Torah 101-Aharei-Mot-Kedoshim Parsha

SPECIAL NOTE: Revised Torah Portion Schedule! Some of you have asked me about the listings on my calendar and how it relates to the Torah portions we actually do. My calculations for the sun, moon and stars on the calendar are the main focus and are very intensive; the Torah readings, while usually correct, are put as a guideline only. When double portions begin hitting, as they do at this time of year and Great Feasts like Pesach also intervene, I sometimes reserve for myself a bit of flexibility to slightly modify the schedule due to a variety of factors. Regardless of those factors however, my goal is always to keep people fundamentally on time and in unity with Jewish worship as much as possible even if sometimes my double portions are a little different, they all catch up in the end. So here is the revised schedule for the next month or so April 20th: Acharei Mot/Kedoshim April 27th: Emor May 4th: BeHar/BeChukkotai Please also note that there are some format changes with Double Portions. Because two portions go up at the same time, generally speaking I have one set of Study Questions and one Torah Thought for the Week to cover both parts. Otherwise, no one can get a week to work out the answers to the issues raised.

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I will be reproducing these notes throughout this period of time, but if you have any questions, please ask! Todah! Andrew

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ANSWERS TO LAST WEEKS STUDY QUESTIONS (from TazriaMetzora)

1) Question for Leviticus 12 and 15: Are the rules of niddah (separation) of women after pregnancy still binding today? There is no definite answer on this issue. Many Rabbis believe that per one line in the Torah these rules can be relaxed until the Temple is rebuilt
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"Thus you shall keep the sons of Israel separated from their uncleanness, so that they will not die in their uncleanness by their defiling My tabernacle that is among them." (Leviticus 15:31 NAU) So if the reason for these rules is to avoid defiling a sanctuary that is not standing now, the Rabbis argue that they are set aside for the most part today. However, the exception is with respect to Temple Mount, where they teach that people who are ritually unclean should not go there, but theres no way to enforce this, and in any case the Temple was not under that mosque in the first place. 2) Question for Leviticus 13: What do these rules about leprosy teach us about one of Yshuas specific roles. Yshua is more than our king.he is our High Priest as well. Only a priest can pronounce a leper clean and yet Yshua cures and pronounces lepers clean from curing themNOT the priests of his day! 3) Question for Leviticus 14: Where in the Scripture are lepers used to make a cutting political point? Here a bunch of lepers stole things but they repented of their gains and admitted their crimes. In the NT another group of lepers receives a blessing but they run away and dont give thanks! (Luk 17:11) And it happened that while Y'shua went to Urishlim, he crossed over among the Samaritans of Galeela. (Luk 17:12) And when he was near to entering into a certain village, ten men who were lepers met him and they stood from a distance. (Luk 17:13) And they raised their voices and said, "Our master Y'shua, have mercy on us!" (Luk 17:14) And when he saw 3|Page

them he said to them, "Go show yourselves to the priests," and they were cleansed while they were going.107 (Luk 17:15) But one of them, when he saw that he was cleansed returned and with a loud voice was giving praise to Elohim. (Luk 17:16) And he fell upon his face before the feet of Y'shua, while thanking him. And he, this man, was a Samaritan. (Luk 17:17) And Y'shua answered and said, "Were there not ten who were cleansed? Where are the nine? (Luk 17:18) For what did they separate108 that they should come and give praise to Elohim? Only this man did who is from a foreign people.109 (Luk 17:19) And he said to him, 'Arise. Go. Your faith has given you life.'"110 4) Haftorah Question of the Week: 2 Kings 4:42-5:19 and 7:3-20 What is the most ironic thing about the man who is cured of leprosy in this portion? The meaning of his name! NAAMAN = means pleasantness in Hebrew. A synonym for this word is ADEN, from where we get EDEN, the Pleasant Garden. By restoring Naaman by ridding him of leprosy we therefore have a deep remez since Hebrew thought also associates ADEN/EDEN with the world to come, a kind of Jewish heaven that goes back to the beginning when things were pure like Naamans skin before he contracted leprosy.

