Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 22, 2018

Parashat Ki Teitzei / פרשת כי־תצא

• Wed, 22 August 2018 = 11th of Elul, 5778
• י״א בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 23:8-24 (17 p'sukim)

CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR THE PESUKIM FOR TODAY

Our pesukim for today begins by reminding us that Edomites are distant relatives, (children of Esau, Jacob's brother), and they along with Egyptians are not to be detested.  The portion continues with regulations regarding purity in the camp, which is related to the purity and holiness issues our Parasha this week has already been speaking about.  Sexual purity is connected and prostitution among both sons and daughters is forbidden along with wages of this are not to be brought into the Temple.  Finally, usury (interest) is discussed and the portion concludes with regulations regarding Nedarim (Vows).

Since we are currently approaching the fall High Holy Day season, there is a theme of vows especially on the Eve of Yom Kippur, with the liturgical melody that is chanted called "Kol Nidre".  For a sample of "Kol Nidre", one of the best recordings is below by Richard Tucker, one of the most famous American Cantors.  (post continues below...)

Kol Nidre means "All Vows", and it is a prayer asking God to release us from all the vows and oaths that we have made and failed to keep within the last year.  Why do Jews do this?  Because of our pesukim today:

Deuteronomy 23:22 “When you make a vow to Adonai your God, you are not to delay to make good on it—for Adonai your God will certainly require it of you, and you would have sin on you. 23 But if you refrain from making a vow, you would not have sin on you. 24 Whatever comes out of your lips you are to take care to do, since you have vowed to Adonai your God a freewill offering that you have promised with your mouth.

This may all sound antiquated and obscure to modern ears...that is because the value of the spoken word has been lost in our society.  In my "younger days", (most people don't know this about me), I used to be a "debt collector".  Yes that is true, I had a job similar to the Shaliach Matthew, and yes I was despised.  No one likes hearing from a debt collector!  My job was to call people who have defaulted on their promises to repay their loans, credit card debt, and even medical bills.  I learned many lessons in that job, alot about human nature and the importance of the spiritual impact of broken promises.

It was an overwhelming experience to say the least.  Imagine all you do all day long is talk to people who lie to your face.  Day in and day out, that is what I did all day long, constantly dialing the phone to get people on the line and talk to them about repaying their debt and attempting to set up payment arrangements with them, and negotiate with them about their debts.  I cannot express in words what it was like to make agreements with people that they will pay "x" amount of dollars each month, and set the date for their next payment, sometimes even set up electronic "auto-pay" arrangements; only to find that once again their words were empty promises, the auto-pay would fail, or the check would bounce and the agreement was broken.  I was astounded at the incredible levels of monetary losses that many of my clients just had to "write off" as a complete loss.  Most debt was just "uncollectible".  It was sickening to realize how the compounded effect of just this one agency and it's clients and the amount of debt that it represented and how that is multiplied by all the debt of our entire nation.  No wonder our country is basically drowning in debt!  I'd try to put myself in the client's shoes and how they provide a product or a service to a consumer and are simply "ripped off".  So many people borrow and never pay...this is simply evil.

Psalm 37:21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

The wicked borrows and does not repay,

but the righteous is a gracious giver.

And its not all about "debt".  Whenever you tell someone, yes, I'll pray for you, or "yes, I'll help you pack and move", or "yes I'll pick you up at noon"; and then break your promise then...our pesuk today says...

"Whatever comes out of your lips you are to take care to do"

We don't always realize the great amount of sins we pile up throughout the year everytime we break our own words.  Perhaps this is exactly why Yeshua our Messiah taught us:

Matthew 5:33 “Again, you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall carry out your oaths to Adonai.’  34 But I tell you, do not swear at all—not by heaven, for it is the throne of God; 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet; or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King.  36 And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make a single hair white or black. 37 But let your word ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’—anything more than this is from the evil one.”

Let's take what is left of this month of Elul and contemplate and prepare our hearts to cry out to Adonai... Kol Nidre...

All vows: Prohibitions, oaths, consecrations, vows that we may vow, swear, consecrate, or prohibit upon ourselves - from this Yom Kippur until the next Yom Kippur, may it come upon us for good-regarding them all, we regret them henceforth.  They will all be permitted, abandoned, cancelled, null and void, without power and without standing.  Our vows shall not be valid vows; our prohibitions shall not be valid prohibitions; and our oaths shall not be valid oaths. 

Additionally, and let it not be forgotten, that as the Bride of Messiah, our bride-groom has this authority to nullify all our broken oaths provided in the Torah:

Numbers 30:7 Now if her husband hears about it but says nothing to her on the day he hears about it, her vows will stand and her pledges by which she has obligated herself will stand. 8 But if her husband should hear about it and on the day he hears it he forbids it, he thereby nullifies her vow and her rash promise by which her lips have obligated her, and Adonai will forgive her.

Blessed are You, O Lord our God, King of the Universe, who has given us Messiah Yeshua our Bride-Groom who has nullified all of our broken promises and vows, and has cleansed us and made atonement for all of our sins, casting them as far as the East as from the West.  Blessed are You, O Lord our God who is gracious and always ready to forgive.  Amen.

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 21, 2018

Parashat Ki Teitzei / פרשת כי־תצא

• Tue, 21 August 2018 = 10th of Elul, 5778
• י׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 22:8-23:7 (29 p'sukim)

CLICK LINK ABOVE FOR TODAY'S PESUKIM

In Pesukim 13-29 in today's reading from the Parasha, we find several scenario's where marital purity is in question.  The uncertainty of marital purity causes questions of honor for both a bride and a husband.  Also, there are concerns about Torah compliance pertaining to the Cohanim (priests) who are only supposed to marry a virgin; or a widow in certain cases.  A study of all of these laws helps the student of the Bible learn about marriage purity and the importance of the sanctity of sexual purity.  Today, even believers (shamefully) practice fornication (cohabitating outside of the marriage covenant), which has become culturally acceptable - without any concern for their own soul's and what God says about such behavior.  It is as women and men treat each other as "used cars", that you visit a lot and take'm out on a "test drive".  Is this what it has come to?  Unfortunately, yes.

Most people who act this way (including some believers) are completely ignorant of the mystery behind these Torah laws of marriage purity and how it directly reveals the Messiah Himself.  So here we go...

Most born again believers (who don't practice a lifestyle of sin), are aware that Moses is a type of "messiah"; foreshadowing the purpose of the ultimate Messiah who will save Israel.  We recently studied in this Sefer Devarim, how a "prophet 'like me' will arise from among your brothers and you must listen to Him"...  Knowing this we can see the Messiah within the person and character of Moses, but also even from his origins.  Let me explain.  

