Triennial Parsha Reading for - 11/12/2011 Shemeni "Eighth"

Transcription

1 Triennial Parsha Reading for - 11/12/2011 Shemeni "Eighth" Tab Section verse 1 Torah Lev 9, 10, 11 2 Haftorah 1Ki 8: Haftorah 2Sa 6:1-7 4 Brit Mar 7:1-23 Series Reading List 5 Epistles 2 Co 5 6 History 2Sa 1 Torah - Lev 9:1-11: And it came to pass on the eighth day, that Moses called Aaron and his sons, and the elders of Israel; 2 And he said unto Aaron, Take thee a young calf for a sin offering, and a ram for a burnt offering, without blemish, and offer them before YHVH. 3 And unto the children of Israel thou shalt speak, saying, Take ye a kid of the goats for a sin offering; and a calf and a lamb, both of the first year, without blemish, for a burnt offering; 4 Also a bullock and a ram for peace offerings, to sacrifice before YHVH; and a meat offering mingled with oil: for to day YHVH will appear unto you. 5 And they brought that which Moses commanded before the tabernacle of the congregation: and all the congregation drew near and stood before YHVH. 6 And Moses said, This is the thing which YHVH commanded that ye should do: and the glory of YHVH shall appear unto you. 7 And Moses said unto Aaron, Go unto the altar, and offer thy sin offering, and thy burnt offering, and make an atonement for thyself, and for the people: and offer the offering of the people, and make an atonement for them; as YHVH commanded. 8 Aaron therefore went unto the altar, and slew the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself. 9 And the sons of Aaron brought the blood unto him: and he dipped his finger in the blood, and put it upon the horns of the altar, and poured out the blood at the bottom of the altar: 10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as YHVH commanded Moses. 11 And the flesh and the hide he burnt with fire without the camp. 12 And he slew the burnt offering; and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled round about upon the altar. 13 And they presented the burnt offering unto him, with the pieces thereof, and the head: and he burnt them upon the altar. 14 And he did wash the inwards and the legs, and burnt them upon the burnt offering on the altar. 15 And he brought the people's offering, and took the goat, which was the sin offering for the people, and slew it, and offered it for sin, as the first. 16 And he brought the burnt offering, and offered it according to the manner. 17 And he brought the meat offering, and took an handful thereof, and burnt it upon the altar, beside the burnt sacrifice of the morning. 18 He slew also the bullock and the ram for a sacrifice of peace offerings, which was for the people: and Aaron's sons presented unto him the blood, which he sprinkled upon the altar round about, 19 And the fat of the bullock and of the ram, the rump, and that which covereth the inwards, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver: 20 And they put the fat upon the breasts, and he burnt the fat upon the altar: 21 And the breasts and the right shoulder Aaron waved for a wave offering before YHVH; as Moses commanded. 22 And Aaron lifted up his hand toward the people, and blessed them, and came down from offering of the sin offering, and the burnt offering, and peace offerings. 23 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of YHVH appeared unto all the people. 24 And there came a fire out from before YHVH, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. November 6,

2 10 1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before YHVH, which he commanded them not. 2 And there went out fire from YHVH, and devoured them, and they died before YHVH. 3 Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that YHVH spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace. 4 And Moses called Mishael and Elzaphan, the sons of Uzziel the uncle of Aaron, and said unto them, Come near, carry your brethren from before the sanctuary out of the camp. 5 So they went near, and carried them in their coats out of the camp; as Moses had said. 6 And Moses said unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons, Uncover not your heads, neither rend your clothes; lest ye die, and lest wrath come upon all the people: but let your brethren, the whole house of Israel, bewail the burning which YHVH hath kindled. 7 And ye shall not go out from the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: for the anointing oil of YHVH is upon you. And they did according to the word of Moses. 8 And YHVH spake unto Aaron, saying, 9 Do not drink wine nor strong drink, thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations: 10 And that ye may put difference between holy and unholy, and between unclean and clean; 11 And that ye may teach the children of Israel all the statutes which YHVH hath spoken unto them by the hand of Moses. 12 And Moses spake unto Aaron, and unto Eleazar and unto Ithamar, his sons that were left, Take the meat offering that remaineth of the offerings of YHVH made by fire, and eat it without leaven beside the altar: for it is most holy: 13 And ye shall eat it in the holy place, because it is thy due, and thy sons' due, of the sacrifices of YHVH made by fire: for so I am commanded. 14 And the wave breast and heave shoulder shall ye eat in a clean place; thou, and thy sons, and thy daughters with thee: for they be thy due, and thy sons' due, which are given out of the sacrifices of peace offerings of the children of Israel. 15 The heave shoulder and the wave breast shall they bring with the offerings made by fire of the fat, to wave it for a wave offering before YHVH; and it shall be thine, and thy sons' with thee, by a statute for ever; as YHVH hath commanded. 16 And Moses diligently sought the goat of the sin offering, and, behold, it was burnt: and he was angry with Eleazar and Ithamar, the sons of Aaron which were left alive, saying, 17 Wherefore have ye not eaten the sin offering in the holy place, seeing it is most holy, and Elohim hath given it you to bear the iniquity of the congregation, to make atonement for them before YHVH? 18 Behold, the blood of it was not brought in within the holy place: ye should indeed have eaten it in the holy place, as I commanded. 