Here is the video for tonight’s class.  Hopefully it will inspire you.

Tonight we will look at Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur. However, we will take one of the morning prayers to initiate our class.

The “Elohai Neshamah” which reads as follows…

E-lo-hai’ ne-sha-mah’ she-na-ta’-ta bi te-ho-rah’ hi.

G-d my soul which You gave in me pure (is) it,

A-tah’ ve-ra-tah’ A-tah’ ye-tzar-tah’, A-tah’ ne-fach-tah’ bi,

You created it, You formed it, You breathed it. into me

ve-a-tah’ me-sham-rah’ be-kir-bi’ ve-a-tah’ a-tid’ li-te-lah’

and You guard it,. in midst my and You (in) future to cast, throw it,

mi-me’-ni u-le-ha-cha-zi-rah’ bi le-a-tid’ la-vo’.

from me and to cause to return it,. in/to me at future to com

Kol ze-man’ she-ha-ne-sha-mah’ be-kir-bi’, mo-deh’/mo-dah’ a-ni’

all time that the soul (is) in interior my thank I

le-fa-nei’-cha , Adonai, E-lo-hai’ ve-lo-hei’ a-vo-tai’, Ri-bon’

to presence/face Your Adonai G-d my and G-d of fathers my Lord of

kol ha-ma-a-sim’ , A-don’ kol ha-ne-sha-mot’. Ba-ruch’ A-tah’

all the works L-rd of all the souls Blessed (are) You

(the L-rd of all souls)

Adonai, ha-ma-cha-zir’ ne-sha-mot’ lif-ga-rim’ me-tim’.

Adonai the (One Who) restores souls to corpses dead

How does this prayer reflect anything that we should be doing in this season of Teshuvah? How does this prayer reflect anything of Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur?

What special spiritual lesson can we learn from Teshuvah, Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur?

See you live at 7:00 CST

Triennial Torah Reading and Commentaries

הַמְּצרָע

“HaM’tsorá”

“of the lepper”

Vayiqra (Leviticus) 14:1-32

Ashlamatah: Isaiah 57:17-19 + 58:8-14

Special: Isaiah 60:1-22‎

Psalm 78:40-55

Pirqe Abot IV:14

N.C.: I Tsefet (Peter) 5:5-11

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework

by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Elul 18, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:8-17)

by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #78d: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

Twitter, Lepers and Elul:

Some time ago, I had a twitter account like most of you.  From time to time, I get the usual e-mail that someone wants to follow me on twitter.   I deleted my twitter account a long time ago.  When applications took over my “tweets” and I could not control my own twitter account I abandoned it.   However, this is only an introduction to my thought.

Many of you are well aware that we are deeply involved in researching the Triennial Torah Reading cycles.  I have not mastered all of the ideas behind this complex readings and their continuity.   However, I am always amazed at the fascinating continuity between the Torah Reading cycles and the season.

In brief, the system is based on what we call “verbal tallies.”   This means that the texts will use similar words, phrases or themes.  This is not unique to the Triennial Torah reading system.   This is the same system that the Rabbis used to determine the Prophetic readings we have today for the haftarah readings.

For example when we read the Seder (section) of Genesis called “Bereshit” (Gen 1:1-6:8) the haftarah would be Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 42:5-43:10.  The words of Yeshayahu 42:5 open…

Isa 42:5 Thus says G-d the L-RD, Who created the heavens and stretched them out, Who spread forth the earth and that which comes from it, Who gives breath to the people on it, And spirit to those who walk on it:”

Those who are familiar with the Torah readings can continue the experiment.

The book of Mark opens with “the beginning of.”  Could you guess what it should be read with?

On the Triennial, reading schedule recently began reading the book of Vayikra (Leviticus).   For varied reasons when we read the works of Hakham Tsefet (Peter) we have to include all of his works.   That is Mark, 1 &2 Peter and Jude.   These readings have to be broken up to fit the Triennial reading Schedule.  It becomes imperative to change from Mark to 1 &2 Peter at a specific location in the schedule.  All of this is very complex and depends on these “verbal tallies.”  This system is constantly being tested to verify accuracy.  1 Tsefet (Peter) 2:11 is to be read with Vayikra 1:1-3:17.  But, did we have the right reading in Hakham  Tsefet’s writings to correspond with Vayikra?

You be the judge…
“Leviticus 1:1 Now the L-RD called (Vayikra) to Moses, and spoke to him from the tabernacle of meeting, saying,”
The word “Vayikra” “and he called” is rooted in the Hebrew word “qara” meaning to “ call, call out, recite, read, cry out, proclaim.”  (See H7121)

1 Tsefet 2:11 reads as follows…
1Pe 2:11 ” Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”
So, where is the connection?

