Your Daily Pesuk June 25, 2018

Parashat Balak / פרשת בלק

The Daily Pesuk for, June 25, 2018 / 12,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 22:13-20 (8 p'sukim)

Numbers 22:13-20 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

13 So Balaam got up in the morning and said to the officials of Balak, “Go back to your country, for Adonai has refused to let me go with you.”

14 So the Moabite officials got up, went back to Balak, and said, “Balaam refused to come with us.” 15 Balak again sent other dignitaries, more numerous and honored than these previous ones.

16 They also came to Balaam and said to him, “Thus says Balak son of Zippor: Please let nothing keep you from coming to me! 17 I will richly reward you, and everything you tell me I will do! Just come now and curse this people for me!”

18 But Balaam answered Balak’s servants, “Even if Balak gave me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot cross beyond the mouth of Adonai my God, to do anything small or great! 19 But now, you may spend the night here, too. Then I may find out anything else Adonai may say to me.”

20 God came to Balaam by night and said to him, “Since the men came to you to summon you, arise and go with them. However, only the word I tell you are you to do!”

13 וַיָּ֤קָם בִּלְעָם֙ בַּבֹּ֔קֶר וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־שָׂרֵ֣י בָלָ֔ק לְכ֖וּ אֶֽל־אַרְצְכֶ֑ם כִּ֚י מֵאֵ֣ן יְהוָ֔ה לְתִתִּ֖י לַהֲלֹ֥ךְ עִמָּכֶֽם׃

14 וַיָּק֙וּמוּ֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־בָּלָ֑ק וַיֹּ֣אמְר֔וּ מֵאֵ֥ן בִּלְעָ֖ם הֲלֹ֥ךְ עִמָּֽנוּ׃

15 וַיֹּ֥סֶף ע֖וֹד בָּלָ֑ק שְׁלֹ֣חַ שָׂרִ֔ים רַבִּ֥ים וְנִכְבָּדִ֖ים מֵאֵֽלֶּה׃

16 וַיָּבֹ֖אוּ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֣אמְרוּ ל֗וֹ כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ בָּלָ֣ק בֶּן־צִפּ֔וֹר אַל־נָ֥א תִמָּנַ֖ע מֵהֲלֹ֥ךְ אֵלָֽי׃

17 כִּֽי־כַבֵּ֤ד אֲכַבֶּדְךָ֙ מְאֹ֔ד וְכֹ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאמַ֥ר אֵלַ֖י אֶֽעֱשֶׂ֑ה וּלְכָה־נָּא֙ קָֽבָה־לִּ֔י אֵ֖ת הָעָ֥ם הַזֶּֽה׃

18 וַיַּ֣עַן בִּלְעָ֗ם וַיֹּ֙אמֶר֙ אֶל־עַבְדֵ֣י בָלָ֔ק אִם־יִתֶּן־לִ֥י בָלָ֛ק מְלֹ֥א בֵית֖וֹ כֶּ֣סֶף וְזָהָ֑ב לֹ֣א אוּכַ֗ל לַעֲבֹר֙ אֶת־פִּי֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהָ֔י לַעֲשׂ֥וֹת קְטַנָּ֖ה א֥וֹ גְדוֹלָֽה׃

19 וְעַתָּ֗ה שְׁב֨וּ נָ֥א בָזֶ֛ה גַּם־אַתֶּ֖ם הַלָּ֑יְלָה וְאֵ֣דְעָ֔ה מַה־יֹּסֵ֥ף יְהוָ֖ה דַּבֵּ֥ר עִמִּֽי׃

20 וַיָּבֹ֨א אֱלֹהִ֥ים׀ אֶל־בִּלְעָם֮ לַיְלָה֒ וַיֹּ֣אמֶר ל֗וֹ אִם־לִקְרֹ֤א לְךָ֙ בָּ֣אוּ הָאֲנָשִׁ֔ים ק֖וּם לֵ֣ךְ אִתָּ֑ם וְאַ֗ךְ אֶת־הַדָּבָ֛ר אֲשֶׁר־אֲדַבֵּ֥ר אֵלֶ֖יךָ אֹת֥וֹ תַעֲשֶֽׂה׃

There is something peculiar about today's pesukim.  Pesuk 18 says: אֱלֹהָי which means "My God".  Why does this wicked false prophet/soothsayer describe the God of Israel this way?  All the sages agree that God choose a gentile prophet to bless Israel to make a point.  There is something about God using Gentiles to bless and provoke Israel.  

It is commonly known that when the Messiah comes, one of the characteristics would be that the Gentiles would flock to Him... as we see in Isaiah...

Isaiah 11:10 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

It is much easier, (for many reasons) for non-Jews to put their trust in Yeshua the Messiah traditionally, than it has been for Jews.  

Isaiah 60:3 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Nations will come to your light,

kings to the brilliance of your rising.

While this is a true sign of the Messiah's coming, Balaam's statement may not be sincere.  The great medieval commentator Ibn Ezra describes pesuk 18 here in this way: "Balaam was a stargazer and an astrologer.  When he saw that someone's unlucky moment had arrived, he would curse that person, and when evil would befall that person, Balaam would be credited as a 'prophet'."

However, Balaam was nothing more than a shyster, who was simply greedy and huckstering his "prophetic credentials" for a profit.  (i.e. a prophet for profit).

We see this same insincere desire to be a prophet of the One True God in the Brit Chadasha...

Acts 16:16 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

It so happened that as we were going to prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination, who was bringing her masters much profit from her fortune-telling.

We should make no mistake in thinking that this kind of spiritual trickery does not exist today.  We see it on the television, some false teachers "selling" the Gospel, and promising things that are not accurately taught in the Word of God.

We also see that it is possible for those who are practicing the same trade as Balaam to repent:

Acts 8:9 Now a man named Simon had been practicing magic in the city and astonishing the people of Samaria, saying he was someone great. 10 They all were paying special attention to him, saying, “This man is the power of God that is called ‘Great.’” 11 And they kept paying attention to him, because for a long time he had astonished them with his magical arts. 12 But when they believed Philip proclaiming the Good News about the kingdom of God and the name of Messiah Yeshua, both men and women were immersed. 13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being immersed, he continued with Philip. And when he saw signs and great miracles happening, he was continually amazed.

14 Now when the emissaries in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the message of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15 They came down and prayed for them to receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh. 16 For He had not yet come upon them; they had only been immersed in the name of the Lord Yeshua. 17 Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Ruach ha-Kodesh.

18 Now when Simon saw that the Ruach ha-Kodesh was given through the laying on of hands by the emissaries, he offered them money, 19 saying, “Give this power to me, too—so that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Ruach ha-Kodesh.”

20 Peter said to him, “May your silver go to ruin, and you with it—because you thought you could buy God’s gift with money!  21 You have no part or share in this matter, because your heart is not right before God. 22 Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be pardoned. 23 For I see in you the poison of bitterness and the bondage of unrighteousness!”

24 Simon replied, “Pray for me, so that none of what you have said may come upon me.”

May we all be spiritually sensitive to the hucksters that are all around us, and may the Ruach Hakodesh protect our hearts and minds and give us Discernment today and everyday.

Amen.

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

Your Daily Pesuk June 24, 2018

Parashat Balak / פרשת בלק

The Daily Pesuk for, June 24, 2018 / 11,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 22:2-12 (11 p'sukim)

Numbers 22:2-12 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Parashat Balak

2 When Balak son of Zippor, realized all that Bnei-Yisrael had done to the Amorites, 3 Moab became terrified because there were so many people. Moab was filled with dread because of Bnei-Yisrael. 4 Moab said to the elders of Midian, “The multitude will lick up everything around us like the ox licks up the grass of the field.”

Now Balak son of Zippor was king of Moab at that time. 5 He sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, at Pethor near the River in his native land, saying to him, “Look now, a people has come out of Egypt. See now, they cover the surface of the earth and are settling beside me. 6 Come now, curse this people for me, because they are too strong for me! Perhaps I may be able to defeat them and drive them away from the country. I know that whoever you bless will be blessed and whoever you curse will be accursed!”

