{"id":2950,"date":"2014-04-20T20:11:02","date_gmt":"2014-04-20T20:11:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=2950"},"modified":"2014-04-25T11:12:47","modified_gmt":"2014-04-25T11:12:47","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-kedoshim-consecrate-yourself-by-honoring","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-kedoshim-consecrate-yourself-by-honoring\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Kedoshim, Consecrate Yourself by Honoring Your Parents"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><iframe src=\"\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ezQdEkgHsHg\" width=\"425\" height=\"350\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>This weeks reading is from Parsahat Kedoshim (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:1-20:27<\/em><\/span>) the Lord spoke to Moshe saying we are to be holy (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>19:1-2<\/em><\/span>), we are to honor our father and mother and not turn to idols or molten gods (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:3-4<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 We are told not to steal, not to swear falsely, not to slander others, and not to hate your neighbor or brother (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:11-17<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 We are commanded not to practice divination or soothsaying (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:26<\/span><\/em>), do not make tattoos or marks on yourself (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>19:28<\/em><\/span>), do not turn to mediums or spiritists (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:31<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 We are to keep the Shabbat (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>19:30<\/em><\/span>), do not do wrong to the stranger in the land (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:33-34<\/span><\/em>), and keep correct weights and measures (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:35-37<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The Lord God states we are not to give our sons or daughters as a sacrifice to false gods (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:1-4<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 We are to consecrate ourselves and be holy for our God is holy (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:7<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 It is written that anyone who curses his mother or father is to be put to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:9<\/span><\/em>), if one commits adultery with another man\u2019s wife he is to be put to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:8<\/span><\/em>), if a man lays with his father\u2019s wife, daughter in law, incest, etc he is to be put to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:9-12<\/span><\/em>), if a man lays with another man (Homosexuality) they are to be put to death and their blood is upon them (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:12<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The Scriptures say\u00a0 if a man lays with an animal he is to be put to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:15<\/span><\/em>) and the same for a woman who approaches any animal (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:16<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The reason for these commands Scripture says is because <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:23 \u201c&#8230; you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Generally speaking, why do you think these commands are placed side-by-side, to be holy, to fear our parents, to obey the Shabbat, not turn to idols, the peace offering, and the profaning the holy thing and the name of the Lord?<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d8<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05d3\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8: \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b2\u05d3\u05b7\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9-\u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e7\u05b0\u05d3\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e7\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd: \u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d5 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd: \u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e4\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b5\u05d0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b5\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd: \u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b4\u05d9 \u05ea\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05d6\u05b6\u05d1\u05b7\u05d7 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b7\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b9\u05e0\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05bb\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc: \u05d5\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d6\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d9\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b3\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b8\u05e8\u05b5\u05e3: \u05d6\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b9\u05dc \u05d9\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05db\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05b6\u05d4: \u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05bc\u05c2\u05b8\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05e7\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d7\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05db\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05bc\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d4\u05b4\u05d5\u05d0 \u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05d9\u05d4\u05b8:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:1-8<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 19:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 19:2 \u2018Speak to all the congregation of the sons of Israel and say to them, \u2018You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. 19:3 \u2018Every one of you shall reverence his mother and his father, and you shall keep My sabbaths; I am the Lord your God. 19:4 \u2018Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves molten gods; I am the Lord your God. 19:5 \u2018Now when you offer a sacrifice of peace offerings to the Lord, you shall offer it so that you may be accepted. 19:6 \u2018It shall be eaten the same day you offer it, and the next day; but what remains until the third day shall be burned with fire. 19:7 \u2018So if it is eaten at all on the third day, it is an offense; it will not be accepted. 19:8 \u2018Everyone who eats it will bear his iniquity, for he has profaned the holy thing of the Lord; and that person shall be cut off from his people. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>When studying this week\u2019s reading it quickly becomes apparent that there are good number of commandments found within Parashat Kedoshim.