CONGREGATION
MELECH YISRAEL OF TORONTO
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WEEKLY TORAH PORTION |
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CONGREGATION
MELECH YISRAEL OF TORONTO |
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This Shabbat (Sabbath) is Shemini Atzeret (the Eighth day of Assembly). Shemini Atzeret, although it is included with Sukkot, is not part of Sukkot, but it is a Feast day all on its own. Bamidbar (Numbers) {29:35} On the eighth day you shall have a solemn assembly; you shall do no laborious work. In honour of this Feast day a special Torah Parasha is read, the complete reading for this is noted above. Below is the portion I have chosen to comment on for this week the drash (commentary). Devarim {14:22} You shall surely tithe all the increase of your seed, that which comes forth from the field year by year. {14:23} You shall eat before HaShem your G-D, in the place which He shall choose, to cause His Name to dwell there, the tithe of your grain, of your new wine, and of your oil, and the firstborn of your herd and of your flock; that you may learn to fear HaShem your G-D always. Why would tithing have anything to do with fearing HaShem, and why would it teach us to fear Him? The answer happens to be very simple. It is because not tithing means that we do not fear Him, seeing as He has commanded us to tithe. In order to understand this a little better I think we need to look at what the Scripture means when it says to “fear HaShem.” There are many kinds of fear associated with G-d. There is a form of fearing G-d that is not from G-d, its called superstition. Superstition is a form of fear of G-d, but not for the right reasons. Most of the time people are superstitious because of fear of punishment or judgement from G-d. Superstitious people associate certain chants and charms, like “the hand” (hamsah), which is worn by Jewish people to ward off evil, or the horn (Corno or Cornicello) worn by Italians, also to protect them from evil. Superstition also leads people avoid certain things, like not walking under a ladder or always being conscious about not spilling salt. Although none of these things have anything to do with G-d, superstitious people, by believing in evil, associate things like walking under a ladder or spilling salt to G-d removing His protection from them. Superstition, in any form, is demented and ignorant. Then there is the true fear of G-d. This form of fearing G-d causes a person to take care not to offend G-d by making every effort to live by His commandments and according to His will. This is a healthy fear, which demonstrates reverence, awe, and respect for G-d and His Word. The words reverence, awe and respect, when used in Scripture, can be a synonym for “healthy-fear” . In Scripture children are told to fear (respect) their parents. Vayikra (Leviticus) {19:3} You shall fear every ish (man) his 'em (mother), and his 'ab (father) ; and you shall keep My Shabbats (Sabbaths) : I am HaShem your G-D. Wives are to respect their husbands. Efesos (Ephesians) {5:33} Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence (fear) her husband. Servants are to respect their masters. Efesos {6:5} Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear (respect) and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Mashiach (Messiah) ; However, I must caution you that in order to have a perfectly healthy fear (reverence, awe or respect) of G-d there must also be a love for G-d. Fear and love must coexist in order for either one of these emotions to be healthy and for us to be able please and serve God. The same thing applies to children, wives and servants (in modern terms employees). Mizmor (Psalm) {111:10} The fear (awe) of HaShem is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do His mitzvoth (commandments) : His praise endures for ever. So what does tithing have to do with learning to fear HaShem? Tithing is something we need to learn to do. Left to our own selfish, self-serving selves we will not part with our money. However, if we learn to be faithful in our tithing and combine that tithing with obedience to the other commandments of HaShem, we will see how HaShem repays us with all spiritual, physical and financial blessings. Malachi {3:10} “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says HaShem Tzvaot (L-rd Of Hosts), “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven, and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.” Fearing the L-rd, however, has a completely different meaning to the unbeliever (those who do not have a personal relationship with Yeshua HaMashiach [the Messiah]) . To them fearing the L-rd makes them superstitious and gives them good reason to be panic-stricken at the thought of being punished. They are this way because they do not have a covering, atonement for their sin, as the works of man are insufficient to atone for sin. So, one day they will have to stand before G-d, and He will certainly condemn them. Mattityahu (Matthew) {10:28} “And do not fear those who kill the body, but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Yet, despite the proof that Yeshua is the promised Mashiach for both Jew and Gentile, most of both groups refuse to accept Him; therefore, they have good reason to fear punishment and be superstitious. This kind of fear of God, however, for most non-believers does not, in the majority of cases, lead to repentance and salvation. Instead it causes them to hide from HaShem or out and out deny His existence. Mizmor {14:1} The fool says in his heart, "There is no G-d." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. I trust that you are not among those who are hiding from G-d or denying that He exists. I trust that you are not a fool! Baruch HaShem Rabbi Ya'acov Farber |
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