Your Daily Pesuk July 31, 2018

Parashat Eikev / פרשת עקב

• Tue, 31 July 2018 = 19th of Av, 5778
• י״ט בְּאָב תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 9:4-29 (26 p'sukim)

CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR THE PESUKIM

וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל אֶל־יְהוָה֮ וָאֹמַר֒ אֲדֹנָ֣י יְהוִ֗ה אַל־תַּשְׁחֵ֤ת עַמְּךָ֙ וְנַחֲלָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁ֥ר פָּדִ֖יתָ בְּגָדְלֶ֑ךָ אֲשֶׁר־הוֹצֵ֥אתָ מִמִּצְרַ֖יִם בְּיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה׃

I prayed to Adonai and said, ‘O Lord, Adonai, do not destroy Your people—Your inheritance that You have redeemed through Your greatness and brought out from Egypt with a mighty hand.

The 26th Pesuk tells us that Moshe prayed to Adonai on behalf of Israel, describing them as rebellious, and describing Adonai as ready to destroy them in His anger!

Can one man's prayer really turn away the wrath of the Almighty God of the Universe?  Does God really listen to a man?

The first word of this Pesuk is וָאֶתְפַּלֵּ֣ל  (V'etpalall); def. "And I prayed".  The root word of this is: פָּלַל (Pallal); def. "Pray".  Strong's definition is: "A primitive root; to judge (officially or mentally); by extension to intercede, pray: - intreat, judge (-ment), (make) pray (-er, -ing), make supplication."

To "Intercede" is likely the best description of what is happening here.  Moshe goes up for 40 days and nights, and B'nei Yisrael think he's dead and begin to build a Golden Calf and worship it.  Aaron is complicit in the affair, and God informs Moshe of this before he descends down himself to be an eye-witness to the idolatry of the nation.  It was at this moment, before he took leave down Mt. Sinai, that God says:

13 Furthermore Adonai spoke to me saying, ‘I have seen this people, and it is indeed a stiff-necked people. 14 Leave Me alone, so that I may destroy them and blot out their name from under the heavens. Then I will make you into a nation mightier and greater than they.’

Remarkably, the God if Israel states that he is "willing" to obliterate the nation that He had just redeemed and had once made promises to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob!  It is possible that He was simply "testing" Moshe as the leader and a forerunner of a type of "Messiah".  Like the Messiah Himself; Moshe shows his compassion for B'nei Yisrael when he explains how he responded to this:

18 “Then I fell down before Adonai like the first time, for 40 days and 40 nights. I did not eat bread or drink water—because of all your sin that you committed, doing evil in Adonai’s sight, provoking Him to anger. 19 For I was afraid of the fierce wrath and fury which Adonai bore toward you—to destroy you. But Adonai listened to me that time also. 20 Adonai was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, so I prayed for Aaron also at the same time. 21 I took your sin—the calf you had made—and burned it in the fire.

Notice Moshe's actions as an intercessor.  He fasts another 40 days/nights, because of our sin...then he says something AMAZING!  "Adonai listened to me"!!!

YES GOD DOES LISTEN TO MEN!!!  Especially when we fast and pray and seek His face!  He actually responds to what we ask when we seek Him with all our hearts!

This is why Psalm 145 says: "18 Adonai is near to all who call on Him,
to all who call on Him in truth.
19 He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him.
He will hear their cry and save them.

Also, this is what God promised us even before the Babylonian Exile...

Jeremiah 29:12 “Then you will call on Me, and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me, when you will search for Me with all your heart.

Knowing this is how God responds to those who truly seek Him; then what is holding us back from doing this?  Can we not fast and pray and seek His face?  Is there anything in our lives that are worth our time and effort and sacrifice?  Is there anyone we know and love with a real need for prayer?  How about unsaved loved ones?  Are they worth our time and effort to fast and pray?

Kvetching and belly-aching is not the same as INTERCESSION.

I would propose that God actually "WANTS US"  to come to Him this way, the way Moshe did and intercede for those we love and even for those we don't know well and love dearly!

This kind of heart that compelled Moshe to stand in the gap for this people, this is the type of attitude we need to put on in this Messianic Jewish movement.  We need to stir up the compassion in our hearts for our people that we would actually lay down our lives for them.... At least give up a few meals and pray for them!!!

Romans 9:3 For I would pray that I myself were cursed, banished from Messiah for the sake of my people—my own flesh and blood,  4 who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah[d] and the Temple service and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs—and from them, according to the flesh, the Messiah, who is over all, God, blessed forever. Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk July 30, 2018

Parashat Eikev / פרשת עקב

• Mon, 30 July 2018 = 18th of Av, 5778
• י״ח בְּאָב תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 8:11-9:3 (13 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 8:11-9:3 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

11 “Take care that you do not forget Adonai your God by not keeping His mitzvot, ordinances and statutes that I am commanding you today. 12 Otherwise, when you have eaten and are full and have built good houses and lived in them, 13 and when your herds and flocks multiply, and silver and gold multiplies for you and all that is yours multiplies, 14 then your heart will be haughty and you will forget Adonai your God. He brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15 He led you through the great and terrible wilderness—fiery serpents and scorpions, and thirsty ground where there was no water. He brought forth water for you from the flinty rock. 16 He fed you in the wilderness with manna that your fathers did not know, in order to afflict you and test you, to do you good in the end. 17 You may say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand has made me this wealth.’ 18 Rather you are to remember Adonai your God, for it is He who gives you power to make wealth, in order to establish His covenant that He swore to your fathers—as it is this day.

19 “Now if you do forget Adonai your God, and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you will certainly perish. 20 Like the nations Adonai makes perish before you, so you will perish, since you would not listen to the voice of Adonai your God.

Who Brings Down Giants?

9 “Hear, O Israel! You are about to cross over the Jordan today, to go in to dispossess nations greater and mightier than yourself—cities great and fortified up to the heavens. 2 The people are great and tall, sons of the Anakim. You know them, and you yourselves have heard, “Who can stand before the sons of Anak?” 3 But you will know today that Adonai your God is the One who is crossing over before you as a devouring fire. He will destroy them, and He will bring them down before you, so that you may drive them out and make them perish quickly, as Adonai has promised you.

11 הִשָּׁ֣מֶר לְךָ֔ פֶּן־תִּשְׁכַּ֖ח אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לְבִלְתִּ֨י שְׁמֹ֤ר מִצְוֺתָיו֙ וּמִשְׁפָּטָ֣יו וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו אֲשֶׁ֛ר אָנֹכִ֥י מְצַוְּךָ֖ הַיּֽוֹם׃

12 פֶּן־תֹּאכַ֖ל וְשָׂבָ֑עְתָּ וּבָתִּ֥ים טוֹבִ֛ים תִּבְנֶ֖ה וְיָשָֽׁבְתָּ׃

13 וּבְקָֽרְךָ֤ וְצֹֽאנְךָ֙ יִרְבְּיֻ֔ן וְכֶ֥סֶף וְזָהָ֖ב יִרְבֶּה־לָּ֑ךְ וְכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־לְךָ֖ יִרְבֶּֽה׃

14 וְרָ֖ם לְבָבֶ֑ךָ וְשָֽׁכַחְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ הַמּוֹצִיאֲךָ֛ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֥ית עֲבָדִֽים׃

15 הַמּוֹלִ֨יכֲךָ֜ בַּמִּדְבָּ֣ר׀ הַגָּדֹ֣ל וְהַנּוֹרָ֗א נָחָ֤שׁ׀ שָׂרָף֙ וְעַקְרָ֔ב וְצִמָּא֖וֹן אֲשֶׁ֣ר אֵֽין־מָ֑יִם הַמּוֹצִ֤יא לְךָ֙ מַ֔יִם מִצּ֖וּר הַֽחַלָּמִֽישׁ׃

16 הַמַּֽאֲכִ֨לְךָ֥ מָן֙ בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר אֲשֶׁ֥ר לֹא־יָדְע֖וּן אֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן עַנֹּֽתְךָ֗ וּלְמַ֙עַן֙ נַסֹּתֶ֔ךָ לְהֵיטִֽבְךָ֖ בְּאַחֲרִיתֶֽךָ׃

17 וְאָמַרְתָּ֖ בִּלְבָבֶ֑ךָ כֹּחִי֙ וְעֹ֣צֶם יָדִ֔י עָ֥שָׂה לִ֖י אֶת־הַחַ֥יִל הַזֶּֽה׃

