Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar (Numbers) 19-22

Torah Portion:  Chukat (Ordinance) B’Midbar 19-22

Haftorah Reading: Judges 11:1-33

Tonight we read a Torah section that includes two passages that are difficult to completely understand.  The first is the “Red Heifer.” When we read the verses about the preparation and use of the ashes of the red heifer we see a process that cleanses one person from ritual impurity, because of contact with a dead body, while at the same time causing the priest, who is involved, to become unclean in the process. How can this be? I think we will be able to answer this riddle over the next few minutes.

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.

Vayigash (He Approached) B’resheet Gen 44-47

Torah Portion:  Vayigash (He Approached) (B’resheet) Genesis 44-47

Haftorah Reading: Ezekiel 37:15-28

This week we read of the meeting between Joseph and his brothers where he reveals  himself to them after years of being separated. We read in Genesis 44:18 where Yehuda whispered in his ear and pleaded for his brother, even offering to take his place. Unlike years before when Yehuda came up with the idea of not killing Joseph but selling him into slavery.  However, here we see Yehudah when faced again with such a choice, has a different reaction. He chose to basically give himself for his brother.  This action by Yehudah had an immediate effect on Joseph.

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.

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.

Acharei Mot Lev. 16-18

Torah Portion: Acharei Mot Leviticus 16-18:30

HafTorah: Ezekiel 22:1-19

Tonight in this Torah section I want us to look at a couple of spiritual points that I think G-d has for us to consider. First, I would like us to look at the Yom Kippur service as set out here in our opening chapter. As part of that service two goats were brought before the High Priest, one for a sacrifice and one to be sent away to “Azazel.” Just a word about Azazel. This is the only place in scripture where this word is used. There is much discussion as to the meaning of Azazel. Maybe the best explanation is found in the word itself. It is made up of two Hebrew words. One word is Az or goat. The other word, azal means that which was sent away.

Pinchas Numbers 25

 

Torah Portion: Pinchas  Numbers 25:10-30:1

HafTorah: I Kings 18:46-19:21

NT Reading: Romans 11:2-32

Tonight I want to start with a look at this section of Torah from a viewpoint of how we can spiritually relate it to Messiah. Here in Pinchas we see shadows of this spiritual connection with Messiah. First to define the Hebrew word Keenah in Numbers 25:11.  Here it is translated as zeal. But it is usually translated as jealous. So Pinchas was jealous for G-d and was moved to act. Yeshua can clearly be called one who is jealous for G-d – to the point of laying down His own life for the salvation of Israel.  As Pinchas turned away G-d’s wrath so does Yeshua take upon Himself the punishment or wrath of G-d for us by laying down His life for us. G-d grants Pinchas and his descendants a perpetual priesthood on this earth and Yeshua has taken His place in heaven as our eternal High Priest.

Re’eh (Behold) Deut 11

 

Torah Portion: Re’eh (Behold, See) Deut. 11:26-16:17

HafTorah: Isaiah 54:11-55:5

 

I would like to start by looking at the Torah section first. I would like to look at it in what it says about worship. In Hebrew the word for worship and work has the same root. What could they have in common? Worship is not something that we sit back and let someone do for us. We must be active participants. It requires effort from us and it must be acceptable.

Vayikra (He Called)




Weekly Torah Section: Vayikra (He Called) Leviticus 1:1-6:7, Haftorah: Isaiah 43:21-44:23

I would like to begin with the Haftorah reading in Isaiah 43. My question is, why was Israel formed and likewise, by adoption, why were we created? We were created to praise G-d. How do we do that?  By living our lives in total dedication to Him.  Here I would like to bring in one Hebrew word from the Torah portion, Korban. We will talk more about it later but when you read the Torah in Leviticus this word, or a form of this word appears over and over.  So what does it really mean? Usually you think of this word meaning sacrifice but It also means to draw close or draw near.  So, to really praise G-d we must draw close to Him. Now back to Isaiah.

Ki Tisa (When You Take)




Weekly Torah Section: Ki Tisa (When You Take) Exodus 30:11-34:35, Haftorah: I Kings 18:1-39

We begin with the Haftorah reading in I Kings 18. To orient ourselves these events happened in the 9th century BCE during the reign of King Ahab. Ahab married a princess of Tyre named Jezebel. She introduced the worship of her god, Baal to Israel. Baal was supposed to be the god of rain and storms. She also sought to kill all the prophets of the L-rd. Many of the people in Israel followed both Baal and the true G-d of Israel. Deut. 11:16-17 says that if the people turn to other gods, G-d will shut the heavens and there will be no rain and crops will fail. So here G-d sends Elijah with this message, a direct challenge to this so called god of rain.