Saturday, June 18, 2022

CHUCK KOLB

 Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Behaalotecha - Menorah Purity - Complaining Impurity !!!


Previously posted ...
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha נָשֹׂא Naso - Elevate - The Lord Bless You and Keep You !!!
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/06/chuck-kolb_10.html

 
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world
ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. John 16:33
Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Luke 12:37
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. Eph 5:11
The war against Truth has been raging ever since
evil was expulsed from the realm of Heaven.  
God instructed Pharaoh, "Let my people go."
God instructs us, "Let my people know."
Shema Y'israel - Maranatha !
Na'aseh V'nishma  

✡ ✡ ✡
כבוד שם יהוה Baruch Hashem Adonai  
#ShabbatShalom - Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, which is called Behaalotecha (When You Raise).
This is the portion that will be read this Shabbat (Saturday) in synagogues around the world.
We know you will be blessed as you read it along with us!

Last week, in Parasha Naso, the numbering of Israel continued with a census of the Levites.  The Nazirite vow was detailed, as well as the Aaronic Blessing. This week's Scripture portion is named Behaalotecha, which means when you step up because it begins with instructions as to how the Menorah (lampstand) is to be set up in the Tabernacle.  A related word is aliyah (עליה) — the Hebrew word for immigrating to the Land of Israel.  It can also be defined as the act of going up. To take the step of faith to return to the Land of our Forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) is an act of spiritual elevation. In Parasha Behaalotecha, the Israelites resume their trek to the Promised Land.  The Divine fire-cloud accompanies them as a supernatural manifestation of God's Presence, even so they murmured complaints.

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...
Parasha Behaalotecha: The Purity of the Menorah and Impurity of Complaining

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/parasha-behaalotecha-the-purity-of-the-menorah-and-impurity-of-complaining-5782/ 

Are You a Jew? The Answer Might Surprise You
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/are-you-a-jew-fname-the-answer-might-surprise-you/
 
Does the Shekhinah Rest on the Kotel?
Many people report that they have profoundly experienced the presence of God at the Western
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/shekhinah-rest-western-wall/

When to Celebrate Yeshua HaMashiach's birthday ...
The Joy of Tabernacles when Yeshua was Born
http://conpats.blogspot.com/2019/10/chuck-kolb-10142019.html
How Yeshua was born on the Feast of Tabernacles by Rabbi Yitzchak
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/how-yeshua-was-born-on-the-feast-of-tabernacles/

The Significance of the Jewish Prayer Shawl
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/the-significance-of-the-jewish-prayer-shawl/
Ancient Jewish Wedding Customs and Yeshua’s Second Coming
https://free.messianicbible.com/feature/ancient-jewish-wedding-customs-and-yeshuas-second-coming/

Revelation and Na'aseh V'nishma
https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/11880
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/do-first-understand-later/
We will do and we will listen to all that God has declared. Exodus 24:7

English to Hebrew to English lookup
https://context.reverso.net/translation/hebrew-english/
https://www.doitinhebrew.com/Translate/default.aspx
https://english-hebrew-dictionary.com/
https://alittlehebrew.com/transliterate/  
https://yiddishkeit101.wordpress.com/category/hebrew-word-of-the-day
The Best Jewish Words You Need To Know: A Yiddish and Hebrew Glossary
https://www.joyofkosher.com/from-jamie/the-best-jewish-words-you-need-to-know/
https://www.brighthubeducation.com/studying-a-language/58611-yiddish-expressions-for-the-holidays/
https://hebrew4christians.com/Glossary/Hebrew_Glossary_-_Sh/hebrew_glossary_-_sh.html
A Living Library of Jewish Texts in Hebrew and English translation
https://www.sefaria.org/   https://dictionary.co.il/   https://www.hebrew-verbs.co.il/
https://www.mechon-mamre.org/
 
Torah Teasers Parshat Be’halot’cha by Moshe Erlbaum

https://www.aish.com/tp/i/teasers/Torah-Teasers-Parshat-Behalotcha.html

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Ralph Messer ...
Simchat Torah Beit Midrash - Joy of God’s Teaching and Instruction

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.  2 Timothy 3:16

What Does It Mean to Choose Life? Every decision you make can be made in a way that you are “choosing life.”
The Torah is God’s constitution; it is His teaching and instruction; it is eternal and it is life.
His Spirit is pure Light, abundant with untouchable, supreme, sovereign power.
God is the Source of all life.

בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ  Beha'alotecha means “when you kindle”
—referring to the kindling of the lamps of the Menorah in the Tabernacle. There were a group of Israelites who had been unable to bring the Passover offering at the appointed time in the month of Nissan due to ritual impurity (through no fault of their own). Moses turned to God for an answer.  God responded to their plea, saying that a “substitute Passover,” called Pesach Sheni (“Second Passover”), was to be observed on the 14th day of the following month—Iyar 14. Maybe you are feeling spiritually impure or “far away” from God and from others due to past mistakes and indiscretions.  This is where the idea behind Pesach Sheni comes in. It’s never too late for a second chance. God’s love for us can be seen in the opportunities for second chances that He gives us.
https://stbm.org/behaalotcha/

Arrive a half hour+ early for starting lessons ...
Online> Saturday Shabbat (9:00am ET / 12:30pm ET) Services and Midrash  
Online> Monday Nights with STBM 8:30pm ET  / Thursday Afternoon> 3:00 pm ET
Learn more about special event streaming when you call our team! 866-867-2488
https://stbm.org/stbm-live-main/ - https://www.youtube.com/c/RalphMesser/videos
https://stbm.org/study-home/  https://stbm.org/rrm-subscriptions/  https://store2.torah.tv/ 

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Todah Rabah - Dr. Gary Hedrick ...
Reaching the Jewish people with the Gospel
https://www.cjfm.org/about-us/who-we-are/history/
Charles Halff - What It Costs a Jew to Become a Christian

https://store.cjfm.org/product/146/what-it-costs-a-jew-to-become-a-christian

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Richman ...

Weekly Torah Study: with Rav Gedalia Meyer
Temple Talk with Yitzchak Reuven and Rabbi Abba Horovitz
https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTempleInstitute/videos
https://www.facebook.com/The-Temple-Institute-22738684968/
https://www.instagram.com/thetempleinstitute/ - https://twitter.com/TempleInstitute
https://www.templeinstitute.org/ Weekly Newsletter - 35 years  
Red Heifer > https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer/
Jerusalem Lights - Rabbi Chaim Richman
https://www.youtube.com/c/JerusalemLightsRabbiChaimRichman/videos

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County  
Parashat BeHa'alotecha - 18 Sivan, 5782 - June 17, 2022

https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=BeHa%27alotecha
https://www.koltorah.org/by-parashah  https://www.koltorah.org/about-us
https://www.koltorah.org/rav-jachters-halachah-files
Books > https://www.koltorah.org/books
From Chaos to Kingship: An In-Depth Exploration of Megillat Rut
https://www.amazon.com/Chaos-Kingship-Depth-Exploration-Megillat/dp/B0B14ZP8N2
Yeshiva > https://www.tabc.org/  https://www.instagram.com/koltorah.tabc/

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Parshat Behaalotecha
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/2181/jewish/Behaalotecha-in-a-Nutshell.htm
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=6/18/2022  
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/view/month_cdo/jewish/Jewish-Calendar.htm
https://www.chabad.org/calendar/converter_cdo/aid/6225/jewish/Jewish-Hebrew-Date-Converter.htm

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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Naphtali “Tuly” Weisz ...   
https://israel365.com/  https://www.israel365news.com/
https://www.israel365.com/about/  https://theisraelbible.com/
https://theisraelbible.com/bible/torah/  https://theisraelbible.com/blog/

The Portion of Beha’alotecha
https://theisraelbible.com/2015/05/31/portion-behaalotecha/
https://theisraelbible.com/book-numbers/

