{"id":4250,"date":"2015-03-29T11:40:09","date_gmt":"2015-03-29T11:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=4250"},"modified":"2015-04-03T01:19:27","modified_gmt":"2015-04-03T01:19:27","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-pesach-salvation-by-family","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parashat-pesach-salvation-by-family\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parashat Pesach, Salvation by Family"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MrsMw9uM7Sw&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>This weeks reading is for Pesach \/ Passover (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 12:21-51<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Passover is a very significant point in Israel\u2019s history since this was the turning point in the Torah when God brought Israel out of Egypt.\u00a0 According to the Torah, the Passover is commanded to be observed throughout the generations of God\u2019s people. (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 12:14 \u2018Now this day will be a memorial to you, and you shall celebrate it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations you are to celebrate it as a permanent ordinance. NASB<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 According to the Apostolic accounts (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 26:17, Mark 14:12, Luke 22:7, and John 19:14<\/span><\/em>) Yeshua observed the command to remember the Pesach meal on the 14th of Nisan.\u00a0 Pesach is a very joyful biblical holiday since it marks the deliverance of God\u2019s people!<\/p>\n<p>In the opening verses from the reading for this week, the MT states in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 12:21<\/span><\/em>, \u05db\u05d0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d6\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e6\u05b9\u05d0\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7: <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, \u2018Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Hebrew text states <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ctake for yourselves lambs according to your families.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e6\u05b9\u05d0\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd) The key and significant point to observe is how this verse is written saying the \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea families are to take a lamb as apposed to the individual taking a lamb to be slaughtered.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05db\u05d0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0 \u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d6\u05b4\u05e7\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05e7\u05b0\u05d7\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e6\u05b9\u05d0\u05df \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d7\u05b2\u05d8\u05d5\u05bc \u05d4\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e1\u05b7\u05d7: \u05db\u05d1\u00a0 \u05d5\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05d7\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d2\u05bb\u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b5\u05d6\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d8\u05b0\u05d1\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d2\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e7\u05d5\u05b9\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05d5\u05bc\u05d6\u05b9\u05ea \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e3 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b6\u05ea\u05b7\u05d7-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b9\u05e7\u05b6\u05e8:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 12:21-23<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 12:21 Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said to them, \u2018Go and take for yourselves lambs according to your families, and slay the Passover lamb.\u00a0 12:22 \u2018You shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood which is in the basin, and apply some of the blood that is in the basin to the lintel and the two doorposts; and none of you shall go outside the door of his house until morning. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the Torah reading for this week, Moshe writes specifically that the \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">families<\/span><\/em>) are to take a lamb rather than directing the individual to take the lamb for slaughter.\u00a0 This is very significant.\u00a0 Can you think of the reason why?\u00a0 The reason may be related to the individual being contained within the family; the family (\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea) is a composition of individuals.\u00a0 The deliverance from the destroyer is found within the context of family.\u00a0 Having a faithful family is an important part of our faith before God.\u00a0 This appears to be indicated in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Parashat Lech Lecha<\/span><\/em> when the Lord told Abram that all of the \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea families of the earth would be blessed in his seed.<\/p>\n<p>In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Parashat Lech Lecha<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:1-17:27<\/span><\/em>) the Lord God calls on Abraham to go out from his land from his father\u2019s house, and from his people (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05dd \u05dc\u05b6\u05da\u05b0-\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b5\u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05de\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b7\u05d3\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05da\u05bc) to a land that He will show him.\u00a0 The Lord promises to bless Abraham and make him into a great nation (\u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05e2\u05b6\u05e9\u05b0\u05b9\u05da\u05b8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc) and that those who bless him, the Lord will bless, and those who curse him, the Lord will curse (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05e8).