Parashat 26 Portion 82 Vayikra 9:1-11:47 1 Kings 8:54-61 Mark 7:9-23

Parashat Shemini - Shemini- Eighth

HEART OF THE TORAH:

In this portion we find the middle letter and two middle words of the entire Torah sefer. The sages call this Torah Portion the heart of the Torah because they say the Torah was founded upon this Parashah Portion.

There are 304805 letters in the Torah, the middle letter of Torah is the “vav” of Gachon (belly) 

Lev 11:42 –

The middle words of the Torah is in Lev 10:16 – “Drosh drash”  and means “ in searching you must search.” (Which mean you must truly search for the truth)

The middle verse is found in the previous parashah ( 5845 verses in the Torah)  Lev 8:8 and put the breastplate on him, and put the Urim and the Tummim in the breastplate. (light and perfections refers to Moshiach)

The sages teach that we can see from this middle letter, word and verse that the first has to do with the spirit soul and body. The heart or central instruction of the Torah has to do with the whole man - 1Th 5:23  And the Elohim of peace Himself set you completely apart, and your entire spirit, and being, and body - be preserved blameless at the coming of our Master יהושע Messiah!

1Th 5:24  He who calls you is trustworthy, who also shall do it.

The number 26 we know is also extremely significant as it pertains to the gematria of the name of YHVH – (yud = 10, hey=5, vav-6, hey=5 total 26)

Lev 9:1  And on the eighth (shemeni) day it came to be that Mosheh called Aharon and his sons and the elders of Yisra’ĕl.

That day was as joyous to YHVH as the day on which heaven and earth were created. (Talmud, Megillah 10b)

This eighth day was the first day (rosh chodesh – new moon day) of the first month (Aviv/Nisan) On this day the tabernacle and priesthood was dedicated and established by YHVH to be His eternal pattern of provision for our return back into His presence – Ex 40:2

The sages tell us that there were many significant new beginnings introduced in this parasha:

1. First day of the week – (or eighth day) The book of Leviticus introduces this concept more than any other book in scripture – (nine references) Yahshua rose from the dead on the 8 th day of the week (which is also the first day) -  sealed the promise of the New Covenant for ever -  now it could never change - He established the surety of a new beginning for all humanity.
2. Here we see the first day the princes of Israel bring special gifts. The tribe of Judah was the first in dedicating gifts to the altar.
3.  On this eighth day Aaron’s sons become priests serving Israel performing priestly service
4. Eighth day fire descended on the altar –that came from Elohim.
5. Eighth day was the first “tamid” ie continual offering morning and afternoon.
6. First offerings eaten or totally consumed –
7. First evidence of the “shechina” or presence of YHVH entered into the tabernacle
8. First day the Aharonic blessing was spoken.
9. First time new instruction given about altars. No other altars where priestly duties carried out were to be erected - no one could just go and erect an altar and bring an offering to Yahveh.
10. First time “rosh chodesh” – new moon ceremony conducted.

Lev 9:1  And on the eighth day it came to be that Mosheh called Aharon and his sons and the elders of Yisra’ĕl.

Lev 9:2  And he said to Aharon, “Take for yourself a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering, a perfect one, and bring them before יהוה.

Lev 9:3  “And speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘Take a male goat as a sin offering, and a calf and a lamb, both a year old, perfect ones, as a burnt offering,

Lev 9:4  and a bull and a ram as peace offerings, to slaughter before יהוה, and a grain offering mixed with oil. For today יהוה shall appear to you.’ ”

Lev 9:5  And they took what Mosheh commanded before the Tent of Meeting, and all the congregation drew near and stood before יהוה.

Lev 9:6  And Mosheh said, “This is the word which יהוה commanded you to do, so that the esteem of יהוה appears to you.”

Lev 9:7  And Mosheh said to Aharon, “Go to the altar, and prepare your sin offering and your burnt offering, and make atonement for yourself and for the people. And make the offering of the people, and make atonement for them, as יהוה has commanded.”

Lev 9:8  So Aharon came near to the altar and slaughtered the calf of the sin offering, which was for himself………..

Note the order of these offerings – first was the sin offering which emphasizes that without purification there can be no communication or fellowship with the Father. The burnt offering came next which allows for intimacy with YHVH. The grain offering follows in which we enjoy a covenantal meal with YHVH, we” break bread” together enjoying fellowship with one another. Finally the peace offering is the blessing we enjoy of knowing that it is well between YHVH and us as well as our fellowman and ourselves.