Why do we Light Up an Empty Room with the Menorah?
I often find myself walking around my house, turning off lights in empty rooms. Why waste electricity if there is no one there to benefit from it? Interestingly, a similar question arose thousands of years ago, in the Temple itself!
https://theisraelbible.com/why-do-we-light-up-an-empty-room-with-the-menorah/

Israel to supply natural gas to Europe and its connection to a blessing from Deuteronomy
https://www.israel365news.com/270368/israel-to-supply-natural-gas-to-europe-and-its-connection-to-a-blessing-from-deuteronomy/

Israel partners in innovative project to provide thirsty populations with clean drinking water
https://www.israel365news.com/270361/israel-partners-in-innovative-project-to-provide-thirsty-populations-with-clean-drinking-water/

The 39 Acts Forbidden on the Sabbath
https://theisraelbible.com/the-39-acts-forbidden-on-the-sabbath/
https://theisraelbible.com/the-true-day-of-rest/

Anti-Semitism is on the rise in the United States.
Stand with 100,000+ people who stand with Israel.
https://www.israel365.com/the-israel-covenant/

ACLJ Petition - Jay Sekulow
Stop Biden IRS From Spying on You and Your Bank Account
https://aclj.org/government-corruption/stop-biden-irs-from-spying-on-your-bank-account

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DONALD DATES
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Trump  
Tiffany 10/13/93
Ivanka 10/30/81  

Save America Rally in Mendon, IL
Sat, June 25, 2022 - 7:00 pm (CDT)

https://events.donaldjtrump.com/events/save-america-rally-in-mendon-il
Events > https://www.donaldjtrump.com/events
https://rumble.com/c/RSBN

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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories
In the 12th Jun 22 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include: https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2022/06/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-12th.html  
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/

Mishpacha Jewish Family Weekly
https://mishpacha.com/  

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Todah Rabah - beloved Ted Belman writing from Jerusalem, Israel for 20+ years ...  
THERE IS NO DIPLOMATIC SOLUTION
Israel should declare three nos;
no to nuclear Iran, no to two-state solution, no to bi-national state


It’s not too late to make amends to the Jewish people for this historical injustice.
by Ted Belman
Section 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations provided;
https://www.israpundit.org/its-not-too-late-to-make-amends-to-the-jewish-people-for-this-historical-injustice/

There’s no sign that the longtime hostility towards Israel is about to ease.
– despite all the warm words in Jerusalem,
by Melanie Phillips, jns
https://www.israpundit.org/theres-no-sign-that-the-longtime-hostility-towards-israel-is-about-to-ease/
https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/355043

Tucker Carlson: Biden has made things a lot worse
foxvid> https://youtu.be/j3PS2bxfWVA (15:21)
https://www.israpundit.org/tucker-carlson-biden-has-made-things-a-lot-worse/

Candace Owens: Democrats should be forced to live with the Kamala they created
foxvid> https://youtu.be/rs3ue-jxvA4 (2:48)
https://www.israpundit.org/tucker-carlson-accuses-democrats-of-embracing-white-supremacy-by-ousting-kamala-harris/

The Jordanian Confederation/Federation Plan as per the IDSF with Israpundit’s critique.
Israel Defense and Security Forum
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordanian-confederation-federation-plan-as-per-the-idsf-with-israpundits-critique/

Jordan and Israel team up (VIDEO)
T. Belman writes, 3 days ago I posted WSJ: A Jordanian Future for the West Bank?. And now this video.  They are both selling the Jordan Option after years of silence.  I think both have been planted to start the public dialogue so that the idea can move forward.  Expect more such articles and statements to prepare the public for this..
vid> https://youtu.be/rj02L2qQd3I
https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-and-israel-team-up/

JORDAN: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE: The Jordan Option Revisited  
vid> https://youtu.be/ipsJYq2CH7k (41:01) 5/17/22
linx> https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-option-israels-legal-rights-and-compensated-emigration-explained/