Our pesukim talks about the issue of virginity, and whether or a wife/bride is/was a virgin at the time of Nissuin (chuppah/wedding), and it gives regulations on what to do to establish the truth.  Virginity is something that is important to God, as it is equivalent to purity.  God is coming for a bride, (Israel), and all who've been grafted into Israel.  He's coming for a "Pure" bride, not a prostitute.  He had made Israel pure by the washing and sprinkling her of His Blood.  

Colossians 1:22  But now He has reconciled you in Messiah’s physical body through death, in order to present you holy, spotless and blameless in His eyes—

1 Peter 1:19  but [you were actually purchased] with precious blood, like that of a [sacrificial] lamb unblemished and spotless, the priceless blood of Christ.

2 Peter 3:14  Therefore, loved ones, while you are looking for these things, make every effort to be found in shalom, spotless and blameless before Him.

One of the best Brit Chadasha evidences of this "purity" is regarding the 144,000 Messianic Jews mentioned in Revelation 4

Rev. 4:4 These are the ones who have not defiled themselves with women, for they are virgins. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been redeemed from among mankind as firstfruits for God and the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no lie—they are blameless.

Now you may think, how could I ever be included in those who are "pure"?  I've been defiled and I'm no longer a "virgin".... well I have good news for you, it may be "controversial"...but here it goes...

GOD CAN RESTORE YOUR VIRGINITY TO YOU.  YOUR VIRGINITY CAN BE REBORN!

Speaking about Moses's parents, the Midrash Rabbah on Shemot (Exodus) says the following:

"We are taught: Amram was the greatest man in his generation, etc. (above). "And took a daughter of Levi" - It did not say "and took back," but rather, "and took." R. Judah b. Zebina said: "This means that he acted toward her as if it was their first marriage; he placed her upon the litter, and Miriam and Aaron danced before them, and the ministering angels said (Ps. 113:9): 'The joyful mother of children.'" "A daughter of Levi" - How can this be? She was one hundred thirty years old and he calls her "a daughter"?! As R. Hama b. Hanina said: "She was Jochebed; she was conceived on the way [to Egypt] and born between the walls, as it says (Num. 26:59): 'Who was born to Levi in Egypt' - born in Egypt but not conceived. Thus he calls her "a daughter." R. Judah b. Zebina said: "Because the signs of virginity were reborn in her....

And his sister stood from afar... - Why did Miriam stand from afar? Rabbi Amram said in the name of Rav: Because Miriam prophesied and said "In the future, Mother will give birth to a child that will be the savior of the Jewish people." When Moshe was born, the entire house was filled with light. [Miriam's] father arose and kissed her on the head. He [Amram] said to her [Miriam]: "My daughter, your prophecy has been fulfilled". That is what is said (Exodus 15:20) "And Miriam the Prophetess, the brother of Aharon, took the tambourine..." Was she only the brother of Aharon and not the brother of Moshe? Rather, she had stated that prophecy while she was the sister of Aharon and not (yet) the sister of Moshe. When they put him (Moshe) in the river, her mother arose and hit her on the head and said to her daughter: "My daughter, where is your prophecy!?" And this is why the verse says "And his sister stood by from afar", for she wanted to know what would be the results of her prophecy. And the Rabbis say the entire verse was said with the Divine Spirit. "And she stood" similar to (Samuel I 3:10) "And G-D came and stood". "His Sister" similar to (Proverbs 7:4) "Say to wisdom, she is your sister". "From afar" similar to (Jeremiah 31:2) "From afar G-D is seen to me". "To know what will happen to him" similar to (Samuel I 2:3) "For G-D is all knowing". 

"And his sister stood back" - Why did Miriam stand back? Rabbi Amram said in the name of Rav: "Because Miriam had prophesied: 'In the future, my mother will give birth to a son who will save Israel'. When Moses was born, the whole house was filled with light; her father rose and kissed her on the head. He said to her: 'My daughter! Your prophecy has come to pass' - as it is written [Exodus 15:20]: 'And Miriam the prophetess, sister of Aaron, took up the timbrel.' [Why was she called] 'Sister of Aaron,' and not 'sister of Moses'?! Because when she issued her prophecy, she was [only] the sister of Aaron - Moses had not been born yet. When she cast him into the Nile, her mother rose and struck her on the head. She said: 'My daughter! What has become of your prophecy?!' This is why it is written 'his sister stood back etc.': in order to know would become of her prophecy. And our rabbis taught: This entire verse speaks [not of Miriam, but] of the Holy Spirit. 'And she stood...' refers to 'The LORD came and stood...' [I Samuel 3:10]; '[His] sister' refers to 'Say to Wisdom: "You are my sister"' [Proberbs 7:4]. 'Back' refers to 'The Lord appeared to me from far back' [Jeremiah 31:3]. 'In order to know what would happen to him' refers to 'For the LORD is a God of knowledge.' [I Samuel 2:3]".

All of this foreshadow's the Messiah's birth, first advent coming into this world in the flesh, coming to none other than a Virgin...

Luke 1:27 and to a virgin engaged to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Miriam. 28 And coming to her, the angel said, “Shalom, favored one! Adonai is with you.” 29 But at the message, she was perplexed and kept wondering what kind of greeting this might be. 30 The angel spoke to her, “Do not be afraid, Miriam, for you have found favor with God. 31 Behold, you will become pregnant and give birth to a son, and you shall call His name Yeshua.  32 He will be great and will be called Ben-Elyon. Adonai Elohim will give Him the throne of David, His father. 33 He shall reign over the house of Jacob for all eternity, and His kingdom will be without end.”34 Miriam said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am not intimate with a man?”

35 And responding, the angel said to her, “The Ruach ha-Kodesh will come upon you, and the power of Elyon will overshadow you. Therefore, the Holy One being born will be called Ben-Elohim. 36 Behold, even your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son in her old age; and the one who was called barren is six months pregnant. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.”

NOTHING, means NOTHING is impossible with God.  Yes, He can restore your virginity back to you and purify you making you whiter than snow!  If He can make a barren Sarah conceive Isaac at her old age, and restore Yochaved's virginity - how can He be unable to allow a virgin to conceive by the Ruach Hakodesh?

Baruch Ha Shem!

