Post by alon on Mar 15, 2018 21:18:38 GMT -8
Par’shah 24: Vayikra
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 24 March 2018/8 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tzav (Give an order)
Par’shah: Leviticus 6:1-8:36
Haftara: Jeremiah 7:21-8:36, 9:23-24
Brit Chadashah: Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians10:14-23
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 17 March 2018/1 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Vayikra (He called)
Par’shah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftara: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Brit Chadashah: Romans 8:1-13; Hebrews 10:1-14, 13:10-16
D’rash: Leviticus 1:7 – The descendants of Aahron the cohen are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. This single scripture at first glance can easily and quickly be read through without being given any thought or consideration whatsoever. But this verse made an impression on me from the
reading of the previous year. The word “arrange” (KJV – order) comes from the Hebrew root word “shalab” meaning “to space off” and in context of the verse, “to make equidistant: -- equally distant, set in order.” This same word is found in Genesis 22:9 when Avraham arranges the wood on the altar to offer Yitz’chak to Adonai. The wood is not casually tossed as on a campfire or burn pile but is laid on the altar with reverence and respect; Therefore, we can conclude from this verse and indeed from this par’shah regarding the sacrifices that every single act we do unto G-d is to be done out of reverence to Him. This reverence is also expressed back in Exodus during the construction of the Mishkan. Only the finest materials were used along with the best craftsmanship available which, of course, were provided by Adonai Himself so that He could dwell among His chosen people as King.
There were several types of offerings that differed slightly but we will see how reverence was expressed to Adonai through the burnt offering:
The victim had to be perfect, without any defect, as was Yeshua our perfect sacrifice.
The sacrifice had to be brought to the Mishkan and offered before Adonai, not just any place where one wanted to, possibly so that it was not unintentionally (or intentionally) offered to an idol that was established there (Deuteronomy 12:13).
The guilty party had to lay hands on the substitute, symbolizing the transferal of sin to the innocent victim, similar to Azazel, except that this offering would be sacrificed (Leviticus 16:10, 20-22).
As with the wood, the cut pieces of the offering were arranged on the altar; the entrails and lower parts of the legs were washed with water.
The grain offering was forbidden to have leaven which symbolized sin. Honey also was forbidden and commentaries express different reasons for this: one is that pagan sacrifices offered it, possibly to sweeten it and gain favor with the gods. Sweetening the offering to Adonai, though, would be considered an attempt to make excuses, or soften our sin before Him. For example, one might say, “Well, a lot of people are doing it, so I’m not that bad.” Really! Do we set our standards according to man or to G-d and His? 1 Timothy 1:9 says, “We are aware that is not for a person who is righteous, but for those who are heedless of …”. Another reason is that honey can represent the pleasures of life, whether good or bad, which would reduce the solemnity of the occasion for the sacrifice.
Blood and fat were strictly reserved for Adonai, blood for covering and atonement and fat being one of the choicest parts offered up by fire.
Adonai directly commands it in Leviticus 19:30 and 26:2, both verses having the exact same wording – “Keep My Shabbats and revere My sanctuary; I am Adonai.”
Notice that on the one hand the offerings by fire were very special and consecrated to G-d and on the other it was a bloody ordeal. This was not only to instill reverence towards G-d but also to remind the individual making the offering how serious and costly sin was, and still is, in His eyes; and though the priest was the one who actually performed the offering, Adonai’s choice of animals given to the one bringing the offering would certainly test his heart’s devotion. If he could afford a bull he could not bring a sheep or goat; if he could afford one of these he was not to offer birds; and he was to offer the best quality of everything he had to Adonai.
