每週一妥拉 2014/3/9-/3/15
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。

{備註}

這週是逾越節前四個特別的安息日之一，有額外的妥拉讀經，先知書閱讀也隨之更改。由於這週的安息日在普珥節前夕，所以被稱為『紀念安息日』（Shabbat-Zachor）─要記得（亞瑪力人怎樣待你）！因此有來自申命記25章的額外妥拉讀經，原來的先知書（以西結書43:10-27）變更為撒母耳記上15章，掃羅接受指示要摧毀亞瑪力人，他卻沒有殺亞瑪力王亞甲（哈曼的祖先）。 

這週的閱讀（3/9-3/15）稱為『吩咐』（Tsav），讀經進度為： 

妥拉：利未記6:8-8:36

耶和華曉諭摩西吩咐亞倫和他的子孫，關乎他們很快要在神面前所獻的祭，每一個祭都有仔細的指令─並強調過程中的聖潔。亞倫與他的兒子被潔淨成聖、穿上聖衣、抹上膏油，在他們代表百姓開始承接聖職前先行贖罪。

紀念安息日（Shabbat Zachor）: 申命記25:17-19

『你要記念你們出埃及的時候，亞瑪力人在路上怎樣待你。他們在路上遇見你，趁你疲乏困倦擊殺你儘後邊軟弱的人，並不敬畏神。所以耶和華─你神使你不被四圍一切的仇敵擾亂，在耶和華─你神賜你為業的地上得享平安。那時，你要將亞瑪力的名號從天下塗抹了，不可忘記。』

先知書：撒母耳記上15:2-34

*(2)『萬軍之耶和華如此說：以色列人出埃及的時候，在路上亞瑪力人怎樣待他們，怎樣抵擋他們，我都沒忘。』

*(22-23) 『撒母耳說：耶和華喜悅燔祭和平安祭，豈如喜悅人聽從他的話呢？聽命勝於獻祭；順從勝於公羊的脂油。悖逆的罪與行邪術的罪相等；頑梗的罪與拜虛神和偶像的罪相同。你既厭棄耶和華的命令，耶和華也厭棄你作王。』

*(29) 『以色列的大能者必不致說謊，也不致後悔；因為祂迥非世人，決不後悔。』

*(32-33) 『撒母耳說：要把亞瑪力王亞甲帶到我這裡來。亞甲就歡歡喜喜地來到他面前，心裡說，死亡的苦難必定過去了。撒母耳說：你既用刀使婦人喪子，這樣，你母親在婦人中也必喪子。於是，撒母耳在吉甲耶和華面前將亞甲殺死。』

下週的閱讀進度（3/16-3/22）被稱為『第八天』（Shemini），讀經內容包括：妥拉─利未記9:1-11:47；『紅母牛安息日』（Shabbat Parah）─民數記19:1-22；先知書─以西結書36:16-38。 

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.

{NOTE}

This is one of four special Shabbats before Passover having additional Torah and replacement Haftarah readings. Because this Shabbat precedes Purim, it is called Shabbat-Zachor-"Remember! (what Amalek did to you)." It contains an additional Torah reading from Deuteronomy 25; and the usual Haftarah (Ezekiel 43:10-27) is replaced by the reading from 1 Samuel about Saul's charge to destroy the Amalekites and his failure to kill Agag (an ancestor of Haman).

This week's Torah Portion is called Tsav-"Command":

TORAH: Leviticus 6:8-8:36

Moses is told to command Aaron and his sons concerning the offerings they will shortly begin making before God. Careful instruction is made concerning each of these-with emphasis on the holiness of their activities. Then Aaron and his sons are consecrated, clothed in their holy garments and anointed.and atonement is made for them before they begin their duties on behalf of the people.

Shabbat Zachor ("Remember!"): Deuteronomy 25:17-19

"REMEMBER WHAT AMALEK DID TO YOU.on the way as you came out of Egypt, how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary, and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God. Therefore when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies around you, in the land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven; you shall not forget."

HAFTARAH: I Samuel 15:2--34

*(2) "Thus says YHVH of Armies, 'I will punish Amalek for what he did to Israel, how he ambushed him on the way when he came up from Egypt."

*(22-23) "Has YHVH as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of YHVH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, to heed than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as witchcraft-sin, and stubbornness as iniquity and idolatry!"

*(29) "And also the Glory of Israel will not lie or have regret, for he is not a man, that he should have regret" (ESV).

*(32-33) "Then said Samuel, 'Bring you hither to me Agag the king of the Amalekites.' And Agag came unto him delicately. And Agag said, 'Surely the bitterness of death is past.' And Samuel said, 'As thy sword hath made women childless, so shall thy mother be childless among women." And Samuel hewed Agag in pieces before the LORD in Gilgal" (KJV).

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem

[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week 16-22 March 2014 are called Shemini-"Eighth Day": TORAH: Leviticus 9:1-11:47; Shabbat Parah: Numbers 19:1-22; HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 36:16-38.]