每週一妥拉2012/3/18-3/24
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。
I. 這週的閱讀（3/18-3/24）稱為『呼叫』（VaYikra）：『耶和華從會幕中呼叫摩西』
II.由於今年三月廿四日是聖經（出埃及記12:1-2）正月的開始，所以會有額外的特別閱讀稱為『新月閱讀』（Parashat-haChodesh）：
I.『呼叫』（VaYikra）
妥拉：利未記1:1-6:7
先知書：以賽亞書43:21-44:23
這週的閱讀帶領我們進入利未記，利未記這名稱來自希伯來聖經的希臘翻譯，意思是『與利未人有關的事物』。然而，希伯來名稱『VaYikra』（呼叫）是取自利未記的第一個字，提到主從會幕中『呼叫』摩西，給他指示。神不僅渴望住在我們當中─祂更渴望與我們說話和相交。在利未記有五十次寫到神對摩西說話，這卷書的重點在於聖潔─首要關注是會幕中的敬拜服事─是祭司型的代禱者或介於兩者之間的人可以代表百姓完成他們的工作。這週的內容與五種特定的獻祭型態有關（用每一章來區分）：1. 燔祭；2. 素祭； 3. 平安祭； 4. 贖罪祭； 5-6:7贖愆祭。
這週的先知書充滿大有能力的段落，來協助我們為以色列代禱。以賽亞書四十三章21節與四十四章22節是核心：『這百姓是我為自己所造的，好述說我的美德。我塗抹了你的過犯，像厚雲消散；我塗抹了你的罪惡，如薄雲滅沒。你當歸向我，因我救贖了你。』
此外，我們也發現以賽亞書四十三章24b節；四十四章3，6，8b，21b與23節是關鍵：『因為我要將水澆灌口渴的人，將河澆灌乾旱之地。我要將我的靈澆灌你的後裔，將我的福澆灌你的子孫。耶和華─以色列的君，以色列的救贖主─萬軍之耶和華如此說：我是首先的，我是末後的；除我以外再沒有真神。除我以外，豈有真神嗎﹖誠然沒有磐石，我不知道一個！以色列啊，你是我的僕人，我造就你必不忘記你。諸天哪，應當歌唱，因為耶和華做成這事。地的深處啊，應當歡呼；眾山應當發聲歌唱；樹林和其中所有的樹都當如此！因為耶和華救贖了雅各，並要因以色列榮耀自己。』
請禱告：以色列能領悟到她被造的原因、她的真正命定與最高呼召是『為了述說祂的美德』。所有的律法都不能拯救我們─唯有神自己背負我們的罪並救贖了我們。
II.『新月閱讀』（Parashat-haChodesh）：
妥拉：出埃及記12:1-20
先知書：以西結書45:18-46:15
『你們要以本月為正月，為一年之首』（出埃及記12:2）。
這週六是希伯來月尼散月的新月（月朔）。尼散是猶太人被擄時期所用的巴比倫名字，在迦南地時（參考申命記16:1）則使用亞筆（Aviv），有著春天的意思。新月總是紀念和感謝神在過去一個月的信實，並將新的月份交在祂手中的時刻。但尼散/亞筆月的第一天（今年在三月24日星期六），也是所有月份的開始─是未來一年的第一個月！從這裡，我們與主同站立，以展望來『跨越』進入此新的季節，新循環的開始。從這裡，我們將我們的靈魂、我們的時間、我們所愛的人、我們的百姓與我們的土地耶路撒冷，交在祂的手中；相信祂救贖的同在，祂臉上的光；在祂為敬畏祂、投靠祂的人所積存的美善應許中安息（詩篇31:5, 15-16, 19）。
『註釋：在第七個月份的吹角節也稱為新年（一年之首Rosh Hashana），這是因為猶太人的傳統教導，神是在這個月創造世界，也是從這個日子開始計算每一年（今年是5772年）。然而，真正聖經計算一年的開始是從這週六起。』
下週的閱讀進度（3/25-3/31）被稱為『吩咐』（Tsav），妥拉─利未記6:8-8:36；先知書（大安息日Shabbat haGadol）─瑪垃基書3:4-4:6。
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.
I. The reading this week is called VaYikra-"And He called (to Moses)":
II. Because March 24th this year is the Head of the first month (Nisan) of the Biblical year (Exodus 12:1-2), there is a special set of additional readings called Parashat-haChodesh:
I. VaYikra
TORAH: Leviticus 1:1-6:7
HAFTARAH: Isaiah 43:21-44:23
This week's reading brings us into the Book of Leviticus. This name comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures and means "relating to the Levites". However, the Hebrew name VaYikra is drawn from the first word in the book and refers to the LORD "calling" to Moses from the Tent of Meeting to give him instructions. He not only desires to dwell among us-He longs to speak and commune with us. Some 50 times in this book it is written that God "spoke" to Moses. The book's emphasis is holiness-and regards primarily the services of worship at the Tabernacle-the way that the priestly intercessors or 'go-betweens' could accomplish their work on behalf of the people. This week's portion pertains to five specific types of offerings (divided generally by chapters): 1. Burnt Offerings; 2. Grain Offerings; 3. Peace Offerings; 4. Sin Offerings; 5-6:7 Guilt Offerings.
The Haftarah for the week is filled with powerful passages to assist in our intercession for Israel. Isaiah 43:21; 44:22 is central: "The people whom I formed for Myself will declare My praise.I have wiped out your transgressions like a thick cloud and your sins like a heavy mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you." We also find Isaiah 43:24b-25; 44:3,6,8b, 21b, and 23 to be key. PLEASE PRAY: that Israel come into realization that the reason for which she was formed, her very destiny and high call is to be "for Himself to declare His praise." That all of our laws can not of themselves save-that God Himself has borne our sin and redeemed us.
II. Parashat-haChodesh.
TORAH: Exodus 12:1-20
HAFTARAH: Ezekiel 45:18-46:15
"This month shall be your beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year to you." (Exodus 12:2).
This Saturday is Rosh Chodesh (Head of the Month) for the Hebrew month Nisan. Nisan is the Babylonian name adopted by the Jews during the Captivity; Aviv, which may also mean "springtime", was the name used earlier in Canaan (see Deuteronomy 16:1). Rosh Chodesh is always a time for remembering and giving thanks for God's faithfulness through the previous month, and for entrusting the times of the new month into His hands. But the 1st of Nisan/Aviv (Saturday March 24th this year) is also Rosh Chodeshim-the Head of Months for the coming year! From here we stand with our Lord, looking ahead to our "crossing over" into this new season, this new cycle of months. From here we commit our spirits and our times, those of our loved ones, our people, our lands, Jerusalem, into His hands; trusting in His redemptive presence, the Light of His Face; resting in the promise of goodness which He has laid up on behalf of those who revere and place their trust in Him (Psalm 31:5, 15-16, 19).
[NOTE: The Feast of Trumpets in the Fall at the beginning of the seventh month is also called Rosh Hashana-the Head of the Year. This is because Jewish tradition teaches that this was the month when God created the world; it is from this date each year that the 'number' of the year (this year 5772) is reckoned. However, the actual Biblical beginning of the counting of months begins this weekend].
Martin & Norma Sarvis
Jerusalem
\l[The Torah and Haftarah portions for next week (25-31 March) are called Tsav-"Command!", and will include: TORAH: Leviticus 6:8-8:36; HAFTARAH (Shabbat haGadol) : Malachi 3:4-4:6]