Parashat 25 Portion 81 Vayikra/Lev 8:1-36 Ez 43:27- 44:8 Heb 7:11-28

From the age of accountability all mankind instinctively knows that there is a Supreme Creator and Ruler over all of creation.

    Rom 1:18  For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from heaven against all wickedness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,

     Rom 1:19  because that which is known of Elohim is manifest among them, for Elohim has manifested it to them.

     Rom 1:20  For since the creation of the world His invisible qualities have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, both His everlasting power and Mightiness, for them to be without excuse,

     Rom 1:21  because, although they knew Elohim, they did not esteem Him as Elohim, nor gave thanks, but became vain in their reasonings, and their undiscerning heart was darkened.

     Rom 1:22  Claiming to be wise, they became fools,

     Rom 1:23  and changed the esteem of the incorruptible Elohim into the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds and of four-footed beasts and of reptiles.

Rom 1:24  Therefore Elohim gave them up to uncleanness in the lust of their hearts, to disrespect their bodies among themselves,

Rom 1:25  who changed the truth of Elohim into the falsehood, and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amĕn.

By virtue of the fact that there is this Supreme authority, it is incumbent upon all of mankind to establish how this Supreme Being has chosen to be in relationship with His Creation.

We see once again in this Torah portion that YHVH has chosen priesthood. This chosen priesthood has been instructed to function in a particular way. Even this priesthood has an authority structure and a supreme leader.

Heb 7:11  Truly, then, if perfection were through the Lĕwitical priesthood – for under it the people were given the Torah – why was there still need for another priest to arise according to the order of Malkitseḏeq, and not be called according to the order of Aharon?

Heb 7:12  For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there takes place a change of law¹ also. Footnote: ¹Heb. 7:12. See “Law” in Explanatory notes.

Heb 7:13  For He of whom this is said belongs to another tribe, from which no one had attended at the altar.¹ Footnote: ¹See “Altar” in Explanatory notes.

Heb 7:14  For it is perfectly clear that our Master arose from Yehuḏah, a tribe about which Mosheh never spoke of concerning priesthood,

Heb 7:15  and this is clearer still, if another priest arises in the likeness of Malkitseḏeq,

Heb 7:16  who has become, not according to the Torah of fleshly command, but according to the power of an endless life,

Heb 7:17  for He does witness, “You are a priest forever according to the order of Malkitseḏeq.”

Heb 7:18  For there is indeed a setting aside of the former command because of its weakness and unprofitableness,

Heb 7:19  for the Torah perfected naught, but the bringing in of a better expectation, through which we draw near to Elohim.

Heb 7:20  And it was not without an oath!

Heb 7:21  For they indeed became priests without an oath, but He became Priest with an oath by Him who said to Him, “יהוה has sworn and shall not regret, ‘You are a priest forever according to the order of Malkitseḏeq.’ ”

Heb 7:22  By as much as this יהושע has become a guarantor of a better covenant.

Heb 7:23  And indeed, those that became priests were many, because they were prevented by death from continuing,

Heb 7:24  but (Gk –yet)He, because He remains forever, has an unchangeable priesthood.

Heb 7:25  Therefore He is also able to save completely those who draw near to Elohim through Him, ever living to make intercession for them.

Heb 7:26  For it was fitting that we should have such a High Priest – kind, innocent, undefiled, having been separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens,

Heb 7:27  who does not need, as those high priests, to offer up slaughter offerings day by day, first for His own sins and then for those of the people, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.

Heb 7:28  For the Torah appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath which came after the Torah, appoints the Son having been perfected forever.

When we who have grown up in the church read this passage of scripture we immediately assume that the Levitical priesthood has been done away with. This is impossible – see Matt 5:17-19.

Let us consider once again this Torah portion and the unchanging nature of YHVH’s Truth.

Parashat 25 Portion 80 Tzav – Vayikra/Lev 6:8-7:38 Mal 3:4-12 Luke 6:39-49

Please note we have skipped Portion 79 as we discussed these issues in last week’s Torah Midrash.

