{"id":4664,"date":"2015-04-26T11:29:29","date_gmt":"2015-04-26T11:29:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/?p=4664"},"modified":"2015-05-01T15:10:36","modified_gmt":"2015-05-01T15:10:36","slug":"bits-of-torah-truths-parshiot-acharei-mot-and-kedoshim-examining-our-ways-conduct-and-life-before-god","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/bits-of-torah-truths-parshiot-acharei-mot-and-kedoshim-examining-our-ways-conduct-and-life-before-god\/","title":{"rendered":"Bits of Torah Truths, Parshiot Acharei Mot and Kedoshim, Examining our Ways, Conduct, and Life before God"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i0cvFyK6toE&#8221;]<\/p>\n<p>In this weeks reading from Parshiot Acharei Mot and Kedoshim (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/\u00a0 Leviticus 16:1-20:27<\/span><\/em>), the Lord spoke to Moshe following the death of Aaron\u2019s two sons saying \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05df \u05d0\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea:\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">16:2 \u201c&#8230; \u2018Tell your brother Aaron that he shall not enter at any time into the holy place inside the veil, before the mercy seat which is on the ark, or he will die; for I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.\u201d (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 According to the Scriptures, Aaron was given the High Priesthood which required of him certain things, such as not touching the dead.\u00a0 In <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>Vayikra \/ Leviticus 16:2<\/em><\/span>, the Lord tells Aaron that he is not to go into the holiest place at any time he chooses or he might die.\u00a0 Thinking on these things, our being called in the Messiah Yeshua, the Lord also requires something of us as well.\u00a0 Just as Aaron was required to live in a certain way, we too are also required to live in a certain way.\u00a0 Have you ever been told that there is no requirement on you but to just believe in Jesus?\u00a0 Is the work of the Messiah effective if we are not striving to live for Him?\u00a0 Let\u2019s explore this topic further.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\">\u05e1\u05e4\u05e8 \u05d5\u05d9\u05e7\u05e8\u05d0 \u05e4\u05e8\u05e7 \u05d9\u05d7<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-\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 \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 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5-\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd-\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b5\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5-\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b5\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05d5\u05bc: \u05d3\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b7\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05dc\u05b6\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\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\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b8\u05d7\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b9\u05b8\u05d4:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 18:1-5<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 18:1 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 18:2 \u2018Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, \u2018I am the Lord your God. 18:3 \u2018You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 18:4 \u2018You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the Lord your God. 18:5 \u2018So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the Lord. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the Scriptures we are looking at this week from <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 18:1-5<\/span><\/em>, the Lord speaks to His people exhorting them to not do what is done in the land of Egypt, in the land of their bondage.\u00a0 God\u2019s people are to live and walk according to His commandments and statutes.\u00a0 Much later in Israel\u2019s history however, we learn the people did not continue in God\u2019s ways as we read according to the prophet Isaiah in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Isaiah 3:8-11<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Isaiah 3:8-11<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 3:8 For Jerusalem has stumbled and Judah has fallen, Because their speech and their actions are against the Lord, To rebel against His glorious presence. 3:9 The expression of their faces bears witness against them, And they display their sin like Sodom; They do not even conceal it. Woe to them! For they have brought evil on themselves. 3:10 Say to the righteous that it will go well with them, For they will eat the fruit of their actions. 3:11 Woe to the wicked! It will go badly with him, For what he deserves will be done to him. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d7\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d9\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u05dd \u05d5\u05b4\u05d9\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e0\u05b8\u05e4\u05b8\u05dc \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e2\u05b5\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05db\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9: \u05d8\u00a0 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b7\u05ea \u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d7\u05b7\u05d8\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05b9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b4\u05d2\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05db\u05b4\u05d7\u05b5\u05d3\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b7\u05e4\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d2\u05b8\u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b8\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4: \u05d9\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05b4\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc \u05e6\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05e7 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05e4\u05b0\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d9\u05b9\u05d0\u05db\u05b5\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc: \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05e2 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d2\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05dc \u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05d9\u05b5\u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b6\u05b9\u05d4 \u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Notice how Isaiah says that the people\u2019s speech (Leshonam, \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05d5\u05b9\u05e0\u05b8\u05dd) and actions, the way they walked (u\u2019maalleyhem, \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd), stand in opposition to the Lord.