The Jordan Option Conference Videos reposted
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-conference-videos/
https://www.israpundit.org/jordan-past-present-and-future-the-jordan-option-revisited/

>> The Jordan Option, plain and simple
https://www.israpundit.org/the-jordan-option-plain-and-simple/
>> The Jordanian Option is the only game in town
https://www.israpundit.org/my-jordan-option-is-the-only-game-in-town/
>> The Ultimate Alternate Israel-Palestine Solution by Ted Belman
https://www.israpundit.org/the-ultimate-alternate-israel-palestine-solution-3/

Kindly donate to support the work I do
by Ted Belman

https://www.israpundit.org/please-donate/

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Quest For The Lost Tribes - Full Simcha Jacobovici Documentary
vid> https://www.bitchute.com/video/jbB2ELq4xPw/ (1:33:29) 8/18/19
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simcha_Jacobovici
12 Tribes of Israel: The Shevatim
https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/3798842/jewish/12-Tribes-of-Israel-The-Shevatim.htm
https://www.jewishvoice.org/read/blog/who-are-tribes-judah

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UFOs and Jews Living on a Different Planet
by Rabbi Efrem Goldberg

Judaism's differing views on the possibility of life on other planets and how some Jews are living in an alternative universe. While acknowledging that there is support in Torah for the notion that life exists on other planets, he argued that life could not be intelligent or similar to human life.
If they were, they would need Torah to guide them.
https://www.aish.com/ci/s/UFOs-and-Jews-Living-on-a-Different-Planet.html

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In parsha Behaalotecha,
manna from heaven grew tiresome. The height of ingratitude. The false memory of an Egyptian bounty of fish, cucumbers, watermelons, leeks, onions and garlic leads the people to beg for meat instead of manna.  Moshe's reply is priceless and timeless: "If sheep and cattle were slaughtered for them, would it suffice for them? If all the fish of the sea were gathered for them, would it suffice for them?"  Sounds a lot like my dinner table.  Maybe it's the weather.  Maybe I am too tired to fight.  But this week, I give in.  Here is a menu (with the obligatory meat) worth kvetching for...
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-thai-shabbat-menu/

A Father's Day Menu
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-fathers-day-menu/

A guilt-free 100 Calorie Treat? Yes, Please!
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/100-calorie-mandle-bread/

If you have a pan, I have a plan
Try 19 One Pan One Pot Wonders Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/one-pan-one-pot-wonders-dinner-made-easy/

Harissa Chicken and Couscous Salad
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/harissa-chicken-and-couscous-salad/

Make A Side Of Green Beans With Me
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/kosher-baby-french-string-beans-with-slivered-almonds-recipe/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/black-eyed-peas-and-green-beans/
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/green-bean-and-three-onion-saute/  

Jamie Geller Reunites with Heroic Farmers in Jerusalem
To keep the biblical mitzvah of shmitah   
vid> https://youtu.be/uDwO31572as (36:30) 5/15/22 JG
$180 donations receive my new Farm to Table Cookbook
https://campaigns.causematch.com/SupportOurFarmers
http://supportourfarmers.org
vid> https://player.vimeo.com/video/660942292 (10:42)
FREE Farmers-Guide-for-Produce (7 page pdf)
https://tinyurl.com/Farmers-Guide-for-Produce

Vegan Recipes
https://jamiegeller.com/search?query=vegan+recipes  
Cook the 21 Most Popular Recipes of 2021
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/cook-the-21-most-popular-recipes-of-2021/

This is Where You Can Find Me Most of the Time
JewLish - One People - Many Flavors
https://www.instagram.com/p/CLpomjPnHcZ/
https://www.instagram.com/jamiegeller/
https://www.facebook.com/jamiegeller
https://www.facebook.com/jewlishbyjamie/
https://www.youtube.com/c/jamiegeller/videos
https://jamiegeller.com/
 
  The answer is, it's made with love from Israel ! 
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-jewish-food-memories/
My Love Affair With Jerusalem
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/my-love-affair-with-jerusalem/
Lots of 💕 Jamie - Until next week Shabbat Shalom from Israel ! 