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QUESTIONS FOR THIS TORAH PORTION (Aharei MotKedoshim) Please NOTE: For clarity and time constraints, if I elect to not read the whole parsha (which is the case this week) I may still ask questions relating to the portions I did not read!

5) Question for Leviticus 16: What may be one reason why the narrative story breaks with the death of Aarons sons in chapter 10 only to resume here in chapter 16 with purity regulations in between them? 6) Question for Leviticus 17: Leviticus 17:11-12 explains why the command is not to eat blood. Since Yshua could not have been meaning to literally drink his blood at the Last Supper, where is there Tanakh precedent to explain exactly what Yshua meant by This wine is my blood poured out for the Renewed Covenant? 7) Question for Leviticus 18: Which commandment in Leviticus 18 appears to have been made tougher from the way things were done at the opening of the book of Exodus? 8) Question for Leviticus 19: What are two places in this chapter that Yshua comes close to quoting though indirectly? 9) Question for Leviticus 20: What part of this chapter helps refute the Christian myth of Dispensationalism? 10) Haftorah Question of the Week: Isaiah 53:1-12, Amos 9:7-15 and Ezekiel 22:1-19 Today we had readings from three great prophets: Yeshayahu, Amos and Ezekiel. What is true about one of these prophets that is not true of either the other two or in fact any other prophet in Tanakh? 5|Page

11) Renewed Covenant Commentary: Hebrews 7:23-9:28 and Acts 15:1-21 Hebrews 8:3 44) Again the references relate to Torah (instruction) about the priestly services, not the Torah (Revelation at Sinai), even though both are referenced by the same word in both Hebrew and in Aramaic. Hebrews 8:4 45) Present tense, clearly indicating the Temple in Jerusalem was standing when this Epistle was written. Hebrews 8:7 46) Most Christians seem to forget that without the first covenant, the second one is impossible! In very short order Rav Shaul will quote Jer_31:31-34, indicating that the Renewed Covenant is a contingency triggered by, and deriving authority from, the first covenant. YHWH declared that the Ancient Covenant He made with Israel was good; it was to bring life, but the people of Israel chose to willfully break this Covenant and treat it as a vain thing. See Deu_32:46-47. Hebrews 8:8 47) Paul makes reference to the Renewed Covenant (Jer_31:31-34) nine times in this letter. Hebrews 8:11 49) The phrase in Aramaic is bar medintheh, which literally means "son of his city" but idiomatically carries the meaning of "fellow citizen, neighbor" and most definitely a metaphor Greek does not have. This fact puts Peshitta well before the end of the Second Century when the mistranslated Greek texts were done. It is also important to note that this is the last book of the Eastern canon. As a result, the entire collection must have circulated prior to this very early date. Hebrews 8:13 50) The context is Jer_31:31-34, what is "near to disappearing" is the sinful predisposition of man that breaks Torah, not the standard of Torah. Remember that we broke Torah, not YHWH. YHWH did not drop the standard of Torah because Israel chose disobedience; rather, He installed a Renewed Covenant to write Torah upon the heart through the work of the Ruach haKodesh, according to 6|Page