18 וְזָֽכַרְתָּ֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ כִּ֣י ה֗וּא הַנֹּתֵ֥ן לְךָ֛ כֹּ֖חַ לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת חָ֑יִל לְמַ֨עַן הָקִ֧ים אֶת־בְּרִית֛וֹ אֲשֶׁר־נִשְׁבַּ֥ע לַאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃ פ

19 וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־שָׁכֹ֤חַ תִּשְׁכַּח֙ אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ וְהָֽלַכְתָּ֗ אַחֲרֵי֙ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֔ים וַעֲבַדְתָּ֖ם וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִ֣יתָ לָהֶ֑ם הַעִדֹ֤תִי בָכֶם֙ הַיּ֔וֹם כִּ֥י אָבֹ֖ד תֹּאבֵדֽוּן׃

20 כַּגּוֹיִ֗ם אֲשֶׁ֤ר יְהוָה֙ מַאֲבִ֣יד מִפְּנֵיכֶ֔ם כֵּ֖ן תֹאבֵד֑וּן עֵ֚קֶב לֹ֣א תִשְׁמְע֔וּן בְּק֖וֹל יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶֽם׃ פ

9 שְׁמַ֣ע יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל אַתָּ֨ה עֹבֵ֤ר הַיּוֹם֙ אֶת־הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן לָבֹא֙ לָרֶ֣שֶׁת גּוֹיִ֔ם גְּדֹלִ֥ים וַעֲצֻמִ֖ים מִמֶּ֑ךָּ עָרִ֛ים גְּדֹלֹ֥ת וּבְצֻרֹ֖ת בַּשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

2 עַֽם־גָּד֥וֹל וָרָ֖ם בְּנֵ֣י עֲנָקִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אַתָּ֤ה יָדַ֙עְתָּ֙ וְאַתָּ֣ה שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ מִ֣י יִתְיַצֵּ֔ב לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י עֲנָֽק׃

3 וְיָדַעְתָּ֣ הַיּ֗וֹם כִּי֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ הֽוּא־הָעֹבֵ֤ר לְפָנֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵ֣שׁ אֹֽכְלָ֔ה ה֧וּא יַשְׁמִידֵ֛ם וְה֥וּא יַכְנִיעֵ֖ם לְפָנֶ֑יךָ וְהֽוֹרַשְׁתָּ֤ם וְהַֽאַבַדְתָּם֙ מַהֵ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר דִּבֶּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה לָֽךְ׃

What does it really mean to be satisfied?  Our pesukim today warns us against having a "Haughty Heart".  וְרָ֖ם לְבָבֶ֑ךָ V'ram L'vavcha

We find the answer in the instruction and warning of our Master, Yeshua:

 וַיֹּאמֶר יֵשׁוּעַ אֲלֵיהֶם רְאוּ וְהִשָׁמְרוּ לָכֶם מִשְּׂאֹר הַפְּרוּשִׁים וְהַצַּדּוּקִים׃

Matthew 16:6 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

6 “Watch out,” Yeshua said to them, “and beware of the hametz of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”

Hametz is "Yeast" an agent that causes fermentation which allows bread to rise.  An arrogant person is likened unto bread made with yeast in that it "puffs up"; (i.e. becoming proud and haughty in one's own estimation).  Yeshua, as in today's Pesukim, warns against this, we are to guard our hearts against it lest we forget our God...

Delitzsch says, "But if the Israelites were to eat there and be satisfied, i.e., to live in the midst of plenty, they were to beware of forgetting their God; that when their prosperity - their possessions, in the form of lofty houses, cattle, gold and silver, and other good things - increased, their heart might not be lifted up, i.e., they might not become proud, and, forgetting their deliverance from Egypt and their miraculous preservation and guidance in the desert, ascribe the property they had acquired to their own strength and the work of their own hands. To keep the people from this danger of forgetting God, which follows so easily from the pride of wealth, Moses once more enumerates in Deuteronomy 8:14-16 the manifestations of divine grace, their deliverance from Egypt the slave-house, their being led through the great and terrible desert, whose terrors he depicts by mentioning a series of noxious and even fatal things, such as snakes, burning snakes ( saraph , see at Num 21; 6), scorpions, and the thirsty land where there was no water. The words from נחשׁ , onwards, are attached rhetorically to what precedes by simple apposition, without any logically connecting particle; though it will not do to overlook entirely the rhetorical form of the enumeration, and supply the preposition בּ before נחשׁ and the words which follow, to say nothing of the fact that it would be quite out of character before these nouns in the singular, as a whole people could not go through one serpent, etc. In this parched land the Lord brought he people water out of the flinty rock, the hardest stone, and fed them with manna, to humble them and tempt them (cf. Deuteronomy 8:2), in order (this was the ultimate intention of all the humiliation and trial) “ to do thee good at thy latter end .”

Here Franz Delitzsch mentions the "pride of wealth", and also in our Pesukim, we have this mentioned as  well in pesukim 17 & 18 of chapter 8.

Pride is one of the most serious threats to our standing with God.  The moment we start believing the lie that it is our own power and strength that we have gained any success that appears to have been acquired - we are taking one step closer towards developing a "haughty heart".

The Shaliach Yochanan, who next to Shaul composed much of the Brit Chadasha by the inspiration of the Ruach Hakodesh said:

1 John 2:16 For everything in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, and the boasting of life—is not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world is passing away along with its desire, but the one who does the will of God abides forever.

Especially, when it comes to amassing wealth, fortune, money etc... we mortals can easily fall prey to the temptations and lures of worldly passions which leads to the Haughty Heart.  Whatever we have, is from God and when we tithe and are generous we not only demonstrate to God that He is only our God, not our money...but we remind ourselves the same as well.  Remember, it was over money that Y'hudah (Judas), betrayed Yeshua!

Hebrews 13:5 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
5 Keep your lifestyle free from the love of money, and be content with what you have.

1 Timothy 6:10 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil—some, longing for it, have gone astray from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
\
Oh, how these words must be feared.  May we never "pierce ourselves with many sorrows"!  Oy!  The Shaliach Shaul also taught us the Secret of Contentment:

Philippians 4:11b ... I have learned to be content. 12 I know what it is to live with humble means, and I know what it is to live in prosperity. In any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of contentment—both to be filled and to go hungry, to have abundance and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.

Far too many in our society chase after those things that are perishing.  They love money more than they love and worship God Himself.  Then they forget that it is Him who gives us the ability to create wealth and when that happens...we fall completely headlong into the HAUGHTY HEART...

Isaiah 2:17 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
17 The pride of man will be humbled,
    the arrogance of men abased,
for Adonai alone will be exalted in that day.

Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk July 29, 2018

Parashat Eikev / פרשת עקב

• Sun, 29 July 2018 = 17th of Av, 5778
• י״ז בְּאָב תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 7:12-8:10 (25 p'sukim)

CLICK THIS LINK FOR THE PESUKIM

Today we begin a new Parasha for the week, called "Eikev".  This name comes from the very first pesuk of our portion, pesuk 12 of Devarim 7.  In Hebrew it says:

 וְהָיָ֣ה׀ עֵ֣קֶב תִּשְׁמְע֗וּן אֵ֤ת הַמִּשְׁפָּטִים֙ הָאֵ֔לֶּה וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֥ם וַעֲשִׂיתֶ֖ם אֹתָ֑ם וְשָׁמַר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֜יךָ לְךָ֗ אֶֽת־הַבְּרִית֙ וְאֶת־הַחֶ֔סֶד אֲשֶׁ֥ר נִשְׁבַּ֖ע לַאֲבֹתֶֽיךָ׃

V'yahi EIKEV, tish'maun et hamishpotim ha'eleh U'shmartam V'asitem O'tem V'shamar Adonai Eloheicha L'cha et Ha'brit V'et Ha'chesed Nish'ba'a La'avoticha.

Loosely, this word simply means: Because.  According to Strong's definition: "a heel, that is, (figuratively) the last of anything (used adverbially for ever); also result, that is, compensation; and so (adverbially with preposition or relatively) on account of: - X because, by, end, for, if, reward."

"Heel" is appropriate in that we see this was Jacob's name, and we can easily see the root word "akav" in the name "Ya'kov" (i.e. Jacob).  This is what we see when Jacob was born:

Genesis 25:24 When her time came to give birth, indeed there were twins in her womb. 25 Now the first came out reddish, all of him was like a fur coat, and they named him Esau. 26 Afterward his brother came out with his hand holding onto Esau’s heel—so he was named Jacob.

Additionally, we see this even earlier in the prophecy of the Messiah at the beginning of Creation after the Fall:

Genesis 3:Genesis 3:15 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

15 I will put animosity

    between you and the woman—

        between your seed and her seed.

    He will crush your head,

        and you will crush his heel.