\u00a0 In God\u2019s call on Abraham\u2019s life, we are told all the families of the earth will be blessed (\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4).\u00a0 In the MT, Moshe uses the word ha\u2019adamah (\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4, Earth) as opposed to ha\u2019aretz (\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5), referring to the families of <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cthe Earth\u201d<\/span><\/em> versus the families of <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cthe Land\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Israel) will be blessed.\u00a0 The Scriptures say <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201call of the families of the ground\u201d<\/span><\/em> taking from the meaning that God created man from the dust of the earth (\u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e6\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05df-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4) in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 2:7<\/span><\/em>.\u00a0 The Targum Onkelos translates these Scriptures into Aramaic saying, all the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cseed of the earth\u201d<\/span><\/em> will be blessed (\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b8\u05da\u05b0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc \u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05d9\u05b7\u05ea \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0).\u00a0 Families are translated as the seed of the ground (adamah) to suggest God\u2019s covenant is for all who would join themselves with Israel.\u00a0 In the covenant the Lord God is making with Abraham, the Lord makes a promise personally with Abram, and to his descendants (Israel), and to all the world (non-Jewish peoples).\u00a0 Remember, in the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Avodah Zarah 2b<\/span><\/em> and in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Midrash Rabba Bamidbar Parashat 1, Part 7<\/span><\/em>, the rabbis say our Father in Heaven offered the Torah to all the nations of the earth, and Israel was the only nation who accepted it.\u00a0 The rabbis also conclude that God intended for all men (both Jew and non-Jew) to receive and accept His Torah and to be blessed in His promised Messiah.<\/p>\n<p>The Torah provides six places where the Lord reaffirms (confirms) His covenant with Abraham in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 15:18-21, 17:1-8, 18:18, 22:18, 26:4, and 28:14<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05dc\u05da \u05dc\u05da \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d2<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4 \u05de\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b8\u05d0\u05b9\u05e8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05b6\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d2\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc-\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d1 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d9\u05d7\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05e2\u05b5\u05e7\u05b6\u05d1 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05ea\u05d5\u05dc\u05d3\u05ea \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d5 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d3<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e9\u05bc\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b2\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5:<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong>\u05e4\u05e8\u05e9\u05ea \u05d5\u05d9\u05e6\u05d0 \u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d1\u05e8\u05d0\u05e9\u05d9\u05ea \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05db\u05d7 \u05e4\u05e1\u05d5\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d3<\/strong><br \/>\n\u05d9\u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e4\u05b7\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e7\u05b5\u05d3\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b8\u05e4\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d2\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8:<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Comparing these texts with <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span><\/em>, it is interesting to note the differences in the Hebrew words used when God made the covenant blessing of Abraham\u2019s seed at different times.\u00a0 Let\u2019s look at these differences. In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span><\/em> it states that <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cin you all the families (\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea) of the earth shall be blessed,\u201d<\/span><\/em> whereas in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 18:18<\/span><\/em>, the Scriptures say, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cand in him all the nations of the earth will be blessed\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc-\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5)\u00a0\u00a0 using the word goyim.\u00a0 The Targum Onkelos states, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201call the peoples of the earth will be blessed\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05df \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b9\u05dc \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05d0).\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/Genesis 22:18<\/span><\/em> states <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cand in your descendants (\u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc\u05dd, in your bones) all the nations of the earth will be blessed.