19 And Aaron said unto Moses, Behold, this day have they offered their sin offering and their burnt offering before YHVH; and such things have befallen me: and if I had eaten the sin offering to day, should it have been accepted in the sight of YHVH? 20 And when Moses heard that, he was content And YHVH spake unto Moses and to Aaron, saying unto them, 2 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, These are the beasts which ye shall eat among all the beasts that are on the earth. 3 Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven-footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat. 4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that divide the hoof: as the camel, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 5 And the coney, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 6 And the hare, because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you. 7 And the swine, though he divide the hoof, and be cloven-footed, yet he cheweth not the cud; he is unclean to you. 8 Of their flesh shall ye not eat, and their carcass shall ye not touch; they are unclean to you. 9 These shall ye eat of all that are in the waters: whatsoever hath fins and scales in the waters, in the seas, and in the rivers, them shall ye eat. 10 And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you: 11 They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcasses in abomination. 12 Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you. 13 And November 6,

3 these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray, 14 And the vulture, and the kite after his kind; 15 Every raven after his kind; 16 And the owl, and the night hawk, and the cuckoo, and the hawk after his kind, 17 And the little owl, and the cormorant, and the great owl, 18 And the swan, and the pelican, and the gier eagle, 19 And the stork, the heron after her kind, and the lapwing, and the bat. 20 All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you. 21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth; 22 Even these of them ye may eat; the locust after his kind, and the bald locust after his kind, and the beetle after his kind, and the grasshopper after his kind. 23 But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you. 24 And for these ye shall be unclean: whosoever toucheth the carcass of them shall be unclean until the even. 25 And whosoever beareth ought of the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. 26 The carcasses of every beast which divideth the hoof, and is not cloven-footed, nor cheweth the cud, are unclean unto you: every one that toucheth them shall be unclean. 27 And whatsoever goeth upon his paws, among all manner of beasts that go on all four, those are unclean unto you: whoso toucheth their carcass shall be unclean until the even. 28 And he that beareth the carcass of them shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: they are unclean unto you. 29 These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things that creep upon the earth; the weasel, and the mouse, and the tortoise after his kind, 30 And the ferret, and the chameleon, and the lizard, and the snail, and the mole. 31 These are unclean to you among all that creep: whosoever doth touch them, when they be dead, shall be unclean until the even. 32 And upon whatsoever any of them, when they are dead, doth fall, it shall be unclean; whether it be any vessel of wood, or raiment, or skin, or sack, whatsoever vessel it be, wherein any work is done, it must be put into water, and it shall be unclean until the even; so it shall be cleansed. 33 And every earthen vessel, whereinto any of them falleth, whatsoever is in it shall be unclean; and ye shall break it. 34 Of all meat which may be eaten, that on which such water cometh shall be unclean: and all drink that may be drunk in every such vessel shall be unclean. 35 And every thing whereupon any part of their carcass falleth shall be unclean; whether it be oven, or ranges for pots, they shall be broken down: for they are unclean and shall be unclean unto you. 36 Nevertheless a fountain or pit, wherein there is plenty of water, shall be clean: but that which toucheth their carcass shall be unclean. 37 And if any part of their carcass fall upon any sowing seed which is to be sown, it shall be clean. 38 But if any water be put upon the seed, and any part of their carcass fall thereon, it shall be unclean unto you. 39 And if any beast, of which ye may eat, die; he that toucheth the carcass thereof shall be unclean until the even. 40 And he that eateth of the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even: he also that beareth the carcass of it shall wash his clothes, and be unclean until the even. 41 And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten. 42 Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination. 43 Ye shall not make yourselves abominable with any creeping thing that creepeth, neither shall ye make yourselves unclean with them, that ye should be defiled thereby. 44 For I am YHVH your Elohim: ye shall therefore sanctify yourselves, and ye shall be holy; for I am holy: neither shall ye defile yourselves with any manner of creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. 45 For I am YHVH that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your Elohim: ye shall therefore be holy, for I am holy. 46 This is the law of the beasts, and of the fowl, and of every living creature that moveth in the waters, and of every creature that creepeth upon the earth: 47 To make a difference between the unclean and the clean, and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten. November 6,