\u00a0 This suggests that the way one speaks follows through by the way one walks.\u00a0 A man\u2019s deeds proceed from what is in his heart.\u00a0 Note also the children of Israel had Aaron build them a golden calf (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Parashat Ki Tisa<\/span><\/em>) whereby, the words of their lips indicated their desire and plan to walk in sin before the Lord at the mountain of Sinai in the desert.\u00a0 In addition, David says in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 39:1 I said, \u2018I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Here David says \u05d0\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d3\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b7\u05d9 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cI said, I will guard\/keep my ways.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 He will take hold of, keep, Shamar (\u05e9\u05de\u05e8), his ways so that he does not sin with his tongue.\u00a0 In addition, Solomon said in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ecclesiastes 5:1-7<\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ecclesiastes 5:1-7<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 5:1 Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil. 5:2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few. 5:3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words. 5:4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow! 5:5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 5:6 Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 5:7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God. (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>We are told over and over again in the Scriptures to take heed of our ways, to examine our ways, which is something every man should do in his own life to examine his actions, conduct, and conversation like David is suggesting in his Psalm (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Tehillim \/ Psalms 39:1<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The Apostle Paul said the same thing in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Corinthians 10:12<\/span><\/em> Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall. (NASB)\u00a0 The taking heed of our walk before God (as compared to Scripture) is what it means to walk by faith, to walk in God\u2019s ways, in His truth and not in error. We are told to walk in the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless, this is the path of righteousness and holiness according to the Scriptures.\u00a0 The path of holiness and righteousness is the path Yeshua has placed us upon.\u00a0 We are to seek holiness and take heed not to embrace error, whereby all of these things are done with a pure heart.<\/p>\n<p>With these things in mind, the Torah portion for this week may be summarized in the following way:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>Summary of Commands<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>The Scriptures say that the Life of the blood is in the flesh and it has been given (the blood has been given) to make atonement for our souls (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">17:11<\/span><\/em>) therefore no person is to eat the blood of any animal (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">17:12-16<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>Israel is not do what was done in the Land of Egypt nor do what was done in the land of Canaan (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18:1-5<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The command against incest (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18:6-20<\/span><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>Homosexuality is an abomination (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18:22<\/span><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>Intercourse with an animal is prohibited (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18:23<\/span><\/em>), for these are the things the nations do and are the reason they are being cast out from the land (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">18:24<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>In <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 18:30<\/span><\/em> we are told to not keep any of the abominable customs of the nations, this includes the holidays that are adopted from the nations.<\/li>\n<li>We are to honor our father and mother and not turn to idols or molten gods (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:1-4<\/span><\/em>).<br \/>\nIt is commanded to eat all of the Shelamim Korban (Peace offering) by the third day.\u00a0 Anything remaining by the third day is to be burned with fire (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:6<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The person who eats of the sacrifice on the third day will bear his iniquity and will be cut off from his people (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:7<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>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>).