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Commentary - Year 3 Sabbath 22

Numbers 35:9 - 36:13  -   Joshua 20:1   -   Psalm 119b   -   John 4:1-45

 

Elul 2, 5763 / August 30, 2003 

Elul 2, 5766 / August 26, 2006

 

Ki Atem Ovrim et haYarden / When You Cross the Jordan   SCRIPTURES should be read first

 

There are four distinct circumstances. (a) If a killing was clearly accidental, without carelessness, then the court would absolve the killer. (b) If a killing was accidental, but there was defined carelessness, then the killer would be exiled to the nearest city of refuge until the death of the High Priest. (c) If the killing was unintentional but there was a high degree of negligence, or if it was intentional but the circumstances prevented the court from carrying out the death sentence, the sin would be too serious for exile protection from the avenger. (d) If the killing was intentional and witnessed, the court would sentence him to execution. In any case, the killer could flee from the avenger to a city of refuge until the court decided his fate.

 

Even though there was less population on the east side of the Jordan, the land area was as great, and therefore three cities of refuge were designated for each side.

 

Psalm 119

 

The first eight verses each begin wit the letter aleph. The next eight verses each begin with the letter bet. The next eight verses each begin wit the letter gimel. And so on throughout the twenty-two letters of the alephbet. This Psalm is called the repetition of eight (Talmud: Berachot 4b).

 

While seven is the number of the days of creation, the number eight symbolizes the release from the desires of this mundane world. In this Psalm, David charts the stages of growth toward spiritual maturity.

 

Remember that the apostle Paul taught believers in Yeshua to admonish one another with these Psalms (Colosians 3:16).

 

Verses 89-176 (last half – Lamed-Tav)

 

Half way through our spiritual journey, we have learned the significance of Torah. Each of the eight verses start with the letter lamed, which stands for lamor – Torah study.

(V.89)  (LeOlam – forever) Study Torah, because it is established for eternity.

(V.90)  (Ledor – remains) Study Torah, because by it the earth was created, and remains standing.

(V.91)  (Lemishpatecha – fulfills Your judgments) Study Torah, because all things serve its ordinances.

(V.92)  (Luley – if not) Study Torah: if it had not been my delight, I would have perished.

(V.93)  (LeOlam-lo – forever-not) Study Torah: I will never forget it, because it revived me.

(V.94)  (Lecha – yours) Study Torah: through it I am Yours – save me!

(V.95)  (Liy-qivu – to lie in wait) Study Torah diligently, because its enemies lie in wait to shake us from it.

(V.96)  (Lechal – boundless) Study Torah, because it only is boundless in riches.

 

Having learned its significance, we love God’s Word above all: so we pronounce our love. Mem stands for Mamar – pronouncements.

(V.97) (Ma ahavta) O how I love – Your Torah! It is my meditation all the day.

(V.98) (Meoyvay) My enemies – it makes me wiser than them.

(V.99) (Michal-melamday) From all my teachers – I grew wise.

(V.100) (Mizqenim) From elders – I gain understanding.

(V.101) (Michal) From every evil path – I restrained my feet, so that I might keep Your Word.

(V.102) (Mimishpatecha) From Your judgments (moral law) – I did not depart.

(V.103) (Mah nitletzu) How sweet – to my taste is Your Word, sweeter than honey.

(V.104) (Mipiqudecha) Through Your precepts – I acquire understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

 

Having learned the significance of God’s Word, and gained a love for it, we become what Nun stands for: Ne’eman – a loyal person.

(V.105) (Ner) A lamp – is Thy Word to my feet, and a light to my path.

(V.106) (Nishbatiy) I have sworn – and I will confirm it, that I will keep Thy righteous ordinances.

(V.112) (Natiytiy) I have inclined – my heart to perform Thy statutes forever, even to the end.

 

God’s Word will sustain us: Samech means support.

(V.115) (Suru) Depart – from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God.

