每週一妥拉 2018/9/23-9/29
從古時起，世界各地的猶太會堂會一週一次在安息日讀經，從摩西五經（妥拉）到先知的書（先知書）。每週的讀經內容都有一個希伯來名稱，其出自經文內容起頭的字。每週慣例讀經的實例剛好記載在路加福音四章16節，耶穌來到拿撒勒的會堂，讀了一段先知書（以賽亞書61章）。我們發現每週一次閱讀這些內容，不僅提供我們機會，與世界成千上萬的猶太人來確認神話語的內容，在我們為以色列與猶太人的代禱上，聖靈更時常貼切的啟發具體的內容禱告。
因為八天的住棚節期間有一個安息日，週末時會有特別閱讀，在節期這週還有一些額外閱讀，下面這些經文尤其重要：
節期中的安息日（שבת חול המועד）9月29日星期六
妥拉：申命記 32:1-52
先知書：以西結書 38:18-39:16
歡慶妥拉（Simchat Torah）
9月30日＆10月1日在以色列／10月1-2日在其餘國家
妥拉
申命記記 33:1-34:12
創世記 1:1-2:3
先知書
約書亞記 1:1-18
在此充滿喜樂的慶祝期間，妥拉書卷將被打開，從最後一部分申命記讀起，接著妥拉書卷將回到創世記（Beresheet）。這是歡慶的時刻，神並沒有沈默，反而將自己啟示給亞當的後裔，透過妥拉和律法成為我們生活的準則。
請禱告: 隨著妥拉閱讀即將進入尾聲，重新開始─神活生生的道透過妥拉賜給摩西，將被啟示給那些閱讀的人。甚至耶穌復活後對門徒所做的（路加福音24:44-45），祂會打開世界猶太人的心竅，使他們明白妥拉（創世記到申命記）、先知書與詩篇所記關於祂的一切，都要應驗。
意味深長的是，住棚節第一天和安息日的先知書閱讀都談到末日災難的發生，那時列國將會聯合起來抵擋以色列。聖潔、屬神的審判會被釋放，主將要『在我民以色列中顯出祂的聖名，也不容祂的聖名再被褻瀆，列國人就知道祂是耶和華─以色列中的聖者』(以西結書39:7)。以色列將認識在她中間她神的聖名(耶穌─以色列歷史上拒絕認識的名，意思是『耶和華拯救』)，而列國需要承認此聖者仍選擇讓祂自己與以色列的地和民連在一起。撒迦利亞書教導我們，列國年年來耶路撒冷參與住棚節慶典，將是承認此的例證(撒迦利亞書14:16-19)。
當人們先知性地參與住棚節慶典，今年耶路撒冷有成千上萬來自列國的信徒，充滿大街小巷，在許多地方同來敬拜讚美。
請禱告：
*求神在此歡慶的一週保護以色列，包括當地的以色列人與同來參與慶典的人。禱告大有能力的讚美被釋放出來，而神會賜下先知性洞見給凡有耳聆聽聖靈對會眾所說的話。
*禱告許多以色列人發現為了真正『在神面前歡樂七日』，他們必須先與那位主建立關係，祂來是要叫『他們的喜樂可以滿足』。
*禱告神的同在會在彌賽亞信徒的棚子裡，他們當中有許多人這週會在棚子裡靈修，許多人也會邀請他們的鄰居來到他們的棚子裡。
*禱告平安和極大的祝福澆灌這週來到耶路撒冷過節的列國信徒，禱告當他們在這地時，釋放主要他們釋放的，領受主要他們領受的。禱告以色列人能瞭解並恩待他們，歡迎並感謝他們能在此時來到此地。
*許多正統猶太教徒遵行好客的神秘猶太傳統：在此節期，據說不同族長的靈有時會降臨在忠心來住棚節的客旅身上（這很像早期彌賽亞信徒的勸誡，『不可忘記用愛心接待客旅；因為曾有接待客旅的，不知不覺就接待了天使。』（希伯來書13:2）。
請禱告
耶穌（祂才是族長渴望看見的那位）甦醒與叫人知罪的靈，
會在住棚節期間造訪全世界許多的猶太人！
下週的閱讀進度（10/1-6）開始新的妥拉閱讀循環！創世記─起初：妥拉─創世記1:1-6:8；先知書─以賽亞書42:5-43:10。
馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷
This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion (Parashah) from the first five books of Moses (The Torah) and an ending (Haftarah) from the Prophets read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name drawn from the opening words of the Torah passage. An illustration of this practice appears to have been recorded in Luke 4:16 where Yeshua (Jesus) arrived in the synagogue in Nazareth and was asked to read the portion (Isaiah 61) from the Prophets. We have found that in perusing these weekly readings, not only are we provided opportunity to identify in the context of God's Word with millions of Jewish people around the world, but very often the Holy Spirit will illumine specific passages pertinent that week in our intercession for the Land and people of Israel. All texts are those of English translations of the Scriptures.
