每週一妥拉 2016/4/24-4/30
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。 

這週的閱讀進度（4/24-4/30）被稱為『死了以後』（Acharei Mot）：
妥拉：利未記16:1-18:30
先知書：阿摩司書 9:7-15 / 以西結書22:1-16

*利未記16:21-22. 『（亞倫）兩手按在羊頭上，承認以色列人諸般的罪孽過犯，就是他們一切的罪愆，把這罪都歸在羊的頭上，藉著所派之人的手，送到曠野去。要把這羊放在曠野，這羊要擔當他們一切的罪孽，帶到無人之地。』

妥拉閱讀內容始於對一年最聖潔之日的指示─贖罪日（Yom Kippur）。一隻羊被犧牲，牠的血彈在幔內的施恩座上。利未記16:15稱此羊為『作贖罪祭的公山羊』；然而，在希伯來文中，此羊實質上稱為『有罪的公山羊』，被殺為要潔淨人。在哥林多後書5:21說到彌賽亞耶穌：『神使那無罪（無罪：原文是不知罪）的，替我們成為罪，好叫我們在祂裡面成為神的義。』當這隻羊成為贖罪祭，第二隻羊則背負這些罪送到曠野去。詩篇103:12告訴我們：『東離西有多遠，祂叫我們的過犯離我們也有多遠！』這隻『代罪羔羊』的名字叫阿撒瀉勒（希伯來文azazel），在今日的以色列被用來作為咒詛的同義詞。

請禱告：以色列得著啟示，知道耶穌（拯救之意）是神的『羔羊』，為我們成為『咒詛』，用祂的血為我們贖罪，除去世人的罪(約翰福音 1:29)。

*利未記17:11. 『因為活物的生命是在血中。我把這血賜給你們，可以在壇上為你們的生命贖罪；因血裡有生命，所以能贖罪。』 

這裡翻成『生命』的字並不是chaim（希伯來文：生命），而是 nephesh，常被翻成『靈魂』（參考創世記2:7『耶和華神用地上的塵土造人，將生氣(chaim)吹在他鼻孔裡，他就成了有靈 (nephesh)的活人，名叫亞當。』在這裡我們並不是在說人的『靈魂』以血為中心，但生命是以血為中心，動物的生命也是如此。『看哪，世人（靈魂）都是屬我的；為父的（靈魂）怎樣屬我，為子的（靈魂）也照樣屬我；犯罪的（靈魂），他必死亡』 (以西結書18:4)。因為死亡掌權在全人類（因為世人都犯了罪），所以神選擇讓死亡可以藉由生命的血來贖罪(利17:14:b)。贖罪需要一個中保─祭司，血就不會因個人的目的而被流在家中(利17:1-6)，贖罪的血也不會成為人的食物(參考利17:10,14；創9:4；徒15:20)。

*利未記17:7. 『他們不可再獻祭給他們行邪淫所隨從的鬼魔（原文作公山羊）；這要作他們世世代代永遠的定例。』

『鬼魔』在這裡的原文真的與在16:8守贖罪日所使用的『公山羊』為同一個字，撒旦不僅以『光明的天使』出現，更成為異教徒用來崇拜的相同動物，並且被用來贖罪與背負罪惡。

*利未記17:13-14. 『凡以色列人，或是寄居在他們中間的外人，若打獵得了可吃的禽獸，必放出他的血來，用土掩蓋。論到一切活物的生命 (靈魂nephesh)，就在血中。所以我對以色列人說：無論什麼活物的血，你們都不可吃，因為一切活物的血就是他的生命 (靈魂nephesh)。凡吃了血的，必被剪除。』 

屠宰動物當作食物的儀式是根據一些條例，包括放血，到如今仍在猶太（還有一些伊斯蘭）社會中實踐。雖然在歷史上被認為是人道的，但目前卻受到一些國家的攻擊，爭議其作法，有些國家已經禁止。令人擔憂的是看到一些西方國家在過去三、四年間對猶太教放血屠宰方式，以及另一個猶太教傳統割禮越來越多的批評，甚至一些國家立法禁止，聲稱其違法動物或男嬰的『權利』。就在這週，以色列有一家網路新聞報導：『德國附庸風雅人士尋求終止割禮與動物屠宰儀式』(http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4793393,00.html)。 

