says, but also to what it does not say.
Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59 Metzora (Leper) Vayikra/Leviticus 14:1-15:33 Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Torah Portion: Tazria (She Conceives) Vayikra/Leviticus 12:1-13:59 Metzora (Leper) Vayikra/Leviticus 14:1-15:33 Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Haftorah Reading: II Kings 4:42-5:19, II Kings 7:3-20
As you know we read a double portion this week. Both of these portions had a common thread, uncleanness of a person, clothing or house. These portions also give detailed instructions on how to rid the person, house or clothing of this problem. Remember, having this condition of being unclean did not necessarily mean sin was involved. This condition, if contracted, did set the person or item apart and it could not be used in the Tabernacle and a person could not come into the Tabernacle in an unclean state.
Tazria (She Conceives) and Metzora( Leper) Leviticus (Vayikra) 12-15
Torah Portion Tazria (She Conceives) and Metzora( Leper) Leviticus (Vayikra) 12-15
Haftorah Reading II Kings 4:42-5:19 and II Kings 7:3-20
This week we read two portions of scripture that have mainly to do with the disease of leprosy. In our world today medical science has eradicated this disease so the question is why bother with a subject that is no longer relevant in our world? The Torah is less concerned about the actual disease than the spiritual lessons behind it.
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.