{"id":2809,"date":"2014-02-09T13:46:32","date_gmt":"2014-02-09T13:46:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=2809"},"modified":"2014-02-09T13:46:32","modified_gmt":"2014-02-09T13:46:32","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-ki-tisa-the-half-shekel-and-atonement","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-ki-tisa-the-half-shekel-and-atonement\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Ki Tisa, The Half Shekel and Atonement"},"content":{"rendered":"

This weeks reading is from Parashat Ki Tisa (Shemot \/ Exodus 30:11-34:35<\/em>), the Lord instructs Moshe to take a census of the people (30:12<\/em>) and each person is to give a ransom (half-shekel) to the Lord when numbered.\u00a0 Moshe instructs to make the bronze laver and place it between the altar and the tent of meeting (30:17-18<\/em>), and the perfume for incense within the tabernacle (30:23-33<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe spent a long time on the Mountain of Sinai (32:1<\/em>) and the people asked Aaron to make gods for them to worship.\u00a0 Aaron took gold and made a golden calf and they worshiped the calf (32:2-6<\/em>).\u00a0 The Lord desires to destroy the people and Moshe reminds the Lord of the covenant promises He had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (32:7-13<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe descends from the mountain, sees the people sinning, and destroys the two tablets containing the Aseret Hadibrot (32:14-19<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe grinds the golden calf into fine powder, mixes it with water, and causes the children of Israel to drink it.\u00a0 Moshe instructs the Levites to kill those who were responsible (32:23-28<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe tells the people to dedicate themselves to the Lord as he returns in an attempt to make atonement for their sins (32:29-30<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe asks to be blotted out of God\u2019s book of life if He will not forgive the people (32:31-34<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe asks that the Lord\u2019s presence come with the Children of Israel (33:12-17<\/em>).\u00a0 Moshe asks to see God\u2019s Glory (33:18<\/em>).\u00a0 The Lord shows Moshe His glory and declares who He is, merciful, gracious, slow to anger, loving, and having grace forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin for thousands (34:6-7<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\n

\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05dc<\/span><\/strong>
\n\u05d9\u05d0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05d9\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d0\u05dc \u05de\u05e9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d0\u05de\u05e8:\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0 \u05db\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05ea \u05e8\u05d0\u05e9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05dc\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e9 \u05db\u05e4\u05e8 \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05d4\u05dd \u05e0\u05d2\u05e3 \u05d1\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd:\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0 \u05d6\u05d4\u00a0 \u05d9\u05ea\u05e0\u05d5 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d7\u05e6\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e9\u05e7\u05dc \u05d1\u05e9\u05e7\u05dc \u05d4\u05e7\u05d3\u05e9 \u05e2\u05e9\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05d2\u05e8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05e9\u05e7\u05dc \u05de\u05d7\u05e6\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e9\u05e7\u05dc \u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05d4 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0 \u05db\u05dc \u05d4\u05e2\u05d1\u05e8 \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d1\u05df \u05e2\u05e9\u05e8\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05e0\u05d4 \u05d5\u05de\u05e2\u05dc\u05d4 \u05d9\u05ea\u05df \u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05ea \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4:\u00a0 \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0 \u05d4\u05e2\u05e9\u05d9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05e8\u05d1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d4\u05d3\u05dc \u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05de\u05e2\u05d9\u05d8 \u05de\u05de\u05d7\u05e6\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05e9\u05e7\u05dc \u05dc\u05ea\u05ea \u05d0\u05ea \u05ea\u05e8\u05d5\u05de\u05ea \u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05dc\u05db\u05e4\u05e8 \u05e2\u05dc \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05ea\u05d9\u05db\u05dd<\/span><\/p>\n