Hakham Tsefet says, “I beg” which is the Greek word “parakaleō” (G3870) with the following definition.   “To call to one’s side, call for, summon.”  Hmmm Déjà vu   I think I just read this somewhere before.  The authors of the Septuagint used various Greek words to translate the Hebrew originals.   Various dictionaries exist that trace all the possible variables of Greek to Hebrew and Hebrew to Greek.

Here is a list of possible Hebrew words that can be used to translate “parakaleo.”
G3870   παρακαλέω  (parakaleō)
para kaleo *    H553    amats pi.
para kaleo     H559    amar
para kaleo     H2388    chazaq pi.
para kaleo     H2492    chalam hi.
para kaleo     H4427    malakh
para kaleo     H5090    nahag pi.
para kaleo     H5095    nahal pi.
para kaleo     H5130    nuph hi.,pil.
para kaleo     H5148    nachah hi.
para kaleo     H5162    nacham ni.,pi.,pu.
para kaleo     H5496    sut hi.
para kaleo     H7121    qara
para kaleo     H7355    racham pi.
para kaleo     H7673    shavat hi.
para kaleo     H8173    shaa pilp

Bolded is the Hebrew word “qara.”  I have looked at ALL of the definitions for the other words in the list,  none of them fit or work.  Consequently, the ONLY word fit to translate “parakaleo” is “qara.”  Therefore, Hakham Tsefet’s “parakaleo” should be translated  “qara.”  So, Hakam Tsefet would look like this…

1 Tsefet 2:11 reads as follows…
1Pe 2:11 ” Beloved, “qara” you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul,”

Therefore, a perfect verbal match exists between the two readings.

Let me do one more for you…
Even the novice will realize that the Festival of Shavout (Pentecost) demand that we read the book of Rut (Ruth).  Key players in the book of Rut are, Rut, Naomi and of course the “kinsmen redeemer” and Judge Boaz.  The reading of Hakham Tsefet on the first Shabbat after Shavout was 1 Tsefet 1:3-12.   I will let you read the whole pericope (Paragraph) for yourself.  I am only interested in the verbal connection for the sake of making my point.

1 Tsefet 1:5 by the power of G-d, having been kept through faithfulness to a safety ready to be revealed in the end time;

The Lutheran Pastor Franz Delitzsch has made a Hebrew translation of the Nazarene Codicil.  This translation is a blessing and a curse.  It is often filled with certain theological undertones that are not acceptable.  However, it is the best Hebrew translation of the Nazarene Codicil to date.

I will transliterate his translation of key words for this verse.  When Hakham Tsefet speaks of the “power of G-d” it would read as follows in Hebrew “hashumrim b’oz Elohim.”  The Hebrew “b’oz Elohim” is transliterated to read b’oz. However, in Hebrew it is written the same way that we would write Boaz.   The Hebrew word Elohim also means “judge.”  Therefore, the phrase “hashumrim b’oz Elohim” can be read “Boaz the Judge.”    Hakham Tsefet cleverly coded into his pericope a connection to the season.
So, what does all of this have to do with twitter?   Strange you should ask.

We are currently reading in the book of Vayikra as mentioned above. We are reading about the leper and have been for the last couple of weeks.

The primary crime of the Leper is one of “lashon hara” specifically malicious talk.

Rashi says, “Since afflictions come about because of malicious talk, which is an act of verbal twittering, therefore, there was required for [the sufferer's] purification, birds that constantly twitter with chirping of sound.”

Rashi here invokes the crime of “lashon hara” or malicious speech.   According to the Jerusalem Talmud, the crime of “lashon hara” is the equivalent of idolatry, licentiousness, and murder COMBINED. Soiling someone else’s reputation by spreading such speech is a major criminal offense; the punishment of leprosy fits this crime by spreading sores over the body of the gossiper (informer – heretic).  Just as gossip infects and taints the lives of its subjects, so does leprosy infect and taint the gossiper (informer – heretic). Therefore, the purification rite must include twittering birds to symbolize the leper’s missteps.

WOW

However, I want to make one final point here.

The leper is excommunicated or excised from the camp.  He is “karet” cut off from the Presence of G-d.  Actually, he is “cut off” from everything, friends, family ect.  What does a Leper do all day?   He does introspection.  He looks at himself and considers all the verbal twittering that got him in this mess.  He looks deep inside and does “teshuvah” repentance.  Do you find it odd that we should be reading about the introspection of a leper when we should be doing introspection in preparation for Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur?    Do you find it interesting to read of a leper doing repentance when we should be repenting?

I am more and more amazed at this phenomenal reading cycle from antiquity.  It is a lot of work but it is all worth it.
I cannot take any of the credit for the amazing connections and brilliant fitting together of this wonderful puzzle.  I must give credit to His Eminence Rabbi Dr. Yoseph Ben Haggai and the 30+ years he has devoted to the restoration of a lost reading schedule full of wonder and amazement.

