Parashat 29 and 30.(Acharei Mot and Kedoshim)

Parashat 29 –  Acharei Mot -  “After the death”  

Vayikra/ Leviticus 16:1–18:30 

We will look at these two portions separately.

The greatest desire our Messiah has is to unite and reconcile the Creation with the Creator. This Torah portion essentially shows us how this is accomplished. This restoration is deeply and profoundly connected to the significance of Yom Kippur and human sexuality.

Our journey into the “kadosh ha kadoshim” or the most set apart presence of YHVH is the greatest love story  known to man, it’s about how we come into the bridal chamber of the Almighty to enjoy an indescribable  intimacy and union with the Lover of our souls forever and ever.

Regarding this journey back to our Creator our Messiah once said “You go astray, not knowing the Scriptures¹ nor the power of Elohim.” (Matt 22:29)

We as Christians have been led astray concerning our redemption because of the erroneous teachings given to us by our fathers regarding our freedom and deliverance from sin. Many dear believers suffer such guilt and condemnation because they struggle with secret sins and don’t experience the so called victory and prosperity they are continually promised by many of the so called “good news preachers” of our time.

Let us consider carefully the following passage of scripture that has been erroneously taught and forms the basis of much of the error the church has been teaching for centuries.

Heb 10:1  For the Torah, having a shadow of the good matters to come, and not the image itself of the matters, was never able to make perfect those who draw near with the same slaughter offerings which they offer continually year by year.

The Torah is a shadow because the real image and truth it refers to will not be fully known while this present heaven and earth still exist (Matt 5:17-19).

The Torah is perfect (Psa 19:7  The Torah of יהוה is perfect, bringing back the being) and only the Messiah can cause the Covenant of Torah to have a perfect work in us and in so doing enable us to be presented to the Father (Jude 1:24).

Heb 10:2  Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered? Because those who served, once cleansed, would have had no more consciousness of sins.

Heb 10:3  But in those offerings is a reminder of sins year by year. (7000 years)

Heb 10:4  For it is impossible for blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.

Heb 10:5  Therefore, coming into the world, He says, “Slaughtering and meal offering You did not desire, but a body You have prepared for Me.

Heb 10:6  “In burnt offerings and offerings for sin You did not delight.¹ Footnote: ¹Ps. 40:6, 7.

Heb 10:7  “Then I said, ‘See, I come – in the roll of the book it has been written concerning Me – to do Your desire, O Elohim.’ ”

Heb 10:8  Saying above, “Slaughter and meal offering, and burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor delighted in,” which are offered according to the Torah,

The Messiah came to show us that all the offerings and instruction of the Torah point towards him, nothing in the Torah can be properly understood if it is not seen to reveal the ministry and the mission of Messiah, as soon as you separate the Torah from Yahshua the Messiah the Torah just becomes another book of man’s religion.

Heb 10:9  then He said, “See, I come to do Your desire, O Elohim.” He takes away the first to establish the second.

What is the desire of YHVH?

He wants to be united to His People – the essence of the instruction of this Torah portion.

What are the ‘first and the second’? (Note the word covenant is added in error where it appears in italics – not in the original manuscript

The book of Hebrews itself defines “first and second”  (Heb 9:1-9)

Heb 9:1  Now the first covenant indeed had regulations of worship and the earthly set-apart place.

Heb 9:2  For a Tent was prepared: the first part, in which was the lampstand, and the table, and the showbread, which is called the Set-apart Place.

Heb 9:3  And after the second veil, the part of the Tent which is called Most Set-apart,

Heb 9:4  to which belonged the golden censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid on all sides with gold, in which were the golden pot that held the manna, and the rod of Aharon that budded, and the tablets of the covenant, [Aaron and his successors were expressly commanded to burn incense in a “censer” in the most set apart place before the mercy-seat. This was to be done on the great day of atonement, and but once in a year; Lev_16:12-13.]

Heb 9:5  and above it the keruḇim of esteem were overshadowing the place of atonement – about which we do not now speak in detail.

Heb 9:6  And these having been prepared like this, the priests always went into the first part of the Tent, accomplishing the services.

