Saturday, March 12, 2022

CHUCK KOLB

 

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayikra - The Blood of the Lamb and the Aftermath of Disobedience !!!
חג פורים שמח Chag Purim Sameach - Happy Purim


Previously posted ...
Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Pekudei - God's Divine Presence Enters !!!
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/03/chuck-kolb.html Sermon - Psalm 23
Sermon -  Psalm 23
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/03/sermon-psalm-23.html
Dr. Zelenko: "I Think This Is a Test From God"
https://conpats.blogspot.com/2022/03/chuck-kolb_9.html


PIX > Black and white turns to super color ...
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/cj2hkTMugQvaGFvw_MsAzg

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
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 Vayikra (And He Called), our study of the portion of Torah that will be read in synagogues around the world this Shabbat (Saturday). We know you will be blessed as you study with us the Glory of God in this week's Parasha.  Enjoy!

Last week, Parasha Pekudei was the final Torah portion in the book of Exodus. This Shabbat, we begin studying the Book of Leviticus.  In Hebrew, Leviticus is called Vayikra after its opening word וַיִּקְרָא, which means, and He called. Because this is the Shabbat that falls before Purim (Feast of Lots), which begins Wednesday night, it has a special name:  Shabbat Zachor (Sabbath of Remembrance). Special portions of Scripture are included to remember the attack of Amalek on the Israelites when they came out of Egypt. While it may seem odd to remember an attack that happened so long ago, God commanded the Jewish People to wipe them out and never forget them.

2 Adars and 2 Purims in One Year. Why?
Celebrating two Purims - Katan and Gadol, in one year

Rav Shalom Miller > Oro Shel Adam - https://orosheladam.org/
Last night (15/2/22), thanks the wonderful hospitality of Esther Diamond Gold Silver and her flat-mates, OSA had a festive and joyous Shushan Purim Katan event in Jerusalem. The mixed group of 30 people enjoyed singing, dancing, Rav Shalom's Chulant and lots of Adar simcha.
https://orosheladam.org/2022/02/16/2-adars-2-purims-in-one-year-why/

In this Jewish leap year we are now commencing the second month of Adar
and fascinatingly, in the Gemara (Megillah 6b), there is a debate as to which Adar Purim should be in.

https://www.israelnationalnews.com/news/323512

Purim 2022 begins Wednesday night, March 16 and continues through
Thursday, March 17 (extending through Friday in Jerusalem)

The story of the joyous holiday of Purim might appear somber at first glance: It tells of the near-destruction of the Jewish people as decreed by Haman, an adviser to the Persian King Ahasuerus. However, Ahasuerus’ newly crowned queen, Esther — who replaced Vashti when she was thrown out of the kingdom — is secretly a Jew.
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/purim-2022/
https://www.chabad.org/holidays/purim/default_cdo/jewish/Purim.htm

You can view this Parasha on our website complete with embedded links ...  
Shabbat Zachor and Parasha Vayikra (And He Called): Drawing Close to God with the Blood of the Lamb

https://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/shabbat-zachor-and-parasha-vayikra-and-he-called-drawing-close-to-god-with-the-blood-of-the-lamb-5782/

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/

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://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 Teaser Parshas Vayikra by Moshe Erlbaum
https://aish.com/torah-teaser-parshas-vayikra/

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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.

וַיִּקְרָא  Vayikra - This Torah portion,
as well as the whole Book of Leviticus, is called Vayikra, meaning “and He called.”  God called to Moses from the Tent of Meeting and laid out the laws of the sacrifices offered in the Tabernacle and later in the Holy Temple. The very first word in the Book of Vayikra is vayikra, and there is something noteworthy about the way Moses wrote this word.  The aleph (א) at the end of the word is written much smaller than usual.  Why did Moses write it this way?  The Rabbis say that this tiny aleph alludes to the incredible humility of Moses.
https://stbm.org/vayikra

In the fourth century BCE, all of the Jews were subjects of the Persian Empire. King Ahasuerus, the presiding king of that time, had the rebellious Queen Vashti executed for not following his orders. When a beauty contest was held in order to find a new queen, a Jewish woman named Esther found favor in the king’s eyes and was chosen—all the while hiding her Jewish identity.
https://stbm.org/purim/