Since the eight days of Sukkot extend over a Sabbath, a special Parashahis read on that weekend. A number of other passages also are read during the festival week. From among these, we find the following to be of special significance:
- 1st Day of Sukkot (Monday 24 September 2018)
o Torah: Leviticus 22:26—23:44
o Haftarah: Zechariah 14:1-21
- 2nd Day of Sukkot (Tuesday 25 September 2018)
o Haftarah: I Kings 8:2-21
- Shabatt Chol haMoed (Sabbath within the Festival: Sat. Sept 29)
o Torah: Exodus 33:12—34:26
o Haftarah: Ezekiel 38:18-39:16
- Simchat Torah (“The Joy of Torah!”)
Sunday Evening and Monday September 30 & October 1—in Israel
Monday Evening and Tuesday October 1 & 2—in other nations.
o Torah
Deuteronomy 33:1—34:12
Genesis 1:1—2:3
o Haftarah
Joshua 1:1-18
During this joyous celebration, the Torah Scrolls are opened, the final portion from Deuteronomy is read—then the scroll is rolled back to Beresheet—“In the Beginning.” It is a time for rejoicing in a God who has not remained silent, but has revealed Himself to the descendants of Adam by the release of instruction (Hebrew: torah) and laws by which we are to live
PLEASE PRAY: That as another year of passing through the weekly Parashot draws to an end and is begun again—the Living Word, through which this Torah was released to Moses, would be revealed to those who read it. That even as Yeshua did to His disciples after he was raised from the dead (Luke 24:44-45), He would open the minds of Jews around the world to understand what is written about Him in the Torah (Genesis-Deuteronomy), the Nevi’im (Prophets), and the Tehilim (Psalms).
It is significant that the Haftarah readings for both the first day of Sukkot and for the following Sabbath include calamitous occurrences of the last days when nations will unite to come against Israel. In the holy, righteous, divine judgments released during those days, the LORD " will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, and I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am YHVH, the Holy One in Israel (Ezekiel 39:7; Emphasis ours). Israel will come to know the holy name of her God in her midst (“Yeshua”—a name which historically most of Israel has refused to know, means "Yehovah—“The LORD” Saves"). Nations will be required to acknowledge that this Holy One still chooses to identify Himself with and in the land and people of Israel. The Zechariah passage teaches that this acknowledgment will be exemplified by the nations coming annually to Jerusalem to participate in the Feast of Sukkot (Zechariah 14:16-19).
As a prophetic anticipation of this, the streets of Jerusalem are filled each Sukkot with thousands of believers from the nations joining together in various places to worship, praise and to pray.
AS WE MAKE OUR WAY THROUGH THIS JOYOUS WEEK OF SUKKOT 5779, PLEASE PRAY:
*For divine protection over Israel during this week of rejoicing. Pray protection both for native Israelis and for those from the nations who are joining us for the Feast.
*That many Israelis discover that in order truly to "rejoice before the LORD for seven days" they must come first into relationship with the One who came that their "joy might be full".
*For God's presence to be in the "sukkot" of Messianic believers where many will have their daily devotions during this week. Many will also invite their neighbors to pay a visit there.
*For safety and a great blessing over all the believers from the Nations who are coming up to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast. Pray that they release what God would have them release, and receive what He would have them receive while they are here. Pray for understanding and graciousness on behalf of Israelis to welcome and be thankful for their presence here at this time.
*Many Orthodox Jews follow a mystical Jewish tradition calling for special hospitality: during this festival the spirits of various Patriarchs and rabbis are said to sometimes arrive “spiritually” or unannounced as visitors (Ushpazin) to the sukkot of the faithful. Some streams actually list varying orders in which these visitors will arrive each evening.
We do not hold to this teaching, considering it to be an opening for occult spiritual deception. Yet, we find it in some ways reminiscent of the admonition to early Messianic believers, that they "not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it" (Hebrews 13:2).
A TRULY HOLY VISITOR
PLEASE PRAY: That this week the awakening, illuminating, convicting Holy Spirit of Yeshua (whom the Patriarchs themselves longed to see) will truly visit many Jews in their sukkot throughout the world!
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
[Next week October 1-6 begins the reading of the Torah anew! Beresheet—“In the Beginning.” TORAH: Genesis 1-6:8. HAFTARAH: Isaiah 42:5—43:10]