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 26:4<\/span><\/em> states <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cby your seed (\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b2\u05da\u05b8) all the nations of the earth shall be blessed\u201d<\/span><\/em> and <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 28:14<\/span><\/em> states that <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cin you (\u05d1\u05b0\u05da\u05b8) shall all the families (\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea) of the earth be blessed, even in your seed (\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d6\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b6\u05da\u05b8).\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The significance of the change in wording from \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05b9\u05ea (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">families<\/span>), to \u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9\u05b5\u05d9 (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">nations<\/span>), and \u05e2\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9 (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">people<\/span>) is the manner in which God is making his covenantal promise to Abraham, by incorporating a future expectation of God calling out to all of the people of the earth, all the nations, all families, whether Jewish or non-Jewish inviting everyone to this promise that God is going to bless the people in and through Abraham and his seed.\u00a0 Again, the interesting point about all of these things is that the individual is not mentioned, rather the context we are given, according to the Torah, is a family and nation that are described as being blessed.\u00a0 These Scriptures in and of themselves speak of the importance of community rather than individuality.\u00a0 This is emphasized in all of Scripture.\u00a0 God is not about \u201cindividuality,\u201d He is about community and family.\u00a0 Let\u2019s study this concept a little bit more.<\/p>\n<p>Based upon the Torah text, the family is very important, in addition, the individual within the family, specifically the father of a family, is also very important.\u00a0 Joshua chapter 7 provides insight on this topic.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7:1-26<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 7:1 But the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in regard to the things under the ban, for Achan, the son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, took some of the things under the ban, therefore the anger of the Lord burned against the sons of Israel. &#8230; 7:4 So about three thousand men from the people went up there, but they fled from the men of Ai. 7:5 The men of Ai struck down about thirty-six of their men, and pursued them from the gate as far as Shebarim and struck them down on the descent, so the hearts of the people melted and became as water. 7:6 Then Joshua tore his clothes and fell to the earth on his face before the ark of the Lord until the evening, both he and the elders of Israel; and they put dust on their heads. 7:7 Joshua said, \u2018Alas, O Lord God, why did You ever bring this people over the Jordan, only to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? If only we had been willing to dwell beyond the Jordan! 7:8 \u2018O Lord, what can I say since Israel has turned their back before their enemies? 7:9 \u2018For the Canaanites and all the inhabitants of the land will hear of it, and they will surround us and cut off our name from the earth. And what will You do for Your great name?\u2019 7:10 So the Lord said to Joshua, \u2018Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? 7:11 \u2018Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them. And they have even taken some of the things under the ban and have both stolen and deceived. Moreover, they have also put them\u00a0 among their own things. 7:12 \u2018Therefore the sons of Israel cannot stand before their enemies; they turn their backs before their enemies, for they have become accursed. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy the things under the ban from your midst. 7:13 \u2018Rise up! Consecrate the people and say, \u2018Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow, for thus the Lord, the God of Israel, has said, \u2018There are things under the ban in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you have removed the things under the ban from your midst.\u2019 7:14 \u2018In the morning then you shall come near by your tribes. And it shall be that the tribe which the Lord takes by lot shall come near by families, and the family which the Lord takes shall come near by households, and the household which the Lord takes shall come near man by man. 7:15 \u2018It shall be that the one who is taken with the things under the ban shall be burned with fire, he and all that belongs to him, because he has transgressed the covenant of the Lord, and because he has committed a disgraceful thing in Israel.\u2019\u2018 7:16 So Joshua arose early in the morning and brought Israel near by tribes, and the tribe of Judah was taken. 7:17 He brought the family of Judah near, and he took the family of the Zerahites; and he brought the family of the Zerahites near man by man, and Zabdi was taken. 7:18 He brought his household near man by man; and Achan, son of Carmi, son of Zabdi, son of Zerah, from the tribe of Judah, was taken. 7:19 Then Joshua said to Achan, \u2018My son, I implore you, give glory to the Lord, the God of Israel, and give praise to Him; and tell me now what you have done. Do not hide it from me.\u2019 7:20 So Achan answered Joshua and said, \u2018Truly, I have sinned against the Lord, the God of Israel, and this is what I did: 7:21 when I saw among the spoil a beautiful mantle from Shinar and two hundred shekels of silver and a bar of gold fifty shekels in weight, then I coveted them and took them; and behold, they are concealed in the earth inside my tent with the silver underneath it.