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 Yitzchak ...
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/sermon-topic/torah-parashot/
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/free-downloads/
https://www.facebook.com/CalledOutBelievers/ at 10am PT
https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/events/shabbat-telegram-teaching/
https://www.youtube.com/c/AssemblyofCalledOutBelievers/videos
The Mark of the Beast is Coming Quickly Upon Us!
https://www.calledoutbelievers.org/news/the-mark-of-the-beast-is-coming-quickly-upon-us/
The Importance and Beauty of צִיצִ֥ת Tzitzit
https://player.vimeo.com/video/152885286
http://www.calledoutbelievers.org/tzitzit/
The Hidden Beauty of the Holy Name of God - YHVH
vid> https://youtu.be/dbb45zmkli4 (20:59)

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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 - 34 years  
https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer/


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Todah Rabah - beloved Rabbi Chaim Jachter ...
Kol Torah Academy of Bergen County  
VaYikra/Zachor - 2 Adar 8, 5782 - March 11, 2022
https://www.koltorah.org/articles/?category=VaYikra
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
Yeshiva - https://www.tabc.org/  https://www.instagram.com/koltorah.tabc/
TABC VaYikra/Zachor (4 page pdf)  
https://www.koltorah.org/s/Kol-Torah-VaYikra_Zachor-2022.pdf


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Parshat Vayikra
https://www.chabad.org/parshah/article_cdo/aid/1480/jewish/Vayikra-in-a-Nutshell.htm
http://www.chabad.org/parshah/default.asp?tDate=3/12/2022  
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/

Parshat Vayikra  
Beginning a Child’s Education with Leviticus
The books of Genesis and Exodus are narratives, telling the stories of the Creation until the Exodus. Though these are fascinating tales that seem like prime material to tell children, there is a Jewish custom to begin a child’s Torah education with Vayikra (Leviticus). This seems illogical as the material is dry, an instruction manual for kohanim (priests).

https://theisraelbible.com/beginning-a-childs-education-with-leviticus/

God is punishing Ukraine for its role in Holocaust, controversial rabbi charges
https://www.israel365news.com/267308/god-is-punishing-ukraine-for-its-role-in-holocaust-controversial-rabbi-charges/

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/


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Save America Rally in Florence, SC
>>> Sat, March 12, 2022 -7:00 pm (EST)

Florence Regional Airport
2100 Terminal Dr., Florence, SC, 29501
https://www.donaldjtrump.com/events

EXCLUSIVE - Scrubbed by boob tube ...
President Donald Trump on WW3, Talking to Putin and Joe Rogan !
vid> https://rumble.com/vwypyv-donald-trump-on-ww3-talking-to-putin-and-joe-rogan-full-send-podcast.html (53:55) 3/9/22
RedpillUSAPatriots - https://rumble.com/c/RedpillUSAPatriots


Truth Social. online
https://truthsocial.com/   

DONALD DATES
Melania 4/26/70
Barron 3/20/06 > Sweet Sixteen


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Good News From Israel - Achievements and Heartwarming Stories
In the 6th Mar 22 edition of Israel’s good news, the highlights include:
https://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/2022/03/israels-good-news-newsletter-to-6th-mar.html
http://verygoodnewsisrael.blogspot.com/

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


War Room
Inside Rabbi Moshe Fhima’s operation to save Ukraine’s Jews
Hello, Rabbi Fhima?” The woman’s hesitancy was evident even to me, listening in by phone from 4,500 miles away. “Which language do you speak?” the woman begins. “Any language,” responds Rabbi Moshe Fhima, who, from his vantage point in Pinsk, Belarus, has taken a lead role in evacuating Jews from war-torn Ukraine. “Russian, Hebrew, Yiddish, English, Ukrainian,” he rattles off. “But best in Hebrew.”
https://mishpacha.com/war-room

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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

Caroline B. Glick reports ...
Washington’s betrayal has only just begun
Now that US President Joe Biden has agreed to an even more dangerous nuclear deal, Israel can expect to be demonized.
https://www.israpundit.org/washingtons-betrayal-has-only-just-begun/
https://www.israelhayom.com/2022/03/11/washingtons-betrayal-has-only-just-begun/

Steve McCann reports ...
The War in Ukraine has Exposed the Perils of 21st Century Globalism
https://www.israpundit.org/the-war-in-ukraine-has-exposed-the-perils-of-21st-century-globalism/
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2022/03/_the_war_in_ukraine_has_exposed_the_perils_of_21st_century_globalism.html

Adam Kredo reports ...
How the Biden Administration Is Funding the Effort To Delegitimize Israel
T. Belman writes,  Biden is obviously following the EU who funds anti-Israel NGO’s to the tune of $500 million/year.  When is somebody going to fund an investigation of the Human Rights abuses by both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas?  The answer is never.
https://www.israpundit.org/how-the-biden-administration-is-funding-the-effort-to-delegitimize-israel/
https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/how-the-biden-administration-is-funding-effort-to-delegitimize-israel/