*利未記18:21. 『不可使你的兒女經火歸與摩洛，也不可褻瀆你神的名。我是耶和華。』

摩洛(molech)這個名字是掌權(Limloch)的動詞現在式（君王(melech)則是名詞）。正如巴力(Baal)這個字有著『主，夫子，先生』之意，被邪惡的假神拿去使用作為尊崇之意，摩洛則是鬼魔的王，頭銜為『掌權者』。可悲的是，以色列最後還是迎接了此勢力(耶利米書32:35)，受到神嚴厲的審判。因著對此罪的嫌惡，今日的希伯來敬拜歌曲，包括猶太教徒與大部分彌賽亞信徒不會使用『來掌權』的現在式，避免提到摩洛的名字，而是以祂掌權( malach)或祂將掌權(yimloch )來取代。

*利未記18:3,4-利未記20:22. 『你們從前住的埃及地，那裡人的行為，你們不可效法，我要領你們到的迦南地，那裡人的行為也不可效法，也不可照他們的惡俗行。你們要遵我的典章，守我的律例，按此而行。我是耶和華─你們的神。所以，你們要謹守遵行我一切的律例典章，免得我領你們去住的那地把你們吐出。』

在這幾節經文中間列出許多邪惡行為，包括拜偶像、行淫亂與秘術活動，儘管在埃及或迦南盛行，以色列卻被禁止。不管以前在以色列是否允許近親性關係，但在這裡不再允許。某些性行為被視為『大惡』(18:17)，另一些則是『可憎惡的』(18:22) 或『逆性』之事(18:23)。以色列被警告這些行為已使先前的居民四散各地，後來以色列真的因這些可憎之事而被驅逐（參考原來先知書以西結書22:1-16的閱讀內容）。

請禱告：為以色列帶來復興所需的認罪與悔改禱告；這段經文提到的許多可憎之事，今日仍在我們的土地上盛行。我們若要在這塊土地深根、長存，這些邪惡必須被除去。神對這些行為的律法並沒有改變，祂對行這些事之人的審判也未曾改變。

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.  The Haftarah, unless otherwise noted, will be that read in Ashkenazy synagogues around the world. The references for all texts are those found in English translations of the Scriptures.

This Sabbath (30 April) the readings are called Acharei Mot--“After the Death”: 
Torah:  Leviticus 16-1—18:30
Haftarah:  Amos 9:7-15 / Ezekiel 22:1-16

NOTE:  The regular cycle of Torah readings (Acharei Mot) continues in Israel on April 30th.  Since Jews outside of Israel observe an extra “8th” day for the Passover season, the reading Acharei Mot  will be read there the following week, May 7th.

*Leviticus 16:21-22.   “Aaron shall lay both his hands on the head of the live goat, confess over it all the iniquities of the children of Israel, and all their transgressions, concerning all their sins, putting them on the head of the goat, and shall send it away into the wilderness…The goat shall bear on itself all their iniquities to an uninhabited land; and he shall release the goat in the wilderness.”

This portion begins with instructions for the most holy day of the year, Yom Kippur—“Day of Atonement”.  A goat was sacrificed and its blood applied to the Mercy Seat as atonement for the sins of the people.  Leviticus 16:15 calls this the “goat of the sin offering” in some English translations.  However, in the Hebrew, it is literally “the sin goat” or “the goat of sin” which is slain to cleanse the people and make them clean.  II Corinthians 5:21 reads of the Messiah Yeshua, “He made him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him”.  While the blood of this goat made atonement for sin, a second goat bore the sins away into the desert.  Psalm 103:12 tells us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us”.  The name of this ‘scapegoat’ in Hebrew (azazel) is used today as a curse.  

PLEASE PRAY: forrevelation that Yeshua (Whose name means, “The LORD is Salvation”) was the “Lamb of God” who became a ‘curse’ for us, made atonement in His blood and bears away the sin of the world (John 1:29).

*Leviticus 17:11.  “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.”