Shemot \/ Exodus 30:11-15<\/em><\/strong>
\n30:11 The Lord also spoke to Moses, saying, 30:12 \u2018When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. 30:13 \u2018This is what everyone who is numbered shall give: half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary (the shekel is twenty gerahs), half a shekel as a contribution to the Lord. 30:14 \u2018Everyone who is numbered, from twenty years old and over, shall give the contribution to the Lord. 30:15 \u2018The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the Lord to make atonement for yourselves.\u00a0 (NASB)<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The Parashah this week opens with the half-shekel.\u00a0 The Mishnah, Seder Moed, Tractate Shekalim, describes in detail everything relating to the Half-Shekel: (i) how the public was to be informed, (ii) how it was collected in Israel and abroad, (iii) how to move the money in Jerusalem, (iv) its appropriations and permitted uses for the needs in preparation for the pilgrimage festivals, etc.\u00a0 The last paragraph of the Mishnah tells us that all the above is valid only in the presence of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.\u00a0 However, the Mishnah continues (see end of Chapter 8<\/em>) saying \u201cone who sanctifies a Half-Shekel before the Temple is rebuilt, behold it is HOLY!\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 This last line is written to signify its importance and for the generation that has returned and re-established Jewish Sovereignty over the Land of Israel and for the rebuilding of the third Temple.\u00a0 (see http:\/\/www.sefaria.org\/<\/em>)
\nWhile reading the biblical text, it is interesting to note, in the command to give the half-shekel, that the rich cannot give more, nor the poor less. Whether that speaks of material wealth or ritual observance, all are considered equal in keeping this Commandment.\u00a0 Everyone is to give exactly the same amount.\u00a0 It appears that the text is written in this way so one cannot \u201cdo it better\u201d<\/em> than the next person (i.e. give more money), every person must give the same amount equally whether rich or poor.\u00a0 The Scriptures also state that this money is used for atonement as it says in Shemot \/ Exodus 30:12<\/em> \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0 \u05db\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05ea \u05e8\u05d0\u05e9 \u05d1\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d9\u05e9\u05e8\u05d0\u05dc \u05dc\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3\u05d9\u05d4\u05dd \u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05e0\u05d5 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e9 \u05db\u05e4\u05e8 \u05e0\u05e4\u05e9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05d4 \u05d1\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd \u05d5\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d9\u05d4\u05d9\u05d4 \u05d1\u05d4\u05dd \u05e0\u05d2\u05e3 \u05d1\u05e4\u05e7\u05d3 \u05d0\u05ea\u05dd:<\/span> 30:12 \u2018When you take a census of the sons of Israel to number them, then each one of them shall give a ransom for himself to the Lord, when you number them, so that there will be no plague among them when you number them. (NASB)<\/em>\u00a0 Looking closer at this verse, the words \u05db\u05d9 \u05ea\u05e9\u05d0<\/span> \u201cKi Tisa\u201d<\/em> (\u05db\u05d9 <\/span>is a conjunction meaning \u201cbecause, since, for, that, when, but, although\u201d<\/em> and \u05ea\u05e9\u05d0<\/span> is a verb meaning \u201cto carry, lift, bear, endure, suffer.\u201d<\/em>) the numbering process results in the one who is numbering bearing something.\u00a0 A ransom must be given or a plague will break out amongst the people.\u00a0 The Aramaic Targum Onkelos, states (30:12) \u05d0\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05dc \u05d9\u05b8\u05ea \u05d7\u05bb\u05d5\u05e9\u05d1\u05b7\u05df<\/span> \u201cwhen you bear (obligation, guilt, \u05ea\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9\u05dc<\/span>) of the calculation (\u05d7\u05bb\u05d5\u05e9\u05d1\u05b7\u05df<\/span>)\u201d<\/em> suggests that the one who is numbering is bearing their guilt.\u00a0 The text also states those being numbered bear their guilt if atonement is not made.\u00a0 Without the taking of the ransom of the \u201chalf shekel\u201d<\/em> (\u05de\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05e6\u05b4\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b6\u05e7\u05b6\u05dc<\/span>) the census is a sin before God.\u00a0 How is counting the people a sin before God?\u00a0 The scripture states that without the half shekel the people will be \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3<\/span> receive a \u201cblow\u201d<\/em> or be \u201cstricken as in judgment.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 The word negef in our verse (30:12<\/em>) is translated in many ways throughout the Scriptures and is translated as \u201ca plague\u201d<\/em> here.\u00a0 The word negef (\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3<\/span>) draws a parallel to the stumbling that one does when one sins before God and the requirement for atonement in order to make things right.\u00a0 What can we say then about numbering the people, the half-shekel, and atonement?\u00a0 In the Torah it is written that both the poor and the wealthy were to be considered equal, both must give a half-shekel for atonement over the census.\u00a0 This command was given so that the wealthy would not bring many sacrifices supposing they had more to offer and found greater favor with the Lord by their many gifts.\u00a0 Another reason was so men would not trust in their own strength by their great numbers.\u00a0 The half-shekel was to be a reminder that the Lord is the source of strength and even life itself (salvation from the negef, \u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b6\u05e3<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The importance of these Scriptures is to remember we are numbered in the Messiah since we are numbered amongst the Children of God.\u00a0 Each of us are equal and require the same atonement in Yeshua the Messiah!\u00a0 He is the one who both bears and atones for our sins.\u00a0 Halleluia and Amen!\u00a0BTT_Parashat Ki Tisa-2014<\/a> <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This weeks reading is from Parashat Ki Tisa (Shemot \/ Exodus 30:11-34:35), the Lord instructs Moshe to take a census of the people (30:12) and each person is to give a ransom (half-shekel) to the Lord when numbered.\u00a0 Moshe instructs to make the bronze laver and place it between the altar and the tent of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2809","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2809","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2809"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2809\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2809"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2809"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2809"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}