So in Hebrew heel = because.  So what does our pesuk say as a result of; or because of what?

Deuteronomy 7:12 12 “Then it will happen, as a result of your listening to these ordinances, when you keep and do them, that Adonai your God will keep with you the covenant kindness that He swore to your fathers.

So herein lies a very often overlooked SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE:  "As a result of "LISTENING" to Scripture - (i.e. God's Word); we will (as a result), keep them and do them."  Isn't that cool?

All we really have to do is "keep listening"; over and over and over again; and eventually, we will DO THEM!

This completely agrees with the message of Shaliach Shaul about Israel coming to faith in Messiah Yeshua:

Romans 10 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have zeal for God—but not based on knowledge. 3 For being ignorant of God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Messiah is the goal of the Torah as a means to righteousness for everyone who keeps trusting.

5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on Torah, “The man who does these things shall live by them.”  6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks in this way:

“Do not say in your heart,
‘Who will go up into heaven?’
    (that is, to bring Messiah down),
7 or, ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’
    (that is, to bring Messiah up from the dead).”

8 But what does it say?

“The word is near you,
    in your mouth and in your heart”
—that is, the word of faith
that we are proclaiming:
9 For if you confess with your mouth
        that Yeshua is Lord,
and believe in your heart
        that God raised Him from the dead,
    you will be saved.
10 For with the heart it is believed for righteousness,
and with the mouth it is confessed for salvation.

11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever trusts in Him will not be put to shame.”  12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all—richly generous to all who call on Him. 13 For “Everyone who calls upon the name of Adonai shall be saved.”

14 How then shall they call on the One in whom they have not trusted? And how shall they trust in the One they have not heard of? And how shall they hear without someone proclaiming? 15 And how shall they proclaim unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who proclaim good news of good things!”  16 But not all heeded the Good News. For Isaiah says, “Adonai, who has believed our report?”  17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah.

18 But I say, have they never heard? Indeed they have, for

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,
    and their words to the ends of the world.”

19 But I say, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,

“I will provoke you to jealousy
        by those who are not a nation,
    with a nation empty of understanding
    I will vex you.”
20 And Isaiah is so bold as to say,
“I was found by those who did not seek Me;
I became visible to those who did not ask for Me.”
21 But about Israel He says,
“All day long I stretched forth My hands
    to a disobedient and contrary people."

Again, all we have to do is "KEEP LISTENING" - BECAUSE - FAITH COMES BY HEARING.  Hearing the Word of God - because we hear and listen we will have the faith to believe, follow and OBEY.

This is why is is so important to keep proclaiming the Word, and the Good News to our people!

And that is also why our Pesukim today also say:

Deuteronomy 8:3 He afflicted you and let you hunger, then He fed you manna—which neither you nor your fathers had known—in order to make you understand that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of Adonai.

Let's be listening today and everyday!

Shavuah Tov!

Your Daily Pesuk July 28, 2018

Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת ואתחנן

• Sat, 28 July 2018 = 16th of Av, 5778
• ט״ז בְּאָב תשע״ח

Shabbat Nachamu / שבת נחמו

Deuteronomy 7:1-11 (11 p'sukim)

maf: 7:9-11 (3 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 7:1-11 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

7 “When Adonai your God brings you into the land you are entering to possess and drives out many nations before you—the Hittite and the Girgashite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, seven nations more numerous and mightier than you— 2 and Adonai your God gives them over to you and you strike them down, then you are to utterly destroy them. You are to make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. 3 You are not to intermarry with them—you are not to give your daughter to his son, or take his daughter for your son. 4 For he will turn your son away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of Adonai will be kindled against you, and He will swiftly destroy you. 5 Instead, you are to deal with them like this: tear down their altars, smash their pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their carved images with fire. 6 For you are a holy people to Adonai your God—from all the peoples on the face of the earth, Adonai your God has chosen you to be His treasured people.

7 “It is not because you are more numerous than all the peoples that Adonai set His love on you and chose you—for you are the least of all peoples. 8 Rather, because of His love for you and His keeping the oath He swore to your fathers, Adonai brought you out with a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

9 “Know therefore that Adonai your God, He is God—the faithful God who keeps covenant kindness for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His mitzvot,  10 but repays those who hate Him to their face, to annihilate them. He will not hesitate with him who hates Him; He will repay him to his face. 11 Therefore you are to keep the commandment—both the statutes and the ordinances—that I am commanding you today, to do them.

7 כִּ֤י יְבִֽיאֲךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֶל־הָאָ֕רֶץ אֲשֶׁר־אַתָּ֥ה בָא־שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּ֑הּ וְנָשַׁ֣ל גּֽוֹיִם־רַבִּ֣ים׀ מִפָּנֶ֡יךָ הַֽחִתִּי֩ וְהַגִּרְגָּשִׁ֨י וְהָאֱמֹרִ֜י וְהַכְּנַעֲנִ֣י וְהַפְּרִזִּ֗י וְהַֽחִוִּי֙ וְהַיְבוּסִ֔י שִׁבְעָ֣ה גוֹיִ֔ם רַבִּ֥ים וַעֲצוּמִ֖ים מִמֶּֽךָּ׃

2 וּנְתָנָ֞ם יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ לְפָנֶ֖יךָ וְהִכִּיתָ֑ם הַחֲרֵ֤ם תַּחֲרִים֙ אֹתָ֔ם לֹא־תִכְרֹ֥ת לָהֶ֛ם בְּרִ֖ית וְלֹ֥א תְחָנֵּֽם׃

3 וְלֹ֥א תִתְחַתֵּ֖ן בָּ֑ם בִּתְּךָ֙ לֹא־תִתֵּ֣ן לִבְנ֔וֹ וּבִתּ֖וֹ לֹא־תִקַּ֥ח לִבְנֶֽךָ׃

4 כִּֽי־יָסִ֤יר אֶת־בִּנְךָ֙ מֵֽאַחֲרַ֔י וְעָבְד֖וּ אֱלֹהִ֣ים אֲחֵרִ֑ים וְחָרָ֤ה אַף־יְהוָה֙ בָּכֶ֔ם וְהִשְׁמִידְךָ֖ מַהֵֽר׃

5 כִּֽי־אִם־כֹּ֤ה תַעֲשׂוּ֙ לָהֶ֔ם מִזְבְּחֹתֵיהֶ֣ם תִּתֹּ֔צוּ וּמַצֵּבֹתָ֖ם תְּשַׁבֵּ֑רוּ וַאֲשֵֽׁירֵהֶם֙ תְּגַדֵּע֔וּן וּפְסִילֵיהֶ֖ם תִּשְׂרְפ֥וּן בָּאֵֽשׁ׃

6 כִּ֣י עַ֤ם קָדוֹשׁ֙ אַתָּ֔ה לַיהוָ֖ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ בְּךָ֞ בָּחַ֣ר׀ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ לִהְי֥וֹת לוֹ֙ לְעַ֣ם סְגֻלָּ֔ה מִכֹּל֙ הָֽעַמִּ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֖ר עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הָאֲדָמָֽה׃ ס

7 לֹ֣א מֵֽרֻבְּכֶ֞ם מִכָּל־הָֽעַמִּ֗ים חָשַׁ֧ק יְהוָ֛ה בָּכֶ֖ם וַיִּבְחַ֣ר בָּכֶ֑ם כִּֽי־אַתֶּ֥ם הַמְעַ֖ט מִכָּל־הָעַמִּֽים׃

8 כִּי֩ מֵֽאַהֲבַ֨ת יְהוָ֜ה אֶתְכֶ֗ם וּמִשָּׁמְר֤וֹ אֶת־הַשְּׁבֻעָה֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר נִשְׁבַּע֙ לַאֲבֹ֣תֵיכֶ֔ם הוֹצִ֧יא יְהוָ֛ה אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּיָ֣ד חֲזָקָ֑ה וַֽיִּפְדְּךָ֙ מִבֵּ֣ית עֲבָדִ֔ים מִיַּ֖ד פַּרְעֹ֥ה מֶֽלֶךְ־מִצְרָֽיִם׃

9 וְיָ֣דַעְתָּ֔ כִּֽי־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ ה֣וּא הָֽאֱלֹהִ֑ים הָאֵל֙ הַֽנֶּאֱמָ֔ן שֹׁמֵ֧ר הַבְּרִ֣ית וְהַחֶ֗סֶד לְאֹהֲבָ֛יו וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י ׳מִצְוֺתָו׳ ״מִצְוֺתָ֖יו״ לְאֶ֥לֶף דּֽוֹר׃

10 וּמְשַׁלֵּ֧ם לְשֹׂנְאָ֛יו אֶל־פָּנָ֖יו לְהַאֲבִיד֑וֹ לֹ֤א יְאַחֵר֙ לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ אֶל־פָּנָ֖יו יְשַׁלֶּם־לֽוֹ׃

11 וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֨ אֶת־הַמִּצְוָ֜ה וְאֶת־הַֽחֻקִּ֣ים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֗ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָנֹכִ֧י מְצַוְּךָ֛ הַיּ֖וֹם לַעֲשׂוֹתָֽם׃ פ

Pesukim 3 & 4 gives us the Biblical foundation from having relations with Idol worshipers, (i.e. heathen).  From these pesukim, Jewish tradition has evolved additional regulations about eating with non-Jews, and also entering the home of non-Jews, and of coarse the rabbinical rule about drinking wine that was made by non-Jews.  All of these injunctions have derived from these pesukim.