Joy of Aliyah 
http://jamiegeller.com/tag/joy-of-aliyah/
https://jamiegeller.com/tag/joyofisrael/
Jamie Geller Welcome's You

vid> https://youtu.be/XO-owES713c (0:35) JG 

  Jerusalem Street Food with Jamie Geller Spices
vid> https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/CluuvDpk-FSMnt4zj.html (10:56) JewLish   
Machane Yehuda - https://jamiegeller.com/browse/a-haute-market-in-jerusalem-the-shuk/
https://jamiegeller.com/browse/4-israeli-desserts-inspired-by-the-shuk-in-jerusalem/

The Jamie Geller Spice Collection: Now Available Worldwide!
Sending you love and my heartfelt wishes for peace, from Israel.
New Trio of Pilaf Mixes - Mujadara Lentil, Festive Herb and Jeweled Almond
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jamie+Geller/page/55E36343-CF6F-4E88-A4D5-D7C1C0274F7F
https://www.amazon.com/shop/jamiegeller  

Babies, Books, and a Billion Views: My Decade in Review
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/a-decade-in-review/

Best of the Best w Hubby - Family Heirloom Cholent ...
vid> https://youtu.be/Ae2-lQVFsGw (12:01) 8/11/11 JG classic
https://jamiegeller.com/recipes/family-heirloom-chulent/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/cholent/

Jamie at Aish - Chief Media & Marketing Officer
https://www.aish.com/authors/48868432.html
https://www.aishhatorah.com/
How You Can Make the Future Brighter
vid> https://youtu.be/fclstyB-1rA (2:48) Aish
https://www.youtube.com/c/Aishdotcom/videos

Free Hebrew course Aleph Bet
This entire four-lesson course in 30 minutes.
https://academy.aish.com/course/aleph-bet

The Influence of the Hebrew Bible on America's Founding Fathers
vid> https://youtu.be/jE6Sqh-kezw (7:15) J-TV
https://www.aish.com/jl/h/h/The-Influence-of-the-Hebrew-Bible-on-Americas-Founding.html
Serpents of Desire: Good and Evil in the Garden of Eden. An Introduction
https://www.aish.com/jl/b/eb/ge/48966101.html

Jamie Hanala Geller
https://jamiegeller.com/author/jamie-geller/
Tamar Genger MA, RD
https://jamiegeller.com/author/tgenger/
Titles by Jamie Geller
https://www.amazon.com/Jamie-Geller/e/B001JS2GV8/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/
The High Holiday Recipe Collection - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/om8u2hvu10jwaeo5xuzi/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Join My Way Better Cooking Class with Jamie Geller
https://get.waybetter.com/jamiegeller/
Jamie's Quick & Easy Shabbat Menu App
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/exclusive-jamie-gellers-menu-plans/
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/cookbooks/quick-and-easy-shabbat-menus/
Fresh Families Healthy Meal Plan
https://www.prepear.com/jamiegeller/meal-plans/fresh-families-healthy-meal-plan/
LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/

Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and say to him, When you set up (behaalotecha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ) the lamps,
the seven lamps shall give light in front of the Menorah. Numbers 8:1–2

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Behaalotecha - Menorah Purity - Complaining Impurity !!!

 
Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, which is called
Behaalotecha 
(When You Raise)
.
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
This is the portion that will be read this Shabbat (Saturday) in synagogues around the world.  We know you will be blessed
as you read it along with us!
 
BEHAALOTECHA (When You Raise)
Numbers 8:1–12:16; Zechariah 2:14[10]–4:7; Philippians 2:1–18
 
“Now the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Speak to Aaron and say to him, “When you set up (behaalotecha – בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ) the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the Menorah.””  (Numbers 8:12)
 
Last week, in Parasha Naso, the numbering of Israel continued with a census of the Levites.  The Nazirite vow was detailed, as well as the Aaronic Blessing.
 