7 The elders of Moab and Midian left with divination fees in their hand. When they came to Balaam, they told him Balak’s words.

8 He said to them, “Spend the night here. I will give you an answer just as Adonai speaks to me.” So the officials of Moab stayed with Balaam.

9 God came to Balaam and asked, “Who are these men with you?”

10 Balaam said to God, “Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent word to me: 11 See, the people coming out of Egypt cover the surface of the land. Come now, curse them for me. Perhaps I will be able to fight against them and drive them away!”

12 God said to Balaam, “Do not go with them! Do not curse them, for they are blessed!”

2 וַיַּ֥רְא בָּלָ֖ק בֶּן־צִפּ֑וֹר אֵ֛ת כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־עָשָׂ֥ה יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לָֽאֱמֹרִֽי׃

3 וַיָּ֨גָר מוֹאָ֜ב מִפְּנֵ֥י הָעָ֛ם מְאֹ֖ד כִּ֣י רַב־ה֑וּא וַיָּ֣קָץ מוֹאָ֔ב מִפְּנֵ֖י בְּנֵ֥י יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

4 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר מוֹאָ֜ב אֶל־זִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֗ן עַתָּ֞ה יְלַחֲכ֤וּ הַקָּהָל֙ אֶת־כָּל־סְבִ֣יבֹתֵ֔ינוּ כִּלְחֹ֣ךְ הַשּׁ֔וֹר אֵ֖ת יֶ֣רֶק הַשָּׂדֶ֑ה וּבָלָ֧ק בֶּן־צִפּ֛וֹר מֶ֥לֶךְ לְמוֹאָ֖ב בָּעֵ֥ת הַהִֽוא׃

5 וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח מַלְאָכִ֜ים אֶל־בִּלְעָ֣ם בֶּן־בְּע֗וֹר פְּ֠תוֹרָה אֲשֶׁ֧ר עַל־הַנָּהָ֛ר אֶ֥רֶץ בְּנֵי־עַמּ֖וֹ לִקְרֹא־ל֑וֹ לֵאמֹ֗ר הִ֠נֵּה עַ֣ם יָצָ֤א מִמִּצְרַ֙יִם֙ הִנֵּ֤ה כִסָּה֙ אֶת־עֵ֣ין הָאָ֔רֶץ וְה֥וּא יֹשֵׁ֖ב מִמֻּלִֽי׃

6 וְעַתָּה֩ לְכָה־נָּ֨א אָֽרָה־לִּ֜י אֶת־הָעָ֣ם הַזֶּ֗ה כִּֽי־עָצ֥וּם הוּא֙ מִמֶּ֔נִּי אוּלַ֤י אוּכַל֙ נַכֶּה־בּ֔וֹ וַאֲגָרְשֶׁ֖נּוּ מִן־הָאָ֑רֶץ כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אֵ֤ת אֲשֶׁר־תְּבָרֵךְ֙ מְבֹרָ֔ךְ וַאֲשֶׁ֥ר תָּאֹ֖ר יוּאָֽר׃

7 וַיֵּ֨לְכ֜וּ זִקְנֵ֤י מוֹאָב֙ וְזִקְנֵ֣י מִדְיָ֔ן וּקְסָמִ֖ים בְּיָדָ֑ם וַיָּבֹ֙אוּ֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם וַיְדַבְּר֥וּ אֵלָ֖יו דִּבְרֵ֥י בָלָֽק׃

8 וַיֹּ֣אמֶר אֲלֵיהֶ֗ם לִ֤ינוּ פֹה֙ הַלַּ֔יְלָה וַהֲשִׁבֹתִ֤י אֶתְכֶם֙ דָּבָ֔ר כַּאֲשֶׁ֛ר יְדַבֵּ֥ר יְהוָ֖ה אֵלָ֑י וַיֵּשְׁב֥וּ שָׂרֵֽי־מוֹאָ֖ב עִם־בִּלְעָֽם׃

9 וַיָּבֹ֥א אֱלֹהִ֖ים אֶל־בִּלְעָ֑ם וַיֹּ֕אמֶר מִ֛י הָאֲנָשִׁ֥ים הָאֵ֖לֶּה עִמָּֽךְ׃

10 וַיֹּ֥אמֶר בִּלְעָ֖ם אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִ֑ים בָּלָ֧ק בֶּן־צִפֹּ֛ר מֶ֥לֶךְ מוֹאָ֖ב שָׁלַ֥ח אֵלָֽי׃

11 הִנֵּ֤ה הָעָם֙ הַיֹּצֵ֣א מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם וַיְכַ֖ס אֶת־עֵ֣ין הָאָ֑רֶץ עַתָּ֗ה לְכָ֤ה קָֽבָה־לִּי֙ אֹת֔וֹ אוּלַ֥י אוּכַ֛ל לְהִלָּ֥חֶם בּ֖וֹ וְגֵרַשְׁתִּֽיו׃

12 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֱלֹהִים֙ אֶל־בִּלְעָ֔ם לֹ֥א תֵלֵ֖ךְ עִמָּהֶ֑ם לֹ֤א תָאֹר֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם כִּ֥י בָר֖וּךְ הֽוּא׃

It is remarkable that our pesukim today speaks in pesuk 8 that Baalam suggested that the delegates spend the night while he consults "Adonai".  The Hebrew there says D'ber Adonai, (using the Holy Name Tetragrammaton), so there can be no doubt which "god" the text is talking about.  It is curious why such a necromancer would even attempt to consult the God of Israel.  

Rev. John Gill, (November 23, 1697-October 14, 1771) was an English Baptist, a biblical scholar;born in Kettering, Northamptonshire. In his youth, he attended Kettering Grammar School, mastering the Latin classics and learning Greek by age eleven. The young scholar continued self-study in everything from logic to Hebrew. His love for Hebrew would follow Gill throughout his life. He became a Christian scholar of Rabbinics and Talmud. 

Gill says, "...it appears he had some knowledge of the true God, and pretended great familiarity with him, thereby to make himself the more respectable; and indeed he was surprisingly favoured with some degree of intimacy with him, which, for the sake of Israel, he was now admitted to; whether at any other time, or on any other occasion, is not certain; however, he promised the princes he would let them know the next morning what was said to him, and so accordingly what he should or could do".

The spiritual battle we see beginning here in today's pesukim speaks volumes to us about the same battles we face, regardless if we realize them or not.  On several occasions in my Messianic rabbinical career I have had encounters with wickens, witches, and false prophets who have even spoken curses against me and the congregations I have led directly to my face.  On one occasion back in 1990's I had a crazed woman get up and start screaming at me during one of my sermons, and I rebuked her from the pulpit and eventually she had to be removed from the building.  I know from experience that these kinds of evil spirits exist and they are dispatched against us.  They are on assignment, whether for profit and gain, as Balaam, or simply one who is acting out of it's nature to simply curse us is really beside the point.

We need to realize everyday we are facing spiritual warfare and we need to learn the spiritual weapons we have at our disposal and USE THEM!!!

Ephesians 6:12 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the worldly forces of this darkness, and against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

It is a struggle that is constant and daily.  Let's always remain on our guard never forgetting that in this world we do face these spiritual battles.  However, also remembering that Yeshua our Messiah has given us all we need to have the victory in this struggle.

Shavuah tov,

R' Eric

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

Your Daily Pesuk SHABBAT June 23, 2018

Parashat Chukat / פרשת חקת

The Daily Pesuk for, SHABBAT June 23, 2018 / 10,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 21:21-22:1 (16 p'sukim)

maf: 21:34-22:1 (3 p'sukim)

Numbers 21:21-22:1 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Defeat of Sihon and Og
21 Israel sent messengers to King Sihon of the Amorites saying, 22 “Permit us to pass through your land. We will not turn aside into field or vineyard nor drink water from the wells. We will travel on the king’s highway until we will have passed through your territory.”

