Torah Pearls #33 – Bechukotai (Leviticus 26:3-27:34)

learn not the way of the heathen (new testament). Yet u do it.

Ummmm…No, that isn’t correct. Adultery was a sin for both men and women. See Lev. 20:10. However, there was no prohibition for a man to have more than one wife. That isn’t the same thing.

Taking the scripture at face value, whether we like it or not, or are comfortable or not, adultery was a charge reserved for women.

careful Mike u have deviated from Yehovah to quoting the false christain god jc.

What do u say about people of old who had many wives??? R they all committing adultery???

This show is always informative, always entertaining and always fun, just because our beliefs and understanding may be different we all Worship Yehovah our God and need to study his scriptures deeply and together, all we need to do is just keep talking and reading. Thanks to all of you for these podcasts.

Yiftak obviously didn’t sacrifice her but the story does show that there was some sort of sacrifice in that she knew no man and so the women of Israel would cry and mourn her life without a man

I tithed to a church for many years before reading the purpose in the tenach. I don’t feel our giving can be considered a tithe in the scriptural sense: no temple, no priesthood. But it surely is the one command many church pastors threaten that you are robbing God if you don’t give it to THEM… and cheerfully, because God loves a cheerful giver.

I agree that today it is more “helping support a ministry” by an offering (not in the biblical sense), a monetary donation…

And I so much appreciate ministries like yours who work hard at sticking with Yah’s word, walking the straight and narrow, not turning to the right or left.
Thanks for your heartfelt dedication!

I often wondered if Jephthah was not happily married, and hoped his wife would be 1st to come out the door to meet him. Lol…

On Sabbath today I read where Solomon dedicated the temple in Chronicles, something I had not really thought about before. I’ve always considered Abraham, being the father of the Israelites as the best example of how to dedicate oneself to our Creator so this study gave me some good things to think about.
In an earlier comment I mistakenly attributed a quote to Joshua that was actually by Jonathan and realized that I need to work that much harder to think before I speak. Words are very important.

how do u compare righteousness with unrighteousness?? the so cold and new testament.

Lev 27:28
“However, anything specially set apart for the LORD—whether a person, an animal, or family property—must never be sold or bought back. Anything devoted in this way has been set apart as holy, and it belongs to the LORD.”
Lev 27:29
“No person specially set apart for destruction may be bought back. Such a person must be put to death.”

This seems to answer the Japthah question. Do not vow recklessly! I don’t see this as a sacrifice as much as a fulfillment of a vow.

Thank you for the study; always a blessing to search Yehovah’s Word with like believers.

I find this interesting.

“They had no choice, they ate their children.” It is probably this kind of thinking that caused God to send Elijah to the widow of Zarephath.

all though divorce is frowned upon, it is allowed under limited reasons.

IDK guys, 70 sevens were determined, sevens, not weeks but, sevens. Get it? Ur 7x7x7x7 of Lev.26 is yrs, 2401 total btw, as Daniel confirms. (70 yrs for 70 sevens determined). Anyone, like myself, Rood n others, using 457 b.c. as ‘the going forth of the command to rebuild…’ gets 1945 as an ‘end to the transgression’, 2401 yrs later. Weren’t hunters sent? Didn’t pestilence (lice) abound in concentration camps? Didn’t Nazis reep anothers’ sowing? Weren’t the diaspora scattered even more among the nations? Wudnt they eat their kids by way of ashes? 10 women baking, Iron sky, earth floor shud make u realize, Time, Times n 1/Times is “The first Time I will double the plagues, Times is the 7x7x,7×7 or 2401yrs after 457b.c. And ‘a dividing of Time’ isn’t dividing in 2 twain, it one divided by Time or 1/Time….THIS is the 70 yrs captivity. If 70 yrs TIMES 7 is 490 yrs of these plagues, “not even the elect wud survive unless I shortened those days. So it’s a dividing of those 70 yrs by 1 Time or 1 seven…70/7=10 complete years concentration camps. The iniquity was truly visited upon even unto the 4th generation of those killed during those 10 yrs…..js

I think that when mountain Sinai is mentioned, that means the covenant that the Israelites would be under the law of God. Therefore it doesn’t mean when was the law completed, but the moment they agreed to fall the law. So, the question ‘when was The Law given completely’ for me is irrelevant.

