於2012-05-04發佈

每週一妥拉 2012/4/29-5/5
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(4/29-5/5)稱為『說』(Emor)『你告訴亞倫子孫作祭司的說:祭司不可為民中的死人沾染自己』,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

這週的內容首先聚焦在祭司服事主時保持潔淨重要性,以及他們在人民面前所呈現的樣式。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人沾染自己。利未記廿三章描述聖會的細節,就是主給祂子民以色列的『節期』。他們以每週的『安息日』(Shabbat)為開始,然後到了春天:逾越節─吃無酵餅(Matzot)一週,五旬節(Shavuot)─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。                                     

下週的閱讀進度(5/5-5/12)被稱為『在西乃山』(Behar),讀經內容包括:妥拉─利未記25:1-26:2;先知書─耶利米書32:6-27。

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.

This week's portion is called 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. These begin with the weekly Shabbat-then in the Spring: Pesach (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 Sounding 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 also 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 6-12 May will be: Behar ("At Mount"-Sinai): TORAH: Leviticus 25:1-26:2; HAFTARAH: Jeremiah 32:6-27.]