<\/li>\n<li><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cLove your neighbor as yourself\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:18<\/span><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>We are told that three years are to be given for freshly planted fruit trees before harvesting (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:23-24<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>We are commanded not to practice divination or soothsaying (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:26<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>Do not cut your body for the dead or make tattoos or marks on yourself for <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cI am the Lord\u201d<\/span><\/em> declares the Lord (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:28<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>Do not turn to mediums or spiritists, doing so will cause one to become defiled by them (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:31<\/span><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>You are to keep the Shabbat (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">19:30<\/span><\/em>)<\/li>\n<li>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>).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord God states that any person who gives his son or daughter as a sacrifice to Moloch is to be put to death (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:1-4<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>The Lord declares that the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, He will turn His face against that person and cut him\/her off from among his people (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:6<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>We are to consecrate ourselves and be holy for our God is holy (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:7<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>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>),<\/li>\n<li>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>),<\/li>\n<li>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>),<\/li>\n<li>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>)<\/li>\n<li>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 an animal (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:16<\/span><\/em>).<\/li>\n<li>It is repeated in the Scriptures \u05db\u05d2\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05ea\u05b5\u05dc\u05b0\u05db\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d7\u05bb\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05ea \u05d4\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8-\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05b7\u05dc\u05bc\u05b5\u05d7\u05b7 \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea-\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05bc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05b9\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e7\u05bb\u05e5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05dd:\u00a0 <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">20:23 \u2018Moreover, 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. (NASB)<\/span><\/em> we are not to follow the custom of the nations.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Reading through these commands, are these commands binding upon us today?\u00a0 Christians continue to ask this question about the Torah and the answer is most definitely <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cYES.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Note how each of these commands are given both for the glory of God, and also to define the meaning of living a righteous life before God.\u00a0 Do you believe these laws have passed away in Yeshua the Messiah?\u00a0 It is interesting to study Paul\u2019s words to the Galatians, because it appears he is speaking on this very same set of commands.\u00a0 Most people believe Paul was quoting Yeshua\u2019s words when he said <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201clove your neighbor as yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0\u00a0 However, both Yeshua and Paul were quoting from Parashat Kedoshim out of the Torah.\u00a0 Paul quotes from <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:18<\/span><\/em> in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Galatians 5:14<\/span><\/em> to love your neighbor as yourself.\u00a0 In addition to this, Paul may possibly be basing his exhortation to the Galatians out of Parashat Behar in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 25<\/span><\/em>, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cto not do wrong to one another\u201d<\/span><\/em> versus <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cdeath and life being in the power of the tongue.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 In Paul\u2019s discussion on the tongue, the biting and devouring one another he contrasts the walking in the Spirit to walking in the flesh.\u00a0 He lists the characteristics of those who walk according to the flesh as opposed to those who walk according to the Spirit.\u00a0 Paul says the deeds of the flesh are: <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cimmorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and things like these (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Galatians 5:19-21<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Notice how Paul appears to be summarizing the commands found in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus<\/span><\/em> in a very concise manner.\u00a0 Whereas, the fruit of the Spirit is <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201clove, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Galatians 5:22-23<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 He says those who walk in the flesh will not inherit the kingdom of God, and those who walk in the Spirit, against such there is no Law.\u00a0 The most interesting aspect of these Scriptures is that the one who walks according to the Spirit, does not nullify the Torah, but upholds the Torah in his life. (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Romans 3:31<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 Paul speaks of loving our neighbor and doing no wrong to one another and walking in the Spirit.\u00a0 It is apparent that walking in the Spirit is synonymous to submitting our lives to these commands.\u00a0 This is also the meaning of submitting our lives to Yeshua the Messiah, our abiding in Him.<\/p>\n<p>This week\u2019s Torah portion lists prohibitions that are based in the customs of the nations; we are not to practice these things because we are a holy people that worships a Holy God.