(1Ki 13:6)  And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Intreat now the face of the LORD thy God… not elohim, not elohenu, but elohecha, YOUR God. He didn’t even claim YHVH as his own.

It seems possible that in Judges 11:31, the translation might be “…it shall be the YHVH’S, or I will offer it up as a burnt offering.” In my studies the “vav” can be translated several ways. One meaning “or”. “…or I will offer it up… Many reasons making his daughter an olah is not possible. But, as Joseph Picon’s comment on Jan 20, 2020, she must have been dedicated to serve at the Mishkan. Therefore, she bewailed her virginity(11:38) … and she had no relations with a man. (11:39). She was an only child which meant her father would never have grandchildren, perhaps a boy to carry on his name. Possible?
Thank you for all you do. Looking forward to Hebrew Matthew study.

This Torah pearls #33 blessed me beyond measure! So many pearls taken from this session! Thank you gentlemen!

Attn :Nehemia Gordon

Are you aware that Wikipedia declares you to be a rabbi?

I looked to be sure no one had written these exact ideas… so here goes.
On the discussion about Jephtha, who vowed to offer the first thing to come out of his house as a burnt offering.

(although not a male, she was his only child. His first born. He could not sacrifice her; he MUST redeem her. ..hmm how come that guy never inquired of the prophet or redeem his child at the temple? Cause he was a lolohead, that’s why!)

Judges 11:31 “…whatever comes out of the doors of my house to meet me when I return in peace from the sons of Ammon, it shall be YEHOVAH’s, and I will offer it up as a burnt offering.”

Judges 11:34 When Jephthah came to his house at Mizpah, behold, his daughter was coming out to meet him with tambourines and with dancing. Now she was his one and only child; besides her he had no son or daughter.

Judges 11:39 At the end of two months she returned to her father, who did to her according to the vow which he had made…

Exodus 13 Then YEHOVAH spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Consecrate to Me all the firstborn, whatever opens the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and beast; it is Mine.”

(YEHOVAH Himself tells us He never intended human sacrifice)

Ex13:13 …And all the firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem.
Ex 13:14, 15 So it shall be, when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ that you shall say…
15 ‘…Therefore I sacrifice to the Lord all males that open the womb, but all the firstborn of my sons I redeem.’

Jer 19:4-5 “Because they have forsaken Me and made this an alien place, because they have burned incense in it to other gods whom neither they, their fathers, nor the kings of Judah have known, and have filled this place with the blood of the innocents 5 (they have also built the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings to Baal, which I did not command or speak, nor did it come into My mind)…

(and here – daughters are also specifically listed)

Deuteronomy 12:31 You shall not worship YEHOVAH Eloheka in that way; for every abomination to YEHOVAH which He hates they have done to their gods; for they burn even their sons and daughters in the fire to their gods.

Jer 32:35 And they built the high places of Baal which are in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire to Molech, which I did not command them, nor did it come into My mind that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.’

(If he did sacrifice her, he broke the law to do it. So that only leaves dedication to the temple as happened to the prophet Samuel)

i completely agree. This particular style of “wedding vow” is something that must be considered VERY seriously. Regardless of state law, national law, church ordinance, or even if the scripture *allows* divorce, if you actually make a vow to Yehovah that you will take your husband/wife *for life*, then divorce comes off the table, period.

When my son got married a couple of years ago, he and his bride placed on the wedding announcement, right up front and big letters,
” ‘Til death! “. Now, that is taking a stand.

I was thinking the same thing about marriage vows. Serious business!

I have been studying vows and found this discussion very insightful especially in regards to vows and dedication. What is concerning to me is Yehovah’s perspective in the wedding vows people exchange in Christianity. The vows were initiated in 1549 by the church and they leave no room for divorce. “For better or for worse… until death do us part.” It doesn’t matter how bad things get, people are committed to fulfilling their vows in the eyes of Yehovah until the death of either party. Divorce decrees only address the dissolution of the state license and not the vows exchanged.

If Yehovah requires us to keep our vows, then it would seem from His perspective that there is a great deal of adultery going on even among followers of Him. Even if one person chooses not to honor the wedding vow, the other person is still required to do so because a vow is not dependent upon the other person keeping their vow.