(V.117) (S’areniy) Sustain / uphold – me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Thy statutes continually.

 

Ayin means pauper. Here we see humble requests.

(V.124) (Aseh) Deal – with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness, and teach me Thy statutes.

(V.125) (Avracha) Thy servant – I am; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies.

 

Pey means mouth, and the letter is shaped like an open mouth.

(V.129) (Pelaot) Your testimonies – are wonderful.

(V.130) (Petach) The opening of Your Words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.

(V.131) (Piy) My mouth – I opened wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments.

 

Tzadi represents tzaddiq – righteous: God’s Words are righteous.

(V.137) (Tzaddiq) Righteous – are You, O Yahweh, and upright are Your judgments.

(V.138) (Tzviyta) You have commanded – Your testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness.

(V.142) (Tzidqatcha) Your righteousness – is an everlasting righteousness, and Your law is truth.

(V.144) (Tzedeq) Righteous – forever are Your testimonies; give me understanding that I may live.

 

Qof stands for Qedushah – sanctity. Here we see sanctification relating to all three categories of commandments.

(V.145) I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh! I will observe Your statutes (huqim) – commandments without obvious reason.

(V.149) Revive me, O Yahweh, according to Your judgments (mishpatim) – moral laws.

(V.152) Of old I have known from Your ordinances (edot) – festivals and symbolic deeds, that You have founded them forever.

(V.151) You are near, O Yahweh, and all Your commandments (mitzvot – all three categories) are truth.

(V.150) Those who follow after wickedness . . . are far from Your Torah.

 

Resh represents rasha – the wicked, who are far from Yeshua.

(V.155) (Rachoq) Far – from Yeshua / salvation is the wicked, for they do not seek Thy statutes.

(V.157) (Rabiym) Great – in number are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not turn aside from Thy testimonies.

(V.158) (Raiytiy) I behold – the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Thy word.

 

Shin stands for sheqer – falsehood.

(V.161) (Sharim) Princes persecute me without cause (for falsehood), but my heart stands in awe of Your Words.

(V.163) (Sheqer) Falsehood – I hate and despise, but Your Torah I love.

(V.165) Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing (no falsehood) causes them to stumble.

Here is the person who is becoming spiritually mature.

 

Tav (emet – truth). The Talmud (Shabbat 104a) teaches that tav represents truth, because it is the final letter of that word, and truth is the ultimate purpose.

(V.169) (Tiqrav – approach) Let my cry come before You, O Yahweh; give me understanding according to Your word.

(V.171) (Tabanah - flow) Let my lips flow with praise, for You teach me Your statutes (that are not obvious).

(V.172) (Ta’an – proclaim) Let my tongue proclaim / sing of Your word, for all Your commandments are righteousness.

(V.175) (Techiy – let live) Let my soul live – that it may praise You, and let Your judgments (moral laws) help me.

And the final verse: (v.176) (Ta’iytiy) I have gone astray – like a lost sheep; seek Your servant, for I do not forget Your commandments.

 

John 4

 

(V.25-26) The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us.” Yeshua said to her, “I who speak to you am He.” He is the one called the alef and tav (Revelation 22:11). He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).

 

(V.34) Yeshua said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work.” He is the one who perfectly fulfilled Torah – and that does not mean that He abolished it (Matthew 5:17).

Readings:

Reader 1* Amen 9 Then Yahweh spoke to Moses, saying, 10 "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall select for yourselves cities to be your cities of refuge, that the manslayer who has killed any person unintentionally may flee there. 12 'And the cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation for trial. 13 'And the cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge. 14 'You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge.

Reader 2* Amen 15 'These six cities shall be for refuge for the sons of Israel, and for the alien and for the sojourner among them; that anyone who kills a person unintentionally may flee there. 16 'But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 'And if he struck him down with a stone in the hand, by which he may die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 'Or if he struck him with a wooden object in the hand, by which he may die, and as a result he died, he is a murderer; the murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 'The blood avenger himself shall put the murderer to death; he shall put him to death when he meets him.