Tulsi Gabbard: They (Biden) want this to continue
foxvid> https://youtu.be/FtGnDNeAQVk (6:37) 3/9/22
https://www.israpundit.org/tulsi-gabbard-they-biden-want-this-to-continue/

Scrubbed by boob tube ...
President Donald Trump on WW3, Talking to Putin and Joe Rogan! - GONE VIRAL
vid> https://rumble.com/vwypyv-donald-trump-on-ww3-talking-to-putin-and-joe-rogan-full-send-podcast.html (53:55) 3/9/22
RedpillUSAPatriots - https://rumble.com/c/RedpillUSAPatriots
bckup> https://www.brighteon.com/1435a6d3-0d38-4c1a-9421-171ef012a45f (51:36) 3/9/22
Rick Langley - https://www.brighteon.com/channels/ricklangley
https://www.israpundit.org/donald-trump-on-ww3-talking-to-putin-and-joe-rogan-gone-viral/


>> 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-support-the-work-i-do-2/
https://www.israpundit.org/my-half-yearly-appeal-for-donations/

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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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חג פורים שמח Chag Purim Sameach - Happy Purim


\
Parshat Vayira - A Barley Good Shabbat Menu

Let’s be honest, the detailed descriptions of sacrificial offerings that begin this week’s parsha don’t exactly put you in the mood for dinner.  In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if you started thinking of becoming a vegetarian.  But for this week’s Shabbat menu, I want to focus on one of the meal offerings.  “When you bring a meal offering of the first grains to Hashem, you shall bring your first grain meal offering [from barley], as soon as it ripens.”  It just so happens I love barley.  It is fiber-rich, contains important vitamins and minerals and all whole grain.  Plus, it can hold up well to reheating the next day or can be enjoyed right out of the fridge, which makes it a favorite grain for my Shabbat afternoon meals.
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-barley-good-shabbat-menu/

Mishloach Manot for Purim
I don't know about you, but after a couple of COVID Purims, I'm super excited about next week's holiday!!!
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/8-last-minute-mishloach-manot-concepts/

Gotta see historic Purims ...
Last Minute Family Theme Purim Costumes

Within days of Purim I almost always settle on our theme for the following year. After seeing my town's creativity on display in the streets - that's when my inspiration is freshest. My basic criteria for a family themed Purim is twofold; 1. the entire family has to be on board and totally into the concept and 2. the 100+ mishloach manot must be easy to make in advance, preferably by the kids. I like to set them up assembly line style to pack (while I put my feet up and eat bon bons!).
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/last-minute-family-theme-purim-costumes/

The Ten Best Hamantaschen Recipes Plus Hamantaschen Hacks

https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/top-ten-hamantaschen-recipes/

14 Colorful Purim Sides for a "Happy Meal
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/colorful-purim-sides-for-a-happy-meal/

Vegetarian Ideas for Purim
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/a-vegetarian-menu-of-tapas-and-more-for-purim/

13 Shabbat Side Dishes That Are Not Kugels
https://jamiegeller.com/holidays/13-shabbat-side-dishes/
https://jamiegeller.com/blogs/the-best-kugel-recipes/

Support Our Farmers
To keep the biblical mitzvah of shmitah.  
https://campaigns.causematch.com/SupportOurFarmers
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/

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  
Lots of 💕 Jamie - Until next week Shabbat Shalom from Israel !


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/

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/
The High Holiday Recipe Collection - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/om8u2hvu10jwaeo5xuzi/
Beef Bacon 101 - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/jeithgmmua2s7fpzrgzk/
A Passover for Everyone - Aish and Jamie - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/sqyphcgmojgxtcq32ndx/
The Ultimate Challah - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.ac-page.com/pinterest-challah
Comforting Soups - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/vp6jenajjphxppjobhib/
Rosh Hashanah Sides - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/lmhvzqio815zbglkdar8/
Modern Israeli Kebobs - free eBook
https://koshernetwork.acemlnc.com/lt.php?s=a476321cee1a62660d5e43a07fe84c19&i=109A824A1A5341
Modern Israeli Summer - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/myjxowbuybzbzl3de8zb/
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/qlxqz3dqauo76fhgwlfd/
The Perfect Turkey Guide - free eBook
https://app.monstercampaigns.com/c/g4ibbdtyf0mfdt5fudgu/
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/
LIVE Series: FEED YOUR SOUL
https://jamiegeller.com/from-jamie/feed-your-soul/
 

The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting. Leviticus 1:1

Shabbat Shalom - Parasha Vayikra - The Blood of the Lamb and the Aftermath of Disobedience !!!

