Chukat (Regulations) B’midbar(Numbers) 19:1-22:1
Torah Portion: Chukat (Regulations) B’midbar(Numbers) 19:1-22:1
Haftorah Reading Judges 11:1-33
This Torah portion is one of the more difficult portions to understand on several levels. The name, chukat, gives us a hint to its difficulty. The word, when used as it is here, can mean regulations. The root of the word means to engrave, as in stone or metal, something that is meant to endure. Chok, the singular form of the word always means something that, on the surface, seems to be illogical or impossible to grasp. In our portion we read where the people involved in preparing the ashes of the red heifer became unclean. However, when those ashes were applied to a person, who was unclean from being in contact with a dead body, that person became clean again. For an Israelite, being unclean by contact with death meant they were excluded from worshiping G-d in the Temple. That person could not come into the confines of the Temple until they were cleansed by the ashes of the red heifer.
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.
Vayikra (He Called) Leviticus 1-5
Torah Portion: Vayikra (Leviticus) 1:1-5:26
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Tonight we begin the third book of the Torah. Interestingly this is the first thing religious children study beginning around three years old. Why do you think they begin here instead of Genesis? It is said that this book teaches them and us two things, how much G-d loves us and our lives matter and have meaning.
Noah (B’resheet) Genesis chapters 6-11
Torah Portion: Noah (B’resheet) Genesis 6-11
Haftorah Reading: Isaiah 54:1-55:5
Today we look at the Torah section called Noah. This portion is concerned mainly with the events leading up to the flood. However, it also covers other events such as the Tower of Bavel and the introduction of Avraham. You can also find the setting apart of clean and unclean animals in Genesis 7:2-8:20 and the commandment to not eat blood. I mention these because this comes long before the Torah commands concerning the same two things. These verses could have been behind the requirements mentioned for non Jewish believers in Acts 15. The reason given in this portion for not consuming blood was the statement it had to do with the life being in the blood. (Genesis 9:8) I mention these because they precede the commandments in the Torah, which is the argument often used to say that we are free from the commandments by the working of the blood of Messiah. Yeshua set us free from the curse of the Law – which was death. But the Word of G-d was not changed by His coming. He himself lived an obedient life to the Word of G-d.
Re’eh (See) Devarim Deut 11-16
Torah Portion: Re’eh (See) Devarim (Deuteronomy) 11:26-16:17
HafTorah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5
This week we read a Torah section whose main theme is the future Temple and singular place of worship for Jewish people. As you go through this section you will see time and again the distinctiveness of this place of worship. We see it in the food laws, in that only kosher animals can be brought for sacrifice. We see that only Passover, Shavout and Sukkot are mentioned among the holidays. These are the three holidays where Israel, as a people, were called to come to Jerusalem to celebrate together. We also see it in the setting up of Jerusalem as different from the customs of the local inhabitants, who had a multitude of places to worship. All of this points to the fact that the people of G-d were to be different from those around them.
Shemini Lev 9-11
Torah Portion: Shemini Leviticus 9:1-11:47
HafTorah: II Sam 6:1-7:17
This week we read of the culmination of the process of setting up the Mishkan (tabernacle) and instituting the priestly order. We will talk of the death of Nadav and Avihu, Aaron’s sons, as well as the verses concerning what food are to be eaten. We will explore the connection, if any, between these divergent subjects.
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.
Mishpatim (Ordinances) Ex 21-24
Torah Portion: Mishpatim (Rulings) Exodus 21-24
HafTorah: Jeremiah 34:8-22; 33:25-26
After the lofty highs of last week’s Parasha of Yitro, this week we are given the details of how G-d expects us to operate in our day to day life. Here we see the connection of Heaven and earth spiritually in how to put into our lives those things that will bring G-d into this world daily.
B’resheet (In the Beginning) Genesis 1-6
Torah Portion: B’resheet (In the Beginning) Genesis 1:1-6:8
HafTorah: Isaiah 42:5-43
So here we are at the beginning. So much to look at and study; we have creation, the first couple, first children, first sin. Our task is to see how it all applies to us today. What are those spiritual principles that will help us to live our life as the Creator intended? We see the hand of G-d as He moved through His creation, a creation unlike any since, something from nothing.
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.