Reader 3* Amen 20 'And if he pushed him of hatred, or threw something at him lying in wait and as a result he died, 21 or if he struck him down with his hand in enmity, and as a result he died, the one who struck him shall surely be put to death, he is a murderer; the blood avenger shall put the murderer to death when he meets him. 22 'But if he pushed him suddenly without enmity, or threw something at him without lying in wait, 23 or with any deadly object of stone, and without seeing it dropped on him so that he died, while he was not his enemy nor seeking his injury, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the blood avenger according to these ordinances. 25 'And the congregation shall deliver the manslayer from the hand of the blood avenger, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he fled; and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.

Reader 4* Amen 26 'But if the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he may flee, 27 and the blood avenger finds him outside the border of his city of refuge, and the blood avenger kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest the manslayer shall return to the land of his possession. 29 'And these things shall be for a statutory ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. 30 'If anyone kills a person, the murderer shall be put to death at the evidence of witnesses, but no person shall be put to death on the testimony of one witness.

Reader 5* Amen 31 'Moreover, you shall not take ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death, but he shall surely be put to death. 32 'And you shall not take ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may return to live in the land before the death of the priest. 33 'So you shall not pollute the land in which you are; for blood pollutes the land and no expiation can be made for the land for the blood that is shed on it, except by the blood of him who shed it. 34 'And you shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell; for I Yahweh am dwelling in the midst of the sons of Israel.'"

Reader 6* Amen 36:1 And the heads of the fathers' households of the family of the sons of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the leaders, the heads of the fathers' households of the sons of Israel, 2 and they said, " Yahweh commanded my lord to give the land by lot to the sons of Israel as an inheritance, and my lord was commanded by Yahweh to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 "But if they marry one of the sons of the other tribes of the sons of Israel, their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of our fathers and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; thus it will be withdrawn from our allotted inheritance. 4 "And when the jubilee of the sons of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they belong; so their inheritance will be withdrawn from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers." 5 Then Moses commanded the sons of Israel according to the word of Yahweh, saying, "The tribe of the sons of Joseph are right in their statements.

Reader 7* Amen 6 "This is what Yahweh has commanded concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, 'Let them marry whom they wish; only they must marry within the family of the tribe of their father.' 7 "Thus no inheritance of the sons of Israel shall be transferred from tribe to tribe, for the sons of Israel shall each hold to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 "And every daughter who comes into possession of an inheritance of any tribe of the sons of Israel, shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, so that the sons of Israel each may possess the inheritance of his fathers. 9 "Thus no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another tribe, for the tribes of the sons of Israel shall each hold to his own inheritance." 10 Just as Yahweh had commanded Moses, so the daughters of Zelophehad did: 11 Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad married their uncles' sons. 12 They married those from the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained with the tribe of the family of their father. 13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Yahweh commanded to the sons of Israel through Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan opposite Jericho.

Joshua 20

1 Then Yahweh spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 "Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, 'Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 'And he shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them. 5 'Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, then they shall not deliver the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor without premeditation and did not hate him beforehand. 6 'And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the manslayer shall return to his own city and to his own house, to the city from which he fled.'" 7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 8 And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These were the appointed cities for all the sons of Israel and for the stranger who sojourns among them, that whoever kills any person unintentionally may flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stands before the congregation.

Psalm 119:89-176 (last half – Lamed-Tav)

Lamed 89 Forever, O Yahweh, Thy word) is settled in heaven. 90 Thy faithfulness continues throughout all generations; Thou didst establish the earth, and it stands). 91 They stand) this day according to Thine ordinances, for all things are Thy servants. 92 If Thy law had not been my delight, then I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Thy precepts, for by them Thou hast revived me. 94 I am thine, save me; for I have sought Thy precepts. 95 The wicked wait for me to destroy me; I shall diligently consider Thy testimonies. 96 I have seen a limit to all perfection; Thy commandment is exceedingly broad.