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 20, 2018

Parashat Ki Teitzei / פרשת כי־תצא

• Mon, 20 August 2018 = 9th of Elul, 5778
• ט׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 21:22-22:7 (9 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 21:22-22:7 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

Hung on a Tree

22 “Suppose a man is guilty of a sin with a death sentence and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree. 23 His body is not to remain all night on the tree—instead you must certainly bury him the same day, for anyone hanged is a curse of God. You must not defile your land that Adonai your God is giving you as an inheritance.

Love in Practice

22 “You are not to watch your brother’s ox or sheep going astray and ignore them—you must certainly bring them back to your brother. 2 If your brother is not near you or if you do not know him, then you should bring it into your house and it will remain with you until your brother comes searching for it and you return it to him. 3 You are to do the same with his donkey or his coat or anything lost by your brother, that may be lost by him and you find—you may not ignore them. 4 You must not watch your brother’s donkey or ox fall down on the road and ignore it—you must certainly help him lift it up again.

5 “A man’s apparel is not to be on a woman, nor is a man to wear woman’s clothing—for whoever does these things is detestable to Adonai your God.

6 “If there happens to be a bird’s nest in front of you along the road, in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the hen sitting on the young or on the eggs, you are not to take the hen with the young. 7 You must certainly let the hen go, but the young you may take for yourself so that it may go well with you and you may prolong your days.

22 וְכִֽי־יִהְיֶ֣ה בְאִ֗ישׁ חֵ֛טְא מִשְׁפַּט־מָ֖וֶת וְהוּמָ֑ת וְתָלִ֥יתָ אֹת֖וֹ עַל־עֵֽץ׃

23 לֹא־תָלִ֨ין נִבְלָת֜וֹ עַל־הָעֵ֗ץ כִּֽי־קָב֤וֹר תִּקְבְּרֶ֙נּוּ֙ בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֔וּא כִּֽי־קִלְלַ֥ת אֱלֹהִ֖ים תָּל֑וּי וְלֹ֤א תְטַמֵּא֙ אֶת־אַדְמָ֣תְךָ֔ אֲשֶׁר֙ יְהוָ֣ה אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ נֹתֵ֥ן לְךָ֖ נַחֲלָֽה׃ ס

22 לֹֽא־תִרְאֶה֩ אֶת־שׁ֨וֹר אָחִ֜יךָ א֤וֹ אֶת־שֵׂיוֹ֙ נִדָּחִ֔ים וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם הָשֵׁ֥ב תְּשִׁיבֵ֖ם לְאָחִֽיךָ׃

2 וְאִם־לֹ֨א קָר֥וֹב אָחִ֛יךָ אֵלֶ֖יךָ וְלֹ֣א יְדַעְתּ֑וֹ וַאֲסַפְתּוֹ֙ אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ בֵּיתֶ֔ךָ וְהָיָ֣ה עִמְּךָ֗ עַ֣ד דְּרֹ֤שׁ אָחִ֙יךָ֙ אֹת֔וֹ וַהֲשֵׁבֹת֖וֹ לֽוֹ׃

3 וְכֵ֧ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֣ה לַחֲמֹר֗וֹ וְכֵ֣ן תַּעֲשֶׂה֮ לְשִׂמְלָתוֹ֒ וְכֵ֣ן תַּעֲשֶׂ֜ה לְכָל־אֲבֵדַ֥ת אָחִ֛יךָ אֲשֶׁר־תֹּאבַ֥ד מִמֶּ֖נּוּ וּמְצָאתָ֑הּ לֹ֥א תוּכַ֖ל לְהִתְעַלֵּֽם׃ ס

4 לֹא־תִרְאֶה֩ אֶת־חֲמ֨וֹר אָחִ֜יךָ א֤וֹ שׁוֹרוֹ֙ נֹפְלִ֣ים בַּדֶּ֔רֶךְ וְהִתְעַלַּמְתָּ֖ מֵהֶ֑ם הָקֵ֥ם תָּקִ֖ים עִמּֽוֹ׃ ס

5 לֹא־יִהְיֶ֤ה כְלִי־גֶ֙בֶר֙ עַל־אִשָּׁ֔ה וְלֹא־יִלְבַּ֥שׁ גֶּ֖בֶר שִׂמְלַ֣ת אִשָּׁ֑ה כִּ֧י תוֹעֲבַ֛ת יְהוָ֥ה אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ כָּל־עֹ֥שֵׂה אֵֽלֶּה׃ פ

6 כִּ֣י יִקָּרֵ֣א קַן־צִפּ֣וֹר׀ לְפָנֶ֡יךָ בַּדֶּ֜רֶךְ בְּכָל־עֵ֣ץ׀ א֣וֹ עַל־הָאָ֗רֶץ אֶפְרֹחִים֙ א֣וֹ בֵיצִ֔ים וְהָאֵ֤ם רֹבֶ֙צֶת֙ עַל־הָֽאֶפְרֹחִ֔ים א֖וֹ עַל־הַבֵּיצִ֑ים לֹא־תִקַּ֥ח הָאֵ֖ם עַל־הַבָּנִֽים׃

7 שַׁלֵּ֤חַ תְּשַׁלַּח֙ אֶת־הָאֵ֔ם וְאֶת־הַבָּנִ֖ים תִּֽקַּֽח־לָ֑ךְ לְמַ֙עַן֙ יִ֣יטַב לָ֔ךְ וְהַאֲרַכְתָּ֖ יָמִֽים׃ ס

The pesukim today are "rich" beginning with the commandments regarding a man who was condemned by capital punishment and who is hung on a tree.  These mitzvot foreshadow our Messiah specifically in this way...

2 Corinthians 5:21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
21 He made the One who knew no sin to become a sin offering on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.

Galatians 3:13 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
13 Messiah liberated us from Torah’s curse, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”

The pesuk I'd like to focus on however today is 22:5, because it is extremely relevant for our culture today here in 21st century here where we live.  As well all know, at least if  you are over 20 years old; that cultures shift and change, sometimes rapidly.  There was a day, not that long ago when cross-dressing, coming out "gay", and identifying as "trans" were all taboo.  Today that is not the case.  Interestingly however, the Torah, which is at least 3300 years old; had something to say on this subject.  Nothing is really new, people crossed dressed even in ancient Biblical times.