\u00a0 According to Rambam\u2019s Mishneh Torah, contained within the Torah are 613 commandments which is said to be incumbent upon us at all times.\u00a0 These 613 commandments may be divided into 248 positive commands, and the remaining 365 are considered to be negative commands.\u00a0 It is interesting that in Parashat Kedoshim, we find both the positive and negative commands are in fact mixed together for example, the command to honor your mother and father, and to keep the Shabbat are positive commands, whereas do not turn to idols\/molten images are negative commands.\u00a0 The question is <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cwhat is the purpose of the order and\/or placement of the commandments in this particular Parashah?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The rabbis\u00a0 according to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Rabbah Vayikra, Parashat 24, Part 5<\/span><\/em> (\u05de\u05d3\u05e8\u05e9 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05d4 \u05db\u05d3 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d4) make the observation that this Parashah was spoken in the presence of the entire congregation (assembly) of people because it contained the most essential principles of the Torah (i.e. the Ten Commandments).\u00a0 They divide the Torah Portion in this manner:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><em><strong>Summary Midrash Rabbah Vayikra, Parashat 24, Part 5<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<ol>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">I am the Lord your God (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:2) and here it is written, I am the Lord your God (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:4);<br \/>\n<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You will have no other gods (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:3) and here it is written, Nor make to yourselves molten gods (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:4);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:7), and here it is written, And you shall not swear by My name falsely (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:12);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Remember the Shabbat day (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:8) and here it is written, You shall keep my Sabbaths (Vayikra \/ Leviticus19:3);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Honor your father and your mother (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:12) and here it is written, you shall fear every man his mother and his father (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:3);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not murder (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:13) and here it is written, Neither shall you stand idly by the blood of your neighbor (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:16);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not commit adultery (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:13) and here it is written both an adulterer and the adulteress shall surely be put to death (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 20:10;<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not steal (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:13) and here it is written, You shall not steal (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:11);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not bear false witness (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:13) and here it is written, You shall not go up and down as a talebearer (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:16);<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">You shall not covet any thing that is your neighbors (Shemot \/ Exodus 20:14) and here it is written, You shall love your neighbor as yourself (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:18).<\/span><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The rabbis from <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Rabbah Vayikra, Parashah 24, Part 6<\/span><\/em> (\u05de\u05d3\u05e8\u05e9 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d4 \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05d4 \u05db\u05d3 \u05e1\u05d9\u05de\u05df \u05d5) state that the reason for this particular ordering of the commandments is for the purpose of building a fence around one\u2019s self against immorality so as to keep one\u2019s self holy before God.\u00a0 The question though is why are these commands are placed side-by-side, to be holy, to fear our parents, to obey the Shabbat, not turn to idols, the peace offering, and the profaning the holy thing and the name of the Lord?\u00a0 One interpretation may be found regarding <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:1-3<\/span><\/em>, immediately following the command to be holy, we are told to fear our mother and father.\u00a0 Yeshua also seems to bring this topic up while discussing the Pharisees and Scribes of his time regarding the traditions of the rabbis.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 15:1-6<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 15:1 Then some Pharisees and scribes came to Jesus from Jerusalem and said, 15:2 \u2018Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they do not wash their hands when they eat bread.\u2019 15:3 And He answered and said to them, \u2018Why do you yourselves transgress the commandment of God for the sake of your tradition? 15:4 \u2018For God said, \u2018Honor your father and mother,\u2019 and, \u2018He who speaks evil of father or mother is to be put to death.\u2019 15:5 \u2018But you say, \u2018Whoever says to his father or mother, \u2018Whatever I have that would help you has been given to God, 15:6 he is not to honor his father or his mother.\u2019 And by this you invalidated the word of God for the sake of your tradition. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>It is important to note that the command to fear mother and father, is from the fifth commandment, one from among the ten (Aseret Hadiberot) that were given Moshe on the mountain of Sinai on the two stone tablets.\u00a0 Looking at the commandments, the fifth commandment (to honor mother and father) marks a transition between the commands that are related to our relationship with God verses those that are related to our relationship with others.\u00a0 According to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 20:12<\/span><\/em>, we read \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d9\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b4\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05e0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05dc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0: <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:12 \u2018Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the Lord your God gives you. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Here the word for <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201chonor\u201d<\/span><\/em> is translated from the word <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ckaved\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d3) derived from the root word meaning <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cweighty.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 In the Scriptures there are many instances were this word is used to refer to the glory of God.\u00a0 Notice how the first four verses refer to the glory of God and honoring the Lord God Himself.\u00a0 By honoring mother and father we honor the Lord God Himself.\u00a0 Parents were instrumental in the creation\/birth of the baby, they are the caregiver and teacher of their children, and therefore they represent an important aspect in being representatives of the Lord God Almighty.\u00a0 The family unit is also designed to represent the relationship the Lord has with each of us.\u00a0 It is through this relationship that we truly understand our identity, within our families, our community, and in the Messiah.\u00a0 Note that this appears to be the theme to the commands in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Parashat Kedoshim<\/span><\/em> which speak of our father and mother, murder, adultery, stealing, bearing false witness, coveting, sexual impurities, and how to relate to our neighbors.\u00a0 Just as we honor our mother and father (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ephesians 6:1-3<\/span><\/em>), we understand that we are also to honor the other members of our family (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 12:10<\/span><\/em>), and that the Lord God is our Heavenly Father (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Timothy 6:6<\/span><\/em>), we are in like manner demonstrating our love for Him by demonstrating respect towards others.\u00a0 The rabbis have the concept with regard to sowing and reaping on the idea that God rewards <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>\u201cmeasure for measure\u201d<\/em><\/span> (\u05de\u05d3\u05d4 \u05db\u05e0\u05d2\u05d3 \u05de\u05d3\u05d4, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">middah k\u2019neged middah<\/span><\/em>) even to the smallest detail.\u00a0 The rabbis say that <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>\u201call measures of punishment and reward taken by the Holy One blessed be He, are in accordance to the principle of \u2018measure for measure\u2019\u201d<\/em><\/span> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Sanhedrin 90a, Sota 8b, Midrash Rabba Genesis 9:11, 94:10, Exodus 1:18, 9:10, 10:6, Numbers 10:1-2, 14:6, and Song of songs 3:6, etc<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The commandment says to honor your parents is long life and disrespecting your parents results in judgement from the Lord that may even result in a shortened life.\u00a0 In Ephesians the Apostle Paul quotes from the fifth commandment saying <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">6:1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 6:2 Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with a promise), 6:3 so that it may be well with you, and that you may live long on the earth. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The interesting thing is that when honoring your parents, one could expect a good life, however the Torah portion draws the other commands into context that being holy involves not only to fear our parents, but also to obey the Shabbat, not turn to idols, to following the Word of God even in the details with the example given of the peace offering, and thus one will not profane the holy thing and will sanctify the name of the Lord in his or her life.\u00a0 The point is that one does not obey one command to neglect another and assume all is fine.\u00a0 The Lord says <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:23 \u201c&#8230; you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em> and the reason being is we are to consecrate ourselves as holy for our God is holy (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:7<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 This is a similar principle to what Peter said in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Peter 2:12 <span style=\"text-decoration: underline;\">Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable<\/span>, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (ESV)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 If we behaved according to the customs of the nations as they are being described based on the commandments, would this be keeping our conduct honorable?\u00a0 The point of keeping our conduct honorable before others is for the purpose of honoring God in our lives, this takes us right back to the concept of <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>\u201cmiddah k\u2019neged middah\u201d<\/em><\/span> and the command to honor our parents.\u00a0 In order to keep our conduct honorable before God we have to make specific plans to succeed.\u00a0 Some action plans include the following:\u00a0 yield to God\u2019s power in your life (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">James 4:7<\/span><\/em>), every day commit yourself to put the flesh to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 6:11-12<\/span><\/em>), decide to be holy every day (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Job 31:1<\/span><\/em>), guard your heart always by being aware of temptations and where your weak points are (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Timothy 6:11<\/span><\/em>), be conscious of your thoughts (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Corinthians 10:5<\/span><\/em>), live a life with accountability (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ephesians 5:8-11<\/span><\/em>), get rid of all our grudges, resentments and lack of forgiveness, and fill your mind with God\u2019s word (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Philippians 4:8<\/span><\/em>), guard your eyes (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Job 31:1<\/span><\/em>), and try to develop good <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201choly\u201d<\/span><\/em> habits and never give up trying to honor God according to His word.\u00a0 With God\u2019s help, all of these things are possible in the Messiah Yeshua and the power of Holy Spirit in our lives.\u00a0 Praise the Lord! <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/04\/BTT_Parashat-Kedoshim-2014.pdf\">BTT_Parashat Kedoshim-2014<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This weeks reading is from Parsahat Kedoshim (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:1-20:27) the Lord spoke to Moshe saying we are to be holy (19:1-2), we are to honor our father and mother and not turn to idols or molten gods (19:3-4).\u00a0 We are told not to steal, not to swear falsely, not to slander others, and [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-2950","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\/2950","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=2950"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2950\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}