Mem  97 O how I love Thy law! It is my meditation all the day. 98 Thy commandments make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever mine. 99 I have more insight than all my teachers, for Thy testimonies are my meditation. 100 I understand more than the aged, because I have observed Thy precepts. 101 I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I may keep Thy word. 102 I have not turned aside from Thine ordinances, for Thou Thyself hast taught me. 103 How sweet are Thy words to my taste! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! 104 From Thy precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.

Nun 105 Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will confirm it, that I will keep Thy righteous ordinances. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted; revive me, O Yahweh, according to Thy word. 108 O accept the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Yahweh, And teach me Thine ordinances. 109 My life is continually in my hand, yet I do not forget Thy law. 110 The wicked have laid a snare for me, yet I have not gone astray from Thy precepts. 111 I have inherited Thy testimonies forever, for they are the joy of my heart. 112 I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes forever, even to the end.

Samech 113 I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Thy law. 114 Thou art my hiding place and my shield; I wait for Thy word. 115 Depart from me, evildoers, that I may observe the commandments of my God. 116 Sustain me according to Thy word, that I may live; and do not let me be ashamed of my hope. 117 Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Thy statutes continually. 118 Thou hast rejected all those who wander from Thy statutes, for their deceitfulness is useless. 119 Thou hast removed all the wicked of the earth like dross; therefore I love Thy testimonies. 120 My flesh trembles for fear of Thee, and I am afraid of Thy judgments.

Ayin I have done justice and righteousness; do not leave me to my oppressors. 122 Be surety for Thy servant for good; do not let the arrogant oppress me. 123 My eyes fail with longing for Thy salvation, and for Thy righteous word. 124 Deal with Thy servant according to Thy lovingkindness, and teach me Thy statutes. 125 I am Thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know Thy testimonies. 126 It is time for Yahweh to act, for they have broken Thy law. 127 Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold. 128 Therefore I esteem right all Thy precepts concerning everything, I hate every false way.

Pey 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul observes them. 130 The unfolding of Thy words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Thy commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Thy manner with those who love Thy name. 133 Establish my footsteps in Thy word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Thy precepts. 135 Make Thy face shine upon Thy servant, And teach me Thy statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of water, because they do not keep Thy law.

Tzadi 137 Righteous art Thou, O Yahweh, and upright are Thy judgments. 138 Thou hast commanded Thy testimonies in righteousness and exceeding faithfulness. 139 My zeal has consumed me, because my adversaries have forgotten Thy words. 140 Thy word is very pure, therefore Thy servant loves it. 141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget Thy precepts. 142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Thy law is truth. 143 Trouble and anguish have come upon me; yet Thy commandments are my delight. 144 Thy testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

Kof 145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O Yahweh! I will observe Thy statutes. 146 I cried to Thee; save me, and I shall keep Thy testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Thy words. 148 My eyes anticipate the night watches, that I may meditate on Thy word. 149 Hear my voice according to Thy lovingkindness; revive me, O Yahweh, according to Thine ordinances. 150 Those who follow after wickedness draw near; they are far from Thy law. 151 Thou art near, O Yahweh, and all Thy commandments are truth. 152 Of old I have known from Thy testimonies, That Thou hast founded them forever.

Resh 153 Look upon my affliction and rescue me, for I do not forget Thy law. 154 Plead my cause and redeem me; revive me according to Thy word. 155 Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek Thy statutes. 156 Great are Thy mercies, O Yahweh; revive me according to Thine ordinances. 157 Many are my persecutors and my adversaries, yet I do not turn aside from Thy testimonies. 158 I behold the treacherous and loathe them, because they do not keep Thy word. 159 Consider how I love Thy precepts; revive me, O Yahweh, according to Thy lovingkindness. 160 The sum of Thy word is truth, and every one of Thy righteous ordinances is everlasting.