4 Some of 613 Mitzvot for this Parsha Torah Verse(s) 613 Category Law Lev 10:6 444 The Temple, the That a kohein shall not enter the Sanctuary with disheveled hair. See Kohein. Sanctuary and Sacred Objects Lev 10:6 445 The Temple, the That a kohein shall not enter the Sanctuary with torn garments. See Kohein. Sanctuary and Sacred Objects Lev 10:7 446 The Temple, the That the kohein shall not leave the Courtyard of the Sanctuary, during service. See Kohein. Sanctuary and Sacred Objects Lev 10: The Temple, the That an intoxicated person shall not enter the Sanctuary nor give decisions in matters of the Sanctuary and Sacred Law. Objects Lev 10: Sacrifices and Offerings A kohein's daughter who profaned herself shall not eat of the holy things, neither of the heave offering nor of the breast, nor of the shoulder of peace offerings. See Kohein. Lev 11:2 143 Dietary Laws To examine the marks in cattle (so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean). See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11:4 144 Dietary Laws Not to eat the flesh of unclean beasts. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11:9 145 Dietary Laws To examine the marks in fishes (so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat unclean fish. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat unclean fowl. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws To examine the marks in locusts, so as to distinguish the clean from the unclean. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Ritual Purity and That eight species of creeping things defile by contact. Impurity Lev 11: Ritual Purity and That foods become defiled by contact with unclean things. Impurity Lev 11: Ritual Purity and That anyone who touches the carcass of a beast that died of itself shall be unclean. Impurity Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat of things that creep upon the earth. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat a worm found in fruit. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat things that swarm in the water. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat any vermin of the earth. See Animals that may not be eaten. Lev 11: Dietary Laws Not to eat things that swarm in the water. See Animals that may not be eaten. Aleph Tav: Lev 9:5 Lev 9:15 Lev 10:11 Lev 11:15 Jots And Tittles Parsha 01 Torah Verse Letter Jot / Tittle Final Disputed Note Hebrew Lev 11:30 Lamed 1: Enlarged Letters No Yes Lev 11:42 Vav 4: Jots and Tittles No Yes Elongated (erect); * mark of the scribes Lev 11:42 Vav 1: Enlarged Letters No No November 6,

5 Haftorah - 1Ki 8: And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto YHVH, he arose from before the altar of YHVH, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55 And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56 Blessed be YHVH, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. 57 YHVH our Elohim be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: 58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. 59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before YHVH, be nigh unto YHVH our Elohim day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: 60 That all the people of the earth may know that YHVH is Elohim, and that there is none else. 61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with YHVH our Elohim, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. Haftorah - 2Sa 6:1-7 1 Again, David gathered together all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. 2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the ark of Elohim, whose name is called by the name of YHVH of hosts that dwelleth between the cherubim. 3 And they set the ark of Elohim upon a new cart, and brought it out of the house of Abinadab that was in Gibeah: and Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, drave the new cart. 4 And they brought it out of the house of Abinadab which was at Gibeah, accompanying the ark of Elohim: and Ahio went before the ark. 5 And David and all the house of Israel played before YHVH on all manner of instruments made of fir wood, even on harps, and on psalteries, and on timbrels, and on cornets, and on cymbals. 6 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the ark of Elohim, and took hold of it; for the oxen shook it. 7 And the anger of YHVH was kindled against Uzzah; and Elohim smote him there for his error; and there he died by the ark of Elohim. Brit - Mar 7: Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. 2 And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. 3 For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. 4 And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brasen vessels, and of tables. 5 Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? 6 He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. 7 Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 8 For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. 9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition. 10 For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: 11 But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. 12 And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; 13 Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye. 14 And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: 15 There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. 16 If any man have ears to hear, let him November 6,