The word translated “life” here is not chaim, the word normally used, but nephesh which is usually translated “soul” (See Genesis 2:7: “And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (“chaim”); and man became a living soul (“nephesh”).”  We are not here suggesting that the “soul” of man’s being is centered in his blood—but the life-factor of his physical body is, as is that of animals. “Behold, all souls are Mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is Mine; the soul who sins shall die.” (Ezekiel 18:4).  Because death reigns in all human-kind (for all have sinned), God has chosen that this death be atoned for by life-blood which “sustains the soul” (vs 14:b).  Nor was the blood, with its special value as life-force or atonement, to be treated carelessly or indiscriminately.  Atonement required a mediator-priest, so blood wasn’t to be shed at home for that purpose by one’s self (vss. 1-6); nor was that which redeems the soul to be used as physical food to sustain the body (vss. 10 & 14—see also Genesis 9:4 and Acts 15:20).

*Leviticus 17:7.  “They [i.e. “All the children of Israel”] shall no more offer their sacrifices to demons, after whom they have played the harlot.” 

“Demons” here is not the usual sheddim—but instead, it is actually the same word translated “goats” in the observance of Yom Kippur in 16:8.  Satan not only comes as an “angel of light”—but among the pagan peoples sought worship in the form of the same animal which would be used to pay for and to bear away sin. 

*Leviticus 17:13-14.  “Whatever man of the children of Israel, or of the strangers who dwell among you, who hunts and catches any animal or bird that may be eaten, he shall pour out its blood and cover it with dust; for it is the life (“nephesh”) of all flesh.  Its blood sustains its life (“nephesh”).” 

The practice of sh’chita—the slaying of an animal for food in accordance with certain stipulations which include bleeding it—is still practiced in Jewish (and some Islamic) communities today.  Although historically considered humane, it is presently coming under fire in a number of countries, which contest this and in some cases have succeeded in forbidding it.  It is troubling to see how in several western countries over the past three or four years both sh’chita and another Jewish religious tradition circumcision have been coming under increased criticism and in some cases legislation to be banned on the basis of alleged violation of “rights”—both of the animal or the baby boy.  Only this week, an article in YNET-News (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4793393,00.html) read, “German arty seeks to end circumcisions and ritual slaughter”.  

*Leviticus 18:21.  “And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech, nor shall you profane the name of your God:  I am YHVH.”

The name molech is actually the singular present tense of the verb Limloch—“To Reign” (“king” is the noun form melech).  As the name Baal  is really the word for “lord-master-husband”, but taken by an evil demonic deity which presumed to become such to those who revered it, Molech was a demonic monarch which assumed the title  “The One Who Reigns”.  Sadly, Israel would eventually embrace this power (Jeremiah 32:35) and come under God’s severe judgment.  Because of a strong revulsion against this sin, Hebrew worship songs today, both amongst Orthodox Jews and most Messianics do not make use of this present-tense form of the verb “to reign” when referring to deity, substituting instead malach (He reigned) or yimloch (He will reign).

*Leviticus 18:3,4—Leviticus 20:22.  “According to the doings of the land of Egypt, where you dwelt, you shall not do; and according to the doings of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you, you shall not do; nor shall you walk in their ordinances.  You shall observe My judgments and keep My ordinances, to walk in them:  I am YHVH your God.  You shall therefore guard My statutes and My judgments, which if an “adam” does, he shall live by them.  I am YHVH…You shall therefore keep all My statutes and all my judgments, and perform them, that the land where I am bringing you to dwell may not spew you out.”

Between these verses are enumerated a wide array of practices related to idolatry, sexuality and occult activity which although prevalent in Egypt or Canaan, were forbidden to the Israelites. Whether or not it may have, to some degree been permitted in earlier days, sexual relations with near blood relatives was no longer allowed for Israel.  Indeed, there is clarification as to whom “nakedness” belongs, and this was not to be violated.  Certain sexual acts are labeled “wickedness” (18:17), others “abomination” (18:22) or “perversion” (18:23). Israel was warned that indulgence in these practices had resulted in pollution of the very land itself, and the previous inhabitants being spat out of that land.  Eventually (See the usual Haftarah portion from Ezekiel 22:1-16) indulgence in these would bring about the expulsion of Israel herself.  

PLEASE PRAY:  for conviction of sin and for repentance leading to revival in Israel.  Many of the same abominations mentioned in this passage are prevalent in our Land today.  If we are to become rooted in the land and remain, they must be put aside.  God’s law regarding such behavior has not changed…nor the judgments He has ordained regarding those who embrace it.

Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem