The Shabbat after Tisha B’Av is also called “Shabbat Nachamu”, Shabbat of consolation, for now, after three weeks of mourning (Bejn haMejzarim – between the afflictions) to the destruction of the temple, seven weeks will follow in which the life in full color splendor is to return. “Nachamu Ami” (“Be comforted my people”) the people will sing …

… the Sabbath songs according to the Haftarah, see down.

Deuteronomy 3:23 – 7:11; Haftara: Isaiah 40:1-26

Extracts of the Commentary by Michael Schneider,
Israel today, Jerusalem:
Our weekly reading begins with a moving prayer by Moses requesting that God allow him to enter the Promised Land, despite his earlier sin of striking the rock for water when he was instructed to merely speak to it. Moses has been waiting most of his life to see the fulfillment of God’s promise to Israel. The Lord is merciful, and grants Moses half of his request by letting him see in a supernatural way from Mount Nebo all of the land from the Golan in the north to the Negev in the south.

Moses knew his people, therefore he warned them strongly before he died: “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live! Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (4:9)

In chapter five Moses repeats the Ten Commandments, and in chapter six he reiterates the Torah’s Mega-Mitzvah: “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” (6:4-5 … Even today, those are the words a Jew recites before he dies.)

At the end of our reading Moses explains why God choose this people. Not because it is great and mighty, but rather the opposite is true: because it is the smallest of the nations! God Almighty chose Israel so that He could do mighty wonders and signs through this rebellious, stiff-necked people, because “in our weakness His power is perfected!”

Interestingly, all the readings from the prophets corresponding to the Torah readings through Deuteronomy, the fifth book of Moses, are from the Book Isaiah. Jesus and the apostles also often quoted from Isaiah (in Hebrew Yeshayahu – YAH will save).

This week’s reading from Isaiah starts with the words: “Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she has received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.”

Yes, indeed, this people has received a double portion of punishment. But guess what? It also will receive a double portion of blessing!
(By the way, read verse 22 carefully and you will see clear biblical proof that the earth is round! – “He who sits above the circle of the earth.” No need for Leorndado Di Vinci’s “discovery.”)

Shabbat Shalom

(The Sabbath starts with Shalom Aleichem – a Sabbath Song prior to Kiddush)

Commentary:
This week’s Torah portion Chukat / Hukkat contains further “ordinances” (Hebrew: hukkim). First, we read about the “water of cleansing,” an atonement mechanism made from ashes of the sacrifice of a red heifer. The ashes are kept (Numbers 19:19) for the cleansing of a person who came into contact with a dead body or became unclean even by touching a grave.

Not much is known about the red heifer, but Jewish sages say nine red cows have been sacrificed since the giving of the Torah. According to Rambam, sacrificing the tenth red cow is reserved for the Messiah himself. Moses and the high priest Eleazar sacrificed the first red cow, slaughtered and burned outside of the sanctuary in the desert. The “cleansing ashes” of the cow were kept and used for many years.

Scientists are currently conducting tests and experiments on farms in Israel to try to isolate the genes of a red cow – not a single black or white hair is allowed.

Chapter 20 goes on to talk about Miriam’s death and burial in Kadesh.

And then, when water became scarce once again, the grumbling of the people also picked up. “Why did you take us out of Egypt to die in the desert?” (20:5). From a human perspective, the people had a good reason to grumble in the blistering heat. Believe me, many of us would do the same! But Moses took his rod and said: “Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?” (20:10). Angrily, Moses struck it twice instead of just speaking to the rock as God had commanded. This was happening while he was still coping with the death of his beloved sister who had saved him when he was a child.

As God’s representative, Moses did not act as the Almighty had commanded. The punishment was harsh: Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. But even though God punished Moses and Aaron, He provided water, the so-called bitter waters, but water in abundance, enough for more than 1 million people – another miracle!

When Aaron died, the people mourned for 30 days and Eleazar, his son, became High Priest. Chapter 21 talks about the victory over the Canaanites from Arad.

When the people complained again about a lack of water and food, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them and many died. A serpent of bronze was erected on a pole and became salvation and healing for all who saw it. The serpent on a pole later became the symbol of modern medicine. Again, the punishment for the repeated grumbling ended in healing.

This event holds deep spiritual meaning: The fall of mankind occurred because of a serpent that infected all of mankind with its devilish poison.