The rabbis fear was that by mingling with the nations, Israel would loose its identity and its religion.  Indeed the Torah does forbid intermarriage between people of the covenant with those outside the covenant!  Even in Tanakh, we find Ezra repenting on behalf of all Israel men who had taken wives from among the heathen...

Ezra 9 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Now when these things had been completed, the leaders approached me to say: “The people of Israel, the kohanim and the Levites have not separated themselves from the peoples of the lands who practice detestable things just like the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians and the Amorites. 2 For they have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and for their sons and have mingled the holy seed with the peoples of the lands. Indeed, the hand of the leaders and the officials have been at the forefront in this unfaithful act.”

3 When I heard this report, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled out some of the hair from my head and from my beard. Then I sat down devastated. 4 Everyone who trembled at the words of the God of Israel gathered themselves around me because of the unfaithful act of the exiles. Devastated, I sat there until the evening offering.

5 At the time of the evening offering, I rose up from my self-abasement with my garment and robe torn, then I bowed down on my knees and spread out my hands to Adonai my God. 6 I prayed...

The pesukim from our Torah portion, warn us that if we intermarry with heathen, our children would be drawn away from Adonai our God:

Rashi interprets it this way: "For he will turn away your son from following Me: i.e., the heathen’s son, if he marries your daughter, will turn away your [grand]son whom your daughter will bear to him, from following Me. This teaches us that your daughter’s son, born of a heathen man, is called “your son,” but your son’s son, born of a heathen woman, is not called “your son,” but “her son.” For Scripture [first says, “Do not give your daughter to his son, and do not take his daughter for your son.” Then it follows with “For he will turn away your son….” However], referring to “do not take his daughter,” it does not say“For she will turn away your son…” [because he is considered her son, not yours (Kid. 68b)."

 

כי יסיר את בנך מאחרי: בנו של גוי כשישא את בתך יסיר את בנך אשר תלד לו בתך מאחרי. למדנו שבן בתך הבא מן הגוי קרוי בנך, אבל בן בנך הבא מן הגויה אינו קרוי בנך אלא בנה, שהרי לא נאמר על בתו לא תקח כי תסיר את בנך מאחרי, אלא כי יסיר את בנך וגו':

The key to understanding this injunction is in the perception of God towards the heathen nations. (NOT all Gentiles).  the Hittite and the Girgashite and the Amorite, the Canaanite and the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, seven nations" - all of these were the ones whom God had punished and judged and dispossed from the Land.  Why?  Because of their abominations... God does not want us to share in these abominations.

The same remains true today for Messianic believers, both Jewish and Gentiles:

2 Corinthians 6:14 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? 15 What harmony does Messiah have with Belial? Or what part does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16 What agreement does God’s Temple have with idols? For we are the temple of the living God—just as God said,

“I will dwell in them and walk among them;
    and I will be their God,
    and they shall be My people.
17 Therefore, come out from among them,
    and be separate, says Adonai.
Touch no unclean thing.
    Then I will take you in.
18 I will be a father to you,
    and you shall be My sons and daughters,
                    says Adonai-Tzva’ot.”

In today's culture, way too many believers are marrying unbelievers, and years later wonder why the marriage fails and the children do not follow the Lord?!?

While we know that within the Brit Chadasha, non-Jews have been grafted into our covenant by faith in Yeshua.  So there is no sin in the marriage of a born again non-Jew with a born again Jew.  The problem is when a born again believer marries a heathen!  This must never happen!

Revelation 18:3 For all the nations have drunk
    of the wine of the fury of her immorality.
The kings of the earth have committed
    sexual immorality with her,
    and the merchants of the earth
    grew rich off the power
    of her self-indulgence.”

4 Then I heard another voice from heaven saying,

“Come out of her, my people,
    lest you participate in her sins
    and receive her plagues!
5 For her sins have piled up to heaven,
and God has remembered her crimes.

May we and our children remain pure, holy, set apart for Adonai, and never be joined together with the heathen.  For the sake of all Israel.

Amen.  Shabbat Shalom.

Your Daily Pesuk July 27, 2018

Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת ואתחנן

• Fri, 27 July 2018 = 15th of Av, 5778
• ט״ו בְּאָב תשע״ח

Deuteronomy  6:4-25 (22 p'sukim)

CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR THE PESUKIM

Today, Yom Hashishi (the 6th day), our Pesukim contains the only known "creed" of Judaism, simply called, THE SHEMA שׁמע meaning "Hear" or "Listen".  It has become the central liturgical prayer of all Jews universally.  The entire Shema prayer, Devarim 6:4-9 is recited no less than twice a day.  First, in the morning Shacarit service, and then again in the evening during the Ma'ariv Service at sundown.  Both are recited with customary blessings before and after the Shema.  The prayer/confession is regarded as so Holy, that Jews endeavor for these to be the last words on our lips before our death.  

I've chosen Rashi's commentary today to elucidate the Shema for us:

"And you shall love [the Lord]: Perform His commandments out of love. The one who acts out of love cannot be compared to the one who acts out of fear. If one serves his master out of fear, when the master sets a great burden upon him, this servant will leave him and go away [whereas if out of love he will serve him even under great burden] (Sifrei 6:5).

 

ואהבת: עשה דבריו מאהבה אינו דומה עושה מאהבה לעושה מיראה. העושה אצל רבו מיראה כשהוא מטריח עליו מניחו והולך לו:

with all your heart: Heb. בְּכָל-לְבָבְךָ [The double “veth” in לְבָבְךָ, instead of the usual form לִבְּךָ, suggests:] Love Him with your two inclinations [the good and the evil]. (Sifrei; Ber. 54a) Another explanation; “with all your heart,” is that your heart should not be divided [i.e., at variance] with the Omnipresent (Sifrei).

 

בכל לבבך: בשני יצריך. דבר אחר בכל לבבך, שלא יהיה לבך חלוק על המקום:

and with all your soul: Even if He takes your soul (Sifrei; Ber. 54a, 61a).

 

ובכל נפשך: אפילו הוא נוטל את נפשך:

and with all your means: Heb. וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶךָ, with all your possessions. There are people whose possessions are more precious to them than their own bodies. Therefore, it says, “and with all your means.” (Sifrei) Another explanation of וּבְכָל-מְאֹדֶךָ is: You shall love God with whatever measure (מִדָּה) He metes out to you, whether it be the measure of good or the measure of retribution. Thus also did David say: “I will lift up the cup of salvations [and I will call upon the name of the Lord]” (Ps. 116:12-13); “I found trouble and grief [and I called out in the name of the Lord]” (Ps. 116:3-4).

 

ובכל מאדך: בכל ממונך יש לך אדם שממונו חביב עליו מגופו לכך נאמר ובכל מאדך. דבר אחר ובכל מאדך בכל מדה ומדה שמודד לך בין במדה טובה בין במדת פורענות וכן דוד הוא אומר (תהלים קטז, יג) כוס ישועות אשא וגו' (שם קטז, יג) צרה ויגון אמצא וגו':

I appreciate Rashi's first point on serving our God out of pure "Love" (wholeheartedness) not fear.  His final point about "all your means/possessions" also explains why Jews "DAVEN" while we prayer.  Davening is the bowing motion that is customarily performed during prayer.  It is a swaying of the body symbolizing worshiping with our "whole being". Body soul and spirit. 