Why though does God consider this an abomination?  If we go back 150 years to the 19th Century, to a time before Feminism and Women's Sufferage; we find an interesting commentary on this pesuk from a Hebraist scholar, whom I often quote, Franz Delitzsch:

Delitzsch says on Deuteronomy 22:5

"As the property of a neighbour was to be sacred in the estimation of an Israelite, so also the divine distinction of the sexes, which was kept sacred in civil life by the clothing peculiar to each sex, was to be not less but even more sacredly observed. “ There shall not be man's things upon a woman, and a man shall not put on a woman's clothes .” כּלי does not signify clothing merely, nor arms only, but includes every kind of domestic and other utensils (as in Exodus 22:6; Leviticus 11:32; Leviticus 13:49). The immediate design of this prohibition was not to prevent licentiousness, or to oppose idolatrous practices (the proofs which Spencer has adduced of the existence of such usages among heathen nations are very far-fetched); but to maintain the sanctity of that distinction of the sexes which was established by the creation of man and woman, and in relation to which Israel was not to sin. Every violation or wiping out of this distinction - such even, for example, as the emancipation of a woman - was unnatural, and therefore an abomination in the sight of God."

Of course when we consider 150 year old commentaries like this we must understand the time and culture and political atmosphere in which it was written.  In Jewish tradition, throughout Israel's history, women were always considered equal to the men.  In fact the rabbis teach that the reason men are required to wear tzit tzit and tefillin, and being in the synagogue 3 times a day was not because they were "superior", but rather because men are spiritually "INFERIOR" to women.  Whereas women have a natural innate sense of spiritual reality around them (i.e. they are more spiritually in tune) whereas men are often oblivious to what is happening around themselves spiritually); this explains why men need the physical stimulation and are required to do more of the outward expressions within the rituals of Judaism.  Furthermore, this is why God used women in about every major critical event in Israel's history.  Sarah's barrenness, Rebecca's idea to use Jacob to deceive Isaac and capture the blessing, Rachel's competition with her sister Leah, then there is Deborah, Ruth and Esther!  All are examples of God using women at critical times when the future of the nation was dependent on their actions and faithfulness to God.  They are our Matriarchs, and we look to them for inspiration just as we do our forefathers.

In the Gentile world however, women are not treated with equal dignity throughout the history of the nations.  Often they are treated as "property".  Hence, we find Delitzsch's comments about women's emancipation used as an example of something "unnatural"; recalling that this was a time before women were "emancipated" in Europe, as Delitzsch was German and all his commentaries originally were written in German. 

Regardless of the cultural difference we have today between 19th Century Europeans and 21st Century Americans; the point he makes about the Sanctity of the Distinction of the Sexes; survives the test of time as well as the test of Biblical Law. 

God did not create women from Adam's head or his foot - it was from his side.  He said she is bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh.  Completely Equal - yet "Distinct"; having a distinct purpose in perfect compliment to the character of man.

The bottom line is that the Torah makes distinctions between Israel and the nations, between Cohanim and Levites, between Levites and Israelites, and while there is a purpose for all these groups, God created them for their special purposes and desires all nations to call upon His Name. He made a distinction between a man and a woman and those distinctions should not be "blurred" or messed with.

Shaliach Shaul made this clear to us in his Igret Ha Galatim:

Galatians 3:26 For you are all sons of God through trusting in Messiah Yeshua. 27 For all of you who were immersed in Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for you are all one in Messiah Yeshua. 29 And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed—heirs according to the promise.

This Apostolic Messianic halachic teaching was not an endorsement on "cross dressing" and "transgender identity".  Jews and non-Jews each have their purpose in this world, so do men and women.

Matthew 5:18 Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass.

Amen

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 19, 2018

Parashat Ki Teitzei / פרשת כי־תצא

• Sun, 19 August 2018 = 8th of Elul, 5778
• ח׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 21:10-21 (12 p'sukim)

Deuteronomy 21:10-21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

10 “When you go out to war against your enemies, and Adonai your God hands them over to you and you take them captive, 11 suppose you see among the captives a beautiful woman, and you desire her and would take her as a wife for yourself. 12 Then you are to bring her into your house, and she must shave her head, trim her nails, 13 and remove her captive’s clothing, then sit in your house and weep for her father and mother a full month. After that, you may go to her and become her husband and she will be your wife. 14 Now if you are not pleased with her, then you may send her off wherever she wishes. But you must certainly not sell her for silver—you may not treat her as merchandise, since you have humiliated her.

15 “Suppose a man has two wives—the one loved and the other unloved—and both the loved and the unloved bear him sons. But it happens that the firstborn son belongs to the unloved wife. 16 Now on the day he lets his sons inherit what he has, he must not treat the loved one’s son as firstborn, in place of the unloved one’s son, who is the firstborn. 17 Rather, he must acknowledge the firstborn, the son of the hated one, by giving him a double portion of all that he has. For he is the first of his vigor—the right of the firstborn is his.

18 “Suppose a man has a stubborn and rebellious son who does not listen to the voice of his father or mother. They discipline him, but he does not listen to them. 19 Then his father and mother are to grab hold of him and bring him out to the elders of his city—to the gate of his place. 20 They will say to the elders of his city, ‘This son of ours is stubborn and rebellious—he does not listen to our voice. He is a glutton and a drunkard.’ 21 Then all the men of his city are to stone him with stones to death. So you will purge the evil from your midst—and all Israel will hear and be afraid.

10 כִּֽי־תֵצֵ֥א לַמִּלְחָמָ֖ה עַל־אֹיְבֶ֑יךָ וּנְתָנ֞וֹ יְהוָ֧ה אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ בְּיָדֶ֖ךָ וְשָׁבִ֥יתָ שִׁבְיֽוֹ׃

11 וְרָאִיתָ֙ בַּשִּׁבְיָ֔ה אֵ֖שֶׁת יְפַת־תֹּ֑אַר וְחָשַׁקְתָּ֣ בָ֔הּ וְלָקַחְתָּ֥ לְךָ֖ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃

12 וַהֲבֵאתָ֖הּ אֶל־תּ֣וֹךְ בֵּיתֶ֑ךָ וְגִלְּחָה֙ אֶת־רֹאשָׁ֔הּ וְעָשְׂתָ֖ה אֶת־צִפָּרְנֶֽיהָ׃

13 וְהֵסִ֩ירָה֩ אֶת־שִׂמְלַ֨ת שִׁבְיָ֜הּ מֵעָלֶ֗יהָ וְיָֽשְׁבָה֙ בְּבֵיתֶ֔ךָ וּבָֽכְתָ֛ה אֶת־אָבִ֥יהָ וְאֶת־אִמָּ֖הּ יֶ֣רַח יָמִ֑ים וְאַ֨חַר כֵּ֜ן תָּב֤וֹא אֵלֶ֙יהָ֙ וּבְעַלְתָּ֔הּ וְהָיְתָ֥ה לְךָ֖ לְאִשָּֽׁה׃

