- there are 70 faces to 
Post by alon on Mar 3, 2023 18:07:17 GMT -8
This Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Exodus 27:20-28:43
Haftara- Hos 14:4-9
D’rash: Why start our reading here with the last two verses of ch. 27?
Exodus 27:20-21 “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.
Because here the text transitions. We have been given instructions for making the Mishkan and its accessories. Now with the oil and the accouterments for the priestly dressings we move to instructions for making the items along with some instruction for their use. Not only are they commanded to bring “pure beaten oil” for the lamp, but אהרן A’haron and his sons are to tend it forever.
There is also an inference here that, since the oil is consumed when burned it will have to be requested regularly- either the oil itself or the olives to make it. So we get a hint that the people and not just the priests will be involved in the maintenance of God’s sanctuary.
Many contemporary Jewish synagogues hang a “ner tamid,” or “eternal light.” Situated before the Holy Ark (Sephardic's call it the Heichal, or sanctuary), It serves as a reminder that the synagogue is representative of the Temple, based on:
Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while [ in small measure] in the countries where they have gone.’
Elohei Yisroel, the God of Israel (2 Saml 23:3) is our ‘sanctuary’ even in times of exile. We should all enter into a house of God mindful of this.
Exodus 28:3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
Here is an interesting point- craftsmanship skills are considered a type of wisdom. We don’t often think of this, however those of us who have such skills should apply them to the maintenance of our places of worship. The intellectual wisdom of the clergy is not all that is required to make our synagogues function.
Exodus 28:11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree.
This would be a fine art, one requiring a lot of the skill of possibly more than one craftsman.
Exodus 28:12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.
So remembrance of what, and by who?
Psalm 38:9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
El-Roiy, God Who Sees Me (Gen16:13) remembers, of course. But when it says He remembers, it is always followed by some action:
Psalm 38:15 But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
Either He punishes or rewards (Gen 19:29); saves or condemns (Rom 8:34). He grants our wants (within His will) and needs (Gen 27:28). He remembers and provides (Ps 9:18). These are but a few of very many verses saying “God remembers.”
However as always this works two ways. God will always “recall,” but His remembrance is predicated on our remembering Him (2 Tim 8-13).
Exodus 28:36-38 “You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
“Holy,” or ‘set apart’ to the Lord. Since people are sinful by nature, the guilt of the people represented by the cohen ha’gadol (A’haron) must be forgiven and born away by God before our prayers and offerings are acceptable. This is prophetic of ha’moshiac, Yeshua, who will bear our sins. However repentance is required for salvation:
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
We remember we’ve sinned and turn away from those acts and back to God. So as the Cohen Ha’gadol carried our sins before the Lord and asked forgiveness (predicated on our own act of repentance and following behavior which shows it), so now Yeshua our, High Priest, Himself also being God, forgives us our sins. However there is one fine but very important point here: A’haron was carrying the sins of the nation when he went into the Holy of Holies to stand before Almighty God. We are in large part responsible for the sins of our nation as well. We too will suffer if our nation falls into judgement.
Personal repentance is important (Acts 3:19). However so is our national morality (2 Chron 7:14; Joel 2:17). We are to be involved in political affairs as representatives of our faith. But what about “separation of church and state”- a phrase commonly used in the US? This is history, and most here are probably familiar; however it is important to review.
Many may not know that prior to the American Revolution and subsequent adoption of our Constitution, it was not uncommon for local governments to levy taxes to support the prominent clergy in their region. Many who refused to pay for a religious denomination of which they were not a part were beaten, jailed, their property confiscated, or even hanged. So the Danbury (Conn) Baptist Association wrote a letter to then President Thomas Jefferson concerning whether the Constitution went far enough in protecting religious 'minorities' from the overreaches of government.
Jefferson, in his response, quoted the 1st Amendment, “no man ought to suffer in Name, person or effects on account of his religious Opinions—That the legitimate Power of civil Government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor.” He went on to say the “legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Since this concerns only the “free exercise” of religion, it in no way prohibits us either to speak of our faith nor to interject its’ precepts into our political decisions and support of candidates or causes.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.
Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition of government are all tied together here. All are free to participate in political discourse. None are prohibited their say in political matters. And according to Jefferson this was especially applicable to religious affiliations. We are blessed to live where we can freely interject our religious beliefs into government, but this right is fast being eroded because we have as a whole remained silent for decades. Schools and even churches are teaching it means we as believers have no say in government- no right to interject our Godly views into politics. And if we remain silent, how then will anyone know the truth? It is high time we took a stand.
In other countries I encourage you to research your own historical and political precedents and find out how you can be a part of or influence the political process.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; JPS Study TNK; the US Constitution; my notes on American History; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Ex 29:1-46
Haftara- Is 61:7-62:5
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
Parashah- Exodus 27:20-28:43
Haftara- Hos 14:4-9
D’rash: Why start our reading here with the last two verses of ch. 27?
Exodus 27:20-21 “You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. In the tent of meeting, outside the veil that is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall tend it from evening to morning before the Lord. It shall be a statute forever to be observed throughout their generations by the people of Israel.
Because here the text transitions. We have been given instructions for making the Mishkan and its accessories. Now with the oil and the accouterments for the priestly dressings we move to instructions for making the items along with some instruction for their use. Not only are they commanded to bring “pure beaten oil” for the lamp, but אהרן A’haron and his sons are to tend it forever.