What is most significant of this commentary is how we see the same principles in the Brit Chadasha:

John 13:34-35 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

34 “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another. 35 By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

John 13:34-35 - מִצְוָה חֲדָשָׁה אֲנִי נֹתֵן לָכֶם אֲשֶׁר תְּאֵהֲבוּ אִטשׁ אֶת־אָחִיו כַּאֲשֶׁר אָהַבְתִּי אֶתְכֶם כֵּן גַּם־אַתֶּם אִישׁ אֶת־אָחִיו תֶּאֱהָבוּן׃[35] בָּזֹאת יֵדְעוּ כֻלָם כִּי תַלְמִידִים אַתֶּם לִי תִּשְׁכֹּן אַהֲבָה בֵּינֵיכֶם׃

Just as Messiah gave us this "New" Chadash.  Mitzvah Chadash (New Commandment), it really is nothing "different" from what the Torah is telling us.  What is new or different is "HOW" we obey and keep the commandments.  Not because we are afraid, but because we are so IN LOVE with Adonai.  This is even what Rashi was saying!

However, the Brit Chadasha really brings this home in 1 Yochanan...

1 John 4:7 Loved ones, let us love one another, for love is from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 9 The love of God was revealed among us by this—that God sent His one and only Son into the world so that we might live through Him. 10 This is love—not that we have loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atonement for our sins.

11 Loved ones, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12 No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us and His love is made perfect in us. 13 We know that we abide in Him and He in us by this—because He has given us of His Spirit. 14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent His Son as Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Yeshua is Ben-Elohim, God abides in him and he abides in God. 16 So we have come to know and trust in the love that God has for us. God is love. Now whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.

God’s Fulfilling Love
17 In this way, love is made perfect among us, so that we should have boldness on the Day of Judgment. For just as He is, so also are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and the one who fears has not been made perfect in love. 19 We love, because He first loved us.

Love God—Love God’s Family
20 If anyone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar. For the one who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21 And this commandment we have from Him: that the one who loves God should also love his brother.

May you all have a blessed Erev Shabbat tonight.

B'rachot,

R' Eric

New Sermon Series: "Nachamu Nachamu Ami"

Your Daily Pesuk July 26, 2018

Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת ואתחנן

• Thu, 26 July 2018 = 14th of Av, 5778
• י״ד בְּאָב תשע״ח
• 
  

Deuteronomy 5:19-6:3 (15 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 5:19-6:3 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
19 “These words Adonai spoke to all your assembly on the mountain from the midst of the fire, the cloud and the fog, with a great voice. He added no more. He wrote them on two tablets of stone and gave them to me.

Live and Prolong Your Days
20 “As soon as you heard the voice from the midst of the darkness, while the mountain was blazing with fire, you came near to me—all the heads of your tribes and your elders. 21 Then you said, ‘Adonai our God has just shown us His glory and His greatness, and we have heard His voice from the midst of the fire. This day we have seen that God speaks with man, and yet he keeps on living. 22 Now then, why should we die? For this great fire will consume us! If we hear the voice of Adonai our God any more, then we will die. 23 For who is there of all flesh who has heard the voice of the living God speaking from the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 24 You go near and hear all that Adonai our God says. Then you tell us all what Adonai our God tells you, and we will hear it and do it.’

25 “Adonai heard the tone of your words when you spoke to me, and Adonai said to me, ‘I have heard the tone of the words that this people has spoken to you—they have done well in all they have spoken. 26 If only there were such a heart in them to fear Me and keep all My mitzvot always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever! 27 Go say to them, “Return to your tents.” 28 But as for you, stand here by Me, and I will tell you the whole commandment—both the statutes and the ordinances that you are to teach them. And they will do them in the land I am giving them to possess.’

29 “So you must take care to do as Adonai your God has commanded you—do not turn aside to the right or to the left. 30 You are to walk in all the way that Adonai your God has commanded you, so that you may live and it may be well with you and you may prolong your days in the land that you will possess.

6 “Now this is the commandment, the statutes and ordinances that Adonai your God commanded to teach you to do in the land you are crossing over to possess— 2 so that you might fear Adonai your God, to keep all His statutes and mitzvot that I am commanding you and your son and your son’s son all the days of your life, and so that you may prolong your days. 3 Hear, therefore, O Israel, and take care to do this, so that it may go well with you and you may increase mightily, as Adonai the God of your fathers has promised you, in a land flowing with milk and honey.

19 וְלֹ֖֣א תִּֿגְנֹֽ֔ב׃ ס

20 וְלֹֽא־תַעֲנֶ֥ה בְרֵֽעֲךָ֖ עֵ֥ד שָֽׁוְא׃ ס

21 וְלֹ֥א תַחְמֹ֖ד אֵ֣שֶׁת רֵעֶ֑ךָ ס וְלֹ֨א תִתְאַוֶּ֜ה בֵּ֣ית רֵעֶ֗ךָ שָׂדֵ֜הוּ וְעַבְדּ֤וֹ וַאֲמָתוֹ֙ שׁוֹר֣וֹ וַחֲמֹר֔וֹ וְכֹ֖ל אֲשֶׁ֥ר לְרֵעֶֽךָ׃ ס

22 אֶֽת־הַדְּבָרִ֣ים הָאֵ֡לֶּה דִּבֶּר֩ יְהוָ֨ה אֶל־כָּל־קְהַלְכֶ֜ם בָּהָ֗ר מִתּ֤וֹךְ הָאֵשׁ֙ הֶֽעָנָ֣ן וְהָֽעֲרָפֶ֔ל ק֥וֹל גָּד֖וֹל וְלֹ֣א יָסָ֑ף וַֽיִּכְתְּבֵ֗ם עַל־שְׁנֵי֙ לֻחֹ֣ת אֲבָנִ֔ים וַֽיִּתְּנֵ֖ם אֵלָֽי׃

23 וַיְהִ֗י כְּשָׁמְעֲכֶ֤ם אֶת־הַקּוֹל֙ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הַחֹ֔שֶׁךְ וְהָהָ֖ר בֹּעֵ֣ר בָּאֵ֑שׁ וַתִּקְרְב֣וּן אֵלַ֔י כָּל־רָאשֵׁ֥י שִׁבְטֵיכֶ֖ם וְזִקְנֵיכֶֽם׃

24 וַתֹּאמְר֗וּ הֵ֣ן הֶרְאָ֜נוּ יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֵ֙ינוּ֙ אֶת־כְּבֹד֣וֹ וְאֶת־גָּדְל֔וֹ וְאֶת־קֹל֥וֹ שָׁמַ֖עְנוּ מִתּ֣וֹךְ הָאֵ֑שׁ הַיּ֤וֹם הַזֶּה֙ רָאִ֔ינוּ כִּֽי־יְדַבֵּ֧ר אֱלֹהִ֛ים אֶת־הָֽאָדָ֖ם וָחָֽי׃

25 וְעַתָּה֙ לָ֣מָּה נָמ֔וּת כִּ֣י תֹֽאכְלֵ֔נוּ הָאֵ֥שׁ הַגְּדֹלָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את אִם־יֹסְפִ֣ים׀ אֲנַ֗חְנוּ לִ֠שְׁמֹעַ אֶת־ק֨וֹל יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ ע֖וֹד וָמָֽתְנוּ׃

26 כִּ֣י מִ֣י כָל־בָּשָׂ֡ר אֲשֶׁ֣ר שָׁמַ֣ע קוֹל֩ אֱלֹהִ֨ים חַיִּ֜ים מְדַבֵּ֧ר מִתּוֹךְ־הָאֵ֛שׁ כָּמֹ֖נוּ וַיֶּֽחִי׃

27 קְרַ֤ב אַתָּה֙ וּֽשֲׁמָ֔ע אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר יֹאמַ֖ר יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֑ינוּ וְאַ֣תְּ׀ תְּדַבֵּ֣ר אֵלֵ֗ינוּ אֵת֩ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֨ר יְדַבֵּ֜ר יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵ֛ינוּ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְשָׁמַ֥עְנוּ וְעָשִֽׂינוּ׃

28 וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע יְהוָה֙ אֶת־ק֣וֹל דִּבְרֵיכֶ֔ם בְּדַבֶּרְכֶ֖ם אֵלָ֑י וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֵלַ֗י שָׁ֠מַעְתִּי אֶת־ק֨וֹל דִּבְרֵ֜י הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר דִּבְּר֣וּ אֵלֶ֔יךָ הֵיטִ֖יבוּ כָּל־אֲשֶׁ֥ר דִּבֵּֽרוּ׃

29 מִֽי־יִתֵּ֡ן וְהָיָה֩ לְבָבָ֨ם זֶ֜ה לָהֶ֗ם לְיִרְאָ֥ה אֹתִ֛י וְלִשְׁמֹ֥ר אֶת־כָּל־מִצְוֺתַ֖י כָּל־הַיָּמִ֑ים לְמַ֨עַן יִיטַ֥ב לָהֶ֛ם וְלִבְנֵיהֶ֖ם לְעֹלָֽם׃