23 But Sihon would not let Israel pass through his territory. Instead, Sihon called out his entire army and marched out into the desert to oppose Israel. When he came to Jahaz, he fought against Israel. 24 But Israel struck him by the sword’s edge and conquered his land from Arnon to Jabbok as far as the Ammonites, because the border of the sons of Ammon was fortified.

25 Israel conquered all these cities and occupied all the Amorite cities, Heshbon and all its towns. 26 Heshbon was the city of King Sihon of the Amorites, who had fought with the former king of Moab and had taken from his control all the land as far as the Arnon. 27 Therefore the poets say,

“Come to Heshbon! Let her be rebuilt!
Let the city of Sihon be restored!
28 For fire went out from Heshbon,
    a blaze from the city of Sihon!
It consumed Ar of Moab,
    the masters of Arnon’s heights!
29 Woe to you, O Moab!
You have been destroyed, people of Chemosh!
He has given up his sons as refugees
    and his daughters as captives
    to Sihon, king of the Amorites.
30 But we overthrew them!
Heshbon as far as Dibon is destroyed!
We have demolished them
    as far as Nophah up to Medeba.”

31 So Israel was living in the land of the Amorites. 32 After Moses sent spies to Jazer, they captured her towns and drove out the Amorites who were there.

33 Then they turned and went up the road to the Bashan. Og, king of the Bashan, went out to confront them, he and all his people, in battle at Edrei.

34 Adonai said to Moses, “Do not fear him. I have given him with all his people and his land into your hand. You are to do to him just as you did to Sihon, the Amorite king who was living in Heshbon.”

35 So they struck him and his sons and his entire army until no survivor was left to him, and they possessed his land.

A Donkey Rebukes Balaam

22 Then Bnei-Yisrael set out and camped in the plains of Moab alongside the Jordan across from Jericho.

21 וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ מַלְאָכִ֔ים אֶל־סִיחֹ֥ן מֶֽלֶךְ־הָאֱמֹרִ֖י לֵאמֹֽר׃

22 אֶעְבְּרָ֣ה בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ לֹ֤א נִטֶּה֙ בְּשָׂדֶ֣ה וּבְכֶ֔רֶם לֹ֥א נִשְׁתֶּ֖ה מֵ֣י בְאֵ֑ר בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ נֵלֵ֔ךְ עַ֥ד אֲשֶֽׁר־נַעֲבֹ֖ר גְּבֻלֶֽךָ׃

23 וְלֹא־נָתַ֨ן סִיחֹ֣ן אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ עֲבֹ֣ר בִּגְבֻלוֹ֒ וַיֶּאֱסֹ֨ף סִיחֹ֜ן אֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֗וֹ וַיֵּצֵ֞א לִקְרַ֤את יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ הַמִּדְבָּ֔רָה וַיָּבֹ֖א יָ֑הְצָה וַיִּלָּ֖חֶם בְּיִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

24 וַיַּכֵּ֥הוּ יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל לְפִי־חָ֑רֶב וַיִּירַ֨שׁ אֶת־אַרְצ֜וֹ מֵֽאַרְנֹ֗ן עַד־יַבֹּק֙ עַד־בְּנֵ֣י עַמּ֔וֹן כִּ֣י עַ֔ז גְּב֖וּל בְּנֵ֥י עַמּֽוֹן׃

25 וַיִּקַּח֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֵ֥ת כָּל־הֶעָרִ֖ים הָאֵ֑לֶּה וַיֵּ֤שֶׁב יִשְׂרָאֵל֙ בְּכָל־עָרֵ֣י הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י בְּחֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן וּבְכָל־בְּנֹתֶֽיהָ׃

26 כִּ֣י חֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן עִ֗יר סִיחֹ֛ן מֶ֥לֶךְ הָאֱמֹרִ֖י הִ֑וא וְה֣וּא נִלְחַ֗ם בְּמֶ֤לֶךְ מוֹאָב֙ הָֽרִאשׁ֔וֹן וַיִּקַּ֧ח אֶת־כָּל־אַרְצ֛וֹ מִיָּד֖וֹ עַד־אַרְנֹֽן׃

27 עַל־כֵּ֛ן יֹאמְר֥וּ הַמֹּשְׁלִ֖ים בֹּ֣אוּ חֶשְׁבּ֑וֹן תִּבָּנֶ֥ה וְתִכּוֹנֵ֖ן עִ֥יר סִיחֽוֹן׃

28 כִּי־אֵשׁ֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה מֵֽחֶשְׁבּ֔וֹן לֶהָבָ֖ה מִקִּרְיַ֣ת סִיחֹ֑ן אָֽכְלָה֙ עָ֣ר מוֹאָ֔ב בַּעֲלֵ֖י בָּמ֥וֹת אַרְנֹֽן׃

29 אוֹי־לְךָ֣ מוֹאָ֔ב אָבַ֖דְתָּ עַם־כְּמ֑וֹשׁ נָתַ֨ן בָּנָ֤יו פְּלֵיטִם֙ וּבְנֹתָ֣יו בַּשְּׁבִ֔ית לְמֶ֥לֶךְ אֱמֹרִ֖י סִיחֽוֹן׃

30 וַנִּירָ֛ם אָבַ֥ד חֶשְׁבּ֖וֹן עַד־דִּיב֑וֹן וַנַּשִּׁ֣ים עַד־נֹ֔פַח אֲשֶׁ֖רׄ עַד־מֵֽידְבָֽא׃

31 וַיֵּ֙שֶׁב֙ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל בְּאֶ֖רֶץ הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃

32 וַיִּשְׁלַ֤ח מֹשֶׁה֙ לְרַגֵּ֣ל אֶת־יַעְזֵ֔ר וַֽיִּלְכְּד֖וּ בְּנֹתֶ֑יהָ ׳וַיִּירַשׁ׳ ״וַיּ֖וֹרֶשׁ״ אֶת־הָאֱמֹרִ֥י אֲשֶׁר־שָֽׁם׃

33 וַיִּפְנוּ֙ וַֽיַּעֲל֔וּ דֶּ֖רֶךְ הַבָּשָׁ֑ן וַיֵּצֵ֣א עוֹג֩ מֶֽלֶךְ־הַבָּשָׁ֨ן לִקְרָאתָ֜ם ה֧וּא וְכָל־עַמּ֛וֹ לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה אֶדְרֶֽעִי׃

34 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֤ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁה֙ אַל־תִּירָ֣א אֹת֔וֹ כִּ֣י בְיָדְךָ֞ נָתַ֧תִּי אֹת֛וֹ וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֖וֹ וְאֶת־אַרְצ֑וֹ וְעָשִׂ֣יתָ לּ֔וֹ כַּאֲשֶׁ֣ר עָשִׂ֗יתָ לְסִיחֹן֙ מֶ֣לֶךְ הָֽאֱמֹרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יוֹשֵׁ֖ב בְּחֶשְׁבּֽוֹן׃

35 וַיַּכּ֨וּ אֹת֤וֹ וְאֶת־בָּנָיו֙ וְאֶת־כָּל־עַמּ֔וֹ עַד־בִּלְתִּ֥י הִשְׁאִֽיר־ל֖וֹ שָׂרִ֑יד וַיִּֽירְשׁ֖וּ אֶת־אַרְצֽוֹ׃

22 וַיִּסְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיַּחֲנוּ֙ בְּעַֽרְב֣וֹת מוֹאָ֔ב מֵעֵ֖בֶר לְיַרְדֵּ֥ן יְרֵחֽוֹ׃ ס

So ends Parasha Chukat today and within our pesukim we find mentioned the poem that the "poets" say.  Who are these poets that the Torah refers to?

המשלים THEY THAT SPEAK IN PARABLES — The plural המשלים refers to Balaam and his father Beor (see Rashi on Numbers 24:3). 