14 וְהָיָ֞ה אִם־לֹ֧א חָפַ֣צְתָּ בָּ֗הּ וְשִׁלַּחְתָּהּ֙ לְנַפְשָׁ֔הּ וּמָכֹ֥ר לֹא־תִמְכְּרֶ֖נָּה בַּכָּ֑סֶף לֹא־תִתְעַמֵּ֣ר בָּ֔הּ תַּ֖חַת אֲשֶׁ֥ר עִנִּיתָֽהּ׃ ס

15 כִּֽי־תִהְיֶ֨יןָ לְאִ֜ישׁ שְׁתֵּ֣י נָשִׁ֗ים הָאַחַ֤ת אֲהוּבָה֙ וְהָאַחַ֣ת שְׂנוּאָ֔ה וְיָֽלְדוּ־ל֣וֹ בָנִ֔ים הָאֲהוּבָ֖ה וְהַשְּׂנוּאָ֑ה וְהָיָ֛ה הַבֵּ֥ן הַבְּכ֖וֹר לַשְּׂנִיאָֽה׃

16 וְהָיָ֗ה בְּיוֹם֙ הַנְחִיל֣וֹ אֶת־בָּנָ֔יו אֵ֥ת אֲשֶׁר־יִהְיֶ֖ה ל֑וֹ לֹ֣א יוּכַ֗ל לְבַכֵּר֙ אֶת־בֶּן־הָ֣אֲהוּבָ֔ה עַל־פְּנֵ֥י בֶן־הַשְּׂנוּאָ֖ה הַבְּכֹֽר׃

17 כִּי֩ אֶת־הַבְּכֹ֨ר בֶּן־הַשְּׂנוּאָ֜ה יַכִּ֗יר לָ֤תֶת לוֹ֙ פִּ֣י שְׁנַ֔יִם בְּכֹ֥ל אֲשֶׁר־יִמָּצֵ֖א ל֑וֹ כִּי־הוּא֙ רֵאשִׁ֣ית אֹנ֔וֹ ל֖וֹ מִשְׁפַּ֥ט הַבְּכֹרָֽה׃ ס

18 כִּֽי־יִהְיֶ֣ה לְאִ֗ישׁ בֵּ֚ן סוֹרֵ֣ר וּמוֹרֶ֔ה אֵינֶ֣נּוּ שֹׁמֵ֔עַ בְּק֥וֹל אָבִ֖יו וּבְק֣וֹל אִמּ֑וֹ וְיִסְּר֣וּ אֹת֔וֹ וְלֹ֥א יִשְׁמַ֖ע אֲלֵיהֶֽם׃

19 וְתָ֥פְשׂוּ ב֖וֹ אָבִ֣יו וְאִמּ֑וֹ וְהוֹצִ֧יאוּ אֹת֛וֹ אֶל־זִקְנֵ֥י עִיר֖וֹ וְאֶל־שַׁ֥עַר מְקֹמֽוֹ׃

20 וְאָמְר֞וּ אֶל־זִקְנֵ֣י עִיר֗וֹ בְּנֵ֤נוּ זֶה֙ סוֹרֵ֣ר וּמֹרֶ֔ה אֵינֶ֥נּוּ שֹׁמֵ֖עַ בְּקֹלֵ֑נוּ זוֹלֵ֖ל וְסֹבֵֽא׃

21 וּ֠רְגָמֻהוּ כָּל־אַנְשֵׁ֨י עִיר֤וֹ בָֽאֲבָנִים֙ וָמֵ֔ת וּבִֽעַרְתָּ֥ הָרָ֖ע מִקִּרְבֶּ֑ךָ וְכָל־יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל יִשְׁמְע֥וּ וְיִרָֽאוּ׃ ס

Our Pesukim today begins a new Parasha Hashuvah and a new week of Torah study!  Not surprisingly, the Torah continues it's theme on laws pertaining to Israel's morality withing military conflicts.  In the previous Sidra, we saw how the Torah commanded Israel to always issue terms of Peace before any conflict is initiated.  I commented on how no other army acts this way, it is unique to Israel, they actually loose the element of surprise - yet, Israel when faithful to Adonai is promised victory by the God of Israel.

Today, we see the same morality even within soldiers in combat on how they are to act towards and treat women who've been captured from the enemy.  The soldier of Israel is NOT to act like the heathen nations who treat such captives as "property"; and where in situations of combat many women are raped, abused and even killed.  This type of behavior is prohibited by the Torah.

Rashi explains the juxtaposition of this event leading to the subsequent pesukim that gives further instructions about how to act when a man ends up with two wives; one loved the other hated.  Further, leads to having a rebellious son.  The implication is that all these are events are interrelated in which the Torah is discouraging the initial act of lusting and "desiring" a captured woman.  It doesn't outright "forbid" the act, however it shows how taking a second wife like this will bring trouble into your life!!! 

Rashi says, "[and you desire her,] you may take [her] for yourself as a wife: [Not that you are commanded to take this woman as a wife,] but Scripture [in permitting this marriage] is speaking only against the evil inclination [, which drives him to desire her]. For if the Holy One, blessed is He, would not permit her to him, he would take her illicitly. [The Torah teaches us, however, that] if he marries her, he will ultimately come to despise her, as it says after this, “If a man has [two wives-one beloved and the other despised]” (verse 15); [moreover] he will ultimately father through her a wayward and rebellious son (see verse 18). For this reason, these passages are juxtaposed. — [Tanchuma 1]

Looking at the juxtapositions of text is a great method of Biblical interpretation.  More importantly we see an answer in Scripture to the practice of polygamy...

1 Corinthians 7:2 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
2 But because of much immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.

The Brit Chadasha elevates the Torah in that it goes beyond and gives us the righteous intentions of the Torah.  The two become One Flesh.  This cannot be good for polyamours relationships and those kind of immoral relationships lead to deep dysfunctions and hurt souls.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe who gives good instruction and the words of Life from Your Torah!  Amen

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 18, 2018

Parashat Shoftim / פרשת שופטים

• Sat, 18 August 2018 = 7th of Elul, 5778
• ז׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 20:10-21:9 (20 p'sukim)

maf: 21:7-9 (3 p'sukim)

Our Parasha Hashuvah (portion of the Week), ends with a significant mitzvah from Hashem.  Israel is to always offer Peace before going to war, (except with certain Canaanite nations that were put under the ban of destruction).  This pesuk, 20:10 has characterised Israel in all of its military functions throughout the nations history.  This puts the Israel's military in a very unique position.  What other army always offers peace first to its enemies?  The element of surprise attack is lost, and in this law, Israel has no other choice, it must comply with this Torah no matter what, even to this very day.

 Rambam's Mishneh Torah, Composed in Middle-Age Egypt (c.1176 - c.1178 CE) elaborates on these pesukim and gives us more of a detailed perspective of this commandment to always offer peace...

"A war is never waged against anyone before peace is offered. This applies both to an obligatory war and to a permitted war, as it is written “when you get near a city to wage war against it, you must offer peace” (Deut. 20:10). If they agree and accept upon themselves the seven mitzvot given to the children of Noah, not a single soul is to be harmed, and they are to pay taxes , as it is written “they will pay taxes and serve you” (Deut. 20:11). If they accepted taxes but not servitude, or servitude and not taxes, we don’t listen to them, until they accepted both. …And if they did not make peace or they did make peace but did not accept the seven commandments, we make war with them and kill all of the adult males and loot all of their money and children. But we do not kill women and not children, as it is stated (Deuteronomy 20:14), "[and] the women and children" - this is [referring to] the male children. What are these words referring to? To an optional war, which is with the other nations. But if the seven nations or Amalek did not make peace, we do not leave one soul [alive], as it states (Deuteronomy 20:15-16), "Do this to all, etc. However, from the cities of [these] nations, [...] do not leave a soul alive." And so [too], regarding Amalek, it states (Deuteronomy 25:19), "obliterate the memory of Amalek." And from where [do we know] that it is only speaking about those that did not make peace? Since it states (Joshua 11:19-20), "There was no city that made peace with the Children of Israel, except for the Hivite, that dwelled in Giveon; everything they took in war. As it was from the Lord to strengthen their hearts to meet Israel in war, in order that they be destroyed." It is implied that they sent them [terms of] peace and they did not accept.  When a city is sieged to be conquered, we do not surround the four sides of it , rather, only three, and a place is selected as a place where whoever wants to flee and save their lives can, as it is written: And they warred against Midian, as Hashem commanded Moshe (Num. 31:7) from the wording we understand that he was commanded."

It may seem "harsh" from the perspective of a 21st century believer that even the nations who accept peace from Israel become subjected to Israel in servitude and/or tribute.  However, one who reads and understands this Torah with a spiritual heart that is soft and open to the Ruach; then it is easy to see and understand that subjection and servitude and tribute is what a believer is already under in terms of the Malchut Hashamayim (Kingdom of Heaven), to the God of Israel, specifically the King, the Son of God Yeshua.  We are all His subjects are we not?  We all serve Him, do we not?  And when we accept the peace offer that the Messiah gives us we become not only His servants, but He calls us His "friends".  In this light, it is easy to see that this Torah is the same and applies to all nations even to this very day.  Compare this to what Yeshua did when He sent out the 70 Jewish Shaliachim...

Luke 10:Luke 10 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
 Now after these things, the Lord assigned seventy others and sent them out by twos before Him into every town and place where He Himself was about to go. 2 And He was telling them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beg the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.

3 “Go forth! Look, I am sending you as lambs in the midst of wolves. 4 Do not be burdened with a money belt, travel bag, or shoes; and do not greet anyone along the way. 5 Whatever home you enter, first say, “Shalom be on this home.” 6 If a son of shalom is there, your shalom will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you. 7 And remain in this same home, eating and drinking the things they offer, for the worker is deserving of his wage. Do not keep moving from house to house.

8 “Whatever town you enter and they welcome you, eat what they set before you. 9 Then heal the sick in that town, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ 10 But if you enter a town and they do not welcome you, then go out into its streets and say, 11 ‘Even the dust of your town sticking to our feet, we wipe off as a witness to you. But know this! The kingdom of God has come near.’ 12 I tell you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day than for that town.

Just as in the Torah, Adonai has sent His Shaliachim (sent ones/messengers) from Israel offering Peace to the Nations, if they accept it, God's peace stays there.  If not - then they have a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah!

Nothing has really changed.  Same God, Same Israel, Same Torah.

Shabbat Shalom,

R' Eric

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 17, 2018

Parashat Shoftim / פרשת שופטים

• Fri, 17 August 2018 = 6th of Elul, 5778
• ו׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 19:14-20:9 (17 p'sukim)

CLICK THIS LINK ABOVE FOR THE PESUKIM FOR TODAY

One of the most infamous pesukim of the entire Bible, found within the Torah is from today's 17 pesukim... "An Eye for an Eye"... is probably one of the most recognizable phrases of the entire Scripture across human history.  To most this phrase is equivalent to "vengeance".  Most think that this means whatever injustice someone commits against you, then the victim should have the right to do the same right back to the perpetrator.  But is this really what "an eye for an eye" means?

Dr. David Stern comments on the Brit Chadasha's quote of this pesuk in Matthew 5...

Stern says, "38 Exodus 21:24, Leviticus 24:20, Deuteronomy 19:21, where the context of eye for eye, etc. shows that God was not commanding revenge, but controlling and limiting it. Retribution and punishment must be commensurate with the crime; contrast Cain and Lamech's extraction of multiplied vengeance at Genesis 4:24.

  The following citation of the Mishna is given at length in order to show that rabbinic thinking on the matter of legal damages goes far beyond the simple lex talionis (Latin, "law of retaliation," i.e., eye for eye): "If someone wounds his fellow, he becomes liable to compensate the injured party for five different aspects of the injury: damage, pain, healing, loss of time from work, and insult.

  "In the case of damage, here is an example of how restitution is determined. Suppose someone blinded someone else's eye, cut off his hand or broke his leg. They value the injured person as if he were a slave for sale in the market, and they appraise his value before the injury and now.

  "Here is an example of determining the compensation for pain. Suppose someone burns another with a skewer or nail, even if only on his fingernail, where it doesn't actually produce a wound. They determine how much a man of his position would be willing to be paid to suffer that amount of pain.

"For healing the indemnity is determined in this way. If someone hit another person, he must pay all the expenses of healing him. If he develops ulcers, then if they come about in consequence of the blow, he is liable; but if not, he is not liable. If the wound heals, reopens, heals and reopens again, he is liable for all the expenses. But once it has healed thoroughly, he does not remain liable to pay the expenses of healing him.