30 לֵ֖ךְ אֱמֹ֣ר לָהֶ֑ם שׁ֥וּבוּ לָכֶ֖ם לְאָהֳלֵיכֶֽם׃

31 וְאַתָּ֗ה פֹּה֮ עֲמֹ֣ד עִמָּדִי֒ וַאֲדַבְּרָ֣ה אֵלֶ֗יךָ אֵ֧ת כָּל־הַמִּצְוָ֛ה וְהַחֻקִּ֥ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֣ר תְּלַמְּדֵ֑ם וְעָשׂ֣וּ בָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י נֹתֵ֥ן לָהֶ֖ם לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

32 וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֣ם לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם אֶתְכֶ֑ם לֹ֥א תָסֻ֖רוּ יָמִ֥ין וּשְׂמֹֽאל׃

33 בְּכָל־הַדֶּ֗רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֨ר צִוָּ֜ה יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֛ם אֶתְכֶ֖ם תֵּלֵ֑כוּ לְמַ֤עַן תִּֽחְיוּן֙ וְט֣וֹב לָכֶ֔ם וְהַאֲרַכְתֶּ֣ם יָמִ֔ים בָּאָ֖רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּֽירָשֽׁוּן׃

6 וְזֹ֣את הַמִּצְוָ֗ה הַֽחֻקִּים֙ וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוָּ֛ה יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֵיכֶ֖ם לְלַמֵּ֣ד אֶתְכֶ֑ם לַעֲשׂ֣וֹת בָּאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר אַתֶּ֛ם עֹבְרִ֥ים שָׁ֖מָּה לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃

2 לְמַ֨עַן תִּירָ֜א אֶת־יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ לִ֠שְׁמֹר אֶת־כָּל־חֻקֹּתָ֣יו וּמִצְוֺתָיו֮ אֲשֶׁ֣ר אָנֹכִ֣י מְצַוֶּךָ֒ אַתָּה֙ וּבִנְךָ֣ וּבֶן־בִּנְךָ֔ כֹּ֖ל יְמֵ֣י חַיֶּ֑יךָ וּלְמַ֖עַן יַאֲרִכֻ֥ן יָמֶֽיךָ׃

3 וְשָׁמַעְתָּ֤ יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ וְשָׁמַרְתָּ֣ לַעֲשׂ֔וֹת אֲשֶׁר֙ יִיטַ֣ב לְךָ֔ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּרְבּ֖וּן מְאֹ֑ד כַּאֲשֶׁר֩ דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֜ה אֱלֹהֵ֤י אֲבֹתֶ֙יךָ֙ לָ֔ךְ אֶ֛רֶץ זָבַ֥ת חָלָ֖ב וּדְבָֽשׁ׃ פ

Today, Franz Delitzsch elucidates the pesukim quite eloquently: "Deuteronomy 5:24-27 contain a rhetorical, and at the same time really a more exact, account of the events described in Exodus 20:18-20 (15-17). ואתּ (Deuteronomy 5:24), a contraction of ואתּה , as in Numbers 11:15 (cf. Ewald , §184, a .). Adonai's reply to the words of the people (Deuteronomy 5:28-31) is passed over in Ex 20. God approved of what the people said, because it sprang from a consciousness of the unworthiness of any sinner to come into the presence of the holy God; and He added, “ Would that there were always this heart in them to fear Me,” i.e., would that they were always of the same mind to fear Me and keep all My commandments, that it might be well with them and their children for ever. He then directed the people to return to their tents, and appointed Moses as the mediator, to whom He would address all the law, that he might teach it to the people (cf. Deuteronomy 4:5). Having been thus entreated by the people to take the office of mediator, and appointed to that office by the Lord, Moses could very well bring his account of these events to a close (Deuteronomy 5:32, Deuteronomy 5:33), by exhorting them to observe carefully all the commandments of the Lord, and not to turn aside to the right hand or to the left, i.e., not to depart in any way from the mode of life pointed out in the commandments (cf. Deuteronomy 17:11, Deuteronomy 17:20; Deuteronomy 28:14; Joshua 1:7, etc.), that it might be well with them, etc. (cf. Deuteronomy 4:40). וטוב , perfect with ו rel. instead of the imperfect.

What stands out the most is how obvious it is that Moshe was appointed as "Mediator".  This is remarkable in the sense that today, Rabbinic Judaism denies any need at all for any "mediator" between God and man.  Throughout Tanakh (old test.), all of the prophets that succeeded Moshe were all "mediators" of some kind.  They heard the D'var Elohim and transmitted them to the people.  

Moshe himself even said in the Torah: 

 Deuteronomy 18:15 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

 “Adonai your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst—from your brothers. To him you must listen.

Shaliach Shaul rhetorically asks:

Galatians 3:19-22 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Then why the Torah? It was added because of wrongdoings until the Seed would come—to whom the promise had been made. It was arranged through angels by the hand of an intermediary. 20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone—but God is one. 21 Then is the Torah against the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given that could impart life, certainly righteousness would have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has locked up the whole world under sin, so that the promise based on trust in Messiah Yeshua might be given to those who trust.

Interestingly, Shaul points out that the Torah was not given so that mankind could inherit Eternal Life by their own works of righteousness.  Even today's Pesukim show this fact to be true!

Adonai Himself says: 26 If only there were such a heart in them to fear Me and keep all My mitzvot always, so that it might go well with them and with their children forever!

The Torah was never intended to pave a way for man to merit his own righteousness.  God knows that it is the heart that is sick - and the Torah, no matter how observant we are, is powerless to circumcise the heart of man from the yetzer hara!  Hence, the necessity of the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant); Jeremiah foretold that it would be made with the House of Israel (Jer. 31).  Whereas the first covenant was broken by us and our fathers, God made a way to change our hearts:

Jeremiah 31:31 not like the covenant
I made with their fathers
in the day I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt.
For they broke My covenant,
though I was a husband to them.”
it is a declaration of Adonai.
32 “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days”
—it is a declaration of Adonai—
“I will put My Torah within them.
Yes, I will write it on their heart.
I will be their God
and they will be My people.

Yes indeed, Moshe was the mediator of the First Covenant; and God saw fit to send us the prophets of Israel as mediators foretelling of the coming promise of a New Covenant that would go beyond what the Torah was powerless to do:  "to change our hearts".

Hebrews 8:6 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
But now Yeshua has obtained a more excellent ministry, insofar as He is the mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted on better promises.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe who has given Messiah Yeshua, and the Devarim of the Brit Chadasha.  Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk July 25, 2018

Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת ואתחנן

• Wed, 25 July 2018 = 13th of Av, 5778
• י״ג בְּאָב תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 5:1-18 (18 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 5:1-18 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
The Ten Words
5 Moses called to all Israel and said to them, “Hear, O Israel, the statutes and the ordinances that I am speaking in your hearing today, learn them and make sure to do them. 2 Adonai our God cut a covenant with us in Horeb. 3 Not with our fathers has Adonai cut this covenant but with us—all of us alive here today. 4 Adonai spoke with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire. 5 (I was standing between Adonai and you at that time, to tell you the word of Adonai, because you were afraid because of the fire and did not go up the mountain.)

‘He said:

6 ‘I am Adonai your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage.

7 ‘You shall not have other gods beside Me.

8 ‘Do not make for yourself a graven image—no image of what is in the heavens above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. 9 Do not bow down to them or worship them. For I, Adonai your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and on the third and fourth generation of those who hate Me, 10 but showing lovingkindness to a thousand generations of those who love Me and keep My mitzvot.

11 ‘You must not take the Name of Adonai your God in vain, for Adonai will not leave unpunished anyone who takes His Name in vain.

12 ‘Observe Yom Shabbat to keep it holy, as Adonai your God commanded you. 13 Six days you are to labor and do all your work, 14 but the seventh day is a Shabbat to Adonai your God. In it you are not to do any work—not you or your son or your daughter, or your slave or your maid, or your ox, your donkey or any of your livestock or the outsider within your gates, so that your slave and your maid may rest as you do. 15 You must remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your God brought you out from there with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore Adonai your God commanded you to keep Yom Shabbat.

16 ‘Honor your father and your mother just as Adonai your God commanded you, so that your days may be long and it may go well with you in the land Adonai your God is giving you.

17 ‘Do not murder.

‘Do not commit adultery.

‘Do not steal.

‘Do not bear false witness against your neighbor.[b][c]

18 ‘Do not covet your neighbor’s wife, nor desire your neighbor’s house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor.’