According to the sages, here we find the first reference to Balaam ben Beor whom will be fully introduced in next week's Parasha Hashuvah "BALAK" 

It's important to understand that Sihon King of the Amorites was the most powerful King to whom all the other nations, "Bashan" and others paid tribute to.  It was his promise to protect them (other nations) from any invading force; which is why he would not allow Israel to pass through.  This is also why Israel's victory over him was such a miracle, and what led poets to write about these historic world-changing battles!

The first mention in the poem is about Heshbon...

באו חשבון “COME TO HESHBON”, — For Sihon had been unable to capture it, and he went and hired Balaam to curse it, and this is the meaning of what Balak said, (Numbers 22:6) “For I know (by what has already happened) that whomsoever thou blessest is blessed, [and whomsoever thou cursest is cursed]” (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 24).

So according to the midrash we see that Balaam had experience in this "curse for hire" business, but having witnessed the miraculous victory that the God of Israel made for His people allowed him to say later: 'For now I know that whoever blesses (Israel) is blessed..."

The Nations of the World Today would do well to heed the words of the prophet Balaam.  Even Satan knows he cannot win.  In Spiritual Warfare we need to remember who we are and stand on the promises God made to Israel.

Romans 9:4 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
 4 who are Israelites. To them belong the adoption and the glory and the covenants and the giving of the Torah and the Temple service and the promises.

Romans 8:15 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall again into fear; rather, you received the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

Ephesians 1:5 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

5 He predestined us for adoption as sons through Messiah Yeshua, in keeping with the good pleasure of His will

When we find ourselves in a battle, we should remember that we all are members of the family, the Covenant, by faith, grafted in, whether Natural Branches or Wild Olive Branches, we are all B'nei Yisrael and God will never leave us or forsake us, as He demonstrated with our ancestors.

Even if someone is cursing you and all hell breaks loose, stand firm.  The curse will be turned into a BLESSING.

Shabbat Shalom,

R' Eric

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

Your Daily Pesuk June 22, 2018

Parashat Chukat / פרשת חקת

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

The Daily Pesuk for, Friday June 22, 2018 / 9,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 21:10-20 (11 p'sukim)

Numbers 21:10-20 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Journey to Moab
10 Bnei-Yisrael moved on and encamped at Oboth. 11 Then they set out from Oboth and camped in Ije-abarim, in the wilderness facing Moab toward the sunrise. 12 From there they set out and camped in the Wadi Zered. 13 They set out from there and camped along the Arnon, which is in the wilderness extending into Amorite territory. The Arnon is also the border between Moab and the Amorites. 14 Therefore, it is said in the Book of the Wars of Adonai, “...Vaheb in Suphah and the wadis of the Arnon, 15 and the slope of the wadis that leads to the site of Ar and lie along the border of Moab—” 16 And from there—on to Beer.

This is the well where Adonai said to Moses, “Gather the people and I will give them water.”

17 Then Israel sang this song,

“Spring up, O well! Sing about it!”
18 The well the princes dug,
that the nobles of the people sank
with their scepter and their staffs.”


From the wilderness they went on to Mattanah. 19 From Mattanah they went on to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth, 20 and from Bamoth to the valley in the field of Moab where the peak of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.

10 וַיִּסְע֖וּ בְּנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּאֹבֹֽת׃

11 וַיִּסְע֖וּ מֵאֹבֹ֑ת וַֽיַּחֲנ֞וּ בְּעִיֵּ֣י הָֽעֲבָרִ֗ים בַּמִּדְבָּר֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ עַל־פְּנֵ֣י מוֹאָ֔ב מִמִּזְרַ֖ח הַשָּֽׁמֶשׁ׃

12 מִשָּׁ֖ם נָסָ֑עוּ וַֽיַּחֲנ֖וּ בְּנַ֥חַל זָֽרֶד׃

13 מִשָּׁם֮ נָסָעוּ֒ וַֽיַּחֲנ֗וּ מֵעֵ֤בֶר אַרְנוֹן֙ אֲשֶׁ֣ר בַּמִּדְבָּ֔ר הַיֹּצֵ֖א מִגְּב֣וּל הָֽאֱמֹרִ֑י כִּ֤י אַרְנוֹן֙ גְּב֣וּל מוֹאָ֔ב בֵּ֥ין מוֹאָ֖ב וּבֵ֥ין הָאֱמֹרִֽי׃

14 עַל־כֵּן֙ יֵֽאָמַ֔ר בְּסֵ֖פֶר מִלְחֲמֹ֣ת יְהוָ֑ה אֶת־וָהֵ֣ב בְּסוּפָ֔ה וְאֶת־הַנְּחָלִ֖ים אַרְנֽוֹן׃

15 וְאֶ֙שֶׁד֙ הַנְּחָלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָטָ֖ה לְשֶׁ֣בֶת עָ֑ר וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן לִגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב׃

16 וּמִשָּׁ֖ם בְּאֵ֑רָה הִ֣וא הַבְּאֵ֗ר אֲשֶׁ֨ר אָמַ֤ר יְהוָה֙ לְמֹשֶׁ֔ה אֱסֹף֙ אֶת־הָעָ֔ם וְאֶתְּנָ֥ה לָהֶ֖ם מָֽיִם׃ ס

17 אָ֚ז יָשִׁ֣יר יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אֶת־הַשִּׁירָ֖ה הַזֹּ֑את עֲלִ֥י בְאֵ֖ר עֱנוּ־לָֽהּ׃

18 בְּאֵ֞ר חֲפָר֣וּהָ שָׂרִ֗ים כָּר֙וּהָ֙ נְדִיבֵ֣י הָעָ֔ם בִּמְחֹקֵ֖ק בְּמִשְׁעֲנֹתָ֑ם וּמִמִּדְבָּ֖ר מַתָּנָֽה׃

19 וּמִמַּתָּנָ֖ה נַחֲלִיאֵ֑ל וּמִנַּחֲלִיאֵ֖ל בָּמֽוֹת׃

20 וּמִבָּמ֗וֹת הַגַּיְא֙ אֲשֶׁר֙ בִּשְׂדֵ֣ה מוֹאָ֔ב רֹ֖אשׁ הַפִּסְגָּ֑ה וְנִשְׁקָ֖פָה עַל־פְּנֵ֥י הַיְשִׁימֹֽן׃ פ

Our pesukim for today speak of a mysterious "Book of the Wars of Adonai".  Scholars for centuries have debated what this referenced book may actually be?  Keil & Delitzsch have what I consider to be one of the best explanations:

"The book of the wars of Adonai is neither an Amoritish book of the conflicts of Baal, in which the warlike feats performed by Sihon and other Amoritish heroes with the help of Baal were celebrated in verse, as G. Unruh fabulously asserts in his Zug der Isr. aus Aeg. nach Canaan (p. 130), nor a work “dating from the time of Jehoshaphat, containing the early history of the Israelites, from the Hebrew patriarchs till past the time of Joshua, with the law interwoven,” which is the character that Knobel's critical fancy would stamp upon it, but a collection of odes of the time of Moses himself, in celebration of the glorious acts of the Lord to and for the Israelites; and “the quotation bears the same relation to the history itself, as the verses of Körner would bear to the writings of any historian of the wars of freedom, who had himself taken part in these wars, and introduced the verses into his own historical work” (Hengstenberg).

(Note: “That such a book should arise in the last days of Moses, when the youthful generation began for the first time to regard and manifest itself, both vigorously and generally, as the army of Adonai, is so far from being a surprising fact, that we can scarcely imagine a more suitable time for the commencement of such a work” (Baumgarten) . And if this is the case, the allusion to this collection of odes cannot be adduced as an argument against the Mosaic authorship of the Torah, since Moses certainly did not write out the history of the journey from Kadesh to the Arboth Moab until after the two kings of the Amorites had been defeated, and the land to the east of the Jordan conquered, or till the Israelites had encamped in the steppes of Moab, opposite to Jericho.)