\u00a0 Solomon says the Sacrifice of fools is offered by those who do not guard their ways.\u00a0 Solomon says (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Ecclesiastes 5:1-7<\/span><\/em>) it is better to avoid sin than to offer sacrifices; but, if offered, they should be presented with a repentant attitude, and not merely, as fools offer them, for the purpose of complying with the Law.\u00a0 This is consistent with the rabbis according to the Talmud Bavli Berakhot 23a.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: right;\"><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Talmud Bavli Berakhot 23a<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n\u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05e8 \u05e0\u05d7\u05de\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d9 \u05d9\u05d5\u05e0\u05ea\u05df \u05de\u201d\u05d3 (\u05e7\u05d4\u05dc\u05ea \u05d3, \u05d9\u05d6) \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d2\u05dc\u05da \u05db\u05d0\u05e9\u05e8 \u05ea\u05dc\u05da \u05d0\u05dc \u05d1\u05d9\u05ea \u05d4\u05d0\u05dc\u05d4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e8 \u05e2\u05e6\u05de\u05da \u05e9\u05dc\u05d0 \u05ea\u05d7\u05d8\u05d0 \u05d5\u05d0\u05dd \u05ea\u05d7\u05d8\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d1\u05d0 \u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9 \u05d5\u05e7\u05e8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2 (\u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d7\u05db\u05de\u05d9\u05dd) \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05e8\u05d1\u05d0 \u05d4\u05d5\u05d9 \u05e7\u05e8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05dc\u05e9\u05de\u05d5\u05e2 \u05d3\u05d1\u05e8\u05d9 \u05d7\u05db\u05de\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d0\u05dd \u05d7\u05d5\u05d8\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df \u05d5\u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05ea\u05e9\u05d5\u05d1\u05d4 \u05de\u05ea\u05ea \u05d4\u05db\u05e1\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd [\u05d6\u05d1\u05d7] \u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05d4\u05d9 \u05db\u05db\u05e1\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d7\u05d5\u05d8\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05d5\u05e9\u05d9\u05dd \u05ea\u05e9\u05d5\u05d1\u05d4 \u05db\u05d9 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05d3\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05e2\u05e9\u05d5\u05ea \u05e8\u05e2 \u05d0\u05d9 \u05d4\u05db\u05d9 \u05e6\u05d3\u05d9\u05e7\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05d9\u05e0\u05d4\u05d5 \u05d0\u05dc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05dc \u05ea\u05d4\u05d9 \u05db\u05db\u05e1\u05d9\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e9\u05d7\u05d5\u05d8\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df \u05d5\u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05d3\u05e2\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05d8\u05d5\u05d1\u05d4 \u05d4\u05dd \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05dd \u05e2\u05dc \u05d4\u05e8\u05e2\u05d4 \u05d4\u05dd \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05de\u05e8 \u05d4\u05e7\u05d1\u201d\u05d4 \u05d1\u05d9\u05df \u05d8\u05d5\u05d1 \u05dc\u05e8\u05e2 \u05d0\u05d9\u05e0\u05df \u05de\u05d1\u05d7\u05d9\u05e0\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05d4\u05dd \u05de\u05d1\u05d9\u05d0\u05d9\u05dd \u05e7\u05e8\u05d1\u05df \u05dc\u05e4\u05e0\u05d9<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Rabbi Shmuel Nachmani said that Rabbi Jonathan had said (Ecclesiastes 4:17) Keep your foot when you go to the house of God, keep yourself from sin, if sin comes before the sacrifice, then draw near to hear (the words of the wise ones \/ Sages) Raba said Hoyi, draw near to hear the words of the wise, if sinners bring a sacrifice and do Teshuvah, a gift of the fools [sacrifice] Do not be\u00a0 as fools that sin and bring a sacrifice and do not perform Teshuvah, for they know not that they do evil as compared to the righteous. They will be as fools that sin and bring sacrifice and they will not know what is good, they come with evil, they come to the Lord not knowing the difference between good and evil.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The idea is that the fool brings a sacrifice by route, just to fulfill the mitzvah, and does so without a repentant heart.\u00a0 In a previous Torah portion, we were told to make a distinction between the clean and unclean and we are not to make ourselves detestable by being disobedient because the Lord God has separated us from the unclean thing.\u00a0 This is illustrated in the scriptures that states, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 20:25 \u2018You are therefore to make a distinction between the clean animal and the unclean, and between the unclean bird and the clean; and you shall not make yourselves detestable by animal or by bird or by anything that creeps on the ground, which I have separated for you as unclean.\u00a0 20:26 \u2018Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. (NASB<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 All of these commands are given to us to warn us to watch carefully what we do so that we do not defile ourselves and become detestable in the eyes of the Lord.\u00a0 Does believing in Yeshua the Messiah opt us out of the capability of becoming detestable in God\u2019s eyes?\u00a0 The Scriptures say in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Vayikra \/ Leviticus 20:26 \u2018Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine. (NASB)<\/span><\/em> (see also <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 Peter 1:16<\/span><\/em>)\u00a0 This is what the Lord has done in Yeshua the Messiah, therefore we must be very careful how we live our lives, to watch, and guard ourselves against sin.<\/p>\n<p>The point is, have we given the Lord all He deserves?\u00a0 Everything of any importance in our lives as believers has to boil down to our relationship with our Creator, and yet we have been taught to settle for something lukewarm.\u00a0 Some people have relegated their walk with God to little more than a hobby.\u00a0 Have you done this in your life?\u00a0 The Scriptures tell us that the Lord God is passionately in love with His people.