5 וַיִּקְרָ֣א מֹשֶׁה֮ אֶל־כָּל־יִשְׂרָאֵל֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵהֶ֗ם שְׁמַ֤ע יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ אֶת־הַחֻקִּ֣ים וְאֶת־הַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֧ר אָנֹכִ֛י דֹּבֵ֥ר בְּאָזְנֵיכֶ֖ם הַיּ֑וֹם וּלְמַדְתֶּ֣ם אֹתָ֔ם וּשְׁמַרְתֶּ֖ם לַעֲשֹׂתָֽם׃

2 יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֵ֗ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת עִמָּ֛נוּ בְּרִ֖ית בְּחֹרֵֽב׃

3 לֹ֣א אֶת־אֲבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כָּרַ֥ת יְהוָ֖ה אֶת־הַבְּרִ֣ית הַזֹּ֑את כִּ֣י אִתָּ֗נוּ אֲנַ֨חְנוּ אֵ֥לֶּה פֹ֛ה הַיּ֖וֹם כֻּלָּ֥נוּ חַיִּֽים׃

4 פָּנִ֣ים׀ בְּפָנִ֗ים דִּבֶּ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה עִמָּכֶ֛ם בָּהָ֖ר מִתּ֥וֹךְ הָאֵֽשׁ׃

5 אָ֠נֹכִי עֹמֵ֨ד בֵּין־יְהוָ֤ה וּבֵֽינֵיכֶם֙ בָּעֵ֣ת הַהִ֔וא לְהַגִּ֥יד לָכֶ֖ם אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה כִּ֤י יְרֵאתֶם֙ מִפְּנֵ֣י הָאֵ֔שׁ וְלֹֽא־עֲלִיתֶ֥ם בָּהָ֖ר לֵאמֹֽר׃ ס

6 אָֽנֹכִי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ אֲשֶׁ֧ר הוֹצֵאתִ֛יךָ מֵאֶ֥רֶץ מִצְרַ֖יִם מִבֵּ֣י֥ת עֲבָדִֽ֑ים׃

7 לֹ֣א יִהְיֶ֥ה־לְךָ֛֩ אֱלֹהִ֥֨ים אֲחֵרִ֖֜ים עַל־פָּנָֽ֗יַ׃

8 לֹֽ֣א־תַעֲשֶׂ֥ה־לְךָ֥֣ פֶ֣֙סֶל֙׀ כָּל־תְּמוּנָ֔֡ה אֲשֶׁ֤֣ר בַּשָּׁמַ֣֙יִם֙׀ מִמַּ֔֡עַל וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר֩ בָּאָ֖֨רֶץ מִתָּ֑֜חַת וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר בַּמַּ֖֣יִם׀ מִתַּ֥֣חַת לָאָֽ֗רֶץ׃

9 לֹא־תִשְׁתַּחֲוֶ֥֣ה לָהֶ֖ם֮ וְלֹ֣א תָעָבְדֵ֑ם֒ כִּ֣י אָנֹכִ֞י יְהוָ֤ה אֱלֹהֶ֙יךָ֙ אֵ֣ל קַנָּ֔א פֹּ֠קֵד עֲוֺ֨ן אָב֧וֹת עַל־בָּנִ֛ים וְעַל־שִׁלֵּשִׁ֥ים וְעַל־רִבֵּעִ֖ים לְשֹׂנְאָֽ֑י׃

10 וְעֹ֤֥שֶׂה חֶ֖֙סֶד֙ לַֽאֲלָפִ֑֔ים לְאֹהֲבַ֖י וּלְשֹׁמְרֵ֥י ׳מִצְוֺתָו׳ ״מִצְוֺתָֽי׃״ ס

11 לֹ֥א תִשָּׂ֛א אֶת־שֵֽׁם־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ לַשָּׁ֑וְא כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יְנַקֶּה֙ יְהוָ֔ה אֵ֛ת אֲשֶׁר־יִשָּׂ֥א אֶת־שְׁמ֖וֹ לַשָּֽׁוְא׃ ס

12 שָׁמ֣֛וֹר אֶת־י֥וֹם֩ הַשַּׁבָּ֖֨ת לְקַדְּשׁ֑֜וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖֣ יְהוָ֥֣ה אֱלֹהֶֽ֗יךָ

13 שֵׁ֤֣שֶׁת יָמִ֣ים֙ תַּֽעֲבֹ֔ד֮ וְעָשִׂ֖֣יתָ כָּֿל־מְלַאכְתֶּֽךָ֒׃

14 וְי֙וֹם֙ הַשְּׁבִיעִ֜֔י שַׁבָּ֖֣ת׀ לַיהוָ֖֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑֗יךָ לֹ֣א תַעֲשֶׂ֣ה כָל־מְלָאכָ֡ה אַתָּ֣ה וּבִנְךָֽ־וּבִתֶּ֣ךָ וְעַבְדְּךָֽ־וַ֠אֲמָתֶךָ וְשׁוֹרְךָ֨ וַחֲמֹֽרְךָ֜ וְכָל־בְּהֶמְתֶּ֗ךָ וְגֵֽרְךָ֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בִּשְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ לְמַ֗עַן יָנ֛וּחַ עַבְדְּךָ֥ וַאֲמָתְךָ֖ כָּמֽ֑וֹךָ׃

15 וְזָכַרְתָּ֞֗ כִּ֣י־עֶ֤֥בֶד הָיִ֣֙יתָ֙׀ בְּאֶ֣רֶץ מִצְרַ֔֗יִם וַיֹּצִ֨אֲךָ֜֩ יְהוָ֤֨ה אֱלֹהֶ֤֙יךָ֙ מִשָּׁ֔ם֙ בְּיָ֤֥ד חֲזָקָ֖ה֙ וּבִזְרֹ֣עַ נְטוּיָ֑֔ה עַל־כֵּ֗ן צִוְּךָ֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ לַעֲשׂ֖וֹת אֶת־י֥וֹם הַשַּׁבָּֽת׃ ס

16 כַּבֵּ֤ד אֶת־אָבִ֙יךָ֙ וְאֶת־אִמֶּ֔ךָ כַּאֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוְּךָ֖ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ לְמַ֣עַן׀ יַאֲרִיכֻ֣ן יָמֶ֗יךָ וּלְמַ֙עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ עַ֚ל הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה אֲשֶׁר־יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לָֽךְ׃ ס

17 לֹ֥֖א תִּֿרְצָֽח׃ ס

18 וְלֹ֖֣א תִּֿנְאָֽ֑ף׃ ס

Our Pesukim today recounts the giving of the Torah on Mt Sinai.  This was one of the most awesome moments in human history.  The God of the Universe Himself spoke audibly to an entire nation and enters into a covenant with all of them, as well as those who would descend from them in the future. Pesukim 4 & 5 says that it was GOD HIMSELF that spoke to all of us: "FACE TO FACE".  It happened on Mt. Sinai and there was great fire.  It was clearly a miraculous experience!  It also, says that the people were "AFRAID" to go up the mountain, because of the fire and because they heard the "WORD".

NOTE:  IT DOES NOT SAY "WORDS" pl.  rather it says: "WORD".  Literally: אֶת־דְּבַ֣ר יְהוָ֑ה

Et DEVAR ELOHIM - (i.e. "The WORD of Adonai).  Why does it not say WORDS OF ADONAI? Surely God spoke all of the 10 Commandments right?

Rashi explains:

[This] teaches [us] that the Holy One, blessed be He, said the Ten Commandments in one utterance, something that is impossible for a human being to say [in a similar way]. If so, why does the Torah say again, “I am [the Lord, your God (verse 2)]” and “You shall have no…” (verse 3)? Because He later explained each statement [of the Ten Commandments] individually. — [from Mechilta]

It wasn't just the fire on the mountain that the people feared.  What was terrifying to them, as it would be if we had personally been standing there ourselves, was they heard the entire Ten Words delivered IN ONE SINGLE WORD SPOKEN BY THE MOUTH OF THE ALMIGHTY!!!!

The writer of Sefer Igret HaYehudim (Hebrews), describes the FEAR that was at Mt. Sinai:

Hebrews:12:18 For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched, and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and storm, 19 and to the blast of a shofar and a voice whose words made those who heard it beg that not another word be spoken to them. 20 For they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.”  21 So terrifying was the sight that Moses said, “I am quaking with fear.”

Not only was Israel afraid, here the writer says even Moshe Rabbeinu admitted he was quaking in fear!  The Sages of Israel also say that when God spoke the Word of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, all Creation became silent as it was in fear anticipating how the Nation of Israel would respond; would they accept the Torah or reject it?