  "The value of time lost is estimated in this way. They consider what he would earn if he were a watchman over a cucumber field [a job requiring no special skills], for he has already been paid for the loss of his hand or foot. [In practice, this means they determine what kind of work he will be fit for when he fully recovers and evaluate the time lost by this standard.]

  "For insult the compensation is determined entirely in accordance with the social status of both the one who caused the indignity and the one who suffered it. If someone insults a person who is naked, blind or asleep, he is liable. But if a sleeping person causes an insult, he is not liable. Someone who falls from a roof and causes injury and insult at the same time is liable for the injury but not for the insult,... because one should not be held responsible for an indignity one did not intend to cause." (Bava Kama 8:1)"

This commentary is based on the pesukim from Matthew 5:38-42 which Yeshua says the following:

 שְׁמַעְתֶּם כִּי נֶאֱמַר עַיִן תַּחַת עַיִן שֵׁן תַּחַת שֵׁן׃[39] וַאֲנִי אֹמֵר לָכֶם אַל־תִּתְקוֹמֲמוּ לָרָשָׁע וְהַמַּכֶּה אוֹתְךָ עַל־הַלְּחִי הַיְמָנִית הַטֵּה־לוֹ גַּם אֶת־הָאַחֶרֶת׃[40] וַאֲשֶׁר יַחְפֹּץ לָרִיב עִמְּךָ וְלָקַחַת אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתֶּךָ תֵּן־לוֹ גַּם אֶת־הַמְּעִיל׃[41] וְהָאֹנֵס אוֹתְךָ לָלֶכֶת עִמּוֹ דֶּרֶךְ מִיל לֵךְ אִתּוֹ שְׁנָיִם׃[42] הַשׁאֵל מֵאִתְּךָ תֵּן־לוֹ וְהַבָּא לִלְוֹת מִמְּךָ אַל־תָּשֵׁב פָּנָיו׃

38 “You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ 39 But I tell you, do not resist an evildoer. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him also the other. 40 And the one wanting to sue you and to take your shirt, let him also have your coat. 41 Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. 42 Give to the one who asks of you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

Many of our Jewish "pre-believing" family interpret Yeshua's words in the 5th chapter of Matisyahu as being an abrogation or at the very least a reduction of Torah - NOTHING COULD BE FARTHER FROM THE TRUE MEANING!

In context looking at the entire 5th chapter, Yeshua's discourse and teaching is "ELEVATING" the Torah to a Higher Level - NOT REDUCING IT!!!

Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill. 18 Amen, I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or serif shall ever pass away from the Torah until all things come to pass. 19 Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps and teaches them, this one shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. 20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness exceeds that of the Pharisees and Torah scholars, you shall never enter the kingdom of heaven!

Here He's even giving us the proper exegesis of his teachings!  Don't think that I'm abolishing Torah, He says!  He's NOT... look what He says at the end of the chapter:

Matthew 5:46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do the same, don’t they? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than anyone else? Even the pagans do that, don’t they? 48 Therefore be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”

An eye for an eye - is not a endorsement for human vengeance. There are two ways to observe and live out Torah...

1. You can observe Torah the way the rabbins tell you and trust in your own effort and will power to stay faithful to ALL THE WORDS OF TORAH.  And observe the "minimum requirements" to the exact detail and "letter of the law"...

OR...

2. You can observe Torah the way Yeshua of Nazareth taught us, a more "PERFECT WAY", in which our righteousness (tzedakah) will exceed the rabbins, and go BEYOND THE LETTER OF THE LAW AND LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR BEYOND THE LIMITATIONS OF THE TORAH!  This is the way Yeshua showed His talmidim.

If you are one of His talmidim, you really don't have a choice.  We are not approaching the Torah from a "religious" expression and observance.  We approach Torah from a whole different viewpoint as Born Again Jews and Messianic believers who've been grafted in from among the Nations.  We walk the way Yeshua walked, we walk and live Torah the way He walked and lived out Torah.

We love above and beyond the boundaries of Torah, and we follow the Torah of Messiah!

Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you fulfill the Torah of Messiah. 

Amen & Shabbat Shalom...

R' Eric 

Your Daily Pesuk Aug. 16, 2018

Parashat Shoftim / פרשת שופטים

• Thu, 16 August 2018 = 5th of Elul, 5778
• ה׳ בֶּאֱלוּל תשע״ח

Deuteronomy 18:14-19:13 (22 p'sukim)

Today, I'm going to address the pesukim of the Navi נָבִיא (pronounced "navee") the Navi is a Prophet.  And we learn somethings about this coming of a Prophet that is talked about in our pesukim today:

1. He will be "like Moshe". pesuk (15)

2. He will be a Jew, from your brothers, pesuk (15)

3. He must be listened to and obeyed (15)

4. He is what B'nei Yisrael "asked for" (16)

5. Asking for Him was good in the eyes of Adonai (17)

6. He will have God's Word (all that God commands Him), in His mouth (18)

7. If B'nei Yisrael fails to obey this Prophet, we will be called to account by Adonai Himself (19)

8. Other "false prophets" will come and presume to speak in God's name, and in the name of other "gods" and they will die. (20)

9. The True Prophet will be recognized by His words coming to pass (20)

10. The false prophets' words will not be fulfilled (22)

This list of Ten Prerequisites are actually a "blueprint" for Israel to recognize who the REAL MESSIAH WILL BE!  

It is basically a litnest test and Jews throughout the millennia ever since the Exodus was given this list in order that we can clearly see who the Redeemer of Israel will be.  If any man/woman does not fit any and all of these 10 requirements - then he/she is NOT THE PROPHET that Moses wrote about!

As Messianic Jews, let's see if Yeshua of Nazareth fits this test!

1. He will be "like Moshe". pesuk (15)

John 1:45 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

45 Philip finds Nathanael and tells him, “We’ve found the One that Moses in the Torah, and also the prophets, wrote about—Yeshua of Natzeret, the son of Joseph!”

Acts 7:35 “This Moses—whom they rejected, saying, ‘Who appointed you as ruler and judge?’—is the one whom God sent as both ruler and redeemer, by the hand of the angel who appeared to him in the bush. 36 This man led them out, performing wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and at the Red Sea, and in the wilderness for forty years. 37 This is the Moses who said to Bnei-Yisrael, ‘God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your brothers.’

Hebrews 3:2 He was faithful to the One who appointed Him in His house—as was Moses also. 3 For He has been considered worthy of more glory than Moses, even as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. 5 Now Moses surely was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, for a witness of things to be spoken later. 6 But Messiah, as Son, is over God’s house—and we are His house, if we hold firm to our boldness and what we are proud to hope.

