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Vayikra - Leviticus
Started by LovingNeighbor at 04-11-2006 10:14 AM. Topic has 1 replies.
  
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 04-11-2006, 10:14 AM
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LovingNeighbor
 
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Bechukotai Parasha Thoughts, Studies, and Comments
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The goal of this section is to get everybody's studies, thoughts, and opinions on anything in the weeks parasha. This includes, word studies, thoughts on verses, history, related subjects, and anything that may help us to understand this Torah Portion. Even if it's just an observation on the smallest part, it can help others who may not have seen it that way. The goal is then as we visit the parasha (Torah Portion) each year we will create a collection of studies and thoughts on this portion and everyone will benefit by having a broader view of the portion. Shalom!
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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05-17-2008, 4:08 PM
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LovingNeighbor
Joined on 02-10-2006
Washington
Posts 397
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Bechukotai Parasha 2007-8 Message - The Weight of Your Choices
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The Weight of Your Choices
For Parasha Bechukotai
By Lovingneighbor 5-17-2008
This weeks Parasha is in the book of Vayikra also called Leviticus, and is called Bechukotai which means 'Statutes'. In this weeks parasha:
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In this weeks parasha we start off with one very heavy word though it is very small....if. The word if is a very dense word. Much like gold, it's weight goes way beyond it's size. In that little word the balance is severly altered. Imagine a scale with 1 pound of gold and on the other side 1 pound of papers with laws and statutes written on them. What side has more weight? See the beginning of this portion says If.... you will keep my statutes and my commandments and do them. Ok so the if there has a lot of weight. This is much like the phrase from Mashiach where he says If... you love me keep my commandments. That if has a lot of weight also. The if is followed by roughtly 28 blessings for keeping the statutes,commandments and doing them.
Some of these blessings are fundamental blessings in the Torah, Rain, increase, Lasting Food, Safety, Children, the Covenant, The Tabernacle, and Elohim Dwelling among them. So we see that all of your choices will be measured in the haftarah:
Jer 17:10 I YHWH search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
This is followed by a multitude of curses that come from not obeying and after each set of curses a measure to see if you will change or if you will not change more punishment is added. This is the model of pasic chastisement. It's a punishment to cause the person to turn or do what is right. Not intended to destroy them. So in the beginning of this weeks parasha we see a model of chastisement for His children. Then we get into the vows and valuations of people. This also applies a value to each person. We see this witht he half shekel also. Sin has a price, or weight and so does every word, and action we do.
It reminds me of the parable of the accounting that a master makes of his servants. It shows the weight of both money owed and of choices made. The haftarah buttons this up with another example of the result for the choices of those who forsake YHWH and His commandments and compares it to the person who obeys and they will be like a tree planted by rivers fo water, they shall not be careful in drought. This phrase is amazing. It basically says the time will come when the drought arrives and all will be there, but it will not affect them. This reminds me of the plagues on Egypt and how YHWH didn't let it affect Yisra'el.
This parasha ends with the concept of redemption. With values put on people and sin, and things dedicated to YHWH, and last weeks portion about the Yo'vale and redemption of land and inheritance. We get the overall message that there are costs associated to everything and that if you want to redeem something you must pay the cost. Redemption is the reason you can bring an animal for your sin. Redemption is why your brother can buy you out of slavery. Redemption is why you who sold off your inheritance can get it back. The weight of your choices are represented in a value and the weight of your choices can determine blessing and cursing, and the weight of the choices of your near kin if they can afford to help you may pay for some of your choices. have you checked your balance lately. Are you in debt and if so how much. Can you help your brother if hee needed help. Let's start realizing our choices are like money, and if you realized that would you spend it foolishly as you are doing or start to invest it as the parable of the talents and grow in righteousness. Your great righteousness may be able to redeem your near kin. Your great choices may save some who are in debt up to their eyeballs. Spend your choices like gold and silver and don't squander the choices you have because they are numbered. Shalom
A disciple should diligently search for the truth and humbly deny and reconsider it's possession.
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