\u00a0 He has revealed Himself to us as Father, Husband, King, and Master and has called each of us to become a child, bride, ambassador and servant.\u00a0 How do you meet His level of commitment or expectation?\u00a0 Is your level of commitment to the Lord done in a way that honors Him and proclaims His glory and truth to the world?\u00a0 Yeshua\u2019s words brings this out in a more personal manner, when He speaks of our standing before the judgment seat, as He says in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 7:21-23<\/span><\/em>:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Matthew 7:21-23<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> 7:21 \u2018Not everyone who says to Me, \u2018Lord, Lord,\u2019 will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter\u00a0 7:22 \u2018Many will say to Me on that day, \u2018Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?\u2019 7:23 \u2018And then I will declare to them, \u2018I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:19 and 5:20<\/span><\/em> speaks about these verses from the Gospel of Matthew and directs our attention to those things that cause one to be labeled as <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cthe one who practices lawlessness.\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:19<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> One who has these three things is of the students of our father Avraham. [One who has] three other things is of the students of Bilam the wicked. [One who has] a good eye, a low spirit, and a humble soul is of the students of our father Avraham. [One who has] an evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a broad soul is of the students of Bilam the wicked. What is the difference between the students of our father Avraham and the students of Bilam the wicked? The students of our father Avraham eat in this world and inherit the World to Come, as it says (Proverbs 8:21): \u201cThat I may cause those that love me to inherit substance, and their treasuries I will fill.\u201d But the students of Bilam the wicked inherit Geihinam and go down to the pit of destruction, as it says (Psalms 55:24): \u201cBut You, God, will bring them down into the pit of destruction; men of blood and deceit will not live out half their days. As for me, I will trust in You.\u201d<\/span><\/em> \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc \u05de\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d9\u05b5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d9\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05dc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05dc\u05b8\u05bc\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc, \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc. \u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05dc\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05d4 \u05d3\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b5\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd, \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e2. \u05e2\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05d8\u05d5\u05b9\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05e0\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05db\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e4\u05b8\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4, \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc. \u05e2\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05df \u05e8\u05b8\u05e2\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05d5\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d2\u05b0\u05bc\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d4\u05b8\u05d4, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05e4\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e8\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05d1\u05b8\u05d4, \u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e2. \u05de\u05b7\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05df \u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b0\u05ea\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e2. \u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d0\u05b7\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4\u05b8\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc, \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05db\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05b6\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9\u05d7\u05b2\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0, \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e0\u05b6\u05bc\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 (\u05de\u05e9\u05dc\u05d9 \u05d7, \u05db\u05d0), \u05dc\u05b0\u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dc \u05d0\u05b9\u05d4\u05b2\u05d1\u05b7\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b5\u05e9\u05c1, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b9\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b9\u05ea\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b7\u05dc\u05b5\u05bc\u05d0. \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05dc \u05ea\u05b7\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b8\u05d9\u05d5 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05dc\u05b0\u05e2\u05b8\u05dd \u05d4\u05b8\u05e8\u05b8\u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05e2 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05b4\u05c1\u05d9\u05df \u05d2\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b0\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea, \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e0\u05b6\u05bc\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e8 (\u05ea\u05d4\u05dc\u05d9\u05dd \u05e0\u05d4, \u05db\u05d3), \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9\u05d3\u05b5\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05e8 \u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea, \u05d0\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05d9 \u05d3\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d5\u05bc\u05de\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05de\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b6\u05d7\u05b1\u05e6\u05d5\u05bc \u05d9\u05b0\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd, \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b6\u05d1\u05b0\u05d8\u05b7\u05d7 \u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05da\u05b0:<\/p>\n<p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:20<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Yehudah Ben Teima says: Be strong like the leopard, light like the eagle, quick like the gazelle, and mighty like the lion to perform the will of your Father in Heaven. He would say: The strong-faced go to Gehenna, and the shame-faced go to the Garden of Eden. May it be Your will, Hashem our God, that You build Your city speedily in our days and give us our share in Your Torah.