This week's Scripture portion is named Behaalotecha, which means when you step up because it begins with instructions as to how the Menorah (lampstand) is to be set up in the Tabernacle.  A related word is aliyah (עליה) — the Hebrew word for immigrating to the Land of Israel.  It can also be defined as the act of going up.
 
To take the step of faith to return to the Land of our Forefathers (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob) is an act of spiritual elevation.
 
The Temple Institute
                          has created this life-sized menorah for use in
                          the future Third Temple.
The Temple Institute has created this life-sized
menorah for use in the future Third Temple.  The
menorah is made of 45 kg of 24 karat pure gold 
and is hammered out of a single block of solid gold.
(Photo by Francisco Martins)

The Menorah: Raising the Light of Purity
“Now this workmanship of the Menorah was hammered gold; from its shaft to its flowers it was hammered work.  According to the pattern which the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.”  (Numbers 8:4)
 
Parasha Behaalotecha opens with the kindling of the Menorah. 
This lampstand is a symbol of the light of revelation and truth.
 
God commanded Moses to make it out of gold according to the pattern shown him on Mount Sinai.  Why gold and not bronze or silver?
 
Gold symbolizes something precious — of great value, and it is a metaphor for purity in the Bible.
 
The fire in the Menorah represents the fire of the Divine Light spreading throughout the entire world, beginning with Israel.
 
We can understand it also as Godliness; therefore, the fire can be seen as symbolic of God refining His people so that they may be as fine gold!
 
“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; He will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver.  Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness.”  (Malachi 3:3)
 
Smelted gold is
                          poured into moulds.
Smelted gold is poured into molds.
 
The Light of Obedience
Seven lamps were lit on the Menorah.
Why are there seven golden lampstands and not five or nine or any other number?  According to ancient Jewish thought, seven stands for perfection or completion.
 
The Book of Revelation also speaks of seven golden lampstands in a vision God gave to John:  "And I turned to see the voice that was speaking with me.  And having turned, I saw seven golden lampstands."  (Revelation 1:12)
 
Here, these seven golden lampstands represent the seven congregations in Asia Minor (Revelation 1:10–11, 20).
 
God warned that He might remove the lampstand of a congregation if they continue in sin and refuse to repent.  As Yeshua (Jesus) told the church at Ephesus:  "I am coming to you, and will remove your lampstand out of its place — unless you repent."  (Revelation 2:5)
 
Those who are His followers continually grow in obedience, love, joy, and peace, becoming more and more like Yeshua.
 
That love, joy, and peace shines forth through a dark and dreary world like a beacon of hope.  It makes others desire the
Source of that goodness.
 
A Jewish father and
                          son at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem
                          share the burden of carrying the heavy Torah
                          scroll. (Photo by Reinhardt Konig)
A Jewish father and son at the Western (Wailing) Wall in Jerusalem
share the burden of carrying the heavy Torah scroll. 
(Photo by Reinhardt Konig)

Cleansing of God’s Servants
“Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you
the desires of your heart.”  (Psalm 37:4)
 
As we pursue the Lord, we also pursue purity in our attitudes,
our speech, and our ministry.
 
And so we read in this Parasha that the Levites who served God in the Temple had to be cleansed and purified before beginning their ministry.
 
“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: ‘Take the Levites from among the children of Israel and cleanse them ceremonially.  Thus you shall do to them to cleanse them:  Sprinkle water of purification on them, and let them shave all their body, and let them wash their clothes, and so make themselves clean.’”  (Numbers 8:5–7)
 
God took the Levites as His own in place of the firstborn who were spared during the Ten Plagues in Egypt.  Most of those sons defiled their hearts and spirits when they worshiped the Golden Calf.
 
The Levites didn’t worship the calf.  They stayed faithful and true to the God of Israel; therefore, they were given the work of service in the Tabernacle, instead of Israel's firstborn sons.
 
An ultra-Orthodox
                          Jewish man prays at the Western Wall.
An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man prays at the Western Wall.
 