If someone could be forgiven for a rash vow, it would have been Jephthah. If his vow had to be fulfilled then the vows spoken on a wedding day between two people need to be fulfilled as well. Otherwise, people are guilty of adultery when they choose to join themselves to someone else who is not their spouse. This is very sobering to say the least.

If anyone has further insight in regards to this topic, please share. Thank you.

Nehemia, brought out a good point on the word if. When I read 2 Chr 7:14, many translation use the word “IF: my people, I had a problem when it uses “IF” when YeHoVaH is speaking, the question I have does YeHoVaH KNOW whats going to happen or is He taken by surprise when Israel repents, After study the word if if Hebrew is the word (im or eem) it has multiple meanings the one word that fits is WHEN my people who are called by my Name shall, this word WHEN show that Elohim is all knowing.

Rod of Iron and Amazing Grace and Mercy.

What you just listed is exactly why I left the Christian church I grew up in. But for all the time I was there I asked for justification for changes from the Old Testament and was told Christ changed it. I never believed it and now know why. It is like freeing a caged bird that is now able to fly. Nehemia opened that cage door for me and I thank him every day for that.

So let me get this straight. Deciding to organize at a different place than where YHVH put His name (Temple/Jerusalem), is considered to be setting up a high place? Deciding to act out or copy the instructions of the aaronic priests in any of their commanded instructions, will get those people who do so, burned on an altar? Choosing a day that is different than the one YHVH declared by the blowing of the shofar instructions to the Levitical priesthood to gather for appointed days, will get your whole family line wiped out? Hmmmmm……. Seems to me we’ve got some people involved in some huge problems. But will they listen?

Just wanted to know when did the Rabbinical position of bar/bat mitzvah actually become the official position?

Agree with Sophia’s comments!

In the New Testament ( Matthew 8:2I-22), I find an interesting similarity revealed in Yeshua’s and Kefa’s dialogue concerning, ” how often shall I forgive my brother “, and Leviticus 26 :14 thru 27 – ” if you don’t listen t me “. The “seven” metric used in meting out judgement in Leviticus 26 is mirrored by Yeshua in Matthew as to the metric for true forgiveness / redemption. In Leviticus we read of a progressive penalty for persistent disobedience and Yeshua seems to be saying in Matthew , ” Look Kefa, do you really want me to send in an auditor to render a number on your / Israel’s offenses ? I’ll tell you what, if you’ll quit counting ( progressively forgive ) your brothers’ offenses, I’ll quit counting yours “. In the end of days we read of Israel being fully restored to the Land and this is achieved by a task that is often ” too hard ” for humankind, ” persistent forgiveness”. Thankfully, Yahovah QUIT COUNTING and thereby reveals his heart for his People to be ONE of unrelenting love and forgiveness. Perhaps we can toss our IOU calculators, yes ?

Hello, we follow your program and just started seriously learning Torah last year. How do we honor God with wealth as was said in Proverbs 3:9? Thanks in advance!

I cannot agree, because of all the instances where God tells us to call on His Name…

Thanks for all the revelations you allow Hashem bring through you. But remember, Christ is being worshiped as a God by many. Therefore, its my understanding that as followers of Hashem, we cant mention, with our lips, the name; JESUS, anymore; Cos mentioning names of other Gods is forbidden by God Exo 23:13. However, to refer to him as Christ, is permitted. Please spread this info, so that those who may have stumbled because of your error/followed your bad example in mentioning the name Jesus, would be corrected and come to repentance.

I immediately thought of Isaiah 43 when Nehemia referred to Josh 7:8-9 stating that: “If Israel ceases to exist, then Yehovah would be a false God”. It’s true! Israel is proof that Yehovah is faithful to His promises forever!!! Isaiah 43:7 also speaks of “the Gentiles who are called by My name”.
Isaiah 43:10…. “You are My witneses”, says Yehovah, And My servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe Me….

Although we are faithless, He remains faithful. All praise, honor, and glory to Yehovah forever!

As I listen to the discussion about Israel being special to God my thoughts are shifted to Yehovah who shows what love is. He made a covenant to Abraham and will keep it although his descendands have been unfaithful. These people have rejected Him so many times yet He is faithful. The focus should not be so much so the people but this God who loves and keep His promises/covenant throughout the ages.

It’s “OR then”. NG didn’t seem to hear them asking that.

