從古時起，在全世界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）。本週的內容被給予一個希伯來名，出自於經文內容起頭的字。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。
每週一妥拉的禱告更新內容並不是為了提供這些閱讀『註解』，我們在讀經各處挑出一些重點乃是對我們的代禱有助益。

從四月廿五日到五月一日的閱讀稱為『說』（Emor）：『耶和華對摩西說：你告訴亞倫子孫作祭司的說…』，讀經內容包括：

妥    拉: 利未記21:1-24:23
先知書: 以西結書44:15-31

這週的閱讀首先是聚焦在祭司服事主時保持潔淨的重要性，以及他們在人民面前所展現出的樣式。他們的工作代表生命與完全，他們不可為死人或是殘疾與不潔的來沾染自己。利未記廿三章描述聖會的細節，就是主給祂以色列子民的『節期』。
他們以每週的『安息日』（Shabbat）為開始，
到了春天：逾越節（Passover） ─ 吃無酵餅（Matzott）一週，
四十九天後的初熟節(Shavuot)（五旬節） ─ 獻上初熟的果子。
到了秋天：吹角節(Yom Teruah) 、 贖罪日（Yom Kippur）與住棚節（Succot）。

我們發現這一章默想的內容，對主在以色列救贖的目的有著特別的亮光，並藉此成為祂對全人類救贖工作的寫照。

下週的妥拉與先知書閱讀（5/2-5/8）（另一次的雙倍閱讀）稱為『在山上』（Behar），內容包括：利未記25:1-26:2；耶利米書32:6-27。以及『我的律例』（Bechukkothai），內容包括：利未記26:3-27:34；耶利米書16:19-17:14。

馬汀和娜瑪‧賽維士（Martin & Norma Sarvis）
於耶路撒冷

安息日讀經˙每週一妥拉

This week's Torah Portion:
From ancient times there has been a weekly portion from the five books of Moses (The Torah) and from the Prophets (Haftarah-final reading) read on the Sabbath in synagogues around the world. This portion is given a Hebrew name taken from the opening words of the 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 Haftarah 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.

While it is not within the scope of this Prayer Update to supply a "commentary" on these readings, we will here and there draw attention to certain points which may prove helpful in informing our intercession. [Note: All text citations are those for more-common English translations of the Scriptures.]

The reading for 25 April-1 may 2010 is "Emor" ("Speak"-to the priests):
TORAH: Leviticus 21:1-24:23
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 44:15-31

This week's portion focuses first upon the importance of priests in being clean in their service to the LORD and in the picture they present before the people. In their work on behalf of life and wholeness, they are not to defile themselves with that which is dead or deformed or impure. Chapter 23 presents in detail the Holy Convocations, the LORD's "appointed times" for His people Israel.

They begin with the weekly "Shabbat"-then in the Spring: Passover, the Week of Matzot (Unleavened Bread), the presenting of First Fruits, 49 days later Shavuot (the Feast of Weeks/Pentecost); and in the Autumn: Yom Teruah (the Day of Blowing the Shofar), Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) and Succot (The Feast of Tabernacles).

Meditation on the contents of this chapter we find to be especially enlightening regarding the LORD's redemptive purposes over Israel, which through these present a picture of His working in time on behalf of all humankind.

Martin and Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 2-8 May (another "double reading") will be: Behar-Leviticus 25:1-26:2/Jeremiah 32:6-27 & Bechukkothai-Leviticus 26:3-27:34/Jeremiah 16:19-17:14).]