6 hear. 17 And when he was entered into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable. 18 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Do ye not perceive, that whatsoever thing from without entereth into the man, it cannot defile him; 19 Because it entereth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats? 20 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. 21 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22 Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: 23 All these evil things come from within, and defile the man. Commentary - Year 2 Sabbath 32 Leviticus 9:1-11:47-1 Kings 8:56-61, 2 Samuel 6:1-7 - Psalm 76 - Mark 7: Bayom Hashmini / In the Eighth Day Leviticus 9-10 is about God s requirement that His priests respectfully represent Him as holy before the people. We are warned to worship Yahweh in the specific way in which He instructs: consider the end of those who thought their way was just as good (v.10:1-3)! (V.7) The Talmud, Bava Metzia 107b, says: One cannot atone for others unless he himself is free from sin! What a picture of Yeshua! (V.10) There was no permanent fire on the altar until the fire came down from heaven and consumed the offerings: Aaron placed the parts on the pyre in anticipation. Picture fire coming out from between the cherubim above the ark, where the glory of God rested.... (V.22-24) Aaron raised his hands and gave the priestly blessing (Numbers 6:24-27) for the first time. (V.10:1) Two sons of Aaron presented offerings that did not qualify by God s instruction. The fire itself may have been from a foreign source not from the altar as required. This time the fire from between the cherubim struck and killed the two sons. Note that it did not consume their bodies or clothing, for they were carried away. This should be cause for grave concern with anyone who undertakes to perform God s required worship services according to one s own design. God designed His appointed-times solemn-assembly services. In the eighth day just after the seventh millennial day, fire will come down from God and kill the enemies surrounding Jerusalem! Revelation 20:9. (V.9) Intoxicants are forbidden to those performing God s service: A priest who enters the Temple is deficient if he fails to find gladness in his service R Burnam of P shis cha. The placement of this command may indicate that Aaron s sons sins were the result of intoxication. Leviticus 11 concerns God s people being holy not doing as the rest of the world does, being dedicated to His purpose. Tumah refers to spiritual contamination, and usually that which can be transmitted to other people, even through things. Let us consider where this subject fits into the big picture of God s commandments, which are Biblically divided into three categories. November 6,

7 God s judgments (mishpatim) are obvious to most people. We recognize that we should not murder, steal, etc., though lying has become acceptable in our corrupt society. God s ordinances (edot) were given to us to portray spiritual truths. We rehearse the Day of Trumpeting to understand about Yeshua s return and resurrection of the dead. Religious organizations have mostly abandoned or corrupted the Festivals, such as in changing the Holy Sabbath to a free Sunday, or reducing the Passover seder to the Lord s supper as commonly interpreted (it is actually a translation of Yahweh s Feast ). Mikvaot (baptisms or washings) are also ordinances: these include the required washings of people and objects Leviticus 9-11, and were rabbinically extended to the washing of hands of Mark 7. God s statutes (hukim) are standards for holiness for His people, with a basis not obvious. They are often ridiculed by the world. Kashrut (which defines God-given food) falls in the category of statutes. (Mark 7) (V.3-4) (For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) This is not a statement of condemnation, but one of giving social background to non-jews. The traditions of the elders are often directly from the Torah, and the phrase does not imply extra-biblical man-made rules, though this is sometimes the case. (V.18-19) And He said to them, "Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him; because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purging all foods?" The last clause is often mistranslated Thus He declared all foods clean. That would be inconsistent with the subject of the passage. It would also be contradictory to Torah; Yeshua did not come to contradict Torah Matthew 5:17, and Peter did not know about this change after spending years with Yeshua Acts 10:14. The problem here was not that some Pharisees were insisting on kashrut laws that Yeshua had abolished. The problem was that some Pharisees sought to publicly find fault with Yeshua, by putting minor stricter-than- Biblical standards ahead of major Biblical judgments. While hand washing is good, making it a requirement above providing necessary food was simply looking for an excuse to condemn Yeshua which falls under the category of murder. Peter s vision (Acts 10).... No food was present here, and Peter ate nothing. Peter, having spent years with Yeshua, still knew of no change in kashrut laws. Jews generally saw gentiles as unclean like pigs. God presented a vision to tell Peter not to avoid gentiles whom He had cleansed. (Acts 10:28-29) "You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. "That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for. Paul s instruction (1 Corinthians 10:25-31) 25 Eat anything that is sold in the meat market, without asking questions for conscience ' sake; 26 for the earth is the Lord's, and all it contains. 27 If one of the unbelievers invites you, and you wish to go, eat anything that is set before you, without asking questions for conscience ' sake. 28 But if anyone should say to you, "This is meat sacrificed to idols," do not eat it, for the sake of the one who informed you, and for conscience ' sake; 29 I mean not your own conscience, but the other man's; for why is my freedom judged by another's conscience? 30 If I partake with thankfulness, why am I slandered concerning that for which I give thanks? 31 Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Paul is not requiring gentile Corinthians to eat only rabbinic certified kosher food: he says to eat what is sold in the markets, but he is referring that which God defined as food. Even having been offered to idols does not November 6,

8 change the permissibility of the food (food offered to idols was commonly sold later in the markets), but we must not partake of food in such a way that we would appear to be worshipping idols. The bottom line is this: do we speak and eat according to our own feelings, or grow in learning and practicing what God says about how we should speak and what we should eat? Do we perform worship services according to our feelings, or learn what God designed? November 6,