The priests themselves no less were to have a pure heart in their duties of the offerings to Adonai, even more so because of their special calling. Their road to the priesthood begins with Levi, the third son of Ya’akov and Leah. Recall in Genesis 34 that he and his brother, Shim’on, were the ones who took excess revenge against the men of Sh’khem for raping their sister Dinah and not informing their father of their plans. Because of this, they received a curse instead of a blessing from him (Genesis 49:5-7). However, one can admire their attitude and zeal against this sin done to their sister. Generations later, like a precious gem polished from its tarnish, the Levite tribe was the one who sided with Moshe in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:25-29). This time, they executed disciplined judgement under the command of Moshe, proving their reverence to Adonai by killing even their own relatives who were still reveling in the act of their sin. This same reverence and honor for G-d is seen in Numbers 25:6-13 when Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon the former high priest, rises amongst the people weeping over the Pe’or incident and boldly executes an Israelite man and the pagan Moabite woman he brings into the camp and into his tent. He is rewarded by Adonai with His covenant of shalom and the office of cohen forever. Moshe, at the end of his life, also speaks an honorable blessing over the tribe of Levi, not only of their calling to minister as priests but also of their authority to teach Israel the rulings of Adonai (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).
So now, how can we show this same kind of reverence for Adonai? As always, it begins with our heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.” Maintaining a humble and reverent heart for the things of G-d will keep us on the right path. This reverence should also naturally express itself in our outward actions, towards others, in our daily responsibilities, even in the small things such as the Amidah and netilat yadiyim. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “…, whatever you do, whether it’s eating or drinking or anything else, do it all so as to bring glory to G-d.” And Colossians 3:17, “…everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through Him to G-d the Father.” Continued diligence is necessary or we may fall into complacency and indifference for which the prophet Mal’akhi rebukes the priests in their attitude towards the sacrifices (Mal’akhi 1:6-14). Let us heed the instruction of 1 Timothy 2:20-21 – “In a large house there are dishes and pots not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. That is, some are meant for honorable use and some for dishonorable. If a person keeps himself free of defilement by the latter, he will be a vessel set aside for honorable use by the master of the house and ready for every kind of good work.” So let us cleanse ourselves while on this earth to be more like the honorable vessels of the Holy Place, that is, the Lampstand and the Table of Showbread, the vessels that represent the perfect life of obedience and reverence towards G-d of our L-rd and Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Resources inlcude several commentaries and articles, and scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David Stearn, copyright 1998
MRD
Next week’s reading schedule:
Date of reading: 24 March 2018/8 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Tzav (Give an order)
Par’shah: Leviticus 6:1-8:36
Haftara: Jeremiah 7:21-8:36, 9:23-24
Brit Chadashah: Mark 12:28-34; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians10:14-23
This week’s readings:
Date of reading: 17 March 2018/1 Nisan 5778
Name of Par’shah: Vayikra (He called)
Par’shah: Leviticus 1:1-5:26
Haftara: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
Brit Chadashah: Romans 8:1-13; Hebrews 10:1-14, 13:10-16
D’rash: Leviticus 1:7 – The descendants of Aahron the cohen are to put fire on the altar and arrange wood on the fire. This single scripture at first glance can easily and quickly be read through without being given any thought or consideration whatsoever. But this verse made an impression on me from the
reading of the previous year. The word “arrange” (KJV – order) comes from the Hebrew root word “shalab” meaning “to space off” and in context of the verse, “to make equidistant: -- equally distant, set in order.” This same word is found in Genesis 22:9 when Avraham arranges the wood on the altar to offer Yitz’chak to Adonai. The wood is not casually tossed as on a campfire or burn pile but is laid on the altar with reverence and respect; Therefore, we can conclude from this verse and indeed from this par’shah regarding the sacrifices that every single act we do unto G-d is to be done out of reverence to Him. This reverence is also expressed back in Exodus during the construction of the Mishkan. Only the finest materials were used along with the best craftsmanship available which, of course, were provided by Adonai Himself so that He could dwell among His chosen people as King.There were several types of offerings that differed slightly but we will see how reverence was expressed to Adonai through the burnt offering:
The victim had to be perfect, without any defect, as was Yeshua our perfect sacrifice.
The sacrifice had to be brought to the Mishkan and offered before Adonai, not just any place where one wanted to, possibly so that it was not unintentionally (or intentionally) offered to an idol that was established there (Deuteronomy 12:13).
The guilty party had to lay hands on the substitute, symbolizing the transferal of sin to the innocent victim, similar to Azazel, except that this offering would be sacrificed (Leviticus 16:10, 20-22).
As with the wood, the cut pieces of the offering were arranged on the altar; the entrails and lower parts of the legs were washed with water.
