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.

Va’era (And I Appeared) Ex. (Sh’mot) 6:2-9:35

Torah PortionVa’era (And I Appeared) Ex. (Sh’mot) 6:2-9:35

Today we read about a huge change in the world’s concept of G-d, or at least for those of us who have a faith in the L-rd. It begins with our Jewish brothers and sisters and later through Yeshua was made available to all who believe.

In Exodus 6:2 we read, “And G-d spoke to Moshe and said to him, I am the L-rd. “ This word L-rd, in Hebrew, is the Holy Name of G-d, which encompasses the entire nature of G-d. Here in Exodus we see G-d instruct Moshe to go to the people and tell them that, “The G-d of your fathers has sent me to you,” Exodus 3:13-15. Moshe asked, when I go to them and they ask what is His name what shall I say? The L-rd replied, “I Am who I Am sent me.” Further on in these verses the L-rd went on to say, “This is My Name forever.”

Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) D’Varim (Deut.) 21:10-25:19

: Ki Tetze (When You Go Out) D’Varim (Deut.) 21:10-25:19

Haftorah Readings: Isaiah (Yesh’yahu) 54:1-10

Our Torah portion this week contains more commandments than other portions. It seems like Moshe, knowing his time was limited, was trying to do all he could to prepare these people before they crossed over the Jordan and entered their inheritance. These commandments cover a wide range of subjects starting with how to deal with a captive woman and how to handle a rebellious son. 

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

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

Haftorah Reading Ezekiel 20:2-20

Tonight, we study, by most accounts, the most important Torah portion. The reason is very simple.  Parashat Kedoshim actually tells us in practical terms what it means to be holy.

Mishpatim Judgments H’mot-Exodus 21-24

Torah Portion Mishpatim (Judgments ) Sh’mot (Exodus) 21-24

Haftorah Reading Jeremiah 34:8-22, 33:25-26

If you could summarize this Torah portion what would you say is the over-riding theme of these verses? As we start I want to say a word about the very first word of our section of scripture. In Hebrew it is actually two words, Va’eleh, which means, “And these.” These words, “and these” link what we just finished reading in last week’s portion to what we are about to read following these words. They should be understood in the same way as what proceeded. Last week we read the Ten Commandments that many would say, is the peak of G-d’s message to the people at the mountain. Therefore the words of our section tonight are to be read and understood in the same light. From our understanding of the Messianic scriptures we also see the same idea stressed over and over. James 1:27 says it plainly, ”Pure and undefiled religion before G-d and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble.”  It stresses what should be the conduct of us all. The true test of a civilization is how it treats its elderly, poor and orphaned.

Va’era (I Appeared) Exodus 6-9

Torah Portion: Va’era (I Appeared) Sh’mot (Exodus) 6:2-9:35

HafTorah: Ezekiel 28:25-29:21

Tonight we read the portion of Torah that covers most of the plagues that G-d was to bring on the people of Egypt and to rescue His bride. We could see this as a contest between G-d and a man who thought he was god and others thought he was god. So, Pharaoh could not relent to the demands of a shepherd and a bunch of slaves. In fact last week we read in Exodus 5:2, “Who is the L-rd that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? I do not know the L-rd and I will not let Israel go.” The word, know, here is the Hebrew word for intimate knowledge. Maybe he had heard some reference somewhere to a Jewish G-d but he had no personal knowledge and deemed it beneath him to listen to this shepherd.