In conclusion I am not against twitter or its use. Please do not read that into the story.  I only used “twitter” as a verbal connection to this time and season.  However, I would rather Torah Focus than twitter any day.

Shalom ubrakot

Look at these files.  These are sessions where I have discussed Elul in the past.  The information is well worth reviewing especially given the current season

I have always loved the structure of the blog.  It works on the style of a diary.  Therefore, each post is like a new entry in a diary.  However, I have had my blog for a couple of years now.  So, this get piled up and lost in the midst of all the posts and pages.   I have had several people want to find this more easily.  Well, I have added a plugin that allows me to have a Site Map .   Now you will be able to  look at all the posts and pages alphabetically to find what you are looking for.  Click on Site map and go.

This weeks reading is

Vayikra (Leviticus) 13:29 – 59

Tehillim (Psalms) 78:32-39

Isaiah 7:20-8:3 +9:6

Special Reading Isaiah 54:1-10

NC (Nazarene Codicil) Tsefet 5:1-4

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Elul 11, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:8-17) by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #78c: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

This weeks reading is

Vayikra (Leviticus) 12:1 – 13:28

Tehillim (Psalms) 78:17-31

Isaiah 9:5-6+11:1-9

Special Reading Isaiah 51:12-52:12

NC (Nazarene Codicil) Tsefet 4:12-19

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Elul 04, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:8-17) by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #78b: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

Comments can be sent to administrator.

Tonight Torah Focus continues with its series on the Biblical Calendar.   As we are look at the Study Guide prepared by His Honor Rosh Pakid Hillel Ben David we will further delve into the month of Nisan. This special document looks at EVERY day on the Biblical calendar.  We will make mention of present time and day with regards seasonal practice and tradition.   This special document will reveal many things about Biblical events and repetitious patterns found in the Bible.

Tonight we will look more deeply into the month of Nisan and the events of the month.

Main Study Guide  : Download

Additional Lesson guide that will be used to complement the class

Last week’s Study Guide  :Download

Previous  Study Guide   Download.

This weeks reading is

Vayikra (Leviticus) 10:8 – 11:47

Tehillim (Psalms) 78:1-16

Ezekoel 44:21-29+45:15

Special Reading Isaiah 54:11-55:5

1 Sam 20:18,42

NC (Nazarene Codicil) Tsefet 3:18-4:11

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Av 27, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:8-17) by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #78a: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

Comments can be sent to administrator.

Tonight Torah Focus continues with its new series.  We are now looking at the Biblical Calendar.  However, this will be a special class.  We are looking at the Study Guide prepared by His Honor Rosh Pakid Hillel Ben David.   This special document looks at EVERY day on the Biblical calendar.  This special document will reveal many things about Biblical events and repetitious patterns found in the Bible.

Tonight we will look more deeply into the month of Nisan an the miracle of the month.  We will also look at a miracle up close to see what makes a miracle.

Main Study Guide  - : Download

Additional Lesson guide that will be used to complement the class

This week’s Study Guide – :Download

Last week’s Study Guide -  Download.

This weeks reading is

Vayikra (Leviticus) 8:1-10:7

Tehillim (Psalms) 77

1 Samuel 2:28-36 + 3:20

Special Reading Isaiah 49:14-51:3

NC (Nazarene Codicil) Tsefet 3:8-17

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Av 20, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:8-17) by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #77: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

Comments can be sent to administrator.

Due to Dr. Oakley’s overtime work schedule there will be no class this evening.  We should be back on schedule next week.

Shalom

This weeks reading is

Vayikra (Leviticus) 6:12-7:37

Tehillim (Psalms) 76: 1-13

Malachai 3:4-12

Special Reading Isaiah 40:1-26

NC (Nazarene Codicil) Tsefet 3:1-7

This week’s commentary on the Torah and homework by His Eminence Dr. Rabbi Yoseph Ben Haggai

Av 13, 5770: Download

This week’s Commentary on the Nazarene Codicil (1 Peter 3:1-7) by Dr. Eliyahu Ben Avraham (Dr. Walter Oakley)

Tsefet #76: Download

Please Note that these Commentaries are in PDF format.

Comments can be sent to administrator.

Tonight Torah Focus will begin a new series.  We will begin looking at the Biblical Calendar.  However, this will be a special class.  We will be looking at the Study Guide prepared by His Honor Rosh Pakid Hillel Ben David.   This special document looks at EVERY day on the Biblical calendar.  This special document will reveal many things about Biblical events and repetitious patterns found in the Bible.

Main Study Guide  - : Download

Additional Lesson guide that will be used to complement the class

Download.

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