Heb 9:7  But into the second part the high priest went alone once a year, not without blood, which he offered for himself and for sins of ignorance of the people,¹ Footnote: ¹Num. 15:15-28.

Heb 9:8  the Set-apart Spirit signifying this, that the way into the Most Set-apart Place was not yet made manifest while the first Tent has a standing,

Heb 9:9  which was a parable for the present time in which both gifts and slaughters are offered which are unable to perfect the one serving, as to his conscience,

Heb 10:10  By that desire we have been set apart through the offering of the body of יהושע Messiah once for all. (YHVH wanting to become one with us)

Heb 10:11  And indeed every priest stands day by day doing service, and repeatedly offering the same slaughter offerings which are never able to take away sins.

Heb 10:12  But He, having offered one slaughter offering for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of Elohim,

Heb 10:13  waiting from that time onward until His enemies are made a footstool for His feet.

Are Yahshua’s enemies completely under his feet yet???????

Heb 10:14  For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are being set apart.

Many translations tragically make an error with the tense of the verb. The verb “being set apart” is not a past tense verb and it implies  THAT WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING SET APART AND THAT THIS WORK THAT HAS BEEN PERFECTED IN THE HEAVENS STILL NEEDS TO BE PERFECTED IN US.

Heb 10:15  And the Set-apart Spirit also witnesses to us, for after having said before,

Heb 10:16  “This is the covenant that I shall make with them after those days, says יהוה, giving My laws into their hearts, and in their minds I shall write them,”¹ Footnote: ¹Jer. 31:33, Heb. 8:8-12.

Heb 10:17  and, “Their sins and their lawlessnesses I shall remember no more.”

HAS THIS HAPPENED YET?????

Heb 10:18  Now where there is forgiveness of these, there is no longer a slaughter offering for sin.

After 7000 years (at the end of the Milleneum) there will no longer be any kind of offering made for sin, because then we will be separated eternally from our sin. This is a work only YHVH is powerful enough to do (this is why people are in error, they don’t know the power of YHVH to separate us from sin)

Heb 10:19  So, brothers, having boldness to enter into the Set-apart Place by the blood of יהושע,

Heb 10:20  by a new and living way which He instituted for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Heb 10:21  and having a High Priest over the House of Elohim,

Heb 10:22  let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.

Heb 10:23  Let us hold fast the confession of our expectation without yielding, for He who promised is trustworthy.

Heb 10:24  And let us be concerned for one another in order to stir up love and good works,¹ Footnote: ¹Mt. 16:27.

Heb 10:25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging, and so much more as you see the Day coming near.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin purposely after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a slaughter offering for sins,¹ Footnote: ¹See also 6:6, Heb. 9:7, Num. 15:15-28.

Heb 10:27  but some fearsome anticipation of judgment, and a fierce fire which is about to consume the opponents.

Heb 10:28  Anyone who has disregarded the Torah of Mosheh dies without compassion on the witness of two or three witnesses.

The verb “has disregarded” (aorist active nominative singular verb) indicates a verb that continues from the past into the future.

Heb 10:29  How much worse punishment do you think shall he deserve who has trampled the Son of Elohim underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was set apart as common, and insulted the Spirit of favour?

The blood of the covenant is considered to represent the entire system of offerings as instructed in the Temple Service in theTorah. To separate Messiah from these is a sin that will be severely punished. It is compared to trampling the son of man under our feet. It is through these offerings that we will come to perfectly receive and walk in the redemptive work of Messiah that will bring us into the presence of YHVH forever.

Blessing for the Torah

Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,

v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe

you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.

Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:

1.      16:1-17

2.      16:18-24

3.      16:25-34

4.      17:1-7

5.      17:8 – 18:5

6.      18:6-21

7.      18:22-26

8.      Maftir: 18:27-30

Haftarah: Ezekiel 22:1-19 (A); 22:1-16 (S)

Aliyah Rishon 16:1-17

“The Torah introduces the Yom Kippur service by saying that YHVH spoke to Moshe after the death of Aaron’s two sons, Nadav and Abihu, which implies that there was a connection between the tragedy and the YomKippur service. In addition this verse adds a new dimension to the cause of their death, by saying that they died when they approached before YHVH, an element that was emitted from the narrative in 10:1-2 which mentioned only their sin of offering an unbidden incense of fire. The sages say the offence of bringing strange fire alone would not have caused their death; they believe their ventured unauthorized into the most set apart place without an appointment was possibly the cause”.