<\/span><\/em> \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b6\u05df \u05ea\u05b5\u05bc\u05d9\u05de\u05b8\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05e8, \u05d4\u05b1\u05d5\u05b5\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b7\u05d6 \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05de\u05b5\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e7\u05b7\u05dc \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e0\u05b6\u05bc\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05e8, \u05d5\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05e5 \u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05e6\u05b0\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9, \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05db\u05b8\u05bc\u05d0\u05b2\u05e8\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05e8\u05b0\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d1\u05b7\u05bc\u05e9\u05b8\u05bc\u05c1\u05de\u05b8\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd. \u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05e8, \u05e2\u05b7\u05d6 \u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05dd, \u05d5\u05d1\u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05ea \u05e4\u05b8\u05bc\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05d2\u05b7\u05df \u05e2\u05b5\u05d3\u05b6\u05df. \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e8\u05b8\u05e6\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05de\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05bc\u05e4\u05b8\u05e0\u05b6\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05ea\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b0\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05d4\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d1\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05ea\u05b5\u05df \u05d7\u05b6\u05dc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b5\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05ea\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05ea\u05b6\u05da\u05b8:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>The Mishnah in Pirkei Avot speaks of the righteous as opposed to the wicked.\u00a0 The righteous have three things, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201ca good eye, a low spirit, and a humble soul.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The wicked, on the other hand, have <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201can evil eye, a haughty spirit, and a broad soul.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The Apostle Paul said in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Philippians 1:21, \u201cFor to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Most people focus on the second part of the verse, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cto die is gain,\u201d<\/span><\/em> and contemplate the joys of heaven, but overlook what it means to live as the Messiah lived (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 John 2:6<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 The importance of the phrase <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cto live is Christ\u201d<\/span><\/em> cannot be overstated and this is the point of our Father in heaven giving His Torah, so that we can live in the fullness of what the Lord has for us, in the blessings of this world, in the joy of fellowship with our Father in heaven, and with the expectation of the World to Come.\u00a0 The phrase, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTo live is Christ\u201d<\/span><\/em> means that we imitate the example of Yeshua.\u00a0 Everything that Yeshua did and said is what Paul wanted to do and say.<\/p>\n<p><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTo live is Christ\u201d<\/span><\/em> means that we speak of Yeshua the Messiah to all peoples, to all the nations, that we pursue knowledge of the Messiah which is to learn more about Him and His ways, studying the Torah, just as Paul said in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Philippians 3:10-11, \u201cI want to know Christ\u2014yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead,\u201d<\/span><\/em> therefore <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cTo live is Christ\u201d<\/span><\/em> means that we are willing to give up everything to serve Him, even down to the little things in our lives such as what we eat.\u00a0 When we make the Messiah our focus, our goal, and our chief desire, we will have a mind, heart, body, and soul that is centered upon Him, a love for God our Father in heaven, and a desire to serve the Lord according to His commandments (see <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">John 10 and 14<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 As we run the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201crace marked out for us,\u201d<\/span><\/em> we lay aside the entangling sin and worldly distractions, <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">\u201cfixing our eyes on Yeshua\u201d<\/span><\/em> (<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Hebrews 12:1-2<\/span><\/em>), and occupying ourselves in the manner we should be occupying ourselves like it says in the <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 2:2<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">Mishnah Pirkei Avot 2:2<\/span><\/em><\/strong><br \/>\n<em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"> Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi said: Excellent is the study of the Torah together with a worldly occupation, For the exertion [expended] in both of them causes sin to be forgotten. And all [study of the] Torah in the absence of a worldly occupation comes to nothing in the end and leads to sin. And all who work for the community, let them work for the [sake of the] name of Heaven, For the merit of the [community\u2019s] ancestors sustains them, And their [ancestors\u2019] righteousness will endure forever. And as for you [who work for the community], [God says:] I credit you with a great reward, as if you [yourselves] had [actually] done [everything on your own].