9 Shemini Written by Carl & Julie Parker Friday, 28 March Scriptures Leviticus 9:1 to 11:47 Ezekiel 36:16-38 Mark 7:1-23 Acts 5:1-11; 10: Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Galatians 2: Peter 1:14-16 Review: We have been following the teaching and instruction in the Torah of the Betrothal Covenant that YHVH gave Moses and the Israelites at Mount Sinai. Exodus saw the completion of the shadow of YHVH s bridal chamber, the Mishkan/Tabernacle, which was prepared in the wilderness. As we are studying in the book of Leviticus, the Israelites then received instruction on how to live with their Bridegroom in the Mishkan/Tabernacle. The last two parshiyot/lessons have primarily taught about the offerings and the priesthood preparations. YHVH now shares how the priests were to begin their ministry and what food to have in the "temple" to keep it clean and operational. The Temple today is our body and these food instructions in Leviticus are for our health and wellbeing. They are part of God s principles (kingdoms) that govern the earth and are for those who believe and walk in the ways of the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. These directives are for the royal priesthood, the Bride of Yeshua. They are her preparation instructions to help her get ready for the day of the Bridegroom s return. Leviticus 9:1-20 Priestly Ministry Begins On the eighth day, after the consecration of Aaron as high priest and his four sons, Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, as priests, the ministry of the priesthood began. It is commonly understood in the Hebrew language that eight signifies both new beginnings and life beyond. The newly appointed priests first presented the offerings for themselves then made offerings for the whole community of Israel. After, Aaron lifted his hands toward the people and pronounced this blessing over them, "YHVH bless you and keep you; YHVH make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; YHVH turn his face toward you and give you Shalom/peace." This blessing is still spoken over Israel today (Numbers 6:24-26). Leviticus 10 The Death of Nadab and Abihu In the midst of the inauguration of the priests, awesome festivities and the appearance of YHVH s Presence in the form of fire, we see Aaron s sons Nadab and Abihu erred in offering strange fire in their censors before YHVH. Nadab and Abihu mixed the profane with the holy and proceeded to present this as an acceptable offering to a holy God. They offered what looked good in their own eyes, a mixture that seemed right to them. In doing this they ignored YHVH s Divine order of the Tabernacle not to mix clean with unclean, and as a result died instantly. Nadab and Abihu where taught by Moses and Aaron very well, so it was not a matter of not knowing or understanding the correct procedure. It was a matter of the heart and choosing what they wanted to offer versus what YHVH asked them to offer. The issue was obedience. The profane does not survive in the Presence of YHVH. Interpreting "The Law" through their own human opinion brought death upon themselves. Hidden in Nadab and Abihu s hearts were pride and self-righteousness. Rebellious and religious spirits cannot survive in holiness, and priests are to represent the holiness of YHVH. The sinful nature cannot remain in what is to be His kingdom of priests and holy nation. Aaron s sons had uncircumcised hearts, hearts that had not surrendered to the redemptive work of Yeshua s blood. Torah without the Spirit (of Messiah) brings death; we need Yeshua in Torah to have chai (life). We cannot separate Yeshua from the Torah, as Yeshua is the Living Torah! (John 1:1, 14) Aaron s remaining sons, Eleazar and Ithamar, took the positions vacated by their brothers, Nadab and Abihu, becoming heirs in the ministerial roles of the Tabernacle before YHVH. November 6,

10 Leviticus 11 Life in Your Tabernacle: Clean and Unclean Food We understand the Mishkan/Tabernacle is a "shadow" of what is already in place in Heaven (Hebrews 8:2). The Mishkan is a prophetic, living representation for us today of the Messiah and His kingdom and is a picture of what is in our heart. As we are learning how to build the Tabernacle, we are beginning to understand more fully through progressive revelation how this Tabernacle is all about us and how we may walk in a redeemed sanctified lifestyle through YHVH s teaching and instruction - Yeshua. This week s teaching is how to keep our Tabernacles clean and running smoothly. As stated earlier, our bodies represent the Mishkan/Tabernacle. If Yeshua has chosen us, then we have also been invited by His Holy Spirit to come into and be a part of the Tabernacle and dwell with Him. YHVH has given us the correct instruction of how to care for our Tabernacles and keep them healthy. Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Ruach Ha Kodesh/ Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from YHVH, and you are not your own; you were bought at a price; therefore glorify YHVH in your BODY (1 Corinthians 6:18-20). After the inauguration of the priests, YHVH gave His first commandment. It was about food. A closer examination reveals many interesting facts about food. YHVH is very concerned about the heart attitude of those who serve Him. Those who are called to be priests are called to serve him with their whole body, soul and spirit. If we are a royal priesthood then these instructions from YHVH are very important for us today (Exodus 19:5-6; 1 Peter 2:9). The vow we made, "We hear and we will obey," was an act of our obedience to His call in our lives. These are the words we pronounced at Mount Sinai through our ancestors that are for us today who embrace Yeshua (Deuteronomy 29:14-15). Among the instructions we promised to keep were the food laws. Food is very important to YHVH because