2. He will be a Jew, from your brothers, pesuk (15)

Luke 3:23 Yeshua was about thirty years old when He began his ministry. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph...31 the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, 32 the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz,...the son of Shem, the son of Noah, the son of Lamech, 37 the son of Methuselah, the son of Enoch, the son of Jared, the son of Mahalalel, the son of Kenan, 38 the son of Enosh, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.

Matthew 1:17 So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations, from David until the Babylonian exile are fourteen generations, and from the Babylonian exile until the Messiah are fourteen generations.

3. He must be listened to and obeyed (15)

Matthew 28:18 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
18 And Yeshua came up to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

John 17 Yeshua spoke these things; then, lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, so the Son may glorify You. 2 Even as You gave Him authority over all flesh, so may He give eternal life to all those You have given Him. 3 And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Yeshua the Messiah, the One You sent.

John 5:31 “If I testify about Myself, My witness is not valid. 32 There is another who testifies about Me, and I know that the testimony He gives is true. 33 You have sent to John, and he has testified to the truth. 34 I do not receive the testimony of man, but I say these things so that you may be saved. 35 He was the lamp that was burning and shining, and you wanted to rejoice for a while in his light.  36 “But the testimony I have is greater than that from John. The works the Father has given Me to finish—the very works I am doing—testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me. 37 And the Father who sent Me has testified concerning Me.

4. He is what B'nei Yisrael "asked for" (16)

1 Samuel 8:6 But the matter was displeasing in Samuel’s eyes when they said, “Give us a king to judge us.” So Samuel prayed to Adonai.

John 6 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

6 Afterwards, Yeshua went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. 2 A large crowd kept following Him, because they were watching the signs He was performing on the sick. 3 Then Yeshua went up the mountainside and sat down there with His disciples. 4 Passover, the Jewish feast, was near....14 When the people saw the sign that Yeshua performed, they began to say, “This is most certainly the Prophet who is to come into the world!”  15 Realizing that they were about to come and seize Him by force to make Him king, Yeshua withdrew again to the mountain, Himself alone.

5. Asking for Him was good in the eyes of Adonai (17)

Matthew 3:17 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

17 And behold, a voice from the heavens said, “This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased!”

6. He will have God's Word (all that God commands Him), in His mouth (18)

John 12:49 For I have never spoken on My own initiative or authority, but the Father Himself who sent Me has given Me a commandment regarding what to say and what to speak. 50 I know that His commandment is eternal life. So the things I speak, I speak [in accordance with His exact instruction,] just as the Father has told Me.”

7. If B'nei Yisrael fails to obey this Prophet, we will be called to account by Adonai Himself (19)


John 12:47 If anyone hears My words and does not keep them, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but to save the world. 48 Whoever rejects Me and refuses to accept My teachings, has one who judges him; the very word that I spoke will judge and condemn him on the last day. 

John 6:36 But as I told you, you have seen Me and still you do not believe. 37 All that My Father gives Me will come to Me; and the one who comes to Me I will most certainly not cast out [I will never, never reject anyone who follows Me]. 38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but that I [give new life and] raise it up at the last day. 40 For this is My Father’s will and purpose, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him [as Savior] will have eternal life, and I will raise him up [from the dead] on the last day.”

8. Other "false prophets" will come and presume to speak in God's name, and in the name of other "gods" and they will die. (20)

Matthew 7:15 “Watch out for false prophets,  who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruit....19 Every tree that does not produce good fruit is chopped down and thrown into the fire. 20 So then, you will recognize them by their fruit.

2 Peter 2:1 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

2 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will also be false teachers among you. They will secretly bring in destructive heresies. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction upon themselves.

9. The True Prophet will be recognized by His words coming to pass (20)

Matthew 24 Tree of Life Version (TLV)

24 Now when Yeshua went out and was going away from the Temple, His disciples came up to point out to Him the Temple buildings. 2 “Don’t you see all these?” He responded to them. “Amen, I tell you, not one stone will be left here on top of another—every one will be torn down!”

Mark 14:12 Now on the first day of matzah, when they were slaughtering the Passover lamb, Yeshua’s disciples say to Him, “Where do You want us to go and prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 13 He sends two of His disciples and tells them, “Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him, 14 and wherever he enters, tell the homeowner, ‘The Teacher says, “Where is My guest room, where I may eat the Passover with My disciples?”’ 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there.” 16 The disciples went out, came to the city, and found just what Yeshua had told them. And they prepared the Passover.

Matthew 16:21 Tree of Life Version (TLV)
First Prediction: Death and Resurrection

21 From that time on, Yeshua began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and ruling kohanim and Torah scholars, and be killed, and be raised on the third day.

Matthew 17: Second Prediction: Death and Resurrection
22 Now while they were gathering in the Galilee, Yeshua said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men; 23 and they will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised.” And the disciples became greatly distressed.

Matthew 20:Third Prediction: Death and Resurrection
17 Now as Yeshua was going up to Jerusalem, He took the Twelve aside privately; and on the way he told them, 18 “Look, we’re going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be handed over to the ruling kohanim and Torah scholars. They will condemn Him to death 19 and hand Him over to the Gentiles to mock, and to scourge, and to crucify. Yet on the third day, He will be raised up.”

• NOTE: There are many other words that were fulfilled too numerous for this blog!

10. The false prophets' words will not be fulfilled (22)

Acts 5:33 On hearing this, the members of the Sanhedrin were infuriated and wanted to put the emissaries to death. 34 But one of the members of the Sanhedrin rose to his feet, a Parush named Gamli’el, a teacher of the Torah highly respected by all the people. He ordered the men put outside for a little while 35 and then addressed the court: “Men of Isra’el, take care what you do to these people. 36 Some time ago, there was a rebellion under Todah, who claimed to be somebody special; and a number of men, maybe four hundred, rallied behind him. But upon his being put to death, his whole following was broken up and came to nothing. 37 After this, Y’hudah HaG’lili led another uprising, back at the time of the enrollment for the Roman tax; and he got some people to defect to him. But he was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 So in the present case, my advice to you is not to interfere with these people, but to leave them alone. For if this idea or this movement has a human origin, it will collapse. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop them; you might even find yourselves fighting God!”

Conclusion:  YESHUA OF NAZERETH FITS ALL OF THIS CRITERIA.  YESHUA IS THE MESSIAH, THE ONE MOSES PROMISED IN DEUTERONOMY 18

Amen