Ḥizkiya said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “You caused sentence to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was silent” (Psalms 76:9)? If it was afraid, why was it silent; and if it was silent, why was it afraid? Rather, the meaning is: At first, it was afraid, and in the end, it was silent. “You caused sentence to be heard from heaven” refers to the revelation at Sinai. And why was the earth afraid? It is in accordance with the statement of Reish Lakish, as Reish Lakish said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day” (Genesis 1:31)? Why do I require the superfluous letter heh, the definite article, which does not appear on any of the other days? It teaches that the Holy One, Blessed be He, established a condition with the act of Creation, and said to them: If Israel accepts the Torah on the sixth day of Sivan, you will exist; and if they do not accept it, I will return you to the primordial state of chaos and disorder. Therefore, the earth was afraid until the Torah was given to Israel, lest it be returned to a state of chaos. Once the Jewish people accepted the Torah, the earth was calmed. (Shabbat 88a)

Believers should all be aware that through one fatal act of rebellion by humanity's forefather, Adam, we have inherited a world that is corrupted with death; how much more then was the entire Creation affected by the Giving of the Torah on Mt. Siani?

To take this even further, if the world was held in silent suspense at the Giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai, how much more when once again the Almighty will come down a Second Time; not this time to bring atonement, but rather to judge the Earth, through the Brit Chadasha?

Hebrews 12:22 But you have come to Mount Zion—to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, a joyous gathering, 23 and to the assembly of the firstborn who are written in a scroll in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous ones made perfect, 24 and to Yeshua, the Mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks of something better than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse the One who is speaking! For if they did not escape when they refused the One who was warning them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject the One who warns us from heaven. 26 His voice shook the earth then, but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I will shake not only the earth, but also the heavens.”  27 Now this phrase, “Yet once more,” shows the removal of those things that are shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.  28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude—through this we may offer worship in a manner pleasing to God, with reverence and awe. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Yes we are warned and promised that one day Creation will be shaken and removed, all that will be left is the Kingdom of God.  We must have our names in the Book of Life, let us not reject the One who came and spoke to us, taught us, performed miracles in our midst with witnesses to Him who was resurrected from the Dead and demonstrated to all the world that He is Messiah Ben Elohim.

Revelation 8:1 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Now when the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk July 24, 2018

Parashat Vaetchanan / פרשת ואתחנן

• Tue, 24 July 2018 = 12th of Av, 5778
• י״ב בְּאָב תשע״ח
• 
  

Deuteronomy 4:41-49 (9 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 4:41-49 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
41 Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan, toward the east. 42 There the manslayer might flee, who kills his neighbor unintentionally and did not hate him previously. He may flee to one of these cities and live: 43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramot in the Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in the Bashan for the Manassites.

44 This is the Torah, which Moses set before Bnei-Yisrael. 45 These are the testimonies and the statutes and the ordinances, which Moses spoke to Bnei-Yisrael when they came out from Egypt— 46 beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and Bnei-Yisrael struck down when they came out from Egypt. 47 They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of the Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan toward the east— 48 from Aroer, which is on the edge of the wadi Arnon, as far as Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), 49 and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, as far as the sea of the Arabah[a], under the slopes of Pisgah.

41 אָ֣ז יַבְדִּ֤יל מֹשֶׁה֙ שָׁלֹ֣שׁ עָרִ֔ים בְּעֵ֖בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן מִזְרְחָ֖ה שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

42 לָנֻ֨ס שָׁ֜מָּה רוֹצֵ֗חַ אֲשֶׁ֨ר יִרְצַ֤ח אֶת־רֵעֵ֙הוּ֙ בִּבְלִי־דַ֔עַת וְה֛וּא לֹא־שֹׂנֵ֥א ל֖וֹ מִתְּמ֣וֹל שִׁלְשׁ֑וֹם וְנָ֗ס אֶל־אַחַ֛ת מִן־הֶעָרִ֥ים הָאֵ֖ל וָחָֽי׃

43 אֶת־בֶּ֧צֶר בַּמִּדְבָּ֛ר בְּאֶ֥רֶץ הַמִּישֹׁ֖ר לָרֻֽאוּבֵנִ֑י וְאֶת־רָאמֹ֤ת בַּגִּלְעָד֙ לַגָּדִ֔י וְאֶת־גּוֹלָ֥ן בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן לַֽמְנַשִּֽׁי׃

44 וְזֹ֖את הַתּוֹרָ֑ה אֲשֶׁר־שָׂ֣ם מֹשֶׁ֔ה לִפְנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

45 אֵ֚לֶּה הָֽעֵדֹ֔ת וְהַֽחֻקִּ֖ים וְהַמִּשְׁפָּטִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר דִּבֶּ֤ר מֹשֶׁה֙ אֶל־בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

46 בְּעֵ֨בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֜ן בַּגַּ֗יְא מ֚וּל בֵּ֣ית פְּע֔וֹר בְּאֶ֗רֶץ סִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן אֲשֶׁ֨ר הִכָּ֤ה מֹשֶׁה֙ וּבְנֵֽי יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּצֵאתָ֖ם מִמִּצְרָֽיִם׃

47 וַיִּֽירְשׁ֨וּ אֶת־אַרְצ֜וֹ וְאֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ׀ ע֣וֹג מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֗ן שְׁנֵי֙ מַלְכֵ֣י הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֖ר בְּעֵ֣בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּ֑ן מִזְרַ֖ח שָֽׁמֶשׁ׃

48 מֵעֲרֹעֵ֞ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר עַל־שְׂפַת־נַ֧חַל אַרְנֹ֛ן וְעַד־הַ֥ר שִׂיאֹ֖ן ה֥וּא חֶרְמֽוֹן׃

49 וְכָל־הָ֨עֲרָבָ֜ה עֵ֤בֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן֙ מִזְרָ֔חָה וְעַ֖ד יָ֣ם הָעֲרָבָ֑ה תַּ֖חַת אַשְׁדֹּ֥ת הַפִּסְגָּֽה׃ פ

In today's Pesukim, we have a recital of the establishment of the "Cities of Refuge" from Numbers 35.  At the introduction to Devarim, I wrote that the word "Deutero" in Latin refers to "Second".  Devarim (Words) are the repetition of much of the Torah, almost a 2nd Torah.  However, there are unique laws that are introduced only here in Devarim.  Today however is not the example of that.

Rev., Dr. John Gill has a very interesting perspective on this recitation of the Cities of Refuge: "Now as these cities were typical of the Messiah, there may be something observed in the names of them as agreeing with him. "Bezer" signifies "a fortified place"; (likewise) Messiah is the fortress, mountain, and place of defense for his people, and strong hold to which the prisoners of hope turn, the strong tower whither the righteous run and are safe. "Ramoth" signifies "exaltations"; which may point both at the exaltation of Messiah in human nature at the right hand of God, and the exaltation of his people by him, who are raised by him from a low estate to sit among princes, and to inherit the throne of glory, and by whom he is exalted in his person, office, and grace. "Golan" signifies "revealed" or" manifested": so (too) Messiah has been manifest in the flesh, and is revealed to sinners, when they are called by his grace; to whom they flee for refuge, and lay hold on him, the hope set before them."

Scarcely should we forget that also it is the death of the Kohen Gadol (High Priest) that provides the Atonement for the manslaughter, and killer is set free.  This too is a complete foreshadow of the work of Messiah His Death provides Atonement for all of the sin of the entire World!

This very fact was prophesied to happen in a meeting of the Sanhedrin, 2000 years ago:

Yochanan 11:47 So the ruling kohanim and Pharisees called a meeting of the Sanhedrin. “What are we doing?” they asked. “This Man is performing many signs! 48 If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our holy place and our nation.”

49 But one of them, Caiaphas, who was kohen gadol that year, said to them, “You know nothing! 50 You don’t take into account that it is better for you that one man die for the people rather than for the whole nation to be destroyed.”

51 Now he did not say this by himself; but as the kohen gadol that year, he prophesied that Yeshua would die for the nation.  52 And not for the nation only, but also so that He might gather together into one the scattered children of God.

The Great Gathering of our people Israel, scattered over all the Earth - AND, those God-fearers from the Nations who've been grafted in, will be gathered together at the Messiah's Return, this too was said by the Prophets:

Isaiah 11:10-11 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
It will also come about in that day
that the root of Jesse will stand
    as a banner for the peoples.
The nations will seek for Him,
and His resting place will be glorious.
11 It will also come about in that day that my Lord will again redeem—a second time with His hand—the remnant of His people who remain
    from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, Elam, Shinar, Hamath, and from the islands of the sea.

May it come, quickly, in our days and may our own eyes behold Him.  Baruch Haba B'shem Adonai!