Shabbat Shalom

Here another Commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman, The Temple Insitute:

Abstract of the Commentary by
Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem:

This Shabbat’s Torah reading is about Korah’s rebellion. Korah descends from the Levitical family of Kehat. Altogether, there were 250 renowned men that “rose up” against Moses by doubting his and Aaron’s authority as the chosen national leaders.
As if the separation of the Levites by God Himself was not enough, this family

within the Levitical tribe did not want to tolerate any human authority. (“Is it not enough for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the rest of the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to Himself, to do the service of the tabernacle of the LORD, and to stand before the congregation to minister to them; and that He has brought you near, Korah, and all your brothers, sons of Levi, with you? And are you seeking for the priesthood also?” verses 9-10)

Korah, Dathan and Abiram complain against Moses, but Moses defends God’s decision to appoint Aaron. Moses was not keen on being the only leader of the camp. That became apparent in his reaction to Eldad and Medad when they started prophesying. Moses responded to them: “Would that all the LORD’S people were prophets…” (11:29).

But Moses was not threatened, and even when Korah led his rebellion against him, Moses remained humble and brought the issue before God.
Moses’ humble response was followed by undeniable supernatural justice: “The ground that was under them split open; and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, and their households, and all the men who belonged to Korah with their possessions” (verses 31-32).

God is a God of justice and Moses knew it. When the people murmured again (17:6), God punished them with a plague. Aaron brought an atonement for the sins of the people with an incense offering and stood “between the dead and the living” for the plague to stop.

Subsequently, we read about God’s order to collect the rods of each tribe. The appointment of Aaron was confirmed among the murmuring and rebellious people: “The rod of the man whom I choose will sprout” (17:5). Almonds sprouted on Aaron’s rod! His rod became “a sign against the rebels” and was kept as a reminder.

Shabbat Shalom

The entire story in a small animation film – compare it also to Sabbath Songs above:

This week we again have a double Torah portion. In the first part, “BeHar – At the mount (Sinai),” God’s appointed times of rest are stressed.
God ordered resting times for mankind and for nature, which He connected with the number seven (sheva). In Hebrew, a week is called shavua because of its seven days. The shabbat, the seventh day, is the holy resting day for all mankind, even gentiles (see Isaiah 66 and The Sabbath Song▼).

Nor was nature forgotten. According to our reading, the land should rest every seven years (the Sh’mita Year).
Additionally, the Seventh Millenium – according to the Jewish calender we are ending the 6000 years! – will see the establishment of Messiah’s Thousand-Year Kingdom, when peace and rest is declared over all the earth. The Mishna refers to this when it calls the Shabbat, the seventh day, a “foretaste of the World-to-Come.”

Seven, as we can see, is a number of fullness and completion (shalem), which has the same root of the word for peace (shalom).
In the second part of our double portion, beginning from chapter 26, the topic is that of blessing and curse. When we serve God with joy and walk in His paths, He showers/overwhelms us with His blessings, and keeps us away from any curse.

“So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.”

Shabbat Shalom!

Leviticus 16:1 – 20:27; Amos 9:7-15 (Ezekiel 22:1-16)
Abstract of the Commentary on this Shabbat
by Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem:
Our weekly Torah portion continues with additional rules and guidelines for the children of Israel, this week, how to live holy and pure lives before the LORD.

In chapter 16 it begins by telling us about two goats, “one lot for the LORD and the other lot for the scapegoat”. But before this passage, the passage emphasizes that a priest is not allowed to enter the Holy sanctuary “at any time,” but only when he approaches with the right attitude, clothing and time – after he had cleansed himself through sacrifice.

We too can learn a lesson of how we are to enter the House of God today.

Priestly purification rituals became an introduction to entering the Tabernacle and Temple during Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement, which became a “permanent statute” (16:29).

In chapter 17 we read, “No person among you may eat blood, nor may any alien who sojourns among you eat blood” (17:12). This has come to be known as one of the Seven Commandments of Noah (for the gentile).

Chapter 18 follows with a list of abominable sins, especially those of a sexual nature. They were instructed to never adopt the customs of sin from the places they had been “brought out.”

Sadly, today, sick and dirty fashions are entering the Land through TV and the Internet. God desires for His Land and people to be Holy, especially from within. We are called to be separated from the lusts of the world. God intended for sex to be good, but man has distorted God’s design and purposes.

“Do not defile yourselves by any of these things; for by all these the nations which I am casting out before you have become defile” (18:24).

In chapter 19, God addresses treatment of people like the poor or “You shall not curse a deaf man, nor place a stumbling block before the blind” (19:14).

The very wise Jewish scholar, Hillel once said, “Do not do unto others what you do not want others to do unto you. This is the entire Torah. Everything else in the Torah is merely commentary on this mitzvah.”

