Life, Liberty, and The Pursuit of Torah!
- Posted on MaypmFri, 06 May 2016 23:04:36 -05002016-05-06T23:04:36-05:0011 17, 2016
- in Acharei Mot, Bible, God, Hebrew, Messiah, Study, Torah, Yeshua
- by Hallelujah Girl
The Holocaust envelopes the sum total of anti-Jewish actions carried out by the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945. The German Jews were stripped of their legal economic status in the 1930’s, segregated and starved in various occupied countries. Close to 6 million Jews were murdered.
The biblical word Shoah, שואה, means devastation, ruin, or waste. Sho or ravages, seems to be where this word comes from. We can find this word in Isaiah 10:3 where the Prophet is crying woe to those who who make unrighteous laws saying, “What shall you do in the day of visitation, and in the ruin which comes from afar? To whom would you run for help? And where would you leave your wealth?” Babylon is the “person” in ruin the prophet speaks about in in Isaiah 47:11, “But evil shall come upon you, you not knowing from where it arises, and trouble fall upon you, you being unable to put it off, and ruin come upon younsuddenly, which you know not.”
The 5th day of May marks the Day of Rememberence, or Yom HaShoah, also named Holocaust Rememberence Day. Unfortunately, antisemitism (the combination of religious and cultural hatred of Jews) is still very much alive today and some claim it is on the rise.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” –The Declaration of Independence
In the words “endowed by their Creator” lies the difference between the American Revolution, which made the country the beacon of freedom and liberty to the whole world until this very day, and the other revolutions crying the same cry of “all men are created equal” (e.g., communism) which did not last.
Freedom without a Creator is not freedom. It might sound like freedom, it might even taste for a moment like freedom, but it is not freedom. It isn’t even a democracy. For the strong will find a way to exploit the weak under any system. If there are no divine principles to be accountable for, then ultimately there are no principles at all.
Without G‑d, democracy can be just as evil like any other form of government. What makes the USA a city on a hill is not its form of government as much as those four words in the Declaration of Independence and the four words on the dollar “In G‑d we Trust.”
Thirty-three centuries ago, our ancestors rushed to Sinai to live a life of true freedom—as servants of the Creator. This week we study the portion of Torah titled Acharei Mot, “after the death”. It also falls on the second week of counting the Omer, a commandment to count the days which will lead us, refine us, and prepare us for, ultimately, Yom Kippur. Yom Kippur, considered to be the the center of all of the Holy One’s festivals. Acharei Mot describes in detail this very Day of Atonement.
The 10th day of the Hebrew month Tishri (mid-September to mid-October) holds other special memories as well as being the Most Holy of G-d’s festivals. The Sages explain that it was this very day that Adam and Eve received their “skins” after the fall. On Mt. Moriah G-d provided the ram in substitute for the life of Isaac, and Moses returns down Mt. Sinai with the second set of tablets after the sin of the Golden Calf. The Day of Atonement could be explained simply as the Day of the Great Covering. We, on our own, can never be good enough~we need a covering to stand in the Presence of The Holy One. Yeshua teaches the only Way to the Father is through the Son. His blood is that very covering.
The details of Yom Kippur spelled out in Leviticus 16 begin with the day it is to be observed. Next the garments of the High Priest are to be pure, white, and made of linen. A few chapters earlier we are told of the specific ornate ephod, breastplate, sash, and head covering Aaron was to wear. This time he is to don only pure white linen. Could this be representing the purity to which we strive for? Like the garments of a bride on her wedding day? He is to immerse himself in water and put on new garment each time he enters the Holy of Holies (4 times total).
Leviticus 16: 13 indicates Aaron comes face to face with the Holy One, but even Aaron does not get a clear view. Placing incense upon the fire creating a cloud of covering–so that he shall not die. Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 13:12, “For now we see in a mirror dimly , but then face to face. Now I know in part , but then I shall know, as I also have been known.” Mirrors were not the same back then as they are today. They were made of brass which has no sharp reflection. None of us can see the Holy One clearly, even truth has been shattered.
Aaron is then instructed as the High Priest, to choose one bull as a sin offering. This will atone for the sins of himself and his family. Also two he-goats are chosen. By lottery, one will be offered as a sacrifice to the Holy One and the other is explained as being a scapegoat (for Azazel), to carry away sins that could not be atoned by ordinary sacrifice. The origin of the name Azazel signifies a mighty mountain. Aaron will then enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the Nation. Confession of sins made on he covering of the ark. (v. 12-13)
The people are to remain vigil with him. It is to be a Shabbat (Sabbath) of complete rest. In the Hebrew text the word Shabbat appears twice in a row, שבת שבתון. Absolutely no work is to be done, no food or water taken in, it isa day of complete rest and meditation. (Leviticus 16: 29-30) This ordinance is one that is to remain forever! (v. 29 & 34) An Eternal Decree, indicating that Yom Kippur will never cease, will never be abolished, it will always remain a day of the great covering!
I imagine that on Yom Kippur, our Great High Priest, the Messiah Yeshua preforms His duties in the Tabernacle not made with hands still to this day. So we, as His Redeemed, afflict ourselves, meditate, and rest on what He continues to do for us…(just a thought).
In life here on earth, we all have decisions to make and paths to choose. As believers, we have a great calling, and as stated above we cannot carry out Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness without the Holy One. The only way to the Holy One is with the covering of the blood of the Messiah. Remembering the tragic events of the past and the victories that resulted helps to guarantee they will not be repeated by future generations. Choosing Torah and it’s loving instruction is following the Way, the Messiah. And in Him there is Freedom!
~Hallelujah Girl
Tags: #ReadYourBible #ItsAllAboutYeshua #TorahIsTruth, Acharei Mot