Shin 161 Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of Thy words. 162 I rejoice at Thy word, as one who finds great spoil. 163 I hate and despise falsehood, but I love Thy law. 164 Seven times a day I praise Thee, because of Thy righteous ordinances. 165 Those who love Thy law have great peace, and nothing causes them to stumble. 166 I hope for Thy salvation, O Yahweh, and do Thy commandments. 167 My soul keeps Thy testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. 168 I keep Thy precepts and Thy testimonies, for all my ways are before Thee.

Tav 169 Let my cry come before Thee, O Yahweh; give me understanding according to Thy word. 170 Let my supplication come before Thee; deliver me according to Thy word. 171 Let my lips utter praise, for Thou dost teach me Thy statutes. 172 Let my tongue sing of Thy word, for all Thy commandments are righteousness. 173 Let Thy hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Thy precepts. 174 I long for Thy salvation, O Yahweh, And Thy law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live that it may praise Thee, and let Thine ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek Thy servant, for I do not forget Thy commandments.

John 4:1-45

1 When therefore the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard that Yeshua was making and baptizing more disciples than John 2 (although Yeshua Himself was not baptizing, but His disciples were), 3 He left Judea, and departed again into Galilee. 4 And He had to pass through Samaria. 5 So He came to a city of Samaria, called Sychar, near the parcel of ground that Jacob gave to his son Joseph; 6 and Jacob's well was there. Yeshua therefore, being wearied from His journey, was sitting thus by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, "Give Me a drink." 8 For His disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. 9 The Samaritan woman therefore said to Him, "How is it that You, being a Jew, ask me for a drink since I am a Samaritan woman?" (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Yeshua answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water." 11 She said to Him, "Sir, You have nothing to draw with and the well is deep; where then do You get that living water? 12 "You are not greater than our father Jacob, are You, who gave us the well, and drank of it himself, and his sons, and his cattle?" 13 Yeshua answered and said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water shall thirst again; 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall become in him a well of water springing up to eternal life." 15 The woman said to Him, "Sir, give me this water, so I will not be thirsty, nor come all the way here to draw." 16 He said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come here." 17 The woman answered and said, "I have no husband." Yeshua said to her, "You have well said, 'I have no husband'; 18 for you have had five husbands, and the one whom you now have is not your husband; this you have said truly." 19 The woman said to Him, "Sir, I perceive that You are a prophet. 20 "Our fathers worshiped in this mountain, and you people say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." 21 Yeshua said to her, "Woman, believe Me, an hour is coming when neither in this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, shall you worship the Father. 22 "You worship that which you do not know; we worship that which we know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 "But an hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and truth; for such people the Father seeks to be His worshipers. 24 "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth." 25 The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming (He who is called Christ); when that One comes, He will declare all things to us." 26 Yeshua said to her, "I who speak to you am He." 27 And at this point His disciples came, and they marveled that He had been speaking with a woman; yet no one said, "What do You seek?" or, "Why do You speak with her?" 28 So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city, and said to the men, 29 "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?" 30 They went out of the city, and were coming to Him. 31 In the meanwhile the disciples were requesting Him, saying, "Rabbi, eat." 32 But He said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." 33 The disciples therefore were saying to one another, "No one brought Him anything to eat, did he?" 34 Yeshua said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to accomplish His work. 35 "Do you not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest '? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. 36 "Already he who reaps is receiving wages, and is gathering fruit for life eternal; that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. 37 "For in this case the saying is true, 'One sows, and another reaps.' 38 "I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labor." 39 And from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all the things that I have done." 40 So when the Samaritans came to Him, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of His word; 42 and they were saying to the woman, "It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One is indeed the Savior of the world." 43 And after the two days He went forth from there into Galilee. 44 For Yeshua Himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when He came to Galilee, the Galileans received Him, having seen all the things that He did in Jerusalem at the feast; for they themselves also went to the feast.


© 2003  Beikvot HaMashiach
(Followers of the Messiah)