Murmuring in the Wilderness
“The manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium.  The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it.  And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil.”
(Numbers 11:7–8)
 
In Parasha Behaalotecha, the Israelites resume their trek to the Promised Land.  The Divine fire-cloud accompanies them as a supernatural manifestation of God's Presence.
 
It has been a year since He delivered His Chosen People from bondage in Egypt.  They saw the River Nile turn to blood and their firstborn saved by blood.  They even walked through a parted sea into safety.
 
But experiencing God's supernatural Presence and His provision of manna did not stop them from murmuring in the wilderness.
 
Oh how they complained!  Even to the point of rejecting God and desiring to go back to bondage where they could have the fish “that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic.”  (Numbers 11:5)
 
Despite the manna, they were consumed with a craving for meat.  The Bible does not explain why they did not eat meat
from their herds of sheep.
 
Lamb in flowers near
                          Jerusalem
Lamb in flowers near Jerusalem
 
Moses finds the people's complaining so hard to bear that he is ready to die if no solution is found, and his honesty with God
brings about a Divine solution.
 
God tells him to gather 70 experienced elders to the Tent of Meeting.  They are to share the burden of leadership, and to help them, God endows them with Moses' spirit (Numbers 11:17).  In Judaism, this act of God is seen to forever legitimate
the judicial role of Israel's elders.
 
God also promises Moses that He will give the people so much meat that they will be sick of it, which Moses finds difficult to believe.
 
To satisfy the cravings of these ungrateful Israelites, God sends tons of quail.  Many gorge themselves and die as God's anger is unleashed due to their rejection of Him.  They are buried at the place they named Kibroth-hattaavah (graves of craving).  (Numbers 11:31–35)
 
Miriam and Aaron also complain by speaking against their brother Moses. They criticize Moses for marrying a Cushite woman — slander, and they want more respect as prophets in their own right — pride.
 
For speaking lashon harah (slander, but also speaking the truth to injure) and for pride, God strikes Miriam with leprosy;
she turns white “like snow.”
 
Aaron recognizes their sin and cries out to the Lord,
“O God, please heal her — please.”
 
Although repentance helps restore our relationship with God, a lesson still has to be learned by Miriam, Aaron, and the entire community.  They cannot move ahead until Miriam spends seven days outside the camp.
 
An Orthodox Jewish
                          man writes a Torah scroll.
An Orthodox Jewish man writes a Torah scroll.
 
Haftarah (Prophetic Portion): Purity and the Menorah
The prophetic reading this Shabbat (Zechariah 2:14[10]–4:7) begins with an invitation to shout for joy because God will dwell in the midst of Zion and once again choose Jerusalem.  In that day many nations will join themselves to the Lord.
 
Zechariah's vision confirms how deeply Adonai cares about the cleansing of His people.
 
The Prophet Zechariah sees the high priest Joshua, son of Jehozadak, standing before the angel of
the Lord in the Heavenly Court.
 
Satan is also there accusing Joshua, who is clothed in filthy rags, a metaphor for sin.  According to the 11th century Jewish commentator, Rashi, Joshua is guilty of allowing his sons to marry foreign women, which is not allowed for Levites (see Ezra 10:18).
 
Reading the Torah
                          scroll at the Western (Wailing) Wall (Photo by
                          Francisco Martins)
Reading the Torah scroll at the Western (Wailing) Wall 
(Photo by Francisco Martins)
 
The Angel of the Lord identifies Joshua as a brand plucked from the fire, which an article on the Chabad website interprets as the "hardships of exile."
 
Indeed, Joshua has returned from the Babylonian exile along with Zerubbabel and the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem where they will rebuild the city and the Jewish Temple.
 
The Lord rebukes Satan and says to Joshua, “See, I have removed your guilt from you, and you shall be clothed in [priestly] robes.”
(Zechariah 3:4)
 
Zechariah then describes his vision of a seven-branched Menorah, which is kindled for the first time in this week's Torah reading.
 
A model of the Second
                          Temple.
...

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