My advice to you is read through the commandments on holiness and compare yourself to them! “So we will be holy like He is!” (20:7-8 and 26) He wants us to be set apart, departed and “called out” from the world (20:24). Yes, holiness is separation! Because only through holiness can we inherit the Promised Land.

It looks like the prophet Ezekiel in chapter 22 just read the same Torah portion as he wrote about the state Israel was in because of the sins they were committing.

May the LORD keep us “separated,” pure and holy!

Shabbat Shalom

Leviticus 9:1–11:47; II Samuel 6:1-7:17
By Michael Schneider, israel today, Jerusalem

Commentary:
This week’s parasha discusses two main issues: The first, the dedication of the Mishkan (tabernacle), which included sacrifices and the cleansing of the priests. In the midst of the “festivities” we read of the sudden death of Aaron’s sons Nadav and Avihu after offering a “strange fire” before the LORD.

The second part of the parasha speaks about the animals the Israelites were forbidden to eat (11:1–28). One of these animals is the pig, strictly forbidden according to the Word of God. Isaiah also writes of such foods in his chapters of end-time prophecy.

“Those who consecrate and purify themselves to go into the gardens (of idol temples), following the one in the midst of those who eat the flesh of pigs and rats and other abominable things—they will meet their end together,’ declares the LORD” (66:17).

* Yeshua (Jesus) and his disciples also were those who kept the Law and did not eat unclean animals such as pig. It was not coincidence that Jesus cast out demons and drove them into a herd of swine!

We read of a number of contrasts throughout our Torah portions, including holy and unholy, clean and unclean, atoned and those “atonement less”. Our reading concludes with the godly command, “Be holy because I am holy”. It’s our decision will we obey?

The end of this week’s portion found in II Samuel shows us how King David decided that there would be a House of God.

“How can I live in a Villa out of ceders and the ark of God is in a tent?”

We should ask ourselves, how much room are we giving God in our life? Is it worth it? The answer is the same the prophet Nathan gave David.

“Do what your hearts tells you and go for it, because the LORD will be with you!”

Shabbat Shalom!
Here a commentary by Rabbi Chaim Richman of The Temple Institute, Jerusalem

* God’s Sabbath Int. is constantly endeavoring to expose
the common and the connective between Judaism and Christianity

▼ Sabbath Song:

Abstract of the Commentary by Michael Schneider,
israel today, Jerusalem:

This weekly portion (parashat) begins with ransom (kofer nefesh) and atonement money (kessef kippurim) in the value of “half a shekel according to the shekel of the sanctuary” for every man over 20. “The rich shall not pay more and the poor shall not pay less than the half shekel, when you give the contribution to the LORD to make atonement for yourselves.” (30:15).

In chapter 31, we read about God’s Calling to Bezalel (in God’s shadow) from the tribe Judah. He was a man with the Spirit of God with wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Bezalel Ben-Uri was anointed by the Almighty to design His sanctuary – what a privilege! He was a skilled, inspired craftsman. (The art academy today in Jerusalem is named after him, Bezalel – and is located across the street where the ISRAEL TODAY offices are).

In chapter 32, we read about the building of the Golden Calf. That is what happens when spiritual leadership is missing! Moses, the mediator between man and God, was on Mount Sinai for 40 days….

The Lord warns: “They have quickly turned aside from the way which I commanded them…” (32:8).

Here we have the true test of a man of God: The Lord said to Moses: “… I have seen this people, and behold, they are an obstinate people. Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that I may destroy them; and I will make of you a great nation” (32:9-10). God wanted to destroy this rebellious people and bless Moses with a nation through him.

But Moses, a true leader, spoke to the heart of God and pled for his people. He asked God to reconsider, wondering what the nations, especially Egypt, would think of the mighty God of Israel who had delivered them from Egypt just “to kill them in the mountains and to destroy them from the face of the earth” (32:12)?
Second try: Moses reminded the Lord of His eternal Covenant with the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

After seeing the golden calf, Moses broke the two tablets of the 10 commandments and then the golden idol was burn. He said: “Whoever is for the LORD, come to me!” (32:26; which, by the way, is an election slogan for the ultra-Orthodox Shas party today). Following that, 3,000 people were killed in punishment.

After the punishment, Moses approached God for the third time to intercede for forgiveness on behalf of his people. Moses was ready to lay down his life for the sake of his people: “But now, if You will, forgive their sin–and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” (32:32; also the first hint that there is a Book of Life in heaven)

So God sent “His angel” who walked with the people (verse 34).

