Bulletin Friday 6 May 2011

Parashat Emor                    “Say”

Can our offerings offend HaShem?

Torah reveals precisely what is and what is not acceptable to HaShem. In the book of Amos, we see that Torah is the plumb line that comes from above revealing the Mind of G-d on many varying issues, including the sacrifices. Throughout Torah, the priests were instructed about the sacrifices and rituals that if carried our exactly according to the revealed prescriptions, would ensure the ongoing Divine Presence in their midst!

HaShem gives us specific instructions of what he likes and dislikes so that we can come close to Him without displeasing Him, as it says at the end of this aliyah: “And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the LORD who sanctifies you” (Lev. 22:32)

What we offer to the LORD shows what we think of Him. But, there is an addendum attached to this. We can bring the exact prescribed sacrifices but if the inner attitude is wrong, then the offering is flawed!  Jer 6:20 – “Your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet to Me." Or, in the words of the prophet Isaiah;

 

The outer actions are easier but it is the inner conviction that counts. And, the two must be in synch! We must continually be reminded that the primary emphasis throughout the book of Leviticus has to do with holiness. We have been focusing on holiness for some time and by now we should know that it is an inner condition of the heart which is then expressed through what we say and do.  And, the emphasis throughout our parasha on what is done and seen of necessity must resonate with the inner conviction. G-d sees the outer deeds but His focus is on the condition of our heart.

Jer 17:10

10   I, the LORD, search the heart; I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.

We can apply this thinking to the tithe also. If we give Him what is left at the end (i.e. not the 1^st portion offering), it is an indication that He is not first in our lives. If we give Him mediocre offerings , it indicates that He isn't important to us. If we give Him something defective, it suggests that we do not consider Him to be worthy of the best! Our offerings reveal what we think of Him.

That one who gives what he values most shows that HaShem is the most valuable person in his life. The one who gives something that represented a cost for him shows that he loves the Lord. The one who gives to the Lord first and then thinks of himself, shows that his priorities are in correct order.  Otherwise, we might hold back which is what Ananias and Sapphire did as recorded in Acts chapter 5 and it cost them their lives!

Whatever we do and say must be with the full conviction of the heart and as ‘unto the Lord’.

Mal 1:6-14

6     "A son honors his father, and a servant his master. If then I am the Father, where is   My honor? And if I am a Master, where is My reverence? Says the LORD of hosts to  you priests who despise My name. Yet you say, 'In what way have we despised  Your   name?'

7      "You offer defiled food on My altar. But say, 'In what way have we defiled You?' By  saying, 'The table of the LORD is contemptible.'

8      And when you offer the blind as a sacrifice, is it not evil? And when you offer the  lame and  sick, is it not evil? Offer it then to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he  accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts.

9      "But now entreat God's favor, that He may be gracious to us. While this is being done by  your hands, will He accept you favorably?" Says the LORD of hosts.

10    Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, so that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," says the LORD of hosts,  Nor will I accept an offering from your hands.

You see, our offerings reveal the level of our commitment to HaShem. When we offer them perfectly with the correct heart attitude – for G-d loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor 9:7) – then we fulfill what is called in Jewish theology – Kiddush HaShem! We sanctify, bring honour to, show respect for …. His great Name and reputation! Mal 1:11 – “For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, my name shall be great among the Gentiles; in every place incense shall be offered to My name, and a pure offering; for My name shall be great among the nations," says the LORD of hosts”.

The converse of Kiddush HaShem is called Chillul HaShem – to demean, to disparage, to diminish, to profane His great Name and reputation!

Mal 1:12-14

12    "But you profane it, in that you say, 'The table of the LORD is defiled; and its fruit, its food,  is contemptible.' 13   You also say, 'Oh, what a weariness!' And you sneer at it," says the LORD of hosts.  "And you bring the stolen, the lame, and the sick; thus you bring an offering! Should I   accept this from your hand?" Says the LORD. 14    "But cursed be the deceiver who has in his flock a male, and makes a vow, but sacrifices  to the Lord what is blemished-- for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "And My  name is to be feared among the nations.

So then, how do you or I shape up?

Do you tithe at the beginning or at the end? Do you wake up with joy, looking forward to the opportunities that G-d has for you during the course of this day? Do you make an effort to sing before HaShem? Do you make an effort to pray with intent so your words are not vain repetition? Do you give of yourself in service to others knowing and understanding that in serving others, you are serving the Lord? Do you obey willingly or grudgingly?

 Our offerings show what we think of our Heavenly Father. It's so good that He tells us in His Torah what He likes and dislikes, what is acceptable and what is abhorrent to Him so that we can consciously determine to offer Him the best because He is worthy “to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Rev 5:12).

And family, if you thought that the 613 mitzvot the rabbis discern in Torah is excessively demanding, what about the over 1500 direct commandments recorded in the B’rit Hadashah? What about 1 Pet 2:4-5?

We need to step back from the immediacy of our own lives and needs and see from a heavenly perspective.  This is not about you or I! It is not about your level of spirituality or you becoming more holy than another. This is about community!

In this context , I must disagree with Simon and Garfunkel for we are not meant to be islands! We are part of something much bigger – we are being built up into a spiritual house where we can fulfill our mandate as cohanim by offering up sacrifices, pleasing and acceptable to the Father.

The Temple was not an individualistic effort; it was corporate endeavor! Every priest and Levite was responsible for the overall well being of the Temple service and therefore, for the well being of the entire camp of Israel. By working together, we serve the Lord and ensure that His Presence remains with and in us!

Do you and I consider this as we attempt to offer up sacrifices pleasing to G-d?

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Israeli historian to West: Palestinians are duping you                            Sunday, May 01, 2011 | Ryan Jones

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