The fact that the Torah references this "book" or record of the wars as well as the songs and odes/poems ect... for us must be accepted as factual, even though we have no copy or record of such a book existed.  This must be attributed to what the Torah says as:

Deuteronomy 29:28 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB)
28 (29) “Things which are hidden belong to Adonai our God. But the things that have been revealed belong to us and our children forever, so that we can observe all the words of this Torah.

It must be remembered that the miracles followed the Israelites everywhere they went, and there is no word of Torah that is written without any purpose.  There is always great meaning and significance to every word of Torah that is listed, the names of places and peoples, locations, step-by-step journeys, etc... all should be regarded as being written for us to teach us a lesson about God, Israel His people and ourselves individually, and the other nations as well.  Nothing - I repeat, NOTHING is in the pesukim of all Scripture that has no meaning for us.  Just as the great Torah commentator Shaliach Shaul taught us connecting Tanakh (O.T.), to the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant)...

2 Timothy 3:14-16 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
You, however, continue in what you have learned and what you have become convinced of. For you know from whom you have learned, 15 and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to make you wise, leading to salvation through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for restoration, and for training in righteousness.

This brings to the next significant point of today's pesukim.  As stated there were always miracles.  The Exodus of Israel was Impossible without the Divine favor and constant help and provision of Adonai, the God of Israel. 

Traditions of the rabbis say:

ואת הנחלים ארנון AND THE VALLEYS AT ARNON — Just as they relate the miracles at the Red Sea, so there should be related, too, the miracles at the valleys of Arnon, for here, also, great miracles were wrought (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 20). And what were those miracles? (the reply is given in the next passage).

וְאֶ֙שֶׁד֙ הַנְּחָלִ֔ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָטָ֖ה לְשֶׁ֣בֶת עָ֑ר וְנִשְׁעַ֖ן לִגְב֥וּל מוֹאָֽב׃

ואשר הנחלים THE DISCHARGE IN THE VALLEYS — The Targum translation of ,שפך “pouring forth”, is אשר. Consequently these words signify “the pouring forth in the valleys”, for at that place there was poured forth the blood of the Amorites who had concealed themselves there. As the mountains were high and the valley deep and narrow, and the mountains were so close to one another, that a man could stand upon the mountain on one side and speak to his fellow on the other mountain, and the road passed through the valley, the Amorites said: When the Israelites are about to enter the land by passing through the valley we will come out of the mountain caves above them and will kill them by arrows and stone missiles. Now those caves were in the mountains on the Moabite side, and on the mountain that was on the Amorite side there were, opposite those caves, projections like horns and breasts jutting out. When Israel were on the point of passing, the mountain that was located in the land of Israel (that on the Amorite side which afterwards came into the possession of the Israelites) was set in tremor as a handmaid that goes forth to receive her mistress, and moved nearer to the mountain of Moab, and these breast-like projections penetrated into the caves and killed them (the Amorites who were hidden in them). And this is the meaning of אשר נטה לשבת ער which inclineth towards the dwelling (location) of Ar (the capital Moab) — which means that the mountain inclined from its place and approached close to the mountain on the Moabite side and affixed itself to it: and this, too, is the meaning of ונשען לגבול מואב, and leaneth towards the boundary of Moab (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 20; cf. Berakhot 54b).

According to Rashi, this victory against the Amorites was nothing less than a complete MIRACLE.  Even though we do not have a specific record of this in the pages of our Torah, we do have mention today of other "HIDDEN THINGS" as the Book of Wars gives evidence of.

If this is true, and it doesn't contradict anything in the Scriptures, at least we can be assured that we know that our God is a MIRACLE WORKING GOD.  And the example of our ancestors in the Exodus was for our benefit for the battles we face today in SPIRITUAL WARFARE...

Just as Shaliach Shaul taught Romans 15:4 For whatever was written before was written for our instruction, so that through patience and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Therefore, today's pesukim regarding the War with the Amorites should be ENCOURAGEMENT TO US TODAY!!!

And we should do well to remember what David said about these battles (he knew that God waged war on our behalf)...

1 Samuel 17:46...Then all the earth will know that there is a God in Israel, 47 and so all this assembly will know that Adonai delivers not with sword and spear—for the battle belongs to Adonai—and He will give you into our hands.”

Not only does our God give us all Victory - both physically and Spiritual Victory - but He also MAKES OUR WARS CEASE AND GIVES US PEACE...

Psalm 46 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

1 For the music director, of the sons of Korah, according to Alamoth, a song.
2 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
3 Therefore we will not fear,
though the earth change,
though the mountains topple into the heart of the seas,
4 though its waters roar and foam,
though the mountains quake at their swelling. Selah

5 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God—
the holy dwelling place of Elyon.
6 God is in the midst of her, she will not be shaken.
God will help her when morning dawns.
7 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms totter,
He utters His voice, the earth melts!
8 Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us.
The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

9 Come, see the works of Adonai,
who brings devastations on the earth.
10 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear.
He burns chariots with fire.
11 “Be still, and know that I am God.
I am exalted among the nations.
I am exalted in the earth.”
12 Adonai-Tzva’ot is with us.
The God of Jacob is our strong tower. Selah

Your Daily Pesuk June 21, 2018

Parashat Chukat / פרשת חקת

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

The Daily Pesuk for, Thursday June 21, 2018 / 8,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 20:22-21:9 (17 p'sukim)

Numbers 20:22-21:9 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
Aaron Gathered To His People
22 The entirety of the community of Bnei-Yisrael set out from Kadesh and came to Mount Hor.

23 Now at Mount Hor, near the Edomite border, Adonai said to Moses and Aaron, 24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people. He will not enter the land, which I have given to Bnei-Yisrael, because you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah. 25 Take Aaron and his son Eleazar, and take them up Mount Hor. 26 Remove Aaron’s garments and put them on his son Eleazar, and Aaron will be gathered up and will die there.”

27 Moses did as Adonai commanded. They ascended Mount Hor before the eyes of the whole community. 28 Moses removed Aaron’s garments and placed them on Eleazar his son. Aaron died there at the top of the mountain. Then Moses and Eleazar descended the mountain.

29 When they saw that Aaron had died, the entire community mourned Aaron 30 days.

Nehushtan: Snake on a Pole
21 When the Canaanite king of Arad, who lived in the Negev, heard that Israel was coming along the road to Atharim, he attacked Israel and captured some of them. 2 Then Israel vowed to Adonai and stated, “If you deliver this people into our hand, we will put their cities under the ban of destruction!” 3 Adonai listened to Israel’s plea and delivered up the Canaanites. They put them and their cities under the ban of destruction. So the name of the place was called Hormah.

4 They travelled from Mount Hor along the route to the Sea of Reeds in order to go around the land of Edom. The spirit of the people became impatient along the way.

5 The people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us from Egypt to die in the wilderness, because there is no bread, no water, and our very spirits detest the despicable food? 6 So Adonai sent poisonous serpents among the people, and they bit the people and many of the people of Israel died.

7 The people came to Moses and said, “We sinned when we spoke against Adonai and you! Pray to Adonai for us, that He may take away the snakes!” So Moses prayed for the people.

8 Adonai said to Moses, “Make yourself a fiery snake and put it on a pole. Whenever anyone who has been bitten will look at it, he will live.”

9 So Moses made a bronze snake and put it on a pole, and it happened that whenever a snake bit anyone and he looked at the bronze snake, he lived.

