“Korach” refers to the man of the same name who was responsible for mounting a rebellion against Moshe. There are many unique aspects to this act of rebellion, such as it being led by a Levite and a confederation of other
leaders, and that Moshe and Aaron are on the same side against them. We also have touches of foreshadowing of Eliyahu’s later contest against the prophets of Baal. The results of this rebellion are among the most graphic of disasters depicted in Tanakh. Because the very fabric of the priesthood was threatened, the stakes for the right side surviving were incredibly high, and when order is eventually restored this time Abba YHWH confines His
instructions to the priests so that they can regain some credibility.
Shelach Lecha means “send out for yourself,” referring to the spies that Moshe will send into Canaan to do a little “reconnaissance” on the strategic strengths of the various peoples living in Canaan. When the spies let their fear get the better of them and bring back an evil report, Abba YHWH officially enacts punishment that they will spend an additional 40 years wandering in the wilderness, or a total of 42 years from the time they left Egypt. However Caleb and Joshua prove themselves to be the voices of righteousness and will not give into fear. Then, for the second time, Abba YHWH offers to destroy all Israel and start over a new tribe with Moshe as leader and the fallout from this occasion is most interesting, to say the least.
Chapter 15 though also follows the pattern of the previous cycle when Abba YHWH offered to start over with Moshe, Moshe refused, and the final verdict from Abba YHWH comes down. In both cases, Abba YHWH reassures Israel by re-issuing his Torah requirements, meaning that even for those who will die in the wilderness the tribes they are part of will live through obedience to Abba YHWH’s Word. Keep Reeding
“BeHalotekha” means “when you elevate” as in “when you lift up the lamps.” Aaron is commanded to light the lamps of the menorah and the tribe of Levi is commanded to serve the sanctuary. This is also when the institution of the
2nd Pesach is established and when the Israelites grumble over only having manna to eat as well as showing rebellion against Moshe from his own siblings!
“Naso” means “take,” as in “you will take an accounting of Israel” or a census. This portion begins with the census on the Gershonites and details all their prescribed duties in ministering to the Tabernacle. This is followed by the bitter waters test for an adulterous woman in Numbers 5 and other instructions for the sons of Aaron, culminating with the Blessing of the Priests in chapter 6. The 7th and last chapter in the portion details the
contributions for the Tabernacle made by each tribal leader.
“BaMidbar” means “in the wilderness” and it begins with a census being taken of the nation, particularly of men 20 years and older who can serve in combat. The total comes to 603,550 except Levites who cannot be counted for this purpose. After this more details are given for how the Levites are to maintain the Tabernacle and their own purity. Please also check out Video 3 at about the 51 minute mark for a special bonus teaching updating Peter’s ossuary inscription!
“BaHar” means at the mountain, from which Abba YHWH gives this series of instructions. It concerns itself with the intricate Jubilee and Land Sabbath rules, which I will be discussing from Torah and giving my take on them in the Eternal Torah Calendar system.
“BeChukkotai” means “by/through My statutes,” referring to Abba YHWH’s judgments being “walked in” or followed. There is a distinction made between “laws” and “statutes” and “commandments” which we will look into later. This portion though goes beyond just listing a bunch of rules; it deals with the rewards for obedience and punishments for disobedience. Most striking of these enactments is the prediction in 26:34-35, where Israel is warned they will be vomited out of the land if they fail to keep the Land Sabbath. The 27th chapter has extensive details on the monetary values of making an oath of consecration regarding a person based on gender and age.
“Emor” means “he said” and it is heavily concerned with purity regulations, but it then shifts into a bigger picture with restoring and re stating the sacred year. Abba YHWH does this to show the Israelites to know they renew their covenant by following His instructions, so He repeats these rules to reassure Israel their covenant continues.
“Aharei Mot” means “after the death,” referring to the demise of Aaron’s sons Nadab and Abihu who offered fire in a way not sanctioned by Abba YHWH. The portion begins with the purification measures that Aaron and his remaining sons need to go through to rectify the evil that was done in Abba YHWH’s sight. Once done, additional purity regulations are given on how native Israelites are to slaughter and handle blood. Abba YHWH then opens the last chapter in this portion by reminding Israel that they are not to do the practices of the peoples either from where they came from (Egypt) or where they are going (Canaan) but must remain a Set-Apart people. In order to do this, the portion closes with additional regulations of proper and improper sexual conduct.
“Kedoshim” means “you shall be Set-Apart.” This is a kind of “Cliff Notes” style discussion of some of the main themes of the overall Torah. It includes some of the Ten Words (Commandments) but not all of them, and wraps around the ones it does include with either brief application advice or other commands that the text didn’t have the chance to get to yet.
“Tazria” means “to bring seed, give birth.” It begins with the “niddah” rules, or how a woman is unclean for a certain period after giving birth. The rest of the portion then deals with how lepers are to be isolated and pronounced clean by the priests before being allowed to rejoin Israel.
“Metzora” or more precisely “Ha Metzora” means “The Leper,” and the portion concerns primarily how a leper gets pronounced clean by the priests, how he demonstrates he has been cleansed from the disease. The previous Torah portion (Tazria) concerned states of impurity and isolation for women who have just given birth and lepers. This portion deals with how to get the lepers clean again. It then takes an interesting turn to discuss what happens when a whole house becomes unclean before ending with other purity rules for men and women.
Shemini means “on the 8th day” deals with the end of the priests’ consecration period. After this, they can then make expiation for all of Israel. Unfortunately however, two of Aaron’s sons pay the ultimate price for not ministering properly to the people. The portion then ends with the “kosher list” of what can and cannot be eaten, a perfect segue into our Renewed Covenant reading which also discusses kosher food.
From deep clues from Noah’s Flood to the death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah, explore the surprising history of Pesach from beginning to end! Keep Reeding
Tzav means “command” as in commanding the sons of Aaron. It is another form of the same root we saw in an earlier parsha “tetzaveh” or “you will command/charge.” This time the focus of the portion is on the priestly responsibilities in preparing sacrifices.