\u2019 7:22 So Joshua sent messengers, and they ran to the tent; and behold, it was concealed in his tent with the silver underneath it. 7:23 They took them from inside the tent and brought them to Joshua and to all the sons of Israel, and they poured them out before the Lord. 7:24 Then Joshua and all Israel with him, took Achan the son of Zerah, the silver, the mantle, the bar of gold, his sons, his daughters, his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his tent and all that belonged to him; and they brought them up to the valley of Achor. 7:25 Joshua said, \u2018Why have you troubled us? The Lord will trouble you this day.\u2019 And all Israel stoned them with stones; and they burned them with fire after they had stoned them with stones. 7:26 They raised over him a great heap of stones that stands to this day, and the Lord turned from the fierceness of His anger. Therefore the name of that place has been called the valley of Achor to this day. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>According to <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7:1<\/span><\/em>, the sons of Israel acted unfaithfully in the things that were banned in the war with Ai.\u00a0 Because of their unfaithfulness, thirty six men died.\u00a0 In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7:10<\/span><\/em>, the Lord God said that Israel had transgressed His covenant and sinned.\u00a0 Something very important here to take note of, God says that the men transgressed the covenant, however, the Torah does not say they are never allowed to take from the spoils of the war.\u00a0 The command not to take from the spoils of war was given to Joshua and then to the people.\u00a0 The violation of the covenant described here is connected to someone coveting, taking, and hiding an unclean thing in his home.\u00a0 Coveting is a violation of God\u2019s covenant.\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7:12<\/span><\/em> states that because of their sin of violating the covenant, they have become accursed and are unable to stand before their enemies.\u00a0 The Lord goes on to say that they must remove the sin and the accursed thing from their midst before they will be able to stand before their enemies.\u00a0 God calls this <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cconsecrating\u201d<\/span><\/em> (setting apart, making holy) yourself for the Lord.\u00a0 Do you think this is important for us today?\u00a0 The important teaching point that is based upon this text, is to ask yourself, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201chave I been violating the covenant of God by what I have been bringing into my life?\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Examples may consist of the music you listen to, the television (<span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">images<\/span>) that you allow in your house or privately in your heart and mind.\u00a0 The people or conversation you privately or publicly participate with.\u00a0 Take Rap music as an example, contains swearing, cursing, sexually explicit material that comes by way through a persons ears.\u00a0 Listening to and bringing these things into one\u2019s heart (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 5:28<\/span><\/em>) causes one to break the covenant of God, does not feed the spirit, and will cause one to continually live a defeated life.\u00a0 If one participates in these things, breaking the covenant of God on a daily basis, is there any question why one would have trouble living a successful life in the Messiah (in Christ)?\u00a0 Is there any question why such a person would have trouble not objectifying women, or being abusive towards others?\u00a0 Obeying Torah in this case would have a significant influence in such a person\u2019s life (not to mention one\u2019s entire family), just like we read in the book of Joshua.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7:22-26<\/span><\/em> describes one man\u2019s sin caused the destruction of his entire family.\u00a0 The issue here was that Achan took these things and hid them in the floor of his tent.\u00a0 His entire family knew and participated in his sin.\u00a0 This is why Paul says if you see someone openly sinning in the ekklesia (kahal), then you are to formally remove the individual from the ekklesia (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 5<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The issue at hand was the other members of the body of believers might also participate in this sin seeing that it was an acceptable practice.\u00a0 This would ultimately result in their destruction, just like what is said here in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7<\/span><\/em>, and what Paul suggests in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 11:30<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>According to the Torah, and in the book of Joshua, the blessing of God comes to the family, and the curses come by the way of sin and violation of the covenant.\u00a0 The individual can have a significant effect upon the family.\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Joshua 7<\/span><\/em> shows us that destruction may come to an entire family by the unfaithfulness of the father.\u00a0 It is interesting to note that by the faithfulness of the father, salvation may also come to an entire family.\u00a0 The Apostolic Writings has a lot to say on this topic:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John 4:50-53<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 4:50 Jesus said to him, \u2018Go; your son lives.\u2019 The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and started off. 4:51 As he was now going down, his slaves met him, saying that his son was living. 4:52 So he inquired of them the hour when he began to get better. Then they said to him, \u2018Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.\u2019 4:53 So the father knew that it was at that hour in which Jesus said to him, \u2018Your son lives\u2019; and he himself believed and his whole household. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 11:12-18<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 11:12 \u2018The Spirit told me to go with them without misgivings. These six brethren also went with me and we entered the man\u2019s house. 11:13 \u2018And he reported to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, \u2018Send to Joppa and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; 11:14 and he will speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household.\u2019 11:15 \u2018And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as He did upon us at the beginning. 11:16 \u2018And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, \u2018John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.\u2019 11:17 \u2018Therefore if God gave to them the same gift as He gave to us also after believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God\u2019s way?\u2019 11:18 When they heard this, they quieted down and glorified God, saying, \u2018Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 16:27-34<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 16:27 When the jailer awoke and saw the prison doors opened, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had escaped. 16:28 But Paul cried out with a loud voice, saying, \u2018Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!\u2019 16:29 And he called for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear he fell down before Paul and Silas, 16:30 and after he brought them out, he said, \u2018Sirs, what must I do to be saved?\u2019 16:31 They said, \u2018Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.\u2019 16:32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 16:33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household.\u00a0 16:34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Acts 18:4-10<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 18:4 And he was reasoning in the synagogue every Sabbath and trying to persuade Jews and Greeks. 18:5 But when Silas and Timothy came down from Macedonia, Paul began devoting himself completely to the word, solemnly testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Christ. 18:6 But when they resisted and blasphemed, he shook out his garments and said to them, \u2018Your blood be on your own heads! I am clean. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.\u2019 18:7 Then he left there and went to the house of a man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue. 18:8 Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized. 18:9 And the Lord said to Paul in the night by a vision, \u2018Do not be afraid any longer\u00a0 but go on speaking and do not be silent; 18:10 for I am with you, and no man will attack you in order to harm you, for I have many people in this city.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In each of these cases, when the father believed in Yeshua the Messiah, we read that the entire house (family) also believed and received Yeshua.\u00a0 It is important to note that this blessing comes in and through Abraham and his seed and specifically to the \u201cfamilies\u201d of the earth.\u00a0 The ending phrase of the Hebrew text on the Blessing in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Bereshit \/ Genesis 12:3<\/span><\/em> suggests that the blessing to the nations is central to the coming of this seed of Abraham.\u00a0 According to the Hebrew text, a blessing is going to come to all of the world; the magnitude of such a blessing being for all the peoples of the earth alludes to and requires a Messianic expectation and interpretation because it is only in and through the true Messiah that such a great blessing would be able to come to everyone (to all the families of the earth).<\/p>\n<p>During this Passover season, remember the joy of the Torah in the point and the purpose for the coming of Yeshua the Messiah.\u00a0 His purpose was for bringing the deliverance and salvation of the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The reason the Lord instituted the Passover was so that His people would always remember and proclaim their redemption from slavery.\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cThis day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Shemot \/ Exodus 12:14<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 The Passover represents our salvation and deliverance by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.\u00a0 This Passover, let\u2019s celebrate our salvation, justification, and the resurrection of Yeshua that we have in the Lamb of God (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">2 Corinthians 5:21, Revelation 7:14<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 As often as we eat this Passover meal remember the deliverance and salvation of God in and through His Messiah.\u00a0 For He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and brought us into His kingdom, where we find the forgiveness of sin, rest, and joy forever.\u00a0 Amen! <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/BTT_Parashat-Pesach-2015.pdf\">BTT_Parashat Pesach-2015<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=MrsMw9uM7Sw&amp;feature=youtu.be&#8221;] This weeks reading is for Pesach \/ Passover (Shemot \/ Exodus 12:21-51).\u00a0 Passover is a very significant point in Israel\u2019s history since this was the turning point in the Torah when God brought Israel out of Egypt.\u00a0 According to the Torah, the Passover is commanded to be observed throughout the generations of God\u2019s [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4318,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4250","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-bits-of-torah-truth"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4250","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=4250"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4250\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4318"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4250"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4250"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4250"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}