22 וַיִּסְע֖וּ מִקָּדֵ֑שׁ וַיָּבֹ֧אוּ בְנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל כָּל־הָעֵדָ֖ה הֹ֥ר הָהָֽר׃

23 וַיֹּ֧אמֶר יְהוָ֛ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֥ה וְאֶֽל־אַהֲרֹ֖ן בְּהֹ֣ר הָהָ֑ר עַל־גְּב֥וּל אֶֽרֶץ־אֱד֖וֹם לֵאמֹֽר׃

24 יֵאָסֵ֤ף אַהֲרֹן֙ אֶל־עַמָּ֔יו כִּ֣י לֹ֤א יָבֹא֙ אֶל־הָאָ֔רֶץ אֲשֶׁ֥ר נָתַ֖תִּי לִבְנֵ֣י יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל עַ֛ל אֲשֶׁר־מְרִיתֶ֥ם אֶת־פִּ֖י לְמֵ֥י מְרִיבָֽה׃

25 קַ֚ח אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֔ן וְאֶת־אֶלְעָזָ֖ר בְּנ֑וֹ וְהַ֥עַל אֹתָ֖ם הֹ֥ר הָהָֽר׃

26 וְהַפְשֵׁ֤ט אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן֙ אֶת־בְּגָדָ֔יו וְהִלְבַּשְׁתָּ֖ם אֶת־אֶלְעָזָ֣ר בְּנ֑וֹ וְאַהֲרֹ֥ן יֵאָסֵ֖ף וּמֵ֥ת שָֽׁם׃

27 וַיַּ֣עַשׂ מֹשֶׁ֔ה כַּאֲשֶׁ֖ר צִוָּ֣ה יְהוָ֑ה וַֽיַּעֲלוּ֙ אֶל־הֹ֣ר הָהָ֔ר לְעֵינֵ֖י כָּל־הָעֵדָֽה׃

28 וַיַּפְשֵׁט֩ מֹשֶׁ֨ה אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹ֜ן אֶת־בְּגָדָ֗יו וַיַּלְבֵּ֤שׁ אֹתָם֙ אֶת־אֶלְעָזָ֣ר בְּנ֔וֹ וַיָּ֧מָת אַהֲרֹ֛ן שָׁ֖ם בְּרֹ֣אשׁ הָהָ֑ר וַיֵּ֧רֶד מֹשֶׁ֛ה וְאֶלְעָזָ֖ר מִן־הָהָֽר׃

29 וַיִּרְאוּ֙ כָּל־הָ֣עֵדָ֔ה כִּ֥י גָוַ֖ע אַהֲרֹ֑ן וַיִּבְכּ֤וּ אֶֽת־אַהֲרֹן֙ שְׁלֹשִׁ֣ים י֔וֹם כֹּ֖ל בֵּ֥ית יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ ס

21 וַיִּשְׁמַ֞ע הַכְּנַעֲנִ֤י מֶֽלֶךְ־עֲרָד֙ יֹשֵׁ֣ב הַנֶּ֔גֶב כִּ֚י בָּ֣א יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל דֶּ֖רֶךְ הָאֲתָרִ֑ים וַיִּלָּ֙חֶם֙ בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל וַיִּ֥שְׁבְּ׀ מִמֶּ֖נּוּ שֶֽׁבִי׃

2 וַיִּדַּ֨ר יִשְׂרָאֵ֥ל נֶ֛דֶר לַֽיהוָ֖ה וַיֹּאמַ֑ר אִם־נָתֹ֨ן תִּתֵּ֜ן אֶת־הָעָ֤ם הַזֶּה֙ בְּיָדִ֔י וְהַֽחֲרַמְתִּ֖י אֶת־עָרֵיהֶֽם׃

3 וַיִּשְׁמַ֨ע יְהוָ֜ה בְּק֣וֹל יִשְׂרָאֵ֗ל וַיִּתֵּן֙ אֶת־הַֽכְּנַעֲנִ֔י וַיַּחֲרֵ֥ם אֶתְהֶ֖ם וְאֶת־עָרֵיהֶ֑ם וַיִּקְרָ֥א שֵׁם־הַמָּק֖וֹם חָרְמָֽה׃ פ

4 וַיִּסְע֞וּ מֵהֹ֤ר הָהָר֙ דֶּ֣רֶךְ יַם־ס֔וּף לִסְבֹ֖ב אֶת־אֶ֣רֶץ אֱד֑וֹם וַתִּקְצַ֥ר נֶֽפֶשׁ־הָעָ֖ם בַּדָּֽרֶךְ׃

5 וַיְדַבֵּ֣ר הָעָ֗ם בֵּֽאלֹהִים֮ וּבְמֹשֶׁה֒ לָמָ֤ה הֶֽעֱלִיתֻ֙נוּ֙ מִמִּצְרַ֔יִם לָמ֖וּת בַּמִּדְבָּ֑ר כִּ֣י אֵ֥ין לֶ֙חֶם֙ וְאֵ֣ין מַ֔יִם וְנַפְשֵׁ֣נוּ קָ֔צָה בַּלֶּ֖חֶם הַקְּלֹקֵֽל׃

6 וַיְשַׁלַּ֨ח יְהוָ֜ה בָּעָ֗ם אֵ֚ת הַנְּחָשִׁ֣ים הַשְּׂרָפִ֔ים וַֽיְנַשְּׁכ֖וּ אֶת־הָעָ֑ם וַיָּ֥מָת עַם־רָ֖ב מִיִּשְׂרָאֵֽל׃

7 וַיָּבֹא֩ הָעָ֨ם אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֜ה וַיֹּאמְר֣וּ חָטָ֗אנוּ כִּֽי־דִבַּ֤רְנוּ בַֽיהוָה֙ וָבָ֔ךְ הִתְפַּלֵּל֙ אֶל־יְהוָ֔ה וְיָסֵ֥ר מֵעָלֵ֖ינוּ אֶת־הַנָּחָ֑שׁ וַיִּתְפַּלֵּ֥ל מֹשֶׁ֖ה בְּעַ֥ד הָעָֽם׃

8 וַיֹּ֨אמֶר יְהוָ֜ה אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֗ה עֲשֵׂ֤ה לְךָ֙ שָׂרָ֔ף וְשִׂ֥ים אֹת֖וֹ עַל־נֵ֑ס וְהָיָה֙ כָּל־הַנָּשׁ֔וּךְ וְרָאָ֥ה אֹת֖וֹ וָחָֽי׃

9 וַיַּ֤עַשׂ מֹשֶׁה֙ נְחַ֣שׁ נְחֹ֔שֶׁת וַיְשִׂמֵ֖הוּ עַל־הַנֵּ֑ס וְהָיָ֗ה אִם־נָשַׁ֤ךְ הַנָּחָשׁ֙ אֶת־אִ֔ישׁ וְהִבִּ֛יט אֶל־נְחַ֥שׁ הַנְּחֹ֖שֶׁת וָחָֽי׃

Can you imagine what it would be like to hear from God that you are about to die?  Our pesukim today states that both Moses & Aaron were told directly from Adonai that Aaron was about to die on Mt. Hor, which most commentators, both Jewish and Christian agree that is the area of Petra, (in modern Jordan), famous also as the hide-out of believers and Messianic Jews during the Bar Kochba revolt against Rome.

Actually, the news was completely expected.  Previously, Moshe and Aaron were already told that they would not make it into Eretz Yisrael, so as the generation was winding down, the 40 years was coming to an end, and after countless members of that generation had already died, both Moshe and Aaron knew their time was coming soon.  One could also attempt to imagine the perspective of Eleazar ben Aaron, knowing that he would soon succeed his father in the role of Kohen Gadol.  What was it like for him climbing up Mt. Hor knowing that your own father would die there?

There is a Jewish tradition that after Aaron dies, (similar to Miriam's death when the water dried up), that the Cloud of Glory dissipated from around Israel's camp.  Rashi comments below:

וישמע הכנעני AND THE CANAANITE HEARD — He heard that Aaron had died and that the clouds of glory had disappeared and he believed that now he was at liberty to wage war against Israel, as it is related in Rosh Hashana 3a; Amalek was from olden times a whip for chastising Israel — always held in readiness to be God's agent for Israels punishment (Midrash Tanchuma, Chukat 18).

Regardless, if this truly happened, it could've very well been the case because we see from the Ne'vim (prophets), that when a shepherd is struck the sheep will scatter (Zech. 13:7), as was quoted by Mashiach Yeshua:

Mattiyahu 26:30 After singing the Hallel, they went out to the Mount of Olives. 31 Yeshua then said to them, “Tonight you will all lose faith in me, as the Tanakh says, ‘I will strike the shepherd dead, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

Even after the victorious battle with the King of Arad and his Caananites, pesuk 4 of ch. 21 says that the B'nei Yisrael became "impatient" and grumbled once again to the point that the plague of serpents struck them.  It wasn't so much that the Cloud departed from Israel, it was more that Israel, in their hearts, had once again departed from God.