Hebrew: Barukh attah Yahweh eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher kideshanu b'mitzvotav, v'tzivanu la'asok b'divrei Torah. V'ha'arev na Yahweh eloheinu et divrei toratekha befinu uvfi amekha beit Yisrael. V'niyeh anachnu v'tze'etze'einu v'tze'etza'ei amekha beit Yisrael kullanu yodei sh'mekha v'lomdei toratekha lishmah. Barukh attah Yahweh hamelamed Torah le'amo Yisrael. Barukh attah Yahweh Eloheinu melekh ha-olam, asher bachar banu mikol ha'amim venatan lanu et torato. Barukh attah Yahweh, noten haTorah.

English translation: Blessed art Thou, YHVH our Elohim, King of the universe, who has made us set apart through His commandments and commanded us to actively study Torah. Please YHVH, our Elohim, sweeten the words of Your Torah in our mouths and in the mouths of all Your people Israel. May we and our offspring, and the offspring of Your people, the House of Israel, may we all, together, know Your Name and study Your Torah for the sake of fulfilling Your desire. Blessed are You, Yahweh, Who teaches Torah to His people Israel. Blessed are You, Yahweh our Elohim, King of the universe, Who chose us from all the nations and gave us the Torah. Blessed are You, YHVH, Giver of the Torah.

Lev 6:8  And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying,

Lev 6:9  “Command Aharon and his sons, saying, ‘This is the Torah of the burnt offering: This is the burnt offering, because it is burned on the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar is kept burning on it.

ב  צַו אֶת-אַהֲרֹן וְאֶת-בָּנָיו לֵאמֹר, זֹאת תּוֹרַת הָעֹלָה:  הִוא הָעֹלָה עַל מוֹקְדָה עַל-הַמִּזְבֵּחַ כָּל-הַלַּיְלָה, עַד-הַבֹּקֶר, וְאֵשׁ הַמִּזְבֵּחַ, תּוּקַד בּוֹ.

2 Command Aaron and his sons, saying: This is the law of the burnt-offering: it is that which goeth up on its firewood upon the altar all night unto the morning; and the fire of the altar shall be kept burning thereby.

There is also a highlighted word in the above verse 9 – “This is the burnt offering, because it is burned on the altar all night until morning, and the fire of the altar is kept burning on it.”

Or this is the ascent offering on account of its glow (mokdah) on the altar all night until morning, the fire of the altar shall be kept glowing (tukad) upon it.

The words “mokdah” and “tukad” come from the root word “ yakad” which means to kindle.

The sages say that there were three kinds of flame on the altar used to consume the offering. The “mokdah” was possibly the burning coals that came from the logs (much like our charcoal used when we barbeque) It was from this “mokdah” that coals were taken for the golden altar of incense (this is also possibly why Aharons two sons were killed because they did not take coals from the brazen altar but rather took fire from elsewhere - strange fire)

This word “mokdah” is written in the Torah scroll with a diminished “mem”

“Mem” is the Hebrew letter that speaks of water or life. We believe that it is the Ruach of YHVH that brings and gives us life.

Luk 3:16  Yoḥanan answered, saying to them all, “I indeed immerse you in water, but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to loosen. He shall immerse you in the Set-apart Spirit and fire.

The outpouring of the Ruach on the day of Shavuot (Hebrew)/Pentecost (translation from Greek) is compared to fire.

Act 2:3  And there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and settled on each one of them.

The messengers of YHVH are also compared with fire.

The diminished “mem” could refer to the human vessels that YHVH chooses to fill with the burning treasure of His Ruach. This flame is continually kindled by the study and obedience of Torah.

The diminished “mem” could also refer to someone who allows these burning coals to continually purify them of all unclean things – because only when we are cleansed can we live in relationships that bring life.  One of the most important issues of offerings was to restore fractured relationships.

Isa 6:6  And one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar.

Isa 6:7  And he touched my mouth with it, and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your crookedness is taken away, and your sin is covered.”

Even though the temple has been destroyed Yahshua came to kindle this flame amongst those who would follow him. The Messiah will rebuild the temple and only those who have the same “mokdah” as Messiah will rule and reign with him.

Luk 12:49  “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!

Luk 12:50  “But I have an immersion to be immersed with, and how distressed I am until it is accomplished!

Luk 12:51  “Do you think that I came to give peace on earth? I say to you, no, but rather division.

Lev 6:10  ‘And the priest shall put on his linen garment, and put his linen trousers on his body, and shall take up the ashes of the burnt offering which the fire has consumed on the altar, and shall put them beside the altar.

Lev 6:11  ‘And he shall take off his garments, and put on other garments, and shall bring the ashes outside the camp to a clean place.