Mashiyach. The fact of the matter is that in Mashiyach, YHWH raised the bar; He magnified Torah; see Isa_42:21. Because mankind broke Covenant, YHWH requires complete renovation on our part, not YHWH's part of the Covenant. This verse in its twisted form, became one of the "crown jewels" of Torahless Christianity which teaches that Torah is decaying and is near to disappearing, but nothing could be farther from the truth. See 2Pe_3:16 and Epistle to the Hebrews in Appendix. Also, the underlying foundation of Calvinism is that we all "have" a "sinful nature" however no such concept is found in Scripture, only a nature of man or "human nature." In Gal_3:27, Eph_4:24, and Col_3:10 Rav Shaul exhorts followers of Mashiyach to "put on the new man" and "put on Mashiyach." We are called to reject all false religion and doctrine that makes void YHWH's Torah (instruction in righteousness) according to the old man (sinful predisposition) and live in the new man who has a "righteous predisposition" and delights in Torah and Mashiyach. Hebrews 9:3 51) Kadosh Kadoshim (Set Apart of the Set Aparts) translated as "Holy of Holies"; however, it is important to note that many religions use "holy" as a term to denote what is sacred unto them. In the Malchut Elohim, the term Kadosh denotes the "nature" of YHWH. YHWH is the sole Creator and sustainer of Life; He has made distinct "boundaries" in Himself which He reveals according to His Word and through the Ruach haKodesh. The word holy is derived from heile which means to be warmed by the sun. It has a direct connection to sun worship; this is not a matter of semantics, but of understanding and applying what belongs unto YHWH and that which is not of Him. In Christianity being "holy" is often thought of as "being like Jesus" although most Christians wouldn't dare to live like Y'shua and His Talmidim for fear of being "too Jewish," or being labeled as legalists! Y'shua and His followers were Torah Observant; it is within Torah Observance that one can truly define what it means to be "Set Apart unto YHWH." "But know that YHWH has Set Apart him that is Chasid (righteous) for Himself: YHWH will hear when I call unto him" (Psa_4:3). Hebrews 9:4 52) Some theologians posture that there was no censer in the inner sanctum for more information see Epistle to the Hebrews in Appendix. Hebrews 9:19 54) Critics of Hebrews sometimes claim this statement is inaccurate because the sprinkling of the book is not mentioned in Exodus 24, nor the mixture stated therein. However, take a closer look: Lev_14:6 mentions scarlet yarn, referencing the color, not the material. Most experts assume "thread" is implied (Gen_38:28), just like the Hebrew does not say "hand" directly when Benyamin is interpreted literally as "son of my right" but everyone knows it is "right hand." 7|Page

Wool is, of course, white in its natural state, but Torah commands it to be dyed scarlet, which is why Isaiah uses the metaphor in the first place. And where did Rav Shaul get the idea that the scarlet material was wool? Probably from Exo_26:31; Exo_26:36 which indicates the tentway is made of (a) "scarlet (insert material of choice here)" and (b) "fine twisted linen." In other words, the linen is not dyed and material (a) is clearly not linen. What's left if not wool? Scarlet goat hair? No! The fact is, specific material is not mentioned in Torah unless required, as is in Lev_13:47-48 and Deu_22:11 which forbids the making of garments from more than one material; but there are two issues. "You shall make a breastpiece of judgment, the work of a skillful workman; like the work of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, of blue and purple and scarlet (material) and fine twisted linen you shall make it" (Exo_28:15). If it were all linen it would say so, and though it is possible to weave linen and wool into one yarn, this is clearly not being done here, either. Garment (A) 100% wool yarn, and garment (B) 100% fine twisted linen. The linen certainly does not have wool in its thread, or vice versa. 55) There are two separate issues here. First, there is a clear telescoping of two events we know to be separated by the monthly timetable established by the Tanakh. Two events are being taught together at one time to establish a spiritual point; the seams are quite evident. Event #1 in Heb_9:19-20 teaches that the blood is for atonement. Event #2, the blood being sprinkled on the tabernacle later. This appears to suggest the blood from that day lasted eight to nine months and then was sprinkled on the tabernacle, but again, this is how events are combined to make a spiritual point. Clearly Paul knew, as did his audience, that additional blood prepared in the same manner was required in Exo_40:1-38. Although the reading may appear as "this same blood" the meaning is more like "blood derived from this same manner." This becomes clear when we realize that Exo_24:5 refers to burnt offerings and sacrificed bulls, whereas Exo_40:29 refers to burnt offerings and meal offerings. We could be much more demanding and ask where is the specific reference to the sacrificed bull in Exo_40:1-38, but that is hardly the smoking gun against Hebrews. Again, telescoping does not mean this is one flowing event; the details from both events are being used in a spiritual discussion, something sages and rabbis have done from the beginning. On the other hand, blood is still involved with the burnt offering: "The priest shall also put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense which is before YHWH in the tent of meeting; and all the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting" (Lev_4:7). The second issue is that there are multiple references to the altar being sprinkled with blood, and the people having themselves sprinkled with blood from the same sacrifice. Therefore, it would not be inaccurate to conclude, given the book's placement by the altar, that it also received an amount of blood. Hebrews 9:23 56) The word damota indicates a representation, not an exact reflection, of an 8|Page