Just as Aaron when facing his own death transferred the bigdei kehuna (Priestly Garments), to his son, so too did our Messiah transfer the responsibility of a son to his widowed mother at the moments of his death; even during the dividing up of his own "Garments".  

This event is not better described by anyone else I can think of than the most eloquent 18th Century Jewish-Believer and scholar Alfred Edersheim, in his magnificent masterpiece, "The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah", he says:

"To John, the loving and loved disciple, greater contrast could scarcely exist than between this rough partition by lot among the soldiery, and the character and claims of Him Whose garments they were thus apportioning, as if He had been a helpless Victim in their hands. Only one explanation could here suggest itself: that there was a special Divine meaning in the permission of such an event - that it was in fulfillment of ancient prophecy. As he gazed on the terrible scene, the words of the Psalm 54 55 which portrayed the desertion, the sufferings, and the contempt even unto death of the Servant of the Lord, stood out in the red light of the Sun setting in Blood. They flashed upon his mind - for the first time he understood them; 56 and the flames which played around the Sufferer were seen to be the sacrificial fire that consumed the Sacrifice which He offered. That this quotation is made in the Fourth Gospel alone, proves that its writer was an eyewitness; that it was made in the Fourth Gospel at all, that he was a Jew, deeply imbued with Jewish modes of religious thinking. And the evidence of both is the stronger, as we recall the comparative rareness, and the peculiarly Judaic character of the Old Testament quotations in the Fourth Gospel

John seems once more to have returned to the City - this time, to bring back with him those-women, in company of whom we now find him standing close to the Cross. A more delicate, tender, loving service could not have been rendered than this. Alone, of all the disciples, he is there - not afraid to be near Messiah, in the Palace of the High-Priest, before Pilate, and now under the Cross. And alone he renders to Messiah this tender service of bringing the women and Mary to the Cross, and to them the protection of his guidance and company. He loved Jesus best; and it was fitting that to his manliness and affection should be entrusted the unspeakable privilege of Messiah's dangerous inheritance. 

The narrative leaves the impression that with the beloved disciple these four women were standing close to the Cross: the Mother of Jesus, the Sister of His Mother, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary of Magdala. A comparison with what is related by Matthew and Mark supplies further important particulars...

It seems as if John had fulfilled to the letter the Lord’s command: ‘Behold thy mother,’ and literally ‘from that very hour’ taken her to his own home. If we are right in this supposition, then, in the absence of John - who led away the Virgin-Mother from that scene of horror - the other three women would withdraw to a distance, where we find them at the end, not ‘by the Cross,’ as in John xix. 25, but ‘beholding from afar,’ and now joined by others also, who had loved and followed Messiah.

As they stood under the Cross, He committed His Mother to the disciple whom He loved, and established a new human relationship between him and her who was nearest to Himself. And calmly, earnestly, and immediately did that disciple undertake the sacred charge, and bring her - whose soul the sword had pierced - away from the scene of unutterable woe to the shelter of his home. And this temporary absence of John from the Cross may account for the want of all detail in his narrative till quite the closing scene.

Now at last all that concerned the earthward aspect of His Mission - so far as it had to be

done on the Cross - was ended. He had prayed for those who had nailed Him to it, in ignorance of

what they did; He had given the comfort of assurance to the penitent, who had owned His Glory

in His Humiliation; and He had made the last provision of love in regard to those nearest to Him.

So to speak, the relations of His Humanity - that which touched His Human Nature in any direction

- had been fully met. He had done with the Human aspect of His Work and with earth. And,

appropriately, Nature seemed now to take sad farewell of Him, and mourned its departing Lord,

Who, by His Personal connection with it, had once more lifted it from the abasement of the Fall

into the region of the Divine, making it the dwelling-place, the vehicle for the manifestation, and

the obedient messenger of the Divine."

If it is said that Moses, Aaron and Miriam were all taken with a Divine-Kiss, how much more the very Son of God (ben Elohim), was taken in death with the Divine Kiss he gave us all.

Let's reflect on this today.

Shalom,

R' Eric 

Your Daily Pesuk June 20, 2018

Parashat Chukat / פרשת חקת

Pesukim פסוקים are the "verses" of Scripture divided into Parashaot (Portions) read in the synagogue each week.  On Monday's & Thursdays there are 3 divisions of the week's Parasha read and on Shabbat all 6 are read including a Maftir (added), which makes up the final Pesukim (verses) of the Parasha totaling (7) Aliyot each week.  Rabbi Eric will give a short d'rash on each of the daily Pesukim that make up the week's Parasha for a good daily dose of Torah.  For more explanation on how the Torah is read and divided daily and weekly in the Synagogue see the following links:

What is the Parasha Hashuvah?

Dr. Stern's Chart of the Weekly Parasha, Haftarah & Brit Chadasha Readings

How is the Torah Read in the Synagogues?

The Daily Pesuk for, Wednesday June 20, 2018 / 7,Tamuz 5778 

Numbers 20:14-21 (8 p'sukim)

Numbers 20:14-21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Edom Denies Passage

14 Moses sent messengers from Kadesh to the king of Edom. “Thus says your brother, Israel:

‘You know all the hardship that came on us. 15 Our forefathers went down to Egypt, so we lived there for a very long time. The Egyptians mistreated us, and our fathers. 16 But we cried out to Adonai, He heard our cry, sent an angel and brought us out of Egypt. See now, we are at Kadesh, a town on the frontier of your territory. 17 Permit us to pass through your territory. We will not cross through any field or vineyard or drink water of any well. But we will travel on the king’s highway. We will not deviate to the right or left until we will have passed through your territory.’”

18 But Edom said to him, “You may not pass through me—or I will march out against you with the sword.”

19 Bnei-Yisrael then said to him, “We will travel on the main road, and if we or our livestock even drink any of your water, we will pay its price. It’s nothing, just to pass through on foot!”

20 He answered, “You may not pass through!” Yet Edom came out to oppose them with a large and well-armed people. 21 Since Edom refused to permit Israel to cross through her territory, Israel turned away from them.

14 וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח מֹשֶׁ֧ה מַלְאָכִ֛ים מִקָּדֵ֖שׁ אֶל־מֶ֣לֶךְ אֱד֑וֹם כֹּ֤ה אָמַר֙ אָחִ֣יךָ יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל אַתָּ֣ה יָדַ֔עְתָּ אֵ֥ת כָּל־הַתְּלָאָ֖ה אֲשֶׁ֥ר מְצָאָֽתְנוּ׃

15 וַיֵּרְד֤וּ אֲבֹתֵ֙ינוּ֙ מִצְרַ֔יְמָה וַנֵּ֥שֶׁב בְּמִצְרַ֖יִם יָמִ֣ים רַבִּ֑ים וַיָּרֵ֥עוּ לָ֛נוּ מִצְרַ֖יִם וְלַאֲבֹתֵֽינוּ׃

16 וַנִּצְעַ֤ק אֶל־יְהוָה֙ וַיִּשְׁמַ֣ע קֹלֵ֔נוּ וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח מַלְאָ֔ךְ וַיֹּצִאֵ֖נוּ מִמִּצְרָ֑יִם וְהִנֵּה֙ אֲנַ֣חְנוּ בְקָדֵ֔שׁ עִ֖יר קְצֵ֥ה גְבוּלֶֽךָ׃

17 נַעְבְּרָה־נָּ֣א בְאַרְצֶ֗ךָ לֹ֤א נַעֲבֹר֙ בְּשָׂדֶ֣ה וּבְכֶ֔רֶם וְלֹ֥א נִשְׁתֶּ֖ה מֵ֣י בְאֵ֑ר דֶּ֧רֶךְ הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ נֵלֵ֗ךְ לֹ֤א נִטֶּה֙ יָמִ֣ין וּשְׂמֹ֔אול עַ֥ד אֲשֶֽׁר־נַעֲבֹ֖ר גְּבוּלֶֽךָ׃