Lev 16:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh after the death of the two sons of Aharon, as they drew near before יהוה, and died.

Lev 16:2  And יהוה said to Mosheh, “Speak to Aharon your brother not to come in at all times to the Set-apart Place inside the veil, before the lid of atonement which is on the ark, lest he die, because I appear in the cloud above the lid of atonement.

Lev 16:3  “With this Aharon should come into the Set-apart Place: with the blood of a young bull as a sin offering, and of a ram as a burnt offering.

Lev 16:4  “He should put on the set-apart linen long shirt, with linen trousers on his flesh, and gird himself with a linen girdle, and be dressed with the linen turban – they are set-apart garments. And he shall bathe his body in water, and shall put them on.

Lev 16:5  “And from the congregation of the children of Yisra’ĕl he takes two male goats as a sin offering, and one ram as a burnt offering.

      Two male goats for a sin offering.

Our redemption from sin requires both forgiveness and removal of sin. On the day of Yom ha kippurim (note plural), two lots were drawn. On one was written “for YHVH” and the other “for Azazel” Azazel has various interpretations including “one who is sent.” A red ribbon was tied to the horn of this second goat and led out into the wilderness. According to historical records this red ribbon as well as an additional one attached to the door of the temple turned white. This was seen to have been a miraculous sign that YHVH had atoned for and forgiven the sins of the people of Israel. This miracle stopped before the destruction of the second temple after the death of Messiah.

The “Azazel” also reminds us of Yahshua

       who was led out into the same wilderness and tempted by ha Satan for 40 days. Yahshua overcame this temptation and secured a victory over the enemy who seeks to keep us captive in our sin.

Lev 16:6  “And Aharon shall bring the bull as a sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house.

Lev 16:7  “And he shall take the two goats and let them stand before יהוה at the door of the Tent of Meeting.

Lev 16:8  “And Aharon shall cast lots for the two goats, one lot for יהוה and the other lot for Azazel.

Lev 16:9  “And Aharon shall bring the goat on which the lot for יהוה fell, and shall prepare it as a sin offering.

Lev 16:10  “But the goat on which the lot for Azazel fell is caused to stand alive before יהוה, to make atonement upon it, to send it into the wilderness to Azazel.

Lev 16:11  “And Aharon shall bring the bull of the sin offering, which is for himself, and make atonement for himself and for his house, and shall slaughter the bull as the sin offering which is for himself,

Lev 16:12  and shall take a fire holder filled with burning coals of fire from the altar before יהוה, with his hands filled with sweet incense beaten fine, and shall bring it inside the veil.

Lev 16:13  “And he shall put the incense on the fire before יהוה, and the cloud of incense shall cover the lid of atonement which is on the Witness, lest he die.

Lev 16:14  “And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the lid of atonement on the east side, also in front of the lid of atonement he sprinkles some of the blood with his finger seven times.

Lev 16:15  “And he shall slaughter the goat of the sin offering, which is for the people, and shall bring its blood inside the veil, and shall do with that blood as he did with the blood of the bull, and sprinkle it on the lid of atonement and in front of the lid of atonement.

Lev 16:16  “And he shall make atonement for the Set-apart Place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and because of their transgressions in all their sins. And so he does for the Tent of Meeting which is dwelling with them in the midst of their uncleanness.

Note atonement was made for uncleanness – Hebrew “tumah” which means to be contaminated because of sexual, ethical or spiritual impurity.

Atonement was also made for “transgressions” – Hebrew “pasha” which implies breaking away from just authority – rebellion against man, YHVH and His Torah.

Lev 16:17  “And no man should be in the Tent of Meeting when he goes in to make atonement in the Set-apart Place, until he comes out. And he shall make atonement for himself, and for his household, and for all the assembly of Yisra’ĕl.

Aliyah Sheni 16:18-24

Lev 16:18  “And he shall go out to the altar that is before יהוה, and make atonement for it. And he shall take some of the blood of the bull and some of the blood of the goat, and put it on the horns of the altar all around.