There is also an inference here that, since the oil is consumed when burned it will have to be requested regularly- either the oil itself or the olives to make it. So we get a hint that the people and not just the priests will be involved in the maintenance of God’s sanctuary.
Many contemporary Jewish synagogues hang a “ner tamid,” or “eternal light.” Situated before the Holy Ark (Sephardic's call it the Heichal, or sanctuary), It serves as a reminder that the synagogue is representative of the Temple, based on:
Ezekiel 11:16 Therefore say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: Though I removed them far off among the nations, and though I scattered them among the countries, yet I have been a sanctuary to them for a while [ in small measure] in the countries where they have gone.’
Elohei Yisroel, the God of Israel (2 Saml 23:3) is our ‘sanctuary’ even in times of exile. We should all enter into a house of God mindful of this.
Exodus 28:3 You shall speak to all the skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill, that they make Aaron's garments to consecrate him for my priesthood.
Here is an interesting point- craftsmanship skills are considered a type of wisdom. We don’t often think of this, however those of us who have such skills should apply them to the maintenance of our places of worship. The intellectual wisdom of the clergy is not all that is required to make our synagogues function.
Exodus 28:11 As a jeweler engraves signets, so shall you engrave the two stones with the names of the sons of Israel. You shall enclose them in settings of gold filigree.
This would be a fine art, one requiring a lot of the skill of possibly more than one craftsman.
Exodus 28:12 And you shall set the two stones on the shoulder pieces of the ephod, as stones of remembrance for the sons of Israel. And Aaron shall bear their names before the Lord on his two shoulders for remembrance.
So remembrance of what, and by who?
Psalm 38:9 O Lord, all my longing is before you;
my sighing is not hidden from you.
El-Roiy, God Who Sees Me (Gen16:13) remembers, of course. But when it says He remembers, it is always followed by some action:
Psalm 38:15 But for you, O Lord, do I wait;
it is you, O Lord my God, who will answer.
Either He punishes or rewards (Gen 19:29); saves or condemns (Rom 8:34). He grants our wants (within His will) and needs (Gen 27:28). He remembers and provides (Ps 9:18). These are but a few of very many verses saying “God remembers.”
However as always this works two ways. God will always “recall,” but His remembrance is predicated on our remembering Him (2 Tim 8-13).
Exodus 28:36-38 “You shall make a plate of pure gold and engrave on it, like the engraving of a signet, ‘Holy to the Lord.’ And you shall fasten it on the turban by a cord of blue. It shall be on the front of the turban. It shall be on Aaron's forehead, and Aaron shall bear any guilt from the holy things that the people of Israel consecrate as their holy gifts. It shall regularly be on his forehead, that they may be accepted before the Lord.
“Holy,” or ‘set apart’ to the Lord. Since people are sinful by nature, the guilt of the people represented by the cohen ha’gadol (A’haron) must be forgiven and born away by God before our prayers and offerings are acceptable. This is prophetic of ha’moshiac, Yeshua, who will bear our sins. However repentance is required for salvation:
Acts 3:19 Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,
We remember we’ve sinned and turn away from those acts and back to God. So as the Cohen Ha’gadol carried our sins before the Lord and asked forgiveness (predicated on our own act of repentance and following behavior which shows it), so now Yeshua our, High Priest, Himself also being God, forgives us our sins. However there is one fine but very important point here: A’haron was carrying the sins of the nation when he went into the Holy of Holies to stand before Almighty God. We are in large part responsible for the sins of our nation as well. We too will suffer if our nation falls into judgement.
Personal repentance is important (Acts 3:19). However so is our national morality (2 Chron 7:14; Joel 2:17). We are to be involved in political affairs as representatives of our faith. But what about “separation of church and state”- a phrase commonly used in the US? This is history, and most here are probably familiar; however it is important to review.
Many may not know that prior to the American Revolution and subsequent adoption of our Constitution, it was not uncommon for local governments to levy taxes to support the prominent clergy in their region. Many who refused to pay for a religious denomination of which they were not a part were beaten, jailed, their property confiscated, or even hanged. So the Danbury (Conn) Baptist Association wrote a letter to then President Thomas Jefferson concerning whether the Constitution went far enough in protecting religious 'minorities' from the overreaches of government.
Jefferson, in his response, quoted the 1st Amendment, “no man ought to suffer in Name, person or effects on account of his religious Opinions—That the legitimate Power of civil Government extends no further than to punish the man who works ill to his neighbor.” He went on to say the “legislature should "make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof, thus building a wall of separation between Church & State.” Since this concerns only the “free exercise” of religion, it in no way prohibits us either to speak of our faith nor to interject its’ precepts into our political decisions and support of candidates or causes.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.
Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly and petition of government are all tied together here. All are free to participate in political discourse. None are prohibited their say in political matters. And according to Jefferson this was especially applicable to religious affiliations. We are blessed to live where we can freely interject our religious beliefs into government, but this right is fast being eroded because we have as a whole remained silent for decades. Schools and even churches are teaching it means we as believers have no say in government- no right to interject our Godly views into politics. And if we remain silent, how then will anyone know the truth? It is high time we took a stand.
In other countries I encourage you to research your own historical and political precedents and find out how you can be a part of or influence the political process.
Mekorot: All scripture from the ESV unless otherwise specified; JPS Study TNK; the US Constitution; my notes on American History; my father and others
Next Week’s Readings:
Parashah- Ex 29:1-46
Haftara- Is 61:7-62:5
* Apostolic references will be given in the darashot
