Tag: offering

Shemini (Eighth) Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47

Shemini(Eighth)Vayikra/Leviticus 9:1-11:47
Haftorah Reading: II Samuel 6:1-7:17
 
Tonight I want us to look at our portion and search for new revelation and connections to our faith. Let’s look at Leviticus 10:17 and see how it relates to us. To do this we will later look at Isaiah 25:8 and I Corinthians 15:52, 54.
 
To begin, let us examine Leviticus 10:17 from our Torah portion. This verse covers the rebuke of Aaron, Eleazar and Ithamar by Moshe.  The verse reads, “Why have you not eaten the sin offering in the place of holiness, for it is the holy of the holies, and He gave her to you to take away the sin of the congregation.” Remember this rebuke came immediately after Nadav and Avihu had perished after bringing strange fire before the L-rd. Their death was caused by them being overcome with zeal. This action caused the fire of G-d to come forth and kill both boys.  This in its self teaches us an important lesson. Zeal for G-d is a good thing unless it causes us to lose sight of the holiness of G-d and as a result lose respect for His word. Even in our zeal there are boundaries not to be crossed.

Tzav (Command) Vayikra/Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Torah Portion: Tzav (Command) Vayikra/Leviticus 6:1-8:36

Haftorah Reading: Jeremiah 7:21-9:24

Today I would like to begin by asking each of you to do something that I believe is very important. Please pray for yourself, your family and people around you. This crisis we are all facing calls out for a spiritual awakening. It calls for G-d’s people to pray and seek the L-rd. Repentance and forgiveness is called for now. 

Vayikra (And He Called) Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Torah Portion: Vayikra (And He Called) Vayikra/Leviticus 1:1-5:26

Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Today we begin the third book of the Torah. It is sometimes called, “The Torah of the priests,” due to its many commandments concerning the duties of the priests in their service in the Mishkan or Tabernacle.  Here we read much about the sacrifices brought to the Mishkan by the people of Israel. Interestingly when we think of this we often associate the bringing of sacrifices with some sin the person has committed.  However, actually of the sacrifices brought, only one or two had to do with sins.

Ki Tavo (When You Come) D’Varim (Deuteronomy) 26:1-29:8

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

Haftorah Reading Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 60:1-22

Tonight, we read the Torah portion Ki Tavo. This portion begins with the bringing of the First Fruits offering. This offering was to be distributed to the priests, Levites and the poor. You also might notice each person was to recite the words of D’Varim/Deut. 26:5-10. One effect of this declaration was to solidify in the minds of the people who they were and where their harvest came from. They were part of a people who stretched back to Avraham and G-d’s promises.

Vayikra (He Called) Leviticus/Vayikra 1:1-5:26

Torah Portion:  Vayikra (He Called) Leviticus/Vayikra 1:1-5:26

Haftorah Reading Isaiah 43:21-44:23

 

This week we begin a new book of the Torah by studying the first portion of Vayikra. In the English Bible we know it by its Greek name of Leviticus, meaning the work of the priests. I want us to look at the opening word of our section and see what we can learn from the way G-d spoke to Moshe.

T’rumah(Offering) Exodus(Sh’mot) 25:1-27:19

Torah Portion:  T’rumah(Offering) Exodus(Sh’mot) 25:1-27:19

Haftorah Reading: I Kings 5:26-6:13

 

This week we read the Torah section covering the accumulation of items to be used in the building of the Mishkan or Tabernacle. I would  like to start with the Hebrew meaning of two words we will see in this Torah portion. I believe this will give us a more complete understanding of what is being said to us.

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

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

HafTorah: Isaiah 60:1-22

 

Today we read the Torah section Ki Tavo. This portion has much to say about the blessings and curses that follow obedience or disobedience to the Word of G-d.

Emor (Speak) Leviticus(Vayikra) 21-24

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

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 44:15-31

Tonight we cover the Torah Portion Emor or Speak. This Torah portion is mainly about the yearly schedule of Mo’adim or festivals.  I would like to begin with a discussion of the word Emor. Usually we are cautioned about speaking too much and in general that is a good rule for us to follow. However, sometimes words are called for. A wise person knows the power of speech, how words have the power to hurt and damage people. But speech also can be used to build up. Positive words can encourage and build up a person. This kind of speech is important and when used properly can bring healing and encouragement. In this Torah portion, the word Emor is a command for Moshe to encourage his people. May we all do the same.

T’rumah (Donation) Sh’mot Exodus 25-27

Torah Portion: T’rumah (Donation) Sh’mot Exodus 25-27

HafTorah:  I Kings 5:26-6:13

This week we read the Torah section named T’rumah or donations in English. This portion begins with the instructions for gathering the materials and building the Mishkan/Tabernacle in the wilderness.  An interesting fact, in the book of Sh’mot/Exodus 40 % of the book is talking about this process and the end results. That gives us some idea of the importance of what we read when we study the Mishkan.

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.