object. Sometimes critics of Hebrews say that the comparison of the earthly Temple objects to the heavenly puts the epistle into error. However, if exact reflection/image was intended, another word, tzelma, would have been used. This word is used, for example, in Heb_1:3, where Y'shua is called the exact identical reflection/image of YHWH's nature. 57) The Aramaic word daka (purification) refers only to earthly representations of Temple objects, not the heavenly. The items in the Heavenly Temple need no such purification. 58) The word here, debkha, appears the same way in the singular and plural form. In this context, there is only one sacrifice superior to the earthly Temple, and that is Y'shua himself. Acts 15:1 165) This is the teaching of those who later became known as the Ebionites, or Messianic Pharisees (see footnote on Tit_3:9). Also note that the life being mentioned by these proto-Ebionites is, in fact, Eternal Life; hence a very serious allegation! Torah is often confused with the religion of Judaism or the Pharisees or Orthodox Jews yet throughout Yshuas ministry he showed how Torah is being grossly misinterpreted. Yshua teaches, Why also do you transgress against the Commandments of Elohim because of your traditions? Distinctly oral law, the Talmud, and the religious traditions of the Pharisees is making the Torah void. Just before Stephen was stoned to death he cried out, You have received Torah by way of the command of Messengers and you have not kept it! (Act_7:53) Apostle Paul teaches both Jews and Christians, Do, we then nullify Torah by faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish Torah. (Rom_3:31). It is vitally important that we do not view Torah through the religious eyes of Judaism or Christianity, but through Mashiyach. Acts 15:5 166) "Guard" in this case refers to putting up of fences (Pirkei Avot 1:1) around Torah, not simply obeying the written Word. Part of this "fence" known as religious halakha, minhagim or tradition, requires a person to be circumcised before learning about having a relationship with YHWH, and why Torah must be applied to our lives. This tradition overturns the peshat (plain) meaning of many Torah requirements. The context is clearly shown earlier in the passage where it reads, "those who believed from the teachings of the Pharisees," as opposed to the teachings of Torah. In other cases, however, "guarding" is considered a noble endeavor, provided it neither contradicts, adds, nor takes away from Torah in favor of man made traditions. Acts 15:10 9|Page

167) This yoke is clearly referring to the Oral Law, not the Written Torah of Moshe. The Oral Torah (Talmud) has put many additional burdens on Jews, and greatly limited the ability of Gentiles to join with Israel. See Judaizers in Appendix. Acts 15:20 168) That which is "sacrificed" unto other gods according to YHWH's Word in D'varim/Deu_32:17 is sacrificed unto devils. Vayikra/Lev_17:12-16 commands that Jew and Ger (foreigner) NOT eat blood, or any animals that die of themselves. The prohibition against fornication is wide spectrum, against all manner of physical perversion and spiritual whoredom. These Torah directives are eternally binding on all who follow Y'shua Mashiyach and who seek the Malchut (Kingdom) of Elohim. Also, Khabouris has an isolated qoph here, between the words "we" and "send." Acts 15:21 169) A very clear fulfillment of Isa_56:1-9. Gentile converts are observing Shabbat and learning Torah as one body along with Jews. Shortly thereafter, Marcion, whom Polycarp referred to as "the firstborn of the devil" built the first all-Gentile church to promote Christo-Paganism. Marcion held his services on Sunday which blended with Zeus (the sun god) culture and projected a hybrid JeZeus identity in opposition to the Jewish Mashiyach. The modern theologies of Je-zeus Christos are based more on Hellenism than on original fundamental Hebraic values. Marcion coined the words "Old - New Testament" and did his very best to warn Gentiles away from Torah and "the God of the Old Testament." Marcion invented theologies known as replacement, dispensational, supercessionism, etc., which are very popular among Christianity today. See Y'shua to Zeus in Appendix.

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