Moses wanted to see more of God: “I pray You, show me Your glory!”
But not all the Lord has shown Moses, saying: “I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion.”
…New Testament instances:cp. Romans 9:15-20
…and “you shall see My back, but My face shall not be seen” (verse 23).

Then the LORD passed in front of him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth…” (34:6)

Moses fell on the ground to ask forgiveness for his people: “If now I have found favor in Your sight, O Lord, I pray, let the Lord go along in our midst, even though the people are so obstinate, and pardon our iniquity and our sin, and take us as Your own possession.”
God renewed His covenant: “Behold, I am going to make a covenant before all your people I will perform miracles which have not been produced in all the earth nor among any of the nations…” (34:10)

And so it is until today! God has performed many miracles for His people before the eyes of all nations – just look at the rebirth of the State of Israel and the return of His people to their land after almost 2000 years!

Shabbat Shalom

Video: An array of images representing Jewish, Muslim and Christian Prayer, Pointing to the idea that G-d is One and The Same for all of us… — Our Father Our King Hear our prayer We have sinned before YOU…
(Skyggebjorn)

Repentance, atonement, further Sabbath songs >

Tsom kal (have an easy fast)
wishes,
Eric Martienssen

we thank all our dear and loyal readers around the world and ask all of you, and you personally, for forgiveness if we have violated your feelings as a Jew or a Christian in any article of the year 5769. We look forward to a common path of understanding lying before us, the understanding of each other, really from the heart, and wish you a blessed, happy, successful and pleasant years 5770.

Shanah Tova
Your Editorial of
God’s Sabbath International

P.S.
Here you will find the Rosh Hashanah-comment >
and here Last Minute Rosh Hashanah greeting cards >

Numbers 19:1 – 22:1; Judges 11:1-33
by Michael Schneider, Israel today, Jerusalem

(The Sabbath starts with Shalom Aleichem – a Sabbath Song prior to Kiddush)

Commentary:
This week’s Torah portion contains further “ordinances” (Hebrew: hukkim). First, we read about the “water of cleansing,” an atonement mechanism made from ashes of the sacrifice of a red heifer. The ashes are kept (Numbers 19:19) for the cleansing of a person who came into contact with a dead body or became unclean even by touching a grave.

Not much is known about the red heifer, but Jewish sages say nine red cows have been sacrificed since the giving of the Torah. According to Rambam, sacrificing the tenth red cow is reserved for the Messiah himself. Moses and the high priest Eleazar sacrificed the first red cow, slaughtered and burned outside of the sanctuary in the desert. The “cleansing ashes” of the cow were kept and used for many years.

Scientists are currently conducting tests and experiments on farms in Israel to try to isolate the genes of a red cow – not a single black or white hair is allowed.

Chapter 20 goes on to talk about Miriam’s death and burial in Kadesh.

And then, when water became scarce once again, the grumbling of the people also picked up. “Why did you take us out of Egypt to die in the desert?” (20:5). From a human perspective, the people had a good reason to grumble in the blistering heat. Believe me, many of us would do the same! But Moses took his rod and said: “Hear now, you rebels; must we bring you water out of this rock?” (20:10). Angrily, Moses struck it twice instead of just speaking to the rock as God had commanded. This was happening while he was still coping with the death of his beloved sister who had saved him when he was a child.

As God’s representative, Moses did not act as the Almighty had commanded. The punishment was harsh: Moses was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. But even though God punished Moses and Aaron, He provided water, the so-called bitter waters, but water in abundance, enough for more than 1 million people – another miracle!

When Aaron died, the people mourned for 30 days and Eleazar, his son, became High Priest. Chapter 21 talks about the victory over the Canaanites from Arad.

When the people complained again about a lack of water and food, the Lord sent poisonous snakes among them and many died. A serpent of bronze was erected on a pole and became salvation and healing for all who saw it. The serpent on a pole later became the symbol of modern medicine. Again, the punishment for the repeated grumbling ended in healing.

This event holds deep spiritual meaning: The fall of mankind occurred because of a serpent that infected all of mankind with its devilish poison.

* God provided also in the New Testament the cure: His son Yeshua. Everyone who looks up to the One on the cross and repents will gain eternal life. “And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert [on a pole], so must the Son of Man be lifted up [on the cross], in order that everyone who believes in Him may not perish, but have eternal life and live forever!” (John 3:14-15).

Shabbat Shalom

Here another Commentary from a Rabbi:

*) God’s Sabbath International tries at passages marked with star to observe common and sometimes even connecting doings between Jews and Christians