what we put into our body governs every area of our lives. Our bodies are His Temple today and the food (spiritual and physical) that we put into our bodies will govern the state of our heart and mind and whether we will be obedient to Him (1 Corinthians 3:16-17). YHVH desires that we prepare a place in which He may dwell (Isaiah 66:1). If our body is the Temple today, what does YHVH ask us to offer on His altar? Would we offer meat with blood in it? Blood is for atonement and was not to be sacrificed on the altar, but was instead to be poured out on the ground. Does it matter what we place on the altar and does it really matter what we eat? What does God consider authorized and unauthorized food? These questions have as much a physical application as they do a spiritual application to our body. To keep our temple clean and healthy today, YHVH said these were to be food for us: Animals that have both a split hoof and chew their cud (avoiding their blood and fat). Sea or water life that has both scales and fins. Birds of a non-aggressive or scavenger nature. Insects that fly which have jointed legs for hopping on the ground. YHVH did not consider anything else of the animal kingdom to be food for us (Leviticus 11:2-47). As mentioned earlier, animal life also represent people. Clean foods are about people in Godly order and in good association. Unclean entities represent people out of God s order and association. The mention of clean food and unclean things were the difference between the realm of life and realm of death. The torah portion mentions people can be contaminated by what they eat, which includes association. We can be contaminated by the lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and pride of life. I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law [of sin and death] (Galatians 5:16-18). For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he (Proverbs 23:7). God gave his first commandment to mankind; it was about food. The Garden of Eden had clean fruit and unclean/unauthorized fruit. The Tree of Life had edible fruit with seed in i that produced life; the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil had non-edible fruit, which meant that it had no seed or life-supporting qualities in the fruit. The fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil was not considered to be food according to YHVH. Adam and Eve were deceived into eating unauthorized fruit: lust of the eye, lust of the flesh and pride of life. This made them unclean and brought death upon them, physically and spiritually (Genesis 3:1-13). Those eating from the Tree of Life magnified its fruit. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (of sin and death). And those who are Messiah s have crucified the flesh (sinful nature) with its passions and desires. Galatians 5:22-24 November 6,

11 On the other hand, those who eat from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil also manifest its fruit, that of the sinful nature. Now the works of the flesh (sinful nature) are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told youin time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Galatians 5:18-21 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law [of sin and death] were at work in our members to bear fruit to death (Romans 7:5). What caused Adam and Eve to consider going against YHVH by doubting His word to them? The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life had influenced them. This led to spiritual death that eventually brought them to a physical death before their time. They had not guarded over their hearts and let doubt led them into what seemed right in their own eyes. These three areas of lust constitute the primary strategy used by the enemy to draw YHVH s people away from Him by appealing to their weak areas and presenting temptations that are hard to resist. What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within and defile a man (Mark 7:20-23). YHVH s laws governing food are still in effect today. Growing up we had watermelon, grapes and other produce with seeds in them. Today they are hard to find. We see more seedless watermelon, grapes and cucumbers than we do the seed varieties. Genetically altered food comes when seeds from different sources are mixed with God s original design - this is changing God s order upon the earth. Though man may regard a hybrid seed a better variety, genetically altered food is actually considered a poison by the medical society. Do God s laws change just because man s laws have? No. We are not to eat genetically altered foods today; this is called mixed seed and is forbidden (Leviticus19:19). Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:15-17). YHVH put on the earth specific clean food for human consumption and specific unclean varieties not for human consumption. The unclean varieties are in the world to keep it clean. They are YHVH s cleaning crew of vacuum cleaners, garbage disposals and water purifiers designed to keep our environment clean. The unclean varieties were never considered fit for human consumption and are not called "food" in any scripture, Genesis to Revelation. If we were to eat them, it would be as if we were eating the contents of vacuum cleaners, garbage bags and water filters full of contaminants, chemicals, urine, feces, dead tissue and bacteria and whatever else these things were created to clean up in the zones they were designed for. The scavengers are full of parasites, worms and diseases. If eaten, this is what we put into our bodies. So why put all that into our bodies? Ever wonder why people get sick? First check out the diet (physically and spiritually). When scripture mentions food, it always refers to what YHVH considers food. Any "thing" else was not to be eaten, regardless of what man determines. The reason God taught us His guidelines was to make sure we would always know the way to life and what would sustain that life and keep us healthy. The unclean animals, birds, insects