 
 
"Remember what Amalek did to you on your way out of Egypt!"
(Deuteronomy 25:17)
 
Shabbat Shalom
 
Welcome to Vayikra (And He Called), our study of the portion of Torah that will be read in synagogues around the world this Shabbat (Saturday).
 
VAYIKRA (And He Called)
 
Torah:  Leviticus 1:1-5:26; 
Shabbat Zachor Haftarah:
  I Samuel 15:2-15:34
Maftir (concluding reading): Deuteronomy 25:17-19
Brit Chadashah (New Testament):  Hebrews 9:1-28
 
"The Lord called to Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting."
(Leviticus 1:1)
 
Last week, Parasha Pekudei was the final Torah portion in the book of Exodus.
 
This Shabbat, we begin studying the Book of Leviticus.  In Hebrew, Leviticus is called Vayikra after its opening word וַיִּקְרָא, which means, and He called.
 
Because this is the Shabbat that falls before Purim (Feast of Lots), which begins Wednesday night, it has a special name:  Shabbat Zachor (Sabbath of Remembrance).
 
Special portions of Scripture are included to remember the attack of Amalek on the Israelites when they came out of Egypt.
 
While it may seem odd to remember an attack that happened so long ago, God commanded the Jewish People to wipe them out and never forget them.
 
"When you were weary and worn out, they met you on your journey and attacked all who were lagging behind; they had no fear of God ... you shall blot out the name of Amalek from under heaven.  Do not forget!"  (Deuteronomy 25:18-19)
 

A young Israeli reads a scroll during morning prayers.
 
In the Shabbat Zachor portion of the reading (1 Samuel 15:2-15:34), God commands King Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites:
 
"This is what the Lord Almighty says: 'I will punish the Amalekites for what they did to Israel when they waylaid them as they came up from Egypt.  Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy all that belongs to them.  Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys.'"  (1 Samuel 15:2-3)
 
But Saul fails to carry out God's command and spares the life of Agag, the king of Amalek:
 
"But Saul and the army spared Agag and the best of the sheep and cattle, the fat calves and lambs - everything that was good.  These they were unwilling to destroy completely, but everything that was despised and weak they totally destroyed."  (1 Samuel 15:9)
 
For this disobedience, God regrets choosing Saul as king and decides to give the kingdom to another:
 
"Then the word of the Lord came to Samuel: "I regret that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out My instructions."  (1 Samuel 15:10-11)
 
 
Preparing to lift the Torah scroll for all to see.
 
Why is this special Scripture portion read just before Purim?
 
It is because the anti-Semite in the book of Esther, Haman, who tried to annihilate all the Jews of Persia, is believed to have descended from the Amalekites.
 
Esther 3:1 describes Haman as being an Agagite - a descendant of Agag the Amalekite king.
 
The story of Saul's disobedience demonstrates how very important it is that we obey God's command.
 
Failure to do so can have destructive consequences even in future generations.
 

A Jewish man prays at the Western (Wailing) 
Wall from the Jewish prayer book, which is 
called a siddur.  His head is covered with his 
prayer shawl (tallit).
 
Sadly, to this day Israel has enemies like the Amalekites and Haman who try to wipe the Jewish state off the map.
 
One day they will all perish and even the memory of their name will be blotted out from under heaven.
 
"All who devour you will be devoured; all your enemies will go into exile.  Those who plunder you will be plundered; all who make spoil of you I will despoil.  But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds."  (Jeremiah 30:16-17)
 
Israel will live in peace and security with the Messiah ruling and reigning from Jerusalem, the Holy City.
 
"'The days are coming,' declares the Lord, 'when this city will be rebuilt for Me....  The city will never again be uprooted or demolished.'"  (Jeremiah 31:38, 40)
 

An ultra-Orthodox Jewish man reads from the scroll of Esther.
 
The Relevance of Offerings
"Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When any man of you brings an offering to the LORD, you shall bring your offering of animals from the herd or the flock.  
 
"If his offering is a burnt offering from the herd, he shall offer it, a male without defect; he shall offer it at the doorway of the tent of meeting, that he may be accepted before the LORD."  (Leviticus 1:2-3)
 
The Torah portion, Vayikra, presents the laws of korbanot (קָרְבָּנוֹת offerings), including the korban olah (קָרְבַּן עוֹלָה) or burnt offerings.
 
The Hebrew noun olah means goes up because the priest would burn the offerings on the wood of the altar, the aroma would go up to be accepted by the Lord.
 
