Emor (Speak) Leviticus/Vayikra 21:1-24:23

Torah Portion Emor (Speak) Leviticus/Vayikra 21:1-24:23

Haftorah Reading Ezekiel 44:15-31

Tonight, we study the Torah portion Emor. This portion covers a listing of all the holidays of the calendar as well as the Sabbath. My question to you this week was about the inclusion of the Sabbath in our reading. However, I want to mainly  speak about another issue that is covered in our portion as well. In fact, it is the first main topic that Moshe speaks of in these verses.

Tetzaveh(Command) Exodus(Sh’mot) 27:20-30:10

Torah Portion:  Tetzaveh(Command) Exodus(Sh’mot) 27:20-30:10

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 43:10-27

Tonight, we read a Torah portion made up almost entirely with a description of the priestly garments and the process of setting apart Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. My question this week covers this process and what it means to be set apart. However, before we get to that there are several other topics I want us to look at and how they speak to our lives today.

In the very first verse we read of the pure beaten olive oil that was to be brought for the light in the Mishkan. I want to take just a moment to examine this and how it might apply in our own life. G-d specifically says the oil the people are to bring must be pure beaten olive oil. In some translations it is called crushed oil. Crushed is probably the better translation. Even today, to get the best extra virgin olive oil the olives are crushed just enough to get the first few drops – the purest of the crop. After that, the olives are beaten to get whatever oil remains. So, the first crushing produces the best and purest oil. From this what oil gives the best light? The purest oil gives the best light.

Pinchas B’Midbar (Num) 25-30

Torah Portion:  Pinchas B’Midbar (Numbers) 25:10-30:1

HafTorah: I Kings 18:46-19:21

Tonight we read the portion Pinchas, which brings light to the ending of last week’s Torah portion. This section of scripture ranges from the blessing given to Pinchas, to the census of the people, to the request of the daughters who’s father had died with no male heirs, to Moshe praying for the new leader of Israel and ending with the description of the holidays and offerings.  Is there anything that ties this all together for us?  Maybe it begins and ends with the priesthood and covenant of Shalom given to Pinchas.

T’rumah (Tithe) Ex 25-27

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

HafTorah: I Kings 5:26-6:13

New Testament: Hebrews 8:1-6

This week we read of the details of the Miskan (tabernacle). The materials are donated from the people as a free will offering. The offering had to be given with a willing heart. It was not a tithe but an offering. Why did G-d command the building of a Mishkan? In Exodus 25:8 we read so that He could dwell in them. In I Cor. 3:16 we read where we are the Temple of G-d, the Temple being patterned after the Miskan.

A Shadow of Heavenly Things – Tetzaveh (You will command) Ex 27

 

Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You will command) Exodus 27:20-30:10

HafTorah: Ezekiel 43:10-27

Hebrews 13:10-17

A few thoughts first about this section of Torah; First, it is mainly about the priesthood, the articles of clothing and the setting apart of the priests for their service. However, it begins with the commandment that the people bring pure olive oil to cause the lamp to burn continually before G-d. Why not include these few verses with the prior section which was about those things of the Mishkan? Also, G-d speaking to Moses in Exodus 27:20 “bring to you” not “bring to Me.” Why? We are the ones who need the light of G-d in this world. We pray mainly to remind ourselves of whom we serve. So the light here reminds us that without it we are lost in a world of spiritual darkness. No wonder Yeshua said that He was the light of the world. And as here, we as priests are reminded that we must depend upon the light to find our way as we do G-d’s will and service