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 (You Shall Command) Sh’mot/Exodus 27-30

Torah Portion: Tetzaveh (You Shall Command) Sh’mot Exodus 27-30

HafTorah:  Ezekiel 43:10-27

This week our Torah portion is Tetzaveh and it covers the clothing worn by the priests as they carried out their duties before the L-rd in the Mishkan and ends with the Incense Altar, its construction, and how to do the burning of incense on the altar.

Tetzaveh (You are to order)Exodus 27-30

Torah Portion:  Tetzaveh (You Are To Order)(Sh’mot) Exodus 27:20-30:10

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 43:10-27

In this Torah Portion we read about the clothing of the priest and their duties as priest. In fact, one entire chapter is set aside to describe the clothes of the High Priest that he was to wear for honor and glory. However, the portion begins with the last two verses of chapter 27 that speaks of the eternal light that was to burn continually before the veil in the Mishkan. The portion ends with a description of the altar of incense. Why do you think this division was used when the portion last week was devoted to the furnishing of the Mishkan? Why separate these two things out? It could be that scripture is saying here that the priests and their duties were to reflect these two vessels. Light symbolizing wisdom, and the Sprit of G-d and ending with the altar of incense, which might symbolize the priests prayers being lifted to G-d.  This seems like a spiritual message to us as we continue to look at the clothing of the priests and the offerings. It should also speak to us as believers today as we go about each day to always be aware of who we are and what our life is to be.

Tzav (Give an order) Lev.6-8

Torah Portion:  Tzav (Give an Order) Leviticus 6:1-8:36

HafTorah: Jeremiah 7:21-9:24

In our Torah portion today we continue with the instructions to the priests on what to do and how to do it when kindling the fire on the altar and how to prepare the offerings brought by the people to the Mishkan and later to the Temple.  In my last question for this week I asked you to compare Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:28 and II Corinthians 4:7 to see if you could see any connection between the two and any spiritual implications for us today.

Nasso (To Take or Do)B’midbar (Num) 4-7

Torah Portion: Nasso (To Take or Do) B’midbar (Numbers) 4:21-7:89

HafTorah: Judges 13:2-25

In this Torah section we read much about the duties of different groups of priests in the Mishkan (Tabernacle), then concluding with the entire chapter seven listing the offerings the tribes bring at the dedication of the Mishkan. However, in the middle of our reading we read a number of seemingly disconnected commandments covering a number of subjects including the laws concerning confession of sin, the Nazirite vow and the wayward wife.

Vayikra Leviticus 1-5

Torah Portion: Vayikra Leviticus 1:1-5:26

HafTorah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Here we begin the third book of Torah known in English as Leviticus or pertaining to the priests. It is a hand book for the priests who served G-d and the people, in the Mishkan and later in the Temple. So why take the time to study a book concerned with instructions about a system that no longer exists? I pray that as a nation of priests (I Peter 2:9) we will be able to grasp what these verses say to us as believers today.

Emor (Say) Lev 21-24

Torah Portion: Emor, Say,Vayikra Lev. 21:1-24:23

HafTorah: Ezekiel 44:15-31

This week we read first about the commandments to the priests, the high priests and their service in the Mishkan or Temple. We see again that they were held to a higher level of holiness than the average person. This should cause us again to think of ourselves as priests. As the New Testament says in I Peter 1:16, “Be holy for I am holy.” This brings me to my last question I sent out this week. In the verses 22:32 the Torah tells us to not profane the name of G-d, but He should be sanctified in our midst. In the L-rd’s prayer in Matt. 6:9 we read , “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name.” What does this phrase hallowed be Your Name mean to us and what do we have to do with it?

Acharei Mot & Kedoshim Lev 16-20

Torah Portion: Acharei Mot, Kedoshim,Vayikra Lev. 16:1-20:27

HafTorah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Tonight we have read two sections of Torah. The first covers the ceremonial duties of the priests, the Day of Atonement and personal relationships, what is forbidden and what we can and can’t eat.

It leads directly into the second section of Holiness. This is the issue I want us to look at closely tonight. Holy – what makes something holy? It is separated out for service or use in the service to G-d, for example Sabbath. At the end of Sabbath we read a prayer and included in that prayer G-d is referred to as “Ha Mavdil” , “The One who Separates.” G-d separates things or people out for His service. We are separated out by our faith in Messiah. In Lev. 20:7-8 we read, “be holy.” We also read the same words in I Peter 1:13-16. What does it mean to be holy? If G-d has separated us to Himself how are we to be holy? How does how we live affect our holiness or does it? We are separated by our faith in Messiah. That faith has boundaries, things we can do, things we can’t do. When we cross those boundaries, think of a shepherd and his sheep. He builds a pen for them. As long as they stay within the boundaries of the pen they are safe from wolves and attacks but if they get out, cross over the boundaries, they are open to those things that can harm them. The boundaries are those guidelines set out in scripture for us to live our lives by daily. In Lev. Torah portions of today we see many of those boundaries and also in the New Testament we see boundaries set for us.

Vayikra (And He Called) Lev 1-5

Torah Portion: Vayikra (And He Called) Lev. 1-5

HafTorah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

Tonight we begin the third book of Moses. In English we read Leviticus which is a Greek word meaning relating to the Levites. At the time of Yeshua it would have been called Torath Ha Kohanim. It is basically the laws and rules dealing with sacrifices and the duties of the priests.

Shelach L’cha (Send on Your Behalf) Num 13

Torah Portion: Shelach L’cha (Send on your behalf) Numbers (B’Midbar) 13:1-15:41

HafTorah: Joshua 2:1-24

New Testament: Hebrews 3:7-19

Today we talk about one of the major turning points of the time in the wilderness, the sin of the 10 spies and the bad report they brought back about the land of promise. I want us to take several things in this Parasha and see how they might help us to shed light on verses in the New Testament.