<\/span><\/em> \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05b8\u05bc\u05df \u05d2\u05b7\u05bc\u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05d0\u05b5\u05dc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05e0\u05d5\u05b9 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05dc \u05e8\u05b7\u05d1\u05b4\u05bc\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e0\u05b8\u05bc\u05e9\u05b4\u05c2\u05d9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b5\u05e8, \u05d9\u05b8\u05e4\u05b6\u05d4 \u05ea\u05b7\u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05d3 \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd \u05d3\u05b6\u05bc\u05e8\u05b6\u05da\u05b0 \u05d0\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5, \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d9\u05b0\u05bc\u05d2\u05b4\u05d9\u05e2\u05b7\u05ea \u05e9\u05b0\u05c1\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e9\u05b7\u05c1\u05db\u05b7\u05bc\u05d7\u05b7\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df. \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4\u05bc \u05de\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d0\u05db\u05b8\u05d4, \u05e1\u05d5\u05b9\u05e4\u05b8\u05d4\u05bc \u05d1\u05b0\u05bc\u05d8\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d2\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05e2\u05b8\u05d5\u05b9\u05df. \u05d5\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc \u05d4\u05b8\u05e2\u05b2\u05de\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b4\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05b4\u05bc\u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8, \u05d9\u05b4\u05d4\u05b0\u05d9\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b2\u05de\u05b5\u05dc\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b4\u05de\u05b8\u05bc\u05d4\u05b6\u05dd \u05dc\u05b0\u05e9\u05b5\u05c1\u05dd \u05e9\u05b8\u05c1\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd, \u05e9\u05b6\u05c1\u05d6\u05b0\u05bc\u05db\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05de\u05b0\u05e1\u05b7\u05d9\u05b0\u05bc\u05e2\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05e6\u05b4\u05d3\u05b0\u05e7\u05b8\u05ea\u05b8\u05dd \u05e2\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b6\u05d3\u05b6\u05ea \u05dc\u05b8\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3. \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05b6\u05bc\u05dd, \u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b4\u05d9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd \u05e9\u05b8\u05c2\u05db\u05b8\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05d1\u05b5\u05bc\u05d4 \u05db\u05b0\u05bc\u05d0\u05b4\u05dc\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05b4\u05c2\u05d9\u05ea\u05b6\u05dd:<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>In the Torah portion for this week that is titled, <span style=\"color: #0000ff;\"><em>\u201cExamining our Ways, Conduct, and Life before God,\u201d<\/em><\/span> I believe our attitude is a very important aspect of living by faith in Yeshua the Messiah.\u00a0 Though we sin, we are striving to turn from our sins, and to walk in the light as John wrote in <em><span style=\"color: #0000ff;\">1 John 1<\/span><\/em>, seeking our Father in heaven, in the name of Yeshua the Messiah, by the power of His Holy Spirit for the Glory of God.\u00a0 Praise His Holy Name! <a href=\"http:\/\/www.matsati.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/BTT_Parashat-Acharei-Mot-Kedoshim-2015.pdf\">BTT_Parashat Acharei Mot-Kedoshim-2015<\/a>  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[youtube url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i0cvFyK6toE&#8221;] In this weeks reading from Parshiot Acharei Mot and Kedoshim (Vayikra \/\u00a0 Leviticus 16:1-20:27), the Lord spoke to Moshe following the death of Aaron\u2019s two sons saying \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05b9\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05de\u05b9\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05d4 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b7\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d0\u05b7\u05d4\u05b2\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d0\u05b8\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d9\u05b8\u05d1\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d1\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc-\u05e2\u05b5\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b9\u05d3\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1 \u05de\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b5\u05d9\u05ea \u05dc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05db\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05dc-\u05e4\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05d9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u05e8\u05b9\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b6\u05e2\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u05df \u05d0\u05b5\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d4 \u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b7\u05e4\u05bc\u05b9\u05e8\u05b6\u05ea:\u00a0 16:2 \u201c&#8230; \u2018Tell your [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4696,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-4664","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\/4664","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=4664"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4664\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4696"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4664"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4664"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.matsati.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4664"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}