Lev 16:19  “And he shall sprinkle some of the blood on it with his finger seven times, and cleanse it, and set it apart from the uncleanness of the children of Yisra’ĕl.

Lev 16:20  “And when he has finished atoning for the Set-apart Place, and the Tent of Meeting, and the altar, he shall bring the live goat.

Lev 16:21  “Then Aharon shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, and shall confess over it all the crookednesses of the children of Yisra’ĕl, and all their transgressions in all their sins, and shall put them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a fit man.

Lev 16:22  “And the goat shall bear on itself all their crookednesses, to a land cut off. Thus he shall send the goat away into the wilderness.

Lev 16:23  “Aharon shall then come into the Tent of Meeting, and shall take off the linen garments which he put on when he went into the Set-apart Place, and shall leave them there.

Lev 16:24  “And he shall bathe his body in water in the set-apart place, and shall put on his garments, and shall come out and prepare his burnt offering and the burnt offering of the people, and make atonement for himself and for the people,

Aliyah Shlishi 16:25-34

Lev 16:25  and burn the fat of the sin offering on the altar.

Lev 16:26  “And he who sent away the goat to Azazel washes his garments, and shall bathe his body in water, and afterward he comes into the camp.

Lev 16:27  “And the bull for the sin offering and the goat for the sin offering, whose blood was brought in to make atonement in the Set-apart Place, is brought outside the camp. And they shall burn their skins, and their flesh, and their dung with fire.

Lev 16:28  “And he who burns them washes his garments, and shall bathe his body in water, and afterward he comes into the camp.

Lev 16:29  “And this shall be for you a law forever: In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, you afflict your beings, and do no work, the native or the stranger who sojourns among you.

[This is the day of Atonements/Yom haKippurim – “afflict your beings” were Hebraically always understood to mean a total fast. So on this day of Atonements, NO work is to be done and we are to fast (from sunset to sunset, the 10^th of the Seventh Scriptural month].

Lev 16:30  “For on that day he makes atonement for you, to cleanse you, to be clean from all your sins before יהוה.

Lev 16:31  “It is a Sabbath of rest [Shabbat Shabbaton] for you, and you shall afflict your beings – a law forever.

Lev 16:32  “And the priest, who is anointed and ordained to serve as priest in his father’s place, shall make atonement, and shall put on the linen garments, the set-apart garments,

Lev 16:33  and he shall make atonement for the Most Set-apart Place, and make atonement for the Tent of Meeting and for the altar, and make atonement for the priests and for all the people of the assembly.

Lev 16:34  “And this shall be for you a law forever, to make atonement for the children of Yisra’ĕl, for all their sins, once a year.” And he did as יהוה commanded Mosheh.

Aliyah Reviee 17:1-7

Lev 17:1  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,

Lev 17:2  “Speak to Aharon, to his sons, and to all the children of Yisra’ĕl, and say to them, ‘This is

the word which יהוה has commanded, saying,

Lev 17:3  “Any man from the house of Yisra’ĕl who slaughters a bull or a lamb or a goat in the camp, or who slaughters it outside the camp,

Lev 17:4  and does not bring it to the door of the Tent of Meeting, to bring an offering to יהוה before the Dwelling Place of יהוה, blood-guilt is reckoned to that man. He has shed blood, and that man shall be cut off from among his people,

Lev 17:5  in order that the children of Yisra’ĕl bring their slaughterings which they slaughter in the open field. And they shall bring them to יהוה at the door of the Tent of meeting, to the priest, and slaughter them as peace offerings to יהוה.

Lev 17:6  “And the priest shall sprinkle the blood on the altar of יהוה at the door of the Tent of Meeting, and shall burn the fat for a sweet fragrance to יהוה.

Lev 17:7  “And let them no longer slaughter their slaughterings to demons, after whom they whored. This is a law forever for them throughout their generations.” ’

Aliyah Chamishi 17:8-18:5

Lev 17:8  “And say to them, ‘Any man of the house of Yisra’ĕl, or of the strangers who sojourn among you, who offers a burnt offering or slaughtering,