and sea life are living disguised garbage; putting these into our bodies will make us sick physically and spiritually. Leviticus 3:17; 7:22-27 Keeping Your Tabernacle Clean: Eating Fat and Blood Forbidden Animal fat is bad fat that, when eaten, clogs arteries, which is the number one cause of heart disease and heart failure in the world today. Fat causes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes, diabetes, obesity and various cancers. Over time, continual consumption of animal fat we will cause our bodies to fail before we ve reached a full life span. YHVH told Moses to say to the Israelites: Do not eat any of the fat of cattle, sheep or goats [Biblically clean animals]. The fat of an animal found dead or torn by wild animals may be used for any other purpose, but you must not eat it [i.e. road kill]. Anyone who eats the fat of an animal from which an offering by fire may be made to YHVH must be cut off from his people. And wherever you live, you must not eat the blood of any bird or animal. If anyone eats blood, that person must be cut off from his people (Leviticus 7:22-27). We repeat what was written in the last study, as this is such an important issue for the priesthood of Yeshua to follow. Fat and blood mentioned together in Leviticus represent not only physical fat but also what produces fat in our body spiritually. Our thoughts can poison our bodies by producing over-secretions of chemicals in us that can harm us and lead to an imbalance in our bodies, which in turn can produce fat. In the same way, fear, stress and anxiety may result in obesity in our bodies. So when Scripture instructs us not November 6,

12 to eat fat or blood, it is not only speaking of the physical abstinence of fat and blood, but the spiritual - and therefore emotional, psychological and verbal avoidance of that which produces fat. Improper thoughts and emotions can translate as fat, presenting a potential killer in our bodies. The issue of fat and blood is very important to YHVH and they must not be put into our bodies. Our bodies are living temples of YHVH that we are responsible to keep clean and keep defilement far from. This instruction is to bless us and give us a long life. If we bring contamination into our temples, sickness, disease and even death may result. The choice is ours. Obedience brings the blessings. YHVH s instruction to abstain from fat also speaks of the physical products that produced fat in us that were listed in this category. Therefore fat in scripture can represent disobedience to YHVH s Word that can lead to our death if we continue to disregard and neglect God s ways for our lives. What we put in our bodies is the key to the priesthood of Yeshua. Yeshua s priesthood will be a holy priesthood that serves Him in His Holy Temple. If the bride of Yeshua disregards the teaching of a fat and blood devoid diet, is this the bride the Groom will return for? To see how important this is to YHVH as we continue through Leviticus, it is significant to note that every time fat and blood are mentioned, the instructions for the priesthood are mentioned directly following. There should be no distinction between what we physically or spiritually put into us that might defile us. As the priesthood of Yeshua, every aspect of us is to be clean, holy and pure before YHVH. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Yeshua. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:4-9). The life of the animal is in the lifeblood. Blood is both life-giving and a part of the body s cleaning system at the same time; it not only takes the life source to the animal, but also works like a vacuum cleaner taking out toxins and garbage from the kidneys, skin, bowels, and lungs, along with the garbage that makes up the waste products. Thus the blood is rendered unclean for human consumption. If we eat meat with the lifeblood in it, we are eating also called drinking the very life of that animal along with the animal s characteristic fears and mindset, including its sexual behavior. If we eat an unauthorized animal we can take on its very nature. When we eat an aggressive type of animal, we may take on its aggressive behavior also. If the animal has been raised in an inhumane environment, as many are, any subsequent characteristics, viruses or diseases the animal may have picked up are also in the meat. Many hormones and chemicals are given to the animals when they are young that stay with them for life, and therefore also in the meat. We literally consume all of this and more when we eat unauthorized meat or meat with blood still in it. Eating unauthorized food can open the door to the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. Today pornography is rampant, and with the help of Internet, television, movies, magazines and more, it seems to be gaining acceptable status in a society without Torah, God s teaching and instruction. In a past report from Focus on the Family, Dr. James Dobson reported that when the popular Christian conference comes to town the hotels report a surge of X-rated movies viewed during that time period. One speaker shared that of the 25,000 men at one conference, approximately half the men came forward to repent for cheating on their wives. Blood in the meat directly affects a person s sexual drive and appetite. Sexual sin passes on to the third and fourth generations through the sins of iniquities and is considered a community sin in the Bible that affects all Israel. Lust is not love. Check out the diet, this may be one of the entry points for lust of the flesh. Unclean foods were considered to be the food of idols in pagan worship. Pig was especially common as we see in the story of the Maccabees (1 and 2 Maccabees; Numbers 25:1-3). Pagan cults use blood in their feasts to get the desired effect they want. Then the word of YHVH came to me, saying: "Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, 'Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession.' Therefore say to them, 'Thus