18 וַיֹּ֤אמֶר אֵלָיו֙ אֱד֔וֹם לֹ֥א תַעֲבֹ֖ר בִּ֑י פֶּן־בַּחֶ֖רֶב אֵצֵ֥א לִקְרָאתֶֽךָ׃

19 וַיֹּאמְר֨וּ אֵלָ֥יו בְּנֵֽי־יִשְׂרָאֵל֮ בַּֽמְסִלָּ֣ה נַעֲלֶה֒ וְאִם־מֵימֶ֤יךָ נִשְׁתֶּה֙ אֲנִ֣י וּמִקְנַ֔י וְנָתַתִּ֖י מִכְרָ֑ם רַ֥ק אֵין־דָּבָ֖ר בְּרַגְלַ֥י אֶֽעֱבֹֽרָה׃

20 וַיֹּ֖אמֶר לֹ֣א תַעֲבֹ֑ר וַיֵּצֵ֤א אֱדוֹם֙ לִקְרָאת֔וֹ בְּעַ֥ם כָּבֵ֖ד וּבְיָ֥ד חֲזָקָֽה׃

21 וַיְמָאֵ֣ן׀ אֱד֗וֹם נְתֹן֙ אֶת־יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל עֲבֹ֖ר בִּגְבֻל֑וֹ וַיֵּ֥ט יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל מֵעָלָֽיו׃ פ

Why did the King of Edom not allow Israel to pass through the Land?  Understandably, perhaps at first he didn't want this nation to mingle through the populated cities, so when Moshe "counter-proposed" that they just travel on the main road and even pay for their water (even though they had their own miraculous source of water that followed them)...Edom still reacted harshly with their "sword"!  

Why?  We should take note that these pesukim begin with Moshe writing "Thus says your BROTHER..."  Remembering, that the Edomites were once closely related to the Jews.  The father of the Edomites was Esau, the brother of Jacob.  There was a breakdown in the relationship between Esau and Jacob, due to Jacob's taking of the blessing, even though Esau scorned his inheritance.  Jacob managed to pacify his brother's rage when they reunited 20 years later, but the Torah says that Esau went to Mt. Seir and Jacob turned his own way to Sukkot.  The two became two separate nations, and had this event here in Numbers 20 been handled differently by the King of Edom, by not holding a grudge and showing kindness to their brothers, a blessing would've followed them.  

However, that was not the case, and the final pesuk remains significant: "Israel turned away from them." This shows that the final nail in the coffin between these former "cousins" had been hammered in.  No longer could Israel trust their Edomite brothers.  In fact things only got worse from there...

Fast forward to the Babylonian captivity, or shortly before.  Israel has sinned greatly against Adonai, and God is about to deliver Israel into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon.  How does Edom respond to this threat to the Israelites?

Psalm 137:7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

7 Remember, Adonai, the children of Edom,

what they said on the day Jerusalem fell:

“Strip her, strip her to her very foundation!”

Edom was rejoicing at the exile and destruction of Israel and Jerusalem, and even according to the tradition, when Israel was attempting to escape the city of Jerusalem from the Babylonian hordes the Edomite armies waited to ambush them as they fled the city.  

God did indeed remember and later gave a whole chapter of prophecy against Edom to the Prophet Obadiah.

Obadiah pesuk 8-7: 8 In that day,”—declares Adonai—

“will I not destroy the wise men from Edom

and understanding from the hill country of Esau?

9 Then your mighty men, O Teman, will be shattered

—so everyone will be cut off from the hill country of Esau by slaughter.

Esau & Edom represent all that is evil in the world and all that is Anti-Israel and "ANTI-MESSIAH".

Interestingly, the Rambam Moses ben Maimon, commonly known as Maimonides, composed in Middle-Age Egypt (c.1176 - c.1178 CE) in his Mishne Torah, Ch. 11: "The King Messiah will arise and re-establish the monarchy of David as it was in former times. He will build the Sanctuary and gather in the dispersed of Israel. All the earlier statutes will be restored as they once were. Sacrifices will be offered, the Sabbatical and Jubilee years will be observed, as commanded in the Torah. Anyone who does not believe in him or one who does not anticipate his coming not only denies the Prophets, but also the Torah and Moses our Teacher. For the Torah has given testimony about him saying, “And the Lord your G-d will turn your captivity and have compassion with you. He will return and gather you from all the peoples…If any of you should be dispersed at the ends of Heaven, from there G-d will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And the Lord, your G-d will bring you…” (Deut. 30:3-4). These matters are explicit in the Torah and include everything said by all the Prophets. It is even written in the Chapter of Balaam who prophesized about both the Messiahs. The first Messiah was David who saved Israel from her adversities. The final Messiah will be from his sons and will deliver Israel from the hands of the descendants of Esau. There it says, “I shall see him, but not now” (Numbers 24:17) - this refers to David; “I behold him, and not soon” (ibid.) - this is the King Messiah; “A star from Jacob shall step forth” (ibid.) - this is David; “and a scepter shall arise out of Israel” (ibid.) - this the King Messiah; “and shall smite through the corners of Moab” - this is David; and so it says, “And he smote Moab and measured them with a rope” (II Samuel 8:2); “and break down all the sons of Seth” (Numbers 24:17) - this is King Messiah of whom it says, “and his dominion shall be from sea to sea” (Zechariah 9:10); “and Edom shall be a possession” (Numbers 24:18) - this is David, as it says, “And Edom shall become slaves to David” (see II Samuel 8:6 and II Samuel 8:14); “Seir also, even his enemies, shall be a possession” (Numbers 24:18) - this is King Messiah, as it says, “And the saviors shall come upon Mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau…” (Obadiah 1:21).

Here Rambam alludes to "two" Messiahs (some rabbis illustrate that the Suffering Messiah will come first he is referred to as Messiah ben Yosef, then later a Redeeming Messiah will come and conquer and he will be referred to as Messiah ben David.  

Certainly, we as Messianic Jews do not see "two messiahs" rather 1 Messiah who comes and delivers Israel twice.  First, from all of our sins, by his death effects our atonement (as we studied yesterday), and a second time to redeem us from Edom.  

Who is Edom?  The sages of Israel teach that the present exile we are in is the "Roman Exile" and that Rome is the descendants of the Edomites.  Our Messiah, when He returns will ultimately end the Roman Exile and defeat the descendents of Esau.  More on the connection between Rome and Esau can be found here: History Crash Course #30 The Romans.

So how does this all boil down for us today?

Today, we see many Esau's in the world.  Anti-Semites, also those who support BDS (Boycott, Divest & Sanction) against Israel, Iran, PLO, Hezbollah, Hamas, other Islamic terrorists, White Supremacists, Neo-Nazi's and yes even Anti-Semitic Christians.  And another Edom we see is the UN SECURITY COUNCIL which thankfully the U.S. just withdrew from just yesterday.

Our Pesukim today ends with Israel withdrawing from Edom, turning their backs to them.  The U.S. just did the same with the U.N. Security Council, we turned our backs on Edom, we shall be blessed!!!

We should all turn our backs on those who hate Israel, remembering that those who bless Israel will be blessed and those who curse Israel will be cursed. (Gen. 12).

While at the same time, holding out our hands in peace towards those (regardless of bloodline), who have not yet decided which side they will stand for.  May all nations turn and repent to the God of Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, in the Name of Yeshua.

Romans 9:8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God; rather, the children of the promise are counted as seed. 9 For the word of promise is this: “At this time I will come, and Sarah shall have a son.” 10 And not only this, but also Rebecca having twins, from one act with our father Isaac. 11 Yet before the sons were even born and had not done anything good or bad—so that God’s purpose and choice might stand not because of works but because of Him who calls— 12 it was said to her, “The older shall serve the younger.” 13 As it is written, “Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.”

Amen.