Shabbat Shalom. Thank you for the teaching and my eyes truly became open to day especially the different type of translation. The Tree of Life, we must cling to.
I must continue to study and seek after truth.

I read an interesting article about how in ancient times, the animals lived in the house with the family. Upon entering a home, you were in the “stable”. A person had to ascend a small flight of steps to enter the living quarters of the family. So, for Jephtha to make this vow was not beyond reason. Except for the fact that he must have come later than he had planned and the animals were already outside grazing.
I like the thought that he redeemed her because obviously he could not sacrifice her.

I enjoyed this discussion very much; especially the translation confusion. Keeping with that topic, I noticed that in Lev. 26 the end of verse 41 we have another issue with the translations.
I don’t read Hebrew very well, but I could see that this portion begins with “im” (If), and so I looked for “im” in verses 40 and 41 and couldn’t find any. (thus, Nehemiah’s point about “not IF, THEN” and him going all prophetic) SO, at the end of verse 41, my christian NKJV says “if their uncircumcised hearts are humbled, and they accept their guilt–” BUT my Jewish Bible says “then at last shall their obdurate heart humble itself, and they shall atone for their iniquity.”
Is that the real meaning in the Hebrew? If so, I can see why the christians changed that! WHAT? We can atone for our own sins??? 🙂

Hoooo! Hooo!

Malachi 3:6 6 “I am the Lord. I do not change. That is why I have not destroyed you members of Jacob’s family. 7 You have turned away from my rules. You have not obeyed them. You have lived that way ever since the days of your people long ago. Return to me. Then I will return to you,” says the Lord who rules over all.

Leviticus 26:44 “‘But even after all of that, I will not say no to you or turn away from you. I will not destroy you completely in the land of your enemies. I will not break my covenant with you. I am the Lord your God. 45 Because of you, I will remember the covenant I made with the people of Israel who lived before you. I brought them out of Egypt to be their God. The nations saw me do it. I am the Lord.’”

Matthew 12:12 Now when Yeshua heard that John(immerser) had been arrested and put in prison, He withdrew into Galilee.
13 And leaving Nazareth, He went and dwelt in Capernaum by the sea, in the country of Zebulun and Naphtali—

14 That what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah might be brought to pass:

15 The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, in the [h]way to the sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles [of the [i]peoples who are not of Israel]—
16 The people who sat [j](dwelt enveloped) in darkness have seen a great Light, and for those who sat in the land and shadow of death Light has dawned.

17 From that time Yeshua began to preach, [k]crying out, Repent ([l]change your mind for the better, heartily amend your ways, with abhorrence of your past sins), for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

Matthew 15:
21 Leaving that place, Yeshua withdrew to the region of Tyre and Sidon.

22 A Canaanite woman from that vicinity came to him, crying out, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is demon-possessed and suffering terribly.”

23 Yeshua did not answer a word. So his disciples came to him and urged him,

24 Yeshua answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.”

25 The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said.

26 He replied, “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to the dogs.”

27 “Yes it is, Lord,” she said. “Even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their master’s table.”

28 Then Jesus said to her, “Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted.” And her daughter was healed at that moment.

I like Nehemia’s Torah-thumping “HE WAS HE IS HE WILL BE!!”

In hearing the discussion on Jephtha, who vowed to offer the first thing to come out of his house as a burnt offering, I got to thinking about Abraham who was commanded by YHVH to offer Isaac as a burnt offering. Both events are still confusing, but I’m wondering if there are similarities in terms of the idea of dedicating one’s child, and the requirement to redeem them.

I am having a hard time accepting that those “teaching” us to do what the TORAH says to do, the same are not. I speak to those saying that the TORAH is the word and command of Elohim. Yet they do as the Sadducees and Pharisees did and speak what should be done but do not do the same. Is Leviticus 21:5 and 19:27 not a command? In 19:27 God is telling the people His command and in 21:5 he is telling priests the same thing. I was thinking at first it was just the priests were to follow this command but I see in the preceding Scripture it is also the people who are under the same command. So now you know and know also a base one has come to you to confound you who would call themselves wise. Do you believe the TORAH or not? You make it a stumbling block to those who see you saying one thing and doing another.

Be careful what you say about baby dedications. Some PROTESTANT churches claim that it cleanses from original sin. Others only have the parents promise to teach the child about God.