The Hebrew word korbanot comes from the root word k-r-v (קרב), which means to be close (karov).  The sacrifices, once accepted by God, restore closeness and intimacy between Him and His people.
 
It is our iniquities and sins that separate us from God and prevent us from establishing or maintaining a close relationship with Him.
 
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2)
 

A korban olah could be a ram, male goat, bull, pigeon, or 
turtle dove.
 
Although some New Covenant Believers consider the laws in Leviticus irrelevant and obsolete, they remain relevant and are indeed extremely important.
 
For instance, without them we cannot grasp the concept of blood sacrifice to atone for sin.
 
That core concept in God's plan for redemption helps us rightly understand the sacrificial death of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah.
 
Attempting to understand Yeshua's death on the Roman execution stake without comprehending the blood sacrifices is like trying to build a house without a foundation.  The home may last for a time but will not withstand the fierce storms without that solid base.
 
Likewise, we must have a solid foundation in the Word of God to rightly understand the Word of God, as well as successfully navigate through the storms of life.
 

A Jewish girl holds the Torah scroll, which is 
covered by a Torah mantle and silver breastplate.

For some people, a guilty conscience over past sins causes them to be alienated from God, despite having received forgiveness. 
 
The blood sacrifice of Yeshua, however, was shed to restore us to right relationship with God and to completely cleanse us of any trace of a guilty conscience:
 
"How much more will the blood of Messiah who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?"  (Hebrews 9:14)
 
Despite this, some followers of Yeshua still struggle with guilt and condemnation, even though the Word of God promises that those who are in the Messiah are free:
 
"There is therefore no condemnation to those in Yeshua the Messiah who do not walk in the flesh."  (Romans 8:1)
 
Just as the blood of the lamb had to be applied to the doorposts of our homes in Egypt, so must the blood of Yeshua be applied to our hearts, by faith, to wash us clean from every trace of guilty conscience and shame over our past sins.
 
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water." & (Hebrews 10:22) 
 
The pure waters refer to the mikvah, the ritual water immersion, which is symbolic of our new spiritual birth.
 

Blood on the doorpost
 
Only when our hearts have been cleaned (sprinkled with the blood of Yeshua) and our bodies immersed in the mikvah, can we have this full assurance of faith that allows us to draw near to God.
 
A guilty conscience over our past will separate us from intimacy with God, as well as with other Believers in the Body of Messiah.
 
Once we have drawn near to God (Hebrews 10:22), we are to "consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds."  Instead of isolating ourselves, we are exhorted to meet with others where we can encourage others and be encouraged. (Hebrews 10:24-25)
 
Since each of us has been given the "ministry of reconciliation," we should be agents of healing and restoration through Messiah Yeshua.
 

Reading the Torah
 
The Blood of Sprinkling
"He shall slay the young bull before the LORD; and Aaron's sons the priests shall offer up the blood and sprinkle the blood around on the altar that is at the doorway of the tent of meeting."  (Leviticus 1:5)
 
The Cohen (High Priest) not only sprinkled the blood around the altar, he dipped his finger in it and sprinkled it seven times before the Lord, in front of the veil.  (Leviticus 4:17)
 
Some suggest that, likewise, the blood of Yeshua, who was the High Priest (Cohen HaGadol) of the New Covenant, was also sprinkled before the Lord seven times:
  1. Yeshua perspired drops of blood in the Garden of Gethsemane when He prayed to the Father:  "And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground."  (Luke 22:44)
  2. He was struck in the face until it was "marred beyond recognition."  (Isaiah 52:14)
  3. His back was scourged with a whip.  (Isaiah 50:6; Matthew 27:26)
  4. The soldiers put a crown of thorns on His head.  (John 19:2)
  5. They plucked out His beard.  (Isaiah 50:6)
  6. They pierced His hands and feet.  (Psalm 22:16; Luke 24:39; John 20:27)
  7. They pierced His side with a spear and blood and water came out. (Psalm 22:14; John 19:34)

Yeshua Tempted in the Wilderness, by James Tissot
 
Satanic Counterfeit
Animal rights activists are likely appalled to read of all the sacrifices that the Torah requires.  
 
Some people, even Believers, are uncomfortable with the whole idea of blood sacrifices.  One of the reasons is our natural human aversion to blood.  Another reason is because of the association with evil satanic rituals.
 
Satanism observes its own system of blood sacrifices to the powers of darkness.
 
As well, Satan often attempts to twist and pervert the Word of God, using it for his own evil purposes.  Luke 4 gives us an example of how he did this with Yeshua when He was tested in the wilderness.
 
Satan
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