says YHVH your Elohim: You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another's wives. Should you then possess the land?'" (Ezekiel 33:23-26). What agreement is there between the temple of YHVH and idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim (2 Corinthians 6:16). When blood is consumed it can open the door to the occult realm and unclean practices. Eyes linger a little longer on unclean subjects; aggressive behavior and anger become acceptable; defensive attitudes enter, depressive and unclean thoughts are entertained; along with these, quality of life and associations change. Entering the unclean realm can eventually lead to occult involvement. A weakened spiritual walk can lose its passion and enthusiasm for YHVH. Distractions and loss of interest will eventually separate a person from Yeshua. Touching the unclean realm makes us unclean. Do we desire to have a deeper walk and glean deeper revelations in His Word? Look into the diet; our diet reflects our spiritual condition. We are what we eat. November 6,

13 Son of man, they who inhabit those ruins in the land of Israel are saying, "Abraham was only one, and he inherited the land. But we are many; the land has been given to us as a possession." Therefore say to them, "Thus says the Master YHVH: 'You eat meat with blood, you lift up your eyes toward your idols, and shed blood. Should you then possess the land? You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and you defile one another's wives. Should you then possess the land?'" (Ezekiel 33:24-26). Therefore come out from them and be separate. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for YHVH (2 Corinthians 6:17 to 7:1). Leviticus 11:9-12 Clean and Unclean Sea/Water Life Only fish with both fins and scales are to be food for us. All other sea and water life YHVH says is to be an abomination to us. Shellfish and fish without scales and fins are the scavengers and cleaners of YHVH s waterways. They are cesspools of filth and contaminants, containing high levels of cholesterol, mercury, disease, worms, chemicals, and parasites. Their job is to clean all urine, feces and scum from the water. Shrimp, prawns and other mid water swimmers like squid and octopus are vacuum cleaners. Whales are big surface filters. The shark and other aggressive cleaners remove larger debris. Eating these will introduce their aggressive, scavenger natures. Clams, oysters and mussels are immobile filter feeders that contain bacteria, viruses, and can also harbor hepatitis, bringing all the contaminants they hold into our bodies when consumed. God says we are not to do this. It will cause our lives to be shortened. Question: Do these dietary laws apply to us today? Malachi 3:6 says I, YHVH, do not change. And according to Hebrews 13:8, Yeshua is the same yesterday and today and forever. So YHVH s Word does not change either. Mark 7:1-23 records a discussion between the Pharisees and the teachers of the law in which Yeshua is correcting them. The men did not understand the difference between the law (legalistic observance) and Torah (Spirit led lifestyle) (see teaching from parsha Mishpatim). Yeshua was not sharing about unclean foods becoming clean; this was an added text to the Scriptures. Yeshua is YHVH in the flesh and would not contradict Himself. These teachers of the law had added the traditions of man to the Word of YHVH. They had set aside YHVH s teaching and instruction in order to observe their own traditions. Yeshua was correcting their religious spirits and pointing to the real contaminants in their hearts. "What comes out of a man is what makes him unclean." Acts 10:1 to 11:18 details a vision Peter received from YHVH in which a tallit descended from heaven and ascended again three times. In this holy garment were four-footed clean animals with unclean animals, reptiles, as well as birds. YHVH told Peter to kill and eat! Peter said to YHVH that he had never eaten unauthorized food before. YHVH showed him that the animals represented PEOPLE. "But YHVH has shown me that I should not call any man impure or unclean" (Acts 10:28). The House of Israel had lived among the pagans and taken up their ways. They were the redeemed, returning to YHVH s teaching and instruction and were no longer thought of as unclean! These were the people YHVH was speaking of, the same people Peter was sent to minister to. Understanding the realms of the Kingdom of YHVH was to be simple. Man s laws had cluttered YHVH s teaching and instruction by adding to them exceedingly. People coming from the nations saw truth and Torah as a strange thing at first as the worldly ways were more familiar to them. But Scripture points out the harm that came from the worldly ways. Learning the difference between clean and unclean, holy and unholy keeps us in the realm of life. In this we receive YHVH s abundant provision and blessing and keeps curses far from us. I have written for him the great things of My law/torah, But they were considered a strange thing (Hosea 8:12). Sinning or missing the mark (Torah) is like a little boy all dressed in his good clothes who goes out (outside of Torah/realm of death) and jumps in a puddle, covering him with mud. Returning to the house (Torah/realm of life), he removes his dirty clothes (his sinful nature), has a bath (Mikvah), and puts on clean clothes (fruit of repentance reflected in the gifts of the Spirit/priestly garments) before he can re-join his family again. In Hebrew this is called the ritual application of the Torah. You want to apply God s teaching and instruction in your life; this will sanctify us, make us clean and holy, and lead to life, called the walk of redemption. Yeshua said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father" (John 14:12). But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (James 1:22). For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also (James 2:26). The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you (Philippians 4:9 ). November 6,