The grain offering was forbidden to have leaven which symbolized sin. Honey also was forbidden and commentaries express different reasons for this: one is that pagan sacrifices offered it, possibly to sweeten it and gain favor with the gods. Sweetening the offering to Adonai, though, would be considered an attempt to make excuses, or soften our sin before Him. For example, one might say, “Well, a lot of people are doing it, so I’m not that bad.” Really! Do we set our standards according to man or to G-d and His
? 1 Timothy 1:9 says, “We are aware that is not for a person who is righteous, but for those who are heedless of …”. Another reason is that honey can represent the pleasures of life, whether good or bad, which would reduce the solemnity of the occasion for the sacrifice.Blood and fat were strictly reserved for Adonai, blood for covering and atonement and fat being one of the choicest parts offered up by fire.
Adonai directly commands it in Leviticus 19:30 and 26:2, both verses having the exact same wording – “Keep My Shabbats and revere My sanctuary; I am Adonai.”
Notice that on the one hand the offerings by fire were very special and consecrated to G-d and on the other it was a bloody ordeal. This was not only to instill reverence towards G-d but also to remind the individual making the offering how serious and costly sin was, and still is, in His eyes; and though the priest was the one who actually performed the offering, Adonai’s choice of animals given to the one bringing the offering would certainly test his heart’s devotion. If he could afford a bull he could not bring a sheep or goat; if he could afford one of these he was not to offer birds; and he was to offer the best quality of everything he had to Adonai.
The priests themselves no less were to have a pure heart in their duties of the offerings to Adonai, even more so because of their special calling. Their road to the priesthood begins with Levi, the third son of Ya’akov and Leah. Recall in Genesis 34 that he and his brother, Shim’on, were the ones who took excess revenge against the men of Sh’khem for raping their sister Dinah and not informing their father of their plans. Because of this, they received a curse instead of a blessing from him (Genesis 49:5-7). However, one can admire their attitude and zeal against this sin done to their sister. Generations later, like a precious gem polished from its tarnish, the Levite tribe was the one who sided with Moshe in the golden calf incident (Exodus 32:25-29). This time, they executed disciplined judgement under the command of Moshe, proving their reverence to Adonai by killing even their own relatives who were still reveling in the act of their sin. This same reverence and honor for G-d is seen in Numbers 25:6-13 when Pinchas, the grandson of Aharon the former high priest, rises amongst the people weeping over the Pe’or incident and boldly executes an Israelite man and the pagan Moabite woman he brings into the camp and into his tent. He is rewarded by Adonai with His covenant of shalom and the office of cohen forever. Moshe, at the end of his life, also speaks an honorable blessing over the tribe of Levi, not only of their calling to minister as priests but also of their authority to teach Israel the rulings of Adonai (Deuteronomy 33:8-11).
So now, how can we show this same kind of reverence for Adonai? As always, it begins with our heart. Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above everything else, guard your heart; for it is the source of life’s consequences.” Maintaining a humble and reverent heart for the things of G-d will keep us on the right path. This reverence should also naturally express itself in our outward actions, towards others, in our daily responsibilities, even in the small things such as the Amidah and netilat yadiyim. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “…, whatever you do, whether it’s eating or drinking or anything else, do it all so as to bring glory to G-d.” And Colossians 3:17, “…everything you do or say, do in the name of the Lord Yeshua, giving thanks through Him to G-d the Father.” Continued diligence is necessary or we may fall into complacency and indifference for which the prophet Mal’akhi rebukes the priests in their attitude towards the sacrifices (Mal’akhi 1:6-14). Let us heed the instruction of 1 Timothy 2:20-21 – “In a large house there are dishes and pots not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay. That is, some are meant for honorable use and some for dishonorable. If a person keeps himself free of defilement by the latter, he will be a vessel set aside for honorable use by the master of the house and ready for every kind of good work.” So let us cleanse ourselves while on this earth to be more like the honorable vessels of the Holy Place, that is, the Lampstand and the Table of Showbread, the vessels that represent the perfect life of obedience and reverence towards G-d of our L-rd and Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach.
Resources inlcude several commentaries and articles, and scriptures taken from the Complete Jewish Bible by David Stearn, copyright 1998
MRD
everything you say there at work in my life in the past.
