Beth Elohim Messianic Synagogue

Weekly Parsha

Parsha #50: Deuteronomy [D'varim] Ki Tavo (When you come) 26:1-29:8

B’rit Chadasha: Mattityahu 13:1-23; Luke 21:1-4; Acts 28:17-31; Romans 11:1-15

This Parashat speaks to us of our obligation to bring our first fruits to YHVH Elohim, and we are commanded to do so with joy and happiness. It also addresses the obligation to give a portion of our first fruits to the poor, the orphans and the widows every third year. The import of this is that we can only receive the blessing of joy and happiness if we look after and provide for the needs of the poor and helpless.

In Traditional Judaism as in Messianic Judaism happiness and charity are linked in two ways: First, we can only feel good outside if we know that those around us aren't suffering and hungry. Second, the blessing of joy and happiness is only bestowed upon us when YHVH sees that we are concerned with the welfare of others.

On a practical level charity helps us to feel happy about ourselves, and ensures that YHVH will grant us a special blessing of joy and contentment.

In summary Moshe calls all Israel and reminds them that they were witnesses to the miracles that YHVH performed in Egypt, and he adds "But YHVH did not give you a heart to know, or eyes to see, or ears to hear until today." Notice that Moshe says even witnesses to the awesome power of YHVH Elohim did not give them understanding and likely peace and confidence in HIM. I see this every day and it should not come as a surprise to anyone. Those on the outside looking in or those experiencing it. People sit daily in congregations and just don't seem to understand the teachings. They fret and worry what is wrong with them. They yearn for YHVH's Word but are baffled by it. Simply put, YHVH has not yet given them eyes to see or ears to hear (meaning to understand). This is a dangerous time in a person's life for many turn away and forever miss the opportunity to cleave to YHVH and His Salvation going off into vain philosophies without any redeeming value. If you are one of those experiencing this vacuum I counsel you to remain steadfast and it will soon come. The Messianic Scriptures states it this way:

Luke 11: 9 And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.

10 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

It may not be in your timing but rest assured if you persevere understanding shall come. It is a promise!

B'rit Chadasha: Mattityahu 13:1-23

It should not be surprising that there are people who look without seeing and listen without hearing or understanding. Isaiah 6:9-10 quoted in chapter 13 predicts such a phenomenon, as do Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Amazingly, contrary to what most religious institutions teach, Yahshua says if such people were to see, hear, and understand they would return to YHVH or "repent" and YHVH would heal them. Aren't we assured that YHVH Elohim calls all of us to redemption, so what is the meaning of this extraordinary verse? First, we have to understand that YHVH prepares the human heart to receive Him and His blessings. The proof of this is verse 15 which states that such people out of misplaced fear that YHVH might do something bad to them, whereas YHVH actually does only good listen selectively (barely hear) and perceive amiss (close their eyes) and do not perceive the light but darkness and as such are not ready for the kingdom. It all seems a matter of timing. We need our hearts prepared before we can understand and partake in YHVH's kingdom.

Halftarah: Yesha'yahu (Isaiah

This is the sixth of seven "prophecies of comfort" read between the Fast of the Ninth of Av and Rosh Hashanah. Besides being a prophecy of comfort this Halftarah is connected to our Parsha. One of the curses mentioned in the Parashat is that B'nai Yisrael will have to either "shape up or ship out." YHVH tells them if they want listen to Him they will be exiled by boat. In our Halftarah, we find that the prophet mentions the same boats once again. YHVH promises His people that, very soon, they will return from exile by boat.

Things to think about:

1. Why is it that if someone hits his friend in private he is cursed? (27:24) Is it any worse than hitting a friend in public?

2. Which, in your ipinion is the worse of all the possible curses that can befall B'nai Yisrael? Why?

3. When bringing the first fruits do we specifically mention the events of Lavan, Yaacov's father-in-law and Egypt?

Sages Wisdom:

"And you shall rejoice in all the good that YHVH gave you." (26:11)

If a person receives a gift from a king, he rejoices. This happiness may not come from the actual value of the gift, but from the fact that the gift came from the king himself. The Torah is teaching us the same lesson. We must rejoice in everything that YHVH Elohim given us, even if we think the actual value of the thing we receive is not so great.

"And it shall be on that day…you will set up big stones and write upon them all the words of this Torah."(27:2,3)

This verse highlights the difference between B'nai Yisrael and the other nations. When the other nations returned from a victorius war, they commenorate their victory by establishing great monuments for themselves. Israel on the other hand should not give tribute to themselves but to YHVH Elohim and His Torah.

Gematria:

A note of information: One of YHVH's names has the numeric of 26 and is mentioned 26 times during the Shmoneh Esray, the 18 blessings that form the core of Traditional Jewish prayer. According to traditional teaching this is done to counteract the 26 times that YHVH's name is mentioned in the section of curses in the Parsha.

Shabbat Shalom,

Rabbi Davis

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